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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/344,289, filed Jan. 31, 2006, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/619,087, filed Jul. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,602. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] In the completion of oil and gas wells, there are various downhole operations in which it may become necessary to isolate particular zones within the well. This is typically accomplished by temporarily plugging off the well casing at a given point or points with a bridge plug. Bridge plugs are particularly useful in accomplishing operations such as isolating perforations in one portion of a well from perforations in another portion, or for isolating the bottom of a well from a wellhead. The purpose of the plug is simply to isolate some portion of the well from another portion of the well. However, in some instances, the bridge plug may not necessarily be used for isolation, but may be used, for example, to create a cement plug in the wellbore. The bridge plug may be temporary or permanent; if temporary, it must be removable.
[0003] Bridge plugs may be drillable or retrievable. Drillable bridge plugs are typically constructed of a brittle metal such as cast iron that can be drilled out. One typical problem with conventional drillable bridge plugs, however, is that without some sort of locking mechanism, the bridge plug components may tend to rotate with the drill bit, which can result in extremely long drill-out times, excessive casing wear, or both. Long drill-out times are highly undesirable, as rig time is typically charged by the hour.
[0004] An alternative to drillable bridge plugs is the retrievable bridge plug, which may be used to temporarily isolate portions of the well before being removed, intact, from the well interior. Retrievable bridge plugs typically have anchor and sealing elements that engage and secure it to the casing wall. To retrieve the plug, a retrieving tool is lowered into the casing to engage a retrieving latch, which, through a retrieving mechanism, retracts the anchor and sealing elements, allowing the bridge plug to be pulled out of the wellbore. A common problem with retrievable bridge plugs is the accumulation of debris on the top of the plug, which may make it difficult or impossible to engage the retrieving latch to remove the plug. Such debris accumulation may also adversely affect the relative movement of various parts within the bridge plug. Furthermore, with current retrieving tools, jarring motions or friction against the well casing can cause accidental unlatching of the retrieving tool, or re-locking of the bridge plug (due to activation of the plug anchor elements). It may also be difficult to separate the retrieving tool from the plug upon removal, necessitating the use of additional machinery. Problems such as these sometimes make it necessary to drill out a bridge plug that was intended to be retrievable.
[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a bridge plug whose performance is not impaired by undesirable conditions such as differential pressure zones or wellbore debris, and that may be removed from the wellbore without undue exertion or cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 1A ;
[0010] FIG. 1C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 1A ;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bridge plug of FIG. 1A in the set position;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 2A ;
[0013] FIG. 2C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 2A ;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 3A ;
[0016] FIG. 3C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 3A ;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bridge plug of FIG. 3A in the set position;
[0018] FIG. 4B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 4A ;
[0019] FIG. 4C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 4A ; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of retrieving the bridge plug of the present invention from a wellbore.
[0021] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present invention aims to provide an improved bridge plug that is both retrievable and drillable. Existing bridge plugs that are either retrievable or drillable individually suffer from respective shortcomings related to plug setting and removal. The present invention provides a retrievable bridge plug having several drillable components, preferably made of composite materials, and therefore it may be retrieved, drilled, or both for removal as need dictates.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention. While FIG. 1A illustrates the tool in its entirety, FIGS. 1B and 1C each depict roughly one half of the tool (cut along line A-A in FIG. 1A ) so that the details of the present invention may be more clearly illustrated. The bridge plug 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A is in a “locked”, or inactivated position, as for running into a string of casing. In one embodiment, the bridge plug 100 comprises an upper mandrel assembly 102 and a lower mandrel assembly 104 .
[0024] The upper mandrel assembly 102 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 1B and comprises a substantially tubular outer setting sleeve 106 having a connection 108 at an upper end 107 of the assembly 102 . The connection 108 is threaded for attachment to a hydraulic or explosive operated tool (not shown). The setting sleeve 106 houses a setting tool body 110 , which has a threaded sucker rod connection 111 at its upper end, and in turn carries a selection tool 112 having a fishing neck 114 at an upper end 113 and a radial port 116 proximate a lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 . Within the selection tool 112 is an upper mandrel 118 , and the setting tool body 110 , selection tool 112 , and upper mandrel 118 are secured to one another by an upper shear pin 120 located proximate lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 , distal from the sucker rod connection 111 . Furthermore, a selection tool lug 122 extends radially inward from the selection tool 112 toward the upper mandrel 118 , to engage an annular, sinuous groove 124 that extends around the outer circumference of the mandrel 118 .
[0025] A portion of the upper mandrel 118 that is distal from the shear pin 120 connection is surrounded by a spring housing 126 . The spring housing 126 houses a coil spring 128 that is carried around the upper mandrel 118 . An upper spring stop 130 is secured, for example by a pin 132 a , to the mandrel 118 , while a lower spring stop 134 is secured to the selection tool 112 , also by a pin 132 b . The coil spring 128 is restrained axially within the upper and lower spring stops 130 , 134 . Below the spring housing 126 , but above the upper shear pin 120 , a radial port 136 is provided in the upper mandrel 118 .
[0026] The lower mandrel assembly 104 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 1C and is coupled to the lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 . The lower mandrel assembly 104 comprises a lower mandrel 138 preferably comprised of a composite material and having a first end 140 that fits within the lower end 115 of the upper mandrel 118 . Composite materials are well known in the art and typically comprise high-strength plastics containing fillers such as carbon or glass fiber. The lower mandrel 138 is secured in place by the upper shear pins 120 and 141 that secure the upper mandrel 118 , selection tool 112 , and setting tool body 110 . A second end 142 of the lower mandrel 138 terminates in a nose shoe 144 . The nose shoe 144 forms the lowermost portion of the bridge plug 100 .
[0027] A body lock ring housing 146 surrounds the lower mandrel 138 just below the setting tool body 110 and upper mandrel 118 . The body lock ring housing 146 may be formed of metallic or composite material and carries a lock ring 148 . The lock ring 148 comprises a plurality of teeth 150 that engage the lower end 115 of the selection tool 112 and secure the selection tool 112 to the lower mandrel 138 .
[0028] The lower mandrel assembly 104 further comprises upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 152 , 154 and a resilient packer element 156 . The upper slip and cone assembly 152 comprises a slip cage 158 formed of a composite material and secured by a lower shear pin 160 to a lower end 147 of the lock ring housing 146 . The upper slip cage 158 carries a plurality of upper slip segments 162 , each of which comprises a plurality of teeth 170 and surrounds a tapered end 173 of a conical upper cone 172 , also formed of a composite material. Thus, the upper cone 172 is situated to slide upwardly beneath the upper slip segments 162 . A lower slip and cone assembly 154 is formed similarly but is oriented to oppose the upper slip and cone assembly 152 ; that is, the lower slip segments 176 slide upwardly beneath the lower cone 174 . The upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 152 , 154 are spaced longitudinally so that a resilient packer element 156 may be retained between the upper and lower cones 172 , 174 .
[0029] The operation of the bridge plug embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A may best be understood with reference to FIGS. 2A-C , which illustrates the bridge plug of FIG. 1A in the “set” position. FIG. 2A illustrates the bridge plug 100 in its entirety, while FIGS. 2B and 2C each illustrate roughly one half (or the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 102 , 104 , respectively) of the bridge plug 100 shown in FIG. 2A .
[0030] The hydraulic or explosive operated tool (not shown) that is coupled to the sucker rod connection 108 on the upper mandrel assembly 102 is actuated to exert a downward force on the setting tool 110 , while pulling up on the main body of the bridge plug 100 , including the slips 162 , 176 and packer element 156 . This provides an upward force against the nose shoe 144 that moves the cones 172 , 174 into the slips 158 , 178 . As the cones 172 , 174 move into the slip cages 158 , 178 , they also are forced closer together, compressing the packer element 156 longitudinally so that it expands or extends radially outward. The travel of the cones 172 , 174 beneath the slip cages 158 , 178 also expands the slip segments 162 , 176 radially outward so that the teeth 170 “bite” into and engage the inner wall 182 of the casing 180 , which secures the packer element 156 in its compressed and fully expanded condition. At the same time, the body lock ring housing 146 is forced downwardly with relation to the bridge plug body 100 , the lock ring teeth 150 bite into the body lock ring housing 146 to prevent upward movement that might release the applied downward force.
[0031] In order to allow flow through the tool 100 , a central conduit 184 is provided through the slips 162 , 176 and packer 156 and part of the upper mandrel 118 . The radial port 136 in the upper mandrel 118 may be opened or closed depending on the relative axial positions of the upper and lower mandrels 118 , 138 . To open the port 136 , first, upward force is applied to the setting sleeve 106 and the setting tool body 110 to break the shear pin 120 , thereby allowing removal of the setting sleeve 106 and setting tool body 110 . The fishing neck 114 is thus exposed for grasping by a fishing tool (not shown), supported by a wire line (not shown). Pulling upward on the fishing neck 114 exerts an upward force on the upper mandrel 118 , compressing the spring 128 . The selection tool lug 122 that extends radially inward from the selection tool body 112 engages the sinuous groove 124 that extends around the outer circumference of the upper mandrel 118 . Thus, when the upper mandrel 118 is pulled upward, the engagement of the lug 122 with the sinuous groove 124 causes relative rotation of the upper mandrel 118 and the selection tool 112 . At the same time, the spring 128 surrounding the upper mandrel 118 is compressed.
[0032] When the upward force is released, the spring 128 is relaxed, causing relative axial movement between the upper mandrel 118 and the selection tool 112 . Lug movement through the grooves 124 causes simultaneous relative rotation of these components, which moves the ports 116 , 136 so that they are aligned, thereby opening the port to allow fluid to flow through the tool.
[0033] To retrieve the bridge plug 100 from the wellbore, a wire line (not shown) is connected to the fishing neck 114 on the selection tool 112 , and upward force is applied. This exerts an upward force that pulls on the lower mandrel 138 , which in turn pulls on the body lock ring housing 146 , which is connected to the upper slip cage 158 . The upper slip cage 158 is thereby pulled upwardly to release the radial force on the slips 162 , 176 , allowing the upper cone 172 to move upwardly and release the compressive force on the packer element 156 . Similarly, the lower cone 174 is removed from beneath the lower slip cage 178 so that the packer element 156 relaxes. With no radial forces forcing components of the bridge plug 100 into engagement with the inner wall 182 of the casing 180 , the bridge plug 100 may be retrieved from the wellbore by pulling upwardly.
[0034] In the event that the slips 162 , 176 and packer element 156 cannot be released as described above, they may be drilled out. If the application of a predetermined amount of force is not sufficient to release the slips 162 , 176 , an emergency release is provided to disconnect the lower mandrel assembly 104 from the remainder of the bridge plug tool 100 . This release comprises the lower shear pin 160 , which breaks when a sufficient amount of force is applied. The upper mandrel 118 and upper mandrel assembly 102 may be retrieved as described above. The remaining tool components—the lower mandrel 138 , slips 162 , 176 , cones 172 , 174 and packer element 156 —all comprise composite material, and so a milling machine may be lowered into the well to drill out the remaining material. Thus at worst, the bridge plug tool 100 is largely retrievable, cutting down on drilling time and cost. That which might not be retrieved is made of drillable material and represents a small percentage of the overall tool material to keep the complexity and cost of removal to a minimum as well.
[0035] An alternate embodiment of the present invention in illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C . FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention. While FIG. 3A illustrates the tool in its entirety, FIGS. 3B and 3C each depict roughly one half of the tool (cut along line C-C in FIG. 3A ) so that the details of the present invention may be more clearly illustrated. The bridge plug 200 illustrated in FIG. 3A is in a “locked”, or inactivated position, as for running into a string of casing. In one embodiment, the bridge plug 200 comprises an upper mandrel assembly 202 and a lower mandrel assembly 204 .
[0036] The upper mandrel assembly 202 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 3B and comprises a substantially tubular setting sleeve 206 having a threaded connection 208 at its upper end 207 . The setting sleeve 206 houses a setting tool body 210 , which in turn carries a selection tool 212 . The selection tool 212 has an upper end 213 terminating in a fishing neck 214 and a lower end 215 terminating in a downward facing plunger 222 . In addition, a radial port 216 is formed in the selection tool 212 proximate the lower end 215 .
[0037] The lower mandrel assembly 204 is coupled to the lower end 209 of the upper mandrel assembly 202 . The lower mandrel assembly 204 comprises a lower mandrel 238 comprised of a composite material and having an upper end 240 terminating in a counterbore 224 (shown in FIG. 3B ) defined therein. The upper end 240 of the lower mandrel 238 is secured to a setting sleeve 215 and setting tool 210 by an upper shear pin 220 . A lower end 242 of the lower mandrel 238 terminates in a nose shoe 244 . The nose shoe 244 forms the lowermost portion of the bridge plug 200 . The nose shoe 244 has a central bore 245 terminating in a conical seat 247 which receives a lower plunger 223 mounted on a rod which extends downward from the plunger 222 .
[0038] A body lock ring housing 246 surrounds the lower mandrel 238 just below the upper mandrel assembly 202 . The body lock ring housing 246 may be formed of a metallic or composite material and carries a lock ring 248 . The lock ring 248 comprises a plurality of teeth 250 that engage the lower end 215 of the setting tool 210 and secure it to the upper end 240 of the lower mandrel 238 .
[0039] The lower mandrel assembly 204 further comprises upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 252 , 254 and at least one of resilient packer element 256 . The upper slip and cone assembly 252 includes an upper cone 258 comprising an inclined slip ramp and secured by a lower shear pin 260 to a lower end 247 of the lock ring housing 246 . The tapered end 257 of the upper cone 258 engages the tapered surface 259 of upper slip segments 262 , which comprise a plurality of teeth 270 . A recess 228 in the slip 262 is slidably engaged with an elongated end 230 of an upper compression element 272 . Thus, the upper cone 258 is designed to slide downwardly under the slip elements 262 , to force the slip elements 262 downward against the upper compression element 272 and radially outward against the inner wall 282 of the casing 280 . The slip segments 262 and cone 272 are preferably formed of a composite material. A lower slip and cone assembly 254 is formed similarly but is oriented to oppose the upper slip and cone assembly 252 ; that is, the lower cone 278 abuts the upper end 245 of the nose shoe 244 , and the slip segments 276 move downwardly so that their tapered bore 277 engages the tapered upper end 279 of the compression element 272 . The upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 252 , 254 are spaced longitudinally so that at least one resilient packer element 256 may be retained between the upper and lower compression elements 272 , 274 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C , 3 such packer elements 256 are utilized; however, a greater or lesser number may be used.
[0040] The operation of the bridge plug 200 is not unlike the operation of the bridge plug 100 discussed herein, and may best be understood with reference to FIGS. 4A-C , which illustrate the bridge plug of FIG. 3A in a “set” position. FIG. 4A illustrates the bridge plug 200 in its entirety, while FIGS. 4B and 4C each illustrate roughly one half (or the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 , respectively) of the bridge plug 200 shown in FIG. 4A .
[0041] A hydraulic or explosive tool (not shown) is coupled to the threaded connection 208 on the upper mandrel assembly 202 and is actuated to exert a downward force on the setting tool 210 , while pulling up on the main body of the bridge plug 200 , including the slips 262 , 276 and packer elements 256 . This provides an upward force against the nose shoe 244 that moves the cones 258 , 278 further under the slips 262 , 276 and forces the slips 262 , 276 closer axially to the compression elements 272 , 274 . As the slips 262 , 276 move closer to the compression elements 272 , 274 , they force the compression elements 272 , 274 closer to each other, which compresses the packer elements 256 longitudinally so that they expand radially outward. The travel of the cones 258 , 278 beneath the slip segments 262 , 276 also expands the slip segments 262 , 276 radially outward so that the teeth 270 “bite” into and engage the inner wall 282 of the casing 280 , which secures the packer elements 256 in their compressed conditions. At the same time, the body lock ring housing 246 is forced downward with relation to the bridge plug body 200 , and the lock ring teeth 250 bite into the body lock ring housing 246 to prevent upward movement that might release the applied downward force.
[0042] In order to allow flow through the tool 200 , a central conduit 284 is provided through the slips 262 , 276 and packer elements 256 and part of the upper mandrel assembly 202 (see FIGS. 4A-C , which show the bridge plug in the “set” condition). The radial port 236 in the selection tool 212 may be opened or closed depending on the relative axial position of the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 . To open the port 236 , first, upward force is applied to the setting sleeve 206 and the setting tool body 210 to break the shear pin 220 , thereby allowing for removal of the setting sleeve 206 and setting tool body 210 . The fishing neck 214 is exposed for grasping by a fishing tool (not shown), and a wire line (not shown) is connected to the fishing neck 214 so that an upward force may be applied to the selection tool 212 . The plunger 222 on the lower end of the selection tool 212 is removed from the recess 224 in the lower mandrel 236 , so that flow f is allowed from the conduit 284 , through the recess and out the port 236 . When the upward force is released, the plunger moves back into the recess, thereby closing the port opening 236 off from flow.
[0043] Retrieval of the bridge plug 200 is also substantially similar to the retrieval process discussed herein with reference to the bridge plug 100 . If the slips 262 , 276 should fail to release, sufficient upward force will break the lower shear pin 260 , thereby separating the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 . The upper mandrel assembly 202 may then be pulled upwardly out of the wellbore, while the lower mandrel assembly 204 , largely comprising composite materials, may be drilled out with a milling machine.
[0044] Thus the present invention represents a significant advancement in the fields of oil and gas drilling and bridge plug technology. A bridge plug is provided that is largely retrievable from a wellbore. However, incorporated into the design is an emergency release that allows at least a portion of the plug to be retrieved if difficulty is encountered in removing the entire tool. In such an event, those components that remain in the wellbore are formed of a composite, drillable material that can be milled to clear the bore. Therefore, removal difficulties encountered with common existing retrievable bridge plugs are addressed. Time and cost for drilling are substantially reduced by making only a portion of the plug drillable, and by drilling only in the event that removal difficulties make retrieval of the entire tool infeasible or impossible.
[0045] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. | A method and apparatus for a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 11/344,289, filed Jan. 31, 2006, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/619,087, filed Jul. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,602.",
"Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0002] In the completion of oil and gas wells, there are various downhole operations in which it may become necessary to isolate particular zones within the well.",
"This is typically accomplished by temporarily plugging off the well casing at a given point or points with a bridge plug.",
"Bridge plugs are particularly useful in accomplishing operations such as isolating perforations in one portion of a well from perforations in another portion, or for isolating the bottom of a well from a wellhead.",
"The purpose of the plug is simply to isolate some portion of the well from another portion of the well.",
"However, in some instances, the bridge plug may not necessarily be used for isolation, but may be used, for example, to create a cement plug in the wellbore.",
"The bridge plug may be temporary or permanent;",
"if temporary, it must be removable.",
"[0003] Bridge plugs may be drillable or retrievable.",
"Drillable bridge plugs are typically constructed of a brittle metal such as cast iron that can be drilled out.",
"One typical problem with conventional drillable bridge plugs, however, is that without some sort of locking mechanism, the bridge plug components may tend to rotate with the drill bit, which can result in extremely long drill-out times, excessive casing wear, or both.",
"Long drill-out times are highly undesirable, as rig time is typically charged by the hour.",
"[0004] An alternative to drillable bridge plugs is the retrievable bridge plug, which may be used to temporarily isolate portions of the well before being removed, intact, from the well interior.",
"Retrievable bridge plugs typically have anchor and sealing elements that engage and secure it to the casing wall.",
"To retrieve the plug, a retrieving tool is lowered into the casing to engage a retrieving latch, which, through a retrieving mechanism, retracts the anchor and sealing elements, allowing the bridge plug to be pulled out of the wellbore.",
"A common problem with retrievable bridge plugs is the accumulation of debris on the top of the plug, which may make it difficult or impossible to engage the retrieving latch to remove the plug.",
"Such debris accumulation may also adversely affect the relative movement of various parts within the bridge plug.",
"Furthermore, with current retrieving tools, jarring motions or friction against the well casing can cause accidental unlatching of the retrieving tool, or re-locking of the bridge plug (due to activation of the plug anchor elements).",
"It may also be difficult to separate the retrieving tool from the plug upon removal, necessitating the use of additional machinery.",
"Problems such as these sometimes make it necessary to drill out a bridge plug that was intended to be retrievable.",
"[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a bridge plug whose performance is not impaired by undesirable conditions such as differential pressure zones or wellbore debris, and that may be removed from the wellbore without undue exertion or cost.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.",
"It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.",
"[0008] FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention;",
"[0009] FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 1A ;",
"[0010] FIG. 1C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 1A ;",
"[0011] FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bridge plug of FIG. 1A in the set position;",
"[0012] FIG. 2B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 2A ;",
"[0013] FIG. 2C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 2A ;",
"[0014] FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention;",
"[0015] FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 3A ;",
"[0016] FIG. 3C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 3A ;",
"[0017] FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bridge plug of FIG. 3A in the set position;",
"[0018] FIG. 4B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper mandrel assembly of FIG. 4A ;",
"[0019] FIG. 4C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower mandrel assembly of FIG. 4A ;",
"and [0020] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of retrieving the bridge plug of the present invention from a wellbore.",
"[0021] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] The present invention aims to provide an improved bridge plug that is both retrievable and drillable.",
"Existing bridge plugs that are either retrievable or drillable individually suffer from respective shortcomings related to plug setting and removal.",
"The present invention provides a retrievable bridge plug having several drillable components, preferably made of composite materials, and therefore it may be retrieved, drilled, or both for removal as need dictates.",
"[0023] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention.",
"While FIG. 1A illustrates the tool in its entirety, FIGS. 1B and 1C each depict roughly one half of the tool (cut along line A-A in FIG. 1A ) so that the details of the present invention may be more clearly illustrated.",
"The bridge plug 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A is in a “locked”, or inactivated position, as for running into a string of casing.",
"In one embodiment, the bridge plug 100 comprises an upper mandrel assembly 102 and a lower mandrel assembly 104 .",
"[0024] The upper mandrel assembly 102 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 1B and comprises a substantially tubular outer setting sleeve 106 having a connection 108 at an upper end 107 of the assembly 102 .",
"The connection 108 is threaded for attachment to a hydraulic or explosive operated tool (not shown).",
"The setting sleeve 106 houses a setting tool body 110 , which has a threaded sucker rod connection 111 at its upper end, and in turn carries a selection tool 112 having a fishing neck 114 at an upper end 113 and a radial port 116 proximate a lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 .",
"Within the selection tool 112 is an upper mandrel 118 , and the setting tool body 110 , selection tool 112 , and upper mandrel 118 are secured to one another by an upper shear pin 120 located proximate lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 , distal from the sucker rod connection 111 .",
"Furthermore, a selection tool lug 122 extends radially inward from the selection tool 112 toward the upper mandrel 118 , to engage an annular, sinuous groove 124 that extends around the outer circumference of the mandrel 118 .",
"[0025] A portion of the upper mandrel 118 that is distal from the shear pin 120 connection is surrounded by a spring housing 126 .",
"The spring housing 126 houses a coil spring 128 that is carried around the upper mandrel 118 .",
"An upper spring stop 130 is secured, for example by a pin 132 a , to the mandrel 118 , while a lower spring stop 134 is secured to the selection tool 112 , also by a pin 132 b .",
"The coil spring 128 is restrained axially within the upper and lower spring stops 130 , 134 .",
"Below the spring housing 126 , but above the upper shear pin 120 , a radial port 136 is provided in the upper mandrel 118 .",
"[0026] The lower mandrel assembly 104 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 1C and is coupled to the lower end 115 of the upper mandrel assembly 102 .",
"The lower mandrel assembly 104 comprises a lower mandrel 138 preferably comprised of a composite material and having a first end 140 that fits within the lower end 115 of the upper mandrel 118 .",
"Composite materials are well known in the art and typically comprise high-strength plastics containing fillers such as carbon or glass fiber.",
"The lower mandrel 138 is secured in place by the upper shear pins 120 and 141 that secure the upper mandrel 118 , selection tool 112 , and setting tool body 110 .",
"A second end 142 of the lower mandrel 138 terminates in a nose shoe 144 .",
"The nose shoe 144 forms the lowermost portion of the bridge plug 100 .",
"[0027] A body lock ring housing 146 surrounds the lower mandrel 138 just below the setting tool body 110 and upper mandrel 118 .",
"The body lock ring housing 146 may be formed of metallic or composite material and carries a lock ring 148 .",
"The lock ring 148 comprises a plurality of teeth 150 that engage the lower end 115 of the selection tool 112 and secure the selection tool 112 to the lower mandrel 138 .",
"[0028] The lower mandrel assembly 104 further comprises upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 152 , 154 and a resilient packer element 156 .",
"The upper slip and cone assembly 152 comprises a slip cage 158 formed of a composite material and secured by a lower shear pin 160 to a lower end 147 of the lock ring housing 146 .",
"The upper slip cage 158 carries a plurality of upper slip segments 162 , each of which comprises a plurality of teeth 170 and surrounds a tapered end 173 of a conical upper cone 172 , also formed of a composite material.",
"Thus, the upper cone 172 is situated to slide upwardly beneath the upper slip segments 162 .",
"A lower slip and cone assembly 154 is formed similarly but is oriented to oppose the upper slip and cone assembly 152 ;",
"that is, the lower slip segments 176 slide upwardly beneath the lower cone 174 .",
"The upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 152 , 154 are spaced longitudinally so that a resilient packer element 156 may be retained between the upper and lower cones 172 , 174 .",
"[0029] The operation of the bridge plug embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A may best be understood with reference to FIGS. 2A-C , which illustrates the bridge plug of FIG. 1A in the “set”",
"position.",
"FIG. 2A illustrates the bridge plug 100 in its entirety, while FIGS. 2B and 2C each illustrate roughly one half (or the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 102 , 104 , respectively) of the bridge plug 100 shown in FIG. 2A .",
"[0030] The hydraulic or explosive operated tool (not shown) that is coupled to the sucker rod connection 108 on the upper mandrel assembly 102 is actuated to exert a downward force on the setting tool 110 , while pulling up on the main body of the bridge plug 100 , including the slips 162 , 176 and packer element 156 .",
"This provides an upward force against the nose shoe 144 that moves the cones 172 , 174 into the slips 158 , 178 .",
"As the cones 172 , 174 move into the slip cages 158 , 178 , they also are forced closer together, compressing the packer element 156 longitudinally so that it expands or extends radially outward.",
"The travel of the cones 172 , 174 beneath the slip cages 158 , 178 also expands the slip segments 162 , 176 radially outward so that the teeth 170 “bite”",
"into and engage the inner wall 182 of the casing 180 , which secures the packer element 156 in its compressed and fully expanded condition.",
"At the same time, the body lock ring housing 146 is forced downwardly with relation to the bridge plug body 100 , the lock ring teeth 150 bite into the body lock ring housing 146 to prevent upward movement that might release the applied downward force.",
"[0031] In order to allow flow through the tool 100 , a central conduit 184 is provided through the slips 162 , 176 and packer 156 and part of the upper mandrel 118 .",
"The radial port 136 in the upper mandrel 118 may be opened or closed depending on the relative axial positions of the upper and lower mandrels 118 , 138 .",
"To open the port 136 , first, upward force is applied to the setting sleeve 106 and the setting tool body 110 to break the shear pin 120 , thereby allowing removal of the setting sleeve 106 and setting tool body 110 .",
"The fishing neck 114 is thus exposed for grasping by a fishing tool (not shown), supported by a wire line (not shown).",
"Pulling upward on the fishing neck 114 exerts an upward force on the upper mandrel 118 , compressing the spring 128 .",
"The selection tool lug 122 that extends radially inward from the selection tool body 112 engages the sinuous groove 124 that extends around the outer circumference of the upper mandrel 118 .",
"Thus, when the upper mandrel 118 is pulled upward, the engagement of the lug 122 with the sinuous groove 124 causes relative rotation of the upper mandrel 118 and the selection tool 112 .",
"At the same time, the spring 128 surrounding the upper mandrel 118 is compressed.",
"[0032] When the upward force is released, the spring 128 is relaxed, causing relative axial movement between the upper mandrel 118 and the selection tool 112 .",
"Lug movement through the grooves 124 causes simultaneous relative rotation of these components, which moves the ports 116 , 136 so that they are aligned, thereby opening the port to allow fluid to flow through the tool.",
"[0033] To retrieve the bridge plug 100 from the wellbore, a wire line (not shown) is connected to the fishing neck 114 on the selection tool 112 , and upward force is applied.",
"This exerts an upward force that pulls on the lower mandrel 138 , which in turn pulls on the body lock ring housing 146 , which is connected to the upper slip cage 158 .",
"The upper slip cage 158 is thereby pulled upwardly to release the radial force on the slips 162 , 176 , allowing the upper cone 172 to move upwardly and release the compressive force on the packer element 156 .",
"Similarly, the lower cone 174 is removed from beneath the lower slip cage 178 so that the packer element 156 relaxes.",
"With no radial forces forcing components of the bridge plug 100 into engagement with the inner wall 182 of the casing 180 , the bridge plug 100 may be retrieved from the wellbore by pulling upwardly.",
"[0034] In the event that the slips 162 , 176 and packer element 156 cannot be released as described above, they may be drilled out.",
"If the application of a predetermined amount of force is not sufficient to release the slips 162 , 176 , an emergency release is provided to disconnect the lower mandrel assembly 104 from the remainder of the bridge plug tool 100 .",
"This release comprises the lower shear pin 160 , which breaks when a sufficient amount of force is applied.",
"The upper mandrel 118 and upper mandrel assembly 102 may be retrieved as described above.",
"The remaining tool components—the lower mandrel 138 , slips 162 , 176 , cones 172 , 174 and packer element 156 —all comprise composite material, and so a milling machine may be lowered into the well to drill out the remaining material.",
"Thus at worst, the bridge plug tool 100 is largely retrievable, cutting down on drilling time and cost.",
"That which might not be retrieved is made of drillable material and represents a small percentage of the overall tool material to keep the complexity and cost of removal to a minimum as well.",
"[0035] An alternate embodiment of the present invention in illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C .",
"FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bridge plug according to the present invention.",
"While FIG. 3A illustrates the tool in its entirety, FIGS. 3B and 3C each depict roughly one half of the tool (cut along line C-C in FIG. 3A ) so that the details of the present invention may be more clearly illustrated.",
"The bridge plug 200 illustrated in FIG. 3A is in a “locked”, or inactivated position, as for running into a string of casing.",
"In one embodiment, the bridge plug 200 comprises an upper mandrel assembly 202 and a lower mandrel assembly 204 .",
"[0036] The upper mandrel assembly 202 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 3B and comprises a substantially tubular setting sleeve 206 having a threaded connection 208 at its upper end 207 .",
"The setting sleeve 206 houses a setting tool body 210 , which in turn carries a selection tool 212 .",
"The selection tool 212 has an upper end 213 terminating in a fishing neck 214 and a lower end 215 terminating in a downward facing plunger 222 .",
"In addition, a radial port 216 is formed in the selection tool 212 proximate the lower end 215 .",
"[0037] The lower mandrel assembly 204 is coupled to the lower end 209 of the upper mandrel assembly 202 .",
"The lower mandrel assembly 204 comprises a lower mandrel 238 comprised of a composite material and having an upper end 240 terminating in a counterbore 224 (shown in FIG. 3B ) defined therein.",
"The upper end 240 of the lower mandrel 238 is secured to a setting sleeve 215 and setting tool 210 by an upper shear pin 220 .",
"A lower end 242 of the lower mandrel 238 terminates in a nose shoe 244 .",
"The nose shoe 244 forms the lowermost portion of the bridge plug 200 .",
"The nose shoe 244 has a central bore 245 terminating in a conical seat 247 which receives a lower plunger 223 mounted on a rod which extends downward from the plunger 222 .",
"[0038] A body lock ring housing 246 surrounds the lower mandrel 238 just below the upper mandrel assembly 202 .",
"The body lock ring housing 246 may be formed of a metallic or composite material and carries a lock ring 248 .",
"The lock ring 248 comprises a plurality of teeth 250 that engage the lower end 215 of the setting tool 210 and secure it to the upper end 240 of the lower mandrel 238 .",
"[0039] The lower mandrel assembly 204 further comprises upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 252 , 254 and at least one of resilient packer element 256 .",
"The upper slip and cone assembly 252 includes an upper cone 258 comprising an inclined slip ramp and secured by a lower shear pin 260 to a lower end 247 of the lock ring housing 246 .",
"The tapered end 257 of the upper cone 258 engages the tapered surface 259 of upper slip segments 262 , which comprise a plurality of teeth 270 .",
"A recess 228 in the slip 262 is slidably engaged with an elongated end 230 of an upper compression element 272 .",
"Thus, the upper cone 258 is designed to slide downwardly under the slip elements 262 , to force the slip elements 262 downward against the upper compression element 272 and radially outward against the inner wall 282 of the casing 280 .",
"The slip segments 262 and cone 272 are preferably formed of a composite material.",
"A lower slip and cone assembly 254 is formed similarly but is oriented to oppose the upper slip and cone assembly 252 ;",
"that is, the lower cone 278 abuts the upper end 245 of the nose shoe 244 , and the slip segments 276 move downwardly so that their tapered bore 277 engages the tapered upper end 279 of the compression element 272 .",
"The upper and lower slip and cone assemblies 252 , 254 are spaced longitudinally so that at least one resilient packer element 256 may be retained between the upper and lower compression elements 272 , 274 .",
"In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C , 3 such packer elements 256 are utilized;",
"however, a greater or lesser number may be used.",
"[0040] The operation of the bridge plug 200 is not unlike the operation of the bridge plug 100 discussed herein, and may best be understood with reference to FIGS. 4A-C , which illustrate the bridge plug of FIG. 3A in a “set”",
"position.",
"FIG. 4A illustrates the bridge plug 200 in its entirety, while FIGS. 4B and 4C each illustrate roughly one half (or the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 , respectively) of the bridge plug 200 shown in FIG. 4A .",
"[0041] A hydraulic or explosive tool (not shown) is coupled to the threaded connection 208 on the upper mandrel assembly 202 and is actuated to exert a downward force on the setting tool 210 , while pulling up on the main body of the bridge plug 200 , including the slips 262 , 276 and packer elements 256 .",
"This provides an upward force against the nose shoe 244 that moves the cones 258 , 278 further under the slips 262 , 276 and forces the slips 262 , 276 closer axially to the compression elements 272 , 274 .",
"As the slips 262 , 276 move closer to the compression elements 272 , 274 , they force the compression elements 272 , 274 closer to each other, which compresses the packer elements 256 longitudinally so that they expand radially outward.",
"The travel of the cones 258 , 278 beneath the slip segments 262 , 276 also expands the slip segments 262 , 276 radially outward so that the teeth 270 “bite”",
"into and engage the inner wall 282 of the casing 280 , which secures the packer elements 256 in their compressed conditions.",
"At the same time, the body lock ring housing 246 is forced downward with relation to the bridge plug body 200 , and the lock ring teeth 250 bite into the body lock ring housing 246 to prevent upward movement that might release the applied downward force.",
"[0042] In order to allow flow through the tool 200 , a central conduit 284 is provided through the slips 262 , 276 and packer elements 256 and part of the upper mandrel assembly 202 (see FIGS. 4A-C , which show the bridge plug in the “set”",
"condition).",
"The radial port 236 in the selection tool 212 may be opened or closed depending on the relative axial position of the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 .",
"To open the port 236 , first, upward force is applied to the setting sleeve 206 and the setting tool body 210 to break the shear pin 220 , thereby allowing for removal of the setting sleeve 206 and setting tool body 210 .",
"The fishing neck 214 is exposed for grasping by a fishing tool (not shown), and a wire line (not shown) is connected to the fishing neck 214 so that an upward force may be applied to the selection tool 212 .",
"The plunger 222 on the lower end of the selection tool 212 is removed from the recess 224 in the lower mandrel 236 , so that flow f is allowed from the conduit 284 , through the recess and out the port 236 .",
"When the upward force is released, the plunger moves back into the recess, thereby closing the port opening 236 off from flow.",
"[0043] Retrieval of the bridge plug 200 is also substantially similar to the retrieval process discussed herein with reference to the bridge plug 100 .",
"If the slips 262 , 276 should fail to release, sufficient upward force will break the lower shear pin 260 , thereby separating the upper and lower mandrel assemblies 202 , 204 .",
"The upper mandrel assembly 202 may then be pulled upwardly out of the wellbore, while the lower mandrel assembly 204 , largely comprising composite materials, may be drilled out with a milling machine.",
"[0044] Thus the present invention represents a significant advancement in the fields of oil and gas drilling and bridge plug technology.",
"A bridge plug is provided that is largely retrievable from a wellbore.",
"However, incorporated into the design is an emergency release that allows at least a portion of the plug to be retrieved if difficulty is encountered in removing the entire tool.",
"In such an event, those components that remain in the wellbore are formed of a composite, drillable material that can be milled to clear the bore.",
"Therefore, removal difficulties encountered with common existing retrievable bridge plugs are addressed.",
"Time and cost for drilling are substantially reduced by making only a portion of the plug drillable, and by drilling only in the event that removal difficulties make retrieval of the entire tool infeasible or impossible.",
"[0045] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow."
] |
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings hereto: Copyright© 2002, Sun Microsystems, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of entitlement. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides and tracks entitlement services.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] As the Internet becomes increasingly a part of everyday life, the number of users utilizing the Web to perform commercial transactions (such as e-commerce) is growing exponentially. The always-available services through Web pages are contributing to this growth. For example, a user in a different time zone than a service provider does not have to worry about the customer service hours of operation when utilizing a Web site-based customer service tool. As a result of its many benefits, e-commerce is envisioned to become more commonplace than traditional commerce in the coming years.
[0004] Larger companies are also actively participating in the commercial use of the Internet. One problem with today's Internet-based solutions, however, is that tracking access and usage of services is not efficient. For example, if a user buys a book off the Web, the book is ordered and sent to the user once the money is collected. Tracking access and usage of services is, however, not as clear-cut over the Web. The steps involved in traditional service tracking not utilizing the Web can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
[0005] Similar problems also exist when utilizing the traditional methods (e.g., telephone or on-site). This is particularly challenging when the method of delivery is not bound at purchase time, but at the time the customer requests the service, and the request for service can be made by several alternate methods, of which the Web is one.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention, which may be implemented utilizing a general-purpose digital computer, in certain embodiments of the present invention, includes novel methods and apparatus to provide efficient, effective, and/or flexible provision of entitlement services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system for providing an entitlement is disclosed. The computer system includes: a communication channel to receive a request for the entitlement; a computer facility to verify the entitlement is granted and create the entitlement; and a storage device to store information corresponding to the created entitlement. The entitlement may have a type selected from a group comprising an incident entitlement and a subscription entitlement.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, a single entitlement may be created for all uses of a granted subscription entitlement.
[0008] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a different entitlement may be created for each purchased incident entitlement.
[0009] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the stored information may indicate a status of the created entitlement selected from a group comprising available, expired, locked, completed, and canceled.
[0010] In a different embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing an entitlement is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request for the entitlement; verifying the entitlement is granted; creating the granted entitlement; storing information corresponding to the requested entitlement; tracking a consumption of the entitlement based on the stored information; and accessing the entitlement so long as at least one use of the entitlement remains based on the stored information; and an expiration date corresponding to the entitlement is unreached.
[0011] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include repeating the accessing and tracking acts until an event corresponding to the entitlement is reached. The event may be selected from a group comprising expired, completely consumed, non-existent, and canceled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100 in which certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;
[0014] [0014]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary purchase state diagram 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary entitlement state diagram 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] [0016]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary consumption state diagram 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures, devices, and techniques have not been shown in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the understanding of the description. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
[0019] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0020] Also, select embodiments of the present invention include various operations, which are described herein. The operations of the embodiments of the present invention may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be in turn utilized to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor, or logic circuits programmed with the instructions to perform the operations. Alternatively, the operations may be performed by a combination of hardware and software.
[0021] Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as computer program products, which may include machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to embodiments of the present invention. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc-read only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random-access memories (RAMs), erasable programmable ROMs (EPROMs), electrically EPROMs (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other types of media or machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and/or data.
[0022] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection). Accordingly, herein, a carrier wave shall be regarded as comprising a machine-readable medium.
[0023] Before describing an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, some terms that will be used throughout this patent application will briefly be defined:
[0024] As used herein, “entitled” means the right to benefit from a tangible or intangible asset.
[0025] As used herein, “entitlement” means the way one may track to determine whether a user is entitled.
[0026] As used herein, “incident” means an entitlement with limited consumption and/or for a specified period of time.
[0027] As used herein, “subscription” means an entitlement with unlimited consumption and/or for a specified period of time.
[0028] As used herein, “site” means a relatively large quantity of subscriptions.
[0029] As used herein, “consumption” means usage of an entitlement.
[0030] As used herein, “pack” means one or more entitlements associated with each other.
[0031] As used herein, “CT” means cancellation and/or rejection in a tool such as a purchase tool and/or a consumption tool by, for example, and administrator as further discussed herein.
[0032] As used herein, “CF” means cancellation and/or rejection in the future by, for example, a user as further discussed herein.
[0033] [0033]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100 in which certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The system 100 comprises a central processor 102 , a main memory 104 , an input/output (I/O) controller 106 , a keyboard 108 , a pointing device 110 (e.g., mouse, track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device 112 , a mass storage 114 (e.g., a nonvolatile storage such as a hard disk, an optical drive, and the like), and a network interface 118 . Additional input/output devices, such as a printing device 116 , may be included in the system 100 as desired. As illustrated, the various components of the system 100 communicate through a system bus 120 or similar architecture.
[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the computer system 100 includes a Sun Microsystems computer utilizing a SPARC microprocessor available from several vendors (including Sun Microsystems, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif.). Those with ordinary skill in the art understand, however, that any type of computer system may be utilized to embody the present invention, including those made by Hewlett Packard of Palo Alto, Calif., and IBM-compatible personal computers utilizing Intel microprocessor, which are available from several vendors (including IBM of Armonk, N.Y.). Also, instead of a single processor, two or more processors (whether on a single chip or on separate chips) can be utilized to provide speedup in operations. It is further envisioned that the processor 102 may be a complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets, and the like.
[0035] The network interface 118 provides communication capability with other computer systems on a same local network, on a different network connected via modems and the like to the present network, or to other computers across the Internet. In various embodiments of the present invention, the network interface 118 can be implemented utilizing technologies including, but not limited to, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet (such as that covered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 801.1 standard), wide-area network (WAN), leased line (such as T1, T3, optical carrier 3 (OC3), and the like), analog modem, digital subscriber line (DSL and its varieties such as high bit-rate DSL (HDSL), integrated services digital network DSL (IDSL), and the like), cellular, wireless networks (such as those implemented by utilizing the wireless application protocol (WAP)), time division multiplexing (TDM), universal serial bus (USB and its varieties such as USB II), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), satellite, cable modem, and/or FireWire.
[0036] Moreover, the computer system 100 may utilize operating systems such as Solaris, Windows (and its varieties such as CE, NT, 2000, XP, ME, and the like), HP-UX, IBM-AIX, PALM, UNIX, Berkeley software distribution (BSD) UNIX, Linux, Apple UNIX (AUX), Macintosh operating system (Mac OS) (including Mac OS X), and the like. Also, it is envisioned that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the computer system 100 is a general purpose computer capable of running any number of applications such as those available from companies including Oracle, Siebel, Unisys, Microsoft, and the like.
[0037] [0037]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary purchase state diagram 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The purchase (or purchase order (PO)) state diagram 200 provides exemplary system states for a purchased product. In one embodiment of the present invention, the state diagram 200 may be part of an e-commerce system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it is envisioned that a PO is but one form of payment that can be utilized. Other payment methods may include a money order, a credit card payment, a wire transfer, a cash-on-deliver (COD), and the like. The diagram 200 contains four states: Pending 202 , Completed 204 , Rejected 206 , and Canceled 208 .
[0038] Table 1 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 2 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE 1 Purchase States Purchase State Transition to . . . Trigger Pending Rejected PO Rejected via, for example, a tool. Canceled PO/Credit Card (CC) Canceled Completed PO/CC approval Completed Canceled PO/CC Canceled
[0039] The Pending state 202 is the initial state within the purchase state diagram 200 . The Pending state 202 is representative of a purchase not yet completed. The Pending state 202 may be utilized for credit card pre-authorization (e.g., to check that funds are available) or acceptance of a purchase order not yet validated. The Completed state 204 is representative of a purchase where the commitment to pay has been received from the purchaser. For example, when a credit card post authorization occurs or when a purchase order is validated, then the purchase transaction will be placed into the Completed state 204 . The Rejected state 206 is representative of a purchase that could not go through (in an embodiment of the present invention upon verification), for example, because the credit card did not have the appropriate funds, the credit card was expired, the purchase order was invalid, the purchase order was not received, and the like. The Canceled state 208 is representative of the purchase being deleted. This state can occur, for example, because a refund is requested, a purchase order fax invoice is never received from the customer, and the like.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Completed state 204 , the PO needs be first received by the seller. In another embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Rejected state 206 , the PO may not have been received. Additionally, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Canceled state 208 , a change in consumer interest or an inability to complete the purchase process may have occurred. In a further embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Completed state 204 to the Canceled state 208 , a change in consumer interest may have occurred and a refund may be in order.
[0041] [0041]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary entitlement state diagram 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the entitlement state diagram 300 provides the system states for an entitlement. The diagram 300 represents incident and subscription entitlements within one exemplary model. There are five states for an entitlement: Available 302 , Expired 304 , Canceled 306 , Locked 308 , and Completed 310 . The Available state 302 is the default state for an entitlement. The Available state 302 represents an active or otherwise usable entitlement. The Canceled state 306 represents a non-usable entitlement that is due to, for example, security fraud or consumer refund requested. The Expired state 304 represents a subscription or incident entitlement that has past its expiration. The Locked state 308 represents entitlements when the request to consume has been received but not yet fulfilled. The Completed state 310 represents an incident entitlement that has been successfully fulfilled.
[0042] Table 2 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 3 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE 2 Entitlement States Entitlement State Transition to . . . Trigger Available Available A consumption of a subscription is required Canceled Entitlement canceled (e.g., via a tool) Locked A consumption of an Incident is requested Expired Entitlement is no longer usable Locked Canceled Entitlement canceled (e.g., via a tool) Completed Incident consumption occurred Available Incident consumption failed
[0043] For the transition from the Available state 302 to the Canceled state 306 , a consumer request may have been made for a refund. Hence, the entitlement(s) will be removed and the consumer will receive a refund or service credit. If the entitlement is canceled, then the transition to the Canceled state 208 in the Purchase State Diagram 200 triggers the cancellation of the entitlement as well. On the expiration date, entitlements in the Available state 302 move to the Expired state 304 . Accordingly, the subscription or incident entitlement will expire and will no longer be usable.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each entitlement may have an expiration date associated with it upon creation. When consumption for a subscription occurs, the entitlement moves from the Available state 302 to the Available state 302 ; thus, subscription entitlements are not used up and remain available until they expire or are canceled. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, subscription entitlements may have unlimited consumption, for example, for a specified period of time. For an incident entitlement request for consumption, entitlements transition from the Available state 302 to the Locked state 308 ; thus, once used, incident entitlements are no longer available.
[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, incident entitlements may have limited consumption and/or a specified amount of time associated with them. When the consumption of an incident entitlement does not occur, the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Canceled state 306 may occur. When an incident entitlement is successfully consumed (i.e., the user is not entitled to use the entitlement anymore, even though the entitlement may still exist), the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Completed state 310 takes place. For the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Available state 302 , the incident entitlement consumption request needs to fail to be fulfilled.
[0046] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each subscription or incident entitlement can be consumed. Because subscription entitlements may have unlimited consumption requests, they may never reach the Completed state 310 . Therefore, each subscription entitlement may be available immediately after requesting consumption. Furthermore, when a request to consume an incident entitlement is made, it may no longer be available once consumption starts. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, incident entitlements may have a quantity of one associated with them that requires, for example, decrementing upon successful consumption or incrementing upon a need for providing a credit.
[0047] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, when a purchase is made for an incident or subscription-based product, entitlements may be created representative of the product purchased. For example, if a purchaser buys a support package, which contains five incidents, there will be five entitlements created, one for each incident purchased. If a purchaser buys a subscription to a service, then there may be one entitlement created for the service subscription. An entitlement can be created when the purchase is in the Pending state 202 or the Completed state 204 . Business logic, on a case-by-case basis, may dictate, which state the entitlement, will be generated from. Although, entitlements are not necessarily dependent on a purchase in order to be created or otherwise to exist.
[0048] In a further embodiment of the present invention, entitlements may have one or more of the following characteristics: one or more entitlements can be created for each purchase; for each incident purchased, one entitlement may be created; for each subscription purchased, typically one entitlement may be created, although subscriptions could conceivably share an entitlement; and various rules can apply about what purchase states or other conditions trigger the creation of an entitlement. The latter may be the rules under which service is given. For example, for one particular service, the entitlement might be created in the Pending state 202 if the purchase amount is over a threshold amount, but not created until the Completed state 204 if it is under that amount. For another service, perhaps all purchases must be completed before the entitlement is created (i.e., service is given).
[0049] [0049]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary consumption state diagram 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The consumption (or request) state diagram 400 includes four states: Pending 402 , Canceled 404 , Failed 406 , and Succeeded 408 . When a request is made for either an incident or subscription entitlement, a consumption (and a corresponding consumption state) are created, which are represented in the state diagram 400 . Accordingly, the consumption state diagram 400 provides the system states for each individual consumption request.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 4, there are four possible states for a consumption request. The Pending state 402 is the initial state upon creation of this instance that requests entry into prior to completion. A request can move from Pending state 402 to the Succeeded state 408 , the Failed state 406 , or the Canceled state 404 . The Succeeded state 408 is representative of a successful consumption. The Failed state 406 is representative of an unsuccessful consumption. The Canceled state 404 is representative of a request to cancel by, for example, an administrator or a user within a feature.
[0051] Table 3 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 4 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE 3 Consumption States Consumption State Transition to . . . Trigger Pending Succeeded Successful consumption Failed No consumption Canceled Incomplete consumption
[0052] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an entitlement system (e.g., including server computers such as those discussed with respect to FIG. 1) may store one or more entitlements as a site, subscription pack, incident pack, incident, and/or subscription. Furthermore, the stored information regarding each entitlement may include data regarding the purchased product (such as a service product), service type, expiration, entitlement state, number of uses available, and any associated assets. In another embodiment of the present invention, the entitlement may be associated with a single user and/or a user group. Additionally, the entitlement may be associated with one or more tangible/intangible assets.
[0053] In a further embodiment of the present invention, identification of the entitlement may be by any of its associated properties, and does not have to be by association with the purchase. For example, a user may request a service for a machine by that machine's serial number; the user does not have to be the same user or in any other way associated with the purchaser, or provide any other information about the purchase or entitlement than the serial number. In other words, the key value to associate the request (consumption) with the entitlement can be any data associated with an entitlement. Different data may be used for this association for different services that use our entitlement system.
[0054] The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the present invention, with the attainment of all or some of the advantages. For example, the techniques of the present invention may be utilized for provision of discounts (such as coupons, vouchers, and the like), royalty points, frequent shopping credit, and the like. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention. | Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of efficient, effective, and/or flexible provision of entitlement services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing an entitlement is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request for the entitlement; verifying the entitlement is granted; creating the granted entitlement; storing information corresponding to the requested entitlement; tracking a consumption of the entitlement based on the stored information; and accessing the entitlement so long as at least one use of the entitlement remains based on the stored information; and an expiration date corresponding to the entitlement is unreached. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"COPYRIGHT NOTICE [0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection.",
"The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.",
"The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings hereto: Copyright© 2002, Sun Microsystems, Inc., All Rights Reserved.",
"FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of entitlement.",
"More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides and tracks entitlement services.",
"BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] As the Internet becomes increasingly a part of everyday life, the number of users utilizing the Web to perform commercial transactions (such as e-commerce) is growing exponentially.",
"The always-available services through Web pages are contributing to this growth.",
"For example, a user in a different time zone than a service provider does not have to worry about the customer service hours of operation when utilizing a Web site-based customer service tool.",
"As a result of its many benefits, e-commerce is envisioned to become more commonplace than traditional commerce in the coming years.",
"[0004] Larger companies are also actively participating in the commercial use of the Internet.",
"One problem with today's Internet-based solutions, however, is that tracking access and usage of services is not efficient.",
"For example, if a user buys a book off the Web, the book is ordered and sent to the user once the money is collected.",
"Tracking access and usage of services is, however, not as clear-cut over the Web.",
"The steps involved in traditional service tracking not utilizing the Web can be cumbersome and time-consuming.",
"[0005] Similar problems also exist when utilizing the traditional methods (e.g., telephone or on-site).",
"This is particularly challenging when the method of delivery is not bound at purchase time, but at the time the customer requests the service, and the request for service can be made by several alternate methods, of which the Web is one.",
"SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] The present invention, which may be implemented utilizing a general-purpose digital computer, in certain embodiments of the present invention, includes novel methods and apparatus to provide efficient, effective, and/or flexible provision of entitlement services.",
"In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system for providing an entitlement is disclosed.",
"The computer system includes: a communication channel to receive a request for the entitlement;",
"a computer facility to verify the entitlement is granted and create the entitlement;",
"and a storage device to store information corresponding to the created entitlement.",
"The entitlement may have a type selected from a group comprising an incident entitlement and a subscription entitlement.",
"[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, a single entitlement may be created for all uses of a granted subscription entitlement.",
"[0008] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a different entitlement may be created for each purchased incident entitlement.",
"[0009] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the stored information may indicate a status of the created entitlement selected from a group comprising available, expired, locked, completed, and canceled.",
"[0010] In a different embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing an entitlement is disclosed.",
"The method includes: receiving a request for the entitlement;",
"verifying the entitlement is granted;",
"creating the granted entitlement;",
"storing information corresponding to the requested entitlement;",
"tracking a consumption of the entitlement based on the stored information;",
"and accessing the entitlement so long as at least one use of the entitlement remains based on the stored information;",
"and an expiration date corresponding to the entitlement is unreached.",
"[0011] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include repeating the accessing and tracking acts until an event corresponding to the entitlement is reached.",
"The event may be selected from a group comprising expired, completely consumed, non-existent, and canceled.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0013] [0013 ]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100 in which certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;",
"[0014] [0014 ]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary purchase state diagram 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0015] [0015 ]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary entitlement state diagram 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;",
"and [0016] [0016 ]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary consumption state diagram 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0017] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] In the following description, numerous details are set forth.",
"It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.",
"In other instances, well-known structures, devices, and techniques have not been shown in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the understanding of the description.",
"The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.",
"[0019] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”",
"or “an embodiment”",
"means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention.",
"The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment”",
"in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.",
"[0020] Also, select embodiments of the present invention include various operations, which are described herein.",
"The operations of the embodiments of the present invention may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be in turn utilized to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor, or logic circuits programmed with the instructions to perform the operations.",
"Alternatively, the operations may be performed by a combination of hardware and software.",
"[0021] Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as computer program products, which may include machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to embodiments of the present invention.",
"The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc-read only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random-access memories (RAMs), erasable programmable ROMs (EPROMs), electrically EPROMs (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other types of media or machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and/or data.",
"[0022] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).",
"Accordingly, herein, a carrier wave shall be regarded as comprising a machine-readable medium.",
"[0023] Before describing an exemplary environment in which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, some terms that will be used throughout this patent application will briefly be defined: [0024] As used herein, “entitled”",
"means the right to benefit from a tangible or intangible asset.",
"[0025] As used herein, “entitlement”",
"means the way one may track to determine whether a user is entitled.",
"[0026] As used herein, “incident”",
"means an entitlement with limited consumption and/or for a specified period of time.",
"[0027] As used herein, “subscription”",
"means an entitlement with unlimited consumption and/or for a specified period of time.",
"[0028] As used herein, “site”",
"means a relatively large quantity of subscriptions.",
"[0029] As used herein, “consumption”",
"means usage of an entitlement.",
"[0030] As used herein, “pack”",
"means one or more entitlements associated with each other.",
"[0031] As used herein, “CT”",
"means cancellation and/or rejection in a tool such as a purchase tool and/or a consumption tool by, for example, and administrator as further discussed herein.",
"[0032] As used herein, “CF”",
"means cancellation and/or rejection in the future by, for example, a user as further discussed herein.",
"[0033] [0033 ]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100 in which certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.",
"The system 100 comprises a central processor 102 , a main memory 104 , an input/output (I/O) controller 106 , a keyboard 108 , a pointing device 110 (e.g., mouse, track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device 112 , a mass storage 114 (e.g., a nonvolatile storage such as a hard disk, an optical drive, and the like), and a network interface 118 .",
"Additional input/output devices, such as a printing device 116 , may be included in the system 100 as desired.",
"As illustrated, the various components of the system 100 communicate through a system bus 120 or similar architecture.",
"[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the computer system 100 includes a Sun Microsystems computer utilizing a SPARC microprocessor available from several vendors (including Sun Microsystems, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif.).",
"Those with ordinary skill in the art understand, however, that any type of computer system may be utilized to embody the present invention, including those made by Hewlett Packard of Palo Alto, Calif.",
", and IBM-compatible personal computers utilizing Intel microprocessor, which are available from several vendors (including IBM of Armonk, N.Y.).",
"Also, instead of a single processor, two or more processors (whether on a single chip or on separate chips) can be utilized to provide speedup in operations.",
"It is further envisioned that the processor 102 may be a complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets, and the like.",
"[0035] The network interface 118 provides communication capability with other computer systems on a same local network, on a different network connected via modems and the like to the present network, or to other computers across the Internet.",
"In various embodiments of the present invention, the network interface 118 can be implemented utilizing technologies including, but not limited to, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet (such as that covered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 801.1 standard), wide-area network (WAN), leased line (such as T1, T3, optical carrier 3 (OC3), and the like), analog modem, digital subscriber line (DSL and its varieties such as high bit-rate DSL (HDSL), integrated services digital network DSL (IDSL), and the like), cellular, wireless networks (such as those implemented by utilizing the wireless application protocol (WAP)), time division multiplexing (TDM), universal serial bus (USB and its varieties such as USB II), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), satellite, cable modem, and/or FireWire.",
"[0036] Moreover, the computer system 100 may utilize operating systems such as Solaris, Windows (and its varieties such as CE, NT, 2000, XP, ME, and the like), HP-UX, IBM-AIX, PALM, UNIX, Berkeley software distribution (BSD) UNIX, Linux, Apple UNIX (AUX), Macintosh operating system (Mac OS) (including Mac OS X), and the like.",
"Also, it is envisioned that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the computer system 100 is a general purpose computer capable of running any number of applications such as those available from companies including Oracle, Siebel, Unisys, Microsoft, and the like.",
"[0037] [0037 ]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary purchase state diagram 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"The purchase (or purchase order (PO)) state diagram 200 provides exemplary system states for a purchased product.",
"In one embodiment of the present invention, the state diagram 200 may be part of an e-commerce system.",
"In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it is envisioned that a PO is but one form of payment that can be utilized.",
"Other payment methods may include a money order, a credit card payment, a wire transfer, a cash-on-deliver (COD), and the like.",
"The diagram 200 contains four states: Pending 202 , Completed 204 , Rejected 206 , and Canceled 208 .",
"[0038] Table 1 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 2 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"TABLE 1 Purchase States Purchase State Transition to .",
"Trigger Pending Rejected PO Rejected via, for example, a tool.",
"Canceled PO/Credit Card (CC) Canceled Completed PO/CC approval Completed Canceled PO/CC Canceled [0039] The Pending state 202 is the initial state within the purchase state diagram 200 .",
"The Pending state 202 is representative of a purchase not yet completed.",
"The Pending state 202 may be utilized for credit card pre-authorization (e.g., to check that funds are available) or acceptance of a purchase order not yet validated.",
"The Completed state 204 is representative of a purchase where the commitment to pay has been received from the purchaser.",
"For example, when a credit card post authorization occurs or when a purchase order is validated, then the purchase transaction will be placed into the Completed state 204 .",
"The Rejected state 206 is representative of a purchase that could not go through (in an embodiment of the present invention upon verification), for example, because the credit card did not have the appropriate funds, the credit card was expired, the purchase order was invalid, the purchase order was not received, and the like.",
"The Canceled state 208 is representative of the purchase being deleted.",
"This state can occur, for example, because a refund is requested, a purchase order fax invoice is never received from the customer, and the like.",
"[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Completed state 204 , the PO needs be first received by the seller.",
"In another embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Rejected state 206 , the PO may not have been received.",
"Additionally, for a purchase to transition from the Pending state 202 to the Canceled state 208 , a change in consumer interest or an inability to complete the purchase process may have occurred.",
"In a further embodiment of the present invention, for a purchase to transition from the Completed state 204 to the Canceled state 208 , a change in consumer interest may have occurred and a refund may be in order.",
"[0041] [0041 ]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary entitlement state diagram 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the entitlement state diagram 300 provides the system states for an entitlement.",
"The diagram 300 represents incident and subscription entitlements within one exemplary model.",
"There are five states for an entitlement: Available 302 , Expired 304 , Canceled 306 , Locked 308 , and Completed 310 .",
"The Available state 302 is the default state for an entitlement.",
"The Available state 302 represents an active or otherwise usable entitlement.",
"The Canceled state 306 represents a non-usable entitlement that is due to, for example, security fraud or consumer refund requested.",
"The Expired state 304 represents a subscription or incident entitlement that has past its expiration.",
"The Locked state 308 represents entitlements when the request to consume has been received but not yet fulfilled.",
"The Completed state 310 represents an incident entitlement that has been successfully fulfilled.",
"[0042] Table 2 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 3 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"TABLE 2 Entitlement States Entitlement State Transition to .",
"Trigger Available Available A consumption of a subscription is required Canceled Entitlement canceled (e.g., via a tool) Locked A consumption of an Incident is requested Expired Entitlement is no longer usable Locked Canceled Entitlement canceled (e.g., via a tool) Completed Incident consumption occurred Available Incident consumption failed [0043] For the transition from the Available state 302 to the Canceled state 306 , a consumer request may have been made for a refund.",
"Hence, the entitlement(s) will be removed and the consumer will receive a refund or service credit.",
"If the entitlement is canceled, then the transition to the Canceled state 208 in the Purchase State Diagram 200 triggers the cancellation of the entitlement as well.",
"On the expiration date, entitlements in the Available state 302 move to the Expired state 304 .",
"Accordingly, the subscription or incident entitlement will expire and will no longer be usable.",
"[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each entitlement may have an expiration date associated with it upon creation.",
"When consumption for a subscription occurs, the entitlement moves from the Available state 302 to the Available state 302 ;",
"thus, subscription entitlements are not used up and remain available until they expire or are canceled.",
"In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, subscription entitlements may have unlimited consumption, for example, for a specified period of time.",
"For an incident entitlement request for consumption, entitlements transition from the Available state 302 to the Locked state 308 ;",
"thus, once used, incident entitlements are no longer available.",
"[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, incident entitlements may have limited consumption and/or a specified amount of time associated with them.",
"When the consumption of an incident entitlement does not occur, the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Canceled state 306 may occur.",
"When an incident entitlement is successfully consumed (i.e., the user is not entitled to use the entitlement anymore, even though the entitlement may still exist), the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Completed state 310 takes place.",
"For the transition from the Locked state 308 to the Available state 302 , the incident entitlement consumption request needs to fail to be fulfilled.",
"[0046] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each subscription or incident entitlement can be consumed.",
"Because subscription entitlements may have unlimited consumption requests, they may never reach the Completed state 310 .",
"Therefore, each subscription entitlement may be available immediately after requesting consumption.",
"Furthermore, when a request to consume an incident entitlement is made, it may no longer be available once consumption starts.",
"In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, incident entitlements may have a quantity of one associated with them that requires, for example, decrementing upon successful consumption or incrementing upon a need for providing a credit.",
"[0047] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, when a purchase is made for an incident or subscription-based product, entitlements may be created representative of the product purchased.",
"For example, if a purchaser buys a support package, which contains five incidents, there will be five entitlements created, one for each incident purchased.",
"If a purchaser buys a subscription to a service, then there may be one entitlement created for the service subscription.",
"An entitlement can be created when the purchase is in the Pending state 202 or the Completed state 204 .",
"Business logic, on a case-by-case basis, may dictate, which state the entitlement, will be generated from.",
"Although, entitlements are not necessarily dependent on a purchase in order to be created or otherwise to exist.",
"[0048] In a further embodiment of the present invention, entitlements may have one or more of the following characteristics: one or more entitlements can be created for each purchase;",
"for each incident purchased, one entitlement may be created;",
"for each subscription purchased, typically one entitlement may be created, although subscriptions could conceivably share an entitlement;",
"and various rules can apply about what purchase states or other conditions trigger the creation of an entitlement.",
"The latter may be the rules under which service is given.",
"For example, for one particular service, the entitlement might be created in the Pending state 202 if the purchase amount is over a threshold amount, but not created until the Completed state 204 if it is under that amount.",
"For another service, perhaps all purchases must be completed before the entitlement is created (i.e., service is given).",
"[0049] [0049 ]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary consumption state diagram 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"The consumption (or request) state diagram 400 includes four states: Pending 402 , Canceled 404 , Failed 406 , and Succeeded 408 .",
"When a request is made for either an incident or subscription entitlement, a consumption (and a corresponding consumption state) are created, which are represented in the state diagram 400 .",
"Accordingly, the consumption state diagram 400 provides the system states for each individual consumption request.",
"[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 4, there are four possible states for a consumption request.",
"The Pending state 402 is the initial state upon creation of this instance that requests entry into prior to completion.",
"A request can move from Pending state 402 to the Succeeded state 408 , the Failed state 406 , or the Canceled state 404 .",
"The Succeeded state 408 is representative of a successful consumption.",
"The Failed state 406 is representative of an unsuccessful consumption.",
"The Canceled state 404 is representative of a request to cancel by, for example, an administrator or a user within a feature.",
"[0051] Table 3 below provides an exemplary summary of the transitions between the states of FIG. 4 and the corresponding triggering events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.",
"TABLE 3 Consumption States Consumption State Transition to .",
"Trigger Pending Succeeded Successful consumption Failed No consumption Canceled Incomplete consumption [0052] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an entitlement system (e.g., including server computers such as those discussed with respect to FIG. 1) may store one or more entitlements as a site, subscription pack, incident pack, incident, and/or subscription.",
"Furthermore, the stored information regarding each entitlement may include data regarding the purchased product (such as a service product), service type, expiration, entitlement state, number of uses available, and any associated assets.",
"In another embodiment of the present invention, the entitlement may be associated with a single user and/or a user group.",
"Additionally, the entitlement may be associated with one or more tangible/intangible assets.",
"[0053] In a further embodiment of the present invention, identification of the entitlement may be by any of its associated properties, and does not have to be by association with the purchase.",
"For example, a user may request a service for a machine by that machine's serial number;",
"the user does not have to be the same user or in any other way associated with the purchaser, or provide any other information about the purchase or entitlement than the serial number.",
"In other words, the key value to associate the request (consumption) with the entitlement can be any data associated with an entitlement.",
"Different data may be used for this association for different services that use our entitlement system.",
"[0054] The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of the present invention.",
"It will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the present invention, with the attainment of all or some of the advantages.",
"For example, the techniques of the present invention may be utilized for provision of discounts (such as coupons, vouchers, and the like), royalty points, frequent shopping credit, and the like.",
"Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention."
] |
BACKGROUND
The present invention concerns apparatus and a method for locating defects in items having regular patterns and in particular to a dark field imaging technique which may be used to inspect semiconductor wafers having fine repetitive patterns.
The detection of particles and defects on patterned wafers is a problem critical to the semiconductor industry. Contaminating particles on the surface of a semiconductor wafer can result in unintended conduction paths in the integrated circuits formed on the wafer. Defects in one or more of the photolithographic patterns which are used to produce the integrated circuits can produce non-functioning or substandard devices. It is important to identify the type and characteristics of any defects in the integrated circuits at various processing stages so that the cause of the defect can be corrected before it can adversely affect yield.
In the prior art, there are many ways to locate defects and contaminating particles on the surface of a semiconductor wafer. Generally, these methods fall into one of three classes: spatially filtered bright field imaging techniques, image analysis of bright field images and low-angle dark field imaging techniques.
One such prior art reference in U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,468 entitled SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC INSPECTION OF PERIODIC PATTERNS is characteristic of a bright field inspection technique that recognizes particles and pattern defects through image processing of the bright field image (without spatial filtering). The basis of the algorithm is to compare corresponding picture elements (pixels) from supposedly identical array elements on the circuit. If the center pixel matches the corresponding left and right pixels, there is no defect. Additional processing is used to test for instabilities which may occur when pixels are located next to lines or on rough surfaces, when there is interfering noise from the camera or when there are systematic changes in the optical properties of the parts being inspected. While the information produced by such a system is essentially the same as that produced by the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, an important difference is the system described in the referenced patent is relatively more expensive (because of the electronic image analyzer) and relatively slow (depending on the sophistication of the image analyzer.
Another system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,774 entitled INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR ARRAY OF MICROCIRCUIT DIES HAVING REDUNDANT CIRCUIT PATTERNS, which is hereby incorporated by reference for its teachings on optics and the inspection of semiconductor wafers. This system uses a Fourier transform lens and an inverse Fourier transform lens positioned along an optical axis.
The system forms a bright-field image of an area on the wafer at a distant image plane. In this system, spatial frequencies corresponding to the repetitive pattern are selectively attenuated in the bright-field image by inserting a spatial filter at a Fourier transform plane between the two lenses. The resulting image accentuates irregularities on the surface of the integrated circuit, such as may result from contaminating particles or from defects in the pattern.
In this system, however, the wafer is illuminated through the Fourier transform lens. Thus, light scattered and reflected by the lens is added to the image, increasing the level of background illumination. In addition, the relatively strong zero-order reflection from the wafer also passes through the Fourier transform lens producing additional background illumination. To effectively block the illuminated pattern, the Fourier spatial filter used in this system is optically dense. This reduces the amount of light passing through the filter. The combination of all of these effects reduces the sensitivity of the defect detection system.
An example of the other type of defect detection system is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,126 entitled PARTICLE DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS, which is hereby incorporated by reference for its teachings on optics and the inspection of semiconductor wafers.
In the system described by this patent, a semiconductor wafer is illuminated at a grazing angle of incidence, between 0° and 5° of the wafer surface. The illuminating beam is oriented to strike the wafer at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lines of the rectangular pattern. In addition, the beam is scanned across the surface of the wafer using a scanning galvanometer. Light reflected at angles approximately normal to the surface of the wafer is collected by a video camera positioned above the wafer.
This is a conventional grazing angle configuration, the beam preferentially illuminates particles which extend above the surface of the wafer. The light reflected by these particles is collected by the camera. Particles which extend a greater distance above the surface receive a greater level of illumination, since the surface of the wafer acts as a mirror for this low angle incident radiation. In addition, this patent suggests the use of a Fourier spatial filter to attenuate spatial frequencies, corresponding to the repetitive pattern, from the image collected by the video camera.
While this system works well for detecting particles above the surface of the wafer, it is not as efficient for detecting smaller particles, which may be imbedded in surface features of the wafer, or errors in the repetitive pattern. Since these features are at or slightly below the surface of the wafer, they are not illuminated by the low angle beam and, so, will not appear in the dark field image.
In addition, since the illuminating beam is scanned across the surface of the wafer, the spatial frequency components oscillate in position at the scanning frequency in the Fourier plane. Consequently, a Fourier filter which blocks these spatial frequencies must be opaque over a larger area than if the beam is not scanned. A filter of this type would necessarily decrease the difference in illumination between small particles and defects on one hand and the background illumination levels on the other hand. This decreased difference results in a reduction in the sensitivity of the device to this type of defect when a Fourier spatial filter is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a dark field inspection system in which an item having a repetitive pattern is illuminated by a beam of monochrome light at an incident angle with respect to the wafer surface of between 8° and a maximum angle as determined by the imaging lens system. This angle being limited by the constraint that the inspection system produces a dark field image. Light scattered at angles approximately normal to the surface is collected by a lens system which spatially filters the collected light to substantially attenuate spatial frequency components corresponding to the repetitive pattern. The remaining light is focused, by the lens system to form an image in which particles and defects in the repetitive pattern are accentuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wafer inspection system which includes an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1a is a perspective drawing which is useful to describe the manner in which the semiconductor wafer is illuminated by the inspection system shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are alternative wafer inspection systems which also include embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4a is an elevation drawing of an exemplary Fourier filter for use in the wafer inspection systems shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
FIG. 4b is a graph of an exemplary spatial frequency spectrum of a semiconductor wafer which is useful for describing the operation of the various embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Overview
An inspection system according to the present invention employs a combination of dark-field imaging and Fourier spatial filtering to detect large and small contaminating particles as well as pattern defects in items, such as semiconductor wafers, which exhibit fine-featured repetitive patterns. The principles of Fourier spatial filtering are described in a paper by L. S. Watkins entitled "Inspection of Integrated Circuit Photomasks with Intensity Spatial Filters" Proceedings of the IEEE vol 57, no 9, 9/69, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
While this system is described in the context of a semiconductor wafer inspection system, it is contemplated that it may be used for inspecting other items having repetitive patterns, such as photolithographic masks, used to manufacture semiconductor devices. It may also be used to inspect liquid crystal devices, or shadow masks for color cathode ray tubes.
In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the patterned semiconductor wafer is illuminated by a monochrome light source, such as the laser 110, at an incident angle θ with respect to the surface plane of the wafer. This angle is selected to illuminate the wafer sufficiently so that the pattern may be inspected but to prevent the low spatial frequency components of the pattern (i.e. those components closest to the specularly reflected beam) from entering the imaging system.
In addition, the angle, Φ, in the plane of the pattern, which the incident light makes with respect to the rectangular features in the pattern, is selected to further reduce the intensity of the light scattered from the pattern features. For a pattern having predominantly rectangular features, an angle Φ of 45° has been found to minimize the intensity of the light scattered from the pattern features.
This normal scattered light is collected by an optical system which includes a spatial filter 120 to produce a dark field image. That is to say an image in which the background appears dark and the surface features of interest are illuminated.
The spatial filter is selected to strongly attenuate the spatial frequency components resulting from the pattern which do enter the optical imaging system. The filtered light is then focused into an image which is captured by a video camera 128 for analysis by a computer 130. The computer executes algorithms which discriminate and analyze the defects to determine their characteristics and size.
Three different optical systems are illustrated in the various embodiments of the invention. The first employs standard Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform lenses together with the Fourier spatial filter to generate the filtered image. The second embodiment uses a 1:1 lens as an objective. This lens, coupled with the Fourier spatial filter, also attenuates the spatial frequency components of the dark field image. The third embodiment uses a standard infinity corrected microscope objective lens, an afocal relay lens and a tube lens in conjunction with the Fourier filter to both magnify the dark field image collected from the wafer and to spatially filter the image to accentuate any defects in the pattern.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The first exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. In this FIGURE and in FIGS. 2 and 3, the path of the scattered light is illustrated by ray tracing. The traced rays are shown as dotted lines. These lines represent the path of diffracted collimated light; they do not represent points on the object being imaged. This representation is used to more clearly illustrates the spatial filtering of the light.
In all of the exemplary embodiments a conventional helium-neon laser 110 produces a collimated beam of monochrome light which is reflected by a front surface mirror 112 at an angle θ of 45° with respect to the surface of a semiconductor wafer 116 which is to be examined. The beam reflected by the mirror 112 is expanded into a broader collimated beam by a conventional beam expander 114. The beam provided by the expander 114 may optionally be polarized by a polarizing filter 115. Alternatively, the filter 115 may be eliminated if a laser 110 is selected which produces a polarized beam.
The beam provided by this system illuminates a portion of the wafer 116. The main part of the beam is reflected out of the field of view of the imaging system as shown by the solid lines. Some of the light rays, however, are scattered as illustrated by the dotted lines. The rays which are scattered in directions about the normal to the wafer surface are collected by a Fourier transform lens 118, located one focal length (f) from the top surface of the wafer 116. This lens generates the Fourier transform of the collimated light reflected from the surface of the wafer 116 at a plane located one focal length behind the lens. This plane is referred to as the Fourier transform plane of the system.
A Fourier spatial filter 120 is placed at the Fourier transform plane to block the spatial frequency components of the scattered light which correspond to the repeated pattern. An exemplary filter 120 is shown in FIG. 4a. The filter used depends on the spatial frequency components of the pattern to be examined. A suitable spatial filter may be made by placing unexposed photographic film at the Fourier plane and illuminating a sample wafer using the laser 110. The negative of the image at the Fourier plane, obtained by developing the exposed film, may be used as the Fourier filter for wafers which conform to the sample wafer. Alternatively, a spatial light modulator may be used as the spatial filter 120.
The spatially filtered rays provided by the Fourier filter 120 are converted back into a collimated beam by a second lens 122, located one focal length behind the filter 120. This beam forms a dark field image of the illuminated portion of the wafer at the image plane 124, located one focal length behind the lens 122. Magnifying optics 126 increase the size of the image, which is then converted into electrical signals by a conventional video camera 128. The signals from the camera 128 are converted to digital data, which is provided to a computer 130. The computer 130 analyzes the data to discriminate and classify any irregularities in the pattern on the surface of the wafer.
An additional lens element (not shown) may be used to image the Fourier transform plane onto the video camera. This image may then be transferred to the spatial light modulator to configure it as the spatial filter 120. Alternatively, this image may be used to determine the optimal alignment for the photographic Fourier filter.
As shown in FIG. 1a, the wafer 116 is positioned so that the incident beam strikes the surface at an angle, in the plane of the wafer surface, of 45° with respect to the perpendicular lines which predominate in the patterned surface. This angular position is selected to minimize the intensity of the light scattered into the lens system by the pattern.
The system shown in FIG. 1 enhances the defects in the pattern relative to the pattern in several ways. First, the illumination is selected to produce a dark field image and the image is spatially filtered. The dark field imaging technique highlights features on the wafer relative to the background and the spatial filtering strongly attenuates image components having spatial frequencies related to the repetitive pattern.
Second, the wafer is illuminated at an incident angle θ with respect to the surface of the wafer and at an oblique angle Φ with respect to the pattern lines. The effect of this technique is shown in FIG. 4b. In this Figure, a graph of the Fourier transform of the repetitive pattern is overlaid with two circles representing the viewing numerical aperture, 410, when the wafer is illuminated orthogonal to its surface, and an alternate viewing numerical aperture, 412, when the illumination is displaced from the orthogonal by the angles θ and Φ. The viewing numerical aperture contains the light which is collected by the system to generate the final image.
As shown in FIG. 4b, when the illumination is orthogonal, a significant portion of the viewing aperture is dominated by the specular beam which corresponds to the zero-order Fourier frequency spectrum of the pattern and the most intense parts of the diffracted beam. These components of the image are blocked by the Fourier filtering techniques used in the bright field imagers such as the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,774. This Fourier filter, however, necessarily blocks much of the light in the viewing numerical aperture and, so, produces an image having relatively low contrast.
Conversely, when the illumination source is displaced by the angles θ and Φ, as in the present invention, the viewing aperture is moved to a relatively empty area of the spatial frequency spectrum. Images obtained through this aperture require less filtering to remove artifacts related to the repetitive pattern. This increases the contrast in the image so that defects in the wafer are accentuated to a greater degree with this system than with a spatially filtered bright field imaging system.
In addition, when the illumination due to the pattern passing through the lens system is decreased in power, the scattering which occurs in each element of the lens system is also decreased. This reduces the level of background light in the dark field image.
Finally, the illumination applied to the wafer may be polarized. Depending on the roughness of the surface features, either p polarization or s polarization may be desirable to further reduce the visibility of pattern features in the dark field image. In most cases s polarization is preferred because low aspect surface roughness is suppressed due to the electromagnetic surface null for s polarization. With some wafers, however, it may be desirable to use p polarization. An example of a wafer of this type is one having trench features etched through a layer of silicon nitride, having a thickness of approximately one-quarter wavelength, which is grown or deposited on a silicon substrate.
Using the system shown in FIG. 1 it is possible to discriminate relatively small particles and defects in the pattern (on the order of 0.34 microns). The system, however, is relatively expensive and difficult to keep in alignment. The systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be significantly less expensive and easier to use than the system shown in FIG. 1.
The system shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that the two lenses 118 and 122 have been replaced by a single 1:1 lens, 210. The lens 210 is used both as the objective lens to magnify the area being examined and as the Fourier transform lens. When the wafer is placed at two focal lengths (2 f) from the lens 210, an image of the wafer is formed in an image plane located 2 f behind the lens. In addition, a Fourier transform plane exists at a distance of one focal length (f) behind the lens. The performance of this system is equivalent to that of the system shown in FIG. 1 but the number of components in the optical system has been reduced by one.
The system shown in FIG. 3 uses a conventional infinity corrected microscope objective 310, an afocal relay lens (314 and 316), such as is commonly used in periscope optical systems, and a tube lens 318 in place of the custom lens 118 the lens 112 and the magnifying optics 126 of the system shown in FIG. 1. While this may increase the parts count of the system, it may also reduce the cost of the system. The microscope objective is likely to be less costly than the custom ground Fourier lens 118 and the tolerances of the relay lens and the tube lens are relaxed relative to the lens 122 and the magnifying optics 126 because the microscope objective magnifies the image of the semiconductor wafer.
The problem with using a microscope objective 310 in a system which performs Fourier spatial filtering is gaining access to the Fourier plane (i.e. the back focal plane 314 of the microscope objective). In many microscope objective lenses, this plane is located inside the objective lens system. The afocal relay lens system 314 and 316 provides an accessible focal plane for the system.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lens 314 is placed at a distance of one focal length from the inaccessible back focal plane of the microscope objective lens 310. The second lens 316 of the relay lens system then forms a Fourier plane at an equivalent distance behind the afocal relay lens system. The Fourier filter 120 is placed at this location.
As set forth above, the exemplary microscope objective lens 310 is an infinity corrected lens. An optical system which uses a lens of this type uses the tube lens 318 to achieve a standard optical tube length of, for example, 160 mm. As described above, in the imaging system shown in FIG. 3, the constraints on the lenses following the microscope objective 310 are relaxed relative to the optical systems used in the other embodiments of the invention. For example, since the image of the wafer is magnified by the microscope objective 310, the resolution requirements of the relay lens system are relaxed (i.e. the relay lenses 314 and 316 do not need to be diffraction limited). In addition, the numerical aperture (NA) of the relay lens system 314, 316 need be only 1/M times that of the objective lens 130 where M is the magnification factor of the lens 130. These lenses should be high quality imaging lenses, however, such as are used in 35 mm cameras, for example.
While all of the described embodiments of the invention have employed a collimated light source, it is contemplated that divergent or convergent light sources may be used when suitable adjustments are made to the optical system to properly align the Fourier transform plane of the image. In addition, it is contemplated that multiple monochromatic light sources may be used instead of the single light source 110. These multiple light sources would produce a larger number of opaque areas on the Fourier filter 120. In another contemplated embodiment, illumination may be applied to the wafer in the four orthogonal directions, in the plane of the wafer surface, which are at 45° degrees with respect to the pattern lines.
In any of the embodiments described above, an illumination mask may be used to block non-repetitive areas of the wafer, such as the kerf areas. In addition, the wafer may be scanned (i.e. moved relative to the remainder of the system) without changing the Fourier pattern, as long as the source of illumination 110 and Fourier filter 120 are held at fixed position. Using this scanning technique, the entire wafer may be examined by the system
While the invention has been described in the context of three exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that it may be practiced as outlined above within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. | An optical inspection system for patterned semiconductor wafers generates a dark field image of the wafer by applying a collimated beam of monochrome light at an incident angle with respect to the surface of the wafer of between 8° and a maximum angle defined by the numerical aperture of the imaging system and collecting the light which is scattered at angles approximately normal to the surface of the wafer and within the numerical aperture of the imaging system. In addition, the incident light is at an angle of 45° in the surface plane of the wafer with respect to the rectangular lines which predominate in the pattern. Before forming the dark field image, the collected light is passed through a Fourier transform filter which substantially attenuates spatial frequency components corresponding to the pattern. In the resultant dark field image, defects in the pattern and contaminating particles are accentuated relative to the pattern features. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"BACKGROUND The present invention concerns apparatus and a method for locating defects in items having regular patterns and in particular to a dark field imaging technique which may be used to inspect semiconductor wafers having fine repetitive patterns.",
"The detection of particles and defects on patterned wafers is a problem critical to the semiconductor industry.",
"Contaminating particles on the surface of a semiconductor wafer can result in unintended conduction paths in the integrated circuits formed on the wafer.",
"Defects in one or more of the photolithographic patterns which are used to produce the integrated circuits can produce non-functioning or substandard devices.",
"It is important to identify the type and characteristics of any defects in the integrated circuits at various processing stages so that the cause of the defect can be corrected before it can adversely affect yield.",
"In the prior art, there are many ways to locate defects and contaminating particles on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.",
"Generally, these methods fall into one of three classes: spatially filtered bright field imaging techniques, image analysis of bright field images and low-angle dark field imaging techniques.",
"One such prior art reference in U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,468 entitled SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC INSPECTION OF PERIODIC PATTERNS is characteristic of a bright field inspection technique that recognizes particles and pattern defects through image processing of the bright field image (without spatial filtering).",
"The basis of the algorithm is to compare corresponding picture elements (pixels) from supposedly identical array elements on the circuit.",
"If the center pixel matches the corresponding left and right pixels, there is no defect.",
"Additional processing is used to test for instabilities which may occur when pixels are located next to lines or on rough surfaces, when there is interfering noise from the camera or when there are systematic changes in the optical properties of the parts being inspected.",
"While the information produced by such a system is essentially the same as that produced by the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, an important difference is the system described in the referenced patent is relatively more expensive (because of the electronic image analyzer) and relatively slow (depending on the sophistication of the image analyzer.",
"Another system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,774 entitled INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR ARRAY OF MICROCIRCUIT DIES HAVING REDUNDANT CIRCUIT PATTERNS, which is hereby incorporated by reference for its teachings on optics and the inspection of semiconductor wafers.",
"This system uses a Fourier transform lens and an inverse Fourier transform lens positioned along an optical axis.",
"The system forms a bright-field image of an area on the wafer at a distant image plane.",
"In this system, spatial frequencies corresponding to the repetitive pattern are selectively attenuated in the bright-field image by inserting a spatial filter at a Fourier transform plane between the two lenses.",
"The resulting image accentuates irregularities on the surface of the integrated circuit, such as may result from contaminating particles or from defects in the pattern.",
"In this system, however, the wafer is illuminated through the Fourier transform lens.",
"Thus, light scattered and reflected by the lens is added to the image, increasing the level of background illumination.",
"In addition, the relatively strong zero-order reflection from the wafer also passes through the Fourier transform lens producing additional background illumination.",
"To effectively block the illuminated pattern, the Fourier spatial filter used in this system is optically dense.",
"This reduces the amount of light passing through the filter.",
"The combination of all of these effects reduces the sensitivity of the defect detection system.",
"An example of the other type of defect detection system is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,126 entitled PARTICLE DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS, which is hereby incorporated by reference for its teachings on optics and the inspection of semiconductor wafers.",
"In the system described by this patent, a semiconductor wafer is illuminated at a grazing angle of incidence, between 0° and 5° of the wafer surface.",
"The illuminating beam is oriented to strike the wafer at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lines of the rectangular pattern.",
"In addition, the beam is scanned across the surface of the wafer using a scanning galvanometer.",
"Light reflected at angles approximately normal to the surface of the wafer is collected by a video camera positioned above the wafer.",
"This is a conventional grazing angle configuration, the beam preferentially illuminates particles which extend above the surface of the wafer.",
"The light reflected by these particles is collected by the camera.",
"Particles which extend a greater distance above the surface receive a greater level of illumination, since the surface of the wafer acts as a mirror for this low angle incident radiation.",
"In addition, this patent suggests the use of a Fourier spatial filter to attenuate spatial frequencies, corresponding to the repetitive pattern, from the image collected by the video camera.",
"While this system works well for detecting particles above the surface of the wafer, it is not as efficient for detecting smaller particles, which may be imbedded in surface features of the wafer, or errors in the repetitive pattern.",
"Since these features are at or slightly below the surface of the wafer, they are not illuminated by the low angle beam and, so, will not appear in the dark field image.",
"In addition, since the illuminating beam is scanned across the surface of the wafer, the spatial frequency components oscillate in position at the scanning frequency in the Fourier plane.",
"Consequently, a Fourier filter which blocks these spatial frequencies must be opaque over a larger area than if the beam is not scanned.",
"A filter of this type would necessarily decrease the difference in illumination between small particles and defects on one hand and the background illumination levels on the other hand.",
"This decreased difference results in a reduction in the sensitivity of the device to this type of defect when a Fourier spatial filter is used.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is embodied in a dark field inspection system in which an item having a repetitive pattern is illuminated by a beam of monochrome light at an incident angle with respect to the wafer surface of between 8° and a maximum angle as determined by the imaging lens system.",
"This angle being limited by the constraint that the inspection system produces a dark field image.",
"Light scattered at angles approximately normal to the surface is collected by a lens system which spatially filters the collected light to substantially attenuate spatial frequency components corresponding to the repetitive pattern.",
"The remaining light is focused, by the lens system to form an image in which particles and defects in the repetitive pattern are accentuated.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wafer inspection system which includes an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 1a is a perspective drawing which is useful to describe the manner in which the semiconductor wafer is illuminated by the inspection system shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2 and 3 are alternative wafer inspection systems which also include embodiments of the present invention.",
"FIG. 4a is an elevation drawing of an exemplary Fourier filter for use in the wafer inspection systems shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.",
"FIG. 4b is a graph of an exemplary spatial frequency spectrum of a semiconductor wafer which is useful for describing the operation of the various embodiments of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Overview An inspection system according to the present invention employs a combination of dark-field imaging and Fourier spatial filtering to detect large and small contaminating particles as well as pattern defects in items, such as semiconductor wafers, which exhibit fine-featured repetitive patterns.",
"The principles of Fourier spatial filtering are described in a paper by L. S. Watkins entitled "Inspection of Integrated Circuit Photomasks with Intensity Spatial Filters"",
"Proceedings of the IEEE vol 57, no 9, 9/69, which is hereby incorporated by reference.",
"While this system is described in the context of a semiconductor wafer inspection system, it is contemplated that it may be used for inspecting other items having repetitive patterns, such as photolithographic masks, used to manufacture semiconductor devices.",
"It may also be used to inspect liquid crystal devices, or shadow masks for color cathode ray tubes.",
"In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the patterned semiconductor wafer is illuminated by a monochrome light source, such as the laser 110, at an incident angle θ with respect to the surface plane of the wafer.",
"This angle is selected to illuminate the wafer sufficiently so that the pattern may be inspected but to prevent the low spatial frequency components of the pattern (i.e. those components closest to the specularly reflected beam) from entering the imaging system.",
"In addition, the angle, Φ, in the plane of the pattern, which the incident light makes with respect to the rectangular features in the pattern, is selected to further reduce the intensity of the light scattered from the pattern features.",
"For a pattern having predominantly rectangular features, an angle Φ of 45° has been found to minimize the intensity of the light scattered from the pattern features.",
"This normal scattered light is collected by an optical system which includes a spatial filter 120 to produce a dark field image.",
"That is to say an image in which the background appears dark and the surface features of interest are illuminated.",
"The spatial filter is selected to strongly attenuate the spatial frequency components resulting from the pattern which do enter the optical imaging system.",
"The filtered light is then focused into an image which is captured by a video camera 128 for analysis by a computer 130.",
"The computer executes algorithms which discriminate and analyze the defects to determine their characteristics and size.",
"Three different optical systems are illustrated in the various embodiments of the invention.",
"The first employs standard Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform lenses together with the Fourier spatial filter to generate the filtered image.",
"The second embodiment uses a 1:1 lens as an objective.",
"This lens, coupled with the Fourier spatial filter, also attenuates the spatial frequency components of the dark field image.",
"The third embodiment uses a standard infinity corrected microscope objective lens, an afocal relay lens and a tube lens in conjunction with the Fourier filter to both magnify the dark field image collected from the wafer and to spatially filter the image to accentuate any defects in the pattern.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The first exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. In this FIGURE and in FIGS. 2 and 3, the path of the scattered light is illustrated by ray tracing.",
"The traced rays are shown as dotted lines.",
"These lines represent the path of diffracted collimated light;",
"they do not represent points on the object being imaged.",
"This representation is used to more clearly illustrates the spatial filtering of the light.",
"In all of the exemplary embodiments a conventional helium-neon laser 110 produces a collimated beam of monochrome light which is reflected by a front surface mirror 112 at an angle θ of 45° with respect to the surface of a semiconductor wafer 116 which is to be examined.",
"The beam reflected by the mirror 112 is expanded into a broader collimated beam by a conventional beam expander 114.",
"The beam provided by the expander 114 may optionally be polarized by a polarizing filter 115.",
"Alternatively, the filter 115 may be eliminated if a laser 110 is selected which produces a polarized beam.",
"The beam provided by this system illuminates a portion of the wafer 116.",
"The main part of the beam is reflected out of the field of view of the imaging system as shown by the solid lines.",
"Some of the light rays, however, are scattered as illustrated by the dotted lines.",
"The rays which are scattered in directions about the normal to the wafer surface are collected by a Fourier transform lens 118, located one focal length (f) from the top surface of the wafer 116.",
"This lens generates the Fourier transform of the collimated light reflected from the surface of the wafer 116 at a plane located one focal length behind the lens.",
"This plane is referred to as the Fourier transform plane of the system.",
"A Fourier spatial filter 120 is placed at the Fourier transform plane to block the spatial frequency components of the scattered light which correspond to the repeated pattern.",
"An exemplary filter 120 is shown in FIG. 4a.",
"The filter used depends on the spatial frequency components of the pattern to be examined.",
"A suitable spatial filter may be made by placing unexposed photographic film at the Fourier plane and illuminating a sample wafer using the laser 110.",
"The negative of the image at the Fourier plane, obtained by developing the exposed film, may be used as the Fourier filter for wafers which conform to the sample wafer.",
"Alternatively, a spatial light modulator may be used as the spatial filter 120.",
"The spatially filtered rays provided by the Fourier filter 120 are converted back into a collimated beam by a second lens 122, located one focal length behind the filter 120.",
"This beam forms a dark field image of the illuminated portion of the wafer at the image plane 124, located one focal length behind the lens 122.",
"Magnifying optics 126 increase the size of the image, which is then converted into electrical signals by a conventional video camera 128.",
"The signals from the camera 128 are converted to digital data, which is provided to a computer 130.",
"The computer 130 analyzes the data to discriminate and classify any irregularities in the pattern on the surface of the wafer.",
"An additional lens element (not shown) may be used to image the Fourier transform plane onto the video camera.",
"This image may then be transferred to the spatial light modulator to configure it as the spatial filter 120.",
"Alternatively, this image may be used to determine the optimal alignment for the photographic Fourier filter.",
"As shown in FIG. 1a, the wafer 116 is positioned so that the incident beam strikes the surface at an angle, in the plane of the wafer surface, of 45° with respect to the perpendicular lines which predominate in the patterned surface.",
"This angular position is selected to minimize the intensity of the light scattered into the lens system by the pattern.",
"The system shown in FIG. 1 enhances the defects in the pattern relative to the pattern in several ways.",
"First, the illumination is selected to produce a dark field image and the image is spatially filtered.",
"The dark field imaging technique highlights features on the wafer relative to the background and the spatial filtering strongly attenuates image components having spatial frequencies related to the repetitive pattern.",
"Second, the wafer is illuminated at an incident angle θ with respect to the surface of the wafer and at an oblique angle Φ with respect to the pattern lines.",
"The effect of this technique is shown in FIG. 4b.",
"In this Figure, a graph of the Fourier transform of the repetitive pattern is overlaid with two circles representing the viewing numerical aperture, 410, when the wafer is illuminated orthogonal to its surface, and an alternate viewing numerical aperture, 412, when the illumination is displaced from the orthogonal by the angles θ and Φ.",
"The viewing numerical aperture contains the light which is collected by the system to generate the final image.",
"As shown in FIG. 4b, when the illumination is orthogonal, a significant portion of the viewing aperture is dominated by the specular beam which corresponds to the zero-order Fourier frequency spectrum of the pattern and the most intense parts of the diffracted beam.",
"These components of the image are blocked by the Fourier filtering techniques used in the bright field imagers such as the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,774.",
"This Fourier filter, however, necessarily blocks much of the light in the viewing numerical aperture and, so, produces an image having relatively low contrast.",
"Conversely, when the illumination source is displaced by the angles θ and Φ, as in the present invention, the viewing aperture is moved to a relatively empty area of the spatial frequency spectrum.",
"Images obtained through this aperture require less filtering to remove artifacts related to the repetitive pattern.",
"This increases the contrast in the image so that defects in the wafer are accentuated to a greater degree with this system than with a spatially filtered bright field imaging system.",
"In addition, when the illumination due to the pattern passing through the lens system is decreased in power, the scattering which occurs in each element of the lens system is also decreased.",
"This reduces the level of background light in the dark field image.",
"Finally, the illumination applied to the wafer may be polarized.",
"Depending on the roughness of the surface features, either p polarization or s polarization may be desirable to further reduce the visibility of pattern features in the dark field image.",
"In most cases s polarization is preferred because low aspect surface roughness is suppressed due to the electromagnetic surface null for s polarization.",
"With some wafers, however, it may be desirable to use p polarization.",
"An example of a wafer of this type is one having trench features etched through a layer of silicon nitride, having a thickness of approximately one-quarter wavelength, which is grown or deposited on a silicon substrate.",
"Using the system shown in FIG. 1 it is possible to discriminate relatively small particles and defects in the pattern (on the order of 0.34 microns).",
"The system, however, is relatively expensive and difficult to keep in alignment.",
"The systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be significantly less expensive and easier to use than the system shown in FIG. 1. The system shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that the two lenses 118 and 122 have been replaced by a single 1:1 lens, 210.",
"The lens 210 is used both as the objective lens to magnify the area being examined and as the Fourier transform lens.",
"When the wafer is placed at two focal lengths (2 f) from the lens 210, an image of the wafer is formed in an image plane located 2 f behind the lens.",
"In addition, a Fourier transform plane exists at a distance of one focal length (f) behind the lens.",
"The performance of this system is equivalent to that of the system shown in FIG. 1 but the number of components in the optical system has been reduced by one.",
"The system shown in FIG. 3 uses a conventional infinity corrected microscope objective 310, an afocal relay lens (314 and 316), such as is commonly used in periscope optical systems, and a tube lens 318 in place of the custom lens 118 the lens 112 and the magnifying optics 126 of the system shown in FIG. 1. While this may increase the parts count of the system, it may also reduce the cost of the system.",
"The microscope objective is likely to be less costly than the custom ground Fourier lens 118 and the tolerances of the relay lens and the tube lens are relaxed relative to the lens 122 and the magnifying optics 126 because the microscope objective magnifies the image of the semiconductor wafer.",
"The problem with using a microscope objective 310 in a system which performs Fourier spatial filtering is gaining access to the Fourier plane (i.e. the back focal plane 314 of the microscope objective).",
"In many microscope objective lenses, this plane is located inside the objective lens system.",
"The afocal relay lens system 314 and 316 provides an accessible focal plane for the system.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, the lens 314 is placed at a distance of one focal length from the inaccessible back focal plane of the microscope objective lens 310.",
"The second lens 316 of the relay lens system then forms a Fourier plane at an equivalent distance behind the afocal relay lens system.",
"The Fourier filter 120 is placed at this location.",
"As set forth above, the exemplary microscope objective lens 310 is an infinity corrected lens.",
"An optical system which uses a lens of this type uses the tube lens 318 to achieve a standard optical tube length of, for example, 160 mm.",
"As described above, in the imaging system shown in FIG. 3, the constraints on the lenses following the microscope objective 310 are relaxed relative to the optical systems used in the other embodiments of the invention.",
"For example, since the image of the wafer is magnified by the microscope objective 310, the resolution requirements of the relay lens system are relaxed (i.e. the relay lenses 314 and 316 do not need to be diffraction limited).",
"In addition, the numerical aperture (NA) of the relay lens system 314, 316 need be only 1/M times that of the objective lens 130 where M is the magnification factor of the lens 130.",
"These lenses should be high quality imaging lenses, however, such as are used in 35 mm cameras, for example.",
"While all of the described embodiments of the invention have employed a collimated light source, it is contemplated that divergent or convergent light sources may be used when suitable adjustments are made to the optical system to properly align the Fourier transform plane of the image.",
"In addition, it is contemplated that multiple monochromatic light sources may be used instead of the single light source 110.",
"These multiple light sources would produce a larger number of opaque areas on the Fourier filter 120.",
"In another contemplated embodiment, illumination may be applied to the wafer in the four orthogonal directions, in the plane of the wafer surface, which are at 45° degrees with respect to the pattern lines.",
"In any of the embodiments described above, an illumination mask may be used to block non-repetitive areas of the wafer, such as the kerf areas.",
"In addition, the wafer may be scanned (i.e. moved relative to the remainder of the system) without changing the Fourier pattern, as long as the source of illumination 110 and Fourier filter 120 are held at fixed position.",
"Using this scanning technique, the entire wafer may be examined by the system While the invention has been described in the context of three exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that it may be practiced as outlined above within the spirit and scope of the appended claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/180,397 filed May 21, 2009.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to radio frequency (“RF”) filtering, and in particular, to wavelength locking between an optical source and various resonant elements used to construct the RF filter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various applications require filtering of multiple combined spectral components in signals by selecting one or more of the spectral components while rejecting the other components. One example is band pass filtering where a selected one or more spectral components within a spectral pass band are selected to transmit and spectral components outside the spectral band are rejected. A filter may be tunable, e.g., under a control of a tuning control signal, to change the frequency range of the filtered signal.
Optical band pass filters are known where optical spectral components within a spectral window transmit through the filter while other spectral components outside the spectral window are rejected. It is known to construct optical band pass filters using optical resonators, which are small electro-optical devices, having diameters on the order of millimeters, formed of curved optical waveguides, for example, a cylinder, a sphere, or a toroid within which light is internally reflected at the inner surface of the optical resonator. Some optical resonators can support resonator modes of light called whispering gallery modes, and thus, are often referred to as whispering gallery mode resonators. Whispering gallery modes occur when light having an evanescent wave component travels via internal reflection around the periphery of the optical resonator. The whispering gallery modes of optical resonators reside close to the surface of the optical resonator, and undergo total internal reflection. The evanescent wave component extends beyond the optical resonator's outer surface and may be coupled into an adjacent optical coupler as long as the optical coupler is located within the extent of the evanescent wave, typically on the order of the light's wavelength.
Many optical resonators which propagate whispering gallery modes of light have extremely low transmission losses, and as a result, have a very high quality factor Q. High Q optical resonators are desirable because the higher the Q, the longer the amount of time the internally reflected light will remain within the optical resonator.
Optical domain filters are able to filter any desired signal including RF, microwave, millimeter, Gigahertz or Terahertz frequency that is modulated as a sideband on an optical carrier. The use of whispering gallery mode resonator technology allows for designing optical domain filters with features of small size and weight, suitable for ground as well as spacecraft applications.
RF filtering using whispering gallery mode resonator technology requires wavelength locking between the optical carrier source and the optical resonators used to construct the filter. It is possible to achieve wavelength locking of semiconductor lasers to whispering gallery mode resonators with a zero spectral offset, but such an arrangement is not useful because the RF sideband spectrum is rejected along with the laser spectrum by the whispering gallery mode resonator filter. Some known wavelength locking implementations directly sample the carrier signal to create a reference signal prior to the addition of a modulated signal and later combine the sampled carrier signal with a filtered spectral component. However, such implementations require complicated time delay elements to compensate for group delay of the filtered spectral components. Further, such implementations are only useful for relatively short optical paths, and are unable to effectively maximize the carrier signal power for peak detection and locking. It is therefore desirable to develop a system and method for wavelength locking between the optical source and the optical resonators used to construct a band pass filter that fixes the optical source at an offset from the center of the band pass filter's passband, so that suppression of the optical source spectrum does not result in suppression of the RF sideband carrying the information of interest. It is further desirable to perform the filtering function and the wavelength locking function on a single input signal to eliminate time delay elements.
Additionally, some complex optical links apply multiple modulations to the optical source spectrum to accomplish frequency translation of the RF signal, as for example with a local oscillator (“LO”) signal modulating the optical signal. The complex optical links having multiple modulations present a complicated mix of RF and LO sidebands to the optical input of the filter, creating background interference noise that interferes with the ability to lock to, or even recognize, the presence of the optical carrier among the various sidebands. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system and method for wavelength locking between the optical source and the optical resonators used to construct a band pass filter that isolates the optical carrier from multiple sidebands so that it can be used to lock the filter to the carrier, while at the same time creating an offset between the laser and the filter so that an RF signal of interest passes through the passband of the filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Concordant and consistent with the present invention, a system and method for an optical RF filter wavelength locked to laser with a fixed offset frequency has been discovered.
A first whispering gallery mode resonator filter is adapted to receive a first optical signal including an optical carrier frequency and a plurality of interference signal spectral components. The first filter produces an output signal at the optical carrier frequency and a reflection signal including the plurality of interference signal components. The output signal is split into a peak detection path signal and a re-insertion path signal. An optical power detector receives the peak detection path signal and converts the peak detection path signal into an electrical control signal and aligns the optical carrier frequency to a resonance frequency of the first filter to maximize the power of the optical carrier frequency, thereby facilitating locking the optical carrier frequency to the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter pass band. A second whispering gallery mode resonator filter receives the reflection signal and selects at least one spectral component in the reflection signal while rejecting other spectral components and outputs a filtered signal that carries the at least one selected spectral component. A signal combiner receives and combines the filtered signal and the re-insertion path signal for further processing in the optical domain.
Optionally, a portion of the reflection signal may be received by an optoelectronic receiver adapted to align the signals.
In one embodiment, the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter is a multi-pole filter. In another embodiment, the first and second whispering gallery mode resonator filters are mounted to an isothermal substrate to ensure thermal and vibrational stability within the system.
In a further embodiment, the first and second whispering gallery mode resonator filters are designed to include a predetermined free spectral range offset.
DRAWINGS
The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described herein.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonator filter as known in the prior art;
FIGS. 2A , 2 B and 2 C are schematic representations of a modulated input optical signal, a filtered carrier signal and a reflection response signal, respectively, provided by the first prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonator filter of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an optical RF filter wavelength locked to a laser with fixed offset frequency, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective schematic representations of a frequency offset signal of interest and the signal of interest combined with the filtered carrier signal generated according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
Prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonators, as shown in FIG. 1 , are known to be three-port networks. An input optical signal 10 is transmitted to and received by a first coupling prism 12 . A first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 receives the input optical signal 10 . Depending upon the construction of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , only a preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 is allowed to pass through the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 . In particular, depending upon whispering gallery mode characteristics such as the quality factor Q, the passband bandwidth, and the free spectral response of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the input optical signal 10 for transmission therethrough. A second coupling prism 16 receives the preselected spectral component signal of interest from the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and transmits the preselected spectral component signal of interest as the filtered optical signal 18 . Finally, that portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not transmitted through the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is reflected through the first coupling prism 12 , and is available for transmission as a reflection response signal 20 .
One representative schematic of a complex input optical signal 10 is depicted in FIG. 2A . An optical carrier 22 having a center frequency f LC and typically produced by a laser or similar optical component is modulated using a known frequency translation technique, such as with an electro-absorption modulator (not shown), by a plurality of converted RF and LO input signals. In the example of FIG. 2A , six RF sidebands 24 and two LO sidebands 26 are added to the laser carrier. Each of the six RF sidebands 24 and the two LO sidebands 26 are modulated to an optical carrier frequency different from the optical carrier center frequency f LC , where the difference between the frequency of any individual sideband 24 , 26 and the optical carrier center frequency f LC is equal to the original frequency of the individual sideband. If the optical carrier center frequency f LC is in the THz range or higher and each signal is in the RF band (typically understood to be between 3 kHz and 300 GHz), it is clear that the differences between the RF and LO sidebands and the optical carrier frequency may be very small. It is further clear that the plurality of RF sidebands 24 and LO sidebands 26 , when modulated onto the optical carrier 22 , may appear as background or interference signals that interfere with or prevent locking to the optical carrier center frequency f LC . Further, selectively filtering any of the RF sidebands 24 or LO sidebands 26 solely from the combined signal of FIG. 2A is difficult.
As applied to the whispering gallery mode resonator filter discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the input optical signal 10 for transmission therethrough as the filtered optical signal 18 . If the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is configured narrowly to pass only the optical carrier center frequency f LC while rejecting all other signal components, then the filtered optical signal may be represented to have the appearance shown in FIG. 2B . All of the rejected signal components, including all of the RF sidebands 24 and the LO sidebands 26 but excluding the optical carrier center frequency f LC are contained in the reflection response signal 20 , which may be represented as having the appearance shown in FIG. 2C , including a null at the optical carrier center frequency f LC . A low bandwidth power detector would not be able to discriminate between any of the sidebands 24 , 26 and the null at the optical carrier center frequency f LC .
One embodiment of an optical RF filter wavelength locked to a laser with fixed offset frequency according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 . The input optical signal 10 , as represented in FIG. 2A , is transmitted to and received by a first coupling prism 12 ′. The first coupling prism 12 ′ may be a dove prism as shown in FIG. 3 , or it may be a coupling prism as shown in FIG. 1 . The dove coupling prism 12 ′ includes a first coupling surface 30 adjacent a first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and a second coupling surface 32 adjacent a second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the input optical signal 10 is received by the dove prism on the second coupling surface 32 , and a reflection signal 20 ′ is directed to the first coupling surface 30 . The input optical signal 10 may be received on the first coupling surface 30 if desired, but directing the input optical signal 10 to the second coupling surface 32 ensures that the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 receives a sufficiently high-strength input optical signal 10 .
The portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not transmitted through the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is reflected through the first coupling prism 12 ′ as the reflection response signal 20 ′ to the first coupling surface 30 of the coupling prism 12 ′. The first coupling surface 30 of the coupling prism 12 ′ also reflects a portion of the reflection response signal 20 ′ as a detection signal 36 that is received by a reflection response detector 38 , which is used during system alignment.
The first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 receives the reflection signal 20 ′ and passes a preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 therethrough. In particular, depending upon whispering gallery mode characteristics such as a resonant frequency, a quality factor Q, a passband bandwidth, an optical center frequency, and a free spectral response of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the reflection signal 20 ′ for transmission therethrough. In one embodiment, the spectral component signal of interest is centered narrowly on the optical carrier center frequency f LC . The second coupling prism 16 receives the preselected spectral component signal of interest from the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and transmits the preselected spectral component signal of interest as the filtered optical signal 18 , which is subsequently split by a beamsplitter 50 into a first path 52 and a second path 54 . It is understood that the beamsplitter 50 may split the filtered optical signal 18 into the first path 52 and the second path 54 having substantially similar or different signal strengths as desired. The second path 54 of the filtered optical signal 18 is transmitted to and received by a signal combiner 46 .
The first path 52 of the filtered optical signal 18 is transmitted to and is received by a carrier peak detector 56 . The carrier peak detector 56 receives the first path signal 52 and converts the first path signal 52 into an electrical signal 64 that is used to lock the laser carrier center frequency to the resonant frequency of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 . In particular, the carrier peak detector 56 is an optical power detector that converts the first path signal 52 into an electrical signal 64 that is proportional to the peak detected signal power. Since the electrical signal will be maximized when the frequency of the optical carrier is aligned with the optical carrier center frequency f LC preferentially passed by the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the electrical signal 64 may be used as a control signal to adjust the carrier frequency substantially to the desired optical carrier center frequency f LC , and to thereby lock the frequency of the optical carrier to the resonant frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 . Additionally, because the optical carrier center frequency f LC is controlled with the electrical signal 64 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 need not be a tunable whispering gallery mode resonator.
The portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not reflected to the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is transmitted through the second coupling surface 32 of the first coupling prism 12 ′ to the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 . The main portion of the input optical signal 10 is thus transmitted to and is received by the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 . While it is possible to utilize a single pole whispering gallery mode resonator 40 , favorable results have been obtained when utilizing a multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter having multiple whispering gallery mode resonators 40 , because single resonators 40 tend to exhibit relatively wider passbands. Further, when the RF and LO sidebands 24 , 26 are closely spaced, a single whispering gallery mode resonator 40 may not be able to separate and resolve the closely spaced sidebands 24 , 26 . Therefore, more than one whispering gallery mode resonator 40 is coupled and cascaded to create the multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 capable of high frequency resolution and exhibiting a narrow passband. The multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is constructed using known methods, and may include individually or collectively tunable whispering gallery mode resonators 40 . The individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 may be directly coupled or may be closely spaced, as desired. In FIG. 3 , six individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 are arranged to create a multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 that is a sixth-order multi-pole optical filter. It is understood that lower or higher order multi-pole optical filters may be employed as desired.
As noted, the individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 may be tunable resonators using conventional means, such as electrical or thermal tuning, to allow for selective filtering of only a portion of the spectral components contained in the reflection response signal 20 ′. However, favorable results have been obtained when the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is designed and implemented to allow for discrete filtering of a portion of the spectral components contained in the input optical signal 10 . Accordingly, various characteristics of the individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 that comprise the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 may be altered to obtain only the desired portion of the input optical signal 10 . As non-limiting examples, some of the characteristics of each whispering gallery mode resonator 40 that may be altered include the quality factor Q, the bandwidth, the size of any gaps between adjacent resonators 40 , and placement of each resonator 40 within a cascaded group.
A terminal coupling prism 42 is coupled to at least one of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 to allow for the filtered signal 44 to be extracted from the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 . The filtered signal 44 includes only a narrow, preselected portion of the reflection response signal 20 ′ corresponding only to a preselected portion of one of the sidebands of interest, and has a predetermined passband shape. A representation of the filtered signal 44 is shown in FIG. 4A . Additionally, the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 may be designed to provide a desired frequency offset to the filtered signal 44 to provide a known frequency gap between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the filtered signal 44 . The filtered signal 44 is transmitted to a signal combiner 46 , where it is combined with the filtered carrier signal 18 received along the second path 54 to create a carrier recombined signal 60 that includes only the narrow preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 and the carrier signal 18 . A representation of the carrier recombined signal 60 is shown in FIG. 4B . Thus, a preselected component of the input optical signal 10 may be filtered, offset and combined with the locked optical carrier signal. The recombined signal 60 is then available for further processing in the photonic domain or for heterodyne detection and conversion to the electronic domain.
The frequency offset may be preselected by carefully designing the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 or the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 , or if tunable, the tuning of each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 14 , 40 within the respective filters. Each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 is selected to possess the same optical center frequency to within a tight tolerance. Favorable results have been obtained when each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 within the filter 34 possess the same optical center frequency to within a small fraction of the filter passband bandwidth. The optical center frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 used to perform the filtering of the optical carrier is selected to include a predetermined offset from the optical center frequency of each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 and the filter 34 . The predetermined offset in optical center frequency between the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the filter 34 defines the offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest in the filtered RF signal 44 .
To maintain the desired frequency offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest, all whispering gallery mode resonators, including both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 , are co-located on a single isothermal substrate 62 . Mounting both the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the filter 34 to the same substrate ensures that any changes in the substrate temperature will produce equal changes in the optical center frequency of all affected whispering gallery mode resonators 14 , 40 . Thus, if the temperature of the substrate 62 (or a housing thereof) changes over time, the passband response of the multi-pole filter 34 will not be affected. Additionally, the frequency offset between the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the multi-pole filter 34 will remain fixed. Further, mounting both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 to the same substrate 62 ensures that external vibration will equally affect both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 . Thus, any preselected frequency offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest in the filtered signal 44 is maintained by the mounting arrangement. Finally, the optical carrier frequency can be tuned to follow the resonant frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 at all times, ensuring locking of the carrier frequency to the filter and further ensuring the accuracy and robustness of the combined signal 64 .
The wavelength locking system of the present invention therefore is able to directly isolate, maximize and lock to the optical carrier signal with high precision in the presence of a plurality of interfering RF and LO sidebands by using a separate whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 having predetermined optical center frequency and offset characteristics to lock the optical carrier center frequency to the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 . Direct access to only the unfiltered optical carrier signal is therefore unnecessary. The second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 creates an offset between the optical carrier center frequency and the filter 34 while allowing only a predetermined portion of the interfering signals to pass through the passband of the filter 34 for recombination with the optical carrier signal, thereby providing a clean signal available for further processing in the optical domain.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims. | An optical filter is disclosed, including a first optical filter adapted to receive a first optical signal including an optical carrier frequency and a plurality of interference signal components. The first filter produces an output signal at the optical carrier frequency and a reflection signal. The output signal is split into a peak detection path signal and a re-insertion path signal. An optical power detector converts the peak detection path signal into an electrical control signal and aligns the optical carrier frequency to a resonance frequency of the first filter to maximize the power of the optical carrier frequency. A second optical filter receives the reflection signal and selects at least one spectral component while rejecting other spectral components and outputs a filtered signal that carries the selected spectral component. A signal combiner receives and combines the filtered signal and the re-insertion path signal. | Identify and summarize the most critical technical features from the given patent document. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.",
"No. 61/180,397 filed May 21, 2009.",
"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to radio frequency (“RF”) filtering, and in particular, to wavelength locking between an optical source and various resonant elements used to construct the RF filter.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various applications require filtering of multiple combined spectral components in signals by selecting one or more of the spectral components while rejecting the other components.",
"One example is band pass filtering where a selected one or more spectral components within a spectral pass band are selected to transmit and spectral components outside the spectral band are rejected.",
"A filter may be tunable, e.g., under a control of a tuning control signal, to change the frequency range of the filtered signal.",
"Optical band pass filters are known where optical spectral components within a spectral window transmit through the filter while other spectral components outside the spectral window are rejected.",
"It is known to construct optical band pass filters using optical resonators, which are small electro-optical devices, having diameters on the order of millimeters, formed of curved optical waveguides, for example, a cylinder, a sphere, or a toroid within which light is internally reflected at the inner surface of the optical resonator.",
"Some optical resonators can support resonator modes of light called whispering gallery modes, and thus, are often referred to as whispering gallery mode resonators.",
"Whispering gallery modes occur when light having an evanescent wave component travels via internal reflection around the periphery of the optical resonator.",
"The whispering gallery modes of optical resonators reside close to the surface of the optical resonator, and undergo total internal reflection.",
"The evanescent wave component extends beyond the optical resonator's outer surface and may be coupled into an adjacent optical coupler as long as the optical coupler is located within the extent of the evanescent wave, typically on the order of the light's wavelength.",
"Many optical resonators which propagate whispering gallery modes of light have extremely low transmission losses, and as a result, have a very high quality factor Q. High Q optical resonators are desirable because the higher the Q, the longer the amount of time the internally reflected light will remain within the optical resonator.",
"Optical domain filters are able to filter any desired signal including RF, microwave, millimeter, Gigahertz or Terahertz frequency that is modulated as a sideband on an optical carrier.",
"The use of whispering gallery mode resonator technology allows for designing optical domain filters with features of small size and weight, suitable for ground as well as spacecraft applications.",
"RF filtering using whispering gallery mode resonator technology requires wavelength locking between the optical carrier source and the optical resonators used to construct the filter.",
"It is possible to achieve wavelength locking of semiconductor lasers to whispering gallery mode resonators with a zero spectral offset, but such an arrangement is not useful because the RF sideband spectrum is rejected along with the laser spectrum by the whispering gallery mode resonator filter.",
"Some known wavelength locking implementations directly sample the carrier signal to create a reference signal prior to the addition of a modulated signal and later combine the sampled carrier signal with a filtered spectral component.",
"However, such implementations require complicated time delay elements to compensate for group delay of the filtered spectral components.",
"Further, such implementations are only useful for relatively short optical paths, and are unable to effectively maximize the carrier signal power for peak detection and locking.",
"It is therefore desirable to develop a system and method for wavelength locking between the optical source and the optical resonators used to construct a band pass filter that fixes the optical source at an offset from the center of the band pass filter's passband, so that suppression of the optical source spectrum does not result in suppression of the RF sideband carrying the information of interest.",
"It is further desirable to perform the filtering function and the wavelength locking function on a single input signal to eliminate time delay elements.",
"Additionally, some complex optical links apply multiple modulations to the optical source spectrum to accomplish frequency translation of the RF signal, as for example with a local oscillator (“LO”) signal modulating the optical signal.",
"The complex optical links having multiple modulations present a complicated mix of RF and LO sidebands to the optical input of the filter, creating background interference noise that interferes with the ability to lock to, or even recognize, the presence of the optical carrier among the various sidebands.",
"Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system and method for wavelength locking between the optical source and the optical resonators used to construct a band pass filter that isolates the optical carrier from multiple sidebands so that it can be used to lock the filter to the carrier, while at the same time creating an offset between the laser and the filter so that an RF signal of interest passes through the passband of the filter.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Concordant and consistent with the present invention, a system and method for an optical RF filter wavelength locked to laser with a fixed offset frequency has been discovered.",
"A first whispering gallery mode resonator filter is adapted to receive a first optical signal including an optical carrier frequency and a plurality of interference signal spectral components.",
"The first filter produces an output signal at the optical carrier frequency and a reflection signal including the plurality of interference signal components.",
"The output signal is split into a peak detection path signal and a re-insertion path signal.",
"An optical power detector receives the peak detection path signal and converts the peak detection path signal into an electrical control signal and aligns the optical carrier frequency to a resonance frequency of the first filter to maximize the power of the optical carrier frequency, thereby facilitating locking the optical carrier frequency to the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter pass band.",
"A second whispering gallery mode resonator filter receives the reflection signal and selects at least one spectral component in the reflection signal while rejecting other spectral components and outputs a filtered signal that carries the at least one selected spectral component.",
"A signal combiner receives and combines the filtered signal and the re-insertion path signal for further processing in the optical domain.",
"Optionally, a portion of the reflection signal may be received by an optoelectronic receiver adapted to align the signals.",
"In one embodiment, the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter is a multi-pole filter.",
"In another embodiment, the first and second whispering gallery mode resonator filters are mounted to an isothermal substrate to ensure thermal and vibrational stability within the system.",
"In a further embodiment, the first and second whispering gallery mode resonator filters are designed to include a predetermined free spectral range offset.",
"DRAWINGS The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described herein.",
"FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonator filter as known in the prior art;",
"FIGS. 2A , 2 B and 2 C are schematic representations of a modulated input optical signal, a filtered carrier signal and a reflection response signal, respectively, provided by the first prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonator filter of FIG. 1 ;",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an optical RF filter wavelength locked to a laser with fixed offset frequency, according to an embodiment of the invention;",
"and FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective schematic representations of a frequency offset signal of interest and the signal of interest combined with the filtered carrier signal generated according to the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention.",
"The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.",
"Prism coupled whispering gallery mode resonators, as shown in FIG. 1 , are known to be three-port networks.",
"An input optical signal 10 is transmitted to and received by a first coupling prism 12 .",
"A first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 receives the input optical signal 10 .",
"Depending upon the construction of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , only a preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 is allowed to pass through the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 .",
"In particular, depending upon whispering gallery mode characteristics such as the quality factor Q, the passband bandwidth, and the free spectral response of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the input optical signal 10 for transmission therethrough.",
"A second coupling prism 16 receives the preselected spectral component signal of interest from the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and transmits the preselected spectral component signal of interest as the filtered optical signal 18 .",
"Finally, that portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not transmitted through the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is reflected through the first coupling prism 12 , and is available for transmission as a reflection response signal 20 .",
"One representative schematic of a complex input optical signal 10 is depicted in FIG. 2A .",
"An optical carrier 22 having a center frequency f LC and typically produced by a laser or similar optical component is modulated using a known frequency translation technique, such as with an electro-absorption modulator (not shown), by a plurality of converted RF and LO input signals.",
"In the example of FIG. 2A , six RF sidebands 24 and two LO sidebands 26 are added to the laser carrier.",
"Each of the six RF sidebands 24 and the two LO sidebands 26 are modulated to an optical carrier frequency different from the optical carrier center frequency f LC , where the difference between the frequency of any individual sideband 24 , 26 and the optical carrier center frequency f LC is equal to the original frequency of the individual sideband.",
"If the optical carrier center frequency f LC is in the THz range or higher and each signal is in the RF band (typically understood to be between 3 kHz and 300 GHz), it is clear that the differences between the RF and LO sidebands and the optical carrier frequency may be very small.",
"It is further clear that the plurality of RF sidebands 24 and LO sidebands 26 , when modulated onto the optical carrier 22 , may appear as background or interference signals that interfere with or prevent locking to the optical carrier center frequency f LC .",
"Further, selectively filtering any of the RF sidebands 24 or LO sidebands 26 solely from the combined signal of FIG. 2A is difficult.",
"As applied to the whispering gallery mode resonator filter discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the input optical signal 10 for transmission therethrough as the filtered optical signal 18 .",
"If the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is configured narrowly to pass only the optical carrier center frequency f LC while rejecting all other signal components, then the filtered optical signal may be represented to have the appearance shown in FIG. 2B .",
"All of the rejected signal components, including all of the RF sidebands 24 and the LO sidebands 26 but excluding the optical carrier center frequency f LC are contained in the reflection response signal 20 , which may be represented as having the appearance shown in FIG. 2C , including a null at the optical carrier center frequency f LC .",
"A low bandwidth power detector would not be able to discriminate between any of the sidebands 24 , 26 and the null at the optical carrier center frequency f LC .",
"One embodiment of an optical RF filter wavelength locked to a laser with fixed offset frequency according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 .",
"The input optical signal 10 , as represented in FIG. 2A , is transmitted to and received by a first coupling prism 12 ′.",
"The first coupling prism 12 ′ may be a dove prism as shown in FIG. 3 , or it may be a coupling prism as shown in FIG. 1 .",
"The dove coupling prism 12 ′ includes a first coupling surface 30 adjacent a first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and a second coupling surface 32 adjacent a second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 .",
"In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the input optical signal 10 is received by the dove prism on the second coupling surface 32 , and a reflection signal 20 ′ is directed to the first coupling surface 30 .",
"The input optical signal 10 may be received on the first coupling surface 30 if desired, but directing the input optical signal 10 to the second coupling surface 32 ensures that the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 receives a sufficiently high-strength input optical signal 10 .",
"The portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not transmitted through the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is reflected through the first coupling prism 12 ′ as the reflection response signal 20 ′ to the first coupling surface 30 of the coupling prism 12 ′.",
"The first coupling surface 30 of the coupling prism 12 ′ also reflects a portion of the reflection response signal 20 ′ as a detection signal 36 that is received by a reflection response detector 38 , which is used during system alignment.",
"The first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 receives the reflection signal 20 ′ and passes a preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 therethrough.",
"In particular, depending upon whispering gallery mode characteristics such as a resonant frequency, a quality factor Q, a passband bandwidth, an optical center frequency, and a free spectral response of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 may be configured sufficiently narrowly to preselect only a spectral component signal of interest of the reflection signal 20 ′ for transmission therethrough.",
"In one embodiment, the spectral component signal of interest is centered narrowly on the optical carrier center frequency f LC .",
"The second coupling prism 16 receives the preselected spectral component signal of interest from the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and transmits the preselected spectral component signal of interest as the filtered optical signal 18 , which is subsequently split by a beamsplitter 50 into a first path 52 and a second path 54 .",
"It is understood that the beamsplitter 50 may split the filtered optical signal 18 into the first path 52 and the second path 54 having substantially similar or different signal strengths as desired.",
"The second path 54 of the filtered optical signal 18 is transmitted to and received by a signal combiner 46 .",
"The first path 52 of the filtered optical signal 18 is transmitted to and is received by a carrier peak detector 56 .",
"The carrier peak detector 56 receives the first path signal 52 and converts the first path signal 52 into an electrical signal 64 that is used to lock the laser carrier center frequency to the resonant frequency of the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 .",
"In particular, the carrier peak detector 56 is an optical power detector that converts the first path signal 52 into an electrical signal 64 that is proportional to the peak detected signal power.",
"Since the electrical signal will be maximized when the frequency of the optical carrier is aligned with the optical carrier center frequency f LC preferentially passed by the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 , the electrical signal 64 may be used as a control signal to adjust the carrier frequency substantially to the desired optical carrier center frequency f LC , and to thereby lock the frequency of the optical carrier to the resonant frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 .",
"Additionally, because the optical carrier center frequency f LC is controlled with the electrical signal 64 , the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 need not be a tunable whispering gallery mode resonator.",
"The portion of the input optical signal 10 that is not reflected to the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 is transmitted through the second coupling surface 32 of the first coupling prism 12 ′ to the second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 .",
"The main portion of the input optical signal 10 is thus transmitted to and is received by the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 .",
"While it is possible to utilize a single pole whispering gallery mode resonator 40 , favorable results have been obtained when utilizing a multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter having multiple whispering gallery mode resonators 40 , because single resonators 40 tend to exhibit relatively wider passbands.",
"Further, when the RF and LO sidebands 24 , 26 are closely spaced, a single whispering gallery mode resonator 40 may not be able to separate and resolve the closely spaced sidebands 24 , 26 .",
"Therefore, more than one whispering gallery mode resonator 40 is coupled and cascaded to create the multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 capable of high frequency resolution and exhibiting a narrow passband.",
"The multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is constructed using known methods, and may include individually or collectively tunable whispering gallery mode resonators 40 .",
"The individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 may be directly coupled or may be closely spaced, as desired.",
"In FIG. 3 , six individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 are arranged to create a multi-pole whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 that is a sixth-order multi-pole optical filter.",
"It is understood that lower or higher order multi-pole optical filters may be employed as desired.",
"As noted, the individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 may be tunable resonators using conventional means, such as electrical or thermal tuning, to allow for selective filtering of only a portion of the spectral components contained in the reflection response signal 20 ′.",
"However, favorable results have been obtained when the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 is designed and implemented to allow for discrete filtering of a portion of the spectral components contained in the input optical signal 10 .",
"Accordingly, various characteristics of the individual whispering gallery mode resonators 40 that comprise the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 may be altered to obtain only the desired portion of the input optical signal 10 .",
"As non-limiting examples, some of the characteristics of each whispering gallery mode resonator 40 that may be altered include the quality factor Q, the bandwidth, the size of any gaps between adjacent resonators 40 , and placement of each resonator 40 within a cascaded group.",
"A terminal coupling prism 42 is coupled to at least one of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 to allow for the filtered signal 44 to be extracted from the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 .",
"The filtered signal 44 includes only a narrow, preselected portion of the reflection response signal 20 ′ corresponding only to a preselected portion of one of the sidebands of interest, and has a predetermined passband shape.",
"A representation of the filtered signal 44 is shown in FIG. 4A .",
"Additionally, the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 may be designed to provide a desired frequency offset to the filtered signal 44 to provide a known frequency gap between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the filtered signal 44 .",
"The filtered signal 44 is transmitted to a signal combiner 46 , where it is combined with the filtered carrier signal 18 received along the second path 54 to create a carrier recombined signal 60 that includes only the narrow preselected portion of the input optical signal 10 and the carrier signal 18 .",
"A representation of the carrier recombined signal 60 is shown in FIG. 4B .",
"Thus, a preselected component of the input optical signal 10 may be filtered, offset and combined with the locked optical carrier signal.",
"The recombined signal 60 is then available for further processing in the photonic domain or for heterodyne detection and conversion to the electronic domain.",
"The frequency offset may be preselected by carefully designing the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 or the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 , or if tunable, the tuning of each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 14 , 40 within the respective filters.",
"Each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 is selected to possess the same optical center frequency to within a tight tolerance.",
"Favorable results have been obtained when each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 within the filter 34 possess the same optical center frequency to within a small fraction of the filter passband bandwidth.",
"The optical center frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 used to perform the filtering of the optical carrier is selected to include a predetermined offset from the optical center frequency of each of the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 and the filter 34 .",
"The predetermined offset in optical center frequency between the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the filter 34 defines the offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest in the filtered RF signal 44 .",
"To maintain the desired frequency offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest, all whispering gallery mode resonators, including both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 , are co-located on a single isothermal substrate 62 .",
"Mounting both the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the filter 34 to the same substrate ensures that any changes in the substrate temperature will produce equal changes in the optical center frequency of all affected whispering gallery mode resonators 14 , 40 .",
"Thus, if the temperature of the substrate 62 (or a housing thereof) changes over time, the passband response of the multi-pole filter 34 will not be affected.",
"Additionally, the frequency offset between the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the multi-pole filter 34 will remain fixed.",
"Further, mounting both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 to the same substrate 62 ensures that external vibration will equally affect both the first whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 and the whispering gallery mode resonators 40 .",
"Thus, any preselected frequency offset between the optical carrier center frequency f LC and the frequency of the signal of interest in the filtered signal 44 is maintained by the mounting arrangement.",
"Finally, the optical carrier frequency can be tuned to follow the resonant frequency of the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 at all times, ensuring locking of the carrier frequency to the filter and further ensuring the accuracy and robustness of the combined signal 64 .",
"The wavelength locking system of the present invention therefore is able to directly isolate, maximize and lock to the optical carrier signal with high precision in the presence of a plurality of interfering RF and LO sidebands by using a separate whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 having predetermined optical center frequency and offset characteristics to lock the optical carrier center frequency to the whispering gallery mode resonator filter 14 .",
"Direct access to only the unfiltered optical carrier signal is therefore unnecessary.",
"The second whispering gallery mode resonator filter 34 creates an offset between the optical carrier center frequency and the filter 34 while allowing only a predetermined portion of the interfering signals to pass through the passband of the filter 34 for recombination with the optical carrier signal, thereby providing a clean signal available for further processing in the optical domain.",
"While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese patent application no. 11-192375, filed Jul. 6, 1999, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/610,982, filed Jul. 6, 2000, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a latch circuit which reduces the number of circuit elements connected to an input or an output to reduce load at the input or output to thereby achieve high-speed operation.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A latch circuit has the function of temporarily holding (i.e., storing) signals. FIGS. 1 - 3 illustrate examples of related art latch circuits. As shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 , to hold signals the related art latch circuits include a loop circuit, which is formed of two stages of inverters to hold signals. A latch circuit may be connected with a plurality of input circuits and output circuits. In such a latch circuit, the number of terminals respectively connected to input circuit and output circuits has increased.
[0006] The related art latch circuits shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 respectively include a plurality of input circuits and output circuits connected thereto.
[0007] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 1 includes an input node N 1 , and an output node N 2 . Two input circuits (not shown) are connected at the input node N 1 , which is the input of the latch circuit. Specifically, an input I 1 from a first input circuit and an input I 2 from a second input circuit are connected at the input node N 1 . Moreover, two output circuits (not shown) are connected by the output node N 2 , which is the output of the latch circuit. Specifically, an output O 1 to a first output circuit and an output O 2 to a second output circuit are connected at the output node N 2 .
[0008] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 2 includes two input nodes N 1 and N 2 , and two output nodes N 3 and N 4 . In a manner similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, two input circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, an input I 1 from a first input circuit is connected at the node N 1 , while an input I 2 from a second input circuit is connected at the node N 2 . Moreover, in a manner similar to FIG. 1, two output circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit. Specifically, an output O 1 to a first output circuit is connected at the node N 3 , while an output O 2 to a second output circuit is connected at the node N 4 .
[0009] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 3 includes two input nodes N 1 and N 2 , and two output nodes N 3 and N 4 . Similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, the latch circuit shown in FIG. 3 is connected with two input circuits. Specifically, an input I 1 and an input /I 1 from a first input circuit are respectively connected to the node N 1 and the node N 2 , while an input I 2 from a second input circuit is connected at the node N 1 .
[0010] Moreover, similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, two output circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit of FIG. 3. Specifically, an output O 1 and an output /O 1 to a first output circuit are respectively connected at the node N 3 and the node N 4 , and an output O 2 to the second output circuit is connected at the node N 2 .
[0011] The inputs I 1 and /I 1 and output O 1 are used for the normal operation, and the input I 2 and output O 2 are used for a test operation. High-speed input and output are required for the inputs I 1 and I 1 and the output O 1 , while the high-speed input and output are not required for the input I 2 and output O 2 .
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the inputs I 1 and I 2 of the latch circuit, an input of a first inverter 1 and an output of a second inverter 2 are connected at the input node N 1 . The input I 1 requires a high-speed input. However, because the other three circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input I 1 .
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the input I 1 of the latch circuit, the output of the first inverter 1 , the input of the second inverter 2 and the input of the third inverter 3 are connected at the input node N 1 . The input I 1 requires high-speed input. However, because the other three circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input I 1 .
[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the inputs I 1 and I 2 of the latch circuit, the output of the first inverter 1 , the input of the second inverter 2 and the input of the third inverter 3 are connected at the input node N 1 . The input I 1 requires high-speed input. However, because the other four circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high speed input for the input I 1 .
[0015] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, an input /I 1 , which is the complement signal of the first input I 1 of the latch circuit, the output O 2 of the latch circuit, the output of the second inverter 2 , the input of the first inverter 1 and the input of the fourth inverter 4 are connected at the node N 2 . The input /I 1 requires a high-speed input. However, because the other four circuit elements connected at the node N 2 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input /I 1 .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit to hold signals, the latch circuit including four or more inverters forming a loop to hold the signals.
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit having a reduced load applied to an input and output of the latch circuit.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit which achieves high-speed input and output by reducing the number of circuit elements connected to a connecting point of an input or to a connecting point of an output which require high-speed operations.
[0019] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit for holding signals, the latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold a signal. The latch circuit may further comprise a plurality of input terminals respectively connected to different nodes. The latch circuit, may further comprise a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to different nodes. The latch circuit may further comprise a plurality of input terminals and output terminals respectively connected to different nodes.
[0020] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, at least one input terminal of the latch circuit is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one input terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit.
[0021] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, at least one output terminal is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one output terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit.
[0022] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, complementary signals are supplied to at least one pair of input terminals of the latch circuit.
[0023] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the latch circuit comprises four inverters connected in a loop.
[0024] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the latch circuit comprises six inverters connected in a loop.
[0025] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit, comprising a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals, wherein the plurality of input terminals and the plurality of output terminals are respectively connected at different nodes, and at most three circuit elements are connected at the different nodes.
[0026] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit comprising a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals, wherein complementary input signals are supplied to at least one pair of input terminals, and wherein a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals are respectively connected at different nodes, and four or fewer circuit elements are respectively connected at the different nodes.
[0027] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a memory, comprising a latch circuit to hold a signal, the latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold the signal.
[0028] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a semiconductor chip design system to design a latch circuit, comprising a unit cell library in which a latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold a signal is registered; and a macro cell library in which a macro using the latch circuit is registered.
[0029] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates an RTL description based on design specifications of the latch circuit, and generates a net list for the latch circuit based on the RTL description, using any one of the unit cell library and macro cell library.
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates layout design data for the latch circuit based on the net list, using any one of the unit cell library and the macro cell library.
[0031] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates mask layout data for the latch circuit based on the layout data, using any one of the unit cell library and the macro cell library.
[0032] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the number of circuit elements at a connecting point of an input terminal of the latch circuit or at a connecting point of an output terminal of the latch circuit is reduced. By reducing the number of circuit elements at the input or output connections, a load of the input or output can be reduced, and thereby high-speed input or output can be realized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0034] [0034]FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.
[0035] [0035]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.
[0036] [0036]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.
[0037] [0037]FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an SRAM in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] [0038]FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an address input latch used in the SRAM in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] [0039]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a latch circuit in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] [0040]FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram illustrating the latch circuit in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] [0041]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a latch circuit in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] [0042]FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of the latch circuit in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] [0043]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a system for designing a latch circuit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0045] [0045]FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a static random access memory (SRAM) in which a latch circuit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is incorporated. As shown in FIG. 4A, an address input latch for an inputting an address is arranged in an area 5 of the SRAM, a predecoder for predecoding the address is arranged in an area 6 , a main decoder for decoding the address is arranged in an area 7 , an input/output buffer for inputting and outputting data, a sense amplifier and a write amplifier for amplifying data are arranged in the area 8 , and a cell array for storing data is arranged in an area 9 .
[0046] The latch circuit in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, can be applied to an address input latch arranged in the area 5 shown in FIG. 4A.
[0047] [0047]FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the address input latch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 41B, since an address is formed of four bits, address input latches 14 , 15 , 16 and 17 are connected in four stages. The number of address input latches is set depending on the bit format of an address.
[0048] An input address signal 10 is supplied to the respective address input latches 14 - 17 . An address output signal I 1 is output by the respective address input latches 14 - 17 . During normal operation of the SRAM, the input address signal 10 is input and the output address signal I 1 is output.
[0049] Moreover, an input scan signal 12 is supplied to the address input latch 14 , and the input scan signal 12 is output as the output scan signal 13 from the address input latch 17 via the address input latch 15 and address input latch 16 . During a test operation of the SRAM, the input scan signal 12 is input and the output scan signal 13 is output to verify operation of the address input latch.
[0050] As described above, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, an input address signal 10 and an input scan signal 12 are input to respective address latch circuits 14 - 17 , and an output address signal 11 and an output scan signal 13 are output from respective latch circuits. However, the present invention is not limited to one address signal, and can be adapted to a latch circuit to which a plurality of input signals are supplied and from which a plurality of output signals are output.
[0051] In accordance with the present invention, the SRAM is only an example of the type of memory to which the present invention is applicable. However, the present invention is not limited to an SRAM, and can also be applied to the other memory circuits, such as DRAM.
[0052] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 illustrates a latch circuit having two inputs I 1 ,I 2 and two outputs O 1 , O 2 . The first input I 1 is connected to a first node N 1 , the second input I 2 is connected to a second node N 2 , the first output O 1 is connected to a third node N 3 and the second output O 2 is connected to a fourth node N 4 .
[0053] The first node N 1 is the connecting point of an output of a fourth inverter 21 and an input of a first inverter 18 . The second node N 2 is the connecting point of the output of a second inverter 19 and the input of a third inverter 20 . The third node N 3 is the connecting point of the output of the first inverter 18 and the input of the second inverter 19 . The fourth node N 4 is the connecting point of the output of the third inverter 20 and the input of the fourth inverter 21 .
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, because the first input I 1 , the output of the fourth inverter 21 and input of the first inverter 18 are connected at the first node N 1 , the circuit elements which will become a load of the first input I 1 include only the output of the fourth inverter 21 and the input of the first inverter 18 .
[0055] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which will become a load for the input is reduced to two elements at the connecting point of the input of the latch circuit. Therefore, high-speed input operation of the latch circuit can be realized.
[0056] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the first input I 1 and first output O 1 are an input and an output, respectively, to be used during normal operation. The second input I 2 and the second output O 2 are an input and an output, respectively, to be used during the test operation. The first input I 1 and first output O 1 are required to realize high-speed input and output, and the second input I 2 and second output O 2 are not required to realize high-speed input and output. In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the high-speed operation is realized during the usual operation of the latch circuit by realizing a high-speed input operation of the first input I 1 which is required to realize high speed input.
[0057] The second input I 2 is not required to realize the high-speed input operation described above. Therefore, the second input I 2 , which is not required to realize the high-speed operation, may be connected to the node N 2 .
[0058] [0058]FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of the latch circuit shown in FIG. 5 adapted to the SRAM illustrated in FIG. 4A in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the first input I 1 is an input address signal, the second input I 2 is an input scan signal, the first output O 1 is an output address signal and the second output O 2 is an output scan signal. The input address signal and a clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 22 . The switch circuit 22 comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors, which are connected in series, and is also connected to a high-voltage power source and a low-voltage power source.
[0060] The input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 23 . In a manner similar to the switch circuit 22 , the switch circuit 23 also comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors, which are connected in series, and is also connected to the high-voltage power source and the low voltage power source.
[0061] During normal operating conditions, the scan clock signal is stopped. More specifically, a signal “1,” which is the stop signal, is supplied as the scan clock signal and connection between the switch circuit 23 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. The signal “1” is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0” is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 24 , and connection between the switch circuit 23 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. Therefore, the input scan signal and scan clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.
[0062] During the test operation, the clock signal stops. That is, the “1” signal, which is the stop signal, is supplied as the clock signal and connection between the switch circuit 22 and high-voltage power source and low voltage power source is separated. More specifically, the signal “1” is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0” is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 25 , and connection between the switch circuit 22 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. Therefore, the input address signal and clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.
[0063] The first output O 1 of the latch circuit is output as the output address signal via an inverter 26 , and the second output O 2 of the latch circuit is output as the output scan signal via an inverter 27 . The inverter 26 and inverter 27 operate as buffers. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inverter 26 and inverter 27 are not absolutely necessary, and the circuit can operate without these components.
[0064] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0065] [0065]FIG. 7 illustrates a latch circuit including three inputs and three outputs in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a first input I 1 is connected to a first node N 1 ; a second input /I 1 , which is a complementary input to the first input I 1 , is connected to a second node N 2 ; a third input I 2 is connected to a third node N 3 ; a first output O 1 is connected to a fourth node N 4 ; a second output /O 1 , which is a complementary output to the first output O 1 , is connected to a fifth node N 5 ; and a third output O 2 is connected to a sixth node N 6 .
[0066] The first node N 1 is the connecting point of the first input I 1 , the output of a sixth inverter 33 , the input of a first inverter 28 and the input of a seventh inverter 34 . The second node N 2 is the connecting point of the second input /I 1 , the output of a third inverter 30 , the input of a fourth inverter 31 and the input of an eighth inverter 35 . The third node N 3 is the connecting point of the third input I 2 , the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of a fifth inverter 32 . The fourth node N 4 is the connecting point of the first output O 1 and the output of the seventh inverter 34 . The fifth node N 5 is the connecting point of the second output /O 1 and the output of an eighth inverter 35 . The sixth node N 6 is the connecting point of the third output O 2 , the output of the first inverter 28 and the input of a second inverter 29 .
[0067] Moreover, the output of the second inverter 29 is connected to the input of the third inverter 30 , while the output of the fifth inverter 32 is connected to the input of the sixth inverter 33 .
[0068] Because the first input I 1 , the output of sixth inverter 33 , the input of the first inverter 28 and the input of the seventh inverter 34 are connected at the first node N 1 , the circuit elements which become a load for the first input I 1 include only the output of the sixth inverter 33 , the input of the first inverter 28 and the input of the seventh inverter 34 .
[0069] Because the second input /I 1 , the output of the third inverter 30 , the input of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the eighth inverter 35 are connected at the second node N 2 , the circuit elements which become a load for the second input /I 1 include only the output of the third inverter 30 , the input of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the eighth inverter 35 .
[0070] In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which become a load for the input at the connecting point of the input of the latch circuit are reduced to only three elements. Therefore, high-speed input operation of the latch circuit can be realized.
[0071] The first input I 1 , second input /I 1 , first output O 1 and second output /O 1 are assumed to be inputs and outputs used during ordinary operation. The third input I 2 and third output O 2 are assumed to be input and output, respectively, used in a test operation. The first input I 1 , second input /I 1 , the first output O 1 and the second output /O 1 are required to realize the high-speed input and output. The third input I 2 and third output O 2 are not required to realize high-speed input and output. In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, high-speed operation is realized during the normal operating condition of the latch circuit by realizing high-speed operation of the first input I 1 and second input /I 1 which require the high-speed operation.
[0072] In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the third input I 2 does not require high-speed operation. However, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, high-speed operation is realized for the third input I 2 .
[0073] Because the third input I 2 , the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the fifth inverter 32 are connected at the third node N 3 , the circuit elements which become a load for the third input I 2 include only of the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the fifth inverter 32 . According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which become a load for the test input is reduced to two elements at the connecting point of the test input of the latch circuit. Therefore, high-speed test operation of the latch circuit may be realized.
[0074] On the other hand, since the third input I 2 is not required to realize high-speed operation, the other input which is not required to realize high-speed operation may be connected to the node to which the third input I 2 is connected.
[0075] [0075]FIG. 8 illustrates the latch circuit shown in FIG. 6 applied to the SRAM of FIG. 4A in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, a first input I 1 is an input address signal; a second input /I 1 , which is the complement of the first input I 1 , is the complementary signal of the input address signal; a third input I 2 is an input scan signal; a first output O 1 is an output address signal; a second output /O 1 , which is the complement of the first output O 1 , is a complementary signal of the output address signal; and a third output O 2 is an output scan signal.
[0077] The input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 36 . The switch circuit 36 comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.
[0078] The complementary signal of the input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 37 . The switch circuit 37 is also formed of two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.
[0079] The input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 38 . The switch circuit 38 is formed, in a manner similar to the switch circuit 36 , of two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.
[0080] During the normal operation, the scan clock signal stops. That is, connection among the switch circuit 38 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. More specifically, the signal “1” is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0” is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 39 and connection among the switch circuit 38 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. Therefore, the input scan signal and scan clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, and the input address signal, a complementary signal of the input address signal and the clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.
[0081] At the time of a test operation, the clock signal stops. That is, the signal “1,” which is the stop signal, is supplied as the clock signal and connection among the switch circuit 36 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. Specifically, the signal “1” is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0” is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 40 and connection among the switch circuit 36 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated. Moreover, the connection among the switch circuit 37 , the high-voltage power source and the low voltage power source is separated in a similar manner. Accordingly, the input address signal, the complementary signal of the input address signal and the clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied thereto.
[0082] The first output O 1 of the latch circuit is output as the output address signal via the inverter 34 , and the second output /O 1 , which is the complement of the first output O 1 of the latch circuit, is output as the complementary signal of the output address signal via the inverter 35 . The inverter 34 and the inverter 35 operate as buffers. However, the inverters 34 and 35 are not required, and the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 operates without the inverter 34 and the inverter 35 .
[0083] A third embodiment of the invention will now be described below with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a semiconductor chip design system to design a latch circuit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, a latch circuit, such as the latch circuit shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 , is registered to a unit cell library 200 . Moreover, a memory (SRAM, DRAM or the like) using the latch circuit shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 is registered to a macro cell library 201 . The unit cell library 200 and macro cell library 201 are used in the semiconductor design system.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, a system design system 101 generates a register transfer level (RTL) description (operation level logic circuit) 102 based on a semiconductor design specification 100 . A function/logic design system 103 generates a net list (i.e., a gate level logic circuit) based on the RTL description 102 . In practice, the RTL description 102 is converted to the net list 104 through logical synthesis. A layout design system 105 generates layout data 106 based on the net list 104 . A mask layout design system 107 generates mask layout data 108 based on the layout data 106 . A semiconductor chip is then manufactured based on the mask layout data 108 .
[0086] The unit cell library 200 , to which the latch circuit is registered, or the macro cell library 201 , to which the memory (e.g., SRAM) using the latch circuit of the present invention is registered, is used in the function/logic design system 103 to generate the net list 104 including the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 .
[0087] Moreover, the unit cell library 200 , to which the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 are registered, and/or the macro cell library 201 , to which the memory using the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 is registered, is used in the layout design system 105 to generate the layout data 106 including the latch circuit of the present invention.
[0088] Furthermore, the unit cell library 200 and/or the macro cell library 201 is used in the mask layout design system 107 to generate the mask layout data 108 including the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 .
[0089] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention described hereinabove, a semiconductor chip including a latch circuit is generated by utilizing the unit cell library 200 to which the latch circuit of the present invention is registered and/or the macro cell library 201 to which the memory using the latch circuit of the present invention is registered.
[0090] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. | A latch circuit to perform high-speed input and output operations by reducing a load of an input circuit or an output circuit of the latch circuit. The latch circuit includes four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold a signal, a plurality of input terminals respectively connected to different nodes, and a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to different nodes. At least one input terminal of the latch circuit is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one input terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit. Further, at least one output terminal of the latch circuit is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one output terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit. The latch circuit reduces the number of circuit elements at a connecting point of an input terminal of the latch circuit or at a connecting point of an output terminal of the latch circuit. By reducing the number of circuit elements at the input or output connections, a load of the input or output can be reduced, and thereby high-speed input or output can be realized. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese patent application no. 11-192375, filed Jul. 6, 1999, and U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 09/610,982, filed Jul. 6, 2000, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit.",
"More particularly, the present invention relates to a latch circuit which reduces the number of circuit elements connected to an input or an output to reduce load at the input or output to thereby achieve high-speed operation.",
"[0004] 2.",
"Description of the Related Art [0005] A latch circuit has the function of temporarily holding (i.e., storing) signals.",
"FIGS. 1 - 3 illustrate examples of related art latch circuits.",
"As shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 , to hold signals the related art latch circuits include a loop circuit, which is formed of two stages of inverters to hold signals.",
"A latch circuit may be connected with a plurality of input circuits and output circuits.",
"In such a latch circuit, the number of terminals respectively connected to input circuit and output circuits has increased.",
"[0006] The related art latch circuits shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 respectively include a plurality of input circuits and output circuits connected thereto.",
"[0007] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 1 includes an input node N 1 , and an output node N 2 .",
"Two input circuits (not shown) are connected at the input node N 1 , which is the input of the latch circuit.",
"Specifically, an input I 1 from a first input circuit and an input I 2 from a second input circuit are connected at the input node N 1 .",
"Moreover, two output circuits (not shown) are connected by the output node N 2 , which is the output of the latch circuit.",
"Specifically, an output O 1 to a first output circuit and an output O 2 to a second output circuit are connected at the output node N 2 .",
"[0008] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 2 includes two input nodes N 1 and N 2 , and two output nodes N 3 and N 4 .",
"In a manner similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, two input circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, an input I 1 from a first input circuit is connected at the node N 1 , while an input I 2 from a second input circuit is connected at the node N 2 .",
"Moreover, in a manner similar to FIG. 1, two output circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit.",
"Specifically, an output O 1 to a first output circuit is connected at the node N 3 , while an output O 2 to a second output circuit is connected at the node N 4 .",
"[0009] The example of the related art latch circuit shown in FIG. 3 includes two input nodes N 1 and N 2 , and two output nodes N 3 and N 4 .",
"Similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, the latch circuit shown in FIG. 3 is connected with two input circuits.",
"Specifically, an input I 1 and an input /I 1 from a first input circuit are respectively connected to the node N 1 and the node N 2 , while an input I 2 from a second input circuit is connected at the node N 1 .",
"[0010] Moreover, similar to the latch circuit shown in FIG. 1, two output circuits (not shown) are connected to the latch circuit of FIG. 3. Specifically, an output O 1 and an output /O 1 to a first output circuit are respectively connected at the node N 3 and the node N 4 , and an output O 2 to the second output circuit is connected at the node N 2 .",
"[0011] The inputs I 1 and /I 1 and output O 1 are used for the normal operation, and the input I 2 and output O 2 are used for a test operation.",
"High-speed input and output are required for the inputs I 1 and I 1 and the output O 1 , while the high-speed input and output are not required for the input I 2 and output O 2 .",
"[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the inputs I 1 and I 2 of the latch circuit, an input of a first inverter 1 and an output of a second inverter 2 are connected at the input node N 1 .",
"The input I 1 requires a high-speed input.",
"However, because the other three circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input I 1 .",
"[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the input I 1 of the latch circuit, the output of the first inverter 1 , the input of the second inverter 2 and the input of the third inverter 3 are connected at the input node N 1 .",
"The input I 1 requires high-speed input.",
"However, because the other three circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input I 1 .",
"[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the inputs I 1 and I 2 of the latch circuit, the output of the first inverter 1 , the input of the second inverter 2 and the input of the third inverter 3 are connected at the input node N 1 .",
"The input I 1 requires high-speed input.",
"However, because the other four circuit elements connected at the node N 1 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high speed input for the input I 1 .",
"[0015] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, an input /I 1 , which is the complement signal of the first input I 1 of the latch circuit, the output O 2 of the latch circuit, the output of the second inverter 2 , the input of the first inverter 1 and the input of the fourth inverter 4 are connected at the node N 2 .",
"The input /I 1 requires a high-speed input.",
"However, because the other four circuit elements connected at the node N 2 become a large load, the latch circuit cannot assure the high-speed input for the input /I 1 .",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit to hold signals, the latch circuit including four or more inverters forming a loop to hold the signals.",
"[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit having a reduced load applied to an input and output of the latch circuit.",
"[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch circuit which achieves high-speed input and output by reducing the number of circuit elements connected to a connecting point of an input or to a connecting point of an output which require high-speed operations.",
"[0019] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit for holding signals, the latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold a signal.",
"The latch circuit may further comprise a plurality of input terminals respectively connected to different nodes.",
"The latch circuit, may further comprise a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to different nodes.",
"The latch circuit may further comprise a plurality of input terminals and output terminals respectively connected to different nodes.",
"[0020] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, at least one input terminal of the latch circuit is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one input terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit.",
"[0021] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, at least one output terminal is used for normal operation of the latch circuit, and at least one output terminal is used for a test operation of the latch circuit.",
"[0022] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, complementary signals are supplied to at least one pair of input terminals of the latch circuit.",
"[0023] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the latch circuit comprises four inverters connected in a loop.",
"[0024] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the latch circuit comprises six inverters connected in a loop.",
"[0025] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit, comprising a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals, wherein the plurality of input terminals and the plurality of output terminals are respectively connected at different nodes, and at most three circuit elements are connected at the different nodes.",
"[0026] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a latch circuit comprising a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals, wherein complementary input signals are supplied to at least one pair of input terminals, and wherein a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals are respectively connected at different nodes, and four or fewer circuit elements are respectively connected at the different nodes.",
"[0027] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a memory, comprising a latch circuit to hold a signal, the latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold the signal.",
"[0028] Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a semiconductor chip design system to design a latch circuit, comprising a unit cell library in which a latch circuit comprising four or more inverters connected in a loop to hold a signal is registered;",
"and a macro cell library in which a macro using the latch circuit is registered.",
"[0029] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates an RTL description based on design specifications of the latch circuit, and generates a net list for the latch circuit based on the RTL description, using any one of the unit cell library and macro cell library.",
"[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates layout design data for the latch circuit based on the net list, using any one of the unit cell library and the macro cell library.",
"[0031] In accordance with the present invention, the semiconductor chip design system generates mask layout data for the latch circuit based on the layout data, using any one of the unit cell library and the macro cell library.",
"[0032] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the number of circuit elements at a connecting point of an input terminal of the latch circuit or at a connecting point of an output terminal of the latch circuit is reduced.",
"By reducing the number of circuit elements at the input or output connections, a load of the input or output can be reduced, and thereby high-speed input or output can be realized.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0033] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: [0034] [0034 ]FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.",
"[0035] [0035 ]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.",
"[0036] [0036 ]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art latch circuit.",
"[0037] [0037 ]FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an SRAM in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.",
"[0038] [0038 ]FIG. 4B is a block diagram of an address input latch used in the SRAM in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.",
"[0039] [0039 ]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a latch circuit in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0040] [0040 ]FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram illustrating the latch circuit in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0041] [0041 ]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a latch circuit in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0042] [0042 ]FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of the latch circuit in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0043] [0043 ]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a system for designing a latch circuit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0044] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.",
"[0045] [0045 ]FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a static random access memory (SRAM) in which a latch circuit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is incorporated.",
"As shown in FIG. 4A, an address input latch for an inputting an address is arranged in an area 5 of the SRAM, a predecoder for predecoding the address is arranged in an area 6 , a main decoder for decoding the address is arranged in an area 7 , an input/output buffer for inputting and outputting data, a sense amplifier and a write amplifier for amplifying data are arranged in the area 8 , and a cell array for storing data is arranged in an area 9 .",
"[0046] The latch circuit in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, can be applied to an address input latch arranged in the area 5 shown in FIG. 4A.",
"[0047] [0047 ]FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the address input latch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.",
"As shown in FIG. 41B, since an address is formed of four bits, address input latches 14 , 15 , 16 and 17 are connected in four stages.",
"The number of address input latches is set depending on the bit format of an address.",
"[0048] An input address signal 10 is supplied to the respective address input latches 14 - 17 .",
"An address output signal I 1 is output by the respective address input latches 14 - 17 .",
"During normal operation of the SRAM, the input address signal 10 is input and the output address signal I 1 is output.",
"[0049] Moreover, an input scan signal 12 is supplied to the address input latch 14 , and the input scan signal 12 is output as the output scan signal 13 from the address input latch 17 via the address input latch 15 and address input latch 16 .",
"During a test operation of the SRAM, the input scan signal 12 is input and the output scan signal 13 is output to verify operation of the address input latch.",
"[0050] As described above, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, an input address signal 10 and an input scan signal 12 are input to respective address latch circuits 14 - 17 , and an output address signal 11 and an output scan signal 13 are output from respective latch circuits.",
"However, the present invention is not limited to one address signal, and can be adapted to a latch circuit to which a plurality of input signals are supplied and from which a plurality of output signals are output.",
"[0051] In accordance with the present invention, the SRAM is only an example of the type of memory to which the present invention is applicable.",
"However, the present invention is not limited to an SRAM, and can also be applied to the other memory circuits, such as DRAM.",
"[0052] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.",
"FIG. 5 illustrates a latch circuit having two inputs I 1 ,I 2 and two outputs O 1 , O 2 .",
"The first input I 1 is connected to a first node N 1 , the second input I 2 is connected to a second node N 2 , the first output O 1 is connected to a third node N 3 and the second output O 2 is connected to a fourth node N 4 .",
"[0053] The first node N 1 is the connecting point of an output of a fourth inverter 21 and an input of a first inverter 18 .",
"The second node N 2 is the connecting point of the output of a second inverter 19 and the input of a third inverter 20 .",
"The third node N 3 is the connecting point of the output of the first inverter 18 and the input of the second inverter 19 .",
"The fourth node N 4 is the connecting point of the output of the third inverter 20 and the input of the fourth inverter 21 .",
"[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, because the first input I 1 , the output of the fourth inverter 21 and input of the first inverter 18 are connected at the first node N 1 , the circuit elements which will become a load of the first input I 1 include only the output of the fourth inverter 21 and the input of the first inverter 18 .",
"[0055] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which will become a load for the input is reduced to two elements at the connecting point of the input of the latch circuit.",
"Therefore, high-speed input operation of the latch circuit can be realized.",
"[0056] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the first input I 1 and first output O 1 are an input and an output, respectively, to be used during normal operation.",
"The second input I 2 and the second output O 2 are an input and an output, respectively, to be used during the test operation.",
"The first input I 1 and first output O 1 are required to realize high-speed input and output, and the second input I 2 and second output O 2 are not required to realize high-speed input and output.",
"In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the high-speed operation is realized during the usual operation of the latch circuit by realizing a high-speed input operation of the first input I 1 which is required to realize high speed input.",
"[0057] The second input I 2 is not required to realize the high-speed input operation described above.",
"Therefore, the second input I 2 , which is not required to realize the high-speed operation, may be connected to the node N 2 .",
"[0058] [0058 ]FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of the latch circuit shown in FIG. 5 adapted to the SRAM illustrated in FIG. 4A in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.",
"[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the first input I 1 is an input address signal, the second input I 2 is an input scan signal, the first output O 1 is an output address signal and the second output O 2 is an output scan signal.",
"The input address signal and a clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 22 .",
"The switch circuit 22 comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors, which are connected in series, and is also connected to a high-voltage power source and a low-voltage power source.",
"[0060] The input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 23 .",
"In a manner similar to the switch circuit 22 , the switch circuit 23 also comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors, which are connected in series, and is also connected to the high-voltage power source and the low voltage power source.",
"[0061] During normal operating conditions, the scan clock signal is stopped.",
"More specifically, a signal “1,” which is the stop signal, is supplied as the scan clock signal and connection between the switch circuit 23 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"The signal “1”",
"is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0”",
"is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 24 , and connection between the switch circuit 23 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"Therefore, the input scan signal and scan clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.",
"[0062] During the test operation, the clock signal stops.",
"That is, the “1”",
"signal, which is the stop signal, is supplied as the clock signal and connection between the switch circuit 22 and high-voltage power source and low voltage power source is separated.",
"More specifically, the signal “1”",
"is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0”",
"is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 25 , and connection between the switch circuit 22 and high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"Therefore, the input address signal and clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.",
"[0063] The first output O 1 of the latch circuit is output as the output address signal via an inverter 26 , and the second output O 2 of the latch circuit is output as the output scan signal via an inverter 27 .",
"The inverter 26 and inverter 27 operate as buffers.",
"However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inverter 26 and inverter 27 are not absolutely necessary, and the circuit can operate without these components.",
"[0064] A second preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.",
"[0065] [0065 ]FIG. 7 illustrates a latch circuit including three inputs and three outputs in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.",
"As shown in FIG. 7, a first input I 1 is connected to a first node N 1 ;",
"a second input /I 1 , which is a complementary input to the first input I 1 , is connected to a second node N 2 ;",
"a third input I 2 is connected to a third node N 3 ;",
"a first output O 1 is connected to a fourth node N 4 ;",
"a second output /O 1 , which is a complementary output to the first output O 1 , is connected to a fifth node N 5 ;",
"and a third output O 2 is connected to a sixth node N 6 .",
"[0066] The first node N 1 is the connecting point of the first input I 1 , the output of a sixth inverter 33 , the input of a first inverter 28 and the input of a seventh inverter 34 .",
"The second node N 2 is the connecting point of the second input /I 1 , the output of a third inverter 30 , the input of a fourth inverter 31 and the input of an eighth inverter 35 .",
"The third node N 3 is the connecting point of the third input I 2 , the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of a fifth inverter 32 .",
"The fourth node N 4 is the connecting point of the first output O 1 and the output of the seventh inverter 34 .",
"The fifth node N 5 is the connecting point of the second output /O 1 and the output of an eighth inverter 35 .",
"The sixth node N 6 is the connecting point of the third output O 2 , the output of the first inverter 28 and the input of a second inverter 29 .",
"[0067] Moreover, the output of the second inverter 29 is connected to the input of the third inverter 30 , while the output of the fifth inverter 32 is connected to the input of the sixth inverter 33 .",
"[0068] Because the first input I 1 , the output of sixth inverter 33 , the input of the first inverter 28 and the input of the seventh inverter 34 are connected at the first node N 1 , the circuit elements which become a load for the first input I 1 include only the output of the sixth inverter 33 , the input of the first inverter 28 and the input of the seventh inverter 34 .",
"[0069] Because the second input /I 1 , the output of the third inverter 30 , the input of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the eighth inverter 35 are connected at the second node N 2 , the circuit elements which become a load for the second input /I 1 include only the output of the third inverter 30 , the input of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the eighth inverter 35 .",
"[0070] In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which become a load for the input at the connecting point of the input of the latch circuit are reduced to only three elements.",
"Therefore, high-speed input operation of the latch circuit can be realized.",
"[0071] The first input I 1 , second input /I 1 , first output O 1 and second output /O 1 are assumed to be inputs and outputs used during ordinary operation.",
"The third input I 2 and third output O 2 are assumed to be input and output, respectively, used in a test operation.",
"The first input I 1 , second input /I 1 , the first output O 1 and the second output /O 1 are required to realize the high-speed input and output.",
"The third input I 2 and third output O 2 are not required to realize high-speed input and output.",
"In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, high-speed operation is realized during the normal operating condition of the latch circuit by realizing high-speed operation of the first input I 1 and second input /I 1 which require the high-speed operation.",
"[0072] In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, the third input I 2 does not require high-speed operation.",
"However, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, high-speed operation is realized for the third input I 2 .",
"[0073] Because the third input I 2 , the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the fifth inverter 32 are connected at the third node N 3 , the circuit elements which become a load for the third input I 2 include only of the output of the fourth inverter 31 and the input of the fifth inverter 32 .",
"According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of circuit elements which become a load for the test input is reduced to two elements at the connecting point of the test input of the latch circuit.",
"Therefore, high-speed test operation of the latch circuit may be realized.",
"[0074] On the other hand, since the third input I 2 is not required to realize high-speed operation, the other input which is not required to realize high-speed operation may be connected to the node to which the third input I 2 is connected.",
"[0075] [0075 ]FIG. 8 illustrates the latch circuit shown in FIG. 6 applied to the SRAM of FIG. 4A in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.",
"[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, a first input I 1 is an input address signal;",
"a second input /I 1 , which is the complement of the first input I 1 , is the complementary signal of the input address signal;",
"a third input I 2 is an input scan signal;",
"a first output O 1 is an output address signal;",
"a second output /O 1 , which is the complement of the first output O 1 , is a complementary signal of the output address signal;",
"and a third output O 2 is an output scan signal.",
"[0077] The input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 36 .",
"The switch circuit 36 comprises two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.",
"[0078] The complementary signal of the input address signal and clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 37 .",
"The switch circuit 37 is also formed of two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.",
"[0079] The input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit via a switch circuit 38 .",
"The switch circuit 38 is formed, in a manner similar to the switch circuit 36 , of two P-channel transistors and two N-channel transistors connected in series, which are further connected to the high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source.",
"[0080] During the normal operation, the scan clock signal stops.",
"That is, connection among the switch circuit 38 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"More specifically, the signal “1”",
"is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0”",
"is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 39 and connection among the switch circuit 38 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"Therefore, the input scan signal and scan clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, and the input address signal, a complementary signal of the input address signal and the clock signal are supplied to the latch circuit.",
"[0081] At the time of a test operation, the clock signal stops.",
"That is, the signal “1,” which is the stop signal, is supplied as the clock signal and connection among the switch circuit 36 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"Specifically, the signal “1”",
"is supplied to the gate of one P-channel transistor, the signal “0”",
"is supplied to the gate of one N-channel transistor via an inverter 40 and connection among the switch circuit 36 , high-voltage power source and low-voltage power source is separated.",
"Moreover, the connection among the switch circuit 37 , the high-voltage power source and the low voltage power source is separated in a similar manner.",
"Accordingly, the input address signal, the complementary signal of the input address signal and the clock signal are not supplied to the latch circuit, but the input scan signal and scan clock signal are supplied thereto.",
"[0082] The first output O 1 of the latch circuit is output as the output address signal via the inverter 34 , and the second output /O 1 , which is the complement of the first output O 1 of the latch circuit, is output as the complementary signal of the output address signal via the inverter 35 .",
"The inverter 34 and the inverter 35 operate as buffers.",
"However, the inverters 34 and 35 are not required, and the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 operates without the inverter 34 and the inverter 35 .",
"[0083] A third embodiment of the invention will now be described below with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a semiconductor chip design system to design a latch circuit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.",
"[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, a latch circuit, such as the latch circuit shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 , is registered to a unit cell library 200 .",
"Moreover, a memory (SRAM, DRAM or the like) using the latch circuit shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 is registered to a macro cell library 201 .",
"The unit cell library 200 and macro cell library 201 are used in the semiconductor design system.",
"[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, a system design system 101 generates a register transfer level (RTL) description (operation level logic circuit) 102 based on a semiconductor design specification 100 .",
"A function/logic design system 103 generates a net list (i.e., a gate level logic circuit) based on the RTL description 102 .",
"In practice, the RTL description 102 is converted to the net list 104 through logical synthesis.",
"A layout design system 105 generates layout data 106 based on the net list 104 .",
"A mask layout design system 107 generates mask layout data 108 based on the layout data 106 .",
"A semiconductor chip is then manufactured based on the mask layout data 108 .",
"[0086] The unit cell library 200 , to which the latch circuit is registered, or the macro cell library 201 , to which the memory (e.g., SRAM) using the latch circuit of the present invention is registered, is used in the function/logic design system 103 to generate the net list 104 including the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 .",
"[0087] Moreover, the unit cell library 200 , to which the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 are registered, and/or the macro cell library 201 , to which the memory using the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 is registered, is used in the layout design system 105 to generate the layout data 106 including the latch circuit of the present invention.",
"[0088] Furthermore, the unit cell library 200 and/or the macro cell library 201 is used in the mask layout design system 107 to generate the mask layout data 108 including the latch circuits shown in FIGS. 5 - 8 .",
"[0089] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention described hereinabove, a semiconductor chip including a latch circuit is generated by utilizing the unit cell library 200 to which the latch circuit of the present invention is registered and/or the macro cell library 201 to which the memory using the latch circuit of the present invention is registered.",
"[0090] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents."
] |
This is a division of application Ser. No. 659,217, filed Oct. 10, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,617.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for feeding bar-like materials, such as cigarettes or filter plugs, to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, and also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
Description of the Prior Art
In known bar-like material feeding apparatuses which are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 48-34919, or Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication Nos. 56-52880 and 57-28640, bar-like materials fall by their weight into a hopper which is provided on a horizontally extending belt conveyor and which carries thereon bar-like material receiving boxes in an inverted state, through bottom openings of the receiving boxes, so that the materials are fed onto the belt conveyor through the bottom of the hopper.
However, in the known apparatuses as mentioned above, a receiving box arranging station where the receiving boxes are arranged in an inverted state and a feeding station where the fall of the bar-like materials takes place are located at the same position, and accordingly, the commencement of the feeding operation of the bar-like materials takes place only after a blank box which has finished the discharge of the bar-like materials is discharged and then a subsequent receiving box is arranged in an inverted state on the hopper. These are, accordingly, time consuming operations. In addition to the foregoing, since the materials in the receiving boxes, fall by their weight to feed the same, it is rather difficult to increase the amount of materials to be fed at one time or to feed the materials at high speed.
Furthermore, since the materials fall by their weight through the bottom openings of the receiving boxes onto the stack of materials which have been already fed and stored in the hopper, the upper surface of the stack tends to be irregular. Accordingly, the materials which fall onto the stack may be caught by the convex portion of the irregular upper surface of the stack or may come in the concave portion of the upper surface of the stack so that they are inclined with respect to the vertical. As a result of this, no smooth and quick feed can be expected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art, by using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which stores and transversely move the bar-like materials, in place of the existing hopper provided in the prior art apparatuses.
The material receiving boxes are moved in the feeding passage and are raised at a predetermined feeding station to feed a large amount of bar-like materials into the feeding passage at one time, thereby to ensure rapid and smooth feeding of the bar-like materials.
In order to achieve the object mentioned above, according to the invention, there is provided a method for feeding bar-like materials, comprising successively introducing bar-like material receiving boxes with open tops, in an inverted state, into a flat feeding passage with a bottom which is connected, at its one end, to a storing device, one by one, and then moving upward the frontmost receiving box which comes to a predetermined position in the feeding passage to feed the bar-like materials contained in the receiving box into the feeding passage.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for feeding bar-like materials, comprising a feeding framework which forms a flat feeding passage with a bottom and which is provided, on its inlet end, with an aranging means for arranging bar-like material receiving boxes with open tops which receive the bar-like materials, in an inverted state, and a conveying means for successively conveying the inverted receiving boxes into the feeding passage one by one, an elevating means on the feeding framework for elevating the receiving boxes which reach a predetermined position in the feeding passage, and a discharging means on the feeding framework for discharging blank receiving boxes raised by the elevating means from the feeding framework.
The bottom of the feeding passage may be made of a stationary flat plate but preferably of a movable belt conveyor so that the receiving boxes and the bar-like materials can be smoothly conveyed.
The bar-like material receiving boxes can be made of a metal tray, or cardboard material or the like. The receiving boxes may be of lidless type or if they have lids, the top openings can be provided by opening the lid in use.
It should be noted that in the feeding method of the present invention mentioned above, the raising step of the receiving boxes includes not only moving upward the receiving boxes at the predetermined position in the vertical direction, but also moving upward the receiving boxes while conveying them toward the storing device. According to the present invention, since during the feeding operation of the bar-like materials, the receiving boxes for the subsequent bar-like materials to be introduced can be arranged in a predetermined state, the introduction of the receiving boxes can be efficiently effected, and since a large amount of bar-like materials are fed at one time, the feed of the bar-like materials can be effected at high speed, thus resulting in a quick feed of the bar-like materials.
Furthermore, since the amount of bar-like materials for one receiving box are fed onto the bottom of the feeding passage at one time, the posture of the bar-like materials during feeding is stable, unlike the prior art in which the materials fall by their weight onto the stack of the materials which have been fed, thus resulting in a smooth feeding of the bar-like materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
FIGS. 1 to 1B are partial front elevational views of a feeding apparatus, according to the present invention;
FIGS. 2 to 2B are plan views of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the feeding apparatus, in which a box arranging device and a conveying device are removed;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the box arranging device and the conveying device;
FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view for explaining the step of arrangement of the bar-like material receiving boxes;
FIGS. 7 to 7B and 8 to 8B are partially broken front elevational views of the apparatus for showing the conveyance and the feed of the bar-like materials, respectively;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for explaining the feed of the bar like materials; and,
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for explaining the discharge of a blank receiving box.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following discussion will be directed to an example in which filter plugs located in receiving boxes of cardboard are fed. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the feeding apparatus (A) essentially has a feeding framework 10, a box arranging device (b), a conveying device (c), a box elevating device (d), and a blank box discharging device (e). The mark (a) designates plug receiving boxes. The framework 10 is provided on a machine frame 1 which is located above the floor surface.
The framework 10 is composed of opposed front and rear frame plates 12 and 14 which are spaced from one another and a belt conveyor 16 which forms a bottom surface of a flat feeding passage. The feeding passage 10' is defined by and between the frame plates 12 and 14 and is adapted to guide and convey the plug receiving boxes (a).
The length of the feeding passage 10' is such that two plug receiving boxes (a) connected in series can be moved therein at one time. The right half (FIG. 1) of the feeding passage 10' corresponding to the length of one plug receiving box (a) forms an introduction station (P) and the left half a feeding station (Q).
The front frame plate 12 is made of a transparent plate so that the plugs in the plug receiving boxes which open at the side facing the front frame plate 12 are visible. A window plate 13 is attached to the front frame plate 12 in the feeding station (Q) so as to open and close.
The rear frame plate 14 is composed of a flat plate 14' provided in the feeding station (Q) and a band plate 14" provided in the introduction station (P). The band plate 14" may not be flat, since the receiving box per se forms a rear wall of the feeding passage 10' at the introduction station (P). The flat plate 14' of the rear frame plate 14 is provided, at its lower end, with a swing plate 15 which can swing backward.
The ceiling of the feeding passage 10' is formed by a top plate 18 which extends only in the introduction station (P) and which is continuously biased downward by springs 17.
The belt conveyor 16 is constructed so that the conveying surface thereof intermittently moves toward the feeding station (Q) from the introduction station (P). The starting end of the belt conveyor 16 is connected to a stationary bottom plate 11 having a proper length which defines the bottom surface of the feeding passage 10', together with the belt conveyor 16.
The feeding framework 10 is connected, at its one end, i.e. at its left end in FIG. 1, to a storing device 2 of a plug transporting machine (B). The box arranging device (b) and the conveying device (c) are provided on the other end of the feeding framework. At the feeding station (Q), the box elevating device (d) and the blank box discharging device (e) are provided on the feeding framework 10.
The box arranging device (b) has, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lifter 20 provided on the machine frame 3, pushing arms 24, and a rotatable frame 26. The lifter 20 is composed of a pair of right and left lifting chains 21 and 21' which rotate to move up and down. The lifting chains 21 and 21' are spaced from one another by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the plug receiving box (a) and have lifting plates 22 and 22' projecting in opposite directions.
On the lower end of the lifter 20 is provided an introduction conveyor 23' which is connected to a conveying passage 23 for successively conveying the receiving boxes (a). The conveyor 23' extends in the horizontal direction between the lifting chains 21 and 21' at the lower end of the latter so as to successively feed the plug receiving boxes (a) to the lower end of the lifter 20. The lifter 20 lifts the receiving boxes which are conveyed thereto by the conveyor 23' and which are engaged by the lifting plates 22 and 22' when the latter move upward.
The pushing arms 24 swing forward and backward in front of the lifter 20. The pushing arms 24 are provided, on their upper ends, with projecting pusher plates 25 integral therewith which reciprocally move forward and backward and transversely of the lifter 20.
The pushing arms 24 swing after the lifting plates 22, 22' come to their upper limit and stop there, so that when the pushing arms 24 swing backward, the receiving boxes (a) can be pushed toward the rotatable frame 26. The rotatable frame 26 rotates by 180° about a shaft 27 which is located at the upper and rear portion of the lifter 20. The rotatable frame 26 is provided, on its front and rear surfaces, with generally U-shaped reversible frames 28 and 28'. The reversible frames 28 and 28' occupy an upright position in which they face forward and an inverted position in which they face backward. The opposed reversible frames 28, 28' have bottom plates 30 which are substantially flush with the lifting plates 22, 22' of the lifter 20 which is located at the upper limit, in the upright position mentioned above, and ceiling plates 30' which are substantially flush with the bottom plate 11 of the feeding framework 10 (FIG. 1).
The numeral 29 in FIG. 5 designates a bridging plate between the bottom plates 30 of the reversible frames 28, 28' in the upright position and lifting plates 22, 22' which are located at the upper limit. The bottom plates 30 of the reversible frames 28, 28' have engaging abutments 31 which can project therefrom and retract therein to selectively come into engagement with the receiving boxes (a).
The receiving boxes (a) which are raised up to the upper limit position by the lifter 20 which comes to its upper limit are pushed into the U-shaped frame of the reversible frame 28 or 28' of the rotatable frame 26 when the forward movement of the pushing plates 25 takes place, so that the engaging abutments 31 project to engage with the lower ends of the receiving boxes (a) and then the rotatable frame 26 rotates through 180° to bring the receiving boxes in an inverted state.
The receiving boxes (a) are made of cardboard and have open front faces, as mentioned before. The plug receiving boxes (a) have at their upper faces, lids a-l which can open and close to receive the plugs (m) therein. When the receiving boxes (a) are fed in the conveying passage 23, the upper lids a-l are slightly open (FIG. 5). However, the lids a-l are folded by the ceiling plate 30' of the reversing frame 28 or 28' which comes into contact with the upper lids a-l when the receiving boxes (a) are pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28', so that the upper faces of the receiving boxes are fully opened and the receiving boxes are held in the reversible frame 28 or 28'. It should be noted that the open front faces of the receiving boxes are closed by a rear plate 30" of the reversible frame 28 or 28'.
The receiving boxes (a) are fitted in and held by the reversible frame 28 or 28' in the upright position thereof, and are held in an inverted state by the reversible frame 28 or 28' in the inverted position of the associated reversible frame 28 or 28'.
The conveying device (c) has a chain conveyor 32 with a pusher which is located in the rear of the rotatable frame 26. The chain conveyor 32 intermittently rotates. The pusher 33 is integrally connected to the front portion of the conveyor 32 and projects therefrom so that the pusher 33 passes through the reversible frame 28 or 28' and comes to the feeding passage 10'.
The conveying device (c) pushes the receiving box (a) which is held in the reversible frame 28 or 28' in an inverted state by means of the pusher 33, so that the receiving box comes out of the associated reversible frame and is moved to the introduction station (P) of the feeding passage 10'.
The conveying device (c) beings operating in accordance with detection signals of a detector 100 which detects the decreased amount of the receiving boxes stored in the storing device 2. The conveying device (c) stops operating when it has finished feeding one receiving box arranged in an inverted state from the inverted position to the introduction station (P) and then waits for the next detection signals from the detector. It is also possible to introduce one receiving box by several intermittent movements. When the conveying device operates, the box arranging device (b) also operates in association with the operation of the conveying device (c), so that the rotation of the rotatable frame 26 causes a fresh plug receiving box (a) to be brought from the upright position to the inverted position, and the receiving box which has been lifted by the lifter 20 is pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28' which has been returned to the upright position, by means of the pusher arms 24.
The lifting device (d) is provided on a frame 4 which is located in the rear of the feeding station (Q) of the feeding passage 10. The frame 4 (FIG. 1) has a vertically extending guide passage 40 in which an endless chain 41 is provided for upward and downward movement. The endless chain 41 has an elevating element 42 which engages therewith so as to move up and down together with the endless chain along the guide passage 40. The elevating element 42 has a box elevating arm 43 integral therewith. The box elevating arm 43 has left and right ends which project above the feeding station (Q) of the feeding passage 10' and which are provided with suction elements 44. The suction elements 44 have vacuum suction lower surfaces which suck the receiving boxes when desired.
The suction elements 44 move up and down together with the elevating element 42 and come into contact with the upper surface of the receiving box located at the feeding station (Q) to suck the same when the suction elements 44 come to their lower positions. After that, the suction elements 44 move upward while sucking the receiving box, and stop at its upper limit.
When the receiving boxes are elevated, the plugs (m) in the receiving boxes are discharged therefrom into the feeding passage 10' through the bottom faces of the receiving boxes which open. After that, the blank boxes (a') are elevated onto the feeding frame 10.
The numeral 45 designates keep levers which project forward from the frame 4 to come into contact with the rear surfaces of the blank boxes (a') in order to support the latter.
The blank box discharging device (e) has pusher arms 46 which are provided to the rear portions of the frame 4 on the opposite sides thereof to swing forward and backward and which are provided, on their upper ends, with pushers 47 which extend forward in the horizontal direction from the pusher arms 46. The front ends of the pushers 47 are located slightly to the rear of the keep levers 45.
To the upper edge of the front frame plate 12 in front of the feeding frame 10 is attached a curved blank box receiving frame 48 which extends smoothly forward and downward therefrom and which is connected, at its lower end, to a receptacle 49.
The discharging device (e) discharges the blank box (a') conveyed on the feeding frame 10 by means of the suction elements 44 of the box lifting device (d), onto the blank box receiving frame 48 by the forward movement of the pushers 47 of the pusher arms 46. When the pushers 47 come into collision with the rear surface of the blank box (a'), the suction elements 44 stop operation, that is, a vacuum is no longer fed to the suction elements 44.
The apparatus of the present invention operates as follows. With reference to FIGS. 6-10, the receiving box (a) which come to the lower portion of the lifter 20 from the conveying passage 23 through the introduction conveyor 23' is raised, by means of the lifter 20, to the upper limit where the receiving box is pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28' which occupies the upright position while the upper face of the box is maintained open, by the forward movement of the pushing plates 25. After that, the rotation of the rotatable frame 26 through 180° causes the reversible frame 28 or 28' to be brought to the inverted position, so that the receiving box (a) is inverted and comes to the inlet end of the feeding passage 10' (FIGS. 6 and 7). When the box is located at the inlet end of the feeding passage 10', the box has an open bottom which was the open upper face, and which is now closed by the ceiling plate 30' of the reversible frame 28 or 28'.
In accordance with the detection signals from the detector (not shown) which detects when the amount of the plugs stored in the plug storing device 2 is below a predetermined value, the chain conveyor 32 of the introduction device (c) operates to move the pusher 33 which in turn, moves the receiving box in the reversible frame 28 or 28' toward the feeding frame 10, so that the receiving box (a) comes to the introduction station (P) through the bottom plate 11 of the feeding passage 10' (FIG. 7).
In association with the operation of the introduction device (c), the lifter 20, the pushing arms 24, and the rotatable frame 26, of the box arranging device (b) operate in turn to effect the respective operations as mentioned before, to bring a fresh (subsequent) receiving box to the inlet end of the feeding passage 10.
After the lapse of a predetermined time from the commencement of the operation of the introduction device (c), i.e. when the receiving box (a) moves on the bottom plate 11 of the feeding passage 10' and comes to the belt conveyor 16, the latter begins moving to introduce the receiving box into the introduction station (P) with the help of the pusher 33. After that, the belt conveyor 16 stops.
When the subsequent receiving box is brought to the introduction station (P) similarly to the foregoing, the preceding receiving box comes to the feeding station (Q) by means of the belt conveyor 16 (FIG. 7). When the belt conveyor 16 stops after the preceding receiving box comes to the feeding station (Q), the suction elements 44 lower until they come into contact with the upper surface of the receiving box located in the feeding station (Q), so that the suction elements 44 suck the receiving box (a). The suction elements 44 move upward to raise the receiving box to the upper limit (FIGS. 8, 9). During the upward movement of the receiving box, the plugs (m) in the receiving box (a) are discharged into the feeding passage 10' at the feeding station (Q).
When the plugs are discharged or fed, the subsequent receiving box forms one side wall which defines and closes the feeding passage 10' at the feeding station Q (FIG. 8).
Furthermore, during the upward movement of the receiving box, the swing plate 15 of the rear frame plate 14 temporarily moves to open so that the upper lid a-l of the receiving box (a) that projects out of the feeding passage 10' can easily come into the feeding passage 10' (FIG. 9). The swing plate 15 moves to gradually close as the upper lid(a-l) is raised (FIG. 8).
The blank box (a') which has been raised by the box lifting device (d) is discharged onto the blank box receiving frame 48 by means of the pushers 47 of the discharging device (e) (FIG. 10).
The plugs (m) which have been discharged onto the feeding passage 10' are conveyed toward the storing device 2 when the subsequent receiving box is fed onto the feeding passage 10', by the belt conveyor 16 and by the receiving box which moves from the introduction station (P) to the feeding station (Q).
It should be noted that although the belt conveyor 16 is provided on the bottom of the feeding passage 10', in the illustrated embodiment, an immovable bottom plate can be provided on the bottom of the feeding passage, in place of the conveyor belt. In this alternative, the receiving boxes can be successively pushed by the subsequent receiving boxes on the immovable bottom plate. However, the belt conveyor contributes to a smooth conveyance of the receiving boxes (a) and the plugs (m). | A method for feeding cigarettes or filter plugs or the like to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which can store and convey the cigarettes etc. in the horizontal direction, comprising introducing receiving boxes containing the cigarettes etc. into the feeding passage and moving them to a feeding station, and raising the receiving boxes at the feeding station so that the cigarettes etc. in the receiving boxes are discharged at one time. The invention discloses also an apparatus for carrying out the method. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"This is a division of application Ser.",
"No. 659,217, filed Oct. 10, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,617.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method for feeding bar-like materials, such as cigarettes or filter plugs, to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, and also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.",
"Description of the Prior Art In known bar-like material feeding apparatuses which are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 48-34919, or Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication Nos. 56-52880 and 57-28640, bar-like materials fall by their weight into a hopper which is provided on a horizontally extending belt conveyor and which carries thereon bar-like material receiving boxes in an inverted state, through bottom openings of the receiving boxes, so that the materials are fed onto the belt conveyor through the bottom of the hopper.",
"However, in the known apparatuses as mentioned above, a receiving box arranging station where the receiving boxes are arranged in an inverted state and a feeding station where the fall of the bar-like materials takes place are located at the same position, and accordingly, the commencement of the feeding operation of the bar-like materials takes place only after a blank box which has finished the discharge of the bar-like materials is discharged and then a subsequent receiving box is arranged in an inverted state on the hopper.",
"These are, accordingly, time consuming operations.",
"In addition to the foregoing, since the materials in the receiving boxes, fall by their weight to feed the same, it is rather difficult to increase the amount of materials to be fed at one time or to feed the materials at high speed.",
"Furthermore, since the materials fall by their weight through the bottom openings of the receiving boxes onto the stack of materials which have been already fed and stored in the hopper, the upper surface of the stack tends to be irregular.",
"Accordingly, the materials which fall onto the stack may be caught by the convex portion of the irregular upper surface of the stack or may come in the concave portion of the upper surface of the stack so that they are inclined with respect to the vertical.",
"As a result of this, no smooth and quick feed can be expected.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art, by using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which stores and transversely move the bar-like materials, in place of the existing hopper provided in the prior art apparatuses.",
"The material receiving boxes are moved in the feeding passage and are raised at a predetermined feeding station to feed a large amount of bar-like materials into the feeding passage at one time, thereby to ensure rapid and smooth feeding of the bar-like materials.",
"In order to achieve the object mentioned above, according to the invention, there is provided a method for feeding bar-like materials, comprising successively introducing bar-like material receiving boxes with open tops, in an inverted state, into a flat feeding passage with a bottom which is connected, at its one end, to a storing device, one by one, and then moving upward the frontmost receiving box which comes to a predetermined position in the feeding passage to feed the bar-like materials contained in the receiving box into the feeding passage.",
"According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for feeding bar-like materials, comprising a feeding framework which forms a flat feeding passage with a bottom and which is provided, on its inlet end, with an aranging means for arranging bar-like material receiving boxes with open tops which receive the bar-like materials, in an inverted state, and a conveying means for successively conveying the inverted receiving boxes into the feeding passage one by one, an elevating means on the feeding framework for elevating the receiving boxes which reach a predetermined position in the feeding passage, and a discharging means on the feeding framework for discharging blank receiving boxes raised by the elevating means from the feeding framework.",
"The bottom of the feeding passage may be made of a stationary flat plate but preferably of a movable belt conveyor so that the receiving boxes and the bar-like materials can be smoothly conveyed.",
"The bar-like material receiving boxes can be made of a metal tray, or cardboard material or the like.",
"The receiving boxes may be of lidless type or if they have lids, the top openings can be provided by opening the lid in use.",
"It should be noted that in the feeding method of the present invention mentioned above, the raising step of the receiving boxes includes not only moving upward the receiving boxes at the predetermined position in the vertical direction, but also moving upward the receiving boxes while conveying them toward the storing device.",
"According to the present invention, since during the feeding operation of the bar-like materials, the receiving boxes for the subsequent bar-like materials to be introduced can be arranged in a predetermined state, the introduction of the receiving boxes can be efficiently effected, and since a large amount of bar-like materials are fed at one time, the feed of the bar-like materials can be effected at high speed, thus resulting in a quick feed of the bar-like materials.",
"Furthermore, since the amount of bar-like materials for one receiving box are fed onto the bottom of the feeding passage at one time, the posture of the bar-like materials during feeding is stable, unlike the prior art in which the materials fall by their weight onto the stack of the materials which have been fed, thus resulting in a smooth feeding of the bar-like materials.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, FIGS. 1 to 1B are partial front elevational views of a feeding apparatus, according to the present invention;",
"FIGS. 2 to 2B are plan views of FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the feeding apparatus, in which a box arranging device and a conveying device are removed;",
"FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the box arranging device and the conveying device;",
"FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of FIG. 4;",
"FIG. 6 is a side elevational view for explaining the step of arrangement of the bar-like material receiving boxes;",
"FIGS. 7 to 7B and 8 to 8B are partially broken front elevational views of the apparatus for showing the conveyance and the feed of the bar-like materials, respectively;",
"FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for explaining the feed of the bar like materials;",
"and, FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for explaining the discharge of a blank receiving box.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following discussion will be directed to an example in which filter plugs located in receiving boxes of cardboard are fed.",
"In FIGS. 1 to 3, the feeding apparatus (A) essentially has a feeding framework 10, a box arranging device (b), a conveying device (c), a box elevating device (d), and a blank box discharging device (e).",
"The mark (a) designates plug receiving boxes.",
"The framework 10 is provided on a machine frame 1 which is located above the floor surface.",
"The framework 10 is composed of opposed front and rear frame plates 12 and 14 which are spaced from one another and a belt conveyor 16 which forms a bottom surface of a flat feeding passage.",
"The feeding passage 10'",
"is defined by and between the frame plates 12 and 14 and is adapted to guide and convey the plug receiving boxes (a).",
"The length of the feeding passage 10'",
"is such that two plug receiving boxes (a) connected in series can be moved therein at one time.",
"The right half (FIG.",
"1) of the feeding passage 10'",
"corresponding to the length of one plug receiving box (a) forms an introduction station (P) and the left half a feeding station (Q).",
"The front frame plate 12 is made of a transparent plate so that the plugs in the plug receiving boxes which open at the side facing the front frame plate 12 are visible.",
"A window plate 13 is attached to the front frame plate 12 in the feeding station (Q) so as to open and close.",
"The rear frame plate 14 is composed of a flat plate 14'",
"provided in the feeding station (Q) and a band plate 14"",
"provided in the introduction station (P).",
"The band plate 14"",
"may not be flat, since the receiving box per se forms a rear wall of the feeding passage 10'",
"at the introduction station (P).",
"The flat plate 14'",
"of the rear frame plate 14 is provided, at its lower end, with a swing plate 15 which can swing backward.",
"The ceiling of the feeding passage 10'",
"is formed by a top plate 18 which extends only in the introduction station (P) and which is continuously biased downward by springs 17.",
"The belt conveyor 16 is constructed so that the conveying surface thereof intermittently moves toward the feeding station (Q) from the introduction station (P).",
"The starting end of the belt conveyor 16 is connected to a stationary bottom plate 11 having a proper length which defines the bottom surface of the feeding passage 10', together with the belt conveyor 16.",
"The feeding framework 10 is connected, at its one end, i.e. at its left end in FIG. 1, to a storing device 2 of a plug transporting machine (B).",
"The box arranging device (b) and the conveying device (c) are provided on the other end of the feeding framework.",
"At the feeding station (Q), the box elevating device (d) and the blank box discharging device (e) are provided on the feeding framework 10.",
"The box arranging device (b) has, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lifter 20 provided on the machine frame 3, pushing arms 24, and a rotatable frame 26.",
"The lifter 20 is composed of a pair of right and left lifting chains 21 and 21'",
"which rotate to move up and down.",
"The lifting chains 21 and 21'",
"are spaced from one another by a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the plug receiving box (a) and have lifting plates 22 and 22'",
"projecting in opposite directions.",
"On the lower end of the lifter 20 is provided an introduction conveyor 23'",
"which is connected to a conveying passage 23 for successively conveying the receiving boxes (a).",
"The conveyor 23'",
"extends in the horizontal direction between the lifting chains 21 and 21'",
"at the lower end of the latter so as to successively feed the plug receiving boxes (a) to the lower end of the lifter 20.",
"The lifter 20 lifts the receiving boxes which are conveyed thereto by the conveyor 23'",
"and which are engaged by the lifting plates 22 and 22'",
"when the latter move upward.",
"The pushing arms 24 swing forward and backward in front of the lifter 20.",
"The pushing arms 24 are provided, on their upper ends, with projecting pusher plates 25 integral therewith which reciprocally move forward and backward and transversely of the lifter 20.",
"The pushing arms 24 swing after the lifting plates 22, 22'",
"come to their upper limit and stop there, so that when the pushing arms 24 swing backward, the receiving boxes (a) can be pushed toward the rotatable frame 26.",
"The rotatable frame 26 rotates by 180° about a shaft 27 which is located at the upper and rear portion of the lifter 20.",
"The rotatable frame 26 is provided, on its front and rear surfaces, with generally U-shaped reversible frames 28 and 28'.",
"The reversible frames 28 and 28'",
"occupy an upright position in which they face forward and an inverted position in which they face backward.",
"The opposed reversible frames 28, 28'",
"have bottom plates 30 which are substantially flush with the lifting plates 22, 22'",
"of the lifter 20 which is located at the upper limit, in the upright position mentioned above, and ceiling plates 30'",
"which are substantially flush with the bottom plate 11 of the feeding framework 10 (FIG.",
"1).",
"The numeral 29 in FIG. 5 designates a bridging plate between the bottom plates 30 of the reversible frames 28, 28'",
"in the upright position and lifting plates 22, 22'",
"which are located at the upper limit.",
"The bottom plates 30 of the reversible frames 28, 28'",
"have engaging abutments 31 which can project therefrom and retract therein to selectively come into engagement with the receiving boxes (a).",
"The receiving boxes (a) which are raised up to the upper limit position by the lifter 20 which comes to its upper limit are pushed into the U-shaped frame of the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"of the rotatable frame 26 when the forward movement of the pushing plates 25 takes place, so that the engaging abutments 31 project to engage with the lower ends of the receiving boxes (a) and then the rotatable frame 26 rotates through 180° to bring the receiving boxes in an inverted state.",
"The receiving boxes (a) are made of cardboard and have open front faces, as mentioned before.",
"The plug receiving boxes (a) have at their upper faces, lids a-l which can open and close to receive the plugs (m) therein.",
"When the receiving boxes (a) are fed in the conveying passage 23, the upper lids a-l are slightly open (FIG.",
"5).",
"However, the lids a-l are folded by the ceiling plate 30'",
"of the reversing frame 28 or 28'",
"which comes into contact with the upper lids a-l when the receiving boxes (a) are pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28', so that the upper faces of the receiving boxes are fully opened and the receiving boxes are held in the reversible frame 28 or 28'.",
"It should be noted that the open front faces of the receiving boxes are closed by a rear plate 30"",
"of the reversible frame 28 or 28'.",
"The receiving boxes (a) are fitted in and held by the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"in the upright position thereof, and are held in an inverted state by the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"in the inverted position of the associated reversible frame 28 or 28'.",
"The conveying device (c) has a chain conveyor 32 with a pusher which is located in the rear of the rotatable frame 26.",
"The chain conveyor 32 intermittently rotates.",
"The pusher 33 is integrally connected to the front portion of the conveyor 32 and projects therefrom so that the pusher 33 passes through the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"and comes to the feeding passage 10'.",
"The conveying device (c) pushes the receiving box (a) which is held in the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"in an inverted state by means of the pusher 33, so that the receiving box comes out of the associated reversible frame and is moved to the introduction station (P) of the feeding passage 10'.",
"The conveying device (c) beings operating in accordance with detection signals of a detector 100 which detects the decreased amount of the receiving boxes stored in the storing device 2.",
"The conveying device (c) stops operating when it has finished feeding one receiving box arranged in an inverted state from the inverted position to the introduction station (P) and then waits for the next detection signals from the detector.",
"It is also possible to introduce one receiving box by several intermittent movements.",
"When the conveying device operates, the box arranging device (b) also operates in association with the operation of the conveying device (c), so that the rotation of the rotatable frame 26 causes a fresh plug receiving box (a) to be brought from the upright position to the inverted position, and the receiving box which has been lifted by the lifter 20 is pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"which has been returned to the upright position, by means of the pusher arms 24.",
"The lifting device (d) is provided on a frame 4 which is located in the rear of the feeding station (Q) of the feeding passage 10.",
"The frame 4 (FIG.",
"1) has a vertically extending guide passage 40 in which an endless chain 41 is provided for upward and downward movement.",
"The endless chain 41 has an elevating element 42 which engages therewith so as to move up and down together with the endless chain along the guide passage 40.",
"The elevating element 42 has a box elevating arm 43 integral therewith.",
"The box elevating arm 43 has left and right ends which project above the feeding station (Q) of the feeding passage 10'",
"and which are provided with suction elements 44.",
"The suction elements 44 have vacuum suction lower surfaces which suck the receiving boxes when desired.",
"The suction elements 44 move up and down together with the elevating element 42 and come into contact with the upper surface of the receiving box located at the feeding station (Q) to suck the same when the suction elements 44 come to their lower positions.",
"After that, the suction elements 44 move upward while sucking the receiving box, and stop at its upper limit.",
"When the receiving boxes are elevated, the plugs (m) in the receiving boxes are discharged therefrom into the feeding passage 10'",
"through the bottom faces of the receiving boxes which open.",
"After that, the blank boxes (a') are elevated onto the feeding frame 10.",
"The numeral 45 designates keep levers which project forward from the frame 4 to come into contact with the rear surfaces of the blank boxes (a') in order to support the latter.",
"The blank box discharging device (e) has pusher arms 46 which are provided to the rear portions of the frame 4 on the opposite sides thereof to swing forward and backward and which are provided, on their upper ends, with pushers 47 which extend forward in the horizontal direction from the pusher arms 46.",
"The front ends of the pushers 47 are located slightly to the rear of the keep levers 45.",
"To the upper edge of the front frame plate 12 in front of the feeding frame 10 is attached a curved blank box receiving frame 48 which extends smoothly forward and downward therefrom and which is connected, at its lower end, to a receptacle 49.",
"The discharging device (e) discharges the blank box (a') conveyed on the feeding frame 10 by means of the suction elements 44 of the box lifting device (d), onto the blank box receiving frame 48 by the forward movement of the pushers 47 of the pusher arms 46.",
"When the pushers 47 come into collision with the rear surface of the blank box (a'), the suction elements 44 stop operation, that is, a vacuum is no longer fed to the suction elements 44.",
"The apparatus of the present invention operates as follows.",
"With reference to FIGS. 6-10, the receiving box (a) which come to the lower portion of the lifter 20 from the conveying passage 23 through the introduction conveyor 23'",
"is raised, by means of the lifter 20, to the upper limit where the receiving box is pushed into the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"which occupies the upright position while the upper face of the box is maintained open, by the forward movement of the pushing plates 25.",
"After that, the rotation of the rotatable frame 26 through 180° causes the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"to be brought to the inverted position, so that the receiving box (a) is inverted and comes to the inlet end of the feeding passage 10'",
"(FIGS.",
"6 and 7).",
"When the box is located at the inlet end of the feeding passage 10', the box has an open bottom which was the open upper face, and which is now closed by the ceiling plate 30'",
"of the reversible frame 28 or 28'.",
"In accordance with the detection signals from the detector (not shown) which detects when the amount of the plugs stored in the plug storing device 2 is below a predetermined value, the chain conveyor 32 of the introduction device (c) operates to move the pusher 33 which in turn, moves the receiving box in the reversible frame 28 or 28'",
"toward the feeding frame 10, so that the receiving box (a) comes to the introduction station (P) through the bottom plate 11 of the feeding passage 10'",
"(FIG.",
"7).",
"In association with the operation of the introduction device (c), the lifter 20, the pushing arms 24, and the rotatable frame 26, of the box arranging device (b) operate in turn to effect the respective operations as mentioned before, to bring a fresh (subsequent) receiving box to the inlet end of the feeding passage 10.",
"After the lapse of a predetermined time from the commencement of the operation of the introduction device (c), i.e. when the receiving box (a) moves on the bottom plate 11 of the feeding passage 10'",
"and comes to the belt conveyor 16, the latter begins moving to introduce the receiving box into the introduction station (P) with the help of the pusher 33.",
"After that, the belt conveyor 16 stops.",
"When the subsequent receiving box is brought to the introduction station (P) similarly to the foregoing, the preceding receiving box comes to the feeding station (Q) by means of the belt conveyor 16 (FIG.",
"7).",
"When the belt conveyor 16 stops after the preceding receiving box comes to the feeding station (Q), the suction elements 44 lower until they come into contact with the upper surface of the receiving box located in the feeding station (Q), so that the suction elements 44 suck the receiving box (a).",
"The suction elements 44 move upward to raise the receiving box to the upper limit (FIGS.",
"8, 9).",
"During the upward movement of the receiving box, the plugs (m) in the receiving box (a) are discharged into the feeding passage 10'",
"at the feeding station (Q).",
"When the plugs are discharged or fed, the subsequent receiving box forms one side wall which defines and closes the feeding passage 10'",
"at the feeding station Q (FIG.",
"8).",
"Furthermore, during the upward movement of the receiving box, the swing plate 15 of the rear frame plate 14 temporarily moves to open so that the upper lid a-l of the receiving box (a) that projects out of the feeding passage 10'",
"can easily come into the feeding passage 10'",
"(FIG.",
"9).",
"The swing plate 15 moves to gradually close as the upper lid(a-l) is raised (FIG.",
"8).",
"The blank box (a') which has been raised by the box lifting device (d) is discharged onto the blank box receiving frame 48 by means of the pushers 47 of the discharging device (e) (FIG.",
"10).",
"The plugs (m) which have been discharged onto the feeding passage 10'",
"are conveyed toward the storing device 2 when the subsequent receiving box is fed onto the feeding passage 10', by the belt conveyor 16 and by the receiving box which moves from the introduction station (P) to the feeding station (Q).",
"It should be noted that although the belt conveyor 16 is provided on the bottom of the feeding passage 10', in the illustrated embodiment, an immovable bottom plate can be provided on the bottom of the feeding passage, in place of the conveyor belt.",
"In this alternative, the receiving boxes can be successively pushed by the subsequent receiving boxes on the immovable bottom plate.",
"However, the belt conveyor contributes to a smooth conveyance of the receiving boxes (a) and the plugs (m)."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
This invention relates generally to multi brand, multi device remote control transmitters and specifically to a method of recovering the various brand codes for which the transmitter is programmed.
Remote control transmitters of the above type include programmable memories that have control signal code information for a variety of controllable devices from a plurality of manufacturers stored therein. The controllable devices, i. e., the devices that the transmitter can contro, are generally a television receiver, a VCR, a cable box and one or more auxiliary devices, such as a CD player. The various devices (which correspond to the various transmitter operating modes) are selected by a switch arrangement on the transmitter, with an indication of the selected transmitter operating mode being given to the user in the form of illumination of an LED. The user is provided with a listing of manufacturers for the various devices that identifies one or more brand code sequences for accessing the transmitter's programmable memory to configure it to transmit the appropriate control codes for the selected device. The brand code sequences usually comprise three digits. Programming is accomplished by entering a programming mode, keying in a brand code sequence and testing the transmitter to see if the selected device responds to the transmitted control code. In many instances, more than one brand code sequence is listed for a manufacturer and the process of finding the correct brand code is often tedious.
Some transmitters have an Auto Find feature, in which a brand code is not entered, but rather a series of power commands is used until the selected device responds to the transmitter code. Multi brand, multi device remote control transmitters have been in use for a number of years and have greatly contributed to the reduction of clutter and confusion that often results when a number of remote control transmitters is required to control various consumer products that are located in the same room.
There are often times when it is desired to know the brand code that is programmed into a remote control transmitter. Since the brand codes can be changed, failure of a device to respond to a transmitter may be due a failure of the transmitter, failure of the device's control signal receiver or a wrong brand code programmed into the transmitter. In some transmitters that have an LED display, the programmed brand code may be shown on the LED display when the brand code is read out. The present invention enables read out of the programmed brand code in a transmitter that does not have an LED or equivalent type display.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of the invention is to provide a novel multi brand, multi device remote control transmitter.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reading out a programmed brand code in a remote control transmitter.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reading out a programmed brand code in a remote control transmitter that does not have a digit display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a remote control transmitter for performing the method of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a simplified functional diagram of a remote control transmitter operating in accordance with the method of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a remote control transmitter 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. A trackball 12 is used to control an onscreen cursor for selecting and operating some of the functions of a television receiver. A mode switch 14 is used to switch the transmitter between its various operating modes for enabling control of various consumer product devices. A mute key 16 and a flashback key 18 are used to mute the audio and to switch back to the previously viewed channel in the television mode, respectively. A plurality of keys 20 correspond to the digits 0 through 1 and an Enter key 22 is used to signify the termination of a command, and is also used in various programming operations. Other keys are included, but have no relevance to the present invention. All of the keys are collectively referred to as a keyboard even though they may not be physically close to each other. Positioned above mode switch 14 is a plurality of LEDs 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, labelled respectively as TV, VCR, CABLE, AUX 1 and AUX 2. As operation of the mode switch sequentially changes the operating mode of the transmitter, the corresponding one of the LEDs is illuminated to indicate the selected mode.
FIG. 2 is a simplified functional block diagram of transmitter 10. A key board 50 is controlled by a microprocessor 52 that is in communication with a programmable memory 54 in which the data required for generating the control codes for the various brands of devices is stored. The memory is well-known in the art, as is the keyboard and microprocessor and their method of operation, for programming the transmitter to transmit the appropriate control codes in response to the input of the brand code sequences, in a programming mode of the transmitter. An IR code generator 56 is controlled by microprocessor 52 to cause an IR diode 58 to transmit the control codes. An LED control 60 operates under control of microprocessor 52 and programmable memory 54 to selectively illuminate the LEDs 24-32 in accordance with mode selection of the transmitter.
The LEDs are used in the invention to read out the brand codes that have been programmed into programmable memory 54 by a user when the transmitter is placed in its programming mode by appropriate operation of selected keys of the keyboard. The sequence of key operations may vary depending upon the system design and the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangement.
In the preferred embodiment, read out of a programmed brand code is accomplished as follows:
(a) The programming mode of the transmitter is entered by simultaneously depressing the MUTE key 16 and the FLASHBACK key 18 for about three seconds until the LED for the current device or mode is illuminated.
(b) The digit keys 9; 2, 2 are sequentially operated followed by operation of the ENTER key 22. The current mode LED will flash three times to indicate that the transmitter is ready to identify the brand code.
(c) If the current mode is not the desired one, the MODE key 14 is depressed (left or right) until the LED corresponding to the mode for which the brand code is desired, is selected.
(d) The ENTER key 22 is depressed. After a delay of about one second, the selected LED flashes a number of times corresponding to the first digit of the brand code.
(e) After another one second delay, the selected LED flashes the number of times corresponding to the second digit of the brand code.
(f) After another one second delay, the selected LED flashes the number of times corresponding to the third digit of the three digit brand code.
(g) The LED turns off and the transmitter returns to the normal operating mode.
The LED flashes are in groupings, corresponding to each of the digits and the flashes occur at a substantially constant rate. To indicate a zero, the LED is flashed at a faster rate for a short time.
Should the brand code for a different device be desired, the above procedure is repeated except that the LED corresponding to the different device is selected in (c) above.
What has been described is a novel method and apparatus for identifying the brand code programmed into a multi brand, multi device remote control transmitter. It is recognized that numerous changes to the described embodiment of the invention will be apparent without departing from its true spirit and scope. The invention is to be limited only as defined in the claims. | A multi brand remote control transmitter includes a programmable memory for configuring the transmitter to transmit the IR control codes for a plurality of controllable devices of different manufacturers, each of which is identified by series of digits. Provision is made for recovering the series of digits from the programmed transmitter by a series of keyboard operations. The digits are read out by flashing an LED that corresponds to the controllable device. | Identify the most important aspect in the document and summarize the concept accordingly. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART This invention relates generally to multi brand, multi device remote control transmitters and specifically to a method of recovering the various brand codes for which the transmitter is programmed.",
"Remote control transmitters of the above type include programmable memories that have control signal code information for a variety of controllable devices from a plurality of manufacturers stored therein.",
"The controllable devices, i. e., the devices that the transmitter can contro, are generally a television receiver, a VCR, a cable box and one or more auxiliary devices, such as a CD player.",
"The various devices (which correspond to the various transmitter operating modes) are selected by a switch arrangement on the transmitter, with an indication of the selected transmitter operating mode being given to the user in the form of illumination of an LED.",
"The user is provided with a listing of manufacturers for the various devices that identifies one or more brand code sequences for accessing the transmitter's programmable memory to configure it to transmit the appropriate control codes for the selected device.",
"The brand code sequences usually comprise three digits.",
"Programming is accomplished by entering a programming mode, keying in a brand code sequence and testing the transmitter to see if the selected device responds to the transmitted control code.",
"In many instances, more than one brand code sequence is listed for a manufacturer and the process of finding the correct brand code is often tedious.",
"Some transmitters have an Auto Find feature, in which a brand code is not entered, but rather a series of power commands is used until the selected device responds to the transmitter code.",
"Multi brand, multi device remote control transmitters have been in use for a number of years and have greatly contributed to the reduction of clutter and confusion that often results when a number of remote control transmitters is required to control various consumer products that are located in the same room.",
"There are often times when it is desired to know the brand code that is programmed into a remote control transmitter.",
"Since the brand codes can be changed, failure of a device to respond to a transmitter may be due a failure of the transmitter, failure of the device's control signal receiver or a wrong brand code programmed into the transmitter.",
"In some transmitters that have an LED display, the programmed brand code may be shown on the LED display when the brand code is read out.",
"The present invention enables read out of the programmed brand code in a transmitter that does not have an LED or equivalent type display.",
"OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the invention is to provide a novel multi brand, multi device remote control transmitter.",
"Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reading out a programmed brand code in a remote control transmitter.",
"A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reading out a programmed brand code in a remote control transmitter that does not have a digit display.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a remote control transmitter for performing the method of the invention;",
"and FIG. 2 is a simplified functional diagram of a remote control transmitter operating in accordance with the method of the invention.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a remote control transmitter 10 constructed in accordance with the invention.",
"A trackball 12 is used to control an onscreen cursor for selecting and operating some of the functions of a television receiver.",
"A mode switch 14 is used to switch the transmitter between its various operating modes for enabling control of various consumer product devices.",
"A mute key 16 and a flashback key 18 are used to mute the audio and to switch back to the previously viewed channel in the television mode, respectively.",
"A plurality of keys 20 correspond to the digits 0 through 1 and an Enter key 22 is used to signify the termination of a command, and is also used in various programming operations.",
"Other keys are included, but have no relevance to the present invention.",
"All of the keys are collectively referred to as a keyboard even though they may not be physically close to each other.",
"Positioned above mode switch 14 is a plurality of LEDs 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, labelled respectively as TV, VCR, CABLE, AUX 1 and AUX 2.",
"As operation of the mode switch sequentially changes the operating mode of the transmitter, the corresponding one of the LEDs is illuminated to indicate the selected mode.",
"FIG. 2 is a simplified functional block diagram of transmitter 10.",
"A key board 50 is controlled by a microprocessor 52 that is in communication with a programmable memory 54 in which the data required for generating the control codes for the various brands of devices is stored.",
"The memory is well-known in the art, as is the keyboard and microprocessor and their method of operation, for programming the transmitter to transmit the appropriate control codes in response to the input of the brand code sequences, in a programming mode of the transmitter.",
"An IR code generator 56 is controlled by microprocessor 52 to cause an IR diode 58 to transmit the control codes.",
"An LED control 60 operates under control of microprocessor 52 and programmable memory 54 to selectively illuminate the LEDs 24-32 in accordance with mode selection of the transmitter.",
"The LEDs are used in the invention to read out the brand codes that have been programmed into programmable memory 54 by a user when the transmitter is placed in its programming mode by appropriate operation of selected keys of the keyboard.",
"The sequence of key operations may vary depending upon the system design and the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangement.",
"In the preferred embodiment, read out of a programmed brand code is accomplished as follows: (a) The programming mode of the transmitter is entered by simultaneously depressing the MUTE key 16 and the FLASHBACK key 18 for about three seconds until the LED for the current device or mode is illuminated.",
"(b) The digit keys 9;",
"2, 2 are sequentially operated followed by operation of the ENTER key 22.",
"The current mode LED will flash three times to indicate that the transmitter is ready to identify the brand code.",
"(c) If the current mode is not the desired one, the MODE key 14 is depressed (left or right) until the LED corresponding to the mode for which the brand code is desired, is selected.",
"(d) The ENTER key 22 is depressed.",
"After a delay of about one second, the selected LED flashes a number of times corresponding to the first digit of the brand code.",
"(e) After another one second delay, the selected LED flashes the number of times corresponding to the second digit of the brand code.",
"(f) After another one second delay, the selected LED flashes the number of times corresponding to the third digit of the three digit brand code.",
"(g) The LED turns off and the transmitter returns to the normal operating mode.",
"The LED flashes are in groupings, corresponding to each of the digits and the flashes occur at a substantially constant rate.",
"To indicate a zero, the LED is flashed at a faster rate for a short time.",
"Should the brand code for a different device be desired, the above procedure is repeated except that the LED corresponding to the different device is selected in (c) above.",
"What has been described is a novel method and apparatus for identifying the brand code programmed into a multi brand, multi device remote control transmitter.",
"It is recognized that numerous changes to the described embodiment of the invention will be apparent without departing from its true spirit and scope.",
"The invention is to be limited only as defined in the claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/541,935, filed Feb. 6, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to munitions and more specifically munitions designed for low-pressure weapon systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beginning in the 1950s, a family of 40 mm grenade launchers was developed to assist soldiers to cover the area between the longest range of the hand grenade (30-40 yards) and the middle range of the 60 mm mortar (300-400 yards). The family of 40 mm grenade launchers includes: the M79, the M203 and the M203a. Each of the 40 mm grenade launchers fires various types of 40 mm cartridges including: high explosive (“HE”) rounds, projectile practice rounds, chemical rounds, buckshot rounds and pyrotechnic signal and spotting rounds.
The 40 mm M79 grenade launcher resembles a large bore, single aluminum barrel, sawn off shotgun. The M79 grenade launcher was developed in the 1950s and was first delivered to the US Army in 1961.
The 40 mm M203 grenade launcher was developed to attach to an existing M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine. It consists of a 10-inch long aluminum barrel and a receiver clamped underneath an M-16 barrel. A variation of the M203 is the M203a, which consists of an 8-inch long aluminum barrel and a receiver clamped underneath a M-4 carbine. The working pressure of each of the M79/M203/M203a is 3000 psi.
Because the HE rounds require an arming delay of an internal fuze device, and because of the blast radius associated with the high explosive, the HE round is not effective at close ranges.
To provide close range potential for an M79, M203 or M203a grenade launcher, a shotgun shell type round was developed, known as an XM576. The XM576 includes 20 No. 4 buckshot pellets (each 0.24-inch in diameter) that leave the M79/M203/M203a muzzle at only 885 feet per second. Unfortunately, the XM576 has not performed as hoped either by the military or by law enforcement.
In another effort to improve the close range effectiveness of the M79/M203/M203a family of grenade launchers, a 12-gauge sub-caliber device was developed and was issued to service personnel in Vietnam on an experimental basis. The sub-caliber device consisted of a steel rim and liner with a spring-loaded extractor inside a 40 mm plastic bushing. The device was about 9-inches long and would accept any commercial 12-gauge buckshot load. Other such devices have been constructed in lengths of 5-inches overall. Unfortunately, neither the XM576 nor the sub-caliber devices can provide satisfactory shot patterns or velocity at ranges beyond approximately 10 yards.
What is needed is a device that can be used in existing M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, or other sizes of low pressure launching systems, to provide a close quarter battle load and at the same time, overcome the problems that exist with the XM576 round and sub-caliber adapters.
SUMMARY
A high-pressure fixed munition for a low-pressure launching system having a cylindrical body with a centrally located bore is provided. The bore of the munition has a reduced diameter on the charge end in which a primer charge is positioned. The bore is filled above the primer charge with a propellant and above the propellant with a payload. The payload may include multiple buckshot pellets, frangible buckshot pellets, tear gas, multiple slugs, frangible slugs, paint balls, rubber pellets, bean bags, or the like. The munition may also include a pressure disk between the propellant and the payload, and tactile ridges or on the outside surface of the munition body or be of a specific color for purposes of identification of the payload.
Closed cell foam can be inserted in the top of the high-pressure fixed munition to seal off the contents from mud, sand, water or other debris.
The resulting inventive high-pressure fixed munition provides an improved muzzle velocity, range and shot pattern in comparison to conventional munitions used with low pressure launching systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a 40 mm XM576 multiple projectile round.
FIG. 2 is an outside view of a 40 mm sub caliber adapter including a cross section view of a conventional 12-gauge shotgun shell.
FIG. 3 shows an M203 grenade launcher attached to an M-16 Rifle.
FIG. 3A shows the inventive high-pressure fixed munition inside of the M203 of FIG. 3 .
FIG. 4 is an outside view of an M79 grenade launcher.
FIG. 5 is an outside view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition.
FIG. 6 is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including twenty-five frangible “00” buckshot pellets.
FIG. 6A is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including twenty “00” buckshot pellets.
FIG. 6B is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including three frangible slugs.
FIG. 7 is an assembly view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 .
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition with a shotgun primer.
FIG. 9 is a detail assembly view of the primer and base of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition of FIG. 8 .
FIG. 10 is a detail partial sectional view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 8 showing the choke feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following table, viewed together with the enclosed figures and detailed description, is provided to understand clearly a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Number:
Description:
P1
XM576 Multiple Projectile Round
12
Primer
14
Propellant
14a
Brass Powder Charge Cup
16
Vent Holes
18
Low Pressure Chamber
20
Sabot
22
Pellets
P2
Sub-caliber Adapter
32
Primer
34
Propellant
35
12-Gauge Shotgun Shell
36
Wad
37
Shot Cup
39
Base Surface
42
Pellets #4 Buckshot
44
Bore
B
M16 Carbine
B1
M203 Grenade Launcher
B1A
M203 Grenade Launcher Barrel
C
M79 Grenade Launcher
C1
M79 Grenade Launcher Barrel
46
Breach Face
A
High Pressure Fixed Munition
50
Raised Ridges
52
Body of High-Pressure Fixed Munition
54
Primer
55
Bore
56
Shell Casing
57
Small Bore for Shell Casing
58
Propellant
58a
Propellant in shell casing
59
Lower Flat of Large Bore
60
Burst Disk
62
Wad
64
Pellets “00” Frangible Buckshot
64a
Pellets “00” Buckshot
64b
Frangible Slugs
65
Shot cup
66
Leading Taper
67
Base Surface of High-Pressure Fixed Munition
68
Foam
68a
Upper Large Diameter
68b
Lower Large Diameter
70
Shotgun Shell Primer
72
Shotgun Shell Primer Bore
74
Choked Taper
74a
Choked Taper Angle
Referring now to FIG. 1 , an existing prior art XM576 round, designated generally as P 1 , is shown. The XM576 includes a primer 12 that ignites the propellant 14 , which is enclosed within a brass powder charge cup 14 a . The ignited propellant 14 develops a pressure of 35,000 psi that ruptures the brass charge cup 14 a at the vent holes 16 . The gases that enter the low-pressure chamber 18 from the vent holes 16 are at a pressure of approximately 3000 psi, which propel the pellets 22 toward the intended target.
In FIG. 2 , a prior art sub-caliber adapter, generally designated as P 2 , is shown. The sub-caliber adapter is slightly less than 40 mm on the outside diameter so that it can be used in existing M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, which have a 40 mm diameter barrel (See FIGS. 3 , 3 A and 4 ). It includes a straight through bore 44 that is sized to accommodate a conventional 12-gauge shotgun shell 35 . The shotgun shell 35 includes a primer 32 that ignites propellant 34 , which expands to launch the pellets 42 . The pellets 42 are held together during launching with the wad 36 and wad cup 37 .
Both the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ) are designed to be fired from an M79 grenade launcher, designated as C in FIG. 4 , or from an M203 grenade launcher, designated as B 1 in FIG. 3 . The M203 grenade launcher B 1 is shown mounted to an M-16 carbine B in FIG. 3 . Both the XM576 and the sub-caliber adapter may also be fired from an M203a grenade launcher, which is a shorter version of the M203 grenade launcher (B 1 ), which is mounted onto an M-4 (not shown).
The inventive high-pressure fixed munition is designated in FIG. 5 generally as A. The high-pressure fixed munition A is 40 mm on the largest outside diameter and may be fired from the M79 grenade launcher (C) shown in FIG. 4 , from the M203 grenade launcher (B 1 ) shown in FIG. 3 , or from an M203a grenade launcher (not shown). All of the grenade launchers M79/M203/M203 have a receiving chamber and barrel diameter of 40 mm, which is just slightly greater than the 1.605 inch outside diameter of the high-pressure fixed munition A. The base surface 67 of the high-pressure munition A allows a high internal operating pressure to be spread across the entire base surface 67 to minimize stress on the breach face 46 (shown in FIG. 3A ). The base surface 39 of the sub-caliber adapter P 2 is limited in surface area and an increase in pressure could damage the breach face 46 of the M79/M203/M203a grenade launcher or the aluminum barrel.
The upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b center the high-pressure munition A within the chamber of the barrel B 1 a and C 1 ( FIGS. 3 , 3 A and 4 ). As shown in FIGS, 5 , 6 , 6 A and 6 B, the upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b have respective larger diameters than a reduced diameter portion of the body 52 that extends between the upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b . As such, the upper large diameter 68 a defines a discharge end step portion and the lower large diameter 68 b defines a charge end step portion.
A conventional 0.38 Smith and Wesson cartridge case 56 is inserted into the small bore 57 of the high-pressure munition A as best seen in FIG. 6 . The bore 55 has a larger diameter than the small bore 57 and is thus a large bore (i.e., large bore 55 ) with respect to the small bore 57 . Referring to FIG. 5 , the lower flat 59 of the large 55 extends between sidewall portions of the large bore 55 and the small bore 57 , thus defining a ledge portion therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5 , the ledge portion is substantially flat and extends substantially parallel with the base surface 67 of the body 52 . A primer 54 is inserted into the base of the .38 Smith and Wesson cartridge case 56 . Alternative cartridge cases may also be used. Propellant 58 is inserted from the top of the high-pressure munition A to provide the desired pressure for the load used. An alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a shotgun shell primer 70 that ignites the propellant 58 to discharge the buckshot 64 a, or other desired payload. A preferred shotgun primer 70 is the Federal 209 A, but other primers may also be used. The shotgun primer 70 fits into the shotgun shell primer bore 72 The shotgun shell primer 70 may either be flush with the base surface 67 of the high-pressure fixed munition A or may be raised slightly above the base surface 67 as shown in FIG. 8 It is contemplated that any primer that provides the necessary ignition for the propellant may also be used in place of the shotgun primer 70 .
An optional burst disk 60 is inserted above the propellant 58 . The burst disk 60 seals off propellant charge from the base of the high-pressure munition A, retaining the propellant 58 sufficient for efficient power combustion. Because the propellant 58 bears against the burst disk 60 and does not use an expansion chamber, the pressure front from the propellant gasses is prevented from distorting the body 52 of the high-pressure munition A.
The burning characteristics of the propellant 58 can be adjusted to allow the use of frangible projectiles, which can distort and fracture under pressure.
A wad 62 is inserted above the burst disk 60 . The wad 62 includes a shot cup portion 65 , into which projectiles are inserted. Because of the large volume available in the bore 55 of the high-pressure fixed munition A relative to the volume available in a conventional shotgun shell 35 shown with the prior art sub-caliber adapter P 2 in FIG. 2 , a greater amount of projectiles can be used. In FIG. 6 , twenty-five “00” frangible buckshot pellets are shown; in FIG. 6A , twenty “00” buckshot pellets are shown; and in FIG. 6B , three frangible slugs are shown. The loads that can be used in the high-pressure fixed munition A are not limited to those shown and may also include other desired loads and varieties of projectiles. In place of conventional projectiles, paint balls may also be shot from the high-pressure fixed munition A. Paint ball rounds can be used for training or marking purposes. Other projectiles, such as rubber pellets, cloth stun bags, or batons can also be used.
It should be appreciated that the bore 55 can be enlarged for example, when paint balls are to be used, and can be otherwise changed in size as desired.
The exit of the bore 55 can be reduced in diameter to form a choked taper 74 ( FIG. 10 ) of desired configuration to modify the resulting spread pattern of the projectile pellets 64 , 64 a . FIG. 10 also illustrated the choke angle 74 a that defines the taper of the choke 74 . The barrels B 1 , C 1 cannot be choked to adjust the spread pattern because such a restriction would prevent the sabot 20 from exiting the bore of the launcher. This is another significant advantage of the high-pressure fixed munition.
The body 52 of the high-pressure fixed munition A is typically constructed of thermoplastic nylon 6/12, but can also be constructed of glass filled nylon, other desired polymer or a desired metal, such as aluminum. Other metallic materials or a combination of different materials, including, but not limited to polymer with metallic construction are also contemplated.
The high-pressure fixed munition A may be used as an expendable munition or may be reloaded. The body 52 material may be reused many times if desired.
The pressure containment properties of the body 52 allow the high-pressure fixed munition A to retain the high pressure of the gasses from the propellant 58 thereby allowing the use of the high-pressure fixed munition A in the M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, which were originally designed for use with low pressure munitions. The pressure developed in the high-pressure fixed munition A is 12,000-15,000 psi, which exceeds the allowable working pressure of 3,000 psi of the M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers. The reason the high-pressure fixed munition can be operated safely in the low-pressure grenade launchers is because the bore 55 of the high-pressure fixed munition A acts as the barrel, effectively replacing the barrel B 1 a of the M203 ( FIG. 3 ) and the barrel C 1 of the M79 ( FIG. 4 ). The high pressures developed in the high-pressure fixed munition are exposed to the bore 55 of the body 52 of the high-pressure fixed munition and they are not exposed to the inner bore of the barrels of the low-pressure grenade launchers.
Closed cell foam 68 may be inserted in the top of the high-pressure fixed munition A to seal off the contents thereof from mud, sand, water or other debris. Multi-purpose latex foam, such as that manufactured by DAP®, may be used but other foams can also be used. The important characteristics include: providing a water barrier, low density, high toughness and resilience. Biodegradable, closed cell foam can also be used to allow the high-pressure fixed munition A to be environmentally compatible.
Raised ridges 50 ( FIGS. 5 , 6 , 6 A, 6 B and 7 ) on the outside of the body 52 are designed to allow the identification of the loading of the high-pressure fixed munition A in any light condition. For example, there can be a single raised ridge 50 for high-pressure fixed munition A containing “00” frangible buckshot pellets, two raised ridges 50 for “00” buckshot and three raised ridges 50 for frangible slugs. The different loadings of the high-pressure fixed munition A may also be identified by different colors. The raised ridges 50 also assist in centering the high-pressure munition A in the bore of the weapon.
As indicated by the following tables, the performance of the high-pressure fixed munition A is far superior to the performance of either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ).
Comparison of Performance between High-Pressure
Fixed Munition to M576 and Sub-Caliber Adapter
High-Pressure Fixed Munition (A)*
25-“00”
3-12 gauge
20-“00”
frangible
26-#1
frangible
buckshot
buckshot
buckshot
slugs (1075
(1075
(1075
(1075
Load
grains)
grains)
grains)
grains)
Muzzle Velocity
1250
1250
1250
1250
(ft/sec)
Range (yards)
65
65
65
65
Dispersion
As
As
As
As
(spread pattern)
desired**
desired**
desired**
desired**
at 25 yards
*Muzzle velocities are based on estimate from penetration rates measured at 10 feet and 30 feet ranges.
**Dispersion (spread pattern) is adjustable by restricting the exit bore 55 (choking) of the high-pressure fixed munition.
XM576 (P1)
20-#4 buckshot
27-#4 buckshot
Load
(380 grains)
(513 grains)
Muzzle Velocity (ft/sec)
885
850
Range (yards)
10
10
Dispersion (spread
36
36
pattern) at 25 yards
(Inches in diameter)
Sub-Caliber Adapter (P2)
Load
3 ½ shell with 12-“00” buckshot
Muzzle Velocity (ft/sec)
850
Range (yards)
10
The high-pressure fixed munition A is a more effective munition than either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ). The high-pressure fixed munition A has a higher muzzle velocity than both the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ), even though the high-pressure fixed munition A fires projectile loads that are heavier than those fired in the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ). The larger pressures that are developed in the high-pressure fixed munition A results in the higher velocities and also provides increased ranges of the projectiles. Furthermore, loads of 18 or 20 pellets of “00” buckshot or 25 pellets of frangible “00” buckshot shot from the high-pressure fixed munition result in a shot pattern of approximately 4″ at 10 feet and 8″ at 30 feet. It is believed that the tight shot pattern is the result of a pressure front that travels in front of the propellant and that surrounds the pellet load as it travels away from the barrel B 1 , B 1 A. The pressure front tends to contain the pellet load in a desirable, tight pattern.
Even though the high-pressure fixed munition A develops pressures exit pressures that are 12,000-15,000 psi, the high pressures in combination with the large loads do not create large recoils to the shooter. Instead, it is believed that the large mass of the weapons in which the high-pressure fixed munition A are fired absorbs the energy and resists transferring the recoil inertia back to the shooter. The lack of heavy recoil is an important feature with the high-pressure fixed munition A because it reduces the tendency for a shooter to flinch, in anticipation of a large recoil, thereby losing his or her concentration and accuracy.
The length of the barrel C 1 on the M79 (C) ( FIG. 4 ) is 14 inches. The length of the barrel B 1 on the M203 ( FIG. 3 ) is 10 inches. On the M203a (not shown), the length of the barrel is only 8 inches. When either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ) are fired through different length barrels, the performance varies. The resulting spread can change as well as the velocity, range and accuracy. The muzzle velocity, range and accuracy of projectiles fired from the high-pressure fixed munition A are independent of the length of the barrel. It should be appreciated that the invention disclosed herein may also be used in varying sizes of launching systems other than the 40 mm sized systems.
Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and claimed, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | A high-pressure fixed munition for a low-pressure launching system having a cylindrical body with a centrally located bore is provided. The bore of the munition has a reduced diameter on the charge end in which a primer charge is positioned. The bore is filled above the primer charge with a propellant and above the propellant with a payload. The payload may include multiple buckshot pellets, frangible buckshot pellets, tear gas, multiple slugs, frangible slugs, paint balls, rubber pellets, bean bags, or the like. The munition may also include a pressure disk between the propellant and the payload, and tactile ridges or on the outside surface of the munition body or be of a specific color for purposes of identification of the payload. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 60/541,935, filed Feb. 6, 2004.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to munitions and more specifically munitions designed for low-pressure weapon systems.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Beginning in the 1950s, a family of 40 mm grenade launchers was developed to assist soldiers to cover the area between the longest range of the hand grenade (30-40 yards) and the middle range of the 60 mm mortar (300-400 yards).",
"The family of 40 mm grenade launchers includes: the M79, the M203 and the M203a.",
"Each of the 40 mm grenade launchers fires various types of 40 mm cartridges including: high explosive (“HE”) rounds, projectile practice rounds, chemical rounds, buckshot rounds and pyrotechnic signal and spotting rounds.",
"The 40 mm M79 grenade launcher resembles a large bore, single aluminum barrel, sawn off shotgun.",
"The M79 grenade launcher was developed in the 1950s and was first delivered to the US Army in 1961.",
"The 40 mm M203 grenade launcher was developed to attach to an existing M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine.",
"It consists of a 10-inch long aluminum barrel and a receiver clamped underneath an M-16 barrel.",
"A variation of the M203 is the M203a, which consists of an 8-inch long aluminum barrel and a receiver clamped underneath a M-4 carbine.",
"The working pressure of each of the M79/M203/M203a is 3000 psi.",
"Because the HE rounds require an arming delay of an internal fuze device, and because of the blast radius associated with the high explosive, the HE round is not effective at close ranges.",
"To provide close range potential for an M79, M203 or M203a grenade launcher, a shotgun shell type round was developed, known as an XM576.",
"The XM576 includes 20 No. 4 buckshot pellets (each 0.24-inch in diameter) that leave the M79/M203/M203a muzzle at only 885 feet per second.",
"Unfortunately, the XM576 has not performed as hoped either by the military or by law enforcement.",
"In another effort to improve the close range effectiveness of the M79/M203/M203a family of grenade launchers, a 12-gauge sub-caliber device was developed and was issued to service personnel in Vietnam on an experimental basis.",
"The sub-caliber device consisted of a steel rim and liner with a spring-loaded extractor inside a 40 mm plastic bushing.",
"The device was about 9-inches long and would accept any commercial 12-gauge buckshot load.",
"Other such devices have been constructed in lengths of 5-inches overall.",
"Unfortunately, neither the XM576 nor the sub-caliber devices can provide satisfactory shot patterns or velocity at ranges beyond approximately 10 yards.",
"What is needed is a device that can be used in existing M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, or other sizes of low pressure launching systems, to provide a close quarter battle load and at the same time, overcome the problems that exist with the XM576 round and sub-caliber adapters.",
"SUMMARY A high-pressure fixed munition for a low-pressure launching system having a cylindrical body with a centrally located bore is provided.",
"The bore of the munition has a reduced diameter on the charge end in which a primer charge is positioned.",
"The bore is filled above the primer charge with a propellant and above the propellant with a payload.",
"The payload may include multiple buckshot pellets, frangible buckshot pellets, tear gas, multiple slugs, frangible slugs, paint balls, rubber pellets, bean bags, or the like.",
"The munition may also include a pressure disk between the propellant and the payload, and tactile ridges or on the outside surface of the munition body or be of a specific color for purposes of identification of the payload.",
"Closed cell foam can be inserted in the top of the high-pressure fixed munition to seal off the contents from mud, sand, water or other debris.",
"The resulting inventive high-pressure fixed munition provides an improved muzzle velocity, range and shot pattern in comparison to conventional munitions used with low pressure launching systems.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross section view of a 40 mm XM576 multiple projectile round.",
"FIG. 2 is an outside view of a 40 mm sub caliber adapter including a cross section view of a conventional 12-gauge shotgun shell.",
"FIG. 3 shows an M203 grenade launcher attached to an M-16 Rifle.",
"FIG. 3A shows the inventive high-pressure fixed munition inside of the M203 of FIG. 3 .",
"FIG. 4 is an outside view of an M79 grenade launcher.",
"FIG. 5 is an outside view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition.",
"FIG. 6 is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including twenty-five frangible “00”",
"buckshot pellets.",
"FIG. 6A is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including twenty “00”",
"buckshot pellets.",
"FIG. 6B is a section view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 including three frangible slugs.",
"FIG. 7 is an assembly view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 5 .",
"FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition with a shotgun primer.",
"FIG. 9 is a detail assembly view of the primer and base of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition of FIG. 8 .",
"FIG. 10 is a detail partial sectional view of the inventive high-pressure fixed munition shown in FIG. 8 showing the choke feature.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following table, viewed together with the enclosed figures and detailed description, is provided to understand clearly a preferred embodiment of the invention: Number: Description: P1 XM576 Multiple Projectile Round 12 Primer 14 Propellant 14a Brass Powder Charge Cup 16 Vent Holes 18 Low Pressure Chamber 20 Sabot 22 Pellets P2 Sub-caliber Adapter 32 Primer 34 Propellant 35 12-Gauge Shotgun Shell 36 Wad 37 Shot Cup 39 Base Surface 42 Pellets #4 Buckshot 44 Bore B M16 Carbine B1 M203 Grenade Launcher B1A M203 Grenade Launcher Barrel C M79 Grenade Launcher C1 M79 Grenade Launcher Barrel 46 Breach Face A High Pressure Fixed Munition 50 Raised Ridges 52 Body of High-Pressure Fixed Munition 54 Primer 55 Bore 56 Shell Casing 57 Small Bore for Shell Casing 58 Propellant 58a Propellant in shell casing 59 Lower Flat of Large Bore 60 Burst Disk 62 Wad 64 Pellets “00”",
"Frangible Buckshot 64a Pellets “00”",
"Buckshot 64b Frangible Slugs 65 Shot cup 66 Leading Taper 67 Base Surface of High-Pressure Fixed Munition 68 Foam 68a Upper Large Diameter 68b Lower Large Diameter 70 Shotgun Shell Primer 72 Shotgun Shell Primer Bore 74 Choked Taper 74a Choked Taper Angle Referring now to FIG. 1 , an existing prior art XM576 round, designated generally as P 1 , is shown.",
"The XM576 includes a primer 12 that ignites the propellant 14 , which is enclosed within a brass powder charge cup 14 a .",
"The ignited propellant 14 develops a pressure of 35,000 psi that ruptures the brass charge cup 14 a at the vent holes 16 .",
"The gases that enter the low-pressure chamber 18 from the vent holes 16 are at a pressure of approximately 3000 psi, which propel the pellets 22 toward the intended target.",
"In FIG. 2 , a prior art sub-caliber adapter, generally designated as P 2 , is shown.",
"The sub-caliber adapter is slightly less than 40 mm on the outside diameter so that it can be used in existing M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, which have a 40 mm diameter barrel (See FIGS. 3 , 3 A and 4 ).",
"It includes a straight through bore 44 that is sized to accommodate a conventional 12-gauge shotgun shell 35 .",
"The shotgun shell 35 includes a primer 32 that ignites propellant 34 , which expands to launch the pellets 42 .",
"The pellets 42 are held together during launching with the wad 36 and wad cup 37 .",
"Both the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ) are designed to be fired from an M79 grenade launcher, designated as C in FIG. 4 , or from an M203 grenade launcher, designated as B 1 in FIG. 3 .",
"The M203 grenade launcher B 1 is shown mounted to an M-16 carbine B in FIG. 3 .",
"Both the XM576 and the sub-caliber adapter may also be fired from an M203a grenade launcher, which is a shorter version of the M203 grenade launcher (B 1 ), which is mounted onto an M-4 (not shown).",
"The inventive high-pressure fixed munition is designated in FIG. 5 generally as A. The high-pressure fixed munition A is 40 mm on the largest outside diameter and may be fired from the M79 grenade launcher (C) shown in FIG. 4 , from the M203 grenade launcher (B 1 ) shown in FIG. 3 , or from an M203a grenade launcher (not shown).",
"All of the grenade launchers M79/M203/M203 have a receiving chamber and barrel diameter of 40 mm, which is just slightly greater than the 1.605 inch outside diameter of the high-pressure fixed munition A. The base surface 67 of the high-pressure munition A allows a high internal operating pressure to be spread across the entire base surface 67 to minimize stress on the breach face 46 (shown in FIG. 3A ).",
"The base surface 39 of the sub-caliber adapter P 2 is limited in surface area and an increase in pressure could damage the breach face 46 of the M79/M203/M203a grenade launcher or the aluminum barrel.",
"The upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b center the high-pressure munition A within the chamber of the barrel B 1 a and C 1 ( FIGS. 3 , 3 A and 4 ).",
"As shown in FIGS, 5 , 6 , 6 A and 6 B, the upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b have respective larger diameters than a reduced diameter portion of the body 52 that extends between the upper large diameter 68 a and the lower large diameter 68 b .",
"As such, the upper large diameter 68 a defines a discharge end step portion and the lower large diameter 68 b defines a charge end step portion.",
"A conventional 0.38 Smith and Wesson cartridge case 56 is inserted into the small bore 57 of the high-pressure munition A as best seen in FIG. 6 .",
"The bore 55 has a larger diameter than the small bore 57 and is thus a large bore (i.e., large bore 55 ) with respect to the small bore 57 .",
"Referring to FIG. 5 , the lower flat 59 of the large 55 extends between sidewall portions of the large bore 55 and the small bore 57 , thus defining a ledge portion therebetween.",
"As shown in FIG. 5 , the ledge portion is substantially flat and extends substantially parallel with the base surface 67 of the body 52 .",
"A primer 54 is inserted into the base of the [.",
"].38 Smith and Wesson cartridge case 56 .",
"Alternative cartridge cases may also be used.",
"Propellant 58 is inserted from the top of the high-pressure munition A to provide the desired pressure for the load used.",
"An alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a shotgun shell primer 70 that ignites the propellant 58 to discharge the buckshot 64 a, or other desired payload.",
"A preferred shotgun primer 70 is the Federal 209 A, but other primers may also be used.",
"The shotgun primer 70 fits into the shotgun shell primer bore 72 The shotgun shell primer 70 may either be flush with the base surface 67 of the high-pressure fixed munition A or may be raised slightly above the base surface 67 as shown in FIG. 8 It is contemplated that any primer that provides the necessary ignition for the propellant may also be used in place of the shotgun primer 70 .",
"An optional burst disk 60 is inserted above the propellant 58 .",
"The burst disk 60 seals off propellant charge from the base of the high-pressure munition A, retaining the propellant 58 sufficient for efficient power combustion.",
"Because the propellant 58 bears against the burst disk 60 and does not use an expansion chamber, the pressure front from the propellant gasses is prevented from distorting the body 52 of the high-pressure munition A. The burning characteristics of the propellant 58 can be adjusted to allow the use of frangible projectiles, which can distort and fracture under pressure.",
"A wad 62 is inserted above the burst disk 60 .",
"The wad 62 includes a shot cup portion 65 , into which projectiles are inserted.",
"Because of the large volume available in the bore 55 of the high-pressure fixed munition A relative to the volume available in a conventional shotgun shell 35 shown with the prior art sub-caliber adapter P 2 in FIG. 2 , a greater amount of projectiles can be used.",
"In FIG. 6 , twenty-five “00”",
"frangible buckshot pellets are shown;",
"in FIG. 6A , twenty “00”",
"buckshot pellets are shown;",
"and in FIG. 6B , three frangible slugs are shown.",
"The loads that can be used in the high-pressure fixed munition A are not limited to those shown and may also include other desired loads and varieties of projectiles.",
"In place of conventional projectiles, paint balls may also be shot from the high-pressure fixed munition A. Paint ball rounds can be used for training or marking purposes.",
"Other projectiles, such as rubber pellets, cloth stun bags, or batons can also be used.",
"It should be appreciated that the bore 55 can be enlarged for example, when paint balls are to be used, and can be otherwise changed in size as desired.",
"The exit of the bore 55 can be reduced in diameter to form a choked taper 74 ( FIG. 10 ) of desired configuration to modify the resulting spread pattern of the projectile pellets 64 , 64 a .",
"FIG. 10 also illustrated the choke angle 74 a that defines the taper of the choke 74 .",
"The barrels B 1 , C 1 cannot be choked to adjust the spread pattern because such a restriction would prevent the sabot 20 from exiting the bore of the launcher.",
"This is another significant advantage of the high-pressure fixed munition.",
"The body 52 of the high-pressure fixed munition A is typically constructed of thermoplastic nylon 6/12, but can also be constructed of glass filled nylon, other desired polymer or a desired metal, such as aluminum.",
"Other metallic materials or a combination of different materials, including, but not limited to polymer with metallic construction are also contemplated.",
"The high-pressure fixed munition A may be used as an expendable munition or may be reloaded.",
"The body 52 material may be reused many times if desired.",
"The pressure containment properties of the body 52 allow the high-pressure fixed munition A to retain the high pressure of the gasses from the propellant 58 thereby allowing the use of the high-pressure fixed munition A in the M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers, which were originally designed for use with low pressure munitions.",
"The pressure developed in the high-pressure fixed munition A is 12,000-15,000 psi, which exceeds the allowable working pressure of 3,000 psi of the M79/M203/M203a grenade launchers.",
"The reason the high-pressure fixed munition can be operated safely in the low-pressure grenade launchers is because the bore 55 of the high-pressure fixed munition A acts as the barrel, effectively replacing the barrel B 1 a of the M203 ( FIG. 3 ) and the barrel C 1 of the M79 ( FIG. 4 ).",
"The high pressures developed in the high-pressure fixed munition are exposed to the bore 55 of the body 52 of the high-pressure fixed munition and they are not exposed to the inner bore of the barrels of the low-pressure grenade launchers.",
"Closed cell foam 68 may be inserted in the top of the high-pressure fixed munition A to seal off the contents thereof from mud, sand, water or other debris.",
"Multi-purpose latex foam, such as that manufactured by DAP®, may be used but other foams can also be used.",
"The important characteristics include: providing a water barrier, low density, high toughness and resilience.",
"Biodegradable, closed cell foam can also be used to allow the high-pressure fixed munition A to be environmentally compatible.",
"Raised ridges 50 ( FIGS. 5 , 6 , 6 A, 6 B and 7 ) on the outside of the body 52 are designed to allow the identification of the loading of the high-pressure fixed munition A in any light condition.",
"For example, there can be a single raised ridge 50 for high-pressure fixed munition A containing “00”",
"frangible buckshot pellets, two raised ridges 50 for “00”",
"buckshot and three raised ridges 50 for frangible slugs.",
"The different loadings of the high-pressure fixed munition A may also be identified by different colors.",
"The raised ridges 50 also assist in centering the high-pressure munition A in the bore of the weapon.",
"As indicated by the following tables, the performance of the high-pressure fixed munition A is far superior to the performance of either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ).",
"Comparison of Performance between High-Pressure Fixed Munition to M576 and Sub-Caliber Adapter High-Pressure Fixed Munition (A)* 25-“00”",
"3-12 gauge 20-“00”",
"frangible 26-#1 frangible buckshot buckshot buckshot slugs (1075 (1075 (1075 (1075 Load grains) grains) grains) grains) Muzzle Velocity 1250 1250 1250 1250 (ft/sec) Range (yards) 65 65 65 65 Dispersion As As As As (spread pattern) desired** desired** desired** desired** at 25 yards *Muzzle velocities are based on estimate from penetration rates measured at 10 feet and 30 feet ranges.",
"**Dispersion (spread pattern) is adjustable by restricting the exit bore 55 (choking) of the high-pressure fixed munition.",
"XM576 (P1) 20-#4 buckshot 27-#4 buckshot Load (380 grains) (513 grains) Muzzle Velocity (ft/sec) 885 850 Range (yards) 10 10 Dispersion (spread 36 36 pattern) at 25 yards (Inches in diameter) Sub-Caliber Adapter (P2) Load 3 ½ shell with 12-“00”",
"buckshot Muzzle Velocity (ft/sec) 850 Range (yards) 10 The high-pressure fixed munition A is a more effective munition than either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ).",
"The high-pressure fixed munition A has a higher muzzle velocity than both the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ), even though the high-pressure fixed munition A fires projectile loads that are heavier than those fired in the XM576 (P 1 ) and the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ).",
"The larger pressures that are developed in the high-pressure fixed munition A results in the higher velocities and also provides increased ranges of the projectiles.",
"Furthermore, loads of 18 or 20 pellets of “00”",
"buckshot or 25 pellets of frangible “00”",
"buckshot shot from the high-pressure fixed munition result in a shot pattern of approximately 4″ at 10 feet and 8″ at 30 feet.",
"It is believed that the tight shot pattern is the result of a pressure front that travels in front of the propellant and that surrounds the pellet load as it travels away from the barrel B 1 , B 1 A. The pressure front tends to contain the pellet load in a desirable, tight pattern.",
"Even though the high-pressure fixed munition A develops pressures exit pressures that are 12,000-15,000 psi, the high pressures in combination with the large loads do not create large recoils to the shooter.",
"Instead, it is believed that the large mass of the weapons in which the high-pressure fixed munition A are fired absorbs the energy and resists transferring the recoil inertia back to the shooter.",
"The lack of heavy recoil is an important feature with the high-pressure fixed munition A because it reduces the tendency for a shooter to flinch, in anticipation of a large recoil, thereby losing his or her concentration and accuracy.",
"The length of the barrel C 1 on the M79 (C) ( FIG. 4 ) is 14 inches.",
"The length of the barrel B 1 on the M203 ( FIG. 3 ) is 10 inches.",
"On the M203a (not shown), the length of the barrel is only 8 inches.",
"When either the XM576 (P 1 ) or the sub-caliber adapter (P 2 ) are fired through different length barrels, the performance varies.",
"The resulting spread can change as well as the velocity, range and accuracy.",
"The muzzle velocity, range and accuracy of projectiles fired from the high-pressure fixed munition A are independent of the length of the barrel.",
"It should be appreciated that the invention disclosed herein may also be used in varying sizes of launching systems other than the 40 mm sized systems.",
"Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and claimed, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense."
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a multistage high pressure fracturing system and tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well. In particular, the system enables access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production. The system generally includes an electronic plug counting system, a plug capture system and a valve system wherein dropping a series of plugs down the completion string enables successive capture of individual plugs within individual THVs for subsequent fracturing operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the oil and gas industry, during well completion operations, there is often a need to conduct different operations at various zones within the well in order to enhance production from the well. That is, within a particular well, there may be several zones of economic interest that after drilling and/or casing, the operator may wish to access the well directly and/or open the casing in order to conduct fracturing operations to promote the migration of hydrocarbons from the formation to the well for production.
In the past, there have been a number of techniques that operators have utilized in cased wells to isolate one or more zones of interest to enable access to the formation as well as to conduct fracturing operations. In the simplest situation, a cased well may simply need to be opened at an appropriate location to enable hydrocarbons to flow into the well. In this case, the casing of the well (and any associated cement) may be penetrated at the desired location such that interior of the well casing is exposed to the formation and hydrocarbons can migrate from the formation to the interior of the well.
While this basic technique has been utilized in the past, it has been generally recognized that the complexity of penetrating steel casing/cement at a desired zone is more complicated and more likely to be subject to complications than positioning specialized sections of casing adjacent a zone of interest and then opening that section after the well has been cased. Generally, if a specialized section of casing is positioned adjacent a zone of interest, various techniques can be utilized to effectively open one or more ports in a section of casing without the need to physically cut through the steel casing.
In other situations, particularly if there is a need to fracture one or more zones of the formation, systems and techniques have been developed to isolate particular sections of the well in order to both enable selective opening of specialized ports in the casing and conduct fracturing operations within a single zone.
One such technique is to incorporate packer elements and various specialized pieces equipment into one or more tubing strings, run the tubing string(s) into the well and conduct various hydraulic operations to effect opening of ports within the tubing strings.
Importantly, while these techniques have been effective, there has been a need for systems and methods that minimize the complexity of such systems. That is, any operation involving downhole equipment is expensive in terms of capital/rental cost and time required to complete such operations. Thus, to the extent that the complexity of the equipment can be reduced and/or the time/personnel required to conduct such operations, such systems can provide significant economic advantages to the operator.
In the past, such techniques of isolating sections of a well have included systems that utilize balls within a tubing string to enable successive areas of a tubing string to be isolated. In these systems, a ball is dropped/pumped down the tubing string where it may engage with specialized seats within the string and thereby seal off a lower section of the well from an upper section of the well. In the past, in order to ensure that a lower section is sealed before an upper section, a series of balls having different diameters are dropped down the tubing starting with a smallest diameter ball and progressing uphole with progressively larger balls. Typically, each ball may vary in diameter by ⅛ th of an inch and will engage with a downhole seat sized to engage with a specific diameter ball only. While effective, this system is practically limited by the range in diameters in balls. That is, to enable 16 zones of interest to be isolated, the smallest ball would be 2 inches smaller in diameter compared to the largest ball. As a result, there are practical limitations in the number of zones that can be incorporated into a tubing string which thus limits the number of zones that can be fracturing. As a modern well may wish to conduct up to approximately 40 fracturing operations and possibly more than 40 fractures, current ball drop and capture systems cannot be incorporated into such wells.
Thus, there has been a need for a system that is not limited by the size of the balls being dropped and that can enable a significantly larger number of fracturing windows to be incorporated within a tubing string.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well, to enable access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production, the THV having an internal bore enabling a plug to pass through the THV, the THV comprising: an electronic plug counting system having an uphole end for connection to a completion string and a plug engagement system for engagement with a plug passing through the internal bore, the plug engagement system for counting successive plugs passing through the electronic plug counting system and for triggering a first hydraulic event when a pre-set number of plugs passing through the internal bore is reached; a valved plug capture system operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system, the electronic plug counting system responsive to the first hydraulic event to effect plug capture within the THV when the first hydraulic event is triggered; a valved frac port system operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system and plug capture system, the valved frac port system including a valve responsive to plug capture to open one or more frac ports to enable fluid flow from the internal bore to the exterior of the THV, and a valved plug release system, the plug release system operatively connected to and configured adjacent to the plug capture system and the valved frac port system, such that engagement of the plug release system releases a plug to allow the plug to travel freely either uphole or downhole.
In another embodiment, the system further includes a first hydraulic channel between the electronic plug counting system and the plug capture system and wherein downhole movement of the plug piston opens the first hydraulic channel allowing hydraulic fluid to flow to a plug capture piston within the plug capture system and wherein the plug capture piston is responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first hydraulic channel to cause downhole movement of the plug capture piston.
In one embodiment, downhole movement of the plug capture piston narrows a portion of the internal bore within the plug capture system to prevent a plug from passing through the plug capture system.
In yet another embodiment, the system further includes a plug capture lock operatively connected to the plug capture system, the plug capture lock for engagement with the plug capture piston to prevent full uphole movement of the plug capture piston.
In one embodiment, the system may also include a valve piston and wherein when the plug capture system has retained a plug, the valve piston is exposed to hydraulic fluid within the internal bore to cause downhole movement of the valve system to open a valve.
In another embodiment, the electronic plug counting system includes a processor, a memory element, and power system operatively connected to a plug engagement system and to an electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic channel wherein a plug passing through the internal bore is counted by the processor and when a pre-set number of plugs are counted, the processor opens the electronically actuated solenoid valve or causes the electric motor to engage, thereby triggering the first hydraulic event. In an embodiment, the processor memory element is pre-programmed with the plug count that the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor is intended to be triggered on.
In an embodiment, the memory element can be associated with or connected to the processor and can be configured as non-volatile memory and can be programmed with the plug pass count corresponding to a particular frac stage. In an embodiment, the electronic plug counting system can be configured to count each plug that passes. Then, based on a pre-configured count, the electronic plug counting system can actuate the configured engagement system. The engagement system can be configured as an electronically actuated solenoid valve or as an electric motor based system. Whatever engagement system is configured, it will actuate after the pre-configured count has occurred. In a further embodiment, the programming stored on the memory element associated with the processor can include backup programming such that after a power cycle or other downtime event, the electronic plug counting system can resume operation. Based on the event that occurred, such as a power cycle, the program code that is run may change from what was originally set. Alternatively, the same code can be configured to resume once operation of the electronic plug counting system has been restored. If this is the case, if any plugs were missed, the system would engage on the next plug. In an alternate embodiment, the programming can be configured to take no further actions after a power cycle or other downtime event.
In another embodiment, the plug engagement system includes at least one movable pin in operative engagement with an electrical circuit, wherein engagement of a plug with the at least one pin as the plug passes through the internal bore moves the pin and connects or disconnects the electrical circuit and sends a signal to the processor that a plug has passed. The plug engagement system may include two movable pins spaced apart longitudinally in the internal bore, each pin in operative engagement with an electrical circuit, the two pins enabling the processor to determine the direction a plug has moved in the internal bore. The two pins may be spaced apart longitudinally to enable a passing plug to disengage one of the pins before engaging the other pin. The two pins may be out of phase with each other along the internal bore.
In another embodiment, another sensor type can be configured to count plugs that pass by the system. The configured sensor types can include acoustic sensors, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, radar based sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, or laser based sensors, each of which can be configured to detect a “count” when a plug or frac ball passes by.
In an embodiment, multiple sensors and/or sensors of different types can be configured at the same time to ensure that accurate plug counts are achieved. Alternatively, multiple plug counting systems can be configured and the counts from each system can be compared before triggering the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor to engage the valved plug and/or ball capture systems.
Further, the memory element can include programming to direct the behavior of the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor after actuation or after a plug and/or ball capture event has occurred. For example, the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor can be configured to cycle at a pre-programmed time interval or upon the occurrence of another event. Another event can include, for example, if another plug and/or frac ball was observed by the electronic plug counting system. In this embodiment, upon the observation of the plug and/or frac ball, the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor can cycle to initiate another change in the system, such as the closing of the electronically actuated solenoid valve or alternatively the actuation of another configured electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor.
In a further embodiment, the time between the processor determining the pre-set number of plugs have been counted and the triggering of the first hydraulic event is programmable.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a tubular hydraulic valve system for connection to a tubing string to isolate a zone of interest within a well, to access a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production, the tubular hydraulic valve system comprising: an outer sleeve having uphole and downhole connectors for attaching the tubular hydraulic valve system to a tubing string, the outer sleeve containing: an electronic plug counting system within the outer sleeve, in an embodiment, the electronic plug counting system having: at least one plug interaction surface for detecting the movement of a plug past the electronic plug counting system or another sensor for detecting the movement of a plug past the electronic plug counting system; and, a hydraulic activation system operable to activate a plug capture system when a pre-set number of plugs have moved past the electronic plug counting system; wherein the plug capture system is operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system and is responsive to the hydraulic activation system to activate a plug retention surface and thereby retain a plug within the plug capture system and seal the downhole section of the tubing string from the uphole section of the tubing string at the plug; and, a valve system operatively connected to the plug capture system, the valve system including a valve operatively connected to at least one opening in the outer sleeve and wherein the valve system is responsive to a hydraulic fluid pressure to open the valve when a plug is retained in the plug capture system.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method for activating a hydraulic valve in a completion string having a plurality of tubular hydraulic valves (THV) as in claim 1 and corresponding packer elements incorporated therein, comprising the steps of: a) pressurizing the completion string to a first pressure to set the packer elements within the well; b) increasing the pressure within the completion string to a second pressure level sufficient to effect rupture of a first shear pin within a THV; c) dropping a plug into the completion string, the plug for successive engagement with electronic plug counting systems within each THV and wherein if engagement of a plug with a THV triggers a first hydraulic event, the first shear pin ruptures to effect plug capture within the THV and valve opening; and d) increasing the pressure within the completion string to a third pressure level to effect well fracturing.
In one embodiment, each of steps b)-d) are repeated for each THV within the completion string.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a deployed casing or completion tubing string incorporating several multi-stage fracturing devices in accordance with the invention together with corresponding packer elements.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-stage fracturing device (MFD) showing the general position of an electronic counting and valve actuation system, a valved ball-capture system and a valved ball release capture system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3A-3C are a sequence of cross-sectional views of an MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing a ball in an uphole position.
FIGS. 4A-4E are a sequence of cross-sectional views of an MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing a ball in a captured position.
FIGS. 5A-5C are cross-sectional drawings of an MFD showing a valve sleeve in an open position.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electronic ball counting system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 7A-7E are cross-sectional views of an uphole portion of an MFD having an electronic counting system illustrating a sequence of a ball moving through the MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7A illustrates the ball shortly after it enters the MFD. FIG. 7B illustrates the ball depressing a first pin of the electronic counting system. FIG. 7C illustrates the ball after it has passed the first pin but before it contacts a second pin. FIG. 7D illustrates the ball depressing the second pin. FIG. 7E illustrates the ball after it has passed the second pin.
FIG. 8A is cross-sectional view of an uphole portion of an MFD having an electronic counting system showing a two pin system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8B is a continuation of the MFD of FIG. 8A illustrating a cross-sectional view of a middle portion of the MFD having an electronic counting system showing a solenoid valve system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 9A-9B are a sequence of cross-sectional views illustrating a ball capture system of an MFD in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 10A-10B are a sequence of side perspective views illustrating a ball capture system of an MFD in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the figures, a multistage fracturing device (MFD) or tubular hydraulic valve (THV) 10 and methods of operating a MFD or THV are described.
For the purposes of description herein, the MFD or THV 10 includes a plurality of sub-systems that may be configured to a casing or completion tubing string 20 together with appropriate packer elements 10 a to enable the isolation of particular zones within a formation 8 a as shown in FIG. 1 . In the context of this description a casing or completion string are synonymous and are referred to hereafter as a completion string. The combination of MFDs 10 and packer elements 10 a on a completion tubing string 20 enable fracturing operations to be conducted within a formation 8 a within a well 8 .
It should also be noted that the system may be utilized without packer elements in situations for example where the completion string is cemented in place. While the following description assumes the use of packer elements 10 a, this is not intended to be limiting.
As described in detail below, the MFD includes generally includes an electronic ball counting and valve actuation sub-system 12 , a valved ball-capture sub-system 14 and a valved ball release sub-system 16 as shown schematically in FIG. 2 .
It should be noted that the description utilizes various terms interchangeably with other terms for the purposes of functional description and/or to represent examples of specific embodiments. Importantly, the use of one term as compared to another is not intended to be limiting with regards to the scope of interpretation by those skilled in the art. For example, the description refers to the system as a multistage fracturing device (MFD) which is synonymous to a tubular hydraulic valve (THV) as well as to a “ball” or “plug” where a ball is but one example of a plug.
Operational Overview
With reference to FIG. 1 , a number of MFDs 10 are connected to a completion tubing string 20 between packer elements 10 a at positions that correspond to zones of interest (formations) 8 a within the well. Generally, after placement of the completion tubing string 20 within the well 8 , the assembled system can be pressurized at surface 6 through wellhead equipment 6 a to cause the packer elements 10 a to seal against the well 8 . After circulation has been established in the well, balls 18 are released at surface 6 within the completion tubing string that fall and/or are pumped through the completion tubing string to successively engage with each MFD 10 . Each MFD 10 within the string has been pre-configured to “count” each time a ball passes by the MFD and to trigger the capture of the ball 18 when the pre-determined count number is achieved. At the pre-determined count number (eg. 1-40), a specific MFD 10 will capture the ball 18 (see lowermost MFD 10 in FIG. 1 ). When a ball 18 is captured, the ball 18 seals the interior of the completion tubing from the lower regions of the completion tubing string such that additional hydraulic events can be initiated to open a valve within the MFD. That is, when the ball has been captured and a valve in the MFD 10 is opened a fracturing operation can be completed within a zone of interest 8 a adjacent that MFD 10 .
After a zone 8 a has been fractured, further balls are successively introduced into the completion tubing to enable successive MFDs to be opened and fracturing operations to be completed within other zones. As a result, each of the zones of interest within the well 8 can be successively fractured. The balls may be designed such that over a period of time, typically a few days, the ball will at least partially dissolve such that its diameter is eroded and it will fall to the bottom of the well. Thus, after all fracturing operations have been completed all the zones of the well are then opened to the interior of the completion tubing to enable production of the well through the completion tubing.
The lowermost zone of the completion string may not require an MFD 10 . A simple hydraulic valve that opens on pressure can be utilized at the lowermost zone (not shown) to initially establish circulation and to enable fracturing of the lowermost zone.
As shown in FIG. 2 , each MFD 10 is generally described as having three main sub-systems including an electronic counting and valve actuation sub-system 12 at the uphole end of the MFD 10 , a valved ball capture sub-system 14 and a valved ball release system 16 . During surface preparation of the completion tubing string, the counting system of each MFD is set to count a specific or pre-set number of balls where, for example, the lowermost MFD within the string will count 1 and the uppermost MFD with count n (where n is typically between 1 and 40). In operation, if the counting system 12 records that the pre-set number has not been reached, then the ball will pass through the MFD 10 and continue to travel downhole. If an MFD 10 records that the pre-set number has been reached, the counting system 12 will trigger the ball capture system 14 to capture the ball to prevent further downhole travel. The action of capturing the ball will then enable a valve within the valve system 16 to open. By way of example, the lowermost MFD would be set to count 1 ball whereas an uppermost MFD within a string of 10 MFDs would be set to count 10 balls.
The operation and components of each of the sub-systems is described in greater detail below where FIG. 3A generally shows the uphole components of the MFD that enable connection to a tubing string via connector 30 a and also components of the counting system, FIG. 3B shows components of the counting system and ball capture system, FIG. 3C shows details of the valved ball release sub-system. FIGS. 3A-3C generally show the system in a counting configuration that allows a ball entering the MFD to be counted. The figures are side cross-sections of the MFD. FIGS. 4A-4E generally show the sub-systems after a ball has been captured.
Electronic Counting System 12
As shown in FIG. 3A , the upper section of an MFD is shown with a ball 18 uphole of the electronic counting system 12 . FIG. 3B shows a counting system 12 having an electronic counting system that successively counts balls 18 progressing through the electronic counting system 12 .
The action of the electronic counting system 12 engaging the electronically actuated solenoid or electric motor (depending on the embodiment) will open a pathway for fluid being pumped downhole to actuate the valved ball capture sub-system 14 . More particularly, the electronically actuated solenoid or electric motor will open a channel (not shown), through which fluid will flow in the direction of frac piston 62 , of the valved ball capture sub-system 14 . As described in more detail below, the fluid flowing through said channel will cause the configuration of the valved ball capture sub-system 14 to change such that it can now capture the frac plug and/or ball 18 .
In an embodiment, a further hydraulic channel can be configured such that it is contained within valve sleeve and allows hydraulic fluid to by-pass the valved ball capture system 14 to the ball release system 16 .
Ball Capture System 14
The valved ball capture sub-system 14 includes a frac piston 62 . FIG. 3B shows the frac piston 62 in the closed position, before the ball seat has been set or a ball has been captured. FIG. 4B shows the frac piston 62 after a ball has been captured. FIG. 5B shows the frac piston 62 after the ball has been released.
In one embodiment, the ball capture system 14 generally includes a collet ball seat 60 having collet ball seat fingers 60 a. The collet ball seat 60 is operatively connected to frac piston 62 .
As explained in greater detail below and shown in FIG. 4B , as the frac piston 62 moves downhole, the collet ball seat 60 also moves downhole until it makes contact with inner wedge surface 66 a. At that point, the collet ball seat fingers 60 a move axially inward to a position that collectively define a ball retaining lip that will prevent passage of a ball 18 past the collet ball seat 60 . In one embodiment, the collet ball seat fingers 60 a have an outer wedge surface 60 b that will engage with inner wedge surface 66 a to facilitate positive inward movement of the collet ball seat fingers 60 a ( FIG. 4B ).
In operation, as described above, the hydraulic fluid pressurizes pressure chamber 62 a uphole of frac piston 62 . Chamber pressurization causes shear pins 62 b to shear, enabling downhole movement of the frac piston and the inward movement of the collet ball seat fingers 60 a ( FIG. 4B ). It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any discussion herein relating to shear pins should also encompass the use of shear rings or other comparable structures.
If a ball has not been captured within the ball capture system, maintaining or increasing the pressure within the tubing string does not enable the frac piston 62 to move and cause premature opening of hydraulic ports 67 in a zone where a ball has not been captured. More specifically, this is prevented in a non-triggered MFD because hydraulic fluid cannot flow into chamber 62 a.
After a ball has been retained in the collet ball seat 60 , increasing the pressure within the completion tubing will result in additional pressurization against the uphole surface of the frac piston 62 . The frac piston is retained against the main outer housing 42 by shear pin(s) 62 b. When a threshold pressure is exerted on frac piston 62 , shear pin(s) 62 b will shear, thereby allowing frac piston 62 to move in a downhole direction, thus causing the formation of a ball seat, as discussed above. Further downhole movement at that point is prevented by shear pin(s) 94 b, as reflected in FIG. 4C .
As a result, as the electronic ball count system 12 causes activation of the ball capture system 14 at the correct pre-set number, a ball 18 is retained within the collet ball seat, thus sealing off positions downhole of the ball. At that point, due to the seal created by ball 18 , pressure will increase uphole from the ball seat. Once that increasing pressure has reached a threshold level, shear pin(s) 94 b will shear (as shown in FIG. 4E ), thus allowing frac piston 62 to move further downhole. This downhole movement of frac piston 62 exposes hydraulic ports 67 (as shown in FIG. 4D ), thus permitting fluid to be discharged from the interior of the completion string for the purpose of fracturing the surrounding formation.
In an embodiment, the ball can be retained by alternate configurations of a collet ball seat other than that shown in the figures. For example, the collet ball seat can have more or less collet ball seat fingers than those that are shown configured. The fingers can also differ in shape, structure, and material makeup from those shown in the Figures.
In other embodiments, ball capture system 14 may use configurations other than collet fingers, as described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , a ball seat may be formed by a metal tube 110 that is operatively connected to frac piston 62 . In this embodiment, the metal tube 110 is generally cylindrical prior to the movement of frac piston 62 . Metal tube 62 also has a notch cut out in the trailing (downhole) edge, as shown in FIG. 9A . When frac piston 62 moves downhole due to the increased pressure in chamber 62 a, the trailing edge of metal tube 110 a will contact inner wedge surface 66 a. At that point, due to the material that has been removed, the trailing edge of metal tube 110 a will begin to move axially inward, thus restricting the inner diameter of the MFD. When frac piston 62 has stopped moving, metal tube 110 will have become generally frustoconical in shape, as shown in FIG. 9B . The dimensions of metal tube 110 can easily be calculated such that, at the point shown in FIG. 9B , the inner diameter of the MFD has been restricted sufficiently to catch the ball that triggered the electronic counting system. At that point, the operation of the MFD will be substantially as described above in connection with the collet finger embodiment.
The same concept could be embodied by virtually any mechanical structure that constricts its inner diameter as it moves axially downward through the inner bore of the MFD. Such structures could include a cylindrical metal tube that would buckle inward when compressed, possibly by cutting axial slots in the middle of the tube which would cause it to bias inward.
In other embodiments, the ball seat could be formed via rotation, rather than compression. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B , the seat could be formed using a collet 124 , collet ramp 126 , and piston assembly 122 . In this embodiment, collet ramp 126 is able to rotate, while collet 124 and piston 122 are not. Collet 124 has ramps machined into its front face and collet ramp 126 has matching ramps machined into its opposite face, as well as a helical keyway 128 machined into its outer diameter. Piston assembly 122 has a round key 130 that engages the helical keyway 128 of collet ramp 126 . When the electrically actuated solenoid or electric motor of electronic counting system 12 is triggered (as discussed above), this drives the piston to one side, which causes key 130 of piston 122 to engage keyway 128 of collet ramp 126 , thus causing collet ramp 126 to rotate. That rotation drives the mating surfaces of the collet 124 and collet ramp 126 together, which will cause the collet 124 to close, thus forming a ball seat.
Other rotational embodiments are certainly possible beyond that illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B . For example, a cylindrical tube could be buckled inward using rotation, perhaps using axial slots (as mentioned above).
Valved Ball-Release Sub-System 16
In an embodiment and as illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3C , The ball capture sub-system and the valved ball release sub-system 16 are surrounded by the pressure chamber 62 a, the outer wall and surface facing wall of which is formed by the main outer housing 42 .
In an embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 3C , the ball release sub-system 16 , can be configured to include one or more dissolving seals 88 that sit inset between the return piston 80 and the main inner housing 90 . In an embodiment, once frac piston 62 has sheared shear pin(s) 94 b, one or more dissolving seals 88 will dissolve, causing chamber 92 to fill with fluid which moves piston 80 in an uphole direction. Piston 80 will engage and exert force upon frac piston 62 . That force will move frac piston 62 in an uphole direction, thus disengaging outer collet ball seat fingers 60 a from wedge surface 60 b and unsetting the ball seat.
Upon completion of a fracturing operation within a particular zone and the partial relaxation of pressure, the process is repeated by dropping a further ball which based on the pre-set counter setting of the immediately adjacent uphole MFD 10 will capture the further ball at that uphole position. The process is repeated for each of the MFDs present in the completion tubing string.
After completion of the fracturing operations, it is important that the balls are all released to fall to the bottom of the well or flow to the surface, thus ensuring that the entire string is opened to the formation at all zones.
As known, the balls can be dissolvable such that over a period of few days, the outer surface of the ball will erode such that it will fall from the collet ball seat arms 60 a.
Other Design Considerations and Aspects of the System
The electronic counting system 12 will typically enable 1-40 or even more zones to be individually isolated for treatment. In order to ensure a proper pre-set number, as the completion tubing string is being assembled at surface, each MFD 10 will be set to trigger based on the intended MFD position in the well. That is, if the string includes 10 MFDs, the lowermost MFD will trigger with the first ball and uppermost MFD will trigger with the 10th ball. Thus, in an embodiment, each electronic counting system 12 will have its electronically actuated valve set to trigger on a pre-determined and pre-programmed ball count.
In an alternative embodiment, multiple MFDs can be configured to open at approximately the same time. This configuration may be referred to as a “cluster sleeve.” In a cluster sleeve configuration, one MFD is used that operates substantially as described above. This MFD may be referred as the lowermost MFD. Uphole from the lowermost MFD, one or more MFDs are used with certain variations from the structure and operation described above. These MFDs may be referred to as the modified MFDs. The modified MFDs do not include collet ball seat 60 (or collet ball seat fingers 60 a ). In one embodiment of a cluster sleeve configuration, the modified MFDs also do not include shear pin(s) 94 b, or only a reduced number and/or strength of shear pin(s) 94 b.
In a cluster sleeve configuration, the lowermost MFD and modified MFDs are set such that the electronic counting system 12 of each MFD is configured to be triggered by the same ball. For example, if the electronic counting system of the lowermost MFD is configured to be activated after the tenth ball has been counted, then the electronic counting systems of the modified MFDs will also be activated after they have counted the tenth ball.
Because the modified MFDs do not include collet ball seat 60 , even after the electronic counting system has been activated, the ball will not be captured by any of the modified MFDs. Instead, the ball will continue downhole, where it will be captured by the lowermost MFD after being counted by the electronic counting system of the lowermost MFD. Once the ball is captured, the lowermost MFD will operate substantially as described above.
In the cluster sleeve configuration where the modified MFDs have no (or fewer and/or weaker) shear pin(s) 94 b, even though a ball has not been captured, hydraulic ports 67 in the modified MFDs will open shortly after the electronic counting system 12 has been activated. This is due to the relative absence of shear pin(s) 94 b within the modified MFDs.
In the cluster sleeve configuration where the modified MFDs do include approximately the same number and strength of shear pin(s) 94 b as the lowermost MFD, hydraulic ports 67 in the modified MFDs will not open until a ball has been captured in the lowermost MFD and pressure has increased to the point that shear pin(s) 94 b will shear. Thus, in this embodiment, hydraulic ports 67 would open in all of the MFDs—both the modified MFDs and the lowermost MFD—at approximately the same time.
In either embodiment of the cluster sleeve configuration, once the electronic counting system 12 within each MFD has counted the preset number of balls, the lowermost MFD has captured a ball, and the pressure within the lowermost MFD has increased the point that shear pin(s) 94 b have been sheared and hydraulic ports 67 have been opened in the lowermost MFD, hydraulic ports 67 will be open in every MFD within the cluster sleeve configuration at the same time.
As a result, when pressure is further increased to the level desired for hydraulic fracturing operations, fluid will be discharged from hydraulic ports 67 of every MFD in the cluster sleeve configuration at approximately the same time. In this way, any number of different stages can be treated simultaneously. For example, if a cluster sleeve configuration included a lowermost MFD and three modified MFDs, four stages would be fractured at the same time.
Additional Embodiments of Electronic Counting System
In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 , the counting system incorporates an electronic counting system 100 . In this embodiment, the system includes a processor and power system 100 a operatively connected to a pin system 100 b and solenoid valve and/or electric motor 100 c. In this embodiment, as a ball 18 moves past the pin system 100 b, the processor 100 a counts the number of balls that have passed. When the processor has counted a pre-set number of balls, the processor 100 a activates a solenoid valve 100 c to enable hydraulic fluid to flow through a hydraulic channel 100 d into space 40 to engage against piston 100 d and activate the ball capture system as described above. Hydraulic fluid enters space 40 through port 36 .
In an embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C 4 A- 4 C, 6 , and 8 A- 8 B, there is an MFD 10 containing an electronic counting system 100 . In an embodiment, the electronic counting system includes a first and second pin 70 , 72 that are spaced apart from each other in the inner bore along the longitudinal axis. The first and second pins are independently movable to contact a first and second electrical circuit, respectively, to close or complete the electrical circuits. A first and second biasing means 78 , 80 bias the pins in a first position wherein the electrical circuits are complete. As a ball moves past one of the pins and contacts the pin, the pin is moved to a second position wherein the electrical circuit is open or incomplete. After the ball completely passes the pin, the biasing means causes the pin to return to the first position. Alternatively, in the first position the electrical circuit is in the incomplete or open position, and in the second position the electrical circuit is closed when the ball is in contact with the pin.
In an embodiment, the electronic counting system 12 can be configured with only one counting pin or alternatively with a larger number of pins than two if desired. Multiple pins can be configured for more accurate counting or in the event that one or more pins are damaged, the other pins can then still determined a reliable count. Alternatively, as mentioned above, other sensors can be configured and a combination of sensors can be configured, including multiple of the same sensor when desired. The counts from the various sensor types and/or same sensor types can then be compared by the processor which can either use a voting system of comparison or another method depending on what program is optimal for a given downhole environment and system.
In an embodiment, the first and second pin are preferably out of phase (not in line) with each other along the inner bore, and preferably are phased at 180 degrees from each other. While the first and second pin may be in phase/in line with each other, having them out of phase provides more even wear on the balls as they pass by the pins and provides room in the tool for the biasing means and other parts related to the electronic counting system.
In an embodiment where two pins are configured, FIGS. 7A to 7E illustrate close up views of the sequence of a ball moving past the two pins. In this embodiment, the first and second pins are biased in a first position in contact with a first and second ring or element 74 , 76 to close the first and second electrical circuits, respectively. The biasing elements 78 , 80 are illustrated as beam springs fastened to the inner housing 30 by fastening means 82 . When a ball 18 passes one of the pins, it pushes the pin out away from the ring or element 74 , 76 into an open position to disconnect one of the electrical circuits. FIG. 7B illustrates a ball passing by the first pin 70 and pushing the pin out into an open position. FIG. 7D illustrates the ball passing by the second pin 72 and pushing the pin out into the open position. FIG. 7C illustrates the ball after it has fully passed by the first pin 70 but before it contacts the second pin 72 , wherein both pins are in the closed position. The pins are spaced apart enough to allow the first pin to close after the ball has passed by before the second pin is opened. FIG. 7E illustrates the ball after it has passed by both pins.
In another embodiment, rather than first and second pins that are spaced axially apart, the electronic counting system utilizes two pairs of pins. For each pair, both pins are located at the same axial location along the inner bore of the main internal housing and, similar to the embodiment described above, the pairs of pins are axially spaced apart far enough to allow the first pair of pins to close after the ball has passed through before the second pair of pins is opened. The pins may also be circumferentially spaced apart around the inner bore of the main internal housing. For example, the first pair of pins may be located at 0° and 180° respectively, while the second pair may be located at 90° and 270°. Other similar embodiments are possible, including designs that use more than two pins at each axial location, pins located at more than two separate axial locations, or a different number of pins at one axial location versus another.
This alternative embodiment utilizing two pairs of pins is useful to reduce the likelihood that the electronic counting system will count objects other than balls or other devices designed to induce a count. For example, if coiled tubing is inserted into the well, an electronic counting system utilizing only a single pin at each axial location could inaccurately count the coiled tubing as a ball, in the event that the coiled tubing contacted the single pins, thus causing the first and second electrical circuits to open (or close). Utilizing pairs of pins as described in the preceding paragraph should ensure that the electronic counting system will only count balls or other specially designed tools or devices that have the same approximate diameter as the inner bore of the main internal housing.
When either the first or second electrical circuit open or close, a signal is passed (via wires or wirelessly) to a solenoid processor in the tool using electrical pins. In one embodiment, when a signal is passed to the processor that the first electrical circuit has opened then closed, followed shortly by the second electrical circuit opening and closing, the processor interprets this as a ball passing downhole. Alternatively, if the pins are biased in the open position, the signal to determine that a ball has passed downhole may be the first electrical circuit followed by the second electrical circuit closing then opening. The processor keeps a count number for the passing balls. Upon reaching a pre-determined count number, the processor signals a solenoid valve assembly to open, allowing fluid to enter a cavity, thereby setting the tool to capture a ball which, as with the non-electronic system described above, allows a valve in the MFD to be opened to allow fracturing operations to occur. The electronic counting system may include more than one solenoid valve assembly for redundancy and to enable the setting process to occur faster. It may be preferable to isolate the pins of the electronic counting system from the fluid that is used for hydraulic fracturing. For example, the pins may be located in an annular space that is filled with oil and isolated from the fracturing fluid using a diaphragm or other sealing device. Isolating the pins may avoid excessive current leakage if the pins are surrounded by the water that makes up a large portion of the fracturing fluid.
Referring to FIG. 8A , the tool may also include one or more ports or plugs 90 which provide access to the electronics of the counting system for programming the counting system. The tool preferably also contains a power source for the electronic counting system, such as one or more batteries (not shown).
The electronic counter system is not limited to a maximum number of ball counts and therefore has no limit on the number of fracturing stages that the MFD can be used for. The response time after a ball has passed the pins to the setting of the setting of the solenoid valve system can also be programmed as desired. This is particularly useful when it is desired to open more than one MFD with a single ball to simultaneously fracture more than one zone of interest. For example, the time between a ball passing an upper MFD and the setting of the upper MFD solenoid valve system can be delayed enough to allow the ball to pass through without being captured, after which the MFD is set. When the ball is captured by a lower MFD and pressure is applied downhole, both the upper and lower MFD will open, allowing fracturing to occur simultaneously in the zones adjacent both the upper and lower MFD.
Additionally, the electronic counter system can distinguish between a ball flowing downhole and ball flowing uphole. This is particularly useful when the direction of flow in a wellbore must be reversed due to a screen out (flow suddenly stopping in the wellbore) or the fracture failing to initiate. In both cases, the well is “opened up” and allowed to flow in the reverse direction back to the surface. After the desired amount of time, the flow direction is changed again to flow downhole in an attempt to start or restart the fracturing process. When flow is reversed, the balls often flow uphole with the fluid, passing the counting system in a reverse direction. The counting system will know a ball has moved uphole since the second pin will be triggered before the first pin. The processor may be programmed to not count an uphole flowing ball, or to count it as a negative. That is, when the ball moves downhole past the two pins it is counted as one, when the ball flows back uphole past the two pins, the count returns to zero, and when the ball moves back downhole past the two pins, it is again counted as one. This ensures that the count number is accurate despite the occurrence of reverse flow in the wellbore.
Pressurization
After setting the packers and prior to dropping a first ball for a MFD, well bore circulation may have to be established by increasing pressure (perhaps up to 3000 psi or more) to hydraulically shift open an annular communication device in the toe of the well. Once circulation is established, a series of balls may be dropped until one of them is captured by the MFD. Once a ball has been captured, pressure will increase until the hydraulic ports open, which may be in the range of 2500-4500 psi, depending on the shear pin configuration. Once the hydraulic ports in the MFD have opened, fracturing will typically occur in the range of 4000-10,000 psi.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art. | The invention relates to a multistage high pressure fracturing system and tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well. In particular, the system enables access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production. The system generally includes an electronic plug counting system, a plug capture system and a valve system wherein dropping a series of plugs down the completion string enables successive capture of individual plugs within individual THVs for subsequent fracturing operations. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a multistage high pressure fracturing system and tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well.",
"In particular, the system enables access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production.",
"The system generally includes an electronic plug counting system, a plug capture system and a valve system wherein dropping a series of plugs down the completion string enables successive capture of individual plugs within individual THVs for subsequent fracturing operations.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the oil and gas industry, during well completion operations, there is often a need to conduct different operations at various zones within the well in order to enhance production from the well.",
"That is, within a particular well, there may be several zones of economic interest that after drilling and/or casing, the operator may wish to access the well directly and/or open the casing in order to conduct fracturing operations to promote the migration of hydrocarbons from the formation to the well for production.",
"In the past, there have been a number of techniques that operators have utilized in cased wells to isolate one or more zones of interest to enable access to the formation as well as to conduct fracturing operations.",
"In the simplest situation, a cased well may simply need to be opened at an appropriate location to enable hydrocarbons to flow into the well.",
"In this case, the casing of the well (and any associated cement) may be penetrated at the desired location such that interior of the well casing is exposed to the formation and hydrocarbons can migrate from the formation to the interior of the well.",
"While this basic technique has been utilized in the past, it has been generally recognized that the complexity of penetrating steel casing/cement at a desired zone is more complicated and more likely to be subject to complications than positioning specialized sections of casing adjacent a zone of interest and then opening that section after the well has been cased.",
"Generally, if a specialized section of casing is positioned adjacent a zone of interest, various techniques can be utilized to effectively open one or more ports in a section of casing without the need to physically cut through the steel casing.",
"In other situations, particularly if there is a need to fracture one or more zones of the formation, systems and techniques have been developed to isolate particular sections of the well in order to both enable selective opening of specialized ports in the casing and conduct fracturing operations within a single zone.",
"One such technique is to incorporate packer elements and various specialized pieces equipment into one or more tubing strings, run the tubing string(s) into the well and conduct various hydraulic operations to effect opening of ports within the tubing strings.",
"Importantly, while these techniques have been effective, there has been a need for systems and methods that minimize the complexity of such systems.",
"That is, any operation involving downhole equipment is expensive in terms of capital/rental cost and time required to complete such operations.",
"Thus, to the extent that the complexity of the equipment can be reduced and/or the time/personnel required to conduct such operations, such systems can provide significant economic advantages to the operator.",
"In the past, such techniques of isolating sections of a well have included systems that utilize balls within a tubing string to enable successive areas of a tubing string to be isolated.",
"In these systems, a ball is dropped/pumped down the tubing string where it may engage with specialized seats within the string and thereby seal off a lower section of the well from an upper section of the well.",
"In the past, in order to ensure that a lower section is sealed before an upper section, a series of balls having different diameters are dropped down the tubing starting with a smallest diameter ball and progressing uphole with progressively larger balls.",
"Typically, each ball may vary in diameter by ⅛ th of an inch and will engage with a downhole seat sized to engage with a specific diameter ball only.",
"While effective, this system is practically limited by the range in diameters in balls.",
"That is, to enable 16 zones of interest to be isolated, the smallest ball would be 2 inches smaller in diameter compared to the largest ball.",
"As a result, there are practical limitations in the number of zones that can be incorporated into a tubing string which thus limits the number of zones that can be fracturing.",
"As a modern well may wish to conduct up to approximately 40 fracturing operations and possibly more than 40 fractures, current ball drop and capture systems cannot be incorporated into such wells.",
"Thus, there has been a need for a system that is not limited by the size of the balls being dropped and that can enable a significantly larger number of fracturing windows to be incorporated within a tubing string.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well, to enable access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production, the THV having an internal bore enabling a plug to pass through the THV, the THV comprising: an electronic plug counting system having an uphole end for connection to a completion string and a plug engagement system for engagement with a plug passing through the internal bore, the plug engagement system for counting successive plugs passing through the electronic plug counting system and for triggering a first hydraulic event when a pre-set number of plugs passing through the internal bore is reached;",
"a valved plug capture system operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system, the electronic plug counting system responsive to the first hydraulic event to effect plug capture within the THV when the first hydraulic event is triggered;",
"a valved frac port system operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system and plug capture system, the valved frac port system including a valve responsive to plug capture to open one or more frac ports to enable fluid flow from the internal bore to the exterior of the THV, and a valved plug release system, the plug release system operatively connected to and configured adjacent to the plug capture system and the valved frac port system, such that engagement of the plug release system releases a plug to allow the plug to travel freely either uphole or downhole.",
"In another embodiment, the system further includes a first hydraulic channel between the electronic plug counting system and the plug capture system and wherein downhole movement of the plug piston opens the first hydraulic channel allowing hydraulic fluid to flow to a plug capture piston within the plug capture system and wherein the plug capture piston is responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first hydraulic channel to cause downhole movement of the plug capture piston.",
"In one embodiment, downhole movement of the plug capture piston narrows a portion of the internal bore within the plug capture system to prevent a plug from passing through the plug capture system.",
"In yet another embodiment, the system further includes a plug capture lock operatively connected to the plug capture system, the plug capture lock for engagement with the plug capture piston to prevent full uphole movement of the plug capture piston.",
"In one embodiment, the system may also include a valve piston and wherein when the plug capture system has retained a plug, the valve piston is exposed to hydraulic fluid within the internal bore to cause downhole movement of the valve system to open a valve.",
"In another embodiment, the electronic plug counting system includes a processor, a memory element, and power system operatively connected to a plug engagement system and to an electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic channel wherein a plug passing through the internal bore is counted by the processor and when a pre-set number of plugs are counted, the processor opens the electronically actuated solenoid valve or causes the electric motor to engage, thereby triggering the first hydraulic event.",
"In an embodiment, the processor memory element is pre-programmed with the plug count that the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor is intended to be triggered on.",
"In an embodiment, the memory element can be associated with or connected to the processor and can be configured as non-volatile memory and can be programmed with the plug pass count corresponding to a particular frac stage.",
"In an embodiment, the electronic plug counting system can be configured to count each plug that passes.",
"Then, based on a pre-configured count, the electronic plug counting system can actuate the configured engagement system.",
"The engagement system can be configured as an electronically actuated solenoid valve or as an electric motor based system.",
"Whatever engagement system is configured, it will actuate after the pre-configured count has occurred.",
"In a further embodiment, the programming stored on the memory element associated with the processor can include backup programming such that after a power cycle or other downtime event, the electronic plug counting system can resume operation.",
"Based on the event that occurred, such as a power cycle, the program code that is run may change from what was originally set.",
"Alternatively, the same code can be configured to resume once operation of the electronic plug counting system has been restored.",
"If this is the case, if any plugs were missed, the system would engage on the next plug.",
"In an alternate embodiment, the programming can be configured to take no further actions after a power cycle or other downtime event.",
"In another embodiment, the plug engagement system includes at least one movable pin in operative engagement with an electrical circuit, wherein engagement of a plug with the at least one pin as the plug passes through the internal bore moves the pin and connects or disconnects the electrical circuit and sends a signal to the processor that a plug has passed.",
"The plug engagement system may include two movable pins spaced apart longitudinally in the internal bore, each pin in operative engagement with an electrical circuit, the two pins enabling the processor to determine the direction a plug has moved in the internal bore.",
"The two pins may be spaced apart longitudinally to enable a passing plug to disengage one of the pins before engaging the other pin.",
"The two pins may be out of phase with each other along the internal bore.",
"In another embodiment, another sensor type can be configured to count plugs that pass by the system.",
"The configured sensor types can include acoustic sensors, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, radar based sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, or laser based sensors, each of which can be configured to detect a “count”",
"when a plug or frac ball passes by.",
"In an embodiment, multiple sensors and/or sensors of different types can be configured at the same time to ensure that accurate plug counts are achieved.",
"Alternatively, multiple plug counting systems can be configured and the counts from each system can be compared before triggering the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor to engage the valved plug and/or ball capture systems.",
"Further, the memory element can include programming to direct the behavior of the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor after actuation or after a plug and/or ball capture event has occurred.",
"For example, the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor can be configured to cycle at a pre-programmed time interval or upon the occurrence of another event.",
"Another event can include, for example, if another plug and/or frac ball was observed by the electronic plug counting system.",
"In this embodiment, upon the observation of the plug and/or frac ball, the electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor can cycle to initiate another change in the system, such as the closing of the electronically actuated solenoid valve or alternatively the actuation of another configured electronically actuated solenoid valve or electric motor.",
"In a further embodiment, the time between the processor determining the pre-set number of plugs have been counted and the triggering of the first hydraulic event is programmable.",
"In another embodiment, the invention provides a tubular hydraulic valve system for connection to a tubing string to isolate a zone of interest within a well, to access a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production, the tubular hydraulic valve system comprising: an outer sleeve having uphole and downhole connectors for attaching the tubular hydraulic valve system to a tubing string, the outer sleeve containing: an electronic plug counting system within the outer sleeve, in an embodiment, the electronic plug counting system having: at least one plug interaction surface for detecting the movement of a plug past the electronic plug counting system or another sensor for detecting the movement of a plug past the electronic plug counting system;",
"and, a hydraulic activation system operable to activate a plug capture system when a pre-set number of plugs have moved past the electronic plug counting system;",
"wherein the plug capture system is operatively connected to the electronic plug counting system and is responsive to the hydraulic activation system to activate a plug retention surface and thereby retain a plug within the plug capture system and seal the downhole section of the tubing string from the uphole section of the tubing string at the plug;",
"and, a valve system operatively connected to the plug capture system, the valve system including a valve operatively connected to at least one opening in the outer sleeve and wherein the valve system is responsive to a hydraulic fluid pressure to open the valve when a plug is retained in the plug capture system.",
"In another aspect, the invention provides a method for activating a hydraulic valve in a completion string having a plurality of tubular hydraulic valves (THV) as in claim 1 and corresponding packer elements incorporated therein, comprising the steps of: a) pressurizing the completion string to a first pressure to set the packer elements within the well;",
"b) increasing the pressure within the completion string to a second pressure level sufficient to effect rupture of a first shear pin within a THV;",
"c) dropping a plug into the completion string, the plug for successive engagement with electronic plug counting systems within each THV and wherein if engagement of a plug with a THV triggers a first hydraulic event, the first shear pin ruptures to effect plug capture within the THV and valve opening;",
"and d) increasing the pressure within the completion string to a third pressure level to effect well fracturing.",
"In one embodiment, each of steps b)-d) are repeated for each THV within the completion string.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a deployed casing or completion tubing string incorporating several multi-stage fracturing devices in accordance with the invention together with corresponding packer elements.",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-stage fracturing device (MFD) showing the general position of an electronic counting and valve actuation system, a valved ball-capture system and a valved ball release capture system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 3A-3C are a sequence of cross-sectional views of an MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing a ball in an uphole position.",
"FIGS. 4A-4E are a sequence of cross-sectional views of an MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing a ball in a captured position.",
"FIGS. 5A-5C are cross-sectional drawings of an MFD showing a valve sleeve in an open position.",
"FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electronic ball counting system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.",
"FIGS. 7A-7E are cross-sectional views of an uphole portion of an MFD having an electronic counting system illustrating a sequence of a ball moving through the MFD in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 7A illustrates the ball shortly after it enters the MFD.",
"FIG. 7B illustrates the ball depressing a first pin of the electronic counting system.",
"FIG. 7C illustrates the ball after it has passed the first pin but before it contacts a second pin.",
"FIG. 7D illustrates the ball depressing the second pin.",
"FIG. 7E illustrates the ball after it has passed the second pin.",
"FIG. 8A is cross-sectional view of an uphole portion of an MFD having an electronic counting system showing a two pin system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 8B is a continuation of the MFD of FIG. 8A illustrating a cross-sectional view of a middle portion of the MFD having an electronic counting system showing a solenoid valve system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.",
"FIGS. 9A-9B are a sequence of cross-sectional views illustrating a ball capture system of an MFD in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.",
"FIGS. 10A-10B are a sequence of side perspective views illustrating a ball capture system of an MFD in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, a multistage fracturing device (MFD) or tubular hydraulic valve (THV) 10 and methods of operating a MFD or THV are described.",
"For the purposes of description herein, the MFD or THV 10 includes a plurality of sub-systems that may be configured to a casing or completion tubing string 20 together with appropriate packer elements 10 a to enable the isolation of particular zones within a formation 8 a as shown in FIG. 1 .",
"In the context of this description a casing or completion string are synonymous and are referred to hereafter as a completion string.",
"The combination of MFDs 10 and packer elements 10 a on a completion tubing string 20 enable fracturing operations to be conducted within a formation 8 a within a well 8 .",
"It should also be noted that the system may be utilized without packer elements in situations for example where the completion string is cemented in place.",
"While the following description assumes the use of packer elements 10 a, this is not intended to be limiting.",
"As described in detail below, the MFD includes generally includes an electronic ball counting and valve actuation sub-system 12 , a valved ball-capture sub-system 14 and a valved ball release sub-system 16 as shown schematically in FIG. 2 .",
"It should be noted that the description utilizes various terms interchangeably with other terms for the purposes of functional description and/or to represent examples of specific embodiments.",
"Importantly, the use of one term as compared to another is not intended to be limiting with regards to the scope of interpretation by those skilled in the art.",
"For example, the description refers to the system as a multistage fracturing device (MFD) which is synonymous to a tubular hydraulic valve (THV) as well as to a “ball”",
"or “plug”",
"where a ball is but one example of a plug.",
"Operational Overview With reference to FIG. 1 , a number of MFDs 10 are connected to a completion tubing string 20 between packer elements 10 a at positions that correspond to zones of interest (formations) 8 a within the well.",
"Generally, after placement of the completion tubing string 20 within the well 8 , the assembled system can be pressurized at surface 6 through wellhead equipment 6 a to cause the packer elements 10 a to seal against the well 8 .",
"After circulation has been established in the well, balls 18 are released at surface 6 within the completion tubing string that fall and/or are pumped through the completion tubing string to successively engage with each MFD 10 .",
"Each MFD 10 within the string has been pre-configured to “count”",
"each time a ball passes by the MFD and to trigger the capture of the ball 18 when the pre-determined count number is achieved.",
"At the pre-determined count number (eg.",
"1-40), a specific MFD 10 will capture the ball 18 (see lowermost MFD 10 in FIG. 1 ).",
"When a ball 18 is captured, the ball 18 seals the interior of the completion tubing from the lower regions of the completion tubing string such that additional hydraulic events can be initiated to open a valve within the MFD.",
"That is, when the ball has been captured and a valve in the MFD 10 is opened a fracturing operation can be completed within a zone of interest 8 a adjacent that MFD 10 .",
"After a zone 8 a has been fractured, further balls are successively introduced into the completion tubing to enable successive MFDs to be opened and fracturing operations to be completed within other zones.",
"As a result, each of the zones of interest within the well 8 can be successively fractured.",
"The balls may be designed such that over a period of time, typically a few days, the ball will at least partially dissolve such that its diameter is eroded and it will fall to the bottom of the well.",
"Thus, after all fracturing operations have been completed all the zones of the well are then opened to the interior of the completion tubing to enable production of the well through the completion tubing.",
"The lowermost zone of the completion string may not require an MFD 10 .",
"A simple hydraulic valve that opens on pressure can be utilized at the lowermost zone (not shown) to initially establish circulation and to enable fracturing of the lowermost zone.",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , each MFD 10 is generally described as having three main sub-systems including an electronic counting and valve actuation sub-system 12 at the uphole end of the MFD 10 , a valved ball capture sub-system 14 and a valved ball release system 16 .",
"During surface preparation of the completion tubing string, the counting system of each MFD is set to count a specific or pre-set number of balls where, for example, the lowermost MFD within the string will count 1 and the uppermost MFD with count n (where n is typically between 1 and 40).",
"In operation, if the counting system 12 records that the pre-set number has not been reached, then the ball will pass through the MFD 10 and continue to travel downhole.",
"If an MFD 10 records that the pre-set number has been reached, the counting system 12 will trigger the ball capture system 14 to capture the ball to prevent further downhole travel.",
"The action of capturing the ball will then enable a valve within the valve system 16 to open.",
"By way of example, the lowermost MFD would be set to count 1 ball whereas an uppermost MFD within a string of 10 MFDs would be set to count 10 balls.",
"The operation and components of each of the sub-systems is described in greater detail below where FIG. 3A generally shows the uphole components of the MFD that enable connection to a tubing string via connector 30 a and also components of the counting system, FIG. 3B shows components of the counting system and ball capture system, FIG. 3C shows details of the valved ball release sub-system.",
"FIGS. 3A-3C generally show the system in a counting configuration that allows a ball entering the MFD to be counted.",
"The figures are side cross-sections of the MFD.",
"FIGS. 4A-4E generally show the sub-systems after a ball has been captured.",
"Electronic Counting System 12 As shown in FIG. 3A , the upper section of an MFD is shown with a ball 18 uphole of the electronic counting system 12 .",
"FIG. 3B shows a counting system 12 having an electronic counting system that successively counts balls 18 progressing through the electronic counting system 12 .",
"The action of the electronic counting system 12 engaging the electronically actuated solenoid or electric motor (depending on the embodiment) will open a pathway for fluid being pumped downhole to actuate the valved ball capture sub-system 14 .",
"More particularly, the electronically actuated solenoid or electric motor will open a channel (not shown), through which fluid will flow in the direction of frac piston 62 , of the valved ball capture sub-system 14 .",
"As described in more detail below, the fluid flowing through said channel will cause the configuration of the valved ball capture sub-system 14 to change such that it can now capture the frac plug and/or ball 18 .",
"In an embodiment, a further hydraulic channel can be configured such that it is contained within valve sleeve and allows hydraulic fluid to by-pass the valved ball capture system 14 to the ball release system 16 .",
"Ball Capture System 14 The valved ball capture sub-system 14 includes a frac piston 62 .",
"FIG. 3B shows the frac piston 62 in the closed position, before the ball seat has been set or a ball has been captured.",
"FIG. 4B shows the frac piston 62 after a ball has been captured.",
"FIG. 5B shows the frac piston 62 after the ball has been released.",
"In one embodiment, the ball capture system 14 generally includes a collet ball seat 60 having collet ball seat fingers 60 a. The collet ball seat 60 is operatively connected to frac piston 62 .",
"As explained in greater detail below and shown in FIG. 4B , as the frac piston 62 moves downhole, the collet ball seat 60 also moves downhole until it makes contact with inner wedge surface 66 a. At that point, the collet ball seat fingers 60 a move axially inward to a position that collectively define a ball retaining lip that will prevent passage of a ball 18 past the collet ball seat 60 .",
"In one embodiment, the collet ball seat fingers 60 a have an outer wedge surface 60 b that will engage with inner wedge surface 66 a to facilitate positive inward movement of the collet ball seat fingers 60 a ( FIG. 4B ).",
"In operation, as described above, the hydraulic fluid pressurizes pressure chamber 62 a uphole of frac piston 62 .",
"Chamber pressurization causes shear pins 62 b to shear, enabling downhole movement of the frac piston and the inward movement of the collet ball seat fingers 60 a ( FIG. 4B ).",
"It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any discussion herein relating to shear pins should also encompass the use of shear rings or other comparable structures.",
"If a ball has not been captured within the ball capture system, maintaining or increasing the pressure within the tubing string does not enable the frac piston 62 to move and cause premature opening of hydraulic ports 67 in a zone where a ball has not been captured.",
"More specifically, this is prevented in a non-triggered MFD because hydraulic fluid cannot flow into chamber 62 a. After a ball has been retained in the collet ball seat 60 , increasing the pressure within the completion tubing will result in additional pressurization against the uphole surface of the frac piston 62 .",
"The frac piston is retained against the main outer housing 42 by shear pin(s) 62 b. When a threshold pressure is exerted on frac piston 62 , shear pin(s) 62 b will shear, thereby allowing frac piston 62 to move in a downhole direction, thus causing the formation of a ball seat, as discussed above.",
"Further downhole movement at that point is prevented by shear pin(s) 94 b, as reflected in FIG. 4C .",
"As a result, as the electronic ball count system 12 causes activation of the ball capture system 14 at the correct pre-set number, a ball 18 is retained within the collet ball seat, thus sealing off positions downhole of the ball.",
"At that point, due to the seal created by ball 18 , pressure will increase uphole from the ball seat.",
"Once that increasing pressure has reached a threshold level, shear pin(s) 94 b will shear (as shown in FIG. 4E ), thus allowing frac piston 62 to move further downhole.",
"This downhole movement of frac piston 62 exposes hydraulic ports 67 (as shown in FIG. 4D ), thus permitting fluid to be discharged from the interior of the completion string for the purpose of fracturing the surrounding formation.",
"In an embodiment, the ball can be retained by alternate configurations of a collet ball seat other than that shown in the figures.",
"For example, the collet ball seat can have more or less collet ball seat fingers than those that are shown configured.",
"The fingers can also differ in shape, structure, and material makeup from those shown in the Figures.",
"In other embodiments, ball capture system 14 may use configurations other than collet fingers, as described above.",
"For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , a ball seat may be formed by a metal tube 110 that is operatively connected to frac piston 62 .",
"In this embodiment, the metal tube 110 is generally cylindrical prior to the movement of frac piston 62 .",
"Metal tube 62 also has a notch cut out in the trailing (downhole) edge, as shown in FIG. 9A .",
"When frac piston 62 moves downhole due to the increased pressure in chamber 62 a, the trailing edge of metal tube 110 a will contact inner wedge surface 66 a. At that point, due to the material that has been removed, the trailing edge of metal tube 110 a will begin to move axially inward, thus restricting the inner diameter of the MFD.",
"When frac piston 62 has stopped moving, metal tube 110 will have become generally frustoconical in shape, as shown in FIG. 9B .",
"The dimensions of metal tube 110 can easily be calculated such that, at the point shown in FIG. 9B , the inner diameter of the MFD has been restricted sufficiently to catch the ball that triggered the electronic counting system.",
"At that point, the operation of the MFD will be substantially as described above in connection with the collet finger embodiment.",
"The same concept could be embodied by virtually any mechanical structure that constricts its inner diameter as it moves axially downward through the inner bore of the MFD.",
"Such structures could include a cylindrical metal tube that would buckle inward when compressed, possibly by cutting axial slots in the middle of the tube which would cause it to bias inward.",
"In other embodiments, the ball seat could be formed via rotation, rather than compression.",
"For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B , the seat could be formed using a collet 124 , collet ramp 126 , and piston assembly 122 .",
"In this embodiment, collet ramp 126 is able to rotate, while collet 124 and piston 122 are not.",
"Collet 124 has ramps machined into its front face and collet ramp 126 has matching ramps machined into its opposite face, as well as a helical keyway 128 machined into its outer diameter.",
"Piston assembly 122 has a round key 130 that engages the helical keyway 128 of collet ramp 126 .",
"When the electrically actuated solenoid or electric motor of electronic counting system 12 is triggered (as discussed above), this drives the piston to one side, which causes key 130 of piston 122 to engage keyway 128 of collet ramp 126 , thus causing collet ramp 126 to rotate.",
"That rotation drives the mating surfaces of the collet 124 and collet ramp 126 together, which will cause the collet 124 to close, thus forming a ball seat.",
"Other rotational embodiments are certainly possible beyond that illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B .",
"For example, a cylindrical tube could be buckled inward using rotation, perhaps using axial slots (as mentioned above).",
"Valved Ball-Release Sub-System 16 In an embodiment and as illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3C , The ball capture sub-system and the valved ball release sub-system 16 are surrounded by the pressure chamber 62 a, the outer wall and surface facing wall of which is formed by the main outer housing 42 .",
"In an embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 3C , the ball release sub-system 16 , can be configured to include one or more dissolving seals 88 that sit inset between the return piston 80 and the main inner housing 90 .",
"In an embodiment, once frac piston 62 has sheared shear pin(s) 94 b, one or more dissolving seals 88 will dissolve, causing chamber 92 to fill with fluid which moves piston 80 in an uphole direction.",
"Piston 80 will engage and exert force upon frac piston 62 .",
"That force will move frac piston 62 in an uphole direction, thus disengaging outer collet ball seat fingers 60 a from wedge surface 60 b and unsetting the ball seat.",
"Upon completion of a fracturing operation within a particular zone and the partial relaxation of pressure, the process is repeated by dropping a further ball which based on the pre-set counter setting of the immediately adjacent uphole MFD 10 will capture the further ball at that uphole position.",
"The process is repeated for each of the MFDs present in the completion tubing string.",
"After completion of the fracturing operations, it is important that the balls are all released to fall to the bottom of the well or flow to the surface, thus ensuring that the entire string is opened to the formation at all zones.",
"As known, the balls can be dissolvable such that over a period of few days, the outer surface of the ball will erode such that it will fall from the collet ball seat arms 60 a. Other Design Considerations and Aspects of the System The electronic counting system 12 will typically enable 1-40 or even more zones to be individually isolated for treatment.",
"In order to ensure a proper pre-set number, as the completion tubing string is being assembled at surface, each MFD 10 will be set to trigger based on the intended MFD position in the well.",
"That is, if the string includes 10 MFDs, the lowermost MFD will trigger with the first ball and uppermost MFD will trigger with the 10th ball.",
"Thus, in an embodiment, each electronic counting system 12 will have its electronically actuated valve set to trigger on a pre-determined and pre-programmed ball count.",
"In an alternative embodiment, multiple MFDs can be configured to open at approximately the same time.",
"This configuration may be referred to as a “cluster sleeve.”",
"In a cluster sleeve configuration, one MFD is used that operates substantially as described above.",
"This MFD may be referred as the lowermost MFD.",
"Uphole from the lowermost MFD, one or more MFDs are used with certain variations from the structure and operation described above.",
"These MFDs may be referred to as the modified MFDs.",
"The modified MFDs do not include collet ball seat 60 (or collet ball seat fingers 60 a ).",
"In one embodiment of a cluster sleeve configuration, the modified MFDs also do not include shear pin(s) 94 b, or only a reduced number and/or strength of shear pin(s) 94 b. In a cluster sleeve configuration, the lowermost MFD and modified MFDs are set such that the electronic counting system 12 of each MFD is configured to be triggered by the same ball.",
"For example, if the electronic counting system of the lowermost MFD is configured to be activated after the tenth ball has been counted, then the electronic counting systems of the modified MFDs will also be activated after they have counted the tenth ball.",
"Because the modified MFDs do not include collet ball seat 60 , even after the electronic counting system has been activated, the ball will not be captured by any of the modified MFDs.",
"Instead, the ball will continue downhole, where it will be captured by the lowermost MFD after being counted by the electronic counting system of the lowermost MFD.",
"Once the ball is captured, the lowermost MFD will operate substantially as described above.",
"In the cluster sleeve configuration where the modified MFDs have no (or fewer and/or weaker) shear pin(s) 94 b, even though a ball has not been captured, hydraulic ports 67 in the modified MFDs will open shortly after the electronic counting system 12 has been activated.",
"This is due to the relative absence of shear pin(s) 94 b within the modified MFDs.",
"In the cluster sleeve configuration where the modified MFDs do include approximately the same number and strength of shear pin(s) 94 b as the lowermost MFD, hydraulic ports 67 in the modified MFDs will not open until a ball has been captured in the lowermost MFD and pressure has increased to the point that shear pin(s) 94 b will shear.",
"Thus, in this embodiment, hydraulic ports 67 would open in all of the MFDs—both the modified MFDs and the lowermost MFD—at approximately the same time.",
"In either embodiment of the cluster sleeve configuration, once the electronic counting system 12 within each MFD has counted the preset number of balls, the lowermost MFD has captured a ball, and the pressure within the lowermost MFD has increased the point that shear pin(s) 94 b have been sheared and hydraulic ports 67 have been opened in the lowermost MFD, hydraulic ports 67 will be open in every MFD within the cluster sleeve configuration at the same time.",
"As a result, when pressure is further increased to the level desired for hydraulic fracturing operations, fluid will be discharged from hydraulic ports 67 of every MFD in the cluster sleeve configuration at approximately the same time.",
"In this way, any number of different stages can be treated simultaneously.",
"For example, if a cluster sleeve configuration included a lowermost MFD and three modified MFDs, four stages would be fractured at the same time.",
"Additional Embodiments of Electronic Counting System In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 , the counting system incorporates an electronic counting system 100 .",
"In this embodiment, the system includes a processor and power system 100 a operatively connected to a pin system 100 b and solenoid valve and/or electric motor 100 c. In this embodiment, as a ball 18 moves past the pin system 100 b, the processor 100 a counts the number of balls that have passed.",
"When the processor has counted a pre-set number of balls, the processor 100 a activates a solenoid valve 100 c to enable hydraulic fluid to flow through a hydraulic channel 100 d into space 40 to engage against piston 100 d and activate the ball capture system as described above.",
"Hydraulic fluid enters space 40 through port 36 .",
"In an embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C 4 A- 4 C, 6 , and 8 A- 8 B, there is an MFD 10 containing an electronic counting system 100 .",
"In an embodiment, the electronic counting system includes a first and second pin 70 , 72 that are spaced apart from each other in the inner bore along the longitudinal axis.",
"The first and second pins are independently movable to contact a first and second electrical circuit, respectively, to close or complete the electrical circuits.",
"A first and second biasing means 78 , 80 bias the pins in a first position wherein the electrical circuits are complete.",
"As a ball moves past one of the pins and contacts the pin, the pin is moved to a second position wherein the electrical circuit is open or incomplete.",
"After the ball completely passes the pin, the biasing means causes the pin to return to the first position.",
"Alternatively, in the first position the electrical circuit is in the incomplete or open position, and in the second position the electrical circuit is closed when the ball is in contact with the pin.",
"In an embodiment, the electronic counting system 12 can be configured with only one counting pin or alternatively with a larger number of pins than two if desired.",
"Multiple pins can be configured for more accurate counting or in the event that one or more pins are damaged, the other pins can then still determined a reliable count.",
"Alternatively, as mentioned above, other sensors can be configured and a combination of sensors can be configured, including multiple of the same sensor when desired.",
"The counts from the various sensor types and/or same sensor types can then be compared by the processor which can either use a voting system of comparison or another method depending on what program is optimal for a given downhole environment and system.",
"In an embodiment, the first and second pin are preferably out of phase (not in line) with each other along the inner bore, and preferably are phased at 180 degrees from each other.",
"While the first and second pin may be in phase/in line with each other, having them out of phase provides more even wear on the balls as they pass by the pins and provides room in the tool for the biasing means and other parts related to the electronic counting system.",
"In an embodiment where two pins are configured, FIGS. 7A to 7E illustrate close up views of the sequence of a ball moving past the two pins.",
"In this embodiment, the first and second pins are biased in a first position in contact with a first and second ring or element 74 , 76 to close the first and second electrical circuits, respectively.",
"The biasing elements 78 , 80 are illustrated as beam springs fastened to the inner housing 30 by fastening means 82 .",
"When a ball 18 passes one of the pins, it pushes the pin out away from the ring or element 74 , 76 into an open position to disconnect one of the electrical circuits.",
"FIG. 7B illustrates a ball passing by the first pin 70 and pushing the pin out into an open position.",
"FIG. 7D illustrates the ball passing by the second pin 72 and pushing the pin out into the open position.",
"FIG. 7C illustrates the ball after it has fully passed by the first pin 70 but before it contacts the second pin 72 , wherein both pins are in the closed position.",
"The pins are spaced apart enough to allow the first pin to close after the ball has passed by before the second pin is opened.",
"FIG. 7E illustrates the ball after it has passed by both pins.",
"In another embodiment, rather than first and second pins that are spaced axially apart, the electronic counting system utilizes two pairs of pins.",
"For each pair, both pins are located at the same axial location along the inner bore of the main internal housing and, similar to the embodiment described above, the pairs of pins are axially spaced apart far enough to allow the first pair of pins to close after the ball has passed through before the second pair of pins is opened.",
"The pins may also be circumferentially spaced apart around the inner bore of the main internal housing.",
"For example, the first pair of pins may be located at 0° and 180° respectively, while the second pair may be located at 90° and 270°.",
"Other similar embodiments are possible, including designs that use more than two pins at each axial location, pins located at more than two separate axial locations, or a different number of pins at one axial location versus another.",
"This alternative embodiment utilizing two pairs of pins is useful to reduce the likelihood that the electronic counting system will count objects other than balls or other devices designed to induce a count.",
"For example, if coiled tubing is inserted into the well, an electronic counting system utilizing only a single pin at each axial location could inaccurately count the coiled tubing as a ball, in the event that the coiled tubing contacted the single pins, thus causing the first and second electrical circuits to open (or close).",
"Utilizing pairs of pins as described in the preceding paragraph should ensure that the electronic counting system will only count balls or other specially designed tools or devices that have the same approximate diameter as the inner bore of the main internal housing.",
"When either the first or second electrical circuit open or close, a signal is passed (via wires or wirelessly) to a solenoid processor in the tool using electrical pins.",
"In one embodiment, when a signal is passed to the processor that the first electrical circuit has opened then closed, followed shortly by the second electrical circuit opening and closing, the processor interprets this as a ball passing downhole.",
"Alternatively, if the pins are biased in the open position, the signal to determine that a ball has passed downhole may be the first electrical circuit followed by the second electrical circuit closing then opening.",
"The processor keeps a count number for the passing balls.",
"Upon reaching a pre-determined count number, the processor signals a solenoid valve assembly to open, allowing fluid to enter a cavity, thereby setting the tool to capture a ball which, as with the non-electronic system described above, allows a valve in the MFD to be opened to allow fracturing operations to occur.",
"The electronic counting system may include more than one solenoid valve assembly for redundancy and to enable the setting process to occur faster.",
"It may be preferable to isolate the pins of the electronic counting system from the fluid that is used for hydraulic fracturing.",
"For example, the pins may be located in an annular space that is filled with oil and isolated from the fracturing fluid using a diaphragm or other sealing device.",
"Isolating the pins may avoid excessive current leakage if the pins are surrounded by the water that makes up a large portion of the fracturing fluid.",
"Referring to FIG. 8A , the tool may also include one or more ports or plugs 90 which provide access to the electronics of the counting system for programming the counting system.",
"The tool preferably also contains a power source for the electronic counting system, such as one or more batteries (not shown).",
"The electronic counter system is not limited to a maximum number of ball counts and therefore has no limit on the number of fracturing stages that the MFD can be used for.",
"The response time after a ball has passed the pins to the setting of the setting of the solenoid valve system can also be programmed as desired.",
"This is particularly useful when it is desired to open more than one MFD with a single ball to simultaneously fracture more than one zone of interest.",
"For example, the time between a ball passing an upper MFD and the setting of the upper MFD solenoid valve system can be delayed enough to allow the ball to pass through without being captured, after which the MFD is set.",
"When the ball is captured by a lower MFD and pressure is applied downhole, both the upper and lower MFD will open, allowing fracturing to occur simultaneously in the zones adjacent both the upper and lower MFD.",
"Additionally, the electronic counter system can distinguish between a ball flowing downhole and ball flowing uphole.",
"This is particularly useful when the direction of flow in a wellbore must be reversed due to a screen out (flow suddenly stopping in the wellbore) or the fracture failing to initiate.",
"In both cases, the well is “opened up”",
"and allowed to flow in the reverse direction back to the surface.",
"After the desired amount of time, the flow direction is changed again to flow downhole in an attempt to start or restart the fracturing process.",
"When flow is reversed, the balls often flow uphole with the fluid, passing the counting system in a reverse direction.",
"The counting system will know a ball has moved uphole since the second pin will be triggered before the first pin.",
"The processor may be programmed to not count an uphole flowing ball, or to count it as a negative.",
"That is, when the ball moves downhole past the two pins it is counted as one, when the ball flows back uphole past the two pins, the count returns to zero, and when the ball moves back downhole past the two pins, it is again counted as one.",
"This ensures that the count number is accurate despite the occurrence of reverse flow in the wellbore.",
"Pressurization After setting the packers and prior to dropping a first ball for a MFD, well bore circulation may have to be established by increasing pressure (perhaps up to 3000 psi or more) to hydraulically shift open an annular communication device in the toe of the well.",
"Once circulation is established, a series of balls may be dropped until one of them is captured by the MFD.",
"Once a ball has been captured, pressure will increase until the hydraulic ports open, which may be in the range of 2500-4500 psi, depending on the shear pin configuration.",
"Once the hydraulic ports in the MFD have opened, fracturing will typically occur in the range of 4000-10,000 psi.",
"Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU03/00933, filed Jul. 22, 2003, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English and is incorporated herein by reference. International Application No. PCT/AU03/00933 claims priority from Australian Patent Application 2002950303, filed Jul. 22, 2002, which is also incorporated herein by reference, and Australian Patent Application 2002953229, filed on Dec. 9, 2002, which is also incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to improvements in assembly and disassembly. In particular, this invention is concerned with systems of assembly and disassembly which are capable of being more efficient and/or less labour intensive than commonly used methods.
[0003] This invention is especially concerned with assembly and disassembly of printed circuit boards. However, the invention is not limited to this.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Printed circuit boards (also called printed wiring boards) are usually assembled using traditional fastening materials, namely mounts and screws. It is desirable to introduce greater efficiency in the assembly of printed circuit boards. It is also desirable to be able to “demanufacture” or disassemble such products, especially to aid recycling of parts and disposal.
[0005] It is also desirable to be able to test the effectiveness of fastening and electronic components before or during the assembly procedure. Detection of a faulty fastening or electronic component during assembly rather than at the completion of assembly can enable substitution of a working component and/or can prevent the cost of having to discard an assembly at the end of the process because of the faulty component.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of the second shape, through interaction of the material with the cavity without deformation of the pin.
[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component including a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature generated through heating means included in the first element.
[0008] It will also be appreciated that the fastener of the present invention can permit disassembly. This is becoming more and more important. There is increased pressure to recover parts of assemblies, particularly printed circuit board assemblies, especially for recycling purposes. For this purpose, the fastener of the invention in some embodiments has the first and second components being adapted to unlock upon attainment of the first or another shape, as well as being adapted to lock together upon attainment of the second shape.
[0009] Consequently, the invention also provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of the second shape, without deformation of the pin, the pin of the first component being adapted to be unlocked from the second component upon attainment of the first shape or attainment by the first component of a third shape.
[0010] Further, the invention provides a first element, preferably a printed circuit board, fastened to a second element using the fastener or the method of the invention.
[0011] The invention also provides a first element, preferably a printed circuit board in combination with the first component or the second component of the fastener of the invention.
[0012] The invention also provides a method for joining a first element to a second element, the method including the steps of:
(a) providing a first fastening component including a pin and a second fastening component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, either the first fastening component or the second fastening component comprising material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature; (b) inserting the pin in the cavity as far as possible; and (c) heating the material to or above the particular temperature so that the material interacts with the cavity to lock the pin into the cavity, without deformation of the pin.
[0016] The invention also provides method for joining a first element to a second element, the method including the steps of:
(a) providing a first fastening component including a pin and a second fastening component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, either the first fastening component or the second fastening component comprising material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the first fastening component including material adapted to change to a third shape at a temperature different from the particular temperature; (b) inserting the pin in the cavity; and (c) heating the material to or above the particular temperature so that the material interacts with the cavity to lock the pin into the cavity.
[0020] In another aspect, the invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of a second shape, the pin of the first component being adapted to be unlocked from the second component upon attainment by the first component of a third shape.
[0021] The invention also provides a method of disassembling a first element from a second element, in which the first element is fastened to the second element by the fastener assembly of the invention, the method including the step of heating the material to the particular temperature.
[0022] The invention also provides method of disassembling a first element from a second element, in which the first element is fastened to the second element by the fastener assembly of the invention, the method including the step of heating the first component so that it assumes the third shape.
[0023] The first element is preferably a printed circuit board. In this embodiment, preferably the energy required for the heating step is provided by means such as resistors included in the circuit board, by means in or on the second element or by means integral with one or both the fastening components.
[0024] The second element is preferably a support or part of a casing for the circuit board or may be a second circuit board.
[0025] While it is preferred that the first element is a circuit board, it is to be appreciated that the invention in its various aspects is not limited to this. For example, the fastener of the invention can fasten merchandise to a support in a sales outlet. A specific example is a compact disc in a jewel case, fastened to a support until the compact disc is purchased, at which time the vendor can instruct the fastener to release the jewel case and the purchaser can gain access to the compact disc.
[0026] As another example, the fastener of the invention can be used to better secure components in computers and the computers themselves, as well as other vibration-sensitive equipment, in land, sea or air vehicles. The fasteners of the invention can provide cushioning as well as fastening in such circumstances. A specific example is the fastening of a casing for a vehicle on-board computer. The fastener of the invention can fasten the computer components within the casing. Further, the fasteners of the invention can fasten the casing into the vehicle, to restrict access and provide security. In such circumstances, the pin may need to have a metal core to deter theft.
[0027] As another non-limiting example, service access panels may be secured by the fasteners of the invention.
[0028] Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The first and second elements are accordingly of wide scope.
[0029] The first component has a pin which can take the form of a fastening spigot. The second component, in one embodiment, is a sleeve of shape memory polymer or other suitable material into which at least part of the pin fits. The pin may be slightly oversized and thus able to fit only part way into the sleeve until the material has changed from the first shape to the second shape at the particular temperature. The pin may have an enlarged portion or other shape, such as ribs, which can create an interference fit with the sleeve when the material changes to the second shape.
[0030] While the pin may have an enlarged potion or other shape which can create an interference fit with the sleeve when the material attains the second shape, the pin can have other configurations. For example, the pin can have a recessed area. The pin may be of constant cross section, without any protrusions or under cuts. The pin may have any suitable cross section, including round or square.
[0031] The pin may be of constant cross section, as may the sleeve. In this case, when the material is heated to the particular temperature, its tendency to change from the first shape to the second shape causes sufficient friction between the pin and the sleeve to lock the pin into the sleeve. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, there are many variations in shapes which will permit the locking of the pin to the cavity.
[0032] The pin may be released by again heating the material of the sleeve. The material of the sleeve may return to its original shape when heated sufficiently, or to a third shape to enable disassembly. Preferably, the heating and reheating process can be repeated.
[0033] The pin may be formed integrally with, for example, a case or support for the printed circuit board, or may be separate.
[0034] When the second component is a sleeve or plate, it may have one or more holes or cavities (or depressions). An advantage of this is that it can allow fastening of a printed circuit board to both a casing and a second printed circuit board, for example. This facilitates stacking of circuit boards and other parts. The pin may also enable electrical connections between circuit boards, in which case electrically-conductive material such as wire should be incorporated in the pin.
[0035] The particular temperature is preferably attained by generating heat by passing current through resistors. The resistors may be fitted as part of the normal circuit board assembly and have two purposes—the primary function of the resistor in the circuit board assembly and a secondary function to generate enough heat to enable attainment of the particular temperature to change the shape of the material during assembly or disassembly.
[0036] Alternately to the use of resistors, a heating element or other heating means may be integrated in the assembly, or situated externally, to apply the appropriate amount of heat to the fastener.
[0037] Either the first component or the second component may comprise or include the material. Where the second component is a sleeve, it is convenient if it is this component which comprises or includes the material.
[0038] The material may be a shape memory material or a material which melts at a suitable temperature, such as a hot melt adhesive. When the first component and/or the second component are appropriately shaped, hot melt adhesive may be suitable for use. Some metals or metal alloys may be suitable. Materials which change phase on the application of a specific amount of heat may also be suitable. A heat releasable epoxy adhesive, which liquefies at 90-130° C., for example, is known and may be suitable. Other materials may also be suitable, such as solder, so that the component of the fastener would self-solder connection of the circuit board to the element. Other materials will be apparent to one skilled in the art or can be ascertained after suitable experimentation.
[0039] Shape memory material is known. Any suitable shape memory material may be used. Essentially, a shape memory material can be deformed into a temporary shape and restored to the original shape, usually upon heating in each case. While shape memory material such as nickel/titanium alloys are not excluded, for the purpose of the present invention it is preferred that the shape memory material is a plastic polymer.
[0040] Suitable shape memory plastic polymers are available, for example, from The Polymer Technology Group Incorporated of California, USA, under the trademark Calo.MER. The shape memory product is generally a non-reactive thermoplastic, such as polyurethane or polyester thermoplastic elastomers. These adapt to forming in various ways, especially via melt processing, including extrusion and injection moulding. The material may be compounded with fillers and pigments without interfering with shape-memory properties.
[0041] The polymer may be a block copolymer with “hard” and “soft” segments which are different chemically and which retain their dominant glass transition temperatures. Such a copolymer can have a lower glass transition temperature and a higher glass transition temperature. The lower glass transition temperature is that of the “soft” segments, while the higher glass transition temperature (also called the crystalline melting point) is that of the “hard” segments.
[0042] In the case of such a block copolymer, at temperatures above the lower glass transition temperature but below the upper glass transition temperature, the soft segments are flexible and rubber-like, the hard segments being stiff and rigid. Consequently, the copolymer behaves as a springy thermoplastic elastomer. Because of the molecular weight and chemical structure of the soft segments, the copolymer has considerable mobility at these temperatures. The copolymer exhibits properties of viscous deformation and stress relaxation.
[0043] When the temperature is increased above the glass transition temperature of the hard segments, the copolymer becomes a viscous liquid which can be extruded or injection moulded to a chosen shape. This shape is “locked in” by cooling below the upper glass transition temperature.
[0044] A temporary shape may be “locked in” by heating the copolymer to a temperature between the lower glass transition temperature and the upper glass transition temperature, so that only the soft segments are viscous and deformable, then cooling the copolymer to a temperature below the lower glass transition temperature. When the copolymer is heated above the lower glass transition temperature, the copolymer will return to the permanent shape previously formed by the high temperature process.
[0045] In application to the present invention, the shape memory material may be heated to or above the particular temperature (the lower glass transition temperature in the case of the copolymer), at which stage the shape memory material can be deformed around the other component in the fastener of the invention. On cooling below the lower glass transition temperature, this locks the components together by way of a suitable interference fit force, provided by the hoop stress resulting from the variation in elastic modulus in the shape memory material above and below the lower glass transition temperature. In this configuration the fastener joins the printed circuit board to the element.
[0046] To release the element from the circuit board and enable demanufacture or disassembly, the shape memory material may be heated above the lower glass transition temperature once again, causing it to become soft and easily deformed, in which configuration the element can be released from the circuit board.
[0047] It will be appreciated that the fastener of the invention can enable disassembly without the need for springs or other positive bias means.
[0048] The particular temperature will be determined by the shape memory material used. In the case of Calo.MER shape memory polymer, the particular temperature may be 50 to 60° C. Other shape memory polymers with different glass transition temperatures may be suitable, preferably around 100° C. The material chosen and its particular temperature may vary according to the purpose of the assembly and the expected temperatures to which it will be exposed in use.
[0049] If necessary, the material can be insulated as required from other parts which may otherwise be affected by the heat applied to the material.
[0050] The material is adapted to change from the first shape to the second shape on the application of suitable heat. In the case of shape memory material, the material may change to the “memorised” shape as far as possible (there may be physical constraints preventing the material from fully attaining the second shape). For other material, the change may be to a shape, which may be determined wholly or partially by the environment of the material.
[0051] As discussed, the temperature is preferably obtained by generating heat by passing current through resistors. The resistors may be fitted as part of the normal printed circuit board assembly and may have two purposes. The first purpose is that of the primary function of the resistor in the assembly and the second purpose enables attainment of the desired temperature to change the shape of the material during assembly or disassembly. Thus, there is little extra cost involved, since the resistors would be part of the circuit board assembly even if the fasteners of the invention were not involved. However, where the desired temperature is a relatively high one, it may be necessary to provide additional resistors for the second purpose, to ensure that the desired temperature can be reached.
[0052] The fastener of the invention may be attached to the printed circuit board or to the element in any orientation, some examples of which are shown in connection with the drawings, below. The orientation is preferably such as to allow the first component (for example, a pin) to face any convenient direction.
[0053] The first and second components may be assembled in relation to the printed circuit board assembly using any suitable assembly technology. For example, a component may be adhered, soldered, riveted, screwed or the like. A component may be fixed in conventional manner or by remote means, e.g., as disclosed in International Patent Application No PCT/AU99/00185, published as WO99/47819. A component may be surface mounted on the printed circuit board on either side, or mounted through the printed circuit board. A component may be integral with the printed circuit board or the element (preferably the latter in the case of the first component).
[0054] Connection between the material and an energy source, for providing heating to the requisite temperature, may be by any suitable means.
[0055] The fastener of the invention may be connected to an energy and/or data bus.
[0056] As stated above, the printed circuit board itself may be made of traditional material (such as fibreglass) or of any other suitable material. Glass has been proposed for this purpose. A drawback of glass printed circuit boards has been that they are inherently brittle and there have been problems in using screws. In the case of a glass printed circuit board, the fastener of the invention may include sufficient resiliency to act as a shock absorber and to assist in preventing damage to the glass in the case of the addition of screws etc. Conveniently, the resiliency may be provided by the material adapted to change from the first to the second shape. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the fastener of the invention can facilitate the manufacture of printed circuit boards on glass.
[0057] The fastener of the invention may include internal intelligent means capable of reporting on status, controlling temperature, switching energy and processing interaction with other such fasteners. The fastener of the invention may also incorporate or be associated with a spring or other biasing means to assist separation of the printed circuit board from the element once the components of the fastener have been unlocked.
[0058] The fastener of the invention may have different parts, whether in the first component and the second component or otherwise, which can be separately controlled. This can be for the purpose of enabling an assembly instruction through one type of control and a disassembly instruction through a different control. Zero insertion force and zero extraction force can result.
[0059] By way of example, the first component may include a first sleeve on the pin and the second component may comprise a second sleeve into which the first sleeve is received. Heating of the second sleeve controls assembly and heating of the first sleeve enables disassembly as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8 to 10 below.
[0060] It will be appreciated that the fastener of the invention is capable of providing substantial advantages in the assembly of printed circuit boards. In particular, it is possible using some embodiments of the fastener of the invention to assemble the printed circuit board wholly or partially but without locking the first and second components together immediately, and without stopping the board at a screw insertion station. This means that it is possible to test the efficacy of each electronic and fastener component in situ and, if the component works in situ, to allow the printed circuit board assembly to proceed to the next station in the assembly line. It is anticipated that this will provide great savings in reducing rejection of printed board assemblies because of faulty fastening. It may also eliminate the need for screw insertion stations and may speed up assembly.
[0061] It will be appreciated that, using the fastener and method of the invention, it is possible to assemble an element such as a casing, or various parts of casing, to the printed circuit board. This is the reverse of traditional assembly, where the printed circuit board is assembled to the casing. The benefit of assembling the casing to the circuit board is that the circuit board can be set up first in the assembly line and the casing introduced further down the line. Not only can this simplify assembly, it can also permit more easily the use of remote instruction in assembly. After the product has been put into use, it can facilitate servicing.
[0062] It may be possible, using the fastener of the invention, to mount removable or replaceable parts of printed circuit board assemblies, such as crystals, ink cartridges, etc. It is feasible that the fastener of the invention may be used as an electrical connector, for example by providing an electrical connection between one circuit board and another (refer FIG. 11 below).
[0063] It will further be appreciated that the fastener of the invention, at least in some embodiments, and the method of disassembly of the invention, can facilitate “demanufacture” of printed circuit board products, especially as an aid to recycling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064] The invention will now be described in connection with certain non-limiting examples thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0065] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a printed circuit board assembly, showing in each of the corners a first embodiment of the fastener of the invention;
[0066] FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
[0067] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
[0068] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the first embodiment of the fastener of the invention;
[0069] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the fastener of the invention before insertion of the first component into the second component;
[0070] FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment of the fastener with the first and second components locked together;
[0071] FIG. 7 is a variation on the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 ;
[0072] FIG. 8 shows in side sectional view a second embodiment of the fastener of the invention before assembly of a printed circuit board to a casing;
[0073] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 after assembly;
[0074] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 after disassembly;
[0075] FIG. 11 is an expanded, partial perspective view of a case and two printed circuit boards and shows third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the fastener of the invention;
[0076] FIG. 12 illustrates the way in which embodiments of the fastener of the invention can be set up in different orientations;
[0077] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing heating of a fastener of the invention by an external control device; and
[0078] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing heating of a fastener of the invention using resistors on the printed circuit board assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0079] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3 , printed circuit board assembly 10 includes fasteners 12 , one being situated at each of the four corners of printed circuit board 13 .
[0080] As shown in more detail in FIG. 4 , each fastener 12 is surrounded by a number of resistors 14 which can act as a heating element. As illustrated, there are twelve surface mounted resistors, each of size 0805 and each being rated for 0.125 watt dissipation. Instead of twelve there may be, say, eight resistors 14 . Other heating arrangements are possible. Heat is generated by passing current through the resistors 14 , coupling from the resistors 14 to the fastener 12 being by printed track 15 . This is incorporated into the design as part of the electronic and printed circuit board design process. Current to resistors 14 is controlled and delivered by control and energy delivery system 17 , included on board 13 . The resistors are fitted as part of normal printed wiring board assembly. If desired, a thermal sensor (not shown) may be included to provide feedback of fastener temperature and hence indicate whether the fastener components are locked or released.
[0081] Typically, heating power of 2 watts per fastener 12 is practicable. Four fasteners 12 per board 13 will usually be required for small to medium boards as per FIGS. 1 to 3 , and more for larger boards.
[0082] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , first component 19 of fastener 12 has a spigot 16 which includes flange 18 and shank 20 .
[0083] Shank 20 includes enlarged portion 22 , for the purpose of providing the interference fit discussed further below. Shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 are of suitable heat resistant material, such as a plastic acetyl which can be injection moulded.
[0084] Fastener 12 also includes second component sleeve 24 which is surrounded by copper sheath 26 . Sleeve 24 is of heat-softening plastic material and is shown in its first shape in FIG. 5 , namely, with a constant cross-section. In this configuration, shank 20 can enter partly into cavity 28 but is prevented from entering any further by enlarged portion 22 , which has too large a diameter to fit cavity 28 .
[0085] The heat-softening material of sleeve 24 is either shape memory polymer or hot melt adhesive.
[0086] To lock sleeve 24 to shank 20 , sleeve 24 is heated by current passing along track 15 through resistors 14 , heat being conducted to sleeve 24 by copper sheath 26 . Once the threshold temperature (for example, 60° C.) has been reached, sleeve 24 softens and deforms to allow shank 20 , including enlarged portion 22 , to pass into cavity 28 .
[0087] As shown in FIG. 6 , once shank 20 has passed into cavity 28 , further passage being prevented by flange 18 , current can be discontinued to resistors 14 , allowing sleeve 24 to cool and harden around shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 . The interference fit between enlarged portion 22 and sleeve 24 in its second shape will prevent withdrawal of sleeve 24 from shank 20 . Consequently, printed circuit board assembly 10 is fastened to its mounting (not shown) via fastener 12 .
[0088] The arrangement in FIG. 7 is the same as in FIG. 6 , except that the spigot 16 is integrally moulded with tray 44 , which in this embodiment is the element or mounting to which board 13 is fastened.
[0089] To disassemble, sleeve 24 is heated, as before, to or above the threshold temperature, at which sleeve 24 softens (and resumes its original shape when sleeve 24 is of shape memory polymer), allowing shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 to be withdrawn from cavity 28 or to fall out of cavity 28 under the influence of gravity.
[0090] Turning now to the embodiment in FIG. 8 , the fastener in this embodiment has more than two components. These include pin 60 formed integrally with casing 62 . Pin 60 has mounted around it collar 64 of shape-changeable material. Printed circuit board 66 has mounted on it component 68 of a second type of shape-changeable material. Printed circuit board 66 also includes resistors 70 .
[0091] Collar 64 is able to fit into through-hole 72 of component 68 . When sufficient heat is supplied via resistors 70 , the material in component 68 changes shape to provide protrusion 74 (refer FIG. 9 ) fitting into recess 76 on collar 64 , providing a lock between them.
[0092] To disassemble printed circuit board 66 from casing 62 , heat is supplied by suitable means (such as by resistors 70 ) to collar 64 which changes shape as shown in FIG. 10 , unlocking protrusions 78 (refer FIG. 8 ) from channel 80 . This permits pin 60 to disengage from printed circuit board 66 . A spring (not shown) may bias printed circuit board 66 away from casing 62 .
[0093] Referring now to FIG. 11 , this has four different embodiments of components for the fastener of the invention. In the third embodiment, fastener 110 has a first flat component 116 and a second pin-type component 118 . First component 116 contains blind cavity 119 and through hole 121 . It is cavity 119 which forms part of the third embodiment. Pin 118 includes (below collar 122 ) protrusions 120 at each corner of pin 118 . Protrusions 120 are made of the shape-changeable material. When sufficient heat is applied to pin 118 (via resistors 142 , see below, or other means), the protrusions 120 deform so that pin 118 fits into and forms a friction lock with blind cavity 119 .
[0094] In this third embodiment, pin 118 is used to join printed circuit board 112 with a second, stacked printed circuit board 126 . Printed circuit board 126 includes as first component flat plate 132 which includes heating means, being resistors 142 , connected to an electrical current, such as in the first embodiment. Plate 132 includes a through-hole 134 . Printed circuit board 126 is assembled so that the upper part of pin 118 rests against the lower part of through-hole 134 . When resistors 142 are activated, shape-changeable material beneath electrical contacts 135 in plate 132 are heated sufficiently to change shape and lock pin 118 into hole 134 of plate 132 , at the same time pushing contacts 135 towards pin 118 for electrical contact, as explained further below. The result is a two-layered stack of printed circuit boards 112 and 126 , spaced by collar 122 .
[0095] Both holes 119 and 134 contain electrical contacts 135 . Pin 118 includes metal strips 123 to electrically connect plates 116 and 132 via contacts 135 , and hence boards 112 and 126 . Pin 118 hence acts as a plug between boards 112 and 126 .
[0096] To disassemble, current is applied to resistors 142 . When sufficient heat is applied to pin 118 , protrusions 120 change shape, and the shape memory material beneath contacts 135 in plate 132 also change shape, so that circuit boards 112 and 126 can be disengaged.
[0097] In relation to the fourth embodiment, the two-layered stack of printed circuit boards 112 and 126 , or circuit board 112 alone, as desired, are joined to casing 114 by means of integral pin 124 . Through-hole 121 on plate 116 includes shape-changeable material, forming a ridge 136 . Application of suitable heat causes ridge 136 to spread vertically, allowing entry of pin 124 and causing locking by friction fit, against the bias of spring 125 .
[0098] To disassemble, heat applied to ridge 136 will soften it and allow disengagement of pin 124 . Under the bias of spring 125 , board 112 is pushed apart from base 114 .
[0099] The fifth embodiment has a first component 138 attached integrally to board 112 . This is a circular plate, rather than a rectangular plate as in the case of component 116 . Plate 138 has a square through-hole 140 . The second component designed to lock into through-hole 140 is not shown but may be, for example, a further pin on casing 114 or a descending pin from printed circuit board 126 . This embodiment can resemble in other respects the third or fourth embodiment.
[0100] The sixth embodiment of fastener has a component represented by plate 143 which includes circular through-hole 144 . Whereas plates 116 , 132 and 138 contain cavities or holes designed to receive a pin vertically, hole 144 is intended to receive a pin horizontally. This embodiment is otherwise similar to the third and fourth embodiments.
[0101] The usefulness of this is illustrated in FIG. 12 which has a printed circuit board 46 which is to be assembled in a casing having sides 48 , 50 and 52 and top 54 . In this embodiment, printed circuit board 46 has mounted on it a number of components 56 which contain through-holes. The through-holes are designed to accept pins 58 formed integrally with sides 48 , 50 and 52 and top 54 , according to the method of the invention.
[0102] Referring next to FIG. 13 , this shows a number of fasteners 12 for which heating is controlled by an external control device 30 , utilising a control interface connector 32 . This assembly includes a temperature sensor 34 . In this embodiment, printed circuit board assembly 10 includes heating resistors (not shown).
[0103] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 , heating of the fasteners is controlled by microcontroller 36 , which forms part of the printed circuit board assembly 10 and which has a primary function, relevant to the particular printed circuit board assembly, as well as its function for controlling heating of the fasteners 12 . The embodiment includes heating resistors (not shown) as well as power switch 38 , such as a transistor, to turn heating current on or off under control of microcontroller 36 . Temperature sensor 34 is included. Power source 40 provides power for heating of the resistors.
[0104] Control of fasteners 12 via microcontroller 36 can be directed by means, such as a push button or jumper on assembly 10 , or from an external control interface 42 .
[0105] The fasteners, combinations and methods of the invention represent a significant advance in the art. The localised application of heat specifically to a fastener is now possible, with excellent control. This contrasts with prior art attempts at disassembly, where heat tunnels, hot air or infra-red energy have been proposed. The present invention is far more precise, flexible and controllable.
[0106] In printed circuit board assembly, fastening may be carried out at any desired time, such as after quality control procedures. Fastening becomes a flexible part of the procedure. An automated assembly programme can instruct fastening after checking that all parts are in place and are operative. | The invention provides a fastener assembly suitable for joining a first element such as a circuit board to a second element such as a casing or another circuit board. The fastener assembly includes a first component which has a pin and a second component which includes a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin. In one aspect, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element. Either the first component or the second component is made of material which can change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature. The pin of the first component is adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component when the second shape is attained, through interaction of the material with the cavity, without deformation of the pin. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU03/00933, filed Jul. 22, 2003, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English and is incorporated herein by reference.",
"International Application No. PCT/AU03/00933 claims priority from Australian Patent Application 2002950303, filed Jul. 22, 2002, which is also incorporated herein by reference, and Australian Patent Application 2002953229, filed on Dec. 9, 2002, which is also incorporated herein by reference.",
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to improvements in assembly and disassembly.",
"In particular, this invention is concerned with systems of assembly and disassembly which are capable of being more efficient and/or less labour intensive than commonly used methods.",
"[0003] This invention is especially concerned with assembly and disassembly of printed circuit boards.",
"However, the invention is not limited to this.",
"BACKGROUND [0004] Printed circuit boards (also called printed wiring boards) are usually assembled using traditional fastening materials, namely mounts and screws.",
"It is desirable to introduce greater efficiency in the assembly of printed circuit boards.",
"It is also desirable to be able to “demanufacture”",
"or disassemble such products, especially to aid recycling of parts and disposal.",
"[0005] It is also desirable to be able to test the effectiveness of fastening and electronic components before or during the assembly procedure.",
"Detection of a faulty fastening or electronic component during assembly rather than at the completion of assembly can enable substitution of a working component and/or can prevent the cost of having to discard an assembly at the end of the process because of the faulty component.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of the second shape, through interaction of the material with the cavity without deformation of the pin.",
"[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component including a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature generated through heating means included in the first element.",
"[0008] It will also be appreciated that the fastener of the present invention can permit disassembly.",
"This is becoming more and more important.",
"There is increased pressure to recover parts of assemblies, particularly printed circuit board assemblies, especially for recycling purposes.",
"For this purpose, the fastener of the invention in some embodiments has the first and second components being adapted to unlock upon attainment of the first or another shape, as well as being adapted to lock together upon attainment of the second shape.",
"[0009] Consequently, the invention also provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of the second shape, without deformation of the pin, the pin of the first component being adapted to be unlocked from the second component upon attainment of the first shape or attainment by the first component of a third shape.",
"[0010] Further, the invention provides a first element, preferably a printed circuit board, fastened to a second element using the fastener or the method of the invention.",
"[0011] The invention also provides a first element, preferably a printed circuit board in combination with the first component or the second component of the fastener of the invention.",
"[0012] The invention also provides a method for joining a first element to a second element, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a first fastening component including a pin and a second fastening component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, at least part of the second component capable of being received within a bore in the first element, either the first fastening component or the second fastening component comprising material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature;",
"(b) inserting the pin in the cavity as far as possible;",
"and (c) heating the material to or above the particular temperature so that the material interacts with the cavity to lock the pin into the cavity, without deformation of the pin.",
"[0016] The invention also provides method for joining a first element to a second element, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a first fastening component including a pin and a second fastening component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, either the first fastening component or the second fastening component comprising material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the first fastening component including material adapted to change to a third shape at a temperature different from the particular temperature;",
"(b) inserting the pin in the cavity;",
"and (c) heating the material to or above the particular temperature so that the material interacts with the cavity to lock the pin into the cavity.",
"[0020] In another aspect, the invention provides a fastener assembly for joining a first element to a second element, the fastener assembly including a first component having a pin and a second component including a cavity for receiving at least part of the pin, wherein either the first component or the second component comprises material adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a particular temperature, the pin of the first component being adapted to be locked into the cavity of the second component upon attainment of a second shape, the pin of the first component being adapted to be unlocked from the second component upon attainment by the first component of a third shape.",
"[0021] The invention also provides a method of disassembling a first element from a second element, in which the first element is fastened to the second element by the fastener assembly of the invention, the method including the step of heating the material to the particular temperature.",
"[0022] The invention also provides method of disassembling a first element from a second element, in which the first element is fastened to the second element by the fastener assembly of the invention, the method including the step of heating the first component so that it assumes the third shape.",
"[0023] The first element is preferably a printed circuit board.",
"In this embodiment, preferably the energy required for the heating step is provided by means such as resistors included in the circuit board, by means in or on the second element or by means integral with one or both the fastening components.",
"[0024] The second element is preferably a support or part of a casing for the circuit board or may be a second circuit board.",
"[0025] While it is preferred that the first element is a circuit board, it is to be appreciated that the invention in its various aspects is not limited to this.",
"For example, the fastener of the invention can fasten merchandise to a support in a sales outlet.",
"A specific example is a compact disc in a jewel case, fastened to a support until the compact disc is purchased, at which time the vendor can instruct the fastener to release the jewel case and the purchaser can gain access to the compact disc.",
"[0026] As another example, the fastener of the invention can be used to better secure components in computers and the computers themselves, as well as other vibration-sensitive equipment, in land, sea or air vehicles.",
"The fasteners of the invention can provide cushioning as well as fastening in such circumstances.",
"A specific example is the fastening of a casing for a vehicle on-board computer.",
"The fastener of the invention can fasten the computer components within the casing.",
"Further, the fasteners of the invention can fasten the casing into the vehicle, to restrict access and provide security.",
"In such circumstances, the pin may need to have a metal core to deter theft.",
"[0027] As another non-limiting example, service access panels may be secured by the fasteners of the invention.",
"[0028] Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art.",
"The first and second elements are accordingly of wide scope.",
"[0029] The first component has a pin which can take the form of a fastening spigot.",
"The second component, in one embodiment, is a sleeve of shape memory polymer or other suitable material into which at least part of the pin fits.",
"The pin may be slightly oversized and thus able to fit only part way into the sleeve until the material has changed from the first shape to the second shape at the particular temperature.",
"The pin may have an enlarged portion or other shape, such as ribs, which can create an interference fit with the sleeve when the material changes to the second shape.",
"[0030] While the pin may have an enlarged potion or other shape which can create an interference fit with the sleeve when the material attains the second shape, the pin can have other configurations.",
"For example, the pin can have a recessed area.",
"The pin may be of constant cross section, without any protrusions or under cuts.",
"The pin may have any suitable cross section, including round or square.",
"[0031] The pin may be of constant cross section, as may the sleeve.",
"In this case, when the material is heated to the particular temperature, its tendency to change from the first shape to the second shape causes sufficient friction between the pin and the sleeve to lock the pin into the sleeve.",
"As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, there are many variations in shapes which will permit the locking of the pin to the cavity.",
"[0032] The pin may be released by again heating the material of the sleeve.",
"The material of the sleeve may return to its original shape when heated sufficiently, or to a third shape to enable disassembly.",
"Preferably, the heating and reheating process can be repeated.",
"[0033] The pin may be formed integrally with, for example, a case or support for the printed circuit board, or may be separate.",
"[0034] When the second component is a sleeve or plate, it may have one or more holes or cavities (or depressions).",
"An advantage of this is that it can allow fastening of a printed circuit board to both a casing and a second printed circuit board, for example.",
"This facilitates stacking of circuit boards and other parts.",
"The pin may also enable electrical connections between circuit boards, in which case electrically-conductive material such as wire should be incorporated in the pin.",
"[0035] The particular temperature is preferably attained by generating heat by passing current through resistors.",
"The resistors may be fitted as part of the normal circuit board assembly and have two purposes—the primary function of the resistor in the circuit board assembly and a secondary function to generate enough heat to enable attainment of the particular temperature to change the shape of the material during assembly or disassembly.",
"[0036] Alternately to the use of resistors, a heating element or other heating means may be integrated in the assembly, or situated externally, to apply the appropriate amount of heat to the fastener.",
"[0037] Either the first component or the second component may comprise or include the material.",
"Where the second component is a sleeve, it is convenient if it is this component which comprises or includes the material.",
"[0038] The material may be a shape memory material or a material which melts at a suitable temperature, such as a hot melt adhesive.",
"When the first component and/or the second component are appropriately shaped, hot melt adhesive may be suitable for use.",
"Some metals or metal alloys may be suitable.",
"Materials which change phase on the application of a specific amount of heat may also be suitable.",
"A heat releasable epoxy adhesive, which liquefies at 90-130° C., for example, is known and may be suitable.",
"Other materials may also be suitable, such as solder, so that the component of the fastener would self-solder connection of the circuit board to the element.",
"Other materials will be apparent to one skilled in the art or can be ascertained after suitable experimentation.",
"[0039] Shape memory material is known.",
"Any suitable shape memory material may be used.",
"Essentially, a shape memory material can be deformed into a temporary shape and restored to the original shape, usually upon heating in each case.",
"While shape memory material such as nickel/titanium alloys are not excluded, for the purpose of the present invention it is preferred that the shape memory material is a plastic polymer.",
"[0040] Suitable shape memory plastic polymers are available, for example, from The Polymer Technology Group Incorporated of California, USA, under the trademark Calo.",
"MER.",
"The shape memory product is generally a non-reactive thermoplastic, such as polyurethane or polyester thermoplastic elastomers.",
"These adapt to forming in various ways, especially via melt processing, including extrusion and injection moulding.",
"The material may be compounded with fillers and pigments without interfering with shape-memory properties.",
"[0041] The polymer may be a block copolymer with “hard”",
"and “soft”",
"segments which are different chemically and which retain their dominant glass transition temperatures.",
"Such a copolymer can have a lower glass transition temperature and a higher glass transition temperature.",
"The lower glass transition temperature is that of the “soft”",
"segments, while the higher glass transition temperature (also called the crystalline melting point) is that of the “hard”",
"segments.",
"[0042] In the case of such a block copolymer, at temperatures above the lower glass transition temperature but below the upper glass transition temperature, the soft segments are flexible and rubber-like, the hard segments being stiff and rigid.",
"Consequently, the copolymer behaves as a springy thermoplastic elastomer.",
"Because of the molecular weight and chemical structure of the soft segments, the copolymer has considerable mobility at these temperatures.",
"The copolymer exhibits properties of viscous deformation and stress relaxation.",
"[0043] When the temperature is increased above the glass transition temperature of the hard segments, the copolymer becomes a viscous liquid which can be extruded or injection moulded to a chosen shape.",
"This shape is “locked in”",
"by cooling below the upper glass transition temperature.",
"[0044] A temporary shape may be “locked in”",
"by heating the copolymer to a temperature between the lower glass transition temperature and the upper glass transition temperature, so that only the soft segments are viscous and deformable, then cooling the copolymer to a temperature below the lower glass transition temperature.",
"When the copolymer is heated above the lower glass transition temperature, the copolymer will return to the permanent shape previously formed by the high temperature process.",
"[0045] In application to the present invention, the shape memory material may be heated to or above the particular temperature (the lower glass transition temperature in the case of the copolymer), at which stage the shape memory material can be deformed around the other component in the fastener of the invention.",
"On cooling below the lower glass transition temperature, this locks the components together by way of a suitable interference fit force, provided by the hoop stress resulting from the variation in elastic modulus in the shape memory material above and below the lower glass transition temperature.",
"In this configuration the fastener joins the printed circuit board to the element.",
"[0046] To release the element from the circuit board and enable demanufacture or disassembly, the shape memory material may be heated above the lower glass transition temperature once again, causing it to become soft and easily deformed, in which configuration the element can be released from the circuit board.",
"[0047] It will be appreciated that the fastener of the invention can enable disassembly without the need for springs or other positive bias means.",
"[0048] The particular temperature will be determined by the shape memory material used.",
"In the case of Calo.",
"MER shape memory polymer, the particular temperature may be 50 to 60° C. Other shape memory polymers with different glass transition temperatures may be suitable, preferably around 100° C. The material chosen and its particular temperature may vary according to the purpose of the assembly and the expected temperatures to which it will be exposed in use.",
"[0049] If necessary, the material can be insulated as required from other parts which may otherwise be affected by the heat applied to the material.",
"[0050] The material is adapted to change from the first shape to the second shape on the application of suitable heat.",
"In the case of shape memory material, the material may change to the “memorised”",
"shape as far as possible (there may be physical constraints preventing the material from fully attaining the second shape).",
"For other material, the change may be to a shape, which may be determined wholly or partially by the environment of the material.",
"[0051] As discussed, the temperature is preferably obtained by generating heat by passing current through resistors.",
"The resistors may be fitted as part of the normal printed circuit board assembly and may have two purposes.",
"The first purpose is that of the primary function of the resistor in the assembly and the second purpose enables attainment of the desired temperature to change the shape of the material during assembly or disassembly.",
"Thus, there is little extra cost involved, since the resistors would be part of the circuit board assembly even if the fasteners of the invention were not involved.",
"However, where the desired temperature is a relatively high one, it may be necessary to provide additional resistors for the second purpose, to ensure that the desired temperature can be reached.",
"[0052] The fastener of the invention may be attached to the printed circuit board or to the element in any orientation, some examples of which are shown in connection with the drawings, below.",
"The orientation is preferably such as to allow the first component (for example, a pin) to face any convenient direction.",
"[0053] The first and second components may be assembled in relation to the printed circuit board assembly using any suitable assembly technology.",
"For example, a component may be adhered, soldered, riveted, screwed or the like.",
"A component may be fixed in conventional manner or by remote means, e.g., as disclosed in International Patent Application No PCT/AU99/00185, published as WO99/47819.",
"A component may be surface mounted on the printed circuit board on either side, or mounted through the printed circuit board.",
"A component may be integral with the printed circuit board or the element (preferably the latter in the case of the first component).",
"[0054] Connection between the material and an energy source, for providing heating to the requisite temperature, may be by any suitable means.",
"[0055] The fastener of the invention may be connected to an energy and/or data bus.",
"[0056] As stated above, the printed circuit board itself may be made of traditional material (such as fibreglass) or of any other suitable material.",
"Glass has been proposed for this purpose.",
"A drawback of glass printed circuit boards has been that they are inherently brittle and there have been problems in using screws.",
"In the case of a glass printed circuit board, the fastener of the invention may include sufficient resiliency to act as a shock absorber and to assist in preventing damage to the glass in the case of the addition of screws etc.",
"Conveniently, the resiliency may be provided by the material adapted to change from the first to the second shape.",
"It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the fastener of the invention can facilitate the manufacture of printed circuit boards on glass.",
"[0057] The fastener of the invention may include internal intelligent means capable of reporting on status, controlling temperature, switching energy and processing interaction with other such fasteners.",
"The fastener of the invention may also incorporate or be associated with a spring or other biasing means to assist separation of the printed circuit board from the element once the components of the fastener have been unlocked.",
"[0058] The fastener of the invention may have different parts, whether in the first component and the second component or otherwise, which can be separately controlled.",
"This can be for the purpose of enabling an assembly instruction through one type of control and a disassembly instruction through a different control.",
"Zero insertion force and zero extraction force can result.",
"[0059] By way of example, the first component may include a first sleeve on the pin and the second component may comprise a second sleeve into which the first sleeve is received.",
"Heating of the second sleeve controls assembly and heating of the first sleeve enables disassembly as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8 to 10 below.",
"[0060] It will be appreciated that the fastener of the invention is capable of providing substantial advantages in the assembly of printed circuit boards.",
"In particular, it is possible using some embodiments of the fastener of the invention to assemble the printed circuit board wholly or partially but without locking the first and second components together immediately, and without stopping the board at a screw insertion station.",
"This means that it is possible to test the efficacy of each electronic and fastener component in situ and, if the component works in situ, to allow the printed circuit board assembly to proceed to the next station in the assembly line.",
"It is anticipated that this will provide great savings in reducing rejection of printed board assemblies because of faulty fastening.",
"It may also eliminate the need for screw insertion stations and may speed up assembly.",
"[0061] It will be appreciated that, using the fastener and method of the invention, it is possible to assemble an element such as a casing, or various parts of casing, to the printed circuit board.",
"This is the reverse of traditional assembly, where the printed circuit board is assembled to the casing.",
"The benefit of assembling the casing to the circuit board is that the circuit board can be set up first in the assembly line and the casing introduced further down the line.",
"Not only can this simplify assembly, it can also permit more easily the use of remote instruction in assembly.",
"After the product has been put into use, it can facilitate servicing.",
"[0062] It may be possible, using the fastener of the invention, to mount removable or replaceable parts of printed circuit board assemblies, such as crystals, ink cartridges, etc.",
"It is feasible that the fastener of the invention may be used as an electrical connector, for example by providing an electrical connection between one circuit board and another (refer FIG. 11 below).",
"[0063] It will further be appreciated that the fastener of the invention, at least in some embodiments, and the method of disassembly of the invention, can facilitate “demanufacture”",
"of printed circuit board products, especially as an aid to recycling.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0064] The invention will now be described in connection with certain non-limiting examples thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: [0065] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a printed circuit board assembly, showing in each of the corners a first embodiment of the fastener of the invention;",
"[0066] FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;",
"[0067] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 ;",
"[0068] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the first embodiment of the fastener of the invention;",
"[0069] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the fastener of the invention before insertion of the first component into the second component;",
"[0070] FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment of the fastener with the first and second components locked together;",
"[0071] FIG. 7 is a variation on the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 ;",
"[0072] FIG. 8 shows in side sectional view a second embodiment of the fastener of the invention before assembly of a printed circuit board to a casing;",
"[0073] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 after assembly;",
"[0074] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 after disassembly;",
"[0075] FIG. 11 is an expanded, partial perspective view of a case and two printed circuit boards and shows third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the fastener of the invention;",
"[0076] FIG. 12 illustrates the way in which embodiments of the fastener of the invention can be set up in different orientations;",
"[0077] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing heating of a fastener of the invention by an external control device;",
"and [0078] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing heating of a fastener of the invention using resistors on the printed circuit board assembly.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0079] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3 , printed circuit board assembly 10 includes fasteners 12 , one being situated at each of the four corners of printed circuit board 13 .",
"[0080] As shown in more detail in FIG. 4 , each fastener 12 is surrounded by a number of resistors 14 which can act as a heating element.",
"As illustrated, there are twelve surface mounted resistors, each of size 0805 and each being rated for 0.125 watt dissipation.",
"Instead of twelve there may be, say, eight resistors 14 .",
"Other heating arrangements are possible.",
"Heat is generated by passing current through the resistors 14 , coupling from the resistors 14 to the fastener 12 being by printed track 15 .",
"This is incorporated into the design as part of the electronic and printed circuit board design process.",
"Current to resistors 14 is controlled and delivered by control and energy delivery system 17 , included on board 13 .",
"The resistors are fitted as part of normal printed wiring board assembly.",
"If desired, a thermal sensor (not shown) may be included to provide feedback of fastener temperature and hence indicate whether the fastener components are locked or released.",
"[0081] Typically, heating power of 2 watts per fastener 12 is practicable.",
"Four fasteners 12 per board 13 will usually be required for small to medium boards as per FIGS. 1 to 3 , and more for larger boards.",
"[0082] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , first component 19 of fastener 12 has a spigot 16 which includes flange 18 and shank 20 .",
"[0083] Shank 20 includes enlarged portion 22 , for the purpose of providing the interference fit discussed further below.",
"Shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 are of suitable heat resistant material, such as a plastic acetyl which can be injection moulded.",
"[0084] Fastener 12 also includes second component sleeve 24 which is surrounded by copper sheath 26 .",
"Sleeve 24 is of heat-softening plastic material and is shown in its first shape in FIG. 5 , namely, with a constant cross-section.",
"In this configuration, shank 20 can enter partly into cavity 28 but is prevented from entering any further by enlarged portion 22 , which has too large a diameter to fit cavity 28 .",
"[0085] The heat-softening material of sleeve 24 is either shape memory polymer or hot melt adhesive.",
"[0086] To lock sleeve 24 to shank 20 , sleeve 24 is heated by current passing along track 15 through resistors 14 , heat being conducted to sleeve 24 by copper sheath 26 .",
"Once the threshold temperature (for example, 60° C.) has been reached, sleeve 24 softens and deforms to allow shank 20 , including enlarged portion 22 , to pass into cavity 28 .",
"[0087] As shown in FIG. 6 , once shank 20 has passed into cavity 28 , further passage being prevented by flange 18 , current can be discontinued to resistors 14 , allowing sleeve 24 to cool and harden around shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 .",
"The interference fit between enlarged portion 22 and sleeve 24 in its second shape will prevent withdrawal of sleeve 24 from shank 20 .",
"Consequently, printed circuit board assembly 10 is fastened to its mounting (not shown) via fastener 12 .",
"[0088] The arrangement in FIG. 7 is the same as in FIG. 6 , except that the spigot 16 is integrally moulded with tray 44 , which in this embodiment is the element or mounting to which board 13 is fastened.",
"[0089] To disassemble, sleeve 24 is heated, as before, to or above the threshold temperature, at which sleeve 24 softens (and resumes its original shape when sleeve 24 is of shape memory polymer), allowing shank 20 and enlarged portion 22 to be withdrawn from cavity 28 or to fall out of cavity 28 under the influence of gravity.",
"[0090] Turning now to the embodiment in FIG. 8 , the fastener in this embodiment has more than two components.",
"These include pin 60 formed integrally with casing 62 .",
"Pin 60 has mounted around it collar 64 of shape-changeable material.",
"Printed circuit board 66 has mounted on it component 68 of a second type of shape-changeable material.",
"Printed circuit board 66 also includes resistors 70 .",
"[0091] Collar 64 is able to fit into through-hole 72 of component 68 .",
"When sufficient heat is supplied via resistors 70 , the material in component 68 changes shape to provide protrusion 74 (refer FIG. 9 ) fitting into recess 76 on collar 64 , providing a lock between them.",
"[0092] To disassemble printed circuit board 66 from casing 62 , heat is supplied by suitable means (such as by resistors 70 ) to collar 64 which changes shape as shown in FIG. 10 , unlocking protrusions 78 (refer FIG. 8 ) from channel 80 .",
"This permits pin 60 to disengage from printed circuit board 66 .",
"A spring (not shown) may bias printed circuit board 66 away from casing 62 .",
"[0093] Referring now to FIG. 11 , this has four different embodiments of components for the fastener of the invention.",
"In the third embodiment, fastener 110 has a first flat component 116 and a second pin-type component 118 .",
"First component 116 contains blind cavity 119 and through hole 121 .",
"It is cavity 119 which forms part of the third embodiment.",
"Pin 118 includes (below collar 122 ) protrusions 120 at each corner of pin 118 .",
"Protrusions 120 are made of the shape-changeable material.",
"When sufficient heat is applied to pin 118 (via resistors 142 , see below, or other means), the protrusions 120 deform so that pin 118 fits into and forms a friction lock with blind cavity 119 .",
"[0094] In this third embodiment, pin 118 is used to join printed circuit board 112 with a second, stacked printed circuit board 126 .",
"Printed circuit board 126 includes as first component flat plate 132 which includes heating means, being resistors 142 , connected to an electrical current, such as in the first embodiment.",
"Plate 132 includes a through-hole 134 .",
"Printed circuit board 126 is assembled so that the upper part of pin 118 rests against the lower part of through-hole 134 .",
"When resistors 142 are activated, shape-changeable material beneath electrical contacts 135 in plate 132 are heated sufficiently to change shape and lock pin 118 into hole 134 of plate 132 , at the same time pushing contacts 135 towards pin 118 for electrical contact, as explained further below.",
"The result is a two-layered stack of printed circuit boards 112 and 126 , spaced by collar 122 .",
"[0095] Both holes 119 and 134 contain electrical contacts 135 .",
"Pin 118 includes metal strips 123 to electrically connect plates 116 and 132 via contacts 135 , and hence boards 112 and 126 .",
"Pin 118 hence acts as a plug between boards 112 and 126 .",
"[0096] To disassemble, current is applied to resistors 142 .",
"When sufficient heat is applied to pin 118 , protrusions 120 change shape, and the shape memory material beneath contacts 135 in plate 132 also change shape, so that circuit boards 112 and 126 can be disengaged.",
"[0097] In relation to the fourth embodiment, the two-layered stack of printed circuit boards 112 and 126 , or circuit board 112 alone, as desired, are joined to casing 114 by means of integral pin 124 .",
"Through-hole 121 on plate 116 includes shape-changeable material, forming a ridge 136 .",
"Application of suitable heat causes ridge 136 to spread vertically, allowing entry of pin 124 and causing locking by friction fit, against the bias of spring 125 .",
"[0098] To disassemble, heat applied to ridge 136 will soften it and allow disengagement of pin 124 .",
"Under the bias of spring 125 , board 112 is pushed apart from base 114 .",
"[0099] The fifth embodiment has a first component 138 attached integrally to board 112 .",
"This is a circular plate, rather than a rectangular plate as in the case of component 116 .",
"Plate 138 has a square through-hole 140 .",
"The second component designed to lock into through-hole 140 is not shown but may be, for example, a further pin on casing 114 or a descending pin from printed circuit board 126 .",
"This embodiment can resemble in other respects the third or fourth embodiment.",
"[0100] The sixth embodiment of fastener has a component represented by plate 143 which includes circular through-hole 144 .",
"Whereas plates 116 , 132 and 138 contain cavities or holes designed to receive a pin vertically, hole 144 is intended to receive a pin horizontally.",
"This embodiment is otherwise similar to the third and fourth embodiments.",
"[0101] The usefulness of this is illustrated in FIG. 12 which has a printed circuit board 46 which is to be assembled in a casing having sides 48 , 50 and 52 and top 54 .",
"In this embodiment, printed circuit board 46 has mounted on it a number of components 56 which contain through-holes.",
"The through-holes are designed to accept pins 58 formed integrally with sides 48 , 50 and 52 and top 54 , according to the method of the invention.",
"[0102] Referring next to FIG. 13 , this shows a number of fasteners 12 for which heating is controlled by an external control device 30 , utilising a control interface connector 32 .",
"This assembly includes a temperature sensor 34 .",
"In this embodiment, printed circuit board assembly 10 includes heating resistors (not shown).",
"[0103] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 , heating of the fasteners is controlled by microcontroller 36 , which forms part of the printed circuit board assembly 10 and which has a primary function, relevant to the particular printed circuit board assembly, as well as its function for controlling heating of the fasteners 12 .",
"The embodiment includes heating resistors (not shown) as well as power switch 38 , such as a transistor, to turn heating current on or off under control of microcontroller 36 .",
"Temperature sensor 34 is included.",
"Power source 40 provides power for heating of the resistors.",
"[0104] Control of fasteners 12 via microcontroller 36 can be directed by means, such as a push button or jumper on assembly 10 , or from an external control interface 42 .",
"[0105] The fasteners, combinations and methods of the invention represent a significant advance in the art.",
"The localised application of heat specifically to a fastener is now possible, with excellent control.",
"This contrasts with prior art attempts at disassembly, where heat tunnels, hot air or infra-red energy have been proposed.",
"The present invention is far more precise, flexible and controllable.",
"[0106] In printed circuit board assembly, fastening may be carried out at any desired time, such as after quality control procedures.",
"Fastening becomes a flexible part of the procedure.",
"An automated assembly programme can instruct fastening after checking that all parts are in place and are operative."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and more particularly, to the monitoring of the closure of a hydraulically induced fracture and determination of the minimum in-situ stress.
During the completion of wells drilled into the earth, a string of casing is normally run into the well and a cement slurry is flowed into the annulus between the casing string and the wall of the well. The cement slurry is allowed to set and form a cement sheath which bonds the string of casing to the wall of the well. Perforations are provided through the casing and cement sheath adjacent the subsurface formation. Fluids, such as oil or gas, are produced through these perforations into the well.
Hydraulic fracturing is widely practiced to increase the production rate from such wells. Fracturing treatments are usually performed soon after the formation interval to be produced is completed, that is, soon after fluid communication between the well and the reservoir interval is established. Wells are also sometimes fractured for the purpose of stimulating production after significant depletion of the reservoir.
Hydraulic fracturing techniques involve injecting a fracturing fluid down a well and into contact with the subterranean formation to be fractured. Sufficiently high pressure is applied to the fracturing fluid to initiate and propagate a fracture into the subterranean formation. Proppant materials are generally entrained in the fracturing fluid and are deposited in the fracture to hold the fracture open.
In conventional hydraulic fracturing as practiced by industry, the direction of fracture propagation is primarily controlled by the present orientation of the subsurface ("in-situ") stresses. These stresses are usually resolved into a maximum in-situ stress and a minimum in-situ stress. The two stresses are mutually perpendicular (usually in a horizontal plane) and are assumed to be acting uniformly on a subsurface formation at a distance greatly removed from the site of a hydraulic fracturing operation (i.e., they are "far-field" in-situ stresses). The direction that a hydraulic fracture will propagate from a wellbore into a subsurface formation is perpendicular to the least principal in-situ stress.
Several such hydraulic fracturing methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,965,982; 4,067,389; 4,378,845; 4,515,214; 4,549,608, and 4,687,061 for example. This invention is related to the determination of the magnitude of the least principal in-situ stress and detection of fracture closure time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for monitoring the hydraulic fracture closure in a subsurface formation. More particularly, fracturing fluid is hydraulically applied to a subsurface formation surrounding a borehole by way of a fluid injection line extending down through the borehole from the surface of the earth. Pressure drop is measured along the fluid injection line as fracturing fluid flows through the injection line during fracturing of the subsurface formation. Fracture closure is identified when the measured pressure drop along the fluid injection line is equal only to a hydrostatic pressure difference.
In a more specific aspect, the pressure drop along the fluid injection line is measured by a pair of fluid pressure transducers at spaced-apart positions along the fluid injection line. Pressure profiles are plotted for the pair of pressure measurements. Both fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress are determined from the point where the pair of pressure profiles overlap after excluding the hydrostatic pressure difference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 illustrates a formation fracturing system useful in carrying out the method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a pair of pressure transducers used with the system of FIG. 1 to carry out in-situ pressure readings within the fracturing system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plot of differential pressure readings taken by the pair of pressure transducers of FIG. 2 for use in determining closure of a hydraulically induced fracture in accordance with the method of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown formation fracturing apparatus with which the method of the present invention may be carried out. A wellbore 10 extends from the surface 11 through an overburden 12 to a productive formation 13 where the in-situ stresses favor a vertical fracture. Casing 14 is set in the wellbore and extends from a casing head 15 to the productive formation 13. The casing 14 is held in the wellbore by a cement sheath 16 that is formed between the casing 14 and the wellbore 10. The casing 14 and cement sheath 16 are perforated at 17a and 17b where the local in-situ stresses favor the propagation of vertical fractures. Perforations 17a are preferably spaced 180° from perforations 17b and are aligned with fracture direction, if known. An injection line 19 is positioned in the wellbore and extends from the casing head 15 into the wellbore to a point above the perforations 17. The upper end of injection line 19 is connected by a conduit 20 to a source 21 of fracturing fluid. A pump 22 is provided in communication with the conduit 20 for pumping the fracturing fluid from the source 21 down the injection line 19. A packer 23 is placed in the annulus 24 above the lower end of the injection line 19.
In carrying out a hydraulic fracturing operation, the pump 22 is activated to force fracturing fluid down the injection line 19 and out the perforations 17a and 17b (as shown by arrows) into the formation 13 for the purpose of initiating and propagating the vertical fractures 25a and 25b.
It is a specific feature of the present invention to determine closure of the hydraulically induced fractures 25a and 25b from pressure readings taken along injection line 19 as shown in FIG. 2. This determination does not require the conventional plotting procedures in which a plot of the pressure fall-off function vs. some type of time function is used to determine fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress. Instead, the novelty of the present invention's procedure relies on the existence of pressure drop along the injection line 19 as fracturing fluid flows down the line as shown by the arrows. The pressure difference measured between the two points P1 and P2, as measured by the pair of pressure transducers 30 and 31 respectively, in the injection line 19 is caused by pipe friction and head pressure. For a vertical well, and a Newtonian fluid, this can be expressed as follows:
P1-(P2+h)=k(μLQ/D.sup.4) (1)
where, P1 and P2: line pressure readings from the two pressure transducers 30 and 31 respectively,
h: hydrostatic head caused by fluid weight between two points P1 and P2,
μ: fluid viscosity,
Q=fluid flowrate,
L=distance between P1 and P2,
D=diameter of injection line, and
k=constant depends on units used.
By recording and plotting the pressure readings P1 and P2 on the uphole recorder and plotter 32 in the form of the plot as shown in FIG. 3, the difference between the P1 and P2 curves can be used directly as an accurate diagnostic tool to describe the downhole system behavior including fracture opening and closing. Whenever the fracture is extending or is still open, a pressure difference between P1 and P2 exists, indicating that fluid is still flowing in the injection lines and Q in eq.(1) is greater than zero. Upon shut-in the fracture closes and fluid flow in the injection line is stopped, Q=O, and the difference between P1 and P2 is equal to the hydrostatic pressure only (i.e., fluid density×distance).
FIG. 3 illustrates two pressure profiles recorded during a hydraulic fracture test. FIG. 3 encompasses four stages during the test in which the minimum stress applied is 800 psi. The four time periods, t f , t c , t p and t d , correspond to:
t f =time it takes to fill the tubing, two transducers P1 and P2 show different readings,
t c =time it takes for fluid in wellbore to compres, very slow fluid motion, no friction, and fluid flow only for wellbore leakoff,
t p =fracture propagation period, transducers P1 and P2 show different readings due to fluid flow, and
t d =fracture closure and pressure decline period, pressure transducers readings are merging, indicating diminishing flow into the fracture.
During periods in which fluid flow in the line is minimum, as in t c and t d , pressure drop is small (i.e., P1 is very close to P2). When the fracture closes, fluid in the injection line is no longer in motion, and there is no friction. Thus, P1 is approximately equal to P2 when hydrostatic head is negligible (P1 is at the level of P2), and pressure profiles overlap starting from fracture closure time. The starting of pressure profile overlap in FIG. 3 is the closure point C, which corresponds to a pressure of 800 psi or the known applied minimum in-situ stress in the test (i.e., no flow, no friction, P1 and P2 readings overlap). The accuracy of the technique increases as the line friction drop increases.
By examining eq.(1), friction can be increased by the following:
i) using smaller diameter injection lines,
ii) using more viscous fluids, and
iii) using higher injection rates.
Even though placing a greater distance between P1 and P2 can increase pressure drop, it is not recommended because greater hydrostatic head can offset pressure drop due to friction in vertical low flow rate tests.
In carrying out the hydraulic fracturing method of the present invention, the techniques and systems disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patents may be employed, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Suitable pressure transducers for use in such systems should have a range above the expected fracturing gradient and an accuracy of 0.5% or better. Pressure transducers with dial type readouts are not recommended. (Strain gage type pressure transducers manufactured by Sensotec with a range of 0-10,000 psi and an accuracy of 0.5% were used in experiments conducted to verify the method. Recordings are shown in FIG. 3.) | A subsurface formation surrounding a borehole is hydraulically fractured when a fracturing fluid is supplied down through the borehole by way of a fluid injection line from the surface of the earth. Pressure drop is measured along the injection line as fracturing fluid flows therethrough. Both fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress are determined at the point where such pressure drop is equal only to a hydrostatic pressure difference along the injection line. | Identify the most important aspect in the document and summarize the concept accordingly. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations and more particularly, to the monitoring of the closure of a hydraulically induced fracture and determination of the minimum in-situ stress.",
"During the completion of wells drilled into the earth, a string of casing is normally run into the well and a cement slurry is flowed into the annulus between the casing string and the wall of the well.",
"The cement slurry is allowed to set and form a cement sheath which bonds the string of casing to the wall of the well.",
"Perforations are provided through the casing and cement sheath adjacent the subsurface formation.",
"Fluids, such as oil or gas, are produced through these perforations into the well.",
"Hydraulic fracturing is widely practiced to increase the production rate from such wells.",
"Fracturing treatments are usually performed soon after the formation interval to be produced is completed, that is, soon after fluid communication between the well and the reservoir interval is established.",
"Wells are also sometimes fractured for the purpose of stimulating production after significant depletion of the reservoir.",
"Hydraulic fracturing techniques involve injecting a fracturing fluid down a well and into contact with the subterranean formation to be fractured.",
"Sufficiently high pressure is applied to the fracturing fluid to initiate and propagate a fracture into the subterranean formation.",
"Proppant materials are generally entrained in the fracturing fluid and are deposited in the fracture to hold the fracture open.",
"In conventional hydraulic fracturing as practiced by industry, the direction of fracture propagation is primarily controlled by the present orientation of the subsurface ("in-situ") stresses.",
"These stresses are usually resolved into a maximum in-situ stress and a minimum in-situ stress.",
"The two stresses are mutually perpendicular (usually in a horizontal plane) and are assumed to be acting uniformly on a subsurface formation at a distance greatly removed from the site of a hydraulic fracturing operation (i.e., they are "far-field"",
"in-situ stresses).",
"The direction that a hydraulic fracture will propagate from a wellbore into a subsurface formation is perpendicular to the least principal in-situ stress.",
"Several such hydraulic fracturing methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,965,982;",
"4,067,389;",
"4,378,845;",
"4,515,214;",
"4,549,608, and 4,687,061 for example.",
"This invention is related to the determination of the magnitude of the least principal in-situ stress and detection of fracture closure time.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for monitoring the hydraulic fracture closure in a subsurface formation.",
"More particularly, fracturing fluid is hydraulically applied to a subsurface formation surrounding a borehole by way of a fluid injection line extending down through the borehole from the surface of the earth.",
"Pressure drop is measured along the fluid injection line as fracturing fluid flows through the injection line during fracturing of the subsurface formation.",
"Fracture closure is identified when the measured pressure drop along the fluid injection line is equal only to a hydrostatic pressure difference.",
"In a more specific aspect, the pressure drop along the fluid injection line is measured by a pair of fluid pressure transducers at spaced-apart positions along the fluid injection line.",
"Pressure profiles are plotted for the pair of pressure measurements.",
"Both fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress are determined from the point where the pair of pressure profiles overlap after excluding the hydrostatic pressure difference.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates a formation fracturing system useful in carrying out the method of the present invention.",
"FIG. 2 illustrates a pair of pressure transducers used with the system of FIG. 1 to carry out in-situ pressure readings within the fracturing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plot of differential pressure readings taken by the pair of pressure transducers of FIG. 2 for use in determining closure of a hydraulically induced fracture in accordance with the method of the present invention.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown formation fracturing apparatus with which the method of the present invention may be carried out.",
"A wellbore 10 extends from the surface 11 through an overburden 12 to a productive formation 13 where the in-situ stresses favor a vertical fracture.",
"Casing 14 is set in the wellbore and extends from a casing head 15 to the productive formation 13.",
"The casing 14 is held in the wellbore by a cement sheath 16 that is formed between the casing 14 and the wellbore 10.",
"The casing 14 and cement sheath 16 are perforated at 17a and 17b where the local in-situ stresses favor the propagation of vertical fractures.",
"Perforations 17a are preferably spaced 180° from perforations 17b and are aligned with fracture direction, if known.",
"An injection line 19 is positioned in the wellbore and extends from the casing head 15 into the wellbore to a point above the perforations 17.",
"The upper end of injection line 19 is connected by a conduit 20 to a source 21 of fracturing fluid.",
"A pump 22 is provided in communication with the conduit 20 for pumping the fracturing fluid from the source 21 down the injection line 19.",
"A packer 23 is placed in the annulus 24 above the lower end of the injection line 19.",
"In carrying out a hydraulic fracturing operation, the pump 22 is activated to force fracturing fluid down the injection line 19 and out the perforations 17a and 17b (as shown by arrows) into the formation 13 for the purpose of initiating and propagating the vertical fractures 25a and 25b.",
"It is a specific feature of the present invention to determine closure of the hydraulically induced fractures 25a and 25b from pressure readings taken along injection line 19 as shown in FIG. 2. This determination does not require the conventional plotting procedures in which a plot of the pressure fall-off function vs.",
"some type of time function is used to determine fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress.",
"Instead, the novelty of the present invention's procedure relies on the existence of pressure drop along the injection line 19 as fracturing fluid flows down the line as shown by the arrows.",
"The pressure difference measured between the two points P1 and P2, as measured by the pair of pressure transducers 30 and 31 respectively, in the injection line 19 is caused by pipe friction and head pressure.",
"For a vertical well, and a Newtonian fluid, this can be expressed as follows: P1-(P2+h)=k(μLQ/D.",
"sup[.",
"].4) (1) where, P1 and P2: line pressure readings from the two pressure transducers 30 and 31 respectively, h: hydrostatic head caused by fluid weight between two points P1 and P2, μ: fluid viscosity, Q=fluid flowrate, L=distance between P1 and P2, D=diameter of injection line, and k=constant depends on units used.",
"By recording and plotting the pressure readings P1 and P2 on the uphole recorder and plotter 32 in the form of the plot as shown in FIG. 3, the difference between the P1 and P2 curves can be used directly as an accurate diagnostic tool to describe the downhole system behavior including fracture opening and closing.",
"Whenever the fracture is extending or is still open, a pressure difference between P1 and P2 exists, indicating that fluid is still flowing in the injection lines and Q in eq.",
"(1) is greater than zero.",
"Upon shut-in the fracture closes and fluid flow in the injection line is stopped, Q=O, and the difference between P1 and P2 is equal to the hydrostatic pressure only (i.e., fluid density×distance).",
"FIG. 3 illustrates two pressure profiles recorded during a hydraulic fracture test.",
"FIG. 3 encompasses four stages during the test in which the minimum stress applied is 800 psi.",
"The four time periods, t f , t c , t p and t d , correspond to: t f =time it takes to fill the tubing, two transducers P1 and P2 show different readings, t c =time it takes for fluid in wellbore to compres, very slow fluid motion, no friction, and fluid flow only for wellbore leakoff, t p =fracture propagation period, transducers P1 and P2 show different readings due to fluid flow, and t d =fracture closure and pressure decline period, pressure transducers readings are merging, indicating diminishing flow into the fracture.",
"During periods in which fluid flow in the line is minimum, as in t c and t d , pressure drop is small (i.e., P1 is very close to P2).",
"When the fracture closes, fluid in the injection line is no longer in motion, and there is no friction.",
"Thus, P1 is approximately equal to P2 when hydrostatic head is negligible (P1 is at the level of P2), and pressure profiles overlap starting from fracture closure time.",
"The starting of pressure profile overlap in FIG. 3 is the closure point C, which corresponds to a pressure of 800 psi or the known applied minimum in-situ stress in the test (i.e., no flow, no friction, P1 and P2 readings overlap).",
"The accuracy of the technique increases as the line friction drop increases.",
"By examining eq.",
"(1), friction can be increased by the following: i) using smaller diameter injection lines, ii) using more viscous fluids, and iii) using higher injection rates.",
"Even though placing a greater distance between P1 and P2 can increase pressure drop, it is not recommended because greater hydrostatic head can offset pressure drop due to friction in vertical low flow rate tests.",
"In carrying out the hydraulic fracturing method of the present invention, the techniques and systems disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patents may be employed, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"Suitable pressure transducers for use in such systems should have a range above the expected fracturing gradient and an accuracy of 0.5% or better.",
"Pressure transducers with dial type readouts are not recommended.",
"(Strain gage type pressure transducers manufactured by Sensotec with a range of 0-10,000 psi and an accuracy of 0.5% were used in experiments conducted to verify the method.",
"Recordings are shown in FIG. 3.)"
] |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to optical fiber devices, such as lasers and amplifiers, that produce high power levels through the use of large effective mode area. More specifically, the devices derive improved performance characteristics when the gain element is deliberately operated in a higher order mode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(Parts of the following section may not be prior art.)
Fiber lasers with high pulse energy, good beam quality and excellent optical characteristics have applications in many fields and industries such as materials processing (marking, welding, semiconductor wafer and mask repair etc), medical and industrial spectroscopy (fluorescence, absorption), illumination, remote sensing and spectroscopy (wind speed, biohazards, ecosystem mapping etc), ranging and targeting (collision avoidance, military applications etc) and scientific instrumentation. For reasons of simplicity and efficiency, Yb 3 +-doped fibers are most commonly used. They can be optically pumped from 915 nm–975 nm and achieve emission from 975–1100 nm with optical conversion efficiency as high as 70%. Currently, advances in this field are primarily constrained by limitations in maximum extractable energy, and the onset of nonlinear impairments. Saturation energy of the gain medium is a key parameter for determining how much energy can be stored in an amplifier, and is given by i
E sat = hv s A eff ( σ es + σ as ) Γ s ( 1 )
where σ es ,σ as are the emission and absorption cross section at the signal wavelength, hν s is signal energy at frequency ν s , A eff is area of the active doped region and Γ s is signal overlap with the active dopant. As a general rule, the extractable energy stored in a fiber is limited to around ten times the saturation energy. As an example, for standard single mode Yb 3+ doped fiber with 8▭m core diameter, E sat =0.04 mJ, indicating extraction of only about 0.4 mJ per pulse.
Two deleterious nonlinear effects of concern are stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). Both rob power from the signal and can cause catastrophic damage. For SRS, the threshold for peak power P th before onset of serious Raman scattering in passive fibers is given by:
P th = 16 A eff g R L ( 2 )
where A eff is the effective mode area of the fiber, g R is the Raman gain coefficient and L is the fiber length. For a fiber with 25▭m core diameter, P th ·L˜70 kWm. Since typical fiber lengths exceed 5 meters, this indicates peak powers of only 20 kW before Raman scattering becomes severe.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering arises from interaction of the signal with longitudinal acoustic modes of the fiber, causing part of the signal to be reflected backwards. Similar to the case of SRS, the threshold condition for SBS can be written as:
P th = 21 A eff g B L ( 1 + BW BW SiO 2 ) ( 3 )
where g B is the Brillouin gain coefficient, BW is the bandwidth of the signal and BW SiO2 is the Brillouin bandwidth of a silica, i.e. SiO 2 , fiber (˜50 MHz for silica). If the signal has bandwidth comparable to BW SiO2 , then for a fiber with 25 μm core diameter, P th ·L˜350 Wm. This is obviously a severe constraint and mitigation is desirable. For both SBS and SRS impairments, equations (3) and (4) indicate mitigation is possible by increasing the modal area and decreasing the fiber length. Because a larger core occupies a larger fraction of the overall fiber cross-section and therefore has higher pump absorption, the optimum fiber length varies inversely with A eff . Thus, increasing the core area naturally results in shorter length. Since the nonlinear effects vary as A/L, the increase in threshold varies as A eff 2 .
Currently, the practical solution for obtaining large A eff fiber is conceptually straightforward—simply increasing the core diameter. This results in monotonically increasing A eff of the signal. However, there are several limitations to this approach. For single-mode operation, as the core diameter increases, the refractive index difference between the core and cladding, Δn, must decrease. If Δn<0.001, though, the fiber becomes bend sensitive. And when Δn is fixed at a minimum, further increase in core diameter results in multimode operation. While this is permissible, core size is then constrained by unavoidable but undesirable energy transfer among modes.
The mode coupling efficiency η between modes in a multimode fiber is given by
η ~ λ 2 κ 2 Δ n eff 2 p ( 4 )
where κ is the perturbation amplitude due to index and microbend fluctuations, Δn eff is the difference in effective indices between different modes, and ρ is a fitting parameter (with value>0) to account for mechanical perturbations on a fiber. Thus, large Δn eff (e.g.>8×10 −5 ) is desirable for low mode coupling. Unfortunately, as A eff increases, Δn eff decreases and rapidly asymptotes to values much smaller than 8×10 −4 , and mode coupling cannot be reduced. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which shows simulations of two designs for achieving A eff ˜1600 μm 2 (mode field˜45 μm). FIG. 1 a shows the refractive index profiles of the designs considered. The fiber with higher Δn has Δn eff =6×10 −5 , indicating that it is highly susceptible to mode coupling. Note that this mode has negligible bend loss, as shown in FIG. 1 b . Even with a huge reduction in Δn, Δn eff is only increased by 30% and mode coupling remains catastrophic. Note that this reduction in Δn leads to extreme bend loss ( FIG. 1 b ).
FIG. 1 c illustrates an additional problem with large A eff designs. All applications of high power lasers and amplifiers involve spatially transforming and focusing the device output. This is best achieved with Gaussian beams. Thus, an important metric for high power devices is the M 2 of the output light, where M 2 is a measure of the departure from a perfect Gaussian spatial profile (M 2 =1 is a perfectly Gaussian mode), given by:
M
2
=
∫
r
2
E
2
r
·
ⅆ
r
∫
(
ⅆ
E
ⅆ
r
)
2
r
·
ⅆ
r
(
5
)
where E is the electric field profile of the mode, and r is the radial coordinate. FIG. 1 c shows two mode profiles representing two different M 2 values for the two different designs (low and high mode coupling) represented in FIG. 1 a . The output beam, becomes highly distorted (M 2 dramatically increases) for the design with low mode coupling, and is sensitive to index perturbations in the core. Very tight control of fiber fabrication conditions is therefore necessary to maintain good beam quality, and this is difficult in fibers with A eff >350 μm 2 .
Current preferred laser designs concentrate on means to force operation in a fundamental mode, even though the fiber may guide several modes. One disclosed means to achieve this is to preferentially strip the higher order modes (HOM). While this may be adequate for moderate A eff , the higher modal content of large A eff fibers leaves little room for discrimination of bend loss between modes. Alternatively, gain-inducing dopants can be selectively deposited in a fiber preform so that only the fundamental mode is substantially amplified or guided. While this technique would allow amplification of the desired mode in comparison to HOMs, it is designed for cases where the fundamental mode is substantially spatially separated from the HOMs—a condition typically absent in very large A eff fibers. Another approach is to dope the fiber in a ring around the core rather than in the core itself. This increases the gain saturation limit of the gain medium, allowing extraction of higher power pulses. However, this technique leads to significant degradation of the output mode profile, i.e. departure from M 2 =1. Since many of the HOMs overlap spatially, mode coupling and mode discrimination becomes problematic.
Given the numerous performance trade-offs, gain fibers with current technology face a practical limit of mode field diameter ˜20 μm (A eff =350 μm 2 ) with little prospect of future advances using conventional engineering expedients. Thus there exists a need for an amplifier fiber that simultaneously yields very large A eff , low mode coupling, and good output beam quality.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
We have developed a new approach to the realization of optical fiber devices with very large mode area, good bend loss performance, large spacing between guided modes (for low mode coupling), and good beam quality (M 2 ˜1). These properties are produced, according to the invention, by using a few mode optical fiber, and converting the input signal to a higher order mode. This yields significant design flexibility, so that all the desirable properties (large A eff , low bend loss, low mode coupling and M 2 ˜1) can be simultaneously achieved.
Two embodiments of fiber designs suitable for implementing the invention are described below. These are illustrative of optical fibers wherein the HOM is the LP02 mode, but the invention can be implemented with any HOM guided by the fiber. It may also be implemented using a conversion of lower mode input (LOM) to HOM.
The first design class (called the ring design, henceforth) illustrates a fiber with a central core and one or more high index rings followed by a down-doped region. The second design class (called the truncated cladding design, henceforth) comprises a central core and an inner cladding, followed by a broad down-doped region spaced significantly from the center of the fiber. Both of these designs can yield A eff for the LP 02 mode ranging up to 2800 μm 2 and beyond. Furthermore, the deep-down-doped regions ensure that the HOM is not radiated, and thus good bend loss performance is obtained. The enhanced design flexibility for HOM fibers enables designing them with large effective index separations (Δn eff —the difference in effective index between the LP 02 mode and any other guided mode). Designs guiding the LP 12 mode in addition to the desired LP 02 mode yield Δn eff >8×10 −5 , while designs that guide only the LP 01 , LP 11 , and LP 02 modes yield Δn eff as high as 3×10 −3 . Thus, these fibers exhibit very low mode coupling problems. In addition, the LP 02 mode is vastly spatially separated from other guided modes in the fiber. Thus, preferential gain-guiding mechanisms attempted earlier for fundamental mode gain fibers, can be readily applied here to further increase modal discrimination and decrease the deleterious effects of mode mixing. Another advantage of these fibers is that while the signal propagates in the LP 02 mode, light enters/exits the fiber in the fundamental, LP 01 mode. The characteristics of this mode are governed by the central core, while those of the LP 02 mode are governed by other features. Hence, the central core can be designed to yield a LP 01 mode with mode profile almost indistinguishable from a perfect Gaussian mode profile.
In some cases, for efficient operation, it is helpful to add suitable core dopants that necessarily increase the core index. For example Er/Yb fibers use high phosphorous concentrations. High Δ cores avoid use of large MFD if fundamental mode operation is desired. HOMs can be designed to propagate in high Δ regions.
Since signal propagation is in the LP 02 mode rather than the fundamental mode, the fiber is provided with mode-converters to convert the incoming signal in the fundamental mode, into the HOM. The output signal may either be down-converted to the LP 01 , mode, or focused/collimated as is. Mode converters also function as wavelength selective filters, such as a bandpass filter. These are useful for filtering out unwanted ASE r stokes shifted light. Thus, use of HOMs is advantageous even if A eff is not large.
The inventive features may be more easily followed with the aid of the drawing:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1 a–c show performance characteristics that the invention is aimed at improving;
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a refractive index profile for a ring design fiber of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a refractive index profile as well as a mode distribution plot for the optical fiber of FIG. 2 ;
FIG. 4 is a schematic of a refractive index profile for a truncated cladding design fiber of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a refractive index profile as well as a mode distribution plot for the optical fiber of FIG. 4 ;
FIG. 6 is a plot comparing the optical fibers of FIGS. 3 and 5 with respect to effective area variation with wavelength;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the overall system of the invention;
FIG. 8 a is a schematic diagram representing a long period grating (LPG) switchable mode converter showing input and output mode distribution spectra;
FIG. 8 b is a plot showing typical spectral features of the LPGs of FIG. 8 a using different mode-converting efficiencies;
FIGS. 9 a and 9 b illustrates devices with an HOM converter at the input only;
FIGS. 10 a – 10 c illustrate pumping and mirror arrangements suitable for use with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As mentioned previously, two distinct embodiments of fiber designs suitable for the gain section of the devices of the invention will be described. These are illustrative of optical fibers wherein the HOM is the LP02 mode, but the invention can be implemented with any HOM guided by the fiber. It should also be understood that other optical fiber designs may be found useful for obtaining the high effective area performance demonstrated by the two designs shown here. These optical fibers are examples of a category of optical fibers known as few mode fibers. They have a mode field larger than a single mode fiber.
The ring design optical fiber has a central core and one or more high index rings (with Δn>2×10 −3 ) of thickness greater than 2 μm, followed by a deep down doped region (Δn<−0.003) with a thickness of at least 5 μm. The high index ring exists at a radial position greater than 20 μm from the center of the fiber. The desired mode field diameter is at least 20 microns, preferably>40 μm. For designs utilizing the wavelength selectivity of mode converters, this invention is advantageous even with small (6–10 μm) MFD fiber.
FIG. 2 shows the canonical refractive index profile for a ring design fiber, and is characterized by the values ΔN core , ΔN iclad , ΔN ring , ΔN dd , and ΔN oclad , representing the refractive index values of the core, inner clad, ring, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively. The radial positions of these index features is governed by d core , d iclad , d ring , d dd , and d oclad , representing the thicknesses of the core, inner clad, ring, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively. The central core has refractive index Δn core , and thickness d core , such that the LP 01 , and LP 11 , modes substantially reside within it. Hence, their modal properties are governed almost exclusively by this region. On the other hand, the inner cladding, ring and deep down-doped regions govern the properties of the LP 02 mode.
FIG. 3 shows a typical refractive index profile for this design class, along with the modal profiles for the LP 01 , LP 11 , and LP 02 modes. It is immediately evident that the LP 02 power resides in regions substantially separated from the LP 01 , and LP 11 modes. Thus, preferential amplification or gain-guiding mechanisms can be readily applied to this design, to amplify only the LP 02 mode in comparison to other modes. For more details of these mechanisms see U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,759, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This fiber has A eff ˜2100 μm 2 , and only guides the LP 01 , LP 11 and the desired LP 02 mode. The difference in effective indices between nearest neighbors, Δn eff =3×10 −3 , which is at least an order of magnitude larger than that in conventional, fundamental mode fibers with substantially lower A eff . This illustrates the vast large A eff design space accessible to HOMs. Furthermore, the design parameters (as given by the refractive index values and thickness values illustrated in FIG. 2 ) can be modified to yield fibers with vastly different A eff . This is illustrated in the following Table, which shows the variation of the parameters of interest, as a function of d iclad , the thickness of the inner clad region.
TABLE
d clad
A eff (μm 2 )
Minimum Δn eff
M 2
19
1670
3.894 × 10 −3
1.02
22
2088
3.890 × 10 −3
1.02
24
2386
3.888 × 10 −3
1.02
27
2860
3.886 × 10 −3
1.02
Note that for LP 02 mode A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 , the output mode shape (M 2 ˜1.02) remains the same, as expected, since the output mode is governed by the LP 01 mode and not the LP 02 mode. In addition, Δn eff also remains larger than 10 −4 for all these designs, indicating that they are robust with respect to mode coupling problems.
The truncated cladding design optical fibers comprise a central core, an inner cladding of index similar to that of silica, followed by a deep down-doped region (ΔN<−0.003), at a radial position greater than 20 μm from the center of the fiber. The down-doped region has a thickness greater than 5 μm, and can extend to the periphery of the fiber.
FIG. 4 shows the canonical refractive index profile for a truncated cladding design fiber, and is characterized by the values Δn core , Δn iclad , Δn dd , and Δn oclad , representing the refractive index values of the core, inner clad, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively. The radial positions of these index features is governed by d core , d iclad , d dd , and d oclad , representing the thicknesses of the core, inner clad, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively. The central core has refractive index Δn core , and thickness d core , such that the LP 01 , and LP 11 modes substantially reside within it. Hence, their modal properties are governed almost exclusively by this region. On the other hand, the inner cladding and deep down-doped regions govern the properties of the LP 02 mode.
FIG. 5 shows a typical refractive index profile for this design class, along with the modal profiles for the LP 01 , LP 11 , LP 12 and LP 02 modes. It is immediately evident that the LP 02 power resides in regions substantially separated from the LP 01 and LP 11 modes. However, unlike in the case of the ring designs, the LP 12 mode has strong spatial overlap with the LP 02 mode. Thus, preferential amplification or gain-guiding mechanisms will not be expected to provide additional modal discrimination in this case. While this is a drawback in comparison to the ring designs, this profile is more robust to manufacturing variations in comparison to the ring designs. This is illustrated by FIG. 6 , which shows the variation of A eff with respect to operating wavelength, for the two design classes.
The fiber illustrated in FIG. 5 fiber has A eff ˜2150 μm 2 , and difference in effective indices between nearest neighbours, Δn eff =9×10 −5 , which implies that the mode coupling performance of these fibers will also be adequate. As in the case of the ring designs, the thickness of the inner clad d iclad , can be varied to yield fibers with a variety of A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 . Again, the output mode shape (M 2 ˜1.02) is as close to Gaussian, as expected, since the output mode is governed by the LP 01 mode and not the LP 02 mode.
In the truncated cladding designs, the bend loss for the LP 02 mode is controlled by the thickness of the deep down-doped region and the outer clad region. However, the spatial overlap between the LP 12 and LP 02 mode is also controlled by the deep down-doped region. As a general rule, the thickness of the deep down-doped region d dd , can be increased at the expense of d oclad (in the limiting case, d dd can be made large enough to extend throughout the fiber, while eliminating the outer clad, i.e. d oclad =0), to increase the confinement of the LP 02 mode without sacrificing its A eff . However, this parameter must be optimized with respect to the degree of spatial overlap between the LP 12 and LP 02 modes, and thus the ideal operating point in this design space is for d dd ranging from 5–15 μm.
Both of these designs can be engineered to yield A eff for the LP 02 mode ranging from 1600 μm 2 to 2800 μm 2 . Furthermore, the deep-down-doped regions ensure that the HOM is not radiated, and thus good bend loss performance is obtained. The enhanced design flexibility for HOM fibers enables designing them with large effective index separations (Δn eff —the difference in effective index between the LP 02 mode and any other guided mode). Designs guiding the LP 12 mode in addition to the desired LP 02 mode yield Δn eff >8×10 −5 , while designs that guide only the LP 01 , LP 11 and LP 02 modes yield Δn eff as high as 3×10 −3 . Thus, these fibers exhibit very low mode coupling problems. In addition, the LP 02 mode is vastly spatially separated from other guided modes in the fiber so that preferential gain-guiding mechanisms attempted earlier for fundamental mode gain fibers, can be readily applied here to further increase modal discrimination and decrease the deleterious effects of mode mixing. Another advantage of these fibers is that while the signal propagates in the LP 02 mode, light enters/exits the fiber in the fundamental, LP 01 mode. The characteristics of this mode are governed by the central core, while those of the LP 02 mode are governed by other features. Hence, the central core can be designed to yield a LP 01 mode with mode profile metric M 2 ˜1.02, which is almost indistinguishable from a perfect Gaussian mode profile.
Mode converters for converting the incoming, and optionally the outgoing, signals between modes may be of any suitable design. The mode converting functionality may be achieved within the gain fiber using in-fiber grating mode converters. Alternatively, holographic free-space mode converters, or tapered hollow-core fibers, may be employed. Such mode converters can be designed to be broadband or spectrally selective, depending on whether the application is a laser or amplifier. This offers the additional advantage of spectral filtering to reduce noise from amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Moreover, the mode converters are by definition mode-selective, and hence offer an additional degree of modal discrimination, further decreasing mode-coupling problems.
The fiber designs disclosed above enable propagation of an HOM (in the illustrated examples, the LP 02 mode) with A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 , and low mode coupling susceptibility. However, in addition the fibers are provided with means to access the HOM. The mode profiles for the LP 02 mode, depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5 show that they have two power maxima, and are very distinct in shape from the Gaussian profile normally employed in a free-space or conventional fiber apparatus. Hence, the incoming signal in the examples given is converted into the LP 02 mode. In addition, some applications may also require that the amplified output also be converted into a Gaussian profile, and use an output mode converter that performs the reciprocal function. This is illustrated in FIG. 7 , which shows the HOM fiber discussed above connected to mode-converting couplers at the input and output respectively. These mode converters transform the incoming light from the LP 01 or some Gaussian mode to the LP 02 mode in the fiber. The reverse—reciprocal action—is realized with the mode converter at the output, which yields a Gaussian output for the device. The input fiber is typically a single mode transmission fiber, or a few mode fiber that strongly guides the fundamental LP01 mode so that the optical signal entering the device is predominantly in the LP01 mode.
A preferred means to obtain the mode-converting device functionality is with co-propagating long period fiber gratings (LPG). LPGs may be induced in the HOM fiber itself, enabling a low cost, low loss mode-converting device. Such gratings may be made narrowband, if only one wavelength of operation is required, or can be arbitrarily broadband. Mode converters are also known that cover a wavelength range as large as 500 nm. For more details see S. Ramachandran, M. Yan, E. Monberg, F. Dimarcello, P. Wisk and S. Ghalmi, “Record bandwidth microbend gratings for spectrally flat variable optical attenuators,” IEEE Photon. Tech. Lett. , vol. 15, pp. 1561–1563, 2003; S. Ramachandran, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/234,289, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Suitably designed LPGs can be both static as well as tunable in their mode coupling strength. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 , which shows the schematic of switchable mode-conversion enabled by LPGs, along with the input and output mode profiles ( FIG. 8 a ), as well as the typical spectral features of these gratings tuned to a variety of mode-converting efficiencies ( FIG. 8 b ). Since LPGs provide spectral filtering as well as modal discrimination in addition to mode conversion, they enable HOM amplifier schematics (of the kind shown in FIG. 7 , for example) to be inherently low noise.
Several other devices may be used in lieu of LPGs to achieve the LP01–LP 02 mode-converting functionality depicted in FIG. 7 . Examples of alternate mode converters include:
1) Elements offering spatially selective phase delays can be used to assemble free-space couplers that offer broadband, efficient mode conversion. Hence, the device can be used both to up—as well as down—convert the signal from the LP 01 to the LP 02 mode, and vice versa.
2) Beam shaping elements of various kinds have been used to spatially transform a beam of light. Examples include combinations of diffractive lenses, lens arrays and combinations to provide astigmatic corrections. Typically, such elements are used to change the aspect ratio of a spatial pattern, as is needed to couple light from laser diodes to fibers, but the concept can be extended to change the spatial pattern between modes of a fiber too.
All the mode converters described above can be used to offer the spatial mode transformation between the LP 01 , and LP 02 modes, as depicted in the schematic of FIG. 7 . An alternative schematic is also useful, as shown in FIG. 9 . Here the input signal is converted to the LP 02 mode, using any of the mode converting schemes defined above, but the output is not transmitted through a mode converter. Hence, the light exiting the device is in the LP 02 mode. This may subsequently be propagated in free space, using standard collimating lenses ( FIG. 9 a ), or be converted into any desired beam shape with the use of free-space beam transformers described above ( FIG. 9 b ). The prospect of free-space collimation and propagation of the LP 02 is especially attractive for high power communications applications, where low divergence angles produce efficient collimation. The LP 02 mode in a fiber is significantly less divergent than the fundamental mode, and thus is well suited for this application.
For the gain-block sub-assemblies described above to operate as an amplifier or laser, the dopants in the fiber are pumped with laser light corresponding to their absorption bands. This may be achieved by several techniques previously disclosed for pumping high power sources and amplifiers. FIG. 10 a shows a conventional pumping schematic used for pumping amplifiers for moderate as well as high power applications—the schematic most commonly used to pump erbium doped fiber amplifiers in communications systems. Pump light from fiber-coupled laser-diodes is multiplexed onto the input fiber of the gain block with a multiplexer. The multiplexer may act as both a wavelength- as well as a polarisation-selective element, thus enabling the prospect of adding several pump beams into the gain block. For even higher power applications, a fiber-tapered bundle may be used to introduce light from many laser-diode pumps into the cladding of the gain fiber. Such devices are well known. FIG. 10 b illustrates this schematic. In this case, the HOM fibers disclosed in this application will be coated with low-index polymer jackets so as to enable confining the pump light in the cladding of the fiber. FIG. 10 ( c ) illustrates a side pumped laser with end mirrors. End pumping the laser, as suggested by FIGS. 10 ( a ) and 10 ( b ) is also an option. Reflecting means other than mirrors, e.g. gratings, may be used.
Methods for making optical fibers with the profiles shown here are well known and well developed. The core region generally consists of silica doped with germanium at concentrations less than 10 wt % at the position of maximum index, and graded with radius to provide the shape desired. The center core is typically has a radius of less than 10 microns. The inner cladding region may be undoped, as in the case of the ring design shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , or lightly doped with germania as in the case of the truncated cladding design shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . In the ring design, the inner cladding extends between the core region and the ring to a radial distance of typically 20–50 microns. The ring is an updoped region, usually doped with germania, with a radial width typically 1–5 microns. In the truncated cladding design the ring is omitted. In both designs the next region is a down-doped, typically fluorine-doped, trench region of considerable depth, i.e. at least 0.005 Δn from the doping level of the inner cladding. The recommended radial width of the deep trench is 5–15 microns. The index of refraction in the trench region is typically approximately constant as a function of radius, but is not required to be flat. The trench region generally consists of SiO 2 , doped with appropriate amounts of fluorine to achieve the desired index of refraction, and optionally germania to lower glass defect levels.
As described in detail above, the optical fibers in the input, gain and output section of the device are designed to support specific guided modes. That characteristic, when specified herein, means that at least 50% of the optical energy in the fiber is in the designated mode.
As used herein, the term ΔN refers to a percentage deviation from a baseline, the baseline being the refractive index of pure silica. As evident from the description above, the optical fiber in the high-gain block of the optical fiber device of the invention has a core, an inner cladding, and a trench. Optionally, it has a ring between the inner cladding and the trench to aid in controlling bend losses. Also, it may have an outer cladding outside the trench. The refractive index profile of the optical fiber can be expressed in terms of the radial position of these regions in microns.
Mentioned earlier is the use of a LOM input, for example a ring mode from a high power laser. The input for the device of the invention may be a LOM such as LP02, and the mode conversion to LP12, for example. The output from the devices described above, i.e. the LP02 output, instead of converting back to LP01, may be used as the input for a second stage of a two-stage amplifier,
Various other modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the characteristics of mode separation and selectivity may be advantageous even for moderate modefield areas, between 350 and 1600 μm 2 . This is because known designs for fibers supporting HOMs with adequate mode separation and selectivity are restricted to A eff of approximately 100 μm 2 . In addition, it is expected that alternate fiber designs can achieve grater than 2800 μm 2 . All deviations from the specific teachings of this specification that basically rely on the principles and their equivalents through which the art has been advanced are properly considered within the scope of the invention as described and claimed. | The specification describes an optical fiber device wherein a LOM is converted to an HOM prior to entering the gain section. The gain section is a few mode fiber that supports the HOM. The output from the gain section, i.e. the HOM, may be utilized as is, or converted back to the LOM. With suitable design of the few mode fiber in the gain section of the device, the effective area, Aeff, may be greater than 1600 μm 2 . The large mode separation in the gain section reduces mode coupling, allowing greater design freedom and reducing the bend sensitivity of the optical fiber. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to optical fiber devices, such as lasers and amplifiers, that produce high power levels through the use of large effective mode area.",
"More specifically, the devices derive improved performance characteristics when the gain element is deliberately operated in a higher order mode.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Parts of the following section may not be prior art.) Fiber lasers with high pulse energy, good beam quality and excellent optical characteristics have applications in many fields and industries such as materials processing (marking, welding, semiconductor wafer and mask repair etc), medical and industrial spectroscopy (fluorescence, absorption), illumination, remote sensing and spectroscopy (wind speed, biohazards, ecosystem mapping etc), ranging and targeting (collision avoidance, military applications etc) and scientific instrumentation.",
"For reasons of simplicity and efficiency, Yb 3 +-doped fibers are most commonly used.",
"They can be optically pumped from 915 nm–975 nm and achieve emission from 975–1100 nm with optical conversion efficiency as high as 70%.",
"Currently, advances in this field are primarily constrained by limitations in maximum extractable energy, and the onset of nonlinear impairments.",
"Saturation energy of the gain medium is a key parameter for determining how much energy can be stored in an amplifier, and is given by i E sat = hv s A eff ( σ es + σ as ) Γ s ( 1 ) where σ es ,σ as are the emission and absorption cross section at the signal wavelength, hν s is signal energy at frequency ν s , A eff is area of the active doped region and Γ s is signal overlap with the active dopant.",
"As a general rule, the extractable energy stored in a fiber is limited to around ten times the saturation energy.",
"As an example, for standard single mode Yb 3+ doped fiber with 8▭m core diameter, E sat =0.04 mJ, indicating extraction of only about 0.4 mJ per pulse.",
"Two deleterious nonlinear effects of concern are stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS).",
"Both rob power from the signal and can cause catastrophic damage.",
"For SRS, the threshold for peak power P th before onset of serious Raman scattering in passive fibers is given by: P th = 16 A eff g R L ( 2 ) where A eff is the effective mode area of the fiber, g R is the Raman gain coefficient and L is the fiber length.",
"For a fiber with 25▭m core diameter, P th ·L˜70 kWm.",
"Since typical fiber lengths exceed 5 meters, this indicates peak powers of only 20 kW before Raman scattering becomes severe.",
"Stimulated Brillouin scattering arises from interaction of the signal with longitudinal acoustic modes of the fiber, causing part of the signal to be reflected backwards.",
"Similar to the case of SRS, the threshold condition for SBS can be written as: P th = 21 A eff g B L ( 1 + BW BW SiO 2 ) ( 3 ) where g B is the Brillouin gain coefficient, BW is the bandwidth of the signal and BW SiO2 is the Brillouin bandwidth of a silica, i.e. SiO 2 , fiber (˜50 MHz for silica).",
"If the signal has bandwidth comparable to BW SiO2 , then for a fiber with 25 μm core diameter, P th ·L˜350 Wm.",
"This is obviously a severe constraint and mitigation is desirable.",
"For both SBS and SRS impairments, equations (3) and (4) indicate mitigation is possible by increasing the modal area and decreasing the fiber length.",
"Because a larger core occupies a larger fraction of the overall fiber cross-section and therefore has higher pump absorption, the optimum fiber length varies inversely with A eff .",
"Thus, increasing the core area naturally results in shorter length.",
"Since the nonlinear effects vary as A/L, the increase in threshold varies as A eff 2 .",
"Currently, the practical solution for obtaining large A eff fiber is conceptually straightforward—simply increasing the core diameter.",
"This results in monotonically increasing A eff of the signal.",
"However, there are several limitations to this approach.",
"For single-mode operation, as the core diameter increases, the refractive index difference between the core and cladding, Δn, must decrease.",
"If Δn<0.001, though, the fiber becomes bend sensitive.",
"And when Δn is fixed at a minimum, further increase in core diameter results in multimode operation.",
"While this is permissible, core size is then constrained by unavoidable but undesirable energy transfer among modes.",
"The mode coupling efficiency η between modes in a multimode fiber is given by η ~ λ 2 κ 2 Δ n eff 2 p ( 4 ) where κ is the perturbation amplitude due to index and microbend fluctuations, Δn eff is the difference in effective indices between different modes, and ρ is a fitting parameter (with value>0) to account for mechanical perturbations on a fiber.",
"Thus, large Δn eff (e.g.>8×10 −5 ) is desirable for low mode coupling.",
"Unfortunately, as A eff increases, Δn eff decreases and rapidly asymptotes to values much smaller than 8×10 −4 , and mode coupling cannot be reduced.",
"This is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which shows simulations of two designs for achieving A eff ˜1600 μm 2 (mode field˜45 μm).",
"FIG. 1 a shows the refractive index profiles of the designs considered.",
"The fiber with higher Δn has Δn eff =6×10 −5 , indicating that it is highly susceptible to mode coupling.",
"Note that this mode has negligible bend loss, as shown in FIG. 1 b .",
"Even with a huge reduction in Δn, Δn eff is only increased by 30% and mode coupling remains catastrophic.",
"Note that this reduction in Δn leads to extreme bend loss ( FIG. 1 b ).",
"FIG. 1 c illustrates an additional problem with large A eff designs.",
"All applications of high power lasers and amplifiers involve spatially transforming and focusing the device output.",
"This is best achieved with Gaussian beams.",
"Thus, an important metric for high power devices is the M 2 of the output light, where M 2 is a measure of the departure from a perfect Gaussian spatial profile (M 2 =1 is a perfectly Gaussian mode), given by: M 2 = ∫ r 2 E 2 r · ⅆ r ∫ ( ⅆ E ⅆ r ) 2 r · ⅆ r ( 5 ) where E is the electric field profile of the mode, and r is the radial coordinate.",
"FIG. 1 c shows two mode profiles representing two different M 2 values for the two different designs (low and high mode coupling) represented in FIG. 1 a .",
"The output beam, becomes highly distorted (M 2 dramatically increases) for the design with low mode coupling, and is sensitive to index perturbations in the core.",
"Very tight control of fiber fabrication conditions is therefore necessary to maintain good beam quality, and this is difficult in fibers with A eff >350 μm 2 .",
"Current preferred laser designs concentrate on means to force operation in a fundamental mode, even though the fiber may guide several modes.",
"One disclosed means to achieve this is to preferentially strip the higher order modes (HOM).",
"While this may be adequate for moderate A eff , the higher modal content of large A eff fibers leaves little room for discrimination of bend loss between modes.",
"Alternatively, gain-inducing dopants can be selectively deposited in a fiber preform so that only the fundamental mode is substantially amplified or guided.",
"While this technique would allow amplification of the desired mode in comparison to HOMs, it is designed for cases where the fundamental mode is substantially spatially separated from the HOMs—a condition typically absent in very large A eff fibers.",
"Another approach is to dope the fiber in a ring around the core rather than in the core itself.",
"This increases the gain saturation limit of the gain medium, allowing extraction of higher power pulses.",
"However, this technique leads to significant degradation of the output mode profile, i.e. departure from M 2 =1.",
"Since many of the HOMs overlap spatially, mode coupling and mode discrimination becomes problematic.",
"Given the numerous performance trade-offs, gain fibers with current technology face a practical limit of mode field diameter ˜20 μm (A eff =350 μm 2 ) with little prospect of future advances using conventional engineering expedients.",
"Thus there exists a need for an amplifier fiber that simultaneously yields very large A eff , low mode coupling, and good output beam quality.",
"STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION We have developed a new approach to the realization of optical fiber devices with very large mode area, good bend loss performance, large spacing between guided modes (for low mode coupling), and good beam quality (M 2 ˜1).",
"These properties are produced, according to the invention, by using a few mode optical fiber, and converting the input signal to a higher order mode.",
"This yields significant design flexibility, so that all the desirable properties (large A eff , low bend loss, low mode coupling and M 2 ˜1) can be simultaneously achieved.",
"Two embodiments of fiber designs suitable for implementing the invention are described below.",
"These are illustrative of optical fibers wherein the HOM is the LP02 mode, but the invention can be implemented with any HOM guided by the fiber.",
"It may also be implemented using a conversion of lower mode input (LOM) to HOM.",
"The first design class (called the ring design, henceforth) illustrates a fiber with a central core and one or more high index rings followed by a down-doped region.",
"The second design class (called the truncated cladding design, henceforth) comprises a central core and an inner cladding, followed by a broad down-doped region spaced significantly from the center of the fiber.",
"Both of these designs can yield A eff for the LP 02 mode ranging up to 2800 μm 2 and beyond.",
"Furthermore, the deep-down-doped regions ensure that the HOM is not radiated, and thus good bend loss performance is obtained.",
"The enhanced design flexibility for HOM fibers enables designing them with large effective index separations (Δn eff —the difference in effective index between the LP 02 mode and any other guided mode).",
"Designs guiding the LP 12 mode in addition to the desired LP 02 mode yield Δn eff >8×10 −5 , while designs that guide only the LP 01 , LP 11 , and LP 02 modes yield Δn eff as high as 3×10 −3 .",
"Thus, these fibers exhibit very low mode coupling problems.",
"In addition, the LP 02 mode is vastly spatially separated from other guided modes in the fiber.",
"Thus, preferential gain-guiding mechanisms attempted earlier for fundamental mode gain fibers, can be readily applied here to further increase modal discrimination and decrease the deleterious effects of mode mixing.",
"Another advantage of these fibers is that while the signal propagates in the LP 02 mode, light enters/exits the fiber in the fundamental, LP 01 mode.",
"The characteristics of this mode are governed by the central core, while those of the LP 02 mode are governed by other features.",
"Hence, the central core can be designed to yield a LP 01 mode with mode profile almost indistinguishable from a perfect Gaussian mode profile.",
"In some cases, for efficient operation, it is helpful to add suitable core dopants that necessarily increase the core index.",
"For example Er/Yb fibers use high phosphorous concentrations.",
"High Δ cores avoid use of large MFD if fundamental mode operation is desired.",
"HOMs can be designed to propagate in high Δ regions.",
"Since signal propagation is in the LP 02 mode rather than the fundamental mode, the fiber is provided with mode-converters to convert the incoming signal in the fundamental mode, into the HOM.",
"The output signal may either be down-converted to the LP 01 , mode, or focused/collimated as is.",
"Mode converters also function as wavelength selective filters, such as a bandpass filter.",
"These are useful for filtering out unwanted ASE r stokes shifted light.",
"Thus, use of HOMs is advantageous even if A eff is not large.",
"The inventive features may be more easily followed with the aid of the drawing: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 a–c show performance characteristics that the invention is aimed at improving;",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic of a refractive index profile for a ring design fiber of the invention;",
"FIG. 3 is a refractive index profile as well as a mode distribution plot for the optical fiber of FIG. 2 ;",
"FIG. 4 is a schematic of a refractive index profile for a truncated cladding design fiber of the invention;",
"FIG. 5 is a refractive index profile as well as a mode distribution plot for the optical fiber of FIG. 4 ;",
"FIG. 6 is a plot comparing the optical fibers of FIGS. 3 and 5 with respect to effective area variation with wavelength;",
"FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the overall system of the invention;",
"FIG. 8 a is a schematic diagram representing a long period grating (LPG) switchable mode converter showing input and output mode distribution spectra;",
"FIG. 8 b is a plot showing typical spectral features of the LPGs of FIG. 8 a using different mode-converting efficiencies;",
"FIGS. 9 a and 9 b illustrates devices with an HOM converter at the input only;",
"FIGS. 10 a – 10 c illustrate pumping and mirror arrangements suitable for use with the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION As mentioned previously, two distinct embodiments of fiber designs suitable for the gain section of the devices of the invention will be described.",
"These are illustrative of optical fibers wherein the HOM is the LP02 mode, but the invention can be implemented with any HOM guided by the fiber.",
"It should also be understood that other optical fiber designs may be found useful for obtaining the high effective area performance demonstrated by the two designs shown here.",
"These optical fibers are examples of a category of optical fibers known as few mode fibers.",
"They have a mode field larger than a single mode fiber.",
"The ring design optical fiber has a central core and one or more high index rings (with Δn>2×10 −3 ) of thickness greater than 2 μm, followed by a deep down doped region (Δn<−0.003) with a thickness of at least 5 μm.",
"The high index ring exists at a radial position greater than 20 μm from the center of the fiber.",
"The desired mode field diameter is at least 20 microns, preferably>40 μm.",
"For designs utilizing the wavelength selectivity of mode converters, this invention is advantageous even with small (6–10 μm) MFD fiber.",
"FIG. 2 shows the canonical refractive index profile for a ring design fiber, and is characterized by the values ΔN core , ΔN iclad , ΔN ring , ΔN dd , and ΔN oclad , representing the refractive index values of the core, inner clad, ring, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively.",
"The radial positions of these index features is governed by d core , d iclad , d ring , d dd , and d oclad , representing the thicknesses of the core, inner clad, ring, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively.",
"The central core has refractive index Δn core , and thickness d core , such that the LP 01 , and LP 11 , modes substantially reside within it.",
"Hence, their modal properties are governed almost exclusively by this region.",
"On the other hand, the inner cladding, ring and deep down-doped regions govern the properties of the LP 02 mode.",
"FIG. 3 shows a typical refractive index profile for this design class, along with the modal profiles for the LP 01 , LP 11 , and LP 02 modes.",
"It is immediately evident that the LP 02 power resides in regions substantially separated from the LP 01 , and LP 11 modes.",
"Thus, preferential amplification or gain-guiding mechanisms can be readily applied to this design, to amplify only the LP 02 mode in comparison to other modes.",
"For more details of these mechanisms see U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,759, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.",
"This fiber has A eff ˜2100 μm 2 , and only guides the LP 01 , LP 11 and the desired LP 02 mode.",
"The difference in effective indices between nearest neighbors, Δn eff =3×10 −3 , which is at least an order of magnitude larger than that in conventional, fundamental mode fibers with substantially lower A eff .",
"This illustrates the vast large A eff design space accessible to HOMs. Furthermore, the design parameters (as given by the refractive index values and thickness values illustrated in FIG. 2 ) can be modified to yield fibers with vastly different A eff .",
"This is illustrated in the following Table, which shows the variation of the parameters of interest, as a function of d iclad , the thickness of the inner clad region.",
"TABLE d clad A eff (μm 2 ) Minimum Δn eff M 2 19 1670 3.894 × 10 −3 1.02 22 2088 3.890 × 10 −3 1.02 24 2386 3.888 × 10 −3 1.02 27 2860 3.886 × 10 −3 1.02 Note that for LP 02 mode A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 , the output mode shape (M 2 ˜1.02) remains the same, as expected, since the output mode is governed by the LP 01 mode and not the LP 02 mode.",
"In addition, Δn eff also remains larger than 10 −4 for all these designs, indicating that they are robust with respect to mode coupling problems.",
"The truncated cladding design optical fibers comprise a central core, an inner cladding of index similar to that of silica, followed by a deep down-doped region (ΔN<−0.003), at a radial position greater than 20 μm from the center of the fiber.",
"The down-doped region has a thickness greater than 5 μm, and can extend to the periphery of the fiber.",
"FIG. 4 shows the canonical refractive index profile for a truncated cladding design fiber, and is characterized by the values Δn core , Δn iclad , Δn dd , and Δn oclad , representing the refractive index values of the core, inner clad, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively.",
"The radial positions of these index features is governed by d core , d iclad , d dd , and d oclad , representing the thicknesses of the core, inner clad, deep down-doped and outer clad regions, respectively.",
"The central core has refractive index Δn core , and thickness d core , such that the LP 01 , and LP 11 modes substantially reside within it.",
"Hence, their modal properties are governed almost exclusively by this region.",
"On the other hand, the inner cladding and deep down-doped regions govern the properties of the LP 02 mode.",
"FIG. 5 shows a typical refractive index profile for this design class, along with the modal profiles for the LP 01 , LP 11 , LP 12 and LP 02 modes.",
"It is immediately evident that the LP 02 power resides in regions substantially separated from the LP 01 and LP 11 modes.",
"However, unlike in the case of the ring designs, the LP 12 mode has strong spatial overlap with the LP 02 mode.",
"Thus, preferential amplification or gain-guiding mechanisms will not be expected to provide additional modal discrimination in this case.",
"While this is a drawback in comparison to the ring designs, this profile is more robust to manufacturing variations in comparison to the ring designs.",
"This is illustrated by FIG. 6 , which shows the variation of A eff with respect to operating wavelength, for the two design classes.",
"The fiber illustrated in FIG. 5 fiber has A eff ˜2150 μm 2 , and difference in effective indices between nearest neighbours, Δn eff =9×10 −5 , which implies that the mode coupling performance of these fibers will also be adequate.",
"As in the case of the ring designs, the thickness of the inner clad d iclad , can be varied to yield fibers with a variety of A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 .",
"Again, the output mode shape (M 2 ˜1.02) is as close to Gaussian, as expected, since the output mode is governed by the LP 01 mode and not the LP 02 mode.",
"In the truncated cladding designs, the bend loss for the LP 02 mode is controlled by the thickness of the deep down-doped region and the outer clad region.",
"However, the spatial overlap between the LP 12 and LP 02 mode is also controlled by the deep down-doped region.",
"As a general rule, the thickness of the deep down-doped region d dd , can be increased at the expense of d oclad (in the limiting case, d dd can be made large enough to extend throughout the fiber, while eliminating the outer clad, i.e. d oclad =0), to increase the confinement of the LP 02 mode without sacrificing its A eff .",
"However, this parameter must be optimized with respect to the degree of spatial overlap between the LP 12 and LP 02 modes, and thus the ideal operating point in this design space is for d dd ranging from 5–15 μm.",
"Both of these designs can be engineered to yield A eff for the LP 02 mode ranging from 1600 μm 2 to 2800 μm 2 .",
"Furthermore, the deep-down-doped regions ensure that the HOM is not radiated, and thus good bend loss performance is obtained.",
"The enhanced design flexibility for HOM fibers enables designing them with large effective index separations (Δn eff —the difference in effective index between the LP 02 mode and any other guided mode).",
"Designs guiding the LP 12 mode in addition to the desired LP 02 mode yield Δn eff >8×10 −5 , while designs that guide only the LP 01 , LP 11 and LP 02 modes yield Δn eff as high as 3×10 −3 .",
"Thus, these fibers exhibit very low mode coupling problems.",
"In addition, the LP 02 mode is vastly spatially separated from other guided modes in the fiber so that preferential gain-guiding mechanisms attempted earlier for fundamental mode gain fibers, can be readily applied here to further increase modal discrimination and decrease the deleterious effects of mode mixing.",
"Another advantage of these fibers is that while the signal propagates in the LP 02 mode, light enters/exits the fiber in the fundamental, LP 01 mode.",
"The characteristics of this mode are governed by the central core, while those of the LP 02 mode are governed by other features.",
"Hence, the central core can be designed to yield a LP 01 mode with mode profile metric M 2 ˜1.02, which is almost indistinguishable from a perfect Gaussian mode profile.",
"Mode converters for converting the incoming, and optionally the outgoing, signals between modes may be of any suitable design.",
"The mode converting functionality may be achieved within the gain fiber using in-fiber grating mode converters.",
"Alternatively, holographic free-space mode converters, or tapered hollow-core fibers, may be employed.",
"Such mode converters can be designed to be broadband or spectrally selective, depending on whether the application is a laser or amplifier.",
"This offers the additional advantage of spectral filtering to reduce noise from amplified spontaneous emission (ASE).",
"Moreover, the mode converters are by definition mode-selective, and hence offer an additional degree of modal discrimination, further decreasing mode-coupling problems.",
"The fiber designs disclosed above enable propagation of an HOM (in the illustrated examples, the LP 02 mode) with A eff ranging from 1600 to 2800 μm 2 , and low mode coupling susceptibility.",
"However, in addition the fibers are provided with means to access the HOM.",
"The mode profiles for the LP 02 mode, depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5 show that they have two power maxima, and are very distinct in shape from the Gaussian profile normally employed in a free-space or conventional fiber apparatus.",
"Hence, the incoming signal in the examples given is converted into the LP 02 mode.",
"In addition, some applications may also require that the amplified output also be converted into a Gaussian profile, and use an output mode converter that performs the reciprocal function.",
"This is illustrated in FIG. 7 , which shows the HOM fiber discussed above connected to mode-converting couplers at the input and output respectively.",
"These mode converters transform the incoming light from the LP 01 or some Gaussian mode to the LP 02 mode in the fiber.",
"The reverse—reciprocal action—is realized with the mode converter at the output, which yields a Gaussian output for the device.",
"The input fiber is typically a single mode transmission fiber, or a few mode fiber that strongly guides the fundamental LP01 mode so that the optical signal entering the device is predominantly in the LP01 mode.",
"A preferred means to obtain the mode-converting device functionality is with co-propagating long period fiber gratings (LPG).",
"LPGs may be induced in the HOM fiber itself, enabling a low cost, low loss mode-converting device.",
"Such gratings may be made narrowband, if only one wavelength of operation is required, or can be arbitrarily broadband.",
"Mode converters are also known that cover a wavelength range as large as 500 nm.",
"For more details see S. Ramachandran, M. Yan, E. Monberg, F. Dimarcello, P. Wisk and S. Ghalmi, “Record bandwidth microbend gratings for spectrally flat variable optical attenuators,” IEEE Photon.",
"Tech.",
"Lett.",
", vol.",
"15, pp. 1561–1563, 2003;",
"S. Ramachandran, U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/234,289, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.",
"Suitably designed LPGs can be both static as well as tunable in their mode coupling strength.",
"This is illustrated in FIG. 8 , which shows the schematic of switchable mode-conversion enabled by LPGs, along with the input and output mode profiles ( FIG. 8 a ), as well as the typical spectral features of these gratings tuned to a variety of mode-converting efficiencies ( FIG. 8 b ).",
"Since LPGs provide spectral filtering as well as modal discrimination in addition to mode conversion, they enable HOM amplifier schematics (of the kind shown in FIG. 7 , for example) to be inherently low noise.",
"Several other devices may be used in lieu of LPGs to achieve the LP01–LP 02 mode-converting functionality depicted in FIG. 7 .",
"Examples of alternate mode converters include: 1) Elements offering spatially selective phase delays can be used to assemble free-space couplers that offer broadband, efficient mode conversion.",
"Hence, the device can be used both to up—as well as down—convert the signal from the LP 01 to the LP 02 mode, and vice versa.",
"2) Beam shaping elements of various kinds have been used to spatially transform a beam of light.",
"Examples include combinations of diffractive lenses, lens arrays and combinations to provide astigmatic corrections.",
"Typically, such elements are used to change the aspect ratio of a spatial pattern, as is needed to couple light from laser diodes to fibers, but the concept can be extended to change the spatial pattern between modes of a fiber too.",
"All the mode converters described above can be used to offer the spatial mode transformation between the LP 01 , and LP 02 modes, as depicted in the schematic of FIG. 7 .",
"An alternative schematic is also useful, as shown in FIG. 9 .",
"Here the input signal is converted to the LP 02 mode, using any of the mode converting schemes defined above, but the output is not transmitted through a mode converter.",
"Hence, the light exiting the device is in the LP 02 mode.",
"This may subsequently be propagated in free space, using standard collimating lenses ( FIG. 9 a ), or be converted into any desired beam shape with the use of free-space beam transformers described above ( FIG. 9 b ).",
"The prospect of free-space collimation and propagation of the LP 02 is especially attractive for high power communications applications, where low divergence angles produce efficient collimation.",
"The LP 02 mode in a fiber is significantly less divergent than the fundamental mode, and thus is well suited for this application.",
"For the gain-block sub-assemblies described above to operate as an amplifier or laser, the dopants in the fiber are pumped with laser light corresponding to their absorption bands.",
"This may be achieved by several techniques previously disclosed for pumping high power sources and amplifiers.",
"FIG. 10 a shows a conventional pumping schematic used for pumping amplifiers for moderate as well as high power applications—the schematic most commonly used to pump erbium doped fiber amplifiers in communications systems.",
"Pump light from fiber-coupled laser-diodes is multiplexed onto the input fiber of the gain block with a multiplexer.",
"The multiplexer may act as both a wavelength- as well as a polarisation-selective element, thus enabling the prospect of adding several pump beams into the gain block.",
"For even higher power applications, a fiber-tapered bundle may be used to introduce light from many laser-diode pumps into the cladding of the gain fiber.",
"Such devices are well known.",
"FIG. 10 b illustrates this schematic.",
"In this case, the HOM fibers disclosed in this application will be coated with low-index polymer jackets so as to enable confining the pump light in the cladding of the fiber.",
"FIG. 10 ( c ) illustrates a side pumped laser with end mirrors.",
"End pumping the laser, as suggested by FIGS. 10 ( a ) and 10 ( b ) is also an option.",
"Reflecting means other than mirrors, e.g. gratings, may be used.",
"Methods for making optical fibers with the profiles shown here are well known and well developed.",
"The core region generally consists of silica doped with germanium at concentrations less than 10 wt % at the position of maximum index, and graded with radius to provide the shape desired.",
"The center core is typically has a radius of less than 10 microns.",
"The inner cladding region may be undoped, as in the case of the ring design shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , or lightly doped with germania as in the case of the truncated cladding design shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .",
"In the ring design, the inner cladding extends between the core region and the ring to a radial distance of typically 20–50 microns.",
"The ring is an updoped region, usually doped with germania, with a radial width typically 1–5 microns.",
"In the truncated cladding design the ring is omitted.",
"In both designs the next region is a down-doped, typically fluorine-doped, trench region of considerable depth, i.e. at least 0.005 Δn from the doping level of the inner cladding.",
"The recommended radial width of the deep trench is 5–15 microns.",
"The index of refraction in the trench region is typically approximately constant as a function of radius, but is not required to be flat.",
"The trench region generally consists of SiO 2 , doped with appropriate amounts of fluorine to achieve the desired index of refraction, and optionally germania to lower glass defect levels.",
"As described in detail above, the optical fibers in the input, gain and output section of the device are designed to support specific guided modes.",
"That characteristic, when specified herein, means that at least 50% of the optical energy in the fiber is in the designated mode.",
"As used herein, the term ΔN refers to a percentage deviation from a baseline, the baseline being the refractive index of pure silica.",
"As evident from the description above, the optical fiber in the high-gain block of the optical fiber device of the invention has a core, an inner cladding, and a trench.",
"Optionally, it has a ring between the inner cladding and the trench to aid in controlling bend losses.",
"Also, it may have an outer cladding outside the trench.",
"The refractive index profile of the optical fiber can be expressed in terms of the radial position of these regions in microns.",
"Mentioned earlier is the use of a LOM input, for example a ring mode from a high power laser.",
"The input for the device of the invention may be a LOM such as LP02, and the mode conversion to LP12, for example.",
"The output from the devices described above, i.e. the LP02 output, instead of converting back to LP01, may be used as the input for a second stage of a two-stage amplifier, Various other modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art.",
"In particular, the characteristics of mode separation and selectivity may be advantageous even for moderate modefield areas, between 350 and 1600 μm 2 .",
"This is because known designs for fibers supporting HOMs with adequate mode separation and selectivity are restricted to A eff of approximately 100 μm 2 .",
"In addition, it is expected that alternate fiber designs can achieve grater than 2800 μm 2 .",
"All deviations from the specific teachings of this specification that basically rely on the principles and their equivalents through which the art has been advanced are properly considered within the scope of the invention as described and claimed."
] |
[0001] The present application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/CN2006/002774, filed Oct. 19, 2006, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200510118226.2, filed Oct. 20, 2005. All of these applications are commonly assigned and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of information and network techniques, and in particular, to a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming and a gaming platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Online gaming is a type of entertainment where players participate in networked gaming by means of modem communications, such as the Internet or mobile communication, which greatly facilitate the operation and popularization of the online gaming owing to their quickness and convenience. Players all around the country, or even the world, may share the pleasure of participating in gaming by using a communication terminal at/besides their hands. Further, the use of highly effective medium, such as the Internet, as carriers makes it possible for people to know the online gaming actively or passively, thereby facilitating the popularization of the online gaming.
[0004] The online gaming, which has exceeded the conventional culture industries and is growing at a good pace, has become a pillar industry in network culture market owing to its convenience and popularization. Thus, it has now become critical for information technologies to provide players with better online gaming services so as to prosper the network culture market.
[0005] In addition to online advertisement and short message, the online gaming has become a profit engine of some websites. Online gaming industry is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the following several years. In China, with several years of rapid growth in the online gaming, a substantial online gaming market has been built up.
[0006] The online gaming provides a new economic developing engine for culture industries in the information age owing to its unique advantages and means. Furthermore, the online gaming is so appealing that manufacturers of electronics such as mobile phones and personal digital devices have made additional profits by adding gaming functions to their products, and some websites have achieved a several-fold increase in the browsing quantity of media advertisements such as online advertisements, thereby making great profits. The emergence of online gaming accessories gives birth to new service industries.
[0007] With the popularization of the online gaming, gaming platforms are expected to have progressively enhanced functionalities in that, for one thing, a variety of online games can be provided on the same gaming platform, for another, with the rapid growth in the number of terminal types, the types of clients corresponding to games will increase accordingly. In view of the differences between terminal types, both players and game developers desire that their games are fitted for various types of terminals, in order to maximize the functionalities of their games and to attract more players. It is not easy for a player having logged onto a gaming platform to choose any games fitted for his terminal by reading many game manuals. In addition, if a player cannot actively get to know whether or not his terminal type matches the terminal of any other player who exchanges with him virtual items, e.g. photos and props, during playing, he may find that the exchanged items cannot be used due to the mismatching between the two terminal types after exchanging. Players may fell bored and thus abandon the gaming platform if problems such as those described above are not properly addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An Embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming and a gaming platform, thereby enabling matching of a user to a game fitted for his terminal or to other users.
[0009] An embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming, including the following:
pre-storing on a gaming platform a correspondence between terminal type identification information and a list of games fitted for the terminal type; by the gaming platform, receiving terminal type identification information sent by a client; and by the gaming platform, obtaining a list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client according to the terminal type identification information sent by the client and the pre-stored correspondence, and sending to the client the list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client.
[0013] In the pre-stored correspondence, the terminal type identification information is directly corresponding to the list of games fitted for the terminal type; alternatively, the terminal type identification information is indirectly corresponding to the list of games fitted for the terminal type via other identification information.
[0014] The terminal type identification information sent by the client is a type identification uniquely identifying the client.
[0015] The terminal type identification information in the pre-stored correspondence is obtained from the client by the gaming platform when the client logs onto the gaming platform for the first time.
[0016] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming, including the following:
by a gaming platform, receiving a matching request containing a designated user identification sent by a first client; and by the gaming platform, after receiving the matching request, obtaining terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification, matching the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifying a matching result to the first client.
[0019] The matching request sent by the first client further contains terminal type identification information of the first client;
[0020] Said obtaining further comprises the following:
by the gaming platform, sending a querying message to a second client corresponding to the designated user identification; and by the second client, returning terminal type identification information of the second client in response to the querying message.
[0023] Preferably, each client actively reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto the gaming platform;
[0024] The gaming platform stores a correspondence between a client and its terminal type identification information;
[0025] The gaming platform queries the correspondence according to a client corresponding to the designated user identification contained in the matching request, and obtains terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification.
[0026] The terminal type identification information is a type identification uniquely identifying the client.
[0027] An Embodiment of the invention provides a gaming platform, including:
a module adapted to store a correspondence between terminal type identification information and a list of games fitted for the terminal type; a module adapted to receive terminal type identification information sent by a client; and a module adapted to obtain a list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client according to the terminal type identification information sent by the client and the pre-stored correspondence, and sending to the client the list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client.
[0031] An Embodiment of the invention also provides a gaming terminal, including:
a module adapted to send terminal type identification information; and a module adapted to receive a list of games corresponding to the terminal type.
[0034] A further embodiment of the invention provides a gaming platform, including:
a module adapted to receive a matching request containing a designated user identification sent by a first client; and a module adapted to obtain terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification, matching the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifying a matching result to the first client.
[0037] A further embodiment of the invention provides a game terminal, including:
a module adapted to send terminal type identification information; a module adapted to send a matching request containing a designated user identification; and a module adapted to receive a matching result obtained by matching the terminal type identification information with terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification.
[0041] Further, an embodiment of the invention provides two methods for querying, by a user, the terminal type of other users as detailed below.
[0042] A first client sends to a gaming platform a matching request containing terminal type identification information of the first client and a user identification of a designated user who is intended to match with the first client; the gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information of the designated user from the designated user's client, matches the obtained terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifies a matching result to the first client.
[0043] When logging onto a gaming platform, each client reports its own terminal type identification information, which is stored by the gaming platform. When receiving a matching request from a first client, the gaming platform directly searches the stored terminal type identification information for the one that can match with the terminal type identification information of the first client, performs a matching, and sends a matching result to the first client.
[0044] By using the above two methods, extra efforts due to mismatching between terminal types can be reduced when users are involved in operations relating to the terminal types, such as virtual item exchanging, and the like.
[0045] The matching of terminal type identification information is performed at the network.
[0046] In summary, in the embodiments of the invention, a gaming platform queries the correspondence between preset terminal type identification information and games according to terminal type identification information from a client, and sends the games to the client. The gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information corresponding to an designated user identification contained in a matching request sent from the client, matches the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with the terminal type identification information of the client that has sent the matching request, and notifies a matching result to the client, thereby enabling the matching of a user to a game fitted for his terminal or the communications between the user with other users. As a result, user satisfaction can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0049] FIG. 3 shows a structure of an exemplary terminal type identification information table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 4 shows a structure of an exemplary gaming client list used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 5 shows information in an exemplary terminal type identification table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 6 shows information in another exemplary terminal type identification table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0053] FIG. 7 shows information in a gaming client list used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the second embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
[0057] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the third embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0058] The objects, technical solutions and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by describing the invention hereinafter in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0059] The essence of invention lies in that, a gaming platform pre-stores a correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type, and a client reports its own terminal type identification information when performing a “game discovery” operation. The gaming platform queries the pre-stored correspondence according to the terminal type identification information from the client, and sends the queried list of games to the client, thereby enabling a user to quickly find out all games fitted for its own terminal type. Furthermore, in the invention, a client sends to a gaming platform a matching request containing terminal type identification information of the client and a user identification of a designated user that the client intends to match with; the gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information of the designated user either from the designated user's client or in such a way that each client reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto the gaming platform, matches the obtained terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the client that has sent the matching request, and finally sends a matching result to the client that has sent the matching request, thereby enabling quick matching of the client that has sent the matching request to other users fitted for the terminal type of the client that has sent the matching request.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including game unit; and a gaming platform, including game discovery module, database querying unit and database. The functions and relationships of the above modules will be described in detail in a method according this embodiment.
[0062] FIG. 2 is a process showing a method for matching terminal types according to this embodiment as detailed below.
[0063] Block 210 : A gaming platform pre-stores a correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type, which may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to the network. In particular, the gaming platform pre-stores terminal type identification information of each client. When a client logs onto a game, the gaming platform searches the pre-stored terminal type identification information, and automatically reads and stores terminal type identification information of the client if it is not present in the pre-stored terminal type identification information, which indicates that this is the first time the client has ever logged onto the game. The terminal type identification information of the client may, of course, also be manually added to the gaming platform. The method for generating the terminal type identification information may be dependent on particular situations. The terminal type identification information is required to uniquely identify this terminal type. For example, if a terminal is a mobile phone, the type identification field in the mobile phone can be utilized as the terminal type identification information. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary data structure for storing type identification information, in which the fields “terminal identification number”, “terminal model”, “terminal type”, “manufacturer”, “serial number”, “date” and “status” are arranged for the sake of convenience in managing the information, and are not necessary fields. By way of example, FIGS. 5 and 6 each shows a table for storing terminal type identification information. In FIG. 4 , the “terminal type identification information” is “MOT-A835/72.32.07.MIB/2.2Profile/MIDP-1.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.0”, the “terminal model” is “MOT-A835”, the “terminal type” is “duplex mobile phone”, the “manufacturer” is “MOT”, and the “serial number” is “MOT-A835”. In FIG. 5 , the “terminal type identification information” is “Nokia6600/1.0 (3.38.0) Symbianos/7.0s Series60/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration”, the “terminal model” is “Nokia6600”, the “terminal type” is “duplex mobile phone”, the “manufacturer” is “Nokia”, and the “serial number” is “Nokia6600”.
[0064] The gaming platform establishes the correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games and stores the correspondence in the database in the gaming platform. Said correspondence can be direct correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games fitted for the terminal type, or the indirect correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games fitted for the terminal type established via other identification information. By way of example, FIG. 4 shows a structure for storing gaming clients, in which a character string consisting of terminal models is stored in the field “serial number”, with the terminal models being separated by “;”. As shown in FIG. 7 , a game named “MagicCarpet” supports terminal models “MOT-A835” and “Nokia6600”. In other words, if the terminal model corresponding to terminal type identification information is “MOT-A835” or “Nokia6600”, a game named “MagicCarpet” is included in the games fitted for the terminal type corresponding to the terminal type identification information.
[0065] Block 220 : It is determined if any client has performed a “game discovery”. If so, the process proceeds to Block 230 .
[0066] Block 230 : the client sends its terminal type identification information to the gaming platform. In particular, the client sends its own terminal type identification information to the game discovery module in the gaming platform when performing the “game discovery”.
[0067] Block 240 : the gaming platform queries games fitted for the client. In particular, after the game discovery module in the gaming platform receives the terminal type identification information of the client, the database querying unit in the gaming platform queries the correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type stored in the database according to the terminal type identification information of the client, and obtains the list of games corresponding to the terminal type identification information of the client. By way of example, if the terminal type identification information received by the game discovery module in the gaming platform is “MOT-A835/72.32.07.MIB/2.2 Profile/MIDP-1.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.0”, in this case, the database querying unit may find in the database that the terminal type corresponding to the terminal type identification information is “MOT-A835”, and that the terminal models supported by the game named “MagicCarpet” are “MOT-835” and “Nokia6600”. Therefore, the game corresponding to the terminal type identification information is “MagicCarpet”.
[0068] Block 250 : the game discovery module in the gaming platform sends to the client the obtained list of games, for selection by the client. In this case, the game discovery module in the gaming platform sends to the client the game name “MagicCarpet”.
[0069] It can be seen that, this embodiment enables a user of a client to quickly find out all games fitted for his terminal type. All operations are automatically performed by the system. The user can directly select a game fitted for his terminal without performing any operation.
[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 8 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including a game unit; and a gaming platform, including a terminal type matching unit. The interactions between the client side and the gaming platform will be described in detail in a method according this embodiment.
[0072] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the second embodiment of the invention as detailed below.
[0073] Block 910 : a first client sends a matching request to a gaming platform. In particular, when a certain client intends to match its own terminal type with that of a designated user, the client sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform. The matching request contains identification information of the designate user, such as a user identification, and terminal type identification information of the client, which is the same in concept as that mentioned in the first embodiment of the invention and will not be described in detail herein. The terminal may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to the Internet. By way of example, when a user A intends to match his own terminal type with that of a user B, the user A sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform. The matching request contains a user identification of the user B and terminal type identification information of the user A.
[0074] Block 920 : the gaming platform sends a querying message to a second client. In particular, after receiving the matching request, the terminal type matching unit sends a querying message to a client corresponding to the designated user according to identification information of the designated user. In the above case, after receiving the matching request, the terminal type matching unit sends a querying message to a client corresponding to the user B according to user identification of the user B contained in the matching request.
[0075] Block 930 : the second client responds to the querying message. In particular, after receiving the querying message, the client corresponding to the designated user returns its own terminal type identification information to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform. In the above case, after receiving the querying message, the user B returns its own terminal type identification information to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.
[0076] Block 940 : the gaming platform performs matching and sends a matching result to the first client. In particular, after receiving the terminal type identification information of the designated user, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform matches the terminal type identification information of the designated user with the terminal type identification information of the client sending the matching request, and notifies a matching result to the client sending the matching request. In the above case, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform matches the terminal type identification information contained in the matching request sent by the user A with the terminal type identification information returned by the user B, and if successful, sends a message indicating a successful matching to the client corresponding to the user A.
[0077] It can be seen that, according to this embodiment, a user may quickly match other users fitted for the terminal type of the user. In this way, extra efforts due to mismatching between terminal types can be reduced when users are involved in operations relating to the terminal types, such as virtual item exchanging, and the like.
[0078] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to a third embodiment of the invention as detailed below.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 10 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including a game unit; and a gaming platform, including a terminal type matching unit, a database querying unit and a database. The functions and relationships of the above modules will be described in detail in a method according to this embodiment.
[0080] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the third embodiment of the invention as detailed below.
[0081] Block 1101 : each client reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto a gaming platform. The terminal type identification information is the same in concept as that mentioned in the first embodiment of the invention and will not be described in detail herein. The terminal may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to networks. By way of example, a client corresponding to a user A is required to report its own terminal type identification information to the gaming platform when logging onto the gaming platform. A client corresponding to a user B is also required to report its own terminal type identification information to the gaming platform when logging on the gaming platform.
[0082] Block 1102 : the gaming platform stores a correspondence between a client and its terminal type identification information. In particular, during gaming, the gaming platform is required to store terminal type identification information of a client in a user information table corresponding to the client. Each time the client logs onto the gaming platform, the gaming platform is required to determine if current terminal type identification information is the same as the terminal type identification information stored in the user information table, if not, the terminal type identification information stored in the user information table will be replaced with the current terminal type identification information.
[0083] Block 1103 : a first client sends a matching request to the gaming platform. In particular, when a certain client intends to match its own terminal type with that of a designated user, the client sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform. The matching request contains identification information of the designate user, such as a user identification. By way of example, when a user A intends to match his own terminal type with that of a user B, the user A sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform. The matching request contains a user identification of the user B.
[0084] Block 1104 : the gaming platform performs matching and sends a matching result to the first client. In particular, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform searches the terminal type identification information in the user information table of a client according to the client corresponding to the user identification contained in the matching request, matches that terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the client sending the matching request, and sends a matching result to the client sending the matching request. In the above case, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform searches the terminal type identification information in the user information table of the user B according to the client corresponding to the user identification of the user B, matches that terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the user A, and if successful, sends a message indicating a successful matching to the client corresponding to the user A.
[0085] It can be seen that, according to this embodiment, a user may quickly match other users fitted for the terminal type of the user.
[0086] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated by way of some preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the form and specificity of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. | A game platform and a match method for terminal type of client end in an online game include: the game platform side searches preset corresponding relation between terminal type identification information and the game according to the terminal type identification information from client end, and sends the game list which has been found to client end; the game platform side acquires the terminal type identification information corresponding to the assigned user identification according to the assigned user identification in the match request of client end, matches with the terminal type identification information of the client end which asked for match request, and notifies the match result to the client end which asked for match request so that the user could quickly match itself with the game or other users which are fit for its terminal. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"[0001] The present application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/CN2006/002774, filed Oct. 19, 2006, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200510118226.2, filed Oct. 20, 2005.",
"All of these applications are commonly assigned and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the field of information and network techniques, and in particular, to a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming and a gaming platform.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Online gaming is a type of entertainment where players participate in networked gaming by means of modem communications, such as the Internet or mobile communication, which greatly facilitate the operation and popularization of the online gaming owing to their quickness and convenience.",
"Players all around the country, or even the world, may share the pleasure of participating in gaming by using a communication terminal at/besides their hands.",
"Further, the use of highly effective medium, such as the Internet, as carriers makes it possible for people to know the online gaming actively or passively, thereby facilitating the popularization of the online gaming.",
"[0004] The online gaming, which has exceeded the conventional culture industries and is growing at a good pace, has become a pillar industry in network culture market owing to its convenience and popularization.",
"Thus, it has now become critical for information technologies to provide players with better online gaming services so as to prosper the network culture market.",
"[0005] In addition to online advertisement and short message, the online gaming has become a profit engine of some websites.",
"Online gaming industry is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the following several years.",
"In China, with several years of rapid growth in the online gaming, a substantial online gaming market has been built up.",
"[0006] The online gaming provides a new economic developing engine for culture industries in the information age owing to its unique advantages and means.",
"Furthermore, the online gaming is so appealing that manufacturers of electronics such as mobile phones and personal digital devices have made additional profits by adding gaming functions to their products, and some websites have achieved a several-fold increase in the browsing quantity of media advertisements such as online advertisements, thereby making great profits.",
"The emergence of online gaming accessories gives birth to new service industries.",
"[0007] With the popularization of the online gaming, gaming platforms are expected to have progressively enhanced functionalities in that, for one thing, a variety of online games can be provided on the same gaming platform, for another, with the rapid growth in the number of terminal types, the types of clients corresponding to games will increase accordingly.",
"In view of the differences between terminal types, both players and game developers desire that their games are fitted for various types of terminals, in order to maximize the functionalities of their games and to attract more players.",
"It is not easy for a player having logged onto a gaming platform to choose any games fitted for his terminal by reading many game manuals.",
"In addition, if a player cannot actively get to know whether or not his terminal type matches the terminal of any other player who exchanges with him virtual items, e.g. photos and props, during playing, he may find that the exchanged items cannot be used due to the mismatching between the two terminal types after exchanging.",
"Players may fell bored and thus abandon the gaming platform if problems such as those described above are not properly addressed.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] An Embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming and a gaming platform, thereby enabling matching of a user to a game fitted for his terminal or to other users.",
"[0009] An embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming, including the following: pre-storing on a gaming platform a correspondence between terminal type identification information and a list of games fitted for the terminal type;",
"by the gaming platform, receiving terminal type identification information sent by a client;",
"and by the gaming platform, obtaining a list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client according to the terminal type identification information sent by the client and the pre-stored correspondence, and sending to the client the list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client.",
"[0013] In the pre-stored correspondence, the terminal type identification information is directly corresponding to the list of games fitted for the terminal type;",
"alternatively, the terminal type identification information is indirectly corresponding to the list of games fitted for the terminal type via other identification information.",
"[0014] The terminal type identification information sent by the client is a type identification uniquely identifying the client.",
"[0015] The terminal type identification information in the pre-stored correspondence is obtained from the client by the gaming platform when the client logs onto the gaming platform for the first time.",
"[0016] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for matching the terminal types of clients in online gaming, including the following: by a gaming platform, receiving a matching request containing a designated user identification sent by a first client;",
"and by the gaming platform, after receiving the matching request, obtaining terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification, matching the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifying a matching result to the first client.",
"[0019] The matching request sent by the first client further contains terminal type identification information of the first client;",
"[0020] Said obtaining further comprises the following: by the gaming platform, sending a querying message to a second client corresponding to the designated user identification;",
"and by the second client, returning terminal type identification information of the second client in response to the querying message.",
"[0023] Preferably, each client actively reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto the gaming platform;",
"[0024] The gaming platform stores a correspondence between a client and its terminal type identification information;",
"[0025] The gaming platform queries the correspondence according to a client corresponding to the designated user identification contained in the matching request, and obtains terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification.",
"[0026] The terminal type identification information is a type identification uniquely identifying the client.",
"[0027] An Embodiment of the invention provides a gaming platform, including: a module adapted to store a correspondence between terminal type identification information and a list of games fitted for the terminal type;",
"a module adapted to receive terminal type identification information sent by a client;",
"and a module adapted to obtain a list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client according to the terminal type identification information sent by the client and the pre-stored correspondence, and sending to the client the list of games corresponding to the terminal type of the client.",
"[0031] An Embodiment of the invention also provides a gaming terminal, including: a module adapted to send terminal type identification information;",
"and a module adapted to receive a list of games corresponding to the terminal type.",
"[0034] A further embodiment of the invention provides a gaming platform, including: a module adapted to receive a matching request containing a designated user identification sent by a first client;",
"and a module adapted to obtain terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification, matching the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifying a matching result to the first client.",
"[0037] A further embodiment of the invention provides a game terminal, including: a module adapted to send terminal type identification information;",
"a module adapted to send a matching request containing a designated user identification;",
"and a module adapted to receive a matching result obtained by matching the terminal type identification information with terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification.",
"[0041] Further, an embodiment of the invention provides two methods for querying, by a user, the terminal type of other users as detailed below.",
"[0042] A first client sends to a gaming platform a matching request containing terminal type identification information of the first client and a user identification of a designated user who is intended to match with the first client;",
"the gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information of the designated user from the designated user's client, matches the obtained terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the first client, and notifies a matching result to the first client.",
"[0043] When logging onto a gaming platform, each client reports its own terminal type identification information, which is stored by the gaming platform.",
"When receiving a matching request from a first client, the gaming platform directly searches the stored terminal type identification information for the one that can match with the terminal type identification information of the first client, performs a matching, and sends a matching result to the first client.",
"[0044] By using the above two methods, extra efforts due to mismatching between terminal types can be reduced when users are involved in operations relating to the terminal types, such as virtual item exchanging, and the like.",
"[0045] The matching of terminal type identification information is performed at the network.",
"[0046] In summary, in the embodiments of the invention, a gaming platform queries the correspondence between preset terminal type identification information and games according to terminal type identification information from a client, and sends the games to the client.",
"The gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information corresponding to an designated user identification contained in a matching request sent from the client, matches the terminal type identification information corresponding to the designated user identification with the terminal type identification information of the client that has sent the matching request, and notifies a matching result to the client, thereby enabling the matching of a user to a game fitted for his terminal or the communications between the user with other users.",
"As a result, user satisfaction can be improved.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0047] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0048] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0049] FIG. 3 shows a structure of an exemplary terminal type identification information table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0050] FIG. 4 shows a structure of an exemplary gaming client list used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0051] FIG. 5 shows information in an exemplary terminal type identification table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0052] FIG. 6 shows information in another exemplary terminal type identification table used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0053] FIG. 7 shows information in a gaming client list used in the method for matching terminal types according to the first embodiment of the invention;",
"[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a second embodiment of the invention;",
"[0055] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the second embodiment of the invention;",
"[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a third embodiment of the invention;",
"and [0057] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the third embodiment of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0058] The objects, technical solutions and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by describing the invention hereinafter in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"[0059] The essence of invention lies in that, a gaming platform pre-stores a correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type, and a client reports its own terminal type identification information when performing a “game discovery”",
"operation.",
"The gaming platform queries the pre-stored correspondence according to the terminal type identification information from the client, and sends the queried list of games to the client, thereby enabling a user to quickly find out all games fitted for its own terminal type.",
"Furthermore, in the invention, a client sends to a gaming platform a matching request containing terminal type identification information of the client and a user identification of a designated user that the client intends to match with;",
"the gaming platform obtains terminal type identification information of the designated user either from the designated user's client or in such a way that each client reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto the gaming platform, matches the obtained terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the client that has sent the matching request, and finally sends a matching result to the client that has sent the matching request, thereby enabling quick matching of the client that has sent the matching request to other users fitted for the terminal type of the client that has sent the matching request.",
"[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a first embodiment of the invention.",
"[0061] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including game unit;",
"and a gaming platform, including game discovery module, database querying unit and database.",
"The functions and relationships of the above modules will be described in detail in a method according this embodiment.",
"[0062] FIG. 2 is a process showing a method for matching terminal types according to this embodiment as detailed below.",
"[0063] Block 210 : A gaming platform pre-stores a correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type, which may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to the network.",
"In particular, the gaming platform pre-stores terminal type identification information of each client.",
"When a client logs onto a game, the gaming platform searches the pre-stored terminal type identification information, and automatically reads and stores terminal type identification information of the client if it is not present in the pre-stored terminal type identification information, which indicates that this is the first time the client has ever logged onto the game.",
"The terminal type identification information of the client may, of course, also be manually added to the gaming platform.",
"The method for generating the terminal type identification information may be dependent on particular situations.",
"The terminal type identification information is required to uniquely identify this terminal type.",
"For example, if a terminal is a mobile phone, the type identification field in the mobile phone can be utilized as the terminal type identification information.",
"FIG. 3 shows an exemplary data structure for storing type identification information, in which the fields “terminal identification number”, “terminal model”, “terminal type”, “manufacturer”, “serial number”, “date”",
"and “status”",
"are arranged for the sake of convenience in managing the information, and are not necessary fields.",
"By way of example, FIGS. 5 and 6 each shows a table for storing terminal type identification information.",
"In FIG. 4 , the “terminal type identification information”",
"is “MOT-A835/72.32.07.MIB/2.2Profile/MIDP-1.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.0”, the “terminal model”",
"is “MOT-A835”, the “terminal type”",
"is “duplex mobile phone”, the “manufacturer”",
"is “MOT”, and the “serial number”",
"is “MOT-A835.”",
"In FIG. 5 , the “terminal type identification information”",
"is “Nokia6600/1.0 (3.38.0) Symbianos/7.0s Series60/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration”, the “terminal model”",
"is “Nokia6600”, the “terminal type”",
"is “duplex mobile phone”, the “manufacturer”",
"is “Nokia”, and the “serial number”",
"is “Nokia6600.”",
"[0064] The gaming platform establishes the correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games and stores the correspondence in the database in the gaming platform.",
"Said correspondence can be direct correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games fitted for the terminal type, or the indirect correspondence between the terminal type identification information and the games fitted for the terminal type established via other identification information.",
"By way of example, FIG. 4 shows a structure for storing gaming clients, in which a character string consisting of terminal models is stored in the field “serial number”, with the terminal models being separated by “;.”",
"As shown in FIG. 7 , a game named “MagicCarpet”",
"supports terminal models “MOT-A835”",
"and “Nokia6600.”",
"In other words, if the terminal model corresponding to terminal type identification information is “MOT-A835”",
"or “Nokia6600”, a game named “MagicCarpet”",
"is included in the games fitted for the terminal type corresponding to the terminal type identification information.",
"[0065] Block 220 : It is determined if any client has performed a “game discovery.”",
"If so, the process proceeds to Block 230 .",
"[0066] Block 230 : the client sends its terminal type identification information to the gaming platform.",
"In particular, the client sends its own terminal type identification information to the game discovery module in the gaming platform when performing the “game discovery.”",
"[0067] Block 240 : the gaming platform queries games fitted for the client.",
"In particular, after the game discovery module in the gaming platform receives the terminal type identification information of the client, the database querying unit in the gaming platform queries the correspondence between terminal type identification information and games fitted for the terminal type stored in the database according to the terminal type identification information of the client, and obtains the list of games corresponding to the terminal type identification information of the client.",
"By way of example, if the terminal type identification information received by the game discovery module in the gaming platform is “MOT-A835/72.32.07.MIB/2.2 Profile/MIDP-1.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.0”, in this case, the database querying unit may find in the database that the terminal type corresponding to the terminal type identification information is “MOT-A835”, and that the terminal models supported by the game named “MagicCarpet”",
"are “MOT-835”",
"and “Nokia6600.”",
"Therefore, the game corresponding to the terminal type identification information is “MagicCarpet.”",
"[0068] Block 250 : the game discovery module in the gaming platform sends to the client the obtained list of games, for selection by the client.",
"In this case, the game discovery module in the gaming platform sends to the client the game name “MagicCarpet.”",
"[0069] It can be seen that, this embodiment enables a user of a client to quickly find out all games fitted for his terminal type.",
"All operations are automatically performed by the system.",
"The user can directly select a game fitted for his terminal without performing any operation.",
"[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a system for matching terminal types according to a second embodiment of the invention.",
"[0071] As shown in FIG. 8 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including a game unit;",
"and a gaming platform, including a terminal type matching unit.",
"The interactions between the client side and the gaming platform will be described in detail in a method according this embodiment.",
"[0072] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the second embodiment of the invention as detailed below.",
"[0073] Block 910 : a first client sends a matching request to a gaming platform.",
"In particular, when a certain client intends to match its own terminal type with that of a designated user, the client sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"The matching request contains identification information of the designate user, such as a user identification, and terminal type identification information of the client, which is the same in concept as that mentioned in the first embodiment of the invention and will not be described in detail herein.",
"The terminal may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to the Internet.",
"By way of example, when a user A intends to match his own terminal type with that of a user B, the user A sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"The matching request contains a user identification of the user B and terminal type identification information of the user A. [0074] Block 920 : the gaming platform sends a querying message to a second client.",
"In particular, after receiving the matching request, the terminal type matching unit sends a querying message to a client corresponding to the designated user according to identification information of the designated user.",
"In the above case, after receiving the matching request, the terminal type matching unit sends a querying message to a client corresponding to the user B according to user identification of the user B contained in the matching request.",
"[0075] Block 930 : the second client responds to the querying message.",
"In particular, after receiving the querying message, the client corresponding to the designated user returns its own terminal type identification information to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"In the above case, after receiving the querying message, the user B returns its own terminal type identification information to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"[0076] Block 940 : the gaming platform performs matching and sends a matching result to the first client.",
"In particular, after receiving the terminal type identification information of the designated user, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform matches the terminal type identification information of the designated user with the terminal type identification information of the client sending the matching request, and notifies a matching result to the client sending the matching request.",
"In the above case, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform matches the terminal type identification information contained in the matching request sent by the user A with the terminal type identification information returned by the user B, and if successful, sends a message indicating a successful matching to the client corresponding to the user A. [0077] It can be seen that, according to this embodiment, a user may quickly match other users fitted for the terminal type of the user.",
"In this way, extra efforts due to mismatching between terminal types can be reduced when users are involved in operations relating to the terminal types, such as virtual item exchanging, and the like.",
"[0078] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to a third embodiment of the invention as detailed below.",
"[0079] As shown in FIG. 10 , the system includes two parts: a client side, including a plurality of clients, each of which including a game unit;",
"and a gaming platform, including a terminal type matching unit, a database querying unit and a database.",
"The functions and relationships of the above modules will be described in detail in a method according to this embodiment.",
"[0080] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for matching terminal types according to the third embodiment of the invention as detailed below.",
"[0081] Block 1101 : each client reports its own terminal type identification information when logging onto a gaming platform.",
"The terminal type identification information is the same in concept as that mentioned in the first embodiment of the invention and will not be described in detail herein.",
"The terminal may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or other personal terminal connectable to networks.",
"By way of example, a client corresponding to a user A is required to report its own terminal type identification information to the gaming platform when logging onto the gaming platform.",
"A client corresponding to a user B is also required to report its own terminal type identification information to the gaming platform when logging on the gaming platform.",
"[0082] Block 1102 : the gaming platform stores a correspondence between a client and its terminal type identification information.",
"In particular, during gaming, the gaming platform is required to store terminal type identification information of a client in a user information table corresponding to the client.",
"Each time the client logs onto the gaming platform, the gaming platform is required to determine if current terminal type identification information is the same as the terminal type identification information stored in the user information table, if not, the terminal type identification information stored in the user information table will be replaced with the current terminal type identification information.",
"[0083] Block 1103 : a first client sends a matching request to the gaming platform.",
"In particular, when a certain client intends to match its own terminal type with that of a designated user, the client sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"The matching request contains identification information of the designate user, such as a user identification.",
"By way of example, when a user A intends to match his own terminal type with that of a user B, the user A sends a matching request to the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform.",
"The matching request contains a user identification of the user B. [0084] Block 1104 : the gaming platform performs matching and sends a matching result to the first client.",
"In particular, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform searches the terminal type identification information in the user information table of a client according to the client corresponding to the user identification contained in the matching request, matches that terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the client sending the matching request, and sends a matching result to the client sending the matching request.",
"In the above case, the terminal type matching unit in the gaming platform searches the terminal type identification information in the user information table of the user B according to the client corresponding to the user identification of the user B, matches that terminal type identification information with the terminal type identification information of the user A, and if successful, sends a message indicating a successful matching to the client corresponding to the user A. [0085] It can be seen that, according to this embodiment, a user may quickly match other users fitted for the terminal type of the user.",
"[0086] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated by way of some preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the form and specificity of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multicolor image forming apparatus which forms a color-overlapped image on a photosensitive body with toners different in color in an electrophotographic method and which transfers the image on a transfer material once. It especially relates to a copying machine, a printer or another two-color image forming apparatus which uses two-color toner to obtain a two-color image.
2. Related Background Art
In such a multicolor image forming apparatus, a surface of a rotating electrophotographic photosensitive body is uniformly charged with a charging means and thereafter exposed to a laser beam or the like in accordance with a predetermined image signal to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Then, by applying a predetermined bias to a developing means, toner is adhered to an exposed portion of the latent image to develop an image. By repeating this plural times, an overlapped toner image of plural colors is formed, transferred in a batch once to a sheet of transfer material and fixed thereon to obtain a multicolor permanent image.
A portion of a periphery of a photosensitive body in a two-color image forming apparatus is shown in FIG. 10. The two-color image forming apparatus is provided along a rotating direction of a photosensitive body 1 with two developing means, i.e. a first developing unit 4 and a second developing unit 7. The first developing unit 4 includes a two-component developing agent constituted of a toner T1 and a magnetic carrier C. On a developing roller 41 with a magnetic roller 42 built therein, the toner T1 and the carrier C are held. The held two-component developing agent is applied by a regulating member 43 onto the developing roller 41 and conveyed to a development region in which the photosensitive body 1 is opposed to the developing roller 41. In the development region, by applying a predetermined bias to the developing roller 41, the toner is adhered to a first latent image on the photosensitive body 1 to develop and visualize a first toner image.
The second developing unit 7 includes a magnetic toner T2 which is different in color from the toner T1 in the first developing unit 4. On a developing roller 71 with a magnetic roller 72 built therein, the toner T2 is held. The held toner T2 is applied by a regulating member 73 onto the developing roller 71 and conveyed to the development region. In the development region, by applying a predetermined bias to the developing roller 71, the toner is adhered to a second latent image on the photosensitive body 1 with the first toner image formed thereon, to develop and visualize a second toner image.
In this manner, while the photosensitive body 1 rotates once, a two-color overlapped toner image is formed on the photosensitive body 1. The toner image is transferred to a transfer material once and thereafter fixed to obtain a two-color permanent image.
Usually in the aforementioned image forming apparatus, if during image formation a jam of a transfer sheet, an error of a sheet supply system or another trouble occurs, by checking its error signal, a drive motor of the photosensitive body is stopped. Also, a primary charge output, a laser exposure and an application of a bias to the developing units are cut off, thereby stopping an image forming process.
However, even when an application of a driving voltage to the drive motor of the photosensitive body is stopped, the photosensitive body 1 rotates due to an inertial force produced by its weight. Until the photosensitive body completely stops rotating, a uniformly charged region extending from a primary charging means position to a laser exposure position on the photosensitive body 1 passes the first developing unit 4. When the bias to the developing roller 41 is cut off at the same time the trouble occurs, then between the developing unit 4 and the charged region of the photosensitive body 1, an electric field is produced to attract the carrier C in the developing agent toward the photosensitive body 1. Therefore, the carrier C adheres to the photosensitive body 1.
The carrier C adhering to the photosensitive body 1 is conveyed to a vicinity of the development region of the second developing unit 7 while the photosensitive body 1 is rotating. Since the developing roller 71 of the second developing unit 7 contains the magnetic roller 72, a portion of the conveyed carrier C adheres to the developing roller 71 because of a magnetic suction force and is taken into the developing unit 7. The taken carrier C accumulates in a vicinity of an opposed portion of the developing roller 71 and the regulating member 73, thereby inhibiting application of the toner T2. Therefore, an uneven application, a resulting uneven concentration of the second toner image or another image deterioration is caused. The adhesion of the carrier to the photosensitive body and the mixture thereof into the second developing unit at the time of occurrence of jam or another trouble are detailed in the description of embodiments of the invention.
As a countermeasure to solve the problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-50350 proposes a method in which to prevent the adhesion of a carrier at the time of trouble occurrence, a potential of a photosensitive body before passing a developing means is detected by a potential sensor and a bias of the developing means is controlled in accordance with a change in potential of the photosensitive body. However, in the two-color image forming apparatus, since two developing means are disposed around the photosensitive body, in some case no space can be secured for mounting the potential sensor. Also, if the potential sensor is soiled by toner floating in the device, a precise control cannot be performed, thereby causing the adhesion of the carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a two-color image forming apparatus which prevents a magnetic carrier adhered to a photosensitive body from mixing in a second developing means when a jam of a transfer material or another trouble occurs while an image is formed by forming a two-color toner image during one rotation of the photosensitive body and transferring a batch of the toner image to the transfer material and which can obtain a good two-color image without an uneven concentration of a second toner image or another defect.
To attain this and other objects, the invention provides an image forming apparatus for forming a two-color toner image on a photosensitive body and transferring a batch of the image to a transfer material. The image forming apparatus is provided with a rotating and moving electrophotographic photosensitive body. Successively along a rotating direction of the photosensitive body arranged are a first charging means, a developing means using a first two-component developing agent constituted of a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner, a second charging means, a second developing means using a one-component magnetic developing agent different in color from the nonmagnetic toner and a transfer means for transferring to a transfer member a batch of the toner image formed on the photosensitive body by the two-color developing agents.
Further, the image forming apparatus has a stopping means for stopping an image forming operation when a trouble occurs in a device body and a magnetic member moving means for detaching a magnetic member of the second developing means from the photosensitive body to a position at which the carrier adhering from the first developing means to the photosensitive body does not mix in the second developing means by means of a magnetic force of the second developing means when the image forming operation is stopped by the stopping means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation entirely showing a two-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 for preventing a magnetic carrier from adhering and mixing in at the time of occurrence of a trouble.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart of image formation in the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows changes in potential and developing bias during the image formation of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart of image formation according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 shows changes in potential and developing bias during the image formation of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 shows changes in potential and developing bias during image formation according to further embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation showing a relationship between an attracting force acting on a carrier on a photosensitive body of FIG. 7 and a second developing bias.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a detaching means of a second developing unit at the time of power stoppage in further embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a detailed view showing first and second developing units in a prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.
FIG. 11 shows changes in potential and developing bias during image formation in the prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a mechanism of mixture of a carrier into a second developing unit in the prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an entire constitution of a two-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Around a photosensitive body 1 provided with a photoconductive layer mounted on a conductive drum body, along its rotating direction, a scorotron charge unit 2, a first exposure means, a first developing unit 4, a scorotron charge unit 5, a second exposure means, a second developing unit 7, a transfer corona charge unit 8, a separating corona charge unit 9, a cleaning device 11 and an electric eliminating lamp 12 are disposed. The first exposure means is constituted of a semiconductor laser 21, a polygonal mirror 23, a reflective mirror 24 and the like. The second exposure means is constituted of a semiconductor laser 22, the polygonal mirror 23, a reflective mirror 25 and the like. The first and second developing units 4 and 7 are constituted as shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 10 denote the same members.
After the photosensitive body 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential level by the scorotron charge unit 2 while rotating in a direction shown by an arrow in the figure, a first exposure 3 is performed by the first exposure means with a laser beam which is modulated in response to a first image signal, to form a first electrostatic latent image.
Subsequently, the first electrostatic latent image is developed by the first developing unit 4 by using a two-component constituted of a first-color non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier while a developing bias is applied, to form a first toner image of a first color on the photosensitive body 1. In the embodiment the magnetic carrier has an average particle diameter of 50 μm, an average saturation magnetization of 63 emu/g, an average specific gravity of 4.8 g/cm 3 .
Subsequently, the photosensitive body 1 with the first toner image formed thereon is again charged uniformly to a predetermined potential level by the scorotron charge unit 5, a second exposure 5 is performed by the second exposure means with a laser beam which is modulated in response to a second image signal, to form a second electrostatic image. The second electrostatic latent image is developed by the second developing unit 7 using a second-color magnetic toner under a developing bias, to form a second toner image of a second color overlapping the first toner image of the first color on the photosensitive body 1. Since a second-color development is performed in a non-contact system in which the magnetic toner held on a toner holding body (the developing roller 71 of FIG. 10) of the second developing unit 7 does not contact the photosensitive body 1, a second-color development can be performed without disturbing the first-color toner image.
A two-color overlapped toner image formed in this manner is transferred using the transfer corona charge unit 8 on a transfer sheet P which is supplied along a conveyance path 10 to the photosensitive body 1. The transfer sheet P is then peeled from the photosensitive body 1 by the separating corona charge unit 9 to be fed to a fixing device (not shown). The overlapped image is thus permanently fixed on the transfer sheet, to form a two-color image. Completing the transfer process, the photosensitive body 1 continuously rotates. Subsequently, residual toner is removed from a surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the cleaning device 11, and residual charge is eliminated from the surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the electric eliminating lamp 12. A subsequent image formation is repeated.
According to the invention, when the jam of the transfer material and other troubles occur, to prevent the magnetic carrier of the first developing unit 4 from adhering to the photosensitive body 1 and mixing in the second developing unit 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the second developing unit 7 can be detached from the photosensitive body 1.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device for preventing the adhesion and mixture of the magnetic carrier at the time of trouble occurrence in the invention. To a microcomputer 101 mounted in the image forming apparatus connected are a jam detecting means 102, a high-voltage source 103 of the first charge unit 2, a first laser 104, a first developing bias source 105 and a second developing device attaching/detaching motor 106. A moving means of the second developing unit 7 is constituted by combining the attaching/detaching motor 106 with a developer pressure cam 74. The second developing unit 7 can be moved close to and apart from the photosensitive body 1 by rotating the developer pressure cam 74 linked to the attaching/detaching motor 106. When the jam occurrence is detected by the jam detecting means 102, a signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 101, which in turn transmits a drive signal to the charge high-voltage source 103, the first laser 104, the first developing bias source 105, the attaching/detaching motor 106 and other image forming means. A flow of operation after the jam occurrence is performed in accordance with a predetermined drive timing described later. The other image forming means (not shown in FIG. 2) are similarly driven in accordance with the signal from the microcomputer 101.
Prior to a description of a method for preventing the adhesion and mixture of the carrier at the time of occurrence of jam or another trouble in the invention, the mixture of carrier in a prior-art two-color image forming apparatus is described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
FIG. 11 shows a change in photosensitive body potential with an elapse of time (shown by a solid line A in the figure) and a change in developing bias with an elapse of time (shown by a dashed line B in the figure) in a usual image forming process in a first development position (a development position of a first developing unit). A positive charge polarity of the photosensitive body 1 is shown, but the same is applied to a negative polarity. The photosensitive body 1 is charged to VD by the charge unit 2. Its charge is attenuated to VL when a printing portion S in an image width L (a length in a moving direction of the photosensitive body) receives the laser exposure 3. By applying VB1 for the developing bias, a positively charged toner T1 receives an electric force based on a potential difference Vc and adheres to an exposure portion to develop. A negatively charged carrier C receives an electric force directed to a non-exposure portion based on a potential difference Vb, but does not adhere to the non-exposure portion because Vb is small.
By contrast, FIG. 12 shows changes in photosensitive body potential and developing bias in the first development position at the time of jam occurrence. Upon the jam occurrence, an output of the charge unit 2, the laser exposure 3 and the developing bias are turned off. After the jam occurrence, a region extending from the first development position on the photosensitive body to the charge unit 2 is uniformly charged and receives no exposure. Therefore, the first development position is passed with the potential being VD. In this case, since the developing bias is turned off, during a passing time (t1+t2) in the first development position, a potential difference Vb becomes larger than a potential difference Vbs when the carrier starts adhering. Then, the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body 1. As a result, the carrier mixes into the second developing unit.
The method of preventing the adhesion and mixture of the carrier according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 3 shows drive timings of respective units disposed around the photosensitive body for image formation. The driving of the units is shown based on the passing time of an image region on the rotating photosensitive body 1. For example, the first laser turns on when a portion corresponding to a tip end of an image on the photosensitive body 1 passes the first laser position (a position of the laser exposure 3). When the portion passes a second laser position (a position of the exposure 5) (at a time delayed by a predetermined time from the first laser position), the second laser turns on. From FIG. 3, such delay time is omitted (the same is applied to a timing chart described later).
On turning on an operation key for starting a copy operation, a photosensitive body drive motor turns on to start rotating the photosensitive body 1. Before the image tip end on the photosensitive body passes, the attaching/detaching motor of the second developing unit 7 turns on. The second developing unit 7 is moved to a development position by the moving means constituted of the attaching/detaching motor 106 and the cam 74 in FIG. 2. Subsequently, high-voltage outputs of the first and second charge units 2 and 5, a second developing bias and rotations of the first and second developing rollers successively turn on, thereby starting an image formation. During the image formation, if a jam occurs, the units other than the photosensitive body drive motor, the first charge high voltage and the first developing bias instantly turn off. Also, upon the jam occurrence, the second developing unit starts to be moved to a non-development position by the moving means. After a time Δt elapses after the second developing unit completes its movement, the photosensitive body drive motor, the first charge high-voltage and the first developing bias turn off. After the drive motor turns off, the photosensitive body inertially rotates and stops, thereby completing the copy operation after the jam occurrence.
FIG. 4 shows changes in photosensitive body potential and first developing bias with an elapse of time in the first development position at the aforementioned drive timings. Before the jam occurrence, the change is the same as aforementioned. After the jam occurrence, during Δt the first charge high voltage and the first developing bias continue turning on. Therefore, the potential and the developing bias remain at VD and VB1 as they are before the jam occurrence. Therefore, the potential difference Vb is unchanged. No carrier adheres to the photosensitive body. Therefore, no carrier mixes in the second developing unit.
After Δt, the second developing unit 7 has moved to the non-development position, the first charge and the developing bias turn off, and the potential and the developing bias are zero. In the non-development position, as shown in FIG. 2, the second developing roller 71 of the developing unit 7 is sufficiently distant from the photosensitive body 1. Even if the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body, a magnetic attraction of the magnetic roller 72 inside the developing roller 71 does not act on the carrier. Therefore, the carrier fails to adhere to and mix in the second developing roller 71. In the embodiment, in the non-development position, the second developing roller 71 is distant by 5 mm from a photosensitive body surface. A component perpendicular to the photosensitive body surface of a flux density exerted on the surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the magnetic roller 72 of the second developing roller 71 is 1000 gausses when the second developing unit 7 is in the development position, and reduced to its half or less 320 gausses when the second developing unit 7 moves to the non-development position.
In the embodiment, as aforementioned, the carrier is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body and mixing in the second developing unit at the time of jam occurrence. A good two-color image can be obtained without uneven concentration of the second toner image or other image deterioration.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
In the first embodiment, during Δt after the jam occurrence, the high-voltage output of the first charge unit 2 is set the same as the output during the usual image formation. When the scorotron charge unit or the like is used as the first charge unit 2, ozone as a factor of deterioration of the photosensitive body 1 is generated in proportion to an output current, but a quantity of generated ozone can be suppressed by reducing the output current during Δt. In the second embodiment, the output current during Δt was reduced.
FIG. 5 shows an image formation timing when the output current is reduced in the embodiment. FIG. 5 mainly shows output timings of a first charge and a first developing bias. Drive timings of other image forming unit portions are the same as in FIG. 1. After the jam occurrence, an output of the first charge continues, but an output value is made smaller than before the jam occurrence (as shown by a in the figure). The first developing bias during a period (t1+t2) after jam occurrence is set the same output as before the jam occurrence, and is reduced on and after (t1+t2) (as shown by b in the figure). On and after Δt when the second developing unit completes its movement, both outputs are turned off.
FIG. 6 shows changes in potential (shown by a solid line C in FIG. 6) and first developing bias (shown by a dashed line D in FIG. 6) in a first development position. Before the jam occurrence and during (t1+t2) after the jam occurrence, the first charge output takes a value at the time of image formation. Therefore, the potential of the photosensitive body is VD, and for the developing bias the output VB1 at the time of image formation is applied. On and after (t1+t2) the potential lowers to VH because the first charge output is small, and the developing bias is changed to VB2 at which no carrier adheres. The value VB2 is set as |VH-VB2|<Vbs (Vbs is the potential difference when the carrier starts adhering), in such a manner that VD-VB1=VH-VB2. The value VB2 is smaller than VH in order to prevent the toner in the first developing unit from excessively adhering to the photosensitive body and being consumed.
In the second embodiment, as aforementioned, the carrier is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body and mixing in the second developing unit at the time of jam occurrence. In addition, the generation of ozone after the jam occurrence can be suppressed.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second developing unit 7 is moved from the photosensitive body 1 to the non-development position, to firmly prevent the mixture of any carrier adhering to the photosensitive body 1, it is important to prevent the magnetic roller 72 in the developing roller 71 from exerting a magnetic attraction Fm to the carrier. However, because of a spatial restriction, in some case the developing roller 71 cannot be moved sufficiently apart from the photosensitive body 1. The third embodiment solves this problem. As shown in FIG. 7, by applying to the developing roller 71 a bias having the same polarity as a carrier charge polarity, the mixture of the carrier is prevented.
FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows a relationship between an attraction acting to the carrier on the photosensitive body and a second developing bias. The magnetic attraction Fm which tries to attract the carrier to the developing roller 71 with the second developing unit 7 being apart is set constant. On the other hand, when a value of the second developing bias is increased on a polarity side the same as the carrier (negative polarity), an electric force Fe which tries to push the carrier onto the photosensitive body 1 is increased. When the developing bias is VB3, Fe>Fm. Then, no carrier mixes in the developing roller.
FIG. 7 shows changes in potential (F in the figure) and second developing bias (E in the figure) in the second development position. The change in potential is set in the same manner as in FIG. 1. On the jam occurrence, by changing the second developing bias from the bias VB1 for image formation to VB3, an electric force caused by a difference in potential between the potential VD and the bias VB3 acts on the carrier. Even if the developing roller is insufficiently apart, the mixture of carrier can be prevented. After the second developing unit finishes moving apart and the photosensitive body stops rotating, the bias is turned off.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT
In a fourth embodiment, a case of trouble occurrence in power supply to the image forming apparatus is described. For example, when during image formation the power supply to the device is stopped by a power failure or the like, the first developing bias turns off. Therefore, in the same manner as the prior art (as shown in FIG. 12) the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body and mixes in the second developing unit. In this case, after the power stoppage, the photosensitive body inertially rotates, and the second developing unit may be moved sufficiently apart from the photosensitive body before a carrier adhesion region on the photosensitive body reaches the second development position (within time t3 in FIG. 1), so that the magnetic attraction of the second developing roller does not act on the carrier. A method of detaching the second developing unit after the power stoppage may be constituted, for example, as shown in FIG. 9. An axial rod X of the photosensitive body 1 is linked to an axial rod Y of an attaching/detaching cam 74 (74a, 74b) via a drive belt 108 in such a manner that the photosensitive body 1 and the cam 74 can be driven by a photosensitive body drive motor 107. An electromagnetic clutch 109 attached to the axial rod Y is detached when a power 110 turns on, and connected when the power turns off. When the power turns on, a drive force of the drive motor 107 of the photosensitive body 1 is not transmitted to the cam 74. The cam 74 as shown in the figure pushes the developing unit 7 toward the photosensitive body 1. When the power turns off, the motor 107 is stopped. A drive force produced by inertial rotation of the photosensitive body 1 is transmitted via the axial rod X, the belt 108 and the axial rod Y to rotate the cam 74. A biasing force of a spring 75 detaches the developing unit 7 from the photosensitive body 1.
Alternatively, by using a core rod of an electromagnetic coil as a pressing means for the developing unit, the developing unit may be pushed by the core rod during power supply, and detached by drawing the core rod when the power turns off.
As aforementioned, the invention provides a two-color image forming apparatus in which a first charging, exposure and developing process and a second charging, exposure and developing process continue to be performed while the photosensitive body rotates once, to form an overlapped toner image on the photosensitive body. The toner image is transferred on the transfer sheet with one transfer process, to form a two-color image. In this apparatus, when the image formation a transfer sheet jam or another trouble occurs, the second developing unit starts to be detached from the photosensitive body. While the developing unit is moving apart, the first charge and the first developing bias continue to turn on in the same manner as during the image formation. Thereby, the carrier contained in the first developing means is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body. After the developing unit completes its movement, the first charge and the first developing bias are turned off. Therefore, the carrier can be prevented from mixing in the second developing means at the time of jam occurrence.
Also, when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped and the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body, then the second developing means is detached sufficiently from the photosensitive body before the photosensitive body surface with the carrier attached thereto reaches the second development position, thereby preventing the mixture of the carrier. Therefore, the second developing means can be prevented from deteriorating because of the carrier mixture. | There is related to an image forming apparatus for forming a two-color toner image on a photosensitive body and transferring a batch of the image to a transfer material. The apparatus has a rotating and moving electrophotographic photosensitive body. Successively along a rotating direction of the photosensitive body arranged are a first developing device using a two-component developing agent constituted of a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner and a second developing device using a one-component magnetic developing agent different in color from the nonmagnetic toner. The apparatus also has a control circuit for stopping an image forming operation when a trouble occurs in an apparatus body. To prevent the carrier of the first developing device from mixing in the second developing device, a drive mechanism is provided for detaching a magnet of the second developing device from the photosensitive body to a position at which the carrier adhering from the first developing device to the photosensitive body does not mix in the second developing device by means of a magnetic force of the second developing device when the image forming operation is stopped. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multicolor image forming apparatus which forms a color-overlapped image on a photosensitive body with toners different in color in an electrophotographic method and which transfers the image on a transfer material once.",
"It especially relates to a copying machine, a printer or another two-color image forming apparatus which uses two-color toner to obtain a two-color image.",
"Related Background Art In such a multicolor image forming apparatus, a surface of a rotating electrophotographic photosensitive body is uniformly charged with a charging means and thereafter exposed to a laser beam or the like in accordance with a predetermined image signal to form an electrostatic latent image thereon.",
"Then, by applying a predetermined bias to a developing means, toner is adhered to an exposed portion of the latent image to develop an image.",
"By repeating this plural times, an overlapped toner image of plural colors is formed, transferred in a batch once to a sheet of transfer material and fixed thereon to obtain a multicolor permanent image.",
"A portion of a periphery of a photosensitive body in a two-color image forming apparatus is shown in FIG. 10.",
"The two-color image forming apparatus is provided along a rotating direction of a photosensitive body 1 with two developing means, i.e. a first developing unit 4 and a second developing unit 7.",
"The first developing unit 4 includes a two-component developing agent constituted of a toner T1 and a magnetic carrier C. On a developing roller 41 with a magnetic roller 42 built therein, the toner T1 and the carrier C are held.",
"The held two-component developing agent is applied by a regulating member 43 onto the developing roller 41 and conveyed to a development region in which the photosensitive body 1 is opposed to the developing roller 41.",
"In the development region, by applying a predetermined bias to the developing roller 41, the toner is adhered to a first latent image on the photosensitive body 1 to develop and visualize a first toner image.",
"The second developing unit 7 includes a magnetic toner T2 which is different in color from the toner T1 in the first developing unit 4.",
"On a developing roller 71 with a magnetic roller 72 built therein, the toner T2 is held.",
"The held toner T2 is applied by a regulating member 73 onto the developing roller 71 and conveyed to the development region.",
"In the development region, by applying a predetermined bias to the developing roller 71, the toner is adhered to a second latent image on the photosensitive body 1 with the first toner image formed thereon, to develop and visualize a second toner image.",
"In this manner, while the photosensitive body 1 rotates once, a two-color overlapped toner image is formed on the photosensitive body 1.",
"The toner image is transferred to a transfer material once and thereafter fixed to obtain a two-color permanent image.",
"Usually in the aforementioned image forming apparatus, if during image formation a jam of a transfer sheet, an error of a sheet supply system or another trouble occurs, by checking its error signal, a drive motor of the photosensitive body is stopped.",
"Also, a primary charge output, a laser exposure and an application of a bias to the developing units are cut off, thereby stopping an image forming process.",
"However, even when an application of a driving voltage to the drive motor of the photosensitive body is stopped, the photosensitive body 1 rotates due to an inertial force produced by its weight.",
"Until the photosensitive body completely stops rotating, a uniformly charged region extending from a primary charging means position to a laser exposure position on the photosensitive body 1 passes the first developing unit 4.",
"When the bias to the developing roller 41 is cut off at the same time the trouble occurs, then between the developing unit 4 and the charged region of the photosensitive body 1, an electric field is produced to attract the carrier C in the developing agent toward the photosensitive body 1.",
"Therefore, the carrier C adheres to the photosensitive body 1.",
"The carrier C adhering to the photosensitive body 1 is conveyed to a vicinity of the development region of the second developing unit 7 while the photosensitive body 1 is rotating.",
"Since the developing roller 71 of the second developing unit 7 contains the magnetic roller 72, a portion of the conveyed carrier C adheres to the developing roller 71 because of a magnetic suction force and is taken into the developing unit 7.",
"The taken carrier C accumulates in a vicinity of an opposed portion of the developing roller 71 and the regulating member 73, thereby inhibiting application of the toner T2.",
"Therefore, an uneven application, a resulting uneven concentration of the second toner image or another image deterioration is caused.",
"The adhesion of the carrier to the photosensitive body and the mixture thereof into the second developing unit at the time of occurrence of jam or another trouble are detailed in the description of embodiments of the invention.",
"As a countermeasure to solve the problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-50350 proposes a method in which to prevent the adhesion of a carrier at the time of trouble occurrence, a potential of a photosensitive body before passing a developing means is detected by a potential sensor and a bias of the developing means is controlled in accordance with a change in potential of the photosensitive body.",
"However, in the two-color image forming apparatus, since two developing means are disposed around the photosensitive body, in some case no space can be secured for mounting the potential sensor.",
"Also, if the potential sensor is soiled by toner floating in the device, a precise control cannot be performed, thereby causing the adhesion of the carrier.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a two-color image forming apparatus which prevents a magnetic carrier adhered to a photosensitive body from mixing in a second developing means when a jam of a transfer material or another trouble occurs while an image is formed by forming a two-color toner image during one rotation of the photosensitive body and transferring a batch of the toner image to the transfer material and which can obtain a good two-color image without an uneven concentration of a second toner image or another defect.",
"To attain this and other objects, the invention provides an image forming apparatus for forming a two-color toner image on a photosensitive body and transferring a batch of the image to a transfer material.",
"The image forming apparatus is provided with a rotating and moving electrophotographic photosensitive body.",
"Successively along a rotating direction of the photosensitive body arranged are a first charging means, a developing means using a first two-component developing agent constituted of a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner, a second charging means, a second developing means using a one-component magnetic developing agent different in color from the nonmagnetic toner and a transfer means for transferring to a transfer member a batch of the toner image formed on the photosensitive body by the two-color developing agents.",
"Further, the image forming apparatus has a stopping means for stopping an image forming operation when a trouble occurs in a device body and a magnetic member moving means for detaching a magnetic member of the second developing means from the photosensitive body to a position at which the carrier adhering from the first developing means to the photosensitive body does not mix in the second developing means by means of a magnetic force of the second developing means when the image forming operation is stopped by the stopping means.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation entirely showing a two-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 for preventing a magnetic carrier from adhering and mixing in at the time of occurrence of a trouble.",
"FIG. 3 is a timing chart of image formation in the embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 4 shows changes in potential and developing bias during the image formation of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a timing chart of image formation according to another embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 6 shows changes in potential and developing bias during the image formation of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows changes in potential and developing bias during image formation according to further embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation showing a relationship between an attracting force acting on a carrier on a photosensitive body of FIG. 7 and a second developing bias.",
"FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a detaching means of a second developing unit at the time of power stoppage in further embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 10 is a detailed view showing first and second developing units in a prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.",
"FIG. 11 shows changes in potential and developing bias during image formation in the prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.",
"FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a mechanism of mixture of a carrier into a second developing unit in the prior-art two-color image forming apparatus.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.",
"FIRST EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an entire constitution of a two-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"Around a photosensitive body 1 provided with a photoconductive layer mounted on a conductive drum body, along its rotating direction, a scorotron charge unit 2, a first exposure means, a first developing unit 4, a scorotron charge unit 5, a second exposure means, a second developing unit 7, a transfer corona charge unit 8, a separating corona charge unit 9, a cleaning device 11 and an electric eliminating lamp 12 are disposed.",
"The first exposure means is constituted of a semiconductor laser 21, a polygonal mirror 23, a reflective mirror 24 and the like.",
"The second exposure means is constituted of a semiconductor laser 22, the polygonal mirror 23, a reflective mirror 25 and the like.",
"The first and second developing units 4 and 7 are constituted as shown in FIG. 10.",
"In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 10 denote the same members.",
"After the photosensitive body 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential level by the scorotron charge unit 2 while rotating in a direction shown by an arrow in the figure, a first exposure 3 is performed by the first exposure means with a laser beam which is modulated in response to a first image signal, to form a first electrostatic latent image.",
"Subsequently, the first electrostatic latent image is developed by the first developing unit 4 by using a two-component constituted of a first-color non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier while a developing bias is applied, to form a first toner image of a first color on the photosensitive body 1.",
"In the embodiment the magnetic carrier has an average particle diameter of 50 μm, an average saturation magnetization of 63 emu/g, an average specific gravity of 4.8 g/cm 3 .",
"Subsequently, the photosensitive body 1 with the first toner image formed thereon is again charged uniformly to a predetermined potential level by the scorotron charge unit 5, a second exposure 5 is performed by the second exposure means with a laser beam which is modulated in response to a second image signal, to form a second electrostatic image.",
"The second electrostatic latent image is developed by the second developing unit 7 using a second-color magnetic toner under a developing bias, to form a second toner image of a second color overlapping the first toner image of the first color on the photosensitive body 1.",
"Since a second-color development is performed in a non-contact system in which the magnetic toner held on a toner holding body (the developing roller 71 of FIG. 10) of the second developing unit 7 does not contact the photosensitive body 1, a second-color development can be performed without disturbing the first-color toner image.",
"A two-color overlapped toner image formed in this manner is transferred using the transfer corona charge unit 8 on a transfer sheet P which is supplied along a conveyance path 10 to the photosensitive body 1.",
"The transfer sheet P is then peeled from the photosensitive body 1 by the separating corona charge unit 9 to be fed to a fixing device (not shown).",
"The overlapped image is thus permanently fixed on the transfer sheet, to form a two-color image.",
"Completing the transfer process, the photosensitive body 1 continuously rotates.",
"Subsequently, residual toner is removed from a surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the cleaning device 11, and residual charge is eliminated from the surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the electric eliminating lamp 12.",
"A subsequent image formation is repeated.",
"According to the invention, when the jam of the transfer material and other troubles occur, to prevent the magnetic carrier of the first developing unit 4 from adhering to the photosensitive body 1 and mixing in the second developing unit 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the second developing unit 7 can be detached from the photosensitive body 1.",
"FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device for preventing the adhesion and mixture of the magnetic carrier at the time of trouble occurrence in the invention.",
"To a microcomputer 101 mounted in the image forming apparatus connected are a jam detecting means 102, a high-voltage source 103 of the first charge unit 2, a first laser 104, a first developing bias source 105 and a second developing device attaching/detaching motor 106.",
"A moving means of the second developing unit 7 is constituted by combining the attaching/detaching motor 106 with a developer pressure cam 74.",
"The second developing unit 7 can be moved close to and apart from the photosensitive body 1 by rotating the developer pressure cam 74 linked to the attaching/detaching motor 106.",
"When the jam occurrence is detected by the jam detecting means 102, a signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 101, which in turn transmits a drive signal to the charge high-voltage source 103, the first laser 104, the first developing bias source 105, the attaching/detaching motor 106 and other image forming means.",
"A flow of operation after the jam occurrence is performed in accordance with a predetermined drive timing described later.",
"The other image forming means (not shown in FIG. 2) are similarly driven in accordance with the signal from the microcomputer 101.",
"Prior to a description of a method for preventing the adhesion and mixture of the carrier at the time of occurrence of jam or another trouble in the invention, the mixture of carrier in a prior-art two-color image forming apparatus is described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.",
"FIG. 11 shows a change in photosensitive body potential with an elapse of time (shown by a solid line A in the figure) and a change in developing bias with an elapse of time (shown by a dashed line B in the figure) in a usual image forming process in a first development position (a development position of a first developing unit).",
"A positive charge polarity of the photosensitive body 1 is shown, but the same is applied to a negative polarity.",
"The photosensitive body 1 is charged to VD by the charge unit 2.",
"Its charge is attenuated to VL when a printing portion S in an image width L (a length in a moving direction of the photosensitive body) receives the laser exposure 3.",
"By applying VB1 for the developing bias, a positively charged toner T1 receives an electric force based on a potential difference Vc and adheres to an exposure portion to develop.",
"A negatively charged carrier C receives an electric force directed to a non-exposure portion based on a potential difference Vb, but does not adhere to the non-exposure portion because Vb is small.",
"By contrast, FIG. 12 shows changes in photosensitive body potential and developing bias in the first development position at the time of jam occurrence.",
"Upon the jam occurrence, an output of the charge unit 2, the laser exposure 3 and the developing bias are turned off.",
"After the jam occurrence, a region extending from the first development position on the photosensitive body to the charge unit 2 is uniformly charged and receives no exposure.",
"Therefore, the first development position is passed with the potential being VD.",
"In this case, since the developing bias is turned off, during a passing time (t1+t2) in the first development position, a potential difference Vb becomes larger than a potential difference Vbs when the carrier starts adhering.",
"Then, the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body 1.",
"As a result, the carrier mixes into the second developing unit.",
"The method of preventing the adhesion and mixture of the carrier according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.",
"FIG. 3 shows drive timings of respective units disposed around the photosensitive body for image formation.",
"The driving of the units is shown based on the passing time of an image region on the rotating photosensitive body 1.",
"For example, the first laser turns on when a portion corresponding to a tip end of an image on the photosensitive body 1 passes the first laser position (a position of the laser exposure 3).",
"When the portion passes a second laser position (a position of the exposure 5) (at a time delayed by a predetermined time from the first laser position), the second laser turns on.",
"From FIG. 3, such delay time is omitted (the same is applied to a timing chart described later).",
"On turning on an operation key for starting a copy operation, a photosensitive body drive motor turns on to start rotating the photosensitive body 1.",
"Before the image tip end on the photosensitive body passes, the attaching/detaching motor of the second developing unit 7 turns on.",
"The second developing unit 7 is moved to a development position by the moving means constituted of the attaching/detaching motor 106 and the cam 74 in FIG. 2. Subsequently, high-voltage outputs of the first and second charge units 2 and 5, a second developing bias and rotations of the first and second developing rollers successively turn on, thereby starting an image formation.",
"During the image formation, if a jam occurs, the units other than the photosensitive body drive motor, the first charge high voltage and the first developing bias instantly turn off.",
"Also, upon the jam occurrence, the second developing unit starts to be moved to a non-development position by the moving means.",
"After a time Δt elapses after the second developing unit completes its movement, the photosensitive body drive motor, the first charge high-voltage and the first developing bias turn off.",
"After the drive motor turns off, the photosensitive body inertially rotates and stops, thereby completing the copy operation after the jam occurrence.",
"FIG. 4 shows changes in photosensitive body potential and first developing bias with an elapse of time in the first development position at the aforementioned drive timings.",
"Before the jam occurrence, the change is the same as aforementioned.",
"After the jam occurrence, during Δt the first charge high voltage and the first developing bias continue turning on.",
"Therefore, the potential and the developing bias remain at VD and VB1 as they are before the jam occurrence.",
"Therefore, the potential difference Vb is unchanged.",
"No carrier adheres to the photosensitive body.",
"Therefore, no carrier mixes in the second developing unit.",
"After Δt, the second developing unit 7 has moved to the non-development position, the first charge and the developing bias turn off, and the potential and the developing bias are zero.",
"In the non-development position, as shown in FIG. 2, the second developing roller 71 of the developing unit 7 is sufficiently distant from the photosensitive body 1.",
"Even if the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body, a magnetic attraction of the magnetic roller 72 inside the developing roller 71 does not act on the carrier.",
"Therefore, the carrier fails to adhere to and mix in the second developing roller 71.",
"In the embodiment, in the non-development position, the second developing roller 71 is distant by 5 mm from a photosensitive body surface.",
"A component perpendicular to the photosensitive body surface of a flux density exerted on the surface of the photosensitive body 1 by the magnetic roller 72 of the second developing roller 71 is 1000 gausses when the second developing unit 7 is in the development position, and reduced to its half or less 320 gausses when the second developing unit 7 moves to the non-development position.",
"In the embodiment, as aforementioned, the carrier is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body and mixing in the second developing unit at the time of jam occurrence.",
"A good two-color image can be obtained without uneven concentration of the second toner image or other image deterioration.",
"SECOND EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment, during Δt after the jam occurrence, the high-voltage output of the first charge unit 2 is set the same as the output during the usual image formation.",
"When the scorotron charge unit or the like is used as the first charge unit 2, ozone as a factor of deterioration of the photosensitive body 1 is generated in proportion to an output current, but a quantity of generated ozone can be suppressed by reducing the output current during Δt.",
"In the second embodiment, the output current during Δt was reduced.",
"FIG. 5 shows an image formation timing when the output current is reduced in the embodiment.",
"FIG. 5 mainly shows output timings of a first charge and a first developing bias.",
"Drive timings of other image forming unit portions are the same as in FIG. 1. After the jam occurrence, an output of the first charge continues, but an output value is made smaller than before the jam occurrence (as shown by a in the figure).",
"The first developing bias during a period (t1+t2) after jam occurrence is set the same output as before the jam occurrence, and is reduced on and after (t1+t2) (as shown by b in the figure).",
"On and after Δt when the second developing unit completes its movement, both outputs are turned off.",
"FIG. 6 shows changes in potential (shown by a solid line C in FIG. 6) and first developing bias (shown by a dashed line D in FIG. 6) in a first development position.",
"Before the jam occurrence and during (t1+t2) after the jam occurrence, the first charge output takes a value at the time of image formation.",
"Therefore, the potential of the photosensitive body is VD, and for the developing bias the output VB1 at the time of image formation is applied.",
"On and after (t1+t2) the potential lowers to VH because the first charge output is small, and the developing bias is changed to VB2 at which no carrier adheres.",
"The value VB2 is set as |VH-VB2|<Vbs (Vbs is the potential difference when the carrier starts adhering), in such a manner that VD-VB1=VH-VB2.",
"The value VB2 is smaller than VH in order to prevent the toner in the first developing unit from excessively adhering to the photosensitive body and being consumed.",
"In the second embodiment, as aforementioned, the carrier is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body and mixing in the second developing unit at the time of jam occurrence.",
"In addition, the generation of ozone after the jam occurrence can be suppressed.",
"THIRD EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second developing unit 7 is moved from the photosensitive body 1 to the non-development position, to firmly prevent the mixture of any carrier adhering to the photosensitive body 1, it is important to prevent the magnetic roller 72 in the developing roller 71 from exerting a magnetic attraction Fm to the carrier.",
"However, because of a spatial restriction, in some case the developing roller 71 cannot be moved sufficiently apart from the photosensitive body 1.",
"The third embodiment solves this problem.",
"As shown in FIG. 7, by applying to the developing roller 71 a bias having the same polarity as a carrier charge polarity, the mixture of the carrier is prevented.",
"FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows a relationship between an attraction acting to the carrier on the photosensitive body and a second developing bias.",
"The magnetic attraction Fm which tries to attract the carrier to the developing roller 71 with the second developing unit 7 being apart is set constant.",
"On the other hand, when a value of the second developing bias is increased on a polarity side the same as the carrier (negative polarity), an electric force Fe which tries to push the carrier onto the photosensitive body 1 is increased.",
"When the developing bias is VB3, Fe>Fm.",
"Then, no carrier mixes in the developing roller.",
"FIG. 7 shows changes in potential (F in the figure) and second developing bias (E in the figure) in the second development position.",
"The change in potential is set in the same manner as in FIG. 1. On the jam occurrence, by changing the second developing bias from the bias VB1 for image formation to VB3, an electric force caused by a difference in potential between the potential VD and the bias VB3 acts on the carrier.",
"Even if the developing roller is insufficiently apart, the mixture of carrier can be prevented.",
"After the second developing unit finishes moving apart and the photosensitive body stops rotating, the bias is turned off.",
"FOURTH EMBODIMENT In a fourth embodiment, a case of trouble occurrence in power supply to the image forming apparatus is described.",
"For example, when during image formation the power supply to the device is stopped by a power failure or the like, the first developing bias turns off.",
"Therefore, in the same manner as the prior art (as shown in FIG. 12) the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body and mixes in the second developing unit.",
"In this case, after the power stoppage, the photosensitive body inertially rotates, and the second developing unit may be moved sufficiently apart from the photosensitive body before a carrier adhesion region on the photosensitive body reaches the second development position (within time t3 in FIG. 1), so that the magnetic attraction of the second developing roller does not act on the carrier.",
"A method of detaching the second developing unit after the power stoppage may be constituted, for example, as shown in FIG. 9. An axial rod X of the photosensitive body 1 is linked to an axial rod Y of an attaching/detaching cam 74 (74a, 74b) via a drive belt 108 in such a manner that the photosensitive body 1 and the cam 74 can be driven by a photosensitive body drive motor 107.",
"An electromagnetic clutch 109 attached to the axial rod Y is detached when a power 110 turns on, and connected when the power turns off.",
"When the power turns on, a drive force of the drive motor 107 of the photosensitive body 1 is not transmitted to the cam 74.",
"The cam 74 as shown in the figure pushes the developing unit 7 toward the photosensitive body 1.",
"When the power turns off, the motor 107 is stopped.",
"A drive force produced by inertial rotation of the photosensitive body 1 is transmitted via the axial rod X, the belt 108 and the axial rod Y to rotate the cam 74.",
"A biasing force of a spring 75 detaches the developing unit 7 from the photosensitive body 1.",
"Alternatively, by using a core rod of an electromagnetic coil as a pressing means for the developing unit, the developing unit may be pushed by the core rod during power supply, and detached by drawing the core rod when the power turns off.",
"As aforementioned, the invention provides a two-color image forming apparatus in which a first charging, exposure and developing process and a second charging, exposure and developing process continue to be performed while the photosensitive body rotates once, to form an overlapped toner image on the photosensitive body.",
"The toner image is transferred on the transfer sheet with one transfer process, to form a two-color image.",
"In this apparatus, when the image formation a transfer sheet jam or another trouble occurs, the second developing unit starts to be detached from the photosensitive body.",
"While the developing unit is moving apart, the first charge and the first developing bias continue to turn on in the same manner as during the image formation.",
"Thereby, the carrier contained in the first developing means is prevented from adhering to the photosensitive body.",
"After the developing unit completes its movement, the first charge and the first developing bias are turned off.",
"Therefore, the carrier can be prevented from mixing in the second developing means at the time of jam occurrence.",
"Also, when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped and the carrier adheres to the photosensitive body, then the second developing means is detached sufficiently from the photosensitive body before the photosensitive body surface with the carrier attached thereto reaches the second development position, thereby preventing the mixture of the carrier.",
"Therefore, the second developing means can be prevented from deteriorating because of the carrier mixture."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for counting flexible flat objects arranged in an overlapping formation, in particular printed products.
An apparatus of this type is disclosed by EP-A-0 408 490. A conveying device which is driven at conveying speed in the conveying direction and constructed as a belt conveyor is intended to convey objects in an overlapping formation, in which each object rests on the preceding one, in a system cycle rate. Arranged underneath the conveying device is a counting device, having a guide means which extends in the conveying direction and on which a slide is freely displaceably mounted. The slide can be moved to and fro, in and counter to the conveying direction, coordinated with the system cycle rate by means of a drive, the speed in the conveying direction, at least in one section of the guide means, being higher than the conveying speed, in order to bring a contact element arranged on the slide into contact with the rear edge of the object respectively moved past the counting device. The relative movement between the object and the slide causes the contact element to move out of the conveying area and, as a result, to activate a sensor element in order to emit a signal to a counter. In order to avoid the contact element exerting any influence on the position of the relevant object in any case, a pressure element is provided which presses the objects against the conveyor belt so that they are carried along firmly. In order to permit the counting of objects which are conveyed at irregular time intervals, coarse detection of the objects is performed and, accordingly, the contact element is activated at irregular time intervals.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a generic apparatus which, with a simple construction, ensures precise counting even of objects which occur at irregular intervals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the provision of a conveying device which is driven at a conveying speed in a conveying direction and which is intended to convey the objects. A counting device includes a contact element and a sensor element mounted for movement along a guide which extends in the conveying direction, and a drive is provided for moving the elements along the guide at a higher speed than the conveying speed so as to bring the contact element into engagement with a rear region of each object conveyed past the counting device. The contact element then is deflected into engagement with the sensor element which emits a signal to a counter.
The object in each case interacting with a contact element is displaced in the conveying direction by means of a catch element driven together with the contact element. As a result, each object, even if the objects occur in an irregular overlapping formation, can interact only once with the contact element, which leads to extremely precise counting in a very simple way. The movement of the contact and catch element therefore does not need to be coordinated with a system cycle rate, the only condition is that the frequency with which these elements are moved cyclically in the conveying direction is at least as high as the maximum frequency with which the objects can occur. Even counting printed products with a prefold does not present any problems. The information about the time and the location at the end of the displacement by means of the catch element also means that the precise position of the object on the conveying device is known, which may be important for further processing. The apparatus is most suitable to process overlapping formations, in which the objects in each case rest on the preceding or in each case on the following object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which, in purely schematic form:
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the apparatus at a time at which a slide belonging to the counting device is located with a contact and a catch element in an initial, upstream position;
FIG. 2 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 1, the apparatus shown there with the slide in a final, downstream position;
FIG. 3 shows, in a side view and enlarged with respect to FIG. 1, part of the apparatus shown there;
FIG. 4 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 3, the apparatus with a catch element of different design;
FIG. 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention with the slide in the initial, upstream position;
FIG. 6 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 5, the apparatus shown there with the slide in the final, downstream position; and
FIG. 7 shows, on an enlarged scale with respect to FIG. 6, a part of the apparatus shown there.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a conveying device 10 designed as a belt conveyor, which is driven at the conveying speed v 1 in the conveying direction F. It is intended to convey flexible flat objects 12 , for example thin printed products, in an overlapping formation S, in which each object 12 rests on the one respectively following it. The rear edge 14 , located in the rear end region 14 ′ of the object 12 , is therefor exposed in the upward direction. In the overlapping formation S shown, the objects 12 are arranged in such a way that the distance the rear edges 14 of successive objects corresponds to a permissible minimum distance A. The distance between the rear edges 14 is, however, usually greater than this minimum distance A and, in particular, it can vary greatly in the case of an irregular overlapping formation.
Arranged above the conveying device 10 is a counting device 16 . It has a guide rail 18 ′ which extends n the conveying direction F and forms a guide means 18 . A slide 20 is freely moveably mounted on said guide rail. It is connected via a rod 22 to a drive 24 ′ constructed as a cylinder/piston unit 24 . The drive 24 ′ is intended to move the slide 20 from an initial, upstream position 26 , indicated by continuous lines in FIG. 1 and by dashed lines in FIG. 2, in the conveying direction F into a final, downstream position 28 , indicated with continuous lines in FIG. 2, and back again in a cyclic manner. The stroke H of this movement is smaller than the permissible minimum distance A between the rear edges 14 of successive articles 12 . The speed v at which the slide 20 is moved in the conveying direction F is, at least in one section of the guide means 18 , higher than the conveying speed v 1 . In the present case, the cylinder/piston unit 24 is controlled in such a way that, in both directions of motion, it accelerates to the speed v in a short acceleration section, moves with an approximately constant speed v in the abovementioned section and, in a subsequent retardation section, which in turn is very short as compared with the abovementioned section, brakes to a standstill.
The frequency f with which the slide 20 is moved to and fro by means of the drive 24 ′ is at least equally as high as the maximum frequency at which the objects 12 can occur, which is given by the quotient of the conveying speed v 1 and the permissible minimum distance A. The frequency f is advantageously approximately 1.2 to 4 times as high as the frequency defined by this ratio.
Fixed to the slide 20 at its one end is a bow-shaped contact element 30 of self-sprung design. Its free end extends approximately perpendicular to the conveying plane determined by the conveying device 10 . With the end region on this side, it projects forward, beyond the slide 20 , in the direction counter to the conveying direction 10 and is intended to rest and to slide with the free end on that flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 which faces the counting device 16 , under a low spring prestress.
Also fixed to the slide 20 , at its one end, is a catch element 32 , which is likewise of self-sprung design and shaped like a bow. In its free end region, it has a hook element 34 , which is intended likewise to rest with its free end under spring prestress on the flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 and to slide along the latter. As FIGS. 1 and 3 reveal, when it is in its rest position 36 , the contact element 30 extends forward in the conveying direction F with respect to the hook element 34 . In the contact position, which is indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, the contact element 30 , as viewed in the conveying direction, is located close to the catch element 32 and rests with a contact piece 38 fixed to it on a mating contact piece 38 ′ fixed to the slide 20 . The contact piece 38 and the mating contact piece 38 ′, forming a sensor element 39 , are connected via lines 40 to a counter 42 . Because the objects 20 are caught by the catch element 32 , the contact element 30 does not have to move back away in the direction of the conveying device 10 .
In the embodiment of the hook element 34 shown in FIG. 3, its catch face 44 is designed to be flat, while in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the catch face 44 of the hook element 34 is curved, so that the free end region of the hook element 34 , as viewed in the conveying direction F, pointing forward, can engage underneath the relevant object 12 , in each case from the rear edge 14 , and thus lift it into the hook element 34 . In the rest position 36 , the contact element 30 is located—in the conveying direction—close to the tip of the catch element 32 , in the contact position 36 at the bottom of the hook.
A reference roll 46 is freely rotatably mounted so as to be fixed in relation to the guide rail 18 ′. Led around said roll is a belt 48 , which runs further around a roll 50 which, in relation to the reference roll 46 , is arranged upstream and at a greater distance than the reference roll 46 from the conveying device 10 . Together with the conveying device 10 , the belt 48 forms an inlet for the overlapping formation S and prevents objects 12 being carried along by friction when an object 12 is gripped by the hook element 34 and displaced in the conveying direction F. For this purpose, the reference roll 46 is arranged upstream, at a short distance from the catch element 32 in the initial position 26 ′.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 as well, the conveying device 10 is constructed as a belt conveyor and is intended to convey the objects 12 in an overlapping formation S, in which each object 12 rests on the one respectively following, at the conveying speed v 1 in the conveying direction F. Located above the conveying device 10 is the counting device 16 , with the guide rail 18 ′ forming the guide means 18 . The slide 20 mounted on said guide rail is connected via the rod 22 to the piston/cylinder unit 24 which, as drive 24 ′, drives the slide 24 in exactly the same way as described further above in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 .
The contact element 30 is fixed to the slide 20 . It is designed as a spring tongue, which is oriented with its free insertion end 52 in the conveying direction F and is intended to rest under spring prestress on the flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 and to slide along the latter. On that side of the contact element 30 facing away from the conveying device 10 , a sensor element 54 is arranged. It is likewise designed like a spring tongue, fixed with the upstream end to the slide 20 and bent over in its downstream end region. In the region of the bent-over portion, the sensor element 54 rests on the contact element 30 and, together with the end region of the contact element on the insertion end, forms an inlet for the rear edge 14 of the objects 12 . The sensor element 54 is lifted by the contact element 30 when the contact element 30 is inserted into the object 12 or between two objects 12 and, in so doing, engaging under parts of the object 12 or the preceding object 12 in the end region 14 ′ of the latter, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7. The contact element 30 forms an electric contact piece 38 , which interacts with the mating contact piece 38 ′ formed by the sensor element 54 . The contact element 30 and the sensor element 54 are likewise connected via lines 40 to a counter 42 .
Upstream of the bent-over portion of the sensor element 54 , a catch element 32 ′ is fixed directly to the contact element 30 , projects from the contact element 30 like a tongue in the direction of the slide and projects beyond the sensor element 54 . It is intended for its catch face 44 to come into contact with the rear edge 14 of an object 12 located between the contact element 30 and sensor element 54 , and to displace said object in the conveying direction F.
The apparatus functions as follows. The slide is driven, by means of the drive 24 ′, in and counter to the conveying direction F at a higher frequency F than the objects 12 occur. At the same time, in the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the hook element 34 of the catch element 32 and the free end of the contact element 30 , which is in the rest position 36 , and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the contact element 30 , slide along the flat side 12 ′ of an object 12 . Because of the relative movement between the object 12 conveyed in the conveying direction F and the slide 20 moved counter to the conveying direction F, the hook element 34 and contact element 30 run off the object 12 at its rear edge 14 and come to rest on the flat side 12 ′ of the following object 12 . During the next stroke of the slide 20 in the conveying direction F, the slide 20 catches up with the relevant object 12 again and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the contact element moves away from the rear edge 14 of the object into the contact position 36 ′ and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the sensor element 54 is lifted off the contact element 30 . The signal produced at this time can be evaluated by the counter 42 for the purpose of counting. Then, during the further movement of the slide 20 in the conveying direction F, the catch element 32 , 32 ′ takes the relevant object 12 with it. At the end of its working stroke, the slide 20 is braked, the object 12 then being conveyed onward at the conveying speed v 1 by the conveying device 10 , and the electric contact being opened again in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , and closed in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 . This signal is also suitable to be evaluated by the counter 42 . In particular, with knowledge of the corresponding position of the slide 20 at a specific time, the precise location of the object 12 can be determined, which may be important for further processing.
This procedure is repeated for each object. Each object is displaced out of the active range of the counting device 16 and can therefore influence the counter only once.
The embodiment of the hook element 34 shown in FIG. 4 has the advantage over the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of preventing a situation in which only the hook element 34 but not the contact element 30 can run off an object 12 since, as viewed in the conveying direction F, the free end of the hook element 34 and of the contact element 30 are arranged at the same level.
It is also conceivable, in an embodiment of the contact element 30 according to FIGS. 5 to 7 , to provide the contact element 30 with a reflector at its free end and to construct the sensor element as a light-source/light-sensor element, which can be arranged on the slide 20 or in a stationary position at the downstream end position 28 of the reflector.
The apparatus is also suitable for counting objects which arise in an overlapping formation in which each object rests on the preceding one. To this end, the counting device is arranged in mirror-image form to the embodiments shown, underneath the conveying device F, in such a way that the contact element and catch element project beyond the conveying plane. | A counting device associated with a conveying device for conveying flexible flat objects, such as printed products, in an overlapping stream. The counting device includes a slide mounted for forward and return movement along a guide which extends in the conveying direction, and a drive is provided for moving the slide along the guide at a higher speed than the conveying speed. The slide mounts a flexible contact element which engages the objects, and a sensor element which is engaged by the contact element when the contact element is deflected by engagement with a rear edge of each object, as the slide is forwardly advanced. A catch element, which is also mounted to the slide, then comes into contact with the rear edge of the object to displace the object in the conveying direction. | Identify and summarize the most critical technical features from the given patent document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for counting flexible flat objects arranged in an overlapping formation, in particular printed products.",
"An apparatus of this type is disclosed by EP-A-0 408 490.",
"A conveying device which is driven at conveying speed in the conveying direction and constructed as a belt conveyor is intended to convey objects in an overlapping formation, in which each object rests on the preceding one, in a system cycle rate.",
"Arranged underneath the conveying device is a counting device, having a guide means which extends in the conveying direction and on which a slide is freely displaceably mounted.",
"The slide can be moved to and fro, in and counter to the conveying direction, coordinated with the system cycle rate by means of a drive, the speed in the conveying direction, at least in one section of the guide means, being higher than the conveying speed, in order to bring a contact element arranged on the slide into contact with the rear edge of the object respectively moved past the counting device.",
"The relative movement between the object and the slide causes the contact element to move out of the conveying area and, as a result, to activate a sensor element in order to emit a signal to a counter.",
"In order to avoid the contact element exerting any influence on the position of the relevant object in any case, a pressure element is provided which presses the objects against the conveyor belt so that they are carried along firmly.",
"In order to permit the counting of objects which are conveyed at irregular time intervals, coarse detection of the objects is performed and, accordingly, the contact element is activated at irregular time intervals.",
"It is an object of the present invention to provide a generic apparatus which, with a simple construction, ensures precise counting even of objects which occur at irregular intervals.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the provision of a conveying device which is driven at a conveying speed in a conveying direction and which is intended to convey the objects.",
"A counting device includes a contact element and a sensor element mounted for movement along a guide which extends in the conveying direction, and a drive is provided for moving the elements along the guide at a higher speed than the conveying speed so as to bring the contact element into engagement with a rear region of each object conveyed past the counting device.",
"The contact element then is deflected into engagement with the sensor element which emits a signal to a counter.",
"The object in each case interacting with a contact element is displaced in the conveying direction by means of a catch element driven together with the contact element.",
"As a result, each object, even if the objects occur in an irregular overlapping formation, can interact only once with the contact element, which leads to extremely precise counting in a very simple way.",
"The movement of the contact and catch element therefore does not need to be coordinated with a system cycle rate, the only condition is that the frequency with which these elements are moved cyclically in the conveying direction is at least as high as the maximum frequency with which the objects can occur.",
"Even counting printed products with a prefold does not present any problems.",
"The information about the time and the location at the end of the displacement by means of the catch element also means that the precise position of the object on the conveying device is known, which may be important for further processing.",
"The apparatus is most suitable to process overlapping formations, in which the objects in each case rest on the preceding or in each case on the following object.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which, in purely schematic form: FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the apparatus at a time at which a slide belonging to the counting device is located with a contact and a catch element in an initial, upstream position;",
"FIG. 2 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 1, the apparatus shown there with the slide in a final, downstream position;",
"FIG. 3 shows, in a side view and enlarged with respect to FIG. 1, part of the apparatus shown there;",
"FIG. 4 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 3, the apparatus with a catch element of different design;",
"FIG. 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention with the slide in the initial, upstream position;",
"FIG. 6 shows, in an identical illustration to FIG. 5, the apparatus shown there with the slide in the final, downstream position;",
"and FIG. 7 shows, on an enlarged scale with respect to FIG. 6, a part of the apparatus shown there.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a conveying device 10 designed as a belt conveyor, which is driven at the conveying speed v 1 in the conveying direction F. It is intended to convey flexible flat objects 12 , for example thin printed products, in an overlapping formation S, in which each object 12 rests on the one respectively following it.",
"The rear edge 14 , located in the rear end region 14 ′ of the object 12 , is therefor exposed in the upward direction.",
"In the overlapping formation S shown, the objects 12 are arranged in such a way that the distance the rear edges 14 of successive objects corresponds to a permissible minimum distance A. The distance between the rear edges 14 is, however, usually greater than this minimum distance A and, in particular, it can vary greatly in the case of an irregular overlapping formation.",
"Arranged above the conveying device 10 is a counting device 16 .",
"It has a guide rail 18 ′ which extends n the conveying direction F and forms a guide means 18 .",
"A slide 20 is freely moveably mounted on said guide rail.",
"It is connected via a rod 22 to a drive 24 ′ constructed as a cylinder/piston unit 24 .",
"The drive 24 ′ is intended to move the slide 20 from an initial, upstream position 26 , indicated by continuous lines in FIG. 1 and by dashed lines in FIG. 2, in the conveying direction F into a final, downstream position 28 , indicated with continuous lines in FIG. 2, and back again in a cyclic manner.",
"The stroke H of this movement is smaller than the permissible minimum distance A between the rear edges 14 of successive articles 12 .",
"The speed v at which the slide 20 is moved in the conveying direction F is, at least in one section of the guide means 18 , higher than the conveying speed v 1 .",
"In the present case, the cylinder/piston unit 24 is controlled in such a way that, in both directions of motion, it accelerates to the speed v in a short acceleration section, moves with an approximately constant speed v in the abovementioned section and, in a subsequent retardation section, which in turn is very short as compared with the abovementioned section, brakes to a standstill.",
"The frequency f with which the slide 20 is moved to and fro by means of the drive 24 ′ is at least equally as high as the maximum frequency at which the objects 12 can occur, which is given by the quotient of the conveying speed v 1 and the permissible minimum distance A. The frequency f is advantageously approximately 1.2 to 4 times as high as the frequency defined by this ratio.",
"Fixed to the slide 20 at its one end is a bow-shaped contact element 30 of self-sprung design.",
"Its free end extends approximately perpendicular to the conveying plane determined by the conveying device 10 .",
"With the end region on this side, it projects forward, beyond the slide 20 , in the direction counter to the conveying direction 10 and is intended to rest and to slide with the free end on that flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 which faces the counting device 16 , under a low spring prestress.",
"Also fixed to the slide 20 , at its one end, is a catch element 32 , which is likewise of self-sprung design and shaped like a bow.",
"In its free end region, it has a hook element 34 , which is intended likewise to rest with its free end under spring prestress on the flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 and to slide along the latter.",
"As FIGS. 1 and 3 reveal, when it is in its rest position 36 , the contact element 30 extends forward in the conveying direction F with respect to the hook element 34 .",
"In the contact position, which is indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, the contact element 30 , as viewed in the conveying direction, is located close to the catch element 32 and rests with a contact piece 38 fixed to it on a mating contact piece 38 ′ fixed to the slide 20 .",
"The contact piece 38 and the mating contact piece 38 ′, forming a sensor element 39 , are connected via lines 40 to a counter 42 .",
"Because the objects 20 are caught by the catch element 32 , the contact element 30 does not have to move back away in the direction of the conveying device 10 .",
"In the embodiment of the hook element 34 shown in FIG. 3, its catch face 44 is designed to be flat, while in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the catch face 44 of the hook element 34 is curved, so that the free end region of the hook element 34 , as viewed in the conveying direction F, pointing forward, can engage underneath the relevant object 12 , in each case from the rear edge 14 , and thus lift it into the hook element 34 .",
"In the rest position 36 , the contact element 30 is located—in the conveying direction—close to the tip of the catch element 32 , in the contact position 36 at the bottom of the hook.",
"A reference roll 46 is freely rotatably mounted so as to be fixed in relation to the guide rail 18 ′.",
"Led around said roll is a belt 48 , which runs further around a roll 50 which, in relation to the reference roll 46 , is arranged upstream and at a greater distance than the reference roll 46 from the conveying device 10 .",
"Together with the conveying device 10 , the belt 48 forms an inlet for the overlapping formation S and prevents objects 12 being carried along by friction when an object 12 is gripped by the hook element 34 and displaced in the conveying direction F. For this purpose, the reference roll 46 is arranged upstream, at a short distance from the catch element 32 in the initial position 26 ′.",
"In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 as well, the conveying device 10 is constructed as a belt conveyor and is intended to convey the objects 12 in an overlapping formation S, in which each object 12 rests on the one respectively following, at the conveying speed v 1 in the conveying direction F. Located above the conveying device 10 is the counting device 16 , with the guide rail 18 ′ forming the guide means 18 .",
"The slide 20 mounted on said guide rail is connected via the rod 22 to the piston/cylinder unit 24 which, as drive 24 ′, drives the slide 24 in exactly the same way as described further above in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 .",
"The contact element 30 is fixed to the slide 20 .",
"It is designed as a spring tongue, which is oriented with its free insertion end 52 in the conveying direction F and is intended to rest under spring prestress on the flat side 12 ′ of the objects 12 and to slide along the latter.",
"On that side of the contact element 30 facing away from the conveying device 10 , a sensor element 54 is arranged.",
"It is likewise designed like a spring tongue, fixed with the upstream end to the slide 20 and bent over in its downstream end region.",
"In the region of the bent-over portion, the sensor element 54 rests on the contact element 30 and, together with the end region of the contact element on the insertion end, forms an inlet for the rear edge 14 of the objects 12 .",
"The sensor element 54 is lifted by the contact element 30 when the contact element 30 is inserted into the object 12 or between two objects 12 and, in so doing, engaging under parts of the object 12 or the preceding object 12 in the end region 14 ′ of the latter, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7.",
"The contact element 30 forms an electric contact piece 38 , which interacts with the mating contact piece 38 ′ formed by the sensor element 54 .",
"The contact element 30 and the sensor element 54 are likewise connected via lines 40 to a counter 42 .",
"Upstream of the bent-over portion of the sensor element 54 , a catch element 32 ′ is fixed directly to the contact element 30 , projects from the contact element 30 like a tongue in the direction of the slide and projects beyond the sensor element 54 .",
"It is intended for its catch face 44 to come into contact with the rear edge 14 of an object 12 located between the contact element 30 and sensor element 54 , and to displace said object in the conveying direction F. The apparatus functions as follows.",
"The slide is driven, by means of the drive 24 ′, in and counter to the conveying direction F at a higher frequency F than the objects 12 occur.",
"At the same time, in the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the hook element 34 of the catch element 32 and the free end of the contact element 30 , which is in the rest position 36 , and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the contact element 30 , slide along the flat side 12 ′ of an object 12 .",
"Because of the relative movement between the object 12 conveyed in the conveying direction F and the slide 20 moved counter to the conveying direction F, the hook element 34 and contact element 30 run off the object 12 at its rear edge 14 and come to rest on the flat side 12 ′ of the following object 12 .",
"During the next stroke of the slide 20 in the conveying direction F, the slide 20 catches up with the relevant object 12 again and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the contact element moves away from the rear edge 14 of the object into the contact position 36 ′ and, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the sensor element 54 is lifted off the contact element 30 .",
"The signal produced at this time can be evaluated by the counter 42 for the purpose of counting.",
"Then, during the further movement of the slide 20 in the conveying direction F, the catch element 32 , 32 ′ takes the relevant object 12 with it.",
"At the end of its working stroke, the slide 20 is braked, the object 12 then being conveyed onward at the conveying speed v 1 by the conveying device 10 , and the electric contact being opened again in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , and closed in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 .",
"This signal is also suitable to be evaluated by the counter 42 .",
"In particular, with knowledge of the corresponding position of the slide 20 at a specific time, the precise location of the object 12 can be determined, which may be important for further processing.",
"This procedure is repeated for each object.",
"Each object is displaced out of the active range of the counting device 16 and can therefore influence the counter only once.",
"The embodiment of the hook element 34 shown in FIG. 4 has the advantage over the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of preventing a situation in which only the hook element 34 but not the contact element 30 can run off an object 12 since, as viewed in the conveying direction F, the free end of the hook element 34 and of the contact element 30 are arranged at the same level.",
"It is also conceivable, in an embodiment of the contact element 30 according to FIGS. 5 to 7 , to provide the contact element 30 with a reflector at its free end and to construct the sensor element as a light-source/light-sensor element, which can be arranged on the slide 20 or in a stationary position at the downstream end position 28 of the reflector.",
"The apparatus is also suitable for counting objects which arise in an overlapping formation in which each object rests on the preceding one.",
"To this end, the counting device is arranged in mirror-image form to the embodiments shown, underneath the conveying device F, in such a way that the contact element and catch element project beyond the conveying plane."
] |
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure pertains to stages and the like as used in charged-particle-beam (CPB) lithographic-exposure systems such as “direct-drawing” and “projection” exposure systems. CPB direct-drawing systems are used mainly for, e.g., manufacturing masks and reticles as used in optical and CPB microlithography apparatus and methods. CPB projection exposure systems are any of various CPB microlithography apparatus used principally in the manufacture of microelectronic devices such as integrated circuits, displays, thin-film magnetic heads, and micromachines.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Charged-particle-beam (CPB) direct-drawing lithography systems literally draw a pattern using a charged particle beam such as an electron beam. These systems, and their associated methods, are used mainly for drawing a pattern to be defined on a mask or reticle (generally termed a “reticle” herein). CPB projection-lithography systems project an image of a pattern, defined on a reticle, onto a substrate (e.g., semiconductor wafer) that has been “sensitized” so as to be imprintable with the image. In both general types of lithography systems, one or more stages are used to hold and controllably move the substrate and, if one is used, the reticle. Specifically (e.g., in a CPB projection-lithography system), a “reticle stage” supports and moves a reticle, and a “wafer stage” supports and moves a substrate. Each such stage is generally termed a “stage.”
[0003] Various approaches have been considered for driving a stage. In a conventional CPB direct-drawing system, a common approach involves driving the stage using a motor connected to the stage using a mechanical power-transfer mechanism such as a ball screw for transforming rotational motion of the motor into linear motion of the stage. Unfortunately, power-transfer mechanisms such as ball screws capable of achieving finely controlled motion of the stage actually are quite complex and disadvantageously generate fine dust particles that contaminate the reticle or substrate held by the stage.
[0004] To counter the problem posed by motors and ball screws, the use of gas-based actuators, such as air cylinders, has been proposed. Modem CPB lithographic-exposure systems, however, must be capable of accurately transferring pattern elements that are only 100 nm wide or less, with satisfactorily high throughput, operating speed, and accuracy of establishing and maintaining stage position. Gas-based actuators simply are incapable of meeting these requirements.
[0005] In response to the need for better stage actuators, actuators based on linear motors have come recently into use. Linear motors that contain permanent magnets, however, have a problem in that the charged particle beam is adversely affected by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets. If the lithography system is to be used for forming a 100-nm linewidth pattern on a wafer or other substrate at high throughput, the effects of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets in the linear motor cannot be ignored.
[0006] Two types of linear motors are in current use. In a moving-coil (MC) linear motor, the permanent magnet is provided on the “stator” side, and a coil is provided on the “armature” or “moving member” side. In a moving-magnet (MM) linear motor, the permanent magnet is provided on the moving member side, and a coil is provided on the stator side.
[0007] Of these two types of linear motors, in the MC type, the magnetic field created by the permanent magnet remains constant. During an actual lithographic exposure, no current flows in the coil. The coil either does not generate a magnetic field, or generates a magnetic field that is exceedingly small compared with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. Hence, it is relatively simple to compensate for the effects on a CPB optical system of the magnetic field generated by the linear motor. Nevertheless, to facilitate compensation, it is desirable to reduce the magnetic field generated by the linear motor, especially in the vicinity of the optical axis of the CPB optical system.
[0008] MC-type linear motors also are disadvantageous because the coils (which generate heat during operation and require cooling) are difficult to cool. I.e., a coil located on a moving component requires that the coolant be supplied to the coil via a flexible conduit. The necessary flexibility of the conduit results in unstable positional control of the linear motor. For these reasons, it more desirable to use an MM-type linear motor for stage movement.
[0009] MM-type linear motors have a drawback in that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as experienced at the optical axis, changes with movement of the stage. This change in the magnetic field can cause problems with controlling the charged particle beam propagating through the CPB optical system. Correcting this problem at the CPB optical system requires a changing magnitude of correction, depending upon stage position, which is essentially impossible to accomplish.
SUMMARY
[0010] In view of the shortcomings of conventional apparatus and methods as summarized above, an object of the present claims is to provide a stage for a charged-particle-beam CPB exposure system, wherein any impact of the magnetic field generated by a stage-driving linear motor on the CPB optical system is minimized.
[0011] To such end, stage assemblies are provided for CPB lithographic-exposure systems. An embodiment of such an assembly comprises a stage configured for holding a reticle or substrate. The stage extends in an X-Y plane perpendicular to an optical axis that is parallel to a Z axis. The assembly also includes a linear motor operatively coupled to the stage and configured for moving the stage in the X-Y plane. The linear motor comprises a permanent magnet split into multiple permanent-magnet subunits arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The linear motor can be a moving-coil type or moving-magnet type of linear motor. Also, the first and a second permanent-magnet subunits produce respective first and second magnetic fields that desirably cancel at least a portion of each other at the optical axis.
[0012] By splitting the permanent magnet into two or more subunits, each subunit can be disposed farther from the optical axis (i.e., laterally farther from the CPB optical system) than the permanent magnet in a conventional linear motor in a stage assembly. Such a configuration minimizes the impact of the magnetic field generated by the subunits CPB optical system.
[0013] A stage assembly according to another embodiment comprises a stage as summarized above. The stage assembly also includes a moving-coil type of linear motor operatively coupled to the stage. The linear motor comprises first and second linear-motor portions that are disposed in respective positions that are symmetric with respect to a plane including the optical axis and extending perpendicularly to the X-Y plane and parallel to the movement direction of the stage. Each linear-motor portion comprises a respective permanent magnet split into multiple respective magnet subunits, wherein the magnet subunits of the first linear-motor portion are disposed relative to the magnet subunits of the second linear-motor portion in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to a point at which the X-Y plane intersects the optical axis.
[0014] I.e., in a 3-dimensional rectangular coordinate system in which the optical axis is designated as the Z-axis, if the central axis for a linear motor is on the X-Y plane and the linear motor drives the stage in the Y-direction, then the linear-motor portions are disposed in positions that are plane-symmetrical with respect to the Y-Z plane that passes through the optical axis. Because the respective permanent magnets of each linear-motor portion are each split into two or more respective magnet subunits, the magnet subunits of a first linear-motor portion are disposed with respect to the magnet subunits of a second linear-motor portion so as to be point-symmetrical relative to the point (i.e., the origin) at which the X-Y plane containing the respective central axes for the linear-motor portions intersects with the optical axis.
[0015] In other words, the permanent magnet in the first linear-motor portion and the corresponding permanent magnet in the other linear-motor portion are disposed point-symmetrically with respect to the origin. In this arrangement, on the optical axis, a magnetic field in any direction in 3-dimensional space assumes a substantially zero magnitude due to the cancellation of the magnetic fields associated with the coils of the linear-motor portions. Thus, the impact of the magnetic field, generated by the magnet subunits in the linear-motor portions, on the CPB optical system is minimized.
[0016] A stage assembly according to yet another embodiment comprises a stage as summarized above. The stage assembly also includes a moving-magnet type of linear motor operatively coupled to the stage for moving and positioning the stage in a movement direction in the X-Y plane. The linear motor comprises multiple permanent-magnet subunits and multiple corresponding dummy permanent-magnet subunits. The magnet subunits and the dummy-magnet subunits are arranged so as to move symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis. Each of the permanent-magnet subunits and the dummy permanent-magnet subunits has respective magnetic poles. In this embodiment, if the Z-axis is perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the optical axis is parallel to the Z-axis, and the movement direction of the stage is the Y-axis direction, then the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis is an X-Z plane. In this configuration the respective magnetic fluxes from each permanent magnet subunit that moves the stage and from the respective dummy permanent magnet corresponding to the particular permanent magnet subunit cancel each other on the X-Z plane. As a result, even if the permanent magnet subunit moves in the movement direction, the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet subunit as experienced on the optical axis is substantially zero. A key benefit of this configuration is that the magnetic fields produced by the permanent magnets used to drive the stage have substantially no effect on the charged particle beam propagating in an axial direction through the CPB optical system.
[0017] As an alternative to the configuration summarized in the preceding paragraph, the respective magnetic poles of the permanent magnet subunits and of the dummy-magnet subunits can be disposed symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.
[0018] The following is further with respect to the “plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.” By way of example, if the stage is driven in the Y-axis direction, and if the magnetic poles for one of the permanent magnets that move the stage in the Y-axis direction are oriented (toward the positive Y-axis direction) with N-S-N-S . . . poles on the top and S-N-S-N . . . poles on the bottom, then the magnetic poles for the corresponding dummy permanent magnet are oriented (toward the negative Y-axis direction) with N-S-N-S . . . poles on the top and S-N-S-N poles on the bottom. Such an arrangement of magnetic poles allows the respective magnetic fluxes (in the movement direction) between each stage-moving permanent magnet and its corresponding dummy permanent magnet to cancel each other, and thus produce a substantially zero-magnitude magnetic flux at the optical axis. Even if the permanent-magnet subunit moves, the effect of the magnetic field (in the movement direction) generated by the permanent-magnet subunit on the CPB optical system is extremely small.
[0019] Alternatively, the respective magnetic poles of the stage-moving magnet subunits and of the dummy-magnet subunits can be disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis. In this alternative configuration, the “plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis” is the same as summarized above. The term “anti-symmetrically” means that the respective magnetic poles for each of the stage-moving magnet units and its respective dummy-magnet subunit are in mutually symmetrical positions, but the respective dummy-magnet subunit is rotated 180 degrees around the center line of its movement direction. For example, for moving the stage in the Y-axis direction, the magnetic poles for each permanent-magnet subunit are oriented in the positive Y-axis direction as N-S-N-S . . . on the top and S-N-S-N . . . on the bottom, and the magnetic poles for each respective dummy-magnet unit are oriented in the negative Y-axis direction as S-N-S-N . . . on the top and N-S-N-S . . . on the bottom. With such a configuration, the respective magnetic fluxes (in the direction of the optical axis) of each stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit and its respective dummy-magnet subunit cancel each other and hence produce a substantially zero-magnitude magnetic flux at the optical axis. As a result, even if the permanent-magnet subunit moves, the effect of its magnetic field in the movement direction on the CPB optical system is extremely small.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of a stage assembly comprises a stage as summarized above. The stage assembly also includes first and second moving-magnet linear motors operatively coupled to the stage for moving and positioning the stage in a movement direction in the X-Y plane. The linear motors are disposed in respective positions that are symmetric with respect to a plane that is parallel to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis. Each linear motor comprises (1) a stage-moving permanent magnet split into a respective set of multiple magnet subunits and (2) a respective set of multiple corresponding dummy permanent-magnet subunits that are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis. The stage-moving magnet subunits of the first linear motor are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with the dummy-magnet subunits of the second linear motor, and the stage-moving magnet subunits of the second linear motor are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with the dummy-magnet subunits of the first linear motor, relative to the optical axis. The stage-moving magnet subunits of the first linear motor and the dummy-magnet subunits of the second linear motor, and the stage-moving magnet subunits of the second linear motor and the dummy-magnet subunits of the first linear motor are disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.
[0021] For example, in a rectangular coordinate system in which the optical axis is designated as the Z-axis, if the stage is moved in the Y-axis direction in the X-Y plane, the two linear motors are plane-symmetric relative to each other with respect to the Y-Z plane. In each linear motor, the permanent magnet that moves the stage is split into two or more magnet subunits. Also, corresponding dummy permanent magnets are provided that are plane-symmetric relative to the respective stage-moving permanent magnets with respect to the X-Z plane. As a result, the dummy permanent magnets move plane-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane.
[0022] Between the two linear motors, the permanent magnets are positioned such that each stage-moving permanent magnet moves by maintaining an axis-symmetrical position relative to the respective dummy permanent magnet for the other linear motor, with respect to the Z-axis.
[0023] The respective magnetic poles for the stage-moving permanent magnets and for the dummy permanent magnets are oriented anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis. Thus, regardless of the position of the stage, the magnetic fields in either direction on the optical axis are canceled and are substantially zero. As a result, even in instances in which MM-type linear motors are used, the effects of the magnetic fields produced by the permanent magnets on the CPB optical system are substantially eliminated.
[0024] The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] [0025]FIG. 1(A) is a plan view of a first representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration according to the invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a plan view of a conventional configuration, as a comparison example.
[0026] [0026]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.
[0027] [0027]FIG. 3 is an oblique view showing a typical magnetic-pole array in a permanent magnet in a linear motor.
[0028] [0028]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.
[0029] [0029]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a fourth representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.
[0030] [0030]FIG. 6 is an elevational schematic diagram showing certain components and subsystems of a charged-particle-beam (CPB) exposure system including a stage and linear motor configuration according to the invention.
[0031] [0031]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of significant steps in a process for manufacturing a microelectronic device, the process including a lithography step performed using a CPB exposure system according to the invention.
[0032] [0032]FIG. 8 is a flow chart detailing certain sub-steps in the lithography step of the process of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the context of representative embodiments, which are not intended to be limiting in any way.
[0034] A first representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1(A), and a comparison example (conventional configuration) is shown in FIG. 1(B). In each figure, an optical axis 1 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the page, wherein the plane of the page is denoted the X-Y plane. Hence, the optical axis 1 extends parallel to a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-Y plane.
[0035] In each of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), a stage 2 is situated in the X-Y plane, and is movable in the X-Y plane by respective linear motors (only one linear motor is shown). For example, in each figure, a linear motor LM Y is shown that performs movement of the stage 2 in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 1(B) the linear motor LM Y includes a coil track 3 to which is engaged a single stage-moving permanent magnet 4 . In FIG. 1(A) the linear motor LM Y includes a coil track 3 to which is engaged a stage-moving permanent magnet divided into two separate magnet subunits 4 a, 4 b.
[0036] In both of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the coil track 3 is fixed, and the stage-moving permanent magnets move relative to the respective coil track 3 . The magnets 4 a and 4 b in FIG. 1(A) and the magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B) are affixed to the respective stage 2 . Thus, motion of the magnets 4 a and 4 b, 4 moves the respective stage 2 .
[0037] As noted above, in FIG. 1(A), the stage-moving permanent magnet is split into two separate magnet subunits 4 a, 4 b. Each magnet subunit 4 a, 4 b is disposed farther away from the optical axis 1 than the single magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B). As a general rule, the strength of the magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, from the permanent magnet, at which the strength of the field is measured. Hence, in the embodiment of FIG. 1(A) the magnet subunits 4 a , 4 b collectively produce a weaker magnetic field at the optical axis 1 than the single magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B).
[0038] Although the configurations of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) involve MM-type linear motors, it will be understood that the same principle of FIG. 1(A) can be applied to MC-type linear motors. In other words, by splitting a fixed and immobile permanent magnet of an MC-type linear motor into two magnet subunits in the same manner as shown generally in FIG. 1(A), and by installing the magnet subunits at respective positions more remote from the optical axis than conventionally, the magnetic field generated by the magnet subunits at the optical axis is weakened.
[0039] A second representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 2, in which constituent components that are identical to corresponding components shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) have the same reference numerals and are not described further. In FIG. 2, items 5 a and 5 b are respective “dummy” permanent-magnet subunits that are provided in addition to the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunits 4 a and 4 b . A “dummy” magnet is similar to a corresponding stage-moving magnet, but the dummy magnet does not cause the stage 2 to move. In FIG. 2, the Z-axis (parallel to the optical axis 1 ) passes, perpendicular to the plane of the page, through the center of the stage 2 . Hence, the stage 2 is on an X-Y plane represented by the plane of the page. The stage 2 is movable in the Y-axis direction by a linear motor LM Y that includes the track 3 and the magnet subunits 4 a and 4 b . The configuration shown is a moving-magnet (MM) configuration.
[0040] The dummy-magnet subunits 5 a, 5 b need not be coupled to the stage 2 . Nevertheless, the dummy-magnet subunit 5 a desirably is coupled to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b in a manner ensuring that the dummy-magnet subunit 5 a remains in a position that is symmetrical to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b , with respect to a X-Z plane. Consequently, respective magnetic fields from the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b and the opposing dummy-magnet subunit 5 a collectively cancel each other and thus collectively produce a resultant zero-magnitude magnetic field at the optical axis 1 . Similarly, the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b is coupled to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a in a manner ensuring that the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b remains in a position that is symmetrical to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , with respect to a X-Z plane. Consequently, respective magnetic fields from the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a and the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b collectively cancel each other and thus collectively produce a resultant zero-magnitude magnetic field on the optical axis 1 .
[0041] The direction of the magnetic fields that are canceled varies with the direction of the magnetic fields being generated at a given instant by the opposing stage-moving magnet subunit and dummy-magnet subunit. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array of individual magnetic poles in a permanent-magnet subunit in the linear motor. Specifically, in the permanent-magnet subunit, magnetic fields emanating upward and downward are generated in alternately different directions.
[0042] Referring further to FIG. 2, if the respective magnetic fields generated by the magnet subunits are oriented in the Z-axis direction, and if the respective array of magnetic poles in each stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , 4 b and in each dummy-magnet subunit 5 a, 5 b are symmetric with respect to the X-Z plane, then each magnetic field oriented in the Y-axis direction can be canceled in the X-Z plane. Similarly, by disposing the array of these magnetic poles anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane, it is possible to cancel the magnetic field in the direction of the optical axis 1 in the X-Z plane.
[0043] Also, in FIG. 2, if the respective magnetic fields generated by the magnet subunits are oriented in the X-axis direction, and if the respective array of magnetic poles in each stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , 4 b and in each dummy-magnet subunit 5 a, 5 b that moves in correspondence with the corresponding stage-moving magnet subunits are symmetric with respect to the X-Z plane, then each magnetic field oriented in the Y-axis direction can be canceled in the X-Z plane. Similarly, by disposing the array of these magnetic poles anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane, it is possible to cancel the magnetic field in the direction of the optical axis in the X-Z plane.
[0044] A third representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4. In this figure, the optical axis 1 is parallel to the Z-axis, and the stage 2 is in the X-Y plane. In the figure, reference numerals including apostrophes (') correspond to respective components labeled with corresponding reference numerals lacking an apostrophe.
[0045] In this embodiment, the linear motor LM Y depicted in FIG. 2 is configured as two linear-motor portions LM Y1 , LM Y2 arranged symmetrically with respect to the Y-Z plane. The stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 a and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 b ′, the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 b and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 a ′, the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 a ′ and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 b, and the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 b ′ and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 a are moved in a coordinated manner so that they remain in positions that are symmetrical with respect to the optical axis 1 .
[0046] Between each pair of magnet subunits consisting of a respective stage-moving magnet subunit and a respective dummy-magnet subunit 4 a and 5 b, 4 b and 5 a, 4 a ′ and 5 b ′, and 4 b ′ and 5 a ′, respectively, the respective magnetic-pole arrays are disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane. In this manner, the magnetic fields in any of the X-Y-Z directions are always canceled, and they can be made virtually zero at the optical axis 1 .
[0047] A fourth representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5, in which items 6 a , 6 b, 6 a ′, and 6 b ′ are respective fixed permanent-magnet subunits. This embodiment uses an MC-type linear motor, in which the permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b , and 6 a ′ and 6 b ′ are fixed and the respective coil tracks 3 , 3 ′ move relative to the respective magnet subunits. The stage 2 , which is affixed to the coil tracks 3 , 3 ′, moves together with the coil tracks.
[0048] In FIG. 5, the optical axis is parallel to the Z-axis, and the plane containing the central axis for the coil tracks 3 , 3 ′ is designated as the X-Y plane. In other words, the axis of symmetry for the permanent-magnet subunits 6 a, 6 a ′, 6 b , 6 b ′ is also on the X-Y plane. The pairs of permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b ′, and 6 b and 6 a ′, including the placement of the respective magnetic poles, are disposed point-symmetrically with respect to the optical axis 1 . In this manner, the magnetic fields generated by the respective pairs of permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b ′, and 6 b and 6 a ′, are mutually canceled at the optical axis 1 . As a result, the magnetic fields on the optical axis 1 generated by the permanent-magnet subunits are substantially zero in any direction.
[0049] Certain aspects of a charged-particle-beam (CPB) microlithography apparatus 10 are depicted in FIG. 6. The depicted apparatus 10 utilizes an electron beam as the charged particle beam. The electron beam is produced by an electron-beam source 11 (i.e., “electron gun”). The electron beam from the source 11 propagates in a downstream direction (vertically downward in the figure) through an illumination-lens assembly 12 , a beam-shaping aperture 13 , and an aperture stop 14 to a reticle 15 . The reticle 15 defines a pattern to be projection-transferred to a substrate 18 (e.g., semiconductor wafer having an upstream-facing surface coated with a suitable resist). The electron beam propagating from the source 11 to the reticle 15 is termed an “illumination beam” IB and the electron-optical components located between the source 11 and the reticle 15 collectively constitute an “illumination-optical system” IOS that extends along an optical axis Ax. From the reticle 15 , the electron beam passes through a projection-lens assembly 16 and an aperture stop 17 to the substrate 18 . The electron beam propagating from the reticle 15 to the substrate 18 is termed a “patterned beam” or “imaging beam” PB, and the electron-optical components situated between the reticle 15 and substrate 18 collectively constitute a “projection-optical system” POS that extends along the optical axis Ax. The illumination-optical system IOS and projection-optical system POS collectively are termed the “CPB-optical system.”
[0050] The illumination beam IB is manipulated by the illumination-optical system IOS so as to illuminate a selected region on the reticle 15 in a uniform manner. An image of the illuminated region of the reticle 15 is formed on the substrate 18 by the projection-optical system POS. So as to be imprinted with the image, the upstream-facing surface of the substrate 18 is coated with a suitable resist. Such a substrate is termed “sensitive” to the patterned beam PB. The aperture stops 14 , 17 function to block scattered electrons of the illumination beam IB and patterned beam PB, respectively. The aperture stops 14 , 17 also trim the respective beams so as to limit the angular aperture of the respective beam. Situated at a location that is optically conjugate to the reticle 15 is the beam-shaping aperture 13 , which limits the size and shape of the region on the reticle 15 that is illuminated by the illumination beam IB.
[0051] In the apparatus of FIG. 6, the reticle 15 is mounted on a reticle stage RS, and the substrate 18 is mounted on a wafer stage WS. Both stages RS, WS usually are independently movable at least in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Desirably, movement of the stages in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is achieved by respective linear motors. Either or both the reticle stage RS and wafer stage WS comprises respective linear motors configured, for example, according to any of the embodiments described above. With such configurations, the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnets in the linear motors that drive the respective stages are reduced in magnitude in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax, thereby reducing the impact of the magnetic fields on the CPB optical system. Reduced adverse effect of these magnetic fields at the optical axis yields improved exposure accuracy.
[0052] [0052]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary microelectronic-fabrication method in which apparatus and methods according to the invention can be applied readily. The fabrication method generally comprises the main steps of wafer production (wafer manufacturing or preparation), reticle (mask) production or preparation; wafer processing, device (chip) assembly (including dicing of chips and rendering the chips operational), and device (chip) inspection. Each step usually comprises several sub-steps.
[0053] Among the main steps, wafer processing is key to achieving the smallest feature sizes (critical dimensions) and best inter-layer registration. In the wafer-processing step, multiple circuit patterns are layered successively atop one another on the wafer, forming multiple chips destined to be memory chips or main processing units (MPUs), for example. The formation of each layer typically involves multiple sub-steps. Usually, many operative microelectronic devices are produced on each wafer.
[0054] Typical wafer-processing steps include: (1) thin-film formation (by, e.g., sputtering or CVD) involving formation of a dielectric layer for electrical insulation or a metal layer for connecting wires or electrodes; (2) oxidation step to oxidize the substrate or the thin-film layer previously formed; (3) microlithography to form a resist pattern for selective processing of the thin film or the substrate itself; (4) etching or analogous step (e.g., dry-etching) to etch the thin film or substrate according to the resist pattern; (5) doping as required to implant ions or impurities into the thin film or substrate according to the resist pattern; (6) resist stripping to remove the remaining resist from the wafer; and (7) wafer inspection. Wafer processing is repeated as required (typically many times) to fabricate the desired microelectronic devices on the wafer.
[0055] [0055]FIG. 8 provides a flowchart of typical steps performed in lithography, which is a principal step in the wafer-processing step shown in FIG. 7. The lithography step typically includes: (1) resist-application step, wherein a suitable resist is coated on the wafer substrate (which an include a circuit element formed in a previous wafer-processing step); (2) exposure step, to expose the resist with the desired pattern by microlithography; (3) development step, to develop the exposed resist to produce the imprinted image; and (4) optional resist-annealing step, to enhance the durability of and stabilize the resist pattern.
[0056] The process steps summarized above are all well known and are not described further herein.
[0057] Whereas the invention has been described in connection with a representative embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to that embodiment. On the contrary, the invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. | Stages are disclosed for holding, e.g., a reticle or substrate while performing charged-particle-beam (CPB) lithography involving the reticle or substrate. The subject stages include at least one linear motor and exhibit reduced adverse effects at an optical axis of magnetic fields generated by the linear motor(s). In one configuration, a stage-driving permanent magnet is split into two magnet subunits that are situated equidistantly from the optical axis. This configuration allows each of the subunits to be situated farther from the optical axis than the single magnet used in a conventional stage. Because the magnitude of a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet generally is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the permanent magnet, increasing the distance of the magnet from the optical axis reduces the magnitude of the magnetic field, generated by the permanent magnet, at the optical axis. Various symmetrical configurations of magnet subunits, and of magnet subunits with associated dummy permanent magnets are disclosed. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"FIELD [0001] This disclosure pertains to stages and the like as used in charged-particle-beam (CPB) lithographic-exposure systems such as “direct-drawing”",
"and “projection”",
"exposure systems.",
"CPB direct-drawing systems are used mainly for, e.g., manufacturing masks and reticles as used in optical and CPB microlithography apparatus and methods.",
"CPB projection exposure systems are any of various CPB microlithography apparatus used principally in the manufacture of microelectronic devices such as integrated circuits, displays, thin-film magnetic heads, and micromachines.",
"BACKGROUND [0002] Charged-particle-beam (CPB) direct-drawing lithography systems literally draw a pattern using a charged particle beam such as an electron beam.",
"These systems, and their associated methods, are used mainly for drawing a pattern to be defined on a mask or reticle (generally termed a “reticle”",
"herein).",
"CPB projection-lithography systems project an image of a pattern, defined on a reticle, onto a substrate (e.g., semiconductor wafer) that has been “sensitized”",
"so as to be imprintable with the image.",
"In both general types of lithography systems, one or more stages are used to hold and controllably move the substrate and, if one is used, the reticle.",
"Specifically (e.g., in a CPB projection-lithography system), a “reticle stage”",
"supports and moves a reticle, and a “wafer stage”",
"supports and moves a substrate.",
"Each such stage is generally termed a “stage.”",
"[0003] Various approaches have been considered for driving a stage.",
"In a conventional CPB direct-drawing system, a common approach involves driving the stage using a motor connected to the stage using a mechanical power-transfer mechanism such as a ball screw for transforming rotational motion of the motor into linear motion of the stage.",
"Unfortunately, power-transfer mechanisms such as ball screws capable of achieving finely controlled motion of the stage actually are quite complex and disadvantageously generate fine dust particles that contaminate the reticle or substrate held by the stage.",
"[0004] To counter the problem posed by motors and ball screws, the use of gas-based actuators, such as air cylinders, has been proposed.",
"Modem CPB lithographic-exposure systems, however, must be capable of accurately transferring pattern elements that are only 100 nm wide or less, with satisfactorily high throughput, operating speed, and accuracy of establishing and maintaining stage position.",
"Gas-based actuators simply are incapable of meeting these requirements.",
"[0005] In response to the need for better stage actuators, actuators based on linear motors have come recently into use.",
"Linear motors that contain permanent magnets, however, have a problem in that the charged particle beam is adversely affected by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets.",
"If the lithography system is to be used for forming a 100-nm linewidth pattern on a wafer or other substrate at high throughput, the effects of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets in the linear motor cannot be ignored.",
"[0006] Two types of linear motors are in current use.",
"In a moving-coil (MC) linear motor, the permanent magnet is provided on the “stator”",
"side, and a coil is provided on the “armature”",
"or “moving member”",
"side.",
"In a moving-magnet (MM) linear motor, the permanent magnet is provided on the moving member side, and a coil is provided on the stator side.",
"[0007] Of these two types of linear motors, in the MC type, the magnetic field created by the permanent magnet remains constant.",
"During an actual lithographic exposure, no current flows in the coil.",
"The coil either does not generate a magnetic field, or generates a magnetic field that is exceedingly small compared with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet.",
"Hence, it is relatively simple to compensate for the effects on a CPB optical system of the magnetic field generated by the linear motor.",
"Nevertheless, to facilitate compensation, it is desirable to reduce the magnetic field generated by the linear motor, especially in the vicinity of the optical axis of the CPB optical system.",
"[0008] MC-type linear motors also are disadvantageous because the coils (which generate heat during operation and require cooling) are difficult to cool.",
"I.e., a coil located on a moving component requires that the coolant be supplied to the coil via a flexible conduit.",
"The necessary flexibility of the conduit results in unstable positional control of the linear motor.",
"For these reasons, it more desirable to use an MM-type linear motor for stage movement.",
"[0009] MM-type linear motors have a drawback in that the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as experienced at the optical axis, changes with movement of the stage.",
"This change in the magnetic field can cause problems with controlling the charged particle beam propagating through the CPB optical system.",
"Correcting this problem at the CPB optical system requires a changing magnitude of correction, depending upon stage position, which is essentially impossible to accomplish.",
"SUMMARY [0010] In view of the shortcomings of conventional apparatus and methods as summarized above, an object of the present claims is to provide a stage for a charged-particle-beam CPB exposure system, wherein any impact of the magnetic field generated by a stage-driving linear motor on the CPB optical system is minimized.",
"[0011] To such end, stage assemblies are provided for CPB lithographic-exposure systems.",
"An embodiment of such an assembly comprises a stage configured for holding a reticle or substrate.",
"The stage extends in an X-Y plane perpendicular to an optical axis that is parallel to a Z axis.",
"The assembly also includes a linear motor operatively coupled to the stage and configured for moving the stage in the X-Y plane.",
"The linear motor comprises a permanent magnet split into multiple permanent-magnet subunits arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the X-Y plane.",
"The linear motor can be a moving-coil type or moving-magnet type of linear motor.",
"Also, the first and a second permanent-magnet subunits produce respective first and second magnetic fields that desirably cancel at least a portion of each other at the optical axis.",
"[0012] By splitting the permanent magnet into two or more subunits, each subunit can be disposed farther from the optical axis (i.e., laterally farther from the CPB optical system) than the permanent magnet in a conventional linear motor in a stage assembly.",
"Such a configuration minimizes the impact of the magnetic field generated by the subunits CPB optical system.",
"[0013] A stage assembly according to another embodiment comprises a stage as summarized above.",
"The stage assembly also includes a moving-coil type of linear motor operatively coupled to the stage.",
"The linear motor comprises first and second linear-motor portions that are disposed in respective positions that are symmetric with respect to a plane including the optical axis and extending perpendicularly to the X-Y plane and parallel to the movement direction of the stage.",
"Each linear-motor portion comprises a respective permanent magnet split into multiple respective magnet subunits, wherein the magnet subunits of the first linear-motor portion are disposed relative to the magnet subunits of the second linear-motor portion in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to a point at which the X-Y plane intersects the optical axis.",
"[0014] I.e., in a 3-dimensional rectangular coordinate system in which the optical axis is designated as the Z-axis, if the central axis for a linear motor is on the X-Y plane and the linear motor drives the stage in the Y-direction, then the linear-motor portions are disposed in positions that are plane-symmetrical with respect to the Y-Z plane that passes through the optical axis.",
"Because the respective permanent magnets of each linear-motor portion are each split into two or more respective magnet subunits, the magnet subunits of a first linear-motor portion are disposed with respect to the magnet subunits of a second linear-motor portion so as to be point-symmetrical relative to the point (i.e., the origin) at which the X-Y plane containing the respective central axes for the linear-motor portions intersects with the optical axis.",
"[0015] In other words, the permanent magnet in the first linear-motor portion and the corresponding permanent magnet in the other linear-motor portion are disposed point-symmetrically with respect to the origin.",
"In this arrangement, on the optical axis, a magnetic field in any direction in 3-dimensional space assumes a substantially zero magnitude due to the cancellation of the magnetic fields associated with the coils of the linear-motor portions.",
"Thus, the impact of the magnetic field, generated by the magnet subunits in the linear-motor portions, on the CPB optical system is minimized.",
"[0016] A stage assembly according to yet another embodiment comprises a stage as summarized above.",
"The stage assembly also includes a moving-magnet type of linear motor operatively coupled to the stage for moving and positioning the stage in a movement direction in the X-Y plane.",
"The linear motor comprises multiple permanent-magnet subunits and multiple corresponding dummy permanent-magnet subunits.",
"The magnet subunits and the dummy-magnet subunits are arranged so as to move symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"Each of the permanent-magnet subunits and the dummy permanent-magnet subunits has respective magnetic poles.",
"In this embodiment, if the Z-axis is perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the optical axis is parallel to the Z-axis, and the movement direction of the stage is the Y-axis direction, then the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis is an X-Z plane.",
"In this configuration the respective magnetic fluxes from each permanent magnet subunit that moves the stage and from the respective dummy permanent magnet corresponding to the particular permanent magnet subunit cancel each other on the X-Z plane.",
"As a result, even if the permanent magnet subunit moves in the movement direction, the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet subunit as experienced on the optical axis is substantially zero.",
"A key benefit of this configuration is that the magnetic fields produced by the permanent magnets used to drive the stage have substantially no effect on the charged particle beam propagating in an axial direction through the CPB optical system.",
"[0017] As an alternative to the configuration summarized in the preceding paragraph, the respective magnetic poles of the permanent magnet subunits and of the dummy-magnet subunits can be disposed symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"[0018] The following is further with respect to the “plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.”",
"By way of example, if the stage is driven in the Y-axis direction, and if the magnetic poles for one of the permanent magnets that move the stage in the Y-axis direction are oriented (toward the positive Y-axis direction) with N-S-N-S .",
"poles on the top and S-N-S-N .",
"poles on the bottom, then the magnetic poles for the corresponding dummy permanent magnet are oriented (toward the negative Y-axis direction) with N-S-N-S .",
"poles on the top and S-N-S-N poles on the bottom.",
"Such an arrangement of magnetic poles allows the respective magnetic fluxes (in the movement direction) between each stage-moving permanent magnet and its corresponding dummy permanent magnet to cancel each other, and thus produce a substantially zero-magnitude magnetic flux at the optical axis.",
"Even if the permanent-magnet subunit moves, the effect of the magnetic field (in the movement direction) generated by the permanent-magnet subunit on the CPB optical system is extremely small.",
"[0019] Alternatively, the respective magnetic poles of the stage-moving magnet subunits and of the dummy-magnet subunits can be disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"In this alternative configuration, the “plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis”",
"is the same as summarized above.",
"The term “anti-symmetrically”",
"means that the respective magnetic poles for each of the stage-moving magnet units and its respective dummy-magnet subunit are in mutually symmetrical positions, but the respective dummy-magnet subunit is rotated 180 degrees around the center line of its movement direction.",
"For example, for moving the stage in the Y-axis direction, the magnetic poles for each permanent-magnet subunit are oriented in the positive Y-axis direction as N-S-N-S .",
"on the top and S-N-S-N .",
"on the bottom, and the magnetic poles for each respective dummy-magnet unit are oriented in the negative Y-axis direction as S-N-S-N .",
"on the top and N-S-N-S .",
"on the bottom.",
"With such a configuration, the respective magnetic fluxes (in the direction of the optical axis) of each stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit and its respective dummy-magnet subunit cancel each other and hence produce a substantially zero-magnitude magnetic flux at the optical axis.",
"As a result, even if the permanent-magnet subunit moves, the effect of its magnetic field in the movement direction on the CPB optical system is extremely small.",
"[0020] Yet another embodiment of a stage assembly comprises a stage as summarized above.",
"The stage assembly also includes first and second moving-magnet linear motors operatively coupled to the stage for moving and positioning the stage in a movement direction in the X-Y plane.",
"The linear motors are disposed in respective positions that are symmetric with respect to a plane that is parallel to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"Each linear motor comprises (1) a stage-moving permanent magnet split into a respective set of multiple magnet subunits and (2) a respective set of multiple corresponding dummy permanent-magnet subunits that are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"The stage-moving magnet subunits of the first linear motor are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with the dummy-magnet subunits of the second linear motor, and the stage-moving magnet subunits of the second linear motor are arranged and configured to move symmetrically with the dummy-magnet subunits of the first linear motor, relative to the optical axis.",
"The stage-moving magnet subunits of the first linear motor and the dummy-magnet subunits of the second linear motor, and the stage-moving magnet subunits of the second linear motor and the dummy-magnet subunits of the first linear motor are disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"[0021] For example, in a rectangular coordinate system in which the optical axis is designated as the Z-axis, if the stage is moved in the Y-axis direction in the X-Y plane, the two linear motors are plane-symmetric relative to each other with respect to the Y-Z plane.",
"In each linear motor, the permanent magnet that moves the stage is split into two or more magnet subunits.",
"Also, corresponding dummy permanent magnets are provided that are plane-symmetric relative to the respective stage-moving permanent magnets with respect to the X-Z plane.",
"As a result, the dummy permanent magnets move plane-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane.",
"[0022] Between the two linear motors, the permanent magnets are positioned such that each stage-moving permanent magnet moves by maintaining an axis-symmetrical position relative to the respective dummy permanent magnet for the other linear motor, with respect to the Z-axis.",
"[0023] The respective magnetic poles for the stage-moving permanent magnets and for the dummy permanent magnets are oriented anti-symmetrically with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the movement direction and that includes the optical axis.",
"Thus, regardless of the position of the stage, the magnetic fields in either direction on the optical axis are canceled and are substantially zero.",
"As a result, even in instances in which MM-type linear motors are used, the effects of the magnetic fields produced by the permanent magnets on the CPB optical system are substantially eliminated.",
"[0024] The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] [0025 ]FIG. 1(A) is a plan view of a first representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration according to the invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a plan view of a conventional configuration, as a comparison example.",
"[0026] [0026 ]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.",
"[0027] [0027 ]FIG. 3 is an oblique view showing a typical magnetic-pole array in a permanent magnet in a linear motor.",
"[0028] [0028 ]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.",
"[0029] [0029 ]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a fourth representative embodiment of a stage and linear motor configuration.",
"[0030] [0030 ]FIG. 6 is an elevational schematic diagram showing certain components and subsystems of a charged-particle-beam (CPB) exposure system including a stage and linear motor configuration according to the invention.",
"[0031] [0031 ]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of significant steps in a process for manufacturing a microelectronic device, the process including a lithography step performed using a CPB exposure system according to the invention.",
"[0032] [0032 ]FIG. 8 is a flow chart detailing certain sub-steps in the lithography step of the process of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0033] Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the context of representative embodiments, which are not intended to be limiting in any way.",
"[0034] A first representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1(A), and a comparison example (conventional configuration) is shown in FIG. 1(B).",
"In each figure, an optical axis 1 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the page, wherein the plane of the page is denoted the X-Y plane.",
"Hence, the optical axis 1 extends parallel to a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-Y plane.",
"[0035] In each of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), a stage 2 is situated in the X-Y plane, and is movable in the X-Y plane by respective linear motors (only one linear motor is shown).",
"For example, in each figure, a linear motor LM Y is shown that performs movement of the stage 2 in the Y-axis direction.",
"In FIG. 1(B) the linear motor LM Y includes a coil track 3 to which is engaged a single stage-moving permanent magnet 4 .",
"In FIG. 1(A) the linear motor LM Y includes a coil track 3 to which is engaged a stage-moving permanent magnet divided into two separate magnet subunits 4 a, 4 b. [0036] In both of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the coil track 3 is fixed, and the stage-moving permanent magnets move relative to the respective coil track 3 .",
"The magnets 4 a and 4 b in FIG. 1(A) and the magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B) are affixed to the respective stage 2 .",
"Thus, motion of the magnets 4 a and 4 b, 4 moves the respective stage 2 .",
"[0037] As noted above, in FIG. 1(A), the stage-moving permanent magnet is split into two separate magnet subunits 4 a, 4 b. Each magnet subunit 4 a, 4 b is disposed farther away from the optical axis 1 than the single magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B).",
"As a general rule, the strength of the magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, from the permanent magnet, at which the strength of the field is measured.",
"Hence, in the embodiment of FIG. 1(A) the magnet subunits 4 a , 4 b collectively produce a weaker magnetic field at the optical axis 1 than the single magnet 4 in FIG. 1(B).",
"[0038] Although the configurations of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) involve MM-type linear motors, it will be understood that the same principle of FIG. 1(A) can be applied to MC-type linear motors.",
"In other words, by splitting a fixed and immobile permanent magnet of an MC-type linear motor into two magnet subunits in the same manner as shown generally in FIG. 1(A), and by installing the magnet subunits at respective positions more remote from the optical axis than conventionally, the magnetic field generated by the magnet subunits at the optical axis is weakened.",
"[0039] A second representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 2, in which constituent components that are identical to corresponding components shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) have the same reference numerals and are not described further.",
"In FIG. 2, items 5 a and 5 b are respective “dummy”",
"permanent-magnet subunits that are provided in addition to the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunits 4 a and 4 b .",
"A “dummy”",
"magnet is similar to a corresponding stage-moving magnet, but the dummy magnet does not cause the stage 2 to move.",
"In FIG. 2, the Z-axis (parallel to the optical axis 1 ) passes, perpendicular to the plane of the page, through the center of the stage 2 .",
"Hence, the stage 2 is on an X-Y plane represented by the plane of the page.",
"The stage 2 is movable in the Y-axis direction by a linear motor LM Y that includes the track 3 and the magnet subunits 4 a and 4 b .",
"The configuration shown is a moving-magnet (MM) configuration.",
"[0040] The dummy-magnet subunits 5 a, 5 b need not be coupled to the stage 2 .",
"Nevertheless, the dummy-magnet subunit 5 a desirably is coupled to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b in a manner ensuring that the dummy-magnet subunit 5 a remains in a position that is symmetrical to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b , with respect to a X-Z plane.",
"Consequently, respective magnetic fields from the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 b and the opposing dummy-magnet subunit 5 a collectively cancel each other and thus collectively produce a resultant zero-magnitude magnetic field at the optical axis 1 .",
"Similarly, the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b is coupled to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a in a manner ensuring that the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b remains in a position that is symmetrical to the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , with respect to a X-Z plane.",
"Consequently, respective magnetic fields from the stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a and the dummy-magnet subunit 5 b collectively cancel each other and thus collectively produce a resultant zero-magnitude magnetic field on the optical axis 1 .",
"[0041] The direction of the magnetic fields that are canceled varies with the direction of the magnetic fields being generated at a given instant by the opposing stage-moving magnet subunit and dummy-magnet subunit.",
"FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array of individual magnetic poles in a permanent-magnet subunit in the linear motor.",
"Specifically, in the permanent-magnet subunit, magnetic fields emanating upward and downward are generated in alternately different directions.",
"[0042] Referring further to FIG. 2, if the respective magnetic fields generated by the magnet subunits are oriented in the Z-axis direction, and if the respective array of magnetic poles in each stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , 4 b and in each dummy-magnet subunit 5 a, 5 b are symmetric with respect to the X-Z plane, then each magnetic field oriented in the Y-axis direction can be canceled in the X-Z plane.",
"Similarly, by disposing the array of these magnetic poles anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane, it is possible to cancel the magnetic field in the direction of the optical axis 1 in the X-Z plane.",
"[0043] Also, in FIG. 2, if the respective magnetic fields generated by the magnet subunits are oriented in the X-axis direction, and if the respective array of magnetic poles in each stage-moving magnet subunit 4 a , 4 b and in each dummy-magnet subunit 5 a, 5 b that moves in correspondence with the corresponding stage-moving magnet subunits are symmetric with respect to the X-Z plane, then each magnetic field oriented in the Y-axis direction can be canceled in the X-Z plane.",
"Similarly, by disposing the array of these magnetic poles anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane, it is possible to cancel the magnetic field in the direction of the optical axis in the X-Z plane.",
"[0044] A third representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4. In this figure, the optical axis 1 is parallel to the Z-axis, and the stage 2 is in the X-Y plane.",
"In the figure, reference numerals including apostrophes (') correspond to respective components labeled with corresponding reference numerals lacking an apostrophe.",
"[0045] In this embodiment, the linear motor LM Y depicted in FIG. 2 is configured as two linear-motor portions LM Y1 , LM Y2 arranged symmetrically with respect to the Y-Z plane.",
"The stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 a and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 b ′, the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 b and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 a ′, the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 a ′ and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 b, and the stage-moving permanent-magnet subunit 4 b ′ and the dummy permanent-magnet subunit 5 a are moved in a coordinated manner so that they remain in positions that are symmetrical with respect to the optical axis 1 .",
"[0046] Between each pair of magnet subunits consisting of a respective stage-moving magnet subunit and a respective dummy-magnet subunit 4 a and 5 b, 4 b and 5 a, 4 a ′ and 5 b ′, and 4 b ′ and 5 a ′, respectively, the respective magnetic-pole arrays are disposed anti-symmetrically with respect to the X-Z plane.",
"In this manner, the magnetic fields in any of the X-Y-Z directions are always canceled, and they can be made virtually zero at the optical axis 1 .",
"[0047] A fourth representative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5, in which items 6 a , 6 b, 6 a ′, and 6 b ′ are respective fixed permanent-magnet subunits.",
"This embodiment uses an MC-type linear motor, in which the permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b , and 6 a ′ and 6 b ′ are fixed and the respective coil tracks 3 , 3 ′ move relative to the respective magnet subunits.",
"The stage 2 , which is affixed to the coil tracks 3 , 3 ′, moves together with the coil tracks.",
"[0048] In FIG. 5, the optical axis is parallel to the Z-axis, and the plane containing the central axis for the coil tracks 3 , 3 ′ is designated as the X-Y plane.",
"In other words, the axis of symmetry for the permanent-magnet subunits 6 a, 6 a ′, 6 b , 6 b ′ is also on the X-Y plane.",
"The pairs of permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b ′, and 6 b and 6 a ′, including the placement of the respective magnetic poles, are disposed point-symmetrically with respect to the optical axis 1 .",
"In this manner, the magnetic fields generated by the respective pairs of permanent-magnet subunits 6 a and 6 b ′, and 6 b and 6 a ′, are mutually canceled at the optical axis 1 .",
"As a result, the magnetic fields on the optical axis 1 generated by the permanent-magnet subunits are substantially zero in any direction.",
"[0049] Certain aspects of a charged-particle-beam (CPB) microlithography apparatus 10 are depicted in FIG. 6. The depicted apparatus 10 utilizes an electron beam as the charged particle beam.",
"The electron beam is produced by an electron-beam source 11 (i.e., “electron gun”).",
"The electron beam from the source 11 propagates in a downstream direction (vertically downward in the figure) through an illumination-lens assembly 12 , a beam-shaping aperture 13 , and an aperture stop 14 to a reticle 15 .",
"The reticle 15 defines a pattern to be projection-transferred to a substrate 18 (e.g., semiconductor wafer having an upstream-facing surface coated with a suitable resist).",
"The electron beam propagating from the source 11 to the reticle 15 is termed an “illumination beam”",
"IB and the electron-optical components located between the source 11 and the reticle 15 collectively constitute an “illumination-optical system”",
"IOS that extends along an optical axis Ax.",
"From the reticle 15 , the electron beam passes through a projection-lens assembly 16 and an aperture stop 17 to the substrate 18 .",
"The electron beam propagating from the reticle 15 to the substrate 18 is termed a “patterned beam”",
"or “imaging beam”",
"PB, and the electron-optical components situated between the reticle 15 and substrate 18 collectively constitute a “projection-optical system”",
"POS that extends along the optical axis Ax.",
"The illumination-optical system IOS and projection-optical system POS collectively are termed the “CPB-optical system.”",
"[0050] The illumination beam IB is manipulated by the illumination-optical system IOS so as to illuminate a selected region on the reticle 15 in a uniform manner.",
"An image of the illuminated region of the reticle 15 is formed on the substrate 18 by the projection-optical system POS.",
"So as to be imprinted with the image, the upstream-facing surface of the substrate 18 is coated with a suitable resist.",
"Such a substrate is termed “sensitive”",
"to the patterned beam PB.",
"The aperture stops 14 , 17 function to block scattered electrons of the illumination beam IB and patterned beam PB, respectively.",
"The aperture stops 14 , 17 also trim the respective beams so as to limit the angular aperture of the respective beam.",
"Situated at a location that is optically conjugate to the reticle 15 is the beam-shaping aperture 13 , which limits the size and shape of the region on the reticle 15 that is illuminated by the illumination beam IB.",
"[0051] In the apparatus of FIG. 6, the reticle 15 is mounted on a reticle stage RS, and the substrate 18 is mounted on a wafer stage WS.",
"Both stages RS, WS usually are independently movable at least in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.",
"Desirably, movement of the stages in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is achieved by respective linear motors.",
"Either or both the reticle stage RS and wafer stage WS comprises respective linear motors configured, for example, according to any of the embodiments described above.",
"With such configurations, the magnetic fields generated by the permanent magnets in the linear motors that drive the respective stages are reduced in magnitude in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax, thereby reducing the impact of the magnetic fields on the CPB optical system.",
"Reduced adverse effect of these magnetic fields at the optical axis yields improved exposure accuracy.",
"[0052] [0052 ]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary microelectronic-fabrication method in which apparatus and methods according to the invention can be applied readily.",
"The fabrication method generally comprises the main steps of wafer production (wafer manufacturing or preparation), reticle (mask) production or preparation;",
"wafer processing, device (chip) assembly (including dicing of chips and rendering the chips operational), and device (chip) inspection.",
"Each step usually comprises several sub-steps.",
"[0053] Among the main steps, wafer processing is key to achieving the smallest feature sizes (critical dimensions) and best inter-layer registration.",
"In the wafer-processing step, multiple circuit patterns are layered successively atop one another on the wafer, forming multiple chips destined to be memory chips or main processing units (MPUs), for example.",
"The formation of each layer typically involves multiple sub-steps.",
"Usually, many operative microelectronic devices are produced on each wafer.",
"[0054] Typical wafer-processing steps include: (1) thin-film formation (by, e.g., sputtering or CVD) involving formation of a dielectric layer for electrical insulation or a metal layer for connecting wires or electrodes;",
"(2) oxidation step to oxidize the substrate or the thin-film layer previously formed;",
"(3) microlithography to form a resist pattern for selective processing of the thin film or the substrate itself;",
"(4) etching or analogous step (e.g., dry-etching) to etch the thin film or substrate according to the resist pattern;",
"(5) doping as required to implant ions or impurities into the thin film or substrate according to the resist pattern;",
"(6) resist stripping to remove the remaining resist from the wafer;",
"and (7) wafer inspection.",
"Wafer processing is repeated as required (typically many times) to fabricate the desired microelectronic devices on the wafer.",
"[0055] [0055 ]FIG. 8 provides a flowchart of typical steps performed in lithography, which is a principal step in the wafer-processing step shown in FIG. 7. The lithography step typically includes: (1) resist-application step, wherein a suitable resist is coated on the wafer substrate (which an include a circuit element formed in a previous wafer-processing step);",
"(2) exposure step, to expose the resist with the desired pattern by microlithography;",
"(3) development step, to develop the exposed resist to produce the imprinted image;",
"and (4) optional resist-annealing step, to enhance the durability of and stabilize the resist pattern.",
"[0056] The process steps summarized above are all well known and are not described further herein.",
"[0057] Whereas the invention has been described in connection with a representative embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to that embodiment.",
"On the contrary, the invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/690,701, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Oct. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,472 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/273,591, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Mar. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,631, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/766,513, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Dec. 13, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,692, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/008,603, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Dec. 14, 1995.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to health and exercise equipment, and more particularly to computer networked systems including health or exercise equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Good health is a fundamental requirement for a happy and long life. A multi-billion dollar health and fitness industry has grown to help individuals meet this requirement. For example, there are a great many gymnasiums which provide facilities and equipment for aerobic and musculature development, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of weight loss and diet centers and programs. The goals of these many programs typically includes weight loss and/or maintenance, the improvement of aerobic fitness, improved circulation, increased strength, and body building or shaping.
There are several problems encountered with the use of gymnasiums, fitness centers, and diet centers. For one, they tend to be fairly expensive due to the need to maintain the facilities, pay rent and payroll, buy equipment, etc. In addition, these centers tend to be inconvenient in that they require a special trip to the center by individuals wishing to use their facilities. Both the price and the inconvenience tend to discourage use of these centers over time, allowing the individuals to lose incentive and drop out of their fitness or diet program.
A partial solution to this problem is home exercise and health equipment. Again, a large industry has arisen to provide exercise and health equipment for the home. This equipment tends to be more of the aerobic type, e.g. stationary bicycles, rowing machines, “step” machines, etc., although weight lifting apparatus, sometimes referred to as “resistance trainers,” are also widely used in the home. These types of home exercise and health equipment increasingly use sophisticated electronics, such as microprocessors, to monitor the level of exercise and to provide exercise programs for the user.
Unfortunately, even well designed home exercise and health equipment often fall into disuse over time. This is because individuals, even in their own home, often lack the incentive to exercise when there are other, more enjoyable, activities available. Also, since there is typically not the camaraderie often found in a health club, diet center, etc., it is easier for users, as individuals, to discontinue their exercise or diet program.
Personal trainers have been used both at fitness clubs and in the home. Personal trainers are individuals who usually have a fitness training background and who typically provide personal training services to an individual customers. Personal trainers can be very effective in that they provide personal motivation and feedback to an individual in the exercise program, and thus often foster a more effective and longer-lasting exercise program. The downside of personal trainers is, particularly in the home setting, their relatively high cost. It is not unusual for a personal trainer to charge hundreds of dollars per month for their services. Therefore, while these personal trainers are very effective, they tend to be used by only a small percentage of the population.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an exercise and health system which is convenient, affordable, and effective. The system includes computerized exercise and/or health equipment (the “local system”) that can provide feedback and encouragement to the user, i.e. can serve as a “virtual personal trainer.” In addition, the system includes a remote computer system communicating over a bi-directional data channel with the exercise and health equipment. Still further, the system can include a server computer system that is in communication with the remote computer systems to provide bi-directional data communication with the remote computer systems.
Since the exercise and health equipment can communicate with the user, it is possible for the health equipment to provide incentive and motivation to the user much in the same fashion as a human personal trainer. In addition, the health and exercise equipment can store data and other parameters concerning the exercise or other activities which can be used to monitor the progress and to vary the exercise program or script. In this way, the local system can serve as a “virtual personal trainer.”
The remote system computer is preferably associated with a number of exercise and health locations. The remote system computer can be considered to be the communication tool of a human personal trainer, as opposed to the “virtual personal trainer” emulated by software in the local system computer. For example, the remote system computer can be associated with one hundred local systems (used by one or more individuals in, for example, their homes), and can be used to upload information from the exercise and health equipment of a local system to be analyzed by the personal trainer at the remote computer. The personal trainer can then call the individual user to provide additional instruction, encouragement, and cautions, and the remote system computer can download new exercise scripts or programs to the local system computer to implement these changes.
The server system computer serves a number of remote system computers. For example, while a remote system computer might serve one hundred local system computers, the server system computer might serve as one hundred remote system computers. The server system computer can communicate with other server system computers (“peer” servers), or with a yet higher order server system computers for the consolidation, storage, processing, and exchange of data. The server system computer can be used to communicate with the remote system computers for the uploading of data concerning the remote system computer and the local system computers that the remote system computer is in contact with, and it can also download new programs and other data and information to the remote system computers. For example, a server system computer or peer system computer might design a dietary program for a particular user which is then downloaded into the remote system computer for subsequent communication to the individual user of a local system.
The systems, methods, and apparatus of the present invention therefore can provide an effective exercise, dietary, and health program for a great number of individuals. The computerized health equipment provides incentive and encouragement to stay in the program, due to the “virtual personal trainer” of the local system, the human personal trainer of the remote system, and by the various services provided by the enterprise as a whole as supported by the server systems, peer systems, etc. For example, a variety of services of products can be offered to the users of the system to further their health and fitness goals.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the rating of the following descriptions and the study of the figures of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a health and fitness system in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the local, remote, and server system computers of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process running on a local system computer of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the “PROCESS EXERCISE ACTIVITY” step of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the “DETECT AND RECORD USER ACTIVITY, PROVIDE FEEDBACK” step of FIG. 4 ;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a “PROCESS LOCAL SYSTEM ACTIVITY” step of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the “PROCESS REMOTE ACTIVITY” step of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process running on a remote system computer of the present invention;
FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c are three examples of data analysis performed in the “PROCESS DATA” step 176 of FIG. 8 ; and
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process running on a server system computer of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 , a health and fitness system 10 in accordance with the present invention includes one or more local systems 12 , one or more remote systems 14 , and one or more server systems 16 . The local systems 12 are typically home-based systems designed for the promotion of the health and fitness of individual users within a family. The remote systems 14 may be home or business based, and are used as data gathering and storage stations, as well as communication stations, between a human personal trainer and users of local systems 12 . As will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, the remote system 14 is associated with a relatively large number of local systems 12 , e.g. a personal trainer with a remote system might be in communication with 100 or more individual users of local systems 12 . This is made possible, in part, by providing a “virtual personal trainer” at each of the local stations 12 to partially or fully replace the need for a human personal trainer at the local station. The server systems 16 can communicate with the remote systems 14 to provide server and control functions across the entire enterprise, i.e. over the entire system 10 . As also will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, the server system 16 is associated with a number of remote systems 14 .
The local system 12 includes one or more health or fitness devices such as a stationary bicycle 18 , a weight or “resistance trainer” 20 , a scale 22 , etc. Associated with a local system 12 is a computer 24 which, in this preferred embodiment, is integrated into the stationary bicycle 18 . A stationary bicycle as a “base unit” is given merely by way of example, as any piece of equipment (a rowing machine, a step machine, etc.) could house the computer 24 , or the computer 24 could be housed separately. The computer 24 can serve as a “local server” for other health and fitness devices at local system 12 , such as the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 . Alternatively, a separate local server 26 can be used to control and/or support various devices in local system 12 via data and control lines 28 , and communicate with the remote system 14 via a telephone line 30 and a modem 32 . However, in the present preferred embodiment, the assumption is that the local server 26 and modem 32 are not required and that the computer 24 will serve not only to control the operation and data gathering function of the stationary bicycle 18 , but will also provide these functions for the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 . Of course, the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 may include their own computer systems for local control purposes.
The stationary bicycle 18 includes a housing 34 which, as stated previously, preferably houses the computer 24 , a crank 36 provided with a pair of pedals 38 , a seat 40 supported by a seat stem 42 , handle bar 34 supported by handle bar stem 46 , legs 48 , and feet 50 . The various components of the stationary bicycle 18 are typically attached to a rigid frame that is internal to the housing 34 .
The weight trainer 20 is preferably a resistance-type weight trainer, such as a bench press machine, a biceps curl machine, a squat machine, etc. Typically the use grasps a bar connected to a cable that is attached to a resistance device. This resistance device can be weights, or can be an active resistance device such as a motor, or a passive resistance device such as an electrically actuated brake. In any event, the amount of resistance to movement of the bar is preferably under the control of the computer 24 and the script that it is running. The scale 22 preferably provides an electrical connection to the computer 24 through an I/O port to allow the computer 24 to monitor the weight of the person standing on the scale.
The computer 24 is coupled to a variety of input/output (I/O) devices including a brake 52 , a sensor 54 , a display 56 , a heart rate monitor (HRM) 59 , a loudspeaker 58 , an interface 60 , a modem 62 , and a voice board 64 . In this fashion, the computer 24 can control and monitor the various functions of the stationary bicycle 18 .
More particularly, computer 24 can, under software and hardware control, control the electrically actuated brake 52 which is coupled to the crank 36 of the stationary bicycle. In this fashion, the pedaling force that must be exerted on pedals 38 to cause the crank 36 to rotate at a given speed can be varied under computer control. This electrically actuated brake can be electric/mechanical brake, electric/magnetic brake, etc. as it is well known to those skilled in the art. The sensor 54 is typically used to determine the rotations-per-minute (RPM) of the crank 36 . In this way, the computer 24 can receive information concerning the level of effort being exerted by a user of the stationary bicycle 18 . Rotation sensors are well known those skilled in the art. The sensor 54 can also measure other parameters such as the force (torque) being applied to pedal 38 , again to provide information to the computer as to the level of effort being exerted by the user of the bicycle.
The computer can provide an output on a display 56 that can be viewed by an individual user sitting on seat 40 . This display can be a simple light display, e.g. a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or it can be a full video display. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a full video display to provide instructions and encouragement to a user of the stationary bicycle. For example, an image of a “virtual personal trainer” can be provided on the video display 56 . This image is preferably the image of the human personal trainer who is in charge of the remote system 14 .
The loudspeaker 58 provides another important communication medium to the user of the stationary bicycle 18 . For example, under computer 24 control, the user can be told with either a digitally synthesized or digitally recorded voice to pedal faster, pedal slower, that they are doing a good job, etc. Of course, analog recording techniques can be used as well, but are considered to be less flexible and desirable. Preferably, the voice being used is that of the personal trainer associated with the remote system 14 that oversees that local system 12 . Both voice synthesis and digital voice recording on computer systems 24 are well known to those skilled in the art.
A local interface 60 can be used to couple the computer 24 to additional health and fitness devices. In this instance, the local interface 60 is coupled to the weight trainer 20 and to the scale 22 . This additional health and fitness systems can either “dumb” systems with limited digital computation and storage capabilities, or they can include full fledged computer system such as the computer system 24 . In the present embodiment, the weight trainer 20 and scale 22 include digital control circuitry (e.g. a microcontroller) which can communicate with the more powerful computer 24 of the stationary bicycle 18 . The various I/O devices, such as the loudspeaker 58 can be used in conjunction with these other devices 20 and 22 , e.g. the weight detected by the scale 22 can be announced on the loudspeaker 58 along with an indication that this is an increase or decrease in weight from the last session. Also, as mentioned previously, the weight trainer 20 can include the equivalent of the electrically control brake 52 which allows the resistance of the weight bar or handle to be varied to provide resistance (“weight”) training. This control of the break within the weight trainer 20 can be controlled by a “script” of the computer 24 .
The computer 24 is also coupled to a modem 62 for communication over a telephone line 30 . Alternatively, the computer 24 can be coupled to the remote computer 14 by other communication linkages, such as ISDN digital transmission line, via a local area network, or via a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. In other words, the telephone line 30 represents only one type of data communication channel between the local systems 12 and the remote system 14 . The present embodiment also includes a voice board 64 which can bypass the modem such that the loudspeaker 58 can be driven directly to the telephone line 30 in an analog fashion. Combination modem/voice boards are commercially available for personal computer systems, and are well known to those skilled in the art.
The remote system 14 includes, for example, a remote system computer 66 which is coupled to the telephone line 30 by a modem 68 . In addition, a telephone 70 can be coupled to the line 30 by a voice board 72 . Alternatively, the telephone 70 can be coupled to a separate telephone line so that simultaneous telephone and data links can be made. Still further alternatively, it is known to those skilled in the art that a single telephone line can be made to support both voice and data transmission. In any event, the telephone 70 can communicate directly with the loudspeaker 58 of the stationary bicycle 18 over the standard analog telephone line 30 . Alternatively, the telephone 70 can communicate with the computer 66 as indicated by the broken line 74 and the computer 66 can communicate digital voice data via modem 68 , telephone line 30 and modem 62 , to the computer 24 . The computer 24 can then store or pass through the digital voice data and play the voice input to the user of local station 12 via speaker 58 .
As noted above, the computer 66 is used to communicate with the local system 12 via computer communication link such as the telephone line 30 or an equivalent. This communication can include the downloading of data and instructions to the computer 24 , and can include the uploading of information from the computer 24 to the computer 66 . This allows for interactive communication between the remote system 14 and the local systems 12 .
The server stations 16 are used to further consolidate information from multiple remote system 14 and to provide a variety of services to the remote systems 14 . While the remote system 14 maybe housed in human personal trainer homes or work sites, the server system(s) 16 are preferably more regional or national in origin. In this way, the main office of the enterprise can access each of the server systems 16 to provide upgrades for software, exercise programs, exercise equipment scripts, etc., as well as receiving information from the remote computers 66 that can be used for further analysis and for providing further services. Part of this analysis can be on the general and specific level of fitness of various individual users of the local system 12 , as well as marketing information that can be used to offer product and services particularly tailored for the various users of the local system 12 . The performance of the human personal trainers at remote stations 14 can also be monitored. It should be noted that the server 16 can include direct connect server 76 and peer server 78 that can either be direct server itself (like server 76 ) to a number of remote stations 14 , or which can be a specialized server (such as a dietary analysis server) coupled to one or more direct connect servers 76 . In addition, higher-level servers can be used to further consolidate data from the direct connect servers 76 and/or the peer servers 78 . For example, the direct connect servers 76 can be regional in scope, while higher level servers can be national or international in scope.
In FIG. 2 , a computer 80 is shown in a block diagram form. This basic computer architecture can be used for the local system computer 24 , the remote system computer 66 , and the server system computer 76 . Of course other and equivalent architectures (in the computational sense), such as parallel processing computers can be used in the present invention as well. In the disclosed embodiment, the computer 80 includes a microprocessor 82 , random access memory (RAM) 84 , read only memory (ROM) 86 , real time clock (RTC) 87 , digital mass storage 88 , CD-ROM drive 89 , and a number of input/output (I/O) ports 90 . Preferably, the digital mass storage 88 is read/write memory such as a hard disk with adequate storage capacity (e.g. 40 megabytes to 2 gigabytes or more). In addition, CD-ROM drive 89 can be coupled to the bus to provide, in particular, images to be displayed on a display 56 of the local system 12 . The various components 82 – 90 address, pass data, and pass control signals through a bus 92 which typically includes data (D), address (A), and control (C) lines, as it is well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, there are control and “glue” chips typically provided in the form of a “chipset” which are used to couple the various components of the system together. The design and manufacture of computer systems such as computer system 80 is well known to those skilled in the art, and such computer systems are commercially available, both as complete systems and as subsystems (e.g. motherboards) from a variety of commercial sources.
In FIG. 3 , a process 94 implemented on a local system computer 24 is illustrated in a flow diagram. The process begins at 96 and, in a decision step 98 , it is determined whether there is any activity which requires the attention local system computer. If not, the computer system 24 is in a “standby” mode and process control is returned to step 98 in a recurring manner. If step 98 does determine that there is some activity, one or more of multiple branches are made to process the activity. If the activity is “EXERCISE”, e.g. the stationary bicycle 18 , the weight trainer 20 , or the scale 22 is to be used, a step 100 processes the exercise activity. If it is a “LOCAL SYSTEM” activity such as routine housekeeping, the local system activity is processed in a step 102 . If it is a “REMOTE SYSTEM” activity, the remote system activity is processed in a step 104 . After the completion of any one of steps 100 , 102 , and 104 , process control is returned to step 98 . Of course, other types of activities can be initiated by step 98 such as, for example, a shut down activity which would cause a power-down of system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
In FIG. 4 , step 100 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail. The process 100 begins at step 106 and, in a step 108 , a “welcome greeting” is created. This welcome greeting can be displayed on the screen 56 and/or can be heard from the speaker 58 , and can be personalized to both the individual user of the local system 12 and the human personal trainer of remote station 14 . For example, the image of the personal trainer can show up on the screen 56 with his voice saying “Good morning, Fred! I haven't seen you since last Wednesday. Let's try to get in a good work-out today!” This greeting forms a part of a “virtual personal trainer” at local system 12 which replaces some or all of the need for a human personal trainer to be present at the exercise session at the local system 12 . The “virtual personal trainer” is, therefore, a computerized process which emulates part or all of the functions traditionally performed by a human personal trainer.
Next, in a selection step 110 , the user decides whether he wants to select his own training program for that session or if he would like the system 12 to select the program. If the user selects the program, he creates a user “script” of what kind of exercise program he would like to perform that day. For example, if the user wishes to simply bicycle at a fixed resistance for thirty minutes, that can be entered in step 112 . Alternatively, more complex “scripts” can indicate that he would like to bicycle with interval training for thirty minutes, and then do five repetitions on the weight trainer 20 .
If, however, the user allows the system 12 to select the section type, step 114 controls the script selection. This is the preferred mode for using the local station 12 in that the script can be influenced not only by the local station 12 , but also by the human personal trainer at the remote system computer 66 . For example, data concerning the user's previous performances and the personal trainer's guidance can be stored in mass storage 88 (e.g. on a hard disk) so that a custom-tailored, interactive exercise program can be provided.
As noted above, the exercise program preferably proceeds according to “scripts.” A script is simply a sequence of exercise or other health-related events that are performed in fixed or variable sequences. The order and structuring of the script can be modified based upon monitoring the user's performance or by other user feedback. For example, if it is detected that the user is getting tired due to a slowing of the exercise repetition rate, the steps or parameters of the exercise script can be modified accordingly. In other words, certain script steps can be skipped or the parameters concerning the steps can be modified. For example, if a user is determined to be tiring by the local system 12 , and if the script says the next exercise event is to be ten repetitions on the weight trainer 20 , that step could be skipped. Alternatively, the weight training step could still be done, but the resistance parameters could be modified. For example, instead of doing ten repetitions at a hundred pounds resistance on the weight trainer 20 , eight repetitions at eighty pounds of resistance might be called for. The script therefore provides a general framework of a desired exercise session which can be varied based upon human personal trainer input from remote system 14 , user input at local station 12 , and detected user performance at local station 12 .
Once the script has been initiated in either steps 112 or 114 , a step 116 detects and records user activity and provides feedback to the user. This step will be discussed in greater detail subsequently. Such parameters as the rotations per minute (RPM) of the crank 36 , the timing and speed of the resistance weight repetitions of weight trainer 20 , the detected weight on the scale 22 , etc. can all be recorded in the mass storage 88 of the local system computer 24 . In addition, user feedback is provided. For example, if the person is cycling too slow on the stationary bicycle 18 , the computer 24 can generate a encouragement on speaker 58 that the person should pedal faster. Alternatively, if it is determined that the user is over-exerting, such as pedaling too fast, a cautionary warning can be issued on speaker 58 to slow down. Another important input is the heart rate monitor (HRM) 59 which detects if the heart (pulse) rate is rising too high.
Next, in a step 118 , it is determined whether the session is a modifiable session. Most sessions are preferably be modifiable, unless the user selects, in a step 112 , a non-modifiable session. If the session is modifiable, the session is modified in a step 120 based upon the selected script and upon user activity or other input. For example, if the heart rate monitor 59 detects that the pulse rate is too high, the resistance on the crank 36 can be reduced via a signal to the brake 52 . Next, in a step 122 , it is determined whether the session is completed. This is usually based on the script, although the user can always terminate a session. If the session is not completed, process control is returned to step 116 to repeat the loop. If the session is completed, the session records are updated in the mass storage 88 , as are the scripts, as indicated in step 124 . The process 100 is then completed at step 126 .
In FIG. 5 , the step 116 of FIG. 4 is explained in greater detail. Process 116 begins at 128 and, in a step 130 , exercise parameters relative to the script are stored, preferably in mass storage 88 . These parameters depend on the type of exercise being done, and the type of sensory input available to the system 12 , but typically includes such things as time, RPM, resistance, machine state, etc. These exercise parameters are used to control the implementation of the exercise script, and are stored for later analysis.
Next, in a step 132 , it is determined whether encouragement is needed. An example of encouragement being needed is when the person is slowing down below the suggested repetition rate or speed in the script or, for example, has stopped exercising entirely. In such circumstances, encouragement is given in a step 134 . Again, this encouragement can be auditory via speaker 58 , or visual via display 56 , a combination of the two, or in any other suitable fashion. Next, in a step 136 , it is determined whether a caution is needed. If so, the caution is given in a step 138 either through auditory, visual, or other ways. Caution might be needed if the user is exercising faster than that suggested by the script or if a dangerous physical condition is detected, such as by the HRM 59 . Next, in a step 140 , it is determined if a script preview should be provided. If yes, a step 142 provides an auditory, visual or other type of preview of upcoming script events. For example, the system 12 could be taking a user on a imaginary bicycle ride through the country. The script preview would then, in a step 142 , indicate something like “We are now approaching a hill. You will note an increased resistance to pedaling in a few seconds which will steadily increase until we reach the crest of the hill in about one and a half minutes.” These steps 134 , 138 , and 142 are further examples of the local system 12 serving as a “virtual personal trainer.” The process 116 is completed at step 144 .
In FIG. 6 , step 102 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail. Process 102 begins at step 146 and, in a step 148 , it is determined what type of local system activity is to be performed. Three different local system activities will be discussed herein by way of example. As a first example, the local system activity can be to alert the user as indicated in a step 150 . For example, the local computer 24 can detect that it is time for a scheduled exercise session. The computer 24 can then communicate with the user via speaker 58 that it is time for a scheduled exercise. In this instance, the computer 24 would use a real time clock (RTC) 87 to know that it was time to initiate the exercise session. After completion of step 150 , process control is returned to step 148 .
A second type of local system activity would be housekeeping. For example, in a step 152 , diagnostics can be run to check the operability and calibration of the various components of local system 12 . Also, in a step 154 , data compression, hard disk compaction, and data preparation can be accomplished.
A third example of local system activity detected by step 148 is a local communication within the local system 12 . For example, the weight trainer 20 or the scale unit 22 might be communicating to the computer 24 via the interface 60 or vice-versa. A step 146 processes the data from the local unit accordingly and can provide commands to the local unit for the exercise or health session. Process control is then returned to step 148 after the completion of steps 150 , 154 , and 156 .
In FIG. 7 , step 104 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail. The process 104 begins at 158 and, in a step 160 , the connection is established with the remote system. Next, in a step 162 , information is uploaded or downloaded, the process is completed at 164 . It should be noted that the connection of step 160 can be either an incoming connection or an outgoing connection. If there is an outgoing connection to a remote system computer 66 the modem 62 makes connection with the telephone line 30 and dials the telephone number of the remote system computer 66 . For an incoming connection, the modem 62 detects an incoming call on telephone line 30 , picks up the line, and connects to the local system computer 24 .
Since the systems 12 are typically home based, the user may wish to use a single telephone line for both normal telephone needs and for use by the system 12 for step 160 . It would, of course, be simpler to have an additional telephone line installed simply for the system 12 , but this may be impractical from a cost point of view. If the system 12 is sharing the telephone line with the other telephones and devices in the household, mechanisms and/or processes are preferably provided to prevent interference with normal telephone usage. If the local system 12 initiates the call to the server 66 , it would simply need. to detect whether the telephone line was available so as not to interfere with other use of the telephone line. It can help ensure this availability by calling at unusual times, such as the middle of the night or when it is known that the user is away from the home, e.g. at work.
However, with incoming calls from a computer 66 to the computer 24 on a single home line, some way of distinguishing between calls for the local system 12 and other kinds of telephone calls should be preferably provided. Again, this could be time-based such that it is implied that a telephone call in the middle of the night is for the local system 12 . The RTC 87 could be used for timing purposes in this situation, or the computer could simple start a counter. In this instance, the modem 62 would pick up the telephone quickly before other devices, such an answering machine for a facsimile machine, would have a chance to pick it up. Alternatively, the local system 12 could allow a number of “rings” before picking up the line. For example, the local system 12 could allow the telephone line 30 to ring six times before modem 62 picks up the line. In a still further instance, the computer 66 might be calling a local computer 24 and have the phone line picked up by the user or by another device (like a telephone answering machine) coupled to the telephone line 30 . In this instance, the computer 66 could hang up the line and call back a second time. Since the computer 24 can monitor the line via modem 62 , it could know that a call back within, for example, thirty seconds of a hang up is for the computer 24 . Alternatively, it could listen to the line on the first call to determine if it was computer 66 calling, and then pick it up the line 62 immediately on any call back, or call back the remote system computer 66 itself when the telephone line was free. Again, RTC 87 can be used for timing purposes, or counters can be used, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
Information being uploaded can include parameters and data stored in the mass storage 88 concerning the exercise sessions by the user(s) of the local system 12 . It can also include other system information used for diagnosing or improving the operation of the local system 12 . In addition, information can be downloaded to the local system 12 from the remote system computer 66 to, for example, change exercise scripts for a user, provide upgrades for the software running on the local system computer 24 , etc.
In FIG. 8 , a process 166 running on a remote system computer 66 is illustrated. The process 166 begins at 168 and, in a step 170 , an activity type is determined. A first type of activity is a batch system connection whereby the remote system computer 66 sequentially connects with a series of local systems for the uploading or downloading of information. This process is accomplished in step 172 . A batch system connection can be used to update the software on a number of computers 24 of local system 12 , or to upload exercise session data from a number of local systems 12 on a regular basis, e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
If step 170 detects a single system activity type, a step 174 connects the remote system computer 66 to a single local system 12 for uploading and/or downloading as described previously. If an activity type “PROCESS DATA” is detected by step 170 , a step 176 prepares data on the computer 66 for storage, processing, communication, and/or analysis. Examples of some types of analysis of the data will be discussed subsequently with referenced to FIGS. 8 a– 8 c. Finally, if an activity type “SERVER CONNECTION” is detected, a connection is made with the server 76 to upload or download information. The server connection can be initiated by the computer 66 , or it can be initiated by the server system computer 76 depending on the circumstances. Upon the completion of any of the steps 172 , 174 , 176 , and 178 , process control is returned to step 170 .
In FIGS. 8 a– 8 c, several examples of types of data analysis that can be performed on the remote system computer 66 in step 176 of process 166 are illustrated. Of course, this analysis can be accomplished at any of the computers on the system 10 including the remote system computer 66 , server system computer 76 , peer system computer 78 , or even on the local system computer 24 . In FIG. 8 a, a display of exercise activity is shown. This display can be on the display on a video display, such as a display 56 , or it can be printed to make a permanent record. Along the y axis are the number of minutes of exercise, and along the x axis are the days of the week. As seen in the illustration of FIG. 8 a, on Monday the user had twenty minutes of exercise, on Tuesday the user had sixty minutes of exercise, and on Thursday the user again had twenty minutes of exercise.
In FIG. 8 b, another display or print out of, preferably, the remote system computer 66 is a summary of daily exercise activity. As noted, the Monday twenty minute exercise session actually consisted of a ten minute cycling session and a ten minute weight session. Also includes is a summary of the number of calories burned and other parameters associated with those activities.
In FIG. 8 c, a plot of the user's weight as taken from scale 22 is shown illustrating the day-by-day weights of the user during part of the month of January. In this way, users are provided with good feed-back concerning the progress he/she is making in reaching their ideal weight. This information can be used by the remote or server systems to modify the exercise scripts and/or provide dietary counseling or products to the individual users of local stations 12 .
As noted, the analysis of the data is preferably accomplished at the site of the human personal trainer, i.e. the site of the remote system computer 66 . However, this analysis can also be accomplished at upstream or downstream computers. As mentioned previously, the computer 24 of the local system 12 is perfectly capable of making these types of analysis and displaying the on the display 66 . Also, a simple printer I/O port can be provided in the stationary bicycle 18 to allow a printout of the graphs and charts that were shown by way of example in FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c.
In FIG. 9 , a process 180 running on server system computer 76 is illustrated. In many ways, the process 180 running on the server system computer 76 is very similar to the process 166 running on the remote system computer 66 . The process 180 begins at 182 and, in a step 184 , an activity type is detected. One type of activity type is the batch connection where the server sequentially (e.g. serially and/or in parallel) connects to a series of remote system computers 66 for uploading and downloading information. This process is accomplished at step 186 . Another activity type detected by step 184 is the single system connection accomplished in step 188 . In step 188 , the server connects to a single remote system for uploading or downloading. In the case of step 186 where there is a batch connection, the server system computer 76 will almost always be the initiating computer for the connection. With the single system connection however, the initiation of the connection can come either from the server 76 or from the remote system computer 66 .
If step 184 detects a “PROCESS DATA” activity type, the data for multiple remote system computers 66 (which includes data from multiple local system 12 ) is prepared for storage, processing, communication, and/or analysis in a step 190 . If a step 184 determines that there is to be a peer-to-peer connection with a peer server 188 , a step 192 makes the connection with the peer server to pass data back and forth. Of course, there are other activity types that can be performed by the process on server system computer 76 , these four being by way of example. After the completion of steps 186 , 188 , 190 , or 192 , process control is returned to step 184 to detect another activity type.
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. | An exercise system includes a local system having an exercise apparatus and an associated local computer, where the local computer controls and monitors the operation and use, respectively, of the exercise apparatus. The system further includes a remote system having a remote computer, and a transmission medium including a telephone line that couples the local system to the remote system for data communication between the local system and the remote system. The remote system may receive local system data from the local system concerning the use of the exercise apparatus, and the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system concerning the operation of the exercise apparatus. The local computer preferably controls the operation of the exercise apparatus based upon a modifiable script stored in a read/write memory of the local computer, which can be updated by the remote system. A method for controlling an exercise apparatus includes running a modifiable script on a local computer to control the use and to monitor the operation of an exercise apparatus, and communicating with a remote system to provide the remote system with data concerning the use of the exercise apparatus. The script is stored in read/write memory of the local computer and remote system data received from the remote system may include at least a portion of a new script to be stored in the read/write memory of the local computer. | Identify and summarize the most critical technical features from the given patent document. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 09/690,701, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Oct. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,472 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 09/273,591, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Mar. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,631, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 08/766,513, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Dec. 13, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,692, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 60/008,603, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE INTERACTIVE EXERCISE AND HEALTH EQUIPMENT, filed on Dec. 14, 1995.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to health and exercise equipment, and more particularly to computer networked systems including health or exercise equipment.",
"Description of the Related Art Good health is a fundamental requirement for a happy and long life.",
"A multi-billion dollar health and fitness industry has grown to help individuals meet this requirement.",
"For example, there are a great many gymnasiums which provide facilities and equipment for aerobic and musculature development, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of weight loss and diet centers and programs.",
"The goals of these many programs typically includes weight loss and/or maintenance, the improvement of aerobic fitness, improved circulation, increased strength, and body building or shaping.",
"There are several problems encountered with the use of gymnasiums, fitness centers, and diet centers.",
"For one, they tend to be fairly expensive due to the need to maintain the facilities, pay rent and payroll, buy equipment, etc.",
"In addition, these centers tend to be inconvenient in that they require a special trip to the center by individuals wishing to use their facilities.",
"Both the price and the inconvenience tend to discourage use of these centers over time, allowing the individuals to lose incentive and drop out of their fitness or diet program.",
"A partial solution to this problem is home exercise and health equipment.",
"Again, a large industry has arisen to provide exercise and health equipment for the home.",
"This equipment tends to be more of the aerobic type, e.g. stationary bicycles, rowing machines, “step”",
"machines, etc.",
", although weight lifting apparatus, sometimes referred to as “resistance trainers,” are also widely used in the home.",
"These types of home exercise and health equipment increasingly use sophisticated electronics, such as microprocessors, to monitor the level of exercise and to provide exercise programs for the user.",
"Unfortunately, even well designed home exercise and health equipment often fall into disuse over time.",
"This is because individuals, even in their own home, often lack the incentive to exercise when there are other, more enjoyable, activities available.",
"Also, since there is typically not the camaraderie often found in a health club, diet center, etc.",
", it is easier for users, as individuals, to discontinue their exercise or diet program.",
"Personal trainers have been used both at fitness clubs and in the home.",
"Personal trainers are individuals who usually have a fitness training background and who typically provide personal training services to an individual customers.",
"Personal trainers can be very effective in that they provide personal motivation and feedback to an individual in the exercise program, and thus often foster a more effective and longer-lasting exercise program.",
"The downside of personal trainers is, particularly in the home setting, their relatively high cost.",
"It is not unusual for a personal trainer to charge hundreds of dollars per month for their services.",
"Therefore, while these personal trainers are very effective, they tend to be used by only a small percentage of the population.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an exercise and health system which is convenient, affordable, and effective.",
"The system includes computerized exercise and/or health equipment (the “local system”) that can provide feedback and encouragement to the user, i.e. can serve as a “virtual personal trainer.”",
"In addition, the system includes a remote computer system communicating over a bi-directional data channel with the exercise and health equipment.",
"Still further, the system can include a server computer system that is in communication with the remote computer systems to provide bi-directional data communication with the remote computer systems.",
"Since the exercise and health equipment can communicate with the user, it is possible for the health equipment to provide incentive and motivation to the user much in the same fashion as a human personal trainer.",
"In addition, the health and exercise equipment can store data and other parameters concerning the exercise or other activities which can be used to monitor the progress and to vary the exercise program or script.",
"In this way, the local system can serve as a “virtual personal trainer.”",
"The remote system computer is preferably associated with a number of exercise and health locations.",
"The remote system computer can be considered to be the communication tool of a human personal trainer, as opposed to the “virtual personal trainer”",
"emulated by software in the local system computer.",
"For example, the remote system computer can be associated with one hundred local systems (used by one or more individuals in, for example, their homes), and can be used to upload information from the exercise and health equipment of a local system to be analyzed by the personal trainer at the remote computer.",
"The personal trainer can then call the individual user to provide additional instruction, encouragement, and cautions, and the remote system computer can download new exercise scripts or programs to the local system computer to implement these changes.",
"The server system computer serves a number of remote system computers.",
"For example, while a remote system computer might serve one hundred local system computers, the server system computer might serve as one hundred remote system computers.",
"The server system computer can communicate with other server system computers (“peer”",
"servers), or with a yet higher order server system computers for the consolidation, storage, processing, and exchange of data.",
"The server system computer can be used to communicate with the remote system computers for the uploading of data concerning the remote system computer and the local system computers that the remote system computer is in contact with, and it can also download new programs and other data and information to the remote system computers.",
"For example, a server system computer or peer system computer might design a dietary program for a particular user which is then downloaded into the remote system computer for subsequent communication to the individual user of a local system.",
"The systems, methods, and apparatus of the present invention therefore can provide an effective exercise, dietary, and health program for a great number of individuals.",
"The computerized health equipment provides incentive and encouragement to stay in the program, due to the “virtual personal trainer”",
"of the local system, the human personal trainer of the remote system, and by the various services provided by the enterprise as a whole as supported by the server systems, peer systems, etc.",
"For example, a variety of services of products can be offered to the users of the system to further their health and fitness goals.",
"These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the rating of the following descriptions and the study of the figures of the drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a health and fitness system in accordance with the present invention;",
"FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the local, remote, and server system computers of the present invention;",
"FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process running on a local system computer of the present invention;",
"FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the “PROCESS EXERCISE ACTIVITY”",
"step of FIG. 3 ;",
"FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the “DETECT AND RECORD USER ACTIVITY, PROVIDE FEEDBACK”",
"step of FIG. 4 ;",
"FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a “PROCESS LOCAL SYSTEM ACTIVITY”",
"step of FIG. 3 ;",
"FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the “PROCESS REMOTE ACTIVITY”",
"step of FIG. 3 ;",
"FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process running on a remote system computer of the present invention;",
"FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c are three examples of data analysis performed in the “PROCESS DATA”",
"step 176 of FIG. 8 ;",
"and FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process running on a server system computer of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 , a health and fitness system 10 in accordance with the present invention includes one or more local systems 12 , one or more remote systems 14 , and one or more server systems 16 .",
"The local systems 12 are typically home-based systems designed for the promotion of the health and fitness of individual users within a family.",
"The remote systems 14 may be home or business based, and are used as data gathering and storage stations, as well as communication stations, between a human personal trainer and users of local systems 12 .",
"As will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, the remote system 14 is associated with a relatively large number of local systems 12 , e.g. a personal trainer with a remote system might be in communication with 100 or more individual users of local systems 12 .",
"This is made possible, in part, by providing a “virtual personal trainer”",
"at each of the local stations 12 to partially or fully replace the need for a human personal trainer at the local station.",
"The server systems 16 can communicate with the remote systems 14 to provide server and control functions across the entire enterprise, i.e. over the entire system 10 .",
"As also will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, the server system 16 is associated with a number of remote systems 14 .",
"The local system 12 includes one or more health or fitness devices such as a stationary bicycle 18 , a weight or “resistance trainer”",
"20 , a scale 22 , etc.",
"Associated with a local system 12 is a computer 24 which, in this preferred embodiment, is integrated into the stationary bicycle 18 .",
"A stationary bicycle as a “base unit”",
"is given merely by way of example, as any piece of equipment (a rowing machine, a step machine, etc.) could house the computer 24 , or the computer 24 could be housed separately.",
"The computer 24 can serve as a “local server”",
"for other health and fitness devices at local system 12 , such as the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 .",
"Alternatively, a separate local server 26 can be used to control and/or support various devices in local system 12 via data and control lines 28 , and communicate with the remote system 14 via a telephone line 30 and a modem 32 .",
"However, in the present preferred embodiment, the assumption is that the local server 26 and modem 32 are not required and that the computer 24 will serve not only to control the operation and data gathering function of the stationary bicycle 18 , but will also provide these functions for the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 .",
"Of course, the weight trainer 20 and the scale 22 may include their own computer systems for local control purposes.",
"The stationary bicycle 18 includes a housing 34 which, as stated previously, preferably houses the computer 24 , a crank 36 provided with a pair of pedals 38 , a seat 40 supported by a seat stem 42 , handle bar 34 supported by handle bar stem 46 , legs 48 , and feet 50 .",
"The various components of the stationary bicycle 18 are typically attached to a rigid frame that is internal to the housing 34 .",
"The weight trainer 20 is preferably a resistance-type weight trainer, such as a bench press machine, a biceps curl machine, a squat machine, etc.",
"Typically the use grasps a bar connected to a cable that is attached to a resistance device.",
"This resistance device can be weights, or can be an active resistance device such as a motor, or a passive resistance device such as an electrically actuated brake.",
"In any event, the amount of resistance to movement of the bar is preferably under the control of the computer 24 and the script that it is running.",
"The scale 22 preferably provides an electrical connection to the computer 24 through an I/O port to allow the computer 24 to monitor the weight of the person standing on the scale.",
"The computer 24 is coupled to a variety of input/output (I/O) devices including a brake 52 , a sensor 54 , a display 56 , a heart rate monitor (HRM) 59 , a loudspeaker 58 , an interface 60 , a modem 62 , and a voice board 64 .",
"In this fashion, the computer 24 can control and monitor the various functions of the stationary bicycle 18 .",
"More particularly, computer 24 can, under software and hardware control, control the electrically actuated brake 52 which is coupled to the crank 36 of the stationary bicycle.",
"In this fashion, the pedaling force that must be exerted on pedals 38 to cause the crank 36 to rotate at a given speed can be varied under computer control.",
"This electrically actuated brake can be electric/mechanical brake, electric/magnetic brake, etc.",
"as it is well known to those skilled in the art.",
"The sensor 54 is typically used to determine the rotations-per-minute (RPM) of the crank 36 .",
"In this way, the computer 24 can receive information concerning the level of effort being exerted by a user of the stationary bicycle 18 .",
"Rotation sensors are well known those skilled in the art.",
"The sensor 54 can also measure other parameters such as the force (torque) being applied to pedal 38 , again to provide information to the computer as to the level of effort being exerted by the user of the bicycle.",
"The computer can provide an output on a display 56 that can be viewed by an individual user sitting on seat 40 .",
"This display can be a simple light display, e.g. a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or it can be a full video display.",
"A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a full video display to provide instructions and encouragement to a user of the stationary bicycle.",
"For example, an image of a “virtual personal trainer”",
"can be provided on the video display 56 .",
"This image is preferably the image of the human personal trainer who is in charge of the remote system 14 .",
"The loudspeaker 58 provides another important communication medium to the user of the stationary bicycle 18 .",
"For example, under computer 24 control, the user can be told with either a digitally synthesized or digitally recorded voice to pedal faster, pedal slower, that they are doing a good job, etc.",
"Of course, analog recording techniques can be used as well, but are considered to be less flexible and desirable.",
"Preferably, the voice being used is that of the personal trainer associated with the remote system 14 that oversees that local system 12 .",
"Both voice synthesis and digital voice recording on computer systems 24 are well known to those skilled in the art.",
"A local interface 60 can be used to couple the computer 24 to additional health and fitness devices.",
"In this instance, the local interface 60 is coupled to the weight trainer 20 and to the scale 22 .",
"This additional health and fitness systems can either “dumb”",
"systems with limited digital computation and storage capabilities, or they can include full fledged computer system such as the computer system 24 .",
"In the present embodiment, the weight trainer 20 and scale 22 include digital control circuitry (e.g. a microcontroller) which can communicate with the more powerful computer 24 of the stationary bicycle 18 .",
"The various I/O devices, such as the loudspeaker 58 can be used in conjunction with these other devices 20 and 22 , e.g. the weight detected by the scale 22 can be announced on the loudspeaker 58 along with an indication that this is an increase or decrease in weight from the last session.",
"Also, as mentioned previously, the weight trainer 20 can include the equivalent of the electrically control brake 52 which allows the resistance of the weight bar or handle to be varied to provide resistance (“weight”) training.",
"This control of the break within the weight trainer 20 can be controlled by a “script”",
"of the computer 24 .",
"The computer 24 is also coupled to a modem 62 for communication over a telephone line 30 .",
"Alternatively, the computer 24 can be coupled to the remote computer 14 by other communication linkages, such as ISDN digital transmission line, via a local area network, or via a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet.",
"In other words, the telephone line 30 represents only one type of data communication channel between the local systems 12 and the remote system 14 .",
"The present embodiment also includes a voice board 64 which can bypass the modem such that the loudspeaker 58 can be driven directly to the telephone line 30 in an analog fashion.",
"Combination modem/voice boards are commercially available for personal computer systems, and are well known to those skilled in the art.",
"The remote system 14 includes, for example, a remote system computer 66 which is coupled to the telephone line 30 by a modem 68 .",
"In addition, a telephone 70 can be coupled to the line 30 by a voice board 72 .",
"Alternatively, the telephone 70 can be coupled to a separate telephone line so that simultaneous telephone and data links can be made.",
"Still further alternatively, it is known to those skilled in the art that a single telephone line can be made to support both voice and data transmission.",
"In any event, the telephone 70 can communicate directly with the loudspeaker 58 of the stationary bicycle 18 over the standard analog telephone line 30 .",
"Alternatively, the telephone 70 can communicate with the computer 66 as indicated by the broken line 74 and the computer 66 can communicate digital voice data via modem 68 , telephone line 30 and modem 62 , to the computer 24 .",
"The computer 24 can then store or pass through the digital voice data and play the voice input to the user of local station 12 via speaker 58 .",
"As noted above, the computer 66 is used to communicate with the local system 12 via computer communication link such as the telephone line 30 or an equivalent.",
"This communication can include the downloading of data and instructions to the computer 24 , and can include the uploading of information from the computer 24 to the computer 66 .",
"This allows for interactive communication between the remote system 14 and the local systems 12 .",
"The server stations 16 are used to further consolidate information from multiple remote system 14 and to provide a variety of services to the remote systems 14 .",
"While the remote system 14 maybe housed in human personal trainer homes or work sites, the server system(s) 16 are preferably more regional or national in origin.",
"In this way, the main office of the enterprise can access each of the server systems 16 to provide upgrades for software, exercise programs, exercise equipment scripts, etc.",
", as well as receiving information from the remote computers 66 that can be used for further analysis and for providing further services.",
"Part of this analysis can be on the general and specific level of fitness of various individual users of the local system 12 , as well as marketing information that can be used to offer product and services particularly tailored for the various users of the local system 12 .",
"The performance of the human personal trainers at remote stations 14 can also be monitored.",
"It should be noted that the server 16 can include direct connect server 76 and peer server 78 that can either be direct server itself (like server 76 ) to a number of remote stations 14 , or which can be a specialized server (such as a dietary analysis server) coupled to one or more direct connect servers 76 .",
"In addition, higher-level servers can be used to further consolidate data from the direct connect servers 76 and/or the peer servers 78 .",
"For example, the direct connect servers 76 can be regional in scope, while higher level servers can be national or international in scope.",
"In FIG. 2 , a computer 80 is shown in a block diagram form.",
"This basic computer architecture can be used for the local system computer 24 , the remote system computer 66 , and the server system computer 76 .",
"Of course other and equivalent architectures (in the computational sense), such as parallel processing computers can be used in the present invention as well.",
"In the disclosed embodiment, the computer 80 includes a microprocessor 82 , random access memory (RAM) 84 , read only memory (ROM) 86 , real time clock (RTC) 87 , digital mass storage 88 , CD-ROM drive 89 , and a number of input/output (I/O) ports 90 .",
"Preferably, the digital mass storage 88 is read/write memory such as a hard disk with adequate storage capacity (e.g. 40 megabytes to 2 gigabytes or more).",
"In addition, CD-ROM drive 89 can be coupled to the bus to provide, in particular, images to be displayed on a display 56 of the local system 12 .",
"The various components 82 – 90 address, pass data, and pass control signals through a bus 92 which typically includes data (D), address (A), and control (C) lines, as it is well known to those skilled in the art.",
"In addition, there are control and “glue”",
"chips typically provided in the form of a “chipset”",
"which are used to couple the various components of the system together.",
"The design and manufacture of computer systems such as computer system 80 is well known to those skilled in the art, and such computer systems are commercially available, both as complete systems and as subsystems (e.g. motherboards) from a variety of commercial sources.",
"In FIG. 3 , a process 94 implemented on a local system computer 24 is illustrated in a flow diagram.",
"The process begins at 96 and, in a decision step 98 , it is determined whether there is any activity which requires the attention local system computer.",
"If not, the computer system 24 is in a “standby”",
"mode and process control is returned to step 98 in a recurring manner.",
"If step 98 does determine that there is some activity, one or more of multiple branches are made to process the activity.",
"If the activity is “EXERCISE”, e.g. the stationary bicycle 18 , the weight trainer 20 , or the scale 22 is to be used, a step 100 processes the exercise activity.",
"If it is a “LOCAL SYSTEM”",
"activity such as routine housekeeping, the local system activity is processed in a step 102 .",
"If it is a “REMOTE SYSTEM”",
"activity, the remote system activity is processed in a step 104 .",
"After the completion of any one of steps 100 , 102 , and 104 , process control is returned to step 98 .",
"Of course, other types of activities can be initiated by step 98 such as, for example, a shut down activity which would cause a power-down of system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.",
"In FIG. 4 , step 100 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail.",
"The process 100 begins at step 106 and, in a step 108 , a “welcome greeting”",
"is created.",
"This welcome greeting can be displayed on the screen 56 and/or can be heard from the speaker 58 , and can be personalized to both the individual user of the local system 12 and the human personal trainer of remote station 14 .",
"For example, the image of the personal trainer can show up on the screen 56 with his voice saying “Good morning, Fred! I haven't seen you since last Wednesday. Let's try to get in a good work-out today!”",
"This greeting forms a part of a “virtual personal trainer”",
"at local system 12 which replaces some or all of the need for a human personal trainer to be present at the exercise session at the local system 12 .",
"The “virtual personal trainer”",
"is, therefore, a computerized process which emulates part or all of the functions traditionally performed by a human personal trainer.",
"Next, in a selection step 110 , the user decides whether he wants to select his own training program for that session or if he would like the system 12 to select the program.",
"If the user selects the program, he creates a user “script”",
"of what kind of exercise program he would like to perform that day.",
"For example, if the user wishes to simply bicycle at a fixed resistance for thirty minutes, that can be entered in step 112 .",
"Alternatively, more complex “scripts”",
"can indicate that he would like to bicycle with interval training for thirty minutes, and then do five repetitions on the weight trainer 20 .",
"If, however, the user allows the system 12 to select the section type, step 114 controls the script selection.",
"This is the preferred mode for using the local station 12 in that the script can be influenced not only by the local station 12 , but also by the human personal trainer at the remote system computer 66 .",
"For example, data concerning the user's previous performances and the personal trainer's guidance can be stored in mass storage 88 (e.g. on a hard disk) so that a custom-tailored, interactive exercise program can be provided.",
"As noted above, the exercise program preferably proceeds according to “scripts.”",
"A script is simply a sequence of exercise or other health-related events that are performed in fixed or variable sequences.",
"The order and structuring of the script can be modified based upon monitoring the user's performance or by other user feedback.",
"For example, if it is detected that the user is getting tired due to a slowing of the exercise repetition rate, the steps or parameters of the exercise script can be modified accordingly.",
"In other words, certain script steps can be skipped or the parameters concerning the steps can be modified.",
"For example, if a user is determined to be tiring by the local system 12 , and if the script says the next exercise event is to be ten repetitions on the weight trainer 20 , that step could be skipped.",
"Alternatively, the weight training step could still be done, but the resistance parameters could be modified.",
"For example, instead of doing ten repetitions at a hundred pounds resistance on the weight trainer 20 , eight repetitions at eighty pounds of resistance might be called for.",
"The script therefore provides a general framework of a desired exercise session which can be varied based upon human personal trainer input from remote system 14 , user input at local station 12 , and detected user performance at local station 12 .",
"Once the script has been initiated in either steps 112 or 114 , a step 116 detects and records user activity and provides feedback to the user.",
"This step will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.",
"Such parameters as the rotations per minute (RPM) of the crank 36 , the timing and speed of the resistance weight repetitions of weight trainer 20 , the detected weight on the scale 22 , etc.",
"can all be recorded in the mass storage 88 of the local system computer 24 .",
"In addition, user feedback is provided.",
"For example, if the person is cycling too slow on the stationary bicycle 18 , the computer 24 can generate a encouragement on speaker 58 that the person should pedal faster.",
"Alternatively, if it is determined that the user is over-exerting, such as pedaling too fast, a cautionary warning can be issued on speaker 58 to slow down.",
"Another important input is the heart rate monitor (HRM) 59 which detects if the heart (pulse) rate is rising too high.",
"Next, in a step 118 , it is determined whether the session is a modifiable session.",
"Most sessions are preferably be modifiable, unless the user selects, in a step 112 , a non-modifiable session.",
"If the session is modifiable, the session is modified in a step 120 based upon the selected script and upon user activity or other input.",
"For example, if the heart rate monitor 59 detects that the pulse rate is too high, the resistance on the crank 36 can be reduced via a signal to the brake 52 .",
"Next, in a step 122 , it is determined whether the session is completed.",
"This is usually based on the script, although the user can always terminate a session.",
"If the session is not completed, process control is returned to step 116 to repeat the loop.",
"If the session is completed, the session records are updated in the mass storage 88 , as are the scripts, as indicated in step 124 .",
"The process 100 is then completed at step 126 .",
"In FIG. 5 , the step 116 of FIG. 4 is explained in greater detail.",
"Process 116 begins at 128 and, in a step 130 , exercise parameters relative to the script are stored, preferably in mass storage 88 .",
"These parameters depend on the type of exercise being done, and the type of sensory input available to the system 12 , but typically includes such things as time, RPM, resistance, machine state, etc.",
"These exercise parameters are used to control the implementation of the exercise script, and are stored for later analysis.",
"Next, in a step 132 , it is determined whether encouragement is needed.",
"An example of encouragement being needed is when the person is slowing down below the suggested repetition rate or speed in the script or, for example, has stopped exercising entirely.",
"In such circumstances, encouragement is given in a step 134 .",
"Again, this encouragement can be auditory via speaker 58 , or visual via display 56 , a combination of the two, or in any other suitable fashion.",
"Next, in a step 136 , it is determined whether a caution is needed.",
"If so, the caution is given in a step 138 either through auditory, visual, or other ways.",
"Caution might be needed if the user is exercising faster than that suggested by the script or if a dangerous physical condition is detected, such as by the HRM 59 .",
"Next, in a step 140 , it is determined if a script preview should be provided.",
"If yes, a step 142 provides an auditory, visual or other type of preview of upcoming script events.",
"For example, the system 12 could be taking a user on a imaginary bicycle ride through the country.",
"The script preview would then, in a step 142 , indicate something like “We are now approaching a hill. You will note an increased resistance to pedaling in a few seconds which will steadily increase until we reach the crest of the hill in about one and a half minutes.”",
"These steps 134 , 138 , and 142 are further examples of the local system 12 serving as a “virtual personal trainer.”",
"The process 116 is completed at step 144 .",
"In FIG. 6 , step 102 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail.",
"Process 102 begins at step 146 and, in a step 148 , it is determined what type of local system activity is to be performed.",
"Three different local system activities will be discussed herein by way of example.",
"As a first example, the local system activity can be to alert the user as indicated in a step 150 .",
"For example, the local computer 24 can detect that it is time for a scheduled exercise session.",
"The computer 24 can then communicate with the user via speaker 58 that it is time for a scheduled exercise.",
"In this instance, the computer 24 would use a real time clock (RTC) 87 to know that it was time to initiate the exercise session.",
"After completion of step 150 , process control is returned to step 148 .",
"A second type of local system activity would be housekeeping.",
"For example, in a step 152 , diagnostics can be run to check the operability and calibration of the various components of local system 12 .",
"Also, in a step 154 , data compression, hard disk compaction, and data preparation can be accomplished.",
"A third example of local system activity detected by step 148 is a local communication within the local system 12 .",
"For example, the weight trainer 20 or the scale unit 22 might be communicating to the computer 24 via the interface 60 or vice-versa.",
"A step 146 processes the data from the local unit accordingly and can provide commands to the local unit for the exercise or health session.",
"Process control is then returned to step 148 after the completion of steps 150 , 154 , and 156 .",
"In FIG. 7 , step 104 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in greater detail.",
"The process 104 begins at 158 and, in a step 160 , the connection is established with the remote system.",
"Next, in a step 162 , information is uploaded or downloaded, the process is completed at 164 .",
"It should be noted that the connection of step 160 can be either an incoming connection or an outgoing connection.",
"If there is an outgoing connection to a remote system computer 66 the modem 62 makes connection with the telephone line 30 and dials the telephone number of the remote system computer 66 .",
"For an incoming connection, the modem 62 detects an incoming call on telephone line 30 , picks up the line, and connects to the local system computer 24 .",
"Since the systems 12 are typically home based, the user may wish to use a single telephone line for both normal telephone needs and for use by the system 12 for step 160 .",
"It would, of course, be simpler to have an additional telephone line installed simply for the system 12 , but this may be impractical from a cost point of view.",
"If the system 12 is sharing the telephone line with the other telephones and devices in the household, mechanisms and/or processes are preferably provided to prevent interference with normal telephone usage.",
"If the local system 12 initiates the call to the server 66 , it would simply need.",
"to detect whether the telephone line was available so as not to interfere with other use of the telephone line.",
"It can help ensure this availability by calling at unusual times, such as the middle of the night or when it is known that the user is away from the home, e.g. at work.",
"However, with incoming calls from a computer 66 to the computer 24 on a single home line, some way of distinguishing between calls for the local system 12 and other kinds of telephone calls should be preferably provided.",
"Again, this could be time-based such that it is implied that a telephone call in the middle of the night is for the local system 12 .",
"The RTC 87 could be used for timing purposes in this situation, or the computer could simple start a counter.",
"In this instance, the modem 62 would pick up the telephone quickly before other devices, such an answering machine for a facsimile machine, would have a chance to pick it up.",
"Alternatively, the local system 12 could allow a number of “rings”",
"before picking up the line.",
"For example, the local system 12 could allow the telephone line 30 to ring six times before modem 62 picks up the line.",
"In a still further instance, the computer 66 might be calling a local computer 24 and have the phone line picked up by the user or by another device (like a telephone answering machine) coupled to the telephone line 30 .",
"In this instance, the computer 66 could hang up the line and call back a second time.",
"Since the computer 24 can monitor the line via modem 62 , it could know that a call back within, for example, thirty seconds of a hang up is for the computer 24 .",
"Alternatively, it could listen to the line on the first call to determine if it was computer 66 calling, and then pick it up the line 62 immediately on any call back, or call back the remote system computer 66 itself when the telephone line was free.",
"Again, RTC 87 can be used for timing purposes, or counters can be used, as is well known to those skilled in the art.",
"Information being uploaded can include parameters and data stored in the mass storage 88 concerning the exercise sessions by the user(s) of the local system 12 .",
"It can also include other system information used for diagnosing or improving the operation of the local system 12 .",
"In addition, information can be downloaded to the local system 12 from the remote system computer 66 to, for example, change exercise scripts for a user, provide upgrades for the software running on the local system computer 24 , etc.",
"In FIG. 8 , a process 166 running on a remote system computer 66 is illustrated.",
"The process 166 begins at 168 and, in a step 170 , an activity type is determined.",
"A first type of activity is a batch system connection whereby the remote system computer 66 sequentially connects with a series of local systems for the uploading or downloading of information.",
"This process is accomplished in step 172 .",
"A batch system connection can be used to update the software on a number of computers 24 of local system 12 , or to upload exercise session data from a number of local systems 12 on a regular basis, e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.",
"If step 170 detects a single system activity type, a step 174 connects the remote system computer 66 to a single local system 12 for uploading and/or downloading as described previously.",
"If an activity type “PROCESS DATA”",
"is detected by step 170 , a step 176 prepares data on the computer 66 for storage, processing, communication, and/or analysis.",
"Examples of some types of analysis of the data will be discussed subsequently with referenced to FIGS. 8 a– 8 c. Finally, if an activity type “SERVER CONNECTION”",
"is detected, a connection is made with the server 76 to upload or download information.",
"The server connection can be initiated by the computer 66 , or it can be initiated by the server system computer 76 depending on the circumstances.",
"Upon the completion of any of the steps 172 , 174 , 176 , and 178 , process control is returned to step 170 .",
"In FIGS. 8 a– 8 c, several examples of types of data analysis that can be performed on the remote system computer 66 in step 176 of process 166 are illustrated.",
"Of course, this analysis can be accomplished at any of the computers on the system 10 including the remote system computer 66 , server system computer 76 , peer system computer 78 , or even on the local system computer 24 .",
"In FIG. 8 a, a display of exercise activity is shown.",
"This display can be on the display on a video display, such as a display 56 , or it can be printed to make a permanent record.",
"Along the y axis are the number of minutes of exercise, and along the x axis are the days of the week.",
"As seen in the illustration of FIG. 8 a, on Monday the user had twenty minutes of exercise, on Tuesday the user had sixty minutes of exercise, and on Thursday the user again had twenty minutes of exercise.",
"In FIG. 8 b, another display or print out of, preferably, the remote system computer 66 is a summary of daily exercise activity.",
"As noted, the Monday twenty minute exercise session actually consisted of a ten minute cycling session and a ten minute weight session.",
"Also includes is a summary of the number of calories burned and other parameters associated with those activities.",
"In FIG. 8 c, a plot of the user's weight as taken from scale 22 is shown illustrating the day-by-day weights of the user during part of the month of January.",
"In this way, users are provided with good feed-back concerning the progress he/she is making in reaching their ideal weight.",
"This information can be used by the remote or server systems to modify the exercise scripts and/or provide dietary counseling or products to the individual users of local stations 12 .",
"As noted, the analysis of the data is preferably accomplished at the site of the human personal trainer, i.e. the site of the remote system computer 66 .",
"However, this analysis can also be accomplished at upstream or downstream computers.",
"As mentioned previously, the computer 24 of the local system 12 is perfectly capable of making these types of analysis and displaying the on the display 66 .",
"Also, a simple printer I/O port can be provided in the stationary bicycle 18 to allow a printout of the graphs and charts that were shown by way of example in FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c. In FIG. 9 , a process 180 running on server system computer 76 is illustrated.",
"In many ways, the process 180 running on the server system computer 76 is very similar to the process 166 running on the remote system computer 66 .",
"The process 180 begins at 182 and, in a step 184 , an activity type is detected.",
"One type of activity type is the batch connection where the server sequentially (e.g. serially and/or in parallel) connects to a series of remote system computers 66 for uploading and downloading information.",
"This process is accomplished at step 186 .",
"Another activity type detected by step 184 is the single system connection accomplished in step 188 .",
"In step 188 , the server connects to a single remote system for uploading or downloading.",
"In the case of step 186 where there is a batch connection, the server system computer 76 will almost always be the initiating computer for the connection.",
"With the single system connection however, the initiation of the connection can come either from the server 76 or from the remote system computer 66 .",
"If step 184 detects a “PROCESS DATA”",
"activity type, the data for multiple remote system computers 66 (which includes data from multiple local system 12 ) is prepared for storage, processing, communication, and/or analysis in a step 190 .",
"If a step 184 determines that there is to be a peer-to-peer connection with a peer server 188 , a step 192 makes the connection with the peer server to pass data back and forth.",
"Of course, there are other activity types that can be performed by the process on server system computer 76 , these four being by way of example.",
"After the completion of steps 186 , 188 , 190 , or 192 , process control is returned to step 184 to detect another activity type.",
"While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings.",
"It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/206,994 filed Aug. 10, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/373,945 filed Aug. 16, 2010, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of coated filler particles. More particularly, it relates to treated inorganic filler particles for use with polymers and elastomers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mesoporous inorganic filler particles consisting of aggregated primary particles having a very high hardness, such as fumed and precipitated silica, are widely employed in state-of-the-art elastomeric and polymeric compositions as agents that impart especially high durability. In these compositions, the very small size of the primary particles allows for good optical transparency when the aggregates are sufficiently well-dispersed. On the other hand, particles that are not well-dispersed but remain as aggregates are useful as agents for creating desirable surface textures for improving adhesion or repelling liquids.
The small size of the primary particles also results in a large specific surface area. As a result, the surface characteristics of these particles are paramount in controlling the properties of polymeric and elastomeric formulations into which the particles are incorporated. The surfaces of inorganic particles immediately after production typically contain chemical functionalities that impart undesirable properties to polymeric and elastomeric formulations. Fumed and precipitated silica, for instance, typically feature surfaces with a high concentration of chemically bound silanol groups, in addition to large quantities of physisorbed and chemisorbed water and weakly bound organic impurities. For non-polar polymers and elastomers, and particularly for highly fluorinated polymers and elastomers, the high polarity of such surfaces greatly inhibits the establishment of intimate contact between the inorganic and polymeric or elastomeric components, leading to poor dispersion, mechanical weakness, poor flow properties, and a lack of readily reproducible physical characteristics.
To overcome these limitations, numerous techniques for modifying the surfaces of inorganic particles have been described. For fluorinated polymers and elastomers, a typical approach involves the treatment of silica particles with fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes. In some instances, a small amount, generally less than 15 parts by weight of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane per 100 parts by weight of silica, is added. The silane becomes chemically attached to the silica particles, often through formation of a three-dimensional silicate network on the particle surface. These networks minimize the concentration of surface accessible silanols, while also binding fluoroalkyl functional groups to the silane surface, which increases the chemical compatibility of the filler with the fluoropolymer or fluoroelastomer. Although these methods produce inorganic particles that no longer inhibit intimate contact between the filler and the matrix, the limited amount of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane employed, along with the disorganized nature of the three-dimensional network, results in a surface energy that is typically no lower than around 30 mJ per square meter. For optimal repellency of fats, oils, and greases, a surface energy of 5-30 mJ per square meter is required.
In many cases, fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane treatment of idealized or carefully prepared surfaces of low specific surface area, such as silicon wafers or plate glass, or of high specific surface area (but with a non-discrete aggregated structure), such as a sol-gel, have been utilized. These coated objects, however, cannot be readily deposited onto other substrates by simple techniques such as spraying and thus cannot impart a nanoscale to microscale texture to surfaces not already patterned. In other cases, non-porous silica particles coated with fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes have been utilized. In these cases, the lack of mesoporosity, as quantified by specific surface area, limits the range of textures that may be imparted to a surface. In particular, textures that are useful for liquid repellency against fluids at pressures beyond a few kPa require roughness at length scales below 100 nm.
In yet other cases, large quantities of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane have been reportedly mixed with a wide variety of silica particles by non-specific methods, saturating the surfaces with both bound and unbound fluoroalkyl functionality. A more recent approach involves the dispersion of unbound fluorinated organic/inorganic hybrid molecules directly into polymers and elastomers. In such cases, the lack of covalent chemical bonding between the filler and the fluorinated surface treatment causes the treatment to disappear over time due to abrasion or leaching by fluids in contact with the fluorinated polymers or elastomers.
There exists, therefore, a need for a treated filler particle having a well-defined monolayer-like arrangement of fluoroalkyl chains attached to its surface via covalent and thermally stable chemical bonds, such that the surface energy of the particle, for purposes of liquid repellency, is less than 30 mJ per square meter, and such that a formulation incorporating the particles can be coated onto a substrate, with the surface texture of the coating being controlled by conformality with the texture of the particle aggregates so as to further impart desirable liquid repellence characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a treated, mesoporous aggregate comprising a plurality of coated particles. The particles comprise an inorganic oxide substrate having the formula MO x , in which M is an oxide of at least one of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Ce, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi. The inorganic oxide substrate possesses a specific surface area of at least 50 square meters per gram. At least some of the inorganic oxide substrate comprises a molecular layer coating comprising an approximate monolayer of covalently bonded fluoroalkyl-alkyl fragments. The geometric shape of the treated aggregate is determined by the combination of the arrangement of the particles and the molecular layer coating, with the geometric shape being characterized by an occurrence of concave features of multiple sizes spanning a range from about 5 nm to about 0.001 mm. The molecular layer coating comprises a plurality of —CF 3 terminated molecular fragments that are covalently bound to the inorganic oxide substrate such that at least 15 parts by weight of fluorine in the form of —CF—, —CF 2 —, or —CF 3 fragments is covalently bound to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic oxide substrate.
In some embodiments, M is Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Zr, Hf, B, and/or Al. In other embodiments, the inorganic oxide substrate further comprises at least one oxide of silicon. In yet other embodiments, the treated aggregate further comprises a surface energy of less than 30 mJ per square meter. In further embodiments, the aggregates are dispersed in a formulation containing a fluoropolymer or fluoroelastomer that may be applied to a substrate and impart a surface texture combining a low surface energy with a well-defined texture extending from nanometer to micrometer length scales.
The present invention further comprises a method for producing a treated aggregate comprising the steps of: a) removing a plurality of physically adsorbed water from the inorganic oxide substrate while leaving intact at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer; b) exposing the inorganic oxide substrate to an atmosphere containing a concentration of alkylamine vapor for a length of time sufficient to cause adsorption onto the surface; c) dispersing the inorganic oxide substrate in a carrier solvent; d) introducing at least a four-fold molar excess of a fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent; e) stirring the mixture, whereby a portion of the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent is covalently bound to the inorganic oxide substrate; f) removing the carrier solvent and excess reagents via centrifugation; g) removing substantially all non-covalently bound fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent by continuous extraction in an extraction solvent with a neutral to acidic pH to form the treated aggregate; and h) drying the treated aggregate to remove the extraction solvent.
In some embodiments of the method, the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent may be heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)dimethylchlorosilane, tridecafluoro-1,2,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)dimethyl-chlorosilane, heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)methyl-dichlorosilane, or mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the alkylamine vapor is dimethylamine and the time of exposure to the alkylamine vapor is at least 17 hours. In other embodiments, the time utilized for stirring the inorganic oxide substrate and the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent in the carrier solvent is at least 72 hours. In further embodiments, the continuous extraction is performed for at least 72 hours.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a reaction between silica at the outermost surface layer of atoms of an inorganic oxide particle with a fluorinated chlorosilane according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A-2C are scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of an exemplary superhydrophobic coating taken at three different magnifications.
FIG. 3 is a Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) of untreated and treated silica aggregates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The treated, mesoporous aggregate of the present invention comprises an inorganic oxide substrate having the formula MO x , where the identifier M represents a metal or metalloid or a combination of metal and/or metalloid atoms, and a molecular layer coating of —CF 3 terminated molecular fragments covalently bonded to the substrate. The substrate comprises a plurality of particles that possess a specific surface area of at least 50 square meters per gram, with at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer prior to treatment. At least 15 parts by weight of the element fluorine (F), in the form of >CF—, —CF 2 —, or —CF 3 fragments in the coating, is covalently bound to 100 parts by weight of the substrate. The geometric shape of the treated aggregate is determined by the arrangement of the particles comprising the aggregate and the molecular coating and is further characterized by the occurrence of concave features of multiple sizes spanning a range from 5 nm to at least 0.001 mm, with the maximum distance between any two points in the aggregate not exceeding 0.02 mm. The covalent grafting of the fluorinated chlorosilanes onto the surface of the particles imparts hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to the aggregate.
With reference now to FIG. 1 , the particle may comprise an inorganic oxide substrate 10 generally comprises a material with a reactive surface group (e.g., a silanol). In particular, the substrate 10 may comprise a metal or metalloid that is capable of forming an oxide. Examples may include, but are not limited to, alkali and alkaline earth metals, transition metals, poor metals, lanthanides, and metalloids and other oxides of metals or metalloids or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the substrate is an oxide of silicon. In other embodiments, the substrate 10 is selected from the group consisting of one or more oxides of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Ce, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi. In yet other embodiments, the substrate 10 comprises a combination of one or more oxides of Si and oxides of one or more of these metals or metalloids.
In some embodiments, the inorganic oxide particles 12 are about 7 nm in diameter and are composed of a plurality of silica at the outermost surface layer 14 of atoms with surfaces containing 4-5 silanol groups per square nanometer. The particles 12 may be aggregated in a hierarchical fashion and contain a polydispersity of aggregate sizes, with the majority of aggregates spanning no more than 20 micrometers in any direction. The limited overall dimensions of the aggregates are essential for compatibility for simple coating processes. The specific surface area is about 390 square meters per gram.
In further embodiments, the inorganic oxide particles are 22 nm in diameter and are composed of a plurality of silica at the outermost surface layer of atoms. The surfaces of these particles contain from 5 to 12 silanol groups per square nanometer. The particles are aggregated in a hierarchical fashion, with the majority of aggregates spanning no more than 20 microns in any direction. The specific surface area is about 120 square meters per gram. In some embodiments, the substrate closely resembles precipitated silica, such as Hi-Sil® 233 (differentiated only by the presence of less than 5% of other metal oxides or metalloid oxides), and the molecular coating consists of —Si(CH 3 ) m CH 2 CH 2 —(CF 2 ) n CF 3 , in which m=1 or 2 and n=5 or 7.
The present invention also includes a method of producing the treated aggregate, which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 . The method begins by removing substantially all physically adsorbed water from the high specific surface area inorganic oxide substrate, while leaving intact at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer, followed by exposing the dried inorganic oxide substrate to an atmosphere containing a sufficient concentration of alkylamine vapor for a sufficient time to cause adsorption onto the inorganic oxide substrate surface. The inorganic oxide particles are then dispersed in a carrier solvent, and an excess of fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent (illustrated as —Si(CH 3 ) m Cl n (RF) p CF 3 , wherein the subscript m ranges from 0 to 2, the subscript n ranges from 1 to 3, and the subscript p is greater than or equal to 1) (at least a four-fold molar excess) is introduced. In some embodiments, the carrier solvent is moisture free. In other embodiments, where moisture is present in the carrier solvent, it has a neutral to acidic pH. The mixture is stirred to allow a portion of the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent to covalently bind to the surface hydroxyl groups on the inorganic oxide particles. The hydroxyl groups on the surface of the metal or metalloid substrate react with the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent to form a covalent bond between the substrate and the fluorinated chlorosilane. The method continues with removal of the carrier solvent and excess reagents by centrifugation and removal of substantially all of the non-covalently bonded fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent by continuous extraction for 1.0 to 1000 hours in an extraction solvent that is suitable for fluoroalkyl-silanes and possesses a neutral to acidic pH to form a treated aggregate according to the present invention. The treated aggregate is then dried to remove substantially all traces of the extraction solvent.
In some embodiments of the method, the inorganic oxide substrate is dried under vacuum sufficiently to remove all physisorbed water from their surface. The procedures for drying will be apparent to one skilled in the art and will vary according to the quantities dried in one batch. A typical drying procedure for 2.0 grams of the inorganic oxide substrate involves maintaining a pressure of no more than 0.001 atm at a temperature of 200° C. for 16 hours. Great care must be taken to avoid exposing the aggregates to any source of water once the removal process is accomplished. Precautions may include using column chromatography to remove all traces of water from any solvents employed subsequent to water removal. Note that in contrast to methods for preparing flat surfaces such as silicon wafers for treatment, no etching procedures are used because etching will severely alter and potentially destroy the inorganic oxide particles of the aggregate.
In other embodiments, the dried aggregates are transferred to a container containing dimethylamine gas at 1.0 atm pressure and allowed to equilibrate for at least 24 hours, followed by suspension in moisture-free chloroform. In one embodiment, (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FDec-MCS”), as obtained from the manufacturer, is introduced to the suspension in a four-fold molar excess compared to silanol, based on the previously determined specific surface area and hydroxyl density of the aggregates. The suspension is then stirred for at least 72 hours in an inert atmosphere.
In other embodiments, a silane having a shorter fluoroalkyl-alkyl chain length than FDec-MCS is used in place of at least some of the FDec-MCS. An example of such a silane is (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FOct-MCS”). In yet other embodiments, (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)methyldichlorosilane (“FDec-DCS”) is used to replace at least some of the FDec-MCS. The fluoroalkyl-alkyl silane selected, however, must contain a sufficient number of —CF 2 — and —CF 3 fragments near its non-bonded terminus to ensure that substances in contact with the treated aggregates encounter a surface with sufficiently low energy. As apparent to one skilled in the art, mixtures of silanes meeting these compositional requirements may also be used in place of the FDec-MCS. For example, a variety of other suitable fluoroalkylsilanes with 3 to 30 carbons may be used. Suitable fluoroalkylsilanes have at least one trifluoromethyl group at its terminus/termini, or having branched chains with trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, pentafluorophenyl, or heptafluorotolyl on the terminal groups of branches. In place of the dimethylamine gas, other monoalkylamines, dialkylamines, or trialkylamines, having up to 30 carbon atoms, may also be used.
In further embodiments of the method, the removal of all non-covalently bound species is accomplished by filtration and centrifugation of the aggregates and extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus in dry chloroform, followed by collection and drying. Additional carrier and/or extraction solvent(s) may be selected from, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, other halogenated or non-halogenated hydrocarbons, aliphatic or aromatic ketones, ethers, and nitriles, or any other solvents of sufficient dryness and inertness to avoid interference with the reaction and extraction steps, and to dissolve the reactants and impurities as needed, which may be determined by one skilled in the art. The procedures for the centrifugation, extraction, and drying vary with the size of the aggregate batches being processed and are able to be determined by one skilled in the art. A typical procedure for 2.0 gram batches of aggregates involves centrifugation for 60 minutes, extraction for 72 hours, and drying at 100° C. for 24 hours under no more than 0.001 atm of inert gas.
The following examples and methods are presented as illustrative of the present invention or methods of carrying out the invention, and are not restrictive or limiting of the scope of the invention in any manner.
Example 1: Chlorosilane Selection
Among silane coupling agents, multiple chemical forms are known, including mono-, di-, and tri-chlorosilanes as well as mono-, di-, and tri-alkoxysilanes. It is widely understood that alkoxysilanes should be hydrolyzed (often in-situ) in order to become properly activated for attachment to silica surfaces. It is also understood that the attachment reaction generates water as a byproduct. Because the presently disclosed invention involves methods that are effective only when the concentration of water is minimized (as apparent to one skilled in the art), the surface treatment agent was selected only from among the chlorosilanes. Others have shown that the choice of chlorosilane will impact the final properties of the treated surface; however, based only on these previous findings, the impact of the choice of chlorosilane, particularly as it relates to the need for minimal surface energy, is not obvious. In particular, whereas silanes of higher functionality may attach fluorine-containing chemical functionality at a higher concentration, they may also reduce the homogeneity of the modified surface layer. The relative importance of these factors in controlling the contact angle dynamics on highly textured surfaces in fluoroelastomer composites, for instance, has not been quantitatively determined.
To determine the best choice of chlorosilane, precipitated silica (Hi-Sil® 233, 22 nm diameter, 135 m 2 /g specific surface area) was purchased from PPG Industries. Fluorinated silane reagents: FDec-MCS, FDec-DCS, and (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane (“FDec-TCS”) were purchased from Gelest™, Inc. Anhydrous dimethylamine was purchased from Aldrich®. The preceding materials were all used as received from the manufacturer. Reagent grade chloroform was purchased from Aldrich® and passed through an activated alumina column prior to use.
The surface functionalization of silica particles was performed using Schlenk line techniques, taking great care to minimize moisture exposure. Silica particles (2.0 g), in a 250 mL round-bottom flask, were initially dried by heating overnight at 200° C. under dynamic vacuum. The dried silica was allowed to cool to room temperature under vacuum, then stirred under one atmosphere of dimethylamine for 17 hours. The silica particles were then suspended in 80 mL of dry chloroform. A four-fold excess of fluoroalkyl-substituted chlorosilane reagent (e.g. 7.0 g FDec-MCS), assuming a maximum grafting density of 4 μmol per square meter, was then added via syringe. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for three days in a dry nitrogen environment before the fluoroalkyl-functionalized silica particles were recovered by centrifuge and purified by exhaustive Soxhlet extraction in chloroform. The extraction was allowed to proceed for three days in a nitrogen environment to ensure the removal of any non-covalently bound chlorosilane-derived species or other surface contaminants. After the extraction process, the particles were dried in a stream of nitrogen, transferred to vials, and dried at 100° C. under dynamic vacuum for approximately one hour. A typical yield was 2.0-2.5 g of modified silica.
Fluorine elemental analyses were performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm experiments were conducted at 77 K using a Micromeritics® ASAP® 2020 Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry system. Samples were initially degassed at 110° C. for 8 hours under dynamic vacuum. Surface areas were calculated by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) equation analysis using a nitrogen cross-sectional area of 16.2 square Angstroms. Water uptake of functionalized silica particles was determined by exposing particles to 25° C./90% R.H. in a Tenney® ETCU series environmental chamber for 24 hours, then measuring the weight loss due to water evaporation/desorption using thermogravimetric analysis (TA Instruments® Q5000 IR TGA system). The “wet” samples were heated in a nitrogen environment from room temperature to 100° C. at 10° C./min, held isothermally for 1 hour, and then ramped to 1000° C. at 10° C./min. Weight loss due to heating from room temperature to 100° C. was used for water uptake values, while the weight loss from heating up to 1000° C. was used to determine the thermal stability of the grafted layer and to estimate the graft density. The approximate errors in the measurement techniques were 0.5 wt % for fluorine elemental analysis, 0.5 wt % for thermogravimetric analyses, 1 square meter per gram for BET surface area, 1 (dimensionless) for the BET C constant, and 0.2% for water uptake.
As is evident from Table 1, the choice of chlorosilane did have a significant impact on the performance of the invention. The BET C constant has been recognized as being a good proxy for surface energy, with a roughly linear relationship in which the surface energy in mJ per square meter is equal to the C constant value plus approximately 5, based on measurements of fluorinated compounds with a known surface energy, and in agreement with previously reported work on silicone-treated silica particles. The BET C constant was lowest, by a significant amount, for the FDec-MCS. The FDec-MCS also provided the greatest amount of attached fluorine, which was present in the form of the needed —CF 2 — and —CF 3 molecular fragments, and the least amount of water uptake, thereby allowing the best compatibility with fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers
TABLE 1
Effect of Chlorosilane Choice on Key Properties of Treated Silica Particles
BET
% Wt. Loss
% Wt. Loss
Surface
Water
Wt. %
(23-
(200-
Area
BET C
Uptake
Sample*
F
200° C.)
1000° C.)
(m 2 /g)
Constant
(wt. %)
Prec-Blank
0.4
4.8
5.0
123
127
3.7
Prec-FDec-TCS
6.6
4.3
16.1
128
30
3.2
Prec-FDec-DCS
9.0
3.5
21.2
94
23
3.0
Prec-FDec-MCS
9.9
3.8
20.1
92
21
2.8
*Prec = Precipitated
The BET data also indicated that the particles retained their high specific surface area, thus they retained a complex geometry with roughness at multiple length scales (as confirmed by SEM observation), allowing them to impart a complex nanoscale to microscale texture when included in coating formulations. Because it is known that silane coupling reactions to substrates comprising a combination of a plurality of silica and one or more non-silica metal and/or metalloid oxides form monolayers essentially similar to silica, the trends evident for surfaces containing only silica will also be observed for surfaces containing a plurality of silica in combination with other metal and/or metalloid oxides. In addition, these trends should further extend to substrates consisting only of non-silica materials with properties that are similar to fumed and precipitated silica e.g. a similar hydroxyl density.
Example 2: Comparison of Silane Tail Group Length
In addition to silane head-group functionality, another choice in selecting the appropriate surface treatment was the length of the silane tail group. As mentioned previously, the treated aggregates must possess enough —CF 2 — and —CF 3 molecular fragments to provide good compatibility with fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers. However, if the size of the silane molecule used in the surface treatment was too large, the geometrical constraints inherent in mesoporous silica may have prevented a high density of grafting, making the choice not obvious based on the prior art. To determine the proper tail length, the same techniques for analysis described in Example 1 were utilized for precipitated silica. In addition, fumed silica (7 nm diameter, 390±40 m 2 /g specific surface area), as purchased from Sigma-Aldrich®, was treated in separate batches along with the precipitated silica described in Example 1. The silanes used were FDec-MCS, FOct-MCS, and (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FPro-MCS”).
According to Table 2, the FDec-MCS provided the highest level of fluorine, and the least water uptake (though in fumed silica, the water uptake was not significantly different for FDec-MCS and FOct-MCS), maximizing compatibility with fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers. FDec-MCS also provided the lowest BET C constant by a significant margin for precipitated silica, while providing the lowest BET C constant, though not significantly different from FOct-MCS, for fumed silica. These results indicated that FDec-MCS provided the lowest surface energy (as explained in Example 1). Despite their large size, the longer tails resulted in only a modest decrease in BET surface area, indicating that the treated aggregates retained a complex nanoscale to microscale texture and thus the ability to impart said texture to surfaces formed by facile methods of coating substrates. Although fumed silica provided slightly higher BET C constants (in a dry state) than precipitated silica, fumed silica resulted in much lower water uptake, thus in the presence of moisture, fumed silica would be expected to retain its low surface energy to a much greater extent. Because the trends seen in Table 2 depend on the geometry of the substrate and the molecular geometry of the silane and because the chemical attachment levels for substrate surfaces containing a plurality of silica among other metal oxides and/or metalloid oxides are known to be similar to those for substrates comprised only of pure silica, the results seen in Table 2 should also apply to substrate surfaces with similar hydroxyl density to fumed and precipitated silica, including substrates comprising a combination of one or more silica materials and one or more non-silica materials, as well as substrates comprising non-silica materials with similar properties.
TABLE 2
Effect of Chlorosilane Tail Length on Key Properties of Treated Silica Particles
BET
% Wt. Loss
% Wt. Loss
Surface
Water
Wt. %
(23-
(200-
Area
BET C
Uptake
Sample*
F
200° C.)
1000° C.)
(m 2 /g)
Constant
(wt. %)
Prec-Blank
0.4
4.8
5.0
123
127
3.7
Prec-FPro-MCS
2.1
4.4
8.2
106
29
3.4
Prec-FOct-MCS
7.4
4.3
16.2
101
24
3.4
Prec-FDec-MCS
9.9
3.8
20.1
92
21
2.8
Fum-Blank
0.0
3.9
2.6
250
111
2.9
Fum-FPro-MCS
4.7
1.5
9.4
256
29
0.7
Fum-FOct-MCS
13.4
1.0
21.3
187
26
0.4
Fum-FDec-MCS
17.5
1.6
26.9
184
25
0.6
*Prec = Precipitated;
Fum = Fumed
Example 3: Fabrication of Fluoroelastomer-Coated Particles
In order to demonstrate that the presently disclosed invention allowed for the creation of coating formulations with a fluoroelastomer that subsequently imparted a complex surface texture and outstanding liquid repellence characteristics to a substrate via a simple coating process, elastomeric composites were produced by dispersing 5 mg/mL of a blend consisting of 50 wt % functionalized fumed silica particles (treated with FDec-MCS as described in Examples 1 and 2) and 50 wt % Viton® Extreme™ ETP-600S fluoroelastomer (a copolymer of ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methylvinyl) ether, and bromotetrafluorobutene obtained from DuPont™) into a 5 mg/mL solution of 1,3-dichloro-1,2,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (AK- 225 G) solvent. This mixture was then spin-coated onto silicon wafers at 900 rpm for 30 seconds.
Dynamic contact angles for the coatings were measured using a DataPhysics Instruments OCA20 goniometer equipped with a TBU90 tilting stage. Deionized water that was further purified using a Millipore® system was used as a probing liquid for contact angle measurements. Advancing contact angles were measured by dispensing a 4 μL droplet onto a test substrate, then slowly adding water to the droplet through a syringe needle at a rate of 0.2 μL/sec until the droplet advanced on the substrate past 5 μL. This was immediately followed by removing liquid at the same rate until the droplet receded in order to measure the receding contact angle value. The advancing and receding contact angles were measured with an elliptical fit using DataPhysics Instruments droplet fitting software. Three to five experiments were conducted on different areas of each sample with contact angles typically varying by ±2.5°. Roll-off angles were measured by placing a 10 μL droplet onto the test substrate and then slowly tilting the base unit.
The advancing contact angle of the coating was, on average 160.5° with a standard deviation of 3.5°, while the receding angle was, on average, 160.0° with a standard deviation of 3.4°. These very high contact angles, with a minimal difference between the average advancing and receding angles, are characteristic of superhydrophobicity, a technologically important liquid repellence phenomenon that generally requires both a specific range of surface energy and a specific surface texture to realize in practice. SEM micrographs of this superhydrophobic coating containing the treated fumed silica at magnifications of 400× ( FIG. 2A ), 12,000× ( FIG. 2B ), and 24,000× ( FIG. 2C ) revealed a surface with regularly dispersed sub-micron features that appear to range from 50-500 nm, with occasional aggregates ranging from 2-10 microns. Atomic force microscopy analysis provided additional evidence that the majority of the surface consisted of tightly packed sub-micron features (not shown).
Example 4: FT-IR Analysis of Treated Vs. Untreated Aggregates
An important distinguishing characteristic of the presently disclosed invention is the covalent chemical attachment of a large majority of the fluorinated chemical fragments to the substrate surface. This covalent attachment prevents the slow washing away of the beneficial chemical functionality on periods of extended contact with liquids. To demonstrate covalent bonding, the Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectra of untreated, “as received,” silica and FDec-MCS treated silica samples (as described in Examples 1 and 2) was obtained. FIG. 3 shows FT-IR of the untreated and treated aggregates: (a) untreated fumed silica; (b) fumed silica treated with FDec-MCS; (c) untreated precipitated silica; and (d) precipitated silica treated with FDec-MCS. The inset in FIG. 3 is a magnification of the FT-IR data in the range of 3000-3500 cm −1 to illustrate the small peaks occurring in this range. The labels (x4, x1, etc.) indicate the factor by which the absorbance scale is magnified in the inset.
The strong narrow band at 3747 cm −1 in the spectrum for “as received” fumed silica (a) was indicative of isolated silanols on the outer silica surface. This narrow band was significantly weaker in the precipitated silica spectrum (c), consistent with a heavily hydroxylated silica surface with a large population of vicinal and geminal silanols. Broad overlapping peaks from 3000-3700 cm −1 were attributed to these silanol types, both interior and on the surface, as well as surface adsorbed water. Once silanols were substituted with fluoroalkyl substituents, the isolated silanol band was almost completely absent from spectra for both surface types as seen in spectra (b) and (d), indicative of covalent attachment. The formation of siloxane bonds, indicated by the spectral features from 1100-1250 cm −1 , as well as fine stretches in the fingerprint region, also suggested covalent attachment.
Although specific exemplary embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing description and illustrated in the drawings, various other embodiments, changes, and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. | Treated, mesoporous aggregates comprising a plurality of coated particles that comprise an inorganic oxide core having a surface area of about 50 to about 500 square meters per gram and a shell or coating consisting of an array of fluoroalkyl molecular chains covalently bonded to the core at a density of at least one chain per square nanometer. The aggregates are formed by the chemical attachment of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes after exposure to an alkylamine and followed by an extraction to remove any unbound organic material. The dense packing of molecular chains in the fluoroalkyl shell combined with a mesoporous structure imparts a very low surface energy, a very high specific surface area, and surface texture over a wide range of length scales. Such features are highly desirable for the creation of, for example, superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surfaces, separation media, and release films. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 13/206,994 filed Aug. 10, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/373,945 filed Aug. 16, 2010, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.",
"RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of coated filler particles.",
"More particularly, it relates to treated inorganic filler particles for use with polymers and elastomers.",
"Description of the Related Art Mesoporous inorganic filler particles consisting of aggregated primary particles having a very high hardness, such as fumed and precipitated silica, are widely employed in state-of-the-art elastomeric and polymeric compositions as agents that impart especially high durability.",
"In these compositions, the very small size of the primary particles allows for good optical transparency when the aggregates are sufficiently well-dispersed.",
"On the other hand, particles that are not well-dispersed but remain as aggregates are useful as agents for creating desirable surface textures for improving adhesion or repelling liquids.",
"The small size of the primary particles also results in a large specific surface area.",
"As a result, the surface characteristics of these particles are paramount in controlling the properties of polymeric and elastomeric formulations into which the particles are incorporated.",
"The surfaces of inorganic particles immediately after production typically contain chemical functionalities that impart undesirable properties to polymeric and elastomeric formulations.",
"Fumed and precipitated silica, for instance, typically feature surfaces with a high concentration of chemically bound silanol groups, in addition to large quantities of physisorbed and chemisorbed water and weakly bound organic impurities.",
"For non-polar polymers and elastomers, and particularly for highly fluorinated polymers and elastomers, the high polarity of such surfaces greatly inhibits the establishment of intimate contact between the inorganic and polymeric or elastomeric components, leading to poor dispersion, mechanical weakness, poor flow properties, and a lack of readily reproducible physical characteristics.",
"To overcome these limitations, numerous techniques for modifying the surfaces of inorganic particles have been described.",
"For fluorinated polymers and elastomers, a typical approach involves the treatment of silica particles with fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes.",
"In some instances, a small amount, generally less than 15 parts by weight of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane per 100 parts by weight of silica, is added.",
"The silane becomes chemically attached to the silica particles, often through formation of a three-dimensional silicate network on the particle surface.",
"These networks minimize the concentration of surface accessible silanols, while also binding fluoroalkyl functional groups to the silane surface, which increases the chemical compatibility of the filler with the fluoropolymer or fluoroelastomer.",
"Although these methods produce inorganic particles that no longer inhibit intimate contact between the filler and the matrix, the limited amount of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane employed, along with the disorganized nature of the three-dimensional network, results in a surface energy that is typically no lower than around 30 mJ per square meter.",
"For optimal repellency of fats, oils, and greases, a surface energy of 5-30 mJ per square meter is required.",
"In many cases, fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane treatment of idealized or carefully prepared surfaces of low specific surface area, such as silicon wafers or plate glass, or of high specific surface area (but with a non-discrete aggregated structure), such as a sol-gel, have been utilized.",
"These coated objects, however, cannot be readily deposited onto other substrates by simple techniques such as spraying and thus cannot impart a nanoscale to microscale texture to surfaces not already patterned.",
"In other cases, non-porous silica particles coated with fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes have been utilized.",
"In these cases, the lack of mesoporosity, as quantified by specific surface area, limits the range of textures that may be imparted to a surface.",
"In particular, textures that are useful for liquid repellency against fluids at pressures beyond a few kPa require roughness at length scales below 100 nm.",
"In yet other cases, large quantities of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilane have been reportedly mixed with a wide variety of silica particles by non-specific methods, saturating the surfaces with both bound and unbound fluoroalkyl functionality.",
"A more recent approach involves the dispersion of unbound fluorinated organic/inorganic hybrid molecules directly into polymers and elastomers.",
"In such cases, the lack of covalent chemical bonding between the filler and the fluorinated surface treatment causes the treatment to disappear over time due to abrasion or leaching by fluids in contact with the fluorinated polymers or elastomers.",
"There exists, therefore, a need for a treated filler particle having a well-defined monolayer-like arrangement of fluoroalkyl chains attached to its surface via covalent and thermally stable chemical bonds, such that the surface energy of the particle, for purposes of liquid repellency, is less than 30 mJ per square meter, and such that a formulation incorporating the particles can be coated onto a substrate, with the surface texture of the coating being controlled by conformality with the texture of the particle aggregates so as to further impart desirable liquid repellence characteristics.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a treated, mesoporous aggregate comprising a plurality of coated particles.",
"The particles comprise an inorganic oxide substrate having the formula MO x , in which M is an oxide of at least one of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Ce, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi.",
"The inorganic oxide substrate possesses a specific surface area of at least 50 square meters per gram.",
"At least some of the inorganic oxide substrate comprises a molecular layer coating comprising an approximate monolayer of covalently bonded fluoroalkyl-alkyl fragments.",
"The geometric shape of the treated aggregate is determined by the combination of the arrangement of the particles and the molecular layer coating, with the geometric shape being characterized by an occurrence of concave features of multiple sizes spanning a range from about 5 nm to about 0.001 mm.",
"The molecular layer coating comprises a plurality of —CF 3 terminated molecular fragments that are covalently bound to the inorganic oxide substrate such that at least 15 parts by weight of fluorine in the form of —CF—, —CF 2 —, or —CF 3 fragments is covalently bound to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic oxide substrate.",
"In some embodiments, M is Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Zr, Hf, B, and/or Al.",
"In other embodiments, the inorganic oxide substrate further comprises at least one oxide of silicon.",
"In yet other embodiments, the treated aggregate further comprises a surface energy of less than 30 mJ per square meter.",
"In further embodiments, the aggregates are dispersed in a formulation containing a fluoropolymer or fluoroelastomer that may be applied to a substrate and impart a surface texture combining a low surface energy with a well-defined texture extending from nanometer to micrometer length scales.",
"The present invention further comprises a method for producing a treated aggregate comprising the steps of: a) removing a plurality of physically adsorbed water from the inorganic oxide substrate while leaving intact at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer;",
"b) exposing the inorganic oxide substrate to an atmosphere containing a concentration of alkylamine vapor for a length of time sufficient to cause adsorption onto the surface;",
"c) dispersing the inorganic oxide substrate in a carrier solvent;",
"d) introducing at least a four-fold molar excess of a fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent;",
"e) stirring the mixture, whereby a portion of the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent is covalently bound to the inorganic oxide substrate;",
"f) removing the carrier solvent and excess reagents via centrifugation;",
"g) removing substantially all non-covalently bound fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent by continuous extraction in an extraction solvent with a neutral to acidic pH to form the treated aggregate;",
"and h) drying the treated aggregate to remove the extraction solvent.",
"In some embodiments of the method, the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent may be heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)dimethylchlorosilane, tridecafluoro-1,2,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)dimethyl-chlorosilane, heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)methyl-dichlorosilane, or mixtures thereof.",
"In other embodiments, the alkylamine vapor is dimethylamine and the time of exposure to the alkylamine vapor is at least 17 hours.",
"In other embodiments, the time utilized for stirring the inorganic oxide substrate and the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent in the carrier solvent is at least 72 hours.",
"In further embodiments, the continuous extraction is performed for at least 72 hours.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a reaction between silica at the outermost surface layer of atoms of an inorganic oxide particle with a fluorinated chlorosilane according to an embodiment of the present invention.",
"FIGS. 2A-2C are scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of an exemplary superhydrophobic coating taken at three different magnifications.",
"FIG. 3 is a Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) of untreated and treated silica aggregates.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The treated, mesoporous aggregate of the present invention comprises an inorganic oxide substrate having the formula MO x , where the identifier M represents a metal or metalloid or a combination of metal and/or metalloid atoms, and a molecular layer coating of —CF 3 terminated molecular fragments covalently bonded to the substrate.",
"The substrate comprises a plurality of particles that possess a specific surface area of at least 50 square meters per gram, with at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer prior to treatment.",
"At least 15 parts by weight of the element fluorine (F), in the form of >CF—, —CF 2 —, or —CF 3 fragments in the coating, is covalently bound to 100 parts by weight of the substrate.",
"The geometric shape of the treated aggregate is determined by the arrangement of the particles comprising the aggregate and the molecular coating and is further characterized by the occurrence of concave features of multiple sizes spanning a range from 5 nm to at least 0.001 mm, with the maximum distance between any two points in the aggregate not exceeding 0.02 mm.",
"The covalent grafting of the fluorinated chlorosilanes onto the surface of the particles imparts hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to the aggregate.",
"With reference now to FIG. 1 , the particle may comprise an inorganic oxide substrate 10 generally comprises a material with a reactive surface group (e.g., a silanol).",
"In particular, the substrate 10 may comprise a metal or metalloid that is capable of forming an oxide.",
"Examples may include, but are not limited to, alkali and alkaline earth metals, transition metals, poor metals, lanthanides, and metalloids and other oxides of metals or metalloids or combinations thereof.",
"In some embodiments, the substrate is an oxide of silicon.",
"In other embodiments, the substrate 10 is selected from the group consisting of one or more oxides of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Ce, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi.",
"In yet other embodiments, the substrate 10 comprises a combination of one or more oxides of Si and oxides of one or more of these metals or metalloids.",
"In some embodiments, the inorganic oxide particles 12 are about 7 nm in diameter and are composed of a plurality of silica at the outermost surface layer 14 of atoms with surfaces containing 4-5 silanol groups per square nanometer.",
"The particles 12 may be aggregated in a hierarchical fashion and contain a polydispersity of aggregate sizes, with the majority of aggregates spanning no more than 20 micrometers in any direction.",
"The limited overall dimensions of the aggregates are essential for compatibility for simple coating processes.",
"The specific surface area is about 390 square meters per gram.",
"In further embodiments, the inorganic oxide particles are 22 nm in diameter and are composed of a plurality of silica at the outermost surface layer of atoms.",
"The surfaces of these particles contain from 5 to 12 silanol groups per square nanometer.",
"The particles are aggregated in a hierarchical fashion, with the majority of aggregates spanning no more than 20 microns in any direction.",
"The specific surface area is about 120 square meters per gram.",
"In some embodiments, the substrate closely resembles precipitated silica, such as Hi-Sil® 233 (differentiated only by the presence of less than 5% of other metal oxides or metalloid oxides), and the molecular coating consists of —Si(CH 3 ) m CH 2 CH 2 —(CF 2 ) n CF 3 , in which m=1 or 2 and n=5 or 7.",
"The present invention also includes a method of producing the treated aggregate, which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 .",
"The method begins by removing substantially all physically adsorbed water from the high specific surface area inorganic oxide substrate, while leaving intact at least one surface hydroxyl group per square nanometer, followed by exposing the dried inorganic oxide substrate to an atmosphere containing a sufficient concentration of alkylamine vapor for a sufficient time to cause adsorption onto the inorganic oxide substrate surface.",
"The inorganic oxide particles are then dispersed in a carrier solvent, and an excess of fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent (illustrated as —Si(CH 3 ) m Cl n (RF) p CF 3 , wherein the subscript m ranges from 0 to 2, the subscript n ranges from 1 to 3, and the subscript p is greater than or equal to 1) (at least a four-fold molar excess) is introduced.",
"In some embodiments, the carrier solvent is moisture free.",
"In other embodiments, where moisture is present in the carrier solvent, it has a neutral to acidic pH.",
"The mixture is stirred to allow a portion of the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent to covalently bind to the surface hydroxyl groups on the inorganic oxide particles.",
"The hydroxyl groups on the surface of the metal or metalloid substrate react with the fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent to form a covalent bond between the substrate and the fluorinated chlorosilane.",
"The method continues with removal of the carrier solvent and excess reagents by centrifugation and removal of substantially all of the non-covalently bonded fluorinated chlorosilane coupling agent by continuous extraction for 1.0 to 1000 hours in an extraction solvent that is suitable for fluoroalkyl-silanes and possesses a neutral to acidic pH to form a treated aggregate according to the present invention.",
"The treated aggregate is then dried to remove substantially all traces of the extraction solvent.",
"In some embodiments of the method, the inorganic oxide substrate is dried under vacuum sufficiently to remove all physisorbed water from their surface.",
"The procedures for drying will be apparent to one skilled in the art and will vary according to the quantities dried in one batch.",
"A typical drying procedure for 2.0 grams of the inorganic oxide substrate involves maintaining a pressure of no more than 0.001 atm at a temperature of 200° C. for 16 hours.",
"Great care must be taken to avoid exposing the aggregates to any source of water once the removal process is accomplished.",
"Precautions may include using column chromatography to remove all traces of water from any solvents employed subsequent to water removal.",
"Note that in contrast to methods for preparing flat surfaces such as silicon wafers for treatment, no etching procedures are used because etching will severely alter and potentially destroy the inorganic oxide particles of the aggregate.",
"In other embodiments, the dried aggregates are transferred to a container containing dimethylamine gas at 1.0 atm pressure and allowed to equilibrate for at least 24 hours, followed by suspension in moisture-free chloroform.",
"In one embodiment, (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FDec-MCS”), as obtained from the manufacturer, is introduced to the suspension in a four-fold molar excess compared to silanol, based on the previously determined specific surface area and hydroxyl density of the aggregates.",
"The suspension is then stirred for at least 72 hours in an inert atmosphere.",
"In other embodiments, a silane having a shorter fluoroalkyl-alkyl chain length than FDec-MCS is used in place of at least some of the FDec-MCS.",
"An example of such a silane is (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FOct-MCS”).",
"In yet other embodiments, (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)methyldichlorosilane (“FDec-DCS”) is used to replace at least some of the FDec-MCS.",
"The fluoroalkyl-alkyl silane selected, however, must contain a sufficient number of —CF 2 — and —CF 3 fragments near its non-bonded terminus to ensure that substances in contact with the treated aggregates encounter a surface with sufficiently low energy.",
"As apparent to one skilled in the art, mixtures of silanes meeting these compositional requirements may also be used in place of the FDec-MCS.",
"For example, a variety of other suitable fluoroalkylsilanes with 3 to 30 carbons may be used.",
"Suitable fluoroalkylsilanes have at least one trifluoromethyl group at its terminus/termini, or having branched chains with trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, pentafluorophenyl, or heptafluorotolyl on the terminal groups of branches.",
"In place of the dimethylamine gas, other monoalkylamines, dialkylamines, or trialkylamines, having up to 30 carbon atoms, may also be used.",
"In further embodiments of the method, the removal of all non-covalently bound species is accomplished by filtration and centrifugation of the aggregates and extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus in dry chloroform, followed by collection and drying.",
"Additional carrier and/or extraction solvent(s) may be selected from, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, other halogenated or non-halogenated hydrocarbons, aliphatic or aromatic ketones, ethers, and nitriles, or any other solvents of sufficient dryness and inertness to avoid interference with the reaction and extraction steps, and to dissolve the reactants and impurities as needed, which may be determined by one skilled in the art.",
"The procedures for the centrifugation, extraction, and drying vary with the size of the aggregate batches being processed and are able to be determined by one skilled in the art.",
"A typical procedure for 2.0 gram batches of aggregates involves centrifugation for 60 minutes, extraction for 72 hours, and drying at 100° C. for 24 hours under no more than 0.001 atm of inert gas.",
"The following examples and methods are presented as illustrative of the present invention or methods of carrying out the invention, and are not restrictive or limiting of the scope of the invention in any manner.",
"Example 1: Chlorosilane Selection Among silane coupling agents, multiple chemical forms are known, including mono-, di-, and tri-chlorosilanes as well as mono-, di-, and tri-alkoxysilanes.",
"It is widely understood that alkoxysilanes should be hydrolyzed (often in-situ) in order to become properly activated for attachment to silica surfaces.",
"It is also understood that the attachment reaction generates water as a byproduct.",
"Because the presently disclosed invention involves methods that are effective only when the concentration of water is minimized (as apparent to one skilled in the art), the surface treatment agent was selected only from among the chlorosilanes.",
"Others have shown that the choice of chlorosilane will impact the final properties of the treated surface;",
"however, based only on these previous findings, the impact of the choice of chlorosilane, particularly as it relates to the need for minimal surface energy, is not obvious.",
"In particular, whereas silanes of higher functionality may attach fluorine-containing chemical functionality at a higher concentration, they may also reduce the homogeneity of the modified surface layer.",
"The relative importance of these factors in controlling the contact angle dynamics on highly textured surfaces in fluoroelastomer composites, for instance, has not been quantitatively determined.",
"To determine the best choice of chlorosilane, precipitated silica (Hi-Sil® 233, 22 nm diameter, 135 m 2 /g specific surface area) was purchased from PPG Industries.",
"Fluorinated silane reagents: FDec-MCS, FDec-DCS, and (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane (“FDec-TCS”) were purchased from Gelest™, Inc. Anhydrous dimethylamine was purchased from Aldrich®.",
"The preceding materials were all used as received from the manufacturer.",
"Reagent grade chloroform was purchased from Aldrich® and passed through an activated alumina column prior to use.",
"The surface functionalization of silica particles was performed using Schlenk line techniques, taking great care to minimize moisture exposure.",
"Silica particles (2.0 g), in a 250 mL round-bottom flask, were initially dried by heating overnight at 200° C. under dynamic vacuum.",
"The dried silica was allowed to cool to room temperature under vacuum, then stirred under one atmosphere of dimethylamine for 17 hours.",
"The silica particles were then suspended in 80 mL of dry chloroform.",
"A four-fold excess of fluoroalkyl-substituted chlorosilane reagent (e.g. 7.0 g FDec-MCS), assuming a maximum grafting density of 4 μmol per square meter, was then added via syringe.",
"The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for three days in a dry nitrogen environment before the fluoroalkyl-functionalized silica particles were recovered by centrifuge and purified by exhaustive Soxhlet extraction in chloroform.",
"The extraction was allowed to proceed for three days in a nitrogen environment to ensure the removal of any non-covalently bound chlorosilane-derived species or other surface contaminants.",
"After the extraction process, the particles were dried in a stream of nitrogen, transferred to vials, and dried at 100° C. under dynamic vacuum for approximately one hour.",
"A typical yield was 2.0-2.5 g of modified silica.",
"Fluorine elemental analyses were performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm experiments were conducted at 77 K using a Micromeritics® ASAP® 2020 Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry system.",
"Samples were initially degassed at 110° C. for 8 hours under dynamic vacuum.",
"Surface areas were calculated by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) equation analysis using a nitrogen cross-sectional area of 16.2 square Angstroms.",
"Water uptake of functionalized silica particles was determined by exposing particles to 25° C./90% R.H. in a Tenney® ETCU series environmental chamber for 24 hours, then measuring the weight loss due to water evaporation/desorption using thermogravimetric analysis (TA Instruments® Q5000 IR TGA system).",
"The “wet”",
"samples were heated in a nitrogen environment from room temperature to 100° C. at 10° C./min, held isothermally for 1 hour, and then ramped to 1000° C. at 10° C./min.",
"Weight loss due to heating from room temperature to 100° C. was used for water uptake values, while the weight loss from heating up to 1000° C. was used to determine the thermal stability of the grafted layer and to estimate the graft density.",
"The approximate errors in the measurement techniques were 0.5 wt % for fluorine elemental analysis, 0.5 wt % for thermogravimetric analyses, 1 square meter per gram for BET surface area, 1 (dimensionless) for the BET C constant, and 0.2% for water uptake.",
"As is evident from Table 1, the choice of chlorosilane did have a significant impact on the performance of the invention.",
"The BET C constant has been recognized as being a good proxy for surface energy, with a roughly linear relationship in which the surface energy in mJ per square meter is equal to the C constant value plus approximately 5, based on measurements of fluorinated compounds with a known surface energy, and in agreement with previously reported work on silicone-treated silica particles.",
"The BET C constant was lowest, by a significant amount, for the FDec-MCS.",
"The FDec-MCS also provided the greatest amount of attached fluorine, which was present in the form of the needed —CF 2 — and —CF 3 molecular fragments, and the least amount of water uptake, thereby allowing the best compatibility with fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers TABLE 1 Effect of Chlorosilane Choice on Key Properties of Treated Silica Particles BET % Wt.",
"Loss % Wt.",
"Loss Surface Water Wt.",
"% (23- (200- Area BET C Uptake Sample* F 200° C.) 1000° C.) (m 2 /g) Constant (wt.",
"%) Prec-Blank 0.4 4.8 5.0 123 127 3.7 Prec-FDec-TCS 6.6 4.3 16.1 128 30 3.2 Prec-FDec-DCS 9.0 3.5 21.2 94 23 3.0 Prec-FDec-MCS 9.9 3.8 20.1 92 21 2.8 *Prec = Precipitated The BET data also indicated that the particles retained their high specific surface area, thus they retained a complex geometry with roughness at multiple length scales (as confirmed by SEM observation), allowing them to impart a complex nanoscale to microscale texture when included in coating formulations.",
"Because it is known that silane coupling reactions to substrates comprising a combination of a plurality of silica and one or more non-silica metal and/or metalloid oxides form monolayers essentially similar to silica, the trends evident for surfaces containing only silica will also be observed for surfaces containing a plurality of silica in combination with other metal and/or metalloid oxides.",
"In addition, these trends should further extend to substrates consisting only of non-silica materials with properties that are similar to fumed and precipitated silica e.g. a similar hydroxyl density.",
"Example 2: Comparison of Silane Tail Group Length In addition to silane head-group functionality, another choice in selecting the appropriate surface treatment was the length of the silane tail group.",
"As mentioned previously, the treated aggregates must possess enough —CF 2 — and —CF 3 molecular fragments to provide good compatibility with fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers.",
"However, if the size of the silane molecule used in the surface treatment was too large, the geometrical constraints inherent in mesoporous silica may have prevented a high density of grafting, making the choice not obvious based on the prior art.",
"To determine the proper tail length, the same techniques for analysis described in Example 1 were utilized for precipitated silica.",
"In addition, fumed silica (7 nm diameter, 390±40 m 2 /g specific surface area), as purchased from Sigma-Aldrich®, was treated in separate batches along with the precipitated silica described in Example 1.",
"The silanes used were FDec-MCS, FOct-MCS, and (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)dimethylchlorosilane (“FPro-MCS”).",
"According to Table 2, the FDec-MCS provided the highest level of fluorine, and the least water uptake (though in fumed silica, the water uptake was not significantly different for FDec-MCS and FOct-MCS), maximizing compatibility with fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers.",
"FDec-MCS also provided the lowest BET C constant by a significant margin for precipitated silica, while providing the lowest BET C constant, though not significantly different from FOct-MCS, for fumed silica.",
"These results indicated that FDec-MCS provided the lowest surface energy (as explained in Example 1).",
"Despite their large size, the longer tails resulted in only a modest decrease in BET surface area, indicating that the treated aggregates retained a complex nanoscale to microscale texture and thus the ability to impart said texture to surfaces formed by facile methods of coating substrates.",
"Although fumed silica provided slightly higher BET C constants (in a dry state) than precipitated silica, fumed silica resulted in much lower water uptake, thus in the presence of moisture, fumed silica would be expected to retain its low surface energy to a much greater extent.",
"Because the trends seen in Table 2 depend on the geometry of the substrate and the molecular geometry of the silane and because the chemical attachment levels for substrate surfaces containing a plurality of silica among other metal oxides and/or metalloid oxides are known to be similar to those for substrates comprised only of pure silica, the results seen in Table 2 should also apply to substrate surfaces with similar hydroxyl density to fumed and precipitated silica, including substrates comprising a combination of one or more silica materials and one or more non-silica materials, as well as substrates comprising non-silica materials with similar properties.",
"TABLE 2 Effect of Chlorosilane Tail Length on Key Properties of Treated Silica Particles BET % Wt.",
"Loss % Wt.",
"Loss Surface Water Wt.",
"% (23- (200- Area BET C Uptake Sample* F 200° C.) 1000° C.) (m 2 /g) Constant (wt.",
"%) Prec-Blank 0.4 4.8 5.0 123 127 3.7 Prec-FPro-MCS 2.1 4.4 8.2 106 29 3.4 Prec-FOct-MCS 7.4 4.3 16.2 101 24 3.4 Prec-FDec-MCS 9.9 3.8 20.1 92 21 2.8 Fum-Blank 0.0 3.9 2.6 250 111 2.9 Fum-FPro-MCS 4.7 1.5 9.4 256 29 0.7 Fum-FOct-MCS 13.4 1.0 21.3 187 26 0.4 Fum-FDec-MCS 17.5 1.6 26.9 184 25 0.6 *Prec = Precipitated;",
"Fum = Fumed Example 3: Fabrication of Fluoroelastomer-Coated Particles In order to demonstrate that the presently disclosed invention allowed for the creation of coating formulations with a fluoroelastomer that subsequently imparted a complex surface texture and outstanding liquid repellence characteristics to a substrate via a simple coating process, elastomeric composites were produced by dispersing 5 mg/mL of a blend consisting of 50 wt % functionalized fumed silica particles (treated with FDec-MCS as described in Examples 1 and 2) and 50 wt % Viton® Extreme™ ETP-600S fluoroelastomer (a copolymer of ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(methylvinyl) ether, and bromotetrafluorobutene obtained from DuPont™) into a 5 mg/mL solution of 1,3-dichloro-1,2,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (AK- 225 G) solvent.",
"This mixture was then spin-coated onto silicon wafers at 900 rpm for 30 seconds.",
"Dynamic contact angles for the coatings were measured using a DataPhysics Instruments OCA20 goniometer equipped with a TBU90 tilting stage.",
"Deionized water that was further purified using a Millipore® system was used as a probing liquid for contact angle measurements.",
"Advancing contact angles were measured by dispensing a 4 μL droplet onto a test substrate, then slowly adding water to the droplet through a syringe needle at a rate of 0.2 μL/sec until the droplet advanced on the substrate past 5 μL.",
"This was immediately followed by removing liquid at the same rate until the droplet receded in order to measure the receding contact angle value.",
"The advancing and receding contact angles were measured with an elliptical fit using DataPhysics Instruments droplet fitting software.",
"Three to five experiments were conducted on different areas of each sample with contact angles typically varying by ±2.5°.",
"Roll-off angles were measured by placing a 10 μL droplet onto the test substrate and then slowly tilting the base unit.",
"The advancing contact angle of the coating was, on average 160.5° with a standard deviation of 3.5°, while the receding angle was, on average, 160.0° with a standard deviation of 3.4°.",
"These very high contact angles, with a minimal difference between the average advancing and receding angles, are characteristic of superhydrophobicity, a technologically important liquid repellence phenomenon that generally requires both a specific range of surface energy and a specific surface texture to realize in practice.",
"SEM micrographs of this superhydrophobic coating containing the treated fumed silica at magnifications of 400× ( FIG. 2A ), 12,000× ( FIG. 2B ), and 24,000× ( FIG. 2C ) revealed a surface with regularly dispersed sub-micron features that appear to range from 50-500 nm, with occasional aggregates ranging from 2-10 microns.",
"Atomic force microscopy analysis provided additional evidence that the majority of the surface consisted of tightly packed sub-micron features (not shown).",
"Example 4: FT-IR Analysis of Treated Vs.",
"Untreated Aggregates An important distinguishing characteristic of the presently disclosed invention is the covalent chemical attachment of a large majority of the fluorinated chemical fragments to the substrate surface.",
"This covalent attachment prevents the slow washing away of the beneficial chemical functionality on periods of extended contact with liquids.",
"To demonstrate covalent bonding, the Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectra of untreated, “as received,” silica and FDec-MCS treated silica samples (as described in Examples 1 and 2) was obtained.",
"FIG. 3 shows FT-IR of the untreated and treated aggregates: (a) untreated fumed silica;",
"(b) fumed silica treated with FDec-MCS;",
"(c) untreated precipitated silica;",
"and (d) precipitated silica treated with FDec-MCS.",
"The inset in FIG. 3 is a magnification of the FT-IR data in the range of 3000-3500 cm −1 to illustrate the small peaks occurring in this range.",
"The labels (x4, x1, etc.) indicate the factor by which the absorbance scale is magnified in the inset.",
"The strong narrow band at 3747 cm −1 in the spectrum for “as received”",
"fumed silica (a) was indicative of isolated silanols on the outer silica surface.",
"This narrow band was significantly weaker in the precipitated silica spectrum (c), consistent with a heavily hydroxylated silica surface with a large population of vicinal and geminal silanols.",
"Broad overlapping peaks from 3000-3700 cm −1 were attributed to these silanol types, both interior and on the surface, as well as surface adsorbed water.",
"Once silanols were substituted with fluoroalkyl substituents, the isolated silanol band was almost completely absent from spectra for both surface types as seen in spectra (b) and (d), indicative of covalent attachment.",
"The formation of siloxane bonds, indicated by the spectral features from 1100-1250 cm −1 , as well as fine stretches in the fingerprint region, also suggested covalent attachment.",
"Although specific exemplary embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing description and illustrated in the drawings, various other embodiments, changes, and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art.",
"All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of protecting a glass surface from staining, and more particularly to the art of applying a stain inhibiting agent in combination with a physical spacing material.
Glass sheets are typically stacked in face-to-face relationship for handling, transportation and storage. Unfortunately, stacked glass sheets are susceptible to scratches caused by relative movement between adjacent surfaces, and staining caused by alkali buildup between adjacent surfaces degrading the original colorlessness and transparency of the glass.
It is well known in the art to separate adjacent glass surfaces by interposing sheets of paper between the sheets of glass to protect the glass surfaces. However, the techniques for utilizing paper interleaving are time-consuming and costly. Less expensive means for separating glass sheets utilize particulate interleaving materials, which include natural products, such as wood flour, and synthetic products such as polyethylene, polystyrene or polyacrylate beads. While these inert interleaving materials provide a measure or scratch protection at relatively low cost, staining remains a significant problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,312 to Hay addresses the problems of staining and scratching of packaged glass sheets. In place of interleaving paper, Hay proposes the use of dedusted agglomerated salicylic acid in conjunction with an inert particulate separator material, such as wood flour or polystyrene, applied at a rate such that one pound of interleaving material protects no more than 4000 square feet, preferably 1000 to 3000 square feet, of glass. According to Hay, use of agglomerated salicylic acid mixed in equal proportion with inert polystyrene is effective to eliminate staining for nearly as long as interleaving paper, with application costs which approximate those for wood flour or methyl methacrylate which have no particular stain inhibiting properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,112 to Hay also discloses a mixture of dedusted agglomerated salicylic acid and inert separator material, providing a novel method for agglomerating the acid with polyethylene oxide to produce an interleaving material comprising substantially spherical particles less than about 30 mesh which is applied to glass sheet surfaces at a rate of about one pound covering not more than about 4000 square feet. The interleaving material may further comprise an inert particulate separating material such as wood flour, polystyrene or LUCITE® methacrylate polyester beads in a ratio up to about 4:1 with respect to the agglomerated organic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,359 to Simpkin et al discloses an interleaving material for separating glass sheets and protecting them from scratching and staining which comprises a porous, finely divided support material, impregnated with a weakly acidic material, and fine particles of a chemically inert plastic material. The porous support material may be a cellulose material of vegetable origin or a wood flour. The weakly acidic material is a weak organic acid, preferably an organic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and especially adipic, maleic, sebacic, succinic, benzoic and salicylic acids. The inert plastic separator material may be polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene or a methacrylate polyester, and preferably has a larger particle size than the acid-impregnated support material. The interleaving material may be applied to the glass by conventional powder applicators.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,670 to Albach describes a method for protecting glass sheets during packing, shipping and storing. The method involves applying water, a stain inhibiting material, and dry, finely divided particles of a mechanical separator to the surfaces of glass sheets prior to stacking them, in a plurality of sequential steps that produce an adherent coating on each glass sheet, which coating becomes a protective interleaving between facing surfaces when the sheets are stacked. According to one specific embodiment, this is accomplished by applying the water and stain inhibitor to the glass as an aqueous solution to provide a wet layer on the sheet surface, and then separately applying a dry particulate layer of a mechanical separator to the wet layer. The method can also be carried out by first spraying the glass surface with water alone and then separately applying a layer or layers of a stain inhibitor and a mechanical separator in dry powdered form to the layer of water, or by first applying a mixture of dry powdered stain inhibitor and mechanical separator and then spraying the dry materials with water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for protecting a glass surface from staining and scratching by treating the glass surface with a solution of a stain-inhibiting organic hydroxy acid and drying the surface prior to dispersing a finely divided particulate interleaving material on the glass surface. The hydroxy acids of the present invention are superior stain-inhibitors compared with known acid stain-inhibitors, and also are more readily soluble in water.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Glass sheets are treated with a stain-inhibiting organic acid solution and dried prior to applying a particulate interleaving material in order to provide enhanced stain and scratch resistance in the course of handling, stacking, transportation and storage.
Treatment of the glass surface with a solution of stain-inhibiting organic acid in accordance with the present invention is carried out preferably by contacting the glass surface with an aqueous solution of the stain-inhibiting organic acid by any conventional technique, preferably spraying, at a temperature sufficient to achieve immediate evaporation of the solvent, preferably a temperature of about 110° to 180° F. (about 43° to 82° C.).
The concentration of stain-inhibiting organic hydroxy acid in the solution is preferably greater than 0.1 percent, more preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 1 percent. Preferred stain-inhibiting organic acids are hydroxy dicarboxylic acids, especially malic acid, preferably applied to a glass surface which is at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.).
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aqueous solution of about 0.5 to 1 percent malic acid is sprayed onto a glass surface at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.). The solution essentially dries on contact with the hot glass surface, leaving a film of malic acid on the glass surface. The acid treated glass surfaces are separated by any suitable interleaving material, preferably a particulate interleaving material. For example, various synthetic materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyacrylate beads are acceptable, as well as natural porous cellulose materials such as wood flour and rice flour, typically applied at rates of about one pound per 5000 to 9000 square feet of glass.
It appears that the acidic organic stain-inhibiting compounds neutralize alkali buildup between stacked glass sheets which is believed to cause the staining which typically occurs on the surface of packaged glass sheets. The stain-inhibiting treatment, in combination with the interleaving material offers optimum protection of the treated glass surfaces from staining and scratches.
The present invention will be further understood from the description of specific examples which follow.
EXAMPLE I
Sheets of soda-lime-silica float glass are sprayed at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.) with an aqueous solution containing two percent malic acid. The solution essentially dries on contact with the hot glass surface leaving a film of malic acid on the glass surface. The sheets are then dusted with one pound rice flour per 7500 square feet of glass. The treated sheets are stacked and placed in a humidity chamber for accelerated staining tests. After exposure to conditions of 140° F. (about 60° C.) and 100 percent relative humidity for 39 days, the treated glass looked very good, with no visible stain.
EXAMPLE II
On a larger scale, the top surface of a freshly-formed and annealed float glass ribbon is sprayed at a temperature of about 140° F. (about 61° C.) with an aqueous solution containing 0.1 percent of malic acid. The dry, acid-treated surface, which bears about 15-20 milligrams of malic acid per square foot of glass, is dusted with wood flour using conventional powder application equipment set to distribute one pound of interleaving material to about 7500 square feet of glass. Sheets of treated glass are stacked and exposed to 140° F. (about 60° C.) at 100 percent relative humidity. For comparison, sheets of glass, not treated with malic acid but dusted with wood flour at the same level of distribution, are also tested. After 30 days exposure, the malic acid treated glass shows no stain while the glass only dusted with wood flour is stained throughout after about 3 to 5 days exposure.
The above examples are offered to illustrate the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims. | A method is disclosed for protecting glass surfaces in a stack of glass sheets by treating the surfaces with a stain-inhibiting organic hydroxy acid and separating adjacent surfaces with an interleaving material. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the art of protecting a glass surface from staining, and more particularly to the art of applying a stain inhibiting agent in combination with a physical spacing material.",
"Glass sheets are typically stacked in face-to-face relationship for handling, transportation and storage.",
"Unfortunately, stacked glass sheets are susceptible to scratches caused by relative movement between adjacent surfaces, and staining caused by alkali buildup between adjacent surfaces degrading the original colorlessness and transparency of the glass.",
"It is well known in the art to separate adjacent glass surfaces by interposing sheets of paper between the sheets of glass to protect the glass surfaces.",
"However, the techniques for utilizing paper interleaving are time-consuming and costly.",
"Less expensive means for separating glass sheets utilize particulate interleaving materials, which include natural products, such as wood flour, and synthetic products such as polyethylene, polystyrene or polyacrylate beads.",
"While these inert interleaving materials provide a measure or scratch protection at relatively low cost, staining remains a significant problem.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,312 to Hay addresses the problems of staining and scratching of packaged glass sheets.",
"In place of interleaving paper, Hay proposes the use of dedusted agglomerated salicylic acid in conjunction with an inert particulate separator material, such as wood flour or polystyrene, applied at a rate such that one pound of interleaving material protects no more than 4000 square feet, preferably 1000 to 3000 square feet, of glass.",
"According to Hay, use of agglomerated salicylic acid mixed in equal proportion with inert polystyrene is effective to eliminate staining for nearly as long as interleaving paper, with application costs which approximate those for wood flour or methyl methacrylate which have no particular stain inhibiting properties.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,112 to Hay also discloses a mixture of dedusted agglomerated salicylic acid and inert separator material, providing a novel method for agglomerating the acid with polyethylene oxide to produce an interleaving material comprising substantially spherical particles less than about 30 mesh which is applied to glass sheet surfaces at a rate of about one pound covering not more than about 4000 square feet.",
"The interleaving material may further comprise an inert particulate separating material such as wood flour, polystyrene or LUCITE® methacrylate polyester beads in a ratio up to about 4:1 with respect to the agglomerated organic acid.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,359 to Simpkin et al discloses an interleaving material for separating glass sheets and protecting them from scratching and staining which comprises a porous, finely divided support material, impregnated with a weakly acidic material, and fine particles of a chemically inert plastic material.",
"The porous support material may be a cellulose material of vegetable origin or a wood flour.",
"The weakly acidic material is a weak organic acid, preferably an organic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and especially adipic, maleic, sebacic, succinic, benzoic and salicylic acids.",
"The inert plastic separator material may be polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene or a methacrylate polyester, and preferably has a larger particle size than the acid-impregnated support material.",
"The interleaving material may be applied to the glass by conventional powder applicators.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,670 to Albach describes a method for protecting glass sheets during packing, shipping and storing.",
"The method involves applying water, a stain inhibiting material, and dry, finely divided particles of a mechanical separator to the surfaces of glass sheets prior to stacking them, in a plurality of sequential steps that produce an adherent coating on each glass sheet, which coating becomes a protective interleaving between facing surfaces when the sheets are stacked.",
"According to one specific embodiment, this is accomplished by applying the water and stain inhibitor to the glass as an aqueous solution to provide a wet layer on the sheet surface, and then separately applying a dry particulate layer of a mechanical separator to the wet layer.",
"The method can also be carried out by first spraying the glass surface with water alone and then separately applying a layer or layers of a stain inhibitor and a mechanical separator in dry powdered form to the layer of water, or by first applying a mixture of dry powdered stain inhibitor and mechanical separator and then spraying the dry materials with water.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for protecting a glass surface from staining and scratching by treating the glass surface with a solution of a stain-inhibiting organic hydroxy acid and drying the surface prior to dispersing a finely divided particulate interleaving material on the glass surface.",
"The hydroxy acids of the present invention are superior stain-inhibitors compared with known acid stain-inhibitors, and also are more readily soluble in water.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Glass sheets are treated with a stain-inhibiting organic acid solution and dried prior to applying a particulate interleaving material in order to provide enhanced stain and scratch resistance in the course of handling, stacking, transportation and storage.",
"Treatment of the glass surface with a solution of stain-inhibiting organic acid in accordance with the present invention is carried out preferably by contacting the glass surface with an aqueous solution of the stain-inhibiting organic acid by any conventional technique, preferably spraying, at a temperature sufficient to achieve immediate evaporation of the solvent, preferably a temperature of about 110° to 180° F. (about 43° to 82° C.).",
"The concentration of stain-inhibiting organic hydroxy acid in the solution is preferably greater than 0.1 percent, more preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 1 percent.",
"Preferred stain-inhibiting organic acids are hydroxy dicarboxylic acids, especially malic acid, preferably applied to a glass surface which is at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.).",
"In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aqueous solution of about 0.5 to 1 percent malic acid is sprayed onto a glass surface at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.).",
"The solution essentially dries on contact with the hot glass surface, leaving a film of malic acid on the glass surface.",
"The acid treated glass surfaces are separated by any suitable interleaving material, preferably a particulate interleaving material.",
"For example, various synthetic materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyacrylate beads are acceptable, as well as natural porous cellulose materials such as wood flour and rice flour, typically applied at rates of about one pound per 5000 to 9000 square feet of glass.",
"It appears that the acidic organic stain-inhibiting compounds neutralize alkali buildup between stacked glass sheets which is believed to cause the staining which typically occurs on the surface of packaged glass sheets.",
"The stain-inhibiting treatment, in combination with the interleaving material offers optimum protection of the treated glass surfaces from staining and scratches.",
"The present invention will be further understood from the description of specific examples which follow.",
"EXAMPLE I Sheets of soda-lime-silica float glass are sprayed at a temperature of about 140° to 160° F. (about 60° to 71° C.) with an aqueous solution containing two percent malic acid.",
"The solution essentially dries on contact with the hot glass surface leaving a film of malic acid on the glass surface.",
"The sheets are then dusted with one pound rice flour per 7500 square feet of glass.",
"The treated sheets are stacked and placed in a humidity chamber for accelerated staining tests.",
"After exposure to conditions of 140° F. (about 60° C.) and 100 percent relative humidity for 39 days, the treated glass looked very good, with no visible stain.",
"EXAMPLE II On a larger scale, the top surface of a freshly-formed and annealed float glass ribbon is sprayed at a temperature of about 140° F. (about 61° C.) with an aqueous solution containing 0.1 percent of malic acid.",
"The dry, acid-treated surface, which bears about 15-20 milligrams of malic acid per square foot of glass, is dusted with wood flour using conventional powder application equipment set to distribute one pound of interleaving material to about 7500 square feet of glass.",
"Sheets of treated glass are stacked and exposed to 140° F. (about 60° C.) at 100 percent relative humidity.",
"For comparison, sheets of glass, not treated with malic acid but dusted with wood flour at the same level of distribution, are also tested.",
"After 30 days exposure, the malic acid treated glass shows no stain while the glass only dusted with wood flour is stained throughout after about 3 to 5 days exposure.",
"The above examples are offered to illustrate the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of electric machines, and more particularly to a three-phase connector for an electric vehicle drivetrain.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Phase connectors are connectors which carry current, for example, from the internally gated bipolar transistors (IGBT's) of an inverter to an electric motor. The IGBT is the power transistor in the inverter and generates the sine wave for the three-phase current. It is not possible to simply thread the wires for the three phases through an opening in the electric motor housing because the current carried through the phase connections is very high, such as 350-400 amps. In carrying the three-phase current from the IGBT of the inverter to a three-phase induction motor, the three phases must remain isolated, and it is necessary to have some kind of connector which isolates the phases from each other.
[0005] Previously, three separate connectors were used to carry the three-phase current to the electric motor. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of such a prior art separate phase connector 2 . All three separate connectors were required to isolate the electric current from the motor housing as it passed through from the inverter. With separate phase connectors, each of the three individual connectors carries a separate phase current through a separate opening in the motor casing and is fastened with a separate set of fasteners. Thus, separate phase connectors require many different parts and must each be individually bolted to the housings with separate holes drilled for each connector. The resulting package was large, costly, and required significant effort to assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a three-phase connector that carries all three phases in one connector, while keeping all the phases properly isolated from each other and from the motor case.
[0007] To achieve the stated and additional features, advantages and objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a three-phase connector that carries all three phases in one connector and keeps all the phases properly isolated from each other and the motor case. The three-phase connector has three separate metal inserts which act as each phase carrying electrical current to a three-phase induction motor. The three inserts are all molded into one plastic housing, which reduces the size and cost of the part, and reduces the effort required to assemble the drivetrain.
[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a three-phase connector, for example, for an electric vehicle drivetrain, utilizing two or more, and preferably three electrically conductive connector components, that are spaced from one another and supported in an over molding of electrically insulating material covering each of the connector components, except for upper and lower exposed ends of the connector components, and also forming a supporting flange. First and second ones of the connector components are spaced farther apart from one another than they are from a third connector component that is disposed, for example, between them. The first and second connector components extend above the flange with their respective exposed upper ends offset in different planes than the exposed upper end of the third connector component. The first and second connector components also extend below the flange with their respective exposed lower ends disposed in different planes than the third connector component.
[0009] In addition, the upper exposed ends of the first and second connector components are disposed a different and preferably shorter distance above the flange than the exposed upper end of the third connector component, and the respective lower exposed ends of the first and second connector components are disposed a different and preferably greater distance below the flange than the exposed lower end of the third connector component. Further, each of the connector components has an upper portion that extends a pre-defined distance above the flange and a lower portion that extends a greater distance below the flange than the pre-defined distance above the flange.
[0010] An electrically insulating material, such as nylon, is used for the over molding, and each connector component is made of an electrically conducting metal, such as tellurium copper, that is machined and over molded with the electrically insulating material. Each connector component is drilled at its upper and lower ends and tapped internally to receive a threaded bolt, for example, for a busbar or a lead. Each connector component has an exterior wall with one or more undercuts that provide an anchor for the over molding material. The flange is provided with openings to receive fasteners for attaching the flange to a housing. An alternate embodiment includes, for example, partitions formed by the over molding that extend upward from the flange between each of the first and second connector components and the third connector component.
[0011] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] [0012]FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a prior art separate phase connector;
[0013] [0013]FIG. 2 shows a schematically arranged cut-away cross-sectional view of an inverter coupled to an electric motor by the three-phase connector for an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] [0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the three-phase connector shown in FIG. 2 for an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the three-phase connector shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the three-phase connector with partitions for an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] [0017]FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of one of the connector components shown in FIG. 3 illustrating an example of undercuts provided in each connector component for an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals will be used to describe like components. Referring to FIG. 2, the three-phase connector 10 makes the connection between the inverter 12 and the electric motor 14 . Disposed between the three IGBT's 16 of the inverter 12 and the three-phase connector 10 is a busbar (not more particularly shown), which connects the IGBT's 16 of the inverter 12 to the three-phase connector 10 . The three-phase connector 10 sits on a casting 18 , which is the housing for the electric motor 14 , and the inverter 12 also has a housing or casting 20 . The task of the three-phase connector 10 is to get the three-phase current through those two castings 18 , 20 to the windings for the electric motor 14 .
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 - 4 , the three phases are isolated at least in part with a nylon over molding 24 of the three-phase connector 10 , which covers three metallic connector components 26 , 28 , 30 , except for the upper exposed ends 32 , 34 , 36 and the lower exposed ends 38 , 40 , 42 of the three metallic connector components 26 , 28 , 30 , and which also forms a supporting flange 44 . When the three-phase connector 10 is installed, the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 are vertically oriented. In an automotive powertrain environment in which the three-phase connector 10 is used, it must be secured to hold it in place against vibration, and the three phases must be isolated from one another and from the housings.
[0020] The three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention replaces all the separate parts of the prior art separate connector 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and requires the drilling of only one opening in the housing 18 , 20 . Thus, the three-phase connector 10 replaces the three prior art separate connectors with a single component 10 in the assembly, and only a single aperture is required to bolt the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 onto the casting 18 . In addition, a seal or gasket (not more particularly shown) is provided beneath the flange 44 to seal the castings 18 , 20 against intrusion, for example, of water, oil and other environmental contaminants.
[0021] Each connector component 26 , 28 , 30 of the three-phase connector 10 has an upper portion 46 , 48 , 50 which extends a pre-defined distance above the flange 44 and a lower portion 52 , 54 , 56 which extends a greater distance below the flange 44 than above the flange 44 , and the lower portions 52 , 54 , 56 extend through the casing 18 . The outer two connector components 26 , 30 are offset relative to the center connector component 28 . In other words, the two outer connector components 26 , 30 extend in a different plane from, and a shorter distance above and greater distance below the flange 44 , than the center connection component 28 , to provide isolation between the three phases. The three phases must be isolated because they carry, for example, 300-400 amps, and isolation is provided between the fields at least in part by the air gap maintained between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 disposed in different planes. Spacing the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 vertically in this way provides a greater air gap between the exposed metal at upper ends 32 , 34 , 36 and lower ends 38 , 40 , 42 of connector components 26 , 28 , 30 than would be provided simply by the horizontal distance between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 .
[0022] [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a three-phase connector with partitions for an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this alternate embodiment, isolation between the three phases is provided at least in part by partitions 60 , 62 , also formed by the over molding 24 of nylon, between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 . Thus, in the event greater isolation is required between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 disposed in different planes, or if design considerations require that the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 be disposed in or closer to the same plane, the isolation can be provided at least in part by the partitions 60 , 62 .
[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 2 - 4 , the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 of a three-phase connector 10 an embodiment of the present invention are made of metal that is machined and over molded with an electrical insulating material, such as nylon. Thus, each of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 forms the core of a cylindrical over molding 24 of nylon with an exposed upper end 32 , 34 , 36 and an exposed lower end 38 , 40 , 42 , which extends beyond the nylon over molded portion of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 . Each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 is drilled and tapped internally for a threaded fastener at its upper end 64 , 66 , 68 and lower end 70 , 72 , 74 .
[0024] The tapped upper ends 64 , 66 , 68 of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extending above the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 are threaded to receive the threaded bolts of a busbar, such as a rigid busbar, shown schematically by arrows 76 , 78 , 80 in FIG. 2, in a separate busbar plane for each of the three phases.
[0025] The tapped lower ends 70 , 72 , 74 of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extending below the flange 44 are threaded to receive the threaded bolts of leads, such as flexible wire leads, shown schematically by arrows 82 , 84 , 86 in FIG. 2, from the electric motor 14 .
[0026] Referring further to FIG. 4, the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention is provided with openings 90 - 100 to receive fasteners, such as fastening bolts (not more particularly shown), for attaching the three-phase connector 10 , for example, to the electronics housing 20 . In addition, a seal or gasket on the bottom surface of the flange 44 provides a seal between the two housings 18 , 20 . The seal or gasket is disposed beneath the flange 44 and is generally the same shape as the flange 44 , with openings through which the bottom portions 52 , 54 , 56 of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extend and additional openings corresponding to the fastener openings 90 - 100 for the fasteners to extend.
[0027] Previously, three separate prior art individual connectors, such as individual connector 2 shown in FIG. 1, were used to carry the three phases of current from the inverter 12 to the electric motor 14 . They were entirely separate parts and were not physically connected to one another in any way. It was necessary to fasten each separate connector individually to the electronics housing 20 with its own fasteners and its own seal or gasket. The three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention eliminates the redundant fasteners and gaskets and combines the entire functionality into one component.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the nylon over molding 24 serves as insulation as well as to provide structural integrity of the three-phase connector 10 . The metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 of the three-phase connector 10 are made of a highly electrically conductive metal, such as tellurium copper, which is in the range of ninety-five percent copper. FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of one of the connector components 30 shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 6, the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 includes one or more undercuts 102 , 104 for proper sealing. The undercuts 102 , 104 provide an anchor for the nylon over molding 24 and form a friction interface between the nylon over molding 24 and the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 .
[0029] The undercuts 102 , 104 are provided in the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 because it has been found that a smooth exterior wall forms a relatively poor seal between the exterior wall and the nylon over molding 24 thereby allowing an unacceptable degree of leakage between the exterior walls of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 and the nylon over molding 24 . When the nylon absorbs moisture, it tends to expand away from the smooth exterior wall of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 . However, when the nylon over molding 24 disposed in the undercuts 102 - 104 in the exterior wall of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 absorbs moisture and expands, it actually seals itself to the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 . The undercuts 102 - 104 in the exterior wall of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 provide, for example, additional profiles for the nylon over molding 24 and create a better seal between the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 and the nylon over molding 24 .
[0030] Referring again to FIG. 2, it is important that the seal between the nylon over molding 24 and the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 creates a vapor barrier between the upper and lower housings 20 , 18 . For example, the electric motor housing 18 can contain air with oil mist in it that must be kept out of the electronics. In some cases, the three-phase connector 10 may be used as an exterior connector to the environment, in which case there may be rain or water mist that must likewise be kept out of the electronics. In addition, the gasket beneath the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 seals the three-phase connector 10 to the cast housing 18 , 20 and prevents moisture from passing between the housings 18 , 20 .
[0031] Various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillment of the various objects of the invention. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. | A three-phase connector carries all three phases in one connector and keeps the phases properly isolated from each other and the motor case. The three-phase connector has metal connector components that are spaced from one another and supported in a nylon over molding covering each of the connector components, except for upper and lower exposed ends of the connector components, which are each drilled and tapped to receive bolts. First and second connector components extend above and below a flange of the three-phase connector with their respective exposed upper and lower ends offset in different planes than the exposed upper and lower ends of the third connector component. | Identify the most important claim in the given context and summarize it | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of electric machines, and more particularly to a three-phase connector for an electric vehicle drivetrain.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Background of the Invention [0004] Phase connectors are connectors which carry current, for example, from the internally gated bipolar transistors (IGBT's) of an inverter to an electric motor.",
"The IGBT is the power transistor in the inverter and generates the sine wave for the three-phase current.",
"It is not possible to simply thread the wires for the three phases through an opening in the electric motor housing because the current carried through the phase connections is very high, such as 350-400 amps.",
"In carrying the three-phase current from the IGBT of the inverter to a three-phase induction motor, the three phases must remain isolated, and it is necessary to have some kind of connector which isolates the phases from each other.",
"[0005] Previously, three separate connectors were used to carry the three-phase current to the electric motor.",
"FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of such a prior art separate phase connector 2 .",
"All three separate connectors were required to isolate the electric current from the motor housing as it passed through from the inverter.",
"With separate phase connectors, each of the three individual connectors carries a separate phase current through a separate opening in the motor casing and is fastened with a separate set of fasteners.",
"Thus, separate phase connectors require many different parts and must each be individually bolted to the housings with separate holes drilled for each connector.",
"The resulting package was large, costly, and required significant effort to assemble.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a three-phase connector that carries all three phases in one connector, while keeping all the phases properly isolated from each other and from the motor case.",
"[0007] To achieve the stated and additional features, advantages and objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a three-phase connector that carries all three phases in one connector and keeps all the phases properly isolated from each other and the motor case.",
"The three-phase connector has three separate metal inserts which act as each phase carrying electrical current to a three-phase induction motor.",
"The three inserts are all molded into one plastic housing, which reduces the size and cost of the part, and reduces the effort required to assemble the drivetrain.",
"[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a three-phase connector, for example, for an electric vehicle drivetrain, utilizing two or more, and preferably three electrically conductive connector components, that are spaced from one another and supported in an over molding of electrically insulating material covering each of the connector components, except for upper and lower exposed ends of the connector components, and also forming a supporting flange.",
"First and second ones of the connector components are spaced farther apart from one another than they are from a third connector component that is disposed, for example, between them.",
"The first and second connector components extend above the flange with their respective exposed upper ends offset in different planes than the exposed upper end of the third connector component.",
"The first and second connector components also extend below the flange with their respective exposed lower ends disposed in different planes than the third connector component.",
"[0009] In addition, the upper exposed ends of the first and second connector components are disposed a different and preferably shorter distance above the flange than the exposed upper end of the third connector component, and the respective lower exposed ends of the first and second connector components are disposed a different and preferably greater distance below the flange than the exposed lower end of the third connector component.",
"Further, each of the connector components has an upper portion that extends a pre-defined distance above the flange and a lower portion that extends a greater distance below the flange than the pre-defined distance above the flange.",
"[0010] An electrically insulating material, such as nylon, is used for the over molding, and each connector component is made of an electrically conducting metal, such as tellurium copper, that is machined and over molded with the electrically insulating material.",
"Each connector component is drilled at its upper and lower ends and tapped internally to receive a threaded bolt, for example, for a busbar or a lead.",
"Each connector component has an exterior wall with one or more undercuts that provide an anchor for the over molding material.",
"The flange is provided with openings to receive fasteners for attaching the flange to a housing.",
"An alternate embodiment includes, for example, partitions formed by the over molding that extend upward from the flange between each of the first and second connector components and the third connector component.",
"[0011] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] [0012 ]FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a prior art separate phase connector;",
"[0013] [0013 ]FIG. 2 shows a schematically arranged cut-away cross-sectional view of an inverter coupled to an electric motor by the three-phase connector for an embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0014] [0014 ]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the three-phase connector shown in FIG. 2 for an embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0015] [0015 ]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the three-phase connector shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for an embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0016] [0016 ]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the three-phase connector with partitions for an alternate embodiment of the present invention;",
"and [0017] [0017 ]FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of one of the connector components shown in FIG. 3 illustrating an example of undercuts provided in each connector component for an embodiment of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals will be used to describe like components.",
"Referring to FIG. 2, the three-phase connector 10 makes the connection between the inverter 12 and the electric motor 14 .",
"Disposed between the three IGBT's 16 of the inverter 12 and the three-phase connector 10 is a busbar (not more particularly shown), which connects the IGBT's 16 of the inverter 12 to the three-phase connector 10 .",
"The three-phase connector 10 sits on a casting 18 , which is the housing for the electric motor 14 , and the inverter 12 also has a housing or casting 20 .",
"The task of the three-phase connector 10 is to get the three-phase current through those two castings 18 , 20 to the windings for the electric motor 14 .",
"[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 - 4 , the three phases are isolated at least in part with a nylon over molding 24 of the three-phase connector 10 , which covers three metallic connector components 26 , 28 , 30 , except for the upper exposed ends 32 , 34 , 36 and the lower exposed ends 38 , 40 , 42 of the three metallic connector components 26 , 28 , 30 , and which also forms a supporting flange 44 .",
"When the three-phase connector 10 is installed, the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 are vertically oriented.",
"In an automotive powertrain environment in which the three-phase connector 10 is used, it must be secured to hold it in place against vibration, and the three phases must be isolated from one another and from the housings.",
"[0020] The three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention replaces all the separate parts of the prior art separate connector 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and requires the drilling of only one opening in the housing 18 , 20 .",
"Thus, the three-phase connector 10 replaces the three prior art separate connectors with a single component 10 in the assembly, and only a single aperture is required to bolt the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 onto the casting 18 .",
"In addition, a seal or gasket (not more particularly shown) is provided beneath the flange 44 to seal the castings 18 , 20 against intrusion, for example, of water, oil and other environmental contaminants.",
"[0021] Each connector component 26 , 28 , 30 of the three-phase connector 10 has an upper portion 46 , 48 , 50 which extends a pre-defined distance above the flange 44 and a lower portion 52 , 54 , 56 which extends a greater distance below the flange 44 than above the flange 44 , and the lower portions 52 , 54 , 56 extend through the casing 18 .",
"The outer two connector components 26 , 30 are offset relative to the center connector component 28 .",
"In other words, the two outer connector components 26 , 30 extend in a different plane from, and a shorter distance above and greater distance below the flange 44 , than the center connection component 28 , to provide isolation between the three phases.",
"The three phases must be isolated because they carry, for example, 300-400 amps, and isolation is provided between the fields at least in part by the air gap maintained between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 disposed in different planes.",
"Spacing the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 vertically in this way provides a greater air gap between the exposed metal at upper ends 32 , 34 , 36 and lower ends 38 , 40 , 42 of connector components 26 , 28 , 30 than would be provided simply by the horizontal distance between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"[0022] [0022 ]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a three-phase connector with partitions for an alternate embodiment of the present invention.",
"In this alternate embodiment, isolation between the three phases is provided at least in part by partitions 60 , 62 , also formed by the over molding 24 of nylon, between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"Thus, in the event greater isolation is required between the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 disposed in different planes, or if design considerations require that the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 be disposed in or closer to the same plane, the isolation can be provided at least in part by the partitions 60 , 62 .",
"[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 2 - 4 , the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 of a three-phase connector 10 an embodiment of the present invention are made of metal that is machined and over molded with an electrical insulating material, such as nylon.",
"Thus, each of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 forms the core of a cylindrical over molding 24 of nylon with an exposed upper end 32 , 34 , 36 and an exposed lower end 38 , 40 , 42 , which extends beyond the nylon over molded portion of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"Each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 is drilled and tapped internally for a threaded fastener at its upper end 64 , 66 , 68 and lower end 70 , 72 , 74 .",
"[0024] The tapped upper ends 64 , 66 , 68 of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extending above the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 are threaded to receive the threaded bolts of a busbar, such as a rigid busbar, shown schematically by arrows 76 , 78 , 80 in FIG. 2, in a separate busbar plane for each of the three phases.",
"[0025] The tapped lower ends 70 , 72 , 74 of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extending below the flange 44 are threaded to receive the threaded bolts of leads, such as flexible wire leads, shown schematically by arrows 82 , 84 , 86 in FIG. 2, from the electric motor 14 .",
"[0026] Referring further to FIG. 4, the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention is provided with openings 90 - 100 to receive fasteners, such as fastening bolts (not more particularly shown), for attaching the three-phase connector 10 , for example, to the electronics housing 20 .",
"In addition, a seal or gasket on the bottom surface of the flange 44 provides a seal between the two housings 18 , 20 .",
"The seal or gasket is disposed beneath the flange 44 and is generally the same shape as the flange 44 , with openings through which the bottom portions 52 , 54 , 56 of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 extend and additional openings corresponding to the fastener openings 90 - 100 for the fasteners to extend.",
"[0027] Previously, three separate prior art individual connectors, such as individual connector 2 shown in FIG. 1, were used to carry the three phases of current from the inverter 12 to the electric motor 14 .",
"They were entirely separate parts and were not physically connected to one another in any way.",
"It was necessary to fasten each separate connector individually to the electronics housing 20 with its own fasteners and its own seal or gasket.",
"The three-phase connector 10 for an embodiment of the present invention eliminates the redundant fasteners and gaskets and combines the entire functionality into one component.",
"[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the nylon over molding 24 serves as insulation as well as to provide structural integrity of the three-phase connector 10 .",
"The metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 of the three-phase connector 10 are made of a highly electrically conductive metal, such as tellurium copper, which is in the range of ninety-five percent copper.",
"FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of one of the connector components 30 shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 6, the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 includes one or more undercuts 102 , 104 for proper sealing.",
"The undercuts 102 , 104 provide an anchor for the nylon over molding 24 and form a friction interface between the nylon over molding 24 and the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"[0029] The undercuts 102 , 104 are provided in the exterior wall of each metal connector component 26 , 28 , 30 because it has been found that a smooth exterior wall forms a relatively poor seal between the exterior wall and the nylon over molding 24 thereby allowing an unacceptable degree of leakage between the exterior walls of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 and the nylon over molding 24 .",
"When the nylon absorbs moisture, it tends to expand away from the smooth exterior wall of the metal connector components 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"However, when the nylon over molding 24 disposed in the undercuts 102 - 104 in the exterior wall of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 absorbs moisture and expands, it actually seals itself to the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 .",
"The undercuts 102 - 104 in the exterior wall of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 provide, for example, additional profiles for the nylon over molding 24 and create a better seal between the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 and the nylon over molding 24 .",
"[0030] Referring again to FIG. 2, it is important that the seal between the nylon over molding 24 and the exterior walls of the connector components 26 , 28 , 30 creates a vapor barrier between the upper and lower housings 20 , 18 .",
"For example, the electric motor housing 18 can contain air with oil mist in it that must be kept out of the electronics.",
"In some cases, the three-phase connector 10 may be used as an exterior connector to the environment, in which case there may be rain or water mist that must likewise be kept out of the electronics.",
"In addition, the gasket beneath the flange 44 of the three-phase connector 10 seals the three-phase connector 10 to the cast housing 18 , 20 and prevents moisture from passing between the housings 18 , 20 .",
"[0031] Various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillment of the various objects of the invention.",
"It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention.",
"Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/714,326, filed Oct. 16, 2012, and provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/790,080, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the miniaturization of integrated circuit (IC) packages, and specifically to the redistribution of the connection points of an IC package.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Modern integrated circuit (IC) packages are constantly shrinking in size to accommodate their increasing use in handheld devices. Although the use of small IC packaging saves space in a host device, the connection points of a small IC package may require significant resources to properly connect to a substrate for integration into a system. Further, the same components used in handheld devices may also be used in larger systems and devices where space is not an issue. Using a small IC package in a larger system may result in unnecessary complexity and expense due to the difficulty of integration.
[0004] Processes have been developed for producing redistribution layers for repositioning the connection points of an IC package. These redistribution layers may bring the connection points of the IC package closer together (i.e., a “fan in” layer), or further apart (i.e., a “fan out” layer). Processes for developing redistribution layers often require specialized equipment, thereby driving up the cost of a system. Further, the produced redistribution layers may introduce undesirable parasitic capacitance or inductance into a system due to the thickness of the conductive material in the layer. Accordingly, a process is needed to produce a redistribution layer for the connection points of an IC package at a low cost while minimizing the impact of the layer on the operation of the IC device.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention relates to a process for generating a redistribution layer for redistributing the contact points of an IC package. A carrier layer including a first plate-able layer is used to support one or more selectively plated redistribution paths. The first plate-able layer is selectively plated to form one or more redistribution paths. The connection points of an IC package are connected to the redistribution paths, and the IC package is over-molded for stability. The carrier layer is then removed, leaving the one or more redistribution paths exposed. The redistribution paths allow one or more contact points of the IC package to be moved to a new location in order to facilitate integration of the IC package into a system. By plating the redistribution paths up from the carrier layer, fine geometries for redistributing the contact points of the
[0006] IC package with minimal conductor thickness are achieved without the need for specialized manufacturing equipment. Accordingly, a redistribution layer is formed at a low cost while minimizing the impact of the layer on the operation of the IC device.
[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment.
[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams representing the process for creating a redistribution layer.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5O are a graphic representation of each step of the process described in FIG. 4 for creating the redistribution layer.
[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams representing the process for creating a redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIGS. 7A-7O are a graphic representation of each step of the process described in FIG. 6 for creating the redistribution layer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
[0016] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0017] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over” another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0018] Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.
[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0021] Turning now to FIG. 1 , an IC package 10 with an attached redistribution layer 12 is shown. Connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are attached to the redistribution layer 12 at one or more package connection pads 16 . Although the IC package 10 shown is a bumped die package, any form of IC package may be used according to the present disclosure. The package connection pads 16 are soldered to one or more redistribution paths 18 , which are in turn plated to one or more redistributed connection pads 20 . The redistribution paths 18 are covered by a patterned soldering mask 22 . The IC package 10 and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by an over molding layer 24 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the IC package 10 with the attached redistribution layer 12 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, the IC package 10 is a wire-bonded die. The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are connected to the redistribution layer 12 at the package connection pads 16 by one or more bond wires 26 . A die attach material 28 may also be provided in order to secure the wire-bonded die to the redistribution layer 12 . The package connection pads 16 are wire bonded to one or more redistribution paths 18 , which are in turn plated to the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 . The redistribution paths 18 are covered by the patterned soldering mask 22 . The IC package and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by the over molding layer 24 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the IC package 10 with the attached redistribution layer 12 according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure. According to this embodiment, the IC package 10 is a non-bumped die without extruding connection points. The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are directly connected to the redistribution layer 12 by the package connection pads 16 , for example, by a soldering process. The package connection pads 16 are plated to one or more redistribution paths 18 . In this embodiment, the redistribution layer has two layers of redistribution paths 18 in order to properly connect to the IC package 10 . A top layer of redistribution paths 18 B is adapted to align with the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 , and is plated to a bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A. The bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A is plated to the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 . The bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A is covered by the patterned soldering mask 22 . The IC package 10 and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by the over molding layer 24 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.
[0024] With reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 4 and the corresponding graphical representations of FIG. 5 , a manufacturing process for the redistribution layer 12 is provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins by bonding a copper foil 30 to a rigid carrier 32 to form a base carrier 34 (step 100 and FIG. 5A ). A first plating resist 36 is then applied to the copper foil 30 (step 102 and FIG. 5B ). The first plating resist 36 is imaged, then developed to form a first patterned plating resist 38 (step 104 and FIG. 5C ). The areas of the copper foil 30 exposed through the first patterned plating resist 38 are then plated to form one or more redistribution paths 18 (step 106 and FIG. 5D ). This step may be repeated one or more times to form multiple layers of redistribution paths 18 . A second plating resist 40 is then applied on top of the first patterned plating resist 38 (step 108 and FIG. 5 F), and is imaged and developed to form a second patterned plating resist 42 (step 110 and FIG. 5G ). The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the second patterned plating resist 42 are then plated to form the one or more package connection pads 16 (step 112 and FIG. 5H ). The first patterned plating resist 38 and the second patterned plating resist 42 are then removed, using, for example, a chemical etching/stripping process (step 114 and FIG. 5I ).
[0025] The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are then connected to the package connection pads 16 (step 116 and FIG. 5J ), and the IC package 10 is over molded with the over molding layer 24 for stability (step 118 and
[0026] FIG. 5K ). The base carrier 34 is then removed by first removing the rigid carrier 32 (step 120 and FIG. 5L ), then removing the copper foil 30 with a chemical etch process (step 122 and FIG. 5M ). The rigid carrier 32 may be removed, for example, by a mechanical routing process. A soldering mask 21 is applied to the exposed surface from which the base carrier 34 was removed (step 124 and FIG. 5N ), and is imaged and developed to form a patterned soldering mask 22 (step 126 and FIG. 5O ). The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the patterned soldering mask 22 are then plated to form the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 (step 128 and FIG. 5P ).
[0027] The composition, structure, and type of components used to generate the redistribution layer 12 can vary in the manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the copper foil 30 may be approximately 3-5 microns thick. The rigid carrier 32 may comprise a laminate material or any other rigid material suitable for supporting the copper foil 30 throughout the manufacturing process. The redistribution paths 18 may be made of electrodeposited copper approximately 10-30 microns thick. The one or more package connection pads 16 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.
[0028] The one or more redistributed connection pads 20 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.
[0029] With reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 6 and the corresponding graphical representations of FIG. 7 , a manufacturing process for the redistribution layer 12 is provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins by application of a first plating resist 45 to a plate-able copper carrier layer 44 (step 200 and FIG. 7A ). The first plating resist 45 is then imaged and developed to form a first patterned plating resist 46 (step 202 and FIG. 7B ). The areas of the plate-able copper carrier layer 44 exposed through the first patterned plating resist 46 are then plated to form a first protective layer 48 (step 204 and FIG. 7C ). The first protective layer 48 is then plated to form one or more redistribution paths 18 (step 206 and FIG. 7D ). This step may be repeated one or more times to form multiple layers of redistribution paths 18 . A second plating resist 50 is then applied on top of the first patterned plating resist 46 (step 208 and FIG. 7F ), and imaged and developed to form a second patterned plating resist 52 (step 210 and FIG. 7G ). The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the second patterned plating resist 52 are then plated to form the one or more package connection pads 16 (step 212 and FIG. 7H ). The first patterned plating resist 46 and the second patterned plating resist 52 are then removed, using, for example, a chemical etching/stripping process (step 214 and FIG. 7I ).
[0030] The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are then connected to the package connection pads 16 (step 216 and FIG. 7J ), and the IC package is stabilized with the over molding layer 24 (step 218 and FIG. 7K ). The plate-able copper carrier layer 44 is then removed using, for example, a chemical etching process (step 220 and FIG. 7L ). The first protective layer 48 is also removed, using, for example, a chemical etching process (step 222 and FIG. 7M ). A soldering mask 21 is applied to the exposed surface from which the plate-able copper carrier layer 44 and the first protective layer 48 were removed (step 224 and FIG. 7N ). The soldering mask 21 is imaged and developed to form a patterned soldering mask 22 (step 226 and FIG. 7O ). The exposed surface of the one or more redistribution paths 18 are then plated to form the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 (step 228 and FIG. 7P ).
[0031] The composition, structure, and type of components used to generate the redistribution layer 12 can vary in the manufacturing process. The plate-able copper carrier layer 44 may comprise a rigid copper sheet approximately 100-150 microns in thickness. The protective layer may comprise nickel or tin approximately 3-5 microns in thickness, and may be adapted to be easily etched away. The redistribution paths 18 may be made of electrodeposited copper approximately 10-30 microns thick.
[0032] The one or more package connection pads 16 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.
[0033] The one or more redistributed connection pads 20 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow. | A first plate-able layer is selectively plated to form one or more redistribution paths. The connection points of an IC package are connected to the redistribution paths, and the IC package is over molded for stability. The first plate-able layer is then removed, leaving the one or more redistribution paths exposed. The redistribution paths allow one or more contact points of the IC package to be moved to a new location in order to facilitate integration of the IC package into a system. By plating the redistribution paths up from the first plate-able layer, fine geometries for repositioning the contact points of the IC package with minimal conductor thickness are achieved without the need for specialized manufacturing equipment. Accordingly, a redistribution layer is formed at a low cost while minimizing the impact of the layer on the operation of the IC device. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser.",
"No. 61/714,326, filed Oct. 16, 2012, and provisional patent application Ser.",
"No. 61/790,080, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.",
"FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the miniaturization of integrated circuit (IC) packages, and specifically to the redistribution of the connection points of an IC package.",
"BACKGROUND [0003] Modern integrated circuit (IC) packages are constantly shrinking in size to accommodate their increasing use in handheld devices.",
"Although the use of small IC packaging saves space in a host device, the connection points of a small IC package may require significant resources to properly connect to a substrate for integration into a system.",
"Further, the same components used in handheld devices may also be used in larger systems and devices where space is not an issue.",
"Using a small IC package in a larger system may result in unnecessary complexity and expense due to the difficulty of integration.",
"[0004] Processes have been developed for producing redistribution layers for repositioning the connection points of an IC package.",
"These redistribution layers may bring the connection points of the IC package closer together (i.e., a “fan in”",
"layer), or further apart (i.e., a “fan out”",
"layer).",
"Processes for developing redistribution layers often require specialized equipment, thereby driving up the cost of a system.",
"Further, the produced redistribution layers may introduce undesirable parasitic capacitance or inductance into a system due to the thickness of the conductive material in the layer.",
"Accordingly, a process is needed to produce a redistribution layer for the connection points of an IC package at a low cost while minimizing the impact of the layer on the operation of the IC device.",
"SUMMARY [0005] The present invention relates to a process for generating a redistribution layer for redistributing the contact points of an IC package.",
"A carrier layer including a first plate-able layer is used to support one or more selectively plated redistribution paths.",
"The first plate-able layer is selectively plated to form one or more redistribution paths.",
"The connection points of an IC package are connected to the redistribution paths, and the IC package is over-molded for stability.",
"The carrier layer is then removed, leaving the one or more redistribution paths exposed.",
"The redistribution paths allow one or more contact points of the IC package to be moved to a new location in order to facilitate integration of the IC package into a system.",
"By plating the redistribution paths up from the carrier layer, fine geometries for redistributing the contact points of the [0006] IC package with minimal conductor thickness are achieved without the need for specialized manufacturing equipment.",
"Accordingly, a redistribution layer is formed at a low cost while minimizing the impact of the layer on the operation of the IC device.",
"[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer.",
"[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment.",
"[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an IC package with an attached redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment.",
"[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams representing the process for creating a redistribution layer.",
"[0012] FIGS. 5A-5O are a graphic representation of each step of the process described in FIG. 4 for creating the redistribution layer.",
"[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams representing the process for creating a redistribution layer according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure.",
"[0014] FIGS. 7A-7O are a graphic representation of each step of the process described in FIG. 6 for creating the redistribution layer.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments.",
"Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein.",
"It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.",
"[0016] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.",
"may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.",
"These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.",
"For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.",
"As used herein, the term “and/or”",
"includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.",
"[0017] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on”",
"or extending “onto”",
"another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present.",
"In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”",
"or extending “directly onto”",
"another element, there are no intervening elements present.",
"Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “over”",
"or extending “over”",
"another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present.",
"In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over”",
"or extending “directly over”",
"another element, there are no intervening elements present.",
"It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected”",
"or “coupled”",
"to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.",
"In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”",
"or “directly coupled”",
"to another element, there are no intervening elements present.",
"[0018] Relative terms such as “below”",
"or “above”",
"or “upper”",
"or “lower”",
"or “horizontal”",
"or “vertical”",
"may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures.",
"It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.",
"[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.",
"As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”",
"are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.",
"It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including”",
"when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.",
"[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.",
"It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.",
"[0021] Turning now to FIG. 1 , an IC package 10 with an attached redistribution layer 12 is shown.",
"Connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are attached to the redistribution layer 12 at one or more package connection pads 16 .",
"Although the IC package 10 shown is a bumped die package, any form of IC package may be used according to the present disclosure.",
"The package connection pads 16 are soldered to one or more redistribution paths 18 , which are in turn plated to one or more redistributed connection pads 20 .",
"The redistribution paths 18 are covered by a patterned soldering mask 22 .",
"The IC package 10 and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by an over molding layer 24 .",
"As shown in FIG. 1 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.",
"[0022] FIG. 2 shows the IC package 10 with the attached redistribution layer 12 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.",
"According to this embodiment, the IC package 10 is a wire-bonded die.",
"The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are connected to the redistribution layer 12 at the package connection pads 16 by one or more bond wires 26 .",
"A die attach material 28 may also be provided in order to secure the wire-bonded die to the redistribution layer 12 .",
"The package connection pads 16 are wire bonded to one or more redistribution paths 18 , which are in turn plated to the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 .",
"The redistribution paths 18 are covered by the patterned soldering mask 22 .",
"The IC package and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by the over molding layer 24 .",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.",
"[0023] FIG. 3 shows the IC package 10 with the attached redistribution layer 12 according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure.",
"According to this embodiment, the IC package 10 is a non-bumped die without extruding connection points.",
"The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are directly connected to the redistribution layer 12 by the package connection pads 16 , for example, by a soldering process.",
"The package connection pads 16 are plated to one or more redistribution paths 18 .",
"In this embodiment, the redistribution layer has two layers of redistribution paths 18 in order to properly connect to the IC package 10 .",
"A top layer of redistribution paths 18 B is adapted to align with the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 , and is plated to a bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A. The bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A is plated to the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 .",
"The bottom layer of redistribution paths 18 A is covered by the patterned soldering mask 22 .",
"The IC package 10 and the redistribution layer 12 are stabilized by the over molding layer 24 .",
"As shown in FIG. 3 , the redistributed connection pads 20 of the redistribution layer 12 relocate the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 by a predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are redistributed to facilitate integration of the IC package 10 into a system.",
"[0024] With reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 4 and the corresponding graphical representations of FIG. 5 , a manufacturing process for the redistribution layer 12 is provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.",
"The process begins by bonding a copper foil 30 to a rigid carrier 32 to form a base carrier 34 (step 100 and FIG. 5A ).",
"A first plating resist 36 is then applied to the copper foil 30 (step 102 and FIG. 5B ).",
"The first plating resist 36 is imaged, then developed to form a first patterned plating resist 38 (step 104 and FIG. 5C ).",
"The areas of the copper foil 30 exposed through the first patterned plating resist 38 are then plated to form one or more redistribution paths 18 (step 106 and FIG. 5D ).",
"This step may be repeated one or more times to form multiple layers of redistribution paths 18 .",
"A second plating resist 40 is then applied on top of the first patterned plating resist 38 (step 108 and FIG. 5 F), and is imaged and developed to form a second patterned plating resist 42 (step 110 and FIG. 5G ).",
"The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the second patterned plating resist 42 are then plated to form the one or more package connection pads 16 (step 112 and FIG. 5H ).",
"The first patterned plating resist 38 and the second patterned plating resist 42 are then removed, using, for example, a chemical etching/stripping process (step 114 and FIG. 5I ).",
"[0025] The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are then connected to the package connection pads 16 (step 116 and FIG. 5J ), and the IC package 10 is over molded with the over molding layer 24 for stability (step 118 and [0026] FIG. 5K ).",
"The base carrier 34 is then removed by first removing the rigid carrier 32 (step 120 and FIG. 5L ), then removing the copper foil 30 with a chemical etch process (step 122 and FIG. 5M ).",
"The rigid carrier 32 may be removed, for example, by a mechanical routing process.",
"A soldering mask 21 is applied to the exposed surface from which the base carrier 34 was removed (step 124 and FIG. 5N ), and is imaged and developed to form a patterned soldering mask 22 (step 126 and FIG. 5O ).",
"The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the patterned soldering mask 22 are then plated to form the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 (step 128 and FIG. 5P ).",
"[0027] The composition, structure, and type of components used to generate the redistribution layer 12 can vary in the manufacturing process.",
"In one embodiment, the copper foil 30 may be approximately 3-5 microns thick.",
"The rigid carrier 32 may comprise a laminate material or any other rigid material suitable for supporting the copper foil 30 throughout the manufacturing process.",
"The redistribution paths 18 may be made of electrodeposited copper approximately 10-30 microns thick.",
"The one or more package connection pads 16 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.",
"[0028] The one or more redistributed connection pads 20 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.",
"[0029] With reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 6 and the corresponding graphical representations of FIG. 7 , a manufacturing process for the redistribution layer 12 is provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.",
"The process begins by application of a first plating resist 45 to a plate-able copper carrier layer 44 (step 200 and FIG. 7A ).",
"The first plating resist 45 is then imaged and developed to form a first patterned plating resist 46 (step 202 and FIG. 7B ).",
"The areas of the plate-able copper carrier layer 44 exposed through the first patterned plating resist 46 are then plated to form a first protective layer 48 (step 204 and FIG. 7C ).",
"The first protective layer 48 is then plated to form one or more redistribution paths 18 (step 206 and FIG. 7D ).",
"This step may be repeated one or more times to form multiple layers of redistribution paths 18 .",
"A second plating resist 50 is then applied on top of the first patterned plating resist 46 (step 208 and FIG. 7F ), and imaged and developed to form a second patterned plating resist 52 (step 210 and FIG. 7G ).",
"The areas of the redistribution paths 18 exposed through the second patterned plating resist 52 are then plated to form the one or more package connection pads 16 (step 212 and FIG. 7H ).",
"The first patterned plating resist 46 and the second patterned plating resist 52 are then removed, using, for example, a chemical etching/stripping process (step 214 and FIG. 7I ).",
"[0030] The connection points 14 of the IC package 10 are then connected to the package connection pads 16 (step 216 and FIG. 7J ), and the IC package is stabilized with the over molding layer 24 (step 218 and FIG. 7K ).",
"The plate-able copper carrier layer 44 is then removed using, for example, a chemical etching process (step 220 and FIG. 7L ).",
"The first protective layer 48 is also removed, using, for example, a chemical etching process (step 222 and FIG. 7M ).",
"A soldering mask 21 is applied to the exposed surface from which the plate-able copper carrier layer 44 and the first protective layer 48 were removed (step 224 and FIG. 7N ).",
"The soldering mask 21 is imaged and developed to form a patterned soldering mask 22 (step 226 and FIG. 7O ).",
"The exposed surface of the one or more redistribution paths 18 are then plated to form the one or more redistributed connection pads 20 (step 228 and FIG. 7P ).",
"[0031] The composition, structure, and type of components used to generate the redistribution layer 12 can vary in the manufacturing process.",
"The plate-able copper carrier layer 44 may comprise a rigid copper sheet approximately 100-150 microns in thickness.",
"The protective layer may comprise nickel or tin approximately 3-5 microns in thickness, and may be adapted to be easily etched away.",
"The redistribution paths 18 may be made of electrodeposited copper approximately 10-30 microns thick.",
"[0032] The one or more package connection pads 16 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.",
"[0033] The one or more redistributed connection pads 20 may be made of electrodeposited tin approximately 5-20 microns thick, deposited electroless nickel and immersion gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 0.4-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, immersion silver approximately 0.12-0.20 microns thick, electrodeposited nickel and gold, with respective approximate thicknesses of 3.0-6.0 microns and 0.05-0.15 microns, or an organic solderability preservative.",
"[0034] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.",
"All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field Of The Invention
[0002] This invention relates to surgical methods and apparatus in general, and more particularly to surgical methods and apparatus for fusing sacroiliac joints.
[0003] 2. Description Of The Related Art
[0004] Lower back pain is a common ailment among the population and results in pain and suffering as well as loss of work time. Effective treatments for lower back pain will alleviate considerable patient suffering and provide economic benefits by reducing employee absenteeism. Until recently, many complaints of lower back pain and leg pain have been attributed to herniated discs or other injuries to the spinal column. However, extensive therapy and treatment has often been unsuccessful in alleviating such pain. Recently, it has been found that some of this lower back and leg pain can be attributed to symptomatic sacroiliac joint dysfunction or instability.
[0005] The sacroiliac joint is located at the juncture of the ilium, the upper bone of the pelvis, commonly called the hip bone, and the sacrum at the base of the lumbar spine, where it connects with the L 5 vertebra. The function of the sacroiliac joint is the transmission of forces from the spine to the lower extremities and vice-versa. The joint is supported by a range of ligaments, including the sacroiliac ligament at the base of the joint and the anterior sacroiliac ligament at the top of the joint.
[0006] The sacroiliac joint has a limited range of motion. Nutation, the relative movement between the sacrum and ilium, is typically one to two degrees. Despite the limited range of motion, a patient s sacroiliac joint can become damaged resulting in hypermobility of the joint. Hypermobility is very difficult to diagnose due to the small range of motion. Therefore, tower back pain or leg pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, e.g. degenerative sacroiliitis, inflammatory sacroiliitis, iatrogenic instability of the sacroiliac osteitis condensans ilii, or traumatic fracture dislocation of the pelvis, often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
[0007] In patients where sacroiliac joint pain is unresponsive to non-operative treatments, e.g. medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care and steroid injections, surgical stabilization is prescribed. Fusion is a surgical treatment to relieve pain generated from joint dysfunction,
[0008] Accordingly, it is a general objective of this invention to provide a method to deliver a device for correcting symptomatic sacroiliac joint dysfunction or instability, for enhancing stability for purposes of immobilizing a joint, and for fusing two opposed bone structures across the joint.
SUMMARY OF TELE INVENTION
[0009] The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for improved devices and methods for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention.
[0010] The present invention includes a surgical kit for use in a method for fusing a sacroiliac joint, preferably including a stabilization implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, dilation tubes, cutting tools such as a reamer or cannulated reamer, a drill bit, a cutter, and a punch, a novel directional cannula, a novel taping cap, a novel drill guide, and a novel implant positioner.
[0011] The invention further includes a method for fusing a sacroiliac joint with an implant, preferably comprising the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, inserting a guide pin or a joint locator into the sacroiliac joint normal to the immediate bone surfaces on either side of the joint, retracting soft tissue via dilation tubes, sliding a cannulated reamer over the guide pin or the joint locator until a distal end of the reamer engages the sacroiliac joint creating a relatively flat graft site, removing the reamer and guide pin or joint locator, inserting a directional cannula into the sacroiliac joint aligning the teeth located on the distal end of the cannula with the plane of the joint, tapping a proximal end of the directional cannula to reversibly secure the alignment teeth into the sacroiliac joint, inserting the drill guide into the directional cannula, inserting a drill bit through the drill guide and drilling a cavity within the sacroiliac joint to a predetermined depth, removing the drill bit from within the drill guide, removing the drill guide from within the directional cannula, inserting the implant through the directional cannula until the distal end of the implant engages the cavity, inserting an implant positioner to seat the implant at a prescribed depth completely within the cavity, proportionately distributed in the sacrum and ilium, removing the implant positioner from within the directional cannula, removing the directional cannula, and removing the dilation tube.
[0012] These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0013] The present invention includes a novel apparatus for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion. The novel structure includes a sacroiliac joint stabilization implant for disposition between the opposing articular surfaces of a sacroiliac joint to immobilize the sacroiliac joint and facilitate fusion between the sacrum and ilium.
[0014] More particularly, in one form of the present invention, the novel sacroiliac joint stabilization implant includes an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The elongated body has a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis, and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis.
[0015] The elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint, and at least one stabilizer has a width that is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint.
[0016] A novel method for fusing a sacroiliac joint includes the steps of providing a sacroiliac joint stabilization implant having an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The method further includes the steps of providing the elongated body with a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis and providing at least one stabilizer that extends radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis.
[0017] The method steps further include the steps of forming the elongated body so that it has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the sacrum and the ilium making up a sacroiliac joint and forming the at least one stabilizer so that it has a width sized to make a press fit into the gap between the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint.
[0018] Further method steps include the steps of deploying the sacroiliac joint stabilization implant in the sacroiliac joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within the sacrum and ilium of the sacroiliac joint and so that the at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the sacrum and ilium and maintaining the sacroiliac Joint stabilization implant in such position white fusion occurs.
[0019] Still further steps include deploying the stabilization implant in the joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within both of the bones of the joint and at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the bones and maintaining the stabilization implant in this position while fusion occurs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a stabilization implant formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sacroiliac joint;
[0023] FIG. 3A is a close-up perspective view of said sacroiliac joint and a drilled, bored, punched, or cut cavity;
[0024] FIG. 3B is a close-up perspective view of said sacroiliac joint and said stabilization implant in the final position in the sacroiliac joint;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a guide pin;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a joint locator;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of four dilation tubes of increasing diameters;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cannulated reamer;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a novel directional cannula;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a novel tapping cap;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a novel drill guide;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drill bit;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a novel implant positioner;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of said dilation tubes positioned over said sacroiliac joint;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a said dilation tubes with said joint locator ensleeved within a lumen of the smallest diameter dilation tube;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of said cannulated reamer ensleeved within the lumen of the largest diameter dilation tube, sliding over said joint locator;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a relatively flat graft site created horizontal to said sacroiliac joint;
[0038] FIG. 16A is a longitudinal sectional view of said graft site of FIG. 16 ;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of said directional cannula ensleeved within the lumen of said largest diameter dilation tube;
[0040] FIG. 17A is a longitudinal sectional view of the distal end of the said directional cannula positioned in the sacroiliac joint of FIG. 17 ;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of said drill guide ensleeved in the lumen of said directional cannula with a non-centered guide hole positioned over an ilium bone;
[0042] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of said drill guide rotated 180 degrees and subsequently ensleeved in the lumen of said directional cannula with said non-centered guide hole now positioned over a sacrum bone;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of said sacrum and ilium bones and a drilled, bored, punched, or cut cavity formed in said sacroiliac joint;
[0044] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of said stabilization implant being loaded into said directional cannula;
[0045] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of said implant and said implant positioner ensleeve the lumen of the directional cannula prior to final position; and
[0046] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of said stabilization implant in the final position in said sacroiliac joint.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 1 , it will there be seen that the novel sacroiliac stabilization implant, disclosed further in U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,981 to Vestgaarden, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Spinal Facet Fusion,” incorporated herein by reference, is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 5 . Stabilization implant 5 generally includes body 10 and at least one stabilizer 15 .
[0048] Body 10 is an elongated element having structural integrity. Preferably the distal end of body 10 (and the distal end of stabilizer 15 as well) is chamfered as shown at 20 to facilitate insertion of fusion implant 5 into the sacroiliac joint. Preferably, as depicted in FIG. 1 , body 10 has a rounded rectangular cross-section, or an ovoid cross-section, a laterally-extended cross-section, or some other non-round cross-section, so as to inhibit rotation of body 10 about a longitudinal center axis.
[0049] At least one stabilizer 15 is received in the gap located between the opposing sacroiliac surfaces to prevent rotation of stabilization implant 5 within the sacroiliac joint. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two stabilizers 15 a and 15 b are provided, one disposed along the upper surface of body 10 and one disposed along the lower surface of body 10 . Stabilizers 15 preferably have a width just slightly larger than the gap between the opposing articular surfaces of a sacroiliac joint so that the stabilizers can make a snug fit therebetween.
[0050] Stabilization implant 5 is inserted into a sacroiliac joint using a posterior approach. The posterior approach is familiar to spine surgeons, thereby providing an increased level of comfort for the surgeon.
[0051] In use, and referring now at FIG. 2 , an instrument is first used to determine plane 40 of sacroiliac joint 60 . Identifying the plane of the sacroiliac joint is important, since this is used to identify the proper position for cavity 45 ( FIG. 3A ) which is to be formed across the sacroiliac joint to receive stabilization implant 5 .
[0052] At least one of the instruments includes a directional feature which is used to maintain the alignment of the instrumentation with the plane of the sacroiliac joint. A directional cannula may include a flat portion and the remaining instruments may include a flat portion on an opposite portion of the instrument so that the instruments may only be inserted through the cannula at zero degrees (0°), one hundred eighty degrees (180°), or both.
[0053] The directional cannula provides the passageway for the placement and insertion of a stabilization device, as well as for performing drilling/cutting or other preparatory work for appropriate stabilization device embodiments.
[0054] The directional cannula can have an interior central passage of a circular cross section, oval cross section, rectangular cross section or other desired shape that provides the desired guide channel to deliver a stabilization device into cavity 45 .
[0055] After the proper position for cavity 45 has been identified, a drill (or reamer, punch, dremel, router, burr, etc.) is used to form cavity 45 in sacroiliac joint 60 . Cavity 45 is formed across plane 40 so that substantially one-half of cavity 45 is formed in sacrum 50 , and substantially one-half is formed in ilium 55 .
[0056] After cavity 45 has been formed in (or, perhaps more literally, across) the sacroiliac joint 60 , and now referring to FIG. 3B , stabilization implant 5 is inserted into cavity 45 . More particularly, stabilization implant 5 is inserted into cavity 45 so that (i) main body 10 spans the gap between opposing sacrum 50 and ilium 55 , and (ii) stabilizers 15 extend between the opposing sacrum and ilium surfaces. Preferably, stabilization implant 5 is slightly oversized relative to cavity 45 so as to create a press fit. Stabilization implant 5 provides the stability and strength needed to immobilize the sacroiliac joint 60 white fusion occurs. Due to the positioning of stabilizers 15 between the opposing sacrum and ilium surfaces, and due to the non-circular cross-section of main body 10 , stabilization implant 5 is held against rotation within cavity 45 , which will in turn holds sacrum 50 and ilium 55 stable relative to one another.
DETAILED SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
[0057] A preferred surgical technique for using stabilization implant 5 employs guide pin 100 ( FIG. 4 ), joint locator 105 ( FIG. 5 ), dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 6 ), cannulated reamer 120 ( FIG. 7 ), directional cannula 130 ( FIG. 8 ), tapping cap 135 ( FIG. 9 ), drill guide 140 ( FIG. 10 ), drill bit 150 ( FIG. 11 ), and implant positioner 160 ( FIG. 12 )
[0058] First, the sacroiliac joint is localized indirectly by fluoroscopy, or directly by visualization during an open procedure. A path through soft tissue to the sacroiliac joint is then created via surgeon's preference, such as open, minimally-invasive, percutaneous, or arthroscopic.
[0059] A set of dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 13 ) having increasing diameters is then inserted into the soft tissue opening in sequence of increasing diameters to sufficiently retract the soft tissue exposing a graft site.
[0060] Next, joint locator 105 ( FIG. 14 ) is slid into a lumen of dilation tube 110 until blade 106 engages sacroiliac joint 60 and is aligned with joint plane 40 . Then joint locator 105 is lightly tapped so as to insert joint locator blade 106 into sacroiliac joint 60 until positive stop 107 is engaged.
[0061] Next, internal dilation tubes 110 - 112 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .
[0062] Cannulated reamer 120 is then slid over joint locator 105 to remove any bone obstructing the joint and to prepare the graft surface for receiving directional cannula 130 and stabilization implant 5 ( FIG. 15 ). The distal end of reamer 120 is advanced until it sufficiently engages sacroiliac joint 60 , thereby preparing a relatively flat graft surface perpendicular to sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIGS. 16 and 16A ). The position of reamer 120 and joint locator 105 is verified by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes.
[0063] Reamer 120 and joint locator 105 are then removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .
[0064] Next, directional cannula 130 is inserted into the lumen of dilation tube 113 until a distal end of cannula 130 engages sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 17 ). Directional cannula teeth 131 are then aligned with plane 40 of sacroiliac joint 60 . Once teeth 131 of cannula 130 are aligned with plane 40 , directional cannula 130 is lightly tapped to insert cannula teeth 131 into sacroiliac joint 60 until positive stop 132 engages sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 17A ).
[0065] Drill guide 140 is then inserted into a lumen of directional cannula 130 with non centered guide hole 141 positioned over iliac bone 55 ( FIG. 18 ). Drill guide 140 is advanced within the lumen of directional cannula 130 until drill guide 140 reaches a mechanical stop on directional cannula 130 . Then, with drill guide 140 in place, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into the drill guide hole 141 positioned over iliac bone 55 . Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into guide hole 141 and used to drill a cavity in iliac bone 55 . Drilling continues until drill bit 150 reaches a mechanical stop on drill guide 140 . Then drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 141 . Next, with drill guide 140 remaining in position, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into central guide hole 142 of drill guide 140 . Drill bit 150 is then inserted in a lumen of guide hole 142 and used to drill a cavity in sacroiliac joint 60 , between sacrum 50 and ilium 55 . Next, drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 142 . Drill guide 140 is then removed from the lumen of directional cannula 130 .
[0066] Drill guide 140 is rotated 180 degrees, and is reinserted into the lumen of directional cannula 130 in order to drill sacrum 50 ( FIG. 19 ). With drill guide 140 in place, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into drill guide hole 141 , now positioned over sacrum 50 . Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into the lumen of guide hole 141 and used to drill a cavity in sacrum bone 50 . Drilling continues until drill bit 150 reaches a mechanical stop on drill guide 140 . Then drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 141 . Next, with drill guide 140 remaining in position, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into central guide hole 142 of drill guide 140 . Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into guide hole 142 and used to drill a cavity in sacroiliac joint 60 , between sacrum 50 and ilium 55 . Next, drill bit 150 is removed from guide hole 142 and drill guide 140 is removed from the lumen of directional cannula 130 .
[0067] This procedure creates cavity 45 ( FIG. 20 ) that is sufficiently deep and that is proportionately distributed in sacrum 50 and ilium 55 to receive stabilization implant 5 .
[0068] Stabilization implant 5 is then inserted, distal end first, into the lumen of directional cannula 130 ( FIG. 21 ). Next, implant positioner 160 is inserted into the lumen of directional cannula 130 and advanced until resistance is felt, indicating that the distal end of implant 5 has engaged cavity 45 ( FIG. 22 ). Next, implant positioner 160 is lightly tapped to drive implant 5 into cavity 45 created laterally across sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 23 ). Stabilization implant 5 is preferably countersunk 1-2 mm into sacroiliac joint 60 .
[0069] Finally, implant positioner 160 and directional cannula 130 are removed from the lumen of dilation tube 113 . Dilation tube 113 is then removed from the soft tissue and the incision is closed.
[0070] The foregoing steps are repeated for additional locations e current sacroiliac joint 60 and in contralateral sacroiliac joint 60 .
Alternative Surgical Technique
[0071] First, sacroiliac joint 60 is localized indirectly by fluoroscopy, or directly by visualization during an open procedure. Guide pin 100 is inserted into sacroiliac joint 60 , normal to immediate opposing joint surfaces when sacroiliac joint 60 is exposed, or drilled into joint 60 through the iliac crest when sacroiliac joint 60 is obstructed. The position of guide pin 100 is determined by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes. Guide pin 100 is then lightly tapped to insert guide pin 100 approximately 15-20 mm into sacroiliac joint 60 , along joint plane 40 ( FIG. 3A )
[0072] Next, a set of dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 6 ) having increasing diameters is slid over guide pin 100 into the soft tissue in sequence of increasing diameters to sufficiently retract soft tissue exposing a graft site ( FIG. 13 ), Once a sufficient surgical area is exposed, internal dilation tithes 110 - 112 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .
[0073] Next, referring to FIG. 15 , cannulated reamer 120 is slid over guide pin 100 within the lumen of dilation tube 113 to remove any bone obstructing sacroiliac joint 60 and to prepare the graft surface for receiving directional cannula 130 and fusion implant 5 . The distal end of reamer 120 is advanced until it sufficiently engages sacroiliac joint 60 , thereby preparing a relatively flat graft surface perpendicular to sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ). The position of reamer 120 is verified by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes.
[0074] Next, reamer 120 and guide pin 100 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .
[0075] The previously disclosed steps of paragraphs [00068] through [00074] are followed to complete the procedure,
[0076] Numerous advantages are achieved by the present invention. .For example, the present invention provides a fast, simple, minimally-invasive and easily reproduced approach for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion.
[0077] While stabilization implant 5 has been disclosed above in the context of fusing a sacroiliac joint, it should also be appreciated that stabilization implant 5 may be used to stabilize and fuse any joint having anatomy similar to the sacroiliac joint, i.e., a pair of opposing bony surfaces defining a gap therebetween, with the stabilizer of the stabilization implant being sized to be positioned within the gap. By way of example but not limitation, the stabilization implant may be used in small joints such as the fingers, toes, etc.
[0078] It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention.
[0079] It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a. reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth. | Identify the most important aspect in the document and summarize the concept accordingly. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1.",
"Field Of The Invention [0002] This invention relates to surgical methods and apparatus in general, and more particularly to surgical methods and apparatus for fusing sacroiliac joints.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Description Of The Related Art [0004] Lower back pain is a common ailment among the population and results in pain and suffering as well as loss of work time.",
"Effective treatments for lower back pain will alleviate considerable patient suffering and provide economic benefits by reducing employee absenteeism.",
"Until recently, many complaints of lower back pain and leg pain have been attributed to herniated discs or other injuries to the spinal column.",
"However, extensive therapy and treatment has often been unsuccessful in alleviating such pain.",
"Recently, it has been found that some of this lower back and leg pain can be attributed to symptomatic sacroiliac joint dysfunction or instability.",
"[0005] The sacroiliac joint is located at the juncture of the ilium, the upper bone of the pelvis, commonly called the hip bone, and the sacrum at the base of the lumbar spine, where it connects with the L 5 vertebra.",
"The function of the sacroiliac joint is the transmission of forces from the spine to the lower extremities and vice-versa.",
"The joint is supported by a range of ligaments, including the sacroiliac ligament at the base of the joint and the anterior sacroiliac ligament at the top of the joint.",
"[0006] The sacroiliac joint has a limited range of motion.",
"Nutation, the relative movement between the sacrum and ilium, is typically one to two degrees.",
"Despite the limited range of motion, a patient s sacroiliac joint can become damaged resulting in hypermobility of the joint.",
"Hypermobility is very difficult to diagnose due to the small range of motion.",
"Therefore, tower back pain or leg pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, e.g. degenerative sacroiliitis, inflammatory sacroiliitis, iatrogenic instability of the sacroiliac osteitis condensans ilii, or traumatic fracture dislocation of the pelvis, often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.",
"[0007] In patients where sacroiliac joint pain is unresponsive to non-operative treatments, e.g. medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care and steroid injections, surgical stabilization is prescribed.",
"Fusion is a surgical treatment to relieve pain generated from joint dysfunction, [0008] Accordingly, it is a general objective of this invention to provide a method to deliver a device for correcting symptomatic sacroiliac joint dysfunction or instability, for enhancing stability for purposes of immobilizing a joint, and for fusing two opposed bone structures across the joint.",
"SUMMARY OF TELE INVENTION [0009] The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for improved devices and methods for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention.",
"[0010] The present invention includes a surgical kit for use in a method for fusing a sacroiliac joint, preferably including a stabilization implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, dilation tubes, cutting tools such as a reamer or cannulated reamer, a drill bit, a cutter, and a punch, a novel directional cannula, a novel taping cap, a novel drill guide, and a novel implant positioner.",
"[0011] The invention further includes a method for fusing a sacroiliac joint with an implant, preferably comprising the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, inserting a guide pin or a joint locator into the sacroiliac joint normal to the immediate bone surfaces on either side of the joint, retracting soft tissue via dilation tubes, sliding a cannulated reamer over the guide pin or the joint locator until a distal end of the reamer engages the sacroiliac joint creating a relatively flat graft site, removing the reamer and guide pin or joint locator, inserting a directional cannula into the sacroiliac joint aligning the teeth located on the distal end of the cannula with the plane of the joint, tapping a proximal end of the directional cannula to reversibly secure the alignment teeth into the sacroiliac joint, inserting the drill guide into the directional cannula, inserting a drill bit through the drill guide and drilling a cavity within the sacroiliac joint to a predetermined depth, removing the drill bit from within the drill guide, removing the drill guide from within the directional cannula, inserting the implant through the directional cannula until the distal end of the implant engages the cavity, inserting an implant positioner to seat the implant at a prescribed depth completely within the cavity, proportionately distributed in the sacrum and ilium, removing the implant positioner from within the directional cannula, removing the directional cannula, and removing the dilation tube.",
"[0012] These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.",
"[0013] The present invention includes a novel apparatus for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion.",
"The novel structure includes a sacroiliac joint stabilization implant for disposition between the opposing articular surfaces of a sacroiliac joint to immobilize the sacroiliac joint and facilitate fusion between the sacrum and ilium.",
"[0014] More particularly, in one form of the present invention, the novel sacroiliac joint stabilization implant includes an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end.",
"The elongated body has a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis, and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis.",
"[0015] The elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint, and at least one stabilizer has a width that is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint.",
"[0016] A novel method for fusing a sacroiliac joint includes the steps of providing a sacroiliac joint stabilization implant having an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end.",
"The method further includes the steps of providing the elongated body with a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis and providing at least one stabilizer that extends radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis.",
"[0017] The method steps further include the steps of forming the elongated body so that it has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the sacrum and the ilium making up a sacroiliac joint and forming the at least one stabilizer so that it has a width sized to make a press fit into the gap between the sacrum and ilium making up a sacroiliac joint.",
"[0018] Further method steps include the steps of deploying the sacroiliac joint stabilization implant in the sacroiliac joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within the sacrum and ilium of the sacroiliac joint and so that the at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the sacrum and ilium and maintaining the sacroiliac Joint stabilization implant in such position white fusion occurs.",
"[0019] Still further steps include deploying the stabilization implant in the joint so that the elongated body is simultaneously positioned within both of the bones of the joint and at least one stabilizer is positioned within the gap between the bones and maintaining the stabilization implant in this position while fusion occurs.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein: [0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a stabilization implant formed in accordance with the present invention;",
"[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sacroiliac joint;",
"[0023] FIG. 3A is a close-up perspective view of said sacroiliac joint and a drilled, bored, punched, or cut cavity;",
"[0024] FIG. 3B is a close-up perspective view of said sacroiliac joint and said stabilization implant in the final position in the sacroiliac joint;",
"[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a guide pin;",
"[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a joint locator;",
"[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of four dilation tubes of increasing diameters;",
"[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cannulated reamer;",
"[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a novel directional cannula;",
"[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a novel tapping cap;",
"[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a novel drill guide;",
"[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drill bit;",
"[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a novel implant positioner;",
"[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of said dilation tubes positioned over said sacroiliac joint;",
"[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a said dilation tubes with said joint locator ensleeved within a lumen of the smallest diameter dilation tube;",
"[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of said cannulated reamer ensleeved within the lumen of the largest diameter dilation tube, sliding over said joint locator;",
"[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a relatively flat graft site created horizontal to said sacroiliac joint;",
"[0038] FIG. 16A is a longitudinal sectional view of said graft site of FIG. 16 ;",
"[0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of said directional cannula ensleeved within the lumen of said largest diameter dilation tube;",
"[0040] FIG. 17A is a longitudinal sectional view of the distal end of the said directional cannula positioned in the sacroiliac joint of FIG. 17 ;",
"[0041] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of said drill guide ensleeved in the lumen of said directional cannula with a non-centered guide hole positioned over an ilium bone;",
"[0042] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of said drill guide rotated 180 degrees and subsequently ensleeved in the lumen of said directional cannula with said non-centered guide hole now positioned over a sacrum bone;",
"[0043] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of said sacrum and ilium bones and a drilled, bored, punched, or cut cavity formed in said sacroiliac joint;",
"[0044] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of said stabilization implant being loaded into said directional cannula;",
"[0045] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of said implant and said implant positioner ensleeve the lumen of the directional cannula prior to final position;",
"and [0046] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of said stabilization implant in the final position in said sacroiliac joint.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0047] Referring now to FIG. 1 , it will there be seen that the novel sacroiliac stabilization implant, disclosed further in U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,981 to Vestgaarden, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Spinal Facet Fusion,” incorporated herein by reference, is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 5 .",
"Stabilization implant 5 generally includes body 10 and at least one stabilizer 15 .",
"[0048] Body 10 is an elongated element having structural integrity.",
"Preferably the distal end of body 10 (and the distal end of stabilizer 15 as well) is chamfered as shown at 20 to facilitate insertion of fusion implant 5 into the sacroiliac joint.",
"Preferably, as depicted in FIG. 1 , body 10 has a rounded rectangular cross-section, or an ovoid cross-section, a laterally-extended cross-section, or some other non-round cross-section, so as to inhibit rotation of body 10 about a longitudinal center axis.",
"[0049] At least one stabilizer 15 is received in the gap located between the opposing sacroiliac surfaces to prevent rotation of stabilization implant 5 within the sacroiliac joint.",
"In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two stabilizers 15 a and 15 b are provided, one disposed along the upper surface of body 10 and one disposed along the lower surface of body 10 .",
"Stabilizers 15 preferably have a width just slightly larger than the gap between the opposing articular surfaces of a sacroiliac joint so that the stabilizers can make a snug fit therebetween.",
"[0050] Stabilization implant 5 is inserted into a sacroiliac joint using a posterior approach.",
"The posterior approach is familiar to spine surgeons, thereby providing an increased level of comfort for the surgeon.",
"[0051] In use, and referring now at FIG. 2 , an instrument is first used to determine plane 40 of sacroiliac joint 60 .",
"Identifying the plane of the sacroiliac joint is important, since this is used to identify the proper position for cavity 45 ( FIG. 3A ) which is to be formed across the sacroiliac joint to receive stabilization implant 5 .",
"[0052] At least one of the instruments includes a directional feature which is used to maintain the alignment of the instrumentation with the plane of the sacroiliac joint.",
"A directional cannula may include a flat portion and the remaining instruments may include a flat portion on an opposite portion of the instrument so that the instruments may only be inserted through the cannula at zero degrees (0°), one hundred eighty degrees (180°), or both.",
"[0053] The directional cannula provides the passageway for the placement and insertion of a stabilization device, as well as for performing drilling/cutting or other preparatory work for appropriate stabilization device embodiments.",
"[0054] The directional cannula can have an interior central passage of a circular cross section, oval cross section, rectangular cross section or other desired shape that provides the desired guide channel to deliver a stabilization device into cavity 45 .",
"[0055] After the proper position for cavity 45 has been identified, a drill (or reamer, punch, dremel, router, burr, etc.) is used to form cavity 45 in sacroiliac joint 60 .",
"Cavity 45 is formed across plane 40 so that substantially one-half of cavity 45 is formed in sacrum 50 , and substantially one-half is formed in ilium 55 .",
"[0056] After cavity 45 has been formed in (or, perhaps more literally, across) the sacroiliac joint 60 , and now referring to FIG. 3B , stabilization implant 5 is inserted into cavity 45 .",
"More particularly, stabilization implant 5 is inserted into cavity 45 so that (i) main body 10 spans the gap between opposing sacrum 50 and ilium 55 , and (ii) stabilizers 15 extend between the opposing sacrum and ilium surfaces.",
"Preferably, stabilization implant 5 is slightly oversized relative to cavity 45 so as to create a press fit.",
"Stabilization implant 5 provides the stability and strength needed to immobilize the sacroiliac joint 60 white fusion occurs.",
"Due to the positioning of stabilizers 15 between the opposing sacrum and ilium surfaces, and due to the non-circular cross-section of main body 10 , stabilization implant 5 is held against rotation within cavity 45 , which will in turn holds sacrum 50 and ilium 55 stable relative to one another.",
"DETAILED SURGICAL TECHNIQUE [0057] A preferred surgical technique for using stabilization implant 5 employs guide pin 100 ( FIG. 4 ), joint locator 105 ( FIG. 5 ), dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 6 ), cannulated reamer 120 ( FIG. 7 ), directional cannula 130 ( FIG. 8 ), tapping cap 135 ( FIG. 9 ), drill guide 140 ( FIG. 10 ), drill bit 150 ( FIG. 11 ), and implant positioner 160 ( FIG. 12 ) [0058] First, the sacroiliac joint is localized indirectly by fluoroscopy, or directly by visualization during an open procedure.",
"A path through soft tissue to the sacroiliac joint is then created via surgeon's preference, such as open, minimally-invasive, percutaneous, or arthroscopic.",
"[0059] A set of dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 13 ) having increasing diameters is then inserted into the soft tissue opening in sequence of increasing diameters to sufficiently retract the soft tissue exposing a graft site.",
"[0060] Next, joint locator 105 ( FIG. 14 ) is slid into a lumen of dilation tube 110 until blade 106 engages sacroiliac joint 60 and is aligned with joint plane 40 .",
"Then joint locator 105 is lightly tapped so as to insert joint locator blade 106 into sacroiliac joint 60 until positive stop 107 is engaged.",
"[0061] Next, internal dilation tubes 110 - 112 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .",
"[0062] Cannulated reamer 120 is then slid over joint locator 105 to remove any bone obstructing the joint and to prepare the graft surface for receiving directional cannula 130 and stabilization implant 5 ( FIG. 15 ).",
"The distal end of reamer 120 is advanced until it sufficiently engages sacroiliac joint 60 , thereby preparing a relatively flat graft surface perpendicular to sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIGS. 16 and 16A ).",
"The position of reamer 120 and joint locator 105 is verified by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes.",
"[0063] Reamer 120 and joint locator 105 are then removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .",
"[0064] Next, directional cannula 130 is inserted into the lumen of dilation tube 113 until a distal end of cannula 130 engages sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 17 ).",
"Directional cannula teeth 131 are then aligned with plane 40 of sacroiliac joint 60 .",
"Once teeth 131 of cannula 130 are aligned with plane 40 , directional cannula 130 is lightly tapped to insert cannula teeth 131 into sacroiliac joint 60 until positive stop 132 engages sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 17A ).",
"[0065] Drill guide 140 is then inserted into a lumen of directional cannula 130 with non centered guide hole 141 positioned over iliac bone 55 ( FIG. 18 ).",
"Drill guide 140 is advanced within the lumen of directional cannula 130 until drill guide 140 reaches a mechanical stop on directional cannula 130 .",
"Then, with drill guide 140 in place, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into the drill guide hole 141 positioned over iliac bone 55 .",
"Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into guide hole 141 and used to drill a cavity in iliac bone 55 .",
"Drilling continues until drill bit 150 reaches a mechanical stop on drill guide 140 .",
"Then drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 141 .",
"Next, with drill guide 140 remaining in position, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into central guide hole 142 of drill guide 140 .",
"Drill bit 150 is then inserted in a lumen of guide hole 142 and used to drill a cavity in sacroiliac joint 60 , between sacrum 50 and ilium 55 .",
"Next, drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 142 .",
"Drill guide 140 is then removed from the lumen of directional cannula 130 .",
"[0066] Drill guide 140 is rotated 180 degrees, and is reinserted into the lumen of directional cannula 130 in order to drill sacrum 50 ( FIG. 19 ).",
"With drill guide 140 in place, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into drill guide hole 141 , now positioned over sacrum 50 .",
"Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into the lumen of guide hole 141 and used to drill a cavity in sacrum bone 50 .",
"Drilling continues until drill bit 150 reaches a mechanical stop on drill guide 140 .",
"Then drill bit 150 is removed from the lumen of guide hole 141 .",
"Next, with drill guide 140 remaining in position, irrigation fluid (e.g., a few drops of saline) is placed into central guide hole 142 of drill guide 140 .",
"Next, drill bit 150 is inserted into guide hole 142 and used to drill a cavity in sacroiliac joint 60 , between sacrum 50 and ilium 55 .",
"Next, drill bit 150 is removed from guide hole 142 and drill guide 140 is removed from the lumen of directional cannula 130 .",
"[0067] This procedure creates cavity 45 ( FIG. 20 ) that is sufficiently deep and that is proportionately distributed in sacrum 50 and ilium 55 to receive stabilization implant 5 .",
"[0068] Stabilization implant 5 is then inserted, distal end first, into the lumen of directional cannula 130 ( FIG. 21 ).",
"Next, implant positioner 160 is inserted into the lumen of directional cannula 130 and advanced until resistance is felt, indicating that the distal end of implant 5 has engaged cavity 45 ( FIG. 22 ).",
"Next, implant positioner 160 is lightly tapped to drive implant 5 into cavity 45 created laterally across sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIG. 23 ).",
"Stabilization implant 5 is preferably countersunk 1-2 mm into sacroiliac joint 60 .",
"[0069] Finally, implant positioner 160 and directional cannula 130 are removed from the lumen of dilation tube 113 .",
"Dilation tube 113 is then removed from the soft tissue and the incision is closed.",
"[0070] The foregoing steps are repeated for additional locations e current sacroiliac joint 60 and in contralateral sacroiliac joint 60 .",
"Alternative Surgical Technique [0071] First, sacroiliac joint 60 is localized indirectly by fluoroscopy, or directly by visualization during an open procedure.",
"Guide pin 100 is inserted into sacroiliac joint 60 , normal to immediate opposing joint surfaces when sacroiliac joint 60 is exposed, or drilled into joint 60 through the iliac crest when sacroiliac joint 60 is obstructed.",
"The position of guide pin 100 is determined by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes.",
"Guide pin 100 is then lightly tapped to insert guide pin 100 approximately 15-20 mm into sacroiliac joint 60 , along joint plane 40 ( FIG. 3A ) [0072] Next, a set of dilation tubes 110 - 113 ( FIG. 6 ) having increasing diameters is slid over guide pin 100 into the soft tissue in sequence of increasing diameters to sufficiently retract soft tissue exposing a graft site ( FIG. 13 ), Once a sufficient surgical area is exposed, internal dilation tithes 110 - 112 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .",
"[0073] Next, referring to FIG. 15 , cannulated reamer 120 is slid over guide pin 100 within the lumen of dilation tube 113 to remove any bone obstructing sacroiliac joint 60 and to prepare the graft surface for receiving directional cannula 130 and fusion implant 5 .",
"The distal end of reamer 120 is advanced until it sufficiently engages sacroiliac joint 60 , thereby preparing a relatively flat graft surface perpendicular to sacroiliac joint 60 ( FIGS. 16A and 16B ).",
"The position of reamer 120 is verified by viewing the coronal and sagittal planes.",
"[0074] Next, reamer 120 and guide pin 100 are removed from within the lumen of dilation tube 113 .",
"[0075] The previously disclosed steps of paragraphs [00068] through [00074] are followed to complete the procedure, [0076] Numerous advantages are achieved by the present invention.",
"For example, the present invention provides a fast, simple, minimally-invasive and easily reproduced approach for effecting sacroiliac joint fusion.",
"[0077] While stabilization implant 5 has been disclosed above in the context of fusing a sacroiliac joint, it should also be appreciated that stabilization implant 5 may be used to stabilize and fuse any joint having anatomy similar to the sacroiliac joint, i.e., a pair of opposing bony surfaces defining a gap therebetween, with the stabilizer of the stabilization implant being sized to be positioned within the gap.",
"By way of example but not limitation, the stabilization implant may be used in small joints such as the fingers, toes, etc.",
"[0078] It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention.",
"[0079] It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained.",
"Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid crystal panels, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a sample stage and a light source apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Manufacturing of a liquid crystal panel is a very complex procedure that includes more than 300 steps, all of which must be carried out in dust-free environments.
[0005] The whole procedure of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel may be divided into the following major processes: (1) an array pattern process; (2) an alignment process; (3) a cell process; (4) a liquid crystal panel cutting & filling (liquid crystal) process; and (5) a quality inspection process.
[0006] Specifically, the alignment process comprises the following steps: an alignment film is coated on a glass substrate as specified, and the surface of the alignment film is rubbed by a piece of charpie to form aligned grooves on the surface of the alignment film. Then, the alignment film formed with the aligned grooves is cured to obtain a pre-tilt angle, thus completing the alignment process.
[0007] Additionally, in the prior art, the alignment process may also be carried out following the liquid crystal cutting & filling (liquid crystal) process, in which case the detailed process flow of the alignment process will be different from what described above. Furthermore, a filler material has to be incorporated in the liquid crystal material that is filled during the liquid crystal cutting & filling (liquid crystal) process. The detailed process is as follows: upon completion of the liquid crystal cutting & filling process, the liquid crystal panel is charged to rotate the liquid crystal molecules to a preset angle, and then the liquid crystal panel is irradiated by UV rays to cure the filler material in the liquid crystal, thus obtaining a pre-tilt angle.
[0008] In the latter alignment process, because of the wide band of wavelengths of the UV rays used, the irradiation has an undesirable effect on the filler material, and the relatively long time required to irradiate the filler material reduces the speed and efficiency of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, as well as a sample stage and a light source apparatus which can improve the efficiency of manufacturing liquid crystal panels.
[0010] The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, which comprises a sample stage and at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source. The sample stage is used for placing the liquid crystal panel thereon. The UV light source is adapted to irradiate the liquid crystal panel so that a filler material in a liquid crystal layer that has been rotated to a preset angle is cured to form a pre-tilt angle. A UV filtering sheet is disposed between the sample stage and the UV light source and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.
[0011] Preferably, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.
[0012] Preferably, the area irradiated by the UV light source is equal to the area of the upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.
[0013] Preferably, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.
[0014] The present invention further provides a sample stage, which comprises a sample stage body for placing a liquid crystal panel thereon. A UV filtering cover is disposed on the sample stage body and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm, and a space formed by the sample stage body and the UV filtering cover is adapted to accommodate the liquid crystal panel therein.
[0015] Preferably, an inner surface of a top wall of the UV filtering cover has the profile as a surface of the liquid crystal panel.
[0016] Preferably, an area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover is greater than an area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel.
[0017] Preferably, the area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover is equal to the area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel.
[0018] The present invention further provides a light source apparatus, which comprises a UV luminescent lamp body and a protective cover disposed around the UV luminescent lamp body. A UV filtering cover is connected with the protective cover and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm. The UV luminescent lamp body is disposed in a space formed by the protective cover and the UV filtering cover so that all UV rays received by an irradiated object are filtered by the UV filtering cover.
[0019] Preferably, the protective cover is seamlessly connected with the UV filtering cover so that the UV luminescent lamp body is disposed in a closed space formed by the protective cover and the UV filtering cover.
[0020] Preferably, the UV luminescent lamp body has an output power of 85 nW.
[0021] The present invention further provides a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, comprising the following steps of:
disposing a UV filtering sheet between a sample stage and a UV light source; placing the liquid crystal panel on the sample stage, wherein the liquid crystal panel is charged so that liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer between a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate and a color filter (CF) substrate are rotated to a preset angle; and irradiating the liquid crystal panel by use of UV rays, which have wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm and are transmitted through the UV filtering sheet, to cure a filler material in the liquid crystal layer so as to form the pre-tilt angle.
[0025] Preferably, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.
[0026] Preferably, the area irradiated by the UV light source is equal to the area of the upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.
[0027] Preferably, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.
[0028] Preferably, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the thin film transistor substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards.
[0029] Preferably, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the color filter substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards.
[0030] According to the apparatus and the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the sample stage and the light source apparatus of the present invention, a desirable pre-tilt angle is formed by disposing a UV filtering sheet between the sample stage and the UV light source for allowing UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to quickly cure the filler material in the liquid crystal layer. This shortens the time of UV irradiation, improves the efficiency of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and lowers the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of an apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a sample stage according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a light source apparatus according to the present invention; and
[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention.
[0035] Hereinafter, implementations, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to embodiments thereof and the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] It shall be understood that, the embodiments described herein are only intended to illustrate but not to limit the present invention. It shall also be firstly noted that, for convenience of description, the attached drawings are presented in a schematic manner with components unrelated to the present invention being omitted from depiction therein.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention. The apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel comprises a sample stage 110 and at least one UV light source 120 . The sample stage 110 is used for placing the liquid crystal panel 140 thereon. The UV light source 120 is adapted to irradiate the liquid crystal panel 140 so that a filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle in the liquid crystal layer is cured to form a pre-tilt angle. A UV filtering sheet 130 is disposed between the sample stage 110 and the UV light source 120 , and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.
[0038] Further, in this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, an area irradiated by the UV light source 120 is smaller than or equal to an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet 130 in order to ensure that all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel are filtered by the UV filtering sheet 130 .
[0039] Further, in this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the UV light source 120 has an output power of 85 nW.
[0040] The liquid crystal panel 140 comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 141 and a color filter (CF) substrate 142 . Between the TFT substrate 141 and the
[0041] CF substrate 142 is disposed a liquid crystal layer (not shown), which is formed by a uniform mixture of a liquid crystal material and a filler material. The filler material is adapted to be cured when being irradiated by UV rays. When the liquid crystal panel 140 is energized at a preset voltage, the liquid crystal molecules will drive the filler material to rotate to a preset angle. Then, the filler material is cured through irradiation of the UV rays to form a fixed pre-tilt angle. The curing time for the filler material to cure and the curing effect vary with different wavelengths of the UV rays. When UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm are used for irradiation, the curing time will be the shortest and the optimal curing effect be obtained.
[0042] Further, the TFT substrate 141 of the liquid crystal panel 140 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle. In other alternative embodiments, it is also possible that the CF substrate 142 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle.
[0043] In this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a UV filtering sheet 130 is disposed between the sample stage 110 and the UV light source 120 to allow UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to irradiate the liquid crystal panel 140 . In this way, the time required to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel 140 is shortened, and the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel 140 is improved.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2 , there is shown an embodiment of a sample stage 200 according to the present invention. The sample stage 200 comprises a sample stage body 210 for placing the liquid crystal panel 140 thereon. On the sample stage body 210 is disposed a UV filtering cover 211 that is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm. A space formed by the sample stage body 210 and the UV filtering cover 211 is adapted to accommodate the liquid crystal panel 140 therein.
[0045] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , an inner surface of a top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 has the same profile as a surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .
[0046] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , an area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 is greater than an area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .
[0047] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , the area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 may be equal to the area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .
[0048] When the sample stage 200 of this embodiment is used to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel (i.e., during the process of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel), the liquid crystal panel 140 that has been energized is placed in the space formed by the sample stage body 210 of the sample stage 200 and the UV filtering cover 211 , and is then irradiated by a common UV light source. Because the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed in the space formed by the sample stage body 210 and the UV filtering cover 211 , all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel 140 have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 211 ; i.e., the UV rays received have wavelengths ranging between 320 nm and 380 nm. In this way, the filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle along with the liquid crystal molecules can be cured rapidly, thus shortening the time required to produce the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and improving the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown an embodiment of a light source apparatus 300 according to the present invention. The UV light source apparatus 300 comprises a UV luminescent lamp body 310 , a protective cover 320 disposed around the UV luminescent lamp body 310 , and a UV filtering cover 330 connected with the protective cover 320 . The UV filtering cover 330 is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm. The UV luminescent lamp body 310 is disposed in a space formed by the protective cover 320 and the UV filtering cover 330 so that all UV rays received by the irradiated object have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 330 .
[0050] Further, in this embodiment of the light source apparatus 300 , the protective cover 320 is seamlessly connected with the UV filtering cover 330 so that the UV luminescent lamp body 310 is disposed in a closed space formed by the protective cover 320 and the UV filtering cover 330 .
[0051] Further, in this embodiment of the light source apparatus 300 , the UV luminescent lamp body 310 has an output power of 85 nW.
[0052] When the light source apparatus 300 of this embodiment is used to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel (i.e., during the process of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel), the liquid crystal panel 140 that has been energized is placed under the light source apparatus 300 of this embodiment for irradiation. Because the light source apparatus 300 is provided with the UV filtering cover 330 , all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel 140 have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 330 ; i.e., the UV rays received have wavelengths ranging between 320 nm and 380 nm. In this way, the filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle along with the liquid crystal molecules can be cured rapidly, thus shortening the time required to produce the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and improving the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 4 , there is shown an embodiment of a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention. This method is based on the apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . This method comprises the following steps.
[0054] Step S 101 : disposing a UV filtering sheet between a sample stage and a UV light source.
[0055] Step S 102 : placing a liquid crystal panel on the sample stage.
[0056] The liquid crystal panel is charged so that liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer between a TFT substrate and a CF substrate are rotated to a preset angle.
[0057] Step S 103 : irradiating the liquid crystal panel by use of UV rays, which have wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm and are transmitted through the UV filtering sheet, to cure a filler material in the liquid crystal layer so as to form the pre-tilt angle.
[0058] In this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the time for the filler material to cure and the curing effect vary with different wavelengths of the UV rays. When UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm are used for irradiation, the curing time will be the shortest and the optimal curing effect be obtained.
[0059] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than or equal to an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet in order to ensure that all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel are filtered by the UV filtering sheet.
[0060] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.
[0061] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the TFT substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards. In other alternative embodiments, it is also possible that the CF substrate 142 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle.
[0062] In this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a UV filtering sheet is disposed between the sample stage and the UV light source to allow UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to irradiate the liquid crystal panel. In this way, the time required to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel is shortened, and the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal panel is improved.
[0063] What described above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, any equivalent structural or process flow modifications that are made on basis of the specification and the attached drawings or any direct or indirect applications in other technical fields shall also fall within the scope of the present invention. | An apparatus and a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample stage for placing the liquid crystal panel, at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source for irradiating the liquid crystal panel so that a filler material in a liquid crystal layer rotated to a preset angle can be cured to form a pre-tilt angle, and A UV filtering sheet transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm disposed between the sample stage and the UV light source. By disposing the UV filtering sheet, the filler material in the liquid crystal layer can be quickly cured and a desirable pre-tilt angle can be formed. This shortens the time of UV irradiation, improves the efficiency of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and lowers the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal panel. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] 1.",
"Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid crystal panels, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a sample stage and a light source apparatus.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Description of Related Art [0004] Manufacturing of a liquid crystal panel is a very complex procedure that includes more than 300 steps, all of which must be carried out in dust-free environments.",
"[0005] The whole procedure of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel may be divided into the following major processes: (1) an array pattern process;",
"(2) an alignment process;",
"(3) a cell process;",
"(4) a liquid crystal panel cutting &",
"filling (liquid crystal) process;",
"and (5) a quality inspection process.",
"[0006] Specifically, the alignment process comprises the following steps: an alignment film is coated on a glass substrate as specified, and the surface of the alignment film is rubbed by a piece of charpie to form aligned grooves on the surface of the alignment film.",
"Then, the alignment film formed with the aligned grooves is cured to obtain a pre-tilt angle, thus completing the alignment process.",
"[0007] Additionally, in the prior art, the alignment process may also be carried out following the liquid crystal cutting &",
"filling (liquid crystal) process, in which case the detailed process flow of the alignment process will be different from what described above.",
"Furthermore, a filler material has to be incorporated in the liquid crystal material that is filled during the liquid crystal cutting &",
"filling (liquid crystal) process.",
"The detailed process is as follows: upon completion of the liquid crystal cutting &",
"filling process, the liquid crystal panel is charged to rotate the liquid crystal molecules to a preset angle, and then the liquid crystal panel is irradiated by UV rays to cure the filler material in the liquid crystal, thus obtaining a pre-tilt angle.",
"[0008] In the latter alignment process, because of the wide band of wavelengths of the UV rays used, the irradiation has an undesirable effect on the filler material, and the relatively long time required to irradiate the filler material reduces the speed and efficiency of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel.",
"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, as well as a sample stage and a light source apparatus which can improve the efficiency of manufacturing liquid crystal panels.",
"[0010] The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, which comprises a sample stage and at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source.",
"The sample stage is used for placing the liquid crystal panel thereon.",
"The UV light source is adapted to irradiate the liquid crystal panel so that a filler material in a liquid crystal layer that has been rotated to a preset angle is cured to form a pre-tilt angle.",
"A UV filtering sheet is disposed between the sample stage and the UV light source and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.",
"[0011] Preferably, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.",
"[0012] Preferably, the area irradiated by the UV light source is equal to the area of the upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.",
"[0013] Preferably, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0014] The present invention further provides a sample stage, which comprises a sample stage body for placing a liquid crystal panel thereon.",
"A UV filtering cover is disposed on the sample stage body and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm, and a space formed by the sample stage body and the UV filtering cover is adapted to accommodate the liquid crystal panel therein.",
"[0015] Preferably, an inner surface of a top wall of the UV filtering cover has the profile as a surface of the liquid crystal panel.",
"[0016] Preferably, an area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover is greater than an area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel.",
"[0017] Preferably, the area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover is equal to the area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel.",
"[0018] The present invention further provides a light source apparatus, which comprises a UV luminescent lamp body and a protective cover disposed around the UV luminescent lamp body.",
"A UV filtering cover is connected with the protective cover and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.",
"The UV luminescent lamp body is disposed in a space formed by the protective cover and the UV filtering cover so that all UV rays received by an irradiated object are filtered by the UV filtering cover.",
"[0019] Preferably, the protective cover is seamlessly connected with the UV filtering cover so that the UV luminescent lamp body is disposed in a closed space formed by the protective cover and the UV filtering cover.",
"[0020] Preferably, the UV luminescent lamp body has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0021] The present invention further provides a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, comprising the following steps of: disposing a UV filtering sheet between a sample stage and a UV light source;",
"placing the liquid crystal panel on the sample stage, wherein the liquid crystal panel is charged so that liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer between a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate and a color filter (CF) substrate are rotated to a preset angle;",
"and irradiating the liquid crystal panel by use of UV rays, which have wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm and are transmitted through the UV filtering sheet, to cure a filler material in the liquid crystal layer so as to form the pre-tilt angle.",
"[0025] Preferably, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.",
"[0026] Preferably, the area irradiated by the UV light source is equal to the area of the upper surface of the UV filtering sheet.",
"[0027] Preferably, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0028] Preferably, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the thin film transistor substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards.",
"[0029] Preferably, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the color filter substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards.",
"[0030] According to the apparatus and the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the sample stage and the light source apparatus of the present invention, a desirable pre-tilt angle is formed by disposing a UV filtering sheet between the sample stage and the UV light source for allowing UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to quickly cure the filler material in the liquid crystal layer.",
"This shortens the time of UV irradiation, improves the efficiency of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and lowers the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal panel.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of an apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention;",
"[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a sample stage according to the present invention;",
"[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a light source apparatus according to the present invention;",
"and [0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention.",
"[0035] Hereinafter, implementations, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to embodiments thereof and the attached drawings.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0036] It shall be understood that, the embodiments described herein are only intended to illustrate but not to limit the present invention.",
"It shall also be firstly noted that, for convenience of description, the attached drawings are presented in a schematic manner with components unrelated to the present invention being omitted from depiction therein.",
"[0037] Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention.",
"The apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel comprises a sample stage 110 and at least one UV light source 120 .",
"The sample stage 110 is used for placing the liquid crystal panel 140 thereon.",
"The UV light source 120 is adapted to irradiate the liquid crystal panel 140 so that a filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle in the liquid crystal layer is cured to form a pre-tilt angle.",
"A UV filtering sheet 130 is disposed between the sample stage 110 and the UV light source 120 , and is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.",
"[0038] Further, in this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, an area irradiated by the UV light source 120 is smaller than or equal to an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet 130 in order to ensure that all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel are filtered by the UV filtering sheet 130 .",
"[0039] Further, in this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the UV light source 120 has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0040] The liquid crystal panel 140 comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 141 and a color filter (CF) substrate 142 .",
"Between the TFT substrate 141 and the [0041] CF substrate 142 is disposed a liquid crystal layer (not shown), which is formed by a uniform mixture of a liquid crystal material and a filler material.",
"The filler material is adapted to be cured when being irradiated by UV rays.",
"When the liquid crystal panel 140 is energized at a preset voltage, the liquid crystal molecules will drive the filler material to rotate to a preset angle.",
"Then, the filler material is cured through irradiation of the UV rays to form a fixed pre-tilt angle.",
"The curing time for the filler material to cure and the curing effect vary with different wavelengths of the UV rays.",
"When UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm are used for irradiation, the curing time will be the shortest and the optimal curing effect be obtained.",
"[0042] Further, the TFT substrate 141 of the liquid crystal panel 140 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle.",
"In other alternative embodiments, it is also possible that the CF substrate 142 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle.",
"[0043] In this embodiment of the apparatus 100 for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a UV filtering sheet 130 is disposed between the sample stage 110 and the UV light source 120 to allow UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to irradiate the liquid crystal panel 140 .",
"In this way, the time required to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel 140 is shortened, and the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel 140 is improved.",
"[0044] Referring to FIG. 2 , there is shown an embodiment of a sample stage 200 according to the present invention.",
"The sample stage 200 comprises a sample stage body 210 for placing the liquid crystal panel 140 thereon.",
"On the sample stage body 210 is disposed a UV filtering cover 211 that is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.",
"A space formed by the sample stage body 210 and the UV filtering cover 211 is adapted to accommodate the liquid crystal panel 140 therein.",
"[0045] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , an inner surface of a top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 has the same profile as a surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .",
"[0046] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , an area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 is greater than an area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .",
"[0047] Further, in this embodiment of the sample stage 200 , the area of the inner surface of the top wall of the UV filtering cover 211 may be equal to the area of the surface of the liquid crystal panel 140 .",
"[0048] When the sample stage 200 of this embodiment is used to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel (i.e., during the process of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel), the liquid crystal panel 140 that has been energized is placed in the space formed by the sample stage body 210 of the sample stage 200 and the UV filtering cover 211 , and is then irradiated by a common UV light source.",
"Because the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed in the space formed by the sample stage body 210 and the UV filtering cover 211 , all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel 140 have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 211 ;",
"i.e., the UV rays received have wavelengths ranging between 320 nm and 380 nm.",
"In this way, the filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle along with the liquid crystal molecules can be cured rapidly, thus shortening the time required to produce the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and improving the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel.",
"[0049] Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown an embodiment of a light source apparatus 300 according to the present invention.",
"The UV light source apparatus 300 comprises a UV luminescent lamp body 310 , a protective cover 320 disposed around the UV luminescent lamp body 310 , and a UV filtering cover 330 connected with the protective cover 320 .",
"The UV filtering cover 330 is only transmissive to UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm.",
"The UV luminescent lamp body 310 is disposed in a space formed by the protective cover 320 and the UV filtering cover 330 so that all UV rays received by the irradiated object have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 330 .",
"[0050] Further, in this embodiment of the light source apparatus 300 , the protective cover 320 is seamlessly connected with the UV filtering cover 330 so that the UV luminescent lamp body 310 is disposed in a closed space formed by the protective cover 320 and the UV filtering cover 330 .",
"[0051] Further, in this embodiment of the light source apparatus 300 , the UV luminescent lamp body 310 has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0052] When the light source apparatus 300 of this embodiment is used to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel (i.e., during the process of producing a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel), the liquid crystal panel 140 that has been energized is placed under the light source apparatus 300 of this embodiment for irradiation.",
"Because the light source apparatus 300 is provided with the UV filtering cover 330 , all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel 140 have been filtered by the UV filtering cover 330 ;",
"i.e., the UV rays received have wavelengths ranging between 320 nm and 380 nm.",
"In this way, the filler material that has been rotated to a preset angle along with the liquid crystal molecules can be cured rapidly, thus shortening the time required to produce the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel and improving the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel.",
"[0053] Referring to FIG. 4 , there is shown an embodiment of a method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel according to the present invention.",
"This method is based on the apparatus for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .",
"This method comprises the following steps.",
"[0054] Step S 101 : disposing a UV filtering sheet between a sample stage and a UV light source.",
"[0055] Step S 102 : placing a liquid crystal panel on the sample stage.",
"[0056] The liquid crystal panel is charged so that liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer between a TFT substrate and a CF substrate are rotated to a preset angle.",
"[0057] Step S 103 : irradiating the liquid crystal panel by use of UV rays, which have wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm and are transmitted through the UV filtering sheet, to cure a filler material in the liquid crystal layer so as to form the pre-tilt angle.",
"[0058] In this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the time for the filler material to cure and the curing effect vary with different wavelengths of the UV rays.",
"When UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm are used for irradiation, the curing time will be the shortest and the optimal curing effect be obtained.",
"[0059] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, an area irradiated by the UV light source is smaller than or equal to an area of an upper surface of the UV filtering sheet in order to ensure that all UV rays received by the liquid crystal panel are filtered by the UV filtering sheet.",
"[0060] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the UV light source has an output power of 85 nW.",
"[0061] Further, in this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel is placed on the sample stage in such a way that the TFT substrate of the liquid crystal panel faces upwards.",
"In other alternative embodiments, it is also possible that the CF substrate 142 faces upwards when the liquid crystal panel 140 is placed on the sample stage 110 to produce the pre-tilt angle.",
"[0062] In this embodiment of the method for producing a pre-tilt angle in a liquid crystal panel, a UV filtering sheet is disposed between the sample stage and the UV light source to allow UV rays with wavelengths of 320 nm to 380 nm to transmit therethrough to irradiate the liquid crystal panel.",
"In this way, the time required to produce a pre-tilt angle in the liquid crystal panel is shortened, and the curing effect of producing the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal panel is improved.",
"[0063] What described above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.",
"Accordingly, any equivalent structural or process flow modifications that are made on basis of the specification and the attached drawings or any direct or indirect applications in other technical fields shall also fall within the scope of the present invention."
] |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to and claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, from French Patent Application No. 99 13612, filed on Oct. 29, 1999, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device to amplify the movement of an operating button for a switch, which is used especially when the operating button of the switch has a small range of travel, for example, about one millimeter.
2. Discussion of Background
Switches, of the type discussed above, are used when fast selection switching is required, for example, to prevent rebounding between the contacts of the switch.
In a movement-amplifying device, the operating button is not operated directly, but by means of a pusher that is movable in translation and has a range of travel, for example, about 5 millimeters, which is far greater than the range of travel of the operating button, i.e., about 1 millimeter. The amplified range of travel of the pusher is especially useful for broadening the manufacturing tolerance values for mechanisms, such as a cam, for example, which operate the pusher.
The prior art movement-amplifying devices are complicated. They comprise a large number of mechanical parts, and especially several springs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is aimed at simplifying the complicated movement-amplifying devices of the prior art.
To achieve this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device to amplify the movement of an operating button of a switch, wherein the switch is fixed in a body of the device. The device includes a pusher which is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the body and the central longitudinal axis of the body is coincident with a central longitudinal axis of the pusher. The translation of the pusher constitutes the amplified motion. The device includes a varying-diameter cylindrical member having first, second, and third support regions. The first support region of the cylindrical member is capable of moving along a ramp of the pusher when the pusher moves along the central longitudinal axis of the body. The second support region of the cylindrical member is in permanent contact with a region of the body whatever the position of the pusher. The third support region of the cylindrical member is in contact with the operating button of the switch.
An advantage of the present invention is that the movement-amplifying device provides for the depressed and released positions of the pusher to be reversed from the depressed and released positions of the operating button of the switch. In other words, when the pusher is at rest or in a released position, the operating button of the switch is in a depressed position and when the pusher is in a depressed position, the operating button of the switch is in a released position. The reversed states of the depressed and released positions for the pusher and the operating button of the switch are advantageous, particularly for small-motion switches which cannot withstand the sudden action of having their operating button pressed upon because such sudden pressing action could cause damage to the switch. Because of the reversed states of the depressed and released positions of the pusher and the operating button of the switch, the speed with which the operating button is pressed is related to the structure for providing permanent contact between the second support region of the cylindrical structure and the region of the body, for example, by using a spring that maintains this contact. The calibration of this spring controls the speed at which the operating button is pressed and prevents sudden depressing of the operating button so that the switch will not be damaged.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the movement-amplifying device enables the progress of the travel of the operating button to be set as a function of the progress of travel of the pusher. This setting of the progress of the travel of the operating button of the switch as a function of the progress of travel of the pusher is obtained by adapting the shape of the ramp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
The present invention will be understood more clearly and other advantages will appear from the following detailed description of an embodiment illustrated by the appended drawing in which the different figures show several positions of the same device. More specifically:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a movement-amplifying device showing a pusher in a released position;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the movement-amplifying device of FIG. 1 with the pusher in an intermediate position; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the movement-amplifying device of FIG. 1 with the pusher in a depressed position.
For greater convenience, the same structural elements of the device will bear the same reference numerals in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The different structural elements of the movement-amplifying device, according to the present invention, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIG. 1, a body 1 is shown and bears the other structural elements of the device. More particularly, the body 1 has a first cavity in which a switch 3 is fixed. The switch 3 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape. The lower part of the switch has electrical connection pins 4 , 5 , and 6 . The upper part of the switch 3 has an operating button 7 capable of translation, for example, back and forth between several positions. The switch 3 sets up contact between certain ones of the pins 4 , 5 , and 6 of the switch 3 as a function of the position of the operating button 7 . For example, the switch 3 has three pins 4 , 5 , and 6 and the operating button 7 can move between two positions, i.e., a depressed position and a released position. In the depressed position, the operating button 7 places the pins 4 and 5 of the switch 3 in contact and in the released position, the operating button 7 places the pins 4 and 6 of the switch 3 in contact. The operating button 7 , shown in FIG. 1, is in a depressed position.
Of course, it is possible to implement the present invention with a switch 3 comprising several separate circuits and/or a switch 3 having operating button 7 which can take more than two positions, wherein each of the positions put different pins 4 , 5 , and 6 of the switch 3 into contact.
Above the first cavity 2 , the body 1 has a second cavity 8 communicating with the first cavity 2 . The second cavity 8 has an aperture 9 which opens out on the top of the body 1 . The second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 are cylindrical, for example, along a central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 and the pusher 12 . The diameter of the aperture 9 is smaller than the diameter of the second cavity 8 so that a shoulder 11 is formed inside of the body 1 .
The device also comprises a pusher 12 , substantially formed by a cylindrical part 13 along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 and an annular flange 15 at a lower end 14 of the cylindrical portion 13 of the pusher 12 . The diameter of the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 as well as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 are such that the cylindrical portion 13 can move freely in the aperture 9 until the annular flange 15 comes to abut the shoulder 11 formed between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 , as is the case shown in FIG. 1 . The cylindrical portion 13 of the pusher 12 extends along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 up to an end 16 , which is located above the top surface of the body 1 .
The device furthermore has a varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , which is substantially generated by revolution. The central longitudinal axis of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 is substantially coincident with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 , when the device is in the position shown in FIG. 1 . The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 has a first finger 21 . The first finger 21 has an end which is in contact with the operating button 7 of the switch 3 .
Advantageously, the surface of the end of the finger 21 which is in contact with the surface of the operating button 7 are substantially convex so as to provide for a substantially localized contact.
The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 furthermore has a flange 22 designed to press against a region of the body 1 .
Advantageously, the external diameter of the flange 22 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the second cavity 8 and a support region belonging to the body 1 is formed by an added-on part 23 fixed to the body 1 so that the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 can be supported inside of the body 1 .
The added-on part 23 is, for example, a flat washer crimped in the body 1 . The internal diameter of this flat washer is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 22 . As an alternative, the added-on part 23 may also be an internal circlip mounted in a groove of the body 1 . In that case, the internal diameter of the internal circlip would be, similar to the flat washer, smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 22 . The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 also has a second finger 24 . An end 25 of the second finger 24 is supported against a ramp 30 belonging to the pusher 12 . The first finger 21 and the second finger 24 both extend advantageously along the central longitudinal axis of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , which as shown in FIG. 1 is coincident with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body, on either side of the flange 22 .
Advantageously, the end 25 of the second finger 24 has a convex surface so that the support against the ramp 30 is substantially localized.
The ramp 30 is made, for example, by means of a bore made in the pusher 12 . A central longitudinal axis 31 of the bore is parallel to and slightly offset from the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 . The bore comprises a smooth, cylindrical blind hole 32 . The bore opens out on the lower end 14 side of the pusher 12 through a countersunk feature 33 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the distance the central longitudinal axis 31 of the bore is offset from the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 is such that a part of the countersunk feature 33 is located outside of the pusher 12 .
The dimensions of the different parts comprising the device are such that when the pusher 12 is in the highest possible position, namely, when the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 substantially contacts the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 , the flange 22 is substantially supported on an entire perimeter thereof against the added-on part 23 . Advantageously, an elastic element 35 is provided to ensure this support. This elastic element 35 is also used to make the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 approach the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 . The elastic element 35 is, for example, a helical spring placed between the pusher 12 and the flange 22 . The central longitudinal axis of the helical spring is substantially merged with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .
It is clearly not possible to obtain perfect contact simultaneously between the flange 22 and the added-on part 23 , the end 25 of the second finger 24 and the ramp 30 , and the annular flange 15 and the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 . Advantageously, a functional clearance is planned between the end 25 of the second finger 24 and the ramp 30 . Thus, the other contacts will be obtained surely and precisely.
When the pusher 12 is in its highest possible position, the first finger 21 presses the operating button 7 of the switch 3 and holds it in the depressed position. When the contact between the flange 22 and the added-on part 23 is obtained with precision, the pressing of the first finger 21 and the operating button 7 is controlled with greater certainty.
FIG. 2 shows the structural element of the device shown in FIG. 1 . Here the pusher 12 has been slightly pushed in along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 . The difference between the positions of the pusher 12 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that the end 25 of the second finger 24 of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 has slid along the countersunk feature 33 , and the flange 22 has become partially detached from the added-on part 23 so as to keep only a substantially localized contact 26 with the added-on part 23 . The first finger 21 remains in contact with the operating button 7 of the switch 3 , and when the operating button 7 of the switch is lifted, the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is placed in a released position.
The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 pivots about the substantially localized contact 26 when the pusher 12 is depressed. It is not necessary to know the position of the substantially localized contact 26 since the substantially localized contact 26 can be located anywhere on the added-on part 23 . The position of the substantially localized contact 26 is a function of the position of the ramp 30 and therefore, of the angular orientation of the pusher 12 around the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 . However, once all of the pusher 12 , the elastic element or helical spring 35 , the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , and the added-on part 23 are assembled, this angular orientation or position of the pusher 12 has no influence on the operation of the device.
FIG. 3 again shows the same structural elements. This time, the pusher 12 has been completely depressed downwardly along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 until the elastic element or helical spring 35 is compressed to the maximum. Advantageously, the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 is provided with a stop 40 . The stop 40 stops the downward travel of the pusher 12 along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 . As an alternative, the stop 40 could also be provided on the body 1 . The operating button 7 of the switch 3 is thus in the released position, as shown in FIG. 2 .
The shape of the ramp 30 , shown in the different figures, is such that the movement of the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is obtained on a small part of the travel of the pusher 12 . More specifically, the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is released at the very beginning of the downward travel of the pusher 12 when the end 25 , of the second finger 24 of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , moves along the countersunk feature 33 . Of course, it is possible to give the ramp 30 any shape enabling the activation of the operating button 7 at another position of the pusher 12 . It is also possible to obtain variations in the speed of actuation of the operating button 7 with respect to the speed of movement of the pusher 12 by modifying the slope of the countersunk feature 33 . | A device for amplifying the movement of an operating button of a switch, wherein the switch is fixed in a body of the device. The device includes a pusher that is translatable along an central longitudinal axis of the body. The translation of the pusher constitutes the amplified motion. The device also includes a varying-diameter cylindrical member, and a first support region. The first support region is capable of moving along a ramp of the pusher, when the pusher moves along the central longitudinal axis of the body. The varying-diameter cylindrical member includes a second support region in permanent contact with a region of the body, whatever the position of the pusher, and a third support region in contact with the operating button of the switch. | Identify the most important claim in the given context and summarize it | [
"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to and claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, from French Patent Application No. 99 13612, filed on Oct. 29, 1999, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device to amplify the movement of an operating button for a switch, which is used especially when the operating button of the switch has a small range of travel, for example, about one millimeter.",
"Discussion of Background Switches, of the type discussed above, are used when fast selection switching is required, for example, to prevent rebounding between the contacts of the switch.",
"In a movement-amplifying device, the operating button is not operated directly, but by means of a pusher that is movable in translation and has a range of travel, for example, about 5 millimeters, which is far greater than the range of travel of the operating button, i.e., about 1 millimeter.",
"The amplified range of travel of the pusher is especially useful for broadening the manufacturing tolerance values for mechanisms, such as a cam, for example, which operate the pusher.",
"The prior art movement-amplifying devices are complicated.",
"They comprise a large number of mechanical parts, and especially several springs.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is aimed at simplifying the complicated movement-amplifying devices of the prior art.",
"To achieve this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device to amplify the movement of an operating button of a switch, wherein the switch is fixed in a body of the device.",
"The device includes a pusher which is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the body and the central longitudinal axis of the body is coincident with a central longitudinal axis of the pusher.",
"The translation of the pusher constitutes the amplified motion.",
"The device includes a varying-diameter cylindrical member having first, second, and third support regions.",
"The first support region of the cylindrical member is capable of moving along a ramp of the pusher when the pusher moves along the central longitudinal axis of the body.",
"The second support region of the cylindrical member is in permanent contact with a region of the body whatever the position of the pusher.",
"The third support region of the cylindrical member is in contact with the operating button of the switch.",
"An advantage of the present invention is that the movement-amplifying device provides for the depressed and released positions of the pusher to be reversed from the depressed and released positions of the operating button of the switch.",
"In other words, when the pusher is at rest or in a released position, the operating button of the switch is in a depressed position and when the pusher is in a depressed position, the operating button of the switch is in a released position.",
"The reversed states of the depressed and released positions for the pusher and the operating button of the switch are advantageous, particularly for small-motion switches which cannot withstand the sudden action of having their operating button pressed upon because such sudden pressing action could cause damage to the switch.",
"Because of the reversed states of the depressed and released positions of the pusher and the operating button of the switch, the speed with which the operating button is pressed is related to the structure for providing permanent contact between the second support region of the cylindrical structure and the region of the body, for example, by using a spring that maintains this contact.",
"The calibration of this spring controls the speed at which the operating button is pressed and prevents sudden depressing of the operating button so that the switch will not be damaged.",
"Another advantage of the present invention is that the movement-amplifying device enables the progress of the travel of the operating button to be set as a function of the progress of travel of the pusher.",
"This setting of the progress of the travel of the operating button of the switch as a function of the progress of travel of the pusher is obtained by adapting the shape of the ramp.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES The present invention will be understood more clearly and other advantages will appear from the following detailed description of an embodiment illustrated by the appended drawing in which the different figures show several positions of the same device.",
"More specifically: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a movement-amplifying device showing a pusher in a released position;",
"FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the movement-amplifying device of FIG. 1 with the pusher in an intermediate position;",
"and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the movement-amplifying device of FIG. 1 with the pusher in a depressed position.",
"For greater convenience, the same structural elements of the device will bear the same reference numerals in the different figures.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The different structural elements of the movement-amplifying device, according to the present invention, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.",
"Referring to FIG. 1, a body 1 is shown and bears the other structural elements of the device.",
"More particularly, the body 1 has a first cavity in which a switch 3 is fixed.",
"The switch 3 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape.",
"The lower part of the switch has electrical connection pins 4 , 5 , and 6 .",
"The upper part of the switch 3 has an operating button 7 capable of translation, for example, back and forth between several positions.",
"The switch 3 sets up contact between certain ones of the pins 4 , 5 , and 6 of the switch 3 as a function of the position of the operating button 7 .",
"For example, the switch 3 has three pins 4 , 5 , and 6 and the operating button 7 can move between two positions, i.e., a depressed position and a released position.",
"In the depressed position, the operating button 7 places the pins 4 and 5 of the switch 3 in contact and in the released position, the operating button 7 places the pins 4 and 6 of the switch 3 in contact.",
"The operating button 7 , shown in FIG. 1, is in a depressed position.",
"Of course, it is possible to implement the present invention with a switch 3 comprising several separate circuits and/or a switch 3 having operating button 7 which can take more than two positions, wherein each of the positions put different pins 4 , 5 , and 6 of the switch 3 into contact.",
"Above the first cavity 2 , the body 1 has a second cavity 8 communicating with the first cavity 2 .",
"The second cavity 8 has an aperture 9 which opens out on the top of the body 1 .",
"The second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 are cylindrical, for example, along a central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 and the pusher 12 .",
"The diameter of the aperture 9 is smaller than the diameter of the second cavity 8 so that a shoulder 11 is formed inside of the body 1 .",
"The device also comprises a pusher 12 , substantially formed by a cylindrical part 13 along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 and an annular flange 15 at a lower end 14 of the cylindrical portion 13 of the pusher 12 .",
"The diameter of the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 as well as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 are such that the cylindrical portion 13 can move freely in the aperture 9 until the annular flange 15 comes to abut the shoulder 11 formed between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 , as is the case shown in FIG. 1 .",
"The cylindrical portion 13 of the pusher 12 extends along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 up to an end 16 , which is located above the top surface of the body 1 .",
"The device furthermore has a varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , which is substantially generated by revolution.",
"The central longitudinal axis of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 is substantially coincident with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 , when the device is in the position shown in FIG. 1 .",
"The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 has a first finger 21 .",
"The first finger 21 has an end which is in contact with the operating button 7 of the switch 3 .",
"Advantageously, the surface of the end of the finger 21 which is in contact with the surface of the operating button 7 are substantially convex so as to provide for a substantially localized contact.",
"The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 furthermore has a flange 22 designed to press against a region of the body 1 .",
"Advantageously, the external diameter of the flange 22 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the second cavity 8 and a support region belonging to the body 1 is formed by an added-on part 23 fixed to the body 1 so that the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 can be supported inside of the body 1 .",
"The added-on part 23 is, for example, a flat washer crimped in the body 1 .",
"The internal diameter of this flat washer is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 22 .",
"As an alternative, the added-on part 23 may also be an internal circlip mounted in a groove of the body 1 .",
"In that case, the internal diameter of the internal circlip would be, similar to the flat washer, smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 22 .",
"The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 also has a second finger 24 .",
"An end 25 of the second finger 24 is supported against a ramp 30 belonging to the pusher 12 .",
"The first finger 21 and the second finger 24 both extend advantageously along the central longitudinal axis of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , which as shown in FIG. 1 is coincident with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body, on either side of the flange 22 .",
"Advantageously, the end 25 of the second finger 24 has a convex surface so that the support against the ramp 30 is substantially localized.",
"The ramp 30 is made, for example, by means of a bore made in the pusher 12 .",
"A central longitudinal axis 31 of the bore is parallel to and slightly offset from the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .",
"The bore comprises a smooth, cylindrical blind hole 32 .",
"The bore opens out on the lower end 14 side of the pusher 12 through a countersunk feature 33 .",
"In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the distance the central longitudinal axis 31 of the bore is offset from the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 is such that a part of the countersunk feature 33 is located outside of the pusher 12 .",
"The dimensions of the different parts comprising the device are such that when the pusher 12 is in the highest possible position, namely, when the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 substantially contacts the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 , the flange 22 is substantially supported on an entire perimeter thereof against the added-on part 23 .",
"Advantageously, an elastic element 35 is provided to ensure this support.",
"This elastic element 35 is also used to make the annular flange 15 of the pusher 12 approach the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 .",
"The elastic element 35 is, for example, a helical spring placed between the pusher 12 and the flange 22 .",
"The central longitudinal axis of the helical spring is substantially merged with the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .",
"It is clearly not possible to obtain perfect contact simultaneously between the flange 22 and the added-on part 23 , the end 25 of the second finger 24 and the ramp 30 , and the annular flange 15 and the shoulder 11 between the second cavity 8 and the aperture 9 .",
"Advantageously, a functional clearance is planned between the end 25 of the second finger 24 and the ramp 30 .",
"Thus, the other contacts will be obtained surely and precisely.",
"When the pusher 12 is in its highest possible position, the first finger 21 presses the operating button 7 of the switch 3 and holds it in the depressed position.",
"When the contact between the flange 22 and the added-on part 23 is obtained with precision, the pressing of the first finger 21 and the operating button 7 is controlled with greater certainty.",
"FIG. 2 shows the structural element of the device shown in FIG. 1 .",
"Here the pusher 12 has been slightly pushed in along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .",
"The difference between the positions of the pusher 12 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that the end 25 of the second finger 24 of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 has slid along the countersunk feature 33 , and the flange 22 has become partially detached from the added-on part 23 so as to keep only a substantially localized contact 26 with the added-on part 23 .",
"The first finger 21 remains in contact with the operating button 7 of the switch 3 , and when the operating button 7 of the switch is lifted, the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is placed in a released position.",
"The varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 pivots about the substantially localized contact 26 when the pusher 12 is depressed.",
"It is not necessary to know the position of the substantially localized contact 26 since the substantially localized contact 26 can be located anywhere on the added-on part 23 .",
"The position of the substantially localized contact 26 is a function of the position of the ramp 30 and therefore, of the angular orientation of the pusher 12 around the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .",
"However, once all of the pusher 12 , the elastic element or helical spring 35 , the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , and the added-on part 23 are assembled, this angular orientation or position of the pusher 12 has no influence on the operation of the device.",
"FIG. 3 again shows the same structural elements.",
"This time, the pusher 12 has been completely depressed downwardly along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 until the elastic element or helical spring 35 is compressed to the maximum.",
"Advantageously, the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 is provided with a stop 40 .",
"The stop 40 stops the downward travel of the pusher 12 along the central longitudinal axis 10 of the body 1 .",
"As an alternative, the stop 40 could also be provided on the body 1 .",
"The operating button 7 of the switch 3 is thus in the released position, as shown in FIG. 2 .",
"The shape of the ramp 30 , shown in the different figures, is such that the movement of the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is obtained on a small part of the travel of the pusher 12 .",
"More specifically, the operating button 7 of the switch 3 is released at the very beginning of the downward travel of the pusher 12 when the end 25 , of the second finger 24 of the varying-diameter cylindrical member 20 , moves along the countersunk feature 33 .",
"Of course, it is possible to give the ramp 30 any shape enabling the activation of the operating button 7 at another position of the pusher 12 .",
"It is also possible to obtain variations in the speed of actuation of the operating button 7 with respect to the speed of movement of the pusher 12 by modifying the slope of the countersunk feature 33 ."
] |
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/740, 531, filed Nov. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if written herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine, particularly to a method of preparing 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine, more particularly, 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine, that afford a high yield of pure product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It has been found that 4-(1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine derivatives may be obtained in a method wherein N-Z-D,L-proline is converted into a compound having a 1,3-diketone group in the extended side-chain, which is then cyclized and dehydrated using guanidine, and then converted to an imidazole through a cyclization and dehydration procedure, which is N-deprotected and N-alkylated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention is directed to a novel, high yield process for preparing substituted 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine derivatives, particularly to a method of preparing 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine, more particularly 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine. According to the process disclosed herein, N-Z-D,L-proline is converted into a compound having a 1,3-diketone group in the extended side-chain, which is then cyclized and dehydrated using guanidine, then converted to an imidazole through a cyclization and dehydration procedure, which is N-deprotected and N-alkylated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a novel method for preparing in high yield 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine derivatives of structural formula (I),
[0000]
[0000] wherein:
[0006] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted as defined herein.
[0007] Said novel method comprises:
a) treating N—R 1 -D,L-proline, of structural formula (II),
[0000]
with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent; an excess of thionyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent; stoichiometric amount of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent; stoichiometric amount of thionyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent; with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (III),
[0000]
[0009] then
b) reacting the reaction product of step (a), the compound of structural formula (III), with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at a temperature of from −20° C. to reflux temperature for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV),
[0000]
[0011] then
c) reacting the reaction product of step (b), the compound of structural formula (IV), with an excess of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at temperature of from −20° C. to reflux for from 30 minutes to 48 hours; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (V),
[0000]
[0013] then
d) reacting the reaction product of step (c), the compound of structural formula (V), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent; an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in a suitable solvent; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VI),
[0000]
[0015] and
e) reacting the reaction product of step (d), the compound of structural formula (VI), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of formalin, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent; an excess of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent, or stoichiometric amounts paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a catalytic amount of phosphoric acid; and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high purity.
[0017] The starting material of structural formula (II) may be prepared by standard methods known to those skilled in the art, by alkylation of D,L-proline to give the N-alkyl-D,L-proline.
[0018] It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the R 1 group in compound of structural formula (II) may be a protecting group, such as benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, or formyl, for example. Such a starting material may be carried through steps (a) and (e) of the process described above, to give a compound similar to that of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is a protecting group. Subsequently, the protecting group may be removed and the R 1 group added to give the desired compound of structural formula (I). Such an extension of the process is to be considered within the scope of the present invention.
[0019] One embodiment of the process for preparing structural compound (I) comprises:
[0000] reacting the compound of structural formula (IIa),
[0000]
a) with an excess of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from −20° C. to 80° C. for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (IIIa),
[0000]
[0021] then
b) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIIa) with an excess of the inorganic salt of the monoanion of an alkyl acetoacetate in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from −20° C. to 80° C. for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (VII),
[0000]
wherein R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;
[0023] then
c) reacting of compound of structural formula (VII), wherein R 2 =tert-butoxy, with an excess of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at temperature of from −20° C. to reflux for from 30 minutes to 48 hours; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII),
[0000]
[0025] then
d) reacting of the compound of structural formula (VIII), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent; an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent; a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in a suitable solvent; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX),
[0000]
[0027] then
e) reacting the compound of structural formula (IX), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of formalin, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent; an excess of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent, or stoichiometric amounts of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a catalytic amount of phosphoric acid; and isolating the protected intermediate product of structural formula (X),
[0000]
[0029] then
f) reacting the compound of structural formula (X), with appropriate hydrogenation agents in a suitable solvent; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (XI),
[0000]
[0031] and
g) reacting of the compound of structural formula (XI), with an N-alkylating agent, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high purity.
[0033] Another embodiment is the process for preparing compound of structural formula (XII),
[0000]
[0034] comprising:
a) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIa),
[0000]
with an excess of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in methylene chloride at a temperature of from 0° C. to ambient for from 5 minutes to 16 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (IIIa),
[0000]
[0036] then
b) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIIa) with an excess of the magnesium salt of the monoanion of tert-butylacetoacetate in THF at a temperature of from 0° C. to ambient for from 5 minutes to 24 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (VIIa),
[0000]
[0038] then
c) reacting of compound of structural formula (VIIa) with a stoichiometric amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in toluene; a catalytic amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in toluene; at temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 30 minutes to 20 hours; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII),
[0000]
[0040] then
d) reacting of the compound of structural formula (VIII) with a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in ethanol at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX),
[0000]
[0042] then
e) reacting the compound of structural formula (IX) with excess amounts of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a suitable amount of phosphoric acid in a water/dioxane solvent mixture at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours; and isolating the protected intermediate product of structural formula (X),
[0000]
[0044] then
f) reacting the compound of structural formula (X) with a catalyst, such as Pd/C or Pt/C, and appropriate amount of hydrogen in a suitable solvent at a pressure of from 1 atm to 20 atm for from 10 minutes to 48 hours; with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (XI),
[0000]
[0046] and
g) reacting of the compound of structural formula (XI), with the alkylating agent benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt, in the presence of a tertiary amine base and a halide salt in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XII) in high purity.
[0048] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III):
[0000]
[0049] comprising the steps of:
a) treating a compound of structural formula (II),
[0000]
with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a halogenating reagent, a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range reagents; and
b) with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (III).
[0052] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein oxalyl chloride and thionyl chloride are the halogenating agents, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0053] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein oxalyl chloride is the halogenating agent.
[0054] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said oxalyl chloride is present in greater than stoichiometric amounts.
[0055] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, benzene, toluene, xylene; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0056] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said solvent is dichloromethane.
[0057] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −20° C. to 40° C.
[0058] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.
[0059] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0060] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said reaction time range is from 12 to 16 hours.
[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:
[0062] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;
[0063] R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;
[0064] comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (III),
[0000]
with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).
[0067] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
[0068] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the salt is the magnesium salt.
[0069] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, and dimethoxyethane; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0070] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.
[0071] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −70° C. to 80° C.
[0072] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.
[0073] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0074] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.
[0075] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:
[0076] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;
[0077] comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IV),
[0000]
with a protic acid, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and in a suitable solvent; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).
[0080] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said protic acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid, any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to a stoichiometric amount.
[0081] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the protic acid is p-toluenesulfonic acid.
[0082] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein p-toluenesulfonic acid is present in catalytic amounts.
[0083] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, and dichloroethane; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0084] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said solvent is toluene.
[0085] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −25° C. to 140° C.
[0086] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C.
[0087] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0088] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said reaction time range is from 2 to 6 hours.
[0089] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:
[0090] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;
[0091] comprising:
a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (V),
[0000]
with suitable reagents including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine, and an inorganic base, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) optionally isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VI).
[0094] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said inorganic salt of guanidine is selected from the group consisting of guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine carbonate, and guanidine sulfate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0095] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the inorganic salt is guanidine hydrochloride.
[0096] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said guanidine hydrochloride is present in greater than a stoichiometric amount.
[0097] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and tert-butanol; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0098] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said solvent is ethanol.
[0099] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 120° C.
[0100] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C.
[0101] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0102] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.
[0103] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I)
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:
[0104] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;
[0105] comprising:
a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (VI),
[0000]
with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a formaldehyde equivalent, a glyoxal equivalent, a ammonia equivalent, and an appropriate amount of a protic acid in a suitable protic solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high yield and purity;
c) optionally removing the R 1 group to afford a compound of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is hydrogen; and
d) optionally alkylating the compound of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is hydrogen, with an appropriate alkylating agent in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range
[0110] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said formaldehyde equivalent is formalin or paraformaldehyde, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0111] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein paraformaldehyde is utilized as a reagent.
[0112] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said paraformaldehyde is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0113] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said glyoxal equivalent is anhydrous glyoxal or glyoxal hydrate, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0114] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein glyoxal hydrate is employed as a reagent.
[0115] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said glyoxal hydrate is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0116] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said ammonia equivalent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonium carbamate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0117] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein ammonium chloride is employed as a reagent.
[0118] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said ammonium chloride is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0119] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said protic acid is phosphoric acid, present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0120] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0121] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in catalytic amounts.
[0122] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein:
[0123] said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, dioxane, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, tert-butanol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol; or any of these protic solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0124] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein dioxane and water are employed as the solvents.
[0125] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C.
[0126] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 80° C. to 110° C.
[0127] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.
[0128] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 4 hours.
[0129] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein:
[0130] R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;
[0131] comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IIIa),
[0000]
with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range reagents; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).
[0134] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
[0135] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the salt is the magnesium salt.
[0136] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, and dimethoxyethane; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0137] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.
[0138] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −70° C. to 80° C.
[0139] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.
[0140] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0141] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.
[0142] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (VII),
[0000]
with a protic acid, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and in a suitable solvent; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (VIII).
[0145] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said protic acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid, any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to a stoichiometric amount.
[0146] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the protic acid is p-toluenesulfonic acid.
[0147] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein p-toluenesulfonic acid is present in catalytic amounts.
[0148] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, and dichloroethane; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0149] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said solvent is toluene.
[0150] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −25° C. to 140° C.
[0151] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C.
[0152] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0153] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said reaction time range is from 2 to 6 hours.
[0154] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising:
a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII),
[0000]
with suitable reagents including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine, and an inorganic base, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) optionally isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX).
[0157] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said inorganic salt of guanidine is selected from the group consisting of guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine carbonate, and guanidine sulfate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0158] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the inorganic salt is guanidine hydrochloride.
[0159] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said guanidine hydrochloride is present in greater than a stoichiometric amount.
[0160] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and tert-butanol; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0161] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said solvent is ethanol.
[0162] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 120° C.
[0163] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C.
[0164] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.
[0165] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.
[0166] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IX),
[0000]
with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a formaldehyde equivalent, a glyoxal equivalent, a ammonia equivalent, and an appropriate amount of a protic acid in a suitable protic solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (X) in high yield and purity.
[0169] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said formaldehyde equivalent is formalin or paraformaldehyde, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0170] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein paraformaldehyde is utilized as a reagent.
[0171] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said paraformaldehyde is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0172] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said glyoxal equivalent is anhydrous glyoxal or glyoxal hydrate, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0173] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein glyoxal hydrate is employed as a reagent.
[0174] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said glyoxal hydrate is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0175] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said ammonia equivalent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonium carbamate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0176] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein ammonium chloride is employed as a reagent.
[0177] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said ammonium chloride is present in stoichiometric amounts. In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said protic acid is phosphoric acid, present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0178] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in stoichiometric amounts.
[0179] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in catalytic amounts.
[0180] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein:
[0181] said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, dioxane, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, tert-butanol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol; or any of these protic solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0182] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein dioxane and water are employed as the solvents.
[0183] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C.
[0184] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 80° C. to 110° C.
[0185] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.
[0186] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 4 hours.
[0187] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI):
[0000]
[0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (X),
[0000]
with a hydrogen source in the presence of a catalyst in a suitable protic solvent, under an appropriate pressure, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XI) in high yield and purity.
[0190] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said hydrogen source is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, cyclohexene in the presence of palladium on carbon, and ammonium formate in the presence palladium on carbon.
[0191] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein hydrogen gas is employed as a reagent.
[0192] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of palladium on carbon, palladium hydroxide on carbon, platinum (IV) oxide, and platinum (IV) oxide on carbon; any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0193] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said catalyst is palladium on carbon.
[0194] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein palladium on carbon is present in catalytic amounts.
[0195] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein:
[0196] said protic solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol; or any of these solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0197] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein ethanol is employed as the solvent.
[0198] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the appropriate reaction pressure is selected from the range between one to four atmospheres.
[0199] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the reaction pressure is one atmosphere.
[0200] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 100° C.
[0201] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 20° C. to 40° C.
[0202] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.
[0203] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 6 hours.
[0204] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII):
[0000]
[0205] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising:
a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (XI),
[0000]
with the alkylating agent benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt, in the presence of a tertiary amine base and a halide salt in a suitable dipolar aprotic solvent using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range; and
b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XII) in high yield and purity.
[0208] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein:
[0209] said tertiary amine base is selected from the group consisting of triethylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine, and N-methylpiperidine.
[0210] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the tertiary amine base is N,N-diisopropylethylamine.
[0211] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the halide salt is potassium iodide, which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.
[0212] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein potassium iodide is present in catalytic amounts.
[0213] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein:
[0214] said suitable dipolar aprotic solvents are selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, and hexamethylphosphoramide; or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.
[0215] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein N,N-dimethylformamide is employed as the dipolar aprotic solvent.
[0216] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C.
[0217] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C.
[0218] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.
[0219] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 6 hours.
[0220] It should be recognized that certain modification to the process will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such changes are intended to be within the scope of this invention. It is intended that the process will be carried out by skilled chemists who may make changes, such as preferably, but not necessarily, carrying out sequential reactions in the same vessel, or changing solvents or reaction temperatures or equipment, especially for economic reasons, and such modifications are to be considered within the scope of this invention.
[0221] As used herein, the terms below have the meanings indicated.
[0222] The term “acyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a carbonyl attached to an alkenyl, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, or any other moiety were the atom attached to the carbonyl is carbon. An “acetyl” group refers to a —C(O)CH 3 group. An “alkylcarbonyl” or “alkanoyl” group refers to an alkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group. Examples of such groups include methylcarbonyl and ethylcarbonyl. Examples of acyl groups include formyl, alkanoyl and aroyl.
[0223] The term “alkenyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having one or more double bonds and containing from 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 6, carbon atoms. Alkenylene refers to a carbon-carbon double bond system attached at two or more positions such as ethenylene [(—CH═CH—), (—C::C—)]. Examples of suitable alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, 2-methylpropenyl, 1,4-butadienyl and the like.
[0224] The term “alkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl ether radical, wherein the term alkyl is as defined below. Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, and the like.
[0225] The term “alkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl radical containing from 1 to and including 20, preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 6, carbon atoms. Alkyl groups may be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, octyl, noyl and the like. The term “alkylene,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a saturated aliphatic group derived from a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon attached at two or more positions, such as methylene (—CH 2 —).
[0226] The term “alkylamino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an amino group. Suitable alkylamino groups may be mono- or dialkylated, forming groups such as, for example, N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-ethylmethylamino and the like.
[0227] The term “alkylidene,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkenyl group in which one carbon atom of the carbon-carbon double bond belongs to the moiety to which the alkenyl group is attached.
[0228] The term “alkynyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having one or more triple bonds and containing from 2 to 20, preferably from 2 to 6, more preferably from 2 to 4, carbon atoms. “Alkynylene” refers to a carbon-carbon triple bond attached at two positions such as ethynylene (—C:::C—, —C≡C—). Examples of alkynyl radicals include ethynyl, propynyl, hydroxypropynyl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, pentyn-1-yl, 3-methylbutyn-1-yl, hexyn-2-yl, and the like.
[0229] The term “ambient temperature,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to the actual surrounding room temperature during the specified reaction period, and generally refers to a temperature range of about 20° C. to about 30° C., more preferably a temperature range of about 22° C. to about 27° C.
[0230] The terms “amido” and “carbamoyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to an amino group as described below attached to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, or vice versa. The term “C-amido” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a —C(═O)—NR 2 group with R as defined herein. The term “N-amido” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a RC(═O)NH— group, with R as defined herein. The term “acylamino” as used herein, alone or in combination, embraces an acyl group attached to the parent moiety through an amino group. An example of an “acylamino” group is acetylamino (CH 3 C(O)NH—).
[0231] The term “amino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocycloalkyl, any of which may themselves be optionally substituted.
[0232] The term “ammonia equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of ammonia under the specified reaction conditions. Examples include ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium carbamate.
[0233] The term “aprotic solvent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a solvent which does not contain a hydrogen atom attached to a strongly electronegative element. It cannot donate a hydrogen atom to hydrogen bonding interactions. Examples of aprotic solvents include dichloromethane, toluene, acetone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran.
[0234] The term “aryl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, means a carbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two or three rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused. The term “aryl” embraces aromatic radicals such as benzyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthryl, indanyl, indenyl, annulenyl, azulenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, and biphenyl.
[0235] The term “arylalkenyl” or “aralkenyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkenyl group.
[0236] The term “arylalkoxy” or “aralkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkoxy group.
[0237] The term “arylalkyl” or “aralkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group.
[0238] The term “arylalkynyl” or “aralkynyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkynyl group.
[0239] The term “arylalkanoyl” or “aralkanoyl” or “aroyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an acyl radical derived from an aryl-substituted alkanecarboxylic acid such as benzoyl, napthoyl, phenylacetyl, 3-phenylpropionyl(hydrocinnamoyl), 4-phenylbutyryl, (2-naphthyl)acetyl, 4-chlorohydrocinnamoyl, and the like.
[0240] The term aryloxy as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy.
[0241] The terms “benzo” and “benz,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to the divalent radical C 6 H 4 =derived from benzene. Examples include benzothiophene and benzimidazole.
[0242] The term “carbamate,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an ester of carbamic acid (—NHCOO—) which may be attached to the parent molecular moiety from either the nitrogen or acid end, and which may be optionally substituted as defined herein.
[0243] The term “O-carbamyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a —OC(O)NRR′, group-with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0244] The term “N-carbamyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a ROC(O)NR′— group, with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0245] The term “carbonyl,” as used herein, when alone includes formyl [—C(O)H] and in combination is a —C(O)— group.
[0246] The term “carboxy,” as used herein, refers to C(O)OH or the corresponding “carboxylate” anion, such as is in a carboxylic acid salt. An “O-carboxy” group refers to a RC(O)O group, where R is as defined herein. A “C-carboxy” group refers to a —C(O)OR groups where R is as defined herein.
[0247] The term “cyano,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —CN.
[0248] The term “cycloalkyl,” or, alternatively, “carbocycle,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a saturated or partially saturated monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic alkyl radical wherein each cyclic moiety contains from 3 to 12, preferably five to seven, carbon atom ring members and which may optionally be a benzo fused ring system which is optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of such cycloalkyl radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, octahydronaphthyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, adamantyl and the like. “Bicyclic” and “tricyclic” as used herein are intended to include both fused ring systems, such as decahydonapthalene, octahydronapthalene as well as the multicyclic (multicentered) saturated or partially unsaturated type. The latter type of isomer is exemplified in general by, bicyclo[1,1,1]pentane, camphor, adamantane, and bicyclo[3,2,1]octane.
[0249] The term “dipolar aprotic solvent” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a polar solvent possessing a comparatively high relative permittivity (or dielectric constant), greater than ca. 15, and a sizable permanent dipole moment, that cannot donate suitably labile hydrogen atoms to form strong hydrogen bonds. Examples of dipolar aprotic solvents include dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethyformamide, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, hexamethylphosphoramide, acetonitrile, and the like.
[0250] The term “DCM” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to dichloromethane.
[0251] The term “DMSO” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to dimethyl sulfoxide.
[0252] The term “ester,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a carboxy group bridging two moieties linked at carbon atoms.
[0253] The term “ether,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an oxy group bridging two moieties linked at carbon atoms.
[0254] The term “formaldehyde equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of formaldehyde under the specified reaction conditions. Examples include formaldehyde gas, formalin, formaldehyde sodium bisulfite addition product, paraformaldehyde, methylal, and s-1,3,5-trioxane.
[0255] The term “glyoxal equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of glyoxal under the specified reaction conditions. Examples include glyoxal, glyoxal hydrate, and glyoxal bis-sodium bisulfite addition product.
[0256] The term “halo,” or “halogen,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.
[0257] The term “haloalkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a haloalkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen atom.
[0258] The term “haloalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl radical having the meaning as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with a halogen. Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals. A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, may have an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the radical. Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals. Examples of haloalkyl radicals include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl. “Haloalkylene” refers to a haloalkyl group attached at two or more positions. Examples include fluoromethylene (—CFH—), difluoromethylene (—CF 2 —), chloromethylene (—CHCl—) and the like.
[0259] The term “heteroalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a stable straight or branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, or combinations thereof, fully saturated or containing from 1 to 3 degrees of unsaturation, consisting of the stated number of carbon atoms and from one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur atoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized. The heteroatom(s) O, N and S may be placed at any interior position of the heteroalkyl group. Up to two heteroatoms may be consecutive, such as, for example, —CH 2 —NH—OCH 3 .
[0260] The term “heteroaryl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to 3 to 7 membered, preferably 5 to 7 membered, unsaturated heteromonocyclic rings, or fused polycyclic rings in which at least one of the fused rings is unsaturated, wherein at least one atom is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N. The term also embraces fused polycyclic groups wherein heterocyclic radicals are fused with aryl radicals, wherein heteroaryl radicals are fused with other heteroaryl radicals, or wherein heteroaryl radicals are fused with cycloalkyl radicals. Examples of heteroaryl groups include pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazolyl, pyranyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzopyranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, chromonyl, coumarinyl, benzopyranyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolopyridazinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, thienopyridinyl, furopyridinyl, pyrrolopyridinyl and the like. Exemplary tricyclic heterocyclic groups include carbazolyl, benzidolyl, phenanthrolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, acridinyl, phenanthridinyl, xanthenyl and the like.
[0261] The terms “heterocycloalkyl” and, interchangeably, “heterocycle,” as used herein, alone or in combination, each refer to a saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic heterocyclic radical containing at least one, preferably 1 to 4, and more preferably 1 to 2 heteroatoms as ring members, wherein each said heteroatom may be independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and wherein there are preferably 3 to 8 ring members in each ring, more preferably 3 to 7 ring members in each ring, and most preferably 5 to 6 ring members in each ring. “Heterocycloalkyl” and “heterocycle” are intended to include sulfones, sulfoxides, N-oxides of tertiary nitrogen ring members, and carbocyclic fused and benzo fused ring systems; additionally, both terms also include systems where a heterocycle ring is fused to an aryl group, as defined herein, or an additional heterocycle group. Heterocycle groups of the invention are exemplified by aziridinyl, azetidinyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, dihydroisoindolyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl, dihydrocinnolinyl, dihydrobenzodioxinyl, dihydro[1,3]oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridinyl, benzothiazolyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydropyridinyl, 1,3-dioxanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, isoindolinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, piperidinyl, thiomorpholinyl, and the like. The heterocycle groups may be optionally substituted unless specifically prohibited.
[0262] The term “hydrazinyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to two amino groups joined by a single bond, i.e., —N—N—.
[0263] The term “hydroxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —OH.
[0264] The term “hydroxyalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a hydroxy group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group.
[0265] The term “imino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to ═N—.
[0266] The phrase “in the main chain” refers to the longest contiguous or adjacent chain of carbon atoms starting at the point of attachment of a group to the compounds of this invention.
[0267] The term “lower,” as used herein, alone or in combination, means containing from 1 to and including 6 carbon atoms.
[0268] The term “N-alkylating agent,” as defined herein, refers to a combination of reagents capable of alkylating an amine group, such as an aldehyde with a combination of a reducing agent and reaction conditions capable of reducing an iminium compound, or to an alkyl halide or dialkylsulfate in the presence of a mild base, for example, a tertiary amine or an alkali metal carbonate.
[0269] The term “nitro,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —NO 2 .
[0270] The terms “oxy” or “oxa,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to —O—.
[0271] The term “oxo,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to ═O.
[0272] The term “perhaloalkoxy” refers to an alkoxy group where all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms.
[0273] The term “perhaloalkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl group where all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms.
[0274] The term “protic solvent” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a solvent that carries hydrogen attached to oxygen as in a hydroxyl group or attached to nitrogen as in an amine group. Such solvents can donate an H + (proton). Examples of protic solvents include water, ethanol, tert-butanol, and diethylamine.
[0275] The term “protic acid” refers to those acids such as HCl, H 2 SO 4 , H 3 PO 4 , p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, methane sulfonic acid, or a strongly acidic cationic ion exchange resin, such as Dowex® 50 or Amberlyte® IR-112, for example.
[0276] The terms “sulfonate,” “sulfonic acid,” and “sulfonic,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer the —SO 3 H group and its anion as the sulfonic acid is used in salt formation.
[0277] The term “sulfanyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S—.
[0278] The term “sulfinyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S(O)—.
[0279] The term “sulfonyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S(O) 2 —.
[0280] The term “N-sulfonamido” refers to a RS(═O) 2 NR′— group with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0281] The term “S-sulfonamido” refers to a —S(═O) 2 NRR′, group, with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0282] The terms “thia” and “thio,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to a —S— group or an ether wherein the oxygen is replaced with sulfur. The oxidized derivatives of the thio group, namely sulfinyl and sulfonyl, are included in the definition of thia and thio.
[0283] The term “thiol,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an —SH group.
[0284] The term “thiocarbonyl,” as used herein, when alone includes thioformyl —C(S)H and in combination is a —C(S)— group.
[0285] The term “N-thiocarbamyl” refers to an ROC(S)NR′— group, with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0286] The term “O-thiocarbamyl” refers to a —OC(S)NRR′, group with R and R′ as defined herein.
[0287] The term “TBME” refers to tert-butyl methyl ether.
[0288] The term “trisubstituted silyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a silicone group substituted at its three free valences with groups as listed herein under the definition of substituted amino. Examples include trimethysilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl and the like.
[0289] Any definition herein may be used in combination with any other definition to describe a composite structural group. By convention, the trailing element of any such definition is that which attaches to the parent moiety. For example, the composite group alkylamido would represent an alkyl group attached to the parent molecule through an amido group, and the term alkoxyalkyl would represent an alkoxy group attached to the parent molecule through an alkyl group.
[0290] When a group is defined to be “null,” what is meant is that said group is absent.
[0291] The term “optionally substituted” means the anteceding group may be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted, the substituents of an “optionally substituted” group may include, without limitation, one or more substituents independently selected from the following groups or a particular designated set of groups, alone or in combination: lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkanoyl, lower heteroalkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkenyl, lower haloalkynyl, lower perhaloalkyl, lower perhaloalkoxy, lower cycloalkyl, phenyl, aryl, aryloxy, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkoxy, oxo, lower acyloxy, carbonyl, carboxyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower carboxyester, lower carboxamido, cyano, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, lower alkylamino, arylamino, amido, nitro, thiol, lower alkylthio, arylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfonyl, arylthio, sulfonate, sulfonic acid, trisubstituted silyl, N 3 , SH, SCH 3 , C(O)CH 3 , CO 2 CH 3 , CO 2 H, pyridinyl, thiophene, furanyl, lower carbamate, and lower urea. Two substituents may be joined together to form a fused five-, six-, or seven-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring consisting of zero to three heteroatoms, for example forming methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy. An optionally substituted group may be unsubstituted (e.g., —CH 2 CH 3 ), fully substituted (e.g., —CF 2 CF 3 ), monosubstituted (e.g., —C 1-2 CH 2 F) or substituted at a level anywhere in-between fully substituted and monosubstituted (e.g., —CH 2 CF 3 ). Where substituents are recited without qualification as to substitution, both substituted and unsubstituted forms are encompassed. Where a substituent is qualified as “substituted,” the substituted form is specifically intended. Additionally, different sets of optional substituents to a particular moiety may be defined as needed; in these cases, the optional substitution will be as defined, often immediately following the phrase, “optionally substituted with.”
[0292] The term R or the term R′, appearing by itself and without a number designation, unless otherwise defined, refers to a moiety selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocycloalkyl, any of which may be optionally substituted. Such R and R′ groups should be understood to be optionally substituted as defined herein. Whether an R group has a number designation or not, every R group, including R, R′ and R n where n=(1, 2, 3, . . . n), every substituent, and every term should be understood to be independent of every other in terms of selection from a group. Should any variable, substituent, or term (e.g. aryl, heterocycle, R, etc.) occur more than one time in a formula or generic structure, its definition at each occurrence is independent of the definition at every other occurrence. Those of skill in the art will further recognize that certain groups may be attached to a parent molecule or may occupy a position in a chain of elements from either end as written. Thus, by way of example only, an unsymmetrical group such as —C(O)N(R)— may be attached to the parent moiety at either the carbon or the nitrogen.
[0293] Asymmetric centers exist in the compounds of the present invention. These centers are designated by the symbols “R” or “S,” depending on the configuration of substituents around the chiral carbon atom. It should be understood that the invention encompasses all stereochemical isomeric forms, including diastereomeric, enantiomeric, and epimeric forms, as well as d-isomers and 1-isomers, and mixtures thereof. Individual stereoisomers of compounds can be prepared synthetically from commercially available starting materials which contain chiral centers or by preparation of mixtures of enantiomeric products followed by separation such as conversion to a mixture of diastereomers followed by separation or recrystallization, chromatographic techniques, direct separation of enantiomers on chiral chromatographic columns, or any other appropriate method known in the art. Starting compounds of particular stereochemistry are either commercially available or can be made and resolved by techniques known in the art. Additionally, the compounds of the present invention may exist as geometric isomers. The present invention includes all cis, trans, syn, anti, entgegen (E), and zusammen (Z) isomers as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof. Additionally, compounds may exist as tautomers; all tautomeric isomers are provided by this invention. Additionally, the compounds of the present invention can exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the present invention.
[0294] The term “bond” refers to a covalent linkage between two atoms, or two moieties when the atoms joined by the bond are considered to be part of larger substructure. A bond may be single, double, or triple unless otherwise specified. A dashed line between two atoms in a drawing of a molecule indicates that an additional bond may be present or absent at that position.
[0000] When a particular measure or amount is referred to, unless otherwise stated, said amount should be understood to be reasonably approximate, “reasonable” being subject to interpretation by one of skill in the art. Those of skill in the art regularly employ minor variations in quantitation to achieve ideal results. Furthermore, weights and measures are subject to variation based upon the sensitivity of the apparatus.
[0295] The term “prodrug” refers to a compound that is made more active in vivo. Certain compounds of the present invention may also exist as prodrugs, as described in Hydrolysis in Drug and Prodrug Metabolism: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Enzymology (Testa, Bernard and Mayer, Joachim M. Wiley-VHCA, Zurich, Switzerland 2003). Prodrugs of the compounds described herein are structurally modified forms of the compound that readily undergo chemical changes under physiological conditions to provide the compound. Additionally, prodrugs can be converted to the compound by chemical or biochemical methods in an ex vivo environment. For example, prodrugs can be slowly converted to a compound when placed in a transdermal patch reservoir with a suitable enzyme or chemical reagent. Prodrugs are often useful because, in some situations, they may be easier to administer than the compound, or parent drug. They may, for instance, be bioavailable by oral administration whereas the parent drug is not. The prodrug may also have improved solubility in pharmaceutical compositions over the parent drug. A wide variety of prodrug derivatives are known in the art, such as those that rely on hydrolytic cleavage or oxidative activation of the prodrug. An example, without limitation, of a prodrug would be a compound which is administered as an ester (the “prodrug”), but then is metabolically hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acid, the active entity. Additional examples include peptidyl derivatives of a compound.
[0296] The compounds of the present invention can exist as therapeutically acceptable salts. The present invention includes compounds listed above in the form of salts, in particular acid addition salts. Suitable salts include those formed with both organic and inorganic acids. Such acid addition salts will normally be pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be of utility in the preparation and purification of the compound in question. Basic addition salts may also be formed and be pharmaceutically acceptable. For a more complete discussion of the preparation and selection of salts, refer to Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use (Stahl, P. Heinrich. Wiley-VCHA, Zurich, Switzerland, 2002).
[0297] The term “therapeutically acceptable salt,” as used herein, represents salts or zwitterionic forms of the compounds of the present invention which are water or oil-soluble or dispersible and therapeutically acceptable as defined herein. The salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or separately by reacting the appropriate compound in the form of the free base with a suitable acid. Representative acid addition salts include acetate, adipate, alginate, L-ascorbate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate (besylate), bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, digluconate, formate, fumarate, gentisate, glutarate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethansulfonate (isethionate), lactate, maleate, malonate, DL-mandelate, mesitylenesulfonate, methanesulfonate, naphthylenesulfonate, nicotinate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylproprionate, phosphonate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, pyroglutamate, succinate, sulfonate, tartrate, L-tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, phosphate, glutamate, bicarbonate, para-toluenesulfonate (p-tosylate), and undecanoate. Also, basic groups in the compounds of the present invention can be quaternized with methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides; dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates; decyl, lauryl, myristyl, and steryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides; and benzyl and phenethyl bromides. Examples of acids which can be employed to form therapeutically acceptable addition salts include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, and phosphoric, and organic acids such as oxalic, maleic, succinic, and citric. Salts can also be formed by coordination of the compounds with an alkali metal or alkaline earth ion. Hence, the present invention contemplates sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium salts of the compounds of the compounds of the present invention and the like.
[0298] Basic addition salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds by reacting a carboxy group with a suitable base such as the hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate of a metal cation or with ammonia or an organic primary, secondary, or tertiary amine. The cations of therapeutically acceptable salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum, as well as nontoxic quaternary amine cations such as ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, diethylamine, ethylamine, tributylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, dicyclohexylamine, procaine, dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylphenethylamine, 1-ephenamine, and N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine. Other representative organic amines useful for the formation of base addition salts include ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperidine, and piperazine.
[0299] Thus, preferred salts include hydrochloride, hydrobromide, acetate, adipate, oxalate, phosphate, hippurate, L-ascorbate, benzenesulfonate (besylate), benzoate, citrate, fumarate, gentisate, glutarate, glycolate, 1-hydroxy-2-napthoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, maleate, L-malate, malonate, DL mandelate, methanesulfonate (mesylate), nicotinate, p-toluenesulfonate (tosylate), pyroglutamate, succinate, sulfate, L-(+)tartrate, and DL-tartarate salts of compounds of the present invention. A salt of a compound can be made by reacting the appropriate compound in the form of the free base with the appropriate acid.
General Synthetic Methods for Preparing Compounds
[0300] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.
EXAMPLE 1
2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine
[0301]
Step 1:
Preparation of compound 1a: 2-Chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester
[0302] Oxalyl chloride (707 g, 5.60 mol) was added dropwise (1 h) to a 3° C. solution of N-carbobenzyloxy-D,L-proline (1.00 kg, 4.01 mol), dimethylformamide (0.10 mL) and methylene chloride (4.00 L) under nitrogen. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 14 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to give 1.07 kg (100%) of 2-chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as an amber oil.
Step 2:
Preparation of compound 1b: 2-(2-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester
[0303] Methylmagnesium chloride (163 mL of a 3.00 M solution in THF, 489 mmol) was added dropwise to a 4° C. solution of tert-butylacetoacetate (79.0 g, 500 mmol) and THF (500 mL) while maintaining an internal temperature of 4-10° C. The reaction mixture was warmed to 15° C. and 2-chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (66.0 g, 250 mmol) was added dropwise over 1 h. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 12 h. NH 4 Cl (300 mL of a saturated aqueous solution) was added and the phases were separated. The organic layer was concentrated under vacuum to give 97.4 g (100%) of 2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as a yellow oil.
Step 3:
Preparation of compound 1c: 2-(3-Oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester
[0304] 2-(2-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (97.4 g, 250 mmol) was dissolved toluene (400 mL) and was washed with 1N HCl (2×500 mL). p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (10.0 g, 50.0 mmol) was added to the organic layer and the solution was heated to 80° C. for 4 h under nitrogen. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and water (3×1 L) was added. The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated to give 68.7 g (95%) of 2-(3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as an amber oil. [M+H] + 290.03.
Step 4:
Preparation of compound 1d: 2-(2-Amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester
[0305] Sodium (5.50 g, 250 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of anhydrous ethanol (300 mL) under nitrogen at room temperature. A suspension of guanidine hydrochloride (22.8 g, 250 mmol) in ethanol (200 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. The precipitate was removed by vacuum filtration and 2-(3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (68.7 g, 237 mmol) was added to the filtrate. The solution was transferred to a flask fitted with a Dean-Stark trap and the reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. The solution was heated at 80° C. under nitrogen for 12 h while removing 200 mL of distillate. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and was gradually cooled to −5° C. The resulting solid was collected by filtration and air dried to give 33.7 g (46%) of 2-(2-amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as cream colored crystals. [M+H] + 312.88.
Step 5:
Preparation of compound 1e: 2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester
[0306] H 3 PO 4 (470 μL) was added to a clear solution of 2-(2-amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (2.65 g, 8.48 mmol), dioxane (31.2 mL) and water (4.24 mL) at room temperature to give a yellow suspension. Glyoxal (40 wt % in water, 1.23 g, 8.48 mmol), paraformaldehyde (254 mg, 8.48 mmol) and water (8.48 mL) were added and the suspension was heated to 80° C. Saturated NH 4 Cl (453 mg, 8.48 mmol in 2.40 mL of H 2 O) was added dropwise to the solution at 80° C. prior to heating at 100° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and bought to pH 12 with 4M NaOH then extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organics were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified by column chromatography (5:1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) to give 1.98 g (64%) of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as a white solid. [M+H] + 363.78.
Step 6:
Preparation of compound 1f: 2-Imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine
[0307] 10% Pd/C (12 mg) was added to a solution of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (112 mg, 0.308 mmol) and ethanol (3 mL) at room temperature. The solution was flushed with nitrogen then stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified by column chromatography (DCM to 20% MeOH/DCM) to give 63 mg (89%) of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine. [M+H] + 230.16; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.74 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 4.95 (s, 2H), 4.25 (t, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.35 (m, 1H), 1.90 (m, 2H); 13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 173.4, 170.4, 153.9, 136.0, 128.9, 116.8, 116.0, 62.1, 46.5, 32.7, 25.3, 22.7.
Step 7:
Preparation of compound 1g: 2-(Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol
[0308] 2-(Methylamino)ethanol (22.0 g, 290 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl chloride (25.0 g, 147 mmol) in DCM (45 mL) at −78° C. under nitrogen. The solution was stirred for 15 minutes at −78° C. then warmed to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. 1.2 M NaOH (100 mL) was added and the phases were separated. The organic layer was washed water (2×150 mL) and concentrated under vacuum to give 25.3 g (83%) of 2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol as a clear oil.
Step 8:
Preparation of compound 1h: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt
[0309] Thionyl chloride (60 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes to a 0° C. solution of 2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol (22.2 g, 110 mmol) in DCM (250 mL) under nitrogen. The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. The suspension was concentrated under vacuum and brine (150 mL) and ethyl acetate (200 mL) were added. The precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL). The solid was dried overnight under vacuum to give 26.5 g (91%) of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride as a white powder.
Step 9:
Preparation of compound 1: 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine
[0310] A solution of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine (2.1 g, 9.2 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was added to a stirred mixture of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt (2.2 g, 8.1 mmol), DMF (10 mL) and diisopropylethylamine (2.5 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen. Potassium iodide (340 mg, 2.0 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated to 80° C. for 3 h. The solution was cooled to room temperature and 1N dibasic potassium phosphate solution (200 mL) was added. The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and the phases were separated. The organic layer was concentrated and the product was purified by column chromatography (DCM to 4:1 DCM/MeOH) to give 2.0 g (52%) of 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine as a red oil. [M+H] + 421.30; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.60 (s, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.30 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 6.67 (m, 2H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 3.52 (t, 1H), 3.6 (m, 3H), 2.77 (m, 1H), 2.2-2.6 (m, 8H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.62-1.95 (m, 3H); 13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 175.7, 169.6, 154.0, 147.6, 146.5, 136.2, 132.8, 130.1, 121.9, 116.6, 115.0, 109.2, 107.8, 100.8, 69.8, 62.3, 56.0, 54.3, 53.1, 42.5, 33.2, 24.2, 23.4.
EXAMPLE 2
2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine (Enantiomer 1)
[0311] Compound 2 was prepared following the procedures described in preparation of Example 1. A single enantiomer of Example 1 was obtained by chiral HPLC (chiralpak ADRH, 4.6×150 mm, 10 mM NH 4 OAc/EtOH 4:6 (v/v), flow rate 0.5 mL/min) separation. Analytical data are identical to Example 1.
EXAMPLE 3
2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine (Enantiomer 2)
[0312] Compound 3 was prepared following the procedures described in preparation of Example 1. A single enantiomer of Example 1 was obtained by chiral HPLC (chiralpak ADRH, 4.6×150 mm, 10 mM NH 4 OAc/EtOH 4:6 (v/v), flow rate 0.5 mL/min) separation. Analytical data are identical to Example 1.
EXAMPLE 4
2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine hydrochloric acid salt
[0313]
[0314] Hydrochloric acid (1.60 mL of a 12.39 M aqueous solution, 19.8 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 1 (8.2 g, 19.5 mmol) in acetone (100 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred for 1 h and the precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration. The solid was washed with acetone (30 mL) and dried under vacuum for 16 h to give 6.3 g (71%) of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine hydrochloric acid salt as a white solid. [M+H] + 421.30; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.54 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.90 (s, 2H), 6.02 (s, 2H), 4.09 (s, 2H), 3.70 (t, 1H), 3.50-3.20 (m, 3H), 3.10-2.90 (m, 3H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 2.46-2.40 (m, 1H), 2.30-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.94-1.82 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.70 (m, 1H).
EXAMPLE 5
2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-amide
[0315]
[0316] A solution of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine (21.8 mg, 0.095 mmol), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl isocyanate (29 mg, 0.151 mmol), triethylamine (0.4 mL) and THF (1.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 10 minutes. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×3 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 36 mg (90%) of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-amide as a white solid. [M+H] + 421.15; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.65 (s, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 6.65 (m, 3H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 3.62 (m, 1H), 3.55 (m, 1H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.41 (m, 1H), 2.03 (m, 3H); 13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 173.9, 170.3, 166.5, 157.7, 147.6, 145.9, 133.2, 128.9, 121.3, 115.0, 108.6, 107.6, 106.9, 61.4, 46.4, 41.8, 35.7, 32.4, 23.3, 22.8.
EXAMPLE 6
1-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylamino)ethanone
[0317]
Step 1:
Preparation of compound 6a: tert-Butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamate
[0318] A solution of 1f (21.0 mg, 0.092 mmol), N-Boc-[(benzo[1,3]dioxaol-5-ylmethyl)amino]acetic acid (39 mg, 0.13=mol), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (28 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (20 mg, 0.15 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 30 min. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 48 mg (100%) of tert-butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamate as a white solid.
Step 2:
Preparation of compound 6: 1-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylamino)ethanone
[0319] A mixture of 6a (48 mg, 0.092 mmol), TFA (0.5 mL) and DCM (0.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 20 min. The solution was concentrated under vacuum and Na 2 CO 3 (10 mL) was added. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×5 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL). The solution was concentrated under vacuum to give 25 mg (65%) of 2-(2imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-amide as a white solid. [M+H] + 421.07; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 6.86 (s, 1H), 6.78 (m, 2H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 5.93 (s, 1H), 3.83 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.50 (m, 6H), 3.34 (s, 1H), 2.58 (s, 3H), 2.50-1.90 (m, 4H).
EXAMPLE 7
N-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-acetamide
[0320]
[0321] A solution of 1f (4 mg, 0.02 mmol), N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-chloro-acetamide (4 mg, 0.02 mmol), DMF (0.5 mL) and TEA (0.2 mL) was heated at 60° C. under nitrogen for 20 h. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 5 mg (60%) of N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-acetamide. [M+H] + 421.09.
EXAMPLE 8
Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine
[0322]
Step 1:
[0323] Preparation of compound 8a: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 1 using tert-butyl benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl(2-bromoethyl)carbamate and 1f
Step 2:
[0324] Preparation of compound 8: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 6 using benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. [M+H] + 406.97; 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.54 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 6.64 (m, 2H), 5.85 (s, 2H), 3.60-3.20 (m, 5H), 2.80-2.20 (m, 9H), 1.90-1.60 (m, 2H); 13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 175.6, 170.0, 154.2, 147.9, 146.8, 136.4, 133.7, 130.2, 121.4, 116.9, 115.4, 108.7, 108.2, 101.1, 69.9, 54.6, 54.2, 53.7, 50.2, 47.6, 33.6, 24.4, 23.7.
EXAMPLE 9
(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine
[0325]
Step 1:
[0326] Preparation of compound 9a: tert-Butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethylcarbamate was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 1 using (2-bromo-ethyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester and 1f. [M+H] + 373.47.
Step 2:
[0327] Preparation of compound 9b: 2-[2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 6 using {2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. [M+H] + 273.81.
Step 3:
Preparation of compound 9: (2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine
[0328] A solution of 9b (78 mg, 290 μmol), 2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (47 mg, 290 μmol), p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (5.0 mg, 26 μmol) and dioxane (3 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 16 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (180 mg, 860 μmol) was added. The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 h prior to the addition of EtOAc (25 mL) and 1N NaOH (25 mL). The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified using column chromatography (0% to 10% MeOH/DCM) to give 69 mg (57%) of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine. [M+H] + 421.23; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.60 (s, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.68-6.79 (m, 3H), 4.21 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.22 (m, 1H), 2.70-2.82 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.60 (m, 9H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 1H).
EXAMPLE 10
(2-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine
[0329]
[0330] Compound 10 was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 9 using benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-acetaldehyde and 2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine. [M+H] + 421.55; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.57 (s, 1H), 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.17 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.90 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.60 (dd, 1H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 3.50 (t, 1H), 3.21 (m, 1H), 2.82-2.64 (m, 5H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.20 (m, 4H), 1.95-1.66 (m, 4H).
EXAMPLE 11
[2-(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-ethyl]-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine
[0331]
[0332] Compound 11 was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 9 using (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-acetaldehyde and 2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine. [M+H] + 435.54; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.59 (s, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 6.70-6.60 (m, 2H), 4.18 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.15 (m, 1H), 2.94-2.74 (m, 5H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.20 (m, 4H), 1.95-1.66 (m, 4H).
EXAMPLE 12
(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-methyl-amine
[0333]
[0334] A solution of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine (65 mg, 160 μmol), formalin (63 μL, 780 μmol), acetic acid (170 μL, 2.8 mmol) and MeOH (1 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 5 min. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (99 mg, 470 μmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 20 min. The solution was concentrated and EtOAc (5 mL) and 1N NaOH (5 mL) were added. The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum. The product was purified using column chromatography (0% to 10% MeOH/DCM) to give 60 mg (89%) of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-methyl-amine as a white solid. [M+H] + 435.32; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.61 (s, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.65-6.79 (m, 3H), 4.21 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.24-3.42 (m, 3H), 2.76 (m, 1H), 2.11-2.55 (m, 8H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 1H).
[0335] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. | The present invention is directed to a novel, high yield method for preparing 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine, particularly to a method of preparing 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine, more particularly, 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidrn-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yh-nethyl)-N-methylethanamine. These compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, are selective for inducible nitric oxide synthase, and are useful in treating diseases and disorders including inflammation and pain. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/740, 531, filed Nov. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if written herein in its entirety.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine, particularly to a method of preparing 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine, more particularly, 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine, that afford a high yield of pure product.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It has been found that 4-(1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine derivatives may be obtained in a method wherein N-Z-D,L-proline is converted into a compound having a 1,3-diketone group in the extended side-chain, which is then cyclized and dehydrated using guanidine, and then converted to an imidazole through a cyclization and dehydration procedure, which is N-deprotected and N-alkylated.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention is directed to a novel, high yield process for preparing substituted 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine derivatives, particularly to a method of preparing 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine, more particularly 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine.",
"According to the process disclosed herein, N-Z-D,L-proline is converted into a compound having a 1,3-diketone group in the extended side-chain, which is then cyclized and dehydrated using guanidine, then converted to an imidazole through a cyclization and dehydration procedure, which is N-deprotected and N-alkylated.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0005] This invention relates to a novel method for preparing in high yield 4-(1-alkylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidine derivatives of structural formula (I), [0000] [0000] wherein: [0006] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted as defined herein.",
"[0007] Said novel method comprises: a) treating N—R 1 -D,L-proline, of structural formula (II), [0000] with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent;",
"an excess of thionyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent;",
"stoichiometric amount of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent;",
"stoichiometric amount of thionyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent;",
"with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (III), [0000] [0009] then b) reacting the reaction product of step (a), the compound of structural formula (III), with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at a temperature of from −20° C. to reflux temperature for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV), [0000] [0011] then c) reacting the reaction product of step (b), the compound of structural formula (IV), with an excess of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at temperature of from −20° C. to reflux for from 30 minutes to 48 hours;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (V), [0000] [0013] then d) reacting the reaction product of step (c), the compound of structural formula (V), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent;",
"an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in a suitable solvent;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VI), [0000] [0015] and e) reacting the reaction product of step (d), the compound of structural formula (VI), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of formalin, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent;",
"an excess of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent, or stoichiometric amounts paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a catalytic amount of phosphoric acid;",
"and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high purity.",
"[0017] The starting material of structural formula (II) may be prepared by standard methods known to those skilled in the art, by alkylation of D,L-proline to give the N-alkyl-D,L-proline.",
"[0018] It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the R 1 group in compound of structural formula (II) may be a protecting group, such as benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, or formyl, for example.",
"Such a starting material may be carried through steps (a) and (e) of the process described above, to give a compound similar to that of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is a protecting group.",
"Subsequently, the protecting group may be removed and the R 1 group added to give the desired compound of structural formula (I).",
"Such an extension of the process is to be considered within the scope of the present invention.",
"[0019] One embodiment of the process for preparing structural compound (I) comprises: [0000] reacting the compound of structural formula (IIa), [0000] a) with an excess of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from −20° C. to 80° C. for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (IIIa), [0000] [0021] then b) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIIa) with an excess of the inorganic salt of the monoanion of an alkyl acetoacetate in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from −20° C. to 80° C. for from 5 minutes to 48 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (VII), [0000] wherein R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;",
"[0023] then c) reacting of compound of structural formula (VII), wherein R 2 =tert-butoxy, with an excess of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at temperature of from −20° C. to reflux for from 30 minutes to 48 hours;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII), [0000] [0025] then d) reacting of the compound of structural formula (VIII), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent;",
"an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an inorganic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of an inorganic salt of guanidine and an organic base in a suitable solvent;",
"a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in a suitable solvent;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX), [0000] [0027] then e) reacting the compound of structural formula (IX), with suitable reagents, including, but not limited to, an excess of formalin, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid, as defined below, in a suitable solvent;",
"an excess of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride, and an appropriate amount of protic acid in a suitable solvent, or stoichiometric amounts of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a catalytic amount of phosphoric acid;",
"and isolating the protected intermediate product of structural formula (X), [0000] [0029] then f) reacting the compound of structural formula (X), with appropriate hydrogenation agents in a suitable solvent;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (XI), [0000] [0031] and g) reacting of the compound of structural formula (XI), with an N-alkylating agent, as defined below, in a suitable solvent, at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high purity.",
"[0033] Another embodiment is the process for preparing compound of structural formula (XII), [0000] [0034] comprising: a) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIa), [0000] with an excess of oxalyl chloride and a catalytic amount of DMF in methylene chloride at a temperature of from 0° C. to ambient for from 5 minutes to 16 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (IIIa), [0000] [0036] then b) reacting the compound of structural formula (IIIa) with an excess of the magnesium salt of the monoanion of tert-butylacetoacetate in THF at a temperature of from 0° C. to ambient for from 5 minutes to 24 hours, vigorously mixing of reagents, and optionally isolating the novel compound of structural formula (VIIa), [0000] [0038] then c) reacting of compound of structural formula (VIIa) with a stoichiometric amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in toluene;",
"a catalytic amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in toluene;",
"at temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 30 minutes to 20 hours;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII), [0000] [0040] then d) reacting of the compound of structural formula (VIII) with a stoichiometric amount of guanidine in ethanol at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX), [0000] [0042] then e) reacting the compound of structural formula (IX) with excess amounts of paraformaldehyde, glyoxal, ammonium chloride and a suitable amount of phosphoric acid in a water/dioxane solvent mixture at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours;",
"and isolating the protected intermediate product of structural formula (X), [0000] [0044] then f) reacting the compound of structural formula (X) with a catalyst, such as Pd/C or Pt/C, and appropriate amount of hydrogen in a suitable solvent at a pressure of from 1 atm to 20 atm for from 10 minutes to 48 hours;",
"with or without isolating the reaction product of structural formula (XI), [0000] [0046] and g) reacting of the compound of structural formula (XI), with the alkylating agent benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt, in the presence of a tertiary amine base and a halide salt in a suitable solvent at a temperature of from ambient to reflux for from 1 hour to 48 hours and isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XII) in high purity.",
"[0048] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III): [0000] [0049] comprising the steps of: a) treating a compound of structural formula (II), [0000] with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a halogenating reagent, a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range reagents;",
"and b) with or without isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (III).",
"[0052] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein oxalyl chloride and thionyl chloride are the halogenating agents, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0053] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein oxalyl chloride is the halogenating agent.",
"[0054] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said oxalyl chloride is present in greater than stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0055] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, benzene, toluene, xylene;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0056] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said solvent is dichloromethane.",
"[0057] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −20° C. to 40° C. [0058] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.",
"[0059] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0060] One embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (III), wherein said reaction time range is from 12 to 16 hours.",
"[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein: [0062] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;",
"[0063] R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;",
"[0064] comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (III), [0000] with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).",
"[0067] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.",
"[0068] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the salt is the magnesium salt.",
"[0069] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, and dimethoxyethane;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0070] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.",
"[0071] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −70° C. to 80° C. [0072] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.",
"[0073] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0074] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IV), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.",
"[0075] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein: [0076] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;",
"[0077] comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IV), [0000] with a protic acid, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and in a suitable solvent;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).",
"[0080] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said protic acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid, any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0081] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the protic acid is p-toluenesulfonic acid.",
"[0082] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein p-toluenesulfonic acid is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0083] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, and dichloroethane;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0084] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said solvent is toluene.",
"[0085] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −25° C. to 140° C. [0086] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C. [0087] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0088] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (V), wherein said reaction time range is from 2 to 6 hours.",
"[0089] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein: [0090] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;",
"[0091] comprising: a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (V), [0000] with suitable reagents including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine, and an inorganic base, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) optionally isolating the reaction product of structural formula (VI).",
"[0094] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said inorganic salt of guanidine is selected from the group consisting of guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine carbonate, and guanidine sulfate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0095] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the inorganic salt is guanidine hydrochloride.",
"[0096] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said guanidine hydrochloride is present in greater than a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0097] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and tert-butanol;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0098] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said solvent is ethanol.",
"[0099] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 120° C. [0100] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C. [0101] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0102] Another embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VI), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.",
"[0103] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I) [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein: [0104] R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkanoyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkynyl, amido, amidoalkyl, amino, aroyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, aryloxyarylalkyl, arylsulfonyl, arylalkylsulfonyl, arylalkenylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, carboalkoxy, carboarylalkoxy, carboaryloxy, carboarylalkenyloxy, carboalkoxyamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkylsulfonyl, heteroarylalkenylsulfonyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, perhaloalkyl, and trisubstituted silyl, any of which may be optionally substituted;",
"[0105] comprising: a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (VI), [0000] with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a formaldehyde equivalent, a glyoxal equivalent, a ammonia equivalent, and an appropriate amount of a protic acid in a suitable protic solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (I) in high yield and purity;",
"c) optionally removing the R 1 group to afford a compound of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is hydrogen;",
"and d) optionally alkylating the compound of structural formula (I), wherein R 1 is hydrogen, with an appropriate alkylating agent in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range [0110] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said formaldehyde equivalent is formalin or paraformaldehyde, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0111] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein paraformaldehyde is utilized as a reagent.",
"[0112] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said paraformaldehyde is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0113] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said glyoxal equivalent is anhydrous glyoxal or glyoxal hydrate, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0114] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein glyoxal hydrate is employed as a reagent.",
"[0115] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said glyoxal hydrate is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0116] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said ammonia equivalent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonium carbamate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0117] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein ammonium chloride is employed as a reagent.",
"[0118] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said ammonium chloride is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0119] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said protic acid is phosphoric acid, present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0120] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0121] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0122] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein: [0123] said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, dioxane, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, tert-butanol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol;",
"or any of these protic solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0124] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein dioxane and water are employed as the solvents.",
"[0125] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C. [0126] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 80° C. to 110° C. [0127] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.",
"[0128] A further embodiment of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (I), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 4 hours.",
"[0129] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein: [0130] R 2 is optionally substituted alkyl;",
"[0131] comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IIIa), [0000] with an excess of the salt of a monoanion of alkylacetoacetate, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range reagents;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (IV).",
"[0134] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.",
"[0135] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the salt is the magnesium salt.",
"[0136] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, and dimethoxyethane;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0137] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said solvent is tetrahydrofuran.",
"[0138] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −70° C. to 80° C. [0139] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 0° C. to ambient temperature.",
"[0140] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0141] In yet further embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VII), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.",
"[0142] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (VII), [0000] with a protic acid, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and in a suitable solvent;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (VIII).",
"[0145] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said protic acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid, any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0146] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the protic acid is p-toluenesulfonic acid.",
"[0147] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein p-toluenesulfonic acid is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0148] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, and dichloroethane;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0149] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said solvent is toluene.",
"[0150] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about −25° C. to 140° C. [0151] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C. [0152] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0153] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein said reaction time range is from 2 to 6 hours.",
"[0154] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising: a) a treating the reaction product of structural formula (VIII), [0000] with suitable reagents including, but not limited to, an excess of an inorganic salt of guanidine, and an inorganic base, in a suitable solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) optionally isolating the reaction product of structural formula (IX).",
"[0157] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said inorganic salt of guanidine is selected from the group consisting of guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine carbonate, and guanidine sulfate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0158] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the inorganic salt is guanidine hydrochloride.",
"[0159] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said guanidine hydrochloride is present in greater than a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0160] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and tert-butanol;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0161] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said solvent is ethanol.",
"[0162] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 120° C. [0163] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C. [0164] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein the appropriate reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 24 hours.",
"[0165] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (IX), wherein said reaction time range is from 10 to 14 hours.",
"[0166] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (IX), [0000] with a combination of suitable reagents, comprising a formaldehyde equivalent, a glyoxal equivalent, a ammonia equivalent, and an appropriate amount of a protic acid in a suitable protic solvent, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (X) in high yield and purity.",
"[0169] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said formaldehyde equivalent is formalin or paraformaldehyde, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0170] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein paraformaldehyde is utilized as a reagent.",
"[0171] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said paraformaldehyde is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0172] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said glyoxal equivalent is anhydrous glyoxal or glyoxal hydrate, either of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0173] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein glyoxal hydrate is employed as a reagent.",
"[0174] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said glyoxal hydrate is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0175] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said ammonia equivalent is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonium carbamate, any of which may be present in an amount greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0176] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein ammonium chloride is employed as a reagent.",
"[0177] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said ammonium chloride is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said protic acid is phosphoric acid, present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0178] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in stoichiometric amounts.",
"[0179] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said phosphoric acid is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0180] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein: [0181] said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, dioxane, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, tert-butanol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol;",
"or any of these protic solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0182] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein dioxane and water are employed as the solvents.",
"[0183] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C. [0184] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 80° C. to 110° C. [0185] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.",
"[0186] In other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (X), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 4 hours.",
"[0187] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI): [0000] [0000] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (X), [0000] with a hydrogen source in the presence of a catalyst in a suitable protic solvent, under an appropriate pressure, using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XI) in high yield and purity.",
"[0190] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said hydrogen source is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, cyclohexene in the presence of palladium on carbon, and ammonium formate in the presence palladium on carbon.",
"[0191] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein hydrogen gas is employed as a reagent.",
"[0192] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of palladium on carbon, palladium hydroxide on carbon, platinum (IV) oxide, and platinum (IV) oxide on carbon;",
"any of which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0193] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said catalyst is palladium on carbon.",
"[0194] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein palladium on carbon is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0195] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein: [0196] said protic solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol;",
"or any of these solvents may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0197] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein ethanol is employed as the solvent.",
"[0198] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the appropriate reaction pressure is selected from the range between one to four atmospheres.",
"[0199] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the reaction pressure is one atmosphere.",
"[0200] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 100° C. [0201] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 20° C. to 40° C. [0202] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.",
"[0203] In yet other embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XI), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 6 hours.",
"[0204] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII): [0000] [0205] or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, comprising: a) treating the reaction product of structural formula (XI), [0000] with the alkylating agent benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt, in the presence of a tertiary amine base and a halide salt in a suitable dipolar aprotic solvent using an appropriate reaction time over a suitable temperature range;",
"and b) isolating the novel reaction product of structural formula (XII) in high yield and purity.",
"[0208] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein: [0209] said tertiary amine base is selected from the group consisting of triethylamine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine, and N-methylpiperidine.",
"[0210] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the tertiary amine base is N,N-diisopropylethylamine.",
"[0211] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the halide salt is potassium iodide, which may be present in an amount ranging from catalytic to greater than or equal to a stoichiometric amount.",
"[0212] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein potassium iodide is present in catalytic amounts.",
"[0213] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein: [0214] said suitable dipolar aprotic solvents are selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, and hexamethylphosphoramide;",
"or any of these may be combined together and utilized as co-solvents.",
"[0215] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein N,N-dimethylformamide is employed as the dipolar aprotic solvent.",
"[0216] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein the suitable temperature range is from about 0° C. to 150° C. [0217] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said suitable temperature range is from 70° C. to 90° C. [0218] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said reaction time range is from about 5 minutes to 48 hours.",
"[0219] In certain embodiments of the present invention is the method for preparing the compound of structural formula (XII), wherein said reaction time range is from 0.5 to 6 hours.",
"[0220] It should be recognized that certain modification to the process will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such changes are intended to be within the scope of this invention.",
"It is intended that the process will be carried out by skilled chemists who may make changes, such as preferably, but not necessarily, carrying out sequential reactions in the same vessel, or changing solvents or reaction temperatures or equipment, especially for economic reasons, and such modifications are to be considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0221] As used herein, the terms below have the meanings indicated.",
"[0222] The term “acyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a carbonyl attached to an alkenyl, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, or any other moiety were the atom attached to the carbonyl is carbon.",
"An “acetyl”",
"group refers to a —C(O)CH 3 group.",
"An “alkylcarbonyl”",
"or “alkanoyl”",
"group refers to an alkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group.",
"Examples of such groups include methylcarbonyl and ethylcarbonyl.",
"Examples of acyl groups include formyl, alkanoyl and aroyl.",
"[0223] The term “alkenyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having one or more double bonds and containing from 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 6, carbon atoms.",
"Alkenylene refers to a carbon-carbon double bond system attached at two or more positions such as ethenylene [(—CH═CH—), (—C::C—)].",
"Examples of suitable alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, 2-methylpropenyl, 1,4-butadienyl and the like.",
"[0224] The term “alkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl ether radical, wherein the term alkyl is as defined below.",
"Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, and the like.",
"[0225] The term “alkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl radical containing from 1 to and including 20, preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 6, carbon atoms.",
"Alkyl groups may be optionally substituted as defined herein.",
"Examples of alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, octyl, noyl and the like.",
"The term “alkylene,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a saturated aliphatic group derived from a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon attached at two or more positions, such as methylene (—CH 2 —).",
"[0226] The term “alkylamino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an amino group.",
"Suitable alkylamino groups may be mono- or dialkylated, forming groups such as, for example, N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-ethylmethylamino and the like.",
"[0227] The term “alkylidene,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkenyl group in which one carbon atom of the carbon-carbon double bond belongs to the moiety to which the alkenyl group is attached.",
"[0228] The term “alkynyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having one or more triple bonds and containing from 2 to 20, preferably from 2 to 6, more preferably from 2 to 4, carbon atoms.",
"“Alkynylene”",
"refers to a carbon-carbon triple bond attached at two positions such as ethynylene (—CC—, —C≡C—).",
"Examples of alkynyl radicals include ethynyl, propynyl, hydroxypropynyl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, pentyn-1-yl, 3-methylbutyn-1-yl, hexyn-2-yl, and the like.",
"[0229] The term “ambient temperature,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to the actual surrounding room temperature during the specified reaction period, and generally refers to a temperature range of about 20° C. to about 30° C., more preferably a temperature range of about 22° C. to about 27° C. [0230] The terms “amido”",
"and “carbamoyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to an amino group as described below attached to the parent molecular moiety through a carbonyl group, or vice versa.",
"The term “C-amido”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a —C(═O)—NR 2 group with R as defined herein.",
"The term “N-amido”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a RC(═O)NH— group, with R as defined herein.",
"The term “acylamino”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, embraces an acyl group attached to the parent moiety through an amino group.",
"An example of an “acylamino”",
"group is acetylamino (CH 3 C(O)NH—).",
"[0231] The term “amino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocycloalkyl, any of which may themselves be optionally substituted.",
"[0232] The term “ammonia equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of ammonia under the specified reaction conditions.",
"Examples include ammonium chloride, ammonia gas, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium carbamate.",
"[0233] The term “aprotic solvent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a solvent which does not contain a hydrogen atom attached to a strongly electronegative element.",
"It cannot donate a hydrogen atom to hydrogen bonding interactions.",
"Examples of aprotic solvents include dichloromethane, toluene, acetone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran.",
"[0234] The term “aryl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, means a carbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two or three rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused.",
"The term “aryl”",
"embraces aromatic radicals such as benzyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthryl, indanyl, indenyl, annulenyl, azulenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, and biphenyl.",
"[0235] The term “arylalkenyl”",
"or “aralkenyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkenyl group.",
"[0236] The term “arylalkoxy”",
"or “aralkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkoxy group.",
"[0237] The term “arylalkyl”",
"or “aralkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group.",
"[0238] The term “arylalkynyl”",
"or “aralkynyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkynyl group.",
"[0239] The term “arylalkanoyl”",
"or “aralkanoyl”",
"or “aroyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an acyl radical derived from an aryl-substituted alkanecarboxylic acid such as benzoyl, napthoyl, phenylacetyl, 3-phenylpropionyl(hydrocinnamoyl), 4-phenylbutyryl, (2-naphthyl)acetyl, 4-chlorohydrocinnamoyl, and the like.",
"[0240] The term aryloxy as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an aryl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxy.",
"[0241] The terms “benzo”",
"and “benz,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to the divalent radical C 6 H 4 =derived from benzene.",
"Examples include benzothiophene and benzimidazole.",
"[0242] The term “carbamate,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an ester of carbamic acid (—NHCOO—) which may be attached to the parent molecular moiety from either the nitrogen or acid end, and which may be optionally substituted as defined herein.",
"[0243] The term “O-carbamyl”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a —OC(O)NRR′, group-with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0244] The term “N-carbamyl”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a ROC(O)NR′— group, with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0245] The term “carbonyl,” as used herein, when alone includes formyl [—C(O)H] and in combination is a —C(O)— group.",
"[0246] The term “carboxy,” as used herein, refers to C(O)OH or the corresponding “carboxylate”",
"anion, such as is in a carboxylic acid salt.",
"An “O-carboxy”",
"group refers to a RC(O)O group, where R is as defined herein.",
"A “C-carboxy”",
"group refers to a —C(O)OR groups where R is as defined herein.",
"[0247] The term “cyano,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —CN.",
"[0248] The term “cycloalkyl,” or, alternatively, “carbocycle,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a saturated or partially saturated monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic alkyl radical wherein each cyclic moiety contains from 3 to 12, preferably five to seven, carbon atom ring members and which may optionally be a benzo fused ring system which is optionally substituted as defined herein.",
"Examples of such cycloalkyl radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, octahydronaphthyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, adamantyl and the like.",
"“Bicyclic”",
"and “tricyclic”",
"as used herein are intended to include both fused ring systems, such as decahydonapthalene, octahydronapthalene as well as the multicyclic (multicentered) saturated or partially unsaturated type.",
"The latter type of isomer is exemplified in general by, bicyclo[1,1,1]pentane, camphor, adamantane, and bicyclo[3,2,1]octane.",
"[0249] The term “dipolar aprotic solvent”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a polar solvent possessing a comparatively high relative permittivity (or dielectric constant), greater than ca.",
"15, and a sizable permanent dipole moment, that cannot donate suitably labile hydrogen atoms to form strong hydrogen bonds.",
"Examples of dipolar aprotic solvents include dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethyformamide, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, hexamethylphosphoramide, acetonitrile, and the like.",
"[0250] The term “DCM”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to dichloromethane.",
"[0251] The term “DMSO”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to dimethyl sulfoxide.",
"[0252] The term “ester,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a carboxy group bridging two moieties linked at carbon atoms.",
"[0253] The term “ether,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an oxy group bridging two moieties linked at carbon atoms.",
"[0254] The term “formaldehyde equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of formaldehyde under the specified reaction conditions.",
"Examples include formaldehyde gas, formalin, formaldehyde sodium bisulfite addition product, paraformaldehyde, methylal, and s-1,3,5-trioxane.",
"[0255] The term “glyoxal equivalent,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a reagent which serves as a synthetic equivalent of glyoxal under the specified reaction conditions.",
"Examples include glyoxal, glyoxal hydrate, and glyoxal bis-sodium bisulfite addition product.",
"[0256] The term “halo,” or “halogen,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.",
"[0257] The term “haloalkoxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a haloalkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen atom.",
"[0258] The term “haloalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl radical having the meaning as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with a halogen.",
"Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals.",
"A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, may have an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the radical.",
"Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals.",
"Examples of haloalkyl radicals include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl.",
"“Haloalkylene”",
"refers to a haloalkyl group attached at two or more positions.",
"Examples include fluoromethylene (—CFH—), difluoromethylene (—CF 2 —), chloromethylene (—CHCl—) and the like.",
"[0259] The term “heteroalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a stable straight or branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, or combinations thereof, fully saturated or containing from 1 to 3 degrees of unsaturation, consisting of the stated number of carbon atoms and from one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur atoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized.",
"The heteroatom(s) O, N and S may be placed at any interior position of the heteroalkyl group.",
"Up to two heteroatoms may be consecutive, such as, for example, —CH 2 —NH—OCH 3 .",
"[0260] The term “heteroaryl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to 3 to 7 membered, preferably 5 to 7 membered, unsaturated heteromonocyclic rings, or fused polycyclic rings in which at least one of the fused rings is unsaturated, wherein at least one atom is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N. The term also embraces fused polycyclic groups wherein heterocyclic radicals are fused with aryl radicals, wherein heteroaryl radicals are fused with other heteroaryl radicals, or wherein heteroaryl radicals are fused with cycloalkyl radicals.",
"Examples of heteroaryl groups include pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazolyl, pyranyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzopyranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, chromonyl, coumarinyl, benzopyranyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolopyridazinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, thienopyridinyl, furopyridinyl, pyrrolopyridinyl and the like.",
"Exemplary tricyclic heterocyclic groups include carbazolyl, benzidolyl, phenanthrolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, acridinyl, phenanthridinyl, xanthenyl and the like.",
"[0261] The terms “heterocycloalkyl”",
"and, interchangeably, “heterocycle,” as used herein, alone or in combination, each refer to a saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic heterocyclic radical containing at least one, preferably 1 to 4, and more preferably 1 to 2 heteroatoms as ring members, wherein each said heteroatom may be independently selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and wherein there are preferably 3 to 8 ring members in each ring, more preferably 3 to 7 ring members in each ring, and most preferably 5 to 6 ring members in each ring.",
"“Heterocycloalkyl”",
"and “heterocycle”",
"are intended to include sulfones, sulfoxides, N-oxides of tertiary nitrogen ring members, and carbocyclic fused and benzo fused ring systems;",
"additionally, both terms also include systems where a heterocycle ring is fused to an aryl group, as defined herein, or an additional heterocycle group.",
"Heterocycle groups of the invention are exemplified by aziridinyl, azetidinyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, dihydroisoindolyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl, dihydrocinnolinyl, dihydrobenzodioxinyl, dihydro[1,3]oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridinyl, benzothiazolyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydropyridinyl, 1,3-dioxanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, isoindolinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, piperidinyl, thiomorpholinyl, and the like.",
"The heterocycle groups may be optionally substituted unless specifically prohibited.",
"[0262] The term “hydrazinyl”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to two amino groups joined by a single bond, i.e., —N—N—.",
"[0263] The term “hydroxy,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —OH.",
"[0264] The term “hydroxyalkyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a hydroxy group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group.",
"[0265] The term “imino,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to ═N—.",
"[0266] The phrase “in the main chain”",
"refers to the longest contiguous or adjacent chain of carbon atoms starting at the point of attachment of a group to the compounds of this invention.",
"[0267] The term “lower,” as used herein, alone or in combination, means containing from 1 to and including 6 carbon atoms.",
"[0268] The term “N-alkylating agent,” as defined herein, refers to a combination of reagents capable of alkylating an amine group, such as an aldehyde with a combination of a reducing agent and reaction conditions capable of reducing an iminium compound, or to an alkyl halide or dialkylsulfate in the presence of a mild base, for example, a tertiary amine or an alkali metal carbonate.",
"[0269] The term “nitro,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —NO 2 .",
"[0270] The terms “oxy”",
"or “oxa,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to —O—.",
"[0271] The term “oxo,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to ═O.",
"[0272] The term “perhaloalkoxy”",
"refers to an alkoxy group where all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms.",
"[0273] The term “perhaloalkyl”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl group where all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms.",
"[0274] The term “protic solvent”",
"as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a solvent that carries hydrogen attached to oxygen as in a hydroxyl group or attached to nitrogen as in an amine group.",
"Such solvents can donate an H + (proton).",
"Examples of protic solvents include water, ethanol, tert-butanol, and diethylamine.",
"[0275] The term “protic acid”",
"refers to those acids such as HCl, H 2 SO 4 , H 3 PO 4 , p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic acid, methane sulfonic acid, or a strongly acidic cationic ion exchange resin, such as Dowex® 50 or Amberlyte® IR-112, for example.",
"[0276] The terms “sulfonate,” “sulfonic acid,” and “sulfonic,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer the —SO 3 H group and its anion as the sulfonic acid is used in salt formation.",
"[0277] The term “sulfanyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S—.",
"[0278] The term “sulfinyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S(O)—.",
"[0279] The term “sulfonyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to —S(O) 2 —.",
"[0280] The term “N-sulfonamido”",
"refers to a RS(═O) 2 NR′— group with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0281] The term “S-sulfonamido”",
"refers to a —S(═O) 2 NRR′, group, with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0282] The terms “thia”",
"and “thio,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refer to a —S— group or an ether wherein the oxygen is replaced with sulfur.",
"The oxidized derivatives of the thio group, namely sulfinyl and sulfonyl, are included in the definition of thia and thio.",
"[0283] The term “thiol,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an —SH group.",
"[0284] The term “thiocarbonyl,” as used herein, when alone includes thioformyl —C(S)H and in combination is a —C(S)— group.",
"[0285] The term “N-thiocarbamyl”",
"refers to an ROC(S)NR′— group, with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0286] The term “O-thiocarbamyl”",
"refers to a —OC(S)NRR′, group with R and R′ as defined herein.",
"[0287] The term “TBME”",
"refers to tert-butyl methyl ether.",
"[0288] The term “trisubstituted silyl,” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to a silicone group substituted at its three free valences with groups as listed herein under the definition of substituted amino.",
"Examples include trimethysilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl and the like.",
"[0289] Any definition herein may be used in combination with any other definition to describe a composite structural group.",
"By convention, the trailing element of any such definition is that which attaches to the parent moiety.",
"For example, the composite group alkylamido would represent an alkyl group attached to the parent molecule through an amido group, and the term alkoxyalkyl would represent an alkoxy group attached to the parent molecule through an alkyl group.",
"[0290] When a group is defined to be “null,” what is meant is that said group is absent.",
"[0291] The term “optionally substituted”",
"means the anteceding group may be substituted or unsubstituted.",
"When substituted, the substituents of an “optionally substituted”",
"group may include, without limitation, one or more substituents independently selected from the following groups or a particular designated set of groups, alone or in combination: lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkanoyl, lower heteroalkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkenyl, lower haloalkynyl, lower perhaloalkyl, lower perhaloalkoxy, lower cycloalkyl, phenyl, aryl, aryloxy, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkoxy, oxo, lower acyloxy, carbonyl, carboxyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower carboxyester, lower carboxamido, cyano, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, lower alkylamino, arylamino, amido, nitro, thiol, lower alkylthio, arylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfonyl, arylthio, sulfonate, sulfonic acid, trisubstituted silyl, N 3 , SH, SCH 3 , C(O)CH 3 , CO 2 CH 3 , CO 2 H, pyridinyl, thiophene, furanyl, lower carbamate, and lower urea.",
"Two substituents may be joined together to form a fused five-, six-, or seven-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring consisting of zero to three heteroatoms, for example forming methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy.",
"An optionally substituted group may be unsubstituted (e.g., —CH 2 CH 3 ), fully substituted (e.g., —CF 2 CF 3 ), monosubstituted (e.g., —C 1-2 CH 2 F) or substituted at a level anywhere in-between fully substituted and monosubstituted (e.g., —CH 2 CF 3 ).",
"Where substituents are recited without qualification as to substitution, both substituted and unsubstituted forms are encompassed.",
"Where a substituent is qualified as “substituted,” the substituted form is specifically intended.",
"Additionally, different sets of optional substituents to a particular moiety may be defined as needed;",
"in these cases, the optional substitution will be as defined, often immediately following the phrase, “optionally substituted with.”",
"[0292] The term R or the term R′, appearing by itself and without a number designation, unless otherwise defined, refers to a moiety selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocycloalkyl, any of which may be optionally substituted.",
"Such R and R′ groups should be understood to be optionally substituted as defined herein.",
"Whether an R group has a number designation or not, every R group, including R, R′ and R n where n=(1, 2, 3, .",
"n), every substituent, and every term should be understood to be independent of every other in terms of selection from a group.",
"Should any variable, substituent, or term (e.g. aryl, heterocycle, R, etc.) occur more than one time in a formula or generic structure, its definition at each occurrence is independent of the definition at every other occurrence.",
"Those of skill in the art will further recognize that certain groups may be attached to a parent molecule or may occupy a position in a chain of elements from either end as written.",
"Thus, by way of example only, an unsymmetrical group such as —C(O)N(R)— may be attached to the parent moiety at either the carbon or the nitrogen.",
"[0293] Asymmetric centers exist in the compounds of the present invention.",
"These centers are designated by the symbols “R”",
"or “S,” depending on the configuration of substituents around the chiral carbon atom.",
"It should be understood that the invention encompasses all stereochemical isomeric forms, including diastereomeric, enantiomeric, and epimeric forms, as well as d-isomers and 1-isomers, and mixtures thereof.",
"Individual stereoisomers of compounds can be prepared synthetically from commercially available starting materials which contain chiral centers or by preparation of mixtures of enantiomeric products followed by separation such as conversion to a mixture of diastereomers followed by separation or recrystallization, chromatographic techniques, direct separation of enantiomers on chiral chromatographic columns, or any other appropriate method known in the art.",
"Starting compounds of particular stereochemistry are either commercially available or can be made and resolved by techniques known in the art.",
"Additionally, the compounds of the present invention may exist as geometric isomers.",
"The present invention includes all cis, trans, syn, anti, entgegen (E), and zusammen (Z) isomers as well as the appropriate mixtures thereof.",
"Additionally, compounds may exist as tautomers;",
"all tautomeric isomers are provided by this invention.",
"Additionally, the compounds of the present invention can exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like.",
"In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the present invention.",
"[0294] The term “bond”",
"refers to a covalent linkage between two atoms, or two moieties when the atoms joined by the bond are considered to be part of larger substructure.",
"A bond may be single, double, or triple unless otherwise specified.",
"A dashed line between two atoms in a drawing of a molecule indicates that an additional bond may be present or absent at that position.",
"[0000] When a particular measure or amount is referred to, unless otherwise stated, said amount should be understood to be reasonably approximate, “reasonable”",
"being subject to interpretation by one of skill in the art.",
"Those of skill in the art regularly employ minor variations in quantitation to achieve ideal results.",
"Furthermore, weights and measures are subject to variation based upon the sensitivity of the apparatus.",
"[0295] The term “prodrug”",
"refers to a compound that is made more active in vivo.",
"Certain compounds of the present invention may also exist as prodrugs, as described in Hydrolysis in Drug and Prodrug Metabolism: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Enzymology (Testa, Bernard and Mayer, Joachim M. Wiley-VHCA, Zurich, Switzerland 2003).",
"Prodrugs of the compounds described herein are structurally modified forms of the compound that readily undergo chemical changes under physiological conditions to provide the compound.",
"Additionally, prodrugs can be converted to the compound by chemical or biochemical methods in an ex vivo environment.",
"For example, prodrugs can be slowly converted to a compound when placed in a transdermal patch reservoir with a suitable enzyme or chemical reagent.",
"Prodrugs are often useful because, in some situations, they may be easier to administer than the compound, or parent drug.",
"They may, for instance, be bioavailable by oral administration whereas the parent drug is not.",
"The prodrug may also have improved solubility in pharmaceutical compositions over the parent drug.",
"A wide variety of prodrug derivatives are known in the art, such as those that rely on hydrolytic cleavage or oxidative activation of the prodrug.",
"An example, without limitation, of a prodrug would be a compound which is administered as an ester (the “prodrug”), but then is metabolically hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acid, the active entity.",
"Additional examples include peptidyl derivatives of a compound.",
"[0296] The compounds of the present invention can exist as therapeutically acceptable salts.",
"The present invention includes compounds listed above in the form of salts, in particular acid addition salts.",
"Suitable salts include those formed with both organic and inorganic acids.",
"Such acid addition salts will normally be pharmaceutically acceptable.",
"However, salts of non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be of utility in the preparation and purification of the compound in question.",
"Basic addition salts may also be formed and be pharmaceutically acceptable.",
"For a more complete discussion of the preparation and selection of salts, refer to Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use (Stahl, P. Heinrich.",
"Wiley-VCHA, Zurich, Switzerland, 2002).",
"[0297] The term “therapeutically acceptable salt,” as used herein, represents salts or zwitterionic forms of the compounds of the present invention which are water or oil-soluble or dispersible and therapeutically acceptable as defined herein.",
"The salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or separately by reacting the appropriate compound in the form of the free base with a suitable acid.",
"Representative acid addition salts include acetate, adipate, alginate, L-ascorbate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate (besylate), bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, digluconate, formate, fumarate, gentisate, glutarate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethansulfonate (isethionate), lactate, maleate, malonate, DL-mandelate, mesitylenesulfonate, methanesulfonate, naphthylenesulfonate, nicotinate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylproprionate, phosphonate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, pyroglutamate, succinate, sulfonate, tartrate, L-tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, phosphate, glutamate, bicarbonate, para-toluenesulfonate (p-tosylate), and undecanoate.",
"Also, basic groups in the compounds of the present invention can be quaternized with methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides;",
"dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates;",
"decyl, lauryl, myristyl, and steryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides;",
"and benzyl and phenethyl bromides.",
"Examples of acids which can be employed to form therapeutically acceptable addition salts include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, and phosphoric, and organic acids such as oxalic, maleic, succinic, and citric.",
"Salts can also be formed by coordination of the compounds with an alkali metal or alkaline earth ion.",
"Hence, the present invention contemplates sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium salts of the compounds of the compounds of the present invention and the like.",
"[0298] Basic addition salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds by reacting a carboxy group with a suitable base such as the hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate of a metal cation or with ammonia or an organic primary, secondary, or tertiary amine.",
"The cations of therapeutically acceptable salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum, as well as nontoxic quaternary amine cations such as ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, diethylamine, ethylamine, tributylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylmorpholine, dicyclohexylamine, procaine, dibenzylamine, N,N-dibenzylphenethylamine, 1-ephenamine, and N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine.",
"Other representative organic amines useful for the formation of base addition salts include ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperidine, and piperazine.",
"[0299] Thus, preferred salts include hydrochloride, hydrobromide, acetate, adipate, oxalate, phosphate, hippurate, L-ascorbate, benzenesulfonate (besylate), benzoate, citrate, fumarate, gentisate, glutarate, glycolate, 1-hydroxy-2-napthoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, maleate, L-malate, malonate, DL mandelate, methanesulfonate (mesylate), nicotinate, p-toluenesulfonate (tosylate), pyroglutamate, succinate, sulfate, L-(+)tartrate, and DL-tartarate salts of compounds of the present invention.",
"A salt of a compound can be made by reacting the appropriate compound in the form of the free base with the appropriate acid.",
"General Synthetic Methods for Preparing Compounds [0300] The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.",
"EXAMPLE 1 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine [0301] Step 1: Preparation of compound 1a: 2-Chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester [0302] Oxalyl chloride (707 g, 5.60 mol) was added dropwise (1 h) to a 3° C. solution of N-carbobenzyloxy-D,L-proline (1.00 kg, 4.01 mol), dimethylformamide (0.10 mL) and methylene chloride (4.00 L) under nitrogen.",
"The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 14 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to give 1.07 kg (100%) of 2-chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as an amber oil.",
"Step 2: Preparation of compound 1b: 2-(2-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester [0303] Methylmagnesium chloride (163 mL of a 3.00 M solution in THF, 489 mmol) was added dropwise to a 4° C. solution of tert-butylacetoacetate (79.0 g, 500 mmol) and THF (500 mL) while maintaining an internal temperature of 4-10° C. The reaction mixture was warmed to 15° C. and 2-chlorocarbonyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (66.0 g, 250 mmol) was added dropwise over 1 h. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 12 h. NH 4 Cl (300 mL of a saturated aqueous solution) was added and the phases were separated.",
"The organic layer was concentrated under vacuum to give 97.4 g (100%) of 2-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as a yellow oil.",
"Step 3: Preparation of compound 1c: 2-(3-Oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester [0304] 2-(2-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (97.4 g, 250 mmol) was dissolved toluene (400 mL) and was washed with 1N HCl (2×500 mL).",
"p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (10.0 g, 50.0 mmol) was added to the organic layer and the solution was heated to 80° C. for 4 h under nitrogen.",
"The mixture was cooled to room temperature and water (3×1 L) was added.",
"The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated to give 68.7 g (95%) of 2-(3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as an amber oil.",
"[M+H] + 290.03.",
"Step 4: Preparation of compound 1d: 2-(2-Amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester [0305] Sodium (5.50 g, 250 mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of anhydrous ethanol (300 mL) under nitrogen at room temperature.",
"A suspension of guanidine hydrochloride (22.8 g, 250 mmol) in ethanol (200 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 20 minutes.",
"The precipitate was removed by vacuum filtration and 2-(3-oxo-butyryl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (68.7 g, 237 mmol) was added to the filtrate.",
"The solution was transferred to a flask fitted with a Dean-Stark trap and the reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. The solution was heated at 80° C. under nitrogen for 12 h while removing 200 mL of distillate.",
"The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and was gradually cooled to −5° C. The resulting solid was collected by filtration and air dried to give 33.7 g (46%) of 2-(2-amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as cream colored crystals.",
"[M+H] + 312.88.",
"Step 5: Preparation of compound 1e: 2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester [0306] H 3 PO 4 (470 μL) was added to a clear solution of 2-(2-amino-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (2.65 g, 8.48 mmol), dioxane (31.2 mL) and water (4.24 mL) at room temperature to give a yellow suspension.",
"Glyoxal (40 wt % in water, 1.23 g, 8.48 mmol), paraformaldehyde (254 mg, 8.48 mmol) and water (8.48 mL) were added and the suspension was heated to 80° C. Saturated NH 4 Cl (453 mg, 8.48 mmol in 2.40 mL of H 2 O) was added dropwise to the solution at 80° C. prior to heating at 100° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and bought to pH 12 with 4M NaOH then extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The combined organics were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified by column chromatography (5:1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) to give 1.98 g (64%) of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester as a white solid.",
"[M+H] + 363.78.",
"Step 6: Preparation of compound 1f: 2-Imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine [0307] 10% Pd/C (12 mg) was added to a solution of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (112 mg, 0.308 mmol) and ethanol (3 mL) at room temperature.",
"The solution was flushed with nitrogen then stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified by column chromatography (DCM to 20% MeOH/DCM) to give 63 mg (89%) of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine.",
"[M+H] + 230.16;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.74 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 4.95 (s, 2H), 4.25 (t, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.35 (m, 1H), 1.90 (m, 2H);",
"13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 173.4, 170.4, 153.9, 136.0, 128.9, 116.8, 116.0, 62.1, 46.5, 32.7, 25.3, 22.7.",
"Step 7: Preparation of compound 1g: 2-(Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol [0308] 2-(Methylamino)ethanol (22.0 g, 290 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl chloride (25.0 g, 147 mmol) in DCM (45 mL) at −78° C. under nitrogen.",
"The solution was stirred for 15 minutes at −78° C. then warmed to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. 1.2 M NaOH (100 mL) was added and the phases were separated.",
"The organic layer was washed water (2×150 mL) and concentrated under vacuum to give 25.3 g (83%) of 2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol as a clear oil.",
"Step 8: Preparation of compound 1h: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt [0309] Thionyl chloride (60 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes to a 0° C. solution of 2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-methyl-amino)-ethanol (22.2 g, 110 mmol) in DCM (250 mL) under nitrogen.",
"The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. The suspension was concentrated under vacuum and brine (150 mL) and ethyl acetate (200 mL) were added.",
"The precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL).",
"The solid was dried overnight under vacuum to give 26.5 g (91%) of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride as a white powder.",
"Step 9: Preparation of compound 1: 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine [0310] A solution of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine (2.1 g, 9.2 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) was added to a stirred mixture of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-(2-chloro-ethyl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride salt (2.2 g, 8.1 mmol), DMF (10 mL) and diisopropylethylamine (2.5 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen.",
"Potassium iodide (340 mg, 2.0 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated to 80° C. for 3 h. The solution was cooled to room temperature and 1N dibasic potassium phosphate solution (200 mL) was added.",
"The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and the phases were separated.",
"The organic layer was concentrated and the product was purified by column chromatography (DCM to 4:1 DCM/MeOH) to give 2.0 g (52%) of 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine as a red oil.",
"[M+H] + 421.30;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.60 (s, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.30 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 6.67 (m, 2H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 3.52 (t, 1H), 3.6 (m, 3H), 2.77 (m, 1H), 2.2-2.6 (m, 8H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.62-1.95 (m, 3H);",
"13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 175.7, 169.6, 154.0, 147.6, 146.5, 136.2, 132.8, 130.1, 121.9, 116.6, 115.0, 109.2, 107.8, 100.8, 69.8, 62.3, 56.0, 54.3, 53.1, 42.5, 33.2, 24.2, 23.4.",
"EXAMPLE 2 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine (Enantiomer 1) [0311] Compound 2 was prepared following the procedures described in preparation of Example 1.",
"A single enantiomer of Example 1 was obtained by chiral HPLC (chiralpak ADRH, 4.6×150 mm, 10 mM NH 4 OAc/EtOH 4:6 (v/v), flow rate 0.5 mL/min) separation.",
"Analytical data are identical to Example 1.",
"EXAMPLE 3 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine (Enantiomer 2) [0312] Compound 3 was prepared following the procedures described in preparation of Example 1.",
"A single enantiomer of Example 1 was obtained by chiral HPLC (chiralpak ADRH, 4.6×150 mm, 10 mM NH 4 OAc/EtOH 4:6 (v/v), flow rate 0.5 mL/min) separation.",
"Analytical data are identical to Example 1.",
"EXAMPLE 4 2-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-N-methylethanamine hydrochloric acid salt [0313] [0314] Hydrochloric acid (1.60 mL of a 12.39 M aqueous solution, 19.8 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 1 (8.2 g, 19.5 mmol) in acetone (100 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen.",
"The mixture was stirred for 1 h and the precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration.",
"The solid was washed with acetone (30 mL) and dried under vacuum for 16 h to give 6.3 g (71%) of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine hydrochloric acid salt as a white solid.",
"[M+H] + 421.30;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.54 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.90 (s, 2H), 6.02 (s, 2H), 4.09 (s, 2H), 3.70 (t, 1H), 3.50-3.20 (m, 3H), 3.10-2.90 (m, 3H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 2.46-2.40 (m, 1H), 2.30-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.94-1.82 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.70 (m, 1H).",
"EXAMPLE 5 2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-amide [0315] [0316] A solution of 2-imidazol-1-yl-4-methyl-6-pyrrolidin-2-yl-pyrimidine (21.8 mg, 0.095 mmol), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl isocyanate (29 mg, 0.151 mmol), triethylamine (0.4 mL) and THF (1.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 10 minutes.",
"Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×3 mL).",
"The combined organic layers were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 36 mg (90%) of 2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-amide as a white solid.",
"[M+H] + 421.15;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.65 (s, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 6.65 (m, 3H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 3.62 (m, 1H), 3.55 (m, 1H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.41 (m, 1H), 2.03 (m, 3H);",
"13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 173.9, 170.3, 166.5, 157.7, 147.6, 145.9, 133.2, 128.9, 121.3, 115.0, 108.6, 107.6, 106.9, 61.4, 46.4, 41.8, 35.7, 32.4, 23.3, 22.8.",
"EXAMPLE 6 1-(2-(2-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylamino)ethanone [0317] Step 1: Preparation of compound 6a: tert-Butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamate [0318] A solution of 1f (21.0 mg, 0.092 mmol), N-Boc-[(benzo[1,3]dioxaol-5-ylmethyl)amino]acetic acid (39 mg, 0.13=mol), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (28 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (20 mg, 0.15 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 30 min.",
"Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×10 mL).",
"The combined organic layers were washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 48 mg (100%) of tert-butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)carbamate as a white solid.",
"Step 2: Preparation of compound 6: 1-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylamino)ethanone [0319] A mixture of 6a (48 mg, 0.092 mmol), TFA (0.5 mL) and DCM (0.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 20 min.",
"The solution was concentrated under vacuum and Na 2 CO 3 (10 mL) was added.",
"The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×5 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL).",
"The solution was concentrated under vacuum to give 25 mg (65%) of 2-(2imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid (benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-amide as a white solid.",
"[M+H] + 421.07;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 6.86 (s, 1H), 6.78 (m, 2H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 5.93 (s, 1H), 3.83 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.50 (m, 6H), 3.34 (s, 1H), 2.58 (s, 3H), 2.50-1.90 (m, 4H).",
"EXAMPLE 7 N-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-acetamide [0320] [0321] A solution of 1f (4 mg, 0.02 mmol), N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-chloro-acetamide (4 mg, 0.02 mmol), DMF (0.5 mL) and TEA (0.2 mL) was heated at 60° C. under nitrogen for 20 h. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with brine and concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified by Prep-TLC to give 5 mg (60%) of N-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-acetamide.",
"[M+H] + 421.09.",
"EXAMPLE 8 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine [0322] Step 1: [0323] Preparation of compound 8a: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 1 using tert-butyl benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl(2-bromoethyl)carbamate and 1f Step 2: [0324] Preparation of compound 8: Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 6 using benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester.",
"[M+H] + 406.97;",
"1 H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.54 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 6.64 (m, 2H), 5.85 (s, 2H), 3.60-3.20 (m, 5H), 2.80-2.20 (m, 9H), 1.90-1.60 (m, 2H);",
"13 C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 175.6, 170.0, 154.2, 147.9, 146.8, 136.4, 133.7, 130.2, 121.4, 116.9, 115.4, 108.7, 108.2, 101.1, 69.9, 54.6, 54.2, 53.7, 50.2, 47.6, 33.6, 24.4, 23.7.",
"EXAMPLE 9 (2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine [0325] Step 1: [0326] Preparation of compound 9a: tert-Butyl 2-(2-(2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethylcarbamate was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 1 using (2-bromo-ethyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester and 1f.",
"[M+H] + 373.47.",
"Step 2: [0327] Preparation of compound 9b: 2-[2-(2-Imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 6 using {2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester.",
"[M+H] + 273.81.",
"Step 3: Preparation of compound 9: (2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine [0328] A solution of 9b (78 mg, 290 μmol), 2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (47 mg, 290 μmol), p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (5.0 mg, 26 μmol) and dioxane (3 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 16 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (180 mg, 860 μmol) was added.",
"The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 h prior to the addition of EtOAc (25 mL) and 1N NaOH (25 mL).",
"The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified using column chromatography (0% to 10% MeOH/DCM) to give 69 mg (57%) of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine.",
"[M+H] + 421.23;",
"1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.60 (s, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.68-6.79 (m, 3H), 4.21 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.22 (m, 1H), 2.70-2.82 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.60 (m, 9H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 1H).",
"EXAMPLE 10 (2-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine [0329] [0330] Compound 10 was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 9 using benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-acetaldehyde and 2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine.",
"[M+H] + 421.55;",
"1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.57 (s, 1H), 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.17 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.90 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.60 (dd, 1H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 3.50 (t, 1H), 3.21 (m, 1H), 2.82-2.64 (m, 5H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.20 (m, 4H), 1.95-1.66 (m, 4H).",
"EXAMPLE 11 [2-(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-ethyl]-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine [0331] [0332] Compound 11 was prepared following the procedures described in the preparation of Example 9 using (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-acetaldehyde and 2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethylamine.",
"[M+H] + 435.54;",
"1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.59 (s, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 6.70-6.60 (m, 2H), 4.18 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.15 (m, 1H), 2.94-2.74 (m, 5H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.20 (m, 4H), 1.95-1.66 (m, 4H).",
"EXAMPLE 12 (2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-methyl-amine [0333] [0334] A solution of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-amine (65 mg, 160 μmol), formalin (63 μL, 780 μmol), acetic acid (170 μL, 2.8 mmol) and MeOH (1 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 5 min.",
"Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (99 mg, 470 μmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 20 min.",
"The solution was concentrated and EtOAc (5 mL) and 1N NaOH (5 mL) were added.",
"The phases were separated and the organic layer was concentrated under vacuum.",
"The product was purified using column chromatography (0% to 10% MeOH/DCM) to give 60 mg (89%) of (2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmethyl)-{2-[2-(2-imidazol-1-yl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethyl}-methyl-amine as a white solid.",
"[M+H] + 435.32;",
"1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.61 (s, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.65-6.79 (m, 3H), 4.21 (s, 4H), 3.54 (t, 1H), 3.24-3.42 (m, 3H), 2.76 (m, 1H), 2.11-2.55 (m, 8H), 2.15 (s, 3H), 1.84 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 1H).",
"[0335] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/535,424, filed Jan. 8, 2004, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hazardous condition detectors, and more particularly to networked hazardous condition detectors that enable controlled illumination during a detected hazardous condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recognizing the lifesaving benefits of smoke and other hazardous condition threat detectors, more and more consumers are installing these devices in their homes. Indeed, many municipalities have enacted building ordinances that require that smoke detectors be installed in new construction and in order to sell an existing home. Apartment buildings and other commercial structures typically also include such smoke and other threat detectors. As a result, many consumers and dwellers of such structures are now able to escape the hazardous condition based on the early warning that such a condition exists.
[0004] While the lifesaving benefits of such hazardous condition detectors cannot be disputed, they often cause great consumer confusion and panic when they sound their alarm, especially at night. This confusion and panic may occur to its greatest extent when the consumer is awakened from sleep by the sounding of the hazardous condition alarm. This confusion and panic is only exacerbated by the darkness as most consumers do not sleep with many lights, if any, turned on. Knowing that time is short, and often fearing for the safety of their loved ones, these consumers may be injured as they rush around in the darkness in response to the hazardous condition alarm. While most consumers are familiar enough with their dwelling to know where to find safe exits, the darkness and confusion of the situation may cost the consumer valuable time in choosing a safe exit path to reach such exits. Further, while the consumer may be able to turn on lights at their present location, other lights and the switches to illuminate them may be located in dark areas remote from the consumer's present location.
[0005] Recognizing that people may not be familiar with exits in hotels, apartment buildings, etc., threat detectors are often centrally wired to emergency lights, typically located along and at the ends of hallways, in stairwells, etc. Unfortunately, such emergency lights often add to the consumer confusion as they are typically sparsely located throughout the hotel, etc., are glaring, and often shine into the consumer's eyes based on the emergency lighting being located typically on walls near the ceiling. Since smoke rises, such location often makes visibility more difficult, similar to turning on a car's high beam lights while driving in fog.
[0006] There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a hazardous condition detection system that coordinates dwelling illumination so as to reduce consumer confusion during emergency conditions and to aid their speedy and safe exit from the dwelling.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the above, the system of the present invention provides a new and improved threat detection system that aids in the reduction of consumer confusion and safe exit from a dwelling in which a threat has been detected. More particularly, the present invention provides a new and improved threat detection system that communicates with a lighting control system to provide illumination of the dwelling during the detected threat condition. Still more particularly, the present invention provides new and improved threat detection system that interfaces with a lighting control system to provide coordinated lighting of the dwelling during the detected threat condition so as to aid in the safe escape from the dwelling.
[0008] It is a feature of the present invention that the threat detectors include communication circuitry to allow them to communicate with a central lighting system. Preferably, this communication circuitry allows wireless communication with the central lighting system, although both wired and networked communications may also be provided. It is a further feature of the present invention that the illumination control system, upon receiving a threat detected signal, operates to turn on the lights within the dwelling to aid the consumer in exiting the building safely. Alternatively, it is a feature of the present invention that the illumination system provides different paths of light depending upon where the threat condition has been detected based upon knowledge of the location of the threat detectors, the location of the lights within the dwelling, and the location of the exits. It is a further feature of the present invention that such emergency exit paths may be programmed by a consumer or technician. The lighting control system may then determine which of the pre-selected series of lights to illuminate to provide the quickest route to safety from the dwelling.
[0009] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a typical dwelling in which the system of the present invention finds particular applicability;
[0012] FIG. 2 is the simplified dwelling illustration of FIG. 1 containing a threat at a given location to illustrate an aspect of the present invention whereby a safe path to an exit is illuminated based on a location of a threat condition;
[0013] FIG. 3 is the simplified dwelling illustration of FIG. 1 containing a threat at a different location to illustrate an aspect of the present invention whereby a safe path to an exit is illuminated based on a location of a threat condition;
[0014] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] While the system of the present invention may be utilized in various commercial and residential structures, the following description will utilize the simplified dwelling 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 to explain the principle of operation and various features enabled by the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention finds equal applicability in commercial structures, apartment buildings, hotels, etc., wherein it is desired to lessen consumer confusion and increase the probability of safe exit from the building in which a threat, such as a fire, has been detected.
[0016] Utilizing this simplified dwelling structure 100 of FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the system of the present invention utilizes a number of threat detectors 102 - 114 located within the dwelling. While the system of the present invention provides enhanced functionality when a plurality of threat detectors 102 - 114 are utilized throughout the dwelling 100 , many of the advantages of the present invention may also be realized when only a single threat detector is utilized as well. As such, the number of threat detectors installed in a dwelling are not limiting to the scope of the present invention.
[0017] While the number of threat detectors are not critical in one embodiment of the present invention, the threat detectors do need to include communications capability to allow them to transmit a threat detected signal to a lighting control system, for example the central lighting control system 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 . Preferably, such communications includes wireless receiver and/or transmit circuitry in the detector. However, the system of the present invention also allows for wired communication between the detectors 102 - 114 and the lighting control system 116 , or via a communications BUS to which the detectors 102 - 114 and the lighting control system 116 are attached, as will be discussed more fully below. Through the provision of such communications, the system of the present invention is particularly enabled.
[0018] Specifically, transmission of information from the detectors 102 - 114 to the lighting system 116 may be facilitated by a wired network connecting each of the detectors 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 to the central lighting control system 116 . Other wired network structures may also be utilized, including the provision of a system BUS to which each of the detectors, or a combination thereof, and the central lighting system connect. As is well-known in the art, information communicated on the system BUS preferably includes address information identifying the source and/or destination of the information transmitted thereon. Such individual addressing is not typically required in the wired network whereby each individual detector is separately wired to the lighting control system. Various other wired infrastructures could be utilized with the system of the present invention, and are considered within the scope thereof.
[0019] With the increasing use, sophistication, reliability, data rates, and security of wireless communication protocols, a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes wireless communications between the detectors 102 - 114 and the central lighting system 116 to communicate the system threat information and control signals therebetween. However, it is recognized that not all of the detectors that may be purchased by a consumer may include such wireless communications capability. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the lighting control system 116 of the present invention includes the capability to communicate both wirelessly and through a wireless connection.
[0020] For the wireless communication, various wireless communication protocols and standards may be implemented depending upon the particular environment in which the system is to be installed. That is, while the Bluetooth wireless standard may be utilized in a very small environment, its range limitations make it unsuitable for larger or typical home environments. However, there are numerous other wireless protocols that can be utilized to provide the wireless connectivity between the central lighting system and the detectors. These other wireless protocols include, but are not limited to, the 802.11 or 802.15 family of standards. While proprietary wireless protocols may also be utilized, the use of a standard wireless protocol ensures interoperability with detectors manufactured by different manufacturers.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , central lighting control system 116 controls a plurality of lights 118 - 130 located throughout the structure 100 . These lights include both stationary built-in lights 118 , 120 , 130 as well as lights 122 - 128 which may be placed in various locations by the consumer. These portable lights 122 - 128 are preferably plugged into a controlled outlet whereby the lighting control system 116 may exercise some measure of control over the energization of the outlet to thereby control the illumination provided by the light. If, however, the consumer utilizes a lamp that includes its own control switch, the central illumination control system of the present invention may not be able to turn this light on if the consumer has switched off its internal control switch.
[0022] The location of the stationary, built-in lights 118 , 120 , 130 is fixed within the structure 100 , and therefore may be programmed into the central lighting control system's memory at the time of installation. However, for the portable lightsl 22 - 128 , the consumer will need to reprogram the location of the lights as they are moved within the dwelling in order for the central lighting control system to know the location of these lights. Alternatively, as will be discussed more fully below, the central lighting control system may simply energize each of its controllable outlets into which such portable lights may be installed.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the central lighting control system operates to illuminate all the lights 118 - 130 within a dwelling 100 upon the receipt of a threat detected signal from one of the detectors. In this way, if the consumer is awakened during the night by the threat detector alarm, the lights 118 - 130 within the dwelling will be turned on so as to aid the consumer in safely exiting the dwelling. With the illumination of the dwelling turned on, the consumer's level of stress may be lessened slightly as compared to the same situation without the illumination. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, all the lights 118 - 130 within a dwelling which may be controlled by the central lighting control system will be illuminated when any one or combination of threat detectors transmit a threat detected signal.
[0024] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the central lighting control system 116 of the present invention selectively illuminates lights within the dwelling when at least one of the threat detectors has detected a hazardous condition. In this embodiment of the present invention, the selected illumination may be preprogrammed by the consumer or installer to illuminate certain lights within the dwelling. For example, the consumer may choose to illuminate the entire upstairs bedroom and hall areas, the stairwells, and only those lights on the first floor that lead to an exit. In this way, a consumer may decide that such selected lighting provides a better lighting strategy than lighting areas of the dwelling that do not lead to exits and that may cause confusion and delay exit times for guests staying in the house who may not be familiar with the location of each of the exits.
[0025] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control system may utilize its knowledge of the location of the threat detectors 102 - 114 to coordinate the control of the lighting throughout the dwelling 100 to direct occupants to safe exit paths away from the detected threat. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a threat is detected near a first staircase 206 illustrated by fire 200 . In this case it is likely that threat detector 106 or 110 would detect the condition first and relay the threat detection information to the central lighting control system 116 . In response, the central lighting control system 116 will illuminate only those lights 130 , 126 , 122 , 120 that lead away from the detected threat 200 and to a safe exit, such as door 202 or window 204 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the lights 128 , 124 leading to and down staircase 206 are not illuminated as such illumination may well lead an occupant to an area of increased danger.
[0026] If, however, the threat 300 were first detected in or near the second staircase 208 , for example by detector 108 or 112 , the central lighting control system 116 would illuminate a different path, e.g., to lead occupants out of the dwelling and a different way to avoid the threat 300 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the lights 120 , 122 , and 126 providing illumination to the second staircase 208 is not illuminated, while the lights 128 , 124 , 118 illuminating the first staircase 206 is illuminated in this situation since the threat is not in this location.
[0027] The system of the present invention may utilize the initial detection of the threat to determine the lighting of the dwelling for the duration of the detected threat, or may utilize additional threat detection information to modify the initially illuminated path as the threat spreads. Additionally, if the threat has been detected along each of the predetermined exit paths within the dwelling, the lighting control system of the present invention may operate to illuminate all lights within the dwelling to provide the best chance for the consumer to safely exit the building.
[0028] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
[0029] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0030] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. | An integrated lighting control and threat detection system is provided. Once one of the threat detectors determines that a hazardous condition exists, it transmits a threat message to the lighting control system. The lighting control system then operates to turn on illumination within the dwelling to aid in an occupant's safe exiting from the dwelling. The lighting control system operates to illuminate all lights within a dwelling upon detection of a hazardous condition. Alternatively, the lighting control system operates to illuminate preselected paths of lighting as programmed by a user. Still further, coordinated illuminated control may be provided based upon the location of the detected hazardous condition and the fixed and portable lights within a dwelling. Both fixed and adaptive illumination control are provided as is a fail safe illumination of all lights within a dwelling should each of the pre-selected exit paths contain a hazardous condition. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/535,424, filed Jan. 8, 2004, the teachings and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference thereto.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to hazardous condition detectors, and more particularly to networked hazardous condition detectors that enable controlled illumination during a detected hazardous condition.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Recognizing the lifesaving benefits of smoke and other hazardous condition threat detectors, more and more consumers are installing these devices in their homes.",
"Indeed, many municipalities have enacted building ordinances that require that smoke detectors be installed in new construction and in order to sell an existing home.",
"Apartment buildings and other commercial structures typically also include such smoke and other threat detectors.",
"As a result, many consumers and dwellers of such structures are now able to escape the hazardous condition based on the early warning that such a condition exists.",
"[0004] While the lifesaving benefits of such hazardous condition detectors cannot be disputed, they often cause great consumer confusion and panic when they sound their alarm, especially at night.",
"This confusion and panic may occur to its greatest extent when the consumer is awakened from sleep by the sounding of the hazardous condition alarm.",
"This confusion and panic is only exacerbated by the darkness as most consumers do not sleep with many lights, if any, turned on.",
"Knowing that time is short, and often fearing for the safety of their loved ones, these consumers may be injured as they rush around in the darkness in response to the hazardous condition alarm.",
"While most consumers are familiar enough with their dwelling to know where to find safe exits, the darkness and confusion of the situation may cost the consumer valuable time in choosing a safe exit path to reach such exits.",
"Further, while the consumer may be able to turn on lights at their present location, other lights and the switches to illuminate them may be located in dark areas remote from the consumer's present location.",
"[0005] Recognizing that people may not be familiar with exits in hotels, apartment buildings, etc.",
", threat detectors are often centrally wired to emergency lights, typically located along and at the ends of hallways, in stairwells, etc.",
"Unfortunately, such emergency lights often add to the consumer confusion as they are typically sparsely located throughout the hotel, etc.",
", are glaring, and often shine into the consumer's eyes based on the emergency lighting being located typically on walls near the ceiling.",
"Since smoke rises, such location often makes visibility more difficult, similar to turning on a car's high beam lights while driving in fog.",
"[0006] There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a hazardous condition detection system that coordinates dwelling illumination so as to reduce consumer confusion during emergency conditions and to aid their speedy and safe exit from the dwelling.",
"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In view of the above, the system of the present invention provides a new and improved threat detection system that aids in the reduction of consumer confusion and safe exit from a dwelling in which a threat has been detected.",
"More particularly, the present invention provides a new and improved threat detection system that communicates with a lighting control system to provide illumination of the dwelling during the detected threat condition.",
"Still more particularly, the present invention provides new and improved threat detection system that interfaces with a lighting control system to provide coordinated lighting of the dwelling during the detected threat condition so as to aid in the safe escape from the dwelling.",
"[0008] It is a feature of the present invention that the threat detectors include communication circuitry to allow them to communicate with a central lighting system.",
"Preferably, this communication circuitry allows wireless communication with the central lighting system, although both wired and networked communications may also be provided.",
"It is a further feature of the present invention that the illumination control system, upon receiving a threat detected signal, operates to turn on the lights within the dwelling to aid the consumer in exiting the building safely.",
"Alternatively, it is a feature of the present invention that the illumination system provides different paths of light depending upon where the threat condition has been detected based upon knowledge of the location of the threat detectors, the location of the lights within the dwelling, and the location of the exits.",
"It is a further feature of the present invention that such emergency exit paths may be programmed by a consumer or technician.",
"The lighting control system may then determine which of the pre-selected series of lights to illuminate to provide the quickest route to safety from the dwelling.",
"[0009] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.",
"In the drawings: [0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a typical dwelling in which the system of the present invention finds particular applicability;",
"[0012] FIG. 2 is the simplified dwelling illustration of FIG. 1 containing a threat at a given location to illustrate an aspect of the present invention whereby a safe path to an exit is illuminated based on a location of a threat condition;",
"[0013] FIG. 3 is the simplified dwelling illustration of FIG. 1 containing a threat at a different location to illustrate an aspect of the present invention whereby a safe path to an exit is illuminated based on a location of a threat condition;",
"[0014] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments.",
"On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] While the system of the present invention may be utilized in various commercial and residential structures, the following description will utilize the simplified dwelling 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 to explain the principle of operation and various features enabled by the present invention.",
"However, it should be noted that the invention finds equal applicability in commercial structures, apartment buildings, hotels, etc.",
", wherein it is desired to lessen consumer confusion and increase the probability of safe exit from the building in which a threat, such as a fire, has been detected.",
"[0016] Utilizing this simplified dwelling structure 100 of FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the system of the present invention utilizes a number of threat detectors 102 - 114 located within the dwelling.",
"While the system of the present invention provides enhanced functionality when a plurality of threat detectors 102 - 114 are utilized throughout the dwelling 100 , many of the advantages of the present invention may also be realized when only a single threat detector is utilized as well.",
"As such, the number of threat detectors installed in a dwelling are not limiting to the scope of the present invention.",
"[0017] While the number of threat detectors are not critical in one embodiment of the present invention, the threat detectors do need to include communications capability to allow them to transmit a threat detected signal to a lighting control system, for example the central lighting control system 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 .",
"Preferably, such communications includes wireless receiver and/or transmit circuitry in the detector.",
"However, the system of the present invention also allows for wired communication between the detectors 102 - 114 and the lighting control system 116 , or via a communications BUS to which the detectors 102 - 114 and the lighting control system 116 are attached, as will be discussed more fully below.",
"Through the provision of such communications, the system of the present invention is particularly enabled.",
"[0018] Specifically, transmission of information from the detectors 102 - 114 to the lighting system 116 may be facilitated by a wired network connecting each of the detectors 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 to the central lighting control system 116 .",
"Other wired network structures may also be utilized, including the provision of a system BUS to which each of the detectors, or a combination thereof, and the central lighting system connect.",
"As is well-known in the art, information communicated on the system BUS preferably includes address information identifying the source and/or destination of the information transmitted thereon.",
"Such individual addressing is not typically required in the wired network whereby each individual detector is separately wired to the lighting control system.",
"Various other wired infrastructures could be utilized with the system of the present invention, and are considered within the scope thereof.",
"[0019] With the increasing use, sophistication, reliability, data rates, and security of wireless communication protocols, a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes wireless communications between the detectors 102 - 114 and the central lighting system 116 to communicate the system threat information and control signals therebetween.",
"However, it is recognized that not all of the detectors that may be purchased by a consumer may include such wireless communications capability.",
"Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the lighting control system 116 of the present invention includes the capability to communicate both wirelessly and through a wireless connection.",
"[0020] For the wireless communication, various wireless communication protocols and standards may be implemented depending upon the particular environment in which the system is to be installed.",
"That is, while the Bluetooth wireless standard may be utilized in a very small environment, its range limitations make it unsuitable for larger or typical home environments.",
"However, there are numerous other wireless protocols that can be utilized to provide the wireless connectivity between the central lighting system and the detectors.",
"These other wireless protocols include, but are not limited to, the 802.11 or 802.15 family of standards.",
"While proprietary wireless protocols may also be utilized, the use of a standard wireless protocol ensures interoperability with detectors manufactured by different manufacturers.",
"[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , central lighting control system 116 controls a plurality of lights 118 - 130 located throughout the structure 100 .",
"These lights include both stationary built-in lights 118 , 120 , 130 as well as lights 122 - 128 which may be placed in various locations by the consumer.",
"These portable lights 122 - 128 are preferably plugged into a controlled outlet whereby the lighting control system 116 may exercise some measure of control over the energization of the outlet to thereby control the illumination provided by the light.",
"If, however, the consumer utilizes a lamp that includes its own control switch, the central illumination control system of the present invention may not be able to turn this light on if the consumer has switched off its internal control switch.",
"[0022] The location of the stationary, built-in lights 118 , 120 , 130 is fixed within the structure 100 , and therefore may be programmed into the central lighting control system's memory at the time of installation.",
"However, for the portable lightsl 22 - 128 , the consumer will need to reprogram the location of the lights as they are moved within the dwelling in order for the central lighting control system to know the location of these lights.",
"Alternatively, as will be discussed more fully below, the central lighting control system may simply energize each of its controllable outlets into which such portable lights may be installed.",
"[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the central lighting control system operates to illuminate all the lights 118 - 130 within a dwelling 100 upon the receipt of a threat detected signal from one of the detectors.",
"In this way, if the consumer is awakened during the night by the threat detector alarm, the lights 118 - 130 within the dwelling will be turned on so as to aid the consumer in safely exiting the dwelling.",
"With the illumination of the dwelling turned on, the consumer's level of stress may be lessened slightly as compared to the same situation without the illumination.",
"In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, all the lights 118 - 130 within a dwelling which may be controlled by the central lighting control system will be illuminated when any one or combination of threat detectors transmit a threat detected signal.",
"[0024] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the central lighting control system 116 of the present invention selectively illuminates lights within the dwelling when at least one of the threat detectors has detected a hazardous condition.",
"In this embodiment of the present invention, the selected illumination may be preprogrammed by the consumer or installer to illuminate certain lights within the dwelling.",
"For example, the consumer may choose to illuminate the entire upstairs bedroom and hall areas, the stairwells, and only those lights on the first floor that lead to an exit.",
"In this way, a consumer may decide that such selected lighting provides a better lighting strategy than lighting areas of the dwelling that do not lead to exits and that may cause confusion and delay exit times for guests staying in the house who may not be familiar with the location of each of the exits.",
"[0025] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control system may utilize its knowledge of the location of the threat detectors 102 - 114 to coordinate the control of the lighting throughout the dwelling 100 to direct occupants to safe exit paths away from the detected threat.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a threat is detected near a first staircase 206 illustrated by fire 200 .",
"In this case it is likely that threat detector 106 or 110 would detect the condition first and relay the threat detection information to the central lighting control system 116 .",
"In response, the central lighting control system 116 will illuminate only those lights 130 , 126 , 122 , 120 that lead away from the detected threat 200 and to a safe exit, such as door 202 or window 204 .",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , the lights 128 , 124 leading to and down staircase 206 are not illuminated as such illumination may well lead an occupant to an area of increased danger.",
"[0026] If, however, the threat 300 were first detected in or near the second staircase 208 , for example by detector 108 or 112 , the central lighting control system 116 would illuminate a different path, e.g., to lead occupants out of the dwelling and a different way to avoid the threat 300 .",
"As shown in FIG. 3 , the lights 120 , 122 , and 126 providing illumination to the second staircase 208 is not illuminated, while the lights 128 , 124 , 118 illuminating the first staircase 206 is illuminated in this situation since the threat is not in this location.",
"[0027] The system of the present invention may utilize the initial detection of the threat to determine the lighting of the dwelling for the duration of the detected threat, or may utilize additional threat detection information to modify the initially illuminated path as the threat spreads.",
"Additionally, if the threat has been detected along each of the predetermined exit paths within the dwelling, the lighting control system of the present invention may operate to illuminate all lights within the dwelling to provide the best chance for the consumer to safely exit the building.",
"[0028] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.",
"[0029] The use of the terms “a”",
"and “an”",
"and “the”",
"and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.",
"The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”",
"are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.",
"Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.",
"All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.",
"The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.",
"No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.",
"[0030] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.",
"Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.",
"The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.",
"Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law.",
"Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to video processing and more particularly to a vertical scaling process and apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is a well known problem to convert raster scanned RGB video to a television format. RGB video in this context includes VGA, SVGA and XVGA; these are examples of component video formats for personal computers. RGB stands for the red, green and blue channels that comprise the complete RGB video signal. Television refers to the NTSC, PAL and SECAM television timing standards which are used in television sets. Common television data formats are composite video and S-video (Y/C). Most commonly, RGB video from personal computers uses a non-interlaced (progressive) scan while television uses interlaced scan. In e.g. NTSC television there are 525 horizontal scan lines of analog video data per frame divided into even and odd interlaced fields of 262.5 lines each. Each NTSC television frame thus includes an odd field and an even field which are interlaced to form one frame. The refresh rate for NTSC television is 30 frames per second (30 Hz) while the fields are refreshed at twice the frame rate which for NTSC is 60 Hz.
[0005] Television sets use a technique known as overscan to insure that the picture fills the entire video display, (e.g. picture tube) framed within the bezel. Unfortunately, this overscan technique, when applied to the output video signal from a personal computer, may result in a display image having truncated upper and lower portions as well as truncated left and right portions. For a computer display image such truncation is not acceptable since useful information may appear in the truncated portions. Thus, in order to display a high resolution personal computer video image on a television set, the size of the image must be decreased to make the picture viewable within the bezel. For most commercially sold television sets, vertical overscan is about 12%. Thus if the personal computer output display image is vertically scaled to fit within 400 horizontal scan lines and the length of the active video scaled by 0.88, all of the display image would appear on a television without being truncated due to overscan.
[0006] Another problem encountered with displaying VGA video on a television set is caused by the lower frame rate of television, (50 Hz for PAL, 60 Hz for NTSC) contrasted with the relatively high refresh rates of VGA, is typically 60-75 Hz.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,843 issued to Keene et al., incorporated herein by reference, describes this situation and an attempted solution. Keene et al, FIGS. 6 and 7A illustrate a filtering technique which provides vertical scaling, which means reducing the number of input lines to a fewer number of output lines in the output video signal. (“Lines” refers to video horizontal scan lines.) Keene et al., describes vertical scaling to reduce the 480 VGA lines to 400 lines for a television output signal. Note that in a typical NTSC television set (or monitor) a total of only 400 horizontal scan lines are available for the actual active video, allowing for the vertical blanking interval and overscan.
[0008] Since therefore it is often desirable to scale down or shrink video frames in a horizontal or vertical direction, the scaling typically involves selectively reducing the number of pixels or rows in the frame.
[0009] Hence, while prior art solutions are available to the scaling problem, there is need for improvement, especially in vertical scaling, because most prior art vertical scaling methods require the support of external video memory, increasing cost and complexity. One prior approach, using linear interpolation does not include the flicker filter function. A decimating linear interpolator requires two line stores while the following flicker filter requires two line stores. Consequently, four line stores are needed. Also, certain prior implementations produce artifacts such as intensity modulation in the vertical direction when the incoming column of pixels has alternate pixels on/off.
SUMMARY
[0010] This disclosure is directed to a line rate vertical scaling process and apparatus. The vertical scaling is the reduction of M active video lines to N active video lines by e.g. polyphase filtering and matching the active period of the M lines to the active period of the N lines.
[0011] The line rate vertical scaling includes: (1) A polyphase filter to reduce the number of lines. In one example, nine lines are filtered down to eight lines. It may be easier in other embodiments to filter eight lines to seven. Also the whole process may be programmable, for example, scaling with a range from {fraction (32/64)} to {fraction (63/64)} based upon repeating the scaling sequence every 64 lines. (2) Making the vertical active period of the incoming video source equal to the active video period of the outgoing TV signal. The horizontal scan rate is increased by {fraction (9/8)} in one example. If the scaling factor is ⅞, then the frequency is increased by {fraction (8/7)}. (3) Flicker filtering is inherent in one implementation because the filtering is low pass with polyphases.
[0012] Thus in accordance with this invention, for line rate vertical scaling of video signals, scaling and filtering are combined into a single process, using a polyphase filter. The vertical scaling is implemented by processing columns of pixels. Only a few pixels, e.g. four, are processed at any one time. The actual processing involves taking four successive pixels which in the image are vertically adjacent and convolving them with an adaptive kernel with weights (filter coefficients) preset by the line count to correctly interpolate the outgoing video line. Conversion in this case of 480 incoming active video lines to e.g. 428 outgoing active video lines is executed modulo 9 . Thus for every 9 (m) incoming lines, there are 8 (n) outgoing lines. Each outgoing line is thereby the weighted sum of the nearby incoming lines.
[0013] In one embodiment, a field buffer memory (e.g. frame store) is used in order to provide timing for dropped lines, and to accommodate a range of incoming vertical refresh rates and to accommodate standard VGA timing. In another embodiment the field buffer memory is omitted and a much smaller FIFO (first in—first out) memory for only one or two lines is substituted. Therefore in this latter case while frame rate conversion is not available, the circuit may easily be implemented on a single integrated circuit. This latter embodiment requires that the incoming video frame rate equals the output video field rate and that the incoming active video period equals the outgoing active video period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] [0014]FIG. 1 shows a portion of a video image (in terms of numbered pixels) for a raster display.
[0015] [0015]FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically in accordance with the invention how nine incoming lines are filtered down to eight output lines.
[0016] [0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a vertical scaling circuit in accordance with this invention.
[0017] [0017]FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram for the circuit of FIG. 3.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second vertical scaling circuit in accordance with the invention which does not use a frame store, but substitutes a FIFO therefore.
[0019] [0019]FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram for the circuit of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Underscan as described above to correct for overscan can be divided into two processes: horizontal and vertical scaling. Horizontal scaling is conventional. Either the frequency of the incoming sampling clock ADCK is decreased or the frequency of the encoder pixel clock PXCK is increased. Reading pixels from memory in a shorter time moves them closer together on each scan line, thus horizontally scaling the image. Vertical scaling is more complex, requiring line, field or frame stores and is the subject matter of this disclosure.
[0021] As is well known, displays for PCs (personal computers) and television sets both use a raster scan format where the CRT (cathode ray tube) spot is scanned from left to right in a short period (e.g. 32 microseconds) and from top to bottom in a longer period (e.g. {fraction (1/60)} sec.). Each frame of the image consists of a collection of horizontal scan lines which are intensity modulated to form an image. For a 640×480 PC image (VGA), there are 480 visible (active) lines, each 640 pixels long. Other VGA resolutions such as 800×600, 1024×768 and 1280×1024 are frequently encountered. Common VGA vertical refresh rates are 60, 72 and 75 Hz.
[0022] Images for PC displays are stored in frame buffer memory. Beginning at the top left-hand corner of the video picture (see FIG. 1) the pixels are stored in a linear sequence from left-to-right and from top-to-bottom. FIG. 1 thus shows the assignment of associated memory locations for the top left hand corner of the image, with each pixel numbered.
[0023] The first row of pixels starts at location 00 and continues to the last pixel of the first scan line, which would be number 639 for the 640×480 format. Other rows of pixels follow the first row. For the 640×480 format, the last row would be number 479.
[0024] When such a raster image is digitized, the data format of FIG. 1 is retained. Vertical scaling is implemented by processing columns of pixels. For example, consider column 3. With a 640×480 image, to vertically scale down the image by 12% so as to eliminate overscan, the number of lines must be reduced from 480 to 426.
[0025] Such line reduction (vertical scaling) is implemented in accordance with the invention in the digital realm by re-sampling after low pass filtering a column of pixels to band limit the spatial frequencies. A polyphase filter low pass filters and re-samples the column of pixels in one operation. The basic frequency response is virtually unchanged by the values of the coefficients. Changing the phase of the filter response by manipulating the filter coefficients sets the position of the interpolated samples. Decimation occurs because n samples are reduced to m=n−1 samples by filtering. Only a few pixels need be processed at one time. For example, in one embodiment of this invention, one output pixel is generated by convolving the four shaded pixels 23 , 33 , 43 , 53 in FIG. 1 with an adaptive kernel with filter coefficients preset by the line count to correctly interpolate the outgoing line.
[0026] Integral in this resampling filter process is flicker filtering, an important and well known function incorporated into PC-to-TV video converters. Flicker filtering is implemented in the polyphase filter. A low pass filter having a cut-off set to at most 25% of the lines per picture height will act as a flicker filter. For example, with 480 active lines, there are 240 maximum incoming cycles, so one sets the bandpass of the filter to 120 lines per picture height to comply with Nyquist requirements.
[0027] A polyphase filter used in accordance with this invention is a low-pass filter with a fixed cutoff frequency and a programmable delay. By changing the filter coefficients of the kernel, the output can be time shifted by fractions of the clock period. For example, a Gaussian filter with coefficients:
[0028] ¼, ½, ¼, 0
[0029] has approximately the same response as a filter with coefficients:
[0030] ⅛, ⅜, ⅜, ⅛
[0031] but the output is delayed by ½ clock period. A one clock delay can be implemented by the coefficients:
[0032] 0, ¼, ½, ¼
[0033] A useful property of a polyphase filter is that for a given cutoff frequercy, the output can be delayed in small increments. This is most important for vertical scaling because each output line is the weighted sum of a cluster of e.g., 2 or 4 of incoming lines.
[0034] Conversion of 480 incoming lines to 428 outgoing lines is executed e.g. module 9 , so for every nine incoming lines, eight lines are outputted. Each outgoing line is a weighted sum of the nearby incoming lines.
[0035] [0035]FIG. 2 shows graphically in accordance with the invention the mapping of nine incoming lines (left column) to eight outgoing lines (second column) and the derivation of the associated filter coefficients (right column). At line 0 , the samples line up. As the line count increases, the position of each outgoing line lags the incoming index by ⅛ for each increment as explained above. Each outgoing pixel is formed from the weighted sum of either three or four incoming pixels as indicated by the arrows.
[0036] Outgoing pixel zero (OPO) is formed from incoming pixels IP 1 , IP 0 and IP 8 (previous 8) with weights (coefficients) 2, 4, 2, 0 in eighths. Pixel OP 1 is formed from pixels IPO, IP 1 and IP 2 . Each incoming line of pixels leads to an outgoing line of pixels, as indicated by the arrows, until line 4 is reached. Line 4 does not initiate an output. Instead pixels OP 3 and OP 4 are formed from four nearby lines with 1, 3, 3, 1 weights.
[0037] This process is a convolution of incoming vertical data samples V(n) with a polyphase kernel, P n (k) which has coefficients set by the index n of the incoming data sample. For any column of pixels on a raster display:
Y ( n ) = ∑ k = 0 3 v ( n - k ) p n ( k )
[0038] where:
[0039] P n (k)=2, 4, 2, 0 for n modulo 9= 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 (lines 0 - 2 , 5 - 7 ); and
[0040] 1, 3, 3, 1 for n modulo 9=3, 4 (lines 3 , 4 )
[0041] Based upon a ÷9 counter incremented after each line, counts 0, 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 each assign weights 2, 4, 2, 0 to the kernel; counts 3, 4 each assign weights 1, 3, 3, 1.
[0042] A frame store following such a polyphase filter is useful for three reasons: timing can be corrected for dropped lines; a range of incoming vertical refresh rates can be accepted; and output TV video timing is standard.
[0043] Consider a VGA output consisting of 480 active lines and 525 total lines refreshed at 60 Hz for a progressive scan. Since interlacing is merely the discarding of alternate lines on alternate frames, consider first VGA to progressive scan conversion. A 12% underscan can be approximated by {fraction (8/9)}th scaling to yield 426.7 lines; one uses 428 lines to avoid edge effects. If one truncates the last line at the lower boundary of the picture, then a full intensity line could occur next to blank which is black. Adding the extra line allows fading of the last line, avoiding flicker effects.
[0044] [0044]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit for performing this vertical scaling process. It is to be understood that typically this circuit is a portion of an integrated circuit which performs a number of other functions involved with VGA to NTSC/PAL television conversion, such as the Raytheon TMC2360 Flicker Free Video Encoder which is a commercially available product. The various blocks shown in FIG. 3 are each conventional and hence not shown in any further detail. The circuit shown on FIG. 3 is only for the function of vertical scaling and filtering and does not perform the horizontal scaling function or any of the other functions involved with VGA to television conversion. In the FIG. 3 circuit the main input is digitized VGA video data input at port 10 . It is to be understood that port 10 is an P bit parallel port where P is equal to e.g. 8. In this case digitized VGA data refers to only one of the VGA components; the VGA components are typically R, G, B or Y, U, V. Therefore in actuality the circuit of FIG. 3 is replicated for instance three times for RGB, one for each of the R, G, and B VGA video components.
[0045] The simplest but most expensive (circuitry intensive) implementation is to use RGB processing with eight bits per channel for a total of 24 bits. Each pixel would consist of 3×8 bits. Usually, one transcodes to the 16-bit YUV422 format where Y is the luma signal and chrcma signals: U=B−Y, V=R−Y. Y is sampled at full rate. U, V are sampled at half rate and multiplexed to form a full rate stream. With YUV422, one would use two parallel filters. Since data samples proceed: Y 0 Y 1 Y 2 and U 0 V 0 U 2 V 2 U 4 V 4 etc., for each line, the columns of pixels always contain the correctly aligned Y, U or V data. So both filters act correctly although they are entirely ignorant of the incoming data format.
[0046] The other main signal input to the FIG. 3 circuit is the horizontal clock signal HCK which is input to a module 9 counter 12 . Such a counter, as is well known, increments from 0 to 8 and then resets to 0 following the 8 count.
[0047] The digitized VGA data input at 10 is coupled into a first conventional line store (single horizontal scan line memory) 16 . The output signal from line store 16 is then fed to the second line store 18 , the output signal from which is coupled to a third line store 20 . Thus one has three delayed video lines plus the original input video line at port 10 . Since the sampling clock signal SCK clocks each pixel, these circuits operates individually on each pixel. (Note that typically, for NTSC, there are 800 SCK ticks and one HCK tick per horizontal line.) Hence the line stores 16 , 18 and 20 , with reference to FIG. 1, are each outputting pixels 33 , 43 and 53 respectively while the digitized VGA data at port 10 is pixel 23 . These four pixels 23 , 33 , 43 , 53 respectively, are then applied to an input terminal of each of four multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 .
[0048] Decoder 38 , which operates in response to the count of counter 12 , outputs a set of filter coefficients to each of the multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 . The value of these coefficients (weights) is thus dependent on the count of the counter 12 . Hence, as described above, for lines 0 , 1 and 2 and 5 to 7 the coefficients are (2, 4, 2, 0) whereas for lines 3 and 4 the coefficients are (1, 3, 3, 1). Hence this circuit is a low pass filter with a fixed cut off frequency and a programmable delay, the delay being adaptively determined by decoder 38 which changes the coefficients between (2, 4, 2, 0) and (1, 3, 3, 1). By thus merely changing the coefficients of the kernel (filter), the output signal is time shifted by fractions of the clock signal HCK as described above. The cutoff frequency is set by the filter coefficients.
[0049] The output signals (products) from each of the multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 , and 30 are summed by adder 40 which provides an n bit digital summed output signal which is input to a field memory (frame buffer) 44 . Field buffer memory 44 operates in response to Four control signals, which are the write reset, read reset, sample clock (SCK) and pixel clock (PXCK) signals. Write reset sets the write pointer to memory location zero; read reset sets the read pointer to memory location zero; SCK is the incoming pixel clock; and PXCK is the outgoing pixel clock. At the beginning of each incoming frame the pointers are both reset. Field buffer memory is e.g. a field memory, DRAM, SRAM, or other memory.
[0050] The output signal from field buffer memory 44 provided on port 48 is sent to an encoder which converts this digital data into analog data for display on a conventional television set. This encoder, being conventional, is not shown but is e.g. of the type of the Raytheon TMC2490 encoder. Besides modulating the UV components on the subcarrier and adding the color burst, encoders also add composite sync (synchronization pulses), including horizontal and vertical sync.
[0051] Operation of the FIG. 3 circuit is illustrated by the waveforms in FIG. 4 which indicates processing of lines of data, each consisting of pixels clock by the SCK clock. HVGA refers to the VGA horizontal sync. HTV refers to the television horizontal sync. Each group of nine incoming lines is scaled to eight by the polyphase filter to convert 480 lines to 428 lines. An output line is generated for every incoming line. However, lines 3 and 4 initiate redundant outputs allowing one of these lines to be dropped. In FIG. 4, the dropped line is filled black on the “{fraction (8/9)} lines” waveform.
[0052] Since one line out of every nine has been dropped by the polyphase filter, the 428 lines are stored in the frame buffer in an uneven timing sequence during a 15.24 msec period. The 428 lines are read out of the frame store in an even timing sequence over a 13.54 msec period, as shown in Table 1:
TABLE 1 Frame Store Embodiment Process Timing Frame Buffer Unit VGA In Input Output Interlaced No. of 525 537 525 262.5 Lines/field Vertical Hz 60 60 60 60 Frequency Frame Period msec 16.67 16.67 16.67 16.67 Horizontal kHz 31.5 31.5 31.5 15.75 Frequency No. of Active 480 428 428 214 Lines Active Period msec 15.24 15.24 13.54 13.54 Blank Lines 45 45 98 49 Blank Period msec 1.428 3.12 3.12 3.12 Active Period msec 15.238 15.24 15.24 15.24
[0053] At the input to the Frame Buffer Memory (“Frame Buffer Input”), the number of lines has been reduced but there are gaps where lines have been filtered away.
[0054] In another embodiment where frame rate conversion between VGA and television can be omitted, vertical scaling is implemented in accordance with the invention without a frame buffer (the field memory). Then the timing of the VGA image source is altered such that the number of visible VGA lines (e.g. 480) occurs in the same time period (e.g. 13.54 msec.) as the outgoing lines (e.g. 427) for the necessary scaling factor (e.g. 0.89). There are three necessary conditions to eliminate the frame buffer:
[0055] 1) VGA Frame rate equals TV field rate;
[0056] 2) 480 active lines;
[0057] 3) The VGA active video period equals the television active video period.
[0058] The third condition is key, because then no frame buffer memory is required to change the time scale of the active period; only a single line FIFO memory is needed to average the line rate. Parameters for this embodiment are shown in Table 2:
TABLE 2 FIFO Embodiment Process Timing VGA FIFO Unit In Input Output Interlaced No. of 591 537 525 262.5 Lines/field Vertical Hz 60 60 60 60 Frequency Frame Period msec 16.67 16.67 16.67 16.67 Horizontal kHz 35.44 35.44 31.5 15.75 Frequency No. of Active 480 427 427 213.5 Lines Active Period msec 13.54 13.54 13.54 13.54 Blank Lines 111 111 98 49 Blank Period msec 3.12 3.12 3.12 3.12 Active Period msec 15.24 15.24 15.24 15.24
[0059] In the Table 2 embodiment, {fraction (8/9)} scaling is used, as in Table 1. To create 480 active lines in {fraction (8/9)} of the active time, the horizontal line rate is increased from 31.5 kHz to 35.44 kHz. Instead of 525 lines per VGA frame, there are 591.
[0060] [0060]FIG. 5 shows a circuit very similar to that of FIG. 3 with similar elements identically labeled for this vertical scaling process without a frame buffer. The only difference is that instead of the frame buffer memory 44 , a FIFO memory 50 is substituted. The FIFO memory 50 stores only one or two lines. Hence the FIG. 5 circuit is more suitable for integration onto an integrated circuit, without external memory, than is the FIG. 3 circuit, since it is usually considered difficult (expensive) to put an entire frame store on a single integrated circuit device with other circuitry. The FIFO memory 50 is timed by only two signals, the sampling clock signal SCK and the modified clock signal SCK*{fraction (8/9)}, which is the SCK clock signal multiplied by {fraction (8/9)}. Hence SCK is the FIFO input (write) clocking signal and SCK*{fraction (8/9)} is the FIFO output (read) clocking signal.
[0061] Timing for the FIG. 5 circuit is shown in FIG. 6. The 480 active lines are converted to 428 lines using the polyphase filter. Nine incoming lines are mapped to eight outgoing lines, each a weighted sum of three or four incoming lines.
[0062] At the FIFO memory input, the horizontal frequency of the eight outgoing lines is still 35.44 kHz. Average line rate in equals average line rate out, but the incoming lines have shorter periods. One of every m lines missing equalizes the rates. At this point, the image has been vertically scaled but the occurrence of the lines is interrupted once every nine lines.
[0063] To convert this image to progressive scan for television, the one line FIFO memory 50 is provided in FIG. 5. Every outgoing eight lines are now evenly spaced over the period of nine incoming lines. Thus 425 lines are generated and 98 blank lines are appended to yield 525 lines per frame.
[0064] For interlacing, the active video is divided into 240 odd lines and 240 even lines. Odd and even lines are inserted into odd and even fields, each consisting of 262 ½ lines for NTSC or 312.5 lines for PAL. To correct the line rate to 15.75 kHz, for NTSC TV or 15.625 kHz for PAL, the FIFO memory is extended to two lines.
[0065] This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. | For conversion of component (VGA) video to television, a hardware efficient process implements line rate vertical scaling within a single integrated circuit without the support of external memory. Scaling and filtering are combined into a single process which is a polyphase filter. The polyphase filter is a low pass filter with a fixed cut off frequency and a programmable delay. By changing the coefficients of the kernel of the polyphase filter, the scaled video signal is time shifted by fractions of the pixel clock. In one example, for every nine incoming horizontal video scan lines, eight lines are outputted thus accomplishing the vertical scaling. The vertical scaling may include a field buffer memory for accommodating a range of incoming video refresh rates, or in concert with special timing of incoming video, may omit the field buffer memory and instead use a one or two line FIFO memory. | Briefly describe the main invention outlined in the provided context. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to video processing and more particularly to a vertical scaling process and apparatus.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Description of the Prior Art [0004] It is a well known problem to convert raster scanned RGB video to a television format.",
"RGB video in this context includes VGA, SVGA and XVGA;",
"these are examples of component video formats for personal computers.",
"RGB stands for the red, green and blue channels that comprise the complete RGB video signal.",
"Television refers to the NTSC, PAL and SECAM television timing standards which are used in television sets.",
"Common television data formats are composite video and S-video (Y/C).",
"Most commonly, RGB video from personal computers uses a non-interlaced (progressive) scan while television uses interlaced scan.",
"In e.g. NTSC television there are 525 horizontal scan lines of analog video data per frame divided into even and odd interlaced fields of 262.5 lines each.",
"Each NTSC television frame thus includes an odd field and an even field which are interlaced to form one frame.",
"The refresh rate for NTSC television is 30 frames per second (30 Hz) while the fields are refreshed at twice the frame rate which for NTSC is 60 Hz.",
"[0005] Television sets use a technique known as overscan to insure that the picture fills the entire video display, (e.g. picture tube) framed within the bezel.",
"Unfortunately, this overscan technique, when applied to the output video signal from a personal computer, may result in a display image having truncated upper and lower portions as well as truncated left and right portions.",
"For a computer display image such truncation is not acceptable since useful information may appear in the truncated portions.",
"Thus, in order to display a high resolution personal computer video image on a television set, the size of the image must be decreased to make the picture viewable within the bezel.",
"For most commercially sold television sets, vertical overscan is about 12%.",
"Thus if the personal computer output display image is vertically scaled to fit within 400 horizontal scan lines and the length of the active video scaled by 0.88, all of the display image would appear on a television without being truncated due to overscan.",
"[0006] Another problem encountered with displaying VGA video on a television set is caused by the lower frame rate of television, (50 Hz for PAL, 60 Hz for NTSC) contrasted with the relatively high refresh rates of VGA, is typically 60-75 Hz.",
"[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,843 issued to Keene et al.",
", incorporated herein by reference, describes this situation and an attempted solution.",
"Keene et al, FIGS. 6 and 7A illustrate a filtering technique which provides vertical scaling, which means reducing the number of input lines to a fewer number of output lines in the output video signal.",
"(“Lines”",
"refers to video horizontal scan lines.) Keene et al.",
", describes vertical scaling to reduce the 480 VGA lines to 400 lines for a television output signal.",
"Note that in a typical NTSC television set (or monitor) a total of only 400 horizontal scan lines are available for the actual active video, allowing for the vertical blanking interval and overscan.",
"[0008] Since therefore it is often desirable to scale down or shrink video frames in a horizontal or vertical direction, the scaling typically involves selectively reducing the number of pixels or rows in the frame.",
"[0009] Hence, while prior art solutions are available to the scaling problem, there is need for improvement, especially in vertical scaling, because most prior art vertical scaling methods require the support of external video memory, increasing cost and complexity.",
"One prior approach, using linear interpolation does not include the flicker filter function.",
"A decimating linear interpolator requires two line stores while the following flicker filter requires two line stores.",
"Consequently, four line stores are needed.",
"Also, certain prior implementations produce artifacts such as intensity modulation in the vertical direction when the incoming column of pixels has alternate pixels on/off.",
"SUMMARY [0010] This disclosure is directed to a line rate vertical scaling process and apparatus.",
"The vertical scaling is the reduction of M active video lines to N active video lines by e.g. polyphase filtering and matching the active period of the M lines to the active period of the N lines.",
"[0011] The line rate vertical scaling includes: (1) A polyphase filter to reduce the number of lines.",
"In one example, nine lines are filtered down to eight lines.",
"It may be easier in other embodiments to filter eight lines to seven.",
"Also the whole process may be programmable, for example, scaling with a range from {fraction (32/64)} to {fraction (63/64)} based upon repeating the scaling sequence every 64 lines.",
"(2) Making the vertical active period of the incoming video source equal to the active video period of the outgoing TV signal.",
"The horizontal scan rate is increased by {fraction (9/8)} in one example.",
"If the scaling factor is ⅞, then the frequency is increased by {fraction (8/7)}.",
"(3) Flicker filtering is inherent in one implementation because the filtering is low pass with polyphases.",
"[0012] Thus in accordance with this invention, for line rate vertical scaling of video signals, scaling and filtering are combined into a single process, using a polyphase filter.",
"The vertical scaling is implemented by processing columns of pixels.",
"Only a few pixels, e.g. four, are processed at any one time.",
"The actual processing involves taking four successive pixels which in the image are vertically adjacent and convolving them with an adaptive kernel with weights (filter coefficients) preset by the line count to correctly interpolate the outgoing video line.",
"Conversion in this case of 480 incoming active video lines to e.g. 428 outgoing active video lines is executed modulo 9 .",
"Thus for every 9 (m) incoming lines, there are 8 (n) outgoing lines.",
"Each outgoing line is thereby the weighted sum of the nearby incoming lines.",
"[0013] In one embodiment, a field buffer memory (e.g. frame store) is used in order to provide timing for dropped lines, and to accommodate a range of incoming vertical refresh rates and to accommodate standard VGA timing.",
"In another embodiment the field buffer memory is omitted and a much smaller FIFO (first in—first out) memory for only one or two lines is substituted.",
"Therefore in this latter case while frame rate conversion is not available, the circuit may easily be implemented on a single integrated circuit.",
"This latter embodiment requires that the incoming video frame rate equals the output video field rate and that the incoming active video period equals the outgoing active video period.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] [0014 ]FIG. 1 shows a portion of a video image (in terms of numbered pixels) for a raster display.",
"[0015] [0015 ]FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically in accordance with the invention how nine incoming lines are filtered down to eight output lines.",
"[0016] [0016 ]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a vertical scaling circuit in accordance with this invention.",
"[0017] [0017 ]FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram for the circuit of FIG. 3. [0018] [0018 ]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second vertical scaling circuit in accordance with the invention which does not use a frame store, but substitutes a FIFO therefore.",
"[0019] [0019 ]FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram for the circuit of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] Underscan as described above to correct for overscan can be divided into two processes: horizontal and vertical scaling.",
"Horizontal scaling is conventional.",
"Either the frequency of the incoming sampling clock ADCK is decreased or the frequency of the encoder pixel clock PXCK is increased.",
"Reading pixels from memory in a shorter time moves them closer together on each scan line, thus horizontally scaling the image.",
"Vertical scaling is more complex, requiring line, field or frame stores and is the subject matter of this disclosure.",
"[0021] As is well known, displays for PCs (personal computers) and television sets both use a raster scan format where the CRT (cathode ray tube) spot is scanned from left to right in a short period (e.g. 32 microseconds) and from top to bottom in a longer period (e.g. {fraction (1/60)} sec.).",
"Each frame of the image consists of a collection of horizontal scan lines which are intensity modulated to form an image.",
"For a 640×480 PC image (VGA), there are 480 visible (active) lines, each 640 pixels long.",
"Other VGA resolutions such as 800×600, 1024×768 and 1280×1024 are frequently encountered.",
"Common VGA vertical refresh rates are 60, 72 and 75 Hz.",
"[0022] Images for PC displays are stored in frame buffer memory.",
"Beginning at the top left-hand corner of the video picture (see FIG. 1) the pixels are stored in a linear sequence from left-to-right and from top-to-bottom.",
"FIG. 1 thus shows the assignment of associated memory locations for the top left hand corner of the image, with each pixel numbered.",
"[0023] The first row of pixels starts at location 00 and continues to the last pixel of the first scan line, which would be number 639 for the 640×480 format.",
"Other rows of pixels follow the first row.",
"For the 640×480 format, the last row would be number 479.",
"[0024] When such a raster image is digitized, the data format of FIG. 1 is retained.",
"Vertical scaling is implemented by processing columns of pixels.",
"For example, consider column 3.",
"With a 640×480 image, to vertically scale down the image by 12% so as to eliminate overscan, the number of lines must be reduced from 480 to 426.",
"[0025] Such line reduction (vertical scaling) is implemented in accordance with the invention in the digital realm by re-sampling after low pass filtering a column of pixels to band limit the spatial frequencies.",
"A polyphase filter low pass filters and re-samples the column of pixels in one operation.",
"The basic frequency response is virtually unchanged by the values of the coefficients.",
"Changing the phase of the filter response by manipulating the filter coefficients sets the position of the interpolated samples.",
"Decimation occurs because n samples are reduced to m=n−1 samples by filtering.",
"Only a few pixels need be processed at one time.",
"For example, in one embodiment of this invention, one output pixel is generated by convolving the four shaded pixels 23 , 33 , 43 , 53 in FIG. 1 with an adaptive kernel with filter coefficients preset by the line count to correctly interpolate the outgoing line.",
"[0026] Integral in this resampling filter process is flicker filtering, an important and well known function incorporated into PC-to-TV video converters.",
"Flicker filtering is implemented in the polyphase filter.",
"A low pass filter having a cut-off set to at most 25% of the lines per picture height will act as a flicker filter.",
"For example, with 480 active lines, there are 240 maximum incoming cycles, so one sets the bandpass of the filter to 120 lines per picture height to comply with Nyquist requirements.",
"[0027] A polyphase filter used in accordance with this invention is a low-pass filter with a fixed cutoff frequency and a programmable delay.",
"By changing the filter coefficients of the kernel, the output can be time shifted by fractions of the clock period.",
"For example, a Gaussian filter with coefficients: [0028] ¼, ½, ¼, 0 [0029] has approximately the same response as a filter with coefficients: [0030] ⅛, ⅜, ⅜, ⅛ [0031] but the output is delayed by ½ clock period.",
"A one clock delay can be implemented by the coefficients: [0032] 0, ¼, ½, ¼ [0033] A useful property of a polyphase filter is that for a given cutoff frequercy, the output can be delayed in small increments.",
"This is most important for vertical scaling because each output line is the weighted sum of a cluster of e.g., 2 or 4 of incoming lines.",
"[0034] Conversion of 480 incoming lines to 428 outgoing lines is executed e.g. module 9 , so for every nine incoming lines, eight lines are outputted.",
"Each outgoing line is a weighted sum of the nearby incoming lines.",
"[0035] [0035 ]FIG. 2 shows graphically in accordance with the invention the mapping of nine incoming lines (left column) to eight outgoing lines (second column) and the derivation of the associated filter coefficients (right column).",
"At line 0 , the samples line up.",
"As the line count increases, the position of each outgoing line lags the incoming index by ⅛ for each increment as explained above.",
"Each outgoing pixel is formed from the weighted sum of either three or four incoming pixels as indicated by the arrows.",
"[0036] Outgoing pixel zero (OPO) is formed from incoming pixels IP 1 , IP 0 and IP 8 (previous 8) with weights (coefficients) 2, 4, 2, 0 in eighths.",
"Pixel OP 1 is formed from pixels IPO, IP 1 and IP 2 .",
"Each incoming line of pixels leads to an outgoing line of pixels, as indicated by the arrows, until line 4 is reached.",
"Line 4 does not initiate an output.",
"Instead pixels OP 3 and OP 4 are formed from four nearby lines with 1, 3, 3, 1 weights.",
"[0037] This process is a convolution of incoming vertical data samples V(n) with a polyphase kernel, P n (k) which has coefficients set by the index n of the incoming data sample.",
"For any column of pixels on a raster display: Y ( n ) = ∑ k = 0 3 v ( n - k ) p n ( k ) [0038] where: [0039] P n (k)=2, 4, 2, 0 for n modulo 9= 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 (lines 0 - 2 , 5 - 7 );",
"and [0040] 1, 3, 3, 1 for n modulo 9=3, 4 (lines 3 , 4 ) [0041] Based upon a ÷9 counter incremented after each line, counts 0, 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 each assign weights 2, 4, 2, 0 to the kernel;",
"counts 3, 4 each assign weights 1, 3, 3, 1.",
"[0042] A frame store following such a polyphase filter is useful for three reasons: timing can be corrected for dropped lines;",
"a range of incoming vertical refresh rates can be accepted;",
"and output TV video timing is standard.",
"[0043] Consider a VGA output consisting of 480 active lines and 525 total lines refreshed at 60 Hz for a progressive scan.",
"Since interlacing is merely the discarding of alternate lines on alternate frames, consider first VGA to progressive scan conversion.",
"A 12% underscan can be approximated by {fraction (8/9)}th scaling to yield 426.7 lines;",
"one uses 428 lines to avoid edge effects.",
"If one truncates the last line at the lower boundary of the picture, then a full intensity line could occur next to blank which is black.",
"Adding the extra line allows fading of the last line, avoiding flicker effects.",
"[0044] [0044 ]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit for performing this vertical scaling process.",
"It is to be understood that typically this circuit is a portion of an integrated circuit which performs a number of other functions involved with VGA to NTSC/PAL television conversion, such as the Raytheon TMC2360 Flicker Free Video Encoder which is a commercially available product.",
"The various blocks shown in FIG. 3 are each conventional and hence not shown in any further detail.",
"The circuit shown on FIG. 3 is only for the function of vertical scaling and filtering and does not perform the horizontal scaling function or any of the other functions involved with VGA to television conversion.",
"In the FIG. 3 circuit the main input is digitized VGA video data input at port 10 .",
"It is to be understood that port 10 is an P bit parallel port where P is equal to e.g. 8.",
"In this case digitized VGA data refers to only one of the VGA components;",
"the VGA components are typically R, G, B or Y, U, V. Therefore in actuality the circuit of FIG. 3 is replicated for instance three times for RGB, one for each of the R, G, and B VGA video components.",
"[0045] The simplest but most expensive (circuitry intensive) implementation is to use RGB processing with eight bits per channel for a total of 24 bits.",
"Each pixel would consist of 3×8 bits.",
"Usually, one transcodes to the 16-bit YUV422 format where Y is the luma signal and chrcma signals: U=B−Y, V=R−Y.",
"Y is sampled at full rate.",
"U, V are sampled at half rate and multiplexed to form a full rate stream.",
"With YUV422, one would use two parallel filters.",
"Since data samples proceed: Y 0 Y 1 Y 2 and U 0 V 0 U 2 V 2 U 4 V 4 etc.",
", for each line, the columns of pixels always contain the correctly aligned Y, U or V data.",
"So both filters act correctly although they are entirely ignorant of the incoming data format.",
"[0046] The other main signal input to the FIG. 3 circuit is the horizontal clock signal HCK which is input to a module 9 counter 12 .",
"Such a counter, as is well known, increments from 0 to 8 and then resets to 0 following the 8 count.",
"[0047] The digitized VGA data input at 10 is coupled into a first conventional line store (single horizontal scan line memory) 16 .",
"The output signal from line store 16 is then fed to the second line store 18 , the output signal from which is coupled to a third line store 20 .",
"Thus one has three delayed video lines plus the original input video line at port 10 .",
"Since the sampling clock signal SCK clocks each pixel, these circuits operates individually on each pixel.",
"(Note that typically, for NTSC, there are 800 SCK ticks and one HCK tick per horizontal line.) Hence the line stores 16 , 18 and 20 , with reference to FIG. 1, are each outputting pixels 33 , 43 and 53 respectively while the digitized VGA data at port 10 is pixel 23 .",
"These four pixels 23 , 33 , 43 , 53 respectively, are then applied to an input terminal of each of four multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 .",
"[0048] Decoder 38 , which operates in response to the count of counter 12 , outputs a set of filter coefficients to each of the multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 .",
"The value of these coefficients (weights) is thus dependent on the count of the counter 12 .",
"Hence, as described above, for lines 0 , 1 and 2 and 5 to 7 the coefficients are (2, 4, 2, 0) whereas for lines 3 and 4 the coefficients are (1, 3, 3, 1).",
"Hence this circuit is a low pass filter with a fixed cut off frequency and a programmable delay, the delay being adaptively determined by decoder 38 which changes the coefficients between (2, 4, 2, 0) and (1, 3, 3, 1).",
"By thus merely changing the coefficients of the kernel (filter), the output signal is time shifted by fractions of the clock signal HCK as described above.",
"The cutoff frequency is set by the filter coefficients.",
"[0049] The output signals (products) from each of the multipliers 24 , 26 , 28 , and 30 are summed by adder 40 which provides an n bit digital summed output signal which is input to a field memory (frame buffer) 44 .",
"Field buffer memory 44 operates in response to Four control signals, which are the write reset, read reset, sample clock (SCK) and pixel clock (PXCK) signals.",
"Write reset sets the write pointer to memory location zero;",
"read reset sets the read pointer to memory location zero;",
"SCK is the incoming pixel clock;",
"and PXCK is the outgoing pixel clock.",
"At the beginning of each incoming frame the pointers are both reset.",
"Field buffer memory is e.g. a field memory, DRAM, SRAM, or other memory.",
"[0050] The output signal from field buffer memory 44 provided on port 48 is sent to an encoder which converts this digital data into analog data for display on a conventional television set.",
"This encoder, being conventional, is not shown but is e.g. of the type of the Raytheon TMC2490 encoder.",
"Besides modulating the UV components on the subcarrier and adding the color burst, encoders also add composite sync (synchronization pulses), including horizontal and vertical sync.",
"[0051] Operation of the FIG. 3 circuit is illustrated by the waveforms in FIG. 4 which indicates processing of lines of data, each consisting of pixels clock by the SCK clock.",
"HVGA refers to the VGA horizontal sync.",
"HTV refers to the television horizontal sync.",
"Each group of nine incoming lines is scaled to eight by the polyphase filter to convert 480 lines to 428 lines.",
"An output line is generated for every incoming line.",
"However, lines 3 and 4 initiate redundant outputs allowing one of these lines to be dropped.",
"In FIG. 4, the dropped line is filled black on the “{fraction (8/9)} lines”",
"waveform.",
"[0052] Since one line out of every nine has been dropped by the polyphase filter, the 428 lines are stored in the frame buffer in an uneven timing sequence during a 15.24 msec period.",
"The 428 lines are read out of the frame store in an even timing sequence over a 13.54 msec period, as shown in Table 1: TABLE 1 Frame Store Embodiment Process Timing Frame Buffer Unit VGA In Input Output Interlaced No. of 525 537 525 262.5 Lines/field Vertical Hz 60 60 60 60 Frequency Frame Period msec 16.67 16.67 16.67 16.67 Horizontal kHz 31.5 31.5 31.5 15.75 Frequency No. of Active 480 428 428 214 Lines Active Period msec 15.24 15.24 13.54 13.54 Blank Lines 45 45 98 49 Blank Period msec 1.428 3.12 3.12 3.12 Active Period msec 15.238 15.24 15.24 15.24 [0053] At the input to the Frame Buffer Memory (“Frame Buffer Input”), the number of lines has been reduced but there are gaps where lines have been filtered away.",
"[0054] In another embodiment where frame rate conversion between VGA and television can be omitted, vertical scaling is implemented in accordance with the invention without a frame buffer (the field memory).",
"Then the timing of the VGA image source is altered such that the number of visible VGA lines (e.g. 480) occurs in the same time period (e.g. 13.54 msec.) as the outgoing lines (e.g. 427) for the necessary scaling factor (e.g. 0.89).",
"There are three necessary conditions to eliminate the frame buffer: [0055] 1) VGA Frame rate equals TV field rate;",
"[0056] 2) 480 active lines;",
"[0057] 3) The VGA active video period equals the television active video period.",
"[0058] The third condition is key, because then no frame buffer memory is required to change the time scale of the active period;",
"only a single line FIFO memory is needed to average the line rate.",
"Parameters for this embodiment are shown in Table 2: TABLE 2 FIFO Embodiment Process Timing VGA FIFO Unit In Input Output Interlaced No. of 591 537 525 262.5 Lines/field Vertical Hz 60 60 60 60 Frequency Frame Period msec 16.67 16.67 16.67 16.67 Horizontal kHz 35.44 35.44 31.5 15.75 Frequency No. of Active 480 427 427 213.5 Lines Active Period msec 13.54 13.54 13.54 13.54 Blank Lines 111 111 98 49 Blank Period msec 3.12 3.12 3.12 3.12 Active Period msec 15.24 15.24 15.24 15.24 [0059] In the Table 2 embodiment, {fraction (8/9)} scaling is used, as in Table 1.",
"To create 480 active lines in {fraction (8/9)} of the active time, the horizontal line rate is increased from 31.5 kHz to 35.44 kHz.",
"Instead of 525 lines per VGA frame, there are 591.",
"[0060] [0060 ]FIG. 5 shows a circuit very similar to that of FIG. 3 with similar elements identically labeled for this vertical scaling process without a frame buffer.",
"The only difference is that instead of the frame buffer memory 44 , a FIFO memory 50 is substituted.",
"The FIFO memory 50 stores only one or two lines.",
"Hence the FIG. 5 circuit is more suitable for integration onto an integrated circuit, without external memory, than is the FIG. 3 circuit, since it is usually considered difficult (expensive) to put an entire frame store on a single integrated circuit device with other circuitry.",
"The FIFO memory 50 is timed by only two signals, the sampling clock signal SCK and the modified clock signal SCK*{fraction (8/9)}, which is the SCK clock signal multiplied by {fraction (8/9)}.",
"Hence SCK is the FIFO input (write) clocking signal and SCK*{fraction (8/9)} is the FIFO output (read) clocking signal.",
"[0061] Timing for the FIG. 5 circuit is shown in FIG. 6. The 480 active lines are converted to 428 lines using the polyphase filter.",
"Nine incoming lines are mapped to eight outgoing lines, each a weighted sum of three or four incoming lines.",
"[0062] At the FIFO memory input, the horizontal frequency of the eight outgoing lines is still 35.44 kHz.",
"Average line rate in equals average line rate out, but the incoming lines have shorter periods.",
"One of every m lines missing equalizes the rates.",
"At this point, the image has been vertically scaled but the occurrence of the lines is interrupted once every nine lines.",
"[0063] To convert this image to progressive scan for television, the one line FIFO memory 50 is provided in FIG. 5. Every outgoing eight lines are now evenly spaced over the period of nine incoming lines.",
"Thus 425 lines are generated and 98 blank lines are appended to yield 525 lines per frame.",
"[0064] For interlacing, the active video is divided into 240 odd lines and 240 even lines.",
"Odd and even lines are inserted into odd and even fields, each consisting of 262 ½ lines for NTSC or 312.5 lines for PAL.",
"To correct the line rate to 15.75 kHz, for NTSC TV or 15.625 kHz for PAL, the FIFO memory is extended to two lines.",
"[0065] This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting.",
"Further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims."
] |
This is a Divisional Application of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 09/486,960 filed Jun. 6, 2000 which was filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 as a United States National Phase Application of International Application No. PCT/EP98/05559 filed Sep. 3, 1998, which claims priority from GB 971891.8 filed Sep. 5, 1997.
The present invention provides novel compounds, novel compositions, method of their use and methods of their manufacture, such compounds generally useful pharmacologically as agents in those disease states alleviated by the alteration of mitogen activated signalling pathways in general, and in particular in the inhibition or antagonism of protein kinases, which pathologically involve aberrant cellular proliferation, such disease states including tumor growth, restenosis, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. In particular, the present invention relates to a series of substituted oxindole compounds, which exhibit protein tyrosine kinase and protein serine/threonine kinase inhibition, and which are useful in protecting a patient undergoing chemotherapy from chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cell growth, differentiation, metabolism and function are extremely tightly controlled in higher eukaryotes. The ability of a cell to rapidly and appropriately respond to the array of external and internal signals it continually receives is of critical importance in maintaining a balance between these processes (Rozengurt, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 161-5; Wilks, Progress in Growth Factor Research 1990, 2, 97-111). The loss of control over cellular regulation can often lead to aberrant cell function or death, often resulting in a disease state in the parent organism.
The protein kinases represent a large family of proteins which play a central role in the regulation of a wide variety of cellular processes and maintaining control over cellular function (Hanks, et al., Science 1988, 241, 42-52). A partial list of such kinases includes ab1, ATK , bcr-ab1, Blk, Brk, Btk, c-kit, c-met, c-src, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cRaf1, CSF1R, CSK, EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERK, Fak, fes, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5, Fgr, FLK4, flt-1, Fps, Frk, Fyn, Hck, IGF-1R, INS-R, Jak, KDR, Lck, Lyn, MEK, p38, PDGFR, PIK, PKC, PYK2, ros, tie 1 , tie 2 , TRK, Yes, and Zap70.
One of the most commonly studied pathways involving kinase regulation is cellular signalling from receptors at the cell surface to the nucleus (Crews and Erikson, Cell 1993, 74, 215-7). One example of this pathway includes a cascade of kinases in which members of the Growth Factor receptor Tyrosine Kinases (such as EGF-R, PDGF-R, VEGF-R, IGF1-R, the Insulin receptor), deliver signals through phosphorylation to other kinases such as Src Tyrosine kinase, and the Raf, Mek and Erk serine/threonine kinase families (Crews and Erikson, Cell 1993, 74, 215-7; Ihle, et al., Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1994, 19, 222-7). Each of these kinases is represented by several family members (Pelech and Sanghera, Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1992, 17, 233-8) which play related, but functionally distinct roles. The loss of regulation of the growth factor signalling pathway is a frequent occurence in cancer as well as other disease states.
The signals mediated by kinases have also been shown to control growth, death and differentiation in the cell by regulating the processes of the cell cycle (Massague and Roberts, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 769-72). Progression through the eukaryotic cell cycle is controlled by a family of kinases called cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) (Myerson, et al., EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 2909-17). The regulation of CDK activation is complex, but requires the association of the CDK with a member of the cyclin family of regulatory subunits (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9; Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80; Solomon, et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell. 1992, 3, 13-27). A further level of regulation occurs through both activating and inactivating phosphorylations of the CDK subunit (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9; Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80; Solomon, et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell. 1992, 3, 13-27; Ducommun, et al., EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 3311-9; Gautier, et al., Nature 1989, 339, 626-9; Gould and Nurse, Nature 1989, 342, 39-45; Krek and Nigg, EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 3331-41; Solomon, et al., Cell 1990, 63, 1013-24). The coordinate activation and inactivation of different cyclin/CDK complexes is necessary for normal progression through the cell cycle (Pines, Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1993, 18, 195-7; Sherr, Cell 1993, 73, 1059-65). Both the critical G1-S and G2-M transitions are controlled by the activation of different cyclin/CDK activities. In G1, both cyclin D/CDK4 and cyclin E/CDK2 are thought to mediate the onset of S-phase (Matsushime, et al., Molecular & Cellular Biology 1994, 14, 2066-76; Ohtsubo and Roberts, Science 1993, 259, 1908-12; Quelle, et al., Genes & Development 1993, 7, 1559-71; Resnitzky, et al., Molecular & Cellular Biology 1994, 14, 1669-79). Progression through S-phase requires the activity of cyclin A/CDK2 (Girard, et al., Cell 1991, 67, 1169-79; Pagano, et al., EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 961-71; Rosenblatt, et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1992, 89, 2824-8; Walker and Maller, Nature 1991, 354, 314-7; Zindy, et al., Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications 1992, 182, 1144-54) whereas the activation of cydin A/cdc2 (CDK1) and cyclin B/cdc2 are required for the onset of metaphase (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9; Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80; Solomon, et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell. 1992, 3, 13-27; Girard, et al., Cell 1991, 67, 1169-79; Pagano, et al., EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 961-71; Rosenblatt, et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1992, 89, 2824-8; Walker and Maller, Nature 1991, 354, 314-7; Zindy, et al., Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications 1992, 182, 1144-54). It is not surprising, therefore, that the loss of control of CDK regulation is a frequent event in hyperproliferative diseases and cancer. (Pines, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 144-8; Lees, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 773-80; Hunter and Pines, Cell 1994, 79, 573-82). The selective inhibition of CDKs is therefore an object of the present invention.
The compounds of the present invention are additionally useful in the treatment of one or more diseases afflicting mammals which are characterized by cellular proliferation in the areas of blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, mesangial cell proliferative disorders and metabolic diseases. Blood vessel proliferative disorders include arthritis and restenosis. Fibrotic disorders include hepatic cirrhosis and atherosclerosis. Mesangial cell proliferative disorders include glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes, organ transplant rejection and glomerulopathies. Metabolic disorders include psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, chronic wound healing, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Inhibitors of kinases involved in mediating or maintaining these disease states represent novel therapies for these disorders. Examples of such kinases include, but are not limited to: (1) inhibition of c-Src (Brickell, Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis 1992, 3, 401-46; Courtneidge, Seminars in Cancer Biology 1994, 5, 239-46), raf (Powis, Pharmacology & Therapeutics 1994, 62, 57-95) and the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 1, 2 and 4 in cancer (Pines, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 144-8; Lees, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 773-80; Hunter and Pines, Cell 1994, 79, 573-82), (2) inhibition of CDK2 or PDGF-R kinase in restenosis (Buchdunger, et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1995, 92, 2258-62), (3) inhibition of CDK5 and GSK3 kinases in Alzheimers (Hosoi, et al., Journal of Biochemistry (Tokyo) 1995, 117, 741-9; Aplin, et al., Journal of Neurochemistry 1996, 67, 699-707), (4) inhibition of c-Src kinase in osteoporosis (Tanaka, et al., Nature 1996, 383, 528-31), (5) inhibition of GSK-3 kinase in type-2 diabetes (Borthwick, et al., Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications 1995, 210, 738-45); (6) inhibition of the p38 kinase in inflammation (Badger, et al., The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1996, 279, 1453-61); (7) inhibition of VEGF-R 1-3 and TIE-1 and -2 kinases in diseases which involve angiogenesis (Shawver, et al., Drug Discovery Today 1997, 2, 50-63); (8) inhibition of UL97 kinase in viral infections (He, et al., Journal of Virology 1997, 71, 405-11); (9) inhibition of CSF-1 R kinase in bone and hematopoetic diseases (Myers, et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 1997, 7, 421-4), and (10) inhibition of Lck kinase in autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection (Myers, et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 1997, 7,417-20).
It is additionally possible that inhibitors of certain kinases may have utility in the treatment of diseases when the kinase is not misregulated, but is nonetheless essential for maintenance of the disease state. In this case, inhibition of the kinase activity would act either as a cure or palliative for these diseases. For example, many viruses, such as human papilloma virus, disrupt the cell cycle and drive cells into the S-phase of the cell cycle (Vousden; FASEB Journal 1993, 7, 872-9). Preventing cells from entering DNA synthesis after viral infection by inhibition of essential S-phase initiating activities such as CDK2, may disrupt the virus life cycle by preventing virus replication. This same principle may be used to protect normal cells of the body from toxicity of cycle-specific chemotherapeutic agents (Stone, et al., Cancer Research 1996, 56, 3199-202; Kohn, et al., Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 1994, 54, 440-52). Inhibition of CDKs 2 or 4 will prevent progression into the cycle in normal cells and limit the toxicity of cytotoxics which act in S-phase, G2 or mitosis. Furthermore, CDK2/cyclin E activity has also been shown to regulate NF-kB: Inhibition of CDK2 activity stimulates NF-kB-dependent gene expression, an event mediated through interactions with the p300 coactivator (Perkins, et al., Science 1997, 275, 523-7). NF-kB regulates genes involved in inflammatory responses, (such as hematopoietic growth factors chemokines and leukocyte adhesion molecules) (Baeuerle and Henkel, Annual Review of Immunology 1994, 12, 141-79) and may be involved in the suppression of apoptotic signals within the cell (Beg and Baltimore, Science 1996, 274, 782-4; Wang, et al., Science 1996, 274, 784-7; Van Antwerp, et al., Science 1996, 274, 787-9). Thus, inhibition of CDK2 may suppress apoptosis induced by cytotoxic drugs via a mechanism which involves NF-kB. This therefore suggests that inhibition of CDK2 activity may also have utility in other cases where regulation of NF-kB plays a role in etiology of disease. A further example may be taken from fungal infections: Aspergillosis is a common infection in immune-compromised patients (Armstrong, Clinical Infectious Diseases 1993, 16, 1-7). Inhibition of the Aspergillus kinases Cdc2/CDC28 or Nim A (Osmani, et al., EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 2669-79; Osmani, et al., Cell 1991, 67, 283-91) may cause arrest or death in the fungi, improving the therapeutic outcome for patients with these infections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief summary, the invention comprises compounds of the formula (I):
wherein
X is N, CH, CCF 3 , or C(C 1-12 aliphatic);
R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, thiol, hydroxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, Cyc, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryloxy, amino, C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, cyano, sulfonamide, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;
R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Aryl-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 -alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C- 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, or C 1-12 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-12 aliphatic, halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or oxo;
R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-12 aliphatic, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;
with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;
R 4 is sulfonic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl -C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylamino, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylsulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, Het-amino, Het-sulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, aminoiminoamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;
R 5 is hydrogen;
and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by C 1-12 aliphatic, oxo or dioxo;
R 6 is C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-12 alkoxy, or halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;
R 8 is hydrogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, halo, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or halo-C 1-12 aliphatic;
Aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthracenyl;
Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;
Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, isoquinoline, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, quinoline, tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thidiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole, with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;
and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.
A more preferred genus of compounds of the present invention includes compounds of formula (I), defined as follows:
wherein
X is N, CH, or C(C 1-6 aliphatic);
R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;
R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Aryl-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, sulfo, C 1-6 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, or quaternary ammonium, where R 7 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen or oxo;
R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;
with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;
R 4 is sulfonic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C- 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylamino, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylsulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, Het-amino, Het-sulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, aminoiminoamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;
R 5 is hydrogen;
and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by oxo or dioxo;
R 6 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkoxy, or halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;
R 8 is hydrogen or halo-C 1-6 aliphatic;
Aryl is phenyl, or naphthyl;
Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;
Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thiadiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates, solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.
A highly preferred genus of compounds of the present invention includes compounds of formula (I), defined as follows:
wherein
X is N, CH, or CCH 3 ;
R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;
R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, Aryl, R 6 -Aryloxycarbonyl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, Ary-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C 1-6 aliphatic sulfonyl, or aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen or oxo;
R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, Het, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 alkyl or C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl;
with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;
R 4 is R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl C 1-6 -aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl C 1-6 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, R 7 -C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl, Het, R 8 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;
R 5 is hydrogen;
and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by oxo or dioxo;
R 6 is hydroxy, C 1-6 alkoxy, or halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy C 1-6 -alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic carbonyl, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyl, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-6 -alkoxy, Aryl-C 1-6 -aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-6 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-6 -alkoxy, Het-C 1-6 -aliphatic, di-Het-C 1-6 -aliphatic;
R 8 is trifluoromethyl;
Aryl is phenyl;
Cyc is cyclobutyl;
Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, thiadiazole, thiazole, thiophene, and triazole, with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;
and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates, solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.
A preferred group of compounds of the present invention with respect to the substitutions at R 4 are compounds of formula (I):
wherein
X is NH;
R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, thiol, hydroxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, Cyc, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryloxy, amino, C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, cyano, sulfonamide, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;
R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Ary-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 -alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, or C 1-12 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or oxo;
R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-12 aliphatic, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;
further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;
with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;
R 4 is R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl,
(R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;
R 5 is hydrogen;
R 6 is C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-12 alkoxy, or halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;
R 8 is hydrogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, halo, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or halo-C 1-12 aliphatic;
Aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthracenyl;
Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;
Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thiadiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;
and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.
Due to the presence of an oxindole exocyclic double bond, also included in the compounds of the invention are their respective pure E and Z geometric isomers as well as mixtures of E and Z isomers. The invention as described and claimed does not set any limiting ratios on prevalence of Z to E isomers. Thus compound number 104 in the tables below is disclosed and claimed as the E geometric thereof, the Z geometric isomer thereof and a mixture of the E and Z geometric isomers thereof, but not limited by any given ratio(s).
Likewise, it is understood that compounds of formula (I) may exist in tautomeric forms other than that shown in the formula.
Certain of the compounds as described will contain one or more chiral, or asymmetric, centers and will therefore be capable of existing as optical isomers that are either dextrorotatory or levorotatory. Also included in the compounds of the invention are the respective dextrorotatory or levorotatory pure preparations, and mixtures thereof.
Certain compounds of formula (I) above may exist in stereoisomeric forms (e.g. they may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms or may exhibit cis-trans isomerism). The individual stereoisomers (enantiomers and diastereoisomers) and mixtures of these are included within the scope of the present invention. Likewise, it is understood that compounds of formula (I) may exist in tautomeric forms other than that shown in the formula and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention also provides compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (hereafter identified as the ‘active compounds’) for use in medical therapy, and particularly in the treatment of disorders mediated by CDK2 activity, such as alopecia induced by cancer chemotherapy.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of treatment of the human or animal body suffering from a disorder mediated by a mitogen activated protein kinase which comprises administering an effective amount of an active compound of formula (I) to the human or animal patient.
Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I), in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of malignant tumors, or for the treatment of alopecia induced by cancer chemotherapy or induced by radiation therapy. Alternatively, compounds of formula (I) can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease mediated by a kinase selected from the group consisting of ab1, ATK, bcr-ab1, Blk, Brk, Btk, c-kit, c-met, c-src, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cRaf1, CSF1R, CSK, EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERK, Fak, fes, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5, Fgr, FLK-4, flt-1, Fps, Frk, Fyn, Hck, IGF-1R, INS-R, Jak, KDR, Lck, Lyn, MEK, p38, PDGFR, PIK, PKC, PYK2, ros ,tie 1 , tie 2 , TRK, Yes, and Zap70. Additionally, compounds of formula (I) can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of organ transplant rejection, of inhibiting tumor growth, of treating chemotherapy-induced alopecia, chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia or chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, or of treating a disease state selected from the group consisting of mucocitis, restenosis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, angiogenesis, hepatic cirrhosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy, a glomerulopathy, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, a neurodegenerative disease, macular degeneration, actinic keratosis and hyperproliferative disorders.
Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I), in coadministration with previously known anti-tumor therapies for more effective treatment of such tumors.
Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of viral or eukaryotic infections.
Other aspects of the present invention related to the inhibition-of mitogen-activated protein kinases are discussed in more detail below.
Compounds we have synthesized as part of the present invention which are currently preferred are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below. Compounds are identified by the numbers shown in the first column; variables below in the rest of the columns are with reference to the generic structure (I). Corresponding IUPAC nomenclature are disclosed in Table 2. Since all substituents at each point of substitution are capable of independent synthesis of each other, the tables are to be read as a matrix in which any combination of substituents is within the scope of the disclosure and claims of the invention.
TABLE 1
(I)
Example
R 1
R 2
R 3
R 4
R 5
X
1
—NO 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
2
—CONH 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
3
—CH(CH 3 ) 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
4
—CH 2 OH
H
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
CH
5
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
6
—CO 2 CH 2 CH 3
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
7
I
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
8
—CH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
9
—CH═C(CH 3 ) 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
10
—CH═C(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
and
—CH 2 C(CH 3 )═CHCH 3
11
—CH 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
12
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
13
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
14
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
15
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
16
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
17
OCH(CH 3 ) 2
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
18
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
19
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
20
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
21
H
—NO 2
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
22
H
—OH
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
23
H
—CH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
24
H
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
25
H
—SO 3 − Na +
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
26
H
—CONH 2
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
27
H
—CO 2 CH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
28
H
Br
H
4′-SO 2 CH 3
H
N
29
H
I
H
—NH—N═N—
CH
30
H
—SO 2 NH 2
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
31
H
—SO 2 CH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
32
H
—SO 2 NHCH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
33
H
—C(═NOH)CH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
34
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CCH 3
35
H
H
4′-SO 2 N(CH 3 ) 2
H
CH
36
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
37
H
-phenyl
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
38
H
—CON(CH 3 ) 2
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
39
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
40
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
41
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
42
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
43
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
44
H
—CONH(CH 2 ) 2 OCH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
45
H
—CONH(CH 2 ) 2 OH
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
46
H
—CONH(CH 2 ) 3 OH
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
47
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
48
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
49
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
50
H
—OCH 3
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
51
H
—NH 3 + Cl −
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
52
H
H
—CH 2 CH 3
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
53
H
H
H
SO 2 OC 6 H 5
H
CH
54
H
H
H
4′-NHSO 2 NH 2
H
CH
55
H
H
—CH 2 OH
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
56
H
H
Br
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
57
H
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
58
H
H
—OCH 2 CH 3
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
59
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 O(CH 2 ) 2 OH
H
CH
60
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 OH
H
CH
61
—CH 3
—NO 2
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
62
—CH═NNH—
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
63
—NH—N═CH—
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
64
—N—N═NH—
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
65
—C(Cl)═NNH—
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
66
—C(O)NHCH 2 —
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
67
—SCH═N—
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 OH
H
CH
68
—CH═CHCH═N—
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
69
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
70
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
71
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NH—C(═NH)NH 2
H
CH
72
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
73
—SCH═N—
H
—CH 2 SO 2 CH 2 —
CH
74
—SCH═N—
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
75
—SCH═N—
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 2 CH═CH 2
H
CH
76
—SCH═N—
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 CH 3
H
CH
77
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 OH
H
CH
78
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
79
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
80
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
81
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NHCOCH 3
H
CH
82
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
83
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
84
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 N(CH 3 (CH 2 ) 2 O(CH 2 ) 2 OH
H
CH
85
—SCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NH[(CH 2 ) 2 O] 4 CH 3
H
CH
86
H
—CH 3
—CH 3
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
87
H
—NHCOCH 3
—OH
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
88
H
—OCH 3
Cl
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
89
H
—OH
—CH(CH 3 ) 2
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
90
H
—N═C(CH 3 O—
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
91
H
—N(COCH 3 )(CH 2 ) 2 —
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
92
H
—OCH 2 O—
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
93
H
—NH 2 + (Br)(CH 2 ) 2 —
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
94
Cl
—OCH 3
Cl
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
95
Cl
—OH
—CH 3
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
96
—CH 3
—OH
—CH 3
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
97
H
H
H
—NHN═CH—
CH
98
H
H
H
—CH═NNH—
CH
99
—CH 3
—OH
—CH 3
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3
H
N
100
H
H
4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3
H
CH
101
—SCH═N—
H
—N═N—NH—
CH
102
—CH═CHCH═N—
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
N
103
H
—CO 2 CH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2
H
4′-SO 2 NH 2
H
CH
104
—SCH═N—
H
H
CH
Standard accepted nomenclature corresponding to the Examples set forth in this specification are set forth below. In some cases nomenclature is given for one or more possible isomers.
Example 1: 4-[N′-(4-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 2: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid amide (E isomer).
Example 3: 4-[N′-(4-Isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 4: 4-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 5: 4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 6: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Z-isomer).
Example 7: 4-[N′-(4-Iodo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 8: 4-[N′-(4-Isobutyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 9: 4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-propenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 10: 4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-1-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide and 4-{N′-[4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 11: 4-{N′-[4-(2-methylbutyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 12: 4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylmethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 13: 4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 14: 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benznensulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 15: 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-vinyll]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benznensulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 16: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-4-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).
Example 17: 4-[N′-(4-Isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 18: 4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 19: 4-[(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 20: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazone]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl ester (Z-isomer).
Example 21: 4-[N′-(5-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 22: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 23: 4-[N′-(5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (E isomer).
Example 24: N-Methyl-4-[N′-(2-oxo-5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 25: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid sodium salt (Z-isomer).
Example 26: 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid amide (Z-isomer).
Example 27: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer).
Example 28: 5-Bromo-3-[(4-Methylsulfonyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).
Example 29: 3-(3H-benzotriazol-5-ylamino-methylene)-5-iodo-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).
Example 30: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid amide (Z-isomer).
Example 31: 4-[N′-(5-Methylsulfonyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 32: 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid methylamide (Z-isomer).
Example 33: 4-{N′-[5-(1-Hydroxyimino-ethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 34: 4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-ethylamino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 35: N,N-Dimethyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 36: 4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).
Example 37: 4-[(2-Oxo-5-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 38: 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide (Z-isomer).
Example 39: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid (furan-2-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 40: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid -2,6-dimethoxy-benzylamide (Z-isomer).
Example 41: 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 42: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-imidazol-1-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 43: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 44: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-methoxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 45: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 46: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxypropyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 47: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 48: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 49: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).
Example 50: 4-[N′-(5-Methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 51: 4-[N′-(5-Amino-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (Z-isomer).
Example 52: 4-[N′-(6-Ethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 53: 4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzensulfonic-acid-phenyl-ester (Z-isomer).
Example 54: N-{4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}sulfamide (Z-isomer).
Example 55: 4-[(6-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 56: 4-[N′-(6-Bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 57: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-6-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 58: 4-[N′-(6-Ethoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 59: N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 60: N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 61: N-Methyl-4-[N′-(4-methyl-5-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 62: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 63: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-g]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).
Example 64: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).
Example 65: 4-[N′-(1-Chloro-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 66: 4-[N′-(1,7-Dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 67: N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 68: N-Methyl-C-{4-[N′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 69: N-(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 70: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-thiazol-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 71: N-(Amino-imino-methyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 72: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 73: 8-[(2,2-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-benzo[c]thiophen-5-ylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer).
Example 74: {4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 75: N-Allyl-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 76: 8-(4-Methylsulfonylmethyl-phenylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer).
Example 77: N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 78: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 79: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 80: N-(5-Methyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 81: N-Acetyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 82: N-Benzoyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 83: N-Methyl-4-[N′(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 84: N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethyl]-N-methyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 85: N-(2-{2-[2-(2-Methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 86: 4-[N′-(5,6-Dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 87: N-{6-Hydroxy-3-[(4-methylsulfamoylmethyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl}-acetamide (Z isomer).
Example 88: 4-[N′-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzene-sulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 89: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-6-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 90: 4-[N′-(2-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3-oxa-1,5-diaza-s-indacen-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 91: 4-[N′-(5-Acetyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 92: 4-[N′-(6-Oxo-5,6-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-f]indol-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 93: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrobromide (Z-isomer).
Example 94: C-{4-[N′-(4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 95: 4-[N′-(4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 96: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 97: 3-(1H-Indazol-5-ylamino-methylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).
Example 98: 3-[(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-hydrazone]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).
Example 99: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene[-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide (Z isomer).
Example 100: N-Methyl-4-(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenylmethanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 101: 8-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylaminomethylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7-one (Z-isomer).
Example 102: 4-[N′-2-Oxo-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
Example 103: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (Z-isomer).
Example 104: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)amino]-N-pyridinyl4-yl-methyl benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).
The invention discloses six different points of substitution on structural formula (I). Each of these points of substitution bears a substituent whose selection and synthesis as part of this invention was independent of all other points of substitution on formula (I). Thus, each point of substitution is now further described individually.
Preferred substitutions at the R 1 position include hydrogen, halogen, amide, nitro, lower alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, pyrimidineloweralkyl, loweralkoxycarbonyl, cyclic loweralkyl, hydroxyphenylloweralkyl, phenoxy, alkoxy, or pyrazole, or are fused with R 2 to form fused thiazole, pyrazole, triazole, halogen-substituted diazole, acyl substituted pyrrole, and pyridine, rings. Most preferred are hydrogen, methyl and fused with R 2 for form fused thiazole and fused pyridine. Most highly preferred are to be fused with R 2 to form fused thiazole.
Preferred substitutions at the R 2 position include hydrogen, halogen, sulfate, amine, quaternary amine, amide, ester, phenyl, alkoxy, aminosulfonyl, lower alkyl sulfonyl, furanyl lower alkyl amide, pyridinyl lower alkyl amide, alkoxy-substituted phenyl lower alkyl amide, morpholino lower alkyl amide, imidazolyl lower alkyl amide, hydroxy lower alkyl amide, alkoxy lower alkyl amide, lower alkyl amide, lower alkyl sulfonamide, lower alkyl hydroxy substituted amino, nitro, halogen-substituted phenoxycarbonyl, or triazole or oxazole rings, or are fused with R 3 to form a fused oxazole, pyrrole, or dioxolane ring, which fused rings can be substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkyl carbonyl, or, when said fused ring is a hetero ring having nitrogen as the heteroatom, forming a quaternary ammonium salt ionically bonded with a halogen atom. Most preferred are hydrogen, hydroxyl, oxazolyl, or fused with R 1 to form fused thiazolyl or fused pyridyl Most highly preferred are to be fused with R 1 to form fused thiazole.
Preferred substitutions at R 3 include hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy lower alkyl, halogen, phenoxy, and alkoxy. Most preferred are hydrogen and methyl. Most highly preferred is hydrogen.
Preferred substitutions at R 4 include sulfonylamino, sulfonylaminoamino, lower alkyl sulfonylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl lower alkyl, alkoxysulfonylamino, phenylcarbonylsulfonylamino, phenoxysulfonyl, hydroxy lower alkylsulfonylamino, hydroxy lower alkylsulfonylamino lower alkyl, alkyl, phenylsulfonylamino, optionally substituted by halogen substituted lower alkyl, aminoiminosulfonylamino, alkylsulfonylaminoalkyl, pyridinyl lower alkyl sulfonylamino, benzamideazolesulfonylamino, pyridylsulfonylamino, pyrimidinylsulfonylamino, thiadiazolylsulfonylamino optionally substituted by lower alkyl, thiazolesulfonylamino, hydroxyalkoxyalkylsulfonylamino, or the group 4′-SO 2 NH[(CH 2 ) 2 O] 4 CH 3 , or are fused with R 5 to form a fused imidazole, triazole, cyclic sulfonylamino or thiaphene ring optionally disubstituted on the sulfur heteroatom by oxo. The most preferred substitutions are 2 pyridine sulfonylamino, 4 pyridine sulfonylamino, hydroxy n-butyl sulfonylamino, methylsulfonylaminomethylene, sulfonyldimethylamino, fused 1,2,3-triazole, and sulfonylamino. Most highly preferred is 2 pyridine sulfonylamino, 4 pyridine sulfonylamino and hydroxy n-butyl sulfonylamino.
The preferred substitution at R 5 is hydrogen.
Preferred substitutions at X include N, CH, and CCH 3 . Most preferred is NH.
Preferred individual compounds of the present invention include any one of the following compounds:
Highly preferred compounds include
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Salts encompassed within the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refer to non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention which are generally prepared by reacting the free base with a suitable organic or inorganic acid or by reacting the acid with a suitable organic or inorganic base. Representative salts include the following salts: Acetate, Benzenesulfonate, Benzoate, Bicarbonate, Bisulfate, Bitartrate, Borate, Bromide, Calcium Edetate, Camsylate, Carbonate, Chloride, Clavulanate, Citrate, Diethanolamine, Dihydrochloride, Edetate, Edisylate, Estolate, Esylate, Fumarate, Gluceptate, Gluconate, Glutamate, Glycollylarsanilate, Hexylresorcinate, Hydrabamine, Hydrobromide, Hydrocloride, Hydroxynaphthoate, Iodide, Isethionate, Lactate, Lactobionate, Laurate, Malate, Maleate, Mandelate, Mesylate, Metaphosphoric, Methylbromide, Methylnitrate, Methylsulfate, Monopotassium Maleate, Mucate, Napsylate, Nitrate, N-methylglucamine, Oxalate, Pamoate (Embonate), Palmitate, Pantothenate, Phosphate/diphosphate, Polygalacturonate, Potassium, Salicylate, Sodium, Stearate, Subacetate, Succinate, Tannate, Tartrate, Teoclate, Tosylate, Trifluoroacetate, Triethiodide, Trimethylammonium and Valerate.
Other salts which are not pharmaceutically acceptable may be useful in the preparation of compounds of formula (I) and these form a further aspect of the invention.
Also included within the scope of the invention are the individual isomers of the compounds represented by formula (I) above as well as any wholly or partially equilibrated mixtures thereof. The present invention also covers the individual isomers of the compounds represented by formula above as mixtures with isomers thereof in which one or more chiral asymmetric centers are inverted.
As used herein, the term “aliphatic” refers to the terms alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl, and alkynylene.
As used herein, the term “lower” refers to a group having between one and six carbons.
As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon-having from one to twelve carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “alkyl” as used herein include, but are not limited to, n-butyl, n-pentyl, isobutyl, and isopropyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “alkylene” refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from one to ten carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “alkylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, and the like.
As used herein, the term “alkenyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbons and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.
As used herein, the term “alkenylene” refers to an straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbon atoms and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “alkenylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, methylene-1,1-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “alkynyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbons and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.
As used herein, the term “alkynylene” refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbon atoms and one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “alkynylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethyne-1,2-diyl, propyne-1,3-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “cycloaliphatic” refers to the terms cycloalkyl, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylene, cycloalkynyl and cycloalkyinylene.
As used herein, “cycloalkyl” refers to a alicyclic hydrocarbon group with one or more degrees of unsaturation, having from three to twelve carton atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. “Cycloalkyl” includes by way of example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, or cyclooctyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “cycloalkylene” refers to an non-aromatic alicyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “cycloalkylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl-1,1-diyl, cyclopropyl-1,2-diyl, cyclobutyl-1,2-diyl, cydopentyl-1,3-diyl, cyclohexyl-1,4-diyl, cycloheptyl-1,4-diyl, or cyclooctyl-1,5-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “cycloalkenyl” refers to a substituted alicyclic hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring system, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “cycloalkenylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, 1-cyclopentene-3-yl, 1-cyclohexene-3-yl, 1-cycloheptene4-yl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “cycloalkenylene” refers to a substituted alicyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring system, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “cycloalkenylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, 4,5-cyclopentene-1,3-diyl, 3,4-cyclohexene-1,1-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “heteroatom ring system” refers to the terms heterocyclic, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylene. Non-limiting examples of such heteroatom ring systems are recited in the Summary of the Invention, above.
As used herein, the term “heterocyclic” or the term “heterocyclyl” refers to a three to twelve-membered heterocyclic ring having one or more degrees of unsaturation containing one or more heteroatomic substitutions selected from S, SO, SO 2 , O, or N, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Such a ring may be optionally fused to one or more of another “heterocyclic” ring(s) or cycloalkyl ring(s). Examples of “heterocyclic” include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofuran, pyran, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxane, piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, tetrahydrothiopyran, tetrahydrothiophene, and the like.
As used herein, the term “heterocyclylene” refers to a three to twelve-membered heterocyclic ring diradical having one or more degrees of unsaturation containing one or more heteroatoms selected from S, SO, SO 2 , O, or N, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Such a ring may be optionally fused to one or more benzene rings or to one or more of another “heterocyclic” rings or cycloalkyl rings. Examples of “heterocyclylene” include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyl, morpholine-2,3-diyl, pyran-2,4-diyl, 1,4-dioxane-2,3-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,4-diyl, piperidine-2,4-diyl, piperidine-1,4-diyl, pyrrolidine-1,3-diyl, morpholine-2,4-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “aryl” refers to a benzene ring or to an optionally substituted benzene ring system fused to one or more optionally substituted benzene rings to form anthracene, phenanthrene, or napthalene ring systems, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of aryl include, but are not limited to, phenyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-naphthyl, biphenyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “arylene” refers to a benzene ring diradical or to a benzene ring system diradical fused to one or more optionally substituted benzene rings, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. Examples of “arylene” include, but are not limited to, benzene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-1,8-diyl, anthracene-1,4-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “heteroary” refers to a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring, or to a polycyclic heterocyclic aromatic ring, containing one or more nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur heteroatoms at any position, where N-oxides and sulfur monoxides and sulfur dioxides are permissible heteroaromatic substitutions, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. For polycyclic aromatic ring systems, one or more of the rings may contain one or more heteroatoms. Examples of “heteroaryl” used herein are furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, isothiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, benzofuran, benzothiophene, indole, and indazole, and the like.
As used herein, the term “heteroarylene” refers to a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring diradical, or to a polycyclic heterocyclic aromatic ring diradical, containing one or more nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur heteroatoms, where N-oxides and sulfur monoxides and sulfur dioxides are permissible heteroaromatic substitutions, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed. For polycyclic aromatic ring system diradicals, one or more of the rings may contain one or more heteroatoms. Examples of “heteroarylene” used herein are furan-2,5-diyl, thiophene-2,4-diyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,4-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,4-diyl, pyridine-2,3-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrimidine-2,4-diyl, quinoline-2,3-diyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “alkoxy” refers to the group R a O—, where R a is aliphatic.
As used herein, the term “alkylsulfanyl” refers to the group R a S—, where R a is aliphatic.
As used herein, the term “alkylsulfenyl” refers to the group R a S(O)—, where R a is aliphatic.
As used herein, the term “alalkylsulfonyl” refers to the group R a SO 2 —, where R a is aliphatic.
As used herein, the term “acyl” refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl.
As used herein, the term “aroyl” refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is aryl.
As used herein, the term “heteroaroyl” refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is heteroaryl.
As used herein, the term “alkoxycarbonyl” refers to the group R a OC(O)—, where R a is aliphatic.
As used herein, the term “acyloxy” refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl.
As used herein, the term “aroyloxy” refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is aryl.
As used herein, the term “heteroaroyloxy” refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is heteroaryl.
As used herein, the term “optionally” means that the subsequently described event(s) may or may not occur, and includes both conditions.
As used herein, the term “substituted” refers to substitution with the named substituent or substituents, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.
As used herein, the terms “contain” or “containing” can refer to in-line substitutions at any position along the above-defined alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or cycloalkyl substituents with one or more of any of O, S, SO, SO 2 , N, or N-alkyl, including, for example, —CH 2 —O—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —SO 2 —CH 2 —, —CH 2 —NH—CH 3 and so forth.
As used herein, the term “solvate” is a complex of variable stoichiometry formed by a solute (in this invention, a compound of formula (I)) and a solvent. Such solvents for the purpose of the invention may not interfere with the biological activity of the solute. Solvents may be, by way of example, water, ethanol, or acetic acid.
As used herein, the terms “biohydrolyzable carbonate”, “biohydrolyzable ureide” and “biohydrolyzable carbamate” is a carbonate, ureide, or carbamate, respectively of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle. The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable carbamate is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma. Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of, example lower alkyl carbamates.
As used herein, the term “biohydrolyzable ester” is an ester of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle. The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable ester is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma. Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of example lower alkyl esters, lower acyloxy-alkyl esters, lower alkoxyacyloxyalkyl esters, alkoxyacyloxy esters, alkyl acylamino alkyl esters, and choline esters.
As used herein, the term “biohydrolyzable amide” is an amide of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle. The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable amide is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma. Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of example lower alkyl amides, α-amino acid amides, alkoxyacyl amides, and alkylaminoalkylcarbonyl amides.
As used herein, the term “prodrug” includes biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters and biohydrolyzable carbamates and also encompasses a) compounds in which the biohydrolyzable functionality in such a prodrug is encompassed in the compound of formula (I): for example, a lactam formed by a carboxylic group in R 1 and an amine in R 2 , and compounds which may be oxidized or reduced biologically at a given functional group to yield drug substances of formula (I). Examples of these functional groups are, but are not limited to, 1,4-dihydropyridine, N-alkylcarbonyl-1,4-dihydropyridine, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, tert-butyl, and the like.
As used herein, the term “affinity reagent” is a group attached to the compound of formula (I) which does not affect its in vitro biological activity, allowing the compound to bind to a target, yet such a group binds strongly to a third component allowing a) characterization of the target as to localization within a cell or other organism component, perhaps by visualization by fluorescence or radiography, or b) facile separation of the target from an unknown mixture of targets, whether proteinaceous or not proteinaceous. An example of an affinity reagent according to b) would be biotin either directly attached to (I) or linked with a spacer of one to 50 atoms selected from the group consisting of C, H, O, N, S, or P in any combination. An example of an affinity reagent according to a) above would be fluorescein, either directly attached to (I) or linked with a spacer of one to 50 atoms selected from the group consisting of C, H, O, N, S, or P in any combination.
The term “pharmacologically effective amount” shall mean that amount of a drug or pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher or clinician.
Whenever the terms “aliphatic” or “aryl” or either of their prefixes appear in a name of a substituent (e.g. arylalkoxyaryloxy) they shall be interpreted as including those limitations given above for “aliphatic” and “aryl”. Aliphatic or cycloalkyl substituents shall be recognized as being term equivalents to those having one or more degrees of unsaturation. Designated numbers of carbon atoms (e.g. C 1-10 ) shall refer independently to the number of carbon atoms in an aliphatic or cyclic aliphatic moiety or to the aliphatic portion of a larger substituent in which the term “aliphatic” appears as a prefix (e.g. “al-”).
As used herein, the term “disubstituted amine” or “disubstituted amino-” shall be interpreted to include either one or two substitutions on that particular nitrogen atom.
As used herein, the term “oxo” shall refer to the substituent ═O.
As used herein, the term “halogen” or “halo” shall include iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine.
As used herein, the term “mercapto” shall refer to the substituent —SH.
As used herein, the term “carboxy” shall refer to the substituent —COOH.
As used herein, the term “cyano” shall refer to the substituent —CN.
As used herein, the term “aminosulfonyl” shall refer to the substituent —SO 2 NH 2 .
As used herein, the term “carbamoyl” shall refer to the substituent —C(O)NH 2 .
As used herein, the term “sulfanyl” shall refer to the substituent —S—.
As used herein, the term “sulfenyl” shall refer to the substituent —S(O)—.
As used herein, the term “sulfonyl” shall refer to the substituent —S(O) 2 —.
The compounds of formula (I) can be prepared readily according to the following reaction General Synthesis Scheme (in which all variables are as defined before) and Examples or modifications thereof using readily available starting materials, reagents and conventional synthesis procedures. In these reactions, it is also possible to make use of variants which are themselves known to those of ordinary skill in this art, but are not mentioned in greater detail.
General Synthesis Scheme
The most preferred compounds of the invention are any or all of those specifically set forth in these examples. These compounds are not, however, to be construed as forming the only genus that is considered as the invention, and any combination of the compounds or their moieties may itself form a genus. The following examples further illustrate details for the preparation of the compounds of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that known variations of the conditions and processes of the following preparative procedures can be used to prepare these compounds. All temperatures are degrees Celsius unless noted otherwise.
Abbreviations used in the Examples are as follows:
g
=grams
mg
=milligrams
L
=liters
mL
=milliliters
M
=molar
N
=normal
mM
=millimolar
i.v.
=intravenous
p.o.
=per oral
s.c.
=subcutaneous
Hz
=hertz
mol
=moles
mmol
=millimoles
mbar
=millibar
psi
=pounds per square inch
rt
=room temperature
min
=minutes
h
=hours
mp
=melting point
TLC
=thin layer chromatography
R f
=relative TLC mobility
MS
=mass spectrometry
NMR
=nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
APCI
=atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
ESI
=electrospray ionization
m/z
=mass to charge ratio
t r
=retention time
Pd/C
=palladium on activated carbon
ether
=diethyl ether
MeOH
=methanol
EtOAc
=ethyl acetate
TEA
=triethylamine
DIEA
=diisopropylethylamine
THF
=tetrahydrofuran
DMF
=N,N-dimethylformamide
DMSO
=dimethylsulfoxide
DDQ
=2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone
LAH
=lithium aluminum hydride
TFA
=trifluoroacetic acid
LDA
=lithium diisopropylamide
THP
=tetrahydropyranyl
NMM
=N-methylmorpholine, 4-methylmorpholine
HMPA
=hexamethylphosphoric triamide
DMPU
=1,3-dimethypropylene urea
d
=days
ppm
=parts per million
kD
=kiloDalton
LPS
=lipopolysaccharide
PMA
=phorbol myristate acetate
SPA
=scintillation proximity assay
EDTA
=ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
FBS
=fetal bovine serum
PBS
=phosphate buffered saline solution
BrdU
=bromodeoxyuridine
BSA
=bovine serum albumin
FCS
=fetal calf serum
DMEM
=Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
pfu
=plaque forming units
MOI
=multiplicity of infection
Reagents are commercially available or are prepared according to procedures in the literature. The physical data given for the compounds exemplified is consistent with the assigned structure of those compounds. 1 H NMR spectra were obtained on VARIAN Unity Plus NMR spectrophotometers at 300 or 400 Mhz. Mass spectra were obtained on Micromass Platform II mass spectrometers from Micromass Ltd. Altrincham, UK, using either Atmospheric Chemical Ionization (APCI) or Electrospray Ionization (ESI). Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to verify the purity of some intermediates which could not be isolated or which were too unstable for full characterisation, and to follow the progess of reactions. Unless otherwise stated, this was done using silica gel (Merck Silica Gel 60 F254). Unless otherwise stated, column chromatography for the purification of some compounds, used Merck Silica gel 60 (230-400 mesh), and the stated solvent system under pressure.
Procedure A
First Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation: Preparation of 6-H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7,8-dione
To a 1-L flask was added a magnetic stir bar, 85 g of sodium sulfate, and 100 mL of water. The mixture was magnetically stirred until all the solids were dissolved. To the resultant aqueous solution was added a solution of 6-aminobenzothiazole (4.96 g, 33.0 mmol) in 50 mL of 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid and 10 mL of ethanol. The mixture was stirred, and chloral (6.0 g, (36 mmol) was added. To the resultant solution was added a solution of hydroxyl amine hydrochloride (7.50 g, 108 mmol) in 30 mL of water. The final mixture was heated with stirring to a gentle boil until all solids dissappeared, and heating was continued for an additional 15 min. The flask was removed from the heat, and the solution was poured onto 500 g of ice. The mixture was stirred as the product precipatated from solution. The precipatate was collected by suction filtration, washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to provide 6.9 g (94%) of N-benzothiazol-6-yl-2-hydroxyimino-acetamide: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.2 (s, 1H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.5 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 220 (M−H) − . To a 1-L 3-neck round bottom flask was placed a magnetic stir bar and 100 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid. The flask was fitted with a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the reaction. The sulfuric acid was heated to 100° C., and 10.0 g (45.2 mmol) of N-benzothiazol-6-yl-2-hydroxyimino-acetamide was added slowly. The solution was heated for ˜1 h, and the reaction mixture was poured into 750 g of ice and water. The residual reaction mixture in the reaction vessel was washed out with an additional 20 mL of cold water. The aqueous slurry was stirred for about 1 h and filtered. The solid was washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to yield 4.3 g (46%) of 6-H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7,8-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 203 (M−H) − .
Procedure B
Second Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation: Preparation of 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione
To a stirred solution of 1.0 g (6.0 mmol) of chloral hydrate in 25 mL of water was added 7.0 g (22 mmol) of sodium sulfate decahydrate, followed by a solution of 1.18 g (17.0 mmol) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 10 mL of water. A solution of 1.0 g (5.4 mmol) of 3-phenoxyaniline in 10 mL of 1.0 N HCl was then added with stirring. The resulting suspension was warmed, and 40 mL of 95% EtOH was added to dissolve the suspension. The solution was refluxed for 0.75 h and then cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and air dried to afford 0.95 g (67%) of 2-hydroxyimino-N-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide as a solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.50 (m, 5H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 10.29 (s, 1H), 12.21 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 255 (M−H) − . A suspension of 0.15 g (0.58 mmol) of 2-hydroxyimino-N-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide in 0.4 mL of BF 3 etherate was heated to 85° C. for 0.75 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and 10 g of crushed ice was added. The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexane/EtOAc 1.5:1) to afford 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione as a solid (0.018 g, 13%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.44 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (dd, J=2.0, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.29 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.52 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 9.05 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 255 (M+Na) + .
Procedure C
Third Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation (Hewawasam and Meanwell, Tetrahedron Letters 1994, 35, 7303-6): Preparation of 4-isopropoxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione and Conversion to 4-[N′-(4-isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide
Example 17
4-[N′-(4-Isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide
A solution of 3.78 g (25.0 mmol) of 3-isopropoxy aniline and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in 25 mL of THF was heated to reflux for 2 h. The solution was cooled to ambient temperature, and solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 100 mL of EtOAc, and the solution was washed with three 50-mL portions of 0.5 M citric acid and 50 mL of brine. The solution was dried over MgSO 4 and removal of solvent in vacuo afforded N-(t-butyloxy-carbonyl)-3-isopropoxyaniline as a white solid (5.75 9, 92%): mp 79-81° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.21 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 6H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 4.46 (septet, J=6 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (dd, J=2.1, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.0-7.1 (m, 2H), 9.23 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 274 (M+Na) + . To a solution of 2.5 g (10 mmol) of N-(t-butyloxycarbonyl)-3-isopropoxyaniline in 15 mL of dry THF at −78° C. was added 15 mL (25 mmol) of 1.7 M t-butyllithium in hexanes. The mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 2 h. A solution of 1.84 g (12.5 mmol) of diethyl oxalate in 10 mL of dry THF was added slowly over 5 min, and the mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then poured into 100 mL of 1.0 N HCl and extracted with two 100-mL portions of EtOAc. Solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in 100 mL of a 1:1 mixture of EtOH and 6 N HCl and heated to reflux for 1 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and was extracted with four 100-mL portions of EtOAc. The combined extracts were evaporated to dryness to provide crude 4-isopropoxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione, which was dissolved in 10 mL of EtOH containing 0.50 g (2.2 mmol) of 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride. The solution was heated to 80° C. for 1 h and cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane 3:2) to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (0.052 g, 1.4%): mp >250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.35 (d, J=6 Hz, 6H), 4.74 (septet, J=6 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.14-7.2 (m, 3H), 7.47 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.01 (s, 1H), 12.79 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 373 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 4 S: C, 54.53; H, 4.85; N, 14.96; S, 8.56. Found: C, 54.46; H, 4.84; N, 14.90; S, 8.50.
Procedure D
First Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation Gassman and van Bergen, Journal of the American Chemical Society 1974, 96, 5508-12): Preparation of 6.8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one
A 2-L three-neck round bottom flask was fitted with an internal thermometer, 250-mL addition funnel, magnetic stir bar and septa. The flask was charged with nitrogen, 200 mL of dry THF, and 6-aminobenzothiazole (15.2 g, 0.100 mol). The mixture was stirred and cooled in a dry ice-acetone bath to an internal temperature of −74° C. A solution of tert-butyl hypoclorite (11.0 g, 0.103 mol) in 50 mL of dichloromethane was added over a 15 min period. The resultant solution was stirred for an additional 3 h at dry ice-acetone bath temperature. To the reaction was then added by slow, dropwise addition a solution of ethyl methylthioacetate (13.8 g, 0.103 mol) in 50 mL of dichoromethane. The resultant solution was stirred for an additional 3 h at dry ice-acetone bath temperature. A solution of triethyl amine (25.3 g, 0.250 mol) and 50 ml of dichloromethane was added at dry ice-acetone bath temperature, and the solution was stirred for 0.5 h. The cooling bath was removed, and the reaction was allowed to warm to rt. The reaction was then concentrated to a thick residue. The thick oil was resuspended in 200 mL of ether and 600 mL of 0.25 M hydrochloric acid. The mixture was allowed to stir for 24 h. The resulting solid was filtered from the mixture and triturated with water and ether. The solid was then resuspended in cold MeOH, filtered and dried under vacuum for 16 h to yield 18.7 g (79%) of 8-methylsulfanyl-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 10.8 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.0 (d, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 1.8 (s, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 235 (M−H) − . To a 500-mL erlenmeyer flask was added a stir bar, 8.1 g (0.034 moles) of 8-methylsulfanyl-6,8-dihydro-1-thio-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 100 mL of glacial acetic acid. The mixture was stirred until all the starting material had dissolved. The reaction mixture was then diluted with 100 mL of THF. Zinc metal (16 g, 325 mesh) was then added. The heterogeneous mixture was then stirred and heated to 60° C. for 2.5 h. The mixture was vacuum filtered through a one half inch pad of celite. The residue on the filter pad was washed with additional THF. The filtrates were combined and concentrated to a wet solid. The solid was triturated with MeOH, filtered and air dried to yield 4.51 g (70%) of 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one as a free-flowing solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 3.6 (s, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 191 (M+H) + .
Procedure E
Second Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation (Johnson and Aristoff, Journal of Organic Chemistry 1990, 55, 1374-5): Preparation of 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester and conversion to 2-oxo-3-4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer)
Example 27
2-Oxo-3(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer)
A solution of 2.66 g (20.0 mmol) of ethyl (methylthio)acetate dissolved in 200 mL of dichloromethane was cooled with stirring to −70° C. and 2.7 g (20.0 mmol) of sulfuryl chloride was added. The reaction was stirred for 30 min. at −70° C., and a solution of 3.0 g (20 mol) of methyl 4-aminobenzoate and 4.39 (20 mmol) of Proton Sponge® in 250 mL of dichloromethane was added dropwise over 1 h. The resulting pink slurry was treated with 2.3 g (23 mmol) of TEA in one portion, and the solution was allowed to warm to rt. The solution was washed with three 250-mL portions of water, dried over MgSO 4 , and concentrated to give an oil. This was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1) to yield 2.0 g (42% yield) of 3-methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.97 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 4.67 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H). 7.91 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H). A solution of 2.0 g (8.4 mmol) of 3-methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 20 mL of acetic acid was treated with 10 g of zinc powder. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at rt, filtered through celite and concentrated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1) to yield 1.6 g (99% yield) of 2oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a pink solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.52 (s, 2H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 6.87 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (s, J=1H), 7.80 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.72 (br s, 1H). Conversion to the 3-dimethylaminomethylene-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (mixture of E and Z isomers) was carried out via Procedure G in 49% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.29 Z (s, 6H), 3.31 E (s, 6H), 3.76 Z (s, 3H), 3.76 E (s, 3H), 6.74 Z (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.81 E (d. J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.50 Z (m, 1H), 7.50-7.52 E (m, 1H), 7.57 E (dd, J=1.3, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.74 Z (s, 1H), 7.89 Z (s, 1H), 7.94 E (s, 1H), 10.33 Z (bs, 1H), 10.43 E (bs, 1H). The title compound was prepared in 41% yield from 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]oxindole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.92 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H). 7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 10.80 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 10.94 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 372 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 15 N 3 O 5 S: C, 54.68, H, 4.05; N, 11.25; S, 8.59. Found C, 54.65, H, 4.12; N, 11.17; S. 8.49.
Procedure F
Third Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation (Seibert, Chemie Berichte 1947, 80, 494-502): Preparation of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-2-one
A solution of 2.3 g (12 mmol) of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 2.0 ml (0.06 mol) of hydrazine in 50 ml of DMF and 50 ml of ethanol was stirred at reflux for 2 h. The resulting suspension was allowed to cool to ambient temperature and was then chilled in an ice bath and filtered. The solid was washed with a small volume of ethanol and allowed to air dry to give 1-hydrazono-1,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-2-one as an orange solid (1.8 g, 73%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.37 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.71 (dd, J=4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.80 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 9.90 (br d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 10.89 (br d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (br s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 213 (M+H) + . A solution 1.8 g (8.5 mmol) of 1-hydrazono-1,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-2-one in 50 ml of freshly prepared 0.5 M sodium ethoxide solution was stirred at reflux for 3 h. The solution was diluted with 50 ml of water, neutralized with acetic acid, and concentrated on a rotary evaporator until cloudy. The solution was stored in a refrigerator overnight. The solid was filtered off, and the filtrate was extracted with three 80-ml portions of EtOAc. A solution of the solid in MeOH/EtOAc was combined with the extracts. and passed through a short pad of silica gel, eluting with EtOAc. The solution was then concentrated to a small volume on a rotary evaporator, and the resulting suspension was diluted with an equal volume of ethanol, sonicated, and filtered to give 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-2-one as a light green solid (0.52 g, 33%); 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.80 (s, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.70 (dd, J=4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 10.57 (br s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 183 (M−H) − .
Procedure G
Method for isatin hydrazone Formation: Preparation of C-{4-[N′-(5-hydroxy-4,6dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol(3-ylidene)hydrazino]phenyl}-N-methylmethanesulfonamide
Example 99
C-{4-[N′-(5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol(3-ylidene)hydrazino]phenyl}-N-methylmethanesulfonamide
4,6-Dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione was prepared from 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 10.65 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 190 (M−H) − . A mixture of 100 mg (0.52 mmol) of 4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-indol-2,3dione and 144 mg (0.57 mmol) of C-(4-hydrazinophenyl)-N-methylmethanesulfonamide hydrochloride in 5 ml of EtOH was heated to 80° C. for 1 h. Upon cooling 10 ml of H 2 O was added and the solid was collected by vacuum filtration and dried in a vacuum oven at 60° C. to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (79 mg, 79%); mp 252-255° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H) 2.52 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 6.84 (q, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.28-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.92 (s, 1H), 10.69 (s, 1H), 12.87 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 411 (M+Na) + . Anal. Calcd for C 18 H 20 N 4 O 4 S: C, 55.66; H, 5.19; N, 14.42, S, 8.25. Found: C, 55.56; H. 5.21; N, 14.25; S, 8.08.
Procedure H
Method for dimethylaminomethinyloxindole Formation: Preparation of 8dimethylamino-methylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one
To a suspension of 1.0 g (5.3 mmol) of 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one in 7.5 mL of DMF was added 1.38 g (6.80 mmol) of N,N-dimethylformamide-di-t-butyl acetal. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h and diluted with 7.5 mL of Et 2 O. The resulting precipitate was isolated filtration to afford 8dimethylamino-methylene-6,8dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one as a tan solid (1.0 g, 77%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.33 (bs, 3H), 3.59 (bs, 3H), 6.97 (d, J=8.4, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.4, 1H), 9.13 (s,1H), 10.29 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z246 (M+H) + .
Procedure I
Method for ethoxymethinytoxindole Formation: Preparation of 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one.
To a 250-ml round bottom flask was added a stir bar, 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (4.0 g, 0.021 mol), 40 mL of glacial acetic and diethoxymethyl acetate (17.0 g, 0.105 moles). The flask was fitted with a reflux condensor and charged with nitrogen. The reaction was heated to reflux for 8 h. The flask was cooled, the stir bar was removed and the reaction was concentrated to a wet solid. The solid was triturated with a solution of ether and ethanol. The mixture was filtered, the solid was washed with an ethanol-ether solution, and the solid was dried under vacuum to yield 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 4.5 (q, 2H), 1.4 (t, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 245 (M−H) − .
Procedure J
Method for Vinylogous Urea Formation: Preparation of 4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benxenesulfonamide
Example 72
4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide
To a 25 ml round bottom flask was added a stir bar, 246 mg (1.00 mmol) of 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one. 249 (1.00 mmol) of sulfapyridine and 10 ml of ethanol. The flask was fitted with a water-cooled reflux condenser, and the mixture was heated to reflux using an oil bath with stirring for 18 h. The reaction was allowed to cool and was filtered. The precipitate was washed with excess ethanol and dried under vacuum to yield 321 mg (71%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.9 (br s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 2H), 7.9 (m 3H) 7.8 (m, 1H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 6.9 (t, 1H); C 21 H 15 N 5 O 3 S 2 : APCI−MS m/z 450 (M+H) + .
Note: One equivalent of strong acid, e.g., HCl or methanesulfonic acid, is generally required in this reaction. The acid can be supplied as the aniline salt or as a separate component. Similar conditions can be used for condensing anilines with 3-dimethylaminomethylene-, 3-t-butoxymethylene-, and 3-hydroxymethylene-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ones.
Procedure K
Method for 5-N-substituted Amide Formation: Preparation of 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide
Example 38
2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide
To 100 mg (0.190 mmol) 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester in 5 mL acetonitrile was added 50 μL (5.6 M in ethanol, 0.28 mmol) of a solution of dimethylamine and 20 μL (0.25 mmol) of pyridine, and the reaction was stirred overnight. The solution was concentrated, and the resulting solid was triturated with EtOAc to give the title compound as a yellow solid (39 mg, 53%): mp>230° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.22 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (dd, J=1.7, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.95 (s, 6H); APCI−MS: m/z 386 (m−H). Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 5 S.1/2H 2 O: C, 51.51; H, 4.58; N, 17.67. Found: C, 51.69; H, 4.25; N, 17.63.
Procedure L
Method for Introducing 4-substituents Via Palladium-catalyzed Coupling: Preparation of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
Example 15
4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
A mixture of 1.0 g (3.6 mmol) of 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3dione (Snow, et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 1977, 99, 3734-44), 0.42 g (4.2 mmol) of TEA, 0.06 g (0.27 mmol) of palladium(II) acetate, 0.16 g (0.54 mmol) of tri-o-tolylphosphine and 5.0 g (4.2 mmol) of a 10% solution of 4-vinylphenol in propylene glycol was suspended in 15 mL of dry acetonitrile in a pyrex sealed tube and heated to 100° C. for 4 h. The mixture was cooled to rt, quenched with 50 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid and extracted with two 100 mL-portions of EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give a brown solid, which was subjected to chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (3:1), to yield 0.125 g (13%) of trans-4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-1H-indole-2,3-dione as a red solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.6-7.6 (m, 8H), 7.77 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1H), 9.85 (bs, 1H), 11.00 (bs, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 264 (M−1) − . Condensation of trans-4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)vinyl]-1H-indole-2,3dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 27% yield as an orange solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.78 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.26 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), ), 7.29 (s, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53(d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), ), 7.81 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=16.5 Hz 1H), 9.78 (s, 1H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 13.02 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z433 (M−1) − .
Procedure M
Method for Reducing 4-alkenyl Substituents: Preparation of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide
Example 14
4-N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide
A mixture of 0.028 g (0.64 mmol) of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) and 0.015 g of 10% palladium on charcoal in 60 mL of MeOH:THF (4:1) was subjected to hydrogenation on a Parr apparatus at 50 psi for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give 0.026 g (93%) of the title compound as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.82 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.69 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.78 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), ), 7.07 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 9.20 (bs, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.02 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z435 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 1
4-[N′-(4-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 4-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 33% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.23 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (s, 2H), 7.47 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.59 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 11.59 (s, 1H), 13.20 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 361 (M) − . Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 5 O 5 S: C, 46.54, H, 3.07; N, 19.38; S, 8.87. Found C, 46.62, H, 3.09; N, 19.46; S. 8.81.
EXAMPLE 2
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid amide (E isomer)
1H-Indole-2,3-dione-4-carboxamide was prepared from aniline-3-carboxamide according to Procedure A in 3% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):δ 7.17 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), ), 7.56 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.02 (bs, 2H), 11.86 (bs, 1H); APCI+MS m/z 191 (M+1) − . Condensation of 1H-indole-2,3-dione-4-carboxamide with 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 31% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (s, 2H), 7.27 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.0 (bs, 2H), 10.40 (s, 1H), 10.80 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 359 (M) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 5 O 4 S.0.12 H 2 O: C, 49.83, H, 3.69; N, 19.37; S, 8.86. Found C, 49.71, H, 3.71; N, 19.32; S, 8.84.
EXAMPLE 3
4-[N′-(4-Isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 4-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Krantz and Young, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,232) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 73% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.30 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H), 3.82 (septet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.76 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.10 (s, 1H), 13.05 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 357 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 3 S: C, 56.97, H. 5.06; N, 15.63; S. 8.95. Found C, 56.88, H, 5.12; N, 15.73; S, 8.91.
EXAMPLE 4
4-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide
A mixture of 3.0 g (20 mmol) of 3-aminobenzyl alcohol, 3.36 g (22.0 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 1.52 g (22.0 mmol) of imidazole were dissolved in 20 mL of DMF. The solution was stirred at rt for 16 h and then diluted with 250 mL of hexane and 250 mL of EtOAc. The organic phase was washed twice with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 4.8 g of 3-([t-butyldimethylsilyloxy]methyl-benzenamine as a clear oil. This was dissolved in 100 mL of CH 2 Cl 2, cooled with stirring to −65° C. and 2.17 g (20.0 mmol) of t-butyl hypochlorite was added. After 10 min of stirring, a solution of 2.68 g (20.0 mmol) of ethyl methylthioaceatate in 10 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 was added, and the solution was stirred for 1 h. TEA (2.02 g, 20.0 mmol) was added and the reaction was warmed to rt over 1 h. The solution was washed with water and concentrated to an oil. This was redissolved in 100 mL of ether, 12 mL of 2 N hydrochloric acid was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight. The ether phase was separated and concentrated to an oil. This was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (initially a 3:1 ratio increasing to 1:2).to yield 0.82 g (20%) of 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.89 (s, 3H), 4.45 (s, 1H), 4.62 (m, 2H), 5.1 (bs, 1H), 6.87 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.44 (s, 1H). Further elution yielded 0.53 g (13%) of 6-hydroxymethyl-3-methysulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.99 (s, 3H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.50 (s, 1H), 5.1 (bs, 1H), 6.84 (s, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H).
A solution of 0.82 g (3.9 mmol) of 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF (20 mL) was treated with 0.65 g (4.3 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 0.3 g (4.4 mmol) of imidazole and stirred for 24 h.
The solution was diluted with 75 mL of hexane and 75 mL of EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 1.2 g (95%) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a clear oil which crystallised upon storage at rt: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.051 (s, 3H), 0.064 (s, 3H), 0.881 (s, 9H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 4.43 (s, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=14.2 Hz, 1H), 4.88 (d, J=14.2 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.48 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 346 (M+23) + .
A solution of 1.2 g (3.7 mmol) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in THF (25 mL) was stirred with saturated ammonium chloride solution (20 mL), and activated zinc dust (5 g) was added. The mixture was stirred for 60 h at rt. The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 1.16 g of impure 4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as an off-white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.11 (s, 6H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 3.42 (s, 2H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 6.74 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 695 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H) 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.40 (s, 1H). A solution of 0.64 g (2.3 mmol) of 4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF dimethylacetal (5 mL) was heated to 100° C. for 1 h. The excess DMF dimethylacetal was removed under high vacuum, and the resulting dark oil was chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with EtOAc, to give 0.34 g (44%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-4-(t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ −0.03 (s, 6H), 0.81 (s, 9H), 3.29 (s, 6H), 4.64 (s, 2H), 6.66 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 9.97 (s, 1H) ); APCI−MS m/z 333 (M+1) + . A solution of 0.115 g (0.34 mmol) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in ethanol (10 mL) was treated with 0.076 g (0.34 mmol) N-methylsulfanilamide hydrochloride. The solution was refluxed for 0.5 h and cooled to rt. The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to yield 0.048 g (38%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 5.3 (bs, 1H), 6.78 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 10.67 (s, 1H), 11.26 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 358 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 3 O 4 S: C, 56.81, H, 4.77; N, 11.69, S, 8.92. Found C, 56.89, H, 4.81; N, 11.70; S, 8.84.
EXAMPLE 5
4-N′-[2-Oxo-4-2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
A mixture of 3.0 g (20 mmol) of 3-nitroiodobenzene, 3.5 mL (25 mmol) of TEA, 0.045 g (0.20 mmol) of palladium(II) acetate and 2.77 g (25.0 mmol) of 4-vinylpyridine was suspended in 4 mL of dry acetonitrle in a pyrex sealed tube and heated to 100° C. for 48 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and was quenched with 200 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid. The resulting yellow solid was isolated by filtration and partitioned between 250 mL of EtOAc and 250 mL of 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The organic phase was dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 3.0 g (66%) of 4-[2-(3-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-pyridine as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.0-4.6 (br s, 1H), 7.71-7.78 (m, 2H), 8.07 (d, J=15.8 Hz, 1H), 8.13-8.16 (m, 3H), 8.24 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.56 (s, 1H), 8,84 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H); ESI−MS m/z 227 (M+1) + . A portion (1.3 g, 7.1 mmol) of this solid was dissolved in 100 mL of EtOAc, and 0.5 g of 10% palladium on charcoal was added. The mixture was hydrogenated on a Parr apparatus at 40 psi for 1.5 h. Another 0.5 g batch of 10% palladium on charcoal was added and the mixture was subjected to further hydrogenation for 1 h. The palladium catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give 1.13 g (100%) of 3-(4-pyridinyl)ethylaniline: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 4.9 (bs, 2H), 6.33 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 6.86 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 8.41 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H). Conversion of 3-[2-(4-pyridinyl)ethyl]-aniline to 4-2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was accomplished according to Procedure A in 24% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.80 (m, 2H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 6.70 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 7.40 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (bs, 2H), 11.00 (s, 1H). Conversion of 4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1H-indole-2,3dione to the title compound was accomplished according to Procedure G in 40% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.98 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (m, 2H, underneath water peak), 6.78 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.29 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.66 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.47 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 11.13 (s, 1H), 12.98 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 420 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 19 N 5 O 3 S.0.15 HCl: C, 55.93, H, 4.43; N, 15.53; S, 7.11. Found C, 56.05, H, 4.36; N, 15.38; S, 7.18.
EXAMPLE 6
2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino)-methylene]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Connolly and Durst, Synlett 1996, 663-4; Kozikowski and Kuniak, Journal of Organic Chemistry 1978, 43, 2083-4) and sulfanilamide according to Procedure J in 14% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.33 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H), 4.37 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H). 7.30 (s, 2H), 7.41 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H)), 9.50 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H), 10.96 (s, 1H), 11.75 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 386 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 7
4-[N′-(4-Iodo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benxenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Snow, et al., Journal of -the American Chemical Society 1977, 99, 3734-44) and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 87% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.93 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 12.94 (s,1H); APCI−MS m/z 441 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 11 IN 4 O 3 S: C, 38.02, H, 2.51; I, 28.70; N, 12.67; S, 7.25. Found C, 38.05, H, 2.51; I, 28.78; N, 12.64; S, 7.19.
EXAMPLE 8
4-[N′-(4-Isobutyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide
A mixture of 0.20 g (1.0 mmol) of 4-(2-methyl-propenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 0.05 g of 10% palladium on charcoal in 25 mL of EtOAc was subjected to hydrogenation on a Parr apparatus at 46 psi for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness. The solid was purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (4:1), to furnish 0.027 g (13%) of 4-isobutyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.89 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H), 1.86 (nonet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 11.03 (s, 1H).
Condensation of 4-isobutyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamido-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 65% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.96 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.87 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 6.79 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=7.6 Hz 1H), 7.20 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 11.13 (s, 1H), 13.03 (s,1H); APCI−MS m/z 371 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 9
4{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-propenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide
By methods described in Procedure L, 4-(2-methyl-propenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione and isobutylene in 34% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.82 (s, 3H), 1.90 (s, 3H), 6.79 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 200 (M−1) − . Condensation of 4-(2-methyl-propenyly1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound as a yellow solid (51% yield): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.84 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.91 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 369 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 18 H 18 N 4 O 3 S: C, 58.36, H. 4.90; N, 15.12; S, 8.66. Found C, 58.41, H. 4.87; N, 15.18; S, 8.56.
EXAMPLE 10
4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-1-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide and 4{N′-[4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide
Coupling of 4-iodoisatin and 2-methyl-1-butene according to Procedure L gave a mixture of isomers [the major pair of isomers was E/Z4-(2-methyl-1-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and the minor pair of isomers was E/Z4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione] in 21% yield.: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , integral ratios are normalized to the 1H singlet observed at δ 10.97): δ 1.06 (m, 2.6H), 1.47 (s, 1.05H), 1.83 (m, 1.4H), 1.88 (s, 1.1H), 2.19 (m, 1.6H), 3.50 (s, 0.26H), 5.22 (m, 0.16H), 6.60-6.72 (m, 2H), 6.76-6.82 (m, 0.23H), 6.86 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 0.35H), 7.46 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 0.42H), 7.4-7.6 (m, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 214 (M−1) − . Condensation of the mixture of E/Z-4-(2-methyl-1-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and E/Z-4-2-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound mixture as a yellow solid (51% yield): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , integral ratios are normalized to the 1H singlet observed at δ 11.11): δ 1.07 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1.3H), 1.21 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1.3H), 1.54 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 0.7H), 1.63 (s, 0.7H), 1.86 (s, 1.2H), 2.03 (s, 1.1H), 2.21 (q, J=7.7 Hz, 0.7H), 2.32 (q, J=7.7 Hz, 0.8H), 3.71 (s, 0.4H), 5.2 (m, 0.2H), 6.72-6.85 (m, 2.1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 0.39H), 6.97 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 0.42H), 7.18-7.26 (m, 3.1H), 7.47-7.51 (m, 2.1H), 7.77-7.81 (m, 2.1H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.89 (s, 0.3H), 12.97 (s, 0.35H), 13.02 (s, 0.24H); APCI−MS m/z 383 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 11
4-{N′-[4-(2-methylbutyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide
Reduction of the mixture of 4-{N′-[4-2-methyl-1-butenyl)-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide and 4-{N′-[4-2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure M gave the title compound in 79% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.87-0.90 (m, 6H), 1.21-1.25 (m, 2H), 1.47-1.63 (m, 1H), 2.82 (dd, J=12.6, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.95 (dd, J=12.6, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.49 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.04 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 385 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 12
4-[N′-4-Cyclobutylmethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
Reduction of 4-[N′-(4-cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide according to methods described in Procedure M gave the title compound in 94% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.81 (m, 4H), 1.96 (m, 2H), 2.73 (m, 1H), 3.07 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 6.76 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 11.08 (s, 1H). 12.93 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 383 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 13
4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
By methods described in Procedure L, 4-cyclobutylidenemethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione and methylene cyclobutene in 25% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.08 (quintet, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.91 (m, 2H), 3.06 (m, 2H), 6.67 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 11.00 (bs, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 211 (M−1) − . Condensation of 4-(cyclobutylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 76% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.11 (quintet, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.00 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.74 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 7.21 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.47 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.03 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 381 (M−1) − .
EXAMPLE 14
See Procedure M
EXAMPLE 15
See Procedure L
EXAMPLE 16
4-[N′-(2-Oxo-4-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers)
The title compound was prepared from 3-phenoxyaniline and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure C: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 E (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.70 E (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.76 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 Z (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.99 Z (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.06 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.1-7.6 E (m, 10H), 7.1-7.6 Z (m, 6H), 7.62 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.74 E (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 10.88 E (s, 1H), 11.18 E (s, 1H), 11.27 Z (s, 1H), 12.77 Z (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 407 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 16 N 4 O 4 S: C, 58.81; H, 3.95; N, 13.72; S, 7.85. Found: C, 58.53; H, 4.02; N, 13.66; S, 7.79.
EXAMPLE 17
See Procedure C
EXAMPLE 18
4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide
4-(1H-Pyrazol-3-yl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)aniline according to Procedure A. The title compound was prepared from 4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)isatin and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.72 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.48-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.93 (s, 1H); ESI−MS: m/z 381 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 19
4-[(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-somer)
The title compound was prepared in 68% yield from ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO- 6 ): δ 10.79 (d, 1 H), 10.73 (s, 1H), 8.76 (d, 1H), 8.38 (s, 1H), 8.0 ( s, 1H), 7.77 (d, 2H), 7.56 ( d, 2H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 6.91 (d, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 381 (MH) − .
EXAMPLE 20
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-carboxylic acid and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G. To a suspension of 2.75 g (7.63 mmol) of the 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid in 20 mL DMF was added 1.38 mL (8.03 mmol) pentafluorophenyltrifluoroacetate (PFPTFA), 0.69 mL (8.53 mmol) pyridine, and the suspension was stirred under N 2 for 20 min. TLC (silica gel, 20% MeOH/CH 2 Cl 2 ) indicated residual starting material remained, and the reaction was treated with 10 mL DMF and additional PFPTFA and pyridine (equal portions to above). The reaction was stirred overnight and then poured into 400 mL ether. The solution was washed with two 500-mL portions of water, and 300 mL of EtOAc was added to dissolve precipitate. The solution was washed with 500 mL water, dried over Na 2 SO 4, filtered through silica gel and concentrated to remove ether. The resulting solid was collected by filtration, washed 50 mL 1:1 ethylacetate:hexanes and dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to give the title compound as a bright yellow solid (2.30 g, 57%): mp>230° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):δ 12.77 (s, 1H), 11.68 (s, 1H), 8.32 (d, J=1.9 Hz. 1H), 8.11 (dd, J=1.9 Hz, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.67 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.16 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 525 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 11 N 4 O 5 SF 5 : C, 47.92; H. 2.11; N, 10.64. Found: C, 48.00; H, 2.13; N, 10.54.
EXAMPLE 21
4-[N′-(5-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 94% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.14 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (s, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.23 (dd, J=2.2, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 11.76 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H). Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 5 O 5 S: C, 46.54, H, 3.07; N, 19.38. Found C, 46.76, H, 3.13; N, 19.23.
EXAMPLE 22
4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-1H-indole-2,3dione (Ijaz, et al., Indian Journal of Chemistry 1994, 33B, 288-9) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochlorideaccording to Procedure G in 30% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.79 (dd, J=2.2, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.72 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 9.20 (s, 1H), 10.80 (s, 1H), 12.82 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 331 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 23
4-[N′-(5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (E isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 86% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.3 (s, 3H), 6.76 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=7.9 Hz. 1H), 7.20 (s, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 10.51 (s, 1H), 10.62 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 329 (M−1) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 3 S: C, 54.54, H, 4.27; N, 16.96; S, 9.71. Found C, 54.54, H, 4.32; N, 16.87; S. 9.62.
EXAMPLE 24
N-Methyl-4-[N′-(2-oxo-5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
5-[1,2,4]Triazol-1-yl-1H-indole-2,3dione was prepared from 4-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-phenylamine according to Procedure A in 6% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (dd, J=2.2, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 9.26 (s, 1H), 11.19 (bs, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 215 (M+1) + . Condensation of 5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1H-indole-2,3-dione with 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-phenylsulfonamide according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 86% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.38 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 7.05 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 3H), 8.01 (s, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 9.23 (s, 1H), 11.27 (s, 1H), 12.80 (s, 1H); Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 7 O 3 S.1.3 H 2 O: C, 48.52, H, 4.22; N, 23.30; S, 7.62. Found C, 48.53, H, 4.25; N, 23.17; S, 7.55.
EXAMPLE 25
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid Sodium salt
The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ6.83 (d. J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.50 (dd, J=1.7, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 395 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 4 O 6 S 2 Na.0.9H 2 O.0.2 C 2 H 6 O: C, 38.97; H, 3.18; N, 12.62; S, 14.45. Found: C, 38.84; H, 3.31; N, 12.63; S, 14.59.
EXAMPLE 26
3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid amide
The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5carboxylic acid amide and 4-N-methylsulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 6.94 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (bs, 1H), 7.30 (q, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (dd, J 1 =1.5 Hz, J 2 =8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (bs, 1H), 8.12 (s, 1H), 11.30 (s, 1H), 12.73 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 372 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 27
See Procedure E
EXAMPLE 28
5-Bromo-3-[(4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one
The title compound was prepared in 72% yield from 5-bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Meth-Cohn and Goon, Tetrahedron Letters 1996, 37, 9381-4) and 4-methylsulfonylphenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.7 (s, 1H), 11.3 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 2H), 7.7-7.8 (m, 3H), 7.4 (dd, 1 H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 3.2 (s, 3H); ESI−MS m/z 392 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 29
3-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylimino-methylene)-5-iodo-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one
The title compound was prepared in 43% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 5-aminobenzotriazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8-7.9 (br m), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 404 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 30
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid amide
The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid amide and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (dd, J=8.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.98 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 11.43 (s, 1H), 12.75 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 395 (M) − + . Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 13 N 5 O 5 S 2 .0.5 H 2 O: C, 41.58; H, 3.49; N, 17.32; S, 15.86. Found: C, 41.67; H, 3.46; N, 17.26; S, 15.78.
EXAMPLE 31
4-[N′-(5-Methylsulfonyl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide
5-Methylsulfonyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-methylsulfonylaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.21 (s, 3H), 7.07(d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (dd, J=8.2, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 11.46 (s,1H); APCI−MS m/z 225 (M) − + . The title compound was prepared from 5-methylsulfonyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.20 (s, 3H), 7.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.65 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (dd, J=8.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 11.54 (s, 1H), 12.75 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 394 (M) − + . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 5 S 2 .0.9 H 2 O: C, 43.87; H, 3.88; N, 13.64; S, 15.62. Found: C, 43.96; H, 3.80; N, 13.58; S, 15.67.
EXAMPLE 32
3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid methylamide
1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid methylamide was prepared from N-methylsulfonamidoaniline hydrochloride according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 3H), 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (q. J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 11.38 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 239 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3dione-5-sulfonic acid methylamide and 4-N-methylsulfonamido)-phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.38 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 6H), 7.08 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.33(q, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (q, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.1, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.91 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 11.48 (s, 1H), 12.77 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 422 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 17 N 5 O 5 S 2 : C, 45.38; H, 4.05; N, 16.54. Found: C, 45.46; H, 4.04; N, 16.45.
EXAMPLE 33
4-{N′[5-(1-Hydroxyimino-ethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide
5-(1-Hydroxyiminoethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-aminoacetophenone according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.00 (s, 3H), 6.83 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (dd, J=8.5, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 9.99 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 203 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared from 5-(1-hydroxyiminoethyly-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-(N-methylsulfonamido)phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.37 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 6.85 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=8.4, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.91 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 9.88 (s, 1H), 10.99 (s, 1H), 12.79 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 386 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 4 S: C, 52.70; H, 4.42; N, 18.08. Found: C, 52.80; H, 4.50; N, 17.90.
EXAMPLE 34
4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-ethylamino]-benzenesulfonamide
3-(1-Dimethylaminoethylidene)-5-(oxazol-5-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one was prepared from 5-(oxazol-5-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one and N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal according to Procedure H. Condensation of 3-(1-dimethylaminoethylidene)-5-(oxazol-5-yl)- 1,3-dihydroindol-2-one and sulfanilamide according to Procedure J provided the title compound: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.51 (s, 0.8H, DMSO), 2.61 (s, 3H), 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (s, 2H), 7.40 (dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 10.85 (s, 1H), 12.33 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 395 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 19 H 16 N 4 O 4 S.0.1 C 2 H 6 OS.0.6 H 2 O: C, 55.56; H, 4.32; N, 13.50; S, 8.50. Found: C, 55.53; H, 4.32; N, 13.27; S. 8.58.
EXAMPLE 35
N,N-Dimethyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide
3-Methylsulfanyl-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 4-oxazol -5-yl-aniline according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.3 (s, 1H), 7.5 (s, 3H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 4.5 (s, 1H), 2.0 (s, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 247 (M+H) + . 5-Oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 3-methylsulfanyl-5oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 8.3 (s, 1H), 7.5 (m, 3H), 6,8 (d, 1H), 3.5 (s, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 201 (M+H) + . 3-Ethoxymethylene-5oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one according to Procedure I: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.43 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.51 (m, 2H), 6.90, (d, 1H), 4.43 (q, 2H), 1.4 (t, 3H): APCI−MS m/z 255 (M−H) + . The title compound was prepared in 36% yield from 3-ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and N,N-dimethyl4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.9 ( d, 1H), 10.8 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.4 (s, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.7 (br d, 4H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 2.6 (s, 6H); APCI−MS m/z 409 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 36
4-[-1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (5:1 E:Z isomer mixture)
The title mixture of isomers was prepared from 5-oxazol-5-yl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ (5:1 ratio of Z:E isomers), E 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), Z 7.00 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), E 7.23 (s, 2H), Z7.25 (s, 2H), Z 7.61 (d, J=9.1Hz, 2H), E 7.61 (d, J=9.1Hz, 2H), Z 7.62 (dd, J=8.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), Z 7.65 (s, 1H), E 7.65 (s, 1H), E 7.65 (dd, J=8.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), Z 7.78 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), E 7.81 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), Z 7.90 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), Z 8.40 (s, 1H), E 8.43 (s, 1H), E8.47 (d, J=1.3 Hz, 1H), E 10.83 (s, 1H), E 10.98 (s, 1H), Z 11.25 (s, 1H), Z 12.78 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z382 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 13 N 5 O 4 S .1.2 H 2 O.0.4 C 2 H 6 O: C, 50.49; H, 4.24; N, 16.54. Found: C, 50.50; H, 4.15; N, 16.56.
EXAMPLE 37
4-[-(2-Oxo-5-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 0.62 g (3.0 mmol) of 5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Hewawasam and Meanwell, Tetrahedron Letters 1994, 35, 7303-6) in 10 mL of DMF was treated with 0.90 g (4.5 mmol) of DMF di-tert-butyl acetal for 2 h at rt. DMF was removed under high vaccum, and the residue was subjected to chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1), to yield 0.09 g (10%) of 3-tert-butoxymethylene-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.46 (s, 9H), 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.34-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.41 (d, J 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 10.28 (s, 1H); APCI+MS m/z 316 (M+23) + . Further elution with EtOAc:MeOH (98:2) gave 0.11 g (14%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one.
A solution of 0.09 g (0.31 mmol) of 5-phenyl-3-tert-butoxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one, 0.053 g (0.31 mmol) of sulfanilamide, and 2 drops of conc. HCl in 15 mL of ethanol was refluxed for 1 h and cooled to rt. The resulting yellow solid was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to give 0.068 g (56%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.90 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.29 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (dd, J=1.6, 8.2Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.55 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.74 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.62 (s, 1H), 10.76 (d, J=12.5 Hz,1H); APCI−MS m/z 390 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 38
See Procedure K
EXAMPLE 39
2-Oxo-3-[(4-suffamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid (furan-2-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[-(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-aminomethylfuran according to Procedure K: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.51 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 6.31 (d, J=3 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J=3 Hz), 7.02 (d, J=8.3, 1H), 7.30 (s, 2H), 7.66 (m, 3H), 7.88 (m, 3H), 8.18 (s, 1H), 9.02 (br t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 11.4 (s, 1H), 12.8 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 438 (M−H) − ; Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 17 N 5 O 5 S.1/2 H 2 O: C, 53.57; H, 4.05; N, 15.62; S, 7,15. Found: C, 53.91; H, 4.01; N, 15.13; S, 6.78.
EXAMPLE 40
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid-2,6-dimethoxybenzylamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5 carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2,6-dimethoxybenzylamine according to Procedure K: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.76 (s, 6H), 4.43 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 2H), 6.65 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.91 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (m, 3H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 8.13 (br s, 1H), 11.27 (s, 1H), 12.76 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 532 (M+Na) + ; Anal. Calcd for C 24 H 23 N 5 O 6 S.1/2 H 2 O: C, 55.59; H, 4.67; N, 13.51; S, 6.18. Found: C, 55.69; H, 4.64; N, 13.61; S, 6.09.
EXAMPLE 41
2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-morpholin-4yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-N-morpholino)ethylamine according to Procedure K: mp210-212° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 24 N 6 O 5 S.1/4H 2 O: C, 52.88; H, 5.18; N, 17.62. Found: C, 52.91; H, 5.24; N, 17.35.
EXAMPLE 42
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-imidazol-1-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-(N-imidazolo)ethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 18 N 7 O 4 S: C, 53.09; H, 4.01; N, 21.67. Found: C, 52.83; H, 4.24; N, 21.55.
EXAMPLE 43
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 3-(N-morpholino)propylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 21 N 7 O 4 S.1/2H 2 O: C, 52.93; H, 4.65; N, 20.581. Found: C, 52.93; H, 4.40; N, 20.17.
EXAMPLE 44
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-methoxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-methoxyethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 18 H 19 N 5 O 5 S: C, 51.79; H, 4.59; N, 16.78. Found: C, 51.69; H, 4.54; N, 16.72.
EXAMPLE 45
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-hydroxyethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 5 S: C, 50.61; H, 4.25; N, 17.36. Found: C, 50.53; H, 4.28; N, 17.27.
EXAMPLE 46
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxypropyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-hydroxypropylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 18 H 19 N 5 O 5 S.1/3H 2 O: C, 51.06; H, 4.68; N, 16.54. Found: C, 51.07; H, 4.45; N, 16.45.
EXAMPLE 47
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 23 N 5 O 5 S: C, 53.92; H, 5.20; N, 15.72. Found: C, 54.04; H, 5.17; N, 15.77.
EXAMPLE 48
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and (3-pyridyl)methylamine according to Procedure K: mp 211-215° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 18 N 6 O 4 S.H 2 O: C, 53.84; H, 4.30; N, 17.94. Found: C, 54.29; H, 4.03; N, 17.82.
EXAMPLE 49
2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and (4-pyridyl)methylamine according to Procedure K: mp 211-215° C.; Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 18 N 6 O 4 S.3/4H 2 O: C, 54.36; H, 4.24; N, 18.11. Found: C, 54.41; H, 4.20; N, 18.12.
EXAMPLE 50
4-[N′-(5-Methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.80 (s, 3H), 6.87 (s, 2H), 7.20 (s, 1H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.93 (s, 1H), 12.85 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 344.9 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 51
4-[N′-(5-Amino-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5-amino-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.95 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.2 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.5 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.8 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 9.7 (br s, 3H), 11.2 (s, 1H), 12.8 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 330.2 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 52
4-[N′-(6-Ethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 6ethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Krantz and Young, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,232) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 79% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.16 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 2.60 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.46 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.02 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 343 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 3 S.0.32 H 2 O: C, 54.88, H, 4.79; N, 16.00; S, 9.16. Found C, 54.81, H, 4.59; N, 16.06; S, 9.04.
EXAMPLE 53
4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzensulfonic acid phenyl ester (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 23% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and phenyl 4-aminobenzenesulfonate according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.5 (s, 1H), 8.6 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.6 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m., 3H), 6.9 (t, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 391 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 54
N-{4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}sulfamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 4-aminophenyisulfamide according to Procedure J in 52% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.85 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (s, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.53 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 9.38 (s, 1H), 10.48 (s, 1H), 10.70 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H): APCI−MS m/z 329 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 3 S: C, 54.54, H, 4.27; N, 16.96; S, 9.71. Found C, 54.48, H, 4.30; N, 16.90; S, 9.63.
EXAMPLE 55
4-[(6-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 0.42 g (2.0 mmol) of 6-hydroxymethyl-3-methysulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF (10 mL) was treated with 0.32 g (2.1 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 0.15 g (2.2 mmol) of imidazole and stirred for 16 h. The solution was diluted with 50 mL of hexane and 50 mL of EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 0.28 g (43%) of 3-methylsulfanyl-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a clear oil which crystallised upon storage at rt: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.01 (s, 6H), 0.97 (s, 9H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 4.52 (s,1H), 4.72 (s, 2H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H). A solution of 0.28 g (0.86 mmol) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in THF (10 mL) was stirred with saturated ammonium chloride solution (10 mL), and activated zinc dust (2 g) was added. The mixture was stirred 16 h at rt. The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 0.32 g of impure 4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a gummy white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.04 (s, 6H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 3.39 (s, 2H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 10.30 (bs, 1H). A solution of 0.32 g (1.2 mmol) of 4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF dimethylacetal (3 mL) was heated to 100° C. for 0.75 h. The excess DMF dimethylacetal was removed under high vacuum, and the resulting dark oil was chromatographed on silica gel, eluung with EtOAc/MeOH (98:2), to give 0.16 g (41%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (11:9 mixture of E and Z isomers) as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , peak areas normalized using the combined peak areas for δ 9.88 and 9.66 as 1H): δ 0.21 (s, 2.70H), 0.34 (s, 3.3H), 0.85 (s, 4.05H), 0.86 (s, 4.95H), 3.25 (s, 2.70H), 3.30 (s, 3.30H), 4.58 (s, 0.9H), 4.59 (s, 1.1H), 6.64-6.71 (m, 2H), 7.16 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 0.45H), 7.29 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 0.55H), 7.33 (s, 0.55H), 7.47 (s, 0.45H), 9.88 (s,0.55H) 9.96 (s, 0.45H); APCI−MS m/z 331 (M+1) + . A solution of 0.334 g (1.00 mmol) of 3-dimethylamino-methylene-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in 2-methylpropanol (3 mL) was treated with 0.174 g (1.00 mmol) of sulfanilamide and 0.25 g (4.0 mmol) of acetic acid. The solution was refluxed for 3 h and cooled to rt. The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to yield 0.134 g (29%) of 6-([t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy]methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.05 (s, 6H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.49-7.51 (m, 3H), 7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.56 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 10.52 (s, 1H), 10.76 (d, J=12.3 Hz. 1H); APCI−MS m/z 458 (M−H) − . To a solution of 0.125 g (2.80 mmol) of 6-([t-butyldimethylsilyloxy]methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide in THF (5 mL) was added 0.27 mL of a 1 M solution of t-butylammonium fluoride in THF, and the mixture was stirred at rt for 1 h. The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with THF and dried. Chromatographic purification of the solid on silica gel, eluting with a hexane to EtOAc gradient, gave 0.053 g (55%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.43 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 5.08 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 3H), 8.56 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H), 10.75 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 345 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 3 O 4 S.0.5 H 2 O: C, 54.43, H, 4.55; N, 11.86, S, 9.05. Found C, 54.47, H, 4.63; N, 11.66; S, 8.86.
EXAMPLE 56
4-[N′-(6-Bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 6-bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Meth-Cohn and Goon, Tetrahedron Letters 1996, 37, 9381-4) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.23 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.2 (s, 1H), 12.7 (s,1H); APCI−MS m/z 395 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 57
4-[N′-(2-Oxo-6-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G in 87% yield: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J 1 =2.2 Hz, J 2 =8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 10.61 (s, 1H), 10.65 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 431 (M+Na) + . Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 16 N 4 O 4 S.0.25H 2 O: C, 58.17; H, 4.03; N, 13.57; S, 7.76. Found: C, 58.45; H, 4.39; N, 13.40; S, 7.63.
EXAMPLE 58
4-[N′-(4-Ethoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 3-ethoxyaniline and 4-hydrazinobenzene sulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure C: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.43 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 4.13 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 6.50 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.15-7.21 (m, 3H), 7.46 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.03 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 359 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 4 S: C, 53.32; H, 4.47; N, 15.55; S, 8.90. Found: C, 53.21; H, 4.50; N, 15.66; S, 8.85.
EXAMPLE 59
N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide (see Example 84) and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.88 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.42 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2 Hz), 4.5 (br s, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.60 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 459 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 2O H 20 N 4 O 5 S 2 .H 2 O: C, 50.20; H, 4.63; N, 11.71. Found: C, 50.06; H, 4.59; N, 11.68.
EXAMPLE 60
N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 51% yield from N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-aminobenzene sulfonamide and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.76 (d, 2H), 7.58 (d, 2H), 7.52 (t, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.66 (t, 1H), 3.35 (q, 2H), 2.76 (q, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 415 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 61
N-Methyl-4-[N′-4-(4-methyl-5-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
4-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-methyl-4-nitroaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.5 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 2.7 (s, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 205 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared in 84% yield from 4-methyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.0 (s, 1H), 11.6 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d,1H), 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (q, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 2.8 (s, 3H), 2.4 (d, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 388 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 62
4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione (Cuny, et al., Chemie Berichte 1981, 114, 1624-35) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 8% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.02 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.28 Z (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.68 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 10.98 (s, 1H), 12.90 (s, 1H), 13.20 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 356 (M) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 6 O 3 S.1.46 H 2 O.0.2 EtOAc: C, 47.41, H, 4.16; N, 20.99; S, 8.01. Found C, 47.40, H, 3.70; N, 21.00; S, 7.85.
EXAMPLE 63
4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-g]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers)
The title compound was prepared from isatin 1,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-g]indazole-7,8-dione (Lichtenthaler and Cuny, Heterocycles 1981, 15. 1053-9) and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 76% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.82 Z (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.87 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.24 E (s, 2H), 7.27 Z (s, 2H), 7.43 E (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.73 Z (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.78 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.85 E (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.89 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.89 Z (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.12 Z (s, 1H), 8.56 E (s, 1H), 10.67 E (s, 1H), 11.20 Z (s, 1H), 12.86 Z (s, 1H), 13.27 E (s, 1H), 13.27 Z (s, 1H), 14.27 E (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 355 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 6 O 3 S: C, 50.56, H, 3.39; N, 23.58; S, 9.00. Found C, 50.65, H, 3.40; N, 23.59; S, 8.97.
EXAMPLE 64
4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers)
1,6-Dihydro-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione was prepared according to Procedure A in 56% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.93 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.32 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 11.14 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 189 (M+1) + . Condensation of 1,6-dihydro-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione with 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 15% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.06 Z (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.24 E (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.30 Z (s, 2H), 7.30 E (s, 2H), 7.55 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.82 Z (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.82 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.90 E (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.90 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.98 Z (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 10.86 E (s, 1H), 11.35 Z (s, 1H), 12.87 Z (s, 1H), 12.95 E (s, 1H), 16.00 Z (s, 1H), 16.25 E (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 356 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 7 O 3 S.H 2 O: C, 44.80, H, 3.49; N, 26.12; S, 8.54. Found C, 44.72, H, 3.46; N, 26.05; S, 8.48.
EXAMPLE 65
4-[N′-(1-Chloro-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-somer)
1-Chloro-3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione was prepared from 5-amino-3-chloroindazole according to Procedure A in 38% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.08 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (s, 1H), 13.70 (s, 1H). Condensation of 1-chloro-3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 45% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.11 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 13.25 (s, 1H), 13.41 (s, 1H): APCI−MS m/z 389/391 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 11 CIN 6 O 3 S: C, 44.86, H, 3.06; N, 20.93; S, 7.98. Found C, 45.02, H, 3.31; N, 20.92; S, 7.77.
EXAMPLE 66
4-[N′-(1,7-Dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-H-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 16.2 g (100 mmol) of 6-aminophtnalimide, 9.6 g (100 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid, and 4.0 g of 10% Pd/C in 140 mL of TFA was hydrogenated overnight at 50 psi. The catalyst was filtered off and and the filtrate concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was diluted with 70 mL of ice water, adjusted to pH 8 with K 2 CO 3 , and chilled in an ice bath. The resulting solid was filtered to give 6.7 g of a 5:4 ratio of 5-amino:6-amino lactam isomers. Recrystallization from hot ethanol/water afforded 1.45 g of undesired isomer. The filtrate was preabsorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed with TEA:MeOH:methylene chloride (1:2:47). The resulting solid was slurried in methylene chloride/MeOH and filtered to afford a low yield of 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.13 (s, 2H), 5.67 (s, 2H), 6.55 (dd, J=8.7, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 149 (M+H) + .
2,6-Dihydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacene-3,7,8-trione was prepared from 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-one according to Procedure X: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.46 (s, 2H), 6.94(d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.80(d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 11.28 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 201 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared from 2,6-dihydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacene-3,7,8-trione and 4-(N-methylsulfonamido)phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 4.56 (s, 2H), 6.99 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (q, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.50 (s, 1H), 11.35 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 384 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 15 N 5 O 4 S.0.75 H 2 O: C, 51.19; H, 4.17; N, 17.56. Found: C, 51.29; H, 4.15; N, 17.47.
EXAMPLE 67
N-3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 3.16 g (30.6 mmol) of 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropanol in 10 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 was added at once to a solution of 2.40 g (10.2 mmol) of 4-nitrophenylmethanesulphonyl chloride (Lee, et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society 1987, 109, 7472-7; Macor, et al., Tetrahedron Letters 1992, 33, 8011-4) in 40 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 . The mixture was stirred at rt for 15 min, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was redissolved in 50 mL of EtOAc. The solution was washed with three 50-mL portions of 1.0 N HCl and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (hexane/EtOAc 1:1) afforded N-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-(4-nitrophenyl)-methanesulfonamide as a white solid (0.84 g, 27%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.78 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.11 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.47 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 7.02 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H); APCI−MS: m/z 301 (M−H) − . A mixture of 0.66 g (2.2 mmol) of N-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide and ˜0.06 g Pd/C 10% in 50 mL of MeOH was shaken on a Parr hydrogenator for 3.5 h. The catalyst was removed via filtration, and 0.273 mL (3.28 mmol) of conc. HCl was added. The solvent was removed in vacuo, and the solid residue was redissolved in 20 mL of EtOH and added to 0.486 g (1.98 mmol) of 8-dimethylaminomethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one. The mixture was heated to reflux for 4.5 h and cooled to ambient tempurature. The solid was collected by vacuum filtration, washed with water, and dried in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (0.66 g, 70%): mp 229-230° C. (dec); 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.73 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.08 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.27 (s, 2H), 4.43 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.42 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 9.24 (s, 1H), 10.84 (s, 1H), 11.04 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H); ESI−MS: m/z 471 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 22 H 24 N 4 O 4 S 2 .0.5 H 2 O: C, 54.87; H, 5.23; N, 11.63; S, 13.32. Found: C, 54.90; H, 5.26; N, 11.68; S, 13.25.
EXAMPLE 68
N-Methyl-C-{4-N′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2f-]quinolin-1-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-somer)
2-Hydroxyimino-N-quinolin-6-yl-acetamide was prepared in 61% yield from 6-aminoquinoline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.4 (s, 1H), 10.8 (s, 1H), 9.0 (d, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.7 (s, 1H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 7.81 (m, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H); C 11 H 9 N 3 O 2 : APCI−MS m/z 216 (M+H) + . To a 1-L 3-neck round bottom flask was placed a magnetic stir bar and 110 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid. The flask was fitted with a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the reaction. The sulfuric acid was heated to 100° C. followed by slow addition of 2-hydroxyimino-N-quinolin-6-yl-acetamide (26.0 g, 0.121 mol). Heat to the reaction was maintained for approximately 1 h. The flask was removed from the heat source, and the reaction was poured slowly and carefully onto a mixture of 1 Kg of ice and 200 g of sodium carbonate. The residual reaction mixture in the reaction vessel was washed out with an additional 40 mL of cold water. The resulting aqueous slurry was stirred for about 1 h and filtered. The solid was washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to yield 7.31 g (31%) of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.7 (d, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 197 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared in 77% yield from 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 4-hydrazinophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.1 (s, 1H), 11.5 (s, 1H), 9.3 (d, 1H), 8.9 (d, 1H), 8.0 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.6(d, 2H), 7.4 (d, 2H), 6.9(d, 1H), 4.3 (s, 2H), 2.55 (d, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 396 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 69
N-(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 16% yield from 8-ethoxymnethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.9 (s, 1H), 11.1 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 11H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1(d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 487 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 70
4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenmethyl)-amino]-N-thiazol-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 33% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(thiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.7 (s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (t, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1 H), 6.8 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 456 (M+H) + and 454 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 71
N-(Amino-imino-methyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(aminoimino-methyl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.85 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.5 (d, 1H), 5.7 (s, 1H); C 17 H 14 N 6 O 3 S 2 : APCI−MS m/z 415 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 72
See Procedure J
EXAMPLE 73
8-(2,2-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-benzo[c]thiophene-5-ylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 37% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 2,2-dioxo-1,3-dihydrobenzo[c]thiophene-5-ylamine according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.11 (d,1H), 10.89 (s, 1H), 9.27 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H), 7.82 (d, 1H), 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 6.5 (m, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 384 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 74
{4-[-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 25% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-aminophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 6.9 (s, 2H), 4.2 (s, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 387 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 75
N-Allyl-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methansulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-allyl-4-aminophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 5.8 (m, 1H), 5.2 (d, 1H), 5.1 (d, 1H), 4.4 (s, 2H), 3.6 (t, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 427 (M+H) + .
EXAMPLE 76
8-(4-Methylsulfonylmethyl-phenylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 66% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-methylsulfonylmethylaniline according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d, 1H), 11.0 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.45 (s, 2H), 2.9 (s, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 384 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 77
N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.52 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (bs, 2H), 4.43 (bs, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 9.26 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 457 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 22 N 4 O 4 S 2 : C, 55.01: H, 4.84; N, 12.22; S, 13.98. Found: C, 54.90; H, 4.86; N, 12.25; S, 13.94.
EXAMPLE 78
4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 29% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 10.7 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (m, 3H), 7.5 (m, 4H), 7.1 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 515 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 79
4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 29% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d, 1H), 10.94 (s, 1H), 9.28 (s, 1H), 8.52 (d, 1H) 8.08 (d, 1H), 7.99 (d, 1H), 7,84 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 7.06 (m, 1H), 7.01 (m, 1H),; APCI−MS m/z 449 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 80
N-(5-Methyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(7oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 36% yield from 8-ethoxymethyiene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(5-methyl[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (m, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 469 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 81
N-Acetyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-4-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-acetyl-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.0 (s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 2.0(s, 3H); ESI−MS m/z 413 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 82
N-Benzoyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 25% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-benzoyl-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.5 (br s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 8.0 (d, 2H), 7.9 (t, 3H), 7.65 (t, 3H), 7.5 (t, 2H), 7.2 (d, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 475 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 83
N-Methyl-4-[N′-(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
6H-1-Thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7,8-ione was prepared from 6-aminobenzothiazole according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 9.35 (s, 1H), 11.19 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 204 (M) − . The title compound was prepared from 6H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>260° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.39 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 3H), 7.12 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (q, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 9.30 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 12.69 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 387 (M) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 13 N 5 O 3 S 2 .0.33 H 2 O: C, 48.85; H, 3.50; N, 17.80; S, 16.30. Found: C, 48.89; H, 3.40; N, 17.67; S, 16.23.
EXAMPLE 84
N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethyl-N-methyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
To a solution of 3.3 g (31 mmol) of 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol in 30 mL of MeOH was added 7.0 g (30 mmol) of N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride, followed by 3.3 g (33 mmol) of TEA. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at rt and then acidified with 5 mL (60 mmol) of concentrated HCl and stirred at reflux for 75 min. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with 40 mL of water and made basic with solid NaHCO 3 . MeOH was removed on a rotary evaporator, and the residual aqueous solution was extracted with four 50-mL portions of EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na 2 CO 3 , and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator to give 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide as a viscous oil (7.5 g, 96%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.77 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (t, J=4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (q, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 4.54 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 5.89 (s, 2H), 6.57 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (t, J=7.37 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H); ESI−MS m/s 259 (M−H) − . To a solution of 0.63 g (2.4 mmol) of 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide in 10 mL of THF was added 0.10 g (2.5 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride. The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt, 1 mL of DMSO and ˜0.2 mL (˜3 mmol) of methy iodide were added to the resulting suspension. The reaction mixture was stirred 2 h at rt and then poured into 15 mL of half saturated NaCI solution and extracted with 30 mL of EtOAc. The organic solution was dried with MgSO 4 and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel with EtOAc to give 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide as an oil (0.43 g, 65%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.96 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.43 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.47 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 4.55 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.99 (s, 2H), 6.59 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.34 (d, 8.8 Hz, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 297 (M+Na) + . The title compound was prepared from 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: mp 165° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.71 (s, 3H), 3.11 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.44 (dt, J=5.1, 5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 4.56 (br t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (d, J=12.0 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.0 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 474 M − . Anal. Calcd for C 21 H 22 N 4 O 5 S 2 .H 2 O: C, 51.21; H, 4.91; N, 11.37. Found: C, 51.18; H, 4.88; N, 11.33.
EXAMPLE 85
N-(2-{2-[2-(2-Methoxy-ethoxy)ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 2.3 g (6.3 mmol) of toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}ethyl ester and ˜4 mL (˜60 mmol) of ammonium hydroxide in 10 mL of ethanol was stirred overnight at ˜60° C. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator, and the residue was sequentially redissolved in ethanol and concentrated several times. The residue was then dissolved in ethanol, treated with ˜1.5 mL of TEA and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. This residue was dissolved in 10 mL of THF, and 1.4 g (6.0 mmol) of 4-N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride and 1 mL (7 mmol) of TEA were added. The reaction mixture was stirred 1.5 h at rt and then 30 min at reflux. The solution was concentrated onto silica gel and chromatographed with an EtOAc to 5% MeOH/EtOAc gradient to give 4-N-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)sulfonamidophenyl]acetamide as an oil (1.92 g, 79%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.83 (q, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 3.30-3.48(m, 14H), 7.52 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.27 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 403 (M−H) − . A solution of 1.9 g (4.7 mmol) of N-[4-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethylsulfamoyl)-phenyl]-acetamide and 0.45 g (4.7 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid in 15 mL of ethanol was stirred at ˜70° C. for 1 d. Excess TEA was added and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was applied to a short column of silica gel and eluted with EtOAc to give 4-N-2-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)-sulfonamidoaniline as an oil (1.2 g, 70%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.76 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (s, 3H), 3.32 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H), 3.37-3.48 (m, 12H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 6.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.11 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 361 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared from 4-(N-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)sulfonamidoaniline and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: mp 158-159° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.87 (dt, J=5.6, 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.17 (s, 3H), 3.33-3.38 (m, 4H), 3.38-3.47 (m, 10H), 7.10 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz 1H), 8.06 (br d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (br d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 561 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 25 H 30 N 4 O 7 S 2 .0.33 H 2 O: C, 52.81; H, 5.43; N, 9.85. Found: C, 52.81; H, 5.29; N, 9.82.
EXAMPLE 86
4-[N′-5,6-Dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 32% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 6.72 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.93 (s, 1H), 12.71 (s, 1H), APCI−MS m/z 343 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 3 S: C, 55.80, H, 4.68; N, 16.27; S, 9.31. Found C, 55.78, H, 4.74; N, 16.37; S, 9.22.
EXAMPLE 87
N-{6-Hydroxy-3-[(4-methylsulfamoylmethyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl}-acetamide (Z isomer)
Condensation of N-(6-hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide and 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-benzylsulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 4% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.51 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 3H), 4.24 (s, 2H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.84 (t, J=4.8 Hz), 1H), 7.30 (s, 4H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 9.12 (s, 1H), 10.20 (s, 1H), 10.77 (s, 1H), 12.50 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 416 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 88
4-[N′-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzene-sulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 6-chloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Pajouhesh et al., Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1983, 72, 318-21) and 4-sulfonamido-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.88 (s, 3H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.97 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 379 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 4 O 4 CIS: C, 47.31; H, 3.44; N, 14.71; Cl, 9.31 S, 8.42. Found: C, 47.57; H, 3.71; N, 14.93; Cl,9.11 S, 8.17.
EXAMPLE 89
4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
5-Hydroxy-6-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-isopropyl-4-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.12 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H), 3.21 (septet, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 9.51 (s, 1H), 10.61 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 204 (M−H) − . The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-6-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.12 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 6H), 3.21 (septet, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 7.21 (s, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 9.11 (s, 1H), 10.70 (s, 1H), 12.74 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 373 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 4 S: C, 54.53; H, 4.85; N, 14.96; S, 8.56. Found: C, 54.37; H, 4.95; N, 14.84; S, 8.48.
EXAMPLE 90
4-[N′-(2-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3-oxa-1,5-diaza-s-indacen-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer)
N-(6-Hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide was prepared from 6-amino-2-methylbenzoxazole (Heleyova, et al., Collection of Czechoslovakian Chemical Communications 1996, 61, 371-80) according to Procedure A in 12% overall yield. Condensation of N-(6-hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 6% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.55 (s, 3H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 12.67 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 370 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 5 O 4 S: C, 51.75, H, 3.53; N, 18.86; S, 8.86. Found C, 51.50. H, 3.61; N, 18.69; S, 8.49.
EXAMPLE 91
4-[N′-(5-Acetyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
5-Acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 1-acetyl-5-aminoindoline according to Procedure A in 90% yield: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.11 (s,3H), 3.16 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 10.87 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 229 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 12 H 10 N 2 O 3 .0.3 H 2 O: C, 61.17; H, 4.53; N, 11.89. Found: C, 60.91; H, 4.62; N, 12.10. The title compound was prepared from 5-acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2.3-f]indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 53% yield: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):d2.13 (s,3H), 3.13 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.24 (s, 1H), 10.96 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 422 (M+Na) + . Anal. Calcd for C 18 H 17 N 5 O 4 S: C, 54.13; H, 4.29; N, 17.53; S, 8.03. Found: C, 53.85; H, 4.23; N, 17.28; S, 7.89.
EXAMPLE 92
4-[N′-(6-Oxo-5,6-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-f]indol-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared from 5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-f]indole-6,7-dione (Lackey and Stembach, Synthesis 1993, 993-7) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride in 55% yield as an orange crystalline solid following Procedure G: mp>220° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.63 (s, 1H), 10.89 (s, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=7 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.00 (s, 2H), Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 4 O 5 S: C, 50.00; H, 3.36; N, 15.55. Found: C, 50.08; H, 3.35; N, 15.49.
EXAMPLE 93
4-[N′-(2-Oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrobromide (Z-isomer)
A solution of 0.10 g (0.44 mmol) of 5-acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,3-dione in 3 mL of conc. HBr was heated to 100° C. for 18 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with 10 mL of water and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and added to a solution of 0.05 g (0.2 mmol) 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride in 5 mL of EtOH, The mixture was heated to 80° C. for 1 h and cooled to ambient tempurature. The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration, washed with water and dried in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to afford the title compound as a tan solid (0.026 g, 17%): mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.17 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.69 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.65 (bs, 2H), 11.24 (s, 1H), 12.73 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 356 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 5 O 3 S.0.9 HBr.0.5 H 2 O: C, 43.75; H, 3.88; N, 15.94; S, 7.30. Found: C, 44.01; H, 4.14; N, 15.70; S, 7.12.
EXAMPLE 94
C-{4-[N′-(4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3,5-dichloro-4,6-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A in 91% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 244/246/248 (M−H) − . Condensation of 4,6-dichloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione with 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-benzylsulfonamide according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 59% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.58 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 3H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 4.33 (s, 2H), 6.93 (q, J=4.7 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 12.99 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 441/443 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 17 H 16 Cl 2 N 4 O 4 S: C, 46.06; H, 3.64; Cl, 15.99; N, 12.64; S, 7.23. Found C, 45.80; H, 3.55; Cl, 16.20; N, 12.57; S, 7.11.
EXAMPLE 95
4-[N′-(4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methyl aniline according to Procedure A and employing flash chromatography (hexanes:EtOAc 1:1) to isolate the desired isomer: 1 H NMR (DMSO d 6 ): δ 2.35 (s, 3H), 6.67 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H), 10.81 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 210 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 9 H 6 NO 3 Cl: C, 51.08; H, 2.85; N, 6.62; Cl, 16.75. Found: C, 51.20; H, 2.90; N, 6.67; Cl, 16.85. The title compound was prepared from 4-chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 95% yield: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.26 (s, 3H), 6.69 (s, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.84 (s, 1H), 11.02 (s, 1H), 13.00 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 379 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 4 O 4 ClS: C, 47.31; H, 3.44; N, 14.71; Cl, 9.31; S, 8.42. Found: C, 47.20; H, 3.47; N, 14.64; Cl, 9.41; S, 8.32.
EXAMPLE 96
4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy -4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylaniline according to Procedure A. The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.; 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.44 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 10.78(s, 1H), 12.98 (s, 1H); APCI−MS: m/z 359 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 4 S.0.25 H 2 O: C, 52.67; H, 4.56; N, 15.35; S, 8.79. Found: C, 52.69; H, 4.47; N, 15.33; S, 8.87.
EXAMPLE 97
3-(1H-Indazol-5-yl-amino-ethylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 68% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 5-aminoindazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.1 (s, 1H), 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.6 (d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 2H), 6.8 (d, 1H); C 16 H 12 N 4 O 2 : ESI−MS m/z 275 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 98
3-(1H-Indazol-6-ylimino-methylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 79% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 6-aminoindazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.02 (s, 1H), 10.86 (d, 1H), 10.51 (s, 1H), 8.7 (d, 1H) ) 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, 1H), 7.63 (d, 1H) 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.15 (dd, 1H), 7.02 (m, 1H), 6.94 (m, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 275 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 99
See Procedure G
EXAMPLE 100
N-Methyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenylmethanesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 56% yield from ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and N-methyl-4-aminophenylmethanesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.72 (d,1H), 10.67 (s, 1H), 8.71 (d, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 7H), 6.89 (m, 2H), 4.28 (s, 2H), 2.54 (d, 3H); APCI−MS m/z 409 (MH) − .
EXAMPLE 101
8-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylaminomethylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7-one (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 54% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 5-aminobenzotriazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.23 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, 1H), 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 333 (M−H) − .
EXAMPLE 102
4-[N′-2-Oxo-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
The title compound was prepared in 24% yield from 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 4-hydrazinobenzene sulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 13.12 (s, 1H), 11.64 (s, 1H), 9.32 (d, 1H), 9.01 (d, 1H), 8.13 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 1H), 7.83 (d, 2H), 7.69 (d, 2H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.33 (s, 2H). APCI−MS m/z 368 (MH) + .
EXAMPLE 103
2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (Z-isomer)
3-Methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester was prepared in 59% yield from isobutyl 4-aminobenzoate according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.93 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.93 (s, 3H), 1.98 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (m, 2H), 4.62 (s, 1H), 6.92 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (s, J=1H), 7.86 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 302 (M+23) − . Zinc reduction of 3-methylthio-2oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester according to Procedure δ provided 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester in 99% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.93 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.97 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (s, 2H), 3.99 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 6.88 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (s, J=1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.72 (s, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 256 (M+23) + . Conversion of 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester to 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (mixture of E and Z isomers) was accomplished in 75% yield according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.94 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 6H), 0.94 E (d, J=8.8 Hz, 6H), 1.94-2.01 Z and E (m, 2H), 3.30 Z (s, 6H), 3.32 E (s, 6H), 3.97-3.99 Z and E (m, 4H), 6.75 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.83 E (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47 E (s, 1H), 7.53 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.59 E (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.73 Z (s, 1H), 7.88 Z (s, 1H), 7.98 E (s, 1H), 10.34 Z (bs, 1H), 10.44 E (bs, 1H); ESI−MS m/z 289 (M+1) + . The title compound was prepared in 66% yield from 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.96 (d, J=6.6 Hz. 6H), 2.01 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (dd, J=1.6, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.83 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (s, 1H); APCI−MS m/z 414 (M−H) − . Anal. Calcd for C 20 H 21 N 3 O 5 S: C, 57.82; H, 5.09; N, 10.11; S, 7.72. Found C, 57.91; H, 5.16; N, 10.02; S, 7.65.
EXAMPLE 104
4-[(7Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)amino]-N-pyridinyl-4-yl-methyl benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer)
To a 250 ml round bottom flask was added 50 ml of dry pyridine, 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine (10.4 g, 50.0 mmol) and a magnetic stir bar. The mixture was stirred and cooled to 0° C. under nitrogen followed by the addition of N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride (12.8 g, 55.0 mmol). The resultant mixture was stirred at 0° C. under nitrogen for 5 min. and the reaction was allowed to warm to rt and stirred for 16 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to a thick residue and poured onto about 500 g of ice and water. The residue in the flask was rinsed into the ice and water with 25 ml of MeOH to precipitate the N-acetyl sulfanilamide. The resultant precipitate was filtered, washed with excess water and dried under vacuum at 50° C. The solid was suspended in 75 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid and heated to 100° C. until all starting material had been consumed. The reaction mixture was cooled and neutralized with ammonium hydroxide. The precipatate was filtered and dried under vacuum at 50° C. to yield 5.78 g, 43.9% of 4-amino-N-(4-aminomethylpyridinyl)-benzenesulfonamide: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 8.42 (d, 2H), 7.76 (t, 1H), 7.39 (d, 2H), 7.22 (d, 2H), 6.56 (d, 2H), 5.91 (s, 2H), 3.89 (d, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 264 (MH) + . The title compound was prepared in 33% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-4-aminomethylpyridinyl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.15 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.24 (s, 1H), 8.44 (d, 2H), 8.24 (m, 1H), 8.05 (d, 1H), 7.81 (d, 1H), 7.76 (m, 2H), 7.56 (d, 2H), 7.24 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.01 (d, 2H); APCI−MS m/z 464 (MH) + .
Pharmaceutical Formulation and Doses
The compounds of the present invention can be administered in such oral (including buccal and sublingual) dosage forms as tablets, capsules (each including timed release and sustained release formulations), pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, suspensions, syrups and emulsions. Likewise, they may also be administered in nasal, ophthalmic, otic, rectal, topical, intravenous (both bolus and infusion), intraperitoneal, intraarticular, subcutaneous or intramuscular inhalation or insufflation form, all using forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts.
The dosage regimen utilizing the compounds of the present invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including type, species, age, weight, sex and medical condition of the patient; the severity of the condition to be treated; the route of administration; the renal and hepatic function of the patient; and the particular compound or salt thereof employed. An ordinarily skilled physician or veterinarian can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition.
Oral dosages of the present invention, when used for the indicated effects, will range between about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day, and particularly 1 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. Oral dosage units will generally be administered in the range of from 1 to about 250 mg and more preferably from about 25 to 250 mg. The daily dosage for a 70 kg mammal will generally be in the range of about 70 mg to 7 grams of a compound of formula I or II.
While the dosage to be administered is based on the usual conditions such as the physical condition of the patient, age, body weight, past medical history, route of administrations, severity of the conditions and the like, it is generally preferred for oral administration to administer to a human. In some cases, a lower dose is sufficient and, in some cases, a higher dose or more doses may be necessary. Topical application similarly may be once or more than once per day depending upon the usual medical considerations. Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily. The compounds of the invention can be prepared in a range of concentrations for topical use of 0.5 to 5 mg/ml of suitable solvent. A preferred volume for application to the scalp is 2 ml, resulting in an effective dosage delivered to the patient of 1 to 10 mg. For treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, administration 1 to 2 times prior to chemotherapy administration would be preferred, with additional applications administered as needed. A similar regimen can be pursued for treatment of alopecia induced by radiation therapy. Furthermore, preferred compounds for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.
In the methods of the present invention, the compounds herein described in detail can form the active ingredient, and are typically administered in admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, excipients or carriers (collectively referred to herein as “carrier” materials) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, that is, oral tablets, capsules, elixirs, syrups and the like, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices.
For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Powders are prepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixing with a similarly comminuted pharmaceutical carrier such as an edible carbohydrate, as, for example, starch or mannitol. Flavoring, preservative, dispersing and coloring agent can also be present.
Capsules are made by preparing a powder mixture as described above, and filling formed gelatin sheaths. Glidants and lubricants such as colloidal silica, talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate or solid polyethylene glycol can be added to the powder mixture before the filling operation. A disintegrating or solubilizing agent such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate or sodium carbonate can also be added to improve the availability of the medicament when the capsule is ingested.
Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents can also be incorporated into the mixture. Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes and the like. Lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum and the like. Tablets are formulated, for example, by preparing a powder mixture, granulating or slugging. adding a lubricant and disintegrant and pressing into tablets. A powder mixture is prepared by mixing the compound, suitably comminuted, with a diluent or base as described above, and optionally, with a binder such as carboxymethylcellulose, an aliginate, gelatin, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a solution retardant such as paraffin, a resorption accelerator such as a quaternary salt and/or an absorption agent such as bentonite, kaolin or dicalcium phosphate. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting with a binder such as syrup, starch paste, acadia mucilage or solutions of cellulosic or polymeric materials and forcing through a screen. As an alternative to granulating, the powder mixture can be run through the tablet machine and the result is imperfectly formed slugs broken into granules. The granules can be lubricated to prevent sticking to the tablet forming dies by means of the addition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc or mineral oil. The lubricated mixture is then compressed into tablets. The compounds of the present invention can also be combined with free flowing inert carrier and compressed into tablets directly without going through the granulating or slugging steps. A clear or opaque protective coating consisting of a sealing coat of shellac, a coating of sugar or polymeric material and a polish coating of wax can be provided. Dyestuffs can be added to these coatings to distinguish different unit dosages.
Oral fluids such as solution, syrups and elixirs can be prepared in dosage unit form so that a given quantity contains a predetermined amount of the compound. Syrups can be prepared by dissolving the compound in a suitably flavored aqueous solution, while elixirs are prepared through the use of a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle. Suspensions can be formulated by dispersing the compound in a non-toxic vehicle. Solubilizers and emulsifiers such as ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and polyoxy ethylene sorbitol ethers, preservatives, flavor additive such as peppermint oil or saccharin, and the like can also be added.
Where appropriate, dosage unit formulations for oral administration can be microencapsulated. The formulation can also be prepared to prolong or sustain the release as for example by coating or embedding particulate material in polymers, wax or the like.
The compounds of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, steaylamine or phosphatidylcholines.
Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled. The compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers. Such polymers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamidephenol, or polyethyleneoxidepolylysine substituted with palmitoyl residues. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polylactic acid, polepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels.
The present invention includes pharmaceutical compositions containing 0.01 to 99.5%, more particularly, 0.5 to 90% of a compound of the formula (II) in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Parenteral administration can be effected by utilizing liquid dosage unit forms such as sterile solutions and suspensions intended for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection. These are prepared by suspending or dissolving a measured amount of the compound in a non-toxic liquid vehicle suitable for injection such as aqueous oleaginous medium and sterilizing the suspension or solution.
Alternatively, a measured amount of the compound is placed in a vial and the vial and its contents are sterilized and sealed. An accompanying vial or vehicle can be provided for mixing prior to administration. Non-toxic salts and salt solutions can be added to render the injection isotonic. Stabilizers, preservations and emulsifiers can also be added.
Rectal administration can be effected utilizing suppositories in which the compound is admixed with low-melting water-soluble or insoluble solids such as polyethylene glycol, cocoa butter, higher ester as for example flavored aqueous solution, while elixirs are prepared through myristyl palmitate or mixtures thereof.
Topical formulations of the present invention may be presented as, for instance, ointments. creams or lotions, eye ointments and eye or ear drops, impregnated dressings and aerosols, and may contain appropriate conventional additives such as preservatives, solvents to assist drug penetration and emollients in ointments and creams. The formulations may also contain compatible conventional carriers, such as cream or ointment bases and ethanol or oleyl alcohol for lotions. Such carriers may be present as from about 1% up to about 98% of the formulation. More usually they will form up to about 80% of the formulation.
For administration by inhalation the compounds according to the invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, heptafluoropropane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of a compound of the invention and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.
The preferred pharmaceutical compositions are those in a form suitable for oral administration, such as tablets and liquids and the like and topical formulations.
Biological Data
The compounds of the present invention have valuable pharmacologic properties. Different compounds from this class are particularly effective at inhibiting the CDK1 and CDK2 enzymes at concentrations which range from 0.0001 to 1 μM and additionally show specificity relative to other kinases. Substrate phosphorylation assays were carried out as follows:
CDK1 and CDK2
Cyclin dependent protein kinase assays utilized the peptides Biotin-aminohexyl-AAKAKKTPKKAKK and Biotin-aminohexyl-ARRPMSPKKKA-NH 2 as phosphoryl group acceptors. CDK1 and CDK2 were both expressed utilizing a baculovirus expression system and were partially purified to comprise 20-80% of total protein, with no detectable competing reactions present. Typically, assays were performed by incubating either enzyme (0.2-10 nM), with and without inhibitor, one of the two peptide substrates (1-10 nM), [γ- 32 P]ATP (1-20 nM), and 10-20 mM Mg 2+ for periods of time generally within the range 10-120 min. Reactions were terminated with 0.2-2 volumes of either 20% acetic acid or 50-100 mM EDTA buffered to pH 7 (substrate consumption<20%). The buffer employed in enzyme assays was either 30 mM HEPES 7.4 containing 0.15 M NaCl and 5% DMSO, the buffer 50 mM MOPS 7.0 containing 0.15 M NaCl and 5% DMSO, or the buffer 100 mM HEPES pH 7.5 containing 0.1 mg /mL BSA and 5% DMSO. Inhibitors were diluted in 100% DMSO prior to addition into the assay. Detection of peptide phosphorylation was accomplished by scintillation counting following either collection of peptide onto phosphocellulose filters (for reactions stopped with acetic acid), collection of peptide in wells of 96 well plates coated with Streptavidin (Pierce) (reactions were stopped with EDTA), or addition of Avidin coated Scintillant impregnated beads (Scintillation Proximity Assays from Amersham, reactions were stopped with EDTA). Counts detected by any of these methodologies minus the appropriate background (assays with additional 40 mM EDTA or lacking peptide substrate) were assumed to be proportional to the reaction initial rates, and IC50s were determined by a least squares fit to the equation CPM=V max *(1−([l]/(K+[l])))+nsb, or pIC 50 s were determined by a fit to the equation CPM=nsb+(V max −nsb)/(1+(x/10 x −pIC50)), where nsb are the background counts.
UL97
UL97 was produced as a GST fusion protein from a baculovirus vector expressed in sf9 cells as described by He (He, et al., Journal of Virology 1997, 71, 405-11). UL97 was assayed as a protein kinase using 32 P transfer from ATP to histone H 2 B with detection of radiolabeled histone bound to phosphocellulose. Assay mixes for testing inhibitors of UL97 activity contained 2 mM [γ 32 P]-ATP, 15 mM histone H 2 B, 50 mM sodiumCHES, pH 9.5, 1 M NaCl, 2 mM dithiothreitol and 10 mM MgCl 2 . Inhibitors were dissolved in diluted DMSO to give a final DMSO concentration in the reaction of 1% DMSO. After incubation at 20° C., the reactions were terminated by addition of 10 volumes of 75 mM phosphoric acid, 30 mM ATP, 1 mM EDTA, then were spotted onto phosphocellulose filters and washed four times with 75 mM phosphoric acid. Radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting.
Src/Lck
The peptide substrates used in Src and Lck assays were biotin-aminohexyl-EEIYGEF-NH 2 (Src) and biotin-aminohexyl-EAIYGVLFAKKK-NH 2 (Lck). The src and Ick proteins were purified to homogeneity from a baculovirus expression system and preactivated before adding to assay mixtures. The maximum activation was achieved by incubating concentrated enzyme (10-30 mM) on ice for 40 min in the presence of 1 mM ATP and 10 mM MgCl 2 in 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5. The activated enzyme was diluted to 2 nM into a 50-mL reaction mixture containing 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5. 5 mM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 2 mM peptide, 0.05 mg/mL BSA, and an inhibitor at varying concentrations and with or without 8 mCi/mL [γ- 33 P]ATP dependent upon the method of analysis for the extent of reaction. The controls were reactions in the presence (negative controls) or absence (positive controls) of 50 mM EDTA. Reactions were allowed to proceed for 30 min at room temperature and quenched with addition of EDTA to 50 mM in 220 mL. The extent of reactions was analyzed in one of the two ways: an Elisa-based and a radioactive isotope-based. The quenched samples (200 mL) were transferred to a neutravidin coated plate (Perice) and incubated at room temperature for 40 min to allow biotinylated peptide to bind to neutravidin. The unbound peptide and the rest of the solution was washed away using a plate washer. In the Elisa format, a 200 mL HRP-PY20 anti phosphotyrosine antibody conjugate solution was added. After incubation for about 30 min, the plated was washed to remove unbound antibody-HRP conjugate. An Elisa substrate, K-blue (Neogen), was added and the Elisa reaction quenched with Red-stop (Neogen) after 15 min. The plate was read at A 625 in a plate reader. In the isotope-based format, the reactions had been performed in the presence of [γ- 33 P]ATP. 200 mL Scintiverce DB was added to each well of the plate with bound biotin-peptide. The plate was sealed and counted in a micro-b-counter (Wallac). IC 50 values were obtained by fitting raw data to A 625 (cpm)=V max *(1−([l]/(IC 50 +[l])))+b, where b is background.
VEGFR-2
The peptide substrate used in the VEGFR-2 assay was biotin-aminohexyl-EEEEYFELVAKKKK-NH 2 . The kinase domain of the enzyme was purified to homogeneity from a baculovirus expression system. The enzyme was preactivated on ice for 15 min in the presence of 100 μM ATP and 20 mM MgCl 2 , and stored at −80° C. until needed for assay. The activated enzyme was diluted to 0.4 nM into a 60 μl reaction containing 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 5 μM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 5 μM peptide, 0.1 mM DTT, 0.05 mg/ml BSA, and an inhibitor at varying concentrations. The controls were reactions in the presence (negative controls) or absence (positive controls) of 50 mM EDTA. Reactions were incubated for 30 min at room temperature, and then quenched by the addition of EDTA to 60 mM in 210 μl. The quenched samples (190 μl) were transferred to a neutravidin-coated plate (Pierce) and incubated at room temperature for 40 min to allow biotinylated peptide to bind to the neutravidin. The unbound components of the reaction were removed by washing with a plate washer, then 200 μl HRP-PY20 anti-phosphotyrosine antibody conjugate was added to each well. After incubation for 40 min, the plate was washed to remove any unbound antibody. A HRP substrate, K-blue (Neogen) was added and the reaction was quenched with Red Stop (Neogen) after 20 min. The absorbance of the wells was read at A 650 in a plate reader. IC 50 values were obtained by fitting raw data to A 650 =V max *(1−[l]/IC 50 +[l])))+b, where b is background.
The results shown in Table 2 summarise representative data: Table 2 illustrates the inhibitory activity of compounds of the present invention against several different kinases (CDK2, CDK1, cSrc, Lck, UL97, and VEGFR2).
TABLE 2
Kinase inhibition data of representative compounds
Compound
CDK2
CDK1
cSrc
Lck
UL97
VEGFR2
Example 72
+++
++
+
+
+++
++
Example 99
++
+
+
+
++++
+
Example 68
++++
++
+
+++
Example 77
++++
++++
++++
Example 36
++++
++++
+
+
+++
+
Example 101
+++
++
Example 35
++++
+++
Example 27
++++
+++
Example 11
++++
+++
Example 103
++++
+++
Example 76
+++
+
+
+
+
Example 104
++++
+++
Key (IC 50 , nM)
1-10: ++++
11-50: +++
51-100: ++
>100: +
As may be expected in light of the specific inhibitory activity of these compounds against several kinases involved in growth regulation, the compounds of this invention have antiproliferative properties which can be directly demonstrated in several cell proliferation assays. The results shown in Table 3 summarise some of these data for three different cell proliferation assays: MTT, FACS and G1-S progression. These assays are described below.
MTT Assay
Compounds are tested for their ability to inhibit cell proliferation and cell viability. The metabolic conversion of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT, Sigma #M2128) to a reduced form is a commonly used measure of cellular viability. Following is the procedure:
Cells are maintained in 75 cm 2 tissue culture flasks until ready for use. The cells are grown and plated for the assay in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's media (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. For example, the following cell lines can be used: a) human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF); b) HT29 (human colon carcinoma cell line); c)MDA-MB-468 (human breast carcinoma cell line); d) RKO (human colon adenocarcinoma cell line); e) SW620 (human colon carcinoma cell line); f) A549 (human lung carcinoma cell line); and g) MIA PACA (human pancreatic carcinoma cell line). Cells are maintained at 37° C. in 10% CO 2 , 90% humidified air. Cells are plated in 96-well tissue culture plates at the densities listed below. 100 μL of cell suspension is added to each well of the 96-well plate except the top row of the plate which contains no cells and serves as a reference for the spectrophotometer.
cell line
density
HFF
2500
cells/well
HT29 cell lines
2500
cells/well
MDA-MB-468 cell
5000
cells/well
line
RKO cell line
4000
cells/well
SW620
4000
cells/well
A549
5,500
cells/well
MIA PACA
3000
cells/well
Cells are incubated overnight in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum at 37° C. in 10% CO 2 , 90% humidified air prior to dosing. Cells are dosed in 10 sequential 3-fold dilutions starting at 30 μM depending upon the solubility of the compound. Compounds with solubilities of less than 30 μM are dosed at the highest soluble concentration. Stock solutions of compounds are made in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Stock solutions are diluted in DMEM containing 100 μg/ml gentamicin and 0.3 to 0.6% DMSO at the twice the highest concentration to be placed on the cells. If compounds have been dissolved in DMSO the final concentration of DMSO on the cells is kept below 0.3%. Three-fold serial dilutions are performed on each compound to prepare 10 concentrations of the compound for dosing. 100 μl of diluted compound is added to the 100 μl of media currently on the dish. For each concentration of compound, 2-4 replicate wells are prepared.
Cells are returned to incubator and allowed to proliferate in the presence of compound for 72 h before addition of MTT. MTT is prepared in phosphate buffered saline (Irvine Scientific #9240) at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. 50 μl per well of MTT solution is added to the 200 μl of media to yield a final concentration of 0.4 mg/ml and plates are returned to the incubator for 4 h. After 4 h incubation the media, compound and MTT mixture is aspirated from the plates and 100 μl of 100% DMSO is added to each well in addition to 25 μl of Sorenson's Buffer (0.1M glycine, 0.1M NaCl, pH 10.5). Quantitation of metabolic reduction of MTT in each plate is performed by reading optical density at 570 nm wavelength on a Molecular Devices UVmax microplate reader. Growth inhibition curves and 50% inhibitory concentrations are determined using Microsoft Excel.
FACS Assay
The antiproliferative activity of the compounds of the present invention against a variety of normal or tumour cell lines can also be demonstrated by flow cytometry. These assays allow determination of both cell death and changes in cell cycle profile in cells following treatment of the compound. The assay is performend as follows:
1. Cells are incubated in DMEM to which 10% FCS has been added in a humidified incubator at 37° C. and 5% by volume of CO 2 in air. The cells are innoculated in 6-well plates at a density of 0.5-5×10 5 cells per well.
2. The test compound is added in serial dilutions 24-36 h after plating in 0.5% DMSO. The plates are then incubated a further 72 h in the presence of the compound. During this time, cells in control cultures undergo at least three cell divisions.
3. After incubation, the media is collected and cells are harvested by trypsinization. The cells and media are pooled and pelleted by centrifugation.
4. The cell pellet is fixed in a final volume of 3 mL of 50% ice cold MeOH and incubated for a minimum of 30 min at −20° C.
5. The cells are pelleted by centrifugation and resuspended in 0.5 mL PBS containing 1%FCS, 10 mg/mL Propidium Iodide (PI) and 5 mg/mL RNase A and incubated 30 min at 37° C. in the dark.
6. The samples are analysed by flow cytometry using the relative incorporation of PI as a measure of DNA content of each cell. The % Dead cells is recorded as % of events with less than 2N DNA. The IC 50 values for the compound are determined as the concentration of compound which results in 50% cell death relative to the control cultures. The compounds of the present invention give IC 50 values from 0.1 to >25 mmol/L. The compounds of the present invention additionally display IC 50 values for cell killing of 5- to 30-fold lower in several tumour cell lines, including the RKO and SW620 colon tumours, MDA MB468 breast tumour, H460 lung tumour and MES/.SA ovarian tumour cell lines, as compared to normal epithelial or fibroblast cell lines and therefore discriminate between normal cell lines and tumour derived cell lines for toxicity.
G1-S Progression Assay
This assay is designed to determine the ability of compounds to inhibit progression of cells from G1 into S-phase. CDK2 has been shown to be required for progression into S-phase in normal fibroblastic cells and therefore inhibition of this activity will prevent progression from G1-S. This assay therefore provides a rapid assessment of activity consistent with the inhibition of CDK2 in a cell-based format. The protocol is as follows:
(1) Grow human diploid fibroblasts (HDF-3) in 100 mm tissue culture dish to confluency. (2) Plate 6-7×103 cells/well in a 96 well plate in 100 μl of DMEM. (3) After 16-17 h add various dilutions of test compounds (0.045-100 μM). Dilute compound in DMEM containing DMSO and add 100 μl to each well so that the DMSO conc. is 0.6-0.8% in 200 μl final volume. (4) Two h after addition of compound, add 20 ul of 100 μM BrdU (final conc. 10 μM) Make 100 μM solution in DMEM from 10 mM stock solution. (5) After 4 h, add 200 μl PBS to each well and remove the contents of the wells by inverting the plate and soaking on to the paper towel. Repeat the washing step three times, with 400 ul PBS each time. (6) Fix the cells and denature the DNA by adding 200 μl fixation/denaturation solution to each well for 30-40 min. (7) Remove the fixation/denaturation solution by tapping the plate on the paper towel and add 75 ul of anti BrdU peroxidase antibody to each well. (dilute the antibody to 0.1 U/mL from 15 U/mL stock in PBS containing 1% BSA, Fraction V). Incubate the plate O/N at 4° C. (8) Remove the antibody solution and wash wells four times with 400 μl of PBS. Let the wash solution stay for 3-4 min during each wash. (9) Drain the wells and add 100 μl of chemiluminiscence Elisa reagent (Prepare the reagent 15-20 min before use to bring it to rt by mixing 100 parts of reagent A with 1 part of reagent B). (10) Read the plate in a luminometer. Take 2-3 readings within 6-7 min. Perform the following controls:
Back-
ground
Well contents
Blank
control
culture media
200
μl
100
μl
cells
—
100
μl
BrdU
20
μl
—
AntiBrdU-POD
75
μl
75
μl
Reagents
Deoxybromouridine (BrdU), anti BrdU peroxidase antibodies, fixation/denaturation solution, chemiluminiscence reagent and BSA Fraction V, were obtained from Boehringer Mannheim. The 96-well white plate with clear bottom were purchased from Corning Costar Corporation. Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing high glucose, L-glutamine and pyridoxine HCl was obtained from GIBCO BRL.
The compounds of the present invention prevent progression of normal fibroblasts into S-phase with IC 50 values ranging from 0.05-10 μM. This inhibition of G1-S progression is consistent with these compounds acting as inhibitors of CDK2.
Results of these cell-based assays with representitive compounds are summarized in Table 3. HDF are normal diploid fibroblast cells. RKO are colon adenocarcinoma cells and MES/SA are ovarian carcinoma cells.
TABLE 3
Cell-based activities of representative compounds
FACS
MTT
Compound
G1/S Chkpt
HDF
RKO
MES/SA
HDF
RKO
MDA MB468
Example 72
++
+
++
+
+
++
+
Example 99
++
+
++++
+
+++
++++
++++
Example 68
++
+
++
+
+
+
Example 77
++
+
++
+++
+
++
+
Example 36
+++
+
+++
++++
++
+++
+++
Example 101
+
+
+
+
++
Example 35
+
+
++
+
+
++
+
Example 27
++
+
++
++
++
++
Example 11
++
+
++
Example 103
++
++
++
++
Example 76
++
+
++
++
+
+
+
Example 104
++
++
++
++
Key (IC 50 , μM)
0.1-0.5: ++++
0.6-1.0: +++
1.1-5.0: ++
>5.0: +
UTILITY OF INVENTION
Inhibitors of members of the CDK family of kinases find utility as agents in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders which have a proliferative component or which involve regulation of cyclin dependent kinase function. These include cancers, restenosis, psoriasis, and actinic keratosis.
The tumour inhibitory activity of the compounds of the present invention can be demonstrated in vivo. The tumour inhibiting activity is determined using Swiss Nu/Nu female mice in which the human RKO colon adenocarcinoma has been implanted subcutaneously. In this assay, the compounds induce a marked reduction in the average tumour volume compared to vehicle treated controls.
The present invention demonstrates methodologies by which the onset of cell death in normal proliferating cells induced by chemotherapeutic drugs may be prevented by the prior treatment with inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases. This may be useful to decrease the severity of chemotherapy-induced side effects due to killing of normal cells. These side effects may include, but are not limited to alopecia, mucocitis (nausea and vomiting, diahrea, oral lesions), neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases CDK2 and CDK4 prevent the progression of normal cells into both S-phase (DNA synthesis) or M-phase (mitosis), reducing their susceptibility to incur damage by certain chemotherapeutic drugs which act in those phases of the cell cycle.
When the compounds of the present invention are used in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents, they reduce the severity of chemotherapy-induced side effects. The protective effects of these compounds can be demonstrated in tissue culture using normal diploid fibroblasts. Cells are plated 36 h prior to the administration of the compounds of the present invention, which are dosed at or above the IC 50 concentrations determined by the G1 checkpoint assay. Cells are then treated with cytotoxic compounds anywhere from 0 to 24 h after treatment with the compounds of the present invention. Cells are incubated with the combination of the cytotoxic and the compound of the present invention from 3 to 72 h. Cytotoxic drugs include, but are not limited to taxanes, vinca alkyloids, anthracyclins, etoposide, mitoxantrone, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and Ara C. Cell death may be recorded by morphological observation, or by assessment by MTT or FACS analysis The compounds of the present invention reduce the amount of cell death when used in combination with cytotoxics, as compared to the cytotoxic alone.
The chemoprotective activity of these agents has additionally been demonstrated in vivo. Protection from chemotherapy-induced alopecia is determined in 7 day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups. The treatment is carried out by administering the compounds topically to the head of the animal in doses from 0.01 to 10 mg/kg 2 h before and 2 h after the administration of a single dose of 6 mg/kg etoposide intraperitoneally. Six days after dosing, animals are scored visually for hair loss using a grading scale from 1 (complete hair loss) to 4 (no apparent hair loss). In this assay, the prior treatment of the animal with the compound of this invention results in a marked reduction in the severity of alopecia compared to vehicle treated controls. Under the above described conditions of treatment, the compounds of the present invention also protect against other toxicities of etoposide. Animals treated with etoposide alone show a dramatic lack of weight gain compared to untreated animals. Animals treated with the compounds of the present invention in combination with etoposide, in the schedule indicated above, gain weight normally and even exceed the body weight of control, untreated animals.
The compounds of the present invention additionally show an additive or synergistic effect on cell kill when dosed in combination with cytotoxic drugs in tumour cells (but not normal cells). This can be demonstrated by pretreating normal fibroblasts or RKO colon carcinoma cells with the compounds of the present invention (at concentrations that equals the IC50 in the G1 checkpoint assay) for 4 h prior to the administration of cytotoxic drug. Cytotoxic drugs include, but are not limited to taxanes, vinca alkyloids, anthracyclins, etoposide, mitoxantrone, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and Ara C. This synergistic effect may also be shown in vivo. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats bearing WARD syngeneic tumours are dosed with a combination of etoposide with the compound of the present invention as described above for the protection experiments. Animals dosed in such a manner show an increased antitumour effect as compared to animals dosed with etoposide alone. The compounds of the present invention may therefore be administered systemically to animals in combination with cell-cycle specific cytotoxic drugs to both increase the antitumour effect of the cytotoxic as well as reduce the severity of side effects of the cytotoxic drug. This will allow the dose of cytotoxic to be escalated to further improve antitumor activity without increasing the host toxicity of the cytotoxic.
The compounds of the present invention may also be used in combination with radiation treatment to show similar protection of normal cells from the effects of radiation and may be used as radiosensitizers to increase the tumour killing by radiation therapy.
The compounds of the present invention which are inhibitory for CDK4 or CDK6 activity will selectively inhibit cell cycle progression in cells which retain a functional retinoblastoma protein. Thus, it will be expected that inhibition of CDK4 will systemically protect normal dividing cells, including the GI and oral mucosa, hematopoietic cells and cells in the hair follicle, but be unable to protect tumour cells with loss of RB function, either by deletion or mutation. This implies that compounds which inhibit CDK4 will be useful as systemically administered cytoprotectant drugs in patients with tumours which have lost Rb, with no protective effect on the tumour itself. Such compounds could be expected to allow for increased dosing frequency and dose escalation of the cytotoxic regimens in these patients, improving the outcome of the patient.
The compounds from the present invention will also have utility in the treatment of viral infections. The antiviral activity of these compounds can be demonstrated in cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) replication assays. The IC 50 for inhibition of CMV replication ranges from 0.05 to 5 μM.
The assay for CMV replication is performed as follows:
1. Growth of human fibroblast cells:
MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts (passage #27-30) were were cultured in minimal essential medium with added 8% v/v fetal calf serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 units/mL penicillin G, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin sulfate, (MEM 8-1-1). Incubation was at 37° C. in air plus 5% CO 2 . Cells were inoculated into 96-well plates at ˜7×10 3 cells/well and incubated a further 3 days to confluence (˜2×10 4 cells/well).
2. Infection of cells:
Medium is removed from peach well down to 20 μl and 150 pfu of HCMV (Strain AD169) suspended in 25 μl of medium MEM 2-1-1 (same as MEM 8-1-1 above, but with 2% v/v fetal calf serum) is added. (MOI ˜ 0.013). Plates are centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min at 25° C. and incubated 90 min at 37° C. 180 μl of medium MEM 2-1-1 containing compounds is added to give a range of final concentrations from 0.01 to 100 mM. Multiple plates are set up for each combination with one mock-infected plate for estimation of cytotoxicity. Plates are then incubated at 37° C. in air plus 5% CO 2 for six days (two rounds of viral replication). Cytotoxicity is estimated microscopically on the mock-infected plates, and the infected plates were harvested by decanting the medium from the wells.
3. Preparation, blotting and quantitative hybridization of DNA:
Cells are lysed by adding 50 μl of 0.1 M Tris Cl (pH 8), 50 mM EDTA, 0.2% SDS, and 0.1 mg/mL proteinase K to each well and incubating 1 h at 55° C. The lysates were diluted with 150 μl of water and extracted by mixing with 65 μl phenol saturated with 0.01 M Tris Cl (pH 8) and 1 mM EDTA. The plates were centrifuged at 2200 rpm for 15 min. Next, 50 μl of the aqueous layer was transfered to a new 96-well plate and mixed with 50 μl of 0.5 N NaOH. After incubation at 95° C. for 15 min, the samples were made to 1.5 M Ammonium acetate, 0.15 M Ammonium H 2 phosphate, 5 mM EDTA, pH 6.5 (APE buffer), and blotted onto BRL Supported Nitrocellulose (cat # 1465MH) membranes under vacuum Each well was washed with 200 μl APE buffer. The samples were crosslinked to the membrane with UV light.
4. Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization:
The hybridization probe was prepared from cosmids pC7S31 & pCS37 (Sullivan, et al., Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy 1993, 37, 19-25). These contain the HCMV AD169 sequences from nucleotides 102,000 to 143,300 and 51,600 to 92,900, respectively. The probe is a 1:1 mixture of the two cosmids labeled with α-[ 32 P]-dCTP Prehybridization of the membranes is carried out in 6×SSPE, 1% Ficoll, 1% polyvinylpyrrolidine, 1% BSA, 0.5% SDS, and 50 μg /mL salmon sperm DNA at 45° C. for 2 to 12 h. The prehybdridization solution was replaced with hybridization solution (6×SSPE, 0.5% SDS, 50 μg/mL salmon sperm DNA) containing 1×10 6 cpm/mL of each heat-denatured probe. Hybridization was for 16 h at 65° C. The membranes were then washed as follows: 6×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, room temperature, 2× for 2 min; 1×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, 65° C., 2× for 15 min; 0.1×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, 65° C., once for 1 h. The membranes were blotted dry and wrapped in Saran wrap for quantitation by PhosphorImager. The counts of the drug dilution wells were compared to the counts of untreated control wells to produce a response curve and were used to calculate the IC 50 values. These IC 50 values were calculated by weighted linear regression according to the Hill equation.
The compounds of the present invention may also be used for the treament of other conditions mentioned in connection with modulators of CDK activity. In particular for the treatment of diseases that respond to inhibition of CDK activity, including protection of cells from infection by other viruses and treatment of Alzheimers. Furthermore, these compounds will have utility in the specific inhibition of non-human CDK activities, such as the Aspergillus fumigatus cdc2 homologue and will therefore be useful in the treatment of fungal or other eukaryotic infections.
The compounds of the present invention also inhibit other kinases. In particular, these compounds show affinity for the Src tyrosine kinase. The Src tyrosine kinase participates in a variety of fundamental processes within the cell, including signal transduction from cell-surface receptors, apoptosis and cell division. Compounds which are able to inhibit the src TK find utility as tumour inhibitory and antiinflammatory agents. These compounds are also useful for the prevention of osteoporosis and bone building by inhibition of src in osteoclasts (Tanaka, et al., Nature 1996, 383, 528-31). In addition, the compounds of this invention are suitable for other utilities mentioned in connection with Src modulators, and they can be used in particular for the treatment of diseases that respond to the inhibition of the Src tyrosine kinase.
While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications and substitutions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, effective dosages other than the preferred dosages as set forth herein above may be applicable as a consequence of variations in the responsiveness of the mammal being treated for cancer conditions, or for other indications for the compounds of the invention as indicated above. Likewise, the specific pharmacologic responses observed may vary according to and depending upon the particular active compound selected or whether there are present certain pharmaceutical carriers, as well as the type of formulation and mode of administration employed, and such expected variations or differences in the results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practices of the present invenion. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims which follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly as is reasonable. | Compounds of formula (I): wherein X is N, CH, CCF 3 , or C(C 1-12 aliphatic); R 4 is sulfonic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylamino, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylsulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, Het-amino, Het-sulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, aminoiminoamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, R 5 is hydrogen; and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, pharmaceutical formulations comprising them and their use in therapy, especially in the treatment of diseases mediated by CDK2 activity, such as alopecia induced by cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy. | Summarize the document in concise, focusing on the main idea's functionality and advantages. | [
"This is a Divisional Application of prior U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 09/486,960 filed Jun. 6, 2000 which was filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 as a United States National Phase Application of International Application No. PCT/EP98/05559 filed Sep. 3, 1998, which claims priority from GB 971891.8 filed Sep. 5, 1997.",
"The present invention provides novel compounds, novel compositions, method of their use and methods of their manufacture, such compounds generally useful pharmacologically as agents in those disease states alleviated by the alteration of mitogen activated signalling pathways in general, and in particular in the inhibition or antagonism of protein kinases, which pathologically involve aberrant cellular proliferation, such disease states including tumor growth, restenosis, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis.",
"In particular, the present invention relates to a series of substituted oxindole compounds, which exhibit protein tyrosine kinase and protein serine/threonine kinase inhibition, and which are useful in protecting a patient undergoing chemotherapy from chemotherapy-induced alopecia.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cell growth, differentiation, metabolism and function are extremely tightly controlled in higher eukaryotes.",
"The ability of a cell to rapidly and appropriately respond to the array of external and internal signals it continually receives is of critical importance in maintaining a balance between these processes (Rozengurt, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 161-5;",
"Wilks, Progress in Growth Factor Research 1990, 2, 97-111).",
"The loss of control over cellular regulation can often lead to aberrant cell function or death, often resulting in a disease state in the parent organism.",
"The protein kinases represent a large family of proteins which play a central role in the regulation of a wide variety of cellular processes and maintaining control over cellular function (Hanks, et al.",
", Science 1988, 241, 42-52).",
"A partial list of such kinases includes ab1, ATK , bcr-ab1, Blk, Brk, Btk, c-kit, c-met, c-src, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cRaf1, CSF1R, CSK, EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERK, Fak, fes, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5, Fgr, FLK4, flt-1, Fps, Frk, Fyn, Hck, IGF-1R, INS-R, Jak, KDR, Lck, Lyn, MEK, p38, PDGFR, PIK, PKC, PYK2, ros, tie 1 , tie 2 , TRK, Yes, and Zap70.",
"One of the most commonly studied pathways involving kinase regulation is cellular signalling from receptors at the cell surface to the nucleus (Crews and Erikson, Cell 1993, 74, 215-7).",
"One example of this pathway includes a cascade of kinases in which members of the Growth Factor receptor Tyrosine Kinases (such as EGF-R, PDGF-R, VEGF-R, IGF1-R, the Insulin receptor), deliver signals through phosphorylation to other kinases such as Src Tyrosine kinase, and the Raf, Mek and Erk serine/threonine kinase families (Crews and Erikson, Cell 1993, 74, 215-7;",
"Ihle, et al.",
", Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1994, 19, 222-7).",
"Each of these kinases is represented by several family members (Pelech and Sanghera, Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1992, 17, 233-8) which play related, but functionally distinct roles.",
"The loss of regulation of the growth factor signalling pathway is a frequent occurence in cancer as well as other disease states.",
"The signals mediated by kinases have also been shown to control growth, death and differentiation in the cell by regulating the processes of the cell cycle (Massague and Roberts, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 769-72).",
"Progression through the eukaryotic cell cycle is controlled by a family of kinases called cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) (Myerson, et al.",
", EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 2909-17).",
"The regulation of CDK activation is complex, but requires the association of the CDK with a member of the cyclin family of regulatory subunits (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9;",
"Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80;",
"Solomon, et al.",
", Molecular Biology of the Cell.",
"1992, 3, 13-27).",
"A further level of regulation occurs through both activating and inactivating phosphorylations of the CDK subunit (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9;",
"Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80;",
"Solomon, et al.",
", Molecular Biology of the Cell.",
"1992, 3, 13-27;",
"Ducommun, et al.",
", EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 3311-9;",
"Gautier, et al.",
", Nature 1989, 339, 626-9;",
"Gould and Nurse, Nature 1989, 342, 39-45;",
"Krek and Nigg, EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 3331-41;",
"Solomon, et al.",
", Cell 1990, 63, 1013-24).",
"The coordinate activation and inactivation of different cyclin/CDK complexes is necessary for normal progression through the cell cycle (Pines, Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1993, 18, 195-7;",
"Sherr, Cell 1993, 73, 1059-65).",
"Both the critical G1-S and G2-M transitions are controlled by the activation of different cyclin/CDK activities.",
"In G1, both cyclin D/CDK4 and cyclin E/CDK2 are thought to mediate the onset of S-phase (Matsushime, et al.",
", Molecular &",
"Cellular Biology 1994, 14, 2066-76;",
"Ohtsubo and Roberts, Science 1993, 259, 1908-12;",
"Quelle, et al.",
", Genes &",
"Development 1993, 7, 1559-71;",
"Resnitzky, et al.",
", Molecular &",
"Cellular Biology 1994, 14, 1669-79).",
"Progression through S-phase requires the activity of cyclin A/CDK2 (Girard, et al.",
", Cell 1991, 67, 1169-79;",
"Pagano, et al.",
", EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 961-71;",
"Rosenblatt, et al.",
", Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1992, 89, 2824-8;",
"Walker and Maller, Nature 1991, 354, 314-7;",
"Zindy, et al.",
", Biochemical &",
"Biophysical Research Communications 1992, 182, 1144-54) whereas the activation of cydin A/cdc2 (CDK1) and cyclin B/cdc2 are required for the onset of metaphase (Draetta, Trends in Cell Biology 1993, 3, 287-9;",
"Murray and Kirschner, Nature 1989, 339, 275-80;",
"Solomon, et al.",
", Molecular Biology of the Cell.",
"1992, 3, 13-27;",
"Girard, et al.",
", Cell 1991, 67, 1169-79;",
"Pagano, et al.",
", EMBO Journal 1992, 11, 961-71;",
"Rosenblatt, et al.",
", Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1992, 89, 2824-8;",
"Walker and Maller, Nature 1991, 354, 314-7;",
"Zindy, et al.",
", Biochemical &",
"Biophysical Research Communications 1992, 182, 1144-54).",
"It is not surprising, therefore, that the loss of control of CDK regulation is a frequent event in hyperproliferative diseases and cancer.",
"(Pines, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 144-8;",
"Lees, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 773-80;",
"Hunter and Pines, Cell 1994, 79, 573-82).",
"The selective inhibition of CDKs is therefore an object of the present invention.",
"The compounds of the present invention are additionally useful in the treatment of one or more diseases afflicting mammals which are characterized by cellular proliferation in the areas of blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, mesangial cell proliferative disorders and metabolic diseases.",
"Blood vessel proliferative disorders include arthritis and restenosis.",
"Fibrotic disorders include hepatic cirrhosis and atherosclerosis.",
"Mesangial cell proliferative disorders include glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes, organ transplant rejection and glomerulopathies.",
"Metabolic disorders include psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, chronic wound healing, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.",
"Inhibitors of kinases involved in mediating or maintaining these disease states represent novel therapies for these disorders.",
"Examples of such kinases include, but are not limited to: (1) inhibition of c-Src (Brickell, Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis 1992, 3, 401-46;",
"Courtneidge, Seminars in Cancer Biology 1994, 5, 239-46), raf (Powis, Pharmacology &",
"Therapeutics 1994, 62, 57-95) and the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 1, 2 and 4 in cancer (Pines, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1992, 4, 144-8;",
"Lees, Current Opinion in Cell Biology 1995, 7, 773-80;",
"Hunter and Pines, Cell 1994, 79, 573-82), (2) inhibition of CDK2 or PDGF-R kinase in restenosis (Buchdunger, et al.",
", Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 1995, 92, 2258-62), (3) inhibition of CDK5 and GSK3 kinases in Alzheimers (Hosoi, et al.",
", Journal of Biochemistry (Tokyo) 1995, 117, 741-9;",
"Aplin, et al.",
", Journal of Neurochemistry 1996, 67, 699-707), (4) inhibition of c-Src kinase in osteoporosis (Tanaka, et al.",
", Nature 1996, 383, 528-31), (5) inhibition of GSK-3 kinase in type-2 diabetes (Borthwick, et al.",
", Biochemical &",
"Biophysical Research Communications 1995, 210, 738-45);",
"(6) inhibition of the p38 kinase in inflammation (Badger, et al.",
", The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1996, 279, 1453-61);",
"(7) inhibition of VEGF-R 1-3 and TIE-1 and -2 kinases in diseases which involve angiogenesis (Shawver, et al.",
", Drug Discovery Today 1997, 2, 50-63);",
"(8) inhibition of UL97 kinase in viral infections (He, et al.",
", Journal of Virology 1997, 71, 405-11);",
"(9) inhibition of CSF-1 R kinase in bone and hematopoetic diseases (Myers, et al.",
", Bioorganic &",
"Medicinal Chemistry Letters 1997, 7, 421-4), and (10) inhibition of Lck kinase in autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection (Myers, et al.",
", Bioorganic &",
"Medicinal Chemistry Letters 1997, 7,417-20).",
"It is additionally possible that inhibitors of certain kinases may have utility in the treatment of diseases when the kinase is not misregulated, but is nonetheless essential for maintenance of the disease state.",
"In this case, inhibition of the kinase activity would act either as a cure or palliative for these diseases.",
"For example, many viruses, such as human papilloma virus, disrupt the cell cycle and drive cells into the S-phase of the cell cycle (Vousden;",
"FASEB Journal 1993, 7, 872-9).",
"Preventing cells from entering DNA synthesis after viral infection by inhibition of essential S-phase initiating activities such as CDK2, may disrupt the virus life cycle by preventing virus replication.",
"This same principle may be used to protect normal cells of the body from toxicity of cycle-specific chemotherapeutic agents (Stone, et al.",
", Cancer Research 1996, 56, 3199-202;",
"Kohn, et al.",
", Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 1994, 54, 440-52).",
"Inhibition of CDKs 2 or 4 will prevent progression into the cycle in normal cells and limit the toxicity of cytotoxics which act in S-phase, G2 or mitosis.",
"Furthermore, CDK2/cyclin E activity has also been shown to regulate NF-kB: Inhibition of CDK2 activity stimulates NF-kB-dependent gene expression, an event mediated through interactions with the p300 coactivator (Perkins, et al.",
", Science 1997, 275, 523-7).",
"NF-kB regulates genes involved in inflammatory responses, (such as hematopoietic growth factors chemokines and leukocyte adhesion molecules) (Baeuerle and Henkel, Annual Review of Immunology 1994, 12, 141-79) and may be involved in the suppression of apoptotic signals within the cell (Beg and Baltimore, Science 1996, 274, 782-4;",
"Wang, et al.",
", Science 1996, 274, 784-7;",
"Van Antwerp, et al.",
", Science 1996, 274, 787-9).",
"Thus, inhibition of CDK2 may suppress apoptosis induced by cytotoxic drugs via a mechanism which involves NF-kB.",
"This therefore suggests that inhibition of CDK2 activity may also have utility in other cases where regulation of NF-kB plays a role in etiology of disease.",
"A further example may be taken from fungal infections: Aspergillosis is a common infection in immune-compromised patients (Armstrong, Clinical Infectious Diseases 1993, 16, 1-7).",
"Inhibition of the Aspergillus kinases Cdc2/CDC28 or Nim A (Osmani, et al.",
", EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 2669-79;",
"Osmani, et al.",
", Cell 1991, 67, 283-91) may cause arrest or death in the fungi, improving the therapeutic outcome for patients with these infections.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief summary, the invention comprises compounds of the formula (I): wherein X is N, CH, CCF 3 , or C(C 1-12 aliphatic);",
"R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, thiol, hydroxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, Cyc, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryloxy, amino, C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, cyano, sulfonamide, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;",
"R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Aryl-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 -alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C- 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, or C 1-12 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-12 aliphatic, halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or oxo;",
"R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-12 aliphatic, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;",
"with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;",
"R 4 is sulfonic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl -C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylamino, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylsulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, Het-amino, Het-sulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, aminoiminoamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"R 5 is hydrogen;",
"and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by C 1-12 aliphatic, oxo or dioxo;",
"R 6 is C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-12 alkoxy, or halogen;",
"R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;",
"R 8 is hydrogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, halo, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or halo-C 1-12 aliphatic;",
"Aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthracenyl;",
"Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;",
"Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, isoquinoline, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, quinoline, tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thidiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole, with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;",
"and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.",
"A more preferred genus of compounds of the present invention includes compounds of formula (I), defined as follows: wherein X is N, CH, or C(C 1-6 aliphatic);",
"R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;",
"R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Aryl-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, sulfo, C 1-6 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, or quaternary ammonium, where R 7 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen or oxo;",
"R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;",
"with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;",
"R 4 is sulfonic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic-amino, R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C- 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylamino, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Arylsulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, Het-amino, Het-sulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, aminoiminoamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"R 5 is hydrogen;",
"and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het above, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by oxo or dioxo;",
"R 6 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkoxy, or halogen;",
"R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;",
"R 8 is hydrogen or halo-C 1-6 aliphatic;",
"Aryl is phenyl, or naphthyl;",
"Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;",
"Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thiadiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;",
"and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates, solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.",
"A highly preferred genus of compounds of the present invention includes compounds of formula (I), defined as follows: wherein X is N, CH, or CCH 3 ;",
"R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;",
"R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 alkoxy, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl, Aryl, R 6 -Aryloxycarbonyl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, Ary-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, C 1-6 alkoxy-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C 1-6 aliphatic sulfonyl, or aminosulfonyl, C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen or oxo;",
"R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-6 aliphatic, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl C 1-6 alkoxy, Aryloxy, Het, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 alkyl or C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl;",
"with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;",
"R 4 is R 7 -sulfonyl, R 7 -sulfonyl C 1-6 -aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic sulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, R 7 -aminosulfonyl C 1-6 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, R 7 -C 1-6 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-6 aliphatic, Aryl, Het, R 8 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, Het-aminosulfonyl, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"R 5 is hydrogen;",
"and further wherein R 4 and R 5 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said used rings optionally substituted by oxo or dioxo;",
"R 6 is hydroxy, C 1-6 alkoxy, or halogen;",
"R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-6 aliphatic, hydroxy C 1-6 -alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-6 aliphatic, C 1-6 aliphatic carbonyl, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyl, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-6 -alkoxy, Aryl-C 1-6 -aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-6 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-6 -alkoxy, Het-C 1-6 -aliphatic, di-Het-C 1-6 -aliphatic;",
"R 8 is trifluoromethyl;",
"Aryl is phenyl;",
"Cyc is cyclobutyl;",
"Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, pyridine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, thiadiazole, thiazole, thiophene, and triazole, with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;",
"and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates, solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.",
"A preferred group of compounds of the present invention with respect to the substitutions at R 4 are compounds of formula (I): wherein X is NH;",
"R 1 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, thiol, hydroxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic, Cyc, Cyc-C 1-6 aliphatic, Het, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryloxy, amino, C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, cyano, sulfonamide, or nitro, where R 6 , Aryl, Cyc and Het are as defined below;",
"R 2 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, N-hydroxyimino-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl C 1-12 aliphatic, Aryl, R 6 -Ary-oxycarbonyl, R 6 -oxycarbonyl-Aryl, Het, aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, R 6 -Aryl-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, Het-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 -alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-aminocarbonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy-C 1-12 aliphatic-amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, C 1-12 aliphatic-sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, or C 1-12 aliphatic-aminosulfonyl, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 1 and R 2 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or oxo;",
"R 3 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, hydroxy C 1-12 aliphatic, di-C 1-12 aliphatic amino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminocarbonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, C 1-12 alkoxy, Aryl, Aryloxy, hydroxy-Aryl, Het, hydroxy-Het, Het-oxy, or halogen, where Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"further wherein R 2 and R 3 are optionally joined to form a fused ring, said fused ring selected from the group as defined for Het below, or any of said fused rings optionally substituted by C 1-6 aliphatic or C 1-6 aliphatic-carbonyl;",
"with the proviso that R 1 , R 2 and R 3 cannot simultaneously be H;",
"R 4 is R 7 -aminosulfonyl, R 7 -aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, R 7 -sulfonylamino, R 7 -sulfonylamino-C 1-12 aliphatic, aminosulfonylamino, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl, di-C 1-12 aliphatic aminosulfonyl-C 1-12 aliphatic, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-aminosulfonyl, (R 8 ) 1-3 -Aryl-sulfonylamino, or aminoiminoaminosulfonyl, where R 7 , R 8 , Aryl and Het are as defined below;",
"R 5 is hydrogen;",
"R 6 is C 1-12 aliphatic, hydroxy, C 1-12 alkoxy, or halogen;",
"R 7 is hydrogen, C 1-12 aliphatic, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy-C 1-12 aliphatic, carboxylic acid, C 1-12 aliphatic-carbonyl, Het, Het-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy, di-Het-C 1-12 -alkoxy Aryl, Aryl-C 1-12 -aliphatic, Aryl-C 1-12 -alkoxy, Aryl-carbonyl, C 1-18 alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkoxyaliphatic, or hydroxyl where Het and Aryl are as defined below;",
"R 8 is hydrogen, nitro, cyano, C 1-12 alkoxy, halo, carbonyl-C 1-12 alkoxy or halo-C 1-12 aliphatic;",
"Aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthracenyl;",
"Cyc is cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, any one of which may have one or more degrees of unsaturation;",
"Het is a saturated or unsaturated heteroatom ring system selected from the group consisting of benzimidazole, dihydrothiophene, dioxin, dioxane, dioxolane, dithiane, dithiazine, dithiazole, dithiolane, furan, imidazole, morpholine, oxazole, oxadiazole, oxathiazole, oxathiazolidine, oxazine, oxadiazine, piperazine, piperadine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, tetrahydrofuran, tetrazine, thiadiazine, thiadiazole, thiatriazole, thiazine, thiazole, thiomorpholine, thiophene, thiopyran, triazine and triazole with the proviso that when R 2 is thiadiazine, then R 4 cannot be methylsulfone;",
"and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable carbamates solvates, hydrates, affinity reagents or prodrugs thereof in either crystalline or amorphous form.",
"Due to the presence of an oxindole exocyclic double bond, also included in the compounds of the invention are their respective pure E and Z geometric isomers as well as mixtures of E and Z isomers.",
"The invention as described and claimed does not set any limiting ratios on prevalence of Z to E isomers.",
"Thus compound number 104 in the tables below is disclosed and claimed as the E geometric thereof, the Z geometric isomer thereof and a mixture of the E and Z geometric isomers thereof, but not limited by any given ratio(s).",
"Likewise, it is understood that compounds of formula (I) may exist in tautomeric forms other than that shown in the formula.",
"Certain of the compounds as described will contain one or more chiral, or asymmetric, centers and will therefore be capable of existing as optical isomers that are either dextrorotatory or levorotatory.",
"Also included in the compounds of the invention are the respective dextrorotatory or levorotatory pure preparations, and mixtures thereof.",
"Certain compounds of formula (I) above may exist in stereoisomeric forms (e.g. they may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms or may exhibit cis-trans isomerism).",
"The individual stereoisomers (enantiomers and diastereoisomers) and mixtures of these are included within the scope of the present invention.",
"Likewise, it is understood that compounds of formula (I) may exist in tautomeric forms other than that shown in the formula and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.",
"The present invention also provides compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof (hereafter identified as the ‘active compounds’) for use in medical therapy, and particularly in the treatment of disorders mediated by CDK2 activity, such as alopecia induced by cancer chemotherapy.",
"A further aspect of the invention provides a method of treatment of the human or animal body suffering from a disorder mediated by a mitogen activated protein kinase which comprises administering an effective amount of an active compound of formula (I) to the human or animal patient.",
"Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I), in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of malignant tumors, or for the treatment of alopecia induced by cancer chemotherapy or induced by radiation therapy.",
"Alternatively, compounds of formula (I) can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease mediated by a kinase selected from the group consisting of ab1, ATK, bcr-ab1, Blk, Brk, Btk, c-kit, c-met, c-src, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cRaf1, CSF1R, CSK, EGFR, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, ERK, Fak, fes, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, FGFR5, Fgr, FLK-4, flt-1, Fps, Frk, Fyn, Hck, IGF-1R, INS-R, Jak, KDR, Lck, Lyn, MEK, p38, PDGFR, PIK, PKC, PYK2, ros ,tie 1 , tie 2 , TRK, Yes, and Zap70.",
"Additionally, compounds of formula (I) can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of organ transplant rejection, of inhibiting tumor growth, of treating chemotherapy-induced alopecia, chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia or chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, or of treating a disease state selected from the group consisting of mucocitis, restenosis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, angiogenesis, hepatic cirrhosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy, a glomerulopathy, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, a neurodegenerative disease, macular degeneration, actinic keratosis and hyperproliferative disorders.",
"Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I), in coadministration with previously known anti-tumor therapies for more effective treatment of such tumors.",
"Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an active compound of formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of viral or eukaryotic infections.",
"Other aspects of the present invention related to the inhibition-of mitogen-activated protein kinases are discussed in more detail below.",
"Compounds we have synthesized as part of the present invention which are currently preferred are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below.",
"Compounds are identified by the numbers shown in the first column;",
"variables below in the rest of the columns are with reference to the generic structure (I).",
"Corresponding IUPAC nomenclature are disclosed in Table 2.",
"Since all substituents at each point of substitution are capable of independent synthesis of each other, the tables are to be read as a matrix in which any combination of substituents is within the scope of the disclosure and claims of the invention.",
"TABLE 1 (I) Example R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 X 1 —NO 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 2 —CONH 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 3 —CH(CH 3 ) 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 4 —CH 2 OH H H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H CH 5 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 6 —CO 2 CH 2 CH 3 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 7 I H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 8 —CH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 9 —CH═C(CH 3 ) 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 10 —CH═C(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N and —CH 2 C(CH 3 )═CHCH 3 11 —CH 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 12 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 13 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 14 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 15 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 16 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 17 OCH(CH 3 ) 2 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 18 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 19 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 20 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 21 H —NO 2 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 22 H —OH H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 23 H —CH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 24 H H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 25 H —SO 3 − Na + H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 26 H —CONH 2 H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 27 H —CO 2 CH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 28 H Br H 4′-SO 2 CH 3 H N 29 H I H —NH—N═N— CH 30 H —SO 2 NH 2 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 31 H —SO 2 CH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 32 H —SO 2 NHCH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 33 H —C(═NOH)CH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 34 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CCH 3 35 H H 4′-SO 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 H CH 36 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 37 H -phenyl H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 38 H —CON(CH 3 ) 2 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 39 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 40 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 41 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 42 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 43 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 44 H —CONH(CH 2 ) 2 OCH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 45 H —CONH(CH 2 ) 2 OH H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 46 H —CONH(CH 2 ) 3 OH H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 47 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 48 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 49 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 50 H —OCH 3 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 51 H —NH 3 + Cl − H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 52 H H —CH 2 CH 3 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 53 H H H SO 2 OC 6 H 5 H CH 54 H H H 4′-NHSO 2 NH 2 H CH 55 H H —CH 2 OH 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 56 H H Br 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 57 H H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 58 H H —OCH 2 CH 3 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 59 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 O(CH 2 ) 2 OH H CH 60 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NH(CH 2 ) 2 OH H CH 61 —CH 3 —NO 2 H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 62 —CH═NNH— H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 63 —NH—N═CH— H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 64 —N—N═NH— H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 65 —C(Cl)═NNH— H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 66 —C(O)NHCH 2 — H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 67 —SCH═N— H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 OH H CH 68 —CH═CHCH═N— H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 69 —SCH═N— H H CH 70 —SCH═N— H H CH 71 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NH—C(═NH)NH 2 H CH 72 —SCH═N— H H CH 73 —SCH═N— H —CH 2 SO 2 CH 2 — CH 74 —SCH═N— H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NH 2 H CH 75 —SCH═N— H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 2 CH═CH 2 H CH 76 —SCH═N— H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 CH 3 H CH 77 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 2 C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 OH H CH 78 —SCH═N— H H CH 79 —SCH═N— H H CH 80 —SCH═N— H H CH 81 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NHCOCH 3 H CH 82 —SCH═N— H H CH 83 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 84 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 N(CH 3 (CH 2 ) 2 O(CH 2 ) 2 OH H CH 85 —SCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NH[(CH 2 ) 2 O] 4 CH 3 H CH 86 H —CH 3 —CH 3 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 87 H —NHCOCH 3 —OH 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 88 H —OCH 3 Cl 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 89 H —OH —CH(CH 3 ) 2 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 90 H —N═C(CH 3 O— 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 91 H —N(COCH 3 )(CH 2 ) 2 — 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 92 H —OCH 2 O— 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 93 H —NH 2 + (Br)(CH 2 ) 2 — 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 94 Cl —OCH 3 Cl 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 95 Cl —OH —CH 3 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 96 —CH 3 —OH —CH 3 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 97 H H H —NHN═CH— CH 98 H H H —CH═NNH— CH 99 —CH 3 —OH —CH 3 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3 H N 100 H H 4′-CH 2 SO 2 NHCH 3 H CH 101 —SCH═N— H —N═N—NH— CH 102 —CH═CHCH═N— H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H N 103 H —CO 2 CH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 H 4′-SO 2 NH 2 H CH 104 —SCH═N— H H CH Standard accepted nomenclature corresponding to the Examples set forth in this specification are set forth below.",
"In some cases nomenclature is given for one or more possible isomers.",
"Example 1: 4-[N′-(4-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 2: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid amide (E isomer).",
"Example 3: 4-[N′-(4-Isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 4: 4-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 5: 4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 6: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Z-isomer).",
"Example 7: 4-[N′-(4-Iodo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 8: 4-[N′-(4-Isobutyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 9: 4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-propenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 10: 4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-1-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide and 4-{N′-[4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 11: 4-{N′-[4-(2-methylbutyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 12: 4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylmethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 13: 4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 14: 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benznensulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 15: 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-vinyll]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benznensulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 16: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-4-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).",
"Example 17: 4-[N′-(4-Isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 18: 4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 19: 4-[(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 20: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazone]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl ester (Z-isomer).",
"Example 21: 4-[N′-(5-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 22: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 23: 4-[N′-(5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (E isomer).",
"Example 24: N-Methyl-4-[N′-(2-oxo-5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 25: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid sodium salt (Z-isomer).",
"Example 26: 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 27: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer).",
"Example 28: 5-Bromo-3-[(4-Methylsulfonyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 29: 3-(3H-benzotriazol-5-ylamino-methylene)-5-iodo-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 30: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 31: 4-[N′-(5-Methylsulfonyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 32: 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid methylamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 33: 4-{N′-[5-(1-Hydroxyimino-ethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 34: 4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-ethylamino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 35: N,N-Dimethyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 36: 4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).",
"Example 37: 4-[(2-Oxo-5-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 38: 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 39: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid (furan-2-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 40: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid -2,6-dimethoxy-benzylamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 41: 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 42: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-imidazol-1-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 43: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 44: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-methoxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 45: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 46: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxypropyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 47: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 48: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 49: 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 50: 4-[N′-(5-Methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 51: 4-[N′-(5-Amino-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (Z-isomer).",
"Example 52: 4-[N′-(6-Ethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 53: 4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzensulfonic-acid-phenyl-ester (Z-isomer).",
"Example 54: N-{4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}sulfamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 55: 4-[(6-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 56: 4-[N′-(6-Bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 57: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-6-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 58: 4-[N′-(6-Ethoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 59: N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 60: N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 61: N-Methyl-4-[N′-(4-methyl-5-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 62: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 63: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-g]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).",
"Example 64: 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers).",
"Example 65: 4-[N′-(1-Chloro-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 66: 4-[N′-(1,7-Dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 67: N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 68: N-Methyl-C-{4-[N′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 69: N-(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 70: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-thiazol-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 71: N-(Amino-imino-methyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 72: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 73: 8-[(2,2-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-benzo[c]thiophen-5-ylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 74: {4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 75: N-Allyl-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 76: 8-(4-Methylsulfonylmethyl-phenylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 77: N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 78: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 79: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 80: N-(5-Methyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 81: N-Acetyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 82: N-Benzoyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 83: N-Methyl-4-[N′(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 84: N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethyl]-N-methyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 85: N-(2-{2-[2-(2-Methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 86: 4-[N′-(5,6-Dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 87: N-{6-Hydroxy-3-[(4-methylsulfamoylmethyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl}-acetamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 88: 4-[N′-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzene-sulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 89: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-6-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 90: 4-[N′-(2-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3-oxa-1,5-diaza-s-indacen-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 91: 4-[N′-(5-Acetyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 92: 4-[N′-(6-Oxo-5,6-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-f]indol-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 93: 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrobromide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 94: C-{4-[N′-(4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 95: 4-[N′-(4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 96: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 97: 3-(1H-Indazol-5-ylamino-methylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 98: 3-[(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-hydrazone]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 99: 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene[-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-methanesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
"Example 100: N-Methyl-4-(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenylmethanesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 101: 8-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylaminomethylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7-one (Z-isomer).",
"Example 102: 4-[N′-2-Oxo-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"Example 103: 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (Z-isomer).",
"Example 104: 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)amino]-N-pyridinyl4-yl-methyl benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer).",
"The invention discloses six different points of substitution on structural formula (I).",
"Each of these points of substitution bears a substituent whose selection and synthesis as part of this invention was independent of all other points of substitution on formula (I).",
"Thus, each point of substitution is now further described individually.",
"Preferred substitutions at the R 1 position include hydrogen, halogen, amide, nitro, lower alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, pyrimidineloweralkyl, loweralkoxycarbonyl, cyclic loweralkyl, hydroxyphenylloweralkyl, phenoxy, alkoxy, or pyrazole, or are fused with R 2 to form fused thiazole, pyrazole, triazole, halogen-substituted diazole, acyl substituted pyrrole, and pyridine, rings.",
"Most preferred are hydrogen, methyl and fused with R 2 for form fused thiazole and fused pyridine.",
"Most highly preferred are to be fused with R 2 to form fused thiazole.",
"Preferred substitutions at the R 2 position include hydrogen, halogen, sulfate, amine, quaternary amine, amide, ester, phenyl, alkoxy, aminosulfonyl, lower alkyl sulfonyl, furanyl lower alkyl amide, pyridinyl lower alkyl amide, alkoxy-substituted phenyl lower alkyl amide, morpholino lower alkyl amide, imidazolyl lower alkyl amide, hydroxy lower alkyl amide, alkoxy lower alkyl amide, lower alkyl amide, lower alkyl sulfonamide, lower alkyl hydroxy substituted amino, nitro, halogen-substituted phenoxycarbonyl, or triazole or oxazole rings, or are fused with R 3 to form a fused oxazole, pyrrole, or dioxolane ring, which fused rings can be substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkyl carbonyl, or, when said fused ring is a hetero ring having nitrogen as the heteroatom, forming a quaternary ammonium salt ionically bonded with a halogen atom.",
"Most preferred are hydrogen, hydroxyl, oxazolyl, or fused with R 1 to form fused thiazolyl or fused pyridyl Most highly preferred are to be fused with R 1 to form fused thiazole.",
"Preferred substitutions at R 3 include hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy lower alkyl, halogen, phenoxy, and alkoxy.",
"Most preferred are hydrogen and methyl.",
"Most highly preferred is hydrogen.",
"Preferred substitutions at R 4 include sulfonylamino, sulfonylaminoamino, lower alkyl sulfonylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl lower alkyl, alkoxysulfonylamino, phenylcarbonylsulfonylamino, phenoxysulfonyl, hydroxy lower alkylsulfonylamino, hydroxy lower alkylsulfonylamino lower alkyl, alkyl, phenylsulfonylamino, optionally substituted by halogen substituted lower alkyl, aminoiminosulfonylamino, alkylsulfonylaminoalkyl, pyridinyl lower alkyl sulfonylamino, benzamideazolesulfonylamino, pyridylsulfonylamino, pyrimidinylsulfonylamino, thiadiazolylsulfonylamino optionally substituted by lower alkyl, thiazolesulfonylamino, hydroxyalkoxyalkylsulfonylamino, or the group 4′-SO 2 NH[(CH 2 ) 2 O] 4 CH 3 , or are fused with R 5 to form a fused imidazole, triazole, cyclic sulfonylamino or thiaphene ring optionally disubstituted on the sulfur heteroatom by oxo.",
"The most preferred substitutions are 2 pyridine sulfonylamino, 4 pyridine sulfonylamino, hydroxy n-butyl sulfonylamino, methylsulfonylaminomethylene, sulfonyldimethylamino, fused 1,2,3-triazole, and sulfonylamino.",
"Most highly preferred is 2 pyridine sulfonylamino, 4 pyridine sulfonylamino and hydroxy n-butyl sulfonylamino.",
"The preferred substitution at R 5 is hydrogen.",
"Preferred substitutions at X include N, CH, and CCH 3 .",
"Most preferred is NH.",
"Preferred individual compounds of the present invention include any one of the following compounds: Highly preferred compounds include DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Salts encompassed within the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts”",
"refer to non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention which are generally prepared by reacting the free base with a suitable organic or inorganic acid or by reacting the acid with a suitable organic or inorganic base.",
"Representative salts include the following salts: Acetate, Benzenesulfonate, Benzoate, Bicarbonate, Bisulfate, Bitartrate, Borate, Bromide, Calcium Edetate, Camsylate, Carbonate, Chloride, Clavulanate, Citrate, Diethanolamine, Dihydrochloride, Edetate, Edisylate, Estolate, Esylate, Fumarate, Gluceptate, Gluconate, Glutamate, Glycollylarsanilate, Hexylresorcinate, Hydrabamine, Hydrobromide, Hydrocloride, Hydroxynaphthoate, Iodide, Isethionate, Lactate, Lactobionate, Laurate, Malate, Maleate, Mandelate, Mesylate, Metaphosphoric, Methylbromide, Methylnitrate, Methylsulfate, Monopotassium Maleate, Mucate, Napsylate, Nitrate, N-methylglucamine, Oxalate, Pamoate (Embonate), Palmitate, Pantothenate, Phosphate/diphosphate, Polygalacturonate, Potassium, Salicylate, Sodium, Stearate, Subacetate, Succinate, Tannate, Tartrate, Teoclate, Tosylate, Trifluoroacetate, Triethiodide, Trimethylammonium and Valerate.",
"Other salts which are not pharmaceutically acceptable may be useful in the preparation of compounds of formula (I) and these form a further aspect of the invention.",
"Also included within the scope of the invention are the individual isomers of the compounds represented by formula (I) above as well as any wholly or partially equilibrated mixtures thereof.",
"The present invention also covers the individual isomers of the compounds represented by formula above as mixtures with isomers thereof in which one or more chiral asymmetric centers are inverted.",
"As used herein, the term “aliphatic”",
"refers to the terms alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl, and alkynylene.",
"As used herein, the term “lower”",
"refers to a group having between one and six carbons.",
"As used herein, the term “alkyl”",
"refers to a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon-having from one to twelve carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “alkyl”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, n-butyl, n-pentyl, isobutyl, and isopropyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “alkylene”",
"refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from one to ten carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “alkylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “alkenyl”",
"refers to a hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbons and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"As used herein, the term “alkenylene”",
"refers to an straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbon atoms and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “alkenylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, methylene-1,1-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “alkynyl”",
"refers to a hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbons and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"As used herein, the term “alkynylene”",
"refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical having from two to ten carbon atoms and one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “alkynylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethyne-1,2-diyl, propyne-1,3-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “cycloaliphatic”",
"refers to the terms cycloalkyl, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylene, cycloalkynyl and cycloalkyinylene.",
"As used herein, “cycloalkyl”",
"refers to a alicyclic hydrocarbon group with one or more degrees of unsaturation, having from three to twelve carton atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"“Cycloalkyl”",
"includes by way of example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, or cyclooctyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “cycloalkylene”",
"refers to an non-aromatic alicyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “cycloalkylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl-1,1-diyl, cyclopropyl-1,2-diyl, cyclobutyl-1,2-diyl, cydopentyl-1,3-diyl, cyclohexyl-1,4-diyl, cycloheptyl-1,4-diyl, or cyclooctyl-1,5-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “cycloalkenyl”",
"refers to a substituted alicyclic hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring system, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “cycloalkenylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, 1-cyclopentene-3-yl, 1-cyclohexene-3-yl, 1-cycloheptene4-yl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “cycloalkenylene”",
"refers to a substituted alicyclic divalent hydrocarbon radical having from three to twelve carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring system, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “cycloalkenylene”",
"as used herein include, but are not limited to, 4,5-cyclopentene-1,3-diyl, 3,4-cyclohexene-1,1-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “heteroatom ring system”",
"refers to the terms heterocyclic, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylene.",
"Non-limiting examples of such heteroatom ring systems are recited in the Summary of the Invention, above.",
"As used herein, the term “heterocyclic”",
"or the term “heterocyclyl”",
"refers to a three to twelve-membered heterocyclic ring having one or more degrees of unsaturation containing one or more heteroatomic substitutions selected from S, SO, SO 2 , O, or N, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Such a ring may be optionally fused to one or more of another “heterocyclic”",
"ring(s) or cycloalkyl ring(s).",
"Examples of “heterocyclic”",
"include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofuran, pyran, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxane, piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, tetrahydrothiopyran, tetrahydrothiophene, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “heterocyclylene”",
"refers to a three to twelve-membered heterocyclic ring diradical having one or more degrees of unsaturation containing one or more heteroatoms selected from S, SO, SO 2 , O, or N, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, or lower perfluoroalkyl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Such a ring may be optionally fused to one or more benzene rings or to one or more of another “heterocyclic”",
"rings or cycloalkyl rings.",
"Examples of “heterocyclylene”",
"include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyl, morpholine-2,3-diyl, pyran-2,4-diyl, 1,4-dioxane-2,3-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,4-diyl, piperidine-2,4-diyl, piperidine-1,4-diyl, pyrrolidine-1,3-diyl, morpholine-2,4-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “aryl”",
"refers to a benzene ring or to an optionally substituted benzene ring system fused to one or more optionally substituted benzene rings to form anthracene, phenanthrene, or napthalene ring systems, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of aryl include, but are not limited to, phenyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-naphthyl, biphenyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “arylene”",
"refers to a benzene ring diradical or to a benzene ring system diradical fused to one or more optionally substituted benzene rings, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"Examples of “arylene”",
"include, but are not limited to, benzene-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-1,8-diyl, anthracene-1,4-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “heteroary”",
"refers to a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring, or to a polycyclic heterocyclic aromatic ring, containing one or more nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur heteroatoms at any position, where N-oxides and sulfur monoxides and sulfur dioxides are permissible heteroaromatic substitutions, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"For polycyclic aromatic ring systems, one or more of the rings may contain one or more heteroatoms.",
"Examples of “heteroaryl”",
"used herein are furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, isothiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, benzofuran, benzothiophene, indole, and indazole, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “heteroarylene”",
"refers to a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring diradical, or to a polycyclic heterocyclic aromatic ring diradical, containing one or more nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur heteroatoms, where N-oxides and sulfur monoxides and sulfur dioxides are permissible heteroaromatic substitutions, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylsulfanyl, lower alkylsulfenyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino optionally substituted by alkyl, carboxy, tetrazolyl, carbamoyl optionally substituted by alkyl, aminosulfonyl optionally substituted by alkyl, acyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyloxy, aroyloxy, heteroaroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, lower perfluoroalkyl, heteroaryl, or aryl, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"For polycyclic aromatic ring system diradicals, one or more of the rings may contain one or more heteroatoms.",
"Examples of “heteroarylene”",
"used herein are furan-2,5-diyl, thiophene-2,4-diyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,4-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,4-diyl, pyridine-2,3-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrimidine-2,4-diyl, quinoline-2,3-diyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “alkoxy”",
"refers to the group R a O—, where R a is aliphatic.",
"As used herein, the term “alkylsulfanyl”",
"refers to the group R a S—, where R a is aliphatic.",
"As used herein, the term “alkylsulfenyl”",
"refers to the group R a S(O)—, where R a is aliphatic.",
"As used herein, the term “alalkylsulfonyl”",
"refers to the group R a SO 2 —, where R a is aliphatic.",
"As used herein, the term “acyl”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl.",
"As used herein, the term “aroyl”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is aryl.",
"As used herein, the term “heteroaroyl”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)—, where R a is heteroaryl.",
"As used herein, the term “alkoxycarbonyl”",
"refers to the group R a OC(O)—, where R a is aliphatic.",
"As used herein, the term “acyloxy”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl.",
"As used herein, the term “aroyloxy”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is aryl.",
"As used herein, the term “heteroaroyloxy”",
"refers to the group R a C(O)O—, where R a is heteroaryl.",
"As used herein, the term “optionally”",
"means that the subsequently described event(s) may or may not occur, and includes both conditions.",
"As used herein, the term “substituted”",
"refers to substitution with the named substituent or substituents, multiple degrees of substitution being allowed.",
"As used herein, the terms “contain”",
"or “containing”",
"can refer to in-line substitutions at any position along the above-defined alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or cycloalkyl substituents with one or more of any of O, S, SO, SO 2 , N, or N-alkyl, including, for example, —CH 2 —O—CH 2 —, —CH 2 —SO 2 —CH 2 —, —CH 2 —NH—CH 3 and so forth.",
"As used herein, the term “solvate”",
"is a complex of variable stoichiometry formed by a solute (in this invention, a compound of formula (I)) and a solvent.",
"Such solvents for the purpose of the invention may not interfere with the biological activity of the solute.",
"Solvents may be, by way of example, water, ethanol, or acetic acid.",
"As used herein, the terms “biohydrolyzable carbonate”, “biohydrolyzable ureide”",
"and “biohydrolyzable carbamate”",
"is a carbonate, ureide, or carbamate, respectively of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle.",
"The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable carbamate is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma.",
"Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of, example lower alkyl carbamates.",
"As used herein, the term “biohydrolyzable ester”",
"is an ester of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle.",
"The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable ester is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma.",
"Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of example lower alkyl esters, lower acyloxy-alkyl esters, lower alkoxyacyloxyalkyl esters, alkoxyacyloxy esters, alkyl acylamino alkyl esters, and choline esters.",
"As used herein, the term “biohydrolyzable amide”",
"is an amide of a drug substance (in this invention, a compound of general formula (I) which either a) does not interfere with the biological activity of the parent substance but confers on that substance advantageous properties in vivo such as duration of action, onset of action, and the like, or b) is biologically inactive but is readily converted in vivo by the subject to the biologically active principle.",
"The advantage is that, for example, the biohydrolyzable amide is orally absorbed from the gut and is transformed to (I) in plasma.",
"Many examples of such are known in the art and include by way of example lower alkyl amides, α-amino acid amides, alkoxyacyl amides, and alkylaminoalkylcarbonyl amides.",
"As used herein, the term “prodrug”",
"includes biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters and biohydrolyzable carbamates and also encompasses a) compounds in which the biohydrolyzable functionality in such a prodrug is encompassed in the compound of formula (I): for example, a lactam formed by a carboxylic group in R 1 and an amine in R 2 , and compounds which may be oxidized or reduced biologically at a given functional group to yield drug substances of formula (I).",
"Examples of these functional groups are, but are not limited to, 1,4-dihydropyridine, N-alkylcarbonyl-1,4-dihydropyridine, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, tert-butyl, and the like.",
"As used herein, the term “affinity reagent”",
"is a group attached to the compound of formula (I) which does not affect its in vitro biological activity, allowing the compound to bind to a target, yet such a group binds strongly to a third component allowing a) characterization of the target as to localization within a cell or other organism component, perhaps by visualization by fluorescence or radiography, or b) facile separation of the target from an unknown mixture of targets, whether proteinaceous or not proteinaceous.",
"An example of an affinity reagent according to b) would be biotin either directly attached to (I) or linked with a spacer of one to 50 atoms selected from the group consisting of C, H, O, N, S, or P in any combination.",
"An example of an affinity reagent according to a) above would be fluorescein, either directly attached to (I) or linked with a spacer of one to 50 atoms selected from the group consisting of C, H, O, N, S, or P in any combination.",
"The term “pharmacologically effective amount”",
"shall mean that amount of a drug or pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher or clinician.",
"Whenever the terms “aliphatic”",
"or “aryl”",
"or either of their prefixes appear in a name of a substituent (e.g. arylalkoxyaryloxy) they shall be interpreted as including those limitations given above for “aliphatic”",
"and “aryl.”",
"Aliphatic or cycloalkyl substituents shall be recognized as being term equivalents to those having one or more degrees of unsaturation.",
"Designated numbers of carbon atoms (e.g. C 1-10 ) shall refer independently to the number of carbon atoms in an aliphatic or cyclic aliphatic moiety or to the aliphatic portion of a larger substituent in which the term “aliphatic”",
"appears as a prefix (e.g. “al-”).",
"As used herein, the term “disubstituted amine”",
"or “disubstituted amino-”",
"shall be interpreted to include either one or two substitutions on that particular nitrogen atom.",
"As used herein, the term “oxo”",
"shall refer to the substituent ═O.",
"As used herein, the term “halogen”",
"or “halo”",
"shall include iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine.",
"As used herein, the term “mercapto”",
"shall refer to the substituent —SH.",
"As used herein, the term “carboxy”",
"shall refer to the substituent —COOH.",
"As used herein, the term “cyano”",
"shall refer to the substituent —CN.",
"As used herein, the term “aminosulfonyl”",
"shall refer to the substituent —SO 2 NH 2 .",
"As used herein, the term “carbamoyl”",
"shall refer to the substituent —C(O)NH 2 .",
"As used herein, the term “sulfanyl”",
"shall refer to the substituent —S—.",
"As used herein, the term “sulfenyl”",
"shall refer to the substituent —S(O)—.",
"As used herein, the term “sulfonyl”",
"shall refer to the substituent —S(O) 2 —.",
"The compounds of formula (I) can be prepared readily according to the following reaction General Synthesis Scheme (in which all variables are as defined before) and Examples or modifications thereof using readily available starting materials, reagents and conventional synthesis procedures.",
"In these reactions, it is also possible to make use of variants which are themselves known to those of ordinary skill in this art, but are not mentioned in greater detail.",
"General Synthesis Scheme The most preferred compounds of the invention are any or all of those specifically set forth in these examples.",
"These compounds are not, however, to be construed as forming the only genus that is considered as the invention, and any combination of the compounds or their moieties may itself form a genus.",
"The following examples further illustrate details for the preparation of the compounds of the present invention.",
"Those skilled in the art will readily understand that known variations of the conditions and processes of the following preparative procedures can be used to prepare these compounds.",
"All temperatures are degrees Celsius unless noted otherwise.",
"Abbreviations used in the Examples are as follows: g =grams mg =milligrams L =liters mL =milliliters M =molar N =normal mM =millimolar i.v. =intravenous p.o. =per oral s.c. =subcutaneous Hz =hertz mol =moles mmol =millimoles mbar =millibar psi =pounds per square inch rt =room temperature min =minutes h =hours mp =melting point TLC =thin layer chromatography R f =relative TLC mobility MS =mass spectrometry NMR =nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy APCI =atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ESI =electrospray ionization m/z =mass to charge ratio t r =retention time Pd/C =palladium on activated carbon ether =diethyl ether MeOH =methanol EtOAc =ethyl acetate TEA =triethylamine DIEA =diisopropylethylamine THF =tetrahydrofuran DMF =N,N-dimethylformamide DMSO =dimethylsulfoxide DDQ =2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone LAH =lithium aluminum hydride TFA =trifluoroacetic acid LDA =lithium diisopropylamide THP =tetrahydropyranyl NMM =N-methylmorpholine, 4-methylmorpholine HMPA =hexamethylphosphoric triamide DMPU =1,3-dimethypropylene urea d =days ppm =parts per million kD =kiloDalton LPS =lipopolysaccharide PMA =phorbol myristate acetate SPA =scintillation proximity assay EDTA =ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid FBS =fetal bovine serum PBS =phosphate buffered saline solution BrdU =bromodeoxyuridine BSA =bovine serum albumin FCS =fetal calf serum DMEM =Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium pfu =plaque forming units MOI =multiplicity of infection Reagents are commercially available or are prepared according to procedures in the literature.",
"The physical data given for the compounds exemplified is consistent with the assigned structure of those compounds.",
"1 H NMR spectra were obtained on VARIAN Unity Plus NMR spectrophotometers at 300 or 400 Mhz.",
"Mass spectra were obtained on Micromass Platform II mass spectrometers from Micromass Ltd. Altrincham, UK, using either Atmospheric Chemical Ionization (APCI) or Electrospray Ionization (ESI).",
"Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to verify the purity of some intermediates which could not be isolated or which were too unstable for full characterisation, and to follow the progess of reactions.",
"Unless otherwise stated, this was done using silica gel (Merck Silica Gel 60 F254).",
"Unless otherwise stated, column chromatography for the purification of some compounds, used Merck Silica gel 60 (230-400 mesh), and the stated solvent system under pressure.",
"Procedure A First Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation: Preparation of 6-H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7,8-dione To a 1-L flask was added a magnetic stir bar, 85 g of sodium sulfate, and 100 mL of water.",
"The mixture was magnetically stirred until all the solids were dissolved.",
"To the resultant aqueous solution was added a solution of 6-aminobenzothiazole (4.96 g, 33.0 mmol) in 50 mL of 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid and 10 mL of ethanol.",
"The mixture was stirred, and chloral (6.0 g, (36 mmol) was added.",
"To the resultant solution was added a solution of hydroxyl amine hydrochloride (7.50 g, 108 mmol) in 30 mL of water.",
"The final mixture was heated with stirring to a gentle boil until all solids dissappeared, and heating was continued for an additional 15 min.",
"The flask was removed from the heat, and the solution was poured onto 500 g of ice.",
"The mixture was stirred as the product precipatated from solution.",
"The precipatate was collected by suction filtration, washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to provide 6.9 g (94%) of N-benzothiazol-6-yl-2-hydroxyimino-acetamide: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.2 (s, 1H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.5 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 220 (M−H) − .",
"To a 1-L 3-neck round bottom flask was placed a magnetic stir bar and 100 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid.",
"The flask was fitted with a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the reaction.",
"The sulfuric acid was heated to 100° C., and 10.0 g (45.2 mmol) of N-benzothiazol-6-yl-2-hydroxyimino-acetamide was added slowly.",
"The solution was heated for ˜1 h, and the reaction mixture was poured into 750 g of ice and water.",
"The residual reaction mixture in the reaction vessel was washed out with an additional 20 mL of cold water.",
"The aqueous slurry was stirred for about 1 h and filtered.",
"The solid was washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to yield 4.3 g (46%) of 6-H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7,8-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 203 (M−H) − .",
"Procedure B Second Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation: Preparation of 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione To a stirred solution of 1.0 g (6.0 mmol) of chloral hydrate in 25 mL of water was added 7.0 g (22 mmol) of sodium sulfate decahydrate, followed by a solution of 1.18 g (17.0 mmol) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 10 mL of water.",
"A solution of 1.0 g (5.4 mmol) of 3-phenoxyaniline in 10 mL of 1.0 N HCl was then added with stirring.",
"The resulting suspension was warmed, and 40 mL of 95% EtOH was added to dissolve the suspension.",
"The solution was refluxed for 0.75 h and then cooled to ambient temperature.",
"The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and air dried to afford 0.95 g (67%) of 2-hydroxyimino-N-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide as a solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.50 (m, 5H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 10.29 (s, 1H), 12.21 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 255 (M−H) − .",
"A suspension of 0.15 g (0.58 mmol) of 2-hydroxyimino-N-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide in 0.4 mL of BF 3 etherate was heated to 85° C. for 0.75 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and 10 g of crushed ice was added.",
"The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexane/EtOAc 1.5:1) to afford 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione as a solid (0.018 g, 13%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.44 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (dd, J=2.0, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.29 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.52 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 9.05 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 255 (M+Na) + .",
"Procedure C Third Method for 1H-indol-2,3-dione (isatin) Formation (Hewawasam and Meanwell, Tetrahedron Letters 1994, 35, 7303-6): Preparation of 4-isopropoxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione and Conversion to 4-[N′-(4-isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide Example 17 4-[N′-(4-Isopropoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide A solution of 3.78 g (25.0 mmol) of 3-isopropoxy aniline and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in 25 mL of THF was heated to reflux for 2 h. The solution was cooled to ambient temperature, and solvent was removed in vacuo.",
"The residue was dissolved in 100 mL of EtOAc, and the solution was washed with three 50-mL portions of 0.5 M citric acid and 50 mL of brine.",
"The solution was dried over MgSO 4 and removal of solvent in vacuo afforded N-(t-butyloxy-carbonyl)-3-isopropoxyaniline as a white solid (5.75 9, 92%): mp 79-81° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.21 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 6H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 4.46 (septet, J=6 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (dd, J=2.1, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.0-7.1 (m, 2H), 9.23 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 274 (M+Na) + .",
"To a solution of 2.5 g (10 mmol) of N-(t-butyloxycarbonyl)-3-isopropoxyaniline in 15 mL of dry THF at −78° C. was added 15 mL (25 mmol) of 1.7 M t-butyllithium in hexanes.",
"The mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 2 h. A solution of 1.84 g (12.5 mmol) of diethyl oxalate in 10 mL of dry THF was added slowly over 5 min, and the mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then poured into 100 mL of 1.0 N HCl and extracted with two 100-mL portions of EtOAc.",
"Solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in 100 mL of a 1:1 mixture of EtOH and 6 N HCl and heated to reflux for 1 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and was extracted with four 100-mL portions of EtOAc.",
"The combined extracts were evaporated to dryness to provide crude 4-isopropoxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione, which was dissolved in 10 mL of EtOH containing 0.50 g (2.2 mmol) of 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride.",
"The solution was heated to 80° C. for 1 h and cooled to ambient temperature.",
"The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane 3:2) to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (0.052 g, 1.4%): mp >250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.35 (d, J=6 Hz, 6H), 4.74 (septet, J=6 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.14-7.2 (m, 3H), 7.47 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.01 (s, 1H), 12.79 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 373 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 4 S: C, 54.53;",
"H, 4.85;",
"N, 14.96;",
"S, 8.56.",
"Found: C, 54.46;",
"H, 4.84;",
"N, 14.90;",
"S, 8.50.",
"Procedure D First Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation Gassman and van Bergen, Journal of the American Chemical Society 1974, 96, 5508-12): Preparation of 6.8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one A 2-L three-neck round bottom flask was fitted with an internal thermometer, 250-mL addition funnel, magnetic stir bar and septa.",
"The flask was charged with nitrogen, 200 mL of dry THF, and 6-aminobenzothiazole (15.2 g, 0.100 mol).",
"The mixture was stirred and cooled in a dry ice-acetone bath to an internal temperature of −74° C. A solution of tert-butyl hypoclorite (11.0 g, 0.103 mol) in 50 mL of dichloromethane was added over a 15 min period.",
"The resultant solution was stirred for an additional 3 h at dry ice-acetone bath temperature.",
"To the reaction was then added by slow, dropwise addition a solution of ethyl methylthioacetate (13.8 g, 0.103 mol) in 50 mL of dichoromethane.",
"The resultant solution was stirred for an additional 3 h at dry ice-acetone bath temperature.",
"A solution of triethyl amine (25.3 g, 0.250 mol) and 50 ml of dichloromethane was added at dry ice-acetone bath temperature, and the solution was stirred for 0.5 h. The cooling bath was removed, and the reaction was allowed to warm to rt.",
"The reaction was then concentrated to a thick residue.",
"The thick oil was resuspended in 200 mL of ether and 600 mL of 0.25 M hydrochloric acid.",
"The mixture was allowed to stir for 24 h. The resulting solid was filtered from the mixture and triturated with water and ether.",
"The solid was then resuspended in cold MeOH, filtered and dried under vacuum for 16 h to yield 18.7 g (79%) of 8-methylsulfanyl-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 10.8 (s, 1H), 9.2 (s, 1H), 8.0 (d, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 1.8 (s, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 235 (M−H) − .",
"To a 500-mL erlenmeyer flask was added a stir bar, 8.1 g (0.034 moles) of 8-methylsulfanyl-6,8-dihydro-1-thio-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 100 mL of glacial acetic acid.",
"The mixture was stirred until all the starting material had dissolved.",
"The reaction mixture was then diluted with 100 mL of THF.",
"Zinc metal (16 g, 325 mesh) was then added.",
"The heterogeneous mixture was then stirred and heated to 60° C. for 2.5 h. The mixture was vacuum filtered through a one half inch pad of celite.",
"The residue on the filter pad was washed with additional THF.",
"The filtrates were combined and concentrated to a wet solid.",
"The solid was triturated with MeOH, filtered and air dried to yield 4.51 g (70%) of 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one as a free-flowing solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 3.6 (s, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 191 (M+H) + .",
"Procedure E Second Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation (Johnson and Aristoff, Journal of Organic Chemistry 1990, 55, 1374-5): Preparation of 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester and conversion to 2-oxo-3-4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer) Example 27 2-Oxo-3(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (Z-isomer) A solution of 2.66 g (20.0 mmol) of ethyl (methylthio)acetate dissolved in 200 mL of dichloromethane was cooled with stirring to −70° C. and 2.7 g (20.0 mmol) of sulfuryl chloride was added.",
"The reaction was stirred for 30 min.",
"at −70° C., and a solution of 3.0 g (20 mol) of methyl 4-aminobenzoate and 4.39 (20 mmol) of Proton Sponge® in 250 mL of dichloromethane was added dropwise over 1 h. The resulting pink slurry was treated with 2.3 g (23 mmol) of TEA in one portion, and the solution was allowed to warm to rt.",
"The solution was washed with three 250-mL portions of water, dried over MgSO 4 , and concentrated to give an oil.",
"This was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1) to yield 2.0 g (42% yield) of 3-methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.97 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 4.67 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H).",
"7.91 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H).",
"A solution of 2.0 g (8.4 mmol) of 3-methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester in 20 mL of acetic acid was treated with 10 g of zinc powder.",
"The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at rt, filtered through celite and concentrated to dryness.",
"The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1) to yield 1.6 g (99% yield) of 2oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester as a pink solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.52 (s, 2H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 6.87 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (s, J=1H), 7.80 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.72 (br s, 1H).",
"Conversion to the 3-dimethylaminomethylene-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (mixture of E and Z isomers) was carried out via Procedure G in 49% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.29 Z (s, 6H), 3.31 E (s, 6H), 3.76 Z (s, 3H), 3.76 E (s, 3H), 6.74 Z (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.81 E (d.",
"J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.50 Z (m, 1H), 7.50-7.52 E (m, 1H), 7.57 E (dd, J=1.3, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.74 Z (s, 1H), 7.89 Z (s, 1H), 7.94 E (s, 1H), 10.33 Z (bs, 1H), 10.43 E (bs, 1H).",
"The title compound was prepared in 41% yield from 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]oxindole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.92 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H).",
"7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 10.80 (d, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 10.94 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 372 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 15 N 3 O 5 S: C, 54.68, H, 4.05;",
"N, 11.25;",
"S, 8.59.",
"Found C, 54.65, H, 4.12;",
"N, 11.17;",
"S. 8.49.",
"Procedure F Third Method for 1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (oxindole) Formation (Seibert, Chemie Berichte 1947, 80, 494-502): Preparation of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-2-one A solution of 2.3 g (12 mmol) of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 2.0 ml (0.06 mol) of hydrazine in 50 ml of DMF and 50 ml of ethanol was stirred at reflux for 2 h. The resulting suspension was allowed to cool to ambient temperature and was then chilled in an ice bath and filtered.",
"The solid was washed with a small volume of ethanol and allowed to air dry to give 1-hydrazono-1,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-2-one as an orange solid (1.8 g, 73%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.37 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.71 (dd, J=4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.80 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 9.90 (br d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 10.89 (br d, J=14.7 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (br s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 213 (M+H) + .",
"A solution 1.8 g (8.5 mmol) of 1-hydrazono-1,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-2-one in 50 ml of freshly prepared 0.5 M sodium ethoxide solution was stirred at reflux for 3 h. The solution was diluted with 50 ml of water, neutralized with acetic acid, and concentrated on a rotary evaporator until cloudy.",
"The solution was stored in a refrigerator overnight.",
"The solid was filtered off, and the filtrate was extracted with three 80-ml portions of EtOAc.",
"A solution of the solid in MeOH/EtOAc was combined with the extracts.",
"and passed through a short pad of silica gel, eluting with EtOAc.",
"The solution was then concentrated to a small volume on a rotary evaporator, and the resulting suspension was diluted with an equal volume of ethanol, sonicated, and filtered to give 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-2-one as a light green solid (0.52 g, 33%);",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.80 (s, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.70 (dd, J=4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 10.57 (br s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 183 (M−H) − .",
"Procedure G Method for isatin hydrazone Formation: Preparation of C-{4-[N′-(5-hydroxy-4,6dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol(3-ylidene)hydrazino]phenyl}-N-methylmethanesulfonamide Example 99 C-{4-[N′-(5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol(3-ylidene)hydrazino]phenyl}-N-methylmethanesulfonamide 4,6-Dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-indol-2,3-dione was prepared from 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 10.65 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 190 (M−H) − .",
"A mixture of 100 mg (0.52 mmol) of 4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-indol-2,3dione and 144 mg (0.57 mmol) of C-(4-hydrazinophenyl)-N-methylmethanesulfonamide hydrochloride in 5 ml of EtOH was heated to 80° C. for 1 h. Upon cooling 10 ml of H 2 O was added and the solid was collected by vacuum filtration and dried in a vacuum oven at 60° C. to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (79 mg, 79%);",
"mp 252-255° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H) 2.52 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 6.84 (q, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.28-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.92 (s, 1H), 10.69 (s, 1H), 12.87 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 411 (M+Na) + .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 18 H 20 N 4 O 4 S: C, 55.66;",
"H, 5.19;",
"N, 14.42, S, 8.25.",
"Found: C, 55.56;",
"H. 5.21;",
"N, 14.25;",
"S, 8.08.",
"Procedure H Method for dimethylaminomethinyloxindole Formation: Preparation of 8dimethylamino-methylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one To a suspension of 1.0 g (5.3 mmol) of 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one in 7.5 mL of DMF was added 1.38 g (6.80 mmol) of N,N-dimethylformamide-di-t-butyl acetal.",
"The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h and diluted with 7.5 mL of Et 2 O. The resulting precipitate was isolated filtration to afford 8dimethylamino-methylene-6,8dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one as a tan solid (1.0 g, 77%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.33 (bs, 3H), 3.59 (bs, 3H), 6.97 (d, J=8.4, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.4, 1H), 9.13 (s,1H), 10.29 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z246 (M+H) + .",
"Procedure I Method for ethoxymethinytoxindole Formation: Preparation of 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one.",
"To a 250-ml round bottom flask was added a stir bar, 6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (4.0 g, 0.021 mol), 40 mL of glacial acetic and diethoxymethyl acetate (17.0 g, 0.105 moles).",
"The flask was fitted with a reflux condensor and charged with nitrogen.",
"The reaction was heated to reflux for 8 h. The flask was cooled, the stir bar was removed and the reaction was concentrated to a wet solid.",
"The solid was triturated with a solution of ether and ethanol.",
"The mixture was filtered, the solid was washed with an ethanol-ether solution, and the solid was dried under vacuum to yield 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 4.5 (q, 2H), 1.4 (t, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 245 (M−H) − .",
"Procedure J Method for Vinylogous Urea Formation: Preparation of 4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benxenesulfonamide Example 72 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-pyridin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide To a 25 ml round bottom flask was added a stir bar, 246 mg (1.00 mmol) of 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one.",
"249 (1.00 mmol) of sulfapyridine and 10 ml of ethanol.",
"The flask was fitted with a water-cooled reflux condenser, and the mixture was heated to reflux using an oil bath with stirring for 18 h. The reaction was allowed to cool and was filtered.",
"The precipitate was washed with excess ethanol and dried under vacuum to yield 321 mg (71%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.9 (br s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 2H), 7.9 (m 3H) 7.8 (m, 1H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 6.9 (t, 1H);",
"C 21 H 15 N 5 O 3 S 2 : APCI−MS m/z 450 (M+H) + .",
"Note: One equivalent of strong acid, e.g., HCl or methanesulfonic acid, is generally required in this reaction.",
"The acid can be supplied as the aniline salt or as a separate component.",
"Similar conditions can be used for condensing anilines with 3-dimethylaminomethylene-, 3-t-butoxymethylene-, and 3-hydroxymethylene-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ones.",
"Procedure K Method for 5-N-substituted Amide Formation: Preparation of 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide Example 38 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid dimethylamide To 100 mg (0.190 mmol) 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester in 5 mL acetonitrile was added 50 μL (5.6 M in ethanol, 0.28 mmol) of a solution of dimethylamine and 20 μL (0.25 mmol) of pyridine, and the reaction was stirred overnight.",
"The solution was concentrated, and the resulting solid was triturated with EtOAc to give the title compound as a yellow solid (39 mg, 53%): mp>230° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.71 (s, 1H), 11.22 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (dd, J=1.7, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.95 (s, 6H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 386 (m−H).",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 5 S[.",
"].1/2H 2 O: C, 51.51;",
"H, 4.58;",
"N, 17.67.",
"Found: C, 51.69;",
"H, 4.25;",
"N, 17.63.",
"Procedure L Method for Introducing 4-substituents Via Palladium-catalyzed Coupling: Preparation of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) Example 15 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) A mixture of 1.0 g (3.6 mmol) of 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3dione (Snow, et al.",
", Journal of the American Chemical Society 1977, 99, 3734-44), 0.42 g (4.2 mmol) of TEA, 0.06 g (0.27 mmol) of palladium(II) acetate, 0.16 g (0.54 mmol) of tri-o-tolylphosphine and 5.0 g (4.2 mmol) of a 10% solution of 4-vinylphenol in propylene glycol was suspended in 15 mL of dry acetonitrile in a pyrex sealed tube and heated to 100° C. for 4 h. The mixture was cooled to rt, quenched with 50 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid and extracted with two 100 mL-portions of EtOAc.",
"The combined extracts were dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give a brown solid, which was subjected to chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (3:1), to yield 0.125 g (13%) of trans-4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-1H-indole-2,3-dione as a red solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.6-7.6 (m, 8H), 7.77 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1H), 9.85 (bs, 1H), 11.00 (bs, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 264 (M−1) − .",
"Condensation of trans-4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)vinyl]-1H-indole-2,3dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 27% yield as an orange solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.78 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.26 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), ), 7.29 (s, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=16.5 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53(d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), ), 7.81 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=16.5 Hz 1H), 9.78 (s, 1H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 13.02 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z433 (M−1) − .",
"Procedure M Method for Reducing 4-alkenyl Substituents: Preparation of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide Example 14 4-N′-{4-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide A mixture of 0.028 g (0.64 mmol) of 4-(N′-{4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-vinyl]-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene}-hydrazino)-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) and 0.015 g of 10% palladium on charcoal in 60 mL of MeOH:THF (4:1) was subjected to hydrogenation on a Parr apparatus at 50 psi for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give 0.026 g (93%) of the title compound as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.82 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.69 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.78 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), ), 7.07 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 9.20 (bs, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.02 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z435 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 1 4-[N′-(4-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 4-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al.",
", Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 33% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.23 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (s, 2H), 7.47 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.59 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 11.59 (s, 1H), 13.20 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 361 (M) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 5 O 5 S: C, 46.54, H, 3.07;",
"N, 19.38;",
"S, 8.87.",
"Found C, 46.62, H, 3.09;",
"N, 19.46;",
"S. 8.81.",
"EXAMPLE 2 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid amide (E isomer) 1H-Indole-2,3-dione-4-carboxamide was prepared from aniline-3-carboxamide according to Procedure A in 3% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):δ 7.17 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), ), 7.56 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.02 (bs, 2H), 11.86 (bs, 1H);",
"APCI+MS m/z 191 (M+1) − .",
"Condensation of 1H-indole-2,3-dione-4-carboxamide with 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 31% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (s, 2H), 7.27 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.0 (bs, 2H), 10.40 (s, 1H), 10.80 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 359 (M) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 5 O 4 S[.",
"].0.12 H 2 O: C, 49.83, H, 3.69;",
"N, 19.37;",
"S, 8.86.",
"Found C, 49.71, H, 3.71;",
"N, 19.32;",
"S, 8.84.",
"EXAMPLE 3 4-[N′-(4-Isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 4-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Krantz and Young, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,232) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 73% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.30 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H), 3.82 (septet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.76 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.10 (s, 1H), 13.05 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 357 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 3 S: C, 56.97, H. 5.06;",
"N, 15.63;",
"S. 8.95.",
"Found C, 56.88, H, 5.12;",
"N, 15.73;",
"S, 8.91.",
"EXAMPLE 4 4-[(4-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide A mixture of 3.0 g (20 mmol) of 3-aminobenzyl alcohol, 3.36 g (22.0 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 1.52 g (22.0 mmol) of imidazole were dissolved in 20 mL of DMF.",
"The solution was stirred at rt for 16 h and then diluted with 250 mL of hexane and 250 mL of EtOAc.",
"The organic phase was washed twice with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 4.8 g of 3-([t-butyldimethylsilyloxy]methyl-benzenamine as a clear oil.",
"This was dissolved in 100 mL of CH 2 Cl 2, cooled with stirring to −65° C. and 2.17 g (20.0 mmol) of t-butyl hypochlorite was added.",
"After 10 min of stirring, a solution of 2.68 g (20.0 mmol) of ethyl methylthioaceatate in 10 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 was added, and the solution was stirred for 1 h. TEA (2.02 g, 20.0 mmol) was added and the reaction was warmed to rt over 1 h. The solution was washed with water and concentrated to an oil.",
"This was redissolved in 100 mL of ether, 12 mL of 2 N hydrochloric acid was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight.",
"The ether phase was separated and concentrated to an oil.",
"This was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with hexane:EtOAc (initially a 3:1 ratio increasing to 1:2).",
"to yield 0.82 g (20%) of 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.89 (s, 3H), 4.45 (s, 1H), 4.62 (m, 2H), 5.1 (bs, 1H), 6.87 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.44 (s, 1H).",
"Further elution yielded 0.53 g (13%) of 6-hydroxymethyl-3-methysulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.99 (s, 3H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.50 (s, 1H), 5.1 (bs, 1H), 6.84 (s, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H).",
"A solution of 0.82 g (3.9 mmol) of 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF (20 mL) was treated with 0.65 g (4.3 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 0.3 g (4.4 mmol) of imidazole and stirred for 24 h. The solution was diluted with 75 mL of hexane and 75 mL of EtOAc.",
"The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 1.2 g (95%) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a clear oil which crystallised upon storage at rt: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.051 (s, 3H), 0.064 (s, 3H), 0.881 (s, 9H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 4.43 (s, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=14.2 Hz, 1H), 4.88 (d, J=14.2 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.48 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 346 (M+23) + .",
"A solution of 1.2 g (3.7 mmol) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in THF (25 mL) was stirred with saturated ammonium chloride solution (20 mL), and activated zinc dust (5 g) was added.",
"The mixture was stirred for 60 h at rt.",
"The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 1.16 g of impure 4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as an off-white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.11 (s, 6H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 3.42 (s, 2H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 6.74 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 695 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H) 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.40 (s, 1H).",
"A solution of 0.64 g (2.3 mmol) of 4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF dimethylacetal (5 mL) was heated to 100° C. for 1 h. The excess DMF dimethylacetal was removed under high vacuum, and the resulting dark oil was chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with EtOAc, to give 0.34 g (44%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-4-(t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ −0.03 (s, 6H), 0.81 (s, 9H), 3.29 (s, 6H), 4.64 (s, 2H), 6.66 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 9.97 (s, 1H) );",
"APCI−MS m/z 333 (M+1) + .",
"A solution of 0.115 g (0.34 mmol) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in ethanol (10 mL) was treated with 0.076 g (0.34 mmol) N-methylsulfanilamide hydrochloride.",
"The solution was refluxed for 0.5 h and cooled to rt.",
"The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to yield 0.048 g (38%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 5.3 (bs, 1H), 6.78 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 10.67 (s, 1H), 11.26 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 358 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 3 O 4 S: C, 56.81, H, 4.77;",
"N, 11.69, S, 8.92.",
"Found C, 56.89, H, 4.81;",
"N, 11.70;",
"S, 8.84.",
"EXAMPLE 5 4-N′-[2-Oxo-4-2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) A mixture of 3.0 g (20 mmol) of 3-nitroiodobenzene, 3.5 mL (25 mmol) of TEA, 0.045 g (0.20 mmol) of palladium(II) acetate and 2.77 g (25.0 mmol) of 4-vinylpyridine was suspended in 4 mL of dry acetonitrle in a pyrex sealed tube and heated to 100° C. for 48 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and was quenched with 200 mL of 10% hydrochloric acid.",
"The resulting yellow solid was isolated by filtration and partitioned between 250 mL of EtOAc and 250 mL of 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide.",
"The organic phase was dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 3.0 g (66%) of 4-[2-(3-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-pyridine as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.0-4.6 (br s, 1H), 7.71-7.78 (m, 2H), 8.07 (d, J=15.8 Hz, 1H), 8.13-8.16 (m, 3H), 8.24 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.56 (s, 1H), 8,84 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 227 (M+1) + .",
"A portion (1.3 g, 7.1 mmol) of this solid was dissolved in 100 mL of EtOAc, and 0.5 g of 10% palladium on charcoal was added.",
"The mixture was hydrogenated on a Parr apparatus at 40 psi for 1.5 h. Another 0.5 g batch of 10% palladium on charcoal was added and the mixture was subjected to further hydrogenation for 1 h. The palladium catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give 1.13 g (100%) of 3-(4-pyridinyl)ethylaniline: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 4.9 (bs, 2H), 6.33 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 6.86 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 8.41 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H).",
"Conversion of 3-[2-(4-pyridinyl)ethyl]-aniline to 4-2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was accomplished according to Procedure A in 24% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.80 (m, 2H), 3.10 (m, 2H), 6.70 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 7.40 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (bs, 2H), 11.00 (s, 1H).",
"Conversion of 4-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-1H-indole-2,3dione to the title compound was accomplished according to Procedure G in 40% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.98 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (m, 2H, underneath water peak), 6.78 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.29 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.66 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.47 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 11.13 (s, 1H), 12.98 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 420 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 19 N 5 O 3 S[.",
"].0.15 HCl: C, 55.93, H, 4.43;",
"N, 15.53;",
"S, 7.11.",
"Found C, 56.05, H, 4.36;",
"N, 15.38;",
"S, 7.18.",
"EXAMPLE 6 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino)-methylene]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Connolly and Durst, Synlett 1996, 663-4;",
"Kozikowski and Kuniak, Journal of Organic Chemistry 1978, 43, 2083-4) and sulfanilamide according to Procedure J in 14% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.33 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H), 4.37 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H).",
"7.30 (s, 2H), 7.41 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H)), 9.50 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H), 10.96 (s, 1H), 11.75 (d, J=12.6 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 386 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 7 4-[N′-(4-Iodo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benxenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Snow, et al.",
", Journal of -the American Chemical Society 1977, 99, 3734-44) and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 87% overall yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.93 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 12.94 (s,1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 441 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 11 IN 4 O 3 S: C, 38.02, H, 2.51;",
"I, 28.70;",
"N, 12.67;",
"S, 7.25.",
"Found C, 38.05, H, 2.51;",
"I, 28.78;",
"N, 12.64;",
"S, 7.19.",
"EXAMPLE 8 4-[N′-(4-Isobutyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide A mixture of 0.20 g (1.0 mmol) of 4-(2-methyl-propenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 0.05 g of 10% palladium on charcoal in 25 mL of EtOAc was subjected to hydrogenation on a Parr apparatus at 46 psi for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness.",
"The solid was purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (4:1), to furnish 0.027 g (13%) of 4-isobutyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.89 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H), 1.86 (nonet, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 11.03 (s, 1H).",
"Condensation of 4-isobutyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamido-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 65% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.96 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.87 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 6.79 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=7.6 Hz 1H), 7.20 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 11.13 (s, 1H), 13.03 (s,1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 371 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 9 4{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-propenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide By methods described in Procedure L, 4-(2-methyl-propenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione and isobutylene in 34% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.82 (s, 3H), 1.90 (s, 3H), 6.79 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 200 (M−1) − .",
"Condensation of 4-(2-methyl-propenyly1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound as a yellow solid (51% yield): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.84 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.91 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 369 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 18 H 18 N 4 O 3 S: C, 58.36, H. 4.90;",
"N, 15.12;",
"S, 8.66.",
"Found C, 58.41, H. 4.87;",
"N, 15.18;",
"S, 8.56.",
"EXAMPLE 10 4-{N′-[4-(2-Methyl-1-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide and 4{N′-[4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide Coupling of 4-iodoisatin and 2-methyl-1-butene according to Procedure L gave a mixture of isomers [the major pair of isomers was E/Z4-(2-methyl-1-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and the minor pair of isomers was E/Z4-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione] in 21% yield.",
": 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , integral ratios are normalized to the 1H singlet observed at δ 10.97): δ 1.06 (m, 2.6H), 1.47 (s, 1.05H), 1.83 (m, 1.4H), 1.88 (s, 1.1H), 2.19 (m, 1.6H), 3.50 (s, 0.26H), 5.22 (m, 0.16H), 6.60-6.72 (m, 2H), 6.76-6.82 (m, 0.23H), 6.86 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 0.35H), 7.46 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 0.42H), 7.4-7.6 (m, 1H), 10.97 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 214 (M−1) − .",
"Condensation of the mixture of E/Z-4-(2-methyl-1-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and E/Z-4-2-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound mixture as a yellow solid (51% yield): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , integral ratios are normalized to the 1H singlet observed at δ 11.11): δ 1.07 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1.3H), 1.21 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1.3H), 1.54 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 0.7H), 1.63 (s, 0.7H), 1.86 (s, 1.2H), 2.03 (s, 1.1H), 2.21 (q, J=7.7 Hz, 0.7H), 2.32 (q, J=7.7 Hz, 0.8H), 3.71 (s, 0.4H), 5.2 (m, 0.2H), 6.72-6.85 (m, 2.1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 0.39H), 6.97 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 0.42H), 7.18-7.26 (m, 3.1H), 7.47-7.51 (m, 2.1H), 7.77-7.81 (m, 2.1H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.89 (s, 0.3H), 12.97 (s, 0.35H), 13.02 (s, 0.24H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 383 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 11 4-{N′-[4-(2-methylbutyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide Reduction of the mixture of 4-{N′-[4-2-methyl-1-butenyl)-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide and 4-{N′-[4-2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure M gave the title compound in 79% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.87-0.90 (m, 6H), 1.21-1.25 (m, 2H), 1.47-1.63 (m, 1H), 2.82 (dd, J=12.6, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.95 (dd, J=12.6, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.49 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.04 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 385 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 12 4-[N′-4-Cyclobutylmethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) Reduction of 4-[N′-(4-cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide according to methods described in Procedure M gave the title compound in 94% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.81 (m, 4H), 1.96 (m, 2H), 2.73 (m, 1H), 3.07 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 6.76 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 11.08 (s, 1H).",
"12.93 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 383 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 13 4-[N′-(4-Cyclobutylidenemethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) By methods described in Procedure L, 4-cyclobutylidenemethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-iodo-1H-indole-2,3-dione and methylene cyclobutene in 25% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.08 (quintet, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.91 (m, 2H), 3.06 (m, 2H), 6.67 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 11.00 (bs, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 211 (M−1) − .",
"Condensation of 4-(cyclobutylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 76% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.11 (quintet, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.00 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.74 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 7.21 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.47 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 13.03 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 381 (M−1) − .",
"EXAMPLE 14 See Procedure M EXAMPLE 15 See Procedure L EXAMPLE 16 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-4-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers) The title compound was prepared from 3-phenoxyaniline and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure C: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 E (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.70 E (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 6.76 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 Z (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.99 Z (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.06 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.1-7.6 E (m, 10H), 7.1-7.6 Z (m, 6H), 7.62 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.74 E (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 10.88 E (s, 1H), 11.18 E (s, 1H), 11.27 Z (s, 1H), 12.77 Z (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 407 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 16 N 4 O 4 S: C, 58.81;",
"H, 3.95;",
"N, 13.72;",
"S, 7.85.",
"Found: C, 58.53;",
"H, 4.02;",
"N, 13.66;",
"S, 7.79.",
"EXAMPLE 17 See Procedure C EXAMPLE 18 4-{N′-[2-Oxo-4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-benzenesulfonamide 4-(1H-Pyrazol-3-yl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)aniline according to Procedure A. The title compound was prepared from 4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)isatin and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.72 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.48-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 11.11 (s, 1H), 12.93 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS: m/z 381 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 19 4-[(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-somer) The title compound was prepared in 68% yield from ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO- 6 ): δ 10.79 (d, 1 H), 10.73 (s, 1H), 8.76 (d, 1H), 8.38 (s, 1H), 8.0 ( s, 1H), 7.77 (d, 2H), 7.56 ( d, 2H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 6.91 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 381 (MH) − .",
"EXAMPLE 20 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-carboxylic acid and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G. To a suspension of 2.75 g (7.63 mmol) of the 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid in 20 mL DMF was added 1.38 mL (8.03 mmol) pentafluorophenyltrifluoroacetate (PFPTFA), 0.69 mL (8.53 mmol) pyridine, and the suspension was stirred under N 2 for 20 min.",
"TLC (silica gel, 20% MeOH/CH 2 Cl 2 ) indicated residual starting material remained, and the reaction was treated with 10 mL DMF and additional PFPTFA and pyridine (equal portions to above).",
"The reaction was stirred overnight and then poured into 400 mL ether.",
"The solution was washed with two 500-mL portions of water, and 300 mL of EtOAc was added to dissolve precipitate.",
"The solution was washed with 500 mL water, dried over Na 2 SO 4, filtered through silica gel and concentrated to remove ether.",
"The resulting solid was collected by filtration, washed 50 mL 1:1 ethylacetate:hexanes and dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to give the title compound as a bright yellow solid (2.30 g, 57%): mp>230° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):δ 12.77 (s, 1H), 11.68 (s, 1H), 8.32 (d, J=1.9 Hz.",
"1H), 8.11 (dd, J=1.9 Hz, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.67 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.16 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 525 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 11 N 4 O 5 SF 5 : C, 47.92;",
"H. 2.11;",
"N, 10.64.",
"Found: C, 48.00;",
"H, 2.13;",
"N, 10.54.",
"EXAMPLE 21 4-[N′-(5-Nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al.",
", Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 94% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.14 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (s, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.23 (dd, J=2.2, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 11.76 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H).",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 5 O 5 S: C, 46.54, H, 3.07;",
"N, 19.38.",
"Found C, 46.76, H, 3.13;",
"N, 19.23.",
"EXAMPLE 22 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-1H-indole-2,3dione (Ijaz, et al.",
", Indian Journal of Chemistry 1994, 33B, 288-9) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochlorideaccording to Procedure G in 30% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.79 (dd, J=2.2, 8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.72 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 9.20 (s, 1H), 10.80 (s, 1H), 12.82 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 331 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 23 4-[N′-(5-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (E isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al.",
", Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 86% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.3 (s, 3H), 6.76 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=7.9 Hz.",
"1H), 7.20 (s, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 10.51 (s, 1H), 10.62 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 329 (M−1) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 3 S: C, 54.54, H, 4.27;",
"N, 16.96;",
"S, 9.71.",
"Found C, 54.54, H, 4.32;",
"N, 16.87;",
"S. 9.62.",
"EXAMPLE 24 N-Methyl-4-[N′-(2-oxo-5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) 5-[1,2,4]Triazol-1-yl-1H-indole-2,3dione was prepared from 4-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-phenylamine according to Procedure A in 6% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (dd, J=2.2, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 9.26 (s, 1H), 11.19 (bs, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 215 (M+1) + .",
"Condensation of 5-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-1H-indole-2,3-dione with 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-phenylsulfonamide according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 86% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.38 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 7.05 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 3H), 8.01 (s, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 9.23 (s, 1H), 11.27 (s, 1H), 12.80 (s, 1H);",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 7 O 3 S[.",
"].1.3 H 2 O: C, 48.52, H, 4.22;",
"N, 23.30;",
"S, 7.62.",
"Found C, 48.53, H, 4.25;",
"N, 23.17;",
"S, 7.55.",
"EXAMPLE 25 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid Sodium salt The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ6.83 (d.",
"J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.50 (dd, J=1.7, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 395 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 4 O 6 S 2 Na[.",
"].0.9H 2 O[.",
"].0.2 C 2 H 6 O: C, 38.97;",
"H, 3.18;",
"N, 12.62;",
"S, 14.45.",
"Found: C, 38.84;",
"H, 3.31;",
"N, 12.63;",
"S, 14.59.",
"EXAMPLE 26 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid amide The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5carboxylic acid amide and 4-N-methylsulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 3H), 6.94 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (bs, 1H), 7.30 (q, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (dd, J 1 =1.5 Hz, J 2 =8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (bs, 1H), 8.12 (s, 1H), 11.30 (s, 1H), 12.73 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 372 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 27 See Procedure E EXAMPLE 28 5-Bromo-3-[(4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one The title compound was prepared in 72% yield from 5-bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Meth-Cohn and Goon, Tetrahedron Letters 1996, 37, 9381-4) and 4-methylsulfonylphenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.7 (s, 1H), 11.3 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d, 2H), 7.7-7.8 (m, 3H), 7.4 (dd, 1 H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 3.2 (s, 3H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 392 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 29 3-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylimino-methylene)-5-iodo-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one The title compound was prepared in 43% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 5-aminobenzotriazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8-7.9 (br m), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 404 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 30 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid amide The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid amide and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (dd, J=8.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.98 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 11.43 (s, 1H), 12.75 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 395 (M) − + .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 13 N 5 O 5 S 2 [.",
"].0.5 H 2 O: C, 41.58;",
"H, 3.49;",
"N, 17.32;",
"S, 15.86.",
"Found: C, 41.67;",
"H, 3.46;",
"N, 17.26;",
"S, 15.78.",
"EXAMPLE 31 4-[N′-(5-Methylsulfonyl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide 5-Methylsulfonyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-methylsulfonylaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.21 (s, 3H), 7.07(d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (dd, J=8.2, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 11.46 (s,1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 225 (M) − + .",
"The title compound was prepared from 5-methylsulfonyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.20 (s, 3H), 7.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.65 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (dd, J=8.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 11.54 (s, 1H), 12.75 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 394 (M) − + .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 5 S 2 [.",
"].0.9 H 2 O: C, 43.87;",
"H, 3.88;",
"N, 13.64;",
"S, 15.62.",
"Found: C, 43.96;",
"H, 3.80;",
"N, 13.58;",
"S, 15.67.",
"EXAMPLE 32 3-[(4-Methylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid methylamide 1H-indole-2,3-dione-5-sulfonic acid methylamide was prepared from N-methylsulfonamidoaniline hydrochloride according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 3H), 7.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (q.",
"J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 11.38 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 239 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 1H-indole-2,3dione-5-sulfonic acid methylamide and 4-N-methylsulfonamido)-phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.38 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 6H), 7.08 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.33(q, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (q, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.1, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.91 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 11.48 (s, 1H), 12.77 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 422 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 17 N 5 O 5 S 2 : C, 45.38;",
"H, 4.05;",
"N, 16.54.",
"Found: C, 45.46;",
"H, 4.04;",
"N, 16.45.",
"EXAMPLE 33 4-{N′[5-(1-Hydroxyimino-ethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene]-hydrazino}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide 5-(1-Hydroxyiminoethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-aminoacetophenone according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.00 (s, 3H), 6.83 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (dd, J=8.5, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 9.99 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 203 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 5-(1-hydroxyiminoethyly-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-(N-methylsulfonamido)phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.37 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 6.85 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (q, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=8.4, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.91 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 9.88 (s, 1H), 10.99 (s, 1H), 12.79 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 386 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 4 S: C, 52.70;",
"H, 4.42;",
"N, 18.08.",
"Found: C, 52.80;",
"H, 4.50;",
"N, 17.90.",
"EXAMPLE 34 4-[1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-ethylamino]-benzenesulfonamide 3-(1-Dimethylaminoethylidene)-5-(oxazol-5-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one was prepared from 5-(oxazol-5-yl)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one and N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal according to Procedure H. Condensation of 3-(1-dimethylaminoethylidene)-5-(oxazol-5-yl)- 1,3-dihydroindol-2-one and sulfanilamide according to Procedure J provided the title compound: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.51 (s, 0.8H, DMSO), 2.61 (s, 3H), 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (s, 2H), 7.40 (dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (s, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 10.85 (s, 1H), 12.33 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 395 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 19 H 16 N 4 O 4 S[.",
"].0.1 C 2 H 6 OS[.",
"].0.6 H 2 O: C, 55.56;",
"H, 4.32;",
"N, 13.50;",
"S, 8.50.",
"Found: C, 55.53;",
"H, 4.32;",
"N, 13.27;",
"S. 8.58.",
"EXAMPLE 35 N,N-Dimethyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide 3-Methylsulfanyl-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 4-oxazol -5-yl-aniline according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.3 (s, 1H), 7.5 (s, 3H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 4.5 (s, 1H), 2.0 (s, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 247 (M+H) + .",
"5-Oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 3-methylsulfanyl-5oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.5 (s, 1H), 8.3 (s, 1H), 7.5 (m, 3H), 6,8 (d, 1H), 3.5 (s, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 201 (M+H) + .",
"3-Ethoxymethylene-5oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one was prepared from 5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one according to Procedure I: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.43 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.51 (m, 2H), 6.90, (d, 1H), 4.43 (q, 2H), 1.4 (t, 3H): APCI−MS m/z 255 (M−H) + .",
"The title compound was prepared in 36% yield from 3-ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and N,N-dimethyl4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.9 ( d, 1H), 10.8 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.4 (s, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.7 (br d, 4H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 2.6 (s, 6H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 409 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 36 4-[-1-(5-Oxazol-5-yl-2oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (5:1 E:Z isomer mixture) The title mixture of isomers was prepared from 5-oxazol-5-yl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ (5:1 ratio of Z:E isomers), E 6.97 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), Z 7.00 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), E 7.23 (s, 2H), Z7.25 (s, 2H), Z 7.61 (d, J=9.1Hz, 2H), E 7.61 (d, J=9.1Hz, 2H), Z 7.62 (dd, J=8.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), Z 7.65 (s, 1H), E 7.65 (s, 1H), E 7.65 (dd, J=8.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), Z 7.78 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), E 7.81 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), Z 7.90 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), Z 8.40 (s, 1H), E 8.43 (s, 1H), E8.47 (d, J=1.3 Hz, 1H), E 10.83 (s, 1H), E 10.98 (s, 1H), Z 11.25 (s, 1H), Z 12.78 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z382 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 13 N 5 O 4 S [.",
"].1.2 H 2 O[.",
"].0.4 C 2 H 6 O: C, 50.49;",
"H, 4.24;",
"N, 16.54.",
"Found: C, 50.50;",
"H, 4.15;",
"N, 16.56.",
"EXAMPLE 37 4-[-(2-Oxo-5-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) A solution of 0.62 g (3.0 mmol) of 5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Hewawasam and Meanwell, Tetrahedron Letters 1994, 35, 7303-6) in 10 mL of DMF was treated with 0.90 g (4.5 mmol) of DMF di-tert-butyl acetal for 2 h at rt.",
"DMF was removed under high vaccum, and the residue was subjected to chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexane:EtOAc (1:1), to yield 0.09 g (10%) of 3-tert-butoxymethylene-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.46 (s, 9H), 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.34-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.41 (d, J 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 10.28 (s, 1H);",
"APCI+MS m/z 316 (M+23) + .",
"Further elution with EtOAc:MeOH (98:2) gave 0.11 g (14%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one.",
"A solution of 0.09 g (0.31 mmol) of 5-phenyl-3-tert-butoxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one, 0.053 g (0.31 mmol) of sulfanilamide, and 2 drops of conc.",
"HCl in 15 mL of ethanol was refluxed for 1 h and cooled to rt.",
"The resulting yellow solid was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to give 0.068 g (56%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.90 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.29 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (dd, J=1.6, 8.2Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.55 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.74 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.62 (s, 1H), 10.76 (d, J=12.5 Hz,1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 390 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 38 See Procedure K EXAMPLE 39 2-Oxo-3-[(4-suffamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid (furan-2-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[-(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-aminomethylfuran according to Procedure K: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.51 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 6.31 (d, J=3 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J=3 Hz), 7.02 (d, J=8.3, 1H), 7.30 (s, 2H), 7.66 (m, 3H), 7.88 (m, 3H), 8.18 (s, 1H), 9.02 (br t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 11.4 (s, 1H), 12.8 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 438 (M−H) − ;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 17 N 5 O 5 S[.",
"].1/2 H 2 O: C, 53.57;",
"H, 4.05;",
"N, 15.62;",
"S, 7,15.",
"Found: C, 53.91;",
"H, 4.01;",
"N, 15.13;",
"S, 6.78.",
"EXAMPLE 40 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-carboxylic acid-2,6-dimethoxybenzylamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5 carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2,6-dimethoxybenzylamine according to Procedure K: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.76 (s, 6H), 4.43 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 2H), 6.65 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.91 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (m, 3H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 8.13 (br s, 1H), 11.27 (s, 1H), 12.76 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 532 (M+Na) + ;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 24 H 23 N 5 O 6 S[.",
"].1/2 H 2 O: C, 55.59;",
"H, 4.67;",
"N, 13.51;",
"S, 6.18.",
"Found: C, 55.69;",
"H, 4.64;",
"N, 13.61;",
"S, 6.09.",
"EXAMPLE 41 2-Oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-morpholin-4yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-N-morpholino)ethylamine according to Procedure K: mp210-212° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 24 N 6 O 5 S[.",
"].1/4H 2 O: C, 52.88;",
"H, 5.18;",
"N, 17.62.",
"Found: C, 52.91;",
"H, 5.24;",
"N, 17.35.",
"EXAMPLE 42 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-imidazol-1-yl-ethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-(N-imidazolo)ethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 18 N 7 O 4 S: C, 53.09;",
"H, 4.01;",
"N, 21.67.",
"Found: C, 52.83;",
"H, 4.24;",
"N, 21.55.",
"EXAMPLE 43 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 3-(N-morpholino)propylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 21 N 7 O 4 S[.",
"].1/2H 2 O: C, 52.93;",
"H, 4.65;",
"N, 20.581.",
"Found: C, 52.93;",
"H, 4.40;",
"N, 20.17.",
"EXAMPLE 44 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-methoxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-methoxyethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 18 H 19 N 5 O 5 S: C, 51.79;",
"H, 4.59;",
"N, 16.78.",
"Found: C, 51.69;",
"H, 4.54;",
"N, 16.72.",
"EXAMPLE 45 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-hydroxyethylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 17 N 5 O 5 S: C, 50.61;",
"H, 4.25;",
"N, 17.36.",
"Found: C, 50.53;",
"H, 4.28;",
"N, 17.27.",
"EXAMPLE 46 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxypropyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 2-hydroxypropylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 18 H 19 N 5 O 5 S[.",
"].1/3H 2 O: C, 51.06;",
"H, 4.68;",
"N, 16.54.",
"Found: C, 51.07;",
"H, 4.45;",
"N, 16.45.",
"EXAMPLE 47 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropylamine according to Procedure K: mp>230° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 23 N 5 O 5 S: C, 53.92;",
"H, 5.20;",
"N, 15.72.",
"Found: C, 54.04;",
"H, 5.17;",
"N, 15.77.",
"EXAMPLE 48 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and (3-pyridyl)methylamine according to Procedure K: mp 211-215° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 18 N 6 O 4 S.H 2 O: C, 53.84;",
"H, 4.30;",
"N, 17.94.",
"Found: C, 54.29;",
"H, 4.03;",
"N, 17.82.",
"EXAMPLE 49 2-Oxo-3-[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-amide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 2-oxo-3[(4-sulfamoyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid pentafluorophenyl ester and (4-pyridyl)methylamine according to Procedure K: mp 211-215° C.;",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 18 N 6 O 4 S[.",
"].3/4H 2 O: C, 54.36;",
"H, 4.24;",
"N, 18.11.",
"Found: C, 54.41;",
"H, 4.20;",
"N, 18.12.",
"EXAMPLE 50 4-[N′-(5-Methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Gassman, et al.",
", Journal of Organic Chemistry 1977, 42, 1344-8) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.80 (s, 3H), 6.87 (s, 2H), 7.20 (s, 1H), 7.28 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.93 (s, 1H), 12.85 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 344.9 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 51 4-[N′-(5-Amino-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5-amino-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.95 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.2 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.5 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.8 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 9.7 (br s, 3H), 11.2 (s, 1H), 12.8 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 330.2 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 52 4-[N′-(6-Ethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 6ethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Krantz and Young, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,232) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 79% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.16 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 2.60 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 6.89 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.46 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.02 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 343 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 3 S[.",
"].0.32 H 2 O: C, 54.88, H, 4.79;",
"N, 16.00;",
"S, 9.16.",
"Found C, 54.81, H, 4.59;",
"N, 16.06;",
"S, 9.04.",
"EXAMPLE 53 4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzensulfonic acid phenyl ester (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 23% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and phenyl 4-aminobenzenesulfonate according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.5 (s, 1H), 8.6 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.6 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m.",
", 3H), 6.9 (t, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 391 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 54 N-{4-[(2-Oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}sulfamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 4-aminophenyisulfamide according to Procedure J in 52% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.85 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (s, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.53 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 9.38 (s, 1H), 10.48 (s, 1H), 10.70 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H): APCI−MS m/z 329 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 14 N 4 O 3 S: C, 54.54, H, 4.27;",
"N, 16.96;",
"S, 9.71.",
"Found C, 54.48, H, 4.30;",
"N, 16.90;",
"S, 9.63.",
"EXAMPLE 55 4-[(6-Hydroxymethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) A solution of 0.42 g (2.0 mmol) of 6-hydroxymethyl-3-methysulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF (10 mL) was treated with 0.32 g (2.1 mmol) of t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and 0.15 g (2.2 mmol) of imidazole and stirred for 16 h. The solution was diluted with 50 mL of hexane and 50 mL of EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 0.28 g (43%) of 3-methylsulfanyl-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a clear oil which crystallised upon storage at rt: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.01 (s, 6H), 0.97 (s, 9H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 4.52 (s,1H), 4.72 (s, 2H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H).",
"A solution of 0.28 g (0.86 mmol) of 3-methylsulfanyl-4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in THF (10 mL) was stirred with saturated ammonium chloride solution (10 mL), and activated zinc dust (2 g) was added.",
"The mixture was stirred 16 h at rt.",
"The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to give 0.32 g of impure 4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one as a gummy white solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.04 (s, 6H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 3.39 (s, 2H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 10.30 (bs, 1H).",
"A solution of 0.32 g (1.2 mmol) of 4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in DMF dimethylacetal (3 mL) was heated to 100° C. for 0.75 h. The excess DMF dimethylacetal was removed under high vacuum, and the resulting dark oil was chromatographed on silica gel, eluung with EtOAc/MeOH (98:2), to give 0.16 g (41%) of 3-dimethylaminomethylene-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (11:9 mixture of E and Z isomers) as a yellow solid: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , peak areas normalized using the combined peak areas for δ 9.88 and 9.66 as 1H): δ 0.21 (s, 2.70H), 0.34 (s, 3.3H), 0.85 (s, 4.05H), 0.86 (s, 4.95H), 3.25 (s, 2.70H), 3.30 (s, 3.30H), 4.58 (s, 0.9H), 4.59 (s, 1.1H), 6.64-6.71 (m, 2H), 7.16 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 0.45H), 7.29 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 0.55H), 7.33 (s, 0.55H), 7.47 (s, 0.45H), 9.88 (s,0.55H) 9.96 (s, 0.45H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 331 (M+1) + .",
"A solution of 0.334 g (1.00 mmol) of 3-dimethylamino-methylene-6-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one in 2-methylpropanol (3 mL) was treated with 0.174 g (1.00 mmol) of sulfanilamide and 0.25 g (4.0 mmol) of acetic acid.",
"The solution was refluxed for 3 h and cooled to rt.",
"The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with ethanol and dried to yield 0.134 g (29%) of 6-([t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy]methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer).",
": 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.05 (s, 6H), 0.87 (s, 9H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.49-7.51 (m, 3H), 7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.56 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 10.52 (s, 1H), 10.76 (d, J=12.3 Hz.",
"1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 458 (M−H) − .",
"To a solution of 0.125 g (2.80 mmol) of 6-([t-butyldimethylsilyloxy]methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide in THF (5 mL) was added 0.27 mL of a 1 M solution of t-butylammonium fluoride in THF, and the mixture was stirred at rt for 1 h. The resulting yellow precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with THF and dried.",
"Chromatographic purification of the solid on silica gel, eluting with a hexane to EtOAc gradient, gave 0.053 g (55%) of the title compound: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.43 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 5.08 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 3H), 8.56 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 10.54 (s, 1H), 10.75 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 345 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 3 O 4 S[.",
"].0.5 H 2 O: C, 54.43, H, 4.55;",
"N, 11.86, S, 9.05.",
"Found C, 54.47, H, 4.63;",
"N, 11.66;",
"S, 8.86.",
"EXAMPLE 56 4-[N′-(6-Bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 6-bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Meth-Cohn and Goon, Tetrahedron Letters 1996, 37, 9381-4) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.23 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 11.2 (s, 1H), 12.7 (s,1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 395 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 57 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-6-phenoxy-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 6-phenoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine according to Procedure G in 87% yield: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.42 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J 1 =2.2 Hz, J 2 =8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 10.61 (s, 1H), 10.65 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 431 (M+Na) + .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 16 N 4 O 4 S[.",
"].0.25H 2 O: C, 58.17;",
"H, 4.03;",
"N, 13.57;",
"S, 7.76.",
"Found: C, 58.45;",
"H, 4.39;",
"N, 13.40;",
"S, 7.63.",
"EXAMPLE 58 4-[N′-(4-Ethoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 3-ethoxyaniline and 4-hydrazinobenzene sulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure C: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.43 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 4.13 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 6.50 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.15-7.21 (m, 3H), 7.46 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.03 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 359 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 4 S: C, 53.32;",
"H, 4.47;",
"N, 15.55;",
"S, 8.90.",
"Found: C, 53.21;",
"H, 4.50;",
"N, 15.66;",
"S, 8.85.",
"EXAMPLE 59 N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide (see Example 84) and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.88 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.42 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2 Hz), 4.5 (br s, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.60 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 459 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 2O H 20 N 4 O 5 S 2 .",
"H 2 O: C, 50.20;",
"H, 4.63;",
"N, 11.71.",
"Found: C, 50.06;",
"H, 4.59;",
"N, 11.68.",
"EXAMPLE 60 N-[2-(2-Hydroxyethyl]-4-[7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 51% yield from N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-aminobenzene sulfonamide and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.76 (d, 2H), 7.58 (d, 2H), 7.52 (t, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.66 (t, 1H), 3.35 (q, 2H), 2.76 (q, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 415 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 61 N-Methyl-4-[N′-4-(4-methyl-5-nitro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 4-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-methyl-4-nitroaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.5 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 2.7 (s, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 205 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared in 84% yield from 4-methyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.0 (s, 1H), 11.6 (s, 1H), 7.9 (d,1H), 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (q, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 2.8 (s, 3H), 2.4 (d, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 388 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 62 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione (Cuny, et al.",
", Chemie Berichte 1981, 114, 1624-35) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 8% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.02 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.28 Z (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.68 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 10.98 (s, 1H), 12.90 (s, 1H), 13.20 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 356 (M) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 6 O 3 S[.",
"].1.46 H 2 O[.",
"].0.2 EtOAc: C, 47.41, H, 4.16;",
"N, 20.99;",
"S, 8.01.",
"Found C, 47.40, H, 3.70;",
"N, 21.00;",
"S, 7.85.",
"EXAMPLE 63 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-g]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers) The title compound was prepared from isatin 1,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-g]indazole-7,8-dione (Lichtenthaler and Cuny, Heterocycles 1981, 15.",
"1053-9) and 4-sulfonamidophenyl-hydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 76% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.82 Z (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.87 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.24 E (s, 2H), 7.27 Z (s, 2H), 7.43 E (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.73 Z (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.78 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.85 E (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.89 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.89 Z (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.12 Z (s, 1H), 8.56 E (s, 1H), 10.67 E (s, 1H), 11.20 Z (s, 1H), 12.86 Z (s, 1H), 13.27 E (s, 1H), 13.27 Z (s, 1H), 14.27 E (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 355 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 6 O 3 S: C, 50.56, H, 3.39;",
"N, 23.58;",
"S, 9.00.",
"Found C, 50.65, H, 3.40;",
"N, 23.59;",
"S, 8.97.",
"EXAMPLE 64 4-[N′-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (mixture of E and Z isomers) 1,6-Dihydro-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione was prepared according to Procedure A in 56% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 6.93 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.32 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 11.14 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 189 (M+1) + .",
"Condensation of 1,6-dihydro-1,2,3,6-tetraaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione with 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 15% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.06 Z (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.24 E (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.30 Z (s, 2H), 7.30 E (s, 2H), 7.55 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.82 Z (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.82 E (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.90 E (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.90 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.98 Z (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 10.86 E (s, 1H), 11.35 Z (s, 1H), 12.87 Z (s, 1H), 12.95 E (s, 1H), 16.00 Z (s, 1H), 16.25 E (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 356 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 14 H 11 N 7 O 3 S.H 2 O: C, 44.80, H, 3.49;",
"N, 26.12;",
"S, 8.54.",
"Found C, 44.72, H, 3.46;",
"N, 26.05;",
"S, 8.48.",
"EXAMPLE 65 4-[N′-(1-Chloro-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-]indazol-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-somer) 1-Chloro-3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione was prepared from 5-amino-3-chloroindazole according to Procedure A in 38% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.08 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (s, 1H), 13.70 (s, 1H).",
"Condensation of 1-chloro-3,6-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indazole-7,8-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 45% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.11 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 11.17 (s, 1H), 13.25 (s, 1H), 13.41 (s, 1H): APCI−MS m/z 389/391 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 11 CIN 6 O 3 S: C, 44.86, H, 3.06;",
"N, 20.93;",
"S, 7.98.",
"Found C, 45.02, H, 3.31;",
"N, 20.92;",
"S, 7.77.",
"EXAMPLE 66 4-[N′-(1,7-Dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]-H-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) A solution of 16.2 g (100 mmol) of 6-aminophtnalimide, 9.6 g (100 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid, and 4.0 g of 10% Pd/C in 140 mL of TFA was hydrogenated overnight at 50 psi.",
"The catalyst was filtered off and and the filtrate concentrated on a rotary evaporator.",
"The residue was diluted with 70 mL of ice water, adjusted to pH 8 with K 2 CO 3 , and chilled in an ice bath.",
"The resulting solid was filtered to give 6.7 g of a 5:4 ratio of 5-amino:6-amino lactam isomers.",
"Recrystallization from hot ethanol/water afforded 1.45 g of undesired isomer.",
"The filtrate was preabsorbed onto silica gel and chromatographed with TEA:MeOH:methylene chloride (1:2:47).",
"The resulting solid was slurried in methylene chloride/MeOH and filtered to afford a low yield of 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-one: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.13 (s, 2H), 5.67 (s, 2H), 6.55 (dd, J=8.7, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 149 (M+H) + .",
"2,6-Dihydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacene-3,7,8-trione was prepared from 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-one according to Procedure X: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 4.46 (s, 2H), 6.94(d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.80(d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 11.28 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 201 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 2,6-dihydro-1H-2,6-diaza-as-indacene-3,7,8-trione and 4-(N-methylsulfonamido)phenylhydrazine according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.37 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 3H), 4.56 (s, 2H), 6.99 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (q, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.50 (s, 1H), 11.35 (s, 1H), 12.70 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 384 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 15 N 5 O 4 S[.",
"].0.75 H 2 O: C, 51.19;",
"H, 4.17;",
"N, 17.56.",
"Found: C, 51.29;",
"H, 4.15;",
"N, 17.47.",
"EXAMPLE 67 N-3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer) A solution of 3.16 g (30.6 mmol) of 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropanol in 10 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 was added at once to a solution of 2.40 g (10.2 mmol) of 4-nitrophenylmethanesulphonyl chloride (Lee, et al.",
", Journal of the American Chemical Society 1987, 109, 7472-7;",
"Macor, et al.",
", Tetrahedron Letters 1992, 33, 8011-4) in 40 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 .",
"The mixture was stirred at rt for 15 min, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was redissolved in 50 mL of EtOAc.",
"The solution was washed with three 50-mL portions of 1.0 N HCl and concentrated in vacuo.",
"Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (hexane/EtOAc 1:1) afforded N-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-(4-nitrophenyl)-methanesulfonamide as a white solid (0.84 g, 27%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.78 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.11 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.47 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 7.02 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 301 (M−H) − .",
"A mixture of 0.66 g (2.2 mmol) of N-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide and ˜0.06 g Pd/C 10% in 50 mL of MeOH was shaken on a Parr hydrogenator for 3.5 h. The catalyst was removed via filtration, and 0.273 mL (3.28 mmol) of conc.",
"HCl was added.",
"The solvent was removed in vacuo, and the solid residue was redissolved in 20 mL of EtOH and added to 0.486 g (1.98 mmol) of 8-dimethylaminomethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one.",
"The mixture was heated to reflux for 4.5 h and cooled to ambient tempurature.",
"The solid was collected by vacuum filtration, washed with water, and dried in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (0.66 g, 70%): mp 229-230° C. (dec);",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.73 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.08 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.27 (s, 2H), 4.43 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.42 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 9.24 (s, 1H), 10.84 (s, 1H), 11.04 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H);",
"ESI−MS: m/z 471 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 22 H 24 N 4 O 4 S 2 [.",
"].0.5 H 2 O: C, 54.87;",
"H, 5.23;",
"N, 11.63;",
"S, 13.32.",
"Found: C, 54.90;",
"H, 5.26;",
"N, 11.68;",
"S, 13.25.",
"EXAMPLE 68 N-Methyl-C-{4-N′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,2f-]quinolin-1-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-somer) 2-Hydroxyimino-N-quinolin-6-yl-acetamide was prepared in 61% yield from 6-aminoquinoline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.4 (s, 1H), 10.8 (s, 1H), 9.0 (d, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.7 (s, 1H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 7.81 (m, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H);",
"C 11 H 9 N 3 O 2 : APCI−MS m/z 216 (M+H) + .",
"To a 1-L 3-neck round bottom flask was placed a magnetic stir bar and 110 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid.",
"The flask was fitted with a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the reaction.",
"The sulfuric acid was heated to 100° C. followed by slow addition of 2-hydroxyimino-N-quinolin-6-yl-acetamide (26.0 g, 0.121 mol).",
"Heat to the reaction was maintained for approximately 1 h. The flask was removed from the heat source, and the reaction was poured slowly and carefully onto a mixture of 1 Kg of ice and 200 g of sodium carbonate.",
"The residual reaction mixture in the reaction vessel was washed out with an additional 40 mL of cold water.",
"The resulting aqueous slurry was stirred for about 1 h and filtered.",
"The solid was washed thoroughly with water, filtered, and air dried to yield 7.31 g (31%) of 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 8.7 (d, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 197 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared in 77% yield from 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 4-hydrazinophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.1 (s, 1H), 11.5 (s, 1H), 9.3 (d, 1H), 8.9 (d, 1H), 8.0 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.6(d, 2H), 7.4 (d, 2H), 6.9(d, 1H), 4.3 (s, 2H), 2.55 (d, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 396 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 69 N-(1H-Indazol-6-yl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 16% yield from 8-ethoxymnethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.9 (s, 1H), 11.1 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 11H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1(d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 487 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 70 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenmethyl)-amino]-N-thiazol-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 33% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(thiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.7 (s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (t, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1 H), 6.8 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 456 (M+H) + and 454 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 71 N-(Amino-imino-methyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(aminoimino-methyl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.85 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.5 (d, 1H), 5.7 (s, 1H);",
"C 17 H 14 N 6 O 3 S 2 : APCI−MS m/z 415 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 72 See Procedure J EXAMPLE 73 8-(2,2-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-benzo[c]thiophene-5-ylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 37% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 2,2-dioxo-1,3-dihydrobenzo[c]thiophene-5-ylamine according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.11 (d,1H), 10.89 (s, 1H), 9.27 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H), 7.82 (d, 1H), 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 6.5 (m, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 384 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 74 {4-[-(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 25% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-aminophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 6.9 (s, 2H), 4.2 (s, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 387 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 75 N-Allyl-C-{4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenyl}-methansulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-allyl-4-aminophenylmethane sulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 5.8 (m, 1H), 5.2 (d, 1H), 5.1 (d, 1H), 4.4 (s, 2H), 3.6 (t, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 427 (M+H) + .",
"EXAMPLE 76 8-(4-Methylsulfonylmethyl-phenylamino-methylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 66% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-methylsulfonylmethylaniline according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.1 (d, 1H), 11.0 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.5 (q, 4H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.45 (s, 2H), 2.9 (s, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 384 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 77 N-(3-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.74 (s, 6H), 2.52 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (bs, 2H), 4.43 (bs, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J=12.2 Hz, 1H), 9.26 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 457 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 22 N 4 O 4 S 2 : C, 55.01: H, 4.84;",
"N, 12.22;",
"S, 13.98.",
"Found: C, 54.90;",
"H, 4.86;",
"N, 12.25;",
"S, 13.94.",
"EXAMPLE 78 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 29% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 10.7 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (m, 3H), 7.5 (m, 4H), 7.1 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 515 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 79 4-[(7-Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 29% yield from 8ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-pyrimidin-2-yl-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d, 1H), 10.94 (s, 1H), 9.28 (s, 1H), 8.52 (d, 1H) 8.08 (d, 1H), 7.99 (d, 1H), 7,84 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 7.06 (m, 1H), 7.01 (m, 1H),;",
"APCI−MS m/z 449 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 80 N-(5-Methyl-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-(7oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 36% yield from 8-ethoxymethyiene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-(5-methyl[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.8 (m, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 469 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 81 N-Acetyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-4-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 26% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-acetyl-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.0 (s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 3H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 2.0(s, 3H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 413 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 82 N-Benzoyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 25% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and N-benzoyl-4-aminobenzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.5 (br s, 1H), 11.2 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 8.0 (d, 2H), 7.9 (t, 3H), 7.65 (t, 3H), 7.5 (t, 2H), 7.2 (d, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 475 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 83 N-Methyl-4-[N′-(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 6H-1-Thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7,8-ione was prepared from 6-aminobenzothiazole according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 9.35 (s, 1H), 11.19 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 204 (M) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 6H-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7,8-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>260° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.39 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 3H), 7.12 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (q, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 9.30 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H), 12.69 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 387 (M) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 13 N 5 O 3 S 2 [.",
"].0.33 H 2 O: C, 48.85;",
"H, 3.50;",
"N, 17.80;",
"S, 16.30.",
"Found: C, 48.89;",
"H, 3.40;",
"N, 17.67;",
"S, 16.23.",
"EXAMPLE 84 N-[2-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethyl-N-methyl-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) To a solution of 3.3 g (31 mmol) of 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol in 30 mL of MeOH was added 7.0 g (30 mmol) of N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride, followed by 3.3 g (33 mmol) of TEA.",
"The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at rt and then acidified with 5 mL (60 mmol) of concentrated HCl and stirred at reflux for 75 min.",
"After cooling, the mixture was diluted with 40 mL of water and made basic with solid NaHCO 3 .",
"MeOH was removed on a rotary evaporator, and the residual aqueous solution was extracted with four 50-mL portions of EtOAc.",
"The combined extracts were dried over Na 2 CO 3 , and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator to give 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide as a viscous oil (7.5 g, 96%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.77 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (t, J=4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (q, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 4.54 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 5.89 (s, 2H), 6.57 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (t, J=7.37 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H);",
"ESI−MS m/s 259 (M−H) − .",
"To a solution of 0.63 g (2.4 mmol) of 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-benzenesulfonamide in 10 mL of THF was added 0.10 g (2.5 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride.",
"The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt, 1 mL of DMSO and ˜0.2 mL (˜3 mmol) of methy iodide were added to the resulting suspension.",
"The reaction mixture was stirred 2 h at rt and then poured into 15 mL of half saturated NaCI solution and extracted with 30 mL of EtOAc.",
"The organic solution was dried with MgSO 4 and concentrated on a rotary evaporator.",
"The residue was chromatographed on silica gel with EtOAc to give 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide as an oil (0.43 g, 65%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.59 (s, 3H), 2.96 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.43 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.47 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 4.55 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.99 (s, 2H), 6.59 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.34 (d, 8.8 Hz, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 297 (M+Na) + .",
"The title compound was prepared from 4-amino-N-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: mp 165° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.71 (s, 3H), 3.11 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.44 (dt, J=5.1, 5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 4.56 (br t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (d, J=12.0 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (d, J=12.0 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 474 M − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 21 H 22 N 4 O 5 S 2 .",
"H 2 O: C, 51.21;",
"H, 4.91;",
"N, 11.37.",
"Found: C, 51.18;",
"H, 4.88;",
"N, 11.33.",
"EXAMPLE 85 N-(2-{2-[2-(2-Methoxy-ethoxy)ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)-4-[(7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) A solution of 2.3 g (6.3 mmol) of toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}ethyl ester and ˜4 mL (˜60 mmol) of ammonium hydroxide in 10 mL of ethanol was stirred overnight at ˜60° C. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator, and the residue was sequentially redissolved in ethanol and concentrated several times.",
"The residue was then dissolved in ethanol, treated with ˜1.5 mL of TEA and concentrated on a rotary evaporator.",
"This residue was dissolved in 10 mL of THF, and 1.4 g (6.0 mmol) of 4-N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride and 1 mL (7 mmol) of TEA were added.",
"The reaction mixture was stirred 1.5 h at rt and then 30 min at reflux.",
"The solution was concentrated onto silica gel and chromatographed with an EtOAc to 5% MeOH/EtOAc gradient to give 4-N-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethyl)sulfonamidophenyl]acetamide as an oil (1.92 g, 79%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.83 (q, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 3.30-3.48(m, 14H), 7.52 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.27 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 403 (M−H) − .",
"A solution of 1.9 g (4.7 mmol) of N-[4-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethylsulfamoyl)-phenyl]-acetamide and 0.45 g (4.7 mmol) of methanesulfonic acid in 15 mL of ethanol was stirred at ˜70° C. for 1 d. Excess TEA was added and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator.",
"The residue was applied to a short column of silica gel and eluted with EtOAc to give 4-N-2-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)-sulfonamidoaniline as an oil (1.2 g, 70%): 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.76 (q, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (s, 3H), 3.32 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 2H), 3.37-3.48 (m, 12H), 5.88 (s, 2H), 6.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.11 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 361 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 4-(N-(2-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)sulfonamidoaniline and 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one according to Procedure J: mp 158-159° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.87 (dt, J=5.6, 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.17 (s, 3H), 3.33-3.38 (m, 4H), 3.38-3.47 (m, 10H), 7.10 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz 1H), 8.06 (br d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 9.25 (s, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H), 11.16 (br d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 561 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 25 H 30 N 4 O 7 S 2 [.",
"].0.33 H 2 O: C, 52.81;",
"H, 5.43;",
"N, 9.85.",
"Found: C, 52.81;",
"H, 5.29;",
"N, 9.82.",
"EXAMPLE 86 4-[N′-5,6-Dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 32% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 6.72 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.93 (s, 1H), 12.71 (s, 1H), APCI−MS m/z 343 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 3 S: C, 55.80, H, 4.68;",
"N, 16.27;",
"S, 9.31.",
"Found C, 55.78, H, 4.74;",
"N, 16.37;",
"S, 9.22.",
"EXAMPLE 87 N-{6-Hydroxy-3-[(4-methylsulfamoylmethyl-phenyl)-hydrazono]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-5-yl}-acetamide (Z isomer) Condensation of N-(6-hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide and 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-benzylsulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 4% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.51 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 3H), 4.24 (s, 2H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.84 (t, J=4.8 Hz), 1H), 7.30 (s, 4H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 9.12 (s, 1H), 10.20 (s, 1H), 10.77 (s, 1H), 12.50 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 416 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 88 4-[N′-(6-Chloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzene-sulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 6-chloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione (Pajouhesh et al.",
", Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1983, 72, 318-21) and 4-sulfonamido-phenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.88 (s, 3H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.97 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 379 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 4 O 4 CIS: C, 47.31;",
"H, 3.44;",
"N, 14.71;",
"Cl, 9.31 S, 8.42.",
"Found: C, 47.57;",
"H, 3.71;",
"N, 14.93;",
"Cl,9.11 S, 8.17.",
"EXAMPLE 89 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 5-Hydroxy-6-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-isopropyl-4-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.12 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H), 3.21 (septet, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 9.51 (s, 1H), 10.61 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 204 (M−H) − .",
"The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-6-isopropyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 1.12 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 6H), 3.21 (septet, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 7.21 (s, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 9.11 (s, 1H), 10.70 (s, 1H), 12.74 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 373 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 18 N 4 O 4 S: C, 54.53;",
"H, 4.85;",
"N, 14.96;",
"S, 8.56.",
"Found: C, 54.37;",
"H, 4.95;",
"N, 14.84;",
"S, 8.48.",
"EXAMPLE 90 4-[N′-(2-Methyl-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3-oxa-1,5-diaza-s-indacen-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]benzenesulfonamide (Z isomer) N-(6-Hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide was prepared from 6-amino-2-methylbenzoxazole (Heleyova, et al.",
", Collection of Czechoslovakian Chemical Communications 1996, 61, 371-80) according to Procedure A in 12% overall yield.",
"Condensation of N-(6-hydroxy-2,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-4-yl)acetamide and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 6% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.55 (s, 3H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 7.23 (s, 2H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 11.12 (s, 1H), 12.67 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 370 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 5 O 4 S: C, 51.75, H, 3.53;",
"N, 18.86;",
"S, 8.86.",
"Found C, 51.50.",
"H, 3.61;",
"N, 18.69;",
"S, 8.49.",
"EXAMPLE 91 4-[N′-(5-Acetyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 5-Acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 1-acetyl-5-aminoindoline according to Procedure A in 90% yield: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.11 (s,3H), 3.16 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 10.87 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 229 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 12 H 10 N 2 O 3 [.",
"].0.3 H 2 O: C, 61.17;",
"H, 4.53;",
"N, 11.89.",
"Found: C, 60.91;",
"H, 4.62;",
"N, 12.10.",
"The title compound was prepared from 5-acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2.3-f]indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 53% yield: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ):d2.13 (s,3H), 3.13 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.48 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.24 (s, 1H), 10.96 (s, 1H), 12.78 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 422 (M+Na) + .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 18 H 17 N 5 O 4 S: C, 54.13;",
"H, 4.29;",
"N, 17.53;",
"S, 8.03.",
"Found: C, 53.85;",
"H, 4.23;",
"N, 17.28;",
"S, 7.89.",
"EXAMPLE 92 4-[N′-(6-Oxo-5,6-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-f]indol-7-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared from 5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-f]indole-6,7-dione (Lackey and Stembach, Synthesis 1993, 993-7) and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride in 55% yield as an orange crystalline solid following Procedure G: mp>220° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 12.63 (s, 1H), 10.89 (s, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=7 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=7 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.00 (s, 2H), Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 12 N 4 O 5 S: C, 50.00;",
"H, 3.36;",
"N, 15.55.",
"Found: C, 50.08;",
"H, 3.35;",
"N, 15.49.",
"EXAMPLE 93 4-[N′-(2-Oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide hydrobromide (Z-isomer) A solution of 0.10 g (0.44 mmol) of 5-acetyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,3-dione in 3 mL of conc.",
"HBr was heated to 100° C. for 18 h. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with 10 mL of water and filtered.",
"The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and added to a solution of 0.05 g (0.2 mmol) 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride in 5 mL of EtOH, The mixture was heated to 80° C. for 1 h and cooled to ambient tempurature.",
"The resulting solid was collected by vacuum filtration, washed with water and dried in a vacuum oven at 70° C. to afford the title compound as a tan solid (0.026 g, 17%): mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.17 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.69 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 10.65 (bs, 2H), 11.24 (s, 1H), 12.73 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 356 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 15 N 5 O 3 S[.",
"].0.9 HBr[.",
"].0.5 H 2 O: C, 43.75;",
"H, 3.88;",
"N, 15.94;",
"S, 7.30.",
"Found: C, 44.01;",
"H, 4.14;",
"N, 15.70;",
"S, 7.12.",
"EXAMPLE 94 C-{4-[N′-(4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-phenyl}-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 4,6-Dichloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3,5-dichloro-4,6-hydroxyaniline according to Procedure A in 91% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 11.26 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 244/246/248 (M−H) − .",
"Condensation of 4,6-dichloro-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2,3-dione with 4-hydrazino-N-methyl-benzylsulfonamide according to Procedure G gave the title compound in 59% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.58 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 3H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 4.33 (s, 2H), 6.93 (q, J=4.7 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 7.41 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.51 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 11.31 (s, 1H), 12.99 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 441/443 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 17 H 16 Cl 2 N 4 O 4 S: C, 46.06;",
"H, 3.64;",
"Cl, 15.99;",
"N, 12.64;",
"S, 7.23.",
"Found C, 45.80;",
"H, 3.55;",
"Cl, 16.20;",
"N, 12.57;",
"S, 7.11.",
"EXAMPLE 95 4-[N′-(4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 4-Chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-methyl aniline according to Procedure A and employing flash chromatography (hexanes:EtOAc 1:1) to isolate the desired isomer: 1 H NMR (DMSO d 6 ): δ 2.35 (s, 3H), 6.67 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H), 10.81 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 210 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 9 H 6 NO 3 Cl: C, 51.08;",
"H, 2.85;",
"N, 6.62;",
"Cl, 16.75.",
"Found: C, 51.20;",
"H, 2.90;",
"N, 6.67;",
"Cl, 16.85.",
"The title compound was prepared from 4-chloro-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G in 95% yield: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.26 (s, 3H), 6.69 (s, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.84 (s, 1H), 11.02 (s, 1H), 13.00 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 379 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 15 H 13 N 4 O 4 ClS: C, 47.31;",
"H, 3.44;",
"N, 14.71;",
"Cl, 9.31;",
"S, 8.42.",
"Found: C, 47.20;",
"H, 3.47;",
"N, 14.64;",
"Cl, 9.41;",
"S, 8.32.",
"EXAMPLE 96 4-[N′-(5-Hydroxy -4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidene)-hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) 5-Hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione was prepared from 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylaniline according to Procedure A. The title compound was prepared from 5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione and 4-sulfonamidophenylhydrazine hydrochloride according to Procedure G: mp>250° C.;",
"1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 2H), 7.44 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 10.78(s, 1H), 12.98 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS: m/z 359 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 16 H 16 N 4 O 4 S[.",
"].0.25 H 2 O: C, 52.67;",
"H, 4.56;",
"N, 15.35;",
"S, 8.79.",
"Found: C, 52.69;",
"H, 4.47;",
"N, 15.33;",
"S, 8.87.",
"EXAMPLE 97 3-(1H-Indazol-5-yl-amino-ethylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 68% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 5-aminoindazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.1 (s, 1H), 10.8 (d, 1H), 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.6 (d, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 2H), 6.8 (d, 1H);",
"C 16 H 12 N 4 O 2 : ESI−MS m/z 275 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 98 3-(1H-Indazol-6-ylimino-methylene)-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 79% yield from 3-hydroxymethylene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and 6-aminoindazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 13.02 (s, 1H), 10.86 (d, 1H), 10.51 (s, 1H), 8.7 (d, 1H) ) 8.0 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, 1H), 7.63 (d, 1H) 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.15 (dd, 1H), 7.02 (m, 1H), 6.94 (m, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 275 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 99 See Procedure G EXAMPLE 100 N-Methyl-4-[(5-oxazol-5-yl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-indol-3-ylidenemethyl)-amino]-phenylmethanesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 56% yield from ethoxymethylene-5-oxazol-5-yl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and N-methyl-4-aminophenylmethanesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 10.72 (d,1H), 10.67 (s, 1H), 8.71 (d, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 7H), 6.89 (m, 2H), 4.28 (s, 2H), 2.54 (d, 3H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 409 (MH) − .",
"EXAMPLE 101 8-(3H-Benzotriazol-5-ylaminomethylene)-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacene-7-one (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 54% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6-diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 5-aminobenzotriazole according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.18 (d,1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.23 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, 1H), 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.1 (d, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 333 (M−H) − .",
"EXAMPLE 102 4-[N′-2-Oxo-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-1-ylidene)hydrazino]-benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) The title compound was prepared in 24% yield from 3-H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-1,2-dione and 4-hydrazinobenzene sulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ 13.12 (s, 1H), 11.64 (s, 1H), 9.32 (d, 1H), 9.01 (d, 1H), 8.13 (d, 1H), 7.9 (m, 1H), 7.83 (d, 2H), 7.69 (d, 2H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.33 (s, 2H).",
"APCI−MS m/z 368 (MH) + .",
"EXAMPLE 103 2-Oxo-3-(4-sulfamoyl-phenylamino-methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (Z-isomer) 3-Methylthio-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester was prepared in 59% yield from isobutyl 4-aminobenzoate according to Procedure D: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.93 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.93 (s, 3H), 1.98 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (m, 2H), 4.62 (s, 1H), 6.92 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (s, J=1H), 7.86 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.91 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 302 (M+23) − .",
"Zinc reduction of 3-methylthio-2oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester according to Procedure δ provided 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester in 99% yield: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.93 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.97 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (s, 2H), 3.99 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 6.88 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (s, J=1H), 7.82 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 10.72 (s, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 256 (M+23) + .",
"Conversion of 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester to 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester (mixture of E and Z isomers) was accomplished in 75% yield according to Procedure G: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.94 Z (d, J=8.8 Hz, 6H), 0.94 E (d, J=8.8 Hz, 6H), 1.94-2.01 Z and E (m, 2H), 3.30 Z (s, 6H), 3.32 E (s, 6H), 3.97-3.99 Z and E (m, 4H), 6.75 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.83 E (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47 E (s, 1H), 7.53 Z (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.59 E (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.73 Z (s, 1H), 7.88 Z (s, 1H), 7.98 E (s, 1H), 10.34 Z (bs, 1H), 10.44 E (bs, 1H);",
"ESI−MS m/z 289 (M+1) + .",
"The title compound was prepared in 66% yield from 3-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid isobutyl ester and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 0.96 (d, J=6.6 Hz.",
"6H), 2.01 (septet, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 7.60 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.71 (dd, J=1.6, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.83 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 1H), 10.95 (s, 1H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 414 (M−H) − .",
"Anal.",
"Calcd for C 20 H 21 N 3 O 5 S: C, 57.82;",
"H, 5.09;",
"N, 10.11;",
"S, 7.72.",
"Found C, 57.91;",
"H, 5.16;",
"N, 10.02;",
"S, 7.65.",
"EXAMPLE 104 4-[(7Oxo-6,7-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-8-ylidenemethyl)amino]-N-pyridinyl-4-yl-methyl benzenesulfonamide (Z-isomer) To a 250 ml round bottom flask was added 50 ml of dry pyridine, 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine (10.4 g, 50.0 mmol) and a magnetic stir bar.",
"The mixture was stirred and cooled to 0° C. under nitrogen followed by the addition of N-acetylsulfanilyl chloride (12.8 g, 55.0 mmol).",
"The resultant mixture was stirred at 0° C. under nitrogen for 5 min.",
"and the reaction was allowed to warm to rt and stirred for 16 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to a thick residue and poured onto about 500 g of ice and water.",
"The residue in the flask was rinsed into the ice and water with 25 ml of MeOH to precipitate the N-acetyl sulfanilamide.",
"The resultant precipitate was filtered, washed with excess water and dried under vacuum at 50° C. The solid was suspended in 75 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid and heated to 100° C. until all starting material had been consumed.",
"The reaction mixture was cooled and neutralized with ammonium hydroxide.",
"The precipatate was filtered and dried under vacuum at 50° C. to yield 5.78 g, 43.9% of 4-amino-N-(4-aminomethylpyridinyl)-benzenesulfonamide: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 8.42 (d, 2H), 7.76 (t, 1H), 7.39 (d, 2H), 7.22 (d, 2H), 6.56 (d, 2H), 5.91 (s, 2H), 3.89 (d, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 264 (MH) + .",
"The title compound was prepared in 33% yield from 8-ethoxymethylene-6,8-dihydro-1-thia-3,6diaza-as-indacen-7-one and 4-amino-N-4-aminomethylpyridinyl)-benzenesulfonamide according to Procedure J: 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): δ 11.15 (d, 1H), 10.9 (s, 1H), 9.24 (s, 1H), 8.44 (d, 2H), 8.24 (m, 1H), 8.05 (d, 1H), 7.81 (d, 1H), 7.76 (m, 2H), 7.56 (d, 2H), 7.24 (d, 2H), 7.1 (d, 1H), 4.01 (d, 2H);",
"APCI−MS m/z 464 (MH) + .",
"Pharmaceutical Formulation and Doses The compounds of the present invention can be administered in such oral (including buccal and sublingual) dosage forms as tablets, capsules (each including timed release and sustained release formulations), pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, suspensions, syrups and emulsions.",
"Likewise, they may also be administered in nasal, ophthalmic, otic, rectal, topical, intravenous (both bolus and infusion), intraperitoneal, intraarticular, subcutaneous or intramuscular inhalation or insufflation form, all using forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts.",
"The dosage regimen utilizing the compounds of the present invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including type, species, age, weight, sex and medical condition of the patient;",
"the severity of the condition to be treated;",
"the route of administration;",
"the renal and hepatic function of the patient;",
"and the particular compound or salt thereof employed.",
"An ordinarily skilled physician or veterinarian can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition.",
"Oral dosages of the present invention, when used for the indicated effects, will range between about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day, and particularly 1 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day.",
"Oral dosage units will generally be administered in the range of from 1 to about 250 mg and more preferably from about 25 to 250 mg.",
"The daily dosage for a 70 kg mammal will generally be in the range of about 70 mg to 7 grams of a compound of formula I or II.",
"While the dosage to be administered is based on the usual conditions such as the physical condition of the patient, age, body weight, past medical history, route of administrations, severity of the conditions and the like, it is generally preferred for oral administration to administer to a human.",
"In some cases, a lower dose is sufficient and, in some cases, a higher dose or more doses may be necessary.",
"Topical application similarly may be once or more than once per day depending upon the usual medical considerations.",
"Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily.",
"The compounds of the invention can be prepared in a range of concentrations for topical use of 0.5 to 5 mg/ml of suitable solvent.",
"A preferred volume for application to the scalp is 2 ml, resulting in an effective dosage delivered to the patient of 1 to 10 mg.",
"For treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, administration 1 to 2 times prior to chemotherapy administration would be preferred, with additional applications administered as needed.",
"A similar regimen can be pursued for treatment of alopecia induced by radiation therapy.",
"Furthermore, preferred compounds for the present invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art.",
"To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.",
"In the methods of the present invention, the compounds herein described in detail can form the active ingredient, and are typically administered in admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, excipients or carriers (collectively referred to herein as “carrier”",
"materials) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, that is, oral tablets, capsules, elixirs, syrups and the like, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices.",
"For instance, for oral administration in the form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol, glycerol, water and the like.",
"Powders are prepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixing with a similarly comminuted pharmaceutical carrier such as an edible carbohydrate, as, for example, starch or mannitol.",
"Flavoring, preservative, dispersing and coloring agent can also be present.",
"Capsules are made by preparing a powder mixture as described above, and filling formed gelatin sheaths.",
"Glidants and lubricants such as colloidal silica, talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate or solid polyethylene glycol can be added to the powder mixture before the filling operation.",
"A disintegrating or solubilizing agent such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate or sodium carbonate can also be added to improve the availability of the medicament when the capsule is ingested.",
"Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents can also be incorporated into the mixture.",
"Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth or sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes and the like.",
"Lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and the like.",
"Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum and the like.",
"Tablets are formulated, for example, by preparing a powder mixture, granulating or slugging.",
"adding a lubricant and disintegrant and pressing into tablets.",
"A powder mixture is prepared by mixing the compound, suitably comminuted, with a diluent or base as described above, and optionally, with a binder such as carboxymethylcellulose, an aliginate, gelatin, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a solution retardant such as paraffin, a resorption accelerator such as a quaternary salt and/or an absorption agent such as bentonite, kaolin or dicalcium phosphate.",
"The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting with a binder such as syrup, starch paste, acadia mucilage or solutions of cellulosic or polymeric materials and forcing through a screen.",
"As an alternative to granulating, the powder mixture can be run through the tablet machine and the result is imperfectly formed slugs broken into granules.",
"The granules can be lubricated to prevent sticking to the tablet forming dies by means of the addition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc or mineral oil.",
"The lubricated mixture is then compressed into tablets.",
"The compounds of the present invention can also be combined with free flowing inert carrier and compressed into tablets directly without going through the granulating or slugging steps.",
"A clear or opaque protective coating consisting of a sealing coat of shellac, a coating of sugar or polymeric material and a polish coating of wax can be provided.",
"Dyestuffs can be added to these coatings to distinguish different unit dosages.",
"Oral fluids such as solution, syrups and elixirs can be prepared in dosage unit form so that a given quantity contains a predetermined amount of the compound.",
"Syrups can be prepared by dissolving the compound in a suitably flavored aqueous solution, while elixirs are prepared through the use of a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle.",
"Suspensions can be formulated by dispersing the compound in a non-toxic vehicle.",
"Solubilizers and emulsifiers such as ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and polyoxy ethylene sorbitol ethers, preservatives, flavor additive such as peppermint oil or saccharin, and the like can also be added.",
"Where appropriate, dosage unit formulations for oral administration can be microencapsulated.",
"The formulation can also be prepared to prolong or sustain the release as for example by coating or embedding particulate material in polymers, wax or the like.",
"The compounds of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles.",
"Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, steaylamine or phosphatidylcholines.",
"Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled.",
"The compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers.",
"Such polymers can include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamidephenol, or polyethyleneoxidepolylysine substituted with palmitoyl residues.",
"Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polylactic acid, polepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels.",
"The present invention includes pharmaceutical compositions containing 0.01 to 99.5%, more particularly, 0.5 to 90% of a compound of the formula (II) in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.",
"Parenteral administration can be effected by utilizing liquid dosage unit forms such as sterile solutions and suspensions intended for subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection.",
"These are prepared by suspending or dissolving a measured amount of the compound in a non-toxic liquid vehicle suitable for injection such as aqueous oleaginous medium and sterilizing the suspension or solution.",
"Alternatively, a measured amount of the compound is placed in a vial and the vial and its contents are sterilized and sealed.",
"An accompanying vial or vehicle can be provided for mixing prior to administration.",
"Non-toxic salts and salt solutions can be added to render the injection isotonic.",
"Stabilizers, preservations and emulsifiers can also be added.",
"Rectal administration can be effected utilizing suppositories in which the compound is admixed with low-melting water-soluble or insoluble solids such as polyethylene glycol, cocoa butter, higher ester as for example flavored aqueous solution, while elixirs are prepared through myristyl palmitate or mixtures thereof.",
"Topical formulations of the present invention may be presented as, for instance, ointments.",
"creams or lotions, eye ointments and eye or ear drops, impregnated dressings and aerosols, and may contain appropriate conventional additives such as preservatives, solvents to assist drug penetration and emollients in ointments and creams.",
"The formulations may also contain compatible conventional carriers, such as cream or ointment bases and ethanol or oleyl alcohol for lotions.",
"Such carriers may be present as from about 1% up to about 98% of the formulation.",
"More usually they will form up to about 80% of the formulation.",
"For administration by inhalation the compounds according to the invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, heptafluoropropane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.",
"In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount.",
"Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of a compound of the invention and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.",
"The preferred pharmaceutical compositions are those in a form suitable for oral administration, such as tablets and liquids and the like and topical formulations.",
"Biological Data The compounds of the present invention have valuable pharmacologic properties.",
"Different compounds from this class are particularly effective at inhibiting the CDK1 and CDK2 enzymes at concentrations which range from 0.0001 to 1 μM and additionally show specificity relative to other kinases.",
"Substrate phosphorylation assays were carried out as follows: CDK1 and CDK2 Cyclin dependent protein kinase assays utilized the peptides Biotin-aminohexyl-AAKAKKTPKKAKK and Biotin-aminohexyl-ARRPMSPKKKA-NH 2 as phosphoryl group acceptors.",
"CDK1 and CDK2 were both expressed utilizing a baculovirus expression system and were partially purified to comprise 20-80% of total protein, with no detectable competing reactions present.",
"Typically, assays were performed by incubating either enzyme (0.2-10 nM), with and without inhibitor, one of the two peptide substrates (1-10 nM), [γ- 32 P]ATP (1-20 nM), and 10-20 mM Mg 2+ for periods of time generally within the range 10-120 min.",
"Reactions were terminated with 0.2-2 volumes of either 20% acetic acid or 50-100 mM EDTA buffered to pH 7 (substrate consumption<20%).",
"The buffer employed in enzyme assays was either 30 mM HEPES 7.4 containing 0.15 M NaCl and 5% DMSO, the buffer 50 mM MOPS 7.0 containing 0.15 M NaCl and 5% DMSO, or the buffer 100 mM HEPES pH 7.5 containing 0.1 mg /mL BSA and 5% DMSO.",
"Inhibitors were diluted in 100% DMSO prior to addition into the assay.",
"Detection of peptide phosphorylation was accomplished by scintillation counting following either collection of peptide onto phosphocellulose filters (for reactions stopped with acetic acid), collection of peptide in wells of 96 well plates coated with Streptavidin (Pierce) (reactions were stopped with EDTA), or addition of Avidin coated Scintillant impregnated beads (Scintillation Proximity Assays from Amersham, reactions were stopped with EDTA).",
"Counts detected by any of these methodologies minus the appropriate background (assays with additional 40 mM EDTA or lacking peptide substrate) were assumed to be proportional to the reaction initial rates, and IC50s were determined by a least squares fit to the equation CPM=V max *(1−([l]/(K+[l])))+nsb, or pIC 50 s were determined by a fit to the equation CPM=nsb+(V max −nsb)/(1+(x/10 x −pIC50)), where nsb are the background counts.",
"UL97 UL97 was produced as a GST fusion protein from a baculovirus vector expressed in sf9 cells as described by He (He, et al.",
", Journal of Virology 1997, 71, 405-11).",
"UL97 was assayed as a protein kinase using 32 P transfer from ATP to histone H 2 B with detection of radiolabeled histone bound to phosphocellulose.",
"Assay mixes for testing inhibitors of UL97 activity contained 2 mM [γ 32 P]-ATP, 15 mM histone H 2 B, 50 mM sodiumCHES, pH 9.5, 1 M NaCl, 2 mM dithiothreitol and 10 mM MgCl 2 .",
"Inhibitors were dissolved in diluted DMSO to give a final DMSO concentration in the reaction of 1% DMSO.",
"After incubation at 20° C., the reactions were terminated by addition of 10 volumes of 75 mM phosphoric acid, 30 mM ATP, 1 mM EDTA, then were spotted onto phosphocellulose filters and washed four times with 75 mM phosphoric acid.",
"Radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting.",
"Src/Lck The peptide substrates used in Src and Lck assays were biotin-aminohexyl-EEIYGEF-NH 2 (Src) and biotin-aminohexyl-EAIYGVLFAKKK-NH 2 (Lck).",
"The src and Ick proteins were purified to homogeneity from a baculovirus expression system and preactivated before adding to assay mixtures.",
"The maximum activation was achieved by incubating concentrated enzyme (10-30 mM) on ice for 40 min in the presence of 1 mM ATP and 10 mM MgCl 2 in 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5.",
"The activated enzyme was diluted to 2 nM into a 50-mL reaction mixture containing 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5.",
"5 mM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 2 mM peptide, 0.05 mg/mL BSA, and an inhibitor at varying concentrations and with or without 8 mCi/mL [γ- 33 P]ATP dependent upon the method of analysis for the extent of reaction.",
"The controls were reactions in the presence (negative controls) or absence (positive controls) of 50 mM EDTA.",
"Reactions were allowed to proceed for 30 min at room temperature and quenched with addition of EDTA to 50 mM in 220 mL.",
"The extent of reactions was analyzed in one of the two ways: an Elisa-based and a radioactive isotope-based.",
"The quenched samples (200 mL) were transferred to a neutravidin coated plate (Perice) and incubated at room temperature for 40 min to allow biotinylated peptide to bind to neutravidin.",
"The unbound peptide and the rest of the solution was washed away using a plate washer.",
"In the Elisa format, a 200 mL HRP-PY20 anti phosphotyrosine antibody conjugate solution was added.",
"After incubation for about 30 min, the plated was washed to remove unbound antibody-HRP conjugate.",
"An Elisa substrate, K-blue (Neogen), was added and the Elisa reaction quenched with Red-stop (Neogen) after 15 min.",
"The plate was read at A 625 in a plate reader.",
"In the isotope-based format, the reactions had been performed in the presence of [γ- 33 P]ATP.",
"200 mL Scintiverce DB was added to each well of the plate with bound biotin-peptide.",
"The plate was sealed and counted in a micro-b-counter (Wallac).",
"IC 50 values were obtained by fitting raw data to A 625 (cpm)=V max *(1−([l]/(IC 50 +[l])))+b, where b is background.",
"VEGFR-2 The peptide substrate used in the VEGFR-2 assay was biotin-aminohexyl-EEEEYFELVAKKKK-NH 2 .",
"The kinase domain of the enzyme was purified to homogeneity from a baculovirus expression system.",
"The enzyme was preactivated on ice for 15 min in the presence of 100 μM ATP and 20 mM MgCl 2 , and stored at −80° C. until needed for assay.",
"The activated enzyme was diluted to 0.4 nM into a 60 μl reaction containing 100 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 5 μM ATP, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 5 μM peptide, 0.1 mM DTT, 0.05 mg/ml BSA, and an inhibitor at varying concentrations.",
"The controls were reactions in the presence (negative controls) or absence (positive controls) of 50 mM EDTA.",
"Reactions were incubated for 30 min at room temperature, and then quenched by the addition of EDTA to 60 mM in 210 μl.",
"The quenched samples (190 μl) were transferred to a neutravidin-coated plate (Pierce) and incubated at room temperature for 40 min to allow biotinylated peptide to bind to the neutravidin.",
"The unbound components of the reaction were removed by washing with a plate washer, then 200 μl HRP-PY20 anti-phosphotyrosine antibody conjugate was added to each well.",
"After incubation for 40 min, the plate was washed to remove any unbound antibody.",
"A HRP substrate, K-blue (Neogen) was added and the reaction was quenched with Red Stop (Neogen) after 20 min.",
"The absorbance of the wells was read at A 650 in a plate reader.",
"IC 50 values were obtained by fitting raw data to A 650 =V max *(1−[l]/IC 50 +[l])))+b, where b is background.",
"The results shown in Table 2 summarise representative data: Table 2 illustrates the inhibitory activity of compounds of the present invention against several different kinases (CDK2, CDK1, cSrc, Lck, UL97, and VEGFR2).",
"TABLE 2 Kinase inhibition data of representative compounds Compound CDK2 CDK1 cSrc Lck UL97 VEGFR2 Example 72 +++ ++ + + +++ ++ Example 99 ++ + + + ++++ + Example 68 ++++ ++ + +++ Example 77 ++++ ++++ ++++ Example 36 ++++ ++++ + + +++ + Example 101 +++ ++ Example 35 ++++ +++ Example 27 ++++ +++ Example 11 ++++ +++ Example 103 ++++ +++ Example 76 +++ + + + + Example 104 ++++ +++ Key (IC 50 , nM) 1-10: ++++ 11-50: +++ 51-100: ++ >100: + As may be expected in light of the specific inhibitory activity of these compounds against several kinases involved in growth regulation, the compounds of this invention have antiproliferative properties which can be directly demonstrated in several cell proliferation assays.",
"The results shown in Table 3 summarise some of these data for three different cell proliferation assays: MTT, FACS and G1-S progression.",
"These assays are described below.",
"MTT Assay Compounds are tested for their ability to inhibit cell proliferation and cell viability.",
"The metabolic conversion of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT, Sigma #M2128) to a reduced form is a commonly used measure of cellular viability.",
"Following is the procedure: Cells are maintained in 75 cm 2 tissue culture flasks until ready for use.",
"The cells are grown and plated for the assay in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's media (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum.",
"For example, the following cell lines can be used: a) human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF);",
"b) HT29 (human colon carcinoma cell line);",
"c)MDA-MB-468 (human breast carcinoma cell line);",
"d) RKO (human colon adenocarcinoma cell line);",
"e) SW620 (human colon carcinoma cell line);",
"f) A549 (human lung carcinoma cell line);",
"and g) MIA PACA (human pancreatic carcinoma cell line).",
"Cells are maintained at 37° C. in 10% CO 2 , 90% humidified air.",
"Cells are plated in 96-well tissue culture plates at the densities listed below.",
"100 μL of cell suspension is added to each well of the 96-well plate except the top row of the plate which contains no cells and serves as a reference for the spectrophotometer.",
"cell line density HFF 2500 cells/well HT29 cell lines 2500 cells/well MDA-MB-468 cell 5000 cells/well line RKO cell line 4000 cells/well SW620 4000 cells/well A549 5,500 cells/well MIA PACA 3000 cells/well Cells are incubated overnight in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum at 37° C. in 10% CO 2 , 90% humidified air prior to dosing.",
"Cells are dosed in 10 sequential 3-fold dilutions starting at 30 μM depending upon the solubility of the compound.",
"Compounds with solubilities of less than 30 μM are dosed at the highest soluble concentration.",
"Stock solutions of compounds are made in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).",
"Stock solutions are diluted in DMEM containing 100 μg/ml gentamicin and 0.3 to 0.6% DMSO at the twice the highest concentration to be placed on the cells.",
"If compounds have been dissolved in DMSO the final concentration of DMSO on the cells is kept below 0.3%.",
"Three-fold serial dilutions are performed on each compound to prepare 10 concentrations of the compound for dosing.",
"100 μl of diluted compound is added to the 100 μl of media currently on the dish.",
"For each concentration of compound, 2-4 replicate wells are prepared.",
"Cells are returned to incubator and allowed to proliferate in the presence of compound for 72 h before addition of MTT.",
"MTT is prepared in phosphate buffered saline (Irvine Scientific #9240) at a concentration of 2 mg/ml.",
"50 μl per well of MTT solution is added to the 200 μl of media to yield a final concentration of 0.4 mg/ml and plates are returned to the incubator for 4 h. After 4 h incubation the media, compound and MTT mixture is aspirated from the plates and 100 μl of 100% DMSO is added to each well in addition to 25 μl of Sorenson's Buffer (0.1M glycine, 0.1M NaCl, pH 10.5).",
"Quantitation of metabolic reduction of MTT in each plate is performed by reading optical density at 570 nm wavelength on a Molecular Devices UVmax microplate reader.",
"Growth inhibition curves and 50% inhibitory concentrations are determined using Microsoft Excel.",
"FACS Assay The antiproliferative activity of the compounds of the present invention against a variety of normal or tumour cell lines can also be demonstrated by flow cytometry.",
"These assays allow determination of both cell death and changes in cell cycle profile in cells following treatment of the compound.",
"The assay is performend as follows: 1.",
"Cells are incubated in DMEM to which 10% FCS has been added in a humidified incubator at 37° C. and 5% by volume of CO 2 in air.",
"The cells are innoculated in 6-well plates at a density of 0.5-5×10 5 cells per well.",
"The test compound is added in serial dilutions 24-36 h after plating in 0.5% DMSO.",
"The plates are then incubated a further 72 h in the presence of the compound.",
"During this time, cells in control cultures undergo at least three cell divisions.",
"After incubation, the media is collected and cells are harvested by trypsinization.",
"The cells and media are pooled and pelleted by centrifugation.",
"The cell pellet is fixed in a final volume of 3 mL of 50% ice cold MeOH and incubated for a minimum of 30 min at −20° C. 5.",
"The cells are pelleted by centrifugation and resuspended in 0.5 mL PBS containing 1%FCS, 10 mg/mL Propidium Iodide (PI) and 5 mg/mL RNase A and incubated 30 min at 37° C. in the dark.",
"The samples are analysed by flow cytometry using the relative incorporation of PI as a measure of DNA content of each cell.",
"The % Dead cells is recorded as % of events with less than 2N DNA.",
"The IC 50 values for the compound are determined as the concentration of compound which results in 50% cell death relative to the control cultures.",
"The compounds of the present invention give IC 50 values from 0.1 to >25 mmol/L.",
"The compounds of the present invention additionally display IC 50 values for cell killing of 5- to 30-fold lower in several tumour cell lines, including the RKO and SW620 colon tumours, MDA MB468 breast tumour, H460 lung tumour and MES/.",
"SA ovarian tumour cell lines, as compared to normal epithelial or fibroblast cell lines and therefore discriminate between normal cell lines and tumour derived cell lines for toxicity.",
"G1-S Progression Assay This assay is designed to determine the ability of compounds to inhibit progression of cells from G1 into S-phase.",
"CDK2 has been shown to be required for progression into S-phase in normal fibroblastic cells and therefore inhibition of this activity will prevent progression from G1-S.",
"This assay therefore provides a rapid assessment of activity consistent with the inhibition of CDK2 in a cell-based format.",
"The protocol is as follows: (1) Grow human diploid fibroblasts (HDF-3) in 100 mm tissue culture dish to confluency.",
"(2) Plate 6-7×103 cells/well in a 96 well plate in 100 μl of DMEM.",
"(3) After 16-17 h add various dilutions of test compounds (0.045-100 μM).",
"Dilute compound in DMEM containing DMSO and add 100 μl to each well so that the DMSO conc.",
"is 0.6-0.8% in 200 μl final volume.",
"(4) Two h after addition of compound, add 20 ul of 100 μM BrdU (final conc.",
"10 μM) Make 100 μM solution in DMEM from 10 mM stock solution.",
"(5) After 4 h, add 200 μl PBS to each well and remove the contents of the wells by inverting the plate and soaking on to the paper towel.",
"Repeat the washing step three times, with 400 ul PBS each time.",
"(6) Fix the cells and denature the DNA by adding 200 μl fixation/denaturation solution to each well for 30-40 min.",
"(7) Remove the fixation/denaturation solution by tapping the plate on the paper towel and add 75 ul of anti BrdU peroxidase antibody to each well.",
"(dilute the antibody to 0.1 U/mL from 15 U/mL stock in PBS containing 1% BSA, Fraction V).",
"Incubate the plate O/N at 4° C. (8) Remove the antibody solution and wash wells four times with 400 μl of PBS.",
"Let the wash solution stay for 3-4 min during each wash.",
"(9) Drain the wells and add 100 μl of chemiluminiscence Elisa reagent (Prepare the reagent 15-20 min before use to bring it to rt by mixing 100 parts of reagent A with 1 part of reagent B).",
"(10) Read the plate in a luminometer.",
"Take 2-3 readings within 6-7 min.",
"Perform the following controls: Back- ground Well contents Blank control culture media 200 μl 100 μl cells — 100 μl BrdU 20 μl — AntiBrdU-POD 75 μl 75 μl Reagents Deoxybromouridine (BrdU), anti BrdU peroxidase antibodies, fixation/denaturation solution, chemiluminiscence reagent and BSA Fraction V, were obtained from Boehringer Mannheim.",
"The 96-well white plate with clear bottom were purchased from Corning Costar Corporation.",
"Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium containing high glucose, L-glutamine and pyridoxine HCl was obtained from GIBCO BRL.",
"The compounds of the present invention prevent progression of normal fibroblasts into S-phase with IC 50 values ranging from 0.05-10 μM.",
"This inhibition of G1-S progression is consistent with these compounds acting as inhibitors of CDK2.",
"Results of these cell-based assays with representitive compounds are summarized in Table 3.",
"HDF are normal diploid fibroblast cells.",
"RKO are colon adenocarcinoma cells and MES/SA are ovarian carcinoma cells.",
"TABLE 3 Cell-based activities of representative compounds FACS MTT Compound G1/S Chkpt HDF RKO MES/SA HDF RKO MDA MB468 Example 72 ++ + ++ + + ++ + Example 99 ++ + ++++ + +++ ++++ ++++ Example 68 ++ + ++ + + + Example 77 ++ + ++ +++ + ++ + Example 36 +++ + +++ ++++ ++ +++ +++ Example 101 + + + + ++ Example 35 + + ++ + + ++ + Example 27 ++ + ++ ++ ++ ++ Example 11 ++ + ++ Example 103 ++ ++ ++ ++ Example 76 ++ + ++ ++ + + + Example 104 ++ ++ ++ ++ Key (IC 50 , μM) 0.1-0.5: ++++ 0.6-1.0: +++ 1.1-5.0: ++ >5.0: + UTILITY OF INVENTION Inhibitors of members of the CDK family of kinases find utility as agents in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders which have a proliferative component or which involve regulation of cyclin dependent kinase function.",
"These include cancers, restenosis, psoriasis, and actinic keratosis.",
"The tumour inhibitory activity of the compounds of the present invention can be demonstrated in vivo.",
"The tumour inhibiting activity is determined using Swiss Nu/Nu female mice in which the human RKO colon adenocarcinoma has been implanted subcutaneously.",
"In this assay, the compounds induce a marked reduction in the average tumour volume compared to vehicle treated controls.",
"The present invention demonstrates methodologies by which the onset of cell death in normal proliferating cells induced by chemotherapeutic drugs may be prevented by the prior treatment with inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases.",
"This may be useful to decrease the severity of chemotherapy-induced side effects due to killing of normal cells.",
"These side effects may include, but are not limited to alopecia, mucocitis (nausea and vomiting, diahrea, oral lesions), neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.",
"Inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases CDK2 and CDK4 prevent the progression of normal cells into both S-phase (DNA synthesis) or M-phase (mitosis), reducing their susceptibility to incur damage by certain chemotherapeutic drugs which act in those phases of the cell cycle.",
"When the compounds of the present invention are used in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents, they reduce the severity of chemotherapy-induced side effects.",
"The protective effects of these compounds can be demonstrated in tissue culture using normal diploid fibroblasts.",
"Cells are plated 36 h prior to the administration of the compounds of the present invention, which are dosed at or above the IC 50 concentrations determined by the G1 checkpoint assay.",
"Cells are then treated with cytotoxic compounds anywhere from 0 to 24 h after treatment with the compounds of the present invention.",
"Cells are incubated with the combination of the cytotoxic and the compound of the present invention from 3 to 72 h. Cytotoxic drugs include, but are not limited to taxanes, vinca alkyloids, anthracyclins, etoposide, mitoxantrone, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and Ara C. Cell death may be recorded by morphological observation, or by assessment by MTT or FACS analysis The compounds of the present invention reduce the amount of cell death when used in combination with cytotoxics, as compared to the cytotoxic alone.",
"The chemoprotective activity of these agents has additionally been demonstrated in vivo.",
"Protection from chemotherapy-induced alopecia is determined in 7 day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups.",
"The treatment is carried out by administering the compounds topically to the head of the animal in doses from 0.01 to 10 mg/kg 2 h before and 2 h after the administration of a single dose of 6 mg/kg etoposide intraperitoneally.",
"Six days after dosing, animals are scored visually for hair loss using a grading scale from 1 (complete hair loss) to 4 (no apparent hair loss).",
"In this assay, the prior treatment of the animal with the compound of this invention results in a marked reduction in the severity of alopecia compared to vehicle treated controls.",
"Under the above described conditions of treatment, the compounds of the present invention also protect against other toxicities of etoposide.",
"Animals treated with etoposide alone show a dramatic lack of weight gain compared to untreated animals.",
"Animals treated with the compounds of the present invention in combination with etoposide, in the schedule indicated above, gain weight normally and even exceed the body weight of control, untreated animals.",
"The compounds of the present invention additionally show an additive or synergistic effect on cell kill when dosed in combination with cytotoxic drugs in tumour cells (but not normal cells).",
"This can be demonstrated by pretreating normal fibroblasts or RKO colon carcinoma cells with the compounds of the present invention (at concentrations that equals the IC50 in the G1 checkpoint assay) for 4 h prior to the administration of cytotoxic drug.",
"Cytotoxic drugs include, but are not limited to taxanes, vinca alkyloids, anthracyclins, etoposide, mitoxantrone, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and Ara C. This synergistic effect may also be shown in vivo.",
"Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats bearing WARD syngeneic tumours are dosed with a combination of etoposide with the compound of the present invention as described above for the protection experiments.",
"Animals dosed in such a manner show an increased antitumour effect as compared to animals dosed with etoposide alone.",
"The compounds of the present invention may therefore be administered systemically to animals in combination with cell-cycle specific cytotoxic drugs to both increase the antitumour effect of the cytotoxic as well as reduce the severity of side effects of the cytotoxic drug.",
"This will allow the dose of cytotoxic to be escalated to further improve antitumor activity without increasing the host toxicity of the cytotoxic.",
"The compounds of the present invention may also be used in combination with radiation treatment to show similar protection of normal cells from the effects of radiation and may be used as radiosensitizers to increase the tumour killing by radiation therapy.",
"The compounds of the present invention which are inhibitory for CDK4 or CDK6 activity will selectively inhibit cell cycle progression in cells which retain a functional retinoblastoma protein.",
"Thus, it will be expected that inhibition of CDK4 will systemically protect normal dividing cells, including the GI and oral mucosa, hematopoietic cells and cells in the hair follicle, but be unable to protect tumour cells with loss of RB function, either by deletion or mutation.",
"This implies that compounds which inhibit CDK4 will be useful as systemically administered cytoprotectant drugs in patients with tumours which have lost Rb, with no protective effect on the tumour itself.",
"Such compounds could be expected to allow for increased dosing frequency and dose escalation of the cytotoxic regimens in these patients, improving the outcome of the patient.",
"The compounds from the present invention will also have utility in the treatment of viral infections.",
"The antiviral activity of these compounds can be demonstrated in cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) replication assays.",
"The IC 50 for inhibition of CMV replication ranges from 0.05 to 5 μM.",
"The assay for CMV replication is performed as follows: 1.",
"Growth of human fibroblast cells: MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts (passage #27-30) were were cultured in minimal essential medium with added 8% v/v fetal calf serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 units/mL penicillin G, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin sulfate, (MEM 8-1-1).",
"Incubation was at 37° C. in air plus 5% CO 2 .",
"Cells were inoculated into 96-well plates at ˜7×10 3 cells/well and incubated a further 3 days to confluence (˜2×10 4 cells/well).",
"Infection of cells: Medium is removed from peach well down to 20 μl and 150 pfu of HCMV (Strain AD169) suspended in 25 μl of medium MEM 2-1-1 (same as MEM 8-1-1 above, but with 2% v/v fetal calf serum) is added.",
"(MOI ˜ 0.013).",
"Plates are centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min at 25° C. and incubated 90 min at 37° C. 180 μl of medium MEM 2-1-1 containing compounds is added to give a range of final concentrations from 0.01 to 100 mM.",
"Multiple plates are set up for each combination with one mock-infected plate for estimation of cytotoxicity.",
"Plates are then incubated at 37° C. in air plus 5% CO 2 for six days (two rounds of viral replication).",
"Cytotoxicity is estimated microscopically on the mock-infected plates, and the infected plates were harvested by decanting the medium from the wells.",
"Preparation, blotting and quantitative hybridization of DNA: Cells are lysed by adding 50 μl of 0.1 M Tris Cl (pH 8), 50 mM EDTA, 0.2% SDS, and 0.1 mg/mL proteinase K to each well and incubating 1 h at 55° C. The lysates were diluted with 150 μl of water and extracted by mixing with 65 μl phenol saturated with 0.01 M Tris Cl (pH 8) and 1 mM EDTA.",
"The plates were centrifuged at 2200 rpm for 15 min.",
"Next, 50 μl of the aqueous layer was transfered to a new 96-well plate and mixed with 50 μl of 0.5 N NaOH.",
"After incubation at 95° C. for 15 min, the samples were made to 1.5 M Ammonium acetate, 0.15 M Ammonium H 2 phosphate, 5 mM EDTA, pH 6.5 (APE buffer), and blotted onto BRL Supported Nitrocellulose (cat # 1465MH) membranes under vacuum Each well was washed with 200 μl APE buffer.",
"The samples were crosslinked to the membrane with UV light.",
"Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization: The hybridization probe was prepared from cosmids pC7S31 &",
"pCS37 (Sullivan, et al.",
", Antimicrobial Agents &",
"Chemotherapy 1993, 37, 19-25).",
"These contain the HCMV AD169 sequences from nucleotides 102,000 to 143,300 and 51,600 to 92,900, respectively.",
"The probe is a 1:1 mixture of the two cosmids labeled with α-[ 32 P]-dCTP Prehybridization of the membranes is carried out in 6×SSPE, 1% Ficoll, 1% polyvinylpyrrolidine, 1% BSA, 0.5% SDS, and 50 μg /mL salmon sperm DNA at 45° C. for 2 to 12 h. The prehybdridization solution was replaced with hybridization solution (6×SSPE, 0.5% SDS, 50 μg/mL salmon sperm DNA) containing 1×10 6 cpm/mL of each heat-denatured probe.",
"Hybridization was for 16 h at 65° C. The membranes were then washed as follows: 6×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, room temperature, 2× for 2 min;",
"1×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, 65° C., 2× for 15 min;",
"0.1×SSPE with 0.5% SDS, 65° C., once for 1 h. The membranes were blotted dry and wrapped in Saran wrap for quantitation by PhosphorImager.",
"The counts of the drug dilution wells were compared to the counts of untreated control wells to produce a response curve and were used to calculate the IC 50 values.",
"These IC 50 values were calculated by weighted linear regression according to the Hill equation.",
"The compounds of the present invention may also be used for the treament of other conditions mentioned in connection with modulators of CDK activity.",
"In particular for the treatment of diseases that respond to inhibition of CDK activity, including protection of cells from infection by other viruses and treatment of Alzheimers.",
"Furthermore, these compounds will have utility in the specific inhibition of non-human CDK activities, such as the Aspergillus fumigatus cdc2 homologue and will therefore be useful in the treatment of fungal or other eukaryotic infections.",
"The compounds of the present invention also inhibit other kinases.",
"In particular, these compounds show affinity for the Src tyrosine kinase.",
"The Src tyrosine kinase participates in a variety of fundamental processes within the cell, including signal transduction from cell-surface receptors, apoptosis and cell division.",
"Compounds which are able to inhibit the src TK find utility as tumour inhibitory and antiinflammatory agents.",
"These compounds are also useful for the prevention of osteoporosis and bone building by inhibition of src in osteoclasts (Tanaka, et al.",
", Nature 1996, 383, 528-31).",
"In addition, the compounds of this invention are suitable for other utilities mentioned in connection with Src modulators, and they can be used in particular for the treatment of diseases that respond to the inhibition of the Src tyrosine kinase.",
"While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications and substitutions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.",
"For example, effective dosages other than the preferred dosages as set forth herein above may be applicable as a consequence of variations in the responsiveness of the mammal being treated for cancer conditions, or for other indications for the compounds of the invention as indicated above.",
"Likewise, the specific pharmacologic responses observed may vary according to and depending upon the particular active compound selected or whether there are present certain pharmaceutical carriers, as well as the type of formulation and mode of administration employed, and such expected variations or differences in the results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practices of the present invenion.",
"It is intended, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims which follow and that such claims be interpreted as broadly as is reasonable."
] |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to thin rubbery coating compositions applied to fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) to inhibit propagation of micro cracks to the surface of molded parts. The cracks which are inhibited are a cosmetic blemish on the surface of FRP and do not seriously degrade the mechanical or structural integrity of the part.
BACKGROUND
Various fiber reinforced plastic parts such as cured sheet molded compounds (SMC) can form cracks which appear at about 0.02-0.3 percent strain which affect surface appearance and can lead to rejection of a structurally and mechanically sound molded part. These cracks can nucleate other types of failures in subsequent coatings on the molded part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A laminate having enhanced surface appearance comprising a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a thin coating made from a liquid rubber and liquid epoxy polymer is disclosed. It is an object of the invention to reduce and mask surface cracking without sacrificing physical properties of the laminate. This coating which functions as a primerlike coating could replace in-mold coatings presently used to enhance surface appearance, reduce porosity, and reduce sink marks on molded products from thermosetting FRP from sheet molded compound (SMC), bulk molding compounds (BMC), and thick molding compounds (TMC). Specifically, this invention is useful in automotive body parts, furniture, sporting goods, chemical processing equipment, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the four point bending test where deformation is supplied by a micrometer screw. FIG. 2 shows a coated FRP material developing cracks during deformation. As the strain increases in the fiberglass reinforced substrate, the cracks therein begin to open up. At higher strains the cracks propagate into the rubber and eventually reach the surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Surface appearance of thermosetting FRP such as SMC, BMC and TMC is degraded by the presence of small cracks which can form at tensile strains from bending that are generally as low as 0.3 percent. The structural integrity of the material is not affected by the cracks, hence, this invention relates to a coating composition and procedure which masks them. The substrate for this material is generally a fiber reinforced plastic FRP made from a thermoset resin such as sheet molding compound (SMC). The substrate is generally made from a composition, which may be a polyester resin or vinyl ester resin that are crosslinkable with ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as styrene. Reinforcing fibers and assorted fillers are often added to increase strength and rigidity. Additional resins, processing aids, colorants and environmental protectorants can also be used.
The matrix material of the invention is generally an unsaturated polyester resin. One preferred resin is based on the reaction of 1,2 propylene glycol, and an ethylenically unsaturated diacid or anhydride. Other suitable unsaturated polyester resins which can be utilized in the present invention are well known and include products of the condensation reaction of low molecular weight diols, (that is, diols containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and desirably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms) with dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms and preferably from 4 to 8 carbon atoms provided that at least 50 mole percent of these acids or anhydrides contain ethylenical unsaturation. Examples of diols include 1,2-propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, di-1,2-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, and the like. A preferred diol is 1,2 propylene glycol. Mixtures of diols may also be advantageously used. Preferred acids include fumaric acid, maleic acid, whereas preferred anhydrides include maleic anhydride. Often, mixtures of acids and/or anhydrides are utilized with the preferred acids or anhydrides and such compounds include phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, and the like, catalyzed by compounds such as organotitanates and organo tin compounds such as tetrabutyl titanate or dibutyl tin oxide, and the like.
Various other types of unsaturated polyesters can be utilized. Another type is described in R. J. Herold U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,043 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Typically, the polyesters are made by interpolymerization of maleic anhydride with oxiranes substituted with alkyls containing from 0 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of oxiranes include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxides. In addition to maleic anhydride, other anhydrides can be utilized in amounts up to 50 mole percent (i.e. from 0 to 50 mole percent) of the total anhydride charge, wherein said anhydride has from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, such as phthalic anhydride, nadic anhydride, methyl nadic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, succinic anhydride, and cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride. The molar ratio of oxirane to anhydride can be from about 1.0 to about 2.0, and preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.3.
In the preparation of the unsaturated polyesters from oxiranes and anhydrides, small amounts from about 5 to about 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polyester forming monomers of initiators are utilized. Examples of specific initiators include polyols, for example diols, triols, tetrols, having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, or dicarboxylic acids containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, as for example fumaric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid. The molecular weight of the polyol is generally less than 500, preferably less than 200. Diols and dicarboxylic acid initiators result in linear, difunctional polyester chains with an average of two hydroxyl end groups per polymer chain. Triols produce polyester chains with an average of 3 arms and 3 hydroxyl end groups, and tetrols result in 4 arm chains with 4 hydroxyl end groups. Various catalysts can be utilized such as a zinc hexacyano cobaltate complex, and the like, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,043 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.
Regardless of whether an unsaturated polyester made from an oxirane or a diol is utilized, the molecular weight thereof is from about 1,000 to about 10,000 and preferably from about 1,200 to about 5,000. The polyester portion of the solution of polyester resin in ethylenically unsaturated monomer can be present from about 50 to about 80 and preferably about 60 to about 70 weight percent based on the total polyester resin weight of the polyester and ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polyester resin, consisting of the polyester and ethylenically unsaturated monomers, can be from about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to about 30 percent of the composite fiber reinforced plastic.
Another important component of a typical molding composition of the present invention are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or crosslinking agents such as a polymerizable vinyl or allyl compounds, such as a vinyl substituted aromatic having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, as for example styrene, a preferred monomer, vinyl toluene, divinyl benzene, diallyl phthalate, and the like; acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters wherein the ester portion is an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, N-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, and the like. Other unsaturated monomers include vinyl acetate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, vinyl propionate, triallylcyanurate, and the like. Mixtures of the above compounds can also be utilized. The total amount of the unsaturated monomers generally varies from about 20 percent to about 50 percent and desirably from about 30 percent to about 40 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the polyester.
The fiber can generally, be any reinforcing fiber such as glass, aramid, nylon, polyester, graphite, boron, and the like. Fiber structure suitable for incorporation into the matrix include generally individual fibers, various types of woven fibers, or any general type of nonwoven fibers. Included within the woven class is any general type of woven fabrics, woven roving, and the like. Generally included within the nonwoven class is chopped strands, continuous filaments or rovings, reinforcing mats, nonreinforcing random mats, fiber bundles, yarns, non-woven fabrics, etc. Coated fiber bundles, comprising about 5 to about 50 or 150 strands, each having about 10 to about 50 fibers, highly bonded together with a conventional sizing agents such as various amino silanes, are preferred. The fiber structure may be randomly distributed within the matrix or be arranged in selected orientations such as in parallel or cross plies or arranged in mats or woven fabrics, etc. The fibers may comprise from about 5 percent up to about 85 percent by weight of the composite and preferably from 20 percent to 50 percent by weight of the composite. The specific quantity of fiber structure in the composite can be varied consistent with the physical properties desired in the final composite molded article.
Various other components or additives can optionally be utilized to form the molding compound composition. For example, various thermoplastic polymers (low profile or low shrinkage compounds) can be utilized. Typical low profile compounds include polyvinyl acetate, saturated polyesters, polyacrylates or methacrylates, saturated polyester urethanes, and the like. The amount of such polymers is from about 10 parts by weight to about 50 parts by weight, with from about 20 parts by weight to about 40 parts by weight being preferred based upon the weight of unsaturated polyester and the amount of ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the mixture. Other additives which can also be utilized include internal mold release agents such as zinc stearate; mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, Dolomite, clays, talcs, zinc borate, perlite, vermiculite, hollow glass, solid glass microspheres, hydrated alumina, and the like. Generally, mineral fillers can be used in weight percentages of the total composition up to 80 and desirably from about 20 to about 70, such that a final composition could be made up primarily of filler.
In addition to polyesters, other suitable matrix materials include vinyl ester resins. The general structure of a typical vinyl ester resin is ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Vinyl ester resins are prepared by reacting epoxy resins such as the addition products of 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane with 2,2'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane with either methacrylic or acrylic acid. The terminal unsaturation can be crosslinked with styrene in the same fashion as an unsaturated polyester. These compounds can be substituted on an equivalent weight basis for the unsaturated polyester resins of this invention for up to 100 percent of the unsaturated polyester resin component.
Conventional catalysts can be used to cure the matrix. Examples of such catalysts for the cure of unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins include organic peroxides and hydroperoxides such as benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, paramethane hydroperoxide, and the like, used alone or with redox systems; diazo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile, and the like; persulfate salts such as sodium, potassium, and ammonium persulfate, used alone or with redox systems; and the use of ultraviolet light with photo-sensitive agents such as benzophenone, triphenylphosphine, organic diazos, and the like. The amounts of these catalysts generally varies from about 0.1 to about 5; and desirably from about 0.2 to about 2 parts by weight based upon 100 parts by weight of unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester resins, and ethylenically unsaturated monomers.
The commercial manufacture of FRP depends on the particular molding operations to be performed and the structure of the molded part. The general requirements are that the resin components be intimately mixed and any fillers or fibers are well distributed in the resin and their surfaces wetted or contacted with the resin to assure strong interfacial bonding between the components. These mixing and molding operations are well known. In the SMC examples used in this embodiment, the polyester resin with its additives and catalysts is well mixed. Chopped fiberglass fibers randomly oriented are mixed into the resin. The composite material is further mixed to assure good fiber wetting and is sandwiched into a sheet between two carrier films. This sheet is collected and allowed to mature. The carrier films are removed before molding. The SMC sheet is molded in compression molds at pressures up to 2000 psi and temperatures up to 350° F. (177° C.). The molding temperature depends on the part thickness, the in-mold time, and the catalyst chosen for polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer and crosslinking the polyester resin.
The coating for the substrate of the current invention is generally the reaction product of a liquid epoxy and an amine-terminated rubbery polymer. The amine-terminated liquid rubber has one or more end groups that are amine groups known to be reactive with epoxy groups. Desirably 50 percent of the amine-terminated polymers have both ends converted to amines and preferably 85 percent are so converted. Examples of rubbery material include amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (ATBN) which is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. These copolymers are prepared in accordance with conventional techniques well known to the art and to the literature and are generally made from one or more monomers of acrylonitrile or an alkyl derivative thereof with one or more conjugated dienes and optionally one or more monomers of acrylic acid, or an ester thereof. Examples of acrylonitrile monomers or alkyl derivatives thereof include acrylonitrile and alkyl derivatives thereof having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methacrylonitrile, and the like. The amount of the acrylonitrile or alkyl derivative monomer is from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight and preferably from about 7 percent to about 30 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the nitrile containing copolymer.
The conjugated diene monomers generally have from 4 to 10 carbon atoms with from 4 to 6 carbon atoms being preferred. Examples of specific conjugated diene monomers include butadiene, isoprene, hexadiene, and the like. The amount of such conjugated dienes is generally from about 60 percent to about 95 percent by weight and preferably from about 70 percent to about 93 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the nitrile rubber forming monomers. Such mono or difunctional nitrile rubbers can be readily prepared generally containing either hydroxyl or carboxyl or amine functional groups as end groups and are commercially available such as from The BFGoodrich Company under the trade name Hycar®.
The amine-terminated flexible polymer segments are generally liquid polymers that enhance the toughness and pliability of polymers or copolymers. Flexible polymers having other functional end groups such as OH, COOH, or epoxy can be converted to amine functional end groups through known chemical reactions such as reacting a carboxyl terminated flexible polymer with diamines to change the terminal ends of the polymer to amine groups.
The molecular weight of these amine-terminated liquid rubbery polymers ranges generally from about 1000 to about 6000, desirably from about 2000 to about 4000, and is preferably around 3,500. The amount of amine-terminated liquid rubbery polymer is from about 200 to about 900 parts by weight, desirably from about 300 to about 600 parts by weight, and preferably about 475 parts by weight (pbw) based upon 100 parts by weight of an epoxy resin. Another criteria for the ratios of liquid polymer to epoxy resin is the equivalent ratios of functional epoxy groups to amine reactive groups. This ratio can vary from about 4:1 to about 1:2, and is preferably about 2:1 to about 1:1.2.
The coating for the substrate may also contain fillers, such as silica, talc, or conductive carbon black; antioxidants, antiozonants, processing aids, plasticizers, and coloring pigments.
The coating can contain curative components for the epoxy amine reaction. These can consist of various amine-containing compounds that can function as coreactants or catalysts and Lewis acids. The curative component can be present from about 0.1 to about 15 parts, desirably from about 0.2 to about 10 parts, and preferably 0.5 to about 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin and amine-terminated rubbery polymer. These can be tertiary amines and Lewis acid catalysts that generally function as catalysts only. Other curative components that can function as co-reactants are aliphatic amines, amido amines, and phenol/urea/melamine formaldehyde compounds. These curative components that react as co-reactants are generally present at 20 weight percent or less and desirably 10 weight percent or less based on the weight of the amine-terminated rubbery polymers.
The preferred curative components are tertiary amines and salts of tertiary amines such as Ancamine® K61B 2-ethyl hexanoic acid salt of 2,4,6 tris (N, N dimethylaminomethyl) phenol; tris(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol; N-benzyldimethylamine; dimethylaminomethyl phenol; diazabicycloundecene; triethylene diamine; and phenol, 2 ethylhexcanoic acid, formic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of diazabicycloundecene. The curing temperature for the epoxy-amine reaction is controlled by the choice of curative components and their amounts. The curing temperature can vary from 25° C. to about 200° C.
The reaction of the amine-terminated rubbery polymer with the epoxy forms a rubbery coating on the FRP. The rubbery coatings are typically about 1 to about 200 μm thick, desirably about 1 to about 100 μm thick, and preferably from about 2 to about 40 μm thick.
The epoxy resin component of the invention is comprised of one or more of the curable resins containing more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule. Epoxy compounds can be any monomeric or polymeric compound or mixtures of compounds having an epoxy equivalency greater than one, that is, wherein the average number of epoxy groups per molecule is greater than one, with monomeric epoxides having two epoxy groups being currently preferred. Epoxy compounds are well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,467,171; 2,615,007; 2,716,123; 3,030,336; and 3,053,855. Useful epoxy compounds include the polyglycidyl ethers of polyhydric polyols, such as ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, glycerol and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy cyclohexyl) propane; cycloaliphatic epoxy resins made from epoxidation of cycloolefins with peracids; the polyglycidyl esters of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic polycarboxylic acids, such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, and dimerized linoleic acid; the polyglycidyl ethers of polyphenols, such as bisphenol A, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) isobutane, and 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene; and novolak resins, such as epoxy phenol novolak resins, epoxy cresol novolak resins, aromatic glycidal amine resins such as triglycidal derivative of p-aminophenol.
One effective epoxy resin is a DGEBA such as Epon 828 made from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin having 2 functional epoxy groups and a molecular weight of from 360 to 384. Preferred epoxy resins have low molecular weights such as from 200 to about 1000. Solvents are used to lower the viscosity of the coating so it can be sprayed. Generally, any solvent that is compatible with the system can be used. A specific example is toluene. The amount of toluene is an effective amount to produce 1 to 60 percent solids content in solution. Preferably for spray coating solids are from about 2 to about 10 percent solids content.
Any method resulting in a consistent coating may be used such as spraying, brushing, rolling and dip coating. The finish should be suitable for automotive exterior body panel applications. With the amine terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile and Epon 828 system, the material is then cured at about 176° F. (80° C.) for about 30 minutes. A second curing step is done with a temperature of about 248° F. (120° C.) for two hours in an air oven. The cure cycle for other systems would depend on the reactivity of the functional groups at a specific temperature and the presence of any curative component for the epoxy-amine reaction. The temperature range for curing includes 25°-200° C.
FOUR POINT BENDING TEST METHOD
Samples of molded SMC 7113 (fiberglass reinforced sheet molded compound available from GenCorp) having physical dimensions of 0.10 inches thick, approximately 0.5 inches wide and 3.0 inches long (0.25×1.3×7.6 cm) were mounted in the four point bending device shown in FIG. 1. The composition of SMC 7113 is given in Table 1 and the material can be cured at 1000 psi (6.9 MPa or more pressure) at 150° C. for at least 2 minutes. The specimen had been cut with a diamond saw and polished with 60 grit and subsequently 400 grit paper. An applied force was produced by turning the micrometer and deforming the sample as shown in FIG 1.
The strain was calculated as ##EQU1## where t is the sample thickness, D is the displacement at the loading points,
L 1 is the distance from the load point to the nearer support point, i.e., =b-a or d-c (a, b, c & d shown in FIG. 1).
and L 2 is the distance from the load point to the center of the beam, i.e., =0.1/2 (c-b).
The micrometer screw was slowly turned a short distance (example 1/4 turn on a 40 thread per inch thumbscrew at a rate of 0.38 inch/minute). After each incremental turn, the specimen was wiped with India ink and examined for hairline cracks. Any cracks were recorded along with the strain level at which they were discovered. Cracked samples were discarded and uncracked samples were further strained.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
Two groups of SMC 7113 sheets were tested. The first sixty specimens had an average strain to first crack of 0.20 percent with a standard deviation of 0.07. The second 120 specimens had an average strain to first crack of 0.35 with a standard deviation of 0.08.
TABLE 1______________________________________Typical composition of 7113 SMC.Paste______________________________________Unsaturated Polyester 13.8%, by weightLow Profile Additive 9.2%Styrene 3.7%Inhibitor 0.005%Peroxide Catalyst 0.25%Viscosity Reducer 0.8%Mold Release 1.0%Calcium Carbonate 69.8%MgO 1.4%TOTAL: 100.______________________________________ Fiber Glass: 1 inch long chopped strand fiberglass Final SMC Composition: 25 parts fiberglass based on 75 pasts paste.
EXAMPLE A
Amine-terminated poly(butadiene-acrylonitrile) Hycar 1300X16 ATBN (475 parts by weight) from BFGoodrich was dissolved along with Epon 828 (100 parts by weight), in toluene to produce a 2 to 10 percent solids content in solution. This solution of ATBN and Epon 828 was airbrushed onto a 0.10 inches thick×0.5 inches wide×3.0 inches long (0.25×1.3×7.62 cm) SMC 7113 specimen. The thickness of the coating was adjusted by changing the concentration of rubber in the toluene solution. Coatings of between 10-100 μm were achieved. These were dried and then cured at 80° C. for 30 minutes and 120° C. for 2 hours. They were then mounted in the four point bending device using a micrometer to record strain. The specimens were strained to predetermined levels, metalized with gold and examined for cracks in SEM. The rubber coatings of 12 μm thickness were effective at masking cracks at strain levels up to 1.6 percent or more.
EXAMPLE B
The above-coated samples in Example A were also exposed to -40° F. (-40° C.) temperature for 30 minutes and then tested in the four point bending apparatus. In these tests, the 12 μm thick rubbery coating was also effective at masking cracks up to 1.6 percent strain or more.
EXAMPLE C
The coated samples in Example A were exposed to 300° F. (149° C.) temperatures similar to what automobile body panels would be exposed to during curing of paint finishes. They were then tested on the four point bending device. In these tests the 12μm thick rubbery coating was effective at masking cracks up to 1.6 percent strain or more.
EXAMPLE D
SMC specimens similar to those in Example A were coated with the same amine-terminated poly(butadieneacrylonitrile) at a coating thickness of about 150 μm. These samples were conditioned at either -40° F. (-40° C.) or 300° F. (-149° C.) for 30 minutes before testing. They were tested for adhesion using a 90° peel test and an Instron 1122 with a controlled displacement rate. These results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2______________________________________ADHESION TEST RESULTSCoated SMC Samples Conditionedat Low and High Temperatures Peel Force per InchExcursion Temperature of Width°F. °C. g/in Kg/m______________________________________-40 -40 2900 114.2 70 21 1900 74.8 300 149 2400 94.5______________________________________
The adhesion was not impaired by the exposure to severe temperatures. The increase in peel force in the cold specimen was attributed to the additional force necessary to bend the rubbery coating near its Tg temperature. The higher peel force after 300° F. (149° C.) exposure was attributed to additional curing of the rubbery coating or additional rubber/SMC contact during heating.
EXAMPLE E
Several commercially available coatings for flexible plastics were used as comparisons to the ATBN epoxy coating of this invention. The coatings were U04KD004 Weatherable Black Conductive Primer (bumper paint) from BASF, Flexible Clearcoat for Rigid or Flexible Substrates from BASF Code No. E86CA112 (Acrylic Enamel aka GM 998-4852, Chrysler MS-PA41-1), Universal White Basecoat for Automotive Applications from BASF Code No. E98WD403, and Tempo No. 20-19L Black Bumper Paint
Elongations of the conductive primer was estimated to be about 15 percent. Elongations of the bumper paint was estimated to be >15 percent. Elongation of the white basecoat and clearcoat were estimated as at least 5 percent. The ATBN epoxy system had an elongation of at least 100 percent.
These coatings were applied with a draw bar on a standard SMC 7113 sheet disclosed in Example A. Runs 1 through 6 had a 2 mil (44μm) thick coating while runs 7-10 inadvertently received a 4 mil (88μm) thick coating. The results of percent elongation at first visible crack and multiple crack experiments are shown in Table 3. Runs 2 through 4 show a slight increase in percent elongation at first crack with any coating. Runs 5 through 10 show that the use of coatings with higher elongation give greater percent elongation at crack with the Epon 828 epoxy and ATBN coating giving the highest value. These coatings were dried and cured similarly to the coatings in Example A. They were then strained to predetermined extents and examined for microcracks by an equivalent procedure to that set out in Example A except that the strain to the appearance of first crack and to appearance of multiple cracks was recorded.
TABLE 3______________________________________ % Elongation atTrialRun System First Crack Multiple Crack______________________________________1 1 SMC 7113 control .58 1.05 (no paint)2 SMC + primer .71 --3 SMC + top coat .68 --4 SMC + clear coat .70 --5 SMC + primer + .77 -- top coat + clear coat6 SMC + bumper .98 1.21 paint + top coat + clear coat2 7 SMC + top coat + .73 1.45 clear coat8 SMC + primer + 1.14 1.97 → >2 top coat + clear coat9 SMC + bumper 1.27 >2 paint + top coat + clear coat (.74)*10 SMC +DGEBA 1.9 → >2 (1.29) >2 epoxy - ATBN coat + top coat + clear coat (.95)*______________________________________ *Values in parenthesis are elongations where the crack first appeared at the top coat clear coat interface. Paints used: Primer; BASF U04KD004A Black Conductive Primer Top Coat; BASF E98WD403 White Enamel Clear Coat; BASF E86CA112 Flexible Clear Coat Acrylic Enamel Bumper Paint; Tempo No. 2019L Bumper Black DGEBA epoxyATBN; ATBN 1300 × 16/Epon 828/Toluene, weight ratios 33/7/60
This invention has utility in auto body parts, furniture, sporting goods, chemical processing equipment, and the like.
The composite material of the invention provides a molded part having better surface crack resistance. Parts can be molded to form automotive body panels, automotive structural components such as load bearing support members, aircraft components, housings for various electrical and household goods, sporting goods such as golf club shafts, rackets, etc. The substrate is preferably an FRP prepared from a sheet molding compound (SMC). However, FRP substrates in accordance with the invention can be made from wet lay-up, resin transfer molding, bulk molding, and the like. The finished substrate is then coated to inhibit crack propagation to the surface.
While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment has been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims. | A method for enhancing the surface appearance of thermoset FRP wherein a thin rubbery coating is applied to a sheet molded compound (SMC). This coating, when applied to FRP inhibits propagation of micro cracks to the surface of compliant rubbery coating of the parts, while not sacrificing the physical properties of the molded parts. The coating also supplies a suitable smooth surface for automotive body panel applications that serves as a substrate for further paint applications. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to thin rubbery coating compositions applied to fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) to inhibit propagation of micro cracks to the surface of molded parts.",
"The cracks which are inhibited are a cosmetic blemish on the surface of FRP and do not seriously degrade the mechanical or structural integrity of the part.",
"BACKGROUND Various fiber reinforced plastic parts such as cured sheet molded compounds (SMC) can form cracks which appear at about 0.02-0.3 percent strain which affect surface appearance and can lead to rejection of a structurally and mechanically sound molded part.",
"These cracks can nucleate other types of failures in subsequent coatings on the molded part.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A laminate having enhanced surface appearance comprising a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a thin coating made from a liquid rubber and liquid epoxy polymer is disclosed.",
"It is an object of the invention to reduce and mask surface cracking without sacrificing physical properties of the laminate.",
"This coating which functions as a primerlike coating could replace in-mold coatings presently used to enhance surface appearance, reduce porosity, and reduce sink marks on molded products from thermosetting FRP from sheet molded compound (SMC), bulk molding compounds (BMC), and thick molding compounds (TMC).",
"Specifically, this invention is useful in automotive body parts, furniture, sporting goods, chemical processing equipment, and the like.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the four point bending test where deformation is supplied by a micrometer screw.",
"FIG. 2 shows a coated FRP material developing cracks during deformation.",
"As the strain increases in the fiberglass reinforced substrate, the cracks therein begin to open up.",
"At higher strains the cracks propagate into the rubber and eventually reach the surface.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Surface appearance of thermosetting FRP such as SMC, BMC and TMC is degraded by the presence of small cracks which can form at tensile strains from bending that are generally as low as 0.3 percent.",
"The structural integrity of the material is not affected by the cracks, hence, this invention relates to a coating composition and procedure which masks them.",
"The substrate for this material is generally a fiber reinforced plastic FRP made from a thermoset resin such as sheet molding compound (SMC).",
"The substrate is generally made from a composition, which may be a polyester resin or vinyl ester resin that are crosslinkable with ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as styrene.",
"Reinforcing fibers and assorted fillers are often added to increase strength and rigidity.",
"Additional resins, processing aids, colorants and environmental protectorants can also be used.",
"The matrix material of the invention is generally an unsaturated polyester resin.",
"One preferred resin is based on the reaction of 1,2 propylene glycol, and an ethylenically unsaturated diacid or anhydride.",
"Other suitable unsaturated polyester resins which can be utilized in the present invention are well known and include products of the condensation reaction of low molecular weight diols, (that is, diols containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and desirably from 2 to 6 carbon atoms) with dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms and preferably from 4 to 8 carbon atoms provided that at least 50 mole percent of these acids or anhydrides contain ethylenical unsaturation.",
"Examples of diols include 1,2-propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, di-1,2-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, and the like.",
"A preferred diol is 1,2 propylene glycol.",
"Mixtures of diols may also be advantageously used.",
"Preferred acids include fumaric acid, maleic acid, whereas preferred anhydrides include maleic anhydride.",
"Often, mixtures of acids and/or anhydrides are utilized with the preferred acids or anhydrides and such compounds include phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, and the like, catalyzed by compounds such as organotitanates and organo tin compounds such as tetrabutyl titanate or dibutyl tin oxide, and the like.",
"Various other types of unsaturated polyesters can be utilized.",
"Another type is described in R. J. Herold U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,043 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.",
"Typically, the polyesters are made by interpolymerization of maleic anhydride with oxiranes substituted with alkyls containing from 0 to 4 carbon atoms.",
"Examples of oxiranes include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxides.",
"In addition to maleic anhydride, other anhydrides can be utilized in amounts up to 50 mole percent (i.e. from 0 to 50 mole percent) of the total anhydride charge, wherein said anhydride has from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, such as phthalic anhydride, nadic anhydride, methyl nadic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, succinic anhydride, and cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid anhydride.",
"The molar ratio of oxirane to anhydride can be from about 1.0 to about 2.0, and preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.3.",
"In the preparation of the unsaturated polyesters from oxiranes and anhydrides, small amounts from about 5 to about 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polyester forming monomers of initiators are utilized.",
"Examples of specific initiators include polyols, for example diols, triols, tetrols, having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, or dicarboxylic acids containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, as for example fumaric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid.",
"The molecular weight of the polyol is generally less than 500, preferably less than 200.",
"Diols and dicarboxylic acid initiators result in linear, difunctional polyester chains with an average of two hydroxyl end groups per polymer chain.",
"Triols produce polyester chains with an average of 3 arms and 3 hydroxyl end groups, and tetrols result in 4 arm chains with 4 hydroxyl end groups.",
"Various catalysts can be utilized such as a zinc hexacyano cobaltate complex, and the like, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,043 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.",
"Regardless of whether an unsaturated polyester made from an oxirane or a diol is utilized, the molecular weight thereof is from about 1,000 to about 10,000 and preferably from about 1,200 to about 5,000.",
"The polyester portion of the solution of polyester resin in ethylenically unsaturated monomer can be present from about 50 to about 80 and preferably about 60 to about 70 weight percent based on the total polyester resin weight of the polyester and ethylenically unsaturated monomers.",
"The polyester resin, consisting of the polyester and ethylenically unsaturated monomers, can be from about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to about 30 percent of the composite fiber reinforced plastic.",
"Another important component of a typical molding composition of the present invention are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or crosslinking agents such as a polymerizable vinyl or allyl compounds, such as a vinyl substituted aromatic having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, as for example styrene, a preferred monomer, vinyl toluene, divinyl benzene, diallyl phthalate, and the like;",
"acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters wherein the ester portion is an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, N-butyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, and the like.",
"Other unsaturated monomers include vinyl acetate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, vinyl propionate, triallylcyanurate, and the like.",
"Mixtures of the above compounds can also be utilized.",
"The total amount of the unsaturated monomers generally varies from about 20 percent to about 50 percent and desirably from about 30 percent to about 40 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the polyester.",
"The fiber can generally, be any reinforcing fiber such as glass, aramid, nylon, polyester, graphite, boron, and the like.",
"Fiber structure suitable for incorporation into the matrix include generally individual fibers, various types of woven fibers, or any general type of nonwoven fibers.",
"Included within the woven class is any general type of woven fabrics, woven roving, and the like.",
"Generally included within the nonwoven class is chopped strands, continuous filaments or rovings, reinforcing mats, nonreinforcing random mats, fiber bundles, yarns, non-woven fabrics, etc.",
"Coated fiber bundles, comprising about 5 to about 50 or 150 strands, each having about 10 to about 50 fibers, highly bonded together with a conventional sizing agents such as various amino silanes, are preferred.",
"The fiber structure may be randomly distributed within the matrix or be arranged in selected orientations such as in parallel or cross plies or arranged in mats or woven fabrics, etc.",
"The fibers may comprise from about 5 percent up to about 85 percent by weight of the composite and preferably from 20 percent to 50 percent by weight of the composite.",
"The specific quantity of fiber structure in the composite can be varied consistent with the physical properties desired in the final composite molded article.",
"Various other components or additives can optionally be utilized to form the molding compound composition.",
"For example, various thermoplastic polymers (low profile or low shrinkage compounds) can be utilized.",
"Typical low profile compounds include polyvinyl acetate, saturated polyesters, polyacrylates or methacrylates, saturated polyester urethanes, and the like.",
"The amount of such polymers is from about 10 parts by weight to about 50 parts by weight, with from about 20 parts by weight to about 40 parts by weight being preferred based upon the weight of unsaturated polyester and the amount of ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the mixture.",
"Other additives which can also be utilized include internal mold release agents such as zinc stearate;",
"mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, Dolomite, clays, talcs, zinc borate, perlite, vermiculite, hollow glass, solid glass microspheres, hydrated alumina, and the like.",
"Generally, mineral fillers can be used in weight percentages of the total composition up to 80 and desirably from about 20 to about 70, such that a final composition could be made up primarily of filler.",
"In addition to polyesters, other suitable matrix materials include vinyl ester resins.",
"The general structure of a typical vinyl ester resin is ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.",
"Vinyl ester resins are prepared by reacting epoxy resins such as the addition products of 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane with 2,2'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane with either methacrylic or acrylic acid.",
"The terminal unsaturation can be crosslinked with styrene in the same fashion as an unsaturated polyester.",
"These compounds can be substituted on an equivalent weight basis for the unsaturated polyester resins of this invention for up to 100 percent of the unsaturated polyester resin component.",
"Conventional catalysts can be used to cure the matrix.",
"Examples of such catalysts for the cure of unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins include organic peroxides and hydroperoxides such as benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, paramethane hydroperoxide, and the like, used alone or with redox systems;",
"diazo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile, and the like;",
"persulfate salts such as sodium, potassium, and ammonium persulfate, used alone or with redox systems;",
"and the use of ultraviolet light with photo-sensitive agents such as benzophenone, triphenylphosphine, organic diazos, and the like.",
"The amounts of these catalysts generally varies from about 0.1 to about 5;",
"and desirably from about 0.2 to about 2 parts by weight based upon 100 parts by weight of unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester resins, and ethylenically unsaturated monomers.",
"The commercial manufacture of FRP depends on the particular molding operations to be performed and the structure of the molded part.",
"The general requirements are that the resin components be intimately mixed and any fillers or fibers are well distributed in the resin and their surfaces wetted or contacted with the resin to assure strong interfacial bonding between the components.",
"These mixing and molding operations are well known.",
"In the SMC examples used in this embodiment, the polyester resin with its additives and catalysts is well mixed.",
"Chopped fiberglass fibers randomly oriented are mixed into the resin.",
"The composite material is further mixed to assure good fiber wetting and is sandwiched into a sheet between two carrier films.",
"This sheet is collected and allowed to mature.",
"The carrier films are removed before molding.",
"The SMC sheet is molded in compression molds at pressures up to 2000 psi and temperatures up to 350° F. (177° C.).",
"The molding temperature depends on the part thickness, the in-mold time, and the catalyst chosen for polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer and crosslinking the polyester resin.",
"The coating for the substrate of the current invention is generally the reaction product of a liquid epoxy and an amine-terminated rubbery polymer.",
"The amine-terminated liquid rubber has one or more end groups that are amine groups known to be reactive with epoxy groups.",
"Desirably 50 percent of the amine-terminated polymers have both ends converted to amines and preferably 85 percent are so converted.",
"Examples of rubbery material include amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (ATBN) which is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile.",
"These copolymers are prepared in accordance with conventional techniques well known to the art and to the literature and are generally made from one or more monomers of acrylonitrile or an alkyl derivative thereof with one or more conjugated dienes and optionally one or more monomers of acrylic acid, or an ester thereof.",
"Examples of acrylonitrile monomers or alkyl derivatives thereof include acrylonitrile and alkyl derivatives thereof having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methacrylonitrile, and the like.",
"The amount of the acrylonitrile or alkyl derivative monomer is from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight and preferably from about 7 percent to about 30 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the nitrile containing copolymer.",
"The conjugated diene monomers generally have from 4 to 10 carbon atoms with from 4 to 6 carbon atoms being preferred.",
"Examples of specific conjugated diene monomers include butadiene, isoprene, hexadiene, and the like.",
"The amount of such conjugated dienes is generally from about 60 percent to about 95 percent by weight and preferably from about 70 percent to about 93 percent by weight based upon the total weight of the nitrile rubber forming monomers.",
"Such mono or difunctional nitrile rubbers can be readily prepared generally containing either hydroxyl or carboxyl or amine functional groups as end groups and are commercially available such as from The BFGoodrich Company under the trade name Hycar®.",
"The amine-terminated flexible polymer segments are generally liquid polymers that enhance the toughness and pliability of polymers or copolymers.",
"Flexible polymers having other functional end groups such as OH, COOH, or epoxy can be converted to amine functional end groups through known chemical reactions such as reacting a carboxyl terminated flexible polymer with diamines to change the terminal ends of the polymer to amine groups.",
"The molecular weight of these amine-terminated liquid rubbery polymers ranges generally from about 1000 to about 6000, desirably from about 2000 to about 4000, and is preferably around 3,500.",
"The amount of amine-terminated liquid rubbery polymer is from about 200 to about 900 parts by weight, desirably from about 300 to about 600 parts by weight, and preferably about 475 parts by weight (pbw) based upon 100 parts by weight of an epoxy resin.",
"Another criteria for the ratios of liquid polymer to epoxy resin is the equivalent ratios of functional epoxy groups to amine reactive groups.",
"This ratio can vary from about 4:1 to about 1:2, and is preferably about 2:1 to about 1:1.2.",
"The coating for the substrate may also contain fillers, such as silica, talc, or conductive carbon black;",
"antioxidants, antiozonants, processing aids, plasticizers, and coloring pigments.",
"The coating can contain curative components for the epoxy amine reaction.",
"These can consist of various amine-containing compounds that can function as coreactants or catalysts and Lewis acids.",
"The curative component can be present from about 0.1 to about 15 parts, desirably from about 0.2 to about 10 parts, and preferably 0.5 to about 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the epoxy resin and amine-terminated rubbery polymer.",
"These can be tertiary amines and Lewis acid catalysts that generally function as catalysts only.",
"Other curative components that can function as co-reactants are aliphatic amines, amido amines, and phenol/urea/melamine formaldehyde compounds.",
"These curative components that react as co-reactants are generally present at 20 weight percent or less and desirably 10 weight percent or less based on the weight of the amine-terminated rubbery polymers.",
"The preferred curative components are tertiary amines and salts of tertiary amines such as Ancamine® K61B 2-ethyl hexanoic acid salt of 2,4,6 tris (N, N dimethylaminomethyl) phenol;",
"tris(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol;",
"N-benzyldimethylamine;",
"dimethylaminomethyl phenol;",
"diazabicycloundecene;",
"triethylene diamine;",
"and phenol, 2 ethylhexcanoic acid, formic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of diazabicycloundecene.",
"The curing temperature for the epoxy-amine reaction is controlled by the choice of curative components and their amounts.",
"The curing temperature can vary from 25° C. to about 200° C. The reaction of the amine-terminated rubbery polymer with the epoxy forms a rubbery coating on the FRP.",
"The rubbery coatings are typically about 1 to about 200 μm thick, desirably about 1 to about 100 μm thick, and preferably from about 2 to about 40 μm thick.",
"The epoxy resin component of the invention is comprised of one or more of the curable resins containing more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule.",
"Epoxy compounds can be any monomeric or polymeric compound or mixtures of compounds having an epoxy equivalency greater than one, that is, wherein the average number of epoxy groups per molecule is greater than one, with monomeric epoxides having two epoxy groups being currently preferred.",
"Epoxy compounds are well known.",
"See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,467,171;",
"2,615,007;",
"2,716,123;",
"3,030,336;",
"and 3,053,855.",
"Useful epoxy compounds include the polyglycidyl ethers of polyhydric polyols, such as ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, glycerol and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy cyclohexyl) propane;",
"cycloaliphatic epoxy resins made from epoxidation of cycloolefins with peracids;",
"the polyglycidyl esters of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic polycarboxylic acids, such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, and dimerized linoleic acid;",
"the polyglycidyl ethers of polyphenols, such as bisphenol A, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) isobutane, and 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene;",
"and novolak resins, such as epoxy phenol novolak resins, epoxy cresol novolak resins, aromatic glycidal amine resins such as triglycidal derivative of p-aminophenol.",
"One effective epoxy resin is a DGEBA such as Epon 828 made from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin having 2 functional epoxy groups and a molecular weight of from 360 to 384.",
"Preferred epoxy resins have low molecular weights such as from 200 to about 1000.",
"Solvents are used to lower the viscosity of the coating so it can be sprayed.",
"Generally, any solvent that is compatible with the system can be used.",
"A specific example is toluene.",
"The amount of toluene is an effective amount to produce 1 to 60 percent solids content in solution.",
"Preferably for spray coating solids are from about 2 to about 10 percent solids content.",
"Any method resulting in a consistent coating may be used such as spraying, brushing, rolling and dip coating.",
"The finish should be suitable for automotive exterior body panel applications.",
"With the amine terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile and Epon 828 system, the material is then cured at about 176° F. (80° C.) for about 30 minutes.",
"A second curing step is done with a temperature of about 248° F. (120° C.) for two hours in an air oven.",
"The cure cycle for other systems would depend on the reactivity of the functional groups at a specific temperature and the presence of any curative component for the epoxy-amine reaction.",
"The temperature range for curing includes 25°-200° C. FOUR POINT BENDING TEST METHOD Samples of molded SMC 7113 (fiberglass reinforced sheet molded compound available from GenCorp) having physical dimensions of 0.10 inches thick, approximately 0.5 inches wide and 3.0 inches long (0.25×1.3×7.6 cm) were mounted in the four point bending device shown in FIG. 1. The composition of SMC 7113 is given in Table 1 and the material can be cured at 1000 psi (6.9 MPa or more pressure) at 150° C. for at least 2 minutes.",
"The specimen had been cut with a diamond saw and polished with 60 grit and subsequently 400 grit paper.",
"An applied force was produced by turning the micrometer and deforming the sample as shown in FIG 1.",
"The strain was calculated as ##EQU1## where t is the sample thickness, D is the displacement at the loading points, L 1 is the distance from the load point to the nearer support point, i.e., =b-a or d-c (a, b, c &",
"d shown in FIG. 1).",
"and L 2 is the distance from the load point to the center of the beam, i.e., =0.1/2 (c-b).",
"The micrometer screw was slowly turned a short distance (example 1/4 turn on a 40 thread per inch thumbscrew at a rate of 0.38 inch/minute).",
"After each incremental turn, the specimen was wiped with India ink and examined for hairline cracks.",
"Any cracks were recorded along with the strain level at which they were discovered.",
"Cracked samples were discarded and uncracked samples were further strained.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE Two groups of SMC 7113 sheets were tested.",
"The first sixty specimens had an average strain to first crack of 0.20 percent with a standard deviation of 0.07.",
"The second 120 specimens had an average strain to first crack of 0.35 with a standard deviation of 0.08.",
"TABLE 1______________________________________Typical composition of 7113 SMC.",
"Paste______________________________________Unsaturated Polyester 13.8%, by weightLow Profile Additive 9.2%Styrene 3.7%Inhibitor 0.005%Peroxide Catalyst 0.25%Viscosity Reducer 0.8%Mold Release 1.0%Calcium Carbonate 69.8%MgO 1.4%TOTAL: 100.",
"______________________________________ Fiber Glass: 1 inch long chopped strand fiberglass Final SMC Composition: 25 parts fiberglass based on 75 pasts paste.",
"EXAMPLE A Amine-terminated poly(butadiene-acrylonitrile) Hycar 1300X16 ATBN (475 parts by weight) from BFGoodrich was dissolved along with Epon 828 (100 parts by weight), in toluene to produce a 2 to 10 percent solids content in solution.",
"This solution of ATBN and Epon 828 was airbrushed onto a 0.10 inches thick×0.5 inches wide×3.0 inches long (0.25×1.3×7.62 cm) SMC 7113 specimen.",
"The thickness of the coating was adjusted by changing the concentration of rubber in the toluene solution.",
"Coatings of between 10-100 μm were achieved.",
"These were dried and then cured at 80° C. for 30 minutes and 120° C. for 2 hours.",
"They were then mounted in the four point bending device using a micrometer to record strain.",
"The specimens were strained to predetermined levels, metalized with gold and examined for cracks in SEM.",
"The rubber coatings of 12 μm thickness were effective at masking cracks at strain levels up to 1.6 percent or more.",
"EXAMPLE B The above-coated samples in Example A were also exposed to -40° F. (-40° C.) temperature for 30 minutes and then tested in the four point bending apparatus.",
"In these tests, the 12 μm thick rubbery coating was also effective at masking cracks up to 1.6 percent strain or more.",
"EXAMPLE C The coated samples in Example A were exposed to 300° F. (149° C.) temperatures similar to what automobile body panels would be exposed to during curing of paint finishes.",
"They were then tested on the four point bending device.",
"In these tests the 12μm thick rubbery coating was effective at masking cracks up to 1.6 percent strain or more.",
"EXAMPLE D SMC specimens similar to those in Example A were coated with the same amine-terminated poly(butadieneacrylonitrile) at a coating thickness of about 150 μm.",
"These samples were conditioned at either -40° F. (-40° C.) or 300° F. (-149° C.) for 30 minutes before testing.",
"They were tested for adhesion using a 90° peel test and an Instron 1122 with a controlled displacement rate.",
"These results are shown in Table 2.",
"TABLE 2______________________________________ADHESION TEST RESULTSCoated SMC Samples Conditionedat Low and High Temperatures Peel Force per InchExcursion Temperature of Width°F.",
"°C.",
"g/in Kg/m______________________________________-40 -40 2900 114.2 70 21 1900 74.8 300 149 2400 94.5______________________________________ The adhesion was not impaired by the exposure to severe temperatures.",
"The increase in peel force in the cold specimen was attributed to the additional force necessary to bend the rubbery coating near its Tg temperature.",
"The higher peel force after 300° F. (149° C.) exposure was attributed to additional curing of the rubbery coating or additional rubber/SMC contact during heating.",
"EXAMPLE E Several commercially available coatings for flexible plastics were used as comparisons to the ATBN epoxy coating of this invention.",
"The coatings were U04KD004 Weatherable Black Conductive Primer (bumper paint) from BASF, Flexible Clearcoat for Rigid or Flexible Substrates from BASF Code No. E86CA112 (Acrylic Enamel aka GM 998-4852, Chrysler MS-PA41-1), Universal White Basecoat for Automotive Applications from BASF Code No. E98WD403, and Tempo No. 20-19L Black Bumper Paint Elongations of the conductive primer was estimated to be about 15 percent.",
"Elongations of the bumper paint was estimated to be >15 percent.",
"Elongation of the white basecoat and clearcoat were estimated as at least 5 percent.",
"The ATBN epoxy system had an elongation of at least 100 percent.",
"These coatings were applied with a draw bar on a standard SMC 7113 sheet disclosed in Example A. Runs 1 through 6 had a 2 mil (44μm) thick coating while runs 7-10 inadvertently received a 4 mil (88μm) thick coating.",
"The results of percent elongation at first visible crack and multiple crack experiments are shown in Table 3.",
"Runs 2 through 4 show a slight increase in percent elongation at first crack with any coating.",
"Runs 5 through 10 show that the use of coatings with higher elongation give greater percent elongation at crack with the Epon 828 epoxy and ATBN coating giving the highest value.",
"These coatings were dried and cured similarly to the coatings in Example A. They were then strained to predetermined extents and examined for microcracks by an equivalent procedure to that set out in Example A except that the strain to the appearance of first crack and to appearance of multiple cracks was recorded.",
"TABLE 3______________________________________ % Elongation atTrialRun System First Crack Multiple Crack______________________________________1 1 SMC 7113 control [.",
"].58 1.05 (no paint)2 SMC + primer [.",
"].71 --3 SMC + top coat [.",
"].68 --4 SMC + clear coat [.",
"].70 --5 SMC + primer + [.",
"].77 -- top coat + clear coat6 SMC + bumper [.",
"].98 1.21 paint + top coat + clear coat2 7 SMC + top coat + [.",
"].73 1.45 clear coat8 SMC + primer + 1.14 1.97 → >2 top coat + clear coat9 SMC + bumper 1.27 >2 paint + top coat + clear coat ([.",
"].74)*10 SMC +DGEBA 1.9 → >2 (1.29) >2 epoxy - ATBN coat + top coat + clear coat ([.",
"].95)*______________________________________ *Values in parenthesis are elongations where the crack first appeared at the top coat clear coat interface.",
"Paints used: Primer;",
"BASF U04KD004A Black Conductive Primer Top Coat;",
"BASF E98WD403 White Enamel Clear Coat;",
"BASF E86CA112 Flexible Clear Coat Acrylic Enamel Bumper Paint;",
"Tempo No. 2019L Bumper Black DGEBA epoxyATBN;",
"ATBN 1300 × 16/Epon 828/Toluene, weight ratios 33/7/60 This invention has utility in auto body parts, furniture, sporting goods, chemical processing equipment, and the like.",
"The composite material of the invention provides a molded part having better surface crack resistance.",
"Parts can be molded to form automotive body panels, automotive structural components such as load bearing support members, aircraft components, housings for various electrical and household goods, sporting goods such as golf club shafts, rackets, etc.",
"The substrate is preferably an FRP prepared from a sheet molding compound (SMC).",
"However, FRP substrates in accordance with the invention can be made from wet lay-up, resin transfer molding, bulk molding, and the like.",
"The finished substrate is then coated to inhibit crack propagation to the surface.",
"While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment has been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to biomedical implant telemetry systems for analog physiological data and more particularly to intracardiac waveform transmission from an implanted cardiac pacer.
For many years fully implanted tissue stimulators have been used to treat cardiac and nervous disorders. Microelectronic circuits inside a hermetically sealed implanted case generate electrical impulses according to a prescribed set of parameters. By far the most common species of this type of implant is the cardiac pacer. A sealed battery powered pulse generator is connected to an insulated electrical conductor which passes into and through the vascular system and terminates in an electrode which is attached inside the heart, for example, to the bottom of the right ventricle. Electrical impulses generated by the sealed circuitry are applied via this lead, ordinarily using a metal case of the pulse generator as a ground electrode. If the stimulation pulse is correctly timed and exceeds a so called capture threshold, the ventricle will contract in response to the electrical stimulation. The same lead is employed as an electrical sensor to detect naturally generated electrical impulses which characterize spontaneous cardiac activity to inhibit artificial stimulation to avoid competition with the natural heart rhythm.
It is now commonplace to prescribe changes to the stimulation pulse parameters and other criteria by externally transmitting coded signals to the implanted circuitry. The first commercially successful type of inbound data transmission used electromagnetic impulse programming to rapidly actuate a tiny reed switch connected to a counter chain. Pulse width modulation systems have evolved based on improved electromagnetic impulse programming as well as RF signalling.
Outbound telemetry systems have recently been introduced to allow two-way communication between the external programmer and the implant. One of the most severe restrictions on outbound telemetry systems is power consumption. Battery operated pacers are designed to remain implanted for five to ten years. A conventional transmitter inserted in the pacer would consume too much power if used for any significant length of time. To overcome this limitation, resonant reflected signal transponder-like systems have been proposed in which the carrier frequency is supplied externally and modulated internally by the implant. Impedance modulated resonant transponder circuit systems are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153 assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153 discloses an outbound telemetry system which allows transmission of information from the implanted device while consuming a minimum amount of power. This telemetry system includes a resonant impedance modulated transponder in the implant which modulates the phase of the carrier in accordance with a pulse width modulated binary signal representative of the condition of the parameter registers in the implant. In this way, when interrogated, the pacer can inform the physician of the current programmed values of the various programmable parameters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,679 to Schulman purports to disclose an impedance reflecting resonant circuit apparently relying on frequency modulation of the carrier.
In addition to digitally stored parameter data, stored programs (software) and the like, it would be desirable to have a means for transmitting out of the pacer certain measured or sensed variables which are analog in nature. Two of the most interesting variable quantities are battery voltage and electrical amplitude of natural activity on the cardiac lead. Absent stimulation, the lead acts as an electrical pickup and electrical signals of varying amplitude appear on the lead. If the lead is attached to the inside of the heart, the resulting signal is known as an intracardiac electrogram or ICEG signal. It is desirable to obtain an ICEG since it is a different, and in some cases, a better means of studying the electrophysiology of the heart. Electrophysiological studies of the heart are extremely important in diagnosing and treating certain arrhythmias. The ICEG cannot be duplicated externally by a conventional EKG. It is, however, extremely difficult to reliably transmit the ICEG signal given the battery power constraints of the pacer. Analog to digital conversion of the ICEG signal would be ideal given the proper sampling rate because of the inherent fidelity of the signal. However, A/D converters consume excessive power. Analog transmission on the other hand presents the problem of base line calibration and possible distortion which would not necessarily be present in the A/D conversion option.
One of the items of interest for an ICEG transmitter would be the ability to inspect the ICEG signal immediately following the application of an artificial stimulation pulse to see whether capture had occurred. This aim is frustrated by the retention on the lead of a decaying charge after the stimulation pulse which can mask natural electrocardiac activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to transmit a reliable high fidelity analog signal from the implant without excessive power consumption. A correlary object is to provide a means for calibrating external recording equipment and minimizing the effect of drift and changes in the orientation of the external receiver relative to the implant. Another goal of the invention is to enable real-time external reception of the ICEG signal immediately following a stimulation pulse to evaluate capture threshold.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the novel outbound telemetry system of the present invention. The analog telemetry system builds upon the foundation of the digital transmission system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153. The tuned coil and pair of MOSFET's remains dedicated to transmission of purely digital information. Another pair of MOSFET's of the opposite type (n or p-channel) biased to a linear region is connected in circuit with the tuned coil. The two pairs of MOSFET's form complementary analog and digital switches which are used at mutually exclusive times for transmitting either analog or digital information. The analog switches are modulated by the output of a linear amplifier which is connected to the cardiac lead via an analog transmission gate controlled by the programmable digital command circuitry of the implant. The tuned coil is also connected in parallel to a power-up circuit. Following an initial delay, the power-up circuit connects power to the normally dormant linear amplifier and initiates a timed calibration cycle which superimposes on the amplifier output a binary signal of known dimensions to allow external calibration. Following the calibration mode, the ICEG signal is applied to the input of the amplifier and the amplifier output linearly modulates the impedance of the tuned coil which causes a corresponding linear variation in the phase relationship of the reradiated signal. A charge dump circuit automatically depolarizes the lead immediately following the stimulation pulse so that the ICEG signal can be transmitted accurately. This system has the notable advantage of utilizing the same external and internal circuitry for analog as well as digital transmission.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an implanted cardiac pacer which includes the outbound telemetry system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the outbound telemetry system for the implanted cardiac pacer shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the outbound telemetry system for the implanted cardiac pacer of FIG. 1.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The outbound telemetry system of the present invention is best understood in conjunction with an implanted cardiac pacer, a part of which is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1. This pacer includes a programmed microcomputer 10 and a number of parameter registers 12 which store values used by the pacer, such as the pulse rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period and other relevant parameters. The information stored in the parameter registers 12 is used by the microcomputer 10 in conjunction with the sensed signals to determine when the heart needs to be stimulated. When such stimulation is required, the microcomputer sends a signal to an output circuit 14 which in turn applies a stimulation pulse through the lead 16 connected to an electrode attached inside the heart.
The microcomputer also provides digital data to a telemetry circuit 18. See, for example, U.S. application Ser. No. 195,665, filed Oct. 9, 1980 by Lesnick entitled "Implantable Externally Programmable Microprocessor-Controlled Tissue Stimulator", which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference. The same telemetry circuit 18 also receives a dynamically varying analog intracardiac electrogram (ICEG) signal from the lead 16 which is attached to the electrode. An ICEG select signal from the microcomputer gates the ICEG signal via analog switch (transmission gate) 20 to the telemetry circuit. Also attached to the lead 16 is a charge-dump or depolarization circuit 22 which will remove any residual decaying charge which might remain on the lead 16 after a stimulation pulse has been applied to the heart.
The outbound telemetry system of the present invention is more specifically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This telemetry system is activated by a programming head 23 (FIG. 2) located outside the body corresponding to head 10 in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,155. Activation of the telemetry system occurs when the programming head is moved close to the body near the location of the implant containing the outbound telemetry circuitry. The programming head includes a carrier transmitter which transmits a continuous wave electrical output at a constant frequency low enough to achieve magnetic coupling with the coil 24 whose resonant or bandpass frequency is centered at the carrier frequency. The oscillating magnetic field which is generated by the programming head thus radiates into the implant and induces a corresponding voltage in the tuned coil 24 which in turn reradiates a secondary magnetic field at the same carrier frequency. The reradiated or reflected signal is received by the head 23. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153, the modulation signal is recovered by a phase shift detector. The recovered analog voltage level is the output denoted "delta phi" (Δφ) in FIGS. 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tuned coil 24 is connected to a rectifier and integrator circuit 26 which triggers a delay circuit 28 when sufficient power is coupled into the tuned coil from the external programming head. After a brief delay, the linear amplifier 30 is activated and a one-shot circuit 32 is triggered to apply a square wave output from generator 34 to a calibration shunt 36 for a predetermined calibration mode period. Calibration shunt circuit 36 is connected to the reference input of linear amplifier 30. The other input to the amplifier is connected via analog switch 20 (FIG. 1) to the lead 16 to obtain the ICEG signal. The output of the linear amplifier 30 is applied to linear modulation switch 38 to modulate the impedance of the tuned coil 24. Alternatlvely, digital data from the microcomputer 10 can be supplied to modulate a digital switch 40 connected in parallel to the tuned coil 24. The pairs of MOSFET's which make up the complementary switches 38 and 40 have parasitic diodes correctly oriented to form a phantom bridge 42 which acts a full wave rectifier to supplement a bias network 44 which compensates the linear swltch 38 for variations in the level of energy coupled into the tuned coil from the programming head 23.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tuned coil 24 includes coil L1 connected in parallel with capacitor C1. The voltage induced by the carrier signal in the tuned coil 24 is applied to a rectifier and integrator circuit 26 to detect a minimum coupling level. Inititally, the signal in the rectifier circuit passes through limiting diodes D3 and D4 which cut off excess highs and lows thereby feeding an amplitude-limited or chopped AC signal to a high-gain, stable operational amplifier 46. The output of the amplifier 46 is fed to half-wave recitifying diode D2 which removes negative excursions from the signal. The resulting DC pulses are accumulated by integrating capacitor C4. If adequate coupling persists, this accumulated signal eventually attains a threshold necessary to trigger delay circuit 28 which powers up the remainder of the circuit. The power-up is not immediate, however, since a turn-on delay is built into the circuit 28. One reason for the delay is to avoid the effects of any electro-magnetic interference which might provide a surge of power. Capacitor C3 charges gradually to a voltage level of V DD , the system ground level. The delay is about 1/10 of a second and following the delay Schmitt trigger 48 causes line 50 which is normally V DD to go to V SS , negative supply voltage nominally -4.2 volts (two lithium cells). The constant V SS output of Schmitt trigger 48 powers the various elements of the circuit as will be described below.
The output of the delay circuit 28 triggers one-shot 32 which times the self-calibration cycle which lasts for about 8 seconds. Schmitt trigger 52 converts the V SS input to V DD thereby causing capacitor C5 to charge up. As the capacitor C5 discharges, a voltage is provided to the square-wave generator 60 through transmission gate 54. This voltage powers the square-wave generator 34 which generates a square-wave signal which is used to calibrate the received signal. This voltage is sufficient to power the square wave generator only while the discharged voltage remains above a predetermined threshold. It has been determined that approximately 8 seconds is a sufficient time interval to adequately calibrate the circuit. Therefore, capacitor C5 and resistor R10 should be chosen so that the discharge time is about 10 seconds (figuring that around the last couple of seconds the discharged voltage is below the driving threshold).
The output of the square-wave generator 34, preferably 40 Hz, is fed to the control input of transmission gate 56 which is normally open. Gate 56 operates as the calibration shunt 36 (FIG. 2). The application of the square-wave signal causes the gate 56 to oscillate between open and closed states. While the gate 56 is closed, resistor R18 is shunted and when gate 56 is open, an open circuit appears across the gate. Resistor R18 is a part of the series voltage divider formed by R15, R18 and R19. The opening and closing of the gate 56 results in a varying voltage being applied to the non-inverting input of linear amplifier 30. Amplifier 30 is preferably a commutating auto zeroing operational amplifier (CAZ op amp) to avoid offset drift.
The inverting input of amplifier 30 is connected to the lead 16 via resistor R19, transmission gate 20 and decoupling capacitor C9.
When gate 20 is closed, the output of amplifier 30 provides an input voltage representing the signal on the lead 16 to the gates of a pair of N-channel field effect transistors (FETs) 60. A pair of P-channel FET's 62, connected in parallel with the N-channel FET's 60, is used for digital transmission. Each of the FET's 60 and 62 also has a parasitic diode connected between the source and drain. The two pairs of parasitic diodes 60a and 62a form a "phantom" full wave bridge rectifier 42.
The N-channel FET's 60 differ from the P-channel FET's 62 in that the N-channel FET's 60 are biased into their linear operating region while the sources of the P-channel FET's 62 are grounded, i.e. the P-channel FET's 62 are either totally on or totally off. A voltage divider supplies the source bias network 44 for the N-channel FET's 60 to operate in their linear modulation region. Preferably network 44 biases the FET's 60 to the center of their linear range. However, the bias voltage is not necessarily constant; it is affected by the power coupled into the tuned coil in the following manner. The voltage divider is connected to the bridge 42 which adds or subtracts its rectified voltage to the constant voltage divider output to provide a variable supplementary bias component. For example, if R1 and R8 are equal, their junction will be at -2.1 volts. If the rectified voltage were 0.1 volts, it would supplement the constant voltage making it less negative. The arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 is such that the more power coupled into the tuned coil by the external carrier, the lower the modulation amplitude from the N-channel FET's. The gain of amplifier 30 is selected so that the peaks in the amplified ICEG signal do not exceed the linear range of the FET's.
The charge-dump circuit 22 of the outbound telemetry system of the present invention removes any residual charge which might remain on the lead 16 after a stimulation pulse has been applied to the heart. In order to remove the charge, the lead is grounded for a short interval of time. As shown in FIG. 3, after the current passing through the FET 90 reaches a predetermined level, a Schmitt trigger 92 forces normally open analog switch 94 to close thereby grounding lead 16 via capacitor C8. The time required for removing the charge from the electrode lead is approximately fifty milliseconds. This capability for removing the charge from the electrode enables the telemetry system of the present invention to determine whether capture has been achieved following a stimulation pulse.
The following table provides representative values and specifications for the components of the circuit of FIG. 3. These specifications merely serve as an example of one embodiment of circuitry for carrying out the invention in a specific application. Other embodiments may, of course, have substantially different specifications, yet still be within the scope of the invention.
TABLE______________________________________R1 100 KilohmsR2 22 KilohmsR3 22 KilohmsR4 5.6 MegohmsR5 22 MegohmsR6 5.6 MegohmsR7 10 MegohmsR8 100 KilohmsR9 10 MegohmsR10 10 MegohmsR11 5.6 MegohmsR12 10 MegohmsR13 50 KilohmsR14 10 MegohmsR15 1 MegohmR16 50 KilohmsR17 variableR18 5 KilohmsR19 1 MegohmR20 1 MegohmC1 .022 MicrofaradC2 1 MicrofaradC3 .01 MicrofaradC4 .11 MicrofaradC5 1 MicrofaradC6 .01 MicrofaradC7 .01 MicrofaradC8 10 MicrofaradsC9 6.8 MicrofaradsC10 .22 MicrofaradC11 .01 MicrofaradC12 .01 MicrofaradOp Amp 38 LM 3078Op Amp 30 ICL 7601, gain of 20______________________________________
In operation, when properly located, the programming head 23 couples voltage into the tuned coil 24 in the implant which eventually actuates the delay circuit 28. Following a momentary delay, the self calibration mode automatically begins. Resistor R18 is varied in relation to the other resistances R15 and R19 in the reference voltage divider such that the difference at the noninverting input of amplifier 30 between the unshunted and shunted conditions caused by square-wave modulation of analog gate 56 amounts to a known value, for example, 4 or 5 millivolts. A strip chart recorder (not shown), for example, connected to the output of the phase shift detector in the programming head 23 (see FIGS. 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,155) will record two levels which will be known to vary by 4 or 5 millivolts to allow the transverse axis of the strip chart recorder to be calibrated.
Following the start-up mode including the self calibration period, the microcomputer circuit 10 latches the gate 20 closed via the ICEG select line. The waveform on the lead 16 is amplified by linear amplifier 30 and used to modulate the impedance of the tuned coil circuit via the N channel FET's. Meanwhile, the P channel FET's used only for digital transmission are in the quiescent mode; but for the effect of the parasitic diodes 62a, they represent an open circuit. However, the phantom bridge created by the parasitic diodes 60a and 62a, supplements the bias network which biases the sources of the N channel FET's 60 to perform an automatic gain control. Additional power induced in the tuned circuit from the programming head reduces the modulation effect of the N channel FET's 60 to maintain the amplitude of the waveform superimposed on the carrier at a constant level independent of the proximity of the programming head in relation to the implant.
If desired, the normal pacing mode can continue to operate in the presence of the programming head. When a stimulation pulse is generated by the output circuit 14 (FIG. 1), the ICEG transmission gate 20 is momentarily opened. Following the stimulation pulse, the charge dump circuit 22 depolarizes the lead and the lead is reconnected to the ICEG amplifier 30 via gate 20. In this way, the waveform following stimulation can be analyzed to see whether capture has been obtained.
The advantages of the invention lie in its inherent simplicity and duality of function. Without altering the digital telemetry system, the present invention adds to the tuned circuit transponder an analog capability which exploits an incidental feature of the existing digital telemetry system to enhance the fidelity of the analog transmitted signal. The complementary symmetry of the P channel and N channel FET's allows the parisitic diodes to coact as a phantom full wave rectifier bridge to use the coupled external power as an auxiliary bias voltage supply for automatic gain control of the superimposed waveform signal. The result is a reproducible, linear, highly accurate signal which allows ICEG waveforms recorded at different times to be compared for diagnosis. Moreover, the square wave self-calibration signal allows the strip chart recorder or oscilloscope to be calibrated so that an approximate measurement in the signal level in millivolts on the lead 16 can be obtained in real time. All of this is done with extremely low cost to the power budget constraints imposed by the vital battery capacity of the pacer power supply. The quiescent current drain from the dormant circuitry is on the order of 1 microampere.
Although described in conjunction with cardiac pacers and ICEG transmission, the analog telemetry system herein is adaptable to other types of implants and various analog signals. As various changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention; it should be understood that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all equivalents thereto. | An analog data transmission circuit for a biomedical implant employs a linear amplifier to modulate the impedance of a resonant circuit tuned to an externally generated constant carrier frequency. The resonant circuit comprises a tuned coil in circuit with a linear modulating switch and a digital modulating switch. The digital switch is gated by the digital data output from digital control circuitry within the implant. The linear amplifier output drives the linear modulation switch. The switches are preferably matched pairs of MOSFET's of opposite polarity having complementary parasitic diodes which form a phantom diode bridge. The bridge acts as a full wave rectifier and boosts the bias voltage on the sources of the FET pair forming the linear modulation switch such that the radiated amplitude is independent of the distance of the programming head. A timed power-up circuit supplies power to the amplifier and starts a square wave calibration period in response to the approach of the programming head. For ICEG transmission, a charge dump circuit depolarizes the lead before it is coupled to the amplifier. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to biomedical implant telemetry systems for analog physiological data and more particularly to intracardiac waveform transmission from an implanted cardiac pacer.",
"For many years fully implanted tissue stimulators have been used to treat cardiac and nervous disorders.",
"Microelectronic circuits inside a hermetically sealed implanted case generate electrical impulses according to a prescribed set of parameters.",
"By far the most common species of this type of implant is the cardiac pacer.",
"A sealed battery powered pulse generator is connected to an insulated electrical conductor which passes into and through the vascular system and terminates in an electrode which is attached inside the heart, for example, to the bottom of the right ventricle.",
"Electrical impulses generated by the sealed circuitry are applied via this lead, ordinarily using a metal case of the pulse generator as a ground electrode.",
"If the stimulation pulse is correctly timed and exceeds a so called capture threshold, the ventricle will contract in response to the electrical stimulation.",
"The same lead is employed as an electrical sensor to detect naturally generated electrical impulses which characterize spontaneous cardiac activity to inhibit artificial stimulation to avoid competition with the natural heart rhythm.",
"It is now commonplace to prescribe changes to the stimulation pulse parameters and other criteria by externally transmitting coded signals to the implanted circuitry.",
"The first commercially successful type of inbound data transmission used electromagnetic impulse programming to rapidly actuate a tiny reed switch connected to a counter chain.",
"Pulse width modulation systems have evolved based on improved electromagnetic impulse programming as well as RF signalling.",
"Outbound telemetry systems have recently been introduced to allow two-way communication between the external programmer and the implant.",
"One of the most severe restrictions on outbound telemetry systems is power consumption.",
"Battery operated pacers are designed to remain implanted for five to ten years.",
"A conventional transmitter inserted in the pacer would consume too much power if used for any significant length of time.",
"To overcome this limitation, resonant reflected signal transponder-like systems have been proposed in which the carrier frequency is supplied externally and modulated internally by the implant.",
"Impedance modulated resonant transponder circuit systems are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153 assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153 discloses an outbound telemetry system which allows transmission of information from the implanted device while consuming a minimum amount of power.",
"This telemetry system includes a resonant impedance modulated transponder in the implant which modulates the phase of the carrier in accordance with a pulse width modulated binary signal representative of the condition of the parameter registers in the implant.",
"In this way, when interrogated, the pacer can inform the physician of the current programmed values of the various programmable parameters.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,679 to Schulman purports to disclose an impedance reflecting resonant circuit apparently relying on frequency modulation of the carrier.",
"In addition to digitally stored parameter data, stored programs (software) and the like, it would be desirable to have a means for transmitting out of the pacer certain measured or sensed variables which are analog in nature.",
"Two of the most interesting variable quantities are battery voltage and electrical amplitude of natural activity on the cardiac lead.",
"Absent stimulation, the lead acts as an electrical pickup and electrical signals of varying amplitude appear on the lead.",
"If the lead is attached to the inside of the heart, the resulting signal is known as an intracardiac electrogram or ICEG signal.",
"It is desirable to obtain an ICEG since it is a different, and in some cases, a better means of studying the electrophysiology of the heart.",
"Electrophysiological studies of the heart are extremely important in diagnosing and treating certain arrhythmias.",
"The ICEG cannot be duplicated externally by a conventional EKG.",
"It is, however, extremely difficult to reliably transmit the ICEG signal given the battery power constraints of the pacer.",
"Analog to digital conversion of the ICEG signal would be ideal given the proper sampling rate because of the inherent fidelity of the signal.",
"However, A/D converters consume excessive power.",
"Analog transmission on the other hand presents the problem of base line calibration and possible distortion which would not necessarily be present in the A/D conversion option.",
"One of the items of interest for an ICEG transmitter would be the ability to inspect the ICEG signal immediately following the application of an artificial stimulation pulse to see whether capture had occurred.",
"This aim is frustrated by the retention on the lead of a decaying charge after the stimulation pulse which can mask natural electrocardiac activity.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to transmit a reliable high fidelity analog signal from the implant without excessive power consumption.",
"A correlary object is to provide a means for calibrating external recording equipment and minimizing the effect of drift and changes in the orientation of the external receiver relative to the implant.",
"Another goal of the invention is to enable real-time external reception of the ICEG signal immediately following a stimulation pulse to evaluate capture threshold.",
"These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the novel outbound telemetry system of the present invention.",
"The analog telemetry system builds upon the foundation of the digital transmission system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153.",
"The tuned coil and pair of MOSFET's remains dedicated to transmission of purely digital information.",
"Another pair of MOSFET's of the opposite type (n or p-channel) biased to a linear region is connected in circuit with the tuned coil.",
"The two pairs of MOSFET's form complementary analog and digital switches which are used at mutually exclusive times for transmitting either analog or digital information.",
"The analog switches are modulated by the output of a linear amplifier which is connected to the cardiac lead via an analog transmission gate controlled by the programmable digital command circuitry of the implant.",
"The tuned coil is also connected in parallel to a power-up circuit.",
"Following an initial delay, the power-up circuit connects power to the normally dormant linear amplifier and initiates a timed calibration cycle which superimposes on the amplifier output a binary signal of known dimensions to allow external calibration.",
"Following the calibration mode, the ICEG signal is applied to the input of the amplifier and the amplifier output linearly modulates the impedance of the tuned coil which causes a corresponding linear variation in the phase relationship of the reradiated signal.",
"A charge dump circuit automatically depolarizes the lead immediately following the stimulation pulse so that the ICEG signal can be transmitted accurately.",
"This system has the notable advantage of utilizing the same external and internal circuitry for analog as well as digital transmission.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an implanted cardiac pacer which includes the outbound telemetry system of the present invention.",
"FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the outbound telemetry system for the implanted cardiac pacer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the outbound telemetry system for the implanted cardiac pacer of FIG. 1. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The outbound telemetry system of the present invention is best understood in conjunction with an implanted cardiac pacer, a part of which is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1. This pacer includes a programmed microcomputer 10 and a number of parameter registers 12 which store values used by the pacer, such as the pulse rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period and other relevant parameters.",
"The information stored in the parameter registers 12 is used by the microcomputer 10 in conjunction with the sensed signals to determine when the heart needs to be stimulated.",
"When such stimulation is required, the microcomputer sends a signal to an output circuit 14 which in turn applies a stimulation pulse through the lead 16 connected to an electrode attached inside the heart.",
"The microcomputer also provides digital data to a telemetry circuit 18.",
"See, for example, U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 195,665, filed Oct. 9, 1980 by Lesnick entitled "Implantable Externally Programmable Microprocessor-Controlled Tissue Stimulator", which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference.",
"The same telemetry circuit 18 also receives a dynamically varying analog intracardiac electrogram (ICEG) signal from the lead 16 which is attached to the electrode.",
"An ICEG select signal from the microcomputer gates the ICEG signal via analog switch (transmission gate) 20 to the telemetry circuit.",
"Also attached to the lead 16 is a charge-dump or depolarization circuit 22 which will remove any residual decaying charge which might remain on the lead 16 after a stimulation pulse has been applied to the heart.",
"The outbound telemetry system of the present invention is more specifically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.",
"This telemetry system is activated by a programming head 23 (FIG.",
"2) located outside the body corresponding to head 10 in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,155.",
"Activation of the telemetry system occurs when the programming head is moved close to the body near the location of the implant containing the outbound telemetry circuitry.",
"The programming head includes a carrier transmitter which transmits a continuous wave electrical output at a constant frequency low enough to achieve magnetic coupling with the coil 24 whose resonant or bandpass frequency is centered at the carrier frequency.",
"The oscillating magnetic field which is generated by the programming head thus radiates into the implant and induces a corresponding voltage in the tuned coil 24 which in turn reradiates a secondary magnetic field at the same carrier frequency.",
"The reradiated or reflected signal is received by the head 23.",
"As described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153, the modulation signal is recovered by a phase shift detector.",
"The recovered analog voltage level is the output denoted "delta phi"",
"(Δφ) in FIGS. 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,153.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, the tuned coil 24 is connected to a rectifier and integrator circuit 26 which triggers a delay circuit 28 when sufficient power is coupled into the tuned coil from the external programming head.",
"After a brief delay, the linear amplifier 30 is activated and a one-shot circuit 32 is triggered to apply a square wave output from generator 34 to a calibration shunt 36 for a predetermined calibration mode period.",
"Calibration shunt circuit 36 is connected to the reference input of linear amplifier 30.",
"The other input to the amplifier is connected via analog switch 20 (FIG.",
"1) to the lead 16 to obtain the ICEG signal.",
"The output of the linear amplifier 30 is applied to linear modulation switch 38 to modulate the impedance of the tuned coil 24.",
"Alternatlvely, digital data from the microcomputer 10 can be supplied to modulate a digital switch 40 connected in parallel to the tuned coil 24.",
"The pairs of MOSFET's which make up the complementary switches 38 and 40 have parasitic diodes correctly oriented to form a phantom bridge 42 which acts a full wave rectifier to supplement a bias network 44 which compensates the linear swltch 38 for variations in the level of energy coupled into the tuned coil from the programming head 23.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, the tuned coil 24 includes coil L1 connected in parallel with capacitor C1.",
"The voltage induced by the carrier signal in the tuned coil 24 is applied to a rectifier and integrator circuit 26 to detect a minimum coupling level.",
"Inititally, the signal in the rectifier circuit passes through limiting diodes D3 and D4 which cut off excess highs and lows thereby feeding an amplitude-limited or chopped AC signal to a high-gain, stable operational amplifier 46.",
"The output of the amplifier 46 is fed to half-wave recitifying diode D2 which removes negative excursions from the signal.",
"The resulting DC pulses are accumulated by integrating capacitor C4.",
"If adequate coupling persists, this accumulated signal eventually attains a threshold necessary to trigger delay circuit 28 which powers up the remainder of the circuit.",
"The power-up is not immediate, however, since a turn-on delay is built into the circuit 28.",
"One reason for the delay is to avoid the effects of any electro-magnetic interference which might provide a surge of power.",
"Capacitor C3 charges gradually to a voltage level of V DD , the system ground level.",
"The delay is about 1/10 of a second and following the delay Schmitt trigger 48 causes line 50 which is normally V DD to go to V SS , negative supply voltage nominally -4.2 volts (two lithium cells).",
"The constant V SS output of Schmitt trigger 48 powers the various elements of the circuit as will be described below.",
"The output of the delay circuit 28 triggers one-shot 32 which times the self-calibration cycle which lasts for about 8 seconds.",
"Schmitt trigger 52 converts the V SS input to V DD thereby causing capacitor C5 to charge up.",
"As the capacitor C5 discharges, a voltage is provided to the square-wave generator 60 through transmission gate 54.",
"This voltage powers the square-wave generator 34 which generates a square-wave signal which is used to calibrate the received signal.",
"This voltage is sufficient to power the square wave generator only while the discharged voltage remains above a predetermined threshold.",
"It has been determined that approximately 8 seconds is a sufficient time interval to adequately calibrate the circuit.",
"Therefore, capacitor C5 and resistor R10 should be chosen so that the discharge time is about 10 seconds (figuring that around the last couple of seconds the discharged voltage is below the driving threshold).",
"The output of the square-wave generator 34, preferably 40 Hz, is fed to the control input of transmission gate 56 which is normally open.",
"Gate 56 operates as the calibration shunt 36 (FIG.",
"2).",
"The application of the square-wave signal causes the gate 56 to oscillate between open and closed states.",
"While the gate 56 is closed, resistor R18 is shunted and when gate 56 is open, an open circuit appears across the gate.",
"Resistor R18 is a part of the series voltage divider formed by R15, R18 and R19.",
"The opening and closing of the gate 56 results in a varying voltage being applied to the non-inverting input of linear amplifier 30.",
"Amplifier 30 is preferably a commutating auto zeroing operational amplifier (CAZ op amp) to avoid offset drift.",
"The inverting input of amplifier 30 is connected to the lead 16 via resistor R19, transmission gate 20 and decoupling capacitor C9.",
"When gate 20 is closed, the output of amplifier 30 provides an input voltage representing the signal on the lead 16 to the gates of a pair of N-channel field effect transistors (FETs) 60.",
"A pair of P-channel FET's 62, connected in parallel with the N-channel FET's 60, is used for digital transmission.",
"Each of the FET's 60 and 62 also has a parasitic diode connected between the source and drain.",
"The two pairs of parasitic diodes 60a and 62a form a "phantom"",
"full wave bridge rectifier 42.",
"The N-channel FET's 60 differ from the P-channel FET's 62 in that the N-channel FET's 60 are biased into their linear operating region while the sources of the P-channel FET's 62 are grounded, i.e. the P-channel FET's 62 are either totally on or totally off.",
"A voltage divider supplies the source bias network 44 for the N-channel FET's 60 to operate in their linear modulation region.",
"Preferably network 44 biases the FET's 60 to the center of their linear range.",
"However, the bias voltage is not necessarily constant;",
"it is affected by the power coupled into the tuned coil in the following manner.",
"The voltage divider is connected to the bridge 42 which adds or subtracts its rectified voltage to the constant voltage divider output to provide a variable supplementary bias component.",
"For example, if R1 and R8 are equal, their junction will be at -2.1 volts.",
"If the rectified voltage were 0.1 volts, it would supplement the constant voltage making it less negative.",
"The arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 is such that the more power coupled into the tuned coil by the external carrier, the lower the modulation amplitude from the N-channel FET's.",
"The gain of amplifier 30 is selected so that the peaks in the amplified ICEG signal do not exceed the linear range of the FET's.",
"The charge-dump circuit 22 of the outbound telemetry system of the present invention removes any residual charge which might remain on the lead 16 after a stimulation pulse has been applied to the heart.",
"In order to remove the charge, the lead is grounded for a short interval of time.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, after the current passing through the FET 90 reaches a predetermined level, a Schmitt trigger 92 forces normally open analog switch 94 to close thereby grounding lead 16 via capacitor C8.",
"The time required for removing the charge from the electrode lead is approximately fifty milliseconds.",
"This capability for removing the charge from the electrode enables the telemetry system of the present invention to determine whether capture has been achieved following a stimulation pulse.",
"The following table provides representative values and specifications for the components of the circuit of FIG. 3. These specifications merely serve as an example of one embodiment of circuitry for carrying out the invention in a specific application.",
"Other embodiments may, of course, have substantially different specifications, yet still be within the scope of the invention.",
"TABLE______________________________________R1 100 KilohmsR2 22 KilohmsR3 22 KilohmsR4 5.6 MegohmsR5 22 MegohmsR6 5.6 MegohmsR7 10 MegohmsR8 100 KilohmsR9 10 MegohmsR10 10 MegohmsR11 5.6 MegohmsR12 10 MegohmsR13 50 KilohmsR14 10 MegohmsR15 1 MegohmR16 50 KilohmsR17 variableR18 5 KilohmsR19 1 MegohmR20 1 MegohmC1 [.",
"].022 MicrofaradC2 1 MicrofaradC3 [.",
"].01 MicrofaradC4 [.",
"].11 MicrofaradC5 1 MicrofaradC6 [.",
"].01 MicrofaradC7 [.",
"].01 MicrofaradC8 10 MicrofaradsC9 6.8 MicrofaradsC10 [.",
"].22 MicrofaradC11 [.",
"].01 MicrofaradC12 [.",
"].01 MicrofaradOp Amp 38 LM 3078Op Amp 30 ICL 7601, gain of 20______________________________________ In operation, when properly located, the programming head 23 couples voltage into the tuned coil 24 in the implant which eventually actuates the delay circuit 28.",
"Following a momentary delay, the self calibration mode automatically begins.",
"Resistor R18 is varied in relation to the other resistances R15 and R19 in the reference voltage divider such that the difference at the noninverting input of amplifier 30 between the unshunted and shunted conditions caused by square-wave modulation of analog gate 56 amounts to a known value, for example, 4 or 5 millivolts.",
"A strip chart recorder (not shown), for example, connected to the output of the phase shift detector in the programming head 23 (see FIGS. 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,155) will record two levels which will be known to vary by 4 or 5 millivolts to allow the transverse axis of the strip chart recorder to be calibrated.",
"Following the start-up mode including the self calibration period, the microcomputer circuit 10 latches the gate 20 closed via the ICEG select line.",
"The waveform on the lead 16 is amplified by linear amplifier 30 and used to modulate the impedance of the tuned coil circuit via the N channel FET's.",
"Meanwhile, the P channel FET's used only for digital transmission are in the quiescent mode;",
"but for the effect of the parasitic diodes 62a, they represent an open circuit.",
"However, the phantom bridge created by the parasitic diodes 60a and 62a, supplements the bias network which biases the sources of the N channel FET's 60 to perform an automatic gain control.",
"Additional power induced in the tuned circuit from the programming head reduces the modulation effect of the N channel FET's 60 to maintain the amplitude of the waveform superimposed on the carrier at a constant level independent of the proximity of the programming head in relation to the implant.",
"If desired, the normal pacing mode can continue to operate in the presence of the programming head.",
"When a stimulation pulse is generated by the output circuit 14 (FIG.",
"1), the ICEG transmission gate 20 is momentarily opened.",
"Following the stimulation pulse, the charge dump circuit 22 depolarizes the lead and the lead is reconnected to the ICEG amplifier 30 via gate 20.",
"In this way, the waveform following stimulation can be analyzed to see whether capture has been obtained.",
"The advantages of the invention lie in its inherent simplicity and duality of function.",
"Without altering the digital telemetry system, the present invention adds to the tuned circuit transponder an analog capability which exploits an incidental feature of the existing digital telemetry system to enhance the fidelity of the analog transmitted signal.",
"The complementary symmetry of the P channel and N channel FET's allows the parisitic diodes to coact as a phantom full wave rectifier bridge to use the coupled external power as an auxiliary bias voltage supply for automatic gain control of the superimposed waveform signal.",
"The result is a reproducible, linear, highly accurate signal which allows ICEG waveforms recorded at different times to be compared for diagnosis.",
"Moreover, the square wave self-calibration signal allows the strip chart recorder or oscilloscope to be calibrated so that an approximate measurement in the signal level in millivolts on the lead 16 can be obtained in real time.",
"All of this is done with extremely low cost to the power budget constraints imposed by the vital battery capacity of the pacer power supply.",
"The quiescent current drain from the dormant circuitry is on the order of 1 microampere.",
"Although described in conjunction with cardiac pacers and ICEG transmission, the analog telemetry system herein is adaptable to other types of implants and various analog signals.",
"As various changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention;",
"it should be understood that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all equivalents thereto."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of correcting distortion in a linear scanning X-ray system, and to apparatus for implementing the method.
Linear scanning X-ray systems are known which comprise a radiation source mounted at one end of a C-shaped arm for generating an imaging beam, a detector at an opposed end of the C-arm responsive to the imaging beam to generate an output signal, and a drive arranged to move at least one of the radiation source and the detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction. Such systems are typically used for the acquisition of whole-body images of a patient or other subject, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,200 or International patent application no. WO 00/53093.
For example, such apparatus can be used provide fast X-ray images of injured patients. Once a patient has been stabilized, he or she can conveniently be placed on a trolley or gurney, placed in position, scanned, and wheeled out for further treatment, with the resulting radiograph appearing on the diagnostic screen virtually instantaneously. Due to the low X-ray dose administered by the apparatus, the risk of radiation exposure to staff and patients is reduced.
X-ray images from such apparatus contain a non-linear distortion that must be corrected for critical applications. This distortion is a result of the imaging process: X-rays from a point source are spread out into a fan beam before being captured by a detection device such as a photographic plate or an electronic CCD sensor.
Because of this, objects closer to the centre of the detector suffer less distortion than those at the edges. This makes the correction process a non-trivial task, traditionally requiring multiple scans to be taken and stitched together manually to minimise the distortion. The distortion correction of X-ray images is of particular interest in certain medical fields, particularly for prosthetics, implants, and orthopaedic work.
It would be desirable to be able to take accurate measurements directly from X-ray images, and that these images should be obtained with a minimum of patient discomfort and exposure to radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a method of operating imaging apparatus of the kind having a radiation source and an associated radiation detector which are moveable relative to a subject, the method comprising:
(a) generating a divergent imaging beam from the radiation source; (b) moving the radiation source and the radiation detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction to generate output signals from the detector, thereby generating image data from the detector containing distortion in a direction transverse to the scanning direction; (c) changing the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction and repeating step (b) one or more times to generate a plurality of sets of image data; (d) processing each set of image data to obtain equivalent parallel imaging beam data therefrom, corresponding to a given angle in the divergent imaging beam; and (e) combining a plurality of said equivalent parallel imaging beam data to generate a synthesized parallel imaging beam image.
The divergent imaging beam will typically be a fan shaped imaging beam generated by a linear scanning apparatus.
The fan shaped imaging beam is preferably relatively narrow in the scanning direction and relatively wide in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.
Changing the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction may comprise rotating the radiation source and detector about an axis extending parallel to the scanning direction at selected angular intervals.
The linear scanning apparatus may comprise a support member which supports the radiation source and the associated radiation detector for rotation about an axis which extends parallel to the scanning direction, but which is offset relative to a midline of the fan shaped imaging beam, the method including the step of processing the image data to re-project the image data so that it represents a virtual fan shaped imaging beam having a midline that coincides with the axis of rotation of the support member.
The image data preferably defines a multi-line image, the method comprising generating a set of sinograms from the image data, each sinogram representing angular views at a specified line of the image, re-projecting the sinogram data from a fan bean to a parallel beam format, constructing a set of new sinograms consisting of virtual parallel beam data, and reconstructing a virtual parallel beam image from the virtual parallel beam data at a selected angle of view.
Further according to the invention there is provided Imaging apparatus comprising:
(a) a radiation source arranged to generate a divergent imaging beam and an associated radiation detector; (b) a first drive arranged to move the radiation source and the detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction to generate output signals from the detector, thereby performing a scan generating image data containing distortion in a direction transverse to the scanning direction; (c) a second drive arranged to change the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction incrementally between repeated scans, thereby to generate a plurality of sets of image data; (d) at least one processor for processing each set of image data to obtain equivalent parallel imaging beam data therefrom, corresponding to a given angle in the divergent imaging beam, and for combining a plurality of said equivalent parallel imaging beam data to generate a synthesized parallel imaging beam image; and (e) a display for generating a visual display of the synthesized parallel imaging beam image.
The imaging apparatus may be a linear scanning apparatus in which the first drive is arranged to move the radiation source and the associated radiation detector along a linear path corresponding to the scanning direction, and wherein the divergent imaging beam is a fan shaped imaging beam.
The fan shaped imaging beam is preferably relatively narrow in the scanning direction and relatively wide in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.
The second drive may be arranged to change the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction by rotating the radiation source and detector about an axis extending parallel to the scanning direction at selected angular intervals.
In one embodiment, the linear scanning apparatus comprises a support member which supports the radiation source and the associated radiation detector for rotation about an axis which extends parallel to the scanning direction, but which is offset relative to a midline of the fan shaped imaging beam, said at least one processor being operable to apply an algorithm to the image data to re-project the image data so that it represents a virtual fan shaped imaging beam having a midline that coincides with the axis of rotation of the support member.
The image data may define a multi-line image, said at least one processor being operable to generate a set of sinograms from the image data, each sinogram representing angular views at a specified line of the image; to reproject the sinogram data from a fan bean to a parallel beam format; to construct a set of new sinograms consisting of virtual parallel beam data; and to reconstruct a virtual parallel beam image from the virtual parallel beam data at a selected angle of view.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of linear scan imaging apparatus usable to implement a distortion correction method according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a scanning arm thereof rotated through 90°;
FIG. 3 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 , showing an alternative application of the apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a radiological installation incorporating the apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram showing major components of the apparatus;
FIGS. 6( a ) and ( b ) are schematic diagrams illustrating the imaging geometry of a fan-beam and a parallel beam linear scan imaging system;
FIGS. 7( a ) and ( b ) are schematic diagrams similar to those of FIG. 6 , showing the effect of non-linear and magnification distortion in a fan-beam imaging system;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the physical geometry of the source and detector of the linear scanning apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5 ;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the generation of a re-projected fan-beam detector axis according to the method of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the further generation of a virtual parallel beam detector axis according to the method of the invention;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are scans illustrating the use of a selected image line at first and second specified angles;
FIG. 13 is a sinogram composite of multiple image slices from the selected image line;
FIG. 14 is a sinogram based on uncorrected fan-beam data;
FIG. 15 is a sinogram based on corrected parallel beam data;
FIG. 16 is a distortion-corrected final image based on the corrected parallel beam data, prepared according to the method of the invention;
FIG. 17 is a simplified flow chart illustrating major steps in the operation of the method;
FIG. 18 is a composite diagram showing limited angle fan beam projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile;
FIG. 19 is a composite diagram showing the limited angle fan beam data remapped to orthogonal projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile;
FIG. 20 is a composite diagram showing fan beam projection rays with a distorted zero angle projection profile;
FIG. 21 is a composite diagram showing orthogonal beam projection rays with a corrected zero angle projection profile;
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a high-level description of the distortion correction procedure of the invention; and
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a more detailed description of the distortion correction procedure.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 to 3 show three different views of X-ray imaging or scanning apparatus of the kind suitable for implementing the method of the invention. The apparatus comprises a head 10 containing an X-ray source 12 which emits a narrow, fanned beam of X-rays towards a detector unit 14 . The X-ray source 12 and the detector unit 14 are supported at opposite ends of a curved arm 16 which is generally semi-circular or C-shaped.
A frame 18 mounted on a wall 8 or another fixed structure defines a pair of rails 20 with which a motorised drive mechanism 22 engages to drive the arm linearly back and forth in a first, axial direction of movement. This corresponds to the direction of scanning in use. In addition, the drive mechanism comprises a housing 24 in which the arm 16 is movable by the drive mechanism in order to cause the X-ray source and the detector to rotate about an axis parallel with the scanning direction of the mechanism.
A typical application of the imaging apparatus of the invention is in a radiological installation, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 . The imaging apparatus is shown located in a corner of a room which may be a resuscitation area or trauma room of a hospital, for example. Alternatively, the apparatus may be located in a radiological department of a hospital or elsewhere. Imaging apparatus as described is manufactured by Lodox under the trade mark STATSCAN.
Located adjacent to the imaging apparatus is a local positioning console 26 , by means of which an operator can set up the required viewing parameters (for example, the angle of the arm 16 , start and stop positions, and the width of the area to be X-rayed). A main operator console 28 is provided behind a screen 30 which is used by the operator to set up the required radiographic procedure. The imaging apparatus is operated to perform a scan of a subject 32 supported on a specialised trolley or gurney 34 (see below) and an image of the radiograph is displayed on a screen at the console 28 , in order to allow the operator to judge whether a successful image has been acquired.
One or more high quality monitors 36 are provided for diagnostic viewing and are located so that attending clinical staff can study the radiographs being acquired. In addition, a console 38 is provided which forms part of a standard Radiological Information System which permits picture viewing and archiving.
The arrangement of FIG. 4 is designed for use in the resuscitation room of a trauma unit, in order to provide fast X-ray images of injured patients. Once a patient has been stabilised, he or she can conveniently be placed in position, scanned, and wheeled out for further treatment, with the resulting radiograph appearing on the diagnostic screen virtually instantaneously. Due to the low X-ray dose administered by the apparatus, the risk of radiation exposure to staff and patients is reduced.
The apparatus described above is generally similar to that described in International patent application no. WO 00/53093, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 5 , the arrangement of the active components and electronic circuits of the apparatus is shown in a simplified form. Associated with the X-ray source or tube 12 is a beam shaper and collimator 40 , which converts the output of the X-ray source to the required fan shape. At the other end of the C-arm 16 , the detector 14 has an associated front-end processor 42 , which performs the initial processing of the raw image data from the detector. The output of the front-end processor is passed to a PC 44 for image processing.
It will be appreciated that the specific details of the described STATSCAN apparatus are provided by way of example, and that other generally similar apparatus could also be used to generate the necessary image data.
The PC 44 needs to be capable of processing the data received from the front-end processor 42 and be able to run in-house designed image-processing software or other software, preferably with at least 1 GB of RAM. The PC has a hard-drive suitable for storing images for processing or storing the final parallel-projected images, and a viewing station, display screen or monitor to display the images thus processed.
It will be appreciated that instead of a general purpose PC, a dedicated processor with associated memory, hard-drive and peripherals could be used to carry out the necessary processing, storage and display tasks.
The software MATLAB was used to code the algorithms according to the invention that are used for processing the images. Because of the geometry of the Lodox STATSCAN machine used, the code was written from the ground up. MATLAB offers this versatility. However, in a commercial application, C++ or other software would be used because it is compiled and runs faster. The PC 44 also requires suitable software to capture and store the DICOM images from the linear scanning X-ray system for further processing with the algorithms according to the present invention.
The overall operation of the apparatus is by means of a control PC 46 , via one or more PLCs or microprocessors 48 . The PC 46 provides an interface via which an operator can issue instructions to the apparatus and monitor its operation. The PLC or microprocessors control a high-voltage, high-frequency generator 50 , which powers the X-ray source 12 , as well as interfacing with several controllers and encoders 52 . The encoders are provided on the mechanism of the C-arm to enable accurate measurement and adjustment of the C-arm position, and the controllers operate several motors with associated drives 54 which control the linear and circular or rotary motion of the C-arm in use.
The X-ray source (tube) 12 emits a low-dose an output X-ray beam which is passed to the beam shaper and collimator 40 , which provides a collimated fan-beam of X-rays. The X-ray detector unit 14 fixed to the other end of the C-arm 16 comprises a set of scintillator arrays optically linked to respective charge-coupled devices (CCDs). An image is acquired by linearly scanning the C-arm over the length of the subject (patient) 32 with the X-ray source active, whilst continuously reading the output of the detector unit in a mode analogous to “scrolling”, thus building up a composite image. The front-end processor 42 passes the output read from the detector unit to the image processing PC 44 .
In a prototype system of the above describe type, the individual pixels of the detector unit have a 60-micron size, providing up to 11600 elements along the length of the detector. This defines the width of the area to be scanned. Spatial resolutions of 1.04, 1.67, 2.78 or 4.17 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) are selectable. The system can record 14 bits of contrast resolution (>16000 grey scales) which compares favorably to the typically 1000 grey scales that can be detected on a conventional x-ray film under ideal viewing conditions. The C-arm is able to rotate axially around the patient to any angle up to 90 degrees, permitting horizontal-beam, shoot-through lateral, erect and oblique views.
The C-arm travels at speeds of up to 144 mm per second. The device is thus able to rapidly acquire images of part or all of the body of a patient, with a full body scan requiring 13 seconds, and with smaller areas requiring proportionately less time.
As indicated above, the described system makes use of the technological principle sometimes referred to as “slit (or slot) scanning” and in this case, specifically “linear slit scanning”. The detector is based on CCD technology running in the so-called “drift scanning”, alternatively “TDI” (time-division integration) mode.
The X-rays emitted by the source 12 are highly collimated by a single slit in the beam shaper and collimator 40 that irradiates the detector with a narrow “fan beam” of x-rays. The fan beam is “narrow” (3 mm-6 mm) in the scanning direction and “wide” (˜696 mm) in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.
As mentioned above, the divergent fan beam used by the linear scanning apparatus results in distortion of the image in a direction transverse to the scanning direction, as indicated schematically in FIG. 6 . The divergent fan-shaped imaging beam of FIG. 6( a ) “sees” the relative positions of features of a three-dimensional subject differently from a parallel or non-divergent beam as shown in FIG. 6( b ).
In order to deal with the problem, the technique of X-ray computed tomography (CT) can be used. This involves the reconstruction of an object's interior density distribution from its projections (x-ray images taken at different angles). A technique for this is based on the Radon transform and Filtered Back Projection method and typically produces an image of a cross-section of the object.
This cross-sectional imaging technique depicts the shape and location of internal structures with great accuracy and without the ambiguity and distortions (scaling and positioning) that limit the usefulness of traditional X-ray images.
A large amount of projection data is needed to provide an accurate, high-resolution reconstruction for this technique. Projection data that covers 180 degrees is required and the more projections within this range the better the final image quality and resolution. From this projection data, a cross-section of the object being X-rayed can be reconstructed. With enough cross-sections a full 3D volume of the object being scanned can be created. This 3D representation could then be used to create virtual X-ray projections of the object at any angle and measurements could be taken from these.
However, this involves taking multiple projections (scans covering at least 180 degrees) of the object. This increases exposure of the imaged subject to radiation. It is also time consuming and requires a large amount of resources to acquire a complete data set.
In the method of the present invention, a very limited set of projections is made (typically only covering a 5 degree range). This projection data can be used to create a single distortion-free planar X-ray image.
The need for much fewer X-ray projections limits patient exposure and decreases the time needed for the procedure.
X-ray images produced by the STATSCAN machine contain a non-linear distortion in the direction of the spread of the fan-beam of X-rays (i.e. the x-axis, transverse to the direction of scanning or y-axis). The amount and type of distortion suffered depends on the object's vertical and horizontal position within the X-ray beam.
As seen in FIGS. 7( a ) and 7 ( b ), if the object is too close to the X-ray source, not all of it will be imaged as it will fall outside of the fan beam of X-rays. The further it is to either side of the midline of the fan beam of X-rays, the greater the non-linear distortion it will suffer. The closer it is to the source of the X-rays the greater the magnification error will be due to the beam's divergence.
The X-ray images produced by the STATSCAN machine produce accurate linear dimensions in the scanning direction (the y-axis) and a distortion in the direction of the spread of the fan beams, transverse to the scanning direction (the x-axis). Thus there is only one axis of distortion to be corrected within the X-ray image produced.
The distortion correction method of the invention makes use of the STATSCAN machine's ability to rotate the C-arm in order to get multiple projections at different angles and combine them to create a single distortion-free X-ray image.
What is required is a conversion of a fan-beam X-ray image (an X-ray image produced through the use of a fan-shaped beam of X-rays scanned along the object of interest at a specific angle) into the equivalent parallel beam X-ray image (an X-ray image produced through the use of parallel beams of X-rays scanned along the object of interest at a specific angle).
The parallel beam X-ray image will be accurate in both the scanning direction and beam width direction (i.e. on both the x and y axes referred to above). This is achieved through a software-based method of combining the information from multiple fan-beam X-ray images.
In a CT scan, multiple projections (covering at least 180 degrees) are combined to create a cross-section of the scanned object. This can then be used to create a 3D volume of the object which can be viewed from any angle. This 3D volume could be used to create a distortion-free planar image. This would be done by re-projecting the 3D volume into a 2D image.
It has been shown that the STATSCAN machine can be used for Computed Tomography. However it is limited by the fact that only 90 degrees worth of projections can be acquired at a time, due to the design of the STATSCAN machine and limits on the rotational capability of the C-arm. The other 90 degrees of projections can be acquired by first rotating the object being scanned. Therefore a CT reconstruction of the object could be created and used to create distortion-free images for measurement.
This approach would be very time consuming. It would be better if the stage requiring the reconstruction of the 3D volume of the object could be skipped and a distortion free image could be created directly. That is what the method of the present invention accomplishes.
Using far fewer than 180 projections (typically five or six) it takes the information from these scans and combines them mathematically into one single distortion-free image.
In order to generate the desired corrected image, a series of fan-beam X-rays of the object of interest is required. These should be taken at small, typically one degree, angular intervals and should be sufficiently many to cover the area of interest. This is determined by the width of the table covered by the object.
The power of the machine should be constant through all scans. The necessary power will be determined by which area or thickness of the object is being scanned.
An exploratory scan is first performed to confirm the object's positioning. Final scan parameters (power and number of scans) are determined from that initial scan.
Before the images can be combined to form the final output some pre-processing corrections are made to simplify further processing steps. These include cropping the images, removing background noise, and aligning them to a control marker.
The captured images must be corrected to compensate for the physical geometry of the STATSCAN machine's source-detector pair (i.e. the X-ray source 12 and the detector unit 14 are supported by the C-arm 16 ). The correction is needed as the midline of the fan beam of X-rays produced by the STATSCAN machine does not fall on the center of rotation of the C-arm system (see FIG. 8 ). If this is not compensated for then further calculations are unnecessarily complicated.
A re-projection of the X-ray data onto a new virtual detector is created. This virtual detector plane has the midline of the fan beam of X-rays passing through the physical center of rotation of the system (see FIG. 9 ). This new data makes for simpler processing in further stages. Note the highlighted axis, which is the new virtual detector plane created from the original data.
Now for a continuous projection axis ρ and ρ physical the projection values are preserved such that
P
(
ρ
)
=
P
physical
(
ρ
physical
)
where
ρ
=
t
len
tan
(
tan
-
1
(
ρ
physical
d
len
)
-
ϕ
off
)
ϕ
off
=
tan
-
1
ⅆ
off
ⅆ
cen
t
len
=
ⅆ
len
ⅆ
cen
d
cen
2
+
d
off
2
Equation
1
The values d len , d cen , and doff are known from measurements taken from the STATSCAN machine. From these all other measurements can be derived. Equation 1 is used to relate points on the physical detector axis ρ physical to points on the re-projected detector axis ρ.
However the projector axes are actually discrete instead of continuous, so linear interpolation is used to smooth the data. So the software has taken an original input image and converted it into an equivalent image that would have been taken had the STATSCAN machine had the midline of its fan beam passing through its mechanical centre of rotation.
This process is repeated for every scan taken by the STATSCAN machine to be used in the final undistorted image.
The image is now converted to a virtual parallel beam image. This is done via a re-projection of the fan-beam X-ray data ρ onto a virtual parallel beam detector ρ ∥ (see FIG. 10 ), that is to say, the equivalent detector that would have been struck by the X-ray, had it come from a parallel source. This assumes continuous detector axes.
The new data (corrected for the off centre rotation) lies on the Fan Beam Projection Axis (ρ). It is convenient to create a new projection of this data referred to the centre of rotation (ρ′). From this the information in the Parallel Beam Projection Axis (ρ ∥ ) can be extracted in a piece-meal fashion (sometimes called re-binning).
It can be shown that a point on (ρ′) has an equivalent point on (ρ ∥ ) at a particular angle (φ ∥ ). So a piece of information from a fan-beam projection at a particular angle can be placed onto an equivalent parallel beam projection axis. By combining the information from multiple fan-beam projections it is possible to extract a complete set of parallel beam data for an angle (φ ∥ ).
If we assume the projection values for the different axes are equal where the same ray intersects the axes, i.e.
P φ (ρ)= P φ ′(ρ′)= P 100 | (ρ | )
Therefore parallel projection data can be extracted from the fan beam data, using
ρ
=
ρ
′
cos
γ
=
ρ
′
t
cen
ρ
′
2
+
t
cen
2
ρ
′
=
ρ
t
cen
t
cen
ϕ
=
ϕ
+
γ
γ
=
tan
-
1
ρ
′
t
cen
These equations can be used to create an equivalent parallel projection axis from the original fan beam projection axis. However the angle of the parallel view φ ∥ must be specified at the start.
The next step is to create a sinogram from the available scans. A sinogram is a view of each slice of an image at a specified angle. From all the scans taken of the object of interest we now create a sinogram from each line in the image. It is on this sinogram that the fan beam-to-parallel beam conversion is performed using the equations above.
FIG. 13 can be seen to be a composite of multiple scan images. The y-axis is the projection axis and the x-axis is the angle of the slice. For each line of the centre of rotation corrected images we take the same line from each scan and place it into a new sinogram at the angle that the scan was taken at.
For example, the line 200 (dark grey) of the scan at 02 degrees ( FIG. 11 ) is placed at 02 degrees in the new sinogram. The line 200 (light grey) of the scan at 04 degrees ( FIG. 12 ) is placed at 04 degrees in the new sinogram. Thus this sinogram represents the angular view at line 200 of all our scans. This can then be used to create the parallel beam view of line 200 .
The next step is to re-project the sinogram data from a fan to a parallel axis format. Using the relationships from FIG. 10 and the newly constructed sinogram it is possible to reorder the fan beam data into parallel beam data. A new sinogram consisting of parallel beam data is constructed.
The new sinogram that we have created in FIG. 15 (compared with the original fan beam sinogram shown in FIG. 14 ) from our example represents parallel beam data for line 200 of our scans at a number of angular views. From this sinogram we select the angle that we are interested in and use it to reconstruct our final image. In order to do this we take a slice from our new sinogram at 00 degrees (although it could be at any angle, depending on what we wanted out final view to be) and place it into our new image at line 200 .
This process is repeated for every line in our image until a full reconstruction has been made. FIG. 16 shows the final virtual parallel beam image at 0 degrees.
It can be seen that this new image is equivalent to a parallel beam X-ray image of the object of interest taken at a specific angle of projection. This new image is accurate in both the scanning direction of the C-arm, as well as the beam width direction (i.e. the direction transverse to the scanning direction). Thus, accurate measurements can be made directly from the X-ray image.
FIGS. 18 and 19 are composite diagrams which show the relation between the original and equivalent imaging beams and corresponding profiles. FIG. 18 shows limited angle fan beam projection data and a corresponding zero angle profile, while FIG. 19 shows the limited angle fan beam data remapped to orthogonal projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile.
FIGS. 20 and 21 are composite diagrams, the first showing fan beam projection rays with a corresponding distorted zero angle projection profile, and the second showing orthogonal beam projection rays with a corrected zero angle projection profile.
The above described method is summarised in the flowcharts of FIGS. 22 and 23 .
It would be useful in some cases to produce similar results with fewer initial fan-beam X-ray data. The above described distortion correction method relies on using the information contained in the fan-beam X-ray data to create a new parallel beam projection. If less than the required amount of fan-beam data is captured, large streaking artefacts will be present in the reconstructed parallel beam image.
In order to deal with this problem, an additional smoothing step is proposed. This involves back-projecting the new parallel beam data and creating a limited partial angle tomographic reconstruction of the object. Thus the back-projection is used to fill in the gaps present in the original data by exploiting the nature of the back-projection method. See the flow chart of FIG. 17 in this regard.
This tomographic reconstruction is then re-projected to create a new, smoother parallel beam image with the streaking artefacts reduced and smoothed. In this way fewer initial scans of the object of interest are required, reducing X-ray exposure and increasing the speed with which the distortion correction can be performed. However, this method is time consuming relative to having taken sufficient initial scans and simply selecting corrected scan lines from their respective sinograms.
The described method produces images from which accurate measurements can be taken. These images are produced from the combination of multiple standard STATSCAN images. The correction can be implemented efficiently on computer and processing time can be minimal, as long as sufficient initial scans are taken and no back-projection post-processing needs to occur. | Imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source arranged to generate a divergent imaging beam and an associated radiation detector mounted on a C-arm which can rotate. A first drive is arranged to move the radiation source and the detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction to generate output signals from the detector, thereby performing a scan generating image data containing distortion in a direction transverse to the scanning direction. A second drive is arranged to rotate the C-arm, to change the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction incrementally between repeated scans, thereby to generate a plurality of sets of image data. A processor, which can be a PC or a dedicated processor, is provided for processing each set of image data to obtain equivalent parallel imaging beam data therefrom, corresponding to a given angle in the divergent imaging beam, and for combining a plurality of said equivalent parallel imaging beam data to generate a synthesized parallel imaging beam image. The apparatus includes a display for generating a visual display of the synthesized parallel imaging beam image. The resulting synthesized image has the distortion removed and measurements can be made from the image. The invention extends to a method carried out with the apparatus. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of correcting distortion in a linear scanning X-ray system, and to apparatus for implementing the method.",
"Linear scanning X-ray systems are known which comprise a radiation source mounted at one end of a C-shaped arm for generating an imaging beam, a detector at an opposed end of the C-arm responsive to the imaging beam to generate an output signal, and a drive arranged to move at least one of the radiation source and the detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction.",
"Such systems are typically used for the acquisition of whole-body images of a patient or other subject, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,200 or International patent application no. WO 00/53093.",
"For example, such apparatus can be used provide fast X-ray images of injured patients.",
"Once a patient has been stabilized, he or she can conveniently be placed on a trolley or gurney, placed in position, scanned, and wheeled out for further treatment, with the resulting radiograph appearing on the diagnostic screen virtually instantaneously.",
"Due to the low X-ray dose administered by the apparatus, the risk of radiation exposure to staff and patients is reduced.",
"X-ray images from such apparatus contain a non-linear distortion that must be corrected for critical applications.",
"This distortion is a result of the imaging process: X-rays from a point source are spread out into a fan beam before being captured by a detection device such as a photographic plate or an electronic CCD sensor.",
"Because of this, objects closer to the centre of the detector suffer less distortion than those at the edges.",
"This makes the correction process a non-trivial task, traditionally requiring multiple scans to be taken and stitched together manually to minimise the distortion.",
"The distortion correction of X-ray images is of particular interest in certain medical fields, particularly for prosthetics, implants, and orthopaedic work.",
"It would be desirable to be able to take accurate measurements directly from X-ray images, and that these images should be obtained with a minimum of patient discomfort and exposure to radiation.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a method of operating imaging apparatus of the kind having a radiation source and an associated radiation detector which are moveable relative to a subject, the method comprising: (a) generating a divergent imaging beam from the radiation source;",
"(b) moving the radiation source and the radiation detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction to generate output signals from the detector, thereby generating image data from the detector containing distortion in a direction transverse to the scanning direction;",
"(c) changing the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction and repeating step (b) one or more times to generate a plurality of sets of image data;",
"(d) processing each set of image data to obtain equivalent parallel imaging beam data therefrom, corresponding to a given angle in the divergent imaging beam;",
"and (e) combining a plurality of said equivalent parallel imaging beam data to generate a synthesized parallel imaging beam image.",
"The divergent imaging beam will typically be a fan shaped imaging beam generated by a linear scanning apparatus.",
"The fan shaped imaging beam is preferably relatively narrow in the scanning direction and relatively wide in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.",
"Changing the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction may comprise rotating the radiation source and detector about an axis extending parallel to the scanning direction at selected angular intervals.",
"The linear scanning apparatus may comprise a support member which supports the radiation source and the associated radiation detector for rotation about an axis which extends parallel to the scanning direction, but which is offset relative to a midline of the fan shaped imaging beam, the method including the step of processing the image data to re-project the image data so that it represents a virtual fan shaped imaging beam having a midline that coincides with the axis of rotation of the support member.",
"The image data preferably defines a multi-line image, the method comprising generating a set of sinograms from the image data, each sinogram representing angular views at a specified line of the image, re-projecting the sinogram data from a fan bean to a parallel beam format, constructing a set of new sinograms consisting of virtual parallel beam data, and reconstructing a virtual parallel beam image from the virtual parallel beam data at a selected angle of view.",
"Further according to the invention there is provided Imaging apparatus comprising: (a) a radiation source arranged to generate a divergent imaging beam and an associated radiation detector;",
"(b) a first drive arranged to move the radiation source and the detector relative to a subject in a scanning direction to generate output signals from the detector, thereby performing a scan generating image data containing distortion in a direction transverse to the scanning direction;",
"(c) a second drive arranged to change the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction incrementally between repeated scans, thereby to generate a plurality of sets of image data;",
"(d) at least one processor for processing each set of image data to obtain equivalent parallel imaging beam data therefrom, corresponding to a given angle in the divergent imaging beam, and for combining a plurality of said equivalent parallel imaging beam data to generate a synthesized parallel imaging beam image;",
"and (e) a display for generating a visual display of the synthesized parallel imaging beam image.",
"The imaging apparatus may be a linear scanning apparatus in which the first drive is arranged to move the radiation source and the associated radiation detector along a linear path corresponding to the scanning direction, and wherein the divergent imaging beam is a fan shaped imaging beam.",
"The fan shaped imaging beam is preferably relatively narrow in the scanning direction and relatively wide in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.",
"The second drive may be arranged to change the orientation of the radiation source in a direction transverse to the scanning direction by rotating the radiation source and detector about an axis extending parallel to the scanning direction at selected angular intervals.",
"In one embodiment, the linear scanning apparatus comprises a support member which supports the radiation source and the associated radiation detector for rotation about an axis which extends parallel to the scanning direction, but which is offset relative to a midline of the fan shaped imaging beam, said at least one processor being operable to apply an algorithm to the image data to re-project the image data so that it represents a virtual fan shaped imaging beam having a midline that coincides with the axis of rotation of the support member.",
"The image data may define a multi-line image, said at least one processor being operable to generate a set of sinograms from the image data, each sinogram representing angular views at a specified line of the image;",
"to reproject the sinogram data from a fan bean to a parallel beam format;",
"to construct a set of new sinograms consisting of virtual parallel beam data;",
"and to reconstruct a virtual parallel beam image from the virtual parallel beam data at a selected angle of view.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of linear scan imaging apparatus usable to implement a distortion correction method according to the invention;",
"FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a scanning arm thereof rotated through 90°;",
"FIG. 3 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 , showing an alternative application of the apparatus;",
"FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a radiological installation incorporating the apparatus;",
"FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram showing major components of the apparatus;",
"FIGS. 6( a ) and ( b ) are schematic diagrams illustrating the imaging geometry of a fan-beam and a parallel beam linear scan imaging system;",
"FIGS. 7( a ) and ( b ) are schematic diagrams similar to those of FIG. 6 , showing the effect of non-linear and magnification distortion in a fan-beam imaging system;",
"FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the physical geometry of the source and detector of the linear scanning apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5 ;",
"FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the generation of a re-projected fan-beam detector axis according to the method of the invention;",
"FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the further generation of a virtual parallel beam detector axis according to the method of the invention;",
"FIGS. 11 and 12 are scans illustrating the use of a selected image line at first and second specified angles;",
"FIG. 13 is a sinogram composite of multiple image slices from the selected image line;",
"FIG. 14 is a sinogram based on uncorrected fan-beam data;",
"FIG. 15 is a sinogram based on corrected parallel beam data;",
"FIG. 16 is a distortion-corrected final image based on the corrected parallel beam data, prepared according to the method of the invention;",
"FIG. 17 is a simplified flow chart illustrating major steps in the operation of the method;",
"FIG. 18 is a composite diagram showing limited angle fan beam projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile;",
"FIG. 19 is a composite diagram showing the limited angle fan beam data remapped to orthogonal projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile;",
"FIG. 20 is a composite diagram showing fan beam projection rays with a distorted zero angle projection profile;",
"FIG. 21 is a composite diagram showing orthogonal beam projection rays with a corrected zero angle projection profile;",
"FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a high-level description of the distortion correction procedure of the invention;",
"and FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a more detailed description of the distortion correction procedure.",
"DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 3 show three different views of X-ray imaging or scanning apparatus of the kind suitable for implementing the method of the invention.",
"The apparatus comprises a head 10 containing an X-ray source 12 which emits a narrow, fanned beam of X-rays towards a detector unit 14 .",
"The X-ray source 12 and the detector unit 14 are supported at opposite ends of a curved arm 16 which is generally semi-circular or C-shaped.",
"A frame 18 mounted on a wall 8 or another fixed structure defines a pair of rails 20 with which a motorised drive mechanism 22 engages to drive the arm linearly back and forth in a first, axial direction of movement.",
"This corresponds to the direction of scanning in use.",
"In addition, the drive mechanism comprises a housing 24 in which the arm 16 is movable by the drive mechanism in order to cause the X-ray source and the detector to rotate about an axis parallel with the scanning direction of the mechanism.",
"A typical application of the imaging apparatus of the invention is in a radiological installation, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 .",
"The imaging apparatus is shown located in a corner of a room which may be a resuscitation area or trauma room of a hospital, for example.",
"Alternatively, the apparatus may be located in a radiological department of a hospital or elsewhere.",
"Imaging apparatus as described is manufactured by Lodox under the trade mark STATSCAN.",
"Located adjacent to the imaging apparatus is a local positioning console 26 , by means of which an operator can set up the required viewing parameters (for example, the angle of the arm 16 , start and stop positions, and the width of the area to be X-rayed).",
"A main operator console 28 is provided behind a screen 30 which is used by the operator to set up the required radiographic procedure.",
"The imaging apparatus is operated to perform a scan of a subject 32 supported on a specialised trolley or gurney 34 (see below) and an image of the radiograph is displayed on a screen at the console 28 , in order to allow the operator to judge whether a successful image has been acquired.",
"One or more high quality monitors 36 are provided for diagnostic viewing and are located so that attending clinical staff can study the radiographs being acquired.",
"In addition, a console 38 is provided which forms part of a standard Radiological Information System which permits picture viewing and archiving.",
"The arrangement of FIG. 4 is designed for use in the resuscitation room of a trauma unit, in order to provide fast X-ray images of injured patients.",
"Once a patient has been stabilised, he or she can conveniently be placed in position, scanned, and wheeled out for further treatment, with the resulting radiograph appearing on the diagnostic screen virtually instantaneously.",
"Due to the low X-ray dose administered by the apparatus, the risk of radiation exposure to staff and patients is reduced.",
"The apparatus described above is generally similar to that described in International patent application no. WO 00/53093, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"Referring to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 5 , the arrangement of the active components and electronic circuits of the apparatus is shown in a simplified form.",
"Associated with the X-ray source or tube 12 is a beam shaper and collimator 40 , which converts the output of the X-ray source to the required fan shape.",
"At the other end of the C-arm 16 , the detector 14 has an associated front-end processor 42 , which performs the initial processing of the raw image data from the detector.",
"The output of the front-end processor is passed to a PC 44 for image processing.",
"It will be appreciated that the specific details of the described STATSCAN apparatus are provided by way of example, and that other generally similar apparatus could also be used to generate the necessary image data.",
"The PC 44 needs to be capable of processing the data received from the front-end processor 42 and be able to run in-house designed image-processing software or other software, preferably with at least 1 GB of RAM.",
"The PC has a hard-drive suitable for storing images for processing or storing the final parallel-projected images, and a viewing station, display screen or monitor to display the images thus processed.",
"It will be appreciated that instead of a general purpose PC, a dedicated processor with associated memory, hard-drive and peripherals could be used to carry out the necessary processing, storage and display tasks.",
"The software MATLAB was used to code the algorithms according to the invention that are used for processing the images.",
"Because of the geometry of the Lodox STATSCAN machine used, the code was written from the ground up.",
"MATLAB offers this versatility.",
"However, in a commercial application, C++ or other software would be used because it is compiled and runs faster.",
"The PC 44 also requires suitable software to capture and store the DICOM images from the linear scanning X-ray system for further processing with the algorithms according to the present invention.",
"The overall operation of the apparatus is by means of a control PC 46 , via one or more PLCs or microprocessors 48 .",
"The PC 46 provides an interface via which an operator can issue instructions to the apparatus and monitor its operation.",
"The PLC or microprocessors control a high-voltage, high-frequency generator 50 , which powers the X-ray source 12 , as well as interfacing with several controllers and encoders 52 .",
"The encoders are provided on the mechanism of the C-arm to enable accurate measurement and adjustment of the C-arm position, and the controllers operate several motors with associated drives 54 which control the linear and circular or rotary motion of the C-arm in use.",
"The X-ray source (tube) 12 emits a low-dose an output X-ray beam which is passed to the beam shaper and collimator 40 , which provides a collimated fan-beam of X-rays.",
"The X-ray detector unit 14 fixed to the other end of the C-arm 16 comprises a set of scintillator arrays optically linked to respective charge-coupled devices (CCDs).",
"An image is acquired by linearly scanning the C-arm over the length of the subject (patient) 32 with the X-ray source active, whilst continuously reading the output of the detector unit in a mode analogous to “scrolling”, thus building up a composite image.",
"The front-end processor 42 passes the output read from the detector unit to the image processing PC 44 .",
"In a prototype system of the above describe type, the individual pixels of the detector unit have a 60-micron size, providing up to 11600 elements along the length of the detector.",
"This defines the width of the area to be scanned.",
"Spatial resolutions of 1.04, 1.67, 2.78 or 4.17 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) are selectable.",
"The system can record 14 bits of contrast resolution (>16000 grey scales) which compares favorably to the typically 1000 grey scales that can be detected on a conventional x-ray film under ideal viewing conditions.",
"The C-arm is able to rotate axially around the patient to any angle up to 90 degrees, permitting horizontal-beam, shoot-through lateral, erect and oblique views.",
"The C-arm travels at speeds of up to 144 mm per second.",
"The device is thus able to rapidly acquire images of part or all of the body of a patient, with a full body scan requiring 13 seconds, and with smaller areas requiring proportionately less time.",
"As indicated above, the described system makes use of the technological principle sometimes referred to as “slit (or slot) scanning”",
"and in this case, specifically “linear slit scanning.”",
"The detector is based on CCD technology running in the so-called “drift scanning”, alternatively “TDI”",
"(time-division integration) mode.",
"The X-rays emitted by the source 12 are highly collimated by a single slit in the beam shaper and collimator 40 that irradiates the detector with a narrow “fan beam”",
"of x-rays.",
"The fan beam is “narrow”",
"(3 mm-6 mm) in the scanning direction and “wide”",
"(˜696 mm) in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.",
"As mentioned above, the divergent fan beam used by the linear scanning apparatus results in distortion of the image in a direction transverse to the scanning direction, as indicated schematically in FIG. 6 .",
"The divergent fan-shaped imaging beam of FIG. 6( a ) “sees”",
"the relative positions of features of a three-dimensional subject differently from a parallel or non-divergent beam as shown in FIG. 6( b ).",
"In order to deal with the problem, the technique of X-ray computed tomography (CT) can be used.",
"This involves the reconstruction of an object's interior density distribution from its projections (x-ray images taken at different angles).",
"A technique for this is based on the Radon transform and Filtered Back Projection method and typically produces an image of a cross-section of the object.",
"This cross-sectional imaging technique depicts the shape and location of internal structures with great accuracy and without the ambiguity and distortions (scaling and positioning) that limit the usefulness of traditional X-ray images.",
"A large amount of projection data is needed to provide an accurate, high-resolution reconstruction for this technique.",
"Projection data that covers 180 degrees is required and the more projections within this range the better the final image quality and resolution.",
"From this projection data, a cross-section of the object being X-rayed can be reconstructed.",
"With enough cross-sections a full 3D volume of the object being scanned can be created.",
"This 3D representation could then be used to create virtual X-ray projections of the object at any angle and measurements could be taken from these.",
"However, this involves taking multiple projections (scans covering at least 180 degrees) of the object.",
"This increases exposure of the imaged subject to radiation.",
"It is also time consuming and requires a large amount of resources to acquire a complete data set.",
"In the method of the present invention, a very limited set of projections is made (typically only covering a 5 degree range).",
"This projection data can be used to create a single distortion-free planar X-ray image.",
"The need for much fewer X-ray projections limits patient exposure and decreases the time needed for the procedure.",
"X-ray images produced by the STATSCAN machine contain a non-linear distortion in the direction of the spread of the fan-beam of X-rays (i.e. the x-axis, transverse to the direction of scanning or y-axis).",
"The amount and type of distortion suffered depends on the object's vertical and horizontal position within the X-ray beam.",
"As seen in FIGS. 7( a ) and 7 ( b ), if the object is too close to the X-ray source, not all of it will be imaged as it will fall outside of the fan beam of X-rays.",
"The further it is to either side of the midline of the fan beam of X-rays, the greater the non-linear distortion it will suffer.",
"The closer it is to the source of the X-rays the greater the magnification error will be due to the beam's divergence.",
"The X-ray images produced by the STATSCAN machine produce accurate linear dimensions in the scanning direction (the y-axis) and a distortion in the direction of the spread of the fan beams, transverse to the scanning direction (the x-axis).",
"Thus there is only one axis of distortion to be corrected within the X-ray image produced.",
"The distortion correction method of the invention makes use of the STATSCAN machine's ability to rotate the C-arm in order to get multiple projections at different angles and combine them to create a single distortion-free X-ray image.",
"What is required is a conversion of a fan-beam X-ray image (an X-ray image produced through the use of a fan-shaped beam of X-rays scanned along the object of interest at a specific angle) into the equivalent parallel beam X-ray image (an X-ray image produced through the use of parallel beams of X-rays scanned along the object of interest at a specific angle).",
"The parallel beam X-ray image will be accurate in both the scanning direction and beam width direction (i.e. on both the x and y axes referred to above).",
"This is achieved through a software-based method of combining the information from multiple fan-beam X-ray images.",
"In a CT scan, multiple projections (covering at least 180 degrees) are combined to create a cross-section of the scanned object.",
"This can then be used to create a 3D volume of the object which can be viewed from any angle.",
"This 3D volume could be used to create a distortion-free planar image.",
"This would be done by re-projecting the 3D volume into a 2D image.",
"It has been shown that the STATSCAN machine can be used for Computed Tomography.",
"However it is limited by the fact that only 90 degrees worth of projections can be acquired at a time, due to the design of the STATSCAN machine and limits on the rotational capability of the C-arm.",
"The other 90 degrees of projections can be acquired by first rotating the object being scanned.",
"Therefore a CT reconstruction of the object could be created and used to create distortion-free images for measurement.",
"This approach would be very time consuming.",
"It would be better if the stage requiring the reconstruction of the 3D volume of the object could be skipped and a distortion free image could be created directly.",
"That is what the method of the present invention accomplishes.",
"Using far fewer than 180 projections (typically five or six) it takes the information from these scans and combines them mathematically into one single distortion-free image.",
"In order to generate the desired corrected image, a series of fan-beam X-rays of the object of interest is required.",
"These should be taken at small, typically one degree, angular intervals and should be sufficiently many to cover the area of interest.",
"This is determined by the width of the table covered by the object.",
"The power of the machine should be constant through all scans.",
"The necessary power will be determined by which area or thickness of the object is being scanned.",
"An exploratory scan is first performed to confirm the object's positioning.",
"Final scan parameters (power and number of scans) are determined from that initial scan.",
"Before the images can be combined to form the final output some pre-processing corrections are made to simplify further processing steps.",
"These include cropping the images, removing background noise, and aligning them to a control marker.",
"The captured images must be corrected to compensate for the physical geometry of the STATSCAN machine's source-detector pair (i.e. the X-ray source 12 and the detector unit 14 are supported by the C-arm 16 ).",
"The correction is needed as the midline of the fan beam of X-rays produced by the STATSCAN machine does not fall on the center of rotation of the C-arm system (see FIG. 8 ).",
"If this is not compensated for then further calculations are unnecessarily complicated.",
"A re-projection of the X-ray data onto a new virtual detector is created.",
"This virtual detector plane has the midline of the fan beam of X-rays passing through the physical center of rotation of the system (see FIG. 9 ).",
"This new data makes for simpler processing in further stages.",
"Note the highlighted axis, which is the new virtual detector plane created from the original data.",
"Now for a continuous projection axis ρ and ρ physical the projection values are preserved such that P ( ρ ) = P physical ( ρ physical ) where ρ = t len tan ( tan - 1 ( ρ physical d len ) - ϕ off ) ϕ off = tan - 1 ⅆ off ⅆ cen t len = ⅆ len ⅆ cen d cen 2 + d off 2 Equation 1 The values d len , d cen , and doff are known from measurements taken from the STATSCAN machine.",
"From these all other measurements can be derived.",
"Equation 1 is used to relate points on the physical detector axis ρ physical to points on the re-projected detector axis ρ.",
"However the projector axes are actually discrete instead of continuous, so linear interpolation is used to smooth the data.",
"So the software has taken an original input image and converted it into an equivalent image that would have been taken had the STATSCAN machine had the midline of its fan beam passing through its mechanical centre of rotation.",
"This process is repeated for every scan taken by the STATSCAN machine to be used in the final undistorted image.",
"The image is now converted to a virtual parallel beam image.",
"This is done via a re-projection of the fan-beam X-ray data ρ onto a virtual parallel beam detector ρ ∥ (see FIG. 10 ), that is to say, the equivalent detector that would have been struck by the X-ray, had it come from a parallel source.",
"This assumes continuous detector axes.",
"The new data (corrected for the off centre rotation) lies on the Fan Beam Projection Axis (ρ).",
"It is convenient to create a new projection of this data referred to the centre of rotation (ρ′).",
"From this the information in the Parallel Beam Projection Axis (ρ ∥ ) can be extracted in a piece-meal fashion (sometimes called re-binning).",
"It can be shown that a point on (ρ′) has an equivalent point on (ρ ∥ ) at a particular angle (φ ∥ ).",
"So a piece of information from a fan-beam projection at a particular angle can be placed onto an equivalent parallel beam projection axis.",
"By combining the information from multiple fan-beam projections it is possible to extract a complete set of parallel beam data for an angle (φ ∥ ).",
"If we assume the projection values for the different axes are equal where the same ray intersects the axes, i.e. P φ (ρ)= P φ ′(ρ′)= P 100 | (ρ | ) Therefore parallel projection data can be extracted from the fan beam data, using ρ = ρ ′ cos γ = ρ ′ t cen ρ ′ 2 + t cen 2 ρ ′ = ρ t cen t cen ϕ = ϕ + γ γ = tan - 1 ρ ′ t cen These equations can be used to create an equivalent parallel projection axis from the original fan beam projection axis.",
"However the angle of the parallel view φ ∥ must be specified at the start.",
"The next step is to create a sinogram from the available scans.",
"A sinogram is a view of each slice of an image at a specified angle.",
"From all the scans taken of the object of interest we now create a sinogram from each line in the image.",
"It is on this sinogram that the fan beam-to-parallel beam conversion is performed using the equations above.",
"FIG. 13 can be seen to be a composite of multiple scan images.",
"The y-axis is the projection axis and the x-axis is the angle of the slice.",
"For each line of the centre of rotation corrected images we take the same line from each scan and place it into a new sinogram at the angle that the scan was taken at.",
"For example, the line 200 (dark grey) of the scan at 02 degrees ( FIG. 11 ) is placed at 02 degrees in the new sinogram.",
"The line 200 (light grey) of the scan at 04 degrees ( FIG. 12 ) is placed at 04 degrees in the new sinogram.",
"Thus this sinogram represents the angular view at line 200 of all our scans.",
"This can then be used to create the parallel beam view of line 200 .",
"The next step is to re-project the sinogram data from a fan to a parallel axis format.",
"Using the relationships from FIG. 10 and the newly constructed sinogram it is possible to reorder the fan beam data into parallel beam data.",
"A new sinogram consisting of parallel beam data is constructed.",
"The new sinogram that we have created in FIG. 15 (compared with the original fan beam sinogram shown in FIG. 14 ) from our example represents parallel beam data for line 200 of our scans at a number of angular views.",
"From this sinogram we select the angle that we are interested in and use it to reconstruct our final image.",
"In order to do this we take a slice from our new sinogram at 00 degrees (although it could be at any angle, depending on what we wanted out final view to be) and place it into our new image at line 200 .",
"This process is repeated for every line in our image until a full reconstruction has been made.",
"FIG. 16 shows the final virtual parallel beam image at 0 degrees.",
"It can be seen that this new image is equivalent to a parallel beam X-ray image of the object of interest taken at a specific angle of projection.",
"This new image is accurate in both the scanning direction of the C-arm, as well as the beam width direction (i.e. the direction transverse to the scanning direction).",
"Thus, accurate measurements can be made directly from the X-ray image.",
"FIGS. 18 and 19 are composite diagrams which show the relation between the original and equivalent imaging beams and corresponding profiles.",
"FIG. 18 shows limited angle fan beam projection data and a corresponding zero angle profile, while FIG. 19 shows the limited angle fan beam data remapped to orthogonal projection data, and a corresponding zero angle profile.",
"FIGS. 20 and 21 are composite diagrams, the first showing fan beam projection rays with a corresponding distorted zero angle projection profile, and the second showing orthogonal beam projection rays with a corrected zero angle projection profile.",
"The above described method is summarised in the flowcharts of FIGS. 22 and 23 .",
"It would be useful in some cases to produce similar results with fewer initial fan-beam X-ray data.",
"The above described distortion correction method relies on using the information contained in the fan-beam X-ray data to create a new parallel beam projection.",
"If less than the required amount of fan-beam data is captured, large streaking artefacts will be present in the reconstructed parallel beam image.",
"In order to deal with this problem, an additional smoothing step is proposed.",
"This involves back-projecting the new parallel beam data and creating a limited partial angle tomographic reconstruction of the object.",
"Thus the back-projection is used to fill in the gaps present in the original data by exploiting the nature of the back-projection method.",
"See the flow chart of FIG. 17 in this regard.",
"This tomographic reconstruction is then re-projected to create a new, smoother parallel beam image with the streaking artefacts reduced and smoothed.",
"In this way fewer initial scans of the object of interest are required, reducing X-ray exposure and increasing the speed with which the distortion correction can be performed.",
"However, this method is time consuming relative to having taken sufficient initial scans and simply selecting corrected scan lines from their respective sinograms.",
"The described method produces images from which accurate measurements can be taken.",
"These images are produced from the combination of multiple standard STATSCAN images.",
"The correction can be implemented efficiently on computer and processing time can be minimal, as long as sufficient initial scans are taken and no back-projection post-processing needs to occur."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] Earphones or headphones are well known in the art. One variety of stereo earphones, often referred to as “earbuds,” typically include a stereo audio plug coupled to a pair of speaker enclosures, or earbuds, via a pair of soft, insulated wires. Typically, the earbuds are appropriately sized and shaped to fit in the opening of the ear canal. In use, the audio plug is coupled to an audio signal source, such as a laptop, music player, or mobile phone. The left and right earbuds are inserted into the user's left and right ears, respectively, where they are held in place by friction. The wires feeding from the earbuds typically dangle downwards from the ears under their own weight. Because they lack a headband or other rigid structure connecting the speaker housings, earbuds are less prone to structural damage and can be stored more compactly than other types of earphones or headphones. However, earbuds do suffer a number of drawbacks due to the fact that there is no rigid coupling between the earbuds.
SUMMARY
[0002] An object of the disclosure is to provide an accessory that can be readily attached to or removed from a set of earbuds that overcomes the drawbacks associated with earbud-style headphones. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an earbud accessory that includes a pair of elongated legs joined by a trunk at one end and spaced to span the width of a human head at the opposite, or terminal, end of the leg. Each of the left and right earbuds can be inserted into the terminal end of one of the legs, and their wires fed through a channel that runs along each leg and on through the trunk. By providing a more rigid structure between the earbuds, not only are the earbud wires less prone to tangle, but the earbuds themselves can be more easily placed in or removed from the user's ears, e.g., using a single motion of one hand. In addition, the earbuds can be conveniently hung around the user's neck when not in use, much like a stethoscope. Because the accessory is detachably coupled to the earbuds, the accessory can later be detached from the earbuds, thereby allowing the earbuds to be stored in a relatively small space. Moreover, the accessory can be replaced without requiring the user to also replace the earbuds themselves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary trunk section of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary leg of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 4 . is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary trunk section of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary controller section of a leg of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary headphones accessory 10 , which may be used in conjunction with a set of “earbuds” or other similar headphone devices. The headphones accessory 10 may include a pair of legs 11 joined at one end by a trunk section 12 . Opposite the trunk section 12 , each leg may include a terminal section 13 . The accessory 10 may be formed of any suitable material with sufficient rigidity to retain its overall shape while still allowing some deformation. For example, the accessory 10 may be formed of a thermoplastic with elastomeric features using an injection molding process.
[0009] Each individual speaker housing or “earbud” 14 may include a stem (shown in dotted lines) that can be inserted into the terminal section 13 of each leg 11 . Once inserted, the terminal section 13 may operate to hold the earbud 14 in place by friction. It is to be appreciated that the terminal sections 13 may take a variety of forms to accommodate earbuds of different designs. The terminal section 13 of each leg 11 may have a slit or seam 15 that allows a wire exiting the speaker housing to be pulled or fed through the terminal section 13 .
[0010] Each leg 11 may also include a channel 16 that runs along the long axis of the leg 11 . The channel may be configured to receive and guide each earbud wire 17 from the terminal section 13 , along the leg 11 , through the trunk section 12 , and out the bottom of the accessory 10 . The channel may run the length of the leg 11 continuously, or may stop or resume at any place along the length of the leg 11 . For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a leg 11 on the left side of the figure as having a channel 16 that runs continuously between the terminal section 13 and the trunk section 12 . Some earbuds may include a microphone, volume control, or other piece of hardware disposed in-line with one or more of the earbud wires. Because these elements may not fit within the channel, one or more of the legs 11 may have a discontinuous channel or other means of accommodating the in-line hardware. For example, the leg 11 on the right side of FIG. 1 is illustrated as having a controller section 18 . In this embodiment, the channel runs continuously from the terminal section 13 down to approximately the midpoint of the leg 11 , where the channel ends and the controller section 18 begins. At the other end of the controller section 18 , the channel resumes before feeding into the trunk section 12 . In this instance, the controller section 18 accommodates an in-line volume control apparatus 19 found in some models of earbuds, while the remainder of the earbud wire 17 is held securely by the channel-bearing portions of the leg 11 on either side of the controller section 18 . By way of example only, the controller section may span anywhere from 0.25 inches to 3 inches of the leg, so as to accommodate in-line hardware of various sizes and shapes. In an another embodiment, the leg 11 could have a continuous channel with a section of the channel having a larger cross-sectional diameter than the rest of the channel, so as to accommodate the volume control 19 or other in-line hardware. Although the accessory 10 is illustrated with the controller section 18 on the right leg, it is to be appreciated that the controller section 18 could be on the other leg, or both legs. Similarly, while channel 16 is illustrated as opening out of the page, it is to be appreciated that channel 16 could open on any side of the leg.
[0011] The accessory 10 may further include one or more nubs 60 protruding outward from each leg to facilitate wrapping of excess wires around the accessory when not in use.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary trunk section 20 of an earphones accessory in accordance with the disclosure. At the trunk section 20 , the ends of each leg 21 may be joined, and their respective wires 22 may be fed into a single trunk 23 . The trunk section 20 may include one or more anchors 24 for guiding the wires 22 through the trunk section 20 or otherwise securing the wires 22 to the trunk section 20 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the trunk section may include an open portion 25 where the wires 22 exit their respective leg channels and are threaded through one or more anchors 24 before being fed into the trunk. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the one or more anchors 24 may take the form of one or more “s-joints” formed by a plurality of closely-spaced cylindrical nubs that pinch the wire or otherwise hold the wire in place by friction. It is to be understood that the illustrated trunk section is exemplary only, and other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, in place of the open section 25 , the leg channels could instead simply run continuously into the trunk 23 .
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary cross-section 30 of a section of leg 31 having a channel for guiding an earbud wire 32 along the length of the leg 31 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the cross section 30 is an open or “c-channel” cross section, allowing the wire to pressed into the channel along the length of the leg 31 . FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cross-section 40 of the trunk 41 , which may include parallel channels for guiding both earbud wires 42 through the bottom of the headphone accessory. As with leg 31 in FIG. 3 , each channel in trunk 41 may have an open cross section. The legs 31 and trunk 41 are adapted so that the wires 32 and 42 can be pressed into or pulled out of their respective channels by a person using their fingers. It is to be appreciated that although FIG. 4 shows separate channels for each wire 42 , the trunk 41 could be adapted to accommodate both wires in a single channel.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary controller section 50 of a leg 51 of a headphones accessory in accordance with the disclosure. As illustrated, the channels of the leg 51 approaching from the left and the right side of the controller section 50 may terminate for a section of the leg so that the leg may accommodate a volume controller 52 in-line with a wire 53 of the earbuds. The controller section 50 of the leg 51 may have a cross-section with a flat portion or otherwise include a generally flat surface 54 upon which the volume control 52 may rest. The controller section 50 may be wider than the rest of the leg to accommodate for variously-sized volume controllers, microphones, or other in-line devices. In order to keep the volume control 52 in place, the controller section 50 may also include one or more anchors 55 for securing the wires 53 at either end of the volume control 52 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 , each of the one or more anchors 55 may take the form of one or more raised, cylindrical nubs adapted to pinch or otherwise hold a wire 53 in place by friction. Alternatively or additionally, the controller section 50 could be adapted to anchor the volume control 52 itself.
[0015] In use, the earbuds may be inserted into the terminal portion of each leg, and their respective wires fed through the channel sections of each leg and on through the trunk section. Generally, the legs are adapted to allow the earbud wires to be pressed into the channels where the wires are held in place until pulled out of the channels under sufficient force. Once installed in the accessory, the earbuds can be easily inserted into or removed from the user's ears using one hand. Additionally, the structure of the accessory allows the earbuds to be hung from the user's neck like a stethoscope when not in immediate use. The accessory also prevents the earbud wires from becoming tangled when, for example, placed in a drawer, purse, or backpack. Moreover, because the earbuds and the accessory can be quickly separated, the earbuds can still be stored in a relatively compact space.
[0016] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. | Disclosed is an earphones accessory apparatus that can be removably attached to a set of earphones. The earphone accessory may provide a structure that prevents the earphone wires from becoming tangled and facilitates easy insertion and removal of the earphones. The earphone accessory may include a plurality of channel-bearing legs for guiding the earphone wires into a trunk. The channel of at least one of the legs may be discontinuous so as to accommodate, for example, an in-line volume control disposed in one of the earphone wires. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] Earphones or headphones are well known in the art.",
"One variety of stereo earphones, often referred to as “earbuds,” typically include a stereo audio plug coupled to a pair of speaker enclosures, or earbuds, via a pair of soft, insulated wires.",
"Typically, the earbuds are appropriately sized and shaped to fit in the opening of the ear canal.",
"In use, the audio plug is coupled to an audio signal source, such as a laptop, music player, or mobile phone.",
"The left and right earbuds are inserted into the user's left and right ears, respectively, where they are held in place by friction.",
"The wires feeding from the earbuds typically dangle downwards from the ears under their own weight.",
"Because they lack a headband or other rigid structure connecting the speaker housings, earbuds are less prone to structural damage and can be stored more compactly than other types of earphones or headphones.",
"However, earbuds do suffer a number of drawbacks due to the fact that there is no rigid coupling between the earbuds.",
"SUMMARY [0002] An object of the disclosure is to provide an accessory that can be readily attached to or removed from a set of earbuds that overcomes the drawbacks associated with earbud-style headphones.",
"In one aspect, the disclosure provides an earbud accessory that includes a pair of elongated legs joined by a trunk at one end and spaced to span the width of a human head at the opposite, or terminal, end of the leg.",
"Each of the left and right earbuds can be inserted into the terminal end of one of the legs, and their wires fed through a channel that runs along each leg and on through the trunk.",
"By providing a more rigid structure between the earbuds, not only are the earbud wires less prone to tangle, but the earbuds themselves can be more easily placed in or removed from the user's ears, e.g., using a single motion of one hand.",
"In addition, the earbuds can be conveniently hung around the user's neck when not in use, much like a stethoscope.",
"Because the accessory is detachably coupled to the earbuds, the accessory can later be detached from the earbuds, thereby allowing the earbuds to be stored in a relatively small space.",
"Moreover, the accessory can be replaced without requiring the user to also replace the earbuds themselves.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0003] FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"[0004] FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary trunk section of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"[0005] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary leg of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"[0006] FIG. 4 .",
"is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary trunk section of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"[0007] FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary controller section of a leg of an earbud accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0008] Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary headphones accessory 10 , which may be used in conjunction with a set of “earbuds”",
"or other similar headphone devices.",
"The headphones accessory 10 may include a pair of legs 11 joined at one end by a trunk section 12 .",
"Opposite the trunk section 12 , each leg may include a terminal section 13 .",
"The accessory 10 may be formed of any suitable material with sufficient rigidity to retain its overall shape while still allowing some deformation.",
"For example, the accessory 10 may be formed of a thermoplastic with elastomeric features using an injection molding process.",
"[0009] Each individual speaker housing or “earbud”",
"14 may include a stem (shown in dotted lines) that can be inserted into the terminal section 13 of each leg 11 .",
"Once inserted, the terminal section 13 may operate to hold the earbud 14 in place by friction.",
"It is to be appreciated that the terminal sections 13 may take a variety of forms to accommodate earbuds of different designs.",
"The terminal section 13 of each leg 11 may have a slit or seam 15 that allows a wire exiting the speaker housing to be pulled or fed through the terminal section 13 .",
"[0010] Each leg 11 may also include a channel 16 that runs along the long axis of the leg 11 .",
"The channel may be configured to receive and guide each earbud wire 17 from the terminal section 13 , along the leg 11 , through the trunk section 12 , and out the bottom of the accessory 10 .",
"The channel may run the length of the leg 11 continuously, or may stop or resume at any place along the length of the leg 11 .",
"For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a leg 11 on the left side of the figure as having a channel 16 that runs continuously between the terminal section 13 and the trunk section 12 .",
"Some earbuds may include a microphone, volume control, or other piece of hardware disposed in-line with one or more of the earbud wires.",
"Because these elements may not fit within the channel, one or more of the legs 11 may have a discontinuous channel or other means of accommodating the in-line hardware.",
"For example, the leg 11 on the right side of FIG. 1 is illustrated as having a controller section 18 .",
"In this embodiment, the channel runs continuously from the terminal section 13 down to approximately the midpoint of the leg 11 , where the channel ends and the controller section 18 begins.",
"At the other end of the controller section 18 , the channel resumes before feeding into the trunk section 12 .",
"In this instance, the controller section 18 accommodates an in-line volume control apparatus 19 found in some models of earbuds, while the remainder of the earbud wire 17 is held securely by the channel-bearing portions of the leg 11 on either side of the controller section 18 .",
"By way of example only, the controller section may span anywhere from 0.25 inches to 3 inches of the leg, so as to accommodate in-line hardware of various sizes and shapes.",
"In an another embodiment, the leg 11 could have a continuous channel with a section of the channel having a larger cross-sectional diameter than the rest of the channel, so as to accommodate the volume control 19 or other in-line hardware.",
"Although the accessory 10 is illustrated with the controller section 18 on the right leg, it is to be appreciated that the controller section 18 could be on the other leg, or both legs.",
"Similarly, while channel 16 is illustrated as opening out of the page, it is to be appreciated that channel 16 could open on any side of the leg.",
"[0011] The accessory 10 may further include one or more nubs 60 protruding outward from each leg to facilitate wrapping of excess wires around the accessory when not in use.",
"[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary trunk section 20 of an earphones accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"At the trunk section 20 , the ends of each leg 21 may be joined, and their respective wires 22 may be fed into a single trunk 23 .",
"The trunk section 20 may include one or more anchors 24 for guiding the wires 22 through the trunk section 20 or otherwise securing the wires 22 to the trunk section 20 .",
"For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the trunk section may include an open portion 25 where the wires 22 exit their respective leg channels and are threaded through one or more anchors 24 before being fed into the trunk.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the one or more anchors 24 may take the form of one or more “s-joints”",
"formed by a plurality of closely-spaced cylindrical nubs that pinch the wire or otherwise hold the wire in place by friction.",
"It is to be understood that the illustrated trunk section is exemplary only, and other embodiments are also contemplated.",
"For example, in place of the open section 25 , the leg channels could instead simply run continuously into the trunk 23 .",
"[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary cross-section 30 of a section of leg 31 having a channel for guiding an earbud wire 32 along the length of the leg 31 .",
"As shown in FIG. 3 , the cross section 30 is an open or “c-channel”",
"cross section, allowing the wire to pressed into the channel along the length of the leg 31 .",
"FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cross-section 40 of the trunk 41 , which may include parallel channels for guiding both earbud wires 42 through the bottom of the headphone accessory.",
"As with leg 31 in FIG. 3 , each channel in trunk 41 may have an open cross section.",
"The legs 31 and trunk 41 are adapted so that the wires 32 and 42 can be pressed into or pulled out of their respective channels by a person using their fingers.",
"It is to be appreciated that although FIG. 4 shows separate channels for each wire 42 , the trunk 41 could be adapted to accommodate both wires in a single channel.",
"[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary controller section 50 of a leg 51 of a headphones accessory in accordance with the disclosure.",
"As illustrated, the channels of the leg 51 approaching from the left and the right side of the controller section 50 may terminate for a section of the leg so that the leg may accommodate a volume controller 52 in-line with a wire 53 of the earbuds.",
"The controller section 50 of the leg 51 may have a cross-section with a flat portion or otherwise include a generally flat surface 54 upon which the volume control 52 may rest.",
"The controller section 50 may be wider than the rest of the leg to accommodate for variously-sized volume controllers, microphones, or other in-line devices.",
"In order to keep the volume control 52 in place, the controller section 50 may also include one or more anchors 55 for securing the wires 53 at either end of the volume control 52 .",
"As illustrated in FIG. 5 , each of the one or more anchors 55 may take the form of one or more raised, cylindrical nubs adapted to pinch or otherwise hold a wire 53 in place by friction.",
"Alternatively or additionally, the controller section 50 could be adapted to anchor the volume control 52 itself.",
"[0015] In use, the earbuds may be inserted into the terminal portion of each leg, and their respective wires fed through the channel sections of each leg and on through the trunk section.",
"Generally, the legs are adapted to allow the earbud wires to be pressed into the channels where the wires are held in place until pulled out of the channels under sufficient force.",
"Once installed in the accessory, the earbuds can be easily inserted into or removed from the user's ears using one hand.",
"Additionally, the structure of the accessory allows the earbuds to be hung from the user's neck like a stethoscope when not in immediate use.",
"The accessory also prevents the earbud wires from becoming tangled when, for example, placed in a drawer, purse, or backpack.",
"Moreover, because the earbuds and the accessory can be quickly separated, the earbuds can still be stored in a relatively compact space.",
"[0016] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to coated cutting tools suitable for turning, milling, drilling or other chip forming machining methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Coating of cemented carbide cutting tools with hard refractory coatings have dramatically improved wear resistance and cutting performance of the tools, and thereby increased tool life and productivity in machining operations. In order to further improve the wear resistance and the performance of the tools they are typically optimized with respect to material properties of the cemented carbide substrate and the coating and with respect to the geometry of the tool for a particular application. The optimization of the material properties is typically aiming at diminishing the predominant wear mechanism of the particular application and the optimization of the geometry of the cutting tools is typically aiming at improvement of the cutting process, such as the chip removal or the roughness of the work piece. Hence, a positive effect accomplished by one optimization may have no or negative effect on other properties of the cutting tool and/or the cutting process.
[0003] For example, coated cemented carbide cutting tool insert often comprise a coating with an inner layer consisting of one or more sub-layers selected from titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium oxycarbide and titanium oxycarbonitride sub-layers, and an outer alumina layer. The alumina layer is known to improve resistance to crater wear on the rake face of the cutting tool insert, whereas on the flank face of the cutting tool insert the alumina has less attractive properties and the TiCN contributes with high abrasive wear resistance. Since the crater wear on the rake face in many applications is the fatal wear mechanism the properties of the alumina layer are prioritized. One way to improve the crater wear resistance is to increase the thickness of the alumina layer. However, this optimization with respect to crater wear is at the expense of other properties, such as resistance to flaking of the coating, in particular on the edge line or the flank face.
[0004] As one solution to this different post treatments have been used. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,588 discloses a cutting tool coated with a multi-layered wear resistant coating including e.g. an innermost TiCN layer, an intermediate Al 2 O 3 layer and an outermost TiN layer. The TiN layer and the Al 2 O 3 layer are removed by mechanical means such as a vibratory tumbling, brushing, shot blasting, grinding from the edge line of the cutting tool, so that the innermost TiCN layer is exposed, in order to improve the resistance to flaking of the coating at the edge line. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,747 discloses a cutting tool coated with a multi-layered wear resistant coating including an alumina layer deposited on a hard material layer. The alumina layer is selectively removed by means of laser treatment from at least a portion of the flank face so that the underlying hard material layer is exposed in order to simultaneously avoid increase in the width of the wear mark on the flank face and retention of the resistance to crater wear on the rake face.
[0005] Albeit these post treatments may improve the overall properties of the cutting performance of the cutting tool insert, the maximum thickness of the alumina layer, and hence the improvement of crater wear resistance due to the thickness increase, is limited.
SUMMARY
[0006] One object of the invention is to improve cutting performance of a coated cutting tool. Another object is to improve wear resistance of the coated cutting tool. Yet another object of the invention is to improve the crater wear resistance of a coated cutting tool, in particular by providing an improved wear resistance locally on the coated cutting tool without impairing properties of other portions of the coated cutting tool. Another object is to provide an improved cutting tool for machining in iron based materials such as steels.
[0007] This is accomplished by a coated cutting tool in accordance with the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0008] A coated cutting tool according to the present invention comprises a substrate and a surface coating deposited on the substrate and covering at least a portion of the substrate. The surface coating has a thickness T c and the substrate comprises a plurality of recesses into the substrate within a patterned surface area within the coated portion of the substrate. Each of said recesses has a depth D which is smaller than 100 μm, preferably <75 μm, and a width W i at half depth [D/2] of the recess, where W i ≦2T c T c is between 2 μm and 30 μm, preferably between 5 and 25 μm, more preferably between 5 μm and 22 μm, and the recess is at least partly filled by the surface coating.
[0009] The cutting tool according to the present invention has shown higher crater wear resistance compared to a cutting tool not provided with such a patterned surface area. The crater wear is typically a wear of a chemical and abrasive type. Both the mechanical load and the temperature are very high in this area. The tool according to the present invention has improved properties in at least one of these aspects.
[0010] One advantage with the formation of recesses in the substrate is that it provides an increased surface area of the substrate. An applied coating into the recesses provides a coating with an extension down into the substrate. Thus the filled recesses provides an effective thickness of the coating within the patterned surface area that is larger than T c , the nominal thickness of the coating itself. The increased volume of coating material in the surface area is one reason for the improvement. Locally the effective thickness of the coating has been increased due to the pattern. An increased coating thickness implies an increased wear resistance as long as the coating is worn continuously and do not spall off. Since recesses can be formed in areas that are critical with respect to wear, the wear resistance of the coated cutting tool is improved without impairing the performance with respect to other areas of the cutting tool.
[0011] Another advantage with the recesses in the substrate is that the orientation of the coating/substrate interface is not parallel to the sliding direction of for example a chip sliding at the surface of the tool. This increases the resistance to delamination.
[0012] A cutting tool in accordance with the present invention may be a cutting tool insert or a round tool.
[0013] Suitable materials for substrate are ceramics, cermets, cemented carbides, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline diamond or high speed steel, preferably cemented carbides.
[0014] The patterned surface area is preferably placed in a critical area with respect to wear. The patterned surface area may at least partly cover the flank face and/or the rake face. If the pattern is on the rake face the patterned surface area is preferably placed at a distance of at least 100 μm, preferably more than 150 μm from the edge line. If the patterned surface area is on the flank face, said area is preferably at least 50 μm from the edge line. The edge line is here defined as the line along the edge of the tool when studying the patterned surface area from a direction perpendicular to the patterned surface area. A pattern placed too close to the edge would imply an increased risk for an uneven wear of the cutting edge.
[0015] The cutting tool of the present invention comprises a surface coating deposited on the substrate. This surface coating is typically a wear resistant coating covering at least areas subjected to wear during cutting. If the cutting tool is an insert with a rake face and a flank face, the coating can be applied on one or both of these faces.
[0016] The coating thickness T c is the thickness of the coating as deposited on a flat surface outside a recess. The surface of the substrate within the patterned area but outside a recess is in this application called a first surface of the substrate. This first surface of the substrate is a surface arranged with recesses, and the surfaces that defines each recess, the walls and bottom of the recess, are not a part of the first surface of the substrate.
[0017] The width W e of the recess is considered to be the width at the first surface of the substrate. The width W e is the width of the recess at half depth [D/2] of the recess and W i ≦2T c . In one embodiment W e <2T c .
[0018] The recesses have a depth D which is the distance from the first surface of the substrate, i.e the substrate surface outside the recess, and down to the bottom of the recess. The bottom of the recess can comprise artifacts or irregularities such as local deep narrow holes caused by for example a non-optimized laser process. Examples of such artifacts can be seen in FIG. 3 . The depth D is preferably more than 2 μm, more preferably more than 5 μm. The depth D is less than 100 μm, preferably <75 μm. The depth should be large enough to impact the life time of the tool, and small enough not to negatively impact the toughness of the edge. A too large depth of the recess would not increase the life time of the tool, since a large wear depth anyhow weakens the edge of the tool. In one embodiment the aspect ratio of the recess is D/W e <2, preferably 0.5-1.5.
[0019] A coated cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate, preferably made of cemented carbide, and a coating. The substrate comprises a geometric pattern with recesses, such as holes or grooves, in the surface thereof. These recesses are at least partly filled with the coating such that the coating at least has started to coalesce in the recesses. Each recess is at least partly filled by the surface coating such that the surface coating is grown together in the recess. This is accomplished during the deposition of the surface coating. Since the width at some depth in the recess is less than twice the total thickness of the surface coatings growing on opposite sidewalls of the recess a portion of the surface coating will finally coalesce in the recess. The coating can have a first initial type of growth replicating the substrate surface profile, and a second type of growth wherein the coating coalesce within the recess such that a portion of the surface of a growing coating meets another portion of surface of a growing coating, and the coating coalesce when the growth of the coating is a second type of growth. This is advantageous since it provides a locally larger coating thickness, and thereby a higher wear resistance.
[0020] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the cutting tool is provided with a coating, wherein the thickness of the coating deposited in the recess is larger than the coating deposited on the first surface of the substrate.
[0021] The shape of the recess is preferably such that the width at the bottom of the recess is smaller than the width W e at the first surface of the substrate. This is advantageous due to that voids and pores can be avoided. The recess can have side walls that are perpendicular to the first substrate surface, or the walls can be inclined. The angle between the sidewall of a recess and the first substrate surface is preferably between 45° and 90°. In one embodiment of the present invention the surface coating has an outer surface and wherein a point at the maximum depth of a remaining recess at/on the outer surface is located above the first surface of the substrate such that the coating is continuous along a line parallel to the first surface of the substrate across several recesses. This can for example be studied at a cross section of the tool. This is advantageous in increased wear resistance.
[0022] In one embodiment of the invention the coating completely fills the recesses and covers surrounding substrate surfaces, at least within the patterned surface area. In one embodiment of the invention, the underlying structure of the patterned substrate surface area is not retained on the outer surface of the coating. This is advantageous since a lower surface roughness often implies a lower wear rate.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention the recesses are arranged in a pattern with a pitch between adjacent recesses that is larger than 10 μm and less than 100 μm, preferably between 70 μm and 90 μm. The pitch can vary within the patterned area, but preferably the pitch is constant within the patterned area. The preferred pitch P depends on the specific width W e of the recess, such that the pitch P should always exceed the width W e .
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention the patterned surface area is provided with recesses covering 50-98% of the nominal surface area, preferably 75-95%. The nominal surface area of the patterned area is equivalent to the first surface of the substrate if no recesses are present. A higher surface coverage results in a larger amount of coating down into the substrate. The coverage should not be too high since recesses that are getting too close tend to lower the first surface of the substrate. A too low surface coverage leads to a wear rate similar to a surface without any recesses.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention the cutting tool is provided with a surface coating that is conformal, i.e. deposited by a conformal deposition method. In one embodiment of the invention the coating is a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) coating. Due to the properties of the CVD deposition process the coatings are substantially conformal and thus the coating on the substrate surfaces within the recesses becomes as thick as on other substrate surfaces, at least until the coating grow together or coalesce in the recess as disclosed above.
[0026] In another embodiment the coating is a PVD (Physical vapor deposition) coating.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recesses are grooves. The grooves can be arranged in an irregular or a regular pattern. The grooves can be oriented parallel to or perpendicular to the cutting edge. As an alternative, the grooves can be oriented in a specific angle relative to the cutting edge. The grooves can have a specific length and width, or these can vary over the patterned area.
[0028] The recesses may have “equiaxed width” for example be of circular or square shape. Alternatively, the recesses may be elongated, thereby forming short grooves. Preferable the recesses are arranged in tracks arranged in a corresponding pattern as the grooves in the above embodiment.
[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recess is a pit or a groove with a curved outer shape such as a circle, a ring or an oval. The recesses can for example comprise a ring with a larger radius enclosing rings with smaller radius. This is advantageous in that the distance between two adjacent recesses can be arranged to be close to independent of orientation.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recesses comprise grooves arranged in a pattern with crossing grooves forming islands enclosed by the grooves. The maximum width of one island is preferably less than 100 μm, more preferably less than 70 μm, even more preferably less than 50 μm. This is advantageous since typically thermal cracks of a CVD coating generate islands that has shown to be in the range of 50-70 μm. The coating applied on the recesses can be seen as a coating with artificial cracks. These artificial cracks seems to work as traps or a stress reservoirs such that thermal crack in the coating itself can be avoided. Thermal cracks in a coating do always imply an increased risk for wear and coating spallation.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coated cutting tool comprises a rake face and a flank face and the patterned surface area is on a rake face of the coated cutting tool. The coated cutting tool is preferably covering a crater area on the rake face of the coated cutting tool, wherein the crater area is an area with increased risk for crater wear in cutting operations.
[0032] The coating may comprise one or more layers. Suitable materials to be deposited as a layer are compounds of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC) and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C.
[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating comprises one or several layers of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C.
[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention at least half the thickness of the coating comprises one or several layers consisting of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C.
[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention the coating consists of one or more layers consisting of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C.
[0036] Preferred compounds comprise Ti(C,O,N), Ti(C,N), TiC, TiN, or combinations thereof. Preferably a MTCVD process is used for at least one of these layers. In one embodiment the coating comprises at least one Al 2 O 3 layer and at least one refractory metal nitride, carbide or carbonitride layer selected from the group of Ti(C,N), TiN, TiC, Ti(C,N,O). The refractory metal nitride, carbide or carbonitride layer is preferably deposited prior to the Al 2 O 3 layer.
[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coated cutting tool comprises a coating with an inner layer with thickness T ci and an outer layer with thickness T co . The inner layer may be made of Ti(C,O,N), Ti(C,N), TiC, TiN, or combinations thereof and the outer layer may be made of Al 2 O 3 . The inner layer may have a thickness T ci of 2-10 μm and the outer layer may have a thickness T co of 1-10 μm.
[0038] In one embodiment W i <2T ci , preferably W e <2T ci . If the inner layer for example comprises Ti(C,N) this implies an increased abrasive wear resistance.
[0039] In another embodiment W i <2(T ci +T co ), preferably We<2(T ci +T co ). This is advantageous since the recess comprises material from both the inner layer and the outer layer. If the outer layer is for example Al 2 O 3 this implies an increased thermal resistance effect. It is advantageous that a patterned surface area comprising a thermal barrier layer, such as an alumina layer, is placed in the area where crater wear usually appears, i.e. on the rake face of the cutting tool insert where the temperature during machining is the highest.
[0040] A method of manufacturing a coated cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of: providing a substrate, preferably made of cemented carbide; prior to coating, forming, preferably by laser machining, a patterned surface area of the substrate, which recesses has a depth D, a width W e at the first surface of the substrate and a width W i at half depth [D/2] of the recess, and an aspect ratio D/W e <2; depositing a coating onto the patterned surface area, which coating has a thickness T c of 2-30 μm, wherein W i ≦2T c and the recesses are at least partly filled by the surface coating.
[0041] Other ways of forming a surface pattern can be by embossing, by focused ion beam, dry etching such as reactive ion etching (RIE), electric discharge machining, wet etching or any other technique known in the art for forming surface patterns in accordance with the appended claims.
[0042] The recesses may be formed with laser machining. The laser equipment used is preferably a pico second laser. Laser machining is performed by exposing the substrate to a laser beam. The laser beam is scanned in multiple or single scans to form the recesses. By laser machining the substrate can be structured in almost any geometric pattern, for example grooves or holes. Moreover the laser machining is fast as compared to many other machining techniques. The geometric pattern formed may be ordered or disordered. Regarding the control of density of recesses, this depends on how close recesses can be formed by the particular laser machining system used, which is matter of at least the optical system (lenses), laser parameters (peak power, pulse length, pulse frequency), substrate material, etc.
[0043] The method of manufacturing the surface patterns in accordance with the above identified invention may further comprises a final blasting step of the tool as deposited with a surface coating on at least the patterned area. This is advantageous in that a smoothening effect can be reached whereby minor retained patterns on the surface at the patterned area can be reduced in dimensions or removed.
[0044] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0046] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates part of an insert provided with a geometrical pattern of recesses provided with a coating,
[0047] FIG. 2 shows pictures of A) perpendicular, B) parallel, C) crossed recesses formed by laser on a rake face of an insert and D) shows a reference,
[0048] FIG. 3 shows an scanning electron microscope (SEM) picture of a cross section of a groove in a cutting tool surface. The substrate is coated with an inner Ti(C,N) layer and thereon a Al 2 O 3 layer which layer has grown together in the recess,
[0049] FIG. 4 shows pictures of the samples A-D shown in FIG. 2 , after 28 minutes operation in accordance with Example 1,
[0050] FIG. 5 shows a SEM picture of a portion of the crater wear of the inserts shown in FIG. 3 C, and
[0051] FIG. 6 shows pictures of the samples A-D shown in FIG. 2 , after 36 minutes operation in accordance with Example 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a surface provided with recesses, wherein each recess has a depth D, a width W e at the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 , and a width W i at half the depth D/2. The recesses are arranged with a pitch P between two adjacent recesses. A coating 2 with a thickness T c is applied to the substrate 1 . The coating 2 covers the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 and also the surfaces 3 in the recess. The coating 2 coalesce along the ditched line 7 in the recess, where coating surfaces growing in different directions has met each other. The surface coating 2 has an outer surface 6 and the point 5 at the maximum depth of any remaining recess at the outer surface 6 . The coating is continuous along a line across several recesses parallel to the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 . As can be seen the sidewalls of the recess are inclined relatively the first substrate surface 4 .
[0053] As can be seen in the FIG. 1 , these recesses are filled by the surface coating, since a point 5 at the maximum depth of the remaining recess at the outer surface 6 is located above a first surface 4 of the substrate 1 . In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the recesses are not completely filled by the surface coating.
Example 1
[0054] Grooves were formed in a cutting insert 120408 NM4 made of cemented carbide using a Lasertech 40S pico second laser (50 W) from DMG. The wavelength was 1064 nm, the spot diameter 40-50 μm and the pulse frequency 500 kHz. The scanner velocity was 2000 mm/s and the thickness of the layer removed per scan was 0.6 μm. The movement of the laser spot was parallel.
[0055] The substrate is made of cemented carbide and comprises 7.5 wt % Co, 2.9 wt % TaC, 0.5 wt % NbC, 1.9 wt % TiC, 0.4 wt % TiN and balance WC. The cemented carbide substrate has a surface zone 22-30 μm free of gamma phase, a bulk hardness of 1450-1550 HV3 and a Hc [kA/m] of 12.9-14.4.
[0056] The patterned surface area is placed in a position on the rake face of the cutting tool insert where crater wear usually appear and spaced 0.15 mm from the cutting edges. The patterned area has an extension of 2×3 mm.
[0057] Three types of patterns of grooves were made:
grooves perpendicular to the main cutting edge (sample A, invention), as shown in FIG. 2A , grooves in parallel with the main cutting edge (sample B, invention), as shown in FIG. 2B , parallel grooves crossing each other at right angle forming a crossed pattern of grooves surrounding islands of (sample C, invention), as shown in FIG. 2C .
[0061] These patterned tools were compared in performance with a reference sample not laser treated and not comprising any patterned surface area, but comprising the corresponding substrate and coatings, (sample D, prior art), as shown in FIG. 2D .
[0062] The geometry of these patterned surfaces were studied in cross section in a light microscope. The average maximum width W e of the grooves at the first surface of the substrate is about 45-50 μm and the average width W i at half the depth (D/2) is about 27 μm. The depth D of the grooves is about 45-55 μm. The pitch P is about 80 μm. The side walls of the grooves are slightly inclined and thereby the surface area coverage at a level at the bottom of the groove is lower than the surface area coverage at the first surface of the substrate. In this particular case a surface area coverage for the crossed pattern is of about 83% coating at the first surface of the substrate and about 44% surface area coverage at the depth of about 50 μm. The profile is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a SEM micrograph of a cross section of sample C.
[0063] After laser micromachining the cutting inserts were coated in a CVD reactor. The surface coating consists of an inner 10 μm thick MT-Ti(C,N) layer and an outer 10 μm thick α-alumina layer. An 1 μm thick outermost TiN coating was deposited. All the inserts were finally treated with a wet blasting with 220 mesh Al 2 O 3 grits.
[0064] The coated cutting tools made in accordance with above were evaluated with respect to crater wear in a continuous longitudinal turning operation in ball bearing steel (Ovako 825B) with depth of cut 2 mm, cutting speed 220 m/min, feed speed 0.3 mm/rev and using coolant.
[0065] The wear of the reference cutting tool was studied each 2 minutes in a light microscope and the size of exposed area of the substrate was measured. The wear of the patterned cutting tools were measured after finished tests. In a worn patterned area, each of the exposed substrate subareas were added and the sum of exposed subarea is presented in Table 1.
[0066] The cutting tools can be considered to be worn out when a stop criteria of an exposed substrate in the crater area of 0.2 mm 2 is reached and at the cutting time required to reach this criteria. This stop criteria was reached at 28 minutes for the Reference insert. The stop criteria for the parallel and the perpendicular were reached at 44 minutes. The turning of the reference was continued although the stop criteria was reached, but had to be stopped at 40 minutes due to an expected soon forthcoming total breakage of the tool. At 44 minutes crossed had not reached the above stop criteria, as can be seen in Table 1.
[0067] FIG. 4A-D shows the samples after 28 minutes operation. The exposed substrate area is obviously larger for the reference sample D than for all the other samples. FIG. 5 is a SEM micrograph showing in close up a central part of the worn surface of sample C, shown in FIG. 4C . FIG. 6A-D shows the samples after 36 minutes operation. The reference sample shown in FIG. 6D shows excessive crater wear.
[0068] Even though the same depth of the crater wear results in a larger exposed substrate area for the reference compared to a lower exposed substrate area, as long as the recesses are not worn through, this value is considered to indicating a wear rate that differs between the patterned tools and the reference tools. And the increase in wear rate of the reference tool between 36 minutes and 40 minutes operation time confirms this behavior. Just to confirm this, the depth of the wear mark was also studied at samples after 28 minutes operation, and the results are presented in Table 1.
[0069] The flank wear did not differ significant between the samples A, B, C and D.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Results from wear tests in accordance with Example 1.
Crater
Crater
Crater
Crater
wear:
wear:
wear:
wear:
Surface area
Area
Area
Area
Area
coverage of
exposed of
exposed of
exposed of
exposed of
Crater
pattern at first
substrate
substrate
substrate
substrate
depth
substrate
after 28 min
after 36 min
after 40 min
after 44 min
after 28 min
Sample
Pattern
surface
[mm 2 ]
[mm 2 ]
[mm 2 ]
[mm 2 ]
[μm]
A
Grooves
59% coating
0.08
0.175
Not
0.208
23
(invention)
perpendicular
analysed
to edge
B
Grooves
59% coating
0.049
0.144
Not
0.223
Not
(invention)
parallel with
analysed
analysed
edge
C
Crossed
83% coating
0.071
0.098
Not
0.142
3
(invention)
grooves
analysed
D
No grooves
0% coating
0.203
0.372
0.64
Not
21
(reference)
analysed
Example 2
[0070] Tools provided with a patterned area comprising crossed grooves as disclosed above, were compared to reference tools without any patterned area, wherein different coating thicknesses were studied. Samples E and F were coated with an inner 5.5 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 4 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 1.2 μm thick outermost TiN coating. Sample G and H were coated with an inner 8.5 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 4.5 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 1.2 μm thick outermost TiN coating. Sample I and J were coated with an inner 10 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 10 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 0.8 μm thick outermost TiN coating. All the inserts were finally treated with a wet blasting with 220 mesh Al 2 O 3 grits.
[0071] The cutting tools made in accordance with above were evaluated with respect to crater wear in a continual longitudinal turning operation in ball bearing steel (Ovako 825B) with depth of cut 2 mm, cutting speed 220 m/min, feed speed 0.3 mm/rev and using coolant. The stop criteria was set to: crater area of 0.2 mm 2 , or obvious plastic deformation of the cutting edge, and cutting times required to reach any of these criterias. A cutting edge with any of those two levels of wear is considered worn out and the life time of the cutting edge reached. The test was also stopped if the flank wear, defined as the distance seen from the flank side between the edge line and unworn coating, exceeded 0.4 mm. The results as an average of two parallel tests are presented in Table 2.
[0072] As can be seen in Table 2, the sample E with the crossed grooves and the thinnest coating with a total thickness of 10.5 μm suffered from plastic deformation while the corresponding reference F to the corresponding without grooves that suffered from excessive crater wear. The sample G with crossed grooves and a coating thickness of 13.5 μm also suffered from plastic deformation while the corresponding reference, sample H, suffered from excessive crater wear. The thickest coating tested in this example has a thickness of 21 μm, and in this case both the reference, sample J, and the patterned sample, sample I, showed a flank wear of more than 0.4 mm, while only the reference sample J suffered from excessive crater wear. The conclusion is therefore that the patterned tools do have increased resistance to crater wear.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Results from wear tests in accordance with Example 2.
Average
life
Surface
Total coating
length
Critical wear
Sample
pattern
Coating
thickness, T c [μm]
[min]
mechanism
W i /T c
E (comparative)
Crossed
5.5 μm TiCN
10.5
12
Plastic
27/10.5 = 2.57
grooves
4 μm Al 2 O 3
deformation
1.2 μm TiN
F (reference)
No pattern
5.5 μm TiCN
10.5
13
Excessive
4 μm Al 2 O 3
crater wear
1.2 μm TiN
G (invention)
Crossed
8.5 μm TiCN
13.5
20
Plastic
27/13.5 = 2
grooves
4.5 μm Al 2 O 3
deformation
1.2 μm TiN
H (reference)
No pattern
8.5 μm TiCN
13.5
17
Excessive
4.5 μm Al 2 O 3
crater wear
1.2 μm TiN
I (invention)
Crossed
10 μm TiCN
21
>28
Flank wear
27/21 = 1.29
grooves
10 μm Al 2 O 3
≧0.4 mm
0.8 μm TiN
J (reference)
No pattern
10 μm TiCN
21
28
Excessive
10 μm Al 2 O 3
crater wear
0.8 μm TiN
Flank wear
≧0.4 mm
[0073] The present invention is above described with the substrate being made of cemented carbide. However, the advantageous effect of locally having an increased effective thickness of the coating may be accomplished in substrates for cutting tools made of different materials as well such as ceramics, cermets, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline diamond, high speed steel.
[0074] While the invention has been described in connection with various exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the appended claims. | The present invention relates to a coated cutting tool and a method of making such cutting tool, wherein the tool comprises a substrate and a surface coating deposited on the substrate and covering at least a portion of the substrate, the surface coating having a thickness T c . The substrate comprises a plurality of recesses into the substrate within a patterned surface area within the coated portion of the substrate wherein each recess is at least partly filled by the surface coating. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to coated cutting tools suitable for turning, milling, drilling or other chip forming machining methods.",
"BACKGROUND [0002] Coating of cemented carbide cutting tools with hard refractory coatings have dramatically improved wear resistance and cutting performance of the tools, and thereby increased tool life and productivity in machining operations.",
"In order to further improve the wear resistance and the performance of the tools they are typically optimized with respect to material properties of the cemented carbide substrate and the coating and with respect to the geometry of the tool for a particular application.",
"The optimization of the material properties is typically aiming at diminishing the predominant wear mechanism of the particular application and the optimization of the geometry of the cutting tools is typically aiming at improvement of the cutting process, such as the chip removal or the roughness of the work piece.",
"Hence, a positive effect accomplished by one optimization may have no or negative effect on other properties of the cutting tool and/or the cutting process.",
"[0003] For example, coated cemented carbide cutting tool insert often comprise a coating with an inner layer consisting of one or more sub-layers selected from titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium oxycarbide and titanium oxycarbonitride sub-layers, and an outer alumina layer.",
"The alumina layer is known to improve resistance to crater wear on the rake face of the cutting tool insert, whereas on the flank face of the cutting tool insert the alumina has less attractive properties and the TiCN contributes with high abrasive wear resistance.",
"Since the crater wear on the rake face in many applications is the fatal wear mechanism the properties of the alumina layer are prioritized.",
"One way to improve the crater wear resistance is to increase the thickness of the alumina layer.",
"However, this optimization with respect to crater wear is at the expense of other properties, such as resistance to flaking of the coating, in particular on the edge line or the flank face.",
"[0004] As one solution to this different post treatments have been used.",
"By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,588 discloses a cutting tool coated with a multi-layered wear resistant coating including e.g. an innermost TiCN layer, an intermediate Al 2 O 3 layer and an outermost TiN layer.",
"The TiN layer and the Al 2 O 3 layer are removed by mechanical means such as a vibratory tumbling, brushing, shot blasting, grinding from the edge line of the cutting tool, so that the innermost TiCN layer is exposed, in order to improve the resistance to flaking of the coating at the edge line.",
"In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,747 discloses a cutting tool coated with a multi-layered wear resistant coating including an alumina layer deposited on a hard material layer.",
"The alumina layer is selectively removed by means of laser treatment from at least a portion of the flank face so that the underlying hard material layer is exposed in order to simultaneously avoid increase in the width of the wear mark on the flank face and retention of the resistance to crater wear on the rake face.",
"[0005] Albeit these post treatments may improve the overall properties of the cutting performance of the cutting tool insert, the maximum thickness of the alumina layer, and hence the improvement of crater wear resistance due to the thickness increase, is limited.",
"SUMMARY [0006] One object of the invention is to improve cutting performance of a coated cutting tool.",
"Another object is to improve wear resistance of the coated cutting tool.",
"Yet another object of the invention is to improve the crater wear resistance of a coated cutting tool, in particular by providing an improved wear resistance locally on the coated cutting tool without impairing properties of other portions of the coated cutting tool.",
"Another object is to provide an improved cutting tool for machining in iron based materials such as steels.",
"[0007] This is accomplished by a coated cutting tool in accordance with the independent claims.",
"Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.",
"[0008] A coated cutting tool according to the present invention comprises a substrate and a surface coating deposited on the substrate and covering at least a portion of the substrate.",
"The surface coating has a thickness T c and the substrate comprises a plurality of recesses into the substrate within a patterned surface area within the coated portion of the substrate.",
"Each of said recesses has a depth D which is smaller than 100 μm, preferably <75 μm, and a width W i at half depth [D/2] of the recess, where W i ≦2T c T c is between 2 μm and 30 μm, preferably between 5 and 25 μm, more preferably between 5 μm and 22 μm, and the recess is at least partly filled by the surface coating.",
"[0009] The cutting tool according to the present invention has shown higher crater wear resistance compared to a cutting tool not provided with such a patterned surface area.",
"The crater wear is typically a wear of a chemical and abrasive type.",
"Both the mechanical load and the temperature are very high in this area.",
"The tool according to the present invention has improved properties in at least one of these aspects.",
"[0010] One advantage with the formation of recesses in the substrate is that it provides an increased surface area of the substrate.",
"An applied coating into the recesses provides a coating with an extension down into the substrate.",
"Thus the filled recesses provides an effective thickness of the coating within the patterned surface area that is larger than T c , the nominal thickness of the coating itself.",
"The increased volume of coating material in the surface area is one reason for the improvement.",
"Locally the effective thickness of the coating has been increased due to the pattern.",
"An increased coating thickness implies an increased wear resistance as long as the coating is worn continuously and do not spall off.",
"Since recesses can be formed in areas that are critical with respect to wear, the wear resistance of the coated cutting tool is improved without impairing the performance with respect to other areas of the cutting tool.",
"[0011] Another advantage with the recesses in the substrate is that the orientation of the coating/substrate interface is not parallel to the sliding direction of for example a chip sliding at the surface of the tool.",
"This increases the resistance to delamination.",
"[0012] A cutting tool in accordance with the present invention may be a cutting tool insert or a round tool.",
"[0013] Suitable materials for substrate are ceramics, cermets, cemented carbides, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline diamond or high speed steel, preferably cemented carbides.",
"[0014] The patterned surface area is preferably placed in a critical area with respect to wear.",
"The patterned surface area may at least partly cover the flank face and/or the rake face.",
"If the pattern is on the rake face the patterned surface area is preferably placed at a distance of at least 100 μm, preferably more than 150 μm from the edge line.",
"If the patterned surface area is on the flank face, said area is preferably at least 50 μm from the edge line.",
"The edge line is here defined as the line along the edge of the tool when studying the patterned surface area from a direction perpendicular to the patterned surface area.",
"A pattern placed too close to the edge would imply an increased risk for an uneven wear of the cutting edge.",
"[0015] The cutting tool of the present invention comprises a surface coating deposited on the substrate.",
"This surface coating is typically a wear resistant coating covering at least areas subjected to wear during cutting.",
"If the cutting tool is an insert with a rake face and a flank face, the coating can be applied on one or both of these faces.",
"[0016] The coating thickness T c is the thickness of the coating as deposited on a flat surface outside a recess.",
"The surface of the substrate within the patterned area but outside a recess is in this application called a first surface of the substrate.",
"This first surface of the substrate is a surface arranged with recesses, and the surfaces that defines each recess, the walls and bottom of the recess, are not a part of the first surface of the substrate.",
"[0017] The width W e of the recess is considered to be the width at the first surface of the substrate.",
"The width W e is the width of the recess at half depth [D/2] of the recess and W i ≦2T c .",
"In one embodiment W e <2T c .",
"[0018] The recesses have a depth D which is the distance from the first surface of the substrate, i.e the substrate surface outside the recess, and down to the bottom of the recess.",
"The bottom of the recess can comprise artifacts or irregularities such as local deep narrow holes caused by for example a non-optimized laser process.",
"Examples of such artifacts can be seen in FIG. 3 .",
"The depth D is preferably more than 2 μm, more preferably more than 5 μm.",
"The depth D is less than 100 μm, preferably <75 μm.",
"The depth should be large enough to impact the life time of the tool, and small enough not to negatively impact the toughness of the edge.",
"A too large depth of the recess would not increase the life time of the tool, since a large wear depth anyhow weakens the edge of the tool.",
"In one embodiment the aspect ratio of the recess is D/W e <2, preferably 0.5-1.5.",
"[0019] A coated cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate, preferably made of cemented carbide, and a coating.",
"The substrate comprises a geometric pattern with recesses, such as holes or grooves, in the surface thereof.",
"These recesses are at least partly filled with the coating such that the coating at least has started to coalesce in the recesses.",
"Each recess is at least partly filled by the surface coating such that the surface coating is grown together in the recess.",
"This is accomplished during the deposition of the surface coating.",
"Since the width at some depth in the recess is less than twice the total thickness of the surface coatings growing on opposite sidewalls of the recess a portion of the surface coating will finally coalesce in the recess.",
"The coating can have a first initial type of growth replicating the substrate surface profile, and a second type of growth wherein the coating coalesce within the recess such that a portion of the surface of a growing coating meets another portion of surface of a growing coating, and the coating coalesce when the growth of the coating is a second type of growth.",
"This is advantageous since it provides a locally larger coating thickness, and thereby a higher wear resistance.",
"[0020] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the cutting tool is provided with a coating, wherein the thickness of the coating deposited in the recess is larger than the coating deposited on the first surface of the substrate.",
"[0021] The shape of the recess is preferably such that the width at the bottom of the recess is smaller than the width W e at the first surface of the substrate.",
"This is advantageous due to that voids and pores can be avoided.",
"The recess can have side walls that are perpendicular to the first substrate surface, or the walls can be inclined.",
"The angle between the sidewall of a recess and the first substrate surface is preferably between 45° and 90°.",
"In one embodiment of the present invention the surface coating has an outer surface and wherein a point at the maximum depth of a remaining recess at/on the outer surface is located above the first surface of the substrate such that the coating is continuous along a line parallel to the first surface of the substrate across several recesses.",
"This can for example be studied at a cross section of the tool.",
"This is advantageous in increased wear resistance.",
"[0022] In one embodiment of the invention the coating completely fills the recesses and covers surrounding substrate surfaces, at least within the patterned surface area.",
"In one embodiment of the invention, the underlying structure of the patterned substrate surface area is not retained on the outer surface of the coating.",
"This is advantageous since a lower surface roughness often implies a lower wear rate.",
"[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention the recesses are arranged in a pattern with a pitch between adjacent recesses that is larger than 10 μm and less than 100 μm, preferably between 70 μm and 90 μm.",
"The pitch can vary within the patterned area, but preferably the pitch is constant within the patterned area.",
"The preferred pitch P depends on the specific width W e of the recess, such that the pitch P should always exceed the width W e .",
"[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention the patterned surface area is provided with recesses covering 50-98% of the nominal surface area, preferably 75-95%.",
"The nominal surface area of the patterned area is equivalent to the first surface of the substrate if no recesses are present.",
"A higher surface coverage results in a larger amount of coating down into the substrate.",
"The coverage should not be too high since recesses that are getting too close tend to lower the first surface of the substrate.",
"A too low surface coverage leads to a wear rate similar to a surface without any recesses.",
"[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention the cutting tool is provided with a surface coating that is conformal, i.e. deposited by a conformal deposition method.",
"In one embodiment of the invention the coating is a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) coating.",
"Due to the properties of the CVD deposition process the coatings are substantially conformal and thus the coating on the substrate surfaces within the recesses becomes as thick as on other substrate surfaces, at least until the coating grow together or coalesce in the recess as disclosed above.",
"[0026] In another embodiment the coating is a PVD (Physical vapor deposition) coating.",
"[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recesses are grooves.",
"The grooves can be arranged in an irregular or a regular pattern.",
"The grooves can be oriented parallel to or perpendicular to the cutting edge.",
"As an alternative, the grooves can be oriented in a specific angle relative to the cutting edge.",
"The grooves can have a specific length and width, or these can vary over the patterned area.",
"[0028] The recesses may have “equiaxed width”",
"for example be of circular or square shape.",
"Alternatively, the recesses may be elongated, thereby forming short grooves.",
"Preferable the recesses are arranged in tracks arranged in a corresponding pattern as the grooves in the above embodiment.",
"[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recess is a pit or a groove with a curved outer shape such as a circle, a ring or an oval.",
"The recesses can for example comprise a ring with a larger radius enclosing rings with smaller radius.",
"This is advantageous in that the distance between two adjacent recesses can be arranged to be close to independent of orientation.",
"[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recesses comprise grooves arranged in a pattern with crossing grooves forming islands enclosed by the grooves.",
"The maximum width of one island is preferably less than 100 μm, more preferably less than 70 μm, even more preferably less than 50 μm.",
"This is advantageous since typically thermal cracks of a CVD coating generate islands that has shown to be in the range of 50-70 μm.",
"The coating applied on the recesses can be seen as a coating with artificial cracks.",
"These artificial cracks seems to work as traps or a stress reservoirs such that thermal crack in the coating itself can be avoided.",
"Thermal cracks in a coating do always imply an increased risk for wear and coating spallation.",
"[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coated cutting tool comprises a rake face and a flank face and the patterned surface area is on a rake face of the coated cutting tool.",
"The coated cutting tool is preferably covering a crater area on the rake face of the coated cutting tool, wherein the crater area is an area with increased risk for crater wear in cutting operations.",
"[0032] The coating may comprise one or more layers.",
"Suitable materials to be deposited as a layer are compounds of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC) and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C. [0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating comprises one or several layers of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C. [0034] In one embodiment of the present invention at least half the thickness of the coating comprises one or several layers consisting of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C. [0035] In one embodiment of the present invention the coating consists of one or more layers consisting of compound of one or several first elements selected from Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 (IUPAC), Al and Si, and one or several second elements selected from N, B, O, C. [0036] Preferred compounds comprise Ti(C,O,N), Ti(C,N), TiC, TiN, or combinations thereof.",
"Preferably a MTCVD process is used for at least one of these layers.",
"In one embodiment the coating comprises at least one Al 2 O 3 layer and at least one refractory metal nitride, carbide or carbonitride layer selected from the group of Ti(C,N), TiN, TiC, Ti(C,N,O).",
"The refractory metal nitride, carbide or carbonitride layer is preferably deposited prior to the Al 2 O 3 layer.",
"[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coated cutting tool comprises a coating with an inner layer with thickness T ci and an outer layer with thickness T co .",
"The inner layer may be made of Ti(C,O,N), Ti(C,N), TiC, TiN, or combinations thereof and the outer layer may be made of Al 2 O 3 .",
"The inner layer may have a thickness T ci of 2-10 μm and the outer layer may have a thickness T co of 1-10 μm.",
"[0038] In one embodiment W i <2T ci , preferably W e <2T ci .",
"If the inner layer for example comprises Ti(C,N) this implies an increased abrasive wear resistance.",
"[0039] In another embodiment W i <2(T ci +T co ), preferably We<2(T ci +T co ).",
"This is advantageous since the recess comprises material from both the inner layer and the outer layer.",
"If the outer layer is for example Al 2 O 3 this implies an increased thermal resistance effect.",
"It is advantageous that a patterned surface area comprising a thermal barrier layer, such as an alumina layer, is placed in the area where crater wear usually appears, i.e. on the rake face of the cutting tool insert where the temperature during machining is the highest.",
"[0040] A method of manufacturing a coated cutting tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of: providing a substrate, preferably made of cemented carbide;",
"prior to coating, forming, preferably by laser machining, a patterned surface area of the substrate, which recesses has a depth D, a width W e at the first surface of the substrate and a width W i at half depth [D/2] of the recess, and an aspect ratio D/W e <2;",
"depositing a coating onto the patterned surface area, which coating has a thickness T c of 2-30 μm, wherein W i ≦2T c and the recesses are at least partly filled by the surface coating.",
"[0041] Other ways of forming a surface pattern can be by embossing, by focused ion beam, dry etching such as reactive ion etching (RIE), electric discharge machining, wet etching or any other technique known in the art for forming surface patterns in accordance with the appended claims.",
"[0042] The recesses may be formed with laser machining.",
"The laser equipment used is preferably a pico second laser.",
"Laser machining is performed by exposing the substrate to a laser beam.",
"The laser beam is scanned in multiple or single scans to form the recesses.",
"By laser machining the substrate can be structured in almost any geometric pattern, for example grooves or holes.",
"Moreover the laser machining is fast as compared to many other machining techniques.",
"The geometric pattern formed may be ordered or disordered.",
"Regarding the control of density of recesses, this depends on how close recesses can be formed by the particular laser machining system used, which is matter of at least the optical system (lenses), laser parameters (peak power, pulse length, pulse frequency), substrate material, etc.",
"[0043] The method of manufacturing the surface patterns in accordance with the above identified invention may further comprises a final blasting step of the tool as deposited with a surface coating on at least the patterned area.",
"This is advantageous in that a smoothening effect can be reached whereby minor retained patterns on the surface at the patterned area can be reduced in dimensions or removed.",
"[0044] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0046] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates part of an insert provided with a geometrical pattern of recesses provided with a coating, [0047] FIG. 2 shows pictures of A) perpendicular, B) parallel, C) crossed recesses formed by laser on a rake face of an insert and D) shows a reference, [0048] FIG. 3 shows an scanning electron microscope (SEM) picture of a cross section of a groove in a cutting tool surface.",
"The substrate is coated with an inner Ti(C,N) layer and thereon a Al 2 O 3 layer which layer has grown together in the recess, [0049] FIG. 4 shows pictures of the samples A-D shown in FIG. 2 , after 28 minutes operation in accordance with Example 1, [0050] FIG. 5 shows a SEM picture of a portion of the crater wear of the inserts shown in FIG. 3 C, and [0051] FIG. 6 shows pictures of the samples A-D shown in FIG. 2 , after 36 minutes operation in accordance with Example 1.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a surface provided with recesses, wherein each recess has a depth D, a width W e at the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 , and a width W i at half the depth D/2.",
"The recesses are arranged with a pitch P between two adjacent recesses.",
"A coating 2 with a thickness T c is applied to the substrate 1 .",
"The coating 2 covers the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 and also the surfaces 3 in the recess.",
"The coating 2 coalesce along the ditched line 7 in the recess, where coating surfaces growing in different directions has met each other.",
"The surface coating 2 has an outer surface 6 and the point 5 at the maximum depth of any remaining recess at the outer surface 6 .",
"The coating is continuous along a line across several recesses parallel to the first surface 4 of the substrate 1 .",
"As can be seen the sidewalls of the recess are inclined relatively the first substrate surface 4 .",
"[0053] As can be seen in the FIG. 1 , these recesses are filled by the surface coating, since a point 5 at the maximum depth of the remaining recess at the outer surface 6 is located above a first surface 4 of the substrate 1 .",
"In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the recesses are not completely filled by the surface coating.",
"Example 1 [0054] Grooves were formed in a cutting insert 120408 NM4 made of cemented carbide using a Lasertech 40S pico second laser (50 W) from DMG.",
"The wavelength was 1064 nm, the spot diameter 40-50 μm and the pulse frequency 500 kHz.",
"The scanner velocity was 2000 mm/s and the thickness of the layer removed per scan was 0.6 μm.",
"The movement of the laser spot was parallel.",
"[0055] The substrate is made of cemented carbide and comprises 7.5 wt % Co, 2.9 wt % TaC, 0.5 wt % NbC, 1.9 wt % TiC, 0.4 wt % TiN and balance WC.",
"The cemented carbide substrate has a surface zone 22-30 μm free of gamma phase, a bulk hardness of 1450-1550 HV3 and a Hc [kA/m] of 12.9-14.4.",
"[0056] The patterned surface area is placed in a position on the rake face of the cutting tool insert where crater wear usually appear and spaced 0.15 mm from the cutting edges.",
"The patterned area has an extension of 2×3 mm.",
"[0057] Three types of patterns of grooves were made: grooves perpendicular to the main cutting edge (sample A, invention), as shown in FIG. 2A , grooves in parallel with the main cutting edge (sample B, invention), as shown in FIG. 2B , parallel grooves crossing each other at right angle forming a crossed pattern of grooves surrounding islands of (sample C, invention), as shown in FIG. 2C .",
"[0061] These patterned tools were compared in performance with a reference sample not laser treated and not comprising any patterned surface area, but comprising the corresponding substrate and coatings, (sample D, prior art), as shown in FIG. 2D .",
"[0062] The geometry of these patterned surfaces were studied in cross section in a light microscope.",
"The average maximum width W e of the grooves at the first surface of the substrate is about 45-50 μm and the average width W i at half the depth (D/2) is about 27 μm.",
"The depth D of the grooves is about 45-55 μm.",
"The pitch P is about 80 μm.",
"The side walls of the grooves are slightly inclined and thereby the surface area coverage at a level at the bottom of the groove is lower than the surface area coverage at the first surface of the substrate.",
"In this particular case a surface area coverage for the crossed pattern is of about 83% coating at the first surface of the substrate and about 44% surface area coverage at the depth of about 50 μm.",
"The profile is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 .",
"FIG. 3 is a SEM micrograph of a cross section of sample C. [0063] After laser micromachining the cutting inserts were coated in a CVD reactor.",
"The surface coating consists of an inner 10 μm thick MT-Ti(C,N) layer and an outer 10 μm thick α-alumina layer.",
"An 1 μm thick outermost TiN coating was deposited.",
"All the inserts were finally treated with a wet blasting with 220 mesh Al 2 O 3 grits.",
"[0064] The coated cutting tools made in accordance with above were evaluated with respect to crater wear in a continuous longitudinal turning operation in ball bearing steel (Ovako 825B) with depth of cut 2 mm, cutting speed 220 m/min, feed speed 0.3 mm/rev and using coolant.",
"[0065] The wear of the reference cutting tool was studied each 2 minutes in a light microscope and the size of exposed area of the substrate was measured.",
"The wear of the patterned cutting tools were measured after finished tests.",
"In a worn patterned area, each of the exposed substrate subareas were added and the sum of exposed subarea is presented in Table 1.",
"[0066] The cutting tools can be considered to be worn out when a stop criteria of an exposed substrate in the crater area of 0.2 mm 2 is reached and at the cutting time required to reach this criteria.",
"This stop criteria was reached at 28 minutes for the Reference insert.",
"The stop criteria for the parallel and the perpendicular were reached at 44 minutes.",
"The turning of the reference was continued although the stop criteria was reached, but had to be stopped at 40 minutes due to an expected soon forthcoming total breakage of the tool.",
"At 44 minutes crossed had not reached the above stop criteria, as can be seen in Table 1.",
"[0067] FIG. 4A-D shows the samples after 28 minutes operation.",
"The exposed substrate area is obviously larger for the reference sample D than for all the other samples.",
"FIG. 5 is a SEM micrograph showing in close up a central part of the worn surface of sample C, shown in FIG. 4C .",
"FIG. 6A-D shows the samples after 36 minutes operation.",
"The reference sample shown in FIG. 6D shows excessive crater wear.",
"[0068] Even though the same depth of the crater wear results in a larger exposed substrate area for the reference compared to a lower exposed substrate area, as long as the recesses are not worn through, this value is considered to indicating a wear rate that differs between the patterned tools and the reference tools.",
"And the increase in wear rate of the reference tool between 36 minutes and 40 minutes operation time confirms this behavior.",
"Just to confirm this, the depth of the wear mark was also studied at samples after 28 minutes operation, and the results are presented in Table 1.",
"[0069] The flank wear did not differ significant between the samples A, B, C and D. [0000] TABLE 1 Results from wear tests in accordance with Example 1.",
"Crater Crater Crater Crater wear: wear: wear: wear: Surface area Area Area Area Area coverage of exposed of exposed of exposed of exposed of Crater pattern at first substrate substrate substrate substrate depth substrate after 28 min after 36 min after 40 min after 44 min after 28 min Sample Pattern surface [mm 2 ] [mm 2 ] [mm 2 ] [mm 2 ] [μm] A Grooves 59% coating 0.08 0.175 Not 0.208 23 (invention) perpendicular analysed to edge B Grooves 59% coating 0.049 0.144 Not 0.223 Not (invention) parallel with analysed analysed edge C Crossed 83% coating 0.071 0.098 Not 0.142 3 (invention) grooves analysed D No grooves 0% coating 0.203 0.372 0.64 Not 21 (reference) analysed Example 2 [0070] Tools provided with a patterned area comprising crossed grooves as disclosed above, were compared to reference tools without any patterned area, wherein different coating thicknesses were studied.",
"Samples E and F were coated with an inner 5.5 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 4 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 1.2 μm thick outermost TiN coating.",
"Sample G and H were coated with an inner 8.5 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 4.5 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 1.2 μm thick outermost TiN coating.",
"Sample I and J were coated with an inner 10 μm thick MT-TiCN layer, an 10 μm thick α-alumina layer and an 0.8 μm thick outermost TiN coating.",
"All the inserts were finally treated with a wet blasting with 220 mesh Al 2 O 3 grits.",
"[0071] The cutting tools made in accordance with above were evaluated with respect to crater wear in a continual longitudinal turning operation in ball bearing steel (Ovako 825B) with depth of cut 2 mm, cutting speed 220 m/min, feed speed 0.3 mm/rev and using coolant.",
"The stop criteria was set to: crater area of 0.2 mm 2 , or obvious plastic deformation of the cutting edge, and cutting times required to reach any of these criterias.",
"A cutting edge with any of those two levels of wear is considered worn out and the life time of the cutting edge reached.",
"The test was also stopped if the flank wear, defined as the distance seen from the flank side between the edge line and unworn coating, exceeded 0.4 mm.",
"The results as an average of two parallel tests are presented in Table 2.",
"[0072] As can be seen in Table 2, the sample E with the crossed grooves and the thinnest coating with a total thickness of 10.5 μm suffered from plastic deformation while the corresponding reference F to the corresponding without grooves that suffered from excessive crater wear.",
"The sample G with crossed grooves and a coating thickness of 13.5 μm also suffered from plastic deformation while the corresponding reference, sample H, suffered from excessive crater wear.",
"The thickest coating tested in this example has a thickness of 21 μm, and in this case both the reference, sample J, and the patterned sample, sample I, showed a flank wear of more than 0.4 mm, while only the reference sample J suffered from excessive crater wear.",
"The conclusion is therefore that the patterned tools do have increased resistance to crater wear.",
"[0000] TABLE 2 Results from wear tests in accordance with Example 2.",
"Average life Surface Total coating length Critical wear Sample pattern Coating thickness, T c [μm] [min] mechanism W i /T c E (comparative) Crossed 5.5 μm TiCN 10.5 12 Plastic 27/10.5 = 2.57 grooves 4 μm Al 2 O 3 deformation 1.2 μm TiN F (reference) No pattern 5.5 μm TiCN 10.5 13 Excessive 4 μm Al 2 O 3 crater wear 1.2 μm TiN G (invention) Crossed 8.5 μm TiCN 13.5 20 Plastic 27/13.5 = 2 grooves 4.5 μm Al 2 O 3 deformation 1.2 μm TiN H (reference) No pattern 8.5 μm TiCN 13.5 17 Excessive 4.5 μm Al 2 O 3 crater wear 1.2 μm TiN I (invention) Crossed 10 μm TiCN 21 >28 Flank wear 27/21 = 1.29 grooves 10 μm Al 2 O 3 ≧0.4 mm 0.8 μm TiN J (reference) No pattern 10 μm TiCN 21 28 Excessive 10 μm Al 2 O 3 crater wear 0.8 μm TiN Flank wear ≧0.4 mm [0073] The present invention is above described with the substrate being made of cemented carbide.",
"However, the advantageous effect of locally having an increased effective thickness of the coating may be accomplished in substrates for cutting tools made of different materials as well such as ceramics, cermets, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline diamond, high speed steel.",
"[0074] While the invention has been described in connection with various exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the appended claims."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to abrasive blasting. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses for the recovery and containment of the abrasive media.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Click studs and other types of fasteners are bonded to the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components to secure and hold electrical lines, hydraulic lines, and other items in desired locations. If these fasteners become loose, the items they are securing can rub together, against the surface of the aircraft, or against other aircraft components causing significant damage to the item, the aircraft, and/or other aircraft components. The failure of the bond between the fastener and the aircraft can lead to damage and destruction of critical aircraft components, resulting in dangerous flying conditions. Therefore, it is imperative that the bonds between these fasteners and the aircraft are prepared and formed as good as possible.
[0003] The current method of preparing the surface of the aircraft for bonding of click studs and other fasteners is hand sanding. Although it is known that abrasive blasting would provide a better surface treatment and preparation, abrasive blasting has been avoided for fear that the abrasive media would contaminate other components on the aircraft, as vacuum containment means are not always available or practical in confined spaces or on aircraft in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] There is a need for an improved method and apparatus for treating and preparing the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components prior to bonding click studs and other fasteners to the aircraft or aircraft components.
[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for treating and preparing the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components prior to bonding click studs and other fasteners to the aircraft or aircraft components.
[0006] The above objects are achieved by providing an abrasive media containment bag having a bag portion, a nozzle fitting, a blast fitting, and a filter member. The abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention allows the surface of the aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media. The abrasive media containment bag isolates the area to be treated and recovers and contains the abrasive media.
[0007] The abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention provides significant advantages, including: (1) abrasive blasting can be used to treat and prepare the surface of the aircraft or aircraft component without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media; (2) the containment bag isolates the area to be treated; (3) the containment bag and be quickly and easily installed before use, and removed after use; (4) as a result of using the method of the present invention, the bonds are up to 30% stronger than bonds that were prepared by hand sanding; (5) 99.5% of the abrasive media can be recovered and contained; (6) the manufacturing costs are very low; and (7) the containment bag and the collected abrasive media can be quickly and easily disposed of. Some of the materials removed by the abrasive media, such as paint and primer, are designated as hazardous materials. By utilizing the present invention, these materials can be contained and disposed of properly with the abrasive media.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] [0009]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention;
[0010] [0010]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the abrasive media containment bag of FIG. 1;
[0011] [0011]FIG. 3 is a side view in partial cross-section of the abrasive media containment bag of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in an aircraft surface preparation application; and
[0012] [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention shown in a three-dimensional application.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 in the drawings, an abrasive media containment bag 11 according to the present invention is illustrated. Containment bag 11 may be used in a wide variety of applications to isolate surfaces to be treated, and recover and contain abrasive media from abrasive blasting operations. Although the present invention is described herein with respect to an abrasive blasting procedure to treat and prepare aircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studs and other fasteners and components, it should be understood that the present invention may be used in any abrasive blasting procedure in which it would be desirable to isolate the surface to be treated, and recover and contain the abrasive media. Containment bag 11 includes a bag portion 13 , a nozzle fitting 15 , a blast fitting 17 , and a filter member 19 .
[0014] Bag portion 13 is preferably made from flexible clear, semi-clear, or otherwise translucent, plastic having a thickness in a range of about 0.003 to 0.006 inches, such as poly-2 film about 0.004 inches thick. When used in an application of abrasive blasting to treat and prepare aircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studs and other fasteners, it is preferred that bag portion 13 be about 8.0 inches long and about 7.0 inches wide; however, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of containment bag 11 may varied widely depending upon the application in which the invention is used. For example, if a large surface area or part is being treated, bag portion 13 may be considerably larger. It is also preferred that bag portion 13 form a seamless enclosure; however, bag portion 13 may include seams, such as seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d. If bag portion includes seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d, it is preferred that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d be sealed by bonding, heat-sealing, gluing, sewing, or other appropriate means, provided that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d prevent the chosen abrasive media 31 from escaping bag portion 13 . In the preferred application, abrasive media 31 is 220 grit aluminum oxide.
[0015] Nozzle fitting 15 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13 , and is preferably centrally located on the front surface of bag portion 13 . Nozzle fitting 15 may be integral with bag portion 13 , or may be a separate member that is connected to bag portion 13 . In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , it is preferred that nozzle fitting 15 be made of rubberized abrasive masking tape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as model BT100, 3M 500 stripping tape, or other similar material. The rubberized abrasive masking tape absorbs the impact of the abrasive media and provides a seal as explained below. The rubberized abrasive masking tape preferably includes adhesive on at least one surface that facilitates connection of nozzle fitting 15 to the exterior front surface of bag portion 13 . In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is integral with bag portion 13 , nozzle fitting 15 may be the same thickness as bag portion 13 , or may be slightly thickened, if additional stiffness in the area of nozzle fitting 15 is desired.
[0016] Nozzle fitting 15 includes a nozzle aperture 23 that is adapted to sealingly receive a conventional blast nozzle 25 of a from a conventional blasting apparatus (not shown). Nozzle aperture 23 may be a circular, or other suitably shaped hole, or one or more slits, such as an X-shaped slit, in nozzle fitting 15 . In any case, the size of nozzle aperture 23 should be such that a seal is formed between nozzle fitting 15 and blast nozzle 25 , when blast nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzle aperture 23 . Such a seal prevents abrasive media 31 from escaping around nozzle aperture 23 . For example, nozzle aperture 23 would have a diameter in the range of about 0.312 to 0.350 inches to sealingly receive a blast nozzle having an outside diameter of about 0.375 inches. In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , bag portion 13 includes an appropriately sized aperture over which nozzle fitting 15 is disposed. Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a square nozzle fitting 15 and a circular nozzle aperture 23 , it should be understood that nozzle fitting 15 and nozzle aperture 23 may be configured in other geometrical shapes, as other geometrical shapes may be more conducive for receiving, supporting, and sealing blast nozzles 25 having other shapes.
[0017] Blast fitting 17 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13 , and is preferably centrally located on the rear surface of bag portion 13 . Blast fitting 17 may be integral with bag portion 13 , or may be a separate member that is connected to bag portion 13 . In cases where blast fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , it is preferred that blast fitting 17 be made rubberized abrasive masking tape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as model BT100, 3M 500 stripping tape, or other similar material. Such rubberized masking tape is preferred because it absorbs the impact of the abrasive media and prevents blast fitting 17 from wearing out. It is preferred that the rubberized masking tape include an adhesive that does not leave a residue on the surface once blast fitting 17 is removed. If blast fitting 17 does not have adhesive on both sides to facilitate bonding to both bag portion 13 and aircraft surface 27 , then a separate adhesive, such as double-sided tape or glue may be used to facilitate connection of blast fitting 17 to the exterior rear surface of bag portion 13 . In cases where blast fitting 17 is integral with bag portion 13 , blast fitting 17 may be the same thickness as bag portion 13 , or may be slightly thickened if additional stiffness in the area of blast fitting 15 is desired.
[0018] It is preferred that blast fitting 17 be located on the rear surface of bag portion 13 such that blast fitting 17 and nozzle fitting 15 are aligned with each other, as is best seen in FIG. 3. This configuration allows for a clearance C between nozzle fitting 15 and blast fitting 17 of about 4.0 inches when containment bag 11 is in use. Blast fitting 17 includes a blast aperture 29 that is adapted to isolate and surround the area to be treated. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of blast fitting 17 and the size and shape of blast aperture 29 may vary depending upon the desired application and surface to be treated. Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a circular blast fitting 17 and a concentric circular blast aperture 29 , it should be understood that blast fitting 17 and blast aperture 29 may be configured in other shapes and patterns, as other shapes and patterns may be more conducive for treating surfaces in other applications. For example, if a fastener has a square base that is to be bonded to aircraft surface 27 , it may be desirable that blast aperture 29 be square in shape; and if a part has a hatch pattern, it may be desirable to treat the surface to be bonded with a corresponding hatch pattern.
[0019] Filter member 19 is preferably located on the same surface of bag portion 13 as blast fitting 17 , and is sealingly attached to bag portion 13 by suitable means, such as by bonding, sewing, or gluing. It is preferred that filter member 19 be capable of filtering 99.5% or more of abrasive media 31 and releasing about 4.0 to 6.0 cubic feet of air per minute dispensed by the blasting device along with abrasive media 31 . In the preferred embodiment, filter member 19 is a 1.0 micron filter material about 0.125 inches thick and about 4.5 inches square. The passing of air through filter member 19 is represented in FIG. 3 by arrows A. Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a square filter member 19 , it should be understood that filter member 19 may be configured in other shapes, as other shapes may be more conducive for filtering abrasive media 31 in various other applications. In addition, it should be understood that additional filter members may be used in certain applications, and that such additional filter members may be of the same capacity or of different capacities than filter member 19 . Indeed, the filtration of abrasive media 31 may be performed in multiple stages.
[0020] In operation, a protective sheet (not shown) is removed from the exterior surface of blast fitting 17 to expose the non-residue adhesive. Blast fitting 17 is then placed over an area 35 of surface 27 to be treated, where blast fitting 17 is secured in place by the adhesive. Then, nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzle aperture 23 , where nozzle 25 is sealingly held in place, preferably by a press fit. Once nozzle 25 is installed, the abrasive blasting treatment process is carried out in a conventional manner, with bag portion 13 capturing and collecting the abrasive media. After the blasting treatment is completed, blast fitting 17 is removed from surface 27 and containment bag 11 is discarded or otherwise disposed of. Then a click stud or other fastener can be bonded to the treated surface 27 in a conventional manner.
[0021] Although containment bag 11 has been shown and described primarily with respect to treating flat surfaces, it should be understood that the present invention may be used to enclose and treat three-dimensional objects. Referring now to FIG. 4 in the drawings, an abrasive media containment bag 111 is shown in a three-dimensional application. As with containment bag 11 , containment bag 111 includes a bag portion 113 , a nozzle fitting 115 , a blast fitting 117 , and a filter member 119 . Nozzle fitting 115 includes a nozzle aperture 123 , and blast fitting 117 includes a blast aperture 129 .
[0022] In this application, both blast fitting 117 and blast aperture 129 are square in shape. This configuration is particularly well suited to allow access to all five sides of three-dimensional object 133 which protrudes outward from a surface 127 . As long as object 133 can be placed within bag portion 113 , and as long as bag portion 113 can be sealed around object 133 , the containment bag 111 can be utilized to isolate, contain, and recover the abrasive media.
[0023] It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. | An abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) having a bag portion ( 13 ), a nozzle fitting ( 15 ), a blast fitting ( 17 ), and a filter member ( 19 ) is disclosed. The abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) allows the surface of an aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media. The abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) isolates the area to be treated ande recovers and contains the abrasive media. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to abrasive blasting.",
"In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses for the recovery and containment of the abrasive media.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0002] Click studs and other types of fasteners are bonded to the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components to secure and hold electrical lines, hydraulic lines, and other items in desired locations.",
"If these fasteners become loose, the items they are securing can rub together, against the surface of the aircraft, or against other aircraft components causing significant damage to the item, the aircraft, and/or other aircraft components.",
"The failure of the bond between the fastener and the aircraft can lead to damage and destruction of critical aircraft components, resulting in dangerous flying conditions.",
"Therefore, it is imperative that the bonds between these fasteners and the aircraft are prepared and formed as good as possible.",
"[0003] The current method of preparing the surface of the aircraft for bonding of click studs and other fasteners is hand sanding.",
"Although it is known that abrasive blasting would provide a better surface treatment and preparation, abrasive blasting has been avoided for fear that the abrasive media would contaminate other components on the aircraft, as vacuum containment means are not always available or practical in confined spaces or on aircraft in the field.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] There is a need for an improved method and apparatus for treating and preparing the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components prior to bonding click studs and other fasteners to the aircraft or aircraft components.",
"[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for treating and preparing the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components prior to bonding click studs and other fasteners to the aircraft or aircraft components.",
"[0006] The above objects are achieved by providing an abrasive media containment bag having a bag portion, a nozzle fitting, a blast fitting, and a filter member.",
"The abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention allows the surface of the aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media.",
"The abrasive media containment bag isolates the area to be treated and recovers and contains the abrasive media.",
"[0007] The abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention provides significant advantages, including: (1) abrasive blasting can be used to treat and prepare the surface of the aircraft or aircraft component without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media;",
"(2) the containment bag isolates the area to be treated;",
"(3) the containment bag and be quickly and easily installed before use, and removed after use;",
"(4) as a result of using the method of the present invention, the bonds are up to 30% stronger than bonds that were prepared by hand sanding;",
"(5) 99.5% of the abrasive media can be recovered and contained;",
"(6) the manufacturing costs are very low;",
"and (7) the containment bag and the collected abrasive media can be quickly and easily disposed of.",
"Some of the materials removed by the abrasive media, such as paint and primer, are designated as hazardous materials.",
"By utilizing the present invention, these materials can be contained and disposed of properly with the abrasive media.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.",
"However, the invention itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0009] [0009 ]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention;",
"[0010] [0010 ]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the abrasive media containment bag of FIG. 1;",
"[0011] [0011 ]FIG. 3 is a side view in partial cross-section of the abrasive media containment bag of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in an aircraft surface preparation application;",
"and [0012] [0012 ]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the abrasive media containment bag according to the present invention shown in a three-dimensional application.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 in the drawings, an abrasive media containment bag 11 according to the present invention is illustrated.",
"Containment bag 11 may be used in a wide variety of applications to isolate surfaces to be treated, and recover and contain abrasive media from abrasive blasting operations.",
"Although the present invention is described herein with respect to an abrasive blasting procedure to treat and prepare aircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studs and other fasteners and components, it should be understood that the present invention may be used in any abrasive blasting procedure in which it would be desirable to isolate the surface to be treated, and recover and contain the abrasive media.",
"Containment bag 11 includes a bag portion 13 , a nozzle fitting 15 , a blast fitting 17 , and a filter member 19 .",
"[0014] Bag portion 13 is preferably made from flexible clear, semi-clear, or otherwise translucent, plastic having a thickness in a range of about 0.003 to 0.006 inches, such as poly-2 film about 0.004 inches thick.",
"When used in an application of abrasive blasting to treat and prepare aircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studs and other fasteners, it is preferred that bag portion 13 be about 8.0 inches long and about 7.0 inches wide;",
"however, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of containment bag 11 may varied widely depending upon the application in which the invention is used.",
"For example, if a large surface area or part is being treated, bag portion 13 may be considerably larger.",
"It is also preferred that bag portion 13 form a seamless enclosure;",
"however, bag portion 13 may include seams, such as seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d. If bag portion includes seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d, it is preferred that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d be sealed by bonding, heat-sealing, gluing, sewing, or other appropriate means, provided that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d prevent the chosen abrasive media 31 from escaping bag portion 13 .",
"In the preferred application, abrasive media 31 is 220 grit aluminum oxide.",
"[0015] Nozzle fitting 15 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13 , and is preferably centrally located on the front surface of bag portion 13 .",
"Nozzle fitting 15 may be integral with bag portion 13 , or may be a separate member that is connected to bag portion 13 .",
"In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , it is preferred that nozzle fitting 15 be made of rubberized abrasive masking tape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as model BT100, 3M 500 stripping tape, or other similar material.",
"The rubberized abrasive masking tape absorbs the impact of the abrasive media and provides a seal as explained below.",
"The rubberized abrasive masking tape preferably includes adhesive on at least one surface that facilitates connection of nozzle fitting 15 to the exterior front surface of bag portion 13 .",
"In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is integral with bag portion 13 , nozzle fitting 15 may be the same thickness as bag portion 13 , or may be slightly thickened, if additional stiffness in the area of nozzle fitting 15 is desired.",
"[0016] Nozzle fitting 15 includes a nozzle aperture 23 that is adapted to sealingly receive a conventional blast nozzle 25 of a from a conventional blasting apparatus (not shown).",
"Nozzle aperture 23 may be a circular, or other suitably shaped hole, or one or more slits, such as an X-shaped slit, in nozzle fitting 15 .",
"In any case, the size of nozzle aperture 23 should be such that a seal is formed between nozzle fitting 15 and blast nozzle 25 , when blast nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzle aperture 23 .",
"Such a seal prevents abrasive media 31 from escaping around nozzle aperture 23 .",
"For example, nozzle aperture 23 would have a diameter in the range of about 0.312 to 0.350 inches to sealingly receive a blast nozzle having an outside diameter of about 0.375 inches.",
"In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , bag portion 13 includes an appropriately sized aperture over which nozzle fitting 15 is disposed.",
"Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a square nozzle fitting 15 and a circular nozzle aperture 23 , it should be understood that nozzle fitting 15 and nozzle aperture 23 may be configured in other geometrical shapes, as other geometrical shapes may be more conducive for receiving, supporting, and sealing blast nozzles 25 having other shapes.",
"[0017] Blast fitting 17 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13 , and is preferably centrally located on the rear surface of bag portion 13 .",
"Blast fitting 17 may be integral with bag portion 13 , or may be a separate member that is connected to bag portion 13 .",
"In cases where blast fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13 , it is preferred that blast fitting 17 be made rubberized abrasive masking tape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as model BT100, 3M 500 stripping tape, or other similar material.",
"Such rubberized masking tape is preferred because it absorbs the impact of the abrasive media and prevents blast fitting 17 from wearing out.",
"It is preferred that the rubberized masking tape include an adhesive that does not leave a residue on the surface once blast fitting 17 is removed.",
"If blast fitting 17 does not have adhesive on both sides to facilitate bonding to both bag portion 13 and aircraft surface 27 , then a separate adhesive, such as double-sided tape or glue may be used to facilitate connection of blast fitting 17 to the exterior rear surface of bag portion 13 .",
"In cases where blast fitting 17 is integral with bag portion 13 , blast fitting 17 may be the same thickness as bag portion 13 , or may be slightly thickened if additional stiffness in the area of blast fitting 15 is desired.",
"[0018] It is preferred that blast fitting 17 be located on the rear surface of bag portion 13 such that blast fitting 17 and nozzle fitting 15 are aligned with each other, as is best seen in FIG. 3. This configuration allows for a clearance C between nozzle fitting 15 and blast fitting 17 of about 4.0 inches when containment bag 11 is in use.",
"Blast fitting 17 includes a blast aperture 29 that is adapted to isolate and surround the area to be treated.",
"It will be appreciated that the size and shape of blast fitting 17 and the size and shape of blast aperture 29 may vary depending upon the desired application and surface to be treated.",
"Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a circular blast fitting 17 and a concentric circular blast aperture 29 , it should be understood that blast fitting 17 and blast aperture 29 may be configured in other shapes and patterns, as other shapes and patterns may be more conducive for treating surfaces in other applications.",
"For example, if a fastener has a square base that is to be bonded to aircraft surface 27 , it may be desirable that blast aperture 29 be square in shape;",
"and if a part has a hatch pattern, it may be desirable to treat the surface to be bonded with a corresponding hatch pattern.",
"[0019] Filter member 19 is preferably located on the same surface of bag portion 13 as blast fitting 17 , and is sealingly attached to bag portion 13 by suitable means, such as by bonding, sewing, or gluing.",
"It is preferred that filter member 19 be capable of filtering 99.5% or more of abrasive media 31 and releasing about 4.0 to 6.0 cubic feet of air per minute dispensed by the blasting device along with abrasive media 31 .",
"In the preferred embodiment, filter member 19 is a 1.0 micron filter material about 0.125 inches thick and about 4.5 inches square.",
"The passing of air through filter member 19 is represented in FIG. 3 by arrows A. Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a square filter member 19 , it should be understood that filter member 19 may be configured in other shapes, as other shapes may be more conducive for filtering abrasive media 31 in various other applications.",
"In addition, it should be understood that additional filter members may be used in certain applications, and that such additional filter members may be of the same capacity or of different capacities than filter member 19 .",
"Indeed, the filtration of abrasive media 31 may be performed in multiple stages.",
"[0020] In operation, a protective sheet (not shown) is removed from the exterior surface of blast fitting 17 to expose the non-residue adhesive.",
"Blast fitting 17 is then placed over an area 35 of surface 27 to be treated, where blast fitting 17 is secured in place by the adhesive.",
"Then, nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzle aperture 23 , where nozzle 25 is sealingly held in place, preferably by a press fit.",
"Once nozzle 25 is installed, the abrasive blasting treatment process is carried out in a conventional manner, with bag portion 13 capturing and collecting the abrasive media.",
"After the blasting treatment is completed, blast fitting 17 is removed from surface 27 and containment bag 11 is discarded or otherwise disposed of.",
"Then a click stud or other fastener can be bonded to the treated surface 27 in a conventional manner.",
"[0021] Although containment bag 11 has been shown and described primarily with respect to treating flat surfaces, it should be understood that the present invention may be used to enclose and treat three-dimensional objects.",
"Referring now to FIG. 4 in the drawings, an abrasive media containment bag 111 is shown in a three-dimensional application.",
"As with containment bag 11 , containment bag 111 includes a bag portion 113 , a nozzle fitting 115 , a blast fitting 117 , and a filter member 119 .",
"Nozzle fitting 115 includes a nozzle aperture 123 , and blast fitting 117 includes a blast aperture 129 .",
"[0022] In this application, both blast fitting 117 and blast aperture 129 are square in shape.",
"This configuration is particularly well suited to allow access to all five sides of three-dimensional object 133 which protrudes outward from a surface 127 .",
"As long as object 133 can be placed within bag portion 113 , and as long as bag portion 113 can be sealed around object 133 , the containment bag 111 can be utilized to isolate, contain, and recover the abrasive media.",
"[0023] It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated.",
"Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/312,432, filed Mar. 10, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to tire testing. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for chucking tires of differing bead widths in a test machine such as a tire uniformity-testing machine.
BACKGROUND ART
While the present invention may find application in a wide variety of tire testing apparatus wherein it is necessary to rapidly chuck tires it is applicable to great advantage in tire uniformity testing machines. Tire uniformity testing machines commonly include an upper rim, a vertically-movable lower rim, and a conveyor to bring a tire between the upper and lower rims. A mechanism is provided to raise the lower rim through an opening in the conveyor, carrying a tire with it, to the upper rim where the tire is inflated. The lower rim carries a center cone that is engagable with a center recess in the upper rim, the cone precisely positioning the upper rim with respect to the lower rim so that the two rims are concentric when a tire is clamped between them. A motor is connected to the upper rim to rotate it at a predetermined test speed. A load wheel or road wheel, rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of the tire, is movable into engagement with the tire tread so as to load the tire as it rotates in a manner simulating a road condition.
A hydraulic actuator is connected to the lower rim to raise and lower it. This actuator must be capable of applying a force sufficient to overcome the separation force of tens of thousands of pounds acting on the rims when the tire is inflated. The force applied by the actuator must also be sufficiently great to hold the cone against the recess of the upper rim with sufficient pressure to driveably couple the upper and lower rims so that the rotational force applied to the upper rim is transmitted to the lower rim through the center cone rather than through the tire substantially without slip which might otherwise distort the tire and possibly affect test results.
A prior art apparatus and mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved tire testing apparatus. In particular, the present invention provides a new and improved chuck assembly, which improves upon the chuck assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
According to a preferred embodiment, the chuck assembly is capable of chucking tires of various bead widths and the variation of bead widths may be substantial. The chuck includes first and second rims, each rim engageable with a bead of a tire. An actuator is connected to at least one of the rims and is operated to move the rim towards and away from the other rim. The actuator moves the associated rim towards the other rim in order to engage a tire between the rims. After the completion of a test cycle, the rims separate in order to release the tested tire. According to the invention, at least one of the rims forms part of an assembly that includes a telescoping pilot element or nose cone that is biased towards the other rim by gas pressure. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the nose cone is biased by a gas spring, which urges the nose cone towards engagement with a receiving structure i.e., recess, forming part of the other rim assembly.
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, when the rims are brought together into a tire holding position, the nose cone tightly engages an associated recess of the other rim. The force of the now compressed gas spring rotatably couples the rims together so that rotating one rim produces attendant rotation in the other rim.
According to a feature of the invention, the gas spring is removably mounted within a shank of the nose cone. If a different biasing force for the nose cone is desired, the gas spring may be removed and replaced with one of different pressurization, or alternately, the gas spring may be pressurized to a different level and then reinstalled into the shank of the nose cone.
With the disclosed invention, the biasing force exerted by the nose cone (or pilot) can be easily adjusted. Moreover, the construction and operation of the chuck apparatus is simplified. The elimination of a mechanical spring, as used in the prior art, allows the limits of travel of the nose cone to be substantially extended, thus allowing the chuck assembly to accommodate a wider range of tire bead widths.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fuller understanding obtained by reading the following detailed description made with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a tire testing machine incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the construction of an automatic adjustable width chuck constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a tire uniformity inspection machine 10 that incorporates a tire chucking/clamping apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention. The machine 10 also includes a frame 11 , which supports a conveyor 12 having a plurality of rollers 13 for delivering a tire 14 to be inspected to a test station 15 . Conveyor 12 , is described in detail in commonly, assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,334, expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Conveyor 12 includes an opening 16 , which is small enough to prevent a tire from falling through, but large enough to pass a lower rim 17 , which is rotatably mounted upon a vertically retractable, lower rim assembly 18 . An upper rim 20 is rotatably mounted by means of an upper rim spindle 21 to the upper portion of frame 11 . Upper rim 20 is disposed opposite lower rim 17 so that upper and lower rims 20 and 17 cooperate to function as a rim to support a tire 14 under test when lower rim 17 is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 1 and in phantom view in FIG. 2 . Upper rim spindle 21 includes an axial air passage 22 which communicates with an orifice 23 in upper rim 20 to permit inflation of tire 14 . The rims and associated components described above form part of an adjustable width tire chuck assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.
In order to rotate a tire under test, upper rim spindle 21 is fitted with a drive pulley 24 connected to a drive motor 25 by way of a timing belt 26 .
A loadwheel 27 having a circumferential surface 28 is supported by loadwheel spindles 30 for free rotation about an axis parallel to that of the tire 14 under test. Loadwheel spindles 30 are in turn supported by a carriage 31 which is slidably secured to frame 11 by one or more ways 32 so as to be movable in the radial direction, toward and away from tire 14 . As carriage 31 urges loadwheel 27 radially inward (to the left in FIG. 1 ) against tire 14 , the radial load on tire 14 increases. Likewise, movement of carriage 31 radially outward (to the right in FIG. 1 ) reduces the radial force on tire 14 . Carriage 31 is moved back and forth by a reversible D.C. motor 33 secured to frame 11 . Motor 33 drives a gear box 34 whose output drives a chain and sprocket linkage 35 to rotate a ball screw rotation only female screw 36 . A screw shaft 37 fixed to carriage 31 is received within female screw 36 in order to translate carriage 31 in the radial direction as female screw 36 rotates.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the upper rim 20 is mounted on an adaptor 40 that is secured to the drive pulley 24 ( FIG. 1 ). The air passage or central bore 22 provides a conical recess or seat 41 to receive a slidable pilot or nose cone 42 ( FIG. 2B ) on the lower half rim or chuck 17 . Cone 42 includes an axial bore 43 , which mates with air passage bore 22 when nose cone 42 engages seat 41 to provide a path for tire inflation air, which is supplied to the interior of tire 14 by way of radial ports 44 which intersect, bore 43 . The cone 42 is vertically slidable in a lower spindle 45 along a path indicated by the line 100 .
The spindle 45 is rotatably supported by a spindle housing 58 . In particular, the spindle 45 is supported by upper and lower bearings 210 , 212 . Associated bearing seals 214 , 216 seal the interface between the housing 58 and the spindle 45 in the vicinity of the bearings 210 , 212 , respectively. According to the invention, the nose cone 42 is reciprocally movable towards and away from the conical seat 41 formed in the adaptor 40 (see FIG. 2A ) by a gas spring 220 (shown in elevation in FIG. 2B ). The air spring 220 biases the nose cone 42 towards its extended position shown in FIG. 2B and is attached to the nose cone by one or more bolts 219 .
As seen best in FIG. 2B , the nose cone 42 is mounted to or forms an integral part of a hollow shank 222 that is slidable within a bore 226 defined by the spindle 45 . At least one, but preferably two longitudinal slots 228 are formed in shank 222 to form keyways. Internally threaded keys 230 are secured within keyways 228 by associated bolts/screws 231 counterbored within lower spindle 45 . Keys 230 and keyways 228 permit cone 42 to slide or reciprocate axially with respect to spindle 45 but preclude rotation of cone 42 with respect to spindle 45 . Thus, the rotary force imparted to the upper rim 20 is transmitted to cone 42 and through the keys 230 and keyways 228 to the spindle 45 . Keys 230 further serve to limit the axial travel of shank 222 to retain it within spindle 45 . The extremes of motion for the shank 222 are determined by the extent of the longitudinal slots 228 .
In the preferred embodiment, O-rings (not shown) are used to seal the screws 231 to their respective bores. The O-rings inhibit air leakage from an inflated tire held between the upper and lower rim 20 , 17 . In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the slots 228 are not through slots for most of their lengths. In other words, the slots 228 do not extend through the body of the shank 222 . However, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the lower ends of the slots 228 (as viewed in FIG. 2B ), include through portions 228 a , which enable the installation of the keys 230 . To assemble the chuck assembly, the shank 222 is suitably positioned within the bore 226 such that the through slots 228 a are aligned with the mounting positions for the keys 230 . While held in position, the set screws 231 , with associated seals, are threaded into the keys in order to lock them to the wall of the housing 45 . The gas spring 220 would then be installed into the cylindrical recess 222 a defined by the shank 222 .
A piston rod 220 a extends from the cylinder 220 b and acts between the cylinder and a removable plate 234 secured to the bottom of the spindle 45 by suitable bolts 236 . As is known, an inside region of the gas spring is pressurized with a suitable gas such as nitrogen. The pressure acting on the upper and lower sides of an internal piston produce a net force acting on the piston tending to extend the piston rod 220 a . Since the piston rod 220 a is fixed, the cylinder 220 b moves or is urged upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2B ) due to the forces exerted on the piston by the pressurized gas within the gas spring. A gas spring suitable for this application is available from Kaller Gas Springs of Frazer Mich. It has been found that for a chuck assembly constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a Kaller gas spring Part No. TU 750-160 will provide a 5″ range of motion for the nose cone 42 (as compared to a range of motion of 2.5″ for a prior art chuck assembly that utilizes a mechanical spring. A 5″ range of motion for the nose cone enables the chuck assembly to accommodate a wide variation in tire bead widths.
As seen in FIG. 2B , a lubricating fitting 140 is provided to lubricate the outside of the shank wall to facilitate axial movement of the nose cone shank 222 within the spindle bore 226 .
The spindle housing 58 is suitably mounted to an adaptor plate 70 by a plurality of fasteners 152 which are threadedly received in the housing 58 and are spaced 120° apart. A plurality of springs 156 provide a resilient mounting between the adaptor plate 150 and the spindle housing 58 to allow slight relative movement between the adaptor plate 70 and the housing which can compensate for slight misalignments between the nose cone 42 and the conical seat 41 (shown in FIG. 2A ). A plurality of lubricating fittings 160 are provided by which lubricant is injected into the region 162 between the rotatable spindle 45 and an internal recess in the housing 58 which receives the spindle. O-rings such as O-ring 166 are used in various locations to seal interfaces between components. A nut 168 acts as a bearing retainer for the lower bearing 116 . An upper cap 170 is secured by bolts 172 to the main housing 58 and serves to retain the bearing 110 in position.
The base plate or adapter 70 is suitably coupled to the hydraulic actuator 73 (see FIG. 1 ) which includes a piston 75 and which reciprocates within a cylinder 72 . The operation of the actuator 73 raises and lowers the spindle housing (and associated spindle) along the path 100 in order to engage a tire between the upper rim 20 and the lower rim 17 .
Matched sets of concave and convex washers or spacers 176 a , 176 b are also provided between the base plate 70 and the housing 58 . The washers/spacers 176 a , 176 b serve as a spherical bearing 176 which facilitates the alignment of the nose cone 42 with its associated recess 41 located in the upper rim assembly. During clamping of the tire between the upper and lower rims, the actuator 73 moves the lower spindle housing towards the upper rim in order to engage the nose cone 42 with its recess 43 . After the nose cone 42 enters the recess, the actuator 73 continues to raise the lower spindle, thus causing compression of the gas spring 120 . The force exerted by this gas spring on the spindle housing 58 causes the springs 156 to compress until the spindle housing 58 contacts the spherical bearing 176 tightly capturing it between the housing 58 and the base plate 70 . The spherical bearing 176 allows slight movement in the spindle housing 58 during this clamping phase to ensure tight and full engagement between the nose cone 42 and the recess 41 .
In a preferred method of operating the machine, the spindle housing 58 is driven upwardly to a “0” position at which the upper and lower rims are spaced apart less than the actual bead width of the tire held between the rims. The spindle housing 58 is then lowered by the actuator 71 to the proper bead width for the tire being tested. Further details of the operation of the overall machine with a prior art spindle assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Referring to FIG. 1 , an LVDT 88 is mechanically connected between the base plate/adaptor 70 and the frame 11 . Its function is to produce an electrical signal that is the measure of the vertical distance between the lower rim 17 and the upper rim 20 . As previously noted, hydraulic actuator 73 ( FIG. 1 ) includes a piston 75 , which reciprocates within a cylinder 72 . The top side 90 of piston 75 and the bottom side 91 of piston 75 are connected to a hydraulic servo-control system 92 which will now be described in further detail.
Control system 92 includes a high pressure fluid supply 93 and a low pressure, high volume fluid supply 94 . High pressure supply 93 is at a nominal pressure of 2000 psi, while low pressure supply 94 is at a nominal pressure of 1000 psi and is capable of supplying fluid at a rate of about 25 gpm. A valve 96 has a first input port 97 connected to low pressure high volume supply 94 and a second input port 100 connected to a hydraulic return 101 . Valve 96 is a double acting 4 way, 3 position solenoid valve with spring return to center. Valve 96 further includes a first output port 102 connected by way of a flow control 103 to the top side 90 of piston 75 . Valve 96 has a second output port 104 connected by way of a flow control 105 to the bottom side 91 of piston 75 . A line incorporating a check valve 110 shunts the input 97 of valve 96 and the output of flow control 103 to provide regenerative action when piston 75 is raised.
High pressure supply 93 is connected to a 3 way, 2 position single acting solenoid valve 106 at a first input port 107 thereof. A second input port 108 of valve 106 is connected to a return 109 . Valve 106 has a first output port 112 , which is also connected to return 109 and a second output 113 which is connected by way of a check valve 114 and a 3 micron filter 115 to the pressure input of servo-valve 116 which is preferably a Part No. BD-15-25-N manufactured by Parker Hannifin. The input to filter 115 is further connected to low pressure supply 94 through a check valve 117 which prevents high pressure fluid from flowing into the low pressure system. Servo-valve 116 includes a return connection 118 , a first output 119 connected to the bottom side 91 of actuator 73 and a second output 120 connected to the top side 90 of actuator 73 . Servo-valve 116 is connected electrically by way of a control line 122 to a conventional servo-amplifier 123 having a set point input 124 and a control input 125 the latter of which receives a distance indication signal from a comparator board 127 . The comparator board 127 takes a distance indication signal from the LVDT 88 and compares it to the signal corresponding from the main control computer 130 . It calculates a bead set location, which is input to the servo amplifier 123 . Set point input 124 is shown connected to a set point control potentiometer 126 whereby a desired bead width set point may be determined. Alternatively, a set point input 124 could receive approximate set point control signals from which signal may be varied according to the bead widths of individual tires being tested. The main control computer 130 of machine 10 includes, inter alia an input 131 from the comparator board/circuit 127 from which it receives distance information as well as appropriate outputs 132 and 133 for actuating valve 96 to the right and left respectively and an output 134 for actuating valve 106 .
In operation, piston 75 and rod 71 are initially in a fully retracted or home position. When a tire 14 to be tested is in position for mounting, the main control computer 130 actuates valve 96 by way of output 132 to shift its spool to the right in the FIG. 1 to connect low pressure, high volume supply 94 to the underside 91 of piston 75 through flow control 105 . This results in rapid upward movement of piston 75 , the velocity of which is controlled by the setting of flow controls 103 .
As lower rim 17 passes upward through the opening in conveyor 12 , rim 17 engages the lower bead of tire 14 carrying tire 14 upward with it. The lower rim assembly 18 rises until nose cone 42 engages tapered seat 41 to center and insure parallelism of rims 17 and 20 . This alignment is further assisted by spherical washers 176 a , 176 b which can pivot slightly about their mated spherical surfaces at 178 as well as shift laterally slightly if required in the seat in housing 58 . At this point the lower rim 17 is indicated at A in FIG. 2A . It should be noted here that in FIG. 2A , the lower rim 17 , in position A, is shown in contact with the upper rim 20 . This is usually termed the “bead set’ position. For tires having a large bead width, the “bead set” position may be a position at which the rim 20 and rim 17 are spaced apart but not touching. In any event, during clamping of the tire, the upper and lower rims 20 , 17 are brought to a “bead set” position at which the rims are spaced apart less than the bead width of the tire so that seating, inflation and clamping of the tire is facilitated. The rims 20 , 17 are then moved apart to the appropriate bead width for the tire at which point the tire is then tested, balanced and/or inspected depending on the type of equipment the rims are used on.
In this location, the spacing between rims 17 and 20 as sensed by LVDT 88 (and processed by the comparator circuit 127 ) and indicated by the signal appearing at input 125 of amplifier 123 is narrower than the desired bead width as indicated by the set point signal applied at input 124 of servo amp 123 as determined by the setting of potentiometer 126 . Accordingly, a large position error signal is generated by amp 123 on line 122 . Servovalve 116 then assumes control and, in response to the error signal on line 122 , supplies fluid from port 120 to the top side 90 of piston 75 and receives fluid into port 119 from the underside 91 of piston 75 to begin to move lower rim 17 downward. About the same time, while lower rim 17 is still at or near position A, the main unit controller 120 initiates inflation of tire 14 by flowing air through passage 22 and outward from ports 44 into the area between rims 17 and 20 . Because the upper bead of tire 14 is seating on or at least a reduced distance from upper rim 20 , pressurization of tire 14 while lower rim 17 is so located provides more reliable seating of the upper bead of tire 14 upon rim 20 .
Lower rim 17 continues to move downward as tire 14 is inflated. As rim 17 approaches the desired bead width set by potentiometer 126 , as indicated by position B in FIG. 2A , controller 130 energizes valve 106 by way of line 134 to connect high pressure supply 93 to the pressure input of servovalve 116 through filter 115 and deenergizes valve 96 which reassumes its center, blocked position. Lower rim 17 reaches position B which corresponds to a desired bead width appropriate for tire 14 and is maintained there under the continuous closed loop control of system 92 while tire testing proceeds.
As is well known in the art, testing includes driving carriage 31 radially inward until the surface 28 of loadwheel 27 engages the tread surface of tire 14 which is rotatably driven by motive force supplied by motor 25 through belt 26 to upper rim spindle 21 and through adapter 40 to upper rim 20 . Due to the force applied by spring 53 , tapered seat 41 is securely frictionally coupled to nose cone 42 to drive lower rim 17 with upper rim 20 without significant rotational slip between the two rims. During testing, forces transmitted by the rotating tire 14 to loadwheel are picked up by sensors (not shown) and analyzed by computing means (also not shown) to characterize the uniformity of construction of tire 14 .
At the conclusion of testing, tire 14 is deflated and high pressure is removed from actuator 73 and controller 130 deactivates valve 106 allowing its spring to return its spool to its normal, recirculating position. Valve 96 is then energized via line 133 to move its spool to the left as shown in FIG. 1 , thereby connecting the top side 90 of piston 75 to low pressure high volume supply 94 through flow control 103 and connecting the bottom side 91 of piston 75 to return 101 through flow control 105 . This effects a rapid downward movement of piston 75 to its initial or home position at a velocity which be adjusted by way of flow controls 103 and 105 .
With the disclosed invention, the spring rate for the nose cone assembly can be easily modified by either replacing the installed gas spring with a gas spring having a different gas pressure, or, alternatively, by removing the gas spring 220 and changing its pressurization with an apparatus designed to add or remove pressurized gas from the cylinder 220 b of the gas spring. This apparatus for adding or removing pressurized gas from the gas spring 220 is known to those skilled in the art.
While the invention has been described as applied to a tire uniformity inspection machine it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in such equipment. To the contrary, the invention may be applied to great advantage in other applications wherein it is necessary to chuck a tire. It is to be further understood that the invention is not limited to the exact form shown and described above which are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In view of the present disclosure those having skill in this art will be able to imagine various changes and modifications which can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the appended claims. | An adjustable width chuck assembly for a tire testing machine including upper and lower relatively movable rims by which a tire is clamped and held during a testing cycle. A pilot or nose cone forming part of one of the rims is gas pressure biased towards engagement with complementally formed structure on the other rim. The gas pressure bias is provided by a gas spring which can be replaced with gas springs of differing pressures in order to adjust the biasing force or, alternately, the gas spring can be removed from the chuck assembly and re-pressurized to a different level in order to change its biasing force. The use of a gas spring for providing the necessary biasing force expands the range of motion for the nose cone, thus allowing a given chuck assembly to accommodate tires having a wide range of bead widths. | Briefly summarize the main idea's components and working principles as described in the context. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/312,432, filed Mar. 10, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to tire testing.",
"More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for chucking tires of differing bead widths in a test machine such as a tire uniformity-testing machine.",
"BACKGROUND ART While the present invention may find application in a wide variety of tire testing apparatus wherein it is necessary to rapidly chuck tires it is applicable to great advantage in tire uniformity testing machines.",
"Tire uniformity testing machines commonly include an upper rim, a vertically-movable lower rim, and a conveyor to bring a tire between the upper and lower rims.",
"A mechanism is provided to raise the lower rim through an opening in the conveyor, carrying a tire with it, to the upper rim where the tire is inflated.",
"The lower rim carries a center cone that is engagable with a center recess in the upper rim, the cone precisely positioning the upper rim with respect to the lower rim so that the two rims are concentric when a tire is clamped between them.",
"A motor is connected to the upper rim to rotate it at a predetermined test speed.",
"A load wheel or road wheel, rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of the tire, is movable into engagement with the tire tread so as to load the tire as it rotates in a manner simulating a road condition.",
"A hydraulic actuator is connected to the lower rim to raise and lower it.",
"This actuator must be capable of applying a force sufficient to overcome the separation force of tens of thousands of pounds acting on the rims when the tire is inflated.",
"The force applied by the actuator must also be sufficiently great to hold the cone against the recess of the upper rim with sufficient pressure to driveably couple the upper and lower rims so that the rotational force applied to the upper rim is transmitted to the lower rim through the center cone rather than through the tire substantially without slip which might otherwise distort the tire and possibly affect test results.",
"A prior art apparatus and mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398.",
"DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The present invention provides a new and improved tire testing apparatus.",
"In particular, the present invention provides a new and improved chuck assembly, which improves upon the chuck assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398 which is hereby incorporated by reference.",
"According to a preferred embodiment, the chuck assembly is capable of chucking tires of various bead widths and the variation of bead widths may be substantial.",
"The chuck includes first and second rims, each rim engageable with a bead of a tire.",
"An actuator is connected to at least one of the rims and is operated to move the rim towards and away from the other rim.",
"The actuator moves the associated rim towards the other rim in order to engage a tire between the rims.",
"After the completion of a test cycle, the rims separate in order to release the tested tire.",
"According to the invention, at least one of the rims forms part of an assembly that includes a telescoping pilot element or nose cone that is biased towards the other rim by gas pressure.",
"In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the nose cone is biased by a gas spring, which urges the nose cone towards engagement with a receiving structure i.e., recess, forming part of the other rim assembly.",
"In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, when the rims are brought together into a tire holding position, the nose cone tightly engages an associated recess of the other rim.",
"The force of the now compressed gas spring rotatably couples the rims together so that rotating one rim produces attendant rotation in the other rim.",
"According to a feature of the invention, the gas spring is removably mounted within a shank of the nose cone.",
"If a different biasing force for the nose cone is desired, the gas spring may be removed and replaced with one of different pressurization, or alternately, the gas spring may be pressurized to a different level and then reinstalled into the shank of the nose cone.",
"With the disclosed invention, the biasing force exerted by the nose cone (or pilot) can be easily adjusted.",
"Moreover, the construction and operation of the chuck apparatus is simplified.",
"The elimination of a mechanical spring, as used in the prior art, allows the limits of travel of the nose cone to be substantially extended, thus allowing the chuck assembly to accommodate a wider range of tire bead widths.",
"Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fuller understanding obtained by reading the following detailed description made with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a tire testing machine incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the construction of an automatic adjustable width chuck constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a tire uniformity inspection machine 10 that incorporates a tire chucking/clamping apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.",
"The machine 10 also includes a frame 11 , which supports a conveyor 12 having a plurality of rollers 13 for delivering a tire 14 to be inspected to a test station 15 .",
"Conveyor 12 , is described in detail in commonly, assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,334, expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.",
"Conveyor 12 includes an opening 16 , which is small enough to prevent a tire from falling through, but large enough to pass a lower rim 17 , which is rotatably mounted upon a vertically retractable, lower rim assembly 18 .",
"An upper rim 20 is rotatably mounted by means of an upper rim spindle 21 to the upper portion of frame 11 .",
"Upper rim 20 is disposed opposite lower rim 17 so that upper and lower rims 20 and 17 cooperate to function as a rim to support a tire 14 under test when lower rim 17 is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 1 and in phantom view in FIG. 2 .",
"Upper rim spindle 21 includes an axial air passage 22 which communicates with an orifice 23 in upper rim 20 to permit inflation of tire 14 .",
"The rims and associated components described above form part of an adjustable width tire chuck assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.",
"In order to rotate a tire under test, upper rim spindle 21 is fitted with a drive pulley 24 connected to a drive motor 25 by way of a timing belt 26 .",
"A loadwheel 27 having a circumferential surface 28 is supported by loadwheel spindles 30 for free rotation about an axis parallel to that of the tire 14 under test.",
"Loadwheel spindles 30 are in turn supported by a carriage 31 which is slidably secured to frame 11 by one or more ways 32 so as to be movable in the radial direction, toward and away from tire 14 .",
"As carriage 31 urges loadwheel 27 radially inward (to the left in FIG. 1 ) against tire 14 , the radial load on tire 14 increases.",
"Likewise, movement of carriage 31 radially outward (to the right in FIG. 1 ) reduces the radial force on tire 14 .",
"Carriage 31 is moved back and forth by a reversible D.C. motor 33 secured to frame 11 .",
"Motor 33 drives a gear box 34 whose output drives a chain and sprocket linkage 35 to rotate a ball screw rotation only female screw 36 .",
"A screw shaft 37 fixed to carriage 31 is received within female screw 36 in order to translate carriage 31 in the radial direction as female screw 36 rotates.",
"Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the upper rim 20 is mounted on an adaptor 40 that is secured to the drive pulley 24 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"The air passage or central bore 22 provides a conical recess or seat 41 to receive a slidable pilot or nose cone 42 ( FIG. 2B ) on the lower half rim or chuck 17 .",
"Cone 42 includes an axial bore 43 , which mates with air passage bore 22 when nose cone 42 engages seat 41 to provide a path for tire inflation air, which is supplied to the interior of tire 14 by way of radial ports 44 which intersect, bore 43 .",
"The cone 42 is vertically slidable in a lower spindle 45 along a path indicated by the line 100 .",
"The spindle 45 is rotatably supported by a spindle housing 58 .",
"In particular, the spindle 45 is supported by upper and lower bearings 210 , 212 .",
"Associated bearing seals 214 , 216 seal the interface between the housing 58 and the spindle 45 in the vicinity of the bearings 210 , 212 , respectively.",
"According to the invention, the nose cone 42 is reciprocally movable towards and away from the conical seat 41 formed in the adaptor 40 (see FIG. 2A ) by a gas spring 220 (shown in elevation in FIG. 2B ).",
"The air spring 220 biases the nose cone 42 towards its extended position shown in FIG. 2B and is attached to the nose cone by one or more bolts 219 .",
"As seen best in FIG. 2B , the nose cone 42 is mounted to or forms an integral part of a hollow shank 222 that is slidable within a bore 226 defined by the spindle 45 .",
"At least one, but preferably two longitudinal slots 228 are formed in shank 222 to form keyways.",
"Internally threaded keys 230 are secured within keyways 228 by associated bolts/screws 231 counterbored within lower spindle 45 .",
"Keys 230 and keyways 228 permit cone 42 to slide or reciprocate axially with respect to spindle 45 but preclude rotation of cone 42 with respect to spindle 45 .",
"Thus, the rotary force imparted to the upper rim 20 is transmitted to cone 42 and through the keys 230 and keyways 228 to the spindle 45 .",
"Keys 230 further serve to limit the axial travel of shank 222 to retain it within spindle 45 .",
"The extremes of motion for the shank 222 are determined by the extent of the longitudinal slots 228 .",
"In the preferred embodiment, O-rings (not shown) are used to seal the screws 231 to their respective bores.",
"The O-rings inhibit air leakage from an inflated tire held between the upper and lower rim 20 , 17 .",
"In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the slots 228 are not through slots for most of their lengths.",
"In other words, the slots 228 do not extend through the body of the shank 222 .",
"However, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the lower ends of the slots 228 (as viewed in FIG. 2B ), include through portions 228 a , which enable the installation of the keys 230 .",
"To assemble the chuck assembly, the shank 222 is suitably positioned within the bore 226 such that the through slots 228 a are aligned with the mounting positions for the keys 230 .",
"While held in position, the set screws 231 , with associated seals, are threaded into the keys in order to lock them to the wall of the housing 45 .",
"The gas spring 220 would then be installed into the cylindrical recess 222 a defined by the shank 222 .",
"A piston rod 220 a extends from the cylinder 220 b and acts between the cylinder and a removable plate 234 secured to the bottom of the spindle 45 by suitable bolts 236 .",
"As is known, an inside region of the gas spring is pressurized with a suitable gas such as nitrogen.",
"The pressure acting on the upper and lower sides of an internal piston produce a net force acting on the piston tending to extend the piston rod 220 a .",
"Since the piston rod 220 a is fixed, the cylinder 220 b moves or is urged upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2B ) due to the forces exerted on the piston by the pressurized gas within the gas spring.",
"A gas spring suitable for this application is available from Kaller Gas Springs of Frazer Mich.",
"It has been found that for a chuck assembly constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a Kaller gas spring Part No. TU 750-160 will provide a 5″ range of motion for the nose cone 42 (as compared to a range of motion of 2.5″ for a prior art chuck assembly that utilizes a mechanical spring.",
"A 5″ range of motion for the nose cone enables the chuck assembly to accommodate a wide variation in tire bead widths.",
"As seen in FIG. 2B , a lubricating fitting 140 is provided to lubricate the outside of the shank wall to facilitate axial movement of the nose cone shank 222 within the spindle bore 226 .",
"The spindle housing 58 is suitably mounted to an adaptor plate 70 by a plurality of fasteners 152 which are threadedly received in the housing 58 and are spaced 120° apart.",
"A plurality of springs 156 provide a resilient mounting between the adaptor plate 150 and the spindle housing 58 to allow slight relative movement between the adaptor plate 70 and the housing which can compensate for slight misalignments between the nose cone 42 and the conical seat 41 (shown in FIG. 2A ).",
"A plurality of lubricating fittings 160 are provided by which lubricant is injected into the region 162 between the rotatable spindle 45 and an internal recess in the housing 58 which receives the spindle.",
"O-rings such as O-ring 166 are used in various locations to seal interfaces between components.",
"A nut 168 acts as a bearing retainer for the lower bearing 116 .",
"An upper cap 170 is secured by bolts 172 to the main housing 58 and serves to retain the bearing 110 in position.",
"The base plate or adapter 70 is suitably coupled to the hydraulic actuator 73 (see FIG. 1 ) which includes a piston 75 and which reciprocates within a cylinder 72 .",
"The operation of the actuator 73 raises and lowers the spindle housing (and associated spindle) along the path 100 in order to engage a tire between the upper rim 20 and the lower rim 17 .",
"Matched sets of concave and convex washers or spacers 176 a , 176 b are also provided between the base plate 70 and the housing 58 .",
"The washers/spacers 176 a , 176 b serve as a spherical bearing 176 which facilitates the alignment of the nose cone 42 with its associated recess 41 located in the upper rim assembly.",
"During clamping of the tire between the upper and lower rims, the actuator 73 moves the lower spindle housing towards the upper rim in order to engage the nose cone 42 with its recess 43 .",
"After the nose cone 42 enters the recess, the actuator 73 continues to raise the lower spindle, thus causing compression of the gas spring 120 .",
"The force exerted by this gas spring on the spindle housing 58 causes the springs 156 to compress until the spindle housing 58 contacts the spherical bearing 176 tightly capturing it between the housing 58 and the base plate 70 .",
"The spherical bearing 176 allows slight movement in the spindle housing 58 during this clamping phase to ensure tight and full engagement between the nose cone 42 and the recess 41 .",
"In a preferred method of operating the machine, the spindle housing 58 is driven upwardly to a “0”",
"position at which the upper and lower rims are spaced apart less than the actual bead width of the tire held between the rims.",
"The spindle housing 58 is then lowered by the actuator 71 to the proper bead width for the tire being tested.",
"Further details of the operation of the overall machine with a prior art spindle assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,398, which is hereby incorporated by reference.",
"Referring to FIG. 1 , an LVDT 88 is mechanically connected between the base plate/adaptor 70 and the frame 11 .",
"Its function is to produce an electrical signal that is the measure of the vertical distance between the lower rim 17 and the upper rim 20 .",
"As previously noted, hydraulic actuator 73 ( FIG. 1 ) includes a piston 75 , which reciprocates within a cylinder 72 .",
"The top side 90 of piston 75 and the bottom side 91 of piston 75 are connected to a hydraulic servo-control system 92 which will now be described in further detail.",
"Control system 92 includes a high pressure fluid supply 93 and a low pressure, high volume fluid supply 94 .",
"High pressure supply 93 is at a nominal pressure of 2000 psi, while low pressure supply 94 is at a nominal pressure of 1000 psi and is capable of supplying fluid at a rate of about 25 gpm.",
"A valve 96 has a first input port 97 connected to low pressure high volume supply 94 and a second input port 100 connected to a hydraulic return 101 .",
"Valve 96 is a double acting 4 way, 3 position solenoid valve with spring return to center.",
"Valve 96 further includes a first output port 102 connected by way of a flow control 103 to the top side 90 of piston 75 .",
"Valve 96 has a second output port 104 connected by way of a flow control 105 to the bottom side 91 of piston 75 .",
"A line incorporating a check valve 110 shunts the input 97 of valve 96 and the output of flow control 103 to provide regenerative action when piston 75 is raised.",
"High pressure supply 93 is connected to a 3 way, 2 position single acting solenoid valve 106 at a first input port 107 thereof.",
"A second input port 108 of valve 106 is connected to a return 109 .",
"Valve 106 has a first output port 112 , which is also connected to return 109 and a second output 113 which is connected by way of a check valve 114 and a 3 micron filter 115 to the pressure input of servo-valve 116 which is preferably a Part No. BD-15-25-N manufactured by Parker Hannifin.",
"The input to filter 115 is further connected to low pressure supply 94 through a check valve 117 which prevents high pressure fluid from flowing into the low pressure system.",
"Servo-valve 116 includes a return connection 118 , a first output 119 connected to the bottom side 91 of actuator 73 and a second output 120 connected to the top side 90 of actuator 73 .",
"Servo-valve 116 is connected electrically by way of a control line 122 to a conventional servo-amplifier 123 having a set point input 124 and a control input 125 the latter of which receives a distance indication signal from a comparator board 127 .",
"The comparator board 127 takes a distance indication signal from the LVDT 88 and compares it to the signal corresponding from the main control computer 130 .",
"It calculates a bead set location, which is input to the servo amplifier 123 .",
"Set point input 124 is shown connected to a set point control potentiometer 126 whereby a desired bead width set point may be determined.",
"Alternatively, a set point input 124 could receive approximate set point control signals from which signal may be varied according to the bead widths of individual tires being tested.",
"The main control computer 130 of machine 10 includes, inter alia an input 131 from the comparator board/circuit 127 from which it receives distance information as well as appropriate outputs 132 and 133 for actuating valve 96 to the right and left respectively and an output 134 for actuating valve 106 .",
"In operation, piston 75 and rod 71 are initially in a fully retracted or home position.",
"When a tire 14 to be tested is in position for mounting, the main control computer 130 actuates valve 96 by way of output 132 to shift its spool to the right in the FIG. 1 to connect low pressure, high volume supply 94 to the underside 91 of piston 75 through flow control 105 .",
"This results in rapid upward movement of piston 75 , the velocity of which is controlled by the setting of flow controls 103 .",
"As lower rim 17 passes upward through the opening in conveyor 12 , rim 17 engages the lower bead of tire 14 carrying tire 14 upward with it.",
"The lower rim assembly 18 rises until nose cone 42 engages tapered seat 41 to center and insure parallelism of rims 17 and 20 .",
"This alignment is further assisted by spherical washers 176 a , 176 b which can pivot slightly about their mated spherical surfaces at 178 as well as shift laterally slightly if required in the seat in housing 58 .",
"At this point the lower rim 17 is indicated at A in FIG. 2A .",
"It should be noted here that in FIG. 2A , the lower rim 17 , in position A, is shown in contact with the upper rim 20 .",
"This is usually termed the “bead set’ position. For tires having a large bead width, the “bead set”",
"position may be a position at which the rim 20 and rim 17 are spaced apart but not touching.",
"In any event, during clamping of the tire, the upper and lower rims 20 , 17 are brought to a “bead set”",
"position at which the rims are spaced apart less than the bead width of the tire so that seating, inflation and clamping of the tire is facilitated.",
"The rims 20 , 17 are then moved apart to the appropriate bead width for the tire at which point the tire is then tested, balanced and/or inspected depending on the type of equipment the rims are used on.",
"In this location, the spacing between rims 17 and 20 as sensed by LVDT 88 (and processed by the comparator circuit 127 ) and indicated by the signal appearing at input 125 of amplifier 123 is narrower than the desired bead width as indicated by the set point signal applied at input 124 of servo amp 123 as determined by the setting of potentiometer 126 .",
"Accordingly, a large position error signal is generated by amp 123 on line 122 .",
"Servovalve 116 then assumes control and, in response to the error signal on line 122 , supplies fluid from port 120 to the top side 90 of piston 75 and receives fluid into port 119 from the underside 91 of piston 75 to begin to move lower rim 17 downward.",
"About the same time, while lower rim 17 is still at or near position A, the main unit controller 120 initiates inflation of tire 14 by flowing air through passage 22 and outward from ports 44 into the area between rims 17 and 20 .",
"Because the upper bead of tire 14 is seating on or at least a reduced distance from upper rim 20 , pressurization of tire 14 while lower rim 17 is so located provides more reliable seating of the upper bead of tire 14 upon rim 20 .",
"Lower rim 17 continues to move downward as tire 14 is inflated.",
"As rim 17 approaches the desired bead width set by potentiometer 126 , as indicated by position B in FIG. 2A , controller 130 energizes valve 106 by way of line 134 to connect high pressure supply 93 to the pressure input of servovalve 116 through filter 115 and deenergizes valve 96 which reassumes its center, blocked position.",
"Lower rim 17 reaches position B which corresponds to a desired bead width appropriate for tire 14 and is maintained there under the continuous closed loop control of system 92 while tire testing proceeds.",
"As is well known in the art, testing includes driving carriage 31 radially inward until the surface 28 of loadwheel 27 engages the tread surface of tire 14 which is rotatably driven by motive force supplied by motor 25 through belt 26 to upper rim spindle 21 and through adapter 40 to upper rim 20 .",
"Due to the force applied by spring 53 , tapered seat 41 is securely frictionally coupled to nose cone 42 to drive lower rim 17 with upper rim 20 without significant rotational slip between the two rims.",
"During testing, forces transmitted by the rotating tire 14 to loadwheel are picked up by sensors (not shown) and analyzed by computing means (also not shown) to characterize the uniformity of construction of tire 14 .",
"At the conclusion of testing, tire 14 is deflated and high pressure is removed from actuator 73 and controller 130 deactivates valve 106 allowing its spring to return its spool to its normal, recirculating position.",
"Valve 96 is then energized via line 133 to move its spool to the left as shown in FIG. 1 , thereby connecting the top side 90 of piston 75 to low pressure high volume supply 94 through flow control 103 and connecting the bottom side 91 of piston 75 to return 101 through flow control 105 .",
"This effects a rapid downward movement of piston 75 to its initial or home position at a velocity which be adjusted by way of flow controls 103 and 105 .",
"With the disclosed invention, the spring rate for the nose cone assembly can be easily modified by either replacing the installed gas spring with a gas spring having a different gas pressure, or, alternatively, by removing the gas spring 220 and changing its pressurization with an apparatus designed to add or remove pressurized gas from the cylinder 220 b of the gas spring.",
"This apparatus for adding or removing pressurized gas from the gas spring 220 is known to those skilled in the art.",
"While the invention has been described as applied to a tire uniformity inspection machine it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in such equipment.",
"To the contrary, the invention may be applied to great advantage in other applications wherein it is necessary to chuck a tire.",
"It is to be further understood that the invention is not limited to the exact form shown and described above which are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention.",
"In view of the present disclosure those having skill in this art will be able to imagine various changes and modifications which can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the appended claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to process for removing contaminants from gas streams in carbon dioxide production and purification processes.
During the operation of carbon dioxide purification plants, different sources of carbon dioxide are employed. These sources can vary widely in terms of the content of impurities present therein that need to be removed. This is particularly important in carbon dioxide that is to be beverage grade liquid carbon dioxide. Typically these contaminants include various hydrocarbons, non-condensable compounds and sulfur compounds. The carbon dioxide concentration in the feed of the stream to be purified will range between 10 and 99.9 volume %.
Typical technologies used to remove trace amounts of hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds (approximately <200 ppm in the feedgas) are adsorption and distillation. Absorption can also be utilized for water soluble hydrocarbons.
Higher concentrations of insoluble hydrocarbons are typically treated by catalytic oxidation. In these processes, oxygen is added to the feedgas and the carbon dioxide is preheated in a cross heat exchanger before entering a feedgas heater to reach the typical reactor inlet temperature of 450° C. The hydrocarbons are efficiently converted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in a reactor containing a noble metal catalyst. Heat is recovered in the cross heat exchanger and the product is cooled further in an aftercooler which can be a two stage system against cooling water and against refrigerant.
The hydrocarbon conversion is fairly efficient at an excess oxygen concentration at the outlet of greater than 500 ppm. However, methane conversion can be deficient and is usually addressed by a downstream distillation process. Further the cost for a catalytic oxidation unit can be expensive in terms of its installation. Because of the high temperatures and the water vapor present, high grade metallurgy is required in the heat exchangers and reactor vessel. Further the use of a palladium/platinum catalyst adds significant cost to the overall unit.
If the hydrocarbon content in the feedgas is sufficiently high such as greater than 2000 to 3000 ppmv hydrocarbon in the feedgas, the unit can operate autothermally, i.e., the heat recovered in the cross heat exchangers is sufficient to pre-heat the feedgas to the reactor inlet temperature and the feedgas heater is only required for start-up operation.
For lower hydrocarbon contents typically less than 2000 ppmv, the preheater needs to be in operation continuously which will add to the energy consumption for the process.
Historically, catalytic oxidation units were placed in plants which had a proven high hydrocarbon content in the feedgas thereby allowing for autothermal operation of the unit. A more recent development driven by the steadily increasing quality requirements for beverage grade liquid carbon dioxide product is to include catalytic oxidation unit in plants which have lower and/or uncertain hydrocarbon concentrations in the feedgas. This development leads to a safe design for plants to handle hydrocarbons in the feedgas but increases capital and operating costs of the plant significantly.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention provides for a method of removing contaminants from a carbon dioxide gas stream in a carbon dioxide purification plant.
The method provides for feeding a carbon dioxide gas stream containing the contaminants into a carbon dioxide purification facility. The carbon dioxide gas stream is passed through a non-thermal plasma unit which will fragment and/or oxidize hydrocarbon and sulfur compounds that are present as contaminants in the carbon dioxide gas stream.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for removing contaminants from a carbon dioxide gas stream comprising feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream through a non-thermal plasma reactor.
Variations of this embodiment would include placing the non-thermal plasma reactor at different points in the CO 2 plant process and operating it at different pressures so that it is not only acting in a pre-purification capacity. This is further detailed with respect to the description of the FIGURE below.
The carbon dioxide gas stream after treatment can then be fed into a carbon dioxide purification facility.
Typically the contaminants that are removed from the carbon dioxide gas stream are selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon compounds and sulfur compounds.
The hydrocarbon compounds are selected from the group of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes and alcohols.
The sulfur compounds are selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, organosulfide compounds and carbonyl sulfide. The organosulfide compounds are typically mercaptans.
Typically the contaminants are present in the carbon dioxide gas stream in amounts ranging from about 10 ppmv to about 2000 ppmv.
The non-thermal plasma reactor is typically a dielectric barrier type plasma generator. These generators comprise a chamber where non-equilibrium plasma, i.e., where the bulk temperature is lower than the temperature of the generated plasma electrons, contacts the gas stream to be treated. This reactor can directly treat the gas or promote oxidation directly or via the use of a catalyst to remove the impurities.
The non-thermal plasma reactor is positioned at a location selected from the group consisting of in the raw gas conditioning unit, in the cooling and compression unit and in the purification unit.
The carbon dioxide gas stream contains 10 to 99.9 volume % carbon dioxide and is typically at ambient pressure.
In order to assist with the decomposition of the contaminants by the non-thermal plasma reactor, additional oxygen to stoichiometrically convert the contaminants to carbon dioxide and water vapor plus some excess may be fed into the carbon dioxide gas stream.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for purifying a carbon dioxide gas stream containing contaminants comprising the steps of:
a) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a raw gas conditioning unit; b) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a compression and cooling unit; and c) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a purification unit, wherein the carbon dioxide gas stream is fed into a non-thermal plasma reactor at a location selected from the group consisting of the raw gas conditioning unit, the cooling and compression unit and the purification unit.
The raw gas conditioning unit is typically a cooling unit and may be supplemented with an absorption and/or adsorption unit.
The compression and cooling unit is typically a screw compressor of oil-flooded type providing for cooling of the carbon dioxide with the compressor oil.
The purification unit is a gas treatment unit comprising an absorption and/or adsorption unit operations and followed by a liquefaction unit operation including distillation.
Optionally, the carbon dioxide gas stream is first fed to a carbon dioxide separation unit and a carbon dioxide concentration unit before it is fed into the raw gas conditioning unit.
The carbon dioxide gas stream may be fed to an optional second compressor after the cooling and compression unit. The optional second compressor may be a plurality of compressors. The compressor may alternatively be of oil-free screw type, reciprocating or centrifugal type, typically with inter- and aftercooling.
An additional feed of high pressure carbon dioxide may be fed to the carbon dioxide gas stream before entering the purification unit.
The invention further comprises placing a catalyst in the plasma reactor or downstream thereof.
The methods of the present invention will use less energy than a catalytic oxidation unit for a low to medium concentration of combustible impurities. Further by avoiding high temperatures in the process, a reduction in the cost for materials of construction and heat recovery equipment is also achieved. The small footprint of the non-thermal plasma unit allows for retrofitting at plants which is also economically more viable than retrofitting with a catalytic oxidation unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figure is a schematic of the pre-purification steps in a typical carbon dioxide purification facility.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning to the figure, the purification steps of a carbon dioxide purification facility are shown with the possible placements for the plasma reactor. The carbon dioxide thus purified can be fed into the purification facility (the details of which are not shown) for further processing.
The plasma reactors labeled A 1 , A 2 and A 3 can be positioned at three different places in the purification process. It is envisioned that one or a combination of two or more plasma reactors could be employed in the method of the invention.
The raw carbon dioxide gas stream is fed first to a raw gas conditioning pre-purification unit A which contains the plasma reactor A 1 . This pre-purification unit A may contain molecular sieve materials which when employed in a pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption process can assist in removing contaminants from the carbon dioxide gas stream.
Optionally the carbon dioxide gas stream is fed through line 0 to a carbon dioxide separation unit F. The carbon dioxide separation unit F can typically be a membrane separation unit, an adsorption unit, or a typically regenerative absorption unit. The carbon dioxide gas stream so treated will be fed through line 1 to an optional carbon dioxide concentration unit G. The carbon dioxide concentration unit typically contains molecular sieve material for use in removing gaseous species from the carbon dioxide gas stream. The thus treated carbon dioxide gas stream is fed through line 2 to the raw gas conditioning pre-purification unit A.
The plasma reactor A 1 operates at a pressure of about 0.5 to 1.5 Bara and will decompose the hydrocarbon compounds and sulfur compounds present in the carbon dioxide gas stream into carbon and hydrogen. The carbon dioxide gas stream so treated will be fed through line 3 to a first stage compressor B.
The use of a plasma reactor will break the C—H and C—C bonds present in the hydrocarbon compounds while leaving the carbon dioxide molecules largely unharmed. While some carbon dioxide decomposition can occur, this decomposition is limited by the energy input into the plasma reactor. The hydrogen or carbon can be removed from the carbon dioxide gas stream downstream by a scrubber assembly or other relevant gas separation unit. Typically in a catalytic oxidation process these materials would be destroyed outright.
The first stage compressor B will receive the carbon dioxide gas stream and will increase its pressure to around 5 to 8 Bar where the carbon dioxide gas stream will be fed through line 4 into a compression and cooling unit C.
The carbon dioxide gas stream will cool down in the compression and cooling unit C. The carbon dioxide gas stream may also be treated by plasma reactor A 2 which by itself or in conjunction with plasma reactor A 1 will cause decomposition of the hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds that may still be present in the carbon dioxide gas stream.
The thus treated carbon dioxide gas stream which will be lower in content of hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds will be fed to a second stage compressor D though line 5 . This second stage compressor can actually represent a series of several compressors serially connected which can optionally be used to raise the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stream. These one or more of several compressors can raise the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stream to around 18 to 25 Bar.
This higher pressure carbon dioxide gas stream is fed from the second stage compressor D through line 6 to a purification unit E. The purification unit E will contain the third location for the plasma reactor, here designated as A 3 and any hydrocarbons and/or sulfur compounds present in the carbon dioxide gas stream will be decomposed into hydrogen and carbon.
An optional high pressure feed of carbon dioxide can also be employed feeding the carbon dioxide into line 6 through optional feed line 6 a. This additional stream of carbon dioxide would consequently be treated by the plasma reactor A 3 as per its treatment of the higher pressure stream of carbon dioxide gas stream.
The carbon dioxide that is thus treated by the plasma reactor A 3 in purification unit E is then fed through line 7 into the remainder of the carbon dioxide purification process (not shown).
An optional feature associated with the plasma reactor is the use of a catalyst. This catalyst can be either present in the plasma reactor or downstream thereof and will facilitate the destruction of radicals that are generated by the plasma reactor.
While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The appended claims in this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention. | A carbon dioxide gas stream is purified of contaminants by feeding it through a non-thermal plasma reactor. The contaminants are hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds which will be decomposed. The non-thermal plasma reactor may be part of an overall carbon dioxide purification process that uses a pre-purification step prior to further purification. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to process for removing contaminants from gas streams in carbon dioxide production and purification processes.",
"During the operation of carbon dioxide purification plants, different sources of carbon dioxide are employed.",
"These sources can vary widely in terms of the content of impurities present therein that need to be removed.",
"This is particularly important in carbon dioxide that is to be beverage grade liquid carbon dioxide.",
"Typically these contaminants include various hydrocarbons, non-condensable compounds and sulfur compounds.",
"The carbon dioxide concentration in the feed of the stream to be purified will range between 10 and 99.9 volume %.",
"Typical technologies used to remove trace amounts of hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds (approximately <200 ppm in the feedgas) are adsorption and distillation.",
"Absorption can also be utilized for water soluble hydrocarbons.",
"Higher concentrations of insoluble hydrocarbons are typically treated by catalytic oxidation.",
"In these processes, oxygen is added to the feedgas and the carbon dioxide is preheated in a cross heat exchanger before entering a feedgas heater to reach the typical reactor inlet temperature of 450° C. The hydrocarbons are efficiently converted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in a reactor containing a noble metal catalyst.",
"Heat is recovered in the cross heat exchanger and the product is cooled further in an aftercooler which can be a two stage system against cooling water and against refrigerant.",
"The hydrocarbon conversion is fairly efficient at an excess oxygen concentration at the outlet of greater than 500 ppm.",
"However, methane conversion can be deficient and is usually addressed by a downstream distillation process.",
"Further the cost for a catalytic oxidation unit can be expensive in terms of its installation.",
"Because of the high temperatures and the water vapor present, high grade metallurgy is required in the heat exchangers and reactor vessel.",
"Further the use of a palladium/platinum catalyst adds significant cost to the overall unit.",
"If the hydrocarbon content in the feedgas is sufficiently high such as greater than 2000 to 3000 ppmv hydrocarbon in the feedgas, the unit can operate autothermally, i.e., the heat recovered in the cross heat exchangers is sufficient to pre-heat the feedgas to the reactor inlet temperature and the feedgas heater is only required for start-up operation.",
"For lower hydrocarbon contents typically less than 2000 ppmv, the preheater needs to be in operation continuously which will add to the energy consumption for the process.",
"Historically, catalytic oxidation units were placed in plants which had a proven high hydrocarbon content in the feedgas thereby allowing for autothermal operation of the unit.",
"A more recent development driven by the steadily increasing quality requirements for beverage grade liquid carbon dioxide product is to include catalytic oxidation unit in plants which have lower and/or uncertain hydrocarbon concentrations in the feedgas.",
"This development leads to a safe design for plants to handle hydrocarbons in the feedgas but increases capital and operating costs of the plant significantly.",
"SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides for a method of removing contaminants from a carbon dioxide gas stream in a carbon dioxide purification plant.",
"The method provides for feeding a carbon dioxide gas stream containing the contaminants into a carbon dioxide purification facility.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream is passed through a non-thermal plasma unit which will fragment and/or oxidize hydrocarbon and sulfur compounds that are present as contaminants in the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"In one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for removing contaminants from a carbon dioxide gas stream comprising feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream through a non-thermal plasma reactor.",
"Variations of this embodiment would include placing the non-thermal plasma reactor at different points in the CO 2 plant process and operating it at different pressures so that it is not only acting in a pre-purification capacity.",
"This is further detailed with respect to the description of the FIGURE below.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream after treatment can then be fed into a carbon dioxide purification facility.",
"Typically the contaminants that are removed from the carbon dioxide gas stream are selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon compounds and sulfur compounds.",
"The hydrocarbon compounds are selected from the group of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes and alcohols.",
"The sulfur compounds are selected from the group consisting of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, organosulfide compounds and carbonyl sulfide.",
"The organosulfide compounds are typically mercaptans.",
"Typically the contaminants are present in the carbon dioxide gas stream in amounts ranging from about 10 ppmv to about 2000 ppmv.",
"The non-thermal plasma reactor is typically a dielectric barrier type plasma generator.",
"These generators comprise a chamber where non-equilibrium plasma, i.e., where the bulk temperature is lower than the temperature of the generated plasma electrons, contacts the gas stream to be treated.",
"This reactor can directly treat the gas or promote oxidation directly or via the use of a catalyst to remove the impurities.",
"The non-thermal plasma reactor is positioned at a location selected from the group consisting of in the raw gas conditioning unit, in the cooling and compression unit and in the purification unit.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream contains 10 to 99.9 volume % carbon dioxide and is typically at ambient pressure.",
"In order to assist with the decomposition of the contaminants by the non-thermal plasma reactor, additional oxygen to stoichiometrically convert the contaminants to carbon dioxide and water vapor plus some excess may be fed into the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"In another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for purifying a carbon dioxide gas stream containing contaminants comprising the steps of: a) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a raw gas conditioning unit;",
"b) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a compression and cooling unit;",
"and c) feeding the carbon dioxide gas stream into a purification unit, wherein the carbon dioxide gas stream is fed into a non-thermal plasma reactor at a location selected from the group consisting of the raw gas conditioning unit, the cooling and compression unit and the purification unit.",
"The raw gas conditioning unit is typically a cooling unit and may be supplemented with an absorption and/or adsorption unit.",
"The compression and cooling unit is typically a screw compressor of oil-flooded type providing for cooling of the carbon dioxide with the compressor oil.",
"The purification unit is a gas treatment unit comprising an absorption and/or adsorption unit operations and followed by a liquefaction unit operation including distillation.",
"Optionally, the carbon dioxide gas stream is first fed to a carbon dioxide separation unit and a carbon dioxide concentration unit before it is fed into the raw gas conditioning unit.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream may be fed to an optional second compressor after the cooling and compression unit.",
"The optional second compressor may be a plurality of compressors.",
"The compressor may alternatively be of oil-free screw type, reciprocating or centrifugal type, typically with inter- and aftercooling.",
"An additional feed of high pressure carbon dioxide may be fed to the carbon dioxide gas stream before entering the purification unit.",
"The invention further comprises placing a catalyst in the plasma reactor or downstream thereof.",
"The methods of the present invention will use less energy than a catalytic oxidation unit for a low to medium concentration of combustible impurities.",
"Further by avoiding high temperatures in the process, a reduction in the cost for materials of construction and heat recovery equipment is also achieved.",
"The small footprint of the non-thermal plasma unit allows for retrofitting at plants which is also economically more viable than retrofitting with a catalytic oxidation unit.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure is a schematic of the pre-purification steps in a typical carbon dioxide purification facility.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning to the figure, the purification steps of a carbon dioxide purification facility are shown with the possible placements for the plasma reactor.",
"The carbon dioxide thus purified can be fed into the purification facility (the details of which are not shown) for further processing.",
"The plasma reactors labeled A 1 , A 2 and A 3 can be positioned at three different places in the purification process.",
"It is envisioned that one or a combination of two or more plasma reactors could be employed in the method of the invention.",
"The raw carbon dioxide gas stream is fed first to a raw gas conditioning pre-purification unit A which contains the plasma reactor A 1 .",
"This pre-purification unit A may contain molecular sieve materials which when employed in a pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption process can assist in removing contaminants from the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"Optionally the carbon dioxide gas stream is fed through line 0 to a carbon dioxide separation unit F. The carbon dioxide separation unit F can typically be a membrane separation unit, an adsorption unit, or a typically regenerative absorption unit.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream so treated will be fed through line 1 to an optional carbon dioxide concentration unit G. The carbon dioxide concentration unit typically contains molecular sieve material for use in removing gaseous species from the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"The thus treated carbon dioxide gas stream is fed through line 2 to the raw gas conditioning pre-purification unit A. The plasma reactor A 1 operates at a pressure of about 0.5 to 1.5 Bara and will decompose the hydrocarbon compounds and sulfur compounds present in the carbon dioxide gas stream into carbon and hydrogen.",
"The carbon dioxide gas stream so treated will be fed through line 3 to a first stage compressor B. The use of a plasma reactor will break the C—H and C—C bonds present in the hydrocarbon compounds while leaving the carbon dioxide molecules largely unharmed.",
"While some carbon dioxide decomposition can occur, this decomposition is limited by the energy input into the plasma reactor.",
"The hydrogen or carbon can be removed from the carbon dioxide gas stream downstream by a scrubber assembly or other relevant gas separation unit.",
"Typically in a catalytic oxidation process these materials would be destroyed outright.",
"The first stage compressor B will receive the carbon dioxide gas stream and will increase its pressure to around 5 to 8 Bar where the carbon dioxide gas stream will be fed through line 4 into a compression and cooling unit C. The carbon dioxide gas stream will cool down in the compression and cooling unit C. The carbon dioxide gas stream may also be treated by plasma reactor A 2 which by itself or in conjunction with plasma reactor A 1 will cause decomposition of the hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds that may still be present in the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"The thus treated carbon dioxide gas stream which will be lower in content of hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds will be fed to a second stage compressor D though line 5 .",
"This second stage compressor can actually represent a series of several compressors serially connected which can optionally be used to raise the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"These one or more of several compressors can raise the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stream to around 18 to 25 Bar.",
"This higher pressure carbon dioxide gas stream is fed from the second stage compressor D through line 6 to a purification unit E. The purification unit E will contain the third location for the plasma reactor, here designated as A 3 and any hydrocarbons and/or sulfur compounds present in the carbon dioxide gas stream will be decomposed into hydrogen and carbon.",
"An optional high pressure feed of carbon dioxide can also be employed feeding the carbon dioxide into line 6 through optional feed line 6 a. This additional stream of carbon dioxide would consequently be treated by the plasma reactor A 3 as per its treatment of the higher pressure stream of carbon dioxide gas stream.",
"The carbon dioxide that is thus treated by the plasma reactor A 3 in purification unit E is then fed through line 7 into the remainder of the carbon dioxide purification process (not shown).",
"An optional feature associated with the plasma reactor is the use of a catalyst.",
"This catalyst can be either present in the plasma reactor or downstream thereof and will facilitate the destruction of radicals that are generated by the plasma reactor.",
"While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.",
"The appended claims in this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/250,190, filed Sept. 28, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,984.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane useful for the separation of fluid mixtures and solutions. In particular, the present invention relates to a polyamide water permeable membrane containing a monomeric amine salt therein, which is useful for desalination of an aqueous solution. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the membrane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that dissolved substances can be separated from their solvents by the use of selective membranes. For example, of great practical interest is the removal of salt from water by reverse osmosis. The efficiency and economy of such removal is of tremendous economic significance in order to provide potable water from brackish or sea water for household or agricultural use. A critical factor in desalination is the performance of the membrane in terms of salt rejection, i.e., the reduction in salt concentration across the membrane, and flux, i.e., the flow rate across the membrane. For practical applications, the flux should be on the order of greater than about 10 gallons/ft 2 -day (gfd) at a pressure of about 55 atmospheres for sea water and about 15 gfd at a pressure of about 15 atmospheres for brackish water. The continuing goal of research and development in this area is to develop membranes having increased flux and/or salt rejection which are useful in desalination.
Among the known membranes used in desalination are included a large number of various types of polyamides which are prepared by a variety of methods.
Of particular interest within this broad group of polyamide membranes are crosslinked aromatic polyamide membranes. The crosslinked aromatic polyamide membranes include, for example, those disclosed in the following U.S. Patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,519, issued to McKinney et al, discloses reverse osmosis membranes of improved flux prepared by crosslinking aromatic polyamide membranes using crosslinking agents and/or irradiation. The polyamides are prepared, for example, by the interfacial polymerization of amine groups and carboxyl groups followed by crosslinking.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,318, issued to van Heuven, teaches the production of aromatic polyamide membranes, wherein crosslinking is achieved using a reactant having a functionality of three or greater.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344, issued to Cadotte, describes a reverse osmosis membrane which is the interfacial reaction product of an aromatic polyamine having at least two primary amine substituents with an aromatic acyl halide having at least three acyl halide substituents. The preferred membrane is made of a poly(phenylenediamine trimesamide) film on a porous polysulfone support.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,708, issued to Bray, discloses a similar membrane in which a major portion of the trifunctional aromatic acyl halide is replaced by the difunctional aromatic acyl halide - isophthaloyl chloride.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,646, issued to Sundet, shows a membrane similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344 in which all or a portion of the trifunctional aromatic acyl halide is replaced by cyclohexane - 1,3,5-tricarbonyl chloride. Similar membranes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,520,044, 4,544,484 and 4,626,468, each issued to Sundet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,234, issued to Uemura et al, shows a membrane similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344 in which aromatic tri- or higher aromatic amines are employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,254, issued to Zupanic et al, discloses a reverse osmosis composite membrane formed by the interfacial polymerization of a triaryl triamine with an aromatic carboxylic acid chloride.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,767, issued to Kamiyama et al, describes membranes prepared by crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol and secondary di- or higher amines with polyfunctional crosslinking agents. Both aromatic and aliphatic amine components are disclosed.
While some of the above referenced membranes are commercially useable, the goal of the industry continues to be to develop membranes that have better flux and salt rejection characteristics in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency of operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane which has high salt rejection and excellent flux.
This and other objects of the present invention, which will be apparent from the detailed description of the present invention provided hereinafter, have been met by a water permeable membrane prepared by interfacially polymerizing, on a microporous support, (1) an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups, and (2) an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof, wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule, in the presence of (3) a monomeric amine salt.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a solution containing a monomeric amine salt and a polyamine is coated on a microporous support prior to coating with a solution of an polyfunctional acyl halide.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a monomeric amine salt solution is coated on a microporous support prior to coating with a polyamine solution and a polyfunctional acyl halide solution.
The resulting membrane consists of an ultrathin membrane on the microporous support. This membrane has excellent salt rejection and flux and is suitable for desalination applications.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the objects of the present invention have been met by a water permeable membrane produced by the process comprising the steps of:
(a) coating a microporous support with an aqueous solution comprising (i) an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups and (ii) a monomeric amine salt, to form a liquid layer on said microporous support;
(b) contacting said liquid layer with an organic solvent solution of an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof, wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule; and
(c) drying the product of step (b) so as to form said water permeable membrane.
In a second embodiment, the water permeable membrane is produced by the process comprising the steps of:
(a) coating a microporous support with a first aqueous solution comprising a monomeric amine salt to form a monomeric amine salt layer on said microporous support:
(b) coating said monomeric amine salt layer with a second aqueous solution comprising an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups to form a liquid layer on said monomeric amine salt layer;
(c) coating said liquid layer with an organic solvent solution of an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant, comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule; and
(d) drying the product of step (c) so as to form said water permeable membrane.
The particular microporous support employed in the present invention is not critical thereto. Examples of such microporous supports useful in the present invention include those made of a polyarylether sulfone, such as a polysulfone and a polyether sulfone; a polyimide; and a polyvinylidene fluoride. The microporous support is preferably made of a polyarylether sulfone.
The thickness of the microporous support is not critical to the present invention. Generally, the thickness of the microporous support is about 25 to 125 μm, preferably about 40 to 75 μm.
The essentially monomeric polyamine reactant employed in the present invention has at least two amine functional groups, preferably 2 to 3 amine functional groups. The amine functional group is a primary or secondary amine functional group, preferably a primary amine functional group.
The polyamine reactant may be aromatic or cycloaliphatic.
The particular polyamine reactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto. Examples of such polyamine reactants include aromatic primary diamines, such as m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine and substituted derivatives thereof, wherein the substituent includes, e.g., an alkyl group, such as a methyl group or an ethyl group; an alkoxy group, such as a methoxy group or an ethoxy group; a hydroxy alkyl group; a hydroxy group or a halogen atom; aromatic primary triamines, such as 1,2,4-triaminobenzene: aromatic secondary diamines, such as N,N'-diphenylethylene diamine; cycloaliphatic primary diamines, such as cyclohexane diamine; cycloaliphatic secondary diamines, such as piperazine and trimethylene dipiperidine; xylylene diamines, such as m-xylylene diamine. The preferred aromatic polyamine reactants employed in the present invention are aromatic primary diamines, more preferably m-phenylenediamine.
The essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least 2.2 polyfunctional acyl halide groups, preferably 2.2 to 3.0 polyfunctional acyl halide groups per reactant molecule.
The amine-reactive reactant may be aromatic or cycloaliphatic.
The particular amine-reactive reactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto. Examples of such amine-reactive reactants include isophthaloyl halide, trimesoyl halide, terephthaloyl halide, cyclohexane tricarbonyl halide and mixtures thereof. The preferred amine-reactive reactants employed in the present invention are isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC).
The monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention maybe a salt of a monomeric amine and an acid, and is preferably a salt of a tertiary amine and a strong acid.
As used herein, a strong acid is an acid which reacts essentially completely with water to give a hydronium ion.
Examples of such strong acids include an aromatic sulfonic acid; an aliphatic sulfonic acid; a cycloaliphatic sulfonic acid, such as camphorsulfonic acid; trifluoroacetic acid nitric acid: hydrochloric acid; and sulfuric acid.
The particular monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention is not critical thereto and may be any aliphatic, alkoxy cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or alkanol monomeric amine salt.
Preferred monomeric amine salts employed in the invention are represented by formula (I) and (II) below: ##STR1## wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrocarbon X represents a member selected from the group consisting of a halide, a nitrate, a sulfate, a phosphate, a sulfonate, a carboxylate, a halogenated carboxylate and an oxygenated haloacid derivative and HX represents a strong acid which forms a water soluble salt with ##STR2##
In formula (I), the hydrocarbons represented by R 1 , R 2 and R 3 preferably have a total number of carbon atoms of 3 to 9. more preferably, 3 to 6. In formula (II), the hydrocarbons represented by R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , preferably have a total number of carbon atoms of 4 to 16. more preferably, 4 to 13. The hydrocarbon may be, e.g., a straight or branched chain substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkanol group or benzyl group. Further, in formula (I), two or more of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 may combine together to form a ring.
More preferably, the monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention is a water soluble salt of a strong acid and a tertiary amine selected from the group consisting of a trialkylamine, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine; an N-alkylcycloaliphatic amine, such as 1-methylpiperidine; an N,N-dialkylamine, such as N,N-dimethylethylamine and N,N-diethylmethylamine; an N,N-dialkyl ethanolamine, such as N,N-dimethylethanolamine; a bicyclic tertiary amine, such as 3-quinuclidinol and mixtures thereof, or a quaternary amine selected from at least one member of the group consisting of a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, such as, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide; a benzyltrialkylammonium hydroxide, such as benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, benzyltriethylammonium hydroxide; and benzyltripropylammonium hydroxide; and mixtures thereof.
The monomeric amine salt is employed either as a solid, which is water soluble, or as an aqueous solution having dissolved therein the monomeric amine salt. The monomeric amine salt is preferably employed as an aqueous solution thereof.
The monomeric amine used to prepare the monomeric amine salt preferably has a pKa of more than about 8, more preferably about 8 to 13, most preferably about 9 to 13.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the microporous support is coated with a first aqueous solution containing generally about 0.25 to 10.0 wt% of a monomeric amine salt, preferably about 1.0 to 8.0 wt% of a monomeric amine salt. The first aqueous solution is preferably adjusted to a pH of about 5.5 to 13, more preferably about 6 to 12, by controlling the concentration of the acid or the monomeric amine salt. In this case, the second aqueous solution containing the polyamine reactant generally has a pH of about 5 to 12, preferably about 6 to 12. Further, in this case, where the monomeric amine salt and the polyamine reactant are separately coated on the microporous support, the coating amount is generally adjusted so that the molar ratio of the monomeric amine salt to the polyamine reactant is about 0.1 to 4.0, preferably about 0.6 to 1.4.
In order to save a step in the process of the present invention, the above aqueous solution of the monomeric amine salt can also contain the polyamine reactant. In this case the aqueous solution is generally adjusted to a pH of about 5.5 to 13, preferably about 6 to 12. Further, in this case, the molar ratio of the monomeric amine salt to the polyamine reactant is also generally adjusted to about 0.1 to 4.0, preferably about 0.6 to 1.4.
The choice of pH depends on the base strength of the particular reactive polyamine employed. In general, the above-described lower range pH value of the reactive polyamine solution should be about the same as the pKa of the particular polyamine employed and the higher range pH value should be about the same as the particular unadjusted free base aqueous pH.
In the case of aromatic polyamines, the pKa is in the range of about 4 to 7, whereas with cyloaliphatic polyamines, the pKa is in the range of about 8 to 11.
The above aqueous solutions are coated by any well known means, such as dipping, spraying, roller coating or rod coating and allowed to remain in place generally for about 5 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably about 20 seconds to 4 minutes.
If desired, the aqueous solutions may contain a surfactant for more improved results. The particular surfactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto. Examples of such surfactants include sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or mixtures thereof. The surfactants are generally employed at a concentration of about 0.01 to 0.5 wt%, preferably about 0.1 to 0.25 wt%.
After forming a liquid layer containing the monomeric amine salt and the polyamine reactant, a second layer of an organic solvent solution containing the essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant is coated thereon.
Generally, the organic solvent solution contains about 0.05 to 5.0 wt/vol%. preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 wt/vol% of the amine-reactive reactant.
The organic solvent employed in the present invention is one which is non-miscible with water. The particular organic solvent employed in the present invention is not critical thereto. Examples of such organic solvents include alkanes, such as hexane and nonane; cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane; and halogenated derivatives thereof, such as Freon.sup.® (DuPont deNemours), including 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane; and mixtures thereof. The preferred organic solvents employed in the present invention are alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.
The organic solvent containing the amine-reactive reactant is coated by any well known means, such as dipping or spraying and allowed to remain in place generally for about 5 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably about 20 seconds to 4 minutes.
It is preferable to employ an about 5 to 50, more preferably an about 10 to 30 molar excess of the polyamine reactant to the amine-reactive reactant.
After each step of coating the aqueous and organic solvent solutions, the excess solutions are drained off. Then, after the last coating and draining step, the resulting product is dried to form a water permeable membrane. The resulting product is generally dried in an oven at about 60° C. to 110° C., preferably about 70° C. to 100° C. for about 1 to 10 minutes, preferably about 2 to 8 minutes.
In this manner, a polyamide layer is formed on the microporous support. The thickness of the resulting polyamide layer is generally about 0.05 to 1.0 μm, preferably about 0.15 to 0.5 μm.
The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1
An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of m-phenylenediamine (MPD), 2.0 wt% of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and 0.1 wt% of sodium dodecyl benzyl sulfonate (SDBS) in water was prepared. The pH of the final solution was adjusted to 5.7 with acetic acid. The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer thereon. After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 2 minutes, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, an organic solvent solution containing at a final concentration 0.05 wt% of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and 0.075 wt% of isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 1 minute before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution. Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.
The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2,000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig.
The salt rejection was 99.69% and the flux was 20.1 gfd.
EXAMPLE 2
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, except that the pH of the final solution was adjusted to 8.0 with acetic acid.
The salt rejection was 99.84% and the flux was 19.8 gfd under the same test conditions as in Example 1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES A-D AND EXAMPLES 3-19
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted or the monomeric amine salts set forth in Table 1 below were substituted for TMAH in the amounts indicated in Table 1 and the strong acids in Table 1 were substituted for acetic acid so as to achieve the final pH shown in Table 1. For ease of consideration, Examples 1 and 2 are also shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1______________________________________Monomeric Amine SaltMonomeric Amine Concen- trationExample wt % Acid pH______________________________________ 1 tetramethylammonium 2 AA 5.7 hydroxide 2 tetramethylammonium 2 AA 8.0 hydroxide 3 tetramethylammonium 2 CSA 9.3 hydroxide 4 dipropylamine 2 CSA 7.8 5 triethylamine 2 CSA 7.8Comp. A -- -- CSA 7.4 6 tripropylamine 2 CSA 8.0 7 1-methylpiperidine 2 CSA 8.0 8 N,N-diethylmethylamine 2 CSA 8.0 9 N,N-dimethylethylamine 2 CSA 8.010 N,N-dimethylethanolamine 2 CSA 8.0Comp. B -- -- CSA 9.011 N,N-dimethyl 4-amino- 0.32 CSA 5.7 pyridineComp. C -- -- CSA 5.712 benzyltrimethylammonium 2 HCl 7.5 chloride13 tetramethylammonium 2 HCl 7.414 triethylamine 2 HCl 8.515 trimethylamine 2 HCl 5.7Comp. D -- -- HCl 5.716 3-quinuclidinol 0.5 HCl 9.017 1-methylpiperidine 2 MSA 7.818 tetramethylammonium 2 TFAA 7.35 hydroxide19 triethylamine 2 TFAA 7.8______________________________________ AA = acetic acid CSA = camphorsulfonic acid MSA = methanesulfonic acid TFAA = trifluoroacetic acid
The resulting water permeable membranes were evaluated as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Table 2 below. For ease of consideration, the results for the water permeable membranes of Examples 1 and 2 are also shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2______________________________________Example Salt Rejection (%) Flux (gfd)______________________________________ 1 99.69 20.1 2 99.84 19.8 3 99.90 16.3 4 99.88 15.8 5 99.87 22.1Comp. A 99.81 5.6 6 99.84 19.8 7 99.88 20.8 8 99.86 22.3 9 99.91 19.810 99.87 20.7Comp. B 99.46 6.211 99.64 17.8Comp. C 99.82 15.312 99.76 18.513 99.90 16.814 99.64 18.915 99.66 16.6Comp. D 99.76 13.416 99.82 15.517 99.26 15.118 99.90 15.919 99.87 21.8______________________________________
As shown in Table 2 above, there is a significant (up to three fold or more) increase in flux using the monomeric amine salt as per the present invention without adversely effecting the salt rejection regardless of the monomeric amine salt, acid employed in the aqueous solution, or pH thereof.
EXAMPLES 20-32 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES E-M
An aqueous solution was prepared containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of MPD, 6.6 wt% of amine salt of triethylamine and camphorsulfonic acid and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water. For comparison, a similar solution was prepared without the monomeric amine salt. The pH of the final solutions was adjusted to the values as indicated in Table 3 below with camphorsulfonic acid.
The resulting aqueous solutions were coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone supports by pouring and allowing such to remain for 2 minutes before draining off the excess aqueous solutions.
After coating the aqueous solutions, organic solvent solutions containing, at the final concentrations set forth in Table 3, the acid chlorides set forth in Table 3, were coated thereon by pouring, allowing such to remain for 1 minute and then draining the excess organic solvent solutions. Next, the microporous polysulfone supports coated with the above-described solutions were dried in an oven under the conditions indicated in Table 3.
TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________ Acid Chloride DryingTEACSA Acid Concentration Time TempExample(wt. %) pH Chloride (wt %) Solvent (min.) (°C.)__________________________________________________________________________20 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.10 Freon 3.5 70Comp. E-- 8.7 TMC 0.10 Freon 3.5 7021 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.10 Isopar 6.0 95Comp. F-- 8.7 TMC 0.10 Isopar 6.0 9522 6.6 8.6 Mixture A 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp. G-- 8.6 Mixture A 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9523 6.6 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9524 6.6 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp. H-- 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 7025 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp. I-- 8.7 TMC 0.125 Freon 3.5 7026 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 6.0 9527 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.25 Freon 6.0 9528 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.25 Freon 3.5 7029 6.6 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp. J-- 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Freon 3.5 7030 6.6 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp. K-- 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9531 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp. L-- 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 7032 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp. M-- 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95__________________________________________________________________________ TEACSA = amine salt of triethylamine and camphorsulfonic acid. Mixture A = a mixture of 70 wt % IPC and 30 wt % TMC. Mixture B = a mixture of 60 wt % IPC and 40 wt % TMC. Mixture C = a mixture of 50 wt % IPc and 50 wt % TMC.
The resulting water permeable membranes were evaluated as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Table 4 below.
TABLE 4______________________________________Example Salt Rejection (%) Flux (gfd)______________________________________20 99.78 18.4Comp. E 99.37 14.221 99.80 19.4Comp. F 99.84 5.722 99.58 14.1Comp. G 99.16 2.623 99.85 26.324 99.25 20.0Comp. H 98.35 10.225 99.69 19.3Comp. I 99.63 16.326 99.79 20.127 99.81 22.628 99.78 18.829 99.83 20.7Comp. J 99.72 5.030 99.84 25.8Comp. K 99.75 7.731 99.60 21.9Comp. L 99.50 12.232 99.45 21.2Comp. M 99.63 6.2______________________________________
As shown in Table 4 above, there is a significant (up to three fold or more) increase in flux using the monomeric amine salt as per the present invention without adversely effecting the salt rejection, regardless of the particular organic solvent solution and pH of the aqueous solution employed.
EXAMPLE 33
An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.25 wt% of m-xylylene diamine 1.5 wt% of TEACSA and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water was prepared. The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer. After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration. 0.20 wt% of TMC in Isopar 200 (Exxon Corp), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution. Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.
The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2,000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig. The salt rejection was 98.56% and the flux was 9.5 gfd.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE N
The procedure of Example 33 was repeated, except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted. The salt rejection was 97.55% and the flux was 4.5 gfd.
EXAMPLE 34
An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.25 wt% of piperazine, 0.25 wt% of polyvinyl alcohol (100-110,000 MW, 88% hydrolyzed), 0.35 wt.% of sodium hydroxide, 1.5 wt% of TEACSA, and 0.125 wt% of SLS in water was prepared. The solution was coated on a 60-70 pm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer. After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 7 seconds, the support was drained, then air blown briefly to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration 1.5% of TMC in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 10 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution. Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 2 minutes, then 140° C. for 4 minutes.
The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 1,500 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 145 psig. The salt rejection was 84.7% and the flux was 56.8 gfd.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE O
The procedure of Example 34 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted. The salt rejection was 72.0% and the flux was 52.8 gfd.
EXAMPLE 35
An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of 3,5-diamino benzyl alcohol, 4.0 wt% of the amine salt of triethylamine and hydrochloric acid and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water was prepared. The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer. After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.15 wt% of TMC in Isopar.sup.® (Exxon Corp). was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution. Next the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.
The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2 000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig. The salt rejection was 99.32% and the flux was 12.7 gfd.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE P
The procedure of Example 35 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted. The salt rejection was 99.26% and the flux was 8.4 gfd.
EXAMPLE 36
An aqueous solution containing at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of 1,2,4-triaminobenzene dihydrochloride which was first neutralized with 0.816 wt% of sodium hydroxide, 3.3 wt% of TEACSA in water was prepared The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support (containing 0.1 wt% SDBS) by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer. After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution. Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration 0.175 wt% IPC in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.). was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution. Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.
The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2 000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0 through the membrane at 225 psig. The salt rejection was 72.8% and the flux was 22.0 gfd.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE Q
The procedure of Example 36 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted. The salt rejection was 43.4% and the flux was 23.6 gfd.
EXAMPLE 37
The procedure of Example 36 was repeated except that 2.06 wt% of triethlyamine was used to neutralize the 1,2,4-triaminobenzene dihydrochloride before adding 6.6 wt% of TEACSA. A further substitution included 0.175 wt% of TMC in place of 0.175 wt% of IPC. The salt rejection was 98.53% and the flux was 30.0 gfd under the same test conditions as in Example 36.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE R
The procedure of Example 37 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted. The salt rejection was 96.18% and the flux was 27.4 gfd.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. | The present invention relates to an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane useful for the separation of fluid mixtures and solutions. In particular, the present invention relates to a polyamide water permeable membrane containing a monomeric amine salt therein, which is useful for desalination of an aqueous solution. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the membrane. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser.",
"No. 07/250,190, filed Sept.",
"28, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,984.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane useful for the separation of fluid mixtures and solutions.",
"In particular, the present invention relates to a polyamide water permeable membrane containing a monomeric amine salt therein, which is useful for desalination of an aqueous solution.",
"The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the membrane.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that dissolved substances can be separated from their solvents by the use of selective membranes.",
"For example, of great practical interest is the removal of salt from water by reverse osmosis.",
"The efficiency and economy of such removal is of tremendous economic significance in order to provide potable water from brackish or sea water for household or agricultural use.",
"A critical factor in desalination is the performance of the membrane in terms of salt rejection, i.e., the reduction in salt concentration across the membrane, and flux, i.e., the flow rate across the membrane.",
"For practical applications, the flux should be on the order of greater than about 10 gallons/ft 2 -day (gfd) at a pressure of about 55 atmospheres for sea water and about 15 gfd at a pressure of about 15 atmospheres for brackish water.",
"The continuing goal of research and development in this area is to develop membranes having increased flux and/or salt rejection which are useful in desalination.",
"Among the known membranes used in desalination are included a large number of various types of polyamides which are prepared by a variety of methods.",
"Of particular interest within this broad group of polyamide membranes are crosslinked aromatic polyamide membranes.",
"The crosslinked aromatic polyamide membranes include, for example, those disclosed in the following U.S. Patents.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,519, issued to McKinney et al, discloses reverse osmosis membranes of improved flux prepared by crosslinking aromatic polyamide membranes using crosslinking agents and/or irradiation.",
"The polyamides are prepared, for example, by the interfacial polymerization of amine groups and carboxyl groups followed by crosslinking.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,318, issued to van Heuven, teaches the production of aromatic polyamide membranes, wherein crosslinking is achieved using a reactant having a functionality of three or greater.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344, issued to Cadotte, describes a reverse osmosis membrane which is the interfacial reaction product of an aromatic polyamine having at least two primary amine substituents with an aromatic acyl halide having at least three acyl halide substituents.",
"The preferred membrane is made of a poly(phenylenediamine trimesamide) film on a porous polysulfone support.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,708, issued to Bray, discloses a similar membrane in which a major portion of the trifunctional aromatic acyl halide is replaced by the difunctional aromatic acyl halide - isophthaloyl chloride.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,646, issued to Sundet, shows a membrane similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344 in which all or a portion of the trifunctional aromatic acyl halide is replaced by cyclohexane - 1,3,5-tricarbonyl chloride.",
"Similar membranes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,520,044, 4,544,484 and 4,626,468, each issued to Sundet.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,234, issued to Uemura et al, shows a membrane similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,344 in which aromatic tri- or higher aromatic amines are employed.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,254, issued to Zupanic et al, discloses a reverse osmosis composite membrane formed by the interfacial polymerization of a triaryl triamine with an aromatic carboxylic acid chloride.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,767, issued to Kamiyama et al, describes membranes prepared by crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol and secondary di- or higher amines with polyfunctional crosslinking agents.",
"Both aromatic and aliphatic amine components are disclosed.",
"While some of the above referenced membranes are commercially useable, the goal of the industry continues to be to develop membranes that have better flux and salt rejection characteristics in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency of operation.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane which has high salt rejection and excellent flux.",
"This and other objects of the present invention, which will be apparent from the detailed description of the present invention provided hereinafter, have been met by a water permeable membrane prepared by interfacially polymerizing, on a microporous support, (1) an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups, and (2) an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof, wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule, in the presence of (3) a monomeric amine salt.",
"In one embodiment of the present invention, a solution containing a monomeric amine salt and a polyamine is coated on a microporous support prior to coating with a solution of an polyfunctional acyl halide.",
"In a second embodiment of the present invention, a monomeric amine salt solution is coated on a microporous support prior to coating with a polyamine solution and a polyfunctional acyl halide solution.",
"The resulting membrane consists of an ultrathin membrane on the microporous support.",
"This membrane has excellent salt rejection and flux and is suitable for desalination applications.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the objects of the present invention have been met by a water permeable membrane produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) coating a microporous support with an aqueous solution comprising (i) an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups and (ii) a monomeric amine salt, to form a liquid layer on said microporous support;",
"(b) contacting said liquid layer with an organic solvent solution of an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof, wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule;",
"and (c) drying the product of step (b) so as to form said water permeable membrane.",
"In a second embodiment, the water permeable membrane is produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) coating a microporous support with a first aqueous solution comprising a monomeric amine salt to form a monomeric amine salt layer on said microporous support: (b) coating said monomeric amine salt layer with a second aqueous solution comprising an essentially monomeric polyamine reactant having at least two amine functional groups to form a liquid layer on said monomeric amine salt layer;",
"(c) coating said liquid layer with an organic solvent solution of an essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant, comprising a polyfunctional acyl halide or mixture thereof wherein the amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least about 2.2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule;",
"and (d) drying the product of step (c) so as to form said water permeable membrane.",
"The particular microporous support employed in the present invention is not critical thereto.",
"Examples of such microporous supports useful in the present invention include those made of a polyarylether sulfone, such as a polysulfone and a polyether sulfone;",
"a polyimide;",
"and a polyvinylidene fluoride.",
"The microporous support is preferably made of a polyarylether sulfone.",
"The thickness of the microporous support is not critical to the present invention.",
"Generally, the thickness of the microporous support is about 25 to 125 μm, preferably about 40 to 75 μm.",
"The essentially monomeric polyamine reactant employed in the present invention has at least two amine functional groups, preferably 2 to 3 amine functional groups.",
"The amine functional group is a primary or secondary amine functional group, preferably a primary amine functional group.",
"The polyamine reactant may be aromatic or cycloaliphatic.",
"The particular polyamine reactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto.",
"Examples of such polyamine reactants include aromatic primary diamines, such as m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine and substituted derivatives thereof, wherein the substituent includes, e.g., an alkyl group, such as a methyl group or an ethyl group;",
"an alkoxy group, such as a methoxy group or an ethoxy group;",
"a hydroxy alkyl group;",
"a hydroxy group or a halogen atom;",
"aromatic primary triamines, such as 1,2,4-triaminobenzene: aromatic secondary diamines, such as N,N'-diphenylethylene diamine;",
"cycloaliphatic primary diamines, such as cyclohexane diamine;",
"cycloaliphatic secondary diamines, such as piperazine and trimethylene dipiperidine;",
"xylylene diamines, such as m-xylylene diamine.",
"The preferred aromatic polyamine reactants employed in the present invention are aromatic primary diamines, more preferably m-phenylenediamine.",
"The essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant has, on the average, at least 2.2 polyfunctional acyl halide groups, preferably 2.2 to 3.0 polyfunctional acyl halide groups per reactant molecule.",
"The amine-reactive reactant may be aromatic or cycloaliphatic.",
"The particular amine-reactive reactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto.",
"Examples of such amine-reactive reactants include isophthaloyl halide, trimesoyl halide, terephthaloyl halide, cyclohexane tricarbonyl halide and mixtures thereof.",
"The preferred amine-reactive reactants employed in the present invention are isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC).",
"The monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention maybe a salt of a monomeric amine and an acid, and is preferably a salt of a tertiary amine and a strong acid.",
"As used herein, a strong acid is an acid which reacts essentially completely with water to give a hydronium ion.",
"Examples of such strong acids include an aromatic sulfonic acid;",
"an aliphatic sulfonic acid;",
"a cycloaliphatic sulfonic acid, such as camphorsulfonic acid;",
"trifluoroacetic acid nitric acid: hydrochloric acid;",
"and sulfuric acid.",
"The particular monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention is not critical thereto and may be any aliphatic, alkoxy cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or alkanol monomeric amine salt.",
"Preferred monomeric amine salts employed in the invention are represented by formula (I) and (II) below: ##STR1## wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrocarbon X represents a member selected from the group consisting of a halide, a nitrate, a sulfate, a phosphate, a sulfonate, a carboxylate, a halogenated carboxylate and an oxygenated haloacid derivative and HX represents a strong acid which forms a water soluble salt with ##STR2## In formula (I), the hydrocarbons represented by R 1 , R 2 and R 3 preferably have a total number of carbon atoms of 3 to 9.",
"more preferably, 3 to 6.",
"In formula (II), the hydrocarbons represented by R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , preferably have a total number of carbon atoms of 4 to 16.",
"more preferably, 4 to 13.",
"The hydrocarbon may be, e.g., a straight or branched chain substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkanol group or benzyl group.",
"Further, in formula (I), two or more of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 may combine together to form a ring.",
"More preferably, the monomeric amine salt employed in the present invention is a water soluble salt of a strong acid and a tertiary amine selected from the group consisting of a trialkylamine, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine;",
"an N-alkylcycloaliphatic amine, such as 1-methylpiperidine;",
"an N,N-dialkylamine, such as N,N-dimethylethylamine and N,N-diethylmethylamine;",
"an N,N-dialkyl ethanolamine, such as N,N-dimethylethanolamine;",
"a bicyclic tertiary amine, such as 3-quinuclidinol and mixtures thereof, or a quaternary amine selected from at least one member of the group consisting of a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, such as, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide;",
"a benzyltrialkylammonium hydroxide, such as benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, benzyltriethylammonium hydroxide;",
"and benzyltripropylammonium hydroxide;",
"and mixtures thereof.",
"The monomeric amine salt is employed either as a solid, which is water soluble, or as an aqueous solution having dissolved therein the monomeric amine salt.",
"The monomeric amine salt is preferably employed as an aqueous solution thereof.",
"The monomeric amine used to prepare the monomeric amine salt preferably has a pKa of more than about 8, more preferably about 8 to 13, most preferably about 9 to 13.",
"In one embodiment of the present invention, the microporous support is coated with a first aqueous solution containing generally about 0.25 to 10.0 wt% of a monomeric amine salt, preferably about 1.0 to 8.0 wt% of a monomeric amine salt.",
"The first aqueous solution is preferably adjusted to a pH of about 5.5 to 13, more preferably about 6 to 12, by controlling the concentration of the acid or the monomeric amine salt.",
"In this case, the second aqueous solution containing the polyamine reactant generally has a pH of about 5 to 12, preferably about 6 to 12.",
"Further, in this case, where the monomeric amine salt and the polyamine reactant are separately coated on the microporous support, the coating amount is generally adjusted so that the molar ratio of the monomeric amine salt to the polyamine reactant is about 0.1 to 4.0, preferably about 0.6 to 1.4.",
"In order to save a step in the process of the present invention, the above aqueous solution of the monomeric amine salt can also contain the polyamine reactant.",
"In this case the aqueous solution is generally adjusted to a pH of about 5.5 to 13, preferably about 6 to 12.",
"Further, in this case, the molar ratio of the monomeric amine salt to the polyamine reactant is also generally adjusted to about 0.1 to 4.0, preferably about 0.6 to 1.4.",
"The choice of pH depends on the base strength of the particular reactive polyamine employed.",
"In general, the above-described lower range pH value of the reactive polyamine solution should be about the same as the pKa of the particular polyamine employed and the higher range pH value should be about the same as the particular unadjusted free base aqueous pH.",
"In the case of aromatic polyamines, the pKa is in the range of about 4 to 7, whereas with cyloaliphatic polyamines, the pKa is in the range of about 8 to 11.",
"The above aqueous solutions are coated by any well known means, such as dipping, spraying, roller coating or rod coating and allowed to remain in place generally for about 5 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably about 20 seconds to 4 minutes.",
"If desired, the aqueous solutions may contain a surfactant for more improved results.",
"The particular surfactant employed in the present invention is not critical thereto.",
"Examples of such surfactants include sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or mixtures thereof.",
"The surfactants are generally employed at a concentration of about 0.01 to 0.5 wt%, preferably about 0.1 to 0.25 wt%.",
"After forming a liquid layer containing the monomeric amine salt and the polyamine reactant, a second layer of an organic solvent solution containing the essentially monomeric amine-reactive reactant is coated thereon.",
"Generally, the organic solvent solution contains about 0.05 to 5.0 wt/vol%.",
"preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 wt/vol% of the amine-reactive reactant.",
"The organic solvent employed in the present invention is one which is non-miscible with water.",
"The particular organic solvent employed in the present invention is not critical thereto.",
"Examples of such organic solvents include alkanes, such as hexane and nonane;",
"cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane;",
"and halogenated derivatives thereof, such as Freon.",
"sup.",
"® (DuPont deNemours), including 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane;",
"and mixtures thereof.",
"The preferred organic solvents employed in the present invention are alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms.",
"The organic solvent containing the amine-reactive reactant is coated by any well known means, such as dipping or spraying and allowed to remain in place generally for about 5 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably about 20 seconds to 4 minutes.",
"It is preferable to employ an about 5 to 50, more preferably an about 10 to 30 molar excess of the polyamine reactant to the amine-reactive reactant.",
"After each step of coating the aqueous and organic solvent solutions, the excess solutions are drained off.",
"Then, after the last coating and draining step, the resulting product is dried to form a water permeable membrane.",
"The resulting product is generally dried in an oven at about 60° C. to 110° C., preferably about 70° C. to 100° C. for about 1 to 10 minutes, preferably about 2 to 8 minutes.",
"In this manner, a polyamide layer is formed on the microporous support.",
"The thickness of the resulting polyamide layer is generally about 0.05 to 1.0 μm, preferably about 0.15 to 0.5 μm.",
"The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention.",
"EXAMPLE 1 An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of m-phenylenediamine (MPD), 2.0 wt% of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and 0.1 wt% of sodium dodecyl benzyl sulfonate (SDBS) in water was prepared.",
"The pH of the final solution was adjusted to 5.7 with acetic acid.",
"The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer thereon.",
"After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 2 minutes, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution.",
"Then, an organic solvent solution containing at a final concentration 0.05 wt% of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and 0.075 wt% of isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 1 minute before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution.",
"Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.",
"The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2,000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig.",
"The salt rejection was 99.69% and the flux was 20.1 gfd.",
"EXAMPLE 2 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, except that the pH of the final solution was adjusted to 8.0 with acetic acid.",
"The salt rejection was 99.84% and the flux was 19.8 gfd under the same test conditions as in Example 1.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES A-D AND EXAMPLES 3-19 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted or the monomeric amine salts set forth in Table 1 below were substituted for TMAH in the amounts indicated in Table 1 and the strong acids in Table 1 were substituted for acetic acid so as to achieve the final pH shown in Table 1.",
"For ease of consideration, Examples 1 and 2 are also shown in Table 1.",
"TABLE 1______________________________________Monomeric Amine SaltMonomeric Amine Concen- trationExample wt % Acid pH______________________________________ 1 tetramethylammonium 2 AA 5.7 hydroxide 2 tetramethylammonium 2 AA 8.0 hydroxide 3 tetramethylammonium 2 CSA 9.3 hydroxide 4 dipropylamine 2 CSA 7.8 5 triethylamine 2 CSA 7.8Comp.",
"A -- -- CSA 7.4 6 tripropylamine 2 CSA 8.0 7 1-methylpiperidine 2 CSA 8.0 8 N,N-diethylmethylamine 2 CSA 8.0 9 N,N-dimethylethylamine 2 CSA 8.010 N,N-dimethylethanolamine 2 CSA 8.0Comp.",
"B -- -- CSA 9.011 N,N-dimethyl 4-amino- 0.32 CSA 5.7 pyridineComp.",
"C -- -- CSA 5.712 benzyltrimethylammonium 2 HCl 7.5 chloride13 tetramethylammonium 2 HCl 7.414 triethylamine 2 HCl 8.515 trimethylamine 2 HCl 5.7Comp.",
"D -- -- HCl 5.716 3-quinuclidinol 0.5 HCl 9.017 1-methylpiperidine 2 MSA 7.818 tetramethylammonium 2 TFAA 7.35 hydroxide19 triethylamine 2 TFAA 7.8______________________________________ AA = acetic acid CSA = camphorsulfonic acid MSA = methanesulfonic acid TFAA = trifluoroacetic acid The resulting water permeable membranes were evaluated as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Table 2 below.",
"For ease of consideration, the results for the water permeable membranes of Examples 1 and 2 are also shown in Table 2.",
"TABLE 2______________________________________Example Salt Rejection (%) Flux (gfd)______________________________________ 1 99.69 20.1 2 99.84 19.8 3 99.90 16.3 4 99.88 15.8 5 99.87 22.1Comp.",
"A 99.81 5.6 6 99.84 19.8 7 99.88 20.8 8 99.86 22.3 9 99.91 19.810 99.87 20.7Comp.",
"B 99.46 6.211 99.64 17.8Comp.",
"C 99.82 15.312 99.76 18.513 99.90 16.814 99.64 18.915 99.66 16.6Comp.",
"D 99.76 13.416 99.82 15.517 99.26 15.118 99.90 15.919 99.87 21.8______________________________________ As shown in Table 2 above, there is a significant (up to three fold or more) increase in flux using the monomeric amine salt as per the present invention without adversely effecting the salt rejection regardless of the monomeric amine salt, acid employed in the aqueous solution, or pH thereof.",
"EXAMPLES 20-32 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES E-M An aqueous solution was prepared containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of MPD, 6.6 wt% of amine salt of triethylamine and camphorsulfonic acid and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water.",
"For comparison, a similar solution was prepared without the monomeric amine salt.",
"The pH of the final solutions was adjusted to the values as indicated in Table 3 below with camphorsulfonic acid.",
"The resulting aqueous solutions were coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone supports by pouring and allowing such to remain for 2 minutes before draining off the excess aqueous solutions.",
"After coating the aqueous solutions, organic solvent solutions containing, at the final concentrations set forth in Table 3, the acid chlorides set forth in Table 3, were coated thereon by pouring, allowing such to remain for 1 minute and then draining the excess organic solvent solutions.",
"Next, the microporous polysulfone supports coated with the above-described solutions were dried in an oven under the conditions indicated in Table 3.",
"TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________ Acid Chloride DryingTEACSA Acid Concentration Time TempExample(wt.",
"%) pH Chloride (wt %) Solvent (min.) (°C.)__________________________________________________________________________20 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.10 Freon 3.5 70Comp.",
"E-- 8.7 TMC 0.10 Freon 3.5 7021 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.10 Isopar 6.0 95Comp.",
"F-- 8.7 TMC 0.10 Isopar 6.0 9522 6.6 8.6 Mixture A 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp.",
"G-- 8.6 Mixture A 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9523 6.6 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9524 6.6 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp.",
"H-- 8.7 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 7025 6.6 8.7 TMC 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp.",
"I-- 8.7 TMC 0.125 Freon 3.5 7026 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 6.0 9527 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.25 Freon 6.0 9528 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.25 Freon 3.5 7029 6.6 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp.",
"J-- 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Freon 3.5 7030 6.6 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp.",
"K-- 7.0 Mixture C 0.125 Isopar 6.0 9531 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 70Comp.",
"L-- 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Freon 3.5 7032 6.6 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95Comp.",
"M-- 7.0 Mixture B 0.125 Isopar 6.0 95__________________________________________________________________________ TEACSA = amine salt of triethylamine and camphorsulfonic acid.",
"Mixture A = a mixture of 70 wt % IPC and 30 wt % TMC.",
"Mixture B = a mixture of 60 wt % IPC and 40 wt % TMC.",
"Mixture C = a mixture of 50 wt % IPc and 50 wt % TMC.",
"The resulting water permeable membranes were evaluated as in Example 1 and the results are shown in Table 4 below.",
"TABLE 4______________________________________Example Salt Rejection (%) Flux (gfd)______________________________________20 99.78 18.4Comp.",
"E 99.37 14.221 99.80 19.4Comp.",
"F 99.84 5.722 99.58 14.1Comp.",
"G 99.16 2.623 99.85 26.324 99.25 20.0Comp.",
"H 98.35 10.225 99.69 19.3Comp.",
"I 99.63 16.326 99.79 20.127 99.81 22.628 99.78 18.829 99.83 20.7Comp.",
"J 99.72 5.030 99.84 25.8Comp.",
"K 99.75 7.731 99.60 21.9Comp.",
"L 99.50 12.232 99.45 21.2Comp.",
"M 99.63 6.2______________________________________ As shown in Table 4 above, there is a significant (up to three fold or more) increase in flux using the monomeric amine salt as per the present invention without adversely effecting the salt rejection, regardless of the particular organic solvent solution and pH of the aqueous solution employed.",
"EXAMPLE 33 An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.25 wt% of m-xylylene diamine 1.5 wt% of TEACSA and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water was prepared.",
"The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer.",
"After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution.",
"Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration.",
"0.20 wt% of TMC in Isopar 200 (Exxon Corp), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution.",
"Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.",
"The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2,000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig.",
"The salt rejection was 98.56% and the flux was 9.5 gfd.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE N The procedure of Example 33 was repeated, except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted.",
"The salt rejection was 97.55% and the flux was 4.5 gfd.",
"EXAMPLE 34 An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.25 wt% of piperazine, 0.25 wt% of polyvinyl alcohol (100-110,000 MW, 88% hydrolyzed), 0.35 wt.",
"% of sodium hydroxide, 1.5 wt% of TEACSA, and 0.125 wt% of SLS in water was prepared.",
"The solution was coated on a 60-70 pm thick microporous polysulfone support by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer.",
"After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 7 seconds, the support was drained, then air blown briefly to remove the excess aqueous solution.",
"Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration 1.5% of TMC in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.), was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 10 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution.",
"Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 2 minutes, then 140° C. for 4 minutes.",
"The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 1,500 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 145 psig.",
"The salt rejection was 84.7% and the flux was 56.8 gfd.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE O The procedure of Example 34 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted.",
"The salt rejection was 72.0% and the flux was 52.8 gfd.",
"EXAMPLE 35 An aqueous solution containing, at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of 3,5-diamino benzyl alcohol, 4.0 wt% of the amine salt of triethylamine and hydrochloric acid and 0.1 wt% of SDBS in water was prepared.",
"The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer.",
"After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution.",
"Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration, 0.15 wt% of TMC in Isopar.",
"sup.",
"® (Exxon Corp).",
"was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution.",
"Next the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.",
"The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2 000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0, through the membrane at 225 psig.",
"The salt rejection was 99.32% and the flux was 12.7 gfd.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE P The procedure of Example 35 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted.",
"The salt rejection was 99.26% and the flux was 8.4 gfd.",
"EXAMPLE 36 An aqueous solution containing at a final concentration, 2.0 wt% of 1,2,4-triaminobenzene dihydrochloride which was first neutralized with 0.816 wt% of sodium hydroxide, 3.3 wt% of TEACSA in water was prepared The solution was coated on a 60-70 μm thick microporous polysulfone support (containing 0.1 wt% SDBS) by pouring the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support to form a liquid layer.",
"After coating the aqueous solution on the microporous polysulfone support and allowing it to remain thereon for 1 minute, the support was drained to remove the excess aqueous solution.",
"Then, an organic solvent solution containing, at a final concentration 0.175 wt% IPC in Isopar® (Exxon Corp.).",
"was coated on the liquid layer by pouring the organic solvent solution on the liquid layer and allowing it to remain for 30 seconds before the support was drained to remove the excess organic solvent solution.",
"Next, the microporous polysulfone layer coated with the above-described solutions was dried in an oven at 95° C. for 6 minutes.",
"The performance of the resulting water permeable membrane was measured by passing an aqueous solution containing 2 000 ppm of NaCl, pH 7.0 through the membrane at 225 psig.",
"The salt rejection was 72.8% and the flux was 22.0 gfd.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE Q The procedure of Example 36 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted.",
"The salt rejection was 43.4% and the flux was 23.6 gfd.",
"EXAMPLE 37 The procedure of Example 36 was repeated except that 2.06 wt% of triethlyamine was used to neutralize the 1,2,4-triaminobenzene dihydrochloride before adding 6.6 wt% of TEACSA.",
"A further substitution included 0.175 wt% of TMC in place of 0.175 wt% of IPC.",
"The salt rejection was 98.53% and the flux was 30.0 gfd under the same test conditions as in Example 36.",
"COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE R The procedure of Example 37 was repeated except that the monomeric amine salt was omitted.",
"The salt rejection was 96.18% and the flux was 27.4 gfd.",
"While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof."
] |
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/035,058, filed 10 Mar. 2008, and 61/035,546, filed 11 Mar. 2008
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a base station that communicates with a plurality of remote devices using a message cycle that includes a fixed number of frame slots, and each remote device is configured to communicate at a defined frame rate at one or more frame slots within the message cycle.
A number of opportunities exist for the communication of short but informative messages between a plurality of remote devices and a base station.
A particularly unique application for transmitting short and informative messages from remote devices to a base station includes the “SPOT” system (SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™, SPOT LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc.) that is configured to transmit, periodically or on demand, “I'm OK”, or “I need help” messages with GPS coordinates. The base station is configured to relay the “I'm OK” messages with coordinates via e-mails to recipients associated with each particular transmitter, and to relay the “I need help” messages with coordinates in an alert with coordinates to an emergency service associated with the coordinates. In like manner, a low-cost “OnStar”-like system can be deployed on vehicles, such that if an accident or malfunction is sensed, a request for assistance is automatically transmitted. Similarly, location-reporting units can be deployed on taxis, trucks, service vehicles, and the like, to provide dispatchers and others with up to date status information.
Opportunities also exist for the communication of short but informative messages from the base station to the remote devices. Paging systems are classic examples of systems that provide short but informative messages. In like manner, in the aforementioned emergency notification system, for example, an acknowledgement of receipt of each message is desirable to reassure the user that the alarm has been received. Subsequently, periodic updates would also be desirable, providing, for example, the estimated time of arrival of the respondent aid. Similarly, the base station may prompt any active remote device that hasn't reported its position for a substantially long time period, and take appropriate action if a reply is not received. In a vehicle or cargo tracking system, the location transmitter may be configured to report its position when requested by the base station. In this manner, the requests can be managed such that fewer transmissions are requested when the tracked object is detected to be traveling in a remote area, where the potential options for misrouting are few, and more transmissions are requested when the tracked object is within a city. Other opportunities include the remote control of appliances based on messages relayed by users through the base station, and others.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,819, 6,317,029, 6,985,512, and 6,856,606 present novel techniques for efficiently communicating such short messages between a base station and the remote devices based on the use of a common DSS spreading code and a variety of code-phases at the remote devices, and are incorporated by reference herein. Each remote device independently transmits its message, repeatedly, a number of times. Because the messages are relatively short, and interfering collisions only occurs when the multiple transmissions are concurrent and in phase with each other, a repeated transmission of each message with gaps between the repeated transmissions increases the likelihood that at least one of the multiple copies of the message is properly received at the base station. The likelihood of successful communication can be increased by increasing and varying the number of repeated transmissions, and varying the interval between transmissions. Increasing the number of repetitions of each message may increase the likelihood of successful communication, but it also increases the likelihood of collisions, and as the number of remote devices increases, a saturation point will be reached.
Reception of messages from the base station at the remote devices is not subject to such interfering collisions, because the base station controls when each message is transmitted. However, in many cases, the remote devices are portable units, and the continuous monitoring for independent transmissions from the base station will quickly deplete the batteries in these portable units.
In conventional mobile communication networks, the mobile stations are configured to periodically monitor for notification of messages, and enter an inactive state during periods of inactivity. If a mobile station is notified of a pending message the mobile station is subsequently notified of a time-slot at which the base station will be transmitting the message. A similar protocol is used for allocating time-slots for transmissions. The interval between notifications is generally based on the expected traffic volume and a maximum acceptable lag time between a time at which a message is ready to be transferred from the base station, and the time it is actually transmitted to the receiver, herein termed latency. A long interval between notifications provides a longer inactive period for each remote receiver, conserving battery power, but causes longer latency. A short interval between notifications provides shorter latency, but increases the rate at which a battery will discharge while repeatedly switching to the active state.
A communications service provider using the conventional mobile communication protocols is presented with a dilemma. Should the communications service provide long battery life, or short message delays? In the telecommunications field, that problem is conventionally solved by providing different channels for different modes of operation. Applications with high speed demands, such as voice communications, are handled by one system, while applications with low speed demands, such as pager communications, are handled by another system. In the field of short message communications, a paging application will have substantially higher quality and speed demands than other applications, such as routine vehicle tracking.
In like manner, the provider of a user service, such as a vehicle tracking service, is presented with the dilemma of choosing a provider of high speed or high bandwidth communication to satisfy the requirement of some customers for high resolution (in time or space) vehicle tracking, or a lower-cost provider of low speed or bandwidth for customers who are satisfied knowing the general location of the tracked object during some general time period. This dilemma is further complicated by customers who require different resolutions under different conditions, and expect to pay a service charge that is dependent upon the actual demand/usage of the service. As in the case of the service provider, the traditional solution to a provider of user services that include various, and sometimes varying, levels of demand from its users is to purchase and manage access to multiple systems, each having a particular level of performance, to satisfy the different levels of user demand.
Providing multiple independent systems, however, introduces substantially more overhead than a unified system. For example, each independent system will be configured to handle peak traffic loads, rather than average traffic loads, meaning that much of the system capacity will be unused most of the time. If two independent systems are deployed, the overhead required to accommodate peak traffic loads will be doubled. If a unified system is used, wherein a mix of traffic types are supported, the overhead for accommodating peak traffic loads will only be incurred once. Also, the mix of traffic types is likely to provide a peak traffic load that is less than the sum of the peak traffic loads used in the individual systems, as the different characteristics of traffic types are likely to provide some ‘smoothing’ of the cumulative peak demand. In like manner, the provider of user services could provide various levels of performance to its users, without incurring the costs associated with managing access to multiple systems based on the required performance.
In the field of short message communication, low per-unit cost is a primary criterion, as well as the ongoing cost of operation. It would be advantageous to reduce the ongoing cost of communication by providing a unified system for handling all types of short-message applications on any channel, thereby obviating the need to provide different systems for each application type. It would be advantageous to reduce the per-unit cost by using substantially the same communications circuitry in each unit, regardless of the intended application for the unit. It would also be advantageous to provide this circuitry as a self-contained ‘drop-in’ to any short-message communication application. It would also be advantageous to optimize battery life by consuming power in proportion to the requirements of the application. It would also be advantageous to be able to optimize performance by managing the transmissions from the base station based on operational requirements of the application.
These advantages, and others, can be realized by a method and system that allocates one or more frame slots to each transceiver for communication within each message cycle. The number of frame slots allocated can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate variable traffic loads per transceiver, and an offset of the frame slots within the message cycle is preferably predefined to provide a uniform distribution among the transceivers. The design of the transceiver is independent of the particular application, having at least one programmable parameter that controls the number of frame slots allocated within the message cycle. By controlling the number of frame slots allocated to a transceiver, the amount of inactive time, and hence battery life, can be controlled. When a conflict occurs among multiple transceivers having pending messages at the same frame slot, the allocation of the frame slot to a transceiver is based at least in part on the resultant lag time to each transceiver.
In a preferred embodiment, the frame slots assigned to each remote device are consistent within each message cycle, allowing the determination of the frame slots assigned to each unit based solely on an identification of an offset frame slot within the message cycle assigned to the unit and an identification of the allocated interval between assigned frame slots for that remote device. Preferably, the remote device uses an inherent identifying aspect of itself, such as its serial number, MAC address, etc., which is also known to the base station, to determine its assigned offset frame slot, and the base station defines the interval between listening periods for each remote device, based on the bandwidth allocated to the remote device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained in further detail, and by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an example satellite communication system.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example series of message cycles comprising multiple frames for use in this invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example format of a frame for use in this invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example format of a message for use in this invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a receiver for use in this invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of a receiver for use in this invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a base station for use in this invention.
Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features or functions. The drawings are included for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, which depart from these specific details. In like manner, the text of this description is directed to the example embodiments as illustrated in the Figures, and is not intended to limit the claimed invention beyond the limits expressly included in the claims. For purposes of simplicity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
The invention is presented using the paradigm of the allocation of predictable frame slots to each receiver for receiving messages at remote devices from a base station. One of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of this invention can similarly be applied to allocate frame slots for transmission from the remote device to the base station, to reduce the likelihood of collision, except that a guardband time period should be provided between usable frame slots, to accommodate for the different delay times to the base station from the geographically dispersed remote devices. The communication element of the remote devices is referred to as transceivers in this description, to indicate that the principles can be applied to either a receiver or transmitter; the use of this term in this context is not intended to indicate that the remote device must provide both transmission and reception capabilities. The invention is also presented using the paradigm of communication of short messages. One of skill in the art will recognize that although this invention is particularly well suited for short message communications, the principles of this invention are not necessarily limited to such communications. In like manner, the invention is presented using the paradigm of a satellite communication system, because such a system provides a broad coverage area, but one of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of this invention are not limited to satellite systems or broad coverage areas.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example satellite communication system that uses a satellite 110 in low-earth-orbit (LEO) to provide communications between a base station 140 and a number of remote transceivers 120 . Although a higher orbit satellite, such as a geosynchronous (GEO) satellite, may also be used, the use of a lower orbit satellite reduces the transmit power or antenna gain needed between the remote device and the base station. Typically, the satellite will be configured to provide a “bent-pipe” communication link, such that whatever is transmitted from the base station 140 to the satellite 110 is subsequently transmitted from the satellite 110 , without any significant changes or processing at the satellite 110 .
The base station 140 is configured to provide communications between any of a variety of user service provider systems 150 and compatibly configured remote transceivers 120 . For example, if the service provider is providing paging services, the remote transceiver 120 that uses this service will be configured as a pager; if the service provider is providing location tracking services, the remote transceivers that use this service will be configured as location transponders.
The cost of providing a satellite communication system is substantial, and to be profitable, the system should be able to satisfy the requirements of a variety of user service systems 150 . In like manner, land-based communication systems are typically subject to substantial infrastructure costs to provide services, and would likely realize a greater profit if a variety of user services are supported. However, as mentioned above, conventional communication protocols do not facilitate a wide range of service requirements, particularly in light of the requirement to optimize power consumption at the remote transceivers.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example protocol that supports a variety of services having substantially different performance requirements. In the context of this disclosure, performance is characterized by available bandwidth (supportable traffic flow) and/or latency (delay incurred to get a message from the base station to the intended remote device). Some applications/services are sensitive to both of these performance measures, while others may be sensitive to one or the other. A service that needs to continuously provide communication to many remote devices, such as a popular paging service, may be sensitive to bandwidth limitations, but relatively insensitive to the timeliness of the pages. For example, a paging service may require the ability to reliably send a thousand paging messages per minute, but might allow a delay as long as a minute or two between the time that the page was transmitted to the base station and the time that it was received at the remote device. Other applications, such as sending an acknowledgement that places a remote device into an inactive state to conserve power may have a relatively low demand for bandwidth, but may require that the latency is less than a minute. Other applications, such as vehicle tracking systems, may be relatively insensitive to either bandwidth or latency.
To provide optimal power consumption at the remote transceiver, the ratio of ‘active’ vs. ‘inactive’ time that the remote transceiver experiences, herein termed the duty-cycle of the remote device, should be commensurate with the bandwidth and/or latency requirements that the particular application imposes on the remote transceiver. If a remote device is only expected to receive/react to one or two messages from the base station per day, its duty-cycle should be extremely low. If the remote device is expected to receive/react to dozens of messages from the host system each minute, its duty cycle can be expected to be higher, but not as high as a remote device that is expected to receive/react to hundreds of messages from the base system each minute.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a message cycle time is defined to provide for a given number of message frames. Preferably, the message cycle time corresponds to the maximum allowable duration between activations of the remote device. That is, each currently enabled remote device is expected to monitor for transmissions from the host computer at least once during the message cycle time. If one hour is the longest time period that a currently enabled remote device should remain inactive, then the message cycle time should be set to one hour or less.
In FIG. 2 , a remote transceiver that is configured to be activated to listen for messages once per cycle is illustrated by the dashed arrows 210 . As illustrated in claim 2 , the initial listening period occurs in frame slot “2”, then reoccurs at frame slot “2” of each subsequent message cycle. If the message cycle time is one hour, then this remote device will be activated once every hour, to receive any messages addressed to it during the frame slot period. If there are N frame slots in the message cycle, the duty cycle of this remote device will be 1/N (less if the remote device is permitted to enter an inactive state during the frame slot, discussed further below). However, the latency between the time that a message is ready to be transmitted and the time that it is received can be as long as almost twice the duration of the message cycle; in this example, almost two hours. Similarly, the amount of data that can be transmitted to the remote device, herein termed the bandwidth, will be limited to the amount of data that can be communicated to the remote device within one frame slot. The achievable bandwidth will be lower if other remote devices are also allocated the use of the same frame slot “2”.
If another remote device requires less latency, or more bandwidth, it can be configured to be activated more than once per message cycle. In the example of a message cycle of one hour, if the remote device is configured to be activated sixty times per message cycle, its latency will be reduced by a factor of sixty, to 2 minutes, and the bandwidth will be increased by a factor of sixty. Commensurate with this decreased latency and increased bandwidth, the duty cycle of this remote device will be increased by a factor of sixty to 60/N, and its power consumption is likely to be increased by a factor of sixty. Thus, the battery life can be optimized by controlling the number of frame slots within a message cycle that are allocated to a remote device based on the required latency or bandwidth.
In FIG. 2 , the pattern 220 is indicative of a remote device that is activated every fourth frame slot, and the pattern 230 is indicative of a remote device that is activated for every frame slot, corresponding to continuous activation, as may be provided to a remote device that requires maximum bandwidth or minimum latency and is provided with a continuous source of power (i.e. a “plug-in unit”).
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, each remote device is configured to be activated for the same frame slot(s) in each message cycle, and the base station is aware of which frame slots are available for transmitting messages to each remote device. Preferably, the remote device uses an inherent identifying aspect of itself, such as its serial number, MAC address, etc., which is also known to the base station, to determine the initial frame slot to use, and the base station assigns the interval between listening periods to the remote device, based on the bandwidth allocated to the remote device. To provide a consistent set of frame slots to a remote device, the interval between listening periods is an integer result of an integer division of the number of frame slots within the message cycle, the integer divisor corresponding to the activation/listening repetition rate.
For example, if there are 4096 (2^12) frame slots within a message cycle, a activation rate of 2 frame slots per message cycle provides an interval between activations of 2048 frame slots; an activation rate of 3 is not allowed, because it does not provide an integer result of the division of 4096 by 3. An activation rate of 4 provides an interval between activations of 1024 frame slots. An activation rate of 4096 provides an interval between activations of 1, corresponding to an activation at every frame slot, or virtually continuous activation. In this manner, each remote device and the base station need only know the assigned frame slot offset and repetition rate of the remote device to determine which frame slots are assigned to the remote device.
The number of frame slots N per message cycle is chosen based on a variety of factors. As noted above, a device's duty cycle will be inversely proportional to N, and therefore a large N would be preferred to reduce power consumption by remote devices that have fairly minimal bandwidth and latency requirements. However, in practice, there is always some overhead associated with reactivating a remote device and synchronizing with the assigned frame slot, and the intended power savings may not be achieved when a very short frame slot is used. That is, the overhead duration may be as long as, or longer, than the frame slot duration, such that the power consumption increases at a faster rate than the increased bandwidth provided by the allocation of multiple frame slots to the remote device.
In like manner, due to component tolerances, temperature, and so on, the clock rate at the remote device may be different from the clock rate at the master station, causing a ‘drift’ of the clock at the remote device relative to the master station. To assure that an assigned listening period is not missed, the remote device is configured to be activated early enough to account for such clock drift. The intended power savings will not be achieved if the clock drift causes the remote device to be activated more than one frame slot before its assigned frame slot. This situation of drifting more than one full frame slot during an interval of N frame slots, will occur if the remote device has a clock drift of 1/N. Therefore, N is preferably no larger than the inverse of the published maximum drift of the clocks intended to be used in the system. In a reasonably low-cost system, clock accuracies of 10-20 ppm over lifetime and temperature are likely to be achieved, suggesting a maximum N of 50 to 100,000, independent of the selected message cycle duration.
As noted above, the message cycle duration can be selected based on the maximum allowable latency. Alternatively, the message cycle duration may be selected as the maximum practical duration given other imposed constraints, thereby providing for a lowest potential energy usage. For example, if a frame slot duration of one second is deemed sufficient to satisfy high performance latency requirements, and N is chosen to be 65536 (2^16) based on the aforementioned clock drift limitations, a maximum message cycle duration of 65536 seconds (over 18 hours) can be achieved. In such a system, the highest-bandwidth units could potentially receive messages every second, and the lowest-energy units could be inactive 99.997% of the time, thus allowing an extremely broad set of user services to employ the system without compromising on the different priorities of each user service.
The above analysis assumes insignificant overhead time for activating the receiving components relative to the duration of the frame slot interval. If the overhead time is substantial, N is preferably reduced to achieve an appropriate efficiency factor of useful receiving time relative to total activated time (overhead+receiving time).
In a preferred embodiment, each frame slot is partitioned into a plurality of message elements, to allow a plurality of remote devices to receive one or more messages in each assigned frame slot. Each message includes ‘overhead information’, and therefore a long message slot is preferred, to reduce the relative impact of this overhead information on effective throughput. Shorter message slots, on the other hand, allow for more remote devices to be addressed in each frame slot, providing more options at the base station for balancing performance among the remote devices. Nominally, 10-20 message slots per frame slot provides a reasonable tradeoff between reducing overhead and balancing performance.
As illustrated in FIG. 3 , each frame 300 preferably includes a synchronization element 310 and an identification element 320 , followed by a plurality of message elements 400 . The synchronization element 310 serves to identify the start of each frame 300 , to synchronize the remote device to the base station, and the identification element 320 identifies the particular frame slot (1 to N), to allow the remote device to determine that it is monitoring its assigned slot(s).
Each remote device is activated in time to receive the synchronization element 310 and verify that the frame slot identifier 320 corresponds to its assigned frame slot(s). When the proper frame slot identifier 320 is verified, the remote device monitors each message 400 within the assigned frame slot to determine whether the message is intended for reception at the particular remote device. The remote device re-enters the inactive state at the end of the frame 300 , or at the end of messages 400 within the frame 300 . One or more techniques may be used to further reduce the time that a remote device must remain active to monitor messages. If, for example, each device is allocated a maximum of one message per message cycle, the device can enter the inactive state after receipt of its message, if any. In like manner, the base station may be configured to transmit messages within each frame in some particular order, so that when a device recognizes that a message having a ‘later’ order is received, the device can enter an inactive state. The order may be assigned to each device by the base station based on an order associated with each application, and included in a field of each message. In this manner, the providers of the application may pay a premium for an ‘early’ order to prolong the battery-life of their corresponding devices.
Each message is structured in a conventional manner, an example structure being illustrated in FIG. 4 . An address field 410 is used to address the message to a particular remote device, or group of remote devices, and an error detection/verification field 420 assures the accuracy of this address. This error detection/verification field may cover the entirety of the message; or, it may cover only the header, including destination address and message length, so that devices which are not addressed may recognize and confirm that fact immediately, and go into a lower-power state for the remaining duration of the message. Optionally, the remote devices may be configured to store an indicator of the particular application for which it is being used, to facilitate addressing all of the devices used by an application concurrently, for issuing application-wide notices or commands. For example, an application that experiences periods of substantially different bandwidth demands may adjust the activation rate of all its remote devices accordingly, using such a group address.
Optionally, the message includes a size field 430 , to provide compatibility with different configurations of the frames. For example, the base station may be configured to dynamically adjust the number of messages within the frames 300 , or within select frames 300 , based on the current traffic flow, with a corresponding adjustment of the length of each message in each frame. Providing a size field 430 also allows for the use of variable length messages, so that power is consumed in proportion to the amount of message information that is transmitted.
The message number field 440 allows for the identification and elimination of redundant messages, and for requesting retransmission of missing messages. The header field 450 includes conventional message identification information, such as an identifier of the source of the message, the type of message, and so on. The message data 460 follows the header, and an error detection and/or correction field 470 follows thereafter.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of components of a receiving sub-system of a remote device for use with this invention, and FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of the operation of an example receiver. In the following description, the initial digit of the reference numeral indicates the figure in which the numeral can be found. As noted above, the principles of this invention can be used for communication in either direction, or both directions (to and from the remote devices). The operation of the system for communications to the remote devices is presented herein for ease of understanding, the operation for communications in the reverse direction being evident to one of skill in the art in view of this presentation. As also noted above, the term transceiver is used in this specification, drawings, and claims to represent either a receiver, or a transmitter, or a combination of receiver and transmitter. The term receiver is used in the context of this example of the communication of messages to the remote device, to facilitate understanding, and in the case of a combination of receiver and transmitter, refers to the receiving element of such a combination transceiver.
A timer 510 is configured to provide a wake-up/trigger signal to the other components in the remote device at each frame slot that is assigned to the remote device. Each frame slot (1, 2, . . . N) of the message cycle begins at a particular start point, or offset (0, 1/N, 2/N, . . . (N−1)/N), in the cycle, and the timer 510 is configured to activate the other components sufficiently ahead of the start point of each assigned slot such that the receiver is sufficiently enabled to detect the start of each assigned frame.
Referring to the example frame structure of FIG. 3 , upon enabling 610 , the receiver 530 monitors the incoming signal to detect the sync element 310 , typically a known pattern of bits. Upon detecting the sync element 310 , the receiver 530 preferably sends a corresponding sync signal to the timer 510 , to allow the timer to correct for clock drift between the remote device and the base station. The receiver then decodes the ID element 320 , which identifies the particular frame slot, preferably as an incremental count. If this frame slot corresponds 620 to the assigned slot, the receiver 510 continues to receive and decode 630 the subsequent message elements 400 .
If the ID element 320 indicates a frame slot that is prior to the assigned frame slot, the receiver waits for the next sync element 310 , optionally entering an inactive state for the interim. If the ID Element 320 indicates a frame slot subsequent to the assigned frame slot, this indicates that the timer 510 had not enabled the receiver in time to receive the assigned frame slot, and the timer 510 is adjusted accordingly, to avoid missing subsequent messages. In like manner, in the aforementioned case of the ID element 320 indicating that the received frame slot was prior to the assigned frame slot, this indicates that the timer 510 had enabled the receiver earlier than necessary to receive the assigned frame slot, and the time 510 can be adjusted accordingly, to optimize the duty cycle. Lead-lag timing adjustment techniques are common in the art.
A controller 520 is configured to inform the timer 510 and receiver 530 of the assigned frame slots for this particular remote device. As discussed above, the assigned frame slots are preferably consistent within each message cycle, allowing the determination of the assigned frame slots based on an identification of a start of a frame slot within the message cycle, hereinafter termed the offset of the assigned frame slots, and the number of frame slots between assigned frame slots, hereinafter termed the reception frame interval.
The offset of each remote device may be assigned in any conventional manner, but in a preferred embodiment, the offset of each remote device is based on a unique identifier of the remote device, such as its serial number. For example, if there are 2^k frame slots within a message cycle, the last k bits of the serial number can defined as the offset of the remote device, and the manufacturing process includes setting bits in a memory, or connections on a PC board, to allow the controller 520 to read these k bits. In this manner, the assigned offsets are likely to uniformly distributed across the message cycle, thereby providing a degree of static load balancing among the phases, increasing the overall throughput of the system. Other techniques for assigning different offsets to communicating elements are common in the art, including, for example, having each remote device default to a common phase, typically zero, then monitoring at that offset for a command message from the base station that assigns the offset to each remote device using a registration protocol.
The reception frame interval of each remote device may also be provided by setting bits in memory or connections on a PC board, but in a preferred embodiment, the reception frame interval of each remote device is defined dynamically, typically by the base station, based on a fee paid for different levels of service, or other factors. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the messages that are transmitted in each frame slot are identified 640 as control messages for the communications system controller 520 , user-data messages for processing by the user component 550 , or messages that are addressed to other remote devices in this frame slot.
The control messages that are sent 640 to the controller 520 include the reception frame interval, and other communication-management information, such as the assigned address of user component 550 . Messages addressed to the user component 550 are placed 650 in a buffer for acquisition by the user component 550 . This decoding process is repeated until 670 all messages in the frame are processed. The remote device, or at least the reception portion of the remote device, is then placed in a low-power inactive state until the timer 510 reawakens 610 the receiver 530 and controller 520 .
The user component 550 is the application-specific portion of the remote device, and includes, for example, sensing equipment, GPS receiver, and so on. The user component provides messages to the base station for forwarding to the corresponding user services ( 150 in FIG. 1 ) via a transmit portion of the remote device (not illustrated). Optionally, the user component 550 is configured to be triggered by the controller 520 when messages arrive, and to pass control information to the controller 520 , including, for example, a notification of a change to the reception frame interval. For example, in lieu of using different addresses to distinguish the communication control information and user component data, the task of segregating the control and data by the receiver 530 may alternatively be performed by the user component 550 , based on content of the received data. In like manner, although the base station will typically control the reception bandwidth and notify the remote device of any changes via the aforementioned control messages, in an alternative embodiment, the protocol may allow the user application to control the bandwidth directly.
It should be noted that the timing diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates a time-based multiplexing of messages among multiple remote devices; that is, the first message element may be addressed to one receiver, the next message element to another, and so on. It will be evident to one of skill in the art that other multiplexing techniques may be used as well. For example, each remote device may be assigned a particular code-phase of a DSS spreading code, and the base station can be configured to concurrently transmit messages at different code-phases. Conceptually, this is equivalent to operating within multiple communication channels, each channel being defined by the code-phase used at the base station for encoding the messages addressed to the remote devices assigned the corresponding code-phase. The base station will concurrently transmit the message cycle at each of the different code-phases. At the remote device, only the message cycle with transmitted sync frames 310 that corresponds to the assigned code-phase of the particular remote device will be recognized, and subsequently, only the messages corresponding to this message cycle will be decoded.
In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the remote device's serial number is used as the code-phase assigned to the remote device. For example, if the lower k-bits are used to define the assigned frame slot of each remote device, the next higher set of bits can be used to define the code-phase assigned to the remote device. Using, for example, the lower sixteen bits of the remote device's serial number, twelve of the bits can be used to assign one of 4096 available frame slots, and the remaining four bits can be used to assign one of 16 available code-phase-defined DSS channels. The particular selection of bits to be used for code-phase assignment and frame-slot assignment is immaterial if substantially more than 2^16 remote devices are manufactured. On the other hand, if fewer than 2^16 units are expected to be manufactured for use in the deployed system, the code-phase may preferably be based on the lower four bits, to assure a relatively uniform distribution among code-phases. Other techniques for uniformly distributing code-phase and frame-slot-offset will be evident to one of skill in the art; for example, 2^k frame-slot-offsets may be defined by the k lower-order even bits of the serial number, and 2^j code-phases may be defined by the j lower-order odd bits of the serial number.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a transmission process at the base station 140 that embodies aspects of this invention. The flow chart illustrates a sequential flow, for ease of understanding; one of skill in the art will realize that the individual processes may be performed in parallel, and/or in a different sequence than illustrated in FIG. 7 .
At 710 , the base station receives messages addressed to remote devices 120 from user service providers 150 . As detailed above, each remote device 120 is assigned one or more frame slots in each message cycle. The base station maintains a queue associated with each frame slot, and as each message is received, it is placed in the queue associated with the next-in-time frame slot that is assigned to the remote device, at 720 .
At 720 , the next-to-be-transmitted frame slot is defined as the current-frame slot for processing. The next-to-be-transmitted frame slot for each remote device associated with the current-frame slot is updated, by modulo-adding the frame-slot interval of each remote device to the current-frame slot number.
If, at 730 , the number of messages in the current-slot queue can be transmitted within a single frame-slot, the messages in the current-slot queue are transmitted at the time within the message cycle corresponding to the current-slot, at 780 . As noted above, this transmission will occur in parallel with the other processes in FIG. 7 , so that the processing 710 - 770 of the received messages will be performed while the previously processed messages are being transmitted.
If, at 740 , there are more messages in the current-slot queue than can be transmitted during the current-slot duration, the messages in the queue are assessed to determine which messages to select for transmission.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, messages are selected for transmission based on an estimate of the latency that will be experienced by each message if the message is not selected for transmission in the current frame slot. At 750 , a latency factor is determined based on the latency factor that has already been incurred for the message, plus the frame slot interval associated with the addressed remote device. Preferably, this latency factor is also weighted based on a priority factor associated with each remote device, or each message:
Latency( i )=Latency( i )+ P ( j )*Interval( j ), (1)
where i is the message identifier, j is the remote device identifier, P(j) is a priority associated with the remote device (or, P(i), a priority associated with the message, can be used), and Interval(j) is the frame slot interval currently assigned to the remote device to which the message is addressed. Other ranking schemes that combine latency and priority will be evident to those skilled in the art.
By basing the selection on latency, as well as priority, low priority messages will not be continuously overwhelmed by higher priority messages. Typically, priorities are allocated on a scale of 1-10, or 1-100. If a particular remote device is allocated only one frame slot per message cycle of 65536 frame slots, for example, its latency factor of 65536 will likely cause it to be ranked highly, particularly against messages with short frame-rate intervals, even if they have substantially higher priorities.
The messages with the highest latency factor are selected to remain in the current-slot queue, at 760 , and the non-selected messages are moved to the next-to-be-transmitted queues for each of the addressed remote devices (which queues were updated at 730 ), at 770 . These messages will be processed with any newly received messages when each of the next-to-be-transmitted queue becomes the current-slot queue. Because the latency factor is cumulative, these delayed messages will have a higher priority-latency ranking than similar recently received messages in the next-to-be-transmitted queue.
The messages that were selected for transmission are transmitted at the current-slot time, at 780 , and the process is repeated for the next sequential frame slot. The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
In interpreting these claims, it should be understood that:
a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in a given claim;
b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements;
c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;
d) several “means” may be represented by the same item or hardware or software implemented structure or function;
e) each of the disclosed elements may be comprised of hardware portions (e.g., including discrete and integrated electronic circuitry), software portions (e.g., computer programming), and any combination thereof;
f) hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog and digital portions;
g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise;
h) no specific sequence of acts is intended to be required unless specifically indicated; and
i) the term “plurality of” an element includes two or more of the claimed element, and does not imply any particular range of number of elements; that is, a plurality of elements can be as few as two elements, and can include an immeasurable number of elements. | One or more frame slots to each transceiver are allocated for communication within each message cycle. The number of frame slots allocated can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate variable traffic loads per transceiver, and an offset of the frame slots within the message cycle is preferably predefined to provide a uniform distribution among the transceivers. The design of the transceiver is independent of the particular application, having at least one programmable parameter that controls the number of frame slots allocated within the message cycle. By controlling the number of frame slots allocated to a transceiver, the amount of inactive time, and hence battery life, can be controlled. When a conflict occurs among multiple transceivers having pending messages at the same frame slot, the allocation of the frame slot to a transceiver is based at least in part on the resultant lag time to each transceiver. | Identify and summarize the most critical features from the given passage. | [
"This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/035,058, filed 10 Mar. 2008, and 61/035,546, filed 11 Mar. 2008 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a base station that communicates with a plurality of remote devices using a message cycle that includes a fixed number of frame slots, and each remote device is configured to communicate at a defined frame rate at one or more frame slots within the message cycle.",
"A number of opportunities exist for the communication of short but informative messages between a plurality of remote devices and a base station.",
"A particularly unique application for transmitting short and informative messages from remote devices to a base station includes the “SPOT”",
"system (SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™, SPOT LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc.) that is configured to transmit, periodically or on demand, “I'm OK”, or “I need help”",
"messages with GPS coordinates.",
"The base station is configured to relay the “I'm OK”",
"messages with coordinates via e-mails to recipients associated with each particular transmitter, and to relay the “I need help”",
"messages with coordinates in an alert with coordinates to an emergency service associated with the coordinates.",
"In like manner, a low-cost “OnStar”-like system can be deployed on vehicles, such that if an accident or malfunction is sensed, a request for assistance is automatically transmitted.",
"Similarly, location-reporting units can be deployed on taxis, trucks, service vehicles, and the like, to provide dispatchers and others with up to date status information.",
"Opportunities also exist for the communication of short but informative messages from the base station to the remote devices.",
"Paging systems are classic examples of systems that provide short but informative messages.",
"In like manner, in the aforementioned emergency notification system, for example, an acknowledgement of receipt of each message is desirable to reassure the user that the alarm has been received.",
"Subsequently, periodic updates would also be desirable, providing, for example, the estimated time of arrival of the respondent aid.",
"Similarly, the base station may prompt any active remote device that hasn't reported its position for a substantially long time period, and take appropriate action if a reply is not received.",
"In a vehicle or cargo tracking system, the location transmitter may be configured to report its position when requested by the base station.",
"In this manner, the requests can be managed such that fewer transmissions are requested when the tracked object is detected to be traveling in a remote area, where the potential options for misrouting are few, and more transmissions are requested when the tracked object is within a city.",
"Other opportunities include the remote control of appliances based on messages relayed by users through the base station, and others.",
"U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,819, 6,317,029, 6,985,512, and 6,856,606 present novel techniques for efficiently communicating such short messages between a base station and the remote devices based on the use of a common DSS spreading code and a variety of code-phases at the remote devices, and are incorporated by reference herein.",
"Each remote device independently transmits its message, repeatedly, a number of times.",
"Because the messages are relatively short, and interfering collisions only occurs when the multiple transmissions are concurrent and in phase with each other, a repeated transmission of each message with gaps between the repeated transmissions increases the likelihood that at least one of the multiple copies of the message is properly received at the base station.",
"The likelihood of successful communication can be increased by increasing and varying the number of repeated transmissions, and varying the interval between transmissions.",
"Increasing the number of repetitions of each message may increase the likelihood of successful communication, but it also increases the likelihood of collisions, and as the number of remote devices increases, a saturation point will be reached.",
"Reception of messages from the base station at the remote devices is not subject to such interfering collisions, because the base station controls when each message is transmitted.",
"However, in many cases, the remote devices are portable units, and the continuous monitoring for independent transmissions from the base station will quickly deplete the batteries in these portable units.",
"In conventional mobile communication networks, the mobile stations are configured to periodically monitor for notification of messages, and enter an inactive state during periods of inactivity.",
"If a mobile station is notified of a pending message the mobile station is subsequently notified of a time-slot at which the base station will be transmitting the message.",
"A similar protocol is used for allocating time-slots for transmissions.",
"The interval between notifications is generally based on the expected traffic volume and a maximum acceptable lag time between a time at which a message is ready to be transferred from the base station, and the time it is actually transmitted to the receiver, herein termed latency.",
"A long interval between notifications provides a longer inactive period for each remote receiver, conserving battery power, but causes longer latency.",
"A short interval between notifications provides shorter latency, but increases the rate at which a battery will discharge while repeatedly switching to the active state.",
"A communications service provider using the conventional mobile communication protocols is presented with a dilemma.",
"Should the communications service provide long battery life, or short message delays?",
"In the telecommunications field, that problem is conventionally solved by providing different channels for different modes of operation.",
"Applications with high speed demands, such as voice communications, are handled by one system, while applications with low speed demands, such as pager communications, are handled by another system.",
"In the field of short message communications, a paging application will have substantially higher quality and speed demands than other applications, such as routine vehicle tracking.",
"In like manner, the provider of a user service, such as a vehicle tracking service, is presented with the dilemma of choosing a provider of high speed or high bandwidth communication to satisfy the requirement of some customers for high resolution (in time or space) vehicle tracking, or a lower-cost provider of low speed or bandwidth for customers who are satisfied knowing the general location of the tracked object during some general time period.",
"This dilemma is further complicated by customers who require different resolutions under different conditions, and expect to pay a service charge that is dependent upon the actual demand/usage of the service.",
"As in the case of the service provider, the traditional solution to a provider of user services that include various, and sometimes varying, levels of demand from its users is to purchase and manage access to multiple systems, each having a particular level of performance, to satisfy the different levels of user demand.",
"Providing multiple independent systems, however, introduces substantially more overhead than a unified system.",
"For example, each independent system will be configured to handle peak traffic loads, rather than average traffic loads, meaning that much of the system capacity will be unused most of the time.",
"If two independent systems are deployed, the overhead required to accommodate peak traffic loads will be doubled.",
"If a unified system is used, wherein a mix of traffic types are supported, the overhead for accommodating peak traffic loads will only be incurred once.",
"Also, the mix of traffic types is likely to provide a peak traffic load that is less than the sum of the peak traffic loads used in the individual systems, as the different characteristics of traffic types are likely to provide some ‘smoothing’ of the cumulative peak demand.",
"In like manner, the provider of user services could provide various levels of performance to its users, without incurring the costs associated with managing access to multiple systems based on the required performance.",
"In the field of short message communication, low per-unit cost is a primary criterion, as well as the ongoing cost of operation.",
"It would be advantageous to reduce the ongoing cost of communication by providing a unified system for handling all types of short-message applications on any channel, thereby obviating the need to provide different systems for each application type.",
"It would be advantageous to reduce the per-unit cost by using substantially the same communications circuitry in each unit, regardless of the intended application for the unit.",
"It would also be advantageous to provide this circuitry as a self-contained ‘drop-in’ to any short-message communication application.",
"It would also be advantageous to optimize battery life by consuming power in proportion to the requirements of the application.",
"It would also be advantageous to be able to optimize performance by managing the transmissions from the base station based on operational requirements of the application.",
"These advantages, and others, can be realized by a method and system that allocates one or more frame slots to each transceiver for communication within each message cycle.",
"The number of frame slots allocated can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate variable traffic loads per transceiver, and an offset of the frame slots within the message cycle is preferably predefined to provide a uniform distribution among the transceivers.",
"The design of the transceiver is independent of the particular application, having at least one programmable parameter that controls the number of frame slots allocated within the message cycle.",
"By controlling the number of frame slots allocated to a transceiver, the amount of inactive time, and hence battery life, can be controlled.",
"When a conflict occurs among multiple transceivers having pending messages at the same frame slot, the allocation of the frame slot to a transceiver is based at least in part on the resultant lag time to each transceiver.",
"In a preferred embodiment, the frame slots assigned to each remote device are consistent within each message cycle, allowing the determination of the frame slots assigned to each unit based solely on an identification of an offset frame slot within the message cycle assigned to the unit and an identification of the allocated interval between assigned frame slots for that remote device.",
"Preferably, the remote device uses an inherent identifying aspect of itself, such as its serial number, MAC address, etc.",
", which is also known to the base station, to determine its assigned offset frame slot, and the base station defines the interval between listening periods for each remote device, based on the bandwidth allocated to the remote device.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained in further detail, and by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates an example satellite communication system.",
"FIG. 2 illustrates an example series of message cycles comprising multiple frames for use in this invention.",
"FIG. 3 illustrates an example format of a frame for use in this invention.",
"FIG. 4 illustrates an example format of a message for use in this invention.",
"FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of a receiver for use in this invention.",
"FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of a receiver for use in this invention.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a base station for use in this invention.",
"Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features or functions.",
"The drawings are included for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc.",
", in order to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts of the invention.",
"However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, which depart from these specific details.",
"In like manner, the text of this description is directed to the example embodiments as illustrated in the Figures, and is not intended to limit the claimed invention beyond the limits expressly included in the claims.",
"For purposes of simplicity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.",
"The invention is presented using the paradigm of the allocation of predictable frame slots to each receiver for receiving messages at remote devices from a base station.",
"One of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of this invention can similarly be applied to allocate frame slots for transmission from the remote device to the base station, to reduce the likelihood of collision, except that a guardband time period should be provided between usable frame slots, to accommodate for the different delay times to the base station from the geographically dispersed remote devices.",
"The communication element of the remote devices is referred to as transceivers in this description, to indicate that the principles can be applied to either a receiver or transmitter;",
"the use of this term in this context is not intended to indicate that the remote device must provide both transmission and reception capabilities.",
"The invention is also presented using the paradigm of communication of short messages.",
"One of skill in the art will recognize that although this invention is particularly well suited for short message communications, the principles of this invention are not necessarily limited to such communications.",
"In like manner, the invention is presented using the paradigm of a satellite communication system, because such a system provides a broad coverage area, but one of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of this invention are not limited to satellite systems or broad coverage areas.",
"FIG. 1 illustrates an example satellite communication system that uses a satellite 110 in low-earth-orbit (LEO) to provide communications between a base station 140 and a number of remote transceivers 120 .",
"Although a higher orbit satellite, such as a geosynchronous (GEO) satellite, may also be used, the use of a lower orbit satellite reduces the transmit power or antenna gain needed between the remote device and the base station.",
"Typically, the satellite will be configured to provide a “bent-pipe”",
"communication link, such that whatever is transmitted from the base station 140 to the satellite 110 is subsequently transmitted from the satellite 110 , without any significant changes or processing at the satellite 110 .",
"The base station 140 is configured to provide communications between any of a variety of user service provider systems 150 and compatibly configured remote transceivers 120 .",
"For example, if the service provider is providing paging services, the remote transceiver 120 that uses this service will be configured as a pager;",
"if the service provider is providing location tracking services, the remote transceivers that use this service will be configured as location transponders.",
"The cost of providing a satellite communication system is substantial, and to be profitable, the system should be able to satisfy the requirements of a variety of user service systems 150 .",
"In like manner, land-based communication systems are typically subject to substantial infrastructure costs to provide services, and would likely realize a greater profit if a variety of user services are supported.",
"However, as mentioned above, conventional communication protocols do not facilitate a wide range of service requirements, particularly in light of the requirement to optimize power consumption at the remote transceivers.",
"FIG. 2 illustrates an example protocol that supports a variety of services having substantially different performance requirements.",
"In the context of this disclosure, performance is characterized by available bandwidth (supportable traffic flow) and/or latency (delay incurred to get a message from the base station to the intended remote device).",
"Some applications/services are sensitive to both of these performance measures, while others may be sensitive to one or the other.",
"A service that needs to continuously provide communication to many remote devices, such as a popular paging service, may be sensitive to bandwidth limitations, but relatively insensitive to the timeliness of the pages.",
"For example, a paging service may require the ability to reliably send a thousand paging messages per minute, but might allow a delay as long as a minute or two between the time that the page was transmitted to the base station and the time that it was received at the remote device.",
"Other applications, such as sending an acknowledgement that places a remote device into an inactive state to conserve power may have a relatively low demand for bandwidth, but may require that the latency is less than a minute.",
"Other applications, such as vehicle tracking systems, may be relatively insensitive to either bandwidth or latency.",
"To provide optimal power consumption at the remote transceiver, the ratio of ‘active’ vs.",
"‘inactive’ time that the remote transceiver experiences, herein termed the duty-cycle of the remote device, should be commensurate with the bandwidth and/or latency requirements that the particular application imposes on the remote transceiver.",
"If a remote device is only expected to receive/react to one or two messages from the base station per day, its duty-cycle should be extremely low.",
"If the remote device is expected to receive/react to dozens of messages from the host system each minute, its duty cycle can be expected to be higher, but not as high as a remote device that is expected to receive/react to hundreds of messages from the base system each minute.",
"In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a message cycle time is defined to provide for a given number of message frames.",
"Preferably, the message cycle time corresponds to the maximum allowable duration between activations of the remote device.",
"That is, each currently enabled remote device is expected to monitor for transmissions from the host computer at least once during the message cycle time.",
"If one hour is the longest time period that a currently enabled remote device should remain inactive, then the message cycle time should be set to one hour or less.",
"In FIG. 2 , a remote transceiver that is configured to be activated to listen for messages once per cycle is illustrated by the dashed arrows 210 .",
"As illustrated in claim 2 , the initial listening period occurs in frame slot “2”, then reoccurs at frame slot “2”",
"of each subsequent message cycle.",
"If the message cycle time is one hour, then this remote device will be activated once every hour, to receive any messages addressed to it during the frame slot period.",
"If there are N frame slots in the message cycle, the duty cycle of this remote device will be 1/N (less if the remote device is permitted to enter an inactive state during the frame slot, discussed further below).",
"However, the latency between the time that a message is ready to be transmitted and the time that it is received can be as long as almost twice the duration of the message cycle;",
"in this example, almost two hours.",
"Similarly, the amount of data that can be transmitted to the remote device, herein termed the bandwidth, will be limited to the amount of data that can be communicated to the remote device within one frame slot.",
"The achievable bandwidth will be lower if other remote devices are also allocated the use of the same frame slot “2.”",
"If another remote device requires less latency, or more bandwidth, it can be configured to be activated more than once per message cycle.",
"In the example of a message cycle of one hour, if the remote device is configured to be activated sixty times per message cycle, its latency will be reduced by a factor of sixty, to 2 minutes, and the bandwidth will be increased by a factor of sixty.",
"Commensurate with this decreased latency and increased bandwidth, the duty cycle of this remote device will be increased by a factor of sixty to 60/N, and its power consumption is likely to be increased by a factor of sixty.",
"Thus, the battery life can be optimized by controlling the number of frame slots within a message cycle that are allocated to a remote device based on the required latency or bandwidth.",
"In FIG. 2 , the pattern 220 is indicative of a remote device that is activated every fourth frame slot, and the pattern 230 is indicative of a remote device that is activated for every frame slot, corresponding to continuous activation, as may be provided to a remote device that requires maximum bandwidth or minimum latency and is provided with a continuous source of power (i.e. a “plug-in unit”).",
"In accordance with an aspect of this invention, each remote device is configured to be activated for the same frame slot(s) in each message cycle, and the base station is aware of which frame slots are available for transmitting messages to each remote device.",
"Preferably, the remote device uses an inherent identifying aspect of itself, such as its serial number, MAC address, etc.",
", which is also known to the base station, to determine the initial frame slot to use, and the base station assigns the interval between listening periods to the remote device, based on the bandwidth allocated to the remote device.",
"To provide a consistent set of frame slots to a remote device, the interval between listening periods is an integer result of an integer division of the number of frame slots within the message cycle, the integer divisor corresponding to the activation/listening repetition rate.",
"For example, if there are 4096 (2^12) frame slots within a message cycle, a activation rate of 2 frame slots per message cycle provides an interval between activations of 2048 frame slots;",
"an activation rate of 3 is not allowed, because it does not provide an integer result of the division of 4096 by 3.",
"An activation rate of 4 provides an interval between activations of 1024 frame slots.",
"An activation rate of 4096 provides an interval between activations of 1, corresponding to an activation at every frame slot, or virtually continuous activation.",
"In this manner, each remote device and the base station need only know the assigned frame slot offset and repetition rate of the remote device to determine which frame slots are assigned to the remote device.",
"The number of frame slots N per message cycle is chosen based on a variety of factors.",
"As noted above, a device's duty cycle will be inversely proportional to N, and therefore a large N would be preferred to reduce power consumption by remote devices that have fairly minimal bandwidth and latency requirements.",
"However, in practice, there is always some overhead associated with reactivating a remote device and synchronizing with the assigned frame slot, and the intended power savings may not be achieved when a very short frame slot is used.",
"That is, the overhead duration may be as long as, or longer, than the frame slot duration, such that the power consumption increases at a faster rate than the increased bandwidth provided by the allocation of multiple frame slots to the remote device.",
"In like manner, due to component tolerances, temperature, and so on, the clock rate at the remote device may be different from the clock rate at the master station, causing a ‘drift’ of the clock at the remote device relative to the master station.",
"To assure that an assigned listening period is not missed, the remote device is configured to be activated early enough to account for such clock drift.",
"The intended power savings will not be achieved if the clock drift causes the remote device to be activated more than one frame slot before its assigned frame slot.",
"This situation of drifting more than one full frame slot during an interval of N frame slots, will occur if the remote device has a clock drift of 1/N.",
"Therefore, N is preferably no larger than the inverse of the published maximum drift of the clocks intended to be used in the system.",
"In a reasonably low-cost system, clock accuracies of 10-20 ppm over lifetime and temperature are likely to be achieved, suggesting a maximum N of 50 to 100,000, independent of the selected message cycle duration.",
"As noted above, the message cycle duration can be selected based on the maximum allowable latency.",
"Alternatively, the message cycle duration may be selected as the maximum practical duration given other imposed constraints, thereby providing for a lowest potential energy usage.",
"For example, if a frame slot duration of one second is deemed sufficient to satisfy high performance latency requirements, and N is chosen to be 65536 (2^16) based on the aforementioned clock drift limitations, a maximum message cycle duration of 65536 seconds (over 18 hours) can be achieved.",
"In such a system, the highest-bandwidth units could potentially receive messages every second, and the lowest-energy units could be inactive 99.997% of the time, thus allowing an extremely broad set of user services to employ the system without compromising on the different priorities of each user service.",
"The above analysis assumes insignificant overhead time for activating the receiving components relative to the duration of the frame slot interval.",
"If the overhead time is substantial, N is preferably reduced to achieve an appropriate efficiency factor of useful receiving time relative to total activated time (overhead+receiving time).",
"In a preferred embodiment, each frame slot is partitioned into a plurality of message elements, to allow a plurality of remote devices to receive one or more messages in each assigned frame slot.",
"Each message includes ‘overhead information’, and therefore a long message slot is preferred, to reduce the relative impact of this overhead information on effective throughput.",
"Shorter message slots, on the other hand, allow for more remote devices to be addressed in each frame slot, providing more options at the base station for balancing performance among the remote devices.",
"Nominally, 10-20 message slots per frame slot provides a reasonable tradeoff between reducing overhead and balancing performance.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 3 , each frame 300 preferably includes a synchronization element 310 and an identification element 320 , followed by a plurality of message elements 400 .",
"The synchronization element 310 serves to identify the start of each frame 300 , to synchronize the remote device to the base station, and the identification element 320 identifies the particular frame slot (1 to N), to allow the remote device to determine that it is monitoring its assigned slot(s).",
"Each remote device is activated in time to receive the synchronization element 310 and verify that the frame slot identifier 320 corresponds to its assigned frame slot(s).",
"When the proper frame slot identifier 320 is verified, the remote device monitors each message 400 within the assigned frame slot to determine whether the message is intended for reception at the particular remote device.",
"The remote device re-enters the inactive state at the end of the frame 300 , or at the end of messages 400 within the frame 300 .",
"One or more techniques may be used to further reduce the time that a remote device must remain active to monitor messages.",
"If, for example, each device is allocated a maximum of one message per message cycle, the device can enter the inactive state after receipt of its message, if any.",
"In like manner, the base station may be configured to transmit messages within each frame in some particular order, so that when a device recognizes that a message having a ‘later’ order is received, the device can enter an inactive state.",
"The order may be assigned to each device by the base station based on an order associated with each application, and included in a field of each message.",
"In this manner, the providers of the application may pay a premium for an ‘early’ order to prolong the battery-life of their corresponding devices.",
"Each message is structured in a conventional manner, an example structure being illustrated in FIG. 4 .",
"An address field 410 is used to address the message to a particular remote device, or group of remote devices, and an error detection/verification field 420 assures the accuracy of this address.",
"This error detection/verification field may cover the entirety of the message;",
"or, it may cover only the header, including destination address and message length, so that devices which are not addressed may recognize and confirm that fact immediately, and go into a lower-power state for the remaining duration of the message.",
"Optionally, the remote devices may be configured to store an indicator of the particular application for which it is being used, to facilitate addressing all of the devices used by an application concurrently, for issuing application-wide notices or commands.",
"For example, an application that experiences periods of substantially different bandwidth demands may adjust the activation rate of all its remote devices accordingly, using such a group address.",
"Optionally, the message includes a size field 430 , to provide compatibility with different configurations of the frames.",
"For example, the base station may be configured to dynamically adjust the number of messages within the frames 300 , or within select frames 300 , based on the current traffic flow, with a corresponding adjustment of the length of each message in each frame.",
"Providing a size field 430 also allows for the use of variable length messages, so that power is consumed in proportion to the amount of message information that is transmitted.",
"The message number field 440 allows for the identification and elimination of redundant messages, and for requesting retransmission of missing messages.",
"The header field 450 includes conventional message identification information, such as an identifier of the source of the message, the type of message, and so on.",
"The message data 460 follows the header, and an error detection and/or correction field 470 follows thereafter.",
"FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of components of a receiving sub-system of a remote device for use with this invention, and FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of the operation of an example receiver.",
"In the following description, the initial digit of the reference numeral indicates the figure in which the numeral can be found.",
"As noted above, the principles of this invention can be used for communication in either direction, or both directions (to and from the remote devices).",
"The operation of the system for communications to the remote devices is presented herein for ease of understanding, the operation for communications in the reverse direction being evident to one of skill in the art in view of this presentation.",
"As also noted above, the term transceiver is used in this specification, drawings, and claims to represent either a receiver, or a transmitter, or a combination of receiver and transmitter.",
"The term receiver is used in the context of this example of the communication of messages to the remote device, to facilitate understanding, and in the case of a combination of receiver and transmitter, refers to the receiving element of such a combination transceiver.",
"A timer 510 is configured to provide a wake-up/trigger signal to the other components in the remote device at each frame slot that is assigned to the remote device.",
"Each frame slot (1, 2, .",
"N) of the message cycle begins at a particular start point, or offset (0, 1/N, 2/N, .",
"(N−1)/N), in the cycle, and the timer 510 is configured to activate the other components sufficiently ahead of the start point of each assigned slot such that the receiver is sufficiently enabled to detect the start of each assigned frame.",
"Referring to the example frame structure of FIG. 3 , upon enabling 610 , the receiver 530 monitors the incoming signal to detect the sync element 310 , typically a known pattern of bits.",
"Upon detecting the sync element 310 , the receiver 530 preferably sends a corresponding sync signal to the timer 510 , to allow the timer to correct for clock drift between the remote device and the base station.",
"The receiver then decodes the ID element 320 , which identifies the particular frame slot, preferably as an incremental count.",
"If this frame slot corresponds 620 to the assigned slot, the receiver 510 continues to receive and decode 630 the subsequent message elements 400 .",
"If the ID element 320 indicates a frame slot that is prior to the assigned frame slot, the receiver waits for the next sync element 310 , optionally entering an inactive state for the interim.",
"If the ID Element 320 indicates a frame slot subsequent to the assigned frame slot, this indicates that the timer 510 had not enabled the receiver in time to receive the assigned frame slot, and the timer 510 is adjusted accordingly, to avoid missing subsequent messages.",
"In like manner, in the aforementioned case of the ID element 320 indicating that the received frame slot was prior to the assigned frame slot, this indicates that the timer 510 had enabled the receiver earlier than necessary to receive the assigned frame slot, and the time 510 can be adjusted accordingly, to optimize the duty cycle.",
"Lead-lag timing adjustment techniques are common in the art.",
"A controller 520 is configured to inform the timer 510 and receiver 530 of the assigned frame slots for this particular remote device.",
"As discussed above, the assigned frame slots are preferably consistent within each message cycle, allowing the determination of the assigned frame slots based on an identification of a start of a frame slot within the message cycle, hereinafter termed the offset of the assigned frame slots, and the number of frame slots between assigned frame slots, hereinafter termed the reception frame interval.",
"The offset of each remote device may be assigned in any conventional manner, but in a preferred embodiment, the offset of each remote device is based on a unique identifier of the remote device, such as its serial number.",
"For example, if there are 2^k frame slots within a message cycle, the last k bits of the serial number can defined as the offset of the remote device, and the manufacturing process includes setting bits in a memory, or connections on a PC board, to allow the controller 520 to read these k bits.",
"In this manner, the assigned offsets are likely to uniformly distributed across the message cycle, thereby providing a degree of static load balancing among the phases, increasing the overall throughput of the system.",
"Other techniques for assigning different offsets to communicating elements are common in the art, including, for example, having each remote device default to a common phase, typically zero, then monitoring at that offset for a command message from the base station that assigns the offset to each remote device using a registration protocol.",
"The reception frame interval of each remote device may also be provided by setting bits in memory or connections on a PC board, but in a preferred embodiment, the reception frame interval of each remote device is defined dynamically, typically by the base station, based on a fee paid for different levels of service, or other factors.",
"In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the messages that are transmitted in each frame slot are identified 640 as control messages for the communications system controller 520 , user-data messages for processing by the user component 550 , or messages that are addressed to other remote devices in this frame slot.",
"The control messages that are sent 640 to the controller 520 include the reception frame interval, and other communication-management information, such as the assigned address of user component 550 .",
"Messages addressed to the user component 550 are placed 650 in a buffer for acquisition by the user component 550 .",
"This decoding process is repeated until 670 all messages in the frame are processed.",
"The remote device, or at least the reception portion of the remote device, is then placed in a low-power inactive state until the timer 510 reawakens 610 the receiver 530 and controller 520 .",
"The user component 550 is the application-specific portion of the remote device, and includes, for example, sensing equipment, GPS receiver, and so on.",
"The user component provides messages to the base station for forwarding to the corresponding user services ( 150 in FIG. 1 ) via a transmit portion of the remote device (not illustrated).",
"Optionally, the user component 550 is configured to be triggered by the controller 520 when messages arrive, and to pass control information to the controller 520 , including, for example, a notification of a change to the reception frame interval.",
"For example, in lieu of using different addresses to distinguish the communication control information and user component data, the task of segregating the control and data by the receiver 530 may alternatively be performed by the user component 550 , based on content of the received data.",
"In like manner, although the base station will typically control the reception bandwidth and notify the remote device of any changes via the aforementioned control messages, in an alternative embodiment, the protocol may allow the user application to control the bandwidth directly.",
"It should be noted that the timing diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates a time-based multiplexing of messages among multiple remote devices;",
"that is, the first message element may be addressed to one receiver, the next message element to another, and so on.",
"It will be evident to one of skill in the art that other multiplexing techniques may be used as well.",
"For example, each remote device may be assigned a particular code-phase of a DSS spreading code, and the base station can be configured to concurrently transmit messages at different code-phases.",
"Conceptually, this is equivalent to operating within multiple communication channels, each channel being defined by the code-phase used at the base station for encoding the messages addressed to the remote devices assigned the corresponding code-phase.",
"The base station will concurrently transmit the message cycle at each of the different code-phases.",
"At the remote device, only the message cycle with transmitted sync frames 310 that corresponds to the assigned code-phase of the particular remote device will be recognized, and subsequently, only the messages corresponding to this message cycle will be decoded.",
"In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the remote device's serial number is used as the code-phase assigned to the remote device.",
"For example, if the lower k-bits are used to define the assigned frame slot of each remote device, the next higher set of bits can be used to define the code-phase assigned to the remote device.",
"Using, for example, the lower sixteen bits of the remote device's serial number, twelve of the bits can be used to assign one of 4096 available frame slots, and the remaining four bits can be used to assign one of 16 available code-phase-defined DSS channels.",
"The particular selection of bits to be used for code-phase assignment and frame-slot assignment is immaterial if substantially more than 2^16 remote devices are manufactured.",
"On the other hand, if fewer than 2^16 units are expected to be manufactured for use in the deployed system, the code-phase may preferably be based on the lower four bits, to assure a relatively uniform distribution among code-phases.",
"Other techniques for uniformly distributing code-phase and frame-slot-offset will be evident to one of skill in the art;",
"for example, 2^k frame-slot-offsets may be defined by the k lower-order even bits of the serial number, and 2^j code-phases may be defined by the j lower-order odd bits of the serial number.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a transmission process at the base station 140 that embodies aspects of this invention.",
"The flow chart illustrates a sequential flow, for ease of understanding;",
"one of skill in the art will realize that the individual processes may be performed in parallel, and/or in a different sequence than illustrated in FIG. 7 .",
"At 710 , the base station receives messages addressed to remote devices 120 from user service providers 150 .",
"As detailed above, each remote device 120 is assigned one or more frame slots in each message cycle.",
"The base station maintains a queue associated with each frame slot, and as each message is received, it is placed in the queue associated with the next-in-time frame slot that is assigned to the remote device, at 720 .",
"At 720 , the next-to-be-transmitted frame slot is defined as the current-frame slot for processing.",
"The next-to-be-transmitted frame slot for each remote device associated with the current-frame slot is updated, by modulo-adding the frame-slot interval of each remote device to the current-frame slot number.",
"If, at 730 , the number of messages in the current-slot queue can be transmitted within a single frame-slot, the messages in the current-slot queue are transmitted at the time within the message cycle corresponding to the current-slot, at 780 .",
"As noted above, this transmission will occur in parallel with the other processes in FIG. 7 , so that the processing 710 - 770 of the received messages will be performed while the previously processed messages are being transmitted.",
"If, at 740 , there are more messages in the current-slot queue than can be transmitted during the current-slot duration, the messages in the queue are assessed to determine which messages to select for transmission.",
"In accordance with an aspect of this invention, messages are selected for transmission based on an estimate of the latency that will be experienced by each message if the message is not selected for transmission in the current frame slot.",
"At 750 , a latency factor is determined based on the latency factor that has already been incurred for the message, plus the frame slot interval associated with the addressed remote device.",
"Preferably, this latency factor is also weighted based on a priority factor associated with each remote device, or each message: Latency( i )=Latency( i )+ P ( j )*Interval( j ), (1) where i is the message identifier, j is the remote device identifier, P(j) is a priority associated with the remote device (or, P(i), a priority associated with the message, can be used), and Interval(j) is the frame slot interval currently assigned to the remote device to which the message is addressed.",
"Other ranking schemes that combine latency and priority will be evident to those skilled in the art.",
"By basing the selection on latency, as well as priority, low priority messages will not be continuously overwhelmed by higher priority messages.",
"Typically, priorities are allocated on a scale of 1-10, or 1-100.",
"If a particular remote device is allocated only one frame slot per message cycle of 65536 frame slots, for example, its latency factor of 65536 will likely cause it to be ranked highly, particularly against messages with short frame-rate intervals, even if they have substantially higher priorities.",
"The messages with the highest latency factor are selected to remain in the current-slot queue, at 760 , and the non-selected messages are moved to the next-to-be-transmitted queues for each of the addressed remote devices (which queues were updated at 730 ), at 770 .",
"These messages will be processed with any newly received messages when each of the next-to-be-transmitted queue becomes the current-slot queue.",
"Because the latency factor is cumulative, these delayed messages will have a higher priority-latency ranking than similar recently received messages in the next-to-be-transmitted queue.",
"The messages that were selected for transmission are transmitted at the current-slot time, at 780 , and the process is repeated for the next sequential frame slot.",
"The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention.",
"It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the following claims.",
"In interpreting these claims, it should be understood that: a) the word “comprising”",
"does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in a given claim;",
"b) the word “a”",
"or “an”",
"preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements;",
"c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;",
"d) several “means”",
"may be represented by the same item or hardware or software implemented structure or function;",
"e) each of the disclosed elements may be comprised of hardware portions (e.g., including discrete and integrated electronic circuitry), software portions (e.g., computer programming), and any combination thereof;",
"f) hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog and digital portions;",
"g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise;",
"h) no specific sequence of acts is intended to be required unless specifically indicated;",
"and i) the term “plurality of”",
"an element includes two or more of the claimed element, and does not imply any particular range of number of elements;",
"that is, a plurality of elements can be as few as two elements, and can include an immeasurable number of elements."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to surgical devices, and more particularly, to a suction device for surgical applications in which an organ is supported by the suction device for improved access to the organ.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Surgical retractors are well known in the art. They are used in surgical procedures to maintain an opening in the skin to provide access to a body cavity and/or organ during surgery. Surgical retractors are often used in combination with accessories, such as suction devices for lifting, rotating, and/or supporting an organ. Such supporting is typically referred to as vacuum stabilization. Such suction devices and surgical retractors are particularly suited for cardiac bypass surgery.
[0005] While the suction devices of the prior art have their advantages, they are typically large in stature and accordingly obstruct a surgeon's view or access to the surgical field. The vacuum used to support the organ can be aggressive and cause tissue damage and tearing due to high vacuum settings (e.g., 400-700 mm HG). Typically, three-way valves are used for control of the vacuum. Therefore, the surgeon requires an assistant to operate (turn on and off) the valves. Furthermore, it becomes challenging to precisely control the vacuum by turning the valve on and off at a given time. Also, the suction cups of the suction devices are either inflexible or utilize an open-cell foam, both of which serve to cause trauma to the heart muscle and interfere with the heart's hemodynamic equilibrium. High vacuum pressure tends to push the attached tissue against the rim of the suction cup, which can cause damage to the heart tissue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a suction device for surgical procedures that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.
[0007] Accordingly, a suction device for applying vacuum to a tissue surface is provided. The suction device comprising: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface; a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity; and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity.
[0008] Preferably, at least a portion of the conduit comprises an axial bore, the axial bore extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion. Preferably, the suction device further comprises a vent hole in fluid communication with the axial bore and an ambient environment. Preferably, the valve comprises a seat for sealing engagement with a corresponding surface of the axial bore, the valve having vent means for selectively disengaging the seat against the corresponding surface to vent the cavity through the vent hole to the ambient environment.
[0009] The vent means preferably comprises a plunger slidingly disposed in the axial bore such that sliding of the plunger in an axial direction selectively disengages the seat from the corresponding surface of the axial bore. The suction device preferably further comprises a biasing means for biasing the plunger in an engaged position such that the seat is sealed against the corresponding surface. Preferably, the biasing means is a spring disposed in the axial bore circumferentially around the plunger.
[0010] The plunger preferably further has a button which extends beyond the outer surface, wherein depressing the button causes the plunger to slide in the axial direction. The vacuum inlet portion preferably further having a ball for adapting to a pivot joint, wherein the outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion corresponds to the ball.
[0011] Also provided is a surgical retractor comprising: means for retracting tissue surrounding an opening; at least one attachment member for mounting of accessories for use with the surgical retractor; and a suction device disposed on the attachment member for applying vacuum to a tissue surface, the suction device comprising: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface; a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity; and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity.
[0012] Preferably, at least a portion of the conduit comprises an axial bore, the axial bore extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion. Preferably, the suction device further comprises a vent hole in fluid communication with the axial bore and an ambient environment. Preferably, the valve comprises a seat for sealing engagement with a corresponding surface of the axial bore, the valve having vent means for selectively disengaging the seat against the corresponding surface to vent the cavity through the vent hole to the ambient environment.
[0013] The vent means preferably comprises a plunger slidingly disposed in the axial bore such that sliding of the plunger in an axial direction selectively disengages the seat from the corresponding surface of the axial bore. The suction device preferably further comprises a biasing means for biasing the plunger in an engaged position such that the seat is sealed against the corresponding surface. Preferably, the biasing means is a spring disposed in the axial bore circumferentially around the plunger.
[0014] The plunger preferably further has a button which extends beyond the outer surface, wherein depressing the button causes the plunger to slide in the axial direction. The vacuum inlet portion preferably further having a ball for adapting to a pivot joint, wherein the outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion corresponds to the ball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
[0016] [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a surgical retractor device having a suction device mounted thereon.
[0017] [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the surgical retractor device of FIG. 1 shown in use for opening the chest wall to provide access to the heart, the suction device shown supporting the heart for improved access thereto.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 3 a illustrates an isometric view of a preferred implementation of a suction device for use with the surgical retractor device of FIG. 1, only the side rail of the surgical retractor being shown therein for clarity.
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 b illustrates a side view of the suction device and side rail of FIG. 3 a.
[0020] [0020]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred implementation of a suction cup of the present invention.
[0021] [0021]FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view for the suction cup of FIG. 4 as seen from view 5 - 5 .
[0022] [0022]FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the suction cup of FIG. 5 as taken along view 6 - 6 of FIG. 5.
[0023] [0023]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative version of a top portion of the suction cup of FIG. 4, the alternative version having a venting valve integrally formed therein.
[0024] [0024]FIG. 8 a illustrates a sectional view of the vacuum inlet portion of FIG. 7 as taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7, the vacuum inlet portion being shown with the venting valve in the closed position.
[0025] [0025]FIG. 8 b illustrates a sectional view of the vacuum inlet portion of FIG. 7 as taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7, the vacuum inlet portion being shown with the venting valve in the open (vented) position.
[0026] [0026]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative version of the suction cup of FIG. 6, the alternative version having a mesh material inserted in the suction cup portion of the suction cup.
[0027] [0027]FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the mesh material prior to insertion in the suction cup portion.
[0028] [0028]FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of yet another alternative version of the suction cup, the alternative version having a closed cell ring disposed on a lower rim of the suction cup portion of the suction cup.
[0029] [0029]FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the suction cup of FIG. 11 as taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 11.
[0030] [0030]FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of a side rail having a mounting means indicated in phantom lines.
[0031] [0031]FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of the side rail and mounting means of FIG. 13 as taken along line 14 - 14 of FIG. 13.
[0032] [0032]FIGS. 15 a and 15 b illustrate sectional views of an alternative version of a mounting means, FIG. 15 a showing the mounting means before being secured to the side rail and FIG. 15 b showing the mounting means after being secured to the side rail.
[0033] [0033]FIGS. 16 a and 16 b illustrate sectional views of an alternative version of a mounting means secured to side rails of varying width.
[0034] [0034]FIGS. 17 a and 17 b illustrate sectional views of yet another alternative version of a mounting means, FIGS. 17 a and 17 b showing the mounting means secured to side rails of varying width.
[0035] [0035]FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate sectional views of first and second variations of an arm for use with the suction devices of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] Although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of organs and surgical procedures, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of surgical procedures on the heart. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to surgical procedures on the heart, the invention will be described in such environment.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a surgical retractor, generally referred to by reference numeral 100 . The surgical retractor 100 is useful for retracting the skin to expose a body cavity and/or organ (alternatively referred to herein as “tissue”) for performing a surgical procedure thereon. The surgical retractor generally has one or more attachment members for attachment of accessories, such as a suction device. The attachment members are preferably two side rails 102 . The surgical retractor also has at least one transverse rail 104 upon which at least one of the side rails 102 is movable. One and preferably both side rails 102 have means, described fully below for holding accessories useful for the particular surgical procedure being performed. One such accessory is a suction device 106 , which is useful for supporting an organ, such as the heart (shown in FIG. 3) during the surgical procedure to provide improved access to the organ and/or body cavity.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the suction device 106 typically has a means 107 for movably engaging the side rail, an arm 108 , and a suction cup 110 . The arm 108 is movable, preferably by being bendable, and typically cantilevers the suction cup 110 away from the side rail 102 . The arm 108 is used to position the suction cup 110 over the organ, after which a suction cup portion 112 engages the organ with an applied vacuum to support the organ in a desired position. A ball joint 109 is provided to allow the suction cup portion 112 to rotate freely into any desired position. The arm 108 is further preferably rotatably disposed relative to the suction cup 110 .
[0039] Referring back to FIG. 2, in a typical surgical procedure involving the heart 114 , after the chest wall 116 is opened, the surgical retractor 100 is placed in the opening with the side rail(s) 102 engaging the opening. The side rails 102 are then slid on the transverse rail 104 to expand the size of the opening. The mounting means 107 is positioned on the side rail 102 and locked thereon to position the suction device 106 such that it will not be an obstruction to the surgical procedure. A vacuum is applied to the suction cup portion 112 by a vacuum source (not shown) and tubing 115 . The arm 108 is positioned such that the suction cup portion 112 engages the heart 114 and applies the vacuum to a surface thereof, such as the apical region of the heart. The arm 108 is then raised to partially lift the heart 114 from the chest cavity and support it in the lifted position. In surgical retractors of the prior art, it is required for the arm 108 to be locked in position to support the heart 114 . However, as will be discussed below, the suction device 106 of the present invention does not require the arm 108 to be locked.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 4 - 6 , there is shown a preferred implementation of the suction cup 110 of the present invention. Although the suction cup 110 can be of single piece construction, it preferably comprises a suction cup portion 112 and a vacuum inlet portion 118 . The suction cup portion 112 is preferably fabricated from a flexible material such as an elastomer. The elastomer is preferably polypropylene TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). The flexible suction cup portion material, such as c-flex, allows the heart to contract and torque, which allows the heart to maintain its hemodynamic equilibrium.
[0041] The vacuum inlet portion 118 is preferably a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic, such as polypropylene. The vacuum inlet portion 118 has a vacuum fitting 120 , such as a hose barb, for connection to the vacuum tubing 115 . The vacuum fitting 120 has a radial bore 122 , which is in fluid communication with an axial bore 124 . The vacuum inlet portion 118 further has a ball 126 at an end thereof. The ball 126 is rotatably disposed in a distal adapter 128 connected to a distal end of the arm 108 to form the pivot joint 109 .
[0042] The suction cup portion 112 is disposed on the vacuum inlet portion 118 . The suction cup portion 112 has a wall 130 which defines a cavity 132 which is in fluid communication with the axial bore 124 . The vacuum inlet portion 118 and suction cup portion 112 can be fixed together in any manner known in the art. Preferably, the vacuum inlet portion 118 is provided with a channel 134 at an end thereof and the suction cup portion 112 is provided with a corresponding lip 136 which mates with and is fixedly retained in the channel 134 .
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 a, and 8 b, there is shown an alternative configuration of the vacuum inlet portion, referred to by reference numeral 118 a and in which like numerals denote like features. Vacuum inlet portion 118 a differs from vacuum inlet portion 118 in that it has an integral vacuum valve 138 disposed therein. In the alternatively configured vacuum inlet portion 118 a illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 a, and 8 b, the axial bore, referred to by reference numeral 124 a extends throughout the axial length of the vacuum inlet portion 118 a. The vacuum inlet portion 118 a further has a vent hole 140 in fluid communication with the axial bore 124 a. A plunger 142 is slidingly disposed in the axial bore 124 a. The plunger 142 has a button 144 on one end thereof for actuating the valve 138 and a seat 146 on another end. A spring 148 is further disposed in the axial bore 124 a for biasing the plunger 142 in a closed position illustrated in FIG. 8 a in which the button 144 fully extends from the ball 126 and the seat 126 is seated and sealed against a corresponding surface 150 of the axial bore 124 a. In the closed position, a vacuum applied to the radial bore 122 is in fluid communication with the cavity 132 of the suction cup portion 112 which can be applied to a surface of the tissue or organ to be supported. When the button 144 is depressed, the valve 138 is switched to an open position, as is illustrated in FIG. 8 b. In the open position, the seat 146 is no longer seated against the corresponding surface 150 of the axial bore 124 a and the vent hole 140 vents the vacuum applied to the axial bore 124 a and cavity 132 to thereby turn the vacuum applied to the tissue or organ off.
[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the valve 138 allows a surgeon to control the applied vacuum independently with his thumb or fingertips and further allows the surgeon to place the suction cup portion 112 at the region where he/she desires and to turn the applied vacuum on or off at will without the need for an assistant. The vacuum valve 138 can be placed at the suction device itself with a button 144 control, as shown, or in another convenient area which permits the surgeon to easily operate the valve without the need for an assistant.
[0045] Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a preferred implementation of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup 110 . The wall 130 of the suction cup portion 112 preferably has a plurality of ribs 152 for adding flexibility to a neck portion 154 of the suction cup portion 112 . The suction cup portion 112 further has a cupped portion 156 which flares outwardly from a central axis A from the neck portion 154 towards a lower rim 158 . The lower rim 158 inverts towards the central axis A and defines an opening 159 into the cavity 132 . The lower rim 158 further provides a sealing surface that engages against the organ/tissue.
[0046] An inner surface 160 of the cupped portion 156 preferably has a plurality of channels 162 a, 162 b formed thereon. The channels 162 a, 162 b are more preferably formed in both a circumferential and axial direction, the circumferential channels being referred to by reference numeral 162 a and the axial channels being referred to by reference numeral 162 b. Both the circumferential and axial channels 162 a, 162 b are formed at predetermined spacings along the inner surface 160 of the wall 130 . Preferably, the axial channels 162 are interconnected at a common point, such as recessed portion 163 . The circumferential and axial channels 162 a, 162 b allow the vacuum to be distributed evenly over the cupped cardiac region and also prevent the possibility of a vacuum line blockage.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternative implementation of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup device 110 of the present invention. In the alternative implementation illustrated in FIG. 9, an elastic mesh 164 is disposed in the cavity 132 proximate the lower rim 158 . The elastic mesh 164 material is preferably Merselene or Prolene or other elastic type material. Prolene and Merselene fiber mesh are non-absorbable knitted products that are flexible and compliant yet afford excellent strength, durability, and surgical adaptability. The elastic mesh 164 can be disposed on the suction cup or attached thereto, such as by bonding, heat staking, or by an o-ring support. If bonded, a bonding material such as lactite is preferably used to attach the elastic mesh 164 directly on the inner surface 160 . If heat staked, the suction cup portion 112 material is melted onto a surface of the elastic mesh 164 . Of course, in such a bond, the melting point for the suction cup portion 112 material is lower then the melting point for the elastic mesh 164 material. If supported with an o-ring (not shown), the o-ring of an elastic material is overmolded on the circumferential edge of the elastic mesh 164 and the mesh/o-ring combination is inserted into the cavity 132 without bonding, preferably at the junction between the wall 130 and the lower rim 158 . The o-ring (not shown) retains the elastic mesh 164 in the cavity 132 and behind the lower rim 158 and also allows for added flexibility of the mesh.
[0048] [0048]FIG. 10 illustrates the elastic mesh 164 prior to insertion in the cavity 132 of the suction cup portion 112 . As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic mesh 164 is preferably inserted having a convex shape which engages the tissue or organ that is being supported. To facilitate the manipulation of the elastic mesh 164 into the convex shape, the elastic mesh 164 preferably has a plurality of triangular cut-outs 166 formed at equal spacings along its circumference. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elastic mesh 164 supports the tissue or organ as the suction retains the tissue or organ in position. The elastic mesh 164 also prevents tissue damage and minimizes the possibility of vacuum line clogging.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup 110 of the present invention. In the alternative version illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a closed-cell foam 168 is disposed on the lower rim 158 to engage the organ or tissue to be supported. The closed cell foam 168 is preferably cylindrical and having an opening 170 corresponding with the opening 159 formed by the lower rim 158 . The closed cell foam 168 is preferably a hydrophobic closed cell foam, such as polyethylene Ethyl vinyl acetate. The close cell foam 168 can be attached to the lower rim 158 by any means known in the art, such as by adhering with an epoxy, a solvent weld, or heat weld.
[0050] In a pig study, the hydrophobic close cell foam 168 on the lower rim 158 showed the best tissue/organ attachment compared to hydrophilic close cell foam, rubber, and silicone. In addition, the hydrophobic close cell foam 168 induced the least amount of tissue injury (ecchymosis) and conformed best to cardiac apical and lateral regions. The pig study also showed that the compliant characteristic of the close cell foam 168 was critical in conformability. Thus, the hydrophobic closed cell foam 168 on the lower rim 158 allows cardiac contraction while maintaining vacuum seal, secured attachment while minimizing tissue injury, and conforms to the apical and lateral attachment positions of the heart.
[0051] Although discussed separately, the circumferential and radial channels 162 a, 162 b, the elastic mesh 164 , and the closed cell foam 168 can be used in any combination in the suction cup 112 , including all such features.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a preferred mounting means 107 for slidable attachment to the side rail 102 . The mounting means 107 is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 13 to clearly show its relationship with the side rail 102 . In addition to being slidable along the side rail 102 into a desired position, the mounting means 107 must also lock into the desired position to prevent further movement of the suction device 106 during the surgical procedure being performed. The suction device 106 can have any one of the typical mounting means known in the art, such as the screw down mount 107 shown in FIG. 2. The screw down mount 107 typically has a knob 172 , a base 174 , and a key (not shown). The knob 172 threadingly engages the key through the base 174 such that when the knob 172 is tightened, the key urges against a slot (not shown) on the underside of the side rail 102 to lock the suction device 106 in the desired position.
[0053] Referring back to FIGS. 13 and 14, a preferred mounting means 107 is shown. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the side rail 102 has at least one edge 176 (referred to hereinafter as a “first edge”), which is non-linear. Preferably, the side rail has a second edge 178 that mimics the curve of the first edge 176 . The non-linearity of the first and second edges 176 , 178 can be a simple radius (r) as is illustrated in FIG. 13, or it can be have a plurality of curved and/or straight segments. The first and second edges 176 , 178 preferably are cantilevered from a base 180 of the side rail 102 to form a “t” cross-section. The mounting means 107 preferably has a body 182 having a channel 184 substantially corresponding to the “t” cross-section of the side rail 102 . The channel 184 has a linear width (w) such that it can be wiggled (applying a back and forth motion along direction +/−A while maintaining a force (F) in the +A direction to move the body 182 in the +A direction) along the curved edges 176 , 178 into a desired position and will stay locked in the desired position absent further wiggling of the body 182 . To facilitate the wiggling of the body 182 , a tab 186 is provided which protrudes from the body 182 , preferably in a direction away from the opening in the body so as not to obstruct a surgeon's view or access into the body.
[0054] While the side rail 102 is shown by way of example as having non-linear edges 176 , 178 and the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is shown having a linear channel 184 width, those skilled in the art will appreciate that an opposite configuration will function in the same manner. That is, a side rail 102 having straight edges (not shown) and a mounting means 107 having a body with a curved channel (not shown) will operate similarly to the configuration described above in that the mounting means 107 can be wiggled into a desired position and would remain in the desired position absent further wiggling. Furthermore, while the side rail 102 is described by way of example as having cantilevered edges 176 , 178 , and the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is described as having a corresponding channel 184 , those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the body 182 of the mounting means 107 can have cantilevered edges (not shown) and the side rail 102 can have a corresponding channel (not shown). Such an alterative configuration would also have the same intended function as the configurations described above in that the body 182 can be wiggled into a desired position and remain there absent further wiggling. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred mounting means 107 , in any of the configurations discussed above, provides several advantages over the screw down type of mounting means of the prior art. For example, the mounting means 107 described above is less complicated and more economical since it has no moving parts. Furthermore, the preferred mounting means 107 described above requires a single hand for manipulation thereof, thus, eliminating the need for an assistant for placement and locking of the suction device 106 into a desired position.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b, 17 a, and 17 b, there are shown cross-sectional views of three variations of a mounting means 107 . Each of the mounting means 107 has a body 182 having a channel 184 formed therein. The channel 184 may have a straight or curved width and may be utilized with the preferred mounting means as discussed above with regard to FIGS. 13 and 14, or the channel 184 may be used with other mounting means known in the art, such as a screw down type. Each of the channels 184 depicted in the mounting means 107 of FIGS. 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b, 17 a, and 17 b, engage a side rail 102 having a base 180 with cantilevered edges 176 , 178 .
[0056] Referring specifically to FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, a first variation of the mounting means 107 is shown in which a force F is required in the direction of arrow F to secure the mounting means 107 on the side rail 102 . FIG. 15 a shows a slight interference between a portion 188 of the body 182 of the mounting means 107 and one of the edges (shown as the second edge 178 ) of the base 180 of the side rail 102 . Such interference exists when the other of the edges (shown as the first edge 176 ) is placed in a corresponding portion of the channel 184 and the interference portion 188 rests on the other edge 178 . A downward force F is applied to the body 182 in the vicinity of the interference portion 188 to force the second edge 178 into a corresponding portion of the channel 184 as shown in FIG. 15 b. This type of fit between mating parts is commonly referred to as a “snap” fit. To facilitate the snap fit between the body 182 of the mounting means 107 and the base 180 of the side rail 102 , at least a portion of the body 182 is preferably fabricated from a material having enough elasticity to plastically deform under the applied force F. Preferably, at least the body 182 of the mounting means 107 corresponding to the channel 184 is made from a thermoplastic, such as polypropylene.
[0057] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, there is shown a second variation of the mounting means 107 . In the second variation, the body 182 of the mounting means 107 has a channel 184 with at least one extra slotted portion 190 for accommodating side rails 102 of varying widths w1, w2. FIG. 16 a shows a side rail 102 a having a first width w1 between the first and second edges 176 , 178 . The body 182 of the mounting means 107 is shown secured on the base 180 of the side rail 102 a such that the first and second edges 176 , 178 are disposed in the channel 184 and the mounting means 107 is substantially coplanar with the side rail 102 a. FIG. 16 b shows a side rail 102 b having a second width w2, greater than the first width w1. However, the same mounting means 107 can accommodate either of the side rails 102 a, 102 b. As shown in FIG. 16 b, one of the edges (shown as the first edge 176 ) is disposed in a corresponding portion of the channel 184 as discussed above. However, the other of the edges (shown as the second edge 178 ) is disposed in the extra slotted portion 190 . Although in this configuration, the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is slightly inclined with respect to the side rail 102 b, the operation of the suction device 106 is not altered due to the articulation of the arm 108 and the pivoting of the suction cup 110 relative to the arm 108 provided by the pivot 109 .
[0058] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 17 a and 17 b, there is shown a third version of the mounting means 107 , which like the second version shown in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, can accommodate side rails 102 of different widths w1, w2. FIG. 17 a shows the body 182 of the mounting means 107 secured on the side rail 102 a. Specifically, the first and second edges 176 , 178 are disposed in corresponding portions of the channel 184 . The body 182 of the mounting means, or at least the portion of the body 182 corresponding to the channel 184 is fabricated from a stretchable material, such as an elastomer, such that it can be stretched in the direction of arrow B. A preferred elastomer is polypropylene. FIG. 17 a shows the body 182 in a relaxed (unstretched) state secured on a side rail 102 a having a width w1 between the first and second edges 176 , 178 . FIG. 17 b shows the same body 182 stretched in direction B by the application of a force F to fit over a side rail 102 b having a width w2, greater than width w1. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that unlike the second version shown in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, the third version of the mounting means 107 can accommodate side rails 102 having a range of widths.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, there is illustrated the arm 108 of the suction device 106 . The arm 108 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 apart from its mating portions of the suction device 106 . A first end of the arm 192 is fixed in the mounting means, preferably, by a force fit, braze, or other means known in the art. A second end 194 of the arm 194 is disposed in the distal adaptor 128 , preferably in a rotating fashion. The arm 108 is preferably of a unitary construction having a central undercut portion 196 , or alternatively, a series of undercut portions 198 as shown in FIG. 19. The arm 108 is fabricated from a malleable material which can be deformed into a desired shape yet still be resilient enough to remain in such deformed position to support an organ or tissue cantilevered at the suction cup 110 . Preferably, the malleable material is a type 304 annealed stainless steel.
[0060] The arm 108 can be used in either a straight configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, or in a curved configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A cushion material 200 is preferably disposed around all portions of the arm 108 except the first and second ends 192 , 194 . The cushion material 200 can be prefabricated and applied on the arm 108 or molded directly onto the arm 108 . The cushion material can be any flexible material, such as c-flex, which aids in the resiliency of the arm. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arm 108 of the present invention has many advantages over the arms of the prior art, including, simplicity of design (contains no moving parts), ease of operation (does not have to be actuated into and out of a locked position), and low profile (does not encumber the surgeons view or access to the surgical site.
[0061] While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. | A suction device for applying vacuum to a tissue surface is provided. The suction device including: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface; a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity; and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to surgical devices, and more particularly, to a suction device for surgical applications in which an organ is supported by the suction device for improved access to the organ.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Prior Art [0004] Surgical retractors are well known in the art.",
"They are used in surgical procedures to maintain an opening in the skin to provide access to a body cavity and/or organ during surgery.",
"Surgical retractors are often used in combination with accessories, such as suction devices for lifting, rotating, and/or supporting an organ.",
"Such supporting is typically referred to as vacuum stabilization.",
"Such suction devices and surgical retractors are particularly suited for cardiac bypass surgery.",
"[0005] While the suction devices of the prior art have their advantages, they are typically large in stature and accordingly obstruct a surgeon's view or access to the surgical field.",
"The vacuum used to support the organ can be aggressive and cause tissue damage and tearing due to high vacuum settings (e.g., 400-700 mm HG).",
"Typically, three-way valves are used for control of the vacuum.",
"Therefore, the surgeon requires an assistant to operate (turn on and off) the valves.",
"Furthermore, it becomes challenging to precisely control the vacuum by turning the valve on and off at a given time.",
"Also, the suction cups of the suction devices are either inflexible or utilize an open-cell foam, both of which serve to cause trauma to the heart muscle and interfere with the heart's hemodynamic equilibrium.",
"High vacuum pressure tends to push the attached tissue against the rim of the suction cup, which can cause damage to the heart tissue.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a suction device for surgical procedures that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.",
"[0007] Accordingly, a suction device for applying vacuum to a tissue surface is provided.",
"The suction device comprising: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface;",
"a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity;",
"and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity.",
"[0008] Preferably, at least a portion of the conduit comprises an axial bore, the axial bore extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion.",
"Preferably, the suction device further comprises a vent hole in fluid communication with the axial bore and an ambient environment.",
"Preferably, the valve comprises a seat for sealing engagement with a corresponding surface of the axial bore, the valve having vent means for selectively disengaging the seat against the corresponding surface to vent the cavity through the vent hole to the ambient environment.",
"[0009] The vent means preferably comprises a plunger slidingly disposed in the axial bore such that sliding of the plunger in an axial direction selectively disengages the seat from the corresponding surface of the axial bore.",
"The suction device preferably further comprises a biasing means for biasing the plunger in an engaged position such that the seat is sealed against the corresponding surface.",
"Preferably, the biasing means is a spring disposed in the axial bore circumferentially around the plunger.",
"[0010] The plunger preferably further has a button which extends beyond the outer surface, wherein depressing the button causes the plunger to slide in the axial direction.",
"The vacuum inlet portion preferably further having a ball for adapting to a pivot joint, wherein the outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion corresponds to the ball.",
"[0011] Also provided is a surgical retractor comprising: means for retracting tissue surrounding an opening;",
"at least one attachment member for mounting of accessories for use with the surgical retractor;",
"and a suction device disposed on the attachment member for applying vacuum to a tissue surface, the suction device comprising: a suction cup portion having a wall defining a cavity and an engagement surface for engaging the tissue surface;",
"a vacuum inlet portion connected to the suction cup portion, the vacuum inlet portion having an inlet for connection to a vacuum source and a conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and the cavity such that a vacuum applied to the inlet is transferred to the cavity;",
"and a valve disposed in the bore for selectively venting the vacuum in the cavity.",
"[0012] Preferably, at least a portion of the conduit comprises an axial bore, the axial bore extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion.",
"Preferably, the suction device further comprises a vent hole in fluid communication with the axial bore and an ambient environment.",
"Preferably, the valve comprises a seat for sealing engagement with a corresponding surface of the axial bore, the valve having vent means for selectively disengaging the seat against the corresponding surface to vent the cavity through the vent hole to the ambient environment.",
"[0013] The vent means preferably comprises a plunger slidingly disposed in the axial bore such that sliding of the plunger in an axial direction selectively disengages the seat from the corresponding surface of the axial bore.",
"The suction device preferably further comprises a biasing means for biasing the plunger in an engaged position such that the seat is sealed against the corresponding surface.",
"Preferably, the biasing means is a spring disposed in the axial bore circumferentially around the plunger.",
"[0014] The plunger preferably further has a button which extends beyond the outer surface, wherein depressing the button causes the plunger to slide in the axial direction.",
"The vacuum inlet portion preferably further having a ball for adapting to a pivot joint, wherein the outer surface of the vacuum inlet portion corresponds to the ball.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: [0016] [0016 ]FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a surgical retractor device having a suction device mounted thereon.",
"[0017] [0017 ]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the surgical retractor device of FIG. 1 shown in use for opening the chest wall to provide access to the heart, the suction device shown supporting the heart for improved access thereto.",
"[0018] [0018 ]FIG. 3 a illustrates an isometric view of a preferred implementation of a suction device for use with the surgical retractor device of FIG. 1, only the side rail of the surgical retractor being shown therein for clarity.",
"[0019] [0019 ]FIG. 3 b illustrates a side view of the suction device and side rail of FIG. 3 a. [0020] [0020 ]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred implementation of a suction cup of the present invention.",
"[0021] [0021 ]FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view for the suction cup of FIG. 4 as seen from view 5 - 5 .",
"[0022] [0022 ]FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the suction cup of FIG. 5 as taken along view 6 - 6 of FIG. 5. [0023] [0023 ]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative version of a top portion of the suction cup of FIG. 4, the alternative version having a venting valve integrally formed therein.",
"[0024] [0024 ]FIG. 8 a illustrates a sectional view of the vacuum inlet portion of FIG. 7 as taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7, the vacuum inlet portion being shown with the venting valve in the closed position.",
"[0025] [0025 ]FIG. 8 b illustrates a sectional view of the vacuum inlet portion of FIG. 7 as taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7, the vacuum inlet portion being shown with the venting valve in the open (vented) position.",
"[0026] [0026 ]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative version of the suction cup of FIG. 6, the alternative version having a mesh material inserted in the suction cup portion of the suction cup.",
"[0027] [0027 ]FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the mesh material prior to insertion in the suction cup portion.",
"[0028] [0028 ]FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of yet another alternative version of the suction cup, the alternative version having a closed cell ring disposed on a lower rim of the suction cup portion of the suction cup.",
"[0029] [0029 ]FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the suction cup of FIG. 11 as taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 11.",
"[0030] [0030 ]FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of a side rail having a mounting means indicated in phantom lines.",
"[0031] [0031 ]FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of the side rail and mounting means of FIG. 13 as taken along line 14 - 14 of FIG. 13.",
"[0032] [0032 ]FIGS. 15 a and 15 b illustrate sectional views of an alternative version of a mounting means, FIG. 15 a showing the mounting means before being secured to the side rail and FIG. 15 b showing the mounting means after being secured to the side rail.",
"[0033] [0033 ]FIGS. 16 a and 16 b illustrate sectional views of an alternative version of a mounting means secured to side rails of varying width.",
"[0034] [0034 ]FIGS. 17 a and 17 b illustrate sectional views of yet another alternative version of a mounting means, FIGS. 17 a and 17 b showing the mounting means secured to side rails of varying width.",
"[0035] [0035 ]FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate sectional views of first and second variations of an arm for use with the suction devices of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0036] Although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of organs and surgical procedures, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of surgical procedures on the heart.",
"Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to surgical procedures on the heart, the invention will be described in such environment.",
"[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a surgical retractor, generally referred to by reference numeral 100 .",
"The surgical retractor 100 is useful for retracting the skin to expose a body cavity and/or organ (alternatively referred to herein as “tissue”) for performing a surgical procedure thereon.",
"The surgical retractor generally has one or more attachment members for attachment of accessories, such as a suction device.",
"The attachment members are preferably two side rails 102 .",
"The surgical retractor also has at least one transverse rail 104 upon which at least one of the side rails 102 is movable.",
"One and preferably both side rails 102 have means, described fully below for holding accessories useful for the particular surgical procedure being performed.",
"One such accessory is a suction device 106 , which is useful for supporting an organ, such as the heart (shown in FIG. 3) during the surgical procedure to provide improved access to the organ and/or body cavity.",
"[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the suction device 106 typically has a means 107 for movably engaging the side rail, an arm 108 , and a suction cup 110 .",
"The arm 108 is movable, preferably by being bendable, and typically cantilevers the suction cup 110 away from the side rail 102 .",
"The arm 108 is used to position the suction cup 110 over the organ, after which a suction cup portion 112 engages the organ with an applied vacuum to support the organ in a desired position.",
"A ball joint 109 is provided to allow the suction cup portion 112 to rotate freely into any desired position.",
"The arm 108 is further preferably rotatably disposed relative to the suction cup 110 .",
"[0039] Referring back to FIG. 2, in a typical surgical procedure involving the heart 114 , after the chest wall 116 is opened, the surgical retractor 100 is placed in the opening with the side rail(s) 102 engaging the opening.",
"The side rails 102 are then slid on the transverse rail 104 to expand the size of the opening.",
"The mounting means 107 is positioned on the side rail 102 and locked thereon to position the suction device 106 such that it will not be an obstruction to the surgical procedure.",
"A vacuum is applied to the suction cup portion 112 by a vacuum source (not shown) and tubing 115 .",
"The arm 108 is positioned such that the suction cup portion 112 engages the heart 114 and applies the vacuum to a surface thereof, such as the apical region of the heart.",
"The arm 108 is then raised to partially lift the heart 114 from the chest cavity and support it in the lifted position.",
"In surgical retractors of the prior art, it is required for the arm 108 to be locked in position to support the heart 114 .",
"However, as will be discussed below, the suction device 106 of the present invention does not require the arm 108 to be locked.",
"[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 4 - 6 , there is shown a preferred implementation of the suction cup 110 of the present invention.",
"Although the suction cup 110 can be of single piece construction, it preferably comprises a suction cup portion 112 and a vacuum inlet portion 118 .",
"The suction cup portion 112 is preferably fabricated from a flexible material such as an elastomer.",
"The elastomer is preferably polypropylene TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).",
"The flexible suction cup portion material, such as c-flex, allows the heart to contract and torque, which allows the heart to maintain its hemodynamic equilibrium.",
"[0041] The vacuum inlet portion 118 is preferably a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic, such as polypropylene.",
"The vacuum inlet portion 118 has a vacuum fitting 120 , such as a hose barb, for connection to the vacuum tubing 115 .",
"The vacuum fitting 120 has a radial bore 122 , which is in fluid communication with an axial bore 124 .",
"The vacuum inlet portion 118 further has a ball 126 at an end thereof.",
"The ball 126 is rotatably disposed in a distal adapter 128 connected to a distal end of the arm 108 to form the pivot joint 109 .",
"[0042] The suction cup portion 112 is disposed on the vacuum inlet portion 118 .",
"The suction cup portion 112 has a wall 130 which defines a cavity 132 which is in fluid communication with the axial bore 124 .",
"The vacuum inlet portion 118 and suction cup portion 112 can be fixed together in any manner known in the art.",
"Preferably, the vacuum inlet portion 118 is provided with a channel 134 at an end thereof and the suction cup portion 112 is provided with a corresponding lip 136 which mates with and is fixedly retained in the channel 134 .",
"[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 a, and 8 b, there is shown an alternative configuration of the vacuum inlet portion, referred to by reference numeral 118 a and in which like numerals denote like features.",
"Vacuum inlet portion 118 a differs from vacuum inlet portion 118 in that it has an integral vacuum valve 138 disposed therein.",
"In the alternatively configured vacuum inlet portion 118 a illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 a, and 8 b, the axial bore, referred to by reference numeral 124 a extends throughout the axial length of the vacuum inlet portion 118 a. The vacuum inlet portion 118 a further has a vent hole 140 in fluid communication with the axial bore 124 a. A plunger 142 is slidingly disposed in the axial bore 124 a. The plunger 142 has a button 144 on one end thereof for actuating the valve 138 and a seat 146 on another end.",
"A spring 148 is further disposed in the axial bore 124 a for biasing the plunger 142 in a closed position illustrated in FIG. 8 a in which the button 144 fully extends from the ball 126 and the seat 126 is seated and sealed against a corresponding surface 150 of the axial bore 124 a. In the closed position, a vacuum applied to the radial bore 122 is in fluid communication with the cavity 132 of the suction cup portion 112 which can be applied to a surface of the tissue or organ to be supported.",
"When the button 144 is depressed, the valve 138 is switched to an open position, as is illustrated in FIG. 8 b. In the open position, the seat 146 is no longer seated against the corresponding surface 150 of the axial bore 124 a and the vent hole 140 vents the vacuum applied to the axial bore 124 a and cavity 132 to thereby turn the vacuum applied to the tissue or organ off.",
"[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the valve 138 allows a surgeon to control the applied vacuum independently with his thumb or fingertips and further allows the surgeon to place the suction cup portion 112 at the region where he/she desires and to turn the applied vacuum on or off at will without the need for an assistant.",
"The vacuum valve 138 can be placed at the suction device itself with a button 144 control, as shown, or in another convenient area which permits the surgeon to easily operate the valve without the need for an assistant.",
"[0045] Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a preferred implementation of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup 110 .",
"The wall 130 of the suction cup portion 112 preferably has a plurality of ribs 152 for adding flexibility to a neck portion 154 of the suction cup portion 112 .",
"The suction cup portion 112 further has a cupped portion 156 which flares outwardly from a central axis A from the neck portion 154 towards a lower rim 158 .",
"The lower rim 158 inverts towards the central axis A and defines an opening 159 into the cavity 132 .",
"The lower rim 158 further provides a sealing surface that engages against the organ/tissue.",
"[0046] An inner surface 160 of the cupped portion 156 preferably has a plurality of channels 162 a, 162 b formed thereon.",
"The channels 162 a, 162 b are more preferably formed in both a circumferential and axial direction, the circumferential channels being referred to by reference numeral 162 a and the axial channels being referred to by reference numeral 162 b. Both the circumferential and axial channels 162 a, 162 b are formed at predetermined spacings along the inner surface 160 of the wall 130 .",
"Preferably, the axial channels 162 are interconnected at a common point, such as recessed portion 163 .",
"The circumferential and axial channels 162 a, 162 b allow the vacuum to be distributed evenly over the cupped cardiac region and also prevent the possibility of a vacuum line blockage.",
"[0047] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternative implementation of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup device 110 of the present invention.",
"In the alternative implementation illustrated in FIG. 9, an elastic mesh 164 is disposed in the cavity 132 proximate the lower rim 158 .",
"The elastic mesh 164 material is preferably Merselene or Prolene or other elastic type material.",
"Prolene and Merselene fiber mesh are non-absorbable knitted products that are flexible and compliant yet afford excellent strength, durability, and surgical adaptability.",
"The elastic mesh 164 can be disposed on the suction cup or attached thereto, such as by bonding, heat staking, or by an o-ring support.",
"If bonded, a bonding material such as lactite is preferably used to attach the elastic mesh 164 directly on the inner surface 160 .",
"If heat staked, the suction cup portion 112 material is melted onto a surface of the elastic mesh 164 .",
"Of course, in such a bond, the melting point for the suction cup portion 112 material is lower then the melting point for the elastic mesh 164 material.",
"If supported with an o-ring (not shown), the o-ring of an elastic material is overmolded on the circumferential edge of the elastic mesh 164 and the mesh/o-ring combination is inserted into the cavity 132 without bonding, preferably at the junction between the wall 130 and the lower rim 158 .",
"The o-ring (not shown) retains the elastic mesh 164 in the cavity 132 and behind the lower rim 158 and also allows for added flexibility of the mesh.",
"[0048] [0048 ]FIG. 10 illustrates the elastic mesh 164 prior to insertion in the cavity 132 of the suction cup portion 112 .",
"As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic mesh 164 is preferably inserted having a convex shape which engages the tissue or organ that is being supported.",
"To facilitate the manipulation of the elastic mesh 164 into the convex shape, the elastic mesh 164 preferably has a plurality of triangular cut-outs 166 formed at equal spacings along its circumference.",
"Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elastic mesh 164 supports the tissue or organ as the suction retains the tissue or organ in position.",
"The elastic mesh 164 also prevents tissue damage and minimizes the possibility of vacuum line clogging.",
"[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the suction cup portion 112 of the suction cup 110 of the present invention.",
"In the alternative version illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a closed-cell foam 168 is disposed on the lower rim 158 to engage the organ or tissue to be supported.",
"The closed cell foam 168 is preferably cylindrical and having an opening 170 corresponding with the opening 159 formed by the lower rim 158 .",
"The closed cell foam 168 is preferably a hydrophobic closed cell foam, such as polyethylene Ethyl vinyl acetate.",
"The close cell foam 168 can be attached to the lower rim 158 by any means known in the art, such as by adhering with an epoxy, a solvent weld, or heat weld.",
"[0050] In a pig study, the hydrophobic close cell foam 168 on the lower rim 158 showed the best tissue/organ attachment compared to hydrophilic close cell foam, rubber, and silicone.",
"In addition, the hydrophobic close cell foam 168 induced the least amount of tissue injury (ecchymosis) and conformed best to cardiac apical and lateral regions.",
"The pig study also showed that the compliant characteristic of the close cell foam 168 was critical in conformability.",
"Thus, the hydrophobic closed cell foam 168 on the lower rim 158 allows cardiac contraction while maintaining vacuum seal, secured attachment while minimizing tissue injury, and conforms to the apical and lateral attachment positions of the heart.",
"[0051] Although discussed separately, the circumferential and radial channels 162 a, 162 b, the elastic mesh 164 , and the closed cell foam 168 can be used in any combination in the suction cup 112 , including all such features.",
"[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a preferred mounting means 107 for slidable attachment to the side rail 102 .",
"The mounting means 107 is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 13 to clearly show its relationship with the side rail 102 .",
"In addition to being slidable along the side rail 102 into a desired position, the mounting means 107 must also lock into the desired position to prevent further movement of the suction device 106 during the surgical procedure being performed.",
"The suction device 106 can have any one of the typical mounting means known in the art, such as the screw down mount 107 shown in FIG. 2. The screw down mount 107 typically has a knob 172 , a base 174 , and a key (not shown).",
"The knob 172 threadingly engages the key through the base 174 such that when the knob 172 is tightened, the key urges against a slot (not shown) on the underside of the side rail 102 to lock the suction device 106 in the desired position.",
"[0053] Referring back to FIGS. 13 and 14, a preferred mounting means 107 is shown.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 13, the side rail 102 has at least one edge 176 (referred to hereinafter as a “first edge”), which is non-linear.",
"Preferably, the side rail has a second edge 178 that mimics the curve of the first edge 176 .",
"The non-linearity of the first and second edges 176 , 178 can be a simple radius (r) as is illustrated in FIG. 13, or it can be have a plurality of curved and/or straight segments.",
"The first and second edges 176 , 178 preferably are cantilevered from a base 180 of the side rail 102 to form a “t”",
"cross-section.",
"The mounting means 107 preferably has a body 182 having a channel 184 substantially corresponding to the “t”",
"cross-section of the side rail 102 .",
"The channel 184 has a linear width (w) such that it can be wiggled (applying a back and forth motion along direction +/−A while maintaining a force (F) in the +A direction to move the body 182 in the +A direction) along the curved edges 176 , 178 into a desired position and will stay locked in the desired position absent further wiggling of the body 182 .",
"To facilitate the wiggling of the body 182 , a tab 186 is provided which protrudes from the body 182 , preferably in a direction away from the opening in the body so as not to obstruct a surgeon's view or access into the body.",
"[0054] While the side rail 102 is shown by way of example as having non-linear edges 176 , 178 and the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is shown having a linear channel 184 width, those skilled in the art will appreciate that an opposite configuration will function in the same manner.",
"That is, a side rail 102 having straight edges (not shown) and a mounting means 107 having a body with a curved channel (not shown) will operate similarly to the configuration described above in that the mounting means 107 can be wiggled into a desired position and would remain in the desired position absent further wiggling.",
"Furthermore, while the side rail 102 is described by way of example as having cantilevered edges 176 , 178 , and the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is described as having a corresponding channel 184 , those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the body 182 of the mounting means 107 can have cantilevered edges (not shown) and the side rail 102 can have a corresponding channel (not shown).",
"Such an alterative configuration would also have the same intended function as the configurations described above in that the body 182 can be wiggled into a desired position and remain there absent further wiggling.",
"Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred mounting means 107 , in any of the configurations discussed above, provides several advantages over the screw down type of mounting means of the prior art.",
"For example, the mounting means 107 described above is less complicated and more economical since it has no moving parts.",
"Furthermore, the preferred mounting means 107 described above requires a single hand for manipulation thereof, thus, eliminating the need for an assistant for placement and locking of the suction device 106 into a desired position.",
"[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b, 17 a, and 17 b, there are shown cross-sectional views of three variations of a mounting means 107 .",
"Each of the mounting means 107 has a body 182 having a channel 184 formed therein.",
"The channel 184 may have a straight or curved width and may be utilized with the preferred mounting means as discussed above with regard to FIGS. 13 and 14, or the channel 184 may be used with other mounting means known in the art, such as a screw down type.",
"Each of the channels 184 depicted in the mounting means 107 of FIGS. 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b, 17 a, and 17 b, engage a side rail 102 having a base 180 with cantilevered edges 176 , 178 .",
"[0056] Referring specifically to FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, a first variation of the mounting means 107 is shown in which a force F is required in the direction of arrow F to secure the mounting means 107 on the side rail 102 .",
"FIG. 15 a shows a slight interference between a portion 188 of the body 182 of the mounting means 107 and one of the edges (shown as the second edge 178 ) of the base 180 of the side rail 102 .",
"Such interference exists when the other of the edges (shown as the first edge 176 ) is placed in a corresponding portion of the channel 184 and the interference portion 188 rests on the other edge 178 .",
"A downward force F is applied to the body 182 in the vicinity of the interference portion 188 to force the second edge 178 into a corresponding portion of the channel 184 as shown in FIG. 15 b. This type of fit between mating parts is commonly referred to as a “snap”",
"fit.",
"To facilitate the snap fit between the body 182 of the mounting means 107 and the base 180 of the side rail 102 , at least a portion of the body 182 is preferably fabricated from a material having enough elasticity to plastically deform under the applied force F. Preferably, at least the body 182 of the mounting means 107 corresponding to the channel 184 is made from a thermoplastic, such as polypropylene.",
"[0057] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, there is shown a second variation of the mounting means 107 .",
"In the second variation, the body 182 of the mounting means 107 has a channel 184 with at least one extra slotted portion 190 for accommodating side rails 102 of varying widths w1, w2.",
"FIG. 16 a shows a side rail 102 a having a first width w1 between the first and second edges 176 , 178 .",
"The body 182 of the mounting means 107 is shown secured on the base 180 of the side rail 102 a such that the first and second edges 176 , 178 are disposed in the channel 184 and the mounting means 107 is substantially coplanar with the side rail 102 a. FIG. 16 b shows a side rail 102 b having a second width w2, greater than the first width w1.",
"However, the same mounting means 107 can accommodate either of the side rails 102 a, 102 b. As shown in FIG. 16 b, one of the edges (shown as the first edge 176 ) is disposed in a corresponding portion of the channel 184 as discussed above.",
"However, the other of the edges (shown as the second edge 178 ) is disposed in the extra slotted portion 190 .",
"Although in this configuration, the body 182 of the mounting means 107 is slightly inclined with respect to the side rail 102 b, the operation of the suction device 106 is not altered due to the articulation of the arm 108 and the pivoting of the suction cup 110 relative to the arm 108 provided by the pivot 109 .",
"[0058] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 17 a and 17 b, there is shown a third version of the mounting means 107 , which like the second version shown in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, can accommodate side rails 102 of different widths w1, w2.",
"FIG. 17 a shows the body 182 of the mounting means 107 secured on the side rail 102 a. Specifically, the first and second edges 176 , 178 are disposed in corresponding portions of the channel 184 .",
"The body 182 of the mounting means, or at least the portion of the body 182 corresponding to the channel 184 is fabricated from a stretchable material, such as an elastomer, such that it can be stretched in the direction of arrow B. A preferred elastomer is polypropylene.",
"FIG. 17 a shows the body 182 in a relaxed (unstretched) state secured on a side rail 102 a having a width w1 between the first and second edges 176 , 178 .",
"FIG. 17 b shows the same body 182 stretched in direction B by the application of a force F to fit over a side rail 102 b having a width w2, greater than width w1.",
"Those skilled in the art will appreciate that unlike the second version shown in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, the third version of the mounting means 107 can accommodate side rails 102 having a range of widths.",
"[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, there is illustrated the arm 108 of the suction device 106 .",
"The arm 108 is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 apart from its mating portions of the suction device 106 .",
"A first end of the arm 192 is fixed in the mounting means, preferably, by a force fit, braze, or other means known in the art.",
"A second end 194 of the arm 194 is disposed in the distal adaptor 128 , preferably in a rotating fashion.",
"The arm 108 is preferably of a unitary construction having a central undercut portion 196 , or alternatively, a series of undercut portions 198 as shown in FIG. 19.",
"The arm 108 is fabricated from a malleable material which can be deformed into a desired shape yet still be resilient enough to remain in such deformed position to support an organ or tissue cantilevered at the suction cup 110 .",
"Preferably, the malleable material is a type 304 annealed stainless steel.",
"[0060] The arm 108 can be used in either a straight configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, or in a curved configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.",
"A cushion material 200 is preferably disposed around all portions of the arm 108 except the first and second ends 192 , 194 .",
"The cushion material 200 can be prefabricated and applied on the arm 108 or molded directly onto the arm 108 .",
"The cushion material can be any flexible material, such as c-flex, which aids in the resiliency of the arm.",
"Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arm 108 of the present invention has many advantages over the arms of the prior art, including, simplicity of design (contains no moving parts), ease of operation (does not have to be actuated into and out of a locked position), and low profile (does not encumber the surgeons view or access to the surgical site.",
"[0061] While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.",
"It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed, high-bandwidth inter-server network utilizing integrated hardware and software to provide a robust, high-speed storage backbone. A SAN enables clusters of servers to share storage with exclusive data access or to share data on common storage devices, depending on the SAN topology. SAN networks are useful, for example, in fully networked enterprises that require storage of terabytes of information collected on each customer and each transaction. The need for high availability and security of data adds to escalating requirements. SANs offer fast, available pools of storage that can be shared throughout an enterprise, yet managed through simplified operations.
SANs include large collections of storage elements, such as multiple hard disk drives, tapes, etc. To ensure performance in known SANs, data and performance metrics are gathered. These metrics are used to determine performance trends and statistics that are used to anticipate possible problems (such as bandwidth bottlenecks) so that measures can be taken to alleviate the problems before they occur.
In a SAN or other storage environment according to the conventional art, it is known to run a storage area manager (SAM) process on a server within the SAN. As its name implies, the SAM, in part, manages the interaction between components of the storage environment as well as interaction of application programs having storage needs (clients) with components of the storage environment.
During operation of a SAN and SAM, errors and out-of-threshold conditions are often encountered and a large amount of data is available for collection and analysis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to a measurement apparatus which is reconfigurable in accordance with at least one category and at least one metric, to apply at least one threshold to the at least one category and at least one metric and generate at least one event exception if the at least one threshold is violated. The measurement apparatus is capable of setting one or more threshold for categories of events.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the storage area manager (SAM) according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of the Storage Builder according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 5–6 illustrate creating a generic Measurement Monitor according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a generic Measurement Monitor according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a Measurement Monitor according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 ′, Statistics 700 , D ata E lement 702 , and R elationship 704 according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 , M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40413 , T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 , T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 , and T rend Threshold R ange 708 according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 depicts a hardware block diagram of a system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention that incorporates software according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 200 includes a bus (e.g., SCSI, Ethernet (iSCSI/IP/Gbit Ethernet), fiber channel, etc.) 202 to which are connected a consumer of device services (hereafter a device consumer) 204 , a device 210 , a device 218 and a storage area manager (SAM) 201 .
The device consumer 204 includes host bus adapters (HBAs) 206 and 208 that permit the device consumer 204 to connect to and interact with the bus 202 . The device 210 has port 1 ( 212 ), port 2 ( 214 ), . . . port N ( 216 ). Device 218 has port 1 ( 220 ), port 2 ( 222 ), . . . port N ( 224 ). For simplicity of disclosure, only two devices 210 and 218 and two HBAs 206 and 208 have been depicted, but fewer or more devices could be attached to the bus and fewer (1) or more HBAs could be present in the consumer depending upon the particular circumstances of a situation.
FIG. 2 depicts a hardware block diagram corresponding to a particular type of system 200 , namely a storage area system or storage area network (SAN) 300 . The SAN 300 includes a bus 302 , a device consumer 304 , a non-volatile storage device 310 and a storage area manager (SAM) 301 .
The device consumer 304 can include HBAs 306 and 308 . Fewer or greater numbers of HBAs 306 / 308 can be provided depending upon the circumstances of a situation.
The device consumer 304 can take the form of a computer 326 including at least a CPU, input device(s), output device(s) and memory. For example, the computer 326 has been depicted as including a CPU, an 10 device, volatile memory such as RAM and non-volatile memory such as ROM, flash memory, disc drives and/or tape drives.
The storage device 310 includes port 1 ( 312 ), port 2 ( 314 ), . . . port N ( 316 ) and logical units (LUNs) 1, 2, . . . N. Also included in the storage device 310 are non-volatile memories 318 such as disc drives, tape drives and/or flash memory. To remind the reader of the logical nature of a LUN, a simplistic mapping between the LUNs 320 , 322 and 324 and physical memory devices 318 has been illustrated in FIG. 2 .
The SAM 201 , 301 can also take the form of a computer including at least a CPU, input device(s), output device(s) and memory.
The SAM 201 , 301 enables storage administrators to manage the SAN 200 , 300 environment. The SAM 201 , 301 enable storage administrators to control and monitor the health of all the components within the SAN 200 , 300 , including tape and disk storage, servers and fiber channel switches as well as any directly attached storage.
As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the SAM 201 , 301 may include a Storage Allocator 402 , a Storage Builder 404 , a Storage Accountant 406 , a Storage Node Manager 408 , and a Storage Optimizer 410 .
The Storage Allocator 402 maps storage and servers, and allows the secure allocation of storage to servers. The Storage Allocator 402 permits viewing, managing, and controlling access to data stored in the SAN 200 , 300 . The Storage Allocator 402 simplifies SAN 200 , 300 expansion by allowing storage to be added, removed or assigned without a host reboot. The Storage Allocator 402 also provides storage and network discovery and a graphical user interface (GUI) with filters and icons to show how storage is assigned. The Storage Allocator 402 also allows ‘share groups’ to be set up, which allow for the configuration of clustered servers.
To securely assign storage to servers to prevent data loss and unauthorized access, a LUN or group of LUNs may be selected using the Storage Allocator 402 , by dragging-and-dropping them to a server. If a particular server no longer needs storage, the Storage Allocator 402 permits reassignment to another server, for improved storage utilization.
The Storage Accountant 406 enables service providers to measure storage assigned to end users for financial analysis, budgeting and billing. By classifying the storage offering based on attributes of storage and services associated therewith, users are able to keep track of customer profile, compare the price of storage by gigabytes per hour with the total cost of storage service offering, manage the assignment of LUNs and associate a specific price with the LUN, and calculate charges based on service level price, size of LUNs assigned and duration of storage consumption.
The Storage Accountant 406 can generate usage and billing views in csv, html and XML formats, which can then be integrated with third party billing and financial application, or to maintain an audit log.
The Storage Node Manager 408 provides centralized SAN 200 , 300 management through at least one interface, and consolidation of multi-host storage device management tools. Automatic device discovery, health monitoring and automated alerts ensure improved asset availability. Adding, deleting or changing of storage configurations and tracking data center environment changes may be implemented through the at least one interface. The Storage Node Manager 408 also enables system administrators to customize location fields and identify the physical location of devices in distributed environments.
The Storage Optimizer 410 enables users to identify bottlenecks, and enhance the performance of the SAN 200 , 300 . The Storage Optimizer 410 provides storage managers with the information they need to react to slowdowns and identify bottlenecks by monitoring performance of the entire SAN 200 , 300 , including hosts, infrastructure and storage.
By monitoring key metrics of SAN 200 , 300 performance storage managers are enabled to implement appropriate service levels. The Storage Optimizer 410 collects and manages a range of raw or summarized data, and offers several types of access to it, giving storage managers information needed to improve the SAN 200 , 300 operation.
With the use of historical graphs, storage managers can identify trends and anomalies in their SAN 200 , 300 infrastructure. Using the Storage Optimizer 410 , the impact of system, storage and infrastructure upgrades can be evaluated, and overall SAN 200 , 300 performance improved.
The SAM 201 , 301 may also include a Storage Builder 404 , which assists with the assessment, control and planning of storage capacity, to improve the utilization of resources. The Storage Builder 404 enables administrators to improve the utilization of storage resources by viewing the current allocation and consumption of storage resources by host, storage device, LUN, partition, volume, directory and user, across a variety of operating systems.
By using historical trend data, the Storage Builder 404 may also extrapolate future storage capacity needs. This enables managers to proactively predict when they will need to add capacity. The Storage Builder 404 also may give early warning of potential capacity short-falls, identify files for possible deletion (files which are never accessed, for example, or files with specifically identified extensions), and enable IT managers to create groups whose current usage patterns can then be analyzed for future resource planning purposes.
The Storage Builder 404 also performs distributed data collection and processing of information periodically scheduled for collection on the device consumers 204 , 304 . In an embodiment, the mechanism for data delivery is event-based and allows event messages to travel from the device consumers 204 , 304 to the SAM 201 , 301 , a connection mechanism allows the SAM 201 , 301 to contact and transfer information from the device consumers 204 , 304 , a work thread queuing mechanism reduces the number of concurrent threads in use at any given time, and a centralized storage mechanism (typically a database, such as device 218 , 318 ), is used for storage.
FIG. 4 illustrates the Storage Builder 404 in more detail. As illustrated, the Storage Builder 404 includes at least one generic Measurement Monitor 4041 .
The generic Measurement Monitor 4041 provides a generic capability to monitor selected measurements and generate at least one threshold exceeded event suitable for use with an event system when one or more of the selected measurements exceed one or more threshold boundaries.
The operation of an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5–8 . FIGS. 5–6 illustrate an embodiment of creating a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 and FIGS. 7–8 illustrate embodiments of the operation of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 .
As shown at element 502 of FIG. 5 , a user may create one or more threshold condition via command line user interface (CLUI) or a graphical user interface (GUI). At element 504 , the one or more threshold configurations are stored in a database, such as device 218 , 318 .
As illustrated in element 602 of FIG. 6 , configuration information may then be placed into sets of threshold information. At element 604 , an iteration over thresholds configuration identifying type is performed. At element 606 , it is determined whether the threshold is related to a prediction of future values. If so, a TrendThresholdEntry 706 and TrendThresholdRange 708 are generated at element 608 ; if not, a ThresholdEntry 40412 and ThresholdRange 40413 are generated at element 610 . In element 612 , a measurement entry is generated for all sets of related thresholds and at element 614 , a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 is created for the generated measurement entries in element 612 .
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the operation of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 . As illustrated at element 702 the processing of data begins at element 704 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 generates historical measurements and retrieves one or more threshold configurations at elements 706 . At element 708 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 checks each for threshold violations. At element 710 , if a ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated, at element 712 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 sends the event to be handled by a separate process. If no ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated at element 710 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 completes processing at element 714 .
FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a Measurement Monitor according to another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated at element 802 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receives measurements and checks for threshold violation. At element 804 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ identifies a metric and a source for the measurement. At element 806 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ checks the measurement entry for the identified metric. If the measurement entry is not for this metric, no threshold violations are produced at element 808 . If the measurement entry is for this metric, a determination is made if the ThresholdEntry 40412 is for a given source. If so, at element 812 , it is determined whether the ThresholdEntry 40412 is a TrendThresholdEntry 706 . If yes, at element 814 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ retrieves related historical measurements and converts the measurements to data elements at element 816 . At element 818 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ normalizes the data and at element 820 , generates a relationship to describe the data.
At element 822 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ generates predictions at regular intervals up to a desired maximum. Once the predictions are generated, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ determines conditions to check for a violation at element 824 . The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ also determines the condition to check for a violation if the ThresholdEntry 40412 is not a TrendThresholdEntry 706 at element 812 . At element 826 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ determines whether a boundary condition is violated; if not, no threshold violations are generated at element 808 . If a boundary condition is violated at element 826 , a ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated at element 828 .
As described, the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 and the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receive at least one data input from other elements of the Storage Builder 404 and/or other elements of the SAM 201 , 301 or the SAN 200 , 300 .
The generic Measurement Monitor 4041 receives the measurement(s) for a particular category and for a particular metric. Examples of categories are type, organization, or entity (where the device consumers 204 , 304 of FIGS. 2 and 3 are of category “type”).
Examples of metrics are measurements, such as any type of resource utilization, confidence intervals, durations, etc. A metric may be from any source. Example of sources from which the Storage Builder 404 may collect data from are hosts, NAS devices, logical volumes on a host, volume groups on a host, user accounts on a host, domain user accounts, and managed directories. The metric name and the source are two identifiers that may be used for retrieving the right set of metrics to perform any necessary threshold checking.
The category and the metric associated with the measurement are used to identify which of possibly multiple M easurement E ntries 40411 to use for the measurement. The M easurement E ntry 40411 is a threshold or set of thresholds that may be used for all measurements of a particular category and metric.
In an embodiment, there can be multiple types of thresholds that may be considered for each measurement by a given M easurement E ntry 40411 , for example, thresholds related to a default for the measurement itself, thresholds related to a default for a particular type of object (hosts, volumes, etc.), thresholds related to a default for all members of an organization, and thresholds related to specific entities (a specific host 204 , 304 on the SAN 201 , 301 ). For each type, there can also be multiple ThresholdEntries 40412 . Additionally, a T hreshold E ntry 40412 may be a specific entry, but may also have one or more T hreshold R anges 40413 associated with it. A T hreshold R ange 40413 may be a specific boundary condition that the threshold checks against, and an associated severity in cases of violation.
For each T hreshold E ntry 40412 , a specific threshold violation can occur, resulting in one or more T reshold E xceeded E vents 40414 being generated. A T reshold E ntry 40412 may check all of T reshold R anges 40413 associated with it (for example, in order of severity level), and indicate a violation when any T reshold R ange 40413 is violated.
As an example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘hosts’ (a type) with ‘utilization’ over a threshold value ‘X’.
In another example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘organization A’ (all member of this organization) with ‘utilization’ over the threshold value ‘X’.
In yet another example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘host A 1 ’ (a specific host, rather than all hosts or all hosts of a particular organization) with ‘utilization’ over the threshold value ‘X’.
In other embodiment of the invention, one threshold per type of category may be generated.
In other embodiments of the invention, the threshold generated is the most severe of the set of categories examined.
In another embodiment of the invention, the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 framework fits within the standard JCORE framework or CLAY framework by being a server component that resides on the SAM 201 , 301 .
An advantage of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 of FIG. 4 is that all types of threshold checks may be handled in the same manner, for example, volume utilization may be checked in the same manner as user storage utilization can be checked.
Further, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receives at least two data inputs from at least one host 204 , 304 or at least one device 210 , 310 . Each data input may include at least one category and at least one metric. The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ performs data trending on the at least two data inputs.
As shown in the relationship chart of FIG. 9 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may perform the data trending using any type of statistical trending prediction algorithm Statistics 700 in a generalized statistical analysis package, where the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ interacts with the analysis package through a D ata E lement 702 interface defined by the analysis package. The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may store the data trending results in a centralized location, such as device 210 , 310 or in memory of the SAM 201 , 301 . The statistical trending prediction algorithm Statistics 700 may use a Relationship 704 interface defined by the analysis package.
The at least two data inputs may be retrieved via a database abstraction layer. In another embodiment of the invention, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may implement the D ata E lement 702 interface as a four element value, where the four values correspond to the time, value, metric, and source. The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may extract out the time and value for the purposes of non-trending thresholds. The value of the measurement may be compared to the values of the range.
Any threshold violation may result in a T reshold E xceeded E vent 40414 being generated. For trending thresholds, the metric and source elements may be considered. Through the database abstraction layer, all measurements for the source and metric may be retrieved. These measurements are then transformed into a set of D ata E lements 702 corresponding to X, Y values equal to the value and time. The values may then be normalized in one to two steps: conversion of values to reduce precision lost during analysis, and four time series analysis points are then transformed into a set equally spaced X, Y points using best fit statistical prediction to fill any necessary empty points.
Analysis may then performed and the statistics R elationship 704 generated. The R elationship 704 is then used to sweep through all points leading to the particular prediction point to be examined. If any prediction in the time frame under examination indicates a violation will occur, the entry will signal a violation.
In another embodiment of the invention, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ framework fits within the standard JCORE framework or CLAY framework by being a server component that resides on the SAM 201 , 301 .
FIG. 10 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 , M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40 413 , T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 , T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 , and T rend T hreshold R ange 708 .
FIG. 10 is a relationship chart which combines at least two embodiments of the invention, by adding a T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 and a T rend T hreshold R ange 708 from a Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ embodiment with M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40413 , and T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 of a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 embodiment.
Although the embodiment of the present invention described above in conjunction with FIG. 4 illustrate one Measurement Monitor 4041 , as mentioned above, a Storage Builder 404 of a SAM 201 , 301 , may include and/or run one or more instances of the Measurement Monitor 4041 and/or one or more instances of the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ at any given time on any given individual SAM 201 , 301 . Additionally, as also described above, the SAN 200 , 300 , may include more than one SAM 201 , 301 . Additionally, the Measurement Monitor 4041 , 4041 ′ functionality could be hosted on one or more of the device consumers 204 , instead of or in addition to, one or more SAMs 201 , 301 or partitioned across any combination of devices 201 , 301 , 204 .
It is noted that the functional blocks illustrated in FIGS. 1–4 may be implemented in hardware and/or software. The hardware/software implementations may include a combination of processor(s) and article(s) of manufacture. The article(s) of manufacture may further include storage media and executable computer program(s). The executable computer program(s) may include the instructions to perform the described operations. The computer executable program(s) may also be provided as part of externally supplied propagated signal(s) either with or without carrier wave(s).
The embodiments of the generic measurement monitor mechanism described above may be used to provide a user of a SAN 200 , 300 with alerts that certain conditions have occurred within the SAN 200 , 300 .
The embodiments of the measurement monitor mechanism described above may be used to provide a user of a SAN 200 , 300 with trending information which may be used to provide a manager of a SAN 200 , 300 with utilization of other system trend information, such as volume or storage utilization of the SAN 200 , 300 .
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. | A measurement apparatus which is reconfigurable in accordance with at least one category and at least one metric, to apply at least one threshold to the at least one category and at least one metric and generate at least one event exception if the at least one threshold is violated. The measurement apparatus is capable of setting one or more threshold for categories of events. | Summarize the key points of the given document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed, high-bandwidth inter-server network utilizing integrated hardware and software to provide a robust, high-speed storage backbone.",
"A SAN enables clusters of servers to share storage with exclusive data access or to share data on common storage devices, depending on the SAN topology.",
"SAN networks are useful, for example, in fully networked enterprises that require storage of terabytes of information collected on each customer and each transaction.",
"The need for high availability and security of data adds to escalating requirements.",
"SANs offer fast, available pools of storage that can be shared throughout an enterprise, yet managed through simplified operations.",
"SANs include large collections of storage elements, such as multiple hard disk drives, tapes, etc.",
"To ensure performance in known SANs, data and performance metrics are gathered.",
"These metrics are used to determine performance trends and statistics that are used to anticipate possible problems (such as bandwidth bottlenecks) so that measures can be taken to alleviate the problems before they occur.",
"In a SAN or other storage environment according to the conventional art, it is known to run a storage area manager (SAM) process on a server within the SAN.",
"As its name implies, the SAM, in part, manages the interaction between components of the storage environment as well as interaction of application programs having storage needs (clients) with components of the storage environment.",
"During operation of a SAN and SAM, errors and out-of-threshold conditions are often encountered and a large amount of data is available for collection and analysis.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to a measurement apparatus which is reconfigurable in accordance with at least one category and at least one metric, to apply at least one threshold to the at least one category and at least one metric and generate at least one event exception if the at least one threshold is violated.",
"The measurement apparatus is capable of setting one or more threshold for categories of events.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram according to another embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the storage area manager (SAM) according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of the Storage Builder according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIGS. 5–6 illustrate creating a generic Measurement Monitor according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a generic Measurement Monitor according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a Measurement Monitor according to another embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 9 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 ′, Statistics 700 , D ata E lement 702 , and R elationship 704 according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"FIG. 10 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 , M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40413 , T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 , T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 , and T rend Threshold R ange 708 according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 depicts a hardware block diagram of a system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention that incorporates software according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"The system 200 includes a bus (e.g., SCSI, Ethernet (iSCSI/IP/Gbit Ethernet), fiber channel, etc.) 202 to which are connected a consumer of device services (hereafter a device consumer) 204 , a device 210 , a device 218 and a storage area manager (SAM) 201 .",
"The device consumer 204 includes host bus adapters (HBAs) 206 and 208 that permit the device consumer 204 to connect to and interact with the bus 202 .",
"The device 210 has port 1 ( 212 ), port 2 ( 214 ), .",
"port N ( 216 ).",
"Device 218 has port 1 ( 220 ), port 2 ( 222 ), .",
"port N ( 224 ).",
"For simplicity of disclosure, only two devices 210 and 218 and two HBAs 206 and 208 have been depicted, but fewer or more devices could be attached to the bus and fewer (1) or more HBAs could be present in the consumer depending upon the particular circumstances of a situation.",
"FIG. 2 depicts a hardware block diagram corresponding to a particular type of system 200 , namely a storage area system or storage area network (SAN) 300 .",
"The SAN 300 includes a bus 302 , a device consumer 304 , a non-volatile storage device 310 and a storage area manager (SAM) 301 .",
"The device consumer 304 can include HBAs 306 and 308 .",
"Fewer or greater numbers of HBAs 306 / 308 can be provided depending upon the circumstances of a situation.",
"The device consumer 304 can take the form of a computer 326 including at least a CPU, input device(s), output device(s) and memory.",
"For example, the computer 326 has been depicted as including a CPU, an 10 device, volatile memory such as RAM and non-volatile memory such as ROM, flash memory, disc drives and/or tape drives.",
"The storage device 310 includes port 1 ( 312 ), port 2 ( 314 ), .",
"port N ( 316 ) and logical units (LUNs) 1, 2, .",
"N. Also included in the storage device 310 are non-volatile memories 318 such as disc drives, tape drives and/or flash memory.",
"To remind the reader of the logical nature of a LUN, a simplistic mapping between the LUNs 320 , 322 and 324 and physical memory devices 318 has been illustrated in FIG. 2 .",
"The SAM 201 , 301 can also take the form of a computer including at least a CPU, input device(s), output device(s) and memory.",
"The SAM 201 , 301 enables storage administrators to manage the SAN 200 , 300 environment.",
"The SAM 201 , 301 enable storage administrators to control and monitor the health of all the components within the SAN 200 , 300 , including tape and disk storage, servers and fiber channel switches as well as any directly attached storage.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the SAM 201 , 301 may include a Storage Allocator 402 , a Storage Builder 404 , a Storage Accountant 406 , a Storage Node Manager 408 , and a Storage Optimizer 410 .",
"The Storage Allocator 402 maps storage and servers, and allows the secure allocation of storage to servers.",
"The Storage Allocator 402 permits viewing, managing, and controlling access to data stored in the SAN 200 , 300 .",
"The Storage Allocator 402 simplifies SAN 200 , 300 expansion by allowing storage to be added, removed or assigned without a host reboot.",
"The Storage Allocator 402 also provides storage and network discovery and a graphical user interface (GUI) with filters and icons to show how storage is assigned.",
"The Storage Allocator 402 also allows ‘share groups’ to be set up, which allow for the configuration of clustered servers.",
"To securely assign storage to servers to prevent data loss and unauthorized access, a LUN or group of LUNs may be selected using the Storage Allocator 402 , by dragging-and-dropping them to a server.",
"If a particular server no longer needs storage, the Storage Allocator 402 permits reassignment to another server, for improved storage utilization.",
"The Storage Accountant 406 enables service providers to measure storage assigned to end users for financial analysis, budgeting and billing.",
"By classifying the storage offering based on attributes of storage and services associated therewith, users are able to keep track of customer profile, compare the price of storage by gigabytes per hour with the total cost of storage service offering, manage the assignment of LUNs and associate a specific price with the LUN, and calculate charges based on service level price, size of LUNs assigned and duration of storage consumption.",
"The Storage Accountant 406 can generate usage and billing views in csv, html and XML formats, which can then be integrated with third party billing and financial application, or to maintain an audit log.",
"The Storage Node Manager 408 provides centralized SAN 200 , 300 management through at least one interface, and consolidation of multi-host storage device management tools.",
"Automatic device discovery, health monitoring and automated alerts ensure improved asset availability.",
"Adding, deleting or changing of storage configurations and tracking data center environment changes may be implemented through the at least one interface.",
"The Storage Node Manager 408 also enables system administrators to customize location fields and identify the physical location of devices in distributed environments.",
"The Storage Optimizer 410 enables users to identify bottlenecks, and enhance the performance of the SAN 200 , 300 .",
"The Storage Optimizer 410 provides storage managers with the information they need to react to slowdowns and identify bottlenecks by monitoring performance of the entire SAN 200 , 300 , including hosts, infrastructure and storage.",
"By monitoring key metrics of SAN 200 , 300 performance storage managers are enabled to implement appropriate service levels.",
"The Storage Optimizer 410 collects and manages a range of raw or summarized data, and offers several types of access to it, giving storage managers information needed to improve the SAN 200 , 300 operation.",
"With the use of historical graphs, storage managers can identify trends and anomalies in their SAN 200 , 300 infrastructure.",
"Using the Storage Optimizer 410 , the impact of system, storage and infrastructure upgrades can be evaluated, and overall SAN 200 , 300 performance improved.",
"The SAM 201 , 301 may also include a Storage Builder 404 , which assists with the assessment, control and planning of storage capacity, to improve the utilization of resources.",
"The Storage Builder 404 enables administrators to improve the utilization of storage resources by viewing the current allocation and consumption of storage resources by host, storage device, LUN, partition, volume, directory and user, across a variety of operating systems.",
"By using historical trend data, the Storage Builder 404 may also extrapolate future storage capacity needs.",
"This enables managers to proactively predict when they will need to add capacity.",
"The Storage Builder 404 also may give early warning of potential capacity short-falls, identify files for possible deletion (files which are never accessed, for example, or files with specifically identified extensions), and enable IT managers to create groups whose current usage patterns can then be analyzed for future resource planning purposes.",
"The Storage Builder 404 also performs distributed data collection and processing of information periodically scheduled for collection on the device consumers 204 , 304 .",
"In an embodiment, the mechanism for data delivery is event-based and allows event messages to travel from the device consumers 204 , 304 to the SAM 201 , 301 , a connection mechanism allows the SAM 201 , 301 to contact and transfer information from the device consumers 204 , 304 , a work thread queuing mechanism reduces the number of concurrent threads in use at any given time, and a centralized storage mechanism (typically a database, such as device 218 , 318 ), is used for storage.",
"FIG. 4 illustrates the Storage Builder 404 in more detail.",
"As illustrated, the Storage Builder 404 includes at least one generic Measurement Monitor 4041 .",
"The generic Measurement Monitor 4041 provides a generic capability to monitor selected measurements and generate at least one threshold exceeded event suitable for use with an event system when one or more of the selected measurements exceed one or more threshold boundaries.",
"The operation of an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5–8 .",
"FIGS. 5–6 illustrate an embodiment of creating a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 and FIGS. 7–8 illustrate embodiments of the operation of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 .",
"As shown at element 502 of FIG. 5 , a user may create one or more threshold condition via command line user interface (CLUI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).",
"At element 504 , the one or more threshold configurations are stored in a database, such as device 218 , 318 .",
"As illustrated in element 602 of FIG. 6 , configuration information may then be placed into sets of threshold information.",
"At element 604 , an iteration over thresholds configuration identifying type is performed.",
"At element 606 , it is determined whether the threshold is related to a prediction of future values.",
"If so, a TrendThresholdEntry 706 and TrendThresholdRange 708 are generated at element 608 ;",
"if not, a ThresholdEntry 40412 and ThresholdRange 40413 are generated at element 610 .",
"In element 612 , a measurement entry is generated for all sets of related thresholds and at element 614 , a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 is created for the generated measurement entries in element 612 .",
"FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the operation of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 .",
"As illustrated at element 702 the processing of data begins at element 704 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 generates historical measurements and retrieves one or more threshold configurations at elements 706 .",
"At element 708 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 checks each for threshold violations.",
"At element 710 , if a ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated, at element 712 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 sends the event to be handled by a separate process.",
"If no ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated at element 710 , the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 completes processing at element 714 .",
"FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a Measurement Monitor according to another embodiment of the invention.",
"As illustrated at element 802 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receives measurements and checks for threshold violation.",
"At element 804 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ identifies a metric and a source for the measurement.",
"At element 806 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ checks the measurement entry for the identified metric.",
"If the measurement entry is not for this metric, no threshold violations are produced at element 808 .",
"If the measurement entry is for this metric, a determination is made if the ThresholdEntry 40412 is for a given source.",
"If so, at element 812 , it is determined whether the ThresholdEntry 40412 is a TrendThresholdEntry 706 .",
"If yes, at element 814 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ retrieves related historical measurements and converts the measurements to data elements at element 816 .",
"At element 818 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ normalizes the data and at element 820 , generates a relationship to describe the data.",
"At element 822 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ generates predictions at regular intervals up to a desired maximum.",
"Once the predictions are generated, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ determines conditions to check for a violation at element 824 .",
"The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ also determines the condition to check for a violation if the ThresholdEntry 40412 is not a TrendThresholdEntry 706 at element 812 .",
"At element 826 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ determines whether a boundary condition is violated;",
"if not, no threshold violations are generated at element 808 .",
"If a boundary condition is violated at element 826 , a ThresholdExceededEvent 40414 is generated at element 828 .",
"As described, the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 and the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receive at least one data input from other elements of the Storage Builder 404 and/or other elements of the SAM 201 , 301 or the SAN 200 , 300 .",
"The generic Measurement Monitor 4041 receives the measurement(s) for a particular category and for a particular metric.",
"Examples of categories are type, organization, or entity (where the device consumers 204 , 304 of FIGS. 2 and 3 are of category “type”).",
"Examples of metrics are measurements, such as any type of resource utilization, confidence intervals, durations, etc.",
"A metric may be from any source.",
"Example of sources from which the Storage Builder 404 may collect data from are hosts, NAS devices, logical volumes on a host, volume groups on a host, user accounts on a host, domain user accounts, and managed directories.",
"The metric name and the source are two identifiers that may be used for retrieving the right set of metrics to perform any necessary threshold checking.",
"The category and the metric associated with the measurement are used to identify which of possibly multiple M easurement E ntries 40411 to use for the measurement.",
"The M easurement E ntry 40411 is a threshold or set of thresholds that may be used for all measurements of a particular category and metric.",
"In an embodiment, there can be multiple types of thresholds that may be considered for each measurement by a given M easurement E ntry 40411 , for example, thresholds related to a default for the measurement itself, thresholds related to a default for a particular type of object (hosts, volumes, etc.), thresholds related to a default for all members of an organization, and thresholds related to specific entities (a specific host 204 , 304 on the SAN 201 , 301 ).",
"For each type, there can also be multiple ThresholdEntries 40412 .",
"Additionally, a T hreshold E ntry 40412 may be a specific entry, but may also have one or more T hreshold R anges 40413 associated with it.",
"A T hreshold R ange 40413 may be a specific boundary condition that the threshold checks against, and an associated severity in cases of violation.",
"For each T hreshold E ntry 40412 , a specific threshold violation can occur, resulting in one or more T reshold E xceeded E vents 40414 being generated.",
"A T reshold E ntry 40412 may check all of T reshold R anges 40413 associated with it (for example, in order of severity level), and indicate a violation when any T reshold R ange 40413 is violated.",
"As an example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘hosts’ (a type) with ‘utilization’ over a threshold value ‘X’.",
"In another example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘organization A’ (all member of this organization) with ‘utilization’ over the threshold value ‘X’.",
"In yet another example, in the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 , combining an identified category and metric could produce a threshold check of ‘host A 1 ’ (a specific host, rather than all hosts or all hosts of a particular organization) with ‘utilization’ over the threshold value ‘X’.",
"In other embodiment of the invention, one threshold per type of category may be generated.",
"In other embodiments of the invention, the threshold generated is the most severe of the set of categories examined.",
"In another embodiment of the invention, the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 framework fits within the standard JCORE framework or CLAY framework by being a server component that resides on the SAM 201 , 301 .",
"An advantage of the generic Measurement Monitor 4041 of FIG. 4 is that all types of threshold checks may be handled in the same manner, for example, volume utilization may be checked in the same manner as user storage utilization can be checked.",
"Further, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ receives at least two data inputs from at least one host 204 , 304 or at least one device 210 , 310 .",
"Each data input may include at least one category and at least one metric.",
"The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ performs data trending on the at least two data inputs.",
"As shown in the relationship chart of FIG. 9 , the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may perform the data trending using any type of statistical trending prediction algorithm Statistics 700 in a generalized statistical analysis package, where the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ interacts with the analysis package through a D ata E lement 702 interface defined by the analysis package.",
"The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may store the data trending results in a centralized location, such as device 210 , 310 or in memory of the SAM 201 , 301 .",
"The statistical trending prediction algorithm Statistics 700 may use a Relationship 704 interface defined by the analysis package.",
"The at least two data inputs may be retrieved via a database abstraction layer.",
"In another embodiment of the invention, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may implement the D ata E lement 702 interface as a four element value, where the four values correspond to the time, value, metric, and source.",
"The Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ may extract out the time and value for the purposes of non-trending thresholds.",
"The value of the measurement may be compared to the values of the range.",
"Any threshold violation may result in a T reshold E xceeded E vent 40414 being generated.",
"For trending thresholds, the metric and source elements may be considered.",
"Through the database abstraction layer, all measurements for the source and metric may be retrieved.",
"These measurements are then transformed into a set of D ata E lements 702 corresponding to X, Y values equal to the value and time.",
"The values may then be normalized in one to two steps: conversion of values to reduce precision lost during analysis, and four time series analysis points are then transformed into a set equally spaced X, Y points using best fit statistical prediction to fill any necessary empty points.",
"Analysis may then performed and the statistics R elationship 704 generated.",
"The R elationship 704 is then used to sweep through all points leading to the particular prediction point to be examined.",
"If any prediction in the time frame under examination indicates a violation will occur, the entry will signal a violation.",
"In another embodiment of the invention, the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ framework fits within the standard JCORE framework or CLAY framework by being a server component that resides on the SAM 201 , 301 .",
"FIG. 10 is a relationship chart showing class relationships between Measurement Monitor 4041 , M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40 413 , T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 , T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 , and T rend T hreshold R ange 708 .",
"FIG. 10 is a relationship chart which combines at least two embodiments of the invention, by adding a T rend T hreshold E ntry 706 and a T rend T hreshold R ange 708 from a Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ embodiment with M easurement E ntry 40411 , T hreshold E ntry 40412 , T hreshold R ange 40413 , and T hreshold E xceeded E vent 40414 of a generic Measurement Monitor 4041 embodiment.",
"Although the embodiment of the present invention described above in conjunction with FIG. 4 illustrate one Measurement Monitor 4041 , as mentioned above, a Storage Builder 404 of a SAM 201 , 301 , may include and/or run one or more instances of the Measurement Monitor 4041 and/or one or more instances of the Measurement Monitor 4041 ′ at any given time on any given individual SAM 201 , 301 .",
"Additionally, as also described above, the SAN 200 , 300 , may include more than one SAM 201 , 301 .",
"Additionally, the Measurement Monitor 4041 , 4041 ′ functionality could be hosted on one or more of the device consumers 204 , instead of or in addition to, one or more SAMs 201 , 301 or partitioned across any combination of devices 201 , 301 , 204 .",
"It is noted that the functional blocks illustrated in FIGS. 1–4 may be implemented in hardware and/or software.",
"The hardware/software implementations may include a combination of processor(s) and article(s) of manufacture.",
"The article(s) of manufacture may further include storage media and executable computer program(s).",
"The executable computer program(s) may include the instructions to perform the described operations.",
"The computer executable program(s) may also be provided as part of externally supplied propagated signal(s) either with or without carrier wave(s).",
"The embodiments of the generic measurement monitor mechanism described above may be used to provide a user of a SAN 200 , 300 with alerts that certain conditions have occurred within the SAN 200 , 300 .",
"The embodiments of the measurement monitor mechanism described above may be used to provide a user of a SAN 200 , 300 with trending information which may be used to provide a manager of a SAN 200 , 300 with utilization of other system trend information, such as volume or storage utilization of the SAN 200 , 300 .",
"The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways.",
"Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Magnetic media drives, such as disk drives, have heads mounted on actuator arms that are cushioned on an air bearing surface during normal operation. When a drive's head actuator assembly is in a read/write position it does not make contact with the media surface because of the air bearing. When boundary condition events occur, such as, a power down, a sudden power loss, a spindown, or a system generated retract command, the heads must be moved to a landing zone to protect data integrity because air bearing loss is imminent. Any contact between head and media over the data zone has the potential of damaging the media surface, the head, or causing localized media demagnetization due to impact forces.
Also head and disk contact could generate debris within the head-disk assembly (HDA) reducing head and disk interface reliability, eventually causing head crashes and data loss. The most stringent boundary conditions, such as power loss, result in spindown where normal drive power becomes unavailable to a disk drive. When that happens, the rectified back emf of the spindle motor must supply the necessary power to move the heads to a "landing" zone on the media's surface suitable for head and disk contact. This function of moving heads to a safe zone is generally referred to as "retract" or "park".
Further, the spindle generated back emf is proportional to spindle speed and upon loss of power the spindle speed decreases rapidly causing the spindle generated back emf to drop rapidly as well. Hence the spindle has only finite amount of stored energy. A retract circuit has an operating voltage range and hence the actuator must complete retract before the spindle generated back emf voltage drops below the range. Therefore, there exists a time limit on the retract duration because the entire retract operation has to be completed before the operating range drop-out voltage is reached.
In the case of a magnetic disk, the landing zone is a highly polished area of a disk where no data is stored. The landing zone is provided so that a head can be parked there, i.e., the head actuator assembly can actually make contact with the disk surface without causing damage either to the data stored on the magnetic media, or to the media, or to the head itself.
Further, two crash stops, an inner crash stop and an outer crash stop are also provided to prevent head actuator assemblies from flying off the disk surface if the disk drive actuator/servo electronics loses control. One of these crash stops is used to locate the landing zone. During high velocity seeks, especially near the crash stops, a boundary condition event will cause loss of normal control. Unless attenuated, the high actuator velocity will cause a high force impulse contact with a crash stop. This sudden deceleration, could cause heads to twist on their flexure arms, overcome the air bearing, and subsequently make debris while generating disk contact. Hence there is a need for a solution that minimizes potential data loss, and head/media damage resulting from a head actuator assembly impacting crash stops at high velocities for boundary condition events.
Three prior art methods are known for controlling impact velocity while moving the head actuator assembly to a landing zone. One such method uses a unipolar fixed voltage, sourced from single quadrant circuitry capable of only sourcing current. This unipolar fixed voltage is applied to an actuator's coil to move the actuator assembly over to the landing zone. However, this method has its drawbacks. During a high velocity seek, when the actuator is moving at a high velocity towards the landing zone, an actuator's velocity cannot be reduced by this fixed voltage technique because the circuitry cannot sink current. Also, when the actuator is moving at high velocity away from the landing zone, velocity attenuation capability is severely limited by the circuit's high source resistance. Therefore, this fixed voltage method doesn't provide adequate high velocity attenuation and subsequent impact protection.
The second method, known as dynamic braking, also uses a unipolar fixed voltage, but it is supplied by two quadrant circuitry capable of both sourcing and sinking current. Again a unipolar fixed voltage is applied to an actuator's coil to move the actuator assembly over to the landing zone. During a high velocity seek, moving in either direction, the two quadrant circuit effectively provides a very low impedance path between the coil terminals. The coil back emf generates a current through this path that attenuates actuator velocity. However, the prime drawback is that attenuation is limited by the actuator's back emf voltage and circuit resistances. Therefore, although the actuator is dynamically braked, it is not enough to provide adequate impact protection. This is especially apparent when a high velocity seek occurs near a crash stop. Further, using this method requires longer crash stop zones to allow more deceleration distance, thereby reducing disk data storage capacity.
The third prior art method uses a back-emf feedback velocity control loop to regulate the impact velocity. This method requires a closed loop control system which is unnecessarily complex and poses some risk. The risk involves matching loop compensation parameters with high tolerance, high temperature variant circuit components. This presents a closed loop stability problem. Attempts to improve stability margins by detuning the control loop results in poor velocity control and subsequent poor retract performance.
Hence, there is a need for a mechanism for quick retraction of an actuator from a read/write position to a landing zone, with significant reduction in crash stop impact velocities, and in a controlled manner, during power down, or power loss, or spindown, or a system retract command. Further, there is a need for a retraction mechanism that overcomes prior art problems of control loop stability, poor actuator velocity control, poor dynamic braking capabilities and inadequate high velocity impact protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus and method for retracting an actuator upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event, such as, a power down, a sudden power loss, a spindown or a system generated retract command.
An object of the invention is to provide a high initial forcing voltage during retract operation in order to rapidly decelerate an actuator.
Another object of the invention is to move an actuator to a landing zone of a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.
Yet another object of the invention is to move the actuator quickly, within a finite period of time, to the landing zone of a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.
Yet, another object of the invention is to minimize the force with which an actuator impacts crash stops on a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.
These and other objects are attained, in a broad sense, through the use of the method for retracting an actuator comprising the steps of determining back emf voltage generated by the actuator motor; applying the determined voltage to a capacitor-resistor network; applying a holding voltage to the capacitor-resistor network. The application of the determined voltage and the holding voltage together charges a capacitor in the capacitor-resistor network to develop a charged capacitor voltage. The method further comprises the steps of terminating application of the determined voltage to the capacitor-resistor network upon charging of the capacitor, and discharging the capacitor through the capacitor-resistor network to provide a forcing voltage to the actuator for retract operation. The forcing voltage initially forces a high deceleration current in the actuator. Further, the forcing voltage decays with time reaching a predetermined holding voltage for completion of the retract operation.
The aforementioned objects are also attained, in another sense, through the use of an actuator retraction circuit comprising a resistor-capacitor network. The retraction circuit further comprising a differential amplifier for determining back emf voltage generated by the actuator motor and for applying the determined voltage to a capacitor-resistor network. The retraction circuit also comprises a holding voltage generator for applying a holding voltage to the capacitor-resistor network. The application of the determined voltage and the holding voltage together charges a capacitor in the capacitor-resistor network to develop a charged capacitor voltage. Further, the capacitor discharges through the capacitor-resistor network to provide a forcing voltage to the actuator for retract operation; the forcing voltage initially forcing a high deceleration current in the actuator, and the capacitor voltage decaying with time reaching a predetermined fixed voltage for completion of retract operation.
It is an advantage of this invention that damage to either the media surface or the head from head and media contact over the data zone of the media is eliminated by moving the head/actuator assembly to the landing zone during retract.
It is another advantage of this invention that it provides excellent high velocity impact protection. Any head or media damage, resulting from a head/actuator assembly impacting crash stops at high velocities for boundary condition events, is eliminated.
It is yet another advantage of this invention that prior art problem of actuator control loop stability is eliminated.
It is another advantage of this invention that excellent actuator velocity control and dynamic braking capability is provided.
The foregoing and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a more detailed consideration of the preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a computer system connected to a disk drive that incorporates retracting an actuator according to the principles of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of an actuator retraction circuit according to the principles of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a actuator motion phase plane indicating various trajectories of actuator motion in response to a retract operation performed by the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the variations of actuator retraction voltage with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the variations of deceleration current time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the variations of actuator velocity with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of actuator position with time during retract.
FIG. 8 is another graphical representation of the variations of actuator retraction voltage with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is another graphical representation of the variations of deceleration current time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 10 is another graphical representation of the variations of actuator velocity with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 11 is another graphical representation of actuator position with time during retract.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Shown in FIG. 1, is a computer system 1 connected to a disk drive 2. The disk drive 2 incorporates a disk controller 3 connected to actuator motor 5 that drives head-actuator assembly 8. As shown in FIG. 1, disk drive 2 also incorporates two crash stops, outer crash stop 11 and inner crash stop 13, and a tab 9 attached to the head-actuator assembly 8 for contacting the crash stops 11 and 13. Outer crash stop 11 and inner crash stop 13 are provided to prevent head-actuator assembly 8 from flying off the disk 4 surface if the disk drive actuator/servo electronics loses control. Inner crash stop 13 is used to locate the landing zone 6, while outer crash stop 11 locates the outer edge of disk 4. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a disk 4 having tracks 7 and landing zone 6.
There is illustrated in FIG. 2 an actuator retraction circuit generally indicated at 10 which incorporates actuator motor/coil circuit 20, a differential amplifier 22, holding voltage generator circuit 24, and a RC circuit 26. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a power supply 12, a blocking diode 14, a power amplifier 18, and a spindle motor/driver 16. The actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2 is generally incorporated within the disk controller 3 of FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator motor 5 of FIG. 1, is represented by actuator circuit 20. The actuator motor/coil circuit 20 incorporates an inductive component L M , a resistive component R M , and voltage generator V b .sbsb.-- emf . As shown, the voltage generator V b .sbsb.-- emf represents the back emf generated by the actuator motor and is equal to k e ω, where k e is the actuator motor constant, and ω is actuator motor angular velocity. During normal operation of the disk drive, the power amplifier 18 controls the operation of the actuator. As shown in FIG. 2, the power amplifier 18 draws power from power supply 12 through blocking diode 14. Further, the power supply 12 also supplies power to the spindle motor 16.
When a boundary condition event such as a sudden loss of power supply voltage 12 occurs, the spindle motor/driver 16 generated back emf voltage (denoted by V cc ) is supplied to the power amplifier 18 for the operation of the actuator retraction circuit 10. The blocking diode 14 stops or blocks the spindle generated back emf V cc from sourcing current to outside circuitry by isolating the spindle motor 16 and power amplifier 18 from the power supply 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the spindle motor 16 generated voltage V cc supplies power for the retract operation.
Further, during normal operation of a disk drive, while the actuator/head assembly moves around at high velocities seeking the desired track or is positioned on track without any velocity, there exists actuator coil current i m flowing in the actuator circuit 20 from the power amplifier 18, as shown in FIG. 2. When a boundary condition event occurs, a retract operation is performed to park the heads in the safe landing zone of its associated disk. According to the principles of the invention, during retract operation, the back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf has to be sensed in the actuator circuit 20, as shown in FIG. 2. In order to accurately sense the actuator back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf , the current i m is allowed to go to zero. This is accomplished by first shutting-off the power amplifier 18 to induce flyback. The inductive component L M of the actuator motor circuit allows a reverse voltage to develop in the actuator circuit that gets clamped by the flyback clamp circuitry located within the power amplifier 18 through inductive flyback, causing actuator current i m to go to zero.
As shown in FIG. 2, the differential amplifier 22 upon sensing the completion of flyback or if i m is nominally zero, samples the back emf voltage across its input pins by measuring the voltage across L M , R m , and k e ω of actuator circuit 20. Since, actuator current i m is zero, the voltage across L M , and R m is zero. Therefore, differential amplifier 22 primarily measures k e ω, the back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf . Further, differential amplifier 22 also inverts and scales the sampled voltage by a pre-determined factor and applies the resultant voltage V 1 to the resistor-capacitor RC circuit 26. The differential amplifier 22 scales the sampled voltage to ensure that the circuit doesn't go out of range. Voltage V 1 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU1## where, k e ω is the sampled back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf , n is the scaling factor of the differential amplifier 22, and V cc is the voltage generated by the spindle motor/driver 16. As shown in FIG. 2, good results have been obtained by scaling the sampled back emf voltage by a factor of n=8.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding voltage generator circuit 24, generates voltage V 2 . The voltage V 2 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU2## where (R hold *i) represents the holding voltage component of voltage V 2 , R hold being a scaling resistor, and i a fixed current source.
Referring to FIG. 2, voltage V 2 is also applied to RC circuit/network 26. As shown, capacitor C in RC circuit 26 gets charged by the application of voltage V 1 from differential amplifier 22 and by the application of holding voltage V 2 . Once capacitor C is charged the differential amplifier 22 is disabled and is isolated from RC circuit/network 26, thereby terminating the application of voltage V 1 to the RC network 26.
Further, the charged capacitor voltage, which is equal to V 1 -V 2 , is scaled and together with the holding voltage V 2 is dynamically applied across the actuator coil via the power amplifier 18. As shown, the RC circuit 26 has two resistors R 1 and R 2 connected in series. The resistors R 1 and R 2 are selected to suitably scale the voltage V 3 that is applied through buffer 28 back to the power amplifier 18. Buffer 28 has high input impedance and hence doesn't load the RC circuit 26.
As shown in FIG. 2, voltage V 3 is dynamically applied to the power amplifier 18 to enable it to drive the actuator to the safe landing area of a disk, i.e., to park the head actuator assembly. After the occurrence of a boundary condition, once capacitor C has been charged, it discharges exponentially with a time constant, t D =(R 1 +R 2 )C. The capacitor voltage and the holding voltage V 2 combine to the voltage V 3 that is dynamically applied through buffer 28 back to the power amplifier 18. Voltage V 3 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU3## where, R hold is a scaling resistor, i is a fixed current source; R 1 and R 2 are scaling resistors of the RC circuit 26; t is the time since the occurrence of the boundary event requiring retract and the sampling of back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf ; and t D is the time constant of the RC circuit 26 and is equal to (R 1 +R 2 )C. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the power amplifier 18 scales and offsets voltage V 3 suitably to ensure that the initial voltage applied to the actuator circuit 20 reinforces the back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf existing in actuator circuit 20. The voltage V 4 that is applied to the actuator circuit by the power amplifier 18 is given by the following equation: ##EQU4## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18 and KR hold i represents the holding voltage, V hold .
Referring to FIG. 2, the application of voltage V 4 to actuator circuit 20 in combination with back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf results in forcing voltage V 5 across inductive component L M and resistive component R M of actuator circuit 20. The forcing voltage V 5 is given by the following equation: ##EQU5##
As shown in FIG. 2, good results were obtained by using an actuator retraction circuit 10 having the following parameters:
scaling resistor R 1 =2 Kohms;
scaling resistor R 2 =10 Kohms;
scaling resistor R hold =619 ohms,
fixed current source i=100 microAmps;
time constant of the RC circuit t D =5.64 millisec;
power amplifier gain K=16; and
differential amplifier gain n=8.
Further, during retract, the forcing voltage V 5 causes a current i m to flow in the actuator motor/coil circuit 20 thereby creating a force in the actuator coil. The force in the actuator coil attenuates any actuator velocity that may exist prior to retract, thereby enabling the head/actuator assembly to decelerate suitably before contacting the crash stop while parking the actuator in landing zone. In the landing zone there is a mechanical latch that captures the actuator to keep it in the landing zone. Further, if prior to retract the actuator has no velocity, forcing voltage V 5 allows the actuator/head assembly to accelerate towards the safe landing zone of the disk prior to parking.
Shown in FIG. 3, is a actuator motion phase plane indicating various trajectories of actuator motion in response to a retract operation performed by the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. As shown, the horizontal axis of the phase plane of FIG. 3 represents actuator position using track numbers; track number 0 representing the outermost track on a disk and the location of outer crash stop 11, and track number 3300 representing the landing zone 6 and inner crash stop 13. Also as shown, the vertical axis represents actuator velocity; a positive velocity indicating actuator motion towards the landing zone and a negative velocity indicating actuator motion away from the landing zone and towards the outer edge of a disk.
As shown in FIG. 3, the area 100 in the actuator motion phase plane denotes the different velocities and track positions that an actuator may have just prior to retract. The position of the actuator and its velocity prior to retract determines the trajectory the actuator is forced to follow by the forcing voltage V 5 during retract. Further, the location and position of the actuator prior to retract determines the time available for the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2 to complete the retract operation by moving the actuator to the landing zone. The location and position of the actuator prior to retract also determines the velocity with which the inner crash stop is impacted.
As shown in FIG. 3, trajectory D represents actuator motion during retract in response to forcing voltage V 5 , in the event that the actuator velocity prior to retract is high and the actuator is positioned close to the landing zone. As shown, capacitor C has very little time to discharge and the terminal velocity of the actuator upon completion of retract is determined by V hold , the residual capacitor voltage, and the actuator momentum prior to retract.
Referring now to FIG. 4, curve 50 represents the variation of forcing voltage V 5 with time during retract when the actuator velocity prior to retract is high and the actuator is positioned close to the landing zone. After the occurrence of a boundary condition requiring retract and after i m has been forced to zero, i.e., at time t=0, the forcing voltage V 5 , that is applied to the actuator coils is given by: ##EQU6## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18. As shown in FIG. 4 and the above equation, magnitude of forcing voltage V 5 , is large at time t=0.0002s (i.e. at t=0 approximately). The high initial forcing voltage V 5 creates a high deceleration current in the actuator circuit causing the actuator to slow down rapidly. Referring to FIG. 5, curve 52 which represents the variation of deceleration current with time, shows the high deceleration current experienced by the actuator over the period t=0 to t=0.002s.
Using the aforementioned retraction circuit parameters, the forcing voltage V 5 at t=0.0s is given by:
V.sub.5 =k.sub.e w[1+1.667]-V.sub.hold =2.667(k.sub.e w)-V.sub.hold
The 2.667*k e ω component of forcing voltage V 5 causes the forcing voltage V 5 to be very high initially relative to the back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf (=k e ω), resulting in a high deceleration current i m to be applied to the actuator coils, as shown by curve 52 in FIG. 5. The deceleration current i m in the actuator motor/coil circuit 20 is forced by the combination of the power amplifier output voltage V 4 and the actuator motor/coil circuit back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf . The forcing voltage V 5 by design is a multiple of the sampled back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf . As shown above, the embodiment of FIG. 2 uses a multiple of 2.667 of the sampled back emf voltage V b .sbsb.-- emf or k e ω to provide the forcing voltage V 5 .
Further, referring to FIG. 6, as shown by curve 54, rapid deceleration is experienced by the actuator due to the high deceleration current in the actuator circuit and the actuator is decelerated sufficiently thereby contacting the inner crash stop at a much lower velocity as it reaches the landing zone. Further, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, between t=0 and t=0.001s the slope of actuator velocity curve 54 is steepest while actuator deceleration current attains its peak value. The high actuator deceleration current flowing through the actuator motor/coil circuit causes rapid deceleration of actuator velocity as indicated by the high gradient of curve 54 in FIG. 6, between t=0 and t=0.003s.
Referring now to FIG. 7, curve 58 indicates actuator position on disk with respect to time during retract operation. As shown in FIG. 7 and by trajectory D of the phase plane of FIG. 2, the actuator is positioned on a track close to the inner crash stop at the start of retract at t=0. As shown, the actuator is moved towards the inner crash stop in the landing zone quickly and in a controlled manner during retract. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the actuator makes contact with the crash stop at time t=t crash .sbsb.-- stop . As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, upon completion of retract at time t= crash .sbsb.-- stop , the actuator makes contact with the crash stop in the safe landing zone of the storage media at a low velocity and with low impact force.
As shown in FIG. 3, trajectory C represents actuator motion during retract in response to forcing voltage V 5 , in the event that the actuator is close to the outer crash stop and is moving towards it at a very high velocity. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, in the event that, the actuator is close to the outer crash stop and is moving towards it at a very high velocity, the forcing voltage V 5 decelerates the actuator significantly as it impacts the outer crash stop. Further as shown, the actuator velocity is reversed upon impact causing the actuator to move towards the landing zone. However, the actuator velocity is still very high for inner crash stop impact for parking at the landing zone. Therefore, the forcing voltage V 5 further decelerates the actuator as the actuator attains a lower fixed voltage before impacting the inner crash stop. The actuator motion as discussed above is represented by trajectory C of the actuator phase plane of FIG. 3.
Further, referring to FIG. 10, as shown by curve 154, rapid deceleration is experienced by the actuator initially due to the high deceleration current in the actuator circuit, and following impact with the outer crash stop the actuator velocity is slowly decelerated to reach a final steady voltage as it reaches the landing zone. Further, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, between t=0 and t=0.02s the high actuator deceleration current flowing through the actuator motor/coil circuit causes rapid deceleration of actuator velocity before the outer crash stop is impacted, as indicated by the high gradient of curve 154 between t=0 and t=0.02s.
Further, as shown by curve 150' in FIG. 8, after the outer crash stop has been impacted and the direction of actuator motion has been reversed, i.e., after t=0.02s, forcing voltage V 5 continues to force the actuator to decelerate. As shown by curve 150 in FIG. 8, voltage V 4 decays towards the holding voltage V hold , thereby causing holding voltage V 5 (represented by curve 150' in FIG. 8) to decay towards zero. Also as shown, as voltages V 4 and V 5 decay the current in the actuator circuit also correspondingly decays. Once capacitor C has discharged, the predetermined fixed holding voltage component V hold forces the actuator to complete the retract operation with a slow velocity. At that point in time, at t=0.2 (i.e., t/t D =∞), forcing voltage V 5 , that is applied to the actuator coil is given by: ##EQU7## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18. As shown, forcing voltage V 5 decays towards zero as the actuator generated back emf voltage k e ω counters holding voltage component V hold . As the forcing voltage V 5 decays to zero, i.e., as voltage V 4 decays towards holding voltage component V hold , the actuator completes the retract operation with a slow velocity.
Referring now to FIG. 11, curve 158 indicates actuator position on disk with respect to time during retract operation. In FIG. 11 and in trajectory D of the phase plane of FIG. 2, the actuator is shown positioned on a track close to the outer crash stop at the start of retract at t=0. As shown, the actuator is first rapidly decelerated as it impacts the outer crash stop and after having reversed its direction the actuator is moved towards the inner crash stop in the landing zone quickly and in a controlled manner during retract. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the actuator makes contact with the crash stop at time t=t crash .sbsb.-- stop . As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, upon completion of retract at time t=t crash .sbsb.-- stop , the actuator makes contact with the crash stop in the safe landing zone of the storage media at a low velocity and with low impact force.
Further, referring to FIG. 3, as indicated by trajectory A, in the event that the actuator has very low velocity or zero velocity prior to retract, the predetermined fixed holding voltage component V hold of forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator to slowly accelerate and complete the retract operation with a low velocity as the actuator contacts the inner crash stop and is parked in the landing zone.
For example, prior to the occurrence of a boundary condition, the actuator/head assembly of a disk drive may not be performing high velocity seeks. The actuator/head assembly may simply be positioned on-track over a disk. If a boundary condition event occurs while the actuator/head assembly is idling while positioned on-track or track following, the angular velocity ω of the actuator is zero. Therefore, there is no back emf voltage to sense, because k e ω is also zero. The forcing voltage V 5 , that initially is applied to the actuator circuit is given by: ##EQU8## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18, and the angular velocity ω of the actuator being zero. Therefore, if prior to retract the actuator has no velocity or very low velocity, forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator/head assembly to accelerate to a steady velocity as the actuator moves towards the safe landing zone of the disk and contacts the inner crash stop for parking, as indicated by trajectory A of FIG. 3.
Further, in the event that prior to retract, actuator velocity is neither too high nor too low, and/or the actuator is located far away from the landing zone, forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator/head assembly to decelerate slowly. Capacitor C slowly discharges towards predetermined fixed holding voltage V hold , forcing the actuator/head assembly to decelerate slowly and then attain a steady velocity as it moves towards the safe landing zone and contacts the crash stop, as indicated by trajectory B of FIG. 3.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to one embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is merely illustrative, the invention comprehending all variations thereof. | Method and apparatus for retracting an actuator comprising determining back emf voltage generated by the actuator motor; applying the determined voltage to a capacitor-resistor network; applying a holding voltage to the capacitor-resistor network. The application of the determined voltage and the holding voltage together charges a capacitor in the capacitor-resistor network to develop a charged capacitor voltage. The method and apparatus further comprises terminating application of the determined voltage to the capacitor-resistor network upon charging of the capacitor, and discharging the capacitor through the capacitor-resistor network to provide a forcing voltage to the actuator for retract operation. The forcing voltage initially forces a high deceleration current in the actuator. Further, the forcing voltage decays with time to a predetermined holding voltage to complete the retract operation. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Magnetic media drives, such as disk drives, have heads mounted on actuator arms that are cushioned on an air bearing surface during normal operation.",
"When a drive's head actuator assembly is in a read/write position it does not make contact with the media surface because of the air bearing.",
"When boundary condition events occur, such as, a power down, a sudden power loss, a spindown, or a system generated retract command, the heads must be moved to a landing zone to protect data integrity because air bearing loss is imminent.",
"Any contact between head and media over the data zone has the potential of damaging the media surface, the head, or causing localized media demagnetization due to impact forces.",
"Also head and disk contact could generate debris within the head-disk assembly (HDA) reducing head and disk interface reliability, eventually causing head crashes and data loss.",
"The most stringent boundary conditions, such as power loss, result in spindown where normal drive power becomes unavailable to a disk drive.",
"When that happens, the rectified back emf of the spindle motor must supply the necessary power to move the heads to a "landing"",
"zone on the media's surface suitable for head and disk contact.",
"This function of moving heads to a safe zone is generally referred to as "retract"",
"or "park".",
"Further, the spindle generated back emf is proportional to spindle speed and upon loss of power the spindle speed decreases rapidly causing the spindle generated back emf to drop rapidly as well.",
"Hence the spindle has only finite amount of stored energy.",
"A retract circuit has an operating voltage range and hence the actuator must complete retract before the spindle generated back emf voltage drops below the range.",
"Therefore, there exists a time limit on the retract duration because the entire retract operation has to be completed before the operating range drop-out voltage is reached.",
"In the case of a magnetic disk, the landing zone is a highly polished area of a disk where no data is stored.",
"The landing zone is provided so that a head can be parked there, i.e., the head actuator assembly can actually make contact with the disk surface without causing damage either to the data stored on the magnetic media, or to the media, or to the head itself.",
"Further, two crash stops, an inner crash stop and an outer crash stop are also provided to prevent head actuator assemblies from flying off the disk surface if the disk drive actuator/servo electronics loses control.",
"One of these crash stops is used to locate the landing zone.",
"During high velocity seeks, especially near the crash stops, a boundary condition event will cause loss of normal control.",
"Unless attenuated, the high actuator velocity will cause a high force impulse contact with a crash stop.",
"This sudden deceleration, could cause heads to twist on their flexure arms, overcome the air bearing, and subsequently make debris while generating disk contact.",
"Hence there is a need for a solution that minimizes potential data loss, and head/media damage resulting from a head actuator assembly impacting crash stops at high velocities for boundary condition events.",
"Three prior art methods are known for controlling impact velocity while moving the head actuator assembly to a landing zone.",
"One such method uses a unipolar fixed voltage, sourced from single quadrant circuitry capable of only sourcing current.",
"This unipolar fixed voltage is applied to an actuator's coil to move the actuator assembly over to the landing zone.",
"However, this method has its drawbacks.",
"During a high velocity seek, when the actuator is moving at a high velocity towards the landing zone, an actuator's velocity cannot be reduced by this fixed voltage technique because the circuitry cannot sink current.",
"Also, when the actuator is moving at high velocity away from the landing zone, velocity attenuation capability is severely limited by the circuit's high source resistance.",
"Therefore, this fixed voltage method doesn't provide adequate high velocity attenuation and subsequent impact protection.",
"The second method, known as dynamic braking, also uses a unipolar fixed voltage, but it is supplied by two quadrant circuitry capable of both sourcing and sinking current.",
"Again a unipolar fixed voltage is applied to an actuator's coil to move the actuator assembly over to the landing zone.",
"During a high velocity seek, moving in either direction, the two quadrant circuit effectively provides a very low impedance path between the coil terminals.",
"The coil back emf generates a current through this path that attenuates actuator velocity.",
"However, the prime drawback is that attenuation is limited by the actuator's back emf voltage and circuit resistances.",
"Therefore, although the actuator is dynamically braked, it is not enough to provide adequate impact protection.",
"This is especially apparent when a high velocity seek occurs near a crash stop.",
"Further, using this method requires longer crash stop zones to allow more deceleration distance, thereby reducing disk data storage capacity.",
"The third prior art method uses a back-emf feedback velocity control loop to regulate the impact velocity.",
"This method requires a closed loop control system which is unnecessarily complex and poses some risk.",
"The risk involves matching loop compensation parameters with high tolerance, high temperature variant circuit components.",
"This presents a closed loop stability problem.",
"Attempts to improve stability margins by detuning the control loop results in poor velocity control and subsequent poor retract performance.",
"Hence, there is a need for a mechanism for quick retraction of an actuator from a read/write position to a landing zone, with significant reduction in crash stop impact velocities, and in a controlled manner, during power down, or power loss, or spindown, or a system retract command.",
"Further, there is a need for a retraction mechanism that overcomes prior art problems of control loop stability, poor actuator velocity control, poor dynamic braking capabilities and inadequate high velocity impact protection.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus and method for retracting an actuator upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event, such as, a power down, a sudden power loss, a spindown or a system generated retract command.",
"An object of the invention is to provide a high initial forcing voltage during retract operation in order to rapidly decelerate an actuator.",
"Another object of the invention is to move an actuator to a landing zone of a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.",
"Yet another object of the invention is to move the actuator quickly, within a finite period of time, to the landing zone of a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.",
"Yet, another object of the invention is to minimize the force with which an actuator impacts crash stops on a storage medium upon the occurrence of a boundary condition event.",
"These and other objects are attained, in a broad sense, through the use of the method for retracting an actuator comprising the steps of determining back emf voltage generated by the actuator motor;",
"applying the determined voltage to a capacitor-resistor network;",
"applying a holding voltage to the capacitor-resistor network.",
"The application of the determined voltage and the holding voltage together charges a capacitor in the capacitor-resistor network to develop a charged capacitor voltage.",
"The method further comprises the steps of terminating application of the determined voltage to the capacitor-resistor network upon charging of the capacitor, and discharging the capacitor through the capacitor-resistor network to provide a forcing voltage to the actuator for retract operation.",
"The forcing voltage initially forces a high deceleration current in the actuator.",
"Further, the forcing voltage decays with time reaching a predetermined holding voltage for completion of the retract operation.",
"The aforementioned objects are also attained, in another sense, through the use of an actuator retraction circuit comprising a resistor-capacitor network.",
"The retraction circuit further comprising a differential amplifier for determining back emf voltage generated by the actuator motor and for applying the determined voltage to a capacitor-resistor network.",
"The retraction circuit also comprises a holding voltage generator for applying a holding voltage to the capacitor-resistor network.",
"The application of the determined voltage and the holding voltage together charges a capacitor in the capacitor-resistor network to develop a charged capacitor voltage.",
"Further, the capacitor discharges through the capacitor-resistor network to provide a forcing voltage to the actuator for retract operation;",
"the forcing voltage initially forcing a high deceleration current in the actuator, and the capacitor voltage decaying with time reaching a predetermined fixed voltage for completion of retract operation.",
"It is an advantage of this invention that damage to either the media surface or the head from head and media contact over the data zone of the media is eliminated by moving the head/actuator assembly to the landing zone during retract.",
"It is another advantage of this invention that it provides excellent high velocity impact protection.",
"Any head or media damage, resulting from a head/actuator assembly impacting crash stops at high velocities for boundary condition events, is eliminated.",
"It is yet another advantage of this invention that prior art problem of actuator control loop stability is eliminated.",
"It is another advantage of this invention that excellent actuator velocity control and dynamic braking capability is provided.",
"The foregoing and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a more detailed consideration of the preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic of a computer system connected to a disk drive that incorporates retracting an actuator according to the principles of the invention.",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic of an actuator retraction circuit according to the principles of the invention.",
"FIG. 3 is a actuator motion phase plane indicating various trajectories of actuator motion in response to a retract operation performed by the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the variations of actuator retraction voltage with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the variations of deceleration current time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the variations of actuator velocity with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of actuator position with time during retract.",
"FIG. 8 is another graphical representation of the variations of actuator retraction voltage with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is another graphical representation of the variations of deceleration current time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is another graphical representation of the variations of actuator velocity with time in the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is another graphical representation of actuator position with time during retract.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Shown in FIG. 1, is a computer system 1 connected to a disk drive 2.",
"The disk drive 2 incorporates a disk controller 3 connected to actuator motor 5 that drives head-actuator assembly 8.",
"As shown in FIG. 1, disk drive 2 also incorporates two crash stops, outer crash stop 11 and inner crash stop 13, and a tab 9 attached to the head-actuator assembly 8 for contacting the crash stops 11 and 13.",
"Outer crash stop 11 and inner crash stop 13 are provided to prevent head-actuator assembly 8 from flying off the disk 4 surface if the disk drive actuator/servo electronics loses control.",
"Inner crash stop 13 is used to locate the landing zone 6, while outer crash stop 11 locates the outer edge of disk 4.",
"Also shown in FIG. 1 is a disk 4 having tracks 7 and landing zone 6.",
"There is illustrated in FIG. 2 an actuator retraction circuit generally indicated at 10 which incorporates actuator motor/coil circuit 20, a differential amplifier 22, holding voltage generator circuit 24, and a RC circuit 26.",
"Also shown in FIG. 2 is a power supply 12, a blocking diode 14, a power amplifier 18, and a spindle motor/driver 16.",
"The actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2 is generally incorporated within the disk controller 3 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator motor 5 of FIG. 1, is represented by actuator circuit 20.",
"The actuator motor/coil circuit 20 incorporates an inductive component L M , a resistive component R M , and voltage generator V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf .",
"As shown, the voltage generator V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf represents the back emf generated by the actuator motor and is equal to k e ω, where k e is the actuator motor constant, and ω is actuator motor angular velocity.",
"During normal operation of the disk drive, the power amplifier 18 controls the operation of the actuator.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, the power amplifier 18 draws power from power supply 12 through blocking diode 14.",
"Further, the power supply 12 also supplies power to the spindle motor 16.",
"When a boundary condition event such as a sudden loss of power supply voltage 12 occurs, the spindle motor/driver 16 generated back emf voltage (denoted by V cc ) is supplied to the power amplifier 18 for the operation of the actuator retraction circuit 10.",
"The blocking diode 14 stops or blocks the spindle generated back emf V cc from sourcing current to outside circuitry by isolating the spindle motor 16 and power amplifier 18 from the power supply 12.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, the spindle motor 16 generated voltage V cc supplies power for the retract operation.",
"Further, during normal operation of a disk drive, while the actuator/head assembly moves around at high velocities seeking the desired track or is positioned on track without any velocity, there exists actuator coil current i m flowing in the actuator circuit 20 from the power amplifier 18, as shown in FIG. 2. When a boundary condition event occurs, a retract operation is performed to park the heads in the safe landing zone of its associated disk.",
"According to the principles of the invention, during retract operation, the back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf has to be sensed in the actuator circuit 20, as shown in FIG. 2. In order to accurately sense the actuator back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf , the current i m is allowed to go to zero.",
"This is accomplished by first shutting-off the power amplifier 18 to induce flyback.",
"The inductive component L M of the actuator motor circuit allows a reverse voltage to develop in the actuator circuit that gets clamped by the flyback clamp circuitry located within the power amplifier 18 through inductive flyback, causing actuator current i m to go to zero.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, the differential amplifier 22 upon sensing the completion of flyback or if i m is nominally zero, samples the back emf voltage across its input pins by measuring the voltage across L M , R m , and k e ω of actuator circuit 20.",
"Since, actuator current i m is zero, the voltage across L M , and R m is zero.",
"Therefore, differential amplifier 22 primarily measures k e ω, the back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf .",
"Further, differential amplifier 22 also inverts and scales the sampled voltage by a pre-determined factor and applies the resultant voltage V 1 to the resistor-capacitor RC circuit 26.",
"The differential amplifier 22 scales the sampled voltage to ensure that the circuit doesn't go out of range.",
"Voltage V 1 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU1## where, k e ω is the sampled back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf , n is the scaling factor of the differential amplifier 22, and V cc is the voltage generated by the spindle motor/driver 16.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, good results have been obtained by scaling the sampled back emf voltage by a factor of n=8.",
"Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding voltage generator circuit 24, generates voltage V 2 .",
"The voltage V 2 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU2## where (R hold *i) represents the holding voltage component of voltage V 2 , R hold being a scaling resistor, and i a fixed current source.",
"Referring to FIG. 2, voltage V 2 is also applied to RC circuit/network 26.",
"As shown, capacitor C in RC circuit 26 gets charged by the application of voltage V 1 from differential amplifier 22 and by the application of holding voltage V 2 .",
"Once capacitor C is charged the differential amplifier 22 is disabled and is isolated from RC circuit/network 26, thereby terminating the application of voltage V 1 to the RC network 26.",
"Further, the charged capacitor voltage, which is equal to V 1 -V 2 , is scaled and together with the holding voltage V 2 is dynamically applied across the actuator coil via the power amplifier 18.",
"As shown, the RC circuit 26 has two resistors R 1 and R 2 connected in series.",
"The resistors R 1 and R 2 are selected to suitably scale the voltage V 3 that is applied through buffer 28 back to the power amplifier 18.",
"Buffer 28 has high input impedance and hence doesn't load the RC circuit 26.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, voltage V 3 is dynamically applied to the power amplifier 18 to enable it to drive the actuator to the safe landing area of a disk, i.e., to park the head actuator assembly.",
"After the occurrence of a boundary condition, once capacitor C has been charged, it discharges exponentially with a time constant, t D =(R 1 +R 2 )C.",
"The capacitor voltage and the holding voltage V 2 combine to the voltage V 3 that is dynamically applied through buffer 28 back to the power amplifier 18.",
"Voltage V 3 can be represented by the following equation: ##EQU3## where, R hold is a scaling resistor, i is a fixed current source;",
"R 1 and R 2 are scaling resistors of the RC circuit 26;",
"t is the time since the occurrence of the boundary event requiring retract and the sampling of back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf ;",
"and t D is the time constant of the RC circuit 26 and is equal to (R 1 +R 2 )C.",
"Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the power amplifier 18 scales and offsets voltage V 3 suitably to ensure that the initial voltage applied to the actuator circuit 20 reinforces the back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf existing in actuator circuit 20.",
"The voltage V 4 that is applied to the actuator circuit by the power amplifier 18 is given by the following equation: ##EQU4## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18 and KR hold i represents the holding voltage, V hold .",
"Referring to FIG. 2, the application of voltage V 4 to actuator circuit 20 in combination with back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf results in forcing voltage V 5 across inductive component L M and resistive component R M of actuator circuit 20.",
"The forcing voltage V 5 is given by the following equation: ##EQU5## As shown in FIG. 2, good results were obtained by using an actuator retraction circuit 10 having the following parameters: scaling resistor R 1 =2 Kohms;",
"scaling resistor R 2 =10 Kohms;",
"scaling resistor R hold =619 ohms, fixed current source i=100 microAmps;",
"time constant of the RC circuit t D =5.64 millisec;",
"power amplifier gain K=16;",
"and differential amplifier gain n=8.",
"Further, during retract, the forcing voltage V 5 causes a current i m to flow in the actuator motor/coil circuit 20 thereby creating a force in the actuator coil.",
"The force in the actuator coil attenuates any actuator velocity that may exist prior to retract, thereby enabling the head/actuator assembly to decelerate suitably before contacting the crash stop while parking the actuator in landing zone.",
"In the landing zone there is a mechanical latch that captures the actuator to keep it in the landing zone.",
"Further, if prior to retract the actuator has no velocity, forcing voltage V 5 allows the actuator/head assembly to accelerate towards the safe landing zone of the disk prior to parking.",
"Shown in FIG. 3, is a actuator motion phase plane indicating various trajectories of actuator motion in response to a retract operation performed by the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2. As shown, the horizontal axis of the phase plane of FIG. 3 represents actuator position using track numbers;",
"track number 0 representing the outermost track on a disk and the location of outer crash stop 11, and track number 3300 representing the landing zone 6 and inner crash stop 13.",
"Also as shown, the vertical axis represents actuator velocity;",
"a positive velocity indicating actuator motion towards the landing zone and a negative velocity indicating actuator motion away from the landing zone and towards the outer edge of a disk.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, the area 100 in the actuator motion phase plane denotes the different velocities and track positions that an actuator may have just prior to retract.",
"The position of the actuator and its velocity prior to retract determines the trajectory the actuator is forced to follow by the forcing voltage V 5 during retract.",
"Further, the location and position of the actuator prior to retract determines the time available for the actuator retraction circuit of FIG. 2 to complete the retract operation by moving the actuator to the landing zone.",
"The location and position of the actuator prior to retract also determines the velocity with which the inner crash stop is impacted.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, trajectory D represents actuator motion during retract in response to forcing voltage V 5 , in the event that the actuator velocity prior to retract is high and the actuator is positioned close to the landing zone.",
"As shown, capacitor C has very little time to discharge and the terminal velocity of the actuator upon completion of retract is determined by V hold , the residual capacitor voltage, and the actuator momentum prior to retract.",
"Referring now to FIG. 4, curve 50 represents the variation of forcing voltage V 5 with time during retract when the actuator velocity prior to retract is high and the actuator is positioned close to the landing zone.",
"After the occurrence of a boundary condition requiring retract and after i m has been forced to zero, i.e., at time t=0, the forcing voltage V 5 , that is applied to the actuator coils is given by: ##EQU6## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18.",
"As shown in FIG. 4 and the above equation, magnitude of forcing voltage V 5 , is large at time t=0.0002s (i.e. at t=0 approximately).",
"The high initial forcing voltage V 5 creates a high deceleration current in the actuator circuit causing the actuator to slow down rapidly.",
"Referring to FIG. 5, curve 52 which represents the variation of deceleration current with time, shows the high deceleration current experienced by the actuator over the period t=0 to t=0.002s.",
"Using the aforementioned retraction circuit parameters, the forcing voltage V 5 at t=0.0s is given by: V.sub[.",
"].5 =k.",
"sub.",
"e w[1+1.667]-V.",
"sub.",
"hold =2.667(k.",
"sub.",
"e w)-V.",
"sub.",
"hold The 2.667*k e ω component of forcing voltage V 5 causes the forcing voltage V 5 to be very high initially relative to the back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf (=k e ω), resulting in a high deceleration current i m to be applied to the actuator coils, as shown by curve 52 in FIG. 5. The deceleration current i m in the actuator motor/coil circuit 20 is forced by the combination of the power amplifier output voltage V 4 and the actuator motor/coil circuit back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf .",
"The forcing voltage V 5 by design is a multiple of the sampled back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf .",
"As shown above, the embodiment of FIG. 2 uses a multiple of 2.667 of the sampled back emf voltage V b .",
"sbsb.",
"-- emf or k e ω to provide the forcing voltage V 5 .",
"Further, referring to FIG. 6, as shown by curve 54, rapid deceleration is experienced by the actuator due to the high deceleration current in the actuator circuit and the actuator is decelerated sufficiently thereby contacting the inner crash stop at a much lower velocity as it reaches the landing zone.",
"Further, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, between t=0 and t=0.001s the slope of actuator velocity curve 54 is steepest while actuator deceleration current attains its peak value.",
"The high actuator deceleration current flowing through the actuator motor/coil circuit causes rapid deceleration of actuator velocity as indicated by the high gradient of curve 54 in FIG. 6, between t=0 and t=0.003s.",
"Referring now to FIG. 7, curve 58 indicates actuator position on disk with respect to time during retract operation.",
"As shown in FIG. 7 and by trajectory D of the phase plane of FIG. 2, the actuator is positioned on a track close to the inner crash stop at the start of retract at t=0.",
"As shown, the actuator is moved towards the inner crash stop in the landing zone quickly and in a controlled manner during retract.",
"Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the actuator makes contact with the crash stop at time t=t crash .",
"sbsb.",
"-- stop .",
"As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, upon completion of retract at time t= crash .",
"sbsb.",
"-- stop , the actuator makes contact with the crash stop in the safe landing zone of the storage media at a low velocity and with low impact force.",
"As shown in FIG. 3, trajectory C represents actuator motion during retract in response to forcing voltage V 5 , in the event that the actuator is close to the outer crash stop and is moving towards it at a very high velocity.",
"Further, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, in the event that, the actuator is close to the outer crash stop and is moving towards it at a very high velocity, the forcing voltage V 5 decelerates the actuator significantly as it impacts the outer crash stop.",
"Further as shown, the actuator velocity is reversed upon impact causing the actuator to move towards the landing zone.",
"However, the actuator velocity is still very high for inner crash stop impact for parking at the landing zone.",
"Therefore, the forcing voltage V 5 further decelerates the actuator as the actuator attains a lower fixed voltage before impacting the inner crash stop.",
"The actuator motion as discussed above is represented by trajectory C of the actuator phase plane of FIG. 3. Further, referring to FIG. 10, as shown by curve 154, rapid deceleration is experienced by the actuator initially due to the high deceleration current in the actuator circuit, and following impact with the outer crash stop the actuator velocity is slowly decelerated to reach a final steady voltage as it reaches the landing zone.",
"Further, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, between t=0 and t=0.02s the high actuator deceleration current flowing through the actuator motor/coil circuit causes rapid deceleration of actuator velocity before the outer crash stop is impacted, as indicated by the high gradient of curve 154 between t=0 and t=0.02s.",
"Further, as shown by curve 150'",
"in FIG. 8, after the outer crash stop has been impacted and the direction of actuator motion has been reversed, i.e., after t=0.02s, forcing voltage V 5 continues to force the actuator to decelerate.",
"As shown by curve 150 in FIG. 8, voltage V 4 decays towards the holding voltage V hold , thereby causing holding voltage V 5 (represented by curve 150'",
"in FIG. 8) to decay towards zero.",
"Also as shown, as voltages V 4 and V 5 decay the current in the actuator circuit also correspondingly decays.",
"Once capacitor C has discharged, the predetermined fixed holding voltage component V hold forces the actuator to complete the retract operation with a slow velocity.",
"At that point in time, at t=0.2 (i.e., t/t D =∞), forcing voltage V 5 , that is applied to the actuator coil is given by: ##EQU7## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18.",
"As shown, forcing voltage V 5 decays towards zero as the actuator generated back emf voltage k e ω counters holding voltage component V hold .",
"As the forcing voltage V 5 decays to zero, i.e., as voltage V 4 decays towards holding voltage component V hold , the actuator completes the retract operation with a slow velocity.",
"Referring now to FIG. 11, curve 158 indicates actuator position on disk with respect to time during retract operation.",
"In FIG. 11 and in trajectory D of the phase plane of FIG. 2, the actuator is shown positioned on a track close to the outer crash stop at the start of retract at t=0.",
"As shown, the actuator is first rapidly decelerated as it impacts the outer crash stop and after having reversed its direction the actuator is moved towards the inner crash stop in the landing zone quickly and in a controlled manner during retract.",
"Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the actuator makes contact with the crash stop at time t=t crash .",
"sbsb.",
"-- stop .",
"As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, upon completion of retract at time t=t crash .",
"sbsb.",
"-- stop , the actuator makes contact with the crash stop in the safe landing zone of the storage media at a low velocity and with low impact force.",
"Further, referring to FIG. 3, as indicated by trajectory A, in the event that the actuator has very low velocity or zero velocity prior to retract, the predetermined fixed holding voltage component V hold of forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator to slowly accelerate and complete the retract operation with a low velocity as the actuator contacts the inner crash stop and is parked in the landing zone.",
"For example, prior to the occurrence of a boundary condition, the actuator/head assembly of a disk drive may not be performing high velocity seeks.",
"The actuator/head assembly may simply be positioned on-track over a disk.",
"If a boundary condition event occurs while the actuator/head assembly is idling while positioned on-track or track following, the angular velocity ω of the actuator is zero.",
"Therefore, there is no back emf voltage to sense, because k e ω is also zero.",
"The forcing voltage V 5 , that initially is applied to the actuator circuit is given by: ##EQU8## where, K is the gain of the power amplifier 18, and the angular velocity ω of the actuator being zero.",
"Therefore, if prior to retract the actuator has no velocity or very low velocity, forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator/head assembly to accelerate to a steady velocity as the actuator moves towards the safe landing zone of the disk and contacts the inner crash stop for parking, as indicated by trajectory A of FIG. 3. Further, in the event that prior to retract, actuator velocity is neither too high nor too low, and/or the actuator is located far away from the landing zone, forcing voltage V 5 forces the actuator/head assembly to decelerate slowly.",
"Capacitor C slowly discharges towards predetermined fixed holding voltage V hold , forcing the actuator/head assembly to decelerate slowly and then attain a steady velocity as it moves towards the safe landing zone and contacts the crash stop, as indicated by trajectory B of FIG. 3. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to one embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.",
"The present disclosure is merely illustrative, the invention comprehending all variations thereof."
] |
[0001] This is a continuation application of pending international application No. PCT/EP03/04101 filed Apr. 17, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a filter module containing filtering layers composed of a filtering medium, in particular containing filtering layers comprising beds of filtering material, said filtering layers being arranged alternatingly with layers of first and second draining spacing elements, the draining spacing elements each having, in alternating sequence with respect to the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber, a throughflow element on one side and a sealing element on the other side, wherein the spacing elements are designed to sealingly contact and squeeze the filtering layers. The invention also relates to a filter device comprising a housing accommodating such a filter module and a process for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material.
[0003] The afore-mentioned filter modules are known in diverse constructions, the majority of these filter modules having in common that the filtering layers are made of flat materials, such as filter boards, papers, nonwovens, or fabrics.
[0004] Layers of filtering material usually consist of deep-bed filtering material exhibiting organic and/or inorganic, fibrous and/or granular materials. The basic materials used for layers of filtering material are usually cellulose or plastics fibers, in which, for example, kieselguhr, pearlites or metal oxides, or other activated filtering substances can be embedded. Kieselguhr and pearlites serve here to enlarge the internal surface area and thus to increase the sediment absorbing capacity.
[0005] The fields of application of layers of filtering material extend from the clarification and treatment of liquids within the entire beverage industry to applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Layers of filtering material not only have a screening effect, by means of which coarse particles are retained on the surface of the layer of filtering material, but also exhibit, in particular, a depth action for fine particles, which are caught in the cavities within the deep-bed filtering material. Depending on the type of materials used, these layers of filtering material can also have an adsorptive effect, and for certain applications the surface can be aftertreated to ensure that no fibrous particles can become detached in the dry or wet state.
[0006] DE 100 29 960 A1 discloses a filter module which has filtering layers of a filter medium, particularly filtering layers comprising filter beds, in which the filtering layers alternate with layers comprising draining spacing elements. There are provided first and second spacing elements, which have, in alternating sequence with respect to the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber, throughflow elements on one side and sealing elements on the other side and which are locked together by interlocking means. The draining spacing elements are designed for sealingly squeezing the filtering layers.
[0007] Due to the fact that the filtering layers lie flat on the draining spacing elements, the filtering layers being clamped between spacing elements in their marginal areas, and the fact that the draining spacing elements are interlocked by fastening means, there is provided an overall stable filter module, which cannot be distorted and which is thus capable of being flushed in the reverse direction. Deformation of the filtering layers during reverse flushing is effectively prevented.
[0008] Due to the fact that the draining spacing elements are disposed on both sides at the filtering layers and the filtering layers are thus supported on both sides, filtration may, if necessary, be carried out using filtering materials which exhibit low intrinsic rigidity.
[0009] The filtering action of these filter modules is exclusively defined by the properties of the filtering layers. This means that different filtering layers have to be used when it is desired to carry out multiple-stage filtration involving different filtering actions. Since the object to be achieved by filtration is determined by the filtering layers used, the overall height of the filter module will be correspondingly increased.
[0010] Another module, particularly a filter module, is disclosed in DE 100 65 258 A1. This filter module is intended to make it possible for the user to individually adapt the module to the desired object as regards the treatment of fluids whilst using the housing and connections of existing filtering contrivances without modification. This involves a filter module comprising cells, by which are meant all types of filter cell construction. These cells are not only used for filtration purposes, because the treating material that is introduced into the cells is not restricted to activated filtering materials but can comprise other substances, such as extractors. The stream of fluid flows radially both onto and through these filter cells.
[0011] Filter cells and filter modules containing such filter cells are disclosed, for example, in EP 0 233 999 A2 and DE 198 57 257 A1.
[0012] EP 0 233 999 A2 discloses a filter module in which the filter cells and supporting bodies are alternately stacked one above the other along a central pipe. In the filter cells there are also located supporting structures which support the filter medium in the filter cells. The non-filtrate is passed to the filter cells from outside and the filtrate is removed via the interior of the filter cells and through the central pipe.
[0013] Furthermore, so-called precoated filters are known in which filtration is carried out through activated filtering materials that have been introduced into the filter chambers. Such a filtering device is disclosed, for example, in EP 0 379 054 A2. In order to hold back the precoated material in the filter chambers, appropriate filter cloths are provided, which, however, are not intrinsically capable of performing any filtration task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the invention to develop a filter module, particularly a filter module according to DE 100 29 960 A1, in such a manner that improved filtration is possible and a solid construction is given, whilst additional tasks relating to filtration and treatment of the fluid can be accomplished. Another object of the invention is to provide a process for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material.
[0015] This object is achieved with a filter module wherein there is provided, at least between two filtering layers disposed between a first and a second spacing element, at least one third spacing element having sealing elements to seal off both the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber.
[0016] We have found, surprisingly, that a simple third spacing element forming a free space between the filtering layers and sealed against the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber provides, in a simple manner, improvement in filtration and increase in the scope of the filter module. During filtration, the fluid first of all passes through a filtering layer, spreads out in the free space, and then passes through another filtering layer. If several free spaces are provided, this process is repeated a corresponding number of times before the filtrate leaves the filter module. The choice of different filtering layers allows for the possibility of effecting, for example, prefiltration and postfiltration.
[0017] The free space between the layers of filtering material has an advantage over two directly superposed layers of filtering material in that the fluid in the free space can spread out so that there is complete flow-through thereof through the next filtering layer. In the case of directly superposed filtering layers, the flow path through the second filtering layer may possibly be dictated by the first filtering layer. If, for example, the first filtering layer has faulty areas, e.g., blocking regions, fluid will not flow through the corresponding regions of the superposed filtering layer. The free space guarantees that structural blemishes in the first filtering layer will not be propagated in the following filtering layer or layers. The free space is thus an outwardly closed space having a distributing function.
[0018] Furthermore, this free space can be used as a treatment chamber to accommodate at least one additional material for treating the fluid.
[0019] This third spacing element can be positioned at any desired point of the filter module between a first spacing element and a second spacing element and between two filtering layers. Third spacing elements can be provided both singly and, for certain filtration or treatment tasks, multiply with interposition of further filtering layers between a first and a second spacing element.
[0020] The thickness of the sealing elements for the third spacing element can be smaller than, equal to, or greater than the sealing elements or throughflow elements of the first and second spacing elements, by which means the volume of the free space can be adjusted.
[0021] If the free space only serves to provide better distribution of the fluid between two filtering layers, the thickness of the sealing elements can be smaller than the thickness of the throughflow or sealing elements for the first and second spacing elements.
[0022] If, on the other hand, charging of the free space with treating material is desired, it may be advantageous to provide a large free space which is capable of being filled. In this case, the thickness of the sealing elements for the third spacing element will be greater.
[0023] The free space formed by the third spacing element between two filtering layers is preferably at least partially filled with a material for treating the fluid.
[0024] More preferably, the free space is completely filled with the treating material.
[0025] Due to the fact that the fluid hits the filtering layers over their entire area at right angles to the plane of the layer, the fluid accordingly flows through the entire free space, which has the advantage that the total amount of treating material located in the treatment chamber is utilized. There are thus no dead spaces inside the treatment chamber, where fluid does not flow. Particularly when the fluid used is a liquid, regions might otherwise occur within the treatment chamber which differ in moisture content and might thus cause by-passes due to contraction of the treating material.
[0026] The treating material can be powdered, granular, fibrous and/or gel-like.
[0027] Suitable treating materials are preferably activated filtering materials. These include all known substances, such as pearlites, kieselguhr, fibrous materials, and also adsorbents such as activated carbon, PVPP, and iodated PVPP substances.
[0028] It has been found that the efficiency, for example, of activated carbon or PVPP is distinctly greater than, for example, in the case of layers of filtering material in which these treating materials have been embedded in the layer of filtering material during production, because the active surfaces are impaired by adhesion to the layer of filtering material. Thus the module of the invention requires less activated filtering material to provide a given performance and efficacy. This is, in particular, of great advantage in the case of expensive treating materials.
[0029] As regards the adsorbents, it is now possible to use sensitive materials, if desired. Thus adsorbents can be introduced into the free space(s) of the filter module which would otherwise become inactive during production of the filtering layers on account of the manufacturing process. The production of the filtering layers, particularly of beds of filtering material is based on an aqueous slurry which must be dried in an oven. In such a manufacturing operation water-sensitive or heat-sensitive adsorbents would become ineffective during production. Thus it is possible to open up completely new fields of application for such a module.
[0030] Suitable treating materials are, in addition, extractors, such as materials of vegetable origin which release active substances and in this manner impart the fluid to be treated with certain constituents or properties. An alternative possibility is to combine filtration with dosing of active substances, in which use can be made of preset porous components and dosing can take place via the treating material.
[0031] Due to the fact that the treatment chamber (free space) is closed, the filter module can be flushed back without washing out any treating material.
[0032] Preferably, the spacing elements possess fastening means which cooperate, e.g., interlock, when the module is assembled and in this way guarantee stable handling of the filter module even when a large number of filtering layers and spacing elements are present. All of the spacing elements or alternatively only one or two types of spacing elements may have fastening means. These fastening means are preferably designed such that the assembly of the filter module may be effected without the use of additional tools.
[0033] Preferably the fastening means are disposed on the outside of the spacing elements. The fastening means can cooperate to give a frictional or form-fitting lock.
[0034] In order to simplify the production of the spacing elements and to make it cheaper, the fastening means can form a single unit with the spacing element and thus be mounted or, if the spacing elements are made of, say, a plastics material, molded on during production.
[0035] Preferably, the fastening means form a clip-like joint.
[0036] The throughflow elements and the sealing elements have the fastening means preferably in the region of the filtrate chamber or the non-filtrate chamber.
[0037] The treating material can be introduced into the free space(s) when the filter module is being assembled or, alternatively, after it has been assembled. In all cases at least the initial introduction of treating material will be carried out prior to filtration of the fluid.
[0038] In the first case the treating material will be introduced when a third spacing element is inserted.
[0039] In the second case, the filter module will be provided with at least one filling conduit for the treating material, which filling conduit is not identical with the throughflow channel provided in the first and second spacing elements for the fluid to be treated.
[0040] Filling or charging of the filter module can thus be carried out by the user, who can introduce the treating material into the free space(s) before or after installation of the module in a filter housing of a filter device. When the empty filter module is placed in the filter housing, introduction of the treating material can take place with the cover of the housing open so that the filter module is accessible from above. The housing generally is equipped with a connecting element providing fluid communication from the exterior with the filtrate chamber and a connecting element providing fluid communication with the non-filtrate (feed) chamber.
[0041] Alternatively a so-called in-line filling can be carried out, i.e., filling is carried out, with said cover of the housing closed, through appropriate additional connecting element(s) on the filter housing. Such additional connecting element(s) preferably provide a fluid communication from the exterior with the filling channel and the free spaces.
[0042] In the case of in-line filling, it is possible to provide for constant replenishment of treating material at intervals during filtration. To this end, it is advantageous to place the filling conduit(s) in a position making it possible for the treating material to completely flow through the free spaces when effecting a change of material. The free spaces can be connected to each other via filling conduits in an arbitrary order and in arbitrary manner, this being dependent on the particular application.
[0043] The provision of an additional connecting element for establishing a fluid communication from the exterior of the filter housing with the filling conduit and consequently with the free space(s) provides for several additional advantages. Not only can the free space(s) be charged, discharged and recharged while the housing remains closed and sealed off but also filling of the free space(s) can be completed during operation of the filter module. This is of importance, when, as is often observed with particulate treating material, the treating material upon becoming wet and consequently more compacted resulting in voids occupied by treating material which can result in non-uniform treatment of the filtered fluid.
[0044] In addition, the users of the filter devices are able to charge the free spaces in the filter modules, as required, with treating materials actually required without the need for keeping various filter devices filled with different treating material in stock. Furthermore, the filter device may be in-line sterilized after charging with treating material.
[0045] A further advantage resides in the possibility of flushing, regenerating or back-flushing the filter module in different ways without causing blockage of end filter layers.
[0046] In order to form a filling conduit, each of the spacing elements preferably are provided with at least one channel element. The arrangement of the channel elements can be the same for all spacing elements so that when the filter module has been assembled the channel elements are disposed one above the other. Alternatively, the sections of the filling conduit connecting two free spaces can be in staggered relationship to each other.
[0047] The channel element preferably has at least one throughflow channel. This throughflow channel preferably is at right angles to the plane of the spacing element and thus extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter module.
[0048] The channel element of the third spacing element preferably has, per throughflow channel, at least one distributing channel, which opens into the throughflow channel at one end, and into the free space formed by the spacing element at the other end. The third spacing element can additionally have at least one channel element exhibiting only one or more throughflow channels, if the free spaces are to be filled with different treating materials. In this case the relevant treating material is merely passed on and fed to another free space or other free spaces. Alternatively, individual third spacing elements can have exclusively channel elements having no distributing channels if the relevant free space is not to be filled.
[0049] The channel elements can be single parts designed to fit into corresponding holes in the spacing elements. Each channel element can, for example, have only one throughflow channel.
[0050] This has the advantage that the arrangement of the channel elements in the spacing elements can be flexibly handled.
[0051] An alternative possibility is to provide the channel elements with several throughflow channels. Such a channel element can be an annular element which is inserted into a spacing element.
[0052] Finally it is also conceivable to form the channel elements as a single unit with the spacing element. The channel elements are in this case produced during production of the spacing elements.
[0053] In order to provide one or more filling conduits in the filter module, the filtering layers must be provided with one or more holes at positions where the spacing elements exhibit their throughflow channels. The cross-section of the holes is preferably equal to the diameter of the throughflow channels.
[0054] To prevent the formation of by-passes in the region of the throughflow channels, the channel element is, at least in the region of the throughflow channel and at least on one side, thicker than the spacing fins of the spacing element.
[0055] The channel element preferably has the same thickness as the sealing element or the throughflow element of the associated spacing element. The result of this measure is that when the filter module is assembled the filtering layer is pressed together in the region of the channel elements in the same way as is the case in the region of the sealing elements or throughflow elements.
[0056] In a process of the present invention for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material the treating material is introduced when each first, second, and third spacing element and the associated filtering layer(s) are assembled. The treating material is in this case always introduced when a third spacing element has been added.
[0057] According to another variant of the inventive process, the treating material is introduced through the filling conduit(s) following the assembly of the filter module.
[0058] The treating material can be introduced after the filter module has been placed in the filter housing of the filter device. This requires corresponding connections on the filter housing.
[0059] The treating material is preferably introduced prior to commencement of filtration.
[0060] Alternatively, provision may be made for replacement and renewal of the treating material during filtration, and it is also possible to effect a continuous flow of treating material through the free spaces.
[0061] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] In the drawings:
[0063] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section through a filter module;
[0064] FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of the filter module shown in FIG. 1 ;
[0065] FIG. 3 a is a vertical cross section through a filter module corresponding to FIG. 1 and containing treating material;
[0066] FIG. 3 b is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 4 a is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment having a separate filling conduit;
[0068] FIG. 4 b is the vertical cross section of FIG. 4 a, the filter module being placed in a housing of a filter device having an additional connector element for accessing the filling conduit;
[0069] FIG. 5 a is a top view of a third spacer;
[0070] FIG. 5 b is a top view of a first spacer;
[0071] FIGS. 6 a, 6 b are top views of spacers according to further embodiments;
[0072] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment, and
[0073] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0074] FIG. 1 illustrates a filter module 1 in vertical cross section. This filter module 1 is composed of a plurality of first spacers 10 , second spacers 20 , third spacers 30 and interposed filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b. The spacers 10 , 20 , and 30 are designated by different hatch patterns, although they may be of the same material. The three spacing elements differ from each other substantially in the arrangement of their throughflow elements 11 and 21 and sealing elements 12 , 22 , 31 , and 32 .
[0075] The filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b exhibit different filtration properties.
[0076] In the embodiment shown here, the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 and the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b are circular. Other shapes are equally possibly, such as a square shape (see also FIGS. 6 a and 6 b ).
[0077] This filter module 1 possesses at the center an outflow channel, which forms the outflow or filtrate chamber 3 . In this case, the fluid to be filtered enters the filter module from outside, so that the surrounding space forms the inflow or non-filtrate chamber 2 . Reversed inflow via filtrate chamber 3 is likewise possible. In this case the on-centre channel forms the non-filtrate chamber, and the environment of the filter module forms the filtrate chamber.
[0078] Between the individual spacing elements 10 , 20 and 30 there are disposed filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b, particularly beds of filtering material. These beds of filtering material are appropriately perforated in the region of the filtrate channel 3 and are contacted and squeezed by the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 both in the marginal area of the outflow channel and at their perimeters. The establishing of contact and squeezing of the filtering material at those edges provides a sufficiently tight seal at the edges of the filtering layers.
[0079] The first spacing element 10 possesses at its perimeter an annular throughflow element 11 , which exhibits one or more throughflow channels 11 a and thus provides access from the non-filtrate chamber 2 . This is adjoined radially inwardly by an annular draining element 18 (cf FIG. 2 ), which exhibits a large number of spacing fins 17 , set at intervals. The draining element is, for example, a perforated plate on which the spacing fins 17 are in the form of a texture of the plate. In the embodiment shown here, these spacing fins can exhibit tapered connecting means 19 a, 19 b on both sides. The spacing fins 17 and the connecting means 19 a, 19 b together form the draining element 18 in this case.
[0080] Radially inwardly thereof, said element is adjoined by an annular sealing element 12 . The thicknesses of throughflow element 11 and sealing element 12 are the same.
[0081] Between the filtering layers 4 a and 4 b there is formed, by draining element 18 , a free space, which is herein referred to as the first space 14 . The non-filtrate flows in through the throughflow channel 11 a into this first space 14 and then flows through the adjacent filtering layers 4 a, 4 b, by which means filtration takes place.
[0082] A second spacing element 20 is basically of the same design, the arrangement of the sealing element 22 and the throughflow element 21 with its throughflow channel 21 a being interchanged compared with the first spacing element 10 . This means that sealing element 22 is disposed adjacent the non-filtrate chamber 2 and throughflow element 21 is disposed adjacent the filtrate chamber 3 . The second spacing element 20 also possesses an annular draining element 28 comprising spacing fins 27 and connecting means 29 a, b.
[0083] The second space 24 formed between the filtering layers 4 a and 4 b thus forms a filtrate chamber, in which the fluid that has been filtered by the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b collects and flows out, as filtrate, into the filtrate chamber 3 .
[0084] The third draining and spacing element 30 likewise possesses a draining element 38 comprising spacing fins 37 and connecting means 39 a and 39 b, and also only sealing elements 31 and 32 so that between these sealing elements and the adjacent filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b there is formed a treatment chamber 34 , which is closed on all sides. The details of the individual elements are shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 .
[0085] FIG. 2 also shows the fastening means 100 , 200 , and 300 , which are formed, in the present working example, by snap lugs and catches disposed outside the sealing elements or throughflow elements 11 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 31 , and 32 . When assembling a filter module, the connecting means snap together so that the individual spacing elements can, together with the filtering layers, be readily put together without the use of tools.
[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates a filter module in vertical cross section, which module is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 , treating material 40 having been placed in treatment chamber 34 . In this embodiment, the treating material 40 was introduced during assembly of the filter module.
[0087] FIG. 3 b is a vertical cross section, which clearly shows that the third spacing elements 30 are significantly thicker than the other spacing elements 10 and 20 . Varying the thickness of the third spacing element 30 adjusts the capacity of the treatment chamber 34 .
[0088] FIG. 4 a illustrates another embodiment, in which filter module 1 exhibits at least one filling conduit 6 which extends parallel to the long axis of the filter module and is thus parallel to the outflow channel 3 . The filling conduit 6 is disposed, in the embodiment shown here, in the region of the draining elements 18 , 28 and 38 . The position of the filling conduit(s) 6 is arbitrary. However a position is preferably selected such as has access to equally large regions of the treatment chamber, as this facilitates filling.
[0089] In order to make a filling conduit 6 , the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 each exhibit channel elements 15 , 25 , and 35 , which are disposed one over the other in the assembled filter module. The top and bottom channel elements can both be sealed by a closing element 7 a and 7 b when filling is finished.
[0090] The spacing elements 10 and 20 possess channel elements 15 , 25 each having only one throughflow channel 16 , 26 . In the embodiment shown here, the channel elements 35 of the third spacing element 30 possess, in addition to the throughflow channel 36 , two distributing channels 36 a and 36 b branching off from the throughflow channel 36 and thus allowing access to the free space or to treatment chamber 34 .
[0091] The axial thickness of the channel elements 15 , 25 , and 35 is equal to the thickness of the sealing elements or throughflow elements 11 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 31 , and 32 so that in these regions the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b are squeezed in the same way as in the region of the throughflow elements and sealing elements. In this region each filtering layer 4 , 4 a and 4 b possesses a perforation 5 , whose cross-section is equal to the diameter of the throughflow channels 16 , 26 , and 36 .
[0092] FIG. 4 b shows the filter module of FIG. 4 a included in a filter housing 50 of a filter device. The housing 50 is provided with connection elements 52 and 54 , providing a fluid communication with the filtrate chamber 3 and the non-filtrate or feed chamber 2 , respectively. Additionally the housing 50 is provided with an additional connecting element 56 establishing a fluid communication with the filling conduit 6 .
[0093] The filling conduit 6 is sealed off on top of the filter module 1 by sealing element 58 . The filtrate chamber 3 is closed at its upper end by a cover lid 60 . Sealing element 58 and cover lid 60 prevent fluid communication between the filling conduit 6 and the feed chamber 2 and the filtrate chamber 3 and the feed chamber 2 , respectively.
[0094] FIG. 5 a is a plan view of a third spacing element 30 according to another embodiment. This third spacing element 30 has a spoked design and possesses an inner sealing element 31 and an outer sealing element 32 , between which spacing fins 33 extend radially in the form of spokes. These spacing fins 33 serve as spacers for the adjacent filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b, and between the fins there is a free space, which can be used as a treatment chamber 34 . Furthermore, this spacing element exhibits a central ring, which has several throughflow channels 36 and thus forms the channel element. On each side of the throughflow channels 36 , distributing channels 36 a and 36 b, branch off to provide access to the treatment chamber 34 .
[0095] FIG. 5 b illustrates a first spacing element 10 having a sealing element 12 at the inner perimeter and a throughflow element 11 with its radially disposed throughflow channels 11 a, at the outer perimeter. This spacing element 10 also possesses radial spacing fins 17 and an annular channel element 15 with throughflow channels 16 . A second spacing element 20 is not separately illustrated, since it is basically the same as first spacing element 10 except for the fact that the sealing elements and throughflow elements are interchanged.
[0096] FIG. 6 a illustrates a third spacing element 30 having a square peripherie. Accordingly, the external sealing element 32 is a square frame, within which spacing fins 33 extend in parallel. In the center there is a throughflow channel 36 with its channel element 35 , in which two opposite distributing channels 36 a and 36 b are disposed. This third spacing element 30 is provided for a filter module exhibiting two outflow channels 3 , each of which is bounded by a rectangular inner sealing element 31 . A corresponding first spacing element 10 is shown in FIG. 6 b. The throughflow channels 11 a are located in the two opposite regions of the outer throughflow element 11 . The corresponding second throughflow elements 20 are likewise square-shaped. This also applies to the filtering layers.
[0097] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a filter module 1 . This filter module differs from the filter module according to FIG. 1 in that between a first spacing element 10 and a second spacing element 20 there are disposed two third spacing elements 30 , and between the two third spacing elements 30 there is disposed a filtering layer 4 . The filtering layers 4 may exhibit different filtering characteristics, if desired. Similarly, the two treatment chambers 34 a and 34 b may contain different materials. Thus two superposed treatment chambers are created which may be filled with treating materials 40 .
[0098] This example shows that any desired arrangement of spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 is possible so that the filter module can be made up so as to fulfil the aims of filtration and treatment as required.
[0099] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section through a filter module containing different treating materials in the two treatment chambers 34 a and 34 b, which can be filled via appropriate filling conduits 6 a and 6 b after the filter module has been assembled.
[0100] In order to achieve this, the third spacing elements 30 are equipped with channel elements 35 , which have a throughflow channel 35 and also one or more distributing channels 36 a and 36 b. Furthermore, these third spacing elements 30 possess channel elements 35 a having only one throughflow channel. The filling conduits 6 a and 6 b are on engagement by the closing elements 7 a and 7 c. In the lower first spacing element 10 there are located closing elements 7 b and 7 d. The field of application is additionally broadened by this embodiment. | A filter module comprising filtering layers composed of a filter medium is described, in which layers of first and second draining spacing elements alternate and the draining spacing elements show, in an alternating sequence with respect to the filtrate chambers and the non-filtrate chambers throughflow elements on one side and sealing elements on the other side. In order to improve filtration and to make it possible to fulfil additional aims with reference to filtration and treatment of the fluid, whilst retaining a solid construction, the filter module is equipped with third spacing elements. Between two filtering layers, which are disposed between a first and second spacing element, there is disposed at least one such third spacing element which has sealing elements adjacent the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber. A process for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material is also described. | Identify and summarize the most critical technical features from the given patent document. | [
"[0001] This is a continuation application of pending international application No. PCT/EP03/04101 filed Apr. 17, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a filter module containing filtering layers composed of a filtering medium, in particular containing filtering layers comprising beds of filtering material, said filtering layers being arranged alternatingly with layers of first and second draining spacing elements, the draining spacing elements each having, in alternating sequence with respect to the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber, a throughflow element on one side and a sealing element on the other side, wherein the spacing elements are designed to sealingly contact and squeeze the filtering layers.",
"The invention also relates to a filter device comprising a housing accommodating such a filter module and a process for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material.",
"[0003] The afore-mentioned filter modules are known in diverse constructions, the majority of these filter modules having in common that the filtering layers are made of flat materials, such as filter boards, papers, nonwovens, or fabrics.",
"[0004] Layers of filtering material usually consist of deep-bed filtering material exhibiting organic and/or inorganic, fibrous and/or granular materials.",
"The basic materials used for layers of filtering material are usually cellulose or plastics fibers, in which, for example, kieselguhr, pearlites or metal oxides, or other activated filtering substances can be embedded.",
"Kieselguhr and pearlites serve here to enlarge the internal surface area and thus to increase the sediment absorbing capacity.",
"[0005] The fields of application of layers of filtering material extend from the clarification and treatment of liquids within the entire beverage industry to applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.",
"Layers of filtering material not only have a screening effect, by means of which coarse particles are retained on the surface of the layer of filtering material, but also exhibit, in particular, a depth action for fine particles, which are caught in the cavities within the deep-bed filtering material.",
"Depending on the type of materials used, these layers of filtering material can also have an adsorptive effect, and for certain applications the surface can be aftertreated to ensure that no fibrous particles can become detached in the dry or wet state.",
"[0006] DE 100 29 960 A1 discloses a filter module which has filtering layers of a filter medium, particularly filtering layers comprising filter beds, in which the filtering layers alternate with layers comprising draining spacing elements.",
"There are provided first and second spacing elements, which have, in alternating sequence with respect to the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber, throughflow elements on one side and sealing elements on the other side and which are locked together by interlocking means.",
"The draining spacing elements are designed for sealingly squeezing the filtering layers.",
"[0007] Due to the fact that the filtering layers lie flat on the draining spacing elements, the filtering layers being clamped between spacing elements in their marginal areas, and the fact that the draining spacing elements are interlocked by fastening means, there is provided an overall stable filter module, which cannot be distorted and which is thus capable of being flushed in the reverse direction.",
"Deformation of the filtering layers during reverse flushing is effectively prevented.",
"[0008] Due to the fact that the draining spacing elements are disposed on both sides at the filtering layers and the filtering layers are thus supported on both sides, filtration may, if necessary, be carried out using filtering materials which exhibit low intrinsic rigidity.",
"[0009] The filtering action of these filter modules is exclusively defined by the properties of the filtering layers.",
"This means that different filtering layers have to be used when it is desired to carry out multiple-stage filtration involving different filtering actions.",
"Since the object to be achieved by filtration is determined by the filtering layers used, the overall height of the filter module will be correspondingly increased.",
"[0010] Another module, particularly a filter module, is disclosed in DE 100 65 258 A1.",
"This filter module is intended to make it possible for the user to individually adapt the module to the desired object as regards the treatment of fluids whilst using the housing and connections of existing filtering contrivances without modification.",
"This involves a filter module comprising cells, by which are meant all types of filter cell construction.",
"These cells are not only used for filtration purposes, because the treating material that is introduced into the cells is not restricted to activated filtering materials but can comprise other substances, such as extractors.",
"The stream of fluid flows radially both onto and through these filter cells.",
"[0011] Filter cells and filter modules containing such filter cells are disclosed, for example, in EP 0 233 999 A2 and DE 198 57 257 A1.",
"[0012] EP 0 233 999 A2 discloses a filter module in which the filter cells and supporting bodies are alternately stacked one above the other along a central pipe.",
"In the filter cells there are also located supporting structures which support the filter medium in the filter cells.",
"The non-filtrate is passed to the filter cells from outside and the filtrate is removed via the interior of the filter cells and through the central pipe.",
"[0013] Furthermore, so-called precoated filters are known in which filtration is carried out through activated filtering materials that have been introduced into the filter chambers.",
"Such a filtering device is disclosed, for example, in EP 0 379 054 A2.",
"In order to hold back the precoated material in the filter chambers, appropriate filter cloths are provided, which, however, are not intrinsically capable of performing any filtration task.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] It is an object of the invention to develop a filter module, particularly a filter module according to DE 100 29 960 A1, in such a manner that improved filtration is possible and a solid construction is given, whilst additional tasks relating to filtration and treatment of the fluid can be accomplished.",
"Another object of the invention is to provide a process for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material.",
"[0015] This object is achieved with a filter module wherein there is provided, at least between two filtering layers disposed between a first and a second spacing element, at least one third spacing element having sealing elements to seal off both the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber.",
"[0016] We have found, surprisingly, that a simple third spacing element forming a free space between the filtering layers and sealed against the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber provides, in a simple manner, improvement in filtration and increase in the scope of the filter module.",
"During filtration, the fluid first of all passes through a filtering layer, spreads out in the free space, and then passes through another filtering layer.",
"If several free spaces are provided, this process is repeated a corresponding number of times before the filtrate leaves the filter module.",
"The choice of different filtering layers allows for the possibility of effecting, for example, prefiltration and postfiltration.",
"[0017] The free space between the layers of filtering material has an advantage over two directly superposed layers of filtering material in that the fluid in the free space can spread out so that there is complete flow-through thereof through the next filtering layer.",
"In the case of directly superposed filtering layers, the flow path through the second filtering layer may possibly be dictated by the first filtering layer.",
"If, for example, the first filtering layer has faulty areas, e.g., blocking regions, fluid will not flow through the corresponding regions of the superposed filtering layer.",
"The free space guarantees that structural blemishes in the first filtering layer will not be propagated in the following filtering layer or layers.",
"The free space is thus an outwardly closed space having a distributing function.",
"[0018] Furthermore, this free space can be used as a treatment chamber to accommodate at least one additional material for treating the fluid.",
"[0019] This third spacing element can be positioned at any desired point of the filter module between a first spacing element and a second spacing element and between two filtering layers.",
"Third spacing elements can be provided both singly and, for certain filtration or treatment tasks, multiply with interposition of further filtering layers between a first and a second spacing element.",
"[0020] The thickness of the sealing elements for the third spacing element can be smaller than, equal to, or greater than the sealing elements or throughflow elements of the first and second spacing elements, by which means the volume of the free space can be adjusted.",
"[0021] If the free space only serves to provide better distribution of the fluid between two filtering layers, the thickness of the sealing elements can be smaller than the thickness of the throughflow or sealing elements for the first and second spacing elements.",
"[0022] If, on the other hand, charging of the free space with treating material is desired, it may be advantageous to provide a large free space which is capable of being filled.",
"In this case, the thickness of the sealing elements for the third spacing element will be greater.",
"[0023] The free space formed by the third spacing element between two filtering layers is preferably at least partially filled with a material for treating the fluid.",
"[0024] More preferably, the free space is completely filled with the treating material.",
"[0025] Due to the fact that the fluid hits the filtering layers over their entire area at right angles to the plane of the layer, the fluid accordingly flows through the entire free space, which has the advantage that the total amount of treating material located in the treatment chamber is utilized.",
"There are thus no dead spaces inside the treatment chamber, where fluid does not flow.",
"Particularly when the fluid used is a liquid, regions might otherwise occur within the treatment chamber which differ in moisture content and might thus cause by-passes due to contraction of the treating material.",
"[0026] The treating material can be powdered, granular, fibrous and/or gel-like.",
"[0027] Suitable treating materials are preferably activated filtering materials.",
"These include all known substances, such as pearlites, kieselguhr, fibrous materials, and also adsorbents such as activated carbon, PVPP, and iodated PVPP substances.",
"[0028] It has been found that the efficiency, for example, of activated carbon or PVPP is distinctly greater than, for example, in the case of layers of filtering material in which these treating materials have been embedded in the layer of filtering material during production, because the active surfaces are impaired by adhesion to the layer of filtering material.",
"Thus the module of the invention requires less activated filtering material to provide a given performance and efficacy.",
"This is, in particular, of great advantage in the case of expensive treating materials.",
"[0029] As regards the adsorbents, it is now possible to use sensitive materials, if desired.",
"Thus adsorbents can be introduced into the free space(s) of the filter module which would otherwise become inactive during production of the filtering layers on account of the manufacturing process.",
"The production of the filtering layers, particularly of beds of filtering material is based on an aqueous slurry which must be dried in an oven.",
"In such a manufacturing operation water-sensitive or heat-sensitive adsorbents would become ineffective during production.",
"Thus it is possible to open up completely new fields of application for such a module.",
"[0030] Suitable treating materials are, in addition, extractors, such as materials of vegetable origin which release active substances and in this manner impart the fluid to be treated with certain constituents or properties.",
"An alternative possibility is to combine filtration with dosing of active substances, in which use can be made of preset porous components and dosing can take place via the treating material.",
"[0031] Due to the fact that the treatment chamber (free space) is closed, the filter module can be flushed back without washing out any treating material.",
"[0032] Preferably, the spacing elements possess fastening means which cooperate, e.g., interlock, when the module is assembled and in this way guarantee stable handling of the filter module even when a large number of filtering layers and spacing elements are present.",
"All of the spacing elements or alternatively only one or two types of spacing elements may have fastening means.",
"These fastening means are preferably designed such that the assembly of the filter module may be effected without the use of additional tools.",
"[0033] Preferably the fastening means are disposed on the outside of the spacing elements.",
"The fastening means can cooperate to give a frictional or form-fitting lock.",
"[0034] In order to simplify the production of the spacing elements and to make it cheaper, the fastening means can form a single unit with the spacing element and thus be mounted or, if the spacing elements are made of, say, a plastics material, molded on during production.",
"[0035] Preferably, the fastening means form a clip-like joint.",
"[0036] The throughflow elements and the sealing elements have the fastening means preferably in the region of the filtrate chamber or the non-filtrate chamber.",
"[0037] The treating material can be introduced into the free space(s) when the filter module is being assembled or, alternatively, after it has been assembled.",
"In all cases at least the initial introduction of treating material will be carried out prior to filtration of the fluid.",
"[0038] In the first case the treating material will be introduced when a third spacing element is inserted.",
"[0039] In the second case, the filter module will be provided with at least one filling conduit for the treating material, which filling conduit is not identical with the throughflow channel provided in the first and second spacing elements for the fluid to be treated.",
"[0040] Filling or charging of the filter module can thus be carried out by the user, who can introduce the treating material into the free space(s) before or after installation of the module in a filter housing of a filter device.",
"When the empty filter module is placed in the filter housing, introduction of the treating material can take place with the cover of the housing open so that the filter module is accessible from above.",
"The housing generally is equipped with a connecting element providing fluid communication from the exterior with the filtrate chamber and a connecting element providing fluid communication with the non-filtrate (feed) chamber.",
"[0041] Alternatively a so-called in-line filling can be carried out, i.e., filling is carried out, with said cover of the housing closed, through appropriate additional connecting element(s) on the filter housing.",
"Such additional connecting element(s) preferably provide a fluid communication from the exterior with the filling channel and the free spaces.",
"[0042] In the case of in-line filling, it is possible to provide for constant replenishment of treating material at intervals during filtration.",
"To this end, it is advantageous to place the filling conduit(s) in a position making it possible for the treating material to completely flow through the free spaces when effecting a change of material.",
"The free spaces can be connected to each other via filling conduits in an arbitrary order and in arbitrary manner, this being dependent on the particular application.",
"[0043] The provision of an additional connecting element for establishing a fluid communication from the exterior of the filter housing with the filling conduit and consequently with the free space(s) provides for several additional advantages.",
"Not only can the free space(s) be charged, discharged and recharged while the housing remains closed and sealed off but also filling of the free space(s) can be completed during operation of the filter module.",
"This is of importance, when, as is often observed with particulate treating material, the treating material upon becoming wet and consequently more compacted resulting in voids occupied by treating material which can result in non-uniform treatment of the filtered fluid.",
"[0044] In addition, the users of the filter devices are able to charge the free spaces in the filter modules, as required, with treating materials actually required without the need for keeping various filter devices filled with different treating material in stock.",
"Furthermore, the filter device may be in-line sterilized after charging with treating material.",
"[0045] A further advantage resides in the possibility of flushing, regenerating or back-flushing the filter module in different ways without causing blockage of end filter layers.",
"[0046] In order to form a filling conduit, each of the spacing elements preferably are provided with at least one channel element.",
"The arrangement of the channel elements can be the same for all spacing elements so that when the filter module has been assembled the channel elements are disposed one above the other.",
"Alternatively, the sections of the filling conduit connecting two free spaces can be in staggered relationship to each other.",
"[0047] The channel element preferably has at least one throughflow channel.",
"This throughflow channel preferably is at right angles to the plane of the spacing element and thus extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter module.",
"[0048] The channel element of the third spacing element preferably has, per throughflow channel, at least one distributing channel, which opens into the throughflow channel at one end, and into the free space formed by the spacing element at the other end.",
"The third spacing element can additionally have at least one channel element exhibiting only one or more throughflow channels, if the free spaces are to be filled with different treating materials.",
"In this case the relevant treating material is merely passed on and fed to another free space or other free spaces.",
"Alternatively, individual third spacing elements can have exclusively channel elements having no distributing channels if the relevant free space is not to be filled.",
"[0049] The channel elements can be single parts designed to fit into corresponding holes in the spacing elements.",
"Each channel element can, for example, have only one throughflow channel.",
"[0050] This has the advantage that the arrangement of the channel elements in the spacing elements can be flexibly handled.",
"[0051] An alternative possibility is to provide the channel elements with several throughflow channels.",
"Such a channel element can be an annular element which is inserted into a spacing element.",
"[0052] Finally it is also conceivable to form the channel elements as a single unit with the spacing element.",
"The channel elements are in this case produced during production of the spacing elements.",
"[0053] In order to provide one or more filling conduits in the filter module, the filtering layers must be provided with one or more holes at positions where the spacing elements exhibit their throughflow channels.",
"The cross-section of the holes is preferably equal to the diameter of the throughflow channels.",
"[0054] To prevent the formation of by-passes in the region of the throughflow channels, the channel element is, at least in the region of the throughflow channel and at least on one side, thicker than the spacing fins of the spacing element.",
"[0055] The channel element preferably has the same thickness as the sealing element or the throughflow element of the associated spacing element.",
"The result of this measure is that when the filter module is assembled the filtering layer is pressed together in the region of the channel elements in the same way as is the case in the region of the sealing elements or throughflow elements.",
"[0056] In a process of the present invention for the production of a filter module that is at least partially filled with treating material the treating material is introduced when each first, second, and third spacing element and the associated filtering layer(s) are assembled.",
"The treating material is in this case always introduced when a third spacing element has been added.",
"[0057] According to another variant of the inventive process, the treating material is introduced through the filling conduit(s) following the assembly of the filter module.",
"[0058] The treating material can be introduced after the filter module has been placed in the filter housing of the filter device.",
"This requires corresponding connections on the filter housing.",
"[0059] The treating material is preferably introduced prior to commencement of filtration.",
"[0060] Alternatively, provision may be made for replacement and renewal of the treating material during filtration, and it is also possible to effect a continuous flow of treating material through the free spaces.",
"[0061] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in greater detail below.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0062] In the drawings: [0063] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section through a filter module;",
"[0064] FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of the filter module shown in FIG. 1 ;",
"[0065] FIG. 3 a is a vertical cross section through a filter module corresponding to FIG. 1 and containing treating material;",
"[0066] FIG. 3 b is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment;",
"[0067] FIG. 4 a is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment having a separate filling conduit;",
"[0068] FIG. 4 b is the vertical cross section of FIG. 4 a, the filter module being placed in a housing of a filter device having an additional connector element for accessing the filling conduit;",
"[0069] FIG. 5 a is a top view of a third spacer;",
"[0070] FIG. 5 b is a top view of a first spacer;",
"[0071] FIGS. 6 a, 6 b are top views of spacers according to further embodiments;",
"[0072] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment, and [0073] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section through a filter module according to another embodiment.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0074] FIG. 1 illustrates a filter module 1 in vertical cross section.",
"This filter module 1 is composed of a plurality of first spacers 10 , second spacers 20 , third spacers 30 and interposed filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b. The spacers 10 , 20 , and 30 are designated by different hatch patterns, although they may be of the same material.",
"The three spacing elements differ from each other substantially in the arrangement of their throughflow elements 11 and 21 and sealing elements 12 , 22 , 31 , and 32 .",
"[0075] The filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b exhibit different filtration properties.",
"[0076] In the embodiment shown here, the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 and the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b are circular.",
"Other shapes are equally possibly, such as a square shape (see also FIGS. 6 a and 6 b ).",
"[0077] This filter module 1 possesses at the center an outflow channel, which forms the outflow or filtrate chamber 3 .",
"In this case, the fluid to be filtered enters the filter module from outside, so that the surrounding space forms the inflow or non-filtrate chamber 2 .",
"Reversed inflow via filtrate chamber 3 is likewise possible.",
"In this case the on-centre channel forms the non-filtrate chamber, and the environment of the filter module forms the filtrate chamber.",
"[0078] Between the individual spacing elements 10 , 20 and 30 there are disposed filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b, particularly beds of filtering material.",
"These beds of filtering material are appropriately perforated in the region of the filtrate channel 3 and are contacted and squeezed by the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 both in the marginal area of the outflow channel and at their perimeters.",
"The establishing of contact and squeezing of the filtering material at those edges provides a sufficiently tight seal at the edges of the filtering layers.",
"[0079] The first spacing element 10 possesses at its perimeter an annular throughflow element 11 , which exhibits one or more throughflow channels 11 a and thus provides access from the non-filtrate chamber 2 .",
"This is adjoined radially inwardly by an annular draining element 18 (cf FIG. 2 ), which exhibits a large number of spacing fins 17 , set at intervals.",
"The draining element is, for example, a perforated plate on which the spacing fins 17 are in the form of a texture of the plate.",
"In the embodiment shown here, these spacing fins can exhibit tapered connecting means 19 a, 19 b on both sides.",
"The spacing fins 17 and the connecting means 19 a, 19 b together form the draining element 18 in this case.",
"[0080] Radially inwardly thereof, said element is adjoined by an annular sealing element 12 .",
"The thicknesses of throughflow element 11 and sealing element 12 are the same.",
"[0081] Between the filtering layers 4 a and 4 b there is formed, by draining element 18 , a free space, which is herein referred to as the first space 14 .",
"The non-filtrate flows in through the throughflow channel 11 a into this first space 14 and then flows through the adjacent filtering layers 4 a, 4 b, by which means filtration takes place.",
"[0082] A second spacing element 20 is basically of the same design, the arrangement of the sealing element 22 and the throughflow element 21 with its throughflow channel 21 a being interchanged compared with the first spacing element 10 .",
"This means that sealing element 22 is disposed adjacent the non-filtrate chamber 2 and throughflow element 21 is disposed adjacent the filtrate chamber 3 .",
"The second spacing element 20 also possesses an annular draining element 28 comprising spacing fins 27 and connecting means 29 a, b. [0083] The second space 24 formed between the filtering layers 4 a and 4 b thus forms a filtrate chamber, in which the fluid that has been filtered by the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b collects and flows out, as filtrate, into the filtrate chamber 3 .",
"[0084] The third draining and spacing element 30 likewise possesses a draining element 38 comprising spacing fins 37 and connecting means 39 a and 39 b, and also only sealing elements 31 and 32 so that between these sealing elements and the adjacent filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b there is formed a treatment chamber 34 , which is closed on all sides.",
"The details of the individual elements are shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 .",
"[0085] FIG. 2 also shows the fastening means 100 , 200 , and 300 , which are formed, in the present working example, by snap lugs and catches disposed outside the sealing elements or throughflow elements 11 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 31 , and 32 .",
"When assembling a filter module, the connecting means snap together so that the individual spacing elements can, together with the filtering layers, be readily put together without the use of tools.",
"[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates a filter module in vertical cross section, which module is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 , treating material 40 having been placed in treatment chamber 34 .",
"In this embodiment, the treating material 40 was introduced during assembly of the filter module.",
"[0087] FIG. 3 b is a vertical cross section, which clearly shows that the third spacing elements 30 are significantly thicker than the other spacing elements 10 and 20 .",
"Varying the thickness of the third spacing element 30 adjusts the capacity of the treatment chamber 34 .",
"[0088] FIG. 4 a illustrates another embodiment, in which filter module 1 exhibits at least one filling conduit 6 which extends parallel to the long axis of the filter module and is thus parallel to the outflow channel 3 .",
"The filling conduit 6 is disposed, in the embodiment shown here, in the region of the draining elements 18 , 28 and 38 .",
"The position of the filling conduit(s) 6 is arbitrary.",
"However a position is preferably selected such as has access to equally large regions of the treatment chamber, as this facilitates filling.",
"[0089] In order to make a filling conduit 6 , the spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 each exhibit channel elements 15 , 25 , and 35 , which are disposed one over the other in the assembled filter module.",
"The top and bottom channel elements can both be sealed by a closing element 7 a and 7 b when filling is finished.",
"[0090] The spacing elements 10 and 20 possess channel elements 15 , 25 each having only one throughflow channel 16 , 26 .",
"In the embodiment shown here, the channel elements 35 of the third spacing element 30 possess, in addition to the throughflow channel 36 , two distributing channels 36 a and 36 b branching off from the throughflow channel 36 and thus allowing access to the free space or to treatment chamber 34 .",
"[0091] The axial thickness of the channel elements 15 , 25 , and 35 is equal to the thickness of the sealing elements or throughflow elements 11 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 31 , and 32 so that in these regions the filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b are squeezed in the same way as in the region of the throughflow elements and sealing elements.",
"In this region each filtering layer 4 , 4 a and 4 b possesses a perforation 5 , whose cross-section is equal to the diameter of the throughflow channels 16 , 26 , and 36 .",
"[0092] FIG. 4 b shows the filter module of FIG. 4 a included in a filter housing 50 of a filter device.",
"The housing 50 is provided with connection elements 52 and 54 , providing a fluid communication with the filtrate chamber 3 and the non-filtrate or feed chamber 2 , respectively.",
"Additionally the housing 50 is provided with an additional connecting element 56 establishing a fluid communication with the filling conduit 6 .",
"[0093] The filling conduit 6 is sealed off on top of the filter module 1 by sealing element 58 .",
"The filtrate chamber 3 is closed at its upper end by a cover lid 60 .",
"Sealing element 58 and cover lid 60 prevent fluid communication between the filling conduit 6 and the feed chamber 2 and the filtrate chamber 3 and the feed chamber 2 , respectively.",
"[0094] FIG. 5 a is a plan view of a third spacing element 30 according to another embodiment.",
"This third spacing element 30 has a spoked design and possesses an inner sealing element 31 and an outer sealing element 32 , between which spacing fins 33 extend radially in the form of spokes.",
"These spacing fins 33 serve as spacers for the adjacent filtering layers 4 , 4 a, and 4 b, and between the fins there is a free space, which can be used as a treatment chamber 34 .",
"Furthermore, this spacing element exhibits a central ring, which has several throughflow channels 36 and thus forms the channel element.",
"On each side of the throughflow channels 36 , distributing channels 36 a and 36 b, branch off to provide access to the treatment chamber 34 .",
"[0095] FIG. 5 b illustrates a first spacing element 10 having a sealing element 12 at the inner perimeter and a throughflow element 11 with its radially disposed throughflow channels 11 a, at the outer perimeter.",
"This spacing element 10 also possesses radial spacing fins 17 and an annular channel element 15 with throughflow channels 16 .",
"A second spacing element 20 is not separately illustrated, since it is basically the same as first spacing element 10 except for the fact that the sealing elements and throughflow elements are interchanged.",
"[0096] FIG. 6 a illustrates a third spacing element 30 having a square peripherie.",
"Accordingly, the external sealing element 32 is a square frame, within which spacing fins 33 extend in parallel.",
"In the center there is a throughflow channel 36 with its channel element 35 , in which two opposite distributing channels 36 a and 36 b are disposed.",
"This third spacing element 30 is provided for a filter module exhibiting two outflow channels 3 , each of which is bounded by a rectangular inner sealing element 31 .",
"A corresponding first spacing element 10 is shown in FIG. 6 b. The throughflow channels 11 a are located in the two opposite regions of the outer throughflow element 11 .",
"The corresponding second throughflow elements 20 are likewise square-shaped.",
"This also applies to the filtering layers.",
"[0097] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a filter module 1 .",
"This filter module differs from the filter module according to FIG. 1 in that between a first spacing element 10 and a second spacing element 20 there are disposed two third spacing elements 30 , and between the two third spacing elements 30 there is disposed a filtering layer 4 .",
"The filtering layers 4 may exhibit different filtering characteristics, if desired.",
"Similarly, the two treatment chambers 34 a and 34 b may contain different materials.",
"Thus two superposed treatment chambers are created which may be filled with treating materials 40 .",
"[0098] This example shows that any desired arrangement of spacing elements 10 , 20 , and 30 is possible so that the filter module can be made up so as to fulfil the aims of filtration and treatment as required.",
"[0099] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section through a filter module containing different treating materials in the two treatment chambers 34 a and 34 b, which can be filled via appropriate filling conduits 6 a and 6 b after the filter module has been assembled.",
"[0100] In order to achieve this, the third spacing elements 30 are equipped with channel elements 35 , which have a throughflow channel 35 and also one or more distributing channels 36 a and 36 b. Furthermore, these third spacing elements 30 possess channel elements 35 a having only one throughflow channel.",
"The filling conduits 6 a and 6 b are on engagement by the closing elements 7 a and 7 c. In the lower first spacing element 10 there are located closing elements 7 b and 7 d. The field of application is additionally broadened by this embodiment."
] |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a device and method for automatically dealing playing cards. More particularly, the invention relates to dealing cards in pre-determined combinations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Card games involve a combination of luck and skill. The luck is largely dependent on what cards are dealt in each hand and the player's skill often determines the outcome based on how the hand is played. In tournament play, there are typically multiple tables initially where the winner or top placers among the table move on to further rounds as the tables consolidate.
[0003] Duplicate bridge is a widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. Duplicate bridge uses identical combinations of cards among the different tables in order to remove the element of luck in random dealing from a shuffled deck.
[0004] Outside tournament play, it may be desirable to play hands that masters or professionals were dealt in famous tournaments in order to allow the players to test their skill against these masters.
[0005] Some solutions have been developed to deal cards in four pre-determined hands. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,334 uses a combination of perforations on cards and pins, but since the pins are visible to all players, it may be possible for one player to determine which cards other players have, which provides an unfair advantage.
[0006] As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,562 uses binary code marked cards which are read by a reader and directed to different slots based on the card that was read, but the mechanisms used result in a rather large, cumbersome and expensive machine.
[0007] Other card machines have been developed to randomly shuffle one or more decks of playing cards. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,154 discloses a card shuffling machine. These machines provide random card arrangements, typically in casinos. This can make it more difficult for players to use card counting or other techniques in games such as black jack to gain an advantage on over the “house”. The goal of these types of machines is to provide random dealing whereas the present device is directed towards dealing pre-determined hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive card dealing machine that is suitable for both tournament, club and home bridge play.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a machine that enables dealing of pre-determined hands either selected via an interface on the machine or via a network or a wireless connection.
[0010] These and other objects are achieved by providing a card dealing machine with an oscillating arm that includes a receiver or shoe that has four slots therein. The arm's oscillating motion is stopped once per rotation to align the appropriate slot with an exit slit where a card comes out. The location that the arm is stopped depends on a value read by an optical card reader, where the card value is associated with a pre-determined hand that corresponds to the appropriate slot. The oscillating motion is repeated until all 52 cards in the deck are dealt. Errors or warnings are issued if more or less than 52 cards are read or if duplicate cards are read.
[0011] The terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, “coupled with”, “connected”, “connected to”, and “connected with” as used herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, (b) a communications relationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation of any one or more devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof.
[0012] The terms “first”, “second” etc. are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position or arrangement in time.
[0013] In one aspect, a card dealing machine for dealing a pre-determined game hand includes a reader configured to read a deck of cards to determine a value of each card. The machine has an arm and a drive moving the arm in an oscillating motion. A receiver is positioned on the arm and includes at least a first destination. A mover is configured to move a first one of the plurality of cards to the receiver. A stop mechanism is in communication with the reader such that when the first one of the plurality of cards is associated with the pre-determined game hand corresponding to the first destination, the stop mechanism stops movement of the arm during the oscillating motion to align the first destination to receive the first one of the plurality of cards from the mover.
[0014] In one embodiment, the receiver includes a second, third and fourth destination and the stop mechanism includes a plurality of stops comprising a first, second, third and fourth stop respectively corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth destinations. One of the plurality of stops is selectively engaged for each oscillation of the oscillating motion based on a value read by the reader corresponding to a next one of the plurality of cards.
[0015] In one embodiment a processor is in communication with the reader and the stop mechanism, the processor transmits a signal to the stop mechanism to engage one of the stops that is associated with the first destination. In one embodiment, the stop mechanism includes at least one stop activated by a solenoid.
[0016] In one embodiment a processor is in communication with the reader and the stop mechanism. A fixed stop is configured as one of the stops of the stop mechanism and the first destination is associated with the fixed stop. The processor selects the fixed stop based on the value of the first one of the plurality of cards being associated with the first destination.
[0017] In one embodiment a computer is in communication with a storage and the processor, and the storage has data indicative of the pre-determined game hand stored thereon. The processor receives the data such that the card dealing machine is programmed to deal the pre-determined game hand associated with the data. The storage may include data indicative of a plurality of pre-determined game hands and the computer allows a user to select the pre-determined game hand from one of the plurality of pre-determined game hands.
[0018] In one embodiment the drive has a cam coupled thereto, so that the drive rotates the cam. A follower is connected to the arm, the follower contacts the cam such that rotation of the cam causes the oscillating motion. The stop may cause the follower and the cam to lose contact during part of one rotation of the cam.
[0019] In other aspects, a method of dealing a pre-determined set of four game hands is provided and includes one or more of the steps of (a) providing a deck of cards having a plurality of cards; (b) inserting the deck of cards into a holder of a card dealing machine; (c) activating the card dealing machine to successively read a value of the plurality cards using an optical reader; (d) stopping an oscillating arm of the card dealing machine at one of four locations based on the value read; (e) moving each of the plurality of cards with an oscillating mover into a receiver having four destinations such that a selected one of the four destinations corresponds to the one of four locations; and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each successively read one of the plurality of cards to place at least one of the plurality of cards in each of the four destinations.
[0020] The method may include repeating of step (f) until each one of the plurality of cards is placed at one of the four destinations such that each destination contains an equal number of cards. The four destinations may each be separate slots on the receiver. The receiver may be removable from the oscillating arm. In some embodiments, the method includes stopping the repeating step if a value read is the same value as a previously read value and generating an alert indicative of a duplicate card having been read. The method may also include generating an alert if the plurality of cards total more or fewer than 52, or if the sum total of values (from 1 through 52) read differs from the sum of the integers 1-52, which can be calculated as (N(N+1))/2 or in the case of 52 cards, 1378. The card dealing machine may receive data indicative of the pre-determined set of four game hands; and the method may include programming a processor of the card dealing machine with the data such that the four game hands are respectively dealt in to the four destinations of the receiver.
[0021] In other aspects, a card dealing machine is provided for dealing a set of four pre-determined game hands. The card dealing machine includes a holder configured to receive a deck of cards including a plurality of cards. A receiver includes four destinations each one of the four destinations is associated with one of the four pre-determined game hands. A mover is configured to successively move one of the plurality of cards from the holder and into the receiver. A reader is positioned to successively read the plurality of cards to determine a value thereof. An arm has the receiver positioned thereon. A drive has a rotating component, the drive moves the arm in an oscillating motion. A processor is in communication with the reader and a stop mechanism, the processor is programmed to select one of four stops of the stop mechanism based on the value of each successively read one of the plurality of cards with each rotation of the rotating component.
[0022] In some embodiments, for each rotation of the rotating component, the selected one of the four stops halts movement of the arm to receive one of the plurality of cards in one of the four destinations based on which one of the four pre-determined game hands the one of the plurality of cards is associated with. At least one of the four stops may be activated by a solenoid. One of the four stops may be a fixed stop and three of the four stops are activated by solenoids such that when the fixed stop is selected, the solenoids are inactive. A slit may be located in the holder and is configured to receive one of the plurality of cards there through when moved by the mover to allow the one of the plurality of cards to exit the holder and be received by the receiver.
[0023] In some embodiments a port on the card dealing machine is configured to receive a memory device having data indicative of one or more of the pre-determined hands stored thereon such that upon connection of the memory device to the port, the processor is programmed to deal at least one of the one or more of the pre-determined hands. In one aspect, the interface of the card dealing machine allows for selection of sets of pre-determined game hands from the data stored on the memory device.
[0024] Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is front cross section view along section line 1 - 1 of a card dealing machine
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1
[0027] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1
[0029] FIG. 5 is an example card used in the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .
[0030] FIG. 6 is a detail section view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receiver of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .
[0032] FIGS. 8-10 are side views showing movement of elements of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .
[0033] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views. The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard.
[0035] The card holder 1 holds at least one deck of cards 2 oriented face down on a reader 4 . The deck of cards 2 is weighted by a weight 3 which pushes the cards close to the reader 4 . The bottom of the card holder may be a glass or other transparent material to enable the reader 4 to optically read the value of each card. In other embodiments, the bottom of the card holder 1 may include holes positioned where card values can be read. The cards may include bar codes thereon that identify the card values. Alternately, ocular recognition software executing on the processor 110 of the card dealing machine ( FIG. 11 ) can be used to determine what the value is for the bottom most card. The card “value” as referred to herein may include the type and suit of card, assuming the a standard deck of cards is used. For example, Ace (type) of hearts (suit) may be assigned a numerical value between 1 and 52 and the barcode on the Ace of hearts would allow the processor to determine the corresponding numerical value. In one example, values are assigned starting with the two (2) of clubs (value 1 ), two (2) of diamonds (value 2 ) etc. In this case all two (2) numbered cards would be within values 1 - 4 , three (3) numbered cards would be within values 5-8, and so on through the deck. It is understood that this numbering system is purely exemplary and that any numbering system can be assigned that enables correlation of a numerical value with a card type (number, or jack-ace) and suit (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds). It is also understood that the value can refer to the type and suit as read by the reader and recognized by software that can distinguish the number/jack-ace and suit via character or image recognition.
[0036] The processor of the card dealing machine is programmed with pre-determined hands for the game to be played. In a game of bridge, four hands are dealt with thirteen cards each. As each card is read, the processor determines which of the stops 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 of the stop mechanism 114 are to be selected. In the example above where each card is assigned a numerical value 1 - 52 , each pre-determined hand could include a listing of 13 numerical values, with each numerical value corresponding to a particular card type and suit. As each barcode is read, the numerical value is determined and the appropriate destination is selected as further described herein.
[0037] The receiver 6 is positioned on an arm 14 which includes a follower 13 mounted thereon. As shown, the follower 13 is configured as a wheel rotating on a shaft, with the shaft mounted to the arm 14 . Wheel 9 is driven by motor 8 . This wheel 9 includes a cam 12 thereon and this cam 12 and the follower 13 are in contact such that the arm 14 follows an oscillating motion.
[0038] On one end of the arm is pivot 15 which the arm rotates around. On the end opposite of the pivot 15 is the holder 7 which holds the receiver 6 such that the receiver 6 can be removed. The arm includes a protrusion 30 that extends below the holder 7 . The holder 7 may include a spring, clip or other securing device that holds the receiver 6 in place. The pivot 15 may include a spring that pushes the arm clockwise to ensure that proper alignment and contact with the follower 13 or the selected stop 16 - 19 is maintained. The spring is strong enough to hold the arm down but weak enough to allow the motor to move the arm 14 in the oscillating motion.
[0039] Rod 10 is connected to the wheel 9 at one end and cross bar 20 at the other end. A card mover (e.g. an edge pusher) 20 A is mounted onto the middle of the cross bar, and a reader 4 is mounted onto the distal end of the cross bar and aligned to read the code of the bottom car through elongated opening 21 . As the wheel rotates, the cross bar moves back and forth to move the bottom card from the card holder 1 and out exit slit 5 . As the card moves out of the exit slit, it falls into one of the slots 61 - 64 in the receiver. The mover may use an edge pusher, friction pad or other type of paper/card movement techniques and mechanisms to move the cards successively out of the card holder. At either end of travel of the mover, the mover engages or dis-engages with the card, for example, at the right side, of the motion as shown in FIG. 1 , the mover moves up and into contact with the card. At the other end (left when referring to FIG. 1 ), the mover moves down to move away from the remaining cards. Therefore, during approximately 180 degrees of rotation of the wheel 9 , the mover pushes the card into the receiver 6 and in the other half of the rotation of the wheel 9 , the mover is returning back to the starting position while reader 4 is reading the value of the next card.
[0040] As the wheel rotates from the position shown in FIG. 1 , the mover returns back to the starting position on the right side. During this motion, the cam 12 causes follower 13 to move upwards, and also causes the arm 14 to rotate counter clockwise. During the approximately 180 degrees of counter clockwise rotation from the position shown in FIG. 1 , the value of the card is read by reader 4 and the appropriate stop 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 is selected. The reader may be an electronic camera, bar-code reader or other scanning device/optical sensor. As one example, FIG. 5 shows a three of clubs having bar-codes 50 thereon that are unique to this card. In this embodiment, a bar-code reader would be used to scan the bar code and then the processor would determine the appropriate stop based on the destination for the pre-determined hand.
[0041] Stop 16 is shown as a fixed pin and stops 17 - 19 are activated by solenoids 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 . As wheel 9 rotates from the top position ( FIG. 9 ) and towards the bottom position (shown in FIG. 1 ), the arm rotates clockwise around pivot 15 , and depending on which stop is engaged, the arm stops and contact between follower 13 and cam 12 is lost. When the arm 12 stops in the selected position associated with the appropriate stop 16 - 19 , the wheel 9 continues to rotate and thereby engage the mover 20 A which moves the bottom card from the card holder 1 and into the appropriate slot 61 - 64 of the receiver 6 . For example, see FIG. 10 where stop 190 is engaged and the card 51 moves into slot 64 . As shown in FIG. 1 , slot 61 aligns with the exit slit 5 when stop 16 is engaged. Stop 17 corresponds to slot 62 , likewise 18 corresponds to 63 and 19 corresponds to 64 . The slots 61 - 64 may be considered destinations of the card.
[0042] These slots or destinations are determined based on the pre-determined game hand(s) programmed in the processor. Typically, four pre-determined game hands will be selected for a game of bridge and as a deck is successively fed through the machine, the appropriate stop is engaged to arrest the fall of the arm 14 and the receiver 6 .
[0043] The wheel 9 generally rotates at a constant angular velocity, and if not for the stops, the arm would move through a pattern generally in the shape of a sine wave (time on the x axis, angle on the y axis). When the stops are engaged, the bottoms of the sine wave would become flat for a period of time that depends on which stop is engaged. For example if stop 19 is selected, the flat portion of the sine wave would be relatively long when compared to that of stop 17 , because stop 19 would cause more restriction on the downward movement of arm 14 . Therefore, “oscillating” as used herein does not require that each revolution of the wheel results in identical movement of the arm, rather “oscillating” includes some variances in the arm movement as determined by the stops engaged and the card value read.
[0044] As each successive card is read and placed into the appropriate slot, the processor logs which cards were read in a memory. If a duplicate card is read, the machine signals this error, for example via a flashing light, a sound or a notification transmitted to an external device. In addition, the expected number of cards to be dealt would be the 52 cards in a standard deck. Once the card holder is empty and there is no bar code to read, a similar signal can be generated if the number of cards was different than 52 .
[0045] The card dealing machine 100 includes a processor that communicates with the reader 4 and stops 16 - 19 . This processor also communicates with an interface. For example, interface 112 could be found on the card dealing machine 100 and include a display and buttons or a touch-sensitive display to allow for user selection of various pre-determined hands. In addition, an interface 122 may be accessible via a mobile device or via an internet connected computer where the mobile device/computer communicates with the card dealing machine over a network, wireless or wired connection. In this case, the card dealing machine 100 may be connected to a computer 120 , for example via USB (without using network 111 ). The computer 120 could also be a computer server that allows for web access to the interface 122 via network 111 . The card dealing machine 100 may be capable of connecting to the internet or via Bluetooth or other wireless communication. It is also contemplated that the card dealing machine may include a port 115 to receive a data cable such as a LAN/Ethernet cable, coaxial, USB or other that allows the card dealing machine to connect to computers, mobile devices, or routers/modems. The interface 112 may also include software that executes on the processor 110 .
[0046] The port 115 on the card dealing machine may also be configured to receive a memory device such as a USB stick having data indicative of one or more of the pre-determined hands stored thereon such that upon connection of the memory device to the port, the processor is programmed to deal at least one of the one or more of the pre-determined hands. The memory device may be contained in computer 120 , or may be substituted for computer 120 in FIG. 11 (such as a simple USB stick or other memory that connects to the port 115 . In one aspect, the interface 112 of the card dealing machine allows for selection of sets of pre-determined game hands which are selected from the data stored on the memory device (or the computer).
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , one series of movements of the wheel 9 and arm 14 are shown. In FIG. 8 , the wheel 9 rotates counter clockwise 80 , which causes the arm 14 to rotate counter clockwise 140 and mover 20 A to move right 44 towards the position shown in FIG. 9 . It is understood that the wheel could move clockwise and still impart similar movement of the arm 14 and mover 20 A. During the left to right movement of the mover 20 A, reader 10 identifies the bar code 50 and determines which stop 16 - 19 is to be engaged, typically by the time the position shown in FIG. 9 is reached. From the position in FIG. 9 , the wheel continues to rotate and the arm 14 is arrested in its clockwise falling motion based on which stop was selected for the bar code 50 that was read by the reader 10 . Therefore, the arm 14 oscillates between the position in FIG. 9 and any one of the positions associated with stops 16 - 19 , depending on which card is at the bottom. As can be seen in FIG. 10 , the card 51 is moved into slot 64 . The follower 13 in FIG. 10 has lost contact with the cam 12 . As the wheel 9 continues to rotate, the cam 12 will ultimately contact the follower 13 and move the arm 14 counter clockwise as the machine moves back towards the position shown in FIG. 9 .
[0048] The card dealing machine may also be mounted in a tilted position with the card holder 1 above pivot 15 , i.e. rotating the card dealing machine 100 counter clockwise from the view shown in FIG. 1 . This may help the cards fall into the appropriate slot with additional aid from gravity.
[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art. | A card dealing machine with an oscillating arm that includes a receiver or shoe that has four slots therein. The arm's oscillating motion is stopped once per rotation to align the appropriate slot with an exit slit where a card comes out. The location that the arm is stopped depends on a value read by an optical card reader, where the card value is associated with a pre-determined hand that corresponds to the appropriate slot. The oscillating motion is repeated until all 52 cards in the deck are dealt. Errors or warnings are issued if more or less than 52 cards are read or if duplicate cards are read. | Identify the most important aspect in the document and summarize the concept accordingly. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a device and method for automatically dealing playing cards.",
"More particularly, the invention relates to dealing cards in pre-determined combinations.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Card games involve a combination of luck and skill.",
"The luck is largely dependent on what cards are dealt in each hand and the player's skill often determines the outcome based on how the hand is played.",
"In tournament play, there are typically multiple tables initially where the winner or top placers among the table move on to further rounds as the tables consolidate.",
"[0003] Duplicate bridge is a widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play.",
"Duplicate bridge uses identical combinations of cards among the different tables in order to remove the element of luck in random dealing from a shuffled deck.",
"[0004] Outside tournament play, it may be desirable to play hands that masters or professionals were dealt in famous tournaments in order to allow the players to test their skill against these masters.",
"[0005] Some solutions have been developed to deal cards in four pre-determined hands.",
"For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,334 uses a combination of perforations on cards and pins, but since the pins are visible to all players, it may be possible for one player to determine which cards other players have, which provides an unfair advantage.",
"[0006] As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,562 uses binary code marked cards which are read by a reader and directed to different slots based on the card that was read, but the mechanisms used result in a rather large, cumbersome and expensive machine.",
"[0007] Other card machines have been developed to randomly shuffle one or more decks of playing cards.",
"For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,154 discloses a card shuffling machine.",
"These machines provide random card arrangements, typically in casinos.",
"This can make it more difficult for players to use card counting or other techniques in games such as black jack to gain an advantage on over the “house.”",
"The goal of these types of machines is to provide random dealing whereas the present device is directed towards dealing pre-determined hands.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive card dealing machine that is suitable for both tournament, club and home bridge play.",
"[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a machine that enables dealing of pre-determined hands either selected via an interface on the machine or via a network or a wireless connection.",
"[0010] These and other objects are achieved by providing a card dealing machine with an oscillating arm that includes a receiver or shoe that has four slots therein.",
"The arm's oscillating motion is stopped once per rotation to align the appropriate slot with an exit slit where a card comes out.",
"The location that the arm is stopped depends on a value read by an optical card reader, where the card value is associated with a pre-determined hand that corresponds to the appropriate slot.",
"The oscillating motion is repeated until all 52 cards in the deck are dealt.",
"Errors or warnings are issued if more or less than 52 cards are read or if duplicate cards are read.",
"[0011] The terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, “coupled with”, “connected”, “connected to”, and “connected with”",
"as used herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, (b) a communications relationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation of any one or more devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof.",
"[0012] The terms “first”, “second”",
"etc.",
"are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position or arrangement in time.",
"[0013] In one aspect, a card dealing machine for dealing a pre-determined game hand includes a reader configured to read a deck of cards to determine a value of each card.",
"The machine has an arm and a drive moving the arm in an oscillating motion.",
"A receiver is positioned on the arm and includes at least a first destination.",
"A mover is configured to move a first one of the plurality of cards to the receiver.",
"A stop mechanism is in communication with the reader such that when the first one of the plurality of cards is associated with the pre-determined game hand corresponding to the first destination, the stop mechanism stops movement of the arm during the oscillating motion to align the first destination to receive the first one of the plurality of cards from the mover.",
"[0014] In one embodiment, the receiver includes a second, third and fourth destination and the stop mechanism includes a plurality of stops comprising a first, second, third and fourth stop respectively corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth destinations.",
"One of the plurality of stops is selectively engaged for each oscillation of the oscillating motion based on a value read by the reader corresponding to a next one of the plurality of cards.",
"[0015] In one embodiment a processor is in communication with the reader and the stop mechanism, the processor transmits a signal to the stop mechanism to engage one of the stops that is associated with the first destination.",
"In one embodiment, the stop mechanism includes at least one stop activated by a solenoid.",
"[0016] In one embodiment a processor is in communication with the reader and the stop mechanism.",
"A fixed stop is configured as one of the stops of the stop mechanism and the first destination is associated with the fixed stop.",
"The processor selects the fixed stop based on the value of the first one of the plurality of cards being associated with the first destination.",
"[0017] In one embodiment a computer is in communication with a storage and the processor, and the storage has data indicative of the pre-determined game hand stored thereon.",
"The processor receives the data such that the card dealing machine is programmed to deal the pre-determined game hand associated with the data.",
"The storage may include data indicative of a plurality of pre-determined game hands and the computer allows a user to select the pre-determined game hand from one of the plurality of pre-determined game hands.",
"[0018] In one embodiment the drive has a cam coupled thereto, so that the drive rotates the cam.",
"A follower is connected to the arm, the follower contacts the cam such that rotation of the cam causes the oscillating motion.",
"The stop may cause the follower and the cam to lose contact during part of one rotation of the cam.",
"[0019] In other aspects, a method of dealing a pre-determined set of four game hands is provided and includes one or more of the steps of (a) providing a deck of cards having a plurality of cards;",
"(b) inserting the deck of cards into a holder of a card dealing machine;",
"(c) activating the card dealing machine to successively read a value of the plurality cards using an optical reader;",
"(d) stopping an oscillating arm of the card dealing machine at one of four locations based on the value read;",
"(e) moving each of the plurality of cards with an oscillating mover into a receiver having four destinations such that a selected one of the four destinations corresponds to the one of four locations;",
"and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each successively read one of the plurality of cards to place at least one of the plurality of cards in each of the four destinations.",
"[0020] The method may include repeating of step (f) until each one of the plurality of cards is placed at one of the four destinations such that each destination contains an equal number of cards.",
"The four destinations may each be separate slots on the receiver.",
"The receiver may be removable from the oscillating arm.",
"In some embodiments, the method includes stopping the repeating step if a value read is the same value as a previously read value and generating an alert indicative of a duplicate card having been read.",
"The method may also include generating an alert if the plurality of cards total more or fewer than 52, or if the sum total of values (from 1 through 52) read differs from the sum of the integers 1-52, which can be calculated as (N(N+1))/2 or in the case of 52 cards, 1378.",
"The card dealing machine may receive data indicative of the pre-determined set of four game hands;",
"and the method may include programming a processor of the card dealing machine with the data such that the four game hands are respectively dealt in to the four destinations of the receiver.",
"[0021] In other aspects, a card dealing machine is provided for dealing a set of four pre-determined game hands.",
"The card dealing machine includes a holder configured to receive a deck of cards including a plurality of cards.",
"A receiver includes four destinations each one of the four destinations is associated with one of the four pre-determined game hands.",
"A mover is configured to successively move one of the plurality of cards from the holder and into the receiver.",
"A reader is positioned to successively read the plurality of cards to determine a value thereof.",
"An arm has the receiver positioned thereon.",
"A drive has a rotating component, the drive moves the arm in an oscillating motion.",
"A processor is in communication with the reader and a stop mechanism, the processor is programmed to select one of four stops of the stop mechanism based on the value of each successively read one of the plurality of cards with each rotation of the rotating component.",
"[0022] In some embodiments, for each rotation of the rotating component, the selected one of the four stops halts movement of the arm to receive one of the plurality of cards in one of the four destinations based on which one of the four pre-determined game hands the one of the plurality of cards is associated with.",
"At least one of the four stops may be activated by a solenoid.",
"One of the four stops may be a fixed stop and three of the four stops are activated by solenoids such that when the fixed stop is selected, the solenoids are inactive.",
"A slit may be located in the holder and is configured to receive one of the plurality of cards there through when moved by the mover to allow the one of the plurality of cards to exit the holder and be received by the receiver.",
"[0023] In some embodiments a port on the card dealing machine is configured to receive a memory device having data indicative of one or more of the pre-determined hands stored thereon such that upon connection of the memory device to the port, the processor is programmed to deal at least one of the one or more of the pre-determined hands.",
"In one aspect, the interface of the card dealing machine allows for selection of sets of pre-determined game hands from the data stored on the memory device.",
"[0024] Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] FIG. 1 is front cross section view along section line 1 - 1 of a card dealing machine [0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 [0027] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .",
"[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 [0029] FIG. 5 is an example card used in the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .",
"[0030] FIG. 6 is a detail section view of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .",
"[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receiver of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .",
"[0032] FIGS. 8-10 are side views showing movement of elements of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 .",
"[0033] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the card dealing machine of FIG. 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views.",
"The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard.",
"[0035] The card holder 1 holds at least one deck of cards 2 oriented face down on a reader 4 .",
"The deck of cards 2 is weighted by a weight 3 which pushes the cards close to the reader 4 .",
"The bottom of the card holder may be a glass or other transparent material to enable the reader 4 to optically read the value of each card.",
"In other embodiments, the bottom of the card holder 1 may include holes positioned where card values can be read.",
"The cards may include bar codes thereon that identify the card values.",
"Alternately, ocular recognition software executing on the processor 110 of the card dealing machine ( FIG. 11 ) can be used to determine what the value is for the bottom most card.",
"The card “value”",
"as referred to herein may include the type and suit of card, assuming the a standard deck of cards is used.",
"For example, Ace (type) of hearts (suit) may be assigned a numerical value between 1 and 52 and the barcode on the Ace of hearts would allow the processor to determine the corresponding numerical value.",
"In one example, values are assigned starting with the two (2) of clubs (value 1 ), two (2) of diamonds (value 2 ) etc.",
"In this case all two (2) numbered cards would be within values 1 - 4 , three (3) numbered cards would be within values 5-8, and so on through the deck.",
"It is understood that this numbering system is purely exemplary and that any numbering system can be assigned that enables correlation of a numerical value with a card type (number, or jack-ace) and suit (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds).",
"It is also understood that the value can refer to the type and suit as read by the reader and recognized by software that can distinguish the number/jack-ace and suit via character or image recognition.",
"[0036] The processor of the card dealing machine is programmed with pre-determined hands for the game to be played.",
"In a game of bridge, four hands are dealt with thirteen cards each.",
"As each card is read, the processor determines which of the stops 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 of the stop mechanism 114 are to be selected.",
"In the example above where each card is assigned a numerical value 1 - 52 , each pre-determined hand could include a listing of 13 numerical values, with each numerical value corresponding to a particular card type and suit.",
"As each barcode is read, the numerical value is determined and the appropriate destination is selected as further described herein.",
"[0037] The receiver 6 is positioned on an arm 14 which includes a follower 13 mounted thereon.",
"As shown, the follower 13 is configured as a wheel rotating on a shaft, with the shaft mounted to the arm 14 .",
"Wheel 9 is driven by motor 8 .",
"This wheel 9 includes a cam 12 thereon and this cam 12 and the follower 13 are in contact such that the arm 14 follows an oscillating motion.",
"[0038] On one end of the arm is pivot 15 which the arm rotates around.",
"On the end opposite of the pivot 15 is the holder 7 which holds the receiver 6 such that the receiver 6 can be removed.",
"The arm includes a protrusion 30 that extends below the holder 7 .",
"The holder 7 may include a spring, clip or other securing device that holds the receiver 6 in place.",
"The pivot 15 may include a spring that pushes the arm clockwise to ensure that proper alignment and contact with the follower 13 or the selected stop 16 - 19 is maintained.",
"The spring is strong enough to hold the arm down but weak enough to allow the motor to move the arm 14 in the oscillating motion.",
"[0039] Rod 10 is connected to the wheel 9 at one end and cross bar 20 at the other end.",
"A card mover (e.g. an edge pusher) 20 A is mounted onto the middle of the cross bar, and a reader 4 is mounted onto the distal end of the cross bar and aligned to read the code of the bottom car through elongated opening 21 .",
"As the wheel rotates, the cross bar moves back and forth to move the bottom card from the card holder 1 and out exit slit 5 .",
"As the card moves out of the exit slit, it falls into one of the slots 61 - 64 in the receiver.",
"The mover may use an edge pusher, friction pad or other type of paper/card movement techniques and mechanisms to move the cards successively out of the card holder.",
"At either end of travel of the mover, the mover engages or dis-engages with the card, for example, at the right side, of the motion as shown in FIG. 1 , the mover moves up and into contact with the card.",
"At the other end (left when referring to FIG. 1 ), the mover moves down to move away from the remaining cards.",
"Therefore, during approximately 180 degrees of rotation of the wheel 9 , the mover pushes the card into the receiver 6 and in the other half of the rotation of the wheel 9 , the mover is returning back to the starting position while reader 4 is reading the value of the next card.",
"[0040] As the wheel rotates from the position shown in FIG. 1 , the mover returns back to the starting position on the right side.",
"During this motion, the cam 12 causes follower 13 to move upwards, and also causes the arm 14 to rotate counter clockwise.",
"During the approximately 180 degrees of counter clockwise rotation from the position shown in FIG. 1 , the value of the card is read by reader 4 and the appropriate stop 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 is selected.",
"The reader may be an electronic camera, bar-code reader or other scanning device/optical sensor.",
"As one example, FIG. 5 shows a three of clubs having bar-codes 50 thereon that are unique to this card.",
"In this embodiment, a bar-code reader would be used to scan the bar code and then the processor would determine the appropriate stop based on the destination for the pre-determined hand.",
"[0041] Stop 16 is shown as a fixed pin and stops 17 - 19 are activated by solenoids 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 .",
"As wheel 9 rotates from the top position ( FIG. 9 ) and towards the bottom position (shown in FIG. 1 ), the arm rotates clockwise around pivot 15 , and depending on which stop is engaged, the arm stops and contact between follower 13 and cam 12 is lost.",
"When the arm 12 stops in the selected position associated with the appropriate stop 16 - 19 , the wheel 9 continues to rotate and thereby engage the mover 20 A which moves the bottom card from the card holder 1 and into the appropriate slot 61 - 64 of the receiver 6 .",
"For example, see FIG. 10 where stop 190 is engaged and the card 51 moves into slot 64 .",
"As shown in FIG. 1 , slot 61 aligns with the exit slit 5 when stop 16 is engaged.",
"Stop 17 corresponds to slot 62 , likewise 18 corresponds to 63 and 19 corresponds to 64 .",
"The slots 61 - 64 may be considered destinations of the card.",
"[0042] These slots or destinations are determined based on the pre-determined game hand(s) programmed in the processor.",
"Typically, four pre-determined game hands will be selected for a game of bridge and as a deck is successively fed through the machine, the appropriate stop is engaged to arrest the fall of the arm 14 and the receiver 6 .",
"[0043] The wheel 9 generally rotates at a constant angular velocity, and if not for the stops, the arm would move through a pattern generally in the shape of a sine wave (time on the x axis, angle on the y axis).",
"When the stops are engaged, the bottoms of the sine wave would become flat for a period of time that depends on which stop is engaged.",
"For example if stop 19 is selected, the flat portion of the sine wave would be relatively long when compared to that of stop 17 , because stop 19 would cause more restriction on the downward movement of arm 14 .",
"Therefore, “oscillating”",
"as used herein does not require that each revolution of the wheel results in identical movement of the arm, rather “oscillating”",
"includes some variances in the arm movement as determined by the stops engaged and the card value read.",
"[0044] As each successive card is read and placed into the appropriate slot, the processor logs which cards were read in a memory.",
"If a duplicate card is read, the machine signals this error, for example via a flashing light, a sound or a notification transmitted to an external device.",
"In addition, the expected number of cards to be dealt would be the 52 cards in a standard deck.",
"Once the card holder is empty and there is no bar code to read, a similar signal can be generated if the number of cards was different than 52 .",
"[0045] The card dealing machine 100 includes a processor that communicates with the reader 4 and stops 16 - 19 .",
"This processor also communicates with an interface.",
"For example, interface 112 could be found on the card dealing machine 100 and include a display and buttons or a touch-sensitive display to allow for user selection of various pre-determined hands.",
"In addition, an interface 122 may be accessible via a mobile device or via an internet connected computer where the mobile device/computer communicates with the card dealing machine over a network, wireless or wired connection.",
"In this case, the card dealing machine 100 may be connected to a computer 120 , for example via USB (without using network 111 ).",
"The computer 120 could also be a computer server that allows for web access to the interface 122 via network 111 .",
"The card dealing machine 100 may be capable of connecting to the internet or via Bluetooth or other wireless communication.",
"It is also contemplated that the card dealing machine may include a port 115 to receive a data cable such as a LAN/Ethernet cable, coaxial, USB or other that allows the card dealing machine to connect to computers, mobile devices, or routers/modems.",
"The interface 112 may also include software that executes on the processor 110 .",
"[0046] The port 115 on the card dealing machine may also be configured to receive a memory device such as a USB stick having data indicative of one or more of the pre-determined hands stored thereon such that upon connection of the memory device to the port, the processor is programmed to deal at least one of the one or more of the pre-determined hands.",
"The memory device may be contained in computer 120 , or may be substituted for computer 120 in FIG. 11 (such as a simple USB stick or other memory that connects to the port 115 .",
"In one aspect, the interface 112 of the card dealing machine allows for selection of sets of pre-determined game hands which are selected from the data stored on the memory device (or the computer).",
"[0047] Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , one series of movements of the wheel 9 and arm 14 are shown.",
"In FIG. 8 , the wheel 9 rotates counter clockwise 80 , which causes the arm 14 to rotate counter clockwise 140 and mover 20 A to move right 44 towards the position shown in FIG. 9 .",
"It is understood that the wheel could move clockwise and still impart similar movement of the arm 14 and mover 20 A. During the left to right movement of the mover 20 A, reader 10 identifies the bar code 50 and determines which stop 16 - 19 is to be engaged, typically by the time the position shown in FIG. 9 is reached.",
"From the position in FIG. 9 , the wheel continues to rotate and the arm 14 is arrested in its clockwise falling motion based on which stop was selected for the bar code 50 that was read by the reader 10 .",
"Therefore, the arm 14 oscillates between the position in FIG. 9 and any one of the positions associated with stops 16 - 19 , depending on which card is at the bottom.",
"As can be seen in FIG. 10 , the card 51 is moved into slot 64 .",
"The follower 13 in FIG. 10 has lost contact with the cam 12 .",
"As the wheel 9 continues to rotate, the cam 12 will ultimately contact the follower 13 and move the arm 14 counter clockwise as the machine moves back towards the position shown in FIG. 9 .",
"[0048] The card dealing machine may also be mounted in a tilted position with the card holder 1 above pivot 15 , i.e. rotating the card dealing machine 100 counter clockwise from the view shown in FIG. 1 .",
"This may help the cards fall into the appropriate slot with additional aid from gravity.",
"[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Taiwan Patent Application No. 101101029, filed on Jan. 11, 2012, in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an electrical connector; more particularly, to a stacked electrical connector.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Recently, as the computer moves towards a thin and compact product, the size of motherboard in the computer is reduced, resulting in a limited space on the motherboard for the electrical components. Therefore, similar or different types of connectors or connection ports are assembled on the motherboard in a stacked way in order to optimize the space utilization. For example, multiple universal serial bus (referred to as USB hereinafter) (connection) ports may be arranged collectively on an insulator; alternatively, a number of different types of connection ports, such as USB ports, RJ45 ports, IEEE 1394 ports and high definition multimedia interface (referred to as HDMI hereinafter) ports, may be grouped together on a single insulator to form a stacked connector with multiports.
[0006] However, due to the property of high transmission rate of the connection port, high frequency electromagnetic wave (known as “electromagnetic (EM) radiation”) is emitted during the signal transmission process, by which the digital signal transmitted through the connector and further the operation of other electrical components in the computer will be affected adversely (known as “electromagnetic interference”, EMI). As a common solution, a conductive metal shell is formed to cover the insulator on which the connector is located and to secure to the motherboard at the same time. In this way, effective EM shielding can be provided because of the contact between the metal shell and the motherboard.
[0007] A stacked connector has been developed in which an open accommodating space is additionally formed in the insulator where multiple connection ports are located. The open accommodating space is for a single connection port that has been previously disposed on the motherboard. Thus, the single connection port such as a HDMI port, USB port, or display port on the motherboard may be housed in the accommodating space of the stacked connector when connected to the stacked connector and then becomes a unity with the stacked connector.
[0008] On the other hand, a conductive elastic strip is located in the accommodating space of the stacked connector to be in contact with the metal shell for the EMI shielding of the connection port on the motherboard. When the stacked connector is connected with the connection port on the motherboard, the conductive elastic strip will be pressed against a top surface of the connection port, which is away from the motherboard, to connect the connection port to the ground or to shield the connection port from the EMI by a contact relationship between the conductive elastic strip, the metal shell, and the motherboard.
[0009] However, some problems are involved in the above process. In general, the connection port of the circuit board is covered by the stacked connector such that pins of the stacked connector penetrate through the motherboard. Next, the pins of the stacked connector are welded to the motherboard by for example reflow soldering. Particularly, since the conductive elastic strip in the connection port on the motherboard in contact with the stacked connector is resilient in nature and therefore easy to be separate from or in loose connection with the connection port owing to any vibration or shake during the process, not all of the pins of the stacked connector can penetrate through the motherboard to a sufficient extent. As a result, part of the pins of the stacked connector will not be welded to the motherboard firmly and stably, thus forming some soldering defects like solder skip and solder short and after all affecting negatively the defective rate and quality and stability of digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the forgoing problems, the present invention provides an electrical connector that can ensure a low defective rate and a high quality of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.
[0011] The present invention discloses an electrical connector that is adapted to a circuit board having a first connection port. The electrical connector comprises a base, a second connection port disposed on the base, a housing and a conductive element. The base is provided with a trough formed on one surface of the base, which forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough and opposed each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls. The housing covers the base and the second connection port, and the trough of the base and the second connection port are exposed from the housing. The conductive element is disposed in the trough of the base, the conductive element comprises a body and a first elastic strip, the body penetrates the base and contacts with the housing, one end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base, and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily.
[0012] Wherein, when the electrical connector is combined with the circuit board, the first connection port of the circuit board is accommodated in the trough of the base and exposed from the breach, the housing is contacted with the circuit board, the second connection port is located above the first connection port, and the first elastic strip of the conductive element is pressed against the first connection port.
[0013] The present invention further discloses an electrical connector comprising a base, a first connection port, a second connection port, a housing and a conductive element. The base is provided with a trough formed on one surface of the base, which forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough and opposed each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls. The first connection port is located in the trough of the base and exposed from the breach. The second connection port is disposed on the base and stacked on the first connection port. The housing covers the base and the second connection port, wherein the trough of the base and the second connection port are exposed from the housing. The conductive element is located in the trough of the base and comprises a body and a first elastic strip. The body penetrates the base and contacts with the housing. One end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base; and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily, wherein the first elastic strip is normally pressed against the first connection port.
[0014] In addition, the present invention discloses a bottom of an electrical connector, too. The bottom of the electrical connector comprises a base provided with a trough, and a conductive element, The trough is formed on one surface of the base and forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough respectively and opposed to each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls. The conductive element is disposed in the trough of the base, and comprises a body and a first elastic strip, wherein the body penetrates the base and exposed from the base, one end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body in the trough and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base, and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward to the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily.
[0015] The effect of the present invention is achieved in the following way. The electrical connector is stably combined with the connection port on the circuit board by the elastic strip of the conductive element that provides an elastic restoring force between the first and the second sidewalls of the base. In addition, when the circuit board combined with the electrical connector and the connection port is given transportation, the reacting force between the first connection port and the electrical connector vertical to the circuit board is reduced or eliminated because the elastic strip is pressed against the connection port along a direction parallel to the circuit board under the elastic restoring force. Therefore, some soldering defects that will probably occur afterward, such as solder skip and solder short, may be prevented, and the defective rate is reduced and quality and stability of digital signal transmission of the electrical connector are improved effectively.
[0016] The characteristics, realization and functions of the invention are disclosed in the following description with reference to the preferred exemplified embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a base view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 4-6 are exemplary state diagrams for using the connector of the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the electrical connector 10 of the first embodiment is adapted to a circuit board 30 having a first connection port 20 . The first connection port 20 may be but not limited to a HDMI port, a display port, or a network interface card (NIC) port or the like. The electrical connector 10 includes a bottom 100 , a second connection port 200 , a third connection port 300 and a housing 400 . The bottom 100 includes a base 110 having a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 that are adjacent to each other with an angle therebetween and a conductive element 120 . A trough 114 is formed on the second surface 112 of the base 110 and forms a breach 113 on the first surface 111 of the base 110 . The trough 114 has a first sidewall 115 and a second sidewall 116 that are opposed each other and located on two opposite sides of the breach 113 . A third sidewall 117 and a fourth sidewall 118 are formed and connected between the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 .
[0025] In this embodiment, the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 are perpendicular to the first and the second surfaces 111 and 112 , the third sidewall 117 is opposite to the breach 113 , parallel to the first surface 111 , and perpendicular to the second surface 112 , and the fourth sidewall 118 is connected to the first, second, and third sidewalls 115 , 116 , and 117 , parallel to the second surface 112 and perpendicular to the first surface 111 . However, it is to be noted that the above configuration is only illustrative and the invention is not limited thereto.
[0026] The conductive element 120 is located in the trough 114 and made of a conductive, flexible, and deformable material such as metal like copper or aluminum. The conductive element 120 includes a body 121 , a first elastic strip 122 and a second elastic strip 123 . The body 121 at both sides thereof has an engagement portion 1211 together with a bending portion 1212 connected to the engagement portion 1211 and is located in the trough 114 next to the third sidewall 117 . It is to be noted that the engagement portion 1211 is formed by extending from the body 121 , while the bending portion 1212 is formed by bending and extending from the engagement portion 1211 . Besides, a trench 119 is respectively formed on the second surface 112 near the border with the third sidewall 117 at two opposite sides of the trough 114 . The conductive element 120 is combined detachably with the connector 10 occupying the trough 114 by inserting both engagement portions 1211 of the body 121 into the trench 119 with the bending portion 1212 outside of the base 110 and approximate to the outer surface of the base 110 .
[0027] The first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 may be disposed for example respectively at two opposite sides of the body 121 , and the engagement portions 1211 are also located correspondingly thereto. However, it is to be understood that the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 may be connected to the body 121 in other positions. The first elastic strip 122 has a free part 1222 and a binding part 1221 connected between the body 121 and the free part 1222 . The binding part 1221 and the free part 1222 are connected with an angle therebetween such that an inflection piece 1223 is formed at the interface of both parts 1221 and 1222 . In other words, in a three-dimensional view, the first elastic strip 122 is formed to be V-shaped with the apex (the inflection piece 1223 ) thereof projecting towards the second elastic strip 123 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .
[0028] Particularly, since the first elastic strip 122 is made of a flexible material and connected to the body 121 only via the binding part 1221 , when the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together, it is allowed to move along the first sidewall 115 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 once the inflection piece 1223 is subject to force. That is, the first elastic strip 122 is allowed to reciprocate in a direction from the first/second to the second/first sidewall of the base 110 arbitrarily. In addition, the first elastic strip 122 further includes a guiding piece 1224 which is located on one side thereof that when the conductive element 120 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , the guiding piece 1224 is farther away from the fourth sidewall 118 . The guiding piece 1224 serves to facilitate the smooth movement (reciprocation) of the first elastic strip 122 . It is noted that the guiding piece 1224 may be extended from the binding part 1221 and/or the free part 1222 , and this is for illustration only rather than limitation.
[0029] Similarly, the second elastic strip 123 also has a binding part 1231 , a free part 1232 , an inflection piece 1233 , and a guiding piece 1234 . Since the second elastic strip 123 is made of a flexible material and connected to the body 121 only via the binding part 1231 , when the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together, it is allowed to move along the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 once the inflection piece 1233 is subject to force. The guiding piece 1234 of the second elastic strip 123 is located at one side thereof that when the conductive element 120 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , the guiding piece 1234 is farther away from the fourth sidewall 118 . It is noted that the guiding piece 1234 may be extended from the binding part 1231 and/or the free part 1232 .
[0030] The binding part 1231 is connected between the body 121 and the free part 1232 and forms an angle with the free part 1232 so that the inflection piece 1233 is formed at the interface of both parts 1231 and 1232 . In other words, in a three-dimensional view, the second elastic strip 123 is formed to be V-shaped with the apex (the inflection piece 1233 ) thereof projecting towards the first elastic strip 122 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .
[0031] Besides, as described above, because the first and the second elastic strip 122 and 123 are both three-dimensionally V-shaped, once the inflection pieces 1223 and 1233 are subject to force, the elastic strips 122 and 123 are deformed first and then allowed to move respectively along the first sidewall 115 and the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 under the condition that the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together. Therefore, the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 are designed to have length and width which will be equal to or less than length and width of the trough 114 of the base 110 when their respective inflection pieces 1223 and 1233 are subject to force, so that they won't overstep the base 110 .
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 of the electrical connector 10 are provided in stack on the base 110 of the bottom 100 above the trough 114 . The second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 may be for example USB ports, NIC ports, display ports or HDMI ports or the like. Also, the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 have respectively sockets 210 and 310 exposed from the first surface 111 of the base 110 and a plurality of conductive terminals 220 and 320 each having one end located within the socket and the other end exposed from the base 110 .
[0033] The housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 covers the base 110 of the bottom 100 and is made of conductive material such as metal like copper or aluminum. The bending part 1212 of the body 121 is clipped between the housing 400 and the base 110 , by way of which the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 of the conductive element 120 is connected to the housing 400 . Besides, a plurality of first holes 410 corresponding to the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 and a second hole 420 corresponding to the second surface 112 and the breach 113 of the base 110 are defined on the housing 400 . The respective sockets 210 and 310 of the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 are exposed from the electrical connector 10 at one side via the first holes 410 of the housing 400 , while the second surface 112 , the trough 114 of the base 110 are exposed from the electrical connector 10 via the second hole 420 of the housing 400 .
[0034] Also, a plurality of fasteners 430 are provided to the housing 400 at the side of the second surface 112 and along the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 . The fastener 430 may be, for example, a hook formed integrally extending from the housing 400 , while the invention is not limited thereto.
[0035] In the first embodiment of the invention, by referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 - 6 , the first connection port 20 is electrically provided to the circuit board 30 first, then the electrical connector 10 is plugged in the circuit board 30 together with the first connection port 20 . However, it will be understood that the above assembling process is simply illustrative, and the electrical connector 10 , the first connection port 20 , and the circuit board 30 may be joined together in other ways. For example, as the first step, the first connection port 20 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , next, the combination is connected to the circuit board 30 .
[0036] The circuit board 30 is provided with a plurality of the first and the second electrical holes 301 and 302 and a plurality of positioning holes 303 . The first connection port 20 can be connected to the circuit board 30 by inserting the plurality of conductive terminals 201 into the plurality of the first electrical holes 301 on the circuit board 30 . When the electrical connector 10 and the circuit board 30 are connected, the first connection port 20 is received in the trough 114 of the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 , the conductive terminals 220 of the second connection port 200 and the conductive terminals 320 of the third connection port 300 are inserted respectively in the second electrical holes 302 of the circuit board 30 , and the fasteners 430 are inserted into the positioning holes 303 correspondingly. In particular, since the fasteners 430 are pressed against the inner wall of the positioning holes 303 , the electrical connector 10 is secured firmly to the circuit board 30 .
[0037] In more detail, the first connection port 20 is received in the trough 114 and exposed from the breach 113 of the base 110 as follows. First, the guiding piece 1224 of the elastic strip 122 and the guiding piece 1234 of the second elastic strip 123 both reach against a surface of the first connection port 20 , as shown in FIG. 5 . Next, the first connection port 20 is clasped tightly between the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 by compressing the guiding pieces 1224 and 1234 thereof to make the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 deformed and then move respectively along the first sidewall 115 and the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 . Thus, the base 110 will slip towards the circuit board 30 under the guide of the guiding pieces 1224 and 1234 and engaged properly with the first connection port 20 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
[0038] In addition, when the first connection port 20 touches and pushes the inflection piece 1223 / 1233 of the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 such that the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 deform, an elastic restoring force for the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 is generated toward the second/first sidewall 116 / 115 . Such elastic restoring force serves as “clamping force” parallel to the circuit board 30 for fixing firmly the first connection port 20 to the electrical connector 10 . Also, since the first connection port 20 is electrically connected with the housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 via the conductive element 120 , it can be shielded from the electromagnetic interference.
[0039] Further, the design of the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 is efficacious in preventing the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector 10 from the first connection port 20 or the circuit board 30 by reducing or eliminating the reacting force between the first connection port 20 and the fourth sidewall 118 of the base 110 , when the electrical connector 10 and the first connection port 20 are plugged into the circuit board 30 before the welding process. Based on the above mentioned structure, the soldering defects like solder skip and solder short frequently occurred during the welding process are avoided between the electrical connector 10 and the circuit board 30 , so the defective rate is decreased and quality and stability of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector 10 is improved.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment. The electrical connector 10 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in structure except in the former, the first connection port 20 is regarded as a constituent of the electrical connector 10 and has been disposed in the trough 114 of the base 110 beforehand, and the third connection port 300 is removed from the electrical connector 10 . Similar to the first embodiment, the first connection port 20 is firmly secured on the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 by (the elastic restoring force of) the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 . In this way, when the electrical connector 10 is connected with the circuit board 30 , loose connection or separation of the first connection port 20 from the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 can be prevented effectively.
[0041] In addition, the first connection port 20 is detachably disposed into the trough 114 of the base 110 through the clamping effect provided by the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 , so the type of the first connection port 20 may be selected as desired. That is, the assembly and application of the electrical connector 10 will be more flexible.
[0042] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the electrical connector 10 of the third embodiment, which is similar to that of the first embodiment in structure except in the former, the conductive element 120 does not include a second elastic strip 123 , and the body 121 has an engagement portion 1211 together with a bending portion 1212 connected thereto only at one side. When the electrical connector 10 is connected to a circuit board having a first connection port (not shown), similar to the first embodiment of the invention, the first connection port can be clamped and held spatially between the first elastic strip 122 and the second sidewall 116 by means of the elastic restoring force from the first elastic strip 122 of the conductive element 120 . Also, since the first connection port 20 is electrically connected with the housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 via the conductive element 120 , it can be shielded from the electromagnetic interference.
[0043] However, it is to be noted that a skilled person in the art may modify the structure of the elastic strip(s) of the conductive element and the number of the connection ports of the electrical connector as required.
[0044] In the present invention, because the elastic strip of the conductive element provides an elastic restoring force that facilitates reducing or eliminating the reacting force between the first connection port and the electrical connector which is vertical to the circuit board, the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector from the connection port is prevented. This ensures successful welding of conductive terminals of the electrical connector to the circuit board, and thus a reduced defective rate and an improved quality and stability of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.
[0045] From the above description of the invention, it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It is intended that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. | An electrical connector, which is adapted to a printed circuit board (PCB) with a first connection port, comprises a bottom having a base and a conductive element mounted in an opening of the base, a second connection port disposing on the base, and a housing covering the bottom. When the bottom is disposed on the PCB, the first connection port is accommodated in the opening of the base, and an elastic strip of the conductive element presses on the first connection port toward a direction parallel to the PCB for combining the electrical connector and the first connection port on the PCB, and preventing the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector from the first connection port or the PCB. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Taiwan Patent Application No. 101101029, filed on Jan. 11, 2012, in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to an electrical connector;",
"more particularly, to a stacked electrical connector.",
"[0004] 2.",
"Description of the Prior Art [0005] Recently, as the computer moves towards a thin and compact product, the size of motherboard in the computer is reduced, resulting in a limited space on the motherboard for the electrical components.",
"Therefore, similar or different types of connectors or connection ports are assembled on the motherboard in a stacked way in order to optimize the space utilization.",
"For example, multiple universal serial bus (referred to as USB hereinafter) (connection) ports may be arranged collectively on an insulator;",
"alternatively, a number of different types of connection ports, such as USB ports, RJ45 ports, IEEE 1394 ports and high definition multimedia interface (referred to as HDMI hereinafter) ports, may be grouped together on a single insulator to form a stacked connector with multiports.",
"[0006] However, due to the property of high transmission rate of the connection port, high frequency electromagnetic wave (known as “electromagnetic (EM) radiation”) is emitted during the signal transmission process, by which the digital signal transmitted through the connector and further the operation of other electrical components in the computer will be affected adversely (known as “electromagnetic interference”, EMI).",
"As a common solution, a conductive metal shell is formed to cover the insulator on which the connector is located and to secure to the motherboard at the same time.",
"In this way, effective EM shielding can be provided because of the contact between the metal shell and the motherboard.",
"[0007] A stacked connector has been developed in which an open accommodating space is additionally formed in the insulator where multiple connection ports are located.",
"The open accommodating space is for a single connection port that has been previously disposed on the motherboard.",
"Thus, the single connection port such as a HDMI port, USB port, or display port on the motherboard may be housed in the accommodating space of the stacked connector when connected to the stacked connector and then becomes a unity with the stacked connector.",
"[0008] On the other hand, a conductive elastic strip is located in the accommodating space of the stacked connector to be in contact with the metal shell for the EMI shielding of the connection port on the motherboard.",
"When the stacked connector is connected with the connection port on the motherboard, the conductive elastic strip will be pressed against a top surface of the connection port, which is away from the motherboard, to connect the connection port to the ground or to shield the connection port from the EMI by a contact relationship between the conductive elastic strip, the metal shell, and the motherboard.",
"[0009] However, some problems are involved in the above process.",
"In general, the connection port of the circuit board is covered by the stacked connector such that pins of the stacked connector penetrate through the motherboard.",
"Next, the pins of the stacked connector are welded to the motherboard by for example reflow soldering.",
"Particularly, since the conductive elastic strip in the connection port on the motherboard in contact with the stacked connector is resilient in nature and therefore easy to be separate from or in loose connection with the connection port owing to any vibration or shake during the process, not all of the pins of the stacked connector can penetrate through the motherboard to a sufficient extent.",
"As a result, part of the pins of the stacked connector will not be welded to the motherboard firmly and stably, thus forming some soldering defects like solder skip and solder short and after all affecting negatively the defective rate and quality and stability of digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In view of the forgoing problems, the present invention provides an electrical connector that can ensure a low defective rate and a high quality of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.",
"[0011] The present invention discloses an electrical connector that is adapted to a circuit board having a first connection port.",
"The electrical connector comprises a base, a second connection port disposed on the base, a housing and a conductive element.",
"The base is provided with a trough formed on one surface of the base, which forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough and opposed each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls.",
"The housing covers the base and the second connection port, and the trough of the base and the second connection port are exposed from the housing.",
"The conductive element is disposed in the trough of the base, the conductive element comprises a body and a first elastic strip, the body penetrates the base and contacts with the housing, one end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base, and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily.",
"[0012] Wherein, when the electrical connector is combined with the circuit board, the first connection port of the circuit board is accommodated in the trough of the base and exposed from the breach, the housing is contacted with the circuit board, the second connection port is located above the first connection port, and the first elastic strip of the conductive element is pressed against the first connection port.",
"[0013] The present invention further discloses an electrical connector comprising a base, a first connection port, a second connection port, a housing and a conductive element.",
"The base is provided with a trough formed on one surface of the base, which forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough and opposed each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls.",
"The first connection port is located in the trough of the base and exposed from the breach.",
"The second connection port is disposed on the base and stacked on the first connection port.",
"The housing covers the base and the second connection port, wherein the trough of the base and the second connection port are exposed from the housing.",
"The conductive element is located in the trough of the base and comprises a body and a first elastic strip.",
"The body penetrates the base and contacts with the housing.",
"One end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base;",
"and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily, wherein the first elastic strip is normally pressed against the first connection port.",
"[0014] In addition, the present invention discloses a bottom of an electrical connector, too.",
"The bottom of the electrical connector comprises a base provided with a trough, and a conductive element, The trough is formed on one surface of the base and forms a breach on an adjacent surface of the base, and a first sidewall and a second sidewall are located in the trough respectively and opposed to each other, and the breach is formed between the first and the second sidewalls.",
"The conductive element is disposed in the trough of the base, and comprises a body and a first elastic strip, wherein the body penetrates the base and exposed from the base, one end of the first elastic strip is connected to the body in the trough and located adjacent to the first sidewall of the base, and the other end of the first elastic strip extends toward to the breach of the base and is capable of reciprocating between the first and the second sidewalls of the base arbitrarily.",
"[0015] The effect of the present invention is achieved in the following way.",
"The electrical connector is stably combined with the connection port on the circuit board by the elastic strip of the conductive element that provides an elastic restoring force between the first and the second sidewalls of the base.",
"In addition, when the circuit board combined with the electrical connector and the connection port is given transportation, the reacting force between the first connection port and the electrical connector vertical to the circuit board is reduced or eliminated because the elastic strip is pressed against the connection port along a direction parallel to the circuit board under the elastic restoring force.",
"Therefore, some soldering defects that will probably occur afterward, such as solder skip and solder short, may be prevented, and the defective rate is reduced and quality and stability of digital signal transmission of the electrical connector are improved effectively.",
"[0016] The characteristics, realization and functions of the invention are disclosed in the following description with reference to the preferred exemplified embodiments and the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0020] FIG. 3 is a base view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0021] FIGS. 4-6 are exemplary state diagrams for using the connector of the first embodiment of the present invention;",
"[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention;",
"and [0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the electrical connector 10 of the first embodiment is adapted to a circuit board 30 having a first connection port 20 .",
"The first connection port 20 may be but not limited to a HDMI port, a display port, or a network interface card (NIC) port or the like.",
"The electrical connector 10 includes a bottom 100 , a second connection port 200 , a third connection port 300 and a housing 400 .",
"The bottom 100 includes a base 110 having a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 that are adjacent to each other with an angle therebetween and a conductive element 120 .",
"A trough 114 is formed on the second surface 112 of the base 110 and forms a breach 113 on the first surface 111 of the base 110 .",
"The trough 114 has a first sidewall 115 and a second sidewall 116 that are opposed each other and located on two opposite sides of the breach 113 .",
"A third sidewall 117 and a fourth sidewall 118 are formed and connected between the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 .",
"[0025] In this embodiment, the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 are perpendicular to the first and the second surfaces 111 and 112 , the third sidewall 117 is opposite to the breach 113 , parallel to the first surface 111 , and perpendicular to the second surface 112 , and the fourth sidewall 118 is connected to the first, second, and third sidewalls 115 , 116 , and 117 , parallel to the second surface 112 and perpendicular to the first surface 111 .",
"However, it is to be noted that the above configuration is only illustrative and the invention is not limited thereto.",
"[0026] The conductive element 120 is located in the trough 114 and made of a conductive, flexible, and deformable material such as metal like copper or aluminum.",
"The conductive element 120 includes a body 121 , a first elastic strip 122 and a second elastic strip 123 .",
"The body 121 at both sides thereof has an engagement portion 1211 together with a bending portion 1212 connected to the engagement portion 1211 and is located in the trough 114 next to the third sidewall 117 .",
"It is to be noted that the engagement portion 1211 is formed by extending from the body 121 , while the bending portion 1212 is formed by bending and extending from the engagement portion 1211 .",
"Besides, a trench 119 is respectively formed on the second surface 112 near the border with the third sidewall 117 at two opposite sides of the trough 114 .",
"The conductive element 120 is combined detachably with the connector 10 occupying the trough 114 by inserting both engagement portions 1211 of the body 121 into the trench 119 with the bending portion 1212 outside of the base 110 and approximate to the outer surface of the base 110 .",
"[0027] The first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 may be disposed for example respectively at two opposite sides of the body 121 , and the engagement portions 1211 are also located correspondingly thereto.",
"However, it is to be understood that the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 may be connected to the body 121 in other positions.",
"The first elastic strip 122 has a free part 1222 and a binding part 1221 connected between the body 121 and the free part 1222 .",
"The binding part 1221 and the free part 1222 are connected with an angle therebetween such that an inflection piece 1223 is formed at the interface of both parts 1221 and 1222 .",
"In other words, in a three-dimensional view, the first elastic strip 122 is formed to be V-shaped with the apex (the inflection piece 1223 ) thereof projecting towards the second elastic strip 123 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .",
"[0028] Particularly, since the first elastic strip 122 is made of a flexible material and connected to the body 121 only via the binding part 1221 , when the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together, it is allowed to move along the first sidewall 115 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 once the inflection piece 1223 is subject to force.",
"That is, the first elastic strip 122 is allowed to reciprocate in a direction from the first/second to the second/first sidewall of the base 110 arbitrarily.",
"In addition, the first elastic strip 122 further includes a guiding piece 1224 which is located on one side thereof that when the conductive element 120 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , the guiding piece 1224 is farther away from the fourth sidewall 118 .",
"The guiding piece 1224 serves to facilitate the smooth movement (reciprocation) of the first elastic strip 122 .",
"It is noted that the guiding piece 1224 may be extended from the binding part 1221 and/or the free part 1222 , and this is for illustration only rather than limitation.",
"[0029] Similarly, the second elastic strip 123 also has a binding part 1231 , a free part 1232 , an inflection piece 1233 , and a guiding piece 1234 .",
"Since the second elastic strip 123 is made of a flexible material and connected to the body 121 only via the binding part 1231 , when the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together, it is allowed to move along the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 once the inflection piece 1233 is subject to force.",
"The guiding piece 1234 of the second elastic strip 123 is located at one side thereof that when the conductive element 120 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , the guiding piece 1234 is farther away from the fourth sidewall 118 .",
"It is noted that the guiding piece 1234 may be extended from the binding part 1231 and/or the free part 1232 .",
"[0030] The binding part 1231 is connected between the body 121 and the free part 1232 and forms an angle with the free part 1232 so that the inflection piece 1233 is formed at the interface of both parts 1231 and 1232 .",
"In other words, in a three-dimensional view, the second elastic strip 123 is formed to be V-shaped with the apex (the inflection piece 1233 ) thereof projecting towards the first elastic strip 122 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .",
"[0031] Besides, as described above, because the first and the second elastic strip 122 and 123 are both three-dimensionally V-shaped, once the inflection pieces 1223 and 1233 are subject to force, the elastic strips 122 and 123 are deformed first and then allowed to move respectively along the first sidewall 115 and the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 under the condition that the electrical connector 10 and the conductive element 120 are combined together.",
"Therefore, the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 are designed to have length and width which will be equal to or less than length and width of the trough 114 of the base 110 when their respective inflection pieces 1223 and 1233 are subject to force, so that they won't overstep the base 110 .",
"[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 of the electrical connector 10 are provided in stack on the base 110 of the bottom 100 above the trough 114 .",
"The second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 may be for example USB ports, NIC ports, display ports or HDMI ports or the like.",
"Also, the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 have respectively sockets 210 and 310 exposed from the first surface 111 of the base 110 and a plurality of conductive terminals 220 and 320 each having one end located within the socket and the other end exposed from the base 110 .",
"[0033] The housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 covers the base 110 of the bottom 100 and is made of conductive material such as metal like copper or aluminum.",
"The bending part 1212 of the body 121 is clipped between the housing 400 and the base 110 , by way of which the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 of the conductive element 120 is connected to the housing 400 .",
"Besides, a plurality of first holes 410 corresponding to the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 and a second hole 420 corresponding to the second surface 112 and the breach 113 of the base 110 are defined on the housing 400 .",
"The respective sockets 210 and 310 of the second and the third connection ports 200 and 300 are exposed from the electrical connector 10 at one side via the first holes 410 of the housing 400 , while the second surface 112 , the trough 114 of the base 110 are exposed from the electrical connector 10 via the second hole 420 of the housing 400 .",
"[0034] Also, a plurality of fasteners 430 are provided to the housing 400 at the side of the second surface 112 and along the first and the second sidewalls 115 and 116 .",
"The fastener 430 may be, for example, a hook formed integrally extending from the housing 400 , while the invention is not limited thereto.",
"[0035] In the first embodiment of the invention, by referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 - 6 , the first connection port 20 is electrically provided to the circuit board 30 first, then the electrical connector 10 is plugged in the circuit board 30 together with the first connection port 20 .",
"However, it will be understood that the above assembling process is simply illustrative, and the electrical connector 10 , the first connection port 20 , and the circuit board 30 may be joined together in other ways.",
"For example, as the first step, the first connection port 20 is combined with the electrical connector 10 , next, the combination is connected to the circuit board 30 .",
"[0036] The circuit board 30 is provided with a plurality of the first and the second electrical holes 301 and 302 and a plurality of positioning holes 303 .",
"The first connection port 20 can be connected to the circuit board 30 by inserting the plurality of conductive terminals 201 into the plurality of the first electrical holes 301 on the circuit board 30 .",
"When the electrical connector 10 and the circuit board 30 are connected, the first connection port 20 is received in the trough 114 of the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 , the conductive terminals 220 of the second connection port 200 and the conductive terminals 320 of the third connection port 300 are inserted respectively in the second electrical holes 302 of the circuit board 30 , and the fasteners 430 are inserted into the positioning holes 303 correspondingly.",
"In particular, since the fasteners 430 are pressed against the inner wall of the positioning holes 303 , the electrical connector 10 is secured firmly to the circuit board 30 .",
"[0037] In more detail, the first connection port 20 is received in the trough 114 and exposed from the breach 113 of the base 110 as follows.",
"First, the guiding piece 1224 of the elastic strip 122 and the guiding piece 1234 of the second elastic strip 123 both reach against a surface of the first connection port 20 , as shown in FIG. 5 .",
"Next, the first connection port 20 is clasped tightly between the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 by compressing the guiding pieces 1224 and 1234 thereof to make the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 deformed and then move respectively along the first sidewall 115 and the second sidewall 116 in the direction out of the housing 400 towards the breach 113 of the base 110 .",
"Thus, the base 110 will slip towards the circuit board 30 under the guide of the guiding pieces 1224 and 1234 and engaged properly with the first connection port 20 , as shown in FIG. 6 .",
"[0038] In addition, when the first connection port 20 touches and pushes the inflection piece 1223 / 1233 of the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 such that the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 deform, an elastic restoring force for the first/second elastic strips 122 / 123 is generated toward the second/first sidewall 116 / 115 .",
"Such elastic restoring force serves as “clamping force”",
"parallel to the circuit board 30 for fixing firmly the first connection port 20 to the electrical connector 10 .",
"Also, since the first connection port 20 is electrically connected with the housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 via the conductive element 120 , it can be shielded from the electromagnetic interference.",
"[0039] Further, the design of the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 is efficacious in preventing the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector 10 from the first connection port 20 or the circuit board 30 by reducing or eliminating the reacting force between the first connection port 20 and the fourth sidewall 118 of the base 110 , when the electrical connector 10 and the first connection port 20 are plugged into the circuit board 30 before the welding process.",
"Based on the above mentioned structure, the soldering defects like solder skip and solder short frequently occurred during the welding process are avoided between the electrical connector 10 and the circuit board 30 , so the defective rate is decreased and quality and stability of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector 10 is improved.",
"[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic assembly view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment.",
"The electrical connector 10 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in structure except in the former, the first connection port 20 is regarded as a constituent of the electrical connector 10 and has been disposed in the trough 114 of the base 110 beforehand, and the third connection port 300 is removed from the electrical connector 10 .",
"Similar to the first embodiment, the first connection port 20 is firmly secured on the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 by (the elastic restoring force of) the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 .",
"In this way, when the electrical connector 10 is connected with the circuit board 30 , loose connection or separation of the first connection port 20 from the base 110 of the electrical connector 10 can be prevented effectively.",
"[0041] In addition, the first connection port 20 is detachably disposed into the trough 114 of the base 110 through the clamping effect provided by the first and the second elastic strips 122 and 123 , so the type of the first connection port 20 may be selected as desired.",
"That is, the assembly and application of the electrical connector 10 will be more flexible.",
"[0042] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the electrical connector 10 of the third embodiment, which is similar to that of the first embodiment in structure except in the former, the conductive element 120 does not include a second elastic strip 123 , and the body 121 has an engagement portion 1211 together with a bending portion 1212 connected thereto only at one side.",
"When the electrical connector 10 is connected to a circuit board having a first connection port (not shown), similar to the first embodiment of the invention, the first connection port can be clamped and held spatially between the first elastic strip 122 and the second sidewall 116 by means of the elastic restoring force from the first elastic strip 122 of the conductive element 120 .",
"Also, since the first connection port 20 is electrically connected with the housing 400 of the electrical connector 10 via the conductive element 120 , it can be shielded from the electromagnetic interference.",
"[0043] However, it is to be noted that a skilled person in the art may modify the structure of the elastic strip(s) of the conductive element and the number of the connection ports of the electrical connector as required.",
"[0044] In the present invention, because the elastic strip of the conductive element provides an elastic restoring force that facilitates reducing or eliminating the reacting force between the first connection port and the electrical connector which is vertical to the circuit board, the separation or loose connection of the electrical connector from the connection port is prevented.",
"This ensures successful welding of conductive terminals of the electrical connector to the circuit board, and thus a reduced defective rate and an improved quality and stability of the digital signal transmission of the electrical connector.",
"[0045] From the above description of the invention, it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the invention without departing from the scope thereof.",
"Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.",
"The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.",
"It is intended that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Korean Application Serial Number 10-2005-0109123, filed on Nov. 15, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to continuously variable valve lift systems for engines and, more particularly, to a continuously variable valve lift system for engines which is able to variably control opening and shutting times and periods of intake and exhaust valves operated by the rotation of a cam shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As well known to those skilled in the art, it is impossible to vary valve lift or opening duration using typical cams provided in conventional engine systems. Furthermore, because the valve lift and opening duration are fixed as specific values, a fuel consumption ratio and power output of an engine cannot be optimized.
In an effort to overcome the problems experienced with the conventional arts, recently, studies have been conduced on variation of opening and shutting times and periods of intake and exhaust valves in order to increase thermal efficiency and power output of engines. As part of these studies, a continuously variable valve lift system has been proposed.
In detail, the continuously variable valve lift system is able to adjust opening and shutting times of intake and exhaust valves and factors such as valve lift, related to valve movement, such that they are optimized. For example, the system maximizes the inflow rate of the engine in a high-speed or high-loading condition that requires high output power. In a low-speed or low-loading condition in which it is important to increase a fuel consumption ratio or reduce exhaust gas, the system increases an EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) effect and minimizes throttle loss.
However, in the conventional continuously variable valve lift system, structures of moving parts are complex. Furthermore, because the system requires a large space above a position at which a cam shaft is mounted in the cylinder head of the engine, the overall height of the cylinder head is increased.
As a result, the volume of an engine having the conventional continuously variable valve lift system is increased. As well, due to an increase in space required for the cylinder head in an engine room, there is a spatial restriction in the installation of other elements in the engine room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide a continuously variable valve lift system for an engine which is able to variably adjust valve lift and opening duration of intake and exhaust valves operated by the rotation of a cam shaft despite having a compact structure, so that the space required for the system in a cylinder head is reduced, and which is provided at a position level with or below the position at which the cam shaft is installed, thus reducing the overall height of the cylinder head, thereby reducing the volume of the engine.
A continuously variable valve lift system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cam shaft which is provided in a cylinder head of an engine and rotated in conjunction with a crank shaft, with a plurality of cams provided on the cam shaft to open and shut intake and exhaust valves. A rotary adjuster is set such that a rotating angle thereof is variably adjusted depending on an operational condition of the engine, with first contact parts provided at predetermined positions on the rotary adjuster and having predetermined curvatures. Bearing members are compressed both by the cams and by the first contact parts of the rotary adjuster, such that moving tracks of the bearing members vary dependently with the cams and the first contact parts. Elastic members bring the bearing members into contact with the cams and the rotary adjuster. Rocker arms are in contact with and compressed by the bearing members and have second contact parts having predetermined curvatures. Each of the rocker arms is pivotably supported at a first end thereof by a lash adjuster and compresses at a second end thereof each of the intake and exhaust valves. The rotary adjuster is set such that a rotation center thereof is a level with or is lower than a rotation center of the cam shaft based on a lower surface of the cylinder head. The bearing members are disposed below the cam shaft and between the rotary adjuster and the rocker arms.
The rotary adjuster may include a rotating shaft set such that a rotating angle thereof is adjusted by a step motor. A plurality of control cams may be provided at predetermined positions on the rotating shaft and oriented downwards. Each of the control cams may have the first contact part having the predetermined curvature. A rotating angle of the step motor may be adjusted by an electronic control unit (ECU) depending on a load of the vehicle when traveling.
Each of the bearing members may include a support shaft disposed along a longitudinal center line of the bearing member. First contact rings may be rotatably fitted at predetermined positions over a circumferential outer surface of the support shaft, such that each of the first contact rings contacts each of the first contact parts of the rotary adjuster. Second contact rings may be rotatably fitted over the circumferential outer surface of the support shaft at positions close to inner sidewalls of the first contact rings, such that each of the second contact rings contacts each of the second contact parts of the rocker arms. A third contact ring may be rotatably fitted over the circumferential outer surface of the support shaft at a position close to inner sidewalls of the second contact rings and contact the associated cam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a continuously variable valve lift system for engines, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the continuously variable valve lift system of FIG. 1 ;
FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively are front and sectional views of the continuously variable valve lift system according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 3 ;
FIG. 6 is a partially broken perspective view of a bearing member of the continuously variable valve lift system of FIGS. 1 through 5 ;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing member of FIG. 6 ; and
FIGS. 8 through 10 are views showing variation in valve lift during the operation of the continuously variable valve lift system according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 , a continuously variable valve lift system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes intake and exhaust valves 10 which are provided in a cylinder head of an engine, and a cam shaft 12 which is rotated in conjunction with a crank shaft and integrally has a plurality of cams 12 a that function to open and shut the intake and exhaust valves 10 . The continuously variable valve lift system further includes a rotary adjuster 14 , which is disposed in the cylinder head, and a rotating angle of which is variably adjusted depending on an operational condition of the engine. First contact parts 16 a , having predetermined curvatures, are provided at predetermined positions on the rotary adjuster 14 . The continuously variable valve lift system further includes bearing members 18 which are provided in the cylinder head such that moving tracks of the bearing members 18 depend on and are varied by compression of the cams 12 a and the first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 , and elastic members 20 which bring the bearing members 18 into contact with the cams 12 a and the rotary adjuster 14 . The continuously variable valve lift system further includes rocker arms 22 , each of which has second contact parts 22 a having predetermined curvatures. The second contact parts 22 a are in contact with and are compressed by each bearing member 18 , the moving track of which depends on and varies with both the profile of each cam 12 a , provided on the cam shaft 12 , and the profiles of the first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 .
Each of the rocker arms 22 is pivotably supported at a first end thereof by each hydraulic lash adjuster 24 and is coupled at a second end thereof to an upper end of each of the intake and exhaust valves 10 to compress the intake or exhaust valve 10 .
In this embodiment, the rotation center of the rotary adjuster 14 is set such that it is not higher than the rotation center of the cam shaft 12 based on a lower surface of the cylinder head. In other words, the rotation center of the rotary adjuster 14 is the same as or is lower than the rotation center of the cam shaft 12 .
Furthermore, the bearing members 18 are disposed below the cam shaft 12 and between the rotary adjuster 14 and the rocker arms 22 .
Meanwhile, the rotary adjuster 14 includes a rotating shaft 14 a which is rotatably installed in the cylinder head, and a rotating angle of which is adjusted by a step motor 26 , and control cams 16 which are provided at predetermined positions on the rotating shaft 14 a and are oriented downwards. Each control cam 16 has a first contact part 16 a having a predetermined curvature. The rotating angle of the step motor 26 is adjusted by an electronic control unit (ECU) according to the load of the vehicle when traveling. That is, the electronic control unit adjusts the rotating angle of the step motor 26 according to the load of the vehicle when traveling, so that the valve lift and the opening duration by rotation of the cam shaft 12 are adjusted.
In this embodiment, each first contact part 16 a integrally has a first guide surface which is convexly curved towards the associated bearing member 18 , and a second guide surface which extends from the first guide surface and is concavely curved with respect to the bearing member 18 .
Furthermore, each elastic member 20 comprises a torsion spring which is fastened at a first end thereof to the cylinder head and is supported at second ends thereof by each bearing member 18 .
The second contact parts 22 a of each rocker arm 22 are curved in concave shapes with respect to the bearing member 18 to effectively receive compression force transferred from the associated bearing member 18 .
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , each bearing member 18 includes a support shaft 18 a which is disposed along a longitudinal center line of the bearing member 18 , and first contact rings 18 b which are rotatably fitted over a circumferential outer surface of the support shaft 18 a such that the first contact rings 18 b are brought into contact with the associated first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 . Each bearing member 18 further includes second contact rings 18 c which are rotatably fitted over the support shaft 18 a at positions close to inner sidewalls of the first contact rings 18 b such that the second contact rings are brought into contact with the second contact parts 22 a of each rocker arm 22 , and a third contact ring which is rotatably fitted over the support shaft 18 a at a position close to inner sidewalls of the second contact rings 18 c and is in contact with each cam 12 a.
In this embodiment, a plurality of idle rollers 18 e is provided between the support shaft 18 a and the third contact ring 18 d to ensure smooth rotation of the third contact ring 18 d with respect to the support shaft 18 a.
Furthermore, snap rings 19 are fitted over opposite ends of the support shaft 18 a to prevent the first contact rings 18 b from being removed from the support shaft 18 a in an axial direction.
As well, a stepped flange part 18 f , a cross-section of which is enlarged moving from the inside to the outside, is integrally provided on each of the opposite ends of the support shaft 18 a , so that each second end of the associated elastic member 20 is inserted and supported in a space defined between the stepped flange part 18 f and the associated snap ring 19 .
Therefore, in the continuously variable valve lift system of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 , when the step motor 26 rotates the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 at a predetermined angle under the control of the electronic control unit, the setting angle of the first contact parts 16 a of the control cams 16 provided on the rotary adjuster 14 varies.
The cams 12 a are rotated by the rotation of the cam shaft 12 , which contact the third contact rings 18 d of the bearing members 18 , and compress the bearing members 18 . Then, the first contact rings 18 b of the bearing members 18 are brought into contact with the first contact part 16 a of the control cams 16 of the rotary adjuster 14 , and the second contact rings 18 c of the bearing members 18 are brought into contact with the second contact parts 22 a of the rocker arms 22 .
In this case, the valve lift and the opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 depend on and vary with the profiles of the cams 12 a , the profiles of the first contact parts 16 a of the control cams 16 of the rotary adjuster 14 and the profiles of the second contact parts 22 a of the rocker arms 22 .
For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , when the rotating angle of the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is at 0°, variation of valve lift and opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 by the rotation of the cam shaft 12 is smallest. As shown in FIG. 9 and 10 , when the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is rotated at 10° and 25° in a counterclockwise direction, that is, when the rotating angle of the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is increased, valve lift and opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 are also gradually increased.
As is apparent from the foregoing, in the present invention, elements of a continuously variable valve lift system, which is provided in a cylinder head of an engine and varies the valve lift and opening duration of intake and exhaust valves, are reduced to a rotary adjuster, a bearing member and a rocker arm, thus ensuring a compact layout in a design process.
Furthermore, the reduced number of elements of the continuously variable valve lift system can reduce the weight of the system. Particularly, because the system is set such that the rotation center of a rotary adjuster is not higher than the rotation center of a cam shaft, the overall height of the cylinder head of the engine is not increased, so that the volume of the engine is reduced. | Disclosed herein is a continuously variable valve lift system for an engine which is able to variably adjust valve lift and opening duration of intake and exhaust valves operated by the rotation of a cam shaft. The continuously variable valve lift system of the present invention has a compact structure, so that space required for the system in a cylinder head is reduced. Furthermore, the continuously variable valve lift system is provided at a position level with or below a position at which the cam shaft is installed, thus reducing the overall height of the cylinder head, thereby reducing the volume of the engine. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Korean Application Serial Number 10-2005-0109123, filed on Nov. 15, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to continuously variable valve lift systems for engines and, more particularly, to a continuously variable valve lift system for engines which is able to variably control opening and shutting times and periods of intake and exhaust valves operated by the rotation of a cam shaft.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As well known to those skilled in the art, it is impossible to vary valve lift or opening duration using typical cams provided in conventional engine systems.",
"Furthermore, because the valve lift and opening duration are fixed as specific values, a fuel consumption ratio and power output of an engine cannot be optimized.",
"In an effort to overcome the problems experienced with the conventional arts, recently, studies have been conduced on variation of opening and shutting times and periods of intake and exhaust valves in order to increase thermal efficiency and power output of engines.",
"As part of these studies, a continuously variable valve lift system has been proposed.",
"In detail, the continuously variable valve lift system is able to adjust opening and shutting times of intake and exhaust valves and factors such as valve lift, related to valve movement, such that they are optimized.",
"For example, the system maximizes the inflow rate of the engine in a high-speed or high-loading condition that requires high output power.",
"In a low-speed or low-loading condition in which it is important to increase a fuel consumption ratio or reduce exhaust gas, the system increases an EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) effect and minimizes throttle loss.",
"However, in the conventional continuously variable valve lift system, structures of moving parts are complex.",
"Furthermore, because the system requires a large space above a position at which a cam shaft is mounted in the cylinder head of the engine, the overall height of the cylinder head is increased.",
"As a result, the volume of an engine having the conventional continuously variable valve lift system is increased.",
"As well, due to an increase in space required for the cylinder head in an engine room, there is a spatial restriction in the installation of other elements in the engine room.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide a continuously variable valve lift system for an engine which is able to variably adjust valve lift and opening duration of intake and exhaust valves operated by the rotation of a cam shaft despite having a compact structure, so that the space required for the system in a cylinder head is reduced, and which is provided at a position level with or below the position at which the cam shaft is installed, thus reducing the overall height of the cylinder head, thereby reducing the volume of the engine.",
"A continuously variable valve lift system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cam shaft which is provided in a cylinder head of an engine and rotated in conjunction with a crank shaft, with a plurality of cams provided on the cam shaft to open and shut intake and exhaust valves.",
"A rotary adjuster is set such that a rotating angle thereof is variably adjusted depending on an operational condition of the engine, with first contact parts provided at predetermined positions on the rotary adjuster and having predetermined curvatures.",
"Bearing members are compressed both by the cams and by the first contact parts of the rotary adjuster, such that moving tracks of the bearing members vary dependently with the cams and the first contact parts.",
"Elastic members bring the bearing members into contact with the cams and the rotary adjuster.",
"Rocker arms are in contact with and compressed by the bearing members and have second contact parts having predetermined curvatures.",
"Each of the rocker arms is pivotably supported at a first end thereof by a lash adjuster and compresses at a second end thereof each of the intake and exhaust valves.",
"The rotary adjuster is set such that a rotation center thereof is a level with or is lower than a rotation center of the cam shaft based on a lower surface of the cylinder head.",
"The bearing members are disposed below the cam shaft and between the rotary adjuster and the rocker arms.",
"The rotary adjuster may include a rotating shaft set such that a rotating angle thereof is adjusted by a step motor.",
"A plurality of control cams may be provided at predetermined positions on the rotating shaft and oriented downwards.",
"Each of the control cams may have the first contact part having the predetermined curvature.",
"A rotating angle of the step motor may be adjusted by an electronic control unit (ECU) depending on a load of the vehicle when traveling.",
"Each of the bearing members may include a support shaft disposed along a longitudinal center line of the bearing member.",
"First contact rings may be rotatably fitted at predetermined positions over a circumferential outer surface of the support shaft, such that each of the first contact rings contacts each of the first contact parts of the rotary adjuster.",
"Second contact rings may be rotatably fitted over the circumferential outer surface of the support shaft at positions close to inner sidewalls of the first contact rings, such that each of the second contact rings contacts each of the second contact parts of the rocker arms.",
"A third contact ring may be rotatably fitted over the circumferential outer surface of the support shaft at a position close to inner sidewalls of the second contact rings and contact the associated cam.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a continuously variable valve lift system for engines, according to an embodiment of the present invention;",
"FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the continuously variable valve lift system of FIG. 1 ;",
"FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively are front and sectional views of the continuously variable valve lift system according to the present invention;",
"FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 3 ;",
"FIG. 6 is a partially broken perspective view of a bearing member of the continuously variable valve lift system of FIGS. 1 through 5 ;",
"FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing member of FIG. 6 ;",
"and FIGS. 8 through 10 are views showing variation in valve lift during the operation of the continuously variable valve lift system according to the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.",
"As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 , a continuously variable valve lift system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes intake and exhaust valves 10 which are provided in a cylinder head of an engine, and a cam shaft 12 which is rotated in conjunction with a crank shaft and integrally has a plurality of cams 12 a that function to open and shut the intake and exhaust valves 10 .",
"The continuously variable valve lift system further includes a rotary adjuster 14 , which is disposed in the cylinder head, and a rotating angle of which is variably adjusted depending on an operational condition of the engine.",
"First contact parts 16 a , having predetermined curvatures, are provided at predetermined positions on the rotary adjuster 14 .",
"The continuously variable valve lift system further includes bearing members 18 which are provided in the cylinder head such that moving tracks of the bearing members 18 depend on and are varied by compression of the cams 12 a and the first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 , and elastic members 20 which bring the bearing members 18 into contact with the cams 12 a and the rotary adjuster 14 .",
"The continuously variable valve lift system further includes rocker arms 22 , each of which has second contact parts 22 a having predetermined curvatures.",
"The second contact parts 22 a are in contact with and are compressed by each bearing member 18 , the moving track of which depends on and varies with both the profile of each cam 12 a , provided on the cam shaft 12 , and the profiles of the first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 .",
"Each of the rocker arms 22 is pivotably supported at a first end thereof by each hydraulic lash adjuster 24 and is coupled at a second end thereof to an upper end of each of the intake and exhaust valves 10 to compress the intake or exhaust valve 10 .",
"In this embodiment, the rotation center of the rotary adjuster 14 is set such that it is not higher than the rotation center of the cam shaft 12 based on a lower surface of the cylinder head.",
"In other words, the rotation center of the rotary adjuster 14 is the same as or is lower than the rotation center of the cam shaft 12 .",
"Furthermore, the bearing members 18 are disposed below the cam shaft 12 and between the rotary adjuster 14 and the rocker arms 22 .",
"Meanwhile, the rotary adjuster 14 includes a rotating shaft 14 a which is rotatably installed in the cylinder head, and a rotating angle of which is adjusted by a step motor 26 , and control cams 16 which are provided at predetermined positions on the rotating shaft 14 a and are oriented downwards.",
"Each control cam 16 has a first contact part 16 a having a predetermined curvature.",
"The rotating angle of the step motor 26 is adjusted by an electronic control unit (ECU) according to the load of the vehicle when traveling.",
"That is, the electronic control unit adjusts the rotating angle of the step motor 26 according to the load of the vehicle when traveling, so that the valve lift and the opening duration by rotation of the cam shaft 12 are adjusted.",
"In this embodiment, each first contact part 16 a integrally has a first guide surface which is convexly curved towards the associated bearing member 18 , and a second guide surface which extends from the first guide surface and is concavely curved with respect to the bearing member 18 .",
"Furthermore, each elastic member 20 comprises a torsion spring which is fastened at a first end thereof to the cylinder head and is supported at second ends thereof by each bearing member 18 .",
"The second contact parts 22 a of each rocker arm 22 are curved in concave shapes with respect to the bearing member 18 to effectively receive compression force transferred from the associated bearing member 18 .",
"As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , each bearing member 18 includes a support shaft 18 a which is disposed along a longitudinal center line of the bearing member 18 , and first contact rings 18 b which are rotatably fitted over a circumferential outer surface of the support shaft 18 a such that the first contact rings 18 b are brought into contact with the associated first contact parts 16 a of the rotary adjuster 14 .",
"Each bearing member 18 further includes second contact rings 18 c which are rotatably fitted over the support shaft 18 a at positions close to inner sidewalls of the first contact rings 18 b such that the second contact rings are brought into contact with the second contact parts 22 a of each rocker arm 22 , and a third contact ring which is rotatably fitted over the support shaft 18 a at a position close to inner sidewalls of the second contact rings 18 c and is in contact with each cam 12 a. In this embodiment, a plurality of idle rollers 18 e is provided between the support shaft 18 a and the third contact ring 18 d to ensure smooth rotation of the third contact ring 18 d with respect to the support shaft 18 a. Furthermore, snap rings 19 are fitted over opposite ends of the support shaft 18 a to prevent the first contact rings 18 b from being removed from the support shaft 18 a in an axial direction.",
"As well, a stepped flange part 18 f , a cross-section of which is enlarged moving from the inside to the outside, is integrally provided on each of the opposite ends of the support shaft 18 a , so that each second end of the associated elastic member 20 is inserted and supported in a space defined between the stepped flange part 18 f and the associated snap ring 19 .",
"Therefore, in the continuously variable valve lift system of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 , when the step motor 26 rotates the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 at a predetermined angle under the control of the electronic control unit, the setting angle of the first contact parts 16 a of the control cams 16 provided on the rotary adjuster 14 varies.",
"The cams 12 a are rotated by the rotation of the cam shaft 12 , which contact the third contact rings 18 d of the bearing members 18 , and compress the bearing members 18 .",
"Then, the first contact rings 18 b of the bearing members 18 are brought into contact with the first contact part 16 a of the control cams 16 of the rotary adjuster 14 , and the second contact rings 18 c of the bearing members 18 are brought into contact with the second contact parts 22 a of the rocker arms 22 .",
"In this case, the valve lift and the opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 depend on and vary with the profiles of the cams 12 a , the profiles of the first contact parts 16 a of the control cams 16 of the rotary adjuster 14 and the profiles of the second contact parts 22 a of the rocker arms 22 .",
"For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , when the rotating angle of the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is at 0°, variation of valve lift and opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 by the rotation of the cam shaft 12 is smallest.",
"As shown in FIG. 9 and 10 , when the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is rotated at 10° and 25° in a counterclockwise direction, that is, when the rotating angle of the rotating shaft 14 a of the rotary adjuster 14 is increased, valve lift and opening duration of the intake and exhaust valves 10 are also gradually increased.",
"As is apparent from the foregoing, in the present invention, elements of a continuously variable valve lift system, which is provided in a cylinder head of an engine and varies the valve lift and opening duration of intake and exhaust valves, are reduced to a rotary adjuster, a bearing member and a rocker arm, thus ensuring a compact layout in a design process.",
"Furthermore, the reduced number of elements of the continuously variable valve lift system can reduce the weight of the system.",
"Particularly, because the system is set such that the rotation center of a rotary adjuster is not higher than the rotation center of a cam shaft, the overall height of the cylinder head of the engine is not increased, so that the volume of the engine is reduced."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly to a set of golf clubs having varying grip diameters which are designed for optimum power, distance, control and accuracy.
2. Description of the prior art
It has been recognized for many years that the design of the grip of a golf club is an important factor in facilitating the player's control and accuracy as well as hitting power and distance. This is pointed out, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,055 issued Oct. 31, 1978 to Harry M. Brill. The use of the fingers and palm of the hand in achieving club control and feel is well recognized and is pointed out by such experts as Billy Casper in his book entitled The Good Sense of Golf published by Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; Peter Kostis in The Inside Path to Better Golf published by Simon Shuster, New York, N.Y.; and John Elliot in the April, 1990 issue of Golf Digest Magazine. While the diameter of the club grip is a highly significant factor in determining how the player uses his fingers and palm in controlling the club and the type of such control required varies for the swing utilized from club to club in a set, the clubs in prior art club sets are all made with the same grip diameters. Thus, the same grip size is used for a driver with which the swing uses maximum body turn and full power and a pitching wedge which employs a swing with substantially less body turn and power. While the expert golfer has generally learned to adjust his fingers and palm to compensate as need be in using the same diameter grip from club to club, such control compensation is generally not within the level of skill of the average golfer.
Each club in a set of golf clubs is designed for a primary purpose with the longer clubs being designed to hit the ball for distance and the shorter clubs being designed to hit the ball for accuracy. These are the primary purposes of such clubs.
Along with the length of a club, its loft or angle of its face also has a great influence on its distance or accuracy. For example, the #1 wood is the longest club in a set, and it also has the least loft. Both this length and lack of loft help a ball hit with a #1 wood to achieve greater distance than a ball hit with a sand wedge which has the shortest shaft and the greatest loft of any club in the set. It is to be noted that the putter which usually has the shortest shaft and only 4 degrees of loft is not considered part of a club set. Putters are not designed to match or be part of a club set; they are sold as individual clubs.
Below is a listing of the length and loft in a set of golf clubs. While individual manufacturers may vary lengths by 1/4" to 1/2" and also vary lofts by 1/2" degrees to 1 degree, the lengths and lofts listed below are a general pattern for the entire golf industry for men's clubs according to Ralph Maltby in his book entitled Golf Club Repair in Pictures published by the PGA of America.
______________________________________WOODS LENGTH LOFT (in degrees)______________________________________#1 43" 11#2 42.5" 13#3 42" 16#4 41.5" 19#5 41" 22#6 40.5" 25#7 40" 28______________________________________IRONS LENGTH LOFT (in degrees)______________________________________#1 39.5" 17#2 39" 20#3 38.5" 24#4 38" 28#5 37.5" 32#6 37" 36#7 36.5" 40#8 36" 44#9 35.5" 48Pitching wedge 35.5" 52Sand wedge 35.5" 56______________________________________
It should be apparent, therefore, that each club is designed with its own specifications to achieve its principal goal. The present invention is directed to providing a grip size which will also contribute to achieving this goal. It is to be noted that clubs designed for women have the same lofts as for men but generally are 1" shorter than comparable men's clubs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a set of golf clubs in which the grip of each club in the set is given a different diameter for both control and accuracy as well as hitting power and distance in the use of the club. The diameter for the grip of each club in a set is determined with the following considerations in mind. In using a golf club a lever arm is formed between the player's wrist and the point at which the player grips the club. In view of the fact that a golfer tends to grip a smaller diameter club more in his fingers than his palm, a smaller diameter club grip makes for a longer lever arm with greater resultant power and distance from the swing. Therefore with the lower numbered clubs where distances and power are the primary objectives, a smaller diameter club grip is called for. On the other hand with the medium and short irons(higher numbered clubs), where power is of less import and accuracy is more important, greater diameter club grips which facilitate greater gripping action by the player's palm are called for. Thus, the diameter of each club grip in a set of clubs is designed to provide optimum performance of the club for its intended purpose.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a set of golf clubs in which the grip diameter of each club is individually designed for optimum performance.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a set of golf club irons incorporating the invention;
FIG. 2 shows cross sectional views of each of the grips of the clubs of FIG. 1 taken along the planes indicated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a set of golf club woods incorporating the invention; and
FIG. 4 shows cross sectional views of each of the grips of the clubs of FIG. 3 taken along the planes indicated in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a set of golf club irons incorporating the invention is shown. The diameters D 1 -D 11 of the grips of the clubs progressively increase in size in going from the number 1 iron to the wedges(PW and SW). In the first embodiment, this increase is a straight line progression. A non-linear progression, however, may also be utilized. While a straight-line progression in grip size is desirable and most effective for most players, top quality amateur golfers and professionals will benefit most from grip sizes which increase somewhat variably from club to club. In this non-linear progression, the greatest increase in diameter occurs between the number 1 and number 2 clubs with this increase being reduced slightly between succeeding numbered clubs. It is also to be noted that certain golfers in the "average" category may find the clubs with non-linear grip size increases to be more comfortable and to provide the desired optimum performance while certain professionals may prefer the clubs with linear grip size increases.
The following grip diameters as measured at a distance, "D"(See FIG. 1) which is two inches from the top of the grip cap are employed in the first embodiment for the number 1 club in each of the following categories as follows:
Man's Grip --0.890 inches
Woman's Grip--0.870 inches
In the first embodiment, the diameters D 1 -D 10 of the club grips increase in a linear progression from club to club by 0.009 inches. The two wedges, PW and SW are given the same diameters in view of the great similarity between the shots made with these two clubs.
In the clubs having a non-linear progression, the amount of grip size increase does not remain constant but is reduced slightly with each club as we progress from the number 2 clubs through the remaining clubs in the set.
It is also to be noted that the same grip sizes are used on similarly numbered woods and irons.
The grip sizes for the various embodiments of the invention for an average male golfer as as follows:
______________________________________ LINEAR PROGRESSION NON-LINEARCLUB NO. SIZE PROG. PROGRESSION(both iron and wood) SIZE PROG.______________________________________1 .890 in. 0 .890 in. 02 .899 .009 .903 .0133 .908 .009 .915 .0124 .917 .009 .926 .0115 .926 .009 .936 .0106 .935 .009 .945 .0097 .944 .009 .953 .0088 .953 .009 .960 .0079 .962 .009 .966 .006PW & SW .971 .009 .971 .005______________________________________
For an average women golfer or for golfers having larger or smaller than average size hands, the progressions from club to club for both the linear and non-linear progressions are the same as given above for an average male golfer; however, the grip diameter of the number one club will differ for those having larger or smaller hands. As indicated above, the number one club for an average women golfer will have a grip diameter of 0.870 in. The grip diameter of the number 1 club for all golfers may vary between 0.800 and 1.100 in., depending on the size of the hands.
Each grip diameter in a set of clubs is thus made to a different dimension for the particular club so as to afford the desired control and accuracy or power and distance as the case may be.
While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims: | The grips in a set of golf clubs (both woods and irons) are made progressively greater in diameter in going from the number one iron to the sand wedge and the driver through the fairway woods, the grip diameter for each club being designed for maximum control and accuracy for that club. | Identify and summarize the most critical features from the given passage. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly to a set of golf clubs having varying grip diameters which are designed for optimum power, distance, control and accuracy.",
"Description of the prior art It has been recognized for many years that the design of the grip of a golf club is an important factor in facilitating the player's control and accuracy as well as hitting power and distance.",
"This is pointed out, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,055 issued Oct. 31, 1978 to Harry M. Brill.",
"The use of the fingers and palm of the hand in achieving club control and feel is well recognized and is pointed out by such experts as Billy Casper in his book entitled The Good Sense of Golf published by Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.;",
"Peter Kostis in The Inside Path to Better Golf published by Simon Shuster, New York, N.Y.;",
"and John Elliot in the April, 1990 issue of Golf Digest Magazine.",
"While the diameter of the club grip is a highly significant factor in determining how the player uses his fingers and palm in controlling the club and the type of such control required varies for the swing utilized from club to club in a set, the clubs in prior art club sets are all made with the same grip diameters.",
"Thus, the same grip size is used for a driver with which the swing uses maximum body turn and full power and a pitching wedge which employs a swing with substantially less body turn and power.",
"While the expert golfer has generally learned to adjust his fingers and palm to compensate as need be in using the same diameter grip from club to club, such control compensation is generally not within the level of skill of the average golfer.",
"Each club in a set of golf clubs is designed for a primary purpose with the longer clubs being designed to hit the ball for distance and the shorter clubs being designed to hit the ball for accuracy.",
"These are the primary purposes of such clubs.",
"Along with the length of a club, its loft or angle of its face also has a great influence on its distance or accuracy.",
"For example, the #1 wood is the longest club in a set, and it also has the least loft.",
"Both this length and lack of loft help a ball hit with a #1 wood to achieve greater distance than a ball hit with a sand wedge which has the shortest shaft and the greatest loft of any club in the set.",
"It is to be noted that the putter which usually has the shortest shaft and only 4 degrees of loft is not considered part of a club set.",
"Putters are not designed to match or be part of a club set;",
"they are sold as individual clubs.",
"Below is a listing of the length and loft in a set of golf clubs.",
"While individual manufacturers may vary lengths by 1/4"",
"to 1/2"",
"and also vary lofts by 1/2"",
"degrees to 1 degree, the lengths and lofts listed below are a general pattern for the entire golf industry for men's clubs according to Ralph Maltby in his book entitled Golf Club Repair in Pictures published by the PGA of America.",
"______________________________________WOODS LENGTH LOFT (in degrees)______________________________________#1 43"",
"11#2 42.5"",
"13#3 42"",
"16#4 41.5"",
"19#5 41"",
"22#6 40.5"",
"25#7 40"",
"28______________________________________IRONS LENGTH LOFT (in degrees)______________________________________#1 39.5"",
"17#2 39"",
"20#3 38.5"",
"24#4 38"",
"28#5 37.5"",
"32#6 37"",
"36#7 36.5"",
"40#8 36"",
"44#9 35.5"",
"48Pitching wedge 35.5"",
"52Sand wedge 35.5"",
"56______________________________________ It should be apparent, therefore, that each club is designed with its own specifications to achieve its principal goal.",
"The present invention is directed to providing a grip size which will also contribute to achieving this goal.",
"It is to be noted that clubs designed for women have the same lofts as for men but generally are 1"",
"shorter than comparable men's clubs.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a set of golf clubs in which the grip of each club in the set is given a different diameter for both control and accuracy as well as hitting power and distance in the use of the club.",
"The diameter for the grip of each club in a set is determined with the following considerations in mind.",
"In using a golf club a lever arm is formed between the player's wrist and the point at which the player grips the club.",
"In view of the fact that a golfer tends to grip a smaller diameter club more in his fingers than his palm, a smaller diameter club grip makes for a longer lever arm with greater resultant power and distance from the swing.",
"Therefore with the lower numbered clubs where distances and power are the primary objectives, a smaller diameter club grip is called for.",
"On the other hand with the medium and short irons(higher numbered clubs), where power is of less import and accuracy is more important, greater diameter club grips which facilitate greater gripping action by the player's palm are called for.",
"Thus, the diameter of each club grip in a set of clubs is designed to provide optimum performance of the club for its intended purpose.",
"It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a set of golf clubs in which the grip diameter of each club is individually designed for optimum performance.",
"Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a set of golf club irons incorporating the invention;",
"FIG. 2 shows cross sectional views of each of the grips of the clubs of FIG. 1 taken along the planes indicated in FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 3 illustrates a set of golf club woods incorporating the invention;",
"and FIG. 4 shows cross sectional views of each of the grips of the clubs of FIG. 3 taken along the planes indicated in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a set of golf club irons incorporating the invention is shown.",
"The diameters D 1 -D 11 of the grips of the clubs progressively increase in size in going from the number 1 iron to the wedges(PW and SW).",
"In the first embodiment, this increase is a straight line progression.",
"A non-linear progression, however, may also be utilized.",
"While a straight-line progression in grip size is desirable and most effective for most players, top quality amateur golfers and professionals will benefit most from grip sizes which increase somewhat variably from club to club.",
"In this non-linear progression, the greatest increase in diameter occurs between the number 1 and number 2 clubs with this increase being reduced slightly between succeeding numbered clubs.",
"It is also to be noted that certain golfers in the "average"",
"category may find the clubs with non-linear grip size increases to be more comfortable and to provide the desired optimum performance while certain professionals may prefer the clubs with linear grip size increases.",
"The following grip diameters as measured at a distance, "D"(See FIG. 1) which is two inches from the top of the grip cap are employed in the first embodiment for the number 1 club in each of the following categories as follows: Man's Grip --0.890 inches Woman's Grip--0.870 inches In the first embodiment, the diameters D 1 -D 10 of the club grips increase in a linear progression from club to club by 0.009 inches.",
"The two wedges, PW and SW are given the same diameters in view of the great similarity between the shots made with these two clubs.",
"In the clubs having a non-linear progression, the amount of grip size increase does not remain constant but is reduced slightly with each club as we progress from the number 2 clubs through the remaining clubs in the set.",
"It is also to be noted that the same grip sizes are used on similarly numbered woods and irons.",
"The grip sizes for the various embodiments of the invention for an average male golfer as as follows: ______________________________________ LINEAR PROGRESSION NON-LINEARCLUB NO.",
"SIZE PROG.",
"PROGRESSION(both iron and wood) SIZE PROG.",
"______________________________________1 [.",
"].890 in.",
"0 [.",
"].890 in.",
"02 [.",
"].899 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].903 [.",
"].0133 [.",
"].908 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].915 [.",
"].0124 [.",
"].917 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].926 [.",
"].0115 [.",
"].926 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].936 [.",
"].0106 [.",
"].935 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].945 [.",
"].0097 [.",
"].944 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].953 [.",
"].0088 [.",
"].953 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].960 [.",
"].0079 [.",
"].962 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].966 [.",
"].006PW &",
"SW [.",
"].971 [.",
"].009 [.",
"].971 [.",
"].005______________________________________ For an average women golfer or for golfers having larger or smaller than average size hands, the progressions from club to club for both the linear and non-linear progressions are the same as given above for an average male golfer;",
"however, the grip diameter of the number one club will differ for those having larger or smaller hands.",
"As indicated above, the number one club for an average women golfer will have a grip diameter of 0.870 in.",
"The grip diameter of the number 1 club for all golfers may vary between 0.800 and 1.100 in.",
", depending on the size of the hands.",
"Each grip diameter in a set of clubs is thus made to a different dimension for the particular club so as to afford the desired control and accuracy or power and distance as the case may be.",
"While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims:"
] |
The present invention relates to an omnidirectional apparatus and method for measuring the irradiance produced at a given location by single or multiple sources.
In a variety of scientific endeavors it is desirable to measure the electromagnetic radiation level at a particular point in space. For example, in radiometry of the earth from space, it is sometimes necessary to measure the solar irradiance, either to calculate the earth's reflectance (albedo) or to calibrate a radiometer. In terrestrial applications, such as the study of aquatic photosynthetic organisms, it is desirable to determine the total optical energy input available from all directions for photosynthesis.
Present instrumentation available to experimenters in the above and like areas is generally direction sensitive. Many electromagnetic energy sensing devices exhibit a cosine response; i.e., the response varies with the cosine of the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic radiation on the measuring instrument. Therefore, in radiometry of the earth from space, such prior art instruments must be acccurately oriented if precise results are to be obtained. In terrestrial applications where the total radiation level from all directions is desired, a number of measurements must be made at different orientations with a compilation of the results.
This directional characteristic of present instrumentation is also present in the definitions which are applicable to the measurement of electromagnetic radiation levels. The general term used to indicate an electromagnetic energy level is irradiance which has the units of watts per square centimeter and is measured at a perpendicular to the incoming light. This term suffices to describe the desired quantity in single source situations, such as radiometry in outer space, and in situations where the total energy falling on a planar surface, such as a bank of solar cells, if desired. This term, however, is always direction associated and is of little use where the total electromagnetic energy from all directions is desired to be measured, such as in the study of aquatic photosynthetic organisms, or where a limited angular field is desired to be measured yet a direction unweighted response is sought. Although neither the CIE-IEC (International Commission on Illumination) nor the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has a term or a symbol to describe the nondirectional scalar field quantity of electromagnetic energy level, in Self-Study Manual on Optical Radiation Measurements: Part 1--Concepts, Chapters 4 and 5, issued February 1978 by Optical Physics Division, Institute for Basic Standards, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234, this quantity has been theoretically analyzed and referred to as "scalar irradiance"0 or "fluence rate."
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the scalar irradiance, at a particular vicinity, over a given angular field, may be the same as the irradiance, such as in single source situations; however, an instrument which measures scalar irradiance would be preferable in many applications for it would be omnidirectional over up to 4.sub.π steradians or over any specified and appropriately shielded field of view. This would eliminate the direction sensitivity present instrumentation exhibits in outer space applications and allow a single measurement where the total radiation level is desired.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring scalar irradiance. Its response is, at least theoretically, unrelated to the direction of incoming radiation, but it can be appropriately shielded to restrict its view to a specified sector of space, if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a spherical surface reflective of the electromagnetic energy to be measured is used to redistribute incoming flux equally in all directions. A sensing means or detector views the spherical surface and provides an output indicative of the level of incoming flux. As will be more fully explained, a spherical reflector has been theoretically determined and empirically verified to redistribute incoming flux uniformly in all directions. Therefore, a sensing means viewing a spherical reflector will indicate the same output regardless of the directional relationship between the source(s), the reflector and the sensor with the proviso that the sensor cannot detect flux from a source which is hidden from it by the reflector. Hence, a spherical reflector or diffuser in combination with a detector comprise a method of measuring scalar irradiance. The spherical surface may be of a convex or concave shape; however, in constructing a precision instrument with high tolerances it will generally be easier and much less expensive to obtain convex spherical surfaces.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is particularly useful in radiometry of the sun from space, a diffuser comprising a planar array of spherical reflectors is provided. The reflectors are partially shielded from one another to minimize or eliminate reflections between them. A detector views the diffuser and thereby measures the scalar irradiance. The array is advantageous as it provides multiple sources for the detector and thereby increases sensitivity and, also, effectively, shields the detector from the earth, yet yields omnidirectional response within a large sector. This response eliminates the orientation sensitivity which prior art instrumentation exhibits. As indicated in the above Background of the Invention portion of the present application, in single source situations, scalar irradiance and irradiance are the same magnitude and the advantage of the present invention in such measurements is that it will yield the appropriate quantity even if not exactly orientated.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved flux measurement method.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flux measurement method which is free of the strict orientation requirements of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method which may be used to obtain an accurate indication of scalar irradiance with a single measurement.
It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate errors due to improper instrument orientation in an irradiance measurement.
It is a further object of the present invention to measure the irradiance produced at a vicinity regardless of the direction, movement or distance of the source(s).
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diffuser yielding high sensitivity through the provision of multiple reflecting surfaces and uniform response over a wide angular range of incident electromagnetic radiation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide baffling for a diffuser having a plurality of spherical reflecting surfaces to thereby provide omnidirectional response from said diffuser over a predetermined field of view.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a construct of the interaction between a spherical reflector and an incoming beam of light.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using a planar array to measure solar irradiance.
FIG. 3 illustrates a test setup used in empirically testing the planar array of FIG. 2 and a prior art Lambertian diffuser.
FIG. 4 is a graph of the results obtained with the test setup of FIG. 3 using a planar array of spherical reflectors.
FIG. 5 is a graph of the results obtained with the test setup of FIG. 3 using a Lambertian diffuser.
FIG. 6 is a fragmented top view of the planar array used in the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A spherical reflector can be shown to redistribute a uniform incoming light beam equally in all directions. Referring to FIG. 1, a light beam 11 has a radius of b and an areas A of .sub.π b 2 . The light beam strikes a spherical surface 12 and is reflected into a solid angle W. Considering the solid angle W into which the light reflects: ##EQU1##
Taking the change in solid angle W with respect to the change in area A:
dW/dA=4/r.sup.2.
The resulting term is independent of the beam radius b. Therefore, assuming the incoming uniform beam has a radius greater than the diameter of the sphere and that a sphere can be manufactured with constant reflectance regardless of the angle of incidence, the sphere is shown to redistribute incoming flux equally in all directions. Therefore, the spherical surface should have a diameter which is relatively small compared to the beam of energy and should be constructed of a material which yields constant reflectance. As is well appreciated in the art, the reflectance of a material is highly dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum under consideration. In the preferred embodiment which is to be used for radiometry from space, the ultraviolet spectrum is of primary importance; i.e., the electromagnetic spectrum between the wavelengths of about 160 nanometers and 400 nanometers. For this range of electromagnetic radiation, stainless steel spherical surfaces are used with an aluminum coating for high and uniform reflectance.
Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated for measuring the scalar irradiance from the sun. The instrument 15 includes a spherical reflective surface 20 and a detector 26. The spherical surface is located in view of a radiant energy source, such as the sun 25, and the detector 26. The spherical surface is constructed of a material having relatively constant reflectance over the electromagnetic spectrum to be measured and the detector, likewise, is sensitive to said spectrum and preferably is capable of detecting a number of narrow bands within said spectrum.
In the illustrated preferred embodiment a planar array of spherical reflective surfaces is used to increase the sensitivity of instrument 15. The spherical surfaces are mounted between upper plate 16 and lower plate 17. Lower plate 17 has a thin layer of a compressible substance 19, such as a foam elastomer, between it and the spherical surface to secure the surfaces in a constant position. Any rotation of the spherical surfaces could result in scratching or contamination of the surfaces and/or an inconsistent response from the carefully calibrated instrument. Another means of increasing the sphere's resistance to rotation without employing an elastomer is to grind flat the portion of the sphere contacting lower plate 17. A number of bolts 21 hold the two plates together. Upper plate 16 has countersunk holes 14 which further secure the spherical surfaces in position. An upper plate constructed of thin metal plate without countersunk holes may also perform satisfactorily depending on the specific operating situation.
The upper plate 16 also serves as a baffle as well as securing the spherical reflective surfaces in the planar array. In empirical tests of arrays of spherical surfaces without upper plate 16, it has been found that the response is not omnidirectional and in fact, approaches a Lambertian or cosine response. It is thought that this response can be attributed to multiple reflections from the spherical surfaces which reach the detector. Also, a Lambertian response component may arise from any structure which secures the spherical surfaces in the array formation, such as the bottom plate. To overcome these problems, the upper plate is designed to expose only that portion of the spherical surface which is necessary to allow the detector 26 to see the reflection of the sun over the desired angular field of measurement. In the preferred embodiment, measurements will be taken while sun angle S varies between 13 degrees and 28 degrees and Az varies between plus and minus 34 degrees. Where the detector is positioned at an angle of 28 degrees from perpendicular to the planar array, it has been found that the countersink should expose about 80 degrees of the surface, or considering FIG. 2, angle D should be about 40 degrees.
When using the array of FIG. 2, another problem which will contribute to nonuniform response is any structure which is illuminated by the source and which is visible to the detector. The detector is therefore mounted to limit its view to the array. The Lambertian response component from upper plate 16 is limited by applying a black specular paint to its surface and orienting the array so that over the desired angular measurement range the reflection of the sun off of upper plate 16 will miss the detector, as illustrated by ray 33.
Referring to FIG. 6, a top fragmented view of the planar array is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, the spherical surfaces are packed close together within about 0.01 inches of each other but upper plate 16 obscures a major portion of them exposing only about an 80 degrees cap of reflecting spherical surfaces 20. It is to be understood that the obscured portions 36 of the spherical surfaces underlying plate 16 do not contribute to the operation of the present invention other than to act as a means of securing and a by-product of inexpensively obtaining the exposed spherical reflecting surfaces 20. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for purely practical reasons, stainless steel balls as used in bal bearings are used to provide spherical surfaces 20, however, as should be apparent to one skilled in the art, the total cap area of a spherical surface for use in the present invention is dependent on the field of view to be measured and the detector placement and the obscured portion 36 is dependent on practical constraints related to mounting and obtaining spherical surfaces at a reasonable cost.
EXAMPLE
A diffuser comprising a planar array of spherical surfaces was constructed in accordance with the above FIG. 2. The spherical surfaces were constructed of one-quarter inch diameter polished stainless steel. To minimize the Lambertian response component from the upper plate, a coating of glossy black paint was applied thereto. The paint was applied using an artist's air brush at 45 pounds air pressure with 40 percent thinner and 60 percent paint. Three coats of the above were applied at 20-minute intervals yielding a very glossy and smooth surface. The paint was cured per manufacturers specifications at 40 to 50 percent relative humidity and 50 degrees centigrade for 48 hours.
A typical Lambertian diffuser was prepared by coarsely grinding one surface of an aluminum plate.
The test setup illustrated in FIG. 3 was used to obtain the response of the spherical array diffuser and the ground aluminum plate diffuser over a variety of different angles of incident light. All work was done in a dark room with baffles 27 appropriately placed between the light source and the diffuser/detector assembly to minimize background light problems.
The housing around the diffuser contained honeycombed light traps and an aperture in front of the detector to limit its field of view to the diffuser surface. All traps were painted with flat or glossy black paint.
The test setup included a light source 28 in a light box 29. The source was a low-pressure mercury lamp and was filtered through filter 30 which is a 2537 Angstrom bandpass filter. Detector 26 faces downward to a diffuser 23. Both the detector and the diffuser were mounted on a two-axis rotary table. The table was rotatable around an El (elevation) of 0 to minus 15 degrees and an Az (azimuth) of plus or minus 34 degrees. An X-Y recorder 31 recorded the position of one axis of the table and the output from the detector 26. Results are reported in FIG. 4 for the array of spherical surfaces with elevation scans at 0° Az, 10° AZ, 20° Az, and 34° Az. Results for the ground aluminum plate are reported in FIG. 5 for elevation scans taken at 0° Az and 34° Az. As is apparent from comparing the results, the spherical array yielded flat response over elevation scans with under 10 percent variation in response for different azimuths. The ground aluminum diffuser yielded much greater variations in both categories.
The present invention, in its broadest aspects, provides a method of measuring the scalar irradiance at a vicinity in space by uniformly reflecting impinging radiation with a spherical surface and measuring the reflected radiation which reaches a detector positioned to view said spherical surface. In a preferred embodiment, a planar array of spherical surfaces is provided for greater sensitivity. The planar array includes a baffle and also functions as a shield between the detector and the earth when used in the herein described configuration for measuring solar irradiance. The disclosed planar array provides uniform response over a range of angles of incoming electromagnetic radiation.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since a number of modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described; and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the purview of the invention as claimed. | An apparatus for measuring the scalar irradiance of a given vicinity produced by all sources over a given angular range. The apparatus includes a planar array of convex spherical surfaces, a detector oriented toward the array, and a shielding plate having holes which abut and secure the convex spherical surfaces. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"The present invention relates to an omnidirectional apparatus and method for measuring the irradiance produced at a given location by single or multiple sources.",
"In a variety of scientific endeavors it is desirable to measure the electromagnetic radiation level at a particular point in space.",
"For example, in radiometry of the earth from space, it is sometimes necessary to measure the solar irradiance, either to calculate the earth's reflectance (albedo) or to calibrate a radiometer.",
"In terrestrial applications, such as the study of aquatic photosynthetic organisms, it is desirable to determine the total optical energy input available from all directions for photosynthesis.",
"Present instrumentation available to experimenters in the above and like areas is generally direction sensitive.",
"Many electromagnetic energy sensing devices exhibit a cosine response;",
"i.e., the response varies with the cosine of the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic radiation on the measuring instrument.",
"Therefore, in radiometry of the earth from space, such prior art instruments must be acccurately oriented if precise results are to be obtained.",
"In terrestrial applications where the total radiation level from all directions is desired, a number of measurements must be made at different orientations with a compilation of the results.",
"This directional characteristic of present instrumentation is also present in the definitions which are applicable to the measurement of electromagnetic radiation levels.",
"The general term used to indicate an electromagnetic energy level is irradiance which has the units of watts per square centimeter and is measured at a perpendicular to the incoming light.",
"This term suffices to describe the desired quantity in single source situations, such as radiometry in outer space, and in situations where the total energy falling on a planar surface, such as a bank of solar cells, if desired.",
"This term, however, is always direction associated and is of little use where the total electromagnetic energy from all directions is desired to be measured, such as in the study of aquatic photosynthetic organisms, or where a limited angular field is desired to be measured yet a direction unweighted response is sought.",
"Although neither the CIE-IEC (International Commission on Illumination) nor the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) has a term or a symbol to describe the nondirectional scalar field quantity of electromagnetic energy level, in Self-Study Manual on Optical Radiation Measurements: Part 1--Concepts, Chapters 4 and 5, issued February 1978 by Optical Physics Division, Institute for Basic Standards, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234, this quantity has been theoretically analyzed and referred to as "scalar irradiance"0 or "fluence rate.",
""",
"As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the scalar irradiance, at a particular vicinity, over a given angular field, may be the same as the irradiance, such as in single source situations;",
"however, an instrument which measures scalar irradiance would be preferable in many applications for it would be omnidirectional over up to 4.",
"sub.",
"π steradians or over any specified and appropriately shielded field of view.",
"This would eliminate the direction sensitivity present instrumentation exhibits in outer space applications and allow a single measurement where the total radiation level is desired.",
"The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring scalar irradiance.",
"Its response is, at least theoretically, unrelated to the direction of incoming radiation, but it can be appropriately shielded to restrict its view to a specified sector of space, if desired.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a spherical surface reflective of the electromagnetic energy to be measured is used to redistribute incoming flux equally in all directions.",
"A sensing means or detector views the spherical surface and provides an output indicative of the level of incoming flux.",
"As will be more fully explained, a spherical reflector has been theoretically determined and empirically verified to redistribute incoming flux uniformly in all directions.",
"Therefore, a sensing means viewing a spherical reflector will indicate the same output regardless of the directional relationship between the source(s), the reflector and the sensor with the proviso that the sensor cannot detect flux from a source which is hidden from it by the reflector.",
"Hence, a spherical reflector or diffuser in combination with a detector comprise a method of measuring scalar irradiance.",
"The spherical surface may be of a convex or concave shape;",
"however, in constructing a precision instrument with high tolerances it will generally be easier and much less expensive to obtain convex spherical surfaces.",
"In a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is particularly useful in radiometry of the sun from space, a diffuser comprising a planar array of spherical reflectors is provided.",
"The reflectors are partially shielded from one another to minimize or eliminate reflections between them.",
"A detector views the diffuser and thereby measures the scalar irradiance.",
"The array is advantageous as it provides multiple sources for the detector and thereby increases sensitivity and, also, effectively, shields the detector from the earth, yet yields omnidirectional response within a large sector.",
"This response eliminates the orientation sensitivity which prior art instrumentation exhibits.",
"As indicated in the above Background of the Invention portion of the present application, in single source situations, scalar irradiance and irradiance are the same magnitude and the advantage of the present invention in such measurements is that it will yield the appropriate quantity even if not exactly orientated.",
"It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved flux measurement method.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flux measurement method which is free of the strict orientation requirements of the prior art.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method which may be used to obtain an accurate indication of scalar irradiance with a single measurement.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate errors due to improper instrument orientation in an irradiance measurement.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to measure the irradiance produced at a vicinity regardless of the direction, movement or distance of the source(s).",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diffuser yielding high sensitivity through the provision of multiple reflecting surfaces and uniform response over a wide angular range of incident electromagnetic radiation.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide baffling for a diffuser having a plurality of spherical reflecting surfaces to thereby provide omnidirectional response from said diffuser over a predetermined field of view.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a construct of the interaction between a spherical reflector and an incoming beam of light.",
"FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using a planar array to measure solar irradiance.",
"FIG. 3 illustrates a test setup used in empirically testing the planar array of FIG. 2 and a prior art Lambertian diffuser.",
"FIG. 4 is a graph of the results obtained with the test setup of FIG. 3 using a planar array of spherical reflectors.",
"FIG. 5 is a graph of the results obtained with the test setup of FIG. 3 using a Lambertian diffuser.",
"FIG. 6 is a fragmented top view of the planar array used in the preferred embodiment.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A spherical reflector can be shown to redistribute a uniform incoming light beam equally in all directions.",
"Referring to FIG. 1, a light beam 11 has a radius of b and an areas A of .",
"sub.",
"π b 2 .",
"The light beam strikes a spherical surface 12 and is reflected into a solid angle W. Considering the solid angle W into which the light reflects: ##EQU1## Taking the change in solid angle W with respect to the change in area A: dW/dA=4/r.",
"sup[.",
"].2.",
"The resulting term is independent of the beam radius b. Therefore, assuming the incoming uniform beam has a radius greater than the diameter of the sphere and that a sphere can be manufactured with constant reflectance regardless of the angle of incidence, the sphere is shown to redistribute incoming flux equally in all directions.",
"Therefore, the spherical surface should have a diameter which is relatively small compared to the beam of energy and should be constructed of a material which yields constant reflectance.",
"As is well appreciated in the art, the reflectance of a material is highly dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum under consideration.",
"In the preferred embodiment which is to be used for radiometry from space, the ultraviolet spectrum is of primary importance;",
"i.e., the electromagnetic spectrum between the wavelengths of about 160 nanometers and 400 nanometers.",
"For this range of electromagnetic radiation, stainless steel spherical surfaces are used with an aluminum coating for high and uniform reflectance.",
"Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated for measuring the scalar irradiance from the sun.",
"The instrument 15 includes a spherical reflective surface 20 and a detector 26.",
"The spherical surface is located in view of a radiant energy source, such as the sun 25, and the detector 26.",
"The spherical surface is constructed of a material having relatively constant reflectance over the electromagnetic spectrum to be measured and the detector, likewise, is sensitive to said spectrum and preferably is capable of detecting a number of narrow bands within said spectrum.",
"In the illustrated preferred embodiment a planar array of spherical reflective surfaces is used to increase the sensitivity of instrument 15.",
"The spherical surfaces are mounted between upper plate 16 and lower plate 17.",
"Lower plate 17 has a thin layer of a compressible substance 19, such as a foam elastomer, between it and the spherical surface to secure the surfaces in a constant position.",
"Any rotation of the spherical surfaces could result in scratching or contamination of the surfaces and/or an inconsistent response from the carefully calibrated instrument.",
"Another means of increasing the sphere's resistance to rotation without employing an elastomer is to grind flat the portion of the sphere contacting lower plate 17.",
"A number of bolts 21 hold the two plates together.",
"Upper plate 16 has countersunk holes 14 which further secure the spherical surfaces in position.",
"An upper plate constructed of thin metal plate without countersunk holes may also perform satisfactorily depending on the specific operating situation.",
"The upper plate 16 also serves as a baffle as well as securing the spherical reflective surfaces in the planar array.",
"In empirical tests of arrays of spherical surfaces without upper plate 16, it has been found that the response is not omnidirectional and in fact, approaches a Lambertian or cosine response.",
"It is thought that this response can be attributed to multiple reflections from the spherical surfaces which reach the detector.",
"Also, a Lambertian response component may arise from any structure which secures the spherical surfaces in the array formation, such as the bottom plate.",
"To overcome these problems, the upper plate is designed to expose only that portion of the spherical surface which is necessary to allow the detector 26 to see the reflection of the sun over the desired angular field of measurement.",
"In the preferred embodiment, measurements will be taken while sun angle S varies between 13 degrees and 28 degrees and Az varies between plus and minus 34 degrees.",
"Where the detector is positioned at an angle of 28 degrees from perpendicular to the planar array, it has been found that the countersink should expose about 80 degrees of the surface, or considering FIG. 2, angle D should be about 40 degrees.",
"When using the array of FIG. 2, another problem which will contribute to nonuniform response is any structure which is illuminated by the source and which is visible to the detector.",
"The detector is therefore mounted to limit its view to the array.",
"The Lambertian response component from upper plate 16 is limited by applying a black specular paint to its surface and orienting the array so that over the desired angular measurement range the reflection of the sun off of upper plate 16 will miss the detector, as illustrated by ray 33.",
"Referring to FIG. 6, a top fragmented view of the planar array is illustrated.",
"In the preferred embodiment, the spherical surfaces are packed close together within about 0.01 inches of each other but upper plate 16 obscures a major portion of them exposing only about an 80 degrees cap of reflecting spherical surfaces 20.",
"It is to be understood that the obscured portions 36 of the spherical surfaces underlying plate 16 do not contribute to the operation of the present invention other than to act as a means of securing and a by-product of inexpensively obtaining the exposed spherical reflecting surfaces 20.",
"Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for purely practical reasons, stainless steel balls as used in bal bearings are used to provide spherical surfaces 20, however, as should be apparent to one skilled in the art, the total cap area of a spherical surface for use in the present invention is dependent on the field of view to be measured and the detector placement and the obscured portion 36 is dependent on practical constraints related to mounting and obtaining spherical surfaces at a reasonable cost.",
"EXAMPLE A diffuser comprising a planar array of spherical surfaces was constructed in accordance with the above FIG. 2. The spherical surfaces were constructed of one-quarter inch diameter polished stainless steel.",
"To minimize the Lambertian response component from the upper plate, a coating of glossy black paint was applied thereto.",
"The paint was applied using an artist's air brush at 45 pounds air pressure with 40 percent thinner and 60 percent paint.",
"Three coats of the above were applied at 20-minute intervals yielding a very glossy and smooth surface.",
"The paint was cured per manufacturers specifications at 40 to 50 percent relative humidity and 50 degrees centigrade for 48 hours.",
"A typical Lambertian diffuser was prepared by coarsely grinding one surface of an aluminum plate.",
"The test setup illustrated in FIG. 3 was used to obtain the response of the spherical array diffuser and the ground aluminum plate diffuser over a variety of different angles of incident light.",
"All work was done in a dark room with baffles 27 appropriately placed between the light source and the diffuser/detector assembly to minimize background light problems.",
"The housing around the diffuser contained honeycombed light traps and an aperture in front of the detector to limit its field of view to the diffuser surface.",
"All traps were painted with flat or glossy black paint.",
"The test setup included a light source 28 in a light box 29.",
"The source was a low-pressure mercury lamp and was filtered through filter 30 which is a 2537 Angstrom bandpass filter.",
"Detector 26 faces downward to a diffuser 23.",
"Both the detector and the diffuser were mounted on a two-axis rotary table.",
"The table was rotatable around an El (elevation) of 0 to minus 15 degrees and an Az (azimuth) of plus or minus 34 degrees.",
"An X-Y recorder 31 recorded the position of one axis of the table and the output from the detector 26.",
"Results are reported in FIG. 4 for the array of spherical surfaces with elevation scans at 0° Az, 10° AZ, 20° Az, and 34° Az.",
"Results for the ground aluminum plate are reported in FIG. 5 for elevation scans taken at 0° Az and 34° Az.",
"As is apparent from comparing the results, the spherical array yielded flat response over elevation scans with under 10 percent variation in response for different azimuths.",
"The ground aluminum diffuser yielded much greater variations in both categories.",
"The present invention, in its broadest aspects, provides a method of measuring the scalar irradiance at a vicinity in space by uniformly reflecting impinging radiation with a spherical surface and measuring the reflected radiation which reaches a detector positioned to view said spherical surface.",
"In a preferred embodiment, a planar array of spherical surfaces is provided for greater sensitivity.",
"The planar array includes a baffle and also functions as a shield between the detector and the earth when used in the herein described configuration for measuring solar irradiance.",
"The disclosed planar array provides uniform response over a range of angles of incoming electromagnetic radiation.",
"The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.",
"Further, since a number of modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described;",
"and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the purview of the invention as claimed."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a controlling method of the semiconductor memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, there have been increasing demands for a system LSI having a logic circuit and a memory mounted on a same substrate. Examples of the memory used in the system LSI are a flash memory, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a ferroelectric memory (FRAM), etc.
Among these, the flash memory is nonvolatile, and thus provides good process consistency with a MOS field-effect transistor. Therefore, the flash memory is suitable to be mounted on a same substrate with a logic circuit. However, the flash memory is incapable of writing or erasing data at high speed. Hence, when there is a need of writing or erasing data at high speed, the DRAM or the FRAM has to be mounted on the same substrate with a logic circuit. However, since the DRAM and the FRAM comprise a highly dielectric material, a ferroelectric material, or special electrode material, etc., the DRAM or the FRAM provides ill process consistency with a logic circuit.
To solve the abovementioned problem, Japanese Laid-Open Pat. App. No. 2000-150680 discloses a direct tunnel memory (DTM) as a device providing good process consistency with a logic circuit and capable of writing and erasing data at high speed. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of this direct tunnel memory (DTM). As shown in FIG. 1, each memory cell of the DTM comprises a channel area 5 formed in a semiconductor substrate; a source 1 formed adjacent to the channel area 5 in the semiconductor substrate; a drain 3 formed opposite the source l with the channel area 5 therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain 3 being connected to a bit line; a tunnel oxide film 7 formed on the channel area 5 , the tunnel oxide film 7 having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon; a floating gate 9 formed on the tunnel oxide film 7 so as not to overlap either the source 1 nor the drain 3 ; a gate insulating film 10 formed over the floating gate 9 ; and a control gate 11 formed on the gate insulating film 10 so as to partially overlap both of the source 1 and the drain 3 , the control gate 11 being connected to a word line.
As described above, the DTM is a memory using the floating gate 9 similar to a flash memory, with the tunnel oxide film 7 having a thickness thinned down to approximately 2 nm between the channel area 5 and the floating gate 9 . It is noted that a tunnel oxide film for a normal flash memory has a thickness of approximately 10 nm.
As a result of the tunnel oxide film 7 having such a reduced thickness, the DTM enables writing or erasing data at high speed with a low voltage. On the other hand, the tunnel oxide film 7 having a reduced thickness may cause a problem of a reduced data-hold property. However, the DTM secures a data-hold time by having the structure in which the floating gate 9 does not overlap either the source 1 nor the drain 3 .
FIG. 2 is an illustration for explaining a structure and writing operations of a conventional NOR-type DTM cell array. As shown in FIG. 2, each of memory cells 13 a to 13 d composing the NOR-type DTM cell array has a gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to a word line either 15 or 17 ; and a source (the source 1 ) and a drain (the drain 3 ) connected to a pair of bit lines 19 and 21 , respectively, or a pair of bit lines 23 and 25 , respectively.
Then, when the memory cell 13 a is selected as an object to write data in, a voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V P of 4V, and a voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V. Also, a voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and a voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V, and a voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and a voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are made the voltage V P of 4V.
Accordingly, the control gate 11 of the memory cell 13 a has a higher electric potential than the source 1 and the drain 3 . Thereby, electrons are accumulated in the floating gate 9 so that data of “1” is written in the memory cell 13 a . In this course, in the NOR-type DTM cell array shown in FIG. 2, since a source voltage supplied to the memory cells 13 a and 13 c included in the selected column and a source voltage supplied to the memory cells 13 b and 13 d included in the unselected column are different, a source line cannot commonly be used to supply a source voltage. This disadvantageously increases a size of the cell.
Next, when data is read from the memory cell 13 a in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V R of 2V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 3 . Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 is made 0V, and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V D of 1V. Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are made 0V.
Thereby, a change of a threshold voltage of the memory cell 13 a is detected so that the data is read out.
Next, when data included in a cell area 27 shown in FIG. 4 are erased all at once in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V E of −4V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V. Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V. Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are also made 0V.
Thereby, electrons are extracted from the floating gate 9 of each of the memory cells included in the cell area 27 to the channel area 5 , erasing the data all at once. In this erasing method, there is a disadvantage that all data included in the memory cells connected to the word line 15 are inevitably erased, making the NOR-type DTM cell array unusable for a random access memory.
In addition, when data is held in the memory cell in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 are made 0V as shown in FIG. 5 . Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V. Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are also made 0V.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof in which device and method the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof which device can operate at high speed, has small-sized memory cells, and is randomly accessible.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided according to one aspect of the present invention a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells comprising:
a source area formed adjacent to a channel area in the semiconductor substrate;
a drain area formed opposite the source area with the channel area therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain area being connected to one of the bit lines;
a tunnel insulating film formed on the channel area, the tunnel insulating film having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon;
a floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film so as to overlap neither the source area nor the drain area;
a gate insulating film formed on the floating gate so as to cover the floating gate: and a control gate formed on the gate insulating film so as to partially overlap both of the source area and the drain area, the control gate being connected to one of the word lines,
wherein the source areas of the memory cells are connected to each other so that a common voltage is supplied to each of the source areas.
According to the present invention, source electrodes can be made common, reducing the sizes of the memory cell and the semiconductor memory device including the memory cells.
Additionally, the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises:
an erase-voltage generating circuit supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage; and
a write-voltage generating circuit supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.
Additionally, in the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the first voltage may be lower than a substrate voltage supplied to the semiconductor substrate.
According to the present invention, electrons can be injected to the floating gate.
On the other hand, in the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the write-voltage generating circuit can supply a third voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the third voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage, and
the erase-voltage generating circuit can supply a fourth voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the fourth voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.
According to the present invention, electrons can be extracted from the floating gate of the selected memory cell in a cell-by-cell manner. Accordingly, there is provided a semiconductor memory device that is randomly accessible and is capable of writing and erasing data at high speed.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is also provided according to another aspect of the present invention a method of controlling a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells comprising:
a source area formed adjacent to a channel area in the semiconductor substrate;
a drain area formed opposite the source area with the channel area therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain area being connected to one of the bit lines;
a tunnel insulating film formed on the channel area, the tunnel insulating film having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon;
a floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film so as to overlap neither the source area nor the drain area;
a gate insulating film formed on the floating gate so as to cover the floating gate; and
a control gate formed on the gate insulating film so as to partially overlap both of the source area and the drain area, the control gate being connected to one of the word lines, the method comprising the step of:
supplying a common voltage to the source areas of the memory cells connected to each other.
According to the present invention, source electrodes can be made common so that the size of the memory cell is reduced. This also miniaturizes the semiconductor memory device including the memory cells.
Additionally, the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises:
a first step of supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage; and
a second step of supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.
Additionally, in the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the first step of supplying may include the step of supplying the first voltage lower than a substrate voltage supplied to the semiconductor substrate.
According to the present invention, electrons can be injected to the floating gate.
Additionally, in the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the second step of supplying may include the step of turning off the others of the memory cells by supplying a voltage to all of the word lines except the selected word line.
According to the present invention, the unselected memory cells are kept from turning on. This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing data.
On the other hand, the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises the steps of:
supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage, and
supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.
According to the present invention, electrons can be extracted from the floating gate of the selected memory cell in a cell-by-cell manner. Accordingly, there is provided a semiconductor memory device that is randomly accessible and is capable of writing and erasing data at high speed.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a direct tunnel memory (DTM);
FIG. 2 is an illustration for explaining a structure and writing operations of a conventional DTM cell array;
FIG. 3 is an illustration for explaining reading operations of the conventional DTM cell array;
FIG. 4 is an illustration for explaining erasing operations of the conventional DTM cell array;
FIG. 5 is an illustration for explaining data-holding operations of the conventional DTM cell array;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an illustration for explaining a first example of writing operations of data “1” in a DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a second example of writing operations of data “1” in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a third example of writing operations of data “1” in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is an illustration for explaining writing operations of data “0” in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is an illustration for explaining reading operations in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 12 is an illustration for explaining data-holding operations in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a layout of a conventional DTM cell; and
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a layout of a DTM cell composing the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A description will now be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments according to the present invention. Elements in the drawings that are identical or equivalent are referenced by the same characters.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor memory device according to the present embodiment comprises a control circuit 30 ; a write-voltage generating circuit 31 ; an erase-voltage generating circuit 33 ; an address latch circuit 35 ; a Y-decoder 37 ; an X-decoder 39 ; an input-output buffer 41 ; a data latch circuit 43 ; a Y-gate 45 ; and a direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell array 47 .
The control circuit 30 is supplied with a control signal. The write-voltage generating circuit 31 , the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 , the data latch circuit 43 and the address latch circuit 35 are connected to the control circuit 30 . The address latch circuit 35 is supplied with an address signal. The Y-decoder 37 and the X-decoder 39 are each connected to the address latch circuit 35 , the write-voltage generating circuit 31 and the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 . The input-output buffer 41 is connected to the data latch circuit 43 , and inputs and outputs a data signal externally. The Y-gate 45 is connected to the Y-decoder 37 . The Y-gate 45 is supplied from the data latch circuit 43 with data to be written in the DTM cell array 47 , and supplies data read from the DTM cell array 47 to the data latch circuit 43 . The DTM cell array 47 is connected to the X-decoder 39 and the Y-gate 45 .
Additionally, the X-decoder 39 decodes the address signal supplied thereto so as to select a word line included in the DTM cell array 47 . The Y-gate 45 selectively opens a gate according to a decode signal supplied from the Y-decoder 37 so as to activate a bit line connected with a memory cell to which the data is written in or read from in the DTM cell array 47 .
Hereinbelow, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of writing, reading and data-holding operations in the above-mentioned DTM cell array 47 . FIG. 7 is an illustration for explaining a first example of writing operations of data “1” in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 7, the DTM cell array 47 comprises memory cells. Each of the memory cells comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line either 15 or 17 ; the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line either 21 or 25 ; and the source (the source 1 ) being grounded. A memory cell 51 , for example, comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line 15 ; the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line 21 ; and the source (the source 1 ) being grounded.
Then, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V G1 of 2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made a voltage V D1 of −0.7V, as shown in FIG. 7 . Also, a voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of −0.7V, and a voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V. It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 2.5V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6, and that the voltage V D1 of −0.7V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6 .
Accordingly, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of −0.7V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and a voltage of source electrodes are made 0V so that the bit line 21 substantially functions as a source. Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 2.5V. Thus, a high voltage is impressed only between the bit line 21 and the word line 15 connected with the selected memory cell 51 . Therefore, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 51 , so that the data of “1” is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .
In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of −0.7V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on. This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing the data of “1”.
It is noted in this case that, if a voltage lower than −1V is impressed to the selected bit line 21 , a large forward current flows through a p-n junction between the bit line 21 and the channel area 5 of the selected memory cell 51 . Therefore, to prevent this, the selected bit line 21 is, as mentioned above, supplied with the voltage of, for example, −0.7V, which is a negative voltage a little higher than −1V.
FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a second example of writing operations of data “1” in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 8, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .
Then, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made the voltage V G1 of 2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made the voltage V D1 of −2.0V, as shown in FIG. 8 . Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of −2.0V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V. Further, each of the memory cells is supplied with a substrate voltage V SUB of −1.5V. It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 2.5V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6, that the voltage V D1 of −2.0V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6, and that the substrate voltage V SUB of −1.5V is generated by a substrate-voltage generating circuit (not shown in the figures).
Accordingly, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of −2.0V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and the voltage of the source electrodes are made 0V. Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 2.5V. Further, the substrate voltage V SUB of 1.5V is supplied as a back bias of the floating gate 9 . Thereby, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 51 , so that the data of “1” is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .
In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of −2.0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on. This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing the data of “1”.
FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a third example of writing operations of data “1” in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 9, the DTM cell array 47 comprises memory cells. Each of the memory cells comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line either 15 or 17 ; the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line either 21 or 25 ; and the source (the source 1 ) connected to a common source line 55 . A memory cell 53 , for example, comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line 15 ; the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line 21 ; and the source (the source 1 ) connected to the source line 55 .
Then, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 53 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made the voltage V G1 of 4V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 9 . Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of 0V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 2V. Further, a voltage V S of the source line 55 is made 2V. It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 4V, the voltage V B1 of 2V and the voltage V S are generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6 .
Accordingly, when writing data of “1” to the memory cell 53 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of 0V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and the voltage of the source line 55 are made 2V. Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 4V. Thereby, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 53 , so that the data of “1” is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 53 .
In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 10, of writing operations of data “0” in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . It should be noted here that writing data “0” means the same as erasing data.
As shown in FIG. 10, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .
Then, when writing data of “0” to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V G0 of −2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 10 . Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V D0 of 3V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V. It is noted that the voltage V G0 of −2.5V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6, and that the voltage V D0 of 3V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6 .
Accordingly, when writing data of “0” to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the positive voltage of 3V while the voltages of the unselected bit line 25 , the unselected word line 17 and the source electrodes are made 0V. Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of −2.5V. Thereby, electrons accumulated in the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 are extracted therefrom to the drain 3 , so that the data of “0” is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .
It is noted that distances from the floating gate 9 to the source 1 and the drain 3 , a thickness of a sidewall of the control gate 11 , and a density of impurities in the channel area 5 are designed so that electrons are extracted only from the floating gate 9 of the selected memory cell to the corresponding drain 3 . Additionally, in the above-mentioned course of writing data “0”, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent electrons being extracted from the floating gates 9 of unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 .
As described above, the semiconductor memory device according to the present embodiment is capable of writing data “0” to each of the memory cells selectively, achieving a cell-by-cell data erasing. This makes the DTM cell array 47 usable for a random access memory.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 11, of reading operations in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 11, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .
Then, when reading data from the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V GR of 1.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 11 . Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V DR of 1V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V.
Accordingly, when reading data from the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of 1V while the voltages of the unselected bit line 25 , the unselected word line 17 and the source electrodes are made 0V. Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 1.5V. Thereby, a change of a threshold voltage of the memory cell 51 is detected so that the data is read out from the memory cell 51 . It is noted that, in this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 12, of data-holding operations in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 12, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .
Then, when holding data in the memory cell 51 , the voltages of the word line 15 and the word line 17 are made 0V, as shown in FIG. 12 . Also, the voltages of the bit line 21 and the bit line 25 are made 0V.
It should be noted that, in each of the above-described operations, the source electrode does not necessarily have to be grounded, but may be supplied with a different voltage. In this case, the selected bit lines and word lines need to be supplied with voltages according to the voltage supplied to the source electrode so as to achieve the above-mentioned writing, reading and data-holding operations.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 13 and FIG. 14, of a layout of the memory cell in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 13 is a plan view of a layout of a conventional direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a layout of the direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell composing the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .
As shown in FIG. 13, in a conventional DTM cell array, the memory cell 13 a , for example, comprises a source SC and a drain DN connected to the bit lines 19 and 21 via contact holes CH, respectively; and a gate GT connected to the word line 15 .
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, in the DTM cell array 47 , the memory cell 51 according to the present embodiment comprises the drain DN connected to the bit line 21 via the contact hole CH; a diffusion layer commonly used for the memory cells as the source SC; and the gate GT connected to the word line 15 .
As described above, each memory cell composing the DTM cell array 47 according to the present embodiment has the common source, and thus requires one bit line. Therefore, each memory cell composing the DTM cell array 47 according to the present embodiment has a ratio of 0.54 in area to the conventional memory cell 13 a , reducing the size of the memory cell nearly to half.
The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 2000-276398 filed on Sep. 12, 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. | A semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, where each of the memory cells includes a source area formed adjacent to a channel area in the semiconductor substrate; a drain area formed opposite the source area with the channel area therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain area being connected to one of the bit lines; a tunnel insulating film formed on the channel area, the tunnel insulating film having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon; a floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film so as to overlap neither the source area nor the drain area; a gate insulating film formed on the floating gate so as to cover the floating gate; and a control gate formed on the gate insulating film so as to partially overlap both of the source area and the drain area, the control gate being connected to one of the word lines. In the semiconductor memory device, the source areas of the memory cells are connected to each other so that a common voltage is supplied to each of the source areas. | Briefly summarize the main idea's components and working principles as described in the context. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a controlling method of the semiconductor memory device.",
"Description of the Related Art Recently, there have been increasing demands for a system LSI having a logic circuit and a memory mounted on a same substrate.",
"Examples of the memory used in the system LSI are a flash memory, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a ferroelectric memory (FRAM), etc.",
"Among these, the flash memory is nonvolatile, and thus provides good process consistency with a MOS field-effect transistor.",
"Therefore, the flash memory is suitable to be mounted on a same substrate with a logic circuit.",
"However, the flash memory is incapable of writing or erasing data at high speed.",
"Hence, when there is a need of writing or erasing data at high speed, the DRAM or the FRAM has to be mounted on the same substrate with a logic circuit.",
"However, since the DRAM and the FRAM comprise a highly dielectric material, a ferroelectric material, or special electrode material, etc.",
", the DRAM or the FRAM provides ill process consistency with a logic circuit.",
"To solve the abovementioned problem, Japanese Laid-Open Pat. App.",
"No. 2000-150680 discloses a direct tunnel memory (DTM) as a device providing good process consistency with a logic circuit and capable of writing and erasing data at high speed.",
"FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of this direct tunnel memory (DTM).",
"As shown in FIG. 1, each memory cell of the DTM comprises a channel area 5 formed in a semiconductor substrate;",
"a source 1 formed adjacent to the channel area 5 in the semiconductor substrate;",
"a drain 3 formed opposite the source l with the channel area 5 therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain 3 being connected to a bit line;",
"a tunnel oxide film 7 formed on the channel area 5 , the tunnel oxide film 7 having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon;",
"a floating gate 9 formed on the tunnel oxide film 7 so as not to overlap either the source 1 nor the drain 3 ;",
"a gate insulating film 10 formed over the floating gate 9 ;",
"and a control gate 11 formed on the gate insulating film 10 so as to partially overlap both of the source 1 and the drain 3 , the control gate 11 being connected to a word line.",
"As described above, the DTM is a memory using the floating gate 9 similar to a flash memory, with the tunnel oxide film 7 having a thickness thinned down to approximately 2 nm between the channel area 5 and the floating gate 9 .",
"It is noted that a tunnel oxide film for a normal flash memory has a thickness of approximately 10 nm.",
"As a result of the tunnel oxide film 7 having such a reduced thickness, the DTM enables writing or erasing data at high speed with a low voltage.",
"On the other hand, the tunnel oxide film 7 having a reduced thickness may cause a problem of a reduced data-hold property.",
"However, the DTM secures a data-hold time by having the structure in which the floating gate 9 does not overlap either the source 1 nor the drain 3 .",
"FIG. 2 is an illustration for explaining a structure and writing operations of a conventional NOR-type DTM cell array.",
"As shown in FIG. 2, each of memory cells 13 a to 13 d composing the NOR-type DTM cell array has a gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to a word line either 15 or 17 ;",
"and a source (the source 1 ) and a drain (the drain 3 ) connected to a pair of bit lines 19 and 21 , respectively, or a pair of bit lines 23 and 25 , respectively.",
"Then, when the memory cell 13 a is selected as an object to write data in, a voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V P of 4V, and a voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V.",
"Also, a voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and a voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V, and a voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and a voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are made the voltage V P of 4V.",
"Accordingly, the control gate 11 of the memory cell 13 a has a higher electric potential than the source 1 and the drain 3 .",
"Thereby, electrons are accumulated in the floating gate 9 so that data of “1”",
"is written in the memory cell 13 a .",
"In this course, in the NOR-type DTM cell array shown in FIG. 2, since a source voltage supplied to the memory cells 13 a and 13 c included in the selected column and a source voltage supplied to the memory cells 13 b and 13 d included in the unselected column are different, a source line cannot commonly be used to supply a source voltage.",
"This disadvantageously increases a size of the cell.",
"Next, when data is read from the memory cell 13 a in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V R of 2V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 3 .",
"Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 is made 0V, and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V D of 1V.",
"Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are made 0V.",
"Thereby, a change of a threshold voltage of the memory cell 13 a is detected so that the data is read out.",
"Next, when data included in a cell area 27 shown in FIG. 4 are erased all at once in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V E of −4V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V.",
"Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V.",
"Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are also made 0V.",
"Thereby, electrons are extracted from the floating gate 9 of each of the memory cells included in the cell area 27 to the channel area 5 , erasing the data all at once.",
"In this erasing method, there is a disadvantage that all data included in the memory cells connected to the word line 15 are inevitably erased, making the NOR-type DTM cell array unusable for a random access memory.",
"In addition, when data is held in the memory cell in the NOR-type DTM cell array, the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 are made 0V as shown in FIG. 5 .",
"Also, the voltage V BS0 of the bit line 19 and the voltage V BD0 of the bit line 21 are made 0V.",
"Further, the voltage V BS1 of the bit line 23 and the voltage V BD1 of the bit line 25 are also made 0V.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof in which device and method the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.",
"A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device and a controlling method thereof which device can operate at high speed, has small-sized memory cells, and is randomly accessible.",
"In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided according to one aspect of the present invention a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells comprising: a source area formed adjacent to a channel area in the semiconductor substrate;",
"a drain area formed opposite the source area with the channel area therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain area being connected to one of the bit lines;",
"a tunnel insulating film formed on the channel area, the tunnel insulating film having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon;",
"a floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film so as to overlap neither the source area nor the drain area;",
"a gate insulating film formed on the floating gate so as to cover the floating gate: and a control gate formed on the gate insulating film so as to partially overlap both of the source area and the drain area, the control gate being connected to one of the word lines, wherein the source areas of the memory cells are connected to each other so that a common voltage is supplied to each of the source areas.",
"According to the present invention, source electrodes can be made common, reducing the sizes of the memory cell and the semiconductor memory device including the memory cells.",
"Additionally, the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises: an erase-voltage generating circuit supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage;",
"and a write-voltage generating circuit supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.",
"Additionally, in the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the first voltage may be lower than a substrate voltage supplied to the semiconductor substrate.",
"According to the present invention, electrons can be injected to the floating gate.",
"On the other hand, in the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the write-voltage generating circuit can supply a third voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the third voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage, and the erase-voltage generating circuit can supply a fourth voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the fourth voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.",
"According to the present invention, electrons can be extracted from the floating gate of the selected memory cell in a cell-by-cell manner.",
"Accordingly, there is provided a semiconductor memory device that is randomly accessible and is capable of writing and erasing data at high speed.",
"In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is also provided according to another aspect of the present invention a method of controlling a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells comprising: a source area formed adjacent to a channel area in the semiconductor substrate;",
"a drain area formed opposite the source area with the channel area therebetween in the semiconductor substrate, the drain area being connected to one of the bit lines;",
"a tunnel insulating film formed on the channel area, the tunnel insulating film having a proper thickness for a carrier to pass through by a tunnel phenomenon;",
"a floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film so as to overlap neither the source area nor the drain area;",
"a gate insulating film formed on the floating gate so as to cover the floating gate;",
"and a control gate formed on the gate insulating film so as to partially overlap both of the source area and the drain area, the control gate being connected to one of the word lines, the method comprising the step of: supplying a common voltage to the source areas of the memory cells connected to each other.",
"According to the present invention, source electrodes can be made common so that the size of the memory cell is reduced.",
"This also miniaturizes the semiconductor memory device including the memory cells.",
"Additionally, the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises: a first step of supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage;",
"and a second step of supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.",
"Additionally, in the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the first step of supplying may include the step of supplying the first voltage lower than a substrate voltage supplied to the semiconductor substrate.",
"According to the present invention, electrons can be injected to the floating gate.",
"Additionally, in the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention, the second step of supplying may include the step of turning off the others of the memory cells by supplying a voltage to all of the word lines except the selected word line.",
"According to the present invention, the unselected memory cells are kept from turning on.",
"This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing data.",
"On the other hand, the method of controlling the semiconductor memory device according to the present invention further comprises the steps of: supplying a first voltage to one of the bit lines connected to selected one of the memory cells, the first voltage being higher than voltages supplied to the others of the bit lines and the common voltage, and supplying a second voltage to one of the word lines connected to the selected one of the memory cells, the second voltage being lower than voltages supplied to the others of the word lines and the common voltage.",
"According to the present invention, electrons can be extracted from the floating gate of the selected memory cell in a cell-by-cell manner.",
"Accordingly, there is provided a semiconductor memory device that is randomly accessible and is capable of writing and erasing data at high speed.",
"Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a direct tunnel memory (DTM);",
"FIG. 2 is an illustration for explaining a structure and writing operations of a conventional DTM cell array;",
"FIG. 3 is an illustration for explaining reading operations of the conventional DTM cell array;",
"FIG. 4 is an illustration for explaining erasing operations of the conventional DTM cell array;",
"FIG. 5 is an illustration for explaining data-holding operations of the conventional DTM cell array;",
"FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention;",
"FIG. 7 is an illustration for explaining a first example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in a DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a second example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a third example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 10 is an illustration for explaining writing operations of data “0”",
"in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 11 is an illustration for explaining reading operations in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 12 is an illustration for explaining data-holding operations in the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 13 is a plan view of a layout of a conventional DTM cell;",
"and FIG. 14 is a plan view of a layout of a DTM cell composing the DTM cell array shown in FIG. 6 .",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A description will now be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments according to the present invention.",
"Elements in the drawings that are identical or equivalent are referenced by the same characters.",
"FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.",
"As shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor memory device according to the present embodiment comprises a control circuit 30 ;",
"a write-voltage generating circuit 31 ;",
"an erase-voltage generating circuit 33 ;",
"an address latch circuit 35 ;",
"a Y-decoder 37 ;",
"an X-decoder 39 ;",
"an input-output buffer 41 ;",
"a data latch circuit 43 ;",
"a Y-gate 45 ;",
"and a direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell array 47 .",
"The control circuit 30 is supplied with a control signal.",
"The write-voltage generating circuit 31 , the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 , the data latch circuit 43 and the address latch circuit 35 are connected to the control circuit 30 .",
"The address latch circuit 35 is supplied with an address signal.",
"The Y-decoder 37 and the X-decoder 39 are each connected to the address latch circuit 35 , the write-voltage generating circuit 31 and the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 .",
"The input-output buffer 41 is connected to the data latch circuit 43 , and inputs and outputs a data signal externally.",
"The Y-gate 45 is connected to the Y-decoder 37 .",
"The Y-gate 45 is supplied from the data latch circuit 43 with data to be written in the DTM cell array 47 , and supplies data read from the DTM cell array 47 to the data latch circuit 43 .",
"The DTM cell array 47 is connected to the X-decoder 39 and the Y-gate 45 .",
"Additionally, the X-decoder 39 decodes the address signal supplied thereto so as to select a word line included in the DTM cell array 47 .",
"The Y-gate 45 selectively opens a gate according to a decode signal supplied from the Y-decoder 37 so as to activate a bit line connected with a memory cell to which the data is written in or read from in the DTM cell array 47 .",
"Hereinbelow, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of writing, reading and data-holding operations in the above-mentioned DTM cell array 47 .",
"FIG. 7 is an illustration for explaining a first example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 7, the DTM cell array 47 comprises memory cells.",
"Each of the memory cells comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line either 15 or 17 ;",
"the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line either 21 or 25 ;",
"and the source (the source 1 ) being grounded.",
"A memory cell 51 , for example, comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line 15 ;",
"the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line 21 ;",
"and the source (the source 1 ) being grounded.",
"Then, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V G1 of 2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made a voltage V D1 of −0.7V, as shown in FIG. 7 .",
"Also, a voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of −0.7V, and a voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V.",
"It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 2.5V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6, and that the voltage V D1 of −0.7V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"Accordingly, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of −0.7V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and a voltage of source electrodes are made 0V so that the bit line 21 substantially functions as a source.",
"Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 2.5V.",
"Thus, a high voltage is impressed only between the bit line 21 and the word line 15 connected with the selected memory cell 51 .",
"Therefore, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 51 , so that the data of “1”",
"is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .",
"In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of −0.7V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.",
"This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing the data of “1.”",
"It is noted in this case that, if a voltage lower than −1V is impressed to the selected bit line 21 , a large forward current flows through a p-n junction between the bit line 21 and the channel area 5 of the selected memory cell 51 .",
"Therefore, to prevent this, the selected bit line 21 is, as mentioned above, supplied with the voltage of, for example, −0.7V, which is a negative voltage a little higher than −1V.",
"FIG. 8 is an illustration for explaining a second example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 8, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .",
"Then, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made the voltage V G1 of 2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made the voltage V D1 of −2.0V, as shown in FIG. 8 .",
"Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of −2.0V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V.",
"Further, each of the memory cells is supplied with a substrate voltage V SUB of −1.5V.",
"It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 2.5V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6, that the voltage V D1 of −2.0V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6, and that the substrate voltage V SUB of −1.5V is generated by a substrate-voltage generating circuit (not shown in the figures).",
"Accordingly, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of −2.0V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and the voltage of the source electrodes are made 0V.",
"Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 2.5V.",
"Further, the substrate voltage V SUB of 1.5V is supplied as a back bias of the floating gate 9 .",
"Thereby, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 51 , so that the data of “1”",
"is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .",
"In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of −2.0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.",
"This avoids increasing an amount of electric power consumed in writing the data of “1.”",
"FIG. 9 is an illustration for explaining a third example of writing operations of data “1”",
"in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 9, the DTM cell array 47 comprises memory cells.",
"Each of the memory cells comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line either 15 or 17 ;",
"the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line either 21 or 25 ;",
"and the source (the source 1 ) connected to a common source line 55 .",
"A memory cell 53 , for example, comprises the gate (the control gate 11 ) connected to the word line 15 ;",
"the drain (the drain 3 ) connected to the bit line 21 ;",
"and the source (the source 1 ) connected to the source line 55 .",
"Then, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 53 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made the voltage V G1 of 4V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 9 .",
"Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made the voltage V D1 of 0V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 2V.",
"Further, a voltage V S of the source line 55 is made 2V.",
"It is noted that the voltage V G1 of 4V, the voltage V B1 of 2V and the voltage V S are generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"Accordingly, when writing data of “1”",
"to the memory cell 53 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of 0V while the voltage of the unselected bit line 25 and the voltage of the source line 55 are made 2V.",
"Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 4V.",
"Thereby, electrons are injected from the channel area 5 to the floating gate 9 in the memory cell 53 , so that the data of “1”",
"is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 53 .",
"In this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.",
"Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 10, of writing operations of data “0”",
"in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"It should be noted here that writing data “0”",
"means the same as erasing data.",
"As shown in FIG. 10, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .",
"Then, when writing data of “0”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V G0 of −2.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 10 .",
"Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V D0 of 3V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V.",
"It is noted that the voltage V G0 of −2.5V is generated by the erase-voltage generating circuit 33 shown in FIG. 6, and that the voltage V D0 of 3V is generated by the write-voltage generating circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"Accordingly, when writing data of “0”",
"to the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the positive voltage of 3V while the voltages of the unselected bit line 25 , the unselected word line 17 and the source electrodes are made 0V.",
"Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of −2.5V.",
"Thereby, electrons accumulated in the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 are extracted therefrom to the drain 3 , so that the data of “0”",
"is written to the floating gate 9 of the memory cell 51 .",
"It is noted that distances from the floating gate 9 to the source 1 and the drain 3 , a thickness of a sidewall of the control gate 11 , and a density of impurities in the channel area 5 are designed so that electrons are extracted only from the floating gate 9 of the selected memory cell to the corresponding drain 3 .",
"Additionally, in the above-mentioned course of writing data “0”, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent electrons being extracted from the floating gates 9 of unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 .",
"As described above, the semiconductor memory device according to the present embodiment is capable of writing data “0”",
"to each of the memory cells selectively, achieving a cell-by-cell data erasing.",
"This makes the DTM cell array 47 usable for a random access memory.",
"Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 11, of reading operations in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 11, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .",
"Then, when reading data from the memory cell 51 , the voltage V W0 of the word line 15 is made a voltage V GR of 1.5V, and the voltage V W1 of the word line 17 is made 0V, as shown in FIG. 11 .",
"Also, the voltage V B0 of the bit line 21 is made a voltage V DR of 1V, and the voltage V B1 of the bit line 25 is made 0V.",
"Accordingly, when reading data from the memory cell 51 , the selected bit line 21 is supplied with the voltage of 1V while the voltages of the unselected bit line 25 , the unselected word line 17 and the source electrodes are made 0V.",
"Besides, the selected word line 15 is supplied with the voltage of 1.5V.",
"Thereby, a change of a threshold voltage of the memory cell 51 is detected so that the data is read out from the memory cell 51 .",
"It is noted that, in this course, the unselected word line 17 is supplied with the voltage of 0V so as to prevent unselected memory cells connected to the selected bit line 21 from turning on.",
"Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 12, of data-holding operations in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 12, the DTM cell array 47 has the same structure as in the first example shown in FIG. 7 .",
"Then, when holding data in the memory cell 51 , the voltages of the word line 15 and the word line 17 are made 0V, as shown in FIG. 12 .",
"Also, the voltages of the bit line 21 and the bit line 25 are made 0V.",
"It should be noted that, in each of the above-described operations, the source electrode does not necessarily have to be grounded, but may be supplied with a different voltage.",
"In this case, the selected bit lines and word lines need to be supplied with voltages according to the voltage supplied to the source electrode so as to achieve the above-mentioned writing, reading and data-holding operations.",
"Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 13 and FIG. 14, of a layout of the memory cell in the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"FIG. 13 is a plan view of a layout of a conventional direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell.",
"FIG. 14 is a plan view of a layout of the direct tunnel memory (DTM) cell composing the DTM cell array 47 shown in FIG. 6 .",
"As shown in FIG. 13, in a conventional DTM cell array, the memory cell 13 a , for example, comprises a source SC and a drain DN connected to the bit lines 19 and 21 via contact holes CH, respectively;",
"and a gate GT connected to the word line 15 .",
"On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, in the DTM cell array 47 , the memory cell 51 according to the present embodiment comprises the drain DN connected to the bit line 21 via the contact hole CH;",
"a diffusion layer commonly used for the memory cells as the source SC;",
"and the gate GT connected to the word line 15 .",
"As described above, each memory cell composing the DTM cell array 47 according to the present embodiment has the common source, and thus requires one bit line.",
"Therefore, each memory cell composing the DTM cell array 47 according to the present embodiment has a ratio of 0.54 in area to the conventional memory cell 13 a , reducing the size of the memory cell nearly to half.",
"The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.",
"The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 2000-276398 filed on Sep. 12, 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a controlling method of an air separation plant.
One conventional controlling method of an air separator is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9627/1980. The gist of this prior art technique resides in that a raw air quantity is calculated using the condition of each portion of the plant as the input and outputs the calculated value as a set value for a raw air quantity adjusting device.
However, the set value of the raw air quantity adjusting device by this method is outputted primarily in accordance with the plant condition, and a problem develops in that even when an increase command of the raw air quantity is generated, the raw air quantity cannot be increased due to mechanical limitation, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The controlling method of the present invention makes an optimal control of an air separator by calculating a product quantity that can be collected by use of a predetermined maximum raw air quantity that can be supplied and an operating condition of a bubble tower, then comparing an input value of a necessary product quantity with the collectable product quantity, setting the necessary product quantity as a product formation quantity when the necessary product quantity is smaller than, or equal to, the collectable product quantity, setting the collectable product quantity as the product formation quantity when the necessary product quantity is greater than the collectable product quantity, outputting the set value of the product formation quantity as a set value for the product formation quantity adjusting device, calculating the necessary raw air quantity by use of the set value of the product formation quantity and the operating condition of a bubble tower and outputting it as a set value of the raw air quantity adjusting device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air separation process and a controlling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a systematic diagram of a bubble tower portion; and
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a controlling method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with a reference to a nitrogen generation apparatus as one of the kinds of air separation apparatuses by way of example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the combination of an air separation process and a controlling apparatus. The process will be described with reference to this drawing. First of all, raw air introduced from a pipe 1 is compressed by a raw air compressor 2 to a predetermined pressure of about 7 Kg/cm 2 G necessary for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation. Impurities such as moisture, carbonic acid gas, and the like, are adsorbed and removed by a preprocessing unit 3.
After the impurities are thus removed, part of the clean air is withdrawn as the air for instrumentation and sealing from a pipe 6, while the rest is introduced into means 4 for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation, where it is cooled, liquefied, rectified and separated. The resulting product gas nitrogen is obtained from a pipe 5 and the product liquefied nitrogen, from the pipe 6.
Next, the principal portion of the means for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation in the construction described above will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2.
While part of the air is in the liquid state, the raw air is blown into a bubble tower 201 from a pipe 21 and a gas becomes an ascending gas inside the bubble tower 201. While keeping a gas-liquid contact with a later-appearing reflux liquid, the ascending gas becomes a nitrogen gas having a high purity at the top of the tower. Part of the nitrogen gas having a high purity is withdrawn as the product gas from a pipe 22, and the rest is liquefied by a nitrogen condensor 202 and turns into the reflux liquid described above. Part of this reflux liqquid is withdrawn as the product liquid nitrogen from a pipe 23.
The remaining reflux liquid descends inside the bubble tower while keeping the gas-liquid contact with the ascending gas described above, and turns into liquid air at the bottom of the tower.
The liquid air passes through a pipe 24 and is adiabatically expanded expanded a valve 25 and its temperature drops. The liquid air is then supplied to the nitrogen condensor 202 as a cooling medium for liquefying nitrogen described above. The liquid air thus supplied to the nitrogen condensor 202 liquefies the nitrogen gas, evaporates by itself and changes to an exhaust gas and is thereafter discharged from a pipe 26.
Material balance in the construction described above will now be examined. The following relational formula can be established with symbols representing the following factors.
QA=QLA+QGN+QLN (1)
where:
QA: air quantity supplied from pipe 21
QGN: nitrogen gas quantity withdrawn from pipe 22
QLN: liquid nitrogen quantity withdrawn from pipe 23
QLA: liquid air quantity leaving tower bottom.
Since the oxygen concentration in the raw air (atmosphere) is 21% and the oxygen concentration in the product nitrogen is 0%, the material balance of oxygen will be considered. All the oxygen components in the raw air are contained in the liquid air from the lower portion of the bubble tower and delivered, and the following relational formula can be considered:
X×QLA=0.21×QA (2)
where X: oxygen concentration in liquid air
Accordingly,
QLA=(0.21/X)×QA (3)
If the formula (3) is put into the formula (1), ##EQU1##
The formula (5) means that the necessary raw air quantity can be determined if the necessary product nitrogen quantity and the oxygen concentration in the liquid air are set, and the formula (6) represents that the product nitrogen quantity that can be collected can be determined if the raw air quantity that can be supplied and the oxygen concentration in the liquid air are set.
Incidentally, the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air is determined from the relation of solubility of acetylene in the liquid air and the gas-liquid equilibrium lest trace acetylene or the like in the air is concentrated, built up and precipiated in the liquid air inside the nitrogen condensor 202, for the safety reasons, but the detailed description in this conjunction will be omitted.
Though the description given above explains only the material balance, the ratio (hereinafter called "L/V") of the descending liquid (reflux liquid) to the ascending gas inside the bubble tower must be kept constant in order to establish the safety operation condition inside the bubble tower.
Next, the thermal balance of the bubble portion of FIG. 2 will be considered as a whole. When nitrogen gas alone is collected as the product, the liquid nitrogen is zero, and it is the exhaust gas from the pipe 26 and nitrogen gas from the pipe 22 that leave outward the bubble portion, and they are gaseous. If the raw air entering the bubble portion is gaseous, too, their calories can be believed to be substantially balanced. When liquid nitrogen is withdrawn as part of the product, however, the chilling quantity for liquefaction corresponding to the quantity of liquid nitrogen becomes necessary from the aspect of thermal balance because nitrogen is withdrawn as the liquid. The material that enters the bubble portion from outside is only the raw air of the pipe 21. Therefore, the raw air must enter as the liquid in the quantity corresponding to the quantity of liquid nitrogen to be withdrawn, and this quantity can be regarded as substantially equal to the quantity of the product liquid nitrogen.
Accordingly, the ascending gas quantity V inside the bubble tower is the balance obtained by subtracting the liquid air quantity QLA from the raw air quantity QA:
V=QA-QLN (7)
On the other hand, the descending liquid quantity L inside the bubble tower is the balance obtained by subtracting the product nitrogen gas quantity and the product liquid nitrogen quantity QLN from the ascending gas and can be expressed as follows:
L=V-QGN-QLN (8)
When the formula (8) is put into the formula (7),
L=QA-QLN-QGN-QLN (9)
Therefore,
L=QA-QGN-2QLN (10)
When L/V is obtained from the formulas (7) and (10), ##EQU2## Therefore, ##EQU3##
The formula (12) means that a greater quantity of the raw air corresponding to the liquid product quantity is necessary than when all the products are gas.
In the formula (13), the quantity ΔQGN that reduces the gas product when the liquid product is increased by ΔQLN at the same air quantity can be determined from the following relational formula obtained by use of the numerator as a constant:
QGN+(2-L/V)QLN=QGN-ΔQGN+(2-L/V)(QLN+ΔQLN) (14)
∴ΔQGN=(2-L/V)ΔQLN (15)
This formula represents that if the quantity of the liquid product is increased or decreased at the same raw air quantity, the gas product must be operated at the ratio of (2-L/V) times in order to establish the same condition.
In the formula (12) or (13), the necessary raw air quantity when the liquid product is zero is given as follows: ##EQU4## On the other hand, the necessary raw air quantity when the liquid product is zero can be obtained as follows from the formula (5): ##EQU5## Since the left sides of the formulas (16) and (17) are equal, the following relational formula can be obtained: ##EQU6## When the formula (19) is put into the formula (12) or (13), ##EQU7##
In order words, if the formulas (20) and (21) are used, the operation for concurrently collecting the liquid product can be made under the same rectification operation as the operation for collecting only the gas product by setting the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air at the time of collection of the gas product.
Since the description given above determines the necessary raw air quantity with the bubble tower being the primary member, the raw air quantity QA for the apparatus as a whole can be obtained by adding miscellaneous gas quantity QBG such as the air for instrumentation and for sealing to the formulas (20) and (21). Namely, the necessary air quantity QA can be obtained as follows: ##EQU8##
Next, the construction and control content of the controlling apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
In FIG. 1, a computer 100 receives read commands such as a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity by a daisy switch 101 through an input interface 106, a necessary liquid product nitrogen quantity by a daisy switch 102, a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity and a liquid product nitrogen quantity by a push button switch 103, other parameters such as control constants by a digital switch 104, and parameter read commands by a push button switch 105. On the other hand, the computer 100 outputs flow rate set values to a minor loop FC1 for controlling the raw air flow rate, a minor loop FC2 for controlling the gas product nitrogen flow rate and a minor loop FC3 for controlling the liquid product nitrogen flow rate, respectively, through an input/output interface 107.
In the construction described above, when the computer 100 detects that the push button switch 103 for the read command of the necessary product quantity is pushed, it reads the necessary product formation quantity from the daisy switches 101 and 102, calculates the optimal raw air flow rate, gas product nitrogen quantity and liquid product nitrogen quantity on the basis of this necessary product formation quantity, and outputs them as the set values for the respective minor adjustment loops FC1, FC2 and FC3.
Each minor adjustment loop makes control on the basis of the set value from the computer so that the practical flow rate in the loop is in agreement with the set value.
Calculation by the computer 100 in this control can obtain the optimal set values in accordance with the formula (22) or (23) as described already. However, the raw air flow rate QA in the formula can be secured by the raw air compressor 2 in FIG. 1. Since there exists mechanically an upper limit value QA max of the raw air quantity, this control cannot be made if the raw air quantity QA of the calculation result exceeds this upper limit value QA max , however the computer might calculate.
The embodiment of the present invention changes the set value of the product formation quantity when such a state occurs, so that the raw air quantity as the result of calculation does not exceed the upper limit value. This method will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.
First of all, a predetermined miscellaneous gas quantity QBG is subtracted from a predetermined maximum raw air quantity QA max to obtain a maximum air quantity Qa that can be blown into the bubble tower, in block 500. Next, a gas product nitrogen quantity QGN max that can be collected is determined in accordance with the formula (17) by use of the air quantity QA and an oxygen impurity X in the predetermined liquid air, in block 501.
Next, in block 502, the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity QGN max described above and a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity set from outside are compared. When the necessary gas product nitrogen quantity is greater than the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity, the flow proceeds to block 503, where the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity is outputted as the set value for the minor gas product nitrogen control loop FC2. Needless to say, since the liquid product cannot be collected any more, the set value zero is outputted to the minor liquid nitrogen quantity control loop FC3. The maximum raw air quantity QA max is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air flow rate control loop FC1, and this flow is completed.
On the other hand, in block 502, if the necessary gas product quantity set from outside is smaller than the collectable gas product quantity QGN max in block 502, the flow proceeds to block 504, where the necessary gas product nitrogen quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor gas product nitrogen control loop FC2. In block 505, the necessary liquid product nitrogen quantity from outside is converted to the gas quantity using the formula (15). As is obvious from the formula (19), the ratio L/V in this formula (15) can be of course expressed as a function of the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air.
Next, whether or not the balance obtained by substracting the necessary gas product quantity from the collectable product is greater than the gas-converted necessary liquid nitrogen flow rate is compared in block 506. If the gas-converted necessary liquid nitrogen flow rate is found greater, the flow proceeds to block 507, where the balance obtained by subtracting the necessary gas product quantity from the collectable product quantity is again converted to the liquid quantity in accordance with the formula (15), and the converted liquid quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor liquid product nitrogen quantity control loop FC3. The maximum raw air quantity QA max is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air flow rate control loop FC1, and this flow is completed.
Next, in block 506, if judgement proves to be opposite to the above, the flow proceeds to block 509, where the necessary liquid product quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor liquid nitrogen control loop FC3.
In block 510, the necessary raw air quantity is calculated by use of the necessary gas product quantity, the necessary liquid product quantity and the predetermined oxygen concentration X in the liquid air in accordance with the formula (22) or (23) and the result of calculation is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air quantity control loop FC1. This flow is thus completed.
It will be obvious from the explanation of the process given above that the ratio of the descending liquid to the ascending gas, i.e., L/V, can be used in the same way in place of the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air for the calculation.
As described above, the present invention can make optimal control for any set value of the necessary product quantity. | This invention makes an optimal control of an air separator for any set value of a product quantity by inputting a necessary product quantity, calculating a minimum necessary raw air quantity by use of the capacity of the air separator and its operating condition and using this quantity as a set value for a raw air quantity adjustment loop. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a controlling method of an air separation plant.",
"One conventional controlling method of an air separator is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9627/1980.",
"The gist of this prior art technique resides in that a raw air quantity is calculated using the condition of each portion of the plant as the input and outputs the calculated value as a set value for a raw air quantity adjusting device.",
"However, the set value of the raw air quantity adjusting device by this method is outputted primarily in accordance with the plant condition, and a problem develops in that even when an increase command of the raw air quantity is generated, the raw air quantity cannot be increased due to mechanical limitation, and the like.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The controlling method of the present invention makes an optimal control of an air separator by calculating a product quantity that can be collected by use of a predetermined maximum raw air quantity that can be supplied and an operating condition of a bubble tower, then comparing an input value of a necessary product quantity with the collectable product quantity, setting the necessary product quantity as a product formation quantity when the necessary product quantity is smaller than, or equal to, the collectable product quantity, setting the collectable product quantity as the product formation quantity when the necessary product quantity is greater than the collectable product quantity, outputting the set value of the product formation quantity as a set value for the product formation quantity adjusting device, calculating the necessary raw air quantity by use of the set value of the product formation quantity and the operating condition of a bubble tower and outputting it as a set value of the raw air quantity adjusting device.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air separation process and a controlling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;",
"FIG. 2 is a systematic diagram of a bubble tower portion;",
"and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a controlling method.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with a reference to a nitrogen generation apparatus as one of the kinds of air separation apparatuses by way of example.",
"FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the combination of an air separation process and a controlling apparatus.",
"The process will be described with reference to this drawing.",
"First of all, raw air introduced from a pipe 1 is compressed by a raw air compressor 2 to a predetermined pressure of about 7 Kg/cm 2 G necessary for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation.",
"Impurities such as moisture, carbonic acid gas, and the like, are adsorbed and removed by a preprocessing unit 3.",
"After the impurities are thus removed, part of the clean air is withdrawn as the air for instrumentation and sealing from a pipe 6, while the rest is introduced into means 4 for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation, where it is cooled, liquefied, rectified and separated.",
"The resulting product gas nitrogen is obtained from a pipe 5 and the product liquefied nitrogen, from the pipe 6.",
"Next, the principal portion of the means for deep cooling, liquefaction, rectification and separation in the construction described above will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2. While part of the air is in the liquid state, the raw air is blown into a bubble tower 201 from a pipe 21 and a gas becomes an ascending gas inside the bubble tower 201.",
"While keeping a gas-liquid contact with a later-appearing reflux liquid, the ascending gas becomes a nitrogen gas having a high purity at the top of the tower.",
"Part of the nitrogen gas having a high purity is withdrawn as the product gas from a pipe 22, and the rest is liquefied by a nitrogen condensor 202 and turns into the reflux liquid described above.",
"Part of this reflux liqquid is withdrawn as the product liquid nitrogen from a pipe 23.",
"The remaining reflux liquid descends inside the bubble tower while keeping the gas-liquid contact with the ascending gas described above, and turns into liquid air at the bottom of the tower.",
"The liquid air passes through a pipe 24 and is adiabatically expanded expanded a valve 25 and its temperature drops.",
"The liquid air is then supplied to the nitrogen condensor 202 as a cooling medium for liquefying nitrogen described above.",
"The liquid air thus supplied to the nitrogen condensor 202 liquefies the nitrogen gas, evaporates by itself and changes to an exhaust gas and is thereafter discharged from a pipe 26.",
"Material balance in the construction described above will now be examined.",
"The following relational formula can be established with symbols representing the following factors.",
"QA=QLA+QGN+QLN (1) where: QA: air quantity supplied from pipe 21 QGN: nitrogen gas quantity withdrawn from pipe 22 QLN: liquid nitrogen quantity withdrawn from pipe 23 QLA: liquid air quantity leaving tower bottom.",
"Since the oxygen concentration in the raw air (atmosphere) is 21% and the oxygen concentration in the product nitrogen is 0%, the material balance of oxygen will be considered.",
"All the oxygen components in the raw air are contained in the liquid air from the lower portion of the bubble tower and delivered, and the following relational formula can be considered: X×QLA=0.21×QA (2) where X: oxygen concentration in liquid air Accordingly, QLA=(0.21/X)×QA (3) If the formula (3) is put into the formula (1), ##EQU1## The formula (5) means that the necessary raw air quantity can be determined if the necessary product nitrogen quantity and the oxygen concentration in the liquid air are set, and the formula (6) represents that the product nitrogen quantity that can be collected can be determined if the raw air quantity that can be supplied and the oxygen concentration in the liquid air are set.",
"Incidentally, the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air is determined from the relation of solubility of acetylene in the liquid air and the gas-liquid equilibrium lest trace acetylene or the like in the air is concentrated, built up and precipiated in the liquid air inside the nitrogen condensor 202, for the safety reasons, but the detailed description in this conjunction will be omitted.",
"Though the description given above explains only the material balance, the ratio (hereinafter called "L/V") of the descending liquid (reflux liquid) to the ascending gas inside the bubble tower must be kept constant in order to establish the safety operation condition inside the bubble tower.",
"Next, the thermal balance of the bubble portion of FIG. 2 will be considered as a whole.",
"When nitrogen gas alone is collected as the product, the liquid nitrogen is zero, and it is the exhaust gas from the pipe 26 and nitrogen gas from the pipe 22 that leave outward the bubble portion, and they are gaseous.",
"If the raw air entering the bubble portion is gaseous, too, their calories can be believed to be substantially balanced.",
"When liquid nitrogen is withdrawn as part of the product, however, the chilling quantity for liquefaction corresponding to the quantity of liquid nitrogen becomes necessary from the aspect of thermal balance because nitrogen is withdrawn as the liquid.",
"The material that enters the bubble portion from outside is only the raw air of the pipe 21.",
"Therefore, the raw air must enter as the liquid in the quantity corresponding to the quantity of liquid nitrogen to be withdrawn, and this quantity can be regarded as substantially equal to the quantity of the product liquid nitrogen.",
"Accordingly, the ascending gas quantity V inside the bubble tower is the balance obtained by subtracting the liquid air quantity QLA from the raw air quantity QA: V=QA-QLN (7) On the other hand, the descending liquid quantity L inside the bubble tower is the balance obtained by subtracting the product nitrogen gas quantity and the product liquid nitrogen quantity QLN from the ascending gas and can be expressed as follows: L=V-QGN-QLN (8) When the formula (8) is put into the formula (7), L=QA-QLN-QGN-QLN (9) Therefore, L=QA-QGN-2QLN (10) When L/V is obtained from the formulas (7) and (10), ##EQU2## Therefore, ##EQU3## The formula (12) means that a greater quantity of the raw air corresponding to the liquid product quantity is necessary than when all the products are gas.",
"In the formula (13), the quantity ΔQGN that reduces the gas product when the liquid product is increased by ΔQLN at the same air quantity can be determined from the following relational formula obtained by use of the numerator as a constant: QGN+(2-L/V)QLN=QGN-ΔQGN+(2-L/V)(QLN+ΔQLN) (14) ∴ΔQGN=(2-L/V)ΔQLN (15) This formula represents that if the quantity of the liquid product is increased or decreased at the same raw air quantity, the gas product must be operated at the ratio of (2-L/V) times in order to establish the same condition.",
"In the formula (12) or (13), the necessary raw air quantity when the liquid product is zero is given as follows: ##EQU4## On the other hand, the necessary raw air quantity when the liquid product is zero can be obtained as follows from the formula (5): ##EQU5## Since the left sides of the formulas (16) and (17) are equal, the following relational formula can be obtained: ##EQU6## When the formula (19) is put into the formula (12) or (13), ##EQU7## In order words, if the formulas (20) and (21) are used, the operation for concurrently collecting the liquid product can be made under the same rectification operation as the operation for collecting only the gas product by setting the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air at the time of collection of the gas product.",
"Since the description given above determines the necessary raw air quantity with the bubble tower being the primary member, the raw air quantity QA for the apparatus as a whole can be obtained by adding miscellaneous gas quantity QBG such as the air for instrumentation and for sealing to the formulas (20) and (21).",
"Namely, the necessary air quantity QA can be obtained as follows: ##EQU8## Next, the construction and control content of the controlling apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.",
"In FIG. 1, a computer 100 receives read commands such as a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity by a daisy switch 101 through an input interface 106, a necessary liquid product nitrogen quantity by a daisy switch 102, a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity and a liquid product nitrogen quantity by a push button switch 103, other parameters such as control constants by a digital switch 104, and parameter read commands by a push button switch 105.",
"On the other hand, the computer 100 outputs flow rate set values to a minor loop FC1 for controlling the raw air flow rate, a minor loop FC2 for controlling the gas product nitrogen flow rate and a minor loop FC3 for controlling the liquid product nitrogen flow rate, respectively, through an input/output interface 107.",
"In the construction described above, when the computer 100 detects that the push button switch 103 for the read command of the necessary product quantity is pushed, it reads the necessary product formation quantity from the daisy switches 101 and 102, calculates the optimal raw air flow rate, gas product nitrogen quantity and liquid product nitrogen quantity on the basis of this necessary product formation quantity, and outputs them as the set values for the respective minor adjustment loops FC1, FC2 and FC3.",
"Each minor adjustment loop makes control on the basis of the set value from the computer so that the practical flow rate in the loop is in agreement with the set value.",
"Calculation by the computer 100 in this control can obtain the optimal set values in accordance with the formula (22) or (23) as described already.",
"However, the raw air flow rate QA in the formula can be secured by the raw air compressor 2 in FIG. 1. Since there exists mechanically an upper limit value QA max of the raw air quantity, this control cannot be made if the raw air quantity QA of the calculation result exceeds this upper limit value QA max , however the computer might calculate.",
"The embodiment of the present invention changes the set value of the product formation quantity when such a state occurs, so that the raw air quantity as the result of calculation does not exceed the upper limit value.",
"This method will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. First of all, a predetermined miscellaneous gas quantity QBG is subtracted from a predetermined maximum raw air quantity QA max to obtain a maximum air quantity Qa that can be blown into the bubble tower, in block 500.",
"Next, a gas product nitrogen quantity QGN max that can be collected is determined in accordance with the formula (17) by use of the air quantity QA and an oxygen impurity X in the predetermined liquid air, in block 501.",
"Next, in block 502, the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity QGN max described above and a necessary gas product nitrogen quantity set from outside are compared.",
"When the necessary gas product nitrogen quantity is greater than the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity, the flow proceeds to block 503, where the collectable gas product nitrogen quantity is outputted as the set value for the minor gas product nitrogen control loop FC2.",
"Needless to say, since the liquid product cannot be collected any more, the set value zero is outputted to the minor liquid nitrogen quantity control loop FC3.",
"The maximum raw air quantity QA max is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air flow rate control loop FC1, and this flow is completed.",
"On the other hand, in block 502, if the necessary gas product quantity set from outside is smaller than the collectable gas product quantity QGN max in block 502, the flow proceeds to block 504, where the necessary gas product nitrogen quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor gas product nitrogen control loop FC2.",
"In block 505, the necessary liquid product nitrogen quantity from outside is converted to the gas quantity using the formula (15).",
"As is obvious from the formula (19), the ratio L/V in this formula (15) can be of course expressed as a function of the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air.",
"Next, whether or not the balance obtained by substracting the necessary gas product quantity from the collectable product is greater than the gas-converted necessary liquid nitrogen flow rate is compared in block 506.",
"If the gas-converted necessary liquid nitrogen flow rate is found greater, the flow proceeds to block 507, where the balance obtained by subtracting the necessary gas product quantity from the collectable product quantity is again converted to the liquid quantity in accordance with the formula (15), and the converted liquid quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor liquid product nitrogen quantity control loop FC3.",
"The maximum raw air quantity QA max is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air flow rate control loop FC1, and this flow is completed.",
"Next, in block 506, if judgement proves to be opposite to the above, the flow proceeds to block 509, where the necessary liquid product quantity is outputted as the set value to the minor liquid nitrogen control loop FC3.",
"In block 510, the necessary raw air quantity is calculated by use of the necessary gas product quantity, the necessary liquid product quantity and the predetermined oxygen concentration X in the liquid air in accordance with the formula (22) or (23) and the result of calculation is outputted as the set value to the minor raw air quantity control loop FC1.",
"This flow is thus completed.",
"It will be obvious from the explanation of the process given above that the ratio of the descending liquid to the ascending gas, i.e., L/V, can be used in the same way in place of the oxygen concentration X in the liquid air for the calculation.",
"As described above, the present invention can make optimal control for any set value of the necessary product quantity."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and particularly to electric vehicles including in-wheel motor driving devices and independent-steering apparatuses for easy pivot turning.
BACKGROUND ART
Electric vehicles including in-wheel motor driving devices, and electric vehicles including independent steering apparatuses implemented by steering-by-wire system are both already public (Patent Literature 1 and 2).
The in-wheel motor driving device includes a motor section which generates a driving force; a speed reducer section which reduces rotating speed of the motor section and outputs the rotating force; and a wheel hub which transmits the output from the speed reducer section to a driving wheel. The speed reducer section is provided by a planetary gear system for example. An onboard motor controller provides electronic control on rotation speed, rotation direction, etc. of the in-wheel motor driving devices (Patent Literature 1 and 2).
The independent-steering apparatus implemented by steering-by-wire system uses a steering actuator installed in each vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes a steering angle controller which, in response to the vehicle driver's operation on the steering wheel, calculates target steering angles and provides electronic control on the steering actuators thereby setting the wheels to appropriate steering angles (Patent Literature 3).
An electric vehicle equipped with the independent steering apparatus can make pivot turning, i.e., turning on the spot, by placing the front wheels in a forwardly narrowing pattern, placing the rear wheels in a rearwardly narrowing pattern, and then, if the vehicle is a two-wheel drive type, by rotating the left and the right driving wheels in the front or rear of the vehicle in mutually opposite directions. In a four-wheel drive vehicle, the left and the right wheels are rotated in mutually opposite directions in both of the front and rear pairs, with the front and the rear left wheels rotated in the same direction while the front and the rear right wheels rotated in the same direction. Such a control provides pivot turning.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: JP-A 2005-7914
Patent Literature 2: JP-A 2007-216930 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 4)
Patent Literature 3: JP-A 2009-23561 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
However, in conventional electric vehicles, the body is made to have a rectangular shape in a plan view following traditional engine-driven automobiles, so the vehicle body is longer in the fore-aft direction. If such a vehicle attempts pivot turning at a place where there is not sufficient space in the vehicle's widthwise direction, the vehicle will interfere with surrounding objects such as other vehicles and buildings.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, by providing a structure without a chassis and apart of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning.
Solution to Problem
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an electric vehicle which includes: three wheels consisting of a front wheel and a left and a right rear wheels or consisting of a left and a right front wheels and a rear wheel; an in-wheel motor driving device incorporated only in the front wheels, only in the rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. The vehicle further includes an independent-steering apparatus for all of the wheels. With these arrangements, a kingpin axis in each wheel makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle which is defined inboard of a vehicle body.
The present invention also provides an electric vehicle which includes: four wheels consisting of a left and a right front wheels and a left and a right rear wheels; an in-wheel motor driving device incorporated only in each of the left and the right front wheels, only in each of the left and the right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. The vehicle further includes an independent-steering apparatus for all of the wheels. With these arrangement, a kingpin axis in each wheel makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle which is defined inboard of a vehicle body.
The vehicle body is generally cylindrical, and preferably a platform is provided in the front of the body.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
The electric vehicle according to the present invention is capable, with the independent-steering apparatus, of orienting the wheels in directions which enable pivot turning even at a place not spacious enough for a normal turn. Therefore, as far as a space has a width which is wide enough for the vehicle to drive in, the vehicle does not require any more space and can make pivot turning without interfering with the surrounding objects. Thus, even if the vehicle was driven by forward driving into a narrow parking space with a dead end, it is possible to make a pivot turn and get out of the space by forward driving.
Also, due to the use of in-wheel driving units, it is possible to provide sufficient space between the left and the right front wheel housings not only in a case where the vehicle is a rear wheel drive type but also in a case where it is a front wheel drive type as well as in a case where it is an all wheel drive type. This allows a platform to be provided in the front portion of the vehicle body, which makes it possible to get out of and get into the vehicle from the entrance side of the parking space even if the parking space is very narrow.
Further, since the platform is in the front portion of the vehicle body, there is no need to ensure extra space on the left and/or right side of the vehicle for getting in and out of the vehicle. Combined with the pivot turning advantage at a small space, this helps to promote effective use of parking spaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an electric vehicle according to Embodiment 1.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of Embodiment 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of Embodiment 1, showing together with a control block diagram.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of Embodiment 1 during a small-radius turn.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view during a pivot turn.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment as an application to a three-wheel vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings.
Embodiment 1
As shown in FIG. 1 , an electric vehicle according to Embodiment 1 has a configuration that in its plan view, an outer circumferential edge of a chassis 12 is on a chassis circle C of a radius R 0 . The chassis 12 is composed of a frame 13 , a floor panel 14 on the frame 13 , etc.
The frame 13 of the chassis 12 has a shape of a cross in a plan view, having a rectangular center portion 15 including its center O; a front end portion 15 a and a rear end portion 15 b in front of and at the rear of the center portion 15 ; and a left side portion 15 c and a right side portion 15 d on the left side and on the right side of the center portion 15 . Each of the frame portions 15 a through 15 d is surrounded by three sides, i.e., an arc-shaped frame end edge 13 a of a curvature radius which is identical with the radius R 0 of the chassis circle C, and a left and a right-side frame side edges 13 b , 13 c.
In these frame portions 15 a through 15 d , each pair of mutually adjacent frame side edges 13 b and 13 c provides a squarely recessed space for a wheel housing 16 , and at each of the four housings, a left or a right front wheel 17 a or 17 b or a left or a right rear wheel 17 c , 17 d is installed.
It should be noted here that each of the wheels 17 a through 17 d has a suspension, which is not illustrated since it is not directly related to the present invention.
The four wheels 17 a through 17 d are disposed in such a fashion that their kingpin axes cross the ground at intersections A on a wheel disposition circle D which has a smaller radius R 1 than that of the outer circumferential circle C of the chassis 12 , and that all the four wheels are in a symmetric pattern with each other with respect to two mutually vertical reference lines (X and Y) drawn in the left-right direction and the fore-aft direction to cross each other at the center O of the chassis 12 .
The chassis 12 has a cabin 19 which is generally cylindrical as a whole as shown in FIG. 2 , with a cylinder portion 20 having an outer circumferential surface following an outer circumferential surface of the chassis circle C. The radius R 0 of the chassis circle C is extended to a radius R 2 of a maximum circle E if a wall thickness of the cabin 19 is added. However, the wall thickness of the cabin 19 is negligibly small in comparison to the radius of the chassis circle C, so the maximum circle E is virtually equal to the chassis circle C.
Correspondingly to the wheel housings 16 , the cabin 19 has four recesses from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder portion 20 (see FIG. 2 ).
The cylinder portion 20 has its top opening closed with a circular top panel 21 . Also, there is a platform 22 provided in a front surface of the cylinder portion 20 , i.e., between the left and the right wheel housings 16 . The platform 22 may have a hinged or a sliding door. In addition, the cylinder portion 20 has windows 23 . Also, there is a driver's seat 25 with a handlebar 25 inside the cylinder portion 20 , i.e., inside the vehicle. The driver's seat 25 is provided with an accelerator pedal 26 (see FIG. 1 ) for controlling in-wheel motor driving devices 27 and a brake pedal 30 for braking on the wheels 17 a through 17 d which will be described later.
It should be noted here that the figures show a rear wheel drive vehicle with the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d equipped with in-wheel motor driving devices 27 . However, even if the vehicle is of a front wheel drive type or all wheel drive type, the wheel housing 16 has enough space for the in-wheel motor driving device 27 , and therefore, it is possible to provide sufficient space between the left and the right wheel housings 16 , and thus, there is no problem in disposing the platform 22 at front portion of the cabin 19 .
Next, a controller for the wheels 17 a through 17 d will be described based on FIG. 3 . The in-wheel motor driving device 27 includes, as already known, a motor section which generates a driving force; a speed reducer section which reduces rotating speed of the motor section and outputs the rotating force; and a wheel hub which transmits the output from the speed reducer section to a driving wheel. The speed reducer section is provided by a planetary gear system for example. The in-wheel motor driving devices 27 are controlled by a motor control unit 28 which is installed in the chassis 12 , whereby rotation speed, rotation direction, etc. of the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are controlled.
Also, an independent-steering apparatus 29 is installed in the chassis 12 for steering control of the wheels 17 a through 17 d . The independent-steering apparatus 29 is implemented by a steering-by-wire system which will be described next.
Specifically, each of the wheels 17 a through 17 d is equipped with a steering actuator 31 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the steering actuator 31 includes a motor 32 and a linear motion mechanism 33 driven thereby. The linear motion mechanism 33 has a nut 34 on a driving shaft of the motor 32 , and a threaded rod 35 threaded through the nut 34 . Typically, the nut 34 and the threaded rod 35 are provided by a ball screw. As the motor 32 is driven, the nut 34 rotates at a fixed position, moving the threaded rod 35 in its axial direction.
The threaded rod 35 is connected to an end of an L-shaped knuckle arm 36 . The knuckle arm 36 is swingly connected by a corner pin 37 within a plane, and is connected to an end of a knuckle 38 which has another end connected to the wheel hub. As the motor 32 rotates, the first end of the knuckle arm 36 is moved in a fore-aft direction whereas the knuckle 38 at the second end rotates in a circumferential direction, to set the corresponding one of the wheels 17 a through 17 d to a predetermined steering angle θ (see FIG. 4 ).
The steering actuator 31 is controlled by a steering angle control unit 39 installed in the chassis 12 . The chassis 12 is also provided with a handlebar operation-amount sensor 40 which detects an amount by which the handlebar 24 was moved, and a detection signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 . Based on the detection signal which represents the amount of handlebar operation, the steering angle control unit 39 calculates a target steering angle θ and controls the steering actuators 31 .
In addition to the above, the driver's seat 25 has a small-radius turn switch 41 for making a three-point turn when driving into a very narrow road or making a U turn; and a pivot turn switch 42 for making a pivot turn within a very narrow space. When the small-radius turn switch 41 gets turned ON, a small-radius turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 . Likewise, when the pivot turn switch 42 gets turned ON, a pivot turn signal is inputted to the motor control unit 28 and the steering angle control unit 39 . The pivot turn switch 42 has a switching position for a left-turn and a switching position for a right-turn. It should be noted here that in place of an ON/OFF switching operation, the small-radius turn may be initiated by automatic recognition method based on the angle of steering made to the steering section and the vehicle driving speed.
The automobile according to Embodiment 1 has been described thus far. Next, description will cover functions of the automobile.
[Straight Drive]
FIG. 3 shows a state when the vehicle is driving straightly. Before the vehicle is moved, a signal from the handlebar operation-amount sensor 40 is picked and based on the signal, the steering angle control unit 39 calculates a steering angle (=0°). Then, the steering actuators 31 are controlled to set the wheels 17 a through 17 d to the obtained steering angle. As the accelerator pedal 26 at the driver's seat 25 is operated, the motor control unit 28 responds to drive the in-wheel motor driving devices 27 , whereby the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are driven to move the vehicle straightly. Forward drive and rearward drive can be switched by using an unillustrated lever for example.
[Small-Radius Turning]
As shown in FIG. 4 , when changing the driving directions such as when changing lanes, making a U turn, etc., steering operation is typically performed only to the front wheels 17 a , 17 b . When it is necessary to make a three-point turn to drive the vehicle into a narrow path or to make a U turn, the small-radius turn switch 41 at the driver's seat 25 is operated. Then, the small-radius turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 , and the unit 39 controls steering actuators 31 of the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d , thereby setting the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d to steering angles −θ′, −δ′ respectively which are given by flipping steering angles θ, δ of the corresponding front wheels 17 a , 17 b.
The above-described control eliminates what is generally known as the difference between a track followed by the front inner wheel and a track followed by the back inner wheel, and therefore enables a change of the driving direction in a small radius. For the sake of maintaining stability of the chassis 12 , however, the steering must be performed at a slower speed than a predetermined limit. Small-radius turning while backing up is achieved by the same control.
[Pivot Turning]
When pivot turning is necessary at a narrow parking space for example, the pivot turn switch 42 at the driver's seat 25 is operated. As the pivot turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 , the unit 39 controls the steering actuators 31 for setting the wheels 17 a through 17 d to such angles that all of the wheels 17 a through 17 d have their wheel axes 18 in a radial direction of the wheel disposition circle D as shown in FIG. 5 . Due to this control, the front wheels 17 a , 17 b are set in a forwardly narrowing pattern while the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are set in a rearwardly narrowing pattern.
Simultaneously, a pivot turn signal (e.g., for a right turn (see Arrow B in FIG. 5 )) is inputted to the motor control unit 28 . Then, as shown in FIG. 5 , the left rear wheel 17 c rotates in the forward driving direction while the right rear wheel 17 d rotates in the rearward driving direction. In other words, these wheels are set to rotate in opposite directions. The left and the right front wheels 17 a , 17 b follow their respective rear wheels 17 c , 17 d , i.e., the left front wheel 17 a is rotated in the forward driving direction while the right front wheel 17 b is rotated in the rearward driving direction.
For a four-wheel drive vehicle, the left wheel and the right wheel are set to rotate in mutually opposite directions in both of the front pair and the rear pair of wheels (namely, the left front wheel 17 a is set for forward driving; the right front wheel 17 b is set for rearward driving; the left rear wheel 17 c is set for forward driving; and the right rear wheel 17 d is set for rearward driving). At the same time, both of the wheels on the left side are set to rotate in the same direction, with both of the wheels on the right side to rotate in the same direction; namely, the left front wheel 17 a and the left rear wheel 17 c are both set for the forward driving whereas the right front wheel 17 b and the right rear wheel 17 d are both set for the rearward driving. As a result, the chassis 12 and a body 19 turn on the center O, within the maximum circle E, or virtually within the chassis circle C.
In the above-described pivot turning, the minimum space necessary for the turning is practically the space of the chassis circle C. Since the wheel disposition circle D and the body 19 are within the chassis circle C, there is nothing protruding out of the space. Therefore, there is no interference with the surrounding objects.
It should be noted here that as shown in FIG. 5 , part of the wheels 17 a through 17 d come out of the chassis circle C during the pivot turning, but such is well absorbed in a normal margin of the parking space and therefore will not pose any substantive problems.
Because of these properties, this vehicle provides such an advantage that when driving out of a narrow parking space where the vehicle was driven into by forward driving, the driver can simply make a pivot turn and then get out of the space by forward driving, although drivers in conventional automobiles have to get out of the space by backing up his/her vehicle.
Also, since in-wheel motor driving devices 27 are used, it is possible to provide a sufficient space in the front part of the chassis 12 even if the vehicle is of a front wheel drive type. For this reason, it is possible to provide the platform 22 in a front part of the body 19 . This provides a wide view at the time of getting out of the vehicle for increased safety in getting in and out of the vehicle. Also, no extra space is required on the left nor right side of the parking space for getting in and out of the vehicle. Further, even if the vehicle was driven forwardly into a narrow parking space with a dead end, it is possible to get out of the vehicle from the open-end side of the parking space by making a pivot turn.
Thus far, description has been made for a four-wheel automobile. However, the present invention is also applicable to three-wheel automobiles as shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the left and the right rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are equipped with in-wheel motor driving devices 27 , but the in-wheel motor driving device 27 may be provided only in the front wheel 17 a or may be provided in each of the three wheels.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
A Intersection between kingpin axis and ground
12 Chassis
13 Frame
13 a Frame end edge
13 b , 13 c Frame side edge
14 Floor panel
15 Center portion
15 a Front end portion
15 b Rear end portion
15 c Left side portion
15 d Right side portion
16 Wheel housing
17 a - 17 d Wheels
18 Wheel axis
19 Cabin
20 Cylinder portion
21 Top panel
22 Platform
23 Window
24 Handlebar
25 Driver's seat
26 Accelerator pedal
27 In-wheel motor driving device
28 Motor control unit
29 Independent-steering apparatus
30 Brake pedal
31 Steering actuator
32 Motor
33 Linear motion mechanism
34 Nut
35 Screw rod
36 Knuckle arm
37 Corner pin
38 Knuckle
39 Steering angle control unit
40 Handlebar operation-amount sensor
41 Small-radius turn switch
42 Pivot turn switch | An electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, having a structure without a chassis and a part of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning. In a case where the electric vehicle has four wheels including left and right front wheels and left and right rear wheels, an in-wheel motor driving device is incorporated only in the left and right front wheels, only in the left and right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels. An independent-steering apparatus serves for all of the wheels. A kingpin axis in each of the wheels makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle inboard of a vehicle chassis. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and particularly to electric vehicles including in-wheel motor driving devices and independent-steering apparatuses for easy pivot turning.",
"BACKGROUND ART Electric vehicles including in-wheel motor driving devices, and electric vehicles including independent steering apparatuses implemented by steering-by-wire system are both already public (Patent Literature 1 and 2).",
"The in-wheel motor driving device includes a motor section which generates a driving force;",
"a speed reducer section which reduces rotating speed of the motor section and outputs the rotating force;",
"and a wheel hub which transmits the output from the speed reducer section to a driving wheel.",
"The speed reducer section is provided by a planetary gear system for example.",
"An onboard motor controller provides electronic control on rotation speed, rotation direction, etc.",
"of the in-wheel motor driving devices (Patent Literature 1 and 2).",
"The independent-steering apparatus implemented by steering-by-wire system uses a steering actuator installed in each vehicle wheels.",
"The apparatus includes a steering angle controller which, in response to the vehicle driver's operation on the steering wheel, calculates target steering angles and provides electronic control on the steering actuators thereby setting the wheels to appropriate steering angles (Patent Literature 3).",
"An electric vehicle equipped with the independent steering apparatus can make pivot turning, i.e., turning on the spot, by placing the front wheels in a forwardly narrowing pattern, placing the rear wheels in a rearwardly narrowing pattern, and then, if the vehicle is a two-wheel drive type, by rotating the left and the right driving wheels in the front or rear of the vehicle in mutually opposite directions.",
"In a four-wheel drive vehicle, the left and the right wheels are rotated in mutually opposite directions in both of the front and rear pairs, with the front and the rear left wheels rotated in the same direction while the front and the rear right wheels rotated in the same direction.",
"Such a control provides pivot turning.",
"CITATION LIST Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: JP-A 2005-7914 Patent Literature 2: JP-A 2007-216930 (FIG.",
"1 and FIG. 4) Patent Literature 3: JP-A 2009-23561 (FIG.",
"1 and FIG. 3) SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem However, in conventional electric vehicles, the body is made to have a rectangular shape in a plan view following traditional engine-driven automobiles, so the vehicle body is longer in the fore-aft direction.",
"If such a vehicle attempts pivot turning at a place where there is not sufficient space in the vehicle's widthwise direction, the vehicle will interfere with surrounding objects such as other vehicles and buildings.",
"It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle which includes in-wheel motor driving devices and an independent-steering apparatus and is capable of making pivot turns within a minimum-required parking space, by providing a structure without a chassis and apart of the body protruding out of a minimum-required circular space necessary for the wheels to make pivot turning.",
"Solution to Problem In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an electric vehicle which includes: three wheels consisting of a front wheel and a left and a right rear wheels or consisting of a left and a right front wheels and a rear wheel;",
"an in-wheel motor driving device incorporated only in the front wheels, only in the rear wheels, or in all of the wheels.",
"The vehicle further includes an independent-steering apparatus for all of the wheels.",
"With these arrangements, a kingpin axis in each wheel makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle which is defined inboard of a vehicle body.",
"The present invention also provides an electric vehicle which includes: four wheels consisting of a left and a right front wheels and a left and a right rear wheels;",
"an in-wheel motor driving device incorporated only in each of the left and the right front wheels, only in each of the left and the right rear wheels, or in all of the wheels.",
"The vehicle further includes an independent-steering apparatus for all of the wheels.",
"With these arrangement, a kingpin axis in each wheel makes an intersection with a road surface on a circle which is defined inboard of a vehicle body.",
"The vehicle body is generally cylindrical, and preferably a platform is provided in the front of the body.",
"Advantageous Effects of Invention The electric vehicle according to the present invention is capable, with the independent-steering apparatus, of orienting the wheels in directions which enable pivot turning even at a place not spacious enough for a normal turn.",
"Therefore, as far as a space has a width which is wide enough for the vehicle to drive in, the vehicle does not require any more space and can make pivot turning without interfering with the surrounding objects.",
"Thus, even if the vehicle was driven by forward driving into a narrow parking space with a dead end, it is possible to make a pivot turn and get out of the space by forward driving.",
"Also, due to the use of in-wheel driving units, it is possible to provide sufficient space between the left and the right front wheel housings not only in a case where the vehicle is a rear wheel drive type but also in a case where it is a front wheel drive type as well as in a case where it is an all wheel drive type.",
"This allows a platform to be provided in the front portion of the vehicle body, which makes it possible to get out of and get into the vehicle from the entrance side of the parking space even if the parking space is very narrow.",
"Further, since the platform is in the front portion of the vehicle body, there is no need to ensure extra space on the left and/or right side of the vehicle for getting in and out of the vehicle.",
"Combined with the pivot turning advantage at a small space, this helps to promote effective use of parking spaces.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an electric vehicle according to Embodiment 1.",
"FIG. 2 is a perspective view of Embodiment 1.",
"FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of Embodiment 1, showing together with a control block diagram.",
"FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of Embodiment 1 during a small-radius turn.",
"FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view during a pivot turn.",
"FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment as an application to a three-wheel vehicle.",
"DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings.",
"Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , an electric vehicle according to Embodiment 1 has a configuration that in its plan view, an outer circumferential edge of a chassis 12 is on a chassis circle C of a radius R 0 .",
"The chassis 12 is composed of a frame 13 , a floor panel 14 on the frame 13 , etc.",
"The frame 13 of the chassis 12 has a shape of a cross in a plan view, having a rectangular center portion 15 including its center O;",
"a front end portion 15 a and a rear end portion 15 b in front of and at the rear of the center portion 15 ;",
"and a left side portion 15 c and a right side portion 15 d on the left side and on the right side of the center portion 15 .",
"Each of the frame portions 15 a through 15 d is surrounded by three sides, i.e., an arc-shaped frame end edge 13 a of a curvature radius which is identical with the radius R 0 of the chassis circle C, and a left and a right-side frame side edges 13 b , 13 c. In these frame portions 15 a through 15 d , each pair of mutually adjacent frame side edges 13 b and 13 c provides a squarely recessed space for a wheel housing 16 , and at each of the four housings, a left or a right front wheel 17 a or 17 b or a left or a right rear wheel 17 c , 17 d is installed.",
"It should be noted here that each of the wheels 17 a through 17 d has a suspension, which is not illustrated since it is not directly related to the present invention.",
"The four wheels 17 a through 17 d are disposed in such a fashion that their kingpin axes cross the ground at intersections A on a wheel disposition circle D which has a smaller radius R 1 than that of the outer circumferential circle C of the chassis 12 , and that all the four wheels are in a symmetric pattern with each other with respect to two mutually vertical reference lines (X and Y) drawn in the left-right direction and the fore-aft direction to cross each other at the center O of the chassis 12 .",
"The chassis 12 has a cabin 19 which is generally cylindrical as a whole as shown in FIG. 2 , with a cylinder portion 20 having an outer circumferential surface following an outer circumferential surface of the chassis circle C. The radius R 0 of the chassis circle C is extended to a radius R 2 of a maximum circle E if a wall thickness of the cabin 19 is added.",
"However, the wall thickness of the cabin 19 is negligibly small in comparison to the radius of the chassis circle C, so the maximum circle E is virtually equal to the chassis circle C. Correspondingly to the wheel housings 16 , the cabin 19 has four recesses from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder portion 20 (see FIG. 2 ).",
"The cylinder portion 20 has its top opening closed with a circular top panel 21 .",
"Also, there is a platform 22 provided in a front surface of the cylinder portion 20 , i.e., between the left and the right wheel housings 16 .",
"The platform 22 may have a hinged or a sliding door.",
"In addition, the cylinder portion 20 has windows 23 .",
"Also, there is a driver's seat 25 with a handlebar 25 inside the cylinder portion 20 , i.e., inside the vehicle.",
"The driver's seat 25 is provided with an accelerator pedal 26 (see FIG. 1 ) for controlling in-wheel motor driving devices 27 and a brake pedal 30 for braking on the wheels 17 a through 17 d which will be described later.",
"It should be noted here that the figures show a rear wheel drive vehicle with the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d equipped with in-wheel motor driving devices 27 .",
"However, even if the vehicle is of a front wheel drive type or all wheel drive type, the wheel housing 16 has enough space for the in-wheel motor driving device 27 , and therefore, it is possible to provide sufficient space between the left and the right wheel housings 16 , and thus, there is no problem in disposing the platform 22 at front portion of the cabin 19 .",
"Next, a controller for the wheels 17 a through 17 d will be described based on FIG. 3 .",
"The in-wheel motor driving device 27 includes, as already known, a motor section which generates a driving force;",
"a speed reducer section which reduces rotating speed of the motor section and outputs the rotating force;",
"and a wheel hub which transmits the output from the speed reducer section to a driving wheel.",
"The speed reducer section is provided by a planetary gear system for example.",
"The in-wheel motor driving devices 27 are controlled by a motor control unit 28 which is installed in the chassis 12 , whereby rotation speed, rotation direction, etc.",
"of the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are controlled.",
"Also, an independent-steering apparatus 29 is installed in the chassis 12 for steering control of the wheels 17 a through 17 d .",
"The independent-steering apparatus 29 is implemented by a steering-by-wire system which will be described next.",
"Specifically, each of the wheels 17 a through 17 d is equipped with a steering actuator 31 .",
"As shown in FIG. 3 , the steering actuator 31 includes a motor 32 and a linear motion mechanism 33 driven thereby.",
"The linear motion mechanism 33 has a nut 34 on a driving shaft of the motor 32 , and a threaded rod 35 threaded through the nut 34 .",
"Typically, the nut 34 and the threaded rod 35 are provided by a ball screw.",
"As the motor 32 is driven, the nut 34 rotates at a fixed position, moving the threaded rod 35 in its axial direction.",
"The threaded rod 35 is connected to an end of an L-shaped knuckle arm 36 .",
"The knuckle arm 36 is swingly connected by a corner pin 37 within a plane, and is connected to an end of a knuckle 38 which has another end connected to the wheel hub.",
"As the motor 32 rotates, the first end of the knuckle arm 36 is moved in a fore-aft direction whereas the knuckle 38 at the second end rotates in a circumferential direction, to set the corresponding one of the wheels 17 a through 17 d to a predetermined steering angle θ (see FIG. 4 ).",
"The steering actuator 31 is controlled by a steering angle control unit 39 installed in the chassis 12 .",
"The chassis 12 is also provided with a handlebar operation-amount sensor 40 which detects an amount by which the handlebar 24 was moved, and a detection signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 .",
"Based on the detection signal which represents the amount of handlebar operation, the steering angle control unit 39 calculates a target steering angle θ and controls the steering actuators 31 .",
"In addition to the above, the driver's seat 25 has a small-radius turn switch 41 for making a three-point turn when driving into a very narrow road or making a U turn;",
"and a pivot turn switch 42 for making a pivot turn within a very narrow space.",
"When the small-radius turn switch 41 gets turned ON, a small-radius turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 .",
"Likewise, when the pivot turn switch 42 gets turned ON, a pivot turn signal is inputted to the motor control unit 28 and the steering angle control unit 39 .",
"The pivot turn switch 42 has a switching position for a left-turn and a switching position for a right-turn.",
"It should be noted here that in place of an ON/OFF switching operation, the small-radius turn may be initiated by automatic recognition method based on the angle of steering made to the steering section and the vehicle driving speed.",
"The automobile according to Embodiment 1 has been described thus far.",
"Next, description will cover functions of the automobile.",
"[Straight Drive] FIG. 3 shows a state when the vehicle is driving straightly.",
"Before the vehicle is moved, a signal from the handlebar operation-amount sensor 40 is picked and based on the signal, the steering angle control unit 39 calculates a steering angle (=0°).",
"Then, the steering actuators 31 are controlled to set the wheels 17 a through 17 d to the obtained steering angle.",
"As the accelerator pedal 26 at the driver's seat 25 is operated, the motor control unit 28 responds to drive the in-wheel motor driving devices 27 , whereby the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are driven to move the vehicle straightly.",
"Forward drive and rearward drive can be switched by using an unillustrated lever for example.",
"[Small-Radius Turning] As shown in FIG. 4 , when changing the driving directions such as when changing lanes, making a U turn, etc.",
", steering operation is typically performed only to the front wheels 17 a , 17 b .",
"When it is necessary to make a three-point turn to drive the vehicle into a narrow path or to make a U turn, the small-radius turn switch 41 at the driver's seat 25 is operated.",
"Then, the small-radius turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 , and the unit 39 controls steering actuators 31 of the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d , thereby setting the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d to steering angles −θ′, −δ′ respectively which are given by flipping steering angles θ, δ of the corresponding front wheels 17 a , 17 b. The above-described control eliminates what is generally known as the difference between a track followed by the front inner wheel and a track followed by the back inner wheel, and therefore enables a change of the driving direction in a small radius.",
"For the sake of maintaining stability of the chassis 12 , however, the steering must be performed at a slower speed than a predetermined limit.",
"Small-radius turning while backing up is achieved by the same control.",
"[Pivot Turning] When pivot turning is necessary at a narrow parking space for example, the pivot turn switch 42 at the driver's seat 25 is operated.",
"As the pivot turn signal is inputted to the steering angle control unit 39 , the unit 39 controls the steering actuators 31 for setting the wheels 17 a through 17 d to such angles that all of the wheels 17 a through 17 d have their wheel axes 18 in a radial direction of the wheel disposition circle D as shown in FIG. 5 .",
"Due to this control, the front wheels 17 a , 17 b are set in a forwardly narrowing pattern while the rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are set in a rearwardly narrowing pattern.",
"Simultaneously, a pivot turn signal (e.g., for a right turn (see Arrow B in FIG. 5 )) is inputted to the motor control unit 28 .",
"Then, as shown in FIG. 5 , the left rear wheel 17 c rotates in the forward driving direction while the right rear wheel 17 d rotates in the rearward driving direction.",
"In other words, these wheels are set to rotate in opposite directions.",
"The left and the right front wheels 17 a , 17 b follow their respective rear wheels 17 c , 17 d , i.e., the left front wheel 17 a is rotated in the forward driving direction while the right front wheel 17 b is rotated in the rearward driving direction.",
"For a four-wheel drive vehicle, the left wheel and the right wheel are set to rotate in mutually opposite directions in both of the front pair and the rear pair of wheels (namely, the left front wheel 17 a is set for forward driving;",
"the right front wheel 17 b is set for rearward driving;",
"the left rear wheel 17 c is set for forward driving;",
"and the right rear wheel 17 d is set for rearward driving).",
"At the same time, both of the wheels on the left side are set to rotate in the same direction, with both of the wheels on the right side to rotate in the same direction;",
"namely, the left front wheel 17 a and the left rear wheel 17 c are both set for the forward driving whereas the right front wheel 17 b and the right rear wheel 17 d are both set for the rearward driving.",
"As a result, the chassis 12 and a body 19 turn on the center O, within the maximum circle E, or virtually within the chassis circle C. In the above-described pivot turning, the minimum space necessary for the turning is practically the space of the chassis circle C. Since the wheel disposition circle D and the body 19 are within the chassis circle C, there is nothing protruding out of the space.",
"Therefore, there is no interference with the surrounding objects.",
"It should be noted here that as shown in FIG. 5 , part of the wheels 17 a through 17 d come out of the chassis circle C during the pivot turning, but such is well absorbed in a normal margin of the parking space and therefore will not pose any substantive problems.",
"Because of these properties, this vehicle provides such an advantage that when driving out of a narrow parking space where the vehicle was driven into by forward driving, the driver can simply make a pivot turn and then get out of the space by forward driving, although drivers in conventional automobiles have to get out of the space by backing up his/her vehicle.",
"Also, since in-wheel motor driving devices 27 are used, it is possible to provide a sufficient space in the front part of the chassis 12 even if the vehicle is of a front wheel drive type.",
"For this reason, it is possible to provide the platform 22 in a front part of the body 19 .",
"This provides a wide view at the time of getting out of the vehicle for increased safety in getting in and out of the vehicle.",
"Also, no extra space is required on the left nor right side of the parking space for getting in and out of the vehicle.",
"Further, even if the vehicle was driven forwardly into a narrow parking space with a dead end, it is possible to get out of the vehicle from the open-end side of the parking space by making a pivot turn.",
"Thus far, description has been made for a four-wheel automobile.",
"However, the present invention is also applicable to three-wheel automobiles as shown in FIG. 6 .",
"FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the left and the right rear wheels 17 c , 17 d are equipped with in-wheel motor driving devices 27 , but the in-wheel motor driving device 27 may be provided only in the front wheel 17 a or may be provided in each of the three wheels.",
"REFERENCE SIGNS LIST A Intersection between kingpin axis and ground 12 Chassis 13 Frame 13 a Frame end edge 13 b , 13 c Frame side edge 14 Floor panel 15 Center portion 15 a Front end portion 15 b Rear end portion 15 c Left side portion 15 d Right side portion 16 Wheel housing 17 a - 17 d Wheels 18 Wheel axis 19 Cabin 20 Cylinder portion 21 Top panel 22 Platform 23 Window 24 Handlebar 25 Driver's seat 26 Accelerator pedal 27 In-wheel motor driving device 28 Motor control unit 29 Independent-steering apparatus 30 Brake pedal 31 Steering actuator 32 Motor 33 Linear motion mechanism 34 Nut 35 Screw rod 36 Knuckle arm 37 Corner pin 38 Knuckle 39 Steering angle control unit 40 Handlebar operation-amount sensor 41 Small-radius turn switch 42 Pivot turn switch"
] |
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This case claims the benefit of provisional application 61/584,056 filed Jan. 6, 2012 and provisional application 61/711,994 filed Oct. 10, 1012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a refractory material and in particular refractory material suitable for investment casting as well as non-foundry applications.
[0003] Investment casting is commonly used to produce high-quality cast products. Generally, an investment casting of a part is made by coating a pattern with a material that hardens to create a unitary, thin-walled, heat-resistant shell. The internal pattern may be constructed of either a low melting point substrate or a combustible substrate such as, wax, polystyrene, plastic, synthetic rubber, or any other substrate as is known in the art. Multiple such patterns may be attached to a common sprue providing an inverted tree like structure of the same volatizable material having one pattern attached to the end of each branch.
[0004] After the outer shell has dried around the one or more patterns, the patterns and sprue may be removed by melting, burning or the like, permitting a pattern with undercut portions to be removed from a single piece shell without damage to the surrounding shell. In this pattern removal process, the shell is heated to at least the melting or burning point of the pattern substrate and the pattern substrate is melted or burned away leaving only the shell and any residual substrate. The shell is then heated to a temperature high enough to flash off the residual substrate that remains in the shell.
[0005] Once the pattern substrate has been removed from the shell, a hollow central channel with tubular branches leading to cavities corresponding to the one or more patterns will remain. A casting material, for example molten metal, may then be poured down the central channel to pass to the branches into each of the cavities. When a casting material has hardened, the shell material is removed and the cast parts separated from the sprue.
[0006] One process of forming the shell used in investment casting involves the repeated steps of dipping the pattern in a liquid slurry, coating the dipped part with refractory material such as stucco, and allowing the slurry and refractory material to harden between dips. Through this repeated process, shells are gradually built up to a thickness of approximately ⅛″ or more. It is not uncommon in the industry to use seven or more layers per shell.
[0007] Overall, this process of shell building is time consuming because each coat of slurry, each with a corresponding coat of refractory material, must be air-dried prior to the application of subsequent coats. In many cases, shells cannot be baked at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time without compromising the integrity of the cured shell. In these cases, each cycle of dipping and air-drying may require as little as 1 to 2 hours for some patterns or as long as twenty-four to forty-eight hours for other patterns, resulting in a total time to produce a 5-layer shell that may be as short as 5 hours but may typically take several days.
[0008] The shell material must be not only sufficiently strong to resist the pressure of the molten cast material but it must also resist deformation, cracking, and/or excessive outgassing when in contact with high-temperature molten casting materials. Desirably the chemicals within the shell should not be overly reactive with the cast material. For example they should not react with the molten metal to produce oxides or scaling that will need to be removed.
[0009] The shell's slurry and refractory materials typically forms various chemical bonds as each layer hardens between dips. The type of chemical bonds formed within the investment casting shell depends on the ingredients used to form that shell, and can greatly influence the performance of the shell during casting. Refractory materials such as calcium aluminate cement, colloidal alumina and colloidal silica form hydraulic bonds, as is typical with most known forms of cement, which harden with the addition of water. Other refractory materials, such as sodium silicate and potassium silicate may form silicate bonds. Additionally, additives such as phenolic resin may be added to provide resin bonding while polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose may be used to provide adhesive bonding in the shell. Once these materials are hardened and the shell is then heated, the refractory materials may also form ceramic bonds through the process of sintering.
[0010] However, unlike these prior refractory materials that are used in investment casting, it is desirable to form a refractory material capable of forming a shell for use during investment casting that provides increased structural integrity during casting and improved frangibility during shell removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a refractory material for investment casting that provides good structural integrity during casting and improved frangibility during shell removal and that may be applied in as little as a single layer. These benefits are obtained by using a high viscosity phosphate bonded refractory material. The inventors have recognized that the high temperatures occurring during the curing of phosphate bonded refractory materials, that would prove problematic in investment casting using low temperature pattern materials, can be moderated by proper formulation, for example, by balancing of dibasic and monobasic phosphate and dibasic, monobasic and phosphoric acid proportions. Although the inventors do not wish to be bound by a particular theory, it appears that while the phosphate bonds provide good strength during the investment casting process, high temperatures of casting alternately weakened those bonds after their strength is no longer required greatly enhancing the ability to remove the investment casting material from the cast product. This phosphate bonded refractory material as properly formulated appears to be compatible with the viscosity that allows as little as a single coating of the pattern while accurately reproducing relatively small structures on the pattern.
[0012] Specifically, the refractory material may include multiple forms of phosphates, such as a dibasic phosphate and monobasic phosphate that are capable of forming a hardened investment casting shell containing a plurality of phosphate bonds without elevating the temperature during shell hardened to a point that would damage the underlying sacrificial pattern, that may be formed wax or a similar material.
[0013] This liquid refractory material may also be a foam that includes gas bubbles suspended in a refractory material substrate and is formulated to react to desired heat exposures without having detrimental effects on existing practices and procedures found within the investment casting industry. That is to say, the refractory foam is capable of direct heat exposure after a 30 minute drying period, and can be exposed to temperatures in excess of 3200 F. Current systems used in the industry require much longer drying periods before being exposed to any type of heat.
[0014] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a method of applying a liquid refractory material to an outer surface of an investment casting wax pattern; curing the liquid refractory material onto the outer surface of the wax pattern to form a shell containing a plurality of phosphate bonds; replacing the wax pattern with a molten material; and allowing the molten material to solidify in the shell to produce the article.
[0015] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material contains a dibasic ammonium phosphate and monobasic magnesium phosphate, and is configured to be received on an outer surface of an investment casting wax pattern.
[0016] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material containing a plurality of phosphate bonds forms a hardened investment casting shell around an outer surface of a wax pattern.
[0017] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material is a foam designed to increase in volume at a controlled rate of growth. This increase in growth may be due to the formation of gas bubbles suspended in the refractory foam by way of an active foaming ingredient.
[0018] These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. First Preferred Embodiment
[0019] In one embodiment of the current invention the refractory material may be a foam formulation may be as follows in Table 1. While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Ingredient
Grams
Percent weight
Range in percent weight
Alumina Hydrate
50.0
32.2
<50
Fritz-Pak Air Plus
3.0
1.9
<5
Minco 30/50/20 G-2
50.0
32.3
<50
Formula Ceramic
Core Mix
Whiting (CaO)
2.0
1.3
<5
85 wt % Phosphoric
50.0
32.3
<50
Acid
Total
155.0
100
[0020] A refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 1 is formed by first combining and mixing the solid or dry components, namely the alumina hydrate, Fritz-Pak Air Plus, Minco 30/50/20 G-2 formula ceramic core mix, and CaO whiting. After these dry components are combined, the 85 wt % phosphoric acid liquid is added to the mixture. Once the phosphoric acid is added to the mixture, the active foaming reaction is initiated in the liquid refractory material substrate. Adding of the phosphoric acid creates a reaction between the phosphoric acid and the alumina hydrate generating phosphate bonds in aluminum/phosphate compounds providing strength and hardening to the refractory material. The result of this reaction is the formation of multiple anhydride bonds formed by way of a dehydration reaction, which effectively forces water out of the investment casting shell as it dries. The active foaming process results in the formation of bubbles, i.e., gaseous pockets, suspended within the liquid refractory material substrate. According to the formulation identified in Table 1, the volume of this refractory foam doubles in approximately two minutes. After a working time, i.e., pot life, of approximately two minutes, the mixture will reach its maximum volume and begins to set. Drying into a hardened investment casting shell occurs in approximately 15 minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.
[0021] An investment casting method employing the refractory foam formulation identified in Table 1 begins with the creation of a pattern, whose outer shape defines the outer shape of a desired casting. The pattern may provide for a wide variety of different cast articles including articles with surface irregularities and undercut portions and is preferably formed from a material readily removed from an investment shell under elevated temperatures. For example the pattern may be formed from wax, polymer foam, paper products, etc. The outer surface of pattern may receive a single coat of refractory foam after the active foaming has been initiated, for example by dipping the pattern into the refractory foam; or alternatively, pouring, brushing or hand packing the foam onto the pattern. The refractory foam coating is then dried to remove water from the foam, resulting in the formation of a single-layer, hardened shell surrounding the pattern. The foam may be passively air dried, or the drying process may be facilitated by some mechanical or thermal means known in the art. Once the hardened shell is formed, the pattern is removed from the shell. In some cases the pattern and shell are exposed to heat sufficient to evacuate the pattern by means of combustion or melting of the pattern. The shell will then be subjected to temperature high enough to flash off any residual pattern material. The evacuation of the pattern will render a hollow shell, having an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the pattern. The exposure to heat in this step may also result in curing of the hollow shell. Molten metal is then poured into the hollow shell, wherein the metal is allowed to cool and solidify into a casting. In some situations, the pouring of molten metal will occur concurrently with the evacuation of the pattern, requiring that the temperature of the molten metal is sufficiently high to evacuate the pattern. Lastly, the shell is removed from the casting by a means suitable for removing the shell without damaging the casting, such as water exposure, hammering or abrasive blasting for example.
[0022] A benefit of this embodiment is that volume expansion, via the active foaming process, allows the refractory foam material to penetrate and fill minute surface irregularities on the underlying pattern. The resultant shell thereby is capable of forming accurate castings of detailed patterns including surface irregularities, undercuts and voids.
[0023] Another benefit of this embodiment is the improved green strength of the resultant hardened shell formed from the refractory foam according to the formulation listed in Table 1. The green strength, i.e., the mechanical strength of the shell to resist fracturing, was exhibited at temperatures less than and approximately equal to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point phosphate bonds began to exhibit some degradation as a result of excess heat. While the entire shell does not fail when exposed to heat at or greater than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, the shell does exhibit diminished structural integrity and becomes susceptible to crumbling when exposed to the application of modest physical force. Subsequent application of water or submerging of the shell into water allows the shell to readily break down, and may be utilized as a means for removing the shell after casting.
[0024] If additional structural integrity at temperatures in excess of approximately 2000 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary, the formulation of Table 1 may be supplemented with an additional 35 grams of a 1400 F frit, such as Ferro Frit 3134. This additional component may be added to the dry mixture before addition of liquid phosphoric acid, and results in the formation of a sintered bond once the shell is exposed to temperature of approximately 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, the sintered bond will provide additional structural integrity despite breakage of phosphate bonds at high temperatures. This formula does not break down in water due to the presence of the sintered bonds, and as such requires hammering or abrasive blasting methods of shell removal after casting.
[0025] Another benefit of this embodiment is that the investment casting shell that is formed from refractory foam has a weight of approximately one half of a corresponding traditional shell. As such it much easier for an individual to transport and manipulate such a shell during the casting process. Furthermore, given that the shell includes a substantial volume of entrapped air, the amount of waste product, i.e., refractory martial, in the shell is substantially reduced.
[0026] Other variations of the formation listed in Table 1, such as a formulation that utilizes gas forming chemicals or a foam generator other than phosphoric acid, will allow for air entrainment in gaseous pockets within the refractory material substrate and are considered within the scope of this invention.
II. Second Preferred Embodiment
[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may include phosphates as follows in Table 2. While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Ingredient
Grams
Percent weight
Range in percent weight
85 wt % Phosphoric
4.2
3.7
<15
Acid
Monobasic
0.7
0.6
<2
Ammonium
Phosphate
Dibasic Ammonium
0.8
0.7
<2
Phosphate
30 wt % Collodial
4.3
3.8
<15
Silica
Surfactant
1.5
1.3
<5
Refcon
15.0
13.3
<50
Alumina Hydrate
3.0
2.7
<10
Small Alumina
10.0
8.9
<30
Bubbles, 0.2 mm
diameter
Large Alumina
10.0
8.9
<30
Bubbles 0.5 mm
diameter
Latex
1.5
1.3
<5
Ransom and
40.0
35.5
<75
Randolph 50/50
ceramic core mix
H 2 O
21.8
19.3
<50
Total
112.8
100.0
[0028] As opposed to the chemical reaction that resulted in the formation of volume expanding active foaming in the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment includes a refractory material, i.e., foam, having a preformed bubble or gaseous pocket structure. That is to say the foam structure of the refractory material of the second preferred embodiment is not a result of mixing the active foaming ingredients, but rather includes preformed bubbles, i.e., gaseous pockets, that are added to the refractory material substrate as an ingredient. In one embodiment, the preformed bubbles are alumina bubbles, i.e., gaseous volumes surrounded by a thin alumina outer surface; however, bubbles formed of other materials suitable for use in the refractory arts are considered within the scope of this invention.
[0029] By means of directly adding the preformed bubbles in to the refractory material substrate it is possible to more precisely control the structural integrity, or ratio of refractory material to entrapped gas, of the resultant foam mixture, as compared to the active formation of bubbles when utilizing gas generation ingredient(s), as was described above
[0030] As specified in the preferred embodiment included in Table 2 above, the alumina bubbles account for approximately 18% of the refractory foam by weight, including approximately 9% of both 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm diameter bubbles. Altering the size of the bubbles, which may vary from 0.2 to 3 mm in diameter, in turn alters the volume of air trapped within the foam, and thereby alters the strength of the ceramic casting shell. For example, a foam formed of solely 0.2 mm alumina bubbles exhibits the greatest modulus of rupture strength, which decreases with the addition of larger diameter bubbles. The alumina bubbles may comprise as much as 60% of the total weight of the refractory foam.
[0031] Alumina was selected for forming the bubbles of this embodiment because it is both inert and has a particularly high melting point of approximately 3762 degreed Fahrenheit. The high melting point of alumina results in a cured casting shell that remains frangible, and can be more easily removed after casting. While the alumina bubbles were included in the formulation of this second embodiment, other formulations (not necessarily using bubbles of alumina) are considered well within the scope of this invention.
[0032] In addition the presence of alumina bubbles, this embodiment provides for a hardened investment casting shell containing phosphate bonds due to the presence of both a monobasic and dibasic phosphate. This embodiment particularly includes monobasic and dibasic ammonium phosphates, but any other form of phosphates may be used including but not limited to magnesium phosphate. The presence of both monobasic and dibasic phosphate provides for a controlled exothermic phosphate bonding that does not exceed the melting point of wax. As such, the phosphate bonding does not damage or warp the underlying wax pattern during the hardening of the investment casting shell. Furthermore, at high temperatures the phosphate bonding becomes weakened, such that the shell exhibits increased frangibility during removal after casting. This is particularly beneficial for the removal of core shells, i.e., casting shells used to form interior voids in a cast article, which may be otherwise difficult to access.
[0033] Furthermore, this embodiment may also include a thickening agent and a wetting agent, i.e., a surfactant. The thickening agent, for example starch or modified corn starch, may alter the structural integrity of the refractory foam as it relates to the percentage of thickening agent present in the formulation. Alternatively, a 1:1 ratio of a citric acid powder to Kelco-Crete may provide the similar thickening benefits seen with modified corn starch. Furthermore, a lesser amount of starch, which burns off during the heating process, adds rigidity to the refractory foam casting shell, whereas a greater amount of starch weakens the casting shell. Therefore, by alerting the percentage of thickening agent present in the formation it is possible to alter the frangibility of the casting shell, which is critical during the shell removal stage.
[0034] Also indicated in the chart above is a 50/50 ceramic core mixture produced by Ransom & Randolph. However, alternative ceramic core mixtures may be considered within the scope of this invention and receive the thickening agent, wetting agent and preformed bubbles therein.
[0035] Formation of an investment casting shell, and method of investment casting utilizing a refractory foam with preformed bubbles, such as is listed in Table 2, is identical to the method described above in the first preferred embodiment. Generally, a single coating of the refractory foam is placed on the outer surface of a pattern. The refractory foam coating is then dried to remove water from the foam, resulting in the formation of a single-layer, hardened shell surrounding the pattern. Once the hardened shell is formed, the pattern is removed from the shell, for example by heat evacuation and flashing off residual material. Molten metal is then poured into the resultant hollow shell, wherein the metal is allowed to cool and solidify into a casting. Lastly, the shell is removed from the casting by a means suitable for removing the shell without damaging casting, such as through water exposure, hammering or abrasive blasting for example.
III. Third Preferred Embodiment
[0036] In another alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may be as follows in Table 3. While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.
[0000]
TABLE 3
General Ingredient and
Range in
Preferred Ingredient
Percent weight
percent weight
Dead burn Magnesium Oxide
33.9 (MagChem P-98)
<60
(MgO), and preferably
pulverized MagChem P-98
Phosphate component,
1.7 (Dibasic ammonium
<5
including dibasic ammonium
phosphate)
phosphate and/or mono
7.6 (Mono magnesium
magnesium phosphate, and
phosphate)
preferably pulverized dibasic
ammonium phosphate and
mono magnesium phosphate
Refractory aggregates
32.2 (120 mesh tabular
<60
including any or all of the
alumina)
following: alumina bubbles,
alumina spheres, tabular
alumina, fused alumina,
molecular sieves, natural
zeolites, fused silica, and/or
silicates of mesh sizes varying
from 120 to 8, and preferably
120 mesh tabular alumina
Refractory flour including
8.5 (325 mesh Zircon)
<25
alumina and/or zircon, and
preferably 325 mesh Zircon
Viscosity increasing gum,
0.40 (Kelco-crete)
<5
preferably Kelco-crete
Wetting agent either liquid or
0.40 (Buntrock PS-9400)
<5
dry, and preferably Buntrock
PS-9400
Water
15.3 (Tap water)
<40
Total
100
[0037] As with prior embodiments, a refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3 is formed by first combining and mixing the solid or dry components, namely the dead burn magnesium oxide, the phosphate component, the refractory aggregates, refractory flour, viscosity increasing gum and a dry wetting agent when applicable. When applicable, the water and liquid wetting agent are independently combined. The independently combined mixtures of dry and liquid components are then combined and thoroughly stirred together. According to the formulation identified in Table 3, the volume of this refractory liquid has a working time of approximately two to three minutes before it begins to set. The refractory liquid cures into a hardened investment casting shell in approximately fifteen minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.
[0038] This refractory liquid formulation listed in Table 3 provides for a hardened investment casting shell containing phosphate bonds due to the presence of both a monobasic magnesium phosphate and dibasic ammonium phosphate. The presence of these phosphates and their relative range in percent weight phosphate provides for a controlled exothermic phosphate bonding that does not exceed the melting point of wax. As such, the phosphate bonding does not damage or warp the underlying wax pattern during the hardening of the investment casting shell.
[0039] As was described in the previous embodiment, directly adding the alumina bubbles to the refractory liquid, i.e., material substrate, results in forming a foam that provides increased control over the structural integrity of the resultant foam mixture, as compared to the formation of bubbles when including gas generation ingredient(s) into the refractory foam mixture. As such, alumina bubbles or alternatively an active foaming agent may be optionally added to the general formulation for the refractory liquid listed in Table 3, to form refractory foam.
[0040] The refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3, in either liquid or foam, is suitable for use in forming investment casting shells that include voids in the pattern, i.e., cores within the casting shell, which are traditionally difficult to both cast and remove after casting. That is to say that the refractory liquid can be cast into a mold, such as a rubber mold, that has the desired shape of a core and allowed to harden. This hardened core may then be incorporated into a wax pattern as the wax pattern is made, and subsequently coated with refractory liquid to form a shell including a separately formed and fully integrated core.
[0041] Furthermore, this refractory liquid may be used for casting metals of both relatively high melting points, such as steel, and relatively low melting points, such as aluminum. The methods for casting such metals is identical to the method of forming an investment shell and casting a metal as was described above in preferred embodiment two.
[0042] An additional benefit of this embodiment is that at high temperatures the phosphate bonding becomes weakened, such that the shell exhibits increased frangibility during removal after casting. As such, high pressure water will be able to remove the hardened investment casting shell material after it has been poured with molten metal. As opposed to hammering or the use of abrasives, this quick and relatively low impact removal method prevents damage to the underlying metal casting. This is due in part to the desirable degradation of the refractory material's phosphate bonds when exposed to increased temperatures, and optional foam structure, which in turn makes the shell easy to remove after casting.
[0043] Another benefit of the refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3 is that is can be applied directly to a casting pattern, and does not deform the surface of the pattern as the liquid refractory hardens and cures into a shell. Alternatively, other refractory materials may emit excess heat during the exothermic curing process that can melt or otherwise deform the outer surface of the underlying wax pattern. As previously stated, the combination of monobasic and dibasic phosphates in this refractory material does not emit detrimental heat during the material's curing process.
[0044] In those situations when it is desirable to combine the refractory material with traditional casting techniques, i.e., dipping a pattern into a liquid slurry and coating the liquid coat in a dry refractory material, the present inventing demonstrates strong interfacing qualities with these foundry casting materials. That is to say the refractory material of the current invention bonds well to traditional investment casting shell materials.
[0045] During the casting process, the hardened shell formed from the refractory material may be subjected to autoclaving or flash firing to remove the inner pattern, without exploding or cracking. This result is significant given the amount of entrapped air and water that may be contained within the refractory foam shell.
IV. Fourth Preferred Embodiment
[0046] In another alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may be as follows in Table 4. While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the percent weight of each ingredient is considered an approximation and variations thereof are also considered within the scope of this invention.
[0000]
TABLE 4
General Ingredient and
Preferred Ingredient
Percent weight
Dead burn Magnesium Oxide
5.0
(MgO), and preferably
pulverized MagChem P-98
Ref-Bond Mono Magnesium
6.0
Phosphate
Brown Fused Alumina, and
55.0
preferably 80-100 mesh
Tabular Alumina Flour, and
32.5
preferably 325 mesh
Corn Starch,
0.3
Citric Acid Powder
0.2
Wetting Agent, and preferably
0.5
Buntrock PS-9400
Total
100
[0047] A refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 4 is formed by first combining the Buntrock PS-9400 wetting agent with 18% water by weight to form a premixed liquid portion. The solid or dry components, namely the dead burn magnesium oxide, Ref-Bond Mono Magnesium Phosphate, Brown Fused Alumina, Tabular Alumina Flour, corn start and citric acid powder are then mixed into the premixed liquid portion. According to the formulation identified in Table 4, the volume of this refractory liquid has a pot life or working time of approximately two to three minutes before it begins to set. The refractory liquid cures into a hardened investment casting shell in approximately fifteen minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.
[0048] Although the invention is described with reference to an illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the following claims: | An investment casting method involves producing a casting shell by applying a hardenable refractory material to a sacrificial pattern. The casting shell having a plurality of phosphate bonds in the hardenable refractory material, which provide increased structural integrity during casting and improved frangibility during shell removal. The casting shell may also have a plurality of gaseous pockets suspended in the refractory material, which do not degrade the structural integrity during casting and provide improved frangibility during shell removal. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This case claims the benefit of provisional application 61/584,056 filed Jan. 6, 2012 and provisional application 61/711,994 filed Oct. 10, 1012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a refractory material and in particular refractory material suitable for investment casting as well as non-foundry applications.",
"[0003] Investment casting is commonly used to produce high-quality cast products.",
"Generally, an investment casting of a part is made by coating a pattern with a material that hardens to create a unitary, thin-walled, heat-resistant shell.",
"The internal pattern may be constructed of either a low melting point substrate or a combustible substrate such as, wax, polystyrene, plastic, synthetic rubber, or any other substrate as is known in the art.",
"Multiple such patterns may be attached to a common sprue providing an inverted tree like structure of the same volatizable material having one pattern attached to the end of each branch.",
"[0004] After the outer shell has dried around the one or more patterns, the patterns and sprue may be removed by melting, burning or the like, permitting a pattern with undercut portions to be removed from a single piece shell without damage to the surrounding shell.",
"In this pattern removal process, the shell is heated to at least the melting or burning point of the pattern substrate and the pattern substrate is melted or burned away leaving only the shell and any residual substrate.",
"The shell is then heated to a temperature high enough to flash off the residual substrate that remains in the shell.",
"[0005] Once the pattern substrate has been removed from the shell, a hollow central channel with tubular branches leading to cavities corresponding to the one or more patterns will remain.",
"A casting material, for example molten metal, may then be poured down the central channel to pass to the branches into each of the cavities.",
"When a casting material has hardened, the shell material is removed and the cast parts separated from the sprue.",
"[0006] One process of forming the shell used in investment casting involves the repeated steps of dipping the pattern in a liquid slurry, coating the dipped part with refractory material such as stucco, and allowing the slurry and refractory material to harden between dips.",
"Through this repeated process, shells are gradually built up to a thickness of approximately ⅛″ or more.",
"It is not uncommon in the industry to use seven or more layers per shell.",
"[0007] Overall, this process of shell building is time consuming because each coat of slurry, each with a corresponding coat of refractory material, must be air-dried prior to the application of subsequent coats.",
"In many cases, shells cannot be baked at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time without compromising the integrity of the cured shell.",
"In these cases, each cycle of dipping and air-drying may require as little as 1 to 2 hours for some patterns or as long as twenty-four to forty-eight hours for other patterns, resulting in a total time to produce a 5-layer shell that may be as short as 5 hours but may typically take several days.",
"[0008] The shell material must be not only sufficiently strong to resist the pressure of the molten cast material but it must also resist deformation, cracking, and/or excessive outgassing when in contact with high-temperature molten casting materials.",
"Desirably the chemicals within the shell should not be overly reactive with the cast material.",
"For example they should not react with the molten metal to produce oxides or scaling that will need to be removed.",
"[0009] The shell's slurry and refractory materials typically forms various chemical bonds as each layer hardens between dips.",
"The type of chemical bonds formed within the investment casting shell depends on the ingredients used to form that shell, and can greatly influence the performance of the shell during casting.",
"Refractory materials such as calcium aluminate cement, colloidal alumina and colloidal silica form hydraulic bonds, as is typical with most known forms of cement, which harden with the addition of water.",
"Other refractory materials, such as sodium silicate and potassium silicate may form silicate bonds.",
"Additionally, additives such as phenolic resin may be added to provide resin bonding while polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose may be used to provide adhesive bonding in the shell.",
"Once these materials are hardened and the shell is then heated, the refractory materials may also form ceramic bonds through the process of sintering.",
"[0010] However, unlike these prior refractory materials that are used in investment casting, it is desirable to form a refractory material capable of forming a shell for use during investment casting that provides increased structural integrity during casting and improved frangibility during shell removal.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention provides a refractory material for investment casting that provides good structural integrity during casting and improved frangibility during shell removal and that may be applied in as little as a single layer.",
"These benefits are obtained by using a high viscosity phosphate bonded refractory material.",
"The inventors have recognized that the high temperatures occurring during the curing of phosphate bonded refractory materials, that would prove problematic in investment casting using low temperature pattern materials, can be moderated by proper formulation, for example, by balancing of dibasic and monobasic phosphate and dibasic, monobasic and phosphoric acid proportions.",
"Although the inventors do not wish to be bound by a particular theory, it appears that while the phosphate bonds provide good strength during the investment casting process, high temperatures of casting alternately weakened those bonds after their strength is no longer required greatly enhancing the ability to remove the investment casting material from the cast product.",
"This phosphate bonded refractory material as properly formulated appears to be compatible with the viscosity that allows as little as a single coating of the pattern while accurately reproducing relatively small structures on the pattern.",
"[0012] Specifically, the refractory material may include multiple forms of phosphates, such as a dibasic phosphate and monobasic phosphate that are capable of forming a hardened investment casting shell containing a plurality of phosphate bonds without elevating the temperature during shell hardened to a point that would damage the underlying sacrificial pattern, that may be formed wax or a similar material.",
"[0013] This liquid refractory material may also be a foam that includes gas bubbles suspended in a refractory material substrate and is formulated to react to desired heat exposures without having detrimental effects on existing practices and procedures found within the investment casting industry.",
"That is to say, the refractory foam is capable of direct heat exposure after a 30 minute drying period, and can be exposed to temperatures in excess of 3200 F. Current systems used in the industry require much longer drying periods before being exposed to any type of heat.",
"[0014] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a method of applying a liquid refractory material to an outer surface of an investment casting wax pattern;",
"curing the liquid refractory material onto the outer surface of the wax pattern to form a shell containing a plurality of phosphate bonds;",
"replacing the wax pattern with a molten material;",
"and allowing the molten material to solidify in the shell to produce the article.",
"[0015] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material contains a dibasic ammonium phosphate and monobasic magnesium phosphate, and is configured to be received on an outer surface of an investment casting wax pattern.",
"[0016] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material containing a plurality of phosphate bonds forms a hardened investment casting shell around an outer surface of a wax pattern.",
"[0017] It is one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention that the refractory material is a foam designed to increase in volume at a controlled rate of growth.",
"This increase in growth may be due to the formation of gas bubbles suspended in the refractory foam by way of an active foaming ingredient.",
"[0018] These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. First Preferred Embodiment [0019] In one embodiment of the current invention the refractory material may be a foam formulation may be as follows in Table 1.",
"While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0000] TABLE 1 Ingredient Grams Percent weight Range in percent weight Alumina Hydrate 50.0 32.2 <50 Fritz-Pak Air Plus 3.0 1.9 <5 Minco 30/50/20 G-2 50.0 32.3 <50 Formula Ceramic Core Mix Whiting (CaO) 2.0 1.3 <5 85 wt % Phosphoric 50.0 32.3 <50 Acid Total 155.0 100 [0020] A refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 1 is formed by first combining and mixing the solid or dry components, namely the alumina hydrate, Fritz-Pak Air Plus, Minco 30/50/20 G-2 formula ceramic core mix, and CaO whiting.",
"After these dry components are combined, the 85 wt % phosphoric acid liquid is added to the mixture.",
"Once the phosphoric acid is added to the mixture, the active foaming reaction is initiated in the liquid refractory material substrate.",
"Adding of the phosphoric acid creates a reaction between the phosphoric acid and the alumina hydrate generating phosphate bonds in aluminum/phosphate compounds providing strength and hardening to the refractory material.",
"The result of this reaction is the formation of multiple anhydride bonds formed by way of a dehydration reaction, which effectively forces water out of the investment casting shell as it dries.",
"The active foaming process results in the formation of bubbles, i.e., gaseous pockets, suspended within the liquid refractory material substrate.",
"According to the formulation identified in Table 1, the volume of this refractory foam doubles in approximately two minutes.",
"After a working time, i.e., pot life, of approximately two minutes, the mixture will reach its maximum volume and begins to set.",
"Drying into a hardened investment casting shell occurs in approximately 15 minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.",
"[0021] An investment casting method employing the refractory foam formulation identified in Table 1 begins with the creation of a pattern, whose outer shape defines the outer shape of a desired casting.",
"The pattern may provide for a wide variety of different cast articles including articles with surface irregularities and undercut portions and is preferably formed from a material readily removed from an investment shell under elevated temperatures.",
"For example the pattern may be formed from wax, polymer foam, paper products, etc.",
"The outer surface of pattern may receive a single coat of refractory foam after the active foaming has been initiated, for example by dipping the pattern into the refractory foam;",
"or alternatively, pouring, brushing or hand packing the foam onto the pattern.",
"The refractory foam coating is then dried to remove water from the foam, resulting in the formation of a single-layer, hardened shell surrounding the pattern.",
"The foam may be passively air dried, or the drying process may be facilitated by some mechanical or thermal means known in the art.",
"Once the hardened shell is formed, the pattern is removed from the shell.",
"In some cases the pattern and shell are exposed to heat sufficient to evacuate the pattern by means of combustion or melting of the pattern.",
"The shell will then be subjected to temperature high enough to flash off any residual pattern material.",
"The evacuation of the pattern will render a hollow shell, having an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the pattern.",
"The exposure to heat in this step may also result in curing of the hollow shell.",
"Molten metal is then poured into the hollow shell, wherein the metal is allowed to cool and solidify into a casting.",
"In some situations, the pouring of molten metal will occur concurrently with the evacuation of the pattern, requiring that the temperature of the molten metal is sufficiently high to evacuate the pattern.",
"Lastly, the shell is removed from the casting by a means suitable for removing the shell without damaging the casting, such as water exposure, hammering or abrasive blasting for example.",
"[0022] A benefit of this embodiment is that volume expansion, via the active foaming process, allows the refractory foam material to penetrate and fill minute surface irregularities on the underlying pattern.",
"The resultant shell thereby is capable of forming accurate castings of detailed patterns including surface irregularities, undercuts and voids.",
"[0023] Another benefit of this embodiment is the improved green strength of the resultant hardened shell formed from the refractory foam according to the formulation listed in Table 1.",
"The green strength, i.e., the mechanical strength of the shell to resist fracturing, was exhibited at temperatures less than and approximately equal to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point phosphate bonds began to exhibit some degradation as a result of excess heat.",
"While the entire shell does not fail when exposed to heat at or greater than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, the shell does exhibit diminished structural integrity and becomes susceptible to crumbling when exposed to the application of modest physical force.",
"Subsequent application of water or submerging of the shell into water allows the shell to readily break down, and may be utilized as a means for removing the shell after casting.",
"[0024] If additional structural integrity at temperatures in excess of approximately 2000 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary, the formulation of Table 1 may be supplemented with an additional 35 grams of a 1400 F frit, such as Ferro Frit 3134.",
"This additional component may be added to the dry mixture before addition of liquid phosphoric acid, and results in the formation of a sintered bond once the shell is exposed to temperature of approximately 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.",
"As such, the sintered bond will provide additional structural integrity despite breakage of phosphate bonds at high temperatures.",
"This formula does not break down in water due to the presence of the sintered bonds, and as such requires hammering or abrasive blasting methods of shell removal after casting.",
"[0025] Another benefit of this embodiment is that the investment casting shell that is formed from refractory foam has a weight of approximately one half of a corresponding traditional shell.",
"As such it much easier for an individual to transport and manipulate such a shell during the casting process.",
"Furthermore, given that the shell includes a substantial volume of entrapped air, the amount of waste product, i.e., refractory martial, in the shell is substantially reduced.",
"[0026] Other variations of the formation listed in Table 1, such as a formulation that utilizes gas forming chemicals or a foam generator other than phosphoric acid, will allow for air entrainment in gaseous pockets within the refractory material substrate and are considered within the scope of this invention.",
"II.",
"Second Preferred Embodiment [0027] In an alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may include phosphates as follows in Table 2.",
"While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0000] TABLE 2 Ingredient Grams Percent weight Range in percent weight 85 wt % Phosphoric 4.2 3.7 <15 Acid Monobasic 0.7 0.6 <2 Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic Ammonium 0.8 0.7 <2 Phosphate 30 wt % Collodial 4.3 3.8 <15 Silica Surfactant 1.5 1.3 <5 Refcon 15.0 13.3 <50 Alumina Hydrate 3.0 2.7 <10 Small Alumina 10.0 8.9 <30 Bubbles, 0.2 mm diameter Large Alumina 10.0 8.9 <30 Bubbles 0.5 mm diameter Latex 1.5 1.3 <5 Ransom and 40.0 35.5 <75 Randolph 50/50 ceramic core mix H 2 O 21.8 19.3 <50 Total 112.8 100.0 [0028] As opposed to the chemical reaction that resulted in the formation of volume expanding active foaming in the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment includes a refractory material, i.e., foam, having a preformed bubble or gaseous pocket structure.",
"That is to say the foam structure of the refractory material of the second preferred embodiment is not a result of mixing the active foaming ingredients, but rather includes preformed bubbles, i.e., gaseous pockets, that are added to the refractory material substrate as an ingredient.",
"In one embodiment, the preformed bubbles are alumina bubbles, i.e., gaseous volumes surrounded by a thin alumina outer surface;",
"however, bubbles formed of other materials suitable for use in the refractory arts are considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0029] By means of directly adding the preformed bubbles in to the refractory material substrate it is possible to more precisely control the structural integrity, or ratio of refractory material to entrapped gas, of the resultant foam mixture, as compared to the active formation of bubbles when utilizing gas generation ingredient(s), as was described above [0030] As specified in the preferred embodiment included in Table 2 above, the alumina bubbles account for approximately 18% of the refractory foam by weight, including approximately 9% of both 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm diameter bubbles.",
"Altering the size of the bubbles, which may vary from 0.2 to 3 mm in diameter, in turn alters the volume of air trapped within the foam, and thereby alters the strength of the ceramic casting shell.",
"For example, a foam formed of solely 0.2 mm alumina bubbles exhibits the greatest modulus of rupture strength, which decreases with the addition of larger diameter bubbles.",
"The alumina bubbles may comprise as much as 60% of the total weight of the refractory foam.",
"[0031] Alumina was selected for forming the bubbles of this embodiment because it is both inert and has a particularly high melting point of approximately 3762 degreed Fahrenheit.",
"The high melting point of alumina results in a cured casting shell that remains frangible, and can be more easily removed after casting.",
"While the alumina bubbles were included in the formulation of this second embodiment, other formulations (not necessarily using bubbles of alumina) are considered well within the scope of this invention.",
"[0032] In addition the presence of alumina bubbles, this embodiment provides for a hardened investment casting shell containing phosphate bonds due to the presence of both a monobasic and dibasic phosphate.",
"This embodiment particularly includes monobasic and dibasic ammonium phosphates, but any other form of phosphates may be used including but not limited to magnesium phosphate.",
"The presence of both monobasic and dibasic phosphate provides for a controlled exothermic phosphate bonding that does not exceed the melting point of wax.",
"As such, the phosphate bonding does not damage or warp the underlying wax pattern during the hardening of the investment casting shell.",
"Furthermore, at high temperatures the phosphate bonding becomes weakened, such that the shell exhibits increased frangibility during removal after casting.",
"This is particularly beneficial for the removal of core shells, i.e., casting shells used to form interior voids in a cast article, which may be otherwise difficult to access.",
"[0033] Furthermore, this embodiment may also include a thickening agent and a wetting agent, i.e., a surfactant.",
"The thickening agent, for example starch or modified corn starch, may alter the structural integrity of the refractory foam as it relates to the percentage of thickening agent present in the formulation.",
"Alternatively, a 1:1 ratio of a citric acid powder to Kelco-Crete may provide the similar thickening benefits seen with modified corn starch.",
"Furthermore, a lesser amount of starch, which burns off during the heating process, adds rigidity to the refractory foam casting shell, whereas a greater amount of starch weakens the casting shell.",
"Therefore, by alerting the percentage of thickening agent present in the formation it is possible to alter the frangibility of the casting shell, which is critical during the shell removal stage.",
"[0034] Also indicated in the chart above is a 50/50 ceramic core mixture produced by Ransom &",
"Randolph.",
"However, alternative ceramic core mixtures may be considered within the scope of this invention and receive the thickening agent, wetting agent and preformed bubbles therein.",
"[0035] Formation of an investment casting shell, and method of investment casting utilizing a refractory foam with preformed bubbles, such as is listed in Table 2, is identical to the method described above in the first preferred embodiment.",
"Generally, a single coating of the refractory foam is placed on the outer surface of a pattern.",
"The refractory foam coating is then dried to remove water from the foam, resulting in the formation of a single-layer, hardened shell surrounding the pattern.",
"Once the hardened shell is formed, the pattern is removed from the shell, for example by heat evacuation and flashing off residual material.",
"Molten metal is then poured into the resultant hollow shell, wherein the metal is allowed to cool and solidify into a casting.",
"Lastly, the shell is removed from the casting by a means suitable for removing the shell without damaging casting, such as through water exposure, hammering or abrasive blasting for example.",
"III.",
"Third Preferred Embodiment [0036] In another alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may be as follows in Table 3.",
"While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the indicated range in percent weight of each ingredient is also considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0000] TABLE 3 General Ingredient and Range in Preferred Ingredient Percent weight percent weight Dead burn Magnesium Oxide 33.9 (MagChem P-98) <60 (MgO), and preferably pulverized MagChem P-98 Phosphate component, 1.7 (Dibasic ammonium <5 including dibasic ammonium phosphate) phosphate and/or mono 7.6 (Mono magnesium magnesium phosphate, and phosphate) preferably pulverized dibasic ammonium phosphate and mono magnesium phosphate Refractory aggregates 32.2 (120 mesh tabular <60 including any or all of the alumina) following: alumina bubbles, alumina spheres, tabular alumina, fused alumina, molecular sieves, natural zeolites, fused silica, and/or silicates of mesh sizes varying from 120 to 8, and preferably 120 mesh tabular alumina Refractory flour including 8.5 (325 mesh Zircon) <25 alumina and/or zircon, and preferably 325 mesh Zircon Viscosity increasing gum, 0.40 (Kelco-crete) <5 preferably Kelco-crete Wetting agent either liquid or 0.40 (Buntrock PS-9400) <5 dry, and preferably Buntrock PS-9400 Water 15.3 (Tap water) <40 Total 100 [0037] As with prior embodiments, a refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3 is formed by first combining and mixing the solid or dry components, namely the dead burn magnesium oxide, the phosphate component, the refractory aggregates, refractory flour, viscosity increasing gum and a dry wetting agent when applicable.",
"When applicable, the water and liquid wetting agent are independently combined.",
"The independently combined mixtures of dry and liquid components are then combined and thoroughly stirred together.",
"According to the formulation identified in Table 3, the volume of this refractory liquid has a working time of approximately two to three minutes before it begins to set.",
"The refractory liquid cures into a hardened investment casting shell in approximately fifteen minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.",
"[0038] This refractory liquid formulation listed in Table 3 provides for a hardened investment casting shell containing phosphate bonds due to the presence of both a monobasic magnesium phosphate and dibasic ammonium phosphate.",
"The presence of these phosphates and their relative range in percent weight phosphate provides for a controlled exothermic phosphate bonding that does not exceed the melting point of wax.",
"As such, the phosphate bonding does not damage or warp the underlying wax pattern during the hardening of the investment casting shell.",
"[0039] As was described in the previous embodiment, directly adding the alumina bubbles to the refractory liquid, i.e., material substrate, results in forming a foam that provides increased control over the structural integrity of the resultant foam mixture, as compared to the formation of bubbles when including gas generation ingredient(s) into the refractory foam mixture.",
"As such, alumina bubbles or alternatively an active foaming agent may be optionally added to the general formulation for the refractory liquid listed in Table 3, to form refractory foam.",
"[0040] The refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3, in either liquid or foam, is suitable for use in forming investment casting shells that include voids in the pattern, i.e., cores within the casting shell, which are traditionally difficult to both cast and remove after casting.",
"That is to say that the refractory liquid can be cast into a mold, such as a rubber mold, that has the desired shape of a core and allowed to harden.",
"This hardened core may then be incorporated into a wax pattern as the wax pattern is made, and subsequently coated with refractory liquid to form a shell including a separately formed and fully integrated core.",
"[0041] Furthermore, this refractory liquid may be used for casting metals of both relatively high melting points, such as steel, and relatively low melting points, such as aluminum.",
"The methods for casting such metals is identical to the method of forming an investment shell and casting a metal as was described above in preferred embodiment two.",
"[0042] An additional benefit of this embodiment is that at high temperatures the phosphate bonding becomes weakened, such that the shell exhibits increased frangibility during removal after casting.",
"As such, high pressure water will be able to remove the hardened investment casting shell material after it has been poured with molten metal.",
"As opposed to hammering or the use of abrasives, this quick and relatively low impact removal method prevents damage to the underlying metal casting.",
"This is due in part to the desirable degradation of the refractory material's phosphate bonds when exposed to increased temperatures, and optional foam structure, which in turn makes the shell easy to remove after casting.",
"[0043] Another benefit of the refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 3 is that is can be applied directly to a casting pattern, and does not deform the surface of the pattern as the liquid refractory hardens and cures into a shell.",
"Alternatively, other refractory materials may emit excess heat during the exothermic curing process that can melt or otherwise deform the outer surface of the underlying wax pattern.",
"As previously stated, the combination of monobasic and dibasic phosphates in this refractory material does not emit detrimental heat during the material's curing process.",
"[0044] In those situations when it is desirable to combine the refractory material with traditional casting techniques, i.e., dipping a pattern into a liquid slurry and coating the liquid coat in a dry refractory material, the present inventing demonstrates strong interfacing qualities with these foundry casting materials.",
"That is to say the refractory material of the current invention bonds well to traditional investment casting shell materials.",
"[0045] During the casting process, the hardened shell formed from the refractory material may be subjected to autoclaving or flash firing to remove the inner pattern, without exploding or cracking.",
"This result is significant given the amount of entrapped air and water that may be contained within the refractory foam shell.",
"IV.",
"Fourth Preferred Embodiment [0046] In another alternative embodiment of the current invention the refractory material formation may be as follows in Table 4.",
"While the weight and percent weight of those ingredients identified in the following table may constitute a preferred embodiment, the percent weight of each ingredient is considered an approximation and variations thereof are also considered within the scope of this invention.",
"[0000] TABLE 4 General Ingredient and Preferred Ingredient Percent weight Dead burn Magnesium Oxide 5.0 (MgO), and preferably pulverized MagChem P-98 Ref-Bond Mono Magnesium 6.0 Phosphate Brown Fused Alumina, and 55.0 preferably 80-100 mesh Tabular Alumina Flour, and 32.5 preferably 325 mesh Corn Starch, 0.3 Citric Acid Powder 0.2 Wetting Agent, and preferably 0.5 Buntrock PS-9400 Total 100 [0047] A refractory material, according to the general formulation listed in Table 4 is formed by first combining the Buntrock PS-9400 wetting agent with 18% water by weight to form a premixed liquid portion.",
"The solid or dry components, namely the dead burn magnesium oxide, Ref-Bond Mono Magnesium Phosphate, Brown Fused Alumina, Tabular Alumina Flour, corn start and citric acid powder are then mixed into the premixed liquid portion.",
"According to the formulation identified in Table 4, the volume of this refractory liquid has a pot life or working time of approximately two to three minutes before it begins to set.",
"The refractory liquid cures into a hardened investment casting shell in approximately fifteen minutes and may be accelerated by the use of fans and/or low heat.",
"[0048] Although the invention is described with reference to an illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the invention.",
"Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the following claims:"
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention refers to a mixing apparatus for the production of chemically reactive mixtures, in particular for the production of polyurethane foams, which is suitable for filling cavities by the use of a high-pressure mixing device which is appropriately shaped to allow a quick and easy interchange-ability of the same mixing device without causing leakages of the chemical components and oil during replacement.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] A high-pressure mixing apparatus, of the conventional type, substantially comprises of a self-cleaning mixing head having a mixing chamber which extends into a delivery duct; an elongated cleaning member controlled by a hydraulic cylinder is reciprocable whitin the mixing chamber and the delivery duct between a rearward position in which it opens the mixing chamber and the delivery duct, and a forward position in which it closes the mixing chamber and the delivery duct causing the re-circulation of the chemical components so as to control their transient during setting of flow and pressure conditions.
[0003] A mixing head of this kind also comprises two or more injection nozzles for injecting the chemical components into the mixing chamber, each of which is connected to a feed duct for feeding a component, and respectively is connectable to a recirculating duct by means of a longitudinal slot in the cleaning member.
[0004] Mixing apparatuses of this kind are described in prior documents, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,008, U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,874, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,335, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,497.
[0005] In all of the aforementioned documents, the mixing apparatus is substantially in the form of a single operative unit, to which the various feeding and re-circulating pipes are directly connected to the injection nozzles for the chemical components, respectively to the control cylinder for the cleaning member with which an usual high-pressure mixing apparatus is provided.
[0006] A mixing apparatus of the aforementioned kind consequently presents a configuration and a disposition of the various feeding and re-circulating pipes, which is somewhat complex and so much so as to make the apparatus rather unsuitable for certain applications which call for great ease of handling and the possibility of quickly disassembling and replacing the apparatus itself.
[0007] Numerous applications, for example in the automotive field for filling with polyurethane foam the cavities in structures of vehicles, require the use of mixing apparatuses which are extremely easy to handle, with a conical/cylindrical shape capable of gaining access to injection holes, and with a configuration designed to permit a quick disassembling of the apparatus without causing leakage or dripping of the chemical components fed to the nozzles.
[0008] In order to partially remedy the problems of cleaning and maintenance of high-pressure mixing apparatuses, U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,003 suggests the use of a mixing chamber which is detachably fastened to the body of the apparatus, to enable its quick removal and replacement.
[0009] However, this document also not only proposes a solution substantially of the conventional type, in which the various feeding pipes for the components are connected directly to their respective nozzles, in different parts of the apparatus, but the replacement of the mixing chamber require the disconnection of the cleaning member from the control cylinder, which therefore remains firmly secured to a support body for the same mixing chamber and the control cylinder.
[0010] Moreover, whenever the injection nozzles have to be cleaned or replaced, it is necessary to disconnect all the feeding pipes for the components, resulting in a considerable consuption of time and interruption of the work cycle. This would also cause dripping or leakage of liquids from the pipes, with a consequent soiling of the work environment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the production of chemical reactive mixtures, in particular for the production of rigid or flexible polyurethane foams, comprising a high-pressure mixing device, of the self-cleaning type, by which it is possible to rapidly remove and replace the entire mixing device without having to disconnect the various pipes for feeding and re-circulating the chemical components, and the oil fed to a control cylinder for a cleaning member, which remain permanently connected to the apparatus, and without causing dripping or leakage of liquids and, consequently, without soiling the work environment.
[0012] A further object is to provide a high-pressure mixing apparatus which is extremely easy to handle and simple to use, due to a particular disposition of the pipe connections for the pipe lines.
[0013] A still further object of the invention is to provide a mixing apparatus of the aforementioned kind, which is capable of increasing its mixing efficiency, in particular whenever one of the chemical components is fed at considerably reduced flow rates, or in considerably reduced proportions as compared to another or to the other components, and consequently is unlikely to contribute, except to a very limited degree, to the dynamic mixing effect typical of apparatuses of this kind.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The above can be achieved by means of a high-pressure mixing apparatus for the production of a reactive mixture from at least a first and a second chemical component, the apparatus comprising:
[0015] a body member at a front side, said body member having a mixing chamber axially extending into a delivery duct;
[0016] at least a first and a second injection nozzle on said body member, for injecting the chemical components into the mixing chamber;
[0017] a control cylinder having a peripheral wall defining a piston chamber, and a piston member in said piston chamber to reciprocate a cleaning member the mixing chamber and the delivery duct; and
[0018] a valve unit at the rear side of the mixing apparatus for connection of the injection nozzle and control cylinder to feeding and recycling pipes, said valve unit comprising a plurality of manually actuable valve members; and
[0019] conduit means for fluid communication between each valve member of the valve unit and a respective injection nozzle of the mixing device.
[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the valve assembly and respective pipe fittings for connection to feeding and re-circulating pipes for the fluids, is totally integrated into a separate support body detachably connected to the control cylinder and said body member of the mixing device, enabling a quick and easy replacement of the latter, and the same control cylinder, without the release or leakage of the chemical components and/or the oil of the hydraulic control cylinder for the cleaning member.
[0021] According to a further feature of the invention, the conduit means for feeding to and recycling the components from the individual injection nozzles as well as for the pressurised oil, are provided into the peripheral wall of the hydraulic control cylinder and into the body member of the mixing chamber, to reduce the overall dimensions of the mixing device.
[0022] According to a still further feature of the invention, the injection nozzles for the chemical components slant backwards, towards the rear end of the mixing chamber, in order to increase the mixing efficiency.
[0023] The disposition of the various elements forming the mixing apparatus, therefore allows the quick removal and replacement of the body member comprising the mixing chamber, and the control cylinder, while maintaining connection of the valve unit to feeding and recycling pipes, and the entire apparatus limited in weight and extremely easy to use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] These and further features and advantages of the invention, will be more evident from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] [0025]FIG. 1 shows a side view of the mixing apparatus;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view in correspondence with the injection nozzles, along the line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] As shown in the various figures, the mixing apparatus according to the invention comprises a high-pressure mixing device, of the self-cleaning type, indicated by reference number 10 , which is removably secured to a support body 11 for a valve unit, as specified further on. The support body 11 may consist in a circular plate provided, for example, with a handgrip 12 for manual operation, or with means for connection to a manipulator.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the mixing device 10 comprises a conically shaped body 13 at the front end, provided with a longitudinal hole defining a cylindrical mixing chamber 14 which extends axially into a delivery duct 14 ′ for delivering the chemical mixture along a nose-shaped portion at its fore end.
[0031] The body 13 of the mixing device, is also provided with seats for housing two or more injection nozzles 15 , three in the case shown, which are angularly spaced apart, for example at 120°, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.
[0032] Within and along the mixing chamber 14 and the delivery duct 14 ′, slides a cleaning member 16 substantially provided by an extension of the rod of the piston 17 of an intermediate hydraulic control cylinder 18 which forms part of the mixing device 10 .
[0033] On the side opposite to the cleaning member 16 , the piston rod 16 extends with a rear portion 16 ′ which operates in a per se known way a limit switch or a sensor 19 screwed into a housing 20 , to provide a control signal at the opening of the mixing chamber 14 .
[0034] Still with reference to the example shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that each injection nozzle 15 communicates with a respective pipe fitting 23 A for connection to a feed pipe for a chemical component, by means of a duct 21 A in the body 13 of the mixing device, which extends rearward with a duct 21 B in the peripheral wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 , towards a manually-operable on-off valve member 22 seated in the support plate 11 , to stop the flow of the component, whenever the mixing device 10 must be removed and/or replaced.
[0035] The valve members 22 are in the form of a cylindrical plug rotatingly supported by the body 11 of the valve unit, and provided with a cross hole 24 to connect or respectively to close each pipe fitting 23 A in the direction of the feed duct 21 B and the respective injection nozzle. Each valve member 22 can be manually operated by inserting an appropriate tool, for example by inserting the tip of a screwdriver in a slot, through a hole 25 provided in a ring 26 outside of the body 11 for retaining all the on-off valve members 22 .
[0036] Each injection nozzle 15 in the forward condition of the cleaning member 16 , can also be connected to a recycling circuit for the chemical component, by means of a longitudinal slot 27 made into the cleaning member, and a recycling duct 28 in the body 13 of the mixing device, only partially shown in FIG. 3; the duct 28 , in a similar way to the ducts 21 A and 21 B, extends rearward through the wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 , towards a corresponding valve member 22 and pipe fitting 23 B for connection to a recycling pipe.
[0037] Although it has not been shown in the accompanying drawings, it is obvious that what has been described also applies to the remaining injection nozzles, including the hydraulic cylinder 18 which controls the cleaning member; also in this case, the pressurised oil is fed and discharged on both sides of the piston chamber, by means of feed ducts which extend into the peripheral wall of the control cylinder 18 , and which connect to respective pipe fittings 29 A and 29 B, shown in FIG. 2, through corresponding on-off valves wholly similar to the on-off valves 22 for the individual chemical components.
[0038] From what has been previously described, it will therefore be evident that one of the features of the apparatus according to this mainly invention, resides in the functionally and structurally separable conformation and disposition of the mixing device 10 and the body 11 of the valve unit comprising the on-off valves 23 A, 23 B, 29 A, 29 B; another feature lies in the formation of the feeding and recycling ducts for the chemical components and pressurised oil, into the peripheral wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 which actuates the cleaning member 16 of the mixing device 10 .
[0039] This configuration and disposition of the various portions, offers an effective greater ease of handling and freedom of movement of the entire apparatus, in that all the flexible pipes which feed or re-circulate the chemical components, including the oil for the hydraulic control cylinder, are all positioned to the rear side of the mixing device 10 and the body 11 for the valve unit.
[0040] Furthermore, the conical shape of the fore portion 13 of the mixing device, terminating with a tapering nose facilitates the use of the apparatus allowing access even to delivery points which are difficult to reach with a conventional apparatus.
[0041] A further feature of the apparatus, consequential to the rear disposition of the on-off valve unit, and the formation of the feeling and recycling ducts into wall portions of the hydraulic control cylinder 18 , consists in the possibility of operatively and mechanically connecting the mixing device 10 to the body 11 of the on-off valve assembly, in a wholly removable way, for example by means of a set of screws 30 which pass through corresponding holes in the front body 13 of the mixing device 10 and in the wall of the cylinder 18 , and into threaded holes in the rear body 11 .
[0042] According to a still further feature of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the injection nozzles 15 are slanted backwards towards the rear end of the mixing chamber 14 defined by the front end of the cleaning member 16 , in its backward or retracted position.
[0043] The backward slanting of the nozzles 15 allows the flow of the components delivered by the nozzles, to be rearwardly injected, in order to greatly improve the dynamic mixing efficiency.
[0044] According to a further feature of the invention, a mixing apparatus has been provided for filling cavities with a polyurethane foam by means of a high-pressure mixing device, as previously described, comprising a first and a second nozzle for the injection of a pre-polymer, and respectively a third nozzle for the injection of a reactant, said injection nozzles for the pre-polymer and the reactant being angularly spaced apart from one another, the reactant being injected by said third nozzle, in a direction contrary to the flow of the mixture outcoming from the mixing chamber, and in a quantity ranging from 2% to 6% of the pre-polymer injected by said first and second injection nozzles of the mixing device.
[0045] From what has been described and shown it will be clear that the invention is directed to a high-pressure mixing apparatus having improved mixing efficiency, which is particular suitable for injecting a foam such as a polyurethane mixture also in points which are not easily accessible, for example in cavities in motor vehicles, or for any other application which call for great ease of handling, quick replacement of the mixing device and of the hydraulic control actuator, and at the same time avoiding soiling the work environment.
[0046] It is understood, therefore, that what has been described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, has been given purely by way of example to illustrate a preferential embodiment of the invention, and that other modification or variations can be made without thereby deviating from the scope of the accompanying claims. | The apparatus comprises a high-pressure mixing headdevice and a manually operable valve assembly to stop the circulation of chemical components which are fed into a mixing chamber by injection nozzles, or are made to re-circulate, and to stop the pressurized oil fed to a hydraulic cylinder for controlling a cleaning member reciprocable in the mixing chamber. The mixing device is operatively and mechanically connected to the valve assembly, to enable its quick removal and replacement by closing the valves without disconnecting pipings from the valve unit, and without causing leakage of the chemical components and the oil, ensuring an extremely easy handling of the entire mixing apparatus. | Briefly describe the main invention outlined in the provided context. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention refers to a mixing apparatus for the production of chemically reactive mixtures, in particular for the production of polyurethane foams, which is suitable for filling cavities by the use of a high-pressure mixing device which is appropriately shaped to allow a quick and easy interchange-ability of the same mixing device without causing leakages of the chemical components and oil during replacement.",
"STATE OF THE ART [0002] A high-pressure mixing apparatus, of the conventional type, substantially comprises of a self-cleaning mixing head having a mixing chamber which extends into a delivery duct;",
"an elongated cleaning member controlled by a hydraulic cylinder is reciprocable whitin the mixing chamber and the delivery duct between a rearward position in which it opens the mixing chamber and the delivery duct, and a forward position in which it closes the mixing chamber and the delivery duct causing the re-circulation of the chemical components so as to control their transient during setting of flow and pressure conditions.",
"[0003] A mixing head of this kind also comprises two or more injection nozzles for injecting the chemical components into the mixing chamber, each of which is connected to a feed duct for feeding a component, and respectively is connectable to a recirculating duct by means of a longitudinal slot in the cleaning member.",
"[0004] Mixing apparatuses of this kind are described in prior documents, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,008, U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,874, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,335, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,497.",
"[0005] In all of the aforementioned documents, the mixing apparatus is substantially in the form of a single operative unit, to which the various feeding and re-circulating pipes are directly connected to the injection nozzles for the chemical components, respectively to the control cylinder for the cleaning member with which an usual high-pressure mixing apparatus is provided.",
"[0006] A mixing apparatus of the aforementioned kind consequently presents a configuration and a disposition of the various feeding and re-circulating pipes, which is somewhat complex and so much so as to make the apparatus rather unsuitable for certain applications which call for great ease of handling and the possibility of quickly disassembling and replacing the apparatus itself.",
"[0007] Numerous applications, for example in the automotive field for filling with polyurethane foam the cavities in structures of vehicles, require the use of mixing apparatuses which are extremely easy to handle, with a conical/cylindrical shape capable of gaining access to injection holes, and with a configuration designed to permit a quick disassembling of the apparatus without causing leakage or dripping of the chemical components fed to the nozzles.",
"[0008] In order to partially remedy the problems of cleaning and maintenance of high-pressure mixing apparatuses, U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,003 suggests the use of a mixing chamber which is detachably fastened to the body of the apparatus, to enable its quick removal and replacement.",
"[0009] However, this document also not only proposes a solution substantially of the conventional type, in which the various feeding pipes for the components are connected directly to their respective nozzles, in different parts of the apparatus, but the replacement of the mixing chamber require the disconnection of the cleaning member from the control cylinder, which therefore remains firmly secured to a support body for the same mixing chamber and the control cylinder.",
"[0010] Moreover, whenever the injection nozzles have to be cleaned or replaced, it is necessary to disconnect all the feeding pipes for the components, resulting in a considerable consuption of time and interruption of the work cycle.",
"This would also cause dripping or leakage of liquids from the pipes, with a consequent soiling of the work environment.",
"OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0011] The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the production of chemical reactive mixtures, in particular for the production of rigid or flexible polyurethane foams, comprising a high-pressure mixing device, of the self-cleaning type, by which it is possible to rapidly remove and replace the entire mixing device without having to disconnect the various pipes for feeding and re-circulating the chemical components, and the oil fed to a control cylinder for a cleaning member, which remain permanently connected to the apparatus, and without causing dripping or leakage of liquids and, consequently, without soiling the work environment.",
"[0012] A further object is to provide a high-pressure mixing apparatus which is extremely easy to handle and simple to use, due to a particular disposition of the pipe connections for the pipe lines.",
"[0013] A still further object of the invention is to provide a mixing apparatus of the aforementioned kind, which is capable of increasing its mixing efficiency, in particular whenever one of the chemical components is fed at considerably reduced flow rates, or in considerably reduced proportions as compared to another or to the other components, and consequently is unlikely to contribute, except to a very limited degree, to the dynamic mixing effect typical of apparatuses of this kind.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014] The above can be achieved by means of a high-pressure mixing apparatus for the production of a reactive mixture from at least a first and a second chemical component, the apparatus comprising: [0015] a body member at a front side, said body member having a mixing chamber axially extending into a delivery duct;",
"[0016] at least a first and a second injection nozzle on said body member, for injecting the chemical components into the mixing chamber;",
"[0017] a control cylinder having a peripheral wall defining a piston chamber, and a piston member in said piston chamber to reciprocate a cleaning member the mixing chamber and the delivery duct;",
"and [0018] a valve unit at the rear side of the mixing apparatus for connection of the injection nozzle and control cylinder to feeding and recycling pipes, said valve unit comprising a plurality of manually actuable valve members;",
"and [0019] conduit means for fluid communication between each valve member of the valve unit and a respective injection nozzle of the mixing device.",
"[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the valve assembly and respective pipe fittings for connection to feeding and re-circulating pipes for the fluids, is totally integrated into a separate support body detachably connected to the control cylinder and said body member of the mixing device, enabling a quick and easy replacement of the latter, and the same control cylinder, without the release or leakage of the chemical components and/or the oil of the hydraulic control cylinder for the cleaning member.",
"[0021] According to a further feature of the invention, the conduit means for feeding to and recycling the components from the individual injection nozzles as well as for the pressurised oil, are provided into the peripheral wall of the hydraulic control cylinder and into the body member of the mixing chamber, to reduce the overall dimensions of the mixing device.",
"[0022] According to a still further feature of the invention, the injection nozzles for the chemical components slant backwards, towards the rear end of the mixing chamber, in order to increase the mixing efficiency.",
"[0023] The disposition of the various elements forming the mixing apparatus, therefore allows the quick removal and replacement of the body member comprising the mixing chamber, and the control cylinder, while maintaining connection of the valve unit to feeding and recycling pipes, and the entire apparatus limited in weight and extremely easy to use.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] These and further features and advantages of the invention, will be more evident from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0025] [0025 ]FIG. 1 shows a side view of the mixing apparatus;",
"[0026] [0026 ]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;",
"[0027] [0027 ]FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2;",
"[0028] [0028 ]FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view in correspondence with the injection nozzles, along the line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0029] As shown in the various figures, the mixing apparatus according to the invention comprises a high-pressure mixing device, of the self-cleaning type, indicated by reference number 10 , which is removably secured to a support body 11 for a valve unit, as specified further on.",
"The support body 11 may consist in a circular plate provided, for example, with a handgrip 12 for manual operation, or with means for connection to a manipulator.",
"[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the mixing device 10 comprises a conically shaped body 13 at the front end, provided with a longitudinal hole defining a cylindrical mixing chamber 14 which extends axially into a delivery duct 14 ′ for delivering the chemical mixture along a nose-shaped portion at its fore end.",
"[0031] The body 13 of the mixing device, is also provided with seats for housing two or more injection nozzles 15 , three in the case shown, which are angularly spaced apart, for example at 120°, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. [0032] Within and along the mixing chamber 14 and the delivery duct 14 ′, slides a cleaning member 16 substantially provided by an extension of the rod of the piston 17 of an intermediate hydraulic control cylinder 18 which forms part of the mixing device 10 .",
"[0033] On the side opposite to the cleaning member 16 , the piston rod 16 extends with a rear portion 16 ′ which operates in a per se known way a limit switch or a sensor 19 screwed into a housing 20 , to provide a control signal at the opening of the mixing chamber 14 .",
"[0034] Still with reference to the example shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that each injection nozzle 15 communicates with a respective pipe fitting 23 A for connection to a feed pipe for a chemical component, by means of a duct 21 A in the body 13 of the mixing device, which extends rearward with a duct 21 B in the peripheral wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 , towards a manually-operable on-off valve member 22 seated in the support plate 11 , to stop the flow of the component, whenever the mixing device 10 must be removed and/or replaced.",
"[0035] The valve members 22 are in the form of a cylindrical plug rotatingly supported by the body 11 of the valve unit, and provided with a cross hole 24 to connect or respectively to close each pipe fitting 23 A in the direction of the feed duct 21 B and the respective injection nozzle.",
"Each valve member 22 can be manually operated by inserting an appropriate tool, for example by inserting the tip of a screwdriver in a slot, through a hole 25 provided in a ring 26 outside of the body 11 for retaining all the on-off valve members 22 .",
"[0036] Each injection nozzle 15 in the forward condition of the cleaning member 16 , can also be connected to a recycling circuit for the chemical component, by means of a longitudinal slot 27 made into the cleaning member, and a recycling duct 28 in the body 13 of the mixing device, only partially shown in FIG. 3;",
"the duct 28 , in a similar way to the ducts 21 A and 21 B, extends rearward through the wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 , towards a corresponding valve member 22 and pipe fitting 23 B for connection to a recycling pipe.",
"[0037] Although it has not been shown in the accompanying drawings, it is obvious that what has been described also applies to the remaining injection nozzles, including the hydraulic cylinder 18 which controls the cleaning member;",
"also in this case, the pressurised oil is fed and discharged on both sides of the piston chamber, by means of feed ducts which extend into the peripheral wall of the control cylinder 18 , and which connect to respective pipe fittings 29 A and 29 B, shown in FIG. 2, through corresponding on-off valves wholly similar to the on-off valves 22 for the individual chemical components.",
"[0038] From what has been previously described, it will therefore be evident that one of the features of the apparatus according to this mainly invention, resides in the functionally and structurally separable conformation and disposition of the mixing device 10 and the body 11 of the valve unit comprising the on-off valves 23 A, 23 B, 29 A, 29 B;",
"another feature lies in the formation of the feeding and recycling ducts for the chemical components and pressurised oil, into the peripheral wall of the hydraulic cylinder 18 which actuates the cleaning member 16 of the mixing device 10 .",
"[0039] This configuration and disposition of the various portions, offers an effective greater ease of handling and freedom of movement of the entire apparatus, in that all the flexible pipes which feed or re-circulate the chemical components, including the oil for the hydraulic control cylinder, are all positioned to the rear side of the mixing device 10 and the body 11 for the valve unit.",
"[0040] Furthermore, the conical shape of the fore portion 13 of the mixing device, terminating with a tapering nose facilitates the use of the apparatus allowing access even to delivery points which are difficult to reach with a conventional apparatus.",
"[0041] A further feature of the apparatus, consequential to the rear disposition of the on-off valve unit, and the formation of the feeling and recycling ducts into wall portions of the hydraulic control cylinder 18 , consists in the possibility of operatively and mechanically connecting the mixing device 10 to the body 11 of the on-off valve assembly, in a wholly removable way, for example by means of a set of screws 30 which pass through corresponding holes in the front body 13 of the mixing device 10 and in the wall of the cylinder 18 , and into threaded holes in the rear body 11 .",
"[0042] According to a still further feature of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the injection nozzles 15 are slanted backwards towards the rear end of the mixing chamber 14 defined by the front end of the cleaning member 16 , in its backward or retracted position.",
"[0043] The backward slanting of the nozzles 15 allows the flow of the components delivered by the nozzles, to be rearwardly injected, in order to greatly improve the dynamic mixing efficiency.",
"[0044] According to a further feature of the invention, a mixing apparatus has been provided for filling cavities with a polyurethane foam by means of a high-pressure mixing device, as previously described, comprising a first and a second nozzle for the injection of a pre-polymer, and respectively a third nozzle for the injection of a reactant, said injection nozzles for the pre-polymer and the reactant being angularly spaced apart from one another, the reactant being injected by said third nozzle, in a direction contrary to the flow of the mixture outcoming from the mixing chamber, and in a quantity ranging from 2% to 6% of the pre-polymer injected by said first and second injection nozzles of the mixing device.",
"[0045] From what has been described and shown it will be clear that the invention is directed to a high-pressure mixing apparatus having improved mixing efficiency, which is particular suitable for injecting a foam such as a polyurethane mixture also in points which are not easily accessible, for example in cavities in motor vehicles, or for any other application which call for great ease of handling, quick replacement of the mixing device and of the hydraulic control actuator, and at the same time avoiding soiling the work environment.",
"[0046] It is understood, therefore, that what has been described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, has been given purely by way of example to illustrate a preferential embodiment of the invention, and that other modification or variations can be made without thereby deviating from the scope of the accompanying claims."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a flame retardant composition for thermoplastic moulding materials.
Further, the invention relates to mouldings, fibres or films that can be prepared from the flame retardant moulding materials according to the invention.
Currently, the following groups of materials are mainly used as flame retardants for thermoplastic moulding materials:
1. Inorganic compounds, mainly hydroxides such as aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. When these are used, very large quantities of generally more than 50% must be used and these influence the mechanical properties of the moulding material extremely negatively. Additionally, the aluminium tri-hydroxide begins to decompose at just 200° C. This sharply limits the possible applications as some thermoplastics are processed at temperatures of above 200° C. 2. Halogenated (brominated and chlorinated) flame retardant materials, which can produce dioxins in case that they catch fire and therefore many of these compounds are prohibited according to the EU Regulation for Chemicals. 3. Halogenated phosphorous compounds, which can also produce dioxins in case that they catch fire. 4. Non-halogenated phosphorous compounds including red phosphorous. Some of the phosphorous compounds such as ammonium polyphosphate and melamine phosphate are also not thermally stable at temperatures of >200° C.
Other phosphorous compounds such as triphenylphosphene oxide act as plasticisers in many thermoplastic materials. Red phosphorus is particularly effective in the case of thermoplastics with a high moisture content, e.g. PA 6. High processing temperatures for the thermoplastics can however lead to the formation of phosphine which is a poisonous gas.
5. Nitrogen-based flame retardant materials such as melamine, melamine derivatives (including melamine cyanurate) and melamine homologues.
In these cases, the disadvantage is that the melamine, which has been added to the plastic materials, diffuses out of the polymer matrix. Melamine cyanurates, the salt of the reaction between melamine and cyanuric acid, however hardly diffuses out of the plastics. The reason for this is the two-dimensional network structure of melamine cyanurate that is based on hydrogen bonds.
However, this also results in a great disadvantage of melamine cyanurate.
It tends to form large agglomerates and to compaction at the dosing stage itself, when incorporated in polymers. Its dispersion in technical plastics is difficult. The agglomeration of melamine cyanurate in polymers has a negative effect on the mechanical properties and on fire behaviour. Many trials were conducted in the past to improve its dispersion. Besides that, good flame retardant effects were mainly observed only in the case of non-reinforced thermoplastics when melamine cyanurate was used.
In particular, in the case of fibre reinforced polyamides, the so-called wicking effect occurs, this means that the fibre reinforced polyamide test rod continues to burn due to the fibres contained in it.
In DE 102007037019A1, as well as in other documents by the same author, the use of phosphinic acid or salts of phosphinic acid is claimed as flame retardant materials in polyamides.
In DE 4307682A1, a flame protected thermoplastic moulding material is claimed which consists of polyamide, magnesium hydroxide along with other fillers and additives. The flame protection is supposed to be achieved by the combination of the known flame retardant material, melamine cyanurate and magnesium hydroxide. 15% by weight of melamine cyanurate or 10% by weight of melamine cyanurate combined with 15% by weight of magnesium hydroxide was used to achieve the flame retardant properties.
In DE 10144231B4, a process for a coating of melamine cyanurate is described, wherein the melamine cyanurate is mixed in solution with monomers, oligomers and/or lactam-based polymers. The disadvantage of this is that the mixing must take place in an aqueous state and subsequent filtration and drying is required.
In DE 60029009T2, a flame inhibiting polyamide-resin composite consisting of polyamide resin, a mix of poly-phosphoric acid and melamine along with organic fillers is claimed. In this case it relates to a combination of two known materials for the flame protection of polyamides.
A flame protection agent for thermoplastic moulding material is presented that consists of 30 to 70% by weight of melamine cyanurate and 30 to 70% by weight of porous, amorphous glass particles manufactured from glass foam continuously produced in a high-temperature extruder. The sum of the components totals up to 100% by weight.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention also includes the thermoplastic moulding material mixed with melamine cyanurate and amorphous, porous glass particles according to the invention.
The moulding materials contain 30 to 95% by weight of one or several thermoplastic polymers, 1 to 20% by weight of the mix of melamine cyanurate and the amorphous, porous glass particles, preferably 2 to 15% by weight of this mix, particularly preferable is 5 to 12% by weight of this mix, 0 to 70% by weight of fillers and reinforcing agents along with 0 to 50% by weight of other aids. The sum of the components totals to 100% by weight.
Further objectives of the invention are moulds, fibres and films that can be prepared from the thermoplastic moulding material according to the invention.
The flame protection agent claimed in the thermoplastic moulding material can also be incorporated as a masterbatch, i.e. a compound with a high concentration of the flame protection agent in the thermoplastic moulding material. This masterbatch can contain other aids such as plasticisers, nucleation agents, demoulding and lubricating agents, flow agents and processing aids, antioxidants, heat and light stabilisers, colouring agents, pigments and other flame protection agents.
In the same way, the aids listed above can also be directly incorporated in the thermoplastic moulding material.
The following can also be added to the thermoplastic moulding material: fillers and reinforcing materials such as feldspar, glimmer, talc, quartz, silicate, amorphous silica, magnesium carbonate, barium sulphate, carbon fibres, aramid fibres, potassium-titanium fibres, natural fibres, glass fibres (short fibres, long fibres or endless fibres), glass beads, glass mesh, glass mats, kaolin, titanium dioxide, calcium silicate as wollastonite etc. The fillers and reinforcing agents can also have undergone surface treatment.
Thermoplastic moulding materials, according to the invention, to which the flame protection composition can be added are homo-polymers and co-polymers of olefinic, unsaturated monomers such as polyfluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile co-polymers, ABS co-polymers, vinyl chloride homo-polymers and co-polymers, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate co-polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyacetate, polycarbonate, polyester and in particular, polyamides. They can also be compounds made up of two or more of the thermoplastic moulding materials.
Rubber-elastic polymerisates can also be components of the thermoplastic moulding materials, according to the invention. The preferred ones here are the so-called ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPM and EPDM rubbers). The EPM and EDPM rubbers can preferably also be grafted to reactive carboxylic acid or its derivatives.
The polyamide resins can be formed by the polycondensation of lactams with 3 or more membered rings or of polymerisable amino acids or by polycondensation between dibasic acids and diamines. Examples of polyamides are polymers of ε-caprolactam, amino-capronic acid, β-lactam, γ-lactam, δ-lactam, ε-lactam, 7-amino-heptanic acid, 11-amino-decanic acid, pyridine, piperidone and the like, formed by the polycondensation between diamines such as hexa-methylene, nona-methylene, undeca-methylene, dodeca-methylene, m-xylene diamine and dicarbonic acids such as terephalic, isophthalic, adipinic, sebacinic, dodeca-dicarbonic and glutaric acid or copolymers of those. Specific examples of the polyamides are polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 7, polyamide 8, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, Polyamide 6.6, polyamide 6.9, polyamide 6.10, polyamide 6.11, polyamide 6.12, polyamide 6T, polyamide 6/6.6, polyamide 6/12, polyamide 6/6T and polyamide 6I/6T, without limiting them to these only.
In particular, polyamide 6 and polyamide 6.6 and mixtures of those are preferred.
The porous, amorphous glass particles are manufactured from glass foam. To do so, the molten glass is mixed in a high-temperature extruder (single screw extruder) at around 1000° C. with steam under pressure as a foaming agent.
At the subsequent decompression of the mixture at the extruder outlet jet, a glass foam with fine pores is formed which has a density of 0.05 to 0.30 g/cm 3 , preferably 0.8 to 0.15 g/cm 3 . The glass foam strand is not stress-relieved and cools down, within seconds, to temperatures of below 50° C.
It is made up of closed pores that however, generally break open due to the quick cooling down.
In the same way, the glass foam strand also crumbles into irregular pieces.
Further downstream, the irregular pieces are pre-crushed in a roll crusher with a 7 mm perforated strainer. Then, the milling (ball mill) is carried out and classification (turbine classifier) of the pre-crushed glass foam pieces to the corresponding particle sizes is done, wherein an average particle size (d 50 ) of between 1 and 100 μm, in particular that of between 2 and 6 μm is preferred.
For the use in flame protection mixtures, borosilicate glass is preferred. Borosilicate glass has good hydrolytic resistance, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than soda lime glass and is inert to thermoplastic moulding materials.
Through the quick cooling down of the glass foam and the milling process, porous, amorphous glass particles with a special surface are formed.
Borosilicate glass particles with the composition given above and an average particle size of 3.0 μm sinter at a heat treatment temperature in the range of just 360 to 400° C. This behaviour is used as the basic approach for the development of flame protection agents that contain these porous, amorphous glass particles.
Melamine cyanurate is a reaction product of preferably equimolar quantities of melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid.
It is formed, for example, by the conversion of the aqueous solutions of the input products at 90 to 100° C. The final commercial product is a white powder with an average particle size (d 50 ) of between 1.0 and 100.0 μm.
In the framework of this patent application, all the customary, in trade and commercially available, solid and preferably in particle form, product qualities of melamine cyanurate are to be considered. The preferred average particle size of the melamine particles is between 1.0 and 10.0 μm.
The melamine cyanurate can however also be manufactured from melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid in the presence of the amorphous, porous glass particles.
To do so, melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid in a mole ratio of 1.0 to 0.5 going up to 1.0 to 1.5 and 0.5 to 1.0 going up to 1.5 to 1.0 can be used. However, equimolar mixing ratios are preferred. Melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid are first separately dissolved in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 70 to 100° C., preferably 90 to 100° C. and then mixed. Then, the mixture of melamine cyanurate and the porous, amorphous glass particles can be separated by the usual separation methods of filtration or centrifuging. The water still present can be removed by the usual drying methods, preferably at temperatures of up to a max. of 100° C.
The present invention also relates to the use of such moulding materials for the preparation of moulds, fibres and films as well as of moulds of all types that can be obtained through this process.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is to be explained in further detail based on the following example that has been proven in some series of experiments.
Glass foam was manufactured from a borosilicate glass with the chemical composition specified in Table 1 with steam as a foaming agent, in a single-screw extruder at a melt temperature of 930° C.
The transformation point of the glass composition given above is 534° C.
Subsequently, pre-crushing of the glass foam was carried out in a roller crusher to a glass foam particle size of ≦7 mm. In a subsequent combined grounding and classification process (ball mill and turbine classifier), crushing to an average particle size of 2.8 μm was undertaken (particle size distribution: d 10 =0.7 μm; d 25 =1.2 μm; d 50 =1.8 μm d 75 =2.8 μm; d 90 =4.1 μm and d 99 =8.6 μm).
A masterbatch was made of the raw materials, melamine cyanurate (type NORD-MIN MC-25J; supplier Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH), the porous, amorphous glass particles and polyamide 6 (Manufacturer: Radici, relative viscosity 2.69, measured in 96% H 2 S0 4 as a 0.5% solution at 25° C. according to DIN ISO 307; monomer content 0.08%; moisture 190 ppm; extract as a whole: 0.82%), the masterbatch containing 40% by weight of melamine cyanurate, 40% by weight of porous, amorphous glass particles and 20% by weight of PA 6.
Three mixtures with different compositions were made from the raw materials polyamide 6 and the masterbatch for a test series:
Mixture A—Consisting of 8% by weight of masterbatch and 92% by weight of PA 6.
Mixture B—Consisting of 10% by weight of masterbatch and 90% by weight of PA 6.
Mixture C—Consisting of 20% by weight of masterbatch and 80% by weight of PA 6.
Subsequently, these mixtures were dried for 5 hours at 80° C. and a residual moisture of <0.09% was achieved.
The components were processed in a twin-screw extruder, ZSK 32 (manufacturer: Werner and Pfleiderer) at a cylinder temperature of 260 to 280° C.
Standard test samples for the flame protection test according to UL 94V with dimensions of 125 mm×13 mm×0.8 mm were made.
For the comparison, a commercially available polyamide flame protection kit, with the name of PA-Funaden-Flammhemmer (flame retarder), manufactured by the company Grafe Masterbatch GmbH, also with the PA 6 from Example 2 was mixed and also dried. From this mixture, standard test samples were also prepared for the flame protection test according to UL 94V.
All the above standard test samples were stored for 48 hours at a reference atmosphere of 23/50 Class 1 according to DIN EN ISO 291 prior to the beginning of the flame protection test.
The fire behaviour was tested according to UL 94V (“Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Applications” of Unterwriter Laboratories Inc., now also accepted as DIN EN 60695-11-10). In this test process, the vertically arranged test samples were set alight using a Bunsen burner with a flame height of 20±1 mm for 10 seconds each. The period for the burn and the total burning time as well as the parts that dripped off while still burning, are the evaluation parameters.
For the classification of a flame protected plastic of the fire class UL 94V-0, the following criteria must be fulfilled:
In the case of a set of 5 standard test samples (dimensions: 125×13×s, where s=0.8 to 13 mm), all the samples may not continue to burn for longer than 10 seconds after being set alight twice for a duration of 10 seconds using an naked flame with a height of 20 mm. The sum of the continued burning times for 5 test samples, in the case of being set alight 10 times, may not exceed 50 s. The test samples must not have any burning material dripping down, completely burn off or continue to glow for more than 30 seconds. The cotton placed under the test samples may not begin to burn.
For the classification under UL 94V-1, the individual continued burning time may not exceed 60 sec. and the sum of the continued burning times for the 10 flamings of the 5 test samples may not exceed 250 sec. Besides that, all the test samples may not continue to burn for more than 30 sec. after being set alight. The other criteria are identical to the classification for UL 94V-0.
The classification in the fire class UL 94V-2, allows the cotton to burn in addition to the specification given for fire class UL 94V-1.
In the comparative test with 10% by weight of PA-Funaden-Flammhemmer, the fire class UL 94V-2 could be achieved. The fire class UL 94V-2 could also be achieved in the flame tests with the use of 8% by weight of the flame protection masterbatch made of melamine cyanurate, porous, amorphous borosilicate glass particles and the polyamide 6. In the case of both these samples, the sum of the continued burning times was lower than 50 s for 10 flamings, however the cotton placed under the samples being set on fire, caught fire in some cases only. If against that, 10% by weight of the flame protection masterbatch was used, the fire class UL 94V-0 could be easily achieved. In the case of this sample too, the sum of the continued burn times of 8.7 seconds was clearly less than the specified maximum value of 50 s for the classification under VO. The cotton placed under the samples did not however catch fire in this case. In this trial, only 4% by weight of melamine cyanurate and 4% by weight of the porous glass powder were used.
Further results of the flame trials according to UL 94V for the various mixtures are listed in Tables 2 to 5.
TABLE 1
Chemical composition of the borosilicate glass
Oxide
Borosilicate glass
Si0 2 [mass %]
55.0-60.0
Na 2 0 [mass %]
9.5-13.5
K 2 0 [mass %]
1.0-4.0
CaO [mass %]
1.0-5.0
MgO [mass %]
0-2.0
BaO [mass %]
3.0-6.0
ZnO [mass %]
3.0-5.0
B 2 O 3 [mass %]
8.0-11.0
Al 2 O 3 [mass %]
4.0-7.0
Fe 2 O 3 [mass %]
<0.2
F 2 mass %]
<1.0
TABLE 2
Comparative mixture with 10% by weight of PA-Funaden-(flame
retardant)
Rod
Thickness
t 1
Cotton
t 2
Cotton
No.
[mm]
[s]
burns
[s]
burns
Classification
1
0.80
1.9
no
1.7
no
94 V-2
2
0.80
1.2
yes
0.8
3
0.80
1.0
no
0.9
no
4
0.80
0.8
no
0.8
yes
5
0.80
1.3
no
1.5
no
6
0.80
0.9
no
1.4
no
94 V-2
7
0.80
1.2
no
0.7
no
8
0.80
0.9
no
0.8
no
9
0.80
0.9
no
1.4
yes
10
0.80
1.3
no
1.4
no
Burning pieces of the samples drip down.
TABLE 3
Mixture A consisting of 92% by weight of PA 6 and 8% by weight of
melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)-
masterbatch
Rod
Thickness
t 1
Cotton
t 2
Cotton
Classification
No.
[mm]
[s]
burns
[s]
burns
1
0.80
1.0
yes
0.7
no
94 V-2
2
0.80
1.0
yes
0.9
yes
3
0.80
0.9
yes
0.8
yes
4
0.80
0.7
yes
1.4
yes
5
0.80
0.8
yes
0.7
no
Burning pieces of the samples drip down.
TABLE 4
Mixture B consisting of 90% by weight of PA 6 and 10% by weight of
melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)-
Masterbatch
Rod
Thickness
t 1
Cotton
t 2
Cotton
No.
[mm]
[s]
burns
[s]
burns
Classification
1
0.80
0.8
no
0.8
no
94 V-0
2
0.80
0.5
no
0.8
no
3
0.80
0.6
no
1.4
no
4
0.80
0.8
no
0.5
no
5
0.80
0.6
no
0.3
no
Burning pieces of the samples drip down.
TABLE 5
Mixture C consisting of 80% by weight of PA 6 and 20% by weight of
melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)-
Masterbatch
Rod
Thickness
t 1
Cotton
t 2
Cotton
No.
[mm]
[s]
burns
[s]
burns
Classification
1
0.80
0.9
no
0.4
no
94 V-0
2
0.80
1.3
no
1.4
no
3
0.80
0.6
no
0.5
no
4
0.80
1.4
no
0.8
no
5
0.80
0.4
no
0.6
no
Burning pieces of the samples drip down. | A flame retardant composition for thermoplastic molding materials, and also moldings, fibers or films that can be prepared from the flame retardant molding materials. The composition includes 30 to 70% by weight of melamine cyanurate and of 30 to 70% by weight of porous amorphous glass particles. The composition is prepared from foam glass produced continuously in a high-temperature extruder. The sum of the components is 100% by weight. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to a flame retardant composition for thermoplastic moulding materials.",
"Further, the invention relates to mouldings, fibres or films that can be prepared from the flame retardant moulding materials according to the invention.",
"Currently, the following groups of materials are mainly used as flame retardants for thermoplastic moulding materials: 1.",
"Inorganic compounds, mainly hydroxides such as aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide.",
"When these are used, very large quantities of generally more than 50% must be used and these influence the mechanical properties of the moulding material extremely negatively.",
"Additionally, the aluminium tri-hydroxide begins to decompose at just 200° C. This sharply limits the possible applications as some thermoplastics are processed at temperatures of above 200° C. 2.",
"Halogenated (brominated and chlorinated) flame retardant materials, which can produce dioxins in case that they catch fire and therefore many of these compounds are prohibited according to the EU Regulation for Chemicals.",
"Halogenated phosphorous compounds, which can also produce dioxins in case that they catch fire.",
"Non-halogenated phosphorous compounds including red phosphorous.",
"Some of the phosphorous compounds such as ammonium polyphosphate and melamine phosphate are also not thermally stable at temperatures of >200° C. Other phosphorous compounds such as triphenylphosphene oxide act as plasticisers in many thermoplastic materials.",
"Red phosphorus is particularly effective in the case of thermoplastics with a high moisture content, e.g. PA 6.",
"High processing temperatures for the thermoplastics can however lead to the formation of phosphine which is a poisonous gas.",
"Nitrogen-based flame retardant materials such as melamine, melamine derivatives (including melamine cyanurate) and melamine homologues.",
"In these cases, the disadvantage is that the melamine, which has been added to the plastic materials, diffuses out of the polymer matrix.",
"Melamine cyanurates, the salt of the reaction between melamine and cyanuric acid, however hardly diffuses out of the plastics.",
"The reason for this is the two-dimensional network structure of melamine cyanurate that is based on hydrogen bonds.",
"However, this also results in a great disadvantage of melamine cyanurate.",
"It tends to form large agglomerates and to compaction at the dosing stage itself, when incorporated in polymers.",
"Its dispersion in technical plastics is difficult.",
"The agglomeration of melamine cyanurate in polymers has a negative effect on the mechanical properties and on fire behaviour.",
"Many trials were conducted in the past to improve its dispersion.",
"Besides that, good flame retardant effects were mainly observed only in the case of non-reinforced thermoplastics when melamine cyanurate was used.",
"In particular, in the case of fibre reinforced polyamides, the so-called wicking effect occurs, this means that the fibre reinforced polyamide test rod continues to burn due to the fibres contained in it.",
"In DE 102007037019A1, as well as in other documents by the same author, the use of phosphinic acid or salts of phosphinic acid is claimed as flame retardant materials in polyamides.",
"In DE 4307682A1, a flame protected thermoplastic moulding material is claimed which consists of polyamide, magnesium hydroxide along with other fillers and additives.",
"The flame protection is supposed to be achieved by the combination of the known flame retardant material, melamine cyanurate and magnesium hydroxide.",
"15% by weight of melamine cyanurate or 10% by weight of melamine cyanurate combined with 15% by weight of magnesium hydroxide was used to achieve the flame retardant properties.",
"In DE 10144231B4, a process for a coating of melamine cyanurate is described, wherein the melamine cyanurate is mixed in solution with monomers, oligomers and/or lactam-based polymers.",
"The disadvantage of this is that the mixing must take place in an aqueous state and subsequent filtration and drying is required.",
"In DE 60029009T2, a flame inhibiting polyamide-resin composite consisting of polyamide resin, a mix of poly-phosphoric acid and melamine along with organic fillers is claimed.",
"In this case it relates to a combination of two known materials for the flame protection of polyamides.",
"A flame protection agent for thermoplastic moulding material is presented that consists of 30 to 70% by weight of melamine cyanurate and 30 to 70% by weight of porous, amorphous glass particles manufactured from glass foam continuously produced in a high-temperature extruder.",
"The sum of the components totals up to 100% by weight.",
"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective of the present invention also includes the thermoplastic moulding material mixed with melamine cyanurate and amorphous, porous glass particles according to the invention.",
"The moulding materials contain 30 to 95% by weight of one or several thermoplastic polymers, 1 to 20% by weight of the mix of melamine cyanurate and the amorphous, porous glass particles, preferably 2 to 15% by weight of this mix, particularly preferable is 5 to 12% by weight of this mix, 0 to 70% by weight of fillers and reinforcing agents along with 0 to 50% by weight of other aids.",
"The sum of the components totals to 100% by weight.",
"Further objectives of the invention are moulds, fibres and films that can be prepared from the thermoplastic moulding material according to the invention.",
"The flame protection agent claimed in the thermoplastic moulding material can also be incorporated as a masterbatch, i.e. a compound with a high concentration of the flame protection agent in the thermoplastic moulding material.",
"This masterbatch can contain other aids such as plasticisers, nucleation agents, demoulding and lubricating agents, flow agents and processing aids, antioxidants, heat and light stabilisers, colouring agents, pigments and other flame protection agents.",
"In the same way, the aids listed above can also be directly incorporated in the thermoplastic moulding material.",
"The following can also be added to the thermoplastic moulding material: fillers and reinforcing materials such as feldspar, glimmer, talc, quartz, silicate, amorphous silica, magnesium carbonate, barium sulphate, carbon fibres, aramid fibres, potassium-titanium fibres, natural fibres, glass fibres (short fibres, long fibres or endless fibres), glass beads, glass mesh, glass mats, kaolin, titanium dioxide, calcium silicate as wollastonite etc.",
"The fillers and reinforcing agents can also have undergone surface treatment.",
"Thermoplastic moulding materials, according to the invention, to which the flame protection composition can be added are homo-polymers and co-polymers of olefinic, unsaturated monomers such as polyfluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile co-polymers, ABS co-polymers, vinyl chloride homo-polymers and co-polymers, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate co-polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyacetate, polycarbonate, polyester and in particular, polyamides.",
"They can also be compounds made up of two or more of the thermoplastic moulding materials.",
"Rubber-elastic polymerisates can also be components of the thermoplastic moulding materials, according to the invention.",
"The preferred ones here are the so-called ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPM and EPDM rubbers).",
"The EPM and EDPM rubbers can preferably also be grafted to reactive carboxylic acid or its derivatives.",
"The polyamide resins can be formed by the polycondensation of lactams with 3 or more membered rings or of polymerisable amino acids or by polycondensation between dibasic acids and diamines.",
"Examples of polyamides are polymers of ε-caprolactam, amino-capronic acid, β-lactam, γ-lactam, δ-lactam, ε-lactam, 7-amino-heptanic acid, 11-amino-decanic acid, pyridine, piperidone and the like, formed by the polycondensation between diamines such as hexa-methylene, nona-methylene, undeca-methylene, dodeca-methylene, m-xylene diamine and dicarbonic acids such as terephalic, isophthalic, adipinic, sebacinic, dodeca-dicarbonic and glutaric acid or copolymers of those.",
"Specific examples of the polyamides are polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 7, polyamide 8, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, Polyamide 6.6, polyamide 6.9, polyamide 6.10, polyamide 6.11, polyamide 6.12, polyamide 6T, polyamide 6/6.6, polyamide 6/12, polyamide 6/6T and polyamide 6I/6T, without limiting them to these only.",
"In particular, polyamide 6 and polyamide 6.6 and mixtures of those are preferred.",
"The porous, amorphous glass particles are manufactured from glass foam.",
"To do so, the molten glass is mixed in a high-temperature extruder (single screw extruder) at around 1000° C. with steam under pressure as a foaming agent.",
"At the subsequent decompression of the mixture at the extruder outlet jet, a glass foam with fine pores is formed which has a density of 0.05 to 0.30 g/cm 3 , preferably 0.8 to 0.15 g/cm 3 .",
"The glass foam strand is not stress-relieved and cools down, within seconds, to temperatures of below 50° C. It is made up of closed pores that however, generally break open due to the quick cooling down.",
"In the same way, the glass foam strand also crumbles into irregular pieces.",
"Further downstream, the irregular pieces are pre-crushed in a roll crusher with a 7 mm perforated strainer.",
"Then, the milling (ball mill) is carried out and classification (turbine classifier) of the pre-crushed glass foam pieces to the corresponding particle sizes is done, wherein an average particle size (d 50 ) of between 1 and 100 μm, in particular that of between 2 and 6 μm is preferred.",
"For the use in flame protection mixtures, borosilicate glass is preferred.",
"Borosilicate glass has good hydrolytic resistance, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than soda lime glass and is inert to thermoplastic moulding materials.",
"Through the quick cooling down of the glass foam and the milling process, porous, amorphous glass particles with a special surface are formed.",
"Borosilicate glass particles with the composition given above and an average particle size of 3.0 μm sinter at a heat treatment temperature in the range of just 360 to 400° C. This behaviour is used as the basic approach for the development of flame protection agents that contain these porous, amorphous glass particles.",
"Melamine cyanurate is a reaction product of preferably equimolar quantities of melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid.",
"It is formed, for example, by the conversion of the aqueous solutions of the input products at 90 to 100° C. The final commercial product is a white powder with an average particle size (d 50 ) of between 1.0 and 100.0 μm.",
"In the framework of this patent application, all the customary, in trade and commercially available, solid and preferably in particle form, product qualities of melamine cyanurate are to be considered.",
"The preferred average particle size of the melamine particles is between 1.0 and 10.0 μm.",
"The melamine cyanurate can however also be manufactured from melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid in the presence of the amorphous, porous glass particles.",
"To do so, melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid in a mole ratio of 1.0 to 0.5 going up to 1.0 to 1.5 and 0.5 to 1.0 going up to 1.5 to 1.0 can be used.",
"However, equimolar mixing ratios are preferred.",
"Melamine and cyanuric acid or iso-cyanuric acid are first separately dissolved in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 70 to 100° C., preferably 90 to 100° C. and then mixed.",
"Then, the mixture of melamine cyanurate and the porous, amorphous glass particles can be separated by the usual separation methods of filtration or centrifuging.",
"The water still present can be removed by the usual drying methods, preferably at temperatures of up to a max.",
"of 100° C. The present invention also relates to the use of such moulding materials for the preparation of moulds, fibres and films as well as of moulds of all types that can be obtained through this process.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to be explained in further detail based on the following example that has been proven in some series of experiments.",
"Glass foam was manufactured from a borosilicate glass with the chemical composition specified in Table 1 with steam as a foaming agent, in a single-screw extruder at a melt temperature of 930° C. The transformation point of the glass composition given above is 534° C. Subsequently, pre-crushing of the glass foam was carried out in a roller crusher to a glass foam particle size of ≦7 mm.",
"In a subsequent combined grounding and classification process (ball mill and turbine classifier), crushing to an average particle size of 2.8 μm was undertaken (particle size distribution: d 10 =0.7 μm;",
"d 25 =1.2 μm;",
"d 50 =1.8 μm d 75 =2.8 μm;",
"d 90 =4.1 μm and d 99 =8.6 μm).",
"A masterbatch was made of the raw materials, melamine cyanurate (type NORD-MIN MC-25J;",
"supplier Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH), the porous, amorphous glass particles and polyamide 6 (Manufacturer: Radici, relative viscosity 2.69, measured in 96% H 2 S0 4 as a 0.5% solution at 25° C. according to DIN ISO 307;",
"monomer content 0.08%;",
"moisture 190 ppm;",
"extract as a whole: 0.82%), the masterbatch containing 40% by weight of melamine cyanurate, 40% by weight of porous, amorphous glass particles and 20% by weight of PA 6.",
"Three mixtures with different compositions were made from the raw materials polyamide 6 and the masterbatch for a test series: Mixture A—Consisting of 8% by weight of masterbatch and 92% by weight of PA 6.",
"Mixture B—Consisting of 10% by weight of masterbatch and 90% by weight of PA 6.",
"Mixture C—Consisting of 20% by weight of masterbatch and 80% by weight of PA 6.",
"Subsequently, these mixtures were dried for 5 hours at 80° C. and a residual moisture of <0.09% was achieved.",
"The components were processed in a twin-screw extruder, ZSK 32 (manufacturer: Werner and Pfleiderer) at a cylinder temperature of 260 to 280° C. Standard test samples for the flame protection test according to UL 94V with dimensions of 125 mm×13 mm×0.8 mm were made.",
"For the comparison, a commercially available polyamide flame protection kit, with the name of PA-Funaden-Flammhemmer (flame retarder), manufactured by the company Grafe Masterbatch GmbH, also with the PA 6 from Example 2 was mixed and also dried.",
"From this mixture, standard test samples were also prepared for the flame protection test according to UL 94V.",
"All the above standard test samples were stored for 48 hours at a reference atmosphere of 23/50 Class 1 according to DIN EN ISO 291 prior to the beginning of the flame protection test.",
"The fire behaviour was tested according to UL 94V (“Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Applications”",
"of Unterwriter Laboratories Inc., now also accepted as DIN EN 60695-11-10).",
"In this test process, the vertically arranged test samples were set alight using a Bunsen burner with a flame height of 20±1 mm for 10 seconds each.",
"The period for the burn and the total burning time as well as the parts that dripped off while still burning, are the evaluation parameters.",
"For the classification of a flame protected plastic of the fire class UL 94V-0, the following criteria must be fulfilled: In the case of a set of 5 standard test samples (dimensions: 125×13×s, where s=0.8 to 13 mm), all the samples may not continue to burn for longer than 10 seconds after being set alight twice for a duration of 10 seconds using an naked flame with a height of 20 mm.",
"The sum of the continued burning times for 5 test samples, in the case of being set alight 10 times, may not exceed 50 s. The test samples must not have any burning material dripping down, completely burn off or continue to glow for more than 30 seconds.",
"The cotton placed under the test samples may not begin to burn.",
"For the classification under UL 94V-1, the individual continued burning time may not exceed 60 sec.",
"and the sum of the continued burning times for the 10 flamings of the 5 test samples may not exceed 250 sec.",
"Besides that, all the test samples may not continue to burn for more than 30 sec.",
"after being set alight.",
"The other criteria are identical to the classification for UL 94V-0.",
"The classification in the fire class UL 94V-2, allows the cotton to burn in addition to the specification given for fire class UL 94V-1.",
"In the comparative test with 10% by weight of PA-Funaden-Flammhemmer, the fire class UL 94V-2 could be achieved.",
"The fire class UL 94V-2 could also be achieved in the flame tests with the use of 8% by weight of the flame protection masterbatch made of melamine cyanurate, porous, amorphous borosilicate glass particles and the polyamide 6.",
"In the case of both these samples, the sum of the continued burning times was lower than 50 s for 10 flamings, however the cotton placed under the samples being set on fire, caught fire in some cases only.",
"If against that, 10% by weight of the flame protection masterbatch was used, the fire class UL 94V-0 could be easily achieved.",
"In the case of this sample too, the sum of the continued burn times of 8.7 seconds was clearly less than the specified maximum value of 50 s for the classification under VO.",
"The cotton placed under the samples did not however catch fire in this case.",
"In this trial, only 4% by weight of melamine cyanurate and 4% by weight of the porous glass powder were used.",
"Further results of the flame trials according to UL 94V for the various mixtures are listed in Tables 2 to 5.",
"TABLE 1 Chemical composition of the borosilicate glass Oxide Borosilicate glass Si0 2 [mass %] 55.0-60.0 Na 2 0 [mass %] 9.5-13.5 K 2 0 [mass %] 1.0-4.0 CaO [mass %] 1.0-5.0 MgO [mass %] 0-2.0 BaO [mass %] 3.0-6.0 ZnO [mass %] 3.0-5.0 B 2 O 3 [mass %] 8.0-11.0 Al 2 O 3 [mass %] 4.0-7.0 Fe 2 O 3 [mass %] <0.2 F 2 mass %] <1.0 TABLE 2 Comparative mixture with 10% by weight of PA-Funaden-(flame retardant) Rod Thickness t 1 Cotton t 2 Cotton No. [mm] [s] burns [s] burns Classification 1 0.80 1.9 no 1.7 no 94 V-2 2 0.80 1.2 yes 0.8 3 0.80 1.0 no 0.9 no 4 0.80 0.8 no 0.8 yes 5 0.80 1.3 no 1.5 no 6 0.80 0.9 no 1.4 no 94 V-2 7 0.80 1.2 no 0.7 no 8 0.80 0.9 no 0.8 no 9 0.80 0.9 no 1.4 yes 10 0.80 1.3 no 1.4 no Burning pieces of the samples drip down.",
"TABLE 3 Mixture A consisting of 92% by weight of PA 6 and 8% by weight of melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)- masterbatch Rod Thickness t 1 Cotton t 2 Cotton Classification No. [mm] [s] burns [s] burns 1 0.80 1.0 yes 0.7 no 94 V-2 2 0.80 1.0 yes 0.9 yes 3 0.80 0.9 yes 0.8 yes 4 0.80 0.7 yes 1.4 yes 5 0.80 0.8 yes 0.7 no Burning pieces of the samples drip down.",
"TABLE 4 Mixture B consisting of 90% by weight of PA 6 and 10% by weight of melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)- Masterbatch Rod Thickness t 1 Cotton t 2 Cotton No. [mm] [s] burns [s] burns Classification 1 0.80 0.8 no 0.8 no 94 V-0 2 0.80 0.5 no 0.8 no 3 0.80 0.6 no 1.4 no 4 0.80 0.8 no 0.5 no 5 0.80 0.6 no 0.3 no Burning pieces of the samples drip down.",
"TABLE 5 Mixture C consisting of 80% by weight of PA 6 and 20% by weight of melamine cyanurate-glass powder-Flammhemmer (flame retardant)- Masterbatch Rod Thickness t 1 Cotton t 2 Cotton No. [mm] [s] burns [s] burns Classification 1 0.80 0.9 no 0.4 no 94 V-0 2 0.80 1.3 no 1.4 no 3 0.80 0.6 no 0.5 no 4 0.80 1.4 no 0.8 no 5 0.80 0.4 no 0.6 no Burning pieces of the samples drip down."
] |
PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/117,323, filed May 27, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus, systems, and methods associated with semiconductor memories.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In semiconductor memories, there is continuous pressure in industry to reduce component dimensions and fit more components in a given amount of chip area. As dimensions shrink, numerous technical hurdles become more significant. Alternative materials are used to provide unique properties necessary to reduce the size of components such as memory cells. The use of alternative materials can present technical hurdles. For example, some alternative materials must be formed under unique processing conditions to create characteristics such as a desired microstructure, a desired stoichiometry, desired electrical properties. Improved memory device configurations and methods are desired to provide improved device operation and ability to operate at smaller scales.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a memory device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows an information handling system, utilizing structures formed according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and logical, electrical, material changes, etc. may be made.
[0010] The term “horizontal” as used in this application is defined as a plane parallel to the substrate surface, such as a wafer or die, regardless of the orientation of the substrate. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as defined above. Prepositions, such as “on”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “over” and “under” are defined with respect to the surface being on the top surface of the substrate, regardless of the orientation of the substrate. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a memory device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Memory device 100 includes a memory array 102 with memory cells 103 that may be arranged in rows and columns along with access lines 104 and data lines 105 . Memory device 100 can use access lines 104 to access memory cells 103 and data lines 105 to transfer information with memory cells 103 . Row access 107 and column access circuitry 108 respond to an address register 112 to access memory cells 103 based on row address and column address signals on terminals 110 , 111 , or both. A data input/output circuit 114 transfers data between memory cells 103 and terminals 110 . Terminals 110 and 111 may be external terminals of memory device 100 (e.g., terminals exposed outside a chip or semiconductor package that contains memory device 100 ).
[0012] A control circuit 116 controls operations of memory device 100 based on signals present on terminals 110 and 111 . A device (e.g., a processor or a memory controller) external to memory device 100 may send different commands (e.g., write commands and read commands) to memory device 100 using different combinations of signals on terminals 110 , 111 , or both.
[0013] Memory device 100 responds to commands to perform operations such as write (e.g., programming), read, and erase operations. A write operation may store information received at terminals 110 into memory cells 103 (e.g., transfer information from terminals 110 to memory cells 103 ). A read operation retrieves stored information from memory cells 103 (e.g., transfer information from memory cells 103 to terminals 110 ). An erase operation erases information (e.g., clears information) from all memory cells 103 or from a selected portion of memory cells 103 .
[0014] Memory device 100 receives supply voltages Vcc and Vss. Vcc may include a positive voltage value, and Vss may include a ground potential. Memory device 100 can also include a voltage generator 140 . Voltage generator 140 and control circuit 116 operate to provide different voltages to memory array 102 or to cause memory array 102 to receive different voltages during the operations (e.g., write and read operations) of memory device 100 .
[0015] Memory device 100 may include an error correction unit 118 to check for errors in information retrieved from memory cells 103 . Error correction unit 118 may include error correction circuitry to correct errors based on an error correction code (ECC), as is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0016] Memory device 100 may include a storage unit 120 , which may include circuit components such as registers. Storage unit 120 may include a hardware portion, a firmware portion, or both, of memory device 100 . Storage unit 120 may also be used to store codes (e.g., software programming instructions).
[0017] Memory device 100 can be a flash memory device such as a NAND flash or a NOR flash memory device, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, a phase change memory device, and other kinds of memory devices.
[0018] Memory device 100 can be a single-level-cell memory device such that memory cells 103 can include memory element to store information to represent a value of a single bit of information. For example, memory cells 103 may store information that represents either a binary “0” value or a binary “1” value of a single bit of information.
[0019] Memory device 100 can be a multi-level-cell (MLC) memory device such that each of memory cells 103 can include memory element to store information represented by a value corresponding to multiple bits of information (e.g., a value corresponding to two, three, four, or some other number of bits of information). For example, when each of memory cells 103 corresponds to a 2-bit per cell, each of memory cells 103 may store information to represent a value corresponding to one of four possible combinations of two binary bits of information (i.e., combination 00, 01, 10, and 11 corresponding to two bits of information).
[0020] Single level and MLC memory devices may be combined within memory device 100 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that memory device 100 can include other parts, which are omitted from FIG. 1 to help focus on the various embodiments described herein. Memory device 100 may include structures formed by one or more of the embodiments described below with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4 .
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a substrate 200 . In one example, the substrate 200 includes a base portion 201 . Examples of base portion 201 may include silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, or other semiconductor materials. Other examples of base portion 201 may include composite structures such as silicon on insulator structures.
[0022] An electrode 204 is shown located over the base portion 201 . The electrode is located within a dielectric material 202 . As an example, the electrode 204 includes a platinum electrode. Platinum provides chemical and structural properties that encourage nucleation and growth of subsequent structures, as explained in more detail below. Other electrode materials may include, other noble metals, other refractory metals, alloys of platinum, alloys of other noble metals, and/or alloys of other refractory metals. Examples of dielectric materials 202 include silicon oxide, other oxides, or other electrically insulating materials.
[0023] In FIG. 2 , energetic species 206 are shown implanting metal ions 208 below a surface 205 of the electrode 204 . In one example, the metal ions include a single species, however, two or more species are contemplated. Some example single species metal ions include zirconium, aluminum, titanium, tantalum, or hafnium. The species of metal ions are chosen to later form an intermetallic oxide, as described in more detail below. In one example, both zirconium and hafnium are implanted at the same time to later form a zirconium hafnium oxide. Zirconium and hafnium are only used as example metal ions, to illustrate the method. Other metal species may be used to form other desired intermetallic oxides, depending on the material properties of the resulting intermetallic oxide desired. Desired intermetallic oxide properties may include dielectric constant, microstructure, compatibility with adjacent materials, etc.
[0024] In one example the energetic species 206 include processes other than ion implantation to place metal ions 208 below the surface 205 of the electrode 204 . For example, the energetic species 206 includes gas cluster ion bombardment (GCIB) or plasma implantation.
[0025] In one example, the energetic species 206 include both metal ions and oxygen ions. In later processing operations, the implanted oxygen ions combine with the implanted metal ions to form an intermetallic oxide.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows formation of a mixed valent oxide 210 over the electrode 204 . Examples of mixed valent oxides 210 include any of several magnetite perovskite oxide materials that exhibit resistive switching behavior. For example, praseodymium calcium manganese oxide (PrCaMnO), or lanthanum calcium manganese oxide (LaCaMnO).
[0027] FIG. 3 also shows a top electrode 212 formed over the mixed valent oxide 210 . In operation as a memory cell, a resistive state, corresponding to stored data, is stored in the mixed valent oxides 210 . When a potential is placed between the electrode 204 , and the top electrode 212 , if the resistive state of the mixed valent oxides 210 is relatively low, a current will conduct between the electrode 204 and the top electrode 212 , indicating a stored state.
[0028] Formation of mixed valent oxide 210 can be technically challenging. It has been discovered that mixed valent oxide 210 formation is facilitated by a direct interface with platinum or a similar metal, as listed above. Because the metal ions 208 are implanted below the surface 205 of the electrode, the mixed valent oxide 210 can form a direct interface with the electrode 204 during deposition. In one example, the mixed valent oxide 210 is substantially crystalline, and the platinum or a similar metal, as listed above, promotes crystallinity in formation of the mixed valent oxide 210 .
[0029] In FIG. 4 , the device has been annealed. The anneal temperature is sufficient to drive the metal ions 208 from beneath the surface 205 of the electrode 204 , up to the surface 205 , which forms an interface between the mixed valent oxide 210 and the electrode 204 . One example of an anneal procedure includes a temperature in a range of approximately 200-700° C. In another example, the temperature is in a range of approximately 300-500° C. One example of an anneal procedure includes holding an anneal temperature for a time in a range of approximately 10-60 minutes. In another example, the anneal temperature is held for approximately 15-30 minutes.
[0030] In one example, the metal ions 208 react with oxygen from the mixed valent oxide 210 to form an intermetallic oxide 220 . In examples where both oxygen and metal ions were implanted in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the implanted oxygen combines with the metal ions 208 to form the intermetallic oxide 220 . Embodiments using implanted oxygen in addition to implanted metal ions 208 can adjust the oxygen content within the intermetallic oxide 220 by adjusting variables such as the amount of oxygen implanted, the depth of implant, and the ratio of oxygen to metal ions 208 .
[0031] In addition to forming the intermetallic oxide, the anneal operation may further promote crystalline growth of the mixed valent oxide 210 .
[0032] An embodiment of an information handling system such as a computer is included in FIG. 5 to show an embodiment of a high-level device application. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an information handling system 500 incorporating a substrate such as a chip or chip assembly 504 that includes a mixed valent oxide memory cell according to an embodiment of the invention. The information handling system 500 shown in FIG. 5 is merely one example of a system in which the present invention can be used. Other examples include, but are not limited to, personal data assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, MP3 players, aircraft, satellites, military vehicles, etc.
[0033] In this example, information handling system 500 comprises a data processing system that includes a system bus 502 to couple the various components of the system. System bus 502 provides communications links among the various components of the information handling system 500 and may be implemented as a single bus, as a combination of busses, or in any other suitable manner.
[0034] Chip assembly 504 is coupled to the system bus 502 . Chip assembly 504 may include any circuit or operably compatible combination of circuits. In one embodiment, chip assembly 504 includes a processor 506 that can be of any type. As used herein, “processor” means any type of computational circuit such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or any other type of processor or processing circuit or cores thereof. Multiple processors such as “multi-core” devices are also within the scope of the invention.
[0035] In one embodiment, a memory device 507 , is included in the chip assembly 504 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of memory device configurations may be used in the chip assembly 504 . Acceptable types of memory chips include, but are not limited to, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAMs) such as SDRAMs, SLDRAMs, RDRAMs and other DRAMs. Memory chip 507 can also include non-volatile memory such as NAND memory or NOR memory.
[0036] In one embodiment, additional logic chips 508 other than processor chips are included in the chip assembly 504 . An example of a logic chip 508 other than a processor includes an analog to digital converter. Other circuits on logic chips 508 such as custom circuits, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. are also included in one embodiment of the invention.
[0037] Information handling system 500 may also include an external memory 511 , which can include one or more memory elements, such as one or more hard drives 512 , and/or one or more drives that handle removable media 513 such as floppy diskettes, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and the like.
[0038] Information handling system 500 may also include a display device 509 such as a monitor, additional peripheral components 510 , such as speakers, etc. and a keyboard and/or controller 514 , which can include a mouse, or any other device that permits a system user to input data into and receive data from the information handling system 500 .
[0039] While a number of embodiments of the invention are described, the above lists are not intended to be exhaustive. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon studying the above description. | Memory devices and methods of forming include a mixed valent oxide located between a first electrode and a second electrode. Implantation of a metal below a surface of one of the electrodes allows formation of the mixed valent oxide with a direct interface to the electrode. An intermetallic oxide can be subsequently formed between the mixed valent oxide and the electrode by annealing the structure. | Summarize the document in concise, focusing on the main idea's functionality and advantages. | [
"PRIORITY APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 13/117,323, filed May 27, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.",
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus, systems, and methods associated with semiconductor memories.",
"BACKGROUND [0003] In semiconductor memories, there is continuous pressure in industry to reduce component dimensions and fit more components in a given amount of chip area.",
"As dimensions shrink, numerous technical hurdles become more significant.",
"Alternative materials are used to provide unique properties necessary to reduce the size of components such as memory cells.",
"The use of alternative materials can present technical hurdles.",
"For example, some alternative materials must be formed under unique processing conditions to create characteristics such as a desired microstructure, a desired stoichiometry, desired electrical properties.",
"Improved memory device configurations and methods are desired to provide improved device operation and ability to operate at smaller scales.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a memory device according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"[0005] FIG. 2 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"[0006] FIG. 3 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"[0007] FIG. 4 shows a substrate in a stage of processing according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"[0008] FIG. 5 shows an information handling system, utilizing structures formed according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.",
"These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention.",
"Other embodiments may be utilized and logical, electrical, material changes, etc.",
"may be made.",
"[0010] The term “horizontal”",
"as used in this application is defined as a plane parallel to the substrate surface, such as a wafer or die, regardless of the orientation of the substrate.",
"The term “vertical”",
"refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as defined above.",
"Prepositions, such as “on”, “side”",
"(as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “over”",
"and “under”",
"are defined with respect to the surface being on the top surface of the substrate, regardless of the orientation of the substrate.",
"The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.",
"[0011] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a memory device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"Memory device 100 includes a memory array 102 with memory cells 103 that may be arranged in rows and columns along with access lines 104 and data lines 105 .",
"Memory device 100 can use access lines 104 to access memory cells 103 and data lines 105 to transfer information with memory cells 103 .",
"Row access 107 and column access circuitry 108 respond to an address register 112 to access memory cells 103 based on row address and column address signals on terminals 110 , 111 , or both.",
"A data input/output circuit 114 transfers data between memory cells 103 and terminals 110 .",
"Terminals 110 and 111 may be external terminals of memory device 100 (e.g., terminals exposed outside a chip or semiconductor package that contains memory device 100 ).",
"[0012] A control circuit 116 controls operations of memory device 100 based on signals present on terminals 110 and 111 .",
"A device (e.g., a processor or a memory controller) external to memory device 100 may send different commands (e.g., write commands and read commands) to memory device 100 using different combinations of signals on terminals 110 , 111 , or both.",
"[0013] Memory device 100 responds to commands to perform operations such as write (e.g., programming), read, and erase operations.",
"A write operation may store information received at terminals 110 into memory cells 103 (e.g., transfer information from terminals 110 to memory cells 103 ).",
"A read operation retrieves stored information from memory cells 103 (e.g., transfer information from memory cells 103 to terminals 110 ).",
"An erase operation erases information (e.g., clears information) from all memory cells 103 or from a selected portion of memory cells 103 .",
"[0014] Memory device 100 receives supply voltages Vcc and Vss.",
"Vcc may include a positive voltage value, and Vss may include a ground potential.",
"Memory device 100 can also include a voltage generator 140 .",
"Voltage generator 140 and control circuit 116 operate to provide different voltages to memory array 102 or to cause memory array 102 to receive different voltages during the operations (e.g., write and read operations) of memory device 100 .",
"[0015] Memory device 100 may include an error correction unit 118 to check for errors in information retrieved from memory cells 103 .",
"Error correction unit 118 may include error correction circuitry to correct errors based on an error correction code (ECC), as is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.",
"[0016] Memory device 100 may include a storage unit 120 , which may include circuit components such as registers.",
"Storage unit 120 may include a hardware portion, a firmware portion, or both, of memory device 100 .",
"Storage unit 120 may also be used to store codes (e.g., software programming instructions).",
"[0017] Memory device 100 can be a flash memory device such as a NAND flash or a NOR flash memory device, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, a phase change memory device, and other kinds of memory devices.",
"[0018] Memory device 100 can be a single-level-cell memory device such that memory cells 103 can include memory element to store information to represent a value of a single bit of information.",
"For example, memory cells 103 may store information that represents either a binary “0”",
"value or a binary “1”",
"value of a single bit of information.",
"[0019] Memory device 100 can be a multi-level-cell (MLC) memory device such that each of memory cells 103 can include memory element to store information represented by a value corresponding to multiple bits of information (e.g., a value corresponding to two, three, four, or some other number of bits of information).",
"For example, when each of memory cells 103 corresponds to a 2-bit per cell, each of memory cells 103 may store information to represent a value corresponding to one of four possible combinations of two binary bits of information (i.e., combination 00, 01, 10, and 11 corresponding to two bits of information).",
"[0020] Single level and MLC memory devices may be combined within memory device 100 .",
"One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that memory device 100 can include other parts, which are omitted from FIG. 1 to help focus on the various embodiments described herein.",
"Memory device 100 may include structures formed by one or more of the embodiments described below with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4 .",
"[0021] FIG. 2 shows a substrate 200 .",
"In one example, the substrate 200 includes a base portion 201 .",
"Examples of base portion 201 may include silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, or other semiconductor materials.",
"Other examples of base portion 201 may include composite structures such as silicon on insulator structures.",
"[0022] An electrode 204 is shown located over the base portion 201 .",
"The electrode is located within a dielectric material 202 .",
"As an example, the electrode 204 includes a platinum electrode.",
"Platinum provides chemical and structural properties that encourage nucleation and growth of subsequent structures, as explained in more detail below.",
"Other electrode materials may include, other noble metals, other refractory metals, alloys of platinum, alloys of other noble metals, and/or alloys of other refractory metals.",
"Examples of dielectric materials 202 include silicon oxide, other oxides, or other electrically insulating materials.",
"[0023] In FIG. 2 , energetic species 206 are shown implanting metal ions 208 below a surface 205 of the electrode 204 .",
"In one example, the metal ions include a single species, however, two or more species are contemplated.",
"Some example single species metal ions include zirconium, aluminum, titanium, tantalum, or hafnium.",
"The species of metal ions are chosen to later form an intermetallic oxide, as described in more detail below.",
"In one example, both zirconium and hafnium are implanted at the same time to later form a zirconium hafnium oxide.",
"Zirconium and hafnium are only used as example metal ions, to illustrate the method.",
"Other metal species may be used to form other desired intermetallic oxides, depending on the material properties of the resulting intermetallic oxide desired.",
"Desired intermetallic oxide properties may include dielectric constant, microstructure, compatibility with adjacent materials, etc.",
"[0024] In one example the energetic species 206 include processes other than ion implantation to place metal ions 208 below the surface 205 of the electrode 204 .",
"For example, the energetic species 206 includes gas cluster ion bombardment (GCIB) or plasma implantation.",
"[0025] In one example, the energetic species 206 include both metal ions and oxygen ions.",
"In later processing operations, the implanted oxygen ions combine with the implanted metal ions to form an intermetallic oxide.",
"[0026] FIG. 3 shows formation of a mixed valent oxide 210 over the electrode 204 .",
"Examples of mixed valent oxides 210 include any of several magnetite perovskite oxide materials that exhibit resistive switching behavior.",
"For example, praseodymium calcium manganese oxide (PrCaMnO), or lanthanum calcium manganese oxide (LaCaMnO).",
"[0027] FIG. 3 also shows a top electrode 212 formed over the mixed valent oxide 210 .",
"In operation as a memory cell, a resistive state, corresponding to stored data, is stored in the mixed valent oxides 210 .",
"When a potential is placed between the electrode 204 , and the top electrode 212 , if the resistive state of the mixed valent oxides 210 is relatively low, a current will conduct between the electrode 204 and the top electrode 212 , indicating a stored state.",
"[0028] Formation of mixed valent oxide 210 can be technically challenging.",
"It has been discovered that mixed valent oxide 210 formation is facilitated by a direct interface with platinum or a similar metal, as listed above.",
"Because the metal ions 208 are implanted below the surface 205 of the electrode, the mixed valent oxide 210 can form a direct interface with the electrode 204 during deposition.",
"In one example, the mixed valent oxide 210 is substantially crystalline, and the platinum or a similar metal, as listed above, promotes crystallinity in formation of the mixed valent oxide 210 .",
"[0029] In FIG. 4 , the device has been annealed.",
"The anneal temperature is sufficient to drive the metal ions 208 from beneath the surface 205 of the electrode 204 , up to the surface 205 , which forms an interface between the mixed valent oxide 210 and the electrode 204 .",
"One example of an anneal procedure includes a temperature in a range of approximately 200-700° C. In another example, the temperature is in a range of approximately 300-500° C. One example of an anneal procedure includes holding an anneal temperature for a time in a range of approximately 10-60 minutes.",
"In another example, the anneal temperature is held for approximately 15-30 minutes.",
"[0030] In one example, the metal ions 208 react with oxygen from the mixed valent oxide 210 to form an intermetallic oxide 220 .",
"In examples where both oxygen and metal ions were implanted in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the implanted oxygen combines with the metal ions 208 to form the intermetallic oxide 220 .",
"Embodiments using implanted oxygen in addition to implanted metal ions 208 can adjust the oxygen content within the intermetallic oxide 220 by adjusting variables such as the amount of oxygen implanted, the depth of implant, and the ratio of oxygen to metal ions 208 .",
"[0031] In addition to forming the intermetallic oxide, the anneal operation may further promote crystalline growth of the mixed valent oxide 210 .",
"[0032] An embodiment of an information handling system such as a computer is included in FIG. 5 to show an embodiment of a high-level device application.",
"FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an information handling system 500 incorporating a substrate such as a chip or chip assembly 504 that includes a mixed valent oxide memory cell according to an embodiment of the invention.",
"The information handling system 500 shown in FIG. 5 is merely one example of a system in which the present invention can be used.",
"Other examples include, but are not limited to, personal data assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, MP3 players, aircraft, satellites, military vehicles, etc.",
"[0033] In this example, information handling system 500 comprises a data processing system that includes a system bus 502 to couple the various components of the system.",
"System bus 502 provides communications links among the various components of the information handling system 500 and may be implemented as a single bus, as a combination of busses, or in any other suitable manner.",
"[0034] Chip assembly 504 is coupled to the system bus 502 .",
"Chip assembly 504 may include any circuit or operably compatible combination of circuits.",
"In one embodiment, chip assembly 504 includes a processor 506 that can be of any type.",
"As used herein, “processor”",
"means any type of computational circuit such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or any other type of processor or processing circuit or cores thereof.",
"Multiple processors such as “multi-core”",
"devices are also within the scope of the invention.",
"[0035] In one embodiment, a memory device 507 , is included in the chip assembly 504 .",
"Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of memory device configurations may be used in the chip assembly 504 .",
"Acceptable types of memory chips include, but are not limited to, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAMs) such as SDRAMs, SLDRAMs, RDRAMs and other DRAMs. Memory chip 507 can also include non-volatile memory such as NAND memory or NOR memory.",
"[0036] In one embodiment, additional logic chips 508 other than processor chips are included in the chip assembly 504 .",
"An example of a logic chip 508 other than a processor includes an analog to digital converter.",
"Other circuits on logic chips 508 such as custom circuits, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.",
"are also included in one embodiment of the invention.",
"[0037] Information handling system 500 may also include an external memory 511 , which can include one or more memory elements, such as one or more hard drives 512 , and/or one or more drives that handle removable media 513 such as floppy diskettes, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and the like.",
"[0038] Information handling system 500 may also include a display device 509 such as a monitor, additional peripheral components 510 , such as speakers, etc.",
"and a keyboard and/or controller 514 , which can include a mouse, or any other device that permits a system user to input data into and receive data from the information handling system 500 .",
"[0039] While a number of embodiments of the invention are described, the above lists are not intended to be exhaustive.",
"Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown.",
"This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments of the present invention.",
"It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.",
"Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon studying the above description."
] |
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/186,656, entitled “EVENT ATTIRE RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed Jun. 30, 2015, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to personal planning and event planning.
[0003] Social event such as weddings, fundraising events, parties, political events and other events often have prescribed attire or socially acceptable attire. For example, appropriate dress a formal wedding ceremony in a cathedral is often different than appropriate dress for a casual wedding ceremony performed on a beach. At the formal wedding, the attendees may be expected to wear a dark wool suit and tie or a formal dress, while attendees at the casual ceremony on the beach may not wear suits or formal dresses.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating event profiles comprises receiving source data in a processor, extracting an attire property from the source data, extracting an event attribute from the source data, associating the attire property with the event attribute, generating an event profile that includes the associated attire property and the event attribute, and saving the event profile in a memory.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing attire recommendations comprises receiving an event description from a user, identifying an event profile corresponding to the event description, retrieving attire properties from the identified event profile, and outputting the retrieved attire properties to the user.
[0006] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method that comprises receiving source data in a processor, extracting an attire property from the source data, extracting an event attribute from the source data, associating the attire property with the event attribute, generating an event profile that includes the associated attire property and the event attribute, and saving the event profile in a memory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system that generates an event profile for an event.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system that outputs attire properties to a user.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of operation of the system of FIG. 1 that outputs object properties to a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Determining the proper attire for an event can be difficult. The type of event, time, cultural association of the event, location, season, climate, age of the attendees, and weather are all factors that attendees often consider when choosing the proper attire. Other aesthetic and decorative considerations are also considered for events using similar criteria. For example, the choice of colors for table cloths and decorations such as flowers is often also determined by similar factors.
[0013] Often the invitations to the event do not offer sufficient information for attendees to make a satisfactory decision as to what attire a particular attendee should wear. The methods and systems described herein provide users with recommendations as to what attire should be worn at a particular event or what decorations should be used at a particular event.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 . The system 100 includes a processor 102 . The processor 102 is communicatively connected to a memory 104 , a display 106 , an input device 108 , and a network 110 . The processor 102 is communicatively connected to the memory 104 , the display 106 , the input device 108 , and the network 110 .
[0015] An event profile includes event data describing the event such as, for example, the type of event (e.g., birthday party, wedding, picnic, gala), time of the event, date of the event, day of the week of the event, geographic location of the event, whether the event is indoors or outdoors, the weather at the time of the event, cultural associations of the event, national associations of the event, gender of the participants, age of the participants and any other appropriate description of a particular event. Clothing and attire that is appropriate or recommended for the event is entered into the event profile. For example, a birthday party for a child that is held at a beach in Miami Fla. in December, may have an event profile that includes swimming attire for the participants, while a new year's party for adults that is held at an expensive hotel in Chicago Ill. in December, may have an event profile that includes evening wear and warm coats for the participants.
[0016] Event attributes may include any type of data about an event, for example, images, photographs, video, textual and non-textual descriptions of an event. The event attributes may be gathered from source data from any number of sources such as, for example, social media websites, website searches, or databases. Metadata or other data associated with the source data may be used to determine the context of the event attributes. For example, for an image having associated metadata that labels the image as a birthday party, the processor 102 (of FIG. 1 ) would associate data gathered from the image with birthday parties. Often images have other associated metadata such as, for example, a time, geographical location, and an identity of the persons or objects in the image. The time and geographical location associated with the image may be used to search for the local weather that was occurring when the image was taken. The image is then processed by the processor 102 using image processing algorithms and logic to determine attributes or properties of the attire that is worn by the individuals in the image. The properties may include for example, style of dress, color palettes, shoe styles, patterns and texture, accessories, item components such as jackets, coats, ties, dresses, lengths of dresses, hats, sunglasses, and the relative formality of the particular attire of the persons in the image. The attire properties generated from processing the image are associated with the event attributes in the event profile. Though the example above includes the use of an image, event data may be generated from any type of data such as, for example, video or textual or non-textual data formats.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ), which generates an event profile for an event using a deep-learning based approach to train a model. In block 202 , the processor 102 receives source data. The source data may include any type of data that may associate attire with an event. For example, source data may be found using search engines, social networking sites, or could be manually input by a user. Source data may include images such as photographs or videos that show people at an event, event invitations that include dress codes, or any other data that has an implicit or explicit association between attire and a particular event or type of event.
[0018] In block 204 , the processor 102 processes the source data and extracts attire properties of the source data. Processing the source data may include any number of methods for processing data. For example, images may be processed by the processor 102 (of FIG. 1 ) to identify the attire worn by the people at the event using methods for identifying or determining a description of attire a person in an image is wearing. Such methods are similar to facial recognition methods, and are tailored to recognize attire in a similar manner as recognizing faces.
[0019] In block 206 , event attributes are extracted from the source data. Some images may include metadata or other contextual data that may indicate a geographical location of where the image was taken, a time or date the image was taken, or other information such as a description of the event, for example, a tag or comment associated with the image may include a title such as “birthday party” or “wedding.” Thus, in block 206 , relevant metadata may be extracted from the source data.
[0020] In block 208 the attire properties are associated with the event attributes. Thus, a database or databank that stores attire properties associated with event attributes is stored in the memory 104 . In block 210 an event profile is generated that includes the event attributes data and the associated attire properties data. The event profile is saved in the memory 104 in block 212 . The event profiles in the memory 104 provide an association between events and attire. Thus, event profiles may include a description of the event, that may include one or more words such as “birthday party,” “wedding,” “fundraiser.” Event profiles, may also include, a time and date of the event, and geographic location, geographic location, or event theme, which may be used to further classify an event. Event profiles may also include a venue or description of the venue where the event occurs. For example, a casual family restaurant may be distinguished from a formal restaurant. The event profiles include clothing or attire that is associated with the event attributes in the event profile. Thus, the event profiles provide details about an event and attire worn at the event.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ) that outputs attire properties as recommendations to a user for an event. In this regard, in block 302 , an event description is received by the processor 102 . The event description may include, for example, a description of the type of event, the time, and location of the event. The event description may be, for example, entered by the user using the input device 108 or another user device connected to the processor 102 via the network 110 . In block 304 , the processor 102 searches for an event profile in the memory 104 that corresponds, matches, or is similar to the received event description. Various search algorithms or methods may be used to identify one or more event profiles that match the event description. In some exemplary embodiments, in block 306 , the processor may determine whether an event profile exits. If no, the processor 102 may request additional event description data from the user, and may update the event description in block 308 . If yes, the clothing properties are retrieved from the event profile 310 . In block 312 , the clothing properties in the identified event profile are output to the user on the display 106 .
[0022] Though the descriptions above include clothing properties the properties of any object in the image may also be used in a similar fashion. For example, the processor 102 , may extract the color or type of flowers in an image and associate properties of the objects with event attributes in the event profile.
[0023] In this regard, FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ) that outputs object properties as recommendations to a user for an event. In this regard, in block 402 , an event description is received by the processor 102 . The event description may include, for example, a description of the type of event, the time, and location of the event. The event description may be, for example, entered by the user using the input device 108 or another user device connected to the processor 102 via the network 110 . In block 404 , the processor 102 searches for an event profile in the memory 104 that corresponds, matches, or is similar to the received event description. Various search algorithms or methods may be used to identify one or more event profiles that match the event description. In some exemplary embodiments, in block 406 , the processor may determine whether an event profile exits. If no, the processor 102 may request additional event description data from the user, and may update the event description in block 408 . If yes, the object properties are retrieved from the event profile 410 . In block 412 , the object properties in the identified event profile are output to the user on the display 106 .
[0024] The methods and systems described herein provide a user with recommendations for attire when the user inputs details about an event. The information may be used to plan a particular event, or to help a user determine suitable attire for a future event.
[0025] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0026] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
[0027] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
[0028] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
[0029] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
[0030] These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0031] The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0032] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0033] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. | A method for generating event profiles comprises receiving source data in a processor, extracting an attire property from the source data, extracting an event attribute from the source data, associating the attire property with the event attribute, generating an event profile that includes the associated attire property and the event attribute, and saving the event profile in a memory. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"PRIORITY [0001] This application is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 62/186,656, entitled “EVENT ATTIRE RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed Jun. 30, 2015, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.",
"BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to personal planning and event planning.",
"[0003] Social event such as weddings, fundraising events, parties, political events and other events often have prescribed attire or socially acceptable attire.",
"For example, appropriate dress a formal wedding ceremony in a cathedral is often different than appropriate dress for a casual wedding ceremony performed on a beach.",
"At the formal wedding, the attendees may be expected to wear a dark wool suit and tie or a formal dress, while attendees at the casual ceremony on the beach may not wear suits or formal dresses.",
"SUMMARY [0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating event profiles comprises receiving source data in a processor, extracting an attire property from the source data, extracting an event attribute from the source data, associating the attire property with the event attribute, generating an event profile that includes the associated attire property and the event attribute, and saving the event profile in a memory.",
"[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing attire recommendations comprises receiving an event description from a user, identifying an event profile corresponding to the event description, retrieving attire properties from the identified event profile, and outputting the retrieved attire properties to the user.",
"[0006] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method that comprises receiving source data in a processor, extracting an attire property from the source data, extracting an event attribute from the source data, associating the attire property with the event attribute, generating an event profile that includes the associated attire property and the event attribute, and saving the event profile in a memory.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification.",
"The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system.",
"[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system that generates an event profile for an event.",
"[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system that outputs attire properties to a user.",
"[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of operation of the system of FIG. 1 that outputs object properties to a user.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] Determining the proper attire for an event can be difficult.",
"The type of event, time, cultural association of the event, location, season, climate, age of the attendees, and weather are all factors that attendees often consider when choosing the proper attire.",
"Other aesthetic and decorative considerations are also considered for events using similar criteria.",
"For example, the choice of colors for table cloths and decorations such as flowers is often also determined by similar factors.",
"[0013] Often the invitations to the event do not offer sufficient information for attendees to make a satisfactory decision as to what attire a particular attendee should wear.",
"The methods and systems described herein provide users with recommendations as to what attire should be worn at a particular event or what decorations should be used at a particular event.",
"[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 .",
"The system 100 includes a processor 102 .",
"The processor 102 is communicatively connected to a memory 104 , a display 106 , an input device 108 , and a network 110 .",
"The processor 102 is communicatively connected to the memory 104 , the display 106 , the input device 108 , and the network 110 .",
"[0015] An event profile includes event data describing the event such as, for example, the type of event (e.g., birthday party, wedding, picnic, gala), time of the event, date of the event, day of the week of the event, geographic location of the event, whether the event is indoors or outdoors, the weather at the time of the event, cultural associations of the event, national associations of the event, gender of the participants, age of the participants and any other appropriate description of a particular event.",
"Clothing and attire that is appropriate or recommended for the event is entered into the event profile.",
"For example, a birthday party for a child that is held at a beach in Miami Fla.",
"in December, may have an event profile that includes swimming attire for the participants, while a new year's party for adults that is held at an expensive hotel in Chicago Ill.",
"in December, may have an event profile that includes evening wear and warm coats for the participants.",
"[0016] Event attributes may include any type of data about an event, for example, images, photographs, video, textual and non-textual descriptions of an event.",
"The event attributes may be gathered from source data from any number of sources such as, for example, social media websites, website searches, or databases.",
"Metadata or other data associated with the source data may be used to determine the context of the event attributes.",
"For example, for an image having associated metadata that labels the image as a birthday party, the processor 102 (of FIG. 1 ) would associate data gathered from the image with birthday parties.",
"Often images have other associated metadata such as, for example, a time, geographical location, and an identity of the persons or objects in the image.",
"The time and geographical location associated with the image may be used to search for the local weather that was occurring when the image was taken.",
"The image is then processed by the processor 102 using image processing algorithms and logic to determine attributes or properties of the attire that is worn by the individuals in the image.",
"The properties may include for example, style of dress, color palettes, shoe styles, patterns and texture, accessories, item components such as jackets, coats, ties, dresses, lengths of dresses, hats, sunglasses, and the relative formality of the particular attire of the persons in the image.",
"The attire properties generated from processing the image are associated with the event attributes in the event profile.",
"Though the example above includes the use of an image, event data may be generated from any type of data such as, for example, video or textual or non-textual data formats.",
"[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ), which generates an event profile for an event using a deep-learning based approach to train a model.",
"In block 202 , the processor 102 receives source data.",
"The source data may include any type of data that may associate attire with an event.",
"For example, source data may be found using search engines, social networking sites, or could be manually input by a user.",
"Source data may include images such as photographs or videos that show people at an event, event invitations that include dress codes, or any other data that has an implicit or explicit association between attire and a particular event or type of event.",
"[0018] In block 204 , the processor 102 processes the source data and extracts attire properties of the source data.",
"Processing the source data may include any number of methods for processing data.",
"For example, images may be processed by the processor 102 (of FIG. 1 ) to identify the attire worn by the people at the event using methods for identifying or determining a description of attire a person in an image is wearing.",
"Such methods are similar to facial recognition methods, and are tailored to recognize attire in a similar manner as recognizing faces.",
"[0019] In block 206 , event attributes are extracted from the source data.",
"Some images may include metadata or other contextual data that may indicate a geographical location of where the image was taken, a time or date the image was taken, or other information such as a description of the event, for example, a tag or comment associated with the image may include a title such as “birthday party”",
"or “wedding.”",
"Thus, in block 206 , relevant metadata may be extracted from the source data.",
"[0020] In block 208 the attire properties are associated with the event attributes.",
"Thus, a database or databank that stores attire properties associated with event attributes is stored in the memory 104 .",
"In block 210 an event profile is generated that includes the event attributes data and the associated attire properties data.",
"The event profile is saved in the memory 104 in block 212 .",
"The event profiles in the memory 104 provide an association between events and attire.",
"Thus, event profiles may include a description of the event, that may include one or more words such as “birthday party,” “wedding,” “fundraiser.”",
"Event profiles, may also include, a time and date of the event, and geographic location, geographic location, or event theme, which may be used to further classify an event.",
"Event profiles may also include a venue or description of the venue where the event occurs.",
"For example, a casual family restaurant may be distinguished from a formal restaurant.",
"The event profiles include clothing or attire that is associated with the event attributes in the event profile.",
"Thus, the event profiles provide details about an event and attire worn at the event.",
"[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ) that outputs attire properties as recommendations to a user for an event.",
"In this regard, in block 302 , an event description is received by the processor 102 .",
"The event description may include, for example, a description of the type of event, the time, and location of the event.",
"The event description may be, for example, entered by the user using the input device 108 or another user device connected to the processor 102 via the network 110 .",
"In block 304 , the processor 102 searches for an event profile in the memory 104 that corresponds, matches, or is similar to the received event description.",
"Various search algorithms or methods may be used to identify one or more event profiles that match the event description.",
"In some exemplary embodiments, in block 306 , the processor may determine whether an event profile exits.",
"If no, the processor 102 may request additional event description data from the user, and may update the event description in block 308 .",
"If yes, the clothing properties are retrieved from the event profile 310 .",
"In block 312 , the clothing properties in the identified event profile are output to the user on the display 106 .",
"[0022] Though the descriptions above include clothing properties the properties of any object in the image may also be used in a similar fashion.",
"For example, the processor 102 , may extract the color or type of flowers in an image and associate properties of the objects with event attributes in the event profile.",
"[0023] In this regard, FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of operation of the system 100 (of FIG. 1 ) that outputs object properties as recommendations to a user for an event.",
"In this regard, in block 402 , an event description is received by the processor 102 .",
"The event description may include, for example, a description of the type of event, the time, and location of the event.",
"The event description may be, for example, entered by the user using the input device 108 or another user device connected to the processor 102 via the network 110 .",
"In block 404 , the processor 102 searches for an event profile in the memory 104 that corresponds, matches, or is similar to the received event description.",
"Various search algorithms or methods may be used to identify one or more event profiles that match the event description.",
"In some exemplary embodiments, in block 406 , the processor may determine whether an event profile exits.",
"If no, the processor 102 may request additional event description data from the user, and may update the event description in block 408 .",
"If yes, the object properties are retrieved from the event profile 410 .",
"In block 412 , the object properties in the identified event profile are output to the user on the display 106 .",
"[0024] The methods and systems described herein provide a user with recommendations for attire when the user inputs details about an event.",
"The information may be used to plan a particular event, or to help a user determine suitable attire for a future event.",
"[0025] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product.",
"The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.",
"[0026] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device.",
"The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.",
"A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing.",
"A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.",
"[0027] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.",
"The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.",
"A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.",
"[0028] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”",
"programming language or similar programming languages.",
"The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server.",
"In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).",
"In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.",
"[0029] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.",
"It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.",
"[0030] These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.",
"These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.",
"[0031] The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.",
"[0032] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention.",
"In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).",
"In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures.",
"For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.",
"It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.",
"[0033] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed.",
"Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.",
"The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a drill, in particular, a drill preferably used for drilling holes by manpower using a hand drill, a drill press or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recently, among machine tools such as machining centers etc, fully automatic types allowing unmanned processing are becoming the mainstream and thus many kinds of drills corresponding to the fully automatic types have been developed and sold. However, drills used for devices requiring operator's power to drill holes, such as a hand drill or a drill press, have not been positively researched or developed. As a result, drills in almost same configurations have been used over several decades.
[0003] Since the drills used for the hand drill and drill press etc drill holes with the use of operator's arm strength, they have problems in drilling holes if drilling resistance is high. However, manufacturers of drills have spent little time on research for decreasing the high drilling resistance. It is partly because they thought these conventional drills should be firstly assured for their strength and stiffness, and because operators who bought drills actually used to grind by themselves and utilize the drills as they wanted.
[0004] Generally, a method for narrowing a chisel width by performing thinning on a cutting blade is known as a method for decreasing drilling resistance of a drill. (For example, see the following Patent Document 1). Usually, conventional thinning was performed from a central part to a heel part of the drill (see FIG. 16( a )), or only narrow area of the drill's central part (see FIG. 16( b )). In the FIGS. 16( a ) and ( b ), a part on which thinning was performed is hatched and a cutting blade shaped by thinning is shown as (S 1 ). Although these drills on which thinning is performed have more effect on reduction of drilling resistance compared to drills on which no thinning is performed (see FIG. 16( c )), they do not have enough resistance reduction effect if they are used for drilling holes with man power using such as a hand drill or a drill press, and thus an operator must withstand heavy strain on his arms.
[0005] In the following patent document 2, the present applicant proposes a drill preferably used for exfoliating a spot welding part of a car's body which is made of high hardness steel sheets. This drill has two cutting blades which are symmetrical about the axis of rotation, has a tip part on which thinning is performed, and has 0.05-0.3 mm chisel width, and its thinning is performed at an inclined angle of 1-4° toward the straight line joining blade edges of both cutting blades when seen from the drill's tip side. According to the document 2, this drill has less thrust resistance at the time of drilling and requires less power applied by an operator compared to conventional drills, since its chisel width is narrow and thinning is performed at said angle. However, this drill has a rake angle shaped by thinning to more than 90° in order to correspond to the high hardness steel sheets. Therefore, the drilling force of the central part becomes weak, and at the time of drilling with a hand drill, significant power would be required while the drilling by the drill tip from a central part to a peripheral cutting blade has been performed, sinking into the workpiece. Moreover, a tip tends to chip when used since the chisel width is very narrow, and in particular, a tip of a drill made from powder high-speed steel becomes fragile and more easily chipped.
[0006] Furthermore, the following patent documents 3 and 4 also describe the drills on which thinning is performed, respectively. The drill described in the patent document 3 is used for deep hole machining and has longer thinning cutting blade for the purpose of providing enough space with a thinning pocket (a recess defined by thinning face) and smoothly discharging swarf from the thinning pocket. The drill described in the patent document 4 is a small-diameter drill for a wired printed plate and general thinning is performed on the drill preventing the drill made from cemented carbide from chipping in order to drill holes on a resin board including glass fiber. Additionally, the drill described in the following patent document 1 is a twist drill which has x shape thinning.
[0007] Thinning has been performed on every drills described in the patent documents 1, 3, and 4, but the thinning was not done for decreasing drilling resistance. Therefore, in some cases, drilling resistance may be increased but not decreased by its thinning and thus these drills cannot obtain acceptably high efficiency enough to drill holes taking advantage of manpower, such as a hand drill.
PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0000]
Patent document 1: Tokukai 2000-271811
Patent document 2: Tokukai 2006-88267
Patent document 3: Tokukaihei 7-40119
Patent document 4: Tokukaihei 7-164228
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0012] The present invention is made to solve the problems of above-described Prior-Art, and proposes a drill which can substantially decrease drilling resistance, and allow for easy hole-drilling by manpower using a hand drill, a drill press, and the like.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0013] The present invention according to claim 1 relates to a drill with a tip part on which thinning is performed, comprising two cutting blades which are formed symmetrical about an axis of rotation, said cutting blades consisting of a thinning cutting blade extending from a chisel edge toward a peripheral side of the drill to become a shape including curves when seen from tip side of the drill, and a main cutting blade extending from an end part of said thinning cutting blade to the peripheral end of the drill, wherein a ridge line of a boundary between a slot for emitting chips and a thinning surface shaped by said thinning cutting blade is substantially u-shaped, inclining toward the drill axis direction and toward a direction in which the ridge line moves from the thinning cutting blade side to the main cutting blade side as it moves from the drill's tip side to the base end side, when seen from front side of the drill which is an aperture side of said slot, and wherein a rake angle θ1 formed by said main cutting blade and a rake angle θ2 formed by said thinning cutting blade satisfy θ1>θ2>0°, except for a part just below the chisel.
[0014] The present invention according to claim 2 relates to the drill of claim 1 , wherein an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface is offset to heel side or cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part of the drill tip, when seen from said front side of the drill.
[0015] The present invention according to claim 3 relates to the drill of claim 2 , wherein width of said offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of a drill diameter.
[0016] The present invention according to claim 4 relates to the drill of claim 2 or 3 , wherein said extension line is offset to the heel side of the drill.
[0017] The present invention according to claim 5 relates to the drill of claim 2 or 3 , wherein said extension line is offset to the cutting blade side of the drill.
[0018] The invention according to claim 6 relates to the drill of claim 1 , wherein an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface crosses the central part of the drill tip, when seen from said front side of the drill.
[0019] The present invention according to claim 7 relates to the drill of claims 2 to 4 , wherein a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade.
[0020] The present invention according to claim 8 relates to the drill of any of claims 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 , wherein a rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade.
Effects of The Invention
[0021] According to the invention of claim 1 , there is a drill provided which can substantially decrease drilling resistance compared with the conventional drill and can easily drill holes by manpower using a hand drill, a manual drill press, or the like. Moreover, the reduction of drilling resistance improves drilling accuracy and reduces the time to drill holes, leading to improvement of working efficiency. Furthermore, it also allows for significant increase in the drill's life span. Besides, a rake angle θ 1 formed by said main cutting blade and a rake angle θ 2 formed by said thinning cutting blade satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 , except for a part just below the chisel. Therefore, an apparent rake angle becomes smaller and the less portion of the blade edge digs deep into the workpiece, thereby making the cutting blade much easier to drill even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill. Moreover, setting θ 2 ≦0° prevents any failure as occurred if θ 2 ≦0° is set (as the cutting resistance increases, the sharpness deteriorates).
[0022] According to the invention of claim 2 , an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface is offset to heel side or cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill. Therefore, a distinct rake part can be formed from chisel to the cutting blade (including a portion of the heel part, too), or from chisel neighborhood, except for just below the chisel, to the cutting blade. This leads to significant improvement of sharpness of the cutting blade.
[0023] According to the invention of claim 3 , width of said offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of a drill diameter and therefore the drilling resistance can be more surely decreased, which drastically improves high efficiency of the cutting blade.
[0024] According to the invention of claim 4 , said extension line is offset to the heel side of the drill, and therefore a distinct rake part can be formed from chisel to the cutting blade (including a portion of the heel part, too). This results in a distinct cutting blade from the chisel part to the cutting blade part, and its drilling efficiency significantly improves. Furthermore, the drilling force obtained from the rotation of the drill generates from the moment the drill tip contacts a workpiece (since a rake is also provided at the drill tip, component force for the rake angle generates even by for example rotation of an air drill from the moment the drill contacts the workpiece, and this component force affects the workpiece), and the power which an operator needs to apply on the drill may be smaller. Additionally, the rake angle becomes comparatively larger and the drilling force becomes the largest, compared with the cases where said extension line is offset to the cutting blade side of the drill and where said extension line crosses the central part of the drill tip.
[0025] According to the invention of claim 5 , said extension line is offset to the cutting blade of the drill, and therefore a distinct rake is obtained from the chisel neighborhood to the cutting blade, except for a part just below the chisel. Although there is no rake provided just below the chisel, the chisel width is much narrower than if said extension line is offset to the heel side (case 1 ), and the chisel width is substantially same as in the case said extension line crosses the central part of the drill tip (case 2 ). In addition, since a larger thinning part can be formed, drilling resistance can be decreased and the high efficiency equal to or greater than that of the above-described two cases (cases 1 and 2 ) can be obtained even if no rake is provided just below the chisel.
[0026] According to the invention of claim 6 , the extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface crosses the central part of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill. Therefore, a distinct cutting blade is shaped from the chisel neighborhood, except for a part just below the chisel, to the cutting blade part and the high drilling efficiency will significantly improve. Since the chisel width is reduced to a minimum, drilling resistance decreases instead and the same drilling force as obtained if said extension line is offset to the heel side, can be obtained.
[0027] According to the invention of claim 7 , a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of a thinning cutting blade. Therefore, the invention has the advantage that a rake angle is formed across all the parts contacting the workpiece from apart just below the chisel to the cutting blade, and all the parts serve as cutting blade, thereby increasing the drilling force (see the below-described FIG. 12( a )).
[0028] According to the invention of claim 8 , a rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade, and therefore the part contacting the workpiece, except for a part just below the chisel, serves as cutting blade. Although this can generate a drilling force a bit smaller than the force generated in the case if a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of a thinning cutting blade (case 3 ), a chisel tip part becomes narrower and the drilling resistance on the chisel tip part decreases, thereby obtaining the same drilling efficiency as obtained in the case 3 (see the below-described FIGS. 12( b ) and ( c )). In addition, comparing with the case 3 , this has the advantage that a thinning part can be much wider. Therefore, a thinning position can be changed and adjusted in accordance with workpiece materials and the drill diameter. Some ingenuity can be added. For example, if the workpiece is made of relatively hard materials or the drill diameter is larger, the thinning position can be moved to the cutting blade, and if the workpiece is made of soft materials or the drill diameter is smaller, the thinning position can be moved to the heel side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0029] FIG. 1 It shows a drill according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.
[0030] FIG. 2 It shows the drill according to the present invention seen from only slightly left to the FIG. 1( b ).
[0031] FIG. 3 It is a figure defining a clearance angle.
[0032] FIG. 4 It shows an angle at which a drill is applied to a whetstone at the time of thinning formation.
[0033] FIG. 5 It shows an angle of thinning.
[0034] FIG. 6( a ) shows a cross sectional view perpendicular to the thinning part, and ( b ) shows a cross-sectional part (A-A cross section) of ( a ).
[0035] FIG. 7 It shows another example of the edge form of a rake face.
[0036] FIG. 8 It is a front view of an tip part showing another example (a drill for spot welding exfoliation) (the second embodiment) of the drill according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 9 It shows a drill of the third embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.
[0038] FIG. 10 It shows a drill of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.
[0039] FIG. 11 It shows a drill of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.
[0040] FIG. 12 It is across sectional view cutting the drill according to the present invention in the longitudinal direction (the direction of drill length) along the chisel, and (a) is the drill of the third embodiment, (b) is the drill of the fourth embodiment, and (c) is the drill of the fifth embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 13 It shows an example of the whetstone profile for generating the thinning cutting blade in the drill according to the present invention, and shows a rotational end part (a peripheral edge) of the whetstone.
[0042] FIG. 14 It shows an example of the whetstone profile for generating the thinning cutting blade in the drill according to the present invention, and shows a rotational end part (a peripheral edge) of the whetstone.
[0043] FIG. 15 It shows a test method of the drills of the examples and comparative examples.
[0044] FIG. 16 It is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side) of the conventional drill.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the drill according to the present invention will be set forth with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the drill according to the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.
[0046] The drill according to the present invention has two cutting blades which are formed symmetrical about an axis of rotation, and has a tip part on which thinning is performed. The cutting blades consist of a thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) extending from a chisel edge toward a peripheral side of the drill to become a shape including curves, and a main cutting blade ( 2 ) extending from an end part of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) to the peripheral end of the drill, when seen from tip side of the drill. In the illustrated example, the main cutting blade ( 2 ) extends in a linear fashion from an end part of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) to the peripheral end of the drill, but it may extend in a curved fashion, in a linear fashion, and in a linear and curved fashion. This is common in all the embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated drawing, ( 3 ) is a frank face, ( 4 ) is a chisel, ( 5 ) is a rake face shaped by the main cutting blade ( 2 ), ( 6 ) is a new rake face shaped by thinning, and (W) is a chisel width.
[0047] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the first embodiment satisfies 0<A≦B. If the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is set to be equal to or larger than the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the drill can, in some cases, significantly decrease drilling resistance compared with the conventional drill which satisfies A>B, as shown in the examples and comparative examples described below. However, in the present invention as shown in the embodiments (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 ) described later, A>B may be also preferable.
[0048] With reference to the drill of the first embodiment, it is desirable to lengthen the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) and to shorten the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) as much as possible, since the higher the percentage (B/(A+B)) of the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) in the total length of the cutting blade (A+B) is, the more the drilling resistance is decreased. However, if the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is 0, profile irregularity of the drilled hole will be reduced. Therefore, A is required to be larger than 0 (0<A). It is preferable to set the lengths so that it can satisfy R×0.1≦A with respect to a drill radius (R).
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a drill of the first embodiment seen from only slightly left to the front side. The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >°. However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost 0°) only just below a chisel ( 4 ). The fact that the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is smaller than the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) means that the apparent rake angle becomes smaller by thinning. The larger the rake angle is, the more the portions of the blade edge dig deep into the workpiece. It causes no problem when the drill is rotated by a power source such as a mechanical tool, but it does cause a problem when for example, the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill, and consequently the cutting blade has trouble in drilling the workpiece due to a lack of the manpower against load. In the present invention, the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is shaped to satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 , so that the apparent rake angle is set to be smaller and the less portion of the blade edge diggs into the workpiece, thereby making the cutting blade much easier to cut even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower, such as a hand drill.
[0050] The reason for setting θ 2 >0° is if the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is ≦0°, drilling resistance will actually increase and the drilling efficiency will deteriorate. With reference to the conventional drill, thinning is performed so that the rake angle can be minus for the reason that if the rake is provided in the central part, a blade edge can be easily chipped.
[0051] There are some helix angles of a drill depending on a kind of drills, and the helix angle is generally set at around 30°. However, at this angle, drilling resistance is large and it is not appropriate for drilling holes by manpower using a hand drill. Although some methods reduce drilling resistance by making a helix angle smaller and thus making a rake angle smaller, a method of changing apparent rake angle by thinning only, like the present invention, without changing the original helix angle of around 30° rather than producing a drill by changing the helix angle has the advantage of doing this extremely easily.
[0052] An included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90° (See FIG. 6 for α 1 and α 2 ).
[0053] Here, supplementary explanation about the rake angle and an included angle will be added. With reference to the rake angle (rake angle before thinning formation) which the drill originally has, the included angle is too sharp and the blade edge digs deep into the workpiece like a wedge, thereby increasing the drilling resistance. By performing thinning, the rake angle reduces and the included angle increases, thereby improving the drilling efficiency (decreasing drilling resistance). In particular, according to the thinning performed on the drill, a loose rake angle and a larger included angle suitable for an operator's arm strength will be generated.
[0054] A clearance angle (β) is set to satisfy 0°<β<8°. Preferably, it is set to satisfy 0°<β≦4°. Generally, it is considered that high drilling efficiency can be obtained by forming a sharp blade edge by setting the clearance angle larger and the rake angle larger, and thus commercially-available drills have this kind of profile in common. However, if the clearance angle is set to be larger as well as the rake angle, the blade edge gets sharper, more portions of the blade edge dig deep into the workpiece and thus it has trouble in drilling the workpiece if the drill is pressed against the work piece by manpower such as a hand drill. In the present invention, setting the clearance angle smaller, at 0°<β≦4° allows less portions of the blade edge to dig deep into the workpiece, and the blade can easily cut even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower, such as a hand drill.
[0055] Here, the clearance angle (β) is defined by the following (X) or (Y).
[0056] (X) An angle between whetstone's horizontal center line and drill's central axis line, obtained by aligning a center of the drill's tip part on the whetstone's horizontal center line of whetstone's periphery which has a radius of 50 mm or more, contacting the cutting blade of the drill's tip part with the whetstone's horizontal center line in a parallel (=horizontal) fashion, and moving the drill's posterior end below the whetstone's horizontal center line while setting the drill's tip part as a supporting point (See FIG. 3( a )).
[0057] (Y) An angle between whetstone's horizontal center line and drill's central axis line, obtained by aligning a center of the drill's tip part on the whetstone's horizontal center line of whetstone's lateral side (vertical surface), contacting the cutting blade of the drill's tip part with the whetstone's horizontal center line in a parallel (=horizontal) fashion, and moving the drill's posterior end below the whetstone's horizontal center line while setting the drill's tip part as a supporting point (See FIG. 3( b )).
[0058] However, (X) and (Y) have small difference of a certain angle occurred by the whetstone's radius shown in FIG. 3( a ) and a distance from the drill center to the cutting blade: ½ W (W: web thickness) (the angle is about 0.573°, if the web thickness (W) is 2 mm in the case of the whetstone's radius of 50 mm, the angle is about 0.286° in the case of a radius of 100 mm, and the angle is about 0.191° in the case of a radius of 150 mm). Therefore, if the clearance angle is obtained by (X), it is preferable to add this difference to (X). That is, the clearance angle is preferably obtained by the following formula.
[0000] (X) In the case of FIG. 3( a ): the clearance angle=β+tan −1 ((1−cos(sin −1 0.5 W/R )) R/ 0.5 W )
(Y) In the case of FIG. 3( b ): clearance angle=β
[0059] For example, the actual clearance angle of a drill with a diameter of 10 mm and a web thickness of 2 mm which performs grinding with a whetstone with a radius (R) of 50 mm and a clearance of 3° will be about 3.573°.
[0060] It is preferable to set the chisel width (W) (see FIG. 1( a )) smaller so that the blade can easily cut the workpiece even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill. Specifically, it is desirable to set the chisel width to 10% or less of a diameter of the drill. For example, if a drill diameter φ is 2-13 mm, the chisel width (W) is set to be in a range of 0.1-0.8 mm, depending on increase and decrease of the drill diameter.
[0061] In the present invention, an angle of thinning is set to be smaller compared with the conventional drill. Conventional thinning precedes strength and rigidity of the drill itself and thus sets larger the angle (θ) of contacting the drill to the whetstone at the time of thinning formation. (See FIG. 4( a )). If the angle (θ) is set to be as small as possible and the center of the drill is moved closer to a tangential line of a grinding surface of the whetstone, drilling resistance on a central part of the drill, called a web, will be reduced, resulting in significant reduction of the drilling resistance (See FIG. 4( b )).
[0062] In the present invention, it is desirable to set the angle of thinning so as to satisfy the following (I) and (II).
[0000] (I) The angle (θ of FIG. 4 ) between the drill's central axis line and a vertical center line of the whetstone which performs thinning is 0-20°.
(II) The angle between the drill's central axis line and a center line in the width direction of the whetstone which performs thinning is 20-35° (See FIG. 5 ).
[0063] However, a range of the angle of thinning of the above-described (II) is obtained in the case of a point angle of 118° and a helix angle of 30°, and is not necessarily preferable for all the drills. In theory, an upper limit of the thinning angle of the above-mentioned (II) can be set to a range of a half of the angle (i.e. if the angle is 118°, it is 59°) at a position (=a point angle) parallel to the blade edge of the drill.
[0064] Next, thinning shape will be set forth. FIG. 6( a ) shows a cross sectional view (A-A cross section of FIG. 6( b )) perpendicular to the thinning part of the drill. In the example shown in FIG. 6( a ), the edge part (a boundary part with the rake face ( 5 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 )) of the rake face ( 6 ) formed by thinning is ach-shaped by a radius (R 2 ) of thinning. In addition, (R 1 ) is a radius of a groove part of the drill. As illustrated, the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°. Furthermore, the included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90°.
[0065] In the present invention, the edge form of the rake face may not only be an arc-shape but also a form combining an arc and a straight line (See FIG. 7 .). The inventors confirmed through experiments that if the edge form of the rake face is an arc-shape ( FIG. 6( a )) and a form combining an arc and a straight line ( FIG. 7) , cutting blades in both cases have equal drilling efficiency and have no difference in drilling resistance.
[0066] The drill according to the present invention may be a drill for spot welding exfoliation which has a form as shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, referred to as the second embodiment). In addition, in FIG. 8 , same components as shown in the drill of FIG. 1 are given the same numerals. Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the second embodiment also satisfies 0<A≦B. More preferably, the lengths are set to satisfy R×0.1≦A with reference to a radius (R) of the drill. Moreover, it is preferable that the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°. Furthermore, it is preferable that the included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the above-mentioned thinning cutting blade satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90°. In addition, the clearance angle (β) preferably satisfies 0°<β≦4°.
[0067] With reference to the drill according to the present invention, a ridge line of a boundary between a slot for emitting chips and a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 ). In the present invention, “front side of the drill” means an aperture side of a slot for emitting chips. As illustrated, the direction of tilt moves from the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) side to the main-cutting-edge ( 2 ) side (diagonally downward left when seen from the front side) as it moves from the drill's tip side to the base end side. This can be applied to the below-described embodiments as well. The angle (γ) of the tilt is set to be in a range of 20-35° (for example, 27.5°). As mentioned above, this angle setting can be achieved by setting the angle between the center line in the width direction of the whetstone which performs thinning and the drill's central axis line in a range of 20-35° (See FIG. 5 ). In consideration of the helix angle of the drill, when thinning is performed, an angle of tilting the center of the whetstone (see an alternate long and short dash line (L) in FIG. 1( a )) may be preferably set to a range of helix angle −10° to helix angle +10°. However, in theory, this angle can be set to a range of helix angle −10° to ½ of the point angle on the cutting blade side. These configurations (the form of the thinning cutting blade, the direction of tilt, and the angle of tilt) are common to the drills of all the embodiments of the present invention.
[0068] FIG. 9 shows the drill of the third embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part. Also, with reference to the drill according to the third embodiment, a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 9( b )). When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion (the deepest part cut by thinning) of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is offset to heel side of the drill, without crossing the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill. Preferably, length of offset (d) is equal to or smaller than 10% of the drill diameter. This is because if it exceeds 10%, drilling resistance increases and drilling efficiency of the blade deteriorates.
[0069] The rake angle is formed in a part including apart just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ). In the FIG. 9( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle. Since the rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel ( 4 ), the portion ( 9 ) whose width in a direction parallel to the chisel is narrower than the chisel width (W) is formed just below the chisel ( 4 ) (See FIG. 12( a )).
[0070] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the third embodiment satisfies A>B. The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°. The rake angles also satisfy this just below the chisel ( 4 ).
[0071] FIG. 10 shows the drill of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part. Also, with reference to the drill according to the fourth embodiment, a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 10( b )). When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is offset to cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill. Preferably, length of offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of the drill diameter. This is because if it exceeds 10%, drilling resistance increases and drilling efficiency of the blade deteriorates.
[0072] The rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ). More specifically, the rake angle is formed in the main cutting blade ( 2 ) side rather than just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ). In FIG. 10( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle.
[0073] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the fourth embodiment satisfies 0<A≦B. The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°. However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost 0°) only just below the chisel ( 4 ).
[0074] FIG. 11 shows the drill of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part. Also, with reference to the drill according to the fourth embodiment, a thinning surface formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially U-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 11( b )). When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) crosses the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.
[0075] The rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ). More specifically, the rake angle is formed in the main cutting blade ( 2 ) side rather than just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ). In FIG. 11( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle.
[0076] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the fifth embodiment satisfies A>B. The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°. However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost) 0° only just below the chisel ( 4 ).
[0077] With reference to the drills according to the above-mentioned third to fifth embodiments, as well as the drills of the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) has a feature of being substantially parabolic (substantially U-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill. This can reduce the load on the chisel and narrow the chisel width even if the formula 0<A≦B is not satisfied. Specifically, the chisel width after thinning can be narrowed to about 3 to 5% of a drill diameter. Therefore, the drill can reduce the drilling resistance and thus obtain ultra-high efficiency of the blade, which exerts a great effect on drilling holes by manpower.
[0078] Described below is the whetstone profile for the generation of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) in the drill according to the present invention. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate an example of whetstone profile and a rotational end part (periphery part) of the whetstone. The whetstone has one or more radii of curvature in the rotational end part. One of the radii of curvature of the whetstone is R 1 and this R 1 is a radius for the generation of the thinning cutting blade that is mainly applied to the cutting blade. Next, a radius of curvature R 2 forming a curved surface which is adjacent to R 1 and smoothly connected with R 1 is provided so that it mainly contacts with a heel part.
[0079] Based on the combination of the two radii of curvature, R 1 and R 2 , a size relation of R 1 and R 2 (R 1 =R 2 , R 1 <R 2 , R 1 >R 2 ) is altered, larger R 3 is provided between R 1 and R 2 in order to correspond to a thicker drill, or smaller R 4 and R 5 are formed in a whetstone corner in order to converge a large radius of curvature to whetstone width, according to a ratio of a diameter and a core thickness of the drill as shown in FIG. 13 . Moreover, a whetstone that combines one or more above-mentioned radii of curvature can also be used. Furthermore, thinning may also be performed by including a straight part between the R parts or providing a tilt on the side as shown in FIG. 14 .
EXAMPLES
[0080] Hereinafter, the effect of the present invention will be clearer by showing test results on the drill in the examples and comparative examples below according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples in any way.
[0081] 1. A test based on the relation between a length of the main cutting blade (A) and a length of the thinning cutting blade (B)<
Test 1: The Relation Between a Length of the Main Cutting Blade (A) and a Length of the Thinning Cutting Blade (B)>
[0082] Six different kinds of thinning with B sizes shown in Table 1 were performed for a drill with Ø10 mm in diameter (R=5 mm in radius), and drills in the examples and comparative examples were produced. All Clearance angles of the drills were set as 4° and all chisel widths were set as 0.5 mm.
[0000]
TABLE 1
A (mm)
B (mm)
Example 1
0.5
4.5
Example 2
1.0
4.0
Example 3
2.0
3.0
Example 4
2.5
2.5
Comparative Example 1
3.0
2.0
Comparative Example 2
4.0
1.0
[0083] Following the attachment of the drills in the above-mentioned examples and comparative examples to a rechargeable drill driver (manufactured by Panasonic), in all examples in Table 1, the same operator conducted a cutting operation until the peripheral cutting blade was sunk into a metal plate (quality of the material SS400 and 9 mm in thickness) by manpower (see FIG. 15 ). Operators evaluated the ease of the cutting operation by each drill based on the following standards. Evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
<Criterion for Evaluation>
[0000]
⊚ . . . light (requiring little force for drilling)
◯ . . . relatively light (requiring a little force for drilling)
X . . . heavy (requiring a large force for drilling)
[0000]
TABLE 2
Evaluation
Example 1
⊚
Example 2
⊚
Example 3
⊚
Example 4
◯
Comparative Example 1
X
Comparative Example 2
X
[0087] As shown in Table 2, the drills in the examples (0<A≦B) were able to easily drill the metal plate compared to the drills (A>B) in the comparative examples. That is, the drilling resistance was small. In particular, the drills in the examples 1-3 (0<A<B) had very small drilling resistance.
[0000] <Test 2: Comparison 1 with Competitors' Products, Etc.>
[0088] Four kinds of drills (Ø8.5 mm in diameter) shown in Table 3 were prepared. The drill in the example 5 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 1 ) and the drills in the comparative examples 3-5 have the configurations shown in FIG. 16( a )-( c ), respectively.
[0000]
TABLE 3
Product Name
Configuration
Example 5
Present Invention
FIG. 1
Comparative
Cobalt Masamune Drill
FIG. 16 (a)
Example 3
manufactured by Ishihashi Seiko
Co., Ltd
Comparative
General-purpose Drill
FIG. 16 (c)
Example 4
manufactured by Mitsubishi
Materials Kobe tools division
Comparative
Drill in the comparative example
FIG. 16 (b)
Example 5
4 on which thinning was performed
by the applicant
[0089] Following the attachment of the drill in the above-mentioned example 5 and the comparative examples 3-5 to the rechargeable drill driver (manufactured by Panasonic), in all examples in Table 3, the same operator conducted a drilling operation on the metal plate (quality of the material SS400 and 9 mm in thickness) by manpower. When about 70% of the length from the drill tip to the peripheral cutting blade sank in the workpiece, drilling was temporarily stopped, and after checking the shape of the hole, drilling was continued until the peripheral cutting blade sank deeper. Evaluation results on each drill are shown in Table 4 and 5. Besides, the reason for having checked the hole shape is that the hole shape cannot easily become a cone shape if drilling resistance changes during operations.
[0000]
TABLE 4
Hole
Drill behavior until the peripheral
Shape
cutting blade sank in the workpiece
Example 5
Cone
Rotating smoothly, and not moved rattly
Shape
until the peripheral cutting blade sank
Comparative
Pentagon
Starting to move ratttly from the
Example 3
middle, and continued until the
peripheral cutting blade sank
Comparative
Triangle
Starting to move ratttly from the
Example 4
middle, and continued until the
peripheral cutting blade sank
Comparative
Triangle
Starting to move ratttly from the
Example 5
middle, and continued until the
peripheral cutting blade sank
[0000]
TABLE 5
Drilling efficiency of the cutting blade and chips
after the peripheral cutting blade sank in the
workpiece
Example 5
Very light. Fine consecutive chips were emitted.
Comparative
Relatively light. Fine continuous chips were
Example 3
emitted.
Comparative
Heavy. Intermittent chips were emitted for a while.
Example 4
Comparative
A little heavy. Continuous chips were emitted, but
Example 5
they are not fine.
[0090] As seen clearly from Tables 4 and 5, since drilling resistance of the drills in the examples is smaller and they have less fluctuation compared to the drills of the comparative examples, drilling can be easily conducted with a small force and fine consecutive chips were emitted while drilling operation. Besides, at the sites where a part such as autoparts and electrical parts is manufactured in large quantities, consecutive chips with a possibility of coiling around a drill are not preferable because of a mechanical automation and unmanned operation. Therefore, drill manufacturers have given priority to the development of a drill suitable for automatic machines that do not emit consecutive chips. However, at the sites where a hand drill is used (for fitting of a railroad vehicle, etc.) or the sites where a manual drill press is used, since operators may just remove chips, operating efficiency improves as the drilling efficiency improves even if consecutive chips are emitted. In addition, chip clogging with a drill for deep holes is removed because of the emission of the chips along a drill groove.
[0000] <Test 3: Comparison 2 with Competitors' Products, Etc.>
[0091] Four kinds of drills (Ø6.5 mm in diameter) shown in Table 6 were prepared. The drill in the example 6 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 1 ), and the drills in the comparative examples 6-8 have the configurations shown in FIG. 16( a )-( c ), respectively. Besides, the reason that drill-diameter Ø was set as 6.5 mm is for making the peripheral cutting blade to reach a metal plate (3 mm in thickness) which will be mentioned later before the drill tip penetrates the metal plate.
[0000]
TABLE 6
Product Name
Configuration
Example 6
Present Invention
FIG. 1
Comparative
Cobalt Masamune Drill manufactured
FIG. 16 (a)
Example 6
by Ishihashi Seiko Co., Ltd
Comparative
General-purpose Drill
FIG. 16 (c)
Example 7
manufactured by Mitsubishi
Materials Kobe tools division
Comparative
Drill in the comparative example 7
FIG. 16 (b)
Example 8
on which thinning was performed by
the applicant
[0092] By using the drill press (manufactured by Kitagawa Iron Works Co., Ltd.) provided with the drills in the above-mentioned example 6 and the comparative examples 6-8, in all examples in Table 6, the same operator conducted an operation to drill a through hole in a metal plate (quality of the material SUS304, 3 mm in thickness, 60 mm in width, and 320 mm in length). The operation was conducted continuously and stopped when the operator judged that the drill was unusable (impossible to drill a hole), and then the operator evaluated the durability of the drill depending on the number of the drilled holes. Results are shown in Table 7.
[0000]
TABLE 7
Results
Example 6
Minor abrasions were found after drilling 100
holes, but the hole drilling was continued since
the drilling resistance was nearly unchanged from
the beginning. A small increase of the abrasions
was found after drilling 200 holes, but the hole
drilling was continued since no cracks were found
and the drilling resistance was unchanged. Since
minor cracks and progression of abrasions were
found after drilling 300 holes, the hole drilling
was stopped even though it seemed that the drilling
can be still continued.
Comparative
The hole drilling was stopped when drilling 100
Example 6
holes since cracks were found in the periphery and
thinning of the drill's edge part and the drilling
resistance increased after drilling 98 holes.
Comparative
The hole drilling was stopped since cracks and
Example 7
large abrasion were found in the periphery and
thinning of the drill's edge part after drilling
24 holes.
Comparative
The hole drilling was stopped since cracks and
Example 8
large abrasion were found in the periphery and
thinning of the drill's edge part after drilling
30 holes.
[0093] As seen clearly from Table 7, The drills in the examples has the durability that far exceeds that of the drills in the comparative examples against SUS304 which is a material more difficult to cut than a SS material.
[0000] <Test 4: Comparison with Applicant's Other Inventions>
[0094] Three kinds of drills (Ø8.2 mm in diameter) shown in Table 8 were prepared. The drill in the example 7 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 8 ). The drill in the comparative example 9 is a drill that was described in Tokugan 2010-203777 (the prior application by the applicant), and the drill in the comparative example 10 is a drill that was described in said patent document 2. Besides, there is almost no difference in performance between qualities of the materials. In the drill in the example 6, a tilt angle between the whetstone for performing thinning and a drill axis was set as 27.5° (20-35° of mean value), and thinning of the drill was performed along the tangent line of the whetstone (thinning angle (see FIG. 4 ) θ=0°).
[0000]
TABLE 8
Helix
Chisel Width
Angle
Quality of Material
Example 7
0.5 mm
30°
SKH59
Comparative
0.38 mm
32°
SKH56
Example 9
Comparative
0.3 mm
32°
Powder High - Speed
Example 10
Steel
[0095] By drilling holes in the workpiece (exchange panel, high-tensile steel plate of the Daihatsu Move car) with the above-mentioned three kinds of drills, the drilling efficiency and durability of the drills were checked. The hole drilling was performed to the same extent of the depth in all examples in Table 8 without drilling a through hole so as to avoid breakage. First, by drilling one hole at a time using the above-mentioned three kinds of drills, the drilling efficiency of the drills was checked. Results are shown in Table 9.
[0000]
TABLE 9
Drilling efficiency
Example 7
Cut very well.
Comparative
Cut very well.
Example 9
Comparative
Cut well, requiring the most power
Example 10
among the three kinds of drills.
[0096] The hole drilling was performed using the drills in the above-mentioned example 7 and the comparative examples 9-10. The operation was conducted continuously and stopped when the operator judged that the drill was unusable (impossible to drill a hole), and then the operator evaluated the durability of the drill depending on the number of the drilled holes. Results are shown in Table 10.
[0000]
TABLE 10
Durability
Example 7
Still possible to drill holes without requiring big
power even after drilling 50 holes.
Comparative
Stopped the operation since it seems to require big
Example 9
power after drilling 15 holes.
Comparative
Cut well until 3 holes were made, but the drilling
Example 10
efficiency gradually deteriorated and it became
very hard to cut after drilling 6 holes, and then
stopped the operation since it seemed to require
big power after drilling 9 holes.
[0097] As seen clearly from Table 10, it turned out that the drill in the example 7 has both drilling efficiency and durability unlike the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10. Moreover, Close-up observation of the tip of each drill showed that in the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10 the chisel edges abraded largely, but on the other hand, in the drill in the example 6 the abrasion of the chisel edge was small and the whole blade edge abraded equally despite a number of holes in the drill in the example 6. Since the drill in the example 7 has the widest chisel width, it can be assumed that the power to push a operator's drill was distributed and the chisel edge was less subject to the abrasion compared to the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10, allowing a large number of hole drilling. In addition, it is contemplated that the reason the drilling force equivalent to the one obtained from a narrow chisel width was acquired even if the chisel width was enlarged is that the drill had a rake angle suitable for drilling.
2. Test Based on the Shape of Thinning
[0098] In the above-mentioned Test 1-4, it was confirmed that the drill which satisfies 0<A≦B is excellent in drilling efficiency compared with the drill which does not satisfy the same (A>B). However, as a result of further additional tests, the inventors have discovered that a drill which has a thinning surface of the specific shape (specified in claim 1 ) may obtain excellent drilling efficiency even if the drill does not satisfy 0<A≦B. The results of the additional tests are shown below.
[0099] Additionally, all of the drills in the above-mentioned examples 1-7 have a thinning surface in a specific shape (specified in claim 1 ), and all of the drills in the comparative examples 1-10 do not have thinning surface in the specific shape. Supplemental explanations on the drill used in the above-mentioned Test 1 (the examples 1-4 and comparative examples 1 and 2) are given with regard to this point. In the Test 1, five kinds of sizes of thinning were performed for one kind of drill mainly for the purpose of setting the proportion of A:B. Thinning was performed by creating the whetstone mainly used for allowing for 4.5 mm thinning on the drill, especially the whetstone shown in FIG. 13 ( 2 ). Since all of the chisel widths were set as 0.5 mm, the length of the thinning cutting blade (B) was adjusted by changing θ described in FIGS. 4( a ) and ( b ). As a result, in the examples 1-4 thinning was shaped in a state as shown in FIG. 4( b ) in which the whetstone made a deep contact with the groove of the drill (θ<20°), although in the comparative examples 1 and 2 thinning had to be shaped in a state nearly as shown in FIG. 4( a ) in which the whetstone made a relatively shallow contact with the groove of the drill. (Thus, the result was θ>20°.) Therefore, the drills in the examples 1-4 have the thinning surfaces of the above-mentioned specific shapes (specified in claim 1 ). But on the other hand, in the comparative examples 1 and 2 the shapes when seeing from the sides of the drill tips became as arc shapes nearly as shown in FIG. 16( b ), and the thinning surfaces shaped by the thinning cutting blades did not become substantially parabolic shapes, inclining toward the drill axis directions when seeing from the front side of the drills, but became shapes as nearly mere circles. Besides, it did not appear inclined toward the drill axis directions.
<Test 5: Additional Test 1>
(1) Setting of a Drill Diameter
[0100] Based on the actual situation of work sites, the drill diameter was set as followings three types which are base hole diameters of the screws.
1. M4: Ø3.3 mm
2. M5: Ø4.2 mm
3. M6: Ø5.2 mm
(2) Manufacture and Test of the Drills in the Examples
[0101] For the above-mentioned three kinds of diameters, the drills in the examples 8-10 were manufactured on three conditions shown in Table 11.
[0000]
TABLE 11
Drill Diameter
Chisel Width
(mm)
Drill Shape
(W)
Example 8
Ø3.3
FIG. 9, FIG. 12
0.23 mm
(a)
Example 9
Ø4.2
FIG. 11, FIG. 12
0.32 mm
(c)
Example 10
Ø5.2
FIG. 10, FIG. 12
0.34 mm
(b)
[0102] By using the drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted to drill one hole in the workpieces (SUS304 steel plates: 3 mm in thickness×100 mm×500 mm) with the drill press (manufactured by Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd., Model Number KFS-410 (used at 320 rpm/60 Hz)), time required for one hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed. Results are shown in Table 12.
[0000]
TABLE 12
Drill
Example 8
Example 9
Example 10
Hole Drilling
14.6
16.7
21.4
Time (second)
Chip Shape
Long Curly
Long Curly
Long Curly
Shape
Shape
Shape
[0103] Following the hole drilling tests with the drill press, by using the same drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted to drill holes in the same workpieces with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) (manufactured by KTS. Co., Ltd., MODEL AT12M, idling speed: 1200 rpm). The workpieces were fixed vertically using the vise, and the hole drilling was conducted to rectangular directions in the workpieces with the drills in the examples 8-10 in a horizontal state. (Since the horizontal hole drilling depends largely on the arm strength of the operators as they can not place their body weights on the drill compared to the hole drilling to the perpendicular directions, the drilling force (drilling efficiency) is likely to be reflected in numerical values.) Air pressure that drives a pneumatic drill was set as 6-8 kg/mm 2 . In addition, since drilling time changes depending on the arm strength of the operators, the hole drilling was conducted 3 times for each drill respectively to calculate average values. Chip shapes were also observed. Results are shown in Table 13.
[0000]
TABLE 13
1
2
3
Average
Example 8
Time
10.9
8.1
7.6
8.87
(second)
Chip Shape
Curly Shape
Example 9
Time
9.6
12.2
10.1
10.63
(second)
Chip Shape
Curly Shape
Example
Time
16.5
12.9
15.4
14.93
10
(second)
Chip Shape
Curly Shape
(3) Manufacturing and Test of the Drills in the Comparative Examples
[0104] For the above-mentioned three kinds of diameters, the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 were manufactured on three conditions shown in Table 14.
[0000]
TABLE 14
Drill Diameter
(mm)
Drill Shape
Comparative
Ø3.3
Drill described in
Example 11
Tokukaihei7-164228
(Publication 1)
Comparative
Ø4.2
Drill described in
Example 12
Tokukai2000-271811
(Publication 2)
Comparative
Ø5.2
Drill described in
Example 13
Tokukaihei7-40119
(Publication 3)
(3-1) The Drill in the Comparative Example 11
[0105] Since the drill of the comparative example 11 is below Ø3.175 mm including a curved line in thinning, it was manufactured based on a Ø3.3 mm of drill whose diameter is practically the closest to the diameter of the drill below Ø3.175 mm and compared with the test results in the example 8. The other size of the drill in the comparative example 11 is shown below (see Publication 1).
Chisel width: 0.15 mm Tilt angle of cutouts α: 60° Axial length of cutouts d: 1.21 mm Rake angle: −10°
(3-2) The Drill in the Comparative Example 12
[0110] The drill in the comparative example 12 has a +5-15° of rake angle in thinning. It was manufactured based on a Ø4.2 mm of drill and compared with the test results in the example 9. The other size of the drill in the comparative example 12 is shown below (see Publication 2).
[0000] Chisel width: 0.19 mm
Rake angle: +5°
(3-3) The Drill in the Comparative Example 13
[0111] Since the drill in the comparative example 13 has a feature that its thinning part (thinning cutting blade) is longer than its cutting blade part (main cutting blade), it was manufactured based on a Ø5.2 mm of drill and compared with the test results in the example 10 where the shape of the thinning part in which the length of the thinning part becomes longer offsets a cutting blade. The other size of the drill in the comparative example 13 is shown below (see Publication 3).
[0000] Chisel width: 0.22 mm
L1: 0.86 mm
L2: 1.83 mm
[0112] L2/L1=2.13 (satisfying L2=1.3×L1˜3.0×L1)
Rake angle: −5°
[0113] For the drills in the comparative examples 11-13, at the beginning, the chisel width was set to the same width as that in the drills in the examples, but as the drilling efficiency was very bad, chisel width that was set as 4 to 5% of drill diameters were manufactured again. Considering that the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 is for stainless steel workpiece, time spent in drilling one hole measured with the order of the drill press and then the hand drill as two or more consecutive hole drilling is not guaranteed. (Because of a high possibility that the cutting blade will break in the hole drilling with the hand drill, we contemplated that in advance, damage of the blade edge will be reduced by drilling hole with the drill press.)
[0114] By using the drills in the comparative examples 11-13, hole drilling tests were conducted with the drill press as conducted in the examples 8-10, time required for the hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed. Results were shown in Table 15.
[0000]
TABLE 15
Comparative
Comparative
Comparative
Drill
Example 11
Example 12
Example 13
Hole
45.4
42.3
56.3
Drilling
Time
(second)
Chip Shape
Powdery shape +
Powdery shape +
Powdery shape +
thready shape
curly shape
curly shape
generated in
generated in the
generated in
penetrating a
middle of
penetrating a
through hole
drilling hole
through hole
[0115] After the hole drilling tests were conducted with the above-mentioned drill press, by using the same drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) as conducted in the examples 8-10, time required for the hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed. Results are shown in Table 16.
[0000]
TABLE 16
1
2
3
Average
Comparative
Time
43.0
46.1
45.5
44.87
Example 11
(second)
Chip Shape
Powdery shape
Comparative
Time
32.3
34.4
35.9
34.2
Example 12
(second)
Chip Shape
Powdery shape + A Little
Curly shape generated in
penetrating a through hole
Comparative
Time
53.1
56.3
68.2
59.2
Example 13
(second)
Chip Shape
Powdery shape
(4) Comparisons
[0116] The test results in the examples and comparative examples (time required for the hole drilling (second)) were compared for the drills of the same diameters. Results are shown in Table 17.
[0000]
TABLE 17
Drill Diameter Ø3.3 mm
Comparative
Example 8
Example 11
Drill Press
14.6
45.4
Pneumatic Drill
8.87
44.87
(average)
Drill Diameter Ø4.2 mm
Comparative
Example 9
Example 12
Drill Press
16.7
42.3
Pneumatic Drill
10.63
34.2
(average)
Drill Diameter Ø5.2 mm
Comparative
Example 10
Example 13
Drill Press
21.4
56.3
Pneumatic Drill
14.93
59.2
(average)
[0117] As shown in Table 17, it was confirmed that the drills in the examples can drill holes at the speed of 2 to 3 times or more compared with the drills in the comparative examples. It is considered that there is little difference in the hole drilling time depending on the thinning position of the drills in the examples (difference in the examples 8-10) since the hole drilling time slightly increased with the increase in the drill diameter. It is considered that the reason the hole drilling time with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) is shorter compared with the drill press is that the drill press was set to the minimum rotational rate (320 rpm/60 Hz). (Considering a drill diameter Ø3.3-5.2 mm, it seemed that the rotational rate twice or more as much as the minimum rotational rate should be suitable, but the test was carried out with the minimum rotational rate to avoid breakage of the drill itself during the test.) Although in the drills in the comparative examples time required for hole drilling tends to increase with the increasing number of hole drilling and the drilling efficiency seemed to gradually decrease, except for some results (the second time and the third time in the comparative example 11 are reversed), there was no similar trend and the drilling efficiency did not found to decrease in the drills in the examples. The fact that the curly chips were emitted with reference to the drills in the examples and on the other hand the powdery chips were emitted with reference to the drills in the comparative examples also shows that the drills in the examples are superior in drilling efficiency than the drills in the comparative examples.
<Test 6: Additional Test 2>
[0118] After completing the above-mentioned additional test 1, the drills in the examples 8-10 and the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 were still used, and these drills were attached to the above-mentioned drill press to consecutively drill multiple through holes in the same workpiece as shown in the above-mentioned additional test 1. The cutting blades of the drills were checked at any time with careful attention to a noise during drilling or a change in resistance. When damages enough to create cutting problems (cracks, abrasions, etc.) occurred in the cutting blades, the hole drilling was stopped, and the number of the through holes drilled by then was counted. Also, shapes of the chips were observed. Besides, in the drills in the examples 8-10, before damages which is enough to create drilling problems occur, the hole drilling was stopped due to the size of the workpiece used (all the space for hole drilling was used). The test results in the drills in the examples are shown in Table 18 and the test results in the drills in comparative examples are shown in Table 19.
[0000]
TABLE 18
Example 8
Example 9
Example 10
The number
366 or more
288 or more
264 or more
of through
holes
Test
When a noise
When a noise
After
status
seemed to
seemed to slightly
drilling 264
slightly get
get louder after
holes, no
louder after
drilling 250
crack was
drilling 290
holes, a small
found in
holes, a small
crack was found in
whole except
crack was found
one side of
for an
in one side of
thinning parts,
abrasion of a
thinning parts,
but the test was
chisel and
but the test was
continued since
the drill was
continued since
there was no
still usable.
there was no
problem occurred
The drill was
problem occurred
in drilling. After
able to drill
in drilling.
drilling 288
a through
After drilling
holes, the crack
hole in 21.3
366 holes, the
in the same spot
seconds after
crack in the same
was found bigger
it was
spot was found
and cracks in both
equipped with
bigger, but the
peripheral
the pneumatic
drill was able to
cutting blades
drill.
drill a through
were also found,
hole in 22.7
but the drill was
seconds after it
able to drill a
was equipped with
through hole in
the pneumatic
31.8 seconds after
drill.
it was equipped
with the pneumatic
drill.
Cutting
Almost nothing
Almost nothing
With the
noise
abrasion of
the chisel, a
rustling
noise came
out a little
when a tip of
the drill
contacted
with the
workpiece
after
drilling 220
holes, but
there were
almost no
other noises.
Chip shape
Long curly shape
Long curly shape
Long curly
as obtained by
as obtained by
shape similar
extending
extending
to a sine
transversely a
transversely a
curve
sine curve along
sine curve along a
a groove shape of
groove shape of
the drill
the drill
[0000]
TABLE 19
Comparative
Comparative
Comparative
Example 11
Example 12
Example 13
The
21
66
67
number of
through
holes
Test
When the drill
The drilling
When the
status
became difficult
efficiency of the
drilling
to cut after
drill
efficiency of
drilling 21
significantly
the drill
holes, we checked
deteriorated
significantly
and found that a
after drilling
deteriorated
chisel part was
about 50 holes,
suddenly after
missing. Thus the
but the test was
drilling about
test was stopped.
forcibly
60 holes, we
continued. When
checked and
the drill became
found an
difficult to cut
abrasion in the
after drilling 66
chisel part.
holes, we checked
The test was
and found an
stopped when a
abrasion in
noise got
thinning part and
considerably
a crack in the
louder after
peripheral
drilling 67
cutting blade.
holes.
Thus the test was
stopped.
Cutting
There was a
A crunchy noise
There was a
noise
crunchy noise all
started to come
crunchy noise
the time which is
out after
from the
peculiar to a
drilling about 30
beginning, and
stainless steel.
holes, and it
it became
became
considerably
considerably
louder after
louder after
drilling 67
drilling 66
holes.
holes.
Chip
Powdery shape
Powdery shape
Powdery shape
shape
[0119] As shown in Table 18 and 19, it was confirmed that the drills in the examples are able to drill at least about 4 times (comparison with the example 10 and the comparative example 13) to about 17 times (comparison with the example 8 and the comparative example 11) of holes compared with the drills in the comparative examples. It is considered that there is little difference (in the examples 8-10) depending on the thinning position between the drills in the examples. Fine curly chips similar to a sine curve were emitted from the drills in the examples. Chips in such shapes can often be seen for an aluminum as the workpiece, but hardly be seen for a stainless steel, which reveal that the drills are very excellent in drilling efficiency. On the other hand, powdery chips are emitted from the drills in the comparative examples. Therefore, the drills in the examples are found to be significantly superior in drilling efficiency to the drills in the comparative examples.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0120] The present invention is suitably used for the drill employed in a manual hole drilling operation using a hand drill, a drill press, or the like is used.
EXPLANATIONS OF NUMERALS
[0000]
1 Thinning cutting blade
2 Main cutting blade
3 Clearance face
4 Chisel
5 Rake face shaped by main cutting blade
6 Rake face shaped by thinning
7 Central part of drill tip
8 Thinning surface shaped by thinning cutting blade
9 Portion whose width in direction parallel to chisel is narrower than chisel width
10 Rake face forming rake angle
A Length of main cutting blade
B Length of thinning cutting blade
C Drill axis direction
D Extension line extending in drill tip direction line along the deepest portion of thinning surface
d Length of offset
R Drill radius
θ 1 Rake angle formed by main cutting blade
θ 2 Rake angle formed by thinning cutting blade
α 1 Included angle formed by main cutting blade
α 2 Included angle formed by thinning cutting blade
β Clearance angle
γ Tilt angle of thinning surface
R 1 Radius shaping rake face by main cutting blade
R 2 Radius shaping rake face by thinning
W Chisel width
θ Angle of contacting drill with whetstone at the time of thinning formation | [Problem] To provide a drill which enables a great reduction in cutting resistance and easy performance of a drilling operation by human power using a hand drill, a drilling machine, or the like.
[Solution] A drill has two cutting edges formed symmetrically with respect to a rotation axis, and is subjected to thinning at the tip thereof. The cutting edge is configured from a thinned cutting edge ( 1 ) which extends in a shape including a curved line from a chisel edge to the outer peripheral side of the drill, and a main cutting edge ( 2 ) which extends from the end of the thinned cutting edge to the outer peripheral end of the drill when viewed from the tip side of the drill, and a thinned surface formed by the thinned cutting edge is formed into an approximately parabolic shape inclined in a drill axis direction when viewed from the front side of the drill. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a drill, in particular, a drill preferably used for drilling holes by manpower using a hand drill, a drill press or the like.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recently, among machine tools such as machining centers etc, fully automatic types allowing unmanned processing are becoming the mainstream and thus many kinds of drills corresponding to the fully automatic types have been developed and sold.",
"However, drills used for devices requiring operator's power to drill holes, such as a hand drill or a drill press, have not been positively researched or developed.",
"As a result, drills in almost same configurations have been used over several decades.",
"[0003] Since the drills used for the hand drill and drill press etc drill holes with the use of operator's arm strength, they have problems in drilling holes if drilling resistance is high.",
"However, manufacturers of drills have spent little time on research for decreasing the high drilling resistance.",
"It is partly because they thought these conventional drills should be firstly assured for their strength and stiffness, and because operators who bought drills actually used to grind by themselves and utilize the drills as they wanted.",
"[0004] Generally, a method for narrowing a chisel width by performing thinning on a cutting blade is known as a method for decreasing drilling resistance of a drill.",
"(For example, see the following Patent Document 1).",
"Usually, conventional thinning was performed from a central part to a heel part of the drill (see FIG. 16( a )), or only narrow area of the drill's central part (see FIG. 16( b )).",
"In the FIGS. 16( a ) and ( b ), a part on which thinning was performed is hatched and a cutting blade shaped by thinning is shown as (S 1 ).",
"Although these drills on which thinning is performed have more effect on reduction of drilling resistance compared to drills on which no thinning is performed (see FIG. 16( c )), they do not have enough resistance reduction effect if they are used for drilling holes with man power using such as a hand drill or a drill press, and thus an operator must withstand heavy strain on his arms.",
"[0005] In the following patent document 2, the present applicant proposes a drill preferably used for exfoliating a spot welding part of a car's body which is made of high hardness steel sheets.",
"This drill has two cutting blades which are symmetrical about the axis of rotation, has a tip part on which thinning is performed, and has 0.05-0.3 mm chisel width, and its thinning is performed at an inclined angle of 1-4° toward the straight line joining blade edges of both cutting blades when seen from the drill's tip side.",
"According to the document 2, this drill has less thrust resistance at the time of drilling and requires less power applied by an operator compared to conventional drills, since its chisel width is narrow and thinning is performed at said angle.",
"However, this drill has a rake angle shaped by thinning to more than 90° in order to correspond to the high hardness steel sheets.",
"Therefore, the drilling force of the central part becomes weak, and at the time of drilling with a hand drill, significant power would be required while the drilling by the drill tip from a central part to a peripheral cutting blade has been performed, sinking into the workpiece.",
"Moreover, a tip tends to chip when used since the chisel width is very narrow, and in particular, a tip of a drill made from powder high-speed steel becomes fragile and more easily chipped.",
"[0006] Furthermore, the following patent documents 3 and 4 also describe the drills on which thinning is performed, respectively.",
"The drill described in the patent document 3 is used for deep hole machining and has longer thinning cutting blade for the purpose of providing enough space with a thinning pocket (a recess defined by thinning face) and smoothly discharging swarf from the thinning pocket.",
"The drill described in the patent document 4 is a small-diameter drill for a wired printed plate and general thinning is performed on the drill preventing the drill made from cemented carbide from chipping in order to drill holes on a resin board including glass fiber.",
"Additionally, the drill described in the following patent document 1 is a twist drill which has x shape thinning.",
"[0007] Thinning has been performed on every drills described in the patent documents 1, 3, and 4, but the thinning was not done for decreasing drilling resistance.",
"Therefore, in some cases, drilling resistance may be increased but not decreased by its thinning and thus these drills cannot obtain acceptably high efficiency enough to drill holes taking advantage of manpower, such as a hand drill.",
"PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents [0000] Patent document 1: Tokukai 2000-271811 Patent document 2: Tokukai 2006-88267 Patent document 3: Tokukaihei 7-40119 Patent document 4: Tokukaihei 7-164228 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention [0012] The present invention is made to solve the problems of above-described Prior-Art, and proposes a drill which can substantially decrease drilling resistance, and allow for easy hole-drilling by manpower using a hand drill, a drill press, and the like.",
"Means for Solving the Problems [0013] The present invention according to claim 1 relates to a drill with a tip part on which thinning is performed, comprising two cutting blades which are formed symmetrical about an axis of rotation, said cutting blades consisting of a thinning cutting blade extending from a chisel edge toward a peripheral side of the drill to become a shape including curves when seen from tip side of the drill, and a main cutting blade extending from an end part of said thinning cutting blade to the peripheral end of the drill, wherein a ridge line of a boundary between a slot for emitting chips and a thinning surface shaped by said thinning cutting blade is substantially u-shaped, inclining toward the drill axis direction and toward a direction in which the ridge line moves from the thinning cutting blade side to the main cutting blade side as it moves from the drill's tip side to the base end side, when seen from front side of the drill which is an aperture side of said slot, and wherein a rake angle θ1 formed by said main cutting blade and a rake angle θ2 formed by said thinning cutting blade satisfy θ1>θ2>0°, except for a part just below the chisel.",
"[0014] The present invention according to claim 2 relates to the drill of claim 1 , wherein an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface is offset to heel side or cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part of the drill tip, when seen from said front side of the drill.",
"[0015] The present invention according to claim 3 relates to the drill of claim 2 , wherein width of said offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of a drill diameter.",
"[0016] The present invention according to claim 4 relates to the drill of claim 2 or 3 , wherein said extension line is offset to the heel side of the drill.",
"[0017] The present invention according to claim 5 relates to the drill of claim 2 or 3 , wherein said extension line is offset to the cutting blade side of the drill.",
"[0018] The invention according to claim 6 relates to the drill of claim 1 , wherein an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface crosses the central part of the drill tip, when seen from said front side of the drill.",
"[0019] The present invention according to claim 7 relates to the drill of claims 2 to 4 , wherein a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade.",
"[0020] The present invention according to claim 8 relates to the drill of any of claims 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 , wherein a rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade.",
"Effects of The Invention [0021] According to the invention of claim 1 , there is a drill provided which can substantially decrease drilling resistance compared with the conventional drill and can easily drill holes by manpower using a hand drill, a manual drill press, or the like.",
"Moreover, the reduction of drilling resistance improves drilling accuracy and reduces the time to drill holes, leading to improvement of working efficiency.",
"Furthermore, it also allows for significant increase in the drill's life span.",
"Besides, a rake angle θ 1 formed by said main cutting blade and a rake angle θ 2 formed by said thinning cutting blade satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 , except for a part just below the chisel.",
"Therefore, an apparent rake angle becomes smaller and the less portion of the blade edge digs deep into the workpiece, thereby making the cutting blade much easier to drill even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill.",
"Moreover, setting θ 2 ≦0° prevents any failure as occurred if θ 2 ≦0° is set (as the cutting resistance increases, the sharpness deteriorates).",
"[0022] According to the invention of claim 2 , an extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface is offset to heel side or cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.",
"Therefore, a distinct rake part can be formed from chisel to the cutting blade (including a portion of the heel part, too), or from chisel neighborhood, except for just below the chisel, to the cutting blade.",
"This leads to significant improvement of sharpness of the cutting blade.",
"[0023] According to the invention of claim 3 , width of said offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of a drill diameter and therefore the drilling resistance can be more surely decreased, which drastically improves high efficiency of the cutting blade.",
"[0024] According to the invention of claim 4 , said extension line is offset to the heel side of the drill, and therefore a distinct rake part can be formed from chisel to the cutting blade (including a portion of the heel part, too).",
"This results in a distinct cutting blade from the chisel part to the cutting blade part, and its drilling efficiency significantly improves.",
"Furthermore, the drilling force obtained from the rotation of the drill generates from the moment the drill tip contacts a workpiece (since a rake is also provided at the drill tip, component force for the rake angle generates even by for example rotation of an air drill from the moment the drill contacts the workpiece, and this component force affects the workpiece), and the power which an operator needs to apply on the drill may be smaller.",
"Additionally, the rake angle becomes comparatively larger and the drilling force becomes the largest, compared with the cases where said extension line is offset to the cutting blade side of the drill and where said extension line crosses the central part of the drill tip.",
"[0025] According to the invention of claim 5 , said extension line is offset to the cutting blade of the drill, and therefore a distinct rake is obtained from the chisel neighborhood to the cutting blade, except for a part just below the chisel.",
"Although there is no rake provided just below the chisel, the chisel width is much narrower than if said extension line is offset to the heel side (case 1 ), and the chisel width is substantially same as in the case said extension line crosses the central part of the drill tip (case 2 ).",
"In addition, since a larger thinning part can be formed, drilling resistance can be decreased and the high efficiency equal to or greater than that of the above-described two cases (cases 1 and 2 ) can be obtained even if no rake is provided just below the chisel.",
"[0026] According to the invention of claim 6 , the extension line extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of said thinning surface crosses the central part of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.",
"Therefore, a distinct cutting blade is shaped from the chisel neighborhood, except for a part just below the chisel, to the cutting blade part and the high drilling efficiency will significantly improve.",
"Since the chisel width is reduced to a minimum, drilling resistance decreases instead and the same drilling force as obtained if said extension line is offset to the heel side, can be obtained.",
"[0027] According to the invention of claim 7 , a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of a thinning cutting blade.",
"Therefore, the invention has the advantage that a rake angle is formed across all the parts contacting the workpiece from apart just below the chisel to the cutting blade, and all the parts serve as cutting blade, thereby increasing the drilling force (see the below-described FIG. 12( a )).",
"[0028] According to the invention of claim 8 , a rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel of said thinning cutting blade, and therefore the part contacting the workpiece, except for a part just below the chisel, serves as cutting blade.",
"Although this can generate a drilling force a bit smaller than the force generated in the case if a rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel of a thinning cutting blade (case 3 ), a chisel tip part becomes narrower and the drilling resistance on the chisel tip part decreases, thereby obtaining the same drilling efficiency as obtained in the case 3 (see the below-described FIGS. 12( b ) and ( c )).",
"In addition, comparing with the case 3 , this has the advantage that a thinning part can be much wider.",
"Therefore, a thinning position can be changed and adjusted in accordance with workpiece materials and the drill diameter.",
"Some ingenuity can be added.",
"For example, if the workpiece is made of relatively hard materials or the drill diameter is larger, the thinning position can be moved to the cutting blade, and if the workpiece is made of soft materials or the drill diameter is smaller, the thinning position can be moved to the heel side.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES [0029] FIG. 1 It shows a drill according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"[0030] FIG. 2 It shows the drill according to the present invention seen from only slightly left to the FIG. 1( b ).",
"[0031] FIG. 3 It is a figure defining a clearance angle.",
"[0032] FIG. 4 It shows an angle at which a drill is applied to a whetstone at the time of thinning formation.",
"[0033] FIG. 5 It shows an angle of thinning.",
"[0034] FIG. 6( a ) shows a cross sectional view perpendicular to the thinning part, and ( b ) shows a cross-sectional part (A-A cross section) of ( a ).",
"[0035] FIG. 7 It shows another example of the edge form of a rake face.",
"[0036] FIG. 8 It is a front view of an tip part showing another example (a drill for spot welding exfoliation) (the second embodiment) of the drill according to the present invention.",
"[0037] FIG. 9 It shows a drill of the third embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"[0038] FIG. 10 It shows a drill of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"[0039] FIG. 11 It shows a drill of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"[0040] FIG. 12 It is across sectional view cutting the drill according to the present invention in the longitudinal direction (the direction of drill length) along the chisel, and (a) is the drill of the third embodiment, (b) is the drill of the fourth embodiment, and (c) is the drill of the fifth embodiment.",
"[0041] FIG. 13 It shows an example of the whetstone profile for generating the thinning cutting blade in the drill according to the present invention, and shows a rotational end part (a peripheral edge) of the whetstone.",
"[0042] FIG. 14 It shows an example of the whetstone profile for generating the thinning cutting blade in the drill according to the present invention, and shows a rotational end part (a peripheral edge) of the whetstone.",
"[0043] FIG. 15 It shows a test method of the drills of the examples and comparative examples.",
"[0044] FIG. 16 It is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side) of the conventional drill.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the drill according to the present invention will be set forth with reference to the drawings.",
"FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the drill according to the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"[0046] The drill according to the present invention has two cutting blades which are formed symmetrical about an axis of rotation, and has a tip part on which thinning is performed.",
"The cutting blades consist of a thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) extending from a chisel edge toward a peripheral side of the drill to become a shape including curves, and a main cutting blade ( 2 ) extending from an end part of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) to the peripheral end of the drill, when seen from tip side of the drill.",
"In the illustrated example, the main cutting blade ( 2 ) extends in a linear fashion from an end part of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) to the peripheral end of the drill, but it may extend in a curved fashion, in a linear fashion, and in a linear and curved fashion.",
"This is common in all the embodiments of the present invention.",
"In the illustrated drawing, ( 3 ) is a frank face, ( 4 ) is a chisel, ( 5 ) is a rake face shaped by the main cutting blade ( 2 ), ( 6 ) is a new rake face shaped by thinning, and (W) is a chisel width.",
"[0047] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the first embodiment satisfies 0<A≦B.",
"If the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is set to be equal to or larger than the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the drill can, in some cases, significantly decrease drilling resistance compared with the conventional drill which satisfies A>B, as shown in the examples and comparative examples described below.",
"However, in the present invention as shown in the embodiments (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 ) described later, A>B may be also preferable.",
"[0048] With reference to the drill of the first embodiment, it is desirable to lengthen the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) and to shorten the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) as much as possible, since the higher the percentage (B/(A+B)) of the length (B) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) in the total length of the cutting blade (A+B) is, the more the drilling resistance is decreased.",
"However, if the length (A) of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is 0, profile irregularity of the drilled hole will be reduced.",
"Therefore, A is required to be larger than 0 (0<A).",
"It is preferable to set the lengths so that it can satisfy R×0.1≦A with respect to a drill radius (R).",
"[0049] FIG. 2 shows a drill of the first embodiment seen from only slightly left to the front side.",
"The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >°.",
"However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost 0°) only just below a chisel ( 4 ).",
"The fact that the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is smaller than the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) means that the apparent rake angle becomes smaller by thinning.",
"The larger the rake angle is, the more the portions of the blade edge dig deep into the workpiece.",
"It causes no problem when the drill is rotated by a power source such as a mechanical tool, but it does cause a problem when for example, the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill, and consequently the cutting blade has trouble in drilling the workpiece due to a lack of the manpower against load.",
"In the present invention, the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is shaped to satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 , so that the apparent rake angle is set to be smaller and the less portion of the blade edge diggs into the workpiece, thereby making the cutting blade much easier to cut even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower, such as a hand drill.",
"[0050] The reason for setting θ 2 >0° is if the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is ≦0°, drilling resistance will actually increase and the drilling efficiency will deteriorate.",
"With reference to the conventional drill, thinning is performed so that the rake angle can be minus for the reason that if the rake is provided in the central part, a blade edge can be easily chipped.",
"[0051] There are some helix angles of a drill depending on a kind of drills, and the helix angle is generally set at around 30°.",
"However, at this angle, drilling resistance is large and it is not appropriate for drilling holes by manpower using a hand drill.",
"Although some methods reduce drilling resistance by making a helix angle smaller and thus making a rake angle smaller, a method of changing apparent rake angle by thinning only, like the present invention, without changing the original helix angle of around 30° rather than producing a drill by changing the helix angle has the advantage of doing this extremely easily.",
"[0052] An included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90° (See FIG. 6 for α 1 and α 2 ).",
"[0053] Here, supplementary explanation about the rake angle and an included angle will be added.",
"With reference to the rake angle (rake angle before thinning formation) which the drill originally has, the included angle is too sharp and the blade edge digs deep into the workpiece like a wedge, thereby increasing the drilling resistance.",
"By performing thinning, the rake angle reduces and the included angle increases, thereby improving the drilling efficiency (decreasing drilling resistance).",
"In particular, according to the thinning performed on the drill, a loose rake angle and a larger included angle suitable for an operator's arm strength will be generated.",
"[0054] A clearance angle (β) is set to satisfy 0°<β<8°.",
"Preferably, it is set to satisfy 0°<β≦4°.",
"Generally, it is considered that high drilling efficiency can be obtained by forming a sharp blade edge by setting the clearance angle larger and the rake angle larger, and thus commercially-available drills have this kind of profile in common.",
"However, if the clearance angle is set to be larger as well as the rake angle, the blade edge gets sharper, more portions of the blade edge dig deep into the workpiece and thus it has trouble in drilling the workpiece if the drill is pressed against the work piece by manpower such as a hand drill.",
"In the present invention, setting the clearance angle smaller, at 0°<β≦4° allows less portions of the blade edge to dig deep into the workpiece, and the blade can easily cut even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower, such as a hand drill.",
"[0055] Here, the clearance angle (β) is defined by the following (X) or (Y).",
"[0056] (X) An angle between whetstone's horizontal center line and drill's central axis line, obtained by aligning a center of the drill's tip part on the whetstone's horizontal center line of whetstone's periphery which has a radius of 50 mm or more, contacting the cutting blade of the drill's tip part with the whetstone's horizontal center line in a parallel (=horizontal) fashion, and moving the drill's posterior end below the whetstone's horizontal center line while setting the drill's tip part as a supporting point (See FIG. 3( a )).",
"[0057] (Y) An angle between whetstone's horizontal center line and drill's central axis line, obtained by aligning a center of the drill's tip part on the whetstone's horizontal center line of whetstone's lateral side (vertical surface), contacting the cutting blade of the drill's tip part with the whetstone's horizontal center line in a parallel (=horizontal) fashion, and moving the drill's posterior end below the whetstone's horizontal center line while setting the drill's tip part as a supporting point (See FIG. 3( b )).",
"[0058] However, (X) and (Y) have small difference of a certain angle occurred by the whetstone's radius shown in FIG. 3( a ) and a distance from the drill center to the cutting blade: ½ W (W: web thickness) (the angle is about 0.573°, if the web thickness (W) is 2 mm in the case of the whetstone's radius of 50 mm, the angle is about 0.286° in the case of a radius of 100 mm, and the angle is about 0.191° in the case of a radius of 150 mm).",
"Therefore, if the clearance angle is obtained by (X), it is preferable to add this difference to (X).",
"That is, the clearance angle is preferably obtained by the following formula.",
"[0000] (X) In the case of FIG. 3( a ): the clearance angle=β+tan −1 ((1−cos(sin −1 0.5 W/R )) R/ 0.5 W ) (Y) In the case of FIG. 3( b ): clearance angle=β [0059] For example, the actual clearance angle of a drill with a diameter of 10 mm and a web thickness of 2 mm which performs grinding with a whetstone with a radius (R) of 50 mm and a clearance of 3° will be about 3.573°.",
"[0060] It is preferable to set the chisel width (W) (see FIG. 1( a )) smaller so that the blade can easily cut the workpiece even if the drill is pressed against the workpiece by manpower such as a hand drill.",
"Specifically, it is desirable to set the chisel width to 10% or less of a diameter of the drill.",
"For example, if a drill diameter φ is 2-13 mm, the chisel width (W) is set to be in a range of 0.1-0.8 mm, depending on increase and decrease of the drill diameter.",
"[0061] In the present invention, an angle of thinning is set to be smaller compared with the conventional drill.",
"Conventional thinning precedes strength and rigidity of the drill itself and thus sets larger the angle (θ) of contacting the drill to the whetstone at the time of thinning formation.",
"(See FIG. 4( a )).",
"If the angle (θ) is set to be as small as possible and the center of the drill is moved closer to a tangential line of a grinding surface of the whetstone, drilling resistance on a central part of the drill, called a web, will be reduced, resulting in significant reduction of the drilling resistance (See FIG. 4( b )).",
"[0062] In the present invention, it is desirable to set the angle of thinning so as to satisfy the following (I) and (II).",
"[0000] (I) The angle (θ of FIG. 4 ) between the drill's central axis line and a vertical center line of the whetstone which performs thinning is 0-20°.",
"(II) The angle between the drill's central axis line and a center line in the width direction of the whetstone which performs thinning is 20-35° (See FIG. 5 ).",
"[0063] However, a range of the angle of thinning of the above-described (II) is obtained in the case of a point angle of 118° and a helix angle of 30°, and is not necessarily preferable for all the drills.",
"In theory, an upper limit of the thinning angle of the above-mentioned (II) can be set to a range of a half of the angle (i.e. if the angle is 118°, it is 59°) at a position (=a point angle) parallel to the blade edge of the drill.",
"[0064] Next, thinning shape will be set forth.",
"FIG. 6( a ) shows a cross sectional view (A-A cross section of FIG. 6( b )) perpendicular to the thinning part of the drill.",
"In the example shown in FIG. 6( a ), the edge part (a boundary part with the rake face ( 5 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 )) of the rake face ( 6 ) formed by thinning is ach-shaped by a radius (R 2 ) of thinning.",
"In addition, (R 1 ) is a radius of a groove part of the drill.",
"As illustrated, the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°.",
"Furthermore, the included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90°.",
"[0065] In the present invention, the edge form of the rake face may not only be an arc-shape but also a form combining an arc and a straight line (See FIG. 7 .).",
"The inventors confirmed through experiments that if the edge form of the rake face is an arc-shape ( FIG. 6( a )) and a form combining an arc and a straight line ( FIG. 7) , cutting blades in both cases have equal drilling efficiency and have no difference in drilling resistance.",
"[0066] The drill according to the present invention may be a drill for spot welding exfoliation which has a form as shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, referred to as the second embodiment).",
"In addition, in FIG. 8 , same components as shown in the drill of FIG. 1 are given the same numerals.",
"Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the second embodiment also satisfies 0<A≦B.",
"More preferably, the lengths are set to satisfy R×0.1≦A with reference to a radius (R) of the drill.",
"Moreover, it is preferable that the rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°.",
"Furthermore, it is preferable that the included angle (α 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade and the included angle (α 2 ) formed by the above-mentioned thinning cutting blade satisfy α 1 <α 2 <90°.",
"In addition, the clearance angle (β) preferably satisfies 0°<β≦4°.",
"[0067] With reference to the drill according to the present invention, a ridge line of a boundary between a slot for emitting chips and a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 ).",
"In the present invention, “front side of the drill”",
"means an aperture side of a slot for emitting chips.",
"As illustrated, the direction of tilt moves from the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) side to the main-cutting-edge ( 2 ) side (diagonally downward left when seen from the front side) as it moves from the drill's tip side to the base end side.",
"This can be applied to the below-described embodiments as well.",
"The angle (γ) of the tilt is set to be in a range of 20-35° (for example, 27.5°).",
"As mentioned above, this angle setting can be achieved by setting the angle between the center line in the width direction of the whetstone which performs thinning and the drill's central axis line in a range of 20-35° (See FIG. 5 ).",
"In consideration of the helix angle of the drill, when thinning is performed, an angle of tilting the center of the whetstone (see an alternate long and short dash line (L) in FIG. 1( a )) may be preferably set to a range of helix angle −10° to helix angle +10°.",
"However, in theory, this angle can be set to a range of helix angle −10° to ½ of the point angle on the cutting blade side.",
"These configurations (the form of the thinning cutting blade, the direction of tilt, and the angle of tilt) are common to the drills of all the embodiments of the present invention.",
"[0068] FIG. 9 shows the drill of the third embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"Also, with reference to the drill according to the third embodiment, a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 9( b )).",
"When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion (the deepest part cut by thinning) of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is offset to heel side of the drill, without crossing the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.",
"Preferably, length of offset (d) is equal to or smaller than 10% of the drill diameter.",
"This is because if it exceeds 10%, drilling resistance increases and drilling efficiency of the blade deteriorates.",
"[0069] The rake angle is formed in a part including apart just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ).",
"In the FIG. 9( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle.",
"Since the rake angle is formed in a part including a part just below the chisel ( 4 ), the portion ( 9 ) whose width in a direction parallel to the chisel is narrower than the chisel width (W) is formed just below the chisel ( 4 ) (See FIG. 12( a )).",
"[0070] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the third embodiment satisfies A>B.",
"The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°.",
"The rake angles also satisfy this just below the chisel ( 4 ).",
"[0071] FIG. 10 shows the drill of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"Also, with reference to the drill according to the fourth embodiment, a thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially u-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 10( b )).",
"When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is offset to cutting blade side of the drill, without crossing the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.",
"Preferably, length of offset is equal to or smaller than 10% of the drill diameter.",
"This is because if it exceeds 10%, drilling resistance increases and drilling efficiency of the blade deteriorates.",
"[0072] The rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ).",
"More specifically, the rake angle is formed in the main cutting blade ( 2 ) side rather than just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ).",
"In FIG. 10( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle.",
"[0073] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the fourth embodiment satisfies 0<A≦B.",
"The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°.",
"However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost 0°) only just below the chisel ( 4 ).",
"[0074] FIG. 11 shows the drill of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a top view (a figure seeing the drill from the tip side), and (b) is a front view of the tip part.",
"Also, with reference to the drill according to the fourth embodiment, a thinning surface formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is substantially parabolic (substantially U-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill (see FIG. 11( b )).",
"When an extension line (D) extending in a drill tip direction a line along the deepest portion of the thinning surface ( 8 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) crosses the central part ( 7 ) of the drill tip, when seen from front side of the drill.",
"[0075] The rake angle is formed in a part which is adjacent to but does not include a part just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ).",
"More specifically, the rake angle is formed in the main cutting blade ( 2 ) side rather than just below the chisel ( 4 ) of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ).",
"In FIG. 11( a ), the numeral ( 10 ) shows the rake face forming the rake angle.",
"[0076] Given that regarding the length of the cutting blade in the extending direction of the main cutting blade ( 2 ), the length of the main cutting blade ( 2 ) is (A) and the length of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) is (B), the drill of the fifth embodiment satisfies A>B.",
"The rake angle (θ 1 ) formed by the main cutting blade ( 2 ) and the rake angle (θ 2 ) formed by the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) satisfy θ 1 >θ 2 >0°.",
"However, it becomes θ 2 ≈0° (θ 2 <0°, almost) 0° only just below the chisel ( 4 ).",
"[0077] With reference to the drills according to the above-mentioned third to fifth embodiments, as well as the drills of the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) has a feature of being substantially parabolic (substantially U-shaped), inclining toward the drill axis direction (C) when seen from front side of the drill.",
"This can reduce the load on the chisel and narrow the chisel width even if the formula 0<A≦B is not satisfied.",
"Specifically, the chisel width after thinning can be narrowed to about 3 to 5% of a drill diameter.",
"Therefore, the drill can reduce the drilling resistance and thus obtain ultra-high efficiency of the blade, which exerts a great effect on drilling holes by manpower.",
"[0078] Described below is the whetstone profile for the generation of the thinning cutting blade ( 1 ) in the drill according to the present invention.",
"FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate an example of whetstone profile and a rotational end part (periphery part) of the whetstone.",
"The whetstone has one or more radii of curvature in the rotational end part.",
"One of the radii of curvature of the whetstone is R 1 and this R 1 is a radius for the generation of the thinning cutting blade that is mainly applied to the cutting blade.",
"Next, a radius of curvature R 2 forming a curved surface which is adjacent to R 1 and smoothly connected with R 1 is provided so that it mainly contacts with a heel part.",
"[0079] Based on the combination of the two radii of curvature, R 1 and R 2 , a size relation of R 1 and R 2 (R 1 =R 2 , R 1 <R 2 , R 1 >R 2 ) is altered, larger R 3 is provided between R 1 and R 2 in order to correspond to a thicker drill, or smaller R 4 and R 5 are formed in a whetstone corner in order to converge a large radius of curvature to whetstone width, according to a ratio of a diameter and a core thickness of the drill as shown in FIG. 13 .",
"Moreover, a whetstone that combines one or more above-mentioned radii of curvature can also be used.",
"Furthermore, thinning may also be performed by including a straight part between the R parts or providing a tilt on the side as shown in FIG. 14 .",
"EXAMPLES [0080] Hereinafter, the effect of the present invention will be clearer by showing test results on the drill in the examples and comparative examples below according to the present invention.",
"However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples in any way.",
"[0081] 1.",
"A test based on the relation between a length of the main cutting blade (A) and a length of the thinning cutting blade (B)<",
"Test 1: The Relation Between a Length of the Main Cutting Blade (A) and a Length of the Thinning Cutting Blade (B)>",
"[0082] Six different kinds of thinning with B sizes shown in Table 1 were performed for a drill with Ø10 mm in diameter (R=5 mm in radius), and drills in the examples and comparative examples were produced.",
"All Clearance angles of the drills were set as 4° and all chisel widths were set as 0.5 mm.",
"[0000] TABLE 1 A (mm) B (mm) Example 1 0.5 4.5 Example 2 1.0 4.0 Example 3 2.0 3.0 Example 4 2.5 2.5 Comparative Example 1 3.0 2.0 Comparative Example 2 4.0 1.0 [0083] Following the attachment of the drills in the above-mentioned examples and comparative examples to a rechargeable drill driver (manufactured by Panasonic), in all examples in Table 1, the same operator conducted a cutting operation until the peripheral cutting blade was sunk into a metal plate (quality of the material SS400 and 9 mm in thickness) by manpower (see FIG. 15 ).",
"Operators evaluated the ease of the cutting operation by each drill based on the following standards.",
"Evaluation results are shown in Table 2.",
"<Criterion for Evaluation>",
"[0000] ⊚ .",
"light (requiring little force for drilling) ◯ .",
"relatively light (requiring a little force for drilling) X .",
"heavy (requiring a large force for drilling) [0000] TABLE 2 Evaluation Example 1 ⊚ Example 2 ⊚ Example 3 ⊚ Example 4 ◯ Comparative Example 1 X Comparative Example 2 X [0087] As shown in Table 2, the drills in the examples (0<A≦B) were able to easily drill the metal plate compared to the drills (A>B) in the comparative examples.",
"That is, the drilling resistance was small.",
"In particular, the drills in the examples 1-3 (0<A<B) had very small drilling resistance.",
"[0000] <Test 2: Comparison 1 with Competitors'",
"Products, Etc.",
">",
"[0088] Four kinds of drills (Ø8.5 mm in diameter) shown in Table 3 were prepared.",
"The drill in the example 5 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 1 ) and the drills in the comparative examples 3-5 have the configurations shown in FIG. 16( a )-( c ), respectively.",
"[0000] TABLE 3 Product Name Configuration Example 5 Present Invention FIG. 1 Comparative Cobalt Masamune Drill FIG. 16 (a) Example 3 manufactured by Ishihashi Seiko Co., Ltd Comparative General-purpose Drill FIG. 16 (c) Example 4 manufactured by Mitsubishi Materials Kobe tools division Comparative Drill in the comparative example FIG. 16 (b) Example 5 4 on which thinning was performed by the applicant [0089] Following the attachment of the drill in the above-mentioned example 5 and the comparative examples 3-5 to the rechargeable drill driver (manufactured by Panasonic), in all examples in Table 3, the same operator conducted a drilling operation on the metal plate (quality of the material SS400 and 9 mm in thickness) by manpower.",
"When about 70% of the length from the drill tip to the peripheral cutting blade sank in the workpiece, drilling was temporarily stopped, and after checking the shape of the hole, drilling was continued until the peripheral cutting blade sank deeper.",
"Evaluation results on each drill are shown in Table 4 and 5.",
"Besides, the reason for having checked the hole shape is that the hole shape cannot easily become a cone shape if drilling resistance changes during operations.",
"[0000] TABLE 4 Hole Drill behavior until the peripheral Shape cutting blade sank in the workpiece Example 5 Cone Rotating smoothly, and not moved rattly Shape until the peripheral cutting blade sank Comparative Pentagon Starting to move ratttly from the Example 3 middle, and continued until the peripheral cutting blade sank Comparative Triangle Starting to move ratttly from the Example 4 middle, and continued until the peripheral cutting blade sank Comparative Triangle Starting to move ratttly from the Example 5 middle, and continued until the peripheral cutting blade sank [0000] TABLE 5 Drilling efficiency of the cutting blade and chips after the peripheral cutting blade sank in the workpiece Example 5 Very light.",
"Fine consecutive chips were emitted.",
"Comparative Relatively light.",
"Fine continuous chips were Example 3 emitted.",
"Comparative Heavy.",
"Intermittent chips were emitted for a while.",
"Example 4 Comparative A little heavy.",
"Continuous chips were emitted, but Example 5 they are not fine.",
"[0090] As seen clearly from Tables 4 and 5, since drilling resistance of the drills in the examples is smaller and they have less fluctuation compared to the drills of the comparative examples, drilling can be easily conducted with a small force and fine consecutive chips were emitted while drilling operation.",
"Besides, at the sites where a part such as autoparts and electrical parts is manufactured in large quantities, consecutive chips with a possibility of coiling around a drill are not preferable because of a mechanical automation and unmanned operation.",
"Therefore, drill manufacturers have given priority to the development of a drill suitable for automatic machines that do not emit consecutive chips.",
"However, at the sites where a hand drill is used (for fitting of a railroad vehicle, etc.) or the sites where a manual drill press is used, since operators may just remove chips, operating efficiency improves as the drilling efficiency improves even if consecutive chips are emitted.",
"In addition, chip clogging with a drill for deep holes is removed because of the emission of the chips along a drill groove.",
"[0000] <Test 3: Comparison 2 with Competitors'",
"Products, Etc.",
">",
"[0091] Four kinds of drills (Ø6.5 mm in diameter) shown in Table 6 were prepared.",
"The drill in the example 6 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 1 ), and the drills in the comparative examples 6-8 have the configurations shown in FIG. 16( a )-( c ), respectively.",
"Besides, the reason that drill-diameter Ø was set as 6.5 mm is for making the peripheral cutting blade to reach a metal plate (3 mm in thickness) which will be mentioned later before the drill tip penetrates the metal plate.",
"[0000] TABLE 6 Product Name Configuration Example 6 Present Invention FIG. 1 Comparative Cobalt Masamune Drill manufactured FIG. 16 (a) Example 6 by Ishihashi Seiko Co., Ltd Comparative General-purpose Drill FIG. 16 (c) Example 7 manufactured by Mitsubishi Materials Kobe tools division Comparative Drill in the comparative example 7 FIG. 16 (b) Example 8 on which thinning was performed by the applicant [0092] By using the drill press (manufactured by Kitagawa Iron Works Co., Ltd.) provided with the drills in the above-mentioned example 6 and the comparative examples 6-8, in all examples in Table 6, the same operator conducted an operation to drill a through hole in a metal plate (quality of the material SUS304, 3 mm in thickness, 60 mm in width, and 320 mm in length).",
"The operation was conducted continuously and stopped when the operator judged that the drill was unusable (impossible to drill a hole), and then the operator evaluated the durability of the drill depending on the number of the drilled holes.",
"Results are shown in Table 7.",
"[0000] TABLE 7 Results Example 6 Minor abrasions were found after drilling 100 holes, but the hole drilling was continued since the drilling resistance was nearly unchanged from the beginning.",
"A small increase of the abrasions was found after drilling 200 holes, but the hole drilling was continued since no cracks were found and the drilling resistance was unchanged.",
"Since minor cracks and progression of abrasions were found after drilling 300 holes, the hole drilling was stopped even though it seemed that the drilling can be still continued.",
"Comparative The hole drilling was stopped when drilling 100 Example 6 holes since cracks were found in the periphery and thinning of the drill's edge part and the drilling resistance increased after drilling 98 holes.",
"Comparative The hole drilling was stopped since cracks and Example 7 large abrasion were found in the periphery and thinning of the drill's edge part after drilling 24 holes.",
"Comparative The hole drilling was stopped since cracks and Example 8 large abrasion were found in the periphery and thinning of the drill's edge part after drilling 30 holes.",
"[0093] As seen clearly from Table 7, The drills in the examples has the durability that far exceeds that of the drills in the comparative examples against SUS304 which is a material more difficult to cut than a SS material.",
"[0000] <Test 4: Comparison with Applicant's Other Inventions>",
"[0094] Three kinds of drills (Ø8.2 mm in diameter) shown in Table 8 were prepared.",
"The drill in the example 7 is a drill according to the present invention (see FIG. 8 ).",
"The drill in the comparative example 9 is a drill that was described in Tokugan 2010-203777 (the prior application by the applicant), and the drill in the comparative example 10 is a drill that was described in said patent document 2.",
"Besides, there is almost no difference in performance between qualities of the materials.",
"In the drill in the example 6, a tilt angle between the whetstone for performing thinning and a drill axis was set as 27.5° (20-35° of mean value), and thinning of the drill was performed along the tangent line of the whetstone (thinning angle (see FIG. 4 ) θ=0°).",
"[0000] TABLE 8 Helix Chisel Width Angle Quality of Material Example 7 0.5 mm 30° SKH59 Comparative 0.38 mm 32° SKH56 Example 9 Comparative 0.3 mm 32° Powder High - Speed Example 10 Steel [0095] By drilling holes in the workpiece (exchange panel, high-tensile steel plate of the Daihatsu Move car) with the above-mentioned three kinds of drills, the drilling efficiency and durability of the drills were checked.",
"The hole drilling was performed to the same extent of the depth in all examples in Table 8 without drilling a through hole so as to avoid breakage.",
"First, by drilling one hole at a time using the above-mentioned three kinds of drills, the drilling efficiency of the drills was checked.",
"Results are shown in Table 9.",
"[0000] TABLE 9 Drilling efficiency Example 7 Cut very well.",
"Comparative Cut very well.",
"Example 9 Comparative Cut well, requiring the most power Example 10 among the three kinds of drills.",
"[0096] The hole drilling was performed using the drills in the above-mentioned example 7 and the comparative examples 9-10.",
"The operation was conducted continuously and stopped when the operator judged that the drill was unusable (impossible to drill a hole), and then the operator evaluated the durability of the drill depending on the number of the drilled holes.",
"Results are shown in Table 10.",
"[0000] TABLE 10 Durability Example 7 Still possible to drill holes without requiring big power even after drilling 50 holes.",
"Comparative Stopped the operation since it seems to require big Example 9 power after drilling 15 holes.",
"Comparative Cut well until 3 holes were made, but the drilling Example 10 efficiency gradually deteriorated and it became very hard to cut after drilling 6 holes, and then stopped the operation since it seemed to require big power after drilling 9 holes.",
"[0097] As seen clearly from Table 10, it turned out that the drill in the example 7 has both drilling efficiency and durability unlike the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10.",
"Moreover, Close-up observation of the tip of each drill showed that in the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10 the chisel edges abraded largely, but on the other hand, in the drill in the example 6 the abrasion of the chisel edge was small and the whole blade edge abraded equally despite a number of holes in the drill in the example 6.",
"Since the drill in the example 7 has the widest chisel width, it can be assumed that the power to push a operator's drill was distributed and the chisel edge was less subject to the abrasion compared to the drills in the comparative examples 9 and 10, allowing a large number of hole drilling.",
"In addition, it is contemplated that the reason the drilling force equivalent to the one obtained from a narrow chisel width was acquired even if the chisel width was enlarged is that the drill had a rake angle suitable for drilling.",
"Test Based on the Shape of Thinning [0098] In the above-mentioned Test 1-4, it was confirmed that the drill which satisfies 0<A≦B is excellent in drilling efficiency compared with the drill which does not satisfy the same (A>B).",
"However, as a result of further additional tests, the inventors have discovered that a drill which has a thinning surface of the specific shape (specified in claim 1 ) may obtain excellent drilling efficiency even if the drill does not satisfy 0<A≦B.",
"The results of the additional tests are shown below.",
"[0099] Additionally, all of the drills in the above-mentioned examples 1-7 have a thinning surface in a specific shape (specified in claim 1 ), and all of the drills in the comparative examples 1-10 do not have thinning surface in the specific shape.",
"Supplemental explanations on the drill used in the above-mentioned Test 1 (the examples 1-4 and comparative examples 1 and 2) are given with regard to this point.",
"In the Test 1, five kinds of sizes of thinning were performed for one kind of drill mainly for the purpose of setting the proportion of A:B.",
"Thinning was performed by creating the whetstone mainly used for allowing for 4.5 mm thinning on the drill, especially the whetstone shown in FIG. 13 ( 2 ).",
"Since all of the chisel widths were set as 0.5 mm, the length of the thinning cutting blade (B) was adjusted by changing θ described in FIGS. 4( a ) and ( b ).",
"As a result, in the examples 1-4 thinning was shaped in a state as shown in FIG. 4( b ) in which the whetstone made a deep contact with the groove of the drill (θ<20°), although in the comparative examples 1 and 2 thinning had to be shaped in a state nearly as shown in FIG. 4( a ) in which the whetstone made a relatively shallow contact with the groove of the drill.",
"(Thus, the result was θ>20°.) Therefore, the drills in the examples 1-4 have the thinning surfaces of the above-mentioned specific shapes (specified in claim 1 ).",
"But on the other hand, in the comparative examples 1 and 2 the shapes when seeing from the sides of the drill tips became as arc shapes nearly as shown in FIG. 16( b ), and the thinning surfaces shaped by the thinning cutting blades did not become substantially parabolic shapes, inclining toward the drill axis directions when seeing from the front side of the drills, but became shapes as nearly mere circles.",
"Besides, it did not appear inclined toward the drill axis directions.",
"<Test 5: Additional Test 1>",
"(1) Setting of a Drill Diameter [0100] Based on the actual situation of work sites, the drill diameter was set as followings three types which are base hole diameters of the screws.",
"M4: Ø3.3 mm 2.",
"M5: Ø4.2 mm 3.",
"M6: Ø5.2 mm (2) Manufacture and Test of the Drills in the Examples [0101] For the above-mentioned three kinds of diameters, the drills in the examples 8-10 were manufactured on three conditions shown in Table 11.",
"[0000] TABLE 11 Drill Diameter Chisel Width (mm) Drill Shape (W) Example 8 Ø3.3 FIG. 9, FIG. 12 0.23 mm (a) Example 9 Ø4.2 FIG. 11, FIG. 12 0.32 mm (c) Example 10 Ø5.2 FIG. 10, FIG. 12 0.34 mm (b) [0102] By using the drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted to drill one hole in the workpieces (SUS304 steel plates: 3 mm in thickness×100 mm×500 mm) with the drill press (manufactured by Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd., Model Number KFS-410 (used at 320 rpm/60 Hz)), time required for one hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed.",
"Results are shown in Table 12.",
"[0000] TABLE 12 Drill Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Hole Drilling 14.6 16.7 21.4 Time (second) Chip Shape Long Curly Long Curly Long Curly Shape Shape Shape [0103] Following the hole drilling tests with the drill press, by using the same drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted to drill holes in the same workpieces with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) (manufactured by KTS.",
"Co., Ltd., MODEL AT12M, idling speed: 1200 rpm).",
"The workpieces were fixed vertically using the vise, and the hole drilling was conducted to rectangular directions in the workpieces with the drills in the examples 8-10 in a horizontal state.",
"(Since the horizontal hole drilling depends largely on the arm strength of the operators as they can not place their body weights on the drill compared to the hole drilling to the perpendicular directions, the drilling force (drilling efficiency) is likely to be reflected in numerical values.) Air pressure that drives a pneumatic drill was set as 6-8 kg/mm 2 .",
"In addition, since drilling time changes depending on the arm strength of the operators, the hole drilling was conducted 3 times for each drill respectively to calculate average values.",
"Chip shapes were also observed.",
"Results are shown in Table 13.",
"[0000] TABLE 13 1 2 3 Average Example 8 Time 10.9 8.1 7.6 8.87 (second) Chip Shape Curly Shape Example 9 Time 9.6 12.2 10.1 10.63 (second) Chip Shape Curly Shape Example Time 16.5 12.9 15.4 14.93 10 (second) Chip Shape Curly Shape (3) Manufacturing and Test of the Drills in the Comparative Examples [0104] For the above-mentioned three kinds of diameters, the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 were manufactured on three conditions shown in Table 14.",
"[0000] TABLE 14 Drill Diameter (mm) Drill Shape Comparative Ø3.3 Drill described in Example 11 Tokukaihei7-164228 (Publication 1) Comparative Ø4.2 Drill described in Example 12 Tokukai2000-271811 (Publication 2) Comparative Ø5.2 Drill described in Example 13 Tokukaihei7-40119 (Publication 3) (3-1) The Drill in the Comparative Example 11 [0105] Since the drill of the comparative example 11 is below Ø3.175 mm including a curved line in thinning, it was manufactured based on a Ø3.3 mm of drill whose diameter is practically the closest to the diameter of the drill below Ø3.175 mm and compared with the test results in the example 8.",
"The other size of the drill in the comparative example 11 is shown below (see Publication 1).",
"Chisel width: 0.15 mm Tilt angle of cutouts α: 60° Axial length of cutouts d: 1.21 mm Rake angle: −10° (3-2) The Drill in the Comparative Example 12 [0110] The drill in the comparative example 12 has a +5-15° of rake angle in thinning.",
"It was manufactured based on a Ø4.2 mm of drill and compared with the test results in the example 9.",
"The other size of the drill in the comparative example 12 is shown below (see Publication 2).",
"[0000] Chisel width: 0.19 mm Rake angle: +5° (3-3) The Drill in the Comparative Example 13 [0111] Since the drill in the comparative example 13 has a feature that its thinning part (thinning cutting blade) is longer than its cutting blade part (main cutting blade), it was manufactured based on a Ø5.2 mm of drill and compared with the test results in the example 10 where the shape of the thinning part in which the length of the thinning part becomes longer offsets a cutting blade.",
"The other size of the drill in the comparative example 13 is shown below (see Publication 3).",
"[0000] Chisel width: 0.22 mm L1: 0.86 mm L2: 1.83 mm [0112] L2/L1=2.13 (satisfying L2=1.3×L1˜3.0×L1) Rake angle: −5° [0113] For the drills in the comparative examples 11-13, at the beginning, the chisel width was set to the same width as that in the drills in the examples, but as the drilling efficiency was very bad, chisel width that was set as 4 to 5% of drill diameters were manufactured again.",
"Considering that the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 is for stainless steel workpiece, time spent in drilling one hole measured with the order of the drill press and then the hand drill as two or more consecutive hole drilling is not guaranteed.",
"(Because of a high possibility that the cutting blade will break in the hole drilling with the hand drill, we contemplated that in advance, damage of the blade edge will be reduced by drilling hole with the drill press.) [0114] By using the drills in the comparative examples 11-13, hole drilling tests were conducted with the drill press as conducted in the examples 8-10, time required for the hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed.",
"Results were shown in Table 15.",
"[0000] TABLE 15 Comparative Comparative Comparative Drill Example 11 Example 12 Example 13 Hole 45.4 42.3 56.3 Drilling Time (second) Chip Shape Powdery shape + Powdery shape + Powdery shape + thready shape curly shape curly shape generated in generated in the generated in penetrating a middle of penetrating a through hole drilling hole through hole [0115] After the hole drilling tests were conducted with the above-mentioned drill press, by using the same drills in the above-mentioned examples 8-10, hole drilling tests were conducted with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) as conducted in the examples 8-10, time required for the hole drilling was measured, and chip shapes were observed.",
"Results are shown in Table 16.",
"[0000] TABLE 16 1 2 3 Average Comparative Time 43.0 46.1 45.5 44.87 Example 11 (second) Chip Shape Powdery shape Comparative Time 32.3 34.4 35.9 34.2 Example 12 (second) Chip Shape Powdery shape + A Little Curly shape generated in penetrating a through hole Comparative Time 53.1 56.3 68.2 59.2 Example 13 (second) Chip Shape Powdery shape (4) Comparisons [0116] The test results in the examples and comparative examples (time required for the hole drilling (second)) were compared for the drills of the same diameters.",
"Results are shown in Table 17.",
"[0000] TABLE 17 Drill Diameter Ø3.3 mm Comparative Example 8 Example 11 Drill Press 14.6 45.4 Pneumatic Drill 8.87 44.87 (average) Drill Diameter Ø4.2 mm Comparative Example 9 Example 12 Drill Press 16.7 42.3 Pneumatic Drill 10.63 34.2 (average) Drill Diameter Ø5.2 mm Comparative Example 10 Example 13 Drill Press 21.4 56.3 Pneumatic Drill 14.93 59.2 (average) [0117] As shown in Table 17, it was confirmed that the drills in the examples can drill holes at the speed of 2 to 3 times or more compared with the drills in the comparative examples.",
"It is considered that there is little difference in the hole drilling time depending on the thinning position of the drills in the examples (difference in the examples 8-10) since the hole drilling time slightly increased with the increase in the drill diameter.",
"It is considered that the reason the hole drilling time with the pneumatic drill (hand drill) is shorter compared with the drill press is that the drill press was set to the minimum rotational rate (320 rpm/60 Hz).",
"(Considering a drill diameter Ø3.3-5.2 mm, it seemed that the rotational rate twice or more as much as the minimum rotational rate should be suitable, but the test was carried out with the minimum rotational rate to avoid breakage of the drill itself during the test.) Although in the drills in the comparative examples time required for hole drilling tends to increase with the increasing number of hole drilling and the drilling efficiency seemed to gradually decrease, except for some results (the second time and the third time in the comparative example 11 are reversed), there was no similar trend and the drilling efficiency did not found to decrease in the drills in the examples.",
"The fact that the curly chips were emitted with reference to the drills in the examples and on the other hand the powdery chips were emitted with reference to the drills in the comparative examples also shows that the drills in the examples are superior in drilling efficiency than the drills in the comparative examples.",
"<Test 6: Additional Test 2>",
"[0118] After completing the above-mentioned additional test 1, the drills in the examples 8-10 and the drills in the comparative examples 11-13 were still used, and these drills were attached to the above-mentioned drill press to consecutively drill multiple through holes in the same workpiece as shown in the above-mentioned additional test 1.",
"The cutting blades of the drills were checked at any time with careful attention to a noise during drilling or a change in resistance.",
"When damages enough to create cutting problems (cracks, abrasions, etc.) occurred in the cutting blades, the hole drilling was stopped, and the number of the through holes drilled by then was counted.",
"Also, shapes of the chips were observed.",
"Besides, in the drills in the examples 8-10, before damages which is enough to create drilling problems occur, the hole drilling was stopped due to the size of the workpiece used (all the space for hole drilling was used).",
"The test results in the drills in the examples are shown in Table 18 and the test results in the drills in comparative examples are shown in Table 19.",
"[0000] TABLE 18 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 The number 366 or more 288 or more 264 or more of through holes Test When a noise When a noise After status seemed to seemed to slightly drilling 264 slightly get get louder after holes, no louder after drilling 250 crack was drilling 290 holes, a small found in holes, a small crack was found in whole except crack was found one side of for an in one side of thinning parts, abrasion of a thinning parts, but the test was chisel and but the test was continued since the drill was continued since there was no still usable.",
"there was no problem occurred The drill was problem occurred in drilling.",
"After able to drill in drilling.",
"drilling 288 a through After drilling holes, the crack hole in 21.3 366 holes, the in the same spot seconds after crack in the same was found bigger it was spot was found and cracks in both equipped with bigger, but the peripheral the pneumatic drill was able to cutting blades drill.",
"drill a through were also found, hole in 22.7 but the drill was seconds after it able to drill a was equipped with through hole in the pneumatic 31.8 seconds after drill.",
"it was equipped with the pneumatic drill.",
"Cutting Almost nothing Almost nothing With the noise abrasion of the chisel, a rustling noise came out a little when a tip of the drill contacted with the workpiece after drilling 220 holes, but there were almost no other noises.",
"Chip shape Long curly shape Long curly shape Long curly as obtained by as obtained by shape similar extending extending to a sine transversely a transversely a curve sine curve along sine curve along a a groove shape of groove shape of the drill the drill [0000] TABLE 19 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example 11 Example 12 Example 13 The 21 66 67 number of through holes Test When the drill The drilling When the status became difficult efficiency of the drilling to cut after drill efficiency of drilling 21 significantly the drill holes, we checked deteriorated significantly and found that a after drilling deteriorated chisel part was about 50 holes, suddenly after missing.",
"Thus the but the test was drilling about test was stopped.",
"forcibly 60 holes, we continued.",
"When checked and the drill became found an difficult to cut abrasion in the after drilling 66 chisel part.",
"holes, we checked The test was and found an stopped when a abrasion in noise got thinning part and considerably a crack in the louder after peripheral drilling 67 cutting blade.",
"holes.",
"Thus the test was stopped.",
"Cutting There was a A crunchy noise There was a noise crunchy noise all started to come crunchy noise the time which is out after from the peculiar to a drilling about 30 beginning, and stainless steel.",
"holes, and it it became became considerably considerably louder after louder after drilling 67 drilling 66 holes.",
"holes.",
"Chip Powdery shape Powdery shape Powdery shape shape [0119] As shown in Table 18 and 19, it was confirmed that the drills in the examples are able to drill at least about 4 times (comparison with the example 10 and the comparative example 13) to about 17 times (comparison with the example 8 and the comparative example 11) of holes compared with the drills in the comparative examples.",
"It is considered that there is little difference (in the examples 8-10) depending on the thinning position between the drills in the examples.",
"Fine curly chips similar to a sine curve were emitted from the drills in the examples.",
"Chips in such shapes can often be seen for an aluminum as the workpiece, but hardly be seen for a stainless steel, which reveal that the drills are very excellent in drilling efficiency.",
"On the other hand, powdery chips are emitted from the drills in the comparative examples.",
"Therefore, the drills in the examples are found to be significantly superior in drilling efficiency to the drills in the comparative examples.",
"INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0120] The present invention is suitably used for the drill employed in a manual hole drilling operation using a hand drill, a drill press, or the like is used.",
"EXPLANATIONS OF NUMERALS [0000] 1 Thinning cutting blade 2 Main cutting blade 3 Clearance face 4 Chisel 5 Rake face shaped by main cutting blade 6 Rake face shaped by thinning 7 Central part of drill tip 8 Thinning surface shaped by thinning cutting blade 9 Portion whose width in direction parallel to chisel is narrower than chisel width 10 Rake face forming rake angle A Length of main cutting blade B Length of thinning cutting blade C Drill axis direction D Extension line extending in drill tip direction line along the deepest portion of thinning surface d Length of offset R Drill radius θ 1 Rake angle formed by main cutting blade θ 2 Rake angle formed by thinning cutting blade α 1 Included angle formed by main cutting blade α 2 Included angle formed by thinning cutting blade β Clearance angle γ Tilt angle of thinning surface R 1 Radius shaping rake face by main cutting blade R 2 Radius shaping rake face by thinning W Chisel width θ Angle of contacting drill with whetstone at the time of thinning formation"
] |
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/464,670, filed May 4, 2012, a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/753,995, filed Apr. 5, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,173,615, issued May 8, 2012, a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/875,226, filed Oct. 19, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,732,422, issued Jun. 8, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/944,326, filed Aug. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,436, issued May 6, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/913,325, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,773, issued May 19, 2009, which is a §371 national stage of PCT/US00/04875, filed Feb. 25, 2000, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/121,726, filed Feb. 26, 1999, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to antisense treatments for cancer making use of an antisense oligonucleotide that binds to testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2).
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer that affects men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the Western world. Because prostate cancer is an androgen-sensitive tumor, androgen withdrawal, for example via castration, is utilized in some therapeutic regimens for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Androgen withdrawal leads to extensive apoptosis in the prostate tumor, and hence to a regression of the disease. However, castration-induced apoptosis is not complete, and a progression of surviving tumor cells to androgen-independence ultimately occurs. This progression is the main obstacle to improving survival and quality of life, and efforts have therefore been made to target androgen-independent cells. These efforts have focused on non-hormonal therapies targeted against androgen-independent tumor cells (Yagoda et al., Cancer 71 (Supp. 3): 1098-1109 (1993); Oh et al., J. Urol. 60: 1220-1229 (1998)), however, so far no non-hormonal agent has improved survival. Alternative approaches are therefore indicated.
It has been observed that numerous proteins are expressed in increased amounts by prostate tumor cells following androgen withdrawal. At least some of these proteins are assumed to be associated with the observed apoptotic cell death which is observed upon androgen withdrawal. (Raffo et al., Cancer Res.: 4448-4445 (1995); Krajewska et al., Am. J. Pathol. 148: 1567-1576 (1996); McDonnell et al., Cancer Res. 52: 6940-6944 (1992)). The functions of many of the proteins, however, is not clearly understood. TRPM-2 (also known as sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2) or clusterin) is within this latter category.
TRPM-2 is a ubiquitous protein, with a diverse range of proposed activities. In prostate epithelial cell, expression of TRPM-2 increases immediately following castration, reaching peak levels in rat prostate cells at 3 to 4 days post castration, coincident with the onset of massive cell death. These results have led some researchers to the conclusion that TRPM-2 is a marker for cell death, and a promoter of apoptosis. On the other hand, the observation that Sertoli cells and some epithelial cells express high levels of TRPM-2 without increased levels of cell death, raises questions as to whether this conclusion is correct.
Sensibar et al., Cancer Research 55: 2431-2437 (1995) reported on in vitro experiments performed to more clearly elucidate the role of TRPM-2 in prostatic cell death. They utilized LNCaP cells transfected with a gene encoding TRPM-2 and observed whether expression of this protein altered the effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), to which LNCaP cells are very sensitive, with cell death normally occurring within about 12 hours. Treatment of the transfected LNCaP cells with TNFα was shown to result in a transient increase in TRPM-2 levels for a period of a few hours, but these levels had dissipated by the time DNA fragmentation preceeding cell death was observed. Using an antisense molecule corresponding to the bases 1-21 of the TRPM-2 sequence, but not other TRPM-2 antisense oligonucleotides, resulted in a substantial reduction in expression of TRPM-2, and an increase in apoptotic cell death in LNCaP cells exposed to TNFα. This led Sensibar et al. to the hypothesis that overexpression of TRPM-2 could protect cells from the cytotoxic effect of TNF, and that TRPM-2 depletion is responsible for the onset of cell death, although the mechanism of action remains unclear.
While Sensibar et al. provides information about the possible role of TRPM-2, it nevertheless discloses results from only a model system in which expression of TRPM-2 is based on a transfected gene. Furthermore, expression levels of TRPM-2 is very low or absent in LNCaP cells grown in other labs. The situation which results in vivo when prostate tumor cells are subjected to androgen withdrawal is far more complex, with numerous proteins changing expression levels as a result. Thus, it is not possible from the Sensibar et al. data to predict whether TRPM-2 would perform the same function when present in combination with other proteins, or whether changes in levels of TRPM-2 following androgen withdrawal in vivo could provide any therapeutic benefits. Indeed, the fact that TRPM-2 is expressed in substantial quantities in prostatic tumor cells at various stages following androgen withdrawal, including stages where significant apoptotic cell death is occurring suggests that role of TRPM-2 in vivo may be more complicated. Thus, while the art provides data concerning certain aspects of apoptotic cell death in prostatic tumor cells, it offers neither a teaching or a suggestion of a methodology to provide a delay in the onset of androgen-independence.
It is an object of the present invention to provide such a method.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide therapeutic antisense molecules for delaying the onset of androgen independence in prostatic tumor cells.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method for enhancing the chemosensitivity or radiation sensitivity of cancer cells from a cancer that expresses TRPM-2.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide therapeutic antisense molecules for inhibiting expression of TRPM-2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, it has now been determined that antisense therapy which reduces the expression of TRPM-2 provides therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cancer. In particular, such antisense therapy can be applied in treatment of prostate cancer and renal cell cancer.
Addition of antisense TRPM-2 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to prostatic tumor cells in vivo is effective for delaying the onset of androgen independence. Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for treating prostate cancer in an individual suffering from prostate cancer, comprising the steps of initiating androgen-withdrawal to induce apoptotic cell death of prostatic tumor cells in the individual, and administering to the individual a composition effective to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 by the tumor cells, thereby delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to an androgen-independent state in an individual. Furthermore, combined use of antisense TRPM-2 plus cytotoxic chemotherapy (e.g. taxanes) synergistically enhances chemosensitivity in hormone refractory prostate cancer. In another aspect of the invention, a second antisense ODN which inhibits expression of an anti-apoptotic protein other than TRPM-2 is administered along with the antisense TRPM-2 ODN.
It has also been found that antisense TRPM-2 has beneficial effects for other cancer types. Specifically, antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in human Renal cell cancer, a normally chemoresistant disease with no active chemotherapeutic agent having an objective response rate higher than 10%. Radiation sensitivity is also enhanced when cells expressing TRPM-2 are treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN. Thus, the antisense TRPM-2 ODNs can be used to treat a variety of cancer types in which expression of TRPM-2 has been observed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows the delay in onset of androgen-independence which is achieved using an antisense TRPM-2 ODN;
FIG. 2 shows the positions of 10 antisense oligonucleotides evaluated for the ability to inhibit TRPM-2 expression and delay onset of androgen-independence;
FIG. 3 shows expression levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in the presence of various antisense ODNs;
FIG. 4 shows the levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in Shionogi cells treated in vitro with varying amounts of antisense TRPM-2 ODN or a mismatch control;
FIG. 5 shows the dose-response curve for combinations of taxol and antisense TRPM-2 ODN;
FIG. 6 shows the dose-response curve for combinations of taxol, antisense TRPM-2 ODN and antisense Bcl-2 ODN;
FIG. 7A shows decease in TRPM-2 mRNA levels in human renal cell cancer after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs;
FIG. 7B shows the increase in chemosensitivity of human renal cell cancer to taxol after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs;
FIG. 8 shows TRPM-2 expression in PC-3 prostate cancer cells after various doses of radiation;
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the comparative radiation resistance of human prostate cell lines which overexpress (LNCaP/T) and normally (LNCaP/P) express TRPM-2;
FIG. 10 shows the increased susceptibility of PC-3 cells to radiation after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN; and
FIGS. 11A and 11B show the increased sensitivity of PC-3 cells to radiation after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.
FIGS. 12A and 12B show the increased sensitivity of Shionogi tumor cells to chemotherapy agents paclitaxel and mitoxanthrone when administered with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to antisense TRPM-2 ODNs and to the use of these compositions in the treatment of cancer. The invention can be applied in the treatment of cancers where the cancer cells express TRPM-2. Three significant classes of cancer cells which express TRPM-2 are prostate cancer cells, human renal cell cancer (RCC) cells and some breast cancer cells.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for enhancing castration-induced tumor cell death and delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to androgen independence; a therapeutic method for the treatment of individuals, including humans, suffering from prostate cancer; and therapeutic agents effective for use in such methods. The therapeutic method of the invention will most commonly be used in the treatment of individuals with advanced prostate cancer.
Enhancement of castration-induced tumor cell death and delay of the progression of androgen-sensitive prostatic cancer cells to androgen-independent is achieved by inhibiting the expression of TRPM-2 by the cells. Experiments were performed in three model systems, the in vivo Shionogi tumor model, the human TRPM-2 transfected LNCaP model, and the human PC-3 model, which taken together demonstrated that such inhibition leading to delay of androgen-independence can be achieved by treating androgen-sensitive prostatic tumor cells with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs).
In the first experiment, the ability of a mouse TRPM-2 antisense molecule, (Seq. ID. No. 1) to delay onset of androgen independence in the Shionogi tumor model was evaluated. The Shionogi tumor model is a xenograft of an androgen-dependent mouse mammary carcinoma that grows subcutaneously in male syngeneic hosts. Shionogi tumor cells are highly tumorigenic and locally invasive. The cells have been shown to respond to androgen withdrawal in a manner which mimics the observed behavior of prostatic tumor cells, and have been accepted as a valid model for prostate cancer in humans. (Bruchovsky et al., Cancer Res. 50: 2275-2282 (1990); Rennie et al., Cancer Res. 48: 6309-6312 (1988); Bruchovsky et al., Cell 13: 272-280 (1978); Gleave et al., in Genitourinary Oncology , pp. 367-378, Lange et al., eds, Lippencott (1997); Cleave et al., J. Urol. 157: 1727-1730 (1997); Bruchovsky et al., The Prostate 6: 13-21 (1996)). Thus, androgen withdrawal precipitates apoptosis and tumor regression in a highly reproducible manner. Further, changes in expression of TRPM-2 and Bcl-2 in human prostate cancer following castration and during progression to androgen independence are similar to those observed in Shionogi tumor cells. Thus, the Shionogi tumor model mimics many of the characteristics of prostate cancer cells. Further, the Shionogi tumor model provides a very useful model for the evaluation of the ability of compounds to delay the onset of androgen-independence. Despite complete tumor regression after castration, rapidly growing androgen-independent Shionogi tumors invariably recur after one month, which provides a reliable end point to evaluate agents which can delay the progression to androgen-independence. In general, events which occur in the Shionogi tumor model within one month occur in human patients within about two years.
The ability of the antisense ODNs that inhibit expression of TRPM-2 to delay the onset of androgen-independence was evaluated by measuring tumor volume post-castration in the Shionogi tumor model. The test animals (n=7) were treated intraperitoneally once daily with 12.5 mg/kg repeat doses of antisense TRPM-2 ODNs (Seq. ID. No 1) in a buffered saline solution. As a control, animals (n=7) were treated with a mismatch ODN (Seq. ID. No. 2). As shown in FIG. 1 , both test and control groups showed the expected decline in tumor volume immediately following castration, but the tumors in the antisense TRPM-2 ODN-treated mice regressed faster than the controls. The control group also exhibited the expected increase in tumor volume which is associated the development of androgen-independence. In contrast, at 49 days post-castration, little tumor regrowth had occurred in the mice treated using the antisense TRPM-2 ODN. Tumors did eventually recur in the antisense TRPM-2 ODN-treated mice, but the median time to recurrence is approximately twice that of the control group. Thus, inhibition of TRPM-2 is effective not only for increasing the amount of cell death which occurs immediately following androgen withdrawal, but also for delaying the onset of androgen-independence. The more rapid decrease in tumor volume in the mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs was due to earlier onset and more extensive castration-induced apoptosis. This was confirmed by detecting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage fragments in Shionogi tumor specimens (Miyake, et al., Cancer Res. 60:170-176 (2000)).
To evaluate which human antisense ODNs complementary to TRPM-2 mRNA sequences are most effective for this purpose, a series of ten antisense phosphorothioate ODNs were prepared spanning various mRNA regions as shown in FIG. 2 . The sequences of these ten ODNs are set forth in the attached Sequence Listing as Seq. ID. Nos. 3-12. The ten human antisense ODNs were evaluated using TRPM-2 transfected LNCaP cells and human prostate cancer PC-3 cells for their ability to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 mRNA As shown in FIG. 3 , the antisense ODNs tested produced variable levels of inhibition of TRPM-2 mRNA expression, with the best results being achieved with Seq. ID Nos. 4, 5, and 12. Sequence ID No. 5 corresponds to the sequence used by Sensibar et al. that produced inhibition of TRPM-2 expression in LNCaP cells, and is complementary to the first 21 bases of the TRPM-2 mRNA. The most effective down-regulation occurred with Seq. ID No. 4. Common to all of the effective sequences is an overlap with either the initiation or termination sites of the TRPM-2 mRNA. Thus, in a general sense, the method of the invention can be practiced with antisense oligonucleotides which are complementary to a region of the TRPM-2 mRNA spanning either the translation initiation site or the termination site.
In accordance with a further aspect of with the invention, therapeutic treatment of individuals, including human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer is achieved by initiating androgen-withdrawal to induce apoptotic cell death of prostatic tumor cells in the individual, and administering to the individual a composition effective to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 by the tumor cells, thereby delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to an androgen-independent state in an individual.
Initiation of androgen withdrawal may be accomplished via surgical (removal of both testicles) or medical (drug-induced suppression of testosterone) castration, which is currently indicated for treatment of prostate cancer. Medical castration can be achieved by various regimens, including LHRH agents or antiandrogens. (Gleave et al., CMAJ 160: 225-232 (1999)). Intermittent therapy in which reversible androgen withdrawal is effected is described in Gleave et al. Eur. Urol. 34 (Supp. 3): 37-41 (1998).
The inhibition of TRPM-2 expression may be transient, and ideally should occur coincident with androgen withdrawal. In humans, this means that inhibition of expression should be effective starting within a day or two of androgen withdrawal and extending for about 3 to 6 months. This may require multiple doses to accomplish. It will be appreciated, however, that the period of time may be more prolonged, starting before castration and expending for substantial time afterwards without departing from the scope of the invention.
Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs have also been determined to enhance chemosensitivity in human renal cell cancer (RCC). RCC is a chemoresistant disease with no active chemotherapeutic agent with objective response rates higher than 10%. Increased TRPM-2 expression in renal proximal convoluted cells undergoing apoptosis has been observed after various stimuli including ureteral obstruction and aminoglycosides. However, functional significance of TRPM-2 expression in RCC has not been well documented. Test results show, however, that antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in human RCC CaKi-2 cells (See Example 6, infra).
Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs were also found to increase sensitivity to radiation (See Example 7 and FIG. 8 ).
Inhibition of expression of TRPM-2 may be accomplished by the administration of antisense ODNs, particularly antisense ODNs which are complementary to a region of the TRPM-2 mRNA spanning either the translation initiation site or the termination site. For treatment of prostate cancer in humans, specific useful sequences are those shown in Seq. ID Nos. 4, 5 and 12.
The ODNs employed may be modified to increase the stability of the ODN in vivo. For example, the ODNs may be employed as phosphorothioate derivatives (replacement of a non-bridging phosphoryl oxygen atoms with a sulfur atom) which have increased resistance to nuclease digestion. MOE (2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modification (ISIS backbone) is also effective.
Administration of antisense ODNs can be carried out using the various mechanisms known in the art, including naked administration and administration in pharmaceutically acceptable lipid carriers. For example, lipid carriers for antisense delivery are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,911 and 5,417,978 which are incorporated herein by reference. In general, the antisense is administered by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or oral routes, or direct local tumor injection. From the experiments performed using the Shionogi mouse model, it appears that the antisense ODN is preferentially active in the tumor cells. Indeed, TRPM-2 expression in non-tumor tissues was substantially unaffected, and no side effects of the antisense ODN administration were observed.
The amount of antisense ODN administered is one effective to inhibit the expression of TRPM-2 in prostatic cells. It will be appreciated that this amount will vary both with the effectiveness of the antisense ODN employed, and with the nature of any carrier used. The determination of appropriate amounts for any given composition is within the skill in the art, through standard series of tests designed to assess appropriate therapeutic levels.
The method for treating prostate cancer in accordance with the invention may further include administration of chemotherapy agents and/or additional antisense ODNs directed at different targets. For example, it has been found using the Shionogi tumor model that antisense TRPM-2 ODN increases sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy agents such as taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel) and mitoxanthrone ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ). As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B , treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN in the presence of taxol or mitoxanthronc resulted in a reduced tumor volume as compared to the combination of taxol or mitoxanthrone with the mismatch (MM) ODN. Other agents likely to show synergistic activity include other cytotoxic agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, topoisomerase inhibitors), angiogenesis inhibitors, differentiation agents and signal transduction inhibitors. Similarly, combinations of TRPM-2 antisense with other antisense species such as antisense Bcl-2 ODN worked better at killing Shionogi cells in vitro than either ODN alone. Thus, TRPM-2 can work in concert with other antisense molecules, such as antisense Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and c-myc ODN to provide greater effectiveness.
The invention will now be further described with reference to the following, non-limiting examples.
EXAMPLE 1
Shionogi tumor model experiments were performed using cells from the Toronto subline of transplantable SC-115 AD mouse mammary carcinoma. For in vivo studies, approximately 5×10 6 cells of the Shionogi carcinoma were injected subcutaneously in adult male DD/S strain mice. When the Shionogi tumors became 1 to 2 cm in diameter, usually 2 to 3 week after injection, castration was performed through an abdominal incision under methoxyflurane anesthesia. Details of the maintenance of mice, tumor stock and operative procedures have been previously described, Bruchovsky et al., Cancer res. 50: 2275-2282 (1990); Rennie et al., Cancer Res. 48: 6309-6312 (1988); Bruchovsky et al., Cell 13: 272-280 (1978); Gleave et al., in Genitourinary Oncology , pp. 367-378, Lange et al., eds, Lippencott (1997); Gleave et al., J. Urol. 157: 1727-1730 (1997); Bruchovsky et al., The Prostate 6: 13-21 (1996)).
Mice were randomly selected for treatment with murine phosphorothioate antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq. ID No. 1) or a mismatch control (Seq. ID No. 2) which is two bases different in sequence from the antisense TRPM-2 ODN. Each experimental group consisted of 7 mice. One day after castration, 12.5 mg/kg of antisense TRPM-2 or mismatch control ODN dissolved in phosphate buffered saline were injected intraperitoneally once daily into each mouse of 40 days. Tumor volume was measured twice weekly, and calculated by the formula length×width×depth×0.5236. Gleave et al., Cancer Res. 52: 1598-1605 (1992). Data points were reported as average tumor volumes± standard deviation.
The results of this study are shown in FIG. 1 . As shown, Shionogi tumors regressed faster and complete regression occurred earlier in mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN. Furthermore, treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN substantially delayed the onset of androgen-independence which is reflected by the increase in tumor volume after day 21 in the control animals. No side effects associated with antisense TRPM-2 or the mismatch control were observed.
To examine the effects of in vivo ODN treatment on levels of TRPM-2 mRNA, Northern blot analysis was performed on Shionogi tumor tissue from mice. The mice were treated daily with 12.5 mg/kg of antisense TRPM-2 ODN (n=5) or the mismatch control (n=6) by intraperitoneal injection starting one day after castration. On the fourth day after castration, tumor tissues were harvested and analyzed by Northern blot for TRPM-2 mRNA. Antisense TRPM-2 ODN resulted in a 75% reduction in TRPM-2 mRNA levels in Shionogi tumors compared to mismatch control ODN treated tumors. ( FIG. 3 ).
Comparable analyses were performed on normal mouse organs. Samples of spleen, kidney, prostate and brain were harvested from Shionogi tumor mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN and mismatch control under the same treatment schedule, and analyzed by Northern blot. Although TRPM-2 mRNA levels was significantly lower in tumor tissues, antiscnse TRPM-2 ODN had no effect on TRPM-2 mRNA levels in the normal organs.
EXAMPLE 2
The sequence selectivity of the antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq. ID. No. 1) was confirmed by comparing expression levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in Shionogi tumor cells maintained in vitro, after treatment with the varying levels of antisense TRPM-2 ODN or a mismatch control (Seq. ID. No. 2). To facilitate uptake of the ODNs into the cells, the ODNs were formulated in a cationic lipid carrier (Lipofectin™, (Life Technologies, Inc.)). Cells were treated twice over a period of two days using the following protocol. Cells were preincubated for 20 minutes with 4 μg/ml of lipofectin in serum free OPTI-MEM™ (Life Technologies, Inc.) and then incubated with the medium containing the selected concentration of ODN and lipofectin for four hours. The medium was then replaced with the standard culture medium.
The amount of TRPM-2 mRNA in the cells was evaluated using Northern blot analysis. As shown in FIG. 4 , treatment of Shionogi cells with antisense TRPM-2 ODN reduced TRPM-2 mRNA levels in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, TRPM-2 mRNA levels were not affected by the mismatch ODN (Seq. ID. No. 2) at any of the employed concentrations. Thus, the affect of antisense TRPM-2 ODN is apparently sequence specific.
EXAMPLE 3
Shionogi cells maintained in vitro were treated with varying amounts of taxol alone or in combination with 500 nM antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq. ED. No. 1) or the mismatch control (Seq. ID No. 2). The cells were treated twice, as described in Example 2, and the percentage of viable cells remaining was determined. The results are summarized in FIG. 5 . As shown, the inclusion of antisense TRPM-2 ODN shined the dose-response curve to the left, lowering the IC 50 by a factor of 5 to 10. Similar results were achieved using mitoxanthrone in place of paclitaxel ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ).
EXAMPLE 4
The experiment of Example 3 was repeated, with the addition of antisense Bcl-2 ODN (Seq. ID. No. 13) or a mismatch Bcl-2 ODN (Seq. ID. No. 14) in various combinations with antisense/mismatch TRPM-2 ODN and taxol. The results are shown in FIG. 6 . The combination of antisense TRPM-2 ODN with antisense Bcl-2 ODN and taxol further enhanced the cytotoxic effects of taxol. Thus, the targeting of additional anti-apoptotic agents appears to provide therapeutic benefits.
EXAMPLE 5
To identify appropriate antisense TRPM-2 ODN sequences for use in human therapy, antisense ODN sequences directed against 10 different sites of the human TRPM-2 gene ( FIG. 2 , Seq. ID Nos. 3-12) were synthesized and tested for their ability to decrease TRPM-2 gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 and transfected LNCaP cells that overexpress TRPM-2 using the same treatment protocol described in Example 2. The results are summarized in FIG. 3 . As shown, sequences 4, 5 and 12 are active for reduction of TRPM-2 expression. These three sequences overlap or are immediately adjacent to the translation initiation or termination sites.
EXAMPLE 6
Immunohistochemical staining was used to characterize clusterin expression in 17 RCC and normal kidney tissues obtained from radical nephrectomy specimens. TRPM-2 expression in human renal cancer cell lines ACHN, CaKi-1 and CaKi-2 was evaluated by Northern and Western blot analyses. Northern blot analysis was used to assess changes in TRPM-2 mRNA expression after antisense TRPM-2 ODN treatment. The effects of combined antisense TRPM-2 ODN and taxol treatment on CaKi-2 cell growth was examined using a MTT assay.
Immunostaining showed an increased clusterin expression in 11 RCC specimens in comparison to the adjacent normal kidney tissue. In the remaining 6 cases, no difference was seen between malignant and normal tissue. Both TRPM-2 mRNA and protein expression were detectable in all three human RCC cell lines, with highest levels for CaKi-2.
Antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq. ID. No. 1), but not mismatch control ODN (Seq. ID. No. 2), inhibited TRPM-2 expression in CaKi-2 cells in a dose dependant and sequence specific manner ( FIG. 7A ). Furthermore, antisense TRPM-2 ODN substantially enhanced taxol chemosensitivity, reducing IC50 of taxol by 1 log (500 nM to 50 nM) compared to mismatch control ODN ( FIG. 7B ). These data demonstrate that TRPM-2 and its protein, clusterin, are expressed at higher levels in RCC compared to normal kidney tissue, and that antisense TRPM-2 ODN may be useful in enhancing the cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapy in advanced RCC.
EXAMPLE 7
Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs enhance radiation sensitivity of cancer cells which express TRPM-2. Using northern analysis, we found that radiation therapy results in dose and time dependent increases in TRPM2 gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells ( FIG. 8 ). Overexpression of TRPM2 results in increased resistance to radiation induced cell death. Human prostate LNCaP cells that overexpress TRPM2 (LNCaP/T1) are more resistant to radiation therapy ( FIGS. 9A and B). Treatment of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells with 100 and 500 nM antisense TRPM-2 ODNs (Seq. ID. NO. 1) significantly reduces cell survival after a single treatment of 4 Gy radiation therapy compared to mismatch ODN (Seq. ID No. 2) treatment. ( FIG. 10 ). FIGS. 11A and B show dose dependent radiation sensitization of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells after treatment with 10, 50, and 100 nM antisense TRPM-2 oligo in vitro.
EXAMPLE 8
To determine whether treatment with human antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line, mice bearing PC3 tumors were treated with antisense human TRPM-2 ODN plus micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone, and mismatch control ODN plus micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ). ODN was administered for 28 days and either 0.5 mg micellar taxol or 0.3 mg mitoxantrone were administered on two occasions: from day 10 to 14, and day 24 to 28. A significant reduction in tumor size was observed in the antisense ODN treated animals as compared to those treated with mismatch control ODN. This effect was even more pronounced after the second dosing of the micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone. | A method for treating an individual suffering from a cancer comprising administering to the individual i) a chemotherapeutic agent, and ii) one antisense oligonucleotide having nucleotides in the sequence set forth in Seq. ID No. 4 and which antisense oligonucleotide has a phosphorothioate modification that increases the stability thereof in vivo, wherein the cancer expresses testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2), thereby treating said individual. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the invention. | [
"This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 13/464,670, filed May 4, 2012, a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 12/753,995, filed Apr. 5, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,173,615, issued May 8, 2012, a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 11/875,226, filed Oct. 19, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,732,422, issued Jun. 8, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 09/944,326, filed Aug. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,436, issued May 6, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 09/913,325, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,773, issued May 19, 2009, which is a §371 national stage of PCT/US00/04875, filed Feb. 25, 2000, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/121,726, filed Feb. 26, 1999, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application relates to antisense treatments for cancer making use of an antisense oligonucleotide that binds to testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2).",
"Prostate cancer is the most common cancer that affects men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the Western world.",
"Because prostate cancer is an androgen-sensitive tumor, androgen withdrawal, for example via castration, is utilized in some therapeutic regimens for patients with advanced prostate cancer.",
"Androgen withdrawal leads to extensive apoptosis in the prostate tumor, and hence to a regression of the disease.",
"However, castration-induced apoptosis is not complete, and a progression of surviving tumor cells to androgen-independence ultimately occurs.",
"This progression is the main obstacle to improving survival and quality of life, and efforts have therefore been made to target androgen-independent cells.",
"These efforts have focused on non-hormonal therapies targeted against androgen-independent tumor cells (Yagoda et al.",
", Cancer 71 (Supp.",
"3): 1098-1109 (1993);",
"Oh et al.",
", J. Urol.",
"60: 1220-1229 (1998)), however, so far no non-hormonal agent has improved survival.",
"Alternative approaches are therefore indicated.",
"It has been observed that numerous proteins are expressed in increased amounts by prostate tumor cells following androgen withdrawal.",
"At least some of these proteins are assumed to be associated with the observed apoptotic cell death which is observed upon androgen withdrawal.",
"(Raffo et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
": 4448-4445 (1995);",
"Krajewska et al.",
", Am.",
"J. Pathol.",
"148: 1567-1576 (1996);",
"McDonnell et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"52: 6940-6944 (1992)).",
"The functions of many of the proteins, however, is not clearly understood.",
"TRPM-2 (also known as sulfated glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2) or clusterin) is within this latter category.",
"TRPM-2 is a ubiquitous protein, with a diverse range of proposed activities.",
"In prostate epithelial cell, expression of TRPM-2 increases immediately following castration, reaching peak levels in rat prostate cells at 3 to 4 days post castration, coincident with the onset of massive cell death.",
"These results have led some researchers to the conclusion that TRPM-2 is a marker for cell death, and a promoter of apoptosis.",
"On the other hand, the observation that Sertoli cells and some epithelial cells express high levels of TRPM-2 without increased levels of cell death, raises questions as to whether this conclusion is correct.",
"Sensibar et al.",
", Cancer Research 55: 2431-2437 (1995) reported on in vitro experiments performed to more clearly elucidate the role of TRPM-2 in prostatic cell death.",
"They utilized LNCaP cells transfected with a gene encoding TRPM-2 and observed whether expression of this protein altered the effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), to which LNCaP cells are very sensitive, with cell death normally occurring within about 12 hours.",
"Treatment of the transfected LNCaP cells with TNFα was shown to result in a transient increase in TRPM-2 levels for a period of a few hours, but these levels had dissipated by the time DNA fragmentation preceeding cell death was observed.",
"Using an antisense molecule corresponding to the bases 1-21 of the TRPM-2 sequence, but not other TRPM-2 antisense oligonucleotides, resulted in a substantial reduction in expression of TRPM-2, and an increase in apoptotic cell death in LNCaP cells exposed to TNFα.",
"This led Sensibar et al.",
"to the hypothesis that overexpression of TRPM-2 could protect cells from the cytotoxic effect of TNF, and that TRPM-2 depletion is responsible for the onset of cell death, although the mechanism of action remains unclear.",
"While Sensibar et al.",
"provides information about the possible role of TRPM-2, it nevertheless discloses results from only a model system in which expression of TRPM-2 is based on a transfected gene.",
"Furthermore, expression levels of TRPM-2 is very low or absent in LNCaP cells grown in other labs.",
"The situation which results in vivo when prostate tumor cells are subjected to androgen withdrawal is far more complex, with numerous proteins changing expression levels as a result.",
"Thus, it is not possible from the Sensibar et al.",
"data to predict whether TRPM-2 would perform the same function when present in combination with other proteins, or whether changes in levels of TRPM-2 following androgen withdrawal in vivo could provide any therapeutic benefits.",
"Indeed, the fact that TRPM-2 is expressed in substantial quantities in prostatic tumor cells at various stages following androgen withdrawal, including stages where significant apoptotic cell death is occurring suggests that role of TRPM-2 in vivo may be more complicated.",
"Thus, while the art provides data concerning certain aspects of apoptotic cell death in prostatic tumor cells, it offers neither a teaching or a suggestion of a methodology to provide a delay in the onset of androgen-independence.",
"It is an object of the present invention to provide such a method.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide therapeutic antisense molecules for delaying the onset of androgen independence in prostatic tumor cells.",
"It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method for enhancing the chemosensitivity or radiation sensitivity of cancer cells from a cancer that expresses TRPM-2.",
"It is a further object of the present invention to provide therapeutic antisense molecules for inhibiting expression of TRPM-2.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, it has now been determined that antisense therapy which reduces the expression of TRPM-2 provides therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cancer.",
"In particular, such antisense therapy can be applied in treatment of prostate cancer and renal cell cancer.",
"Addition of antisense TRPM-2 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to prostatic tumor cells in vivo is effective for delaying the onset of androgen independence.",
"Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for treating prostate cancer in an individual suffering from prostate cancer, comprising the steps of initiating androgen-withdrawal to induce apoptotic cell death of prostatic tumor cells in the individual, and administering to the individual a composition effective to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 by the tumor cells, thereby delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to an androgen-independent state in an individual.",
"Furthermore, combined use of antisense TRPM-2 plus cytotoxic chemotherapy (e.g. taxanes) synergistically enhances chemosensitivity in hormone refractory prostate cancer.",
"In another aspect of the invention, a second antisense ODN which inhibits expression of an anti-apoptotic protein other than TRPM-2 is administered along with the antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"It has also been found that antisense TRPM-2 has beneficial effects for other cancer types.",
"Specifically, antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in human Renal cell cancer, a normally chemoresistant disease with no active chemotherapeutic agent having an objective response rate higher than 10%.",
"Radiation sensitivity is also enhanced when cells expressing TRPM-2 are treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"Thus, the antisense TRPM-2 ODNs can be used to treat a variety of cancer types in which expression of TRPM-2 has been observed.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 shows the delay in onset of androgen-independence which is achieved using an antisense TRPM-2 ODN;",
"FIG. 2 shows the positions of 10 antisense oligonucleotides evaluated for the ability to inhibit TRPM-2 expression and delay onset of androgen-independence;",
"FIG. 3 shows expression levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in the presence of various antisense ODNs;",
"FIG. 4 shows the levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in Shionogi cells treated in vitro with varying amounts of antisense TRPM-2 ODN or a mismatch control;",
"FIG. 5 shows the dose-response curve for combinations of taxol and antisense TRPM-2 ODN;",
"FIG. 6 shows the dose-response curve for combinations of taxol, antisense TRPM-2 ODN and antisense Bcl-2 ODN;",
"FIG. 7A shows decease in TRPM-2 mRNA levels in human renal cell cancer after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs;",
"FIG. 7B shows the increase in chemosensitivity of human renal cell cancer to taxol after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs;",
"FIG. 8 shows TRPM-2 expression in PC-3 prostate cancer cells after various doses of radiation;",
"FIGS. 9A and 9B show the comparative radiation resistance of human prostate cell lines which overexpress (LNCaP/T) and normally (LNCaP/P) express TRPM-2;",
"FIG. 10 shows the increased susceptibility of PC-3 cells to radiation after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN;",
"and FIGS. 11A and 11B show the increased sensitivity of PC-3 cells to radiation after treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"FIGS. 12A and 12B show the increased sensitivity of Shionogi tumor cells to chemotherapy agents paclitaxel and mitoxanthrone when administered with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to antisense TRPM-2 ODNs and to the use of these compositions in the treatment of cancer.",
"The invention can be applied in the treatment of cancers where the cancer cells express TRPM-2.",
"Three significant classes of cancer cells which express TRPM-2 are prostate cancer cells, human renal cell cancer (RCC) cells and some breast cancer cells.",
"In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for enhancing castration-induced tumor cell death and delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to androgen independence;",
"a therapeutic method for the treatment of individuals, including humans, suffering from prostate cancer;",
"and therapeutic agents effective for use in such methods.",
"The therapeutic method of the invention will most commonly be used in the treatment of individuals with advanced prostate cancer.",
"Enhancement of castration-induced tumor cell death and delay of the progression of androgen-sensitive prostatic cancer cells to androgen-independent is achieved by inhibiting the expression of TRPM-2 by the cells.",
"Experiments were performed in three model systems, the in vivo Shionogi tumor model, the human TRPM-2 transfected LNCaP model, and the human PC-3 model, which taken together demonstrated that such inhibition leading to delay of androgen-independence can be achieved by treating androgen-sensitive prostatic tumor cells with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs).",
"In the first experiment, the ability of a mouse TRPM-2 antisense molecule, (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 1) to delay onset of androgen independence in the Shionogi tumor model was evaluated.",
"The Shionogi tumor model is a xenograft of an androgen-dependent mouse mammary carcinoma that grows subcutaneously in male syngeneic hosts.",
"Shionogi tumor cells are highly tumorigenic and locally invasive.",
"The cells have been shown to respond to androgen withdrawal in a manner which mimics the observed behavior of prostatic tumor cells, and have been accepted as a valid model for prostate cancer in humans.",
"(Bruchovsky et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"50: 2275-2282 (1990);",
"Rennie et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"48: 6309-6312 (1988);",
"Bruchovsky et al.",
", Cell 13: 272-280 (1978);",
"Gleave et al.",
", in Genitourinary Oncology , pp. 367-378, Lange et al.",
", eds, Lippencott (1997);",
"Cleave et al.",
", J. Urol.",
"157: 1727-1730 (1997);",
"Bruchovsky et al.",
", The Prostate 6: 13-21 (1996)).",
"Thus, androgen withdrawal precipitates apoptosis and tumor regression in a highly reproducible manner.",
"Further, changes in expression of TRPM-2 and Bcl-2 in human prostate cancer following castration and during progression to androgen independence are similar to those observed in Shionogi tumor cells.",
"Thus, the Shionogi tumor model mimics many of the characteristics of prostate cancer cells.",
"Further, the Shionogi tumor model provides a very useful model for the evaluation of the ability of compounds to delay the onset of androgen-independence.",
"Despite complete tumor regression after castration, rapidly growing androgen-independent Shionogi tumors invariably recur after one month, which provides a reliable end point to evaluate agents which can delay the progression to androgen-independence.",
"In general, events which occur in the Shionogi tumor model within one month occur in human patients within about two years.",
"The ability of the antisense ODNs that inhibit expression of TRPM-2 to delay the onset of androgen-independence was evaluated by measuring tumor volume post-castration in the Shionogi tumor model.",
"The test animals (n=7) were treated intraperitoneally once daily with 12.5 mg/kg repeat doses of antisense TRPM-2 ODNs (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No 1) in a buffered saline solution.",
"As a control, animals (n=7) were treated with a mismatch ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 2).",
"As shown in FIG. 1 , both test and control groups showed the expected decline in tumor volume immediately following castration, but the tumors in the antisense TRPM-2 ODN-treated mice regressed faster than the controls.",
"The control group also exhibited the expected increase in tumor volume which is associated the development of androgen-independence.",
"In contrast, at 49 days post-castration, little tumor regrowth had occurred in the mice treated using the antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"Tumors did eventually recur in the antisense TRPM-2 ODN-treated mice, but the median time to recurrence is approximately twice that of the control group.",
"Thus, inhibition of TRPM-2 is effective not only for increasing the amount of cell death which occurs immediately following androgen withdrawal, but also for delaying the onset of androgen-independence.",
"The more rapid decrease in tumor volume in the mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODNs was due to earlier onset and more extensive castration-induced apoptosis.",
"This was confirmed by detecting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage fragments in Shionogi tumor specimens (Miyake, et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"60:170-176 (2000)).",
"To evaluate which human antisense ODNs complementary to TRPM-2 mRNA sequences are most effective for this purpose, a series of ten antisense phosphorothioate ODNs were prepared spanning various mRNA regions as shown in FIG. 2 .",
"The sequences of these ten ODNs are set forth in the attached Sequence Listing as Seq.",
"ID.",
"Nos. 3-12.",
"The ten human antisense ODNs were evaluated using TRPM-2 transfected LNCaP cells and human prostate cancer PC-3 cells for their ability to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 mRNA As shown in FIG. 3 , the antisense ODNs tested produced variable levels of inhibition of TRPM-2 mRNA expression, with the best results being achieved with Seq.",
"ID Nos. 4, 5, and 12.",
"Sequence ID No. 5 corresponds to the sequence used by Sensibar et al.",
"that produced inhibition of TRPM-2 expression in LNCaP cells, and is complementary to the first 21 bases of the TRPM-2 mRNA.",
"The most effective down-regulation occurred with Seq.",
"ID No. 4. Common to all of the effective sequences is an overlap with either the initiation or termination sites of the TRPM-2 mRNA.",
"Thus, in a general sense, the method of the invention can be practiced with antisense oligonucleotides which are complementary to a region of the TRPM-2 mRNA spanning either the translation initiation site or the termination site.",
"In accordance with a further aspect of with the invention, therapeutic treatment of individuals, including human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer is achieved by initiating androgen-withdrawal to induce apoptotic cell death of prostatic tumor cells in the individual, and administering to the individual a composition effective to inhibit expression of TRPM-2 by the tumor cells, thereby delaying the progression of prostatic tumor cells to an androgen-independent state in an individual.",
"Initiation of androgen withdrawal may be accomplished via surgical (removal of both testicles) or medical (drug-induced suppression of testosterone) castration, which is currently indicated for treatment of prostate cancer.",
"Medical castration can be achieved by various regimens, including LHRH agents or antiandrogens.",
"(Gleave et al.",
", CMAJ 160: 225-232 (1999)).",
"Intermittent therapy in which reversible androgen withdrawal is effected is described in Gleave et al.",
"Eur.",
"Urol.",
"34 (Supp.",
"3): 37-41 (1998).",
"The inhibition of TRPM-2 expression may be transient, and ideally should occur coincident with androgen withdrawal.",
"In humans, this means that inhibition of expression should be effective starting within a day or two of androgen withdrawal and extending for about 3 to 6 months.",
"This may require multiple doses to accomplish.",
"It will be appreciated, however, that the period of time may be more prolonged, starting before castration and expending for substantial time afterwards without departing from the scope of the invention.",
"Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs have also been determined to enhance chemosensitivity in human renal cell cancer (RCC).",
"RCC is a chemoresistant disease with no active chemotherapeutic agent with objective response rates higher than 10%.",
"Increased TRPM-2 expression in renal proximal convoluted cells undergoing apoptosis has been observed after various stimuli including ureteral obstruction and aminoglycosides.",
"However, functional significance of TRPM-2 expression in RCC has not been well documented.",
"Test results show, however, that antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in human RCC CaKi-2 cells (See Example 6, infra).",
"Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs were also found to increase sensitivity to radiation (See Example 7 and FIG. 8 ).",
"Inhibition of expression of TRPM-2 may be accomplished by the administration of antisense ODNs, particularly antisense ODNs which are complementary to a region of the TRPM-2 mRNA spanning either the translation initiation site or the termination site.",
"For treatment of prostate cancer in humans, specific useful sequences are those shown in Seq.",
"ID Nos. 4, 5 and 12.",
"The ODNs employed may be modified to increase the stability of the ODN in vivo.",
"For example, the ODNs may be employed as phosphorothioate derivatives (replacement of a non-bridging phosphoryl oxygen atoms with a sulfur atom) which have increased resistance to nuclease digestion.",
"MOE (2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modification (ISIS backbone) is also effective.",
"Administration of antisense ODNs can be carried out using the various mechanisms known in the art, including naked administration and administration in pharmaceutically acceptable lipid carriers.",
"For example, lipid carriers for antisense delivery are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,911 and 5,417,978 which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"In general, the antisense is administered by intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or oral routes, or direct local tumor injection.",
"From the experiments performed using the Shionogi mouse model, it appears that the antisense ODN is preferentially active in the tumor cells.",
"Indeed, TRPM-2 expression in non-tumor tissues was substantially unaffected, and no side effects of the antisense ODN administration were observed.",
"The amount of antisense ODN administered is one effective to inhibit the expression of TRPM-2 in prostatic cells.",
"It will be appreciated that this amount will vary both with the effectiveness of the antisense ODN employed, and with the nature of any carrier used.",
"The determination of appropriate amounts for any given composition is within the skill in the art, through standard series of tests designed to assess appropriate therapeutic levels.",
"The method for treating prostate cancer in accordance with the invention may further include administration of chemotherapy agents and/or additional antisense ODNs directed at different targets.",
"For example, it has been found using the Shionogi tumor model that antisense TRPM-2 ODN increases sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy agents such as taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel) and mitoxanthrone ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ).",
"As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B , treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN in the presence of taxol or mitoxanthronc resulted in a reduced tumor volume as compared to the combination of taxol or mitoxanthrone with the mismatch (MM) ODN.",
"Other agents likely to show synergistic activity include other cytotoxic agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, topoisomerase inhibitors), angiogenesis inhibitors, differentiation agents and signal transduction inhibitors.",
"Similarly, combinations of TRPM-2 antisense with other antisense species such as antisense Bcl-2 ODN worked better at killing Shionogi cells in vitro than either ODN alone.",
"Thus, TRPM-2 can work in concert with other antisense molecules, such as antisense Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and c-myc ODN to provide greater effectiveness.",
"The invention will now be further described with reference to the following, non-limiting examples.",
"EXAMPLE 1 Shionogi tumor model experiments were performed using cells from the Toronto subline of transplantable SC-115 AD mouse mammary carcinoma.",
"For in vivo studies, approximately 5×10 6 cells of the Shionogi carcinoma were injected subcutaneously in adult male DD/S strain mice.",
"When the Shionogi tumors became 1 to 2 cm in diameter, usually 2 to 3 week after injection, castration was performed through an abdominal incision under methoxyflurane anesthesia.",
"Details of the maintenance of mice, tumor stock and operative procedures have been previously described, Bruchovsky et al.",
", Cancer res.",
"50: 2275-2282 (1990);",
"Rennie et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"48: 6309-6312 (1988);",
"Bruchovsky et al.",
", Cell 13: 272-280 (1978);",
"Gleave et al.",
", in Genitourinary Oncology , pp. 367-378, Lange et al.",
", eds, Lippencott (1997);",
"Gleave et al.",
", J. Urol.",
"157: 1727-1730 (1997);",
"Bruchovsky et al.",
", The Prostate 6: 13-21 (1996)).",
"Mice were randomly selected for treatment with murine phosphorothioate antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ID No. 1) or a mismatch control (Seq.",
"ID No. 2) which is two bases different in sequence from the antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"Each experimental group consisted of 7 mice.",
"One day after castration, 12.5 mg/kg of antisense TRPM-2 or mismatch control ODN dissolved in phosphate buffered saline were injected intraperitoneally once daily into each mouse of 40 days.",
"Tumor volume was measured twice weekly, and calculated by the formula length×width×depth×0.5236.",
"Gleave et al.",
", Cancer Res.",
"52: 1598-1605 (1992).",
"Data points were reported as average tumor volumes± standard deviation.",
"The results of this study are shown in FIG. 1 .",
"As shown, Shionogi tumors regressed faster and complete regression occurred earlier in mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN.",
"Furthermore, treatment with antisense TRPM-2 ODN substantially delayed the onset of androgen-independence which is reflected by the increase in tumor volume after day 21 in the control animals.",
"No side effects associated with antisense TRPM-2 or the mismatch control were observed.",
"To examine the effects of in vivo ODN treatment on levels of TRPM-2 mRNA, Northern blot analysis was performed on Shionogi tumor tissue from mice.",
"The mice were treated daily with 12.5 mg/kg of antisense TRPM-2 ODN (n=5) or the mismatch control (n=6) by intraperitoneal injection starting one day after castration.",
"On the fourth day after castration, tumor tissues were harvested and analyzed by Northern blot for TRPM-2 mRNA.",
"Antisense TRPM-2 ODN resulted in a 75% reduction in TRPM-2 mRNA levels in Shionogi tumors compared to mismatch control ODN treated tumors.",
"( FIG. 3 ).",
"Comparable analyses were performed on normal mouse organs.",
"Samples of spleen, kidney, prostate and brain were harvested from Shionogi tumor mice treated with antisense TRPM-2 ODN and mismatch control under the same treatment schedule, and analyzed by Northern blot.",
"Although TRPM-2 mRNA levels was significantly lower in tumor tissues, antiscnse TRPM-2 ODN had no effect on TRPM-2 mRNA levels in the normal organs.",
"EXAMPLE 2 The sequence selectivity of the antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 1) was confirmed by comparing expression levels of TRPM-2 mRNA in Shionogi tumor cells maintained in vitro, after treatment with the varying levels of antisense TRPM-2 ODN or a mismatch control (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 2).",
"To facilitate uptake of the ODNs into the cells, the ODNs were formulated in a cationic lipid carrier (Lipofectin™, (Life Technologies, Inc.)).",
"Cells were treated twice over a period of two days using the following protocol.",
"Cells were preincubated for 20 minutes with 4 μg/ml of lipofectin in serum free OPTI-MEM™ (Life Technologies, Inc.) and then incubated with the medium containing the selected concentration of ODN and lipofectin for four hours.",
"The medium was then replaced with the standard culture medium.",
"The amount of TRPM-2 mRNA in the cells was evaluated using Northern blot analysis.",
"As shown in FIG. 4 , treatment of Shionogi cells with antisense TRPM-2 ODN reduced TRPM-2 mRNA levels in a dose dependent manner.",
"In contrast, TRPM-2 mRNA levels were not affected by the mismatch ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 2) at any of the employed concentrations.",
"Thus, the affect of antisense TRPM-2 ODN is apparently sequence specific.",
"EXAMPLE 3 Shionogi cells maintained in vitro were treated with varying amounts of taxol alone or in combination with 500 nM antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ED.",
"No. 1) or the mismatch control (Seq.",
"ID No. 2).",
"The cells were treated twice, as described in Example 2, and the percentage of viable cells remaining was determined.",
"The results are summarized in FIG. 5 .",
"As shown, the inclusion of antisense TRPM-2 ODN shined the dose-response curve to the left, lowering the IC 50 by a factor of 5 to 10.",
"Similar results were achieved using mitoxanthrone in place of paclitaxel ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ).",
"EXAMPLE 4 The experiment of Example 3 was repeated, with the addition of antisense Bcl-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 13) or a mismatch Bcl-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 14) in various combinations with antisense/mismatch TRPM-2 ODN and taxol.",
"The results are shown in FIG. 6 .",
"The combination of antisense TRPM-2 ODN with antisense Bcl-2 ODN and taxol further enhanced the cytotoxic effects of taxol.",
"Thus, the targeting of additional anti-apoptotic agents appears to provide therapeutic benefits.",
"EXAMPLE 5 To identify appropriate antisense TRPM-2 ODN sequences for use in human therapy, antisense ODN sequences directed against 10 different sites of the human TRPM-2 gene ( FIG. 2 , Seq.",
"ID Nos. 3-12) were synthesized and tested for their ability to decrease TRPM-2 gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 and transfected LNCaP cells that overexpress TRPM-2 using the same treatment protocol described in Example 2.",
"The results are summarized in FIG. 3 .",
"As shown, sequences 4, 5 and 12 are active for reduction of TRPM-2 expression.",
"These three sequences overlap or are immediately adjacent to the translation initiation or termination sites.",
"EXAMPLE 6 Immunohistochemical staining was used to characterize clusterin expression in 17 RCC and normal kidney tissues obtained from radical nephrectomy specimens.",
"TRPM-2 expression in human renal cancer cell lines ACHN, CaKi-1 and CaKi-2 was evaluated by Northern and Western blot analyses.",
"Northern blot analysis was used to assess changes in TRPM-2 mRNA expression after antisense TRPM-2 ODN treatment.",
"The effects of combined antisense TRPM-2 ODN and taxol treatment on CaKi-2 cell growth was examined using a MTT assay.",
"Immunostaining showed an increased clusterin expression in 11 RCC specimens in comparison to the adjacent normal kidney tissue.",
"In the remaining 6 cases, no difference was seen between malignant and normal tissue.",
"Both TRPM-2 mRNA and protein expression were detectable in all three human RCC cell lines, with highest levels for CaKi-2.",
"Antisense TRPM-2 ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 1), but not mismatch control ODN (Seq.",
"ID.",
"No. 2), inhibited TRPM-2 expression in CaKi-2 cells in a dose dependant and sequence specific manner ( FIG. 7A ).",
"Furthermore, antisense TRPM-2 ODN substantially enhanced taxol chemosensitivity, reducing IC50 of taxol by 1 log (500 nM to 50 nM) compared to mismatch control ODN ( FIG. 7B ).",
"These data demonstrate that TRPM-2 and its protein, clusterin, are expressed at higher levels in RCC compared to normal kidney tissue, and that antisense TRPM-2 ODN may be useful in enhancing the cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapy in advanced RCC.",
"EXAMPLE 7 Antisense TRPM-2 ODNs enhance radiation sensitivity of cancer cells which express TRPM-2.",
"Using northern analysis, we found that radiation therapy results in dose and time dependent increases in TRPM2 gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells ( FIG. 8 ).",
"Overexpression of TRPM2 results in increased resistance to radiation induced cell death.",
"Human prostate LNCaP cells that overexpress TRPM2 (LNCaP/T1) are more resistant to radiation therapy ( FIGS. 9A and B).",
"Treatment of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells with 100 and 500 nM antisense TRPM-2 ODNs (Seq.",
"ID.",
"NO.",
"1) significantly reduces cell survival after a single treatment of 4 Gy radiation therapy compared to mismatch ODN (Seq.",
"ID No. 2) treatment.",
"( FIG. 10 ).",
"FIGS. 11A and B show dose dependent radiation sensitization of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells after treatment with 10, 50, and 100 nM antisense TRPM-2 oligo in vitro.",
"EXAMPLE 8 To determine whether treatment with human antisense TRPM-2 ODN enhances chemosensitivity in the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line, mice bearing PC3 tumors were treated with antisense human TRPM-2 ODN plus micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone, and mismatch control ODN plus micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ).",
"ODN was administered for 28 days and either 0.5 mg micellar taxol or 0.3 mg mitoxantrone were administered on two occasions: from day 10 to 14, and day 24 to 28.",
"A significant reduction in tumor size was observed in the antisense ODN treated animals as compared to those treated with mismatch control ODN.",
"This effect was even more pronounced after the second dosing of the micellar paclitaxel or mitoxantrone."
] |
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 10/326,581 filed Dec. 20, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,905 on Jan. 24, 2006, and incorporates by reference the '581 application as if it were fully printed herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to audio jacks and is directed particularly, but not solely, toward a multifunctional headphone jack for use with noise cancellation systems including noise cancellation headsets in passenger vehicles such as commercial aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Passenger vehicles, particularly commercial aircraft, have seat installations which include jacks i.e. sockets for receiving connector plugs for headsets or headphones. Thus a user can provide his or her own headset, or be provided with a headset by an attendant on the vehicle and can plug the headset into the jack provided on the relevant seat to listen to various audio channels.
[0004] Typically, the audio information is provided in the form of an electric signal that is passed by electric connections between the jack and the plug to the headset.
[0005] Recent developments to passenger audio systems include noise reduction headphones. There have been many attempts to create noise reduction headphones for use onboard commercial passenger aircraft. There are presently several embodiments of noise reduction systems, and most have their own particular headset plug and jack arrangement.
[0006] For example, in one noise reduction system there is an electronic circuit providing noise reduction functionality located in a medallion at arms length and separate to the headphone. The headphone must interface to the noise reduction circuit via a connector and jack of some description. One such connector comprises a standard 3.5 mm stereo plug in combination with a 2.5 mm stereo plug providing six potential signal lines.
[0007] In another example, the electronic circuit providing noise reduction functionality is located within or adjacent to the headphone i.e. as an adjunct to the headphones. This circuit may require power and therefore a connector providing stereo audio and power is necessary. One such connector uses a three prong configuration (i.e. three pins from the plug) comprising two 3.5 mm mono plugs in combination with a single 2.5 mm mono plug. This provides the capacity for six independent signal lines, of which four independent signal lines are typically used.
[0008] In all cases the use of the three prong jack to enable connection of a headphone with adjunct circuit removes the possibility of easily deploying an alternative system such as that where the noise reduction circuit is located at arms length to the headphone and vice versa. This is because the different plug and jack arrangements mean that to switch from one system to another means changing the jack and associated cabling. Therefore, variations in jack configuration create an unnecessary barrier for the operator to frequently change or upgrade the way in which active noise reduction and audio in general is delivered to passengers via headphones. The other disadvantage with the variations in jack configuration is that it makes it cumbersome to interconnect variations of similar technology, which require, in most cases, the same signal lines to operate.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved audio jack or an audio jack with a plug or headset identification circuit. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly in one aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in an audio jack having plug receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of different audio plugs, each plug having one or more pins, and interface means to enable the jack to identify the equipment attached to the plug.
[0011] Preferably the interface means comprise a passive or active electric circuit for identifying the configuration of the plug and/or the contact arrangement of the plug.
[0012] Preferably the circuit enables correct electrical connection between an audio source and the plug contacts to be made.
[0013] Accordingly in another aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in an audio jack having plug receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of different audio plugs, each plug having one or more pins, and identification means to enable the jack to identify equipment attached to the plug.
[0014] Preferably the identification means identify headset requirements from the plug type and/or the contact arrangement of the plug.
[0015] Preferably the headset contains only headphones and the identification means includes an active and/or passive network for providing an interface between the headphones and an audio signal source and the network operates in conjunction with the electric circuit to correctly identify and connect the headphones to the audio signal.
[0016] Preferably the plug types identified include one or more of the ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) types as currently defined in the ARINC Specifications 628 Part 2.
[0017] Preferably the jack includes an appropriate plug socket for each plug pin, one or more of the sockets including detection means to detect the presence of a plug pin.
[0018] Preferably the jack includes three pin sockets.
[0019] Preferably the pin sockets are arranged in the form of a triangle.
[0020] Preferably two plug sockets are 3.5 mm diameter and are sockets capable of receiving stereo pins, and the third plug socket is a 2.5 mm socket capable of receiving at the least a 2.5 mm mono pin.
[0021] Preferably the jack is provided in a housing and the at least one moveable socket floats laterally within the housing.
[0022] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in constructions and widely different embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosure and descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
[0023] The invention consists of the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] One presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;
[0025] FIGS. 1A, 1B , and 1 C are plan, front elevational, and side elevations, respectively, of a known three pin headset plug;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of a mono audio plug pin
[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a stereo audio plug pin
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of a headset single stereo plug commonly referenced type A1 or B1;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of a dual mono or dual stereo plug commonly referenced type A2 or B2;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of a known audio plug usually referenced D2;
[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a side elevation and end elevation, respectively, of a known plug having two pins commonly referenced type D1;
[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B area side elevation and end elevation, respectively, of a plug having two pins commonly referenced type C1;
[0033] FIG. 9 shows an audio jack apparatus according to the present invention and FIG. 9A is a diagrammatic isometric view of a seat shown in broken lines and illustrating installation of the audio jack of FIG. 9 ;
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating use of the audio jack of the present invention in a headset audio distribution system;
[0035] FIG. 11 shows electrical schematic diagrams for exemplary sockets according to the audio jack of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 12 shows a circuit of a comparator adapted to detect the presence of a microphone connected to a plug; and,
[0037] FIG. 13 is a table illustrating plug configurations that may be used with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The present invention overcomes the problem of different headset plugs being incompatible with headset jacks. As discussed above, the problem is particularly prevalent in the commercial airline industry where passengers in different “classes” may be issued with different headsets having different capabilities. Rather than having to change whole seat installations in order to change the jacks, the present invention allows a single multifunctional headphone jack to be used throughout an aircraft, bus or other passenger vehicle so that a number of different types of headset can be used.
[0039] The invention achieves this task by providing plug pin sockets that are arranged to allow each common headset type to be plugged into the jack, and by providing the jack system with passive or active detection means to detect, from the plug pins that have been inserted into the socket, the type of plug and thus the type of headset so that the required audio and other signals can be provided to the necessary plug conductors to enable the connected headset to function correctly. As mentioned above, the invention is particularly applicable to noise reduction headphone systems.
[0040] In order to fully understand the operation of the jack of the present invention, it is helpful it have a general understanding of headset types. Airline entertainment headphones have been categorised by ARINC into four different types, A, B, C and D. Types A and B are older types. Types C and D are intended for use with noise cancellation (NC) systems. Type C headphones incorporate NC electronics, and Type D are similar to type C except that the NC electronics is installed remotely in the seat area.
[0041] A summary table of airline entertainment system headphones is provided below.
TABLE 1 HEADPHONE IMPEDANCE TYPE Ohms PLUG STYLE A1 300 Single prong, right angle A2 300 Dual prong., right angle B1 40 Single prong, right angle B2 40 Dual prong, right angle C1 High Dual prong, right angle C2 High Triple prong, right angle D1 300 Dual prong, right angle D2 300 Dual prong, right angle
[0042] Further information can be found from the ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) Specifications 628 Part 2, which is publicly available.
[0043] It is also helpful to have some understanding of headset types for noise cancellation systems. Existing and proposed headset types are set forth below.
[0044] Type 1
[0045] This headset has a three pin plug for which an associated three socket jack is required. This is usually installed into the armrest of the passenger seat. The plug is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C , having two 3.5 mm mono plug pins 1 and one 2.5 mono plug pin 2 . It is commonly known as an ARINC “C2” plug, as will be described further below.
[0046] A mono pin is shown in FIG. 2 in which it can be seen that the pin has two conductors, being a ring 21 and a tip 22 .
[0047] A stereo plug pin is shown in FIG. 3 from which it can be seen that the pin has three conductors, being a first ring 31 , and second ring 32 , and a tip 30 .
[0048] Returning again to FIGS. 1A-1C , the 2.5 mm pin supplies power to the noise cancelling electronics located in or adjunct to the headset. The noise cancellation (NC) electronics typically connect to the jack with preferably a six-conductor cable. Two of these conductors are for power, one conductor for program audio left, one conductor for program audio right and two conductors for audio left ground and audio right ground. Therefore, the jack for this type of headset is one that is designed to accept mono plug pins, not stereo plug pins.
[0049] Between the NC circuit medallion and the headset's transducers are separate cables of two leads, each with four conductors. These provide program audio to the two speakers and noise signal from the two sensors. The sensor conductors are shielded.
[0050] Type 2
[0051] This is a variant of the Type 1 headset. The plug of this type of noise cancellation headset connects to a jack comprising a single 3.5 mm stereo socket and a 2.5 mm stereo socket. The headset is fed programme audio from the passenger seat remote jack unit via the 3.5 mm stereo sockets. Power is provided to the headset's NC circuit via the 2.5 mm stereo socket.
[0052] Type 3
[0053] This headset does not comprise any noise cancellation circuitry and relies on an audio signal that has already been processed to provide noise cancellation. Therefore, the NC circuitry is provided adjunct to the headphone, typically in the seat or within the remote jack unit itself. Control features on the headset may be provided. The control features do not include a noise cancellation circuit, but do include a volume control and an NC gain control. These may both be provided in the form of variable resistors. These control features do not alter the number of conduction paths required or the configuration of the sockets in the jack.
[0054] The cable from the jack to the headset or circuit is preferably seven-conductor assembly (two conductors for audio left and right, two audio grounds and two shielded cables for the sensor left and right).
[0055] Type 4
[0056] This is a variant of the Type 2 headset and is proposed at the present time. It is planned as a personal headset to be sold to passengers who wish to buy an NC headset for personal audio use. This model will have battery power for use with 32 ohm low voltage sources. The batteries will be located in the headset or adjunct to the headset in a box or medallion. Again, these requirements can be supplied using a plug according to the invention.
[0057] As well as the noise cancellation headset types discussed above, it is desirable if the seat jack unit is provided with means to supply headsets, which are not noise cancellation headsets i.e. to supply simply mono or stereo audio without noise cancellation. Known jack arrangements for commercial aircraft are specified by ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Inc). FIG. 4 shows a standard airline single stereo plug, commonly referenced type A1 and type B1.
[0058] FIG. 5 shows a standard airline dual mono and dual stereo plug, commonly referenced type A2 and type B2. FIG. 6 shows a standard dual stereo type airline plug, which is usually, referenced D2.
[0059] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an ARINC two pin plug, which is commonly called a type D1 plug.
[0060] A table, referenced table 2 below, shows the use for each of the conductors provided on the pins of the plug discussed above.
TABLE 2 Dual Mono and ARINC ARINC Dual Stereo Single Stereo SMART Jack 3 pin (C2) 2 pin (D1) (D2, A2, B2) (Al, B1) 2.5 mm pin Tip Control common Power + Ignored Not present Not present 2.5 mm sleeve 1 Control 1 Power − Ignored Not present Not present 2.5 mm ring 2 Optional Not present Ignored Not present Not present 3.5 mm right tip Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio right right right right right 3.5 mm right sleeve 1 Noise sensor Program audio Program audio Not present or Program audio right return right left right Noise left sensor 3.5 mm right ring 2 Audio and noise Not present Program audio Program audio Program audio return right same as ring 1 return right return return 3.5 mm left tip Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio left left left left left 3.5 mm left sleeve Noise sensor Program audio Program audio Not present or Program audio left left return right left Noise right sensor 3.5 mm left ring 2 Audio and Not present Program audio Program audio Program audio noise return left same as ring 1 return left return return
Also shown in table 1 is a column for the jack of the present invention, which is headed “smart jack”. This column shows the use, which may be made of the conductors from the pin sockets in the multifunctional jack of the present invention.
[0061] The jack of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9 generally referenced 90 . As can be seen, it comprises two 3.5 mm plug sockets ( 92 , 93 ) and a 2.5 mm plug socket 94 connected to a seat circuitry connector 91 . The sockets are all capable of receiving pins, which have two or more conductors. This has the significant advantage that there is a maximum of nine possible conductors provided by the jack of the present invention. It will be seen that the plug sockets are arranged in a triangular form, which is compatible with that of the ARINC three pin triangular C2 plug. Furthermore, since a 2.5 mm socket is provided as well as a 3.5 mm socket, the jack of the present invention is able to receive an ARINC two pin (D1) plug. Since two spaced 3.55 mm plug sockets are provided, the jack of the present invention enables existing dual mono and dual stereo plugs D2, A2 and B2 to be used. Also, a single stereo i.e. A1 or B1 plug can also be received.
[0062] In FIG. 9A the audio jack 90 is shown installed in the armrest of a seat 95 . The audio jack 90 is connected to an audio signal source and typically noise cancellation circuitry provided in the seat via connector 1003 .
[0063] There is also a mechanical consideration. Due to slight differences in the construction of plugs and pins it is highly desirable to allow some movement in the jack assembly. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, one (preferably the 2.5 mm) or more of the jack sockets (or jacks) is allowed to “float” in the assembly. This is because the distance between the 2.5 mm pin and 3.5 mm pin in the C2 plug is slightly smaller (0.466 inches) than the D1, D2 plug (0.500 inches). The degree of tolerance for this dimension needs to be in the order of 0.05 inches on the angle from the axis of the 2.5 mm jack to the 3.5 mm jack. The tolerance is indicated in FIG. 9 . Without this mechanical allowance the plug will be under strain and proper contact cannot be assured.
[0064] Referring again to table 1, it will be seen that in order to operate the different noise cancelling headsets referred to above, and standard headsets, which use the various plugs of table 1, appropriate connections need to be made from the “smart jack” of the present invention to the circuitry in the passenger seat or in the jack itself.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 10 , a block diagram is shown illustrating an interface 1001 which is provided between the smart jack 1002 and the audio signal provided to a seat connector 1003 . The headset to which the jack is connected in use is referenced 1004 .
[0066] The interface 1001 , in the preferred embodiment, comprises an active or passive network which is either enabled by or partially consists of, sockets in the jack of the present invention which provide an indication as to whether a pin has been inserted in the relevant socket.
[0067] In FIG. 11 examples of electrical schematic diagrams for a typical socket are shown. Each of the arrangements in FIG. 11 may be used to detect a plug pin type. As can be seen, the socket has electrical contacts, which enable up to three conductors on a plug pin to be electrically connected to the socket. In particular, the conductor at the tip of the pin can open or close a connection between the adjacent conductors. This means that a signal is provided as to whether a pin is fully inserted into a relevant socket. Therefore a logic table can be constructed to enable an identification to be made of the type of plug which has been inserted into the socket, and from that identification of the relevant headset can be made. Therefore, the appropriate connections from the audio signal provided in the seat to the headset can be made. Also, in the relevant instance, the appropriate connections can be made from noise cancellation circuitry provided in the seat to the relevant headset. By way of example, if only one of the 3.5 mm sockets and no other sockets register insertion of a pin, then it can be deduced that a single stereo plug has been inserted into the jack. If both the 3.5 mm plugs and not the 2.5 mm plug indicate that pins have been received in those sockets, then it can be deduced that the plug is of type A2 B2 or D2. Also from knowing whether there is a short between the conductors preceding the socket tip conductors, it will be know whether the pin that have been inserted are mono or stereo i.e. a distinction can be made between A2 and B2 and a D2 type plug.
[0068] Such deduction can also be carried out electronically by analysing the loading effect that a microphone would provide if connected in circuit to two of the conductors.
[0069] FIG. 12 illustrates such an approach with a voltage comparator where
V bias >V h >V in >V l >V e .
[0071] The window comparator detects whether the microphone dc voltage is within the range V h to V l . A resistor in parallel to the microphone defines a minimum microphone load which, in conjunction with the pull up resistor, ensures that V h >V in >V l giving a high output from the comparator to enable noise cancellation circuitry.
[0072] If the microphone is disconnected then V in will equal V bias through the action of the pull up resistor and since V bias >V h the enable output will be low. If the microphone input is grounded then V in <V l , and the enable output will also be low.
[0073] For additional understanding reference maybe made to FIG. 13 , which illustrates how the plug arrangements for type A, B, C and D headsets can all be accommodated by the invention. The plug pin layouts are graphically represented in column C. The pins shown in black in column C illustrate the sleeve/ring/tip conductors of the relevant plug pins used by the audio jack, and the white pins illustrate the unused plug pins. Column A describes the plug type, and column B diagrammatically shows the jack of the invention, with the plug type from column A overlaid in dashed outline.
Advantages of the Preferred Embodiments
[0074] From the foregoing, it will be seen that a multifunctional headset jack is provided which allows a number of different headset types to be plugged into the jack, and still perform their expected function, whether the headset is a NC headset or otherwise.
[0075] Typically the jack and associated sensing circuitry is intended to allow a user to plug in a headphone of any type from a single plug mono headphone, through to a triple plug noise cancelling type with either internal or external noise cancellation circuitry and still provide the expected result.
[0076] Manufacturing tolerances and minor specification differences in the headphone plugs where the plug is two or three pin may be coped with by the floating construction of one of the jack sockets.
Variations
[0077] The sensing circuitry may rely merely on detecting which of the jack sockets supplied have plugs entered by detecting which of the socket switches are closed or open, or it may additionally detect the presence of various impedances or supply voltages across certain of the plug tips, rings and sleeves.
[0078] While the sensing circuitry is described as being electronically implemented it is possible to implement it with either simple logic circuitry or with programmable software controlled circuitry which may be updateable remotely. This will allow an already installed system to cope with variations in headsets as the specifications for these change from time to time.
[0079] While the sensing circuitry is described in relation to headphones it is equally applicable to headsets containing headphones and microphone.
[0080] Finally various other alterations or modification may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention. | A jack ( 90 ) typically mounted in an aircraft seat is adapted for use with a variety of headset types. A jack has sockets ( 92, 93, 94 ) accepting any of several different types of plugs associated with different types of noise cancellation headsets or aviation industry headsets including one, two, or three pin types. The jack includes sensing components to correctly detect from the number of pins inserted, and the impedance and/or voltages sensed on those pins, the type of headset being used. With this identification, appropriate connections to the audio source as well as to noise cancellation circuitry may be made to enable the headset to function correctly. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 10/326,581 filed Dec. 20, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,905 on Jan. 24, 2006, and incorporates by reference the '581 application as if it were fully printed herein.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to audio jacks and is directed particularly, but not solely, toward a multifunctional headphone jack for use with noise cancellation systems including noise cancellation headsets in passenger vehicles such as commercial aircraft.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Passenger vehicles, particularly commercial aircraft, have seat installations which include jacks i.e. sockets for receiving connector plugs for headsets or headphones.",
"Thus a user can provide his or her own headset, or be provided with a headset by an attendant on the vehicle and can plug the headset into the jack provided on the relevant seat to listen to various audio channels.",
"[0004] Typically, the audio information is provided in the form of an electric signal that is passed by electric connections between the jack and the plug to the headset.",
"[0005] Recent developments to passenger audio systems include noise reduction headphones.",
"There have been many attempts to create noise reduction headphones for use onboard commercial passenger aircraft.",
"There are presently several embodiments of noise reduction systems, and most have their own particular headset plug and jack arrangement.",
"[0006] For example, in one noise reduction system there is an electronic circuit providing noise reduction functionality located in a medallion at arms length and separate to the headphone.",
"The headphone must interface to the noise reduction circuit via a connector and jack of some description.",
"One such connector comprises a standard 3.5 mm stereo plug in combination with a 2.5 mm stereo plug providing six potential signal lines.",
"[0007] In another example, the electronic circuit providing noise reduction functionality is located within or adjacent to the headphone i.e. as an adjunct to the headphones.",
"This circuit may require power and therefore a connector providing stereo audio and power is necessary.",
"One such connector uses a three prong configuration (i.e. three pins from the plug) comprising two 3.5 mm mono plugs in combination with a single 2.5 mm mono plug.",
"This provides the capacity for six independent signal lines, of which four independent signal lines are typically used.",
"[0008] In all cases the use of the three prong jack to enable connection of a headphone with adjunct circuit removes the possibility of easily deploying an alternative system such as that where the noise reduction circuit is located at arms length to the headphone and vice versa.",
"This is because the different plug and jack arrangements mean that to switch from one system to another means changing the jack and associated cabling.",
"Therefore, variations in jack configuration create an unnecessary barrier for the operator to frequently change or upgrade the way in which active noise reduction and audio in general is delivered to passengers via headphones.",
"The other disadvantage with the variations in jack configuration is that it makes it cumbersome to interconnect variations of similar technology, which require, in most cases, the same signal lines to operate.",
"OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved audio jack or an audio jack with a plug or headset identification circuit.",
"Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Accordingly in one aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in an audio jack having plug receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of different audio plugs, each plug having one or more pins, and interface means to enable the jack to identify the equipment attached to the plug.",
"[0011] Preferably the interface means comprise a passive or active electric circuit for identifying the configuration of the plug and/or the contact arrangement of the plug.",
"[0012] Preferably the circuit enables correct electrical connection between an audio source and the plug contacts to be made.",
"[0013] Accordingly in another aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in an audio jack having plug receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of different audio plugs, each plug having one or more pins, and identification means to enable the jack to identify equipment attached to the plug.",
"[0014] Preferably the identification means identify headset requirements from the plug type and/or the contact arrangement of the plug.",
"[0015] Preferably the headset contains only headphones and the identification means includes an active and/or passive network for providing an interface between the headphones and an audio signal source and the network operates in conjunction with the electric circuit to correctly identify and connect the headphones to the audio signal.",
"[0016] Preferably the plug types identified include one or more of the ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) types as currently defined in the ARINC Specifications 628 Part 2.",
"[0017] Preferably the jack includes an appropriate plug socket for each plug pin, one or more of the sockets including detection means to detect the presence of a plug pin.",
"[0018] Preferably the jack includes three pin sockets.",
"[0019] Preferably the pin sockets are arranged in the form of a triangle.",
"[0020] Preferably two plug sockets are 3.5 mm diameter and are sockets capable of receiving stereo pins, and the third plug socket is a 2.5 mm socket capable of receiving at the least a 2.5 mm mono pin.",
"[0021] Preferably the jack is provided in a housing and the at least one moveable socket floats laterally within the housing.",
"[0022] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in constructions and widely different embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.",
"The disclosure and descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.",
"[0023] The invention consists of the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] One presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;",
"[0025] FIGS. 1A, 1B , and 1 C are plan, front elevational, and side elevations, respectively, of a known three pin headset plug;",
"[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of a mono audio plug pin [0027] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a stereo audio plug pin [0028] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of a headset single stereo plug commonly referenced type A1 or B1;",
"[0029] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of a dual mono or dual stereo plug commonly referenced type A2 or B2;",
"[0030] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of a known audio plug usually referenced D2;",
"[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a side elevation and end elevation, respectively, of a known plug having two pins commonly referenced type D1;",
"[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B area side elevation and end elevation, respectively, of a plug having two pins commonly referenced type C1;",
"[0033] FIG. 9 shows an audio jack apparatus according to the present invention and FIG. 9A is a diagrammatic isometric view of a seat shown in broken lines and illustrating installation of the audio jack of FIG. 9 ;",
"[0034] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating use of the audio jack of the present invention in a headset audio distribution system;",
"[0035] FIG. 11 shows electrical schematic diagrams for exemplary sockets according to the audio jack of the present invention;",
"[0036] FIG. 12 shows a circuit of a comparator adapted to detect the presence of a microphone connected to a plug;",
"and, [0037] FIG. 13 is a table illustrating plug configurations that may be used with the invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0038] The present invention overcomes the problem of different headset plugs being incompatible with headset jacks.",
"As discussed above, the problem is particularly prevalent in the commercial airline industry where passengers in different “classes”",
"may be issued with different headsets having different capabilities.",
"Rather than having to change whole seat installations in order to change the jacks, the present invention allows a single multifunctional headphone jack to be used throughout an aircraft, bus or other passenger vehicle so that a number of different types of headset can be used.",
"[0039] The invention achieves this task by providing plug pin sockets that are arranged to allow each common headset type to be plugged into the jack, and by providing the jack system with passive or active detection means to detect, from the plug pins that have been inserted into the socket, the type of plug and thus the type of headset so that the required audio and other signals can be provided to the necessary plug conductors to enable the connected headset to function correctly.",
"As mentioned above, the invention is particularly applicable to noise reduction headphone systems.",
"[0040] In order to fully understand the operation of the jack of the present invention, it is helpful it have a general understanding of headset types.",
"Airline entertainment headphones have been categorised by ARINC into four different types, A, B, C and D. Types A and B are older types.",
"Types C and D are intended for use with noise cancellation (NC) systems.",
"Type C headphones incorporate NC electronics, and Type D are similar to type C except that the NC electronics is installed remotely in the seat area.",
"[0041] A summary table of airline entertainment system headphones is provided below.",
"TABLE 1 HEADPHONE IMPEDANCE TYPE Ohms PLUG STYLE A1 300 Single prong, right angle A2 300 Dual prong.",
", right angle B1 40 Single prong, right angle B2 40 Dual prong, right angle C1 High Dual prong, right angle C2 High Triple prong, right angle D1 300 Dual prong, right angle D2 300 Dual prong, right angle [0042] Further information can be found from the ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) Specifications 628 Part 2, which is publicly available.",
"[0043] It is also helpful to have some understanding of headset types for noise cancellation systems.",
"Existing and proposed headset types are set forth below.",
"[0044] Type 1 [0045] This headset has a three pin plug for which an associated three socket jack is required.",
"This is usually installed into the armrest of the passenger seat.",
"The plug is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C , having two 3.5 mm mono plug pins 1 and one 2.5 mono plug pin 2 .",
"It is commonly known as an ARINC “C2”",
"plug, as will be described further below.",
"[0046] A mono pin is shown in FIG. 2 in which it can be seen that the pin has two conductors, being a ring 21 and a tip 22 .",
"[0047] A stereo plug pin is shown in FIG. 3 from which it can be seen that the pin has three conductors, being a first ring 31 , and second ring 32 , and a tip 30 .",
"[0048] Returning again to FIGS. 1A-1C , the 2.5 mm pin supplies power to the noise cancelling electronics located in or adjunct to the headset.",
"The noise cancellation (NC) electronics typically connect to the jack with preferably a six-conductor cable.",
"Two of these conductors are for power, one conductor for program audio left, one conductor for program audio right and two conductors for audio left ground and audio right ground.",
"Therefore, the jack for this type of headset is one that is designed to accept mono plug pins, not stereo plug pins.",
"[0049] Between the NC circuit medallion and the headset's transducers are separate cables of two leads, each with four conductors.",
"These provide program audio to the two speakers and noise signal from the two sensors.",
"The sensor conductors are shielded.",
"[0050] Type 2 [0051] This is a variant of the Type 1 headset.",
"The plug of this type of noise cancellation headset connects to a jack comprising a single 3.5 mm stereo socket and a 2.5 mm stereo socket.",
"The headset is fed programme audio from the passenger seat remote jack unit via the 3.5 mm stereo sockets.",
"Power is provided to the headset's NC circuit via the 2.5 mm stereo socket.",
"[0052] Type 3 [0053] This headset does not comprise any noise cancellation circuitry and relies on an audio signal that has already been processed to provide noise cancellation.",
"Therefore, the NC circuitry is provided adjunct to the headphone, typically in the seat or within the remote jack unit itself.",
"Control features on the headset may be provided.",
"The control features do not include a noise cancellation circuit, but do include a volume control and an NC gain control.",
"These may both be provided in the form of variable resistors.",
"These control features do not alter the number of conduction paths required or the configuration of the sockets in the jack.",
"[0054] The cable from the jack to the headset or circuit is preferably seven-conductor assembly (two conductors for audio left and right, two audio grounds and two shielded cables for the sensor left and right).",
"[0055] Type 4 [0056] This is a variant of the Type 2 headset and is proposed at the present time.",
"It is planned as a personal headset to be sold to passengers who wish to buy an NC headset for personal audio use.",
"This model will have battery power for use with 32 ohm low voltage sources.",
"The batteries will be located in the headset or adjunct to the headset in a box or medallion.",
"Again, these requirements can be supplied using a plug according to the invention.",
"[0057] As well as the noise cancellation headset types discussed above, it is desirable if the seat jack unit is provided with means to supply headsets, which are not noise cancellation headsets i.e. to supply simply mono or stereo audio without noise cancellation.",
"Known jack arrangements for commercial aircraft are specified by ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Inc).",
"FIG. 4 shows a standard airline single stereo plug, commonly referenced type A1 and type B1.",
"[0058] FIG. 5 shows a standard airline dual mono and dual stereo plug, commonly referenced type A2 and type B2.",
"FIG. 6 shows a standard dual stereo type airline plug, which is usually, referenced D2.",
"[0059] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an ARINC two pin plug, which is commonly called a type D1 plug.",
"[0060] A table, referenced table 2 below, shows the use for each of the conductors provided on the pins of the plug discussed above.",
"TABLE 2 Dual Mono and ARINC ARINC Dual Stereo Single Stereo SMART Jack 3 pin (C2) 2 pin (D1) (D2, A2, B2) (Al, B1) 2.5 mm pin Tip Control common Power + Ignored Not present Not present 2.5 mm sleeve 1 Control 1 Power − Ignored Not present Not present 2.5 mm ring 2 Optional Not present Ignored Not present Not present 3.5 mm right tip Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio right right right right right 3.5 mm right sleeve 1 Noise sensor Program audio Program audio Not present or Program audio right return right left right Noise left sensor 3.5 mm right ring 2 Audio and noise Not present Program audio Program audio Program audio return right same as ring 1 return right return return 3.5 mm left tip Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio Program audio left left left left left 3.5 mm left sleeve Noise sensor Program audio Program audio Not present or Program audio left left return right left Noise right sensor 3.5 mm left ring 2 Audio and Not present Program audio Program audio Program audio noise return left same as ring 1 return left return return Also shown in table 1 is a column for the jack of the present invention, which is headed “smart jack.”",
"This column shows the use, which may be made of the conductors from the pin sockets in the multifunctional jack of the present invention.",
"[0061] The jack of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9 generally referenced 90 .",
"As can be seen, it comprises two 3.5 mm plug sockets ( 92 , 93 ) and a 2.5 mm plug socket 94 connected to a seat circuitry connector 91 .",
"The sockets are all capable of receiving pins, which have two or more conductors.",
"This has the significant advantage that there is a maximum of nine possible conductors provided by the jack of the present invention.",
"It will be seen that the plug sockets are arranged in a triangular form, which is compatible with that of the ARINC three pin triangular C2 plug.",
"Furthermore, since a 2.5 mm socket is provided as well as a 3.5 mm socket, the jack of the present invention is able to receive an ARINC two pin (D1) plug.",
"Since two spaced 3.55 mm plug sockets are provided, the jack of the present invention enables existing dual mono and dual stereo plugs D2, A2 and B2 to be used.",
"Also, a single stereo i.e. A1 or B1 plug can also be received.",
"[0062] In FIG. 9A the audio jack 90 is shown installed in the armrest of a seat 95 .",
"The audio jack 90 is connected to an audio signal source and typically noise cancellation circuitry provided in the seat via connector 1003 .",
"[0063] There is also a mechanical consideration.",
"Due to slight differences in the construction of plugs and pins it is highly desirable to allow some movement in the jack assembly.",
"Thus, in the preferred embodiment, one (preferably the 2.5 mm) or more of the jack sockets (or jacks) is allowed to “float”",
"in the assembly.",
"This is because the distance between the 2.5 mm pin and 3.5 mm pin in the C2 plug is slightly smaller (0.466 inches) than the D1, D2 plug (0.500 inches).",
"The degree of tolerance for this dimension needs to be in the order of 0.05 inches on the angle from the axis of the 2.5 mm jack to the 3.5 mm jack.",
"The tolerance is indicated in FIG. 9 .",
"Without this mechanical allowance the plug will be under strain and proper contact cannot be assured.",
"[0064] Referring again to table 1, it will be seen that in order to operate the different noise cancelling headsets referred to above, and standard headsets, which use the various plugs of table 1, appropriate connections need to be made from the “smart jack”",
"of the present invention to the circuitry in the passenger seat or in the jack itself.",
"[0065] Referring to FIG. 10 , a block diagram is shown illustrating an interface 1001 which is provided between the smart jack 1002 and the audio signal provided to a seat connector 1003 .",
"The headset to which the jack is connected in use is referenced 1004 .",
"[0066] The interface 1001 , in the preferred embodiment, comprises an active or passive network which is either enabled by or partially consists of, sockets in the jack of the present invention which provide an indication as to whether a pin has been inserted in the relevant socket.",
"[0067] In FIG. 11 examples of electrical schematic diagrams for a typical socket are shown.",
"Each of the arrangements in FIG. 11 may be used to detect a plug pin type.",
"As can be seen, the socket has electrical contacts, which enable up to three conductors on a plug pin to be electrically connected to the socket.",
"In particular, the conductor at the tip of the pin can open or close a connection between the adjacent conductors.",
"This means that a signal is provided as to whether a pin is fully inserted into a relevant socket.",
"Therefore a logic table can be constructed to enable an identification to be made of the type of plug which has been inserted into the socket, and from that identification of the relevant headset can be made.",
"Therefore, the appropriate connections from the audio signal provided in the seat to the headset can be made.",
"Also, in the relevant instance, the appropriate connections can be made from noise cancellation circuitry provided in the seat to the relevant headset.",
"By way of example, if only one of the 3.5 mm sockets and no other sockets register insertion of a pin, then it can be deduced that a single stereo plug has been inserted into the jack.",
"If both the 3.5 mm plugs and not the 2.5 mm plug indicate that pins have been received in those sockets, then it can be deduced that the plug is of type A2 B2 or D2.",
"Also from knowing whether there is a short between the conductors preceding the socket tip conductors, it will be know whether the pin that have been inserted are mono or stereo i.e. a distinction can be made between A2 and B2 and a D2 type plug.",
"[0068] Such deduction can also be carried out electronically by analysing the loading effect that a microphone would provide if connected in circuit to two of the conductors.",
"[0069] FIG. 12 illustrates such an approach with a voltage comparator where V bias >V h >V in >V l >V e .",
"[0071] The window comparator detects whether the microphone dc voltage is within the range V h to V l .",
"A resistor in parallel to the microphone defines a minimum microphone load which, in conjunction with the pull up resistor, ensures that V h >V in >V l giving a high output from the comparator to enable noise cancellation circuitry.",
"[0072] If the microphone is disconnected then V in will equal V bias through the action of the pull up resistor and since V bias >V h the enable output will be low.",
"If the microphone input is grounded then V in <V l , and the enable output will also be low.",
"[0073] For additional understanding reference maybe made to FIG. 13 , which illustrates how the plug arrangements for type A, B, C and D headsets can all be accommodated by the invention.",
"The plug pin layouts are graphically represented in column C. The pins shown in black in column C illustrate the sleeve/ring/tip conductors of the relevant plug pins used by the audio jack, and the white pins illustrate the unused plug pins.",
"Column A describes the plug type, and column B diagrammatically shows the jack of the invention, with the plug type from column A overlaid in dashed outline.",
"Advantages of the Preferred Embodiments [0074] From the foregoing, it will be seen that a multifunctional headset jack is provided which allows a number of different headset types to be plugged into the jack, and still perform their expected function, whether the headset is a NC headset or otherwise.",
"[0075] Typically the jack and associated sensing circuitry is intended to allow a user to plug in a headphone of any type from a single plug mono headphone, through to a triple plug noise cancelling type with either internal or external noise cancellation circuitry and still provide the expected result.",
"[0076] Manufacturing tolerances and minor specification differences in the headphone plugs where the plug is two or three pin may be coped with by the floating construction of one of the jack sockets.",
"Variations [0077] The sensing circuitry may rely merely on detecting which of the jack sockets supplied have plugs entered by detecting which of the socket switches are closed or open, or it may additionally detect the presence of various impedances or supply voltages across certain of the plug tips, rings and sleeves.",
"[0078] While the sensing circuitry is described as being electronically implemented it is possible to implement it with either simple logic circuitry or with programmable software controlled circuitry which may be updateable remotely.",
"This will allow an already installed system to cope with variations in headsets as the specifications for these change from time to time.",
"[0079] While the sensing circuitry is described in relation to headphones it is equally applicable to headsets containing headphones and microphone.",
"[0080] Finally various other alterations or modification may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/139,044 filed on Dec. 19, 2008, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
The United States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000 with Sandia Corporation.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for a rotary mechanical latching mechanism to provide positive latching of a rotary device. The invention further relates to rotary latching mechanisms for enclosures that are operable by electrical drive means and are resistant to false unlatchings in a vibrational environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rotary latching mechanisms are used to provide controlled access to enclosures with examples ranging from electronics enclosures, vehicle compartments, control rooms etc. Typically a rotary mechanical latch finds application in locking mechanisms for securing the access panels, doors, lids and hatches to an interior volume of a controlled space. In one exemplary non-limiting application, the knob of a door acts as a driving device for applying torque to a rotating shaft that is coupled to a bolt mechanism for withdrawing the bolt from a corresponding strike plate located on the frame of the door. In this and other applications of rotary latching mechanisms, there is a need to prevent rotation of actuating shaft by unauthorized users and a further need to provide the drive input from a remote location (e.g. by electrical drive apparatus). Additionally there is a need for rotary latching mechanisms that provide positive latching of the actuating shaft in an unpowered state (e.g. passive latching) and are resistant to false unlatching of the actuating shaft due to vibrations in the environment of the latch. The present invention meets these needs by providing a positive rotary latching mechanism that is unlatchable by application of a drive torque to lock and unlock a cam arm attached to a rotary actuation shaft, where the cam arm is latched and unlatched by the cooperative positioning of leading and trailing cams incorporated into the drive mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings provided herein are not drawn to scale.
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to unlatch.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of unlatching where the teeth of the pinion gear are beginning to engage the toothed portion of the latching gear.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in an unlatched state.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to relatch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch according to the present invention. Rotary mechanical latch 100 can comprise a drive assembly 110 and a rotating latchable assembly 140 . Drive assembly 110 has an axis of rotation 112 that is parallel to and spaced from the rotational axis 142 of the latchable assembly 140 . Drive assembly 110 further comprises means for providing a rotational torque such as an electric motor 114 to a pinion gear 116 having a flange 118 supporting leading latch cam 120 , trailing latch cam 122 and (optionally) balancing cam 124 . In this exemplary embodiment the drive means 114 comprises an electric motor, but could as well comprise a manual drive device such as a knob, wheel or lever, or other motorized drive means such as a solenoid or motor (electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated). The latchable assembly 140 comprises an output shaft 144 that can be coupled for example, to insert and withdraw a bolt (not shown) from a strike plate (not shown) in an exemplary non-limiting application such as a door latch. As described below, rotary mechanical latches (e.g. 100 ) according to the present invention operate to secure the output shaft 144 in a latched (e.g. locked) non-rotatable state and allow shaft 144 to achieve an unlatched (e.g. unlocked) rotatable state only after proper application of a drive torque to the pinion gear 116 , by use of drive means 114 .
The latchable assembly 140 comprises a latching gear 146 , cam arm 148 and a spring catchment 150 that can (as shown in this example) be implemented as a notch on the perimeter of spool 152 . The spring catchment 150 can be arranged to capture the free end of a flexural member 158 that as described below, can be configured to apply a latching torque (e.g. via the restoring force of a deformed elastic member) to the latching assembly 140 under certain conditions. The cam arm 148 , latching gear 146 and catchment spool 152 fixedly share the axis of rotation 142 and can be assembled onto the output shaft 144 as separate components or can exist as integrally formed or machined components as an application warrants. Latching gear 146 comprises an untoothed portion 156 and a toothed portion 154 , the teeth of which are engaged by the teeth of pinion gear 116 during latching and unlatching operations of the rotary latch 100 .
In FIG. 1 , rotary mechanical latch 100 is illustrated in the latched state, where rotation of output shaft 144 is prevented by the cooperative action of leading cam 120 and trailing cam 122 which “lock” the cam arm 148 in the latched state. In the latched state, the gear teeth of the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear 146 are not engaged with the gear teeth of the pinion gear 116 . Latching/locking of the rotary mechanical latch is established by the positional relationship (e.g. interlocking) of the cam arm 148 with the leading 120 and trailing 122 latching cams. As described below, there is no need for power (e.g. manual, electrical etc.) to be applied to the drive means 114 to maintain the output shaft 144 in a latched state and prevent its rotation. Latching of the output shaft 144 is accomplished by rotary mechanical latches 100 of the present invention, by purely passive means.
In an exemplary application, the drive assembly 110 and the latchable assembly 140 can be supported in a common frame or housing, that further can provide an anchor point 160 for the flexible member 158 . The free end of the flexible member 158 can slideably engage the recess portion of the spool 152 and can be captured by the spring catchment 150 (e.g. notch or tang) at certain points (described below) during the operation of the rotary mechanical latch 100 to store energy within the flexible member 158 used to produce a latching torque applied to the latching gear 146 .
FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch of FIG. 1 , in a latched state. FIG. 2 serves to illustrate the passive nature by which cam arm 148 (and therefore output shaft 144 ) is secured in a latched state. The terms clockwise and counterclockwise are used herein to illustrate the operation of the invention, and do not serve to limit or restrict the application of the invention to any particular rotational direction or orientation. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the cam arm 148 is prevented from rotating in a counterclockwise manner from the latched state to an unlatched state by the leading latch cam 120 . If an attempt is made to rotate the cam arm 148 counterclockwise (e.g. to unlatch) by other than through the use of drive means 114 a curved contacting surface 182 of cam arm 148 is pressed against the corresponding contacting surface 184 of leading latch cam 120 , producing by the nature of their curvatures, a counterclockwise “restoring” torque being applied to flange 118 , acting to force engagement of the leading cam 120 with the cam arm 148 . If an increasing torque is applied to attempt to rotate the cam arm 148 in a counterclockwise direction, a greater contact pressure between surfaces 182 and 184 results, therefore creating an increasing counterclockwise torque applied to the flange 118 and further increasing the engagement of the leading cam 120 with the cam arm 148 . An attempt to rotate the cam arm 148 in a clockwise direction by other than through the use of drive means 114 is prevented in a manner similar to above. In a fully latched state, rotation of the cam arm 148 is physically blocked by the presence of trailing latch cam 122 . Where the cam arm 148 is slightly unlatched, by the nature of their curvatures, as the contacting surface 188 of the cam arm 148 is pressed against corresponding contacting surface 186 of the trailing latch cam 122 , a clockwise torque is applied to flange 118 , acting to force engagement of the trailing cam 122 with the cam arm 148 .
Therefore power is not required to maintain (e.g. latch, lock) the cam arm 148 in the latched state as the curved nature of contacting surfaces 184 , 182 , 188 and 186 are such as to generate torques (i.e. “restoring” torques) on the flange 118 acting to force engagement of the cam arm 148 with latch cams 120 and 122 in response to any attempt to rotate the cam arm into an unlatched state. In the present exemplary embodiment, it has been found that a useful geometry can be realized with a teardrop leading cam 120 , an oblong trailing cam 122 and a cam arm 148 each having contact surfaces ( 182 , 184 , 186 and 188 ) formed to create the opposing torques acting on the flange 118 , by the nature of their curvature. It is to be noted that other geometries could be utilized as well without affecting the practice of the present invention (e.g. an elliptical trailing cam in place of the oblong shaped trailing cam). Optional balancing cam 124 has been found useful in applications where the rotary mechanical latch 100 may be subjected to vibrational environments, either due to normal operational conditions or in attempts to defeat the latching device. By balancing the mass distribution of the latching cams 120 and 122 over the flange 118 with a suitable sized balancing cam 124 , motion of a drive assembly 110 in response to those vibrations can be minimized. In this embodiment, balancing cam 124 is illustrated as a cylindrical mass attached to the flange 118 , but any shaped mass as convenient to an application could be used as well.
The following series of figures serve to explain the operation of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch as presented in FIG. 1 . Components below the plane of the illustration, such as spool 152 , spring catchment 150 and pinion gear 116 are shown in dashed outline for clarity.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in a latched state. Rotation of latching gear 146 and therefore output shaft 144 (not shown) is prevented as cam arm 146 is captured (e.g. locked) between the leading latch cam 120 and trailing latch cam 122 . The latch cams 120 and 122 are shaped such that rotation of the latching gear 146 in either direction produces a torque that rotates the flange 118 in a direction to force further engagement of latch cams 120 and 122 with the cam arm 148 . Flexible spring element 158 applies clockwise torque to latching gear 148 , further resisting counterclockwise rotation of the latching gear. Balancing cam 124 does not engage the cam arm 148 but serves to balance the pinion gear 116 , flange 118 and latch cams 120 and 122 , so that the drive assembly 110 cannot be easily rotated by mechanical vibrations.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to unlatch. Drive means 114 (not shown) have been utilized to apply a clockwise torque to pinion gear 116 , rotating flange 118 approximately 45 degrees to a point where the leading latch cam 120 no longer interferes with the cam arm 148 . The interior edge of the trailing latch cam 122 is driving the latching gear 146 via contact with the cam arm 148 , and latching gear 146 is now free to continue rotation in a counter clockwise direction. The spring element 158 continues to provide a clockwise torque to the latchable assembly 140 at this point, which the drive means must overcome. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive means 114 (an electric motor) continues to drive (e.g. rotate clockwise) the pinion 116 somewhat beyond this point.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of unlatching where the teeth of the pinion gear are beginning to engage the toothed portion of the latching gear. In FIG. 5 the drive means 114 has rotated the pinion gear 116 and flange 118 to a point where the outer extent of the trailing cam 122 is pushing the cam arm 148 , causing continued counterclockwise rotation of latching gear 146 . The teeth of pinion gear 116 are about to engage the first tooth 170 on the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear 146 . Gear tooth 170 is illustrated as being shortened which has been found to facilitate engagement with the pinion gear 116 . In this embodiment, the outline of the contacting surfaces of the cam arm 148 and trailing latch cam 122 are such that the rotation ratio (e.g. here 4:1) of the pinion gear 116 and the latching gear 146 is the same as if their gear teeth were engaged. Further counterclockwise rotation of the latching gear 146 is now driven by engagement of the pinion gear 116 with the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear. Engagement of the gear teeth maintain the proper phase relationship between the latching gear 146 and the pinion gear 116 to insure the latching cams 120 and 122 will properly engage with the cam arm 148 upon latching. The spring flexural member 158 is near its overthrown position, i.e. where it will escape the spring catchment 150 .
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in an unlatched state. FIG. 6 shows the cam arm 148 completely disengaged from the latching cams 120 and 122 . The latching gear 146 is free to rotate (i.e. through less than 360 degrees) within the limits defined at either end where the cam arm 146 would encounter a latching cam ( 120 , 122 ). At this point, the end of flexural member 158 has escaped the spring catchment 150 and is no longer applying a torque to the latching gear 146 . Drive means 114 no longer needs to be powered and can be allowed to freely rotate, allowing latching gear 146 to rotate freely as well (i.e. latching gear is “unlocked”). The unlatched state therefore does not consist of a singular position of the latching gear 146 , but rather comprises all rotational orientations of the latching gear 146 from the point at which the teeth of the pinion gear 116 begin to engage the first tooth 170 of the latching gear 146 continuing around to the orientation where further rotation would cause the cam arm 148 to collide with a cam.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to relatch. FIG. 7 illustrates the beginning of a latching sequence. The latching gear 146 has been rotated clockwise by the drive means 114 to the point where the end of flexural member 158 is captured by spring catchment 150 , and the force of continued rotation of latching gear 146 causes the flexural member 158 to begin to buckle. The drive means 114 applies a torque to the latching gear 146 to rotate the latching gear up to the overthrow point of the flexural element 158 . After the overthrow, the flexural element 158 provides the torque needed to latch the rotary latch 100 , as shown in FIG. 5 . The flexural element 158 is providing torque to the latching gear 146 driving the pinion gear 116 counterclockwise. At this point, the latching gear 146 and pinion gear 116 teeth are just beginning to disengage and continued rotation of the pinion gear 116 is driven by the contact between the cam arm 148 and the trailing latch cam 122 . The torque provided by the flexural member 158 continues to drive the latching gear 146 and pinion gear 116 through the position shown in FIG. 4 and into the fully latched position as shown in FIG. 3 .
The exemplary embodiment of a rotary latch is described in the preceding text as allowing a rotation of the cam arm 148 in an unlatched state through less than 360 degrees. The invention could as well be applied to rotary latches wherein the cam arm 148 was allowed to rotate through a greater rotational angle (i.e. greater than 360 degrees) for example, by providing a rotary ramp element that would move the pinion gear 118 (e.g. or the cam arm itself) out of engagement with the cam arm 148 thereby allowing a greater degree of rotation.
In one exemplary application of the embodiment described above, a rotary mechanical latch has been built and operated with a DC motor drive means ( 114 ), and found to cosume 40 millijoules to unlatch. This example serves to illustrate suitability of rotary mechanical latches according to the present invention, to low power applications.
The above described exemplary embodiments present several variants of the invention but do not limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other equivalent ways. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims. | A rotary mechanical latch for positive latching and unlatching of a rotary device with a latchable rotating assembly having a latching gear that can be driven to latched and unlatched states by a drive mechanism such as an electric motor. A cam arm affixed to the latching gear interfaces with leading and trailing latch cams affixed to a flange within the drive mechanism. The interaction of the cam arm with leading and trailing latch cams prevents rotation of the rotating assembly by external forces such as those due to vibration or tampering. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/139,044 filed on Dec. 19, 2008, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.",
"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT The United States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000 with Sandia Corporation.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for a rotary mechanical latching mechanism to provide positive latching of a rotary device.",
"The invention further relates to rotary latching mechanisms for enclosures that are operable by electrical drive means and are resistant to false unlatchings in a vibrational environment.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rotary latching mechanisms are used to provide controlled access to enclosures with examples ranging from electronics enclosures, vehicle compartments, control rooms etc.",
"Typically a rotary mechanical latch finds application in locking mechanisms for securing the access panels, doors, lids and hatches to an interior volume of a controlled space.",
"In one exemplary non-limiting application, the knob of a door acts as a driving device for applying torque to a rotating shaft that is coupled to a bolt mechanism for withdrawing the bolt from a corresponding strike plate located on the frame of the door.",
"In this and other applications of rotary latching mechanisms, there is a need to prevent rotation of actuating shaft by unauthorized users and a further need to provide the drive input from a remote location (e.g. by electrical drive apparatus).",
"Additionally there is a need for rotary latching mechanisms that provide positive latching of the actuating shaft in an unpowered state (e.g. passive latching) and are resistant to false unlatching of the actuating shaft due to vibrations in the environment of the latch.",
"The present invention meets these needs by providing a positive rotary latching mechanism that is unlatchable by application of a drive torque to lock and unlock a cam arm attached to a rotary actuation shaft, where the cam arm is latched and unlatched by the cooperative positioning of leading and trailing cams incorporated into the drive mechanism.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.",
"The drawings provided herein are not drawn to scale.",
"FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch according to the present invention.",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.",
"FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to unlatch.",
"FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of unlatching where the teeth of the pinion gear are beginning to engage the toothed portion of the latching gear.",
"FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in an unlatched state.",
"FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to relatch.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch according to the present invention.",
"Rotary mechanical latch 100 can comprise a drive assembly 110 and a rotating latchable assembly 140 .",
"Drive assembly 110 has an axis of rotation 112 that is parallel to and spaced from the rotational axis 142 of the latchable assembly 140 .",
"Drive assembly 110 further comprises means for providing a rotational torque such as an electric motor 114 to a pinion gear 116 having a flange 118 supporting leading latch cam 120 , trailing latch cam 122 and (optionally) balancing cam 124 .",
"In this exemplary embodiment the drive means 114 comprises an electric motor, but could as well comprise a manual drive device such as a knob, wheel or lever, or other motorized drive means such as a solenoid or motor (electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated).",
"The latchable assembly 140 comprises an output shaft 144 that can be coupled for example, to insert and withdraw a bolt (not shown) from a strike plate (not shown) in an exemplary non-limiting application such as a door latch.",
"As described below, rotary mechanical latches (e.g. 100 ) according to the present invention operate to secure the output shaft 144 in a latched (e.g. locked) non-rotatable state and allow shaft 144 to achieve an unlatched (e.g. unlocked) rotatable state only after proper application of a drive torque to the pinion gear 116 , by use of drive means 114 .",
"The latchable assembly 140 comprises a latching gear 146 , cam arm 148 and a spring catchment 150 that can (as shown in this example) be implemented as a notch on the perimeter of spool 152 .",
"The spring catchment 150 can be arranged to capture the free end of a flexural member 158 that as described below, can be configured to apply a latching torque (e.g. via the restoring force of a deformed elastic member) to the latching assembly 140 under certain conditions.",
"The cam arm 148 , latching gear 146 and catchment spool 152 fixedly share the axis of rotation 142 and can be assembled onto the output shaft 144 as separate components or can exist as integrally formed or machined components as an application warrants.",
"Latching gear 146 comprises an untoothed portion 156 and a toothed portion 154 , the teeth of which are engaged by the teeth of pinion gear 116 during latching and unlatching operations of the rotary latch 100 .",
"In FIG. 1 , rotary mechanical latch 100 is illustrated in the latched state, where rotation of output shaft 144 is prevented by the cooperative action of leading cam 120 and trailing cam 122 which “lock”",
"the cam arm 148 in the latched state.",
"In the latched state, the gear teeth of the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear 146 are not engaged with the gear teeth of the pinion gear 116 .",
"Latching/locking of the rotary mechanical latch is established by the positional relationship (e.g. interlocking) of the cam arm 148 with the leading 120 and trailing 122 latching cams.",
"As described below, there is no need for power (e.g. manual, electrical etc.) to be applied to the drive means 114 to maintain the output shaft 144 in a latched state and prevent its rotation.",
"Latching of the output shaft 144 is accomplished by rotary mechanical latches 100 of the present invention, by purely passive means.",
"In an exemplary application, the drive assembly 110 and the latchable assembly 140 can be supported in a common frame or housing, that further can provide an anchor point 160 for the flexible member 158 .",
"The free end of the flexible member 158 can slideably engage the recess portion of the spool 152 and can be captured by the spring catchment 150 (e.g. notch or tang) at certain points (described below) during the operation of the rotary mechanical latch 100 to store energy within the flexible member 158 used to produce a latching torque applied to the latching gear 146 .",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.",
"FIG. 2 serves to illustrate the passive nature by which cam arm 148 (and therefore output shaft 144 ) is secured in a latched state.",
"The terms clockwise and counterclockwise are used herein to illustrate the operation of the invention, and do not serve to limit or restrict the application of the invention to any particular rotational direction or orientation.",
"In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the cam arm 148 is prevented from rotating in a counterclockwise manner from the latched state to an unlatched state by the leading latch cam 120 .",
"If an attempt is made to rotate the cam arm 148 counterclockwise (e.g. to unlatch) by other than through the use of drive means 114 a curved contacting surface 182 of cam arm 148 is pressed against the corresponding contacting surface 184 of leading latch cam 120 , producing by the nature of their curvatures, a counterclockwise “restoring”",
"torque being applied to flange 118 , acting to force engagement of the leading cam 120 with the cam arm 148 .",
"If an increasing torque is applied to attempt to rotate the cam arm 148 in a counterclockwise direction, a greater contact pressure between surfaces 182 and 184 results, therefore creating an increasing counterclockwise torque applied to the flange 118 and further increasing the engagement of the leading cam 120 with the cam arm 148 .",
"An attempt to rotate the cam arm 148 in a clockwise direction by other than through the use of drive means 114 is prevented in a manner similar to above.",
"In a fully latched state, rotation of the cam arm 148 is physically blocked by the presence of trailing latch cam 122 .",
"Where the cam arm 148 is slightly unlatched, by the nature of their curvatures, as the contacting surface 188 of the cam arm 148 is pressed against corresponding contacting surface 186 of the trailing latch cam 122 , a clockwise torque is applied to flange 118 , acting to force engagement of the trailing cam 122 with the cam arm 148 .",
"Therefore power is not required to maintain (e.g. latch, lock) the cam arm 148 in the latched state as the curved nature of contacting surfaces 184 , 182 , 188 and 186 are such as to generate torques (i.e. “restoring”",
"torques) on the flange 118 acting to force engagement of the cam arm 148 with latch cams 120 and 122 in response to any attempt to rotate the cam arm into an unlatched state.",
"In the present exemplary embodiment, it has been found that a useful geometry can be realized with a teardrop leading cam 120 , an oblong trailing cam 122 and a cam arm 148 each having contact surfaces ( 182 , 184 , 186 and 188 ) formed to create the opposing torques acting on the flange 118 , by the nature of their curvature.",
"It is to be noted that other geometries could be utilized as well without affecting the practice of the present invention (e.g. an elliptical trailing cam in place of the oblong shaped trailing cam).",
"Optional balancing cam 124 has been found useful in applications where the rotary mechanical latch 100 may be subjected to vibrational environments, either due to normal operational conditions or in attempts to defeat the latching device.",
"By balancing the mass distribution of the latching cams 120 and 122 over the flange 118 with a suitable sized balancing cam 124 , motion of a drive assembly 110 in response to those vibrations can be minimized.",
"In this embodiment, balancing cam 124 is illustrated as a cylindrical mass attached to the flange 118 , but any shaped mass as convenient to an application could be used as well.",
"The following series of figures serve to explain the operation of the embodiment of a rotary mechanical latch as presented in FIG. 1 .",
"Components below the plane of the illustration, such as spool 152 , spring catchment 150 and pinion gear 116 are shown in dashed outline for clarity.",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in a latched state.",
"Rotation of latching gear 146 and therefore output shaft 144 (not shown) is prevented as cam arm 146 is captured (e.g. locked) between the leading latch cam 120 and trailing latch cam 122 .",
"The latch cams 120 and 122 are shaped such that rotation of the latching gear 146 in either direction produces a torque that rotates the flange 118 in a direction to force further engagement of latch cams 120 and 122 with the cam arm 148 .",
"Flexible spring element 158 applies clockwise torque to latching gear 148 , further resisting counterclockwise rotation of the latching gear.",
"Balancing cam 124 does not engage the cam arm 148 but serves to balance the pinion gear 116 , flange 118 and latch cams 120 and 122 , so that the drive assembly 110 cannot be easily rotated by mechanical vibrations.",
"FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to unlatch.",
"Drive means 114 (not shown) have been utilized to apply a clockwise torque to pinion gear 116 , rotating flange 118 approximately 45 degrees to a point where the leading latch cam 120 no longer interferes with the cam arm 148 .",
"The interior edge of the trailing latch cam 122 is driving the latching gear 146 via contact with the cam arm 148 , and latching gear 146 is now free to continue rotation in a counter clockwise direction.",
"The spring element 158 continues to provide a clockwise torque to the latchable assembly 140 at this point, which the drive means must overcome.",
"In the exemplary embodiment, the drive means 114 (an electric motor) continues to drive (e.g. rotate clockwise) the pinion 116 somewhat beyond this point.",
"FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of unlatching where the teeth of the pinion gear are beginning to engage the toothed portion of the latching gear.",
"In FIG. 5 the drive means 114 has rotated the pinion gear 116 and flange 118 to a point where the outer extent of the trailing cam 122 is pushing the cam arm 148 , causing continued counterclockwise rotation of latching gear 146 .",
"The teeth of pinion gear 116 are about to engage the first tooth 170 on the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear 146 .",
"Gear tooth 170 is illustrated as being shortened which has been found to facilitate engagement with the pinion gear 116 .",
"In this embodiment, the outline of the contacting surfaces of the cam arm 148 and trailing latch cam 122 are such that the rotation ratio (e.g. here 4:1) of the pinion gear 116 and the latching gear 146 is the same as if their gear teeth were engaged.",
"Further counterclockwise rotation of the latching gear 146 is now driven by engagement of the pinion gear 116 with the toothed portion 154 of the latching gear.",
"Engagement of the gear teeth maintain the proper phase relationship between the latching gear 146 and the pinion gear 116 to insure the latching cams 120 and 122 will properly engage with the cam arm 148 upon latching.",
"The spring flexural member 158 is near its overthrown position, i.e. where it will escape the spring catchment 150 .",
"FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in an unlatched state.",
"FIG. 6 shows the cam arm 148 completely disengaged from the latching cams 120 and 122 .",
"The latching gear 146 is free to rotate (i.e. through less than 360 degrees) within the limits defined at either end where the cam arm 146 would encounter a latching cam ( 120 , 122 ).",
"At this point, the end of flexural member 158 has escaped the spring catchment 150 and is no longer applying a torque to the latching gear 146 .",
"Drive means 114 no longer needs to be powered and can be allowed to freely rotate, allowing latching gear 146 to rotate freely as well (i.e. latching gear is “unlocked”).",
"The unlatched state therefore does not consist of a singular position of the latching gear 146 , but rather comprises all rotational orientations of the latching gear 146 from the point at which the teeth of the pinion gear 116 begin to engage the first tooth 170 of the latching gear 146 continuing around to the orientation where further rotation would cause the cam arm 148 to collide with a cam.",
"FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , in the process of beginning to relatch.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates the beginning of a latching sequence.",
"The latching gear 146 has been rotated clockwise by the drive means 114 to the point where the end of flexural member 158 is captured by spring catchment 150 , and the force of continued rotation of latching gear 146 causes the flexural member 158 to begin to buckle.",
"The drive means 114 applies a torque to the latching gear 146 to rotate the latching gear up to the overthrow point of the flexural element 158 .",
"After the overthrow, the flexural element 158 provides the torque needed to latch the rotary latch 100 , as shown in FIG. 5 .",
"The flexural element 158 is providing torque to the latching gear 146 driving the pinion gear 116 counterclockwise.",
"At this point, the latching gear 146 and pinion gear 116 teeth are just beginning to disengage and continued rotation of the pinion gear 116 is driven by the contact between the cam arm 148 and the trailing latch cam 122 .",
"The torque provided by the flexural member 158 continues to drive the latching gear 146 and pinion gear 116 through the position shown in FIG. 4 and into the fully latched position as shown in FIG. 3 .",
"The exemplary embodiment of a rotary latch is described in the preceding text as allowing a rotation of the cam arm 148 in an unlatched state through less than 360 degrees.",
"The invention could as well be applied to rotary latches wherein the cam arm 148 was allowed to rotate through a greater rotational angle (i.e. greater than 360 degrees) for example, by providing a rotary ramp element that would move the pinion gear 118 (e.g. or the cam arm itself) out of engagement with the cam arm 148 thereby allowing a greater degree of rotation.",
"In one exemplary application of the embodiment described above, a rotary mechanical latch has been built and operated with a DC motor drive means ( 114 ), and found to cosume 40 millijoules to unlatch.",
"This example serves to illustrate suitability of rotary mechanical latches according to the present invention, to low power applications.",
"The above described exemplary embodiments present several variants of the invention but do not limit the scope of the invention.",
"Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other equivalent ways.",
"The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims."
] |
BACKGROUND
The present inventions relate to improving the quality of products produced by plastic resin extrusion lines.
When film is extruded, it typically is in the form of a flat continuous web as in cast film extrusion or a tubular form as in blown film extrusion. In blown film, the inflated tubular, bubble-type form passes through stabilizers of various designs and into a flattening device. This device, known as a collapsing frame, flattens the tube into a two sided, connected film with no air inside. In a flat state, webs are conveyed by various combinations of non-motorized and motorized rollers to a winder or to in-line downstream conversion, equipment such as printing presses, laminators, or bag machines. In a winder, a web may be cut into individual webs before the winding process, and the resulting rolls are converted at a later time in what is commonly termed an out-of-line converting process.
As film webs are conveyed to a winder or in-line conversion equipment, motorized rollers can be used at various points to maintain control of web tension. Except for the initial motorized roll immediately downstream of the extrusion process (commonly called the primary nip roll) where constant motorized roll speed is maintained without feedback, tension is typically measured in some way and provided as feedback to a motor controller. This motor controller is programmed to respond to maintain tension at a constant preset setting.
Typically, tension is measured either statically by measuring the applied force due to tension on load cell devices attached to idler rolls, or somewhat dynamically through what is commonly referred to as a dancer. A dancer is a series of idler rolls that move against springs, counterweights, air cylinders, or other such force applying devices in such a way as to allow the film's path length to change in response to tension variations and thus provide indication of film tension. In other cases, tension is measured indirectly by measuring the torque applied by the motorized roll and comparing the measurement to a no-load torque pre-measured in the absence of the web, taking into consideration roll geometry, and converting this to applied web tension.
An issue with maintaining proper tension control is web slippage when passing over motorized rolls. In many cases, additional rolls are pressed against the motorized roll to form a nip point that the web passes. The nip point acts to help hold the film against the motorized roll to prevent slippage. In other cases, large wrap angles around the motorized roll or more than one roll are used to provide a large enough surface area for friction to act and prevent slippage. Combinations of nipping and large wrap angle may not always prevent slippage and thus can lead to tension control problems as the web becomes uncontrollable.
One such area is the motorized roll used in the winding process known commonly as the lay-on or winding drum. The winding drum is the final motorized roll the web passes over before being wound on the finished roll. Good tension control should be maintained by the winding drum or undesirable defects in the roll can result. In some winding machines, the finished roll shaft is also motorized to aid in maintaining proper tension control of the web as the finished roll builds in diameter to a final roll diameter over time such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,348.
In practice it is desirable to maintain constant tension before reaching the winder drum for such purposes as slitting the web into multiple webs, slitting trim from the edges or middle for maintaining high quality roll ends, and minimizing wrinkling and deformation of the web before winding on the finished roll. It is further desirable to control the tension on the finished roll to tensions that are different from upstream tension especially when making very large rolls. Excessive winding tension can create roll quality issues or even crush the central winding core. However, higher tensions are beneficial to the upstream cutting and trimming processes.
A limitation of some devices, such as the winding devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,348, is that they require essentially zero winding drum for proper tension control to be achieved. In practice, devices such as these exhibit slippage when significant differences exist in tension upstream and downstream of the motorized drum roll and thus limit the tension difference achievable. In practice, depending on web and drum materials used, small differences of as little as 0.1 or 0.2 pounds per linear inch of web width across the face of the motorized roll are enough to cause slippage of the web. Typical web tensions within these extrusion processes range from 0.25 to 2.0 pounds per linear inch.
A situation for maximum tension differential exists when winders, which are required to continuously handle a web without interruption, are transitioning from winding one roll to the next. Extrusion processes are run continuously, so the web is severed at the conclusion of building a finished roll to final diameter and the loose incoming end is taken up onto a new winding core to start building a new roll without stopping or slowing the upstream process. The severing process causes tension in the web local to the severing device to suddenly drop to zero, creating instantaneous slippage on the motorized drum roll since now tension differences are maximized.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,761 shows one example of a device in which a severing knife is contained within a motorized winding drum. This arrangement makes the slippage problem especially troublesome. In this case, a vacuum chamber within the drum roll is energized to hold the web in place and prevent slippage until a new winding core acquires a loose incoming cut edge of the web and reestablishes web tension. In practice, some slippage does still occur and the complexity of such systems is very costly.
Prior methods exist for acquiring a loose incoming cut edge of a web. Sticky substances such as glue or tape are popular but messy and typically create undesirable impressions in the wound web. Other techniques as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,820 employ an electrostatic charging device between a motorized winding drum and a finished roll that is about to be cut free. This eliminates the problems associated with using glue or tape. The incoming winding core is held generally opposite the electrostatic charging device after the motorized winding drum with the web passing in between. Just before severing the web, an electrostatic charge is applied to the web opposite the incoming winding core. This causes an electrostatic force that acts to push the web toward the incoming winding core. This force of attraction is due to electrostatically formed ions preferably placed on the opposite side of the web. These ions are drawn to the ground potential of the incoming conductive and grounded winding shaft which holds the incoming typically not conductive, winding core. These ions act to carry the web with them and try to attach the web to the winding core. The web is then severed nearby the charging device and the completed finished roll. The loose incoming web end is electrostatically attracted to the incoming winding shaft where it attaches to the new core and begins to build a new roll.
One drawback of motorized drum rolls as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,761 containing the severing knife within itself is that the elect positioned between the severing knife and the motorized winding drum because these latter two are formed in one unit. This makes it impossible to use the electrostatic transfer method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,820.
SUMMARY
The systems described here relate to electrostatic charging systems that hold a film web to a motorized roll. This is done without significant slippage, thus allowing for proper tension control of the web even with extreme differences in tension upstream and downstream of the motorized roll. In one embodiment, a wrap angle of at least approximately 10 degrees is used to provide a surface area in contact with the motorized roll over which electrostatic forces act to hold the web without slippage. A nip roll is not required, but if present, should not be placed in such a way that the electrostatic charge is bled off the web prematurely, although in most cases it is desirable to remove excess electrostatic charge before reaching the finished roll since this can cause significant undesirable problems in finished rolls. Removal of undesirable electrostatic charge can be accomplished in many ways, such as by direct contact of intervening conductive rolls or by well known non-contacting electrostatic elimination devices, but at a location that does not significantly affect tension controlling properties of the device.
These systems can avoid a need for complex vacuum holding systems and nip rolls, especially as it pertains to winding with motorized drum rolls with integral web severing knives. The systems can also provide improved tension control without unwanted electrostatic buildup within finished rolls because there is no web slippage even under extremes of differential tension present on opposite sides of motorized rolls within an extrusion process such as those that occur during web transfer or within machines that highly stretch the web. An additional feature of these systems is that they can provide a torque boost to the motor of a motorized drum roll equivalent to a downstream tension force effect on the web upon severing of that web on or nearby the motorized drum roll to substantially maintain a constant upstream web tension whether electrostatically or otherwise maintained.
The motorized roll itself can be electrically charged or un-grounded to neutralize its attractive effect on electrostatic charges present, especially those on the opposite side of the web, which produce attractive forces that carry the web and hold it to the motorized roll. This neutralizing effect can be virtually instantaneous.
One possible benefit is allowing for electrostatically transferring a web using motorized drum rolls with an internally integrated web severing knife. In this case, a non-conductive coating, such as polyurethane or any other such suitable substance is applied to the motorized drum roll containing an internal severing knife to form a motorized transfer drum. A static charge is optionally applied between the surface of the motorized transfer drum and the web, then also to the surface of the web opposite the motorized transfer drum such that electrostatic charge is present on both sides of the web. In this case, both layers of electrostatic charges will be attracted to the motorized transfer roll as long as it is at ground potential and the web will be attached to the motorized transfer drum by the charges located opposite the drum. A grounded conductive shaft holding an incoming winding core is subsequently brought substantially parallel and in close proximity which acts to attract the web due to charges on the opposite side of the web which act to substantially cancel the attractive force of the still grounded motorized transfer drum. The web is then severed and more or less simultaneously, the motorized transfer drum is electrically charged to the same polarity of the charged ions adjacent the web or un-grounded to neutralize its effect on the ions and thus on the web. This allows the web to be drawn toward the incoming grounded shaft and attach to the winding core as subsequent electrostatic transfer occurs.
While certain benefits are described, a given system need not have all of these benefits.
Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electrostatic web transfer device for transferring a web in a winding process employing a motorized drum roll containing an integrated severing knife.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic web transfer device for transferring a web in a winding process employing a motorized drum roll containing an integrated severing knife.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic web holding system used for motorized drum rolls containing an integrated severing knife to transfer webs using non-electrostatic attraction to incoming cores and shafts.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic, tension controlling, motorized roll showing an optional electrostatic elimination process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a web transfer device that can replace a known vacuum based web transfer system for winding continuous webs. A web 10 is conveyed onto a motorized drum, in this embodiment a transfer drum (conveying roll) 20 , which is substantially earth grounded, for subsequent winding onto a finished roll 30 . Finished roll 30 can be in contact, or free from contact, with transfer drum 20 . Drum 20 is motorized and as shown is driven counter-clockwise by motor 50 , but can also turn clockwise with web 10 passing in the opposite direction around transfer drum 20 to cause web 10 to wind on finished roll 30 with the opposite side of web 10 to the outside of finished roll 30 .
Referring particularly to FIG. 2 , a charging device 40 energizes an electrostatic bar 42 , which generates ions 44 that are attracted to earth ground presently found on transfer drum 20 . Web 10 is pressed against transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 , thus preventing significant slippage of web 10 on transfer drum 20 . The electrostatic bar can be operated while the web is being conveyed over the drum, and can be used while the web is being wound, and not just to move a web during transfer of the web to another drum. The electrostatic bar provides tension without a nip roll and without an S-wrap series of rollers (although in some embodiments these parts could be used also). The ions can be provided continuously, rather than just during a process of transferring a web from a finish roll to a new core, and can be provided substantially all the time, i.e., during normal operation.
Motor 50 , controlled by motor drive 52 , is responsive to signals from upstream web tension sensor 54 measured by any of several typically known means to maintain the upstream web tension at desired levels. Advantageously, drive 52 may apply a calculated torque dependent on desired web tension, a known radius of transfer drum 20 , and pre-measured frictional losses, through motor 50 to transfer drum 20 to maintain the desired tension in web 10 without resorting to direct measurement of web tension. Motor drives, such as model ACS-600 or 800 from ABB Corporation, are based on technology know as direct torque control which can be used to facilitate the torque measuring and control functions.
An optional electrostatic neutralizer 70 , which can be any suitable device such as a conductive roll or (if there is a lack of physical space) an electrostatic eliminator bar may be used for removing charged ions from the surface of web 10 and transfer drum 20 . If used, electrostatic neutralizer 70 is positioned to allow for sufficient wrap angle of at least 10° around transfer drum 20 to allow for positive tension control before neutralization of ions 44 . It is desirable to neutralize ions 44 before being wound on finished roll 30 because excessive charge can cause the web to have undesirable clinging effects to other surfaces and can cause sudden electrostatic discharge to other nearby objects or to personnel working in the area. Electrostatic neutralizer 70 , if present, may be advantageously turned off just before transferring web 10 at the completion of winding finished roll 30 so as not to interfere with the transfer process.
Referring only to FIGS. 1 and 2 , grounded transfer drum 20 is coated with substantially non-conductive covering 22 to prevent dissipation of any applied electrostatic charges. Just before completion of winding finished roll 30 , an incoming core 60 is brought adjacent to grounded transfer drum 20 by incoming winding shaft 62 , which is grounded to prepare for the transfer of web 10 . A second electrostatic bar 46 energizes to generate ions 48 . Ions 48 are positioned between web 10 and the surface of transfer drum 20 . Ions 44 and 48 are attracted to grounded transfer drum 20 and to grounded incoming winding shaft 62 which carries incoming core 60 but are not dissipated due to the presence of non-conductive covering 22 and incoming core 60 . Severing knife 24 within drum 20 cuts web 10 . Transfer drum 20 is then purposefully ungrounded to release the attractive forces on ions 44 and 48 which sandwich web 10 between at point A. Optionally, charging device 40 may energize transfer drum 20 to enhance the release of attractive forces on ions 44 and 48 which sandwich web 10 such as at point A to enhance the forces which act to attach web 10 to core 60 due to attractive forces felt between ions 44 and 48 and still grounded incoming winding shaft 62 .
More or less simultaneously, and when the trailing end of now severed web 10 begins to slip off transfer drum 20 onto finished roll 30 and until firm attachment of web 10 to incoming core 60 , a boost in torque equivalent to the calculated loss in downstream tension due to severing of web 10 leading to finished roll 30 optionally may be applied to transfer drum 20 by motor 50 and motor drive 52 to maintain substantially uniform tension 54 upstream of transfer drum 20 during web 10 transfer. This torque boost is generally not required in applications where finished roll 30 is not also powered by a suitable motor to apply tension on its own accord to web 10 as such process is well known in the industry. Incoming grounded winding shaft 62 continues to apply attractive forces to ions 44 and 48 . Ions 44 tend to directly attach to incoming core 60 , whereas ions 48 carry with them and attach web 10 to incoming core 60 where web 10 begins to wind as new finished roll 31 . Electrostatic bar 46 is then turned off in preparation for the next transfer cycle. Electrostatic bar 42 may also be turned off if not required to maintain positive tension control over web 10 . Electrostatic neutralizer 70 , if present, can be turned on until the next transfer cycle occurs. The now complete finished roll 30 is removed and the process is allowed to repeat itself continuously. Any applied torque boost to transfer drum 20 is removed upon proper tensioning of new finished roll 31 .
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3 , a tacky substance 64 such as glue, tape or any other substance suitable for adhering web 10 to incoming core 60 can be pre-applied to incoming core 60 . Just before completion of winding finished roll 30 , incoming core 60 with tacky substance 64 is brought adjacent to transfer drum 20 by incoming winding shaft 62 in preparation for the transfer of web 10 . Ions 44 continue to press web 10 against transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 . Covering 22 can either be conductive or non-conductive since ions 44 adjacent to web 10 are insulated from conductive transfer drum 20 by web 10 to prevent dissipation of any applied electrostatic charges in the area of web 10 . Severing knife 24 acts to cut web 10 . More or less simultaneously, and when the trailing end of now severed web 10 begins to slip off transfer drum 20 onto finished roll 30 , and until firm attachment of web 10 to incoming core 60 , a boost in torque equivalent to the calculated loss in downstream tension due to severing of web 10 leading to finished roll 30 optionally may be applied to transfer drum 20 by motor 50 and motor drive 52 to maintain substantially uniform tension 54 upstream of transfer drum 20 during web 10 transfer. This torque boost is generally not required in applications where finished roll 30 is not also powered by a suitable motor to apply tension on its own accord to web 10 as such process is well known in the industry.
Incoming winding shaft 62 moves incoming core 60 with tacky substance 64 into contact with web 10 which until contact with tacky substance 64 remains attached to still grounded transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 . Web 10 is forcibly attached onto incoming core 60 by tacky substance 64 which overcomes the electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 and causes web 10 to begin to wind as a new finished roll 31 . The now complete finished roll 30 is removed and the process is allowed to repeat itself continuously.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3 , after transfer when web 10 is attached to incoming core 60 , electrostatic bar 42 can optionally be de-energized if it is not required to prevent slippage and maintain proper tension control of web 10 as it passes over transfer drum 20 . In these cases optional electrostatic neutralizer 70 may not be needed since electrostatic ions are only applied to web 10 during transfer which occurs typically over a very small time frame compared to the time required to wind up a complete finished roll 30 .
Referring now to FIG. 4 , web 10 is conveyed onto roller 18 which is conductive and substantially earth grounded. Charging device 41 energizes electrostatic bar 43 which generates ions 45 that are attracted to earth ground of roller 18 . Web 10 is pressed against grounded roller 18 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 45 and roller 18 , thus preventing significant slippage of web 10 on roller 18 . Motor 51 , controlled by motor drive 53 , is responsive to upstream web tension sensor 55 that measures tension to maintain the upstream web tension at desired levels. The web conveying system shown in FIG. 4 can be used as part of a transfer system to a finish roll for winding the web, or can be used to convey a web to other equipment.
Advantageously and optionally, torque equivalent to the calculated desired difference in upstream and downstream tension plus pre-measured torque required to just overcome frictional losses may be applied to roller 18 by motor 51 and motor drive 53 to maintain substantially uniform tension both upstream and downstream of roller 18 .
Optional electrostatic neutralizer 71 , which can be any suitable device such as an electrostatic eliminator bar, or due to their common use in areas other than between winding transfer drums such as transfer drum 20 of FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 3 , preferably a conductive roll, may be used for removing charged ions from the surface of web 10 . If used, electrostatic neutralizer 71 is positioned downstream to allow for sufficient wrap angle of at least 10 degrees around roller 10 to allow for positive tension control before ion 45 neutralization.
While certain structural embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, further rolls (passive or motorized) and other equipment for sensing and/or conveying can be provided before or after the web is conveyed by roller 18 or drum 20 . | An electrostatic charging system holds a film web to a roll without significant slippage, thus allowing for proper tension control of the web even with extreme differences in tension upstream and downstream of the motorized roll. The system can electrostatically transfer a web using motorized drum rolls with an internally integrated web severing knife. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"BACKGROUND The present inventions relate to improving the quality of products produced by plastic resin extrusion lines.",
"When film is extruded, it typically is in the form of a flat continuous web as in cast film extrusion or a tubular form as in blown film extrusion.",
"In blown film, the inflated tubular, bubble-type form passes through stabilizers of various designs and into a flattening device.",
"This device, known as a collapsing frame, flattens the tube into a two sided, connected film with no air inside.",
"In a flat state, webs are conveyed by various combinations of non-motorized and motorized rollers to a winder or to in-line downstream conversion, equipment such as printing presses, laminators, or bag machines.",
"In a winder, a web may be cut into individual webs before the winding process, and the resulting rolls are converted at a later time in what is commonly termed an out-of-line converting process.",
"As film webs are conveyed to a winder or in-line conversion equipment, motorized rollers can be used at various points to maintain control of web tension.",
"Except for the initial motorized roll immediately downstream of the extrusion process (commonly called the primary nip roll) where constant motorized roll speed is maintained without feedback, tension is typically measured in some way and provided as feedback to a motor controller.",
"This motor controller is programmed to respond to maintain tension at a constant preset setting.",
"Typically, tension is measured either statically by measuring the applied force due to tension on load cell devices attached to idler rolls, or somewhat dynamically through what is commonly referred to as a dancer.",
"A dancer is a series of idler rolls that move against springs, counterweights, air cylinders, or other such force applying devices in such a way as to allow the film's path length to change in response to tension variations and thus provide indication of film tension.",
"In other cases, tension is measured indirectly by measuring the torque applied by the motorized roll and comparing the measurement to a no-load torque pre-measured in the absence of the web, taking into consideration roll geometry, and converting this to applied web tension.",
"An issue with maintaining proper tension control is web slippage when passing over motorized rolls.",
"In many cases, additional rolls are pressed against the motorized roll to form a nip point that the web passes.",
"The nip point acts to help hold the film against the motorized roll to prevent slippage.",
"In other cases, large wrap angles around the motorized roll or more than one roll are used to provide a large enough surface area for friction to act and prevent slippage.",
"Combinations of nipping and large wrap angle may not always prevent slippage and thus can lead to tension control problems as the web becomes uncontrollable.",
"One such area is the motorized roll used in the winding process known commonly as the lay-on or winding drum.",
"The winding drum is the final motorized roll the web passes over before being wound on the finished roll.",
"Good tension control should be maintained by the winding drum or undesirable defects in the roll can result.",
"In some winding machines, the finished roll shaft is also motorized to aid in maintaining proper tension control of the web as the finished roll builds in diameter to a final roll diameter over time such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,348.",
"In practice it is desirable to maintain constant tension before reaching the winder drum for such purposes as slitting the web into multiple webs, slitting trim from the edges or middle for maintaining high quality roll ends, and minimizing wrinkling and deformation of the web before winding on the finished roll.",
"It is further desirable to control the tension on the finished roll to tensions that are different from upstream tension especially when making very large rolls.",
"Excessive winding tension can create roll quality issues or even crush the central winding core.",
"However, higher tensions are beneficial to the upstream cutting and trimming processes.",
"A limitation of some devices, such as the winding devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,348, is that they require essentially zero winding drum for proper tension control to be achieved.",
"In practice, devices such as these exhibit slippage when significant differences exist in tension upstream and downstream of the motorized drum roll and thus limit the tension difference achievable.",
"In practice, depending on web and drum materials used, small differences of as little as 0.1 or 0.2 pounds per linear inch of web width across the face of the motorized roll are enough to cause slippage of the web.",
"Typical web tensions within these extrusion processes range from 0.25 to 2.0 pounds per linear inch.",
"A situation for maximum tension differential exists when winders, which are required to continuously handle a web without interruption, are transitioning from winding one roll to the next.",
"Extrusion processes are run continuously, so the web is severed at the conclusion of building a finished roll to final diameter and the loose incoming end is taken up onto a new winding core to start building a new roll without stopping or slowing the upstream process.",
"The severing process causes tension in the web local to the severing device to suddenly drop to zero, creating instantaneous slippage on the motorized drum roll since now tension differences are maximized.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,761 shows one example of a device in which a severing knife is contained within a motorized winding drum.",
"This arrangement makes the slippage problem especially troublesome.",
"In this case, a vacuum chamber within the drum roll is energized to hold the web in place and prevent slippage until a new winding core acquires a loose incoming cut edge of the web and reestablishes web tension.",
"In practice, some slippage does still occur and the complexity of such systems is very costly.",
"Prior methods exist for acquiring a loose incoming cut edge of a web.",
"Sticky substances such as glue or tape are popular but messy and typically create undesirable impressions in the wound web.",
"Other techniques as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,820 employ an electrostatic charging device between a motorized winding drum and a finished roll that is about to be cut free.",
"This eliminates the problems associated with using glue or tape.",
"The incoming winding core is held generally opposite the electrostatic charging device after the motorized winding drum with the web passing in between.",
"Just before severing the web, an electrostatic charge is applied to the web opposite the incoming winding core.",
"This causes an electrostatic force that acts to push the web toward the incoming winding core.",
"This force of attraction is due to electrostatically formed ions preferably placed on the opposite side of the web.",
"These ions are drawn to the ground potential of the incoming conductive and grounded winding shaft which holds the incoming typically not conductive, winding core.",
"These ions act to carry the web with them and try to attach the web to the winding core.",
"The web is then severed nearby the charging device and the completed finished roll.",
"The loose incoming web end is electrostatically attracted to the incoming winding shaft where it attaches to the new core and begins to build a new roll.",
"One drawback of motorized drum rolls as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,761 containing the severing knife within itself is that the elect positioned between the severing knife and the motorized winding drum because these latter two are formed in one unit.",
"This makes it impossible to use the electrostatic transfer method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,820.",
"SUMMARY The systems described here relate to electrostatic charging systems that hold a film web to a motorized roll.",
"This is done without significant slippage, thus allowing for proper tension control of the web even with extreme differences in tension upstream and downstream of the motorized roll.",
"In one embodiment, a wrap angle of at least approximately 10 degrees is used to provide a surface area in contact with the motorized roll over which electrostatic forces act to hold the web without slippage.",
"A nip roll is not required, but if present, should not be placed in such a way that the electrostatic charge is bled off the web prematurely, although in most cases it is desirable to remove excess electrostatic charge before reaching the finished roll since this can cause significant undesirable problems in finished rolls.",
"Removal of undesirable electrostatic charge can be accomplished in many ways, such as by direct contact of intervening conductive rolls or by well known non-contacting electrostatic elimination devices, but at a location that does not significantly affect tension controlling properties of the device.",
"These systems can avoid a need for complex vacuum holding systems and nip rolls, especially as it pertains to winding with motorized drum rolls with integral web severing knives.",
"The systems can also provide improved tension control without unwanted electrostatic buildup within finished rolls because there is no web slippage even under extremes of differential tension present on opposite sides of motorized rolls within an extrusion process such as those that occur during web transfer or within machines that highly stretch the web.",
"An additional feature of these systems is that they can provide a torque boost to the motor of a motorized drum roll equivalent to a downstream tension force effect on the web upon severing of that web on or nearby the motorized drum roll to substantially maintain a constant upstream web tension whether electrostatically or otherwise maintained.",
"The motorized roll itself can be electrically charged or un-grounded to neutralize its attractive effect on electrostatic charges present, especially those on the opposite side of the web, which produce attractive forces that carry the web and hold it to the motorized roll.",
"This neutralizing effect can be virtually instantaneous.",
"One possible benefit is allowing for electrostatically transferring a web using motorized drum rolls with an internally integrated web severing knife.",
"In this case, a non-conductive coating, such as polyurethane or any other such suitable substance is applied to the motorized drum roll containing an internal severing knife to form a motorized transfer drum.",
"A static charge is optionally applied between the surface of the motorized transfer drum and the web, then also to the surface of the web opposite the motorized transfer drum such that electrostatic charge is present on both sides of the web.",
"In this case, both layers of electrostatic charges will be attracted to the motorized transfer roll as long as it is at ground potential and the web will be attached to the motorized transfer drum by the charges located opposite the drum.",
"A grounded conductive shaft holding an incoming winding core is subsequently brought substantially parallel and in close proximity which acts to attract the web due to charges on the opposite side of the web which act to substantially cancel the attractive force of the still grounded motorized transfer drum.",
"The web is then severed and more or less simultaneously, the motorized transfer drum is electrically charged to the same polarity of the charged ions adjacent the web or un-grounded to neutralize its effect on the ions and thus on the web.",
"This allows the web to be drawn toward the incoming grounded shaft and attach to the winding core as subsequent electrostatic transfer occurs.",
"While certain benefits are described, a given system need not have all of these benefits.",
"Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electrostatic web transfer device for transferring a web in a winding process employing a motorized drum roll containing an integrated severing knife.",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic web transfer device for transferring a web in a winding process employing a motorized drum roll containing an integrated severing knife.",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic web holding system used for motorized drum rolls containing an integrated severing knife to transfer webs using non-electrostatic attraction to incoming cores and shafts.",
"FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an electrostatic, tension controlling, motorized roll showing an optional electrostatic elimination process.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a web transfer device that can replace a known vacuum based web transfer system for winding continuous webs.",
"A web 10 is conveyed onto a motorized drum, in this embodiment a transfer drum (conveying roll) 20 , which is substantially earth grounded, for subsequent winding onto a finished roll 30 .",
"Finished roll 30 can be in contact, or free from contact, with transfer drum 20 .",
"Drum 20 is motorized and as shown is driven counter-clockwise by motor 50 , but can also turn clockwise with web 10 passing in the opposite direction around transfer drum 20 to cause web 10 to wind on finished roll 30 with the opposite side of web 10 to the outside of finished roll 30 .",
"Referring particularly to FIG. 2 , a charging device 40 energizes an electrostatic bar 42 , which generates ions 44 that are attracted to earth ground presently found on transfer drum 20 .",
"Web 10 is pressed against transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 , thus preventing significant slippage of web 10 on transfer drum 20 .",
"The electrostatic bar can be operated while the web is being conveyed over the drum, and can be used while the web is being wound, and not just to move a web during transfer of the web to another drum.",
"The electrostatic bar provides tension without a nip roll and without an S-wrap series of rollers (although in some embodiments these parts could be used also).",
"The ions can be provided continuously, rather than just during a process of transferring a web from a finish roll to a new core, and can be provided substantially all the time, i.e., during normal operation.",
"Motor 50 , controlled by motor drive 52 , is responsive to signals from upstream web tension sensor 54 measured by any of several typically known means to maintain the upstream web tension at desired levels.",
"Advantageously, drive 52 may apply a calculated torque dependent on desired web tension, a known radius of transfer drum 20 , and pre-measured frictional losses, through motor 50 to transfer drum 20 to maintain the desired tension in web 10 without resorting to direct measurement of web tension.",
"Motor drives, such as model ACS-600 or 800 from ABB Corporation, are based on technology know as direct torque control which can be used to facilitate the torque measuring and control functions.",
"An optional electrostatic neutralizer 70 , which can be any suitable device such as a conductive roll or (if there is a lack of physical space) an electrostatic eliminator bar may be used for removing charged ions from the surface of web 10 and transfer drum 20 .",
"If used, electrostatic neutralizer 70 is positioned to allow for sufficient wrap angle of at least 10° around transfer drum 20 to allow for positive tension control before neutralization of ions 44 .",
"It is desirable to neutralize ions 44 before being wound on finished roll 30 because excessive charge can cause the web to have undesirable clinging effects to other surfaces and can cause sudden electrostatic discharge to other nearby objects or to personnel working in the area.",
"Electrostatic neutralizer 70 , if present, may be advantageously turned off just before transferring web 10 at the completion of winding finished roll 30 so as not to interfere with the transfer process.",
"Referring only to FIGS. 1 and 2 , grounded transfer drum 20 is coated with substantially non-conductive covering 22 to prevent dissipation of any applied electrostatic charges.",
"Just before completion of winding finished roll 30 , an incoming core 60 is brought adjacent to grounded transfer drum 20 by incoming winding shaft 62 , which is grounded to prepare for the transfer of web 10 .",
"A second electrostatic bar 46 energizes to generate ions 48 .",
"Ions 48 are positioned between web 10 and the surface of transfer drum 20 .",
"Ions 44 and 48 are attracted to grounded transfer drum 20 and to grounded incoming winding shaft 62 which carries incoming core 60 but are not dissipated due to the presence of non-conductive covering 22 and incoming core 60 .",
"Severing knife 24 within drum 20 cuts web 10 .",
"Transfer drum 20 is then purposefully ungrounded to release the attractive forces on ions 44 and 48 which sandwich web 10 between at point A. Optionally, charging device 40 may energize transfer drum 20 to enhance the release of attractive forces on ions 44 and 48 which sandwich web 10 such as at point A to enhance the forces which act to attach web 10 to core 60 due to attractive forces felt between ions 44 and 48 and still grounded incoming winding shaft 62 .",
"More or less simultaneously, and when the trailing end of now severed web 10 begins to slip off transfer drum 20 onto finished roll 30 and until firm attachment of web 10 to incoming core 60 , a boost in torque equivalent to the calculated loss in downstream tension due to severing of web 10 leading to finished roll 30 optionally may be applied to transfer drum 20 by motor 50 and motor drive 52 to maintain substantially uniform tension 54 upstream of transfer drum 20 during web 10 transfer.",
"This torque boost is generally not required in applications where finished roll 30 is not also powered by a suitable motor to apply tension on its own accord to web 10 as such process is well known in the industry.",
"Incoming grounded winding shaft 62 continues to apply attractive forces to ions 44 and 48 .",
"Ions 44 tend to directly attach to incoming core 60 , whereas ions 48 carry with them and attach web 10 to incoming core 60 where web 10 begins to wind as new finished roll 31 .",
"Electrostatic bar 46 is then turned off in preparation for the next transfer cycle.",
"Electrostatic bar 42 may also be turned off if not required to maintain positive tension control over web 10 .",
"Electrostatic neutralizer 70 , if present, can be turned on until the next transfer cycle occurs.",
"The now complete finished roll 30 is removed and the process is allowed to repeat itself continuously.",
"Any applied torque boost to transfer drum 20 is removed upon proper tensioning of new finished roll 31 .",
"Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3 , a tacky substance 64 such as glue, tape or any other substance suitable for adhering web 10 to incoming core 60 can be pre-applied to incoming core 60 .",
"Just before completion of winding finished roll 30 , incoming core 60 with tacky substance 64 is brought adjacent to transfer drum 20 by incoming winding shaft 62 in preparation for the transfer of web 10 .",
"Ions 44 continue to press web 10 against transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 .",
"Covering 22 can either be conductive or non-conductive since ions 44 adjacent to web 10 are insulated from conductive transfer drum 20 by web 10 to prevent dissipation of any applied electrostatic charges in the area of web 10 .",
"Severing knife 24 acts to cut web 10 .",
"More or less simultaneously, and when the trailing end of now severed web 10 begins to slip off transfer drum 20 onto finished roll 30 , and until firm attachment of web 10 to incoming core 60 , a boost in torque equivalent to the calculated loss in downstream tension due to severing of web 10 leading to finished roll 30 optionally may be applied to transfer drum 20 by motor 50 and motor drive 52 to maintain substantially uniform tension 54 upstream of transfer drum 20 during web 10 transfer.",
"This torque boost is generally not required in applications where finished roll 30 is not also powered by a suitable motor to apply tension on its own accord to web 10 as such process is well known in the industry.",
"Incoming winding shaft 62 moves incoming core 60 with tacky substance 64 into contact with web 10 which until contact with tacky substance 64 remains attached to still grounded transfer drum 20 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 .",
"Web 10 is forcibly attached onto incoming core 60 by tacky substance 64 which overcomes the electrostatically attractive forces between ions 44 and presently grounded transfer drum 20 and causes web 10 to begin to wind as a new finished roll 31 .",
"The now complete finished roll 30 is removed and the process is allowed to repeat itself continuously.",
"Referring again to FIGS. 1-3 , after transfer when web 10 is attached to incoming core 60 , electrostatic bar 42 can optionally be de-energized if it is not required to prevent slippage and maintain proper tension control of web 10 as it passes over transfer drum 20 .",
"In these cases optional electrostatic neutralizer 70 may not be needed since electrostatic ions are only applied to web 10 during transfer which occurs typically over a very small time frame compared to the time required to wind up a complete finished roll 30 .",
"Referring now to FIG. 4 , web 10 is conveyed onto roller 18 which is conductive and substantially earth grounded.",
"Charging device 41 energizes electrostatic bar 43 which generates ions 45 that are attracted to earth ground of roller 18 .",
"Web 10 is pressed against grounded roller 18 due to electrostatically attractive forces between ions 45 and roller 18 , thus preventing significant slippage of web 10 on roller 18 .",
"Motor 51 , controlled by motor drive 53 , is responsive to upstream web tension sensor 55 that measures tension to maintain the upstream web tension at desired levels.",
"The web conveying system shown in FIG. 4 can be used as part of a transfer system to a finish roll for winding the web, or can be used to convey a web to other equipment.",
"Advantageously and optionally, torque equivalent to the calculated desired difference in upstream and downstream tension plus pre-measured torque required to just overcome frictional losses may be applied to roller 18 by motor 51 and motor drive 53 to maintain substantially uniform tension both upstream and downstream of roller 18 .",
"Optional electrostatic neutralizer 71 , which can be any suitable device such as an electrostatic eliminator bar, or due to their common use in areas other than between winding transfer drums such as transfer drum 20 of FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 3 , preferably a conductive roll, may be used for removing charged ions from the surface of web 10 .",
"If used, electrostatic neutralizer 71 is positioned downstream to allow for sufficient wrap angle of at least 10 degrees around roller 10 to allow for positive tension control before ion 45 neutralization.",
"While certain structural embodiments have been described, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.",
"For example, further rolls (passive or motorized) and other equipment for sensing and/or conveying can be provided before or after the web is conveyed by roller 18 or drum 20 ."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 116 884.6 filed Oct. 25, 2011, and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/550,945 filed Oct. 25, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a passenger service module provided in particular for installation in an aircraft passenger cabin, and to a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module.
The passenger cabin of a modern commercial aircraft is conventionally equipped with a large number of personal service units (PSUs) which are each associated with a passenger seat row and are arranged beneath overhead luggage compartments in a position that is accessible to the passengers seated in the passenger seats. A typical PSU, as is described, for example, in DE 10 2009 058 849 A1, comprises a loudspeaker, a display element on which a fasten seatbelt sign, for example, is shown, and one or more reading lamp(s). An individually adjustable air nozzle for each passenger seat in a seat row is further integrated into a conventional PSU. The air nozzle is connected to an individual ventilation system which is conventionally formed separately from a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system. In order to regulate the air flow supplied to the passenger cabin by way of the air nozzle, a passenger can adjust an air outlet cross-section of the air nozzle as desired, for example by rotation of a corresponding diaphragm element.
It is further known from the non-prepublished DE 10 2010 018 569 to integrate modules of an individual ventilation system, which modules comprise components of a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system, components of an emergency oxygen supply system and in each case a plurality of air nozzles, into a carrier structure which is arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments above the seat rows and extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention is directed at the object of providing a passenger service module which is simple and flexible to fit and convenient to operate, as well as a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module.
The object is achieved by a passenger service module having the features of claim 1 and by a passenger service system having the features of claim 10 .
A passenger service module according to the invention comprises a fitting element which serves to secure the passenger service module in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. Connected to the fitting element is an individual ventilation arrangement, which comprises at least one air nozzle. If desired, the individual ventilation arrangement of the passenger service module may be equipped with a plurality of air nozzles, one air nozzle preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module. Also connected to the fitting element is a lighting arrangement, which comprises at least one reading lamp. If desired, the lighting arrangement may also be equipped with a plurality of reading lamps, one reading lamp preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module.
Finally, the passenger service module comprises an operating element connected to the fitting element. The operating element comprises a touch panel having at least one input field for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzle and/or of the reading lamp. If the individual ventilation arrangement comprises a plurality of air nozzles, the touch panel is preferably also provided with a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzles. Similarly, the touch panel may have a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of a plurality of reading lamps of the lighting arrangement. Finally, an embodiment of the touch panel with a plurality of input fields that are each associated with an air nozzle or with a reading lamp is also conceivable, that is to say the touch panel may be provided with input fields for individually controlling the operation of air nozzles and of reading lamps.
Owing to its modular form, the passenger service module may be preassembled to form an independently manageable component assembly even before its final fitting in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. Final fitting of the passenger service module is therefore particularly simple, time-saving and accordingly inexpensive. In addition, the passenger service module is particularly simple and convenient to operate by way of the touch panel of the operating element.
The individual ventilation arrangement may be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element. Alternatively, the lighting arrangement may also be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element. Finally, it is conceivable to equip the passenger service module with a common housing for accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and the lighting arrangement. The housing may be, for example, square or trapezoidal in shape, but may also have any other desired shape.
In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing comprises a releasably secured cover plate. The cover plate may close the housing preferably in the region of a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element, that is to say may form a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element.
The fitting element may comprise an individual air duct section which may be connected to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system. The fitting element may further be provided with a carrier section for connecting the fitting element to the individual ventilation arrangement, to the lighting arrangement and/or to the operating element. The carrier section of the fitting element may have a plate-like basic shape, for example, it being possible for the carrier section, if desired, to be provided with cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element. The individual air duct section may be in the form of a tube section, for example, and extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a plane defining the carrier section of the fitting element. The individual air duct section and the carrier section of the fitting element are preferably integral.
A first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element may be connected to the individual ventilation arrangement by way of a flexible connecting element. The flexible connecting element may be formed, for example, by a flexible hose or the like and enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated. The flexible form of the connecting element further ensures a secure connection between the first end of the individual air duct section and the individual ventilation arrangement even when vibrations occur during operation of the passenger service module. In particular, the flexible connecting element may connect the first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element to an opening that is formed in the cover plate of the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement.
A second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element is preferably connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line. A second end of the flexible individual air connecting line may be connectable to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system. The flexible form of the individual air connecting line again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and ensures a secure connection of the individual air duct section to the individual air supply line of the individual ventilation system if vibrations should occur during operation of the passenger service module.
On the carrier section of the fitting element there may be provided at least one first connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement. The first connecting element is preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element. For example, the first connecting element may be connected to the carrier section in the region of a side face of the carrier section and may extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section. Preferably, two first connecting elements are present, which are connected to the carrier section in the region of two opposing side faces of the carrier section. Each first connecting element may be connected to a holding element, which is attached to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement.
In addition or alternatively thereto, there may be provided on the carrier section of the fitting element at least one second connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the operating element. The second connecting element is likewise preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element. The second connecting element may preferably likewise extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section of the fitting element.
In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement is connected to the fitting element in the region of a first surface of the carrier section, so that the carrier section of the fitting element rests on the housing on a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element and is preferably formed by the cover plate of the housing. The individual air duct section of the fitting element, on the other hand, preferably extends from a second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section.
The passenger service module may further comprise an electronics module connected to the fitting element. The electronics module may contain electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement, the lighting arrangement and/or the operating element. If desired, these components may be accommodated in a suitable housing. The electronics module is connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of the second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section. This results in a configuration in which the carrier section of the fitting element is arranged between the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement and the electronics module. The electronics module, or a housing of the electronics module, may be provided with a cut-out in which the individual air duct section of the fitting element can be received. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to configure the electronics module in two parts and connect it to the fitting element on both sides of the individual air duct section in the region of the second surface of the carrier section.
The passenger service module preferably further comprises a receiver device of a contactless power supply system, which receiver device is connected electrically to the electronics module. The receiver device may be in the form of a coil, for example. A contactless power supply system allows current-carrying lines for connecting the electronics module to a higher-level power supply system to be omitted. As a result, the outlay in terms of fitting when installing the passenger service module in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft, may be reduced further. The receiver device may be secured, for example, to the fitting element. In particular, it is conceivable to secure the receiver device to the fitting element of the passenger service module adjacent to the individual air duct section.
In a preferred embodiment, the passenger service module comprises a securing element which is configured to secure the fitting element in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft. The securing element may be connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of a first end face of the carrier section.
The operating element of the passenger service module may comprise a touch panel holder which is connected to the touch panel and may preferably be connected to the fitting element in the region of a second end face of the carrier section that is opposite the first end face. The touch panel holder may comprise, for example, a frame which extends at least along a portion of the periphery of the touch panel at a distance from the touch panel. The touch panel holder may further comprise a holder section, which may be provided for connection to the second connecting element of the fitting element. The second connecting element is arranged in particular in the region of the second end face of the carrier section.
A passenger service system according to the invention, which may be provided in particular for installation in a vehicle or in an aircraft, comprises at least one above-described passenger service module. The passenger service system further comprises an interior fitment panel. The passenger service module and the interior fitment panel are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel of the operating element of the passenger service module may be operated by way of a touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel. In other words, in the passenger service system according to the invention, the touch panel of the operating element may be actuated by touching the touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel.
In the interior fitment panel there may be provided at least one cut-out, in which the air nozzle of the individual ventilation arrangement or the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement of the passenger service module is received. Depending upon the size and shape of the interior fitment panel, the interior fitment panel may be provided to cooperate with a plurality of passenger service modules. The interior fitment panel is then configured with a corresponding number of cut-outs. Depending upon the configuration of the passenger service system, passive, that is to say non-functional, dummy modules may, however, also be arranged in the cut-outs formed in the interior fitment panel. This is expedient, for example, when there is no passenger seat row in the region of an opening formed in the interior fitment panel.
The passenger service system preferably further comprises an individual air supply line, which is connected to the second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element by way of the flexible individual air connecting line of the passenger service module. The individual air supply line may be part of a higher-level individual ventilation system.
The fitting element may be secured by way of the securing element to a channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system. In the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system there may further be arranged a transmitter device of a contactless power supply system. The transmitter device may be in the form of a coil, for example, and may serve to supply electrical energy to the receiver device connected electrically to the electronics module. The positioning of the transmitter device in the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply is advantageous in particular because the channel may be used without problems to lay electrical connecting lines of the transmitter device.
An above-described passenger service module and/or an above-described passenger service system may be used particularly advantageously in an aircraft. It is conceivable in particular to fit the passenger service module or the passenger service system beneath overhead luggage compartments in a passenger cabin of the aircraft. The touch panel of the operating element is then conveniently accessible to passengers seated in passenger seats arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments.
SUMMARY OF FIGURES
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a passenger service system,
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 ,
FIG. 3 shows a further three-dimensional view of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 , viewed from the interior of an aircraft passenger cabin,
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a passenger service module of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 , and
FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of an interior fitment panel of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the figures, a passenger service system is designated generally 100 and a passenger service module is designated generally 10 . As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the passenger service system 10 is provided for fitting in an aircraft passenger cabin in a region beneath overhead luggage compartments 12 provided in the passenger cabin. The passenger service module 10 is then located in such a position that it can be reached comfortably by passengers seated in passenger seats beneath the overhead luggage compartments 12 . In the exemplary embodiment of a passenger service system 100 shown in the figures, each passenger service module 10 is associated with a passenger seat row comprising three seats.
The passenger service system 100 comprises an interior fitment panel 14 , which is provided for fitting in a passenger cabin region beneath the luggage compartments 12 . As can be seen in FIG. 5 in particular, three cut-outs 16 are formed in the interior fitment panel 14 . Each cut-out 16 is provided for cooperation with a passenger service module 10 , the correlation between the interior fitment panel 14 and the passenger service modules 10 being explained in greater detail hereinbelow in connection with a discussion of the construction of the passenger service modules 10 .
Each passenger service module 10 comprises a fitting element 18 which in turn comprises an individual air duct section 20 and a carrier section 22 , see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 . The individual air duct section 20 and the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 are of integral construction. In particular, the individual air duct section 20 is in the form of a bent pipe section, whereas the carrier section 22 has a plate-like basic shape and is provided with appropriate cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element 18 .
The passenger service module 10 further comprises an individual ventilation arrangement 26 comprising three air nozzles 24 , as well as a lighting arrangement 30 comprising three reading lamps 28 . The individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 are arranged in a substantially trapezoidal housing 32 . In particular, the shape of the housing 32 is matched to the shape and orientation of the interior fitment panel 14 in its fitted state in the aircraft passenger cabin. In the region of a surface which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 , faces the fitting element 18 , the housing 32 is closed by a releasably secured cover plate 34 . An opening 36 is formed in the cover plate 34 . Furthermore, two holding elements 38 , each provided with two oblong bores, extend from the surface of the housing 32 which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 , faces the fitting element 18 .
The holding elements 38 serve to connect the housing 32 , with the individual ventilation arrangement 26 arranged therein and the lighting arrangement 30 arranged therein, to the fitting element 18 by way of first connecting elements 40 provided on the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 . The first connecting elements 40 extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section 22 from two mutually opposite side faces of the carrier section 22 and are each likewise provided with an oblong bore. Suitable securing means, such as, for example, screws or the like, can be guided through the oblong bores of the holding elements 38 and of the first connecting elements 40 and fixed by means of corresponding locking nuts in order to connect the housing 32 to the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 . In particular, the housing 32 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a first surface of the carrier section 32 which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 in an aircraft passenger cabin, faces an interior of the aircraft passenger cabin. In other words, the housing 32 extends downwards from the fitting element 18 in the direction of the interior of the passenger cabin.
A first end, facing the housing 32 , of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 is connected by way of a flexible connecting element 42 to the opening 36 formed in the cover plate 34 of the housing 32 . The flexible connecting element 42 accordingly produces an air-guiding connection between the individual air duct section 20 and the individual ventilation arrangement 26 arranged in the housing 32 . Air passed through the individual air duct section 20 can accordingly be supplied to the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and finally can be blown out into the aircraft passenger cabin by way of the air nozzles 24 of the individual ventilation arrangement 26 . The flexible configuration of the flexible connecting element 42 enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module 10 to be absorbed.
A second end of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 , on the other hand, is connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line 44 . A second end of the individual air connecting line 44 is connected to an individual air supply line 46 of an individual ventilation system of the aircraft, see FIGS. 1 and 2 . The individual air supply line 46 of the individual ventilation system extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin and supplies individual air to a plurality of passenger service modules 10 arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin. The flexible form of the individual air connecting line 44 again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module 10 and of the passenger service system 100 to be absorbed.
The passenger service module 10 further comprises a securing element 48 for securing the fitting element 18 , and accordingly the passenger service module 10 , in its fitted position. The securing element 48 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a first end face of the carrier section 22 and comprises an abutment projection 50 provided for cooperation with the second end of the individual air duct section 20 . In the abutment projection 50 there is formed an opening, through which the flexible individual air connecting line 44 passes. The securing element 48 secures the fitting element 18 , and accordingly the passenger service module 10 , to a side wall of a channel 52 , associated with the passenger service system 100 , for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system. Like the individual air supply line 46 , the channel 52 for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system also extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin, so that a plurality of passenger service modules 10 arranged one behind the other parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin can be secured without difficulty to the channel 52 .
The passenger service module 10 is further equipped with an operating element 56 , which in turn comprises a touch panel 58 and a touch panel holder 60 . The touch panel holder 60 has a frame 62 , which extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the touch panel 58 at a distance from the touch panel 58 and thereby protects the touch panel 58 from damage and other influences. The touch panel holder 60 further has a holding section 64 , which is provided with two oblong bores. The holding section 64 is provided to cooperate with a second connecting element 66 which extends from the carrier section 22 substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section 22 in the region of a second end face of the carrier section 22 . The second connecting element 66 is provided with three oblong bores, so that corresponding securing means, such as, for example, screws, can be guided through the oblong bores in the holding section 64 of the touch panel holder 60 and the second connecting element 66 and fixed by means of locking nuts, in order to secure the touch panel holder 60 , and accordingly the touch panel 58 , to the fitting element 18 . The holding section 64 of the touch panel holder 60 can further be used additionally to connect the touch panel holder 60 to the housing 32 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 .
The touch panel 58 comprises a plurality of input fields 68 , by way of which the operation of the air nozzles 24 of the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the operation of the reading lamps 28 of the lighting arrangement 30 can be individually controlled. There is additionally provided on the touch panel 58 an input field 68 that is associated with the function “call flight attendant”. When the passenger service system 100 is in the fitted state in an aircraft passenger cabin, the passenger service module 10 and the interior fitment panel 14 are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel 58 of the operating element 56 of the passenger service module 10 can be operated by way of a touch panel surface section 70 of the interior fitment panel 14 , see FIGS. 1 and 2 . In other words, by touching the touch panel surface section 70 of the interior fitment panel 14 in the region of the input fields 68 of the touch panel 58 , passengers seated in seats beneath the passenger service module 10 are able to operate the touch panel 58 and thereby control the operation of the air nozzles 24 and reading lamps 28 associated with their seats. In order to allow individual air to flow unimpeded from the air nozzles 24 into the interior of the passenger cabin, the housing 32 of each passenger service module 10 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 is arranged in a cut-out 16 provided in the interior fitment panel 14 .
Finally, the passenger service module 10 comprises an electronics module 72 . Electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement 26 , the lighting arrangement 30 and the operating element 56 are combined in the electronics module 72 . The electronics module 72 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a second surface of the carrier section 22 , giving a configuration in which the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 is arranged between the electronics module 72 and the housing 32 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 . The electronics module 72 has a cut-out 74 , the shape of which is matched to the shape of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 , so that the securing of the electronics module 72 to the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 is not hindered by the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 .
The electronics module 72 is supplied with electrical energy by means of a contactless power supply system. The contactless power supply system comprises a transmitter device 76 in the form of a coil, which is arranged in the channel 52 for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system. The transmitter device 76 is connected to a central power supply network of the aircraft by way of current-carrying lines laid in the channel 52 . The contactless power supply system further comprises a receiver device 78 , which is likewise in the form of a coil and is secured to the fitting element 18 of the passenger service module 10 adjacent to the electronics module 72 . The receiver device 78 is connected to the electronics module 72 , that is to say to the electronic components of the electronics module 72 , by means of cables. | A passenger service module including a fitting element, an individual ventilation arrangement connected to the fitting element and having at least one air nozzle, a lighting arrangement connected to the fitting element and having at least one reading lamp, and an operating element connected to the fitting element. The operating element includes a touch panel having at least one input field for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzle and/or of the reading lamp. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 116 884.6 filed Oct. 25, 2011, and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/550,945 filed Oct. 25, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention relates to a passenger service module provided in particular for installation in an aircraft passenger cabin, and to a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module.",
"The passenger cabin of a modern commercial aircraft is conventionally equipped with a large number of personal service units (PSUs) which are each associated with a passenger seat row and are arranged beneath overhead luggage compartments in a position that is accessible to the passengers seated in the passenger seats.",
"A typical PSU, as is described, for example, in DE 10 2009 058 849 A1, comprises a loudspeaker, a display element on which a fasten seatbelt sign, for example, is shown, and one or more reading lamp(s).",
"An individually adjustable air nozzle for each passenger seat in a seat row is further integrated into a conventional PSU.",
"The air nozzle is connected to an individual ventilation system which is conventionally formed separately from a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system.",
"In order to regulate the air flow supplied to the passenger cabin by way of the air nozzle, a passenger can adjust an air outlet cross-section of the air nozzle as desired, for example by rotation of a corresponding diaphragm element.",
"It is further known from the non-prepublished DE 10 2010 018 569 to integrate modules of an individual ventilation system, which modules comprise components of a centrally controlled cabin ventilation system, components of an emergency oxygen supply system and in each case a plurality of air nozzles, into a carrier structure which is arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments above the seat rows and extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin.",
"SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is directed at the object of providing a passenger service module which is simple and flexible to fit and convenient to operate, as well as a passenger service system equipped with such a passenger service module.",
"The object is achieved by a passenger service module having the features of claim 1 and by a passenger service system having the features of claim 10 .",
"A passenger service module according to the invention comprises a fitting element which serves to secure the passenger service module in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft.",
"Connected to the fitting element is an individual ventilation arrangement, which comprises at least one air nozzle.",
"If desired, the individual ventilation arrangement of the passenger service module may be equipped with a plurality of air nozzles, one air nozzle preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module.",
"Also connected to the fitting element is a lighting arrangement, which comprises at least one reading lamp.",
"If desired, the lighting arrangement may also be equipped with a plurality of reading lamps, one reading lamp preferably being provided for each seat of a passenger seat row, which is provided with service functions by the passenger service module.",
"Finally, the passenger service module comprises an operating element connected to the fitting element.",
"The operating element comprises a touch panel having at least one input field for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzle and/or of the reading lamp.",
"If the individual ventilation arrangement comprises a plurality of air nozzles, the touch panel is preferably also provided with a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of the air nozzles.",
"Similarly, the touch panel may have a plurality of input fields for individually controlling the operation of a plurality of reading lamps of the lighting arrangement.",
"Finally, an embodiment of the touch panel with a plurality of input fields that are each associated with an air nozzle or with a reading lamp is also conceivable, that is to say the touch panel may be provided with input fields for individually controlling the operation of air nozzles and of reading lamps.",
"Owing to its modular form, the passenger service module may be preassembled to form an independently manageable component assembly even before its final fitting in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft.",
"Final fitting of the passenger service module is therefore particularly simple, time-saving and accordingly inexpensive.",
"In addition, the passenger service module is particularly simple and convenient to operate by way of the touch panel of the operating element.",
"The individual ventilation arrangement may be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element.",
"Alternatively, the lighting arrangement may also be arranged in a housing connected to the fitting element.",
"Finally, it is conceivable to equip the passenger service module with a common housing for accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and the lighting arrangement.",
"The housing may be, for example, square or trapezoidal in shape, but may also have any other desired shape.",
"In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing comprises a releasably secured cover plate.",
"The cover plate may close the housing preferably in the region of a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element, that is to say may form a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element.",
"The fitting element may comprise an individual air duct section which may be connected to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system.",
"The fitting element may further be provided with a carrier section for connecting the fitting element to the individual ventilation arrangement, to the lighting arrangement and/or to the operating element.",
"The carrier section of the fitting element may have a plate-like basic shape, for example, it being possible for the carrier section, if desired, to be provided with cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element.",
"The individual air duct section may be in the form of a tube section, for example, and extend in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a plane defining the carrier section of the fitting element.",
"The individual air duct section and the carrier section of the fitting element are preferably integral.",
"A first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element may be connected to the individual ventilation arrangement by way of a flexible connecting element.",
"The flexible connecting element may be formed, for example, by a flexible hose or the like and enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated.",
"The flexible form of the connecting element further ensures a secure connection between the first end of the individual air duct section and the individual ventilation arrangement even when vibrations occur during operation of the passenger service module.",
"In particular, the flexible connecting element may connect the first end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element to an opening that is formed in the cover plate of the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement.",
"A second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element is preferably connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line.",
"A second end of the flexible individual air connecting line may be connectable to an individual air supply line of an individual ventilation system.",
"The flexible form of the individual air connecting line again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and ensures a secure connection of the individual air duct section to the individual air supply line of the individual ventilation system if vibrations should occur during operation of the passenger service module.",
"On the carrier section of the fitting element there may be provided at least one first connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement.",
"The first connecting element is preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element.",
"For example, the first connecting element may be connected to the carrier section in the region of a side face of the carrier section and may extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section.",
"Preferably, two first connecting elements are present, which are connected to the carrier section in the region of two opposing side faces of the carrier section.",
"Each first connecting element may be connected to a holding element, which is attached to the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement.",
"In addition or alternatively thereto, there may be provided on the carrier section of the fitting element at least one second connecting element for connecting the fitting element to the operating element.",
"The second connecting element is likewise preferably integral with the carrier section of the fitting element.",
"The second connecting element may preferably likewise extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section of the fitting element.",
"In a preferred embodiment of the passenger service module, the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement is connected to the fitting element in the region of a first surface of the carrier section, so that the carrier section of the fitting element rests on the housing on a surface of the housing that faces the fitting element and is preferably formed by the cover plate of the housing.",
"The individual air duct section of the fitting element, on the other hand, preferably extends from a second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section.",
"The passenger service module may further comprise an electronics module connected to the fitting element.",
"The electronics module may contain electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement, the lighting arrangement and/or the operating element.",
"If desired, these components may be accommodated in a suitable housing.",
"The electronics module is connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of the second surface of the carrier section that is opposite the first surface of the carrier section.",
"This results in a configuration in which the carrier section of the fitting element is arranged between the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement and the electronics module.",
"The electronics module, or a housing of the electronics module, may be provided with a cut-out in which the individual air duct section of the fitting element can be received.",
"Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to configure the electronics module in two parts and connect it to the fitting element on both sides of the individual air duct section in the region of the second surface of the carrier section.",
"The passenger service module preferably further comprises a receiver device of a contactless power supply system, which receiver device is connected electrically to the electronics module.",
"The receiver device may be in the form of a coil, for example.",
"A contactless power supply system allows current-carrying lines for connecting the electronics module to a higher-level power supply system to be omitted.",
"As a result, the outlay in terms of fitting when installing the passenger service module in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft, may be reduced further.",
"The receiver device may be secured, for example, to the fitting element.",
"In particular, it is conceivable to secure the receiver device to the fitting element of the passenger service module adjacent to the individual air duct section.",
"In a preferred embodiment, the passenger service module comprises a securing element which is configured to secure the fitting element in its fitted position in a vehicle, in particular in an aircraft.",
"The securing element may be connected to the fitting element in particular in the region of a first end face of the carrier section.",
"The operating element of the passenger service module may comprise a touch panel holder which is connected to the touch panel and may preferably be connected to the fitting element in the region of a second end face of the carrier section that is opposite the first end face.",
"The touch panel holder may comprise, for example, a frame which extends at least along a portion of the periphery of the touch panel at a distance from the touch panel.",
"The touch panel holder may further comprise a holder section, which may be provided for connection to the second connecting element of the fitting element.",
"The second connecting element is arranged in particular in the region of the second end face of the carrier section.",
"A passenger service system according to the invention, which may be provided in particular for installation in a vehicle or in an aircraft, comprises at least one above-described passenger service module.",
"The passenger service system further comprises an interior fitment panel.",
"The passenger service module and the interior fitment panel are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel of the operating element of the passenger service module may be operated by way of a touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel.",
"In other words, in the passenger service system according to the invention, the touch panel of the operating element may be actuated by touching the touch panel surface section of the interior fitment panel.",
"In the interior fitment panel there may be provided at least one cut-out, in which the air nozzle of the individual ventilation arrangement or the housing accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement and/or the lighting arrangement of the passenger service module is received.",
"Depending upon the size and shape of the interior fitment panel, the interior fitment panel may be provided to cooperate with a plurality of passenger service modules.",
"The interior fitment panel is then configured with a corresponding number of cut-outs.",
"Depending upon the configuration of the passenger service system, passive, that is to say non-functional, dummy modules may, however, also be arranged in the cut-outs formed in the interior fitment panel.",
"This is expedient, for example, when there is no passenger seat row in the region of an opening formed in the interior fitment panel.",
"The passenger service system preferably further comprises an individual air supply line, which is connected to the second end of the individual air duct section of the fitting element by way of the flexible individual air connecting line of the passenger service module.",
"The individual air supply line may be part of a higher-level individual ventilation system.",
"The fitting element may be secured by way of the securing element to a channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system.",
"In the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply system there may further be arranged a transmitter device of a contactless power supply system.",
"The transmitter device may be in the form of a coil, for example, and may serve to supply electrical energy to the receiver device connected electrically to the electronics module.",
"The positioning of the transmitter device in the channel for accommodating components of an emergency oxygen supply is advantageous in particular because the channel may be used without problems to lay electrical connecting lines of the transmitter device.",
"An above-described passenger service module and/or an above-described passenger service system may be used particularly advantageously in an aircraft.",
"It is conceivable in particular to fit the passenger service module or the passenger service system beneath overhead luggage compartments in a passenger cabin of the aircraft.",
"The touch panel of the operating element is then conveniently accessible to passengers seated in passenger seats arranged beneath the overhead luggage compartments.",
"SUMMARY OF FIGURES A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a passenger service system, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 shows a further three-dimensional view of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 , viewed from the interior of an aircraft passenger cabin, FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a passenger service module of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 , and FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of an interior fitment panel of the passenger service system according to FIG. 1 .",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the figures, a passenger service system is designated generally 100 and a passenger service module is designated generally 10 .",
"As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the passenger service system 10 is provided for fitting in an aircraft passenger cabin in a region beneath overhead luggage compartments 12 provided in the passenger cabin.",
"The passenger service module 10 is then located in such a position that it can be reached comfortably by passengers seated in passenger seats beneath the overhead luggage compartments 12 .",
"In the exemplary embodiment of a passenger service system 100 shown in the figures, each passenger service module 10 is associated with a passenger seat row comprising three seats.",
"The passenger service system 100 comprises an interior fitment panel 14 , which is provided for fitting in a passenger cabin region beneath the luggage compartments 12 .",
"As can be seen in FIG. 5 in particular, three cut-outs 16 are formed in the interior fitment panel 14 .",
"Each cut-out 16 is provided for cooperation with a passenger service module 10 , the correlation between the interior fitment panel 14 and the passenger service modules 10 being explained in greater detail hereinbelow in connection with a discussion of the construction of the passenger service modules 10 .",
"Each passenger service module 10 comprises a fitting element 18 which in turn comprises an individual air duct section 20 and a carrier section 22 , see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 .",
"The individual air duct section 20 and the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 are of integral construction.",
"In particular, the individual air duct section 20 is in the form of a bent pipe section, whereas the carrier section 22 has a plate-like basic shape and is provided with appropriate cut-outs in order to reduce the weight of the fitting element 18 .",
"The passenger service module 10 further comprises an individual ventilation arrangement 26 comprising three air nozzles 24 , as well as a lighting arrangement 30 comprising three reading lamps 28 .",
"The individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 are arranged in a substantially trapezoidal housing 32 .",
"In particular, the shape of the housing 32 is matched to the shape and orientation of the interior fitment panel 14 in its fitted state in the aircraft passenger cabin.",
"In the region of a surface which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 , faces the fitting element 18 , the housing 32 is closed by a releasably secured cover plate 34 .",
"An opening 36 is formed in the cover plate 34 .",
"Furthermore, two holding elements 38 , each provided with two oblong bores, extend from the surface of the housing 32 which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 , faces the fitting element 18 .",
"The holding elements 38 serve to connect the housing 32 , with the individual ventilation arrangement 26 arranged therein and the lighting arrangement 30 arranged therein, to the fitting element 18 by way of first connecting elements 40 provided on the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 .",
"The first connecting elements 40 extend substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section 22 from two mutually opposite side faces of the carrier section 22 and are each likewise provided with an oblong bore.",
"Suitable securing means, such as, for example, screws or the like, can be guided through the oblong bores of the holding elements 38 and of the first connecting elements 40 and fixed by means of corresponding locking nuts in order to connect the housing 32 to the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 .",
"In particular, the housing 32 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a first surface of the carrier section 32 which, in the fitted state of the passenger service module 10 in an aircraft passenger cabin, faces an interior of the aircraft passenger cabin.",
"In other words, the housing 32 extends downwards from the fitting element 18 in the direction of the interior of the passenger cabin.",
"A first end, facing the housing 32 , of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 is connected by way of a flexible connecting element 42 to the opening 36 formed in the cover plate 34 of the housing 32 .",
"The flexible connecting element 42 accordingly produces an air-guiding connection between the individual air duct section 20 and the individual ventilation arrangement 26 arranged in the housing 32 .",
"Air passed through the individual air duct section 20 can accordingly be supplied to the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and finally can be blown out into the aircraft passenger cabin by way of the air nozzles 24 of the individual ventilation arrangement 26 .",
"The flexible configuration of the flexible connecting element 42 enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module 10 to be absorbed.",
"A second end of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 , on the other hand, is connected to a first end of a flexible individual air connecting line 44 .",
"A second end of the individual air connecting line 44 is connected to an individual air supply line 46 of an individual ventilation system of the aircraft, see FIGS. 1 and 2 .",
"The individual air supply line 46 of the individual ventilation system extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin and supplies individual air to a plurality of passenger service modules 10 arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin.",
"The flexible form of the individual air connecting line 44 again enables component and fitting tolerances to be compensated and vibrations that occur during operation of the passenger service module 10 and of the passenger service system 100 to be absorbed.",
"The passenger service module 10 further comprises a securing element 48 for securing the fitting element 18 , and accordingly the passenger service module 10 , in its fitted position.",
"The securing element 48 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a first end face of the carrier section 22 and comprises an abutment projection 50 provided for cooperation with the second end of the individual air duct section 20 .",
"In the abutment projection 50 there is formed an opening, through which the flexible individual air connecting line 44 passes.",
"The securing element 48 secures the fitting element 18 , and accordingly the passenger service module 10 , to a side wall of a channel 52 , associated with the passenger service system 100 , for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system.",
"Like the individual air supply line 46 , the channel 52 for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system also extends through the aircraft passenger cabin substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin, so that a plurality of passenger service modules 10 arranged one behind the other parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft passenger cabin can be secured without difficulty to the channel 52 .",
"The passenger service module 10 is further equipped with an operating element 56 , which in turn comprises a touch panel 58 and a touch panel holder 60 .",
"The touch panel holder 60 has a frame 62 , which extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the touch panel 58 at a distance from the touch panel 58 and thereby protects the touch panel 58 from damage and other influences.",
"The touch panel holder 60 further has a holding section 64 , which is provided with two oblong bores.",
"The holding section 64 is provided to cooperate with a second connecting element 66 which extends from the carrier section 22 substantially perpendicularly to the carrier section 22 in the region of a second end face of the carrier section 22 .",
"The second connecting element 66 is provided with three oblong bores, so that corresponding securing means, such as, for example, screws, can be guided through the oblong bores in the holding section 64 of the touch panel holder 60 and the second connecting element 66 and fixed by means of locking nuts, in order to secure the touch panel holder 60 , and accordingly the touch panel 58 , to the fitting element 18 .",
"The holding section 64 of the touch panel holder 60 can further be used additionally to connect the touch panel holder 60 to the housing 32 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 .",
"The touch panel 58 comprises a plurality of input fields 68 , by way of which the operation of the air nozzles 24 of the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the operation of the reading lamps 28 of the lighting arrangement 30 can be individually controlled.",
"There is additionally provided on the touch panel 58 an input field 68 that is associated with the function “call flight attendant.”",
"When the passenger service system 100 is in the fitted state in an aircraft passenger cabin, the passenger service module 10 and the interior fitment panel 14 are so arranged relative to one another that the touch panel 58 of the operating element 56 of the passenger service module 10 can be operated by way of a touch panel surface section 70 of the interior fitment panel 14 , see FIGS. 1 and 2 .",
"In other words, by touching the touch panel surface section 70 of the interior fitment panel 14 in the region of the input fields 68 of the touch panel 58 , passengers seated in seats beneath the passenger service module 10 are able to operate the touch panel 58 and thereby control the operation of the air nozzles 24 and reading lamps 28 associated with their seats.",
"In order to allow individual air to flow unimpeded from the air nozzles 24 into the interior of the passenger cabin, the housing 32 of each passenger service module 10 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 is arranged in a cut-out 16 provided in the interior fitment panel 14 .",
"Finally, the passenger service module 10 comprises an electronics module 72 .",
"Electronic components for controlling the individual ventilation arrangement 26 , the lighting arrangement 30 and the operating element 56 are combined in the electronics module 72 .",
"The electronics module 72 is connected to the fitting element 18 in the region of a second surface of the carrier section 22 , giving a configuration in which the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 is arranged between the electronics module 72 and the housing 32 accommodating the individual ventilation arrangement 26 and the lighting arrangement 30 .",
"The electronics module 72 has a cut-out 74 , the shape of which is matched to the shape of the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 , so that the securing of the electronics module 72 to the carrier section 22 of the fitting element 18 is not hindered by the individual air duct section 20 of the fitting element 18 .",
"The electronics module 72 is supplied with electrical energy by means of a contactless power supply system.",
"The contactless power supply system comprises a transmitter device 76 in the form of a coil, which is arranged in the channel 52 for accommodating components 54 of an emergency oxygen supply system.",
"The transmitter device 76 is connected to a central power supply network of the aircraft by way of current-carrying lines laid in the channel 52 .",
"The contactless power supply system further comprises a receiver device 78 , which is likewise in the form of a coil and is secured to the fitting element 18 of the passenger service module 10 adjacent to the electronics module 72 .",
"The receiver device 78 is connected to the electronics module 72 , that is to say to the electronic components of the electronics module 72 , by means of cables."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the acquisition, at different levels in a borehole, of seismic signals generated by a source placed in the vicinity of the surface opening of the borehole.
When the seismic waves produced by a source are recorded by means of a detector at different levels in a borehole, a series of seismic signals is obtained which are gathered, after suitable processing, to form a vertical seismic profile. The analysis of such a profile provides precious information on the structure of the geological formations traversed by the borehole, and notably on the position and the dip of the reflecting layers, including those which are located at a depth from the surface greater than the borehole bottom.
For a complete analysis, the recordings must be carried out at a very large number of different levels, for example 200 or more. This takes a very long time, especially as several measurements are carried out at each level in order to improve the quality of the signals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to accomplish the acquisition of seismic signals in a borehole in an optimum manner relative to both the speed of acquisition and the quality of the signals acquired.
The object of the invention, according to one aspect, is a method for seismic signal acquisition at successive levels in a borehole, comprising the following operations:
(i) to a first level is lowered, by means of a cable, a sonde comprising an elongated body member, seismic wave detection means and an anchoring pad placed at the end of a support arm articulated on the body member and subject to extension under a spring force, said arm being maintained in the retracted position substantially along the body member during the lowering;
(ii) at a desired level, in the borehole, the arm is deployed to place the pad in contact with the borehole wall;
(iii) through the arm, a force is applied capable of anchoring the pad to the wall;
(iv) a seismic wave source is actuated to produce at least one detection signal;
(v) through the arm, a force is applied capable of releasing the pad from its anchored position on the wall;
(vi) the sonde is raised by means of the cable to another level, the pad remaining in contact with the wall under the action of the extended arm; and
(vii) the sequence of operations (iii) to (vi) is repeated for the next levels.
By keeping the support arm in the extended position during the movements between successive levels a significant time saving is effected since it is thus possible to avoid having to retract the arm at the end of the measurements at one level and to extend it upon reaching the next level.
This characteristic of the arm extension mechanism is moreover exploited to obtain a log of the formations during these movements from level to level, for example a microresistivity measurement may be obtained by means of an electrode placed on the pad which remains constantly in contact with the wall. This additional measurement makes it possible to determine accurately the depth of the different seismic measurement levels, by, for example, correlation between this log and other logs carried out in the same borehole.
According to another aspect, it is the object of the invention to provide a sonde for seismic signal acquisition at different levels in a borehole, comprising:
an elongated body member;
seismic wave detection means placed in the body member;
a pad designed to be anchored in the borehole wall;
a pad support articulated on the body member and capable of occupying a retracted position substantially along the body member;
an elastic device acting to extend the pad away from the body member;
a drive device capable of furnishing a torque in both directions of rotation;
a clutch device mounted at the output of the drive device; and
a transmission device mounted between the output of the clutch device and the pad support to extend the pad away from or retract it toward the body member according to the direction of the torque.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention the force which is applied to the pad, through its support, is effected by means of a drive device placed in the body. This force, exerted on the pad, is constantly measured by means of a force transducer placed in the pad, and the drive device is stopped when the force value thus measured reaches a given value. Preferably this value is selected to be equal to about twice the weight of the sonde in air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject invention will be better understood through the following description given with reference to the appended drawings.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 represents an installation for seismic prospecting in a borehole;
FIG. 2 illustrates in a larger scale the seismic acquisition sonde represented in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the sonde anchoring section;
FIG. 4 illustrates, in axial section, the anchoring section device;
FIG. 5 illustrates a detail of the coupling device;
FIG. 6 represents the articulation of the anchoring arm on the sonde;
FIG. 7 is a section along the plane VII--VII of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of the anchoring pad;
FIG. 9 illustrates the force transducer housed in the pad;
FIG. 10 illustrates the electrode device housed in the pad.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1 is represented an exploratory borehole 10 going through geological formations. A seismic wave source 11 such as an air gun is placed on the surface with a certain offset in relation to the surface opening or head of the borehole. The seismic shocks produced by the source are detected by means of a seismic acquisition sonde 12 lowered into the borehole.
The sonde 12 is suspended from the end of an electric cable 13 which runs over pulleys on the drilling tower 14 and is wound on a winch 15 carried by surface equipment 16. The surface equipment furnishes the sonde 12, through the cable 13, with electric power supply and control signals necessary for its operation. The returning seismic signals produced by the sonde are carried to the surface by the cable and recorded by the surface equipment. A device shown schematically at 17, associated with the winch 15, measures the travel of the cable and makes it possible to determine the depth of the sonde in order to match each seismic signal recorded with the depth of the sonde during the recording.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sonde 12 comprises essentially four sections; a detection section 20, an anchoring section 21 over the section 20 designed to ensure proper coupling of the detection section with the geological formation, an upper electronic cartridge 22 connected to the cable by a connection head 23, and an electronic cartridge 24 forming the lower end of the sonde. The cartridge 24 is connected electrically to the head 23 and contains circuits for the pre-processing of the detection signals produced by the section 20 and a telemetering device constituting the interface with the cable 13 for signal transmission. The upper cartridge 22 furnishes the power supply voltage to the anchoring section according to the signals addressed by the surface equipment and by other sections of the sonde.
The detection section 20 comprises at least one detector such as a geophone or an accelerometer. In a suitable manner are provided three such detectors placed in a triaxial configuration.
To obtain signals of satisfactory quality, it is indespensable to couple the detection section in an optimum manner with the formation. To accomplish this, the anchoring section comprises a pad 30, designed to be anchored in the borehole wall, carried by two arms 31 and 32 articulated on the sonde body member and at least substantially parallel. On the side opposite the anchoring pad, the detection section and the cartridge 22 include respective bearing elements 33 and 33a furnishing a suitable contact surface with the wall.
FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the anchoring section. The anchoring force is transmitted to the pad 30 through the lower arm 31. The swiveling of the arm 31 is produced by the travel of an actuating rod 34. The connection between the arm 31 and the rod 34 will be described in detail below. The anchoring force is furnished by a reversible asynchronous motor 35 of the torque motor type equipped with an output reducer 36 and an electromagnetic brake 37 active in the absence of current. The output shaft 38 of the reducer 36 is connected via a coupling device 39, which will be described in detail below, to a ball screw 40 engaging with a nut 41 which drives the actuating rod 34. In addition, a loading device 43 loads the arms 31, 32 constantly in their outward extension direction.
Also shown schematically in FIG. 3 is a potentiometer 44 which makes it possible to measure the movement of the nut 41 and hence the distance between the anchoring pad and the sonde, this distance being indicative of the borehole diameter.
Joints 45 allow the travel movement of the rod 34 while preventing ingress of drilling mud into the internal space 46 containing the motor assembly 35-38, the coupling device 39 and the screw-nut system 40-41. A pressure compensation device 47 of a well known type in logging sondes is placed at the lower end of the anchoring section. Its function is to place the internal space 46 in pressure equilibrium with the drilling mud. Pressure on the opposite faces of the joints 45 is thus substantially the same.
The coupling device 39 as represented in FIG. 3 comprises essentially a clutch device 50, a mechanical logic 51 controlling clutch engagement or disengagement according to the direction of rotation of the motor and the forces exerted on the pad, a spring 52 and a stop 53, and a torque limiter 54.
These elements will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
In FIG. 4 is shown the reducer 36 and its output shaft 38, on one side, and the end of the ball screw 40 on the opposite side. Also shown is the external sheath 55 forming part of the sonde body member and a tubular envelope 56 attached to the sheath 55.
The shaft 38 includes a splined portion 57 and an end portion 58 of smaller diameter which is threaded.
On the end of the shaft 38 is screwed a ring 60. A bushing 61 slidingly surrounds the ring 60 and includes splines 61a engaging with the splines of the shaft portion 57; the bushing 61 being up against the case of the reducer 36. The ring 60 and the bushing 61 thus rotate with the shaft 38. A pin 62 goes through the bushing 61 and into a groove 63 formed on the periphery of the ring 60. This pin allows the extraction of the bushing 61 when the ring 60 is unscrewed.
Around the bushing 61 is placed a clutch sleeve 65. The sleeve 65 is connected to the bushing 61 by the engagement of two diametrically opposite rollers 66 mounted on respective studs 67 fixed on the sleeve 65. The studs 67 are fixed in respective helical cam slots 68 formed in the outer periphery of the bushing 61. FIG. 5 shows, in a developed view, the form of the slots 68. Each cam slot 68 comprises two sections 68a, 68b symmetrical with respect to a generatrix G of the bushing. The sections 68a, 68b meet on the side of the drive shaft in the central portion 68c. The preferred value for the angle between the cam slot sections 68a and 68b is about 90°, as shown in FIG. 5.
Means are provided for blocking the rotation of the sleeve 65 when its axial position is within a given range so that the rotation of the shaft 38 and hence of the bushing 61 causes the traveling of the sleeve 65. For this purpose, the sleeve 65 includes, on the drive side, a part 70 of smaller outer diameter than the part which carries the studs 67. In the annular space thus provided between the sleeve and the fixed envelope 56 is placed a friction ring 71 connected in rotation with the sleeve 65 but mobile axially in relation to this sleeve. The ring 71 includes, internally, an axial keyway 72 into which is engaged a key 73 fixed on the sleeve 65. The friction ring 71 has an outer surface 74 of spherical form, and the inner surface of the envelope 56 opposite the ring 71 has a truncated part 75. A helical spring 77 is mounted between the shoulder terminating the small-diameter part 70 and the frinction ring 71. When the surfaces 74, 75 are in contact, as shown in FIG. 3, the friction due to the force exerted by the spring 77 is such that the sleeve 65 is prevented from turning with the bushing 61. A rotation of the bushing 61 will then cause the sleeve 65 to travel.
Furthermore, a circlip 80 is mounted in a groove in the vicinity of the reducer side end of the sleeve 65. This circlip is used to push the friction ring 71 against the action of the spring 77 after a certain axial movement of the sleeve, thereby providing a lost motion-connection between the ring 77 and the sleeve 65. The movement of the ring 71 resulting therefrom causes the friction between the surfaces 74, 75 to disappear and enables the sleeve 65 to be driven in rotation by the shaft.
Moreover, an electric contact 82 connected to the tubular envelope 56 is placed in the vicinity of the reducer 36. This contact is actuated by the sleeve 65 when the latter occupies its end position near the reducer. The pulse produced by this contact serves to cut off the power supply of the motor 35.
The sleeve 65 includes, at its end opposite the reducer, a toothed plate 85 designed to mesh with a toothed plate 86 formed on a counter-ring 87. The toothed plates 85 and 86 comprise radial teeth of triangular section.
The counter-ring 87 is mounted rotatably around a splined bushing 88 rotable with the screw 40, whose end 89 comprises corresponding splines. Stop circlips 90 and 91 are mounted respectively on the screw 40 and on the bushing 88 to serve as an axial stop respectively for the housing 88 and the counter-ring 87.
On the opposite side, the radial surface of the counter-ring 87 is separated by a small clearance from a collar 92 extending the bushing 88 radially. The collar 92 comprises a plurality of axially directed holes 95 each of which receives a ball 96, and the counter-ring 87 comprises similarly a plurality of radial grooves 97 into which the balls 96 penetrate respectively. Each of the balls 96 is loaded elastically against the bottom of the corresponding groove 97 by a helical spring 98 bearing on a U-section ring 99, this ring being blocked in rotation in relation to the bushing 88. The ring 99 is positioned axially by an adjustment ring 100 screwed on the threaded outer surface of the collar 92 and comprising a radial portion 101 in contact with the ring 99.
The assembly made up of the bushing 88, the balls 96 and the elements 98-100 constitutes the above-mentioned torque limiter. In fact, the balls 96 maintained against the bottom of the grooves 97 by the action of the springs 98 transmit normally the torque of the counter-ring 87 to the bushing 88. However, after a certain value, the balls move away from the bottom of the grooves, compressing the springs 98, and the torque is no longer transmitted.
A ring 105 is screwed on a threaded part 106 of the screw 40, following the end 89. The ring 105 comprises successively, from the end of the screw, a small-diameter portion 107 which, with its radial end face, forms a stop for the bushing 88 and constitutes the stop 53 mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3, an intermediate-diameter portion 109 and a larger-diameter part 110 which serves as a support for the helical spring 52 also mentioned above, said spring acting on the radial portion 101 of the adjustment ring 100, and hence indirectly on the counter-ring 87 carrying the toothed plate 86.
The screw-nut system 40, 41 has no particular feature requiring a detailed description. The nut 41 is, in a classical manner, required to move only in translation, so that a rotation of the ball screw 40 in one direction causes a translation of the nut 41 in the corresponding direction.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show in greater detail the articulation of the arms 31 and 32 on the sonde. The upper arm 32 is connected to the sonde body member 29 by a pivot 110. The lower arm 31 which transmits the forces to the pad 30 is made up of two identical parallel side plates connected by spacers such as 109, which are extended by identical hooks 111, 112 spaces away from each other. The hooks 111, 112 are transversed by a pivot 113 connected to the sonde body member, the pins of the pivots 110 and 113 being perpendicular to the axis of the sonde and equidistant from this axis.
The hooks 111, 112 surround, at their end, a part 115 of the actuating rod 34, said part comprising flat portions 116 parallel to the pivoting plane of the arm 31. On each side of this part 115 are fixed rollers 121. The hooks 111, 112 each comprise an elongated slot 123 engaged around a roller 121 so that a movement of the rod 34 causes a swivelling of the arm 31 around the axis 113. In FIG. 6, the solid line represents the maximum extension position of the arm 31 and the broken line the retraction position.
The walls 124, 125 of the slots 123 in contact with the rollers 121 have substantially the form of circle involutes. An involute is the geometrical locus of a point of a line D which rolls without sliding on a circle C. In the present case, the line D is the axis of the rod 34 and the circle C is centered on the center of rotation of the arm 31, i.e. the axis of the pivot 113, and tangent to the axis of the rod 34. During the rotation of the arm 31, a point connected to the rod 34 and in contact with a side plate of the arm 31 will thus describe an involute. These curves have the property of having a tangent which is constantly perpendicular to the line D, i.e. in this case to the rod 34. The advantage is that a force can be transmitted to the arm without introducing any radial component on the actuating rod 34.
It will also be noted, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, that a leaf spring 43a forming part of the loading device 43 mentioned above is fixed on the sonde body member 29 in the vicinity of the pivot 110 of the upper arm 32 and that it passes between the hooks 111, 112 of the arm 31. Further, the rod 34 traverses, on each side of the engagement zone with the arm 31, cases 125, 126 within which are mounted the joints 45 mentioned above. The oil placed under the pressure of the drilling mud by the compensation device 47 can flow up to the end of the rod 34 through a central passage 127.
Also represented in FIG. 6 are conducted 130 carried by the arms 32, which connect the pad 30 to the cartridge 22 and, in FIG. 7, sheaths 131 receiving the electrical conductors which connect the cartridge 22 to the detection section and to the anchoring section, notably for the control of the motor 35.
FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the loading device 43. The leaf spring 43a mentioned above with reference to FIG. 6, which is fixed at one end to the sonde body member, acts through its opposite end 133 on a web part 134 of the arm 31 placed between the side plates, a relative sliding between the end 133 and the part 134 occurring during the swiveling of the arm 31. A second spring 43b, made up of a single leaf and hence lighter than the spring 43a, is fixed by one end 135 to another web piece 136 of the arm 31, placed closer to the pivot 113 than the part 134. The other end 137 of the spring 43b acts on the upper arm 32 in the vicinity of its end, also with a sliding when the arms swivel.
FIG. 8 shows in greater detail the anchoring pad 30. The pad 30, as was seen, is mounted at the end of the upper arm 32 and the lower arm 31, only one side plate of which is shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8, said side plates surrounding the pad.
The pad 30 comprises a hollow body 140 on the inside and a wear plate 141 intended to come into contact with the wall, fixed on the pad body 140. The wear plate 141 is provided on its surface with grooves in order to optimize its anchoring in the wall.
The pad body 140 is connected to the upper arm 32 by a pivot 142. It also comprises, substantially in its middle, openings 143 made in its side walls. The openings 143 have the form of rectangles with rounded apexes, and receive a pivot 144 connected to the side plates of the lower arm 31.
A force transducer, designated as a whole by the reference 150, is housed in the pad body 140. This transducer, shown in greater detail in FIG. 9, has strain gauges as its sensistive elements. It includes a pressure-resistant sheath 151 of rectangular section within which is placed a bending element 152 carrying the strain gauges 153.
The sheath 151 is extended on the upper side by two side plates 154 provided with holes 155 which snugly receive the pivot 144 connected to the arm 31. The sheath 151 also has, roughly in its middle, two rollers 158 engaged in elongated slots 159 formed in the lateral walls of the pad body. In the vicinity of its lower end, the sheath 151 has a hole 160 in which is engaged a rod 161 whose ends penetrate respectively into the slots 159.
Summarizing, the pad body 140 is mounted swivelably in relation to the upper arm 32 and it is connected to the lower arm 31 through the force transducer 150 which, on the one hand, can move in translation relative to the pad body and, on the other, is connected to the arm 31 by the pivot 144, the clearance between the pivot 144 and the pad body being limited by the edges of the openings 143 formed in the pad body. The result is that the pad has the possibility of rocking slightly in one direction or the other in relation to the middle position, parallel to the axis of the sonde, which is that shown in FIG. 8. When the pad moves away from its middle position, the upper arm 32 swivels slightly in relation to the sonde while moving away from its position parallel to the lower arm 31.
This ability to rock enables the pad 30 to mate closely with the borehole wall even if this wall has an irregularity at the point of contact with the pad. This is advantageous for obtaining good anchoring. In addition, the forces on the pad will be distributed regularly over its entire surface so that the measurement carried out by means of the force transducer, which is related to the force at the level of the pivot 144, will be representative of the force on the entire pad.
It will be noted that the design of the loading device, with the two springs 43a and 43b, eliminates the risk of the arm-pad assembly jamming in the retracted position which could have resulted from the rocking of the pad.
As concerns the force transducer, it should be indicated that the bending element has a lower end 165 similar to a ball joint engaged in the bottom of the recess formed inside the sheath 151. The strain gauges 153 are placed on inclined flat portions 166 formed on the opposite sides of the bending element. On each flat portion are placed two gauges, and the four gages are connected in a "complete bridge" arrangement in a manner which is customary in the technique of strain gauge measurements. The bending element has conduits such as 167 for the passage of electric conductors 168 connecting the circuit of the gauges to four connectors 169 (two for the power supply and two for transmitting the detection signal) which go through a sealing block 170 fixed to the sheath 151. Conductors, not shown in FIG. 8 and carried by the arm 32, connect these connectors to the electronic cartridge 22.
The force transducer thus inserted into the pad furnishes an indication of the actual force on the pad. The measurement of the anchoring force furnished by the transducer gives excellent reproducibility because, since what is involved is a measurement made directly at the level of the pad, the error factors are minimized. This measurement is used for stopping the operation of the motor 35 when the anchoring force has reached a given value considered as satisfactory. This value is chosen in a suitable manner equal to about twice the weight of the sonde in air.
In addition, the measurement value furnished by the transducer is transmitted via the cartridge 24 to the surface equipment, making it possible to monitor the quality of the anchoring during the series of firings carried out at the same level. It may occur, particularly in soft formations, that the anchoring force decreases after a few firings. Thanks to the transducer mounted on the pad, this decrease will be detected and it will be possible to remedy the situation by restarting the motor, which will stop automatically once the anchoring force has come back to the desired value. Such a possibility is of great value considering the fact that, as was seen, the anchoring force is an essential parameter for the quality of the seismic detection signals.
The pad also has a device 180 designed to emit an electric current to evaluate the resistivity of the surface zone of the formation traversed by the borehole. This device, shown in greater detail in FIG. 10, includes an electrode 181 in conducting material placed on an insulation 182 itself contained in a hollow of a support 183 in conducting material acting as a ground. This support has a conduit for the passage of an electric conductor 184 connected to the electrode 181. The return of the electric current thus emitted can be effected by the connection head 23 connecting the cartridge 22 to the cable 13. It is thus possible to obtain a microresistivity log which may be correlated with other logs carried out in the same borehole to determine accurately the depth of the anchoring levels.
The operation of the sonde described above will now be described during a complete measurement cycle.
The sonde is lowered into the borehole with the arms 31, 32 in the retracted position. In this position, the motor 35 is not supplied and is blocked by its brake 37. The coupling device is clutched, i.e. the toothed plates 85, 86 are engaged and the bushing 88 is up against the part 107. The resistant torque furnished by the motor opposes the extension of the arms under the action of the leaf spring 43. Each of the rollers 66 occupies an advanced position F in the section 68a of its cam slot, in contact with the lower wall L of said section.
When the sonde reaches the level H 1 corresponding to the first measurement planned, the motor 35 is started up in the counterclockwise direction. The arms 31, 32 can then move away under the action of the leaf springs 43. In this extension phase, the motor 35 acts only to limit the arm extension speed. The rollers 66 are kept in contact with the lower walls L by the action of the springs 43, so that the spring 52 cannot act to move the bushing 88 away from the stop 107.
When the pad 30 comes into contact with the borehole wall, the action of the springs 43 ceases. With the motor 35 continuing to rotate in the same direction, the rollers 66 come into contact with the upper walls H of the sections 68a of the cam slots. The spring 52 then drives the bushing 88 away from its contact with the stop 107 and also the sleeve 65. The friction ring 71 moved with the sleeve rubs against the conical surface 75.
When the bushing 88 comes up against the circlip 90, the action of the spring 52 ceases. The pursual of the rotation of the motor 35, since the rotation of the sleeve 65 is blocked by the friction of the ring 71, causes a movement of the wheels 66 in the cam slots toward the middle portion 68c (position D of wheels). The sleeve 65 thus moves in the direction of the reducer, this movement bringing about complete decoupling of the toothed plates 85, 86. The device is thus placed in the unclutched position. When the sleeve 65 reaches the end position shown in FIG. 4, the microswitch 82 is energized and the pulse produced stops the motor 35.
To anchor the pad in the wall, the motor 35 is started up again, still in the opposite direction. The wheels 66 then advance in the sections 68b of the cam slots. The toothed plate 85 comes into contact with the plate 86. During this first movement of the sleeve, the friction ring 71 is not moved.
With the rotation of the motor continuing, the rollers 66 continue to advance and the sleeve 65 drives the bushing 88 against the action of the spring 52. With this, the circlip 80 drives the friction ring 71 back so that the friction which prevented the sleeve 65 from turning disappears gradually. However, the motor torque is not really transmitted to the bushing 88 until the latter is in contact with the stop 107. Until then, the motor torque has served only to overcome the action of the spring 52. When this contact takes place, the rollers 66 have reached their end position A in the sections 68b.
As of this contact, the coupling device being in the clutched position, the motor torque is transmitted to the screw 40. The rod 34 connected to the nut 41 moves in the direction of the reducer to anchor the pad in the wall. This movement of the rod is very limited, of the order of a few millimeters.
The transducer 150 sends to the cartridge 22 a signal representative of the anchoring force on the pad. When the force reaches the above-mentioned predetermined value, corresponding to a satisfactory anchoring, the cartridge 22 stops the motor 35.
The phase which follows is the seismic acquisition phase proper at the considered level. Several successive firings are carried out by means of the source 11, and the seismic waves which are propagated on the formations are detected by the detection section. The detection signals produced following the respective firings are transmitted by the cartridge 24 and the cable 13 to the surface equipment 16 where they are recorded on a graphic medium and on magnetic tape.
Throughout this phase, the position of the elements of the anchoring section does not vary: motor blocked by its brake, coupling device clutched. The only difference compared with the retracted position is that the rollers 66 are in the slot sections 68b instead of being in the slot sections 68a.
As indicated above, the monitoring of the anchoring force makes it possible to remedy any reduction in this force during the seismic acquisition. To accomplish this, it is sufficient to start up the motor 35 again, still in the opposite direction. The motor will be stopped as soon as the anchoring force reaches the desired value.
After this measurement phase, the pad 30 must be dislodged from the wall. The motor 35 is started up in the clockwise direction (direct direction), thereby ending the action of the brake 37. As long as a force on the pad due to the elasticity of the formation is exerted in the disanchoring direction on the screw 40, the rollers 66 remain in the position A. When this force is cancelled, the spring 52 drives back the bushing 88 out of contact with the stop 107. The corresponding movement of the sleeve 65 allows the friction ring 71 to come back into contact with the conical surface 75. The action of the spring 52 ceases when the bushing 88 comes up against the circlip 90. The rotation of the sleeve 65 is then blocked and, owing to the rotation of the motor, the sleeve undergoes a translation in the direction of the reducer, after which the toothed plate 85 ceases to be engaged with the toothed plate 86.
At the end of this movement, the rollers 66 have reached the position D in the central part of the cam slots, and the sleeve 65 actuates the switch 82 so that the motor 35 stops. The pad 30 is kept in contact with the borehole wall by the springs 43.
The next phase is the movement of the sonde from the level H 1 to a second measurement level H 2 , by winding the cable 13 on its winch. During this movement, the motor 35 remains stopped, the coupling device remains in the unclutched position, the rollers 66 remaining in position D, and the pad slides over the borehole wall, the contact being maintained with the wall by the springs 43.
During this movement, the electrode 181 thus remains in contact with the wall. It is supplied with current throughout the movement. The current which flows through the formation is, as seen, indicative of the resistivity of a zone of small thickness around the borehole.
When the sonde has reached the second measurement level H 2 , the anchoring, seismic acquisition and disanchoring operations are repeated and the sonde is brought up to a third measurement level H 3 , and so on.
It will be observed that since the pad remains constantly in contact with the wall, the only mechanical operations to be carried out at each level are the anchoring and disanchoring of the pad, and that there is no need to extend and retract the arms carrying the pad at each level. This represents a time saving, especially as the total number of measurement levels for a complete cycle can be more than a hundred.
Once the disanchoring of the pad is completed at the last measurement level, the arms 31, 32 must be retracted to bring the sonde back up to the surface. For this purpose, the motor 35 is started up in the direct direction. The rotation of the sleeve 65 is initially blocked by the friction ring 71, and the rollers 66 in the position D corresponding to unclutching.
Owing to the rotation of the motor, the wheels advance in the groove section 68a.
The sleeve 65 moves until contact is made between the toothed plates 85, 86 then, with the springs 43 exerting a resistant torque on the bushing 88, the sleeve 65 continues its travel while driving back the bushing 88 against the action of the spring 52. When the bushing 88 comes into contact with the stop 107, the motor torque is transmitted to the bushing 88 and overcomes the resistant torque offered by the springs 43 to cause the swivelling of the arms 32, 32 up to their retracted position along the sonde body member. | The present invention relates to the acquisition of seismic signals at different levels in a borehole, in response to the generation of seismic waves by a source placed on the surface or in the vicinity of the surface. The acquisition is carried out by means of a sonde suspended in the borehole from a cable and equipped with an anchoring pad. At each acquisition level, the pad is anchored in the borehole wall to couple the sonde to the formation, and then the pad is released from the wall once the acquisition is over. The signals acquired are then sent to the surface by means of the cable. The force with which the pad is anchored in the wall is controlled by means of a feedback arrangement which includes a sensor arranged in the pad itself. During the sonde movements from one level to another, the pad is kept in contact with the wall. | Summarize the patent document, focusing on the invention's functionality and advantages. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the acquisition, at different levels in a borehole, of seismic signals generated by a source placed in the vicinity of the surface opening of the borehole.",
"When the seismic waves produced by a source are recorded by means of a detector at different levels in a borehole, a series of seismic signals is obtained which are gathered, after suitable processing, to form a vertical seismic profile.",
"The analysis of such a profile provides precious information on the structure of the geological formations traversed by the borehole, and notably on the position and the dip of the reflecting layers, including those which are located at a depth from the surface greater than the borehole bottom.",
"For a complete analysis, the recordings must be carried out at a very large number of different levels, for example 200 or more.",
"This takes a very long time, especially as several measurements are carried out at each level in order to improve the quality of the signals.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to accomplish the acquisition of seismic signals in a borehole in an optimum manner relative to both the speed of acquisition and the quality of the signals acquired.",
"The object of the invention, according to one aspect, is a method for seismic signal acquisition at successive levels in a borehole, comprising the following operations: (i) to a first level is lowered, by means of a cable, a sonde comprising an elongated body member, seismic wave detection means and an anchoring pad placed at the end of a support arm articulated on the body member and subject to extension under a spring force, said arm being maintained in the retracted position substantially along the body member during the lowering;",
"(ii) at a desired level, in the borehole, the arm is deployed to place the pad in contact with the borehole wall;",
"(iii) through the arm, a force is applied capable of anchoring the pad to the wall;",
"(iv) a seismic wave source is actuated to produce at least one detection signal;",
"(v) through the arm, a force is applied capable of releasing the pad from its anchored position on the wall;",
"(vi) the sonde is raised by means of the cable to another level, the pad remaining in contact with the wall under the action of the extended arm;",
"and (vii) the sequence of operations (iii) to (vi) is repeated for the next levels.",
"By keeping the support arm in the extended position during the movements between successive levels a significant time saving is effected since it is thus possible to avoid having to retract the arm at the end of the measurements at one level and to extend it upon reaching the next level.",
"This characteristic of the arm extension mechanism is moreover exploited to obtain a log of the formations during these movements from level to level, for example a microresistivity measurement may be obtained by means of an electrode placed on the pad which remains constantly in contact with the wall.",
"This additional measurement makes it possible to determine accurately the depth of the different seismic measurement levels, by, for example, correlation between this log and other logs carried out in the same borehole.",
"According to another aspect, it is the object of the invention to provide a sonde for seismic signal acquisition at different levels in a borehole, comprising: an elongated body member;",
"seismic wave detection means placed in the body member;",
"a pad designed to be anchored in the borehole wall;",
"a pad support articulated on the body member and capable of occupying a retracted position substantially along the body member;",
"an elastic device acting to extend the pad away from the body member;",
"a drive device capable of furnishing a torque in both directions of rotation;",
"a clutch device mounted at the output of the drive device;",
"and a transmission device mounted between the output of the clutch device and the pad support to extend the pad away from or retract it toward the body member according to the direction of the torque.",
"In accordance with one aspect of the invention the force which is applied to the pad, through its support, is effected by means of a drive device placed in the body.",
"This force, exerted on the pad, is constantly measured by means of a force transducer placed in the pad, and the drive device is stopped when the force value thus measured reaches a given value.",
"Preferably this value is selected to be equal to about twice the weight of the sonde in air.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject invention will be better understood through the following description given with reference to the appended drawings.",
"In the drawings: FIG. 1 represents an installation for seismic prospecting in a borehole;",
"FIG. 2 illustrates in a larger scale the seismic acquisition sonde represented in FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the sonde anchoring section;",
"FIG. 4 illustrates, in axial section, the anchoring section device;",
"FIG. 5 illustrates a detail of the coupling device;",
"FIG. 6 represents the articulation of the anchoring arm on the sonde;",
"FIG. 7 is a section along the plane VII--VII of FIG. 6;",
"FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of the anchoring pad;",
"FIG. 9 illustrates the force transducer housed in the pad;",
"FIG. 10 illustrates the electrode device housed in the pad.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 is represented an exploratory borehole 10 going through geological formations.",
"A seismic wave source 11 such as an air gun is placed on the surface with a certain offset in relation to the surface opening or head of the borehole.",
"The seismic shocks produced by the source are detected by means of a seismic acquisition sonde 12 lowered into the borehole.",
"The sonde 12 is suspended from the end of an electric cable 13 which runs over pulleys on the drilling tower 14 and is wound on a winch 15 carried by surface equipment 16.",
"The surface equipment furnishes the sonde 12, through the cable 13, with electric power supply and control signals necessary for its operation.",
"The returning seismic signals produced by the sonde are carried to the surface by the cable and recorded by the surface equipment.",
"A device shown schematically at 17, associated with the winch 15, measures the travel of the cable and makes it possible to determine the depth of the sonde in order to match each seismic signal recorded with the depth of the sonde during the recording.",
"As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sonde 12 comprises essentially four sections;",
"a detection section 20, an anchoring section 21 over the section 20 designed to ensure proper coupling of the detection section with the geological formation, an upper electronic cartridge 22 connected to the cable by a connection head 23, and an electronic cartridge 24 forming the lower end of the sonde.",
"The cartridge 24 is connected electrically to the head 23 and contains circuits for the pre-processing of the detection signals produced by the section 20 and a telemetering device constituting the interface with the cable 13 for signal transmission.",
"The upper cartridge 22 furnishes the power supply voltage to the anchoring section according to the signals addressed by the surface equipment and by other sections of the sonde.",
"The detection section 20 comprises at least one detector such as a geophone or an accelerometer.",
"In a suitable manner are provided three such detectors placed in a triaxial configuration.",
"To obtain signals of satisfactory quality, it is indespensable to couple the detection section in an optimum manner with the formation.",
"To accomplish this, the anchoring section comprises a pad 30, designed to be anchored in the borehole wall, carried by two arms 31 and 32 articulated on the sonde body member and at least substantially parallel.",
"On the side opposite the anchoring pad, the detection section and the cartridge 22 include respective bearing elements 33 and 33a furnishing a suitable contact surface with the wall.",
"FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of the anchoring section.",
"The anchoring force is transmitted to the pad 30 through the lower arm 31.",
"The swiveling of the arm 31 is produced by the travel of an actuating rod 34.",
"The connection between the arm 31 and the rod 34 will be described in detail below.",
"The anchoring force is furnished by a reversible asynchronous motor 35 of the torque motor type equipped with an output reducer 36 and an electromagnetic brake 37 active in the absence of current.",
"The output shaft 38 of the reducer 36 is connected via a coupling device 39, which will be described in detail below, to a ball screw 40 engaging with a nut 41 which drives the actuating rod 34.",
"In addition, a loading device 43 loads the arms 31, 32 constantly in their outward extension direction.",
"Also shown schematically in FIG. 3 is a potentiometer 44 which makes it possible to measure the movement of the nut 41 and hence the distance between the anchoring pad and the sonde, this distance being indicative of the borehole diameter.",
"Joints 45 allow the travel movement of the rod 34 while preventing ingress of drilling mud into the internal space 46 containing the motor assembly 35-38, the coupling device 39 and the screw-nut system 40-41.",
"A pressure compensation device 47 of a well known type in logging sondes is placed at the lower end of the anchoring section.",
"Its function is to place the internal space 46 in pressure equilibrium with the drilling mud.",
"Pressure on the opposite faces of the joints 45 is thus substantially the same.",
"The coupling device 39 as represented in FIG. 3 comprises essentially a clutch device 50, a mechanical logic 51 controlling clutch engagement or disengagement according to the direction of rotation of the motor and the forces exerted on the pad, a spring 52 and a stop 53, and a torque limiter 54.",
"These elements will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.",
"In FIG. 4 is shown the reducer 36 and its output shaft 38, on one side, and the end of the ball screw 40 on the opposite side.",
"Also shown is the external sheath 55 forming part of the sonde body member and a tubular envelope 56 attached to the sheath 55.",
"The shaft 38 includes a splined portion 57 and an end portion 58 of smaller diameter which is threaded.",
"On the end of the shaft 38 is screwed a ring 60.",
"A bushing 61 slidingly surrounds the ring 60 and includes splines 61a engaging with the splines of the shaft portion 57;",
"the bushing 61 being up against the case of the reducer 36.",
"The ring 60 and the bushing 61 thus rotate with the shaft 38.",
"A pin 62 goes through the bushing 61 and into a groove 63 formed on the periphery of the ring 60.",
"This pin allows the extraction of the bushing 61 when the ring 60 is unscrewed.",
"Around the bushing 61 is placed a clutch sleeve 65.",
"The sleeve 65 is connected to the bushing 61 by the engagement of two diametrically opposite rollers 66 mounted on respective studs 67 fixed on the sleeve 65.",
"The studs 67 are fixed in respective helical cam slots 68 formed in the outer periphery of the bushing 61.",
"FIG. 5 shows, in a developed view, the form of the slots 68.",
"Each cam slot 68 comprises two sections 68a, 68b symmetrical with respect to a generatrix G of the bushing.",
"The sections 68a, 68b meet on the side of the drive shaft in the central portion 68c.",
"The preferred value for the angle between the cam slot sections 68a and 68b is about 90°, as shown in FIG. 5. Means are provided for blocking the rotation of the sleeve 65 when its axial position is within a given range so that the rotation of the shaft 38 and hence of the bushing 61 causes the traveling of the sleeve 65.",
"For this purpose, the sleeve 65 includes, on the drive side, a part 70 of smaller outer diameter than the part which carries the studs 67.",
"In the annular space thus provided between the sleeve and the fixed envelope 56 is placed a friction ring 71 connected in rotation with the sleeve 65 but mobile axially in relation to this sleeve.",
"The ring 71 includes, internally, an axial keyway 72 into which is engaged a key 73 fixed on the sleeve 65.",
"The friction ring 71 has an outer surface 74 of spherical form, and the inner surface of the envelope 56 opposite the ring 71 has a truncated part 75.",
"A helical spring 77 is mounted between the shoulder terminating the small-diameter part 70 and the frinction ring 71.",
"When the surfaces 74, 75 are in contact, as shown in FIG. 3, the friction due to the force exerted by the spring 77 is such that the sleeve 65 is prevented from turning with the bushing 61.",
"A rotation of the bushing 61 will then cause the sleeve 65 to travel.",
"Furthermore, a circlip 80 is mounted in a groove in the vicinity of the reducer side end of the sleeve 65.",
"This circlip is used to push the friction ring 71 against the action of the spring 77 after a certain axial movement of the sleeve, thereby providing a lost motion-connection between the ring 77 and the sleeve 65.",
"The movement of the ring 71 resulting therefrom causes the friction between the surfaces 74, 75 to disappear and enables the sleeve 65 to be driven in rotation by the shaft.",
"Moreover, an electric contact 82 connected to the tubular envelope 56 is placed in the vicinity of the reducer 36.",
"This contact is actuated by the sleeve 65 when the latter occupies its end position near the reducer.",
"The pulse produced by this contact serves to cut off the power supply of the motor 35.",
"The sleeve 65 includes, at its end opposite the reducer, a toothed plate 85 designed to mesh with a toothed plate 86 formed on a counter-ring 87.",
"The toothed plates 85 and 86 comprise radial teeth of triangular section.",
"The counter-ring 87 is mounted rotatably around a splined bushing 88 rotable with the screw 40, whose end 89 comprises corresponding splines.",
"Stop circlips 90 and 91 are mounted respectively on the screw 40 and on the bushing 88 to serve as an axial stop respectively for the housing 88 and the counter-ring 87.",
"On the opposite side, the radial surface of the counter-ring 87 is separated by a small clearance from a collar 92 extending the bushing 88 radially.",
"The collar 92 comprises a plurality of axially directed holes 95 each of which receives a ball 96, and the counter-ring 87 comprises similarly a plurality of radial grooves 97 into which the balls 96 penetrate respectively.",
"Each of the balls 96 is loaded elastically against the bottom of the corresponding groove 97 by a helical spring 98 bearing on a U-section ring 99, this ring being blocked in rotation in relation to the bushing 88.",
"The ring 99 is positioned axially by an adjustment ring 100 screwed on the threaded outer surface of the collar 92 and comprising a radial portion 101 in contact with the ring 99.",
"The assembly made up of the bushing 88, the balls 96 and the elements 98-100 constitutes the above-mentioned torque limiter.",
"In fact, the balls 96 maintained against the bottom of the grooves 97 by the action of the springs 98 transmit normally the torque of the counter-ring 87 to the bushing 88.",
"However, after a certain value, the balls move away from the bottom of the grooves, compressing the springs 98, and the torque is no longer transmitted.",
"A ring 105 is screwed on a threaded part 106 of the screw 40, following the end 89.",
"The ring 105 comprises successively, from the end of the screw, a small-diameter portion 107 which, with its radial end face, forms a stop for the bushing 88 and constitutes the stop 53 mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3, an intermediate-diameter portion 109 and a larger-diameter part 110 which serves as a support for the helical spring 52 also mentioned above, said spring acting on the radial portion 101 of the adjustment ring 100, and hence indirectly on the counter-ring 87 carrying the toothed plate 86.",
"The screw-nut system 40, 41 has no particular feature requiring a detailed description.",
"The nut 41 is, in a classical manner, required to move only in translation, so that a rotation of the ball screw 40 in one direction causes a translation of the nut 41 in the corresponding direction.",
"FIGS. 6 and 7 show in greater detail the articulation of the arms 31 and 32 on the sonde.",
"The upper arm 32 is connected to the sonde body member 29 by a pivot 110.",
"The lower arm 31 which transmits the forces to the pad 30 is made up of two identical parallel side plates connected by spacers such as 109, which are extended by identical hooks 111, 112 spaces away from each other.",
"The hooks 111, 112 are transversed by a pivot 113 connected to the sonde body member, the pins of the pivots 110 and 113 being perpendicular to the axis of the sonde and equidistant from this axis.",
"The hooks 111, 112 surround, at their end, a part 115 of the actuating rod 34, said part comprising flat portions 116 parallel to the pivoting plane of the arm 31.",
"On each side of this part 115 are fixed rollers 121.",
"The hooks 111, 112 each comprise an elongated slot 123 engaged around a roller 121 so that a movement of the rod 34 causes a swivelling of the arm 31 around the axis 113.",
"In FIG. 6, the solid line represents the maximum extension position of the arm 31 and the broken line the retraction position.",
"The walls 124, 125 of the slots 123 in contact with the rollers 121 have substantially the form of circle involutes.",
"An involute is the geometrical locus of a point of a line D which rolls without sliding on a circle C. In the present case, the line D is the axis of the rod 34 and the circle C is centered on the center of rotation of the arm 31, i.e. the axis of the pivot 113, and tangent to the axis of the rod 34.",
"During the rotation of the arm 31, a point connected to the rod 34 and in contact with a side plate of the arm 31 will thus describe an involute.",
"These curves have the property of having a tangent which is constantly perpendicular to the line D, i.e. in this case to the rod 34.",
"The advantage is that a force can be transmitted to the arm without introducing any radial component on the actuating rod 34.",
"It will also be noted, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, that a leaf spring 43a forming part of the loading device 43 mentioned above is fixed on the sonde body member 29 in the vicinity of the pivot 110 of the upper arm 32 and that it passes between the hooks 111, 112 of the arm 31.",
"Further, the rod 34 traverses, on each side of the engagement zone with the arm 31, cases 125, 126 within which are mounted the joints 45 mentioned above.",
"The oil placed under the pressure of the drilling mud by the compensation device 47 can flow up to the end of the rod 34 through a central passage 127.",
"Also represented in FIG. 6 are conducted 130 carried by the arms 32, which connect the pad 30 to the cartridge 22 and, in FIG. 7, sheaths 131 receiving the electrical conductors which connect the cartridge 22 to the detection section and to the anchoring section, notably for the control of the motor 35.",
"FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the loading device 43.",
"The leaf spring 43a mentioned above with reference to FIG. 6, which is fixed at one end to the sonde body member, acts through its opposite end 133 on a web part 134 of the arm 31 placed between the side plates, a relative sliding between the end 133 and the part 134 occurring during the swiveling of the arm 31.",
"A second spring 43b, made up of a single leaf and hence lighter than the spring 43a, is fixed by one end 135 to another web piece 136 of the arm 31, placed closer to the pivot 113 than the part 134.",
"The other end 137 of the spring 43b acts on the upper arm 32 in the vicinity of its end, also with a sliding when the arms swivel.",
"FIG. 8 shows in greater detail the anchoring pad 30.",
"The pad 30, as was seen, is mounted at the end of the upper arm 32 and the lower arm 31, only one side plate of which is shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8, said side plates surrounding the pad.",
"The pad 30 comprises a hollow body 140 on the inside and a wear plate 141 intended to come into contact with the wall, fixed on the pad body 140.",
"The wear plate 141 is provided on its surface with grooves in order to optimize its anchoring in the wall.",
"The pad body 140 is connected to the upper arm 32 by a pivot 142.",
"It also comprises, substantially in its middle, openings 143 made in its side walls.",
"The openings 143 have the form of rectangles with rounded apexes, and receive a pivot 144 connected to the side plates of the lower arm 31.",
"A force transducer, designated as a whole by the reference 150, is housed in the pad body 140.",
"This transducer, shown in greater detail in FIG. 9, has strain gauges as its sensistive elements.",
"It includes a pressure-resistant sheath 151 of rectangular section within which is placed a bending element 152 carrying the strain gauges 153.",
"The sheath 151 is extended on the upper side by two side plates 154 provided with holes 155 which snugly receive the pivot 144 connected to the arm 31.",
"The sheath 151 also has, roughly in its middle, two rollers 158 engaged in elongated slots 159 formed in the lateral walls of the pad body.",
"In the vicinity of its lower end, the sheath 151 has a hole 160 in which is engaged a rod 161 whose ends penetrate respectively into the slots 159.",
"Summarizing, the pad body 140 is mounted swivelably in relation to the upper arm 32 and it is connected to the lower arm 31 through the force transducer 150 which, on the one hand, can move in translation relative to the pad body and, on the other, is connected to the arm 31 by the pivot 144, the clearance between the pivot 144 and the pad body being limited by the edges of the openings 143 formed in the pad body.",
"The result is that the pad has the possibility of rocking slightly in one direction or the other in relation to the middle position, parallel to the axis of the sonde, which is that shown in FIG. 8. When the pad moves away from its middle position, the upper arm 32 swivels slightly in relation to the sonde while moving away from its position parallel to the lower arm 31.",
"This ability to rock enables the pad 30 to mate closely with the borehole wall even if this wall has an irregularity at the point of contact with the pad.",
"This is advantageous for obtaining good anchoring.",
"In addition, the forces on the pad will be distributed regularly over its entire surface so that the measurement carried out by means of the force transducer, which is related to the force at the level of the pivot 144, will be representative of the force on the entire pad.",
"It will be noted that the design of the loading device, with the two springs 43a and 43b, eliminates the risk of the arm-pad assembly jamming in the retracted position which could have resulted from the rocking of the pad.",
"As concerns the force transducer, it should be indicated that the bending element has a lower end 165 similar to a ball joint engaged in the bottom of the recess formed inside the sheath 151.",
"The strain gauges 153 are placed on inclined flat portions 166 formed on the opposite sides of the bending element.",
"On each flat portion are placed two gauges, and the four gages are connected in a "complete bridge"",
"arrangement in a manner which is customary in the technique of strain gauge measurements.",
"The bending element has conduits such as 167 for the passage of electric conductors 168 connecting the circuit of the gauges to four connectors 169 (two for the power supply and two for transmitting the detection signal) which go through a sealing block 170 fixed to the sheath 151.",
"Conductors, not shown in FIG. 8 and carried by the arm 32, connect these connectors to the electronic cartridge 22.",
"The force transducer thus inserted into the pad furnishes an indication of the actual force on the pad.",
"The measurement of the anchoring force furnished by the transducer gives excellent reproducibility because, since what is involved is a measurement made directly at the level of the pad, the error factors are minimized.",
"This measurement is used for stopping the operation of the motor 35 when the anchoring force has reached a given value considered as satisfactory.",
"This value is chosen in a suitable manner equal to about twice the weight of the sonde in air.",
"In addition, the measurement value furnished by the transducer is transmitted via the cartridge 24 to the surface equipment, making it possible to monitor the quality of the anchoring during the series of firings carried out at the same level.",
"It may occur, particularly in soft formations, that the anchoring force decreases after a few firings.",
"Thanks to the transducer mounted on the pad, this decrease will be detected and it will be possible to remedy the situation by restarting the motor, which will stop automatically once the anchoring force has come back to the desired value.",
"Such a possibility is of great value considering the fact that, as was seen, the anchoring force is an essential parameter for the quality of the seismic detection signals.",
"The pad also has a device 180 designed to emit an electric current to evaluate the resistivity of the surface zone of the formation traversed by the borehole.",
"This device, shown in greater detail in FIG. 10, includes an electrode 181 in conducting material placed on an insulation 182 itself contained in a hollow of a support 183 in conducting material acting as a ground.",
"This support has a conduit for the passage of an electric conductor 184 connected to the electrode 181.",
"The return of the electric current thus emitted can be effected by the connection head 23 connecting the cartridge 22 to the cable 13.",
"It is thus possible to obtain a microresistivity log which may be correlated with other logs carried out in the same borehole to determine accurately the depth of the anchoring levels.",
"The operation of the sonde described above will now be described during a complete measurement cycle.",
"The sonde is lowered into the borehole with the arms 31, 32 in the retracted position.",
"In this position, the motor 35 is not supplied and is blocked by its brake 37.",
"The coupling device is clutched, i.e. the toothed plates 85, 86 are engaged and the bushing 88 is up against the part 107.",
"The resistant torque furnished by the motor opposes the extension of the arms under the action of the leaf spring 43.",
"Each of the rollers 66 occupies an advanced position F in the section 68a of its cam slot, in contact with the lower wall L of said section.",
"When the sonde reaches the level H 1 corresponding to the first measurement planned, the motor 35 is started up in the counterclockwise direction.",
"The arms 31, 32 can then move away under the action of the leaf springs 43.",
"In this extension phase, the motor 35 acts only to limit the arm extension speed.",
"The rollers 66 are kept in contact with the lower walls L by the action of the springs 43, so that the spring 52 cannot act to move the bushing 88 away from the stop 107.",
"When the pad 30 comes into contact with the borehole wall, the action of the springs 43 ceases.",
"With the motor 35 continuing to rotate in the same direction, the rollers 66 come into contact with the upper walls H of the sections 68a of the cam slots.",
"The spring 52 then drives the bushing 88 away from its contact with the stop 107 and also the sleeve 65.",
"The friction ring 71 moved with the sleeve rubs against the conical surface 75.",
"When the bushing 88 comes up against the circlip 90, the action of the spring 52 ceases.",
"The pursual of the rotation of the motor 35, since the rotation of the sleeve 65 is blocked by the friction of the ring 71, causes a movement of the wheels 66 in the cam slots toward the middle portion 68c (position D of wheels).",
"The sleeve 65 thus moves in the direction of the reducer, this movement bringing about complete decoupling of the toothed plates 85, 86.",
"The device is thus placed in the unclutched position.",
"When the sleeve 65 reaches the end position shown in FIG. 4, the microswitch 82 is energized and the pulse produced stops the motor 35.",
"To anchor the pad in the wall, the motor 35 is started up again, still in the opposite direction.",
"The wheels 66 then advance in the sections 68b of the cam slots.",
"The toothed plate 85 comes into contact with the plate 86.",
"During this first movement of the sleeve, the friction ring 71 is not moved.",
"With the rotation of the motor continuing, the rollers 66 continue to advance and the sleeve 65 drives the bushing 88 against the action of the spring 52.",
"With this, the circlip 80 drives the friction ring 71 back so that the friction which prevented the sleeve 65 from turning disappears gradually.",
"However, the motor torque is not really transmitted to the bushing 88 until the latter is in contact with the stop 107.",
"Until then, the motor torque has served only to overcome the action of the spring 52.",
"When this contact takes place, the rollers 66 have reached their end position A in the sections 68b.",
"As of this contact, the coupling device being in the clutched position, the motor torque is transmitted to the screw 40.",
"The rod 34 connected to the nut 41 moves in the direction of the reducer to anchor the pad in the wall.",
"This movement of the rod is very limited, of the order of a few millimeters.",
"The transducer 150 sends to the cartridge 22 a signal representative of the anchoring force on the pad.",
"When the force reaches the above-mentioned predetermined value, corresponding to a satisfactory anchoring, the cartridge 22 stops the motor 35.",
"The phase which follows is the seismic acquisition phase proper at the considered level.",
"Several successive firings are carried out by means of the source 11, and the seismic waves which are propagated on the formations are detected by the detection section.",
"The detection signals produced following the respective firings are transmitted by the cartridge 24 and the cable 13 to the surface equipment 16 where they are recorded on a graphic medium and on magnetic tape.",
"Throughout this phase, the position of the elements of the anchoring section does not vary: motor blocked by its brake, coupling device clutched.",
"The only difference compared with the retracted position is that the rollers 66 are in the slot sections 68b instead of being in the slot sections 68a.",
"As indicated above, the monitoring of the anchoring force makes it possible to remedy any reduction in this force during the seismic acquisition.",
"To accomplish this, it is sufficient to start up the motor 35 again, still in the opposite direction.",
"The motor will be stopped as soon as the anchoring force reaches the desired value.",
"After this measurement phase, the pad 30 must be dislodged from the wall.",
"The motor 35 is started up in the clockwise direction (direct direction), thereby ending the action of the brake 37.",
"As long as a force on the pad due to the elasticity of the formation is exerted in the disanchoring direction on the screw 40, the rollers 66 remain in the position A. When this force is cancelled, the spring 52 drives back the bushing 88 out of contact with the stop 107.",
"The corresponding movement of the sleeve 65 allows the friction ring 71 to come back into contact with the conical surface 75.",
"The action of the spring 52 ceases when the bushing 88 comes up against the circlip 90.",
"The rotation of the sleeve 65 is then blocked and, owing to the rotation of the motor, the sleeve undergoes a translation in the direction of the reducer, after which the toothed plate 85 ceases to be engaged with the toothed plate 86.",
"At the end of this movement, the rollers 66 have reached the position D in the central part of the cam slots, and the sleeve 65 actuates the switch 82 so that the motor 35 stops.",
"The pad 30 is kept in contact with the borehole wall by the springs 43.",
"The next phase is the movement of the sonde from the level H 1 to a second measurement level H 2 , by winding the cable 13 on its winch.",
"During this movement, the motor 35 remains stopped, the coupling device remains in the unclutched position, the rollers 66 remaining in position D, and the pad slides over the borehole wall, the contact being maintained with the wall by the springs 43.",
"During this movement, the electrode 181 thus remains in contact with the wall.",
"It is supplied with current throughout the movement.",
"The current which flows through the formation is, as seen, indicative of the resistivity of a zone of small thickness around the borehole.",
"When the sonde has reached the second measurement level H 2 , the anchoring, seismic acquisition and disanchoring operations are repeated and the sonde is brought up to a third measurement level H 3 , and so on.",
"It will be observed that since the pad remains constantly in contact with the wall, the only mechanical operations to be carried out at each level are the anchoring and disanchoring of the pad, and that there is no need to extend and retract the arms carrying the pad at each level.",
"This represents a time saving, especially as the total number of measurement levels for a complete cycle can be more than a hundred.",
"Once the disanchoring of the pad is completed at the last measurement level, the arms 31, 32 must be retracted to bring the sonde back up to the surface.",
"For this purpose, the motor 35 is started up in the direct direction.",
"The rotation of the sleeve 65 is initially blocked by the friction ring 71, and the rollers 66 in the position D corresponding to unclutching.",
"Owing to the rotation of the motor, the wheels advance in the groove section 68a.",
"The sleeve 65 moves until contact is made between the toothed plates 85, 86 then, with the springs 43 exerting a resistant torque on the bushing 88, the sleeve 65 continues its travel while driving back the bushing 88 against the action of the spring 52.",
"When the bushing 88 comes into contact with the stop 107, the motor torque is transmitted to the bushing 88 and overcomes the resistant torque offered by the springs 43 to cause the swivelling of the arms 32, 32 up to their retracted position along the sonde body member."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a lifting mechanism for wheel chairs. More particularly the invention is directed to a lifting mechanism for moving wheel chairs and their occupants into a stable position within a motor vehicle.
The concept of utilizing mechanisms for lifting a wheel chair and its occupant into motor vehicle is believed to be well known. Such devices are commonly deficient in numerous respects. Foremost, such lifting devices do not generally securely engage the wheel chair carrying the occupant during the lifting and movement thereof from the ground to the vehicle interior. Slight movements by the occupant do not uncommonly produce a shifting of the wheel chair on the carrying frame, thus commonly producing a precarious tilting of the chair and general instability during the lifting function. Present devices further are not capable of smoothly and sequentially moving the chair, once lifted, from the exterior of the interior of the vehicle. Still further, such presently known devices are incapable of depositing the chair and occupant in a stable position within the vehicle while orienting the chair in the vehicle in a forward direction, all of this without any physical assistance by the chair occupant himself. These seemingly simple achievements must be readily accomplished without physical assistance of the chair occupant for in many instances the chair occupant may be partially or totally paralyzed and therefor incapable of rendering any aid whatever in effectuating the lifting function of the chair, or effectuating orientation of the chair, once lifted, within the vehicle, or in depositing the chair into a fixed position within the vehicle so that the chair itself cannot constitute a hazard to occupants of the vehicle as a consequence of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle itself.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a lift mechanism for wheel chairs and their occupants and which lift mechanism constitutes an integral structure of a motor vehicle such as a van or the like. The lift mechanism disclosed hereinafter obviates numerous of the problems inherent in presently known lift mechanisms, eliminates certain of the risks inherent in such presently known mechanisms and also provides certain functions and advantages not at all present in presently known lift mechanisms. For example, the present invention substantially eliminates any instability and consequent accidents during lifting of the chair and its occupant from the ground into the vehicle, this because of a unique and unobvious supporting structure between the chair and the lift mechanism itself.
Another advantage of the present invention resides in a plurality of motor-driven articulating arms extending from the vehicle and which co-act with one another in sequential, auto-mechanical manner to not only lift the chair and occupant but to move the chair into the vehicle and deposit same in prescribed position and direction.
A still further feature and advantage of the invention resides in the design of a lifting mechanism for wheel chairs which is integrally affixed within a motor vehicle and which is operated independently within the vehicle.
Yet another feature and advantage in the invention resides in the design of a transfer mechanism which enables a wheel chair occupant to be lifted therefrom after the chair is in the vehicle and transferred into a vehicle seat, all without the assistance of a second person.
Yet still another feature and advantage of the invention resides in the design of a transfer mechanism which provides for the lifting and transferring of a wheel chair occupant from the wheel chair into a vehicle seat and the positioning of the wheel chair occupant in said seat in a stable and reliable manner as to enable his subsequent ride in the vehicle.
These and numerous other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon the reading of the following detailed description in the specification, claims and drawings, wherein like numerals denote like parts in the various views and wherein:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a conventional van vehicle showing the wheel chair position on the ground prior to lifting and in a position in the vehicle (in ghost) after lifting thereof.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the van in cut-away along the Plane 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of chair and supporting structure showing the relative orientation of the chair with respect thereto.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the lifting mechanism showing it in a first and second (ghost) position.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the chair deposited within the vehicle and the transfer mechanism for lifting and transporting the chair occupant therefrom to a vehicle seat.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the transfer machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1 there is shown a van-type vehicle 3 having a side door opening 5 of sufficient width to enable entering and exit of a conventional wheel chair 7 therethrough. The wheel chair is intended to set within the vehicle 3 so that the wheel chair occupant (not shown) faces the same direction as other passengers within the vehicle. The floor of vehicle 3 is characterized by a well 9 which is of appropriate length and width as to receive the wheel chair therein. The walls of the well 9 are of sufficient depth to preclude movement of a wheel chair during the operation of the vehicle. The well should be located partially centrally of the vehicle width (see FIG. 2).
There is disposed adjacent the door opening 5 and rearwardly of the well 9 a strut 11, see FIG. 4. The strut 11 is structurally affixed to the interior floor of the vehicle and extends upwardly to the roof thereof where it is likewise structurally affixed. The strut 11 serves as a principle supporting member for the lift mechanism and is adapted to carry a sliding collar 13 thereon. Affixed to the sliding collar is a support plate 15 which carries an electric motor 17 which is driven itself from a power source contained in the vehicle. The motor 17 is operatively connected to a gear train 19 or the like which is adapted to produce rotational movement of the gear 19a to which is affixed a cap member 21. The cap member 21 is supported by, but arranged to rotate about the ram 23 which is contained within ram cylinder 25 supported on the van step 27. For purposes of stability and structural integrity, a structural bolt or the like, may be affixed to the top of gear 19a and extend through a bore in plate 15, thus permitting rotation of gear 19a while imparting vertical stability to the ram cylinder.
Extending angularly downwardly from the cap 21, and integrally connected thereto, is the rotating member 27 which is adapted to receive the wheel chair supporting structure on the lower end thereof.
The wheel chair supporting structure generally consists of an articulating arm 29 disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and which is affixed to the lower end of rotating member 27 by a securing pin 31 which thus allows pivotal movement of the arm 29 with respect thereto, see FIG. 2.
Affixed to the articulating arm 29 is the support housing 41 which is adapted to contain hydraulic cylinder means 43 having appropriate fluid entry and exit ports communicating therewith as needed (not numbered). The hydraulic cylinder means 43 serves to lift wheel chair supporting frame, and hence the wheel chair and occupant, in the manner hereinafter described.
Extending from the cylinder means 43 and within housing 41 is a hydraulically driven piston 45 (see also FIG. 3) which is connected at its remote end to the wheel chair support frame member 49. The frame member 49 is likewise integrally connected, such as by welding, to a pair of wheel chair support rails 53 (see FIGS. 1, 3 & 4) at its opposite ends (see FIG. 4). The rails 53 are essentially U-shaped tracks in cross section and are of sufficient width to receive therein the lower horizontal frame members 55 of the wheel chair itself, (see FIG. 3). The wheel chair frame members 55 constitute an integral part of the wheel chair structure and generally support and constitute an integral part of the wheel chair framework. These frame members 55 generally reside in a substantially horizontal position with respect to the ground upon which the wheel chair is supported. It may be noted, however, that the wheel chair support rails 53 (see FIG. 1) are not disposed in substantially horizontal relationship to the ground as is the wheel chair frame members 55. It may thus be visualized that once the wheel chair is operatively disposed with the wheel chair frame members 55 above the wheel chair support rails 53, that upon operative retraction of piston 45 into cylinder means 43 (see FIG. 4) the wheel chair support rails (see FIG. 1) not only engage and support the frame members 55 of the wheel chair but also and immediately upon the lifting thereof, tilts the wheel chair backwardly at an angle equivalent to the angle of the support rails 53 with respect to the ground--thus substantially precluding accidental forward falling movement of the wheel chair occupant from the chair itself.
As best shown in FIG. 4, the initial operative position of the lift mechanism maintains the wheel support rails 53 in adjacent relationship to the ground upon which the wheel chair rests. At such time the ram 23 is withdrawn into ram cylinder 25 such that the entire assembly resides in its first (solid line) position. Upon actuation of an appropriate switch, the ram cylinder is hydraulically filled so as to raise ram 23 upwardly and hence correspondingly raise the plate 15 and collar 13 and the associated components described herein above. In so doing the cap 21 on top of the ram causes member 27 to likewise move vertically thus causing upward vertical movement of the entire wheel chair support assembly. As this occurs, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the articulating arm 29 begins to move from its linear relation with rotating member 27 to an angular relation, which angular relationship eventually approaches a right angle. The rotation member 27 therefore moves in a more substantial arc than does articulating arm 29, thus enabling the cantilevered end of articulating arm 29 to be withdrawn in inwardly so as to clear the opening 5a defined by the side doorway of the vehicle. The rotating member continues its pivotal movement until it reaches a substantially inwardly directed position, as best shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, at which time the wheel chair has been moved entirely inwardly of the vehicle and is positioned in forward facing direction immediately above the well 9. It will be recognized that the rate of movement of the rotating member 27 is determined by the motor and associated drive trains described in exemplary fashion in FIG. 4. When positioned above the well, the hydraulic control to ram cylinder 25 may be actuated to lower the mechanism, thus lowering the wheel chair to the floor of the well. All of this is accomplished by the wheel chair occupant who has continuing access to actuating toggle switches. It will be recognized, however, thus far only two toggle switches have been used by the occupant or other person, these toggle switches being the one to initiate upward vertical movement of the wheel chair support mechanism and a subsequent toggle switch to initiate release of that mechanism to enable lowering of the wheel chair support mechanism into the well. Both of these toggle switches are readily placable at any appropriate position in or on the surface of the van so that even a person who is substantially totally paralyzed can, with the slightest touch, independently dispose himself and his chair within the van without second party assistance. The wheel chair itself is commonly of the powered variety and in such instance it will be recognized that the occupant can maneuver himself to the van lift mechanism and independently accomplish access to and positioning in the vehicle.
Once the occupant of the wheel chair, and the chair itself, are securely disposed and positioned within the van, such as may be visualized in FIG. 1, it becomes apparent, that in some instances the occupant may wish to travel on a seating means other than the wheel chair. However, since such occupant is either wholly or partially incapacitated, and since it is particularly difficult for other persons to render assistance in moving the occupant within such limited and cramped quarters as the vehicle interior, there is provided a transfer mechanism whereby the wheel chair occupant may, without second party assistance, move himself from the wheel chair to a seat in the vehicle. This is accomplished although the occupant may be substantially incapacitated. As best shown in FIG. 5, the transfer systems comprises a transfer bar 61 which is supported at its one end, in pivotal manner thereabout, on a hydraulically mounted piston 63 extending from a cylinder 65 which is mounted to the vehicle. The transfer bar and its accompanying structure, may be pivoted to an out-of-the-way position adjacent to the interior side of the vehicle, see ghost position FIG. 5. The remote end of the bar may include a supporting arm 67 which is characterized by a saddle means 69 on the end thereof for engaging a supporting structure such as the wheel chair frame. The transfer bar 61 is thus intended to contitute a weight-bearing means, stably supported at its respective ends, and which is adapted to support the weight of the wheel chair occupant while he is being lifted and transferred and lowered within the vehicle. As such, the transfer bar 61 must provide for vertical movement of the wheel chair occupant in order to lift him and lower him from the wheel chair and to the vehicle seat. For this purpose, the hydraulic cylinder 65 and piston 63 act in cooperative relationship with the hydraulic cylinder 71 and its respective piston (not shown) to which is attached the aforementioned support arm 67. Appropriate hydraulic circuitry thus communicates with these cylinders and with an electrical actuation system therefor, generally represented by the toggle switch 71.
The transfer bar 61 may contain a motor 73 and rotating gear 75, each at respective ends of the bar. An endless linkage or other transfer board driving means 77 is operatively connected to the motor and to the gear 75, so that upon right or left actuation of a toggle switch 81, the transfer board 83 is called to move corrlative direction, (see FIG. 6). The transfer board 83 serves to bear the weight of the wheel chair occupant after the wheel chair has been disposed within the vehicle either in the electro-mechanical manner described hereinbefore or through utilization of physical effort by other persons or through any other means. In any event, the transfer board 83 is intended to receive the upper torso weight of the wheel chair occupant when such occupant is still in the wheel chair. Obviously, and as inferred hereinabove, the transfer board is designed to electromechanically move from one side of the vehicle to the other, that is from the wheel chair to the adjacent vehicle seat 87. Thus, the transfer board may be characterized by a wrist restraint means 91 or similar restraint means which may be used by the occupant in order to leverage his torso weight on the transfer board by disposing his elbows at the edge thereof. This position is reached, in the case of a paralyzed occupant, by utilization of the biceps to raise the torso or by utilization of any other muscular effort that the occupant can manifest. Occupants that are not paralyzed may, with greater facility, leverage their weight onto the transfer board in order that the board may, upon actuation of the switch 71, be caused to thus raise the occupant out of the wheel chair. After the occupant has thus raised himself from the wheel chair and is supported on the transfer board 83, actuation of the switch 81 (see FIG. 3) is accomplished in order to initiate transfer movement of the occupant from the wheel chair toward the seat 87. Upon reaching a position above seat 87, the transfer mechanism automatically terminates movement. At this time, the occupant again actuates switch 71, thus causing lowering of the piston 63 and supporting arm 67 into their respective cylinders, and correspondingly thus depositing the occupant on the seat 87 at which time the may release himself from the securing means 91. The transfer bar may then be released from its supported end (saddle means 69) and swung forwardly out of position against the side of the vehicle. The transfer board may be so coupled to the transfer bar 61 as to enable hinged movement by gravity from its horizontal to the vertical position shown (in ghost) in FIG. 5.
It may be noted in FIG. 6 that certain anscilary components may exist with respect to the transfer mechanism. These anscilary components to the system may be present when the occupant is wholly or partially paralyzed and thus requires additional orthopedic restraints for his limbs. These may therefore take the form of a knee spreader 97 and foot spreader 99. Each, the knee spreader 97 and foot spreader 99, are characterized by a rigid member therebetween which is adapted to maintain the legs in a fixed relationship to one another as the lifting and transferring takes place. The foot spreader is characterized additionally by a cord suspended from a fixed extension 101 connected to the transfer board. Similar cords are connected to the respective knee spreaders and may be tied appropriately to the transfer board also. It will thus be recognized that as the occupant is lifted and transferred, his legs will likewise be lifted and transferred appropriately with no undue discomfort in the process.
Upon completion of the transfer to the vehicle seat 87, the seat itself may, if desirable, be moved forwardly or rearwardly for whatever functional or comfortable reason the circumstances may dictate. Therefore and in this regard, there is provided a drive screw 103 which may likewise be electrically operated by the occupant for accomplishing the desired position within the vehicle.
It will be recognized that the foregoing description and drawings represent only exemplary forms of the invention and that the concepts pertaining thereto may be manifest in other structural arrangements than that which is herein described and shown; and that therefore the following claims should be interpreted in accordance with the ordinary meanings of the words contained therein rather than in respect to the specific structures shown and described by way of exemplary fashion herein. | A lifting and transfer mechanism disposed inside a vehicle such as a van for lifting and moving a paralyzed or otherwise immobilized occupant from a wheelchair disposed within the vehicle to a seat of the vehicle itself comprising a horizontally disposed transfer bar pivotally supported at one end and extending along the width of the vehicle and supporting thereon a transfer means which is movably attached to the transfer bar and adapted to support the wheelchair occupant so as to move him from the chair to the vehicle seat. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a lifting mechanism for wheel chairs.",
"More particularly the invention is directed to a lifting mechanism for moving wheel chairs and their occupants into a stable position within a motor vehicle.",
"The concept of utilizing mechanisms for lifting a wheel chair and its occupant into motor vehicle is believed to be well known.",
"Such devices are commonly deficient in numerous respects.",
"Foremost, such lifting devices do not generally securely engage the wheel chair carrying the occupant during the lifting and movement thereof from the ground to the vehicle interior.",
"Slight movements by the occupant do not uncommonly produce a shifting of the wheel chair on the carrying frame, thus commonly producing a precarious tilting of the chair and general instability during the lifting function.",
"Present devices further are not capable of smoothly and sequentially moving the chair, once lifted, from the exterior of the interior of the vehicle.",
"Still further, such presently known devices are incapable of depositing the chair and occupant in a stable position within the vehicle while orienting the chair in the vehicle in a forward direction, all of this without any physical assistance by the chair occupant himself.",
"These seemingly simple achievements must be readily accomplished without physical assistance of the chair occupant for in many instances the chair occupant may be partially or totally paralyzed and therefor incapable of rendering any aid whatever in effectuating the lifting function of the chair, or effectuating orientation of the chair, once lifted, within the vehicle, or in depositing the chair into a fixed position within the vehicle so that the chair itself cannot constitute a hazard to occupants of the vehicle as a consequence of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle itself.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a lift mechanism for wheel chairs and their occupants and which lift mechanism constitutes an integral structure of a motor vehicle such as a van or the like.",
"The lift mechanism disclosed hereinafter obviates numerous of the problems inherent in presently known lift mechanisms, eliminates certain of the risks inherent in such presently known mechanisms and also provides certain functions and advantages not at all present in presently known lift mechanisms.",
"For example, the present invention substantially eliminates any instability and consequent accidents during lifting of the chair and its occupant from the ground into the vehicle, this because of a unique and unobvious supporting structure between the chair and the lift mechanism itself.",
"Another advantage of the present invention resides in a plurality of motor-driven articulating arms extending from the vehicle and which co-act with one another in sequential, auto-mechanical manner to not only lift the chair and occupant but to move the chair into the vehicle and deposit same in prescribed position and direction.",
"A still further feature and advantage of the invention resides in the design of a lifting mechanism for wheel chairs which is integrally affixed within a motor vehicle and which is operated independently within the vehicle.",
"Yet another feature and advantage in the invention resides in the design of a transfer mechanism which enables a wheel chair occupant to be lifted therefrom after the chair is in the vehicle and transferred into a vehicle seat, all without the assistance of a second person.",
"Yet still another feature and advantage of the invention resides in the design of a transfer mechanism which provides for the lifting and transferring of a wheel chair occupant from the wheel chair into a vehicle seat and the positioning of the wheel chair occupant in said seat in a stable and reliable manner as to enable his subsequent ride in the vehicle.",
"These and numerous other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon the reading of the following detailed description in the specification, claims and drawings, wherein like numerals denote like parts in the various views and wherein: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a conventional van vehicle showing the wheel chair position on the ground prior to lifting and in a position in the vehicle (in ghost) after lifting thereof.",
"FIG. 2 is a top view of the van in cut-away along the Plane 2--2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of chair and supporting structure showing the relative orientation of the chair with respect thereto.",
"FIG. 4 is a side view of the lifting mechanism showing it in a first and second (ghost) position.",
"FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the chair deposited within the vehicle and the transfer mechanism for lifting and transporting the chair occupant therefrom to a vehicle seat.",
"FIG. 6 is a top view of the transfer machine.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 there is shown a van-type vehicle 3 having a side door opening 5 of sufficient width to enable entering and exit of a conventional wheel chair 7 therethrough.",
"The wheel chair is intended to set within the vehicle 3 so that the wheel chair occupant (not shown) faces the same direction as other passengers within the vehicle.",
"The floor of vehicle 3 is characterized by a well 9 which is of appropriate length and width as to receive the wheel chair therein.",
"The walls of the well 9 are of sufficient depth to preclude movement of a wheel chair during the operation of the vehicle.",
"The well should be located partially centrally of the vehicle width (see FIG. 2).",
"There is disposed adjacent the door opening 5 and rearwardly of the well 9 a strut 11, see FIG. 4. The strut 11 is structurally affixed to the interior floor of the vehicle and extends upwardly to the roof thereof where it is likewise structurally affixed.",
"The strut 11 serves as a principle supporting member for the lift mechanism and is adapted to carry a sliding collar 13 thereon.",
"Affixed to the sliding collar is a support plate 15 which carries an electric motor 17 which is driven itself from a power source contained in the vehicle.",
"The motor 17 is operatively connected to a gear train 19 or the like which is adapted to produce rotational movement of the gear 19a to which is affixed a cap member 21.",
"The cap member 21 is supported by, but arranged to rotate about the ram 23 which is contained within ram cylinder 25 supported on the van step 27.",
"For purposes of stability and structural integrity, a structural bolt or the like, may be affixed to the top of gear 19a and extend through a bore in plate 15, thus permitting rotation of gear 19a while imparting vertical stability to the ram cylinder.",
"Extending angularly downwardly from the cap 21, and integrally connected thereto, is the rotating member 27 which is adapted to receive the wheel chair supporting structure on the lower end thereof.",
"The wheel chair supporting structure generally consists of an articulating arm 29 disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and which is affixed to the lower end of rotating member 27 by a securing pin 31 which thus allows pivotal movement of the arm 29 with respect thereto, see FIG. 2. Affixed to the articulating arm 29 is the support housing 41 which is adapted to contain hydraulic cylinder means 43 having appropriate fluid entry and exit ports communicating therewith as needed (not numbered).",
"The hydraulic cylinder means 43 serves to lift wheel chair supporting frame, and hence the wheel chair and occupant, in the manner hereinafter described.",
"Extending from the cylinder means 43 and within housing 41 is a hydraulically driven piston 45 (see also FIG. 3) which is connected at its remote end to the wheel chair support frame member 49.",
"The frame member 49 is likewise integrally connected, such as by welding, to a pair of wheel chair support rails 53 (see FIGS. 1, 3 &",
"4) at its opposite ends (see FIG. 4).",
"The rails 53 are essentially U-shaped tracks in cross section and are of sufficient width to receive therein the lower horizontal frame members 55 of the wheel chair itself, (see FIG. 3).",
"The wheel chair frame members 55 constitute an integral part of the wheel chair structure and generally support and constitute an integral part of the wheel chair framework.",
"These frame members 55 generally reside in a substantially horizontal position with respect to the ground upon which the wheel chair is supported.",
"It may be noted, however, that the wheel chair support rails 53 (see FIG. 1) are not disposed in substantially horizontal relationship to the ground as is the wheel chair frame members 55.",
"It may thus be visualized that once the wheel chair is operatively disposed with the wheel chair frame members 55 above the wheel chair support rails 53, that upon operative retraction of piston 45 into cylinder means 43 (see FIG. 4) the wheel chair support rails (see FIG. 1) not only engage and support the frame members 55 of the wheel chair but also and immediately upon the lifting thereof, tilts the wheel chair backwardly at an angle equivalent to the angle of the support rails 53 with respect to the ground--thus substantially precluding accidental forward falling movement of the wheel chair occupant from the chair itself.",
"As best shown in FIG. 4, the initial operative position of the lift mechanism maintains the wheel support rails 53 in adjacent relationship to the ground upon which the wheel chair rests.",
"At such time the ram 23 is withdrawn into ram cylinder 25 such that the entire assembly resides in its first (solid line) position.",
"Upon actuation of an appropriate switch, the ram cylinder is hydraulically filled so as to raise ram 23 upwardly and hence correspondingly raise the plate 15 and collar 13 and the associated components described herein above.",
"In so doing the cap 21 on top of the ram causes member 27 to likewise move vertically thus causing upward vertical movement of the entire wheel chair support assembly.",
"As this occurs, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the articulating arm 29 begins to move from its linear relation with rotating member 27 to an angular relation, which angular relationship eventually approaches a right angle.",
"The rotation member 27 therefore moves in a more substantial arc than does articulating arm 29, thus enabling the cantilevered end of articulating arm 29 to be withdrawn in inwardly so as to clear the opening 5a defined by the side doorway of the vehicle.",
"The rotating member continues its pivotal movement until it reaches a substantially inwardly directed position, as best shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, at which time the wheel chair has been moved entirely inwardly of the vehicle and is positioned in forward facing direction immediately above the well 9.",
"It will be recognized that the rate of movement of the rotating member 27 is determined by the motor and associated drive trains described in exemplary fashion in FIG. 4. When positioned above the well, the hydraulic control to ram cylinder 25 may be actuated to lower the mechanism, thus lowering the wheel chair to the floor of the well.",
"All of this is accomplished by the wheel chair occupant who has continuing access to actuating toggle switches.",
"It will be recognized, however, thus far only two toggle switches have been used by the occupant or other person, these toggle switches being the one to initiate upward vertical movement of the wheel chair support mechanism and a subsequent toggle switch to initiate release of that mechanism to enable lowering of the wheel chair support mechanism into the well.",
"Both of these toggle switches are readily placable at any appropriate position in or on the surface of the van so that even a person who is substantially totally paralyzed can, with the slightest touch, independently dispose himself and his chair within the van without second party assistance.",
"The wheel chair itself is commonly of the powered variety and in such instance it will be recognized that the occupant can maneuver himself to the van lift mechanism and independently accomplish access to and positioning in the vehicle.",
"Once the occupant of the wheel chair, and the chair itself, are securely disposed and positioned within the van, such as may be visualized in FIG. 1, it becomes apparent, that in some instances the occupant may wish to travel on a seating means other than the wheel chair.",
"However, since such occupant is either wholly or partially incapacitated, and since it is particularly difficult for other persons to render assistance in moving the occupant within such limited and cramped quarters as the vehicle interior, there is provided a transfer mechanism whereby the wheel chair occupant may, without second party assistance, move himself from the wheel chair to a seat in the vehicle.",
"This is accomplished although the occupant may be substantially incapacitated.",
"As best shown in FIG. 5, the transfer systems comprises a transfer bar 61 which is supported at its one end, in pivotal manner thereabout, on a hydraulically mounted piston 63 extending from a cylinder 65 which is mounted to the vehicle.",
"The transfer bar and its accompanying structure, may be pivoted to an out-of-the-way position adjacent to the interior side of the vehicle, see ghost position FIG. 5. The remote end of the bar may include a supporting arm 67 which is characterized by a saddle means 69 on the end thereof for engaging a supporting structure such as the wheel chair frame.",
"The transfer bar 61 is thus intended to contitute a weight-bearing means, stably supported at its respective ends, and which is adapted to support the weight of the wheel chair occupant while he is being lifted and transferred and lowered within the vehicle.",
"As such, the transfer bar 61 must provide for vertical movement of the wheel chair occupant in order to lift him and lower him from the wheel chair and to the vehicle seat.",
"For this purpose, the hydraulic cylinder 65 and piston 63 act in cooperative relationship with the hydraulic cylinder 71 and its respective piston (not shown) to which is attached the aforementioned support arm 67.",
"Appropriate hydraulic circuitry thus communicates with these cylinders and with an electrical actuation system therefor, generally represented by the toggle switch 71.",
"The transfer bar 61 may contain a motor 73 and rotating gear 75, each at respective ends of the bar.",
"An endless linkage or other transfer board driving means 77 is operatively connected to the motor and to the gear 75, so that upon right or left actuation of a toggle switch 81, the transfer board 83 is called to move corrlative direction, (see FIG. 6).",
"The transfer board 83 serves to bear the weight of the wheel chair occupant after the wheel chair has been disposed within the vehicle either in the electro-mechanical manner described hereinbefore or through utilization of physical effort by other persons or through any other means.",
"In any event, the transfer board 83 is intended to receive the upper torso weight of the wheel chair occupant when such occupant is still in the wheel chair.",
"Obviously, and as inferred hereinabove, the transfer board is designed to electromechanically move from one side of the vehicle to the other, that is from the wheel chair to the adjacent vehicle seat 87.",
"Thus, the transfer board may be characterized by a wrist restraint means 91 or similar restraint means which may be used by the occupant in order to leverage his torso weight on the transfer board by disposing his elbows at the edge thereof.",
"This position is reached, in the case of a paralyzed occupant, by utilization of the biceps to raise the torso or by utilization of any other muscular effort that the occupant can manifest.",
"Occupants that are not paralyzed may, with greater facility, leverage their weight onto the transfer board in order that the board may, upon actuation of the switch 71, be caused to thus raise the occupant out of the wheel chair.",
"After the occupant has thus raised himself from the wheel chair and is supported on the transfer board 83, actuation of the switch 81 (see FIG. 3) is accomplished in order to initiate transfer movement of the occupant from the wheel chair toward the seat 87.",
"Upon reaching a position above seat 87, the transfer mechanism automatically terminates movement.",
"At this time, the occupant again actuates switch 71, thus causing lowering of the piston 63 and supporting arm 67 into their respective cylinders, and correspondingly thus depositing the occupant on the seat 87 at which time the may release himself from the securing means 91.",
"The transfer bar may then be released from its supported end (saddle means 69) and swung forwardly out of position against the side of the vehicle.",
"The transfer board may be so coupled to the transfer bar 61 as to enable hinged movement by gravity from its horizontal to the vertical position shown (in ghost) in FIG. 5. It may be noted in FIG. 6 that certain anscilary components may exist with respect to the transfer mechanism.",
"These anscilary components to the system may be present when the occupant is wholly or partially paralyzed and thus requires additional orthopedic restraints for his limbs.",
"These may therefore take the form of a knee spreader 97 and foot spreader 99.",
"Each, the knee spreader 97 and foot spreader 99, are characterized by a rigid member therebetween which is adapted to maintain the legs in a fixed relationship to one another as the lifting and transferring takes place.",
"The foot spreader is characterized additionally by a cord suspended from a fixed extension 101 connected to the transfer board.",
"Similar cords are connected to the respective knee spreaders and may be tied appropriately to the transfer board also.",
"It will thus be recognized that as the occupant is lifted and transferred, his legs will likewise be lifted and transferred appropriately with no undue discomfort in the process.",
"Upon completion of the transfer to the vehicle seat 87, the seat itself may, if desirable, be moved forwardly or rearwardly for whatever functional or comfortable reason the circumstances may dictate.",
"Therefore and in this regard, there is provided a drive screw 103 which may likewise be electrically operated by the occupant for accomplishing the desired position within the vehicle.",
"It will be recognized that the foregoing description and drawings represent only exemplary forms of the invention and that the concepts pertaining thereto may be manifest in other structural arrangements than that which is herein described and shown;",
"and that therefore the following claims should be interpreted in accordance with the ordinary meanings of the words contained therein rather than in respect to the specific structures shown and described by way of exemplary fashion herein."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/898,618, filed Jul. 22, 2004, pending, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/083,034, filed on Feb. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,794,749, issued Sep. 21, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/387,640, filed on Aug. 31, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,033, issued Jul. 23, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the packaging of microelectronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to heat management for packaged microelectronic devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to the placement of a thermal grease heat transfer medium within an integrated circuit (IC) chip package for heat transfer away from the microchip. The grease acts as a heat sink to assist in the management of heat that is generated by an IC chip in the IC chip package.
[0004] 2. Relevant Technology
[0005] Miniaturization is the process of crowding an increasing number of microelectronic circuits onto a single chip. Additionally, miniaturization involves the reduction of the overall chip package size so as to achieve smaller and more compact devices such as hand-held computers, personal data assistants (PDA), portable telecommunication devices, and the like. Ideally, the chip package size would be no larger than the chip itself. Miniaturization has the counter-productive effect upon chip packaging of an increased heat load upon a smaller chip package. Heat management is, therefore, an important aspect of producing a reliable microelectronic device. A heat sink for a chip package allows for enhanced performance of the microelectronics.
[0006] In the packaging of microelectronic devices, protection of the microelectronic device and its connections to the outside world is critical during packaging and field use. A prior art solution to packaging of microelectronic devices was to cover the integrated circuit chip with a plastic or ceramic material after a manner that both the highly sensitive active surface of the chip as well as the electrical connections were protected. Plastic packaging such as an epoxy material is useful to protect the active surface as well as the electrical connections. Plastic packaging has the disadvantage of being a poor conductor of heat compared to ceramic packaging. Where a plastic material is used, its effect as a poor heat conductor often leads to additional measures that must be taken to extract generated heat from the chip package to allow proper functioning of the microelectronic device. Ceramic packaging has an advantage of a higher thermal conductivity compared to plastic, but it is often costly and bulky, as well as potentially brittle. Where the chip package receives a physical blow, the ceramic package may shatter.
[0007] What is needed in the art is a means of transferring heat away from a microelectronic device that overcomes the heat management problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to an integrated circuit chip package having an IC chip with an active surface, where the active surface has extending therefrom an electrical connector in electrical communication with the IC chip. The IC chip is mounted upon a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB). A grease is in contact with the active surface of the IC chip and a container is disposed upon the substrate. The grease is enclosed within the container and the substrate.
[0009] The present invention relates to the use of the grease as a protective substance to protect both the active surface of the IC chip and simultaneously as a heat transfer medium to transfer heat away from the IC chip. The present invention also relates to a method of heat transfer away from an IC chip using grease, a substrate upon which the IC chip is mounted, and a container.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, an IC chip is configured as a board-on-chip (BOC) package and a thermal grease is disposed upon the exposed active surface of the chip, as well as over the electrical connectors such as bond wires or solder balls if present. A protective shell covers the thermal grease to prevent disturbance of the grease during both assembly thereof and during field use. Alternatively, a dam structure may be disposed upon the board and the protective shell to hold the protective shell in place. Additionally, at least one vent hole may be disposed in the protective shell to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the grease. The BOC configuration lends itself to a stacked BOC package where multiple occurrences of BOC may be enclosed within a single protective shell.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a chip-on-board (COB) chip package is configured with the grease disposed upon the active surface of the IC chip where the grease also covers the bond wires. The protective shell is disposed upon the grease and is secured against the substrate on the same surface onto which the IC chip is disposed. In a variation of this embodiment, the protective shell is configured to make direct contact with the active surface of the IC chip.
[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention includes an IC chip mounted directly upon a heat sink. A substrate is also mounted directly upon the heat sink, and grease covers both the active surface of the IC chip and the bond wires. Additionally, a protective shell is mounted upon the substrate, where the grease is enclosed by the protective shell and the substrate.
[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flip-chip configuration wherein the grease is disposed both upon the active surface of the flip-chip and upon the balls of a flip-chip ball array that provides electrical connections to the flip-chip. A dam structure may be disposed upon both the flip-chip substrate and the flip-chip itself to assist in containing the grease. In a variation of the foregoing involving a flip-chip upon a flexible substrate, a protective shell is disposed upon the flex substrate and grease substantially encompasses the entire flip-chip as well as the flip-chip ball array. In a still further variation, the protective shell is in direct contact with the inactive surface of the flip-chip, the protective shell thereby simultaneously acts as a die attach and heat sink, and the flex substrate with the protective shell provide an enclosure for the grease.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention includes flip-chip-on-die (FCOD) wherein the flip-chip is disposed against a COB die. In a first configuration of this embodiment, the flip-chip ball array is in contact with a grease and the bond wires from the die are enclosed in a second protective material that is typically a thermoplastic or thermoset resin.
[0015] An alternative embodiment of the FCOD configuration provides for grease to be in contact with both the flip-chip ball array and the bond wires from the die. A protective shell is disposed upon the substrate supporting the die such that the protective shell and the substrate enclose therein both the flip-chip and the die.
[0016] Another alternative embodiment of the FCOD configuration provides for a two-piece protective shell that may allow the inactive surface of the flip-chip to be exposed. This alternative embodiment provides for the flip-chip ball array and the bond wire to be encompassed by grease while allowing the inactive surface to radiate heat away from the flip-chip.
[0017] These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an elevational cross-section view of a board-on-chip package according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-section view of a stacked board-on-chip configuration according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-section view of a stacked board-on-chip configuration, wherein the board and chip orientation is vertically inverted in comparison to the configuration depicted in FIG. 2 ;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-section view of a chip-on-board configuration according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the chip-on-board configuration depicted in FIG. 4 wherein the protective shell acts as a direct-contact heat sink to the active surface of the chip;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-section view of a chip-on-heat-sink configuration according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is an elevational cross-section view of a flip-chip-on-flex configuration according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of a flip-chip-on-flex configuration according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is an elevational cross-section view of another alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-flex configuration;
[0028] FIG. 10 is an elevational cross-section view of a flip-chip-on-die configuration according to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 11 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-die-configuration; and
[0030] FIG. 12 is an elevational cross-section view of another alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-die configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present invention relates to an IC chip package that overcomes the problems of the prior art. The IC chip package has a heat sink that comprises a grease that aids heat dissipation and that protects the active surface of the IC chip and/or the electrical connectors such as bond wires or solder balls.
[0032] The present invention may include a fine pitch ball array, typically disposed upon a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is typically attached to an IC chip. Disposed upon the active surface of the IC chip is the grease. Simultaneously, the grease may also be in direct contact with the electrical connectors such as bond wires or balls in a ball array. A protective shell is placed over the grease.
[0033] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of embodiments of the present invention and are not limiting of the present invention nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
[0034] FIG. 1 is an elevational cross-section view of an IC chip package 10 with a board-on-chip (BOC) configuration. FIG. 1 illustrates an IC chip 12 disposed upon a substrate 14 such as a flexible PCB. The active surface 16 of IC chip 12 is disposed against a first side 50 of substrate 14 . Emerging from the active surface 16 of IC chip 12 , are bond wires 18 that act as electrical connectors between active surface 16 of IC chip 12 and substrate 14 .
[0035] For chip package 10 , in the BOC configuration, a ball array 20 is disposed upon a second side 48 of substrate 14 . Second side 48 is opposite and parallel with first side 50 upon which IC chip 12 is disposed.
[0036] A grease 22 is disposed upon active surface 16 of IC chip 12 as well as in direct contact with bond wires 18 . Grease 22 thus provides a heat sink having a first thermal conductivity that is in direct contact with both active surface 16 and bond wires 18 . Preferably, a protective shell 24 is disposed over grease 22 in order to prevent the disturbance and/or flow of grease 22 during ordinary handling incidental to the assembly of chip package 19 and incidental to ordinary field use. The protective shell 24 is preferably composed of a thin metal or other highly thermally conductive material that allows for good thermal coupling to thermal grease 22 . In some cases, such a protective shell may not be necessary.
[0037] Grease 22 may be any high thermal conductivity grease known in the art. Preferably, grease 22 is a high thermal conductivity grease that will flow at a minimum temperature that is in a range from about 190° C. to about 230° C., and preferably will flow at no less than a temperature of about 220° C. An example of preferred high thermal conductivity greases is GELEASE™ manufactured by Thermoset Plastics, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind. A preferred class of protective materials is described in “High Thermal Conductivity Greases” by Ron Hunadi and Rich Wells (advanced packaging, Apr. 19, 1999, pp. 28-31), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] The present invention contemplates a dielectric grease that has a thermal conductivity in a range from about 0.5 Watts/m.K to about 5 Watts/m.K, preferably from about 2 Watts/m.K to about 4 Watts/m.K. Additionally, the grease will preferably have a dielectric constant that is in a range from about 1.2 to about 10, preferably from about 4 to about 9.5, and most preferably less than about 6. Because of high temperature operation of chip packages, the dielectric grease will preferably have a melting point that is in a range from about 100° C. to about 230° C., and preferably from about 190° C. to about 220° C. Another property that is preferred for the grease 22 is a minimum weight loss at chip package operating temperatures for the conceivable lifetime of the chip package. Preferably, the grease has a weight loss at a sustained temperature of 100° C. over a period of 30 days of less than about 0.15%. It is preferred that, under these conditions, the grease 22 will have a weight loss over a period of about 20 years of less than about 0.25%.
[0039] Vent holes 26 may be provided in protective shell 24 in order to allow the expansion of grease 22 under high temperature cycling conditions. Vent hole 26 may be a single vent hole or a plurality of vent holes. Vent hole 26 allows for the expansion of an excess amount of grease 22 during such high temperature applications as burn-in testing. The size of vent hole 26 may be such so as to allow for excess grease 22 to exude from within the enclosure formed by protective shell 24 and substrate 14 . Multiple vent holes can also be employed.
[0040] A dam structure 28 may be placed in contact with protective shell 24 and second side 48 of substrate 14 to hold protective shell 24 in place. Where the stickiness and viscosity of grease 22 is sufficient to hold protective shell 24 in place, dam structure 28 may be omitted. Alternatively, protective shell 24 can be directly attached to substrate 14 by use of suitable adhesives.
[0041] Protective shell 24 is preferably made of a metallic or ceramic material that has a thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal conductivity of grease 22 . Thereby, protective shell 24 acts as a second heat sink that facilitates the transfer of heat through grease 22 away from IC chip 12 . Preferred metals for protective shell 24 include Al, Cu, Au or alloys of such metal, and Ag. Most preferably, protective shell 24 is composed of Cu or an alloy thereof.
[0042] The BOC configuration lends itself well to multiple BOC packages that use grease 22 as a heat transfer medium and as a protective substance. FIG. 2 illustrates a multiple BOC chip package 110 wherein substrate 14 has its own IC chip 12 and ball array 20 along with protective shell 24 that contains grease 22 . Over first side 50 of substrate 14 is disposed a substrate 114 and an enclosed ball array 132 . Substrate 114 supports an IC chip 112 to comprise a second BOC configuration that is stacked upon substrate 14 . FIG. 2 also illustrates a third BOC configuration such that three BOC configurations comprise chip package 110 .
[0043] A second protective shell 34 encloses the major portion of chip package 110 . Disposed in the interstices of chip package 110 is grease 22 . Alternatively, a dam structure 128 may also be provided upon first side 50 of substrate 14 and against second protective shell 34 in order to hold second protective shell 34 against substrate 14 . Although not pictured, one or multiple vent holes may be provided as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The vent holes may be provided both for protective shell 24 and for protective shell 34 .
[0044] Another alternative embodiment of multiple, stacked BOC configurations is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a chip package 210 . The configuration of each BOC substructure is vertically inverted in comparison to the configuration of each BOC substructure depicted in FIG. 2 . The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 includes substrate 14 and IC chip 12 disposed upon first side 50 of substrate 14 . In this embodiment, ball array 20 is also disposed upon first side 50 . FIG. 3 depicts that each active surface 16 and 216 of IC chips 12 and 212 , and all bond wires 18 and 218 , as well as substrates 214 and connective elements 232 , are enclosed in a single space formed principally by protective shell 224 and substrate 14 . Thereby, two protective shells are not required and chip package 210 is enclosed substantially in a common space with all active surfaces and electrical connectors being in contact with grease 22 contained therein. A vent hole (not pictured) may also be present.
[0045] One of the advantages in relation to heat management that exists in the present invention is the rapid flow of generated heat through grease 22 due to its higher coefficients of thermal conductivity compared to thermoplastics and thermoset resins of the prior art. A particular advantage in the stacked BOC configurations depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 is that a chip in the stack that generates more heat than others will be cooled by the presence of other chips, particularly through the conductive heat transfer medium provided by grease 22 .
[0046] The presence of grease 22 in every embodiment of the present invention has an advantage over plastics in that the preferred grease has a greater thermal conductivity than the plastics. The flowability of grease permits direct contact with active surfaces of IC chips and electrical connectors, whereas ceramic housings do not permit this type of intimate contact with hot surfaces. Likewise, with the intimate contact there is a continuum of thermal conductivity between the hot surface, the grease, the substrate, and the protective shell.
[0047] In a chip-on-board (COB) configuration of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a chip package 310 that includes an IC chip 312 disposed upon a substrate 314 . IC chip 312 has its active surface 16 and bond wires 318 on a first side 350 of substrate 314 . Opposite and parallel to first side 350 , a ball array 320 is disposed upon a second side 348 of substrate 314 . Grease 22 is enclosed by a combination of a protective shell 324 , first side 350 of substrate 314 , and portions of IC chip 312 . FIG. 4 also illustrates the positioning of an optional vent hole 26 through the wall of protective shell 324 .
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative to the embodiment of chip package 310 depicted in FIG. 4 . A chip package 410 illustrated in FIG. 5 depicts a section of a protective shell 424 that makes contact with upper surface 16 of IC chip 312 . In this configuration, direct contact of protective shell 424 with upper surface 16 comprises a die-attach heat sink. Where the thermal conductivity of protective shell 424 is greater than the thermal conductivity of grease 22 and where direct contact by protective shell 424 is made onto IC chip 312 , heat transfer away from IC chip 312 is facilitated to a greater degree than the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 . It is noted that protective shell 424 can also be attached to chip 312 at active surface 16 through a conductive adhesive or an epoxy such as those used for die-attach applications and are known in the art.
[0049] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a chip package 510 is depicted that includes an IC chip 512 disposed against a heat sink 30 . A substrate 514 of bearing ball array 520 is disposed upon heat sink 30 and active surface 16 is in electrical connection with a first side 550 of substrate 514 through bond wires 518 . According to the present invention, grease 22 is in contact with active surface 16 of IC chip 512 and with bond wires 518 . Further, grease 22 is enclosed by a protective shell 524 that also is disposed upon substrate 514 . According to this embodiment of the present invention, chip package 510 allows for a significant amount of heat transfer into heat sink 30 , while also allowing a significant amount of beat transfer from active surface 16 and bond wires 518 into grease 22 . As in all other embodiments set forth in the present invention, a vent hole is optional. Further, a dam structure is also optional.
[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein a chip package 610 comprises flip-chip-on-flex (FCOF) technology. A flip-chip 612 has a ball array 620 disposed upon active surface 16 thereof. Ball array 620 is disposed upon a substrate 614 that is typically a flexible PCB. Non-flexible substrates can also be employed. Grease 22 is disposed both against active surface 16 and in contact with each individual ball of ball array 620 . Typically, dam structure 28 is an epoxy material or glob top material. Grease 22 is, therefore, containerized by the combination of active surface 16 of flip-chip 612 , dam structure 28 that acts as a container, and the first surface 650 of substrate 614 . As is typical with FCOF, a second ball array 36 is disposed upon the second side 648 of substrate 614 . It is notable that FIG. 7 discloses no vent hole to allow for the expansion and contraction of grease 22 . A vent hole, however, may be formed by placing a hole in substrate 614 at a location that opens up to first side 650 without any obstruction from an electrical connection disposed upon first side 650 .
[0051] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of FCOF technology according to the present invention. An FCOF package 710 is depicted as comprising flip-chip 612 with ball array 620 disposed upon active surface 16 thereof. In place of dam structure 28 to act as the container, a protective shell 624 is displayed as being disposed upon substrate 614 . Protective shell 624 is used for enclosing grease 22 along with a combination of protective shell 624 , and first side 650 of substrate 614 . Grease 22 thus substantially contacts all exposed surfaces of flip-chip 612 and also contacts all exposed electrical connectors that comprise ball array 620 .
[0052] A particular advantage of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 is that it allows for a shared heat load by all portions of flip-chip 612 through the medium of grease 22 as a heat transfer material. Where one portion of flip-chip 612 may be more microelectronically active than any other portion, grease 22 will heat in that region and allow for heat to be drawn away therefrom to other portions of flip-chip 612 that are not as active.
[0053] Another embodiment of the FCOF configuration is depicted in FIG. 9 , wherein a chip package 810 includes flip-chip 612 and ball array 620 disposed upon substrate 614 at its first side 650 . Additionally, a protective shell 824 is disposed upon substrate 614 but it also makes direct contact with flip-chip 612 at its inactive surface 52 . Thus, protective shell 824 acts as a die-attach for flip-chip 612 . Simultaneously, protective shell 824 is both a heat sink and a container for holding grease 22 against active surface 16 of flip-chip 612 and against the electrical connectors that make up ball array 620 .
[0054] Another application of the present invention is directed toward flip-chip-on-die (FCOD) technology as depicted in FIG. 10 . An FCOD package 910 includes an IC chip 912 that acts as the die in the FCOD configuration. IC chip 912 , referred to hereafter as die 912 , is disposed upon a substrate 914 and also has bond wires 318 that make electrical connection between active surface 16 and first side 950 of substrate 914 . A ball array 920 acts as the electrical connector between a flip-chip 40 and die 912 . Grease 22 is depicted as filling the interstices between individual balls of ball array 920 , between flip-chip 40 and die 912 . FIG. 10 also illustrates the presence of a second protective material 38 that is preferably a thermoplastic or thermoset resin. Second protective material 38 acts as both a container that is disposed upon substrate 914 and as a protective cover for bond wires 318 .
[0055] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of an FCOD configuration, wherein a chip package 1010 includes die 912 with a ball array 920 disposed upon active surface 16 of die 912 . A flip-chip 40 is disposed upon ball array 920 . A protective shell 924 is disposed upon substrate 914 . Contained within protective shell 924 and substrate 914 is grease 22 . FIG. 11 illustrates direct contact of protective shell 924 against flip-chip 40 . Accordingly, protective shell 924 acts as a conductive heat sink for flip-chip 40 . Where die 912 produces a major portion of heat during ordinary use of chip package 1010 , flip-chip 40 itself acts as a heat sink for die 912 in addition to protective shell 924 as protective shell 924 makes direct contact with flip-chip 40 . Grease 22 operates to moderate extreme temperature fluctuation due to its ability to conduct heat more efficiently than the thermoplastic and thermoset materials of the prior art.
[0056] Another embodiment of FCOD technology is depicted in FIG. 12 , wherein a chip package 1110 is configured with both die 912 and flip-chip 40 disposed with ball array 920 therebetween. A protective shell 1124 is depicted as being disposed upon substrate 914 . Optionally, dam structure 28 assists in securing protective shell 1124 to substrate 914 . A second dam structure 44 is also optionally present in order to assist in securing protective shell 1124 to flip-chip 40 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 , heat conduction that may occur principally in die 912 is dissipated by the presence of flip-chip 40 as a heat sink therefor.
[0057] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrated and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. | The present invention relates to enhanced protection of the active surface and the bond wires or ball array of a microelectronic device, and to thermal management of the microelectronic device as it is packaged with a printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrate. The enhanced protection and thermal management are accomplished with a high-temperature thermal grease that is glob topped or encapsulated over the bond wires or ball array, and the active surface of the microelectronic device. The high-temperature thermal grease exchanges heat, particularly by conduction, away from the active surface of the microelectronic device as well as away from the bond wires. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser.",
"No. 10/898,618, filed Jul. 22, 2004, pending, which is a divisional of application Ser.",
"No. 10/083,034, filed on Feb. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,794,749, issued Sep. 21, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser.",
"No. 09/387,640, filed on Aug. 31, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,033, issued Jul. 23, 2002.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the packaging of microelectronic devices.",
"More particularly, the present invention relates to heat management for packaged microelectronic devices.",
"Specifically, the present invention relates to the placement of a thermal grease heat transfer medium within an integrated circuit (IC) chip package for heat transfer away from the microchip.",
"The grease acts as a heat sink to assist in the management of heat that is generated by an IC chip in the IC chip package.",
"[0004] 2.",
"Relevant Technology [0005] Miniaturization is the process of crowding an increasing number of microelectronic circuits onto a single chip.",
"Additionally, miniaturization involves the reduction of the overall chip package size so as to achieve smaller and more compact devices such as hand-held computers, personal data assistants (PDA), portable telecommunication devices, and the like.",
"Ideally, the chip package size would be no larger than the chip itself.",
"Miniaturization has the counter-productive effect upon chip packaging of an increased heat load upon a smaller chip package.",
"Heat management is, therefore, an important aspect of producing a reliable microelectronic device.",
"A heat sink for a chip package allows for enhanced performance of the microelectronics.",
"[0006] In the packaging of microelectronic devices, protection of the microelectronic device and its connections to the outside world is critical during packaging and field use.",
"A prior art solution to packaging of microelectronic devices was to cover the integrated circuit chip with a plastic or ceramic material after a manner that both the highly sensitive active surface of the chip as well as the electrical connections were protected.",
"Plastic packaging such as an epoxy material is useful to protect the active surface as well as the electrical connections.",
"Plastic packaging has the disadvantage of being a poor conductor of heat compared to ceramic packaging.",
"Where a plastic material is used, its effect as a poor heat conductor often leads to additional measures that must be taken to extract generated heat from the chip package to allow proper functioning of the microelectronic device.",
"Ceramic packaging has an advantage of a higher thermal conductivity compared to plastic, but it is often costly and bulky, as well as potentially brittle.",
"Where the chip package receives a physical blow, the ceramic package may shatter.",
"[0007] What is needed in the art is a means of transferring heat away from a microelectronic device that overcomes the heat management problems of the prior art.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to an integrated circuit chip package having an IC chip with an active surface, where the active surface has extending therefrom an electrical connector in electrical communication with the IC chip.",
"The IC chip is mounted upon a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB).",
"A grease is in contact with the active surface of the IC chip and a container is disposed upon the substrate.",
"The grease is enclosed within the container and the substrate.",
"[0009] The present invention relates to the use of the grease as a protective substance to protect both the active surface of the IC chip and simultaneously as a heat transfer medium to transfer heat away from the IC chip.",
"The present invention also relates to a method of heat transfer away from an IC chip using grease, a substrate upon which the IC chip is mounted, and a container.",
"[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, an IC chip is configured as a board-on-chip (BOC) package and a thermal grease is disposed upon the exposed active surface of the chip, as well as over the electrical connectors such as bond wires or solder balls if present.",
"A protective shell covers the thermal grease to prevent disturbance of the grease during both assembly thereof and during field use.",
"Alternatively, a dam structure may be disposed upon the board and the protective shell to hold the protective shell in place.",
"Additionally, at least one vent hole may be disposed in the protective shell to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the grease.",
"The BOC configuration lends itself to a stacked BOC package where multiple occurrences of BOC may be enclosed within a single protective shell.",
"[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a chip-on-board (COB) chip package is configured with the grease disposed upon the active surface of the IC chip where the grease also covers the bond wires.",
"The protective shell is disposed upon the grease and is secured against the substrate on the same surface onto which the IC chip is disposed.",
"In a variation of this embodiment, the protective shell is configured to make direct contact with the active surface of the IC chip.",
"[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention includes an IC chip mounted directly upon a heat sink.",
"A substrate is also mounted directly upon the heat sink, and grease covers both the active surface of the IC chip and the bond wires.",
"Additionally, a protective shell is mounted upon the substrate, where the grease is enclosed by the protective shell and the substrate.",
"[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flip-chip configuration wherein the grease is disposed both upon the active surface of the flip-chip and upon the balls of a flip-chip ball array that provides electrical connections to the flip-chip.",
"A dam structure may be disposed upon both the flip-chip substrate and the flip-chip itself to assist in containing the grease.",
"In a variation of the foregoing involving a flip-chip upon a flexible substrate, a protective shell is disposed upon the flex substrate and grease substantially encompasses the entire flip-chip as well as the flip-chip ball array.",
"In a still further variation, the protective shell is in direct contact with the inactive surface of the flip-chip, the protective shell thereby simultaneously acts as a die attach and heat sink, and the flex substrate with the protective shell provide an enclosure for the grease.",
"[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention includes flip-chip-on-die (FCOD) wherein the flip-chip is disposed against a COB die.",
"In a first configuration of this embodiment, the flip-chip ball array is in contact with a grease and the bond wires from the die are enclosed in a second protective material that is typically a thermoplastic or thermoset resin.",
"[0015] An alternative embodiment of the FCOD configuration provides for grease to be in contact with both the flip-chip ball array and the bond wires from the die.",
"A protective shell is disposed upon the substrate supporting the die such that the protective shell and the substrate enclose therein both the flip-chip and the die.",
"[0016] Another alternative embodiment of the FCOD configuration provides for a two-piece protective shell that may allow the inactive surface of the flip-chip to be exposed.",
"This alternative embodiment provides for the flip-chip ball array and the bond wire to be encompassed by grease while allowing the inactive surface to radiate heat away from the flip-chip.",
"[0017] These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.",
"Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is an elevational cross-section view of a board-on-chip package according to the present invention;",
"[0020] FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-section view of a stacked board-on-chip configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0021] FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-section view of a stacked board-on-chip configuration, wherein the board and chip orientation is vertically inverted in comparison to the configuration depicted in FIG. 2 ;",
"[0022] FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-section view of a chip-on-board configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0023] FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the chip-on-board configuration depicted in FIG. 4 wherein the protective shell acts as a direct-contact heat sink to the active surface of the chip;",
"[0024] FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-section view of a chip-on-heat-sink configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0025] FIG. 7 is an elevational cross-section view of a flip-chip-on-flex configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0026] FIG. 8 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of a flip-chip-on-flex configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0027] FIG. 9 is an elevational cross-section view of another alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-flex configuration;",
"[0028] FIG. 10 is an elevational cross-section view of a flip-chip-on-die configuration according to the present invention;",
"[0029] FIG. 11 is an elevational cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-die-configuration;",
"and [0030] FIG. 12 is an elevational cross-section view of another alternative embodiment of the flip-chip-on-die configuration.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0031] The present invention relates to an IC chip package that overcomes the problems of the prior art.",
"The IC chip package has a heat sink that comprises a grease that aids heat dissipation and that protects the active surface of the IC chip and/or the electrical connectors such as bond wires or solder balls.",
"[0032] The present invention may include a fine pitch ball array, typically disposed upon a printed circuit board (PCB).",
"The PCB is typically attached to an IC chip.",
"Disposed upon the active surface of the IC chip is the grease.",
"Simultaneously, the grease may also be in direct contact with the electrical connectors such as bond wires or balls in a ball array.",
"A protective shell is placed over the grease.",
"[0033] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations.",
"It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of embodiments of the present invention and are not limiting of the present invention nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.",
"[0034] FIG. 1 is an elevational cross-section view of an IC chip package 10 with a board-on-chip (BOC) configuration.",
"FIG. 1 illustrates an IC chip 12 disposed upon a substrate 14 such as a flexible PCB.",
"The active surface 16 of IC chip 12 is disposed against a first side 50 of substrate 14 .",
"Emerging from the active surface 16 of IC chip 12 , are bond wires 18 that act as electrical connectors between active surface 16 of IC chip 12 and substrate 14 .",
"[0035] For chip package 10 , in the BOC configuration, a ball array 20 is disposed upon a second side 48 of substrate 14 .",
"Second side 48 is opposite and parallel with first side 50 upon which IC chip 12 is disposed.",
"[0036] A grease 22 is disposed upon active surface 16 of IC chip 12 as well as in direct contact with bond wires 18 .",
"Grease 22 thus provides a heat sink having a first thermal conductivity that is in direct contact with both active surface 16 and bond wires 18 .",
"Preferably, a protective shell 24 is disposed over grease 22 in order to prevent the disturbance and/or flow of grease 22 during ordinary handling incidental to the assembly of chip package 19 and incidental to ordinary field use.",
"The protective shell 24 is preferably composed of a thin metal or other highly thermally conductive material that allows for good thermal coupling to thermal grease 22 .",
"In some cases, such a protective shell may not be necessary.",
"[0037] Grease 22 may be any high thermal conductivity grease known in the art.",
"Preferably, grease 22 is a high thermal conductivity grease that will flow at a minimum temperature that is in a range from about 190° C. to about 230° C., and preferably will flow at no less than a temperature of about 220° C. An example of preferred high thermal conductivity greases is GELEASE™ manufactured by Thermoset Plastics, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind.",
"A preferred class of protective materials is described in “High Thermal Conductivity Greases”",
"by Ron Hunadi and Rich Wells (advanced packaging, Apr. 19, 1999, pp. 28-31), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.",
"[0038] The present invention contemplates a dielectric grease that has a thermal conductivity in a range from about 0.5 Watts/m.",
"K to about 5 Watts/m.",
"K, preferably from about 2 Watts/m.",
"K to about 4 Watts/m.K. Additionally, the grease will preferably have a dielectric constant that is in a range from about 1.2 to about 10, preferably from about 4 to about 9.5, and most preferably less than about 6.",
"Because of high temperature operation of chip packages, the dielectric grease will preferably have a melting point that is in a range from about 100° C. to about 230° C., and preferably from about 190° C. to about 220° C. Another property that is preferred for the grease 22 is a minimum weight loss at chip package operating temperatures for the conceivable lifetime of the chip package.",
"Preferably, the grease has a weight loss at a sustained temperature of 100° C. over a period of 30 days of less than about 0.15%.",
"It is preferred that, under these conditions, the grease 22 will have a weight loss over a period of about 20 years of less than about 0.25%.",
"[0039] Vent holes 26 may be provided in protective shell 24 in order to allow the expansion of grease 22 under high temperature cycling conditions.",
"Vent hole 26 may be a single vent hole or a plurality of vent holes.",
"Vent hole 26 allows for the expansion of an excess amount of grease 22 during such high temperature applications as burn-in testing.",
"The size of vent hole 26 may be such so as to allow for excess grease 22 to exude from within the enclosure formed by protective shell 24 and substrate 14 .",
"Multiple vent holes can also be employed.",
"[0040] A dam structure 28 may be placed in contact with protective shell 24 and second side 48 of substrate 14 to hold protective shell 24 in place.",
"Where the stickiness and viscosity of grease 22 is sufficient to hold protective shell 24 in place, dam structure 28 may be omitted.",
"Alternatively, protective shell 24 can be directly attached to substrate 14 by use of suitable adhesives.",
"[0041] Protective shell 24 is preferably made of a metallic or ceramic material that has a thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal conductivity of grease 22 .",
"Thereby, protective shell 24 acts as a second heat sink that facilitates the transfer of heat through grease 22 away from IC chip 12 .",
"Preferred metals for protective shell 24 include Al, Cu, Au or alloys of such metal, and Ag.",
"Most preferably, protective shell 24 is composed of Cu or an alloy thereof.",
"[0042] The BOC configuration lends itself well to multiple BOC packages that use grease 22 as a heat transfer medium and as a protective substance.",
"FIG. 2 illustrates a multiple BOC chip package 110 wherein substrate 14 has its own IC chip 12 and ball array 20 along with protective shell 24 that contains grease 22 .",
"Over first side 50 of substrate 14 is disposed a substrate 114 and an enclosed ball array 132 .",
"Substrate 114 supports an IC chip 112 to comprise a second BOC configuration that is stacked upon substrate 14 .",
"FIG. 2 also illustrates a third BOC configuration such that three BOC configurations comprise chip package 110 .",
"[0043] A second protective shell 34 encloses the major portion of chip package 110 .",
"Disposed in the interstices of chip package 110 is grease 22 .",
"Alternatively, a dam structure 128 may also be provided upon first side 50 of substrate 14 and against second protective shell 34 in order to hold second protective shell 34 against substrate 14 .",
"Although not pictured, one or multiple vent holes may be provided as illustrated in FIG. 1 .",
"The vent holes may be provided both for protective shell 24 and for protective shell 34 .",
"[0044] Another alternative embodiment of multiple, stacked BOC configurations is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a chip package 210 .",
"The configuration of each BOC substructure is vertically inverted in comparison to the configuration of each BOC substructure depicted in FIG. 2 .",
"The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 includes substrate 14 and IC chip 12 disposed upon first side 50 of substrate 14 .",
"In this embodiment, ball array 20 is also disposed upon first side 50 .",
"FIG. 3 depicts that each active surface 16 and 216 of IC chips 12 and 212 , and all bond wires 18 and 218 , as well as substrates 214 and connective elements 232 , are enclosed in a single space formed principally by protective shell 224 and substrate 14 .",
"Thereby, two protective shells are not required and chip package 210 is enclosed substantially in a common space with all active surfaces and electrical connectors being in contact with grease 22 contained therein.",
"A vent hole (not pictured) may also be present.",
"[0045] One of the advantages in relation to heat management that exists in the present invention is the rapid flow of generated heat through grease 22 due to its higher coefficients of thermal conductivity compared to thermoplastics and thermoset resins of the prior art.",
"A particular advantage in the stacked BOC configurations depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 is that a chip in the stack that generates more heat than others will be cooled by the presence of other chips, particularly through the conductive heat transfer medium provided by grease 22 .",
"[0046] The presence of grease 22 in every embodiment of the present invention has an advantage over plastics in that the preferred grease has a greater thermal conductivity than the plastics.",
"The flowability of grease permits direct contact with active surfaces of IC chips and electrical connectors, whereas ceramic housings do not permit this type of intimate contact with hot surfaces.",
"Likewise, with the intimate contact there is a continuum of thermal conductivity between the hot surface, the grease, the substrate, and the protective shell.",
"[0047] In a chip-on-board (COB) configuration of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a chip package 310 that includes an IC chip 312 disposed upon a substrate 314 .",
"IC chip 312 has its active surface 16 and bond wires 318 on a first side 350 of substrate 314 .",
"Opposite and parallel to first side 350 , a ball array 320 is disposed upon a second side 348 of substrate 314 .",
"Grease 22 is enclosed by a combination of a protective shell 324 , first side 350 of substrate 314 , and portions of IC chip 312 .",
"FIG. 4 also illustrates the positioning of an optional vent hole 26 through the wall of protective shell 324 .",
"[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative to the embodiment of chip package 310 depicted in FIG. 4 .",
"A chip package 410 illustrated in FIG. 5 depicts a section of a protective shell 424 that makes contact with upper surface 16 of IC chip 312 .",
"In this configuration, direct contact of protective shell 424 with upper surface 16 comprises a die-attach heat sink.",
"Where the thermal conductivity of protective shell 424 is greater than the thermal conductivity of grease 22 and where direct contact by protective shell 424 is made onto IC chip 312 , heat transfer away from IC chip 312 is facilitated to a greater degree than the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 .",
"It is noted that protective shell 424 can also be attached to chip 312 at active surface 16 through a conductive adhesive or an epoxy such as those used for die-attach applications and are known in the art.",
"[0049] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a chip package 510 is depicted that includes an IC chip 512 disposed against a heat sink 30 .",
"A substrate 514 of bearing ball array 520 is disposed upon heat sink 30 and active surface 16 is in electrical connection with a first side 550 of substrate 514 through bond wires 518 .",
"According to the present invention, grease 22 is in contact with active surface 16 of IC chip 512 and with bond wires 518 .",
"Further, grease 22 is enclosed by a protective shell 524 that also is disposed upon substrate 514 .",
"According to this embodiment of the present invention, chip package 510 allows for a significant amount of heat transfer into heat sink 30 , while also allowing a significant amount of beat transfer from active surface 16 and bond wires 518 into grease 22 .",
"As in all other embodiments set forth in the present invention, a vent hole is optional.",
"Further, a dam structure is also optional.",
"[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein a chip package 610 comprises flip-chip-on-flex (FCOF) technology.",
"A flip-chip 612 has a ball array 620 disposed upon active surface 16 thereof.",
"Ball array 620 is disposed upon a substrate 614 that is typically a flexible PCB.",
"Non-flexible substrates can also be employed.",
"Grease 22 is disposed both against active surface 16 and in contact with each individual ball of ball array 620 .",
"Typically, dam structure 28 is an epoxy material or glob top material.",
"Grease 22 is, therefore, containerized by the combination of active surface 16 of flip-chip 612 , dam structure 28 that acts as a container, and the first surface 650 of substrate 614 .",
"As is typical with FCOF, a second ball array 36 is disposed upon the second side 648 of substrate 614 .",
"It is notable that FIG. 7 discloses no vent hole to allow for the expansion and contraction of grease 22 .",
"A vent hole, however, may be formed by placing a hole in substrate 614 at a location that opens up to first side 650 without any obstruction from an electrical connection disposed upon first side 650 .",
"[0051] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of FCOF technology according to the present invention.",
"An FCOF package 710 is depicted as comprising flip-chip 612 with ball array 620 disposed upon active surface 16 thereof.",
"In place of dam structure 28 to act as the container, a protective shell 624 is displayed as being disposed upon substrate 614 .",
"Protective shell 624 is used for enclosing grease 22 along with a combination of protective shell 624 , and first side 650 of substrate 614 .",
"Grease 22 thus substantially contacts all exposed surfaces of flip-chip 612 and also contacts all exposed electrical connectors that comprise ball array 620 .",
"[0052] A particular advantage of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 is that it allows for a shared heat load by all portions of flip-chip 612 through the medium of grease 22 as a heat transfer material.",
"Where one portion of flip-chip 612 may be more microelectronically active than any other portion, grease 22 will heat in that region and allow for heat to be drawn away therefrom to other portions of flip-chip 612 that are not as active.",
"[0053] Another embodiment of the FCOF configuration is depicted in FIG. 9 , wherein a chip package 810 includes flip-chip 612 and ball array 620 disposed upon substrate 614 at its first side 650 .",
"Additionally, a protective shell 824 is disposed upon substrate 614 but it also makes direct contact with flip-chip 612 at its inactive surface 52 .",
"Thus, protective shell 824 acts as a die-attach for flip-chip 612 .",
"Simultaneously, protective shell 824 is both a heat sink and a container for holding grease 22 against active surface 16 of flip-chip 612 and against the electrical connectors that make up ball array 620 .",
"[0054] Another application of the present invention is directed toward flip-chip-on-die (FCOD) technology as depicted in FIG. 10 .",
"An FCOD package 910 includes an IC chip 912 that acts as the die in the FCOD configuration.",
"IC chip 912 , referred to hereafter as die 912 , is disposed upon a substrate 914 and also has bond wires 318 that make electrical connection between active surface 16 and first side 950 of substrate 914 .",
"A ball array 920 acts as the electrical connector between a flip-chip 40 and die 912 .",
"Grease 22 is depicted as filling the interstices between individual balls of ball array 920 , between flip-chip 40 and die 912 .",
"FIG. 10 also illustrates the presence of a second protective material 38 that is preferably a thermoplastic or thermoset resin.",
"Second protective material 38 acts as both a container that is disposed upon substrate 914 and as a protective cover for bond wires 318 .",
"[0055] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of an FCOD configuration, wherein a chip package 1010 includes die 912 with a ball array 920 disposed upon active surface 16 of die 912 .",
"A flip-chip 40 is disposed upon ball array 920 .",
"A protective shell 924 is disposed upon substrate 914 .",
"Contained within protective shell 924 and substrate 914 is grease 22 .",
"FIG. 11 illustrates direct contact of protective shell 924 against flip-chip 40 .",
"Accordingly, protective shell 924 acts as a conductive heat sink for flip-chip 40 .",
"Where die 912 produces a major portion of heat during ordinary use of chip package 1010 , flip-chip 40 itself acts as a heat sink for die 912 in addition to protective shell 924 as protective shell 924 makes direct contact with flip-chip 40 .",
"Grease 22 operates to moderate extreme temperature fluctuation due to its ability to conduct heat more efficiently than the thermoplastic and thermoset materials of the prior art.",
"[0056] Another embodiment of FCOD technology is depicted in FIG. 12 , wherein a chip package 1110 is configured with both die 912 and flip-chip 40 disposed with ball array 920 therebetween.",
"A protective shell 1124 is depicted as being disposed upon substrate 914 .",
"Optionally, dam structure 28 assists in securing protective shell 1124 to substrate 914 .",
"A second dam structure 44 is also optionally present in order to assist in securing protective shell 1124 to flip-chip 40 .",
"In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 , heat conduction that may occur principally in die 912 is dissipated by the presence of flip-chip 40 as a heat sink therefor.",
"[0057] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.",
"The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrated and not restrictive.",
"The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.",
"All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices which cause linear motion of a machine component in general, and to devices employing a ratchet mechanism in particular.
[0002] Papermaking is usually performed on a papermaking machine which manufactures a paper web many meters wide, typically 5-10 meters wide in a cross machine direction which is perpendicular to the direction defined by the motion of the paper web as it is being formed. Within the papermaking machine, for most processes, every effort is made to treat the entire width of the paper web uniformly to insure cross machine direction uniformity in the paper web being formed. However for some processes within the papermaking machine it is not necessary or cost-effective to perform a particular operation simultaneously on the entire cross machine direction width of the web. For example, when properties of the web are monitored in the cross machine direction it is often sufficient to have the monitoring instrument be moved from one edge of the paper web to the other, traversing back and forth across the web in a systematic manner. In addition, instruments which measure web caliper, web density, web moisture, web curl, etc. can be periodically scanned in the cross machine direction over the paper web. Cleaning operations which need not be continuous but which are necessary to maintain the functionality of a roll, an air knife, a fabric, a felt or a wire, can be performed with a cleaning unit which is moved back and forth in the cross machine direction.
[0003] Because of the wide width of the papermaking machine, of up to around 10 m, the test instrument or cleaning unit will typically be positioned on machine ways, linear bearings, or wheels mounted to a cross machine direction bridge which provides the required stiffness and resistance to vibration necessary for accurate positioning of a scanning instrument or cleaning device. The remaining necessity is some means of driving the test instrument or cleaning unit back and forth in a cross machine direction. Known approaches are the use of a machine screw, a rack and pinon gear arrangement, or a belt or cable drive, however these approaches require expensive components, or suffer from a lack of reliability, require significant maintenance or utilize an excessive amount of space. What is needed is a mechanically simple, low-cost, compact, and reliable means for traversing a piece of equipment back and forth in the cross machine direction over the entire width of a paper web in a papermaking machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The traversing mechanism of this invention employs a short stroke, double acting pneumatic or hydraulic actuator connected to oscillate a ratchet bar with a forward stroke and reverse stroke provided by the double action of the pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. A series of spaced apart notches or teeth are cut into the ratchet bar forming outwardly opening notches and outwardly protruding teeth between the notches. The stroke of the double acting pneumatic or hydraulic actuator is slightly greater than the distance between the notch center lines. Thus with each stroke of the double acting actuator the ratchet bar is moved forward or back slightly more than the distance between notch centers. A piece of equipment movable in the cross machine direction on a linear bearing has a pivotally mounted pawl which is biased by gravity or a spring to engage the spaced apart notches of the ratchet bar. When the pawl is engaged with a notch of the ratchet bar it moves with the ratchet bar, causing the piece of equipment to move along the linear bearing to which the piece of equipment is mounted. When the direction of the ratchet bar is reversed, one of two actions results. First, if a protruding portion of the bar follows the notch in a direction defined by the reversed movement of the ratchet bar, then the pawl is biased by the protruding portion further against the spring or gravity and the pawl slides over the ratchet bar until encountering another notch in the ratchet bar. Secondly, if no portion of the bar engages the pawl during the ratchet bar's motion in the reverse direction, the pawl swings until aligned with the force of gravity or by the spring. When the ratchet bar again reverses direction, the forward motion of the ratchet bar causes the bar to again engage the pawl but not move the attached equipment. Instead, the pawl is biased by the bar against the spring or gravity so that the pawl pivots in a direction opposite to that when the pawl and equipment are moving in the forward direction. When the ratchet bar again operates in the reverse direction the pawl now engages within the notch of the ratchet bar and the equipment moves in the reverse direction.
[0005] The reversing action requires that at least one motion of the pawl and the equipment attached thereto moves less than the normal step either before the reversal or after the reversal of direction. The partial step allows the ratchet bar to disengage from the pawl and then reengage the pawl so the pawl acts in a reverse direction.
[0006] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a self-reversing cross machine direction traversing mechanism of simplicity and low-cost.
[0007] It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a reversible cross machine direction traversing mechanism in a papermaking machine of lower-cost.
[0008] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a reversible cross machine direction traversing mechanism in a papermaking machine for conveying a cleaner or an instrument, the mechanism serving to repeatedly traverse the cleaner or instrument from the back to the front, and from front to the back, of the papermaking machine.
[0009] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of a ratchet mechanism of this invention showing linear motion in a first direction.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevational schematic view of the racket mechanism of FIG. 1 showing linear motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
[0012] FIG. 3 is side elevational schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1
[0013] FIG. 4 is side elevational schematic view showing the motion of a pawl on the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 .
[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-5 wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, FIG. 1 shows a ratchet bar 20 which is moved back and forth in an oscillating motion by a double acting pneumatic actuator 22 . A piece of equipment 24 is mounted to a linear bearing (not shown) which extends in a cross machine direction in a papermaking machine. A pawl 26 is pivotally mounted to the piece of equipment 24 . The pawl 26 engages with notches 28 or teeth 30 defined between the notches which are formed on the ratchet bar 20 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the piece of equipment 24 is progressively moved in a first direction i.e., to the right as indicated by arrows 32 . The distance from the beginning or left-hand side 34 of one notch 28 to the beginning or left-hand side of an adjacent notch 40 is uniform and/or less than the stroke of the pneumatic actuator 22 .
[0016] Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the ratchet bar 20 moves in a first direction, shown by arrow 36 , the pawl 26 pushes the pawl and the equipment 24 to the right by the distance between left-hand sides of adjacent notches 28 . When the pawl 26 is engaged with the beginning or left-hand side of a notch 28 it assumes a first position labeled 1 in FIG. 4 . When the double acting pneumatic actuator 22 reverses direction the end or right-hand side 44 of the notch 28 engages the pawl 26 lifting it in to a second position labeled 2 in FIG. 4 until the adjacent notch 40 is positioned below the pawl and the pawl pivots downwardly into engagement with the left-hand side of the adjacent notch 40 . By repeated action of the double acting pneumatic actuator 22 , acting first to the right and then to the left, the pawl and the equipment to which the pawl is mounted moves in steps to the right.
[0017] The reversal of the motion of the pawl 26 and the piece of equipment 24 to which the pawl is engaged is explained by reference to FIG. 4 and the right hand ends of FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to position 1 of FIG. 4 , the arrangement of the pawl 26 is such that although the pawl is pivotally mounted to the equipment 24 it is not free to pivot because the equipment 24 and the ratchet bar 20 are constrained by linear bearings such that they are movable only in a horizontal, and not in the vertical plane. Position 1 of the pawl 26 when moved as indicated by arrow 42 creates an upward thrust on the equipment 24 and a downward thrust on the ratchet bar 20 which are resisted by the linear bearing on which the equipment 24 is mounted, and on the linear bearing on which the ratchet bar 20 is mounted. The forward thrust of the pneumatic actuator 22 and the ratchet bar is transmitted through the pawl 26 to the equipment 24 . The entire force supplied by the ratchet bar 20 aside from any friction losses is transmitted through the pawl to the equipment 24 because the vertical forces on the equipment 24 and the ratchet bar 20 are opposite sign so, neglecting friction, the linear forces on the ratchet bar are identical to the linear forces applied to the equipment 24 through the pawl 26 . The end of the pawl which engages the notches 28 , 48 is a pointed right angle as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 ,and 4 , which fits against the bottom and one side of the notches 28 , 48 .
[0018] In normal operation the position 1 is followed by lifting up of the pawl 26 by the interaction of the right-hand side 44 with the pawl, followed by the pawl engaging the left-hand side on the following or adjacent notch as described above. The orientation of the pawl 26 is reversed between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the reversing of the pawl orientation is accomplished as shown in FIG. 4 . Referring to position 3 of FIG. 4 , as a first end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 is pulled past the pawl 26 , the pawl is released and allowed to assume a neutral position under the force of gravity. From this neutral position, as shown in position 3 , the forward motion of the ratchet bar 20 causes the pawl to swing to the right, position 4 , and engage the right hand side 44 a notch 48 so that, as shown in position 5 of FIG. 4 , the pawl moves the equipment 24 to the left as the ratchet bar oscillates to the left.
[0019] In order for the reversal of the pawl to occur it is necessary that the oscillation of the ratchet bar 20 to the left frees the pawl 26 to return to the neutral position 3 and that the oscillation of the ratchet bar to the right, as shown in position 4 , moves the notch 48 underneath the pawl 26 until the pawl drops into the notch 48 as shown in position 5 . For the same oscillatory motion on the ratchet bar 20 which moves the equipment 24 to cause a reversal of the pawl 26 , it is necessary that the motion of the pawl and the equipment be less in the final step before the pawl reversal. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a notch 48 is longitudinally larger than normal such that the left-hand side of the notch 48 is spaced considerably less than the distance between notches 28 . Thus the pawl 26 and the equipment 24 are moved to the right only a fraction of the total stroke of the pneumatic actuator 22 . This partial stroke allows the last upstanding portion 50 at the right end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 to be drawn past the pawl 26 as shown in position 2 of FIG. 4 by the normal leftward stroke of the actuator 22 and the ratchet bar 20 , and to pick up the pawl with the right hand side of the notch 48 the next time the ratchet bar 20 moves to the left as shown in position 5 in FIG. 4 .
[0020] The reversing of the motion of the equipment 24 on the left end 54 of the ratchet bar 20 is substantially identical to the series of steps shown in FIG. 4 except the steps 1 - 5 are performed as in a mirror image, and the left end 54 of the ratchet bar 20 is the mirror image of the right end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 .
[0021] An alternative embodiment ratchet mechanism which employs a first ratchet bar 120 and a second ratchet bar 121 is shown in FIG. 3 . The first ratchet bar 120 is connected directly to a double acting pneumatic actuator 122 having a stroke length 119 . The second ratchet bar 121 is geared to the first ratchet bar 120 by a double rack and pinion arrangement consisting of the first rack 123 on the first ratchet bar 120 , and a second rack 125 mounted to the second ratchet bar 121 , with a pinion gear 127 mounted therebetween. The pinion gear mounted for rotation, but not for linear motion. The first rack 123 changes the linear motion supplied by the pneumatic actuator 122 into rotating motion of the pinion gear 127 . The second rack 125 changes the rotation of the pinion gear 127 back into linear motion which is 180° out of phase with the linear motion of the pneumatic actuator 122 and the first ratchet bar 120 . A piece of equipment or equipment carriage 124 is mounted for linear motion to a guide bar 128 . A first pawl 126 is pivotally mounted to the carriage 124 and interacts with the first ratchet bar 120 , and the notches 129 , and teeth 130 formed thereon. At the same time a second pawl 131 also pivotally mounted to the carriage 124 interacts with the second ratchet bar 121 and the notches 132 , and teeth 133 formed a thereon. Each time the pneumatic actuator 122 extends or retracts the first ratchet bar 120 moves the stroke length 119 in the same direction as the actuator 122 , and the second ratchet bar 121 moves the stroke length 119 in a direction opposite the actuator 122 and the first ratchet bar 120 . This arrangement allows the equipment carriage 124 to move linearly each time the actuator 122 is extended or retracted, substantially increasing the speed and uniformity of the equipment carriage 124 and any equipment mounted thereto. The two ratchet bars 120 , 121 and the corresponding pawls 126 , 131 as shown in FIG. 3 perpetually reversed direction in concert causing the equipment carriage 24 to repeatedly traverse the guide bar 128 first in one direction and then the opposite direction.
[0022] A further alternative embodiment ratchet bar 56 is shown in FIG. 5 for the particular application of moving a cleaner along the an air knife (not shown). In certain circumstances it is desirable to apply a spray of materials such as coating to a dryer cylinder within a papermaking machine. In order to prevent the coating from escaping from an application chamber over which a dryer cylinder rotates, a jet of air from an air knife contacts the dryer cylinder, and prevents the sprayed material migrating across the air knife. If coating accumulates on the air knife and partly or completely blocks the flow of air, the air knife is rendered nonfunctional. Thus periodically a cleaning a blade 58 is moved along the air knife to clean the air knife nozzle opening. The air knife cleaning blade is supported on cleaning legs 60 which clean the sides of the air knife and may use additional edges 62 to provide some removal of material from exterior surfaces forming part of the air knife structure. The cleaning legs 60 are cantilevered to a platform 64 which in turn is mounted to a carriage 66 .
[0023] The carriage 66 has a first inverted L-shaped guide 68 and a second inverted L-shaped guide 70 which are held in fixed relation by a spacer block 72 which has a portion (not shown) which extends between the L-shaped guides. The short legs 74 , 76 of the L-shaped guides 68 , 70 ride on upwardly facing surfaces 78 , 80 of an inverted T-shaped guide bar 82 which extends in the cross machine direction and is attached to the front and back sides of the papermaking machine. The pawl is not located symmetrical to the T-shaped guide bar 82 . When the pawl is loaded, it imparts a torque on the carriage 66 about an axis that is approximately longitudinal to the T-shaped guide bar. The bearing surfaces 78 , 96 are relatively larger than the bearing surface 80 to suit the offset location of the pawl. When the pawl is loaded, it causes vertically downward loading on the side of the carriage where the pawl is located adjacent the L-shaped guide 68 . When the cantilevered cleaning legs 60 are loaded due to friction which acts in the cross-machine direction, the cantilevered cleaning legs 60 impart a torque upon the carriage 66 . This torque is about an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the T-shaped guide bar and approximately parallel to the bearing surfaces 78 and 80 . To reduce frictional loading that occurs between the T-shaped guide bar 82 and the carriage 66 due to the various loadings, four wheels 97 , two of which are visible in FIG. 5 , are mounted beneath the T-shaped guide bar 66 . The wheels 97 are mounted between the first and second L-shaped guides 68 , 70 and portions of the spacer block 72 as shown in FIG. 5 .
[0024] The ratchet bar 56 is positioned between a lower bearing plate 88 and an upper bearing plate 86 fabricated of bearing bronze. The upper and lower bearing plates are spaced apart and mounted to the guide bar 82 . A double acting pneumatic actuator 90 is mounted over the upper bearing plate, and is connected by an arm 92 to the ratchet bar 56 through a slot 94 in the upper bearing plate 88 . Actuation of the pneumatic actuator 90 causes the ratchet bar 56 to oscillate back and forth while engaged between the upper and lower bearing plates. The ratchet bar 56 has a series of slots (not shown) through which guide pins (not shown) extend to connect the upper bearing plate to the lower bearing plate. The guide pins and the slots constrain the ratchet bar motion to a straight linear path that is parallel to the motion of the pneumatic actuator 90 .
[0025] The ratchet bar 56 has evenly spaced notches 98 which are engaged by a counterweight pawl 100 mounted to the platform 64 and to the carriage 66 . The spacing of the notches 98 is slightly less than the stroke of the pneumatic actuator 90 . The pawl 100 extends upwardly to engage in the notches 98 and causes the carriage 66 to move progressively along the ratchet bar 56 . The pawl 100 has an end in the shape of a right angle notch and it engages the side and lower surface of the ratchet bar 56 . Reversal of the direction of the carriage 66 is accomplished in a way similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 . However, instead of having the notches closest to either end of the ratchet bar being longer than normal so that the equipment moves only one half step, a separate end notch 102 is closely spaced between the end 104 of the ratchet bar 56 and the last regularly spaced notch 106 . After the ratchet bar end 104 is a drawn past the pawl 100 allowing the pawl to move to a vertical position and to be reversed by the next movement of the ratchet bar, the pawl 100 is engaged by the end-notch 102 . The movement of the carriage 66 when the pawl is engaged with the end notch 102 is only sufficient to allow the pawl to engage with the last regularly spaced notch 106 . Once the pawl is engaged with the regularly spaced notch the carriage moves a distance equal to the regular spacing between notches with each complete cycle of the pneumatic actuator 90 .
[0026] It should be understood that instead of a partial rightward or leftward movement at the ends of the bar, the pneumatic actuator may be allowed or controlled to make only a partial stroke. For example, the equipment's rightward or leftward movement could be constrained by a stop or, motion of the equipment beyond a rightward or leftward position could be arranged to vent the pneumatic actuators to prevent further motion. It is also possible that all movements towards the bar ends are uniform but the first step away from the bar end is only partial as shown with respect to FIG. 5 wherein the first step away from the bar end results in moving the pawl to a closely spaced adjacent notch 106 .
[0027] It should also be understood that were in two or more ratchet bars are used such as shown in FIG. 3 various mechanisms, such as a pivoting arm, or a free-floating piston with twice the desired movement of the ratchet bars connected between the ratchet bars, and other similar mechanical arrangements could be you.
[0028] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims. | A two directional traversing mechanism uses a ratchet bar moved by an actuator to oscillate. Notches in the ratchet bar engage a pawl pivotally mounted to a piece of equipment so that the pawl and equipment move in the first direction. When the direction of the ratchet bar is reversed either the pawl is moved forward to an adjacent notch, or the pawl swings due to a biasing force such that when the ratchet bar again reverses direction, the ratchet bar causes the bar to pivot the pawl in a direction opposite the first direction. When the ratchet bar again operates in the reverse direction the pawl now engages with a notch of the ratchet bar and moves the equipment in the reverse direction. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to devices which cause linear motion of a machine component in general, and to devices employing a ratchet mechanism in particular.",
"[0002] Papermaking is usually performed on a papermaking machine which manufactures a paper web many meters wide, typically 5-10 meters wide in a cross machine direction which is perpendicular to the direction defined by the motion of the paper web as it is being formed.",
"Within the papermaking machine, for most processes, every effort is made to treat the entire width of the paper web uniformly to insure cross machine direction uniformity in the paper web being formed.",
"However for some processes within the papermaking machine it is not necessary or cost-effective to perform a particular operation simultaneously on the entire cross machine direction width of the web.",
"For example, when properties of the web are monitored in the cross machine direction it is often sufficient to have the monitoring instrument be moved from one edge of the paper web to the other, traversing back and forth across the web in a systematic manner.",
"In addition, instruments which measure web caliper, web density, web moisture, web curl, etc.",
"can be periodically scanned in the cross machine direction over the paper web.",
"Cleaning operations which need not be continuous but which are necessary to maintain the functionality of a roll, an air knife, a fabric, a felt or a wire, can be performed with a cleaning unit which is moved back and forth in the cross machine direction.",
"[0003] Because of the wide width of the papermaking machine, of up to around 10 m, the test instrument or cleaning unit will typically be positioned on machine ways, linear bearings, or wheels mounted to a cross machine direction bridge which provides the required stiffness and resistance to vibration necessary for accurate positioning of a scanning instrument or cleaning device.",
"The remaining necessity is some means of driving the test instrument or cleaning unit back and forth in a cross machine direction.",
"Known approaches are the use of a machine screw, a rack and pinon gear arrangement, or a belt or cable drive, however these approaches require expensive components, or suffer from a lack of reliability, require significant maintenance or utilize an excessive amount of space.",
"What is needed is a mechanically simple, low-cost, compact, and reliable means for traversing a piece of equipment back and forth in the cross machine direction over the entire width of a paper web in a papermaking machine.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The traversing mechanism of this invention employs a short stroke, double acting pneumatic or hydraulic actuator connected to oscillate a ratchet bar with a forward stroke and reverse stroke provided by the double action of the pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.",
"A series of spaced apart notches or teeth are cut into the ratchet bar forming outwardly opening notches and outwardly protruding teeth between the notches.",
"The stroke of the double acting pneumatic or hydraulic actuator is slightly greater than the distance between the notch center lines.",
"Thus with each stroke of the double acting actuator the ratchet bar is moved forward or back slightly more than the distance between notch centers.",
"A piece of equipment movable in the cross machine direction on a linear bearing has a pivotally mounted pawl which is biased by gravity or a spring to engage the spaced apart notches of the ratchet bar.",
"When the pawl is engaged with a notch of the ratchet bar it moves with the ratchet bar, causing the piece of equipment to move along the linear bearing to which the piece of equipment is mounted.",
"When the direction of the ratchet bar is reversed, one of two actions results.",
"First, if a protruding portion of the bar follows the notch in a direction defined by the reversed movement of the ratchet bar, then the pawl is biased by the protruding portion further against the spring or gravity and the pawl slides over the ratchet bar until encountering another notch in the ratchet bar.",
"Secondly, if no portion of the bar engages the pawl during the ratchet bar's motion in the reverse direction, the pawl swings until aligned with the force of gravity or by the spring.",
"When the ratchet bar again reverses direction, the forward motion of the ratchet bar causes the bar to again engage the pawl but not move the attached equipment.",
"Instead, the pawl is biased by the bar against the spring or gravity so that the pawl pivots in a direction opposite to that when the pawl and equipment are moving in the forward direction.",
"When the ratchet bar again operates in the reverse direction the pawl now engages within the notch of the ratchet bar and the equipment moves in the reverse direction.",
"[0005] The reversing action requires that at least one motion of the pawl and the equipment attached thereto moves less than the normal step either before the reversal or after the reversal of direction.",
"The partial step allows the ratchet bar to disengage from the pawl and then reengage the pawl so the pawl acts in a reverse direction.",
"[0006] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a self-reversing cross machine direction traversing mechanism of simplicity and low-cost.",
"[0007] It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a reversible cross machine direction traversing mechanism in a papermaking machine of lower-cost.",
"[0008] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a reversible cross machine direction traversing mechanism in a papermaking machine for conveying a cleaner or an instrument, the mechanism serving to repeatedly traverse the cleaner or instrument from the back to the front, and from front to the back, of the papermaking machine.",
"[0009] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of a ratchet mechanism of this invention showing linear motion in a first direction.",
"[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevational schematic view of the racket mechanism of FIG. 1 showing linear motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction.",
"[0012] FIG. 3 is side elevational schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 [0013] FIG. 4 is side elevational schematic view showing the motion of a pawl on the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 .",
"[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 .",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-5 wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, FIG. 1 shows a ratchet bar 20 which is moved back and forth in an oscillating motion by a double acting pneumatic actuator 22 .",
"A piece of equipment 24 is mounted to a linear bearing (not shown) which extends in a cross machine direction in a papermaking machine.",
"A pawl 26 is pivotally mounted to the piece of equipment 24 .",
"The pawl 26 engages with notches 28 or teeth 30 defined between the notches which are formed on the ratchet bar 20 .",
"As shown in FIG. 1 , the piece of equipment 24 is progressively moved in a first direction i.e., to the right as indicated by arrows 32 .",
"The distance from the beginning or left-hand side 34 of one notch 28 to the beginning or left-hand side of an adjacent notch 40 is uniform and/or less than the stroke of the pneumatic actuator 22 .",
"[0016] Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the ratchet bar 20 moves in a first direction, shown by arrow 36 , the pawl 26 pushes the pawl and the equipment 24 to the right by the distance between left-hand sides of adjacent notches 28 .",
"When the pawl 26 is engaged with the beginning or left-hand side of a notch 28 it assumes a first position labeled 1 in FIG. 4 .",
"When the double acting pneumatic actuator 22 reverses direction the end or right-hand side 44 of the notch 28 engages the pawl 26 lifting it in to a second position labeled 2 in FIG. 4 until the adjacent notch 40 is positioned below the pawl and the pawl pivots downwardly into engagement with the left-hand side of the adjacent notch 40 .",
"By repeated action of the double acting pneumatic actuator 22 , acting first to the right and then to the left, the pawl and the equipment to which the pawl is mounted moves in steps to the right.",
"[0017] The reversal of the motion of the pawl 26 and the piece of equipment 24 to which the pawl is engaged is explained by reference to FIG. 4 and the right hand ends of FIGS. 1 and 2 .",
"Referring to position 1 of FIG. 4 , the arrangement of the pawl 26 is such that although the pawl is pivotally mounted to the equipment 24 it is not free to pivot because the equipment 24 and the ratchet bar 20 are constrained by linear bearings such that they are movable only in a horizontal, and not in the vertical plane.",
"Position 1 of the pawl 26 when moved as indicated by arrow 42 creates an upward thrust on the equipment 24 and a downward thrust on the ratchet bar 20 which are resisted by the linear bearing on which the equipment 24 is mounted, and on the linear bearing on which the ratchet bar 20 is mounted.",
"The forward thrust of the pneumatic actuator 22 and the ratchet bar is transmitted through the pawl 26 to the equipment 24 .",
"The entire force supplied by the ratchet bar 20 aside from any friction losses is transmitted through the pawl to the equipment 24 because the vertical forces on the equipment 24 and the ratchet bar 20 are opposite sign so, neglecting friction, the linear forces on the ratchet bar are identical to the linear forces applied to the equipment 24 through the pawl 26 .",
"The end of the pawl which engages the notches 28 , 48 is a pointed right angle as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 ,and 4 , which fits against the bottom and one side of the notches 28 , 48 .",
"[0018] In normal operation the position 1 is followed by lifting up of the pawl 26 by the interaction of the right-hand side 44 with the pawl, followed by the pawl engaging the left-hand side on the following or adjacent notch as described above.",
"The orientation of the pawl 26 is reversed between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the reversing of the pawl orientation is accomplished as shown in FIG. 4 .",
"Referring to position 3 of FIG. 4 , as a first end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 is pulled past the pawl 26 , the pawl is released and allowed to assume a neutral position under the force of gravity.",
"From this neutral position, as shown in position 3 , the forward motion of the ratchet bar 20 causes the pawl to swing to the right, position 4 , and engage the right hand side 44 a notch 48 so that, as shown in position 5 of FIG. 4 , the pawl moves the equipment 24 to the left as the ratchet bar oscillates to the left.",
"[0019] In order for the reversal of the pawl to occur it is necessary that the oscillation of the ratchet bar 20 to the left frees the pawl 26 to return to the neutral position 3 and that the oscillation of the ratchet bar to the right, as shown in position 4 , moves the notch 48 underneath the pawl 26 until the pawl drops into the notch 48 as shown in position 5 .",
"For the same oscillatory motion on the ratchet bar 20 which moves the equipment 24 to cause a reversal of the pawl 26 , it is necessary that the motion of the pawl and the equipment be less in the final step before the pawl reversal.",
"Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a notch 48 is longitudinally larger than normal such that the left-hand side of the notch 48 is spaced considerably less than the distance between notches 28 .",
"Thus the pawl 26 and the equipment 24 are moved to the right only a fraction of the total stroke of the pneumatic actuator 22 .",
"This partial stroke allows the last upstanding portion 50 at the right end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 to be drawn past the pawl 26 as shown in position 2 of FIG. 4 by the normal leftward stroke of the actuator 22 and the ratchet bar 20 , and to pick up the pawl with the right hand side of the notch 48 the next time the ratchet bar 20 moves to the left as shown in position 5 in FIG. 4 .",
"[0020] The reversing of the motion of the equipment 24 on the left end 54 of the ratchet bar 20 is substantially identical to the series of steps shown in FIG. 4 except the steps 1 - 5 are performed as in a mirror image, and the left end 54 of the ratchet bar 20 is the mirror image of the right end 52 of the ratchet bar 20 .",
"[0021] An alternative embodiment ratchet mechanism which employs a first ratchet bar 120 and a second ratchet bar 121 is shown in FIG. 3 .",
"The first ratchet bar 120 is connected directly to a double acting pneumatic actuator 122 having a stroke length 119 .",
"The second ratchet bar 121 is geared to the first ratchet bar 120 by a double rack and pinion arrangement consisting of the first rack 123 on the first ratchet bar 120 , and a second rack 125 mounted to the second ratchet bar 121 , with a pinion gear 127 mounted therebetween.",
"The pinion gear mounted for rotation, but not for linear motion.",
"The first rack 123 changes the linear motion supplied by the pneumatic actuator 122 into rotating motion of the pinion gear 127 .",
"The second rack 125 changes the rotation of the pinion gear 127 back into linear motion which is 180° out of phase with the linear motion of the pneumatic actuator 122 and the first ratchet bar 120 .",
"A piece of equipment or equipment carriage 124 is mounted for linear motion to a guide bar 128 .",
"A first pawl 126 is pivotally mounted to the carriage 124 and interacts with the first ratchet bar 120 , and the notches 129 , and teeth 130 formed thereon.",
"At the same time a second pawl 131 also pivotally mounted to the carriage 124 interacts with the second ratchet bar 121 and the notches 132 , and teeth 133 formed a thereon.",
"Each time the pneumatic actuator 122 extends or retracts the first ratchet bar 120 moves the stroke length 119 in the same direction as the actuator 122 , and the second ratchet bar 121 moves the stroke length 119 in a direction opposite the actuator 122 and the first ratchet bar 120 .",
"This arrangement allows the equipment carriage 124 to move linearly each time the actuator 122 is extended or retracted, substantially increasing the speed and uniformity of the equipment carriage 124 and any equipment mounted thereto.",
"The two ratchet bars 120 , 121 and the corresponding pawls 126 , 131 as shown in FIG. 3 perpetually reversed direction in concert causing the equipment carriage 24 to repeatedly traverse the guide bar 128 first in one direction and then the opposite direction.",
"[0022] A further alternative embodiment ratchet bar 56 is shown in FIG. 5 for the particular application of moving a cleaner along the an air knife (not shown).",
"In certain circumstances it is desirable to apply a spray of materials such as coating to a dryer cylinder within a papermaking machine.",
"In order to prevent the coating from escaping from an application chamber over which a dryer cylinder rotates, a jet of air from an air knife contacts the dryer cylinder, and prevents the sprayed material migrating across the air knife.",
"If coating accumulates on the air knife and partly or completely blocks the flow of air, the air knife is rendered nonfunctional.",
"Thus periodically a cleaning a blade 58 is moved along the air knife to clean the air knife nozzle opening.",
"The air knife cleaning blade is supported on cleaning legs 60 which clean the sides of the air knife and may use additional edges 62 to provide some removal of material from exterior surfaces forming part of the air knife structure.",
"The cleaning legs 60 are cantilevered to a platform 64 which in turn is mounted to a carriage 66 .",
"[0023] The carriage 66 has a first inverted L-shaped guide 68 and a second inverted L-shaped guide 70 which are held in fixed relation by a spacer block 72 which has a portion (not shown) which extends between the L-shaped guides.",
"The short legs 74 , 76 of the L-shaped guides 68 , 70 ride on upwardly facing surfaces 78 , 80 of an inverted T-shaped guide bar 82 which extends in the cross machine direction and is attached to the front and back sides of the papermaking machine.",
"The pawl is not located symmetrical to the T-shaped guide bar 82 .",
"When the pawl is loaded, it imparts a torque on the carriage 66 about an axis that is approximately longitudinal to the T-shaped guide bar.",
"The bearing surfaces 78 , 96 are relatively larger than the bearing surface 80 to suit the offset location of the pawl.",
"When the pawl is loaded, it causes vertically downward loading on the side of the carriage where the pawl is located adjacent the L-shaped guide 68 .",
"When the cantilevered cleaning legs 60 are loaded due to friction which acts in the cross-machine direction, the cantilevered cleaning legs 60 impart a torque upon the carriage 66 .",
"This torque is about an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the T-shaped guide bar and approximately parallel to the bearing surfaces 78 and 80 .",
"To reduce frictional loading that occurs between the T-shaped guide bar 82 and the carriage 66 due to the various loadings, four wheels 97 , two of which are visible in FIG. 5 , are mounted beneath the T-shaped guide bar 66 .",
"The wheels 97 are mounted between the first and second L-shaped guides 68 , 70 and portions of the spacer block 72 as shown in FIG. 5 .",
"[0024] The ratchet bar 56 is positioned between a lower bearing plate 88 and an upper bearing plate 86 fabricated of bearing bronze.",
"The upper and lower bearing plates are spaced apart and mounted to the guide bar 82 .",
"A double acting pneumatic actuator 90 is mounted over the upper bearing plate, and is connected by an arm 92 to the ratchet bar 56 through a slot 94 in the upper bearing plate 88 .",
"Actuation of the pneumatic actuator 90 causes the ratchet bar 56 to oscillate back and forth while engaged between the upper and lower bearing plates.",
"The ratchet bar 56 has a series of slots (not shown) through which guide pins (not shown) extend to connect the upper bearing plate to the lower bearing plate.",
"The guide pins and the slots constrain the ratchet bar motion to a straight linear path that is parallel to the motion of the pneumatic actuator 90 .",
"[0025] The ratchet bar 56 has evenly spaced notches 98 which are engaged by a counterweight pawl 100 mounted to the platform 64 and to the carriage 66 .",
"The spacing of the notches 98 is slightly less than the stroke of the pneumatic actuator 90 .",
"The pawl 100 extends upwardly to engage in the notches 98 and causes the carriage 66 to move progressively along the ratchet bar 56 .",
"The pawl 100 has an end in the shape of a right angle notch and it engages the side and lower surface of the ratchet bar 56 .",
"Reversal of the direction of the carriage 66 is accomplished in a way similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 .",
"However, instead of having the notches closest to either end of the ratchet bar being longer than normal so that the equipment moves only one half step, a separate end notch 102 is closely spaced between the end 104 of the ratchet bar 56 and the last regularly spaced notch 106 .",
"After the ratchet bar end 104 is a drawn past the pawl 100 allowing the pawl to move to a vertical position and to be reversed by the next movement of the ratchet bar, the pawl 100 is engaged by the end-notch 102 .",
"The movement of the carriage 66 when the pawl is engaged with the end notch 102 is only sufficient to allow the pawl to engage with the last regularly spaced notch 106 .",
"Once the pawl is engaged with the regularly spaced notch the carriage moves a distance equal to the regular spacing between notches with each complete cycle of the pneumatic actuator 90 .",
"[0026] It should be understood that instead of a partial rightward or leftward movement at the ends of the bar, the pneumatic actuator may be allowed or controlled to make only a partial stroke.",
"For example, the equipment's rightward or leftward movement could be constrained by a stop or, motion of the equipment beyond a rightward or leftward position could be arranged to vent the pneumatic actuators to prevent further motion.",
"It is also possible that all movements towards the bar ends are uniform but the first step away from the bar end is only partial as shown with respect to FIG. 5 wherein the first step away from the bar end results in moving the pawl to a closely spaced adjacent notch 106 .",
"[0027] It should also be understood that were in two or more ratchet bars are used such as shown in FIG. 3 various mechanisms, such as a pivoting arm, or a free-floating piston with twice the desired movement of the ratchet bars connected between the ratchet bars, and other similar mechanical arrangements could be you.",
"[0028] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part application of patent application Ser. No. 684,513, filed Dec. 21, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,501.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to undenatured virus-free biologically active protein-containing compositions. More especially, this invention relates to the inactivation of viruses, especially lipid coated viruses, e.g., hepatitis B, in human blood, blood components, blood plasma or any fraction, concentrate or derivative thereof containing blood proteins or non-blood sources including normal or cancer cells, the exudate from cancer or normal cells grown in cultures, hybridomas, in products from gene splicing (DNA), etc., by the use of a fatty acid or an ester or salt thereof or by the use of a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride. In particular, this invention relates to blood plasma or other plasma protein-containing compositions which are rendered substantially free of hepatitis B and/or non-A and non-B hepatitis or other viral infectivity, such blood plasma or fractions thereof having valuable labile proteins, such as, for example, factor VIII, by using fatty acids or long chain unsaturated monoglycerides.
Background Information
Blood derivatives, such as antihemophilic factor concentrate (AHF) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), as traditionally prepared, carry substantial risk of transmitting hepatitis B (HB), non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (G. Norkrans et al, Vox Sang., 41, 129 (1981); M. L. Fletcher, J. M. Trowell, J. Craske, K. Pavier, C. R. Rizza, Br. Med. J., 287, 1754 (1983); M. J. Alter, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; Surveillance Summaries, 32, 23SS (1983); R. J. Gerety, D. L. Aronson, Transfusion, 22, 347 (1982); E. Vilmer et al, Lancet, i, 753 (1984); B. L. Evatt, D. P. Francis, M. F. T. McLane et al, Lancet, ii, 698 (1983); J. Schupbach et al, Science, 224, 500 (1984); and M. G. Sarngadharan, M. Popovic, L. Bruch, J. Schupbach, R. C. Gallo, Science, 224, 506 (1984). Each of these diseases is associated with lipid-enveloped viruses (S. M. Feinstone et al, Infect. Immun., 41, 816 (1983) and A. M. Prince et al Vox Sang., 46, 36 (1984) though one form of NANBH virus isolated from chimpanzee serum appears to have been protein enveloped (D. W. Bradley, J. E. Maynard, H. Popper et al, J. Infect. Dis., 148, 254 (1983)). Protein enveloped forms of NANBHV were not found in 13 lots of AHF concentrate.
The transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis also has been associated with at least some preparations of intravenous gamma globulin solutions (R. S. Lane, Lancet, ii, 974 (1983); A. M. L. Lever, A. D. B. Webster, D. Brown, H. C. Thomas, Lancet, i, 587 (1985); H. D. Ochs, S. H. Fischer, F. S. Virant et al, Lancet, i, 404 (1985)). The safety of these solutions with regard to AIDS transmission has been the subject of recent analysis. Though little or no inactivation of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III/LAV, occurs on exposure to the cold ethanolic conditions used in the preparation of IgG (A. M. Prince, M. P. J. Piet, B. Horowitz, New England J. Med., 314, 186 (1986)), the virus appears to separate from this fraction with high efficiency (M. A. Wells et al, Transfusion, 26, 210 (1986)) on laboratory scale and the preponderance of clinical data suggests that this product is safe with regard to AIDS transmission.
The development of methods which render blood products safe from virus transmission requires the identification of conditions which are virucidally potent, but which have little effect on protein structure and function. Pasteurization of AHF under a variety of conditions has led to mixed results with regard to virus safety (N. Heimburger et al, DU gelben Hefte, 20, 165, (1980); M. Colombo et al, Lancet, i, 1 (1985); F. E. Preston, C. R. M. Hay, M. S. Dewar, M. Greaves, D. R. Triger, Lancet, ii, 213 (1985); P. B. A. Kernoff et al Lancet, ii, 721 (1985); P. M. Mannucci, M. Colombo, F. Rodeghiero, Lancet, ii, 1013 (1985); F. B. Hollinger, G. Dolana, W. Thomas, F. Gyorkey, J. Infect. Dis., 150, 250 (1984); and R. H. Purcell et al, Hepatology, 5, 1091 (1985)) and has led to alteration of protein structure (B. Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin, J. Vandersande, M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 523 (1985)).
Numerous attempts have been made to inactivate viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) in mammalian, especially human, blood plasma. It is the practice in some countries to effect inactivation of the hepatitis B virus in the blood plasma by contacting the plasma with a viral inactivating agent of the type which crosslinks with the proteinaceous portion of hepatitis B virus, or which interacts with the nucleic acid of the virus. For instance, it is known to attempt to inactivate hepatitis B virus by contact with an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde, whereby crosslinking to the protein is effected and the hepatitis B virus is inactivated. It is also known to effect inactivation of the virus by contact with beta-propiolactone (BPL), an agent which acts on the nucleic acid of the virus. It is further known to use ultraviolet (UV) light, especially after a beta-propiolactone treatment.
Other inactivating agents include lower alkyl esters of acetic acid for inactivation of flu virus (U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,871); glutaraldehyde (U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,229 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,454); tri-n-butyl-phosphate for inactivation of flu virus (U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,421); butylatedhydroxytoluene (U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,707); sulfhydryl (U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,211); ethyleneimine (U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,196 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,952); beta-propiolactone combined with acetylethylenimine (U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,958) and tannin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,126). Detergents have also been disclosed as viral inactivating agents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,997 and 4,315,919). Microwaves have also been proposed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,234. U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,206 discloses the use of heat. Various chlorinated hydrocarbons such as tetrachloroethylene have been proposed for the inactivation of myxoviruses (U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,737).
Unfortunately, viral inactivity agents often alter, denature or destroy valuable protein components, especially so-called "labile" blood coagulation factors of the plasma under conditions required for effective inactivation of virus infectivity. For instance, in heretofore used inactivation processes, factor VIII is inactivated or denatured to the extent of 50-90% or more of the factor VIII present in the untreated plasma. Because of the denaturing effects of these virus inactivating agents, it is necessary in the preparation of derivatives for administration to patients to concentrate large quantities of plasma so that the material to be administered to the patient once again has a sufficient concentration of the undenatured protein for effective therapeutic treatment. This concentration, however, does not affect reduction of the amount of denatured protein. As a result, the patient not only receives the undenatured protein, but a quantity of denatured protein often many times that of the undenatured protein.
For instance, in the inactivation of hepatitis B virus in human blood plasma by beta-propiolactone, there is obtained as a result thereof, a plasma whose factor VIII has been 75% inactivated. The remaining 25% of the factor VIII is, therefore, present in such a small concentration, as a function of the plasma itself, that it is necessary to concentrate large quantities of the factor VIII to provide sufficient concentration to be of therapeutic value. Since such separation techniques do not efficiently remove denatured factor VIII from undenatured factor VIII, the material administered to the patient may contain more denatured protein than undenatured protein. Obviously, such inactivation is valuable from a standpoint of diminishing the risk of hepatitis virus infection. However, it requires the processing of large quantities of plasma and represents significant loss of valuable protein components. Furthermore, administration of large amounts of denatured proteins may render these antigenic to the host and thus give rise to autoimmune diseases, or perhaps, rheumatoid arthritis.
The loss of these valuable protein components is not limited to factor VIII, one of the most labile of the valuable proteins in mammalian blood plasma. Similar protein denaturation is experienced in respect of the following other valuable plasma components: coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X; plasmin, fibrinogen (factor I) IgM, hemoglobin, interferon, etc.
Factor VIII, however, is denatured to a larger extent than many of the other valuable proteins present in blood plasma.
As a result of the foregoing, except in the processing of serum albumin (a stable plasma protein solution which can withstand pasteurization) it was largely the practice in the United States in respect of the processing of blood proteins to take no step in respect of the sterilization for inactivation of viruses. As a result, recipients of factor VIII, gamma-globulin, factor IX, fibrinogen, etc., accepted the risk that the valuable protein components being administered may be contaminated with hepatitis viruses, as well as other infectious viruses. As a result, these recipients faced the danger of becoming infected by these viruses and having to endure the damage which the virus causes to the liver and other organ systems and consequent incapacitation and illness, which may lead to death.
The BPL/UV inactivation procedure discussed above has not so far been adopted in the United States for numerous reasons, one of which lies in the fact that many researchers believe that BPL is itself deleterious since it cannot be removed completely following the inactivation and thus may remain in plasma and plasma derivatives. BPL has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals and is dangerous even to personnel handling it.
Other methods for the inactivation of hepatitis B virus in plasma are known, but are usually impractical. One method involves the addition of antibodies to the plasma whereby an immune complex is formed. The expense of antibody formation and purification add significantly to the cost of the plasma production; furthermore, there is no assurance that a sufficient quantity of hepatitis B or non-A, non-B virus is inactivated. There is currently no test for non-A, non-B antibodies (although there is a test for the virus); hence, it is not possible to select plasma containing high titers of anti-non-A, non-B antibody.
It is to be understood that the problems of inactivation of the viruses in plasma are distinct from the problems of inactivation of the viruses themselves due to the copresence of the desirable proteinaceous components of the plasma. Thus, while it is known how to inactivate the hepatitis B virus, by using crosslinking agents, for example, glutaraldehyde, nucleic acid reacting chemicals, for example, BPL or formaldehyde, or oxidizing agents, for example, chlorox, etc., it has been believed that these methods are not suitable for the inactivation of the virus in plasma due to the observation that most of these inactivating agents (sodium hypochlorite, formaldehyde, beta-propiolactone) denatured the valuable proteinaceous components of the plasma.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,919 to Shanbrom describes a method of depyrogenating a proteinaceous biological or pharmaceutical product by contacting such proteinaceous product with a non-denaturing amphiphile.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,997 to Shanbrom describes a method of reducing pyrogenicity, hepatitis infectivity and clotting activation of a plasma protein product by contacting the product with a non-denatured amphiphile.
Both Shanbrom U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,919 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,997 of a non-ionic detergent, for example, "TWEEN 80" as the amphilphile. It is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,573 that treatment with "TWEEN 80" by itself is relatively ineffective as a viral inactivating agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,421 describes a method for the disruption of infectious lipid-containing viruses for preparing sub-unit vaccines by contacting the virus in an aqueous medium with a wetting agent and a trialkylphosphate. Such aqueous medium is defined as allantonic fluid, tissue culture fluid, aqueous extract or a suspension of central nervous system tissue, blood cell eluate and an aqueous extract or suspension of fowl embryo. The patent does not describe hepatitis, nor is it concerned with preparation of blood derivatives containing labile blood protein substantially free of viral infectivity. It is concerned only with disrupting the envelope of lipid-containing viruses for the production of vaccines and not with avoiding or reducing protein denaturation en route to a blood derivative. Tri(n-butyl)phosphate (TNBP) /detergent mixture appear to be both virucidally potent and highly specific (B. Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin, M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 516 (1985)); however transmission studies in man have just begun.
Problems may also exist in deriving valuable proteins from non-blood sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, mammalian milk, ascitic fluid, saliva, placenta extracts, tissue culture cell lines and their extracts, including transformed cells, and products of fermentation. For instance, human lymphoblastoid cells have been isolated are used to produce alpha interferon. However, the cell line in commercial use today contains Epstein-Barr virus genes. It has been a major concern that the use of interferon produced by these cells would transmit viral infection or induce viral caused cancerous growth.
Unsaturated fatty acids have been shown previously to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses added to buffer solutions and tissue culture media (C. C. Stock, T. Francis, Jr., J. Exp. Med., 71, 661 (1940), A. Kohn, J. Gitelman, M. Inbar, Arch. Virology, 66, 301 (1980)). Other hydrocarbons such as butylated hydroxytoluene (W. Snipes, S. Person, A. Keith, J. Cupp, Science, 188, 64 (1975)) and long chain alcohols and monoglycerides (J. Sands, D. Auperin. W. Snipes, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 15, 67 (1979)) also have antiviral activity. Protein enveloped viruses are unaffected by these treatments (J. C. Hierholzer, J. J. Kabara, J. Food Safety, 4, 1 (1982)).
Unsaturated fatty acids are naturally occurring and have low toxicity. (Toxic Substance List, H. E. Christensen (Ed.), 1974, p. 543; Jefferson and Necheles, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med., 68, 248 (1948)).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to achieving three goals, namely, (1) a safe, (2) viral inactivated protein-containing composition, i.e., a blood product containing a labile protein, (3) without incurring substantial protein denaturation. As shown above, these three goals are not necessarily compatible since, for example, beta-propiolactone inactivates viral infectivity, but is unsafe and substances such as formaldehyde inactivate viruses, but also substantially denaturate the valuable plasma proteins, for example, factor VIII.
It, therefore, became desirable to provide a process for obtaining protein-containing compositions which does not substantially denature the valuable protein components therein and which does not entail the use of a proven carcinogenic agent. More especially, it is desirable to provide blood protein-containing compositions in which substantially all of the hepatitis viruses and other viruses present are inactivated and in which denatured protein such as factor VIII account for only a small amount of the total amount of these proteins in the blood protein-containing composition.
It is a further object to provide products from cancer or normal cells or from fermentation processes following gene insertion which are substatially free of virus, especially lipid-containing viruses.
It has now been discovered, quite surprisingly, that while most of the viral inactivating agents denature factor VIII and other valuable blood plasma proteins, that not all viral inactivating agents have such effect. It has been discovered that a labile protein-containing composition, e.g., blood cell proteins, blood plasma, a blood plasma fractionation precipitate, a blood plasma fractionation supernatant, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatant, or portion or derivative thereof or serum or a non-blood product produced from normal or cancerous cells (e.g., via recombinant DNA technology) is contacted for a sufficient period of time with a fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or a salt thereof, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof that lipid-containing viruses such as the hepatitis viruses present in the composition are virtually entirely inactivated without substantial denaturation of proteins contained therein. By contacting a blood protein mixture or concentrate thereof or fraction thereof with a fatty acid or a C 1-4 alkyl ester thereof, or alcohol thereof or a salt thereof, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof, or with a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride, hepatitis viruses can be substantially inactivated, e.g., to an inactivation of greater than 4 logs, while realizing a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 60%.
By such procedures there is provided a labile protein-containing composition, for example, a blood protein-containing such as mammalian blood cell derivative (e.g., hemoglobin, alpha-interferon, T-cell growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, etc.), plasminogen activator, blood plasma, blood plasma fraction, blood plasma precipitate (e.g., cryoprecipitate, ethanol supernatant or polyethylene glycol supernatant), characterized by the presence of one or more blood proteins, such as labile blood factor VIII having a total yield or protein activity to total protein of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, said blood protein-containing composition having greatly reduced or virtually no hepatitis viruses. Virus in a serum is determined by infectivity titrations.
By the inactivation procedure of the invention, most, if not virtually all, of the hepatitis viruses contained therein are inactivated. The method for determining infectivity levels by in vivo chimpanzees is discussed by Prince, A.M., Stephen, W., Brotman, B. and van den Ende, M.C., "Evaluation of the Efect of Beta-propiolactone/Ultraviolet Irradiation (BPL/UV) Treatment of Source Plasma on Hepatitis Transmission by Factor IX Complex in Chimpanzees", Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 44, 138-142, 1980.
The hepatitis virus is inactivated by treatment with a fatty acid, preferably an unsaturated fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol as described herein, and is not inactivated because of inclusion in the plasma of antibodies which bind with the hepatitis viruses and form immune complexes.
Inactivation of virus is obtained to the extent of at least "4 logs", i.e., virus in a serum is totally inactivated to the extent determined by infectivity studies where that virus is present in the untreated serum in such a concentration that even after dilution to 10 4 , viral activity can be measured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plot of oleic acid concentration against viral infectivity,
FIG. 2 is a plot of the same concentration of oleic acid as in FIG. 1 against AHF yield.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are plots showing the inactivation of VSV added to AHF by unsaturated fatty acids after one hour (FIG. 3) and after four hours (FIG. 4).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Blood is made up of solids (cells, i.e., erythrocytes, leucocytes, and thrombocytes) and liquid (plasma). The cells contain potentially valuable substances such as hemoglobin, and they can be induced to make other potentially valuable substances, such as interferons, growth factors, and other biological response modifiers. The plasma is composed mainly of water, salts, lipids and proteins. The proteins are divided into groups called fibrinogens, serum globulins and serum albumins. Typical antibodies (immune globulins) found in human blood plasma include those directed against infectious hepatitis, influenza H, etc.
Blood transfusions are used to treat anemia resulting from disease or hemorrhage, shock resulting from loss of plasma proteins or loss of circulating volume, diseases where an adequate level of plasma protein is not maintained, for example, hemophilia, and to bestow passive immunization.
Whole blood must be carefully typed and cross matched prior to administration. Plasma, however, does not require prior testing. For certain applications, only a proper fraction of the plasma is required, such as factor VIII, for treatment of hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease.
With certain diseases one or several of the components of blood may be lacking. Thus the administration of the proper fraction will suffice, and the other components will not be "wasted" on the patient; the other fractions can be used for another patient. The separation of blood into components and their subsequent fractionation allows the proteins to be concentrated, thus permitting concentrates to be treated. Of great importance, too, is the fact that the plasma fractions can be stored for much longer periods than whole blood and they can be distributed in the liquid, the frozen, or the dried state. Finally, it allows salvaging from blood banks the plasma portions of outdated whole blood that is unsafe for administration as whole blood.
Proteins found in human plasma include prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, albumin, alpha-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins (immune serum globulins), the coagulation proteins (antithrombin III, prothrombin, plasminogen, antihemophilic factor, factor IX, fibrin-stabilizing factor-factor XIII, fibrinogen), immunoglobins (immunoglobulins G, A, M, D, and E), and the complement components. There are currently more than 100 plasma proteins that have been described. A comprehensive listing can be found in "The Plasma Proteins", ed. Putnam, F.W., Academic Press, New York (1975).
Proteins found in the blood cell fraction include hemoglobin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, enzymes of carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and products of blood cells, e.g., elastase, etc. In addition, the synthesis of other proteins can be induced, such as interferons and growth factors.
A comprehesive list of inducible leukocyte proteins can be found in Stanley Cohen, Edgar Pick, J. J. Oppenheim, "Biology of the Lymphokines", Academic Press, N.Y. (1979).
Blood plasma fractionation generally involves the use of organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and polyethylene glycol at low temperatures and at controlled pH values to effect precipitation of a particular fraction containing one or more plasma proteins. The resultant supernatant can itself then be precipitated and so on until the desired degree of fractionation is attained. More recently, separations are based on chromatographic processes. An excellent survey of blood fractionation appears in Kirk-Othmer's Encylopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Interscience Publishers, Volume 4, pages 25 to 62, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The major components of a cold ethanol fractionation are as follows:
______________________________________Fraction Proteins______________________________________I fibrinogen, cold insoluble globulin; factor VII; properdinII and III IgG; IgM; IgA; fibrinogen; beta-lipoprotein; prothrombin; plasminogen; plasmin inhibitor; factor V; factor VII; factor IX; factor X; thrombin; antithrombin; isoagglutinins; ceruloplasmin; complement C'1, C'3IV-1 alpha.sub.1 -lipoprotein, ceruloplasmin; plasmin inhibitor; factor IX; peptidase; alpha-and-beta-globulinsIV-4 transferrin; thyroxine binding globulin; serum esterase; alpha.sub.1 -lipoprotein; albumin; alkaline phosphataseV albumin; alpha-globulinVI alpha.sub.1 -acid glycoprotein; albumin______________________________________
The above fractionation scheme can serve as a basis for further fractionations. Fraction II and III, for example, can be further fractionated to obtain immune serum globulin (ISG).
Another fractionation scheme involves the use of frozen plasma which is thawed yielding a cryoprecipitate containing AHF (antihemophilic factor), fibronectin and a cryosupernatant. The cryoprecipitate is then fractionated into fibronectin and AHF.
Polyethylene glycol has been used to prepare high purity AHF and non-aggregated ISG.
High risk products with respect to the transmission of hepatitis B and non-A, non-B are fibrinogen, AHF and prothrombin complex, and all other blood protein preparations, except intramuscular immune serum globulin and, because they are pasteurized, albumin solutions. Hepatitis tests presently available can indicate the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen, but there is presently no screening test for non-A, non-B hepatitis.
The present invention is directed to contacting with a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid or with a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof, a blood protein-containing composition, such as mammalian blood cell proteins, blood plasma thereof, precipitate from any fractionation of such plasma, supernatant from any fractionation of such plasma, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatant or any portions or derivatives of the above that contain blood proteins such as, for example, prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX and X) and cryoprecipitate (factors I and VIII).
The present invention is particularly effective for AHF concentrate, prothrombin complex concentrate, immune globulin solution and anti-thrombin III (AT-III) concentrate.
Such protein-containing composition is contacted with a fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt, e.g, an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof. When an esterified form of the fatty acid is employed, the ester group has an alkyl radical which contains, 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially a methyl or ethyl group. Particularly, contemplated salts include the sodium and potassium salts, particularly the sodium salt.
Non-limiting examples of fatty acids for use in the present invention include oleic acid, 11-eicosenic acid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, elaidic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, palmitic acid and arachidic acid.
The fatty acid for use in the present invention should be sufficiently soluble in an aqueous environment utilized so as to provide the necessary reagent concentration. It is preferred that the fatty acid have one double bond, preferably in the "cis" configuration. Preferably, the fatty acid should have 16 to 20 carbon atoms.
A glyceride of a fatty acid is one form of an ester that may be used in the present invention. Particularly preferred is a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride such as 1-monooleyl-rac-glycerol.
Utilization of fatty acids for the preparation of therapeutic derivatives is favorable because they are naturally occurring, because they have a low potential for toxicity, and because once introduced into the product, they might not need to be removed, thus simplifying the overal process.
The fatty acid, soluble ester, alcohol or salt can be used with or without the addition of wetting agents. It is possible, however, to use a fatty acid, or ester, alcohol or salt thereof in conjunction with a wetting agent. Such wetting agent can be added either before, simultaneously with, or after the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof contacts the blood protein-containing composition. The function of the wetting agent is to enhance the contact of the virus in the blood protein-containing composition with the fatty acid, soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof. The wetting agent alone does not adequately inactivate the virus.
Preferred wetting agents are non-toxic detergents. Contemplated non-ionic detergents include those which disperse at the prevailing temperature at least 0.1% by weight of the fat in an aqueous solution containing the same when 1 gram detergent per 100 ml of solution is introduced therein. In particular there is contemplated detergents which include polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acids, partial esters of sorbitol anhydrides, for example, those products known commercially as "TWEEN 80", "TWEEN 20" and "POLYSORBATE 80" and non-ionic oil soluble water detergents, such as that sold commercially under the trademark "TRITON X 100" (oxyethylated alkylphenol). Also contemplated are bile salts such as sodium deoxycholate, as well as the "Zwittergents" which are synthetic zwitterionic detergents known as "sulfobetaines" such as N-dodecyl-N, N-dimethyl-2-ammonio-1 ethane sulphonate and its congeners or non-ionic detergents, such as octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
Substances which might enhance the effectiveness of oleic acid compounds include reducing agents, such as mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, dithioerythritol, and dithiooctanoic acid. Suitable non-ionic surfactants are oxyethylated alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene acids, polyoxyethylene alcohols, polyoxyethylene oils and polyoxyethylene oxypropylene fatty acids. Some specific examples are the following:
alkylphenoxypolyethoxy (3) ethanol
polyoxyethylene (2) sorbitan monolaurate
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate
polyoxyethylene (20) palmitate
polyoxyethylene (20) lauryl ether
polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether
polyoxyethylene (20) stearyl ether
polyoxyethylene (25) oleyl ether
polyoxyethylene (25) hydrogenated castor oil and
polyoxyethylene (25) oxypropylene monostearate
The amount of wetting agent, if employed, is not crucial, for example, from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably about 0.01 to 1.5% , can be used.
Di-and trialkylphosphates as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,573 and Ser. No. 631,675, filed July 17, 1984, now pending, may be used in conjunction with the fatty acid compounds or long chain unsaturated monoglycerides, which can also be used in conjunction with other inactivating agents, such as alcohol or ethers, with or without the copresence of wetting agents in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,189, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The ether or alcohol can be added in an amount of 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 25% by weight, based on the volume of blood plasma, or concentrate or other blood plasma protein-containing composition to be treated.
Particularly contemplated ethers for inactivation use in accordance with the invention are those having the formula
R.sup.1 --O--R.sup.2
wherein
R 1 and R 2 are independently C 1 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl which can contain an O or S atom in the chain, preferably C 1 to C 8 alkyl or alkenyl. Especially contemplated ethers are dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, methyl-butyl ether, methyl isopropyl ether and methyl isobutyl ether.
Alcohols contemplated include those of the formula
R.sup.3 OH
wherein
R 3 is a C 1 to C 18 alkyl or alkenyl radical which can contain one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms in the chain and which can be substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups.
Especially contemplated alcohols are those where the alkyl or alkenyl group is between 1 and 8 atoms. Particularly contemplated alcohols include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, n-pentanol and the isopentanols. Also contemplated are compounds such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-hydroxy isobutanol (2-methyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropane).
Treatment of labile protein-containing compositions with trialkylphosphate is effected at a temperature between -5° C. and 70°preferably between 0° C. and 60° C. The time of such treatment (contact) is for at least 1 minute, preferably at least 1 hour and generally 4 to 24 hours. The treatment is normally effective at atmospheric pressure, although subatmospheric and superatmospheric pressures can also be employed.
Normally, after the treatment, the fatty acid or soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof and other inactivating agents, for example, ether, are removed, although such is not necessary in all instances depending upon the nature of the virus inactivating agents and the intended further processing of the blood plasma protein-containing composition.
To remove ether from plasma, the plasma is generally subjected to a temperature of 4° C. to 37° C. with a slight vacuum imposed to draw off residual ether. Preferably means are provided to spread the plasma as a thin film to insure maximum contact and removal of the ether. Other methods for removal of ether in activating agents include:
(1) bubbling of nitrogn gas;
(2) diafiltration using ether insoluble, e.g., "TEFLON", microporous membranes which retain the plasma proteins;
(3) absorption of desired plasma components on chromatographic or affinity chromographic supports;
(4) precipitation, for example, by salting out of plasma proteins;
(5) lyophilization, etc.
When alcohol or non-ionic detergents are employed with the oleic acid compounds they are removed by (2) to (5) above.
Di-or trialkylphosphate can be removed as follows:
(a) Removal from AHF can be effected by precipitation of AHF with 2.2 molal glycine and 2.0 M sodium chloride
(b) Removal from fibronectin can be effected by binding the figronectin on a column of insolubilized gelatin and washing the bound fibronectin free of reagent.
Alcohol is normally removed together with detergent. If the detergent includes both alcohol and ether, the ether is normally removed before the alcohol.
The process of the invention can be combined with still other modes of inactivating viruses, including those for non-lipid coated viruses. For instance, a heating step can be effected in the presence of a protein stabilizer, e.g., an agent which stabilizes the labile protein (AHF) against inactivation by heat. Moreover, the heating can be carried out using stabilizers which also tend to protect all protein, including components of the virus, against heat, if the heating is carried out for a sufficient length of time, e.g., at least 5 hours and preferably at least 10 hours at a temperature of 50 95° C., especially 60° to 70° C. By such mode, the virus is preferentially inactivated, nevertheless, while the protein retains a substantial amount, e.g., greater than or equal to 80% of its protein activity. Of course, the best treatment can also be carried out simultaneously with the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof treatment.
The treatment of plasma or its concentrates, fractions or derivatives in accordance with the present invention can be effected using fatty acid, or a soluble ester, a alcohol or salt thereof immobilized on a solid substrate. The same can be fixed to a macro-molecular structure, such as one of the type used as a backbone for ion exchange reactions, thereby permitting easy removal of the fatty acid, or soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof from the plasma or plasma concentrate. Alternatively, the fatty acid or a soluble alcohol or salt thereof can be insolubilized and immobilized on a solid support such as glass beads, etc., using silane or siloxane coupling agents.
The method of the present invention permits the pooling of human blood plasma and the treatment of the pooled human blood plasma in the form of such pooled plasma. It also permits the realization of blood product derivatives such as factor VIII, gamma globulin, factor IX or the prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX, X), fibrinogen and any other blood derivative including, all of which contain little or no residual infective hepatitis or other viruses.
The fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof is preferably employed in a concentration of a least 0.02 weight percent, generally 0.025 to 0.1 weight percent. Concentrations higher than 0.4 weight percent do not appear to provide improved virus inactivation as at the lower concentrations of 0.02 to 0.4, especially about 0.035 the degree of viral inactivity is such that virus is undetectable or substantially undetectable.
The fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof treatment is effected for up to about 24 hours. However, shorter treatment periods are preferred. For AHF, treatment is conducted for about up to 5 hours as longer periods of treatment, e.g., 6 hours decrease the yield of labile protein, at least in the case of AHF when concentrations of the fatty acid, or an ester, alcohol or salt thereof of 0.1 weight percent are employed.
At fatty acid concentrations of 0.01 to 0.06 weight percent at contact times of up to about 5 hours, very acceptable AHF yields can be obtained. For instance, at a contact time of one hour using sodium oleate at an oleic acid concentration of 0.02 to 0.06, AHF yield in excess of 60% can be obtained. When the concentration is 0.02 to 0.035 the AHF yield is in excess of 70%. Using a contact time or 4 hours, one observes a greater degree of AHF yield loss. Thus, at such higher contact times, the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof should be below about 0.038 and generally 0.020 to 0.038 weight percent.
The inactivation can be carried out at 0° to 60° C., although it is preferred at 20° to 37° C.
The present invention is directed, inter alia, to producing a blood plasma protein-containing composition such as blood plasma, blood plasma fractions, etc., which is substantially free of infectious virus, yet which contains a substantial amount of viable (undenatured) protein. More particularly, the present invention is directed to inactivation of lipid-containing virus and preferentially inactivation of hepatitis B and non-B, non-A virus. Other viruses inactivated by the present invention include, for example, cytomegaloviruses, Epstein Barr viruses, lactic dehydrogenase viruses, herpes group viruses, rhabdoviruses, leukoviruses, myxoviruses, alphaviruses, Arboviruses (group B), paramyxoviruses, arenaviruses, coronaviruses, and retroviruses, e.g., HTLV-III/LAV.
According to the present invention, there is contemplated a protein-containing composition - a product produced from normal or cancerous cells or by normal or cancerous cells (e.g., via recombinant DNA technology), such as mammalian blood plasma, blood plasma fractions, precipitates from blood fractionation and supernatants from blood fractionation having an extent of inactivation of virus greater than 4 logs of virus such as hepatitis B and non-A, non-B, and having a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 70%, preferably at least 95% and most preferably 98% to 100%.
Further contemplated by the present invention is a composition containing factor VIII which is substantially free of hepatitis virus to the extent of having an inactivation of greater than 4 logs of the virus and a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 70%, preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 95% and most preferably 98% to 100%.
The process of the present invention has been described in terms of treatment of plasma, plasma fractions, plasma concentrates or components thereof. The process, however, is also useful in treating the lysates or proteins secreted by cells. Thus, also contemplated are treatment of fractions derived from platelets, white cells (leukocytes ), red cells, fibroblasts. Included are solutions of interferon, transfer factor, hemoglobin, and growth factors.
One can treat plasma itself according to the present invention or fresh frozen plasma, thawed frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatants or concentrates from frozen plasma, as well as dilution products thereof.
By the same manipulative steps discussed above, virus present in products of normal or cancerous cells can be inactivated while retaining labile protein activity in such products. For instance, by the same fatty acid, ester or salt treatment or long chain unsaturated monoglyceride treatment one can inactivate products produced using normal or cancer cells, the exudate from normal or cancerous cells, hybridomas and products produced by gene splicing. Such treatment does not substantially adversely affect the desired protein. Cells used for production of desired protein can, of course, be mammalian, as well as non-mammalian cells.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limitative examples.
EXAMPLES
Examples 1 to 4
The conditions under which the oleic acid salt were employed in Table 1 below are not the preferred conditions. Hence, while exceptional VSV inactivation was achieved, the AHF yield was also effected, sometimes quite significantly.
Example 5
The oleic acid used for Example 5 and plotted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 was employed in the form of its sodium salt. AHF was used as a model blood plasma because it is considered to be one of the most labile blood proteins. VSV was chosen as a model virus as its behavior predicts the behavior of lipid-enveloped viruses, such as hepatitis B virus and for the additional reason that chimpanzee test animals are required to determine elimination of hepatitis virus.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________EFFECT OF FATTY ACIDS ON AHF AND VSV AHF VSVExampleReference Yield DeclineNo. Agent Reference Conditions Reported Conditions Used (%) (log)__________________________________________________________________________1. BHT 1 Up to 0.011%, 0.1%, 6 hours, 100 0.4 30 minutes, ambient temperature ambient temperature2. Linoleic Acid 2 0.001-0.01% 0.01%, 6 hours, 97 0.4Na Salt 10-60 minutes, 25° C. ambient temperature3. Linolenyl 3 0.00012%, 20 minutes, 0.01%, 6 hours, 93 0.1alcohol 25° C. ambient temperature4. Oleic Acid 2,4 0.001-0.01%, 10-60 0.1%, 1 hour, 44 >4.2 ambient temperatureNa Salt minutes, 25° C. 0.1%, 6 hours, 1 >4.2 ambient temperature__________________________________________________________________________ 1. Keith, A.D. and Sniper, W., "Inactivation of Lipid Containing Viruses with Butylated Hydroxytoluene", U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,707, 1982. 2. Kohn, A., Gitelman, J., and Inbar, M., "Unsaturated Free Fatty Acids Inactivate Animal Enveloped Viruses", Arch. Virology, 66:301 (1980). 3. Sands, J., Auperin, D., and Snipes, W., "Extreme Sensitivity of Enveloped Viruses, Including Herpes Simplex, to LongChain Unsaturated Monoglycerides and Alcohols", Antimicrobial Agents and Chemother., 15:67 (1979). 4. Stock, C.Cl, and Francis, T. Jr., "The Inactivation of the Virus of Epidemic Influenza by Soaps", J. Exp. Med., 71:661 (1940).
Example 6
Frozen plasma anticoagulated in CPDA-1 (an anticoagulant and preservative used in blood banks; acronym for citrate, phosphate dextrose and adenine-formulation 1) and single donor cryoprecipitate solubilized in plasma were obtained from the Blood Program of the New York Blood Center, New York, New York. Cryoprecipitate was solubilized in either plasma or 0.02 M Tris, 0.02 M sodium citrate, 0.1 M sodium chloride, pH 7.2, or was obtained following reprecipitation with heparin (G. Rock, R. K. Smiley, P. Tittley, D. S. Palmer, New England J. Med., 311, 310 (1984)). In process fractions of purified blood derivatives, AHF concentrate 10° C. supernatant (B. Horowitz et al, Transfusion, 24, 357 (1984)), Cohn fraction II prepared by ethanol precipitation (E. J. Cohn et al, J. Am. Chen. Soc., 68, 459 (1946); J. L. Oncley, M. Melin, D. A. Richert, J. W. Cameron, P. M. Gross, Jr., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 71, 541 (1949)), and prothrombin complex concentrate following elution from DEAE-Sephadex (H. G. J. Brummelhuis, Methods of Plasma Protein Fractionation, J. M. Curling (Ed.), (Academic Press, New York, (1980) pp. 117), were provided by the Blood Derivatives Program of the New York Blood Center. Fatty acids were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company. A 1% or 33.3% (w/v) stock solution of each was prepared in 33% or 95% ethanol.
Assay of viruses and coagulation factors were as described in B. Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin and M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 516 (1985). Anti-hepatitis B surface antigen was determined by Ausab obtained from Abbott Laboratories.
Results:
The addition of fatty acids to an AHF concentrate containing either VSV or Sindbis virus caused a rapid and complete inactivation of virus for oleic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitoleic, arachidonic and 11-eicosenoic acids (FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and Table 2). Fatty acid, dissolved in 33% ethanol, was added to an AHF concentrate containing VSV. After 1 and 4 hours at 24° C., samples were removed, diluted 100-fold and assayed for residual virus. The fatty acid nomenclature follows that given in Table 2. For each of these fatty acids, the degree of virus kill and AHF retention depended on the fatty acid concentration used and the duration of incubation. On a weight basis, oleic acid was the most potent of the fatty acids tested and the degree of kill decreased according to the following order: oleic>eicosenoic, arachidonic, linoleic>linolenic>palmitoleic. Exposure for a period as brief as one hour appeared adequate in several cases. Under conditions which provided apparent complete inactivation of added virus, AHF recovery was 63% to 100%. Minimal virus kill in an AHF concentrate was achieved at a fatty acid concentration of 0.01%, a value reported previously (C. C. Stock, T. Francis, Jr., supra; A. Kohn et al, supra) to provide substantial virus inactivation in dilute culture medium. It is believed that AHF concentrate contains an inhibitor of fatty acid action since>4 log 10 kill of virus in buffer was achieved for each of several of fatty acids.
Two unsaturated fatty acids, elaidic and gamma-linolenic, and two saturated fatty acids, palmitic and arachidic, and another fat soluble compound, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), were relatively less effective. Among the glycerides tested, the long chain monoglyceride, 1-monooleyl-rac-glycerol, but not the di-and tri-glycerides, diolein and triolein, displayed antiviral properties.
The effect of sodium oleate on other blood derivatives was tested. Complete virus kill was observed on incubation of 0.033% sodium oleate at 24° C. with solutions of prothrombin complex concentrate, immune globulin and anti-thrombin III (Table 3). Protein function was maintained as evidenced by recoveries approaching 100% when factor IX, anti-thrombin III, and anti-HBs activity was measured. Less virus inactivation was achieved in plasma or plasma cryoprecipitate or in an albumin solution (Table 3), probably as a result of the direct interaction between oleate and endogenous fats and albumin itself.
Of the fatty acids tested, virus kill depended on the presence of at least one double bond, preferably in the "cis" configuration. Virucidal potency of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids was enhanced by increasing the chain length from C16 to C18 or C20. For C18 fatty acids, virucidal activity decreased with increasing degree of unsaturation.
TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________TREATMENT OF AN AHF CONCENTRATEBY UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AHF VSV Sindbis Recovery (%) Decline (log) Decline (log)Fatty Acid Conc. % 1 hr. 4 hrs. 1 hr. 4 hrs. 1 hr. 4 hrs.__________________________________________________________________________None -- -- 122 -- 0.1 -- 0.0Palmitic (C16:0) 0.1 97 111 0.0 0.3 -- -- 0.3 86 91 0.1 0.1 -- --Palmitoleic (C16:1) 0.01 -- 89 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.10 78 81 0.4 0.3 3.1 3.2 0.20 45 54 0.5 3.9 -- -- 0.30 63 11 >5.0 >5.0 -- --Oleic (C18:1) 0.01 88 89 0.2 0.7 -- -- 0.033 72 63 >4.7 >4.7 >5.6 >5.7 0.10 44 1 >4.2 >4.2 >5.2 >5.2Linoleic (C18:2) 0.01 -- 97 -- 0.4 -- -- 0.033 86 68 1.4 3.5 -- -- 0.066 80 33 4.4 >5.0 -- -- 0.10 64 2 >4.8 >4.8 >5.2 >5.2Linolenic (C18:3) 0.01 -- 92 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.10 -- 74 1.2 >4.8 4.0 >5.2gamma-Linolenic 0.10 -- 78 0.2 1.0 3.6 3.7[C18:3 (6,9,12)]Elaidic 0.01 -- 84 -- 0.2 -- --[C18:1 ("trans")] 0.10 -- 61 3.6 3.2 5.1 5.1Arachidic (C20:0) 0.1 97 126 0.0 0.5 -- -- 0.3 97 104 0.2 0.2 -- --II-Eicosenoic acid 0.01 112 95 0.0 0.2 -- --(C20:1) 0.033 107 112 2.3 3.7 5.9 5.9 0.066 97 96 4.2 >4.3 6.0 >6.2 0.1 87 81 >4.3 >4.3 -- --Arachidonic (C20:4) 0.01 -- 89 -- 0.0 -- -- 0.033 79 75 1.9 3.8 -- -- 0.066 74 55 >5.0 >5.0 -- -- 0.10 63 45 >4.8 >4.8 >5.2 >5.2BHT 0.10 -- 100 -- 0.4 -- --1-Monooleoyl-rac- 0.1 112 120 2.5 2.5 -- --glycerol 0.3 107 98 3.2 3.3 -- --Diolein 0.3 99 93 0.0 0.1 -- --Triolein 0.3 92 96 0.0 0.0 -- --__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________EFFECT OF SODIUM OLEATE ON BLOOD PLASMA AND ITS DERIVATIVES Incubation Conditions Sodium Virus Inactivation Protein Functional Temp. Oleate Duration (log.sub.10) RecoveryDerivative (°C.) (%) (hrs.) VSV Sindbis Protein (%)__________________________________________________________________________AHF concentrate 24 0.033 1 >4.7 -- AHF 72(10 mg/mL) 4 >4.7 >5.2 " 63Prothrombin complex 24 0.033 6 >4.8 >5.3 Factor IX 127concentrate (14 mg/ML)ISG (70 mg/mL) 24 0.033 6 >5.0 >4.6 Anti-HBs 96Antithrombin III 24 0.033 6 >4.7 >5.3 AT-III 110(4 mg/mL)Plasma 24 0.15 4 1.0 -- AHF 58 24 0.15 21 1.2 -- " -- 30 0.033 21 1.6 -- " 57 37 0.1 4 2.5 -- " 92 37 0.15 4 3.7 -- " 39 37 none 4 2.3 -- " 103Plasma-solubilized 24 0.15 4 1.5 -- AHF 75cyroprecipitate 24 0.15 21 1.9 -- " --Buffer-solubilizedcryoprecipitate(48 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 1.2 -- AHF 87(18 mg/mL) 30 0.033 4 1.3 2.9 " 83(18 mg/mL) 30 0.10 4 -- -- " 36Heparin-precipitated AHF(36 mg/mL) 37 0.033 6 1.6 -- AHF 92(17 mg/mL) 37 0.033 6 3.0 -- " 50Albumin(63 mg/mL) 24 0.033 6 1.3 0.0 -- --(11.5 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 0.0 0.0 -- --(5.7 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 >4.5 -- -- --__________________________________________________________________________
It will be appreciated that the instant specification and claims are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention. | There is disclosed a process for rendering a labile protein-containing composition, substantially free of lipid-containing viruses without incurring substantial protein denaturation comprising contacting said composition with an effective amount of a fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or a salt thereof for a sufficient period of time to inactivate virus contained therein. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part application of patent application Ser.",
"No. 684,513, filed Dec. 21, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,501.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to undenatured virus-free biologically active protein-containing compositions.",
"More especially, this invention relates to the inactivation of viruses, especially lipid coated viruses, e.g., hepatitis B, in human blood, blood components, blood plasma or any fraction, concentrate or derivative thereof containing blood proteins or non-blood sources including normal or cancer cells, the exudate from cancer or normal cells grown in cultures, hybridomas, in products from gene splicing (DNA), etc.",
", by the use of a fatty acid or an ester or salt thereof or by the use of a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride.",
"In particular, this invention relates to blood plasma or other plasma protein-containing compositions which are rendered substantially free of hepatitis B and/or non-A and non-B hepatitis or other viral infectivity, such blood plasma or fractions thereof having valuable labile proteins, such as, for example, factor VIII, by using fatty acids or long chain unsaturated monoglycerides.",
"Background Information Blood derivatives, such as antihemophilic factor concentrate (AHF) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), as traditionally prepared, carry substantial risk of transmitting hepatitis B (HB), non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (G.",
"Norkrans et al, Vox Sang.",
", 41, 129 (1981);",
"M. L. Fletcher, J. M. Trowell, J. Craske, K. Pavier, C. R. Rizza, Br.",
"Med.",
"J., 287, 1754 (1983);",
"M. J. Alter, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report;",
"Surveillance Summaries, 32, 23SS (1983);",
"R. J. Gerety, D. L. Aronson, Transfusion, 22, 347 (1982);",
"E. Vilmer et al, Lancet, i, 753 (1984);",
"B. L. Evatt, D. P. Francis, M. F. T. McLane et al, Lancet, ii, 698 (1983);",
"J. Schupbach et al, Science, 224, 500 (1984);",
"and M. G. Sarngadharan, M. Popovic, L. Bruch, J. Schupbach, R. C. Gallo, Science, 224, 506 (1984).",
"Each of these diseases is associated with lipid-enveloped viruses (S.",
"M. Feinstone et al, Infect.",
"Immun.",
", 41, 816 (1983) and A. M. Prince et al Vox Sang.",
", 46, 36 (1984) though one form of NANBH virus isolated from chimpanzee serum appears to have been protein enveloped (D.",
"W. Bradley, J. E. Maynard, H. Popper et al, J. Infect.",
"Dis.",
", 148, 254 (1983)).",
"Protein enveloped forms of NANBHV were not found in 13 lots of AHF concentrate.",
"The transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis also has been associated with at least some preparations of intravenous gamma globulin solutions (R.",
"S. Lane, Lancet, ii, 974 (1983);",
"A. M. L. Lever, A. D. B. Webster, D. Brown, H. C. Thomas, Lancet, i, 587 (1985);",
"H. D. Ochs, S. H. Fischer, F. S. Virant et al, Lancet, i, 404 (1985)).",
"The safety of these solutions with regard to AIDS transmission has been the subject of recent analysis.",
"Though little or no inactivation of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III/LAV, occurs on exposure to the cold ethanolic conditions used in the preparation of IgG (A.",
"M. Prince, M. P. J. Piet, B. Horowitz, New England J. Med.",
", 314, 186 (1986)), the virus appears to separate from this fraction with high efficiency (M.",
"A. Wells et al, Transfusion, 26, 210 (1986)) on laboratory scale and the preponderance of clinical data suggests that this product is safe with regard to AIDS transmission.",
"The development of methods which render blood products safe from virus transmission requires the identification of conditions which are virucidally potent, but which have little effect on protein structure and function.",
"Pasteurization of AHF under a variety of conditions has led to mixed results with regard to virus safety (N.",
"Heimburger et al, DU gelben Hefte, 20, 165, (1980);",
"M. Colombo et al, Lancet, i, 1 (1985);",
"F. E. Preston, C. R. M. Hay, M. S. Dewar, M. Greaves, D. R. Triger, Lancet, ii, 213 (1985);",
"P. B. A. Kernoff et al Lancet, ii, 721 (1985);",
"P. M. Mannucci, M. Colombo, F. Rodeghiero, Lancet, ii, 1013 (1985);",
"F. B. Hollinger, G. Dolana, W. Thomas, F. Gyorkey, J. Infect.",
"Dis.",
", 150, 250 (1984);",
"and R. H. Purcell et al, Hepatology, 5, 1091 (1985)) and has led to alteration of protein structure (B.",
"Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin, J. Vandersande, M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 523 (1985)).",
"Numerous attempts have been made to inactivate viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) in mammalian, especially human, blood plasma.",
"It is the practice in some countries to effect inactivation of the hepatitis B virus in the blood plasma by contacting the plasma with a viral inactivating agent of the type which crosslinks with the proteinaceous portion of hepatitis B virus, or which interacts with the nucleic acid of the virus.",
"For instance, it is known to attempt to inactivate hepatitis B virus by contact with an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde, whereby crosslinking to the protein is effected and the hepatitis B virus is inactivated.",
"It is also known to effect inactivation of the virus by contact with beta-propiolactone (BPL), an agent which acts on the nucleic acid of the virus.",
"It is further known to use ultraviolet (UV) light, especially after a beta-propiolactone treatment.",
"Other inactivating agents include lower alkyl esters of acetic acid for inactivation of flu virus (U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,871);",
"glutaraldehyde (U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,229 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,454);",
"tri-n-butyl-phosphate for inactivation of flu virus (U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,421);",
"butylatedhydroxytoluene (U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,707);",
"sulfhydryl (U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,211);",
"ethyleneimine (U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,196 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,952);",
"beta-propiolactone combined with acetylethylenimine (U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,958) and tannin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,126).",
"Detergents have also been disclosed as viral inactivating agents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,997 and 4,315,919).",
"Microwaves have also been proposed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,234.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,206 discloses the use of heat.",
"Various chlorinated hydrocarbons such as tetrachloroethylene have been proposed for the inactivation of myxoviruses (U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,737).",
"Unfortunately, viral inactivity agents often alter, denature or destroy valuable protein components, especially so-called "labile"",
"blood coagulation factors of the plasma under conditions required for effective inactivation of virus infectivity.",
"For instance, in heretofore used inactivation processes, factor VIII is inactivated or denatured to the extent of 50-90% or more of the factor VIII present in the untreated plasma.",
"Because of the denaturing effects of these virus inactivating agents, it is necessary in the preparation of derivatives for administration to patients to concentrate large quantities of plasma so that the material to be administered to the patient once again has a sufficient concentration of the undenatured protein for effective therapeutic treatment.",
"This concentration, however, does not affect reduction of the amount of denatured protein.",
"As a result, the patient not only receives the undenatured protein, but a quantity of denatured protein often many times that of the undenatured protein.",
"For instance, in the inactivation of hepatitis B virus in human blood plasma by beta-propiolactone, there is obtained as a result thereof, a plasma whose factor VIII has been 75% inactivated.",
"The remaining 25% of the factor VIII is, therefore, present in such a small concentration, as a function of the plasma itself, that it is necessary to concentrate large quantities of the factor VIII to provide sufficient concentration to be of therapeutic value.",
"Since such separation techniques do not efficiently remove denatured factor VIII from undenatured factor VIII, the material administered to the patient may contain more denatured protein than undenatured protein.",
"Obviously, such inactivation is valuable from a standpoint of diminishing the risk of hepatitis virus infection.",
"However, it requires the processing of large quantities of plasma and represents significant loss of valuable protein components.",
"Furthermore, administration of large amounts of denatured proteins may render these antigenic to the host and thus give rise to autoimmune diseases, or perhaps, rheumatoid arthritis.",
"The loss of these valuable protein components is not limited to factor VIII, one of the most labile of the valuable proteins in mammalian blood plasma.",
"Similar protein denaturation is experienced in respect of the following other valuable plasma components: coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X;",
"plasmin, fibrinogen (factor I) IgM, hemoglobin, interferon, etc.",
"Factor VIII, however, is denatured to a larger extent than many of the other valuable proteins present in blood plasma.",
"As a result of the foregoing, except in the processing of serum albumin (a stable plasma protein solution which can withstand pasteurization) it was largely the practice in the United States in respect of the processing of blood proteins to take no step in respect of the sterilization for inactivation of viruses.",
"As a result, recipients of factor VIII, gamma-globulin, factor IX, fibrinogen, etc.",
", accepted the risk that the valuable protein components being administered may be contaminated with hepatitis viruses, as well as other infectious viruses.",
"As a result, these recipients faced the danger of becoming infected by these viruses and having to endure the damage which the virus causes to the liver and other organ systems and consequent incapacitation and illness, which may lead to death.",
"The BPL/UV inactivation procedure discussed above has not so far been adopted in the United States for numerous reasons, one of which lies in the fact that many researchers believe that BPL is itself deleterious since it cannot be removed completely following the inactivation and thus may remain in plasma and plasma derivatives.",
"BPL has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals and is dangerous even to personnel handling it.",
"Other methods for the inactivation of hepatitis B virus in plasma are known, but are usually impractical.",
"One method involves the addition of antibodies to the plasma whereby an immune complex is formed.",
"The expense of antibody formation and purification add significantly to the cost of the plasma production;",
"furthermore, there is no assurance that a sufficient quantity of hepatitis B or non-A, non-B virus is inactivated.",
"There is currently no test for non-A, non-B antibodies (although there is a test for the virus);",
"hence, it is not possible to select plasma containing high titers of anti-non-A, non-B antibody.",
"It is to be understood that the problems of inactivation of the viruses in plasma are distinct from the problems of inactivation of the viruses themselves due to the copresence of the desirable proteinaceous components of the plasma.",
"Thus, while it is known how to inactivate the hepatitis B virus, by using crosslinking agents, for example, glutaraldehyde, nucleic acid reacting chemicals, for example, BPL or formaldehyde, or oxidizing agents, for example, chlorox, etc.",
", it has been believed that these methods are not suitable for the inactivation of the virus in plasma due to the observation that most of these inactivating agents (sodium hypochlorite, formaldehyde, beta-propiolactone) denatured the valuable proteinaceous components of the plasma.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,919 to Shanbrom describes a method of depyrogenating a proteinaceous biological or pharmaceutical product by contacting such proteinaceous product with a non-denaturing amphiphile.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,997 to Shanbrom describes a method of reducing pyrogenicity, hepatitis infectivity and clotting activation of a plasma protein product by contacting the product with a non-denatured amphiphile.",
"Both Shanbrom U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,919 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,997 of a non-ionic detergent, for example, "TWEEN 80"",
"as the amphilphile.",
"It is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,573 that treatment with "TWEEN 80"",
"by itself is relatively ineffective as a viral inactivating agent.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,421 describes a method for the disruption of infectious lipid-containing viruses for preparing sub-unit vaccines by contacting the virus in an aqueous medium with a wetting agent and a trialkylphosphate.",
"Such aqueous medium is defined as allantonic fluid, tissue culture fluid, aqueous extract or a suspension of central nervous system tissue, blood cell eluate and an aqueous extract or suspension of fowl embryo.",
"The patent does not describe hepatitis, nor is it concerned with preparation of blood derivatives containing labile blood protein substantially free of viral infectivity.",
"It is concerned only with disrupting the envelope of lipid-containing viruses for the production of vaccines and not with avoiding or reducing protein denaturation en route to a blood derivative.",
"Tri(n-butyl)phosphate (TNBP) /detergent mixture appear to be both virucidally potent and highly specific (B.",
"Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin, M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 516 (1985));",
"however transmission studies in man have just begun.",
"Problems may also exist in deriving valuable proteins from non-blood sources.",
"These sources include, but are not limited to, mammalian milk, ascitic fluid, saliva, placenta extracts, tissue culture cell lines and their extracts, including transformed cells, and products of fermentation.",
"For instance, human lymphoblastoid cells have been isolated are used to produce alpha interferon.",
"However, the cell line in commercial use today contains Epstein-Barr virus genes.",
"It has been a major concern that the use of interferon produced by these cells would transmit viral infection or induce viral caused cancerous growth.",
"Unsaturated fatty acids have been shown previously to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses added to buffer solutions and tissue culture media (C.",
"C. Stock, T. Francis, Jr., J. Exp.",
"Med.",
", 71, 661 (1940), A. Kohn, J. Gitelman, M. Inbar, Arch.",
"Virology, 66, 301 (1980)).",
"Other hydrocarbons such as butylated hydroxytoluene (W.",
"Snipes, S. Person, A. Keith, J. Cupp, Science, 188, 64 (1975)) and long chain alcohols and monoglycerides (J.",
"Sands, D. Auperin.",
"W. Snipes, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 15, 67 (1979)) also have antiviral activity.",
"Protein enveloped viruses are unaffected by these treatments (J.",
"C. Hierholzer, J. J. Kabara, J. Food Safety, 4, 1 (1982)).",
"Unsaturated fatty acids are naturally occurring and have low toxicity.",
"(Toxic Substance List, H. E. Christensen (Ed.), 1974, p. 543;",
"Jefferson and Necheles, Proc.",
"Soc.",
"Exptl.",
"Biol.",
"Med.",
", 68, 248 (1948)).",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to achieving three goals, namely, (1) a safe, (2) viral inactivated protein-containing composition, i.e., a blood product containing a labile protein, (3) without incurring substantial protein denaturation.",
"As shown above, these three goals are not necessarily compatible since, for example, beta-propiolactone inactivates viral infectivity, but is unsafe and substances such as formaldehyde inactivate viruses, but also substantially denaturate the valuable plasma proteins, for example, factor VIII.",
"It, therefore, became desirable to provide a process for obtaining protein-containing compositions which does not substantially denature the valuable protein components therein and which does not entail the use of a proven carcinogenic agent.",
"More especially, it is desirable to provide blood protein-containing compositions in which substantially all of the hepatitis viruses and other viruses present are inactivated and in which denatured protein such as factor VIII account for only a small amount of the total amount of these proteins in the blood protein-containing composition.",
"It is a further object to provide products from cancer or normal cells or from fermentation processes following gene insertion which are substatially free of virus, especially lipid-containing viruses.",
"It has now been discovered, quite surprisingly, that while most of the viral inactivating agents denature factor VIII and other valuable blood plasma proteins, that not all viral inactivating agents have such effect.",
"It has been discovered that a labile protein-containing composition, e.g., blood cell proteins, blood plasma, a blood plasma fractionation precipitate, a blood plasma fractionation supernatant, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatant, or portion or derivative thereof or serum or a non-blood product produced from normal or cancerous cells (e.g., via recombinant DNA technology) is contacted for a sufficient period of time with a fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or a salt thereof, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof that lipid-containing viruses such as the hepatitis viruses present in the composition are virtually entirely inactivated without substantial denaturation of proteins contained therein.",
"By contacting a blood protein mixture or concentrate thereof or fraction thereof with a fatty acid or a C 1-4 alkyl ester thereof, or alcohol thereof or a salt thereof, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof, or with a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride, hepatitis viruses can be substantially inactivated, e.g., to an inactivation of greater than 4 logs, while realizing a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 60%.",
"By such procedures there is provided a labile protein-containing composition, for example, a blood protein-containing such as mammalian blood cell derivative (e.g., hemoglobin, alpha-interferon, T-cell growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, etc.), plasminogen activator, blood plasma, blood plasma fraction, blood plasma precipitate (e.g., cryoprecipitate, ethanol supernatant or polyethylene glycol supernatant), characterized by the presence of one or more blood proteins, such as labile blood factor VIII having a total yield or protein activity to total protein of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, said blood protein-containing composition having greatly reduced or virtually no hepatitis viruses.",
"Virus in a serum is determined by infectivity titrations.",
"By the inactivation procedure of the invention, most, if not virtually all, of the hepatitis viruses contained therein are inactivated.",
"The method for determining infectivity levels by in vivo chimpanzees is discussed by Prince, A.M., Stephen, W., Brotman, B. and van den Ende, M.C., "Evaluation of the Efect of Beta-propiolactone/Ultraviolet Irradiation (BPL/UV) Treatment of Source Plasma on Hepatitis Transmission by Factor IX Complex in Chimpanzees", Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 44, 138-142, 1980.",
"The hepatitis virus is inactivated by treatment with a fatty acid, preferably an unsaturated fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol as described herein, and is not inactivated because of inclusion in the plasma of antibodies which bind with the hepatitis viruses and form immune complexes.",
"Inactivation of virus is obtained to the extent of at least "4 logs", i.e., virus in a serum is totally inactivated to the extent determined by infectivity studies where that virus is present in the untreated serum in such a concentration that even after dilution to 10 4 , viral activity can be measured.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plot of oleic acid concentration against viral infectivity, FIG. 2 is a plot of the same concentration of oleic acid as in FIG. 1 against AHF yield.",
"FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are plots showing the inactivation of VSV added to AHF by unsaturated fatty acids after one hour (FIG.",
"3) and after four hours (FIG.",
"4).",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Blood is made up of solids (cells, i.e., erythrocytes, leucocytes, and thrombocytes) and liquid (plasma).",
"The cells contain potentially valuable substances such as hemoglobin, and they can be induced to make other potentially valuable substances, such as interferons, growth factors, and other biological response modifiers.",
"The plasma is composed mainly of water, salts, lipids and proteins.",
"The proteins are divided into groups called fibrinogens, serum globulins and serum albumins.",
"Typical antibodies (immune globulins) found in human blood plasma include those directed against infectious hepatitis, influenza H, etc.",
"Blood transfusions are used to treat anemia resulting from disease or hemorrhage, shock resulting from loss of plasma proteins or loss of circulating volume, diseases where an adequate level of plasma protein is not maintained, for example, hemophilia, and to bestow passive immunization.",
"Whole blood must be carefully typed and cross matched prior to administration.",
"Plasma, however, does not require prior testing.",
"For certain applications, only a proper fraction of the plasma is required, such as factor VIII, for treatment of hemophilia or von Willebrand's disease.",
"With certain diseases one or several of the components of blood may be lacking.",
"Thus the administration of the proper fraction will suffice, and the other components will not be "wasted"",
"on the patient;",
"the other fractions can be used for another patient.",
"The separation of blood into components and their subsequent fractionation allows the proteins to be concentrated, thus permitting concentrates to be treated.",
"Of great importance, too, is the fact that the plasma fractions can be stored for much longer periods than whole blood and they can be distributed in the liquid, the frozen, or the dried state.",
"Finally, it allows salvaging from blood banks the plasma portions of outdated whole blood that is unsafe for administration as whole blood.",
"Proteins found in human plasma include prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, albumin, alpha-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins (immune serum globulins), the coagulation proteins (antithrombin III, prothrombin, plasminogen, antihemophilic factor, factor IX, fibrin-stabilizing factor-factor XIII, fibrinogen), immunoglobins (immunoglobulins G, A, M, D, and E), and the complement components.",
"There are currently more than 100 plasma proteins that have been described.",
"A comprehensive listing can be found in "The Plasma Proteins", ed.",
"Putnam, F.W., Academic Press, New York (1975).",
"Proteins found in the blood cell fraction include hemoglobin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, enzymes of carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and products of blood cells, e.g., elastase, etc.",
"In addition, the synthesis of other proteins can be induced, such as interferons and growth factors.",
"A comprehesive list of inducible leukocyte proteins can be found in Stanley Cohen, Edgar Pick, J. J. Oppenheim, "Biology of the Lymphokines", Academic Press, N.Y. (1979).",
"Blood plasma fractionation generally involves the use of organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and polyethylene glycol at low temperatures and at controlled pH values to effect precipitation of a particular fraction containing one or more plasma proteins.",
"The resultant supernatant can itself then be precipitated and so on until the desired degree of fractionation is attained.",
"More recently, separations are based on chromatographic processes.",
"An excellent survey of blood fractionation appears in Kirk-Othmer's Encylopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Interscience Publishers, Volume 4, pages 25 to 62, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.",
"The major components of a cold ethanol fractionation are as follows: ______________________________________Fraction Proteins______________________________________I fibrinogen, cold insoluble globulin;",
"factor VII;",
"properdinII and III IgG;",
"IgM;",
"IgA;",
"fibrinogen;",
"beta-lipoprotein;",
"prothrombin;",
"plasminogen;",
"plasmin inhibitor;",
"factor V;",
"factor VII;",
"factor IX;",
"factor X;",
"thrombin;",
"antithrombin;",
"isoagglutinins;",
"ceruloplasmin;",
"complement C'1, C'3IV-1 alpha.",
"sub[.",
"].1 -lipoprotein, ceruloplasmin;",
"plasmin inhibitor;",
"factor IX;",
"peptidase;",
"alpha-and-beta-globulinsIV-4 transferrin;",
"thyroxine binding globulin;",
"serum esterase;",
"alpha.",
"sub[.",
"].1 -lipoprotein;",
"albumin;",
"alkaline phosphataseV albumin;",
"alpha-globulinVI alpha.",
"sub[.",
"].1 -acid glycoprotein;",
"albumin______________________________________ The above fractionation scheme can serve as a basis for further fractionations.",
"Fraction II and III, for example, can be further fractionated to obtain immune serum globulin (ISG).",
"Another fractionation scheme involves the use of frozen plasma which is thawed yielding a cryoprecipitate containing AHF (antihemophilic factor), fibronectin and a cryosupernatant.",
"The cryoprecipitate is then fractionated into fibronectin and AHF.",
"Polyethylene glycol has been used to prepare high purity AHF and non-aggregated ISG.",
"High risk products with respect to the transmission of hepatitis B and non-A, non-B are fibrinogen, AHF and prothrombin complex, and all other blood protein preparations, except intramuscular immune serum globulin and, because they are pasteurized, albumin solutions.",
"Hepatitis tests presently available can indicate the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen, but there is presently no screening test for non-A, non-B hepatitis.",
"The present invention is directed to contacting with a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid or with a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof, a blood protein-containing composition, such as mammalian blood cell proteins, blood plasma thereof, precipitate from any fractionation of such plasma, supernatant from any fractionation of such plasma, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatant or any portions or derivatives of the above that contain blood proteins such as, for example, prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX and X) and cryoprecipitate (factors I and VIII).",
"The present invention is particularly effective for AHF concentrate, prothrombin complex concentrate, immune globulin solution and anti-thrombin III (AT-III) concentrate.",
"Such protein-containing composition is contacted with a fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt, e.g, an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt thereof.",
"When an esterified form of the fatty acid is employed, the ester group has an alkyl radical which contains, 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially a methyl or ethyl group.",
"Particularly, contemplated salts include the sodium and potassium salts, particularly the sodium salt.",
"Non-limiting examples of fatty acids for use in the present invention include oleic acid, 11-eicosenic acid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, elaidic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, palmitic acid and arachidic acid.",
"The fatty acid for use in the present invention should be sufficiently soluble in an aqueous environment utilized so as to provide the necessary reagent concentration.",
"It is preferred that the fatty acid have one double bond, preferably in the "cis"",
"configuration.",
"Preferably, the fatty acid should have 16 to 20 carbon atoms.",
"A glyceride of a fatty acid is one form of an ester that may be used in the present invention.",
"Particularly preferred is a long chain unsaturated monoglyceride such as 1-monooleyl-rac-glycerol.",
"Utilization of fatty acids for the preparation of therapeutic derivatives is favorable because they are naturally occurring, because they have a low potential for toxicity, and because once introduced into the product, they might not need to be removed, thus simplifying the overal process.",
"The fatty acid, soluble ester, alcohol or salt can be used with or without the addition of wetting agents.",
"It is possible, however, to use a fatty acid, or ester, alcohol or salt thereof in conjunction with a wetting agent.",
"Such wetting agent can be added either before, simultaneously with, or after the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof contacts the blood protein-containing composition.",
"The function of the wetting agent is to enhance the contact of the virus in the blood protein-containing composition with the fatty acid, soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof.",
"The wetting agent alone does not adequately inactivate the virus.",
"Preferred wetting agents are non-toxic detergents.",
"Contemplated non-ionic detergents include those which disperse at the prevailing temperature at least 0.1% by weight of the fat in an aqueous solution containing the same when 1 gram detergent per 100 ml of solution is introduced therein.",
"In particular there is contemplated detergents which include polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acids, partial esters of sorbitol anhydrides, for example, those products known commercially as "TWEEN 80", "TWEEN 20"",
"and "POLYSORBATE 80"",
"and non-ionic oil soluble water detergents, such as that sold commercially under the trademark "TRITON X 100"",
"(oxyethylated alkylphenol).",
"Also contemplated are bile salts such as sodium deoxycholate, as well as the "Zwittergents"",
"which are synthetic zwitterionic detergents known as "sulfobetaines"",
"such as N-dodecyl-N, N-dimethyl-2-ammonio-1 ethane sulphonate and its congeners or non-ionic detergents, such as octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.",
"Substances which might enhance the effectiveness of oleic acid compounds include reducing agents, such as mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, dithioerythritol, and dithiooctanoic acid.",
"Suitable non-ionic surfactants are oxyethylated alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene acids, polyoxyethylene alcohols, polyoxyethylene oils and polyoxyethylene oxypropylene fatty acids.",
"Some specific examples are the following: alkylphenoxypolyethoxy (3) ethanol polyoxyethylene (2) sorbitan monolaurate polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate polyoxyethylene (20) palmitate polyoxyethylene (20) lauryl ether polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether polyoxyethylene (20) stearyl ether polyoxyethylene (25) oleyl ether polyoxyethylene (25) hydrogenated castor oil and polyoxyethylene (25) oxypropylene monostearate The amount of wetting agent, if employed, is not crucial, for example, from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably about 0.01 to 1.5% , can be used.",
"Di-and trialkylphosphates as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,573 and Ser.",
"No. 631,675, filed July 17, 1984, now pending, may be used in conjunction with the fatty acid compounds or long chain unsaturated monoglycerides, which can also be used in conjunction with other inactivating agents, such as alcohol or ethers, with or without the copresence of wetting agents in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,189, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.",
"The ether or alcohol can be added in an amount of 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 25% by weight, based on the volume of blood plasma, or concentrate or other blood plasma protein-containing composition to be treated.",
"Particularly contemplated ethers for inactivation use in accordance with the invention are those having the formula R.sup[.",
"].1 --O--R.",
"sup[.",
"].2 wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently C 1 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl which can contain an O or S atom in the chain, preferably C 1 to C 8 alkyl or alkenyl.",
"Especially contemplated ethers are dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, methyl-butyl ether, methyl isopropyl ether and methyl isobutyl ether.",
"Alcohols contemplated include those of the formula R.sup[.",
"].3 OH wherein R 3 is a C 1 to C 18 alkyl or alkenyl radical which can contain one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms in the chain and which can be substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups.",
"Especially contemplated alcohols are those where the alkyl or alkenyl group is between 1 and 8 atoms.",
"Particularly contemplated alcohols include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, n-pentanol and the isopentanols.",
"Also contemplated are compounds such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propane diol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-hydroxy isobutanol (2-methyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropane).",
"Treatment of labile protein-containing compositions with trialkylphosphate is effected at a temperature between -5° C. and 70°preferably between 0° C. and 60° C. The time of such treatment (contact) is for at least 1 minute, preferably at least 1 hour and generally 4 to 24 hours.",
"The treatment is normally effective at atmospheric pressure, although subatmospheric and superatmospheric pressures can also be employed.",
"Normally, after the treatment, the fatty acid or soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof and other inactivating agents, for example, ether, are removed, although such is not necessary in all instances depending upon the nature of the virus inactivating agents and the intended further processing of the blood plasma protein-containing composition.",
"To remove ether from plasma, the plasma is generally subjected to a temperature of 4° C. to 37° C. with a slight vacuum imposed to draw off residual ether.",
"Preferably means are provided to spread the plasma as a thin film to insure maximum contact and removal of the ether.",
"Other methods for removal of ether in activating agents include: (1) bubbling of nitrogn gas;",
"(2) diafiltration using ether insoluble, e.g., "TEFLON", microporous membranes which retain the plasma proteins;",
"(3) absorption of desired plasma components on chromatographic or affinity chromographic supports;",
"(4) precipitation, for example, by salting out of plasma proteins;",
"(5) lyophilization, etc.",
"When alcohol or non-ionic detergents are employed with the oleic acid compounds they are removed by (2) to (5) above.",
"Di-or trialkylphosphate can be removed as follows: (a) Removal from AHF can be effected by precipitation of AHF with 2.2 molal glycine and 2.0 M sodium chloride (b) Removal from fibronectin can be effected by binding the figronectin on a column of insolubilized gelatin and washing the bound fibronectin free of reagent.",
"Alcohol is normally removed together with detergent.",
"If the detergent includes both alcohol and ether, the ether is normally removed before the alcohol.",
"The process of the invention can be combined with still other modes of inactivating viruses, including those for non-lipid coated viruses.",
"For instance, a heating step can be effected in the presence of a protein stabilizer, e.g., an agent which stabilizes the labile protein (AHF) against inactivation by heat.",
"Moreover, the heating can be carried out using stabilizers which also tend to protect all protein, including components of the virus, against heat, if the heating is carried out for a sufficient length of time, e.g., at least 5 hours and preferably at least 10 hours at a temperature of 50 95° C., especially 60° to 70° C. By such mode, the virus is preferentially inactivated, nevertheless, while the protein retains a substantial amount, e.g., greater than or equal to 80% of its protein activity.",
"Of course, the best treatment can also be carried out simultaneously with the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof treatment.",
"The treatment of plasma or its concentrates, fractions or derivatives in accordance with the present invention can be effected using fatty acid, or a soluble ester, a alcohol or salt thereof immobilized on a solid substrate.",
"The same can be fixed to a macro-molecular structure, such as one of the type used as a backbone for ion exchange reactions, thereby permitting easy removal of the fatty acid, or soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof from the plasma or plasma concentrate.",
"Alternatively, the fatty acid or a soluble alcohol or salt thereof can be insolubilized and immobilized on a solid support such as glass beads, etc.",
", using silane or siloxane coupling agents.",
"The method of the present invention permits the pooling of human blood plasma and the treatment of the pooled human blood plasma in the form of such pooled plasma.",
"It also permits the realization of blood product derivatives such as factor VIII, gamma globulin, factor IX or the prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX, X), fibrinogen and any other blood derivative including, all of which contain little or no residual infective hepatitis or other viruses.",
"The fatty acid, or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof is preferably employed in a concentration of a least 0.02 weight percent, generally 0.025 to 0.1 weight percent.",
"Concentrations higher than 0.4 weight percent do not appear to provide improved virus inactivation as at the lower concentrations of 0.02 to 0.4, especially about 0.035 the degree of viral inactivity is such that virus is undetectable or substantially undetectable.",
"The fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof treatment is effected for up to about 24 hours.",
"However, shorter treatment periods are preferred.",
"For AHF, treatment is conducted for about up to 5 hours as longer periods of treatment, e.g., 6 hours decrease the yield of labile protein, at least in the case of AHF when concentrations of the fatty acid, or an ester, alcohol or salt thereof of 0.1 weight percent are employed.",
"At fatty acid concentrations of 0.01 to 0.06 weight percent at contact times of up to about 5 hours, very acceptable AHF yields can be obtained.",
"For instance, at a contact time of one hour using sodium oleate at an oleic acid concentration of 0.02 to 0.06, AHF yield in excess of 60% can be obtained.",
"When the concentration is 0.02 to 0.035 the AHF yield is in excess of 70%.",
"Using a contact time or 4 hours, one observes a greater degree of AHF yield loss.",
"Thus, at such higher contact times, the fatty acid or a soluble ester, alcohol or salt thereof should be below about 0.038 and generally 0.020 to 0.038 weight percent.",
"The inactivation can be carried out at 0° to 60° C., although it is preferred at 20° to 37° C. The present invention is directed, inter alia, to producing a blood plasma protein-containing composition such as blood plasma, blood plasma fractions, etc.",
", which is substantially free of infectious virus, yet which contains a substantial amount of viable (undenatured) protein.",
"More particularly, the present invention is directed to inactivation of lipid-containing virus and preferentially inactivation of hepatitis B and non-B, non-A virus.",
"Other viruses inactivated by the present invention include, for example, cytomegaloviruses, Epstein Barr viruses, lactic dehydrogenase viruses, herpes group viruses, rhabdoviruses, leukoviruses, myxoviruses, alphaviruses, Arboviruses (group B), paramyxoviruses, arenaviruses, coronaviruses, and retroviruses, e.g., HTLV-III/LAV.",
"According to the present invention, there is contemplated a protein-containing composition - a product produced from normal or cancerous cells or by normal or cancerous cells (e.g., via recombinant DNA technology), such as mammalian blood plasma, blood plasma fractions, precipitates from blood fractionation and supernatants from blood fractionation having an extent of inactivation of virus greater than 4 logs of virus such as hepatitis B and non-A, non-B, and having a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 70%, preferably at least 95% and most preferably 98% to 100%.",
"Further contemplated by the present invention is a composition containing factor VIII which is substantially free of hepatitis virus to the extent of having an inactivation of greater than 4 logs of the virus and a yield of protein activity to total protein of at least 70%, preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 95% and most preferably 98% to 100%.",
"The process of the present invention has been described in terms of treatment of plasma, plasma fractions, plasma concentrates or components thereof.",
"The process, however, is also useful in treating the lysates or proteins secreted by cells.",
"Thus, also contemplated are treatment of fractions derived from platelets, white cells (leukocytes ), red cells, fibroblasts.",
"Included are solutions of interferon, transfer factor, hemoglobin, and growth factors.",
"One can treat plasma itself according to the present invention or fresh frozen plasma, thawed frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, cryosupernatants or concentrates from frozen plasma, as well as dilution products thereof.",
"By the same manipulative steps discussed above, virus present in products of normal or cancerous cells can be inactivated while retaining labile protein activity in such products.",
"For instance, by the same fatty acid, ester or salt treatment or long chain unsaturated monoglyceride treatment one can inactivate products produced using normal or cancer cells, the exudate from normal or cancerous cells, hybridomas and products produced by gene splicing.",
"Such treatment does not substantially adversely affect the desired protein.",
"Cells used for production of desired protein can, of course, be mammalian, as well as non-mammalian cells.",
"The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limitative examples.",
"EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 4 The conditions under which the oleic acid salt were employed in Table 1 below are not the preferred conditions.",
"Hence, while exceptional VSV inactivation was achieved, the AHF yield was also effected, sometimes quite significantly.",
"Example 5 The oleic acid used for Example 5 and plotted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 was employed in the form of its sodium salt.",
"AHF was used as a model blood plasma because it is considered to be one of the most labile blood proteins.",
"VSV was chosen as a model virus as its behavior predicts the behavior of lipid-enveloped viruses, such as hepatitis B virus and for the additional reason that chimpanzee test animals are required to determine elimination of hepatitis virus.",
"TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________EFFECT OF FATTY ACIDS ON AHF AND VSV AHF VSVExampleReference Yield DeclineNo.",
"Agent Reference Conditions Reported Conditions Used (%) (log)__________________________________________________________________________1.",
"BHT 1 Up to 0.011%, 0.1%, 6 hours, 100 0.4 30 minutes, ambient temperature ambient temperature2.",
"Linoleic Acid 2 0.001-0.01% 0.01%, 6 hours, 97 0.4Na Salt 10-60 minutes, 25° C. ambient temperature3.",
"Linolenyl 3 0.00012%, 20 minutes, 0.01%, 6 hours, 93 0.1alcohol 25° C. ambient temperature4.",
"Oleic Acid 2,4 0.001-0.01%, 10-60 0.1%, 1 hour, 44 >4.2 ambient temperatureNa Salt minutes, 25° C. 0.1%, 6 hours, 1 >4.2 ambient temperature__________________________________________________________________________ 1.",
"Keith, A.D. and Sniper, W., "Inactivation of Lipid Containing Viruses with Butylated Hydroxytoluene", U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,707, 1982.",
"Kohn, A., Gitelman, J., and Inbar, M., "Unsaturated Free Fatty Acids Inactivate Animal Enveloped Viruses", Arch.",
"Virology, 66:301 (1980).",
"Sands, J., Auperin, D., and Snipes, W., "Extreme Sensitivity of Enveloped Viruses, Including Herpes Simplex, to LongChain Unsaturated Monoglycerides and Alcohols", Antimicrobial Agents and Chemother.",
", 15:67 (1979).",
"Stock, C.Cl, and Francis, T. Jr., "The Inactivation of the Virus of Epidemic Influenza by Soaps", J. Exp.",
"Med.",
", 71:661 (1940).",
"Example 6 Frozen plasma anticoagulated in CPDA-1 (an anticoagulant and preservative used in blood banks;",
"acronym for citrate, phosphate dextrose and adenine-formulation 1) and single donor cryoprecipitate solubilized in plasma were obtained from the Blood Program of the New York Blood Center, New York, New York.",
"Cryoprecipitate was solubilized in either plasma or 0.02 M Tris, 0.02 M sodium citrate, 0.1 M sodium chloride, pH 7.2, or was obtained following reprecipitation with heparin (G.",
"Rock, R. K. Smiley, P. Tittley, D. S. Palmer, New England J. Med.",
", 311, 310 (1984)).",
"In process fractions of purified blood derivatives, AHF concentrate 10° C. supernatant (B.",
"Horowitz et al, Transfusion, 24, 357 (1984)), Cohn fraction II prepared by ethanol precipitation (E.",
"J. Cohn et al, J. Am.",
"Chen.",
"Soc.",
", 68, 459 (1946);",
"J. L. Oncley, M. Melin, D. A. Richert, J. W. Cameron, P. M. Gross, Jr., J. Am.",
"Chem.",
"Soc.",
", 71, 541 (1949)), and prothrombin complex concentrate following elution from DEAE-Sephadex (H.",
"G. J. Brummelhuis, Methods of Plasma Protein Fractionation, J. M. Curling (Ed.), (Academic Press, New York, (1980) pp. 117), were provided by the Blood Derivatives Program of the New York Blood Center.",
"Fatty acids were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company.",
"A 1% or 33.3% (w/v) stock solution of each was prepared in 33% or 95% ethanol.",
"Assay of viruses and coagulation factors were as described in B. Horowitz, M. E. Wiebe, A. Lippin and M. H. Stryker, Transfusion, 25, 516 (1985).",
"Anti-hepatitis B surface antigen was determined by Ausab obtained from Abbott Laboratories.",
"Results: The addition of fatty acids to an AHF concentrate containing either VSV or Sindbis virus caused a rapid and complete inactivation of virus for oleic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitoleic, arachidonic and 11-eicosenoic acids (FIG.",
"3, FIG. 4 and Table 2).",
"Fatty acid, dissolved in 33% ethanol, was added to an AHF concentrate containing VSV.",
"After 1 and 4 hours at 24° C., samples were removed, diluted 100-fold and assayed for residual virus.",
"The fatty acid nomenclature follows that given in Table 2.",
"For each of these fatty acids, the degree of virus kill and AHF retention depended on the fatty acid concentration used and the duration of incubation.",
"On a weight basis, oleic acid was the most potent of the fatty acids tested and the degree of kill decreased according to the following order: oleic>eicosenoic, arachidonic, linoleic>linolenic>palmitoleic.",
"Exposure for a period as brief as one hour appeared adequate in several cases.",
"Under conditions which provided apparent complete inactivation of added virus, AHF recovery was 63% to 100%.",
"Minimal virus kill in an AHF concentrate was achieved at a fatty acid concentration of 0.01%, a value reported previously (C.",
"C. Stock, T. Francis, Jr., supra;",
"A. Kohn et al, supra) to provide substantial virus inactivation in dilute culture medium.",
"It is believed that AHF concentrate contains an inhibitor of fatty acid action since>4 log 10 kill of virus in buffer was achieved for each of several of fatty acids.",
"Two unsaturated fatty acids, elaidic and gamma-linolenic, and two saturated fatty acids, palmitic and arachidic, and another fat soluble compound, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), were relatively less effective.",
"Among the glycerides tested, the long chain monoglyceride, 1-monooleyl-rac-glycerol, but not the di-and tri-glycerides, diolein and triolein, displayed antiviral properties.",
"The effect of sodium oleate on other blood derivatives was tested.",
"Complete virus kill was observed on incubation of 0.033% sodium oleate at 24° C. with solutions of prothrombin complex concentrate, immune globulin and anti-thrombin III (Table 3).",
"Protein function was maintained as evidenced by recoveries approaching 100% when factor IX, anti-thrombin III, and anti-HBs activity was measured.",
"Less virus inactivation was achieved in plasma or plasma cryoprecipitate or in an albumin solution (Table 3), probably as a result of the direct interaction between oleate and endogenous fats and albumin itself.",
"Of the fatty acids tested, virus kill depended on the presence of at least one double bond, preferably in the "cis"",
"configuration.",
"Virucidal potency of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids was enhanced by increasing the chain length from C16 to C18 or C20.",
"For C18 fatty acids, virucidal activity decreased with increasing degree of unsaturation.",
"TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________TREATMENT OF AN AHF CONCENTRATEBY UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AHF VSV Sindbis Recovery (%) Decline (log) Decline (log)Fatty Acid Conc.",
"% 1 hr.",
"4 hrs.",
"1 hr.",
"4 hrs.",
"1 hr.",
"4 hrs.",
"__________________________________________________________________________None -- -- 122 -- 0.1 -- 0.0Palmitic (C16:0) 0.1 97 111 0.0 0.3 -- -- 0.3 86 91 0.1 0.1 -- --Palmitoleic (C16:1) 0.01 -- 89 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.10 78 81 0.4 0.3 3.1 3.2 0.20 45 54 0.5 3.9 -- -- 0.30 63 11 >5.0 >5.0 -- --Oleic (C18:1) 0.01 88 89 0.2 0.7 -- -- 0.033 72 63 >4.7 >4.7 >5.6 >5.7 0.10 44 1 >4.2 >4.2 >5.2 >5.2Linoleic (C18:2) 0.01 -- 97 -- 0.4 -- -- 0.033 86 68 1.4 3.5 -- -- 0.066 80 33 4.4 >5.0 -- -- 0.10 64 2 >4.8 >4.8 >5.2 >5.2Linolenic (C18:3) 0.01 -- 92 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.10 -- 74 1.2 >4.8 4.0 >5.2gamma-Linolenic 0.10 -- 78 0.2 1.0 3.6 3.7[C18:3 (6,9,12)]Elaidic 0.01 -- 84 -- 0.2 -- --[C18:1 ("trans")] 0.10 -- 61 3.6 3.2 5.1 5.1Arachidic (C20:0) 0.1 97 126 0.0 0.5 -- -- 0.3 97 104 0.2 0.2 -- --II-Eicosenoic acid 0.01 112 95 0.0 0.2 -- --(C20:1) 0.033 107 112 2.3 3.7 5.9 5.9 0.066 97 96 4.2 >4.3 6.0 >6.2 0.1 87 81 >4.3 >4.3 -- --Arachidonic (C20:4) 0.01 -- 89 -- 0.0 -- -- 0.033 79 75 1.9 3.8 -- -- 0.066 74 55 >5.0 >5.0 -- -- 0.10 63 45 >4.8 >4.8 >5.2 >5.2BHT 0.10 -- 100 -- 0.4 -- --1-Monooleoyl-rac- 0.1 112 120 2.5 2.5 -- --glycerol 0.3 107 98 3.2 3.3 -- --Diolein 0.3 99 93 0.0 0.1 -- --Triolein 0.3 92 96 0.0 0.0 -- --__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________EFFECT OF SODIUM OLEATE ON BLOOD PLASMA AND ITS DERIVATIVES Incubation Conditions Sodium Virus Inactivation Protein Functional Temp.",
"Oleate Duration (log.",
"sub[.",
"].10) RecoveryDerivative (°C.) (%) (hrs.) VSV Sindbis Protein (%)__________________________________________________________________________AHF concentrate 24 0.033 1 >4.7 -- AHF 72(10 mg/mL) 4 >4.7 >5.2 "",
"63Prothrombin complex 24 0.033 6 >4.8 >5.3 Factor IX 127concentrate (14 mg/ML)ISG (70 mg/mL) 24 0.033 6 >5.0 >4.6 Anti-HBs 96Antithrombin III 24 0.033 6 >4.7 >5.3 AT-III 110(4 mg/mL)Plasma 24 0.15 4 1.0 -- AHF 58 24 0.15 21 1.2 -- "",
"-- 30 0.033 21 1.6 -- "",
"57 37 0.1 4 2.5 -- "",
"92 37 0.15 4 3.7 -- "",
"39 37 none 4 2.3 -- "",
"103Plasma-solubilized 24 0.15 4 1.5 -- AHF 75cyroprecipitate 24 0.15 21 1.9 -- "",
"--Buffer-solubilizedcryoprecipitate(48 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 1.2 -- AHF 87(18 mg/mL) 30 0.033 4 1.3 2.9 "",
"83(18 mg/mL) 30 0.10 4 -- -- "",
"36Heparin-precipitated AHF(36 mg/mL) 37 0.033 6 1.6 -- AHF 92(17 mg/mL) 37 0.033 6 3.0 -- "",
"50Albumin(63 mg/mL) 24 0.033 6 1.3 0.0 -- --(11.5 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 0.0 0.0 -- --(5.7 mg/mL) 24 0.033 4 >4.5 -- -- --__________________________________________________________________________ It will be appreciated that the instant specification and claims are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention."
] |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to immersive dome theaters, including large-format film theaters and video-based digital dome theaters which are generally spherical in shape, and which can be hemispheric, hypohemispheric, or hyperhemispheric in extent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical installation for a modern dome theater is shown in FIG. 1. Most modern dome theaters 1 utilize a dome 2 which is tilted forward and which has unidirectional seating 3 mounted on a stadium-type seating deck 4 . An omni-type, large format film projector 5 is then situated within the theater space 6 which is defined by the dome 2 . Examples of such dome theaters would include the IMAX™ Dome system, available from Imax Corporation, and the Cinedome™ format available from Iwerks.
[0003] The projector 5 is generally positioned behind the center 7 of the dome 2 or, as an alternative, at the center 7 of the dome 2 , and typically uses a “fisheye” type lens (not shown) that has a very large field-of-view (e.g., 150 to 180 degrees). The projector 5 is accessed from a sub-floor 8 (i.e., from under the seating deck 4 ). A so-called “dog house” 9 is provided to contain the projector 5 , which typically protrudes into the theater space 6 . This leads to the disadvantage that valuable seating space is taken up in a prime viewing location, that being the center of the theater 1 .
[0004] Another major problem with modern dome theaters is caused by scattered light. Since the projection screen (the dome 2 ) is curved, the image projected onto one portion of the screen can scatter light onto remaining portions of the screen. This leads to the disadvantage that the contrast of the resulting image can be reduced.
[0005] Another problem associated with modern dome theaters is the difficulty of obtaining sufficient image resolution, primarily due to the extremely wide field-of-view of the projection system. Eye-limited resolution over a hemispheric field-of-view requires a large number of pixels. This number is given by the following equation:
Number of pixels = ( 2 π steradians ) ( 57.3 ∘ / steradian ) 2 ( 60 arc min / deg ) 2 ( 0.5 arc min / pixel ) 2 = 300 million pixels
[0006] No medium is presently known which is capable of achieving this resolution. For example, large-format films (15 perf/70 mm) are capable of an effective pixel resolution on the order of 10 to 12 million. Video projectors, however, are currently only capable of an effective pixel resolution on the order of 3 million.
[0007] The limited resolution of video projectors has prevented the use of “single-lens” projection schemes. Instead, multiple, edge-blended projectors have been required to achieve a large, seamless, high-resolution image. Such systems, however, have the disadvantages of being expensive and difficult to maintain. It is also difficult to format content for such systems because the images must be split into separate frames, for projection by individual projectors, which must carefully reconstruct the image on the dome screen using edge-blending techniques.
[0008] Another problem associated with modern dome projection systems is that the brightness of the image tends to be somewhat limited. While flat-screen theaters easily fulfill the current SMPTE cinematic standard for brightness of 12 foot-Lamberts, dome theaters usually provide a brightness on the order of 3 to 4 foot-Lamberts, or less, due to their large image area and the limited brightness of the projectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides an improved theater geometry which is capable of providing improved image resolution and improved image contrast over prior systems. This is achieved with a unique projection geometry and image re-mapping technique.
[0010] The improvements of the present invention exploit the known phenomena that the human visual system is “foveated”, i.e., that the central field-of-view of the human eye has a higher resolution than its peripheral field-of-view (see, J. M. Rolfe, et al., Flight Simulation , Cambridge Press, New York, 1986), and that most people exercise limited head motion when viewing films, even when given a fully immersive field-of-view (see, R. Pausch, et al., “Disney's Aladdin: First Steps Toward Storytelling in Virtual Reality”, ACM SIGGRAPH 96 Conference Proc., August 1996). The combined effect of this is that image resolution is most important in the central region of the dome screen, and less important at the sides and the rear of the dome screen.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the projected image is provided with a continuously variable image resolution and brightness over the surface of the dome, in this way concentrating the resolution and the brightness of the image within the central field-of-view of viewers that are unidirectionally seated in the theater, and sacrificing resolution and brightness toward the outside edges of the viewers' field-of-view. The result is a more efficient use of available projector resolution and brightness, an increase in the number of quality seats available in the theater, and an enhanced image contrast due to reductions in the light which is scattering from image elements to the rear of the dome.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical omni-format film theater.
[0013] [0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a theater having a projector which is located for producing a foveated display in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] [0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the reconstruction and projection of an image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention, for a spherical field-of-view.
[0015] [0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the eyepoint projection for generating an image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] [0016]FIG. 5 is an azimuthal equidistant map showing a hemispheric grid image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] [0017]FIG. 2 shows an installation for a dome theater 10 having a display which has been “foveated”, in accordance with the present invention. As with the theater 1 shown in FIG. 1, the theater 10 utilizes a dome-shaped screen 11 (hereafter also referred to as the “dome”) which is tilted forward, and has unidirectional seating 12 which is mounted on a stadium-type seating deck 13 . An omni-type, large format projector 14 (either a film or a video projector) is situated within the theater space 15 which is defined by the dome 11 . Such theaters can again include theater systems such as the previously mentioned IMAX™ Dome system, available from Imax Corporation, and the Cinedome™ format available from Iwerks, as well as other theater systems that may be in existence or that may be developed in the future.
[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the projector 14 is placed substantially in front of the center 16 of the dome 11 . A “fisheye” type lens 17 (having a very large field-of-view on the order of 150 to 180 degrees) is again coupled with the projector 14 , and the source image is specially mapped to correct for distortion created by parallax in the projector, as follows.
[0019] Pixels in the front of the dome screen 11 (at 18 ) are made smaller, resulting in a higher resolution in the direction that the viewers are facing (shown by the arrow 19 ). Conversely, the pixels in the rear of the dome screen 11 (at 20 ) are made larger. For a given projector resolution, the projected resolution is effectively sacrificed in the rear of the theater (at 20 , behind most of the viewers) to boost the resolution in the front of the theater (at 18 ). This results in a higher perceived resolution, since the pixels in the rear 20 of the theater 10 will lie in the outer edges of the viewers' peripheral vision, where visual acuity is generally the lowest, and do not substantially contribute to the quality of the resulting image. As a result, the pixels in the rear 20 of the theater 10 are not perceptibly missed. Pixels are instead concentrated in the front 18 of the theater 10 , where visual acuity is generally the highest and the viewers' attention is most focused.
[0020] The brightness of the image at the front 18 of the dome screen 11 is increased, while the brightness of the image at the rear 20 of the dome screen 11 is decreased. This decrease in the brightness of the image, toward the rear 20 , improves contrast in the central, high-resolution regions (the center 16 and the front 18 ) since less light is scattered from scenes in the rear 20 onto the front 18 of the dome screen 11 . Again, this drop in brightness occurs in regions of the dome screen 11 that lie on the outer fringes of a viewer's peripheral vision, which does not substantially detract from the projected image.
[0021] The projector 14 is preferably located in the front 21 of the theater 10 , possibly in front of the first row of seats 22 . This permits a greater number of seats to be placed in the theater 10 , particularly in the center 23 of the seating deck 13 (i.e., at the center of the theater), seats which had previously been taken up by the projector-receiving “dog-house” 9 . This, in turn, restores the highest quality seats to the theater 10 .
[0022] In the case of a video projector, the increased resolution and brightness in the prime image area can be sufficient to achieve cinematic quality, allowing a single projector to replace the less reliable, multi-projector, edge-blended video display systems currently in use.
[0023] Because the foveated effect is achieved using a single projector 14 , with a fisheye lens 17 , the drop in brightness and resolution from the front 18 of the dome screen 11 to the rear 20 of the dome screen 11 is graceful and slowly varying. Provided the displacement of the projector 14 from the center 16 of the dome 11 falls within a desired range of values, it will be difficult for the drop in brightness and resolution to be noticed by the untrained eye.
[0024] [0024]FIG. 3 generally illustrates the operating principal of a display which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention. Since the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′ is closer to the projection lens (schematically shown at 24 ), the pixels at the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′ are smallest and brightest. Conversely, the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the dome 11 ′ are the largest, because the length of the projection path 25 for the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the theater is the longest. The greater the displacement (d r ) of the projection (fisheye) lens 24 from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′, the greater the foveated effect that will result.
[0025] A normalized projector displacement ratio (R) is given by the ratio d r /r. Consequently, the size of the pixels in the front 18 ′ of the theater will be scaled down by a factor S f , where S f =(r−d r )/r, with respect to conventional projection from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′ (d r =0), while the size of the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the theater will be scaled up by a factor S b , where S b =(r+d r )/r, relative to projection from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′. A measure of the degree of foveation is provided by the “front-to-back” resolution ratio (F) which is given by the ratio F=S b /S f . Foveation is the ratio of the resolution (and brightness) of the image in the front 18 ′ of the theater versus the resolution (and brightness) of the image in the rear 20 ′ of the theater.
[0026] It can also be shown that the critical field-of-view (measured at the equator of the dome, shown at 26 in FIG. 4, with respect to an eyepoint 27 at the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′) for which the pixel resolution equals that of conventional (dome-centered) projection, θ c , is given by the equation 2 cos −1 (R/2). Within this field-of-view, the pixel resolution (and image brightness) will exceed that of conventional, dome-centered projection. Outside of this field-of-view, the pixel resolution (and image brightness) will drop below that of conventional, dome-centered projection. The value of θ c is an important parameter for providing a foveated display since it dictates the area on the dome for which an elevated brightness and resolution are achieved.
[0027] The following table (Table 1) provides an example of a list of foveated display parameters versus a projector displacement ratio, R.
TABLE 1 Projector Critical Normalized Normalized Foveation Displacement Field of Front Pixel Back Pixel F = Ratio, R View, θ c Size, S f Size, S b s b /S f 0 Full Dome 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.1 174° 0.9 1.1 1.22 0.2 169° 0.8 1.2 1.50 0.3 163° 0.7 1.3 1.86 0.4 157° 0.6 1.4 2.33 0.5 151° 0.5 1.5 3.00 0.6 145° 0.4 1.6 4.00 0.7 139° 0.3 1.7 5.67 0.8 133° 0.2 1.8 9.00 0.9 127° 0.1 1.9 19.00 1.0 120° 0 2.0 Infinity
[0028] The values of θ c , S f , S b and F are listed in Table 1 as a function of the projector displacement ratio (R). Note that, even as R approaches 1.0 (i.e., the projector lens 17 approaches the front surface 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′), θ c does not drop below 120°. The corresponding foveation (F) increases exponentially with the projector displacement (R). Lower values of F (e.g., for F<1.5) will not produce a noticeable foveation effect, while higher values (e.g., F>6) will likely be objectionable, depending on the seating arrangement, image content, and other factors. Since brightness variations due to foveation will likely be more noticeable than resolution variations, a brightness compensation mask can be applied to the image, either optically or electronically, to create a more even image brightness over the dome screen by gradually attenuating brightness in the front of the image area.
[0029] To successfully achieve the above-described, foveated effect, special image re-mapping is required to result in a sphere having a foveated view. Referring to FIG. 4, the image re-mapping which is required to achieve a sphere 28 having a foveated view (based on an original, un-foveated view sphere 29 ) is based on a three-dimensional eyepoint projection. The foveated image 30 which results is shown in FIG. 5, in equidistant polar mapping with a hemispheric grid. It is to be noted that the larger image area (i.e., having a higher pixel density) is found at the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′. In its preferred embodiment, digital image processing is used as the mapping algorithm. With the source image in a digital format, the algorithm is performed digitally, either in real time for immediate projection, or as an off-line process. In an off-line process, the resulting frames can be output to a digital video storage medium for video-based projection, or scanned onto film in the case of a film-based projection theater.
[0030] Eyepoint mapping procedures which are otherwise known to persons of ordinary skill in the fields of geometric mapping and software development can be used to implement the foregoing image re-mapping procedures, based on the following description. An original spherical image is mapped onto a virtual dome (the dome 29 shown in FIG. 4). The pixels on this view sphere (the circles 31 shown on the surface of the dome 29 in FIG. 4) are geometrically projected onto the foveated view sphere (the dome 28 shown in FIG. 4), which is displaced by the ratio (R). The foveated view sphere is then prepared appropriately for fisheye projection. Typically, this preparation is a 2-dimensional, equidistant azimuthal or polar mapping. In practice, the eyepoint mapping can be performed as a 2-dimensional image warping operation (note, for example, the mapping shown in FIG. 5).
[0031] It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims. | An improved theater geometry which is capable of providing improved image resolution and improved image contrast over prior systems is achieved with a unique projection geometry and image re-mapping technique. The projected image is provided with a continuously variable image resolution and brightness over the surface of a preferably dome-shaped screen which is to receive the image, concentrating the resolution and the brightness of the image within the central field-of-view of viewers that are unidirectionally seated in the theater, and sacrificing resolution and brightness toward the outside edges of the viewers' field-of-view. The result is a more efficient use of available projector resolution and brightness, an increase in the number of quality seats available in the theater, and an enhanced image contrast due to reductions in the light which is scattering from image elements to the rear of the screen. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention generally relates to immersive dome theaters, including large-format film theaters and video-based digital dome theaters which are generally spherical in shape, and which can be hemispheric, hypohemispheric, or hyperhemispheric in extent.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A typical installation for a modern dome theater is shown in FIG. 1. Most modern dome theaters 1 utilize a dome 2 which is tilted forward and which has unidirectional seating 3 mounted on a stadium-type seating deck 4 .",
"An omni-type, large format film projector 5 is then situated within the theater space 6 which is defined by the dome 2 .",
"Examples of such dome theaters would include the IMAX™ Dome system, available from Imax Corporation, and the Cinedome™ format available from Iwerks.",
"[0003] The projector 5 is generally positioned behind the center 7 of the dome 2 or, as an alternative, at the center 7 of the dome 2 , and typically uses a “fisheye”",
"type lens (not shown) that has a very large field-of-view (e.g., 150 to 180 degrees).",
"The projector 5 is accessed from a sub-floor 8 (i.e., from under the seating deck 4 ).",
"A so-called “dog house”",
"9 is provided to contain the projector 5 , which typically protrudes into the theater space 6 .",
"This leads to the disadvantage that valuable seating space is taken up in a prime viewing location, that being the center of the theater 1 .",
"[0004] Another major problem with modern dome theaters is caused by scattered light.",
"Since the projection screen (the dome 2 ) is curved, the image projected onto one portion of the screen can scatter light onto remaining portions of the screen.",
"This leads to the disadvantage that the contrast of the resulting image can be reduced.",
"[0005] Another problem associated with modern dome theaters is the difficulty of obtaining sufficient image resolution, primarily due to the extremely wide field-of-view of the projection system.",
"Eye-limited resolution over a hemispheric field-of-view requires a large number of pixels.",
"This number is given by the following equation: Number of pixels = ( 2 π steradians ) ( 57.3 ∘ / steradian ) 2 ( 60 arc min / deg ) 2 ( 0.5 arc min / pixel ) 2 = 300 million pixels [0006] No medium is presently known which is capable of achieving this resolution.",
"For example, large-format films (15 perf/70 mm) are capable of an effective pixel resolution on the order of 10 to 12 million.",
"Video projectors, however, are currently only capable of an effective pixel resolution on the order of 3 million.",
"[0007] The limited resolution of video projectors has prevented the use of “single-lens”",
"projection schemes.",
"Instead, multiple, edge-blended projectors have been required to achieve a large, seamless, high-resolution image.",
"Such systems, however, have the disadvantages of being expensive and difficult to maintain.",
"It is also difficult to format content for such systems because the images must be split into separate frames, for projection by individual projectors, which must carefully reconstruct the image on the dome screen using edge-blending techniques.",
"[0008] Another problem associated with modern dome projection systems is that the brightness of the image tends to be somewhat limited.",
"While flat-screen theaters easily fulfill the current SMPTE cinematic standard for brightness of 12 foot-Lamberts, dome theaters usually provide a brightness on the order of 3 to 4 foot-Lamberts, or less, due to their large image area and the limited brightness of the projectors.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides an improved theater geometry which is capable of providing improved image resolution and improved image contrast over prior systems.",
"This is achieved with a unique projection geometry and image re-mapping technique.",
"[0010] The improvements of the present invention exploit the known phenomena that the human visual system is “foveated”, i.e., that the central field-of-view of the human eye has a higher resolution than its peripheral field-of-view (see, J. M. Rolfe, et al.",
", Flight Simulation , Cambridge Press, New York, 1986), and that most people exercise limited head motion when viewing films, even when given a fully immersive field-of-view (see, R. Pausch, et al.",
", “Disney's Aladdin: First Steps Toward Storytelling in Virtual Reality”, ACM SIGGRAPH 96 Conference Proc.",
", August 1996).",
"The combined effect of this is that image resolution is most important in the central region of the dome screen, and less important at the sides and the rear of the dome screen.",
"[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the projected image is provided with a continuously variable image resolution and brightness over the surface of the dome, in this way concentrating the resolution and the brightness of the image within the central field-of-view of viewers that are unidirectionally seated in the theater, and sacrificing resolution and brightness toward the outside edges of the viewers'",
"field-of-view.",
"The result is a more efficient use of available projector resolution and brightness, an increase in the number of quality seats available in the theater, and an enhanced image contrast due to reductions in the light which is scattering from image elements to the rear of the dome.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] [0012 ]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical omni-format film theater.",
"[0013] [0013 ]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a theater having a projector which is located for producing a foveated display in accordance with the present invention.",
"[0014] [0014 ]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the reconstruction and projection of an image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention, for a spherical field-of-view.",
"[0015] [0015 ]FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the eyepoint projection for generating an image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention.",
"[0016] [0016 ]FIG. 5 is an azimuthal equidistant map showing a hemispheric grid image which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] [0017 ]FIG. 2 shows an installation for a dome theater 10 having a display which has been “foveated”, in accordance with the present invention.",
"As with the theater 1 shown in FIG. 1, the theater 10 utilizes a dome-shaped screen 11 (hereafter also referred to as the “dome”) which is tilted forward, and has unidirectional seating 12 which is mounted on a stadium-type seating deck 13 .",
"An omni-type, large format projector 14 (either a film or a video projector) is situated within the theater space 15 which is defined by the dome 11 .",
"Such theaters can again include theater systems such as the previously mentioned IMAX™ Dome system, available from Imax Corporation, and the Cinedome™ format available from Iwerks, as well as other theater systems that may be in existence or that may be developed in the future.",
"[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the projector 14 is placed substantially in front of the center 16 of the dome 11 .",
"A “fisheye”",
"type lens 17 (having a very large field-of-view on the order of 150 to 180 degrees) is again coupled with the projector 14 , and the source image is specially mapped to correct for distortion created by parallax in the projector, as follows.",
"[0019] Pixels in the front of the dome screen 11 (at 18 ) are made smaller, resulting in a higher resolution in the direction that the viewers are facing (shown by the arrow 19 ).",
"Conversely, the pixels in the rear of the dome screen 11 (at 20 ) are made larger.",
"For a given projector resolution, the projected resolution is effectively sacrificed in the rear of the theater (at 20 , behind most of the viewers) to boost the resolution in the front of the theater (at 18 ).",
"This results in a higher perceived resolution, since the pixels in the rear 20 of the theater 10 will lie in the outer edges of the viewers'",
"peripheral vision, where visual acuity is generally the lowest, and do not substantially contribute to the quality of the resulting image.",
"As a result, the pixels in the rear 20 of the theater 10 are not perceptibly missed.",
"Pixels are instead concentrated in the front 18 of the theater 10 , where visual acuity is generally the highest and the viewers'",
"attention is most focused.",
"[0020] The brightness of the image at the front 18 of the dome screen 11 is increased, while the brightness of the image at the rear 20 of the dome screen 11 is decreased.",
"This decrease in the brightness of the image, toward the rear 20 , improves contrast in the central, high-resolution regions (the center 16 and the front 18 ) since less light is scattered from scenes in the rear 20 onto the front 18 of the dome screen 11 .",
"Again, this drop in brightness occurs in regions of the dome screen 11 that lie on the outer fringes of a viewer's peripheral vision, which does not substantially detract from the projected image.",
"[0021] The projector 14 is preferably located in the front 21 of the theater 10 , possibly in front of the first row of seats 22 .",
"This permits a greater number of seats to be placed in the theater 10 , particularly in the center 23 of the seating deck 13 (i.e., at the center of the theater), seats which had previously been taken up by the projector-receiving “dog-house”",
"9 .",
"This, in turn, restores the highest quality seats to the theater 10 .",
"[0022] In the case of a video projector, the increased resolution and brightness in the prime image area can be sufficient to achieve cinematic quality, allowing a single projector to replace the less reliable, multi-projector, edge-blended video display systems currently in use.",
"[0023] Because the foveated effect is achieved using a single projector 14 , with a fisheye lens 17 , the drop in brightness and resolution from the front 18 of the dome screen 11 to the rear 20 of the dome screen 11 is graceful and slowly varying.",
"Provided the displacement of the projector 14 from the center 16 of the dome 11 falls within a desired range of values, it will be difficult for the drop in brightness and resolution to be noticed by the untrained eye.",
"[0024] [0024 ]FIG. 3 generally illustrates the operating principal of a display which has been foveated in accordance with the present invention.",
"Since the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′ is closer to the projection lens (schematically shown at 24 ), the pixels at the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′ are smallest and brightest.",
"Conversely, the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the dome 11 ′ are the largest, because the length of the projection path 25 for the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the theater is the longest.",
"The greater the displacement (d r ) of the projection (fisheye) lens 24 from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′, the greater the foveated effect that will result.",
"[0025] A normalized projector displacement ratio (R) is given by the ratio d r /r.",
"Consequently, the size of the pixels in the front 18 ′ of the theater will be scaled down by a factor S f , where S f =(r−d r )/r, with respect to conventional projection from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′ (d r =0), while the size of the pixels at the rear 20 ′ of the theater will be scaled up by a factor S b , where S b =(r+d r )/r, relative to projection from the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′.",
"A measure of the degree of foveation is provided by the “front-to-back”",
"resolution ratio (F) which is given by the ratio F=S b /S f .",
"Foveation is the ratio of the resolution (and brightness) of the image in the front 18 ′ of the theater versus the resolution (and brightness) of the image in the rear 20 ′ of the theater.",
"[0026] It can also be shown that the critical field-of-view (measured at the equator of the dome, shown at 26 in FIG. 4, with respect to an eyepoint 27 at the center 16 ′ of the dome 11 ′) for which the pixel resolution equals that of conventional (dome-centered) projection, θ c , is given by the equation 2 cos −1 (R/2).",
"Within this field-of-view, the pixel resolution (and image brightness) will exceed that of conventional, dome-centered projection.",
"Outside of this field-of-view, the pixel resolution (and image brightness) will drop below that of conventional, dome-centered projection.",
"The value of θ c is an important parameter for providing a foveated display since it dictates the area on the dome for which an elevated brightness and resolution are achieved.",
"[0027] The following table (Table 1) provides an example of a list of foveated display parameters versus a projector displacement ratio, R. TABLE 1 Projector Critical Normalized Normalized Foveation Displacement Field of Front Pixel Back Pixel F = Ratio, R View, θ c Size, S f Size, S b s b /S f 0 Full Dome 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.1 174° 0.9 1.1 1.22 0.2 169° 0.8 1.2 1.50 0.3 163° 0.7 1.3 1.86 0.4 157° 0.6 1.4 2.33 0.5 151° 0.5 1.5 3.00 0.6 145° 0.4 1.6 4.00 0.7 139° 0.3 1.7 5.67 0.8 133° 0.2 1.8 9.00 0.9 127° 0.1 1.9 19.00 1.0 120° 0 2.0 Infinity [0028] The values of θ c , S f , S b and F are listed in Table 1 as a function of the projector displacement ratio (R).",
"Note that, even as R approaches 1.0 (i.e., the projector lens 17 approaches the front surface 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′), θ c does not drop below 120°.",
"The corresponding foveation (F) increases exponentially with the projector displacement (R).",
"Lower values of F (e.g., for F<1.5) will not produce a noticeable foveation effect, while higher values (e.g., F>6) will likely be objectionable, depending on the seating arrangement, image content, and other factors.",
"Since brightness variations due to foveation will likely be more noticeable than resolution variations, a brightness compensation mask can be applied to the image, either optically or electronically, to create a more even image brightness over the dome screen by gradually attenuating brightness in the front of the image area.",
"[0029] To successfully achieve the above-described, foveated effect, special image re-mapping is required to result in a sphere having a foveated view.",
"Referring to FIG. 4, the image re-mapping which is required to achieve a sphere 28 having a foveated view (based on an original, un-foveated view sphere 29 ) is based on a three-dimensional eyepoint projection.",
"The foveated image 30 which results is shown in FIG. 5, in equidistant polar mapping with a hemispheric grid.",
"It is to be noted that the larger image area (i.e., having a higher pixel density) is found at the front 18 ′ of the dome 11 ′.",
"In its preferred embodiment, digital image processing is used as the mapping algorithm.",
"With the source image in a digital format, the algorithm is performed digitally, either in real time for immediate projection, or as an off-line process.",
"In an off-line process, the resulting frames can be output to a digital video storage medium for video-based projection, or scanned onto film in the case of a film-based projection theater.",
"[0030] Eyepoint mapping procedures which are otherwise known to persons of ordinary skill in the fields of geometric mapping and software development can be used to implement the foregoing image re-mapping procedures, based on the following description.",
"An original spherical image is mapped onto a virtual dome (the dome 29 shown in FIG. 4).",
"The pixels on this view sphere (the circles 31 shown on the surface of the dome 29 in FIG. 4) are geometrically projected onto the foveated view sphere (the dome 28 shown in FIG. 4), which is displaced by the ratio (R).",
"The foveated view sphere is then prepared appropriately for fisheye projection.",
"Typically, this preparation is a 2-dimensional, equidistant azimuthal or polar mapping.",
"In practice, the eyepoint mapping can be performed as a 2-dimensional image warping operation (note, for example, the mapping shown in FIG. 5).",
"[0031] It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a rotary floor maintenance device particularly a scrubber/polisher.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional rotary floor maintenance devices have used gear boxes, belt drives and the like to couple the motor shaft to the rotary brush. Examples of conventional rotary floor maintenance devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,485,680 to Hughes; 1,588,157 to Beach; 2,079,946 to Myers; 3,412,415 to Brab; 4,330,897 to Tucker; 4,360,939 to Krumm; and 4,365,377 to Todd.
Rotary floor maintenance devices with gear boxes are relatively noisy, and require periodic lubrication. Because of the noise, machines of this type are often distracting when operated during normal working hours in a business environment. The problem becomes particularly acute in hospitals where the permissible noise level is generally limited to 65 db.
Gaudry in U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,470 attempted to reduce the noise level of gear boxes for rotary floor maintenance devices by replacing metal gears with gears made of synthetic resin materials, such as nylon, acetate, polycarbonate, or phenolic thermoplastic resins. Although noise levels are reduced by the use of synthetic resin gears, such gears are not as durable as metal gears. Also, the use of a gear box, whether the gears be made of metal or synthetic resin, reduces the overall efficiency of the rotary floor maintenance device.
Gear boxes are generally required in order to supply high torque at low speed to the rotary brushes. Without a gear box or the like, the electrical current which would be required to operate a floor maintenance device motor at sufficient torque and relatively low speed would exceed the 20 amp trip current of the circuit breaker protecting the circuit from which the floor maintenance device is being supplied electric power.
Another solution is to use an electric motor having greater torque at lower speeds. However, this solution results in an increase in the physical size of the motor, particularly the height. Since the motors are typically mounted directly on top of the rotary brush skirt housing, any increase in motor size also increases the height of the machine operating head. Since it is desirable to use rotary floor maintenance devices under furniture and cabinet ledges, it is necessary to keep the overall height of the machine operating head as low as possible. Therefore increasing the overall height of the machine operating head detracts from the general utility and desirability of the machine. Various arrangements for reducing the height of the operating head have been proposed and used. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,079,946 to Myers discloses a construction whereby the motor is mounted to the rear of the operating head. U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,712 to Berger discloses a motor mounted on the handle. Although both of the aforementioned designs reduce the overall height of the operating head, both relocate the overall center of gravity of the machine in a way which causes the overall stability of the machine to be reduced.
Another problem which has been encountered with conventional machines is that liquid is splashed into the motor housing and accumulates therein. This can be a personnel safety hazard, as well as being destructive to the motor. Despite the adverse consequences of liquid accumulation in the motor housing, the design of a motor support structure which will allow drainage appears not to have been previously attempted. This feature is particularly important when the rotary floor maintenance device is used in a scrubbing mode. In this mode water and detergent solution may be splashed into the motor housing.
Control of conventional rotary floor maintenance devices can easily be lost if they are started inadvertantly. Such a runaway device can potentially cause injury and damage. One way to prevent inadvertant operation is to put a safety interlock in the handle, thereby requiring two independent actions by an operator, rather than one, to operate the machine. In this way, the likelihood of inadvertant operation is greatly reduced. U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,415 to Brab descloses one type of safety interlock. Brab utilizes a bar linkage to actuate a microswitch which controls the energization of the machine. One member, connected to a safety interlock actuator, defeats a stop on a bar linkage when depressed, to allow the microswitch to be revolved and consequently actuated by a linkage member. Linkage devices such as the one disclosed in the Brab patent, because of the journalled connection of linkage members, require periodic maintenance including lubrication. This may require disassembly of the interlock system. Once disassembled, maintenance personnel may decide to defeat the interlock to preclude the need for further periodic maintenance. Also, three and four bar linkages, such as the one disclosed by Brab, require coplanar alignment for proper operation. Improper and forceful actuation of the interlock can cause misalignment and therefore the need for additional maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a compact rotary floor maintenance device is disclosed which comprises an operating head or motor support base having at least one aperture therein, a electric motor having a shaft, a motor with its shaft disposed generally perpendicular to said motor support base, with the shaft extending through the motor support base aperture. A motor adapter directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation therewith has a generally annular flange and a central aperture for receiving the motor shaft. A rotary brush contact means, for contacting a floor surface, has at least one aperture adapted to receive the flange of said motor adapter. Unlike conventional rotary floor maintenance devices, the rotary brush contact means is directly driven by the electric motor. Thus, noisy gear boxes and the like are eliminated. This is particularly useful for rotary floor maintenance devices which are used in hospitals where the maximum acceptable noise level is generally limited to 65 db.
In one embodiment of this invention, the electric motor is mounted vertically on the motor support base. Drainage notches are provided in the motor support base to allow accumulated liquids to drain away from the electric motor. This is a useful feature when a rotary floor maintenance device is being used as a scrubber. During this mode of operation, it is possible for water and detergent solution to splash into the motor housing. An accumulation of water and detergent solution could present a personnel safety hazard to the operator as well as having a debilitating effect on the motor. Thus, the notches located in the motor support base will preclude water from accumulating in the motor housing, thereby eliminating or at least reducing these problems.
An electric motor control means is provided which allows the speed of the motor to be varied in infinitesimal steps at the perogative of the operator for various floor maintenance operations. A knob conveniently located on the motor housing allows the operator to vary the motor speed to suit the operating mode or surface finish desired. Faster motor speeds are generally used for polishing whereas slower speeds are generally used for scrubbing.
A further feature of this invention is the provision of a safety switch in the handle which prevents the motor from starting until the switch is depressed. This safety feature prevents inadvertent operation of the rotary floor maintenance device. This feature is particularly important for floor maintenance devices with rotary brushes since they can go out of control if not properly held by the handle.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the invention and its various embodiments, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary floor maintenance device.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the motor housing with a partial section illustrating the motor adapter.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the motor support base as viewed along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a drainage notch as viewed along line 4--4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a drainage notch as viewed along line 5--5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the handle in the off position.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the handle in the on position.
FIG. 9 is a side view in section of the safety interlock mechanism in the locked position.
FIG. 10 is a side view in section of the safety interlock mechanism in the unlocked position.
FIG. 11 is a top view of the safety interlock mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, which will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be understood however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1, in particular, there is shown a perspective view of a rotary floor maintenance device 10 having an operating head or motor support base 20, a electric motor housing 21, and a rotary brush means 40. An electric motor 22 (FIG. 2) is mounted vertically in motor housing 21 which is provided with a cover 60. The motor is mounted on motor support base 20. Motor housing vents 70, in housing 21 provide ventilation for cooling of the motor. A rotary brush skirt 80 is provided under motor support base 20 to reduce liquid splashing caused by the rotary brush means 40. The rotary floor maintenance device 10 is support by either the rotary brush means 40, or by two wheels 90 and 95 which are mounted on motor support base 20.
An adjustable operator handle 100 is attached at one end to motor support base 20 and is used to guide the rotary floor maintenance device 10. Handle attachment members 110 and 115 are rigidly attached to the motor support base. Adjustment of operator handle 100 is accomplished by loosening a handle clamp 120, raising or lowering operator handle 100 to the position desired by operator and subsequently retightening handle clamp 120. Two pistol grips 130 and 135 and two hand operated levers 140 and 145 are located at the free end of the operator handle 100. The rotary floor maintenance device 10 cannot be started until a safety interlock switch 390, shown in FIG. 6, is depressed. This feature prevents inadvertent operation of the rotary floor maintenance device 10. Once safety interlock switch 390 is depressed the handle pistol grips 130 and 135 and hand operated levers 140 and 145 respectively, can be squeezed together. This will keep the machine running as long as the handle pistol grips 130 and 135 and the hand operator levers 140 and 145 are held together. Once released, the electric power to the machine will be disconnected and the rotary brush contact means will coast to a stop.
Electric power is supplied to the machine via electric supply cord 160 which enters a switch housing 170 through aperture 180 and is connected to the line side of switch 310. Handle cord 320 is routed down through the handle 100 and passes through aperture 180 near the bottom of handle 100 to be connected to the motor. Electrical supply cord 320 is routed into an aperture (not shown) in the motor housing 21 to the electrical motor 22 (FIG. 2) via electrical cord 350.
The electrical drive motor 22 (FIG. 2) is of the permanent magnet type. Those skilled in the art know that permanent magnet motors are direct current motors. It is also known that one means of varying the speed of a direct current motor is by inserting a variable resistance in the armature circuit. The speed of the rotary floor maintenance device 10 is controlled by a speed control knob 190 located on the motor housing 21, as shown in FIG. 2. The speed control knob 190 controls a potentiometer 200, shown schematically in FIG. 6 which is located inside the motor housing 21. In one commercial embodiment of this invention, an Imperial Electric Company permanent magnet type electric motor is used. The Imperial Electric Company motor has the following specifications: 180 frame, force ventilated, 1.25 horsepower at 450 rpm, continuous duty, rated torque 15 lb/ft. The motor is of the pancake design with a height to diameter ratio of less than one. In one embodiment, the motor used had a height of about 67/8 inches and a diameter of about 9 inches. When this motor is mounted on the motor support base 20 with its shaft extending vertical downward, the overall height of the motor is less than other motors, not of the pancake design, with similar capabilities. Keeping the overall height of the operating head of the machine as low as possible, increases the utility and desirability of the rotary floor maintenance device 10. The lower height permits the operator head to pass under furniture and under cabinet ledges, thereby making the machine more useful and desirable.
Permanent magnet motors utilize brushes and a commutator to supply the direct current to the armature winding. The brushes are usually spring loaded against the commutator to maintain good electrical contact with the commutator even as the brushes become shorter due to wear. Worn-out brushes can cause scoring of the commutator and arcing which can seriously damage the motor. Consequently, brushes must be periodically replaced, preferrably near the end of their useful life. Brushes should be replaced at times convenient to the operator. A brush indicator light 210 is provided to apprise the operator when the brushes need replacement, without having to disassemble the rotary floor maintenance device 10 to inspect the brushes. In this way the replacement of the motor brushes can be scheduled so as to preclude the need to replace the brushes at an inconvenient time. Details of the brush wear indicator light are described in Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application; Ser. No. 460,067; filed Jan. 21, 1983, which is incorporated herein by this reference.
Ventilation of the drive motor is accomplished by providing an alternating current motor driven fan 220 shown schematically in FIG. 6 which is connected to run when the permanent magnet drive motor is running. As previously set forth, ventilation louvers 70 (FIG. 2) are provided on the rear of motor housing 21 for cooling air floor.
FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of a rotary floor maintenance device 10 with a partial cut-away section to illustrate a motor adapter 30. The motor adapter 30 has a generally annular flange portion 230 and a central aperture 240 which is adapted to receive motor shaft 250, and is keyed to motor shaft 250 such that the motor adapter 30 rotates with motor shaft 250. While the motor adapter 30 can be fastened to the motor shaft 250 by various means, FIG. 2 shows the use of a bolt 270 screwed into a threaded aperture in the end of motor shaft 250. The rotary brush means 40 includes an aperture (not shown) which is adapted to fit over the annular flange portion 230 of the motor adapter 30 and to be twisted and locked into place. The method of fastening the rotary brush means 40 is conventional.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the motor support base 20. The electric drive motor 22 (FIG. 2) is secured to the motor support base by suitable fastening means engaged in mounting holes 280, 282, 284 and 286. The drive motor is to be mounted such that the drive motor shaft 250 (FIG. 2) extends through the center aperture 290 in the motor support base 20. Notches 300 and 305 located along the inner periphery of aperture 290 allow water splashed up into the motor housing 21 to drain back onto the rotary brush means 40. This prevents accumulation of water in the motor housing 21. The drainage notches are further illustrated in section views in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates the schematic control circuit for the drive motor. AC power is supplied to the motor by an electrical cord 160. A three conductor electrical supply cord 160 is used. One end of the cord is connected to a conventional three-terminal plug. On the other end conductors 161 and 162 whcih are to be energized by 120 volt AC power are connected to switch 310. Conductor 163 is a safety ground. Switch 310 is a double-pole, single-throw momentary switch, which is normally open. The contacts of switch 310 must be closed to operate the machine. The switch is of the dead-man type, in that the contacts of switch 310 must be held closed by switch actuator means such as pistol grips 130 and 135 and handle operator levers 140 and 145, to keep the machine running. Once the switch actuator means is released, such as by releasing handle operator levers 140 and 145, the machine stops. A handle cord 320 connects switch contacts 310 to terminals 331 and 332 of a speed controller means 330. The speed controller means 330 has at least seven terminals and contains a means for converting AC voltage to DC voltage. The DC outlet terminals 333 and 334 of the speed controller means 330 are connected to armature 340 of the drive motor.
In one embodiment, the speed controller 330 is basically a solid state, SCR controlled full-wave rectifier. AC electrical power at 120 volts is supplied to the controller 330 and a DC output voltage is supplied to the electric drive motor. The firing angle of the SCR is controlled by potentiometer 200 to produce the DC output voltage required to provide the desired speed of the drive motor. The potentiometer 200 is adjusted manually by the operator. Other conventional means for varying the speed of a DC motor are known to those skilled in the art. Also, other conventional means are available to rectify AC voltage so as to provide DC voltage. The aforementioned speed controller 330 is conventional, with Dart Controls, Inc. being one of the manufacturers thereof.
FIG. 7 illustrates the safety interlock mechanism in the blocking or machine not running position. The safety interlock system is comprised of a microswitch adapter 360, a mechanical switch interlock 370 and a bracket 380. The mechanical switch interlock 370 is comprised of first cylindrical portion 390, a second cylindrical portion 400 and a rectangular portion 410 having an aperture 420 therein (FIG. 11). Aperture 420 is in the shape of overlapping cylinders of different diameters. The larger diameter cylinder of aperture 420 is adapted to receive microswitch adapter 360. In one embodiment the rectangular portion 410 of mechanical switch interlock 370 is carried by a flat portion 430 of bracket 380. Microswitch adapter 360 is carried on surface 415 of mechanical switch interlock 370. As mechanical switch interlock 370 is moved in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation, the larger portion at aperture 420 is positioned under microswitch adapter 360. At this point compression of the handle pistol grips 130 and 135, and operated levers 140 and 145 respectively force a member 440 in a downward direction. When the safety interlock switch 370 is depressed, the larger portion of aperture 420 will be positioned under the first cylindrical portion of microswitch adapter 360 so as to allow the microswitch adapter to move downward. The cylindrical portion of microswitch adapter 360 contains an aperture 450 which is adapted to receive a microswitch actuator (not shown). When microswitch adapter 360 travels downward, it engages the microswitch actuator thereby closing the microswitch contacts. When the safety switch interlock is not depressed, the smaller portion of the first cylindrical portion 390 of microswitch adapter 360, prevents downward movement, and hence inadvertant operation of the machine. FIG. 8 illustrates the safety interlock mechanism in the machine running position. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 further illustrates the safety interlock mechanism. The aforementioned design is akin to a deadbolt type design, and hence contains fewer linkages. In this design coplanar alignment does not need to be as in precise as bar linkages and lubrication will not be need as frequently as with straight bar linkage designs. | A rotary floor maintenance device having, a motor support base with at least one central aperture, an electric motor having a shaft perpendicular to the motor base through the aperture, and a motor adapter directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation therewith. The motor adapter has a generally annular flange area and central aperature for receiving the motor shaft. A rotary floor engaging tool has at least one aperture adapted to receive the flange of the motor adapter, to be rotated therewith. The motor support base contains notches along the inner periphery of the central aperture for draining accumulated liquids. Also disclosed is a safety interlock switch to prevent inadvertant operation of the machine. | Briefly summarize the main idea's components and working principles as described in the context. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a rotary floor maintenance device particularly a scrubber/polisher.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional rotary floor maintenance devices have used gear boxes, belt drives and the like to couple the motor shaft to the rotary brush.",
"Examples of conventional rotary floor maintenance devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,485,680 to Hughes;",
"1,588,157 to Beach;",
"2,079,946 to Myers;",
"3,412,415 to Brab;",
"4,330,897 to Tucker;",
"4,360,939 to Krumm;",
"and 4,365,377 to Todd.",
"Rotary floor maintenance devices with gear boxes are relatively noisy, and require periodic lubrication.",
"Because of the noise, machines of this type are often distracting when operated during normal working hours in a business environment.",
"The problem becomes particularly acute in hospitals where the permissible noise level is generally limited to 65 db.",
"Gaudry in U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,470 attempted to reduce the noise level of gear boxes for rotary floor maintenance devices by replacing metal gears with gears made of synthetic resin materials, such as nylon, acetate, polycarbonate, or phenolic thermoplastic resins.",
"Although noise levels are reduced by the use of synthetic resin gears, such gears are not as durable as metal gears.",
"Also, the use of a gear box, whether the gears be made of metal or synthetic resin, reduces the overall efficiency of the rotary floor maintenance device.",
"Gear boxes are generally required in order to supply high torque at low speed to the rotary brushes.",
"Without a gear box or the like, the electrical current which would be required to operate a floor maintenance device motor at sufficient torque and relatively low speed would exceed the 20 amp trip current of the circuit breaker protecting the circuit from which the floor maintenance device is being supplied electric power.",
"Another solution is to use an electric motor having greater torque at lower speeds.",
"However, this solution results in an increase in the physical size of the motor, particularly the height.",
"Since the motors are typically mounted directly on top of the rotary brush skirt housing, any increase in motor size also increases the height of the machine operating head.",
"Since it is desirable to use rotary floor maintenance devices under furniture and cabinet ledges, it is necessary to keep the overall height of the machine operating head as low as possible.",
"Therefore increasing the overall height of the machine operating head detracts from the general utility and desirability of the machine.",
"Various arrangements for reducing the height of the operating head have been proposed and used.",
"For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,079,946 to Myers discloses a construction whereby the motor is mounted to the rear of the operating head.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,712 to Berger discloses a motor mounted on the handle.",
"Although both of the aforementioned designs reduce the overall height of the operating head, both relocate the overall center of gravity of the machine in a way which causes the overall stability of the machine to be reduced.",
"Another problem which has been encountered with conventional machines is that liquid is splashed into the motor housing and accumulates therein.",
"This can be a personnel safety hazard, as well as being destructive to the motor.",
"Despite the adverse consequences of liquid accumulation in the motor housing, the design of a motor support structure which will allow drainage appears not to have been previously attempted.",
"This feature is particularly important when the rotary floor maintenance device is used in a scrubbing mode.",
"In this mode water and detergent solution may be splashed into the motor housing.",
"Control of conventional rotary floor maintenance devices can easily be lost if they are started inadvertantly.",
"Such a runaway device can potentially cause injury and damage.",
"One way to prevent inadvertant operation is to put a safety interlock in the handle, thereby requiring two independent actions by an operator, rather than one, to operate the machine.",
"In this way, the likelihood of inadvertant operation is greatly reduced.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,415 to Brab descloses one type of safety interlock.",
"Brab utilizes a bar linkage to actuate a microswitch which controls the energization of the machine.",
"One member, connected to a safety interlock actuator, defeats a stop on a bar linkage when depressed, to allow the microswitch to be revolved and consequently actuated by a linkage member.",
"Linkage devices such as the one disclosed in the Brab patent, because of the journalled connection of linkage members, require periodic maintenance including lubrication.",
"This may require disassembly of the interlock system.",
"Once disassembled, maintenance personnel may decide to defeat the interlock to preclude the need for further periodic maintenance.",
"Also, three and four bar linkages, such as the one disclosed by Brab, require coplanar alignment for proper operation.",
"Improper and forceful actuation of the interlock can cause misalignment and therefore the need for additional maintenance.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a compact rotary floor maintenance device is disclosed which comprises an operating head or motor support base having at least one aperture therein, a electric motor having a shaft, a motor with its shaft disposed generally perpendicular to said motor support base, with the shaft extending through the motor support base aperture.",
"A motor adapter directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation therewith has a generally annular flange and a central aperture for receiving the motor shaft.",
"A rotary brush contact means, for contacting a floor surface, has at least one aperture adapted to receive the flange of said motor adapter.",
"Unlike conventional rotary floor maintenance devices, the rotary brush contact means is directly driven by the electric motor.",
"Thus, noisy gear boxes and the like are eliminated.",
"This is particularly useful for rotary floor maintenance devices which are used in hospitals where the maximum acceptable noise level is generally limited to 65 db.",
"In one embodiment of this invention, the electric motor is mounted vertically on the motor support base.",
"Drainage notches are provided in the motor support base to allow accumulated liquids to drain away from the electric motor.",
"This is a useful feature when a rotary floor maintenance device is being used as a scrubber.",
"During this mode of operation, it is possible for water and detergent solution to splash into the motor housing.",
"An accumulation of water and detergent solution could present a personnel safety hazard to the operator as well as having a debilitating effect on the motor.",
"Thus, the notches located in the motor support base will preclude water from accumulating in the motor housing, thereby eliminating or at least reducing these problems.",
"An electric motor control means is provided which allows the speed of the motor to be varied in infinitesimal steps at the perogative of the operator for various floor maintenance operations.",
"A knob conveniently located on the motor housing allows the operator to vary the motor speed to suit the operating mode or surface finish desired.",
"Faster motor speeds are generally used for polishing whereas slower speeds are generally used for scrubbing.",
"A further feature of this invention is the provision of a safety switch in the handle which prevents the motor from starting until the switch is depressed.",
"This safety feature prevents inadvertent operation of the rotary floor maintenance device.",
"This feature is particularly important for floor maintenance devices with rotary brushes since they can go out of control if not properly held by the handle.",
"Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the invention and its various embodiments, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings wherein: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary floor maintenance device.",
"FIG. 2 is a side view of the motor housing with a partial section illustrating the motor adapter.",
"FIG. 3 is a top view of the motor support base as viewed along line 3--3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a drainage notch as viewed along line 4--4 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a drainage notch as viewed along line 5--5 in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram.",
"FIG. 7 is a front view of the handle in the off position.",
"FIG. 8 is a front view of the handle in the on position.",
"FIG. 9 is a side view in section of the safety interlock mechanism in the locked position.",
"FIG. 10 is a side view in section of the safety interlock mechanism in the unlocked position.",
"FIG. 11 is a top view of the safety interlock mechanism.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, which will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiment of the invention.",
"It should be understood however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.",
"Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1, in particular, there is shown a perspective view of a rotary floor maintenance device 10 having an operating head or motor support base 20, a electric motor housing 21, and a rotary brush means 40.",
"An electric motor 22 (FIG.",
"2) is mounted vertically in motor housing 21 which is provided with a cover 60.",
"The motor is mounted on motor support base 20.",
"Motor housing vents 70, in housing 21 provide ventilation for cooling of the motor.",
"A rotary brush skirt 80 is provided under motor support base 20 to reduce liquid splashing caused by the rotary brush means 40.",
"The rotary floor maintenance device 10 is support by either the rotary brush means 40, or by two wheels 90 and 95 which are mounted on motor support base 20.",
"An adjustable operator handle 100 is attached at one end to motor support base 20 and is used to guide the rotary floor maintenance device 10.",
"Handle attachment members 110 and 115 are rigidly attached to the motor support base.",
"Adjustment of operator handle 100 is accomplished by loosening a handle clamp 120, raising or lowering operator handle 100 to the position desired by operator and subsequently retightening handle clamp 120.",
"Two pistol grips 130 and 135 and two hand operated levers 140 and 145 are located at the free end of the operator handle 100.",
"The rotary floor maintenance device 10 cannot be started until a safety interlock switch 390, shown in FIG. 6, is depressed.",
"This feature prevents inadvertent operation of the rotary floor maintenance device 10.",
"Once safety interlock switch 390 is depressed the handle pistol grips 130 and 135 and hand operated levers 140 and 145 respectively, can be squeezed together.",
"This will keep the machine running as long as the handle pistol grips 130 and 135 and the hand operator levers 140 and 145 are held together.",
"Once released, the electric power to the machine will be disconnected and the rotary brush contact means will coast to a stop.",
"Electric power is supplied to the machine via electric supply cord 160 which enters a switch housing 170 through aperture 180 and is connected to the line side of switch 310.",
"Handle cord 320 is routed down through the handle 100 and passes through aperture 180 near the bottom of handle 100 to be connected to the motor.",
"Electrical supply cord 320 is routed into an aperture (not shown) in the motor housing 21 to the electrical motor 22 (FIG.",
"2) via electrical cord 350.",
"The electrical drive motor 22 (FIG.",
"2) is of the permanent magnet type.",
"Those skilled in the art know that permanent magnet motors are direct current motors.",
"It is also known that one means of varying the speed of a direct current motor is by inserting a variable resistance in the armature circuit.",
"The speed of the rotary floor maintenance device 10 is controlled by a speed control knob 190 located on the motor housing 21, as shown in FIG. 2. The speed control knob 190 controls a potentiometer 200, shown schematically in FIG. 6 which is located inside the motor housing 21.",
"In one commercial embodiment of this invention, an Imperial Electric Company permanent magnet type electric motor is used.",
"The Imperial Electric Company motor has the following specifications: 180 frame, force ventilated, 1.25 horsepower at 450 rpm, continuous duty, rated torque 15 lb/ft.",
"The motor is of the pancake design with a height to diameter ratio of less than one.",
"In one embodiment, the motor used had a height of about 67/8 inches and a diameter of about 9 inches.",
"When this motor is mounted on the motor support base 20 with its shaft extending vertical downward, the overall height of the motor is less than other motors, not of the pancake design, with similar capabilities.",
"Keeping the overall height of the operating head of the machine as low as possible, increases the utility and desirability of the rotary floor maintenance device 10.",
"The lower height permits the operator head to pass under furniture and under cabinet ledges, thereby making the machine more useful and desirable.",
"Permanent magnet motors utilize brushes and a commutator to supply the direct current to the armature winding.",
"The brushes are usually spring loaded against the commutator to maintain good electrical contact with the commutator even as the brushes become shorter due to wear.",
"Worn-out brushes can cause scoring of the commutator and arcing which can seriously damage the motor.",
"Consequently, brushes must be periodically replaced, preferrably near the end of their useful life.",
"Brushes should be replaced at times convenient to the operator.",
"A brush indicator light 210 is provided to apprise the operator when the brushes need replacement, without having to disassemble the rotary floor maintenance device 10 to inspect the brushes.",
"In this way the replacement of the motor brushes can be scheduled so as to preclude the need to replace the brushes at an inconvenient time.",
"Details of the brush wear indicator light are described in Assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application;",
"Ser.",
"No. 460,067;",
"filed Jan. 21, 1983, which is incorporated herein by this reference.",
"Ventilation of the drive motor is accomplished by providing an alternating current motor driven fan 220 shown schematically in FIG. 6 which is connected to run when the permanent magnet drive motor is running.",
"As previously set forth, ventilation louvers 70 (FIG.",
"2) are provided on the rear of motor housing 21 for cooling air floor.",
"FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of a rotary floor maintenance device 10 with a partial cut-away section to illustrate a motor adapter 30.",
"The motor adapter 30 has a generally annular flange portion 230 and a central aperture 240 which is adapted to receive motor shaft 250, and is keyed to motor shaft 250 such that the motor adapter 30 rotates with motor shaft 250.",
"While the motor adapter 30 can be fastened to the motor shaft 250 by various means, FIG. 2 shows the use of a bolt 270 screwed into a threaded aperture in the end of motor shaft 250.",
"The rotary brush means 40 includes an aperture (not shown) which is adapted to fit over the annular flange portion 230 of the motor adapter 30 and to be twisted and locked into place.",
"The method of fastening the rotary brush means 40 is conventional.",
"FIG. 3 is a top view of the motor support base 20.",
"The electric drive motor 22 (FIG.",
"2) is secured to the motor support base by suitable fastening means engaged in mounting holes 280, 282, 284 and 286.",
"The drive motor is to be mounted such that the drive motor shaft 250 (FIG.",
"2) extends through the center aperture 290 in the motor support base 20.",
"Notches 300 and 305 located along the inner periphery of aperture 290 allow water splashed up into the motor housing 21 to drain back onto the rotary brush means 40.",
"This prevents accumulation of water in the motor housing 21.",
"The drainage notches are further illustrated in section views in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates the schematic control circuit for the drive motor.",
"AC power is supplied to the motor by an electrical cord 160.",
"A three conductor electrical supply cord 160 is used.",
"One end of the cord is connected to a conventional three-terminal plug.",
"On the other end conductors 161 and 162 whcih are to be energized by 120 volt AC power are connected to switch 310.",
"Conductor 163 is a safety ground.",
"Switch 310 is a double-pole, single-throw momentary switch, which is normally open.",
"The contacts of switch 310 must be closed to operate the machine.",
"The switch is of the dead-man type, in that the contacts of switch 310 must be held closed by switch actuator means such as pistol grips 130 and 135 and handle operator levers 140 and 145, to keep the machine running.",
"Once the switch actuator means is released, such as by releasing handle operator levers 140 and 145, the machine stops.",
"A handle cord 320 connects switch contacts 310 to terminals 331 and 332 of a speed controller means 330.",
"The speed controller means 330 has at least seven terminals and contains a means for converting AC voltage to DC voltage.",
"The DC outlet terminals 333 and 334 of the speed controller means 330 are connected to armature 340 of the drive motor.",
"In one embodiment, the speed controller 330 is basically a solid state, SCR controlled full-wave rectifier.",
"AC electrical power at 120 volts is supplied to the controller 330 and a DC output voltage is supplied to the electric drive motor.",
"The firing angle of the SCR is controlled by potentiometer 200 to produce the DC output voltage required to provide the desired speed of the drive motor.",
"The potentiometer 200 is adjusted manually by the operator.",
"Other conventional means for varying the speed of a DC motor are known to those skilled in the art.",
"Also, other conventional means are available to rectify AC voltage so as to provide DC voltage.",
"The aforementioned speed controller 330 is conventional, with Dart Controls, Inc. being one of the manufacturers thereof.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates the safety interlock mechanism in the blocking or machine not running position.",
"The safety interlock system is comprised of a microswitch adapter 360, a mechanical switch interlock 370 and a bracket 380.",
"The mechanical switch interlock 370 is comprised of first cylindrical portion 390, a second cylindrical portion 400 and a rectangular portion 410 having an aperture 420 therein (FIG.",
"11).",
"Aperture 420 is in the shape of overlapping cylinders of different diameters.",
"The larger diameter cylinder of aperture 420 is adapted to receive microswitch adapter 360.",
"In one embodiment the rectangular portion 410 of mechanical switch interlock 370 is carried by a flat portion 430 of bracket 380.",
"Microswitch adapter 360 is carried on surface 415 of mechanical switch interlock 370.",
"As mechanical switch interlock 370 is moved in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation, the larger portion at aperture 420 is positioned under microswitch adapter 360.",
"At this point compression of the handle pistol grips 130 and 135, and operated levers 140 and 145 respectively force a member 440 in a downward direction.",
"When the safety interlock switch 370 is depressed, the larger portion of aperture 420 will be positioned under the first cylindrical portion of microswitch adapter 360 so as to allow the microswitch adapter to move downward.",
"The cylindrical portion of microswitch adapter 360 contains an aperture 450 which is adapted to receive a microswitch actuator (not shown).",
"When microswitch adapter 360 travels downward, it engages the microswitch actuator thereby closing the microswitch contacts.",
"When the safety switch interlock is not depressed, the smaller portion of the first cylindrical portion 390 of microswitch adapter 360, prevents downward movement, and hence inadvertant operation of the machine.",
"FIG. 8 illustrates the safety interlock mechanism in the machine running position.",
"FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 further illustrates the safety interlock mechanism.",
"The aforementioned design is akin to a deadbolt type design, and hence contains fewer linkages.",
"In this design coplanar alignment does not need to be as in precise as bar linkages and lubrication will not be need as frequently as with straight bar linkage designs."
] |
This Application is a DIVISIONAL of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/990,626 filed Nov. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,802, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/249,930 filed Nov. 17, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to novel couplers for use in hair coloring compositions comprising one or more oxidative hair coloring agents in combination with one or more oxidizing agents. The invention also relates to hair coloring compositions of these novel couplers and to coloring or dyeing of hair using compositions containing these couplers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coloration of hair is a procedure practiced from antiquity employing a variety of means. In modern times, the most extensively used method employed to color hair is to color hair by an oxidative dyeing process employing hair coloring systems utilizing one or more oxidative hair coloring agents in combination with one or more oxidizing agents.
Most commonly a peroxy oxidizing agent is used in combination with one or more oxidative hair coloring agents, generally small molecules capable of diffusing into hair and comprising one or more primary intermediates and one or more couplers. In this procedure, a peroxide material, such as hydrogen peroxide, is employed to activate the small molecules of primary intermediates so that they react with couplers to form larger sized compounds in the hair shaft to color the hair in a variety of shades and colors.
A wide variety of primary intermediates and couplers have been employed in such oxidative hair coloring systems and compositions. Among the primary intermediates employed there may be mentioned p-phenylenediamine, p-toluenediamine, p-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, and as couplers there may be mentioned resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 3-aminophenol, and 5-amino-2-methylphenol. A majority of the shades have been produced with dyes based on p-phenylenediamine.
For providing an orange coloration to hair 2-methyl-5-aminophenol has been extensively used in combination with p-aminophenol as a primary intermediate. However, the resulting orange color on hair undergoes significant changes on exposure to light or shampooing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,255 and EP patent publications EP 634165 A1 and EP 667143 A1 suggest the use of 2-methyl-5-N-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 2-methyl-5-alkylaminophenol and 2-methyl-5-aminophenol as couplers. Therefore, there is a need for new orange couplers for use in oxidative hair dyeing compositions and systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides novel couplers of the formula (1):
wherein X is selected from halogen where the halogen is preferably Cl, Br or I; R 3 is selected from C 1 to C 2 alkyl and hydroxyethyl; and R, R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from C 1 to C 22 alkyl or C 1 to C 22 mono or dihydroxyalkyl groups or two of R, R 1 and R 2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a C 3 to C 6 cycloaliphatic or a C 3 to C 14 aromatic group, the cycloaliphatic or aromatic group optionally containing in their rings one or more hetero atoms selected from O, S and N atoms. These novel couplers are used to provide coloration to hair in which there is good dye uptake by the hair and provides shades or colors which are stable over a relatively long period of time. The novel couplers provide for dyeing of hair that provides color or shades that possess good wash fastness and do not undergo the significant changes on exposure to light or shampooing as experienced with 2-methyl-5-aminophenol.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred coupler compounds of this invention are those of formula (1)
wherein X is Cl, Br or I; R 3 is methyl, ethyl or hydroxyethyl; and two of R, R 1 and R 2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an C 3 to C 6 cycloaliphatic or C 3 to C 6 aromatic group optionally containing in the ring another N atom.
Especially preferred couplers of this invention are the following compounds:
1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium propyl sulfate; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide; and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.
The compounds of formula (1) of this invention are readily prepared according to the following reaction sequence.
In the reaction sequence a solution of an aminophenol of formula (2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) is added to a solution of haloacetyl chloride to produce a compound of formula (5). Treatment of the compound of formula (5) with a borane-THF complex produces a compound of formula (6) and reaction of this compound of formula (6) with a quaternization reagent of the formula N(R 1 )(R 2 )(R 3 ) produces a compound of formula (1).
SYNTHESIS EXAMPLES 1-10
Employing the appropriate aminophenol, haloacetylchloride, and N(R1)(R2)(R3) quaternization reagent in the forgoing described synthesis procedure the following coupler compounds of this invention are prepared.
1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide; and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.
Hair coloring compositions of this invention can contain the novel couplers of this invention as the sole coupler or can also contain other couplers in combination with primary intermediates.
For hair coloring compositions of this invention, there may be used one or more suitable primary intermediates in combination with the novel couplers of this invention. Suitable primary intermediates include, for example,
p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: benzene-1,4-diamine (commonly known as p-phenylenediamine), 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-chloro-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-phenyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-(2-ethoxyethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, (commonly known as N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine) (2,5-diamino-phenyl)-methanol, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, N-(4-aminophenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,6-dimethyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-isopropyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]-propan-2-ol, 2-propyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1,3-bis[(4-aminophenyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]propan-2-ol, N 4 ,N 4 ,2-trimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-methoxy-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethane-1,2-diol, 2,3-dimethyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, 2,6-diethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-thien-2-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-thien-3-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-pyridin-3-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 1,1′-biphenyl-2,5-diamine, 2-(methoxymethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(aminomethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)ethanol, N-[2-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)ethyl]-acetamide, N,N-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, N,N-diethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, N,N-dipropylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-aminophenyl)(ethyl)amino]ethanol, 2-[(4-amino-3-methyl-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, N-(2-methoxyethyl)-benzene-1,4-diamine, 3-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]propan-1-ol, 3-[(4-aminophenyl)-amino]propane-1,2-diol, N-{4-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]butyl}benzene-1,4-diamine, and 2-[2-(2-{2-[(2,5-diaminophenyl)-oxy]ethoxy}ethoxy)ethoxy]benzene-1,4-diamine;
p-aminophenol derivatives such as: 4-amino-phenol (commonly known as p-aminophenol), 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-[(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-methyl]-phenol, 4-amino-2-methoxymethyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid, 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol, 4-amino-2-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-phenol, 4-amino-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, 4-amino-3-fluoro-phenol, 4-amino-2-(aminomethyl)-phenol, and 4-amino-2-fluoro-phenol;
o-aminophenol derivatives such as: 2-amino-phenol (commonly known as o-aminophenol), 2,4-diaminophenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, and 2-amino-4-methyl-phenol; and
heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine (commonly known as 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyridine), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, N 2 ,N 2 -dimethyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine, 2-[(3-amino-6-methoxypyridin-2-yl)amino]ethanol, 6-methoxy-N 2 -methyl-pyridine-2,3-diamine, 2,5,6-triaminopyrimidin-4(1H)-one, pyridine-2,5-diamine, 1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine and 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine.
The couplers of formula (1) of this invention may be used with any suitable coupler(s) in hair coloring compositions or systems of this invention.
Suitable known couplers include, for example:
phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: naphthalene-1,7-diol, benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-2,7-diol, benzene-1,4-diol, 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol, 7-amino-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene-1,5-diol, 2-chloro-benzene-1,3-diol, 4-hydroxy-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, benzene-1,2,3-triol, naphthalene-2,3-diol, 5-dichloro-2-methylbenzene-1,3-diol, 4,6-dichlorobenzene-1,3-diol, and 2,3-dihydroxy-[1,4]naphthoquinone;
m-phenylenediamines such as: 2,4-diaminophenol, benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 2-[(3-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 2-mehyl-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-[[2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethyl]-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 4-{3-[(2,4-diaminophenyl)oxy]propoxy}benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 4-(2-amino-ethoxy)-benzene-1,3-diamine, (2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-acetic acid, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, 4-ethoxy-6-methyl-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-5-methyl-phenoxy)-ethanol, 4,6-dimethoxy-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenylamino]-ethanol, 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol, N-[3-(dimethylamino)phenyl]urea, 4-methoxy-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diamine, 4-fluoro-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diamine, 2-({3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl}-amino)ethanol, 3-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-propane-1,2-diol, 2-[2-amino-4-(methylamino)-phenoxy]ethanol, 2-[(5-amino-2-ethoxy-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 2-[(3-aminophenyl)amino]ethanol, N-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,3-diamine, 4-{[(2,4-diamino-phenyl)oxy]methoxy}-benzene-1,3-diamine, and 2,4-dimethoxybenzene-1,3-diamine;
m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-acetamide, 2-(3-hydroxy-phenylamino)-acetamide, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, 5-amino-2,4-dichloro-phenol, 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenol, 2-chloro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylamino)-phenol, 5-amino-4-chloro-2-methyl-phenol, 3-cyclopentylamino-phenol, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-(dimethylamino)phenol, 3-(diethylamino)phenol, 5-amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-ethoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2,4-dichloro-phenol, 3-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]phenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]phenol, 5-amino-2-ethyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol, 5-[(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(3-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-amino]propane-1,2-diol, and 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol; and
heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 6-methoxyquinolin-8-amine, 4-methylpyridine-2,6-diol, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-5-ol, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylamino)ethanol, 3,4-dimethylpyridine-2,6-diol, 5-chloropyridine-2,3-diol, 2,6-dimethoxypyridine-3,5-diamine, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-amine, 2-{[3,5-diamino-6-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-pyridin-2-yl]oxy}-ethanol, 1H-indol-4-ol, 5-amino-2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-ol, 1H-indole-5,6-diol, 1H-indol-7-ol, 1H-indol-5-ol, 1H-indol-6-ol, 6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 2-aminopyridin-3-ol, pyridine-2,6-diamine, 3-[(3,5-diaminopyridin-2-yl)oxy]propane-1,2-diol, 5-[(3,5-diaminopyridin-2-yl)oxy]pentane-1,3-diol, 1H-indole-2,3-dione, indoline-5,6-diol, 3,5-dimethoxypyridine-2,6-diamine, 6-methoxypyridine-2,3-diamine, and 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-amine.
Preferred primary intermediates include:
p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, N-(2-methoxyethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, and 1-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethane-1,2-diol;
p-aminophenol derivatives such as 4-amino-phenol, 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-methoxymethyl-phenol, and 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol;
o-aminophenol derivatives such as: 2-amino-phenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, and 2-amino-4-methyl-phenol;
heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine and N 2 ,N 2 -dimethyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine.
Preferred couplers include:
phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: naphthalene-1,7-diol, benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-2,7-diol, benzene-1,4-diol, 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol, and 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol;
m-phenylenediamines such as: benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 4-{3-[(2,4-diaminophenyl)oxy]propoxy}benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, and 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol;
m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, and 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol; and
heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-amine, 1H-indol-4-ol, 1H-indole-5,6-diol, 1H-indol-7-ol, 1H-indol-5-ol, 1H-indol-6-ol, 1H-indole-2,3-dione, pyridine-2,6-diamine,and 2-aminopyridin-3-ol.
Most preferred primary intermediates include:
p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, and 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol;
p-aminophenol derivatives such as: 4-amino-phenol, 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, and 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol;
o-aminophenols such as: 2-amino-phenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, and N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide; and
heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, and 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine.
Most preferred couplers include:
phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, and 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol;
m-phenylenediamine such as: 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, and 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol;
m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, and 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol; and
heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 1H-indol-6-ol, and 2-aminopyridin-3-ol.
Understandably, the coupler compounds and the primary intermediate compounds, as well as the other dye compounds, in so far as they are bases, can be used as free bases or in the form of their physiologically compatible salts with organic or inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or, in so far as they have aromatic OH groups, in the form of their salts with bases, such as alkali phenolates.
The total amount of the combination of dye precursors (e.g., primary intermediate and coupler compounds) in the hair coloring compositions or systems of this invention is generally from about 0.001 to about 10, preferably from about 0.02 to about 10, and most preferably from about 0.2 to about 6.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the hair coloring composition. The primary intermediate and coupler compounds are generally used in equivalent amounts. However, it is possible to use the primary intermediate compounds in either excess or deficiency, i.e., a molar ratio of primary intermediate to coupler generally ranging from about 5:1 to about 1:5.
The hair coloring compositions of this invention will contain the couplers of this invention in an effective coloring amount, generally in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 6 weight percent by weight of the hair dye composition, preferably from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent. Other couplers, when present, are typically present in an amount such that in aggregate the concentration of couplers in the composition is from about 0.01 to about 6 weight percent. The primary intermediate(s) is present in an effective dyeing concentration generally an amount of from about 0.001 to about 6.0 weight percent by weight of the hair dye composition, preferably from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent. Any suitable carrier or vehicle, generally an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution, can be employed, preferably an aqueous solution. The carrier or vehicle will generally comprise up to about 40 weight percent.
The hair coloring compositions of this invention may contain one or more cationic, anionic or amphoteric surface active agents, perfumes, antioxidants, sequestering agents, thickening agents, alkalizing or acidifying agents, and other dyeing agents.
The compositions of the present invention are used by admixing them with a suitable oxidant, which reacts with the hair dye precursors to develop the hair dye. Any suitable peroxide providing agent can be employed in the coloring compositions of this invention, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) or precursors therefor. Also suitable are urea peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, and melamine peroxide.
Moreover, cosmetic additive ingredients, which are commonly used in compositions for coloring hair, can be used in the hair coloring compositions according to the invention, for example antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, thioglycolic acid or sodium sulfite, and perfume oils, complex formers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, thickeners and care materials.
The form of the hair coloring compositions according to the invention can be, for example, a solution, especially an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic solution. However, the form that is particularly preferred is a cream, gel or an emulsion. Its composition is a mixture of the dye ingredients with the conventional cosmetic additive ingredients suitable for the particular preparation.
Conventional cosmetic additive ingredients in solutions, creams, emulsion or gels include, for example:
Solvents: In addition to water, solvents that can be used are lower alkanols (e.g., ethanol, propanol, isopropanol); polyols (e.g., carbitols, propylene glycol, glycerin). Under suitable processing, higher alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, are suitable organic solvents, provided they are first liquified by melting, typically at low temperature (50 to 80° C.), before incorporation of other, usually lipophilic, materials. See WO 98/27941 (section on diluents) incorporated by reference. Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants: These materials are from the classes of anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic surfactant compounds, such as fatty alcohol sulfates, ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzensulfonates, alkyltrimethylammonium salts, alkylbetaines, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated nonylphenols, fatty acid alkanol amides and ethoxylated fatty acid esters. They are included for various reasons, e.g., to assist in thickening, for forming emulsions, to help in wetting hair during application of the hair dye composition, etc. Suitable materials are alkyl sulfates, ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, methyl acyl taurates, acyl isethionates, alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, fatty acid mono- and diethanolamides. Reference is made to WO 98/52523 published Nov. 26, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference. Thickeners: Suitable thickeners include such as higher fatty alcohols, starches, cellulose derivatives, petrolatum, paraffin oil, fatty acids and anionic and nonionic polymeric thickeners based on polyacrylic and polyurethane polymers. Examples are hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose and other cellulose derivatives, hydrophobically modified anionic polymers and nonionic polymers, particularly such polymers having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties (i.e., amphiphilic polymers). Useful nonionic polymers include polyurethane derivatives such as PEG-150/stearyl alcohol/SDMI copolymer and PEG-150/stearyl alcohol SDMI copolymer. Other useful amphiphilic polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,541 incorporated by reference. Examples of anionic polymers that can be used as thickeners are acrylates copolymer, acrylates/ceteth-20 methacrylates copolymer, acrylates/ceteth-20 itaconate copolymer, and acrylates/beheneth-25 acrylates copolymer. Aculyn® polymers sold by Rohm & Haas, as well as hair care materials, such as cationic resins, lanolin derivatives, cholesterol, pantothenic acids and betaine. Alkalizing agents: Suitable materials that are used to increase pH of the hair dye compositions include ammonia, aminomethylpropanol, methylethanolamine, triethanolamine and ethanolamine. Conditioners: Suitable materials include silicones and silicone derivatives; hydrocarbon oils; monomeric quaternary compounds, and quaternized polymers. Monomeric quaternary compounds are typically cationic compounds, but may also include betaines and other amphoteric and zwitterionic materials. Suitable monomeric quaternary compounds include behentrialkonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, benzalkonium bromide or chloride, benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride, bis-hydroxyethyl tallowmonium chloride, C12-18 dialkyldimonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, ceteartrimonium bromide and chloride, cetrimonium bromide, chloride and methosulfate, cetylpyridonium chloride, cocamidoproypl ethyldimonium ethosulfate, cocamidopropyl ethosulfate, coco-ethyidimonium ethosulfate, cocotrimonium chloride and ethosulfate, dibehenyl dimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, dicocodimonium chloride, dilauryl dimonium chloride, disoydimonium chloride, ditallowdimonium chloride, hydrogenated tallow trimonium chloride, hydroxyethyl cetyl dimonium chloride, myristalkonium chloride, olealkonium chloride, soyethomonium ethosulfate, soytrimonium chloride, stearalkonium chloride, and many other compounds. See WO 98/27941 incorporated by reference. Quaternized polymers are typically cationic polymers, but may also include amphoteric and zwitterionic polymers. Useful polymers are exemplified by polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-8, polyquaternium-9, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-22, polyquaternium-32, polyquaternium-39, polyquaternium-44 and polyquaternium-47. Silicones suitable to condition hair are dimethicone, amodimethicone, dimethicone copolyol and dimethiconol. See also WO 99/34770 published Jul. 15, 1999, incorporated by reference, for suitable silicones. Suitable hydrocarbon oils would include mineral oil. Natural ingredients: For example, protein derivatives, aloe , camomile and henna extracts. Other adjuvants include acidulents to lower pH, buffers, chelating agents antioxidants, sequestrants, etc. These classes of materials and other species of materials in the classes referred to above but not specifically identified that are suitable are listed in the International Cosmetics Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, (Eighth Edition) published by The Cosmetics, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, incorporated by reference. In particular reference is made to Volume 2, Section 3 (Chemical Classes) and Section 4 (Functions) are useful in identifying a specific adjuvant/excipient to achieve a particular purpose or multipurpose.
The above-mentioned conventional cosmetic ingredients are used in amounts suitable for their purposes. For example the wetting agents and emulsifiers are used in concentrations of from about 0.5 to 30 percent by weight, the thickeners are used in an amount of from about 0.1 to 25 percent by weight and the hair care materials are used in concentrations of from about 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight.
The hair coloring compositions according to the invention can be weakly acidic, neutral or alkaline according to their composition. The compositions typically have pH values of from 6.8 to 11.5. Their pH can be adjusted in the basic range with ammonia. Also, organic amines can be used for this purpose, including monoethanolamine and triethanolamine, or also inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Inorganic or organic acids can be used for adjusting the pH in the acid range, for example phosphoric acid, acetic acid, citric acid or tartaric acid.
The hair coloring compositions of this invention will contain the couplers of this invention, alone or in combination with other couplers, in an effective coloring amount, generally in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 2.5 weight percent. Other couplers, when present will be present in an amount up to about 2.5 weight percent. The primary intermediate(s) will generally be present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent. The molar ratio of primary intermediate to coupler will generally range from about 5:1 to about 1:5 and be employed in any suitable carrier or vehicle, generally an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution, preferably an aqueous solution. The carrier or vehicle will generally comprise up to about 40 weight percent.
In order to use the oxidation hair coloring composition for dyeing hair one mixes the above-described hair coloring compositions according to the invention with an oxidizing agent immediately prior to use and applies a sufficient amount of the mixture to the hair, according to the hair abundance, generally from about 60 to 200 grams. Some of the adjuvants listed above (e.g., thickeners, conditoners, etc.) can be provided in the dye composition or the developer, or both, depending on the nature of the ingredients, possible interactions, etc., as is well known in the art.
Typically hydrogen peroxide, or its addition compounds with urea, melamine, sodium borate or sodium carbonate, can be used in the form of a 3 to 12 percent, preferably 6 percent, aqueous solution as the oxidizing agent for developing the hair dye. Oxygen can also be used as the oxidizing agent. If a 6 percent hydrogen peroxide solution is used as oxidizing agent, the weight ratio of hair coloring composition and oxidizing agent is 5:1 to 1:2, but preferably 1:1. The mixture of the oxidizing agent and the dye composition of the invention is allowed to act on the hair for about 10 to about 45 minutes, preferably about 30 minutes, at about 15 to 50° C., the hair is rinsed with water and dried. If necessary, it is washed with a shampoo and eventually after-rinsed with a weak organic acid, such as citric acid or tartaric acid. Subsequently the hair is dried.
The hair coloring composition according to the invention with a compound of formula (1) of this invention as coupler substances permits hair dyeing with outstanding color fastness, especially light fastness, fastness to washing and fastness to rubbing.
In general, a first composition of primary intermediate(s) and coupler(s) is prepared and then, at the time of use, the oxidizing agents, such as H 2 O 2 , is admixed therewith until an essentially homogenous composition is obtained which is applied to the hair to be dyed and permitted to remain in contact with the hair for a dyeing effective amount of time, generally for a period of from about 2 to 45, preferably about 2 to 30, minutes, after which the hair is rinsed, shampooed and dried. Optionally, a separate conditioning product may also be provided. Together the hair dye composition of the present invention comprising the hair dye coupler (1) and the developer comprising the oxidizing agent form a system for dyeing hair. This system may be provided as a kit comprising in a single package separate containers of the hair dye compositions, the developer, the optional conditioner or the hair treatment product, and instructions for use.
EXAMPLE 11
The following compositions shown in Table 1 can be used for dyeing Piedmont hair. The dyeing solution is mixed with 100 g 20 volume hydrogen peroxide. The resulting mixture is applied to the hair and permitted to remain in contact with the hair for 30 minutes. This dyed hair is then shampooed and rinsed with water and dried
TABLE 1
Composition for Dyeing Hair
Ingredients
Range (wt %)
Weight (%)
Cocamidopropyl betaine
0-25
17.00
Monoethanolamine 1
0-15
2.00
Oleic Acid
2-22
0.75
Citric Acid
0-3
0.10
28% Ammonium hydroxide 1
0-15
5.00
Behentrimonium chloride
1-5
0.50
Sodium sulfite
0-1
0.10
EDTA
0-1
0.10
Erythorbic acid
0-1
0.40
Ethoxydiglycol
1-10
3.50
C11-15 Pareth-9 (Tergitol 15-S-9)
0.5-5
1.00
C12-15 Pareth-3 (Neodol 25-3)
0.25-5
0.50
Isopropanol
2-10
4.00
Propylene glycol
1-12
2.00
P-phenylenediamine 2
0-5
2 mmoles
N,N-Bis(hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylene
0-5
2 mmoles
diamine 2
3-Methyl-p-aminophenol 2
0-5
1 mmoles
p-Aminophenol 2
0-5
5 mmoles
Coupler of this invention
0.5-5
5 mmoles
5-Amino-2-Methyl Phenol
0-5
2 mmoles
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol
0-5
2 mmoles
Water
qs to 100.00
qs to 100.00
1 In the aggregate, these ingredients are in the range of 2 to 15% by weight.
2 At least one of these dye precursors is typically present.
Exemplary combinations of hair coloring components employing a coupler compound of formula (1) of this invention are show in combinations in Table 1 and in C1 to C126 in Table A. Reading down the columns in Table A, the Xes designate the dye compounds (including the novel couplers of the instant invention) that form illustratively suitable combinations of dyes that can be formulated according to the present invention. For example, in Combination No. C1 the novel couplers of the present invention (Row 1 of Table A) with X, R, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined hereinbefore, can be combined with p-toluene diamine and 2-amino-phenol. Especially preferred as the couplers of formula (1) of this invention in the combinations C1 to C126 of Table A are:
1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide; 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride; N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide; and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.
TABLE A
DYE COMBINATIONS
Structure
IUPAC Name
Name
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
3-Hydroxy-4-alkyl- phenylamino-ethyl-1- trialkyl-ammonium halide
3-Hydraxy-4-alkyl- phenylamino-ethyl-1- trialkyl-ammonium halide
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
2-Methyl-benzene- 1,4-diamine
p-Toluene-diamine
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Benzene-1,4-diamine
p-Phenylene-diamine
X
X
X
2-[(4-Amino-phenyl)- (2-hydroxy-ethyl)- amino]-ethanol
N,N-Bis(2- hydroxyethyl)-p- phenylene-diamine
4-Amino-phenol
p-Aminophenol
4-Amino-3-methyl- phenol
3-Methyl-p- aminophenol
2-Amino-phenol
o-Aminophenol
X
X
Benzene-1,3-diol
Resorcinol
X
X
2-Methyl-benzene- 1,3-diol
2-Methyl-resorcinol
X
X
Naphthalen-1-ol
1-Naphthol
X
2-Methyl-naphthalen- 1-ol
2-Methyl-1-naphthol
X
2-(2,4-Diamino- phenoxy)-ethanol
2,4-Diamino- phenoxyethanol
X
Benzene-1,3-diamine
m-Phenylenediamine
X
3-Amino-phenol
m-Aminophenol
X
5-Amino-2-methyl- phenol
2-Hydroxy-4- aminotoluene
X
2-(4,5-Diamino- pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol
1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5- diamino-pyrazole
Structure
C13
C14
C15
C16
C17
C18
C19
C20
C21
C22
C23
C24
C25
C26
C27
C28
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Structure
C29
C30
C31
C32
C33
C34
C35
C36
C37
C38
C39
C40
C41
C42
C43
C44
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Structure
C45
C46
C47
C48
C49
C50
C51
C52
C53
C54
C55
C56
C57
C58
C59
C60
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
X
X
X
Structure
C61
C62
C63
C64
C65
C66
C67
C68
C69
C70
C71
C72
C73
C74
C75
C76
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Structure
C77
C78
C79
C80
C81
C82
C83
C84
C85
C86
C87
C88
C89
C90
C91
C92
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
x
X
X
X
Structure
C93
C94
C95
C96
C97
C98
C99
C100
C101
C102
C103
C104
C105
C106
C107
C108
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Structure
C109
C110
C111
C112
C113
C114
C115
C116
C117
C118
C119
C120
C121
C122
C123
C124
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
X
X
Structure
C125
C126
X
X
X
x
x
x
x
x | Couplers for hair coloring compositions for oxidative dyeing of hair are compounds of formula (1):
wherein X is selected from halogen; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 2 alkyl and hydroxyethyl; and R, R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from C 1 to C 22 alkyl or C 1 to C 22 mono or dialkyl groups, or two of R, R 1 and R 2 together with the the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a C 3 to C 6 cycloaliphatic or a C 3 to C 14 aromatic group, the cycloaliphatic or aromatic group optionally containing in their rings one or more hetero atoms selected from O, S and N atoms. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the invention. | [
"This Application is a DIVISIONAL of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 09/990,626 filed Nov. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,802, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/249,930 filed Nov. 17, 2000.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to novel couplers for use in hair coloring compositions comprising one or more oxidative hair coloring agents in combination with one or more oxidizing agents.",
"The invention also relates to hair coloring compositions of these novel couplers and to coloring or dyeing of hair using compositions containing these couplers.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coloration of hair is a procedure practiced from antiquity employing a variety of means.",
"In modern times, the most extensively used method employed to color hair is to color hair by an oxidative dyeing process employing hair coloring systems utilizing one or more oxidative hair coloring agents in combination with one or more oxidizing agents.",
"Most commonly a peroxy oxidizing agent is used in combination with one or more oxidative hair coloring agents, generally small molecules capable of diffusing into hair and comprising one or more primary intermediates and one or more couplers.",
"In this procedure, a peroxide material, such as hydrogen peroxide, is employed to activate the small molecules of primary intermediates so that they react with couplers to form larger sized compounds in the hair shaft to color the hair in a variety of shades and colors.",
"A wide variety of primary intermediates and couplers have been employed in such oxidative hair coloring systems and compositions.",
"Among the primary intermediates employed there may be mentioned p-phenylenediamine, p-toluenediamine, p-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, and as couplers there may be mentioned resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 3-aminophenol, and 5-amino-2-methylphenol.",
"A majority of the shades have been produced with dyes based on p-phenylenediamine.",
"For providing an orange coloration to hair 2-methyl-5-aminophenol has been extensively used in combination with p-aminophenol as a primary intermediate.",
"However, the resulting orange color on hair undergoes significant changes on exposure to light or shampooing.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,255 and EP patent publications EP 634165 A1 and EP 667143 A1 suggest the use of 2-methyl-5-N-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 2-methyl-5-alkylaminophenol and 2-methyl-5-aminophenol as couplers.",
"Therefore, there is a need for new orange couplers for use in oxidative hair dyeing compositions and systems.",
"BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides novel couplers of the formula (1): wherein X is selected from halogen where the halogen is preferably Cl, Br or I;",
"R 3 is selected from C 1 to C 2 alkyl and hydroxyethyl;",
"and R, R 1 and R 2 are each independently selected from C 1 to C 22 alkyl or C 1 to C 22 mono or dihydroxyalkyl groups or two of R, R 1 and R 2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a C 3 to C 6 cycloaliphatic or a C 3 to C 14 aromatic group, the cycloaliphatic or aromatic group optionally containing in their rings one or more hetero atoms selected from O, S and N atoms.",
"These novel couplers are used to provide coloration to hair in which there is good dye uptake by the hair and provides shades or colors which are stable over a relatively long period of time.",
"The novel couplers provide for dyeing of hair that provides color or shades that possess good wash fastness and do not undergo the significant changes on exposure to light or shampooing as experienced with 2-methyl-5-aminophenol.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred coupler compounds of this invention are those of formula (1) wherein X is Cl, Br or I;",
"R 3 is methyl, ethyl or hydroxyethyl;",
"and two of R, R 1 and R 2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an C 3 to C 6 cycloaliphatic or C 3 to C 6 aromatic group optionally containing in the ring another N atom.",
"Especially preferred couplers of this invention are the following compounds: 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium propyl sulfate;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide;",
"and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.",
"The compounds of formula (1) of this invention are readily prepared according to the following reaction sequence.",
"In the reaction sequence a solution of an aminophenol of formula (2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) is added to a solution of haloacetyl chloride to produce a compound of formula (5).",
"Treatment of the compound of formula (5) with a borane-THF complex produces a compound of formula (6) and reaction of this compound of formula (6) with a quaternization reagent of the formula N(R 1 )(R 2 )(R 3 ) produces a compound of formula (1).",
"SYNTHESIS EXAMPLES 1-10 Employing the appropriate aminophenol, haloacetylchloride, and N(R1)(R2)(R3) quaternization reagent in the forgoing described synthesis procedure the following coupler compounds of this invention are prepared.",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide;",
"and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.",
"Hair coloring compositions of this invention can contain the novel couplers of this invention as the sole coupler or can also contain other couplers in combination with primary intermediates.",
"For hair coloring compositions of this invention, there may be used one or more suitable primary intermediates in combination with the novel couplers of this invention.",
"Suitable primary intermediates include, for example, p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: benzene-1,4-diamine (commonly known as p-phenylenediamine), 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-chloro-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-phenyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-(2-ethoxyethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, (commonly known as N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine) (2,5-diamino-phenyl)-methanol, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, N-(4-aminophenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2,6-dimethyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-isopropyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]-propan-2-ol, 2-propyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1,3-bis[(4-aminophenyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]propan-2-ol, N 4 ,N 4 ,2-trimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-methoxy-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethane-1,2-diol, 2,3-dimethyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, 2,6-diethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-thien-2-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-thien-3-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-pyridin-3-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 1,1′-biphenyl-2,5-diamine, 2-(methoxymethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(aminomethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)ethanol, N-[2-(2,5-diaminophenoxy)ethyl]-acetamide, N,N-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, N,N-diethylbenzene-1,4-diamine, N,N-dipropylbenzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-aminophenyl)(ethyl)amino]ethanol, 2-[(4-amino-3-methyl-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, N-(2-methoxyethyl)-benzene-1,4-diamine, 3-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]propan-1-ol, 3-[(4-aminophenyl)-amino]propane-1,2-diol, N-{4-[(4-aminophenyl)amino]butyl}benzene-1,4-diamine, and 2-[2-(2-{2-[(2,5-diaminophenyl)-oxy]ethoxy}ethoxy)ethoxy]benzene-1,4-diamine;",
"p-aminophenol derivatives such as: 4-amino-phenol (commonly known as p-aminophenol), 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-[(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-methyl]-phenol, 4-amino-2-methoxymethyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid, 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol, 4-amino-2-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-phenol, 4-amino-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenol, 4-amino-3-fluoro-phenol, 4-amino-2-(aminomethyl)-phenol, and 4-amino-2-fluoro-phenol;",
"o-aminophenol derivatives such as: 2-amino-phenol (commonly known as o-aminophenol), 2,4-diaminophenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, and 2-amino-4-methyl-phenol;",
"and heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine (commonly known as 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyridine), 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, N 2 ,N 2 -dimethyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine, 2-[(3-amino-6-methoxypyridin-2-yl)amino]ethanol, 6-methoxy-N 2 -methyl-pyridine-2,3-diamine, 2,5,6-triaminopyrimidin-4(1H)-one, pyridine-2,5-diamine, 1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine and 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine.",
"The couplers of formula (1) of this invention may be used with any suitable coupler(s) in hair coloring compositions or systems of this invention.",
"Suitable known couplers include, for example: phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: naphthalene-1,7-diol, benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-2,7-diol, benzene-1,4-diol, 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol, 7-amino-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene-1,5-diol, 2-chloro-benzene-1,3-diol, 4-hydroxy-naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, benzene-1,2,3-triol, naphthalene-2,3-diol, 5-dichloro-2-methylbenzene-1,3-diol, 4,6-dichlorobenzene-1,3-diol, and 2,3-dihydroxy-[1,4]naphthoquinone;",
"m-phenylenediamines such as: 2,4-diaminophenol, benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 2-[(3-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 2-mehyl-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-[[2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethyl]-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 4-{3-[(2,4-diaminophenyl)oxy]propoxy}benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 4-(2-amino-ethoxy)-benzene-1,3-diamine, (2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-acetic acid, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, 4-ethoxy-6-methyl-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-5-methyl-phenoxy)-ethanol, 4,6-dimethoxy-benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenylamino]-ethanol, 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol, N-[3-(dimethylamino)phenyl]urea, 4-methoxy-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diamine, 4-fluoro-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diamine, 2-({3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl}-amino)ethanol, 3-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-propane-1,2-diol, 2-[2-amino-4-(methylamino)-phenoxy]ethanol, 2-[(5-amino-2-ethoxy-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, 2-[(3-aminophenyl)amino]ethanol, N-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,3-diamine, 4-{[(2,4-diamino-phenyl)oxy]methoxy}-benzene-1,3-diamine, and 2,4-dimethoxybenzene-1,3-diamine;",
"m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-acetamide, 2-(3-hydroxy-phenylamino)-acetamide, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, 5-amino-2,4-dichloro-phenol, 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenol, 2-chloro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylamino)-phenol, 5-amino-4-chloro-2-methyl-phenol, 3-cyclopentylamino-phenol, 5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-(dimethylamino)phenol, 3-(diethylamino)phenol, 5-amino-4-fluoro-2-methylphenol, 5-amino-4-ethoxy-2-methylphenol, 3-amino-2,4-dichloro-phenol, 3-[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]phenol, 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]phenol, 5-amino-2-ethyl-phenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol, 5-[(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-methylphenol, 3-[(3-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-amino]propane-1,2-diol, and 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-methylphenol;",
"and heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 6-methoxyquinolin-8-amine, 4-methylpyridine-2,6-diol, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-5-ol, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylamino)ethanol, 3,4-dimethylpyridine-2,6-diol, 5-chloropyridine-2,3-diol, 2,6-dimethoxypyridine-3,5-diamine, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-amine, 2-{[3,5-diamino-6-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-pyridin-2-yl]oxy}-ethanol, 1H-indol-4-ol, 5-amino-2,6-dimethoxypyridin-3-ol, 1H-indole-5,6-diol, 1H-indol-7-ol, 1H-indol-5-ol, 1H-indol-6-ol, 6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 2-aminopyridin-3-ol, pyridine-2,6-diamine, 3-[(3,5-diaminopyridin-2-yl)oxy]propane-1,2-diol, 5-[(3,5-diaminopyridin-2-yl)oxy]pentane-1,3-diol, 1H-indole-2,3-dione, indoline-5,6-diol, 3,5-dimethoxypyridine-2,6-diamine, 6-methoxypyridine-2,3-diamine, and 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-amine.",
"Preferred primary intermediates include: p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, benzene-1,4-diamine, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, N-(2-methoxyethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol, and 1-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethane-1,2-diol;",
"p-aminophenol derivatives such as 4-amino-phenol, 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, 4-amino-2-methoxymethyl-phenol, and 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol;",
"o-aminophenol derivatives such as: 2-amino-phenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide, and 2-amino-4-methyl-phenol;",
"heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine and N 2 ,N 2 -dimethyl-pyridine-2,5-diamine.",
"Preferred couplers include: phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: naphthalene-1,7-diol, benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, naphthalene-1,5-diol, naphthalene-2,7-diol, benzene-1,4-diol, 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol, and 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol;",
"m-phenylenediamines such as: benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 4-{3-[(2,4-diaminophenyl)oxy]propoxy}benzene-1,3-diamine, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, and 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol;",
"m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, and 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol;",
"and heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-amine, 1H-indol-4-ol, 1H-indole-5,6-diol, 1H-indol-7-ol, 1H-indol-5-ol, 1H-indol-6-ol, 1H-indole-2,3-dione, pyridine-2,6-diamine,and 2-aminopyridin-3-ol.",
"Most preferred primary intermediates include: p-phenylenediamine derivatives such as: 2-methyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, benzene-1,4-diamine, 2-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, 1-(2,5-diamino-phenyl)-ethanol, and 2-[(4-amino-phenyl)-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethanol;",
"p-aminophenol derivatives such as: 4-amino-phenol, 4-methylamino-phenol, 4-amino-3-methyl-phenol, and 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol;",
"o-aminophenols such as: 2-amino-phenol, 2-amino-5-methyl-phenol, 2-amino-6-methyl-phenol, and N-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-acetamide;",
"and heterocyclic derivatives such as: pyrimidine-2,4,5,6-tetramine, 2-(4,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine, and 1-(benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4,5-diamine.",
"Most preferred couplers include: phenols, resorcinol and naphthol derivatives such as: benzene-1,3-diol, 4-chlorobenzene-1,3-diol, naphthalen-1-ol, 2-methyl-naphthalen-1-ol, and 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diol;",
"m-phenylenediamine such as: 2-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-ethanol, 2-(3-amino-4-methoxy-phenylamino)-ethanol, 2-[2,4-diamino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenoxy]-ethanol, and 3-(2,4-diamino-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol;",
"m-aminophenols such as: 3-amino-phenol, 5-amino-2-methyl-phenol, 5-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-2-methyl-phenol, and 3-amino-2-methyl-phenol;",
"and heterocyclic derivatives such as: 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-ol, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 1H-indol-6-ol, and 2-aminopyridin-3-ol.",
"Understandably, the coupler compounds and the primary intermediate compounds, as well as the other dye compounds, in so far as they are bases, can be used as free bases or in the form of their physiologically compatible salts with organic or inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or, in so far as they have aromatic OH groups, in the form of their salts with bases, such as alkali phenolates.",
"The total amount of the combination of dye precursors (e.g., primary intermediate and coupler compounds) in the hair coloring compositions or systems of this invention is generally from about 0.001 to about 10, preferably from about 0.02 to about 10, and most preferably from about 0.2 to about 6.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the hair coloring composition.",
"The primary intermediate and coupler compounds are generally used in equivalent amounts.",
"However, it is possible to use the primary intermediate compounds in either excess or deficiency, i.e., a molar ratio of primary intermediate to coupler generally ranging from about 5:1 to about 1:5.",
"The hair coloring compositions of this invention will contain the couplers of this invention in an effective coloring amount, generally in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 6 weight percent by weight of the hair dye composition, preferably from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent.",
"Other couplers, when present, are typically present in an amount such that in aggregate the concentration of couplers in the composition is from about 0.01 to about 6 weight percent.",
"The primary intermediate(s) is present in an effective dyeing concentration generally an amount of from about 0.001 to about 6.0 weight percent by weight of the hair dye composition, preferably from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent.",
"Any suitable carrier or vehicle, generally an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution, can be employed, preferably an aqueous solution.",
"The carrier or vehicle will generally comprise up to about 40 weight percent.",
"The hair coloring compositions of this invention may contain one or more cationic, anionic or amphoteric surface active agents, perfumes, antioxidants, sequestering agents, thickening agents, alkalizing or acidifying agents, and other dyeing agents.",
"The compositions of the present invention are used by admixing them with a suitable oxidant, which reacts with the hair dye precursors to develop the hair dye.",
"Any suitable peroxide providing agent can be employed in the coloring compositions of this invention, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) or precursors therefor.",
"Also suitable are urea peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, and melamine peroxide.",
"Moreover, cosmetic additive ingredients, which are commonly used in compositions for coloring hair, can be used in the hair coloring compositions according to the invention, for example antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, thioglycolic acid or sodium sulfite, and perfume oils, complex formers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, thickeners and care materials.",
"The form of the hair coloring compositions according to the invention can be, for example, a solution, especially an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic solution.",
"However, the form that is particularly preferred is a cream, gel or an emulsion.",
"Its composition is a mixture of the dye ingredients with the conventional cosmetic additive ingredients suitable for the particular preparation.",
"Conventional cosmetic additive ingredients in solutions, creams, emulsion or gels include, for example: Solvents: In addition to water, solvents that can be used are lower alkanols (e.g., ethanol, propanol, isopropanol);",
"polyols (e.g., carbitols, propylene glycol, glycerin).",
"Under suitable processing, higher alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, are suitable organic solvents, provided they are first liquified by melting, typically at low temperature (50 to 80° C.), before incorporation of other, usually lipophilic, materials.",
"See WO 98/27941 (section on diluents) incorporated by reference.",
"Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants: These materials are from the classes of anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic surfactant compounds, such as fatty alcohol sulfates, ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzensulfonates, alkyltrimethylammonium salts, alkylbetaines, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated nonylphenols, fatty acid alkanol amides and ethoxylated fatty acid esters.",
"They are included for various reasons, e.g., to assist in thickening, for forming emulsions, to help in wetting hair during application of the hair dye composition, etc.",
"Suitable materials are alkyl sulfates, ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, methyl acyl taurates, acyl isethionates, alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, fatty acid mono- and diethanolamides.",
"Reference is made to WO 98/52523 published Nov. 26, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.",
"Thickeners: Suitable thickeners include such as higher fatty alcohols, starches, cellulose derivatives, petrolatum, paraffin oil, fatty acids and anionic and nonionic polymeric thickeners based on polyacrylic and polyurethane polymers.",
"Examples are hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose and other cellulose derivatives, hydrophobically modified anionic polymers and nonionic polymers, particularly such polymers having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties (i.e., amphiphilic polymers).",
"Useful nonionic polymers include polyurethane derivatives such as PEG-150/stearyl alcohol/SDMI copolymer and PEG-150/stearyl alcohol SDMI copolymer.",
"Other useful amphiphilic polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,541 incorporated by reference.",
"Examples of anionic polymers that can be used as thickeners are acrylates copolymer, acrylates/ceteth-20 methacrylates copolymer, acrylates/ceteth-20 itaconate copolymer, and acrylates/beheneth-25 acrylates copolymer.",
"Aculyn® polymers sold by Rohm &",
"Haas, as well as hair care materials, such as cationic resins, lanolin derivatives, cholesterol, pantothenic acids and betaine.",
"Alkalizing agents: Suitable materials that are used to increase pH of the hair dye compositions include ammonia, aminomethylpropanol, methylethanolamine, triethanolamine and ethanolamine.",
"Conditioners: Suitable materials include silicones and silicone derivatives;",
"hydrocarbon oils;",
"monomeric quaternary compounds, and quaternized polymers.",
"Monomeric quaternary compounds are typically cationic compounds, but may also include betaines and other amphoteric and zwitterionic materials.",
"Suitable monomeric quaternary compounds include behentrialkonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, benzalkonium bromide or chloride, benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride, bis-hydroxyethyl tallowmonium chloride, C12-18 dialkyldimonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, ceteartrimonium bromide and chloride, cetrimonium bromide, chloride and methosulfate, cetylpyridonium chloride, cocamidoproypl ethyldimonium ethosulfate, cocamidopropyl ethosulfate, coco-ethyidimonium ethosulfate, cocotrimonium chloride and ethosulfate, dibehenyl dimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, dicocodimonium chloride, dilauryl dimonium chloride, disoydimonium chloride, ditallowdimonium chloride, hydrogenated tallow trimonium chloride, hydroxyethyl cetyl dimonium chloride, myristalkonium chloride, olealkonium chloride, soyethomonium ethosulfate, soytrimonium chloride, stearalkonium chloride, and many other compounds.",
"See WO 98/27941 incorporated by reference.",
"Quaternized polymers are typically cationic polymers, but may also include amphoteric and zwitterionic polymers.",
"Useful polymers are exemplified by polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-8, polyquaternium-9, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-22, polyquaternium-32, polyquaternium-39, polyquaternium-44 and polyquaternium-47.",
"Silicones suitable to condition hair are dimethicone, amodimethicone, dimethicone copolyol and dimethiconol.",
"See also WO 99/34770 published Jul. 15, 1999, incorporated by reference, for suitable silicones.",
"Suitable hydrocarbon oils would include mineral oil.",
"Natural ingredients: For example, protein derivatives, aloe , camomile and henna extracts.",
"Other adjuvants include acidulents to lower pH, buffers, chelating agents antioxidants, sequestrants, etc.",
"These classes of materials and other species of materials in the classes referred to above but not specifically identified that are suitable are listed in the International Cosmetics Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, (Eighth Edition) published by The Cosmetics, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, incorporated by reference.",
"In particular reference is made to Volume 2, Section 3 (Chemical Classes) and Section 4 (Functions) are useful in identifying a specific adjuvant/excipient to achieve a particular purpose or multipurpose.",
"The above-mentioned conventional cosmetic ingredients are used in amounts suitable for their purposes.",
"For example the wetting agents and emulsifiers are used in concentrations of from about 0.5 to 30 percent by weight, the thickeners are used in an amount of from about 0.1 to 25 percent by weight and the hair care materials are used in concentrations of from about 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight.",
"The hair coloring compositions according to the invention can be weakly acidic, neutral or alkaline according to their composition.",
"The compositions typically have pH values of from 6.8 to 11.5.",
"Their pH can be adjusted in the basic range with ammonia.",
"Also, organic amines can be used for this purpose, including monoethanolamine and triethanolamine, or also inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.",
"Inorganic or organic acids can be used for adjusting the pH in the acid range, for example phosphoric acid, acetic acid, citric acid or tartaric acid.",
"The hair coloring compositions of this invention will contain the couplers of this invention, alone or in combination with other couplers, in an effective coloring amount, generally in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 2.5 weight percent.",
"Other couplers, when present will be present in an amount up to about 2.5 weight percent.",
"The primary intermediate(s) will generally be present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 3.5 weight percent.",
"The molar ratio of primary intermediate to coupler will generally range from about 5:1 to about 1:5 and be employed in any suitable carrier or vehicle, generally an aqueous or hydroalcoholic solution, preferably an aqueous solution.",
"The carrier or vehicle will generally comprise up to about 40 weight percent.",
"In order to use the oxidation hair coloring composition for dyeing hair one mixes the above-described hair coloring compositions according to the invention with an oxidizing agent immediately prior to use and applies a sufficient amount of the mixture to the hair, according to the hair abundance, generally from about 60 to 200 grams.",
"Some of the adjuvants listed above (e.g., thickeners, conditoners, etc.) can be provided in the dye composition or the developer, or both, depending on the nature of the ingredients, possible interactions, etc.",
", as is well known in the art.",
"Typically hydrogen peroxide, or its addition compounds with urea, melamine, sodium borate or sodium carbonate, can be used in the form of a 3 to 12 percent, preferably 6 percent, aqueous solution as the oxidizing agent for developing the hair dye.",
"Oxygen can also be used as the oxidizing agent.",
"If a 6 percent hydrogen peroxide solution is used as oxidizing agent, the weight ratio of hair coloring composition and oxidizing agent is 5:1 to 1:2, but preferably 1:1.",
"The mixture of the oxidizing agent and the dye composition of the invention is allowed to act on the hair for about 10 to about 45 minutes, preferably about 30 minutes, at about 15 to 50° C., the hair is rinsed with water and dried.",
"If necessary, it is washed with a shampoo and eventually after-rinsed with a weak organic acid, such as citric acid or tartaric acid.",
"Subsequently the hair is dried.",
"The hair coloring composition according to the invention with a compound of formula (1) of this invention as coupler substances permits hair dyeing with outstanding color fastness, especially light fastness, fastness to washing and fastness to rubbing.",
"In general, a first composition of primary intermediate(s) and coupler(s) is prepared and then, at the time of use, the oxidizing agents, such as H 2 O 2 , is admixed therewith until an essentially homogenous composition is obtained which is applied to the hair to be dyed and permitted to remain in contact with the hair for a dyeing effective amount of time, generally for a period of from about 2 to 45, preferably about 2 to 30, minutes, after which the hair is rinsed, shampooed and dried.",
"Optionally, a separate conditioning product may also be provided.",
"Together the hair dye composition of the present invention comprising the hair dye coupler (1) and the developer comprising the oxidizing agent form a system for dyeing hair.",
"This system may be provided as a kit comprising in a single package separate containers of the hair dye compositions, the developer, the optional conditioner or the hair treatment product, and instructions for use.",
"EXAMPLE 11 The following compositions shown in Table 1 can be used for dyeing Piedmont hair.",
"The dyeing solution is mixed with 100 g 20 volume hydrogen peroxide.",
"The resulting mixture is applied to the hair and permitted to remain in contact with the hair for 30 minutes.",
"This dyed hair is then shampooed and rinsed with water and dried TABLE 1 Composition for Dyeing Hair Ingredients Range (wt %) Weight (%) Cocamidopropyl betaine 0-25 17.00 Monoethanolamine 1 0-15 2.00 Oleic Acid 2-22 0.75 Citric Acid 0-3 0.10 28% Ammonium hydroxide 1 0-15 5.00 Behentrimonium chloride 1-5 0.50 Sodium sulfite 0-1 0.10 EDTA 0-1 0.10 Erythorbic acid 0-1 0.40 Ethoxydiglycol 1-10 3.50 C11-15 Pareth-9 (Tergitol 15-S-9) 0.5-5 1.00 C12-15 Pareth-3 (Neodol 25-3) 0.25-5 0.50 Isopropanol 2-10 4.00 Propylene glycol 1-12 2.00 P-phenylenediamine 2 0-5 2 mmoles N,N-Bis(hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylene 0-5 2 mmoles diamine 2 3-Methyl-p-aminophenol 2 0-5 1 mmoles p-Aminophenol 2 0-5 5 mmoles Coupler of this invention 0.5-5 5 mmoles 5-Amino-2-Methyl Phenol 0-5 2 mmoles 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol 0-5 2 mmoles Water qs to 100.00 qs to 100.00 1 In the aggregate, these ingredients are in the range of 2 to 15% by weight.",
"2 At least one of these dye precursors is typically present.",
"Exemplary combinations of hair coloring components employing a coupler compound of formula (1) of this invention are show in combinations in Table 1 and in C1 to C126 in Table A. Reading down the columns in Table A, the Xes designate the dye compounds (including the novel couplers of the instant invention) that form illustratively suitable combinations of dyes that can be formulated according to the present invention.",
"For example, in Combination No. C1 the novel couplers of the present invention (Row 1 of Table A) with X, R, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined hereinbefore, can be combined with p-toluene diamine and 2-amino-phenol.",
"Especially preferred as the couplers of formula (1) of this invention in the combinations C1 to C126 of Table A are: 1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium chloride;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium bromide;",
"1-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl]-3 methyl 3-H-imidazol-1-ium iodide;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-ethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyethyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium chloride;",
"N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium bromide;",
"and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenylamino)-ethyl-N′-methyl-piperidinium iodide.",
"TABLE A DYE COMBINATIONS Structure IUPAC Name Name C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 3-Hydroxy-4-alkyl- phenylamino-ethyl-1- trialkyl-ammonium halide 3-Hydraxy-4-alkyl- phenylamino-ethyl-1- trialkyl-ammonium halide X X X X X X X X X X X X 2-Methyl-benzene- 1,4-diamine p-Toluene-diamine X X X X X X X X X Benzene-1,4-diamine p-Phenylene-diamine X X X 2-[(4-Amino-phenyl)- (2-hydroxy-ethyl)- amino]-ethanol N,N-Bis(2- hydroxyethyl)-p- phenylene-diamine 4-Amino-phenol p-Aminophenol 4-Amino-3-methyl- phenol 3-Methyl-p- aminophenol 2-Amino-phenol o-Aminophenol X X Benzene-1,3-diol Resorcinol X X 2-Methyl-benzene- 1,3-diol 2-Methyl-resorcinol X X Naphthalen-1-ol 1-Naphthol X 2-Methyl-naphthalen- 1-ol 2-Methyl-1-naphthol X 2-(2,4-Diamino- phenoxy)-ethanol 2,4-Diamino- phenoxyethanol X Benzene-1,3-diamine m-Phenylenediamine X 3-Amino-phenol m-Aminophenol X 5-Amino-2-methyl- phenol 2-Hydroxy-4- aminotoluene X 2-(4,5-Diamino- pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol 1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5- diamino-pyrazole Structure C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Structure C29 C30 C31 C32 C33 C34 C35 C36 C37 C38 C39 C40 C41 C42 C43 C44 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Structure C45 C46 C47 C48 C49 C50 C51 C52 C53 C54 C55 C56 C57 C58 C59 C60 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X X X X X X x X x X x X x X x X x X X X X Structure C61 C62 C63 C64 C65 C66 C67 C68 C69 C70 C71 C72 C73 C74 C75 C76 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X X X X X X x X X X x X X X X X X X X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Structure C77 C78 C79 C80 C81 C82 C83 C84 C85 C86 C87 C88 C89 C90 C91 C92 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x X x X x X x X x X X X Structure C93 C94 C95 C96 C97 C98 C99 C100 C101 C102 C103 C104 C105 C106 C107 C108 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Structure C109 C110 C111 C112 C113 C114 C115 C116 C117 C118 C119 C120 C121 C122 C123 C124 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X X Structure C125 C126 X X X x x x x x"
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stores ejection apparatus for ejecting stores such as missiles, bombs or the like from an aircraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,990 which discloses a dual ejector stores attitude control system. The extendable store ejectors are hydraulically actuated and dependently connected for positive control and the degree of extention of each injector is independently adjustable. The extendable ejectors may be either connected together by mechanical or hydraulic linkage.
As shown in FIG. 1 of the patent, the ejector assemblies 12 and 14 with their input pistons incorporate a connecting linkage 18, 20 which mechanically connects the gas power system output piston 22 with the aforesaid input pistons. The system has three pistons which are therefore movement dependent.
The present invention replaces the three movement dependent pistons with two pistons which are contained within a single cylindrical tube. However, the two pistons are movement dependent by incorporating a linkage external of the cylinder which connects the two pistons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The dual ejector system incorporates a single cylindrical member which contains a shaftless piston at one end thereof and another piston at the other end thereof which are interlinked by a mechanical linkage external to the cylinder containing the two pistons. The face of each of the pistons is in open communication with one of a respective pair or hydraulically actuated ejectors. The two pistons are separated within the cylinder by a barrier which comprises a portion of one of the ejectors. The shaftless piston has a hollow interior which forms a pressure chamber for a souce of high-pressure hydraulic fluid such as nitrogen.
The pistons are initially cocked and held in the cocked position by a safety catch and the hollow portion of the shaftless portion pressurized to the desired pressure. Upon release of the safety catch when ejection of the store is desired, the two pistons move linearly in the cylinder in the same direction due to the physical inter-connection by the external linkage. Hydraulic fluid in communication with the face of each piston is forced into a respective hydraulically actuated ejector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a dual ejector apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a view, partly in cross-section, through the center of the ejection system; and
FIG. 3 is a side view of the system showing the external mechanical linkage.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a schematic outline of the dual ejection apparatus with fore and aft ejectors 10 and 11 and fore and aft hooks 12 and 13 which are used to retain the store on the ejection rack. The ejectors 10 and 11 incorporate hydraulically actuated pistons which are caused to move under the influence of hydraulic fluid contained between the face of a shaftless piston 14 and another piston 15 respectively.
The two pistons 14 and 15 are contained within a substantially cylindrical member 16 which is partitioned by an impermeable barrier 17 which is actually part of the aft ejector 11. The two pistons 14 and 15 are mechanically interlinked by a linkage mechanism 18 one end of which is connected to an exterior boss 19 on the shaftless piston 14 and the other end of which is connected by a pin 20 to the right-hand portion of piston 15 (looking at FIG. 1).
The pistons are restrained in a cocked position by a safety catch 21 which pivots about point 22.
The hollow interior of shaftless piston 14 is initially pressurized by a source of high-pressure gas such as nitrogen or it may be pressurized in flight by using the hydraulic system of the particular aircraft involved. In any event, this system is initially pressurized and held in the cocked position by the safety catch 21. Upon release of the safety catch the pistons 14 and 15 move to the left in FIG. 1 thereby forcing hydraulic fluid into the ejectors 10 and 11 respectively and causing the pistons to eject the store.
The system may be recocked on board the aircraft by use of the linkage 23 pivoting around the point 24, the link 23 being connected to the pin 20, or the system may be left in the uncocked position. Then upon landing the aircraft, the system may be recocked by bleeding off the high-pressure gas and moving the two pistons to the right in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 shows the assembly in greater detail. The ejection mechanism contained within the ejectors 10 and 11 is not explained in detail in that they form no part of the present invention. It is sufficient to say that they comprise spring-biased hydraulic members which are driven downwardly under the influence of hydraulic fluid.
Additional details of the release mechanism for the safety catch 21 however, are shown in FIG. 2 and comprise a link 26 which is restrained by a pin 27 carried by a portion of the safety catch 21. The link 26 is relieved as at 28. The link is fixed to a piston assembly carried within fluid motor 29 which has an exhaust 30 and fluid inlet 31. The fluid motor 29 also has a link 32 extending from the other end thereof which goes to the release mechanism for releasing the hooks 12 and 13. This is not gone into in detail in that the hook release mechanism forms no part of the present invention and might be any suitable linkage to release the hooks 12 and 13.
The recocking mechanism is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 wherein the arm 23 which pivots about point 24 has another pin 33 to which a link 34 is attached. Link 34 is in turn pinned to one end of a piston 35 as at 36. Piston 35 is contained within a cylinder 37 which is in hydraulic communication as at 38 with a source of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid source might be either the hydraulic system aboard an aircraft on which the store is carried or a suitable source aboard an aircraft carrier or an air-field.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, piston 14 has a skirt 39 extending for a substantial distance along the interior of the cylindrical member 16. The hollow interior of this skirt forms the container for the high-pressure gas which is used to drive the piston 14 to the left as shown in FIG. 2. Piston 15 also has a portion dependent therefrom to which pin 20 is attached as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 shows the outside of the assembly and particularly the boss 19 to which link 18 is connected by pin 40. The outer member 16 is relieved as at 41 to accomodate the movement of boss 19 and pin 40.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
In operation, the mechanism is initially in the cocked position. A source of high-pressure gas such as nitrogen is connected at input 25 and the interior of the shaftless piston 14 is pressurized. Now it is to be understood that the system may be pressurized either on the deck or in the air if the aircraft hydraulic system is used. In any event, the system is held in a cocked position until fluid motor 29 causes link 26 to retract. There is a slight delay caused by the relief portion 28 so that the hooks 12 and 13 may release prior to initiation of the ejectors 10 and 11.
After the slight delay, safety catch 21 rotates around pin 22 and releases pin 20 which allows the high-pressure gas to force the shaftless piston 14 and interconnected piston 15 to the left in FIG. 2. Hydraulic fluid contained between the face of the pistons and the respective ejector assemblies is forced into the ejectors 10 and 11 respectively, which causes the piston member carried therein to be moved downwardly in FIG. 2.
At this point, the store is ejected and the ejectors will either remain in the extended position or if the recocking mechanism is connected to the hydraulic fluid system aboard the aircraft the piston 35 in cylinder 37 is driven to the left in FIG. 2 which causes rotation of link 23 about point 24 thereby recocking the system. If there is no source of hydraulic fluid aboard the aircraft to be attached to the input 38 of cylinder 37, the system is recocked once the airplane lands aboard the aircraft carrier or the airfield in much the same way that is, a source of hydraulic fluid is attached to input 38 and the system recocked.
Use of the external linkage 18 between the shaftless piston 14 and the linked piston 15 provides greater flexability in packaging of components in a given space envelope. The shaftless piston also allows the interior thereof to be used as an accumulator or pressure vessel. Use of the shaftless piston with the external linkage also allows weight and space saving, design flexability for power-in-force-out variations and piston sizing flexability. | A stores ejection system incorporating a dual piston system for power action of the ejectors and having a linkage for transfer of power between the pistons which does not penetrate the end walls of the operating cylinder but is pinned to a boss on one of the pistons. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stores ejection apparatus for ejecting stores such as missiles, bombs or the like from an aircraft.",
"Description of the Prior Art The prior art is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,990 which discloses a dual ejector stores attitude control system.",
"The extendable store ejectors are hydraulically actuated and dependently connected for positive control and the degree of extention of each injector is independently adjustable.",
"The extendable ejectors may be either connected together by mechanical or hydraulic linkage.",
"As shown in FIG. 1 of the patent, the ejector assemblies 12 and 14 with their input pistons incorporate a connecting linkage 18, 20 which mechanically connects the gas power system output piston 22 with the aforesaid input pistons.",
"The system has three pistons which are therefore movement dependent.",
"The present invention replaces the three movement dependent pistons with two pistons which are contained within a single cylindrical tube.",
"However, the two pistons are movement dependent by incorporating a linkage external of the cylinder which connects the two pistons.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The dual ejector system incorporates a single cylindrical member which contains a shaftless piston at one end thereof and another piston at the other end thereof which are interlinked by a mechanical linkage external to the cylinder containing the two pistons.",
"The face of each of the pistons is in open communication with one of a respective pair or hydraulically actuated ejectors.",
"The two pistons are separated within the cylinder by a barrier which comprises a portion of one of the ejectors.",
"The shaftless piston has a hollow interior which forms a pressure chamber for a souce of high-pressure hydraulic fluid such as nitrogen.",
"The pistons are initially cocked and held in the cocked position by a safety catch and the hollow portion of the shaftless portion pressurized to the desired pressure.",
"Upon release of the safety catch when ejection of the store is desired, the two pistons move linearly in the cylinder in the same direction due to the physical inter-connection by the external linkage.",
"Hydraulic fluid in communication with the face of each piston is forced into a respective hydraulically actuated ejector.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a dual ejector apparatus;",
"FIG. 2 is a view, partly in cross-section, through the center of the ejection system;",
"and FIG. 3 is a side view of the system showing the external mechanical linkage.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic outline of the dual ejection apparatus with fore and aft ejectors 10 and 11 and fore and aft hooks 12 and 13 which are used to retain the store on the ejection rack.",
"The ejectors 10 and 11 incorporate hydraulically actuated pistons which are caused to move under the influence of hydraulic fluid contained between the face of a shaftless piston 14 and another piston 15 respectively.",
"The two pistons 14 and 15 are contained within a substantially cylindrical member 16 which is partitioned by an impermeable barrier 17 which is actually part of the aft ejector 11.",
"The two pistons 14 and 15 are mechanically interlinked by a linkage mechanism 18 one end of which is connected to an exterior boss 19 on the shaftless piston 14 and the other end of which is connected by a pin 20 to the right-hand portion of piston 15 (looking at FIG. 1).",
"The pistons are restrained in a cocked position by a safety catch 21 which pivots about point 22.",
"The hollow interior of shaftless piston 14 is initially pressurized by a source of high-pressure gas such as nitrogen or it may be pressurized in flight by using the hydraulic system of the particular aircraft involved.",
"In any event, this system is initially pressurized and held in the cocked position by the safety catch 21.",
"Upon release of the safety catch the pistons 14 and 15 move to the left in FIG. 1 thereby forcing hydraulic fluid into the ejectors 10 and 11 respectively and causing the pistons to eject the store.",
"The system may be recocked on board the aircraft by use of the linkage 23 pivoting around the point 24, the link 23 being connected to the pin 20, or the system may be left in the uncocked position.",
"Then upon landing the aircraft, the system may be recocked by bleeding off the high-pressure gas and moving the two pistons to the right in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the assembly in greater detail.",
"The ejection mechanism contained within the ejectors 10 and 11 is not explained in detail in that they form no part of the present invention.",
"It is sufficient to say that they comprise spring-biased hydraulic members which are driven downwardly under the influence of hydraulic fluid.",
"Additional details of the release mechanism for the safety catch 21 however, are shown in FIG. 2 and comprise a link 26 which is restrained by a pin 27 carried by a portion of the safety catch 21.",
"The link 26 is relieved as at 28.",
"The link is fixed to a piston assembly carried within fluid motor 29 which has an exhaust 30 and fluid inlet 31.",
"The fluid motor 29 also has a link 32 extending from the other end thereof which goes to the release mechanism for releasing the hooks 12 and 13.",
"This is not gone into in detail in that the hook release mechanism forms no part of the present invention and might be any suitable linkage to release the hooks 12 and 13.",
"The recocking mechanism is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 wherein the arm 23 which pivots about point 24 has another pin 33 to which a link 34 is attached.",
"Link 34 is in turn pinned to one end of a piston 35 as at 36.",
"Piston 35 is contained within a cylinder 37 which is in hydraulic communication as at 38 with a source of hydraulic fluid.",
"The hydraulic fluid source might be either the hydraulic system aboard an aircraft on which the store is carried or a suitable source aboard an aircraft carrier or an air-field.",
"As can be seen in FIG. 2, piston 14 has a skirt 39 extending for a substantial distance along the interior of the cylindrical member 16.",
"The hollow interior of this skirt forms the container for the high-pressure gas which is used to drive the piston 14 to the left as shown in FIG. 2. Piston 15 also has a portion dependent therefrom to which pin 20 is attached as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the outside of the assembly and particularly the boss 19 to which link 18 is connected by pin 40.",
"The outer member 16 is relieved as at 41 to accomodate the movement of boss 19 and pin 40.",
"DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION In operation, the mechanism is initially in the cocked position.",
"A source of high-pressure gas such as nitrogen is connected at input 25 and the interior of the shaftless piston 14 is pressurized.",
"Now it is to be understood that the system may be pressurized either on the deck or in the air if the aircraft hydraulic system is used.",
"In any event, the system is held in a cocked position until fluid motor 29 causes link 26 to retract.",
"There is a slight delay caused by the relief portion 28 so that the hooks 12 and 13 may release prior to initiation of the ejectors 10 and 11.",
"After the slight delay, safety catch 21 rotates around pin 22 and releases pin 20 which allows the high-pressure gas to force the shaftless piston 14 and interconnected piston 15 to the left in FIG. 2. Hydraulic fluid contained between the face of the pistons and the respective ejector assemblies is forced into the ejectors 10 and 11 respectively, which causes the piston member carried therein to be moved downwardly in FIG. 2. At this point, the store is ejected and the ejectors will either remain in the extended position or if the recocking mechanism is connected to the hydraulic fluid system aboard the aircraft the piston 35 in cylinder 37 is driven to the left in FIG. 2 which causes rotation of link 23 about point 24 thereby recocking the system.",
"If there is no source of hydraulic fluid aboard the aircraft to be attached to the input 38 of cylinder 37, the system is recocked once the airplane lands aboard the aircraft carrier or the airfield in much the same way that is, a source of hydraulic fluid is attached to input 38 and the system recocked.",
"Use of the external linkage 18 between the shaftless piston 14 and the linked piston 15 provides greater flexability in packaging of components in a given space envelope.",
"The shaftless piston also allows the interior thereof to be used as an accumulator or pressure vessel.",
"Use of the shaftless piston with the external linkage also allows weight and space saving, design flexability for power-in-force-out variations and piston sizing flexability."
] |
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/362,447 field on May 30, 1989 which is now abandoned.
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to a flowmeter for measuring volumetric flow with a hydraulic motor being designed as a stroke displacement engine which does not produce any external mechanical output and the output pressure of which, corresponding to its hydro-mechanical losses, is slightly lower than the input pressure with the hydraulic motor having a rotating motor shaft being designed as a measuring shaft.
It is known that conventional axial or radial piston motors are used for metering the flow throughput of a volumetric flow. The disadvantage of these hydraulic motors is a relatively high rate of leakage current (2% to 6% in relation to the total absorption current). The higher value is reached with a low rate of rotation and high pressures, the lower value with a high rate of rotation and low pressures. For many applications, such as for example the determination of the actual value in electro-hydraulic amplifiers or the regulation of the through-flow amounts in fluid multi-component systems, in particular polyurethane systems, a leakage current rate of this magnitude, which correspondingly impairs the accuracy of measurement, is unacceptable.
Flowmeters of this type are known from the printed publications DE-C-926 574, DE-B-1 295 217 and FR-A-1 089 325.
In addition, gear wheel motors are known which do not produce any external mechanical output. However, it is not easily possible to fit this type of flowmeter with the measuring shaft leading outwards, since the gear wheel coupled to the measuring shaft would be required to accommodate a large axial force, which would increase the hydro-mechanical losses and reduce both the measuring accuracy and the service life of the device.
From EP 0 003 563 a leakage-current-free hydraulic motor is known which is used for the determination of the actual value in an electro-hydraulic amplifier. However, this hydraulic motor is a linear motor, so that it is only suitable for limited volume throughputs. With this device, a continuous volume flow rate is therefore not possible in principle.
The object of the present invention consists in designing a flowmeter for the measurement of a volumetric flow in such a manner that it can also be employed within an electro-hydraulic amplifier and that it allows continuous as well as exact measurement of the through-flow (accuracy of measurement<0.1%), whereby the disadvantages of the known relevent flowmeters are avoided.
This object is solved in accordance with the invention by a flowmeter of the kind described at the beginning in that the hydraulic motor is designed as a stroke displacement machine, in that the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor is constantly connected to its outlet and in that the hydraulic motor has a rotating motor shaft which is designed as a measuring shaft.
The known stroke displacement motors have the lowest leakage losses in comparison with all other designs as a result of the efficient sealing of the cylindrical fits. In the case of sliding valve-controlled hydraulic motors, the leakage losses are comprised of an inner and an outer leakage current. The outer leakage current contains all portions of the pressure fluid which penetrate into the drive unit chamber (=leakage oil chamber) from the pressure side (=inlet) and from the return side (=outlet). These are e.g. the amounts of fluid between the piston and the cylinder which enter the leakage oil chamber of the motor from the hydrostatic pressure area or from the control unit. Since the leakage oil pressure is usually only slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure, the pressure gradient of the outer leakage current is very large, even when the hydraulic motor does not produce any external mechanical output. In contrast, the inner leakage losses are short-circuit losses at the control, which are directed immediately into the return flow pipe without producing any work.
If a conventional stroke displacement motor is used as a flowmeter, the output pressure, corresponding to the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor, is only slightly below the input pressure. In this way the inner leakage losses are also rendered insignificantly small. However, the outer leakage currents, which enter the leakage oil chamber of the motor between piston and cylinder as well as from the control unit, cannot be ignored.
In the case of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention, the outer leakage losses can also be reduced to a harmless level similar to that of the aforementioned inner leakages, if the leakage oil chamber (=drive unit chamber) is connected to the motor outlet so that the pressure gradient of the outer leakage current is also within the range of the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor. The leakage losses resulting from this arrangement are similarly insignificantly small. Further technical advantages of the invention are an excellent reproducible measuring precision (measuring error<0.1%), a very large measuring range (approx. 1:1000) as well as a very large pressure range (up to around 1000 bar). As a result of the extremely small pressure differences between inlet and outlet of the hydraulic motor, the strain on all parts of the drive is extremely low, which is advantageous for the is also within the range of the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor. The leakage losses resulting from this arrangement are similarly insignificantly small. Further technical advantages of the invention are an excellent reproducible measuring precision (measuring error<0.1%), a very large measuring range (approx. 1:1000) as well as a very large pressure range (up to around 1000 bar). As a result of the extremely small pressure differences between inlet and outlet of the hydraulic motor, the strain on all parts of the drive is extremely low, which is advantageous for the service life (little friction) in particular in the case of high pressures and speeds. Apart from the technical advantages, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention has the great advantage that conventional motors produced in series need only be modified in order to accommodate it. The essential component parts can be taken from series production, so that an economic manufacture of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention is possible.
In accordance with a further suggestion the flowmeter according to the invention can be designed in such a way that the outlet of the hydraulic motor through the drive unit chamber is lead outward. This embodiment especially with high pressures and high volumetric flows is advantageous in order to perfectly carry away by means of fluid flowing through the amount of heat resulting from the loss of torque and heating the amount of fluid contained in the drive unit chamber.
In accordance with a further suggestion, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention can be designed in such a way that the hydraulic motor is an axial or radial piston motor.
Axial or radial piston motors allow particularly compact designs, whereby the most widely known embodiments are slide valve-controlled machines. The slide valve control is either installed in the rotating cylinder block (axial piston motor) or is performed with rotary slide valves or eccentrically driven longitudinal sliding valves (radial piston motor). The radial piston motor allows for a large number of pistons arranged in a star-shaped manner around the crankshaft, which makes possible a very small current pulsation (0.1% with a 21 piston motor). Since in addition to this most radial piston motors are in any case designed with thick-walled, pressure-resistant casings, this structure is particularly appropriate for the flowmeter in accordance with the invention. As a result of the extremely small mass inertia moments, these motors are also appropriate for control-specific applications.
Depending on the medium to be measured, the pressure, the temperature and the desired output signal, transmission of the measurement of the angle of rotation can be performed either without a packing via a permanent magnet coupling, or by means of a Hall-effect sensor. If direct coupling of the measuring shaft to a mechanical measuring transducer is desired, it is expedient to seal the measuring shaft with a slide ring seal, which seals in a practically leak-free manner even under high pressures and slide speeds. The axial forces thus produced can be absorbed by crankshaft bearings of suitable dimensions.
In accordance with a further suggestion, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention can be designed in such a way that the hydraulic motor is part of an electro-hydraulic amplifier, whereby the measuring shaft of the hydraulic motor is mechanically coupled to a known copying control valve which is connected to an electric control motor, and that the hydraulic motor carries out the continual measurement of the actual value of a volumetric flow to be measured and regulated by the electro-hydraulic amplifier.
The electro-hydraulic amplifier, which consists of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention, a known copying control valve and a control motor, performs the task of measuring and regulating a pre-specifiable volumetric flow. The control motor is set to a pre-selectable rotating movement (=target value) which, with the aid of the copying control valve, which corrects any non-synchronous movement between the control system and the flowmeter by means of a control sliding valve which reduces the volumetric flow, is reproduced in a rotating output movement of the flowmeter (=actual value) in a manner true to the angle of rotation and whereby the absorption current of the hydraulic motor (=measured volumetric flow) is in direct relation to the rotating movement caused by the hydraulic motor. Thus, the flowmeter is not only responsible for the continual measurement of the actual value, but also for the dynamic correction of the hydro-mechanical control loop integrated in the copying control valve, in that in the case of a discrepancy between target value and actual value the measuring shaft adjusts the actual value to match the target value via a spindle-nut connection by means of mechanical adjustment of the control sliding valve located in the copying control valve. In contrast to electric actual value pickups, measuring of the actual value, the actual/target value comparison and the adjustment to match the target value occur simultaneously, so that the control oscillation usual with electric control loops which leads to momentary excessive or insufficient loading of the volumetric flow in the case of pressure or load fluctuations in the system does not occur.
In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be designed in such a way that the casings of the hydraulic motor and the copying control valve are connected with one another in a sealed manner and that the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor is connected with the leakage oil chamber of the copying control valve for the purpose of reducing leakage.
In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be designed in such a way that the casings of the copying control valve and the control motor are connected with one another in a sealed manner and that the inner chamber of the control motor is connected to the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor.
In contrast to known devices, the embodiments in accordance with the two previous proposals do not make use of the usual packing for the measuring shaft or, if appropriate depending on the nature of the control motor, the packing for the control motor shaft. Because of the low pressure differences between inflow and outflow, inner leakage is in this case negligible, since the leakage oil chambers of the hydraulic motor and the copying control valve have an almost equal fluid pressure. If the inner chamber of the control motor is also connected with the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor, the above applies by analogy.
In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be used in an electro-hydraulic amplifier for the measurement and regulation of a pre-specifiable volumetric flow used to drive dosing pumps in multi-component dosing of fluid reaction components in a mixing chamber.
Application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention within an electro-hydraulic amplifier in multi-component dosing of fluid reaction components not only avoids the system-inherent disadvantages of the linear amplifier, which is also used for dosing purposes, but also entails additional functional advantages for this field of application:
As a result of the substantially smaller moving masses of the rotating stroke piston motor in comparison with the linear hydraulic motor, the control rate of the above proposed embodiment is correspondingly larger than that of the electro-hydraulic linear amplifier. Furthermore, the embodiment in accordance with the invention has clear advantages in the case of bellows and other membrane dosing pumps which do not require a constant feed rate of the displacement element, but rather a constant volumetric flow. Since, unlike the linear amplifier, the electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention does not require a return piston stroke, it is possible to dose continuously. A further advantage consists in the fact that with single stroke dosing pumps a greater return stroke rate can be achieved, because the return stroke of the single stroke dosing pumps can be replaced by a more rapid drive. The linear amplifier, on the other hand, can only perform equal piston rates in both directions, whereby the permissible piston rate is limited by the thread pitch of a second spindle nut connection which converts the rotating movement of the measuring shaft into a translatory movement of the linear motor. If a fine thread is selected which allows a high degree of positioning accuracy, the piston rate is correspondingly low, if a larger thread is selected to allow greater piston rates, the accuracy of positioning is limited. The rotating stroke piston motor does not require this kind of spindle nut connection because it copies the rotary pre-specified movement of the control motor in the form of a likewise rotary output movement of the stroke piston motor. Consequently, it can always, even with the greatest piston rates, be set to high degrees of positioning accuracy.
In the following part of the description, a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention as well as a practical embodiment and a practical application of an electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention are illustrated with the aid of drawings and are described in further detail.
FIG. 1 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention inside an electro-hydraulic amplifier.
FIG. 3 shows a practical application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention inside an electro-hydraulic amplifier in the two-component-dosing field of application.
FIG. 1 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention with an axial piston motor 1 located in a pressure-resistant casing 2. In order to achieve a volumetric flow as free from pulsations as possible, at least nine pistons 3 are necessary which run in a cylinder drum 4. The pistons 3 are supported on a slanting surface 5 installed in the casing 2. The forces of all cylinder chambers 7 connected to an inlet 6 which act vertically to the axis of the pistons 3 produce a torque on the cylinder drum 4, which is always only equal to the loss torque caused by the hydro-mechanical losses. The power loss resulting from the torque loss is converted to heat in the hydraulic motor 1. Consequently, provision must be made for efficient removal of the heat with the pressure fluid. This is achieved by the fact that the outlet 8 of the hydraulic motor 1 is conducted through the drive unit chamber 9 to the outside. A measuring shaft 10 connected to the cylinder drum 4 leads to the outside in this practical embodiment and is sealed against the casing 2 with a slide ring seal (not illustrated).
FIG. 2 shows a practical embodiment in accordance with the invention as a component part of an electro-hydraulic amplifier. The flowmeter shown in FIG. 1 is here connected in a sealed manner with a copying control valve 11, whereby the measuring shaft 10 is designed as a spindle nut 12 which acts in conjunction with the spindle 13. The spindle 13 is firmly connected with the control gate valve 14 of the copying control valve 1 as well as with a control motor 16 via an axial compensating coupling 15. If the control motor 16 produces a pre-specified rate of rotation corresponding to a certain volumetric flow, the spindle 13 is screwed out of the spindle nut 12 when the control motor 16 starts up, causing an axial displacement of the control gate valve 14, which thereupon opens the inlet 6 to the hydraulic motor 1. The volumetric flow thus released drives the hydraulic motor for as long as is necessary until the rate of rotation of the hydraulic motor 1 matches the rate of rotation of the control motor 16. If the rate of rotation of the hydraulic motor 1 exceeds the pre-specified rate of rotation of the control motor 16, the control gate valve 14 of the copying control valve 11 is screwed back into the middle position and thus blocks the inlet 6 to the cylinder chambers 7 until the control motor 16 and the cylinder drum 4 again rotate at the same rate of rotation. The volumetric flow entering at inlet 6 can thus be exactly measured and controlled in magnitude by means of a pre-specified rate of rotation of the control motor 16, which corresponds to a defined volumetric flow.
FIG. 3 shows a practical application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention in an electro-hydraulic amplifier in the two-component dosing field of application, whereby the electro-hydraulic amplifier serves the purpose of measuring and regulating a pre-specifiable volumetric flow for the hydraulic individual drive for bellows-type dosing pumps for the two-component dosing of fluid reaction components in a mixing chamber. As this type of bellows dosing pump allows very large stroke volumes (50 liters and above) with small frame size and complete freedom from leakages, the electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention is in this case particularly appropriate for the exact measurement and regulation of the volumetric flow. The volume throughput of the volumetric flow (=dosing amount of the reaction component) can be digitally pre-set before the dosing stroke with a very high degree of precision by means of a pulse counter device (not illustrated) integrated in the control frequency generator 17. The required volumetric dose ratio of the two reaction components located in the dosing cylinders 18, 19 respectively is digitally determined in the control frequency generator 17 by two pre-specified control frequencies F1 and F2. These two frequencies are allocated via amplifiers (not illustrated) to two stepping motors 20, 21 which convert each of them via two copying control valves 22, 23 and two axial piston motors 24, 25 in accordance with the invention without slip into an individually measured and controlled volumetric flow. The two electro-hydraulic amplifiers, consisting of the axial piston motors 24, 25 in accordance with the invention, the copying control valves 22, 23 and the stepping motors 20, 21 operate without control oscillations and are largely independent of counterpressure in their field of operations. After the dosing stroke is completed, the two stepping motors 20, 21 and the axial piston motors 24, 25 connected to them are stopped. Simultaneously, two 4/3 way valves 26, 27 switch via their zero setting to their return stroke setting. At this, the reaction components which are under inlet pressure and which are respectively located in the two dosing cylinders 18, 19 underneath the respective bellows 28, 29 force the bellows 28, 29 back to their starting position, whereby the hydraulic fluid, which is above the bellows 28, 29, flows back into a tank 30 belonging to a hydraulic aggregate 31 via the two 4/3 way valves 26, 27. In order to prevent the bellows 28, 29 from running out over their permissible stroke length, a stroke-end shutoff is necessary, which can be provided e.g. with two displacement pickups 32, 33. In addition, the two displacement pickups 32, 33 fulfill the task of additional monitoring of the dosing system. An evaluating electronic device 34 constantly compares the values provided by the two displacement pickups 32, 33 with the pre-selected number of pulses from the control frequency generator 17 and switches the device off when a defined differential value is exceeded because of the presence of a technical fault. | A delivery system for controlling the flow of fluid is disclosed. The comprises a control valve comprising an electric control motor and a valve, and a hydraulic piston type motor including a shaft which is rotated when fluid flows through the system. The rate at which fluid flows into the system is measured by the hydraulic motor and is reflected by the rate at which the hydraulic motor shaft rotates. The rate at which fluid flows through the system is controlled by the control valve. The control valve is movable between a first position in which a first fluid flow rate through the system is achieved and a second position is which a second flow rate higher than the first rate is achieved. The control motor is responsive to an external signal which indicates a rate rotation for the control motor corresponding with a rate of fluid flow. The control motor shaft, the hydraulic motor shaft and the control valve are dynamically connected so that, when the rate at which fluid id flowing through the system is less than the given rate, the control valve is moved towards the second position and, when the rate at which fluid is flowing through the system is greater than the given rate, the control valve is moved towards the first position. A fluid component dosing apparatus including at least one hydraulically actuated dosing pump driven by a delivery system according to the invention is also disclosed. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser.",
"No. 07/362,447 field on May 30, 1989 which is now abandoned.",
"DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a flowmeter for measuring volumetric flow with a hydraulic motor being designed as a stroke displacement engine which does not produce any external mechanical output and the output pressure of which, corresponding to its hydro-mechanical losses, is slightly lower than the input pressure with the hydraulic motor having a rotating motor shaft being designed as a measuring shaft.",
"It is known that conventional axial or radial piston motors are used for metering the flow throughput of a volumetric flow.",
"The disadvantage of these hydraulic motors is a relatively high rate of leakage current (2% to 6% in relation to the total absorption current).",
"The higher value is reached with a low rate of rotation and high pressures, the lower value with a high rate of rotation and low pressures.",
"For many applications, such as for example the determination of the actual value in electro-hydraulic amplifiers or the regulation of the through-flow amounts in fluid multi-component systems, in particular polyurethane systems, a leakage current rate of this magnitude, which correspondingly impairs the accuracy of measurement, is unacceptable.",
"Flowmeters of this type are known from the printed publications DE-C-926 574, DE-B-1 295 217 and FR-A-1 089 325.",
"In addition, gear wheel motors are known which do not produce any external mechanical output.",
"However, it is not easily possible to fit this type of flowmeter with the measuring shaft leading outwards, since the gear wheel coupled to the measuring shaft would be required to accommodate a large axial force, which would increase the hydro-mechanical losses and reduce both the measuring accuracy and the service life of the device.",
"From EP 0 003 563 a leakage-current-free hydraulic motor is known which is used for the determination of the actual value in an electro-hydraulic amplifier.",
"However, this hydraulic motor is a linear motor, so that it is only suitable for limited volume throughputs.",
"With this device, a continuous volume flow rate is therefore not possible in principle.",
"The object of the present invention consists in designing a flowmeter for the measurement of a volumetric flow in such a manner that it can also be employed within an electro-hydraulic amplifier and that it allows continuous as well as exact measurement of the through-flow (accuracy of measurement<0.1%), whereby the disadvantages of the known relevent flowmeters are avoided.",
"This object is solved in accordance with the invention by a flowmeter of the kind described at the beginning in that the hydraulic motor is designed as a stroke displacement machine, in that the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor is constantly connected to its outlet and in that the hydraulic motor has a rotating motor shaft which is designed as a measuring shaft.",
"The known stroke displacement motors have the lowest leakage losses in comparison with all other designs as a result of the efficient sealing of the cylindrical fits.",
"In the case of sliding valve-controlled hydraulic motors, the leakage losses are comprised of an inner and an outer leakage current.",
"The outer leakage current contains all portions of the pressure fluid which penetrate into the drive unit chamber (=leakage oil chamber) from the pressure side (=inlet) and from the return side (=outlet).",
"These are e.g. the amounts of fluid between the piston and the cylinder which enter the leakage oil chamber of the motor from the hydrostatic pressure area or from the control unit.",
"Since the leakage oil pressure is usually only slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure, the pressure gradient of the outer leakage current is very large, even when the hydraulic motor does not produce any external mechanical output.",
"In contrast, the inner leakage losses are short-circuit losses at the control, which are directed immediately into the return flow pipe without producing any work.",
"If a conventional stroke displacement motor is used as a flowmeter, the output pressure, corresponding to the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor, is only slightly below the input pressure.",
"In this way the inner leakage losses are also rendered insignificantly small.",
"However, the outer leakage currents, which enter the leakage oil chamber of the motor between piston and cylinder as well as from the control unit, cannot be ignored.",
"In the case of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention, the outer leakage losses can also be reduced to a harmless level similar to that of the aforementioned inner leakages, if the leakage oil chamber (=drive unit chamber) is connected to the motor outlet so that the pressure gradient of the outer leakage current is also within the range of the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor.",
"The leakage losses resulting from this arrangement are similarly insignificantly small.",
"Further technical advantages of the invention are an excellent reproducible measuring precision (measuring error<0.1%), a very large measuring range (approx.",
"1:1000) as well as a very large pressure range (up to around 1000 bar).",
"As a result of the extremely small pressure differences between inlet and outlet of the hydraulic motor, the strain on all parts of the drive is extremely low, which is advantageous for the is also within the range of the hydro-mechanical losses of the motor.",
"The leakage losses resulting from this arrangement are similarly insignificantly small.",
"Further technical advantages of the invention are an excellent reproducible measuring precision (measuring error<0.1%), a very large measuring range (approx.",
"1:1000) as well as a very large pressure range (up to around 1000 bar).",
"As a result of the extremely small pressure differences between inlet and outlet of the hydraulic motor, the strain on all parts of the drive is extremely low, which is advantageous for the service life (little friction) in particular in the case of high pressures and speeds.",
"Apart from the technical advantages, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention has the great advantage that conventional motors produced in series need only be modified in order to accommodate it.",
"The essential component parts can be taken from series production, so that an economic manufacture of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention is possible.",
"In accordance with a further suggestion the flowmeter according to the invention can be designed in such a way that the outlet of the hydraulic motor through the drive unit chamber is lead outward.",
"This embodiment especially with high pressures and high volumetric flows is advantageous in order to perfectly carry away by means of fluid flowing through the amount of heat resulting from the loss of torque and heating the amount of fluid contained in the drive unit chamber.",
"In accordance with a further suggestion, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention can be designed in such a way that the hydraulic motor is an axial or radial piston motor.",
"Axial or radial piston motors allow particularly compact designs, whereby the most widely known embodiments are slide valve-controlled machines.",
"The slide valve control is either installed in the rotating cylinder block (axial piston motor) or is performed with rotary slide valves or eccentrically driven longitudinal sliding valves (radial piston motor).",
"The radial piston motor allows for a large number of pistons arranged in a star-shaped manner around the crankshaft, which makes possible a very small current pulsation (0.1% with a 21 piston motor).",
"Since in addition to this most radial piston motors are in any case designed with thick-walled, pressure-resistant casings, this structure is particularly appropriate for the flowmeter in accordance with the invention.",
"As a result of the extremely small mass inertia moments, these motors are also appropriate for control-specific applications.",
"Depending on the medium to be measured, the pressure, the temperature and the desired output signal, transmission of the measurement of the angle of rotation can be performed either without a packing via a permanent magnet coupling, or by means of a Hall-effect sensor.",
"If direct coupling of the measuring shaft to a mechanical measuring transducer is desired, it is expedient to seal the measuring shaft with a slide ring seal, which seals in a practically leak-free manner even under high pressures and slide speeds.",
"The axial forces thus produced can be absorbed by crankshaft bearings of suitable dimensions.",
"In accordance with a further suggestion, the flowmeter in accordance with the invention can be designed in such a way that the hydraulic motor is part of an electro-hydraulic amplifier, whereby the measuring shaft of the hydraulic motor is mechanically coupled to a known copying control valve which is connected to an electric control motor, and that the hydraulic motor carries out the continual measurement of the actual value of a volumetric flow to be measured and regulated by the electro-hydraulic amplifier.",
"The electro-hydraulic amplifier, which consists of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention, a known copying control valve and a control motor, performs the task of measuring and regulating a pre-specifiable volumetric flow.",
"The control motor is set to a pre-selectable rotating movement (=target value) which, with the aid of the copying control valve, which corrects any non-synchronous movement between the control system and the flowmeter by means of a control sliding valve which reduces the volumetric flow, is reproduced in a rotating output movement of the flowmeter (=actual value) in a manner true to the angle of rotation and whereby the absorption current of the hydraulic motor (=measured volumetric flow) is in direct relation to the rotating movement caused by the hydraulic motor.",
"Thus, the flowmeter is not only responsible for the continual measurement of the actual value, but also for the dynamic correction of the hydro-mechanical control loop integrated in the copying control valve, in that in the case of a discrepancy between target value and actual value the measuring shaft adjusts the actual value to match the target value via a spindle-nut connection by means of mechanical adjustment of the control sliding valve located in the copying control valve.",
"In contrast to electric actual value pickups, measuring of the actual value, the actual/target value comparison and the adjustment to match the target value occur simultaneously, so that the control oscillation usual with electric control loops which leads to momentary excessive or insufficient loading of the volumetric flow in the case of pressure or load fluctuations in the system does not occur.",
"In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be designed in such a way that the casings of the hydraulic motor and the copying control valve are connected with one another in a sealed manner and that the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor is connected with the leakage oil chamber of the copying control valve for the purpose of reducing leakage.",
"In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be designed in such a way that the casings of the copying control valve and the control motor are connected with one another in a sealed manner and that the inner chamber of the control motor is connected to the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor.",
"In contrast to known devices, the embodiments in accordance with the two previous proposals do not make use of the usual packing for the measuring shaft or, if appropriate depending on the nature of the control motor, the packing for the control motor shaft.",
"Because of the low pressure differences between inflow and outflow, inner leakage is in this case negligible, since the leakage oil chambers of the hydraulic motor and the copying control valve have an almost equal fluid pressure.",
"If the inner chamber of the control motor is also connected with the drive unit chamber of the hydraulic motor, the above applies by analogy.",
"In accordance with a further proposal of the invention, the flowmeter can be used in an electro-hydraulic amplifier for the measurement and regulation of a pre-specifiable volumetric flow used to drive dosing pumps in multi-component dosing of fluid reaction components in a mixing chamber.",
"Application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention within an electro-hydraulic amplifier in multi-component dosing of fluid reaction components not only avoids the system-inherent disadvantages of the linear amplifier, which is also used for dosing purposes, but also entails additional functional advantages for this field of application: As a result of the substantially smaller moving masses of the rotating stroke piston motor in comparison with the linear hydraulic motor, the control rate of the above proposed embodiment is correspondingly larger than that of the electro-hydraulic linear amplifier.",
"Furthermore, the embodiment in accordance with the invention has clear advantages in the case of bellows and other membrane dosing pumps which do not require a constant feed rate of the displacement element, but rather a constant volumetric flow.",
"Since, unlike the linear amplifier, the electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention does not require a return piston stroke, it is possible to dose continuously.",
"A further advantage consists in the fact that with single stroke dosing pumps a greater return stroke rate can be achieved, because the return stroke of the single stroke dosing pumps can be replaced by a more rapid drive.",
"The linear amplifier, on the other hand, can only perform equal piston rates in both directions, whereby the permissible piston rate is limited by the thread pitch of a second spindle nut connection which converts the rotating movement of the measuring shaft into a translatory movement of the linear motor.",
"If a fine thread is selected which allows a high degree of positioning accuracy, the piston rate is correspondingly low, if a larger thread is selected to allow greater piston rates, the accuracy of positioning is limited.",
"The rotating stroke piston motor does not require this kind of spindle nut connection because it copies the rotary pre-specified movement of the control motor in the form of a likewise rotary output movement of the stroke piston motor.",
"Consequently, it can always, even with the greatest piston rates, be set to high degrees of positioning accuracy.",
"In the following part of the description, a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention as well as a practical embodiment and a practical application of an electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention are illustrated with the aid of drawings and are described in further detail.",
"FIG. 1 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention.",
"FIG. 2 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention inside an electro-hydraulic amplifier.",
"FIG. 3 shows a practical application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention inside an electro-hydraulic amplifier in the two-component-dosing field of application.",
"FIG. 1 shows a practical embodiment of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention with an axial piston motor 1 located in a pressure-resistant casing 2.",
"In order to achieve a volumetric flow as free from pulsations as possible, at least nine pistons 3 are necessary which run in a cylinder drum 4.",
"The pistons 3 are supported on a slanting surface 5 installed in the casing 2.",
"The forces of all cylinder chambers 7 connected to an inlet 6 which act vertically to the axis of the pistons 3 produce a torque on the cylinder drum 4, which is always only equal to the loss torque caused by the hydro-mechanical losses.",
"The power loss resulting from the torque loss is converted to heat in the hydraulic motor 1.",
"Consequently, provision must be made for efficient removal of the heat with the pressure fluid.",
"This is achieved by the fact that the outlet 8 of the hydraulic motor 1 is conducted through the drive unit chamber 9 to the outside.",
"A measuring shaft 10 connected to the cylinder drum 4 leads to the outside in this practical embodiment and is sealed against the casing 2 with a slide ring seal (not illustrated).",
"FIG. 2 shows a practical embodiment in accordance with the invention as a component part of an electro-hydraulic amplifier.",
"The flowmeter shown in FIG. 1 is here connected in a sealed manner with a copying control valve 11, whereby the measuring shaft 10 is designed as a spindle nut 12 which acts in conjunction with the spindle 13.",
"The spindle 13 is firmly connected with the control gate valve 14 of the copying control valve 1 as well as with a control motor 16 via an axial compensating coupling 15.",
"If the control motor 16 produces a pre-specified rate of rotation corresponding to a certain volumetric flow, the spindle 13 is screwed out of the spindle nut 12 when the control motor 16 starts up, causing an axial displacement of the control gate valve 14, which thereupon opens the inlet 6 to the hydraulic motor 1.",
"The volumetric flow thus released drives the hydraulic motor for as long as is necessary until the rate of rotation of the hydraulic motor 1 matches the rate of rotation of the control motor 16.",
"If the rate of rotation of the hydraulic motor 1 exceeds the pre-specified rate of rotation of the control motor 16, the control gate valve 14 of the copying control valve 11 is screwed back into the middle position and thus blocks the inlet 6 to the cylinder chambers 7 until the control motor 16 and the cylinder drum 4 again rotate at the same rate of rotation.",
"The volumetric flow entering at inlet 6 can thus be exactly measured and controlled in magnitude by means of a pre-specified rate of rotation of the control motor 16, which corresponds to a defined volumetric flow.",
"FIG. 3 shows a practical application of the flowmeter in accordance with the invention in an electro-hydraulic amplifier in the two-component dosing field of application, whereby the electro-hydraulic amplifier serves the purpose of measuring and regulating a pre-specifiable volumetric flow for the hydraulic individual drive for bellows-type dosing pumps for the two-component dosing of fluid reaction components in a mixing chamber.",
"As this type of bellows dosing pump allows very large stroke volumes (50 liters and above) with small frame size and complete freedom from leakages, the electro-hydraulic amplifier with the flowmeter in accordance with the invention is in this case particularly appropriate for the exact measurement and regulation of the volumetric flow.",
"The volume throughput of the volumetric flow (=dosing amount of the reaction component) can be digitally pre-set before the dosing stroke with a very high degree of precision by means of a pulse counter device (not illustrated) integrated in the control frequency generator 17.",
"The required volumetric dose ratio of the two reaction components located in the dosing cylinders 18, 19 respectively is digitally determined in the control frequency generator 17 by two pre-specified control frequencies F1 and F2.",
"These two frequencies are allocated via amplifiers (not illustrated) to two stepping motors 20, 21 which convert each of them via two copying control valves 22, 23 and two axial piston motors 24, 25 in accordance with the invention without slip into an individually measured and controlled volumetric flow.",
"The two electro-hydraulic amplifiers, consisting of the axial piston motors 24, 25 in accordance with the invention, the copying control valves 22, 23 and the stepping motors 20, 21 operate without control oscillations and are largely independent of counterpressure in their field of operations.",
"After the dosing stroke is completed, the two stepping motors 20, 21 and the axial piston motors 24, 25 connected to them are stopped.",
"Simultaneously, two 4/3 way valves 26, 27 switch via their zero setting to their return stroke setting.",
"At this, the reaction components which are under inlet pressure and which are respectively located in the two dosing cylinders 18, 19 underneath the respective bellows 28, 29 force the bellows 28, 29 back to their starting position, whereby the hydraulic fluid, which is above the bellows 28, 29, flows back into a tank 30 belonging to a hydraulic aggregate 31 via the two 4/3 way valves 26, 27.",
"In order to prevent the bellows 28, 29 from running out over their permissible stroke length, a stroke-end shutoff is necessary, which can be provided e.g. with two displacement pickups 32, 33.",
"In addition, the two displacement pickups 32, 33 fulfill the task of additional monitoring of the dosing system.",
"An evaluating electronic device 34 constantly compares the values provided by the two displacement pickups 32, 33 with the pre-selected number of pulses from the control frequency generator 17 and switches the device off when a defined differential value is exceeded because of the presence of a technical fault."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886171, filed Oct. 3, 2013, as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/468,781, filed Oct. 3, 2013, the entire disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference herein. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/779,420, filed Mar. 13, 2013 as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/448,541, filed Mar. 13, 2013, the entire disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to medical instrumentation and in particular in improvements in medical instrumentation and techniques to allow physicians and other medical personnel access to a patient's external jugular vein.
BACKGROUND
It is a common medical procedure for medical practitioners to need to have access to the external jugular vein located on either side of a person's neck to allow access for an IV catheter or other cannula to allow for the flow of medicines and other liquids into the patient's bloodstream.
In patients with difficult peripheral venous access, the external jugular vein is a common secondary site for attempted intravenous cannulation. Unlike other superficial veins, due to the anatomy of the neck, there is no available tourniquet to occlude the external jugular vein without disrupting breathing or blood flow.
At the present time and depending, at least in part, on the physiology of a particular patient, the external jugular vein may or may not be prominent and the insertion of an IV may be difficult to perform in normal circumstances. The inability to be able to isolate the external jugular vein (EJ) may result in the delay in medical treatments and even death if the physician is not able to obtain access.
One of the present procedures which is utilized in the medical profession to enlarge the EJ is the Trendelenburg procedure. This procedure involves elevating the patient on the operating or other table to a position in which the head is down and the feet of the patient lie higher than the head. This inclination tends to induce a blood flow into the head and thus, hopefully, make the EJ more visible so that an IV may be introduced. The problem with this procedure is that one has to be concerned, particularly with overweight patients, that the patient will slip off the now inclined operating table. It also has a disadvantage that the procedure must be set up and the patient secured on the operating table and then the operating table inclined, thus causing a unnecessary extension of the time in which a procedure will be required to be performed. It also makes the patient uncomfortable in that the patient's head is in a down position and blood rushes towards the head.
Therefore, there is a need for a simple, cheap, solution that provides the results of the Trendelemburg procedure yet does so without discomfort or danger to the patient, and is done with an apparatus that is cheap, simple and disposable in a procedure which is straightforward.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In one aspect, a device for engaging the external jugular vein of a living body comprises a wishbone shaped frame, the frame having a closed end and an open end.
The open end has two legs, each leg being connected to the closed end and each having an end surface located distally of the closed end, and each end surface is constructed and arranged to face the other end surface on the opposite leg. The end surfaces are separated by a distance less than the thickness of the neck of the living body. When the device is placed in contact with the living body, one or more of the end surfaces engages and causes a distention of at least one external jugular vein.
In another aspect, the device is constructed from a substantially resilient material to allow the one or more end surfaces to press against one or more jugular veins. The closed end and the open ends are non-coplanar and are angularly offset and the angular offset ranges from about 12 degrees to about 50 degrees.
In yet another aspect, the end surfaces comprise generally flat surfaces, and the generally flat surfaces face each other. Each flat surface has an end portion and the distance between the end portions most distal from the closed end is greater than the distance between the end portion less distal from the closed end. The distances may range from about 50 mm to about 82.5 mm.
In a further aspect, a handle is operatively associated with the closed end.
In another aspect, a method of providing access to the external jugular vein of a living human patient includes providing a device constructed as discussed above; then approaching the neck of the patient with the device through the open end of the device; then engaging the neck of the patient with the device until the external jugular vein becomes distended. By this method the external jugular vein thus distended is accessed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following brief description of the drawings and a detailed description illustrating that which is shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device of the present invention taken from one perspective.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the device taken from the opposite of the FIG. 1 perspective.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and bottom views of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are first and second side views of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the application of the device of the present invention to a patient's neck area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention 110 as shown in FIG. 1 is effectively an EJ tourniquet which, as shown in FIG. 1 , has an offset wishbone-like appearance. The two end portions 112 , 114 of the wishbone, located distally of the portion of the tourniquet of handle 128 (see FIG. 2 ) are sized and shaped such that they engage the patient's neck, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to cause a distention of the EJ vein so that IV access is made simply and effectively.
While the shape of the EJ in related applications 61/779,420 and 29/448,541 is more or less planar, that is, the handle 28 shown in FIG. 2 of such disclosure is more or less co-planar with the two end portions 12 , 14 of FIG. 1 of such disclosure, in the present application the respective handle and end portions are not substantially coplanar but rather are offset from one another for handling purposes and to be able to better bring contact to bear on a patient's neck.
As shown in drawing FIGS. 1-6 , the EJ tourniquet is a simple device which can be placed on the patient's neck area to cause a bulging of the EJ veins. This is accomplished by having the minimum distance between the ends of the wishbone be less than the width of a patient's neck. Thus, to accommodate different patients' neck sizes and the physiology of the patient, the EJ wishbone may be made in different widths and lengths to accommodate the very differing thicknesses of human anatomy necks. In its simplest form, the EJ tourniquet is comprised of a single piece of resilient material such as plastic, by way of example only, that is placed on the patient's neck area. It is also envisioned that the EJ tourniquet, instead of being made of plastic or other resilient material such as stainless steel, may be made of a material which is sterilizable, and thus allow for multiple uses of the device.
As can be seen best in FIG. 2 , there are two flat surfaces 116 and 118 facing one another and inclined in a manner such that the distance between the flats decreases towards the point of joinder 120 . This inclination allows the physician to slide the EJ tourniquet in direction 122 relative to the patient's neck and adjust its position on the patient's neck so that a desired degree of pressure is placed on the patient's neck. Thus, these flat surfaces 116 and 118 engage the EJ in a secure manner and are sufficient width and size to cause distension of the EJ. In addition, the flat inclined surface are not planar with one another, but rather angled with respect to one another, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 . The angular offsets 150 and 152 may range from 12 degrees to 50 degrees. Although the flat surfaces are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be in the shape of linear flat surfaces, it is envisioned that any number of shapes may be incorporated in the end portions of the wishbone so as to adequately engage and distend the EJ vein. As shown in FIG. 2 , the distance 126 at the most distal portion of the flat surfaces is greater than the distance less distal from the point of joinder 120 . This arrangement has the benefit that a wide range of neck widths may be accommodated, so that at some point along surfaces 116 and 118 the neck of the patient will be engaged sufficiently so as to cause the EJ to become prominent. In particular, it has been found that the distances 124 and 126 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) between the flat surfaces on either side of the wishbone may range from about 50 mm to about 82.5 mm, as it is desirable to have a separation that provides sufficient pressure on the patient's neck without in fact causing a lessening of or complete cut off of flow of blood. However, any suitable distance range may be used, so long as such distance range is sufficient to adequately engage a patient's neck. In fact, just as persons have widely varying neck sizes, different size EJ tourniquets may also be envisioned. In addition, wherein the EJ tourniquet illustrated and described in Application No. 61/779,420 is shown as substantially planar, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 herein the edge portions 130 are raised in a rib-like fashion to impart strength to the structure of the EJ tourniquet.
A handle 128 as shown in FIG. 2 is located at the closed end of the wishbone and enables the physician or other operator to position the EJ tourniquet onto a patient's neck. While shown in FIG. 2 as being circular with a depression, it is understood that a handle or grab of any size may be incorporated.
In operation, the patient may be either seated or lying in a flat or almost flat position. It has been found that the seated position is preferably used. This is especially important for elderly patients who may be more comfortable in a sitting position rather than in a flat, reclined position. In the seated position, it has been found that blood tends to collect in the vicinity of the point of contact of the EJ tourniquet with the neck, thus causing an enlarging or distending of the EJ. The doctor or operator then places the EJ tourniquet on the patient's neck in the vicinity of where he or she sees the EJ or determines the EJ should be located if not visible. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the EJ tourniquet as placed onto a patient's neck. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9 , the flats 140 and 142 of the device 144 are illustrated as being in place near the EJ veins 146 and 148 . Also, as best illustrated in FIG. 8 , preferably the EJ tourniquet is oriented such that the EJ tourniquet is in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8 , but this may be varied or reversed in accordance with the wishes of the physician or as dictated by the neck structure of the patient. The correct position of the EJ tourniquet on the patient's neck makes the EJ vein stand out and thus eases the ability to introduce an IV into the patient's vein. Since patients' body physiologies and the location of the EJ vary, the doctor or operator can easily move the EJ tourniquet up, down, towards, and away from the patient's neck until the external jugular vein is located. The EJ Tourniquet may be used in a variety of medical procedures. For example, it may be used in conjunction with ultrasound procedures. If, for example, the physician cannot find a suitable vein in the patient's arm for IV cannulation, the physician can use the EJ tourniquet to cause swelling or distention, apply ultrasound, then cannulate with a needle.
Thus, we have provided an external jugular tourniquet which is simple in structure and in operation, is inexpensive to make, may be disposable, and is sized to occlude the bilateral external jugular vein in a manner that is safe and comfortable for the patient without interrupting breathing or blood flow. | A device for locating and distending the external jugular vein is provided by a wish-bone shaped apparatus designed to engage the neck of a patent and apply sufficient pressure on the neck that the external jugular vein becomes distended due to pressure placed on the patient's neck. The device includes two distally placed flat portions that resiliently engage the patient's neck without causing choking or hindrance in breathing. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the invention. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/886171, filed Oct. 3, 2013, as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/468,781, filed Oct. 3, 2013, the entire disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.",
"This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/779,420, filed Mar. 13, 2013 as well as U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/448,541, filed Mar. 13, 2013, the entire disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to medical instrumentation and in particular in improvements in medical instrumentation and techniques to allow physicians and other medical personnel access to a patient's external jugular vein.",
"BACKGROUND It is a common medical procedure for medical practitioners to need to have access to the external jugular vein located on either side of a person's neck to allow access for an IV catheter or other cannula to allow for the flow of medicines and other liquids into the patient's bloodstream.",
"In patients with difficult peripheral venous access, the external jugular vein is a common secondary site for attempted intravenous cannulation.",
"Unlike other superficial veins, due to the anatomy of the neck, there is no available tourniquet to occlude the external jugular vein without disrupting breathing or blood flow.",
"At the present time and depending, at least in part, on the physiology of a particular patient, the external jugular vein may or may not be prominent and the insertion of an IV may be difficult to perform in normal circumstances.",
"The inability to be able to isolate the external jugular vein (EJ) may result in the delay in medical treatments and even death if the physician is not able to obtain access.",
"One of the present procedures which is utilized in the medical profession to enlarge the EJ is the Trendelenburg procedure.",
"This procedure involves elevating the patient on the operating or other table to a position in which the head is down and the feet of the patient lie higher than the head.",
"This inclination tends to induce a blood flow into the head and thus, hopefully, make the EJ more visible so that an IV may be introduced.",
"The problem with this procedure is that one has to be concerned, particularly with overweight patients, that the patient will slip off the now inclined operating table.",
"It also has a disadvantage that the procedure must be set up and the patient secured on the operating table and then the operating table inclined, thus causing a unnecessary extension of the time in which a procedure will be required to be performed.",
"It also makes the patient uncomfortable in that the patient's head is in a down position and blood rushes towards the head.",
"Therefore, there is a need for a simple, cheap, solution that provides the results of the Trendelemburg procedure yet does so without discomfort or danger to the patient, and is done with an apparatus that is cheap, simple and disposable in a procedure which is straightforward.",
"SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In one aspect, a device for engaging the external jugular vein of a living body comprises a wishbone shaped frame, the frame having a closed end and an open end.",
"The open end has two legs, each leg being connected to the closed end and each having an end surface located distally of the closed end, and each end surface is constructed and arranged to face the other end surface on the opposite leg.",
"The end surfaces are separated by a distance less than the thickness of the neck of the living body.",
"When the device is placed in contact with the living body, one or more of the end surfaces engages and causes a distention of at least one external jugular vein.",
"In another aspect, the device is constructed from a substantially resilient material to allow the one or more end surfaces to press against one or more jugular veins.",
"The closed end and the open ends are non-coplanar and are angularly offset and the angular offset ranges from about 12 degrees to about 50 degrees.",
"In yet another aspect, the end surfaces comprise generally flat surfaces, and the generally flat surfaces face each other.",
"Each flat surface has an end portion and the distance between the end portions most distal from the closed end is greater than the distance between the end portion less distal from the closed end.",
"The distances may range from about 50 mm to about 82.5 mm.",
"In a further aspect, a handle is operatively associated with the closed end.",
"In another aspect, a method of providing access to the external jugular vein of a living human patient includes providing a device constructed as discussed above;",
"then approaching the neck of the patient with the device through the open end of the device;",
"then engaging the neck of the patient with the device until the external jugular vein becomes distended.",
"By this method the external jugular vein thus distended is accessed.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following brief description of the drawings and a detailed description illustrating that which is shown in the drawings.",
"FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device of the present invention taken from one perspective.",
"FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the device taken from the opposite of the FIG. 1 perspective.",
"FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention.",
"FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and bottom views of the device of the present invention.",
"FIGS. 6 and 7 are first and second side views of the device of the present invention.",
"FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the application of the device of the present invention to a patient's neck area.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention 110 as shown in FIG. 1 is effectively an EJ tourniquet which, as shown in FIG. 1 , has an offset wishbone-like appearance.",
"The two end portions 112 , 114 of the wishbone, located distally of the portion of the tourniquet of handle 128 (see FIG. 2 ) are sized and shaped such that they engage the patient's neck, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to cause a distention of the EJ vein so that IV access is made simply and effectively.",
"While the shape of the EJ in related applications 61/779,420 and 29/448,541 is more or less planar, that is, the handle 28 shown in FIG. 2 of such disclosure is more or less co-planar with the two end portions 12 , 14 of FIG. 1 of such disclosure, in the present application the respective handle and end portions are not substantially coplanar but rather are offset from one another for handling purposes and to be able to better bring contact to bear on a patient's neck.",
"As shown in drawing FIGS. 1-6 , the EJ tourniquet is a simple device which can be placed on the patient's neck area to cause a bulging of the EJ veins.",
"This is accomplished by having the minimum distance between the ends of the wishbone be less than the width of a patient's neck.",
"Thus, to accommodate different patients'",
"neck sizes and the physiology of the patient, the EJ wishbone may be made in different widths and lengths to accommodate the very differing thicknesses of human anatomy necks.",
"In its simplest form, the EJ tourniquet is comprised of a single piece of resilient material such as plastic, by way of example only, that is placed on the patient's neck area.",
"It is also envisioned that the EJ tourniquet, instead of being made of plastic or other resilient material such as stainless steel, may be made of a material which is sterilizable, and thus allow for multiple uses of the device.",
"As can be seen best in FIG. 2 , there are two flat surfaces 116 and 118 facing one another and inclined in a manner such that the distance between the flats decreases towards the point of joinder 120 .",
"This inclination allows the physician to slide the EJ tourniquet in direction 122 relative to the patient's neck and adjust its position on the patient's neck so that a desired degree of pressure is placed on the patient's neck.",
"Thus, these flat surfaces 116 and 118 engage the EJ in a secure manner and are sufficient width and size to cause distension of the EJ.",
"In addition, the flat inclined surface are not planar with one another, but rather angled with respect to one another, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .",
"The angular offsets 150 and 152 may range from 12 degrees to 50 degrees.",
"Although the flat surfaces are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be in the shape of linear flat surfaces, it is envisioned that any number of shapes may be incorporated in the end portions of the wishbone so as to adequately engage and distend the EJ vein.",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , the distance 126 at the most distal portion of the flat surfaces is greater than the distance less distal from the point of joinder 120 .",
"This arrangement has the benefit that a wide range of neck widths may be accommodated, so that at some point along surfaces 116 and 118 the neck of the patient will be engaged sufficiently so as to cause the EJ to become prominent.",
"In particular, it has been found that the distances 124 and 126 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) between the flat surfaces on either side of the wishbone may range from about 50 mm to about 82.5 mm, as it is desirable to have a separation that provides sufficient pressure on the patient's neck without in fact causing a lessening of or complete cut off of flow of blood.",
"However, any suitable distance range may be used, so long as such distance range is sufficient to adequately engage a patient's neck.",
"In fact, just as persons have widely varying neck sizes, different size EJ tourniquets may also be envisioned.",
"In addition, wherein the EJ tourniquet illustrated and described in Application No. 61/779,420 is shown as substantially planar, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 herein the edge portions 130 are raised in a rib-like fashion to impart strength to the structure of the EJ tourniquet.",
"A handle 128 as shown in FIG. 2 is located at the closed end of the wishbone and enables the physician or other operator to position the EJ tourniquet onto a patient's neck.",
"While shown in FIG. 2 as being circular with a depression, it is understood that a handle or grab of any size may be incorporated.",
"In operation, the patient may be either seated or lying in a flat or almost flat position.",
"It has been found that the seated position is preferably used.",
"This is especially important for elderly patients who may be more comfortable in a sitting position rather than in a flat, reclined position.",
"In the seated position, it has been found that blood tends to collect in the vicinity of the point of contact of the EJ tourniquet with the neck, thus causing an enlarging or distending of the EJ.",
"The doctor or operator then places the EJ tourniquet on the patient's neck in the vicinity of where he or she sees the EJ or determines the EJ should be located if not visible.",
"FIGS. 8 and 9 show the EJ tourniquet as placed onto a patient's neck.",
"In particular, as shown in FIG. 9 , the flats 140 and 142 of the device 144 are illustrated as being in place near the EJ veins 146 and 148 .",
"Also, as best illustrated in FIG. 8 , preferably the EJ tourniquet is oriented such that the EJ tourniquet is in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 8 , but this may be varied or reversed in accordance with the wishes of the physician or as dictated by the neck structure of the patient.",
"The correct position of the EJ tourniquet on the patient's neck makes the EJ vein stand out and thus eases the ability to introduce an IV into the patient's vein.",
"Since patients'",
"body physiologies and the location of the EJ vary, the doctor or operator can easily move the EJ tourniquet up, down, towards, and away from the patient's neck until the external jugular vein is located.",
"The EJ Tourniquet may be used in a variety of medical procedures.",
"For example, it may be used in conjunction with ultrasound procedures.",
"If, for example, the physician cannot find a suitable vein in the patient's arm for IV cannulation, the physician can use the EJ tourniquet to cause swelling or distention, apply ultrasound, then cannulate with a needle.",
"Thus, we have provided an external jugular tourniquet which is simple in structure and in operation, is inexpensive to make, may be disposable, and is sized to occlude the bilateral external jugular vein in a manner that is safe and comfortable for the patient without interrupting breathing or blood flow."
] |
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a firearm stabilization apparatus. The present disclosure further relates to a firearm stabilization apparatus which allows a user to properly seat the firearm in their shoulder pocket while wearing body armor. In one embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus is reversibly attached to a body minor. In an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus is integrated into the left or right shoulder regions of the body armor.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Body armor (also known as a bullet proof vest) is protective gear designed to stop projectiles including bullets and shrapnel. Body armor is used by police, military personnel and private security services. Generally there are two distinct groups of body armors, that used by police officers and that used by the military or other high risk groups, such as the Secret Service.
[0003] Among the first group, there are different types of body armor characterized by increasing protection power. Generally, Type I body armor protects against .22 long rifle lead round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 320 m/s or less. Type II body armor protects against 9 mm full metal jacketed round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 332 m/s or less. Type III body armor protects against 9 mm full metal jacketed round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s or less. Finally, Type IV body armor protects against .30 caliber armor piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. military designation M2 AP), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 869 m/s (2850 ft/s) or less. It also provides at least single-hit protection against the Type I through III threats. Type I-IV armors are often soft armors.
[0004] Body armors for high risk groups (military personnel for example) are, at the moment, not soft armors. One example of body armor used by the Army is the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) 34 which replaced the older Interceptor body armor. The IOTV, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes a front protector 42 , a back protector 44 and may optionally include neck protectors 40 and/or side protectors 46 . A solder may don the IOTV in two ways. The first is to simply place the IOTV over the head and pull down, and the second is to remove fasteners on the soldier's left shoulder, sliding into the vest to the right. To complete the procedure for both methods, the soldier then lifts up the front panel of the vest and fastens a waistband, which takes the weight of the IOTV off the shoulders somewhat, and then fastens the side protection modules. A key design feature for the IOTV is that the entire system is able to be released with the pull of a hidden lanyard. The armor then falls apart into its component pieces, providing a means for escape in case the soldier falls into water or becomes trapped in a hazardous environment. The hidden release lanyard also allows medical personnel easier access to an injured soldier, which was one concern that was not addressed with the old Interceptor armor.
[0005] The IOTV is designed to take the weight of the vest off the shoulders and move it to the lower torso. The IOTV may also be equipped with a mesh inner cover that is designed to improve airflow inside of the armor. There is also a back pad in the lower back area of the vest, which is designed to defeat fragmentation impacts to the lower back/kidney areas. The IOTV can withstand a direct impact from a 7.62 millimeter (both NATO and ex-Soviet types) on the front or rear trauma plates. The IOTV provides, without the ballistic ceramic plates inserted, protection from small caliber rounds (i.e. 9 mm) and fragmentation, much the same as the fragmentation vest or “flak jacket” used since the Vietnam Conflict.
[0006] One shortcoming of the IOTV, and most other body armors, is the inability to correctly position and stabilize a firearm. Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the right and left shoulder regions 36 , 38 and bulky and cumbersome. The Army Field Manual teaches that soldiers should position the butt of their firearm (such as an M16 or M4) in the crease between their shoulder and chest (the so called “pocket”). Further, military patrols are taught to maintain their firearms in the firing position for quick and responsive firing on patrol. The present invention provides a firearm stabilization pad that allows the user to seat the firearm in the shoulder pocket correctly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] To further advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a prior art IOTV.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the various components of one embodiment of a prior art IOTV.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the front portion of the firearm stabilization apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the back portion of the firearm stabilization apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a fully assembled firearm stabilization apparatus.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the firearm stabilization apparatus receiving the butt end of a firearm.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure provides, in one embodiment, a firearm stabilization apparatus reversibly attachable to an Improved Outer Tactical Vest, said apparatus including a (i) front portion which further includes a curved medial side, a lateral side, a top portion, a bottom portion, a front panel, a horizontal stabilization brace located proximal to the lateral side, the horizontal stabilization brace comprising a polymer and having a height of approximately 0.25 inch as measured from the front panel, and a vertical stabilization brace both being located proximal to the bottom portion the vertical stabilization brace comprising a polymer and having a height of approximately 0.25 inch as measured from the front panel; (ii) a back portion also including a curved medial side, a lateral side, a top portion, a bottom portion and a shoulder strap passage approximately 0.75 inches square; (iii) at least one hook-and-loop style connector connecting the front portion to the back portion; and (iv) wherein said firearm stabilization apparatus includes a nylon-cotton fabric comprising the Army Combat Uniform camouflage pattern.
[0015] In an alternate embodiment, the present disclosure provides a firearm stabilization apparatus including: a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel, a means for stabilizing the firearm in the vertical axis and a means for stabilizing the firearm in the horizontal axis. In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides firearm stabilization apparatus comprising a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel and a stabilizing element.
[0016] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of positioning a shoulder fired firearm, the firearm comprising a butt end, said method comprising the steps of (i) attaching a firearm stabilization apparatus to a body armor where the firearm stabilization apparatus further comprises a horizontal stabilization brace and a vertical stabilization brace; (ii) donning the body armor; and (iii) resting the butt end of the firearm against the firearm stabilization apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present disclosure provides a firearm stabilization apparatus 2 which allows a user wearing body armor to position and stabilize a firearm in the proper position (i.e., the shoulder pocket) for accurate firing.
[0018] In one embodiment the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 includes a front portion 4 , a back portion 22 and at least one connector 20 and reversibly attaches to a body armor.
[0019] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6 , the front portion 4 is a quadrilateral and includes a curved medial side 6 , a lateral side 8 , an upper portion 10 , a lower portion 12 and a front panel 14 . In one embodiment, the upper portion 10 also includes a medial and a lateral segment where the lateral segment intersects with the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 in a nearly perpendicular manner forming a right angle. In a further embodiment, the lower portion 12 likewise comprises a medial and a lateral segment where the lateral segment of the lower portion 12 intersects the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 to form an acute angle. The medial segments of the lower portion 12 and the upper portion 10 then intersect with the curved medial side 4 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 . Generally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the upper portion 10 will be shorter than the lower portion 12 thereby allowing the curved medial side 4 and lower portion to form an angle or point where they intersect and creating a curve towards the intersection of the upper portion 10 and the curved medial side 6 . In one embodiment the curve mimics or follows the curvature of the head/neck opening of body armor. In a further embodiment, the curve mimics or follows the curvature of the head/neck opening of the IOTV. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the lower portion 12 is a straight line from its intersection with the lateral side 6 and the curved medial side 4 . In other embodiments (not shown) the lower portion 12 may include one or more steps or angles in the space from its intersection with the lateral side 6 and the curved medial side 4 .
[0020] The front portion 4 also includes at least one stabilizing element on the front panel 14 which stabilizes the butt of a firearm in the vertical orientation, the horizontal orientation or both (as shown in FIG. 3 ). In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the stabilizing element on the front portion 4 includes a horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 . The horizontal stabilizing brace 16 serves to prevent the butt of a firearm from moving in the vertical axis while the vertical stabilizing brace 18 serves to prevent the butt of the firearm from moving along the horizontal axis. In other embodiments, the front portion 4 may only include a horizontal stabilizing brace 16 or a vertical stabilizing brace 14 . In further embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and vertical stabilizing brace 14 are one contiguous piece of material that extends a distance along the lateral side 8 and the lower portion 12 . The stabilization element may generally be located closer to the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 than the curved medial side 6 to allow the user to place the firearm's butt in the user's shoulder pocket.
[0021] In one embodiment the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 are approximately 0.25 inches in height (i.e., the top of the braces is approximately 0.25 inches from the front portion 4 ), although other heights are acceptable and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 are different heights. In one preferred embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 includes two (2) different segments, a first longer second segment and a second, shorter segment. The first longer segment measures approximately 6.00 inches long, 0.50 inches in width and 0.75 inches in height. The second shorter segment measures approximately 0.50 inches in length, 0.50 inches in width and 0.50 inches in height. In this preferred embodiment, the vertical stabilization brace 14 also includes two (2) segments, a first connecting segment and a second angled segment. The first connecting segment connext to both the angled segment and the second shorter segment of the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and measures approximately 1.50 inches in length, 0.50 inches in height and 0.50 inches in width. The second angled segment intersects the first connecting piece to form an angle of approximately 40 degrees and measures approximately 1.25 inches long, 0.50 inches in height and 0.50 inches in width. In one embodiment the braces are made from rubber (natural or synthetic), although other materials known in the art are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure.
[0022] In one embodiment, the back portion 22 , as shown in FIG. 4 , is substantially a mirror image of the front portion 4 (without the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and vertical stabilizing brace 14 ) and has a curved medial side 24 , a lateral side 26 , an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30 . In one embodiment the back portion includes a shoulder strap passage 32 which allows the user to place the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 on body armor (as described in more detail below) and allows the body armor to be donned in a normal manner. In one embodiment the shoulder strap passage 32 is a square with sides that are approximately 0.75 inches in length, though other shaped and sized shoulder strap passage may be required for different body armor. In this embodiment the shoulder strap passage 32 receives the quick release shoulder straps of the IOTV. In the embodiment where the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to the IOTV, the shoulder strap passage 32 should be of sufficient size, whether it be a square or other shape, to allow the quick release shoulder straps of the IOTV to function properly. The quick release features of the IOTV are important in that they allow the user to get out of the IOTV quickly when needed such as when a military vehicle rolls over into water and helps medics to treat the injured or wounded quicker.
[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 includes a front portion 4 as described above and shown in FIG. 3 and a back panel 15 (not shown). In one further embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be reversibly attached to body minor through various means. In one further embodiment the back panel 15 and the body armor have corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners (or Velcro) whereby the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to body armor. In one embodiment the body armor is the IOTV. In yet an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is permanently attached to the body armor, preferably to the left, right or both shoulder regions. The permanent attachment could be by any method known in the art including sewing, gluing or both.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows the general assembly of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 which includes the front portion 4 and back portion 22 is shown using the connectors 20 . In one embodiment the connectors are hook-and-loop fasteners although other embodiments such as nylon webbing, cloth webbing, elastic webbing and other means known to those of skill in the art are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure.
[0025] To assemble this embodiment of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 , the back portion 22 and front portion 4 are placed around the shoulder strap 33 of the body protection 34 . The back portion 22 should be placed between the shoulder strap 33 and the user while the front portion 4 should be placed in an outward facing direction over the shoulder strap 33 with the stabilizing braces facing outward as well. Then the front portion 4 and rear portions 22 are joined together through the connectors (such as the hook and loop fasteners). In an alternate embodiment the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to the body protection 34 by simply sliding it over the shoulder strap 33 . In both of the prior embodiments the shoulder strap 33 will be passed through the shoulder strap passage 32 on the back portion 22 . The body protection 34 then may be worn in a normal manner.
[0026] The firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be constructed from any suitable material. In one embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is constructed from standard Army Combat Uniform Material (“ACU” material). In other embodiments the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is constructed from material similar to the pattern and material of the body armor on which it is placed. By way of non-limiting example, if the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is to be used with a black body armor, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be constructed from a black material.
[0027] In some embodiments, the front portion 4 may include a non-slip surface which further helps stabilize the firearm. The non-slip surface may include rubber (natural or synthetic) or siliconized compounds.
[0028] In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3-6 , the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is designed to be worn with the IOTV. In other embodiments, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be worn with the Marine Modern Tactical Vest (MTV), Improved Ballistic Armor (IBA) or soft armors constructed from Kevlar®, Kevlar 29®, Kevlar Protera® (all available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours), Spectra® fiber (available from Allied Signal), Gold Shield® (also available from Allied Signal), TWARON® (available from Akzo Nobel) or Dragon Skin® Armor from Pinnacle Armor. Of course, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may adapted for use with future body armors as well including without limitation the Soldier Plate Carrier® from KDH Defense Systems, the Rampage, the Coyote Chameleon® Tactical Vest from ArchAngel, Inc.
[0029] The dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to coincide with different sizes of body armor. Typically, body armor may come in a small, medium, large or extra-large size and the overall dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to provide the correct fit with a certain size of body armor. In one embodiment, to correctly fit and function with a size large IOTV, the lateral side 8 is approximately 9.00 inches in length, the upper portion 10 is approximately 3.00 inches in length and the lower portion 12 is approximately 6.00 inches in length. The dimensions of back portion 22 may substantially mirror the dimensions of the front portion 4 . In further embodiments, the dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to fit different types of body armor, by way of non-limiting example, a firearm stabilization apparatus 2 that fits a large size IOTV may be of different dimensions than one that fits a large size Marine MTV.
[0030] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here. | The present disclosure relates to firearms and more specifically an apparatus and method useful in positioning and stabilizing shoulder-fired firearms. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel and a stabilizing element. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is reversibly attached to a body armor. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the context. | [
"FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates to a firearm stabilization apparatus.",
"The present disclosure further relates to a firearm stabilization apparatus which allows a user to properly seat the firearm in their shoulder pocket while wearing body armor.",
"In one embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus is reversibly attached to a body minor.",
"In an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus is integrated into the left or right shoulder regions of the body armor.",
"BACKGROUND [0002] Body armor (also known as a bullet proof vest) is protective gear designed to stop projectiles including bullets and shrapnel.",
"Body armor is used by police, military personnel and private security services.",
"Generally there are two distinct groups of body armors, that used by police officers and that used by the military or other high risk groups, such as the Secret Service.",
"[0003] Among the first group, there are different types of body armor characterized by increasing protection power.",
"Generally, Type I body armor protects against [.",
"].22 long rifle lead round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 320 m/s or less.",
"Type II body armor protects against 9 mm full metal jacketed round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 332 m/s or less.",
"Type III body armor protects against 9 mm full metal jacketed round nose bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g, impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s or less.",
"Finally, Type IV body armor protects against [.",
"].30 caliber armor piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. military designation M2 AP), with nominal masses of 10.8 g (166 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 869 m/s (2850 ft/s) or less.",
"It also provides at least single-hit protection against the Type I through III threats.",
"Type I-IV armors are often soft armors.",
"[0004] Body armors for high risk groups (military personnel for example) are, at the moment, not soft armors.",
"One example of body armor used by the Army is the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) 34 which replaced the older Interceptor body armor.",
"The IOTV, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes a front protector 42 , a back protector 44 and may optionally include neck protectors 40 and/or side protectors 46 .",
"A solder may don the IOTV in two ways.",
"The first is to simply place the IOTV over the head and pull down, and the second is to remove fasteners on the soldier's left shoulder, sliding into the vest to the right.",
"To complete the procedure for both methods, the soldier then lifts up the front panel of the vest and fastens a waistband, which takes the weight of the IOTV off the shoulders somewhat, and then fastens the side protection modules.",
"A key design feature for the IOTV is that the entire system is able to be released with the pull of a hidden lanyard.",
"The armor then falls apart into its component pieces, providing a means for escape in case the soldier falls into water or becomes trapped in a hazardous environment.",
"The hidden release lanyard also allows medical personnel easier access to an injured soldier, which was one concern that was not addressed with the old Interceptor armor.",
"[0005] The IOTV is designed to take the weight of the vest off the shoulders and move it to the lower torso.",
"The IOTV may also be equipped with a mesh inner cover that is designed to improve airflow inside of the armor.",
"There is also a back pad in the lower back area of the vest, which is designed to defeat fragmentation impacts to the lower back/kidney areas.",
"The IOTV can withstand a direct impact from a 7.62 millimeter (both NATO and ex-Soviet types) on the front or rear trauma plates.",
"The IOTV provides, without the ballistic ceramic plates inserted, protection from small caliber rounds (i.e. 9 mm) and fragmentation, much the same as the fragmentation vest or “flak jacket”",
"used since the Vietnam Conflict.",
"[0006] One shortcoming of the IOTV, and most other body armors, is the inability to correctly position and stabilize a firearm.",
"Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the right and left shoulder regions 36 , 38 and bulky and cumbersome.",
"The Army Field Manual teaches that soldiers should position the butt of their firearm (such as an M16 or M4) in the crease between their shoulder and chest (the so called “pocket”).",
"Further, military patrols are taught to maintain their firearms in the firing position for quick and responsive firing on patrol.",
"The present invention provides a firearm stabilization pad that allows the user to seat the firearm in the shoulder pocket correctly.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] To further advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.",
"It is appreciated that these drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope.",
"The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0008] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a prior art IOTV.",
"[0009] FIG. 2 shows the various components of one embodiment of a prior art IOTV.",
"[0010] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the front portion of the firearm stabilization apparatus.",
"[0011] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the back portion of the firearm stabilization apparatus.",
"[0012] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a fully assembled firearm stabilization apparatus.",
"[0013] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the firearm stabilization apparatus receiving the butt end of a firearm.",
"SUMMARY [0014] The present disclosure provides, in one embodiment, a firearm stabilization apparatus reversibly attachable to an Improved Outer Tactical Vest, said apparatus including a (i) front portion which further includes a curved medial side, a lateral side, a top portion, a bottom portion, a front panel, a horizontal stabilization brace located proximal to the lateral side, the horizontal stabilization brace comprising a polymer and having a height of approximately 0.25 inch as measured from the front panel, and a vertical stabilization brace both being located proximal to the bottom portion the vertical stabilization brace comprising a polymer and having a height of approximately 0.25 inch as measured from the front panel;",
"(ii) a back portion also including a curved medial side, a lateral side, a top portion, a bottom portion and a shoulder strap passage approximately 0.75 inches square;",
"(iii) at least one hook-and-loop style connector connecting the front portion to the back portion;",
"and (iv) wherein said firearm stabilization apparatus includes a nylon-cotton fabric comprising the Army Combat Uniform camouflage pattern.",
"[0015] In an alternate embodiment, the present disclosure provides a firearm stabilization apparatus including: a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel, a means for stabilizing the firearm in the vertical axis and a means for stabilizing the firearm in the horizontal axis.",
"In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides firearm stabilization apparatus comprising a front portion, said front portion further comprising a curved medial side, a lateral side, a front panel and a stabilizing element.",
"[0016] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of positioning a shoulder fired firearm, the firearm comprising a butt end, said method comprising the steps of (i) attaching a firearm stabilization apparatus to a body armor where the firearm stabilization apparatus further comprises a horizontal stabilization brace and a vertical stabilization brace;",
"(ii) donning the body armor;",
"and (iii) resting the butt end of the firearm against the firearm stabilization apparatus.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The present disclosure provides a firearm stabilization apparatus 2 which allows a user wearing body armor to position and stabilize a firearm in the proper position (i.e., the shoulder pocket) for accurate firing.",
"[0018] In one embodiment the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 includes a front portion 4 , a back portion 22 and at least one connector 20 and reversibly attaches to a body armor.",
"[0019] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6 , the front portion 4 is a quadrilateral and includes a curved medial side 6 , a lateral side 8 , an upper portion 10 , a lower portion 12 and a front panel 14 .",
"In one embodiment, the upper portion 10 also includes a medial and a lateral segment where the lateral segment intersects with the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 in a nearly perpendicular manner forming a right angle.",
"In a further embodiment, the lower portion 12 likewise comprises a medial and a lateral segment where the lateral segment of the lower portion 12 intersects the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 to form an acute angle.",
"The medial segments of the lower portion 12 and the upper portion 10 then intersect with the curved medial side 4 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 .",
"Generally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the upper portion 10 will be shorter than the lower portion 12 thereby allowing the curved medial side 4 and lower portion to form an angle or point where they intersect and creating a curve towards the intersection of the upper portion 10 and the curved medial side 6 .",
"In one embodiment the curve mimics or follows the curvature of the head/neck opening of body armor.",
"In a further embodiment, the curve mimics or follows the curvature of the head/neck opening of the IOTV.",
"In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the lower portion 12 is a straight line from its intersection with the lateral side 6 and the curved medial side 4 .",
"In other embodiments (not shown) the lower portion 12 may include one or more steps or angles in the space from its intersection with the lateral side 6 and the curved medial side 4 .",
"[0020] The front portion 4 also includes at least one stabilizing element on the front panel 14 which stabilizes the butt of a firearm in the vertical orientation, the horizontal orientation or both (as shown in FIG. 3 ).",
"In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the stabilizing element on the front portion 4 includes a horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 .",
"The horizontal stabilizing brace 16 serves to prevent the butt of a firearm from moving in the vertical axis while the vertical stabilizing brace 18 serves to prevent the butt of the firearm from moving along the horizontal axis.",
"In other embodiments, the front portion 4 may only include a horizontal stabilizing brace 16 or a vertical stabilizing brace 14 .",
"In further embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and vertical stabilizing brace 14 are one contiguous piece of material that extends a distance along the lateral side 8 and the lower portion 12 .",
"The stabilization element may generally be located closer to the lateral side 8 of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 than the curved medial side 6 to allow the user to place the firearm's butt in the user's shoulder pocket.",
"[0021] In one embodiment the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 are approximately 0.25 inches in height (i.e., the top of the braces is approximately 0.25 inches from the front portion 4 ), although other heights are acceptable and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.",
"In one embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and a vertical stabilizing brace 14 are different heights.",
"In one preferred embodiment, the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 includes two (2) different segments, a first longer second segment and a second, shorter segment.",
"The first longer segment measures approximately 6.00 inches long, 0.50 inches in width and 0.75 inches in height.",
"The second shorter segment measures approximately 0.50 inches in length, 0.50 inches in width and 0.50 inches in height.",
"In this preferred embodiment, the vertical stabilization brace 14 also includes two (2) segments, a first connecting segment and a second angled segment.",
"The first connecting segment connext to both the angled segment and the second shorter segment of the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and measures approximately 1.50 inches in length, 0.50 inches in height and 0.50 inches in width.",
"The second angled segment intersects the first connecting piece to form an angle of approximately 40 degrees and measures approximately 1.25 inches long, 0.50 inches in height and 0.50 inches in width.",
"In one embodiment the braces are made from rubber (natural or synthetic), although other materials known in the art are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure.",
"[0022] In one embodiment, the back portion 22 , as shown in FIG. 4 , is substantially a mirror image of the front portion 4 (without the horizontal stabilizing brace 16 and vertical stabilizing brace 14 ) and has a curved medial side 24 , a lateral side 26 , an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30 .",
"In one embodiment the back portion includes a shoulder strap passage 32 which allows the user to place the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 on body armor (as described in more detail below) and allows the body armor to be donned in a normal manner.",
"In one embodiment the shoulder strap passage 32 is a square with sides that are approximately 0.75 inches in length, though other shaped and sized shoulder strap passage may be required for different body armor.",
"In this embodiment the shoulder strap passage 32 receives the quick release shoulder straps of the IOTV.",
"In the embodiment where the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to the IOTV, the shoulder strap passage 32 should be of sufficient size, whether it be a square or other shape, to allow the quick release shoulder straps of the IOTV to function properly.",
"The quick release features of the IOTV are important in that they allow the user to get out of the IOTV quickly when needed such as when a military vehicle rolls over into water and helps medics to treat the injured or wounded quicker.",
"[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 includes a front portion 4 as described above and shown in FIG. 3 and a back panel 15 (not shown).",
"In one further embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be reversibly attached to body minor through various means.",
"In one further embodiment the back panel 15 and the body armor have corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners (or Velcro) whereby the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to body armor.",
"In one embodiment the body armor is the IOTV.",
"In yet an alternate embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is permanently attached to the body armor, preferably to the left, right or both shoulder regions.",
"The permanent attachment could be by any method known in the art including sewing, gluing or both.",
"[0024] FIG. 5 shows the general assembly of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 which includes the front portion 4 and back portion 22 is shown using the connectors 20 .",
"In one embodiment the connectors are hook-and-loop fasteners although other embodiments such as nylon webbing, cloth webbing, elastic webbing and other means known to those of skill in the art are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure.",
"[0025] To assemble this embodiment of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 , the back portion 22 and front portion 4 are placed around the shoulder strap 33 of the body protection 34 .",
"The back portion 22 should be placed between the shoulder strap 33 and the user while the front portion 4 should be placed in an outward facing direction over the shoulder strap 33 with the stabilizing braces facing outward as well.",
"Then the front portion 4 and rear portions 22 are joined together through the connectors (such as the hook and loop fasteners).",
"In an alternate embodiment the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is attached to the body protection 34 by simply sliding it over the shoulder strap 33 .",
"In both of the prior embodiments the shoulder strap 33 will be passed through the shoulder strap passage 32 on the back portion 22 .",
"The body protection 34 then may be worn in a normal manner.",
"[0026] The firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be constructed from any suitable material.",
"In one embodiment, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is constructed from standard Army Combat Uniform Material (“ACU”",
"material).",
"In other embodiments the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is constructed from material similar to the pattern and material of the body armor on which it is placed.",
"By way of non-limiting example, if the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is to be used with a black body armor, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be constructed from a black material.",
"[0027] In some embodiments, the front portion 4 may include a non-slip surface which further helps stabilize the firearm.",
"The non-slip surface may include rubber (natural or synthetic) or siliconized compounds.",
"[0028] In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3-6 , the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 is designed to be worn with the IOTV.",
"In other embodiments, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be worn with the Marine Modern Tactical Vest (MTV), Improved Ballistic Armor (IBA) or soft armors constructed from Kevlar®, Kevlar 29®, Kevlar Protera® (all available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours), Spectra® fiber (available from Allied Signal), Gold Shield® (also available from Allied Signal), TWARON® (available from Akzo Nobel) or Dragon Skin® Armor from Pinnacle Armor.",
"Of course, the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may adapted for use with future body armors as well including without limitation the Soldier Plate Carrier® from KDH Defense Systems, the Rampage, the Coyote Chameleon® Tactical Vest from ArchAngel, Inc. [0029] The dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to coincide with different sizes of body armor.",
"Typically, body armor may come in a small, medium, large or extra-large size and the overall dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to provide the correct fit with a certain size of body armor.",
"In one embodiment, to correctly fit and function with a size large IOTV, the lateral side 8 is approximately 9.00 inches in length, the upper portion 10 is approximately 3.00 inches in length and the lower portion 12 is approximately 6.00 inches in length.",
"The dimensions of back portion 22 may substantially mirror the dimensions of the front portion 4 .",
"In further embodiments, the dimensions of the firearm stabilization apparatus 2 may be altered to fit different types of body armor, by way of non-limiting example, a firearm stabilization apparatus 2 that fits a large size IOTV may be of different dimensions than one that fits a large size Marine MTV.",
"[0030] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here."
] |
This is a division of application Ser. No. 721,775, filed Sept. 9, 1976, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to hoisting apparatus and more particularly to cranes of the type used in heavy construction operations.
THE PRIOR ART
Crane structures are used extensively throughout the construction industry for hoisting and moving materials and equipment used in the building process. Generally, the cranes are composed of a base structure rotatably mounted on either a stationary foundation or a mobile power unit. A boom is pivotally attached to the base structure, and a hoisting cable, generally controlled from an operating station near or on the base structure, depends from the end of the boom for attaching loads thereto. A gantry structure is fixedly attached to the base, behind the boom pivot, and a cable system runs from the top of the gantry to the point of the boom. The boom is elevated and lowered by means of this cable system.
Some prior art crane structures have employed counterweights which are rigidly attached to the boom. This arrangement provides none of the advantages of a hinged, retractable counterweight. When the boom is pivoted upwardly the counterweight moves correspondingly downwardly thus the moment arm of the counterweight must be relatively short if interference with the ground or supporting structure is to be avoided. This limits the efficiency of such a counterweight. Still other crane systems include a fixed counterweight extending from the base structure. The counterweight in these units is neither retractable nor hingeable thus providing no means for overcoming clearance problems. Further, these systems are far less effective for counter balancing the load on the boom than the systems having the counterweight extending from the boom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses an improved load lifting crane structure which overcomes many of the deficiencies of prior art apparatus by utilizing a mast and upper tension member system affixed to the top surface of the boom. This system permits the use of hydraulic cylinder means for elevating the boom while subjecting the boom only to compressive loads and not to bending moments. This system also permits the adaptation of a counterweight to a crane in a novel manner whereby the counterweight is supported by a tension member which joins into the upper tension member system to achieve a uniquely effective load path.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the crane structure comprises a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be lifted by the unit. Hydraulic cylinder(s) are connected to the base and to an intermediate location on the boom such that when the cylinder(s) are retracted the boom is substantially horizontal and when the cylinders are extended the boom pivots to a position approaching the vertical. A mast is attached to the boom at a location on the upper surface of the boom and provides for a rearwardly disposed tension member or back-stay running from the top of the mast to the rear portion of the boom, and a forwardly disposed tension member or pendant line running from the top of the mast to the point of the boom.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the back-stay member can be made as an extendable spring and dampener that will serve to cushion dynamic overloads such as are incited by wave action in marine applications.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the mast is given a lateral dimension approaching or exceeding the width of the boom cross section and the forwardly disposed upper tension members include at least two diagonal components running from one side of the upper end of the mast to the opposite side of the boom. The diagonal components are preferably clamped together at the point where they cross. This arrangement serves to support the end of the boom during operation in out of level conditions in such a manner that the boom is not subjected to twisting and side bending moments.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. When the counterweight is aligned with the boom, it may be selectively moved from an extended to a retracted position along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom. In this embodiment of the invention, the fact that the counterweight is not fixedly attached to the boom but is hinged therefrom permits the counterweight to be angularly rotated relative to the boom during hoisting operations. In this way, the counterweight may be extended to work at a significantly greater radius than would be possible with a fixed boom-counterweight structure. Because the counterweight may be retracted relative to the boom, clearance problems caused by structures adjacent the work area of the crane are likewise overcome.
In this embodiment, the crane of the present invention is adapted with structure for maintaining the hingeable counterweight structure substantially horizontal as the boom is pivoted on the base. In this arrangement, the counterweight is hinged relative to the boom and is maintained horizontal regardless of the vertical angle of the boom while hoisting or performing similar operations. The hingeable counterweight structure, when maintained horizontal throughout the angular elevation range of the boom, eliminates ground clearance problems that would otherwise obtain in that the counterweight stays in substantially the same position relative to the ground and other surrounding structure as the boom elevates.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the counterweight comprises a longitudinal arm hingedly attached from the boom in the vertical plane of the boom. Attached to the end of the longitudinal arm remote from the boom is a weight unit wherein the weight of the counterweight unit is concentrated. This counterweight structure is chosen in order to provide the bulk of the weight of the counterweight with a maximum moment arm through which to act thereby increasing the effectiveness of the counterweight. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, structure is also provided for hinging the arm relative to the boom structure to maintain the longitudinal axis of the arm substantially horizontal as the boom is rotated in a vertical plane.
In this embodiment of the invention, not only are the problems heretofore experienced with respect to ground clearance alleviated, but additionally the compensating moment provided by the counterweight is maintained at a maximum by retaining the maximum moment arm through which the concentrated weight unit acts as the boom elevates. This configuration is to be contrasted to prior art units where the counterweight rotates with the boom thereby reducing the effective moment arm through which the counterweight acts.
In this embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight horizontal includes a mast extending substantially perpendicularly from the boom, a first pulley system attached to the top of the mast and a second pulley system attached to the base. A cable system extends from the counterweight and is entrained about the first pulley system and the second pulley system and attached to the boom whereby pivoting of the boom varies the length of the section of the cable system between the counterweight and the first pulley system to maintain the counterweight horizontal as the boom is pivoted.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight level during rotation of the boom further includes a third pulley system attached to the boom. In this embodiment of the invention, the cable system extends from the counterweight and is entrained about the first pulley system and multiply wrapped about the second and third pulley systems whereby pivoting of the boom varies the length of the section of the cable system between the counterweight and the first pulley system to compensate for pivoting of the mast with the boom to maintain the counterweight horizontal as the boom rotates.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a triangular structure has one corner rotatably attached to the underside of the boom with at least one pulley attached to a second corner thereof and a bearing surface on a third corner for bearing against the underside of the boom as the boom is pivoted upwardly. The pulley attached to the triangular structure is adapted to receive a plurality of wraps from the second pulley system. This arrangement for maintaining the counterweight horizontal during rotation of the boom compensates for decreasing drawup of the cable system during high angles of rotation by the boom.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight horizontal during rotation of the boom comprises a measuring device for measuring the position of the counterweight relative to horizontal. A servo system is connected to the counterweight and is operative in response to the measuring device to hinge the counterweight relative to the boom in order to reposition the counterweight to horizontal as the boom pivots.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a winch is provided with a cable extending from the winch to the counterweight. The winch is operative in response to a device for measuring the angular position of the counterweight relative to horizontal such that the winch is energized to draw up and let out the cable in order to maintain the counterweight level as the boom rotates.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a cable system is provided extending through the boom to its load bearing end. The cable is adapted for supporting the load to be carried by the boom. A hoist mechanism is supported by the base structure and is adapted for controlling the length of the cable system to raise and lower the loads attached thereto. The hoist mechanism comprises two sets of opposed pulleys about which the cable system is alternately wrapped. Each set of pulleys has a common rotational axis, and the axis of one set is parallel to the axis of the second set. The multiple wraps of the cable system about the pulleys generate sufficient traction on the cable system to restrain the cable under the loads attached thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further details and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the crane embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the boom rotated upwardly;
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the system for maintaining the counterweight in a horizontal configuration during rotation of the boom;
FIG. 4 shows the boom in an intermediate rotational stage with the counterweight maintained in a horizontal position by the leveling system;
FIG. 5 shows the boom in its maximum up position with the counterweight maintained in a horizontal position by the leveling system;
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment for maintaining the counterweight level during rotation of the boom;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the crane of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7 showing the retraction mechanism for withdrawing the counterweight into the boom;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the hoist take-up mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a top view as seen along line 11--11 of FIG. 10 showing the hoist mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the hoist mechanism shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the hoist unit used in the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the portion of the hoist mechanism illustrated in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 illustrates the arrangement of the present invention through which the crane may be self-hoisted;
FIG. 16 illustrates the crane mounted for hoisting on the structure shown in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 illustrates the crane of the present invention mounted on a self-powered motorized vehicle;
FIG. 18 illustrates the crane prepared to be moved on the motorized vehicle of FIG. 17; and
FIG. 19 illustrates the hydraulic circuit for a shock overload protection means used on the crane of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a crane 30 embodying the present invention. Crane 30 includes a base structure 32 rotatably secured to a foundation structure 34. Extending from base 32 is superstructure 36, to which a boom 42 is attached. Superstructure 36 is rigidly attached to base 32 and boom 42 pivots at the upper end by axis shaft 44. Support member 40, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a hydraulic ram including a ram cylinder 46 and a ram piston 48 which is joined to a clevis 50. One end of hydraulic ram cylinder 46 is rotatably attached to base 32 while clevis 50 is rotatably pinned to a lug 51 extending from the underside of boom 42 by pin 52.
Joined at one end of boom 42 is a boom extension 70 consisting of elements 70a and 70b. The boom extension 70a is removably joined to main boom 42 by suitable fasteners 78 and boom extension 70b is joined to boom extension 70a by the same fasteners.
The end of boom extension 70b remote from boom extension 70a is adapted with a pulley system 90. Pulley system 90 is rotatably secured to boom extension 70b about rotational axis shaft 92.
Extending upwardly from main boom 42 is mast 100 which is rotatably pinned to boom structure 42 along the top surface thereof by axis shaft 102. The end of mast 100 remote from boom 42 is adapted with a juncture plate 104. Removably secured between juncture plate 104 and the rearward end of boom 42 is mast support member 110. Mast support member 110 is joined between boom 42 and juncture plate 104 by suitable pins 112 and 114, respectively. A cable assembly 116 is fixedly attached between juncture plate 104 and the most forward end of boom 42 by pins 118 and 120, respectively. Intermediate of the points of connection between juncture plate 104 and boom structure 60 is a turn buckle 122 for appropriately adjusting the tension on cable 116.
Similarly, a cable assembly 130 extends from juncture plate 104 at the uppermost end of mast 100 and the most forward end of boom extension 70b in order to transmit loading from the boom through the mast and into the base structure. Cable assembly 130 is joined to juncture plate 104 and boom extension 70b by pin 132 and connecting strap 134, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, connecting strap 134 is joined to boom extension 70b at axis shaft 92. A tensioning mechanism 136 is connected by suitable fasteners 138 and 140 intermediate of cable 130 and connecting strap 134 to permit selective tensioning of cable 130.
A counterweight assembly 150 is hingedly attached at pin shaft 152 to an I beam section 154 which is slidable within the boom 42. Counterweight assembly 150 is composed of an I beam section 156 rigidly attached to a weighted end unit 158. I beam section 156 is adapted with guide ears 160 for aligning the counterweight I beam section 156 with I beam section 154.
I beam section 156 includes an upper cap 156a, a lower cap 156b and a web 156c. Similarly, I beam section 154 includes an upper cap 154a (not shown), a lower cap 154b (not shown) and a web 154c. A cable system 170 is joined to weight unit 158 by coupling member 172 and pin 174. Cable system 170 extends around a pulley system 180 (not shown) positioned adjacent to juncture plate 104 at the uppermost end of mast 100. Pulley system 180 has as its rotational axis shaft 182.
Cable system 170 extends around pulley system 180 and is connected to boom 42 through a triangular take-up structure 184 in a manner to be hereinafter described in detail. Triangular take-up structure 184 consists of a rigid structure including sides 186, 188 and 190. One end of side 186 is rotatably pinned by suitable pin 192 to boom 42. The opposite end of side 186 is adapted with a pulley system 196, to be hereinafter described in greater detail. A bearing pad 198 is fixedly attached at the juncture of sides 188 and 190 and is adapted for bearing against the lower side of boom 42 during operation of the unit as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.
Also illustrated in FIG. 1 and to be described hereinafter in further detail, is hoist cable 200 extending from the load bearing end of boom extension 70b and about pulley system 90. Attached to the end of hoist cable 200 by pin 201 is hoist block 202 adapted with an engaging hook 204.
Referring again to FIG. 1, a take-up reel 206 is attached for rotation from the boom 42. Fixedly attached to base 32 is a cab structure 208 from which the crane unit is operated.
Crane 30 is supported for rotation about a vertical axis from base structure 32 on foundation structure 34. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, foundation structure 34 is adapted with teeth 210 about the circumference thereof. Extending from base structure 32 is a rotatable pinion wheel 212 which mates with teeth 210 on foundation structure 34. By rotating pinion wheel 212, base structure 32 and thus crane 30, may be selectively rotated about a vertical axis, relative to foundation structure 34.
Referring to FIG. 2, crane 30 is shown with boom 42 pivoted upwardly about axis shaft 44. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, upward rotation of boom 42 is accomplished by extending ram piston 48 thereby causing rotation of the boom about axis shaft 44. As mast support strut 110 and support cables 116 and 130, each extending from juncture plate 104 to points along boom 42 are each fixedly attached to the boom, the relationship of mast 100 to boom 42 remains unchanged as boom 42 is rotated upwardly. Due to the leveling mechanism, to be hereinafter described in greater detail, the portion of counterweight cable system 170 between the weight unit 158 and the pulley system 180 is automatically shortened as boom 42 is raised. The arrangement for automatically taking up the counterweight cable system 170 is so designed as to maintain the longitudinal axis of counterweight assembly 150 horizontal throughout all rotational positions of the boom.
One embodiment of cable system 170 is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Referring to FIG. 3, the superstructure 36 is shown supporting boom 42 at axis shaft 44. Mast 100 and mast support strut 110 are shown extending from boom structure 42 as hereinbefore described.
Counterweight assembly 150 is shown hingedly attached at pin 152 to I beam 154 slidably engaged within boom structure 60. Weight unit 158 attached to the end of counterweight I beam 156 is shown connected to leveling cable system 170 by coupling member 172 and pin 174.
Rotatably attached at axis shaft 182 is pulley system 180. Similar pulley systems 220 and 222 are rotatably positioned about axes 224 and 226, respectively, on boom 42, and pulley systems 230 and 232 are rotatably attached to superstructure 36 by axes pins 234 and 236, respectively. Triangular take-up structure 184, consisting of side members 186, 188 and 190, is joined at one end of side 186 by pin 192 to ear 194 extending from the lower portion of boom structure 60. The opposite end of side 186 is adapted with pulley system 196. The corner at which sides 188 and 190 of triangular take-up structure 184 are connected is adapted with bearing pad 198 as hereinabove described. The pulley systems 196 and 232 are adapted with multiple parallel pulleys having a common axis of rotation.
Cable system 170 is attached at one end to weight unit 158 of counterweight assembly 150 by coupling member 172 and pin 174. Cable system 170 extends from weight unit 158 and is entrained alternately around pulley systems 180, 220, 222, 230 and 196. Cable system 170 is multiply wrapped about pulley systems 232 and 196 and is thereafter fixedly attached adjacent pulley system 196 by coupling member 240. Referring to FIG. 3, it may be seen that the length of cable system 170 is such that the longitudinal axis of counterweight assembly 150 is in line with longitudinal axis of boom 42 when boom 42 is in the horizontal position.
FIG. 4 illustrates the boom in a rotated position and shows the resultant effect on cable system 170 and counterweight assembly 150. Referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that the portion of cable system 170 between weighted end unit 158 and pulley system 180 at the upper end of mast 100 is shortened as a result of the movement of pulley system 196 with the rotation of boom 42. As boom 42 rotates upwardly in a horizontal plane, pulley system 196, attached to the boom 42 by way of triangular take-up structure 184 moves upwardly with boom 60 and away from pulley system 232 attached to base support member 38. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, cable system 170 is wrapped three times about pulley systems 196 and 232. As a result, cable system 170 is drawn three times the distance pulley system 196 is moved from pulley system 232. This takeup in cable system 170 in conjunction with the arrangement of the other pulley systems about which cable system 170 is entrained, hinges counterweight assembly 150 about axis pin 152 to maintain the counterweight horizontal throughout the rotation of the boom.
Referring to FIG. 5, the boom has been rotated to its uppermost rotational position moving pulley system 196 further from pulley system 232 and thereby effectively shortening cable system 170 to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 horizontal throughout the upper movement of the boom. In the rotational positions between that illustrated in FIG. 4 and that illustrated in FIG. 5, it may be seen that triangular take-up structure 184 has been rotated about its point of connection at pin 192 toward the lower side of the boom 42 such that bearing pad 198 contacts the lower surface of boom 42. In this way, pulley 196 is maintained a sufficient distance away from boom 42 and slightly further from pulley system 232 than in the configuration where the triangular take-up structure is absent. This arrangement results in the additional takeup of the length in cable system 170 necessary in the upper rotational stages of the boom in order to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 horizontal.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the counterweight assembly is maintained in its level configuration by a leveling sensor 244 which energizes a winch unit 246 to draw in and let out cable system 170 to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 level during the movement of the boom. Referring to FIG. 6, winch unit 246 is adapted for receiving one end of cable system 170. In this embodiment, winch unit 246 is substituted for pulley systems 230 and 232 and triangular take-up structure 184. Leveling sensor 244 is attached to web 156c of I beam assembly 156 by suitable means. Leveling sensor 244 is of the type capable of sensing movement of counterweight assembly 150 and of generating a signal when the longitudinal axis of I beam section 156 moves out of line with the horizontal. Appropriate circuitry (not shown) is interconnected between sensor 244 and winch 246 for relaying the signal transmitted by sensor 244. Winch 246 is operative in response to the signal emitted by sensor 244 and is appropriately controlled to draw in or let out cable system 170 whenever counterweight assembly 150 rotates from the horizontal to maintain the counterweight assembly level at all times.
Thus, in this embodiment, cable system 170 extends from the weight unit 158 around pulley system 180 and is attached to winch 246. As the boom is rotated in a horizontal plane, sensor 244 generates an appropriate electrical signal which in turn energizes winch 246. In this way, cable system 170 is drawn in and let out in accordance with the signal from sensor 244 to maintain the counterweight assembly level throughout movement of the boom structure. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the purely mechanical method illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 for maintaining the counterweight horizontal is replaced by an electrical servo system operating a winch unit to draw in and let out the counterweight control cable necessary to maintain the counterweight horizontal.
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a crane 700 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Crane 700 includes a base structure 32 secured to a foundation 34. A superstructure 36 is mounted on base structure 32 which rotates about a vertical axis during operation of the crane. A boom 42 is supported from superstructure 36, being pinned at its rearward end to the apex of superstructure 36 by axis shaft 44 and supported forwardly thereof by a hydraulic cylinder 46. Cylinder 46 is attached at clevis fitting 38 on the base 32 and ear 51 extending from boom 42 by axis pins 50 and 52, respectively.
A mast 100 is pivotally pinned to main boom structure 42 along the top surface thereof by axis shaft 102 and extends upwardly therefrom. The end of mast 100 remote from boom 42 is adapted with a juncture plate 104. A hydraulic cylinder 736 or optionally a mast support member 110 is connected between the main boom structure 42 by axis pin 112 and to juncture plate 104 by axis pin 114. While FIG. 7 illustrates single hydraulic cylinders 46 and 736, it will be understood that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, these elements are used in pairs with elements of each pair positioned on opposite sides of the main boom structure and operating in unison one with the other.
A boom extension 70 extends from boom 42 and is attached thereto by axis shaft 752. The end of boom extension 70 remote from main boom structure 42 is adapted with a pulley system 90 rotatably secured to boom extension 70 by rotational axis shaft 92. A strap 134 has one end supported to axis shaft 92 of boom extension 70 and the opposite end attached by way of coupling member 138 to a cable assembly 130 which supports the end of boom extension 70 remote from main boom structure 42 from juncture plate 104 and mast 100 by way of coupling 132.
As has been discussed previously with respect to other embodiments of the invention, main boom structure 42 can be constructed to receive a counter balance unit which may be telescoped outwardly to counter balance the weight supported from the working end of boom extension 70.
As will be appreciated by examination of FIG. 7, the structure is designed to provide direct load paths through mast 100 and member 110 through boom 42 into superstructure 36 and hydraulic cylinder 46. In this way, bending stresses which would normally be introduced into boom 42 are minimized with the load being substantially carried directly into superstructure 36.
Hydraulic cylinder 46 operates to pivot boom 42 about axis pin 44 by extension and retraction in the conventional manner. Additionally, hydraulic cylinder 736 serves to permit pivoting of boom extension 70 about axis pin 752 when a shock load greater than the rated capacity of the crane is imposed on the boom. The hydraulic circuit and the operation of this shock overload protection system is described hereinafter in FIG. 19.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the mechanism for retracting and extending the counterweight into and out of the boom. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIGS. 1 and 9. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, the boom structure 42 is adapted with longitudinal support members 62 and 64. Interconnected between longitudinal support members 62 and 64 are transverse support members 62a and 64a. As is shown in FIG. 9, lugs 280, 280' (not shown), 282 and 282' (not shown) extend from transverse support members 62a. Extending through lugs 280 and 280' and through 282 and 282' are axis pins 284 and 286, respectively. Rollers 288 and 290 are suspended on axis pins 284 and 286, respectively, and between lugs 280 and 280' and 282 and 282', respectively.
Similarly, lugs 292 and 292' (not shown) and 294 and 294' (not shown) extend upwardly from lower transverse support structure 64a to support axis pins 296 and 298 and rollers 300 and 302, respectively.
Rollers 288, 290, 300 and 302 have a constant diameter cylindrical midsection with flanges at either end for accepting upper and lower caps 156a and 156b of counterweight I beam 156. Counterweight I beam 156 rides on rollers 300 and 302 and below rollers 288 and 290 and is guided within boom structure 60 by these rollers during the retraction and extension of the counterweight assembly.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, and specifically to FIG. 9, chain 310 is connected at each end to counterweight assembly 150 and is entrained about sprocket wheels 312, 314 and 316. Referring to FIG. 8, it may be seen that sprocket wheel 312 is rotatable about shaft 320 which is supported by a support bracket 322 extending downwardly from transverse frame member 62a and attached thereto by suitable fastening means such as bolts 324. Shaft 320 is rotatably received within support bracket 322 by bearing assemblies 326 and 328, respectively. Although not shown, sprocket wheel 316 is similarly supported within support brackets 322. Sprocket wheel 314 is driven by a suitable motor 330 which is suitably attached to support bracket 322, such as by bolts 332 and 334.
Thus, by energizing motor 330 to rotate sprocket wheel 314, chain 310 may be driven forward or aft. By rotating sprocket wheel 314 counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 9), counterweight assembly 150 is moved to its extended position out of the boom. Similarly, by rotating sprocket wheel 314 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, chain 310 is made to draw counterweight assembly 150 into the boom structure.
Also illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a locking mechanism 350 for locking the counterweight assembly either in the fully extended or fully retracted position and for preventing the operation of the crane assembly whenever the counterweight assembly is intermediate of these positions. Locking assembly 350 includes a bracket 352 rigidly attached to the boom structure and a lock plate 354 rotatably hinged to transverse frame structure 64a. A hydraulic cylinder 360 is pinned between bracket 352 and plate 354, respectively. The lock plate 354 is so positioned as to mate with notches within the lower cap 156b of counterweight I beam 156 when the counterweight assembly is either in the fully extended or fully retracted position. By actuating the hydraulic cylinder 360, the lock plate 354 is made to engage the notch within the lower cap 156b of the counterweight I beam 156 thereby restraining the counterweight assembly from movement axially along the boom structure. A support plate 370 extends upwardly and is fixedly attached to transverse frame element 64a. Support plate 370 provides an additional restraint to lock plate 354 and provides more rigidity thereto when in the locked position.
When lock plate 354 is in the locked position, that is, sufficiently rotated such as to engage the notch within the counterweight I beam 156, it makes contact with electrical switch 376 closing the circuitry through the crane power source and permitting operation of the unit. Otherwise, the power source to the crane system is always open, thereby preventing operation of the unit whenever the counterweight system is not in the locked position.
Referring to FIG. 9, the shaft 358 on which lock plate 354 hinges is seen to be supported at both ends by transverse frame members 64a.
While only four roller supports are illustrated in FIG. 9, it will be understood that any number of upper and lower roller supports may be spaced along boom structure 60 as is necessary to accommodate the movement of counterweight assembly 150 into and out of the boom structure.
Thus, the present invention discloses a crane system wherein the counterweight is pivotally hinged from a section fixedly secured to the boom. The counterweight is automatically hinged as the boom is rotated upwardly in a vertical plane such that the longitudinal axis of the counterweight remains horizontal throughout the movement of the boom. Because the counterweight structure is maintained level throughout the angular rotation of the boom, ground clearance problems are eliminated in that the counterweight maintains substantially the same position relative to the ground and other surrounding structures as the boom rotates.
Not only are the problems with respect to ground clearance of an extended counterweight attached to the boom thus alleviated, but additionally the effectiveness of the compensating moment provided by the counterweight is maintained at a maximum by retaining the maximum moment arm through which the weight of the counterweight assembly acts. This configuration is to be contrasted to prior art units where the counterweight rotates with the boom as the boom rotates upwardly thereby effectively reducing the moment arm of the counterweight. Additionally, the present invention discloses structure for permitting the retraction of the counterweight assembly into the boom for adapting the unit for use in tightly confined areas and for preparing the unit for relocation.
Further, the manner in which the counterweight moment is carried to the base structure as well as the manner in which the moment produced by the load attached to the boom is directed into the base is significant. These loads are substantially supported through cable systems 170 and cable system 130. Further, the load bearing paths represented by cable systems 170 and 130 are not interrupted by the hinging of counterweight assembly 150 in that cable system 170 provides a continuous load path from weighted unit 158 around the uppermost part of mast 100. While the tension loads on the mast from the counterweight and the boom tend to counter balance each other, the vertical load applied through cable systems 170 and 130 into mast 100 are directed into the base structure therebelow. By so directing the loads introduced by the counterweight assembly and the load carried by the boom, the loading is more directly applied to the base structure.
FIG. 10 illustrates in a perspective schematic view the hoisting mechanism of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, hoist cable 200 is entrained about pulleys 90 and 400 and multiply wrapped about pulley systems 402 and 404. Pulley systems 402 and 404 each include a plurality of pulleys 402a and 404a, respectively, having a common rotational axis. The rotational axis of pulley system 402 is appropriately spaced from and parallel to that of pulley system 404. Cable 200 is multiply and alternately wrapped between pulley systems 402 and 404 such that the cable makes a single 180 degree wrap around any pulley unit 402a or 404a. Cable 200 emerges from the pulley systems 402 and 404 and passes around pulleys 410 and 412 and thereafter extends to take-up reel 414. Take-up reel 414 has an appropriate motor attached thereto (not shown) for applying a continuous nominal tensioning load, for example 50 to 60 pounds, to cable 200. Pulley assemblies 402 and 404 are suitably attached for rotation on the base structure 32 of the crane assembly. Pulleys 90, 400, 410 and 412 and take-up reel 414 are each appropriately suspended for rotation from boom structure 60. Either or both pulley systems 402 and 404 may be driven to provide the cable tension required for lifting loads. If both systems 402 and 404 are driven in the same direction of rotation the cable 200 will be wrapped around them in the manner illustrated. If the systems 402 and 404 are driven in opposite directions of rotation the cable 200 will be wrapped around the pulley systems 402 and 404 in a figure eight fashion. If only one of the pulley systems 402 or 404 is driven the cable 200 may be wrapped around the pulley systems in either 180 degree or figure eight fashion.
FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of opposed pulley systems 402 and 404. As is best seen in FIG. 11, pulley system 402 is rotatable on shaft 420 and pulley system 404 is rotatable on shaft 422. The pulley systems are maintained with their axes of rotation in a spaced parallel relationship by support housing 424 which encircles the two pulley systems and supports the ends of shafts 420 and 422. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, sprocket wheel 426 is mounted for rotation with shaft 420 and sprocket wheel 428 is mounted for rotation with shaft 422. Sprocket wheels 426 and 428 are mounted on shafts 420 and 422 outside of support housing 424. Sprocket wheels 426 and 428 are coupled for rotation by endless chain 430. As may be seen in FIG. 11, an appropriate motor 432 engages shaft 422 opposite the end on which sprocket wheel 428 is mounted. Motor 432 may be powered by any suitable means. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the motor is either electrically or hydraulically powered. Thus, by rotating shaft 422, both pulley assemblies 402 and 404 may be selectively rotated either in the forward or reversed directions.
Wedge 434 is slidably positioned adjacent pulley assembly 404 and may be selectively engaged or disengaged by handle 436 between pulley assembly 404 and support housing 424. As cable 200 is wrapped such that the cable is let out by the counterclockwise rotation of pulley assembly 404, as seen in FIG. 12, wedge 434 provides a fail-safe locking function by preventing the extension of cable 200 when the wedge is engaged between pulley assembly 404 and support housing 424.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the hoisting mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this embodiment, cable 200 is entrained around the successive pulley elements of pulley assembly 402 in a "figure eight" wrap design. Additionally, shafts 420 and 422 of pulley assemblies 402 and 404, respectively, are adapted with gears 440 and 442 which are coupled by toothed belt 444.
Thus, by multiply wrapping cable 200 about the pulley assemblies 402 and 404, and by applying a nominal takeup load on the end of cable 200, sufficient gripping strength may be induced between the cable and the pulley assemblies to draw in and extend cable 200 under its maximum load without experiencing any slippage of the cable relative to the assemblies. By using the figure eight wrap illustrated in FIG. 14, the gripping force between cable 200 and pulley assemblies 402 and 404 is increased substantially. This arrangement may be employed where higher loading on cable 200 is experienced.
The advantages in using the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14 are numerous. Initially, it will be appreciated that cable 200 is not at any time wrapped over itself while under a load as in prior art hoist drums. Thus, the substantial wear experienced in prior art devices by overlaying cable on the drum is eliminated. Further, the need for attempting the prevent cross-winding of the cable onto the reel is eliminated as there is no possibility of the cable being wound on itself.
Additionally, in the prior art systems where the takeup of the load bearing cable is on a single drum, the effective diameter of the drum would naturally vary as the cable was wound onto the drum. In the present invention, the drum diameter is constant and thus the torque necessary to turn the drums will remain constant throughout the operation of the unit. Likewise, in that the torque necessary to turn the drums will remain constant it will be directly related to the load on the cable. Thus, where the spool is actuated by a hydraulic powered system, a measure of the hydraulic line pressure will be a direct indication of the working load on the cable. The cable load value is of substantial importance both in regard to the capabilities of the crane as well as in determining what the load is of the item being hoisted. Thus, the present hoisting mechanism provides a ready means for generating a reading of the load being carried by the cable as well as for eliminating problems heretofore experienced with respect to wear on the cable and power required to draw in the cable.
FIG. 15 illustrates a structure through which the crane system may be self-hoisted to a desired working height. The structure includes a main frame including legs 500, 502, 504 and 506 which are supported by transverse struts 508, 510, 512 and 514. Slidably engaged within the main frame is a cage structure 516 including longitudinal legs 518, 520, 522 and 524 and transverse struts 526, 528, 530 and 532. The slidable cage structure 516 is adapted at each end of its eight corners with a guide bracket 534 which mates with a groove in the legs of the main frame to permit the cage structure 516 to slide longitudinally within the main frame. Cage structure 516 is adapted with corner brackets 540 and 542 at opposed lower corners. Pulleys 544 and 546 are attached for rotation about a horizontal axis through corner brackets 540 and 542, respectively, about axis pins 548 and 550, respectively.
A cable 551 is attached at its ends to the uppermost diagonally opposed corners 552 and 554 of the main frame through corner plates 556 and 558 by suitable fasteners 560 and 562, respectively. Cable 551 is entrained about pulleys 544 and 546 and adapted for attachment to hoist block 202 extending from the crane assembly. The crane structure is mounted on slidable cage structure 516. It may be readily recognized that by applying an upward force at the midpoint of cable 551, cage structure 516, and thus the crane assembly itself, is pulled upwardly relative to the main frame.
FIG. 16 illustrates the crane moving upwardly within the main frame on cage structure 516. The crane has its boom in the most raised position, the slidable counterweight in its retracted position with the mast folded against the boom in order to clear the main frame in which the crane is elevated. It may also be seen that when the crane is raised to the top of the main frame structure, additional surrounding frame structure may be assembled. Thereafter, the cable arrangement earlier described with respect to FIG. 15 may be employed to pull the crane to higher levels as the main frame structure is extended. Thus, the crane may build its own tower and hoist itself to the top without any assistance from auxiliary equipment.
When the crane is being moved or is in operation near an adjacent interfering structure, the counterweight of the present invention may be retracted into the boom as shown. With the counterweight retracted, the boom may be rotated as when the counterweight is extended except without the benefit of the counter balancing moment produced by the counterweight when in the extended position. The geometry of the leveling cable system 170 and the pulley systems operative therewith are so arranged that the crane may be rotated to its maximum upward position without putting cable system 170 in tension. Tension in cable system 170 is unnecessary as the leveling system is non-functional when the counterbalance weight is in the retracted position. Alternatively, cable system 170 may be detached from the counterweight assembly when the counterweight assembly is in the retracted position.
FIG. 17 illustrates the crane of the present invention mounted on a self-powered motorized base vehicle 600. In this embodiment of the invention, the structure of the crane is similar to that described previously with respect to FIGS. 1-9. The base structure 32 is mounted onto a frame 602 of motorized vehicle 600, and the crane structure is adapted for rotation about vertical axis as well as pivoting about a horizontal axis as in the previous embodiments.
The motorized vehicle 600 is adapted with a prime mover 604 and a cab 606 supported by frame 602. The vehicle is movable on wheels 608. The vehicle may be stabilized by use of jack arms 610 positioned relative to the frame structure 602 for concentrating the load on foot pads 612 during operation of the crane.
FIG. 18 illustrates the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 17 wherein the crane has been positioned on vehicle 600 for movement from one location to another. As is illustrated in FIG. 18, boom structure 42 is pivoted to its most downward position, and mast 100 is likewise folded adjacent the boom structure. Additionally, counterweight assembly 150 is in its most retracted position within the boom structure.
FIG. 19 illustrates the hydraulic circuit for the shock overload protection means shown in FIG. 7. Hydraulic cylinder 736 includes a cylinder 770 and a piston 772. Piston shaft 774 extends out of the hydraulic cylinder and is attached as hereinabove indicated to boom 42 by axis pin 112. The chamber 776 formed by cylinder 770 and piston 772 within hydraulic cylinder 736 is loaded with fluid under pressure and resists the extension of hydraulic cylinder 736 and therefore the loading applied to the working end of boom extension 70. The volume of hydraulic fluid contained within cylinder 736 is sufficient to maintain boom extension 70 in line with boom 42 whenever the load applied to the working end of boom extension 70 is within the rated load capability of the crane. Cylinder 770 is also fitted with a low pressure fluid maintenance line through which fluid is automatically replenished during the operation as is necessary due to leakage. A one way check valve 782 permits the flow of fluid into cylinder 736, blocking the outflow of pressurized fluid.
An accumulator 784 communicates by way of tubing 786 to chamber 776 of cylinder 736. Accumulator 784 acts to restrain and halt the downward movement of boom section 750 when a load greater than the rated load is applied to the boom section during operation. Accumulator 784 is precharged with a gaseous medium 785, to a pressure in excess of the pressure required to support cylinder 772 in reaction to a rated load on the end of boom section 70. A directional flow control 788 in line 786 between accumulator 784 and cylinder 736 permits fluid to freely enter the accumulator whenever larger compressive loading exists within the hydraulic cylinder as a result of loading on boom 70 greater than the rated loading. As may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 19, when the rated load limit is exceeded, the force exerted on hydraulic cylinder 736 overcomes the normal pressure maintained in the accumulator 784 thereby causing piston 772 to force hydraulic fluid from chamber 776 and into accumulator 784. As fluid is moved out of hydraulic cylinder 736 and into accumulator 784, the downward movement of boom section 750 is gradually halted as the pressure within the cylinder-accumulator system becomes sufficient to counter balance the load carried by the boom extension. The directional flow control valve 788 restricts the return flow of fluid from the accumulator 784 dampening rebound action after the shock overload on boom 750 is cushioned.
A prime example of the advantage of the structure incorporated in the crane of FIGS. 7 and 19 is illustrated by the crane's operation to lift a load from a ship. In this mode of operation, the crane is normally fixed to a stationary platform and the load is lifted on hook 204 from the ship. The hook is drawn in to lift the load approaching in weight the load limit for the crane, from the ship's deck. When wave action causes the ship to simultaneously descend in the water, a resulting dynamic load is applied to the crane increasing the effective load on the crane's structure as much as two to four times to actual weight of the cargo being lifted. While there is some resiliency in the cable and other structure supporting the main boom structure and boom extension, this dynamic loading is in effect fully and immediately applied to the crane's structure and would normally exceed the structural limits of the crane. However, in the present invention, this dynamic loading is cushioned by the extension of hydraulic cylinder 736 and the resulting movement of boom extension 70 downwardly. Subsequent to the cushioning of the dynamic loading, the boom extension 70 is automatically repositioned relative to the main boom structure by the retraction of cylinder 736.
Therefore, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 19 provide a system which prevents impact loading which would otherwise be suffered by the structure of the crane without the movement permitted by hydraulic cylinder 736 and accumulator 784. In the present structure, dynamic loading above the rated capacity of the crane is accommodated by the movement permitted by hydraulic cylinder 736 and accumulator 784 without exceeding the structural limits of the crane.
Thus, the present invention discloses a crane operable on either a fixed or movable support structure. The crane includes a base having a boom pivotally supported at one of its ends from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving a load thereon. A mast is attached to the upper surface of the boom and an upper tension member system relieves the boom structure of all bending and twisting loads so that it works only under compressive loads. In another embodiment a counterweight assembly is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. This arrangement permits the counterweight to be angularly rotated separate from the boom during pivoting of the boom in a vertical plane. In this embodiment of the invention, the crane is adapted with structure for maintaining the extended counterweight structure substantially level as the boom is pivoted on the base.
In one embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight assembly level during rotation of the boom structure is a cable system extending from the counterweight to the boom structure whereby the rotation of the boom draws the cable system such that the counterweight is maintained in a level position. Alternatively, a leveling sensor is attached to the boom and controls a cable take-up mechanism which draws in and extends the cable system attached to the counterweight in order to maintain the counterweight in a level configuration during operation of the boom.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the counterweight assembly is retractable and extendable into and out of the boom structure. Structure is provided for moving the counterweight assembly axially with respect to the boom structure and for providing a locking mechanism which prevents the operation of the crane when the counterweight assembly is intermediate of its most extended or retracted position.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the crane of the present invention is adapted with a cable system extending from the weighted end of the counterweight assembly over a mast structure positioned substantially over the base of the unit and a cable system extending from the load bearing end of the boom structure to the mast structure for more effectively introducing loads and moments into the base structure from both the counterweight assembly and the loads being lifted by the crane.
Further, the present invention includes a more efficient and accurate method of hoisting in the main load bearing cable used by the crane to perform its lifting function. The system of the present invention is one which permits continuous and accurate take-up of the hoisting cable while minimizing wear and damage to the cable heretofore experienced in prior systems. Further, the present invention discloses a method through which the crane may construct its own structure and thereafter self-hoist itself to the top thereof.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. | The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system. In yet another embodiment the tension member system supporting the load receiving end of the boom includes diagonally arrayed cables which serve to counteract loads imposed on the boom by operation in out of level conditions such as attendant to rough terrain or marine applications. When the counterweight is aligned with the boom, it may be selectively moved from an extended to a retracted position along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom. The crane is adapted with structure for maintaining the hingeable counterweight horizontal as the boom is rotated on the base. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the invention. | [
"This is a division of application Ser.",
"No. 721,775, filed Sept.",
"9, 1976, now abandoned.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hoisting apparatus and more particularly to cranes of the type used in heavy construction operations.",
"THE PRIOR ART Crane structures are used extensively throughout the construction industry for hoisting and moving materials and equipment used in the building process.",
"Generally, the cranes are composed of a base structure rotatably mounted on either a stationary foundation or a mobile power unit.",
"A boom is pivotally attached to the base structure, and a hoisting cable, generally controlled from an operating station near or on the base structure, depends from the end of the boom for attaching loads thereto.",
"A gantry structure is fixedly attached to the base, behind the boom pivot, and a cable system runs from the top of the gantry to the point of the boom.",
"The boom is elevated and lowered by means of this cable system.",
"Some prior art crane structures have employed counterweights which are rigidly attached to the boom.",
"This arrangement provides none of the advantages of a hinged, retractable counterweight.",
"When the boom is pivoted upwardly the counterweight moves correspondingly downwardly thus the moment arm of the counterweight must be relatively short if interference with the ground or supporting structure is to be avoided.",
"This limits the efficiency of such a counterweight.",
"Still other crane systems include a fixed counterweight extending from the base structure.",
"The counterweight in these units is neither retractable nor hingeable thus providing no means for overcoming clearance problems.",
"Further, these systems are far less effective for counter balancing the load on the boom than the systems having the counterweight extending from the boom.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses an improved load lifting crane structure which overcomes many of the deficiencies of prior art apparatus by utilizing a mast and upper tension member system affixed to the top surface of the boom.",
"This system permits the use of hydraulic cylinder means for elevating the boom while subjecting the boom only to compressive loads and not to bending moments.",
"This system also permits the adaptation of a counterweight to a crane in a novel manner whereby the counterweight is supported by a tension member which joins into the upper tension member system to achieve a uniquely effective load path.",
"In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the crane structure comprises a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base.",
"The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be lifted by the unit.",
"Hydraulic cylinder(s) are connected to the base and to an intermediate location on the boom such that when the cylinder(s) are retracted the boom is substantially horizontal and when the cylinders are extended the boom pivots to a position approaching the vertical.",
"A mast is attached to the boom at a location on the upper surface of the boom and provides for a rearwardly disposed tension member or back-stay running from the top of the mast to the rear portion of the boom, and a forwardly disposed tension member or pendant line running from the top of the mast to the point of the boom.",
"In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the back-stay member can be made as an extendable spring and dampener that will serve to cushion dynamic overloads such as are incited by wave action in marine applications.",
"In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the mast is given a lateral dimension approaching or exceeding the width of the boom cross section and the forwardly disposed upper tension members include at least two diagonal components running from one side of the upper end of the mast to the opposite side of the boom.",
"The diagonal components are preferably clamped together at the point where they cross.",
"This arrangement serves to support the end of the boom during operation in out of level conditions in such a manner that the boom is not subjected to twisting and side bending moments.",
"In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base.",
"When the counterweight is aligned with the boom, it may be selectively moved from an extended to a retracted position along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, the fact that the counterweight is not fixedly attached to the boom but is hinged therefrom permits the counterweight to be angularly rotated relative to the boom during hoisting operations.",
"In this way, the counterweight may be extended to work at a significantly greater radius than would be possible with a fixed boom-counterweight structure.",
"Because the counterweight may be retracted relative to the boom, clearance problems caused by structures adjacent the work area of the crane are likewise overcome.",
"In this embodiment, the crane of the present invention is adapted with structure for maintaining the hingeable counterweight structure substantially horizontal as the boom is pivoted on the base.",
"In this arrangement, the counterweight is hinged relative to the boom and is maintained horizontal regardless of the vertical angle of the boom while hoisting or performing similar operations.",
"The hingeable counterweight structure, when maintained horizontal throughout the angular elevation range of the boom, eliminates ground clearance problems that would otherwise obtain in that the counterweight stays in substantially the same position relative to the ground and other surrounding structure as the boom elevates.",
"In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the counterweight comprises a longitudinal arm hingedly attached from the boom in the vertical plane of the boom.",
"Attached to the end of the longitudinal arm remote from the boom is a weight unit wherein the weight of the counterweight unit is concentrated.",
"This counterweight structure is chosen in order to provide the bulk of the weight of the counterweight with a maximum moment arm through which to act thereby increasing the effectiveness of the counterweight.",
"In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, structure is also provided for hinging the arm relative to the boom structure to maintain the longitudinal axis of the arm substantially horizontal as the boom is rotated in a vertical plane.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, not only are the problems heretofore experienced with respect to ground clearance alleviated, but additionally the compensating moment provided by the counterweight is maintained at a maximum by retaining the maximum moment arm through which the concentrated weight unit acts as the boom elevates.",
"This configuration is to be contrasted to prior art units where the counterweight rotates with the boom thereby reducing the effective moment arm through which the counterweight acts.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight horizontal includes a mast extending substantially perpendicularly from the boom, a first pulley system attached to the top of the mast and a second pulley system attached to the base.",
"A cable system extends from the counterweight and is entrained about the first pulley system and the second pulley system and attached to the boom whereby pivoting of the boom varies the length of the section of the cable system between the counterweight and the first pulley system to maintain the counterweight horizontal as the boom is pivoted.",
"In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight level during rotation of the boom further includes a third pulley system attached to the boom.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, the cable system extends from the counterweight and is entrained about the first pulley system and multiply wrapped about the second and third pulley systems whereby pivoting of the boom varies the length of the section of the cable system between the counterweight and the first pulley system to compensate for pivoting of the mast with the boom to maintain the counterweight horizontal as the boom rotates.",
"In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a triangular structure has one corner rotatably attached to the underside of the boom with at least one pulley attached to a second corner thereof and a bearing surface on a third corner for bearing against the underside of the boom as the boom is pivoted upwardly.",
"The pulley attached to the triangular structure is adapted to receive a plurality of wraps from the second pulley system.",
"This arrangement for maintaining the counterweight horizontal during rotation of the boom compensates for decreasing drawup of the cable system during high angles of rotation by the boom.",
"In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight horizontal during rotation of the boom comprises a measuring device for measuring the position of the counterweight relative to horizontal.",
"A servo system is connected to the counterweight and is operative in response to the measuring device to hinge the counterweight relative to the boom in order to reposition the counterweight to horizontal as the boom pivots.",
"In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a winch is provided with a cable extending from the winch to the counterweight.",
"The winch is operative in response to a device for measuring the angular position of the counterweight relative to horizontal such that the winch is energized to draw up and let out the cable in order to maintain the counterweight level as the boom rotates.",
"In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a cable system is provided extending through the boom to its load bearing end.",
"The cable is adapted for supporting the load to be carried by the boom.",
"A hoist mechanism is supported by the base structure and is adapted for controlling the length of the cable system to raise and lower the loads attached thereto.",
"The hoist mechanism comprises two sets of opposed pulleys about which the cable system is alternately wrapped.",
"Each set of pulleys has a common rotational axis, and the axis of one set is parallel to the axis of the second set.",
"The multiple wraps of the cable system about the pulleys generate sufficient traction on the cable system to restrain the cable under the loads attached thereto.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further details and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the crane embodying the present invention;",
"FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the boom rotated upwardly;",
"FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the system for maintaining the counterweight in a horizontal configuration during rotation of the boom;",
"FIG. 4 shows the boom in an intermediate rotational stage with the counterweight maintained in a horizontal position by the leveling system;",
"FIG. 5 shows the boom in its maximum up position with the counterweight maintained in a horizontal position by the leveling system;",
"FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment for maintaining the counterweight level during rotation of the boom;",
"FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the crane of the present invention;",
"FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7 showing the retraction mechanism for withdrawing the counterweight into the boom;",
"FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the hoist take-up mechanism of the present invention;",
"FIG. 11 is a top view as seen along line 11--11 of FIG. 10 showing the hoist mechanism of the present invention;",
"FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the hoist mechanism shown in FIG. 11;",
"FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the hoist unit used in the present invention;",
"FIG. 14 is a side view of the portion of the hoist mechanism illustrated in FIG. 13;",
"FIG. 15 illustrates the arrangement of the present invention through which the crane may be self-hoisted;",
"FIG. 16 illustrates the crane mounted for hoisting on the structure shown in FIG. 15;",
"FIG. 17 illustrates the crane of the present invention mounted on a self-powered motorized vehicle;",
"FIG. 18 illustrates the crane prepared to be moved on the motorized vehicle of FIG. 17;",
"and FIG. 19 illustrates the hydraulic circuit for a shock overload protection means used on the crane of the present invention.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a crane 30 embodying the present invention.",
"Crane 30 includes a base structure 32 rotatably secured to a foundation structure 34.",
"Extending from base 32 is superstructure 36, to which a boom 42 is attached.",
"Superstructure 36 is rigidly attached to base 32 and boom 42 pivots at the upper end by axis shaft 44.",
"Support member 40, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a hydraulic ram including a ram cylinder 46 and a ram piston 48 which is joined to a clevis 50.",
"One end of hydraulic ram cylinder 46 is rotatably attached to base 32 while clevis 50 is rotatably pinned to a lug 51 extending from the underside of boom 42 by pin 52.",
"Joined at one end of boom 42 is a boom extension 70 consisting of elements 70a and 70b.",
"The boom extension 70a is removably joined to main boom 42 by suitable fasteners 78 and boom extension 70b is joined to boom extension 70a by the same fasteners.",
"The end of boom extension 70b remote from boom extension 70a is adapted with a pulley system 90.",
"Pulley system 90 is rotatably secured to boom extension 70b about rotational axis shaft 92.",
"Extending upwardly from main boom 42 is mast 100 which is rotatably pinned to boom structure 42 along the top surface thereof by axis shaft 102.",
"The end of mast 100 remote from boom 42 is adapted with a juncture plate 104.",
"Removably secured between juncture plate 104 and the rearward end of boom 42 is mast support member 110.",
"Mast support member 110 is joined between boom 42 and juncture plate 104 by suitable pins 112 and 114, respectively.",
"A cable assembly 116 is fixedly attached between juncture plate 104 and the most forward end of boom 42 by pins 118 and 120, respectively.",
"Intermediate of the points of connection between juncture plate 104 and boom structure 60 is a turn buckle 122 for appropriately adjusting the tension on cable 116.",
"Similarly, a cable assembly 130 extends from juncture plate 104 at the uppermost end of mast 100 and the most forward end of boom extension 70b in order to transmit loading from the boom through the mast and into the base structure.",
"Cable assembly 130 is joined to juncture plate 104 and boom extension 70b by pin 132 and connecting strap 134, respectively.",
"In a preferred embodiment of the invention, connecting strap 134 is joined to boom extension 70b at axis shaft 92.",
"A tensioning mechanism 136 is connected by suitable fasteners 138 and 140 intermediate of cable 130 and connecting strap 134 to permit selective tensioning of cable 130.",
"A counterweight assembly 150 is hingedly attached at pin shaft 152 to an I beam section 154 which is slidable within the boom 42.",
"Counterweight assembly 150 is composed of an I beam section 156 rigidly attached to a weighted end unit 158.",
"I beam section 156 is adapted with guide ears 160 for aligning the counterweight I beam section 156 with I beam section 154.",
"I beam section 156 includes an upper cap 156a, a lower cap 156b and a web 156c.",
"Similarly, I beam section 154 includes an upper cap 154a (not shown), a lower cap 154b (not shown) and a web 154c.",
"A cable system 170 is joined to weight unit 158 by coupling member 172 and pin 174.",
"Cable system 170 extends around a pulley system 180 (not shown) positioned adjacent to juncture plate 104 at the uppermost end of mast 100.",
"Pulley system 180 has as its rotational axis shaft 182.",
"Cable system 170 extends around pulley system 180 and is connected to boom 42 through a triangular take-up structure 184 in a manner to be hereinafter described in detail.",
"Triangular take-up structure 184 consists of a rigid structure including sides 186, 188 and 190.",
"One end of side 186 is rotatably pinned by suitable pin 192 to boom 42.",
"The opposite end of side 186 is adapted with a pulley system 196, to be hereinafter described in greater detail.",
"A bearing pad 198 is fixedly attached at the juncture of sides 188 and 190 and is adapted for bearing against the lower side of boom 42 during operation of the unit as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.",
"Also illustrated in FIG. 1 and to be described hereinafter in further detail, is hoist cable 200 extending from the load bearing end of boom extension 70b and about pulley system 90.",
"Attached to the end of hoist cable 200 by pin 201 is hoist block 202 adapted with an engaging hook 204.",
"Referring again to FIG. 1, a take-up reel 206 is attached for rotation from the boom 42.",
"Fixedly attached to base 32 is a cab structure 208 from which the crane unit is operated.",
"Crane 30 is supported for rotation about a vertical axis from base structure 32 on foundation structure 34.",
"In a preferred embodiment of the invention, foundation structure 34 is adapted with teeth 210 about the circumference thereof.",
"Extending from base structure 32 is a rotatable pinion wheel 212 which mates with teeth 210 on foundation structure 34.",
"By rotating pinion wheel 212, base structure 32 and thus crane 30, may be selectively rotated about a vertical axis, relative to foundation structure 34.",
"Referring to FIG. 2, crane 30 is shown with boom 42 pivoted upwardly about axis shaft 44.",
"As is illustrated in FIG. 2, upward rotation of boom 42 is accomplished by extending ram piston 48 thereby causing rotation of the boom about axis shaft 44.",
"As mast support strut 110 and support cables 116 and 130, each extending from juncture plate 104 to points along boom 42 are each fixedly attached to the boom, the relationship of mast 100 to boom 42 remains unchanged as boom 42 is rotated upwardly.",
"Due to the leveling mechanism, to be hereinafter described in greater detail, the portion of counterweight cable system 170 between the weight unit 158 and the pulley system 180 is automatically shortened as boom 42 is raised.",
"The arrangement for automatically taking up the counterweight cable system 170 is so designed as to maintain the longitudinal axis of counterweight assembly 150 horizontal throughout all rotational positions of the boom.",
"One embodiment of cable system 170 is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.",
"Referring to FIG. 3, the superstructure 36 is shown supporting boom 42 at axis shaft 44.",
"Mast 100 and mast support strut 110 are shown extending from boom structure 42 as hereinbefore described.",
"Counterweight assembly 150 is shown hingedly attached at pin 152 to I beam 154 slidably engaged within boom structure 60.",
"Weight unit 158 attached to the end of counterweight I beam 156 is shown connected to leveling cable system 170 by coupling member 172 and pin 174.",
"Rotatably attached at axis shaft 182 is pulley system 180.",
"Similar pulley systems 220 and 222 are rotatably positioned about axes 224 and 226, respectively, on boom 42, and pulley systems 230 and 232 are rotatably attached to superstructure 36 by axes pins 234 and 236, respectively.",
"Triangular take-up structure 184, consisting of side members 186, 188 and 190, is joined at one end of side 186 by pin 192 to ear 194 extending from the lower portion of boom structure 60.",
"The opposite end of side 186 is adapted with pulley system 196.",
"The corner at which sides 188 and 190 of triangular take-up structure 184 are connected is adapted with bearing pad 198 as hereinabove described.",
"The pulley systems 196 and 232 are adapted with multiple parallel pulleys having a common axis of rotation.",
"Cable system 170 is attached at one end to weight unit 158 of counterweight assembly 150 by coupling member 172 and pin 174.",
"Cable system 170 extends from weight unit 158 and is entrained alternately around pulley systems 180, 220, 222, 230 and 196.",
"Cable system 170 is multiply wrapped about pulley systems 232 and 196 and is thereafter fixedly attached adjacent pulley system 196 by coupling member 240.",
"Referring to FIG. 3, it may be seen that the length of cable system 170 is such that the longitudinal axis of counterweight assembly 150 is in line with longitudinal axis of boom 42 when boom 42 is in the horizontal position.",
"FIG. 4 illustrates the boom in a rotated position and shows the resultant effect on cable system 170 and counterweight assembly 150.",
"Referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that the portion of cable system 170 between weighted end unit 158 and pulley system 180 at the upper end of mast 100 is shortened as a result of the movement of pulley system 196 with the rotation of boom 42.",
"As boom 42 rotates upwardly in a horizontal plane, pulley system 196, attached to the boom 42 by way of triangular take-up structure 184 moves upwardly with boom 60 and away from pulley system 232 attached to base support member 38.",
"As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, cable system 170 is wrapped three times about pulley systems 196 and 232.",
"As a result, cable system 170 is drawn three times the distance pulley system 196 is moved from pulley system 232.",
"This takeup in cable system 170 in conjunction with the arrangement of the other pulley systems about which cable system 170 is entrained, hinges counterweight assembly 150 about axis pin 152 to maintain the counterweight horizontal throughout the rotation of the boom.",
"Referring to FIG. 5, the boom has been rotated to its uppermost rotational position moving pulley system 196 further from pulley system 232 and thereby effectively shortening cable system 170 to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 horizontal throughout the upper movement of the boom.",
"In the rotational positions between that illustrated in FIG. 4 and that illustrated in FIG. 5, it may be seen that triangular take-up structure 184 has been rotated about its point of connection at pin 192 toward the lower side of the boom 42 such that bearing pad 198 contacts the lower surface of boom 42.",
"In this way, pulley 196 is maintained a sufficient distance away from boom 42 and slightly further from pulley system 232 than in the configuration where the triangular take-up structure is absent.",
"This arrangement results in the additional takeup of the length in cable system 170 necessary in the upper rotational stages of the boom in order to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 horizontal.",
"FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the counterweight assembly is maintained in its level configuration by a leveling sensor 244 which energizes a winch unit 246 to draw in and let out cable system 170 to maintain the counterweight assembly 150 level during the movement of the boom.",
"Referring to FIG. 6, winch unit 246 is adapted for receiving one end of cable system 170.",
"In this embodiment, winch unit 246 is substituted for pulley systems 230 and 232 and triangular take-up structure 184.",
"Leveling sensor 244 is attached to web 156c of I beam assembly 156 by suitable means.",
"Leveling sensor 244 is of the type capable of sensing movement of counterweight assembly 150 and of generating a signal when the longitudinal axis of I beam section 156 moves out of line with the horizontal.",
"Appropriate circuitry (not shown) is interconnected between sensor 244 and winch 246 for relaying the signal transmitted by sensor 244.",
"Winch 246 is operative in response to the signal emitted by sensor 244 and is appropriately controlled to draw in or let out cable system 170 whenever counterweight assembly 150 rotates from the horizontal to maintain the counterweight assembly level at all times.",
"Thus, in this embodiment, cable system 170 extends from the weight unit 158 around pulley system 180 and is attached to winch 246.",
"As the boom is rotated in a horizontal plane, sensor 244 generates an appropriate electrical signal which in turn energizes winch 246.",
"In this way, cable system 170 is drawn in and let out in accordance with the signal from sensor 244 to maintain the counterweight assembly level throughout movement of the boom structure.",
"Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the purely mechanical method illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 for maintaining the counterweight horizontal is replaced by an electrical servo system operating a winch unit to draw in and let out the counterweight control cable necessary to maintain the counterweight horizontal.",
"FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a crane 700 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.",
"Crane 700 includes a base structure 32 secured to a foundation 34.",
"A superstructure 36 is mounted on base structure 32 which rotates about a vertical axis during operation of the crane.",
"A boom 42 is supported from superstructure 36, being pinned at its rearward end to the apex of superstructure 36 by axis shaft 44 and supported forwardly thereof by a hydraulic cylinder 46.",
"Cylinder 46 is attached at clevis fitting 38 on the base 32 and ear 51 extending from boom 42 by axis pins 50 and 52, respectively.",
"A mast 100 is pivotally pinned to main boom structure 42 along the top surface thereof by axis shaft 102 and extends upwardly therefrom.",
"The end of mast 100 remote from boom 42 is adapted with a juncture plate 104.",
"A hydraulic cylinder 736 or optionally a mast support member 110 is connected between the main boom structure 42 by axis pin 112 and to juncture plate 104 by axis pin 114.",
"While FIG. 7 illustrates single hydraulic cylinders 46 and 736, it will be understood that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, these elements are used in pairs with elements of each pair positioned on opposite sides of the main boom structure and operating in unison one with the other.",
"A boom extension 70 extends from boom 42 and is attached thereto by axis shaft 752.",
"The end of boom extension 70 remote from main boom structure 42 is adapted with a pulley system 90 rotatably secured to boom extension 70 by rotational axis shaft 92.",
"A strap 134 has one end supported to axis shaft 92 of boom extension 70 and the opposite end attached by way of coupling member 138 to a cable assembly 130 which supports the end of boom extension 70 remote from main boom structure 42 from juncture plate 104 and mast 100 by way of coupling 132.",
"As has been discussed previously with respect to other embodiments of the invention, main boom structure 42 can be constructed to receive a counter balance unit which may be telescoped outwardly to counter balance the weight supported from the working end of boom extension 70.",
"As will be appreciated by examination of FIG. 7, the structure is designed to provide direct load paths through mast 100 and member 110 through boom 42 into superstructure 36 and hydraulic cylinder 46.",
"In this way, bending stresses which would normally be introduced into boom 42 are minimized with the load being substantially carried directly into superstructure 36.",
"Hydraulic cylinder 46 operates to pivot boom 42 about axis pin 44 by extension and retraction in the conventional manner.",
"Additionally, hydraulic cylinder 736 serves to permit pivoting of boom extension 70 about axis pin 752 when a shock load greater than the rated capacity of the crane is imposed on the boom.",
"The hydraulic circuit and the operation of this shock overload protection system is described hereinafter in FIG. 19.",
"FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the mechanism for retracting and extending the counterweight into and out of the boom.",
"FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIGS. 1 and 9.",
"FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, the boom structure 42 is adapted with longitudinal support members 62 and 64.",
"Interconnected between longitudinal support members 62 and 64 are transverse support members 62a and 64a.",
"As is shown in FIG. 9, lugs 280, 280'",
"(not shown), 282 and 282'",
"(not shown) extend from transverse support members 62a.",
"Extending through lugs 280 and 280'",
"and through 282 and 282'",
"are axis pins 284 and 286, respectively.",
"Rollers 288 and 290 are suspended on axis pins 284 and 286, respectively, and between lugs 280 and 280'",
"and 282 and 282', respectively.",
"Similarly, lugs 292 and 292'",
"(not shown) and 294 and 294'",
"(not shown) extend upwardly from lower transverse support structure 64a to support axis pins 296 and 298 and rollers 300 and 302, respectively.",
"Rollers 288, 290, 300 and 302 have a constant diameter cylindrical midsection with flanges at either end for accepting upper and lower caps 156a and 156b of counterweight I beam 156.",
"Counterweight I beam 156 rides on rollers 300 and 302 and below rollers 288 and 290 and is guided within boom structure 60 by these rollers during the retraction and extension of the counterweight assembly.",
"Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, and specifically to FIG. 9, chain 310 is connected at each end to counterweight assembly 150 and is entrained about sprocket wheels 312, 314 and 316.",
"Referring to FIG. 8, it may be seen that sprocket wheel 312 is rotatable about shaft 320 which is supported by a support bracket 322 extending downwardly from transverse frame member 62a and attached thereto by suitable fastening means such as bolts 324.",
"Shaft 320 is rotatably received within support bracket 322 by bearing assemblies 326 and 328, respectively.",
"Although not shown, sprocket wheel 316 is similarly supported within support brackets 322.",
"Sprocket wheel 314 is driven by a suitable motor 330 which is suitably attached to support bracket 322, such as by bolts 332 and 334.",
"Thus, by energizing motor 330 to rotate sprocket wheel 314, chain 310 may be driven forward or aft.",
"By rotating sprocket wheel 314 counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 9), counterweight assembly 150 is moved to its extended position out of the boom.",
"Similarly, by rotating sprocket wheel 314 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, chain 310 is made to draw counterweight assembly 150 into the boom structure.",
"Also illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a locking mechanism 350 for locking the counterweight assembly either in the fully extended or fully retracted position and for preventing the operation of the crane assembly whenever the counterweight assembly is intermediate of these positions.",
"Locking assembly 350 includes a bracket 352 rigidly attached to the boom structure and a lock plate 354 rotatably hinged to transverse frame structure 64a.",
"A hydraulic cylinder 360 is pinned between bracket 352 and plate 354, respectively.",
"The lock plate 354 is so positioned as to mate with notches within the lower cap 156b of counterweight I beam 156 when the counterweight assembly is either in the fully extended or fully retracted position.",
"By actuating the hydraulic cylinder 360, the lock plate 354 is made to engage the notch within the lower cap 156b of the counterweight I beam 156 thereby restraining the counterweight assembly from movement axially along the boom structure.",
"A support plate 370 extends upwardly and is fixedly attached to transverse frame element 64a.",
"Support plate 370 provides an additional restraint to lock plate 354 and provides more rigidity thereto when in the locked position.",
"When lock plate 354 is in the locked position, that is, sufficiently rotated such as to engage the notch within the counterweight I beam 156, it makes contact with electrical switch 376 closing the circuitry through the crane power source and permitting operation of the unit.",
"Otherwise, the power source to the crane system is always open, thereby preventing operation of the unit whenever the counterweight system is not in the locked position.",
"Referring to FIG. 9, the shaft 358 on which lock plate 354 hinges is seen to be supported at both ends by transverse frame members 64a.",
"While only four roller supports are illustrated in FIG. 9, it will be understood that any number of upper and lower roller supports may be spaced along boom structure 60 as is necessary to accommodate the movement of counterweight assembly 150 into and out of the boom structure.",
"Thus, the present invention discloses a crane system wherein the counterweight is pivotally hinged from a section fixedly secured to the boom.",
"The counterweight is automatically hinged as the boom is rotated upwardly in a vertical plane such that the longitudinal axis of the counterweight remains horizontal throughout the movement of the boom.",
"Because the counterweight structure is maintained level throughout the angular rotation of the boom, ground clearance problems are eliminated in that the counterweight maintains substantially the same position relative to the ground and other surrounding structures as the boom rotates.",
"Not only are the problems with respect to ground clearance of an extended counterweight attached to the boom thus alleviated, but additionally the effectiveness of the compensating moment provided by the counterweight is maintained at a maximum by retaining the maximum moment arm through which the weight of the counterweight assembly acts.",
"This configuration is to be contrasted to prior art units where the counterweight rotates with the boom as the boom rotates upwardly thereby effectively reducing the moment arm of the counterweight.",
"Additionally, the present invention discloses structure for permitting the retraction of the counterweight assembly into the boom for adapting the unit for use in tightly confined areas and for preparing the unit for relocation.",
"Further, the manner in which the counterweight moment is carried to the base structure as well as the manner in which the moment produced by the load attached to the boom is directed into the base is significant.",
"These loads are substantially supported through cable systems 170 and cable system 130.",
"Further, the load bearing paths represented by cable systems 170 and 130 are not interrupted by the hinging of counterweight assembly 150 in that cable system 170 provides a continuous load path from weighted unit 158 around the uppermost part of mast 100.",
"While the tension loads on the mast from the counterweight and the boom tend to counter balance each other, the vertical load applied through cable systems 170 and 130 into mast 100 are directed into the base structure therebelow.",
"By so directing the loads introduced by the counterweight assembly and the load carried by the boom, the loading is more directly applied to the base structure.",
"FIG. 10 illustrates in a perspective schematic view the hoisting mechanism of the present invention.",
"In accordance with the present invention, hoist cable 200 is entrained about pulleys 90 and 400 and multiply wrapped about pulley systems 402 and 404.",
"Pulley systems 402 and 404 each include a plurality of pulleys 402a and 404a, respectively, having a common rotational axis.",
"The rotational axis of pulley system 402 is appropriately spaced from and parallel to that of pulley system 404.",
"Cable 200 is multiply and alternately wrapped between pulley systems 402 and 404 such that the cable makes a single 180 degree wrap around any pulley unit 402a or 404a.",
"Cable 200 emerges from the pulley systems 402 and 404 and passes around pulleys 410 and 412 and thereafter extends to take-up reel 414.",
"Take-up reel 414 has an appropriate motor attached thereto (not shown) for applying a continuous nominal tensioning load, for example 50 to 60 pounds, to cable 200.",
"Pulley assemblies 402 and 404 are suitably attached for rotation on the base structure 32 of the crane assembly.",
"Pulleys 90, 400, 410 and 412 and take-up reel 414 are each appropriately suspended for rotation from boom structure 60.",
"Either or both pulley systems 402 and 404 may be driven to provide the cable tension required for lifting loads.",
"If both systems 402 and 404 are driven in the same direction of rotation the cable 200 will be wrapped around them in the manner illustrated.",
"If the systems 402 and 404 are driven in opposite directions of rotation the cable 200 will be wrapped around the pulley systems 402 and 404 in a figure eight fashion.",
"If only one of the pulley systems 402 or 404 is driven the cable 200 may be wrapped around the pulley systems in either 180 degree or figure eight fashion.",
"FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of opposed pulley systems 402 and 404.",
"As is best seen in FIG. 11, pulley system 402 is rotatable on shaft 420 and pulley system 404 is rotatable on shaft 422.",
"The pulley systems are maintained with their axes of rotation in a spaced parallel relationship by support housing 424 which encircles the two pulley systems and supports the ends of shafts 420 and 422.",
"Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, sprocket wheel 426 is mounted for rotation with shaft 420 and sprocket wheel 428 is mounted for rotation with shaft 422.",
"Sprocket wheels 426 and 428 are mounted on shafts 420 and 422 outside of support housing 424.",
"Sprocket wheels 426 and 428 are coupled for rotation by endless chain 430.",
"As may be seen in FIG. 11, an appropriate motor 432 engages shaft 422 opposite the end on which sprocket wheel 428 is mounted.",
"Motor 432 may be powered by any suitable means.",
"In preferred embodiments of the invention, the motor is either electrically or hydraulically powered.",
"Thus, by rotating shaft 422, both pulley assemblies 402 and 404 may be selectively rotated either in the forward or reversed directions.",
"Wedge 434 is slidably positioned adjacent pulley assembly 404 and may be selectively engaged or disengaged by handle 436 between pulley assembly 404 and support housing 424.",
"As cable 200 is wrapped such that the cable is let out by the counterclockwise rotation of pulley assembly 404, as seen in FIG. 12, wedge 434 provides a fail-safe locking function by preventing the extension of cable 200 when the wedge is engaged between pulley assembly 404 and support housing 424.",
"FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the hoisting mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.",
"In this embodiment, cable 200 is entrained around the successive pulley elements of pulley assembly 402 in a "figure eight"",
"wrap design.",
"Additionally, shafts 420 and 422 of pulley assemblies 402 and 404, respectively, are adapted with gears 440 and 442 which are coupled by toothed belt 444.",
"Thus, by multiply wrapping cable 200 about the pulley assemblies 402 and 404, and by applying a nominal takeup load on the end of cable 200, sufficient gripping strength may be induced between the cable and the pulley assemblies to draw in and extend cable 200 under its maximum load without experiencing any slippage of the cable relative to the assemblies.",
"By using the figure eight wrap illustrated in FIG. 14, the gripping force between cable 200 and pulley assemblies 402 and 404 is increased substantially.",
"This arrangement may be employed where higher loading on cable 200 is experienced.",
"The advantages in using the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14 are numerous.",
"Initially, it will be appreciated that cable 200 is not at any time wrapped over itself while under a load as in prior art hoist drums.",
"Thus, the substantial wear experienced in prior art devices by overlaying cable on the drum is eliminated.",
"Further, the need for attempting the prevent cross-winding of the cable onto the reel is eliminated as there is no possibility of the cable being wound on itself.",
"Additionally, in the prior art systems where the takeup of the load bearing cable is on a single drum, the effective diameter of the drum would naturally vary as the cable was wound onto the drum.",
"In the present invention, the drum diameter is constant and thus the torque necessary to turn the drums will remain constant throughout the operation of the unit.",
"Likewise, in that the torque necessary to turn the drums will remain constant it will be directly related to the load on the cable.",
"Thus, where the spool is actuated by a hydraulic powered system, a measure of the hydraulic line pressure will be a direct indication of the working load on the cable.",
"The cable load value is of substantial importance both in regard to the capabilities of the crane as well as in determining what the load is of the item being hoisted.",
"Thus, the present hoisting mechanism provides a ready means for generating a reading of the load being carried by the cable as well as for eliminating problems heretofore experienced with respect to wear on the cable and power required to draw in the cable.",
"FIG. 15 illustrates a structure through which the crane system may be self-hoisted to a desired working height.",
"The structure includes a main frame including legs 500, 502, 504 and 506 which are supported by transverse struts 508, 510, 512 and 514.",
"Slidably engaged within the main frame is a cage structure 516 including longitudinal legs 518, 520, 522 and 524 and transverse struts 526, 528, 530 and 532.",
"The slidable cage structure 516 is adapted at each end of its eight corners with a guide bracket 534 which mates with a groove in the legs of the main frame to permit the cage structure 516 to slide longitudinally within the main frame.",
"Cage structure 516 is adapted with corner brackets 540 and 542 at opposed lower corners.",
"Pulleys 544 and 546 are attached for rotation about a horizontal axis through corner brackets 540 and 542, respectively, about axis pins 548 and 550, respectively.",
"A cable 551 is attached at its ends to the uppermost diagonally opposed corners 552 and 554 of the main frame through corner plates 556 and 558 by suitable fasteners 560 and 562, respectively.",
"Cable 551 is entrained about pulleys 544 and 546 and adapted for attachment to hoist block 202 extending from the crane assembly.",
"The crane structure is mounted on slidable cage structure 516.",
"It may be readily recognized that by applying an upward force at the midpoint of cable 551, cage structure 516, and thus the crane assembly itself, is pulled upwardly relative to the main frame.",
"FIG. 16 illustrates the crane moving upwardly within the main frame on cage structure 516.",
"The crane has its boom in the most raised position, the slidable counterweight in its retracted position with the mast folded against the boom in order to clear the main frame in which the crane is elevated.",
"It may also be seen that when the crane is raised to the top of the main frame structure, additional surrounding frame structure may be assembled.",
"Thereafter, the cable arrangement earlier described with respect to FIG. 15 may be employed to pull the crane to higher levels as the main frame structure is extended.",
"Thus, the crane may build its own tower and hoist itself to the top without any assistance from auxiliary equipment.",
"When the crane is being moved or is in operation near an adjacent interfering structure, the counterweight of the present invention may be retracted into the boom as shown.",
"With the counterweight retracted, the boom may be rotated as when the counterweight is extended except without the benefit of the counter balancing moment produced by the counterweight when in the extended position.",
"The geometry of the leveling cable system 170 and the pulley systems operative therewith are so arranged that the crane may be rotated to its maximum upward position without putting cable system 170 in tension.",
"Tension in cable system 170 is unnecessary as the leveling system is non-functional when the counterbalance weight is in the retracted position.",
"Alternatively, cable system 170 may be detached from the counterweight assembly when the counterweight assembly is in the retracted position.",
"FIG. 17 illustrates the crane of the present invention mounted on a self-powered motorized base vehicle 600.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, the structure of the crane is similar to that described previously with respect to FIGS. 1-9.",
"The base structure 32 is mounted onto a frame 602 of motorized vehicle 600, and the crane structure is adapted for rotation about vertical axis as well as pivoting about a horizontal axis as in the previous embodiments.",
"The motorized vehicle 600 is adapted with a prime mover 604 and a cab 606 supported by frame 602.",
"The vehicle is movable on wheels 608.",
"The vehicle may be stabilized by use of jack arms 610 positioned relative to the frame structure 602 for concentrating the load on foot pads 612 during operation of the crane.",
"FIG. 18 illustrates the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 17 wherein the crane has been positioned on vehicle 600 for movement from one location to another.",
"As is illustrated in FIG. 18, boom structure 42 is pivoted to its most downward position, and mast 100 is likewise folded adjacent the boom structure.",
"Additionally, counterweight assembly 150 is in its most retracted position within the boom structure.",
"FIG. 19 illustrates the hydraulic circuit for the shock overload protection means shown in FIG. 7. Hydraulic cylinder 736 includes a cylinder 770 and a piston 772.",
"Piston shaft 774 extends out of the hydraulic cylinder and is attached as hereinabove indicated to boom 42 by axis pin 112.",
"The chamber 776 formed by cylinder 770 and piston 772 within hydraulic cylinder 736 is loaded with fluid under pressure and resists the extension of hydraulic cylinder 736 and therefore the loading applied to the working end of boom extension 70.",
"The volume of hydraulic fluid contained within cylinder 736 is sufficient to maintain boom extension 70 in line with boom 42 whenever the load applied to the working end of boom extension 70 is within the rated load capability of the crane.",
"Cylinder 770 is also fitted with a low pressure fluid maintenance line through which fluid is automatically replenished during the operation as is necessary due to leakage.",
"A one way check valve 782 permits the flow of fluid into cylinder 736, blocking the outflow of pressurized fluid.",
"An accumulator 784 communicates by way of tubing 786 to chamber 776 of cylinder 736.",
"Accumulator 784 acts to restrain and halt the downward movement of boom section 750 when a load greater than the rated load is applied to the boom section during operation.",
"Accumulator 784 is precharged with a gaseous medium 785, to a pressure in excess of the pressure required to support cylinder 772 in reaction to a rated load on the end of boom section 70.",
"A directional flow control 788 in line 786 between accumulator 784 and cylinder 736 permits fluid to freely enter the accumulator whenever larger compressive loading exists within the hydraulic cylinder as a result of loading on boom 70 greater than the rated loading.",
"As may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 19, when the rated load limit is exceeded, the force exerted on hydraulic cylinder 736 overcomes the normal pressure maintained in the accumulator 784 thereby causing piston 772 to force hydraulic fluid from chamber 776 and into accumulator 784.",
"As fluid is moved out of hydraulic cylinder 736 and into accumulator 784, the downward movement of boom section 750 is gradually halted as the pressure within the cylinder-accumulator system becomes sufficient to counter balance the load carried by the boom extension.",
"The directional flow control valve 788 restricts the return flow of fluid from the accumulator 784 dampening rebound action after the shock overload on boom 750 is cushioned.",
"A prime example of the advantage of the structure incorporated in the crane of FIGS. 7 and 19 is illustrated by the crane's operation to lift a load from a ship.",
"In this mode of operation, the crane is normally fixed to a stationary platform and the load is lifted on hook 204 from the ship.",
"The hook is drawn in to lift the load approaching in weight the load limit for the crane, from the ship's deck.",
"When wave action causes the ship to simultaneously descend in the water, a resulting dynamic load is applied to the crane increasing the effective load on the crane's structure as much as two to four times to actual weight of the cargo being lifted.",
"While there is some resiliency in the cable and other structure supporting the main boom structure and boom extension, this dynamic loading is in effect fully and immediately applied to the crane's structure and would normally exceed the structural limits of the crane.",
"However, in the present invention, this dynamic loading is cushioned by the extension of hydraulic cylinder 736 and the resulting movement of boom extension 70 downwardly.",
"Subsequent to the cushioning of the dynamic loading, the boom extension 70 is automatically repositioned relative to the main boom structure by the retraction of cylinder 736.",
"Therefore, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 19 provide a system which prevents impact loading which would otherwise be suffered by the structure of the crane without the movement permitted by hydraulic cylinder 736 and accumulator 784.",
"In the present structure, dynamic loading above the rated capacity of the crane is accommodated by the movement permitted by hydraulic cylinder 736 and accumulator 784 without exceeding the structural limits of the crane.",
"Thus, the present invention discloses a crane operable on either a fixed or movable support structure.",
"The crane includes a base having a boom pivotally supported at one of its ends from the base.",
"The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving a load thereon.",
"A mast is attached to the upper surface of the boom and an upper tension member system relieves the boom structure of all bending and twisting loads so that it works only under compressive loads.",
"In another embodiment a counterweight assembly is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base.",
"This arrangement permits the counterweight to be angularly rotated separate from the boom during pivoting of the boom in a vertical plane.",
"In this embodiment of the invention, the crane is adapted with structure for maintaining the extended counterweight structure substantially level as the boom is pivoted on the base.",
"In one embodiment of the invention, the structure for maintaining the counterweight assembly level during rotation of the boom structure is a cable system extending from the counterweight to the boom structure whereby the rotation of the boom draws the cable system such that the counterweight is maintained in a level position.",
"Alternatively, a leveling sensor is attached to the boom and controls a cable take-up mechanism which draws in and extends the cable system attached to the counterweight in order to maintain the counterweight in a level configuration during operation of the boom.",
"In still another embodiment of the invention, the counterweight assembly is retractable and extendable into and out of the boom structure.",
"Structure is provided for moving the counterweight assembly axially with respect to the boom structure and for providing a locking mechanism which prevents the operation of the crane when the counterweight assembly is intermediate of its most extended or retracted position.",
"In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the crane of the present invention is adapted with a cable system extending from the weighted end of the counterweight assembly over a mast structure positioned substantially over the base of the unit and a cable system extending from the load bearing end of the boom structure to the mast structure for more effectively introducing loads and moments into the base structure from both the counterweight assembly and the loads being lifted by the crane.",
"Further, the present invention includes a more efficient and accurate method of hoisting in the main load bearing cable used by the crane to perform its lifting function.",
"The system of the present invention is one which permits continuous and accurate take-up of the hoisting cable while minimizing wear and damage to the cable heretofore experienced in prior systems.",
"Further, the present invention discloses a method through which the crane may construct its own structure and thereafter self-hoist itself to the top thereof.",
"Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention."
] |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional of and claims the benefits of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/516,952, filed Jun. 18, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/516,952 is the national stage of PCT/JP2010/072743, filed Dec. 17, 2010, and claims the benefits of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-287946, filed Dec. 18, 2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a novel antiplatelet agent and a novel compound constituting an active ingredient thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Glycoprotein Ib (hereafter, GPIb) and glycoprotein VI (hereafter, GPVI) exist on a platelet membrane and play important roles each as a von Willebrand factor (hereafter, vWF) receptor and a collagen receptor in case of forming pathologic thrombus as can be found in a region of arteriosclerosis (non-patent document 1). Collagen is exposed by vascular endothelium damage in case of plaque rupture at the arteriosclerosis region, and a high shearing stress is caused by angiostenosis. The vWF tends to be solid-phased on the exposed collagen, and the platelet accumulates and sticks on the arteriosclerosis region by being connected with the vWF on the solid-phased collagen via the GPI. Thereafter, the GPVI on the platelet combines with the collagen, and the platelet is activated and accumulated to induce pathologic thrombus causing ischemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial obstruction (non-patent document 2). Haemostasis as a defence mechanism of organisms is formed via activation of the platelet by a tissue factor or a soluble agonist (thromboxane A2 (TXA2), adenosine 2 phosphate (ADP), etc.) released from the extravascular damaged-region. Since aspirin and clopidogrel, as existing medicines, have great influences on the hemostasis mechanism and inhibit the functions of TAXA2 and ADP, they enhance the antithrombotic function as well as the hemorrhagic function (non patent document 3). According to the results of the ATT (Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration) which was obtained by the meth-analysis of the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of the preventing effect by the existing antiplatelet agent (single administration of aspirin, ticlopidine, etc.), therapeutic reduction effect of the cardiovascular event by the existing antiplatelet agent is at most 25%, and the degree of satisfaction is not high (non patent document 4). Clinical study of the combined therapy was conducted by using conventional antiplatelet agents (CURE, MATCH, CHARISMA) aiming at a higher therapeutic effect, but it was shown that a risk for bleeding also increases (non patent documents: 5-7).
[0004] Heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazole derivatives are disclosed in patent documents 1-13, and in a non-patent document 8. However, these compounds have not been reported to provide an antiplatelet function, and their characteristics are different from those of the compounds of the present invention.
[0005] Heterocyclic compounds which have a platelet aggregation inhibitory action are disclosed in the document 14. However, their characteristics are different from those of the compounds of the present invention.
[0006] The preparation process of benzimidazole derivatives are disclosed in non-patent document 8.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0007] [Patent document 1] WO 1997/031365
[0008] [Patent document 2] WO 2001/002400
[0009] [Patent document 3] US 20090227538 A
[0010] [Patent document 4] US 20050054631 A
[0011] [Patent document 5] US 2006/044509 A
[0012] [Patent document 6] US 20040176390 A
[0013] [Patent document 7] WO 2010/070237 A
[0014] [Patent document 8] US 20050222197 A
[0015] [Patent document 9] US 20100029657 A
[0016] [Patent document 10] US 20060148805 A
[0017] [Patent document 11] US 20090232780 A
[0018] [Patent document 12] US 20080132501 A
[0019] [Patent document 13] US 20060223849 A
[0020] [Patent document 14] US 20060128685 A
Non Patent Documents
[0021] [Non patent documents 1] Nature Rev. Drug Discov., 2, 1-15 (2003)
[0022] [Non patent documents 2] Thromb. Haemost., 97. 435-443 (2007)
[0023] [Non patent documents 3] Platelet and Thrombosis-Basic and Clinic—Edited by Yasuo Ikeda
[0024] [Non patent documents 4] Br. Med. J, 324, 71-86 (2002)
[0025] [Non patent documents 5] N. Eng. J. Med., 345, 494-502 (2001)
[0026] [Non patent documents 6] Lancet, 364, 331-337 (2004)
[0027] [Non patent documents 7] N. Eng. J. Med., 354, 1706-1717 (2006)
[0028] [Non patent documents 8] Synthesis, 1, 47 (2005)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0029] The present inventions relate to a novel antiplatelet agent and a novel compound constituting an active ingredient thereof.
Method to Solve the Problem
[0030] The inventors of the present invention have made an intensive study to solve the problem mentioned above, and have found that a specified heterocyclic derivative can solve the problem, thus resulting in completion of the present invention.
[0031] The present invention relates to a following compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and/or a use thereof.
[0032] The present invention includes the following embodiments.
[0000] (1) An antiplatelet agent comprising a compound of formula I:
[0000]
[0000] wherein
X is N, or CR 1d ,
[0033] X b1 -X b5 are the same or different, and are nitrogen or carbon,
R 1a -R 1d are the same or different, and are hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkylthio, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl,
R 2 is an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl,
R 3 is an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl,
provided
at least three of X b1 -X b5 are carbon,
when X b1 is nitrogen, X b2 , X b4 and X b5 are carbon,
when X b2 is nitrogen, X b1 and X b4 are carbon, and
when X b4 is nitrogen, X b5 is carbon
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(2) The antiplatelet agent according to (1), wherein X b3 is nitrogen.
(3) The antiplatelet agent according to (2), wherein X b4 is carbon.
(4) The antiplatelet agent according to (2) or (3), wherein X b2 is carbon.
(5) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ia:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(6) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ib:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient:
(7) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ic:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(8) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Id:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(9) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ie:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(10) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(9) wherein R 1b is an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkylthio, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl.
(11) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(10) wherein R 1a and R 1d are hydrogen.
(12) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(11) wherein X is N.
(13) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(12) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted aryl” or “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 2 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl; an optionally substituted alkoxy; an optionally substituted alkylthio; an alkenyl; a halogen; cyano; a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; hydroxyl; an alkanoyl; a cycloalkylcarbonyl; an arylcarbonyl; nitro; an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group; an aryl and a heteroaryl.
(14) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(13) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted aryl” or “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 3 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl; an optionally substituted alkoxy; an optionally substituted alkylthio; a cycloalkyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an aliphatic heteromonocycle and a halogen.
(15) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(14) wherein R 2 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl.
(16) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(15) wherein R 3 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl.
(17) A compound of formula II:
[0000]
[0000] wherein
X a is N or CH,
[0034] X c1 X c5 are the same or different, and are nitrogen or carbon,
R 1e is an alkyl optionally substituted by an aryl or a halogen; an alkoxy optionally substituted by an aryl, a halogen or a cycloalkyl; an alkylthio optionally substituted by an aryl, a halogen or a cycloalkyl; an alkenyl; cyano; a cycloalkyl; a halogen; or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl,
R 1f is hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy, hydroxyl, cyano or a halogen,
R 21 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl,
R 31 is an optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl, and
at least three of X c1 -X c5 are carbon,
provided
when X c1 is nitrogen, X c2 , X c4 and X c5 are carbon,
when X c2 is nitrogen, X c1 and X c4 are carbon,
when X c4 is nitrogen, X c5 is carbon, and
when X c1 and X c3 are nitrogen, R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen,
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(18) The compound according to (17) wherein X c3 is nitrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(19) The compound according to (18) wherein X c4 is carbon, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(20) The compound according to (18) or (19) wherein X c2 is carbon, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(21) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by the formula IIa:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(22) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(23) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IIc:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(24) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IId:
[0000]
[0000] wherein R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, and each other symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof
(25) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IIe:
[0000]
[0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(26) The compound according to any one of (17)-(25) wherein the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl; an optionally substituted alkoxy; an optionally substituted alkylthio; an alkenyl; a halogen; cyano; a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; hydroxyl; an alkanoyl; a cycloalkylcarbonyl; an arylcarbonyl; nitro; an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group; an aryl; and a heteroaryl, and the substituents of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl; an optionally substituted alkoxy; an optionally substituted alkylthio; a cycloalkyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an aliphatic heteromonocycle; and a halogen, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(27) The compound according to any one of (17)-(26) wherein R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(28) The compound according to any one of (17)-(27) wherein R 1e is trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(29) The compound according to any one of (17)-(28) wherein R 1f is hydrogen or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(30) The compound according to any one of (17)-(29) wherein the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl; an optionally substituted alkoxy; a halogen; cyano; a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; hydroxyl; nitro; and an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group, or
a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(31) The compound according to any one of (17)-(30) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, or nitro, or
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(32) The compound according to any one of (17)-(31) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, a halogen, and cyano, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(33) The compound according to any one of (17)-(32), wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 are 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(34) The compound according to any one of (17)-(33) wherein X a is N, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(35) An antiplatelet agent comprising the compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
(36) A medicine for prevention or treatment of ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, comprising a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(37) A method of preventing platelet aggregation comprising administrating an effective amount of a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(38) A method of preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, comprising administrating an effective amount of a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(39) The compound for use in preventing platelet aggregation, which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(40) The compound for use in preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
(41) The use of the compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of an antiplatelet agent.
(42) A use of the compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina.
[0035] In the followings are explained the groups represented by each term and each symbol used herein.
[0036] Alkyl of the “alkyl” and “alkylthio” is exemplified by C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkyls, in particular, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, 1-methylpropyl, pentyl or hexyl.
[0037] The “alkoxy” is exemplified by a C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkoxy, in particular, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, iso-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy or hexyloxy,
[0038] The “halogen” is exemplified by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
[0039] The “alkanoyl” is exemplified by a C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkanoyl, in particular, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pentanoyl or hexanoyl.
[0040] The “alkenyl” is exemplified by a C 2-6 , preferably C 2-4 linear or branched alkenyl, in particular, vinyl, allyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl or 3-hexenyl.
[0041] Cycloalkyl in the “cycloalkyl” and “cycloalkylcarbonyl” is exemplified by a C 3-8 , preferably C 3-6 cycloalkyl, in particular cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.
[0042] Aryl in the “aryl”, “aryloxy” and “arylcarbonyl” is exemplified by a C 6-14 monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aryl, preferably C 6-10 monocyclic or bicyclic aryl. In particular, it is exemplified by phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthryl.
[0043] The “heterocyclic group” is exemplified by an aliphatic heterocyclic group and a heteroaryl containing for example, 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which optionally, a part or all of 3-12 members may be, as a whole, saturated.
[0044] The “aliphatic heterocyclic group” is exemplified by an aliphatic heteromonocyclic group or a heterobicyclic group.
[0045] The “aliphatic heteromonocyclic group” is exemplified by an aliphatic heterocyclic group containing 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which as a whole, a part or all of 3-12 members, preferably 4-7 members are saturated.
[0046] The “heterobicyclic group” is exemplified by a heterobicyclic group containing 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from, for example, nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which as a whole, a part or all of 7-12 members are saturated.
[0047] The “heteroaryl” is a 5 to 10-membered aromatic cyclic group which has at least one heteroatom (nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, etc.) and carbon, and includes a 5 to 6-membered monocyclic group, a 8 to 10-membered bicyclic group formed by condensation of the same or different monocyclic heteroaromatic rings, and a 8 to 10-membered bicyclic group formed by condensation of a monocyclic heteroaromatic ring and benzene.
[0048] In the followings are explained preferable embodiments.
[0000] Substituents of the “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy” and “optionally substituted alkylthio” in R 1a -R 1d are exemplified by an aryl, a halogen, a cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, an alkoxy, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and further preferably by a cycloalkyl and a halogen, and particularly preferably by a halogen. These substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and may be the same or different.
[0049] R 1a -R 1e is, preferably the same or different, and is an alkyl substituted by a halogen, an alkoxy optionally substituted by a halogen or a cycloalkyl, an alkylthio optionally substituted by a halogen or a cycloalkyl, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, etc. In particular, specific examples are difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyclopropylmethoxy, vinyl, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, cyclopropyl, ethyl and cyano.
[0050] R 1b and R 1e are further preferably exemplified by an alkyl substituted by a halogen, and an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, in particular, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 1-trifluoromethyl-ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethyl, and trifluoromethyl. Among them, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy are recited as specifically preferable examples.
[0051] R 1c and R 1f are selected preferably from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxyl, cyano, and a chlorine atom, and particularly preferably from hydrogen.
[0052] R 1a and R 1d are, preferably, hydrogen.
[0053] Aryl of the “optionally substituted aryl” in R 2 is, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, and particularly preferably phenyl.
[0054] The “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 2 or the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 is exemplified by, preferably, a 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl, and particularly preferably, a 6-membered heteroaryl. In particular are recited pyrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, preferably, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridyl, and particularly preferably, pyridyl and pyrazinyl.
[0055] Substituents of “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 2 , and “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are the same or different, and exemplified by, preferably, an optionally-substituted alkyl; an optionally-substituted alkoxy; an optionally-substituted alkylthio; an alkenyl; a halogen; cyano; a carbamoyl optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; hydroxyl; nitro; and an optionally-substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group, and further preferably, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, carbamoyl and nitro, and particularly preferably, cyano and a halogen. In particular, they are the same or different, and are methyl, ethyl, vinyl, propenyl, methoxy, methylthio, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, pyrrolidinyl, hydroxypyrrolidinyl, dimethylaminopyrrolidinyl, methoxy-pyrrolidinyl, oxopyrrolidinyl, methoxymethyl-pyrrolidinyl, morpholyl, piperidinyl, methylpiperazinyl, methoxyazetidil, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl, cyano, nitro and carbamoyl. These substituents may be one or in plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.
[0056] When the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 2 and R 21 is a 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl, the substituents thereof are preferably the same or different, and are an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl and nitro, and particularly preferably, fluorine and cyano. These substituents may be 1 or in plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.
[0057] When the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 2 and R 21 is a 5-membered monocyclic heteroaryl, their substituents are the same or different and preferably exemplified by an alkyl.
[0058] The substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 2 , and the substituents of the “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy” and “optionally substituted alkylthio” in the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are, for example, an alkoxy; a halogen; hydroxyl; an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and preferably, an alkoxy; a halogen; hydroxyl; an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl. These substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.
[0059] Substituents in the “optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group”, which is a substituent of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 2 and “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 , are exemplified by, an alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or an alkoxy; an alkoxy; an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; and oxo.
[0060] The “optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group” as a substituent of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and the “optionally substituted aryl” in R 2 and of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 21 are exemplified by, in particular, pyrrolidyl, morpholinyl, piperidyl or piperazyl.
[0061] A preferable example of R 2 and R 21 is a group represented by the formula:
[0000]
[0000] wherein R 4 is an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl or nitro.
[0062] R 4 is, particularly preferably, fluorine or cyano.
[0063] Aryl of the “optionally substituted aryl” in R 3 is, preferably, phenyl or naphthyl, in particular preferably, phenyl.
[0064] Heteroaryl of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” in R 3 is exemplified by, preferably, a monocyclic heteroaryl, in particular preferably, a 6-membered heteroaryl. In particular, indole, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl are recited, and preferably, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl are recited.
[0065] Heteroaryl of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 is exemplified, in particular, by pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl, and preferably, by pyridyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl, and especially, by pyridyl and pyridazinyl.
[0066] Substituents of “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy” and “optionally substituted alkylthio” which are substituents of “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 3 and of “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 are exemplified, by a halogen; hydroxyl; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and these substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.
[0067] Substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 3 and of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 are exemplified, preferably, by an alkyl; an alkoxy; an alkylthio; a cycloalkyl; an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; an aliphatic heteromonocycle; and a halogen, in particular preferably, by an alkyl; an alkoxy; a halogen; and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl. In particular are recited methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, methylamino, dimethylamino, pyrrolidinyl, cyclopropyl, a fluorine atom, and a chlorine atom, and preferably, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, methylamino, and dimethylamino. These substituent may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and may be the same or different.
[0068] A substituting position of the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl” and “optionally substituted aryl” in R 3 and of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl” in R 31 is, preferably, in para-position toward a benzimidazole ring or an imidazopyridine ring.
[0069] A preferable example of R 3 or R 31 is a group represented by the formula:
[0000]
[0000] wherein X b is N or CH, and R 5 is an alkyl; an alkoxy; an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl; and a halogen.
[0070] Examples of the compounds represented by formulae I and II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are the compounds recited in the Examples or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and preferably selected from
[0000] 1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 1);
2-(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 2);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 3);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 4);
N-methyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine (Example 5);
N,N-dimethyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine (Example 6);
6-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 7);
5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (Example 8);
2-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 9);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 10);
2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 11);
1,2-dipyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 12);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 13);
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 14);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 15);
5-ethyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 17);
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 18);
2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 20);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 21);
1,2-bis(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 24);
5-cyclopropyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 27);
5-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 31);
2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 35);
2-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 36);
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 40);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 52);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-nitropyridin-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 53);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 54);
6-chloro-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 55);
2-(5-ethylpyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 56);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 58);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 62);
1-[6-(methylthio)pyridazin-3-yl]-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 67);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 71);
2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 72);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 73);
2-(4-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 75);
2-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 81);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 88);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 89);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylpyrazine-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 90);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 94);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 107);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 108);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 109);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 110);
3-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 118);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 122);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 125);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(5-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 126);
6-[3-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 130);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 139);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 144);
6-isopropoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 145);
6-(difluoromethoxy)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 146);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 147);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 148);
5-[2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]-N-methylpyridin-2-amine (Example 149);
6-{3-[6-(methylamino)pyridin-3-yl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 150);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 151);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 152);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 153);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 154);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 155);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 156);
5-[3-(5-methoxypyridazin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (Example 157);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 158);
2-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 159);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 160);
1-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 161);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 162);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 163);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 164);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 165);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 166);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 167);
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 168);
3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 169);
6-ethoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 170);
6-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 171);
2-(2-ethyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 172);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-propoxy-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 173);
6-isobuthoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 174);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 175);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methylethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 176);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 177);
6-(difluoromethoxy-2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 178);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (Example 179);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (Example 180);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (Example 181);
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-indole (Example 182);
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 183);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 184);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole (Example 185);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine (Example 186);
1-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 187);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole (Example 188);
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (Example 190);
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (Example 191); and
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (Example 192) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
[0071] As the salts of said compounds represented by the formulae I and II, salts of acid adducts or base adducts can be used. The kind of the salts is not limited specifically as far as the salts are physiologically acceptable.
[0072] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, when the compound has a basic group, exemplified by salts of an inorganic acid such as hydrochloride, sulfate, phosphate or hydrobromide, or salts of an organic acid such as acetate, fumarate, oxalate, citrate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, tosylate or maleate. When the compound has an acidic group, salts of an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium, or salts or an alkaline earth metal such as calcium are exemplified as said salts.
[0073] When the compounds of the formulae I and II or the salts thereof include optically active compounds, they can be separated into an individual optical isomer by the usual method of optical resolution. Alternatively, the compounds of the formulae I and II or the optical active salts thereof can be synthesized by utilizing an optically-pure starting material or a compound having a known steric configuration.
[0074] One or more than two kinds of the compounds of the present invention represented by the formulae I and II or the salt thereof may be administered as it is to patients, but preferably, may be administered in well-known forms of preparation by adding active ingredients and pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives.
[0075] The compound of the present invention can be administered to human or animals by appropriate administration routes after prepared in an appropriate dosage form (powders, injections, tablets, capsules or topical external preparations) together with appropriate usual diluents and other additives, via appropriate routes of administration depending on its dosage form (e.g., intravenous administration, oral administration, cutaneous administration or topical administration).
[0076] As pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives, can be used excipients, disintegrating agents, binders, lubricating agents, coating agents, pigments, diluents, bases and isotonizing agents.
[0077] Examples of preparations appropriate for oral administration are tablets, capsules, powders, fine granules, granules, liquids or syrups, and examples of preparations appropriate for non-oral administration are injections, drops or suppositories.
[0078] In the preparations appropriate for the oral administration, additives such as excipients, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, coating agents or bases can be used. And, when the compound of the present invention is administered to patients of therapeutic target, other ingredients appropriate for treating the target individuals and the compound of the present invention may be used together.
[0079] An administration route of the medicine of the present invention is not limited specifically, but the route of orally or non-orally administration can be adopted. The dose is determined depending on the individuals' age, weight, general health status, sex, diet, administration time, administration method, excretory time, combination of medicines, condition of disease under treatment at the time, and by consideration of these or other factors. The compounds of the present invention or the optical isomers thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are low in toxicity and can be used safely. The dose per day differs depending on status and weight of the individuals, kinds of the compounds, routes of administration, etc., and, for example, in case of non-oral, about 0.1-1000 mg/man/day, preferably about 500 mg/man/day are desirably administered via subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally, and in case of oral, about 0.1-1000 mg/man/day, preferably about 500 mg/man/day are desirably administered.
Effect of the Invention
[0080] The compound of the present invention depresses platelet aggregation induced by GPIb and GPVI. Since the GPIb and the GPVI work selectively when pathologic thrombus is formed induced by plaque rupture at an arteriosclerosis region, they do not accentuate bleeding risk and exert strong antithrombotic action.
[0081] The compound of the present invention is potent in the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation induced either by ristocetin via the GPIb or by collagen via GPVI, compared to the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation caused by ADP. Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be an antiplatelet agent which does not accentuate the bleeding risk.
[0082] The compound of the present invention is potent in the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation induced either by ristocetin via the GPIb or by collagen via GPVI, compared to the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation caused by ADP. Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be the antiplatelet agent which is expected to have high platelet-aggregation inhibitory action in high-speed condition of blood flow at the angiostenosis region by arteriosclerosis, etc. (at a time of pathologic thrombus formation: “high-shearing stress state”), compared to low-speed condition of the blood flow at the wounded region (at time of hemostasis formation: “low-shearing stress state”).
[0083] The compound of the present invention has the antiplatelet function, and by the function, the compound can be a medicine for preventing, reducing and/or treating diseases relating to the function, for example, ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy (including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremia syndrome), and unstable or stable angina.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0084] The compounds of the formulae Ia-Ie and the synthetic intermediates thereof can be produced by the following methods. The compounds of the formulae IIa-IIe can be also produced similarly to the compounds of the formulae Ia-Ie.
[0085] Unless otherwise recited in the producing methods, examples, and comparative examples, the following symbols indicate the following meanings:
[0000] APCI: atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
Ac: acetyl
Boc: t-butoxycarbonyl
Bu: butyl
DEPC: diethylcyanophosphorate
DMAC: dimethylacetamide
DMF: dimethylformamide
DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide
EDCI: 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide
ESI: electrospray ionization
Et: ethyl
HATU: O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′,-tetramethyl-uroniumhexafluorophosphate
HOBu: 1-hydroxydibenzotriazole
Me: methyl
SEM: 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl
THF: tetrahydrofuran
TMS: trimethylsilyl
[0000]
[0000] wherein, LG means a leaving group, for example, a halogen, and other symbols mean the same meanings as described above.
[0086] [Step a]
[0087] A compound (2) can be produced by reacting the compounds (1) and (5), in the presence or absence of catalyst, in appropriate solvents or without solvent.
[0088] In the absence of catalyst, the reaction proceeds suitably in the presence or absence of a base. As the base, alkali metal salts such as potassium carbonate, or organic bases such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be suitably used. The present reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of, especially, 0° C.-150° C. As solvents, non-solvent or any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, for example, DMF, DMAC or DMSO can be suitably used. In the presence of catalysts, the catalysts and processes described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338(2008), Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954(2009)”, etc. can be suitably used.
[0089] [Step b]
[0090] The compound (3) can be produced by reducing a nitro group in the compound (2) in usual manner (hydrogenation process using Pd catalysts and reduction process using metal catalysts such as zinc or iron). And, the process using hydrazine monohydrate and iron (III) chloride described in “Tetrahedron Letter, 36, 2411(1995)” can be also suitably used. As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be applied, and an alcoholic solvent such as, methanol, ethanol or isopropanol can be recited. The present reaction can be added with an active carbon, and proceeds suitably at the reaction temperature of 60° C.-100° C.
[0091] [Step c]
[0092] The compound (4) can be produced by reacting the compound (3), the carboxylic acid (6) and an amidizing reagent, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. The present reaction suitably proceeds at −20° C. to 100° C., especially, 0° C. to a room temperature. As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, THF, DMF or DMAC can be suitably used. As an amidizing reagent, a combination of EDCI, HOBt and triethylamine, or a combination of HATU or DEPC and triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be recited.
[0093] [Step d]
[0094] The compound [Ia] can be produced by treating the compound (4) with an acid in an appropriate solvent. The reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of 60° C.-150° C. The present reaction proceeds suitably, especially at 80° C.-120° C. As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, acetic acid, toluene, xylene or dioxane can be suitably used. As acids, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid and acetic acid can be suitably used. Also, the reaction can be accelerated by irradiating microwave.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, LG is a leaving group, such as a halogen, and other symbols are the same as described above.
[0095] [Step e]
[0096] The compound (2) can be produced by reacting the compound (7) and the compound (8) in an appropriate solvent, or without a solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, an alkaline metal salt such as potassium carbonate, an alkaline earth metal salt such as cesium carbonate, or an organic base such as triethylamine and pyridine. As a solvent, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMSO, DMF, and THF can be suitably used. And also can be suitably used the N-arylation reaction using a transition metal catalysts such as palladium and copper described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338(2008), or Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954(2009)”.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.
[0097] [Step f]
[0098] The compound (9) can be produced by reacting the compound (3) with aldehyde (10) in an appropriate solvent or without solvent. As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, toluene and xylene can be suitably used. The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C. Appropriate acids can be added to the present reaction.
[0099] The compound (9) obtained can be used in the next reaction step without further purification.
[0100] [Step g]
[0101] The compound [Ia] can be produced by reacting the compound (9) in an appropriate solvent, in the co-presence of an acid and an oxidizing agent. As acids, for example, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid are recited, and as an oxidizing agent, for example, sodium hydrosulfite (Na 2 S 2 O 4 ), iodine and hydrogen peroxide are recited. As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMF, DMAC and an alcoholic solvent such as ethanol can be suitably used. The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C.
[0102] The present production method can be conducted without isolating the intermediate from the compound (3) as described in “Synthesis., 1, 47 (2005)”.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, LG 1 is a halogen, LG 2 is, —B(OH) 2 , —B(OR) 2 , or —SnR 3 , R is an alkyl, and each other symbol is the same as that described above.
[0103] [Step h]
[0104] The compound (11) can be produced by reacting the compound (3) and trialkyl orthoformate in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. As solvents, any solvent which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, toluene, xylene and acetic acid can be suitably used. The present reaction proceeds suitably also by adding an acid, for example, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid. The present reaction proceeds suitably at 0° C.-100° C.
[0105] [Step i]
[0106] The compound (12) can be produced by reacting the compound (11) with a halogenizing reagent in the presence or absence of a base, in an appropriate solvent. As the base, for example, organometallic reagent such as n-butyl lithium is recited, and as the halogenizing reagent, for example, carbon tetrabromide and N-bromosuccinimide are recited. When the base is used in the present reaction, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, THF, hexane and toluene can be suitably used. The reaction proceeds suitably at the reaction temperature of −78° C. to room temperature. And, in the absence of the base, the solvent such as dioxane, THF, DMF or carbon tetrachloride can be suitably used. The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from room temperature to 150° C.
[0107] [Step j]
[0108] The compound [Ia] can be produced by reacting the compound (12) and the compound (13) in an appropriate solvent, in the presence of a Pd catalyst as described in “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry., 576, 147 (1999)”. As the Pd catalyst, zero-valent palladium such as tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) or tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0), and bivalent palladium such as acetic acid palladium (II) and chloro-bistriphenylphosphine palladium (II) are recited. Also an appropriate ligand can be added, and 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl, 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl, 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl, etc. are recited. As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and in case of LG 2 is —SnR 3 , such solvents as toluene, THF, dioxane are recited, and in case of LG 2 is —B(OH) 2 or —B(OR) 2 , such solvents as toluene, THF, dioxane, dimethoxyethane or water, or a mixed solution thereof are recited. In case of LG 2 is —B(OH) 2 or —B(OR) 2 , the reaction proceeds suitably by adding a base, and such bases as sodium carbonate, potassium phosphate and sodium t-butoxide are recited. The present reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures of 60° C.-160° C.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, R is an alkyl group such as a methyl group or an ethyl group, and each other symbol is the same as described above, and LGs may be the same or different.
[0109] Production Method
[0110] [Step a]
[0111] The compound (16) can be obtained by the SONOGASHIRA reaction between the compound (14) and the acetylene derivative (15) using the palladium (0) and copper catalyst. As the palladium catalyst, tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0), dichloro ditriphenylphosphino palladium (0), etc. can be suitably used. The solvent is not limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, THF, toluene, benzene, triethylamine, diethylamine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or diethylamine. The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from room temperature to 120° C. It is preferable that, among two LGs in the compound (14), the LG which does not connect to the carbon adjacent to X has higher reactivity. The compound (16) can be also produced by converting an optionally protected hydroxy group into the leaving group by usual manner, after the present step has been conducted by using the compound having an optionally protected hydroxy group as the LG connecting to the carbon adjacent to X.
[0112] [Step b]
[0113] The compound (17) can be obtained from the compound (16) by the desilylation reaction described in “Greene's Protecting Group in Organic Synthesis”. Preferably is recited the method of mixing with tetrabutylammonium fluoride, preferably in an appropriate solvent. The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from 0° C. to room temperature.
[0114] [Steps c and d]
[0115] The compound (19) can be obtained by the SONOGASHIRA reaction using the compound (17) or the acetylene derivative (18) and the palladium (0) and copper catalyst. As the palladium catalysts, tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0), ditriphenylphosphine palladium (II) dichloride, etc. are preferable. The present step proceeds in a solvent, or without solvent, and the solvent is not limited specially, as far as it does not affect the reaction. For example, THF, toluene, benzene, triethylamine, diethylamine, or the mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction proceeds suitable at the reaction temperatures from room temperature to 120° C.
[0116] [Step e]
[0117] The compound (21) can be produced by reacting the compound (19) and the amine (20) in an appropriate solvent or without solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, an alkali metal salt or an alkaline-earth metal salt such as potassium carbonate and cesium carbonate, or an organic base such as triethylamine or pyridine. Any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMSO, DMF and THF are recited. More preferably, the N-arylation reaction catalyzed by the transition metal catalyst such as palladium or copper can be suitably used as described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338 (2008)”, or “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954 (2009)”. The compound (21) obtained can be also utilized as it is to the next reaction step without isolation.
[0118] [Step f]
[0119] The compound (Ib) can be produced by adding an appropriate base such as potassium-t-botoxide or potassium hydride to the compound (21) in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, toluene, DMF, THF, acetonitrile and N-methylpyrrolidone are recited. The method using palladium as described in “Tetrahedron Lett., 1988, 29, 1799”, or the method using copper as described in “J. Org. Chem., 1963, 28, 2163” can also be suitably used.
[0120] The compound (Ib) can also be produced in an one-pot reaction from the compound (14), the acetylene derivative (18) and the amine (20) by using such a method as described in “Org. Lett., 2005, 7, 439”.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same meaning as above.
[0121] [Step a]
[0000] The compound (24) can be produced by reacting the compound (22), the amine (23) and an amidizing reagent, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably from −20° C. to 100° C., especially, from 0° C. to room temperature. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, THF, DMF, DMAC, etc. can be suitably used. As an amidizing reagent, a combination of EDCI, HOBt and triethylamine, or a combination of HATU or and triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine may be recited.
[0122] [Step b]
[0000] The compound (25) can be produced by combining the compound (24) with thionyl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus pentachloride, etc. in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C.
[0123] [Step c]
[0000] The compound (Ic) can be produced by the cross-coupling reaction of the compound (25) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used. The reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, the 0-valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compound described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc. can be use in a catalytic amount or a stoichiometric amount. Also the legands described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.” can be suitably used. Also, the present reaction can be accelerated by irradiation of microwave.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same meaning as above.
[0124] [Step a]
[0125] The compound (27) can be produced by reacting the compound (26) and the amine (23) in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably from room temperature to 150° C. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and benzene, toluene, xylene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used. In the present reaction, an appropriate acid may be added, and the compound (27) obtained can be used, as it is, to the next reaction step without isolation.
[0126] [Step b]
[0127] The compound (28) can be produced by reacting the compound (27) and triethyl phosphite, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent. The present reaction proceeds suitably, especially at 150° C.
[0128] [Step c]
[0129] The compound (25) can be obtained by mixing the compound (28) with a usual halogenizing reagent (such as, chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide or a halonium salt) in a solvent, or without solvent. For example, the solvent such as methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixture solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures are preferably from 0° C. to 150° C. To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) or benzoyl peroxide.
[0130] [Step d]
[0131] The compound (Ic) can be synthesized by using a cross-coupling reaction of the compound (25) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, an organic tin compound. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used. The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures of 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc. can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount. Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.” can be suitably used. The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.
[0132] [Step a]
[0133] The compound (31) can be obtained by the coupling reaction of the compound (29) with the compound (30) using a metal catalyst (for example, “J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 12557-12565”, “J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 7996-8002”, etc.). There is no limitation in a solvent, and any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be properly used, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable. The compound (31) can be also synthesized using the Claisen condensation or the Friedel-Crafts reaction, etc.
[0134] [Step b]
[0135] The compound (32) can be obtained by mixing the compound (31) with the usual halogenizing reagent (chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide or N-iodosuccinimide, a halonium salt, etc.) in a solvent or without solvent. The solvent is not specifically limited unless it affects the reaction, and, for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-120° C. are desirable. To the present reaction, may be added a suitable acid (acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.) or a base which does not affect the reaction (sodium hydride, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, lithium hexamethyldisilazide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, an organolithium compound, etc.).
[0136] [Step c]
[0137] The compound (Id) can be obtained by mixing the compound (32) and the compound (33) in a solvent or without solvent. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methanol, ethanol, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, THF, DMF, toluene, pyridine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures at 50° C.-150° C. are desirable. To the present reaction may be added a proper base (sodium hydride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate, triethylamine, pyridine, etc.).
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above).
[0138] [Step a]
[0139] The compound (35) can be obtained by mixing the compound (33) and the compound (34) in a solvent or without solvent. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methanol, ethanol, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, THF, DMF, toluene, pyridine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly utilized. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable. To the present reaction may be added a suitable base (potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate, triethylamine, pyridine, etc.).
[0140] [Step b]
[0141] The compound (36) can be obtained by mixing the compound (35) and the usual halogenizing reagent (for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide or a halonium salt), in a solvent or without solvent. For example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable. To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) or benzoyl peroxide.
[0142] [Step c]
[0143] The compound (Id) can be synthesized by the cross-coupling reaction of the compound (36) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, or an organic tin compound. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof may be properly used. The reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc. can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount. Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.” can be suitably used. The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.
[0144] [Step a]
[0145] The compound (38) can be obtained by reacting the compound (37) and malondialdehyde or the binamidinium salt described in “J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 4571-4574”. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, acetonitrile, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-80° C. are desirable. To the present reaction, a suitable acid (acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.) and a suitable base (sodium methoxide, potassium t-botoxide, triethylamine, etc.) may be added as far as they do not affect the reaction.
[0146] [Step b]
[0147] The compound (39) can be obtained by mixing the compound (38) with the usual halogenizing reagent (chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide, or a halonium salt), etc. in a solvent or without solvent. For example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable. To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) and benzoyl peroxide.
[0148] [Step c]
[0149] The compound (I e1 ) can be synthesized by a cross-coupling reaction of the compound (39) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, an organic tin compound, etc. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used. The reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc. can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount. Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.” can be suitably used. The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.
[0000]
[0000] wherein, Z − represents a counter anion such as halide, and other symbol is the same as described above.
[0150] [Step a]
[0151] The compound (I e2 ) can be obtained by mixing the compound (31) and the compound (40) in a solvent or without solvent. The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, methanol, ethanol, etc. can be properly used. The reaction temperatures of 0° C.-150° C. are desirable. To the present reaction may be added a suitable base (triethylamine, pyridine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, etc.).
[0152] Production Method 12
[0153] The functional groups contained in the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates, or their starting compounds can be converted by the usual methods described in “Comprehensive Organic Transformations: A guide to Functional Group Preparations, Fiesers' Reagents for Organic Synthesis”, etc., for example, by the following methods.
[0154] (1) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates, or their starting compounds have functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, carboxy, etc.), the reaction can be conducted by protecting these functional groups with the usual protecting groups as described in “Greene's Protecting Group in Organic Synthesis”, then, after reaction, the targeted compound can be obtained by removing said protecting groups. In this case, the protecting groups for the hydroxyl group are exemplified by tetrahydropyranyl, TMS and an aryl, the protecting groups for the amino are exemplified by Boc or benzyloxycarbonyl, the protecting groups for carboxy are exemplified by an alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and benzyl, the protecting groups for the imidazolyl group are exemplified by a trityl group, and the substituents for the pyrolyl group are exemplified by SEM.
[0155] (2) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have an amino functional group, the amino is optionally protected firstly, then, (i) it is reacted with an alkyl halogenide in the presence of a base (sodium hydride, triethylamine, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), or (ii) alcohol is treated by the MITSUNOBU reaction using an alkylazodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, then optionally via deprotection, the compound having the amino optionally mono- or di-substituted by alkyls can be obtained.
[0156] (3) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, (i) the hydroxyl is reacted with an alkyl halide in the presence of a base (sodium hydride, triethylamine, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), or (ii) alcohol is treated by the MITSUNOBU reaction using an alkylazodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, then, the compounds having an alkoxy group optionally substituted by an alkyl can be obtained.
[0157] (4) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have amino, they can be converted to the compounds having a corresponding amido group by converting the amino into the corresponding amido by using acyl halide.
[0158] (5) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a double bond, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding single bond by a catalytic reduction of the double bond by using a transition metal catalyst (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, etc.).
[0159] (6) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have an ester group, they can be converted into the corresponding carboxy compounds by hydrolyzing the ester group with alkali (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.).
[0160] (7) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a carbamoyl, the corresponding nitrile compounds can be obtained by reacting the carbamoyl with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride.
[0161] (8) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, the hydroxy group can be converted to the corresponding halogen by treating it with a halogenizing agent. And, when the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, the corresponding compounds having an alkoxy can be obtained by converting the halogen into the corresponding an alkoxy by treating with alcohol.
[0162] (9) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have ester, they can be converted into the corresponding hydroxy compounds by reducing the ester using a reducing agent (a metal reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, and diborane).
[0163] (10) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, they can be converted into the compounds having aldehyde, ketone or carboxy by oxidizing them by an oxidizing agent.
[0164] (11) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have carbonyl or aldehyde, they can be converted into the compounds having an optionally mono- or di-substituted aminomethyl by carrying out the reductive amination reaction in the presence of an amine compound and a reducing agent (sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, etc.).
[0165] (12) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have aldehyde, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding oxime by reacting them with hydroxyl amine or O-alkylhydroxyl amine in alcohol (methanol, ethanol, etc.), in the presence of a base (sodium bicarbonate, etc.).
[0166] (13) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding cyano group by treating them with a cyanizing agent.
[0167] (14) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, they can be converted into the compounds having hydroxyl, amino, an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, an alkyl, an alkenyl or an aryl group by the reaction using a transition metal catalyst such as Pd. The halogen can be converted into hydroxyl by a similar method, for example, as described in “J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 10694(2006)”, into an amino optionally substituted with 1 or 2 alkyl by a similar method as described in “Tetrahedron, 58, 2041(2002)”, into an alkenyl group by a similar method as described in “J. Org. Chem., 71, 9681(2006)”, and into an aryl group by a similar method as described in “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry., 576, 147(1999)”.
[0168] (15) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a cyano group, they can be converted into the compounds having an aldehyde group by using a reducing agent (diisobutylaluminum hydride, etc.).
[0169] (16) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a vinyl group, they can be converted into the compounds having a formyl group by the ozone oxidation or the osmium oxidation and successively by the iodic acid oxidation.
[0170] (17) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have 2-halogenopyridine, 2-halogenopyrazine, 2-halogenopyridazine or 2-halogenopyrimidine, they can be converted into the compounds having an alkoxy, an alkylthio, amino or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, cyano or a fluoro group by reacting them with a nucleophile.
[0171] (18) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a phenolic hydroxy group, the compounds having difluoroalkoxy can be obtained by reacting them with chlorodifluoro methane or sodium chlorodifluoroacetic acid, and also the compounds having a trifluoromethoxy group can be obtained by using methods described in “Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 2000, 73, 471-484” and “J. Org. Chem., 1979, 44, 2907”.
[0172] The compounds of the present invention and each of their synthetic intermediates thus obtained can be purified using the usual chemical processes such as extraction, crystallization, re-crystallization, and various chromatography.
[0173] The compounds of the present invention can be converted into the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof by using the usual methods, and these salts can be purified by the usual chemical processes such as re-crystallization.
[0174] The compounds of the present invention include a mixture of stereo-isomers, or a pure or substantially pure form of each stereoisomer. For example, when the compounds of the present invention have one or more asymmetric centers on either of carbon, the compounds of the present invention may exist in an enantiomer or a diastereomer, or a mixture thereof. The compounds of the present invention include their isomers, or the mixtures thereof. And, when the compounds of the present invention include a double bond, stereo-isomers (cis- and trans-isomers) can exist, and when the compounds of the present invention include an unsaturated bonding such as carbonyl, tautomers can exist.
EXAMPLES
[0175] The present invention is further explained by the following Examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited by these Examples.
Example 1
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0176]
[0177] To a pyridine (27.5 ml) solution of the compound 1 (2.75 g) (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 2) was added picolinic acid chloride hydrochloride (4.67 g) at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. After the reaction mixture was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography affording a crude compound 2 (4.08 g). The obtained crude compound 2 (4.08 g) was diluted in acetic acid (40 ml), and the solution was stirred at 80° C. for 20 h. The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then after being concentrated, chloroform was added to the concentrate, and the resulting solution was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic phase was concentrated, and then purified by the silica gel column chromatography. To the obtained residue was added a solution of ethyl acetate/n-heptane (1:5), and the resulting deposit was obtained by filtration. To the obtained crude product was added ethyl acetate, and the resulting deposit was filtrated to produce the compound 3 (1.65 g).
[0178] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 2
2-(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0179]
[0180] The compound 1 (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 2) (300 mg) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (5.3 ml), and thereto were added 6-fluoro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid (156 mg), EDCI-HCl (304 mg) and HOBt-H 2 O (267 mg). After stirring the solution all day and all night, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and insoluble materials were filtrated. The organic layer was washed with water, followed by evaporation of the solvent in vacuo, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (289 mg).
[0181] MS m/z 408 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0182] The compound 2 (100 mg) was dissolved in a mixed solvent of xylene/acetic acid (4:1, 2 ml), and heated to 170° C. by irradiation of microwave. After the reaction solution was stirred for 1 h and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (78.9 mg).
[0183] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 3
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole
[0184]
[0185] The compound 1 (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 3) (0.82 g) was dissolved in DMF (15 ml), and to the solution were added picolinic acid (505 mg), HATU (2.08 g) and diisopropylethylamine (951 μl). After stirring the solution all day and all night, water was added thereto, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride (or saturated saline), and the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After filtration and evaporation, the evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording a crude compound 2. To the crude compound 2 was added ethyl acetate/n-hexane (1/2), and the precipitate was filtrated affording the compound 2 (0.11 g).
[0186] MS m/z 406[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0187] The compound 2 (14.0 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (15.0 mg). MS m/z 388[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 4
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
[0188]
[0189] 5-Fluoro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid (169 mg) was suspended in methylene dichloride (3 ml), and thereto were added oxalyl chloride (131 μl) and DMF (5 μl) at 0° C. After stirring the solution at room temperature for 2 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the evaporated residue was added ethyl acetate (3 ml), and thereto at 0° C. were added an ethyl acetate solution (3 ml) of the compound 1 (the same as the compound of Reference Example 4) (284 mg) and an aqueous 10%-potassium carbonate solution (3 ml). After the solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the organic layer was separated, washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium chloride (or saline solution) and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (356 mg) was obtained.
[0190] MS m/z 408 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0191] The acetic acid (6 ml) solution of the compound 2 (0.55 g) was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days, it was cooled to room temperature, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the evaporated residue was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate. After the organic layer was filtrated and evaporated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (0.39 g) was obtained.
[0192] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 5
N-methyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine
[0193]
[0194] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 6) (173 mg) was diluted in methylene dichloride (6.1 ml), and picolinic acid (79 mg), EDCI-HCl (176 mg), HOBt-H 2 O (155 mg) were added thereto. After the solution was stirred for 2 days, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (126 mg) was obtained.
[0195] MS m/z 389[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0196] The compound 2 (126 mg) was diluted in acetic acid (3.2 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added, and the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (59 mg) was obtained.
[0197] MS m/z 371[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 6
N,N-dimethyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine
[0198]
[0199] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (1.5 g) was diluted in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (33 ml), and 2-acetamide-5-aminopyridine (1.5 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (303 mg), potassium phosphate (2.53 g) and 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (261 mg) were added thereto, and then, the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 7 hrs, the solution was cooled to room temperature, and water and chloroform were added thereto. After the residue was filtrated, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the crude compound 2 (2.18 g) was obtained. After the obtained crude compound 2 (2.18 g) was suspended in methanol (33 ml), active carbon (400 mg), iron (III) chloride (215 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (1.6 mL) were added thereto, and the mixture was refluxed for 4 hrs by heating. After cooling the mixture to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtered and washed well with methanol. After the filtrate was concentrated, ethyl acetate, chloroform and water were added to the concentrated residue, and the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, and the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (1.14 g) was obtained.
[0200] MS m/z 312 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0201] The compound 3 (1.14 g) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (18 ml), and picolinic acid (471 mg), EDCI-HCl (1.05 g) and HOBt-H 2 O (921 mg) was added thereto. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (1.12 g) was obtained.
[0202] MS m/z 417[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0203] After the compound 4 (1.12 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (24.3 ml), the solution was heated to 100° C. After stirring the solution for 4 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (687 mg) was obtained.
[0204] MS m/z 399[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0205] The compound 5 (200 mg) was dissolved in THF (2.5 ml), 2N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (1.0 ml) was added thereto, and after the solution was stirred at 50° C. all day and all night, further 2N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (4.0 ml) was added thereto, and the solution was stirred at 70° C. all day and all night. To the reaction solution, were added chloroform and water, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 6 (148 mg) was obtained.
[0206] MS m/z 357[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0207] After the compound 6 (123 mg) was dissolved in acetonitrile (3 ml), an aqueous 37% formaldehyde solution (3.5 ml), cyano sodium borohydride (71.3 mg) and acetic acid (60 mg) were added thereto. After the solution was stirred for 3 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 7 (31 mg) was obtained.
[0208] MS m/z 385[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 7
6-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile
[0209]
[0210] To a DMF (50 ml) solution of the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 2) (3.00 g) were added 5-(methoxycarbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (2.10 g), HATU (4.41 g) and diisopropylethylamine (2.76 ml). After the mixed solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 h, an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and a saturated saline, and then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (3.04 g) was obtained.
[0211] MS m/z 448 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0212] The compound 2 (5.50 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (50 ml), and was heated to 105° C. After the solution was stirred for 1 day and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the residue was added ethyl acetate, and after the solution was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and a saturated saline, the solution was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the crude product 3 was obtained. To the obtained crude product 3 was added diethyl ether, and the precipitated product was filtrated affording the compound 3 (1.76 g).
[0213] MS m/z 430 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0214] The compound 3 (429 mg) was suspended in a 7N ammonia-methanol solution (5 ml), and the solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred for 3 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (285 mg) was obtained.
[0215] MS m/z 415 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0216] The compound 4 (20.2 mg) was dissolved in THF (1 ml), and at 0° C., pyridine (12 μl) and trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (17 μl) were added thereto. After the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, water was added thereto, and then, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a 1N-hydrochloric acid aqueous solution and then with a saturated saline, followed by drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (17.4 mg) was obtained.
[0217] MS m/z 397 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 8
5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile
[0218]
[0219] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (500 mg) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (9 ml), and was followed by addition of 5-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (293 mg) and EDCI-HCl (506 mg) thereto. After the mixture was stirred for 5 h, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (548 mg) was obtained.
[0220] MS m/z 425/427 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0221] The compound 2 (548 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (13 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 4 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (427 mg) was obtained.
[0222] MS m/z 407/409 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0223] After the compound 3 (150 mg) was dissolved in DMAC (3.7 ml), zinc cyanide (52 mg) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) (85 mg) were added thereto, and then, the reaction temperature was raised to 170° C. by irradiation of microwave. After the solution was stirred for 20 min and kept standing to cool to room temperature, water was added thereto and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with magnesium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (71 mg) was obtained.
[0224] MS m/z 398 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 9
2-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0225]
[0226] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 1) (283 mg) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml), and 6-chloro-pyridazin-3-carboxylic acid (238 mg), HATU (760 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (348 μl) were added thereto. After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, water was added thereto, and then, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous 1N-sodium hydroxide solution, water and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (39.9 mg) was obtained.
[0227] MS m/z 424/426 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0228] After the compound 2 (24 mg) was dissolved in methanol (0.6 ml), a sodium methoxide methanol solution (0.2 ml) was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature. After the mixture was stirred for 2 h, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (7.2 mg) was obtained.
[0229] MS m/z 420 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0230] The compound 3 (50.1 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and heated at 100°. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and to the residue were added a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was separated, it was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (44.4 mg) was obtained.
[0231] MS m/z 402 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 10
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
[0232]
[0233] 1-{[2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-1H-pyrrol-2-carboxylic acid (362 mg) was dissolved in thionyl chloride (5 ml), and the mixture was refluxed for 30 min under heating. After the mixture was standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was suspended in methylene dichloride (2 ml), and the suspended solution was added to a pyridine solution (5 ml) of the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (284 mg). After the solution was stirred for 5 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and to the residue was added 1N-hydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (271 mg) was obtained.
[0234] MS m/z 508 [M+11]+, APCI(+)
[0235] The compound 2 (265 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (2.7 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (236 mg) was obtained.
[0236] MS m/z 490[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0237] After the compound 3 (235 mg) was dissolved in THF (5 ml), tetra-N-butylammonium fluoride (1 mol/L, 720 μl) was added thereto, and the solution was refluxed for 2 days under heating. After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an aqueous solution of saturated sodium bicarbonate was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (121 mg) was obtained.
[0238] MS m/z 360[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 11
2-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
[0239]
[0240] After the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (199 mg) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml), 1-trityl-1H-imidazol-4-carboxylic acid (298 mg), EDCI-HCl (174 mg), HOBt-H 2 O (139 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (146 μl) were added thereto, and the mixture was heated to 60° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 days, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous 1N-sodium hydroxide solution, water and a saturated saline, and was then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (318 mg) was obtained.
[0241] MS m/z 621 [M+H]+, ESI
[0242] The compound 2 (315 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (4.5 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The evaporated residue was dissolved in methylene dichloride (1 ml), and at 0° C., trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) was added thereto. After the solution was stirred at room temperature for 8 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (175 mg) was obtained.
[0243] MS m/z 361[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 12
1,2-Dipyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0244]
[0245] After 4-amino-3-nitrobenzenetrifluoride (2.06 g) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (20 ml), 2-bromopyridine (1.58 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0) (458 mg), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl (394 mg) and potassium phosphate (3.18 g) were added thereto, and the mixture solution was heated to 100°. After the solution was stirred all day and all night and was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the insoluble material was filtrated. To the filtrate was added water, and was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (1.23 g) was obtained.
[0246] MS m/z 284 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0247] The compound 2 (1.22 g) was dissolved in methanol (12 ml), and iron (III) chloride (69.9 mg), hydrazine monohydrate (1.08 g) and active carbon (120 mg) were added thereto, and then, the mixture was refluxed for 2 h under heating. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the insoluble material was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, to the concentrated residue was added chloroform and the obtained solution was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (0.89 g) was obtained.
[0248] MS m/z 254 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0249] The compound 3 (120 mg) was dissolved in DMF (1.2 ml), and picolinic acid (61.8 mg), HATU (255 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (117 μl) were added thereto. After the solution was stirred for 2 days, water was added thereto and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, water and saturated saline, and then, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (165 mg) was obtained.
[0250] MS m/z 359 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0251] The compound 4 (160 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1.5 ml) and heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 10 h and was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The evaporated residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and after the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (104 mg) was obtained.
[0252] MS m/z 341[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 13
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
[0253]
[0254] The compound 1 (the same as the compound of Reference Example 4) (64.0 mg) was dissolved in ethanol (3 ml), and 2-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde (29.0 mg) was added thereto, and then, the solution was heated to 80° C. The solution was stirred for 20 h and allowed to cool to room temperature. After the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, the compound 2 (61.1 mg) was obtained.
[0255] MS m/z 374 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0256] After the compound 2 (57.0 mg) was dissolved in DMF (1.5 ml), and was added acetic acid (0.2 ml) thereto, the solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred for 4 h and allowed to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the evaporated residue was added an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (38.0 mg) was obtained.
[0257] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 14
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0258]
[0259] 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzotrifluoride (418 mg) and 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (248 mg) were dissolved in DMSO (2 ml) and heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 5 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an ethanol solution (8 ml) of pyridin-2-carboxyaldehyde (257 mg) and sodium hydrosulfite (1.04 g) were added thereto, and the reaction solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an aqueous solution of 28%-ammonia was added thereto. After the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer was separated, washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (46.0 mg) was obtained.
[0260] MS m/z 371 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 15
1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole
[0261]
[0262] To the compound 1 (3.5 g) were added triethyl orthoformate (20.5 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.1 ml), and the mixture solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. To the solution was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, diethyl ether was added to the concentrated residue, and the compound 2 (3.37 g) was obtained as a precipitate after filtration.
[0263] MS m/z 295 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0264] The compound 2 (500 mg) was dissolved in dioxane (10 ml), and N-bromosuccinimide (696 mg) was added thereto, and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 30 min, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (223 mg) was obtained.
[0265] MS m/z 373/375 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0266] Under an argon atmosphere, to a DMF (4 ml) solution of the compound 3 (200 mg) were added 1-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaboran-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (185 mg), potassium phosphate (142 mg) and tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) (51.3 mg), and then, the mixture solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 7 h and kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated. To the filtrate was added a saturated saline, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (135 mg) was obtained.
[0267] MS m/z 375 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 16
5-bromo-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole
[0268]
[0269] To a DMSO (40 ml) solution of 4-bromo-1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (5 g) was added 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (6.33 g), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 20 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and water (120 ml) and an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate (40 ml) were added thereto. The compound 2 (7.03 g) was obtained as a precipitate by filtration.
[0270] MS m/z 324/326 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0271] To a methanol (15 ml) solution of the compound 2 (1 g), were added active carbon (121 mg), iron (III) chloride (24.3 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.75 ml), and the mixture was refluxed under heating for 2 h. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, n-heptane was added to the residue, and the crude product (0.93 g) of the compound 3 was obtained as a precipitate by filtration. To a pyridine (16 ml) solution of the obtained crude product (0.93 g) of the compound 3, picolinic acid chloride-hydrochloride (1.13 g) was added and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. After the solvent was distilled off in vacuo, to the residue was added an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, and the solution was extracted with chloroform. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (0.88 g) was obtained. The compound 4 (0.88 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (10 ml) and was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. Chloroform was added to the residue, and the solution was dried with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (0.82 g) was obtained.
[0272] MS m/z 381/383 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 17
5-ethyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole
[0273]
[0274] compound 1 (the same compound as described in Example 16)(100 mg) To a 1,2-dimethoxyethane/water (2.86 ml, 10/1) solution were added potassium vinyltrifluoroborate (69.1 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (30 mg) and cesium carbonate (126.8 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 18 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, an insoluble material was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (54.5 mg) was obtained.
[0275] MS m/z 329 [M+1-1]+, APCI(+)
[0276] To a THF (2 ml) solution of the compound 2 (32.5 mg), a 10% palladium-carbon (3 mg) was added, and under a hydrogen atmosphere, the solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (31.4 mg) was obtained.
[0277] MS m/z 331 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0278] The following compounds were produced according to the Production Methods 1-5 and the above Examples.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Example 18
MS: 370 [M + H] + APCI
Example 19
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 20
MS: 449/451 [M + H] + APCI
Example 21
MS: 389 [M + H] + APCI
Example 22
MS: 347 [M + H] + APCI
Example 23
MS: 303 [M + H] + APCI
Example 24
MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI
Example 25
MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI
Example 26
MS: 329 [M + H] + APCI
Example 27
MS: 343 [M + H] + APCI
Example 28
MS: 333 [M + H] + APCI
Example 29
MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI
Example 30
MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI
Example 31
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 32
MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI
Example 33
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 34
MS: 317 [M + H] + APCI
Example 35
MS: 450/452 [M + H] + APCI
Example 36
MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI
Example 37
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 38
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 39
MS: 403 [M + H] + APCI
Example 40
MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI
Example 41
MS: 369 [M + H] + APCI
Example 42
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 43
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 44
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 45
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 46
MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI
Example 47
MS: 321 [M + H] + APCI
Example 48
MS: 337/339 [M + H] + APCI
Example 49
MS: 304 [M + H] + APCI
Example 50
MS: 353 [M + H] + APCI
Example 51
MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI
Example 52
MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI
Example 53
MS: 417 [M + H] + APCI
Example 54
MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 55
MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI
Example 56
MS: 400 [M + H] + APCI
Example 57
MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI
Example 58
MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI
Example 59
MS: 398 [M + H] + APCI
Example 60
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 61
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 62
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 63
MS: 412 [M + H] + APCI
Example 64
MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI
Example 65
MS: 356 [M + H] + APCI
Example 66
MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI
Example 67
MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI
Example 68
MS: 376/378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 69
MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI
Example 70
MS: 396 [M + H] + APCI
Example 71
MS: 406 [M + H] + APCI
Example 72
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 73
MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI
Example 74
MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI
Example 75
MS: 450/452 [M + H] + APCI
Example 76
MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI
Example 77
MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI
Example 78
MS: 422 [M + H] + APCI
Example 79
MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI
Example 80
MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI
Example 81
MS: 397 [M + H] + APCI
Example 82
MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI
Example 83
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 84
MS: 441 [M + H] + APCI
Example 85
MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI
Example 86
MS: 455 [M + H] + APCI
Example 87
MS: 418 [M + H] + APCI
Example 88
MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI
Example 89
MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 90
MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI
Example 91
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 92
MS: 407/409 [M + H] + APCI
Example 93
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 94
MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI
Example 95
MS: 406/408 [M + H] + APCI
Example 96
MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI
Example 97
MS: 397 [M + H] + APCI
Example 98
MS: 441 [M + H] + APCI
Example 99
MS: 398 [M + H] + APCI
Example 100
MS: 455 [M + H] + APCI
Example 101
MS: 471 [M + H] + APCI
Example 102
MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI
Example 103
MS: 484 [M + H] + APCI
Example 104
MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI
Example 105
MS: 470 [M + H] + APCI
Example 106
MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI
Example 107
MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI
Example 108
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 109
MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 110
MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI
Example 111
MS: 413 [M + H] + APCI
Example 112
MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 113
MS: 423/425 [M + H] + APCI
Example 114
MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI
Example 115
MS: 414 [M + H] + APCI
Example 116
MS: 485 [M + H] + APCI
Example 117
MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI
Example 118
MS: 356 [M + H] + APCI
Example 119
MS: 360 [M + H] + APCI
Example 120
MS: 367 [M + H] + APCI
Example 121
MS: 376/378 [M + H] + APCI
Example 122
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 123
MS: 411 [M + H] + APCI
Example 124
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 125
MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI
Example 126
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 127
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 128
MS: 374 [M + H] + APCI
Example 129
MS: 346 [M + H] + APCI
Example 130
MS: 381 [M + H] + APCI
Example 131
MS: 370 [M + H] + APCI
Example 132
MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI
Example 133
MS: 395 [M + H] + APCI
Example 134
MS: 382 [M + H] + APCI
Example 135
MS: 384 [M + H] + APCI
Example 136
MS: 360 [M + H] + APCI
Example 137
MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI
Example 138
MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI
Example 139
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 140
MS: 357 [M + H] + APCI
Example 141
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 142
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 143
MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI
Example 144
MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI
Example 145
6-isopropoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
[0279]
[0280] To the compound 1 (1.0 g) were added tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0) (0.239 g), 2-di-tert-butylphosphino-3,4,5,6-tetramethyl-2′,4′,6′-triisopropyl-1,1′-biphenyl (0.251 g), an aqueous solution of 0.8N-potassium hydroxide (13 ml) and dioxane (52 ml), and the mixture solution was heated to 100° C. After the mixed solution was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated with Celite. To the filtrate was added water, and the aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (0.424 g) was obtained.
[0281] MS m/z 320[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0282] After the compound 2 (40 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml), sodium hydride (10 mg) was added thereto at 0° C., and the mixture solution was stirred for 30 min. 2-Bromopropane (0.023 ml) was added thereto at 0° C., and the reaction temperature was raised to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (32 mg) was obtained.
[0283] MS m/z 362 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 146
[0284]
[0285] The compound 1 (50.0 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml) and H 2 O (0.2 ml), and sodium chlorodifluoroacetate (47.7 mg) and potassium carbonate (26.0 mg) were added thereto, and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 5 h, sodium chlorodifluoroacetate (95.4 mg) and potassium carbonate (26.0 mg) were added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 5 h. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, water and ethyl acetate were added thereto. After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (14.1 mg) was obtained.
[0286] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 147
[0287]
[0288] To a DMF (1 ml) solution of the compound 1 (55 mg), sodium hydride (60% oil suspension: 14 mg) was added at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. To the mixture was added carbon disulfide (104 μl) at 0° C., and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 8 h. To the solution at 0° C. was added methyl iodide (43 μl). After the reaction solution was stirred for 2 days, an aqueous solution of saturated ammonium chloride was added to stop the reaction, and was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (55 mg) was obtained.
[0289] MS m/z 410 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0290] To a methylene dichloride (0.5 ml) solution of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (148 mg) was added hydrogen fluoride-pyridine complex (a 65% solution: 386 μl) at −78° C., and the mixture was stirred vigorously. After 5 min, a methylene dichloride (0.5 ml) solution of the compound 2 (55 mg) was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h. After the mixture was diluted with chloroform, an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate was added thereto for stopping the reaction. After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (16 mg) was obtained.
[0291] MS m/z 388 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0000]
TABLE 2-1
Example 148
MS: 379 [M + H] + APCI
Example 149
MS: 389 [M + H] + ESI
Example 150
MS: 396 [M + H] + ESI
Example 151
MS: 363 [M + H] + ESI
Example 152
MS: 377 [M + H] + ESI
Example 153
MS: 376 [M + H] + ESI
Example 154
MS: 377 [M + H] + ESI
Example 155
MS: 378 [M + H] + ESI
Example 156
MS: 391 [M + H] + ESI
Example 157
MS: 399 [M + H] + APCI
Example 158
MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI
Example 159
MS: 406/408 [M + H] + APCI
Example 160
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 161
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 162
MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI
Example 163
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 164
MS: 377 [M + H] + APCI
Example 165
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 166
MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI
Example 167
MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI
Example 168
MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI
Example 169
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 170
MS: 348 [M + H] + APCI
Example 171
MS: 374 [M + H] + APCI
Example 172
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 173
MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI
Example 174
MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI
Example 175
MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI
Example 176
MS: 416 [M + H] + APCI
Example 177
MS: 406 [M + H] + APCI
Example 178
MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI
Example 179
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine
[0292]
[0293] Under an argon atmosphere, a 1,4-dioxane solution (40 ml) of 2-acetylpyridine (6.44 g) was added by drops into a THF solution (1M, 106.4 ml) of lithiumhexamethyldisilazide at 0° C. for 30 min. Tridibenzylidene acetone dipalladium (1.22 g) and a 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) solution of tri-t-butylphosphine (0.50 ml) were added thereto, and at room temperature, a 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) solution of 5-bromo-2-methoxypyridine (5 g) was added thereto and the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. After the mixture was filtrated with Celite, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (3.66 g) was obtained.
[0294] MS m/z 229 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0295] To an acetic acid (30 ml) solution of the compound 2 (1 g) was added bromine (0.34 ml), and the reaction solution was stirred at 50° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was concentrated, the residue was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.14 g).
[0296] MS m/z 307/309 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0297] The compound 3 (26 mg) and the compound 6 (14 mg) were dissolved in DMF (1 ml) followed by the addition of sodium bicarbonate (7 mg) thereto, and the mixed solution was stirred at 80° C. for 20 h. After the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate, the solution was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline. After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (2.6 mg).
[0298] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 180
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine
[0299]
[0300] To an ethanol (75 ml) solution of 3-oxo-3-(2-pyridinyl) propanenitrile (5 g) were added a hydrazine monohydrate (2.49 ml) solution and acetic acid (2.50 ml) at room temperature, and the mixture solution was refluxed under heating for 20 h. After the mixture was concentrated, the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate, and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (2.51 g).
[0301] MS m/z 161 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0302] DMF was heated to 50° C., and 3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid (1.5 ml) was added thereto and the solution was stirred. The mixture was heated to 70° C., and phosphorus oxychloride (2.60 ml) was added thereto by drops for 1 h. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, the reaction solution was concentrated i vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (6 ml), and at 0° C., the compound 2 (300 mg) and sodium methoxide (546 mg) were added slowly. After the reaction solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h, an insoluble material was filtrated and diluted by ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (125 mg) was obtained.
[0303] MS m/z 265 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0304] The compound 3 (122.5 mg) was dissolved in acetonitrile, and N-iodosuccinimide (522 mg) was added in small portions, followed by stirring at 50° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was diluted by ethyl acetate, the solution was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and then filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (131.6 mg).
[0305] MS m/z 391 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0306] Under an argon atmosphere, the compound 4 (130.5 mg) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2.6 ml), and to the solution were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridine boronic acid (73.4 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (23.4 mg) and potassium carbonate (88.4 mg), and the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 20 h.
[0307] After an insoluble material was filtrated by Celite, the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (34.4 mg).
[0308] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 181
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine
[0309]
[0310] To a DMF (14 ml) solution of the compound 1 (2 g) was added a potassium salt of phthalimide (3.04 g), and the reaction solution was heated to 130° C. by irradiation of microwave, followed by stirring for 1.5 h. The reaction solution was diluted by ethyl acetate and washed with sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (2.06 g). To a 1,2-dimethoxyethane (41 ml) solution of the compound 2 (2.06 g) was added a 80% hydrazine monohydrate (17 ml), and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 3 h. To the mixture was added water, and the mixture was extracted by ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.71 g).
[0311] MS m/z 164 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0312] The compound 3 (270 mg) and 2-bromo-1-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-ethanone hydrobromate (990 mg) was dissolved in a mixed solvent of toluene (5 ml) and ethanol (1 ml), and sodium bicarbonate (1.39 g) was added thereto, and the mixed solution was refluxed for 20 h under heating. After the reaction solution was concentrated, the residue was diluted by ethyl acetate and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (95.1 mg).
[0313] MS m/z 283 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0314] To an acetonitrile (2 ml) solution of the compound 4 (92.2 mg), N-iodosuccinimide (221 mg) was added, and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. Acetonitrile (2 ml), N-iodosuccinimide (221 mg) and acetic acid (1 drop) were added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted by ethyl acetate, and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, and filtrated. The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (122 mg).
[0315] MS m/z 409 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0316] Under an argon atmosphere, to a 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2.4 ml) solution of the compound 5 (119.3 mg) were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (67.1 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (33 8 mg), and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (5 mol/1, 117 μl), and the mixture solution was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was filtrated by Celite, the solution was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 6 (89.1 mg).
[0317] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 182
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-indole
[0318]
[0319] 4-Chloro-3-iodobenzenetrifluoride (306 mg) was dissolved in toluene (3 ml), and thereto were added 2-ethynylpyridine (155 mg), copper iodide (19.0 mg), 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (42.5 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (22.5 mg) and cesium carbonate (489 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (149 mg) and potassium-t-butoxide (168 mg), and the reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and to the reaction solution were added ethyl acetate and water. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (77.0 mg).
[0320] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 183
1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine
[0321]
[0322] A mixture of 3-bromo-2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (260 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (23.1 mg), copper iodide (19.0 mg), triethylamine (8 ml) and benzene (2 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water. An insoluble material was filtrated, and then, the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, and then, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (78.9 mg).
[0323] MS m/z 283/285 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0324] A mixture of the compound 2 (40.0 mg), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (21.2 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (1.6 mg), potassium-t-butoxide (47.8 mg), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (3.0 mg) and toluene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After 7 h, the reaction mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and ethyl acetate and water were added thereto. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (11.3 mg) was obtained.
[0325] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 184
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine
[0326]
[0327] A mixture of 3-bromo-2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (260 mg), trimethylsilyl acetylene (98.2 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (23.1 mg), copper iodide (3.8 mg), triethylamine (4 ml) and benzene (1 ml) was heated to 60° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all night and all day, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. To the residue was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. Then, the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (226 mg). The compound 2 (224 mg) was dissolved in THF (2 ml), and thereto was added a HF solution (1M, 1.2 ml) of tetrabutylammonium fluoride at room temperature. After the reaction solution was stirred for 1 h, ethyl acetate and water were added thereto. The organic layer was separated, washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (168 mg). A mixture of the compound 4 (164 mg), 2-bromo-5-fluoro-pyridine (168 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (18.4 mg), copper iodide (3.0 mg), triethylamine (4 ml) and benzene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 5 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. To the residue were added ethyl acetate and water, and then, an insoluble material was filtrated. After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (79.2 mg) was obtained.
[0328] MS m/z 301 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0329] A mixture of compound 4 (77.8 mg), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (38.6 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (2.9 mg), potassium-t-butoxide (87.2 mg), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (5.5 mg) and toluene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 6 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water. After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (37.6 mg).
[0330] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 185
2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole
[0331]
[0332] 2-Nitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde (219 mg) was dissolved in toluene (4 ml), and thereto was added 2-amino-5-fluoropyridine (123 mg), and the mixture solution was refluxed under heating. After the solution was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. To the residue was added triethyl phosphite (3 ml), and the residue was heated to 150° C. After the residue was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the crude product of the compound 2. To the crude product was added hexane (2 ml), and the precipitated material was collected by filtration as the compound 2 (116 mg).
[0333] MS m/z 282 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0334] The compound 2 (116 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and thereto was added bromine (21 μl), and followed by heating to 50° C. After the mixture solution was stirred for 1 h, thereto were added acetic acid (2 ml) and bromine (42 μl), and followed by heating to 80° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all day and all night, thereto were added ethyl acetate, water and an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer was separated, and then, the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline, and successively dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (118 mg).
[0335] MS m/z 360/362 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0336] The compound 3 (114 mg) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (2 ml), and thereto were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (72.8 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (11.6 mg) and potassium phosphate (101 mg), and followed by heating to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (108 mg).
[0337] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Example 186
3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine
[0338]
[0339] The compound 1 (165 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml), and thereto were added HATU (324 mg), 2-aminopyridine (80.3 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (149 μl), and followed by stirring at room temperature all day and all night. To the reaction solution, were added ethyl acetate and water, and the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (208 mg).
[0340] MS m/z 309 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0341] The compound 2 (50.0 mg) was dissolved in thionyl chloride (1 ml), and the solution was refluxed for 7 h under heating. After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. To the residue were added ethyl acetate and an aqueous solution saturated sodium bicarbonate, then the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (11.2 mg).
[0342] MS m/z 299/301 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0343] The compound 3 (28.5 mg) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (1 ml), and thereto were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (21.9 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (7.0 mg) and potassium phosphate (30.4 mg), and followed by heating to 100° C. After the mixture solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water. After the organic layer was separated, the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (20.5 mg).
[0344] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0000]
TABLE 3
Example 187
MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI
Example 188
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 189
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
Example 190
MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI
Example 191
MS: 389 [M + H] + APCI
Example 192
MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI
REFERENCE EXAMPLES
[0345] In the followings are explained specifically the synthetic intermediates of the compounds of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following Reference Examples.
Reference Example 1
N 1 -(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene-1,2-diamine
[0346]
[0347] 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzenetrifluoride (5.00 g) was dissolved in DMSO (25 ml), and thereto was added 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (2.97 g), then followed by heating to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to 0° C., and thereto were added water (75 ml) and an aqueous solution saturated sodium bicarbonate (25 ml). A precipitated solid was collected by filtration, and the compound 2 (7.11 g) was obtained. The obtained compound 2 (7.11 g) was suspended in ethanol (35 ml), and thereto was added a 10% palladium carbon (350 mg). The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 18 h under a hydrogen atmosphere. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the filtrate was concentrated affording the compound 3 (3.11 g).
[0348] MS m/z 284[M+H]+, APCI(+)
Reference Example 2
N 1 -(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene-1,2-diamine
[0349]
[0350] 4-Bromo-3-nitrobenzotrifluoride (47.9 g) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (100 ml), and thereto were added 3-amino-6-methoxypyridazine (33.3 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (8.10 g), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl (6.97 g) and potassium phosphate (67.6 g), and followed by heating to 110° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then an insoluble material was filtrated. To the filtrate were added ethyl acetate (400 ml) and water (400 ml), then, the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethanol (400 ml) was added to the residue, and the solution was stirred at 80° C. for 30 min. After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the compound 2 (36.3 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.
[0351] MS m/z 315 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0352] The compound 2 (40.0 g) was suspended in methanol (400 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (2.06 g), hydrazine monohydrate (39.7 g) and active carbon (4 g), then the reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. After the mixture was stirred for 2 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with a chloroform: methanol=10:1 solution. After the filtrate was concentrated, chloroform (500 ml) was added thereto, and the solution was stirred all day and all night. A crude product (25.3 g) of the compound 3 was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates. The filtrate was also concentrated, and after the similar procedure above, a crude product (8.91 g) of the compound 3 was obtained. The obtained crude products were collected and dissolved in ethanol (250 ml) by heating. After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the compound 3 (29.3 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.
[0353] MS m/z 285 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Reference Example 3
N 1 -(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene-1,2-diamine
[0354]
[0355] In toluene (20 ml) were suspended 2-nitro-4-(trifluoromethoxy)-iodobenzene (2.0 g), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridazine (1.88 g), N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (106 mg), potassium phosphate (2.55 g) and copper iodide (114 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added thereto. After the organic layer was separated, the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and then dried with magnesium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (0.899 g).
[0356] MS m/z 331 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0357] The compound 2 (0.899 g) was dissolved in methanol (14 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (88 mg), hydrazine monohydrate (681 mg) and active carbon (160 mg), then, the solution was refluxed for 2 h under heating. The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated. After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.714 g).
[0358] MS m/z 301 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Reference Example 4
N 2 -(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine
[0359]
[0360] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (8.90 g) was dissolved in DMF (90 ml), and 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (5.85 g) and potassium carbonate (6.51 g) were added thereto. After the mixture was stirred at room temperature all day and all night, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethanol (50 ml) was added to dissolve the residue under heating. The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the compound 2 (10.9 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.
[0361] MS m/z 315 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0362] The compound 2 (11.5 g) was suspended in methanol (120 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (1.19 g), hydrazine monohydrate (9.16 g) and active carbon (1 g), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol. After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethyl acetate and n-heptane were added to the residue, and the compound 3 (10.9 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.
[0363] MS m/z 285 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Reference Example 5
N 2 -(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine
[0364]
[0365] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (500 mg) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (7.4 ml), and thereto were added 5-methoxypyrazine-2-amine (414 mg), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (101 mg), potassium phosphate (843 mg) and 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (87 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and water and chloroform were added thereto. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (502 mg).
[0366] MS m/z 316[M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0367] The compound 2 (502 mg) was suspended in methanol (16 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (100 mg), iron (III) chloride (52 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.39 mL), and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h under heating. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol. After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, then, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (350 mg).
[0368] MS m/z 286 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Reference Example 6
N 2 -[6-(methoxyamino)pyridin-3-yl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine
[0369]
[0370] 2-N-methylamino-5-nitropyridine (474 mg) was suspended in methanol (15.5 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (185 mg), iron (III) chloride (100 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.75 ml), then, the mixture was refluxed for 4 h under heating. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol. After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, sodium chloride and potassium carbonate, the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, a mixture of the compound 2 was obtained. The obtained residue was dissolved in DMF (10.3 ml), 2-chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (701 mg) and potassium carbonate (513 mg) were added thereto at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at room temperature all day and all night. Water was added to the reaction solution, and the reaction solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with magnesium sulfate. After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (483 mg).
[0371] MS m/z 314 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
[0372] The compound 3 (483 mg) was dissolved in methanol (15 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (100 mg), iron (III) chloride (50 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.37 ml), and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h under heating. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol. After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, and the organic layer was separated. After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (173 mg).
[0373] MS m/z 284 [M+H]+, APCI(+)
Experimental Examples
1. Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activity
[0374] A blood of a guinea pig was sampled by using a 1/10 volume of a 3.8% sodium citrate as a platelet aggregation inhibitor, and a platelet rich plasma (PRP) was separated by centrifuging the blood sample at 1100 rpm for 10 min. After fractionating the PRP in the upper layer, the lower layer was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min to fractionate the platelet poor plasma (PPP). To 100 μL of PRP, a 1 μL solution of each compound was added, and after still standing at 37° C. for 1 min, the mixture was stirred at 37° C. for 1 min by a stirrer. Then, 11 μL of collagen, ristocetin, or ADP was added thereto to induce the platelet aggregation. The platelet aggregation ability was measured by using the mCM hematolaser 313M (L-M-S Inc.). Based on the assumption that a light transmittance of PPP corresponds to a 100% coagulation value, an aggregation rate at each concentration of the compound was determined, then, an IC 50 value was calculated therefrom.
[Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: Collagen-Induced Platelet Aggregation]
[0375]
[0000]
TABLE 4-1
IC 50 μM
Example 1
0.033
Example 2
0.18
Example 3
0.032
Example 4
0.021
Example 5
0.089
Example 6
0.257
Example 7
0.025
Example 8
0.15
Example 9
0.15
Example 10
0.018
Example 11
0.13
Example 12
0.23
Example 13
0.042
Example 14
0.2
Example 15
0.28
Example 17
0.11
Example 18
0.49
Example 19
10.4
Example 20
0.062
Example 21
0.13
Example 23
4.47
Example 24
0.05
Example 27
0.19
Example 31
0.25
Example 35
0.044
Example 36
0.049
Example 37
2.38
Example 40
0.33
Example 49
15
Example 52
0.054
Example 53
0.057
Example 54
0.19
Example 55
0.084
Example 56
0.047
Example 58
0.17
Example 62
0.017
Example 67
0.17
Example 71
0.078
Example 72
0.18
Example 73
0.08
Example 75
0.2
Example 81
0.22
Example 88
0.12
Example 89
0.053
Example 90
0.06
Example 94
0.19
Example 107
0.066
Example 108
0.21
Example 109
0.095
Example 110
0.13
Example 118
0.24
Example 122
0.034
Example 125
0.029
Example 126
0.194
Example 130
0.177
Example 139
0.06
Example 144
0.03
Example 145
0.074
Example 146
0.078
Example 147
0.026
Example 148
0.081
Example 149
0.23
Example 150
0.205
Example 151
0.024
Example 152
0.086
Example 153
0.291
Example 154
0.129
Example 155
0.029
Example 156
0.076
Example 157
0.074
Example 158
0.06
Example 159
0.028
Example 160
0.163
Example 161
0.268
Example 162
0.185
Example 163
0.125
Example 164
0.161
Example 165
0.203
Example 166
0.316
Example 167
0.157
Example 168
0.259
Example 169
0.123
Example 170
0.279
Example 171
0.091
Example 172
0.275
Example 173
0.077
Example 174
0.084
Example 175
0.075
Example 176
0.055
Example 177
0.021
Example 178
0.094
Example 179
0.075
Example 180
0.055
Example 181
0.033
Example 182
0.116
Example 183
0.024
Example 184
0.017
Example 185
0.07
Example 186
0.016
Example 187
0.04
Example 188
0.03
Example 190
0.218
Example 191
0.79
Example 192
0.06
[Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: Ristocetin-Induced Platelet Aggregation]
[0376]
[0000]
TABLE 5-1
IC 50 μM
Example 1
0.1
Example 2
0.092
Example 3
0.032
Example 4
0.024
Example 7
0.06
Example 8
0.095
Example 9
0.14
Example 10
0.015
Example 11
0.057
Example 12
0.19
Example 13
0.041
Example 15
0.15
Example 17
0.16
Example 18
0.12
Example 20
0.21
Example 21
0.39
Example 24
0.13
Example 27
0.17
Example 31
0.87
Example 36
0.18
Example 40
0.17
Example 52
0.041
Example 53
0.042
Example 54
0.1
Example 55
0.06
Example 56
0.028
Example 58
0.28
Example 62
0.027
Example 67
0.23
Example 71
0.043
Example 72
0.13
Example 73
0.083
Example 75
0.38
Example 81
0.5
Example 88
0.08
Example 89
0.07
Example 90
0.02
Example 94
0.1
Example 107
0.035
Example 108
0.1
Example 109
0.023
Example 110
0.12
Example 122
0.04
Example 125
0.027
Example 126
0.09
Example 130
0.17
Example 139
0.086
Example 144
0.022
Example 145
0.106
Example 146
0.066
Example 147
0.013
Example 150
0.205
Example 151
0.024
Example 152
0.086
Example 154
0.129
Example 155
0.029
Example 158
0.06
Example 159
0.028
Example 160
0.163
Example 167
0.135
Example 169
0.148
Example 173
0.085
Example 174
0.087
Example 175
0.075
Example 176
0.063
Example 177
0.011
Example 178
0.047
Example 179
0.034
Example 180
0.014
Example 181
0.027
Example 183
0.009
Example 186
0.009
Example 192
0.027
[Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: ADP-Induced Platelet Aggregation]
[0377]
[0000]
TABLE 6-1
IC 50 μM
Example 1
>10
Example 3
>10
Example 4
>10
Example 7
>10
Example 13
>10
Example 14
>10
Example 36
>10
Example 40
>10
Example 52
>10
Example 62
>10
Example 71
>10
Example 88
>10
Example 147
>10
Example 160
>10
Example 167
>10
Example 169
>10
Example 177
>10
Example 178
>10
Example 179
>10
Example 180
>10
Example 181
>10
Example 182
>10
Example 183
>10
Example 184
>10
Example 185
>10
Example 186
>10
Example 192
>10
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0378] The specified heterocyclic derivatives of the present invention exhibit an antiplatelet action, and may be effective medicines for preventing or treating diseases related to the action. | The present invention relates to a novel antiplatelet agent and a novel compound which is an active ingredient for the agent. The present invention provides the antiplatelet agent comprising a compound represented by the formula I:
wherein,
X is N, or CR 1d ,
X b1 -X b5 are the same or different, and are nitrogen or carbon,
R 1a -R 1d are the same or different, and are hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkylthio, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, or hydroxyl or optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkylamino,
R 2 is an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted heteroaryl,
R 3 is an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted heteroaryl, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a divisional of and claims the benefits of priority to U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 13/516,952, filed Jun. 18, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 13/516,952 is the national stage of PCT/JP2010/072743, filed Dec. 17, 2010, and claims the benefits of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-287946, filed Dec. 18, 2009.",
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a novel antiplatelet agent and a novel compound constituting an active ingredient thereof.",
"BACKGROUND ART [0003] Glycoprotein Ib (hereafter, GPIb) and glycoprotein VI (hereafter, GPVI) exist on a platelet membrane and play important roles each as a von Willebrand factor (hereafter, vWF) receptor and a collagen receptor in case of forming pathologic thrombus as can be found in a region of arteriosclerosis (non-patent document 1).",
"Collagen is exposed by vascular endothelium damage in case of plaque rupture at the arteriosclerosis region, and a high shearing stress is caused by angiostenosis.",
"The vWF tends to be solid-phased on the exposed collagen, and the platelet accumulates and sticks on the arteriosclerosis region by being connected with the vWF on the solid-phased collagen via the GPI.",
"Thereafter, the GPVI on the platelet combines with the collagen, and the platelet is activated and accumulated to induce pathologic thrombus causing ischemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial obstruction (non-patent document 2).",
"Haemostasis as a defence mechanism of organisms is formed via activation of the platelet by a tissue factor or a soluble agonist (thromboxane A2 (TXA2), adenosine 2 phosphate (ADP), etc.) released from the extravascular damaged-region.",
"Since aspirin and clopidogrel, as existing medicines, have great influences on the hemostasis mechanism and inhibit the functions of TAXA2 and ADP, they enhance the antithrombotic function as well as the hemorrhagic function (non patent document 3).",
"According to the results of the ATT (Antithrombotic Trialists'",
"Collaboration) which was obtained by the meth-analysis of the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of the preventing effect by the existing antiplatelet agent (single administration of aspirin, ticlopidine, etc.), therapeutic reduction effect of the cardiovascular event by the existing antiplatelet agent is at most 25%, and the degree of satisfaction is not high (non patent document 4).",
"Clinical study of the combined therapy was conducted by using conventional antiplatelet agents (CURE, MATCH, CHARISMA) aiming at a higher therapeutic effect, but it was shown that a risk for bleeding also increases (non patent documents: 5-7).",
"[0004] Heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazole derivatives are disclosed in patent documents 1-13, and in a non-patent document 8.",
"However, these compounds have not been reported to provide an antiplatelet function, and their characteristics are different from those of the compounds of the present invention.",
"[0005] Heterocyclic compounds which have a platelet aggregation inhibitory action are disclosed in the document 14.",
"However, their characteristics are different from those of the compounds of the present invention.",
"[0006] The preparation process of benzimidazole derivatives are disclosed in non-patent document 8.",
"PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents [0007] [Patent document 1] WO 1997/031365 [0008] [Patent document 2] WO 2001/002400 [0009] [Patent document 3] US 20090227538 A [0010] [Patent document 4] US 20050054631 A [0011] [Patent document 5] US 2006/044509 A [0012] [Patent document 6] US 20040176390 A [0013] [Patent document 7] WO 2010/070237 A [0014] [Patent document 8] US 20050222197 A [0015] [Patent document 9] US 20100029657 A [0016] [Patent document 10] US 20060148805 A [0017] [Patent document 11] US 20090232780 A [0018] [Patent document 12] US 20080132501 A [0019] [Patent document 13] US 20060223849 A [0020] [Patent document 14] US 20060128685 A Non Patent Documents [0021] [Non patent documents 1] Nature Rev. Drug Discov.",
", 2, 1-15 (2003) [0022] [Non patent documents 2] Thromb.",
"Haemost.",
", 97.",
"435-443 (2007) [0023] [Non patent documents 3] Platelet and Thrombosis-Basic and Clinic—Edited by Yasuo Ikeda [0024] [Non patent documents 4] Br.",
"Med.",
"J, 324, 71-86 (2002) [0025] [Non patent documents 5] N. Eng.",
"J. Med.",
", 345, 494-502 (2001) [0026] [Non patent documents 6] Lancet, 364, 331-337 (2004) [0027] [Non patent documents 7] N. Eng.",
"J. Med.",
", 354, 1706-1717 (2006) [0028] [Non patent documents 8] Synthesis, 1, 47 (2005) SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention [0029] The present inventions relate to a novel antiplatelet agent and a novel compound constituting an active ingredient thereof.",
"Method to Solve the Problem [0030] The inventors of the present invention have made an intensive study to solve the problem mentioned above, and have found that a specified heterocyclic derivative can solve the problem, thus resulting in completion of the present invention.",
"[0031] The present invention relates to a following compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and/or a use thereof.",
"[0032] The present invention includes the following embodiments.",
"[0000] (1) An antiplatelet agent comprising a compound of formula I: [0000] [0000] wherein X is N, or CR 1d , [0033] X b1 -X b5 are the same or different, and are nitrogen or carbon, R 1a -R 1d are the same or different, and are hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkylthio, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, R 2 is an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl, R 3 is an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl, provided at least three of X b1 -X b5 are carbon, when X b1 is nitrogen, X b2 , X b4 and X b5 are carbon, when X b2 is nitrogen, X b1 and X b4 are carbon, and when X b4 is nitrogen, X b5 is carbon or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(2) The antiplatelet agent according to (1), wherein X b3 is nitrogen.",
"(3) The antiplatelet agent according to (2), wherein X b4 is carbon.",
"(4) The antiplatelet agent according to (2) or (3), wherein X b2 is carbon.",
"(5) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ia: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(6) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ib: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: (7) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ic: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(8) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Id: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(9) The antiplatelet agent according to (1) comprising a compound of formula Ie: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(10) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(9) wherein R 1b is an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted alkylthio, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl.",
"(11) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(10) wherein R 1a and R 1d are hydrogen.",
"(12) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(11) wherein X is N. (13) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(12) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted aryl”",
"or “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 2 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally substituted alkoxy;",
"an optionally substituted alkylthio;",
"an alkenyl;",
"a halogen;",
"cyano;",
"a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"hydroxyl;",
"an alkanoyl;",
"a cycloalkylcarbonyl;",
"an arylcarbonyl;",
"nitro;",
"an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group;",
"an aryl and a heteroaryl.",
"(14) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(13) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted aryl”",
"or “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 3 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally substituted alkoxy;",
"an optionally substituted alkylthio;",
"a cycloalkyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an aliphatic heteromonocycle and a halogen.",
"(15) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(14) wherein R 2 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl.",
"(16) The antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(15) wherein R 3 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl.",
"(17) A compound of formula II: [0000] [0000] wherein X a is N or CH, [0034] X c1 X c5 are the same or different, and are nitrogen or carbon, R 1e is an alkyl optionally substituted by an aryl or a halogen;",
"an alkoxy optionally substituted by an aryl, a halogen or a cycloalkyl;",
"an alkylthio optionally substituted by an aryl, a halogen or a cycloalkyl;",
"an alkenyl;",
"cyano;",
"a cycloalkyl;",
"a halogen;",
"or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, R 1f is hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy, hydroxyl, cyano or a halogen, R 21 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl, R 31 is an optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl, and at least three of X c1 -X c5 are carbon, provided when X c1 is nitrogen, X c2 , X c4 and X c5 are carbon, when X c2 is nitrogen, X c1 and X c4 are carbon, when X c4 is nitrogen, X c5 is carbon, and when X c1 and X c3 are nitrogen, R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(18) The compound according to (17) wherein X c3 is nitrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(19) The compound according to (18) wherein X c4 is carbon, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(20) The compound according to (18) or (19) wherein X c2 is carbon, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(21) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by the formula IIa: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(22) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(23) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IIc: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(24) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IId: [0000] [0000] wherein R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, and each other symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (25) The compound according to (17) wherein the compound is represented by formula IIe: [0000] [0000] wherein each symbol is the same as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(26) The compound according to any one of (17)-(25) wherein the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally substituted alkoxy;",
"an optionally substituted alkylthio;",
"an alkenyl;",
"a halogen;",
"cyano;",
"a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"hydroxyl;",
"an alkanoyl;",
"a cycloalkylcarbonyl;",
"an arylcarbonyl;",
"nitro;",
"an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group;",
"an aryl;",
"and a heteroaryl, and the substituents of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally substituted alkoxy;",
"an optionally substituted alkylthio;",
"a cycloalkyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an aliphatic heteromonocycle;",
"and a halogen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(27) The compound according to any one of (17)-(26) wherein R 1e is an alkyl substituted by a halogen or an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(28) The compound according to any one of (17)-(27) wherein R 1e is trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(29) The compound according to any one of (17)-(28) wherein R 1f is hydrogen or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(30) The compound according to any one of (17)-(29) wherein the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an optionally substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally substituted alkoxy;",
"a halogen;",
"cyano;",
"a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"hydroxyl;",
"nitro;",
"and an optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(31) The compound according to any one of (17)-(30) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are the same or different 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, or nitro, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(32) The compound according to any one of (17)-(31) wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, a halogen, and cyano, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(33) The compound according to any one of (17)-(32), wherein substituents of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 are 1-3 groups selected from an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(34) The compound according to any one of (17)-(33) wherein X a is N, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(35) An antiplatelet agent comprising the compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.",
"(36) A medicine for prevention or treatment of ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, comprising a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(37) A method of preventing platelet aggregation comprising administrating an effective amount of a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(38) A method of preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, comprising administrating an effective amount of a compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(39) The compound for use in preventing platelet aggregation, which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(40) The compound for use in preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina, which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.",
"(41) The use of the compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of an antiplatelet agent.",
"(42) A use of the compound which is an active ingredient of an antiplatelet agent according to any one of (1)-(16) or a compound according to any one of (17)-(34) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, or unstable or stable angina.",
"[0035] In the followings are explained the groups represented by each term and each symbol used herein.",
"[0036] Alkyl of the “alkyl”",
"and “alkylthio”",
"is exemplified by C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkyls, in particular, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, 1-methylpropyl, pentyl or hexyl.",
"[0037] The “alkoxy”",
"is exemplified by a C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkoxy, in particular, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, iso-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy or hexyloxy, [0038] The “halogen”",
"is exemplified by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.",
"[0039] The “alkanoyl”",
"is exemplified by a C 1-6 , preferably C 1-4 linear or branched alkanoyl, in particular, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pentanoyl or hexanoyl.",
"[0040] The “alkenyl”",
"is exemplified by a C 2-6 , preferably C 2-4 linear or branched alkenyl, in particular, vinyl, allyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl or 3-hexenyl.",
"[0041] Cycloalkyl in the “cycloalkyl”",
"and “cycloalkylcarbonyl”",
"is exemplified by a C 3-8 , preferably C 3-6 cycloalkyl, in particular cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.",
"[0042] Aryl in the “aryl”, “aryloxy”",
"and “arylcarbonyl”",
"is exemplified by a C 6-14 monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aryl, preferably C 6-10 monocyclic or bicyclic aryl.",
"In particular, it is exemplified by phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl or anthryl.",
"[0043] The “heterocyclic group”",
"is exemplified by an aliphatic heterocyclic group and a heteroaryl containing for example, 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which optionally, a part or all of 3-12 members may be, as a whole, saturated.",
"[0044] The “aliphatic heterocyclic group”",
"is exemplified by an aliphatic heteromonocyclic group or a heterobicyclic group.",
"[0045] The “aliphatic heteromonocyclic group”",
"is exemplified by an aliphatic heterocyclic group containing 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which as a whole, a part or all of 3-12 members, preferably 4-7 members are saturated.",
"[0046] The “heterobicyclic group”",
"is exemplified by a heterobicyclic group containing 1-4 heteroatom(s) selected from, for example, nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, in which as a whole, a part or all of 7-12 members are saturated.",
"[0047] The “heteroaryl”",
"is a 5 to 10-membered aromatic cyclic group which has at least one heteroatom (nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, etc.) and carbon, and includes a 5 to 6-membered monocyclic group, a 8 to 10-membered bicyclic group formed by condensation of the same or different monocyclic heteroaromatic rings, and a 8 to 10-membered bicyclic group formed by condensation of a monocyclic heteroaromatic ring and benzene.",
"[0048] In the followings are explained preferable embodiments.",
"[0000] Substituents of the “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy”",
"and “optionally substituted alkylthio”",
"in R 1a -R 1d are exemplified by an aryl, a halogen, a cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, an alkoxy, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and further preferably by a cycloalkyl and a halogen, and particularly preferably by a halogen.",
"These substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and may be the same or different.",
"[0049] R 1a -R 1e is, preferably the same or different, and is an alkyl substituted by a halogen, an alkoxy optionally substituted by a halogen or a cycloalkyl, an alkylthio optionally substituted by a halogen or a cycloalkyl, an alkenyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, etc.",
"In particular, specific examples are difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyclopropylmethoxy, vinyl, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, cyclopropyl, ethyl and cyano.",
"[0050] R 1b and R 1e are further preferably exemplified by an alkyl substituted by a halogen, and an alkoxy substituted by a halogen, in particular, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 1-trifluoromethyl-ethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethyl, and trifluoromethyl.",
"Among them, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy are recited as specifically preferable examples.",
"[0051] R 1c and R 1f are selected preferably from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, hydroxyl, cyano, and a chlorine atom, and particularly preferably from hydrogen.",
"[0052] R 1a and R 1d are, preferably, hydrogen.",
"[0053] Aryl of the “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 2 is, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, and particularly preferably phenyl.",
"[0054] The “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 2 or the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 is exemplified by, preferably, a 5 to 6-membered heteroaryl, and particularly preferably, a 6-membered heteroaryl.",
"In particular are recited pyrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, preferably, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridyl, and particularly preferably, pyridyl and pyrazinyl.",
"[0055] Substituents of “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 2 , and “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are the same or different, and exemplified by, preferably, an optionally-substituted alkyl;",
"an optionally-substituted alkoxy;",
"an optionally-substituted alkylthio;",
"an alkenyl;",
"a halogen;",
"cyano;",
"a carbamoyl optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"hydroxyl;",
"nitro;",
"and an optionally-substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group, and further preferably, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, carbamoyl and nitro, and particularly preferably, cyano and a halogen.",
"In particular, they are the same or different, and are methyl, ethyl, vinyl, propenyl, methoxy, methylthio, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, pyrrolidinyl, hydroxypyrrolidinyl, dimethylaminopyrrolidinyl, methoxy-pyrrolidinyl, oxopyrrolidinyl, methoxymethyl-pyrrolidinyl, morpholyl, piperidinyl, methylpiperazinyl, methoxyazetidil, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl, cyano, nitro and carbamoyl.",
"These substituents may be one or in plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.",
"[0056] When the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 2 and R 21 is a 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl, the substituents thereof are preferably the same or different, and are an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl and nitro, and particularly preferably, fluorine and cyano.",
"These substituents may be 1 or in plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.",
"[0057] When the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 2 and R 21 is a 5-membered monocyclic heteroaryl, their substituents are the same or different and preferably exemplified by an alkyl.",
"[0058] The substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 2 , and the substituents of the “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy”",
"and “optionally substituted alkylthio”",
"in the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are, for example, an alkoxy;",
"a halogen;",
"hydroxyl;",
"an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and preferably, an alkoxy;",
"a halogen;",
"hydroxyl;",
"an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl.",
"These substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.",
"[0059] Substituents in the “optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group”, which is a substituent of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 2 and “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 , are exemplified by, an alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or an alkoxy;",
"an alkoxy;",
"an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"and oxo.",
"[0060] The “optionally substituted aliphatic heteromonocyclic group”",
"as a substituent of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and the “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 2 and of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 21 are exemplified by, in particular, pyrrolidyl, morpholinyl, piperidyl or piperazyl.",
"[0061] A preferable example of R 2 and R 21 is a group represented by the formula: [0000] [0000] wherein R 4 is an alkyl, an alkoxy, a halogen, cyano, a carbamoyl or nitro.",
"[0062] R 4 is, particularly preferably, fluorine or cyano.",
"[0063] Aryl of the “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 3 is, preferably, phenyl or naphthyl, in particular preferably, phenyl.",
"[0064] Heteroaryl of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"in R 3 is exemplified by, preferably, a monocyclic heteroaryl, in particular preferably, a 6-membered heteroaryl.",
"In particular, indole, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl are recited, and preferably, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl are recited.",
"[0065] Heteroaryl of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 is exemplified, in particular, by pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl and pyridazinyl, and preferably, by pyridyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl, and especially, by pyridyl and pyridazinyl.",
"[0066] Substituents of “optionally substituted alkyl”, “optionally substituted alkoxy”",
"and “optionally substituted alkylthio”",
"which are substituents of “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 3 and of “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 are exemplified, by a halogen;",
"hydroxyl;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, and these substituents may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and the same or different.",
"[0067] Substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 3 and of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 are exemplified, preferably, by an alkyl;",
"an alkoxy;",
"an alkylthio;",
"a cycloalkyl;",
"an amino optionally-substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"an aliphatic heteromonocycle;",
"and a halogen, in particular preferably, by an alkyl;",
"an alkoxy;",
"a halogen;",
"and an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl.",
"In particular are recited methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, methylamino, dimethylamino, pyrrolidinyl, cyclopropyl, a fluorine atom, and a chlorine atom, and preferably, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, methylamino, and dimethylamino.",
"These substituent may be 1 or plural (e.g., 1-3), and may be the same or different.",
"[0068] A substituting position of the substituents of the “optionally substituted heteroaryl”",
"and “optionally substituted aryl”",
"in R 3 and of the “optionally substituted 6-membered heteroaryl”",
"in R 31 is, preferably, in para-position toward a benzimidazole ring or an imidazopyridine ring.",
"[0069] A preferable example of R 3 or R 31 is a group represented by the formula: [0000] [0000] wherein X b is N or CH, and R 5 is an alkyl;",
"an alkoxy;",
"an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl;",
"and a halogen.",
"[0070] Examples of the compounds represented by formulae I and II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are the compounds recited in the Examples or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and preferably selected from [0000] 1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 1);",
"2-(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 2);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 3);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 4);",
"N-methyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine (Example 5);",
"N,N-dimethyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine (Example 6);",
"6-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 7);",
"5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (Example 8);",
"2-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 9);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 10);",
"2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 11);",
"1,2-dipyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 12);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 13);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 14);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 15);",
"5-ethyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 17);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 18);",
"2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 20);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 21);",
"1,2-bis(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 24);",
"5-cyclopropyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 27);",
"5-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (Example 31);",
"2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 35);",
"2-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 36);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 40);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 52);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-nitropyridin-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 53);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 54);",
"6-chloro-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 55);",
"2-(5-ethylpyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 56);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 58);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 62);",
"1-[6-(methylthio)pyridazin-3-yl]-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 67);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 71);",
"2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 72);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 73);",
"2-(4-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 75);",
"2-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 81);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 88);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 89);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylpyrazine-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 90);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 94);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 107);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 108);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 109);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 110);",
"3-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 118);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 122);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 125);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(5-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 126);",
"6-[3-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 130);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 139);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 144);",
"6-isopropoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 145);",
"6-(difluoromethoxy)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 146);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 147);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 148);",
"5-[2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]-N-methylpyridin-2-amine (Example 149);",
"6-{3-[6-(methylamino)pyridin-3-yl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]nicotinonitrile (Example 150);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 151);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 152);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 153);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 154);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 155);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 156);",
"5-[3-(5-methoxypyridazin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (Example 157);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 158);",
"2-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 159);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 160);",
"1-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 161);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 162);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 163);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 164);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 165);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 166);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 167);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole (Example 168);",
"3-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 169);",
"6-ethoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 170);",
"6-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 171);",
"2-(2-ethyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 172);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-propoxy-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 173);",
"6-isobuthoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 174);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 175);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methylethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 176);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 177);",
"6-(difluoromethoxy-2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Example 178);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (Example 179);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (Example 180);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (Example 181);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-indole (Example 182);",
"1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 183);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 184);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole (Example 185);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine (Example 186);",
"1-(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (Example 187);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole (Example 188);",
"3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (Example 190);",
"2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (Example 191);",
"and 2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (Example 192) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.",
"[0071] As the salts of said compounds represented by the formulae I and II, salts of acid adducts or base adducts can be used.",
"The kind of the salts is not limited specifically as far as the salts are physiologically acceptable.",
"[0072] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, when the compound has a basic group, exemplified by salts of an inorganic acid such as hydrochloride, sulfate, phosphate or hydrobromide, or salts of an organic acid such as acetate, fumarate, oxalate, citrate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, tosylate or maleate.",
"When the compound has an acidic group, salts of an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium, or salts or an alkaline earth metal such as calcium are exemplified as said salts.",
"[0073] When the compounds of the formulae I and II or the salts thereof include optically active compounds, they can be separated into an individual optical isomer by the usual method of optical resolution.",
"Alternatively, the compounds of the formulae I and II or the optical active salts thereof can be synthesized by utilizing an optically-pure starting material or a compound having a known steric configuration.",
"[0074] One or more than two kinds of the compounds of the present invention represented by the formulae I and II or the salt thereof may be administered as it is to patients, but preferably, may be administered in well-known forms of preparation by adding active ingredients and pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives.",
"[0075] The compound of the present invention can be administered to human or animals by appropriate administration routes after prepared in an appropriate dosage form (powders, injections, tablets, capsules or topical external preparations) together with appropriate usual diluents and other additives, via appropriate routes of administration depending on its dosage form (e.g., intravenous administration, oral administration, cutaneous administration or topical administration).",
"[0076] As pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives, can be used excipients, disintegrating agents, binders, lubricating agents, coating agents, pigments, diluents, bases and isotonizing agents.",
"[0077] Examples of preparations appropriate for oral administration are tablets, capsules, powders, fine granules, granules, liquids or syrups, and examples of preparations appropriate for non-oral administration are injections, drops or suppositories.",
"[0078] In the preparations appropriate for the oral administration, additives such as excipients, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, coating agents or bases can be used.",
"And, when the compound of the present invention is administered to patients of therapeutic target, other ingredients appropriate for treating the target individuals and the compound of the present invention may be used together.",
"[0079] An administration route of the medicine of the present invention is not limited specifically, but the route of orally or non-orally administration can be adopted.",
"The dose is determined depending on the individuals'",
"age, weight, general health status, sex, diet, administration time, administration method, excretory time, combination of medicines, condition of disease under treatment at the time, and by consideration of these or other factors.",
"The compounds of the present invention or the optical isomers thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are low in toxicity and can be used safely.",
"The dose per day differs depending on status and weight of the individuals, kinds of the compounds, routes of administration, etc.",
", and, for example, in case of non-oral, about 0.1-1000 mg/man/day, preferably about 500 mg/man/day are desirably administered via subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally, and in case of oral, about 0.1-1000 mg/man/day, preferably about 500 mg/man/day are desirably administered.",
"Effect of the Invention [0080] The compound of the present invention depresses platelet aggregation induced by GPIb and GPVI.",
"Since the GPIb and the GPVI work selectively when pathologic thrombus is formed induced by plaque rupture at an arteriosclerosis region, they do not accentuate bleeding risk and exert strong antithrombotic action.",
"[0081] The compound of the present invention is potent in the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation induced either by ristocetin via the GPIb or by collagen via GPVI, compared to the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation caused by ADP.",
"Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be an antiplatelet agent which does not accentuate the bleeding risk.",
"[0082] The compound of the present invention is potent in the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation induced either by ristocetin via the GPIb or by collagen via GPVI, compared to the inhibitory activity of the platelet aggregation caused by ADP.",
"Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be the antiplatelet agent which is expected to have high platelet-aggregation inhibitory action in high-speed condition of blood flow at the angiostenosis region by arteriosclerosis, etc.",
"(at a time of pathologic thrombus formation: “high-shearing stress state”), compared to low-speed condition of the blood flow at the wounded region (at time of hemostasis formation: “low-shearing stress state”).",
"[0083] The compound of the present invention has the antiplatelet function, and by the function, the compound can be a medicine for preventing, reducing and/or treating diseases relating to the function, for example, ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, microvascular dysfunction, peripheral arterial disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, ischemic heart disease, thrombotic microangiopathy (including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremia syndrome), and unstable or stable angina.",
"DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0084] The compounds of the formulae Ia-Ie and the synthetic intermediates thereof can be produced by the following methods.",
"The compounds of the formulae IIa-IIe can be also produced similarly to the compounds of the formulae Ia-Ie.",
"[0085] Unless otherwise recited in the producing methods, examples, and comparative examples, the following symbols indicate the following meanings: [0000] APCI: atmospheric pressure chemical ionization Ac: acetyl Boc: t-butoxycarbonyl Bu: butyl DEPC: diethylcyanophosphorate DMAC: dimethylacetamide DMF: dimethylformamide DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide EDCI: 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide ESI: electrospray ionization Et: ethyl HATU: O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′,-tetramethyl-uroniumhexafluorophosphate HOBu: 1-hydroxydibenzotriazole Me: methyl SEM: 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl THF: tetrahydrofuran TMS: trimethylsilyl [0000] [0000] wherein, LG means a leaving group, for example, a halogen, and other symbols mean the same meanings as described above.",
"[0086] [Step a] [0087] A compound (2) can be produced by reacting the compounds (1) and (5), in the presence or absence of catalyst, in appropriate solvents or without solvent.",
"[0088] In the absence of catalyst, the reaction proceeds suitably in the presence or absence of a base.",
"As the base, alkali metal salts such as potassium carbonate, or organic bases such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of, especially, 0° C.-150° C. As solvents, non-solvent or any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, for example, DMF, DMAC or DMSO can be suitably used.",
"In the presence of catalysts, the catalysts and processes described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338(2008), Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954(2009)”, etc.",
"can be suitably used.",
"[0089] [Step b] [0090] The compound (3) can be produced by reducing a nitro group in the compound (2) in usual manner (hydrogenation process using Pd catalysts and reduction process using metal catalysts such as zinc or iron).",
"And, the process using hydrazine monohydrate and iron (III) chloride described in “Tetrahedron Letter, 36, 2411(1995)”",
"can be also suitably used.",
"As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be applied, and an alcoholic solvent such as, methanol, ethanol or isopropanol can be recited.",
"The present reaction can be added with an active carbon, and proceeds suitably at the reaction temperature of 60° C.-100° C. [0091] [Step c] [0092] The compound (4) can be produced by reacting the compound (3), the carboxylic acid (6) and an amidizing reagent, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"The present reaction suitably proceeds at −20° C. to 100° C., especially, 0° C. to a room temperature.",
"As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, THF, DMF or DMAC can be suitably used.",
"As an amidizing reagent, a combination of EDCI, HOBt and triethylamine, or a combination of HATU or DEPC and triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be recited.",
"[0093] [Step d] [0094] The compound [Ia] can be produced by treating the compound (4) with an acid in an appropriate solvent.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of 60° C.-150° C. The present reaction proceeds suitably, especially at 80° C.-120° C. As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, acetic acid, toluene, xylene or dioxane can be suitably used.",
"As acids, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid and acetic acid can be suitably used.",
"Also, the reaction can be accelerated by irradiating microwave.",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, LG is a leaving group, such as a halogen, and other symbols are the same as described above.",
"[0095] [Step e] [0096] The compound (2) can be produced by reacting the compound (7) and the compound (8) in an appropriate solvent, or without a solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, an alkaline metal salt such as potassium carbonate, an alkaline earth metal salt such as cesium carbonate, or an organic base such as triethylamine and pyridine.",
"As a solvent, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMSO, DMF, and THF can be suitably used.",
"And also can be suitably used the N-arylation reaction using a transition metal catalysts such as palladium and copper described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338(2008), or Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954(2009).”",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.",
"[0097] [Step f] [0098] The compound (9) can be produced by reacting the compound (3) with aldehyde (10) in an appropriate solvent or without solvent.",
"As a solvent, any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, toluene and xylene can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C. Appropriate acids can be added to the present reaction.",
"[0099] The compound (9) obtained can be used in the next reaction step without further purification.",
"[0100] [Step g] [0101] The compound [Ia] can be produced by reacting the compound (9) in an appropriate solvent, in the co-presence of an acid and an oxidizing agent.",
"As acids, for example, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid are recited, and as an oxidizing agent, for example, sodium hydrosulfite (Na 2 S 2 O 4 ), iodine and hydrogen peroxide are recited.",
"As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMF, DMAC and an alcoholic solvent such as ethanol can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C. [0102] The present production method can be conducted without isolating the intermediate from the compound (3) as described in “Synthesis., 1, 47 (2005).”",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, LG 1 is a halogen, LG 2 is, —B(OH) 2 , —B(OR) 2 , or —SnR 3 , R is an alkyl, and each other symbol is the same as that described above.",
"[0103] [Step h] [0104] The compound (11) can be produced by reacting the compound (3) and trialkyl orthoformate in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"As solvents, any solvent which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, toluene, xylene and acetic acid can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably also by adding an acid, for example, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at 0° C.-100° C. [0105] [Step i] [0106] The compound (12) can be produced by reacting the compound (11) with a halogenizing reagent in the presence or absence of a base, in an appropriate solvent.",
"As the base, for example, organometallic reagent such as n-butyl lithium is recited, and as the halogenizing reagent, for example, carbon tetrabromide and N-bromosuccinimide are recited.",
"When the base is used in the present reaction, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, THF, hexane and toluene can be suitably used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at the reaction temperature of −78° C. to room temperature.",
"And, in the absence of the base, the solvent such as dioxane, THF, DMF or carbon tetrachloride can be suitably used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from room temperature to 150° C. [0107] [Step j] [0108] The compound [Ia] can be produced by reacting the compound (12) and the compound (13) in an appropriate solvent, in the presence of a Pd catalyst as described in “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry., 576, 147 (1999).”",
"As the Pd catalyst, zero-valent palladium such as tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) or tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0), and bivalent palladium such as acetic acid palladium (II) and chloro-bistriphenylphosphine palladium (II) are recited.",
"Also an appropriate ligand can be added, and 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl, 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl, 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl, etc.",
"are recited.",
"As solvents, any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and in case of LG 2 is —SnR 3 , such solvents as toluene, THF, dioxane are recited, and in case of LG 2 is —B(OH) 2 or —B(OR) 2 , such solvents as toluene, THF, dioxane, dimethoxyethane or water, or a mixed solution thereof are recited.",
"In case of LG 2 is —B(OH) 2 or —B(OR) 2 , the reaction proceeds suitably by adding a base, and such bases as sodium carbonate, potassium phosphate and sodium t-butoxide are recited.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures of 60° C.-160° C. [0000] [0000] wherein, R is an alkyl group such as a methyl group or an ethyl group, and each other symbol is the same as described above, and LGs may be the same or different.",
"[0109] Production Method [0110] [Step a] [0111] The compound (16) can be obtained by the SONOGASHIRA reaction between the compound (14) and the acetylene derivative (15) using the palladium (0) and copper catalyst.",
"As the palladium catalyst, tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0), dichloro ditriphenylphosphino palladium (0), etc.",
"can be suitably used.",
"The solvent is not limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, THF, toluene, benzene, triethylamine, diethylamine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or diethylamine.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from room temperature to 120° C. It is preferable that, among two LGs in the compound (14), the LG which does not connect to the carbon adjacent to X has higher reactivity.",
"The compound (16) can be also produced by converting an optionally protected hydroxy group into the leaving group by usual manner, after the present step has been conducted by using the compound having an optionally protected hydroxy group as the LG connecting to the carbon adjacent to X. [0112] [Step b] [0113] The compound (17) can be obtained from the compound (16) by the desilylation reaction described in “Greene's Protecting Group in Organic Synthesis.”",
"Preferably is recited the method of mixing with tetrabutylammonium fluoride, preferably in an appropriate solvent.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures from 0° C. to room temperature.",
"[0114] [Steps c and d] [0115] The compound (19) can be obtained by the SONOGASHIRA reaction using the compound (17) or the acetylene derivative (18) and the palladium (0) and copper catalyst.",
"As the palladium catalysts, tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0), ditriphenylphosphine palladium (II) dichloride, etc.",
"are preferable.",
"The present step proceeds in a solvent, or without solvent, and the solvent is not limited specially, as far as it does not affect the reaction.",
"For example, THF, toluene, benzene, triethylamine, diethylamine, or the mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitable at the reaction temperatures from room temperature to 120° C. [0116] [Step e] [0117] The compound (21) can be produced by reacting the compound (19) and the amine (20) in an appropriate solvent or without solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably by adding an appropriate base, for example, an alkali metal salt or an alkaline-earth metal salt such as potassium carbonate and cesium carbonate, or an organic base such as triethylamine or pyridine.",
"Any solvents which do not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, DMSO, DMF and THF are recited.",
"More preferably, the N-arylation reaction catalyzed by the transition metal catalyst such as palladium or copper can be suitably used as described in “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 34, 6338 (2008)”, or “Angewandte Chem. Int. Ed., 48, 6954 (2009).”",
"The compound (21) obtained can be also utilized as it is to the next reaction step without isolation.",
"[0118] [Step f] [0119] The compound (Ib) can be produced by adding an appropriate base such as potassium-t-botoxide or potassium hydride to the compound (21) in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, toluene, DMF, THF, acetonitrile and N-methylpyrrolidone are recited.",
"The method using palladium as described in “Tetrahedron Lett., 1988, 29, 1799”, or the method using copper as described in “J. Org. Chem., 1963, 28, 2163”",
"can also be suitably used.",
"[0120] The compound (Ib) can also be produced in an one-pot reaction from the compound (14), the acetylene derivative (18) and the amine (20) by using such a method as described in “Org. Lett., 2005, 7, 439.”",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same meaning as above.",
"[0121] [Step a] [0000] The compound (24) can be produced by reacting the compound (22), the amine (23) and an amidizing reagent, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably from −20° C. to 100° C., especially, from 0° C. to room temperature.",
"Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, THF, DMF, DMAC, etc.",
"can be suitably used.",
"As an amidizing reagent, a combination of EDCI, HOBt and triethylamine, or a combination of HATU or and triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine may be recited.",
"[0122] [Step b] [0000] The compound (25) can be produced by combining the compound (24) with thionyl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus pentachloride, etc.",
"in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-150° C. [0123] [Step c] [0000] The compound (Ic) can be produced by the cross-coupling reaction of the compound (25) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound.",
"Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, the 0-valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compound described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc.",
"can be use in a catalytic amount or a stoichiometric amount.",
"Also the legands described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.”",
"can be suitably used.",
"Also, the present reaction can be accelerated by irradiation of microwave.",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same meaning as above.",
"[0124] [Step a] [0125] The compound (27) can be produced by reacting the compound (26) and the amine (23) in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably from room temperature to 150° C. Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and benzene, toluene, xylene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used.",
"In the present reaction, an appropriate acid may be added, and the compound (27) obtained can be used, as it is, to the next reaction step without isolation.",
"[0126] [Step b] [0127] The compound (28) can be produced by reacting the compound (27) and triethyl phosphite, in an appropriate solvent, or without solvent.",
"The present reaction proceeds suitably, especially at 150° C. [0128] [Step c] [0129] The compound (25) can be obtained by mixing the compound (28) with a usual halogenizing reagent (such as, chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide or a halonium salt) in a solvent, or without solvent.",
"For example, the solvent such as methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixture solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures are preferably from 0° C. to 150° C. To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) or benzoyl peroxide.",
"[0130] [Step d] [0131] The compound (Ic) can be synthesized by using a cross-coupling reaction of the compound (25) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, an organic tin compound.",
"Any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be used, and dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixture thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at reaction temperatures of 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc.",
"can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount.",
"Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.”",
"can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.",
"[0132] [Step a] [0133] The compound (31) can be obtained by the coupling reaction of the compound (29) with the compound (30) using a metal catalyst (for example, “J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 12557-12565”, “J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 7996-8002”, etc.).",
"There is no limitation in a solvent, and any solvent which does not affect the reaction can be properly used, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"The compound (31) can be also synthesized using the Claisen condensation or the Friedel-Crafts reaction, etc.",
"[0134] [Step b] [0135] The compound (32) can be obtained by mixing the compound (31) with the usual halogenizing reagent (chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide or N-iodosuccinimide, a halonium salt, etc.) in a solvent or without solvent.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited unless it affects the reaction, and, for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-120° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction, may be added a suitable acid (acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.) or a base which does not affect the reaction (sodium hydride, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, lithium hexamethyldisilazide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, an organolithium compound, etc.).",
"[0136] [Step c] [0137] The compound (Id) can be obtained by mixing the compound (32) and the compound (33) in a solvent or without solvent.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methanol, ethanol, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, THF, DMF, toluene, pyridine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures at 50° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction may be added a proper base (sodium hydride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate, triethylamine, pyridine, etc.).",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above).",
"[0138] [Step a] [0139] The compound (35) can be obtained by mixing the compound (33) and the compound (34) in a solvent or without solvent.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methanol, ethanol, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, THF, DMF, toluene, pyridine, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly utilized.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction may be added a suitable base (potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate, triethylamine, pyridine, etc.).",
"[0140] [Step b] [0141] The compound (36) can be obtained by mixing the compound (35) and the usual halogenizing reagent (for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide or a halonium salt), in a solvent or without solvent.",
"For example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) or benzoyl peroxide.",
"[0142] [Step c] [0143] The compound (Id) can be synthesized by the cross-coupling reaction of the compound (36) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, or an organic tin compound.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof may be properly used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc.",
"can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount.",
"Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.”",
"can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, each symbol is the same as described above.",
"[0144] [Step a] [0145] The compound (38) can be obtained by reacting the compound (37) and malondialdehyde or the binamidinium salt described in “J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 4571-4574.”",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, acetonitrile, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-80° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction, a suitable acid (acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.) and a suitable base (sodium methoxide, potassium t-botoxide, triethylamine, etc.) may be added as far as they do not affect the reaction.",
"[0146] [Step b] [0147] The compound (39) can be obtained by mixing the compound (38) with the usual halogenizing reagent (chlorine, bromine, iodine, N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide, or a halonium salt), etc.",
"in a solvent or without solvent.",
"For example, methylene dichloride, chloroform, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, THF, 1,4-dioxane, acetonitrile, DMF, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures at 0° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction may be added a suitable acid such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid and hydrochloric acid, or a radical initiator such as 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) and benzoyl peroxide.",
"[0148] [Step c] [0149] The compound (I e1 ) can be synthesized by a cross-coupling reaction of the compound (39) with an organic boron compound, an organic zinc compound, an organic silicon compound, an organic tin compound, etc.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, for example, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, THF, DMF, toluene, or a mixed solvent thereof can be properly used.",
"The reaction proceeds suitably at temperatures of 60° C.-120° C. As a metal, zero valent or 2-valent palladium or nickel compounds described in “Palladium Reagent, Catalysts, Innovations in Organic synthesis (New York: wiley, 1995)”, etc.",
"can be used in a catalytic amount or in a stoichiometric amount.",
"Also, such ligands as described in “Acc. Chem. Res. 2008, 41, 1461.”",
"can be suitably used.",
"The present reaction is also accelerated by irradiation of microwave.",
"[0000] [0000] wherein, Z − represents a counter anion such as halide, and other symbol is the same as described above.",
"[0150] [Step a] [0151] The compound (I e2 ) can be obtained by mixing the compound (31) and the compound (40) in a solvent or without solvent.",
"The solvent is not specifically limited as far as it does not affect the reaction, and, methanol, ethanol, etc.",
"can be properly used.",
"The reaction temperatures of 0° C.-150° C. are desirable.",
"To the present reaction may be added a suitable base (triethylamine, pyridine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4[.",
"].0]undec-7-ene, etc.).",
"[0152] Production Method 12 [0153] The functional groups contained in the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates, or their starting compounds can be converted by the usual methods described in “Comprehensive Organic Transformations: A guide to Functional Group Preparations, Fiesers'",
"Reagents for Organic Synthesis”, etc.",
", for example, by the following methods.",
"[0154] (1) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates, or their starting compounds have functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, carboxy, etc.), the reaction can be conducted by protecting these functional groups with the usual protecting groups as described in “Greene's Protecting Group in Organic Synthesis”, then, after reaction, the targeted compound can be obtained by removing said protecting groups.",
"In this case, the protecting groups for the hydroxyl group are exemplified by tetrahydropyranyl, TMS and an aryl, the protecting groups for the amino are exemplified by Boc or benzyloxycarbonyl, the protecting groups for carboxy are exemplified by an alkyl such as methyl, ethyl and benzyl, the protecting groups for the imidazolyl group are exemplified by a trityl group, and the substituents for the pyrolyl group are exemplified by SEM.",
"[0155] (2) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have an amino functional group, the amino is optionally protected firstly, then, (i) it is reacted with an alkyl halogenide in the presence of a base (sodium hydride, triethylamine, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), or (ii) alcohol is treated by the MITSUNOBU reaction using an alkylazodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, then optionally via deprotection, the compound having the amino optionally mono- or di-substituted by alkyls can be obtained.",
"[0156] (3) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, (i) the hydroxyl is reacted with an alkyl halide in the presence of a base (sodium hydride, triethylamine, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), or (ii) alcohol is treated by the MITSUNOBU reaction using an alkylazodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, then, the compounds having an alkoxy group optionally substituted by an alkyl can be obtained.",
"[0157] (4) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have amino, they can be converted to the compounds having a corresponding amido group by converting the amino into the corresponding amido by using acyl halide.",
"[0158] (5) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a double bond, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding single bond by a catalytic reduction of the double bond by using a transition metal catalyst (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, etc.).",
"[0159] (6) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have an ester group, they can be converted into the corresponding carboxy compounds by hydrolyzing the ester group with alkali (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.).",
"[0160] (7) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a carbamoyl, the corresponding nitrile compounds can be obtained by reacting the carbamoyl with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride.",
"[0161] (8) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, the hydroxy group can be converted to the corresponding halogen by treating it with a halogenizing agent.",
"And, when the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, the corresponding compounds having an alkoxy can be obtained by converting the halogen into the corresponding an alkoxy by treating with alcohol.",
"[0162] (9) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have ester, they can be converted into the corresponding hydroxy compounds by reducing the ester using a reducing agent (a metal reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, and diborane).",
"[0163] (10) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have hydroxyl, they can be converted into the compounds having aldehyde, ketone or carboxy by oxidizing them by an oxidizing agent.",
"[0164] (11) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have carbonyl or aldehyde, they can be converted into the compounds having an optionally mono- or di-substituted aminomethyl by carrying out the reductive amination reaction in the presence of an amine compound and a reducing agent (sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, etc.).",
"[0165] (12) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have aldehyde, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding oxime by reacting them with hydroxyl amine or O-alkylhydroxyl amine in alcohol (methanol, ethanol, etc.), in the presence of a base (sodium bicarbonate, etc.).",
"[0166] (13) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, they can be converted into the compounds having a corresponding cyano group by treating them with a cyanizing agent.",
"[0167] (14) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a halogen, they can be converted into the compounds having hydroxyl, amino, an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, an alkyl, an alkenyl or an aryl group by the reaction using a transition metal catalyst such as Pd.",
"The halogen can be converted into hydroxyl by a similar method, for example, as described in “J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 10694(2006)”, into an amino optionally substituted with 1 or 2 alkyl by a similar method as described in “Tetrahedron, 58, 2041(2002)”, into an alkenyl group by a similar method as described in “J. Org. Chem., 71, 9681(2006)”, and into an aryl group by a similar method as described in “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry., 576, 147(1999).”",
"[0168] (15) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a cyano group, they can be converted into the compounds having an aldehyde group by using a reducing agent (diisobutylaluminum hydride, etc.).",
"[0169] (16) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a vinyl group, they can be converted into the compounds having a formyl group by the ozone oxidation or the osmium oxidation and successively by the iodic acid oxidation.",
"[0170] (17) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have 2-halogenopyridine, 2-halogenopyrazine, 2-halogenopyridazine or 2-halogenopyrimidine, they can be converted into the compounds having an alkoxy, an alkylthio, amino or an amino optionally substituted by 1 or 2 alkyl, cyano or a fluoro group by reacting them with a nucleophile.",
"[0171] (18) When the compounds of the present invention, their synthetic intermediates or their starting compounds have a phenolic hydroxy group, the compounds having difluoroalkoxy can be obtained by reacting them with chlorodifluoro methane or sodium chlorodifluoroacetic acid, and also the compounds having a trifluoromethoxy group can be obtained by using methods described in “Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 2000, 73, 471-484”",
"and “J. Org. Chem., 1979, 44, 2907.”",
"[0172] The compounds of the present invention and each of their synthetic intermediates thus obtained can be purified using the usual chemical processes such as extraction, crystallization, re-crystallization, and various chromatography.",
"[0173] The compounds of the present invention can be converted into the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof by using the usual methods, and these salts can be purified by the usual chemical processes such as re-crystallization.",
"[0174] The compounds of the present invention include a mixture of stereo-isomers, or a pure or substantially pure form of each stereoisomer.",
"For example, when the compounds of the present invention have one or more asymmetric centers on either of carbon, the compounds of the present invention may exist in an enantiomer or a diastereomer, or a mixture thereof.",
"The compounds of the present invention include their isomers, or the mixtures thereof.",
"And, when the compounds of the present invention include a double bond, stereo-isomers (cis- and trans-isomers) can exist, and when the compounds of the present invention include an unsaturated bonding such as carbonyl, tautomers can exist.",
"EXAMPLES [0175] The present invention is further explained by the following Examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited by these Examples.",
"Example 1 1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0176] [0177] To a pyridine (27.5 ml) solution of the compound 1 (2.75 g) (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 2) was added picolinic acid chloride hydrochloride (4.67 g) at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature.",
"After the reaction mixture was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography affording a crude compound 2 (4.08 g).",
"The obtained crude compound 2 (4.08 g) was diluted in acetic acid (40 ml), and the solution was stirred at 80° C. for 20 h. The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then after being concentrated, chloroform was added to the concentrate, and the resulting solution was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution.",
"The organic phase was concentrated, and then purified by the silica gel column chromatography.",
"To the obtained residue was added a solution of ethyl acetate/n-heptane (1:5), and the resulting deposit was obtained by filtration.",
"To the obtained crude product was added ethyl acetate, and the resulting deposit was filtrated to produce the compound 3 (1.65 g).",
"[0178] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 2 2-(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0179] [0180] The compound 1 (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 2) (300 mg) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (5.3 ml), and thereto were added 6-fluoro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid (156 mg), EDCI-HCl (304 mg) and HOBt-H 2 O (267 mg).",
"After stirring the solution all day and all night, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and insoluble materials were filtrated.",
"The organic layer was washed with water, followed by evaporation of the solvent in vacuo, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (289 mg).",
"[0181] MS m/z 408 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0182] The compound 2 (100 mg) was dissolved in a mixed solvent of xylene/acetic acid (4:1, 2 ml), and heated to 170° C. by irradiation of microwave.",
"After the reaction solution was stirred for 1 h and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (78.9 mg).",
"[0183] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 3 1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-benzimidazole [0184] [0185] The compound 1 (the same compound as that described in Reference Example 3) (0.82 g) was dissolved in DMF (15 ml), and to the solution were added picolinic acid (505 mg), HATU (2.08 g) and diisopropylethylamine (951 μl).",
"After stirring the solution all day and all night, water was added thereto, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride (or saturated saline), and the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After filtration and evaporation, the evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording a crude compound 2.",
"To the crude compound 2 was added ethyl acetate/n-hexane (1/2), and the precipitate was filtrated affording the compound 2 (0.11 g).",
"[0186] MS m/z 406[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0187] The compound 2 (14.0 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (15.0 mg).",
"MS m/z 388[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 4 2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine [0188] [0189] 5-Fluoro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid (169 mg) was suspended in methylene dichloride (3 ml), and thereto were added oxalyl chloride (131 μl) and DMF (5 μl) at 0° C. After stirring the solution at room temperature for 2 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"To the evaporated residue was added ethyl acetate (3 ml), and thereto at 0° C. were added an ethyl acetate solution (3 ml) of the compound 1 (the same as the compound of Reference Example 4) (284 mg) and an aqueous 10%-potassium carbonate solution (3 ml).",
"After the solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the organic layer was separated, washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium chloride (or saline solution) and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (356 mg) was obtained.",
"[0190] MS m/z 408 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0191] The acetic acid (6 ml) solution of the compound 2 (0.55 g) was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days, it was cooled to room temperature, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"To the evaporated residue was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and evaporated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (0.39 g) was obtained.",
"[0192] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 5 N-methyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine [0193] [0194] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 6) (173 mg) was diluted in methylene dichloride (6.1 ml), and picolinic acid (79 mg), EDCI-HCl (176 mg), HOBt-H 2 O (155 mg) were added thereto.",
"After the solution was stirred for 2 days, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (126 mg) was obtained.",
"[0195] MS m/z 389[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0196] The compound 2 (126 mg) was diluted in acetic acid (3.2 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added, and the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (59 mg) was obtained.",
"[0197] MS m/z 371[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 6 N,N-dimethyl-5-[2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]pyridin-2-amine [0198] [0199] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (1.5 g) was diluted in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (33 ml), and 2-acetamide-5-aminopyridine (1.5 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (303 mg), potassium phosphate (2.53 g) and 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (261 mg) were added thereto, and then, the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 7 hrs, the solution was cooled to room temperature, and water and chloroform were added thereto.",
"After the residue was filtrated, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the crude compound 2 (2.18 g) was obtained.",
"After the obtained crude compound 2 (2.18 g) was suspended in methanol (33 ml), active carbon (400 mg), iron (III) chloride (215 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (1.6 mL) were added thereto, and the mixture was refluxed for 4 hrs by heating.",
"After cooling the mixture to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtered and washed well with methanol.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, ethyl acetate, chloroform and water were added to the concentrated residue, and the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, and the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (1.14 g) was obtained.",
"[0200] MS m/z 312 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0201] The compound 3 (1.14 g) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (18 ml), and picolinic acid (471 mg), EDCI-HCl (1.05 g) and HOBt-H 2 O (921 mg) was added thereto.",
"After the solution was stirred all day and all night, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (1.12 g) was obtained.",
"[0202] MS m/z 417[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0203] After the compound 4 (1.12 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (24.3 ml), the solution was heated to 100° C. After stirring the solution for 4 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (687 mg) was obtained.",
"[0204] MS m/z 399[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0205] The compound 5 (200 mg) was dissolved in THF (2.5 ml), 2N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (1.0 ml) was added thereto, and after the solution was stirred at 50° C. all day and all night, further 2N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (4.0 ml) was added thereto, and the solution was stirred at 70° C. all day and all night.",
"To the reaction solution, were added chloroform and water, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 6 (148 mg) was obtained.",
"[0206] MS m/z 357[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0207] After the compound 6 (123 mg) was dissolved in acetonitrile (3 ml), an aqueous 37% formaldehyde solution (3.5 ml), cyano sodium borohydride (71.3 mg) and acetic acid (60 mg) were added thereto.",
"After the solution was stirred for 3 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 7 (31 mg) was obtained.",
"[0208] MS m/z 385[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 7 6-[1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]nicotinonitrile [0209] [0210] To a DMF (50 ml) solution of the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 2) (3.00 g) were added 5-(methoxycarbonyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (2.10 g), HATU (4.41 g) and diisopropylethylamine (2.76 ml).",
"After the mixed solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 h, an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with water and a saturated saline, and then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (3.04 g) was obtained.",
"[0211] MS m/z 448 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0212] The compound 2 (5.50 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (50 ml), and was heated to 105° C. After the solution was stirred for 1 day and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"To the residue was added ethyl acetate, and after the solution was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and a saturated saline, the solution was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the crude product 3 was obtained.",
"To the obtained crude product 3 was added diethyl ether, and the precipitated product was filtrated affording the compound 3 (1.76 g).",
"[0213] MS m/z 430 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0214] The compound 3 (429 mg) was suspended in a 7N ammonia-methanol solution (5 ml), and the solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred for 3 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (285 mg) was obtained.",
"[0215] MS m/z 415 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0216] The compound 4 (20.2 mg) was dissolved in THF (1 ml), and at 0° C., pyridine (12 μl) and trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (17 μl) were added thereto.",
"After the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, water was added thereto, and then, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a 1N-hydrochloric acid aqueous solution and then with a saturated saline, followed by drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (17.4 mg) was obtained.",
"[0217] MS m/z 397 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 8 5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile [0218] [0219] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (500 mg) was dissolved in methylene dichloride (9 ml), and was followed by addition of 5-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (293 mg) and EDCI-HCl (506 mg) thereto.",
"After the mixture was stirred for 5 h, methylene dichloride, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (548 mg) was obtained.",
"[0220] MS m/z 425/427 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0221] The compound 2 (548 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (13 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 4 h, chloroform, water and potassium carbonate were added thereto, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (427 mg) was obtained.",
"[0222] MS m/z 407/409 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0223] After the compound 3 (150 mg) was dissolved in DMAC (3.7 ml), zinc cyanide (52 mg) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) (85 mg) were added thereto, and then, the reaction temperature was raised to 170° C. by irradiation of microwave.",
"After the solution was stirred for 20 min and kept standing to cool to room temperature, water was added thereto and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with magnesium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (71 mg) was obtained.",
"[0224] MS m/z 398 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 9 2-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0225] [0226] The compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 1) (283 mg) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml), and 6-chloro-pyridazin-3-carboxylic acid (238 mg), HATU (760 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (348 μl) were added thereto.",
"After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, water was added thereto, and then, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous 1N-sodium hydroxide solution, water and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (39.9 mg) was obtained.",
"[0227] MS m/z 424/426 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0228] After the compound 2 (24 mg) was dissolved in methanol (0.6 ml), a sodium methoxide methanol solution (0.2 ml) was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature.",
"After the mixture was stirred for 2 h, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (7.2 mg) was obtained.",
"[0229] MS m/z 420 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0230] The compound 3 (50.1 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and heated at 100°.",
"After the solution was stirred all day and all night, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and to the residue were added a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was separated, it was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (44.4 mg) was obtained.",
"[0231] MS m/z 402 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 10 3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine [0232] [0233] 1-{[2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methyl}-1H-pyrrol-2-carboxylic acid (362 mg) was dissolved in thionyl chloride (5 ml), and the mixture was refluxed for 30 min under heating.",
"After the mixture was standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The residue was suspended in methylene dichloride (2 ml), and the suspended solution was added to a pyridine solution (5 ml) of the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (284 mg).",
"After the solution was stirred for 5 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and to the residue was added 1N-hydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (271 mg) was obtained.",
"[0234] MS m/z 508 [M+11]+, APCI(+) [0235] The compound 2 (265 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (2.7 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (236 mg) was obtained.",
"[0236] MS m/z 490[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0237] After the compound 3 (235 mg) was dissolved in THF (5 ml), tetra-N-butylammonium fluoride (1 mol/L, 720 μl) was added thereto, and the solution was refluxed for 2 days under heating.",
"After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an aqueous solution of saturated sodium bicarbonate was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (121 mg) was obtained.",
"[0238] MS m/z 360[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 11 2-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine [0239] [0240] After the compound 1 (the same as the compound described in Reference Example 4) (199 mg) was dissolved in DMF (3 ml), 1-trityl-1H-imidazol-4-carboxylic acid (298 mg), EDCI-HCl (174 mg), HOBt-H 2 O (139 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (146 μl) were added thereto, and the mixture was heated to 60° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 days, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous 1N-sodium hydroxide solution, water and a saturated saline, and was then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (318 mg) was obtained.",
"[0241] MS m/z 621 [M+H]+, ESI [0242] The compound 2 (315 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (4.5 ml), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 2 days and kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The evaporated residue was dissolved in methylene dichloride (1 ml), and at 0° C., trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) was added thereto.",
"After the solution was stirred at room temperature for 8 h, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (175 mg) was obtained.",
"[0243] MS m/z 361[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 12 1,2-Dipyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0244] [0245] After 4-amino-3-nitrobenzenetrifluoride (2.06 g) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (20 ml), 2-bromopyridine (1.58 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0) (458 mg), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl (394 mg) and potassium phosphate (3.18 g) were added thereto, and the mixture solution was heated to 100°.",
"After the solution was stirred all day and all night and was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the insoluble material was filtrated.",
"To the filtrate was added water, and was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (1.23 g) was obtained.",
"[0246] MS m/z 284 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0247] The compound 2 (1.22 g) was dissolved in methanol (12 ml), and iron (III) chloride (69.9 mg), hydrazine monohydrate (1.08 g) and active carbon (120 mg) were added thereto, and then, the mixture was refluxed for 2 h under heating.",
"After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the insoluble material was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, to the concentrated residue was added chloroform and the obtained solution was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the solution was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (0.89 g) was obtained.",
"[0248] MS m/z 254 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0249] The compound 3 (120 mg) was dissolved in DMF (1.2 ml), and picolinic acid (61.8 mg), HATU (255 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (117 μl) were added thereto.",
"After the solution was stirred for 2 days, water was added thereto and extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, water and saturated saline, and then, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (165 mg) was obtained.",
"[0250] MS m/z 359 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0251] The compound 4 (160 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1.5 ml) and heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 10 h and was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The evaporated residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and after the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (104 mg) was obtained.",
"[0252] MS m/z 341[M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 13 3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine [0253] [0254] The compound 1 (the same as the compound of Reference Example 4) (64.0 mg) was dissolved in ethanol (3 ml), and 2-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde (29.0 mg) was added thereto, and then, the solution was heated to 80° C. The solution was stirred for 20 h and allowed to cool to room temperature.",
"After the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, the compound 2 (61.1 mg) was obtained.",
"[0255] MS m/z 374 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0256] After the compound 2 (57.0 mg) was dissolved in DMF (1.5 ml), and was added acetic acid (0.2 ml) thereto, the solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred for 4 h and allowed to cool to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"To the evaporated residue was added an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (38.0 mg) was obtained.",
"[0257] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 14 1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0258] [0259] 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzotrifluoride (418 mg) and 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (248 mg) were dissolved in DMSO (2 ml) and heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 5 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an ethanol solution (8 ml) of pyridin-2-carboxyaldehyde (257 mg) and sodium hydrosulfite (1.04 g) were added thereto, and the reaction solution was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an aqueous solution of 28%-ammonia was added thereto.",
"After the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer was separated, washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (46.0 mg) was obtained.",
"[0260] MS m/z 371 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 15 1-(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazole [0261] [0262] To the compound 1 (3.5 g) were added triethyl orthoformate (20.5 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.1 ml), and the mixture solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. To the solution was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed sequentially with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, diethyl ether was added to the concentrated residue, and the compound 2 (3.37 g) was obtained as a precipitate after filtration.",
"[0263] MS m/z 295 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0264] The compound 2 (500 mg) was dissolved in dioxane (10 ml), and N-bromosuccinimide (696 mg) was added thereto, and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 30 min, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.",
"The evaporated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (223 mg) was obtained.",
"[0265] MS m/z 373/375 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0266] Under an argon atmosphere, to a DMF (4 ml) solution of the compound 3 (200 mg) were added 1-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaboran-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (185 mg), potassium phosphate (142 mg) and tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) (51.3 mg), and then, the mixture solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 7 h and kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"To the filtrate was added a saturated saline, and the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (135 mg) was obtained.",
"[0267] MS m/z 375 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 16 5-bromo-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole [0268] [0269] To a DMSO (40 ml) solution of 4-bromo-1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene (5 g) was added 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (6.33 g), and the solution was heated to 100° C. After the solution was stirred for 20 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and water (120 ml) and an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate (40 ml) were added thereto.",
"The compound 2 (7.03 g) was obtained as a precipitate by filtration.",
"[0270] MS m/z 324/326 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0271] To a methanol (15 ml) solution of the compound 2 (1 g), were added active carbon (121 mg), iron (III) chloride (24.3 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.75 ml), and the mixture was refluxed under heating for 2 h. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, n-heptane was added to the residue, and the crude product (0.93 g) of the compound 3 was obtained as a precipitate by filtration.",
"To a pyridine (16 ml) solution of the obtained crude product (0.93 g) of the compound 3, picolinic acid chloride-hydrochloride (1.13 g) was added and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. After the solvent was distilled off in vacuo, to the residue was added an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate, and the solution was extracted with chloroform.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 4 (0.88 g) was obtained.",
"The compound 4 (0.88 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (10 ml) and was heated to 80° C. After the solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo.",
"Chloroform was added to the residue, and the solution was dried with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 5 (0.82 g) was obtained.",
"[0272] MS m/z 381/383 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 17 5-ethyl-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole [0273] [0274] compound 1 (the same compound as described in Example 16)(100 mg) To a 1,2-dimethoxyethane/water (2.86 ml, 10/1) solution were added potassium vinyltrifluoroborate (69.1 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (30 mg) and cesium carbonate (126.8 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 18 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (54.5 mg) was obtained.",
"[0275] MS m/z 329 [M+1-1]+, APCI(+) [0276] To a THF (2 ml) solution of the compound 2 (32.5 mg), a 10% palladium-carbon (3 mg) was added, and under a hydrogen atmosphere, the solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. After an insoluble material was filtrated, the filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (31.4 mg) was obtained.",
"[0277] MS m/z 331 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0278] The following compounds were produced according to the Production Methods 1-5 and the above Examples.",
"[0000] TABLE 1 Example 18 MS: 370 [M + H] + APCI Example 19 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 20 MS: 449/451 [M + H] + APCI Example 21 MS: 389 [M + H] + APCI Example 22 MS: 347 [M + H] + APCI Example 23 MS: 303 [M + H] + APCI Example 24 MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI Example 25 MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI Example 26 MS: 329 [M + H] + APCI Example 27 MS: 343 [M + H] + APCI Example 28 MS: 333 [M + H] + APCI Example 29 MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI Example 30 MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI Example 31 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 32 MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI Example 33 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 34 MS: 317 [M + H] + APCI Example 35 MS: 450/452 [M + H] + APCI Example 36 MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI Example 37 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 38 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 39 MS: 403 [M + H] + APCI Example 40 MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI Example 41 MS: 369 [M + H] + APCI Example 42 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 43 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 44 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 45 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 46 MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI Example 47 MS: 321 [M + H] + APCI Example 48 MS: 337/339 [M + H] + APCI Example 49 MS: 304 [M + H] + APCI Example 50 MS: 353 [M + H] + APCI Example 51 MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI Example 52 MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI Example 53 MS: 417 [M + H] + APCI Example 54 MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI Example 55 MS: 405/407 [M + H] + APCI Example 56 MS: 400 [M + H] + APCI Example 57 MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI Example 58 MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI Example 59 MS: 398 [M + H] + APCI Example 60 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 61 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 62 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 63 MS: 412 [M + H] + APCI Example 64 MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI Example 65 MS: 356 [M + H] + APCI Example 66 MS: 386 [M + H] + APCI Example 67 MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI Example 68 MS: 376/378 [M + H] + APCI Example 69 MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI Example 70 MS: 396 [M + H] + APCI Example 71 MS: 406 [M + H] + APCI Example 72 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 73 MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI Example 74 MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI Example 75 MS: 450/452 [M + H] + APCI Example 76 MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI Example 77 MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI Example 78 MS: 422 [M + H] + APCI Example 79 MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI Example 80 MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI Example 81 MS: 397 [M + H] + APCI Example 82 MS: 401 [M + H] + APCI Example 83 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 84 MS: 441 [M + H] + APCI Example 85 MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI Example 86 MS: 455 [M + H] + APCI Example 87 MS: 418 [M + H] + APCI Example 88 MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI Example 89 MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI Example 90 MS: 387 [M + H] + APCI Example 91 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 92 MS: 407/409 [M + H] + APCI Example 93 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 94 MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI Example 95 MS: 406/408 [M + H] + APCI Example 96 MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI Example 97 MS: 397 [M + H] + APCI Example 98 MS: 441 [M + H] + APCI Example 99 MS: 398 [M + H] + APCI Example 100 MS: 455 [M + H] + APCI Example 101 MS: 471 [M + H] + APCI Example 102 MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI Example 103 MS: 484 [M + H] + APCI Example 104 MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI Example 105 MS: 470 [M + H] + APCI Example 106 MS: 457 [M + H] + APCI Example 107 MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI Example 108 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 109 MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI Example 110 MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI Example 111 MS: 413 [M + H] + APCI Example 112 MS: 378 [M + H] + APCI Example 113 MS: 423/425 [M + H] + APCI Example 114 MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI Example 115 MS: 414 [M + H] + APCI Example 116 MS: 485 [M + H] + APCI Example 117 MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI Example 118 MS: 356 [M + H] + APCI Example 119 MS: 360 [M + H] + APCI Example 120 MS: 367 [M + H] + APCI Example 121 MS: 376/378 [M + H] + APCI Example 122 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 123 MS: 411 [M + H] + APCI Example 124 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 125 MS: 373 [M + H] + APCI Example 126 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 127 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 128 MS: 374 [M + H] + APCI Example 129 MS: 346 [M + H] + APCI Example 130 MS: 381 [M + H] + APCI Example 131 MS: 370 [M + H] + APCI Example 132 MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI Example 133 MS: 395 [M + H] + APCI Example 134 MS: 382 [M + H] + APCI Example 135 MS: 384 [M + H] + APCI Example 136 MS: 360 [M + H] + APCI Example 137 MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI Example 138 MS: 415 [M + H] + APCI Example 139 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 140 MS: 357 [M + H] + APCI Example 141 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 142 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 143 MS: 361 [M + H] + APCI Example 144 MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI Example 145 6-isopropoxy-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine [0279] [0280] To the compound 1 (1.0 g) were added tris(dibenzylidene acetone)dipalladium (0) (0.239 g), 2-di-tert-butylphosphino-3,4,5,6-tetramethyl-2′,4′,6′-triisopropyl-1,1′-biphenyl (0.251 g), an aqueous solution of 0.8N-potassium hydroxide (13 ml) and dioxane (52 ml), and the mixture solution was heated to 100° C. After the mixed solution was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated with Celite.",
"To the filtrate was added water, and the aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (0.424 g) was obtained.",
"[0281] MS m/z 320[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0282] After the compound 2 (40 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml), sodium hydride (10 mg) was added thereto at 0° C., and the mixture solution was stirred for 30 min.",
"2-Bromopropane (0.023 ml) was added thereto at 0° C., and the reaction temperature was raised to room temperature.",
"After the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the concentrated residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (32 mg) was obtained.",
"[0283] MS m/z 362 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 146 [0284] [0285] The compound 1 (50.0 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml) and H 2 O (0.2 ml), and sodium chlorodifluoroacetate (47.7 mg) and potassium carbonate (26.0 mg) were added thereto, and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 5 h, sodium chlorodifluoroacetate (95.4 mg) and potassium carbonate (26.0 mg) were added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 5 h. After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, water and ethyl acetate were added thereto.",
"After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (14.1 mg) was obtained.",
"[0286] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 147 [0287] [0288] To a DMF (1 ml) solution of the compound 1 (55 mg), sodium hydride (60% oil suspension: 14 mg) was added at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. To the mixture was added carbon disulfide (104 μl) at 0° C., and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 8 h. To the solution at 0° C. was added methyl iodide (43 μl).",
"After the reaction solution was stirred for 2 days, an aqueous solution of saturated ammonium chloride was added to stop the reaction, and was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (55 mg) was obtained.",
"[0289] MS m/z 410 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0290] To a methylene dichloride (0.5 ml) solution of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (148 mg) was added hydrogen fluoride-pyridine complex (a 65% solution: 386 μl) at −78° C., and the mixture was stirred vigorously.",
"After 5 min, a methylene dichloride (0.5 ml) solution of the compound 2 (55 mg) was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h. After the mixture was diluted with chloroform, an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate was added thereto for stopping the reaction.",
"After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 3 (16 mg) was obtained.",
"[0291] MS m/z 388 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0000] TABLE 2-1 Example 148 MS: 379 [M + H] + APCI Example 149 MS: 389 [M + H] + ESI Example 150 MS: 396 [M + H] + ESI Example 151 MS: 363 [M + H] + ESI Example 152 MS: 377 [M + H] + ESI Example 153 MS: 376 [M + H] + ESI Example 154 MS: 377 [M + H] + ESI Example 155 MS: 378 [M + H] + ESI Example 156 MS: 391 [M + H] + ESI Example 157 MS: 399 [M + H] + APCI Example 158 MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI Example 159 MS: 406/408 [M + H] + APCI Example 160 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 161 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 162 MS: 375 [M + H] + APCI Example 163 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 164 MS: 377 [M + H] + APCI Example 165 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 166 MS: 391 [M + H] + APCI Example 167 MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI Example 168 MS: 392 [M + H] + APCI Example 169 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 170 MS: 348 [M + H] + APCI Example 171 MS: 374 [M + H] + APCI Example 172 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 173 MS: 362 [M + H] + APCI Example 174 MS: 376 [M + H] + APCI Example 175 MS: 402 [M + H] + APCI Example 176 MS: 416 [M + H] + APCI Example 177 MS: 406 [M + H] + APCI Example 178 MS: 388 [M + H] + APCI Example 179 3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine [0292] [0293] Under an argon atmosphere, a 1,4-dioxane solution (40 ml) of 2-acetylpyridine (6.44 g) was added by drops into a THF solution (1M, 106.4 ml) of lithiumhexamethyldisilazide at 0° C. for 30 min.",
"Tridibenzylidene acetone dipalladium (1.22 g) and a 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) solution of tri-t-butylphosphine (0.50 ml) were added thereto, and at room temperature, a 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) solution of 5-bromo-2-methoxypyridine (5 g) was added thereto and the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. After the mixture was filtrated with Celite, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography, and the compound 2 (3.66 g) was obtained.",
"[0294] MS m/z 229 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0295] To an acetic acid (30 ml) solution of the compound 2 (1 g) was added bromine (0.34 ml), and the reaction solution was stirred at 50° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was concentrated, the residue was washed with an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"After the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.14 g).",
"[0296] MS m/z 307/309 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0297] The compound 3 (26 mg) and the compound 6 (14 mg) were dissolved in DMF (1 ml) followed by the addition of sodium bicarbonate (7 mg) thereto, and the mixed solution was stirred at 80° C. for 20 h. After the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate, the solution was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline.",
"After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (2.6 mg).",
"[0298] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 180 3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine [0299] [0300] To an ethanol (75 ml) solution of 3-oxo-3-(2-pyridinyl) propanenitrile (5 g) were added a hydrazine monohydrate (2.49 ml) solution and acetic acid (2.50 ml) at room temperature, and the mixture solution was refluxed under heating for 20 h. After the mixture was concentrated, the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate, and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (2.51 g).",
"[0301] MS m/z 161 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0302] DMF was heated to 50° C., and 3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid (1.5 ml) was added thereto and the solution was stirred.",
"The mixture was heated to 70° C., and phosphorus oxychloride (2.60 ml) was added thereto by drops for 1 h. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, the reaction solution was concentrated i vacuo.",
"The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (6 ml), and at 0° C., the compound 2 (300 mg) and sodium methoxide (546 mg) were added slowly.",
"After the reaction solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h, an insoluble material was filtrated and diluted by ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (125 mg) was obtained.",
"[0303] MS m/z 265 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0304] The compound 3 (122.5 mg) was dissolved in acetonitrile, and N-iodosuccinimide (522 mg) was added in small portions, followed by stirring at 50° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was diluted by ethyl acetate, the solution was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and then filtrated.",
"The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (131.6 mg).",
"[0305] MS m/z 391 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0306] Under an argon atmosphere, the compound 4 (130.5 mg) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2.6 ml), and to the solution were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridine boronic acid (73.4 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (23.4 mg) and potassium carbonate (88.4 mg), and the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 20 h. [0307] After an insoluble material was filtrated by Celite, the filtrate was concentrated.",
"The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (34.4 mg).",
"[0308] MS m/z 372 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 181 2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-7-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine [0309] [0310] To a DMF (14 ml) solution of the compound 1 (2 g) was added a potassium salt of phthalimide (3.04 g), and the reaction solution was heated to 130° C. by irradiation of microwave, followed by stirring for 1.5 h. The reaction solution was diluted by ethyl acetate and washed with sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated.",
"The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (2.06 g).",
"To a 1,2-dimethoxyethane (41 ml) solution of the compound 2 (2.06 g) was added a 80% hydrazine monohydrate (17 ml), and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 3 h. To the mixture was added water, and the mixture was extracted by ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtrated.",
"The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.71 g).",
"[0311] MS m/z 164 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0312] The compound 3 (270 mg) and 2-bromo-1-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-ethanone hydrobromate (990 mg) was dissolved in a mixed solvent of toluene (5 ml) and ethanol (1 ml), and sodium bicarbonate (1.39 g) was added thereto, and the mixed solution was refluxed for 20 h under heating.",
"After the reaction solution was concentrated, the residue was diluted by ethyl acetate and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"After the organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the organic layer was filtrated.",
"The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (95.1 mg).",
"[0313] MS m/z 283 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0314] To an acetonitrile (2 ml) solution of the compound 4 (92.2 mg), N-iodosuccinimide (221 mg) was added, and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. Acetonitrile (2 ml), N-iodosuccinimide (221 mg) and acetic acid (1 drop) were added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted by ethyl acetate, and washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline.",
"The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, and filtrated.",
"The filtrate was concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (122 mg).",
"[0315] MS m/z 409 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0316] Under an argon atmosphere, to a 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2.4 ml) solution of the compound 5 (119.3 mg) were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (67.1 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (33 8 mg), and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (5 mol/1, 117 μl), and the mixture solution was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. After the reaction solution was filtrated by Celite, the solution was concentrated in vacuo.",
"The residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 6 (89.1 mg).",
"[0317] MS m/z 390 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 182 1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-indole [0318] [0319] 4-Chloro-3-iodobenzenetrifluoride (306 mg) was dissolved in toluene (3 ml), and thereto were added 2-ethynylpyridine (155 mg), copper iodide (19.0 mg), 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (42.5 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (22.5 mg) and cesium carbonate (489 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (149 mg) and potassium-t-butoxide (168 mg), and the reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and to the reaction solution were added ethyl acetate and water.",
"After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (77.0 mg).",
"[0320] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 183 1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine [0321] [0322] A mixture of 3-bromo-2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (260 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (23.1 mg), copper iodide (19.0 mg), triethylamine (8 ml) and benzene (2 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water.",
"An insoluble material was filtrated, and then, the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"The organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, and then, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (78.9 mg).",
"[0323] MS m/z 283/285 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0324] A mixture of the compound 2 (40.0 mg), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (21.2 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (1.6 mg), potassium-t-butoxide (47.8 mg), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (3.0 mg) and toluene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After 7 h, the reaction mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and ethyl acetate and water were added thereto.",
"After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (11.3 mg) was obtained.",
"[0325] MS m/z 370 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 184 2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-1-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine [0326] [0327] A mixture of 3-bromo-2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (260 mg), trimethylsilyl acetylene (98.2 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (23.1 mg), copper iodide (3.8 mg), triethylamine (4 ml) and benzene (1 ml) was heated to 60° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all night and all day, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was distilled off in vacuo.",
"To the residue was added ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"Then, the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (226 mg).",
"The compound 2 (224 mg) was dissolved in THF (2 ml), and thereto was added a HF solution (1M, 1.2 ml) of tetrabutylammonium fluoride at room temperature.",
"After the reaction solution was stirred for 1 h, ethyl acetate and water were added thereto.",
"The organic layer was separated, washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (168 mg).",
"A mixture of the compound 4 (164 mg), 2-bromo-5-fluoro-pyridine (168 mg), tetrakis-triphenylphosphine palladium (0) (18.4 mg), copper iodide (3.0 mg), triethylamine (4 ml) and benzene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 5 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and then, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo.",
"To the residue were added ethyl acetate and water, and then, an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (79.2 mg) was obtained.",
"[0328] MS m/z 301 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0329] A mixture of compound 4 (77.8 mg), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridine (38.6 mg), acetic acid palladium (II) (2.9 mg), potassium-t-butoxide (87.2 mg), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (5.5 mg) and toluene (1 ml) was heated to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 6 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water.",
"After the organic layer was separated, it was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 5 (37.6 mg).",
"[0330] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 185 2-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-indazole [0331] [0332] 2-Nitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde (219 mg) was dissolved in toluene (4 ml), and thereto was added 2-amino-5-fluoropyridine (123 mg), and the mixture solution was refluxed under heating.",
"After the solution was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the solvent was distilled off in vacuo.",
"To the residue was added triethyl phosphite (3 ml), and the residue was heated to 150° C. After the residue was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the crude product of the compound 2.",
"To the crude product was added hexane (2 ml), and the precipitated material was collected by filtration as the compound 2 (116 mg).",
"[0333] MS m/z 282 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0334] The compound 2 (116 mg) was dissolved in acetic acid (1 ml), and thereto was added bromine (21 μl), and followed by heating to 50° C. After the mixture solution was stirred for 1 h, thereto were added acetic acid (2 ml) and bromine (42 μl), and followed by heating to 80° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred all day and all night, thereto were added ethyl acetate, water and an aqueous solution saturated with sodium bicarbonate.",
"The organic layer was separated, and then, the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and with a saturated saline, and successively dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (118 mg).",
"[0335] MS m/z 360/362 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0336] The compound 3 (114 mg) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (2 ml), and thereto were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (72.8 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (11.6 mg) and potassium phosphate (101 mg), and followed by heating to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water.",
"After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (108 mg).",
"[0337] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Example 186 3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-2-pyridin-2-yl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine [0338] [0339] The compound 1 (165 mg) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml), and thereto were added HATU (324 mg), 2-aminopyridine (80.3 mg) and diisopropylethylamine (149 μl), and followed by stirring at room temperature all day and all night.",
"To the reaction solution, were added ethyl acetate and water, and the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (208 mg).",
"[0340] MS m/z 309 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0341] The compound 2 (50.0 mg) was dissolved in thionyl chloride (1 ml), and the solution was refluxed for 7 h under heating.",
"After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the solvent was distilled off in vacuo.",
"To the residue were added ethyl acetate and an aqueous solution saturated sodium bicarbonate, then the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (11.2 mg).",
"[0342] MS m/z 299/301 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0343] The compound 3 (28.5 mg) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (1 ml), and thereto were added 2-methoxy-5-pyridineboronic acid (21.9 mg), a palladium chloride 1,1′-ferrocene bisdiphenylphosphino ferrocene complex (7.0 mg) and potassium phosphate (30.4 mg), and followed by heating to 100° C. After the mixture solution was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and thereto were added ethyl acetate and water.",
"After the organic layer was separated, the organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (20.5 mg).",
"[0344] MS m/z 389 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0000] TABLE 3 Example 187 MS: 372 [M + H] + APCI Example 188 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 189 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI Example 190 MS: 371 [M + H] + APCI Example 191 MS: 389 [M + H] + APCI Example 192 MS: 390 [M + H] + APCI REFERENCE EXAMPLES [0345] In the followings are explained specifically the synthetic intermediates of the compounds of the present invention.",
"However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following Reference Examples.",
"Reference Example 1 N 1 -(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene-1,2-diamine [0346] [0347] 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzenetrifluoride (5.00 g) was dissolved in DMSO (25 ml), and thereto was added 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (2.97 g), then followed by heating to 100° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h, it was kept standing to cool to 0° C., and thereto were added water (75 ml) and an aqueous solution saturated sodium bicarbonate (25 ml).",
"A precipitated solid was collected by filtration, and the compound 2 (7.11 g) was obtained.",
"The obtained compound 2 (7.11 g) was suspended in ethanol (35 ml), and thereto was added a 10% palladium carbon (350 mg).",
"The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 18 h under a hydrogen atmosphere.",
"After an insoluble material was filtrated, the filtrate was concentrated affording the compound 3 (3.11 g).",
"[0348] MS m/z 284[M+H]+, APCI(+) Reference Example 2 N 1 -(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene-1,2-diamine [0349] [0350] 4-Bromo-3-nitrobenzotrifluoride (47.9 g) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (100 ml), and thereto were added 3-amino-6-methoxypyridazine (33.3 g), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (8.10 g), 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl (6.97 g) and potassium phosphate (67.6 g), and followed by heating to 110° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"To the filtrate were added ethyl acetate (400 ml) and water (400 ml), then, the organic layer was separated.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethanol (400 ml) was added to the residue, and the solution was stirred at 80° C. for 30 min.",
"After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the compound 2 (36.3 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.",
"[0351] MS m/z 315 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0352] The compound 2 (40.0 g) was suspended in methanol (400 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (2.06 g), hydrazine monohydrate (39.7 g) and active carbon (4 g), then the reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. After the mixture was stirred for 2 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, then, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with a chloroform: methanol=10:1 solution.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, chloroform (500 ml) was added thereto, and the solution was stirred all day and all night.",
"A crude product (25.3 g) of the compound 3 was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.",
"The filtrate was also concentrated, and after the similar procedure above, a crude product (8.91 g) of the compound 3 was obtained.",
"The obtained crude products were collected and dissolved in ethanol (250 ml) by heating.",
"After the solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, the compound 3 (29.3 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.",
"[0353] MS m/z 285 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Reference Example 3 N 1 -(6-methoxypyridazin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene-1,2-diamine [0354] [0355] In toluene (20 ml) were suspended 2-nitro-4-(trifluoromethoxy)-iodobenzene (2.0 g), 3-amino-6-methoxypyridazine (1.88 g), N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (106 mg), potassium phosphate (2.55 g) and copper iodide (114 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and ethyl acetate was added thereto.",
"After the organic layer was separated, the organic layer was washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and then dried with magnesium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (0.899 g).",
"[0356] MS m/z 331 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0357] The compound 2 (0.899 g) was dissolved in methanol (14 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (88 mg), hydrazine monohydrate (681 mg) and active carbon (160 mg), then, the solution was refluxed for 2 h under heating.",
"The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (0.714 g).",
"[0358] MS m/z 301 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Reference Example 4 N 2 -(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine [0359] [0360] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (8.90 g) was dissolved in DMF (90 ml), and 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (5.85 g) and potassium carbonate (6.51 g) were added thereto.",
"After the mixture was stirred at room temperature all day and all night, water was added thereto, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethanol (50 ml) was added to dissolve the residue under heating.",
"The solution was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and the compound 2 (10.9 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.",
"[0361] MS m/z 315 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0362] The compound 2 (11.5 g) was suspended in methanol (120 ml), and thereto were added iron (III) chloride (1.19 g), hydrazine monohydrate (9.16 g) and active carbon (1 g), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred for 3 h, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed sequentially with water and a saturated saline, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, ethyl acetate and n-heptane were added to the residue, and the compound 3 (10.9 g) was obtained by filtrating and collecting precipitates.",
"[0363] MS m/z 285 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Reference Example 5 N 2 -(5-methoxypyrazine-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine [0364] [0365] 2-Chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (500 mg) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (7.4 ml), and thereto were added 5-methoxypyrazine-2-amine (414 mg), tris(dibenzylidene acetone) dipalladium (0) (101 mg), potassium phosphate (843 mg) and 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (87 mg), and the mixture was heated to 100° C. After the mixture was stirred all day and all night, it was kept standing to cool to room temperature, and water and chloroform were added thereto.",
"After an insoluble material was filtrated, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 2 (502 mg).",
"[0366] MS m/z 316[M+H]+, APCI(+) [0367] The compound 2 (502 mg) was suspended in methanol (16 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (100 mg), iron (III) chloride (52 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.39 mL), and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h under heating.",
"After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, then, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (350 mg).",
"[0368] MS m/z 286 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Reference Example 6 N 2 -[6-(methoxyamino)pyridin-3-yl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2,3-diamine [0369] [0370] 2-N-methylamino-5-nitropyridine (474 mg) was suspended in methanol (15.5 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (185 mg), iron (III) chloride (100 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.75 ml), then, the mixture was refluxed for 4 h under heating.",
"After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, sodium chloride and potassium carbonate, the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, a mixture of the compound 2 was obtained.",
"The obtained residue was dissolved in DMF (10.3 ml), 2-chloro-3-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (701 mg) and potassium carbonate (513 mg) were added thereto at 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at room temperature all day and all night.",
"Water was added to the reaction solution, and the reaction solution was extracted with ethyl acetate.",
"The organic layer was washed with a saturated saline and dried with magnesium sulfate.",
"After the organic layer was filtrated and concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 3 (483 mg).",
"[0371] MS m/z 314 [M+H]+, APCI(+) [0372] The compound 3 (483 mg) was dissolved in methanol (15 ml), and thereto were added active carbon (100 mg), iron (III) chloride (50 mg) and hydrazine monohydrate (0.37 ml), and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h under heating.",
"After the mixture was kept standing to cool to room temperature, an insoluble material was filtrated and washed well with methanol.",
"After the filtrate was concentrated, to the residue were added ethyl acetate, chloroform and water, and the organic layer was separated.",
"After the organic layer was concentrated, the residue was purified by the silica gel column chromatography affording the compound 4 (173 mg).",
"[0373] MS m/z 284 [M+H]+, APCI(+) Experimental Examples 1.",
"Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activity [0374] A blood of a guinea pig was sampled by using a 1/10 volume of a 3.8% sodium citrate as a platelet aggregation inhibitor, and a platelet rich plasma (PRP) was separated by centrifuging the blood sample at 1100 rpm for 10 min.",
"After fractionating the PRP in the upper layer, the lower layer was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min to fractionate the platelet poor plasma (PPP).",
"To 100 μL of PRP, a 1 μL solution of each compound was added, and after still standing at 37° C. for 1 min, the mixture was stirred at 37° C. for 1 min by a stirrer.",
"Then, 11 μL of collagen, ristocetin, or ADP was added thereto to induce the platelet aggregation.",
"The platelet aggregation ability was measured by using the mCM hematolaser 313M (L-M-S Inc.).",
"Based on the assumption that a light transmittance of PPP corresponds to a 100% coagulation value, an aggregation rate at each concentration of the compound was determined, then, an IC 50 value was calculated therefrom.",
"[Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: Collagen-Induced Platelet Aggregation] [0375] [0000] TABLE 4-1 IC 50 μM Example 1 0.033 Example 2 0.18 Example 3 0.032 Example 4 0.021 Example 5 0.089 Example 6 0.257 Example 7 0.025 Example 8 0.15 Example 9 0.15 Example 10 0.018 Example 11 0.13 Example 12 0.23 Example 13 0.042 Example 14 0.2 Example 15 0.28 Example 17 0.11 Example 18 0.49 Example 19 10.4 Example 20 0.062 Example 21 0.13 Example 23 4.47 Example 24 0.05 Example 27 0.19 Example 31 0.25 Example 35 0.044 Example 36 0.049 Example 37 2.38 Example 40 0.33 Example 49 15 Example 52 0.054 Example 53 0.057 Example 54 0.19 Example 55 0.084 Example 56 0.047 Example 58 0.17 Example 62 0.017 Example 67 0.17 Example 71 0.078 Example 72 0.18 Example 73 0.08 Example 75 0.2 Example 81 0.22 Example 88 0.12 Example 89 0.053 Example 90 0.06 Example 94 0.19 Example 107 0.066 Example 108 0.21 Example 109 0.095 Example 110 0.13 Example 118 0.24 Example 122 0.034 Example 125 0.029 Example 126 0.194 Example 130 0.177 Example 139 0.06 Example 144 0.03 Example 145 0.074 Example 146 0.078 Example 147 0.026 Example 148 0.081 Example 149 0.23 Example 150 0.205 Example 151 0.024 Example 152 0.086 Example 153 0.291 Example 154 0.129 Example 155 0.029 Example 156 0.076 Example 157 0.074 Example 158 0.06 Example 159 0.028 Example 160 0.163 Example 161 0.268 Example 162 0.185 Example 163 0.125 Example 164 0.161 Example 165 0.203 Example 166 0.316 Example 167 0.157 Example 168 0.259 Example 169 0.123 Example 170 0.279 Example 171 0.091 Example 172 0.275 Example 173 0.077 Example 174 0.084 Example 175 0.075 Example 176 0.055 Example 177 0.021 Example 178 0.094 Example 179 0.075 Example 180 0.055 Example 181 0.033 Example 182 0.116 Example 183 0.024 Example 184 0.017 Example 185 0.07 Example 186 0.016 Example 187 0.04 Example 188 0.03 Example 190 0.218 Example 191 0.79 Example 192 0.06 [Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: Ristocetin-Induced Platelet Aggregation] [0376] [0000] TABLE 5-1 IC 50 μM Example 1 0.1 Example 2 0.092 Example 3 0.032 Example 4 0.024 Example 7 0.06 Example 8 0.095 Example 9 0.14 Example 10 0.015 Example 11 0.057 Example 12 0.19 Example 13 0.041 Example 15 0.15 Example 17 0.16 Example 18 0.12 Example 20 0.21 Example 21 0.39 Example 24 0.13 Example 27 0.17 Example 31 0.87 Example 36 0.18 Example 40 0.17 Example 52 0.041 Example 53 0.042 Example 54 0.1 Example 55 0.06 Example 56 0.028 Example 58 0.28 Example 62 0.027 Example 67 0.23 Example 71 0.043 Example 72 0.13 Example 73 0.083 Example 75 0.38 Example 81 0.5 Example 88 0.08 Example 89 0.07 Example 90 0.02 Example 94 0.1 Example 107 0.035 Example 108 0.1 Example 109 0.023 Example 110 0.12 Example 122 0.04 Example 125 0.027 Example 126 0.09 Example 130 0.17 Example 139 0.086 Example 144 0.022 Example 145 0.106 Example 146 0.066 Example 147 0.013 Example 150 0.205 Example 151 0.024 Example 152 0.086 Example 154 0.129 Example 155 0.029 Example 158 0.06 Example 159 0.028 Example 160 0.163 Example 167 0.135 Example 169 0.148 Example 173 0.085 Example 174 0.087 Example 175 0.075 Example 176 0.063 Example 177 0.011 Example 178 0.047 Example 179 0.034 Example 180 0.014 Example 181 0.027 Example 183 0.009 Example 186 0.009 Example 192 0.027 [Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory Activities: ADP-Induced Platelet Aggregation] [0377] [0000] TABLE 6-1 IC 50 μM Example 1 >10 Example 3 >10 Example 4 >10 Example 7 >10 Example 13 >10 Example 14 >10 Example 36 >10 Example 40 >10 Example 52 >10 Example 62 >10 Example 71 >10 Example 88 >10 Example 147 >10 Example 160 >10 Example 167 >10 Example 169 >10 Example 177 >10 Example 178 >10 Example 179 >10 Example 180 >10 Example 181 >10 Example 182 >10 Example 183 >10 Example 184 >10 Example 185 >10 Example 186 >10 Example 192 >10 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0378] The specified heterocyclic derivatives of the present invention exhibit an antiplatelet action, and may be effective medicines for preventing or treating diseases related to the action."
] |
This is continuation of application Ser. No. 451,478, filed Dec. 20, 1982, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for producing fabricated edible meat products, and in particular to a method of producing simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp or adductor muscle of shellfish with desirable texture and flavor, from mechanically deboned meat of fish or poultry.
The process of mechanically deboning of fish and poultry meat has received increasing attention during the last twenty years throughout the world in order to utilize efficiently nutritious proteinaceous resources, such as numerous underutilized marine species, fish trimmings and process wastes of cut-up chicken and processed turkey meat. The deboned meats are commonly comminuted to form Kamaboko, fish sausage, frankfurters, bologna, meat loafs and similar meat products having homogeneous texture. Many efforts have been made to produce more expensive, more acceptable fabricated products for human consumption from the mechanically deboned meat in order to upgrade the market acceptance. Among them, the most interesting and hopeful products are simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp, and adductor muscle of scallop.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,065 discloses a simulated crab meat molded product, Japanese Kamaboko, made from ground fish meat paste containing salt. The molded and crab flavored Kamaboko, which has jelly strength of 300 to 1500 g, is shredded into pieces ranging from 0.25 to 3.0 mm in width and up to 2.25 mm 2 in cross sectional area, i.e. to correspond to the dimensions of muscle fiber of crab. The shredded pieces are often blended with ground fish meat paste as a binder and formed to crab leg shape, and then heated to set, in order to prepare a fabricated crab leg.
Japan Patent Publication No. 38,187/1981, discloses a fabricated sea food product prepared from minced fish meat ground with salt and suitable flavoring materials. The ground meat is shaped in the form of a thin film and cooked to set. It is then shredded to form strips and rolled up as a bar to resemble crab leg meat or scallop adductor muscle.
The Japanese restructured meat products made according to these patented processes simulate crab or scallop meat in appearance and in flavor; but their textures are quite different from those of real crab or scallop meat because such textures are undesirably elastic and the products have undesirably rubbery bite characteristics. Further, such products commonly do not have sufficient structural integrity to retain the shredded pieces together as a unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,017 discloses a fabricated sea food product prepared from comminuted fish meat and fish muscle fibers. Loose fibers are prepared by partially cooking fish meat. In addition, fresh fish meat is finely comminuted to a coagulable paste. The loose fibers and the paste are mixed and formed into desired shape. The shaped product is then heat set. The product is dry, lacking in succulence and has less cohesiveness than the above described simulated sea food products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to fabricated meat products, especially simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp or adductor muscle of shellfish, with desirable texture and flavor, from mechanically deboned meat of fish and poultry.
In the method, mechanically deboned meat or fish or poultry is comminuted with additives such as salt, suitable flavoring materials, seasoning and other ingredients, to form sticky paste. The paste mass is notched on its surface, or cut into slices or strips, or is extruded into fibers, in order to increase its surface area. Simultaneously or immediately after the surface increasing treatment, the paste surface is treated with an acid solution by being dipped or sprayed. The acid treated paste is washed with water and neutralized with an alkaline solution, and then formed into a desirable shape and cooked to set.
The formed meat product is a structurally coherent meat product without need for an added extraneous binder and has excellent flavor with textural resemblance to crustacean or shellfish meat. The particular texture is imparted by partial denaturation of myofibrillar proteins, with combination action of salt in the ground meat paste and treating acid, before the heat treatment.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:
DRAWING DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a meat mass which has been notched;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 mass, after spiral rolling;
FIG. 4 is an elevation showing extrusion of meat strings; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 meat strings after they have been sidewardly pressed together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Blending muscle in neutral salt solution of an ionic strength of 0.3-1.0 results in the extraction of all myofibrillar proteins together with sarcoplasmic proteins. On cooking, the extracted myofibrillar proteins form a three dimensional network structure, i.e., set to an elastic gel. In preparation of Kamaboko, fish meat is comminuted with 2-5% salt by weight of the meat and forms a sticky paste, a concentrated solution of myofibrillar proteins. On being cooked the paste sets to a very elastic gel with excellent cohesiveness, water retention as well as very rubbery bite characteristics, which are very important and appreciable textural characteristics of Japanese Kamaboko.
In the process of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,017 above mentioned, the fish binder is prepared by comminuting fish meat without salt, and myofibrillar proteins are not extracted. The product is, therefore, dry and less cohesive.
Cohesiveness, waterholding capacity, emulsifying ability, binding capability, elasticity, and rubbery bite characteristics of the minced meat products are deeply related to each other.
The addition of salt to comminuted meat is not desired in the preparation of a fabricated protein food on account of resultant rubbery bite characteristics. On the other hand, salt is very effective in preparing a cohesive, well bound product. The present invention obviates the unacceptable rubbery bite characteristics of minced meat products, while retaining optimal cohesion, water holding capacity and other textural characteristics resembling those of crustacean or shellfish meat, through the use of partial denaturation of myofibrillar proteins by the combined action of salt and acid.
Myofibrillar proteins become inextractable in salt solution in the pH range below 6. The diminution in extractability is associated with protein denaturation. When the pH of ground meat paste with salt is lowered below 6 by the addition of acid during comminution, the paste loses stickiness and results in a dry, hard product of poor texture on being cooked. This is caused by uniform denaturation of myofibrillar proteins throughout the ground meat paste by the cooperative action of salt in the paste and added acid. However, when a mass of ground meat paste with added salt is treated with acid for a short time by such treatment as dipping in an acid solution bath, and is not mixed further uniformly, the meat product obtained on cooking has a white and hard surface and rubbery bite characteristics very similar to those of Kamaboko. This is due to the fact that a very limited part of the mass, i.e. only the surface part, (a small amount of protein), is denatured by action of acid and salt, the proteins at the inside of the mass remaining uneffected.
In accordance with the present invention, it is found that a less rubbery product having good juiciness and excellent bite characteristics very similar to those of crustacean or shellfish meat can be prepared from ground meat paste of which the surface area has been enlarged and then treated with acid in order to increase the amount of denatured proteins. The surface area of the ground meat paste may, for example, be enlarged by such means as making notches thereon or cutting slices or strips, or extruding the mass through a nozzle to form strips or ribbons. Simultaneously or immediately after the surface area is increased, the meat is brought into contact with an acid solution to denature the meat proteins at the mass surfaces contacting the acid solution.
In the implementation of the present invention, ground meat paste may be prepared by finely comminuting deboned meat in any type of apparatus that will form a fine mince, and meat proteins will dissolve by the action of added salt. Examples of apparatus that have been found to work satisfactorilly are a cutter mixer for sausage preparation and a stone mortar widely used in Japanese Kamaboko plants. During the comminuting step, the meat material is preferably maintained at a reduced temperature such as below 20° C. It is preferred to add salt (sodium chloride) to the meat in an amount of from 1.0 to 10 percent, and preferably and most desirably 2.0 to 3.5 percent (for best results) by weight of the meat. Other desirable ingredients may be added such as flavoring, seasoning and coloring materials, starch, egg white, etc. For example crab meat flavoring can be added to fish meat paste.
The surface area of a mass of ground meat paste may be increased by forming notches on the mass, cutting it into slices or strips by a knife, or by extruding it through a nozzle. The acid treatment may be carried out simultaneously with, or immediately after, the surface increasing treatment. The acid treatment may be effected by such means as dipping the meat paste in an acid solution bath or spraying acid solution onto the meat paste. Acids used for treating the ground meat paste may include organic and inorganic acids which are inexpensive, free of unpalatable taste and safe from the food hygienic point of view. Examples of usable organic acids are acetic, lactic, citric, glutamic, succinic, fumalic, and maleic acid. Inorganic acids which may be used include hydrochloric and phosphoric acids. Acidic salts such as monosodium phosphate and monosodium fumarate may be also used. The concentration of acid solution is for best results between 0.05-1.5 mols. If the concentration of the acid solution is too low, the denaturation of myofibrillar proteins is not sufficient and results in a meat product with rubbery bite characteristics on being cooked. On the other hand, if the concentration of acid is too high, the ground meat paste swells to dissolve. Duration of acid treatment may be 10 to 120 seconds, typically 20 to 60 seconds.
It is possible to suitably change the texture, mouthfeel, and bite characteristics of the fabricated meat products by varying the amount of salt mixed with the meat, the surface area of the ground meat paste, the concentration of the acid solution, and the duration of contact of the meat paste with the acid solution.
After contact with acid solution, the surface of the meat paste may have reduced stickiness and plasticity, and the acid treated meat paste particles may not coalesce and retain the shape of particles during handling them in the following processing steps. The acid treated meat paste particles may, however, be washed with cold water to remove excess acid on their surfaces by immersing them in water or spraying with water.
The thus washed meat paste particles may be further immersed in an alkaline solution bath, or be sprayed with a weak aqueous alkaline solution, to neutralize the still remaining acid. Such alkalis as sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate may be used.
The neutralized meat paste slices, strings or particles may be formed into any desired shape. This may be done by placing them in a suitable mold or by bundling or rolling them up to any desired shape. The shaped paste may then be heat set in an steam chamber, in a deepfat fryer or in an oven, typically at a temperature of 70° to 90° C. for between 5 and 60 minutes. On being heat set, the paste particles soldify and coalesce each other to that degree which holds the mass together to the given shape. No supplemental binders or adhesives are needed to cohere the paste particles.
The fabricated products obtained by the present invention are of an enhanced structural integrity and texture while retaining the structure of the particle components, and have a desirable degree of bite resistance very similar to that of crustacean and shellfish meat.
The following examples further illustrate various features of the invention, but are intended to in no way limit the scope of the application, which is defined in the appended claims:
EXAMPLE 1
Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 30 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, a small amount of artificial lobster aroma and 200 g of cold water to 1 kg of deboned cod meat and grinding them thereafter in a small stone mortar.
A flat mass of the ground meat paste was immersed in a 3% citric acid solution for 5 seconds, and then placed on a chopping board and stretched thereon to a thin sheet of about 3 mm thickness while the acid solution was continuously sprayed thereover and at the same time notches were formed with a knife in parallel and 3-5 mm spaced apart from each other. After washing with cold water, 0.5% sodium carbonate aqueous solution was sprayed over the surface of the sheet. The sheet was rolled up in the form of a bar of 3 cm in diameter and 10 cm in length with the notches extending in the axial direction, and then steam-heated for 30 minutes at a temperature of 80° C., and cooled thereafter. The above process gave a product resembling lobster tail meat having a moderate firmness and with agreeable bite characteristics.
EXAMPLE 2
Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 30 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, and a small amount of artificial lobster aroma to 1 kg of deboned chicken meat which was washed with cold water three times, and ground thereafter in a small silent cutter. The meat paste was stretched to form a sheet of 0.5 cm thickness, cut into strings of 3-5 mm width and 4 cm length with a knife moistened with 3% acetic acid solution, dropped immediately thereafter into a bath of the same acid solution and immersed therein for 30 seconds. Then, after washing out the attached acid solution from the strings in running water, they were immersed in a hot water bath at a temperature of 90° C. and set. Fibrous meat product similar to lobster tail meat flakes was obtained, with desirable bite and textural characteristics.
EXAMPLE 3
Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 35 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, 7 g of arginine hydrochloride, a small amount of crab extract and artificial aroma and 400 g of cold water to 1 kg of frozen Alaska pollack surimi and ground thereafter in a small silent cutter. The ground meat paste thus obtained was put into an extruder for fish meat noodles and extruded from a nozzle, having plate perforations of about 1 mm diameter, into the shapes of fibers. The latter were passed into a 3% citric acid solution and were allowed to stand therein for about 30 seconds. After being thereafter lightly washed in cold water, they were immersed in a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution for 30 seconds for neutralization. They were then collected together in bundles, each bundle containing several dozens of fibers. Each of the bundles were lightly pressed sidewardly so that the fibers of the meat paste were laterally bonded together, and then heated at 80° C. by steaming. The obtained product was coherent, and resembled crab leg meat, having parallel-oriented fibrous textures, being moderately firm and providing agreeable mouthfeel and bite characteristics.
In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows at 10 the communition of meat to form a mass. The mass is then formed, as at 11, to have substantially increased exposed surface area. FIG. 2 shows the mass in the form of a sheet 12, with increased surface area provided by notching or slicing the sheet to form strands. Multiple, close-together slices 13 are typically formed, the slices extending from upper flat surface 12a toward lower flat surface 12b, but not reaching lower surface 12b which therefore remains continuous. By way of example, the notches or slices 13 extend into the sheet dimensionally between 40% and 90% of its thickness "t". FIG. 4 shows another method of increasing the exposed surface area, an extruder 16 extruding the meat paste mass to form meat paste strings or strands 17 which are longitudinally elongated.
Returning to FIG. 1, the thus increased surface areas are treated with an acid solution at 18 as described above, as by dipping or spraying of the FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 forms. The treated surface areas are then rinsed with water and neutralized as described above.
Thereafter, the extended surface mass is deformed to press together the treated surface areas, as at 19 in FIG. 1. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet 12 is spirally rolled to press together the treated surfaces of the strands at opposite sides of the slices or notches 13, the resultant roll shown in FIG. 3. Note that undisturbed side 12b faces outwardly, whereas sliced surface 12a faces inwardly. The pressed together treated surfaces (now located internally of the roll) provide the desired texture, and are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the deformed (i.e. reformed) mass 20 of the roll. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the longitudinally elongated strings 17 are laterally, i.e. sidewardly, pressed together to form a cohesive mass 21, again with treated surfaces 17a located internally of the mass, to provide desired (non-rubbers) muscle fiber-like texture encountered by the consumer's teeth upon biting into to mass after ultimate heating. Such heating is shown at 22 in FIG. 1 and is referred to above, to cause the pressed together surfaces to bind, molecularly. Note in both FIGS. 3 and 5 that the treated surfaces extend lengthwise (indicated at 13a in FIG. 3) as in a crab leg, for example. | This invention relates to imparting structural integrity and texture to fabricated meat products, particularly simulated crustacean and shellfish meat. Deboned meat, fish or poultry is ground with additives such as salt and suitable flavoring materials; the exposed surface area of the mass of meat paste is then enlarged, treated with acid, formed into a desired shape, and heated to set. The particular food products of the invention provide for utilization of deboned meat which has good nutritional properties but which lacks sufficient structural integrity and texture to function as a satisfactory food product. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"This is continuation of application Ser.",
"No. 451,478, filed Dec. 20, 1982, now abandoned.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process for producing fabricated edible meat products, and in particular to a method of producing simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp or adductor muscle of shellfish with desirable texture and flavor, from mechanically deboned meat of fish or poultry.",
"The process of mechanically deboning of fish and poultry meat has received increasing attention during the last twenty years throughout the world in order to utilize efficiently nutritious proteinaceous resources, such as numerous underutilized marine species, fish trimmings and process wastes of cut-up chicken and processed turkey meat.",
"The deboned meats are commonly comminuted to form Kamaboko, fish sausage, frankfurters, bologna, meat loafs and similar meat products having homogeneous texture.",
"Many efforts have been made to produce more expensive, more acceptable fabricated products for human consumption from the mechanically deboned meat in order to upgrade the market acceptance.",
"Among them, the most interesting and hopeful products are simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp, and adductor muscle of scallop.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,065 discloses a simulated crab meat molded product, Japanese Kamaboko, made from ground fish meat paste containing salt.",
"The molded and crab flavored Kamaboko, which has jelly strength of 300 to 1500 g, is shredded into pieces ranging from 0.25 to 3.0 mm in width and up to 2.25 mm 2 in cross sectional area, i.e. to correspond to the dimensions of muscle fiber of crab.",
"The shredded pieces are often blended with ground fish meat paste as a binder and formed to crab leg shape, and then heated to set, in order to prepare a fabricated crab leg.",
"Japan Patent Publication No. 38,187/1981, discloses a fabricated sea food product prepared from minced fish meat ground with salt and suitable flavoring materials.",
"The ground meat is shaped in the form of a thin film and cooked to set.",
"It is then shredded to form strips and rolled up as a bar to resemble crab leg meat or scallop adductor muscle.",
"The Japanese restructured meat products made according to these patented processes simulate crab or scallop meat in appearance and in flavor;",
"but their textures are quite different from those of real crab or scallop meat because such textures are undesirably elastic and the products have undesirably rubbery bite characteristics.",
"Further, such products commonly do not have sufficient structural integrity to retain the shredded pieces together as a unit.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,017 discloses a fabricated sea food product prepared from comminuted fish meat and fish muscle fibers.",
"Loose fibers are prepared by partially cooking fish meat.",
"In addition, fresh fish meat is finely comminuted to a coagulable paste.",
"The loose fibers and the paste are mixed and formed into desired shape.",
"The shaped product is then heat set.",
"The product is dry, lacking in succulence and has less cohesiveness than the above described simulated sea food products.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to fabricated meat products, especially simulated meat of crab, lobster, shrimp or adductor muscle of shellfish, with desirable texture and flavor, from mechanically deboned meat of fish and poultry.",
"In the method, mechanically deboned meat or fish or poultry is comminuted with additives such as salt, suitable flavoring materials, seasoning and other ingredients, to form sticky paste.",
"The paste mass is notched on its surface, or cut into slices or strips, or is extruded into fibers, in order to increase its surface area.",
"Simultaneously or immediately after the surface increasing treatment, the paste surface is treated with an acid solution by being dipped or sprayed.",
"The acid treated paste is washed with water and neutralized with an alkaline solution, and then formed into a desirable shape and cooked to set.",
"The formed meat product is a structurally coherent meat product without need for an added extraneous binder and has excellent flavor with textural resemblance to crustacean or shellfish meat.",
"The particular texture is imparted by partial denaturation of myofibrillar proteins, with combination action of salt in the ground meat paste and treating acid, before the heat treatment.",
"These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a flow diagram;",
"FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a meat mass which has been notched;",
"FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 mass, after spiral rolling;",
"FIG. 4 is an elevation showing extrusion of meat strings;",
"and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 meat strings after they have been sidewardly pressed together.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Blending muscle in neutral salt solution of an ionic strength of 0.3-1.0 results in the extraction of all myofibrillar proteins together with sarcoplasmic proteins.",
"On cooking, the extracted myofibrillar proteins form a three dimensional network structure, i.e., set to an elastic gel.",
"In preparation of Kamaboko, fish meat is comminuted with 2-5% salt by weight of the meat and forms a sticky paste, a concentrated solution of myofibrillar proteins.",
"On being cooked the paste sets to a very elastic gel with excellent cohesiveness, water retention as well as very rubbery bite characteristics, which are very important and appreciable textural characteristics of Japanese Kamaboko.",
"In the process of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,017 above mentioned, the fish binder is prepared by comminuting fish meat without salt, and myofibrillar proteins are not extracted.",
"The product is, therefore, dry and less cohesive.",
"Cohesiveness, waterholding capacity, emulsifying ability, binding capability, elasticity, and rubbery bite characteristics of the minced meat products are deeply related to each other.",
"The addition of salt to comminuted meat is not desired in the preparation of a fabricated protein food on account of resultant rubbery bite characteristics.",
"On the other hand, salt is very effective in preparing a cohesive, well bound product.",
"The present invention obviates the unacceptable rubbery bite characteristics of minced meat products, while retaining optimal cohesion, water holding capacity and other textural characteristics resembling those of crustacean or shellfish meat, through the use of partial denaturation of myofibrillar proteins by the combined action of salt and acid.",
"Myofibrillar proteins become inextractable in salt solution in the pH range below 6.",
"The diminution in extractability is associated with protein denaturation.",
"When the pH of ground meat paste with salt is lowered below 6 by the addition of acid during comminution, the paste loses stickiness and results in a dry, hard product of poor texture on being cooked.",
"This is caused by uniform denaturation of myofibrillar proteins throughout the ground meat paste by the cooperative action of salt in the paste and added acid.",
"However, when a mass of ground meat paste with added salt is treated with acid for a short time by such treatment as dipping in an acid solution bath, and is not mixed further uniformly, the meat product obtained on cooking has a white and hard surface and rubbery bite characteristics very similar to those of Kamaboko.",
"This is due to the fact that a very limited part of the mass, i.e. only the surface part, (a small amount of protein), is denatured by action of acid and salt, the proteins at the inside of the mass remaining uneffected.",
"In accordance with the present invention, it is found that a less rubbery product having good juiciness and excellent bite characteristics very similar to those of crustacean or shellfish meat can be prepared from ground meat paste of which the surface area has been enlarged and then treated with acid in order to increase the amount of denatured proteins.",
"The surface area of the ground meat paste may, for example, be enlarged by such means as making notches thereon or cutting slices or strips, or extruding the mass through a nozzle to form strips or ribbons.",
"Simultaneously or immediately after the surface area is increased, the meat is brought into contact with an acid solution to denature the meat proteins at the mass surfaces contacting the acid solution.",
"In the implementation of the present invention, ground meat paste may be prepared by finely comminuting deboned meat in any type of apparatus that will form a fine mince, and meat proteins will dissolve by the action of added salt.",
"Examples of apparatus that have been found to work satisfactorilly are a cutter mixer for sausage preparation and a stone mortar widely used in Japanese Kamaboko plants.",
"During the comminuting step, the meat material is preferably maintained at a reduced temperature such as below 20° C. It is preferred to add salt (sodium chloride) to the meat in an amount of from 1.0 to 10 percent, and preferably and most desirably 2.0 to 3.5 percent (for best results) by weight of the meat.",
"Other desirable ingredients may be added such as flavoring, seasoning and coloring materials, starch, egg white, etc.",
"For example crab meat flavoring can be added to fish meat paste.",
"The surface area of a mass of ground meat paste may be increased by forming notches on the mass, cutting it into slices or strips by a knife, or by extruding it through a nozzle.",
"The acid treatment may be carried out simultaneously with, or immediately after, the surface increasing treatment.",
"The acid treatment may be effected by such means as dipping the meat paste in an acid solution bath or spraying acid solution onto the meat paste.",
"Acids used for treating the ground meat paste may include organic and inorganic acids which are inexpensive, free of unpalatable taste and safe from the food hygienic point of view.",
"Examples of usable organic acids are acetic, lactic, citric, glutamic, succinic, fumalic, and maleic acid.",
"Inorganic acids which may be used include hydrochloric and phosphoric acids.",
"Acidic salts such as monosodium phosphate and monosodium fumarate may be also used.",
"The concentration of acid solution is for best results between 0.05-1.5 mols.",
"If the concentration of the acid solution is too low, the denaturation of myofibrillar proteins is not sufficient and results in a meat product with rubbery bite characteristics on being cooked.",
"On the other hand, if the concentration of acid is too high, the ground meat paste swells to dissolve.",
"Duration of acid treatment may be 10 to 120 seconds, typically 20 to 60 seconds.",
"It is possible to suitably change the texture, mouthfeel, and bite characteristics of the fabricated meat products by varying the amount of salt mixed with the meat, the surface area of the ground meat paste, the concentration of the acid solution, and the duration of contact of the meat paste with the acid solution.",
"After contact with acid solution, the surface of the meat paste may have reduced stickiness and plasticity, and the acid treated meat paste particles may not coalesce and retain the shape of particles during handling them in the following processing steps.",
"The acid treated meat paste particles may, however, be washed with cold water to remove excess acid on their surfaces by immersing them in water or spraying with water.",
"The thus washed meat paste particles may be further immersed in an alkaline solution bath, or be sprayed with a weak aqueous alkaline solution, to neutralize the still remaining acid.",
"Such alkalis as sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate may be used.",
"The neutralized meat paste slices, strings or particles may be formed into any desired shape.",
"This may be done by placing them in a suitable mold or by bundling or rolling them up to any desired shape.",
"The shaped paste may then be heat set in an steam chamber, in a deepfat fryer or in an oven, typically at a temperature of 70° to 90° C. for between 5 and 60 minutes.",
"On being heat set, the paste particles soldify and coalesce each other to that degree which holds the mass together to the given shape.",
"No supplemental binders or adhesives are needed to cohere the paste particles.",
"The fabricated products obtained by the present invention are of an enhanced structural integrity and texture while retaining the structure of the particle components, and have a desirable degree of bite resistance very similar to that of crustacean and shellfish meat.",
"The following examples further illustrate various features of the invention, but are intended to in no way limit the scope of the application, which is defined in the appended claims: EXAMPLE 1 Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 30 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, a small amount of artificial lobster aroma and 200 g of cold water to 1 kg of deboned cod meat and grinding them thereafter in a small stone mortar.",
"A flat mass of the ground meat paste was immersed in a 3% citric acid solution for 5 seconds, and then placed on a chopping board and stretched thereon to a thin sheet of about 3 mm thickness while the acid solution was continuously sprayed thereover and at the same time notches were formed with a knife in parallel and 3-5 mm spaced apart from each other.",
"After washing with cold water, 0.5% sodium carbonate aqueous solution was sprayed over the surface of the sheet.",
"The sheet was rolled up in the form of a bar of 3 cm in diameter and 10 cm in length with the notches extending in the axial direction, and then steam-heated for 30 minutes at a temperature of 80° C., and cooled thereafter.",
"The above process gave a product resembling lobster tail meat having a moderate firmness and with agreeable bite characteristics.",
"EXAMPLE 2 Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 30 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, and a small amount of artificial lobster aroma to 1 kg of deboned chicken meat which was washed with cold water three times, and ground thereafter in a small silent cutter.",
"The meat paste was stretched to form a sheet of 0.5 cm thickness, cut into strings of 3-5 mm width and 4 cm length with a knife moistened with 3% acetic acid solution, dropped immediately thereafter into a bath of the same acid solution and immersed therein for 30 seconds.",
"Then, after washing out the attached acid solution from the strings in running water, they were immersed in a hot water bath at a temperature of 90° C. and set.",
"Fibrous meat product similar to lobster tail meat flakes was obtained, with desirable bite and textural characteristics.",
"EXAMPLE 3 Meat paste ground with salt was prepared by adding 35 g of salt, 12 g of glycine, 5 g of alanine, 7 g of arginine hydrochloride, a small amount of crab extract and artificial aroma and 400 g of cold water to 1 kg of frozen Alaska pollack surimi and ground thereafter in a small silent cutter.",
"The ground meat paste thus obtained was put into an extruder for fish meat noodles and extruded from a nozzle, having plate perforations of about 1 mm diameter, into the shapes of fibers.",
"The latter were passed into a 3% citric acid solution and were allowed to stand therein for about 30 seconds.",
"After being thereafter lightly washed in cold water, they were immersed in a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution for 30 seconds for neutralization.",
"They were then collected together in bundles, each bundle containing several dozens of fibers.",
"Each of the bundles were lightly pressed sidewardly so that the fibers of the meat paste were laterally bonded together, and then heated at 80° C. by steaming.",
"The obtained product was coherent, and resembled crab leg meat, having parallel-oriented fibrous textures, being moderately firm and providing agreeable mouthfeel and bite characteristics.",
"In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows at 10 the communition of meat to form a mass.",
"The mass is then formed, as at 11, to have substantially increased exposed surface area.",
"FIG. 2 shows the mass in the form of a sheet 12, with increased surface area provided by notching or slicing the sheet to form strands.",
"Multiple, close-together slices 13 are typically formed, the slices extending from upper flat surface 12a toward lower flat surface 12b, but not reaching lower surface 12b which therefore remains continuous.",
"By way of example, the notches or slices 13 extend into the sheet dimensionally between 40% and 90% of its thickness "t".",
"FIG. 4 shows another method of increasing the exposed surface area, an extruder 16 extruding the meat paste mass to form meat paste strings or strands 17 which are longitudinally elongated.",
"Returning to FIG. 1, the thus increased surface areas are treated with an acid solution at 18 as described above, as by dipping or spraying of the FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 forms.",
"The treated surface areas are then rinsed with water and neutralized as described above.",
"Thereafter, the extended surface mass is deformed to press together the treated surface areas, as at 19 in FIG. 1. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet 12 is spirally rolled to press together the treated surfaces of the strands at opposite sides of the slices or notches 13, the resultant roll shown in FIG. 3. Note that undisturbed side 12b faces outwardly, whereas sliced surface 12a faces inwardly.",
"The pressed together treated surfaces (now located internally of the roll) provide the desired texture, and are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the deformed (i.e. reformed) mass 20 of the roll.",
"In FIGS. 4 and 5, the longitudinally elongated strings 17 are laterally, i.e. sidewardly, pressed together to form a cohesive mass 21, again with treated surfaces 17a located internally of the mass, to provide desired (non-rubbers) muscle fiber-like texture encountered by the consumer's teeth upon biting into to mass after ultimate heating.",
"Such heating is shown at 22 in FIG. 1 and is referred to above, to cause the pressed together surfaces to bind, molecularly.",
"Note in both FIGS. 3 and 5 that the treated surfaces extend lengthwise (indicated at 13a in FIG. 3) as in a crab leg, for example."
] |
The present invention relates to embossing or corrugating lengths of web material such as polymeric film roll roofing. More particularly, the invention pertains to a web product having a non-repeating design and a method and apparatus for producing or imprinting such a design on a length of web material.
Conventional apparatus for embossing a continuous pattern on a web of material generally comprises at least a pair of opposed embossing rollers which have an embossing pattern generally etched or machined directly into the surface of at least one roller. Rollers of this type are advantageous in that they impart a continuous embossed or corrugated pattern to the web without any breaks or interruptions. However, this method of embossing is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint since the embossed pattern repeats with every complete rotation of the embossing rollers. While the length of one repeating section can be increased by using larger embossing rollers (i.e. rollers having larger diameters), such adds greatly to equipment and maintenance costs. Moreover, on a large susrface, such as a roof, the repeating patterns may still be visible and thus objectionable from an aesthetic standpoint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a web product having a non-repeating design and a method and apparatus for producing such a non-repeating design on a web of material. The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes two pairs of opposed rollers having an embossing pattern on the surface of at least one roller of each pair. The rollers of the first pair cooperate so as to emboss a repeating pattern on a web of material as the web is passed between the rollers. The rollers of the second pair reemboss the web to interrupt the repeating design provided by the first pair of rollers. Also included is means for driving the second pair of rollers wherein rotation of the second pair of rollers is varied such that said reembossing produces the non-repeating design. Other preferred embodiments include means for heating and/or cooling the rollers.
The method of the present invention includes passing a length of web material through the aforementioned first pair of rollers to emboss a repeating pattern on the web length. The embossed web material is then passed through the aforementioned second pair of rollers to reemboss portions of the web material. Rotation of the second pair of rollers is varied such that said reembossing takes place in a manner that produces the desired non-repeating design.
The present invention also provides a novel web product having a non-repeating design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention which includes two opposed pairs of embossing rollers receiving a web therebetween.
FIG. 2 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material wherein the web material is contacted at its valleys by the projection's and cavity's respective land portions.
FIG. 3 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material in accordance with the present invention wherein the web material is contacted at a valley and a peak by the projection's and cavity's respective land portions.
FIG. 4 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material wherein the web material is being contacted at its peaks by the projections and cavities respective land portions.
FIG. 5 provides a perspective view illustrating what a sample of web material might look like after being embossed and reembossed in accordance with the present invention and then mounted on a deck, such as a roof deck.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a first pair of embossing rollers 10a and 10b and a second pair of embossing rollers 20a and 20b of an embossing apparatus receiving a web W of material such as polymeric film roll roofing. Polymeric film roll roofing is described in allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 774,514, now Pat. No. 4,610,902, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Embossing rollers 10a and b are provided with a plurality of projections 25 which receive web W being conveyed on a conveyor 30 in a conventional manner whereby the projections interengage so as to deform the web material as it is passed between the rollers. The deformed web material immediately exiting rollers 10a and b is provided with a conventional embossed or corrugated pattern which repeats with every complete rotation of rollers 10a and b.
After having been embossed by rollers 10a and b, web W is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, conveyed on conveyor 30 to embossing rollers 20a and b. Rollers 20a and b are provided respectively with projections 40a and complimentary shaped cavities 40b which also interengagingly mate to deform and emboss web material W as it is passed between the rollers. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, rollers 20a and b are provided with a diameter which is a non-rational multiple of the diameter of the embossing rollers 10a and b. The non-rational multiple diameter relationship between the two pairs of rollers is significant because it provides the second pair of rollers with the capability of reembossing portions of the web material such that the web's final design never exactly repeats itself. In effect, such reembossing randomly interrupts the repeating pattern provided by the first pair of rollers to produce the desired non-repeating design. Thus, as contemplated by the embodiment of FIG. 1, material such as polymeric film roll roofing can be embossed to simulate wood shingles or shake. In FIG. 1, projections 25 of the first pair of roller 10a and b are embossing a woodgrain effect on web W and projections 40a and cavities 40b are reembossing web W with grooves or channels 45 which simulate the gaps separating individual wood shingles.
Another important aspect of the present invention is directed to preventing the embossed repeating pattern provided by the first pair of rollers 10a and b from being damaged by the second pair of rollers 20a and b, except, of course, where reembossing by the second pair of rollers is desired. To prevent such damage, surfaces 50a and 50b, respectively, of rollers 20a and 20b (i.e. the surfaces of rollers 20a and b not defining projections 40a and cavities 40b) must be kept a predetermined distance apart which is at least equal to the thickness of the embossed web material at its thickest point after having been embossed by the first pair of rollers. This distance is not identified in FIG. 1 but is identified by the letter D in FIG. 2. If surfaces 50a and b were not maintained this distance apart surfaces 50a and b would crush or damage web W's embossed pattern as web W is passed between rollers 20a and b. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, surfaces 50a and b are preferably maintained a distance at least equal to 2D (more on this infra).
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to providing rollers 20a and 20b with elevated land portions 60a and b. Elevated lands are desirable in that they enable projections 40a and cavities 40b to more sharply deform the web material as it passed between the respective rollers. Accordingly, gaps 45 are more accentuated and deeper than they would be if roller 20b were not provided with lands 60a and b. Lands are also preferably slightly rounded so as to not pierce or penetrate the web material as it passed between rollers 20a and b.
FIGS. 2 through 4 more graphically illustrate the accentuated embossing which is provided by the use of land portions elevated in accordance with the present invention. The projection in FIGS. 2-4 is identified by numeral 70 and the cavity by numeral 80. The leading or upstream land portion on projection 70 is identified by numeral 90 and the trailing or downstream land portion is labeled as land 92. The leading land portion on cavities 80 is identified by numeral 100 and the trailing land by numeral 102. FIG. 4 illustrates the reembossing provided when projection 70 and cavity 80 contact an embossed web W at its top or peak points (labeled herein as peaks 110). FIG. 2 illustrates the embossing provided when projection 70 and cavity 80 contact web W at its valleys or bottom points 120. As can be seen in FIG. 4, when web W is contacted at peaks 110 web W rides along or comes close to riding along a nonembossing surface 130. Concomitantly, when web W is contacted at valleys 120 as illustrated in FIG. 2, web W comes close to riding along a nonembossing surface 140. If web W is contacted at a point between a peak and valley it will, quite obviously, not ride against either surface but instead will travel along a more equidistant path between the respective surfaces. FIG. 3 illustrates another possible embossing scenario of the present invention wherein the leading lands 90 and 100 contact the web material at a valley 120 and the trailing lands 92 and 102 contact the web at a peak 110. When this happens, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the web material travelling into the projection 70 and cavity 80 rides along or comes close to riding along nonembossing surface 140. In contrast, web material exiting projection 70 and cavity 80 rides along opposing surface 130. The resulting reembossed product will retain this offset or semi-diagonal look as illustrated in the segment of web W labeled A in FIG. 5, which illustrates what a sample of web W might look like after being embossed and reembossed in accordance with the present invention. This offset look is desirable since it further complicates and varies the design which thereby enhances the design's aesthetic appeal. The three embossments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 are, of course, not the only embossments possible with the present invention. An infinite number of variations are possible since the lands will not always contact web W just at the peaks and valleys but also at all other points in between. In view thereof, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for not only embossing a non-repeating design but also one that is interesting and aesthetically appealing.
To provide the reembossing discussed above, all land portions should be elevated or have a height above (or below as the case may be) their respective non-embossing surfaces 130 and 140 which is at least equal to the thickness of the embossed web material at its thickest point after having been embossed by the first pair of rollers which distance, as previously mentioned, is identified herein and in FIG. 2 as distance D. If the lands are not provided with such a height, respective surface 130 or 140 will impact and deform or distort the corrugations adjacent the portion of web W being reembossed. If the lands have a height at least equal to 1D, the peaks and/or valleys of the corrugations adjacent the reembossments may touch, or ride against the respective surfaces 130 or 140, but they will not be impacted by these surfaces such that the corrugations will be distorted or deformed.
Accordingly, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that by providing each land portion with the preferred height which is or equal to a greater than 1D, surfaces 130 and 140 will (as alluded to earlier) be separated by the aforementioned preferred distance of at least 2D. This will provide ample clearance for the unobstructed passage of web W between the second pair of rollers, except of course when reembossing occurs and will prevent distortion or deformation from occuring to any of the corrugations adjacent the portion of web W being reembossed.
While the aforementioned process and apparatus will emboss a novel design on web material that never theoretically repeats, from a practical standpoint the design will come close to repeating every so often. For example, if the diameter of rollers 10a and b is one foot and the diameter of rollers 20a and b is pi feet the final design produced by both rollers will come close to repeating every 69 feet. In most cases, a pattern which only repeats every 69 feet will not be discernable. However, such may be discernable on buildings with long or wide roofs.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned apparent repeat can be eliminated by randomly stopping or slowing the rotation of rollers 20a and b for varying periods of time while the rollers are in the position shown in the figure. It will be noted that while rollers 20a and b are in the illustrated position they are neither in contact nor capable of embossing or reembossing the web material. Accordingly, in this position the web W's travel on conveyor 25 will not be impeded by the stopped rollers. Such random stopping or slowing of rollers 20a and b can be provided by randomly disengaging a clutch installed between the rollers and the drive mechanism for the rollers. Random disengagement of the clutch can be provided with a random number generator which can vary the frequency and length of time the rollers are stopped. This control function can be provided with current microprocessor technology which is well known to those skilled in the relevant art. Accordingly, by employing this aspect of the present invention even apparent pattern repeats can be eliminated. It will also be appreciated that this aspect of the present invention is capable of producing a non-repeating design by itself (i.e. without employing rollers having a non-rational multiple diameter relationship.) Accordingly, if the additional expense of equipment for varying or stopping rotation of the second pair of rollers is not a problem, this aspect of the present invention can be employed with rollers of any diameter. In fact, it may even be possible to entirely dispense with the second pair of reembossing rollers. For example, reembossing could theoretically be provided with a stamp or series of stamps wherein a non-repeating design could be produced by randomly activating the stamp (or those stamps in a series of stamps) with conventional controls.
The present invention also provides for heating and cooling of the web material during embossing if the nature of the web material requires such for successful embossing or reembossing. For example, if polymeric film roll roofing material having an SBS thermoplastic modified asphalt core (such as that described in allowed patent application U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,902, is to be embossed it may be desirable prior to embossing to heat the material to a temperature where its core material melts. The heated material might then be passed through a first pair of embossing rollers which would not only emboss the web material but also chill or cool the material. Such cooling would solidify the material's molten core, thereby setting material such that it retains its embossed or corrugated shape. Such cooling can be provided by chilling or cooling the first pair of rollers with conventional means known to those skilled in the relevant art. To reemboss the now chilled embossed material with a pair of second rollers such as rollers 20a and b of FIG. 1, it may be necessary to heat the second pair of rollers. Such heating can also be provided with conventional means known to those skilled in the relevant art. The now heated reembossed material may also require cooling to set the reembossments. Such cooling can also be conventionally provided with means such as air and/or water sprays (not shown).
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate application of the invention's principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. | Methods and apparatus' for embossing a non-repeating design on a web of material are disclosed. The methods include the steps of passing the web of material between a first pair of embossing rollers and then between a second pair of reembossing rollers. The non-repeating design may be provided by varying the rate at which the reembossing rollers are rotated and/or by providing the second pair of reembossing rollers with a diameter which is a non-rational multiple of the diameter of the first pair of rollers.
The apparatus' include means for carrying out the aforementioned methods.
A novel web product is also disclosed. | Identify the most important aspect in the document and summarize the concept accordingly. | [
"The present invention relates to embossing or corrugating lengths of web material such as polymeric film roll roofing.",
"More particularly, the invention pertains to a web product having a non-repeating design and a method and apparatus for producing or imprinting such a design on a length of web material.",
"Conventional apparatus for embossing a continuous pattern on a web of material generally comprises at least a pair of opposed embossing rollers which have an embossing pattern generally etched or machined directly into the surface of at least one roller.",
"Rollers of this type are advantageous in that they impart a continuous embossed or corrugated pattern to the web without any breaks or interruptions.",
"However, this method of embossing is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint since the embossed pattern repeats with every complete rotation of the embossing rollers.",
"While the length of one repeating section can be increased by using larger embossing rollers (i.e. rollers having larger diameters), such adds greatly to equipment and maintenance costs.",
"Moreover, on a large susrface, such as a roof, the repeating patterns may still be visible and thus objectionable from an aesthetic standpoint.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a web product having a non-repeating design and a method and apparatus for producing such a non-repeating design on a web of material.",
"The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes two pairs of opposed rollers having an embossing pattern on the surface of at least one roller of each pair.",
"The rollers of the first pair cooperate so as to emboss a repeating pattern on a web of material as the web is passed between the rollers.",
"The rollers of the second pair reemboss the web to interrupt the repeating design provided by the first pair of rollers.",
"Also included is means for driving the second pair of rollers wherein rotation of the second pair of rollers is varied such that said reembossing produces the non-repeating design.",
"Other preferred embodiments include means for heating and/or cooling the rollers.",
"The method of the present invention includes passing a length of web material through the aforementioned first pair of rollers to emboss a repeating pattern on the web length.",
"The embossed web material is then passed through the aforementioned second pair of rollers to reemboss portions of the web material.",
"Rotation of the second pair of rollers is varied such that said reembossing takes place in a manner that produces the desired non-repeating design.",
"The present invention also provides a novel web product having a non-repeating design.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention which includes two opposed pairs of embossing rollers receiving a web therebetween.",
"FIG. 2 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material wherein the web material is contacted at its valleys by the projection's and cavity's respective land portions.",
"FIG. 3 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material in accordance with the present invention wherein the web material is contacted at a valley and a peak by the projection's and cavity's respective land portions.",
"FIG. 4 provides a side elevational view of a typical projection and cavity of the present invention reembossing a section of web material wherein the web material is being contacted at its peaks by the projections and cavities respective land portions.",
"FIG. 5 provides a perspective view illustrating what a sample of web material might look like after being embossed and reembossed in accordance with the present invention and then mounted on a deck, such as a roof deck.",
"DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a first pair of embossing rollers 10a and 10b and a second pair of embossing rollers 20a and 20b of an embossing apparatus receiving a web W of material such as polymeric film roll roofing.",
"Polymeric film roll roofing is described in allowed U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 774,514, now Pat. No. 4,610,902, which is hereby incorporated by reference.",
"Embossing rollers 10a and b are provided with a plurality of projections 25 which receive web W being conveyed on a conveyor 30 in a conventional manner whereby the projections interengage so as to deform the web material as it is passed between the rollers.",
"The deformed web material immediately exiting rollers 10a and b is provided with a conventional embossed or corrugated pattern which repeats with every complete rotation of rollers 10a and b. After having been embossed by rollers 10a and b, web W is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, conveyed on conveyor 30 to embossing rollers 20a and b. Rollers 20a and b are provided respectively with projections 40a and complimentary shaped cavities 40b which also interengagingly mate to deform and emboss web material W as it is passed between the rollers.",
"In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, rollers 20a and b are provided with a diameter which is a non-rational multiple of the diameter of the embossing rollers 10a and b. The non-rational multiple diameter relationship between the two pairs of rollers is significant because it provides the second pair of rollers with the capability of reembossing portions of the web material such that the web's final design never exactly repeats itself.",
"In effect, such reembossing randomly interrupts the repeating pattern provided by the first pair of rollers to produce the desired non-repeating design.",
"Thus, as contemplated by the embodiment of FIG. 1, material such as polymeric film roll roofing can be embossed to simulate wood shingles or shake.",
"In FIG. 1, projections 25 of the first pair of roller 10a and b are embossing a woodgrain effect on web W and projections 40a and cavities 40b are reembossing web W with grooves or channels 45 which simulate the gaps separating individual wood shingles.",
"Another important aspect of the present invention is directed to preventing the embossed repeating pattern provided by the first pair of rollers 10a and b from being damaged by the second pair of rollers 20a and b, except, of course, where reembossing by the second pair of rollers is desired.",
"To prevent such damage, surfaces 50a and 50b, respectively, of rollers 20a and 20b (i.e. the surfaces of rollers 20a and b not defining projections 40a and cavities 40b) must be kept a predetermined distance apart which is at least equal to the thickness of the embossed web material at its thickest point after having been embossed by the first pair of rollers.",
"This distance is not identified in FIG. 1 but is identified by the letter D in FIG. 2. If surfaces 50a and b were not maintained this distance apart surfaces 50a and b would crush or damage web W's embossed pattern as web W is passed between rollers 20a and b. In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, surfaces 50a and b are preferably maintained a distance at least equal to 2D (more on this infra).",
"Another aspect of the present invention is directed to providing rollers 20a and 20b with elevated land portions 60a and b. Elevated lands are desirable in that they enable projections 40a and cavities 40b to more sharply deform the web material as it passed between the respective rollers.",
"Accordingly, gaps 45 are more accentuated and deeper than they would be if roller 20b were not provided with lands 60a and b. Lands are also preferably slightly rounded so as to not pierce or penetrate the web material as it passed between rollers 20a and b. FIGS. 2 through 4 more graphically illustrate the accentuated embossing which is provided by the use of land portions elevated in accordance with the present invention.",
"The projection in FIGS. 2-4 is identified by numeral 70 and the cavity by numeral 80.",
"The leading or upstream land portion on projection 70 is identified by numeral 90 and the trailing or downstream land portion is labeled as land 92.",
"The leading land portion on cavities 80 is identified by numeral 100 and the trailing land by numeral 102.",
"FIG. 4 illustrates the reembossing provided when projection 70 and cavity 80 contact an embossed web W at its top or peak points (labeled herein as peaks 110).",
"FIG. 2 illustrates the embossing provided when projection 70 and cavity 80 contact web W at its valleys or bottom points 120.",
"As can be seen in FIG. 4, when web W is contacted at peaks 110 web W rides along or comes close to riding along a nonembossing surface 130.",
"Concomitantly, when web W is contacted at valleys 120 as illustrated in FIG. 2, web W comes close to riding along a nonembossing surface 140.",
"If web W is contacted at a point between a peak and valley it will, quite obviously, not ride against either surface but instead will travel along a more equidistant path between the respective surfaces.",
"FIG. 3 illustrates another possible embossing scenario of the present invention wherein the leading lands 90 and 100 contact the web material at a valley 120 and the trailing lands 92 and 102 contact the web at a peak 110.",
"When this happens, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the web material travelling into the projection 70 and cavity 80 rides along or comes close to riding along nonembossing surface 140.",
"In contrast, web material exiting projection 70 and cavity 80 rides along opposing surface 130.",
"The resulting reembossed product will retain this offset or semi-diagonal look as illustrated in the segment of web W labeled A in FIG. 5, which illustrates what a sample of web W might look like after being embossed and reembossed in accordance with the present invention.",
"This offset look is desirable since it further complicates and varies the design which thereby enhances the design's aesthetic appeal.",
"The three embossments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 are, of course, not the only embossments possible with the present invention.",
"An infinite number of variations are possible since the lands will not always contact web W just at the peaks and valleys but also at all other points in between.",
"In view thereof, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for not only embossing a non-repeating design but also one that is interesting and aesthetically appealing.",
"To provide the reembossing discussed above, all land portions should be elevated or have a height above (or below as the case may be) their respective non-embossing surfaces 130 and 140 which is at least equal to the thickness of the embossed web material at its thickest point after having been embossed by the first pair of rollers which distance, as previously mentioned, is identified herein and in FIG. 2 as distance D. If the lands are not provided with such a height, respective surface 130 or 140 will impact and deform or distort the corrugations adjacent the portion of web W being reembossed.",
"If the lands have a height at least equal to 1D, the peaks and/or valleys of the corrugations adjacent the reembossments may touch, or ride against the respective surfaces 130 or 140, but they will not be impacted by these surfaces such that the corrugations will be distorted or deformed.",
"Accordingly, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that by providing each land portion with the preferred height which is or equal to a greater than 1D, surfaces 130 and 140 will (as alluded to earlier) be separated by the aforementioned preferred distance of at least 2D.",
"This will provide ample clearance for the unobstructed passage of web W between the second pair of rollers, except of course when reembossing occurs and will prevent distortion or deformation from occuring to any of the corrugations adjacent the portion of web W being reembossed.",
"While the aforementioned process and apparatus will emboss a novel design on web material that never theoretically repeats, from a practical standpoint the design will come close to repeating every so often.",
"For example, if the diameter of rollers 10a and b is one foot and the diameter of rollers 20a and b is pi feet the final design produced by both rollers will come close to repeating every 69 feet.",
"In most cases, a pattern which only repeats every 69 feet will not be discernable.",
"However, such may be discernable on buildings with long or wide roofs.",
"In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned apparent repeat can be eliminated by randomly stopping or slowing the rotation of rollers 20a and b for varying periods of time while the rollers are in the position shown in the figure.",
"It will be noted that while rollers 20a and b are in the illustrated position they are neither in contact nor capable of embossing or reembossing the web material.",
"Accordingly, in this position the web W's travel on conveyor 25 will not be impeded by the stopped rollers.",
"Such random stopping or slowing of rollers 20a and b can be provided by randomly disengaging a clutch installed between the rollers and the drive mechanism for the rollers.",
"Random disengagement of the clutch can be provided with a random number generator which can vary the frequency and length of time the rollers are stopped.",
"This control function can be provided with current microprocessor technology which is well known to those skilled in the relevant art.",
"Accordingly, by employing this aspect of the present invention even apparent pattern repeats can be eliminated.",
"It will also be appreciated that this aspect of the present invention is capable of producing a non-repeating design by itself (i.e. without employing rollers having a non-rational multiple diameter relationship.) Accordingly, if the additional expense of equipment for varying or stopping rotation of the second pair of rollers is not a problem, this aspect of the present invention can be employed with rollers of any diameter.",
"In fact, it may even be possible to entirely dispense with the second pair of reembossing rollers.",
"For example, reembossing could theoretically be provided with a stamp or series of stamps wherein a non-repeating design could be produced by randomly activating the stamp (or those stamps in a series of stamps) with conventional controls.",
"The present invention also provides for heating and cooling of the web material during embossing if the nature of the web material requires such for successful embossing or reembossing.",
"For example, if polymeric film roll roofing material having an SBS thermoplastic modified asphalt core (such as that described in allowed patent application U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,902, is to be embossed it may be desirable prior to embossing to heat the material to a temperature where its core material melts.",
"The heated material might then be passed through a first pair of embossing rollers which would not only emboss the web material but also chill or cool the material.",
"Such cooling would solidify the material's molten core, thereby setting material such that it retains its embossed or corrugated shape.",
"Such cooling can be provided by chilling or cooling the first pair of rollers with conventional means known to those skilled in the relevant art.",
"To reemboss the now chilled embossed material with a pair of second rollers such as rollers 20a and b of FIG. 1, it may be necessary to heat the second pair of rollers.",
"Such heating can also be provided with conventional means known to those skilled in the relevant art.",
"The now heated reembossed material may also require cooling to set the reembossments.",
"Such cooling can also be conventionally provided with means such as air and/or water sprays (not shown).",
"While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate application of the invention's principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of photography, integrated with computer, digital and video technology.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A digital camera having a connection to a personal computer is known. The concept of controlling a camera with a computer is known. However, the prior art does describe a camera which works interactively with a computer. Also well known in the prior art are devices capable of editing graphic images. However, none provide for the integration of the camera and the graphics program in one all inclusive package.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,459 issued on Aug. 11, 1992, to Roberts et al., describes an electronic still camera which converts analog composite video format to PC readable digital format and which also provides additional video inputs and outputs for capturing video images, monitoring video images on monitors and displays, and transmitting either compressed or unprocessed digital image data through a variety of output I/O channels in various formats. However this device does not allow still pictures to be saved in an analog/film format and is only capable of transferring the digital data to the PC.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,984 issued on Feb. 14, 1995, to Lovenheim reveals a system for recording identical electronic and photographic images. This system is connected to a computer for the purpose of sending a signal to the photographic camera to take a picture at a predetermined time before sending a signal to the video camera to take a picture. This device is controlled by the computer and does not have the ability to control the computer or to pass information to the computer.
Pure digital cameras are also well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,053 issued on Sep. 28, 1993, to Jain reveals a film less digital camera with selective image compression. U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,215 issued on Sep. 22, 1992, to Shi is a dual film and still video camera for taking pictures in film and still video either simultaneously or individually, and which is capable of recording the CCD image through some magnetic means. Though this camera does take film pictures as well as CCD, it does not have its own image editing internal to the camera and is incapable of connection to a computer.
Scanners and feeders are also well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,442 issued on Mar. 2, 1993, to Bar-Lev et al. reveals a scanner which uses a vacuum system to hold a document in place against a perforated scanning surface during registration and scanning. This device is not portable and has been designed primarily to scan portions of large documents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,062 issued Oct. 12, 1993, to Takeshi Ohta relates to an apparatus for transferring an image to and displaying the image on an NTSC, HDTV, or similar video monitor. This device does not allow for the editing of the video image.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,843 issued on Nov. 2, 1993, to Truong shows a video system which can overlay a primary image over a secondary image. This system does not have full editing functions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,497 issued on Mar. 8, 1994, to Free discloses a system of transmitting data from a secondary computer to a receiving computer. The method disclosed includes a way of loading the communications program onto the receiving computer if it is not already present. This is all this program does; it does not choose the data to be transmitted as in this invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,986 issued on Feb. 7, 1995, to Gerhart shows an integrated edit board and document scanner which allows the original document and the newly edited section of the document to be easily correlated, because the document does not have to move. The present invention, having the full document in memory, does not rely on the placement of the document.
U.S. Pat. No 5,331,380 issued on Jul. 19, 1994, to Nasset shows a portable hand held photo copy reproduction holding device which uses a plastic sheet over the back board in order to create a static electric energy field that holds the subject matter to be photocopied in place. The sheet must be moved in order to place the document and might reflect light, thereby falsely shading the document. The present invention charges the copy board itself, thereby obviating the need for the plastic sheet and eradicates the said problems.
Today's high paced computer age has created a need for an integrated CCD and film camera which is integrated with its own editor and communications tool. Such a tool would allow pictures to be taken on sight, and, with the help of any computer or laptop, to be edited and then transmitted to the desired location. Such a need has not yet been filled.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the prior art by novelly combining prior art in order to create a camera which is capable of both CCD and film photography, and which is integrated with its own editor, paper holder, and communications tool, all of which are compact.
The present invention is a camera which has the ability to take pictures in digital or film format. It has the capability of sending these digital pictures over any phone to a portable computer. All of its programs are resident on EPROM inside the camera. These programs are capable of loading themselves onto any computer via the serial, parallel, or modem port with just a push of a button. Included in this EPROM is an image editor which has multiple editing modes and can print images on a local printer. Also, these digital photographs may be saved on a magnetic storage device, or any other format wherein digital data can be stored.
Additionally, this camera comes with a stand attachment which allows the camera to be used as a form scanner. This will allow forms to be digitally photographed, filled in on the screen, and then printed out on either the original form or recreated on blank paper.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a stand which holds the document to be photographed with out clips, this being done via either air suction or an electrostatic charge.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to wed existing computer and photographic technology to create a multi-functional portable camera.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is small, light weight, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a modified, somewhat diagrammatic, partly perspective side elevational view of the invention, showing the camera with the stand fully assembled, and a computer to which the camera is attached.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the camera connected to the power pack with the power pack plugged in, drawn to an enlarged scale.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the internals of the camera, drawn to an enlarged scale.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale, cross sectional view of a removable support leg of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the base of the invention.
FIG. 6 is an side elevational view, partly in perspective, of a second embodiment of the removable copyboard and its support of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a block wiring diagram of the invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention overcomes the prior art through the integration of past inventions in order to create a camera which is capable of both CCD and film photography which is integrated with its own editor and communications tool and which is compact.
FIG. 1 shows a camera 10 positioned on its right side and locked into a fully assembled stand 12, and a back of a computer 14 with a view of a RS-232 nine pin port 16, a RS-232 fourteen pin port 18, and a Lpt port 20. A camera cable 44 is shown connected to port 16 in FIG. 1. On the top of the camera 10 is a flash 22. To its left is a mode switch 24 which allows the camera to be set for either CCD, film or both. On the top right of the camera 10 is a shutter/photo switch 26, and a film counter 28. A PCMCIA slot 29 is seen, located into the rear of the camera 10. A camera lens 30 is located on the front of the camera 10. Around the lens is a shutter speed dial 32 and a focus dial 34. On the right side of the camera 10, one of the power contacts 36 and a RS-232 port 38 can be seen.
The camera 10 is locked into the stand 12. The piece of the stand which the camera is locked into is a powerpack 40. From this view only a power plug with cable can be seen. The other cable which is visible is a RS-232 or LPT cable 44 which runs from the computer to the camera. Below and attached to the power pack 40 is removable camera leg 46. This leg 46 is attached to a base 48. The locking piece 50 of removable leg 46 can be seen going into the base 48. On base 48 is a release button 52 for removable leg 46, a fan 54, a connecting air tube 56, and a release button 58 for a copy board leg 60. Leg 60 locks into the base via its locking piece 62. The suction created by the fan 54 travels through the connecting air tube 56 and when leg 60 locks into base 48, a sealed opening to the air tube 64, which goes through leg 60, is created. Through the use of these air tubes 56 and 64, the holes 66 in a copy board 68 are made to create a suction which holds the document to the copy board 68.
FIG. 2. shows the camera 10 locked into the power pack 40 section of the stand 12. On the camera can be seen the lens 30, and around the lens 30 is the shutter speed dial 32 and the focus dial 34. Next to the lens 30, on the front of the camera 10, is an ASA dial 70. On the top of the camera 10 is the mode switch 24 and the flash 23. On the top and on the bottom of the camera are slide projections 72, which slip into depressions 74 in the power pack 40. On the right side of the camera 10, both power contacts 36 touch the top power contacts 76, located on the power L5 pack 40. On the bottom of the power pack 40, two more power contacts 78 and a T cut away 80 can be seen. These contacts 78 allows the power pack 40 to lock into leg 46. Additionally, on the left side of the power pack, there is a power plug with cable 42.
FIG. 3. illustrates the internals of the camera 10. The side slot for the 3.5 inch floppy 82 is shown on the left. A PCMCIA slot connector 84 is shown on the right. Four double A rechargeable batteries 86, and an EPROM 90 which holds the graphics program can be seen on the left. On the right a 1 meg single in-line memory module (SIMM) 88 which can be step upgraded to a 32 meg SIM is shown. Spanning the bottom of the camera is an integrated circuit board 92 which controls the CCD part of the camera and which, when the upload button is pressed, uploads the graphics and communications program through one of the i/o ports. Additionally, a 35 mm film holder 94, 94, and CCD/film plates 96 can be seen in front of the lens 30. On the outside of the camera 10 are the power contacts 36 and the slide projections 72.
FIG. 4. shows the removable camera leg 46. At the top and at the bottom of removable leg 46 are power contacts 98. Wires 100 can be seen which connect the top and bottom power contacts. On the top of removable leg 46 is the T extrusion 102 which goes into the T cut away 80 at the bottom of the power pack 40, thereby locking the two together. On the bottom of removable leg 46 is the locking piece 50 which secures the leg 46 to either base 48 or a second embodiment, removable base 104.
FIG. 5. shows the second embodiment base 104. A hole 106 for the snap connection and a release button 108, and electrical contacts 110, all of which connect to removable leg 46 can be seen on the left. On the right, a hole 112 for the snap L5 connection and release button 114, and electrical contacts 116 which connect to leg 120 can be seen. Connecting the electrical contacts on either side 110 and 116 are wires 118 running through base 104.
FIG. 6 discloses leg 120. At the bottom is a bottom snap connection 122, a snap release button 124, and a round plate at the bottom 126 with electrical contacts 128. At the top is the copy board 132. On the top left and bottom right of the copy board 132 are electrical contacts 130. The latter contacts 130 deliver a static electric charge to the copy board 132. It is this charge which holds the paper (not shown). A rubber washer 134 is present in the neck of leg 120. This electrically isolates the copy board 132 making the charge relatively constant. Also visible are the electrical wires 136 which connect the contacts 130 and 128.
FIG. 7. is a block diagram of how the camera 10 functions. Light enters the camera via the lens 30. The lens 30 is controlled by a lens controller 138, which directs a lens motor 140. The lens controller 138 is in turn controlled by a main film controller 142. The main film controller 142 also controls a film motor and drive 144, a shutter and its controller 146, and a mirror 158 and its controller 148. The mirror is used to direct the light through to the shutter 146 or up to a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor processor and drive 150. The CCD sensor and drive 150 are controlled directly by a central processing unit (CPU) 152 through the use of the CCD command set 154.
BUS and all other types of active volatile memory 156 will be located centrally in the form of a single SIM which can easily be upgraded to 32 meg ram and wherein a BIOS 190 is auto-sensing. Depending on how the mode switch 24 is set, the mirror 158 will either be up or down or will be up and then flip down if set on dual mode. The mirror controller 148 will be told how the mode switch 24 is set based on the signals coming out of the switch controller 160 which sends its commands directly to the CPU 152. Once a digital image has been stored in memory 156, that image can be directed to the floppy drive 162 via the input/output controller (I/O) 164, or it can be temporarily left in memory 156 while it is transmitted to a computer 14.
The way an individual can tell the camera 10 to transmit an image is by physically connecting it to a computer 14. This is done via a parallel 165 or serial 166 port or through a telephone by using the modem port 168. After the appropriate cable 44 has been joined to the computer 14 and the camera 10 the individual will press the upload button 170. The only switch not connected to the switch controller 160 is a on/off switch 192. The on/off switch 192 is located on the hot side of the power 86. The upload controller 172 will auto sense which port is being used and make a connection with the remote computer 14 (see FIG. 1). Once the connection is made the upload controller 172 will auto sense to see if command sets 1 and 2, the upload program and the graphics program are at that time either running on the remote computer 14 or are present on the remote computer's 14 hard drive. If the programs are present then they will be used by the upload controller 172 to upload the graphics image. If the programs are not present then the upload controller 172 will first upload the programs to the remote computer 14 and then will upload the graphics image. The programs are stored in the camera in a non-volatile storage device 174 and the status of the upload is shown on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 176.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. | This is a dual film and digital camera with an internal EPROM which holds a full graphics editor and a full communications program. The communications program auto senses which external port is active and uploads itself and the graphics program and any digital images which have been taken by the camera to the remote cite. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention This invention is related to the field of photography, integrated with computer, digital and video technology.",
"Description of the Prior Art A digital camera having a connection to a personal computer is known.",
"The concept of controlling a camera with a computer is known.",
"However, the prior art does describe a camera which works interactively with a computer.",
"Also well known in the prior art are devices capable of editing graphic images.",
"However, none provide for the integration of the camera and the graphics program in one all inclusive package.",
"For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,459 issued on Aug. 11, 1992, to Roberts et al.",
", describes an electronic still camera which converts analog composite video format to PC readable digital format and which also provides additional video inputs and outputs for capturing video images, monitoring video images on monitors and displays, and transmitting either compressed or unprocessed digital image data through a variety of output I/O channels in various formats.",
"However this device does not allow still pictures to be saved in an analog/film format and is only capable of transferring the digital data to the PC.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,984 issued on Feb. 14, 1995, to Lovenheim reveals a system for recording identical electronic and photographic images.",
"This system is connected to a computer for the purpose of sending a signal to the photographic camera to take a picture at a predetermined time before sending a signal to the video camera to take a picture.",
"This device is controlled by the computer and does not have the ability to control the computer or to pass information to the computer.",
"Pure digital cameras are also well known.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,053 issued on Sep. 28, 1993, to Jain reveals a film less digital camera with selective image compression.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,215 issued on Sep. 22, 1992, to Shi is a dual film and still video camera for taking pictures in film and still video either simultaneously or individually, and which is capable of recording the CCD image through some magnetic means.",
"Though this camera does take film pictures as well as CCD, it does not have its own image editing internal to the camera and is incapable of connection to a computer.",
"Scanners and feeders are also well known.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,442 issued on Mar. 2, 1993, to Bar-Lev et al.",
"reveals a scanner which uses a vacuum system to hold a document in place against a perforated scanning surface during registration and scanning.",
"This device is not portable and has been designed primarily to scan portions of large documents.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,062 issued Oct. 12, 1993, to Takeshi Ohta relates to an apparatus for transferring an image to and displaying the image on an NTSC, HDTV, or similar video monitor.",
"This device does not allow for the editing of the video image.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,843 issued on Nov. 2, 1993, to Truong shows a video system which can overlay a primary image over a secondary image.",
"This system does not have full editing functions.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,497 issued on Mar. 8, 1994, to Free discloses a system of transmitting data from a secondary computer to a receiving computer.",
"The method disclosed includes a way of loading the communications program onto the receiving computer if it is not already present.",
"This is all this program does;",
"it does not choose the data to be transmitted as in this invention.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,986 issued on Feb. 7, 1995, to Gerhart shows an integrated edit board and document scanner which allows the original document and the newly edited section of the document to be easily correlated, because the document does not have to move.",
"The present invention, having the full document in memory, does not rely on the placement of the document.",
"U.S. Pat. No 5,331,380 issued on Jul. 19, 1994, to Nasset shows a portable hand held photo copy reproduction holding device which uses a plastic sheet over the back board in order to create a static electric energy field that holds the subject matter to be photocopied in place.",
"The sheet must be moved in order to place the document and might reflect light, thereby falsely shading the document.",
"The present invention charges the copy board itself, thereby obviating the need for the plastic sheet and eradicates the said problems.",
"Today's high paced computer age has created a need for an integrated CCD and film camera which is integrated with its own editor and communications tool.",
"Such a tool would allow pictures to be taken on sight, and, with the help of any computer or laptop, to be edited and then transmitted to the desired location.",
"Such a need has not yet been filled.",
"None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the prior art by novelly combining prior art in order to create a camera which is capable of both CCD and film photography, and which is integrated with its own editor, paper holder, and communications tool, all of which are compact.",
"The present invention is a camera which has the ability to take pictures in digital or film format.",
"It has the capability of sending these digital pictures over any phone to a portable computer.",
"All of its programs are resident on EPROM inside the camera.",
"These programs are capable of loading themselves onto any computer via the serial, parallel, or modem port with just a push of a button.",
"Included in this EPROM is an image editor which has multiple editing modes and can print images on a local printer.",
"Also, these digital photographs may be saved on a magnetic storage device, or any other format wherein digital data can be stored.",
"Additionally, this camera comes with a stand attachment which allows the camera to be used as a form scanner.",
"This will allow forms to be digitally photographed, filled in on the screen, and then printed out on either the original form or recreated on blank paper.",
"It is a further object of this invention to provide a stand which holds the document to be photographed with out clips, this being done via either air suction or an electrostatic charge.",
"Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to wed existing computer and photographic technology to create a multi-functional portable camera.",
"It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is small, light weight, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.",
"These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a modified, somewhat diagrammatic, partly perspective side elevational view of the invention, showing the camera with the stand fully assembled, and a computer to which the camera is attached.",
"FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the camera connected to the power pack with the power pack plugged in, drawn to an enlarged scale.",
"FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the internals of the camera, drawn to an enlarged scale.",
"FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale, cross sectional view of a removable support leg of the invention.",
"FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the base of the invention.",
"FIG. 6 is an side elevational view, partly in perspective, of a second embodiment of the removable copyboard and its support of the invention.",
"FIG. 7 is a block wiring diagram of the invention.",
"Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention overcomes the prior art through the integration of past inventions in order to create a camera which is capable of both CCD and film photography which is integrated with its own editor and communications tool and which is compact.",
"FIG. 1 shows a camera 10 positioned on its right side and locked into a fully assembled stand 12, and a back of a computer 14 with a view of a RS-232 nine pin port 16, a RS-232 fourteen pin port 18, and a Lpt port 20.",
"A camera cable 44 is shown connected to port 16 in FIG. 1. On the top of the camera 10 is a flash 22.",
"To its left is a mode switch 24 which allows the camera to be set for either CCD, film or both.",
"On the top right of the camera 10 is a shutter/photo switch 26, and a film counter 28.",
"A PCMCIA slot 29 is seen, located into the rear of the camera 10.",
"A camera lens 30 is located on the front of the camera 10.",
"Around the lens is a shutter speed dial 32 and a focus dial 34.",
"On the right side of the camera 10, one of the power contacts 36 and a RS-232 port 38 can be seen.",
"The camera 10 is locked into the stand 12.",
"The piece of the stand which the camera is locked into is a powerpack 40.",
"From this view only a power plug with cable can be seen.",
"The other cable which is visible is a RS-232 or LPT cable 44 which runs from the computer to the camera.",
"Below and attached to the power pack 40 is removable camera leg 46.",
"This leg 46 is attached to a base 48.",
"The locking piece 50 of removable leg 46 can be seen going into the base 48.",
"On base 48 is a release button 52 for removable leg 46, a fan 54, a connecting air tube 56, and a release button 58 for a copy board leg 60.",
"Leg 60 locks into the base via its locking piece 62.",
"The suction created by the fan 54 travels through the connecting air tube 56 and when leg 60 locks into base 48, a sealed opening to the air tube 64, which goes through leg 60, is created.",
"Through the use of these air tubes 56 and 64, the holes 66 in a copy board 68 are made to create a suction which holds the document to the copy board 68.",
"FIG. 2. shows the camera 10 locked into the power pack 40 section of the stand 12.",
"On the camera can be seen the lens 30, and around the lens 30 is the shutter speed dial 32 and the focus dial 34.",
"Next to the lens 30, on the front of the camera 10, is an ASA dial 70.",
"On the top of the camera 10 is the mode switch 24 and the flash 23.",
"On the top and on the bottom of the camera are slide projections 72, which slip into depressions 74 in the power pack 40.",
"On the right side of the camera 10, both power contacts 36 touch the top power contacts 76, located on the power L5 pack 40.",
"On the bottom of the power pack 40, two more power contacts 78 and a T cut away 80 can be seen.",
"These contacts 78 allows the power pack 40 to lock into leg 46.",
"Additionally, on the left side of the power pack, there is a power plug with cable 42.",
"FIG. 3. illustrates the internals of the camera 10.",
"The side slot for the 3.5 inch floppy 82 is shown on the left.",
"A PCMCIA slot connector 84 is shown on the right.",
"Four double A rechargeable batteries 86, and an EPROM 90 which holds the graphics program can be seen on the left.",
"On the right a 1 meg single in-line memory module (SIMM) 88 which can be step upgraded to a 32 meg SIM is shown.",
"Spanning the bottom of the camera is an integrated circuit board 92 which controls the CCD part of the camera and which, when the upload button is pressed, uploads the graphics and communications program through one of the i/o ports.",
"Additionally, a 35 mm film holder 94, 94, and CCD/film plates 96 can be seen in front of the lens 30.",
"On the outside of the camera 10 are the power contacts 36 and the slide projections 72.",
"FIG. 4. shows the removable camera leg 46.",
"At the top and at the bottom of removable leg 46 are power contacts 98.",
"Wires 100 can be seen which connect the top and bottom power contacts.",
"On the top of removable leg 46 is the T extrusion 102 which goes into the T cut away 80 at the bottom of the power pack 40, thereby locking the two together.",
"On the bottom of removable leg 46 is the locking piece 50 which secures the leg 46 to either base 48 or a second embodiment, removable base 104.",
"FIG. 5. shows the second embodiment base 104.",
"A hole 106 for the snap connection and a release button 108, and electrical contacts 110, all of which connect to removable leg 46 can be seen on the left.",
"On the right, a hole 112 for the snap L5 connection and release button 114, and electrical contacts 116 which connect to leg 120 can be seen.",
"Connecting the electrical contacts on either side 110 and 116 are wires 118 running through base 104.",
"FIG. 6 discloses leg 120.",
"At the bottom is a bottom snap connection 122, a snap release button 124, and a round plate at the bottom 126 with electrical contacts 128.",
"At the top is the copy board 132.",
"On the top left and bottom right of the copy board 132 are electrical contacts 130.",
"The latter contacts 130 deliver a static electric charge to the copy board 132.",
"It is this charge which holds the paper (not shown).",
"A rubber washer 134 is present in the neck of leg 120.",
"This electrically isolates the copy board 132 making the charge relatively constant.",
"Also visible are the electrical wires 136 which connect the contacts 130 and 128.",
"FIG. 7. is a block diagram of how the camera 10 functions.",
"Light enters the camera via the lens 30.",
"The lens 30 is controlled by a lens controller 138, which directs a lens motor 140.",
"The lens controller 138 is in turn controlled by a main film controller 142.",
"The main film controller 142 also controls a film motor and drive 144, a shutter and its controller 146, and a mirror 158 and its controller 148.",
"The mirror is used to direct the light through to the shutter 146 or up to a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor processor and drive 150.",
"The CCD sensor and drive 150 are controlled directly by a central processing unit (CPU) 152 through the use of the CCD command set 154.",
"BUS and all other types of active volatile memory 156 will be located centrally in the form of a single SIM which can easily be upgraded to 32 meg ram and wherein a BIOS 190 is auto-sensing.",
"Depending on how the mode switch 24 is set, the mirror 158 will either be up or down or will be up and then flip down if set on dual mode.",
"The mirror controller 148 will be told how the mode switch 24 is set based on the signals coming out of the switch controller 160 which sends its commands directly to the CPU 152.",
"Once a digital image has been stored in memory 156, that image can be directed to the floppy drive 162 via the input/output controller (I/O) 164, or it can be temporarily left in memory 156 while it is transmitted to a computer 14.",
"The way an individual can tell the camera 10 to transmit an image is by physically connecting it to a computer 14.",
"This is done via a parallel 165 or serial 166 port or through a telephone by using the modem port 168.",
"After the appropriate cable 44 has been joined to the computer 14 and the camera 10 the individual will press the upload button 170.",
"The only switch not connected to the switch controller 160 is a on/off switch 192.",
"The on/off switch 192 is located on the hot side of the power 86.",
"The upload controller 172 will auto sense which port is being used and make a connection with the remote computer 14 (see FIG. 1).",
"Once the connection is made the upload controller 172 will auto sense to see if command sets 1 and 2, the upload program and the graphics program are at that time either running on the remote computer 14 or are present on the remote computer's 14 hard drive.",
"If the programs are present then they will be used by the upload controller 172 to upload the graphics image.",
"If the programs are not present then the upload controller 172 will first upload the programs to the remote computer 14 and then will upload the graphics image.",
"The programs are stored in the camera in a non-volatile storage device 174 and the status of the upload is shown on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 176.",
"It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to a downhole apparatus and method for generating electricity and, in particular to, a downhole electrical generator that uses lift fluid pressure to produce electricity which is used to operate other downhole devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with the operation of downhole electrical devices, as an example. The control and operation of oil and gas production wells constitute an important and ongoing concern of the petroleum industry. As an example, well control has become particularly important and more complex in view of the industry wide development of multilateral wells. Generally speaking, multilateral wells have multiple branches each having discrete production zones which produce fluid into common or independent production tubing. In either case, there is a need for controlling zone production, isolating specific zones and otherwise monitoring each zone in a particular well. As a result, the methods and devices used for controlling wells are growing more complex. In fact, downhole control systems which include downhole computerized modules employing downhole computers for commanding downhole tools such as packers, sliding sleeves and valves are becoming more common.
[0003] For example, using downhole sensors, a downhole computer controlled system may monitor actual downhole parameters such as pressure, temperature and flow to automatically execute control instructions based upon the monitored downhole parameters. As should apparent, operating such a well control systems will require electrical power. It has been found, however, that presently known methods of supplying or generating electricity downhole suffer from a variety of problems and deficiencies.
[0004] In one method, electricity may be supplied downhole by lowering a tool on a wireline and conducting electricity through one or more conductors in the wireline from the surface to the tool. Similarly, hardwires may be attached on the exterior of the tubing running from the surface to the desired downhole location. These techniques, however, are not desirable due to their cost and complexity. In addition, in deep wells, there can be significant energy loss caused by the resistance or impedance in the wires.
[0005] Downhole electrical circuits utilizing batteries housed within a downhole assembly have also been attempted. These batteries, however, can only provide moderate amounts of electrical energy at the elevated temperatures encountered downhole. In addition, batteries have relatively short lives requiring frequent replacement and/or recharging.
[0006] Other attempts have been made to provide a downhole mechanism which continuously generates and supplies electricity. For example, systems using radioisotopes, fuel cells and piezoelectric techniques have been attempted. These systems, however, have raised safety and environmental concerns, are expensive and complex and/or do not generate suitable amounts of electricity.
[0007] A more promising approach to supplying electricity downhole appears to be the use of downhole electrical generators. Previous attempts to operate downhole generators, however, have met with limited success. Specifically, many downhole generators are installed within the tubing string which prevents the passage of other tools or equipment therethrough. Other downhole generators have been proposed that are installed in side pockets thus allowing passage of equipment through the tubing.
[0008] All of these downhole generators, however, suffer from a serious drive problem. Specifically, the turbines of these downhole generators are rotated by the upward flow of production fluids. Not only does this create an undesirable pressure drop in the production fluids, but use of production fluids to drive turbines significantly limits the life expectancy of these downhole generators. Specifically, the mechanical and chemical qualities of production fluids tend to erode and corrode the turbine as well as other components of these downhole generators. In addition, tars and suspended solids in the production fluid tend to clog flow passageways within these downhole generators and prevent proper rotation of the rotors. Also, the amount of the electrical output of these production fluid driven downhole generators is controlled by the flow rate of production fluid through the tubing which is dependent, in part, upon the pressure in the formation which decreases over time.
[0009] Therefore, a need has arisen for a downhole generator that is not driven by the flow of production fluids through the tubing. A need has also arisen for such a downhole generator that does not cause a pressure drop within the production fluids. Further, a need has arisen for such a downhole generator wherein the electrical output is not dependent upon the pressure in the formation from which the production fluids are produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention disclosed herein comprises a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator that does not use the flow of formation fluids to drive a turbine. As such, the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention does not choke the flow of formation fluids up through the tubing. In addition, the electrical output of the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention is not dependent upon the flow rate of formation fluids or the pressure in the formation from which the formation fluids are produced.
[0011] Broadly characterized, the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator, once positioned downhole in a tubing string, converts the lift fluid pressure into electricity. For example, the lift fluid may be used to create rotary motion by impinging the lift fluid against a rotor. The rotary motion may then be converted to electricity by rotating a first portion of an electromagnetic assembly relative to a second portion of the electromagnetic assembly.
[0012] The lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator comprises a housing having one or more lift fluid ports in a sidewall portion thereof for receiving the lift fluid from the annulus surrounding the tubing string. A flow control device that is slidably disposed within the housing is used to selectively allow and prevent the flow of lift fluid through the lift fluid port. The openness of the lift fluid port may be controlled by the operation of an actuator that is operably coupled to the flow control device. The actuator may infinitely vary the openness of the lift fluid port between the fully open and fully closed positions in response to a signal from the surface received by a downhole telemetry system, a signal from a downhole sensor or a timer. Alternatively, a controller may be used to monitor the electrical output of the downhole generator and then send a signal to adjust the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port to vary the electrical output of the downhole generator if desired.
[0013] When the lift fluid ports are open, a rotor, rotatably disposed within the housing, converts the lift fluid pressure to rotary motion as the lift fluid impinges the rotor. The rotation of the rotor is imparted on the first portion of the electromagnetic assembly which is rotatable relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly, which is stationary with the housing. This relative rotation within the electromagnetic assembly converts the rotary motion to electricity. The first portion of the electromagnetic assembly includes a plurality of electrical windings wrapped around a core. One end of the electrical windings is electrically coupling to a first portion of a commutator and the other end of the electrical windings is electrically coupling to a second portion of the commutator. The second portion of the electromagnetic assembly includes magnets and at least two contact members that are stationary with the housing of the downhole electrical generator. In operation, when the first portion of the electromagnetic assembly is rotated relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly, a first contact member sequentially engages the first portion of the commutator then the second portion of the commutator while a second contact member simultaneously sequentially engages the second portion of the commutator then the first portion of the commutator. As such, electricity is generated by the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention.
[0014] In addition, the present invention may be used to control the electrical output of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator. This is achieved by positioning the downhole electrical generator within a tubing string, injecting a lift fluid down an annulus surrounding the tubing string, providing a fluid communication path through the downhole electrical generator by varying the position of a flow control device relative to a lift fluid port, communicating lift fluid through the lift fluid port, rotating a rotor and an electromagnetic assembly such that electricity is generated in response to the flow of lift fluid through the fluid communication path, sensing the generated electricity to determine the electrical output of the downhole electrical generator and adjusting the flowrate of lift fluid through the fluid communication path by selectively varying the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port, thereby controlling the electrical output of the downhole generator.
[0015] More specifically, the step of sensing the generated electricity to determine the electrical output of the downhole electrical generator may include receiving a signal indicative of the magnitude of the electricity being generated with a controller, processing the signal in the controller and generating a control signal with the controller to vary the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an offshore oil and gas production platform operating a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention;
[0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in its closed position;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in its fully open position; and
[0020] [0020]FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in a partially open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an offshore oil and gas production platform operating a lift fluid driven downhole electric generator is schematically illustrated and generally designated 10 . A semi-submersible platform 12 is centered over a submerged oil and gas formation 14 located below sea floor 16 . Wellhead 18 is located on deck 20 of platform 12 . Well 22 extends through the sea 24 and penetrates the various earth strata including formation 14 to form wellbore 26 . Disposed within wellbore 26 is casing 28 . Disposed within casing 28 and extending from wellhead 18 is production tubing 30 . A pair of seal assemblies 32 , 34 provide a seal between tubing 30 and casing 28 to prevent the flow of production fluids therebetween. During production, formation fluids enter wellbore 26 through perforations 36 in casing 28 and travel into tubing 30 to wellhead 18 .
[0023] Coupled within tubing 30 is a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator 38 . Downhole electrical generator 38 is driven by lift fluid communicated thereto from surface installation 40 , through fluid conduit 42 and the annulus between casing 28 and tubing 30 as will be explained in greater detail below.
[0024] In addition, the lift fluid may be used to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons from formation 14 by decreasing the hydrostatic head of the column of formation fluid in wellbore 26 . Decreasing the hydrostatic head enhances recovery by reducing the amount of pressure required to lift the formation fluids to the surface. Decreasing the density of the column of fluid extending from formation 14 to the surface reduces the hydrostatic head of this fluid column. As such, mixing a lower density fluid into the formation fluids reduces the overall density of the fluid column and consequently decreases the hydrostatic head. Accordingly, low density fluids, including liquids such as a hydraulic fluid or gases may be used.
[0025] Even though FIG. 1 depicts a vertical well, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for slanted wells, deviated wells or horizontal wells. Also, even though FIG. 1 depicts an offshore operation, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is depicted a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention that is generally designated 50 . Generator 50 has an outer housing 52 that is a substantially cylindrical tubular member that is threadedly and sealingly coupled to tubing string 30 , as seen in FIG. 1, at its upper and lower ends. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, etc. are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. As such, it is to be understood that the downhole components described herein may be operated in vertical, horizontal, inverted or inclined orientations without deviating from the principles of the present invention.
[0027] Housing 52 has a primary flow passageway 54 extending longitudinally therethrough. Housing 52 also has one or more lift fluid ports 56 radially extending through the side wall thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple ports 56 are disposed around the same circumference of housing 52 , however, other ports could be disposed either above or below ports 56 along the length of housing 52 if desired.
[0028] Housing 52 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or ceramic capable of withstanding the pressures, temperatures and substances downhole. The material for housing 52 may be machined or formed to have a desired shape and size including a radially expanded inner diameter region 58 and interior cavities 60 , 62 and 64 for purposes to be described below.
[0029] Disposed within radially expended inner diameter region 58 of housing 52 is an inner subassembly 70 that is rotatably and axially moveable relative to housing 52 . Inner subassembly 70 has a primary flow passageway extending longitudinally therethrough that preferable has the same inner diameter as primary flow passageway 54 of housing 52 . Inner subassembly 70 includes a flow control device 72 for selectively allowing fluid flow or preventing fluid flow through ports 56 . Flow control device 72 is disposed in housing 52 such that flow control device 72 is moveable between a closed position, fully obstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 2, a fully open position, completely unobstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 3, and a partially open position partially obstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 4. As will be explained below, the position of flow control device 72 is infinitely variable relative to ports 56 such that the electrical output of generator 50 may be controlled.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, flow control device 72 is an annular body made of a suitable material providing for a bearing seal between the exterior surface of flow control device 72 and the interior surface of housing 52 , such as a metal-to-metal seal. As illustrated, the height of flow control device 72 is sufficient to overlie ports 56 when ports 56 are to be closed.
[0031] Alternatively, instead of using an integral flow control device such as flow control device 72 , the flowrate of lift fluid into lift fluid ports 56 may be controlled by lift fluid valves installed within lift fluid ports 72 or in a side pocket mandrel adjacent thereto. The openness of the lift fluid valves may be controlled using known techniques, but are preferably electrically controlled.
[0032] Inner subassembly 70 includes a rotor 74 that provides an interface with the lift fluid whereby rotor 74 is driven by the lift fluid entering generator 50 through ports 56 . Rotor 74 is used to convert fluid flow to mechanical power. Specifically, rotor 74 is connected to flow control device 72 such that as flow control device 72 opens ports 56 , flow of a lift fluid into ports 56 impinges rotor 74 to rotate rotor 74 . In one embodiment, the connection between rotor 74 and flow control device 72 is such that both move linearly and rotate together. In another embodiment, joint linear movement occurs but rotor 74 can rotate relative to flow control device 72 using, for example, a sealed bearing coupling.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, rotor 74 has two degrees of motion. Rotor 74 can rotate about its longitudinal axis and rotor 74 can move linearly or axially within housing 52 . In the illustrated embodiment, this linear movement occurs simultaneously with and in conjunction with the longitudinal movement of flow control device 72 . As illustrated, flow control device 72 and rotor 74 are linearly disposed and adjoin each other within radially expended inner diameter region 58 of housing 52 .
[0034] Rotor 74 of the illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical squirrel cage configuration comprising a plurality of angled vanes 76 that are circumferentially separated such that the spaces between vanes 76 permit radial fluid flow between the outside and the inside of rotor 74 and such that an axial channel is defined through rotor 74 to permit axial flow between adjoined vanes 76 as well as through generator 50 . As such, rotor 74 is driven by lift fluid flowing into generator 50 through open ports 56 . The resulting mechanical power of rotor 74 is used to generate electricity as explained below.
[0035] As mentioned above, rotor 74 and flow control device 72 are connected such that they can be moved linearly within housing 52 . In the illustrated embodiment, this movement is caused by an actuator 78 . Actuator 78 moves flow control device 72 and rotor 74 linearly to variably adjust the openness of ports 56 and to provide infinite flow control throughout the continuum between fully closed and fully opened.
[0036] Actuator 78 is mounted within interior cavity 64 of housing 52 and is coupled to inner subassembly 70 linking actuator 78 with rotor 74 . Operation of actuator 78 moves inner subassembly 70 , including rotor 74 and flow control device 72 axially within housing 52 to displace flow control device 72 relative to ports 56 .
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 78 includes a motor 80 . Motor 80 includes a rotating element 82 having a threaded inner surface which engages a threaded outer surface of a ring 84 . Ring 84 is axially fixed with respect to linear movement relative to mandrel 86 of inner subassembly 70 by retaining rings 88 , 90 . Ring 84 is rotatably coupled on mandrel 86 such that mandrel 86 can rotate inside ring 84 . To obtain axial movement, ring 84 is maintained rotationally stationary relative to rotating element 82 of motor 80 so that operation of rotating element 82 drives ring 84 and mandrel 86 up or down as desired.
[0038] Alternatively, linear movement of inner subassembly 70 inside housing 52 could be achieved manually using a shifting tool. For example, such a shifting tool can be connected to either end of inner subassembly 70 and operated to mechanically pull or push inner subassembly 70 up or down.
[0039] In the illustrated embedment, when actuator 78 has moved flow control device 72 to a partially or fully open position, lift fluid induced rotation of rotor 74 may now occur. Such rotation, in turn, causes operation of an electromagnetic assembly 90 . Electromagnetic assembly 90 provides an electrical interface which converts mechanical power to electricity.
[0040] Electromagnetic assembly 90 includes a mandrel 92 that provides support for a plurality of electrical windings 94 , a plurality of pole pieces 96 and a commutator 98 , which are also considered to be part of electromagnetic assembly 90 . Mandrel 92 is connected to rotor 74 . As illustrated, mandrel 92 and rotor 74 are integral and unitary, being constructed with the same tubing piece. Mandrel 92 is also coupled to mandrel 86 .
[0041] The plurality of electrical windings 94 are wound on mandrel 92 . The plurality of pole pieces 96 are disposed radially outwardly of windings 94 so that pole pieces 96 overlie windings 94 . Commutator 98 serves as a brush ring and is connected to electrical windings 94 in a known manner so that one end of windings 94 is connected to one or more electrically parallel segments of commutator 98 and the other end of windings 94 is connected to one or more different electrically parallel segments of commutator 98 . Commutator 98 is made of suitable electrically conductive material.
[0042] Electromagnetic assembly 90 also includes a plurality of magnets 100 mounted within interior cavity 60 of housing 52 such that magnets 100 interact with electromagnetic fields generated by electrical windings 94 . The position of cavity 60 , and thus of magnets 100 within cavity 60 , is such that magnets 100 and pole pieces 96 are substantially aligned throughout the linear travel of inner subassembly 70 within housing 52 .
[0043] Electromagnetic assembly 90 also includes a plurality of contacts 102 mounted within interior cavity 62 of housing 52 . In the illustrated embodiment, contacts 102 are electrically conductive members such as brushes, that overlie and engage respective segments of commutator 98 . At least one contact 102 engages one section of commutator 98 connected to one end of windings 94 and at least one other contact 102 engages a different section of commutator 98 connected to the other end of windings 94 . Contacts 102 and commutator 98 are sized sufficiently so that electrical contact is made throughout the linear movement of inner subassembly 70 relative to housing 52 . Contacts 102 provide an interface to electrical wires such as wires 104 , 106 . Electricity generated by the present invention travels within wires 104 , 106 . This electricity can be used for powering devices for sensing parameters of the production fluid such as temperature, pressure, flow, density and the like using downhole sensors 108 , 110 . Likewise, the electricity may be used to power a downhole telemetry system 112 that may communicate with the surface via pressure pulses, acoustics, electromagnetic waves or other suitable wireless techniques. In addition, the electricity may be used to recharge batteries 114 .
[0044] To keep the lift fluid within the rotor section of inner subassembly 70 and to isolate the electrical components of electromagnetic assembly 90 from the lift fluid, the illustrated embodiment includes three seals. An O-ring seal 116 is mounted in a groove defined around the upper end of flow control device 72 . This places seal 116 above ports 56 . Seal 116 provides a fluid seal between flow control device 72 and the inner surface of housing 52 .
[0045] An O-ring seal 118 is mounted in a groove in mandrel 92 near the juncture of rotor 74 and mandrel 92 . Seal 118 provides a fluid seal between mandrel 92 and the inner surface of housing 52 between cavity 60 and ports 56 . This places seal 118 below ports 56 , and thus on the opposite side of ports 56 from seal 116 , thereby limiting the axial travel of the lift fluid therebetween.
[0046] O-ring seal 120 is mounted in a groove on mandrel 86 between commutator 98 and upper retaining ring 88 of actuator 78 . Seal 120 provides a fluid seal between mandrel 86 and the inner surface of housing 52 between cavities 62 , 64 .
[0047] An additional O-ring seal 122 is mounted in a groove on the lower end of inner subassembly 70 to prevent the entry of dirty formation fluids between inner subassembly 70 and housing 52 .
[0048] Generator 50 can be operated remotely using an onboard controller 124 housed within housing 52 . Controller 124 is of any suitable type to provide the necessary control and signal processing associated with the operation of generator 50 such as a microprocessor, however, other types of digital or analog controllers can be used.
[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, controller 124 receives electricity from wires 104 , 106 . Controller 124 can be used to distribute the electricity to the various electrical components associated with generator 50 . For example, controller 124 may be used to provide electricity as well as operation information to sensors 108 , 110 to obtain reading for pressure, temperature, density, flow rate or similar parameters associated with the production fluids. This information may then be returned to controller 124 and stored in a memory device associated with controller 124 . Thereafter, controller 124 may provide electricity and operating parameters to telemetry device 112 such that information received from sensors 108 , 110 may be wirelessly sent to the surface via pressure pulses, acoustics, electromagnetic waves or other suitable techniques known in the art. In addition, controller 124 may direct electricity to batteries 114 for storage and later use when, for example, generator 50 is not generating electricity.
[0050] Controller 124 may also be used to control the electrical output of generator 50 . Specifically, controller 124 may monitor a characteristic of the generated electricity, for example magnitude. This sensed electricity can be correlated to the flow rate of lift fluid through ports 56 . As such, the degree of openness of ports 56 may be adjusted to create the desired electrical output. For example, if it is desired to produce more electricity based upon the electricity characteristic monitored by controller 124 , then controller 124 can send a signal to actuator 78 to upwardly shift inner subassembly 70 and increase the degree of openness of ports 56 . Alternatively, if it is determined by controller 124 that less electricity should be produced, then controller 124 can send a signal to actuator 78 to downwardly shift inner subassembly 70 and decrease the degree of openness of ports 56 .
[0051] In operation, generator 50 generates electricity by at least partially unobstructing ports 56 by upwardly shifting flow control device 72 such that lift fluid in the annulus outside generator 50 flows through ports 56 into the flow channel inside rotor 74 , as best seen in FIG. 4. This is performed in the illustrated embodiment of generator 50 by wirelessly sending a signal from the surface to telemetry system 112 to open ports 56 . This signal is sent to controller 124 where it is processed and sent to motor 80 . Motor 80 receives electricity from batteries 114 then operates rotating element 82 to axially upwardly shift ring 84 . This upwardly moves rotor 74 and flow control device 72 to open ports 56 . Alternatively, controller 124 can have an internal timer by which it is programmed to respond at preset time intervals to turn motor 80 on and off. Likewise, controller 124 may prompt motor 80 to operate based upon changes in the production fluid parameters sensed by sensors 108 , 110 .
[0052] The present invention uses feedback regarding the amount of electricity being generated by generator 50 in response to the lift fluid flow through rotor 74 with controller 124 . When the electrical signal indicates the desired electrical parameter is being achieved, motor 80 can be de-energized to stop the linear movement of inner subassembly 70 . Alternatively, motor 80 can be used to move inner subassembly 70 up and down to, respectively, increase or decrease the electrical output of generator 50 as desired.
[0053] When flow control device 72 has at least partially opened ports 56 , lift fluid drives rotor 74 which, in turn, rotates windings 94 and pole pieces 96 relative to magnets 100 and rotates commutator 98 relative to contacts 102 such that electricity is generated.
[0054] Another aspect of the operation of the present invention is moving flow control device 72 , together with rotor 74 , to selectively block ports 56 . As explained above, these components are moved together axially within housing 52 . The axial movement occurs in response to any suitable force which can be internally generated or externally applied. In the illustrated embodiment, motor 80 can be energized to drive inner subassembly 70 downwardly within housing 52 such that flow control device 72 closes ports 56 and prevents lift fluid from entering ports 56 .
[0055] It should be noted by those skilled in the art that even though the illustrated embodiments have depicted a rotatable electromagnetic assembly as the means for generating electricity, lift fluid could alternatively be used to provide the energy to generate electricity using other types of electricity generating devices including, but not limited to, expandable bladders, vibrating reeds, piezoelectric wafer stacks and the like, all of which are contemplated and considered within the scope of the present invention.
[0056] While this invention has been described with a reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments. | A lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator and method for generating and controlling the electrical output from the electrical generator is disclosed. The electrical generator comprises a housing having a lift fluid port in a sidewall portion thereof for allowing the flow of lift fluids therethrough. A rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing. The rotor converts lift fluid pressure to rotary motion when the lift fluid travels through the lift fluid port and impinges the rotor. The electrical generator also includes an electromagnetic assembly having a first portion that is rotatable with the rotor and a second portion that is stationary with the housing. The electromagnetic assembly converts the rotary motion to electricity as the first portion of an electromagnetic assembly rotates relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly. | Condense the core contents of the given document. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates in general to a downhole apparatus and method for generating electricity and, in particular to, a downhole electrical generator that uses lift fluid pressure to produce electricity which is used to operate other downhole devices.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with the operation of downhole electrical devices, as an example.",
"The control and operation of oil and gas production wells constitute an important and ongoing concern of the petroleum industry.",
"As an example, well control has become particularly important and more complex in view of the industry wide development of multilateral wells.",
"Generally speaking, multilateral wells have multiple branches each having discrete production zones which produce fluid into common or independent production tubing.",
"In either case, there is a need for controlling zone production, isolating specific zones and otherwise monitoring each zone in a particular well.",
"As a result, the methods and devices used for controlling wells are growing more complex.",
"In fact, downhole control systems which include downhole computerized modules employing downhole computers for commanding downhole tools such as packers, sliding sleeves and valves are becoming more common.",
"[0003] For example, using downhole sensors, a downhole computer controlled system may monitor actual downhole parameters such as pressure, temperature and flow to automatically execute control instructions based upon the monitored downhole parameters.",
"As should apparent, operating such a well control systems will require electrical power.",
"It has been found, however, that presently known methods of supplying or generating electricity downhole suffer from a variety of problems and deficiencies.",
"[0004] In one method, electricity may be supplied downhole by lowering a tool on a wireline and conducting electricity through one or more conductors in the wireline from the surface to the tool.",
"Similarly, hardwires may be attached on the exterior of the tubing running from the surface to the desired downhole location.",
"These techniques, however, are not desirable due to their cost and complexity.",
"In addition, in deep wells, there can be significant energy loss caused by the resistance or impedance in the wires.",
"[0005] Downhole electrical circuits utilizing batteries housed within a downhole assembly have also been attempted.",
"These batteries, however, can only provide moderate amounts of electrical energy at the elevated temperatures encountered downhole.",
"In addition, batteries have relatively short lives requiring frequent replacement and/or recharging.",
"[0006] Other attempts have been made to provide a downhole mechanism which continuously generates and supplies electricity.",
"For example, systems using radioisotopes, fuel cells and piezoelectric techniques have been attempted.",
"These systems, however, have raised safety and environmental concerns, are expensive and complex and/or do not generate suitable amounts of electricity.",
"[0007] A more promising approach to supplying electricity downhole appears to be the use of downhole electrical generators.",
"Previous attempts to operate downhole generators, however, have met with limited success.",
"Specifically, many downhole generators are installed within the tubing string which prevents the passage of other tools or equipment therethrough.",
"Other downhole generators have been proposed that are installed in side pockets thus allowing passage of equipment through the tubing.",
"[0008] All of these downhole generators, however, suffer from a serious drive problem.",
"Specifically, the turbines of these downhole generators are rotated by the upward flow of production fluids.",
"Not only does this create an undesirable pressure drop in the production fluids, but use of production fluids to drive turbines significantly limits the life expectancy of these downhole generators.",
"Specifically, the mechanical and chemical qualities of production fluids tend to erode and corrode the turbine as well as other components of these downhole generators.",
"In addition, tars and suspended solids in the production fluid tend to clog flow passageways within these downhole generators and prevent proper rotation of the rotors.",
"Also, the amount of the electrical output of these production fluid driven downhole generators is controlled by the flow rate of production fluid through the tubing which is dependent, in part, upon the pressure in the formation which decreases over time.",
"[0009] Therefore, a need has arisen for a downhole generator that is not driven by the flow of production fluids through the tubing.",
"A need has also arisen for such a downhole generator that does not cause a pressure drop within the production fluids.",
"Further, a need has arisen for such a downhole generator wherein the electrical output is not dependent upon the pressure in the formation from which the production fluids are produced.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention disclosed herein comprises a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator that does not use the flow of formation fluids to drive a turbine.",
"As such, the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention does not choke the flow of formation fluids up through the tubing.",
"In addition, the electrical output of the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention is not dependent upon the flow rate of formation fluids or the pressure in the formation from which the formation fluids are produced.",
"[0011] Broadly characterized, the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator, once positioned downhole in a tubing string, converts the lift fluid pressure into electricity.",
"For example, the lift fluid may be used to create rotary motion by impinging the lift fluid against a rotor.",
"The rotary motion may then be converted to electricity by rotating a first portion of an electromagnetic assembly relative to a second portion of the electromagnetic assembly.",
"[0012] The lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator comprises a housing having one or more lift fluid ports in a sidewall portion thereof for receiving the lift fluid from the annulus surrounding the tubing string.",
"A flow control device that is slidably disposed within the housing is used to selectively allow and prevent the flow of lift fluid through the lift fluid port.",
"The openness of the lift fluid port may be controlled by the operation of an actuator that is operably coupled to the flow control device.",
"The actuator may infinitely vary the openness of the lift fluid port between the fully open and fully closed positions in response to a signal from the surface received by a downhole telemetry system, a signal from a downhole sensor or a timer.",
"Alternatively, a controller may be used to monitor the electrical output of the downhole generator and then send a signal to adjust the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port to vary the electrical output of the downhole generator if desired.",
"[0013] When the lift fluid ports are open, a rotor, rotatably disposed within the housing, converts the lift fluid pressure to rotary motion as the lift fluid impinges the rotor.",
"The rotation of the rotor is imparted on the first portion of the electromagnetic assembly which is rotatable relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly, which is stationary with the housing.",
"This relative rotation within the electromagnetic assembly converts the rotary motion to electricity.",
"The first portion of the electromagnetic assembly includes a plurality of electrical windings wrapped around a core.",
"One end of the electrical windings is electrically coupling to a first portion of a commutator and the other end of the electrical windings is electrically coupling to a second portion of the commutator.",
"The second portion of the electromagnetic assembly includes magnets and at least two contact members that are stationary with the housing of the downhole electrical generator.",
"In operation, when the first portion of the electromagnetic assembly is rotated relative to the second portion of the electromagnetic assembly, a first contact member sequentially engages the first portion of the commutator then the second portion of the commutator while a second contact member simultaneously sequentially engages the second portion of the commutator then the first portion of the commutator.",
"As such, electricity is generated by the lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention.",
"[0014] In addition, the present invention may be used to control the electrical output of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator.",
"This is achieved by positioning the downhole electrical generator within a tubing string, injecting a lift fluid down an annulus surrounding the tubing string, providing a fluid communication path through the downhole electrical generator by varying the position of a flow control device relative to a lift fluid port, communicating lift fluid through the lift fluid port, rotating a rotor and an electromagnetic assembly such that electricity is generated in response to the flow of lift fluid through the fluid communication path, sensing the generated electricity to determine the electrical output of the downhole electrical generator and adjusting the flowrate of lift fluid through the fluid communication path by selectively varying the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port, thereby controlling the electrical output of the downhole generator.",
"[0015] More specifically, the step of sensing the generated electricity to determine the electrical output of the downhole electrical generator may include receiving a signal indicative of the magnitude of the electricity being generated with a controller, processing the signal in the controller and generating a control signal with the controller to vary the position of the flow control device relative to the lift fluid port.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: [0017] [0017 ]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an offshore oil and gas production platform operating a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention;",
"[0018] [0018 ]FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in its closed position;",
"[0019] [0019 ]FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in its fully open position;",
"and [0020] [0020 ]FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention in a partially open position.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0021] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts.",
"The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.",
"[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an offshore oil and gas production platform operating a lift fluid driven downhole electric generator is schematically illustrated and generally designated 10 .",
"A semi-submersible platform 12 is centered over a submerged oil and gas formation 14 located below sea floor 16 .",
"Wellhead 18 is located on deck 20 of platform 12 .",
"Well 22 extends through the sea 24 and penetrates the various earth strata including formation 14 to form wellbore 26 .",
"Disposed within wellbore 26 is casing 28 .",
"Disposed within casing 28 and extending from wellhead 18 is production tubing 30 .",
"A pair of seal assemblies 32 , 34 provide a seal between tubing 30 and casing 28 to prevent the flow of production fluids therebetween.",
"During production, formation fluids enter wellbore 26 through perforations 36 in casing 28 and travel into tubing 30 to wellhead 18 .",
"[0023] Coupled within tubing 30 is a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator 38 .",
"Downhole electrical generator 38 is driven by lift fluid communicated thereto from surface installation 40 , through fluid conduit 42 and the annulus between casing 28 and tubing 30 as will be explained in greater detail below.",
"[0024] In addition, the lift fluid may be used to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons from formation 14 by decreasing the hydrostatic head of the column of formation fluid in wellbore 26 .",
"Decreasing the hydrostatic head enhances recovery by reducing the amount of pressure required to lift the formation fluids to the surface.",
"Decreasing the density of the column of fluid extending from formation 14 to the surface reduces the hydrostatic head of this fluid column.",
"As such, mixing a lower density fluid into the formation fluids reduces the overall density of the fluid column and consequently decreases the hydrostatic head.",
"Accordingly, low density fluids, including liquids such as a hydraulic fluid or gases may be used.",
"[0025] Even though FIG. 1 depicts a vertical well, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for slanted wells, deviated wells or horizontal wells.",
"Also, even though FIG. 1 depicts an offshore operation, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations.",
"[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is depicted a lift fluid driven downhole electrical generator of the present invention that is generally designated 50 .",
"Generator 50 has an outer housing 52 that is a substantially cylindrical tubular member that is threadedly and sealingly coupled to tubing string 30 , as seen in FIG. 1, at its upper and lower ends.",
"It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, etc.",
"are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.",
"As such, it is to be understood that the downhole components described herein may be operated in vertical, horizontal, inverted or inclined orientations without deviating from the principles of the present invention.",
"[0027] Housing 52 has a primary flow passageway 54 extending longitudinally therethrough.",
"Housing 52 also has one or more lift fluid ports 56 radially extending through the side wall thereof.",
"In the illustrated embodiment, multiple ports 56 are disposed around the same circumference of housing 52 , however, other ports could be disposed either above or below ports 56 along the length of housing 52 if desired.",
"[0028] Housing 52 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or ceramic capable of withstanding the pressures, temperatures and substances downhole.",
"The material for housing 52 may be machined or formed to have a desired shape and size including a radially expanded inner diameter region 58 and interior cavities 60 , 62 and 64 for purposes to be described below.",
"[0029] Disposed within radially expended inner diameter region 58 of housing 52 is an inner subassembly 70 that is rotatably and axially moveable relative to housing 52 .",
"Inner subassembly 70 has a primary flow passageway extending longitudinally therethrough that preferable has the same inner diameter as primary flow passageway 54 of housing 52 .",
"Inner subassembly 70 includes a flow control device 72 for selectively allowing fluid flow or preventing fluid flow through ports 56 .",
"Flow control device 72 is disposed in housing 52 such that flow control device 72 is moveable between a closed position, fully obstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 2, a fully open position, completely unobstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 3, and a partially open position partially obstructing ports 56 , as best seen in FIG. 4. As will be explained below, the position of flow control device 72 is infinitely variable relative to ports 56 such that the electrical output of generator 50 may be controlled.",
"[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, flow control device 72 is an annular body made of a suitable material providing for a bearing seal between the exterior surface of flow control device 72 and the interior surface of housing 52 , such as a metal-to-metal seal.",
"As illustrated, the height of flow control device 72 is sufficient to overlie ports 56 when ports 56 are to be closed.",
"[0031] Alternatively, instead of using an integral flow control device such as flow control device 72 , the flowrate of lift fluid into lift fluid ports 56 may be controlled by lift fluid valves installed within lift fluid ports 72 or in a side pocket mandrel adjacent thereto.",
"The openness of the lift fluid valves may be controlled using known techniques, but are preferably electrically controlled.",
"[0032] Inner subassembly 70 includes a rotor 74 that provides an interface with the lift fluid whereby rotor 74 is driven by the lift fluid entering generator 50 through ports 56 .",
"Rotor 74 is used to convert fluid flow to mechanical power.",
"Specifically, rotor 74 is connected to flow control device 72 such that as flow control device 72 opens ports 56 , flow of a lift fluid into ports 56 impinges rotor 74 to rotate rotor 74 .",
"In one embodiment, the connection between rotor 74 and flow control device 72 is such that both move linearly and rotate together.",
"In another embodiment, joint linear movement occurs but rotor 74 can rotate relative to flow control device 72 using, for example, a sealed bearing coupling.",
"[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, rotor 74 has two degrees of motion.",
"Rotor 74 can rotate about its longitudinal axis and rotor 74 can move linearly or axially within housing 52 .",
"In the illustrated embodiment, this linear movement occurs simultaneously with and in conjunction with the longitudinal movement of flow control device 72 .",
"As illustrated, flow control device 72 and rotor 74 are linearly disposed and adjoin each other within radially expended inner diameter region 58 of housing 52 .",
"[0034] Rotor 74 of the illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical squirrel cage configuration comprising a plurality of angled vanes 76 that are circumferentially separated such that the spaces between vanes 76 permit radial fluid flow between the outside and the inside of rotor 74 and such that an axial channel is defined through rotor 74 to permit axial flow between adjoined vanes 76 as well as through generator 50 .",
"As such, rotor 74 is driven by lift fluid flowing into generator 50 through open ports 56 .",
"The resulting mechanical power of rotor 74 is used to generate electricity as explained below.",
"[0035] As mentioned above, rotor 74 and flow control device 72 are connected such that they can be moved linearly within housing 52 .",
"In the illustrated embodiment, this movement is caused by an actuator 78 .",
"Actuator 78 moves flow control device 72 and rotor 74 linearly to variably adjust the openness of ports 56 and to provide infinite flow control throughout the continuum between fully closed and fully opened.",
"[0036] Actuator 78 is mounted within interior cavity 64 of housing 52 and is coupled to inner subassembly 70 linking actuator 78 with rotor 74 .",
"Operation of actuator 78 moves inner subassembly 70 , including rotor 74 and flow control device 72 axially within housing 52 to displace flow control device 72 relative to ports 56 .",
"[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 78 includes a motor 80 .",
"Motor 80 includes a rotating element 82 having a threaded inner surface which engages a threaded outer surface of a ring 84 .",
"Ring 84 is axially fixed with respect to linear movement relative to mandrel 86 of inner subassembly 70 by retaining rings 88 , 90 .",
"Ring 84 is rotatably coupled on mandrel 86 such that mandrel 86 can rotate inside ring 84 .",
"To obtain axial movement, ring 84 is maintained rotationally stationary relative to rotating element 82 of motor 80 so that operation of rotating element 82 drives ring 84 and mandrel 86 up or down as desired.",
"[0038] Alternatively, linear movement of inner subassembly 70 inside housing 52 could be achieved manually using a shifting tool.",
"For example, such a shifting tool can be connected to either end of inner subassembly 70 and operated to mechanically pull or push inner subassembly 70 up or down.",
"[0039] In the illustrated embedment, when actuator 78 has moved flow control device 72 to a partially or fully open position, lift fluid induced rotation of rotor 74 may now occur.",
"Such rotation, in turn, causes operation of an electromagnetic assembly 90 .",
"Electromagnetic assembly 90 provides an electrical interface which converts mechanical power to electricity.",
"[0040] Electromagnetic assembly 90 includes a mandrel 92 that provides support for a plurality of electrical windings 94 , a plurality of pole pieces 96 and a commutator 98 , which are also considered to be part of electromagnetic assembly 90 .",
"Mandrel 92 is connected to rotor 74 .",
"As illustrated, mandrel 92 and rotor 74 are integral and unitary, being constructed with the same tubing piece.",
"Mandrel 92 is also coupled to mandrel 86 .",
"[0041] The plurality of electrical windings 94 are wound on mandrel 92 .",
"The plurality of pole pieces 96 are disposed radially outwardly of windings 94 so that pole pieces 96 overlie windings 94 .",
"Commutator 98 serves as a brush ring and is connected to electrical windings 94 in a known manner so that one end of windings 94 is connected to one or more electrically parallel segments of commutator 98 and the other end of windings 94 is connected to one or more different electrically parallel segments of commutator 98 .",
"Commutator 98 is made of suitable electrically conductive material.",
"[0042] Electromagnetic assembly 90 also includes a plurality of magnets 100 mounted within interior cavity 60 of housing 52 such that magnets 100 interact with electromagnetic fields generated by electrical windings 94 .",
"The position of cavity 60 , and thus of magnets 100 within cavity 60 , is such that magnets 100 and pole pieces 96 are substantially aligned throughout the linear travel of inner subassembly 70 within housing 52 .",
"[0043] Electromagnetic assembly 90 also includes a plurality of contacts 102 mounted within interior cavity 62 of housing 52 .",
"In the illustrated embodiment, contacts 102 are electrically conductive members such as brushes, that overlie and engage respective segments of commutator 98 .",
"At least one contact 102 engages one section of commutator 98 connected to one end of windings 94 and at least one other contact 102 engages a different section of commutator 98 connected to the other end of windings 94 .",
"Contacts 102 and commutator 98 are sized sufficiently so that electrical contact is made throughout the linear movement of inner subassembly 70 relative to housing 52 .",
"Contacts 102 provide an interface to electrical wires such as wires 104 , 106 .",
"Electricity generated by the present invention travels within wires 104 , 106 .",
"This electricity can be used for powering devices for sensing parameters of the production fluid such as temperature, pressure, flow, density and the like using downhole sensors 108 , 110 .",
"Likewise, the electricity may be used to power a downhole telemetry system 112 that may communicate with the surface via pressure pulses, acoustics, electromagnetic waves or other suitable wireless techniques.",
"In addition, the electricity may be used to recharge batteries 114 .",
"[0044] To keep the lift fluid within the rotor section of inner subassembly 70 and to isolate the electrical components of electromagnetic assembly 90 from the lift fluid, the illustrated embodiment includes three seals.",
"An O-ring seal 116 is mounted in a groove defined around the upper end of flow control device 72 .",
"This places seal 116 above ports 56 .",
"Seal 116 provides a fluid seal between flow control device 72 and the inner surface of housing 52 .",
"[0045] An O-ring seal 118 is mounted in a groove in mandrel 92 near the juncture of rotor 74 and mandrel 92 .",
"Seal 118 provides a fluid seal between mandrel 92 and the inner surface of housing 52 between cavity 60 and ports 56 .",
"This places seal 118 below ports 56 , and thus on the opposite side of ports 56 from seal 116 , thereby limiting the axial travel of the lift fluid therebetween.",
"[0046] O-ring seal 120 is mounted in a groove on mandrel 86 between commutator 98 and upper retaining ring 88 of actuator 78 .",
"Seal 120 provides a fluid seal between mandrel 86 and the inner surface of housing 52 between cavities 62 , 64 .",
"[0047] An additional O-ring seal 122 is mounted in a groove on the lower end of inner subassembly 70 to prevent the entry of dirty formation fluids between inner subassembly 70 and housing 52 .",
"[0048] Generator 50 can be operated remotely using an onboard controller 124 housed within housing 52 .",
"Controller 124 is of any suitable type to provide the necessary control and signal processing associated with the operation of generator 50 such as a microprocessor, however, other types of digital or analog controllers can be used.",
"[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, controller 124 receives electricity from wires 104 , 106 .",
"Controller 124 can be used to distribute the electricity to the various electrical components associated with generator 50 .",
"For example, controller 124 may be used to provide electricity as well as operation information to sensors 108 , 110 to obtain reading for pressure, temperature, density, flow rate or similar parameters associated with the production fluids.",
"This information may then be returned to controller 124 and stored in a memory device associated with controller 124 .",
"Thereafter, controller 124 may provide electricity and operating parameters to telemetry device 112 such that information received from sensors 108 , 110 may be wirelessly sent to the surface via pressure pulses, acoustics, electromagnetic waves or other suitable techniques known in the art.",
"In addition, controller 124 may direct electricity to batteries 114 for storage and later use when, for example, generator 50 is not generating electricity.",
"[0050] Controller 124 may also be used to control the electrical output of generator 50 .",
"Specifically, controller 124 may monitor a characteristic of the generated electricity, for example magnitude.",
"This sensed electricity can be correlated to the flow rate of lift fluid through ports 56 .",
"As such, the degree of openness of ports 56 may be adjusted to create the desired electrical output.",
"For example, if it is desired to produce more electricity based upon the electricity characteristic monitored by controller 124 , then controller 124 can send a signal to actuator 78 to upwardly shift inner subassembly 70 and increase the degree of openness of ports 56 .",
"Alternatively, if it is determined by controller 124 that less electricity should be produced, then controller 124 can send a signal to actuator 78 to downwardly shift inner subassembly 70 and decrease the degree of openness of ports 56 .",
"[0051] In operation, generator 50 generates electricity by at least partially unobstructing ports 56 by upwardly shifting flow control device 72 such that lift fluid in the annulus outside generator 50 flows through ports 56 into the flow channel inside rotor 74 , as best seen in FIG. 4. This is performed in the illustrated embodiment of generator 50 by wirelessly sending a signal from the surface to telemetry system 112 to open ports 56 .",
"This signal is sent to controller 124 where it is processed and sent to motor 80 .",
"Motor 80 receives electricity from batteries 114 then operates rotating element 82 to axially upwardly shift ring 84 .",
"This upwardly moves rotor 74 and flow control device 72 to open ports 56 .",
"Alternatively, controller 124 can have an internal timer by which it is programmed to respond at preset time intervals to turn motor 80 on and off.",
"Likewise, controller 124 may prompt motor 80 to operate based upon changes in the production fluid parameters sensed by sensors 108 , 110 .",
"[0052] The present invention uses feedback regarding the amount of electricity being generated by generator 50 in response to the lift fluid flow through rotor 74 with controller 124 .",
"When the electrical signal indicates the desired electrical parameter is being achieved, motor 80 can be de-energized to stop the linear movement of inner subassembly 70 .",
"Alternatively, motor 80 can be used to move inner subassembly 70 up and down to, respectively, increase or decrease the electrical output of generator 50 as desired.",
"[0053] When flow control device 72 has at least partially opened ports 56 , lift fluid drives rotor 74 which, in turn, rotates windings 94 and pole pieces 96 relative to magnets 100 and rotates commutator 98 relative to contacts 102 such that electricity is generated.",
"[0054] Another aspect of the operation of the present invention is moving flow control device 72 , together with rotor 74 , to selectively block ports 56 .",
"As explained above, these components are moved together axially within housing 52 .",
"The axial movement occurs in response to any suitable force which can be internally generated or externally applied.",
"In the illustrated embodiment, motor 80 can be energized to drive inner subassembly 70 downwardly within housing 52 such that flow control device 72 closes ports 56 and prevents lift fluid from entering ports 56 .",
"[0055] It should be noted by those skilled in the art that even though the illustrated embodiments have depicted a rotatable electromagnetic assembly as the means for generating electricity, lift fluid could alternatively be used to provide the energy to generate electricity using other types of electricity generating devices including, but not limited to, expandable bladders, vibrating reeds, piezoelectric wafer stacks and the like, all of which are contemplated and considered within the scope of the present invention.",
"[0056] While this invention has been described with a reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense.",
"Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description.",
"It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to European patent application 08154823.2filed 18 Apr. 2008 and U.S. provisional patent application 61/071,262 filed 18 Apr. 2008 and is the national phase of PCT/EP2008/064097 filed 20 Oct. 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an actuator device comprising a holder element, provided to be fixed against a device operated on by the actuator device, an actuator body displaceable in a longitudinal direction along said holder element, a guide means provided so as to guide said actuator body along said holder element, wherein said actuator body comprises a first part, which is operable from outside the device, and a second part, which is movable in said longitudinal direction in relation to the first part, and wherein said actuator body is displaceable in the longitudinal direction from a first, non-actuated position to a second, actuated position, in which said second part is rotationally displaced in relation to said first part and abuts an abutment surface on the holder element such that motion of the second part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position is inhibited. “Rotationally displaced” should be understood as rotationally displaced in relation to the rotational position adopted by the second part in relation to the first part in the first position.
The invention also relates to an electric switching device that comprises an actuator device according the invention and an electric device on which the actuator body of the actuator device exerts a force in said longitudinal direction and to which the holder element of the actuator device is fixedly attached. Typically, but not necessarily, the actuator is an emergency stop operator and the electric device operated on is a set of contact blocks, i.e. a breaker. Preferably, but not necessarily, the electric device operated on by means of the actuator device of the invention is a low voltage device, i.e. a device in which the applied voltage is below 1 kV.
Preferably, the holder element is a sleeve, in which the actuator body is displaceable in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the actuator body is connected to a handle or push button for the external handling thereof, and arranged so as to exert a force on said electric device upon displacement thereof from the above-mentioned first position to the second position, typically for the purpose of acting on a contact block such that an electric circuit is broken. However, the invention also includes the inversed function, i.e. opening of an electric circuit by such actuation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Emergency stop operators are used in connection to electric machines for the purpose of actuating one or more contact blocks that control the flow of electric current through such machines. The contact blocks define switches or breakers. Normally, the emergency stop operator comprises a handle by means of which an actuator body in the operator is pushed in a direction towards the contact block in order to generate the breaking of an electric circuit through a displacement of individual contacts in the contact block.
Prior art includes operators in which the actuator body is spring loaded and provided with a latch means formed by a pin that, once the actuator body has been pushed to an active position, such as the initially defined second position, will abut an abutment surface of a sleeve that guides the actuator body and is fixedly attached to the contactor block. The pin may be spring loaded and the abutment surface thereof, or the abutment surface of the sleeve, may be inclined such that the pin will be depressed and will pass the abutment surface upon a given counterforce from the contact block. Accordingly, the actuator body may accidentally return to its first, inactive, position if the counterforce exerted by the contact block is large enough. This is a drawback of this type of operators, since the spring-loading of the pin must be adapted to the different counterforce that may exist depending on the type and number of contact blocks acted upon by the operator.
In order to remedy such drawbacks prior art includes a design as initially defined in this application. According to the teaching of this prior art the second part of the actuator body is a so called gear ring, provided with a plurality of inclined abutment surfaces arranged so as to engage with corresponding abutment surfaces on the inner periphery of the holder element. The gear ring is free to rotate in relation to the first part of the actuator body. The first part of the actuator body is in direction contact with the contactor block. The gear ring is able to slide longitudinally along a central part of the first part of the actuator body. The abutment surfaces of the gear ring and the corresponding abutment surfaces of the sleeve are arranged such that, upon displacement of the actuator body from the first to the second position, and provided that there is a counter pressure from the contact block, the gear ring will be moved to a position in which it rides on a first abutment surface and rotationally moves to a position in which it is located in a stable abutting position, thereby preventing itself and the first part from moving back towards the first position. Each abutment surface of the sleeve is formed as a double cam. Upon a further pushing of the actuator body in the same direction, though from the second position, the gear ring will move in the longitudinal direction in relation to the sleeve abutment, will pass a top of the latter and will slide down the abutment surface of a second cam thereof, thereby rotating slightly, and will eventually go free from the double-cam abutment and will be able to return to the first position.
Prior art also include solutions in which there is required a rotation of the handle in order to achieve the requested result.
However, the above-mentioned kind of double push manoeuvring of the actuator body, and the handle, of this emergency operator of prior art in order to activate and deactivate the operator may be found somewhat illogical. It would be more logical to simply push the handle, or button, connected to the actuator body in a straight rectilinear direction in order to activate the actuator, and to pull back the button or handle in a corresponding opposite rectilinear direction in order to deactivate the actuator.
THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to present an actuator device of a design that enables the actuator body to displaced from the first position to the second position by pushing the actuator body in a first direction, and enables the actuator body to be displaced from the second position to the first position only by pulling the first part of the actuator body in a direction opposite to the first direction.
The design of the actuator device should also be such that, in the second position, the first part of the actuator body is unloaded, and such that pushing back of the actuator body by the counterforce from the device operated on is prevented and not dependent on the spring-loading of the actuator body or any latch means or pin connected thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is achieved by means of the initially defined actuator device, characterised in that said first part comprises a rotational locking means that engages said second part in said second position and locks it rotationally in that position. Thereby, the first part, which is locked in a predetermined rotational position by the guide means, will lock the second part in a rotational position in which the latter abuts the abutment surface or surfaces of the holder element and inhibits a motion thereof towards the first position. However once the first part is refracted in the opposite direction, i.e. pulled back towards the first position, such that it looses its rotationally locking engagement with the second part, the latter will be able to rotate to a position in which it does not abut the abutment surface or surfaces of said abutment of the holder element. In order to enable such rotational motion of the second part, the abutment surfaces of either the holder element or the second part should be sloping and free from any depression that might generate a stable abutment position. Accordingly, the abutment between the second part and the holder element preventing the second part from moving towards the first position in the longitudinal direction in the in the second position is of an unstable type, and will be released once the rotational locking of the second part ceases. In the first position, the locking means are inactive, and there is no interlocking of the first and second parts by means thereof. The use of the term “rotational locking means” does not imply that the means in itself is rotational, but primarily that it locks such that a rotational motion of the second part in relation to the first part is inhibited. Rotation is referred to as a rotating motion around a rotational axis parallel with said longitudinal direction, and preferably in relation to the holder element, which should be fixed in relation to a device operated on when being in its operative position. It should also be mentioned that it is assumed that the device operated on by means of the actuator device applies a counter force on said second part when the latter is in the second position, thereby striving to push the actuator body back to the first position.
According to a preferred embodiment, in the first position, said first part and said second part are rotationally locked by said guide means, and in said second position only said first part is rotationally locked by said guide means.
Preferably said rotational locking means comprises at least one projection projecting in the longitudinal direction of the first part. It is preferred that the second part abuts an end of such a projection in the first position. Such a projection will then, upon rotation of the second part, be able to engage a corresponding recess in the second part and rotationally lock the latter, such as is the case in the above-mentioned second position. Preferably, said at least one projection extends in the longitudinal direction of the first part and is engaged with said guide means. Preferably, the guide means comprises a plurality of splines or ribs with running in the longitudinal direction of the holder element. The at least one projection engages these ribs and rotationally locks the first part in relation to the holder element.
According to one embodiment said rotational locking means comprises an inclined abutment surface at an end thereof towards said second part. It is preferred that the second part abuts this inclined abutment surface. Thereby, once a position in the longitudinal direction in which the second part is no longer rotationally locked by the guide means is reached, the inclined abutment surface will induce a rotational sliding motion of the second part to a rotational position in which the projection is able to engage a corresponding recess in the second part. Preferably, said at least one projection comprises a first wall surface extending in said longitudinal direction, a sloping abutment surface extending from a top of said wall, and, possibly, a second wall surface extending in the longitudinal direction from an opposite end of the sloping abutment surface. Between two projections there is a recess in which a corresponding projection of the second part may rest.
Preferably, said rotational locking means comprises a plurality of projections projecting in the longitudinal direction of the first part. Thereby, small rotational displacements of the second part may be induced by said projections. Preferably, each projection presents an inclined end surface forming an abutment surface against which a corresponding surface of the second part rests in the first position of the actuator body. In accordance with this teaching, the first part presents a corresponding recesses between each part of projections. Provided that the second part comprises at least one projection arranged to abut the end of any such projection in the first position, that projection of the second part will be able of sliding into an adjacent recess of the first part upon rotation thereof into the second position, and rotational locking will be achieved.
According to one embodiment said plurality of projections are distributed along an annular path at the end of said first part. Preferably, the projections define a step ring, preferably arranged so as to cooperate with a corresponding step ring defined by the second part. However, it should be understood that a plurality of alternative embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the number of projections on first and second part may differ largely, the important feature being that the projections of one part fits in the recesses of the other part, in order to promote a tight rotational locking and a smooth transfer between first and second positions.
According to the invention, said second part comprises an engagement means arranged so as to engage said rotational locking means in said second position. This is a direct consequence of the fact that the first part comprises a means for rotational locking of the second part. Said locking means must have something to engage, and accordingly, the second part comprises such engagement means. These engagement means may, accordingly, as well be regarded as locking means for the rotational locking of the second part against the first part.
Preferably, said engagement means comprises at least one projection projecting in the longitudinal direction of the second part. Such a projection may cooperate with a recess between two corresponding projections of the first part in order to lock the second part rotationally in relation to the first part.
According to one embodiment, said at least one projection comprises an inclined abutment surface at an end thereof pointing towards said first part. As previously described for the first part, the inclination will promote a rotational displacement of the second part in relation to a corresponding abutment surface of the first part once the second part becomes rotationally unlocked by the guide means on its way to the second position, provided that there is a certain counter pressure from the device acted on by means of the present actuator body. Preferably, the at lest one projection of the second part has a design corresponding to or equal to the one previously described for the at least one projection of the first part.
According to the teaching of the invention, said at least one projection of the second part is in longitudinal alignment with said at least one projection of first part in said first position. Accordingly, in said first position, the abutment surface of the at least one projection of the first part abuts the at least one abutment surface of the second part. When the actuator body is moved towards the second position, the second part will be released from its engagement with the guide means. Due to the inclination of the abutment surfaces, and the counter pressure from the device acted upon, the second part will rotate a step, and the second part will slip into its rotational interlocking with the first part as the projections of the respective part projects into recesses between projections of the other part. Accordingly, in the second position, the second part will be closer to the first part in the longitudinal direction.
Accordingly, in said second position, said at least one projection of said second part is rotationally displaced in relation to a corresponding projection of the first part, and longitudinally displaced such that it overlaps the latter in said longitudinal direction.
Preferably, said second part comprises a plurality of said projections, said projections being distributed along an annular path at an end of said second part pointing towards said first part. It is preferred that the number of projections correspond to the number of projections on the first part. It is also preferred that the inclined abutment surfaces correspond to those of the first part such that, in the first position, the projections of the first part and second part that are in alignment with each other define continuous ribs in the longitudinal direction of the device.
According to the invention, said holder element comprises at least one abutment surface that, in said second position, abuts a corresponding abutment surface of the second part, thereby inhibiting said second part from moving longitudinally towards said first position. Preferably, the abutment surface of the second part is the abutment surface of said at least one projection, and preferably it is inclined in order to promote a sliding and a rotation of the second part from its rotational position in the second position to its rotational position in the first position upon refraction of the first part from the second position.
Preferably, the at least one abutment surface of the holder element is inclined, in order to promote a sliding and a rotation of the second part from its rotational position in the second position to its rotational position in the first position upon retraction of the first part from the second position. Thereby, the second part will slide off smoothly from said abutment, and will be able to follow the first part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position. Preferably, the inclination of the abutment surface or surfaces of the holder element has the same inclination direction, and preferably also the same inclination angle, as the abutment surface or surfaces of the first part.
Accordingly, in said second position, said inclined abutment surface of said at least one projection of said second part abuts a corresponding inclined abutment surface of the holder element.
As previously mentioned, it is preferred that said guide means comprises at least one rim extending in the longitudinal direction of the holder element.
Preferably, said guide means comprises a plurality of rims extending in the longitudinal direction of he holder element and distributed on a peripheral surface of the holder element.
It is also preferred that said at least one inclined abutment surface of the holder element is formed by an end of said guide means. Preferably, when the guide means comprises a plurality of rims or splines, each such rim has an inclined end surface towards acting as an abutment surface against corresponding abutment surfaces of the second part. The abutment surface of each rim defines a single cam, in contrast to the double cam design of push-push operators of prior art. In other words the abutment surface cooperating with an abutment surface of the second part is a single sloping surface at an end of a projection, preferably formed by a rim of the guide means. Thereby, the abutment position, i.e. the second position, will be unstable and will require the rotational locking of the second part by means of the first part in cooperation with the guide means on order to be retained.
It is a characterising feature of he present invention that, during displacement of the actuator body from the first position to the second position, the second part of the actuator body is arranged such that a force exerted by operation of the first part is applied to a device operated on through said second part. In other words a force generated by, for example, manual pushing of a push button connected to the first part of the actuator body, will be transferred through the second part to the device thereby operated on.
It is also a feature of he preset invention that said second part is an end part of said body, through which a reaction force from a device operated on by the actuator device in said second position will be transferred to the holder element through said abutment surface of the holder element. In other words, since, in the second position, the second part of the actuator body is prevented from moving longitudinally back towards the first position due to the interaction of the locking means of the first part and the engagement means of the second part, and due to the fact that it abuts the abutment surfaces of the holder element, a counter pressure in the longitudinal direction from the device operated on will be adopted by the second part and the holder element. Thereby, the first part will be released from any counterforce acting in the longitudinal direction, and, accordingly, any possible spring loading thereof must not be adapted to the size of the counterforce of the device operated on.
According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator device comprises a latch element that is displaceable in a direction crosswise to said longitudinal direction and that, in said second position of he actuator body, abuts a second abutment on the holder element, thereby preventing the first part of said actuator body from accidentally returning to the first position. The latch element may be arranged so as to move in the longitudinal direction between a first position on one side of said second abutment, in the first position of the actuator body, and a second position on the opposite side of said second abutment, corresponding to the second position of the actuator body. Preferably the latch element is positioned in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction on the actuator body with regard to the position of said first part. The latch element, or another separate latch element, may be arranged such that a predetermined force, large enough for releasing said latch element from a longitudinally locking engagement with the holder element, must be applied on the actuator body, possibly through a handle, in order to permit displacement of the actuator body from the first position to the second position.
Preferably, at least one of said latch element or second abutment presents an inclined surface such that the latch element will be forced from its abutting engagement with the second abutment upon pulling of said first part in a direction from the second to the first position.
Preferably, the latch element is spring loaded in a direction cross-wise to the longitudinal direction of the actuator device. It is also preferred that there be an inclined surface on an actuator mechanism, connected to a handle or forming part o a handle, that will abut the latch element and displace the latter in the direction crosswise to the longitudinal direction upon displacement of said actuator mechanism in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the crosswise displacement of the latch element in order to enable disengagement thereof from the holder element and displacement thereof from the first to the second position is to be achieved by pushing the handle and the actuator mechanism longitudinally towards the actuator body.
According to one embodiment, said holder element is a sleeve inside which said actuator body is displaceably arranged.
According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator element is an emergency stop operator.
The invention also relates to an electric switching device, characterised in that it comprises an actuator device according to the invention and an electric device on which the actuator body of the actuator device exerts a force in said longitudinal direction and to which the holder element of the actuator device is fixedly attached or at least fixedly positioned. The actuator body may, preferably, be arranged so as to displace a certain part of the device operated on, such as the contact blocks or a switch part of an electric breaker.
Thereby, it is preferred that said actuator device is an emergency stop operator and that said electric device comprises a contact block to be acted on by the emergency stop operator.
Further features and advantages of he present invention will be presented in the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Hereinafter an embodiment of the invention will be described more in detail with reference to the annexed drawing on which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a an actuator device according to the invention with its actuator body in a first, inactive position,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 1 , but with the actuator body in a second, activated position,
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the actuator device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ,
FIG. 4 is a second exploded view of the actuator device shown in FIGS. 1-3 ,
FIG. 5 is a perspective, partly cut and partly exploded view showing the guide means of the actuator device more clearly,
FIG. 6 is a partly cut perspective view showing the actuator device in the first position,
FIG. 7 is a partly cut perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6 , showing the actuator device in the second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an actuator device 1 according to the invention. The actuator device 1 comprises a holder element 2 , an actuator body 3 , and a handle 4 connected to the actuator body 3 . In FIG. 1 there is also indicated, with reference number 5 , a device operated on by means of the actuator device. In the preferred embodiment the actuator device 1 is an emergency stop operator and the device 5 operated on is a contact block of a breaker of an electric machine. The actuator device 1 extends in its longitudinal direction towards the device 5 operated on. The longitudinal direction is the direction in which the actuator body 4 of the actuator device 1 is to be displaced in order to act on the device 5 operated on. In other words, the use of the word longitudinal does not mean that the actuator device necessarily is elongated in said direction.
The holder element 2 is fixedly connected to a frame 30 in which the device 5 operated on is fixedly located, and the actuator device 1 is arranged so as to displace a part, here a switch part 29 , of the device 5 operated on in said longitudinal direction in order to close or break an electric circuit. The holder element 2 comprises a sleeve which, in its turn, is subdivided in an inner sleeve 6 and an outer sleeve 7 . The handle 4 comprises a push-button arranged on the outer periphery of the holder element 2 , and arranged to be displaced by a sliding motion on the latter in the longitudinal direction. The bush-button 4 is of tubular shape with an end wall or end cap at its end remote from the device 5 operated on.
The actuator body 3 comprises a first part 8 , a second part 9 forming an end of actuator body towards the device 5 operated on, an intermediate part 10 onto which the first part 9 is non-rotationally attached and onto a central prolonging of which the second part 9 is rotationally arranged and longitudinally displaceably arranged. The second part 9 is prevented from full removal from first part 8 in the longitudinal direction by means of a stop element 28 formed by a knob at the end of the intermediate part 10 . As an alternative the intermediate part 10 could as well be an integrated part of the first part 8 . Accordingly, what is heretofore and hereinafter said concerning the intermediate part 10 may be valid for the first part 8 if, according to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate part would be an integrated part of the first part. In the actuator body 3 , more precisely in a space in the intermediate part 10 thereof, there is provided a latch means 11 formed by a pin which is arranged so as to be displaced in a cross-wise, radial direction relative to said longitudinal direction.
There is provided an opening 12 in a wall of the intermediate for the passage of the pin 11 in said radial direction. In said space of the intermediate part 10 there is also provided a spring 13 that applies a force on the pin 11 in a radial direction from the centre of the intermediate part 10 towards the holder element 2 , more precisely towards the inner sleeve 6 thereof.
The actuator device also comprises an actuator mechanism 14 through which the actuator body 3 is connected to the handle 4 . The actuator mechanism 14 is directly connected to the handle 4 and displaceable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the actuator body 3 to a limited degree. The actuator mechanism 14 presents a sloping abutment surface 15 that upon displacement thereof in the above-mentioned first direction will push the pin 11 in a radial direction inwards. The intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 will not initially follow the motion of the mechanism 14 since the pin 11 abuts an abutment heel 16 provided on the inner periphery of the inner sleeve 6 of the holder element 2 . The actuator mechanism 14 is fixedly connected to the handle 4 and may, as an alternative be regarded as a part thereof, and may even be an integrated part thereof. However, it is preferred that it is a separate part, e.g. for facilitating assembly and disassembly of the device.
There is provided a spring 17 that in one end thereof abuts the actuator mechanism 14 and in the other end thereof abuts an abutment of 18 on the intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 . Thus the actuator mechanism 14 and the handle 4 is spring-loaded in relation to the actuator body 3 in the longitudinal direction by means of said spring 17 . The force applied by the spring 17 is a pushing force acting so as to push the actuator mechanism 14 and the actuator body 3 away from each other in the longitudinal direction. However, such motion of the mechanism 14 and the body 3 is restricted by an engagement means formed by cooperating abutment heels 25 , 26 on the mechanism 14 and the intermediate part 10 of the body 3 respectively.
Accordingly a pushing of the handle 4 in a first direction towards the device 5 operated on will result in an initial displacement of the actuator mechanism 14 up to a point at which the pin 11 is refracted enough to pass the abutment heel 16 . Then the spring force of the spring 17 between the handle and the actuator body 3 will force the actuator body 3 in the first direction as the pin 11 goes free from the abutment heel 16 . Thereby, the actuator body 3 is displaced in the first direction to such a degree that the pin passes the abutment heel 16 . The actuator body 3 is also displaced in said first direction in relation to the actuator mechanism 14 such that the sloping abutment surface 15 of the latter will be retracted in relation thereto and will once again permit the pin 11 to project in the radial direction such that it once again overlaps and abuts the abutment heel 16 , but now in a second position on the opposite side of the latter. In this second position the actuator mechanism 14 abuts the intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 , by means of the cooperating abutment heels 25 , 26 , such that a pulling of the actuator mechanism 14 in a second direction opposite to said first direction will result in a corresponding displacement of the actuator body 3 in said second direction. The pin 11 is provided with an inclined abutment surface on the side that in, the second position of the actuator body 3 , abuts the abutment heel 16 . As a result thereof, the pin 11 will slide radially inwards and be refracted upon pulling of the actuator body 3 in the second direction, whereby the pin 11 will be able to pass the abutment heel 16 while going back to its first position in which it abuts the heel 16 on the opposite side thereof.
The inner sleeve 6 is provided with a guide means 19 formed by rims or splines extending in the longitudinal direction on the inner periphery of said sleeve. Up to a point when the second position is reached, the guide means 19 guides the first part 8 and the second part 9 of the actuator body 3 in the meaning that they prevent rotation thereof around a rotation axis parallel with the longitudinal direction as defined herein. When the second position of the actuator body 3 is being reached the second part 9 of the actuator body goes free from the guide means 19 in the meaning that it is no longer prevented from rotating by said guide means 19 .
In order to engage the guide means 19 , the first part 8 of the actuator body comprises projections 20 that extend in radial as well as in longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of said first part 8 . The number of projections 20 correspond to the number of rims or splines on the guide means 19 . At the axial end of each the projections closest to the second part 9 there is provided an inclined abutment surface 21 onto which a corresponding abutment surface of the second part 9 will bear in the first position and all the way to the second position of the actuator body 3 . The first part 8 of the actuator body 3 may be regarded as a rotationally fixed gear.
The second part 9 also comprises projections 22 that extend in the longitudinal direction towards the first part 8 as well as in the radial direction in order to enable engagement with the guide means 19 . The number of projections 22 of the second part 9 corresponds to the number of projections 20 of the first part 8 , and with the number of rims or splines of the guide means 19 . Each projection 22 of the second part 9 has an inclined abutment surface 23 at an end thereof directed towards the first part 8 .
In the first position of the actuator body 3 , the projections 20 of the first part 8 are in alignment with the projections 22 of the second part 9 such that they form continuous rims extending in the recesses formed between pairs of rims or splines of the guide means 19 . The inclined abutment surfaces 21 , 23 of the projections 20 , 22 of the first and second part 8 , 9 respectively, having the same inclination angle, will bear on each other in the first position.
During displacement of the actuator body 3 in the first direction and upon reaching the second position, however, in which the projections 22 of the second part 9 goes free from the guide means 19 , the provision of the inclined abutment surfaces 21 , 23 of the first and second part 8 , 9 , in combination with the presence of a counterforce from the object 5 operated on, will result in a sliding motion and a rotation of the second part 9 in relation to the first part 8 such that the abutment surfaces 23 of the second part 9 will slide into abutment against corresponding inclined abutment surfaces 24 at the ends of each of the rims or splines of the guide means 19 . The first part 8 is displaced slightly more in the longitudinal direction such that the projections 20 thereof will engage the projections 22 of the second part 9 , thereby preventing further rotation of the latter. Each abutment surface 24 at the end of each rim of the guide means has the same inclination direction and inclination angle as the abutment surfaces 21 at the ends of the projections 20 of the first part 8 .
Provided that there is a counterforce from the device 5 operated on and that the handle is not pushed any further, a second, active position of the actuator device is reached as the first part 8 and the second part 9 engages each other by means of said projections 20 , 22 , thereby preventing any rotation of the second part 9 in relation to the first part 8 . The abutment surfaces 23 of the projections 22 of the second part bear against the corresponding abutment surfaces 24 of the guide means 19 . Thereby, the first part 8 is released from the action of the axial counterforce of the device 5 operated on. The counterforce in the longitudinal direction is fully adopted by the holder element 2 , through the second part 9 of the actuator body 3 and the guide means 19 of the holder element. Thereby, the risk of having an accidental push-back of the actuator body 3 due to an excessive counterforce is avoided.
In order to return the actuator body 3 to the first, inactive position, the design according to the invention requires that the first part 8 of the actuator body be pulled back in the second direction from the second position towards the first position. Thereby, the rotationally locking engagement between the projections 20 , 22 of the first part 8 and second part 9 respectively will cease, and, due to the counterforce from the device 5 operated on, the abutment surfaces 23 of the projections 22 of the second part will slide on the corresponding abutment surfaces 24 of the guide means 19 , such that the second part 9 will rotate a further step and go back to the first position in which the projections 22 of the second part 9 are in alignment with the projections 20 of the first part and rotationally locked by the guide means 19 . Thereby, the second part 9 is permitted to follow the first part 8 to the first position.
Further, the handle 4 is spring-loaded in the longitudinal direction in relation to the holder element 2 by means of a spring 27 that in one end abuts an end of the outer sleeve 7 of the holder element 2 and in the other end abuts the handle 4 , and that extends helically along an inner periphery of the handle 4 .
It should be emphasized that the above description of an embodiment has been made by way of example and that alternative embodiments will be obvious for a person skilled in the art, and that the scope of protection sought is only delimited by the appended claims, supported by the description and the annexed drawing. | An actuator device including a holder element provided to be fixed against a device operated on by the actuator device. An actuator body is displaceable in a longitudinal direction along the holder element. A guide member is provided so as to guide the actuator body along the holder element. The actuator body includes a first part that is operable from outside the actuator device, and a second part that is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the first part. The actuator body is displaceable to a first, non-actuated position, in which the first part and the second part of the body are movable in the longitudinal direction and a second, actuated position, in which the second part is rotationally displaced in relation to the first part and abuts an abutment surface on the holder element such that motion of the second part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position is inhibited. The first part includes a rotational locking member that engages the second part in the second position and locks the second part rotationally in the second position. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to European patent application 08154823.2filed 18 Apr. 2008 and U.S. provisional patent application 61/071,262 filed 18 Apr. 2008 and is the national phase of PCT/EP2008/064097 filed 20 Oct. 2008.",
"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an actuator device comprising a holder element, provided to be fixed against a device operated on by the actuator device, an actuator body displaceable in a longitudinal direction along said holder element, a guide means provided so as to guide said actuator body along said holder element, wherein said actuator body comprises a first part, which is operable from outside the device, and a second part, which is movable in said longitudinal direction in relation to the first part, and wherein said actuator body is displaceable in the longitudinal direction from a first, non-actuated position to a second, actuated position, in which said second part is rotationally displaced in relation to said first part and abuts an abutment surface on the holder element such that motion of the second part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position is inhibited.",
"“Rotationally displaced”",
"should be understood as rotationally displaced in relation to the rotational position adopted by the second part in relation to the first part in the first position.",
"The invention also relates to an electric switching device that comprises an actuator device according the invention and an electric device on which the actuator body of the actuator device exerts a force in said longitudinal direction and to which the holder element of the actuator device is fixedly attached.",
"Typically, but not necessarily, the actuator is an emergency stop operator and the electric device operated on is a set of contact blocks, i.e. a breaker.",
"Preferably, but not necessarily, the electric device operated on by means of the actuator device of the invention is a low voltage device, i.e. a device in which the applied voltage is below 1 kV.",
"Preferably, the holder element is a sleeve, in which the actuator body is displaceable in a longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the actuator body is connected to a handle or push button for the external handling thereof, and arranged so as to exert a force on said electric device upon displacement thereof from the above-mentioned first position to the second position, typically for the purpose of acting on a contact block such that an electric circuit is broken.",
"However, the invention also includes the inversed function, i.e. opening of an electric circuit by such actuation.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Emergency stop operators are used in connection to electric machines for the purpose of actuating one or more contact blocks that control the flow of electric current through such machines.",
"The contact blocks define switches or breakers.",
"Normally, the emergency stop operator comprises a handle by means of which an actuator body in the operator is pushed in a direction towards the contact block in order to generate the breaking of an electric circuit through a displacement of individual contacts in the contact block.",
"Prior art includes operators in which the actuator body is spring loaded and provided with a latch means formed by a pin that, once the actuator body has been pushed to an active position, such as the initially defined second position, will abut an abutment surface of a sleeve that guides the actuator body and is fixedly attached to the contactor block.",
"The pin may be spring loaded and the abutment surface thereof, or the abutment surface of the sleeve, may be inclined such that the pin will be depressed and will pass the abutment surface upon a given counterforce from the contact block.",
"Accordingly, the actuator body may accidentally return to its first, inactive, position if the counterforce exerted by the contact block is large enough.",
"This is a drawback of this type of operators, since the spring-loading of the pin must be adapted to the different counterforce that may exist depending on the type and number of contact blocks acted upon by the operator.",
"In order to remedy such drawbacks prior art includes a design as initially defined in this application.",
"According to the teaching of this prior art the second part of the actuator body is a so called gear ring, provided with a plurality of inclined abutment surfaces arranged so as to engage with corresponding abutment surfaces on the inner periphery of the holder element.",
"The gear ring is free to rotate in relation to the first part of the actuator body.",
"The first part of the actuator body is in direction contact with the contactor block.",
"The gear ring is able to slide longitudinally along a central part of the first part of the actuator body.",
"The abutment surfaces of the gear ring and the corresponding abutment surfaces of the sleeve are arranged such that, upon displacement of the actuator body from the first to the second position, and provided that there is a counter pressure from the contact block, the gear ring will be moved to a position in which it rides on a first abutment surface and rotationally moves to a position in which it is located in a stable abutting position, thereby preventing itself and the first part from moving back towards the first position.",
"Each abutment surface of the sleeve is formed as a double cam.",
"Upon a further pushing of the actuator body in the same direction, though from the second position, the gear ring will move in the longitudinal direction in relation to the sleeve abutment, will pass a top of the latter and will slide down the abutment surface of a second cam thereof, thereby rotating slightly, and will eventually go free from the double-cam abutment and will be able to return to the first position.",
"Prior art also include solutions in which there is required a rotation of the handle in order to achieve the requested result.",
"However, the above-mentioned kind of double push manoeuvring of the actuator body, and the handle, of this emergency operator of prior art in order to activate and deactivate the operator may be found somewhat illogical.",
"It would be more logical to simply push the handle, or button, connected to the actuator body in a straight rectilinear direction in order to activate the actuator, and to pull back the button or handle in a corresponding opposite rectilinear direction in order to deactivate the actuator.",
"THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to present an actuator device of a design that enables the actuator body to displaced from the first position to the second position by pushing the actuator body in a first direction, and enables the actuator body to be displaced from the second position to the first position only by pulling the first part of the actuator body in a direction opposite to the first direction.",
"The design of the actuator device should also be such that, in the second position, the first part of the actuator body is unloaded, and such that pushing back of the actuator body by the counterforce from the device operated on is prevented and not dependent on the spring-loading of the actuator body or any latch means or pin connected thereto.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is achieved by means of the initially defined actuator device, characterised in that said first part comprises a rotational locking means that engages said second part in said second position and locks it rotationally in that position.",
"Thereby, the first part, which is locked in a predetermined rotational position by the guide means, will lock the second part in a rotational position in which the latter abuts the abutment surface or surfaces of the holder element and inhibits a motion thereof towards the first position.",
"However once the first part is refracted in the opposite direction, i.e. pulled back towards the first position, such that it looses its rotationally locking engagement with the second part, the latter will be able to rotate to a position in which it does not abut the abutment surface or surfaces of said abutment of the holder element.",
"In order to enable such rotational motion of the second part, the abutment surfaces of either the holder element or the second part should be sloping and free from any depression that might generate a stable abutment position.",
"Accordingly, the abutment between the second part and the holder element preventing the second part from moving towards the first position in the longitudinal direction in the in the second position is of an unstable type, and will be released once the rotational locking of the second part ceases.",
"In the first position, the locking means are inactive, and there is no interlocking of the first and second parts by means thereof.",
"The use of the term “rotational locking means”",
"does not imply that the means in itself is rotational, but primarily that it locks such that a rotational motion of the second part in relation to the first part is inhibited.",
"Rotation is referred to as a rotating motion around a rotational axis parallel with said longitudinal direction, and preferably in relation to the holder element, which should be fixed in relation to a device operated on when being in its operative position.",
"It should also be mentioned that it is assumed that the device operated on by means of the actuator device applies a counter force on said second part when the latter is in the second position, thereby striving to push the actuator body back to the first position.",
"According to a preferred embodiment, in the first position, said first part and said second part are rotationally locked by said guide means, and in said second position only said first part is rotationally locked by said guide means.",
"Preferably said rotational locking means comprises at least one projection projecting in the longitudinal direction of the first part.",
"It is preferred that the second part abuts an end of such a projection in the first position.",
"Such a projection will then, upon rotation of the second part, be able to engage a corresponding recess in the second part and rotationally lock the latter, such as is the case in the above-mentioned second position.",
"Preferably, said at least one projection extends in the longitudinal direction of the first part and is engaged with said guide means.",
"Preferably, the guide means comprises a plurality of splines or ribs with running in the longitudinal direction of the holder element.",
"The at least one projection engages these ribs and rotationally locks the first part in relation to the holder element.",
"According to one embodiment said rotational locking means comprises an inclined abutment surface at an end thereof towards said second part.",
"It is preferred that the second part abuts this inclined abutment surface.",
"Thereby, once a position in the longitudinal direction in which the second part is no longer rotationally locked by the guide means is reached, the inclined abutment surface will induce a rotational sliding motion of the second part to a rotational position in which the projection is able to engage a corresponding recess in the second part.",
"Preferably, said at least one projection comprises a first wall surface extending in said longitudinal direction, a sloping abutment surface extending from a top of said wall, and, possibly, a second wall surface extending in the longitudinal direction from an opposite end of the sloping abutment surface.",
"Between two projections there is a recess in which a corresponding projection of the second part may rest.",
"Preferably, said rotational locking means comprises a plurality of projections projecting in the longitudinal direction of the first part.",
"Thereby, small rotational displacements of the second part may be induced by said projections.",
"Preferably, each projection presents an inclined end surface forming an abutment surface against which a corresponding surface of the second part rests in the first position of the actuator body.",
"In accordance with this teaching, the first part presents a corresponding recesses between each part of projections.",
"Provided that the second part comprises at least one projection arranged to abut the end of any such projection in the first position, that projection of the second part will be able of sliding into an adjacent recess of the first part upon rotation thereof into the second position, and rotational locking will be achieved.",
"According to one embodiment said plurality of projections are distributed along an annular path at the end of said first part.",
"Preferably, the projections define a step ring, preferably arranged so as to cooperate with a corresponding step ring defined by the second part.",
"However, it should be understood that a plurality of alternative embodiments fall within the scope of the invention.",
"For example, the number of projections on first and second part may differ largely, the important feature being that the projections of one part fits in the recesses of the other part, in order to promote a tight rotational locking and a smooth transfer between first and second positions.",
"According to the invention, said second part comprises an engagement means arranged so as to engage said rotational locking means in said second position.",
"This is a direct consequence of the fact that the first part comprises a means for rotational locking of the second part.",
"Said locking means must have something to engage, and accordingly, the second part comprises such engagement means.",
"These engagement means may, accordingly, as well be regarded as locking means for the rotational locking of the second part against the first part.",
"Preferably, said engagement means comprises at least one projection projecting in the longitudinal direction of the second part.",
"Such a projection may cooperate with a recess between two corresponding projections of the first part in order to lock the second part rotationally in relation to the first part.",
"According to one embodiment, said at least one projection comprises an inclined abutment surface at an end thereof pointing towards said first part.",
"As previously described for the first part, the inclination will promote a rotational displacement of the second part in relation to a corresponding abutment surface of the first part once the second part becomes rotationally unlocked by the guide means on its way to the second position, provided that there is a certain counter pressure from the device acted on by means of the present actuator body.",
"Preferably, the at lest one projection of the second part has a design corresponding to or equal to the one previously described for the at least one projection of the first part.",
"According to the teaching of the invention, said at least one projection of the second part is in longitudinal alignment with said at least one projection of first part in said first position.",
"Accordingly, in said first position, the abutment surface of the at least one projection of the first part abuts the at least one abutment surface of the second part.",
"When the actuator body is moved towards the second position, the second part will be released from its engagement with the guide means.",
"Due to the inclination of the abutment surfaces, and the counter pressure from the device acted upon, the second part will rotate a step, and the second part will slip into its rotational interlocking with the first part as the projections of the respective part projects into recesses between projections of the other part.",
"Accordingly, in the second position, the second part will be closer to the first part in the longitudinal direction.",
"Accordingly, in said second position, said at least one projection of said second part is rotationally displaced in relation to a corresponding projection of the first part, and longitudinally displaced such that it overlaps the latter in said longitudinal direction.",
"Preferably, said second part comprises a plurality of said projections, said projections being distributed along an annular path at an end of said second part pointing towards said first part.",
"It is preferred that the number of projections correspond to the number of projections on the first part.",
"It is also preferred that the inclined abutment surfaces correspond to those of the first part such that, in the first position, the projections of the first part and second part that are in alignment with each other define continuous ribs in the longitudinal direction of the device.",
"According to the invention, said holder element comprises at least one abutment surface that, in said second position, abuts a corresponding abutment surface of the second part, thereby inhibiting said second part from moving longitudinally towards said first position.",
"Preferably, the abutment surface of the second part is the abutment surface of said at least one projection, and preferably it is inclined in order to promote a sliding and a rotation of the second part from its rotational position in the second position to its rotational position in the first position upon refraction of the first part from the second position.",
"Preferably, the at least one abutment surface of the holder element is inclined, in order to promote a sliding and a rotation of the second part from its rotational position in the second position to its rotational position in the first position upon retraction of the first part from the second position.",
"Thereby, the second part will slide off smoothly from said abutment, and will be able to follow the first part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position.",
"Preferably, the inclination of the abutment surface or surfaces of the holder element has the same inclination direction, and preferably also the same inclination angle, as the abutment surface or surfaces of the first part.",
"Accordingly, in said second position, said inclined abutment surface of said at least one projection of said second part abuts a corresponding inclined abutment surface of the holder element.",
"As previously mentioned, it is preferred that said guide means comprises at least one rim extending in the longitudinal direction of the holder element.",
"Preferably, said guide means comprises a plurality of rims extending in the longitudinal direction of he holder element and distributed on a peripheral surface of the holder element.",
"It is also preferred that said at least one inclined abutment surface of the holder element is formed by an end of said guide means.",
"Preferably, when the guide means comprises a plurality of rims or splines, each such rim has an inclined end surface towards acting as an abutment surface against corresponding abutment surfaces of the second part.",
"The abutment surface of each rim defines a single cam, in contrast to the double cam design of push-push operators of prior art.",
"In other words the abutment surface cooperating with an abutment surface of the second part is a single sloping surface at an end of a projection, preferably formed by a rim of the guide means.",
"Thereby, the abutment position, i.e. the second position, will be unstable and will require the rotational locking of the second part by means of the first part in cooperation with the guide means on order to be retained.",
"It is a characterising feature of he present invention that, during displacement of the actuator body from the first position to the second position, the second part of the actuator body is arranged such that a force exerted by operation of the first part is applied to a device operated on through said second part.",
"In other words a force generated by, for example, manual pushing of a push button connected to the first part of the actuator body, will be transferred through the second part to the device thereby operated on.",
"It is also a feature of he preset invention that said second part is an end part of said body, through which a reaction force from a device operated on by the actuator device in said second position will be transferred to the holder element through said abutment surface of the holder element.",
"In other words, since, in the second position, the second part of the actuator body is prevented from moving longitudinally back towards the first position due to the interaction of the locking means of the first part and the engagement means of the second part, and due to the fact that it abuts the abutment surfaces of the holder element, a counter pressure in the longitudinal direction from the device operated on will be adopted by the second part and the holder element.",
"Thereby, the first part will be released from any counterforce acting in the longitudinal direction, and, accordingly, any possible spring loading thereof must not be adapted to the size of the counterforce of the device operated on.",
"According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator device comprises a latch element that is displaceable in a direction crosswise to said longitudinal direction and that, in said second position of he actuator body, abuts a second abutment on the holder element, thereby preventing the first part of said actuator body from accidentally returning to the first position.",
"The latch element may be arranged so as to move in the longitudinal direction between a first position on one side of said second abutment, in the first position of the actuator body, and a second position on the opposite side of said second abutment, corresponding to the second position of the actuator body.",
"Preferably the latch element is positioned in a fixed position in the longitudinal direction on the actuator body with regard to the position of said first part.",
"The latch element, or another separate latch element, may be arranged such that a predetermined force, large enough for releasing said latch element from a longitudinally locking engagement with the holder element, must be applied on the actuator body, possibly through a handle, in order to permit displacement of the actuator body from the first position to the second position.",
"Preferably, at least one of said latch element or second abutment presents an inclined surface such that the latch element will be forced from its abutting engagement with the second abutment upon pulling of said first part in a direction from the second to the first position.",
"Preferably, the latch element is spring loaded in a direction cross-wise to the longitudinal direction of the actuator device.",
"It is also preferred that there be an inclined surface on an actuator mechanism, connected to a handle or forming part o a handle, that will abut the latch element and displace the latter in the direction crosswise to the longitudinal direction upon displacement of said actuator mechanism in the longitudinal direction.",
"Thereby, the crosswise displacement of the latch element in order to enable disengagement thereof from the holder element and displacement thereof from the first to the second position is to be achieved by pushing the handle and the actuator mechanism longitudinally towards the actuator body.",
"According to one embodiment, said holder element is a sleeve inside which said actuator body is displaceably arranged.",
"According to a preferred embodiment, the actuator element is an emergency stop operator.",
"The invention also relates to an electric switching device, characterised in that it comprises an actuator device according to the invention and an electric device on which the actuator body of the actuator device exerts a force in said longitudinal direction and to which the holder element of the actuator device is fixedly attached or at least fixedly positioned.",
"The actuator body may, preferably, be arranged so as to displace a certain part of the device operated on, such as the contact blocks or a switch part of an electric breaker.",
"Thereby, it is preferred that said actuator device is an emergency stop operator and that said electric device comprises a contact block to be acted on by the emergency stop operator.",
"Further features and advantages of he present invention will be presented in the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Hereinafter an embodiment of the invention will be described more in detail with reference to the annexed drawing on which: FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a an actuator device according to the invention with its actuator body in a first, inactive position, FIG. 2 is a cross-section corresponding to FIG. 1 , but with the actuator body in a second, activated position, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the actuator device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , FIG. 4 is a second exploded view of the actuator device shown in FIGS. 1-3 , FIG. 5 is a perspective, partly cut and partly exploded view showing the guide means of the actuator device more clearly, FIG. 6 is a partly cut perspective view showing the actuator device in the first position, FIG. 7 is a partly cut perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6 , showing the actuator device in the second position.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an actuator device 1 according to the invention.",
"The actuator device 1 comprises a holder element 2 , an actuator body 3 , and a handle 4 connected to the actuator body 3 .",
"In FIG. 1 there is also indicated, with reference number 5 , a device operated on by means of the actuator device.",
"In the preferred embodiment the actuator device 1 is an emergency stop operator and the device 5 operated on is a contact block of a breaker of an electric machine.",
"The actuator device 1 extends in its longitudinal direction towards the device 5 operated on.",
"The longitudinal direction is the direction in which the actuator body 4 of the actuator device 1 is to be displaced in order to act on the device 5 operated on.",
"In other words, the use of the word longitudinal does not mean that the actuator device necessarily is elongated in said direction.",
"The holder element 2 is fixedly connected to a frame 30 in which the device 5 operated on is fixedly located, and the actuator device 1 is arranged so as to displace a part, here a switch part 29 , of the device 5 operated on in said longitudinal direction in order to close or break an electric circuit.",
"The holder element 2 comprises a sleeve which, in its turn, is subdivided in an inner sleeve 6 and an outer sleeve 7 .",
"The handle 4 comprises a push-button arranged on the outer periphery of the holder element 2 , and arranged to be displaced by a sliding motion on the latter in the longitudinal direction.",
"The bush-button 4 is of tubular shape with an end wall or end cap at its end remote from the device 5 operated on.",
"The actuator body 3 comprises a first part 8 , a second part 9 forming an end of actuator body towards the device 5 operated on, an intermediate part 10 onto which the first part 9 is non-rotationally attached and onto a central prolonging of which the second part 9 is rotationally arranged and longitudinally displaceably arranged.",
"The second part 9 is prevented from full removal from first part 8 in the longitudinal direction by means of a stop element 28 formed by a knob at the end of the intermediate part 10 .",
"As an alternative the intermediate part 10 could as well be an integrated part of the first part 8 .",
"Accordingly, what is heretofore and hereinafter said concerning the intermediate part 10 may be valid for the first part 8 if, according to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate part would be an integrated part of the first part.",
"In the actuator body 3 , more precisely in a space in the intermediate part 10 thereof, there is provided a latch means 11 formed by a pin which is arranged so as to be displaced in a cross-wise, radial direction relative to said longitudinal direction.",
"There is provided an opening 12 in a wall of the intermediate for the passage of the pin 11 in said radial direction.",
"In said space of the intermediate part 10 there is also provided a spring 13 that applies a force on the pin 11 in a radial direction from the centre of the intermediate part 10 towards the holder element 2 , more precisely towards the inner sleeve 6 thereof.",
"The actuator device also comprises an actuator mechanism 14 through which the actuator body 3 is connected to the handle 4 .",
"The actuator mechanism 14 is directly connected to the handle 4 and displaceable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the actuator body 3 to a limited degree.",
"The actuator mechanism 14 presents a sloping abutment surface 15 that upon displacement thereof in the above-mentioned first direction will push the pin 11 in a radial direction inwards.",
"The intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 will not initially follow the motion of the mechanism 14 since the pin 11 abuts an abutment heel 16 provided on the inner periphery of the inner sleeve 6 of the holder element 2 .",
"The actuator mechanism 14 is fixedly connected to the handle 4 and may, as an alternative be regarded as a part thereof, and may even be an integrated part thereof.",
"However, it is preferred that it is a separate part, e.g. for facilitating assembly and disassembly of the device.",
"There is provided a spring 17 that in one end thereof abuts the actuator mechanism 14 and in the other end thereof abuts an abutment of 18 on the intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 .",
"Thus the actuator mechanism 14 and the handle 4 is spring-loaded in relation to the actuator body 3 in the longitudinal direction by means of said spring 17 .",
"The force applied by the spring 17 is a pushing force acting so as to push the actuator mechanism 14 and the actuator body 3 away from each other in the longitudinal direction.",
"However, such motion of the mechanism 14 and the body 3 is restricted by an engagement means formed by cooperating abutment heels 25 , 26 on the mechanism 14 and the intermediate part 10 of the body 3 respectively.",
"Accordingly a pushing of the handle 4 in a first direction towards the device 5 operated on will result in an initial displacement of the actuator mechanism 14 up to a point at which the pin 11 is refracted enough to pass the abutment heel 16 .",
"Then the spring force of the spring 17 between the handle and the actuator body 3 will force the actuator body 3 in the first direction as the pin 11 goes free from the abutment heel 16 .",
"Thereby, the actuator body 3 is displaced in the first direction to such a degree that the pin passes the abutment heel 16 .",
"The actuator body 3 is also displaced in said first direction in relation to the actuator mechanism 14 such that the sloping abutment surface 15 of the latter will be retracted in relation thereto and will once again permit the pin 11 to project in the radial direction such that it once again overlaps and abuts the abutment heel 16 , but now in a second position on the opposite side of the latter.",
"In this second position the actuator mechanism 14 abuts the intermediate part 10 of the actuator body 3 , by means of the cooperating abutment heels 25 , 26 , such that a pulling of the actuator mechanism 14 in a second direction opposite to said first direction will result in a corresponding displacement of the actuator body 3 in said second direction.",
"The pin 11 is provided with an inclined abutment surface on the side that in, the second position of the actuator body 3 , abuts the abutment heel 16 .",
"As a result thereof, the pin 11 will slide radially inwards and be refracted upon pulling of the actuator body 3 in the second direction, whereby the pin 11 will be able to pass the abutment heel 16 while going back to its first position in which it abuts the heel 16 on the opposite side thereof.",
"The inner sleeve 6 is provided with a guide means 19 formed by rims or splines extending in the longitudinal direction on the inner periphery of said sleeve.",
"Up to a point when the second position is reached, the guide means 19 guides the first part 8 and the second part 9 of the actuator body 3 in the meaning that they prevent rotation thereof around a rotation axis parallel with the longitudinal direction as defined herein.",
"When the second position of the actuator body 3 is being reached the second part 9 of the actuator body goes free from the guide means 19 in the meaning that it is no longer prevented from rotating by said guide means 19 .",
"In order to engage the guide means 19 , the first part 8 of the actuator body comprises projections 20 that extend in radial as well as in longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of said first part 8 .",
"The number of projections 20 correspond to the number of rims or splines on the guide means 19 .",
"At the axial end of each the projections closest to the second part 9 there is provided an inclined abutment surface 21 onto which a corresponding abutment surface of the second part 9 will bear in the first position and all the way to the second position of the actuator body 3 .",
"The first part 8 of the actuator body 3 may be regarded as a rotationally fixed gear.",
"The second part 9 also comprises projections 22 that extend in the longitudinal direction towards the first part 8 as well as in the radial direction in order to enable engagement with the guide means 19 .",
"The number of projections 22 of the second part 9 corresponds to the number of projections 20 of the first part 8 , and with the number of rims or splines of the guide means 19 .",
"Each projection 22 of the second part 9 has an inclined abutment surface 23 at an end thereof directed towards the first part 8 .",
"In the first position of the actuator body 3 , the projections 20 of the first part 8 are in alignment with the projections 22 of the second part 9 such that they form continuous rims extending in the recesses formed between pairs of rims or splines of the guide means 19 .",
"The inclined abutment surfaces 21 , 23 of the projections 20 , 22 of the first and second part 8 , 9 respectively, having the same inclination angle, will bear on each other in the first position.",
"During displacement of the actuator body 3 in the first direction and upon reaching the second position, however, in which the projections 22 of the second part 9 goes free from the guide means 19 , the provision of the inclined abutment surfaces 21 , 23 of the first and second part 8 , 9 , in combination with the presence of a counterforce from the object 5 operated on, will result in a sliding motion and a rotation of the second part 9 in relation to the first part 8 such that the abutment surfaces 23 of the second part 9 will slide into abutment against corresponding inclined abutment surfaces 24 at the ends of each of the rims or splines of the guide means 19 .",
"The first part 8 is displaced slightly more in the longitudinal direction such that the projections 20 thereof will engage the projections 22 of the second part 9 , thereby preventing further rotation of the latter.",
"Each abutment surface 24 at the end of each rim of the guide means has the same inclination direction and inclination angle as the abutment surfaces 21 at the ends of the projections 20 of the first part 8 .",
"Provided that there is a counterforce from the device 5 operated on and that the handle is not pushed any further, a second, active position of the actuator device is reached as the first part 8 and the second part 9 engages each other by means of said projections 20 , 22 , thereby preventing any rotation of the second part 9 in relation to the first part 8 .",
"The abutment surfaces 23 of the projections 22 of the second part bear against the corresponding abutment surfaces 24 of the guide means 19 .",
"Thereby, the first part 8 is released from the action of the axial counterforce of the device 5 operated on.",
"The counterforce in the longitudinal direction is fully adopted by the holder element 2 , through the second part 9 of the actuator body 3 and the guide means 19 of the holder element.",
"Thereby, the risk of having an accidental push-back of the actuator body 3 due to an excessive counterforce is avoided.",
"In order to return the actuator body 3 to the first, inactive position, the design according to the invention requires that the first part 8 of the actuator body be pulled back in the second direction from the second position towards the first position.",
"Thereby, the rotationally locking engagement between the projections 20 , 22 of the first part 8 and second part 9 respectively will cease, and, due to the counterforce from the device 5 operated on, the abutment surfaces 23 of the projections 22 of the second part will slide on the corresponding abutment surfaces 24 of the guide means 19 , such that the second part 9 will rotate a further step and go back to the first position in which the projections 22 of the second part 9 are in alignment with the projections 20 of the first part and rotationally locked by the guide means 19 .",
"Thereby, the second part 9 is permitted to follow the first part 8 to the first position.",
"Further, the handle 4 is spring-loaded in the longitudinal direction in relation to the holder element 2 by means of a spring 27 that in one end abuts an end of the outer sleeve 7 of the holder element 2 and in the other end abuts the handle 4 , and that extends helically along an inner periphery of the handle 4 .",
"It should be emphasized that the above description of an embodiment has been made by way of example and that alternative embodiments will be obvious for a person skilled in the art, and that the scope of protection sought is only delimited by the appended claims, supported by the description and the annexed drawing."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
[0001] The present case claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference the following U.S. provisional applications:
[0002] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/227,050 filed Aug. 21, 2000, entitled “Vertebroplasty Cavity Creation using an Expanding Tube” and,
[0003] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/225,191 filed Aug. 14, 2000, entitled “Vertebral Body Expander.”
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates generally to the treatment of compression fractures in bones, and more specifically to a device and a method for cutting a “transverse” cavity in the bone as one part of a therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The human spine consists of a complex set of interrelated anatomic elements including a set of bones called vertebral bodies. Intervertebral discs separate most vertebral bodies. These discs includes a “spongy” nucleus pulpous surrounded by an annulus fibrosis “membrane.” The annulus fibrosis connects the opposed endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies. All of these structures together with muscles act to provide motion, stability and protection for the spinal cord. When healthy, these structures effectively protect the spinal cord and allow for normal motion.
[0006] However, there are many disease states and aging processes that impact the patient. Osteoporosis and metastatic disease reduce the structural integrity of the vertebral bodies, predisposing them to fracture. Vertebral fractures can lead to loss of vertebral height, which can exacerbate existing neurological conditions or predispose the spine to other symptoms. Back pain often results from these conditions.
[0007] Vertebroplasty is an effort to stabilize these fractures and to alleviate this source of pain. Generally, if not treated, fractures and loss of height result in a cascade of injury which is undesirable. For this reason, various efforts have been directed at stabilizing and restoring the natural vertebral bodies of the back.
[0008] Many surgeon experts suggest that it is desirable to intervene and restore the height of the vertebral body and natural biomechanics of the spine, in addition to stabilizing the spine to provide pain relief. As an initial step to fracture reduction, which for vertebral compression fractures restores anatomic vertebral height, it may be desirable to cut a cavity that is approximately transverse to the vertical axis of the vertebral body. This cavity is intended to create a large, uniform, initial surface area for fracture reduction devices. The transverse cavity reduces contact stress in supporting bone and decreases the likelihood of cancellous compaction associated with prior art techniques. Thus, this step increases the likelihood that the fracture will be reduced rather than simply creating a large cavity within a bony structure. In general, it may be desirable to locate this transverse cavity near the fracture, which is generally located in the anterior portion of the vertebral body. It is important to create a shallow cavity at the correct location to minimize disruption of cancellous bone and to facilitate further therapeutic intervention.
[0009] The presently available techniques and devices expand along a path of least resistance within the cancellous bone. As a result, these devices do not expand in a predictable manner, often expanding vertically before expanding horizontally (transverse). Rather than consistently reducing the fracture, these techniques often crush the cancellous bone, creating an expanded cavity without necessarily reducing the fracture or restoring the natural anatomy.
[0010] Another reason for creating a narrow cavity is to impart known fracture zones in the bone. These fracture zones enable controlled movement of the bone during other therapeutic procedures. These fracture zones also create flow channels for various injectable materials that may be used in a further therapeutic intervention.
SUMMARY
[0011] In contrast to the prior art, the devices and methods of the present invention are used to create an initial cavity in the vertebral body that has a controlled shape and location. FIG. 13 represents a prior art procedure where a narrow and small cavity 17 is filled with a balloon and the overall “footprint” is small so that the total distraction force is also small. FIG. 14 represents a cavity created according to the invention filled with a balloon to apply distraction force. In this figure, the increased area of the “footprint” of the transverse cavity 18 permits greater distraction force per unit balloon pressure.
[0012] The vertebral body is entered through either a transpedicular or extrapedicular location with a needle, trocar or other access devices. The cavity creation tool of the invention is inserted into the cancellous bone of the vertebral body through the relatively small area aperture created by the trocar or needle. The cavity creation tool is then activated and manipulated.
[0013] In general, the tool is directed to a site near the bone fracture. In the context of a vertebral compression fracture, the fracture is typically located in the anterior portion of the vertebral body. Once positioned at the desired site, the device is used to create a cavity. Although several related embodiments of the cavity creation tool are contemplated and illustrated, each of them defines a cutting or shearing plane. Each device limits its action to a controlled area of the bone. The controlled area both defines and is a portion of the “transverse” cavity.
[0014] Once the preferred transverse cavity is created, any number of interventions can be performed. For example, a device that “expands” may be introduced to reduce the fracture. Typically, the reduction is intended to restore the normal anatomy. This expansion device may be removed or permanently implanted.
[0015] Once a fracture is reduced, the bone cavity may be filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement, allograft, or synthetic bone substitutes. The filler acts to increase the stability and strength of the bone. In some interventions, the filler may be combined with bone growth factors (BMPs, cell therapy, autologous growth factors) to accelerate bone remolding and increase the amount of bone remodeling. Likewise, other drugs or therapies (including but not limited to antibiotics, chemotherapy, and other drug therapies) may be combined with the bone filler.
[0016] Although the invention is illustrated within the vertebral body compression fracture treatment context, other secondary interventions or operations can be contemplated for using the shaped cavity.
[0017] Although the invention is particularly useful for the treatment of vertebral bodies, it should be understood that similar bone fracture geometries exist in other parts of the body. For this reason, the devices and methods of the invention may be used in the treatment of any compaction fracture, such as but not limited to the tibial plateau fractures, distal radius fractures, calcaneous, distal tibial fractures, and humeral fractures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Illustrative embodiments of the inventions are shown throughout the several views of the drawings. For ease of illustration, the inventions are disclosed in the context of the repair of a vertebral body, however the device and method can be applied in other compression fracture applications including, but not limited to tibial plateau, distal radius, calcaneous, distal tibial fractures, and humeral fractures.
[0019] In these illustrative but not limiting drawings, like reference numerals indicate equivalent structure, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a phantom view of a vertebral body showing a transverse cavity, certain tool features and a coordinate system;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross section of a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a hydraulic lifting device of the Prior Art; and,
[0033] FIG. 14 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a hydraulic lifting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] FIG. 1 is a phantom view of a vertebral body showing a transverse cavity 18 and a coordinate system 16 . This figure shows a vertebral body 10 in isolation. Two possible surgical entry points into the vertebral body contemplated within the scope of the invention are illustrated. One entry point is “transpedicular.” This approach is indicated by the physical location of tube 12 , traveling through the pedicle into the vertebral body 10 . Another approach is “extra-pedicular.” This access approach is illustrated by tool 14 entering the vertebral body at a location lateral of the transpedicular approach on the posterolateral corner of the vertebral body.
[0035] The typical surgery will include a small incision in the back adjacent to the vertebral body. Next, a small gauge needle or guide-wire is introduced to confirm proper positioning under fluoroscopy. Physicians typically utilize an 11-gauge needle for the transpedicular approach and a larger needle or tube (up to 6 mm ID) for the extra-pedicular approach. Many physicians advance cannulated tools over a small gauge needle to successively increase the size of the working channel.
[0036] Other physicians may prefer to place a guide catheter at the site and to introduce tools though the lumen of the guide catheter. In general, the tools described herein can be used either over the wire or through a guide catheter or alone at the election of the physician.
[0037] In this figure, a coordinate system 16 identifies a vertical direction Z, which points along the spine. The Y-direction is generally anterior. It is the purpose of the invention to create a cavity with a fixed and controlled vertical extent (Z-axis height) and a controlled shape in the X-Y plane. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse cavity will be used interchangeably with a cavity created parallel to the surface that is to be reduced or restored to its normal anatomic position, and generally normal to the force applied. The surface that is reduced or displaced defines the X-Y plane. This definition holds for other procedures performed with the invention.
[0038] Returning to the figure, the cavity 18 is typically ovaloid in shape as projected in the X-Y plane. The ovaloid shape has an approximately uniform height in the Z direction. This “shape” is referred to throughout the specification as a “transverse cavity” for the vertebral body application illustrated in these figures. Therefore the X-Y plane is defined as the “transverse plane” and the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the “vertical axis.” It is a characteristic of all the embodiments of the tools shown in the application that the cross sectional area of the tool at the entry point into the bone is smaller than the transverse cavity created with the tool.
[0039] To facilitate description of the invention, the distal “working” structures of the cavity creation tools are illustrated in isolation while the proximal manipulation handles as contemplated are shown generically as handle 20 and finger loop 21 . In each embodiment, a handle structure 20 can be moved with respect to the tool sheath or tool body 14 . In each embodiment, the relative motion between handle 20 and sheath 14 activates the distal working surfaces of the device. The handle 20 or the finger loop 21 is indexed to the distal working surfaces to provide confirmation of the orientation of the working surfaces with respect to the bone structures.
[0040] It is contemplated that in addition to direct manual manipulation, other power sources can be used to actuate the working surfaces, including hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and electromechanical actuators shown generically in FIG. 1 as power source 23 . In general, purely manual mechanical mechanisms are preferred because they improve tactile feedback to the physician.
[0041] The tools may be made of conventional materials, with stainless steel preferred for “blade” embodiments and Nitinol or other super elastic alloys adopted for the flexible arm embodiments. The tools may be reusable or disposable. Materials choices do not appear critical for carrying out the invention.
[0042] The overall length of the cavity creation tool from the handle structures 20 and 21 to the working distal tip may vary to facilitate the particular surgical procedure. For example, a length of 220 cm is useful for the vertebral application, while a length of 60 cm is a practical value for a tibial plateau procedure.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the cavity creation tool 30 that includes a blade 38 mounted on the tool body 14 for rotational motion around the pivot 34 . The rod 32 is coupled to a proximal handle 20 ( FIG. 1 ) and a push-pull motion between the handle and the finger loop 21 ( FIG. 1 ) causes the blade to sweep out an arc 40 . The blade may be blunt or it may include a cutting surface 42 . In operation, the blade 38 laterally loads cancellous bone, breaking or cutting the bone in the X-Y plane of the cavity. The pivot and blade are confined to a transverse plane so this action creates the transverse cavity. By advancing the tool along the axis 36 , the cavity may take an approximately oval shape in the X-Y plane.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a cavity creation tool 62 having a distal end that is positioned in a vertebral body. The distal end includes two arms. A first arm 52 is anchored to the tube 14 with a hinge point mechanism 56 at a first end. The second end of the arm 52 is coupled to the pull rod 64 . Relative motion between the tube 14 and the pull rod 64 expands the first arm in a transverse plane. This particular embodiment of the tool is asymmetric and the tool includes a second arm 58 that is anchored to the tube 14 with a hinge mechanism 60 . The first and second arms define a plane for the operation of the device in the transverse plane.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the tool body 14 having a notch or groove 15 for locating and restraining a pull rod 32 . The tool body cross section defines the tool body area for the cavity creation tool. In general, the tool may be inserted into a bone through a hole of the size of the tool body area. This parameter or area is always smaller than the “footprint” of the transverse cavity in the X-Y plane. The cross section of this portion of the tool defines the tool body area.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a pull rod 32 is constrained in a groove in the tool body 14 . In this embodiment the pull rod actuates a blade or other structure. The cross section of this portion of the tool defines the tool body area.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the tool that has two pull or push rods 100 and 106 . Pull rod 106 operates a first arm 108 while the second arm 102 is activated by the independent pull rod 102 . The asymmetrical operation of the two independent arms can be used to control the shape of the cavity by directing expansion of the cavity to preferred areas within the vertebral body.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the tool 70 where a container 72 surrounds a pair of arms 52 and 58 . The container interacts with the cancellous bone as the pull rod activates the arms and moves them against the cancellous bone. The container prevents debris from interfering with the retraction of the arms. The container 72 can be subsequently inflated to reduce the fracture and restore the natural anatomy. Finally, the container may be detached and left behind.
[0049] In this particular embodiment, the first and second arms are identical, and will normally create a symmetric cavity. The container 72 is optional and the arms can be used alone in a fashion analogous to other versions of the tool.
[0050] In this particular embodiment, the first and second arms have blunt dissection surfaces on the exterior of the arms to interact with cancellous bone. In this embodiment, the first and second arms may also have different mechanical properties for the creation of an asymmetric cavity.
[0051] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the cavity creation tool 80 that includes saw-like teeth on the first arm 88 and the second arm 82 . Once again, traction on the pull rod 64 causes the teeth on the arms to cut through the cancellous bone. In a fashion similar to related embodiments, the arms lie in and define a cutting plane that creates a transverse cavity. The saw teeth typified by tooth 90 can be moved by manipulating both the pull rod and the tube.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows a cable-actuated device with a cable 200 wrapping a spindle or axle 202 mounted on the tool body 214 . Cable motion results in sweeping out an arc 210 as seen in FIG. 10 .
[0053] FIG. 10 shows the blade 38 can sweep through 360 degrees because of cable actuation. An arc of less than 360 degrees may be used when a non-circular cavity is required.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a cable-operated version with the pull rod 232 coupled to cable 200 . In this device, the pull on the cable forces the flex arms 202 and 208 in an outward direction to form the transverse cavity.
[0055] FIG. 12 shows the cable-operated version of FIG. 9 with the arms deployed, creating a transverse cavity.
[0056] FIG. 13 which represents the prior art is a schematic of a balloon or other hydraulic lifting device as it is initially inserted into the vertebral body.
[0057] FIG. 14 is a schematic of the increased lifting force generated by a balloon or other hydraulic lifting device which immediately reaches a broad surface area because of the transverse cavity that has been prepared before deploying the balloon or hydraulic lifting device.
[0058] Although the invention has been illustrated in one context, it should be apparent that the device features maybe modified or combined in alternate configurations. | A method for treating a compression fracture in a bone includes the step of forming a transverse cavity and then applying a force within the cavity generally normal to a surface of the bone to restore it substantially to its normal anatomic shape. In certain embodiments, the force is applied by an expandable device. | Provide a concise summary of the essential information conveyed in the given context. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES [0001] The present case claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference the following U.S. provisional applications: [0002] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.",
"No. 60/227,050 filed Aug. 21, 2000, entitled “Vertebroplasty Cavity Creation using an Expanding Tube”",
"and, [0003] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.",
"No. 60/225,191 filed Aug. 14, 2000, entitled “Vertebral Body Expander.”",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates generally to the treatment of compression fractures in bones, and more specifically to a device and a method for cutting a “transverse”",
"cavity in the bone as one part of a therapy.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] The human spine consists of a complex set of interrelated anatomic elements including a set of bones called vertebral bodies.",
"Intervertebral discs separate most vertebral bodies.",
"These discs includes a “spongy”",
"nucleus pulpous surrounded by an annulus fibrosis “membrane.”",
"The annulus fibrosis connects the opposed endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies.",
"All of these structures together with muscles act to provide motion, stability and protection for the spinal cord.",
"When healthy, these structures effectively protect the spinal cord and allow for normal motion.",
"[0006] However, there are many disease states and aging processes that impact the patient.",
"Osteoporosis and metastatic disease reduce the structural integrity of the vertebral bodies, predisposing them to fracture.",
"Vertebral fractures can lead to loss of vertebral height, which can exacerbate existing neurological conditions or predispose the spine to other symptoms.",
"Back pain often results from these conditions.",
"[0007] Vertebroplasty is an effort to stabilize these fractures and to alleviate this source of pain.",
"Generally, if not treated, fractures and loss of height result in a cascade of injury which is undesirable.",
"For this reason, various efforts have been directed at stabilizing and restoring the natural vertebral bodies of the back.",
"[0008] Many surgeon experts suggest that it is desirable to intervene and restore the height of the vertebral body and natural biomechanics of the spine, in addition to stabilizing the spine to provide pain relief.",
"As an initial step to fracture reduction, which for vertebral compression fractures restores anatomic vertebral height, it may be desirable to cut a cavity that is approximately transverse to the vertical axis of the vertebral body.",
"This cavity is intended to create a large, uniform, initial surface area for fracture reduction devices.",
"The transverse cavity reduces contact stress in supporting bone and decreases the likelihood of cancellous compaction associated with prior art techniques.",
"Thus, this step increases the likelihood that the fracture will be reduced rather than simply creating a large cavity within a bony structure.",
"In general, it may be desirable to locate this transverse cavity near the fracture, which is generally located in the anterior portion of the vertebral body.",
"It is important to create a shallow cavity at the correct location to minimize disruption of cancellous bone and to facilitate further therapeutic intervention.",
"[0009] The presently available techniques and devices expand along a path of least resistance within the cancellous bone.",
"As a result, these devices do not expand in a predictable manner, often expanding vertically before expanding horizontally (transverse).",
"Rather than consistently reducing the fracture, these techniques often crush the cancellous bone, creating an expanded cavity without necessarily reducing the fracture or restoring the natural anatomy.",
"[0010] Another reason for creating a narrow cavity is to impart known fracture zones in the bone.",
"These fracture zones enable controlled movement of the bone during other therapeutic procedures.",
"These fracture zones also create flow channels for various injectable materials that may be used in a further therapeutic intervention.",
"SUMMARY [0011] In contrast to the prior art, the devices and methods of the present invention are used to create an initial cavity in the vertebral body that has a controlled shape and location.",
"FIG. 13 represents a prior art procedure where a narrow and small cavity 17 is filled with a balloon and the overall “footprint”",
"is small so that the total distraction force is also small.",
"FIG. 14 represents a cavity created according to the invention filled with a balloon to apply distraction force.",
"In this figure, the increased area of the “footprint”",
"of the transverse cavity 18 permits greater distraction force per unit balloon pressure.",
"[0012] The vertebral body is entered through either a transpedicular or extrapedicular location with a needle, trocar or other access devices.",
"The cavity creation tool of the invention is inserted into the cancellous bone of the vertebral body through the relatively small area aperture created by the trocar or needle.",
"The cavity creation tool is then activated and manipulated.",
"[0013] In general, the tool is directed to a site near the bone fracture.",
"In the context of a vertebral compression fracture, the fracture is typically located in the anterior portion of the vertebral body.",
"Once positioned at the desired site, the device is used to create a cavity.",
"Although several related embodiments of the cavity creation tool are contemplated and illustrated, each of them defines a cutting or shearing plane.",
"Each device limits its action to a controlled area of the bone.",
"The controlled area both defines and is a portion of the “transverse”",
"cavity.",
"[0014] Once the preferred transverse cavity is created, any number of interventions can be performed.",
"For example, a device that “expands”",
"may be introduced to reduce the fracture.",
"Typically, the reduction is intended to restore the normal anatomy.",
"This expansion device may be removed or permanently implanted.",
"[0015] Once a fracture is reduced, the bone cavity may be filled with a bone filler material such as bone cement, allograft, or synthetic bone substitutes.",
"The filler acts to increase the stability and strength of the bone.",
"In some interventions, the filler may be combined with bone growth factors (BMPs, cell therapy, autologous growth factors) to accelerate bone remolding and increase the amount of bone remodeling.",
"Likewise, other drugs or therapies (including but not limited to antibiotics, chemotherapy, and other drug therapies) may be combined with the bone filler.",
"[0016] Although the invention is illustrated within the vertebral body compression fracture treatment context, other secondary interventions or operations can be contemplated for using the shaped cavity.",
"[0017] Although the invention is particularly useful for the treatment of vertebral bodies, it should be understood that similar bone fracture geometries exist in other parts of the body.",
"For this reason, the devices and methods of the invention may be used in the treatment of any compaction fracture, such as but not limited to the tibial plateau fractures, distal radius fractures, calcaneous, distal tibial fractures, and humeral fractures.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Illustrative embodiments of the inventions are shown throughout the several views of the drawings.",
"For ease of illustration, the inventions are disclosed in the context of the repair of a vertebral body, however the device and method can be applied in other compression fracture applications including, but not limited to tibial plateau, distal radius, calcaneous, distal tibial fractures, and humeral fractures.",
"[0019] In these illustrative but not limiting drawings, like reference numerals indicate equivalent structure, wherein: [0020] FIG. 1 is a phantom view of a vertebral body showing a transverse cavity, certain tool features and a coordinate system;",
"[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross section of a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0031] FIG. 12 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a cavity creation tool;",
"[0032] FIG. 13 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a hydraulic lifting device of the Prior Art;",
"and, [0033] FIG. 14 is a cross section of a vertebral body illustrating a portion of a hydraulic lifting device.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] FIG. 1 is a phantom view of a vertebral body showing a transverse cavity 18 and a coordinate system 16 .",
"This figure shows a vertebral body 10 in isolation.",
"Two possible surgical entry points into the vertebral body contemplated within the scope of the invention are illustrated.",
"One entry point is “transpedicular.”",
"This approach is indicated by the physical location of tube 12 , traveling through the pedicle into the vertebral body 10 .",
"Another approach is “extra-pedicular.”",
"This access approach is illustrated by tool 14 entering the vertebral body at a location lateral of the transpedicular approach on the posterolateral corner of the vertebral body.",
"[0035] The typical surgery will include a small incision in the back adjacent to the vertebral body.",
"Next, a small gauge needle or guide-wire is introduced to confirm proper positioning under fluoroscopy.",
"Physicians typically utilize an 11-gauge needle for the transpedicular approach and a larger needle or tube (up to 6 mm ID) for the extra-pedicular approach.",
"Many physicians advance cannulated tools over a small gauge needle to successively increase the size of the working channel.",
"[0036] Other physicians may prefer to place a guide catheter at the site and to introduce tools though the lumen of the guide catheter.",
"In general, the tools described herein can be used either over the wire or through a guide catheter or alone at the election of the physician.",
"[0037] In this figure, a coordinate system 16 identifies a vertical direction Z, which points along the spine.",
"The Y-direction is generally anterior.",
"It is the purpose of the invention to create a cavity with a fixed and controlled vertical extent (Z-axis height) and a controlled shape in the X-Y plane.",
"For the purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse cavity will be used interchangeably with a cavity created parallel to the surface that is to be reduced or restored to its normal anatomic position, and generally normal to the force applied.",
"The surface that is reduced or displaced defines the X-Y plane.",
"This definition holds for other procedures performed with the invention.",
"[0038] Returning to the figure, the cavity 18 is typically ovaloid in shape as projected in the X-Y plane.",
"The ovaloid shape has an approximately uniform height in the Z direction.",
"This “shape”",
"is referred to throughout the specification as a “transverse cavity”",
"for the vertebral body application illustrated in these figures.",
"Therefore the X-Y plane is defined as the “transverse plane”",
"and the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the “vertical axis.”",
"It is a characteristic of all the embodiments of the tools shown in the application that the cross sectional area of the tool at the entry point into the bone is smaller than the transverse cavity created with the tool.",
"[0039] To facilitate description of the invention, the distal “working”",
"structures of the cavity creation tools are illustrated in isolation while the proximal manipulation handles as contemplated are shown generically as handle 20 and finger loop 21 .",
"In each embodiment, a handle structure 20 can be moved with respect to the tool sheath or tool body 14 .",
"In each embodiment, the relative motion between handle 20 and sheath 14 activates the distal working surfaces of the device.",
"The handle 20 or the finger loop 21 is indexed to the distal working surfaces to provide confirmation of the orientation of the working surfaces with respect to the bone structures.",
"[0040] It is contemplated that in addition to direct manual manipulation, other power sources can be used to actuate the working surfaces, including hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and electromechanical actuators shown generically in FIG. 1 as power source 23 .",
"In general, purely manual mechanical mechanisms are preferred because they improve tactile feedback to the physician.",
"[0041] The tools may be made of conventional materials, with stainless steel preferred for “blade”",
"embodiments and Nitinol or other super elastic alloys adopted for the flexible arm embodiments.",
"The tools may be reusable or disposable.",
"Materials choices do not appear critical for carrying out the invention.",
"[0042] The overall length of the cavity creation tool from the handle structures 20 and 21 to the working distal tip may vary to facilitate the particular surgical procedure.",
"For example, a length of 220 cm is useful for the vertebral application, while a length of 60 cm is a practical value for a tibial plateau procedure.",
"[0043] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the cavity creation tool 30 that includes a blade 38 mounted on the tool body 14 for rotational motion around the pivot 34 .",
"The rod 32 is coupled to a proximal handle 20 ( FIG. 1 ) and a push-pull motion between the handle and the finger loop 21 ( FIG. 1 ) causes the blade to sweep out an arc 40 .",
"The blade may be blunt or it may include a cutting surface 42 .",
"In operation, the blade 38 laterally loads cancellous bone, breaking or cutting the bone in the X-Y plane of the cavity.",
"The pivot and blade are confined to a transverse plane so this action creates the transverse cavity.",
"By advancing the tool along the axis 36 , the cavity may take an approximately oval shape in the X-Y plane.",
"[0044] FIG. 3 shows a cavity creation tool 62 having a distal end that is positioned in a vertebral body.",
"The distal end includes two arms.",
"A first arm 52 is anchored to the tube 14 with a hinge point mechanism 56 at a first end.",
"The second end of the arm 52 is coupled to the pull rod 64 .",
"Relative motion between the tube 14 and the pull rod 64 expands the first arm in a transverse plane.",
"This particular embodiment of the tool is asymmetric and the tool includes a second arm 58 that is anchored to the tube 14 with a hinge mechanism 60 .",
"The first and second arms define a plane for the operation of the device in the transverse plane.",
"[0045] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the tool body 14 having a notch or groove 15 for locating and restraining a pull rod 32 .",
"The tool body cross section defines the tool body area for the cavity creation tool.",
"In general, the tool may be inserted into a bone through a hole of the size of the tool body area.",
"This parameter or area is always smaller than the “footprint”",
"of the transverse cavity in the X-Y plane.",
"The cross section of this portion of the tool defines the tool body area.",
"[0046] FIG. 5 shows a pull rod 32 is constrained in a groove in the tool body 14 .",
"In this embodiment the pull rod actuates a blade or other structure.",
"The cross section of this portion of the tool defines the tool body area.",
"[0047] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the tool that has two pull or push rods 100 and 106 .",
"Pull rod 106 operates a first arm 108 while the second arm 102 is activated by the independent pull rod 102 .",
"The asymmetrical operation of the two independent arms can be used to control the shape of the cavity by directing expansion of the cavity to preferred areas within the vertebral body.",
"[0048] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the tool 70 where a container 72 surrounds a pair of arms 52 and 58 .",
"The container interacts with the cancellous bone as the pull rod activates the arms and moves them against the cancellous bone.",
"The container prevents debris from interfering with the retraction of the arms.",
"The container 72 can be subsequently inflated to reduce the fracture and restore the natural anatomy.",
"Finally, the container may be detached and left behind.",
"[0049] In this particular embodiment, the first and second arms are identical, and will normally create a symmetric cavity.",
"The container 72 is optional and the arms can be used alone in a fashion analogous to other versions of the tool.",
"[0050] In this particular embodiment, the first and second arms have blunt dissection surfaces on the exterior of the arms to interact with cancellous bone.",
"In this embodiment, the first and second arms may also have different mechanical properties for the creation of an asymmetric cavity.",
"[0051] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the cavity creation tool 80 that includes saw-like teeth on the first arm 88 and the second arm 82 .",
"Once again, traction on the pull rod 64 causes the teeth on the arms to cut through the cancellous bone.",
"In a fashion similar to related embodiments, the arms lie in and define a cutting plane that creates a transverse cavity.",
"The saw teeth typified by tooth 90 can be moved by manipulating both the pull rod and the tube.",
"[0052] FIG. 9 shows a cable-actuated device with a cable 200 wrapping a spindle or axle 202 mounted on the tool body 214 .",
"Cable motion results in sweeping out an arc 210 as seen in FIG. 10 .",
"[0053] FIG. 10 shows the blade 38 can sweep through 360 degrees because of cable actuation.",
"An arc of less than 360 degrees may be used when a non-circular cavity is required.",
"[0054] FIG. 11 is a cable-operated version with the pull rod 232 coupled to cable 200 .",
"In this device, the pull on the cable forces the flex arms 202 and 208 in an outward direction to form the transverse cavity.",
"[0055] FIG. 12 shows the cable-operated version of FIG. 9 with the arms deployed, creating a transverse cavity.",
"[0056] FIG. 13 which represents the prior art is a schematic of a balloon or other hydraulic lifting device as it is initially inserted into the vertebral body.",
"[0057] FIG. 14 is a schematic of the increased lifting force generated by a balloon or other hydraulic lifting device which immediately reaches a broad surface area because of the transverse cavity that has been prepared before deploying the balloon or hydraulic lifting device.",
"[0058] Although the invention has been illustrated in one context, it should be apparent that the device features maybe modified or combined in alternate configurations."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the design of circuits, and more specifically, to the design of a transformer construction in power supply.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Power supplies are used to provide power to electronic devices to enable the electronic devices to operate. Power supplies can come in a variety of designs, depending on the needs of the electronic devices. Sometimes the electronic devices are powered directly from the power supplies and sometimes the electronic devices are powered from batteries, which are charged by the power supplies.
[0005] One of the items often included in power supplies is a transformer. A voltage is usually applied to the transformer from one part of the power supply circuit (often referred to as the primary) and the transformer transfers energy from that part of the power supply circuitry to another part of the power supply circuitry (often referred to as the secondary). The transformer provides the electrical isolation and also shifts the voltage level between the primary and secondary.
[0006] The design and construction of power supplies as well as the transformers that are used in the power supplies can be a very complicated and complex task due to many factors and variables. The complexity is further increased if transformer shielding is to be added to the construction process. For example, the design and construction of transformers is often done through experimentation, on a trial and error basis in order for the power supply designer to realize a power supply having the desired specifications with regard to electrical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention detailed illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying Figures.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a block diagram of power supply design including an embodiment of a transformer design that is generated by an embodiment of a power supply software design tool run on a computer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of design results of a power supply design including an embodiment of a transformer design that is generated by an embodiment of a power supply software design tool run on a computer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system that may be used with an embodiment a power supply design tool and a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of additional output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of still more of the output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events of an initialization of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of primary winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of bias winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of secondary winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of shield winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments of a transformer construction design tool that may be integrated with a power supply design tool are disclosed. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. Well-known methods related to the implementation have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0021] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment an output 101 generated by power supply design tool including a transformer design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, output 101 may be a report generated by a computer program such as for example PI Expert™ power supply design software from Power Integrations of San Jose, Calif. In other embodiments, it is appreciated that other programs may be utilized to generate a report similar to output 101 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0023] As shown in the depicted embodiment, output 101 includes an example block diagram of an example designed power supply 103 with design warnings 139 . Design warnings 139 provide a power supply designer with descriptions of potential concerns regarding power supply 103 and possible fixes regarding the potential concerns. In the illustrated example, the “Block Diagram” tab of output 101 is selected, which displays the design of power supply 103 . The design of power supply 103 includes a transformer 111 , which in the illustrated example includes a primary winding 113 , secondary windings 115 , 117 , 119 and 121 , and a bias winding 123 . In other transformer designs or embodiments, a different number of windings may be designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0024] In operation, an alternating current (AC) input voltage Vin is generated from an AC source 105 is rectified with a rectifier circuit 107 and filter capacitor 109 . The rectified input voltage Vin is applied to one end of the primary winding 113 of transformer 111 . A power supply controller 125 is coupled to the other end of the primary winding 111 . In the illustrated embodiment, power supply controller 125 is from the TOPSwitch® family of integrated circuit power supply controllers from Power Integrations of San Jose, Calif. In other embodiments, other power supply controllers may be utilized in power supply designs in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. When operating, power supply controller 125 includes a power switch that is switched on and off to control or regulate the transfer of energy in transformer 111 from the primary winding 111 to the secondary windings 115 , 117 , 119 and 121 , and a bias winding 123 . As a result, regulated voltages and/or currents are provided outputs 127 , 129 , 131 , 133 and 135 of power supply 103 . In the illustrated embodiment, feedback is provided to power supply controller 125 through feedback/secondary Zener circuitry 137 from bias winding 123 through output 135 .
[0025] FIG. 2 is diagram that illustrates an example of output 101 generated by a power supply design tool in which the “Design Results” tab is selected. With the “Design Results” tab selected, the design results 241 report corresponding to the design of power supply 103 of FIG. 1 is displayed. As shown in the depicted embodiment, design results includes a report summarizing various features of the design of power supply 103 including a listing of power supply inputs, power supply outputs, device variables and the like. As illustrated, the design results also provides descriptions as well as other helpful information that will assist a power supply designer when designing a power supply in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a machine 301 , such as for example a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or any other suitable computing equivalent capable to run software such as for example the power supply design tool including a transformer design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, machine 301 is a computer that includes a processor 303 coupled to a bus 307 . In one embodiment, memory 305 , storage 311 , display controller 309 , communications interface 313 , input/output controller 315 and audio controller 327 are also coupled to bus 307 .
[0027] In one embodiment, machine 301 interfaces to external systems through communications interface 313 . Communications interface 313 may include an analog modem, digital modem, a network interface card, a wireless network interface, an optical carrier interface, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface, or any other interfaces for coupling a device to other devices.
[0028] In one embodiment, a carrier wave signal 323 is received/transmitted by communications interface 313 to communicate with a wireless antenna 111 . In one embodiment, wireless antenna provides a wireless interface to a network 313 . In one embodiment, carrier wave signal 325 is received/transmitted by communications interface 313 to communicate with network 113 . In one embodiment, communications signals 323 and/or 325 may be used to interface machine 301 with another computer system, a network hub, router or the like. In one embodiment, communications signals 323 and 325 may be considered as carrier-wave signals and are considered to be machine readable media, which may be transmitted through wires, cables, optical fibers or through the atmosphere, or the like.
[0029] In one embodiment, processor 303 may be a conventional microprocessor, such as for example but not limited to an Intel x86 or Pentium family microprocessor, a Motorola family microprocessor, or any other suitable equivalent. Memory 305 may be a machine readable medium such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and may include static random access memory (SRAM). Display controller 309 controls in a conventional manner a display 319 , which in one embodiment may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an active matrix display, a plasma display, a projector display, a television monitor or the like. The input/output device 317 coupled to input/output controller 315 may be a keyboard, disk drive, printer, scanner and other input and output devices, including a television remote, mouse, trackball, track pad, joystick, pointing device or the like. In one embodiment, audio controller 327 controls in a conventional manner audio output 331 , which may include for example audio speakers, headphones, an audio receiver, amplifier or the like. In one embodiment, controller also controls in a conventional manner audio input 329 , which may include for example a microphone or input(s) from an audio or musical device, or the like.
[0030] Storage 311 in one embodiment may include machine readable or accessible media such as for example but not limited to a magnetic hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a flash memory drive, a smart card or any other suitable storage media equivalent for the storage for data. In one embodiment, storage 311 may include removable media, read-only media, readable/writable media or the like. Some of the data may be written by a direct memory access process into memory 305 during execution of software in computer system 301 . It is appreciated that software may reside in storage 311 , memory 305 or may be transmitted or received via modem or communications interface 313 . For the purposes of the specification, the term “machine readable medium” shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing data, information or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by processor 303 to cause processor 303 to perform the methodologies of the present invention. The term “machine readable medium” shall be taken to include, but is not limited to solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, carrier wave signals, and the like.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the output 401 of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool, which in one embodiment may be integrated with a power supply design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool is a software tool that may be operated on a computer such as for example machine 301 . For example, in one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool software includes instructions, which may be accessed from in storage 311 , memory 305 and/or the carrier wave signals of communications signals 323 and/or 325 . When processor 303 accesses the instructions, an embodiment of the transformer construction design tool is executed by machine 301 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0032] In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool is integrated or may used with a power supply design tool, such as for example the power supply design tool example described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 above. In particular, in one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool provides more detailed information to a power supply designer on how to construct the transformer design included in the design of power supply 103 describe above in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, the information regarding the design of power supply 103 may be provided as input to the transformer construction design tool through a data file stored locally on machine 301 in storage 311 , or remotely in a network storage device accessed through communications interface 313 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, the information regarding the design of power supply 103 may be provided as input to the transformer construction design tool through an input/output device 317 to machine 301 through input/output controller 315 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0033] To illustrate, output 401 includes a diagram 403 of a transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, output 401 may be output as on display, such as for example display 319 , or output may be printed on a printer connected to machine 301 through for example communications interface 313 or input/output controller 315 or the like. In one embodiment, the information of output 401 may be stored for example in a file stored in a local hard drive such as for example storage 311 , or for example an network storage device accessed via communications interface 313 .
[0034] As shown in the depicted embodiment, output 401 includes a diagram 403 of a transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Associated with the transformer in output 401 is specific detailed information that can be used when constructing the transformer illustrated in diagram 403 . For example, as illustrated in the depicted embodiment, output 401 may include a core information report 405 , a bobbin information report 407 , a primary winding report 409 , a bias winding report 411 and a shield information report 413 in FIG. 4 . Each of the reports includes detailed information or parameters helpful to a power supply designer to construct the designed transformer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0035] For example, in one embodiment, core information report 405 includes information regarding core type, core material, gap length, gapped effective inductance and primary inductance. Bobbin information report 407 includes a bobbin reference number, number of primary pins, number of secondary pins, as well as margins on the left and right. Primary winding report 409 includes parameters for the associated sections regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin. For the purposes of this disclosure the term filar may be interpreted as a representation of the number of parallel strands of wire. Bias winding report 411 includes parameters and associated values regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin. Shield information report 413 includes parameters associated with the primary shield, secondary shield and cancellation shield windings regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin, if applicable.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating additional information that may be reported in an embodiment of the output 401 , which is generated by an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown in the diagram of FIG. 5 , one embodiment of output 401 may also include a secondary winding report 515 and a winding instruction report 517 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, secondary winding report 515 includes parameters for the associated outputs regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin. Winding instructions report 517 include one embodiment of specific detailed instructions on exactly how to wind each of the specific windings in the sections of the transformer including for example, primary section 1 , bias winding, secondary winding, each of the shield windings (primary shield, secondary shield and cancellation shield) and primary section 2 . In one embodiment, winding instruction report 517 may also include instructions on how to construct the core as well as how varnish the transformer.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating still more information that may reported in an embodiment of the output 401 , which is generated by an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown in the diagram of FIG. 6 , one embodiment of output 401 may also include comments report 619 regarding the transformer construction, a materials report 621 and an electrical test specification report 623 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, comments report 619 may include helpful suggestions regarding the construction of the specific transformer that is described. Materials report 621 provides a detailed list of the materials that will used to construct the transformer and the electrical test specifications report 623 provides a list of parameters, conditions and specifications of the specific transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process or flow of events 701 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, a software power supply design tool executed on a computer is run prior to the processing illustrated in the flow of events 701 such that a power supply design is generated by the power supply design tool. In one embodiment, the generated power supply design includes a transformer to be designed and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, the generated power supply design is stored on a computer-readable medium, such as for example a storage device like storage element 311 or memory 305 or a storage device accessible in network 313 in FIG. 3 . In another embodiment, the generated power supply design may be output from the computer via printer connected to the computer via communications interface 313 or input/output controller 315 or a display 319 via display controller 309 . In one embodiment, the processing described in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures may be performed with a software tool executed by the same or a different computer that executes the power supply design tool program that generated the power supply design in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 , processing begins at block 703 with initialization of the transformer construction design tool. After initialization, block 705 shows that primary winding parameters of the designed transformer are calculated. Next, processing may continue with block 707 , which shows that bias winding parameters are calculated. After bias winding parameters are calculated, block 719 shows that secondary winding parameters are calculated. Next, processing may continue with block 711 , which shows that shield winding parameters are then calculated. As will be discussed, a variety of operations are performed during the calculation of the parameters of the various transformer windings. For instance, in various embodiments, the allocation of the respective windings on the appropriate number of pins on a given transformer bobbin is determined in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. This allocation of the respective windings on the appropriate number of pins may be performed on one or more of the primary, bias, secondary and/or shield windings in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0040] After the parameters of the windings have been calculated, processing may continue with block 713 , which shows that a material list is then generated. In one embodiment, calculation results of all of the transformer sections may be reviewed in block 713 and a material list is generated with a unique identifier for each material. Next, processing may continue with block 715 , which shows that winding instructions and comments are generated. In one embodiment, the winding instructions generated in block 715 are generated based at least in part on the particular shield case as calculated in block 711 . Block 717 shows that the output or a report of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool may then be displayed or generated. After the output is displayed, block 719 shows that control may then returned back to block 705 if there is a user event with a parameter change. If there is a “User Exit” user event, processing is then complete in the flow of events 701 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events of the initialization in block 703 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, initialization in includes clearing all engine structures of the design tool, as shown with block 803 . Block 805 shows that parameters of the transformer design are then loaded. In one embodiment, the parameters that are loaded include for example parameters of the transformer that may be stored in a file in or on storage 311 generated by a power supply design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In another embodiment, the parameters of the transformer may be loaded into the transformer construction design tool through other suitable techniques, such as for example in a communications signal 323 and/or 325 received through communications interface 313 or through an input device 317 through input/output controller 315 . After the parameters are loaded, block 807 shows that the parameters are then organized or sorted, for example by voltage, by the transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one embodiment, negative output is separated from other output such that negative output doesn't participate in the sorting of block 807 .
[0042] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events occurring during the calculation of primary winding parameters of block 705 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Block 903 shows that it is determined whether the primary wire size is acceptable. For example, in one embodiment, the biggest primary wire size is 20 American Wire Gauge (AWG). If the wire gauge is not acceptable, block 905 shows that an equivalent wire size and filar is calculated. In one embodiment, the equivalent wire size is calculated based on one or more of a specific winding, a topology of the power supply and a switching frequency of the power supply designed by the power supply design program. Block 907 shows that it is determined if there is a split or sandwich primary construction. Block 909 shows that primary pin allocation is calculated. Block 911 shows that in one embodiment additional pins are allocated if necessary to ensure that the maximum number of wires terminating on or coupled to a pin is practical or within a predetermined maximum number of wires allowable to be coupled to a pin. In one embodiment, the order in which windings are windings are coupled to each pin of the transformer is also determined. In one embodiment, the identity of the particular windings of the transformer that are to be terminated on particular pins of the transformer are determined during the processing within blocks 909 and/or 911 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Block 913 shows that the total number of pins on the primary side is then determined. In one embodiment, the total number of pins required is based at least in part on the number of wires terminated on a pin.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of bias winding parameters of block 707 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Block 1003 checks if the wire size and percentage of the bobbin window width that the Bias winding occupies is acceptable. In one embodiment, if one of the parameters is not acceptable block 1005 will calculate an optimum or improved wire size and filar. In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool also tries to optimize bias layers. In one embodiment, optimum bias layers are between 0.5 and 1.0. Block 1007 shows that the transformer construction design tool also determines bias winding pin allocation in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of secondary winding parameters of block in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Block 1103 shows that all outputs of the transformer are identified or calculated. Block 1105 shows that secondary pins are then allocated by voltage. In one embodiment, pin allocation is based on stacked outputs sorted by voltage, with stacked outputs being outputs where the start of one winding is connected to the finish of a previous winding or rectified output of a previous winding. In one embodiment, there is a maximum wires per pin allowed and an extra pin is allocated if the number of wires allocated to a pin exceeds the predetermined limit. In one embodiment, the first secondary pin is based on the last pin on the primary side. Block 1107 shows that the ground pin is then defined and block 1109 then shows that secondary pin allocation is determined by current.
[0045] In one embodiment, the secondary pin allocation by current of block 1109 begins by determining whether the number of total stack outputs is greater than one, as shown with block 1111 . If not, the outputs are independent or it is a single output and the secondary pin allocation by current isn't required. However, if the total of stack outputs is greater than one, then block 1113 shows that pin allocation data is then loaded from the allocation by voltage determined in block 1105 . Block 1115 shows that ground pins are then moved on the middle of the secondary bobbin part. In block 1117 , all valid outputs are then assigned to odd (e.g. physically located above ground pin) or even parts (e.g. physically located below the ground pin) from the ground pin. Next, all valid outputs are considered and it is determined if additional secondary pins are needed by checking if the number of wires per pin exceeds a predetermined limit or the maximum wires per pin allowed. If additional pins are required, then they are inserted at the defined location. Block 1121 shows that negative output pins are assigned if negative output exists. Block 1123 shows that the new secondary start and termination pins are then assigned. Block 1125 shows that it is checked if the new secondary pin allocation is out of sync, i.e. if during the process of extra pin allocation the first secondary pin or combination of any of the secondary pins have shifted. If this is so, then all of the pins are shifted in the correct direction so as to synchronize the first secondary pin with the calculated value during the process of output pin allocation by voltage, as shown with block 1127 . Then, the calculation of secondary winding parameters of the transform design is completed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of shield winding parameters of block 711 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Block 1203 shows that initialization occurs when the calculation of shield winding parameters begins with the clearing of shield structures. As will be shown, in one embodiment, all shield calculations are based on a particular shield “case” of the transformer to be constructed. In one embodiment, these shield cases are derived through complex consideration of electrical parameters that may include variables like type of device used, number of turns, layers, filar, output power, output voltage or current, whether split (sandwich) primary type of construction is used or not used and the type of secondary winding used (wire or foil). Depending on the combination existing in a particular design a shield case is intelligently assigned to it.
[0047] For instance, block 1207 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a first shield case where there is a split (sandwich) primary with no foil technique. If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1219 according to this first shield case. In one embodiment, the user is also advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.
[0048] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first shield case, then block 1209 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a second shield case where there is a split (sandwich) primary with a foil technique. If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1221 according to this second shield case. In one embodiment, this design of primary shield may or may not vary from the first case. In one embodiment, the user is also advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.
[0049] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first or the second shield case, then block 1211 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a third shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary and no foil technique. If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1223 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1225 according to this third shield case. In one embodiment, the primary shield design may also be different than the design used in the first or the second case.
[0050] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first or second or the third shield case, then block 1213 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a fourth shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique. If so, the secondary shield is calculated in block 1227 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1229 according to this third fourth case. In one embodiment, the cancellation shield design may be different than the design used in the first or the second case. In one embodiment, the user may also be advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.
[0051] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third or fourth shield cases, then block 1215 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a sixth shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique and the secondary shield layer is more than one. If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1231 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1233 according to this sixth case.
[0052] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third, fourth or sixth shield case, then block 1217 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a seventh shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique and there is no bias winding. If so, the secondary shield is calculated in block 1235 , the primary shield is calculated in block 1237 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1239 according to this seventh case.
[0053] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventh shield case, then it is assumed that the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a fifth shield case where there is a primary side bias and no shield windings. In this fifth case, and after the flow events described above with regard to all of the first, second, third fourth, sixth and seventh cases, pin 1 is checked and all pins are shifted as required per block 1241 . In one embodiment, the number of wires on pin 1 is checked against a maximum limit. Afterwards, the calculation of shield winding parameters is complete in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0054] It is appreciated that the operations that have been described above as multiple discrete blocks performed in turn in a manner that may be helpful in understanding various embodiments according to the teachings of the present invention. However, the order in which the blocks are described above should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent or that the operations be performed in the order in which the blocks are presented. Of course, the process blocks described provide examples to describe embodiments of the present invention and other embodiments may be employed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0055] In the foregoing detailed description, the methods and apparatuses of the present invention have been described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. | Various techniques directed to the design and construction of transformers are disclosed. In one aspect, a method according to embodiments of the present invention includes loading parameters of a transformer included in a power supply design, calculating primary winding parameters of the transformer in response to the loaded parameters of the transformer, calculating secondary winding parameters of the transformer in response to the loaded parameters of the transformer. Shield winding parameters of the transformer may be calculated in response to the loaded parameters of the transformer. The calculation of secondary winding parameters may include allocating pins of a secondary winding of the transformer. | Summarize the patent document, focusing on the invention's functionality and advantages. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] 1.",
"Technical Field [0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the design of circuits, and more specifically, to the design of a transformer construction in power supply.",
"[0003] 2.",
"Background Information [0004] Power supplies are used to provide power to electronic devices to enable the electronic devices to operate.",
"Power supplies can come in a variety of designs, depending on the needs of the electronic devices.",
"Sometimes the electronic devices are powered directly from the power supplies and sometimes the electronic devices are powered from batteries, which are charged by the power supplies.",
"[0005] One of the items often included in power supplies is a transformer.",
"A voltage is usually applied to the transformer from one part of the power supply circuit (often referred to as the primary) and the transformer transfers energy from that part of the power supply circuitry to another part of the power supply circuitry (often referred to as the secondary).",
"The transformer provides the electrical isolation and also shifts the voltage level between the primary and secondary.",
"[0006] The design and construction of power supplies as well as the transformers that are used in the power supplies can be a very complicated and complex task due to many factors and variables.",
"The complexity is further increased if transformer shielding is to be added to the construction process.",
"For example, the design and construction of transformers is often done through experimentation, on a trial and error basis in order for the power supply designer to realize a power supply having the desired specifications with regard to electrical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The present invention detailed illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying Figures.",
"[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a block diagram of power supply design including an embodiment of a transformer design that is generated by an embodiment of a power supply software design tool run on a computer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0009] FIG. 2 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of design results of a power supply design including an embodiment of a transformer design that is generated by an embodiment of a power supply software design tool run on a computer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system that may be used with an embodiment a power supply design tool and a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of additional output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of still more of the output of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events of an initialization of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of primary winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0017] FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of bias winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0018] FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of secondary winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0019] FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events in a calculation of shield winding parameters in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] Embodiments of a transformer construction design tool that may be integrated with a power supply design tool are disclosed.",
"In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.",
"It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention.",
"Well-known methods related to the implementation have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.",
"[0021] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”",
"or “an embodiment”",
"means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.",
"Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”",
"or “in an embodiment”",
"in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.",
"Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.",
"[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment an output 101 generated by power supply design tool including a transformer design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, output 101 may be a report generated by a computer program such as for example PI Expert™ power supply design software from Power Integrations of San Jose, Calif.",
"In other embodiments, it is appreciated that other programs may be utilized to generate a report similar to output 101 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0023] As shown in the depicted embodiment, output 101 includes an example block diagram of an example designed power supply 103 with design warnings 139 .",
"Design warnings 139 provide a power supply designer with descriptions of potential concerns regarding power supply 103 and possible fixes regarding the potential concerns.",
"In the illustrated example, the “Block Diagram”",
"tab of output 101 is selected, which displays the design of power supply 103 .",
"The design of power supply 103 includes a transformer 111 , which in the illustrated example includes a primary winding 113 , secondary windings 115 , 117 , 119 and 121 , and a bias winding 123 .",
"In other transformer designs or embodiments, a different number of windings may be designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0024] In operation, an alternating current (AC) input voltage Vin is generated from an AC source 105 is rectified with a rectifier circuit 107 and filter capacitor 109 .",
"The rectified input voltage Vin is applied to one end of the primary winding 113 of transformer 111 .",
"A power supply controller 125 is coupled to the other end of the primary winding 111 .",
"In the illustrated embodiment, power supply controller 125 is from the TOPSwitch® family of integrated circuit power supply controllers from Power Integrations of San Jose, Calif.",
"In other embodiments, other power supply controllers may be utilized in power supply designs in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"When operating, power supply controller 125 includes a power switch that is switched on and off to control or regulate the transfer of energy in transformer 111 from the primary winding 111 to the secondary windings 115 , 117 , 119 and 121 , and a bias winding 123 .",
"As a result, regulated voltages and/or currents are provided outputs 127 , 129 , 131 , 133 and 135 of power supply 103 .",
"In the illustrated embodiment, feedback is provided to power supply controller 125 through feedback/secondary Zener circuitry 137 from bias winding 123 through output 135 .",
"[0025] FIG. 2 is diagram that illustrates an example of output 101 generated by a power supply design tool in which the “Design Results”",
"tab is selected.",
"With the “Design Results”",
"tab selected, the design results 241 report corresponding to the design of power supply 103 of FIG. 1 is displayed.",
"As shown in the depicted embodiment, design results includes a report summarizing various features of the design of power supply 103 including a listing of power supply inputs, power supply outputs, device variables and the like.",
"As illustrated, the design results also provides descriptions as well as other helpful information that will assist a power supply designer when designing a power supply in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a machine 301 , such as for example a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or any other suitable computing equivalent capable to run software such as for example the power supply design tool including a transformer design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, machine 301 is a computer that includes a processor 303 coupled to a bus 307 .",
"In one embodiment, memory 305 , storage 311 , display controller 309 , communications interface 313 , input/output controller 315 and audio controller 327 are also coupled to bus 307 .",
"[0027] In one embodiment, machine 301 interfaces to external systems through communications interface 313 .",
"Communications interface 313 may include an analog modem, digital modem, a network interface card, a wireless network interface, an optical carrier interface, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface, or any other interfaces for coupling a device to other devices.",
"[0028] In one embodiment, a carrier wave signal 323 is received/transmitted by communications interface 313 to communicate with a wireless antenna 111 .",
"In one embodiment, wireless antenna provides a wireless interface to a network 313 .",
"In one embodiment, carrier wave signal 325 is received/transmitted by communications interface 313 to communicate with network 113 .",
"In one embodiment, communications signals 323 and/or 325 may be used to interface machine 301 with another computer system, a network hub, router or the like.",
"In one embodiment, communications signals 323 and 325 may be considered as carrier-wave signals and are considered to be machine readable media, which may be transmitted through wires, cables, optical fibers or through the atmosphere, or the like.",
"[0029] In one embodiment, processor 303 may be a conventional microprocessor, such as for example but not limited to an Intel x86 or Pentium family microprocessor, a Motorola family microprocessor, or any other suitable equivalent.",
"Memory 305 may be a machine readable medium such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and may include static random access memory (SRAM).",
"Display controller 309 controls in a conventional manner a display 319 , which in one embodiment may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an active matrix display, a plasma display, a projector display, a television monitor or the like.",
"The input/output device 317 coupled to input/output controller 315 may be a keyboard, disk drive, printer, scanner and other input and output devices, including a television remote, mouse, trackball, track pad, joystick, pointing device or the like.",
"In one embodiment, audio controller 327 controls in a conventional manner audio output 331 , which may include for example audio speakers, headphones, an audio receiver, amplifier or the like.",
"In one embodiment, controller also controls in a conventional manner audio input 329 , which may include for example a microphone or input(s) from an audio or musical device, or the like.",
"[0030] Storage 311 in one embodiment may include machine readable or accessible media such as for example but not limited to a magnetic hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a flash memory drive, a smart card or any other suitable storage media equivalent for the storage for data.",
"In one embodiment, storage 311 may include removable media, read-only media, readable/writable media or the like.",
"Some of the data may be written by a direct memory access process into memory 305 during execution of software in computer system 301 .",
"It is appreciated that software may reside in storage 311 , memory 305 or may be transmitted or received via modem or communications interface 313 .",
"For the purposes of the specification, the term “machine readable medium”",
"shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing data, information or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by processor 303 to cause processor 303 to perform the methodologies of the present invention.",
"The term “machine readable medium”",
"shall be taken to include, but is not limited to solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, carrier wave signals, and the like.",
"[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the output 401 of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool, which in one embodiment may be integrated with a power supply design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool is a software tool that may be operated on a computer such as for example machine 301 .",
"For example, in one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool software includes instructions, which may be accessed from in storage 311 , memory 305 and/or the carrier wave signals of communications signals 323 and/or 325 .",
"When processor 303 accesses the instructions, an embodiment of the transformer construction design tool is executed by machine 301 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0032] In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool is integrated or may used with a power supply design tool, such as for example the power supply design tool example described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 above.",
"In particular, in one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool provides more detailed information to a power supply designer on how to construct the transformer design included in the design of power supply 103 describe above in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, the information regarding the design of power supply 103 may be provided as input to the transformer construction design tool through a data file stored locally on machine 301 in storage 311 , or remotely in a network storage device accessed through communications interface 313 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, the information regarding the design of power supply 103 may be provided as input to the transformer construction design tool through an input/output device 317 to machine 301 through input/output controller 315 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0033] To illustrate, output 401 includes a diagram 403 of a transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, output 401 may be output as on display, such as for example display 319 , or output may be printed on a printer connected to machine 301 through for example communications interface 313 or input/output controller 315 or the like.",
"In one embodiment, the information of output 401 may be stored for example in a file stored in a local hard drive such as for example storage 311 , or for example an network storage device accessed via communications interface 313 .",
"[0034] As shown in the depicted embodiment, output 401 includes a diagram 403 of a transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Associated with the transformer in output 401 is specific detailed information that can be used when constructing the transformer illustrated in diagram 403 .",
"For example, as illustrated in the depicted embodiment, output 401 may include a core information report 405 , a bobbin information report 407 , a primary winding report 409 , a bias winding report 411 and a shield information report 413 in FIG. 4 .",
"Each of the reports includes detailed information or parameters helpful to a power supply designer to construct the designed transformer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0035] For example, in one embodiment, core information report 405 includes information regarding core type, core material, gap length, gapped effective inductance and primary inductance.",
"Bobbin information report 407 includes a bobbin reference number, number of primary pins, number of secondary pins, as well as margins on the left and right.",
"Primary winding report 409 includes parameters for the associated sections regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin.",
"For the purposes of this disclosure the term filar may be interpreted as a representation of the number of parallel strands of wire.",
"Bias winding report 411 includes parameters and associated values regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin.",
"Shield information report 413 includes parameters associated with the primary shield, secondary shield and cancellation shield windings regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin, if applicable.",
"[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating additional information that may be reported in an embodiment of the output 401 , which is generated by an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"As shown in the diagram of FIG. 5 , one embodiment of output 401 may also include a secondary winding report 515 and a winding instruction report 517 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In the depicted embodiment, secondary winding report 515 includes parameters for the associated outputs regarding number of turns, wire size, filar, layers, start pin and termination pin.",
"Winding instructions report 517 include one embodiment of specific detailed instructions on exactly how to wind each of the specific windings in the sections of the transformer including for example, primary section 1 , bias winding, secondary winding, each of the shield windings (primary shield, secondary shield and cancellation shield) and primary section 2 .",
"In one embodiment, winding instruction report 517 may also include instructions on how to construct the core as well as how varnish the transformer.",
"[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating still more information that may reported in an embodiment of the output 401 , which is generated by an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"As shown in the diagram of FIG. 6 , one embodiment of output 401 may also include comments report 619 regarding the transformer construction, a materials report 621 and an electrical test specification report 623 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In the depicted embodiment, comments report 619 may include helpful suggestions regarding the construction of the specific transformer that is described.",
"Materials report 621 provides a detailed list of the materials that will used to construct the transformer and the electrical test specifications report 623 provides a list of parameters, conditions and specifications of the specific transformer to be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0038] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process or flow of events 701 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, a software power supply design tool executed on a computer is run prior to the processing illustrated in the flow of events 701 such that a power supply design is generated by the power supply design tool.",
"In one embodiment, the generated power supply design includes a transformer to be designed and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, the generated power supply design is stored on a computer-readable medium, such as for example a storage device like storage element 311 or memory 305 or a storage device accessible in network 313 in FIG. 3 .",
"In another embodiment, the generated power supply design may be output from the computer via printer connected to the computer via communications interface 313 or input/output controller 315 or a display 319 via display controller 309 .",
"In one embodiment, the processing described in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures may be performed with a software tool executed by the same or a different computer that executes the power supply design tool program that generated the power supply design in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 , processing begins at block 703 with initialization of the transformer construction design tool.",
"After initialization, block 705 shows that primary winding parameters of the designed transformer are calculated.",
"Next, processing may continue with block 707 , which shows that bias winding parameters are calculated.",
"After bias winding parameters are calculated, block 719 shows that secondary winding parameters are calculated.",
"Next, processing may continue with block 711 , which shows that shield winding parameters are then calculated.",
"As will be discussed, a variety of operations are performed during the calculation of the parameters of the various transformer windings.",
"For instance, in various embodiments, the allocation of the respective windings on the appropriate number of pins on a given transformer bobbin is determined in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"This allocation of the respective windings on the appropriate number of pins may be performed on one or more of the primary, bias, secondary and/or shield windings in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0040] After the parameters of the windings have been calculated, processing may continue with block 713 , which shows that a material list is then generated.",
"In one embodiment, calculation results of all of the transformer sections may be reviewed in block 713 and a material list is generated with a unique identifier for each material.",
"Next, processing may continue with block 715 , which shows that winding instructions and comments are generated.",
"In one embodiment, the winding instructions generated in block 715 are generated based at least in part on the particular shield case as calculated in block 711 .",
"Block 717 shows that the output or a report of an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool may then be displayed or generated.",
"After the output is displayed, block 719 shows that control may then returned back to block 705 if there is a user event with a parameter change.",
"If there is a “User Exit”",
"user event, processing is then complete in the flow of events 701 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0041] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events of the initialization in block 703 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, initialization in includes clearing all engine structures of the design tool, as shown with block 803 .",
"Block 805 shows that parameters of the transformer design are then loaded.",
"In one embodiment, the parameters that are loaded include for example parameters of the transformer that may be stored in a file in or on storage 311 generated by a power supply design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In another embodiment, the parameters of the transformer may be loaded into the transformer construction design tool through other suitable techniques, such as for example in a communications signal 323 and/or 325 received through communications interface 313 or through an input device 317 through input/output controller 315 .",
"After the parameters are loaded, block 807 shows that the parameters are then organized or sorted, for example by voltage, by the transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"In one embodiment, negative output is separated from other output such that negative output doesn't participate in the sorting of block 807 .",
"[0042] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events occurring during the calculation of primary winding parameters of block 705 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Block 903 shows that it is determined whether the primary wire size is acceptable.",
"For example, in one embodiment, the biggest primary wire size is 20 American Wire Gauge (AWG).",
"If the wire gauge is not acceptable, block 905 shows that an equivalent wire size and filar is calculated.",
"In one embodiment, the equivalent wire size is calculated based on one or more of a specific winding, a topology of the power supply and a switching frequency of the power supply designed by the power supply design program.",
"Block 907 shows that it is determined if there is a split or sandwich primary construction.",
"Block 909 shows that primary pin allocation is calculated.",
"Block 911 shows that in one embodiment additional pins are allocated if necessary to ensure that the maximum number of wires terminating on or coupled to a pin is practical or within a predetermined maximum number of wires allowable to be coupled to a pin.",
"In one embodiment, the order in which windings are windings are coupled to each pin of the transformer is also determined.",
"In one embodiment, the identity of the particular windings of the transformer that are to be terminated on particular pins of the transformer are determined during the processing within blocks 909 and/or 911 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Block 913 shows that the total number of pins on the primary side is then determined.",
"In one embodiment, the total number of pins required is based at least in part on the number of wires terminated on a pin.",
"[0043] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of bias winding parameters of block 707 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Block 1003 checks if the wire size and percentage of the bobbin window width that the Bias winding occupies is acceptable.",
"In one embodiment, if one of the parameters is not acceptable block 1005 will calculate an optimum or improved wire size and filar.",
"In one embodiment, the transformer construction design tool also tries to optimize bias layers.",
"In one embodiment, optimum bias layers are between 0.5 and 1.0.",
"Block 1007 shows that the transformer construction design tool also determines bias winding pin allocation in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0044] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of secondary winding parameters of block in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Block 1103 shows that all outputs of the transformer are identified or calculated.",
"Block 1105 shows that secondary pins are then allocated by voltage.",
"In one embodiment, pin allocation is based on stacked outputs sorted by voltage, with stacked outputs being outputs where the start of one winding is connected to the finish of a previous winding or rectified output of a previous winding.",
"In one embodiment, there is a maximum wires per pin allowed and an extra pin is allocated if the number of wires allocated to a pin exceeds the predetermined limit.",
"In one embodiment, the first secondary pin is based on the last pin on the primary side.",
"Block 1107 shows that the ground pin is then defined and block 1109 then shows that secondary pin allocation is determined by current.",
"[0045] In one embodiment, the secondary pin allocation by current of block 1109 begins by determining whether the number of total stack outputs is greater than one, as shown with block 1111 .",
"If not, the outputs are independent or it is a single output and the secondary pin allocation by current isn't required.",
"However, if the total of stack outputs is greater than one, then block 1113 shows that pin allocation data is then loaded from the allocation by voltage determined in block 1105 .",
"Block 1115 shows that ground pins are then moved on the middle of the secondary bobbin part.",
"In block 1117 , all valid outputs are then assigned to odd (e.g. physically located above ground pin) or even parts (e.g. physically located below the ground pin) from the ground pin.",
"Next, all valid outputs are considered and it is determined if additional secondary pins are needed by checking if the number of wires per pin exceeds a predetermined limit or the maximum wires per pin allowed.",
"If additional pins are required, then they are inserted at the defined location.",
"Block 1121 shows that negative output pins are assigned if negative output exists.",
"Block 1123 shows that the new secondary start and termination pins are then assigned.",
"Block 1125 shows that it is checked if the new secondary pin allocation is out of sync, i.e. if during the process of extra pin allocation the first secondary pin or combination of any of the secondary pins have shifted.",
"If this is so, then all of the pins are shifted in the correct direction so as to synchronize the first secondary pin with the calculated value during the process of output pin allocation by voltage, as shown with block 1127 .",
"Then, the calculation of secondary winding parameters of the transform design is completed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0046] FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a flow of events during a calculation of shield winding parameters of block 711 in an embodiment of a transformer construction design tool in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"Block 1203 shows that initialization occurs when the calculation of shield winding parameters begins with the clearing of shield structures.",
"As will be shown, in one embodiment, all shield calculations are based on a particular shield “case”",
"of the transformer to be constructed.",
"In one embodiment, these shield cases are derived through complex consideration of electrical parameters that may include variables like type of device used, number of turns, layers, filar, output power, output voltage or current, whether split (sandwich) primary type of construction is used or not used and the type of secondary winding used (wire or foil).",
"Depending on the combination existing in a particular design a shield case is intelligently assigned to it.",
"[0047] For instance, block 1207 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a first shield case where there is a split (sandwich) primary with no foil technique.",
"If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1219 according to this first shield case.",
"In one embodiment, the user is also advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.",
"[0048] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first shield case, then block 1209 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a second shield case where there is a split (sandwich) primary with a foil technique.",
"If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1221 according to this second shield case.",
"In one embodiment, this design of primary shield may or may not vary from the first case.",
"In one embodiment, the user is also advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.",
"[0049] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first or the second shield case, then block 1211 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a third shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary and no foil technique.",
"If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1223 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1225 according to this third shield case.",
"In one embodiment, the primary shield design may also be different than the design used in the first or the second case.",
"[0050] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first or second or the third shield case, then block 1213 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a fourth shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique.",
"If so, the secondary shield is calculated in block 1227 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1229 according to this third fourth case.",
"In one embodiment, the cancellation shield design may be different than the design used in the first or the second case.",
"In one embodiment, the user may also be advised that the design may be able to perform better with the addition of a flux band around the core.",
"[0051] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third or fourth shield cases, then block 1215 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a sixth shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique and the secondary shield layer is more than one.",
"If so, the primary shield is calculated in block 1231 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1233 according to this sixth case.",
"[0052] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third, fourth or sixth shield case, then block 1217 determines whether the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a seventh shield case where there is no split (sandwich) primary but there is a foil technique and there is no bias winding.",
"If so, the secondary shield is calculated in block 1235 , the primary shield is calculated in block 1237 and the cancellation shield is calculated in block 1239 according to this seventh case.",
"[0053] If the shield design of the transformer to be constructed does not fall under the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventh shield case, then it is assumed that the shield design of the transformer to be constructed falls under a fifth shield case where there is a primary side bias and no shield windings.",
"In this fifth case, and after the flow events described above with regard to all of the first, second, third fourth, sixth and seventh cases, pin 1 is checked and all pins are shifted as required per block 1241 .",
"In one embodiment, the number of wires on pin 1 is checked against a maximum limit.",
"Afterwards, the calculation of shield winding parameters is complete in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0054] It is appreciated that the operations that have been described above as multiple discrete blocks performed in turn in a manner that may be helpful in understanding various embodiments according to the teachings of the present invention.",
"However, the order in which the blocks are described above should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent or that the operations be performed in the order in which the blocks are presented.",
"Of course, the process blocks described provide examples to describe embodiments of the present invention and other embodiments may be employed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.",
"[0055] In the foregoing detailed description, the methods and apparatuses of the present invention have been described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment thereof.",
"It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention.",
"The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the firewall mechanisms which are used to connect together two data transmission networks such as Intranet networks belonging to two different entities such as two different companies having each a specific administrative control, and relates in particular to a firewall system for interconnecting two IP networks managed by two different administrators.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many techniques for network security are using today a firewall, which is generally known as a combination of hardware and software used to implement a security policy governing network traffic between two or more networks, some of which may be private as being under administrative control of a customer or network provider (e.g., organizational networks) and some of which may not be under administrative control (e.g., the Internet) also called a public network. A network firewall commonly serves as a primary line of defense against external threats to an organization's computer systems, networks, and critical information. Firewalls can also be used to partition networks or isolate/interconnect VPNs.
[0003] Using other words, a Firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially Intranets but can also be used between two Intranets. All messages entering or leaving the Intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria. They may also be used to interconnect private networks managed by two different administrative entities. In that case, generally, two firewalls are cascaded with an intermediate link called DMZ, each one managed by a different administrative authority.
[0004] The firewalls achieve various decision-making processes and principally the packet filtering consisting in looking at each packet entering or leaving the associated network and accepting or rejecting this packet based on user-defined rules. However, other security-related functions can be implemented in a firewall such as an application gateway applying a security mechanism to specific applications such as FTP and Telnet servers, circuit-level gateway applying a security mechanism when a TCP or UDP connection is established and a proxy server which enables to establish a connection on behalf of a client between the proxy server and destination device.
[0005] In addition to these security-related functions, firewalls can also perform routing functions that are associated with the network being protected and that are conventionally associated with a separate/individual router. Routing is the process of deciding the disposition of each packet that a routing device handles. This applies to incoming packets, outbound packets leaving a network for external destinations, and packets being routed among internal networks. Ultimately, there can be only two possibilities for the packets: forward or discard. The routing mechanism based upon a routing table takes the decision by using the destination IP address in the packet header.
[0006] A routing configuration that reflects the network topology is generally used so that the firewall is able to deliver legitimate packets to their desired destinations. A firewall routing table contains a list of IP network addresses for which the firewall is intended to provide routing services. If the lookup of the routing table is successful for a packet, the table provides either the address of the next router to send the packet or the interface to be used for sending the packet out. If the table lookup fails, the packet is discarded and an ICMP “unreachable” message is generally returned to the source indicating that the packet was undeliverable.
[0007] However, the routing mechanism being too dynamic and unreliable, it cannot be used to implement security policy. It is why a security technique called stateful inspection or dynamic packet filtering is often used. Whereas the classical packet filtering is based only on the header information on each individual packet without considering any prior packets, the stateful inspection filtering allows both complex combinations of payload (message content) and context established by prior packets to influence filtering decisions. As with packet filtering, stateful inspection is implemented as an “add-on” to routing. The principle motivation for stateful inspection is a compromise between performance and security. As a routing “add-on,” stateful inspection provides much better performance than the proxies. It also provides an increase in the level of firewall function beyond simple packet filtering. Like proxies, much more complex access control criteria can be specified and like packet filtering, stateful inspection depends on a high quality (i.e. correct) underlying routing implementation.
[0008] But, in any case, two physically different firewalls are implemented one after the other in an interconnection between Intranet networks because each network is administratively managed by a different organization that wants to have a dedicated administrative access to the firewall for defining rules and taking logs. Some of the rules are common but are run twice which decrease the overall system performance. The cost and the complexity are high, and the reliability is lower because two serial equipments are used. Configuration is more complex because there is an additional link between the two firewalls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to replace the classical firewall system including two physically different firewalls in series by a firewall system including a single firewall device for interconnecting two IP networks belonging to two different entities managed by two different administrations.
[0010] The invention relates therefore to a firewall system for interconnecting a first IP network to a second IP network, these networks belonging to two different entities having each a different administration wherein any data packet transmitted or received by the first IP network is filtered by using a first firewall function and any data packet transmitted or received by the second IP network is filtered by using a second firewall function. The system comprises essentially a single firewall device including filtering means performing both first firewall function and second firewall function, a console port enabling the administrator in charge of administrating each IP network to enter filtering rules for updating the associated firewall function and control means interconnecting the console port and the filtering means for transmitting thereto the filtering rules so that each administrator may independently manage the system from the console port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reading the following more particular description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0012] [0012]FIG. 1 is a block-diagram of a prior system including two firewalls for interconnecting two IP networks belonging to two different entities having two different administrators.
[0013] [0013]FIG. 2 is a block-diagram of the same system as the one illustrated in FIG. 1 but wherein the two firewalls have been replaced by a single firewall according to the invention.
[0014] [0014]FIG. 3 is a block-diagram representing the functional blocks of a firewall device.
[0015] [0015]FIG. 4A and 4B are block-diagrams representing respectively the functional blocks of a firewall system according to the invention for the data path from the first network to the second network and for the data path from the second network to the first network.
[0016] [0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram representing the method achieving the rule merging.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 shows a classical system where two networks NET 1 10 and NET 2 16 belonging to two different administrative entities, such as different companies, are securely interconnected via a complex firewall system comprising a first firewall FW 1 12 and a second firewall FW 2 14 . The administrative owner, referenced as MG 1 11 of NET 1 , manages FW 1 while the network owner MG 2 17 of NET 2 manages FW 2 . A LAN 15 interconnects FW 1 and FW 2 which is, in this example, a demilitarized zone DMZ 15 shared by the two companies. Common servers may be implemented in this zone such as a web server SR 18 . Both companies may use such a server. Such a zone is also called community of interest COI.
[0018] The system illustrated in FIG. 1 is costly and adds an overhead in the path since the firewall processing is run twice. Furthermore, any failure on one of the two firewalls stops the traffic. These drawbacks are overcome by the Firewall system according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the two firewalls FW 1 and FW 2 are replaced by a single physical device FW 20 which can also provide a locally demilitarized zone to connect an external shared server such as SR 18 . The single firewall 20 allows MG 1 11 and MG 2 17 to manage respectively their logical firewall part within the dual firewall system.
[0019] In such a system, no visibility to the configuration on one side is provided to the administrator of the other side but the rules that can be aggregated allow optimizing the performance of the solution. Therefore the cost of such implementation will be lower and the reliability better.
[0020] A standard firewall with its functional blocks is represented in FIG. 3. Note that a firewall is normally divided into two devices which are functionally identical for the two data paths except for the stateful inspection mechanism which includes an additional control flow between the transmit and receive sides. Insofar as the functional blocks are the same for the two data paths, only the firewall device controlling the data path outputting from the NET 1 is represented in FIG. 3.
[0021] The functional blocks of the firewall include in the transmission order from NET 1 10 to DMZ 15 as an example, a first Network Address Translation (NAT) function NATin 30 , which is optional insofar as NAT is necessary only if there is a mapping rule for changing the source IP address, and which forwards data to a second block called FILTin 31 . The latter function performs the filtering on the input interface and forwards granted packets to IPgw 35 , which is the forwarding engine of the firewall. It can take routing decision based on the routing defined by the routing control point RCP 34 . RCP maintains the routes with its peer routing devices and updates the forwarding table of the IP gateway 35 . Based on these rules, a packet may be sent to an integrated function, such as an application proxy PXY 36 or a server entity SRV 38 for authentication, encryption or other service module like DHCP service. It may also be sent to RCP if the packet is a routing update message. Otherwise, the main path is to forward the packet to the output interface. In that case, the packet has again to path through two blocks: a first filtering block for output packets FILTout 33 followed by a second NAT function NATout 32 . This second NAT is active only if there is a mapping rule for changing the destination IP address. Then, the packet is sent out of the firewall, into the DMZ 15 in the example. The need for output filtering and NAT is mainly for packets modified in the proxy and servers for which the input rules are irrelevant. These blocks should exist even if the NAT functions are not used.
[0022] In the filtering block 31 , filtering rules determine whether or not a packet will be allowed through IP Filtering, into the kernel's TCP/IP routines or out onto the network. The Access List based Static filtering filters the packets using statically configured filters based on the following fields:
[0023] Range of Source and Destination addresses
[0024] Protocol Type (e.g. TCP, UDP, ICMP, IGMP, RSVP, OSPF, IGP, EGP, NVP)
[0025] Source and Destination Port numbers
[0026] TOS (Type of Service) field
[0027] IP Options
[0028] IP Fragmentation
[0029] ICMP type and code
[0030] Ack and Rst bit of TCP
[0031] For IP Accounting, input and output rules can be also separately setup, recording the number of bytes that pass through. Each time a rule match occurs, the byte count of the packet is added to the rule (allowing for cascading statistics to be collected). IP accounting data may be kept either from filtering module or from IP Gateway module IPgw 35 . Raw data is given to control block CTRL 39 that gathers it for providing it to the administrative entity. IP routing in IPgw 35 is a option that allows to forward packets according to routing rules defined in the routing control point RCP. Server 38 and proxy 36 support may also be included.
[0032] Other functions may be integrated in server 38 or proxy 36 such as the IP Authentication function. In that case, packets which are authenticated, are only passed through the firewall loops once to prevent double-processing.
[0033] Encryption such as IPsec tunneling is a function very often used in a firewall. As it is not possible to scan an encrypted tunnel, the decrypted packet coming from the encryption module will have to path through the output filtering function and therefore will be scanned.
[0034] It must be noted that control block CTRL 1 39 , administrating the firewall performs user (administrator of the firewall) authentication, configuration, log, statistics and problem determination so it has a link to any of the internal functional blocks (the links are not shown on the drawing as being not functional paths but only control means). The access to the firewall for administration can be always done through CONSOLE PORT 37 . The configuration may allow as well access to control CTRL 39 from NET 1 or DMZ sides even if the latter is not recommended for security reasons.
[0035] According to the invention, a single firewall device illustrated in FIG. 4A and 4B replaces the two classical cascaded firewalls. As explained hereafter, the functional blocks are the same as in a classical firewall but they are not duplicated in two firewalls. In reference to FIG. 4A representing the firewall for data path from NET 1 to NET 2 , the first and last functions are the network address translation in blocks NATin 1 30 and NATout 2 42 . The associated rules may be needed between the input interface and the internal DMZ or between the DMZ and the output interface or both. The rules require the following parameters:
[0036] Original Source, Original Destination, Original Service referring to the source and destination address and service of the packet before translation and Translated Source, Translated Destination, Translated Service referring to those parameters after translation.
[0037] A type of translation parameter (for example SNAT as static NAT, DNAT as Dynamic NAT, MASQUERADING also called Port address translation).
[0038] The administrator of the locally attached network only manages NAT on its local interface. So only one input NAT NATin 1 30 is implemented on NET 1 side and managed by the NET 1 administrator while the output NAT NATout 2 42 is interfacing NET 2 and managed by the NET 2 administrator.
[0039] As in a classical firewall, an essential function is the filtering, as already mentioned in reference to FIG. 3, achieved in the block FILTin 12 41 . Some rules are associated with this function, such as Sequence Number Hardening rules, Stateful Inspection rules, Time-Sensitive Rules, Static Filtering Rules Per logical firewall split between input and output filtering blocks. Insofar as the data packets can be processed by further functions in a server or a proxy as already mentioned, another filtering block FILTout 12 43 is necessary before NATout 2 42 . The function of the output block is the same as the function of the block FILTin 12 located at the input.
[0040] Importing/Exporting routing Rules are also defined for all packets but set by each administrator on the corresponding IP gateway also called Virtual routing and forwarding engine referenced as IPgw 1 35 and IPgw 2 45 located between blocks FILTin 12 41 and FILTout 12 42 . Each gateway gets the forwarding rules thanks to a dedicated Routing Control Point RCP 1 34 and RCP 2 44 respectively managing and advertising the routes for IPgw 1 and IPgw 2 . The administrators must exchange some information for providing route advertisement between these two gateways but no common block is required for that in a design using two different gateways. An optional design based on a single shared IP gateway is feasible when no routing visibility constraint exist between the two external networks NET 1 and NET 2 or if the IP gateway can be managed by only one of the administrator, the other one advertising its network routes thanks to an external router to the internal IP gateway and associated Routing Control Point.
[0041] IP accounting information, gathered by one administrative entity from functional blocks such as NAT 30 and 42 , FILTERING blocks 41 and 43 , and IP gateways 35 and 45 , is stored in dedicated control block either CTRL 1 39 or CTRL 2 49 . Global statistics of the aggregated traffic are stored in COMMON CTRL 47 .
[0042] Other dedicated administrative functions such as Email Notification, network management and Password security are managed separately in CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 . Original firewall configuration from each administrator is also kept in the respective control block. The security and integrity of each part of the configuration are achieved thanks to certified configuration (certificates) that allows reducing to a single equipment this dual entity without security issue.
[0043] The existing dedicated proxy such as PXY 1 36 and PXY 2 46 , and server functions such as SRV 1 38 and SRV 2 48 continue to be dedicated in the proposed design being each attached to the corresponding IPgateway block respectively IPgw 1 35 and IPgw 2 45 .
[0044] The connection from IPgw 1 to IPgw 2 may be considered as the remaining DMZ and may provide an external connection for external servers such as SR 18 .
[0045] [0045]FIG. 4B shows the flow for traffic from NET 2 16 to NET 1 10 . Most of the functional blocks are common with the opposite flow described in FIG. 4A since they are the same blocks as for legacy simple firewalls.
[0046] The main differences concern blocks NATin 2 42 ′ and block FILTin 21 43 ′ on NET 2 side and blocks NATout 1 30 ′ and block FILTout 21 41 ′ on NET 1 side.
[0047] NATin 2 42 ′ has a strong relationship with NATout 2 42 since, as soon one NAT mapping is defined in one of the two blocks, the reverse mapping has to be activated on the other block as a swap back function. Similarly NATout 1 30 ′ and NATin 1 30 have the same link between them.
[0048] FILTin 21 and FILTout 12 have no relationship except for stateful inspection rules insofar as one flow identified on one side will be granted on the other side. This means that dynamic rules are added on both blocks thanks to the stateful inspection function as done for legacy firewalls. The same stateful link may be implemented between FILTout 21 and FILTin 12 .
[0049] Referring again to FIG. 4A and 4B, an essential feature of the invention is the MERGE block 40 used to merge the rules. Before explaining the merging process, it is useful to mention that the filtering mechanism of a firewall applies the rules in a sequence mode by using a list of rules. If the incoming packet matches the first rule, it exits the filtering block and is forwarded to the next firewall functional block. If not, the second rule is applied and so on. Normally it should match a rule. For security reason, the last rule applied is an implicit rule to deny all the unmatched messages. The unmatched messages are messages which have not matched a rule before the end of the rule sequence. As the last rule is most often a “deny all”, a packet arriving at this last rule is discarded. In a dual firewall mechanism according to the invention, it is therefore essential to merge the rules so as to apply a reduced number of rules.
[0050] The merging process is done independently for FILTin 12 or FILTout 12 . Thanks to this mechanism, the dual administrated Firewall can check for redundant rules from each administrator in order to optimize the performance. No one of the two administrators may gain access to the result of the merging in order to protect the rules knowledge but the administrator of each side can identify that his rules have been correctly implemented thanks to the identification of the merging done rule by rule.
[0051] In a classical system, the cascade of two firewalls means that on each direction output rules on one firewall are followed by input rules on the second firewall. This is no longer the case with the proposed rules merging function since most of the filtering rules can be run once in a simplified model integrating the two logical firewalls as it will be explained with more details hereafter.
[0052] Two sets of logs are built and managed by CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 insofar as each rule even after merging is identified with its parent rule from each side. Each administrator may define each information, rule or file as common or local so that some logs or alarms for example may be shared. In that case, the control is given to the common control Block COMMON CTRL 47 which handles all common features, files and services. The Common features include the Configuration Interface used by both administrators to set each new configuration from each side, the Activity Viewer which shows in real time the traffic from NET 1 to NET 2 including the DMZ activity, the Logging mechanism of alerts and events that defines to which block CTRL 1 , CTRL 2 or COMMON CTRL the events have to be stored, the hardware management for installation and problem determination and the user authentication interface as a common mechanism required to identify administrators of each logical firewall entity on login request coming from CONSOLE PORT 37 or interfaces with NET 1 or NET 2 .
[0053] For comparison, a legacy firewall includes as control block what is in CTRL 1 and COMMON CONTROL except that in such case, identification to which logical firewall the user belongs is not necessary and logging of traffic information does not have to be define since only one set of log files is available.
[0054] An administrator may allow or not the access to the other side of the firewall administration on its direct access interface. On a legacy firewall, the administration using for example telnet is feasible from any interface. Of course, the administrator can lock some ports such as the public network interface. On a dual firewall, the administrator of each side manages this authorization and therefore the access using other ports or interfaces than the one dedicated to its network may be locked. This means that the port lock cannot be done at the protocol level, for example authorizing telnet or not on a port, because the administrator of one side wants to keep this protocol access on an interface for himself but not for the administrator of the other side. A more complex filtering mechanism using an external authentication server such as TACACS or RADIUS is recommended to securely authenticate the user and its rights to one side or the other of the dual firewall. If there is a need to allow administration from the different interfaces, the authentication servers of the two administrative entities should be linked together to allow forwarding of the authentication to the appropriate server.
[0055] In reference to FIG. 5, a merger function using 2 input configuration files 50 and 51 has to be considered. The merger function has to take into account the rules that can be fully merged or partially merged and the order to apply them against the remaining set of rules. It is based on a tree per configuration that allows a new common tree to be built and then leaf merged.
[0056] The remaining merged set of rules becomes the applied common set of rules. Whether this configuration file is visible to both administrative entities or visible to only one or none of them depends on the agreement between companies.
[0057] In order to explain how rules can be merged, it is necessary to detail how, in a standard firewall, the filtering rules are built with the same structure for defining them which looks like the following set of fields by rule: “Action”, “ProtocolType”, “@sourceA”, “@destinationB”, “PortNumber”, “Options”.
[0058] The fields value or content may be as an example:
[0059] “Action” is Permit or Deny
[0060] “Protocol Type” defines the protocol on which this rule is applied (i.e. IP,TCP,UDP . . . )
[0061] “@sourceA” describes the Source IP address of IP Datagram
[0062] “@destinationB” describes the Destination IP address of IP Datagram
[0063] “PortNumber” defines the specific port number related of the chosen protocol
[0064] “Options” defines the additional parameters which can be set to create rules more precise (i.e. Tos, Dscp, . . . )
[0065] In the firewall system according to the invention the two administrators can define the filtering rules. To know which administrator has defined the rules an implicit Tag is added in the rule structure.
[0066] This tag is coded with 3 bits and has 5 different states:
[0067] “0” coded “000”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 1 39 ,
[0068] “1” coded “001”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 2 49 ,
[0069] “2” coded “010”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 1 39 and in CTRL 2 49 ,
[0070] “3” coded “011”: describes that the rule defined in CTRL 2 49 includes the rule defined in CTRL 1 39 ,
[0071] “4” coded “100”: describes that the rule defined in CTRL 1 39 includes the rule defined in CTRL 2 49 .
[0072] In order to separate action logs (for debugging purpose) by Control Block CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 and using a secure way, a point of reference makes the correspondence between the Tag Number and at which Control Block the rule is referring to:
[0073] Tag Value=0 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 1 39 ,
[0074] Tag Value=1 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 2 49 ,
[0075] Tag Value=2 then Control Blocks of reference are CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 ,
[0076] Tag Value=3 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 2 49 ,
[0077] Tag Value=4 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 1 39 .
[0078] The first step is to compare a rule from the configuration file CF 1 50 (defined through CTRL 1 39 ) with rules from the configuration file CF 2 51 (defined through CTRL 2 49 ) in order to check whether a CF 1 rule can be merged with one of the CF 2 rules. When a rule processing is completed, the next rule from CF 1 is put in the merging process block 40 .
[0079] The checking process for identifying a possible merge is done in step 52 . The comparison is done against the 5 fields of a rule as mentioned above. The minimum requirements to merge two rules are to have the same Action, the same Protocol and the same Port number if present plus Source Addresses overlapping and/or Destination Addresses overlapping.
[0080] If these requirements are met then the rules can be merged and the checking process 52 forwards the corresponding rules to the checking process 53 .
[0081] If one requirement is missing, then the rules cannot be merged and then the checking process 52 forwards the rules to the process 56 .
[0082] The process 56 modifies the rule 1 and rule 2 by adding the appropriate TAG values (0 for rule 1 and 1 for rule 2 ) and put the two rules in the rule config file 60 . The corresponding rule 2 with TAG=0 is kept in CF 2 rules config file 51 as it can be merged with a next CF 1 rule. In that case the TAG value in COMMON RULE CONFIG 60 may be overwritten
[0083] When a merge is possible, the step 53 checks if the two rules (rule 1 and rule 2 ) are the same. If Yes, this process sends only the rule 1 to the process 57 , which modifies the rule 1 by adding the TAG value 2 and put it in the rule config file 60 . If the rule 1 and rule 2 are in some aspect different then the two rules are forwarded to step 54 .
[0084] Step 54 checks if rule 1 is included in term of Source/Destination addresses in rule 2 .
[0085] If yes, the process 54 sends rule 1 to the process 58 which modifies rule 1 by adding the tag value 3, and sends it in the rule config file 60 . If rule 1 is not included in rule 2 then the two rules are forwarded to step 55 . Step 55 reversely checks if rule 2 is included in term of Source/Destination addresses in rule 1 .
[0086] If yes, the process of step 55 sends rule 2 to step 59 which modifies the rule by adding the tag value 4 and put it in the rule config file 60 If the rule 2 is not included in rule 1 then the two rules are re-forwarded to the checking process 52 , which knows that these rules have been already checked, and then send them to the process of step 56 , as they cannot be merged in an improved way.
[0087] Note that the Rule inclusion is different whether the rule is a DENY or PERMIT rule.
[0088] A PERMIT rule A is included into another permit rule B if subnet space—source or destination—of the former is larger than the one of the latter. The most restrictive one in terms of addressing space is kept: rule B.
[0089] A DENY rule A is included into another deny rule B if subnet space—source or destination—of the former is smaller than the one of the latter. The most restrictive one is kept: rule B.
[0090] When two rules match, the checking with the remaining part of the list is stopped. An improved merging process with more than one pass is possible. It may be recommended when the number of rules is very important. It that case, multiple inclusion of rules may be used.
[0091] The merging process will be better understood with the following example wherein the list of CF 1 rules and the list of CF 2 rules are as follows:
[0092] CF 1 list of rules
Permit TTCP 172.20.0.0 192.0.0.0 23 Permit ICMP any any Deny IP 192.168.10.0 192.168.20.0
[0093] CF 2 list of rules
Permit ICMP 172.0.0.0 192.168.0.0 Permit TCP any any 23 Permit UDP 172.0.0.0 192.0.0.0
[0094] The first CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1 :
[0095] The protocol types are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.
[0096] The first CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 2 :
[0097] The CF 1 rule 1 is included in CF 2 rule 2 , then these rules can be merged: CF 1 Rule 1 is kept.
[0098] The second CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1
[0099] The CF 2 rule 1 is included in CF 1 rule 2 , then these rules can be merged: CF 2 Rule 1 is kept.
[0100] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1
[0101] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.
[0102] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 2
[0103] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.
[0104] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 3
[0105] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.
[0106] In this example, the common configuration file CF 12 got after rules comparison and merging is the following:
Permit TCP 172.20.0.0 192.0.0.0 Permit ICMP 172.0.0.0 192.168.0.0 Deny IP 192.168.10.0 192.168.20.0 Permit UDP 172.0.0.0 192.0.0.0 | Firewall system for interconnecting a first IP network ( 10 ) to a second IP network ( 16 ), these networks belonging to two different entities having each a different administration wherein any data packet transmitted/received by the first IP network is filtered by using a first firewall function and any data packet transmitted/received by the second IP network is filtered by using a second firewall function. The system comprises essentially a single firewall device ( 20 ) including filtering means ( 41, 43 ) performing both first firewall function and second firewall function, a console port ( 37 ) enabling the administrator in charge of each IP network to enter filtering rules for updating the associated firewall function and control means ( 39, 47, 49 ) interconnecting the console port and the filtering means for transmitting thereto the filtering rules so that each administrator may independently manage the system from the console port. | Briefly summarize the main idea's components and working principles as described in the context. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to the firewall mechanisms which are used to connect together two data transmission networks such as Intranet networks belonging to two different entities such as two different companies having each a specific administrative control, and relates in particular to a firewall system for interconnecting two IP networks managed by two different administrators.",
"BACKGROUND [0002] Many techniques for network security are using today a firewall, which is generally known as a combination of hardware and software used to implement a security policy governing network traffic between two or more networks, some of which may be private as being under administrative control of a customer or network provider (e.g., organizational networks) and some of which may not be under administrative control (e.g., the Internet) also called a public network.",
"A network firewall commonly serves as a primary line of defense against external threats to an organization's computer systems, networks, and critical information.",
"Firewalls can also be used to partition networks or isolate/interconnect VPNs.",
"[0003] Using other words, a Firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.",
"Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially Intranets but can also be used between two Intranets.",
"All messages entering or leaving the Intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.",
"They may also be used to interconnect private networks managed by two different administrative entities.",
"In that case, generally, two firewalls are cascaded with an intermediate link called DMZ, each one managed by a different administrative authority.",
"[0004] The firewalls achieve various decision-making processes and principally the packet filtering consisting in looking at each packet entering or leaving the associated network and accepting or rejecting this packet based on user-defined rules.",
"However, other security-related functions can be implemented in a firewall such as an application gateway applying a security mechanism to specific applications such as FTP and Telnet servers, circuit-level gateway applying a security mechanism when a TCP or UDP connection is established and a proxy server which enables to establish a connection on behalf of a client between the proxy server and destination device.",
"[0005] In addition to these security-related functions, firewalls can also perform routing functions that are associated with the network being protected and that are conventionally associated with a separate/individual router.",
"Routing is the process of deciding the disposition of each packet that a routing device handles.",
"This applies to incoming packets, outbound packets leaving a network for external destinations, and packets being routed among internal networks.",
"Ultimately, there can be only two possibilities for the packets: forward or discard.",
"The routing mechanism based upon a routing table takes the decision by using the destination IP address in the packet header.",
"[0006] A routing configuration that reflects the network topology is generally used so that the firewall is able to deliver legitimate packets to their desired destinations.",
"A firewall routing table contains a list of IP network addresses for which the firewall is intended to provide routing services.",
"If the lookup of the routing table is successful for a packet, the table provides either the address of the next router to send the packet or the interface to be used for sending the packet out.",
"If the table lookup fails, the packet is discarded and an ICMP “unreachable”",
"message is generally returned to the source indicating that the packet was undeliverable.",
"[0007] However, the routing mechanism being too dynamic and unreliable, it cannot be used to implement security policy.",
"It is why a security technique called stateful inspection or dynamic packet filtering is often used.",
"Whereas the classical packet filtering is based only on the header information on each individual packet without considering any prior packets, the stateful inspection filtering allows both complex combinations of payload (message content) and context established by prior packets to influence filtering decisions.",
"As with packet filtering, stateful inspection is implemented as an “add-on”",
"to routing.",
"The principle motivation for stateful inspection is a compromise between performance and security.",
"As a routing “add-on,” stateful inspection provides much better performance than the proxies.",
"It also provides an increase in the level of firewall function beyond simple packet filtering.",
"Like proxies, much more complex access control criteria can be specified and like packet filtering, stateful inspection depends on a high quality (i.e. correct) underlying routing implementation.",
"[0008] But, in any case, two physically different firewalls are implemented one after the other in an interconnection between Intranet networks because each network is administratively managed by a different organization that wants to have a dedicated administrative access to the firewall for defining rules and taking logs.",
"Some of the rules are common but are run twice which decrease the overall system performance.",
"The cost and the complexity are high, and the reliability is lower because two serial equipments are used.",
"Configuration is more complex because there is an additional link between the two firewalls.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to replace the classical firewall system including two physically different firewalls in series by a firewall system including a single firewall device for interconnecting two IP networks belonging to two different entities managed by two different administrations.",
"[0010] The invention relates therefore to a firewall system for interconnecting a first IP network to a second IP network, these networks belonging to two different entities having each a different administration wherein any data packet transmitted or received by the first IP network is filtered by using a first firewall function and any data packet transmitted or received by the second IP network is filtered by using a second firewall function.",
"The system comprises essentially a single firewall device including filtering means performing both first firewall function and second firewall function, a console port enabling the administrator in charge of administrating each IP network to enter filtering rules for updating the associated firewall function and control means interconnecting the console port and the filtering means for transmitting thereto the filtering rules so that each administrator may independently manage the system from the console port.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reading the following more particular description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0012] [0012 ]FIG. 1 is a block-diagram of a prior system including two firewalls for interconnecting two IP networks belonging to two different entities having two different administrators.",
"[0013] [0013 ]FIG. 2 is a block-diagram of the same system as the one illustrated in FIG. 1 but wherein the two firewalls have been replaced by a single firewall according to the invention.",
"[0014] [0014 ]FIG. 3 is a block-diagram representing the functional blocks of a firewall device.",
"[0015] [0015 ]FIG. 4A and 4B are block-diagrams representing respectively the functional blocks of a firewall system according to the invention for the data path from the first network to the second network and for the data path from the second network to the first network.",
"[0016] [0016 ]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram representing the method achieving the rule merging.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] [0017 ]FIG. 1 shows a classical system where two networks NET 1 10 and NET 2 16 belonging to two different administrative entities, such as different companies, are securely interconnected via a complex firewall system comprising a first firewall FW 1 12 and a second firewall FW 2 14 .",
"The administrative owner, referenced as MG 1 11 of NET 1 , manages FW 1 while the network owner MG 2 17 of NET 2 manages FW 2 .",
"A LAN 15 interconnects FW 1 and FW 2 which is, in this example, a demilitarized zone DMZ 15 shared by the two companies.",
"Common servers may be implemented in this zone such as a web server SR 18 .",
"Both companies may use such a server.",
"Such a zone is also called community of interest COI.",
"[0018] The system illustrated in FIG. 1 is costly and adds an overhead in the path since the firewall processing is run twice.",
"Furthermore, any failure on one of the two firewalls stops the traffic.",
"These drawbacks are overcome by the Firewall system according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the two firewalls FW 1 and FW 2 are replaced by a single physical device FW 20 which can also provide a locally demilitarized zone to connect an external shared server such as SR 18 .",
"The single firewall 20 allows MG 1 11 and MG 2 17 to manage respectively their logical firewall part within the dual firewall system.",
"[0019] In such a system, no visibility to the configuration on one side is provided to the administrator of the other side but the rules that can be aggregated allow optimizing the performance of the solution.",
"Therefore the cost of such implementation will be lower and the reliability better.",
"[0020] A standard firewall with its functional blocks is represented in FIG. 3. Note that a firewall is normally divided into two devices which are functionally identical for the two data paths except for the stateful inspection mechanism which includes an additional control flow between the transmit and receive sides.",
"Insofar as the functional blocks are the same for the two data paths, only the firewall device controlling the data path outputting from the NET 1 is represented in FIG. 3. [0021] The functional blocks of the firewall include in the transmission order from NET 1 10 to DMZ 15 as an example, a first Network Address Translation (NAT) function NATin 30 , which is optional insofar as NAT is necessary only if there is a mapping rule for changing the source IP address, and which forwards data to a second block called FILTin 31 .",
"The latter function performs the filtering on the input interface and forwards granted packets to IPgw 35 , which is the forwarding engine of the firewall.",
"It can take routing decision based on the routing defined by the routing control point RCP 34 .",
"RCP maintains the routes with its peer routing devices and updates the forwarding table of the IP gateway 35 .",
"Based on these rules, a packet may be sent to an integrated function, such as an application proxy PXY 36 or a server entity SRV 38 for authentication, encryption or other service module like DHCP service.",
"It may also be sent to RCP if the packet is a routing update message.",
"Otherwise, the main path is to forward the packet to the output interface.",
"In that case, the packet has again to path through two blocks: a first filtering block for output packets FILTout 33 followed by a second NAT function NATout 32 .",
"This second NAT is active only if there is a mapping rule for changing the destination IP address.",
"Then, the packet is sent out of the firewall, into the DMZ 15 in the example.",
"The need for output filtering and NAT is mainly for packets modified in the proxy and servers for which the input rules are irrelevant.",
"These blocks should exist even if the NAT functions are not used.",
"[0022] In the filtering block 31 , filtering rules determine whether or not a packet will be allowed through IP Filtering, into the kernel's TCP/IP routines or out onto the network.",
"The Access List based Static filtering filters the packets using statically configured filters based on the following fields: [0023] Range of Source and Destination addresses [0024] Protocol Type (e.g. TCP, UDP, ICMP, IGMP, RSVP, OSPF, IGP, EGP, NVP) [0025] Source and Destination Port numbers [0026] TOS (Type of Service) field [0027] IP Options [0028] IP Fragmentation [0029] ICMP type and code [0030] Ack and Rst bit of TCP [0031] For IP Accounting, input and output rules can be also separately setup, recording the number of bytes that pass through.",
"Each time a rule match occurs, the byte count of the packet is added to the rule (allowing for cascading statistics to be collected).",
"IP accounting data may be kept either from filtering module or from IP Gateway module IPgw 35 .",
"Raw data is given to control block CTRL 39 that gathers it for providing it to the administrative entity.",
"IP routing in IPgw 35 is a option that allows to forward packets according to routing rules defined in the routing control point RCP.",
"Server 38 and proxy 36 support may also be included.",
"[0032] Other functions may be integrated in server 38 or proxy 36 such as the IP Authentication function.",
"In that case, packets which are authenticated, are only passed through the firewall loops once to prevent double-processing.",
"[0033] Encryption such as IPsec tunneling is a function very often used in a firewall.",
"As it is not possible to scan an encrypted tunnel, the decrypted packet coming from the encryption module will have to path through the output filtering function and therefore will be scanned.",
"[0034] It must be noted that control block CTRL 1 39 , administrating the firewall performs user (administrator of the firewall) authentication, configuration, log, statistics and problem determination so it has a link to any of the internal functional blocks (the links are not shown on the drawing as being not functional paths but only control means).",
"The access to the firewall for administration can be always done through CONSOLE PORT 37 .",
"The configuration may allow as well access to control CTRL 39 from NET 1 or DMZ sides even if the latter is not recommended for security reasons.",
"[0035] According to the invention, a single firewall device illustrated in FIG. 4A and 4B replaces the two classical cascaded firewalls.",
"As explained hereafter, the functional blocks are the same as in a classical firewall but they are not duplicated in two firewalls.",
"In reference to FIG. 4A representing the firewall for data path from NET 1 to NET 2 , the first and last functions are the network address translation in blocks NATin 1 30 and NATout 2 42 .",
"The associated rules may be needed between the input interface and the internal DMZ or between the DMZ and the output interface or both.",
"The rules require the following parameters: [0036] Original Source, Original Destination, Original Service referring to the source and destination address and service of the packet before translation and Translated Source, Translated Destination, Translated Service referring to those parameters after translation.",
"[0037] A type of translation parameter (for example SNAT as static NAT, DNAT as Dynamic NAT, MASQUERADING also called Port address translation).",
"[0038] The administrator of the locally attached network only manages NAT on its local interface.",
"So only one input NAT NATin 1 30 is implemented on NET 1 side and managed by the NET 1 administrator while the output NAT NATout 2 42 is interfacing NET 2 and managed by the NET 2 administrator.",
"[0039] As in a classical firewall, an essential function is the filtering, as already mentioned in reference to FIG. 3, achieved in the block FILTin 12 41 .",
"Some rules are associated with this function, such as Sequence Number Hardening rules, Stateful Inspection rules, Time-Sensitive Rules, Static Filtering Rules Per logical firewall split between input and output filtering blocks.",
"Insofar as the data packets can be processed by further functions in a server or a proxy as already mentioned, another filtering block FILTout 12 43 is necessary before NATout 2 42 .",
"The function of the output block is the same as the function of the block FILTin 12 located at the input.",
"[0040] Importing/Exporting routing Rules are also defined for all packets but set by each administrator on the corresponding IP gateway also called Virtual routing and forwarding engine referenced as IPgw 1 35 and IPgw 2 45 located between blocks FILTin 12 41 and FILTout 12 42 .",
"Each gateway gets the forwarding rules thanks to a dedicated Routing Control Point RCP 1 34 and RCP 2 44 respectively managing and advertising the routes for IPgw 1 and IPgw 2 .",
"The administrators must exchange some information for providing route advertisement between these two gateways but no common block is required for that in a design using two different gateways.",
"An optional design based on a single shared IP gateway is feasible when no routing visibility constraint exist between the two external networks NET 1 and NET 2 or if the IP gateway can be managed by only one of the administrator, the other one advertising its network routes thanks to an external router to the internal IP gateway and associated Routing Control Point.",
"[0041] IP accounting information, gathered by one administrative entity from functional blocks such as NAT 30 and 42 , FILTERING blocks 41 and 43 , and IP gateways 35 and 45 , is stored in dedicated control block either CTRL 1 39 or CTRL 2 49 .",
"Global statistics of the aggregated traffic are stored in COMMON CTRL 47 .",
"[0042] Other dedicated administrative functions such as Email Notification, network management and Password security are managed separately in CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 .",
"Original firewall configuration from each administrator is also kept in the respective control block.",
"The security and integrity of each part of the configuration are achieved thanks to certified configuration (certificates) that allows reducing to a single equipment this dual entity without security issue.",
"[0043] The existing dedicated proxy such as PXY 1 36 and PXY 2 46 , and server functions such as SRV 1 38 and SRV 2 48 continue to be dedicated in the proposed design being each attached to the corresponding IPgateway block respectively IPgw 1 35 and IPgw 2 45 .",
"[0044] The connection from IPgw 1 to IPgw 2 may be considered as the remaining DMZ and may provide an external connection for external servers such as SR 18 .",
"[0045] [0045 ]FIG. 4B shows the flow for traffic from NET 2 16 to NET 1 10 .",
"Most of the functional blocks are common with the opposite flow described in FIG. 4A since they are the same blocks as for legacy simple firewalls.",
"[0046] The main differences concern blocks NATin 2 42 ′ and block FILTin 21 43 ′ on NET 2 side and blocks NATout 1 30 ′ and block FILTout 21 41 ′ on NET 1 side.",
"[0047] NATin 2 42 ′ has a strong relationship with NATout 2 42 since, as soon one NAT mapping is defined in one of the two blocks, the reverse mapping has to be activated on the other block as a swap back function.",
"Similarly NATout 1 30 ′ and NATin 1 30 have the same link between them.",
"[0048] FILTin 21 and FILTout 12 have no relationship except for stateful inspection rules insofar as one flow identified on one side will be granted on the other side.",
"This means that dynamic rules are added on both blocks thanks to the stateful inspection function as done for legacy firewalls.",
"The same stateful link may be implemented between FILTout 21 and FILTin 12 .",
"[0049] Referring again to FIG. 4A and 4B, an essential feature of the invention is the MERGE block 40 used to merge the rules.",
"Before explaining the merging process, it is useful to mention that the filtering mechanism of a firewall applies the rules in a sequence mode by using a list of rules.",
"If the incoming packet matches the first rule, it exits the filtering block and is forwarded to the next firewall functional block.",
"If not, the second rule is applied and so on.",
"Normally it should match a rule.",
"For security reason, the last rule applied is an implicit rule to deny all the unmatched messages.",
"The unmatched messages are messages which have not matched a rule before the end of the rule sequence.",
"As the last rule is most often a “deny all”, a packet arriving at this last rule is discarded.",
"In a dual firewall mechanism according to the invention, it is therefore essential to merge the rules so as to apply a reduced number of rules.",
"[0050] The merging process is done independently for FILTin 12 or FILTout 12 .",
"Thanks to this mechanism, the dual administrated Firewall can check for redundant rules from each administrator in order to optimize the performance.",
"No one of the two administrators may gain access to the result of the merging in order to protect the rules knowledge but the administrator of each side can identify that his rules have been correctly implemented thanks to the identification of the merging done rule by rule.",
"[0051] In a classical system, the cascade of two firewalls means that on each direction output rules on one firewall are followed by input rules on the second firewall.",
"This is no longer the case with the proposed rules merging function since most of the filtering rules can be run once in a simplified model integrating the two logical firewalls as it will be explained with more details hereafter.",
"[0052] Two sets of logs are built and managed by CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 insofar as each rule even after merging is identified with its parent rule from each side.",
"Each administrator may define each information, rule or file as common or local so that some logs or alarms for example may be shared.",
"In that case, the control is given to the common control Block COMMON CTRL 47 which handles all common features, files and services.",
"The Common features include the Configuration Interface used by both administrators to set each new configuration from each side, the Activity Viewer which shows in real time the traffic from NET 1 to NET 2 including the DMZ activity, the Logging mechanism of alerts and events that defines to which block CTRL 1 , CTRL 2 or COMMON CTRL the events have to be stored, the hardware management for installation and problem determination and the user authentication interface as a common mechanism required to identify administrators of each logical firewall entity on login request coming from CONSOLE PORT 37 or interfaces with NET 1 or NET 2 .",
"[0053] For comparison, a legacy firewall includes as control block what is in CTRL 1 and COMMON CONTROL except that in such case, identification to which logical firewall the user belongs is not necessary and logging of traffic information does not have to be define since only one set of log files is available.",
"[0054] An administrator may allow or not the access to the other side of the firewall administration on its direct access interface.",
"On a legacy firewall, the administration using for example telnet is feasible from any interface.",
"Of course, the administrator can lock some ports such as the public network interface.",
"On a dual firewall, the administrator of each side manages this authorization and therefore the access using other ports or interfaces than the one dedicated to its network may be locked.",
"This means that the port lock cannot be done at the protocol level, for example authorizing telnet or not on a port, because the administrator of one side wants to keep this protocol access on an interface for himself but not for the administrator of the other side.",
"A more complex filtering mechanism using an external authentication server such as TACACS or RADIUS is recommended to securely authenticate the user and its rights to one side or the other of the dual firewall.",
"If there is a need to allow administration from the different interfaces, the authentication servers of the two administrative entities should be linked together to allow forwarding of the authentication to the appropriate server.",
"[0055] In reference to FIG. 5, a merger function using 2 input configuration files 50 and 51 has to be considered.",
"The merger function has to take into account the rules that can be fully merged or partially merged and the order to apply them against the remaining set of rules.",
"It is based on a tree per configuration that allows a new common tree to be built and then leaf merged.",
"[0056] The remaining merged set of rules becomes the applied common set of rules.",
"Whether this configuration file is visible to both administrative entities or visible to only one or none of them depends on the agreement between companies.",
"[0057] In order to explain how rules can be merged, it is necessary to detail how, in a standard firewall, the filtering rules are built with the same structure for defining them which looks like the following set of fields by rule: “Action”, “ProtocolType”, “@sourceA”, “@destinationB”, “PortNumber”, “Options.”",
"[0058] The fields value or content may be as an example: [0059] “Action”",
"is Permit or Deny [0060] “Protocol Type”",
"defines the protocol on which this rule is applied (i.e. IP,TCP,UDP .",
") [0061] “@sourceA”",
"describes the Source IP address of IP Datagram [0062] “@destinationB”",
"describes the Destination IP address of IP Datagram [0063] “PortNumber”",
"defines the specific port number related of the chosen protocol [0064] “Options”",
"defines the additional parameters which can be set to create rules more precise (i.e. Tos, Dscp, .",
") [0065] In the firewall system according to the invention the two administrators can define the filtering rules.",
"To know which administrator has defined the rules an implicit Tag is added in the rule structure.",
"[0066] This tag is coded with 3 bits and has 5 different states: [0067] “0”",
"coded “000”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 1 39 , [0068] “1”",
"coded “001”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 2 49 , [0069] “2”",
"coded “010”: describes that this rule has been defined in CTRL 1 39 and in CTRL 2 49 , [0070] “3”",
"coded “011”: describes that the rule defined in CTRL 2 49 includes the rule defined in CTRL 1 39 , [0071] “4”",
"coded “100”: describes that the rule defined in CTRL 1 39 includes the rule defined in CTRL 2 49 .",
"[0072] In order to separate action logs (for debugging purpose) by Control Block CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 and using a secure way, a point of reference makes the correspondence between the Tag Number and at which Control Block the rule is referring to: [0073] Tag Value=0 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 1 39 , [0074] Tag Value=1 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 2 49 , [0075] Tag Value=2 then Control Blocks of reference are CTRL 1 39 and CTRL 2 49 , [0076] Tag Value=3 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 2 49 , [0077] Tag Value=4 then Control Block of reference is CTRL 1 39 .",
"[0078] The first step is to compare a rule from the configuration file CF 1 50 (defined through CTRL 1 39 ) with rules from the configuration file CF 2 51 (defined through CTRL 2 49 ) in order to check whether a CF 1 rule can be merged with one of the CF 2 rules.",
"When a rule processing is completed, the next rule from CF 1 is put in the merging process block 40 .",
"[0079] The checking process for identifying a possible merge is done in step 52 .",
"The comparison is done against the 5 fields of a rule as mentioned above.",
"The minimum requirements to merge two rules are to have the same Action, the same Protocol and the same Port number if present plus Source Addresses overlapping and/or Destination Addresses overlapping.",
"[0080] If these requirements are met then the rules can be merged and the checking process 52 forwards the corresponding rules to the checking process 53 .",
"[0081] If one requirement is missing, then the rules cannot be merged and then the checking process 52 forwards the rules to the process 56 .",
"[0082] The process 56 modifies the rule 1 and rule 2 by adding the appropriate TAG values (0 for rule 1 and 1 for rule 2 ) and put the two rules in the rule config file 60 .",
"The corresponding rule 2 with TAG=0 is kept in CF 2 rules config file 51 as it can be merged with a next CF 1 rule.",
"In that case the TAG value in COMMON RULE CONFIG 60 may be overwritten [0083] When a merge is possible, the step 53 checks if the two rules (rule 1 and rule 2 ) are the same.",
"If Yes, this process sends only the rule 1 to the process 57 , which modifies the rule 1 by adding the TAG value 2 and put it in the rule config file 60 .",
"If the rule 1 and rule 2 are in some aspect different then the two rules are forwarded to step 54 .",
"[0084] Step 54 checks if rule 1 is included in term of Source/Destination addresses in rule 2 .",
"[0085] If yes, the process 54 sends rule 1 to the process 58 which modifies rule 1 by adding the tag value 3, and sends it in the rule config file 60 .",
"If rule 1 is not included in rule 2 then the two rules are forwarded to step 55 .",
"Step 55 reversely checks if rule 2 is included in term of Source/Destination addresses in rule 1 .",
"[0086] If yes, the process of step 55 sends rule 2 to step 59 which modifies the rule by adding the tag value 4 and put it in the rule config file 60 If the rule 2 is not included in rule 1 then the two rules are re-forwarded to the checking process 52 , which knows that these rules have been already checked, and then send them to the process of step 56 , as they cannot be merged in an improved way.",
"[0087] Note that the Rule inclusion is different whether the rule is a DENY or PERMIT rule.",
"[0088] A PERMIT rule A is included into another permit rule B if subnet space—source or destination—of the former is larger than the one of the latter.",
"The most restrictive one in terms of addressing space is kept: rule B. [0089] A DENY rule A is included into another deny rule B if subnet space—source or destination—of the former is smaller than the one of the latter.",
"The most restrictive one is kept: rule B. [0090] When two rules match, the checking with the remaining part of the list is stopped.",
"An improved merging process with more than one pass is possible.",
"It may be recommended when the number of rules is very important.",
"It that case, multiple inclusion of rules may be used.",
"[0091] The merging process will be better understood with the following example wherein the list of CF 1 rules and the list of CF 2 rules are as follows: [0092] CF 1 list of rules Permit TTCP 172.20.0[.",
"].0 192.0[.",
"].0.0 23 Permit ICMP any any Deny IP 192.168.10.0 192.168.20.0 [0093] CF 2 list of rules Permit ICMP 172.0[.",
"].0.0 192.168.0[.",
"].0 Permit TCP any any 23 Permit UDP 172.0[.",
"].0.0 192.0[.",
"].0.0 [0094] The first CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1 : [0095] The protocol types are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.",
"[0096] The first CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 2 : [0097] The CF 1 rule 1 is included in CF 2 rule 2 , then these rules can be merged: CF 1 Rule 1 is kept.",
"[0098] The second CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1 [0099] The CF 2 rule 1 is included in CF 1 rule 2 , then these rules can be merged: CF 2 Rule 1 is kept.",
"[0100] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 1 [0101] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.",
"[0102] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 2 [0103] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.",
"[0104] The third CF 1 rule is compared to CF 2 rule 3 [0105] The Action fields are not the same then these rules cannot be merged.",
"[0106] In this example, the common configuration file CF 12 got after rules comparison and merging is the following: Permit TCP 172.20.0[.",
"].0 192.0[.",
"].0.0 Permit ICMP 172.0[.",
"].0.0 192.168.0[.",
"].0 Deny IP 192.168.10.0 192.168.20.0 Permit UDP 172.0[.",
"].0.0 192.0[.",
"].0.0"
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/526,004 entitled “Hand Operated Water Gun”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/296,183 entitled “Hand Operated Water Gun”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a liquid reservoir for a toy water gun. More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir adapted for use in a hand operated water gun comprising a reservoir housing with an internal chamber, a fill opening leading to the internal chamber and a movable valve plate mounted onto the housing to open and close the fill opening allowing for stoppage and flow of liquid.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Water guns have long been known. The prior art water guns usually include a hollow housing fashioned in the shape of a pistol or rifle. The housing is designed to hold a quantity of water. A trigger on the housing is typically connected to a pump built into the housing. Movement of the trigger causes an amount of water to be forced outwardly through a nozzle that is mounted on or in the housing. However, water guns which utilize a pump type trigger suffer from a drawback in that the power available to expel the water is necessarily less than that which can be supplied by the trigger finger of the user and thus the shooting range and volume of water expelled are quite limited.
[0006] To increase the pressure and volume of the water released, it has been proposed that an external energy source could be used, such as a battery or cylinder of compressed gas. Obviously, this would add to the complexity and cost to the water gun and make it less convenient to use and possibly make it unsafe.
[0007] A more practical method of increasing volume and range of a water gun has been successfully marketed in which the user can store energy by using a manually operated pump to compress air within a chamber in the water gun. The compressed air can then force a copious quantity of water out the nozzle when a valve is opened by a trigger. One disadvantage of this system is that it is relatively complex, having to deal with compressed air and water. Also, the active compressing of the air requires a large pump, which makes the toy bulky and adds to the cost. Also, in order to build up sufficient pressure, it takes many strokes of the pump, which diminishes the fun of the toy water gun. Furthermore, continued pumping could lead to an unsafe external pressure.
[0008] Another way to store energy that has been proposed is to use an elastic bladder, such as an elastic bladder, such as a length of latex rubber tubing, to store pressurized water. This eliminates the need to pressurize air, which is used in the propelling medium. However, there is a problem with the pressurized water being supplied to a latex bladder in that if the bladder is subjected to excessive pressure, it will rupture. This problem of excessive pressure has been addressed by adding a pressure relief valve. In addition, this problem has been resolved with the use of external pressurized water source, such as household tap water, to fill the elastic bladder, which is inconvenient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir adapted for use with a toy water gun, the reservoir comprising: a reservoir housing comprising an internal chamber, the internal chamber being adapted to contain a quantity of a liquid; a fill opening formed within the reservoir housing; and a valve plate mounted on the reservoir housing, the valve plate being movable between an at-rest position and a displaced position, the at-rest position closing the fill opening preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, the displaced position locates the valve plate spaced from the fill opening permitting flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber. In another embodiment, the valve plate is pivotally mounted on the reservoir housing. In still another embodiment, the reservoir further comprises at least one baffle plate, the baffle plate being mounted on the valve plate. In yet another embodiment, the baffle plate is located traverse to the valve plate. In still yet another embodiment, the baffle plate is located within the fill opening whereby during filling of the internal chamber of the reservoir with liquid from a liquid source such as a faucet or hose, the source is to contact the baffle plate and cause the valve plate to deflect to the displaced position with the liquid to flow around the baffle plate and the valve plate into the internal chamber.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the baffle plate comprises a domed peripheral surface thereby providing a smooth surface that is to be contactable by the liquid source during filling of the internal chamber. In still a further embodiment, the reservoir further comprises a plurality of baffle plates, the plates being mounted in spaced apart relationship on the valve plate. In yet a further embodiment, at least two of the baffle plates are of different sizes. In still yet a further embodiment, the valve plate is movable to the displaced position by contact of the liquid source with any one of the baffle plates. In another further embodiment, the valve plate is lineally movable relative to the reservoir housing.
[0011] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir in a toy water gun comprising: a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid; a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber; and a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the valve plate covers said fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.
[0012] In still a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid reservoir for a toy water gun, the method comprises: providing a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid; providing a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber; and providing a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the valve plate covers the fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber. In still another further embodiment, the method of further comprises mounting at least one baffle plate on the valve plate, and situating the baffle plate within the fill opening whereby during filling of the internal chamber of the reservoir with liquid from a liquid source such as a faucet or hose, the source is to contact the baffle plate and cause the valve plate to deflect to the second position with the liquid to flow around the baffle plate and the valve plate into the internal chamber.
[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arm mounted water gun comprising: a water reservoir; a base section designed to be mounted on an upper arm of a user; a pump means and an elastic bladder, the reservoir connecting with the pump means, the pump means being operable to cause flow of water from the reservoir to the elastic bladder to thereby cause the elastic bladder to expand when the volume of water within the elastic bladder exceeds the internal volume of the elastic bladder in its unexpanded state; a movable section attached to the pump means, movement of the movable section causes operation of the pump means, the movable section designed to be mounted on a lower arm of the user, whereby movement of the user's lower arm relative to the upper arm causes activation of the pump means and storage of water within the elastic bladder; a discharge nozzle designed to receive water from the elastic bladder and to dispense water; and a manually operated shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position; in a closed position, the valve prevents flow of water through the discharge nozzle, and in an open position, the valve allows flow of water through the discharge nozzle to thereby allow the gun to dispense water. In still another embodiment, the movable section is attached to the base section and the discharge nozzle is designed to be operated by the hand of the user.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arm mounted water gun comprising: a water reservoir; a base section designed to be mounted on an upper arm of a user; a pump means and an elastic bladder, the reservoir connecting with the pump means, the pump means being operable to cause flow of water from the reservoir to the elastic bladder to thereby cause the elastic bladder to expand when the volume of water within the elastic bladder exceeds the internal volume of the elastic bladder in its unexpanded state; a movable section attached to the pump means, movement of the movable section causes operation of the pump means; a discharge nozzle designed to receive water from the bladder and to dispense water; the discharge nozzle being mounted on the movable section; and a manually operated shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position, in a closed position, the valve prevents flow of water through the discharge nozzle, and in an open position, the valve allows flow of water through the discharge nozzle to thereby allow said gun to dispense water.
[0015] In still yet another embodiment, the arm mounted water gun of the present invention further comprises a pressure relief valve for preventing over expansion of the elastic bladder. In a further embodiment, the pressure relief valve is connected to the elastic bladder and the gun further comprising a water supply tube, the pressure relief permitting free flow of water between the elastic bladder and the water supply tube by means of a return tube upon the elastic bladder being expanded to its maximum expanded state. In still a further embodiment, the pressure relief valve utilizes the expandable feature of the elastic bladder to hold open a water inlet valve member when the elastic bladder is at its maximum expanded state permitting free flow of water from the elastic bladder to the reservoir to prevent rupture by over expansion of the elastic bladder.
[0016] In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a water gun comprising: a water reservoir; a base section connected to the reservoir by a water supply tube; a movable section being pivotally connected to the base section; and a discharge nozzle connected to the movable section by an outlet water tube, whereby pivotal movement of the movable section relative to said base section causes water to be moved from the reservoir through said water supply tube to the movable section and, upon activation of the discharge nozzle, through the outlet water tube and discharged from the discharge nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0018] [0018]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the water gun of this invention showing the hand operated water gun in its uninstalled position;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 showing the installation of one of the embodiments of the hand operated water gun of this invention on a user's arm;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the hand operated water gun of the present invention;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the hand operated water gun of the present invention;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of still another embodiment of the water gun in the normal position of discharging a stream of water;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 6 is a view similiar to FIG. 5, specifically depicting movement of the user's arm in order to pump liquid into the elastic bladder;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the elastic bladder of another embodiment of the present invention showing the inclusion of the pressure release valve associated in conjunction with the elastic bladder taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 5 showing the elastic bladder I an unexpanded state;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 specifically showing the elastic bladder in the maximum expanded configuration;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of the water gun of the present invention;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the inlet valve of the elastic bladder with a fill valve that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG. 6;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through one of the pistons that is utilized in conjunction with the pumping apparatus included within another embodiment of the water gun taken along line 11 - 11 of FIG. 5;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the hand held trigger and discharge nozzle, which is utilized in conjunction with the other embodiment of this invention taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 9;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the fill valve that is shown in FIG. 10 emphasizing the fill valve in the closed position preventing flow of liquid from the reservoir;
[0031] [0031]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the water gun of the present invention where the discharge nozzle is not hand held but is mounted on a movable section of the water gun structure;
[0032] [0032]FIG. 15 is a top view of a configuration of the reservoir of the present invention that can be used in conjunction with the water gun of the present invention;
[0033] [0033]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16 - 16 of FIG. 15 showing one embodiment of the valve plate that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a source into the internal chamber of the reservoir;
[0034] [0034]FIG. 17 is a top view similar to FIG. 15 showing another further embodiment of the reservoir of the present invention;
[0035] [0035]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18 - 18 of FIG. 17 again showing the valve plate connected with the reservoir in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a liquid source;
[0036] [0036]FIG. 19 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 17 showing still a further embodiment of the valve plate that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir of the present invention;
[0037] [0037]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20 - 20 of FIG. 19 showing the valve plate of an embodiment of this invention in the closed position; and
[0038] [0038]FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve plate within the configuration of the reservoir shown in FIG. 20 with the valve plate in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a source to within the internal chamber of the reservoir.
[0039] Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0041] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown one embodiment 10 of the present invention. The first embodiment 10 is constructed primarily of a base section 12 and a movable section 14 . The base section 12 forms a cradle, which is constructed of a pair of rigid elongated metal or plastic strips 16 and 18 , which are connected together by rigid metal or plastic arcuate strips 20 and 22 . Strips 16 and 18 are parallel. In between the elongated strips 16 and 18 and against the inside surface of the arcuate strips 20 and 22 is to be located the user's upper arm 24 . This cradle formed by the strips 16 , 18 , 20 and 22 , is fixedly mounted on the upper arm 24 by means of fastening straps 26 and 28 . These fastening straps 26 and 28 are mounted between the elongated strips 16 and 18 and extend underneath the upper arm 24 . These fastening straps 26 and 28 can terminate in a fastening type of connection such is commonly sold under the trade name of Velcro.
[0042] Fixedly mounted on the arcuate strip 20 is a tubing 30 . Tubing 30 includes an enlarged fore end 32 and an enlarged rear end 34 . The enlarged fore end 32 is what is. actually fixedly secured to the arcuate strip 20 . Fixedly mounted on the strip 22 is a tubing connector 36 . Mounted between the tubing connector 36 and the enlarged fore end 32 is an elastic bladder 38 . The elastic bladder 38 includes an internal chamber 40 .
[0043] Inside of the enlarged fore end 32 is a spring 42 . The at-rest position of the spring 42 is to force valve plate 44 in a tightly seated position closing off of passage 46 formed within the tubing 30 . In a similar manner, contained within the enlarged rear end 34 is a spring 48 . The spring 48 exerts a continuous bias against valve plate 5 , which closes passage 46 .
[0044] A reservoir 52 is designed to contain a quantity of water 54 . The reservoir 52 has a connector 56 . Connecting with the connector 56 is a water supply tube 58 . The water supply tube 58 passes through on/off valve 60 and connects with passage 46 .
[0045] The tubing connector 36 includes an outlet passage 62 and also a pressure relief passage 64 . The outlet passage 62 connects with outlet tube 66 . The pressure relief passage 64 includes a plunger 70 and a bias spring 72 . The return tube 74 is connected to interconnecting tube 76 , which connects between the on/off valve 60 and the enlarged rear end 34 . The pressure relief valve 68 is mounted on arcuate strip 22 , which is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 11 to elongated strip 16 . As the elastic bladder 38 expands, it not only gets wider but axially longer. This causes the plunger 70 to pivot toward stop member 69 . Stop member 69 comprises a solid member fixed to elongated strip 16 by fasteners 71 and is positioned to be in the path of the movement of plunger 70 . When the user makes a pumping action at this time with the elastic bladder 38 fully expanded, the stop member 69 will contact the plunger 70 activating relief valve 68 and releasing some of the water from within the elastic bladder 38 through return tube 74 into interconnecting tube 76 . Upon release of a sufficient amount of water from within the internal chamber 40 to cause the elastic bladder 38 to be deflated to a safe level, the plunger 70 is automatically release by counterclockwise movement of arcuate strip 22 , which will prevent the flow of water from internal chamber 40 into return tube 74 .
[0046] Fixedly mounted onto the elongated strip 16 is a cylinder 78 . A similar cylinder 80 is fixedly mounted onto the elongated strip 18 . The cylinders 78 and 80 can be constructed of transparent plastic material if such is desired. The internal chamber of the cylinder 78 connects through tube 82 to tubing 30 . In a similar manner, the internal chamber of the cylinder 80 connects through tube 84 to the tube 30 . Movably mounted within the internal chamber of the cylinder 78 is a piston 86 . In a similar manner, piston 88 is movably mounted within the internal chamber of the cylinder 80 . The piston 86 is attached to a piston rod 90 . In a similar manner, the piston 88 is attached to a piston rod 92 . It is to be understood that piston rod 90 is capable of a limited amount of pivoting movement relative to the piston 86 . In a similar manner, the piston rod 92 is capable of a limited amount of pivoting movement relative to the piston 88 . Piston rod 90 is pivotally attached to elongated strip 96 of the movable section 14 . The elongated strips 94 and 96 can either be constructed of rigid metal or plastic material. Also, the strips 94 and 96 are located parallel to each other and are designed to be located on opposite sides of a forearm 98 of the user. Fastening straps 100 and 102 are designed to secure the elongated strips in position on the forearm 98 .
[0047] The rear end of the elongated strip 94 is connected by a pivot joint 104 to the elongated strip 16 . In a similar manner, the elongated strip 96 is connected by pivot joint (not shown) to the elongated strip 18 . It is these pivot joints, such as pivot joint 104 , that permit the movable section 14 to be pivoted relative to the base section 16 . Pivoting of the movable section 14 is in a manner, which is typical of the hinge type movement that is permitted of a forearm 98 relative to an upper arm 24 . The piston rod 90 is pivotally attached to elongated strip 94 by the means of a pivot pin 106 . A similar pivot pin 108 pivotally connects the piston rod 92 to the elongated strip 96 . Adjacent the rear end of elongated strips 94 and 96 is a cross brace 99 . Cross brace 99 will rest against the upper surface of the forearm 98 .
[0048] The fore end of the elongated strips 94 and 96 are joined together by connecting platform 101 and a cross brace 103 . Cross brace 103 will also rest on the upper surface of the forearm 98 . Mounted on the connecting platform 101 is a discharge valve housing 112 . The outlet tube 66 connects with the discharge valve housing 112 with the internal passage 114 of the outlet tube 66 connecting with the internal chamber 116 of the discharge valve housing 112 . The discharge valve housing 112 includes a dispensing spout 118 . Located within the internal chamber 116 is a valve plug 120 , which is normally seated closing off dispensing passage 122 of the dispensing spout 118 . Valve plug 120 defines a shut-off valve. The valve plug 120 is connected to a rod 124 with a spring 126 being located about the rod 124 . The function of the spring 126 is to exert a continuous bias tending to locate the plug 120 in position to close the dispensing passage 122 . The outer end of the rod 124 is integrally connected to a cross rod 128 . One end of the cross rod 128 is attached to a link 130 with the opposite end of the cross rod 128 being attached to a link 132 . The lower end of the link 130 pivotally connected to the elongated strip 94 with the lower end of the link 132 being pivotally connected to the link 96 . Connected between the links 130 and 132 is an actuating rod 134 . The outer end of the actuating rod 134 connects to bulbous handle 136 , the bulbous handle 136 is positioned to rest within the user's hand 138 .
[0049] The operation of the first embodiment 10 of this invention is as follows: the on/off valve 60 is located in the open position which permits water to be capable of flowing from the reservoir 52 through water supply tube 58 adjacent the valve plate 50 . The movable section 14 may be located in a right-angled position relative to the base section 12 . In FIG. 2 of the drawings, the movable section 14 is located in an elongated position relative to the base section. The user then may proceed to move the user's arm 98 to the position shown in FIG. 2. This will cause the pistons 86 and 88 to be moved to the lower end of their respective cylinders 78 and 80 . This creates a suction within the cylinders 78 and 80 with this suction being supplied within the passage 46 . This suction will cause the valve plate 46 to be unseated which will permit water to flow into passage 46 through tubes 82 and 84 to within the internal chambers of the cylinders 78 and 80 . Now, when the movable section 14 is moved in the reverse direction from the elongated position shown in FIG. 2 to a right angled position (which is not shown), the pistons 86 and 88 will force the water through the passage 46 seating valve plate 50 and then unseating valve plate 44 which will then permit the water to flow within the internal chamber 40 of the elastic bladder 38 . The elastic bladder 38 will then expand similar to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, it will require approximately one to three pumps by the forearm 98 to result in complete desired expansion of the elastic bladder 38 .
[0050] With the expansion of the elastic bladder 38 now occurring, the user may then point the dispensing spout 118 in the desired direction of the target and then move rearwardly the bulbous handle 136 , which will cause the links 130 and 132 to pivot clockwise, as shown in FIG. 2, which will move rod 124 rearwardly unseating plug 130 from the dispensing passage 122 . As a result, the water will be shot in the form of a stream of water from the dispensing passage 122 into the ambient. When it is desired to terminate the expelling of the water in a stream, the user only needs to release the bulbous handle 136 which will result in the valve plug 120 again moving to a position to close dispensing passage 122 .
[0051] Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment 140 includes a rigid base section 142 . Fixedly mounted on the aft end of the base section 142 is a reservoir 144 . The reservoir 144 is to contain water 146 . Supplying of water 146 to within the reservoir 144 is to be accomplished by removing of the cap 148 and pouring of the water 146 through the inlet 150 . Extending within the internal chamber 152 of the reservoir 144 and submerged within the water 146 is a tube 154 . The tube 154 has a passage 156 . The tube 154 extends exteriorly of the reservoir 144 and connects to a valve housing 158 . Mounting within the valve housing 158 is a valve plate 160 . Valve plate 160 connects with a spring 162 , which is located within the internal chamber 164 of the valve housing 158 . It is the function of the spring 162 to normally locate the valve plate 160 to close off passage 156 .
[0052] Valve housing 158 connects to an interconnecting tube 166 . Interconnecting tube 166 connects to a second valve housing 168 . Included within the second valve housing 168 is an internal chamber 170 . Located within the internal chamber 170 is a spring 172 and a valve plate 174 . Valve plate 174 functions to close off the passage 176 of the interconnecting tube 166 .
[0053] Internal chamber 170 connects with a short tube 178 . The short tube 178 is attached to one end of an elastic bladder 180 . The internal passage 182 of the short tube 178 connects with the internal chamber 184 of the elastic bladder 180 . The opposite end of the elastic bladder 180 is mounted to an outlet tube 186 . The open ends of the elastic bladder 180 are secured as by clamping band 246 to short tube 178 and by clamping band 248 to the outlet tube 186 . The outlet tube 186 has an internal passage 188 , which connects with the internal chamber 184 . The passage 188 also connects with internal chamber 190 located within a discharge valve housing 192 . Located within the discharge valve housing 192 is a plug 194 , which is located to close off spout passage 196 of a dispensing spout 198 . The plug 194 is attached to a rod 200 , which extends exteriorly of the internal chamber 190 . Within the internal chamber 190 and located about the rod 200 is a spring 202 . The function of the spring 202 is to maintain a continuous bias against the plug 194 tending to have it be seated so as to close off the spout passage 196 .
[0054] The rod 200 is pivotally connected to a link 204 with one end of the link 204 being pivotally mounted on the base section 142 . Also connecting with the link 204 in a pivotally connected manner is an actuating link 206 . The link 206 is also pivotally connected to the inner end of a lever 208 . The lever 208 is also pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 210 to the base section 142 .
[0055] Positioned directly adjacent the elastic bladder 180 is an actuating lever 212 . This actuating lever 212 is connected to a pressure relief valve (not shown), which is located within the pressure relief valve housing 214 . Tube 216 connects between outlet tube 186 and pressure relief valve housing 214 . A return tube 218 connects between the pressure relief valve housing 214 and tube 154 .
[0056] A cylinder 220 is fixedly mounted by strap 222 to the base section 142 . Movably mounted within the cylinder 220 is a piston 224 . The outer end of the cylinder 220 connects by way of a tube 226 to the interconnecting tube 166 . The tube 226 contains an internal passage 228 .
[0057] Piston 224 is pivotally connected to a piston rod 230 . The piston rod 230 extends exteriorly of the cylinder 220 through enlarged opening 232 and connects with handle 234 . The inner end of the handle 234 is pivotally connected by pivot pin 236 to the base section 142 .
[0058] The operation of this second embodiment 140 of the invention is as follows: The handle 234 may be grasped by one hand of the user with the opposite hand of the user holds onto the base section 142 . The handle 234 is in the retracted position 238 , which is shown in dotted lines. In this position, the piston 224 is located directly adjacent the passage 228 . As the user proceeds to move the handle 234 from the dotted line position 238 in the direction of arrow 230 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 4. While this occurs, water 146 is being sucked from the internal chamber 152 , through the passage 156 , unseating valve plate 160 and flows into the internal chamber 164 . From the internal chamber 164 , the water is conducted into the passage 176 , down the passage 228 to within the internal chamber 242 of the cylinder 220 . From the solid line position, the handle 234 is then moved back to the retracted position, shown in dotted line at 238 . This will cause the water contained within the internal chamber 242 to be moved through the passage 228 , through the passage 176 , unseating of valve plate 174 and compressing the spring 172 , to within the internal chamber 170 . From the internal chamber 170 , the water will flow through passage 182 to within the internal chamber 184 of the elastic bladder 180 . Because at this time there is no outlet for the water from the internal chamber 244 shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
[0059] It is to be noted that this second embodiment 140 utilizes only a single piston 24 and a single cylinder 220 which means there may be required a greater number of pumping movements by the user's hand in order to achieve the desired inflation of the elastic bladder 180 . If, per chance, the elastic bladder 180 becomes over inflated, it will automatically press against actuating lever 212 which will open relief valve (not shown) contained within the pressure relief valve housing 214 , which will cause water to be conducted from passage 188 , through the tube 216 and through tube 218 into passage 156 of the tube 154 . This will cause the elastic bladder 180 to partially deflate, and upon a desired level of deflation being achieved, the actuating lever 212 will automatically be moved so that the pressure relief valve (not shown) contained within the pressure relief valve housing 214 to be closed not permitting the conducting of water from the passage 188 into passage 176 .
[0060] When the user presses on lever 208 , the actuating link 206 is moved linearly and the link 204 is pivoted. The pivoting of link 204 will cause linear movement of the rod 200 which will unseat plug 194 from the spout passage 196 . This will cause water to be ejected from the spout passage 196 into the ambient. When such dispensing of the water has occurred from the spout passage 196 , the lever 208 is released which will cause the plug 194 to be again seated closing off the spout passage 196 and the user can then, again, manually move the handle 234 between the solid line position and the dotted line position 238 , shown in FIG. 4, to achieve reinflating of the elastic bladder 180 with water.
[0061] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown still yet another embodiment 250 of the water gun of the present invention. This embodiment 250 includes a base section 252 and a movable section 254 . The base section 252 has a pair of main arms 256 and 258 . One main arm 256 is fixedly mounted on one side of a valve housing 260 with the other main arm 258 being mounted on the diametrically opposite side of the valve housing 260 . The user's arm 262 is mounted in between the main arms 256 and 258 . A U-shaped bracket 264 is also secured between the main arms 256 and 258 with the user's arm 262 to be located within the area confined by the bracket 264 . Mounted against the backside of the user's arm is a strap assembly 266 . The strap assembly 266 may be disengageable so as to permit disconnection of the base section 252 from the user's arm 262 . The function of the strap assembly 266 is to securely mount the base section 252 onto the user's arm 262 .
[0062] Pivotally mounted on the portion of the main arm 256 that is furthest from its connection with the valve housing 260 is the main arm member 268 of the movable section 254 . A similar arm member 270 is pivotally mounted in a similar position onto the main arm 258 . The arm members 268 and 270 are connected together by wrist strap 272 . The wrist strap 272 is comprised of a pair of strap members, which are connected together and are to be located around the wrist of the user's forearm 274 .
[0063] Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, mounted on U-shaped bracket 264 is a valve outer housing 276 . The valve outer housing 276 includes a stem 278 , which is to be connected to a flexible tube 280 . Within the flexible tube 280 is a liquid conducting passage 282 . The passage 282 connects with the passage 284 formed within the stem 278 . The passage 284 connects with the internal chamber 286 of the valve outer housing 276 . The flexible tube 280 is fixedly mounted by a securing sleeve 288 to the stem 278 . The valve outer housing 276 is threadably secured t cap 290 . The cap 290 functions to mount one end of a tubular elastic bladder 292 to the valve outer housing 276 .
[0064] The tubular elastic bladder 292 is constructed of an inner bladder 293 and an outer bladder 295 which are mounted so their longitudinal central axes coincide. The inner bladder 293 is mounted within outer bladder 295 with the bladders 293 and 295 abutting. Expansion of bladder 292 produces simultaneous expansion of bladders 293 and 295 . If a rupture occurs of bladder 293 , bladder 295 will still function and vice versa. This is a safety feature to insure that operation of the water gun will continue.
[0065] Mounted within the internal chamber 286 is an inner housing 294 . The inner housing 294 has a hole 296 . Mounted within the hole 296 and locatable within the internal chamber 286 is barb end 298 of the valve stem 300 . Relative movement I possible between the valve stem 300 and the inner housing 294 , and when the elastic bladder 292 is expanded to the maximum configuration, the barb end 298 will abut against the inner housing 294 as is clearly shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. When the elastic bladder 292 is in anything other than the maximum expanded configuration, the barb end 298 will be located deep within the internal chamber 286 , as is clearly shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.
[0066] The valve stem 300 is connected to a box end 302 . The box end 302 is slidably mounted within chamber 304 of the entrance housing 306 . Located about the valve stem 300 is a coil spring 308 , one end of which is to abut against the entrance housing 306 and the opposite end of which abuts against the box end 302 . A cap 310 is to be secured to a threaded section of a valve inner housing 312 with the cap 310 functioning to securely mount the inner end of the elastic bladder 292 onto the entrance housing 306 .
[0067] The box end 302 includes an internal chamber 314 within which is movably mounted the aft end 316 of a headed valve member 318 . The headed valve member 318 is capable of seating against seat 320 of the retainer 322 . The entrance housing 306 is mounted within valve housing 260 . The entrance housing 306 includes a plurality of annularly spaced-apart ribs 324 . One end of the retainer 322 abuts against the ribs 324 . Mounted within the valve housing 260 is a valve disk 326 . The valve disk 326 is movable a limited amount within the chamber 328 . The valve disk 326 will normally be constructed of a resilient material such as a rubber or plastic.
[0068] The valve housing 260 includes a forward tube 330 , which includes a through passage 332 . The valve housing 260 also includes tube connectors 334 and 336 . The tube connector 334 has a through passage 338 and the tube connector 336 has a through passage 340 . Formed on the inside surface of the valve housing 260 are a plurality of ribs 342 . The ribs 342 and 324 cooperate to form the chamber 328 within which is located the valve disk 326 .
[0069] Referring particularly to FIGS. 10 and 13, the forward -tube 330 is to be insertable within a conical connector 344 . The conical connector 344 has a central passage 346 . Formed within the central passage 346 and integral with the wall of the central passage 346 is an annular rib 348 . The free peripheral edge of the conical connector 344 is attached to a hard ring 350 . It is to be understood that the hard ring 350 , as well as most of the structural items making up the water gun of this invention, is to be constructed of plastic. The function of the hard ring 350 is to maintain the established shape of the conical connector 344 since the conical connector 344 is to be constructed of an elastomeric material.
[0070] The conical connector 344 is integral with bellows 352 . The bellows 352 has an internal chamber 354 . A rigid tube 356 , constructed of hard plastic, is to be located within the internal chamber 354 . The rigid tube 356 has a pair of holes 358 and 360 formed within its sidewall. The rigid tube 356 terminates in its outer end at a pointed closed end 362 . The aft end of the rigid tube 356 is fixedly secured to inlet tube 364 and also the aft end of the bellows 352 , the inlet tube 364 connects to reservoir 366 .
[0071] The reservoir 366 constitutes a flexible walled bag, which is to be worn on the back of the user 368 . The reservoir 366 is maintained in that position by straps 370 and 372 . The inlet tube 364 is held in position relative to the reservoir 366 by means of a cap 374 , which is mounted within the fill opening of the reservoir 366 . Water 376 , that is contained within the reservoir 366 , is to be sucked through the inlet tube 364 through the internal passage 378 and be dispensed through the holes 358 and 360 into the internal chamber 354 . From the internal chamber 354 the water is to flow through holes 380 and 382 of the forward tube 330 and into the through passage 332 . The conical connector 344 is mounted on the exterior surface of the forward tube 330 with the annular rib 348 forming a fluid tight connection with the forward tube 330 . The water is to then flow into contact with the valve disc 326 displacing such rearwardly which will permit the water to flow past the valve disk 326 , alongside of the ribs 324 and 342 to within the chamber 328 . This water will then be caused to move within the through passages 338 and 340 with through passage 338 connecting with tubing 384 and through passage 340 connecting with tubing 386 . When the conical connector 344 is installed on the forward tube 330 , the pointed portion of the closed end 362 is inserted within the through passage 332 forming a connection between the rigid tube 356 and the forward tube 330 .
[0072] Referring particularly to FIG. 11, the tubing 384 connects to a cylinder 388 . The cylinder 388 is mounted on the main arm 258 . In a similar manner, the tubing 386 connects to a cylinder 390 . The cylinder 390 is fixedly mounted to the main arm 256 . Movably mounted within the cylinder 388 is a piston 392 with there being a piston 394 mounted within cylinder 390 . The piston 394 is connected by piston rod 404 to arm member 270 . The tubing 386 is connected by a connector 396 to rigid tube 398 which is connected to the cylinder 390 . The rigid tube 398 is secured to the main arm 256 .
[0073] The reservoir 366 , in FIG. 14, is a bottom dispensing bag that does not include a tube that extends within the confines of the bag. The water is dispensed from the bag by gravity from the lower edge of the reservoir 366 in FIG. 14, which is different from the reservoir 366 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 where the water 376 is dispensed from the top edge of the reservoir 366 .
[0074] Arm member 268 is mounted by pivot joint 406 to the main arm 256 . In a similar manner, the main arm 258 is pivotally mounted to the arm member 270 . The pivot joints, such as 406 , permit the arm members 268 and 270 to be extended to an obtuse angle relative to the main arms 256 and 258 . The obtuse angle is shown in solid line position in FIG. 6. With the movable section 254 , which is composed of main arms 256 and 258 in the obtuse position shown in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 are located within the lower end of their respective cylinders 388 and 390 . This has caused a sucking action to occur and water 376 is drawn from the reservoir 366 through the elastic bellows 352 and through the tubing 384 and 386 to within the cylinders 388 and 390 . Now when the user's forearm 274 begins to move toward the acute angle position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 proceed to move toward the upper end of their respective cylinders 388 and 390 . This will cause water contained within the cylinders 388 and 390 to be moved forcefully under pressure to within chamber 328 . This water under pressure will cause valve disk 326 to be seated closing off through passage 332 . This water will then flow around the headed valve member 318 around the box end 302 to within the elastic bladder 292 . Water 376 then flows into internal chamber 386 and out through passage 284 and into flexible tube 280 . Water is not discharged from flexible tube 280 when hand held trigger valve assembly 408 is closed which is shown primarily in FIG. 12. As a result, the elastic bladder 292 will expand, and when finally the elastic bladder 292 is expanded to the maximum configuration shown in FIG. 8, the barb end 298 will come in contact with the inner housing 294 .
[0075] As the elastic bladder 292 continues to expand just slightly, the valve stem 300 will cause the headed valve member 318 to be held in the open position, compressing coil spring 308 , permitting flow of water 376 between the tubing 384 and 386 and the elastic bladder 292 . With the elastic bladder 292 in the maximum expanded configuration of FIG. 8, and let it be assumed that the user 368 continues to exert a pumping action by moving of the user's forearm back and forth between the obtuse angular position, that the water 376 is being merely sucked from within the elastic bladder 292 and then pumped back into the elastic bladder 292 by the pistons 392 and 394 . No new water 376 is being conducted from the reservoir 366 . Therefore, the elastic bladder 292 does not further expand.
[0076] When the user 368 presses button 410 on the trigger valve assembly 408 , valve member 412 is moved away from seat 414 of the discharge passage 416 mounted within the discharge nozzle 418 . The valve member 412 is moved against the action of a coil spring 420 , which is mounted within the discharge valve housing 422 . The water 376 is caused to flow from the passage 282 of the flexible tube 280 into the internal chamber 424 , through discharge passage 416 to be discharged in the form of a stream of water from the discharge nozzle 418 . This will cause the internal volume and therefore the length of the elastic bladder 292 to decrease so that the barbed end 298 is now moved away from the inner housing 294 allowing coil spring 308 to push headed valve member 318 to a position which seats against seat 320 preventing the flow of water 376 from the elastic bladder 292 and into chamber 328 . When the user's forearm 274 is moved from the dotted line position in FIG. 6 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 will suck water from the reservoir 366 with this water not flowing into the elastic bladder 292 at this time because the pressure in the cylinders 388 and 390 is less than that in the elastic bladder 292 . Therefore, this water flows into the cylinders 388 and 390 . When the user's forearm 274 moves from the dotted line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, the water is forced from the cylinders 388 and 390 into the elastic bladder 292 , and when the cylinders 388 and 390 are substantially empty of water and the user's forearm 274 is again in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6, the headed valve member 318 will again move to the seated position assuming that the elastic bladder 292 is not in the fully expanded configuration. Therefore, as the user's forearm 274 again moves from the dotted line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, more water 376 will be drawn from the reservoir 366 displacing valve disk 326 and again filling the cylinders 388 and 390 . As the user's forearm 274 now moves again to the dotted line position in FIG. 6, the water that is contained within the cylinders again will be forced into the elastic bladder 292 . However, once the elastic bladder 292 is in the maximum expanded position as shown in FIG. 8, because the barb end 298 is placed in contact with the inner housing 294 , the valve stem 300 will position the headed valve member 318 in the continuously open position permitting free flow between the elastic bladder 292 and the cylinder 388 and 390 . This functions as a pressure relief device preventing over expansion of the elastic bladder 292 and rupture of such.
[0077] When the user 368 is not utilizing the third embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 366 with straps 370 and 372 can be separated from the base section 252 by physically disengaging conical connector 344 from the forward tube 330 . Immediately, the elastic bellows 352 will retract until the closed end 362 comes into tight abutting and fluid tight connection with the annular rib 348 . This will now prevent any water leaking from the reservoir 366 . When the user 368 desires to refill the reservoir 366 , it is only necessary to insert the outer end of the garden hose, which is not shown, or a faucet, which is also not shown, to within the outer portion of the connector 344 connecting with the outer portion of the connector 344 connecting with the central passage 346 . The pressure of the water from this source will unseat the closed end 362 from the annular rib 348 and expand somewhat the bellows 352 . This will permit water to flow from the source to within the reservoir 366 refilling such.
[0078] Referring particularly to FIG. 14, there is shown a further embodiment 426 of the resent invention with like numbers being utilized to refer to like parts. The main difference between this fourth embodiment 426 and the third embodiment 250 is that the discharge nozzle 428 , which connects to the flexible tubing 280 in the fourth embodiment 426 , is mounted on bracket 430 . The bracket 430 is fixedly mounted on the movable section 254 . Dispensing of the water through the discharge nozzle 428 is to be accomplished by a hand held trigger unit 432 , which operates a valve (not shown) associated with the discharge nozzle 428 by means of a flexible cable 434 .
[0079] Instead of using flexible bag type of reservoir 366 , there may be used a different form of solid wall reservoir which is shown as reservoirs 52 and 144 . FIGS. 15 - 21 are directed to different configurations of solid wall reservoirs that could be utilized in conjunction with the water gun of the present invention.
[0080] Referring particularly to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown embodiment 436 of the reservoir, which has a solid body 438 , and may be constructed of plastic. Within the solid body 438 is an internal chamber 440 . Mounted on the solid body 438 is a clip 442 that facilitates mounting by a strap 448 on the clothing of the user 368 . Water 444 is to be located within the internal chamber 440 . The inlet tube 364 is to connect with the solid body 438 directly adjacent the bottom 446 of the solid body 438 . Therefore, the water 444 is to flow by gravity to within the inlet tube 364 and then to the bellows 352 .
[0081] Formed within the solid body 438 is a fill opening 450 . Surrounding the fill opening 450 is an externally threaded connector 452 . A cap 454 is to be threadably mounted on the externally threaded connector 452 . The cap 454 defines a fill opening 456 . Mounted to the cap 454 is a mounting flange 458 . The mounting flange 458 is located within the internal chamber 440 . Pivotally mounted by pivot pin 460 onto the mounting flange 458 is a valve plate 462 . The valve plate 462 is under a continuous spring bias by a spring 464 , which tends to locate the valve plate 462 in abutting contact with the inner edge of the cap 454 , which closes the fill opening 456 . Therefore, the natural position of the valve plate 462 is to keep water 444 from spilling from the reservoir composed of the solid body 438 . However, upon insertion of the free end of a faucet or garden hose 466 to within the fill opening 456 , the force of the water being ejected therefrom will cause the valve plate 462 to deflect permitting the water 444 to flow within the internal chamber 440 filling such Once the faucet or garden hose 466 is removed from the fill opening 456 , the bias of the spring 464 will automatically close the valve plate 462 against the cap 454 closing of the fill opening 456 .
[0082] Referring particularly to FIG. 17 and 18 , there is shown an embodiment 468 of reservoir, which is basically similar to embodiment 436 and like numerals have been used to refer to like parts. The main difference is that mounted on the valve plate 462 and extending transversely therefrom is a large baffle plate 470 and two small baffle plates 472 , one located on each side of the large baffle plate 470 but spaced therefrom. Each of the baffle plates 470 and 472 have an arcuate periphery that assumes a domed configuration. When the faucet or garden hose 466 is moved against the baffle plates 470 and 472 , the valve plate 462 will readily deflect prior to the conducting from the faucet or garden hose 466 to within the internal chamber 440 . The baffle plates 470 and 472 will function to cause the valve plate 462 to deflect which will eliminate the possibility of any water shooting in an upward direction out of the fill opening 456 , which might occur with the embodiment 436 .
[0083] Referring particularly to FIGS. 19 - 21 , there is shown a still further embodiment 474 of reservoir with again like numerals being used to refer to like parts. The valve plate 476 has mounted thereon the baffle plates 470 and 472 but here the valve plate 476 is not hingedly mounted but is permitted to only move lineally against the action of a coil spring 478 . Mounted onto valve plate 476 is a sleeve extension 475 . Sleeve extension 475 has a series of holes 477 . The coil spring 478 is mounted in conjunction with a cage 480 . Within the cage 480 is located a series of holes 482 . When the faucet or garden hose 466 is moved against the baffle plates 470 and 472 , the valve plate 476 is lineally displaced compressing of coil spring 478 . The cage 480 is to be formed as part of the cap 454 and has replaced the mounting flange 458 . When the faucet or garden hose 466 is displaced against the valve plate 476 , the water 444 is to flow from the faucet or garden hose 466 past the baffle plates 470 and 472 , past the valve plate 476 , through the holes 477 and 482 to within the internal chamber 440 . Upon release of the faucet or garden hose 466 from the fill opening 456 , the valve plate 476 will move automatically due to the action of the coil spring 478 to close the fill opening 456 and be located directly adjacent the cap 454 .
[0084] Note that these reservoir fill embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 - 21 , also serve as an air vent so that s water 444 is withdrawn from reservoir internal chamber 440 the small vacuum thus created partially pulls open valve plate 476 thus equalizing internal pressure with ambient pressure. Also note that these same reservoir fill embodiments may be used in conjunction with flexible walled reservoir 366 .
[0085] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein. | A liquid reservoir for a toy water gun is provided, the reservoir comprising: a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid; a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber; and a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the valve plate covers the fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber; in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber. | Briefly describe the main idea outlined in the provided context. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 09/526,004 entitled “Hand Operated Water Gun”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 09/296,183 entitled “Hand Operated Water Gun.”",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to a liquid reservoir for a toy water gun.",
"More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir adapted for use in a hand operated water gun comprising a reservoir housing with an internal chamber, a fill opening leading to the internal chamber and a movable valve plate mounted onto the housing to open and close the fill opening allowing for stoppage and flow of liquid.",
"[0004] 2.",
"Description of the Related Art [0005] Water guns have long been known.",
"The prior art water guns usually include a hollow housing fashioned in the shape of a pistol or rifle.",
"The housing is designed to hold a quantity of water.",
"A trigger on the housing is typically connected to a pump built into the housing.",
"Movement of the trigger causes an amount of water to be forced outwardly through a nozzle that is mounted on or in the housing.",
"However, water guns which utilize a pump type trigger suffer from a drawback in that the power available to expel the water is necessarily less than that which can be supplied by the trigger finger of the user and thus the shooting range and volume of water expelled are quite limited.",
"[0006] To increase the pressure and volume of the water released, it has been proposed that an external energy source could be used, such as a battery or cylinder of compressed gas.",
"Obviously, this would add to the complexity and cost to the water gun and make it less convenient to use and possibly make it unsafe.",
"[0007] A more practical method of increasing volume and range of a water gun has been successfully marketed in which the user can store energy by using a manually operated pump to compress air within a chamber in the water gun.",
"The compressed air can then force a copious quantity of water out the nozzle when a valve is opened by a trigger.",
"One disadvantage of this system is that it is relatively complex, having to deal with compressed air and water.",
"Also, the active compressing of the air requires a large pump, which makes the toy bulky and adds to the cost.",
"Also, in order to build up sufficient pressure, it takes many strokes of the pump, which diminishes the fun of the toy water gun.",
"Furthermore, continued pumping could lead to an unsafe external pressure.",
"[0008] Another way to store energy that has been proposed is to use an elastic bladder, such as an elastic bladder, such as a length of latex rubber tubing, to store pressurized water.",
"This eliminates the need to pressurize air, which is used in the propelling medium.",
"However, there is a problem with the pressurized water being supplied to a latex bladder in that if the bladder is subjected to excessive pressure, it will rupture.",
"This problem of excessive pressure has been addressed by adding a pressure relief valve.",
"In addition, this problem has been resolved with the use of external pressurized water source, such as household tap water, to fill the elastic bladder, which is inconvenient.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir adapted for use with a toy water gun, the reservoir comprising: a reservoir housing comprising an internal chamber, the internal chamber being adapted to contain a quantity of a liquid;",
"a fill opening formed within the reservoir housing;",
"and a valve plate mounted on the reservoir housing, the valve plate being movable between an at-rest position and a displaced position, the at-rest position closing the fill opening preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, the displaced position locates the valve plate spaced from the fill opening permitting flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.",
"In another embodiment, the valve plate is pivotally mounted on the reservoir housing.",
"In still another embodiment, the reservoir further comprises at least one baffle plate, the baffle plate being mounted on the valve plate.",
"In yet another embodiment, the baffle plate is located traverse to the valve plate.",
"In still yet another embodiment, the baffle plate is located within the fill opening whereby during filling of the internal chamber of the reservoir with liquid from a liquid source such as a faucet or hose, the source is to contact the baffle plate and cause the valve plate to deflect to the displaced position with the liquid to flow around the baffle plate and the valve plate into the internal chamber.",
"[0010] In a further embodiment, the baffle plate comprises a domed peripheral surface thereby providing a smooth surface that is to be contactable by the liquid source during filling of the internal chamber.",
"In still a further embodiment, the reservoir further comprises a plurality of baffle plates, the plates being mounted in spaced apart relationship on the valve plate.",
"In yet a further embodiment, at least two of the baffle plates are of different sizes.",
"In still yet a further embodiment, the valve plate is movable to the displaced position by contact of the liquid source with any one of the baffle plates.",
"In another further embodiment, the valve plate is lineally movable relative to the reservoir housing.",
"[0011] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid reservoir in a toy water gun comprising: a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid;",
"a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber;",
"and a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the valve plate covers said fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.",
"[0012] In still a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid reservoir for a toy water gun, the method comprises: providing a housing having an internal chamber for containing a quantity of liquid;",
"providing a fill opening situated on the housing leading to the internal chamber;",
"and providing a valve plate situated adjacent to the fill opening, the valve plate being movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the valve plate covers the fill opening thereby preventing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber, in the second position, the valve is spaced apart from the fill opening thereby allowing flow of liquid into and out of the internal chamber.",
"In still another further embodiment, the method of further comprises mounting at least one baffle plate on the valve plate, and situating the baffle plate within the fill opening whereby during filling of the internal chamber of the reservoir with liquid from a liquid source such as a faucet or hose, the source is to contact the baffle plate and cause the valve plate to deflect to the second position with the liquid to flow around the baffle plate and the valve plate into the internal chamber.",
"[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arm mounted water gun comprising: a water reservoir;",
"a base section designed to be mounted on an upper arm of a user;",
"a pump means and an elastic bladder, the reservoir connecting with the pump means, the pump means being operable to cause flow of water from the reservoir to the elastic bladder to thereby cause the elastic bladder to expand when the volume of water within the elastic bladder exceeds the internal volume of the elastic bladder in its unexpanded state;",
"a movable section attached to the pump means, movement of the movable section causes operation of the pump means, the movable section designed to be mounted on a lower arm of the user, whereby movement of the user's lower arm relative to the upper arm causes activation of the pump means and storage of water within the elastic bladder;",
"a discharge nozzle designed to receive water from the elastic bladder and to dispense water;",
"and a manually operated shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position;",
"in a closed position, the valve prevents flow of water through the discharge nozzle, and in an open position, the valve allows flow of water through the discharge nozzle to thereby allow the gun to dispense water.",
"In still another embodiment, the movable section is attached to the base section and the discharge nozzle is designed to be operated by the hand of the user.",
"[0014] In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to an arm mounted water gun comprising: a water reservoir;",
"a base section designed to be mounted on an upper arm of a user;",
"a pump means and an elastic bladder, the reservoir connecting with the pump means, the pump means being operable to cause flow of water from the reservoir to the elastic bladder to thereby cause the elastic bladder to expand when the volume of water within the elastic bladder exceeds the internal volume of the elastic bladder in its unexpanded state;",
"a movable section attached to the pump means, movement of the movable section causes operation of the pump means;",
"a discharge nozzle designed to receive water from the bladder and to dispense water;",
"the discharge nozzle being mounted on the movable section;",
"and a manually operated shut-off valve having a closed position and an open position, in a closed position, the valve prevents flow of water through the discharge nozzle, and in an open position, the valve allows flow of water through the discharge nozzle to thereby allow said gun to dispense water.",
"[0015] In still yet another embodiment, the arm mounted water gun of the present invention further comprises a pressure relief valve for preventing over expansion of the elastic bladder.",
"In a further embodiment, the pressure relief valve is connected to the elastic bladder and the gun further comprising a water supply tube, the pressure relief permitting free flow of water between the elastic bladder and the water supply tube by means of a return tube upon the elastic bladder being expanded to its maximum expanded state.",
"In still a further embodiment, the pressure relief valve utilizes the expandable feature of the elastic bladder to hold open a water inlet valve member when the elastic bladder is at its maximum expanded state permitting free flow of water from the elastic bladder to the reservoir to prevent rupture by over expansion of the elastic bladder.",
"[0016] In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a water gun comprising: a water reservoir;",
"a base section connected to the reservoir by a water supply tube;",
"a movable section being pivotally connected to the base section;",
"and a discharge nozzle connected to the movable section by an outlet water tube, whereby pivotal movement of the movable section relative to said base section causes water to be moved from the reservoir through said water supply tube to the movable section and, upon activation of the discharge nozzle, through the outlet water tube and discharged from the discharge nozzle.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention.",
"These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.",
"[0018] [0018 ]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the water gun of this invention showing the hand operated water gun in its uninstalled position;",
"[0019] [0019 ]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 showing the installation of one of the embodiments of the hand operated water gun of this invention on a user's arm;",
"[0020] [0020 ]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the hand operated water gun of the present invention;",
"[0021] [0021 ]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the hand operated water gun of the present invention;",
"[0022] [0022 ]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of still another embodiment of the water gun in the normal position of discharging a stream of water;",
"[0023] [0023 ]FIG. 6 is a view similiar to FIG. 5, specifically depicting movement of the user's arm in order to pump liquid into the elastic bladder;",
"[0024] [0024 ]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the elastic bladder of another embodiment of the present invention showing the inclusion of the pressure release valve associated in conjunction with the elastic bladder taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 5 showing the elastic bladder I an unexpanded state;",
"[0025] [0025 ]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 specifically showing the elastic bladder in the maximum expanded configuration;",
"[0026] [0026 ]FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of the water gun of the present invention;",
"[0027] [0027 ]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the inlet valve of the elastic bladder with a fill valve that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG. 6;",
"[0028] [0028 ]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through one of the pistons that is utilized in conjunction with the pumping apparatus included within another embodiment of the water gun taken along line 11 - 11 of FIG. 5;",
"[0029] [0029 ]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the hand held trigger and discharge nozzle, which is utilized in conjunction with the other embodiment of this invention taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 9;",
"[0030] [0030 ]FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the fill valve that is shown in FIG. 10 emphasizing the fill valve in the closed position preventing flow of liquid from the reservoir;",
"[0031] [0031 ]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the water gun of the present invention where the discharge nozzle is not hand held but is mounted on a movable section of the water gun structure;",
"[0032] [0032 ]FIG. 15 is a top view of a configuration of the reservoir of the present invention that can be used in conjunction with the water gun of the present invention;",
"[0033] [0033 ]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16 - 16 of FIG. 15 showing one embodiment of the valve plate that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a source into the internal chamber of the reservoir;",
"[0034] [0034 ]FIG. 17 is a top view similar to FIG. 15 showing another further embodiment of the reservoir of the present invention;",
"[0035] [0035 ]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18 - 18 of FIG. 17 again showing the valve plate connected with the reservoir in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a liquid source;",
"[0036] [0036 ]FIG. 19 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 17 showing still a further embodiment of the valve plate that is mounted in conjunction with the reservoir of the present invention;",
"[0037] [0037 ]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20 - 20 of FIG. 19 showing the valve plate of an embodiment of this invention in the closed position;",
"and [0038] [0038 ]FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve plate within the configuration of the reservoir shown in FIG. 20 with the valve plate in a displaced position permitting entry of liquid from a source to within the internal chamber of the reservoir.",
"[0039] Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0040] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;",
"however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms.",
"The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components.",
"Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.",
"[0041] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown one embodiment 10 of the present invention.",
"The first embodiment 10 is constructed primarily of a base section 12 and a movable section 14 .",
"The base section 12 forms a cradle, which is constructed of a pair of rigid elongated metal or plastic strips 16 and 18 , which are connected together by rigid metal or plastic arcuate strips 20 and 22 .",
"Strips 16 and 18 are parallel.",
"In between the elongated strips 16 and 18 and against the inside surface of the arcuate strips 20 and 22 is to be located the user's upper arm 24 .",
"This cradle formed by the strips 16 , 18 , 20 and 22 , is fixedly mounted on the upper arm 24 by means of fastening straps 26 and 28 .",
"These fastening straps 26 and 28 are mounted between the elongated strips 16 and 18 and extend underneath the upper arm 24 .",
"These fastening straps 26 and 28 can terminate in a fastening type of connection such is commonly sold under the trade name of Velcro.",
"[0042] Fixedly mounted on the arcuate strip 20 is a tubing 30 .",
"Tubing 30 includes an enlarged fore end 32 and an enlarged rear end 34 .",
"The enlarged fore end 32 is what is.",
"actually fixedly secured to the arcuate strip 20 .",
"Fixedly mounted on the strip 22 is a tubing connector 36 .",
"Mounted between the tubing connector 36 and the enlarged fore end 32 is an elastic bladder 38 .",
"The elastic bladder 38 includes an internal chamber 40 .",
"[0043] Inside of the enlarged fore end 32 is a spring 42 .",
"The at-rest position of the spring 42 is to force valve plate 44 in a tightly seated position closing off of passage 46 formed within the tubing 30 .",
"In a similar manner, contained within the enlarged rear end 34 is a spring 48 .",
"The spring 48 exerts a continuous bias against valve plate 5 , which closes passage 46 .",
"[0044] A reservoir 52 is designed to contain a quantity of water 54 .",
"The reservoir 52 has a connector 56 .",
"Connecting with the connector 56 is a water supply tube 58 .",
"The water supply tube 58 passes through on/off valve 60 and connects with passage 46 .",
"[0045] The tubing connector 36 includes an outlet passage 62 and also a pressure relief passage 64 .",
"The outlet passage 62 connects with outlet tube 66 .",
"The pressure relief passage 64 includes a plunger 70 and a bias spring 72 .",
"The return tube 74 is connected to interconnecting tube 76 , which connects between the on/off valve 60 and the enlarged rear end 34 .",
"The pressure relief valve 68 is mounted on arcuate strip 22 , which is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 11 to elongated strip 16 .",
"As the elastic bladder 38 expands, it not only gets wider but axially longer.",
"This causes the plunger 70 to pivot toward stop member 69 .",
"Stop member 69 comprises a solid member fixed to elongated strip 16 by fasteners 71 and is positioned to be in the path of the movement of plunger 70 .",
"When the user makes a pumping action at this time with the elastic bladder 38 fully expanded, the stop member 69 will contact the plunger 70 activating relief valve 68 and releasing some of the water from within the elastic bladder 38 through return tube 74 into interconnecting tube 76 .",
"Upon release of a sufficient amount of water from within the internal chamber 40 to cause the elastic bladder 38 to be deflated to a safe level, the plunger 70 is automatically release by counterclockwise movement of arcuate strip 22 , which will prevent the flow of water from internal chamber 40 into return tube 74 .",
"[0046] Fixedly mounted onto the elongated strip 16 is a cylinder 78 .",
"A similar cylinder 80 is fixedly mounted onto the elongated strip 18 .",
"The cylinders 78 and 80 can be constructed of transparent plastic material if such is desired.",
"The internal chamber of the cylinder 78 connects through tube 82 to tubing 30 .",
"In a similar manner, the internal chamber of the cylinder 80 connects through tube 84 to the tube 30 .",
"Movably mounted within the internal chamber of the cylinder 78 is a piston 86 .",
"In a similar manner, piston 88 is movably mounted within the internal chamber of the cylinder 80 .",
"The piston 86 is attached to a piston rod 90 .",
"In a similar manner, the piston 88 is attached to a piston rod 92 .",
"It is to be understood that piston rod 90 is capable of a limited amount of pivoting movement relative to the piston 86 .",
"In a similar manner, the piston rod 92 is capable of a limited amount of pivoting movement relative to the piston 88 .",
"Piston rod 90 is pivotally attached to elongated strip 96 of the movable section 14 .",
"The elongated strips 94 and 96 can either be constructed of rigid metal or plastic material.",
"Also, the strips 94 and 96 are located parallel to each other and are designed to be located on opposite sides of a forearm 98 of the user.",
"Fastening straps 100 and 102 are designed to secure the elongated strips in position on the forearm 98 .",
"[0047] The rear end of the elongated strip 94 is connected by a pivot joint 104 to the elongated strip 16 .",
"In a similar manner, the elongated strip 96 is connected by pivot joint (not shown) to the elongated strip 18 .",
"It is these pivot joints, such as pivot joint 104 , that permit the movable section 14 to be pivoted relative to the base section 16 .",
"Pivoting of the movable section 14 is in a manner, which is typical of the hinge type movement that is permitted of a forearm 98 relative to an upper arm 24 .",
"The piston rod 90 is pivotally attached to elongated strip 94 by the means of a pivot pin 106 .",
"A similar pivot pin 108 pivotally connects the piston rod 92 to the elongated strip 96 .",
"Adjacent the rear end of elongated strips 94 and 96 is a cross brace 99 .",
"Cross brace 99 will rest against the upper surface of the forearm 98 .",
"[0048] The fore end of the elongated strips 94 and 96 are joined together by connecting platform 101 and a cross brace 103 .",
"Cross brace 103 will also rest on the upper surface of the forearm 98 .",
"Mounted on the connecting platform 101 is a discharge valve housing 112 .",
"The outlet tube 66 connects with the discharge valve housing 112 with the internal passage 114 of the outlet tube 66 connecting with the internal chamber 116 of the discharge valve housing 112 .",
"The discharge valve housing 112 includes a dispensing spout 118 .",
"Located within the internal chamber 116 is a valve plug 120 , which is normally seated closing off dispensing passage 122 of the dispensing spout 118 .",
"Valve plug 120 defines a shut-off valve.",
"The valve plug 120 is connected to a rod 124 with a spring 126 being located about the rod 124 .",
"The function of the spring 126 is to exert a continuous bias tending to locate the plug 120 in position to close the dispensing passage 122 .",
"The outer end of the rod 124 is integrally connected to a cross rod 128 .",
"One end of the cross rod 128 is attached to a link 130 with the opposite end of the cross rod 128 being attached to a link 132 .",
"The lower end of the link 130 pivotally connected to the elongated strip 94 with the lower end of the link 132 being pivotally connected to the link 96 .",
"Connected between the links 130 and 132 is an actuating rod 134 .",
"The outer end of the actuating rod 134 connects to bulbous handle 136 , the bulbous handle 136 is positioned to rest within the user's hand 138 .",
"[0049] The operation of the first embodiment 10 of this invention is as follows: the on/off valve 60 is located in the open position which permits water to be capable of flowing from the reservoir 52 through water supply tube 58 adjacent the valve plate 50 .",
"The movable section 14 may be located in a right-angled position relative to the base section 12 .",
"In FIG. 2 of the drawings, the movable section 14 is located in an elongated position relative to the base section.",
"The user then may proceed to move the user's arm 98 to the position shown in FIG. 2. This will cause the pistons 86 and 88 to be moved to the lower end of their respective cylinders 78 and 80 .",
"This creates a suction within the cylinders 78 and 80 with this suction being supplied within the passage 46 .",
"This suction will cause the valve plate 46 to be unseated which will permit water to flow into passage 46 through tubes 82 and 84 to within the internal chambers of the cylinders 78 and 80 .",
"Now, when the movable section 14 is moved in the reverse direction from the elongated position shown in FIG. 2 to a right angled position (which is not shown), the pistons 86 and 88 will force the water through the passage 46 seating valve plate 50 and then unseating valve plate 44 which will then permit the water to flow within the internal chamber 40 of the elastic bladder 38 .",
"The elastic bladder 38 will then expand similar to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, it will require approximately one to three pumps by the forearm 98 to result in complete desired expansion of the elastic bladder 38 .",
"[0050] With the expansion of the elastic bladder 38 now occurring, the user may then point the dispensing spout 118 in the desired direction of the target and then move rearwardly the bulbous handle 136 , which will cause the links 130 and 132 to pivot clockwise, as shown in FIG. 2, which will move rod 124 rearwardly unseating plug 130 from the dispensing passage 122 .",
"As a result, the water will be shot in the form of a stream of water from the dispensing passage 122 into the ambient.",
"When it is desired to terminate the expelling of the water in a stream, the user only needs to release the bulbous handle 136 which will result in the valve plug 120 again moving to a position to close dispensing passage 122 .",
"[0051] Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention.",
"This embodiment 140 includes a rigid base section 142 .",
"Fixedly mounted on the aft end of the base section 142 is a reservoir 144 .",
"The reservoir 144 is to contain water 146 .",
"Supplying of water 146 to within the reservoir 144 is to be accomplished by removing of the cap 148 and pouring of the water 146 through the inlet 150 .",
"Extending within the internal chamber 152 of the reservoir 144 and submerged within the water 146 is a tube 154 .",
"The tube 154 has a passage 156 .",
"The tube 154 extends exteriorly of the reservoir 144 and connects to a valve housing 158 .",
"Mounting within the valve housing 158 is a valve plate 160 .",
"Valve plate 160 connects with a spring 162 , which is located within the internal chamber 164 of the valve housing 158 .",
"It is the function of the spring 162 to normally locate the valve plate 160 to close off passage 156 .",
"[0052] Valve housing 158 connects to an interconnecting tube 166 .",
"Interconnecting tube 166 connects to a second valve housing 168 .",
"Included within the second valve housing 168 is an internal chamber 170 .",
"Located within the internal chamber 170 is a spring 172 and a valve plate 174 .",
"Valve plate 174 functions to close off the passage 176 of the interconnecting tube 166 .",
"[0053] Internal chamber 170 connects with a short tube 178 .",
"The short tube 178 is attached to one end of an elastic bladder 180 .",
"The internal passage 182 of the short tube 178 connects with the internal chamber 184 of the elastic bladder 180 .",
"The opposite end of the elastic bladder 180 is mounted to an outlet tube 186 .",
"The open ends of the elastic bladder 180 are secured as by clamping band 246 to short tube 178 and by clamping band 248 to the outlet tube 186 .",
"The outlet tube 186 has an internal passage 188 , which connects with the internal chamber 184 .",
"The passage 188 also connects with internal chamber 190 located within a discharge valve housing 192 .",
"Located within the discharge valve housing 192 is a plug 194 , which is located to close off spout passage 196 of a dispensing spout 198 .",
"The plug 194 is attached to a rod 200 , which extends exteriorly of the internal chamber 190 .",
"Within the internal chamber 190 and located about the rod 200 is a spring 202 .",
"The function of the spring 202 is to maintain a continuous bias against the plug 194 tending to have it be seated so as to close off the spout passage 196 .",
"[0054] The rod 200 is pivotally connected to a link 204 with one end of the link 204 being pivotally mounted on the base section 142 .",
"Also connecting with the link 204 in a pivotally connected manner is an actuating link 206 .",
"The link 206 is also pivotally connected to the inner end of a lever 208 .",
"The lever 208 is also pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 210 to the base section 142 .",
"[0055] Positioned directly adjacent the elastic bladder 180 is an actuating lever 212 .",
"This actuating lever 212 is connected to a pressure relief valve (not shown), which is located within the pressure relief valve housing 214 .",
"Tube 216 connects between outlet tube 186 and pressure relief valve housing 214 .",
"A return tube 218 connects between the pressure relief valve housing 214 and tube 154 .",
"[0056] A cylinder 220 is fixedly mounted by strap 222 to the base section 142 .",
"Movably mounted within the cylinder 220 is a piston 224 .",
"The outer end of the cylinder 220 connects by way of a tube 226 to the interconnecting tube 166 .",
"The tube 226 contains an internal passage 228 .",
"[0057] Piston 224 is pivotally connected to a piston rod 230 .",
"The piston rod 230 extends exteriorly of the cylinder 220 through enlarged opening 232 and connects with handle 234 .",
"The inner end of the handle 234 is pivotally connected by pivot pin 236 to the base section 142 .",
"[0058] The operation of this second embodiment 140 of the invention is as follows: The handle 234 may be grasped by one hand of the user with the opposite hand of the user holds onto the base section 142 .",
"The handle 234 is in the retracted position 238 , which is shown in dotted lines.",
"In this position, the piston 224 is located directly adjacent the passage 228 .",
"As the user proceeds to move the handle 234 from the dotted line position 238 in the direction of arrow 230 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 4. While this occurs, water 146 is being sucked from the internal chamber 152 , through the passage 156 , unseating valve plate 160 and flows into the internal chamber 164 .",
"From the internal chamber 164 , the water is conducted into the passage 176 , down the passage 228 to within the internal chamber 242 of the cylinder 220 .",
"From the solid line position, the handle 234 is then moved back to the retracted position, shown in dotted line at 238 .",
"This will cause the water contained within the internal chamber 242 to be moved through the passage 228 , through the passage 176 , unseating of valve plate 174 and compressing the spring 172 , to within the internal chamber 170 .",
"From the internal chamber 170 , the water will flow through passage 182 to within the internal chamber 184 of the elastic bladder 180 .",
"Because at this time there is no outlet for the water from the internal chamber 244 shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.",
"[0059] It is to be noted that this second embodiment 140 utilizes only a single piston 24 and a single cylinder 220 which means there may be required a greater number of pumping movements by the user's hand in order to achieve the desired inflation of the elastic bladder 180 .",
"If, per chance, the elastic bladder 180 becomes over inflated, it will automatically press against actuating lever 212 which will open relief valve (not shown) contained within the pressure relief valve housing 214 , which will cause water to be conducted from passage 188 , through the tube 216 and through tube 218 into passage 156 of the tube 154 .",
"This will cause the elastic bladder 180 to partially deflate, and upon a desired level of deflation being achieved, the actuating lever 212 will automatically be moved so that the pressure relief valve (not shown) contained within the pressure relief valve housing 214 to be closed not permitting the conducting of water from the passage 188 into passage 176 .",
"[0060] When the user presses on lever 208 , the actuating link 206 is moved linearly and the link 204 is pivoted.",
"The pivoting of link 204 will cause linear movement of the rod 200 which will unseat plug 194 from the spout passage 196 .",
"This will cause water to be ejected from the spout passage 196 into the ambient.",
"When such dispensing of the water has occurred from the spout passage 196 , the lever 208 is released which will cause the plug 194 to be again seated closing off the spout passage 196 and the user can then, again, manually move the handle 234 between the solid line position and the dotted line position 238 , shown in FIG. 4, to achieve reinflating of the elastic bladder 180 with water.",
"[0061] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown still yet another embodiment 250 of the water gun of the present invention.",
"This embodiment 250 includes a base section 252 and a movable section 254 .",
"The base section 252 has a pair of main arms 256 and 258 .",
"One main arm 256 is fixedly mounted on one side of a valve housing 260 with the other main arm 258 being mounted on the diametrically opposite side of the valve housing 260 .",
"The user's arm 262 is mounted in between the main arms 256 and 258 .",
"A U-shaped bracket 264 is also secured between the main arms 256 and 258 with the user's arm 262 to be located within the area confined by the bracket 264 .",
"Mounted against the backside of the user's arm is a strap assembly 266 .",
"The strap assembly 266 may be disengageable so as to permit disconnection of the base section 252 from the user's arm 262 .",
"The function of the strap assembly 266 is to securely mount the base section 252 onto the user's arm 262 .",
"[0062] Pivotally mounted on the portion of the main arm 256 that is furthest from its connection with the valve housing 260 is the main arm member 268 of the movable section 254 .",
"A similar arm member 270 is pivotally mounted in a similar position onto the main arm 258 .",
"The arm members 268 and 270 are connected together by wrist strap 272 .",
"The wrist strap 272 is comprised of a pair of strap members, which are connected together and are to be located around the wrist of the user's forearm 274 .",
"[0063] Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, mounted on U-shaped bracket 264 is a valve outer housing 276 .",
"The valve outer housing 276 includes a stem 278 , which is to be connected to a flexible tube 280 .",
"Within the flexible tube 280 is a liquid conducting passage 282 .",
"The passage 282 connects with the passage 284 formed within the stem 278 .",
"The passage 284 connects with the internal chamber 286 of the valve outer housing 276 .",
"The flexible tube 280 is fixedly mounted by a securing sleeve 288 to the stem 278 .",
"The valve outer housing 276 is threadably secured t cap 290 .",
"The cap 290 functions to mount one end of a tubular elastic bladder 292 to the valve outer housing 276 .",
"[0064] The tubular elastic bladder 292 is constructed of an inner bladder 293 and an outer bladder 295 which are mounted so their longitudinal central axes coincide.",
"The inner bladder 293 is mounted within outer bladder 295 with the bladders 293 and 295 abutting.",
"Expansion of bladder 292 produces simultaneous expansion of bladders 293 and 295 .",
"If a rupture occurs of bladder 293 , bladder 295 will still function and vice versa.",
"This is a safety feature to insure that operation of the water gun will continue.",
"[0065] Mounted within the internal chamber 286 is an inner housing 294 .",
"The inner housing 294 has a hole 296 .",
"Mounted within the hole 296 and locatable within the internal chamber 286 is barb end 298 of the valve stem 300 .",
"Relative movement I possible between the valve stem 300 and the inner housing 294 , and when the elastic bladder 292 is expanded to the maximum configuration, the barb end 298 will abut against the inner housing 294 as is clearly shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.",
"When the elastic bladder 292 is in anything other than the maximum expanded configuration, the barb end 298 will be located deep within the internal chamber 286 , as is clearly shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.",
"[0066] The valve stem 300 is connected to a box end 302 .",
"The box end 302 is slidably mounted within chamber 304 of the entrance housing 306 .",
"Located about the valve stem 300 is a coil spring 308 , one end of which is to abut against the entrance housing 306 and the opposite end of which abuts against the box end 302 .",
"A cap 310 is to be secured to a threaded section of a valve inner housing 312 with the cap 310 functioning to securely mount the inner end of the elastic bladder 292 onto the entrance housing 306 .",
"[0067] The box end 302 includes an internal chamber 314 within which is movably mounted the aft end 316 of a headed valve member 318 .",
"The headed valve member 318 is capable of seating against seat 320 of the retainer 322 .",
"The entrance housing 306 is mounted within valve housing 260 .",
"The entrance housing 306 includes a plurality of annularly spaced-apart ribs 324 .",
"One end of the retainer 322 abuts against the ribs 324 .",
"Mounted within the valve housing 260 is a valve disk 326 .",
"The valve disk 326 is movable a limited amount within the chamber 328 .",
"The valve disk 326 will normally be constructed of a resilient material such as a rubber or plastic.",
"[0068] The valve housing 260 includes a forward tube 330 , which includes a through passage 332 .",
"The valve housing 260 also includes tube connectors 334 and 336 .",
"The tube connector 334 has a through passage 338 and the tube connector 336 has a through passage 340 .",
"Formed on the inside surface of the valve housing 260 are a plurality of ribs 342 .",
"The ribs 342 and 324 cooperate to form the chamber 328 within which is located the valve disk 326 .",
"[0069] Referring particularly to FIGS. 10 and 13, the forward -tube 330 is to be insertable within a conical connector 344 .",
"The conical connector 344 has a central passage 346 .",
"Formed within the central passage 346 and integral with the wall of the central passage 346 is an annular rib 348 .",
"The free peripheral edge of the conical connector 344 is attached to a hard ring 350 .",
"It is to be understood that the hard ring 350 , as well as most of the structural items making up the water gun of this invention, is to be constructed of plastic.",
"The function of the hard ring 350 is to maintain the established shape of the conical connector 344 since the conical connector 344 is to be constructed of an elastomeric material.",
"[0070] The conical connector 344 is integral with bellows 352 .",
"The bellows 352 has an internal chamber 354 .",
"A rigid tube 356 , constructed of hard plastic, is to be located within the internal chamber 354 .",
"The rigid tube 356 has a pair of holes 358 and 360 formed within its sidewall.",
"The rigid tube 356 terminates in its outer end at a pointed closed end 362 .",
"The aft end of the rigid tube 356 is fixedly secured to inlet tube 364 and also the aft end of the bellows 352 , the inlet tube 364 connects to reservoir 366 .",
"[0071] The reservoir 366 constitutes a flexible walled bag, which is to be worn on the back of the user 368 .",
"The reservoir 366 is maintained in that position by straps 370 and 372 .",
"The inlet tube 364 is held in position relative to the reservoir 366 by means of a cap 374 , which is mounted within the fill opening of the reservoir 366 .",
"Water 376 , that is contained within the reservoir 366 , is to be sucked through the inlet tube 364 through the internal passage 378 and be dispensed through the holes 358 and 360 into the internal chamber 354 .",
"From the internal chamber 354 the water is to flow through holes 380 and 382 of the forward tube 330 and into the through passage 332 .",
"The conical connector 344 is mounted on the exterior surface of the forward tube 330 with the annular rib 348 forming a fluid tight connection with the forward tube 330 .",
"The water is to then flow into contact with the valve disc 326 displacing such rearwardly which will permit the water to flow past the valve disk 326 , alongside of the ribs 324 and 342 to within the chamber 328 .",
"This water will then be caused to move within the through passages 338 and 340 with through passage 338 connecting with tubing 384 and through passage 340 connecting with tubing 386 .",
"When the conical connector 344 is installed on the forward tube 330 , the pointed portion of the closed end 362 is inserted within the through passage 332 forming a connection between the rigid tube 356 and the forward tube 330 .",
"[0072] Referring particularly to FIG. 11, the tubing 384 connects to a cylinder 388 .",
"The cylinder 388 is mounted on the main arm 258 .",
"In a similar manner, the tubing 386 connects to a cylinder 390 .",
"The cylinder 390 is fixedly mounted to the main arm 256 .",
"Movably mounted within the cylinder 388 is a piston 392 with there being a piston 394 mounted within cylinder 390 .",
"The piston 394 is connected by piston rod 404 to arm member 270 .",
"The tubing 386 is connected by a connector 396 to rigid tube 398 which is connected to the cylinder 390 .",
"The rigid tube 398 is secured to the main arm 256 .",
"[0073] The reservoir 366 , in FIG. 14, is a bottom dispensing bag that does not include a tube that extends within the confines of the bag.",
"The water is dispensed from the bag by gravity from the lower edge of the reservoir 366 in FIG. 14, which is different from the reservoir 366 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 where the water 376 is dispensed from the top edge of the reservoir 366 .",
"[0074] Arm member 268 is mounted by pivot joint 406 to the main arm 256 .",
"In a similar manner, the main arm 258 is pivotally mounted to the arm member 270 .",
"The pivot joints, such as 406 , permit the arm members 268 and 270 to be extended to an obtuse angle relative to the main arms 256 and 258 .",
"The obtuse angle is shown in solid line position in FIG. 6. With the movable section 254 , which is composed of main arms 256 and 258 in the obtuse position shown in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 are located within the lower end of their respective cylinders 388 and 390 .",
"This has caused a sucking action to occur and water 376 is drawn from the reservoir 366 through the elastic bellows 352 and through the tubing 384 and 386 to within the cylinders 388 and 390 .",
"Now when the user's forearm 274 begins to move toward the acute angle position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 proceed to move toward the upper end of their respective cylinders 388 and 390 .",
"This will cause water contained within the cylinders 388 and 390 to be moved forcefully under pressure to within chamber 328 .",
"This water under pressure will cause valve disk 326 to be seated closing off through passage 332 .",
"This water will then flow around the headed valve member 318 around the box end 302 to within the elastic bladder 292 .",
"Water 376 then flows into internal chamber 386 and out through passage 284 and into flexible tube 280 .",
"Water is not discharged from flexible tube 280 when hand held trigger valve assembly 408 is closed which is shown primarily in FIG. 12.",
"As a result, the elastic bladder 292 will expand, and when finally the elastic bladder 292 is expanded to the maximum configuration shown in FIG. 8, the barb end 298 will come in contact with the inner housing 294 .",
"[0075] As the elastic bladder 292 continues to expand just slightly, the valve stem 300 will cause the headed valve member 318 to be held in the open position, compressing coil spring 308 , permitting flow of water 376 between the tubing 384 and 386 and the elastic bladder 292 .",
"With the elastic bladder 292 in the maximum expanded configuration of FIG. 8, and let it be assumed that the user 368 continues to exert a pumping action by moving of the user's forearm back and forth between the obtuse angular position, that the water 376 is being merely sucked from within the elastic bladder 292 and then pumped back into the elastic bladder 292 by the pistons 392 and 394 .",
"No new water 376 is being conducted from the reservoir 366 .",
"Therefore, the elastic bladder 292 does not further expand.",
"[0076] When the user 368 presses button 410 on the trigger valve assembly 408 , valve member 412 is moved away from seat 414 of the discharge passage 416 mounted within the discharge nozzle 418 .",
"The valve member 412 is moved against the action of a coil spring 420 , which is mounted within the discharge valve housing 422 .",
"The water 376 is caused to flow from the passage 282 of the flexible tube 280 into the internal chamber 424 , through discharge passage 416 to be discharged in the form of a stream of water from the discharge nozzle 418 .",
"This will cause the internal volume and therefore the length of the elastic bladder 292 to decrease so that the barbed end 298 is now moved away from the inner housing 294 allowing coil spring 308 to push headed valve member 318 to a position which seats against seat 320 preventing the flow of water 376 from the elastic bladder 292 and into chamber 328 .",
"When the user's forearm 274 is moved from the dotted line position in FIG. 6 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, the pistons 392 and 394 will suck water from the reservoir 366 with this water not flowing into the elastic bladder 292 at this time because the pressure in the cylinders 388 and 390 is less than that in the elastic bladder 292 .",
"Therefore, this water flows into the cylinders 388 and 390 .",
"When the user's forearm 274 moves from the dotted line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, the water is forced from the cylinders 388 and 390 into the elastic bladder 292 , and when the cylinders 388 and 390 are substantially empty of water and the user's forearm 274 is again in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6, the headed valve member 318 will again move to the seated position assuming that the elastic bladder 292 is not in the fully expanded configuration.",
"Therefore, as the user's forearm 274 again moves from the dotted line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6, more water 376 will be drawn from the reservoir 366 displacing valve disk 326 and again filling the cylinders 388 and 390 .",
"As the user's forearm 274 now moves again to the dotted line position in FIG. 6, the water that is contained within the cylinders again will be forced into the elastic bladder 292 .",
"However, once the elastic bladder 292 is in the maximum expanded position as shown in FIG. 8, because the barb end 298 is placed in contact with the inner housing 294 , the valve stem 300 will position the headed valve member 318 in the continuously open position permitting free flow between the elastic bladder 292 and the cylinder 388 and 390 .",
"This functions as a pressure relief device preventing over expansion of the elastic bladder 292 and rupture of such.",
"[0077] When the user 368 is not utilizing the third embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 366 with straps 370 and 372 can be separated from the base section 252 by physically disengaging conical connector 344 from the forward tube 330 .",
"Immediately, the elastic bellows 352 will retract until the closed end 362 comes into tight abutting and fluid tight connection with the annular rib 348 .",
"This will now prevent any water leaking from the reservoir 366 .",
"When the user 368 desires to refill the reservoir 366 , it is only necessary to insert the outer end of the garden hose, which is not shown, or a faucet, which is also not shown, to within the outer portion of the connector 344 connecting with the outer portion of the connector 344 connecting with the central passage 346 .",
"The pressure of the water from this source will unseat the closed end 362 from the annular rib 348 and expand somewhat the bellows 352 .",
"This will permit water to flow from the source to within the reservoir 366 refilling such.",
"[0078] Referring particularly to FIG. 14, there is shown a further embodiment 426 of the resent invention with like numbers being utilized to refer to like parts.",
"The main difference between this fourth embodiment 426 and the third embodiment 250 is that the discharge nozzle 428 , which connects to the flexible tubing 280 in the fourth embodiment 426 , is mounted on bracket 430 .",
"The bracket 430 is fixedly mounted on the movable section 254 .",
"Dispensing of the water through the discharge nozzle 428 is to be accomplished by a hand held trigger unit 432 , which operates a valve (not shown) associated with the discharge nozzle 428 by means of a flexible cable 434 .",
"[0079] Instead of using flexible bag type of reservoir 366 , there may be used a different form of solid wall reservoir which is shown as reservoirs 52 and 144 .",
"FIGS. 15 - 21 are directed to different configurations of solid wall reservoirs that could be utilized in conjunction with the water gun of the present invention.",
"[0080] Referring particularly to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown embodiment 436 of the reservoir, which has a solid body 438 , and may be constructed of plastic.",
"Within the solid body 438 is an internal chamber 440 .",
"Mounted on the solid body 438 is a clip 442 that facilitates mounting by a strap 448 on the clothing of the user 368 .",
"Water 444 is to be located within the internal chamber 440 .",
"The inlet tube 364 is to connect with the solid body 438 directly adjacent the bottom 446 of the solid body 438 .",
"Therefore, the water 444 is to flow by gravity to within the inlet tube 364 and then to the bellows 352 .",
"[0081] Formed within the solid body 438 is a fill opening 450 .",
"Surrounding the fill opening 450 is an externally threaded connector 452 .",
"A cap 454 is to be threadably mounted on the externally threaded connector 452 .",
"The cap 454 defines a fill opening 456 .",
"Mounted to the cap 454 is a mounting flange 458 .",
"The mounting flange 458 is located within the internal chamber 440 .",
"Pivotally mounted by pivot pin 460 onto the mounting flange 458 is a valve plate 462 .",
"The valve plate 462 is under a continuous spring bias by a spring 464 , which tends to locate the valve plate 462 in abutting contact with the inner edge of the cap 454 , which closes the fill opening 456 .",
"Therefore, the natural position of the valve plate 462 is to keep water 444 from spilling from the reservoir composed of the solid body 438 .",
"However, upon insertion of the free end of a faucet or garden hose 466 to within the fill opening 456 , the force of the water being ejected therefrom will cause the valve plate 462 to deflect permitting the water 444 to flow within the internal chamber 440 filling such Once the faucet or garden hose 466 is removed from the fill opening 456 , the bias of the spring 464 will automatically close the valve plate 462 against the cap 454 closing of the fill opening 456 .",
"[0082] Referring particularly to FIG. 17 and 18 , there is shown an embodiment 468 of reservoir, which is basically similar to embodiment 436 and like numerals have been used to refer to like parts.",
"The main difference is that mounted on the valve plate 462 and extending transversely therefrom is a large baffle plate 470 and two small baffle plates 472 , one located on each side of the large baffle plate 470 but spaced therefrom.",
"Each of the baffle plates 470 and 472 have an arcuate periphery that assumes a domed configuration.",
"When the faucet or garden hose 466 is moved against the baffle plates 470 and 472 , the valve plate 462 will readily deflect prior to the conducting from the faucet or garden hose 466 to within the internal chamber 440 .",
"The baffle plates 470 and 472 will function to cause the valve plate 462 to deflect which will eliminate the possibility of any water shooting in an upward direction out of the fill opening 456 , which might occur with the embodiment 436 .",
"[0083] Referring particularly to FIGS. 19 - 21 , there is shown a still further embodiment 474 of reservoir with again like numerals being used to refer to like parts.",
"The valve plate 476 has mounted thereon the baffle plates 470 and 472 but here the valve plate 476 is not hingedly mounted but is permitted to only move lineally against the action of a coil spring 478 .",
"Mounted onto valve plate 476 is a sleeve extension 475 .",
"Sleeve extension 475 has a series of holes 477 .",
"The coil spring 478 is mounted in conjunction with a cage 480 .",
"Within the cage 480 is located a series of holes 482 .",
"When the faucet or garden hose 466 is moved against the baffle plates 470 and 472 , the valve plate 476 is lineally displaced compressing of coil spring 478 .",
"The cage 480 is to be formed as part of the cap 454 and has replaced the mounting flange 458 .",
"When the faucet or garden hose 466 is displaced against the valve plate 476 , the water 444 is to flow from the faucet or garden hose 466 past the baffle plates 470 and 472 , past the valve plate 476 , through the holes 477 and 482 to within the internal chamber 440 .",
"Upon release of the faucet or garden hose 466 from the fill opening 456 , the valve plate 476 will move automatically due to the action of the coil spring 478 to close the fill opening 456 and be located directly adjacent the cap 454 .",
"[0084] Note that these reservoir fill embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 - 21 , also serve as an air vent so that s water 444 is withdrawn from reservoir internal chamber 440 the small vacuum thus created partially pulls open valve plate 476 thus equalizing internal pressure with ambient pressure.",
"Also note that these same reservoir fill embodiments may be used in conjunction with flexible walled reservoir 366 .",
"[0085] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.",
"It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/907,675, filed on Oct. 16, 2007, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/910,621, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,624, which is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/216,356, filed on Aug. 12, 2002, now abandoned, which a) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/332,013, filed on Nov. 23, 2001, and b) is also a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL01/00624, filed on Jul. 9, 2001. The contents of all of the above Applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to intraluminal devices implantable in a blood vessel for the treatment of aneurysms especially basal apex aneurysms. The invention also relates to methods of treating aneurysms using such intraluminal devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of publications as listed at the end of this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for background information and are numerically referenced in the following text.
[0004] Intracranial aneurysms are the main cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and are responsible for about 25% of all deaths relating to cerebrovascular events. Autopsy studies show that the overall frequency of intracranial aneurysms in the general population is approximately 5 percent and suggest that 10 to 15 million persons in the United States have or will have intracranial aneurysms [1]. In approximately 15,000 cases (6 cases per 100,000 persons per year), intracranial aneurysms rupture every year in North America [2]. Rupture of intracranial aneurysms leads to subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (SAH) which has a 30-day mortality rate of 45%, and results in approximately half the survivors sustaining irreversible brain damage [1, 2].
[0005] The primary goal of treatments for intracranial aneurysm is prevention of the rupture of the aneurysms, thereby preventing bleeding or rebleeding. At the present time, three general methods of treatment exist. These can be grouped according to their approach: extravascular, endovascular, and extra-endovascular.
[0006] The extravascular approach involves surgery or microsurgery of the aneurysm. One surgical procedure is to apply a metallic clip or a suture-ligation across the artery feeding the aneurysm (neck), thereby allowing the aneurysm to clot off and hopefully shrink. Another surgical procedure is to “surgically reconstruct” the aneurysmal portion of the artery, by surgically cut out the aneurysm and repairing the vessel by using a natural or synthetic vessel graft. Both of these surgical procedures typically require general anesthesia, craniotomy, brain retraction, and dissection of the arachnoid around the neck of the aneurysm.
[0007] Surgical treatment of vascular intracranial aneurysm is accompanied by a mortality rate of 3.8% and a morbidity rate of 10.9% [3]. Because of the high mortality and morbidity rates, and because the condition of many patients does not permit them to undergo an open operation, the surgical procedure is often delayed or not practical. For this reason the prior art has sought alternative means of treatment.
[0008] The development of microcatheters made possible the use of endovascular (catheter-based) procedures. The major advantage of the endovascular procedures is that they do not require the use of open surgery. They are generally more beneficial and have much lower mortality and morbidity rates than the extravascular procedures.
[0009] Many variations of endovascular procedures exist of which some of the more important are the following:
[0010] 1. Placement of embolic material, such as metallic microcoils or spherical beads, inside the aneurysm sac in order to form a mass within this sac which will slow the blood flow and generally encourage the aneurysm to clot off and to shrink. To accomplish this procedure, a microcatheter is guided through the cerebral arteries until the site of the aneurysm is reached. The distal tip of the microcatheter is then placed within the sac of the aneurysm, and the embolic material is injected into the sac of the aneurysm. Typical microcatheters suitable for this procedure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,853,418; 6,066,133; 6,165,198 and 6,168,592.
[0011] Widespread, long-term experience with this technique has shown several risks and limitations. The method has 4% morbidity and 1% mortality rate and achieves complete aneurysm occlusion in only 52% to 78% of the cases in which it is employed. The relatively low success rate is due to technical limitations (e.g., coil flexibility, shape, and dimensions) which prevent tight packing of the sac of the aneurysm, especially aneurysms with wide necks [3]. Other difficulties are associated with the presence of preexisting thrombus within the aneurysm cavity, which may be sheared off into the parent trunk leading to parent artery occlusion. Also aneurysm perforation may occur during placement of coils into the aneurysm. Additionally, occurrence of coil movement and compaction may foster aneurysm revascularization or growth.
[0012] 2. Another endovascular technique for treating aneurysms involves inserting a detachable balloon into the sac of the aneurysm using a microcatheter. The detachable balloon is then inflated using embolic material, such as a liquid polymer material or microcoils. The balloon is then detached from the microcatheter and left within the sac of the aneurysm in an attempt to fill the sac and to form a thrombotic mass inside the aneurysm.
[0013] One of the disadvantages of this method is that detachable balloons, when inflated, typically do not conform to the interior configuration of the aneurysm sac. Instead, the aneurysm sac is forced to conform to the exterior surface of the detachable balloon. Thus, there is an increased risk that the detachable balloon will rupture the sac of the aneurysm.
[0014] 3. Stent technology has been applied to the intracranial vasculature. The use of this technology has been limited until recently by the lack of available stents and stent delivery systems capable of safe and effective navigation through the intercranial vessels. The use of such stents is particularly difficult with respect to aneurysms in head blood vessels because of the number of perforating vessels in such blood vessels, and thereby the increased danger that one or more perforating vessels may be in the vicinity of such an aneurysm. The same is true with respect to bifurcations of a blood vessel splitting into one or more branch vessels, which may also be in the vicinity of an aneurysm. Where the blood supply to an aneurysm is to be reduced, it is critical that the blood supply to such perforating vessel or branch vessels, in the vicinity of the aneurysm not be unduly reduced to the degree causing damage to the tissues supplied with blood by such perforating or branch vessels.
[0015] Thus, there is a serious danger that the placement of a conventional endovascular stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm neck to reduce blood flow to the aneurysm, to promote intra-aneurysm stasis and thrombosis [4,5].
[0016] Stents having portions of different permeabilities are disclosed, for example, in McCrory U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,599, Brown et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,199, Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, and Dubrul U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,115.
[0017] The McCrory patent discloses a braided stent having a first portion with a relatively high porosity index so as to be highly permeable to blood flow, and a second portion of lower porosity index so as to be less permeable to blood flow. When the stent is deployed, the portion of low permeability is located to overlie the neck of the aneurysm, and the portion of high permeability is spaced from the neck of the aneurysm. A braided stent construction with different porosities is also disclosed in the Dubrul patent.
[0018] Brown et al, on the other hand, discloses an intraluminal device or stent comprising a diverter, in the form of a low-permeability foam pad, to overlie the neck of the aneurysm, straddled on its opposite sides by a pair of high-permeability coil elements for anchoring the device in the blood vessel.
[0019] Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, discloses a braided tube intraluminal device for use in various applications, one of which applications is to apply a graft to treat an aneurysm ( FIG. 9 ). In this case, the complete braided tube would have high permeability with respect to blood flow therethrough since its function is to mount the grafts, but the graft would have low-permeability to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm.
[0020] Delivery devices for stents for use in the intracranial vasculature are well known at the art. Typical devices are disclosed, for example, in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,496,275; 5,676,659; and 6,254,628. The blood vessels in the brain are frequently as small as several millimeters, requiring that the catheters have an outside diameter as small as 2-8 French (0.66 mm to 2.64 mm).
[0021] Technically it is very difficult to produce and accurately deploy the stents described in the above McCrory, Brown et al and Wallsten patents for treating aneurysms by using presently available delivery systems. The difficulties include not only in producing such stents of different permeabilities, but also in deploying them such that the portion of low permeability is exactly aligned with the aneurysm neck. When the device is to be implanted in a blood vessel having an aneurysm at or proximate to a perforating vessel or a bifurcation leading to a branch vessel, the portion of high permeability must be precisely located at the perforating or branch vessels in order to maintain patency in the perforating or branch vessels. Additionally, particularly in tortuous, ectatic vessels, existing stiff stents are difficult to introduce and may results in kinking such as to cause the failure of the deployment process.
[0022] Furthermore, none of the prior art mentioned is suitable for use with a basal apex aneurysm.
[0023] For these reasons it is apparent that there is a need for a better intraluminal device to treat an aneurysm, particularly an intracranial aneurysm, and more particularly an intracranial aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] An object of the present invention is to provide an intraluminal device having advantages in one or more of the above respects for implantation in a blood vessel having an aneurysm in order to treat the aneurysm. Another object of the invention is to provide such an intraluminal device particularly useful for implantation in a blood vessel having an aneurysms at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to a branch vessel such as to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm while still maintaining patency in the perforating and/or branch vessels.
[0025] Another object of the invention is to provide an implantable intraluminal device for treating aneurysms in the intracranial vasculature that is sufficiently flexible and pliable so that it can be delivered easily to an intracranial site, deployed accurately, and then left in position to accomplish its purpose.
[0026] A further object of the invention is to provide a method of treating aneurysms by using intraluminal devices having the above features.
[0027] The present invention provides an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, an aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel; the mesh-like tube also having a length such that, when placed and anchored to straddle the opening of the second branch vessel, it also straddles said aneurysm; the mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index such as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel. The foregoing advantageous results have been found attainable when the mesh-like tube is designed to have, in its expanded condition, a porosity index of 60-75%; windows having an inscribed diameter of 30480 microns, preferably 50-320 microns; and/or a diameter of wire filaments of 10-60 microns, preferably 2040 microns; but when the filaments are of rectangular cross-section, a circumference 40-200 microns. The foregoing parameters are significantly different from stents that have heretofore been used.
[0028] Experimental evidence indicates that patency can be maintained and ischemia and infarction can be prevented if less than 50% of the ostial diameter is occluded [6].
[0029] In the described preferred embodiments, the windows in the mesh-like tube produce a porosity index of preferably 60%-75%. The porosity index (P.I.) is defined by the relation:
[0000]
P
.
I
.
=
1
-
S
m
S
t
[0030] wherein: “S m ” is the actual surface covered by the mesh-like tube , and “S t ” is the total surface area of the mesh-like tube. The porosity index of the existing typical stents is well above 80%. In the tube devices of the present invention, however, the porosity index is not more than 80%, preferably 55-80%, more preferably 60-75%.
[0031] In the described preferred embodiments, the mesh-like tube includes windows having an inscribed diameter of 30-480 μm, preferably 50-320 μm, in the implanted condition of the mesh-like tube.
[0032] According to the described preferred embodiments, the mesh-like tube includes a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material extending helically in an interlaced manner in opposite directions so as to form a braided tube. It is contemplated, however, that other mesh-like structures could be used, such as woven or knitted tubes.
[0033] A maximum porosity index is attained when the braiding angle, in the implanted condition of the braided tube, is 90°. Decreasing the implanted braiding angle below 90° increases the radial force applied by the braided tube against the inner surface of the blood vessel and decreases the P.I. Increasing the implanted braiding angle above 90° decreases the radial force applied by the braided tube against the inner surface of the blood vessel and decreases the P.I. In cases, where low radial force is needed, the desirable P.I. can thus be achieved by increasing the implanted braiding angle, as described below with respect to specific examples. Preferably, the braided tube has a braiding angle in the range of 20%-150% in the implanted condition of the braided tube.
[0034] Also in the described preferred embodiments, the filaments, or at least most of them, are of circular cross-section and have a diameter of 10-50 μm, preferably 2040 μm. The filaments could also be of non-circular cross-section, such as of square or rectangular cross-section, in which case it is preferred that they have a circumference of 40-200 μm. It is also possible to use combination of several filament diameters and filament materials in one device to achieve structural stability and/or desired radio-opacity characteristic. Preferably the braid is formed of 24-144 filaments, more preferably 62-120 filaments. The filaments may be of a suitable bio-compatible material, metal or plastic, and may include a drug or other biological coating or cladding.
[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel; the mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation; the mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel; wherein the mesh-like tube includes windows having an inscribed diameter of 30-480 μm in its implanted condition.
[0036] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, said mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel; said mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation; said mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of said aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to said second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel; wherein said mesh-like tube is constituted of a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material, in which at least most of said plurality of filaments are of circular cross-section having a diameter of 10-50 μm.
[0037] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel; the mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation; the mesh like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel; wherein the mesh-like tube is constituted of a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material, in which at least most of the plurality of filaments are of rectangular cross-section having a circumference of 40-200 μm.
[0038] As will be described more particularly below, intraluminal devices constructed in accordance with the foregoing features show great promise in the treatment of aneurysms in general, and brain aneurysms in particular, since they are relatively easily manipulatable through the blood vessel to the implantation site, and when deployed in their expanded condition in the implantation site, they redirect/skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture thereof while maintaining blood flow to the branch vessels in the vicinity of the aneurysm.
[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0041] FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are side and end view, respectively, illustrating one form of intraluminal device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown in its implanted, expanded condition;
[0042] FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are corresponding views but illustrating the device in its contracted, stressed condition;
[0043] FIG. 3 more particularly illustrates the braid pattern of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 a, 2 b in the expanded condition of the braided tube;
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates another braid pattern, wherein one filament extending in one helical direction is interwoven over and under two filaments extending in the opposite helical direction;
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a further braid pattern in which two (or more) contiguous filaments extending helically in one direction are interwoven over and under two (or more) contiguous filaments extending in the opposite direction;
[0046] FIG. 6 schematically shows the relationship between the bending rigidity of the braided tube with respect to the diameter of the filaments producing the braided tube;
[0047] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an intraluminal device implanted in a blood vessel having a plurality of perforating vessels in the vicinity of an aneurysm; and
[0048] FIGS. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 illustrate various manners in which an intraluminal device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be implanted in a blood vessel having an aneurysm at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to one or more branch vessels.
[0049] It is to be understood that the drawings and the description below are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and various possible embodiments thereof, including what is presently considered to be preferred embodiments. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments described are for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate an intraluminal device, therein generally designated 2 , constructed in accordance with the present invention in its implanted condition which it assumes in a blood vessel after deployment therein; whereas FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate the intraluminal device 2 of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in the contracted or stressed condition of the device which it assumes to facilitate its manipulation through the blood vessel to the deployment site.
[0051] As shown particularly in FIG. 1 a, the intraluminal device includes a plurality of filaments of elastic or non-elastic bio-compatible material, metal or plastic, extending helically in an interlaced manner to define a braided tube. Thus, shown in FIGS. 1 a are a first group of filaments 3 extending helically in one direction, and a second group of filaments 4 extending helically in the opposite direction, with the two groups of filaments being interwoven such that a filament 3 overlies a filament 4 at some points as shown at 5 , and underlies a filament 4 at other points as shown at 6 .
[0052] Filaments 3 and 4 thus define a braided tube having a plurality of windows 7 . The inscribed diameter and the length of each window are shown at W d and W L , respectively, in the implanted condition of the braided tube. These characteristics depend on, among other factors including: the number of filaments; the cross section of the filaments; and the implanted angle “α” at the cross-over points of the two groups of filaments 3 , 4 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that the above dimensions describe the dimensions in the implanted condition of the braided tube. The dimensions in the fully expanded unimplanted condition will be somewhat different, with the angle “α” and W L typically being larger than, and W d typically being smaller than, the equivalent respective dimensions in the implanted state.
[0053] FIG. 3 more particularly illustrates the above-described braid pattern in the fully expanded condition of the braided tube. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3 , each filament 3 a extending helically in one direction is interwoven with one filament 4 a extending helically in the opposite direction. Such a braid pattern is sometimes called a “one over one” pattern. FIG. 4 illustrates a “one over two” pattern, in which each filament 3 b extending helically in one direction is interwoven with two filaments 4 b extending helically in the opposite direction. FIG. 5 illustrates a further braid pattern that may be used, in which two (or more) contiguous filaments 3 c extending helically in one direction are interwoven with two (or more) contiguous filaments 4 c extending helically in the opposite direction.
[0054] The braid pattern illustrated in FIG. 3 is of highest flexibility, whereas that illustrated in FIG. 5 is of lower flexibility but of higher strength.
[0055] Such braided-tube intraluminal devices are well-known, for example as described in Wallsten et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,275 and Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. They are generally used as stents for providing support to a wall of a blood vessel, for implanting a graft, e.g., to treat an aneurysm ( FIG. 9 of the latter patent), or for other purposes. As known, the braided tube normally exhibits an expanded unimplanted condition having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the intended blood vessel in which it is to be implanted so that when the device is deployed it becomes firmly embedded in the wall of blood vessel. The braided tube is capable of being stressed into a contracted condition, as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, wherein the diameter of the braided tube is decreased, and its length increased, to permit manipulation of the braided tube through the blood vessel to the site of implantation.
[0056] Further information concerning the construction and deployment of such braided-tube intraluminal devices is available in the above-cited patents, and also in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/311,876, filed on Dec. 20, 2002, entitled “IMPLANTABLE BRAIDED STROKE PREVENTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0057] When such braided tubes are used as stents within blood vessels, the filaments forming the braided tube are generally of a diameter exceeding 60 μm and define windows producing a porosity index significantly exceeding 80%. Such constructions, however, do not have the combination of flexibility to enable them to be easily manipulated through the tortuous blood vessels of the intracranial vascular system for preventing intracranial aneurysm ruptures, and the appropriate P.I. to enable them to skew the blood flow away form an aneurysm at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to a plurality of branch vessel.
[0058] These problems were sought to be overcome in the above-cited McCrory U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,599, Brown et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,199 and Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, in producing braided tubes having a high-permeability portion to be deployed in the blood vessel and a low-permeability portion aligned with the aneurysm, but as indicated above such braided tubes constructions are difficult to produce, difficult to manipulate through the blood vessel, and difficult to accurately deploy at the site of the aneurysm.
[0059] According to the present invention, the constituent element making up the mesh-like tube are of a sufficiently small size in cross-section and define windows of a size such that the mesh-like tube, when in its contracted condition, is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel to be implanted at the bifurcation; and when in its implanted condition anchoring itself to both the source blood vessel and at least one of the branch vessels thereby skewing flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm. The skewing is caused by the flow of blood through the walls of the mesh-like tube, and the amount of skew is a function of the predetermined implanted porosity index. In an exemplary embodiment, in which the mesh-like tube is constituted of braided filaments, the windows defined by the filaments of the braided tube are such as to reduce the flow of blood therethrough to the aneurysm to decrease the possibility of rupturing it, but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the branch vessels to the degree likely to cause damage to tissues supplied with blood by such vessels. As indicated earlier, experimental evidence indicates that patency can be maintained, and ischemia and infarction can be prevented, if less than 50% of the ostial diameter of the branch vessel is occluded. The ostial diameter of intercranial branch vessels are typically on the order of 80-800 μm, thus to ensure patency of the intercranial branch vessels, filaments of the braided tube must be less than 50 μm in diameter for round filaments, and preferably less than or equal to 40 μm. For non-round filaments, a similar dimensional limitation is necessary.
[0060] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates how the bending rigidity or flexibility of a braided tube varies with the diameter of the filaments. Region A in FIG. 6 illustrates typical diameters in conventional stents used for supporting blood vessels, which region usually starts above 60 μm and extends to several hundred μm. Region B in FIG. 6 illustrates the region of filament diameters for use in constructing braided tubes in accordance with the present invention. The filament diameters in this region would be significantly smaller than in region A, preferably being 10-50 μm, more preferably 20-40 μm.
[0061] The foregoing dimensions apply to the diameters of filaments of circular cross-section. Where the filaments are of non-circular cross-section, such as of rectangular or square cross-section, the filaments would preferably have a circumference of 40-200 μm. The circumference is defined in macro scale. The circumference can be enlarged at the micro-scale level by adding roughness to the wire, in order to control the neointimal growth and making the circumference in micro scale longer while keeping the macro scale the same. In this case the surface cross section of the filament would be in the range 75-3000 μm ̂2 preferably 300-1300 μm ̂2 .
[0062] As indicated earlier, the windows formed in the braided tube would also be preferably within a predetermined range such as to skew the blood-flow away from the aneurysm, but maintain sufficient blood flow in the or branch vessels. Preferably the length of the window, i.e., its long dimension as shown at W L in FIG. 1 a , would be within the range of 30-480 μm, more preferably 50-320 μm, in the implanted condition of the braided tube. Also, the implanted angle (α, FIG. 1 a ) would preferably be within the range of 20°-150°, more preferably 40-80° for high radial force and 100-140° for low radial force, in the implanted condition of the braided tube. In yet another preferred embodiment the braid angle in the implanted condition is approximately 90°, preferably in the range of 70°-110°.
[0063] The diameter and length of the braided tube in its normal, implanted condition, will vary according to the location and anatomical dimensions at the particular site of the implantation. Preferably, the windows are preferably globally (but not necessary locally) uniform in size such that any portion of the device can be placed across the opening of the branch vessel to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm located proximate thereto, while the remaining portions of the device firmly contact the walls of the source blood vessel and at least one branch vessel thereby securely anchoring the device.
[0064] The filaments of the exemplary braided embodiment can be made of any suitable material which are bio-compatible and which can be worked into a braid. Bio-compatible herein includes any material that can be safely introduced and implanted in human or animal bodies for indefinite periods of time without causing any significant physiological damage. Preferably, the filaments are made of a material selected from among the 316L stainless steel, tantalum, and super elastic Nitinol, cobalt base alloy, polymer or any other suitable metal or metal combination. The filament can be coated with bio-compatible coatings [Ulrich Sigwart, “Endoluminal Stenting”, W. B. Saunders Company Ltd., London, 1996]. It is possible to use a combination of several filament materials in one device and combinations of several materials in one filament. The above embodiments have been described in relation to a braid mesh tube, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. Other mesh-like structures, such as woven or knitted tubes exhibiting similar porosity and flexibility can be used without exceeding the scope of the invention.
[0065] In some situations, it may be desired to implant the device in a portion of a lumen, e.g., an artery, varying significantly in diameter along its length. As will be appreciated, if a constant diameter braided tube device is inserted into such a variable-diameter lumen, this may result in a defective anchoring of the device at the larger diameter portion of the lumen, and in a possible risk of the migration of the device within the lumen. This problem can be easily overcome in several ways, e.g., by creating braided devices with variable diameters along their longitudinal axis, or varying the pitch along the longitudinal axis, as described in the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/311,876 incorporated herein by reference.
[0066] FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the mesh-like tube device, therein generally designated 20 , implanted in a blood vessel 22 having side wall aneurysm 29 in a region of a blood vessel 22 having a plurality of perforating vessels 26 . Mesh-like tube device 20 is introduced, in its contracted condition, into blood vessel 22 and is manipulated to the implantation site by a microcatheter 28 where it is expanded such that it overlies neck 30 of aneurysm sac 29 and perforating vessels 26 . Mesh-like tube 20 is thus firmly bonded, by its expansion to an implanted state, to the inner surfaces of blood vessel 22 . As described above, braided tube device 20 is constructed such that, in its expanded implanted condition as shown in FIG. 4 , it reduces the flow of blood to side wall aneurysm sac 29 sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture thereof, while at the same time, it does not unduly reduce the flow of blood to perforating vessels 26 to the degree likely to cause damage to the tissue supplied by perforating vessels 26 . In a preferred embodiment the porosity index of braided tube device 20 overlying neck 30 of aneurysm sac 29 is between 55-80%, preferably 60-75%.
[0067] FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 illustrate the use of the braided tube device, generally designated 30 , to treat an aneurysm in a blood vessel at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to two or more branch vessels.
[0068] Thus, FIG. 8 illustrates the braided tube device 30 implanted in a blood vessel 32 having an aneurysm 34 at the bifurcation leading to two branch vessels 36 , 38 . In the example illustrated in FIG. 8 , the braided tube device 30 is deployed with one end embedded in the blood vessel 32 and the opposite end embedded within first branch vessel 36 , so as to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm sac 34 , illustrated by flow lines 40 without unduly impeding blood flow to second branch vessel 38 . As described earlier, however, while the reduced blood flow to the aneurysm sac 34 is sufficient to reduce the possibility of rupture of the sac, the reduced blood flow to second branch 38 is not sufficient so as to be likely to cause damage to the tissues supplied by that branch vessel. In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 8 , braided tube device 30 does not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 . Flow lines 40 illustrate the blood flow exiting braided tube device 30 substantially bypassing aneurysm sac 34 . Reducing the porosity index of braided tube device 30 increases the skew of blood flow from its normal path against inner wall 42 of second branch vessel 38 , and redirects the flow towards outer wall 44 of second branch vessel 38 . Further skewing of blood flow towards outer wall 44 , thus bypassing aneurysm sac 34 , is accomplished by increasing the pore density, defined as the number of pores per unit area. An increase in pore density is accomplished for the same porosity index by reducing the filament size, thus increasing the contact between blood particles and filaments. In a preferred embodiment, the porosity index is between 55-80%, preferably 60-75%.
[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates a variation wherein the opposite ends of the braided tube 30 are embedded in two branch vessels 36 and 38 at the bifurcation. In this case, the blood supply to the aneurysm sac 34 will also be reduced, and blood supply to both branch vessels 36 , 38 will be reduced but not sufficient to cause damage to the tissues supplied by those branch vessels.
[0070] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 . Normal stenting of such a basal apex aneurysm sac is quite difficult, since the only approach to such an aneurysm in many cases is from blood vessel 32 or through the anterior vessels via the communication posterior arteries. This is particularly difficult in an intracranial embodiment, for which access must be accomplished through torturous blood vessels. Mesh-like tube device 30 is inserted through blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 , and expanded to its implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls blood vessel 32 and first branch vessel 36 . In a preferred embodiment mesh-like tube device 30 is of the self-expanding type. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube device 30 is a braided self-expanding type. In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 10 , mesh-like tube device 30 does not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 ,
[0071] In operation blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to branch vessel 36 is unimpeded. Blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to branch vessel 38 is reduced due to a P.I. of less than 100%, however not sufficient to cause damage to the tissues supplied by branch vessel 38 . The P.I. is selected to skew the blood flow away from aneurysm sack 34 towards branch vessel 38 as shown by flow lines 40 . The blood flow which normally would directly impact aneurysm sack 34 is redirected away from aneurysm sack 34 and vessel wall 44 of branch vessel 38 , to flow towards vessel wall 42 of branch vessel 38 .
[0072] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of source blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 . Two mesh-like tube devices 30 are inserted through blood vessel 32 into branch vessels 36 and 38 , respectively and are expanded to their implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls of source blood vessel 32 , and branch vessels 36 and 38 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment both mesh-like tube devices 30 are of the self expanding type. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube devices 30 are a braided self-expanding type. The P.I. is selected to skew the blood flow away from aneurysm sack 34 . In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 11 , mesh-like tube devices 30 do not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 .
[0073] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 . A mesh-like tube device 30 is inserted through source blood vessel 32 into branch vessel 36 and expanded to its implanted state thereby being securely embedded against source blood vessel 32 and branch vessel 36 . A mesh-like tube device 50 is inserted through mesh-like tube device 30 into branch vessel 38 and is expanded to its implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls of source blood vessel 32 and branch vessel 38 . In a preferred embodiment mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 are of the self-expanding type. In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 are a braided self-expanding type.
[0074] Blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to first branch vessel 36 is unimpeded, and blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to second branch vessel 38 is unimpeded. Blood flow to aneurysm sac 34 is reduced by the skewing effect of mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 . In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 12 , mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 do not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 .
[0075] Analysis of a model similar to the setup illustrated in FIG. 8 was accomplished, in which the angle between the axis of branch blood vessel 38 and the axis of blood vessel 32 was approximately 30°, and the angle between the axis of branch blood vessel 38 and the wall of braided tube device 30 was approximately 55°. In the absence of braided tube device 30 , representative of a PI of 100%, blood flow directly impacted the location of aneurysm 34 with a near 0° angle. Utilizing a braided tube device 30 exhibiting a PI of 85% skewed the blood flow near aneurysm 34 approximately 40° from the axis of blood vessel 32 . Reducing the PI of braided tube device 30 to 74% increased the skew of the blood flow near aneurysm 34 to approximately 55° from the axis of blood vessel 32 . Thus, a reduced PI successfully skewed the blood flow from directly impacting aneurysm 34 .
[0076] While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made. For example, the device could be composed of multiple tubular meshes, lying one above the other in layer-like formations. Also, the device could include a plurality of groups of filaments in the longitudinal and/or circumferential direction. Further, the invention could be implemented with respect to many of the other variations and applications described in the above-cited International Application PCT/IL01/00624, equivalent to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/311,876, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0024416 incorporated herein by reference.
REFERENCES
[0000]
1. An International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Investigators. N Engl J Med. 1998 December 10;339(24):1725-33: International study of unruptured intracranial aneurysms investigators; Unruptured intracranial aneurysms-risk of rupture and risks of surgical intervention.
2. Bederson J B, Awad I A, Wiebers D O, Piepgras D, Haley E C Jr, Brott T, Hademenos G, Chyatte D, Rosenwasser R, Caroselli C.; Recommendations for the management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A Statement for healthcare professionals from the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association. Stroke. 2000 November;31(11): 2742-50. No abstract available.
3. Wardlaw J M, White P M. The detection and management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Brain. 2000 February;123 (Pt 2):205-21. Review.
4. Wakhloo A K, Lanzino G, Lieber B B, Hopkins L N. Stents for intracranial aneurysms: the beginning of a new endovascular era? Neurosurgery. 1998 August;43(2):377-9.
5. Lieber B B, Stancampiano A P, Wakhloo A K. Alteration of hemodynamics in aneurysm models by stenting: influence of stent porosity. Ann Biomed Eng. 1997 May-June;25(3):460-9.
6. Lanzino G, Wakhloo A K, Fessler R D, Hartney M L, Guterman L R, Hopkins L N. Efficacy and current limitations of intravascular stents for intracranial internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar artery aneurysms. J Neurosurg. 1999 October;91(4):53846.
7. Yu S C, Zhao J B. A steady flow analysis on the stented and non-stented sidewall aneurysm models. Med Eng Phys. 1999 April;21(3):133-41.
8. Marinkovic S, Gibo H, Milisavljevic M, Cetkovic M. Anatomic and clinical correlations of the lenticulostriate arteries. Clin Anat. 2001 May;14(3): 190-5. | A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm. | Briefly summarize the invention's components and working principles as described in the document. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 11/907,675, filed on Oct. 16, 2007, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/910,621, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,624, which is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/216,356, filed on Aug. 12, 2002, now abandoned, which a) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/332,013, filed on Nov. 23, 2001, and b) is also a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL01/00624, filed on Jul. 9, 2001.",
"The contents of all of the above Applications are incorporated herein by reference.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to intraluminal devices implantable in a blood vessel for the treatment of aneurysms especially basal apex aneurysms.",
"The invention also relates to methods of treating aneurysms using such intraluminal devices.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A number of publications as listed at the end of this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for background information and are numerically referenced in the following text.",
"[0004] Intracranial aneurysms are the main cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and are responsible for about 25% of all deaths relating to cerebrovascular events.",
"Autopsy studies show that the overall frequency of intracranial aneurysms in the general population is approximately 5 percent and suggest that 10 to 15 million persons in the United States have or will have intracranial aneurysms [1].",
"In approximately 15,000 cases (6 cases per 100,000 persons per year), intracranial aneurysms rupture every year in North America [2].",
"Rupture of intracranial aneurysms leads to subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (SAH) which has a 30-day mortality rate of 45%, and results in approximately half the survivors sustaining irreversible brain damage [1, 2].",
"[0005] The primary goal of treatments for intracranial aneurysm is prevention of the rupture of the aneurysms, thereby preventing bleeding or rebleeding.",
"At the present time, three general methods of treatment exist.",
"These can be grouped according to their approach: extravascular, endovascular, and extra-endovascular.",
"[0006] The extravascular approach involves surgery or microsurgery of the aneurysm.",
"One surgical procedure is to apply a metallic clip or a suture-ligation across the artery feeding the aneurysm (neck), thereby allowing the aneurysm to clot off and hopefully shrink.",
"Another surgical procedure is to “surgically reconstruct”",
"the aneurysmal portion of the artery, by surgically cut out the aneurysm and repairing the vessel by using a natural or synthetic vessel graft.",
"Both of these surgical procedures typically require general anesthesia, craniotomy, brain retraction, and dissection of the arachnoid around the neck of the aneurysm.",
"[0007] Surgical treatment of vascular intracranial aneurysm is accompanied by a mortality rate of 3.8% and a morbidity rate of 10.9% [3].",
"Because of the high mortality and morbidity rates, and because the condition of many patients does not permit them to undergo an open operation, the surgical procedure is often delayed or not practical.",
"For this reason the prior art has sought alternative means of treatment.",
"[0008] The development of microcatheters made possible the use of endovascular (catheter-based) procedures.",
"The major advantage of the endovascular procedures is that they do not require the use of open surgery.",
"They are generally more beneficial and have much lower mortality and morbidity rates than the extravascular procedures.",
"[0009] Many variations of endovascular procedures exist of which some of the more important are the following: [0010] 1.",
"Placement of embolic material, such as metallic microcoils or spherical beads, inside the aneurysm sac in order to form a mass within this sac which will slow the blood flow and generally encourage the aneurysm to clot off and to shrink.",
"To accomplish this procedure, a microcatheter is guided through the cerebral arteries until the site of the aneurysm is reached.",
"The distal tip of the microcatheter is then placed within the sac of the aneurysm, and the embolic material is injected into the sac of the aneurysm.",
"Typical microcatheters suitable for this procedure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,853,418;",
"6,066,133;",
"6,165,198 and 6,168,592.",
"[0011] Widespread, long-term experience with this technique has shown several risks and limitations.",
"The method has 4% morbidity and 1% mortality rate and achieves complete aneurysm occlusion in only 52% to 78% of the cases in which it is employed.",
"The relatively low success rate is due to technical limitations (e.g., coil flexibility, shape, and dimensions) which prevent tight packing of the sac of the aneurysm, especially aneurysms with wide necks [3].",
"Other difficulties are associated with the presence of preexisting thrombus within the aneurysm cavity, which may be sheared off into the parent trunk leading to parent artery occlusion.",
"Also aneurysm perforation may occur during placement of coils into the aneurysm.",
"Additionally, occurrence of coil movement and compaction may foster aneurysm revascularization or growth.",
"[0012] 2.",
"Another endovascular technique for treating aneurysms involves inserting a detachable balloon into the sac of the aneurysm using a microcatheter.",
"The detachable balloon is then inflated using embolic material, such as a liquid polymer material or microcoils.",
"The balloon is then detached from the microcatheter and left within the sac of the aneurysm in an attempt to fill the sac and to form a thrombotic mass inside the aneurysm.",
"[0013] One of the disadvantages of this method is that detachable balloons, when inflated, typically do not conform to the interior configuration of the aneurysm sac.",
"Instead, the aneurysm sac is forced to conform to the exterior surface of the detachable balloon.",
"Thus, there is an increased risk that the detachable balloon will rupture the sac of the aneurysm.",
"[0014] 3.",
"Stent technology has been applied to the intracranial vasculature.",
"The use of this technology has been limited until recently by the lack of available stents and stent delivery systems capable of safe and effective navigation through the intercranial vessels.",
"The use of such stents is particularly difficult with respect to aneurysms in head blood vessels because of the number of perforating vessels in such blood vessels, and thereby the increased danger that one or more perforating vessels may be in the vicinity of such an aneurysm.",
"The same is true with respect to bifurcations of a blood vessel splitting into one or more branch vessels, which may also be in the vicinity of an aneurysm.",
"Where the blood supply to an aneurysm is to be reduced, it is critical that the blood supply to such perforating vessel or branch vessels, in the vicinity of the aneurysm not be unduly reduced to the degree causing damage to the tissues supplied with blood by such perforating or branch vessels.",
"[0015] Thus, there is a serious danger that the placement of a conventional endovascular stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm neck to reduce blood flow to the aneurysm, to promote intra-aneurysm stasis and thrombosis [4,5].",
"[0016] Stents having portions of different permeabilities are disclosed, for example, in McCrory U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,599, Brown et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,199, Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, and Dubrul U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,115.",
"[0017] The McCrory patent discloses a braided stent having a first portion with a relatively high porosity index so as to be highly permeable to blood flow, and a second portion of lower porosity index so as to be less permeable to blood flow.",
"When the stent is deployed, the portion of low permeability is located to overlie the neck of the aneurysm, and the portion of high permeability is spaced from the neck of the aneurysm.",
"A braided stent construction with different porosities is also disclosed in the Dubrul patent.",
"[0018] Brown et al, on the other hand, discloses an intraluminal device or stent comprising a diverter, in the form of a low-permeability foam pad, to overlie the neck of the aneurysm, straddled on its opposite sides by a pair of high-permeability coil elements for anchoring the device in the blood vessel.",
"[0019] Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, discloses a braided tube intraluminal device for use in various applications, one of which applications is to apply a graft to treat an aneurysm ( FIG. 9 ).",
"In this case, the complete braided tube would have high permeability with respect to blood flow therethrough since its function is to mount the grafts, but the graft would have low-permeability to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm.",
"[0020] Delivery devices for stents for use in the intracranial vasculature are well known at the art.",
"Typical devices are disclosed, for example, in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,496,275;",
"5,676,659;",
"and 6,254,628.",
"The blood vessels in the brain are frequently as small as several millimeters, requiring that the catheters have an outside diameter as small as 2-8 French (0.66 mm to 2.64 mm).",
"[0021] Technically it is very difficult to produce and accurately deploy the stents described in the above McCrory, Brown et al and Wallsten patents for treating aneurysms by using presently available delivery systems.",
"The difficulties include not only in producing such stents of different permeabilities, but also in deploying them such that the portion of low permeability is exactly aligned with the aneurysm neck.",
"When the device is to be implanted in a blood vessel having an aneurysm at or proximate to a perforating vessel or a bifurcation leading to a branch vessel, the portion of high permeability must be precisely located at the perforating or branch vessels in order to maintain patency in the perforating or branch vessels.",
"Additionally, particularly in tortuous, ectatic vessels, existing stiff stents are difficult to introduce and may results in kinking such as to cause the failure of the deployment process.",
"[0022] Furthermore, none of the prior art mentioned is suitable for use with a basal apex aneurysm.",
"[0023] For these reasons it is apparent that there is a need for a better intraluminal device to treat an aneurysm, particularly an intracranial aneurysm, and more particularly an intracranial aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation.",
"OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0024] An object of the present invention is to provide an intraluminal device having advantages in one or more of the above respects for implantation in a blood vessel having an aneurysm in order to treat the aneurysm.",
"Another object of the invention is to provide such an intraluminal device particularly useful for implantation in a blood vessel having an aneurysms at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to a branch vessel such as to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm while still maintaining patency in the perforating and/or branch vessels.",
"[0025] Another object of the invention is to provide an implantable intraluminal device for treating aneurysms in the intracranial vasculature that is sufficiently flexible and pliable so that it can be delivered easily to an intracranial site, deployed accurately, and then left in position to accomplish its purpose.",
"[0026] A further object of the invention is to provide a method of treating aneurysms by using intraluminal devices having the above features.",
"[0027] The present invention provides an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, an aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel;",
"the mesh-like tube also having a length such that, when placed and anchored to straddle the opening of the second branch vessel, it also straddles said aneurysm;",
"the mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index such as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel.",
"The foregoing advantageous results have been found attainable when the mesh-like tube is designed to have, in its expanded condition, a porosity index of 60-75%;",
"windows having an inscribed diameter of 30480 microns, preferably 50-320 microns;",
"and/or a diameter of wire filaments of 10-60 microns, preferably 2040 microns;",
"but when the filaments are of rectangular cross-section, a circumference 40-200 microns.",
"The foregoing parameters are significantly different from stents that have heretofore been used.",
"[0028] Experimental evidence indicates that patency can be maintained and ischemia and infarction can be prevented if less than 50% of the ostial diameter is occluded [6].",
"[0029] In the described preferred embodiments, the windows in the mesh-like tube produce a porosity index of preferably 60%-75%.",
"The porosity index (P.I.) is defined by the relation: [0000] P .",
"I .",
"= 1 - S m S t [0030] wherein: “S m ”",
"is the actual surface covered by the mesh-like tube , and “S t ”",
"is the total surface area of the mesh-like tube.",
"The porosity index of the existing typical stents is well above 80%.",
"In the tube devices of the present invention, however, the porosity index is not more than 80%, preferably 55-80%, more preferably 60-75%.",
"[0031] In the described preferred embodiments, the mesh-like tube includes windows having an inscribed diameter of 30-480 μm, preferably 50-320 μm, in the implanted condition of the mesh-like tube.",
"[0032] According to the described preferred embodiments, the mesh-like tube includes a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material extending helically in an interlaced manner in opposite directions so as to form a braided tube.",
"It is contemplated, however, that other mesh-like structures could be used, such as woven or knitted tubes.",
"[0033] A maximum porosity index is attained when the braiding angle, in the implanted condition of the braided tube, is 90°.",
"Decreasing the implanted braiding angle below 90° increases the radial force applied by the braided tube against the inner surface of the blood vessel and decreases the P.I. Increasing the implanted braiding angle above 90° decreases the radial force applied by the braided tube against the inner surface of the blood vessel and decreases the P.I. In cases, where low radial force is needed, the desirable P.I. can thus be achieved by increasing the implanted braiding angle, as described below with respect to specific examples.",
"Preferably, the braided tube has a braiding angle in the range of 20%-150% in the implanted condition of the braided tube.",
"[0034] Also in the described preferred embodiments, the filaments, or at least most of them, are of circular cross-section and have a diameter of 10-50 μm, preferably 2040 μm.",
"The filaments could also be of non-circular cross-section, such as of square or rectangular cross-section, in which case it is preferred that they have a circumference of 40-200 μm.",
"It is also possible to use combination of several filament diameters and filament materials in one device to achieve structural stability and/or desired radio-opacity characteristic.",
"Preferably the braid is formed of 24-144 filaments, more preferably 62-120 filaments.",
"The filaments may be of a suitable bio-compatible material, metal or plastic, and may include a drug or other biological coating or cladding.",
"[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel;",
"the mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation;",
"the mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel;",
"wherein the mesh-like tube includes windows having an inscribed diameter of 30-480 μm in its implanted condition.",
"[0036] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, said mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel;",
"said mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation;",
"said mesh-like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of said aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to said second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel;",
"wherein said mesh-like tube is constituted of a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material, in which at least most of said plurality of filaments are of circular cross-section having a diameter of 10-50 μm.",
"[0037] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraluminal device implantable in the vicinity of a blood vessel bifurcation, the bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the aneurysm being located proximate to the bifurcation, the device comprising: a mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material having an expanded condition in which the tube diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the blood vessel in which it is to be implanted, the mesh-like tube having a length sufficient to be anchored to both the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel thereby straddling the opening of the second branch vessel;",
"the mesh-like tube also having a contracted condition wherein it is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel so as to be placed proximate to the bifurcation;",
"the mesh like tube being dimensioned and configured to have in its implanted condition a porosity index of 55-80% so as to skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the second branch vessel to a degree likely to cause significant damage to tissues supplied with blood by such second branch vessel;",
"wherein the mesh-like tube is constituted of a plurality of filaments of bio-compatible material, in which at least most of the plurality of filaments are of rectangular cross-section having a circumference of 40-200 μm.",
"[0038] As will be described more particularly below, intraluminal devices constructed in accordance with the foregoing features show great promise in the treatment of aneurysms in general, and brain aneurysms in particular, since they are relatively easily manipulatable through the blood vessel to the implantation site, and when deployed in their expanded condition in the implantation site, they redirect/skew the flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture thereof while maintaining blood flow to the branch vessels in the vicinity of the aneurysm.",
"[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0040] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0041] FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are side and end view, respectively, illustrating one form of intraluminal device constructed in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown in its implanted, expanded condition;",
"[0042] FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are corresponding views but illustrating the device in its contracted, stressed condition;",
"[0043] FIG. 3 more particularly illustrates the braid pattern of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 a, 2 b in the expanded condition of the braided tube;",
"[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates another braid pattern, wherein one filament extending in one helical direction is interwoven over and under two filaments extending in the opposite helical direction;",
"[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a further braid pattern in which two (or more) contiguous filaments extending helically in one direction are interwoven over and under two (or more) contiguous filaments extending in the opposite direction;",
"[0046] FIG. 6 schematically shows the relationship between the bending rigidity of the braided tube with respect to the diameter of the filaments producing the braided tube;",
"[0047] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an intraluminal device implanted in a blood vessel having a plurality of perforating vessels in the vicinity of an aneurysm;",
"and [0048] FIGS. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 illustrate various manners in which an intraluminal device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be implanted in a blood vessel having an aneurysm at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to one or more branch vessels.",
"[0049] It is to be understood that the drawings and the description below are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and various possible embodiments thereof, including what is presently considered to be preferred embodiments.",
"In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention.",
"It is to be further understood that the embodiments described are for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.",
"DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0050] FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate an intraluminal device, therein generally designated 2 , constructed in accordance with the present invention in its implanted condition which it assumes in a blood vessel after deployment therein;",
"whereas FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate the intraluminal device 2 of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in the contracted or stressed condition of the device which it assumes to facilitate its manipulation through the blood vessel to the deployment site.",
"[0051] As shown particularly in FIG. 1 a, the intraluminal device includes a plurality of filaments of elastic or non-elastic bio-compatible material, metal or plastic, extending helically in an interlaced manner to define a braided tube.",
"Thus, shown in FIGS. 1 a are a first group of filaments 3 extending helically in one direction, and a second group of filaments 4 extending helically in the opposite direction, with the two groups of filaments being interwoven such that a filament 3 overlies a filament 4 at some points as shown at 5 , and underlies a filament 4 at other points as shown at 6 .",
"[0052] Filaments 3 and 4 thus define a braided tube having a plurality of windows 7 .",
"The inscribed diameter and the length of each window are shown at W d and W L , respectively, in the implanted condition of the braided tube.",
"These characteristics depend on, among other factors including: the number of filaments;",
"the cross section of the filaments;",
"and the implanted angle “α”",
"at the cross-over points of the two groups of filaments 3 , 4 .",
"It is understood by those skilled in the art that the above dimensions describe the dimensions in the implanted condition of the braided tube.",
"The dimensions in the fully expanded unimplanted condition will be somewhat different, with the angle “α”",
"and W L typically being larger than, and W d typically being smaller than, the equivalent respective dimensions in the implanted state.",
"[0053] FIG. 3 more particularly illustrates the above-described braid pattern in the fully expanded condition of the braided tube.",
"Thus, as shown in FIG. 3 , each filament 3 a extending helically in one direction is interwoven with one filament 4 a extending helically in the opposite direction.",
"Such a braid pattern is sometimes called a “one over one”",
"pattern.",
"FIG. 4 illustrates a “one over two”",
"pattern, in which each filament 3 b extending helically in one direction is interwoven with two filaments 4 b extending helically in the opposite direction.",
"FIG. 5 illustrates a further braid pattern that may be used, in which two (or more) contiguous filaments 3 c extending helically in one direction are interwoven with two (or more) contiguous filaments 4 c extending helically in the opposite direction.",
"[0054] The braid pattern illustrated in FIG. 3 is of highest flexibility, whereas that illustrated in FIG. 5 is of lower flexibility but of higher strength.",
"[0055] Such braided-tube intraluminal devices are well-known, for example as described in Wallsten et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,275 and Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"They are generally used as stents for providing support to a wall of a blood vessel, for implanting a graft, e.g., to treat an aneurysm ( FIG. 9 of the latter patent), or for other purposes.",
"As known, the braided tube normally exhibits an expanded unimplanted condition having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the intended blood vessel in which it is to be implanted so that when the device is deployed it becomes firmly embedded in the wall of blood vessel.",
"The braided tube is capable of being stressed into a contracted condition, as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, wherein the diameter of the braided tube is decreased, and its length increased, to permit manipulation of the braided tube through the blood vessel to the site of implantation.",
"[0056] Further information concerning the construction and deployment of such braided-tube intraluminal devices is available in the above-cited patents, and also in U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/311,876, filed on Dec. 20, 2002, entitled “IMPLANTABLE BRAIDED STROKE PREVENTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.",
"[0057] When such braided tubes are used as stents within blood vessels, the filaments forming the braided tube are generally of a diameter exceeding 60 μm and define windows producing a porosity index significantly exceeding 80%.",
"Such constructions, however, do not have the combination of flexibility to enable them to be easily manipulated through the tortuous blood vessels of the intracranial vascular system for preventing intracranial aneurysm ruptures, and the appropriate P.I. to enable them to skew the blood flow away form an aneurysm at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to a plurality of branch vessel.",
"[0058] These problems were sought to be overcome in the above-cited McCrory U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,599, Brown et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,199 and Wallsten U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,126, in producing braided tubes having a high-permeability portion to be deployed in the blood vessel and a low-permeability portion aligned with the aneurysm, but as indicated above such braided tubes constructions are difficult to produce, difficult to manipulate through the blood vessel, and difficult to accurately deploy at the site of the aneurysm.",
"[0059] According to the present invention, the constituent element making up the mesh-like tube are of a sufficiently small size in cross-section and define windows of a size such that the mesh-like tube, when in its contracted condition, is sufficiently flexible so as to be easily manipulatable through the blood vessel to be implanted at the bifurcation;",
"and when in its implanted condition anchoring itself to both the source blood vessel and at least one of the branch vessels thereby skewing flow of blood away from the aneurysm sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture of the aneurysm.",
"The skewing is caused by the flow of blood through the walls of the mesh-like tube, and the amount of skew is a function of the predetermined implanted porosity index.",
"In an exemplary embodiment, in which the mesh-like tube is constituted of braided filaments, the windows defined by the filaments of the braided tube are such as to reduce the flow of blood therethrough to the aneurysm to decrease the possibility of rupturing it, but not to unduly reduce the blood flow to the branch vessels to the degree likely to cause damage to tissues supplied with blood by such vessels.",
"As indicated earlier, experimental evidence indicates that patency can be maintained, and ischemia and infarction can be prevented, if less than 50% of the ostial diameter of the branch vessel is occluded.",
"The ostial diameter of intercranial branch vessels are typically on the order of 80-800 μm, thus to ensure patency of the intercranial branch vessels, filaments of the braided tube must be less than 50 μm in diameter for round filaments, and preferably less than or equal to 40 μm.",
"For non-round filaments, a similar dimensional limitation is necessary.",
"[0060] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates how the bending rigidity or flexibility of a braided tube varies with the diameter of the filaments.",
"Region A in FIG. 6 illustrates typical diameters in conventional stents used for supporting blood vessels, which region usually starts above 60 μm and extends to several hundred μm.",
"Region B in FIG. 6 illustrates the region of filament diameters for use in constructing braided tubes in accordance with the present invention.",
"The filament diameters in this region would be significantly smaller than in region A, preferably being 10-50 μm, more preferably 20-40 μm.",
"[0061] The foregoing dimensions apply to the diameters of filaments of circular cross-section.",
"Where the filaments are of non-circular cross-section, such as of rectangular or square cross-section, the filaments would preferably have a circumference of 40-200 μm.",
"The circumference is defined in macro scale.",
"The circumference can be enlarged at the micro-scale level by adding roughness to the wire, in order to control the neointimal growth and making the circumference in micro scale longer while keeping the macro scale the same.",
"In this case the surface cross section of the filament would be in the range 75-3000 μm ̂2 preferably 300-1300 μm ̂2 .",
"[0062] As indicated earlier, the windows formed in the braided tube would also be preferably within a predetermined range such as to skew the blood-flow away from the aneurysm, but maintain sufficient blood flow in the or branch vessels.",
"Preferably the length of the window, i.e., its long dimension as shown at W L in FIG. 1 a , would be within the range of 30-480 μm, more preferably 50-320 μm, in the implanted condition of the braided tube.",
"Also, the implanted angle (α, FIG. 1 a ) would preferably be within the range of 20°-150°, more preferably 40-80° for high radial force and 100-140° for low radial force, in the implanted condition of the braided tube.",
"In yet another preferred embodiment the braid angle in the implanted condition is approximately 90°, preferably in the range of 70°-110°.",
"[0063] The diameter and length of the braided tube in its normal, implanted condition, will vary according to the location and anatomical dimensions at the particular site of the implantation.",
"Preferably, the windows are preferably globally (but not necessary locally) uniform in size such that any portion of the device can be placed across the opening of the branch vessel to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm located proximate thereto, while the remaining portions of the device firmly contact the walls of the source blood vessel and at least one branch vessel thereby securely anchoring the device.",
"[0064] The filaments of the exemplary braided embodiment can be made of any suitable material which are bio-compatible and which can be worked into a braid.",
"Bio-compatible herein includes any material that can be safely introduced and implanted in human or animal bodies for indefinite periods of time without causing any significant physiological damage.",
"Preferably, the filaments are made of a material selected from among the 316L stainless steel, tantalum, and super elastic Nitinol, cobalt base alloy, polymer or any other suitable metal or metal combination.",
"The filament can be coated with bio-compatible coatings [Ulrich Sigwart, “Endoluminal Stenting”, W. B. Saunders Company Ltd., London, 1996].",
"It is possible to use a combination of several filament materials in one device and combinations of several materials in one filament.",
"The above embodiments have been described in relation to a braid mesh tube, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way.",
"Other mesh-like structures, such as woven or knitted tubes exhibiting similar porosity and flexibility can be used without exceeding the scope of the invention.",
"[0065] In some situations, it may be desired to implant the device in a portion of a lumen, e.g., an artery, varying significantly in diameter along its length.",
"As will be appreciated, if a constant diameter braided tube device is inserted into such a variable-diameter lumen, this may result in a defective anchoring of the device at the larger diameter portion of the lumen, and in a possible risk of the migration of the device within the lumen.",
"This problem can be easily overcome in several ways, e.g., by creating braided devices with variable diameters along their longitudinal axis, or varying the pitch along the longitudinal axis, as described in the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/311,876 incorporated herein by reference.",
"[0066] FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the mesh-like tube device, therein generally designated 20 , implanted in a blood vessel 22 having side wall aneurysm 29 in a region of a blood vessel 22 having a plurality of perforating vessels 26 .",
"Mesh-like tube device 20 is introduced, in its contracted condition, into blood vessel 22 and is manipulated to the implantation site by a microcatheter 28 where it is expanded such that it overlies neck 30 of aneurysm sac 29 and perforating vessels 26 .",
"Mesh-like tube 20 is thus firmly bonded, by its expansion to an implanted state, to the inner surfaces of blood vessel 22 .",
"As described above, braided tube device 20 is constructed such that, in its expanded implanted condition as shown in FIG. 4 , it reduces the flow of blood to side wall aneurysm sac 29 sufficiently to decrease the possibility of rupture thereof, while at the same time, it does not unduly reduce the flow of blood to perforating vessels 26 to the degree likely to cause damage to the tissue supplied by perforating vessels 26 .",
"In a preferred embodiment the porosity index of braided tube device 20 overlying neck 30 of aneurysm sac 29 is between 55-80%, preferably 60-75%.",
"[0067] FIGS. 8 , 9 and 10 illustrate the use of the braided tube device, generally designated 30 , to treat an aneurysm in a blood vessel at or proximate to a bifurcation leading to two or more branch vessels.",
"[0068] Thus, FIG. 8 illustrates the braided tube device 30 implanted in a blood vessel 32 having an aneurysm 34 at the bifurcation leading to two branch vessels 36 , 38 .",
"In the example illustrated in FIG. 8 , the braided tube device 30 is deployed with one end embedded in the blood vessel 32 and the opposite end embedded within first branch vessel 36 , so as to skew the blood flow away from the aneurysm sac 34 , illustrated by flow lines 40 without unduly impeding blood flow to second branch vessel 38 .",
"As described earlier, however, while the reduced blood flow to the aneurysm sac 34 is sufficient to reduce the possibility of rupture of the sac, the reduced blood flow to second branch 38 is not sufficient so as to be likely to cause damage to the tissues supplied by that branch vessel.",
"In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 8 , braided tube device 30 does not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 .",
"Flow lines 40 illustrate the blood flow exiting braided tube device 30 substantially bypassing aneurysm sac 34 .",
"Reducing the porosity index of braided tube device 30 increases the skew of blood flow from its normal path against inner wall 42 of second branch vessel 38 , and redirects the flow towards outer wall 44 of second branch vessel 38 .",
"Further skewing of blood flow towards outer wall 44 , thus bypassing aneurysm sac 34 , is accomplished by increasing the pore density, defined as the number of pores per unit area.",
"An increase in pore density is accomplished for the same porosity index by reducing the filament size, thus increasing the contact between blood particles and filaments.",
"In a preferred embodiment, the porosity index is between 55-80%, preferably 60-75%.",
"[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates a variation wherein the opposite ends of the braided tube 30 are embedded in two branch vessels 36 and 38 at the bifurcation.",
"In this case, the blood supply to the aneurysm sac 34 will also be reduced, and blood supply to both branch vessels 36 , 38 will be reduced but not sufficient to cause damage to the tissues supplied by those branch vessels.",
"[0070] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 .",
"Normal stenting of such a basal apex aneurysm sac is quite difficult, since the only approach to such an aneurysm in many cases is from blood vessel 32 or through the anterior vessels via the communication posterior arteries.",
"This is particularly difficult in an intracranial embodiment, for which access must be accomplished through torturous blood vessels.",
"Mesh-like tube device 30 is inserted through blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 , and expanded to its implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls blood vessel 32 and first branch vessel 36 .",
"In a preferred embodiment mesh-like tube device 30 is of the self-expanding type.",
"In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube device 30 is a braided self-expanding type.",
"In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 10 , mesh-like tube device 30 does not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 , [0071] In operation blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to branch vessel 36 is unimpeded.",
"Blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to branch vessel 38 is reduced due to a P.I. of less than 100%, however not sufficient to cause damage to the tissues supplied by branch vessel 38 .",
"The P.I. is selected to skew the blood flow away from aneurysm sack 34 towards branch vessel 38 as shown by flow lines 40 .",
"The blood flow which normally would directly impact aneurysm sack 34 is redirected away from aneurysm sack 34 and vessel wall 44 of branch vessel 38 , to flow towards vessel wall 42 of branch vessel 38 .",
"[0072] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of source blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 .",
"Two mesh-like tube devices 30 are inserted through blood vessel 32 into branch vessels 36 and 38 , respectively and are expanded to their implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls of source blood vessel 32 , and branch vessels 36 and 38 , respectively.",
"In a preferred embodiment both mesh-like tube devices 30 are of the self expanding type.",
"In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube devices 30 are a braided self-expanding type.",
"The P.I. is selected to skew the blood flow away from aneurysm sack 34 .",
"In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 11 , mesh-like tube devices 30 do not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 .",
"[0073] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment in which aneurysm sac 34 occupies the basal apex of bifurcation of blood vessel 32 into first branch vessel 36 and second branch vessel 38 .",
"A mesh-like tube device 30 is inserted through source blood vessel 32 into branch vessel 36 and expanded to its implanted state thereby being securely embedded against source blood vessel 32 and branch vessel 36 .",
"A mesh-like tube device 50 is inserted through mesh-like tube device 30 into branch vessel 38 and is expanded to its implanted state thus being securely embedded against the walls of source blood vessel 32 and branch vessel 38 .",
"In a preferred embodiment mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 are of the self-expanding type.",
"In an exemplary embodiment, mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 are a braided self-expanding type.",
"[0074] Blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to first branch vessel 36 is unimpeded, and blood flow from source blood vessel 32 to second branch vessel 38 is unimpeded.",
"Blood flow to aneurysm sac 34 is reduced by the skewing effect of mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 .",
"In an important aspect of the arrangement of FIG. 12 , mesh-like tube devices 30 and 50 do not directly overly aneurysm sac 34 .",
"[0075] Analysis of a model similar to the setup illustrated in FIG. 8 was accomplished, in which the angle between the axis of branch blood vessel 38 and the axis of blood vessel 32 was approximately 30°, and the angle between the axis of branch blood vessel 38 and the wall of braided tube device 30 was approximately 55°.",
"In the absence of braided tube device 30 , representative of a PI of 100%, blood flow directly impacted the location of aneurysm 34 with a near 0° angle.",
"Utilizing a braided tube device 30 exhibiting a PI of 85% skewed the blood flow near aneurysm 34 approximately 40° from the axis of blood vessel 32 .",
"Reducing the PI of braided tube device 30 to 74% increased the skew of the blood flow near aneurysm 34 to approximately 55° from the axis of blood vessel 32 .",
"Thus, a reduced PI successfully skewed the blood flow from directly impacting aneurysm 34 .",
"[0076] While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made.",
"For example, the device could be composed of multiple tubular meshes, lying one above the other in layer-like formations.",
"Also, the device could include a plurality of groups of filaments in the longitudinal and/or circumferential direction.",
"Further, the invention could be implemented with respect to many of the other variations and applications described in the above-cited International Application PCT/IL01/00624, equivalent to U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 10/311,876, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0024416 incorporated herein by reference.",
"REFERENCES [0000] 1.",
"An International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Investigators.",
"N Engl J Med.",
"1998 December 10;339(24):1725-33: International study of unruptured intracranial aneurysms investigators;",
"Unruptured intracranial aneurysms-risk of rupture and risks of surgical intervention.",
"Bederson J B, Awad I A, Wiebers D O, Piepgras D, Haley E C Jr, Brott T, Hademenos G, Chyatte D, Rosenwasser R, Caroselli C.;",
"Recommendations for the management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A Statement for healthcare professionals from the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association.",
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"Wardlaw J M, White P M. The detection and management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.",
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"Wakhloo A K, Lanzino G, Lieber B B, Hopkins L N. Stents for intracranial aneurysms: the beginning of a new endovascular era?",
"Neurosurgery.",
"1998 August;43(2):377-9.",
"Lieber B B, Stancampiano A P, Wakhloo A K. Alteration of hemodynamics in aneurysm models by stenting: influence of stent porosity.",
"Ann Biomed Eng.",
"1997 May-June;25(3):460-9.",
"Lanzino G, Wakhloo A K, Fessler R D, Hartney M L, Guterman L R, Hopkins L N. Efficacy and current limitations of intravascular stents for intracranial internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar artery aneurysms.",
"J Neurosurg.",
"1999 October;91(4):53846.",
"Yu S C, Zhao J B. A steady flow analysis on the stented and non-stented sidewall aneurysm models.",
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"1999 April;21(3):133-41.",
"Marinkovic S, Gibo H, Milisavljevic M, Cetkovic M. Anatomic and clinical correlations of the lenticulostriate arteries.",
"Clin Anat.",
"2001 May;14(3): 190-5."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] Windshield wipers on cars have traditionally been built around a rotational motor/transmission mechanism that is noisy and incapable of providing full coverage of the windshield.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A linear motor-based windshield wiper allows a blade to achieve full coverage of a windshield by permitting a wiper blade to be moved across its surface along a line that follows the windshield's shape rather than a center of rotation as in a traditional motor. In an embodiment, coils are embedded within or behind the windshield. Permanent magnets in a truck with a windshield wiper attached thereto are driven by appropriate actuation of the coils to sweep the blade across the windshield. When the wiper is turned off, the truck is controlled to move to one side where a capture mechanism engages it and locks it to the vehicle, thereby preventing theft. The capture mechanism may be mechanical, magnetic, or any other suitable device to preventing theft.
[0003] In an alternative embodiment, permanent magnets are embedded in the windshield and coils in the truck actuated to move the truck. In this embodiment, the coils in the truck may be powered by a battery recharged by induction, sliding contacts, etc. The truck may be permitted to move by means of wheels, ball bearings, an air bearing (by injection of air through channels in the windshield, for example), magnetic levitation, by sliding contact, or any other suitable mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] [0004]FIG. 1 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in a truck and coils are attached to the windshield.
[0005] [0005]FIG. 2 is a section view of a linear motor truck and stator according to an embodiment in which coils are located inside a windshield.
[0006] [0006]FIG. 3 is a section view of a linear motor truck and stator according to an embodiment in which coils are located within a windshield.
[0007] [0007]FIG. 4 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in the windshield and the coils are attached to the truck and the windshield is held at one end only.
[0008] [0008]FIG. 5 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in the windshield and the coils are attached to the truck and the windshield is held at two ends by separate trucks.
[0009] [0009]FIG. 6 is an illustration of a control mechanism for operating a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The following references are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in their entireties herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,870, 5,723,917, 5,519,266. These references describe linear motors and their control mechanisms.
[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , a windshield 90 is wiped by a wiper 50 driven across the windshield by a linear motor consisting of a truck 20 and multiple coils 10 . The coils 10 may be embedded within or behind the windshield 90 . The truck 20 rides on wheels 70 . Alternatively, the truck may be magnetically levitated, driven over an air cushion, or made to slide in contact with the windshield on a low friction surface, such as a fluorocarbon polymer.
[0012] According to well-known principles, magnets 55 , 56 are arrayed on the truck 20 with alternating polarity. The coils 10 may or may not have ferromagnetic cores 60 as is also known in the field of linear motors. The coils 10 are shown in section at 11 in FIGS. 2 and 3. A controller (discussed with regard to FIG. 6) controls the linear motor such as to drive the wiper 50 at selected speeds across the windshield 90 .
[0013] Note that an alternative configuration to that shown in FIG. 1 is to locate the coils within a non-ferromagnetic portion of a vehicle frame. In this way, the coils will not block light. This “stator” could be located below or above the windshield. If located below the windshield, the truck could be completely hidden by a portion of an engine cover as is used to hide, so-called, hideaway windshield wipers on most cars. Note that yet another alternative is to provide multiple wipers and trucks to allow faster clearing of rain for a given linear motor speed.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, permanent magnets 125 , 126 are provided in the stator (either within or on the windshield 90 as shown or in a portion of the vehicle body). The truck 120 carries the coils 100 . The coils 100 may be controlled by a wireless or metallic conductor to convey control signals. The control signals can be from the user interface with a controller on-board the truck or the controller can be in the vehicle with the control signals indicating the current and timing. The coils 100 may have cores or not as indicated with respect to FIGS. 1 - 3 .
[0015] The truck in the embodiment of FIG. 4 may receive power from a battery (not shown) in the truck 120 or power may be conveyed through metallic conductors (not shown) through sliding contacts (not shown) in the manner of an electric train. If a battery is used, the battery may be recharged when the truck 120 is in a resting position adjacent a clamp mechanism 140 . In the latter case, metallic contacts (not shown) may be used to recharge the truck 120 batteries.
[0016] To keep the windshield wiper mechanism from being stolen, the clamp mechanism 140 catches the truck 120 when it is driven to a home position adjacent the clamp mechanism 140 . The clamp mechanism 140 may positively engage and prevent release of the truck 120 until an actuator, under control of the controller (not shown here, but shown and discussed with reference to FIG. 6) permits its release. The clamp mechanism 140 has jaws 155 that may be urged by springs inwardly so that a catch 145 can enter between the jaws 155 passively. When the clamp mechanism 140 is activated, it may be toggled to a lock position by an actuator (not shown; the specifics need not be discussed because many alternatives are a routine matter to design) which prevents the jaws from moving apart until the controller again toggles the clamp mechanism 140 to permit the jaws to be moved apart. In this way, power need not be supplied to the clamp mechanism 140 to secure the truck 120 and wiper 150 .
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 5, a linear motor-driven windshield wiper mechanism has two trucks 220 and 221 , one at either end of the wiper 150 . The controller controls the two trucks synchronously to maintain the wiper 150 in an alignment suitable for clearing the windshield 90 . Note that only one of the trucks 120 is shown with a catch 245 and clamp mechanism 240 , but it is clear that both trucks 120 and 121 may be provided with respective such mechanisms.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, a controller 300 controls the one or more trucks 120 , 121 by way of a winding power control circuit 320 . The latter may be a power circuit that supplies power directly to windings (coils 10 ) embedded in the windshield 90 or it may include only control logic (analog or digital) to provide the proper sequencing for driving the current in the coils 100 , 200 to move the trucks 120 , 220 , 221 . In the latter case, the winding power control circuit 320 would include a signal transmitter according to whatever scheme is employed to signal the truck 120 , 220 , 221 coils 100 , 200 . The controller 300 also controls the latch mechanism 310 to toggle it between its release and capture states. The controller 300 may be a digital controller or an analog controller. The controller receives commands from a user interface 330 which a user employs to turn the system on an off and alter the speed of the wiping action. | A windshield wiper is moved across a windshield by a linear motor employing an induction effect. A stator is attached to a vehicle and a driver or truck attached to a wiper blade. Either the stator or driver has coils that are actuated to move the driver across the windshield carrying the blade with it. The blade is swept back and forth with the driver. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] Windshield wipers on cars have traditionally been built around a rotational motor/transmission mechanism that is noisy and incapable of providing full coverage of the windshield.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] A linear motor-based windshield wiper allows a blade to achieve full coverage of a windshield by permitting a wiper blade to be moved across its surface along a line that follows the windshield's shape rather than a center of rotation as in a traditional motor.",
"In an embodiment, coils are embedded within or behind the windshield.",
"Permanent magnets in a truck with a windshield wiper attached thereto are driven by appropriate actuation of the coils to sweep the blade across the windshield.",
"When the wiper is turned off, the truck is controlled to move to one side where a capture mechanism engages it and locks it to the vehicle, thereby preventing theft.",
"The capture mechanism may be mechanical, magnetic, or any other suitable device to preventing theft.",
"[0003] In an alternative embodiment, permanent magnets are embedded in the windshield and coils in the truck actuated to move the truck.",
"In this embodiment, the coils in the truck may be powered by a battery recharged by induction, sliding contacts, etc.",
"The truck may be permitted to move by means of wheels, ball bearings, an air bearing (by injection of air through channels in the windshield, for example), magnetic levitation, by sliding contact, or any other suitable mechanism.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] [0004 ]FIG. 1 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in a truck and coils are attached to the windshield.",
"[0005] [0005 ]FIG. 2 is a section view of a linear motor truck and stator according to an embodiment in which coils are located inside a windshield.",
"[0006] [0006 ]FIG. 3 is a section view of a linear motor truck and stator according to an embodiment in which coils are located within a windshield.",
"[0007] [0007 ]FIG. 4 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in the windshield and the coils are attached to the truck and the windshield is held at one end only.",
"[0008] [0008 ]FIG. 5 is a figurative (non-scale) illustration of a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor according to an embodiment of the invention where the permanent magnets are located in the windshield and the coils are attached to the truck and the windshield is held at two ends by separate trucks.",
"[0009] [0009 ]FIG. 6 is an illustration of a control mechanism for operating a windshield wiper driven by a linear motor.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0010] The following references are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in their entireties herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,870, 5,723,917, 5,519,266.",
"These references describe linear motors and their control mechanisms.",
"[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , a windshield 90 is wiped by a wiper 50 driven across the windshield by a linear motor consisting of a truck 20 and multiple coils 10 .",
"The coils 10 may be embedded within or behind the windshield 90 .",
"The truck 20 rides on wheels 70 .",
"Alternatively, the truck may be magnetically levitated, driven over an air cushion, or made to slide in contact with the windshield on a low friction surface, such as a fluorocarbon polymer.",
"[0012] According to well-known principles, magnets 55 , 56 are arrayed on the truck 20 with alternating polarity.",
"The coils 10 may or may not have ferromagnetic cores 60 as is also known in the field of linear motors.",
"The coils 10 are shown in section at 11 in FIGS. 2 and 3.",
"A controller (discussed with regard to FIG. 6) controls the linear motor such as to drive the wiper 50 at selected speeds across the windshield 90 .",
"[0013] Note that an alternative configuration to that shown in FIG. 1 is to locate the coils within a non-ferromagnetic portion of a vehicle frame.",
"In this way, the coils will not block light.",
"This “stator”",
"could be located below or above the windshield.",
"If located below the windshield, the truck could be completely hidden by a portion of an engine cover as is used to hide, so-called, hideaway windshield wipers on most cars.",
"Note that yet another alternative is to provide multiple wipers and trucks to allow faster clearing of rain for a given linear motor speed.",
"[0014] Referring now to FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, permanent magnets 125 , 126 are provided in the stator (either within or on the windshield 90 as shown or in a portion of the vehicle body).",
"The truck 120 carries the coils 100 .",
"The coils 100 may be controlled by a wireless or metallic conductor to convey control signals.",
"The control signals can be from the user interface with a controller on-board the truck or the controller can be in the vehicle with the control signals indicating the current and timing.",
"The coils 100 may have cores or not as indicated with respect to FIGS. 1 - 3 .",
"[0015] The truck in the embodiment of FIG. 4 may receive power from a battery (not shown) in the truck 120 or power may be conveyed through metallic conductors (not shown) through sliding contacts (not shown) in the manner of an electric train.",
"If a battery is used, the battery may be recharged when the truck 120 is in a resting position adjacent a clamp mechanism 140 .",
"In the latter case, metallic contacts (not shown) may be used to recharge the truck 120 batteries.",
"[0016] To keep the windshield wiper mechanism from being stolen, the clamp mechanism 140 catches the truck 120 when it is driven to a home position adjacent the clamp mechanism 140 .",
"The clamp mechanism 140 may positively engage and prevent release of the truck 120 until an actuator, under control of the controller (not shown here, but shown and discussed with reference to FIG. 6) permits its release.",
"The clamp mechanism 140 has jaws 155 that may be urged by springs inwardly so that a catch 145 can enter between the jaws 155 passively.",
"When the clamp mechanism 140 is activated, it may be toggled to a lock position by an actuator (not shown;",
"the specifics need not be discussed because many alternatives are a routine matter to design) which prevents the jaws from moving apart until the controller again toggles the clamp mechanism 140 to permit the jaws to be moved apart.",
"In this way, power need not be supplied to the clamp mechanism 140 to secure the truck 120 and wiper 150 .",
"[0017] Referring now to FIG. 5, a linear motor-driven windshield wiper mechanism has two trucks 220 and 221 , one at either end of the wiper 150 .",
"The controller controls the two trucks synchronously to maintain the wiper 150 in an alignment suitable for clearing the windshield 90 .",
"Note that only one of the trucks 120 is shown with a catch 245 and clamp mechanism 240 , but it is clear that both trucks 120 and 121 may be provided with respective such mechanisms.",
"[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, a controller 300 controls the one or more trucks 120 , 121 by way of a winding power control circuit 320 .",
"The latter may be a power circuit that supplies power directly to windings (coils 10 ) embedded in the windshield 90 or it may include only control logic (analog or digital) to provide the proper sequencing for driving the current in the coils 100 , 200 to move the trucks 120 , 220 , 221 .",
"In the latter case, the winding power control circuit 320 would include a signal transmitter according to whatever scheme is employed to signal the truck 120 , 220 , 221 coils 100 , 200 .",
"The controller 300 also controls the latch mechanism 310 to toggle it between its release and capture states.",
"The controller 300 may be a digital controller or an analog controller.",
"The controller receives commands from a user interface 330 which a user employs to turn the system on an off and alter the speed of the wiping action."
] |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/108,962 filed Jan. 28, 2015 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to stereoscopic playback methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus relating to zoom operations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Stereoscopic playback devices, e.g., devices which allow playback of left and right eye images providing a 3D experience to a user, are growing in popularity. It is expected that such devices will be used to display images corresponding to sporting events, fashion shows, concerts and/or other scenes and may provide the user a sense of being present within the displayed scene/environment.
[0004] During playback or presentation of a stereoscopic scene, a user may desire to zoom in on a portion of the scene being presented, e.g., on a player kicking the ball or a particular model at a fashion show. From the perspective a user immersed in a simulated 3D environment, it may be undesirable to suddenly zoom in on a portion of a scene since this may be perceived as a sudden unnatural change in the user's viewing position. A switch back to normal viewing may result in a similar undesired sudden change in perspective to the user breaking what maybe a desired sense of being present at a real event. Furthermore such sudden changes may make a user uneasy, uncomfortable or even sick, e.g., dizzy, since such changes in perspective normally do not happen in a real world environment.
[0005] In view of the above discussion it should be appreciated that there is a need for methods and apparatus which would allow a user to implement user controllable zoom operations with respect to stereoscopic images without at least some of the effects that sudden changes in zoom might create without some other action being taken to minimize or reduce what might otherwise be perceived as an unnatural change in view perspective.
SUMMARY
[0006] Methods and apparatus for implementing user controlled zoom operations during a stereoscopic, e.g., 3D, presentation are described. In various embodiments, while viewing a 3D presentation of, e.g., a sporting event, concert, other event or simulated environment, a user is provided the opportunity to switch to a zoom mode of operation allowing the user to zoom in on a particular portion of the event or environment being displayed. In order to maintain the effect of being physically present at the event, and also to reduce the risk of making the user sick from sudden non-real world like changes in views of the environment, the user in response to initiating a zoom mode of operation is presented with a view which is the same or similar to that which might be expected as the result of looking through a pair of binoculars. During the zoom mode of operation the user's view is restricted, to a portion of the displayed scene, that the user might expect to see if looking through binoculars. In such a case, the field of the scene which is observable is reduced but the image is viewed as being magnified by a zoom factor, e.g., 2×, 5×, 10×, 20× or by some other amount. In some embodiments the restriction in view is achieved by applying masks to an enlarged version of the view or views to be displayed, e.g., enlarged left and right eye views are generated and masked prior to display.
[0007] During both normal and zoom mode of operation head position is monitored. Changes in head position, e.g., rotation of a user's head or tilt of a user's head, are detected and the portion of the event or environment being displayed is changed as a function of the change in the head position. The change in the displayed image or images simulates changes in the area which would be visible to the user if the user moved his/her head in a real environment. During zoom mode of operation the zoom factor is taken into consideration in terms of how much to shift the perspective of the scene being presented to the user. For example, during a 5× zoom mode a change in head position will trigger a 5× shift in the portion of the environment being displayed reflecting the 5× viewing factor. Thus, just as small changes in viewing angle when using binoculars with a high zoom power may result in a significant change in the viewable scene the same effect is simulated during the zoom mode of operation.
[0008] User input is monitored and the zoom factor is adjusted during zoom mode operation in accordance with user input. A user change in mode from zoom mode to normal mode is also monitored for and detected in response to user input changing the mode of operation.
[0009] In response to detecting a change in operation from a zoom mode to a normal mode the enlarging and masking operations are halted and images are put out at their normal size.
[0010] The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with streamed content as well as stored image content. In the case of sporting events or other events the methods and apparatus allow a user to get a sense and/or perspective of being at the event with initiating of zooming and the switch back to normal viewing being similar to what might be expected if a user placed a pair of binoculars to his/her eyes to focus on an area of interest during the event, e.g., where action occurs, and then removed it to come back to the normal field of view to enjoy the overall event. The use of the mask simulating the affect of binoculars reduces the risk that the zooming operation may break the effect or illusion of the user being at the event or in the real world environment while also reducing the risk that the zooming operation will cause the user to feel sick or uneasy due to what might otherwise feel like a rather unnatural change in perspective or position in the environment.
[0011] The method and apparatus of the present invention may be used with a wide range of devices capable of presenting stereoscopic images, e.g., pairs of left and right eye images intended to provide a 3D effect, to a user. For example, the methods may be used with head mounted displays in which the processing of the images, e.g., zooming, masking, etc. are performed within one or more components mounted on a users head and/or with game systems or other systems which are capable of rendering stereoscopic images which are then displayed to a user via a peripheral device, e.g., in the form of a head mounted display. An example of an embodiment where the playback device is implemented as a fully head mounted system includes the Samsung Gear VR in which a head mounted system incorporates a cell phone which is responsible for processing and displaying stereoscopic image pairs under control of user input which can be entered via a head mounted input device, e.g., touch pad. An example of a game system embodiment includes a game system such as a PS3 or PS4 or XBOX coupled, via a wire or wirelessly, to a display peripheral such as a pair of display glasses capable of displaying different images to a user's left and right eyes. In such embodiments the playback device is controlled in accordance with the invention to implement zoom operations which simulate the experience that might be encountered if binoculars were used.
[0012] The methods and apparatus of the invention can be used with a wide range of input image resolutions. In cases where the input images, e.g., left and right eye image pairs, are higher resolution than that of the display device being used, as is often the case when a cell phone display is used as the head mounted display device, the zoom methods may be implemented with little or no perceived loss in image quality due to the zooming since the zoom operation may take advantage of the otherwise unused image resolution.
[0013] Numerous additional aspects, benefits and embodiments will be discussed in the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system implemented in accordance with some embodiments of the invention which can be used to capture and stream content for subsequent display by one or more user devices along with one or more synthesized portions of an environment.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system, e.g., 3D rendering and playback system, implemented in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary 3D rendering and playback system implemented in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary left eye image of a scene, e.g., captured by a left eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary right eye image of the scene, e.g., captured by a right eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene generated using the left and right eye image pair of FIGS. 4-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a drawing showing the exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene of FIG. 6 with a portion of the displayed stereoscopic scene in the center being shown in a rectangle to indicate the scene portion that is zoomed, e.g., enlarged, in response to a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a masked zoomed portion of the stereoscopic scene displayed to the viewer after a zooming and masking operation has been applied, with the displayed portion of the stereoscopic scene presenting a simulated viewing of the portion of the scene through binoculars.
[0022] FIG. 9A , is a first part of a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of operating an interactive system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 9B is a second part of the flowchart illustrating the steps of the exemplary method of operating an interactive system in accordance with the invention, with FIG. 9 comprising a combination of FIGS. 9A and 9B .
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary processing performed as part of performing zooming and masking operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary content delivery system that can be used to encode and stream content in accordance with the features of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system that can be used to receive, decode and display the content streamed by the system of FIG. 11 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 implemented in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The system 100 supports content delivery, e.g., imaging content delivery, to one or more customer devices, e.g., 3D capable playback devices located at customer premises. The system 100 includes the exemplary image capturing system 102 , a content delivery system 104 , a communications network 105 , and a plurality of customer premises 106 , . . . , 110 . The image capturing system 102 supports capturing of stereoscopic imagery, e.g., using stereoscopic camera pairs as well as capturing of normal non-stereoscopic imagery. The image capturing system 102 captures and processes imaging content in accordance with the features of the invention and may include one or more cameras/stereoscopic camera pairs. The communications network 105 may be, e.g., a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, satellite network, and/or internet.
[0028] The content delivery system 104 includes an encoding apparatus 112 and a content streaming device/server 114 . The encoding apparatus 112 may, and in some embodiments does, include one or a plurality of encoders for encoding image data. The encoders may be used in parallel to encode different portions of a scene and/or to encode a given portion of a scene to generate encoded versions which have different data rates. Using multiple encoders in parallel can be particularly useful when real time or near real time streaming is to be supported.
[0029] The content streaming device 114 is configured to stream, e.g., transmit, encoded content for delivering the encoded image content to one or more customer devices, e.g., over the communications network 105 . Via the network 105 , the content delivery system 104 can send and/or exchange information with the devices located at the customer premises 106 , 110 as indicated in the figure by the link 120 traversing the communications network 105 . While the encoding apparatus 112 and content delivery server are shown as separate physical devices in the FIG. 1 example, in some embodiments they are implemented as a single device which encodes and streams content. The encoding process may be a 3D, e.g., stereoscopic, image encoding process where information corresponding to left and right eye views of a scene portion are encoded and included in the encoded image data so that 3D image viewing can be supported. The particular encoding method used is not critical to the present application and a wide range of encoders may be used as or to implement the encoding apparatus 112 .
[0030] Each customer premise 106 , 110 may include one or more devices/systems, e.g., devices capable of decoding, rendering, playback and display of the imaging content streamed by the content streaming device 114 . Customer premise 1 106 includes a 3D rendering and playback system 122 while customer premise N 110 includes 3D rendering and playback system 124 . In some embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 are capable of rendering and displaying 3D imaging content in accordance with the invention.
[0031] In various embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 may decode the imaging content received from the content delivery system 104 , generate imaging content using the decoded content, and render the imaging content, e.g., 3D image content, on a display e.g., a stereoscopic display. In various embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 are capable of performing additional processing, e.g., performing zooming and masking operations in accordance with the features of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 implemented in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 may be used to display content captured by one or more cameras of the imaging system 102 and streamed by the content delivery system 104 to a user, e.g., a customer corresponding to customer premises 106 , 110 , in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 may be used as any of the 3D rendering and playback systems shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the 3D rendering and playback system 200 from the perspective of a user as if the user is going to wear, e.g., head mount, the rendering and playback system 200 . Thus the illustrated view in FIG. 2 shows at least some elements that may be visible from the rear, e.g., looking into the rendering system 200 from the rear. The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 includes a head mounted display assembly 202 , a Smartphone insert/slot 204 , a user input interface 206 , a pair of lenses 210 , 212 and a head strap 208 .
[0033] Via the Smartphone insert/slot 204 , a Smartphone can be inserted in the head mounted display assembly 202 of the system 200 thereby allowing the Smartphone display to become the display of the system 200 . Once inserted in the slot 204 the Smartphone can communicate and exchange signaling with the head mounted display assembly 202 . The Smartphone insert/slot 204 is shown as a dashed rectangular box to indicate the location of the slot 204 in the top portion of the rendering and playback system 200 . The Smartphone serves as both the rendering and playback device, e.g., performing processing, rendering, playback and various operations for the system 200 , and as the display device of the system 200 with the Smartphone screen serving as the display screen of the system 200 . When mounted by a user, the user can view a displayed scene, e.g., a simulated 3D environment including content corresponding to a scene, through the lenses 210 , 212 . The simulated 3D environment displayed to the user allows for a real life 3D experience as if the user is actually present in the simulated environment.
[0034] Via the user input interface 206 user input is detected and actions are taken by the rendering and playback system 200 . For example in some embodiments a user input via the interface 206 may indicate activation of a zoom mode of operation during which a displayed scene is zoomed in accordance with the features of the invention. In some embodiments the user input interface 106 includes a touchpad over which the user can move his fingers and a corresponding pointer, visible to the user on the display screen, moves along allowing the user to interact with objects displayed on the screen. In such embodiments the user may control the pointer to interact, e.g., select, move, delete etc., with icons and/or objects displayed on the screen. For example in some embodiments via the interface 206 the user may drag a pointer to a displayed portion of scene and select an area of the scene portion, e.g., by tapping on the touchpad of interface 106 and/or using a area select area, for zooming-in to the selected area. As a result of such a zoom-in operation, an enlarged version of the selected area is displayed in some embodiments as if viewing through binoculars while the remaining scene area is masked. In some embodiments in the zoom mode of display the mask is visible over the scene area portion outside of the scene area portion selected to be zoomed. In normal mode of display the entire scene area is displayed without the mask.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary rendering and playback system 300 implemented in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention. The rendering and playback system 300 supports 3D rendering and display. The rendering and playback system 300 may be used as any of the exemplary rendering and playback systems shown in FIG. 1 . The rendering and playback system 300 maybe used to implement the methods of the present invention. The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 300 includes a playback and rendering device 302 , e.g., a gaming console such as PS3, PS4 or other play station version, an Xbox version etc. In addition the rendering and playback system 300 further includes a stereoscopic display 304 , and optionally a handheld controller 306 . The elements 302 , 304 and 306 of the system 300 may be wired and/or wirelessly connected (e.g., dashed lines indicating wired and/or wirelessly links). The display 304 in some embodiments is a head mounted stereoscopic display while in some other embodiments the display 304 may be another display device capable of displaying stereoscopic imaging content. In some embodiments the head mounted stereoscopic display 304 includes one or more sensors configured to track user's head movement and/or detect a change in user's head position.
[0036] In some embodiments the playback and rendering device 202 includes one or more sensors, e.g., cameras, track user's head movement and/or detect a change in user's head position.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary left eye image 400 of a scene, e.g., captured by a left eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair, e.g., a stereoscopic camera pair used in the image capturing system 102 .
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary right eye image 500 of the scene, e.g., captured by a right eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair. The dotted line through the center of the scene is shown in FIGS. 4-5 to illustrate that the left and right eye images are slightly offset with respect to each other since a left eye view and a right eye view are normally offset with respect to each other. In various embodiments left and right eye image pairs are transmitted to customer devices for rendering and display.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene 600 generated using the left and right eye image pair of FIGS. 4-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The stereoscopic scene 600 normally is the result of combining images captured from multiple cameras, e.g., at least a stereoscopic camera pair including a left eye camera and a right eye camera, and is displayed during a normal mode of display (non-zoom mode of operation). The stereoscopic scene 600 is generated by a rendering and playback device, e.g., system 122 , 124 , using received left and right eye images 400 and 500 , and displayed to the user.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a drawing 700 showing the exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene 600 of FIG. 6 with a portion of the displayed stereoscopic scene in the center being shown in a rectangle 702 to indicate the scene portion that is selected by a user, e.g., for zooming in. The user may select the scene area portion 702 in a variety of ways. The user may select the scene area portion 702 while a simulated 3D environment including scene 600 content is displayed in a variety of ways. For example in some embodiments the scene area portion 702 can be selected by the user by facing towards and looking at a scene area corresponding to portion 702 and selecting a zoom-in operation via the interface 206 , e.g., by double tapping on the input interface 206 to activate zoom-in function. This is possible since user's head position and/or orientation is monitored and may be used in determining a scene area portion in the displayed 3D environment at which the user is looking at a given time. In some other embodiments an area selection tool is provided in the displayed 3D environment which can be used to manually select a scene area portion that the user may wish to zoom, e.g., draw out a rectangle (e.g., such as rectangle 702 ) around the scene area portion to be zoomed. In some embodiments when the user does not specifically select a scene area portion to be zoomed but simply provides an input to zoom-in (e.g., by double tapping or pinch-spread action on the interface 206 ) then the scene area portion where action occurs, e.g., center of stage, field and/or other performance area, in a displayed scene area is zoomed.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a stereoscopic scene area 800 displayed during the zoom mode of display which is displayed to the viewer after a zooming and masking operation has been applied, with a displayed portion of the scene area 800 presenting a simulated viewing of the portion of the scene 600 through binoculars. The scene area 800 is a portion of the displayed scene 600 that results from the zooming and masking operations performed on left and right eye images corresponding to the scene 600 . The scene portion 804 corresponds to the scene portion of interest that is zoomed, e.g., in response to user selection. The zoomed scene portion 804 displayed to the user corresponds to the scene area portion included in the rectangle 702 of FIG. 7 . As can be appreciated from FIG. 8 the displayed scene portion 804 presents a simulated viewing of the user selected scene area through binoculars, e.g., with the displayed left and right circles indicating simulated binocular view and the inside visible scene area being the zoomed version of user selected area. The masked portion 802 of the scene area 800 is shown using diagonal line pattern, e.g., to represent the mask. In the zoom mode of display the mask is visible to the user covering the area outside the enlarged area of interest 804 . While the mask pattern is displayed to the user the actual portion of the scene 600 under the mask which is outside the zoomed/enlarged scene portion 804 is not visible to the user because of being blocked by the mask thereby simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars. Thus when the zoom mode is activated the user's view is restricted, to a portion of the displayed scene that the user might expect to see if looking through binoculars. However in normal mode of display the mask is not visible since there is no masking operation on the scene area portion prior to display.
[0042] FIG. 9 , which comprises a combination of FIGS. 9A and 9B , is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of operating an interactive system, e.g., rendering and playback system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The method of flowchart 900 is implemented in some embodiments using the interactive system of the present invention, e.g., 3D rendering and playback system of FIGS. 2-3 .
[0043] The method starts in step 902 , e.g., with the rendering and playback being powered on and initialized. The method proceeds from start step 902 to steps 904 , 906 and 908 which may be performed asynchronously in parallel. In step 904 monitoring for user input begins at the interactive system. The monitoring for user input is performed on an ongoing basis as indicated by the loopback. Operation proceeds from step 904 to step 910 .
[0044] In step 906 a scene of an event is displayed on a display, e.g., stereoscopic display, which may be a part of the 3D rendering and playback system. In various embodiments step 906 includes performing step 907 wherein stereoscopic image pairs are displayed on the display to provide a 3D presentation of the scene, each stereoscopic image pair including a left eye view and a right eye view. Operation proceeds from step 904 to step 910 .
[0045] In step 908 monitoring for user head position and/or head orientation begins at the interactive system, e.g., to track any changes to user head orientation relative to a nominal orientation. In some embodiments during initialization prior to or as part of step 908 the user's current head position is detected. The user, aware that the head position detected during the initialization phase will be assumed to be a forward looking position, normally maintains his head at a comfortable level forward facing position during step 908 , e.g., normally look directly at the scene of interest in a displayed 3D environment. The user's head position detected during initialization is considered as the reference head position and changes in head orientation relative to the reference position are tracked. The monitoring for user head position is performed on an ongoing basis. Operation proceeds from step 908 to the next processing step, e.g., upon the monitoring detecting a change in head position. In some embodiments operation proceeds from 908 to step 928 via connecting node A 909 .
[0046] Returning to step 910 . In step 910 a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation is detected, e.g., input indicating activation of a zoom mode. The user input in some embodiments is detected on a user input interface of a rendering and playback device such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and/or via another interface capable of detecting user input, e.g., via control signals received from a control device. In some embodiments the user input interface is a touch sensitive sensor while in some other embodiments it may be a button which can be depressed to indicate activation of zoom mode. In some embodiments step 910 includes step 912 in which user input indicating a zoom factor to be used during the zoom mode of operation is detected, e.g., as part of the input indicating a zoom mode of operation. Operation proceeds from step 910 to step 914 .
[0047] In step 914 the system simulates viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars in response to receiving user input indicating that a zoom mode of operation is activated. In various embodiments as part of implementing step 914 , steps 916 , 917 , 918 and 919 are performed. In step 916 a zoom operation is performed on a first left eye image, e.g., left eye camera image corresponding to the scene. Next in step 917 a mask is applied to the zoomed first left eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed left eye image. As a result of step 916 a masked zoomed left eye image is generated. In step 918 a zoom operation is performed on a first right eye image, e.g., right eye camera image corresponding to the first left eye image. Next in step 919 a mask is applied to the zoomed first right eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed right eye image.
[0048] Operation proceeds from step 914 to step 920 . In step 920 , masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed left and right eye images are displayed on the stereoscopic display to present a stereoscopic presentation of the portion of the scene through binoculars, e.g., such as the one shown in FIG. 8 .
[0049] Operation proceeds from step 920 to step 922 . In step 922 , masking and zooming operations are performed on additional left and right eye images to generate additional masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs while the system is in the zoom mode of operation and displaying images in a frame or sequence of frames corresponding to the scene, e.g., with the zoom level being based on the user input indicating the zoom factor.
[0050] Operation proceeds from step 922 to step 924 . In step 924 , masked zoomed additional stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed additional left and right eye images are displayed on the stereoscopic display for a period of time in which the system is in the zoom mode of operation. Operation proceeds from step 924 to step 928 via connecting node B 926 .
[0051] Referring now to step 928 . In step 928 a change is detected in user head orientation, e.g., head position, e.g., due to the user moving his head due to change in the direction of gaze for example. Operation proceeds from step 928 to step 930 . In step 930 , in response to detecting a change in the user head position, the center portion of a displayed scene, e.g., comprising of the left and right images used to generate the stereoscopic scene, is changed by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and a zoom factor used during said zoom mode of operation. In some embodiments changing the center portion of the displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and the zoom factor in step 930 includes moving the center of the displayed scene by an amount which is the zoom factor times the amount the displayed image would be moved in response to the detected change position if the change in head position were detected during normal mode operation which is implemented in sub-step step 932 .
[0052] Operation proceeds from step 930 to step 934 . In step 934 , a user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation is detected. Operation proceeds from step 934 to step 936 . In step 936 , in response to the user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, the zooming and masking operation on the images is ceased. Operation proceeds from step 936 to step 938 . In step 938 left and right eye images forming stereoscopic image pairs are displayed on the display to present a stereoscopic scene of the event, e.g., as part of the operation during the normal mode. In various embodiments the operation continues and various steps of the method may be repeated.
[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary processing 1000 performed as part of performing zooming and masking operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 10 illustrates an example showing how input left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 are subjected to zooming and masking operation prior to masked zoomed left and right eye images being output to a display. The processing begins in step 1002 with the left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 being received. In steps 1008 and 1020 , a zooming operation is performed on the left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 respectively producing zoomed left eye image 1010 and zoomed right eye image 1022 .
[0054] Next the zoomed left and right eye images 1010 , 1022 are each subjected to a masking operation in steps 1012 and 1024 respectively. The masking operations in steps 1012 and 1024 produce masked zoomed left eye image 1014 and masked zoomed right eye image 1026 respectively. In various embodiments the masking operation simulates a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars, e.g., for example as if the zoomed left and right eye images are being viewed through a binocular over the eyes of the user.
[0055] Next the masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed left and right eye images 1014 , 1026 are output, e.g., displayed on a stereoscopic display, in steps 1016 and 1028 .
[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary content delivery system 1100 that can be used to encode and stream content in accordance with the features of the invention.
[0057] The system 1100 may be used to perform encoding, storage, and transmission and/or content output in accordance with the features of the invention. The content delivery system 1100 may be used as the system 104 of FIG. 1 . While the system shown in FIG. 11 is used for encoding, processing and streaming of content, it should be appreciated that the system 1100 may also include the ability to decode and display processed and/or encoded image data, e.g., to an operator.
[0058] The system 1100 includes a display 1102 , input device 1104 , input/output (I/O) interface 1106 , a processor 1108 , network interface 1110 and a memory 1112 . The various components of the system 1100 are coupled together via bus 1109 which allows for data to be communicated between the components of the system 1100 .
[0059] The memory 1112 includes various modules, e.g., routines, which when executed by the processor 1108 control the system 1100 to implement the encoding, storage, and streaming/transmission and/or output operations in accordance with the invention.
[0060] The memory 1112 includes various modules, e.g., routines, which when executed by the processor 1108 control the computer system 1100 to implement stereoscopic video acquisition, encoding, storage, and transmission and/or output methods in accordance with the invention. The memory 1112 includes control routines 1114 , encoder(s) 1118 , a streaming controller 1120 , received input images 1132 , e.g., 360 degree stereoscopic content of a scene, encoded image content 1134 , and timing information 1136 . In some embodiments the modules are, implemented as software modules. In other embodiments the modules are implemented in hardware, e.g., as individual circuits with each module being implemented as a circuit for performing the function to which the module corresponds. In still other embodiments the modules are implemented using a combination of software and hardware.
[0061] The encoder(s) 1118 may, and in some embodiments do, include a plurality of encoders configured to encode received image content, e.g., 360 degree version of a scene and/or one or more scene portions. In some embodiments encoder(s) include multiple encoders with each encoder being configured to encode a stereoscopic scene and/or partitioned scene portions to support a given bit rate stream. In some embodiments each scene portion can be encoded using multiple encoders to support multiple different bit rate streams for each scene. An output of the encoder(s) 1118 is the encoded image content 1134 which is stored in the memory for streaming to customer devices, e.g., playback devices. The encoded content can be streamed to one or multiple different devices via the network interface 1110 .
[0062] The streaming controller 1120 is configured to control streaming of encoded content for delivering the encoded image content to one or more customer devices, e.g., over the communications network 105 . The streaming controller 1120 includes a request processing module 1122 , a data rate determination module 1124 , a current head position determination module 1126 , a selection module 1128 and a streaming control module 1130 . The request processing module 1122 is configured to process a received request for imaging content from a customer playback device. The request for content is received in various embodiments via a receiver in the network interface 1110 . In some embodiments the request for content includes information indicating the identity of requesting playback device. In some embodiments the request for content may include data rate supported by the customer playback device, a current head position of the user, e.g., position of the head mounted display. The request processing module 1122 processes the received request and provides retrieved information to other elements of the streaming controller 1120 to take further actions. While the request for content may include data rate information and current head position information, in various embodiments the data rate supported by the playback device can be determined from network tests and other network information exchange between the system 1100 and the playback device. While in some embodiments some customer rendering and playback systems may request content streams based on determined head orientation of the user at the given time, e.g., to allow the user to view the environment accordingly, in many cases the customer rendering and playback systems may not specifically request a content stream but rather simply attach to a broadcast content stream among a plurality of content streams broadcast by the content delivery system 1100 . In some embodiments the content delivery system 1100 broadcasts different content streams corresponding to different portions of the 360 degree scene environment allowing the rendering and playback system to attach to one or more content streams based on the viewer's current head orientation at a given time.
[0063] The data rate determination module 1124 is configured to determine the available data rates that can be used to stream imaging content to customer devices, e.g., since multiple encoded scene portions are supported the content delivery system 1100 can support streaming content at multiple data rates to the customer device. The data rate determination module 1124 is further configured to determine the data rate supported by a playback device requesting content from system 1100 . In some embodiments the data rate determination module 1124 is configured to determine available data rate for delivery of image content based on network measurements.
[0064] The current head position determination module 1126 is configured to determine a current viewing angle and/or a current head position of the user, e.g., orientation of the head mounted display, from information received from the customer rendering and playback device.
[0065] The streaming control module 1130 is configured to control streaming of image content, e.g., multiple portions of a 360 degree stereoscopic scene, at various supported data rates in accordance with the features of the invention.
[0066] The stream information 1136 in some embodiments is communicated to customer rendering and playback systems as part of guide information, e.g., electronic program guide, providing information on content streams that a rendering and playback system may select to receive. The stream information 1136 can be used by customer devices to access the content streams available from the content delivery system 1100 for delivery to customer devices. In some embodiments the stream information 1136 includes, for a plurality of available content streams, one of a multicast address of a multicast group which can be joined to receive a given corresponding content stream, information which can be used to request access to a switched digital video channel used to provide a given content stream, or channel tuning information which can be used to control a tuner of the playback system to tune to a broadcast channel on which a given content stream is broadcast.
[0067] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 that can be used to receive, decode and display the content streamed by the system of FIG. 11 . The exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 can be used to receive, decode, store and display imaging content received from a content delivery system such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 . The exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 may be used as any of the rendering and playback systems shown in FIGS. 1-3 . The rendering and playback system 1200 in some embodiments include and/or coupled to 3D head mounted display 1202 . The system 1200 includes the ability to decode the received encoded image data and generate 3D image content for display to the customer. The rendering and playback system 1200 in some embodiments is located at a customer premise location such as a home or office but may be located at an image capture site as well. The rendering and playback system 1200 can perform signal reception, decoding, zooming, masking, display and/or other operations in accordance with the invention.
[0068] The rendering and playback system 1200 includes a display 1202 , a user input interface device 1204 , camera(s) 1205 , input/output (I/O) interface 1206 , a processor 1208 , network interface 1210 and a memory 1212 . The various components of the rendering and playback system 1200 are coupled together via bus 1209 which allows for data to be communicated between the components of the system 1200 . The rendering and playback system 1200 includes the head mounted 3D display 1202 on which the image content is presented, e.g., with left and right eyes of a user being presented with different images in the case of stereoscopic content. By displaying different images to the left and right eyes on a single screen, e.g., on different portions of the single screen to different eyes, a single display can be used to display left and right eye images which will be perceived separately by the viewers left and right eyes. In some embodiments the playback and rendering system 1200 is used as the playback and rendering system 200 and a cell phone/Smartphone screen is used as the display 1202 . In some other embodiments the playback and rendering system 1200 is used as the playback and rendering system 300 . The head mounted display 1202 maybe implemented using the OCULUS RIFT™ VR (virtual reality) headset which may include the head mounted display 1202 . Other head mounted displays may also be used. In a case where a cell phone, e.g., Smartphone, processor is used as the processor 1208 and the cell phone generates and displays images in a head mount assembly (such as head mount 102 ), the system 1200 may include as part of the head mount device the processor 1208 , display 1202 , camera(s) 1205 and memory 1212 . The processor 1208 , display 1202 and memory 1212 may all be part of the cell phone. In other embodiments of the system 1200 , the processor 1208 may be part of a gaming system such as an XBOX, PS3, PS4 etc., with the display 1202 being mounted in a head mounting device and coupled to the gaming system. Whether the processor 1208 or memory 1212 are located in the device which is worn on the head or not is not critical and, as can be appreciated, while in some cases it may be convenient to collocate the processor in the headgear, from a power, heat and weight perspective it can be desirable to in at least some cases to have the processor 1208 and memory coupled to the head gear which includes the display. While various embodiments contemplate a head mounted display 1202 , the methods and system can also be used with non-head mounted displays which can support 3D image.
[0069] Thus the display device 1202 is configured to display to display images corresponding to a scene. In some embodiments as part of being configured to display images corresponding to a scene the display device is configured to output stereoscopic image pairs, e.g., left and right eye images, to provide a 3D presentation of the scene. The scene may correspond to an event. Each stereoscopic image pair includes a left eye view and a right eye view, e.g., captured by left and right eye cameras in a stereoscopic camera system.
[0070] The operator/user of the playback and rendering system 1200 may control one or more parameters, input information, commands etc., via the user input interface 1204 and/or select operations to be performed, e.g., select zoom mode of operation, provide zoom factor to be used and/or select a scene area portion to be zoomed. Via the user input interface 1204 a user may further provide input to the rendering and playback system 1200 , e.g., input indicating a user selected switch from a normal mode to zoom mode or vice versa. The user input interface 1204 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, touchpad and/or touch sensitive screen. The user input interface 1204 includes a receiver 1211 via which the rendering and playback system 1200 receives the information/data provided by the user. The user may use the user input interface 1204 to make a selection of item and/or respond to a displayed prompt and/or other indication requiring user's input. The user input may be provided e.g., by a single tap, double tap, pinch and spread action or some other action on the input interface 1204 .
[0071] The camera(s) 1205 includes one or more cameras which can be, and sometimes are, used to capture images, e.g., of persons, physical environment and/or objects in the physical environment where the system 1200 is located. In some embodiments where the system 1200 is used as the rendering and playback 200 the camera 1205 may be the camera device of the Smartphone being used in the system 200 . In some embodiments where the system 1200 is used as the rendering and playback system 300 the camera 1205 may be the camera located on the rendering device 302 or on the head mounted display 304 . In some embodiments the camera(s) 1205 can be used to track changes in head orientation and/or viewing angle of the user relative to a reference orientation, e.g., set during initialization.
[0072] Via the I/O interface 1206 , the system 1200 can be coupled to external devices to exchange signals and/or information with other devices. In some embodiments via the I/O interface 1206 the system 1200 can receive information and/or images captured by external cameras and output information and/or images to external devices. The I/O interface 1206 includes a receiver (RX) 1221 and a transmitter (TX) 1223 via which the receiving and transmitting operations are performed. In some embodiments via the interface 1206 the system 1200 is coupled to an external controller, e.g., such as the handheld controller 306 . In embodiments where a handheld controller 306 is available, the handheld controller 306 may be coupled to the I/O interface 1206 and used to enter information and/or provide user input of the types discussed above.
[0073] The processor 1208 , e.g., a CPU, executes routines 1214 and uses the various modules to control the system 1200 to operate in accordance with the invention. The processor 1208 is responsible for controlling the overall general operation of the system 1200 . In various embodiments the processor 1208 is configured to perform functions that have been discussed as being performed by the playback and rendering system 1200 .
[0074] Via the network interface 1220 the system 1200 communicates and/or receives signals and/or information (e.g., including images and/or video content corresponding to a scene) to/from various external devices over a communications network, e.g., such as communications network 105 . The network interface 1220 includes a receiver 1231 and a transmitter 1233 via which the receiving and transmitting operations are performed. In some embodiments the system receives one or more content streams, e.g., including left and right eye images in case of stereoscopic content, via the network interface 1220 from the content delivery system 104 . The received content may be received as encoded data, e.g., encoded scene data 1242 .
[0075] In some embodiments the memory 1212 includes various routines and/or modules which when executed by the processor 1208 control the rendering and playback system 1200 to perform operations in accordance with the invention. The memory 1212 includes control routines 1214 , a head orientation and/or viewing angle determinator 1216 , a head position monitoring module 1218 , a user input processing module 1219 , a decoder 1220 , an image renderer 1222 , a simulator 1224 , a mode controller 1228 , and a display controller 1230 . The memory 1212 further includes data/information including encoded data 1242 , decoded data 1244 and generated image content 1246 .
[0076] The control routines 1214 include device control routines and communications routines to control the operation of the system 1200 . The head orientation and/or viewing angle determinator 1216 is configured to determine a current head position of the user, e.g., orientation of the head mounted display, and in some embodiment report the determined position and/or viewing angle information to the content delivery system 1100 . The head orientation determinator 1216 may be implemented using one or a combination of sensors to detect user's head orientation at a given time. In some embodiments the determined head orientation and/or change in orientation from a reference orientation is used in determining which portion of a displayed scene the user is viewing at a given time.
[0077] The monitoring module 1218 is configured monitor user head position to detect changes in the user's head orientation, e.g., due to rotation of head, tilting of the head or both rotation and tilting, from an initial/current head orientation. In some embodiments the monitoring module 1218 monitors for changes in the head orientation following the initial detection of user's head orientation and setting of the default/reference head orientation. The monitoring module 1218 is configured to detect changes in the head orientation relative to a currently set head orientation at a given time, e.g., default/reference head orientation initially detected by the head orientation determination module 1216 . Thus if the user's head orientation changes from the initially detected head orientation, e.g., due to head rotation, tilt or both, the monitoring module 1218 receives an input from the head orientation determinator 1216 indicating a current head orientation and compares it against the currently set/previously detected head orientation of the user stored in memory 1212 to determine if there has been any changes in the head orientation. In some embodiments the monitoring module 1218 is further configured to determine the head angle of rotation and/or head tilt angle relative to the default head orientation, e.g., how much has the user rotated and/or tilted his/her head from a 0° position corresponding to the default/reference head orientation or an angle corresponding to the previously detected head orientation. In various embodiments such head angle of rotation and/or head tilt angle information is used to determine where, e.g., which scene portion, the user is looking at in a displayed scene. The user input processing module 1219 is further configured to process received user input, commands, instructions provided by the user via, e.g., the user input interface 1204 and/or I/O interface 1206 . In some embodiments the user input processing module 1219 processes user control inputs and provide information and/or signaling to other elements of the rendering and playback system 1200 for controlling the operation in accordance with the invention.
[0078] The decoder module 1220 is configured to decode encoded image content 1232 received from the content delivery system to produce decoded image data 1234 . The decoded image data 1234 may include decoded stereoscopic scene and/or decoded scene portions. The image renderer 1222 uses decoded image content (e.g., decoded data 1234 in normal mode of operation and masked zoomed image data 1236 in zoom mode of operation) including content corresponding to a scene to generate content for displaying to a user on the display 1202 . The image renderer 1222 may be implemented as a 3D image generation module to render 3D stereoscopic image content.
[0079] The simulator 1224 is configured to simulate viewing of a portion of a displayed scene through binoculars in response to a user input (e.g., detected via the user interface 1204 ) indicating a zoom operation. In some embodiments the simulator 1224 is configured to, as part of being configured to simulate viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars, to: perform a zoom operation on a first left eye image, and apply a mask to zoomed first left eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed left eye image. The simulator 1224 in some embodiments is further configured to, as part of being configured to simulate viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars, to: perform a zoom operation on a first right eye image corresponding to the first left eye image, and apply a mask to the zoomed right eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed right eye image. In various embodiments the simulator 1224 includes a zoom controller 1225 and a masker 1226 which are configured to perform the above discussed zooming and masking operations respectively. The zoom controller 1225 and masker 1226 perform zooming and masking operations respectively on decoded left and eye images 1234 in accordance with the features of the invention when the zoom mode of operation is enabled to generate masked zoomed left and right eye images. In various embodiments the display device 1202 is configured to display the masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including masked zoomed left and right eye images to present the simulated viewing of the portion of the scene through binoculars. Thus in some embodiments when the system 1200 is in zoom mode of operation the display device 1202 display the masked zoomed left eye image and the masked zoomed right eye image while the masked zoomed left eye image is being displayed.
[0080] In some embodiments the user input interface 1204 includes a receiver 1211 configured to receive user input indicating a zoom factor to be used during the zoom mode of operation. In some embodiment while viewing the displayed scene the user changes his/her head position, e.g., rotating, tilting and/or or otherwise changing the direction of gaze. The head position monitoring module 1218 monitoring the user's head position detects a change in user head position and provides the detected change information to the display controller 1230 in some embodiments. The display controller 1230 is configured to change the center portion of a displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and a zoom factor used during the zoom mode of operation. In some embodiments the display controller 1230 is configured to move the center of the displayed scene by an amount which is the zoom factor times the amount the displayed image would be moved in response to the detected change position if the change in head position were detected during normal mode operation, as part of being configured to change the center portion of the displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and the zoom factor.
[0081] The mode controller 1228 is configured to control the system 1200 to operate in different modes, e.g., based on user selection of a particular mode of operation such as the zoom mode of operation or normal mode of operation. In some embodiments upon the user interface 1204 detecting a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation the mode controller 1228 controls the system 1200 to operate in a zoom mode of operation, e.g., where simulated viewing of scene portion(s) of displayed scene through binoculars is presented to the user.
[0082] In some embodiments the user input interface 1204 detects a user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, e.g., upon user's selection of the normal mode. During normal operation and initialization of system 1200 the mode controller 1228 controls the device to operate in a normal mode of operation where image content in displayed in a normal manner without zooming. In some embodiments the simulator 1224 is further configured to cease the zooming and masking operations in response to the user input interface 1204 detecting the input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to the normal mode of operation.
[0083] The content stream information 1238 includes information regarding a plurality of content streams that may be available for receiving and use in playback. In some embodiments the stream information 1238 is provided by the content provider's content delivery system 1100 (e.g., stream information 1136 ). In some embodiments the stream information 1238 includes, for a plurality of available content streams, one of a multicast address of a multicast group which can be joined to receive a given content stream corresponding to a given portion of scene, e.g., front scene portion, rear left, rear right portion etc. In some embodiments the stream information 1238 further includes information which can be used to request access to a switched digital video channel used to provide a given content stream, or channel tuning information which can be used to control a tuner of the playback system 1200 to tune to a broadcast channel on which a given content stream corresponding to a given scene portion is broadcast.
[0084] In some embodiments the modules and/or elements shown in the memory 1212 are implemented as software modules. In other embodiments the elements, while shown to be included in the memory 1212 , are implemented in hardware, e.g., as individual circuits with each element being implemented as a circuit for performing the function corresponding to the element. In still other embodiments the modules and/or elements are implemented using a combination of software and hardware.
[0085] While shown in FIG. 12 example to be included in the memory 1212 , the modules and elements shown included in the memory 1212 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within the processor 1208 , e.g., as individual circuits. In other embodiments some of the elements are implemented, e.g., as circuits, within the processor 1208 with other elements being implemented, e.g., as circuits, external to and coupled to the processor 1208 . As should be appreciated the level of integration of modules on the processor and/or with some modules being external to the processor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some of the elements may be implemented in software and stored in the memory 1212 of the system 1200 , with the software modules controlling operation of the system 1200 to implement the functions corresponding to the modules when the modules are executed by a processor, e.g., processor 1208 . In still other embodiments, various elements are implemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., with a circuit external to the processor 1208 providing input to the processor 1208 which then under software control operates to perform a portion of a module's function.
[0086] While shown in the FIG. 12 embodiment as a single processor, e.g., computer, it should be appreciated that the processor 1208 may be implemented as one or more processors, e.g., computers. When one or more elements in the memory 1212 are implemented as software modules, the modules include code, which when executed by the processor 1208 , configure the processor 1208 to implement the function corresponding to the module. In embodiments where the various modules shown in FIG. 12 are stored in the memory 1212 , the memory 1212 is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each module, for causing at least one computer, e.g., processor 1208 , to implement the functions to which the modules correspond.
[0087] Completely hardware based or completely software based modules may be used. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of software and hardware, e.g., circuit implemented modules may be used to implement the functions. As should be appreciated, the modules illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 control and/or configure the systems 1100 and 1200 or elements therein respectively such as the processor 1108 and 1208 to perform the functions of corresponding steps of the methods of the present invention, e.g., such as those illustrated and/or described in the flowchart 900 .
[0088] Some embodiments are directed a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a set of software instructions, e.g., computer executable instructions, for controlling a computer or other device to encode and compresses stereoscopic video. Other embodiments are embodiments are directed a computer readable medium embodying a set of software instructions, e.g., computer executable instructions, for controlling a computer or other device to decode and decompresses video on the player end. While encoding and compression are mentioned as possible separate operations, it should be appreciated that encoding may be used to perform compression and thus encoding may, in some include compression. Similarly, decoding may involve decompression.
[0089] The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Various embodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., a image data processing system. Various embodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., a method of processing image data. Various embodiments are also directed to a non-transitory machine, e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc., which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine to implement one or more steps of a method.
[0090] Various features of the present invention are implemented using modules. Such modules may, and in some embodiments are, implemented as software modules. In other embodiments the modules are implemented in hardware. In still other embodiments the modules are implemented using a combination of software and hardware. In some embodiments the modules are implemented as individual circuits with each module being implemented as a circuit for performing the function to which the module corresponds. A wide variety of embodiments are contemplated including some embodiments where different modules are implemented differently, e.g., some in hardware, some in software, and some using a combination of hardware and software. It should also be noted that routines and/or subroutines, or some of the steps performed by such routines, may be implemented in dedicated hardware as opposed to software executed on a general purpose processor. Such embodiments remain within the scope of the present invention. Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods. Accordingly, among other things, the present invention is directed to a machine-readable medium including machine executable instructions for causing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s).
[0091] Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Such variations are to be considered within the scope. | Methods and apparatus for implementing user controlled zoom operations during a stereoscopic, e.g., 3D, presentation are described. While viewing a 3D presentation of a scene environment, a user may switch to a zoom mode allowing the user to zoom in on a particular portion of the environment being displayed. In order to maintain the effect of being physically present at the event, and also to reduce the risk of making the user sick from sudden non-real world like changes in views of the environment, the user in response to initiating a zoom mode of operation is presented with a view which is the same or similar to that which might be expected as the result of looking through a pair of binoculars. In some embodiments the restriction in view is achieved by applying masks to enlarged version of left and right eye views to be displayed. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.",
"No. 62/108,962 filed Jan. 28, 2015 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.",
"FIELD [0002] The present application relates to stereoscopic playback methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus relating to zoom operations.",
"BACKGROUND [0003] Stereoscopic playback devices, e.g., devices which allow playback of left and right eye images providing a 3D experience to a user, are growing in popularity.",
"It is expected that such devices will be used to display images corresponding to sporting events, fashion shows, concerts and/or other scenes and may provide the user a sense of being present within the displayed scene/environment.",
"[0004] During playback or presentation of a stereoscopic scene, a user may desire to zoom in on a portion of the scene being presented, e.g., on a player kicking the ball or a particular model at a fashion show.",
"From the perspective a user immersed in a simulated 3D environment, it may be undesirable to suddenly zoom in on a portion of a scene since this may be perceived as a sudden unnatural change in the user's viewing position.",
"A switch back to normal viewing may result in a similar undesired sudden change in perspective to the user breaking what maybe a desired sense of being present at a real event.",
"Furthermore such sudden changes may make a user uneasy, uncomfortable or even sick, e.g., dizzy, since such changes in perspective normally do not happen in a real world environment.",
"[0005] In view of the above discussion it should be appreciated that there is a need for methods and apparatus which would allow a user to implement user controllable zoom operations with respect to stereoscopic images without at least some of the effects that sudden changes in zoom might create without some other action being taken to minimize or reduce what might otherwise be perceived as an unnatural change in view perspective.",
"SUMMARY [0006] Methods and apparatus for implementing user controlled zoom operations during a stereoscopic, e.g., 3D, presentation are described.",
"In various embodiments, while viewing a 3D presentation of, e.g., a sporting event, concert, other event or simulated environment, a user is provided the opportunity to switch to a zoom mode of operation allowing the user to zoom in on a particular portion of the event or environment being displayed.",
"In order to maintain the effect of being physically present at the event, and also to reduce the risk of making the user sick from sudden non-real world like changes in views of the environment, the user in response to initiating a zoom mode of operation is presented with a view which is the same or similar to that which might be expected as the result of looking through a pair of binoculars.",
"During the zoom mode of operation the user's view is restricted, to a portion of the displayed scene, that the user might expect to see if looking through binoculars.",
"In such a case, the field of the scene which is observable is reduced but the image is viewed as being magnified by a zoom factor, e.g., 2×, 5×, 10×, 20× or by some other amount.",
"In some embodiments the restriction in view is achieved by applying masks to an enlarged version of the view or views to be displayed, e.g., enlarged left and right eye views are generated and masked prior to display.",
"[0007] During both normal and zoom mode of operation head position is monitored.",
"Changes in head position, e.g., rotation of a user's head or tilt of a user's head, are detected and the portion of the event or environment being displayed is changed as a function of the change in the head position.",
"The change in the displayed image or images simulates changes in the area which would be visible to the user if the user moved his/her head in a real environment.",
"During zoom mode of operation the zoom factor is taken into consideration in terms of how much to shift the perspective of the scene being presented to the user.",
"For example, during a 5× zoom mode a change in head position will trigger a 5× shift in the portion of the environment being displayed reflecting the 5× viewing factor.",
"Thus, just as small changes in viewing angle when using binoculars with a high zoom power may result in a significant change in the viewable scene the same effect is simulated during the zoom mode of operation.",
"[0008] User input is monitored and the zoom factor is adjusted during zoom mode operation in accordance with user input.",
"A user change in mode from zoom mode to normal mode is also monitored for and detected in response to user input changing the mode of operation.",
"[0009] In response to detecting a change in operation from a zoom mode to a normal mode the enlarging and masking operations are halted and images are put out at their normal size.",
"[0010] The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with streamed content as well as stored image content.",
"In the case of sporting events or other events the methods and apparatus allow a user to get a sense and/or perspective of being at the event with initiating of zooming and the switch back to normal viewing being similar to what might be expected if a user placed a pair of binoculars to his/her eyes to focus on an area of interest during the event, e.g., where action occurs, and then removed it to come back to the normal field of view to enjoy the overall event.",
"The use of the mask simulating the affect of binoculars reduces the risk that the zooming operation may break the effect or illusion of the user being at the event or in the real world environment while also reducing the risk that the zooming operation will cause the user to feel sick or uneasy due to what might otherwise feel like a rather unnatural change in perspective or position in the environment.",
"[0011] The method and apparatus of the present invention may be used with a wide range of devices capable of presenting stereoscopic images, e.g., pairs of left and right eye images intended to provide a 3D effect, to a user.",
"For example, the methods may be used with head mounted displays in which the processing of the images, e.g., zooming, masking, etc.",
"are performed within one or more components mounted on a users head and/or with game systems or other systems which are capable of rendering stereoscopic images which are then displayed to a user via a peripheral device, e.g., in the form of a head mounted display.",
"An example of an embodiment where the playback device is implemented as a fully head mounted system includes the Samsung Gear VR in which a head mounted system incorporates a cell phone which is responsible for processing and displaying stereoscopic image pairs under control of user input which can be entered via a head mounted input device, e.g., touch pad.",
"An example of a game system embodiment includes a game system such as a PS3 or PS4 or XBOX coupled, via a wire or wirelessly, to a display peripheral such as a pair of display glasses capable of displaying different images to a user's left and right eyes.",
"In such embodiments the playback device is controlled in accordance with the invention to implement zoom operations which simulate the experience that might be encountered if binoculars were used.",
"[0012] The methods and apparatus of the invention can be used with a wide range of input image resolutions.",
"In cases where the input images, e.g., left and right eye image pairs, are higher resolution than that of the display device being used, as is often the case when a cell phone display is used as the head mounted display device, the zoom methods may be implemented with little or no perceived loss in image quality due to the zooming since the zoom operation may take advantage of the otherwise unused image resolution.",
"[0013] Numerous additional aspects, benefits and embodiments will be discussed in the detailed description which follows.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system implemented in accordance with some embodiments of the invention which can be used to capture and stream content for subsequent display by one or more user devices along with one or more synthesized portions of an environment.",
"[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system, e.g., 3D rendering and playback system, implemented in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.",
"[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary 3D rendering and playback system implemented in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.",
"[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary left eye image of a scene, e.g., captured by a left eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair.",
"[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary right eye image of the scene, e.g., captured by a right eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair.",
"[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene generated using the left and right eye image pair of FIGS. 4-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a drawing showing the exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene of FIG. 6 with a portion of the displayed stereoscopic scene in the center being shown in a rectangle to indicate the scene portion that is zoomed, e.g., enlarged, in response to a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a masked zoomed portion of the stereoscopic scene displayed to the viewer after a zooming and masking operation has been applied, with the displayed portion of the stereoscopic scene presenting a simulated viewing of the portion of the scene through binoculars.",
"[0022] FIG. 9A , is a first part of a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of operating an interactive system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0023] FIG. 9B is a second part of the flowchart illustrating the steps of the exemplary method of operating an interactive system in accordance with the invention, with FIG. 9 comprising a combination of FIGS. 9A and 9B .",
"[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary processing performed as part of performing zooming and masking operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary content delivery system that can be used to encode and stream content in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system that can be used to receive, decode and display the content streamed by the system of FIG. 11 .",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 implemented in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"The system 100 supports content delivery, e.g., imaging content delivery, to one or more customer devices, e.g., 3D capable playback devices located at customer premises.",
"The system 100 includes the exemplary image capturing system 102 , a content delivery system 104 , a communications network 105 , and a plurality of customer premises 106 , .",
", 110 .",
"The image capturing system 102 supports capturing of stereoscopic imagery, e.g., using stereoscopic camera pairs as well as capturing of normal non-stereoscopic imagery.",
"The image capturing system 102 captures and processes imaging content in accordance with the features of the invention and may include one or more cameras/stereoscopic camera pairs.",
"The communications network 105 may be, e.g., a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, satellite network, and/or internet.",
"[0028] The content delivery system 104 includes an encoding apparatus 112 and a content streaming device/server 114 .",
"The encoding apparatus 112 may, and in some embodiments does, include one or a plurality of encoders for encoding image data.",
"The encoders may be used in parallel to encode different portions of a scene and/or to encode a given portion of a scene to generate encoded versions which have different data rates.",
"Using multiple encoders in parallel can be particularly useful when real time or near real time streaming is to be supported.",
"[0029] The content streaming device 114 is configured to stream, e.g., transmit, encoded content for delivering the encoded image content to one or more customer devices, e.g., over the communications network 105 .",
"Via the network 105 , the content delivery system 104 can send and/or exchange information with the devices located at the customer premises 106 , 110 as indicated in the figure by the link 120 traversing the communications network 105 .",
"While the encoding apparatus 112 and content delivery server are shown as separate physical devices in the FIG. 1 example, in some embodiments they are implemented as a single device which encodes and streams content.",
"The encoding process may be a 3D, e.g., stereoscopic, image encoding process where information corresponding to left and right eye views of a scene portion are encoded and included in the encoded image data so that 3D image viewing can be supported.",
"The particular encoding method used is not critical to the present application and a wide range of encoders may be used as or to implement the encoding apparatus 112 .",
"[0030] Each customer premise 106 , 110 may include one or more devices/systems, e.g., devices capable of decoding, rendering, playback and display of the imaging content streamed by the content streaming device 114 .",
"Customer premise 1 106 includes a 3D rendering and playback system 122 while customer premise N 110 includes 3D rendering and playback system 124 .",
"In some embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 are capable of rendering and displaying 3D imaging content in accordance with the invention.",
"[0031] In various embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 may decode the imaging content received from the content delivery system 104 , generate imaging content using the decoded content, and render the imaging content, e.g., 3D image content, on a display e.g., a stereoscopic display.",
"In various embodiments the 3D rendering and playback systems 122 , 124 are capable of performing additional processing, e.g., performing zooming and masking operations in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 implemented in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.",
"The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 may be used to display content captured by one or more cameras of the imaging system 102 and streamed by the content delivery system 104 to a user, e.g., a customer corresponding to customer premises 106 , 110 , in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.",
"The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 may be used as any of the 3D rendering and playback systems shown in FIG. 1 .",
"FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the 3D rendering and playback system 200 from the perspective of a user as if the user is going to wear, e.g., head mount, the rendering and playback system 200 .",
"Thus the illustrated view in FIG. 2 shows at least some elements that may be visible from the rear, e.g., looking into the rendering system 200 from the rear.",
"The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 200 includes a head mounted display assembly 202 , a Smartphone insert/slot 204 , a user input interface 206 , a pair of lenses 210 , 212 and a head strap 208 .",
"[0033] Via the Smartphone insert/slot 204 , a Smartphone can be inserted in the head mounted display assembly 202 of the system 200 thereby allowing the Smartphone display to become the display of the system 200 .",
"Once inserted in the slot 204 the Smartphone can communicate and exchange signaling with the head mounted display assembly 202 .",
"The Smartphone insert/slot 204 is shown as a dashed rectangular box to indicate the location of the slot 204 in the top portion of the rendering and playback system 200 .",
"The Smartphone serves as both the rendering and playback device, e.g., performing processing, rendering, playback and various operations for the system 200 , and as the display device of the system 200 with the Smartphone screen serving as the display screen of the system 200 .",
"When mounted by a user, the user can view a displayed scene, e.g., a simulated 3D environment including content corresponding to a scene, through the lenses 210 , 212 .",
"The simulated 3D environment displayed to the user allows for a real life 3D experience as if the user is actually present in the simulated environment.",
"[0034] Via the user input interface 206 user input is detected and actions are taken by the rendering and playback system 200 .",
"For example in some embodiments a user input via the interface 206 may indicate activation of a zoom mode of operation during which a displayed scene is zoomed in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"In some embodiments the user input interface 106 includes a touchpad over which the user can move his fingers and a corresponding pointer, visible to the user on the display screen, moves along allowing the user to interact with objects displayed on the screen.",
"In such embodiments the user may control the pointer to interact, e.g., select, move, delete etc.",
", with icons and/or objects displayed on the screen.",
"For example in some embodiments via the interface 206 the user may drag a pointer to a displayed portion of scene and select an area of the scene portion, e.g., by tapping on the touchpad of interface 106 and/or using a area select area, for zooming-in to the selected area.",
"As a result of such a zoom-in operation, an enlarged version of the selected area is displayed in some embodiments as if viewing through binoculars while the remaining scene area is masked.",
"In some embodiments in the zoom mode of display the mask is visible over the scene area portion outside of the scene area portion selected to be zoomed.",
"In normal mode of display the entire scene area is displayed without the mask.",
"[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary rendering and playback system 300 implemented in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.",
"The rendering and playback system 300 supports 3D rendering and display.",
"The rendering and playback system 300 may be used as any of the exemplary rendering and playback systems shown in FIG. 1 .",
"The rendering and playback system 300 maybe used to implement the methods of the present invention.",
"The exemplary 3D rendering and playback system 300 includes a playback and rendering device 302 , e.g., a gaming console such as PS3, PS4 or other play station version, an Xbox version etc.",
"In addition the rendering and playback system 300 further includes a stereoscopic display 304 , and optionally a handheld controller 306 .",
"The elements 302 , 304 and 306 of the system 300 may be wired and/or wirelessly connected (e.g., dashed lines indicating wired and/or wirelessly links).",
"The display 304 in some embodiments is a head mounted stereoscopic display while in some other embodiments the display 304 may be another display device capable of displaying stereoscopic imaging content.",
"In some embodiments the head mounted stereoscopic display 304 includes one or more sensors configured to track user's head movement and/or detect a change in user's head position.",
"[0036] In some embodiments the playback and rendering device 202 includes one or more sensors, e.g., cameras, track user's head movement and/or detect a change in user's head position.",
"[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary left eye image 400 of a scene, e.g., captured by a left eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair, e.g., a stereoscopic camera pair used in the image capturing system 102 .",
"[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary right eye image 500 of the scene, e.g., captured by a right eye camera of a stereoscopic camera pair.",
"The dotted line through the center of the scene is shown in FIGS. 4-5 to illustrate that the left and right eye images are slightly offset with respect to each other since a left eye view and a right eye view are normally offset with respect to each other.",
"In various embodiments left and right eye image pairs are transmitted to customer devices for rendering and display.",
"[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene 600 generated using the left and right eye image pair of FIGS. 4-5 , in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"The stereoscopic scene 600 normally is the result of combining images captured from multiple cameras, e.g., at least a stereoscopic camera pair including a left eye camera and a right eye camera, and is displayed during a normal mode of display (non-zoom mode of operation).",
"The stereoscopic scene 600 is generated by a rendering and playback device, e.g., system 122 , 124 , using received left and right eye images 400 and 500 , and displayed to the user.",
"[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a drawing 700 showing the exemplary displayed stereoscopic scene 600 of FIG. 6 with a portion of the displayed stereoscopic scene in the center being shown in a rectangle 702 to indicate the scene portion that is selected by a user, e.g., for zooming in.",
"The user may select the scene area portion 702 in a variety of ways.",
"The user may select the scene area portion 702 while a simulated 3D environment including scene 600 content is displayed in a variety of ways.",
"For example in some embodiments the scene area portion 702 can be selected by the user by facing towards and looking at a scene area corresponding to portion 702 and selecting a zoom-in operation via the interface 206 , e.g., by double tapping on the input interface 206 to activate zoom-in function.",
"This is possible since user's head position and/or orientation is monitored and may be used in determining a scene area portion in the displayed 3D environment at which the user is looking at a given time.",
"In some other embodiments an area selection tool is provided in the displayed 3D environment which can be used to manually select a scene area portion that the user may wish to zoom, e.g., draw out a rectangle (e.g., such as rectangle 702 ) around the scene area portion to be zoomed.",
"In some embodiments when the user does not specifically select a scene area portion to be zoomed but simply provides an input to zoom-in (e.g., by double tapping or pinch-spread action on the interface 206 ) then the scene area portion where action occurs, e.g., center of stage, field and/or other performance area, in a displayed scene area is zoomed.",
"[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a stereoscopic scene area 800 displayed during the zoom mode of display which is displayed to the viewer after a zooming and masking operation has been applied, with a displayed portion of the scene area 800 presenting a simulated viewing of the portion of the scene 600 through binoculars.",
"The scene area 800 is a portion of the displayed scene 600 that results from the zooming and masking operations performed on left and right eye images corresponding to the scene 600 .",
"The scene portion 804 corresponds to the scene portion of interest that is zoomed, e.g., in response to user selection.",
"The zoomed scene portion 804 displayed to the user corresponds to the scene area portion included in the rectangle 702 of FIG. 7 .",
"As can be appreciated from FIG. 8 the displayed scene portion 804 presents a simulated viewing of the user selected scene area through binoculars, e.g., with the displayed left and right circles indicating simulated binocular view and the inside visible scene area being the zoomed version of user selected area.",
"The masked portion 802 of the scene area 800 is shown using diagonal line pattern, e.g., to represent the mask.",
"In the zoom mode of display the mask is visible to the user covering the area outside the enlarged area of interest 804 .",
"While the mask pattern is displayed to the user the actual portion of the scene 600 under the mask which is outside the zoomed/enlarged scene portion 804 is not visible to the user because of being blocked by the mask thereby simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars.",
"Thus when the zoom mode is activated the user's view is restricted, to a portion of the displayed scene that the user might expect to see if looking through binoculars.",
"However in normal mode of display the mask is not visible since there is no masking operation on the scene area portion prior to display.",
"[0042] FIG. 9 , which comprises a combination of FIGS. 9A and 9B , is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of operating an interactive system, e.g., rendering and playback system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.",
"The method of flowchart 900 is implemented in some embodiments using the interactive system of the present invention, e.g., 3D rendering and playback system of FIGS. 2-3 .",
"[0043] The method starts in step 902 , e.g., with the rendering and playback being powered on and initialized.",
"The method proceeds from start step 902 to steps 904 , 906 and 908 which may be performed asynchronously in parallel.",
"In step 904 monitoring for user input begins at the interactive system.",
"The monitoring for user input is performed on an ongoing basis as indicated by the loopback.",
"Operation proceeds from step 904 to step 910 .",
"[0044] In step 906 a scene of an event is displayed on a display, e.g., stereoscopic display, which may be a part of the 3D rendering and playback system.",
"In various embodiments step 906 includes performing step 907 wherein stereoscopic image pairs are displayed on the display to provide a 3D presentation of the scene, each stereoscopic image pair including a left eye view and a right eye view.",
"Operation proceeds from step 904 to step 910 .",
"[0045] In step 908 monitoring for user head position and/or head orientation begins at the interactive system, e.g., to track any changes to user head orientation relative to a nominal orientation.",
"In some embodiments during initialization prior to or as part of step 908 the user's current head position is detected.",
"The user, aware that the head position detected during the initialization phase will be assumed to be a forward looking position, normally maintains his head at a comfortable level forward facing position during step 908 , e.g., normally look directly at the scene of interest in a displayed 3D environment.",
"The user's head position detected during initialization is considered as the reference head position and changes in head orientation relative to the reference position are tracked.",
"The monitoring for user head position is performed on an ongoing basis.",
"Operation proceeds from step 908 to the next processing step, e.g., upon the monitoring detecting a change in head position.",
"In some embodiments operation proceeds from 908 to step 928 via connecting node A 909 .",
"[0046] Returning to step 910 .",
"In step 910 a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation is detected, e.g., input indicating activation of a zoom mode.",
"The user input in some embodiments is detected on a user input interface of a rendering and playback device such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and/or via another interface capable of detecting user input, e.g., via control signals received from a control device.",
"In some embodiments the user input interface is a touch sensitive sensor while in some other embodiments it may be a button which can be depressed to indicate activation of zoom mode.",
"In some embodiments step 910 includes step 912 in which user input indicating a zoom factor to be used during the zoom mode of operation is detected, e.g., as part of the input indicating a zoom mode of operation.",
"Operation proceeds from step 910 to step 914 .",
"[0047] In step 914 the system simulates viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars in response to receiving user input indicating that a zoom mode of operation is activated.",
"In various embodiments as part of implementing step 914 , steps 916 , 917 , 918 and 919 are performed.",
"In step 916 a zoom operation is performed on a first left eye image, e.g., left eye camera image corresponding to the scene.",
"Next in step 917 a mask is applied to the zoomed first left eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed left eye image.",
"As a result of step 916 a masked zoomed left eye image is generated.",
"In step 918 a zoom operation is performed on a first right eye image, e.g., right eye camera image corresponding to the first left eye image.",
"Next in step 919 a mask is applied to the zoomed first right eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed right eye image.",
"[0048] Operation proceeds from step 914 to step 920 .",
"In step 920 , masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed left and right eye images are displayed on the stereoscopic display to present a stereoscopic presentation of the portion of the scene through binoculars, e.g., such as the one shown in FIG. 8 .",
"[0049] Operation proceeds from step 920 to step 922 .",
"In step 922 , masking and zooming operations are performed on additional left and right eye images to generate additional masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs while the system is in the zoom mode of operation and displaying images in a frame or sequence of frames corresponding to the scene, e.g., with the zoom level being based on the user input indicating the zoom factor.",
"[0050] Operation proceeds from step 922 to step 924 .",
"In step 924 , masked zoomed additional stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed additional left and right eye images are displayed on the stereoscopic display for a period of time in which the system is in the zoom mode of operation.",
"Operation proceeds from step 924 to step 928 via connecting node B 926 .",
"[0051] Referring now to step 928 .",
"In step 928 a change is detected in user head orientation, e.g., head position, e.g., due to the user moving his head due to change in the direction of gaze for example.",
"Operation proceeds from step 928 to step 930 .",
"In step 930 , in response to detecting a change in the user head position, the center portion of a displayed scene, e.g., comprising of the left and right images used to generate the stereoscopic scene, is changed by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and a zoom factor used during said zoom mode of operation.",
"In some embodiments changing the center portion of the displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and the zoom factor in step 930 includes moving the center of the displayed scene by an amount which is the zoom factor times the amount the displayed image would be moved in response to the detected change position if the change in head position were detected during normal mode operation which is implemented in sub-step step 932 .",
"[0052] Operation proceeds from step 930 to step 934 .",
"In step 934 , a user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation is detected.",
"Operation proceeds from step 934 to step 936 .",
"In step 936 , in response to the user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, the zooming and masking operation on the images is ceased.",
"Operation proceeds from step 936 to step 938 .",
"In step 938 left and right eye images forming stereoscopic image pairs are displayed on the display to present a stereoscopic scene of the event, e.g., as part of the operation during the normal mode.",
"In various embodiments the operation continues and various steps of the method may be repeated.",
"[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary processing 1000 performed as part of performing zooming and masking operations, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.",
"FIG. 10 illustrates an example showing how input left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 are subjected to zooming and masking operation prior to masked zoomed left and right eye images being output to a display.",
"The processing begins in step 1002 with the left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 being received.",
"In steps 1008 and 1020 , a zooming operation is performed on the left and right eye images 1004 , 1006 respectively producing zoomed left eye image 1010 and zoomed right eye image 1022 .",
"[0054] Next the zoomed left and right eye images 1010 , 1022 are each subjected to a masking operation in steps 1012 and 1024 respectively.",
"The masking operations in steps 1012 and 1024 produce masked zoomed left eye image 1014 and masked zoomed right eye image 1026 respectively.",
"In various embodiments the masking operation simulates a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars, e.g., for example as if the zoomed left and right eye images are being viewed through a binocular over the eyes of the user.",
"[0055] Next the masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including the masked zoomed left and right eye images 1014 , 1026 are output, e.g., displayed on a stereoscopic display, in steps 1016 and 1028 .",
"[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary content delivery system 1100 that can be used to encode and stream content in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"[0057] The system 1100 may be used to perform encoding, storage, and transmission and/or content output in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"The content delivery system 1100 may be used as the system 104 of FIG. 1 .",
"While the system shown in FIG. 11 is used for encoding, processing and streaming of content, it should be appreciated that the system 1100 may also include the ability to decode and display processed and/or encoded image data, e.g., to an operator.",
"[0058] The system 1100 includes a display 1102 , input device 1104 , input/output (I/O) interface 1106 , a processor 1108 , network interface 1110 and a memory 1112 .",
"The various components of the system 1100 are coupled together via bus 1109 which allows for data to be communicated between the components of the system 1100 .",
"[0059] The memory 1112 includes various modules, e.g., routines, which when executed by the processor 1108 control the system 1100 to implement the encoding, storage, and streaming/transmission and/or output operations in accordance with the invention.",
"[0060] The memory 1112 includes various modules, e.g., routines, which when executed by the processor 1108 control the computer system 1100 to implement stereoscopic video acquisition, encoding, storage, and transmission and/or output methods in accordance with the invention.",
"The memory 1112 includes control routines 1114 , encoder(s) 1118 , a streaming controller 1120 , received input images 1132 , e.g., 360 degree stereoscopic content of a scene, encoded image content 1134 , and timing information 1136 .",
"In some embodiments the modules are, implemented as software modules.",
"In other embodiments the modules are implemented in hardware, e.g., as individual circuits with each module being implemented as a circuit for performing the function to which the module corresponds.",
"In still other embodiments the modules are implemented using a combination of software and hardware.",
"[0061] The encoder(s) 1118 may, and in some embodiments do, include a plurality of encoders configured to encode received image content, e.g., 360 degree version of a scene and/or one or more scene portions.",
"In some embodiments encoder(s) include multiple encoders with each encoder being configured to encode a stereoscopic scene and/or partitioned scene portions to support a given bit rate stream.",
"In some embodiments each scene portion can be encoded using multiple encoders to support multiple different bit rate streams for each scene.",
"An output of the encoder(s) 1118 is the encoded image content 1134 which is stored in the memory for streaming to customer devices, e.g., playback devices.",
"The encoded content can be streamed to one or multiple different devices via the network interface 1110 .",
"[0062] The streaming controller 1120 is configured to control streaming of encoded content for delivering the encoded image content to one or more customer devices, e.g., over the communications network 105 .",
"The streaming controller 1120 includes a request processing module 1122 , a data rate determination module 1124 , a current head position determination module 1126 , a selection module 1128 and a streaming control module 1130 .",
"The request processing module 1122 is configured to process a received request for imaging content from a customer playback device.",
"The request for content is received in various embodiments via a receiver in the network interface 1110 .",
"In some embodiments the request for content includes information indicating the identity of requesting playback device.",
"In some embodiments the request for content may include data rate supported by the customer playback device, a current head position of the user, e.g., position of the head mounted display.",
"The request processing module 1122 processes the received request and provides retrieved information to other elements of the streaming controller 1120 to take further actions.",
"While the request for content may include data rate information and current head position information, in various embodiments the data rate supported by the playback device can be determined from network tests and other network information exchange between the system 1100 and the playback device.",
"While in some embodiments some customer rendering and playback systems may request content streams based on determined head orientation of the user at the given time, e.g., to allow the user to view the environment accordingly, in many cases the customer rendering and playback systems may not specifically request a content stream but rather simply attach to a broadcast content stream among a plurality of content streams broadcast by the content delivery system 1100 .",
"In some embodiments the content delivery system 1100 broadcasts different content streams corresponding to different portions of the 360 degree scene environment allowing the rendering and playback system to attach to one or more content streams based on the viewer's current head orientation at a given time.",
"[0063] The data rate determination module 1124 is configured to determine the available data rates that can be used to stream imaging content to customer devices, e.g., since multiple encoded scene portions are supported the content delivery system 1100 can support streaming content at multiple data rates to the customer device.",
"The data rate determination module 1124 is further configured to determine the data rate supported by a playback device requesting content from system 1100 .",
"In some embodiments the data rate determination module 1124 is configured to determine available data rate for delivery of image content based on network measurements.",
"[0064] The current head position determination module 1126 is configured to determine a current viewing angle and/or a current head position of the user, e.g., orientation of the head mounted display, from information received from the customer rendering and playback device.",
"[0065] The streaming control module 1130 is configured to control streaming of image content, e.g., multiple portions of a 360 degree stereoscopic scene, at various supported data rates in accordance with the features of the invention.",
"[0066] The stream information 1136 in some embodiments is communicated to customer rendering and playback systems as part of guide information, e.g., electronic program guide, providing information on content streams that a rendering and playback system may select to receive.",
"The stream information 1136 can be used by customer devices to access the content streams available from the content delivery system 1100 for delivery to customer devices.",
"In some embodiments the stream information 1136 includes, for a plurality of available content streams, one of a multicast address of a multicast group which can be joined to receive a given corresponding content stream, information which can be used to request access to a switched digital video channel used to provide a given content stream, or channel tuning information which can be used to control a tuner of the playback system to tune to a broadcast channel on which a given content stream is broadcast.",
"[0067] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 that can be used to receive, decode and display the content streamed by the system of FIG. 11 .",
"The exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 can be used to receive, decode, store and display imaging content received from a content delivery system such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 .",
"The exemplary rendering and playback system 1200 may be used as any of the rendering and playback systems shown in FIGS. 1-3 .",
"The rendering and playback system 1200 in some embodiments include and/or coupled to 3D head mounted display 1202 .",
"The system 1200 includes the ability to decode the received encoded image data and generate 3D image content for display to the customer.",
"The rendering and playback system 1200 in some embodiments is located at a customer premise location such as a home or office but may be located at an image capture site as well.",
"The rendering and playback system 1200 can perform signal reception, decoding, zooming, masking, display and/or other operations in accordance with the invention.",
"[0068] The rendering and playback system 1200 includes a display 1202 , a user input interface device 1204 , camera(s) 1205 , input/output (I/O) interface 1206 , a processor 1208 , network interface 1210 and a memory 1212 .",
"The various components of the rendering and playback system 1200 are coupled together via bus 1209 which allows for data to be communicated between the components of the system 1200 .",
"The rendering and playback system 1200 includes the head mounted 3D display 1202 on which the image content is presented, e.g., with left and right eyes of a user being presented with different images in the case of stereoscopic content.",
"By displaying different images to the left and right eyes on a single screen, e.g., on different portions of the single screen to different eyes, a single display can be used to display left and right eye images which will be perceived separately by the viewers left and right eyes.",
"In some embodiments the playback and rendering system 1200 is used as the playback and rendering system 200 and a cell phone/Smartphone screen is used as the display 1202 .",
"In some other embodiments the playback and rendering system 1200 is used as the playback and rendering system 300 .",
"The head mounted display 1202 maybe implemented using the OCULUS RIFT™ VR (virtual reality) headset which may include the head mounted display 1202 .",
"Other head mounted displays may also be used.",
"In a case where a cell phone, e.g., Smartphone, processor is used as the processor 1208 and the cell phone generates and displays images in a head mount assembly (such as head mount 102 ), the system 1200 may include as part of the head mount device the processor 1208 , display 1202 , camera(s) 1205 and memory 1212 .",
"The processor 1208 , display 1202 and memory 1212 may all be part of the cell phone.",
"In other embodiments of the system 1200 , the processor 1208 may be part of a gaming system such as an XBOX, PS3, PS4 etc.",
", with the display 1202 being mounted in a head mounting device and coupled to the gaming system.",
"Whether the processor 1208 or memory 1212 are located in the device which is worn on the head or not is not critical and, as can be appreciated, while in some cases it may be convenient to collocate the processor in the headgear, from a power, heat and weight perspective it can be desirable to in at least some cases to have the processor 1208 and memory coupled to the head gear which includes the display.",
"While various embodiments contemplate a head mounted display 1202 , the methods and system can also be used with non-head mounted displays which can support 3D image.",
"[0069] Thus the display device 1202 is configured to display to display images corresponding to a scene.",
"In some embodiments as part of being configured to display images corresponding to a scene the display device is configured to output stereoscopic image pairs, e.g., left and right eye images, to provide a 3D presentation of the scene.",
"The scene may correspond to an event.",
"Each stereoscopic image pair includes a left eye view and a right eye view, e.g., captured by left and right eye cameras in a stereoscopic camera system.",
"[0070] The operator/user of the playback and rendering system 1200 may control one or more parameters, input information, commands etc.",
", via the user input interface 1204 and/or select operations to be performed, e.g., select zoom mode of operation, provide zoom factor to be used and/or select a scene area portion to be zoomed.",
"Via the user input interface 1204 a user may further provide input to the rendering and playback system 1200 , e.g., input indicating a user selected switch from a normal mode to zoom mode or vice versa.",
"The user input interface 1204 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, touchpad and/or touch sensitive screen.",
"The user input interface 1204 includes a receiver 1211 via which the rendering and playback system 1200 receives the information/data provided by the user.",
"The user may use the user input interface 1204 to make a selection of item and/or respond to a displayed prompt and/or other indication requiring user's input.",
"The user input may be provided e.g., by a single tap, double tap, pinch and spread action or some other action on the input interface 1204 .",
"[0071] The camera(s) 1205 includes one or more cameras which can be, and sometimes are, used to capture images, e.g., of persons, physical environment and/or objects in the physical environment where the system 1200 is located.",
"In some embodiments where the system 1200 is used as the rendering and playback 200 the camera 1205 may be the camera device of the Smartphone being used in the system 200 .",
"In some embodiments where the system 1200 is used as the rendering and playback system 300 the camera 1205 may be the camera located on the rendering device 302 or on the head mounted display 304 .",
"In some embodiments the camera(s) 1205 can be used to track changes in head orientation and/or viewing angle of the user relative to a reference orientation, e.g., set during initialization.",
"[0072] Via the I/O interface 1206 , the system 1200 can be coupled to external devices to exchange signals and/or information with other devices.",
"In some embodiments via the I/O interface 1206 the system 1200 can receive information and/or images captured by external cameras and output information and/or images to external devices.",
"The I/O interface 1206 includes a receiver (RX) 1221 and a transmitter (TX) 1223 via which the receiving and transmitting operations are performed.",
"In some embodiments via the interface 1206 the system 1200 is coupled to an external controller, e.g., such as the handheld controller 306 .",
"In embodiments where a handheld controller 306 is available, the handheld controller 306 may be coupled to the I/O interface 1206 and used to enter information and/or provide user input of the types discussed above.",
"[0073] The processor 1208 , e.g., a CPU, executes routines 1214 and uses the various modules to control the system 1200 to operate in accordance with the invention.",
"The processor 1208 is responsible for controlling the overall general operation of the system 1200 .",
"In various embodiments the processor 1208 is configured to perform functions that have been discussed as being performed by the playback and rendering system 1200 .",
"[0074] Via the network interface 1220 the system 1200 communicates and/or receives signals and/or information (e.g., including images and/or video content corresponding to a scene) to/from various external devices over a communications network, e.g., such as communications network 105 .",
"The network interface 1220 includes a receiver 1231 and a transmitter 1233 via which the receiving and transmitting operations are performed.",
"In some embodiments the system receives one or more content streams, e.g., including left and right eye images in case of stereoscopic content, via the network interface 1220 from the content delivery system 104 .",
"The received content may be received as encoded data, e.g., encoded scene data 1242 .",
"[0075] In some embodiments the memory 1212 includes various routines and/or modules which when executed by the processor 1208 control the rendering and playback system 1200 to perform operations in accordance with the invention.",
"The memory 1212 includes control routines 1214 , a head orientation and/or viewing angle determinator 1216 , a head position monitoring module 1218 , a user input processing module 1219 , a decoder 1220 , an image renderer 1222 , a simulator 1224 , a mode controller 1228 , and a display controller 1230 .",
"The memory 1212 further includes data/information including encoded data 1242 , decoded data 1244 and generated image content 1246 .",
"[0076] The control routines 1214 include device control routines and communications routines to control the operation of the system 1200 .",
"The head orientation and/or viewing angle determinator 1216 is configured to determine a current head position of the user, e.g., orientation of the head mounted display, and in some embodiment report the determined position and/or viewing angle information to the content delivery system 1100 .",
"The head orientation determinator 1216 may be implemented using one or a combination of sensors to detect user's head orientation at a given time.",
"In some embodiments the determined head orientation and/or change in orientation from a reference orientation is used in determining which portion of a displayed scene the user is viewing at a given time.",
"[0077] The monitoring module 1218 is configured monitor user head position to detect changes in the user's head orientation, e.g., due to rotation of head, tilting of the head or both rotation and tilting, from an initial/current head orientation.",
"In some embodiments the monitoring module 1218 monitors for changes in the head orientation following the initial detection of user's head orientation and setting of the default/reference head orientation.",
"The monitoring module 1218 is configured to detect changes in the head orientation relative to a currently set head orientation at a given time, e.g., default/reference head orientation initially detected by the head orientation determination module 1216 .",
"Thus if the user's head orientation changes from the initially detected head orientation, e.g., due to head rotation, tilt or both, the monitoring module 1218 receives an input from the head orientation determinator 1216 indicating a current head orientation and compares it against the currently set/previously detected head orientation of the user stored in memory 1212 to determine if there has been any changes in the head orientation.",
"In some embodiments the monitoring module 1218 is further configured to determine the head angle of rotation and/or head tilt angle relative to the default head orientation, e.g., how much has the user rotated and/or tilted his/her head from a 0° position corresponding to the default/reference head orientation or an angle corresponding to the previously detected head orientation.",
"In various embodiments such head angle of rotation and/or head tilt angle information is used to determine where, e.g., which scene portion, the user is looking at in a displayed scene.",
"The user input processing module 1219 is further configured to process received user input, commands, instructions provided by the user via, e.g., the user input interface 1204 and/or I/O interface 1206 .",
"In some embodiments the user input processing module 1219 processes user control inputs and provide information and/or signaling to other elements of the rendering and playback system 1200 for controlling the operation in accordance with the invention.",
"[0078] The decoder module 1220 is configured to decode encoded image content 1232 received from the content delivery system to produce decoded image data 1234 .",
"The decoded image data 1234 may include decoded stereoscopic scene and/or decoded scene portions.",
"The image renderer 1222 uses decoded image content (e.g., decoded data 1234 in normal mode of operation and masked zoomed image data 1236 in zoom mode of operation) including content corresponding to a scene to generate content for displaying to a user on the display 1202 .",
"The image renderer 1222 may be implemented as a 3D image generation module to render 3D stereoscopic image content.",
"[0079] The simulator 1224 is configured to simulate viewing of a portion of a displayed scene through binoculars in response to a user input (e.g., detected via the user interface 1204 ) indicating a zoom operation.",
"In some embodiments the simulator 1224 is configured to, as part of being configured to simulate viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars, to: perform a zoom operation on a first left eye image, and apply a mask to zoomed first left eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed left eye image.",
"The simulator 1224 in some embodiments is further configured to, as part of being configured to simulate viewing of a portion of the scene through binoculars, to: perform a zoom operation on a first right eye image corresponding to the first left eye image, and apply a mask to the zoomed right eye image simulating a viewing constraint corresponding to viewing through binoculars to generate a masked zoomed right eye image.",
"In various embodiments the simulator 1224 includes a zoom controller 1225 and a masker 1226 which are configured to perform the above discussed zooming and masking operations respectively.",
"The zoom controller 1225 and masker 1226 perform zooming and masking operations respectively on decoded left and eye images 1234 in accordance with the features of the invention when the zoom mode of operation is enabled to generate masked zoomed left and right eye images.",
"In various embodiments the display device 1202 is configured to display the masked zoomed stereoscopic image pairs including masked zoomed left and right eye images to present the simulated viewing of the portion of the scene through binoculars.",
"Thus in some embodiments when the system 1200 is in zoom mode of operation the display device 1202 display the masked zoomed left eye image and the masked zoomed right eye image while the masked zoomed left eye image is being displayed.",
"[0080] In some embodiments the user input interface 1204 includes a receiver 1211 configured to receive user input indicating a zoom factor to be used during the zoom mode of operation.",
"In some embodiment while viewing the displayed scene the user changes his/her head position, e.g., rotating, tilting and/or or otherwise changing the direction of gaze.",
"The head position monitoring module 1218 monitoring the user's head position detects a change in user head position and provides the detected change information to the display controller 1230 in some embodiments.",
"The display controller 1230 is configured to change the center portion of a displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and a zoom factor used during the zoom mode of operation.",
"In some embodiments the display controller 1230 is configured to move the center of the displayed scene by an amount which is the zoom factor times the amount the displayed image would be moved in response to the detected change position if the change in head position were detected during normal mode operation, as part of being configured to change the center portion of the displayed scene by an amount which is a function of the detected change in head position and the zoom factor.",
"[0081] The mode controller 1228 is configured to control the system 1200 to operate in different modes, e.g., based on user selection of a particular mode of operation such as the zoom mode of operation or normal mode of operation.",
"In some embodiments upon the user interface 1204 detecting a user input indicating a zoom mode of operation the mode controller 1228 controls the system 1200 to operate in a zoom mode of operation, e.g., where simulated viewing of scene portion(s) of displayed scene through binoculars is presented to the user.",
"[0082] In some embodiments the user input interface 1204 detects a user input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, e.g., upon user's selection of the normal mode.",
"During normal operation and initialization of system 1200 the mode controller 1228 controls the device to operate in a normal mode of operation where image content in displayed in a normal manner without zooming.",
"In some embodiments the simulator 1224 is further configured to cease the zooming and masking operations in response to the user input interface 1204 detecting the input indicating a switch from the zoom mode of operation to the normal mode of operation.",
"[0083] The content stream information 1238 includes information regarding a plurality of content streams that may be available for receiving and use in playback.",
"In some embodiments the stream information 1238 is provided by the content provider's content delivery system 1100 (e.g., stream information 1136 ).",
"In some embodiments the stream information 1238 includes, for a plurality of available content streams, one of a multicast address of a multicast group which can be joined to receive a given content stream corresponding to a given portion of scene, e.g., front scene portion, rear left, rear right portion etc.",
"In some embodiments the stream information 1238 further includes information which can be used to request access to a switched digital video channel used to provide a given content stream, or channel tuning information which can be used to control a tuner of the playback system 1200 to tune to a broadcast channel on which a given content stream corresponding to a given scene portion is broadcast.",
"[0084] In some embodiments the modules and/or elements shown in the memory 1212 are implemented as software modules.",
"In other embodiments the elements, while shown to be included in the memory 1212 , are implemented in hardware, e.g., as individual circuits with each element being implemented as a circuit for performing the function corresponding to the element.",
"In still other embodiments the modules and/or elements are implemented using a combination of software and hardware.",
"[0085] While shown in FIG. 12 example to be included in the memory 1212 , the modules and elements shown included in the memory 1212 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within the processor 1208 , e.g., as individual circuits.",
"In other embodiments some of the elements are implemented, e.g., as circuits, within the processor 1208 with other elements being implemented, e.g., as circuits, external to and coupled to the processor 1208 .",
"As should be appreciated the level of integration of modules on the processor and/or with some modules being external to the processor may be one of design choice.",
"Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some of the elements may be implemented in software and stored in the memory 1212 of the system 1200 , with the software modules controlling operation of the system 1200 to implement the functions corresponding to the modules when the modules are executed by a processor, e.g., processor 1208 .",
"In still other embodiments, various elements are implemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., with a circuit external to the processor 1208 providing input to the processor 1208 which then under software control operates to perform a portion of a module's function.",
"[0086] While shown in the FIG. 12 embodiment as a single processor, e.g., computer, it should be appreciated that the processor 1208 may be implemented as one or more processors, e.g., computers.",
"When one or more elements in the memory 1212 are implemented as software modules, the modules include code, which when executed by the processor 1208 , configure the processor 1208 to implement the function corresponding to the module.",
"In embodiments where the various modules shown in FIG. 12 are stored in the memory 1212 , the memory 1212 is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each module, for causing at least one computer, e.g., processor 1208 , to implement the functions to which the modules correspond.",
"[0087] Completely hardware based or completely software based modules may be used.",
"However, it should be appreciated that any combination of software and hardware, e.g., circuit implemented modules may be used to implement the functions.",
"As should be appreciated, the modules illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 control and/or configure the systems 1100 and 1200 or elements therein respectively such as the processor 1108 and 1208 to perform the functions of corresponding steps of the methods of the present invention, e.g., such as those illustrated and/or described in the flowchart 900 .",
"[0088] Some embodiments are directed a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a set of software instructions, e.g., computer executable instructions, for controlling a computer or other device to encode and compresses stereoscopic video.",
"Other embodiments are embodiments are directed a computer readable medium embodying a set of software instructions, e.g., computer executable instructions, for controlling a computer or other device to decode and decompresses video on the player end.",
"While encoding and compression are mentioned as possible separate operations, it should be appreciated that encoding may be used to perform compression and thus encoding may, in some include compression.",
"Similarly, decoding may involve decompression.",
"[0089] The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware.",
"Various embodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., a image data processing system.",
"Various embodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., a method of processing image data.",
"Various embodiments are also directed to a non-transitory machine, e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc.",
", which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine to implement one or more steps of a method.",
"[0090] Various features of the present invention are implemented using modules.",
"Such modules may, and in some embodiments are, implemented as software modules.",
"In other embodiments the modules are implemented in hardware.",
"In still other embodiments the modules are implemented using a combination of software and hardware.",
"In some embodiments the modules are implemented as individual circuits with each module being implemented as a circuit for performing the function to which the module corresponds.",
"A wide variety of embodiments are contemplated including some embodiments where different modules are implemented differently, e.g., some in hardware, some in software, and some using a combination of hardware and software.",
"It should also be noted that routines and/or subroutines, or some of the steps performed by such routines, may be implemented in dedicated hardware as opposed to software executed on a general purpose processor.",
"Such embodiments remain within the scope of the present invention.",
"Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implemented using machine executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine readable medium such as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc.",
"to control a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods.",
"Accordingly, among other things, the present invention is directed to a machine-readable medium including machine executable instructions for causing a machine, e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the above-described method(s).",
"[0091] Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description.",
"Such variations are to be considered within the scope."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication control device for use in data communication applications, and a communication system using the same.
For a high speed communication control device of a class capable of processing several tens of Mbps to 500 Mbps, it is required to substantially improve the throughput of data transmission and reception, thereby a method of expanding the data bus width for a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) has been used. Conventionally, the bus width for a communication control device has been expanded to accommodate a required large bus width by the following method. Such a conventional method will be described by way of example with respect to a communication control unit which has a data bus width of 16 bits and capable of performing a direct memory access (DMA) data transfer to and which is from a 32 bit CPU, with reference to FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram of such a conventional communication system.
In FIG. 5, numeral 55 denotes a communication control unit which includes a transmitter, a receiver, a transmission FIFO memory unit, a reception FIFO memory unit and a DMA unit. Normally, the communication control unit is a semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI) device which is provided within a data processing unit for performing data communication between a plurality of data processing units. Numerals 58, 62 denote latch registers which register addresses of data to be transferred. Numeral 60 denotes a comparator which compares addresses registered in the latch registers 58, 62. Further, numeral 63 identifies a buffer memory which temporarily stores transfer data. Numeral 70 denotes a 32 bit CPU, 71 denotes an external memory, and 56 and 57 denote an address bus and a data bus, respectively, of the communication control unit 55. Numerals 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69 denote external buses.
Now, with reference to FIG. 6 the, operation of the above-mentioned communication system will be described. FIG. 6 shows a time chart of an address signal and a data bus signal, wherein, for convenience of explanation, data bus 57 is assumed to have a width of 16 bits and external buses 65-69 are assumed to have a width of 32 bits.
In the case of a DMA transfer of data, having a data bus width of 16 bits, between external memory 71, via external bus 67, having a data bus width of 32 bits, and the communication control unit 55, at one cycle of its DMA transfer, an address ADR1 of data which is an object of a current data transfer is transferred via address bus 56 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be registered in latch register 58. Then, lower data DAT1 is transferred via data bus 57 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be stored in buffer 63.
Then, at a second cycle of its DMA transfer, a next address ADR2 is transferred via address bus 56 so as to be registered in latch register 62, and higher data DAT2 is then transferred via data bus 57 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be stored in buffer 63. After confirmation of the values in the latch registers, it is determined in comparator 60 whether these addresses ADR1 and ADR2 are continual or not. If they are continual addresses, a coincidence signal is output to buffer 63 via a signal line 64. Responsive to this signal, buffer 63 produces to external bus 66 the 32 bit data DAT3 comprising data DAT1 and DAT2, thereby performing data transfer to the external memory 71.
In the conventional communication system as described above, there is a disadvantage in that, since a discrimination circuit to determine whether addresses of data for transfer are continual or not is required, the size of the communication system becomes large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a communication control device and a communication system using the same, which is readily capable of adapting to a larger system bus width larger than its own bus width, with provision of a simple bus width extending circuit of small size.
Another object of the invention is to implement a high speed data transfer using the above-mentioned bus width extending circuit.
The communication control device of the invention allows DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer of a plurality of data to and from external devices, such as CPUs and memories, via external data buses. The DMA transfer is controlled using a DMA controller provided within the communication control unit, wherein the DMA controller produces a coincidence signal which indicates that a plurality of data are consecutive data.
In the communication system according to the invention, an external apparatus is connected to the communication system via its external data bus, and the above-mentioned communication control unit is connected thereto via a data sequencing circuit which receives a plurality of data from the communication control unit, and, in response to the coincidence signal, produces to the external data bus a single unit data item obtained by sequencing the plurality of data items.
According to the invention, since the DMA controller provided within the communication control unit enables control of data sequencing, a high speed data transfer can be attained. Further, a plurality of data can be sequenced into a single unit of data using a simple sequencing circuit, such as buffer circuits or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control unit according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing in more detail a part of the communication control unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing in more detail the sequencing circuit in the communication control unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a time chart indicative of operation of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional communication control unit; and
FIG. 6 is a time chart indicative of operation of the communication control unit of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIG. 1, the configurations of a communication system and a communication control unit therefor according to one embodiment of the invention will be described in the following.
Numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a communication control unit of the invention, which may be comprised of a plurality of components, and integrated on a single LSI or chip on plural LSI chips. Numerals 6 and 8 denote transmitters, which transmit serial data on lines 2 and 4, which serial data is obtained by converting parallel transmission data, from transmission FIFO 14 and transmission FIFO 16, respectively, into serial transmission data.
Numerals 7 and 9 denote receivers, which receive serial data on lines 3 and 5, and convert the received serial data into parallel data to be stored in reception FIFO 15 and reception FIFO 17, respectively.
Although two transmitters and two receivers are shown in this embodiment of the invention to constitute two serial channels, respectively, the number of serial channels is not limited thereto, nor are the number of channels of transmitters and receivers.
It is possible to process the data of the transmitters and receivers in this embodiment of the invention using any one of a plurality of protocols, such as the bit synchronous protocol, byte synchronous protocol and asynchronous protocol, or a combination thereof. It is also possible to use, for example, Ethernet, frame relays, ATM, ISDN and other protocols singly or in combination.
Numerals 26-29 depict direct memory access controller (DMAC) channels which allow data transfer between either of the transmitter FIFOs 14, 16 or the receiver FIFOs 15, 17 and a DMAC control circuit 30. Each channel is endowed with a bus priority from bus arbitration circuit 40 and is connected to an internal bus 39 via a respective one of the data lines 35-38. The DMAC control circuit 30 also controls bus interface 43 to allow data transfer to and from CPU 53 and external memory 54 via external buses 50, 51, 52 and sequencing circuit 48.
This embodiment of the invention is described by way of example for a DMAC having signal lines for four channels, however, the invention is not limited by the number of channels.
Upon reception of a bus acknowledgment signal 41 from an external bus master in response to a bus request signal 42, the bus arbitration circuit 40 activates a selected one of the channel selection signal lines 31-34, thereby endowing a bus priority to the one of the DMAC channels 26-29 which is connected to the activated one of the channel selection signal lines.
A method of bus arbitration includes a rotational priority method which endows a bus priority to each channel sequentially by rotation, a fixed priority method which endows a bus priority to a specified channel over non-specified channels, and a random bus priority method which endows a bus priority at random, however, the bus arbitration method which may be employed by the invention is not limited thereto. One or more bus masters may be provided externally or included in the communication control unit.
At one end of external bus 44, the external memory 54 and the CPU 53 are connected via bus 50 according to this embodiment of the invention, however, either one of the bus master and peripheral equipment or both of them may be connected thereto as well.
With reference to FIG. 2, the configurations of the DMAC channels 26-29 and DMAC control circuit 30 of FIG. 1 will be described in more detail.
Numerals 14 and 16 each denote a transmitter FIFO, and numerals 15 and 17 each denote a receiver FIFO.
Numerals 72-75 denote burst generation circuits which output a burst signal.
Numerals 76-79 denote, respectively, one of the registers provided in each of the DMAC channels 26-29 for setting and holding a count equal to the number of words for DMA transfer, wherein the number of words is decremented for each transfer of one word.
Numerals 80-83 denote, respectively, another one of the registers provided in each of the DMAC channels 26-29 for holding a memory address to start a first DMA data transfer for a DMAC channel which is endowed with a bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40.
Numeral 84 depicts an address generation circuit which generates successive addresses by fetching start address data from the register in the channel which holds the memory address which is to start the first DMA data transfer by the DMAC channel endowed with the bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40. Further, the address generation circuit 84 outputs a control signal via buffer control signal line 46 to sequencing circuit 48 for controlling as to which of a higher data or lower data is to be held.
Numeral 85 denotes a burst control circuit which outputs on a signal line 45 a burst signal received from a DMAC channel which is endowed with the bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40.
In reference to FIG. 3, a configuration of the sequencing circuit 48 of FIG. 1 will be described.
This transforming circuit 48 is provided for sequencing two continual data items into one unit data item.
Numeral 45 denotes a burst signal line, 46 denotes a buffer control signal line, 47 denotes a local data bus from the communication control unit, and 49 denotes an external data bus.
Further, numerals 86 and 87 denote respective buffeer memories which store or pass data through on the basis of the status of the burst signal on line 45 and the buffer control signal on line 46.
The operation of this embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
A detailed description will be made by way of example wherein the internal bus width is N bits, while the system bus width at destination of DMA transfer of continual data items is 2N bits. FIG. 4 indicates a time chart of the operation. For simplification of description, a bus priority is assumed to have been granted to DMAC channel 27 by bus arbitration circuit 40.
At a first cycle of DMA transfer in this example, burst generation circuit 74 judges that data items subject to DMA data transfer are continual when the number of words of data transfer remaining in the data word count set register 78 is 2N/8 (where the value 8 is a unit transfer bit number of the DMAC), and also the remaining number of reception data in FIFO 15 to be output through signal line 23 is 2N/8. In such case, the burst generation circuit 74 produces an output indicative of this judgment, causing a burst signal 45 to be sent to the external units via burst control circuit 85. Burst signal 45 is input to the sequencing circuit 48, wherein, during a period of time asserted by burst signal 45, a leading data item in a plurality of serial data transmitted on data line 36 through local data bus 47 from communication control unit 1 is received and held in buffer 86 responsive to buffer control signal 46, thereby storing data DAT 1 in buffer 86. Further, the address held in register 82 is input to address generation circuit 84 where an address of the destination in the external memory for DMA data transfer is generated. Then, at a second cycle of DMA transfer, subsequent data DAT2 is transferred to the other buffer 87, which data is transmitted on data line 36 via local data bus 47 from the communication control unit 1 responsive to buffer control signal 46, thereby enabling continual data items to be sequenced in one unit data item. Burst generation circuit 74 produces a burst signal 45 having an inverse polarity from that of the first cycle of DMA transfer during this second cycle. In the second cycle, data DAT5 which is sequenced in sequencing circuit 48 is supplied to the external bus 49. Simultaneously, the address ADR1 of the first DMA data transfer destination is output from address generation circuit 84 via external bus 44, thereby allowing data transfer to and from external memory 54. In the subsequent third and fourth DMA transfer cycles, the same type of DMA transfers as in the first and second cycles are executed.
According to this embodiment of the invention, burst signal 45 is used to assert the first cycle of DMA transfer and negate the second cycle thereof, however, the invention is not limited thereto, and so it is possible for the burst signal 45 to negate the first cycle of DMA transfer and assert the second cycle thereof. Further, the serial speed or system clock frequency may take any value. Still further, a DMA cycle may be two clocks/cycle, one clock/cycle, or any other value thereof. Still more, the DMA speed does not limit the scope of the invention.
The advantages realized by the invention include provision of a communication control apparatus having a high degree of freedom capable of coping with any system bus width at a substantially enhanced transfer efficiency, and is characterized by provision of a compact size control system at a reduced manufacturing cost. | The communication control device allows a plurality of data items to be transferred to and from external devices, such as a CPU and a memory, via an external bus having a different data bus width in DMA (direct memory access) transfer mode. DMA transfer is controlled by the DMA controller provided in the communication control device. The DMA controller produces a signal indicating that a plurality of data items are continual. | Identify the most important claim in the given context and summarize it | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a communication control device for use in data communication applications, and a communication system using the same.",
"For a high speed communication control device of a class capable of processing several tens of Mbps to 500 Mbps, it is required to substantially improve the throughput of data transmission and reception, thereby a method of expanding the data bus width for a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) has been used.",
"Conventionally, the bus width for a communication control device has been expanded to accommodate a required large bus width by the following method.",
"Such a conventional method will be described by way of example with respect to a communication control unit which has a data bus width of 16 bits and capable of performing a direct memory access (DMA) data transfer to and which is from a 32 bit CPU, with reference to FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram of such a conventional communication system.",
"In FIG. 5, numeral 55 denotes a communication control unit which includes a transmitter, a receiver, a transmission FIFO memory unit, a reception FIFO memory unit and a DMA unit.",
"Normally, the communication control unit is a semiconductor integrated circuit (LSI) device which is provided within a data processing unit for performing data communication between a plurality of data processing units.",
"Numerals 58, 62 denote latch registers which register addresses of data to be transferred.",
"Numeral 60 denotes a comparator which compares addresses registered in the latch registers 58, 62.",
"Further, numeral 63 identifies a buffer memory which temporarily stores transfer data.",
"Numeral 70 denotes a 32 bit CPU, 71 denotes an external memory, and 56 and 57 denote an address bus and a data bus, respectively, of the communication control unit 55.",
"Numerals 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69 denote external buses.",
"Now, with reference to FIG. 6 the, operation of the above-mentioned communication system will be described.",
"FIG. 6 shows a time chart of an address signal and a data bus signal, wherein, for convenience of explanation, data bus 57 is assumed to have a width of 16 bits and external buses 65-69 are assumed to have a width of 32 bits.",
"In the case of a DMA transfer of data, having a data bus width of 16 bits, between external memory 71, via external bus 67, having a data bus width of 32 bits, and the communication control unit 55, at one cycle of its DMA transfer, an address ADR1 of data which is an object of a current data transfer is transferred via address bus 56 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be registered in latch register 58.",
"Then, lower data DAT1 is transferred via data bus 57 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be stored in buffer 63.",
"Then, at a second cycle of its DMA transfer, a next address ADR2 is transferred via address bus 56 so as to be registered in latch register 62, and higher data DAT2 is then transferred via data bus 57 of the communication control unit 55 so as to be stored in buffer 63.",
"After confirmation of the values in the latch registers, it is determined in comparator 60 whether these addresses ADR1 and ADR2 are continual or not.",
"If they are continual addresses, a coincidence signal is output to buffer 63 via a signal line 64.",
"Responsive to this signal, buffer 63 produces to external bus 66 the 32 bit data DAT3 comprising data DAT1 and DAT2, thereby performing data transfer to the external memory 71.",
"In the conventional communication system as described above, there is a disadvantage in that, since a discrimination circuit to determine whether addresses of data for transfer are continual or not is required, the size of the communication system becomes large.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a communication control device and a communication system using the same, which is readily capable of adapting to a larger system bus width larger than its own bus width, with provision of a simple bus width extending circuit of small size.",
"Another object of the invention is to implement a high speed data transfer using the above-mentioned bus width extending circuit.",
"The communication control device of the invention allows DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer of a plurality of data to and from external devices, such as CPUs and memories, via external data buses.",
"The DMA transfer is controlled using a DMA controller provided within the communication control unit, wherein the DMA controller produces a coincidence signal which indicates that a plurality of data are consecutive data.",
"In the communication system according to the invention, an external apparatus is connected to the communication system via its external data bus, and the above-mentioned communication control unit is connected thereto via a data sequencing circuit which receives a plurality of data from the communication control unit, and, in response to the coincidence signal, produces to the external data bus a single unit data item obtained by sequencing the plurality of data items.",
"According to the invention, since the DMA controller provided within the communication control unit enables control of data sequencing, a high speed data transfer can be attained.",
"Further, a plurality of data can be sequenced into a single unit of data using a simple sequencing circuit, such as buffer circuits or the like.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication control unit according to one embodiment of the invention;",
"FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing in more detail a part of the communication control unit of FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing in more detail the sequencing circuit in the communication control unit of FIG. 1;",
"FIG. 4 is a time chart indicative of operation of FIG. 3;",
"FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional communication control unit;",
"and FIG. 6 is a time chart indicative of operation of the communication control unit of FIG. 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, the configurations of a communication system and a communication control unit therefor according to one embodiment of the invention will be described in the following.",
"Numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes a communication control unit of the invention, which may be comprised of a plurality of components, and integrated on a single LSI or chip on plural LSI chips.",
"Numerals 6 and 8 denote transmitters, which transmit serial data on lines 2 and 4, which serial data is obtained by converting parallel transmission data, from transmission FIFO 14 and transmission FIFO 16, respectively, into serial transmission data.",
"Numerals 7 and 9 denote receivers, which receive serial data on lines 3 and 5, and convert the received serial data into parallel data to be stored in reception FIFO 15 and reception FIFO 17, respectively.",
"Although two transmitters and two receivers are shown in this embodiment of the invention to constitute two serial channels, respectively, the number of serial channels is not limited thereto, nor are the number of channels of transmitters and receivers.",
"It is possible to process the data of the transmitters and receivers in this embodiment of the invention using any one of a plurality of protocols, such as the bit synchronous protocol, byte synchronous protocol and asynchronous protocol, or a combination thereof.",
"It is also possible to use, for example, Ethernet, frame relays, ATM, ISDN and other protocols singly or in combination.",
"Numerals 26-29 depict direct memory access controller (DMAC) channels which allow data transfer between either of the transmitter FIFOs 14, 16 or the receiver FIFOs 15, 17 and a DMAC control circuit 30.",
"Each channel is endowed with a bus priority from bus arbitration circuit 40 and is connected to an internal bus 39 via a respective one of the data lines 35-38.",
"The DMAC control circuit 30 also controls bus interface 43 to allow data transfer to and from CPU 53 and external memory 54 via external buses 50, 51, 52 and sequencing circuit 48.",
"This embodiment of the invention is described by way of example for a DMAC having signal lines for four channels, however, the invention is not limited by the number of channels.",
"Upon reception of a bus acknowledgment signal 41 from an external bus master in response to a bus request signal 42, the bus arbitration circuit 40 activates a selected one of the channel selection signal lines 31-34, thereby endowing a bus priority to the one of the DMAC channels 26-29 which is connected to the activated one of the channel selection signal lines.",
"A method of bus arbitration includes a rotational priority method which endows a bus priority to each channel sequentially by rotation, a fixed priority method which endows a bus priority to a specified channel over non-specified channels, and a random bus priority method which endows a bus priority at random, however, the bus arbitration method which may be employed by the invention is not limited thereto.",
"One or more bus masters may be provided externally or included in the communication control unit.",
"At one end of external bus 44, the external memory 54 and the CPU 53 are connected via bus 50 according to this embodiment of the invention, however, either one of the bus master and peripheral equipment or both of them may be connected thereto as well.",
"With reference to FIG. 2, the configurations of the DMAC channels 26-29 and DMAC control circuit 30 of FIG. 1 will be described in more detail.",
"Numerals 14 and 16 each denote a transmitter FIFO, and numerals 15 and 17 each denote a receiver FIFO.",
"Numerals 72-75 denote burst generation circuits which output a burst signal.",
"Numerals 76-79 denote, respectively, one of the registers provided in each of the DMAC channels 26-29 for setting and holding a count equal to the number of words for DMA transfer, wherein the number of words is decremented for each transfer of one word.",
"Numerals 80-83 denote, respectively, another one of the registers provided in each of the DMAC channels 26-29 for holding a memory address to start a first DMA data transfer for a DMAC channel which is endowed with a bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40.",
"Numeral 84 depicts an address generation circuit which generates successive addresses by fetching start address data from the register in the channel which holds the memory address which is to start the first DMA data transfer by the DMAC channel endowed with the bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40.",
"Further, the address generation circuit 84 outputs a control signal via buffer control signal line 46 to sequencing circuit 48 for controlling as to which of a higher data or lower data is to be held.",
"Numeral 85 denotes a burst control circuit which outputs on a signal line 45 a burst signal received from a DMAC channel which is endowed with the bus priority by the bus arbitration circuit 40.",
"In reference to FIG. 3, a configuration of the sequencing circuit 48 of FIG. 1 will be described.",
"This transforming circuit 48 is provided for sequencing two continual data items into one unit data item.",
"Numeral 45 denotes a burst signal line, 46 denotes a buffer control signal line, 47 denotes a local data bus from the communication control unit, and 49 denotes an external data bus.",
"Further, numerals 86 and 87 denote respective buffeer memories which store or pass data through on the basis of the status of the burst signal on line 45 and the buffer control signal on line 46.",
"The operation of this embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. A detailed description will be made by way of example wherein the internal bus width is N bits, while the system bus width at destination of DMA transfer of continual data items is 2N bits.",
"FIG. 4 indicates a time chart of the operation.",
"For simplification of description, a bus priority is assumed to have been granted to DMAC channel 27 by bus arbitration circuit 40.",
"At a first cycle of DMA transfer in this example, burst generation circuit 74 judges that data items subject to DMA data transfer are continual when the number of words of data transfer remaining in the data word count set register 78 is 2N/8 (where the value 8 is a unit transfer bit number of the DMAC), and also the remaining number of reception data in FIFO 15 to be output through signal line 23 is 2N/8.",
"In such case, the burst generation circuit 74 produces an output indicative of this judgment, causing a burst signal 45 to be sent to the external units via burst control circuit 85.",
"Burst signal 45 is input to the sequencing circuit 48, wherein, during a period of time asserted by burst signal 45, a leading data item in a plurality of serial data transmitted on data line 36 through local data bus 47 from communication control unit 1 is received and held in buffer 86 responsive to buffer control signal 46, thereby storing data DAT 1 in buffer 86.",
"Further, the address held in register 82 is input to address generation circuit 84 where an address of the destination in the external memory for DMA data transfer is generated.",
"Then, at a second cycle of DMA transfer, subsequent data DAT2 is transferred to the other buffer 87, which data is transmitted on data line 36 via local data bus 47 from the communication control unit 1 responsive to buffer control signal 46, thereby enabling continual data items to be sequenced in one unit data item.",
"Burst generation circuit 74 produces a burst signal 45 having an inverse polarity from that of the first cycle of DMA transfer during this second cycle.",
"In the second cycle, data DAT5 which is sequenced in sequencing circuit 48 is supplied to the external bus 49.",
"Simultaneously, the address ADR1 of the first DMA data transfer destination is output from address generation circuit 84 via external bus 44, thereby allowing data transfer to and from external memory 54.",
"In the subsequent third and fourth DMA transfer cycles, the same type of DMA transfers as in the first and second cycles are executed.",
"According to this embodiment of the invention, burst signal 45 is used to assert the first cycle of DMA transfer and negate the second cycle thereof, however, the invention is not limited thereto, and so it is possible for the burst signal 45 to negate the first cycle of DMA transfer and assert the second cycle thereof.",
"Further, the serial speed or system clock frequency may take any value.",
"Still further, a DMA cycle may be two clocks/cycle, one clock/cycle, or any other value thereof.",
"Still more, the DMA speed does not limit the scope of the invention.",
"The advantages realized by the invention include provision of a communication control apparatus having a high degree of freedom capable of coping with any system bus width at a substantially enhanced transfer efficiency, and is characterized by provision of a compact size control system at a reduced manufacturing cost."
] |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/699,868 filed on Apr. 29, 2015 (Docket No. WIES-005), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/682,486 filed on Apr. 9, 2015 (Docket No. WIES-004). Each of the aforementioned patent applications, and any applications related thereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] Example embodiments in general relate to a fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury.
[0005] 2. Related Art
[0006] Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
[0007] Liquid fertilizer applicators have been in use for years. Typically, the placement of liquid fertilizer in close proximity to seeds during the planting process is done to improve crop yields. Unfortunately, current liquid fertilizer applicators utilized in the farming industry sometimes directly apply liquid fertilizer to the seed which results in burning of the seed thereby increasing germination injury.
SUMMARY
[0008] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a fertilizer tube system. The fertilizer tube system includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upper connector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and a lower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the fertilizer tube system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the fertilizer tube system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the fertilizer tube system in detail, it is to be understood that the fertilizer tube system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The fertilizer tube system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear left side perspective view of a fertilizer tube system in accordance with an example embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with respect to a planter frame to be installed upon.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment being slid upon the mounting member of the planter shank.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment being rotated into the installed position and the tab bent over the planter shank to prevent removal of the invention from the planter shank.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment installed upon the planter shank and the fertilizer delivery tube attached to the fertilizer tube.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank with the disks attached.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank with the seed tube attached.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. Overview.
[0026] An example fertilizer tube system 10 generally comprises a fertilizer tube 30 having an input opening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an output opening 39 opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 , an upper connector 50 attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 , a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube 30 and a lower connector 20 attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 .
[0027] The present invention is designed to be utilized in combination with a liquid fertilizer system used on a crop planter implement but may be utilized to dispense additional types of fertilizer such as non-liquid fertilizer (e.g. particulate fertilizer). U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,805 (Liquid Fertilizer Application System) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,007 (Liquid Fertilizer Application System) both to Wiesenburger are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
[0028] The present invention may be utilized with any type of planter implement designed for planting a row crop such as, but not limited to, the John Deere ExactEmerge™ Row Unit manufactured by Deere & Company in Moline, Ill. The present invention may be utilized with respect to various other types of planter implements.
B. Fertilizer Tube.
[0029] The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of an elongated structure. The fertilizer tube 30 is not a straight structure as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The fertilizer tube 30 has an input opening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an output opening 39 opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The input opening 31 is capable of being fluidly connected to a conventional liquid fertilizer system to receive a liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer. The output opening 39 opening dispenses the liquid fertilizer into a seed furrow or near a seed furrow created by the disks 18 of the planter implement. The lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 is positioned between a pair of disks 18 of the planter implement when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings.
[0030] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 , the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous single structure. The fertilizer tube 30 may also be comprised of a plurality of sections connected together permanently or non-permanently. The fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a rigid material such as, but not limited to, metal. The fertilizer tube 30 preferably has a circular cross sectional area but may have different cross sectional shapes (e.g. rectangular, oval). The lumen of the fertilizer tube 30 may be consistently in width or differing in width along the length of the fertilizer tube 30 . The fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous single tubular structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. In particular, the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably constructed of a single piece of metal tubing that is bent to form the fertilizer tube 30 .
[0031] A coupler 40 fluidly connects the upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11 from the liquid fertilizer system of the planter implement. The coupler 40 is preferably comprised of a quick coupler 40 to allow for simple and easy connection of the fertilizer delivery tube 11 to the fertilizer tube 30 .
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, the fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of a first segment 32 on the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 , a second segment 33 extending from the first segment 32 , a third segment 34 extending from the second segment 33 , and a fourth segment 35 extending from the third segment 34 . Each segment is defined by a bend or corner in the fertilizer tube 30 redirecting the fertilizer tube 30 . Each segment is preferably comprised of a substantially straight structure having an independent longitudinal axis that doesn't align with any of the other segments' longitudinal axis.
[0033] When in use, the fertilizer tube 30 will be positioned in front of the guard scraper with the front edge angled downwardly and rearwardly as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 . A portion of the first segment 32 of the fertilizer tube 30 will wear from engaging the earth over time.
[0034] The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of a first segment 32 adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front edge of the planter shank 14 and a second segment 33 extending forwardly from the first segment 32 . The first segment 32 has a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The second segment 33 extends forwardly from the end of the first segment 32 at a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While both the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 extend upwardly and forwardly, the second angle for the second segment 33 is greater than the first angle for the first segment 32 as further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The first segment 32 and the second segment 33 are preferably aligned along a common vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings. The output opening 39 opening is within a lower distal end of the first segment 32 .
[0035] The angle A 1 between the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 169 degrees but may vary greater or less. The angle A 2 between the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less. It is preferable that the second segment 33 is parallel to a vertical plane comprised of a plane that is parallel to the forward path of movement of the planter implement and the corresponding planter shank 14 that is vertically aligned. It is further preferable that both the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 are both parallel with respect to the vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The second segment 33 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a first corner between the second segment 33 and the first segment 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The second segment 33 has a longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than the first segment 32 when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.
[0036] The fertilizer tube 30 is further comprised of a third segment 34 and a fourth segment 35 , wherein the third segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the second segment 33 and the fourth segment 35 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the third segment 34 . The third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 are each comprised of a substantially straight structure. The third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 both preferably extend rearwardly at an approximately same angle with respect to the horizontal plane, though different angles may be used. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 are preferably not aligned along the common vertical plane in one embodiment of the invention. The third segment 34 extends to the right of the common vertical plane and the fourth segment 35 extends at angle between the common vertical plane and the third segment 34 as best shown in FIG. 7 .
[0037] The third segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the end of the second segment 33 opposite of the first segment 32 at a third angle with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment 32 , the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 all extend upwardly, the third angle for the third segment 34 is in an substantially opposite direction of the first angle for the first segment 32 and the second angle for the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle B 1 between the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 126 degrees but may vary greater or less. The angle B 2 between the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 157 degrees but may vary greater or less. The third segment 34 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a second corner between the third segment 34 and the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The third segment 34 has a longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.
[0038] The fourth segment 35 extends upwardly from the end of the third segment 34 opposite of the second segment 33 at a fourth angle with respect to the horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. While the first segment 32 , second segment 33 , the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 all extend upwardly, the fourth angle for the fourth segment 35 is preferably greater than the first angle for the first segment 32 and the second angle for the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The angle C 1 between the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less. The angle C 2 between the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 163 degrees but may vary greater or less.
[0039] The first segment 32 is preferably approximately 5.25 inches in length, the second segment 33 is preferably approximately 9 inches in length, the third segment 34 is preferably approximately 5.5 inches in length and the fourth segment 35 is preferably approximately 2.5 inches in length. The respective lengths of all of the segments 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 may vary depending upon the application, how close the lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 is to be positioned to the ground surface and various other factors.
C. Upper Connector.
[0040] The upper connector 50 is attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 such as, but not limited to, the third segment 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The upper connector 50 is adapted for connecting to an upper fastener 19 of a planter frame 12 (e.g. a threaded member 19 extending rearwardly from the planter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The upper connector 50 is comprised of an inner portion 52 attached (e.g. welded) to the fertilizer tube 30 , an outer portion 54 extending from the inner portion 52 at an angle and an aperture 56 within the outer portion 54 . The aperture 56 is sized to slidably receive the upper fastener 19 . The upper connector 50 is secured to the planter frame 12 using a threaded nut 17 threadably connected to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings.
D. Lower Connector.
[0041] The lower connector 20 is attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 such as, but not limited to, the first segment 32 . The lower connector 20 is adapted for connecting to a lower portion of a planter shank 14 . The lower connector 20 is preferably comprised of a bendable material. The lower connector 20 is preferably constructed of a first portion 22 and a second portion 24 that extend rearwardly from the fertilizer tube 30 . The lower connector 20 is further preferably comprised of a substantially V-shaped structure or U-shaped structure adapted to be positioned about a front edge of the planter shank 14 . When the front edge of the planter shank 14 is positioned within the inner portion of the lower connector 20 , the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 are bent towards one another to snugly and frictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 . The lower connector 20 is preferably comprised of a bendable material such as a bendable metal material to allow an installer the ability to bend the first portion 22 and second portion 24 adjacent to the sides of the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings.
E. Intermediate Connector.
[0042] The intermediate connector 60 attached the fertilizer tube 30 between the upper connector 50 and the lower connector 20 such as, but not limited to the second segment 33 . The intermediate connector 60 is adapted for connecting to an axle 15 of the planter shank 14 that is used for supporting the disks 18 of the planter. The intermediate connector 60 preferably extends rearwardly in a substantially horizontal manner as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , though various other angles may be used. The intermediate connector 60 is illustrated as having a flat structure that has a plane that is substantially vertically orientated, however, various other structures may be used for the intermediate connector 60 .
[0043] The intermediate connector 60 is comprised of an inner portion 62 extending rearwardly, a middle portion 64 extending rearwardly from the inner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60 at an angle, an outer portion 66 extending rearwardly from the middle portion 64 of the intermediate connector 60 substantially parallel with respect to the inner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60 , and an aperture 68 within the outer portion 66 . The aperture 68 slidably receives the right portion of the axle 15 of the planter shank 14 used to support the right disk 18 . However, the aperture 68 may be formed to be positioned upon the left portion of the axle 15 on the opposite side of the planter shank 14 . One or more washers 16 are positioned over the intermediate connector 60 after being positioned upon the axle 15 and then the right disk 18 is attached with a threaded fastener (e.g. threaded nut 17 ) to the axle 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 14 and 15 .
F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.
[0044] In use, a fertilizer tube 30 is attached to each planter shank 14 of a planter implement. To assemble the fertilizer tube 30 to the planter implement, the user positions the intermediate connector 60 upon the axle 15 as shown in FIG. 10 . The user then rotates the fertilizer tube 30 so that the lower connector 20 receives the front edge of the planter shank 14 and the aperture 56 of the upper connector 50 passes over the upper fastener 19 of the planter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The user then squeezes or otherwise compresses the lower connector 20 so that the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 frictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. A threaded nut 17 or other type of fastener is used to secure the upper connector 50 to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11 . The disks 18 are then attached to the opposing portions of the axle 15 extending from the planter shank 14 as shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 of the drawings.
[0045] When fully assembled and attached to the planter frame 12 , the upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 extends around a rearward extending upper portion of the planter frame 12 as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 . The user then uses the coupler 40 (e.g. a compression fitting) to connect the fertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11 as shown in FIGS. 12 through 15 of the drawings. Each fertilizer delivery tube 11 comes from a fertilizer reservoir or manifold and supplies the fertilizer to each fertilizer tube 30 .
[0046] As the planter implement is pulled through the soil, the disks 18 create a V-shaped furrow in the soil which is well-known in the art of planters. The output opening 39 opening of the fertilizer tube 30 emits the liquid fertilizer onto the lower surface of the furrow in front of the seed tube in preparation for the disbursement of the seed from the seed tube. The seed is then dispensed from the seed tube and placed above the fertilizer within the furrow. The furrow is finally covered with soil to allow the seed to grow.
[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the fertilizer tube system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The fertilizer tube system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. | A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upper connector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and a lower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube. | Concisely explain the essential features and purpose of the concept presented in the passage. | [
"CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 14/699,868 filed on Apr. 29, 2015 (Docket No. WIES-005), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.",
"No. 14/682,486 filed on Apr. 9, 2015 (Docket No. WIES-004).",
"Each of the aforementioned patent applications, and any applications related thereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.",
"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable to this application.",
"BACKGROUND [0003] 1.",
"Field [0004] Example embodiments in general relate to a fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury.",
"[0005] 2.",
"Related Art [0006] Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.",
"[0007] Liquid fertilizer applicators have been in use for years.",
"Typically, the placement of liquid fertilizer in close proximity to seeds during the planting process is done to improve crop yields.",
"Unfortunately, current liquid fertilizer applicators utilized in the farming industry sometimes directly apply liquid fertilizer to the seed which results in burning of the seed thereby increasing germination injury.",
"SUMMARY [0008] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a fertilizer tube system.",
"The fertilizer tube system includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, an upper connector attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube, a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube and a lower connector attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube.",
"[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the fertilizer tube system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.",
"There are additional features of the fertilizer tube system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.",
"In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the fertilizer tube system in detail, it is to be understood that the fertilizer tube system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.",
"The fertilizer tube system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.",
"Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.",
"[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear left side perspective view of a fertilizer tube system in accordance with an example embodiment.",
"[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0013] FIG. 3 is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0017] FIG. 7 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0018] FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment.",
"[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with respect to a planter frame to be installed upon.",
"[0020] FIG. 10 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment being slid upon the mounting member of the planter shank.",
"[0021] FIG. 11 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment being rotated into the installed position and the tab bent over the planter shank to prevent removal of the invention from the planter shank.",
"[0022] FIG. 12 is a rear right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment installed upon the planter shank and the fertilizer delivery tube attached to the fertilizer tube.",
"[0023] FIG. 13 is a front right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank with the disks attached.",
"[0024] FIG. 14 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank with the seed tube attached.",
"[0025] FIG. 15 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment attached to the planter shank.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview.",
"[0026] An example fertilizer tube system 10 generally comprises a fertilizer tube 30 having an input opening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an output opening 39 opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 , an upper connector 50 attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 , a central connector attached to a central portion of the fertilizer tube 30 and a lower connector 20 attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"[0027] The present invention is designed to be utilized in combination with a liquid fertilizer system used on a crop planter implement but may be utilized to dispense additional types of fertilizer such as non-liquid fertilizer (e.g. particulate fertilizer).",
"U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,805 (Liquid Fertilizer Application System) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,007 (Liquid Fertilizer Application System) both to Wiesenburger are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.",
"[0028] The present invention may be utilized with any type of planter implement designed for planting a row crop such as, but not limited to, the John Deere ExactEmerge™ Row Unit manufactured by Deere &",
"Company in Moline, Ill.",
"The present invention may be utilized with respect to various other types of planter implements.",
"B. Fertilizer Tube.",
"[0029] The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of an elongated structure.",
"The fertilizer tube 30 is not a straight structure as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings.",
"The fertilizer tube 30 has an input opening 31 at an upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 and an output opening 39 opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings.",
"The input opening 31 is capable of being fluidly connected to a conventional liquid fertilizer system to receive a liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer.",
"The output opening 39 opening dispenses the liquid fertilizer into a seed furrow or near a seed furrow created by the disks 18 of the planter implement.",
"The lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 is positioned between a pair of disks 18 of the planter implement when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings.",
"[0030] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 , the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous single structure.",
"The fertilizer tube 30 may also be comprised of a plurality of sections connected together permanently or non-permanently.",
"The fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a rigid material such as, but not limited to, metal.",
"The fertilizer tube 30 preferably has a circular cross sectional area but may have different cross sectional shapes (e.g. rectangular, oval).",
"The lumen of the fertilizer tube 30 may be consistently in width or differing in width along the length of the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"The fertilizer tube 30 is preferably comprised of a continuous single tubular structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings.",
"In particular, the fertilizer tube 30 is preferably constructed of a single piece of metal tubing that is bent to form the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"[0031] A coupler 40 fluidly connects the upper end of the fertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11 from the liquid fertilizer system of the planter implement.",
"The coupler 40 is preferably comprised of a quick coupler 40 to allow for simple and easy connection of the fertilizer delivery tube 11 to the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, the fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of a first segment 32 on the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 , a second segment 33 extending from the first segment 32 , a third segment 34 extending from the second segment 33 , and a fourth segment 35 extending from the third segment 34 .",
"Each segment is defined by a bend or corner in the fertilizer tube 30 redirecting the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"Each segment is preferably comprised of a substantially straight structure having an independent longitudinal axis that doesn't align with any of the other segments'",
"longitudinal axis.",
"[0033] When in use, the fertilizer tube 30 will be positioned in front of the guard scraper with the front edge angled downwardly and rearwardly as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .",
"A portion of the first segment 32 of the fertilizer tube 30 will wear from engaging the earth over time.",
"[0034] The fertilizer tube 30 is comprised of a first segment 32 adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front edge of the planter shank 14 and a second segment 33 extending forwardly from the first segment 32 .",
"The first segment 32 has a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"The second segment 33 extends forwardly from the end of the first segment 32 at a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"While both the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 extend upwardly and forwardly, the second angle for the second segment 33 is greater than the first angle for the first segment 32 as further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .",
"The first segment 32 and the second segment 33 are preferably aligned along a common vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings.",
"The output opening 39 opening is within a lower distal end of the first segment 32 .",
"[0035] The angle A 1 between the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 169 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"The angle A 2 between the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"It is preferable that the second segment 33 is parallel to a vertical plane comprised of a plane that is parallel to the forward path of movement of the planter implement and the corresponding planter shank 14 that is vertically aligned.",
"It is further preferable that both the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 are both parallel with respect to the vertical plane as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings.",
"The second segment 33 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a first corner between the second segment 33 and the first segment 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"The second segment 33 has a longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than the first segment 32 when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"[0036] The fertilizer tube 30 is further comprised of a third segment 34 and a fourth segment 35 , wherein the third segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the second segment 33 and the fourth segment 35 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the third segment 34 .",
"The third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 are each comprised of a substantially straight structure.",
"The third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 both preferably extend rearwardly at an approximately same angle with respect to the horizontal plane, though different angles may be used.",
"As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 are preferably not aligned along the common vertical plane in one embodiment of the invention.",
"The third segment 34 extends to the right of the common vertical plane and the fourth segment 35 extends at angle between the common vertical plane and the third segment 34 as best shown in FIG. 7 .",
"[0037] The third segment 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the end of the second segment 33 opposite of the first segment 32 at a third angle with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"While the first segment 32 , the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 all extend upwardly, the third angle for the third segment 34 is in an substantially opposite direction of the first angle for the first segment 32 and the second angle for the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"The angle B 1 between the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 126 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"The angle B 2 between the second segment 33 and the third segment 34 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 157 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"The third segment 34 is preferably comprised of a straight segment extending from a second corner between the third segment 34 and the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"The third segment 34 has a longitudinal axis that is more vertically orientated than the first segment 32 and the second segment 33 when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"[0038] The fourth segment 35 extends upwardly from the end of the third segment 34 opposite of the second segment 33 at a fourth angle with respect to the horizontal plane measured from the side (e.g. a ground surface) when the fertilizer tube 30 is attached to the planter shank 14 as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"While the first segment 32 , second segment 33 , the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 all extend upwardly, the fourth angle for the fourth segment 35 is preferably greater than the first angle for the first segment 32 and the second angle for the second segment 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.",
"The angle C 1 between the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as measured from the left side in FIG. 3 is approximately 180 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"The angle C 2 between the third segment 34 and the fourth segment 35 as measured from the rear in FIG. 7 is approximately 163 degrees but may vary greater or less.",
"[0039] The first segment 32 is preferably approximately 5.25 inches in length, the second segment 33 is preferably approximately 9 inches in length, the third segment 34 is preferably approximately 5.5 inches in length and the fourth segment 35 is preferably approximately 2.5 inches in length.",
"The respective lengths of all of the segments 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 may vary depending upon the application, how close the lower end of the fertilizer tube 30 is to be positioned to the ground surface and various other factors.",
"C. Upper Connector.",
"[0040] The upper connector 50 is attached to an upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 such as, but not limited to, the third segment 34 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings.",
"The upper connector 50 is adapted for connecting to an upper fastener 19 of a planter frame 12 (e.g. a threaded member 19 extending rearwardly from the planter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings.",
"The upper connector 50 is comprised of an inner portion 52 attached (e.g. welded) to the fertilizer tube 30 , an outer portion 54 extending from the inner portion 52 at an angle and an aperture 56 within the outer portion 54 .",
"The aperture 56 is sized to slidably receive the upper fastener 19 .",
"The upper connector 50 is secured to the planter frame 12 using a threaded nut 17 threadably connected to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings.",
"D. Lower Connector.",
"[0041] The lower connector 20 is attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 such as, but not limited to, the first segment 32 .",
"The lower connector 20 is adapted for connecting to a lower portion of a planter shank 14 .",
"The lower connector 20 is preferably comprised of a bendable material.",
"The lower connector 20 is preferably constructed of a first portion 22 and a second portion 24 that extend rearwardly from the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"The lower connector 20 is further preferably comprised of a substantially V-shaped structure or U-shaped structure adapted to be positioned about a front edge of the planter shank 14 .",
"When the front edge of the planter shank 14 is positioned within the inner portion of the lower connector 20 , the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 are bent towards one another to snugly and frictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 .",
"The lower connector 20 is preferably comprised of a bendable material such as a bendable metal material to allow an installer the ability to bend the first portion 22 and second portion 24 adjacent to the sides of the planter shank 14 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings.",
"E. Intermediate Connector.",
"[0042] The intermediate connector 60 attached the fertilizer tube 30 between the upper connector 50 and the lower connector 20 such as, but not limited to the second segment 33 .",
"The intermediate connector 60 is adapted for connecting to an axle 15 of the planter shank 14 that is used for supporting the disks 18 of the planter.",
"The intermediate connector 60 preferably extends rearwardly in a substantially horizontal manner as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , though various other angles may be used.",
"The intermediate connector 60 is illustrated as having a flat structure that has a plane that is substantially vertically orientated, however, various other structures may be used for the intermediate connector 60 .",
"[0043] The intermediate connector 60 is comprised of an inner portion 62 extending rearwardly, a middle portion 64 extending rearwardly from the inner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60 at an angle, an outer portion 66 extending rearwardly from the middle portion 64 of the intermediate connector 60 substantially parallel with respect to the inner portion 62 of the intermediate connector 60 , and an aperture 68 within the outer portion 66 .",
"The aperture 68 slidably receives the right portion of the axle 15 of the planter shank 14 used to support the right disk 18 .",
"However, the aperture 68 may be formed to be positioned upon the left portion of the axle 15 on the opposite side of the planter shank 14 .",
"One or more washers 16 are positioned over the intermediate connector 60 after being positioned upon the axle 15 and then the right disk 18 is attached with a threaded fastener (e.g. threaded nut 17 ) to the axle 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 14 and 15 .",
"F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.",
"[0044] In use, a fertilizer tube 30 is attached to each planter shank 14 of a planter implement.",
"To assemble the fertilizer tube 30 to the planter implement, the user positions the intermediate connector 60 upon the axle 15 as shown in FIG. 10 .",
"The user then rotates the fertilizer tube 30 so that the lower connector 20 receives the front edge of the planter shank 14 and the aperture 56 of the upper connector 50 passes over the upper fastener 19 of the planter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings.",
"The user then squeezes or otherwise compresses the lower connector 20 so that the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 frictionally engage the planter shank 14 to prevent movement of the lower portion of the fertilizer tube 30 as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings.",
"A threaded nut 17 or other type of fastener is used to secure the upper connector 50 to the upper fastener 19 as shown in FIG. 11 .",
"The disks 18 are then attached to the opposing portions of the axle 15 extending from the planter shank 14 as shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 of the drawings.",
"[0045] When fully assembled and attached to the planter frame 12 , the upper portion of the fertilizer tube 30 extends around a rearward extending upper portion of the planter frame 12 as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 .",
"The user then uses the coupler 40 (e.g. a compression fitting) to connect the fertilizer tube 30 to a fertilizer delivery tube 11 as shown in FIGS. 12 through 15 of the drawings.",
"Each fertilizer delivery tube 11 comes from a fertilizer reservoir or manifold and supplies the fertilizer to each fertilizer tube 30 .",
"[0046] As the planter implement is pulled through the soil, the disks 18 create a V-shaped furrow in the soil which is well-known in the art of planters.",
"The output opening 39 opening of the fertilizer tube 30 emits the liquid fertilizer onto the lower surface of the furrow in front of the seed tube in preparation for the disbursement of the seed from the seed tube.",
"The seed is then dispensed from the seed tube and placed above the fertilizer within the furrow.",
"The furrow is finally covered with soil to allow the seed to grow.",
"[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.",
"Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the fertilizer tube system, suitable methods and materials are described above.",
"All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations.",
"The fertilizer tube system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.",
"Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/554,898, filed Mar. 19, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/561,687 filed Apr. 13, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/563,323, filed Apr. 19, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/563,958, filed Apr. 21, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
[0000] Appendix
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention related generally to linear actuation devices and, more particularly, to an actuator system for a dual clutch.
[0006] 2. Related Art
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,561 discloses a vehicle transmission having a dual clutch system. The dual clutch system includes first and second flywheels as well as first and second friction disk assemblies and first and second pressure plates for pressing against said first and second friction disk assemblies, respectively. The pressure plates are each operatively engaged by an electromechanical clutch actuator. More particularly, the electromechanical clutch actuator engages a complex cam arrangement to engage one of the pressure plates.
[0008] There remains a need in the art for increased simplicity, durability, and economy in starting clutches and their assembly and operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention is an actuator system for starting clutches. The actuator system includes a ball ramp and a motor. The motor controllably rotates the ball ramp by adequate means, which may include, as an example only, a gear train reduction.
[0010] As an example only, the actuator system may be applied for the operation of a dual starting clutch system, in which case the first and second clutches are controlled by varying the axial position of their respective control levers. The ball ramps of the actuator systems are preferably, but not necessarily, nested.
[0011] The actuator system can be used for the actuation of single or dual clutches loaded by diaphragms or loaded by levers, as well as for the actuation of multi-disc clutch packs, either wet or dry. The motor can be either electric or hydraulic.
[0012] In another embodiment of the actuator system, the motor drives the ball ramp through a system of pulleys and prestressed wrap spring coils. The motor has two pulleys which have two distinct diameters, and prestressed bands operatively connecting the two motor pulleys and the ball ramp pulley.
[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a dual starting clutch system 100 controlled by a dual ball ramp system 200 actuated by electric motors;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a detailed view of the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
[0017] FIG. 2B is another detailed view of the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the two non rotating nested ramps of the dual ball ramp system 200 ;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a perspective partial view of a dual ball ramp system 200 ;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a generic ball ramp system with spiral tracks;
[0021] FIG. 4B illustrates a first position of the balls;
[0022] FIG. 4C illustrates a middle position of the balls;
[0023] FIG. 4D illustrates a third position of the balls;
[0024] FIG. 5A is a schematic of a generic ramp system used to define the notations used in FIGS. 5B to 5 G;
[0025] FIG. 5B is a graph illustrating control force versus axial control travel for a clutch loaded by levers;
[0026] FIG. 5C is a graph illustrating the variation of the control torque consequent to the control force illustrated in FIG. 5B versus its rotation for a constant pitch ball ramp system;
[0027] FIG. 5D is a graph illustrating the constant control torque consequent to the control force illustrated in FIG. 5B versus its rotation for a ball ramp system designed with a continuously variable pitch;
[0028] FIG. 5E is a graph illustrating the angle of rotation of a ball ramp versus its axial travel;
[0029] FIG. 5F is a schematic illustrating the relative extreme positions of the ramps of a continuously variable ball ramp system designed according to the graph of FIG. 5E ;
[0030] FIG. 6A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the actuator system;
[0031] FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the actuator system of FIG. 6A ; and
[0032] FIG. 6C illustrates a front view of the actuator system of FIG. 6A with transverse motor mount.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The following description describes the application of the actuator system 400 to a dual dry starting clutch of the type loaded by a series of control levers distributed circumferentially, and in which one of the clutches is controlled by pulling on its control levers, while the other clutch is controlled by pushing on its control levers.
[0034] Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a dual clutch system 100 actuated by a dual actuator system 400 composed of a dual ball ramp system 200 and two motors 111 a and 111 b.
[0035] The dual clutch system 100 has a cover 105 , a flywheel 104 , a first disc 102 a , a first pressure plate 103 a , a first lever 101 a , a second disc 102 b , a second pressure plate 103 b , and a second lever 101 b . Conventionally, the pressure plates 103 a and 103 b are held rotationally relative to the pressure plate 104 , respectively by a series of three circumferential spaced spring straps 113 a and 113 b . The straps 113 a and 113 b apply also a relatively constant axial force which pulls apart the pressure plates 103 a and 103 b away from the flywheel 104 .
[0036] In the depicted embodiment, a first ball ramp 300 a controls the axial position of the first lever 101 a through a first release bearing 106 a , and a second ball ramp 300 b controls the axial position of the second lever 101 b through a second release bearing 106 b . The first clutch is of the pull type lever 101 a , and the second clutch of the push type lever 101 b , with the advantage when combined with a cover bearing 107 , that the preload of the control bearings 106 a and 106 b are consequent to the force applied to the levers 101 a and 101 b by the straps 113 a and 113 b respectively, and such, does not need separate preload springs located between the clutch housing and the control bearing as for conventional starting clutches.
[0037] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates in greater detail the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 . The dual ball ramp system 200 is composed of the first ball ramp system 300 a and the second ball ramp system 300 b.
[0038] The first ball ramp system 300 a is composed of a ramp 224 a rotatable around the axis of rotation 115 of the dual clutch system 100 , a ramp 223 a held against rotation relative to the housing of the starting clutch (not illustrated), and one or more balls, one of these being the ball 225 a . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the ramp 224 a is rotatably driven through the gears 112 a and 108 a . Alternatively, the ramp 224 a is operatively connected to a first electric motor 111 a by a belt system, or other similar methods. As the ramp 224 a rotates, the control bearing 106 a moves axially. The control bearing 106 a is operatively connected to the first lever 101 a through a sleeve 221 .
[0039] The second ball ramp system 300 b is composed of a ramp 224 b rotatable around the axis of rotation 115 of the dual clutch system 100 , a ramp 223 b held against rotation relative to the housing of the starting clutch (not illustrated), and one or more balls, one being of these being the ball 225 b . The ramp 224 b is rotatably driven by the gears 112 b and 108 b . As the ramp 224 b rotates, the control bearing 106 b moves axially. The control bearing 106 b is operatively connected to the first lever 101 b , and preferably, actuates directly the lever 101 b.
[0040] The non-rotating ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to a support 109 which is located axially relative to the clutch cover 105 by a cover bearing 107 , and is held against rotation relative to the housing (not shown) of the dual clutch system 100 by adequate means. Alternatively, the cover bearing 107 is removed and the support 109 is fastened by adequate means to the housing of the dual clutch system 100 , in which case the dual ball ramp system 200 is held relative to the housing of the dual clutch system 100 both rotationally and axially.
[0041] The dual ball ramp system 200 is insulated from the rotation of the engine and from the axial vibrations of the engine by the three thrust bearings, i.e., the release bearings 106 a and 106 b , and the cover bearing 107 .
[0042] The first and second motors 111 a and 111 b independently rotate the first and second ramps 224 a and 224 b , through a preferably a single gear reduction mechanism composed of gears 112 a and 112 b driven by the motors 111 a and 111 b , and driving respectively the gears 108 a and 108 b . Consequent to said rotation, the ramps 224 a and 224 b move axially, thereby acting on the first and second clutch levers 101 a and 101 b . Movement of the first and second clutch levers 101 a and 101 b , correspondingly engages or disengages the respective pressure plate 103 a and 103 b . Accordingly, the engagement and disengagement of the first and second clutch discs 102 a and 102 b is controlled by controlling the rotational positions of the first 111 a and second 111 b motors.
[0043] FIG. 3A illustrates how the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested together back to back and the tracks of the balls extend circumferentially as well as radially, and how each is composed of preferably three sections 229 x , 229 y and 229 z , each of said sections being fastened by adequate means to the support 109 . Because the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested, the total axial space required for the ball ramp systems 300 a and 300 b is substantially reduced.
[0044] FIG. 3B illustrates that, because the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested, the ramps 224 a and 224 b rotate in opposite directions. The ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to the cover bearing 107 through three helical circumferential segments, the segment 109 ′ being visible in the bottom of FIG. 2A . The ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to the support 109 through its three helical sections.
[0045] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of two generic ramps 410 and 420 facing each other, each having three tracks, respectively 411 a , 411 b , 411 c and 421 a 421 b and 421 c . Three balls 430 a , 430 b and 430 c roll respectively on the tracks 411 a and 421 a , 411 b and 421 b , 411 c and 421 c . FIGS. 4B to 4 C illustrate the position of the balls relatively to their tracks when the ramps 410 and 420 rotate relative to each other. As apparent, because the tracks have radially a spiral shape, the balls, balls 430 a , 430 b and 430 c are held automatically circumferentially, and radially, in a same relative position for all relative rotational positions of the ramps 410 and 420 .
[0046] FIG. 5A is a schematic of a generic ball ramp system having a non rotating ramp 531 and a rotating ramp 532 , and is used for the definition of the various parameters used in FIGS. 5B to 5 F. Fc is the axial reaction force applied to the ramp 532 by the control levers, B and x are respectively the angle of rotation and the axial movement of the ramp 532 , T 2 is the external control torque necessary to rotate the ramp 532 consequent to the force Fc. Finally R is the radius of the tracks of the ramps 532 and 531 when assuming that said tracks lay at a constant distance R from the axis of rotation of the ramp 532 .
[0047] The following description of FIGS. 5A to 5 F makes reference to the parts of the first ball ramp system 300 a . Said description is identical for the second ball ramp system 300 b.
[0048] FIG. 5B illustrate the reaction force of the clutch levers (i.e. the control force Fc) as a function of the axial travel (control travel x) of said control levers. For example, for the clutch loaded by the lever 101 a when the control travel x varies between 0 and 8 mm, the control force Fc may start at around 100 N and reach about 120 N at the kissing point. The kissing point 540 is defined as the point were the pressure plate touches the disc, and is typically reached for a control travel x of 8 mm. Thereafter, while the control travel x varies from 8 to a maximum of 10 mm, the control force Fc rises almost linearly to a maximum of 1,600 N. About 0.8 Joules is stored in the straps 113 a when the control travel x moves between zero and 8 mm, and about 1.7 Joules is stored in the cushion of the disc 102 a and the straps 113 a when the control travel x moves between 8 mm and 10 mm.
[0049] FIG. 5C illustrates the control torque T 2 as a function of its rotation B for a constant pitch ramp 532 loaded by the control fore Fc illustrated in FIG. 5B . It should be noted that a constant pitch ramp can be embodied as a screw. The control torque T 2 required to rotate the ramp 532 having a constant pitch is proportional to the control force Fc. With a value for the radius R of the ramp typically found in starting clutches, the control torque T 2 would vary between 290 Nmm and 3800 Nmm, and its variation is proportional to the force Fc illustrated in the graph of FIG. 5B . Because T 2 is proportional to Fc. As illustrated by the double abcissa of FIG. 5C , with a constant pitch ramp, the rotation B of the ramp 532 and the axial travel x are strictly proportional, and it is assumed that the pitch is such that the ramp 532 rotates by 240 degrees when said ramp moves axially by 10 mm, which implies a pitch of 15 mm per turn (or 360 degrees).
[0050] When the pitch of the ramp 532 is continuously variable instead of constant, it is possible to design the ramps such that the torque T 2 remains constant when the ramp 532 rotates, in spite of the variation of the control force Fc. In this case, the same amount of energy, i.e. 2.5 Joules, is transferred into the clutch, but the torque T 2 has the lowest possible value, and therefore the rated torque of the motor is also at its minimum. In order to achieve this, the pitch, i.e. the relation between an infinitesimal rotation dB and the correspondent infinitesimal axial movement dx, varies by design continuously along the track. The pitch is therefore continuously variable and is calculated such that, for any given axial position x, the torque T 2 consequent to the force F 2 is constant, in spite of the wide variation of F 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5B . In this case as shown in FIG. 5D , for the first part of the control (from clutch open to the kiss point 540 ), the control travel x varies by 8 mm for a rotation B of 76 degrees, and for the second part of the control (between the kiss point 540 and clutch fully closed), the control travel x varies by 2 mm for a rotation B of 164 degrees. In the first part of the control a relatively small rotation of the shaft of the motor 111 a results in a relatively high travel of the pressure plate 102 a , and in the second part of the control, a large rotation of the shaft of the motor 111 a results in a relatively low travel of the pressure plate 102 a.
[0051] Comparing the FIGS. 5C and 5D it can be observed that the maximum of the torque T 2 when the ball ramp system 300 a is designed with a constant pitch is about six times higher than for a continuously variable pitch ramp (i.e. 3,800 Nmm versus 600 Nmm), and therefore the maximum torque rating of the motor 111 a is six times less when the ball ramp system 300 a is designed with a continuously variable pitch.
[0052] The relation between the control force Fc and the control travel x is approximately linear for the first part of the control, as well as for the second part, and therefore the equations giving the relation between the control force Fc and the control travel x are respectively Fc=a 1 *x+b 1 and Fc=a 2 *x+b 2 .
[0053] The pitch is defined for all values of the rotational position of the ramp 532 directly by the relation between the rotation B and the travel x. For the first and the second part of the control, this relation is as follows:
B = 1 T2 * [ 0.5 * a 1 * x ^ 2 + b 1 * x ] 0 8 and B = 1 T2 * [ 0.5 * a 2 * x ^ 2 + b 2 * x ] 8 10
[0054] Using the values of FIG. 5B to define a 1 , a 2 , b 1 and b 2 , the variation of B as a function of x was calculated according to the previous formulas and is illustrated in FIG. 5E . It should be noted that the curve has no inflexion point and no discontinuity at x equal to 8 mm, which means that the pitch is continuously variable for all rotational positions B of the ramp 532 .
[0055] FIG. 5F illustrates an initial position 534 and a final position 534 ′ of two facing tracks 537 and 533 of the ball ramp systems 300 a and 300 b , as well as an initial and a final positions of a ball rolling on these tracks, respectively 536 and 536 ′. In FIG. 5F the tracks are illustrated with the shape defined in the curve of FIG. 5E .
[0056] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a dual actuator system 500 , an alternate embodiment of the dual actuator system 400 illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. FIG. 6A illustrates a dual actuator system 500 composed of a dual ball ramp system 600 controlled by two motors 611 a and 611 b (only one is illustrated).
[0057] The dual ball ramp system 600 is similar to the dual ball ramp system 200 described in FIGS. 1 to 5 F.
[0058] The actuator system 500 includes two motors 611 a and 611 b controlling rotationally a first ball ramp system 700 a and a second ball ramp system 700 b , both said ramps are coaxial with the axis of rotation 615 of a starting clutch. In FIGS. 6A and 6B , the motor 611 b has been removed for clarity.
[0059] The actuator system 500 includes the electric motor 611 a having two pulleys 656 a and 657 a fastened to its shaft 659 a , and such pulleys having respectively a diameter d 1 and a diameter d 2 and a width b. In the depicted embodiment, a first end of a band 654 a is coiled clockwise on the pulley 656 a , wraps the pulley 653 a of the ramp 623 a , and its other end is coiled counter clockwise on the pulley 657 a . Alternatively, the band 654 a wraps the pulley 653 a for more than one turn, and the wrap angle becomes more than 360 degrees. The two ends of the band 654 a are fastened by adequate means to the pulleys 656 a and 657 a , which may include as non limiting examples adhesive, laser spot weld or a rivet. The portion of the band 654 a which is wrapped around the pulley 653 a is preferably fastened by adequate means over a relatively short length to said pulley 653 a by adequate means, which may include as non limiting examples adhesive, laser spot weld or a rivet. The band 654 a is preferably a very thin band or strip of high strength spring steel, which is pre-stressed such that it will wrap tightly around itself in a circular shape in its free state, and having a thickness h in the order of hundredths of a millimeter. Alternatively, and as an example only, the band 654 a is weaved, or a composite reinforced by, high strength multifilaments of polymers as a non limiting example, Kevlar or Technora. Because the thickness h is three order of a magnitude lower than the diameters of the pulleys 656 a and 657 a , and because the shaft 659 a rotates about ten turns over the control range, the diameters d 1 and d 2 for all practical purposes may be considered approximately constant.
[0060] A compensation spring 652 a is fastened by adequate means on one of its ends to the housing of the starting clutch (not shown) and, on the other end, to the motor 611 a , such that the compensation spring 652 a applies a constant force F in the direction illustrated in FIG. 6B , with the result that the coil 654 a is permanently tighten with a relatively constant force. The compensation spring 652 a can be embodied as a spiral spring as illustrated, as a helical torsion spring, or any spring mechanism which supplies a relatively constant force over its range of utilization. As discussed in relation to FIGS. 5A to 5 F, the torque T 2 required to rotatably control the ramp system 700 a is constant over the range of the control, and this translates into a constant torque T 1 on the shaft 659 a . The ratio between the torque T 1 and the torque T 2 is equal to
T1 T2 = d1 + d2 2 D
[0061] The forces F/2 applied by the band on each pulley generate opposite torques on the shaft 659 a . However, these torques are not equal and opposite if d 1 and d 2 are different, and as a result, a torque T 0 is applied to the shaft 659 a . The actuator system 500 is designed such that, the torque T 0 resulting from the difference in diameter of the pulleys 656 a and 656 b together with the magnitude of the force F developed by the spring 652 a , balances the torque T 1 for all control positions. As a result, discounting the friction losses, the power to actuate the starting clutch is theoretically equal to zero.
[0062] When the shaft 659 a rotates, the distance W varies, and as a result, energy is transferred back and forth between the compensation spring 652 a and the shaft 659 a of the motor 611 a.
[0063] In FIGS. 6A and 6B the axis 658 a of the motor 611 a and the axis of the dual ball ramp system 615 are parallel. It is advantageous to rotate the motor 611 a and the compensation spring 652 a by 90 degrees (not illustrated), such that the axis 658 a of the motor and the axis 615 of the dual ball ramp system 600 are perpendicular, and the pulleys 656 a and 657 a are separated by a distance approximately equal to (D-b). In this case, the coil 655 a uncoils from the pulleys 656 a and 657 a with an angle 661 a equal to about ninety degrees.
[0064] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.
[0065] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0066] As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. | A dual clutch system having a first and a second friction disk and having a first and a second pressure plate is disclosed. The clutch actuator includes a first fixed ramp and second fixed ramp. Each of the first and the second fixed ramps are disposed to closely cooperate with a first bearing and a second bearing, respectively. A first moveable ramp and a second moveable ramp are disposed to closely cooperate with the first bearing and the second bearing respectively. A first release bearing is adapted to move with a first lever. The first release bearing is actuated by movement of the first moveable ramp. A second release bearing is adapted to move a second lever and the second release bearing is actuated by movement of the second moveable ramp. The first and the second levers are disposed to operatively bias the first and second pressure plates. A cover bearing is disposed to support movement of the first and second moveable ramps and the first and second release bearings. Each of the moveable ramps are actuated by a linkage with a separate motor. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 60/554,898, filed Mar. 19, 2004;",
"U.S. Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 60/561,687 filed Apr. 13, 2004;",
"U.S. Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 60/563,323, filed Apr. 19, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.",
"No. 60/563,958, filed Apr. 21, 2004.",
"STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable.",
"[0000] Appendix [0003] Not Applicable.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0005] This invention related generally to linear actuation devices and, more particularly, to an actuator system for a dual clutch.",
"[0006] 2.",
"Related Art [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,561 discloses a vehicle transmission having a dual clutch system.",
"The dual clutch system includes first and second flywheels as well as first and second friction disk assemblies and first and second pressure plates for pressing against said first and second friction disk assemblies, respectively.",
"The pressure plates are each operatively engaged by an electromechanical clutch actuator.",
"More particularly, the electromechanical clutch actuator engages a complex cam arrangement to engage one of the pressure plates.",
"[0008] There remains a need in the art for increased simplicity, durability, and economy in starting clutches and their assembly and operation.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed.",
"The invention is an actuator system for starting clutches.",
"The actuator system includes a ball ramp and a motor.",
"The motor controllably rotates the ball ramp by adequate means, which may include, as an example only, a gear train reduction.",
"[0010] As an example only, the actuator system may be applied for the operation of a dual starting clutch system, in which case the first and second clutches are controlled by varying the axial position of their respective control levers.",
"The ball ramps of the actuator systems are preferably, but not necessarily, nested.",
"[0011] The actuator system can be used for the actuation of single or dual clutches loaded by diaphragms or loaded by levers, as well as for the actuation of multi-disc clutch packs, either wet or dry.",
"The motor can be either electric or hydraulic.",
"[0012] In another embodiment of the actuator system, the motor drives the ball ramp through a system of pulleys and prestressed wrap spring coils.",
"The motor has two pulleys which have two distinct diameters, and prestressed bands operatively connecting the two motor pulleys and the ball ramp pulley.",
"[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.",
"In the drawings: [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a dual starting clutch system 100 controlled by a dual ball ramp system 200 actuated by electric motors;",
"[0016] FIG. 2A is a detailed view of the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 ;",
"[0017] FIG. 2B is another detailed view of the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 ;",
"[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the two non rotating nested ramps of the dual ball ramp system 200 ;",
"[0019] FIG. 3B is a perspective partial view of a dual ball ramp system 200 ;",
"[0020] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a generic ball ramp system with spiral tracks;",
"[0021] FIG. 4B illustrates a first position of the balls;",
"[0022] FIG. 4C illustrates a middle position of the balls;",
"[0023] FIG. 4D illustrates a third position of the balls;",
"[0024] FIG. 5A is a schematic of a generic ramp system used to define the notations used in FIGS. 5B to 5 G;",
"[0025] FIG. 5B is a graph illustrating control force versus axial control travel for a clutch loaded by levers;",
"[0026] FIG. 5C is a graph illustrating the variation of the control torque consequent to the control force illustrated in FIG. 5B versus its rotation for a constant pitch ball ramp system;",
"[0027] FIG. 5D is a graph illustrating the constant control torque consequent to the control force illustrated in FIG. 5B versus its rotation for a ball ramp system designed with a continuously variable pitch;",
"[0028] FIG. 5E is a graph illustrating the angle of rotation of a ball ramp versus its axial travel;",
"[0029] FIG. 5F is a schematic illustrating the relative extreme positions of the ramps of a continuously variable ball ramp system designed according to the graph of FIG. 5E ;",
"[0030] FIG. 6A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the actuator system;",
"[0031] FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the actuator system of FIG. 6A ;",
"and [0032] FIG. 6C illustrates a front view of the actuator system of FIG. 6A with transverse motor mount.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0033] The following description describes the application of the actuator system 400 to a dual dry starting clutch of the type loaded by a series of control levers distributed circumferentially, and in which one of the clutches is controlled by pulling on its control levers, while the other clutch is controlled by pushing on its control levers.",
"[0034] Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a dual clutch system 100 actuated by a dual actuator system 400 composed of a dual ball ramp system 200 and two motors 111 a and 111 b. [0035] The dual clutch system 100 has a cover 105 , a flywheel 104 , a first disc 102 a , a first pressure plate 103 a , a first lever 101 a , a second disc 102 b , a second pressure plate 103 b , and a second lever 101 b .",
"Conventionally, the pressure plates 103 a and 103 b are held rotationally relative to the pressure plate 104 , respectively by a series of three circumferential spaced spring straps 113 a and 113 b .",
"The straps 113 a and 113 b apply also a relatively constant axial force which pulls apart the pressure plates 103 a and 103 b away from the flywheel 104 .",
"[0036] In the depicted embodiment, a first ball ramp 300 a controls the axial position of the first lever 101 a through a first release bearing 106 a , and a second ball ramp 300 b controls the axial position of the second lever 101 b through a second release bearing 106 b .",
"The first clutch is of the pull type lever 101 a , and the second clutch of the push type lever 101 b , with the advantage when combined with a cover bearing 107 , that the preload of the control bearings 106 a and 106 b are consequent to the force applied to the levers 101 a and 101 b by the straps 113 a and 113 b respectively, and such, does not need separate preload springs located between the clutch housing and the control bearing as for conventional starting clutches.",
"[0037] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates in greater detail the dual ball ramp system 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 .",
"The dual ball ramp system 200 is composed of the first ball ramp system 300 a and the second ball ramp system 300 b. [0038] The first ball ramp system 300 a is composed of a ramp 224 a rotatable around the axis of rotation 115 of the dual clutch system 100 , a ramp 223 a held against rotation relative to the housing of the starting clutch (not illustrated), and one or more balls, one of these being the ball 225 a .",
"In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the ramp 224 a is rotatably driven through the gears 112 a and 108 a .",
"Alternatively, the ramp 224 a is operatively connected to a first electric motor 111 a by a belt system, or other similar methods.",
"As the ramp 224 a rotates, the control bearing 106 a moves axially.",
"The control bearing 106 a is operatively connected to the first lever 101 a through a sleeve 221 .",
"[0039] The second ball ramp system 300 b is composed of a ramp 224 b rotatable around the axis of rotation 115 of the dual clutch system 100 , a ramp 223 b held against rotation relative to the housing of the starting clutch (not illustrated), and one or more balls, one being of these being the ball 225 b .",
"The ramp 224 b is rotatably driven by the gears 112 b and 108 b .",
"As the ramp 224 b rotates, the control bearing 106 b moves axially.",
"The control bearing 106 b is operatively connected to the first lever 101 b , and preferably, actuates directly the lever 101 b. [0040] The non-rotating ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to a support 109 which is located axially relative to the clutch cover 105 by a cover bearing 107 , and is held against rotation relative to the housing (not shown) of the dual clutch system 100 by adequate means.",
"Alternatively, the cover bearing 107 is removed and the support 109 is fastened by adequate means to the housing of the dual clutch system 100 , in which case the dual ball ramp system 200 is held relative to the housing of the dual clutch system 100 both rotationally and axially.",
"[0041] The dual ball ramp system 200 is insulated from the rotation of the engine and from the axial vibrations of the engine by the three thrust bearings, i.e., the release bearings 106 a and 106 b , and the cover bearing 107 .",
"[0042] The first and second motors 111 a and 111 b independently rotate the first and second ramps 224 a and 224 b , through a preferably a single gear reduction mechanism composed of gears 112 a and 112 b driven by the motors 111 a and 111 b , and driving respectively the gears 108 a and 108 b .",
"Consequent to said rotation, the ramps 224 a and 224 b move axially, thereby acting on the first and second clutch levers 101 a and 101 b .",
"Movement of the first and second clutch levers 101 a and 101 b , correspondingly engages or disengages the respective pressure plate 103 a and 103 b .",
"Accordingly, the engagement and disengagement of the first and second clutch discs 102 a and 102 b is controlled by controlling the rotational positions of the first 111 a and second 111 b motors.",
"[0043] FIG. 3A illustrates how the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested together back to back and the tracks of the balls extend circumferentially as well as radially, and how each is composed of preferably three sections 229 x , 229 y and 229 z , each of said sections being fastened by adequate means to the support 109 .",
"Because the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested, the total axial space required for the ball ramp systems 300 a and 300 b is substantially reduced.",
"[0044] FIG. 3B illustrates that, because the ramps 223 a and 223 b are nested, the ramps 224 a and 224 b rotate in opposite directions.",
"The ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to the cover bearing 107 through three helical circumferential segments, the segment 109 ′ being visible in the bottom of FIG. 2A .",
"The ramps 223 a and 223 b are fastened to the support 109 through its three helical sections.",
"[0045] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of two generic ramps 410 and 420 facing each other, each having three tracks, respectively 411 a , 411 b , 411 c and 421 a 421 b and 421 c .",
"Three balls 430 a , 430 b and 430 c roll respectively on the tracks 411 a and 421 a , 411 b and 421 b , 411 c and 421 c .",
"FIGS. 4B to 4 C illustrate the position of the balls relatively to their tracks when the ramps 410 and 420 rotate relative to each other.",
"As apparent, because the tracks have radially a spiral shape, the balls, balls 430 a , 430 b and 430 c are held automatically circumferentially, and radially, in a same relative position for all relative rotational positions of the ramps 410 and 420 .",
"[0046] FIG. 5A is a schematic of a generic ball ramp system having a non rotating ramp 531 and a rotating ramp 532 , and is used for the definition of the various parameters used in FIGS. 5B to 5 F. Fc is the axial reaction force applied to the ramp 532 by the control levers, B and x are respectively the angle of rotation and the axial movement of the ramp 532 , T 2 is the external control torque necessary to rotate the ramp 532 consequent to the force Fc.",
"Finally R is the radius of the tracks of the ramps 532 and 531 when assuming that said tracks lay at a constant distance R from the axis of rotation of the ramp 532 .",
"[0047] The following description of FIGS. 5A to 5 F makes reference to the parts of the first ball ramp system 300 a .",
"Said description is identical for the second ball ramp system 300 b. [0048] FIG. 5B illustrate the reaction force of the clutch levers (i.e. the control force Fc) as a function of the axial travel (control travel x) of said control levers.",
"For example, for the clutch loaded by the lever 101 a when the control travel x varies between 0 and 8 mm, the control force Fc may start at around 100 N and reach about 120 N at the kissing point.",
"The kissing point 540 is defined as the point were the pressure plate touches the disc, and is typically reached for a control travel x of 8 mm.",
"Thereafter, while the control travel x varies from 8 to a maximum of 10 mm, the control force Fc rises almost linearly to a maximum of 1,600 N. About 0.8 Joules is stored in the straps 113 a when the control travel x moves between zero and 8 mm, and about 1.7 Joules is stored in the cushion of the disc 102 a and the straps 113 a when the control travel x moves between 8 mm and 10 mm.",
"[0049] FIG. 5C illustrates the control torque T 2 as a function of its rotation B for a constant pitch ramp 532 loaded by the control fore Fc illustrated in FIG. 5B .",
"It should be noted that a constant pitch ramp can be embodied as a screw.",
"The control torque T 2 required to rotate the ramp 532 having a constant pitch is proportional to the control force Fc.",
"With a value for the radius R of the ramp typically found in starting clutches, the control torque T 2 would vary between 290 Nmm and 3800 Nmm, and its variation is proportional to the force Fc illustrated in the graph of FIG. 5B .",
"Because T 2 is proportional to Fc.",
"As illustrated by the double abcissa of FIG. 5C , with a constant pitch ramp, the rotation B of the ramp 532 and the axial travel x are strictly proportional, and it is assumed that the pitch is such that the ramp 532 rotates by 240 degrees when said ramp moves axially by 10 mm, which implies a pitch of 15 mm per turn (or 360 degrees).",
"[0050] When the pitch of the ramp 532 is continuously variable instead of constant, it is possible to design the ramps such that the torque T 2 remains constant when the ramp 532 rotates, in spite of the variation of the control force Fc.",
"In this case, the same amount of energy, i.e. 2.5 Joules, is transferred into the clutch, but the torque T 2 has the lowest possible value, and therefore the rated torque of the motor is also at its minimum.",
"In order to achieve this, the pitch, i.e. the relation between an infinitesimal rotation dB and the correspondent infinitesimal axial movement dx, varies by design continuously along the track.",
"The pitch is therefore continuously variable and is calculated such that, for any given axial position x, the torque T 2 consequent to the force F 2 is constant, in spite of the wide variation of F 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5B .",
"In this case as shown in FIG. 5D , for the first part of the control (from clutch open to the kiss point 540 ), the control travel x varies by 8 mm for a rotation B of 76 degrees, and for the second part of the control (between the kiss point 540 and clutch fully closed), the control travel x varies by 2 mm for a rotation B of 164 degrees.",
"In the first part of the control a relatively small rotation of the shaft of the motor 111 a results in a relatively high travel of the pressure plate 102 a , and in the second part of the control, a large rotation of the shaft of the motor 111 a results in a relatively low travel of the pressure plate 102 a. [0051] Comparing the FIGS. 5C and 5D it can be observed that the maximum of the torque T 2 when the ball ramp system 300 a is designed with a constant pitch is about six times higher than for a continuously variable pitch ramp (i.e. 3,800 Nmm versus 600 Nmm), and therefore the maximum torque rating of the motor 111 a is six times less when the ball ramp system 300 a is designed with a continuously variable pitch.",
"[0052] The relation between the control force Fc and the control travel x is approximately linear for the first part of the control, as well as for the second part, and therefore the equations giving the relation between the control force Fc and the control travel x are respectively Fc=a 1 *x+b 1 and Fc=a 2 *x+b 2 .",
"[0053] The pitch is defined for all values of the rotational position of the ramp 532 directly by the relation between the rotation B and the travel x. For the first and the second part of the control, this relation is as follows: B = 1 T2 * [ 0.5 * a 1 * x ^ 2 + b 1 * x ] 0 8 and B = 1 T2 * [ 0.5 * a 2 * x ^ 2 + b 2 * x ] 8 10 [0054] Using the values of FIG. 5B to define a 1 , a 2 , b 1 and b 2 , the variation of B as a function of x was calculated according to the previous formulas and is illustrated in FIG. 5E .",
"It should be noted that the curve has no inflexion point and no discontinuity at x equal to 8 mm, which means that the pitch is continuously variable for all rotational positions B of the ramp 532 .",
"[0055] FIG. 5F illustrates an initial position 534 and a final position 534 ′ of two facing tracks 537 and 533 of the ball ramp systems 300 a and 300 b , as well as an initial and a final positions of a ball rolling on these tracks, respectively 536 and 536 ′.",
"In FIG. 5F the tracks are illustrated with the shape defined in the curve of FIG. 5E .",
"[0056] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a dual actuator system 500 , an alternate embodiment of the dual actuator system 400 illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.",
"FIG. 6A illustrates a dual actuator system 500 composed of a dual ball ramp system 600 controlled by two motors 611 a and 611 b (only one is illustrated).",
"[0057] The dual ball ramp system 600 is similar to the dual ball ramp system 200 described in FIGS. 1 to 5 F. [0058] The actuator system 500 includes two motors 611 a and 611 b controlling rotationally a first ball ramp system 700 a and a second ball ramp system 700 b , both said ramps are coaxial with the axis of rotation 615 of a starting clutch.",
"In FIGS. 6A and 6B , the motor 611 b has been removed for clarity.",
"[0059] The actuator system 500 includes the electric motor 611 a having two pulleys 656 a and 657 a fastened to its shaft 659 a , and such pulleys having respectively a diameter d 1 and a diameter d 2 and a width b. In the depicted embodiment, a first end of a band 654 a is coiled clockwise on the pulley 656 a , wraps the pulley 653 a of the ramp 623 a , and its other end is coiled counter clockwise on the pulley 657 a .",
"Alternatively, the band 654 a wraps the pulley 653 a for more than one turn, and the wrap angle becomes more than 360 degrees.",
"The two ends of the band 654 a are fastened by adequate means to the pulleys 656 a and 657 a , which may include as non limiting examples adhesive, laser spot weld or a rivet.",
"The portion of the band 654 a which is wrapped around the pulley 653 a is preferably fastened by adequate means over a relatively short length to said pulley 653 a by adequate means, which may include as non limiting examples adhesive, laser spot weld or a rivet.",
"The band 654 a is preferably a very thin band or strip of high strength spring steel, which is pre-stressed such that it will wrap tightly around itself in a circular shape in its free state, and having a thickness h in the order of hundredths of a millimeter.",
"Alternatively, and as an example only, the band 654 a is weaved, or a composite reinforced by, high strength multifilaments of polymers as a non limiting example, Kevlar or Technora.",
"Because the thickness h is three order of a magnitude lower than the diameters of the pulleys 656 a and 657 a , and because the shaft 659 a rotates about ten turns over the control range, the diameters d 1 and d 2 for all practical purposes may be considered approximately constant.",
"[0060] A compensation spring 652 a is fastened by adequate means on one of its ends to the housing of the starting clutch (not shown) and, on the other end, to the motor 611 a , such that the compensation spring 652 a applies a constant force F in the direction illustrated in FIG. 6B , with the result that the coil 654 a is permanently tighten with a relatively constant force.",
"The compensation spring 652 a can be embodied as a spiral spring as illustrated, as a helical torsion spring, or any spring mechanism which supplies a relatively constant force over its range of utilization.",
"As discussed in relation to FIGS. 5A to 5 F, the torque T 2 required to rotatably control the ramp system 700 a is constant over the range of the control, and this translates into a constant torque T 1 on the shaft 659 a .",
"The ratio between the torque T 1 and the torque T 2 is equal to T1 T2 = d1 + d2 2 D [0061] The forces F/2 applied by the band on each pulley generate opposite torques on the shaft 659 a .",
"However, these torques are not equal and opposite if d 1 and d 2 are different, and as a result, a torque T 0 is applied to the shaft 659 a .",
"The actuator system 500 is designed such that, the torque T 0 resulting from the difference in diameter of the pulleys 656 a and 656 b together with the magnitude of the force F developed by the spring 652 a , balances the torque T 1 for all control positions.",
"As a result, discounting the friction losses, the power to actuate the starting clutch is theoretically equal to zero.",
"[0062] When the shaft 659 a rotates, the distance W varies, and as a result, energy is transferred back and forth between the compensation spring 652 a and the shaft 659 a of the motor 611 a. [0063] In FIGS. 6A and 6B the axis 658 a of the motor 611 a and the axis of the dual ball ramp system 615 are parallel.",
"It is advantageous to rotate the motor 611 a and the compensation spring 652 a by 90 degrees (not illustrated), such that the axis 658 a of the motor and the axis 615 of the dual ball ramp system 600 are perpendicular, and the pulleys 656 a and 657 a are separated by a distance approximately equal to (D-b).",
"In this case, the coil 655 a uncoils from the pulleys 656 a and 657 a with an angle 661 a equal to about ninety degrees.",
"[0064] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.",
"[0065] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.",
"[0066] As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.",
"Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents."
] |
[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese application No. 201110202556.5, filed to The Patent Office of the People's Republic of China on Jul. 20, 2011, titled “Cell line of renal sarcomatoid carcinoma in persons of Han nationality and preparation method thereof”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of microbiological and animal cell line, particularly, to the cell line of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) and the generation method thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cell line is of great importance for basic research of cancer. In vitro experiments using cell lines and subsequent construction of animal models are the essential approaches to find out the potential functions of important genes in the postgenomic era, especially for the functional genomics era. At present, cell lines are still extensively used as an important tool for characterizing gene functions in vitro, due to their relatively steady genetic background. Tumor cell lines are of great importance not only for deeply exploring the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and progression at molecular or genetic level, but also for early diagnosis, medicine screening and cancer therapy. For example, treatment of metastatic clear cell RCC using sunitinib malate is now at phase III clinical trial, based on the in vitro function of this medicine on RCC cell lines such as 786-O.
[0004] Sarcomatoid RCC (sRCC) is a specific RCC entity, which accounts for only 1.0-8.0% of renal cell tumors and there are rare sRCC cases in clinic. sRCC presents highly aggressive malignancy, and progressions of sRCC patients go rapidly, usually with early metastasis. sRCC patients are not sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and have extremely poor prognosis. The average survival time of T1 patients is 49.7 months, while it is 6.8 months for T2˜T4 patients. In 1968, Farrow and his colleagues firstly discovered and named sarcomatoid RCC (Farrow G M, Harrison E G, UTZ DG. Sarcomas and sarcomatoid and mixed malignant tumor s of the kidney in adults-Part III. Cancer 1968, 22: 556-563). For the components of this type of tumor, the epithelial component can be a renal cell carcinoma of various pathological types, 70% of which is clear cell or chromophobe granule type; while the sarcomatoid component can be hemangiopericytosarcomatoid, rhabdomyosarcomatoid, osteosarcomatoid, chondrosarcomatoid and undifferentiated sarcomatoid structure, et al. At present, early diagnosis with subsequent radical nephrectomy is preferred alternative of sRCC patients, since there is no breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment of sRCC. A few sRCC cases have been reported to be sensitive to cytokine therapy, which are only case reports and have not been verified by randomized control trials. Furthermore, prognosis and therapeutic effect are directly influenced by the proportion between the sarcomatoid and epithelia components in sRCC, in which the higher proportion the sarcomatoid component accounts for, the poorer the prognosis is, and the harder the systematic treatment will be. In order to elucidate the genetic properties of sRCC, particularly the effect of the interaction between the sarcomatoid and epithelia components on RCC malignancy, thereby guiding systematic treatment, it is required and necessary to establish sRCC cell lines.
[0005] At present, ATCC has not deposited any sRCC cell lines. Since the genetic background and living conditions varied among races all over the world, tumor morbidity and fatality rates are also different. Thus, it is the essential step and of great scientific value to establish the cell line of sRCC derived from Han Chinese, which contributed to exploring the mechanism of RCC metastasis.
SUMMARY
[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a sRCC cell line from Han Chinese.
[0007] In the present invention, a human cell line of sRCC was established by in vitro cell culture. Taken sRCC cell line to study tumor cell biology including growth and metastasis, et al, it will help to better understand the mechanisms of RCC initiation and metastasis, and contributed to clinic prediction, diagnosis and treatment of RCC in Han Chinese.
[0008] In the present invention, the sRCC cell line (named RCC09HYF) of a Han Chinese deposited as No. CCTCCC201130 in China Center for Type Culture Collection on May 11, 2011 is provided.
[0009] In the present invention, also provided is a method for generation of the above-mentioned sRCC cell line from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) comprising the following steps:
[0010] RCC09HYF cell line of the present invention originated from the primary tumor tissues of the Han Chinese sRCC patient. The resected tumor tissue is placed into a petri-dish supplied with a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B). After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels are removed, the visible tumor tissue identified by naked eyes is immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor. The tissue pieces are transferred into centrifuge tube together with the medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are suspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium (DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin), and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml). The flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity. After 24 h, the adherent tissue pieces are supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium to keep incubation.
[0011] A method in detail for generating sRCC cell line from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) of the present invention is as follows:
[0012] 1. Primary Cell Culture
[0013] Primary renal tumor tissue (pathologically identified as sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma afterwards) is obtained from a patient received radical nephrectomy under aseptic condition. The tumor tissues are kept in a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B) in a petri-dish. After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels are removed, the visible tumor tissues identified by naked eyes are immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor. The tissue pieces are transferred into centrifuge tube with the immersing medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant is discarded. The tissue pieces are suspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium, and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml). The flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity. After 24 h, adherent tissue pieces are supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium for further incubation.
[0014] 2. Passage
[0015] When cells grow out of the tissue pieces and reaches to 85% confluence, they are passaged. Under aseptic condition in a clean bench, the medium is removed and cells are washed twice with D-hanks solution. And then 1 ml 0.25% trypsin is added, and the flask is placed in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min. When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells are observed under microscope (even a few floating cells are observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium is added for neutralization. Cells are resuspended to single cells by pipetting.
[0016] 3. Cryopreservation and Recovery
[0017] Cryopreservation: DMEM complete medium is refreshed 24 h before cryopreservation, so as to keep cell growth in logarithmic phase. The medium is removed from the flask under aseptic condition in a clean bench. After adherent cells are washed twice with D-hanks solution, 1 ml 0.25% trypsin is added and the flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min. When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells are observed under microscope (even a few floating cells are observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium is added. Single cell suspension is obtained by pipetting and cell pellet is collected by centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 10 min at room temperature. And then the cells are resuspended with 1.5 ml cryopreservation solution and cell counting is performed so as to adjust the concentration of cells to 5×10 6 cells/ml. Cell suspension is transferred into a cell freezing tube and sealed carefully. The freezing tube is labeled with the following information: cell type, date of cryopreservation and name of the operator. The cryopreservation tube is placed at −80° C. for over 12 h, and kept in liquid nitrogen on the next day.
[0018] Recovery: Cell freezing tube is taken out of liquid nitrogen and immersed in warm water at 37° C. rapidly. After cell suspension is thawed, it is transferred into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant is discarded. A total volume of 5 ml DMEM complete medium is added to suspend the pellet to single cell suspension with the concentration of 5×10 5 cells/ml by pipetting. Then the suspension is transferred to a culture flask and incubated in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.
[0019] At present, RCC09HYF cells of No. 64 and 69 passages cultured by us are deposited at China Center for Type Culture Collection.
[0020] The formulations of the culture solutions of the present invention are as follows:
[0021] D-Hanks solution: NaCl 8.0 g, KCl 0.4 g, Na 2 HPO 4 12H 2 O 0.08 g, KH 2 PO 4 0.06 g, NaHCO 3 0.35 g, 1% phenol-red 2 ml are dissolved in ultra-pure water to the volume of 1000 ml. The solution is autoclaved at 121° C. for 30 min, and stored at 4° C.
[0022] DMEM medium: Hyclone, Invitrogen (high glucose, supplemented with sodium pyruvate and L-glutamine).
[0023] DMEM complete medium: DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin 100 U/ml, streptomycin 100 m/ml.
[0024] Cryopreservation solution (freshly prepared before use): The cryopreservation solution is composed of fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with a volume ratio of 14 to 20:1.
[0025] RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, is able to grow in vitro and be stably passaged for a long period of time. The cell line has the characteristics of diphasic differentiation and is composed of the sarcomatoid and epithelial components (the main part is clear cell type), with lack contact of inhibition. The chromosomes of RCC09HYF were heteroploidy, with the number of chromosomes mainly ranged from 55 to 68 and the modal number of 63. The aberrations of both chromosome number and structure exists. After 120 passages for 12 months, the doubling time is 18 h with a colony formation rate of 31% Immunohistochemical analysis for the original tumor tissue of RCC09HYF shows positive expression of Vimentin, CD 10, CAM and Ki67, and negative expressions of ABC, CACP, HMB, P53 and SMA.
[0026] For RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, its tumorigenesis is relatively stronger by in vitro orthotopic animal model. Three to four weeks after transplantation of RCC09HYF cells into nude mice, the whole abdominal cavity is full of tumor in above 50% of nude mice and dyscrasia appeares; moreover, lung metastasis is detected in the individual mice. The recovery rate of tumor cells originated from transplant tumor after cryopreservation is more than 80%, and growth status and cell morphology are similar as the original ones.
[0027] Taking RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, as the experimental tool, growth feature of tumor cells and related malignant biological behavior, including invasion and metastasis, et al, can be characterized. Thus it provides an effective and steady cell model for further studies on renal carcinogenesis and metastasis, and for the clinic prediction, diagnosis and treatment of the sRCC.
[0028] The establishment of the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention (RCC09HYF) contributed to screening specific markers and therapeutic targets for early detection and effective treatment of sRCC.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows the morphology of RCC09HYF cells of passage 12 under an optical microscope (200×): all the cells were adherent; at the early stage of culture, the cellular shape was extremely irregular with lack contact of inhibition, and the cells exhibited diphasic differentiation (A) and high heterogeneity (B). Some cells showed sarcomatoid structure (denoted by blue arrow), while others showed epithelial structure-clear cell carcinoma (denoted by red arrow).
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the growth curve of RCC09HYF cells.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows HE staining of RCC09HYF cells. RCC09HYF cells were large in size, and exhibited clear nuclear membrane and nucleolar contour and prominent nucleoli. The cells had a little cytoplasm, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with rich ribosomal particles and two or more nuclei in most cells. The arrow indicates the cell with two nucleus.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows HE staining of the original tumor tissues of RCC09HYF. Some cells exhibited sarcomatoid structure (A), while the epithelial component was mainly clear cell RCC (B).
[0033] FIG. 5 shows immunohistochemical analysis of the original tumor tissues of RCC09HYF, suggesting the expression of CAM, Vimentin, CD 10 and Ki67 were strongly positive.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows the representative karyotype of RCC09HYF cell. As shown, RCC09HYF cell exhibited hyperdiploid, in which the number of many chromosomes was more than two.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the Examples and Figures of the present invention. The following Examples are performed based on the embodiments of the present invention. Although detailed embodiments and specific operating procedures are provided, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
Example 1
Preparation of the Cell Line of Human sRCC from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF)
[0036] 1. Primary Culture:
[0037] Primary renal tumor tissue (pathologically identified as sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma afterwards) was obtained from a patient received radical nephrectomy under aseptic condition. The tumor tissue was kept in a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B) in a petri-dish. After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels were removed, the visible tumor tissues identified by naked eyes were immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor. The tissue pieces were transferred into centrifuge tube with the immersing medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was discarded, and the tissue pieces were resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was discarded. The tissue pieces were resuspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium, and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml). The flask was incubated in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity. After 24 h, adherent tissue pieces were supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium for further incubation.
[0038] 2. Passage:
[0039] When cells grew out of the tissue pieces and reached to 85% confluence, they were passaged. Under aseptic condition in a clean bench, the medium was removed and cells were washed twice with D-hanks solution. And then 1 ml 0.25% trypsin was added, and the flask was placed in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4-5 min. When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells were observed under microscope (even a few floating cells were observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium was added for neutralization. Cells were resuspended to single cells by pipetting.
[0040] 3. Cryopreservation and Recovery
[0041] Cryopreservation: DMEM complete medium was refreshed 24 h before cryopreservation, so as to keep cell growth in logarithmic phase. The medium in the flask was removed under aseptic condition in a clean bench. After adherent cells were washed twice with D-hanks solution, 1 ml 0.25% trypsin was added and the flask was kept in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min. When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells were observed under microscope (even a few floating cells were observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium was added. The single cell suspension was obtained by pipetting and cell pellet was collected by centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 10 min at room temperature. And then cells were resuspended with 1.5 ml cryopreservation solution and cell counting was performed so as to adjust the concentration of cells to 5×10 6 cells/ml. The suspension was transferred into a cell freezing tube and sealed carefully. The freezing tube was labeled with the following information: cell type, date of cryopreservation and name of the operator. Cell freezing tube was placed at −80° C. for over 12 h, and kept in liquid nitrogen on the next day.
[0042] Recovery: Cell freezing tube was taken out of liquid nitrogen and immersed in warm water at 37° C. rapidly. After cell suspension was thawed, it was transferred into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was discarded. A total volume of 5 ml DMEM complete medium was added to resuspend the pellet to single cell suspension with the cell concentration of 5×10 5 cells/ml by pipetting. Then the suspension was transferred to a culture flask and incubated in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.
[0043] The formulations of culture solutions of the present invention are as follows:
[0044] D-Hanks solution: NaCl 8.0 g, KCl 0.4 g, Na 2 HPO 4 12H 2 O 0.08 g, KH 2 PO 4 0.06 g, NaHCO 3 0.35 g, 1% 2 ml of phenol-red were dissolved in ultra-pure water to the volume of 1000 ml. The solution was then autoclaved at 121° C. for 30 min, and stored at 4° C.
[0045] DMEM medium: Hyclone, Invitrogen (high glucose, supplemented with sodium pyruvate and L-glutamine).
[0046] DMEM complete medium: DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin 100 U/ml, streptomycin 100 μg/ml.
[0047] Cryopreservation solution (freshly prepared before use): The cryopreservation solution was composed of fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with a volume ratio of 14 to 20:1.
Example 2
Identification of the Growth and Genetic Properties of the sRCC Cell Line of from a Han Chinese of the Present Invention (RCC09HYF)
[0048] 1. Morphology of RCC09HYF Cells
[0049] After successful primary culture, the cells were passaged with the routine method. The cells were able to grow in vitro and be stably passaged for a long period of time, with 120 passages in 12 months. The RCC09HYF cells of passage 12 were observed under an inverted microscope (200×): all the cells were adherent; at early stage of culture, the cellular shape was extremely irregular with lack contact of inhibition, and the cells exhibited diphasic differentiation ( FIG. 1-A ) and high heterogeneity ( FIG. 1-B ). Some cells showed the sarcomatoid structure ( FIG. 1-B , denoted by blue arrow), while others showed the epithelial structure-clear cell RCC ( FIG. 1-B , denoted by red arrow).
[0050] 2. Growth Curve of RCC09HYF Cells
[0051] The total number of 5×10 4 cells suspended in 2 ml 1640 complete medium per well were seeded into 21 wells of a 24-well plate. Every other day the cells of every three wells were digested for cell counting and the mean with standard deviation were calculated to generate growth curve. As shown in FIG. 2 , cells kept the logarithmic growth from 1st day to 4th day, and reached the plateau phase since 5th day with the doubling time of 18 h.
[0052] 3. HE Staining of RCC09HYF Cells
[0053] RCC09HYF cells at logarithmic growth phase were harvested, washed by PBS, and fixed by 95% ethanol solution. After washed by PBS, cells were stained by hematoxylin and eosin solution and then decolored by gradient alcohol solutions, fixed and mounted with neutralbalsam. Under the microscope, RCC09HYF cells were large in size, and exhibited clear nuclear membrane and nucleolar contour and prominent nucleoli. The cells had a little cytoplasm, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with rich ribosomal particles and two or more nuclei in most cells. The arrow indicates the cell with two nuclei.
[0054] 4. Double-Layered Soft Agarose Assay of RCC09HYF Cells (The Single Well of a 6-Well Plate was Taken as the Unit of Analysis)
[0055] Firstly, the lower layer of agarose was prepared as follows: the agorose mixture with the final concentration of 0.6% was formulated using 1.8% agarose, 2×DMEM, 100×L-glutamine, 100×mycillin and fetal bovine serum, and then solidified. After RCC09HYF cells were digested, the cells were counted and adjusted to the concentration of 5000 cells/ml. The upper layer of agarose was prepared as follows: the agarose mixture with the final concentration of 0.3% was formulated using 1.8% agarose, 2×DMEM, 100×L-glutamine, 100×mycillin and fetal bovine serum, which was then thoroughly mixed with 500 μl cell suspension and immediately poured on the lower layer of agarose. After solidification, the plate was incubated in a CO 2 incubator. The colony formation rate was calculated through MTT staining after 15 days. Under a microscope, 10 visual fields were randomly selected and the colony formation rate was confirmed for each field by the formula as follows: Colony formation rate=Number of the clones with more than 10 cells/Number of the seeded cells×100. After incubation of 15 days, the average of the colony formation rate of RCC09HYF was 31%.
[0056] 5. HE Staining and Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Original Tumor Tissues of RCC09HYF
[0057] According to the regulations of the Institutional Ethics Review Board of Second Military Medical University, the tumor tissues were obtained from the patient after informed consent. The routine paraffin sections of 4 μm thick were placed on a clean slide coated with the adhesion agent, and heated at 58° C. for 18 h. And then the conventional xylene deparaffinization was performed. HE staining under a microscope showed that some cells exhibited sarcomatoid structure ( FIG. 4-A ), while epithelial structure was mainly clear cell carcinoma ( FIG. 4-B ). For immunohistochemical analysis, the sections after deparaffinization were washed using 0.1 mol/L PBS (PH=7.4). Antigen retrieval (AR) was performed at 95° C. for 10 min, and the sections were cooled naturally and washed by PBS. Then they were incubated with the primary antibodies (Vimentin, CD10, CAM, Ki67, ABC, CACP, HMB, P53, and SMA) at 4° C. over night. After washed by PBS, the sections were dealed with by 0.3% H 2 O 2 to inhibit the endogenous peroxidase and subsequently incubated with the secondary antibodies at 37° C. for 30 min and washed by PBS. Then, the sections were developed using 0.05% DAB+0.03% H 2 O 2 for 8˜12 min and stopped by thoroughly washed with tap water. The sections were counterstained by hematoxylin for 30 s, washed by water and blued (37° C.), followed by 0.5% hydrochloric acid alcohol differentiation and blueness and washing with water. The slides were conventionally mounted with resin. The pale brown or dark brown color with violet background was taken as positive staining. The results showed that the expression of vimentin, CD10, CAM, and Ki67 were strong positive ( FIG. 5 ), while ABC, CACP, HMB, P53, and SMA were negative.
[0058] 6. Karyotype Analysis of RCC09HYF Cells
[0059] Cells in logarithmic phase with 80%-90% confluence in monolayer culture were taken into analysis. Metakinesis was inhibited by colchicine with the final concentration of 0.04-0.1 μg/ml in the medium. The cells were further incubated in a CO 2 incubator for 4 h. After fixation and staining, 30 metaphase spreads were observed under a microscope. The number of chromosomes of RCC09HYF cell line ranged from 55 to 68, with the modal number of 63, indicating cases of hyperdiploid. Besides, the structure of chromosomes was analyzed by R band staining (Zheng Er, ed. Tissue Culture and Molecular and Cellular Technology. Beijing Publication House, 2001-1-1).
[0060] Table 1 and Table 2 exhibit karyotype analysis of RCC05HYF. 30 metaphase spreads were analyzed and the abnormal cases were counted. The abberation observed in more than 10 division phases were listed in Tables 1 and Table 2: Chromosome 1 had deletion, with the detection rate of 90.0%. Hyperdiploid generally existed in Chromosomes 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12, with the detection rate of 96.7%, 100%, 83.3%, 96.7%, and 100%, respectively. Meanwhile, the abnormal structures also existed in Chromosomes 9, 11 and 12, with the detection rate of 100%, 56.7%, and 63.3%, respectively. Besides, the abnormal structures, del(1) (qter→p31:) and del(2) (pter→q33:), were widespread in Chromosomes 1 and 2, with the detection rate of 93.3% (28/30) for both cases.
[0000]
TABLE 1
The aberration of chromosome number of RCC09HYF cells
(abnormities with more than 10 division phases)
Chromosome
Detection rate
Numeral Aberration
No.
(%, n/N)
Gain
1~2 more than normal
2
100.0
(30/30)
3
83.3
(25/30)
7
96.7
(29/30)
11
96.7
(29/30)
12
100.0
(30/30)
16
40.0
(12/30)
19
43.3
(13/30)
20
33.3
(10/30)
2~4 more than normal
9
100.0
(30/30)
1~3 more than normal
10
83.3
(25/30)
22
63.3
(25/30)
Loss
1 less than normal
1
90.0
(27/30)
Deletion
6
33.3
(10/30)
21
70.0
(21/30)
[0000]
TABLE 2
The aberration of chromosome structure of RCC09HYF cells
(abnormities with more than 10 division phases)
Chromosome
Detection rate
Marker
No.
Structural Aberration
(%, n/N)
M1[1p−]
1
del(1) (qter→p31:)
93.3
(28/30)
M2[2q−]
2
del(2)(pter→q33:)
93.3
(28/30)
M3[i(8q)]
8
i(8)(qter→q10:q10→qter)
100.0
(30/30)
M4[der(8)t(8; 9)]
8
der(8)t(8qter→q12:9p13→qter)
100.0
(30/30)
M5[der(9)t(8; 9)]
9
del(9)t(9per→p13:8q12→pter)
100.0
(30/30)
M7[11q+]
11
add(11)(pter→qter::?)
56.7
(17/30)
M9[12q+]
12
add(12)(pter→qter::?)
63.3
(19/30)
M10[18p+]
18
add(18)(qter→pter::?)
33.3
(10/30)
M11[22q+]
22
add(22)(pter→qter::?)
70.0
(21/30)
Example 3
Animal Experiments for the sRCC Cell Line of from Han Chinese of the Present Invention (RCC09HYF)
[0061] Firstly, subcutaneous tumorigenesis was performed to 4-week old nude mice using 2×10 6 cells/mouse. When tumors reached 1 cm in diameter, they were excised and transplanted into renal subcapsules to establish the orthotopic models and observed tumorigenic and metastatic potential of RCC09HYF cells. Orthotopic transplantation in the renal subcapsule was performed as follows. After mechanically minced, the tissue pieces from the subcutaneous tumor were suspended in serum-free DMEM and kept on ice for future transplantation. Nude mice of 4-week old were weighed, and anaesthetized using 1% pentobarbital sodium in an amount of 70˜80 μl/10 g by intraperitoneal injection. Operation started after the mice were anaesthetic. Took mice in right lateral position, and disinfected the skins of back and belly on the left side of mice using 75% alcohol wipes. A longitudinal incision of 1˜1.3 cm was made in the left renal region parallel to the spine using an ophthalmic scissor. The epidermis, subcutaneous tissue, and perirenal fascia were cut open, and the left kidney was pushed and brought out of nephridial pit by sterile swabs. The renal capsule was carefully cut by an ophthalmic scissor to create a small incision of 2˜3 mm. RCC tissue pieces were put under the renal capsule and away from the incision using an ophthalmic forceps. Then the incision was covered by the perirenal fat tissue. The perirenal fascia was sutured using 6-0 silk thread under pressure, and the skin was sutured using 4-0 silk thread. The mice were then kept in cages for observation. The mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation before dying, and tumorgenesis and metastasis were observed. It was found that RCC09HYF tumorigenesis was relatively stronger in nude mice. Three to four weeks after orthotopic transplantation, the whole abdominal cavity was full of tumor in above 50% of nude mice and dyscrasia appeared. Moreover, lung metastasis was detected in a few individuals. | Provided is a renal sarcomatoid cell line RCC09HYF, of which the deposit No. is CCTCC C201130, and the preparation method of the renal sarcomatoid cell line. The renal sarcomatoid cell line RCC09HYF can grow for a long period and be steadily passaged in vitro. By tumorigenic experiments using in-situ animal models in vitro it has been found that: the tumorigenesis is relatively fast inside animals and 3-4 weeks after tumor inoculation, the transplanted tumors fill the whole abdominal cavity, and dyscrasia appears in above 50% of nude mice; moreover, lung metastasis is present in a few individuals. The renal sarcomatoid cell line RCC09HYF can provide an effective and steady cell model for further study of the genesis and metastasis mechanism of renal sarcomatoid carcinoma in persons of Han nationality and for clinical prediction, diagnosis and treatment. | Briefly describe the main invention outlined in the provided context. | [
"[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese application No. 201110202556.5, filed to The Patent Office of the People's Republic of China on Jul. 20, 2011, titled “Cell line of renal sarcomatoid carcinoma in persons of Han nationality and preparation method thereof”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.",
"FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of microbiological and animal cell line, particularly, to the cell line of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) and the generation method thereof.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Cell line is of great importance for basic research of cancer.",
"In vitro experiments using cell lines and subsequent construction of animal models are the essential approaches to find out the potential functions of important genes in the postgenomic era, especially for the functional genomics era.",
"At present, cell lines are still extensively used as an important tool for characterizing gene functions in vitro, due to their relatively steady genetic background.",
"Tumor cell lines are of great importance not only for deeply exploring the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and progression at molecular or genetic level, but also for early diagnosis, medicine screening and cancer therapy.",
"For example, treatment of metastatic clear cell RCC using sunitinib malate is now at phase III clinical trial, based on the in vitro function of this medicine on RCC cell lines such as 786-O.",
"[0004] Sarcomatoid RCC (sRCC) is a specific RCC entity, which accounts for only 1.0-8.0% of renal cell tumors and there are rare sRCC cases in clinic.",
"sRCC presents highly aggressive malignancy, and progressions of sRCC patients go rapidly, usually with early metastasis.",
"sRCC patients are not sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and have extremely poor prognosis.",
"The average survival time of T1 patients is 49.7 months, while it is 6.8 months for T2˜T4 patients.",
"In 1968, Farrow and his colleagues firstly discovered and named sarcomatoid RCC (Farrow G M, Harrison E G, UTZ DG.",
"Sarcomas and sarcomatoid and mixed malignant tumor s of the kidney in adults-Part III.",
"Cancer 1968, 22: 556-563).",
"For the components of this type of tumor, the epithelial component can be a renal cell carcinoma of various pathological types, 70% of which is clear cell or chromophobe granule type;",
"while the sarcomatoid component can be hemangiopericytosarcomatoid, rhabdomyosarcomatoid, osteosarcomatoid, chondrosarcomatoid and undifferentiated sarcomatoid structure, et al.",
"At present, early diagnosis with subsequent radical nephrectomy is preferred alternative of sRCC patients, since there is no breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment of sRCC.",
"A few sRCC cases have been reported to be sensitive to cytokine therapy, which are only case reports and have not been verified by randomized control trials.",
"Furthermore, prognosis and therapeutic effect are directly influenced by the proportion between the sarcomatoid and epithelia components in sRCC, in which the higher proportion the sarcomatoid component accounts for, the poorer the prognosis is, and the harder the systematic treatment will be.",
"In order to elucidate the genetic properties of sRCC, particularly the effect of the interaction between the sarcomatoid and epithelia components on RCC malignancy, thereby guiding systematic treatment, it is required and necessary to establish sRCC cell lines.",
"[0005] At present, ATCC has not deposited any sRCC cell lines.",
"Since the genetic background and living conditions varied among races all over the world, tumor morbidity and fatality rates are also different.",
"Thus, it is the essential step and of great scientific value to establish the cell line of sRCC derived from Han Chinese, which contributed to exploring the mechanism of RCC metastasis.",
"SUMMARY [0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a sRCC cell line from Han Chinese.",
"[0007] In the present invention, a human cell line of sRCC was established by in vitro cell culture.",
"Taken sRCC cell line to study tumor cell biology including growth and metastasis, et al, it will help to better understand the mechanisms of RCC initiation and metastasis, and contributed to clinic prediction, diagnosis and treatment of RCC in Han Chinese.",
"[0008] In the present invention, the sRCC cell line (named RCC09HYF) of a Han Chinese deposited as No. CCTCCC201130 in China Center for Type Culture Collection on May 11, 2011 is provided.",
"[0009] In the present invention, also provided is a method for generation of the above-mentioned sRCC cell line from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) comprising the following steps: [0010] RCC09HYF cell line of the present invention originated from the primary tumor tissues of the Han Chinese sRCC patient.",
"The resected tumor tissue is placed into a petri-dish supplied with a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B).",
"After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels are removed, the visible tumor tissue identified by naked eyes is immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor.",
"The tissue pieces are transferred into centrifuge tube together with the medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are suspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium (DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin), and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml).",
"The flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.",
"After 24 h, the adherent tissue pieces are supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium to keep incubation.",
"[0011] A method in detail for generating sRCC cell line from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) of the present invention is as follows: [0012] 1.",
"Primary Cell Culture [0013] Primary renal tumor tissue (pathologically identified as sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma afterwards) is obtained from a patient received radical nephrectomy under aseptic condition.",
"The tumor tissues are kept in a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B) in a petri-dish.",
"After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels are removed, the visible tumor tissues identified by naked eyes are immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor.",
"The tissue pieces are transferred into centrifuge tube with the immersing medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant is discarded, and the tissue pieces are resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant is discarded.",
"The tissue pieces are suspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium, and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml).",
"The flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.",
"After 24 h, adherent tissue pieces are supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium for further incubation.",
"[0014] 2.",
"Passage [0015] When cells grow out of the tissue pieces and reaches to 85% confluence, they are passaged.",
"Under aseptic condition in a clean bench, the medium is removed and cells are washed twice with D-hanks solution.",
"And then 1 ml 0.25% trypsin is added, and the flask is placed in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min.",
"When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells are observed under microscope (even a few floating cells are observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium is added for neutralization.",
"Cells are resuspended to single cells by pipetting.",
"[0016] 3.",
"Cryopreservation and Recovery [0017] Cryopreservation: DMEM complete medium is refreshed 24 h before cryopreservation, so as to keep cell growth in logarithmic phase.",
"The medium is removed from the flask under aseptic condition in a clean bench.",
"After adherent cells are washed twice with D-hanks solution, 1 ml 0.25% trypsin is added and the flask is kept in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min.",
"When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells are observed under microscope (even a few floating cells are observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium is added.",
"Single cell suspension is obtained by pipetting and cell pellet is collected by centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 10 min at room temperature.",
"And then the cells are resuspended with 1.5 ml cryopreservation solution and cell counting is performed so as to adjust the concentration of cells to 5×10 6 cells/ml.",
"Cell suspension is transferred into a cell freezing tube and sealed carefully.",
"The freezing tube is labeled with the following information: cell type, date of cryopreservation and name of the operator.",
"The cryopreservation tube is placed at −80° C. for over 12 h, and kept in liquid nitrogen on the next day.",
"[0018] Recovery: Cell freezing tube is taken out of liquid nitrogen and immersed in warm water at 37° C. rapidly.",
"After cell suspension is thawed, it is transferred into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant is discarded.",
"A total volume of 5 ml DMEM complete medium is added to suspend the pellet to single cell suspension with the concentration of 5×10 5 cells/ml by pipetting.",
"Then the suspension is transferred to a culture flask and incubated in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.",
"[0019] At present, RCC09HYF cells of No. 64 and 69 passages cultured by us are deposited at China Center for Type Culture Collection.",
"[0020] The formulations of the culture solutions of the present invention are as follows: [0021] D-Hanks solution: NaCl 8.0 g, KCl 0.4 g, Na 2 HPO 4 12H 2 O 0.08 g, KH 2 PO 4 0.06 g, NaHCO 3 0.35 g, 1% phenol-red 2 ml are dissolved in ultra-pure water to the volume of 1000 ml.",
"The solution is autoclaved at 121° C. for 30 min, and stored at 4° C. [0022] DMEM medium: Hyclone, Invitrogen (high glucose, supplemented with sodium pyruvate and L-glutamine).",
"[0023] DMEM complete medium: DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin 100 U/ml, streptomycin 100 m/ml.",
"[0024] Cryopreservation solution (freshly prepared before use): The cryopreservation solution is composed of fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with a volume ratio of 14 to 20:1.",
"[0025] RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, is able to grow in vitro and be stably passaged for a long period of time.",
"The cell line has the characteristics of diphasic differentiation and is composed of the sarcomatoid and epithelial components (the main part is clear cell type), with lack contact of inhibition.",
"The chromosomes of RCC09HYF were heteroploidy, with the number of chromosomes mainly ranged from 55 to 68 and the modal number of 63.",
"The aberrations of both chromosome number and structure exists.",
"After 120 passages for 12 months, the doubling time is 18 h with a colony formation rate of 31% Immunohistochemical analysis for the original tumor tissue of RCC09HYF shows positive expression of Vimentin, CD 10, CAM and Ki67, and negative expressions of ABC, CACP, HMB, P53 and SMA.",
"[0026] For RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, its tumorigenesis is relatively stronger by in vitro orthotopic animal model.",
"Three to four weeks after transplantation of RCC09HYF cells into nude mice, the whole abdominal cavity is full of tumor in above 50% of nude mice and dyscrasia appeares;",
"moreover, lung metastasis is detected in the individual mice.",
"The recovery rate of tumor cells originated from transplant tumor after cryopreservation is more than 80%, and growth status and cell morphology are similar as the original ones.",
"[0027] Taking RCC09HYF, the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention, as the experimental tool, growth feature of tumor cells and related malignant biological behavior, including invasion and metastasis, et al, can be characterized.",
"Thus it provides an effective and steady cell model for further studies on renal carcinogenesis and metastasis, and for the clinic prediction, diagnosis and treatment of the sRCC.",
"[0028] The establishment of the sRCC cell line from Han Chinese of the present invention (RCC09HYF) contributed to screening specific markers and therapeutic targets for early detection and effective treatment of sRCC.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0029] FIG. 1 shows the morphology of RCC09HYF cells of passage 12 under an optical microscope (200×): all the cells were adherent;",
"at the early stage of culture, the cellular shape was extremely irregular with lack contact of inhibition, and the cells exhibited diphasic differentiation (A) and high heterogeneity (B).",
"Some cells showed sarcomatoid structure (denoted by blue arrow), while others showed epithelial structure-clear cell carcinoma (denoted by red arrow).",
"[0030] FIG. 2 shows the growth curve of RCC09HYF cells.",
"[0031] FIG. 3 shows HE staining of RCC09HYF cells.",
"RCC09HYF cells were large in size, and exhibited clear nuclear membrane and nucleolar contour and prominent nucleoli.",
"The cells had a little cytoplasm, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with rich ribosomal particles and two or more nuclei in most cells.",
"The arrow indicates the cell with two nucleus.",
"[0032] FIG. 4 shows HE staining of the original tumor tissues of RCC09HYF.",
"Some cells exhibited sarcomatoid structure (A), while the epithelial component was mainly clear cell RCC (B).",
"[0033] FIG. 5 shows immunohistochemical analysis of the original tumor tissues of RCC09HYF, suggesting the expression of CAM, Vimentin, CD 10 and Ki67 were strongly positive.",
"[0034] FIG. 6 shows the representative karyotype of RCC09HYF cell.",
"As shown, RCC09HYF cell exhibited hyperdiploid, in which the number of many chromosomes was more than two.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0035] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the Examples and Figures of the present invention.",
"The following Examples are performed based on the embodiments of the present invention.",
"Although detailed embodiments and specific operating procedures are provided, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples.",
"Example 1 Preparation of the Cell Line of Human sRCC from a Han Chinese (RCC09HYF) [0036] 1.",
"Primary Culture: [0037] Primary renal tumor tissue (pathologically identified as sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma afterwards) was obtained from a patient received radical nephrectomy under aseptic condition.",
"The tumor tissue was kept in a little serum-free DMEM medium (containing 1000 U/ml penicillin and 3 μg/ml amphotericin B) in a petri-dish.",
"After necrotic tissue, adipose connective tissue and blood vessels were removed, the visible tumor tissues identified by naked eyes were immersed in serum-free DMEM medium at 4° C. for 30 min and then cut into 1˜3 mm 3 pieces with an ophthalmic scissor.",
"The tissue pieces were transferred into centrifuge tube with the immersing medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant was discarded, and the tissue pieces were resuspended by adding DMEM medium, and washed by shaking for 2˜3 min and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant was discarded.",
"The tissue pieces were resuspended in 1 ml DMEM complete medium, and seeded into glass cell culture flask (100 ml).",
"The flask was incubated in a CO 2 incubator for 24 h at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.",
"After 24 h, adherent tissue pieces were supplemented with 2˜2.5 ml DMEM complete medium for further incubation.",
"[0038] 2.",
"Passage: [0039] When cells grew out of the tissue pieces and reached to 85% confluence, they were passaged.",
"Under aseptic condition in a clean bench, the medium was removed and cells were washed twice with D-hanks solution.",
"And then 1 ml 0.25% trypsin was added, and the flask was placed in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4-5 min.",
"When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells were observed under microscope (even a few floating cells were observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium was added for neutralization.",
"Cells were resuspended to single cells by pipetting.",
"[0040] 3.",
"Cryopreservation and Recovery [0041] Cryopreservation: DMEM complete medium was refreshed 24 h before cryopreservation, so as to keep cell growth in logarithmic phase.",
"The medium in the flask was removed under aseptic condition in a clean bench.",
"After adherent cells were washed twice with D-hanks solution, 1 ml 0.25% trypsin was added and the flask was kept in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity for 4˜5 min.",
"When cytoplasmic retraction and increased intercellular space of most cells were observed under microscope (even a few floating cells were observed), 4 ml DMEM complete medium was added.",
"The single cell suspension was obtained by pipetting and cell pellet was collected by centrifuge at 1500 rpm for 10 min at room temperature.",
"And then cells were resuspended with 1.5 ml cryopreservation solution and cell counting was performed so as to adjust the concentration of cells to 5×10 6 cells/ml.",
"The suspension was transferred into a cell freezing tube and sealed carefully.",
"The freezing tube was labeled with the following information: cell type, date of cryopreservation and name of the operator.",
"Cell freezing tube was placed at −80° C. for over 12 h, and kept in liquid nitrogen on the next day.",
"[0042] Recovery: Cell freezing tube was taken out of liquid nitrogen and immersed in warm water at 37° C. rapidly.",
"After cell suspension was thawed, it was transferred into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min.",
"The supernatant was discarded.",
"A total volume of 5 ml DMEM complete medium was added to resuspend the pellet to single cell suspension with the cell concentration of 5×10 5 cells/ml by pipetting.",
"Then the suspension was transferred to a culture flask and incubated in a CO 2 incubator at 37° C. under 5% CO 2 and 95% humidity.",
"[0043] The formulations of culture solutions of the present invention are as follows: [0044] D-Hanks solution: NaCl 8.0 g, KCl 0.4 g, Na 2 HPO 4 12H 2 O 0.08 g, KH 2 PO 4 0.06 g, NaHCO 3 0.35 g, 1% 2 ml of phenol-red were dissolved in ultra-pure water to the volume of 1000 ml.",
"The solution was then autoclaved at 121° C. for 30 min, and stored at 4° C. [0045] DMEM medium: Hyclone, Invitrogen (high glucose, supplemented with sodium pyruvate and L-glutamine).",
"[0046] DMEM complete medium: DMEM medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin 100 U/ml, streptomycin 100 μg/ml.",
"[0047] Cryopreservation solution (freshly prepared before use): The cryopreservation solution was composed of fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with a volume ratio of 14 to 20:1.",
"Example 2 Identification of the Growth and Genetic Properties of the sRCC Cell Line of from a Han Chinese of the Present Invention (RCC09HYF) [0048] 1.",
"Morphology of RCC09HYF Cells [0049] After successful primary culture, the cells were passaged with the routine method.",
"The cells were able to grow in vitro and be stably passaged for a long period of time, with 120 passages in 12 months.",
"The RCC09HYF cells of passage 12 were observed under an inverted microscope (200×): all the cells were adherent;",
"at early stage of culture, the cellular shape was extremely irregular with lack contact of inhibition, and the cells exhibited diphasic differentiation ( FIG. 1-A ) and high heterogeneity ( FIG. 1-B ).",
"Some cells showed the sarcomatoid structure ( FIG. 1-B , denoted by blue arrow), while others showed the epithelial structure-clear cell RCC ( FIG. 1-B , denoted by red arrow).",
"[0050] 2.",
"Growth Curve of RCC09HYF Cells [0051] The total number of 5×10 4 cells suspended in 2 ml 1640 complete medium per well were seeded into 21 wells of a 24-well plate.",
"Every other day the cells of every three wells were digested for cell counting and the mean with standard deviation were calculated to generate growth curve.",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , cells kept the logarithmic growth from 1st day to 4th day, and reached the plateau phase since 5th day with the doubling time of 18 h. [0052] 3.",
"HE Staining of RCC09HYF Cells [0053] RCC09HYF cells at logarithmic growth phase were harvested, washed by PBS, and fixed by 95% ethanol solution.",
"After washed by PBS, cells were stained by hematoxylin and eosin solution and then decolored by gradient alcohol solutions, fixed and mounted with neutralbalsam.",
"Under the microscope, RCC09HYF cells were large in size, and exhibited clear nuclear membrane and nucleolar contour and prominent nucleoli.",
"The cells had a little cytoplasm, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with rich ribosomal particles and two or more nuclei in most cells.",
"The arrow indicates the cell with two nuclei.",
"[0054] 4.",
"Double-Layered Soft Agarose Assay of RCC09HYF Cells (The Single Well of a 6-Well Plate was Taken as the Unit of Analysis) [0055] Firstly, the lower layer of agarose was prepared as follows: the agorose mixture with the final concentration of 0.6% was formulated using 1.8% agarose, 2×DMEM, 100×L-glutamine, 100×mycillin and fetal bovine serum, and then solidified.",
"After RCC09HYF cells were digested, the cells were counted and adjusted to the concentration of 5000 cells/ml.",
"The upper layer of agarose was prepared as follows: the agarose mixture with the final concentration of 0.3% was formulated using 1.8% agarose, 2×DMEM, 100×L-glutamine, 100×mycillin and fetal bovine serum, which was then thoroughly mixed with 500 μl cell suspension and immediately poured on the lower layer of agarose.",
"After solidification, the plate was incubated in a CO 2 incubator.",
"The colony formation rate was calculated through MTT staining after 15 days.",
"Under a microscope, 10 visual fields were randomly selected and the colony formation rate was confirmed for each field by the formula as follows: Colony formation rate=Number of the clones with more than 10 cells/Number of the seeded cells×100.",
"After incubation of 15 days, the average of the colony formation rate of RCC09HYF was 31%.",
"[0056] 5.",
"HE Staining and Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Original Tumor Tissues of RCC09HYF [0057] According to the regulations of the Institutional Ethics Review Board of Second Military Medical University, the tumor tissues were obtained from the patient after informed consent.",
"The routine paraffin sections of 4 μm thick were placed on a clean slide coated with the adhesion agent, and heated at 58° C. for 18 h. And then the conventional xylene deparaffinization was performed.",
"HE staining under a microscope showed that some cells exhibited sarcomatoid structure ( FIG. 4-A ), while epithelial structure was mainly clear cell carcinoma ( FIG. 4-B ).",
"For immunohistochemical analysis, the sections after deparaffinization were washed using 0.1 mol/L PBS (PH=7.4).",
"Antigen retrieval (AR) was performed at 95° C. for 10 min, and the sections were cooled naturally and washed by PBS.",
"Then they were incubated with the primary antibodies (Vimentin, CD10, CAM, Ki67, ABC, CACP, HMB, P53, and SMA) at 4° C. over night.",
"After washed by PBS, the sections were dealed with by 0.3% H 2 O 2 to inhibit the endogenous peroxidase and subsequently incubated with the secondary antibodies at 37° C. for 30 min and washed by PBS.",
"Then, the sections were developed using 0.05% DAB+0.03% H 2 O 2 for 8˜12 min and stopped by thoroughly washed with tap water.",
"The sections were counterstained by hematoxylin for 30 s, washed by water and blued (37° C.), followed by 0.5% hydrochloric acid alcohol differentiation and blueness and washing with water.",
"The slides were conventionally mounted with resin.",
"The pale brown or dark brown color with violet background was taken as positive staining.",
"The results showed that the expression of vimentin, CD10, CAM, and Ki67 were strong positive ( FIG. 5 ), while ABC, CACP, HMB, P53, and SMA were negative.",
"[0058] 6.",
"Karyotype Analysis of RCC09HYF Cells [0059] Cells in logarithmic phase with 80%-90% confluence in monolayer culture were taken into analysis.",
"Metakinesis was inhibited by colchicine with the final concentration of 0.04-0.1 μg/ml in the medium.",
"The cells were further incubated in a CO 2 incubator for 4 h. After fixation and staining, 30 metaphase spreads were observed under a microscope.",
"The number of chromosomes of RCC09HYF cell line ranged from 55 to 68, with the modal number of 63, indicating cases of hyperdiploid.",
"Besides, the structure of chromosomes was analyzed by R band staining (Zheng Er, ed.",
"Tissue Culture and Molecular and Cellular Technology.",
"Beijing Publication House, 2001-1-1).",
"[0060] Table 1 and Table 2 exhibit karyotype analysis of RCC05HYF.",
"30 metaphase spreads were analyzed and the abnormal cases were counted.",
"The abberation observed in more than 10 division phases were listed in Tables 1 and Table 2: Chromosome 1 had deletion, with the detection rate of 90.0%.",
"Hyperdiploid generally existed in Chromosomes 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12, with the detection rate of 96.7%, 100%, 83.3%, 96.7%, and 100%, respectively.",
"Meanwhile, the abnormal structures also existed in Chromosomes 9, 11 and 12, with the detection rate of 100%, 56.7%, and 63.3%, respectively.",
"Besides, the abnormal structures, del(1) (qter→p31:) and del(2) (pter→q33:), were widespread in Chromosomes 1 and 2, with the detection rate of 93.3% (28/30) for both cases.",
"[0000] TABLE 1 The aberration of chromosome number of RCC09HYF cells (abnormities with more than 10 division phases) Chromosome Detection rate Numeral Aberration No. (%, n/N) Gain 1~2 more than normal 2 100.0 (30/30) 3 83.3 (25/30) 7 96.7 (29/30) 11 96.7 (29/30) 12 100.0 (30/30) 16 40.0 (12/30) 19 43.3 (13/30) 20 33.3 (10/30) 2~4 more than normal 9 100.0 (30/30) 1~3 more than normal 10 83.3 (25/30) 22 63.3 (25/30) Loss 1 less than normal 1 90.0 (27/30) Deletion 6 33.3 (10/30) 21 70.0 (21/30) [0000] TABLE 2 The aberration of chromosome structure of RCC09HYF cells (abnormities with more than 10 division phases) Chromosome Detection rate Marker No. Structural Aberration (%, n/N) M1[1p−] 1 del(1) (qter→p31:) 93.3 (28/30) M2[2q−] 2 del(2)(pter→q33:) 93.3 (28/30) M3[i(8q)] 8 i(8)(qter→q10:q10→qter) 100.0 (30/30) M4[der(8)t(8;",
"9)] 8 der(8)t(8qter→q12:9p13→qter) 100.0 (30/30) M5[der(9)t(8;",
"9)] 9 del(9)t(9per→p13:8q12→pter) 100.0 (30/30) M7[11q+] 11 add(11)(pter→qter::?) 56.7 (17/30) M9[12q+] 12 add(12)(pter→qter::?) 63.3 (19/30) M10[18p+] 18 add(18)(qter→pter::?) 33.3 (10/30) M11[22q+] 22 add(22)(pter→qter::?) 70.0 (21/30) Example 3 Animal Experiments for the sRCC Cell Line of from Han Chinese of the Present Invention (RCC09HYF) [0061] Firstly, subcutaneous tumorigenesis was performed to 4-week old nude mice using 2×10 6 cells/mouse.",
"When tumors reached 1 cm in diameter, they were excised and transplanted into renal subcapsules to establish the orthotopic models and observed tumorigenic and metastatic potential of RCC09HYF cells.",
"Orthotopic transplantation in the renal subcapsule was performed as follows.",
"After mechanically minced, the tissue pieces from the subcutaneous tumor were suspended in serum-free DMEM and kept on ice for future transplantation.",
"Nude mice of 4-week old were weighed, and anaesthetized using 1% pentobarbital sodium in an amount of 70˜80 μl/10 g by intraperitoneal injection.",
"Operation started after the mice were anaesthetic.",
"Took mice in right lateral position, and disinfected the skins of back and belly on the left side of mice using 75% alcohol wipes.",
"A longitudinal incision of 1˜1.3 cm was made in the left renal region parallel to the spine using an ophthalmic scissor.",
"The epidermis, subcutaneous tissue, and perirenal fascia were cut open, and the left kidney was pushed and brought out of nephridial pit by sterile swabs.",
"The renal capsule was carefully cut by an ophthalmic scissor to create a small incision of 2˜3 mm.",
"RCC tissue pieces were put under the renal capsule and away from the incision using an ophthalmic forceps.",
"Then the incision was covered by the perirenal fat tissue.",
"The perirenal fascia was sutured using 6-0 silk thread under pressure, and the skin was sutured using 4-0 silk thread.",
"The mice were then kept in cages for observation.",
"The mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation before dying, and tumorgenesis and metastasis were observed.",
"It was found that RCC09HYF tumorigenesis was relatively stronger in nude mice.",
"Three to four weeks after orthotopic transplantation, the whole abdominal cavity was full of tumor in above 50% of nude mice and dyscrasia appeared.",
"Moreover, lung metastasis was detected in a few individuals."
] |
This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/020,114 filed Feb. 19, 1993 abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a contrasting composition including contrast media and drink, which has an excellent contrasting effect in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the gastrointestinal tract.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contrast media for gastrointestinal tract in roentogenologic examination include barium sulfate. In particular, barium sulfate is used in inspection of the gastrointestinal tract because it hardly transmits X-rays to provide a white image in a roentgenogram and, not being absorbed into a living body, is of very low toxicity (Encyclopedia Chimica, vol. 9, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, Jan. 20, 1968, P.727-728). However, this method is disadvantageous in that a living body is exposed to a harmful X-ray and that barium sulfate causes side effects such as coprostasis since it is not absorbed into a living body.
MRI is a diagnostic technique comprising measuring the state of water present in a living body by utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of protons and imaging the distribution of water as a contrast.
The principle of information imaging consists in expression of the relaxation time T 1 of the NMR phenomenon as a difference in image density. The shorter the T 1 , the whiter the image; and the longer the T 1 , the blacker the image. As the degree of restraint of water movement in a living body increases, T 1 becomes shorter to provide a whiter MRI image as compared with free water. Further, T 1 tends to be shortened in the presence of iron. In general, therefore, an iron compound is used as a contrast medium to be taken orally for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract, also taking safety to human bodies into consideration. For MRI of blood vessels, gadolinium compounds are employed as a contrast medium.
Where an iron compound, e.g., ammonium iron citrate, is used as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract MRI, it must be taken at a high dose amounting to several hundreds of milligrams. Such a large amount of an iron compound tastes of iron and will cause emotional stress in the living body and is therefore unsuitable for diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach. Other substances, if tried, have a fear of toxicity and, besides, they cannot be used in the preparation of food and drink for inspection particularly of the gastrointestinal tract because substances other than iron compounds are not admitted as a food additive.
Contrast media for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract must be clearly distinguishable from living body tissues in the MRI image. Those for gastrointestinal tract inspection are particularly required to form a clear boundary with the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, because the contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract inspection is orally taken, toxicity of their components is of extreme importance. The components are preferably composed of nutrients.
Water in normal tissues generally approximates free water and is observed as a black MRI image. Accordingly, a contrast medium for MRI should be a substance which is to provide a whiter MRI image than free water's MRI image. To this effect, a contrast medium should comprise components which makes T 1 shorter.
The inventors have noted the fact that T 1 generally tends to become shorter in the presence of a paramagnetic substance. However, while a great number of paramagnetic substances are known, including transition metals, such as copper, manganese, cobalt, and chromium, various organic free radicals, oxygen, nitrogen dioxide, and so on, any of them involves the problem of toxicity and is not admitted as a food additive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the light of the above-described circumstances, the inventors, having changed the way of thinking, dared to screen a vast number of paramagnetic substances noting that these substances, even toxic, will not hurt human body if taken in a negligible amount. As a result, the inventors' attention had been confined to copper and manganese for reasons that these substances, though toxic if taken in large quantities, are rather necessary for a living body as minerals if present in a trace amount and are actually contained in several foods.
An object of the present invention is to provide a contrasting composition which has an excellent contrasting effect in MRI and is of no toxicity and useful as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract MRI diagnosis.
It has now been found that the above object of the present invention is accomplished by using a trace amount of manganese.
The present invention provides a contrasting composition for gastrointestinal tract MRI which contains a trace amount of manganese.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graph of relaxation time (T 1 ) vs. copper concentration.
FIG. 2 is a graph of T 1 vs. manganese concentration.
FIG. 3 is a graph of T 1 vs. copper concentration in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.
FIG. 4 is a graph of T 1 vs. manganese concentration in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.
FIG. 5 is a graph of T 1 vs. copper and manganese concentrations in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.
FIG. 6 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 1 shown in Table 1.
FIG. 7 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 1 shown in Table 1 supplemented with manganese.
FIG. 8 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 2 shown in Table 1.
FIG. 9 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 2 supplemented with manganese.
FIG. 10 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken a contrast drink prepared in Example 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to examine the contrasting effect of copper and manganese in MRI, samples were prepared by adding a copper sulfate aqueous solution or a manganese chloride aqueous solution to distilled water and the relaxation time T 1 was determined with Solid Fat Content Analyzer (PRAXIS SFC-900 Model) which is used for measuring a ratio of solid fat to liquid fat in fats and oils based on a relaxation time of an organic substance. The results of the measurements are relatively shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taking the T 1 of a sample having a manganese concentration of 20 μg/ml which showed the shortest T 1 as a standard index (100). Namely, the relative value of the relaxation time is calculated by the following equation. ##EQU1##
The relative value of the relaxation time increases in proportion to an MRI image brightness.
FIGS. 1 and 2 reveal that T 1 tends to decrease with the amount of copper or manganese within a low concentration region but, after reaching the maximum as the amount added increases, conversely increases with the concentration.
Further, the copper sulfate aqueous solution or manganese chloride aqueous solution was added to control sample 1 having the composition shown in Table 1 below and non-enriched with copper or manganese, and the thus copper- or manganese-enriched sample was similarly subjected to T 1 measurement. The results obtained are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
TABLE 1______________________________________Composition Sample 1 Sample 2______________________________________Protein (mg/ml) 31 35Lipid (mg/ml) 26 36Carbohydrate (mg/ml) 17 14Minerals:Sodium (mg/ml) 0.8 1.0Potassium (mg/ml) 1.7 1.8Chlorine (mg/ml) 1.6 1.6Calcium (mg/ml) 1.2 0.6Phosphorus (mg/ml) 0.9 0.6Magnesium (mg/ml) 0.1 0.2Manganese (μg/ml) 0.2 0.1Copper (μg/ml) 0.2 0.1Zinc (μg/ml) 3.6 1.7Iron (μg/ml) 10 12______________________________________
Because the effect of T 1 reduction by addition of copper is small as can be seen from the experimental results and also because a copper compound is a poison when taken in quantity, an oral contrast medium comprising a copper compound turned out to be unsuitable in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract. It was found that, to the contrary, manganese has an effect of T 1 reduction at an extremely low dose, and if it is added in large quantities, the effect is the converse. Seeing that manganese at such a low dose is an essential nutrient, and no case of pathology due to excess of manganese intake has been reported, the toxicity of manganese seems to be on an extremely low level and can thus be utilized as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract diagnosis. From the above-mentioned experimental results and the test results hereinafter described, it was also proved that the contrasting composition for gastrointestinal tract MRI suitably has a manganese concentration of from 0.5 to 80 μg/ml, preferably from 0.8 to 50 μg/ml and more preferably from 15 to 30 μg/ml.
The contrasting composition of the present invention is orally administered to a subject on an empty stomach at a dose of 2 to 10 ml per kg body weight prior to MRI.
The contrasting composition according to the present invention may be prepared by formulating a manganese compound and/or a manganese-containing substance into contrast medium type preparations or drink type preparations in a usual manner.
The contrast medium type preparation can be prepared by dissolving a manganese compound and/or a manganese-containing substance in water and adding thereto a phamaceutically acceptable carrier such as sweetenings (e.g., sugar, etc.), flavorings, colorants and the like so that a subject can easily drink it. The drink type preparation can be prepared by diluting manganese-containing food or drink with water or concentrating it to give a predetermined manganese concentration and adding thereto food additives such as sweetenings, flavorings, colorants and the like.
The manganese compound which can be used in the present invention broadly include organic or inorganic manganese compounds such as manganese chloride, manganese sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese nitrate and manganese carbonate. What deserves special mention is that the desired effect can be accomplished with a negligible quantity of manganese so that a manganese-containing substance may be employed without any restriction. Any kind of manganese-containing substances, whether natural or artificial, can be used in the present invention as far as a prescribed amount of manganese is present therein. Therefore, manganese-containing foods, especially manganese-enriched foods may be made use of as such as a manganese source, which means that the safety problem is completely excluded. The present invention is exactly epoch-making from this viewpoint. Available manganese-containing foods include teas, such as powdered green tea and black tea, beans such as soybean, fruits such as blueberry. Any kind of foods rich in manganese, which means that the manganese content is not less than about 50 μg/g, can be used appropriately. The manganese-containing foods may be extracted with water and the resulting extracts are used as a contrasting drink as they are or diluted with water to give an appropriate manganese concentration. For example, blueberry juice having a manganese concentration of about 40 μg/ml and green tea having a manganese concentration of 30 μg/ml may be further diluted with water. The manganese-containing food or drink is effective in the preparation of not only drink type compositions but also contrast medium type compositions.
In the case of contrast media, manganese compounds other than food additives such as manganese chloride may be added, but in the case of drinks for inspection, addition of a manganese compound is not permitted. However, now that a trace amount of manganese has been proved effective, it is obvious that a drink for inspection may be prepared by addition of a food rich in manganese, such as powdered green tea.
MRI of the gastrointestinal tract using the contrasting composition according to the present invention can be carried out in a conventional manner using barium sulfate. For example, a subject is given on an empty stomach about 400 ml of the contrasting composition of the present invention having a manganese concentration of 2 to 30 μg/ml and is subjected to examination using an MRI apparatus. Morphologic observation on the gastrointestinal tract and diagnosis of lesions are made from the MRI image obtained. The image obtained using the contrasting composition of the present invention gives a clear boundary of the gastrointestinal tract. Further, in the image the gastrointestinal tract is clearly distinguishable in contrast from the other tissues or organs.
Manganese within a specified trace amount markedly shortens T 1 of water of its aqueous solution as compared with free water in a living body and, as a result, provides a white MRI image in marked contrast to that of free water.
The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail with reference to Examples, but it should be understood that the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto.
EXAMPLE 1
Bearing computed tomography of the body trunk in mind, a polyethylene container (diameter: 6 cm; height: 9 cm) filled with about 200 ml of a prepared sample (a sample drink or a contrast medium) was fixed with a band on its side, and a T 1 -intensified image was taken (spin echo method; repetition time TR=500 msec; echo time TE=20 msec) by means of an MRI apparatus ("SIGNA" manufactured by General Electric Co.; Performance: 1.5 T). The brightness of each MRI images obtained was shown in Table 2 below, being expressed relatively taking that of the MRI image of a standard copper sulfate aqueous solution as 100.
TABLE 2______________________________________ BrightnessSample of MRI Image______________________________________Standard Sample:Copper sulfate aqueous solution 100Water 81Olive oil 92Test Sample:Sample 1 (see Table 1) 85Sample medium: Sample 1 + MnCl.sub.2 95(Mn conc.: 2.0 μg/ml)Sample medium: Sample 1 + MnCl.sub.2 90(Mn conc.: 20 μg/ml)Sample drink*: Sample 1 + powdered green 93tea (Mn conc.: 2.0 μg/ml)Sample 2 (see Table 1) 88Sample medium: Sample 2 + MnCl.sub.2 90(Mn conc.: 1.5 μg/ml)Sample medium: Sample 2 + MnCl.sub.2 94(Mn conc.: 2.0 μg/ml)Sample drink*: Sample 2 + powdered green 92tea (Mn conc.: 2.0 μg/ml)______________________________________ *: Sample drink was prepared by dissolving powdered green tea having a manganese content of 1.40 mg/g in water to give a manganese concentration of 1 mg/ml and mixing the green tea solution with Sample 1 or Sample 2 to give a manganese concentration of 2.0 μg/ml.
EXAMPLE 2
A subject was orally given 400 ml of Sample 1 as shown in Table 1 on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk of the subject was taken with the MRI apparatus used in Example 1 (T 1 -intensified image; spin echo method; repetition time TR=500 msec; echo time TE=20 msec). The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 6.
An MRI image of a body trunk of another subject having orally taken a contrast medium prepared by adding manganese chloride to Sample 1 (final Mn conc.: 2 μg/ml) is shown in FIG. 7. The tomographic conditions were the same as above.
The latter image obviously shows the contrast increasing effect of manganese, proving effectiveness of the contrast medium in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.
EXAMPLE 3
A subject was orally given 400 ml of Sample 2 as shown in Table 1 on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk was taken in the same manner as in Example 2. The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 8.
An MRI image of a body trunk of another subject having orally taken a contrast medium prepared by adding manganese chloride to Sample 2 (final Mn conc.: 2 μg/ml) is shown in FIG. 9. The tomographic conditions were the same as above.
The latter image obviously shows the contrast increasing effect of manganese, proving effectiveness of the contrast medium in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.
EXAMPLE 4
Concentrated blueberry juice having a manganese content of 0.24 mg/ml was diluted with water to a manganese concentration of 1.5 mg/100 ml and hydrogenated oligosaccharide was added thereto for improving flavor to a concentration of 10% to obtain a contrasting drink.
A subject was orally given 400 ml of the thus-obtained contrasting drink on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk of the subject was taken in the same manner as in Example 2. The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 10.
As can be seen in FIG. 10, the contrasting drink provides a white image, which makes it easy to observe the form of stomach and makes the stomach distinguishable from the other tissues and organs. Thus, the contrasting drink of the present invention is very effective for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract.
According to the present invention, an excellent contrasting effect in MRI can be obtained by using a negligible amount of manganese. Because a very slight amount of manganese is sufficient for manifestation of the contrasting effect, not only a manganese compound per se but various manganese-containing foods may be used. The composition of the present invention is therefore very excellent from the standpoint of safety.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. | A contrasting composition for gastrointestinal tract MRI which contains a trace amount of unchelated manganese is disclosed. The composition has a marked contrasting effect in MRI without causing harm to a living body. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"This is a Continuation of application Ser.",
"No. 08/020,114 filed Feb. 19, 1993 abandoned.",
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a contrasting composition including contrast media and drink, which has an excellent contrasting effect in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Contrast media for gastrointestinal tract in roentogenologic examination include barium sulfate.",
"In particular, barium sulfate is used in inspection of the gastrointestinal tract because it hardly transmits X-rays to provide a white image in a roentgenogram and, not being absorbed into a living body, is of very low toxicity (Encyclopedia Chimica, vol.",
"9, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, Jan. 20, 1968, P[.",
"].727-728).",
"However, this method is disadvantageous in that a living body is exposed to a harmful X-ray and that barium sulfate causes side effects such as coprostasis since it is not absorbed into a living body.",
"MRI is a diagnostic technique comprising measuring the state of water present in a living body by utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of protons and imaging the distribution of water as a contrast.",
"The principle of information imaging consists in expression of the relaxation time T 1 of the NMR phenomenon as a difference in image density.",
"The shorter the T 1 , the whiter the image;",
"and the longer the T 1 , the blacker the image.",
"As the degree of restraint of water movement in a living body increases, T 1 becomes shorter to provide a whiter MRI image as compared with free water.",
"Further, T 1 tends to be shortened in the presence of iron.",
"In general, therefore, an iron compound is used as a contrast medium to be taken orally for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract, also taking safety to human bodies into consideration.",
"For MRI of blood vessels, gadolinium compounds are employed as a contrast medium.",
"Where an iron compound, e.g., ammonium iron citrate, is used as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract MRI, it must be taken at a high dose amounting to several hundreds of milligrams.",
"Such a large amount of an iron compound tastes of iron and will cause emotional stress in the living body and is therefore unsuitable for diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach.",
"Other substances, if tried, have a fear of toxicity and, besides, they cannot be used in the preparation of food and drink for inspection particularly of the gastrointestinal tract because substances other than iron compounds are not admitted as a food additive.",
"Contrast media for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract must be clearly distinguishable from living body tissues in the MRI image.",
"Those for gastrointestinal tract inspection are particularly required to form a clear boundary with the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"In addition, because the contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract inspection is orally taken, toxicity of their components is of extreme importance.",
"The components are preferably composed of nutrients.",
"Water in normal tissues generally approximates free water and is observed as a black MRI image.",
"Accordingly, a contrast medium for MRI should be a substance which is to provide a whiter MRI image than free water's MRI image.",
"To this effect, a contrast medium should comprise components which makes T 1 shorter.",
"The inventors have noted the fact that T 1 generally tends to become shorter in the presence of a paramagnetic substance.",
"However, while a great number of paramagnetic substances are known, including transition metals, such as copper, manganese, cobalt, and chromium, various organic free radicals, oxygen, nitrogen dioxide, and so on, any of them involves the problem of toxicity and is not admitted as a food additive.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the light of the above-described circumstances, the inventors, having changed the way of thinking, dared to screen a vast number of paramagnetic substances noting that these substances, even toxic, will not hurt human body if taken in a negligible amount.",
"As a result, the inventors'",
"attention had been confined to copper and manganese for reasons that these substances, though toxic if taken in large quantities, are rather necessary for a living body as minerals if present in a trace amount and are actually contained in several foods.",
"An object of the present invention is to provide a contrasting composition which has an excellent contrasting effect in MRI and is of no toxicity and useful as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract MRI diagnosis.",
"It has now been found that the above object of the present invention is accomplished by using a trace amount of manganese.",
"The present invention provides a contrasting composition for gastrointestinal tract MRI which contains a trace amount of manganese.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graph of relaxation time (T 1 ) vs.",
"copper concentration.",
"FIG. 2 is a graph of T 1 vs.",
"manganese concentration.",
"FIG. 3 is a graph of T 1 vs.",
"copper concentration in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.",
"FIG. 4 is a graph of T 1 vs.",
"manganese concentration in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.",
"FIG. 5 is a graph of T 1 vs.",
"copper and manganese concentrations in Sample 1 shown in Table 1.",
"FIG. 6 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 1 shown in Table 1.",
"FIG. 7 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 1 shown in Table 1 supplemented with manganese.",
"FIG. 8 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 2 shown in Table 1.",
"FIG. 9 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken Sample 2 supplemented with manganese.",
"FIG. 10 is an MRI tomogram of a body having taken a contrast drink prepared in Example 4.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to examine the contrasting effect of copper and manganese in MRI, samples were prepared by adding a copper sulfate aqueous solution or a manganese chloride aqueous solution to distilled water and the relaxation time T 1 was determined with Solid Fat Content Analyzer (PRAXIS SFC-900 Model) which is used for measuring a ratio of solid fat to liquid fat in fats and oils based on a relaxation time of an organic substance.",
"The results of the measurements are relatively shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taking the T 1 of a sample having a manganese concentration of 20 μg/ml which showed the shortest T 1 as a standard index (100).",
"Namely, the relative value of the relaxation time is calculated by the following equation.",
"##EQU1## The relative value of the relaxation time increases in proportion to an MRI image brightness.",
"FIGS. 1 and 2 reveal that T 1 tends to decrease with the amount of copper or manganese within a low concentration region but, after reaching the maximum as the amount added increases, conversely increases with the concentration.",
"Further, the copper sulfate aqueous solution or manganese chloride aqueous solution was added to control sample 1 having the composition shown in Table 1 below and non-enriched with copper or manganese, and the thus copper- or manganese-enriched sample was similarly subjected to T 1 measurement.",
"The results obtained are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.",
"TABLE 1______________________________________Composition Sample 1 Sample 2______________________________________Protein (mg/ml) 31 35Lipid (mg/ml) 26 36Carbohydrate (mg/ml) 17 14Minerals:Sodium (mg/ml) 0.8 1.0Potassium (mg/ml) 1.7 1.8Chlorine (mg/ml) 1.6 1.6Calcium (mg/ml) 1.2 0.6Phosphorus (mg/ml) 0.9 0.6Magnesium (mg/ml) 0.1 0.2Manganese (μg/ml) 0.2 0.1Copper (μg/ml) 0.2 0.1Zinc (μg/ml) 3.6 1.7Iron (μg/ml) 10 12______________________________________ Because the effect of T 1 reduction by addition of copper is small as can be seen from the experimental results and also because a copper compound is a poison when taken in quantity, an oral contrast medium comprising a copper compound turned out to be unsuitable in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"It was found that, to the contrary, manganese has an effect of T 1 reduction at an extremely low dose, and if it is added in large quantities, the effect is the converse.",
"Seeing that manganese at such a low dose is an essential nutrient, and no case of pathology due to excess of manganese intake has been reported, the toxicity of manganese seems to be on an extremely low level and can thus be utilized as a contrast medium for gastrointestinal tract diagnosis.",
"From the above-mentioned experimental results and the test results hereinafter described, it was also proved that the contrasting composition for gastrointestinal tract MRI suitably has a manganese concentration of from 0.5 to 80 μg/ml, preferably from 0.8 to 50 μg/ml and more preferably from 15 to 30 μg/ml.",
"The contrasting composition of the present invention is orally administered to a subject on an empty stomach at a dose of 2 to 10 ml per kg body weight prior to MRI.",
"The contrasting composition according to the present invention may be prepared by formulating a manganese compound and/or a manganese-containing substance into contrast medium type preparations or drink type preparations in a usual manner.",
"The contrast medium type preparation can be prepared by dissolving a manganese compound and/or a manganese-containing substance in water and adding thereto a phamaceutically acceptable carrier such as sweetenings (e.g., sugar, etc.), flavorings, colorants and the like so that a subject can easily drink it.",
"The drink type preparation can be prepared by diluting manganese-containing food or drink with water or concentrating it to give a predetermined manganese concentration and adding thereto food additives such as sweetenings, flavorings, colorants and the like.",
"The manganese compound which can be used in the present invention broadly include organic or inorganic manganese compounds such as manganese chloride, manganese sulfate, manganese acetate, manganese nitrate and manganese carbonate.",
"What deserves special mention is that the desired effect can be accomplished with a negligible quantity of manganese so that a manganese-containing substance may be employed without any restriction.",
"Any kind of manganese-containing substances, whether natural or artificial, can be used in the present invention as far as a prescribed amount of manganese is present therein.",
"Therefore, manganese-containing foods, especially manganese-enriched foods may be made use of as such as a manganese source, which means that the safety problem is completely excluded.",
"The present invention is exactly epoch-making from this viewpoint.",
"Available manganese-containing foods include teas, such as powdered green tea and black tea, beans such as soybean, fruits such as blueberry.",
"Any kind of foods rich in manganese, which means that the manganese content is not less than about 50 μg/g, can be used appropriately.",
"The manganese-containing foods may be extracted with water and the resulting extracts are used as a contrasting drink as they are or diluted with water to give an appropriate manganese concentration.",
"For example, blueberry juice having a manganese concentration of about 40 μg/ml and green tea having a manganese concentration of 30 μg/ml may be further diluted with water.",
"The manganese-containing food or drink is effective in the preparation of not only drink type compositions but also contrast medium type compositions.",
"In the case of contrast media, manganese compounds other than food additives such as manganese chloride may be added, but in the case of drinks for inspection, addition of a manganese compound is not permitted.",
"However, now that a trace amount of manganese has been proved effective, it is obvious that a drink for inspection may be prepared by addition of a food rich in manganese, such as powdered green tea.",
"MRI of the gastrointestinal tract using the contrasting composition according to the present invention can be carried out in a conventional manner using barium sulfate.",
"For example, a subject is given on an empty stomach about 400 ml of the contrasting composition of the present invention having a manganese concentration of 2 to 30 μg/ml and is subjected to examination using an MRI apparatus.",
"Morphologic observation on the gastrointestinal tract and diagnosis of lesions are made from the MRI image obtained.",
"The image obtained using the contrasting composition of the present invention gives a clear boundary of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"Further, in the image the gastrointestinal tract is clearly distinguishable in contrast from the other tissues or organs.",
"Manganese within a specified trace amount markedly shortens T 1 of water of its aqueous solution as compared with free water in a living body and, as a result, provides a white MRI image in marked contrast to that of free water.",
"The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail with reference to Examples, but it should be understood that the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto.",
"EXAMPLE 1 Bearing computed tomography of the body trunk in mind, a polyethylene container (diameter: 6 cm;",
"height: 9 cm) filled with about 200 ml of a prepared sample (a sample drink or a contrast medium) was fixed with a band on its side, and a T 1 -intensified image was taken (spin echo method;",
"repetition time TR=500 msec;",
"echo time TE=20 msec) by means of an MRI apparatus ("SIGNA"",
"manufactured by General Electric Co.;",
"Performance: 1.5 T).",
"The brightness of each MRI images obtained was shown in Table 2 below, being expressed relatively taking that of the MRI image of a standard copper sulfate aqueous solution as 100.",
"TABLE 2______________________________________ BrightnessSample of MRI Image______________________________________Standard Sample:Copper sulfate aqueous solution 100Water 81Olive oil 92Test Sample:Sample 1 (see Table 1) 85Sample medium: Sample 1 + MnCl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 95(Mn conc.",
": 2.0 μg/ml)Sample medium: Sample 1 + MnCl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 90(Mn conc.",
": 20 μg/ml)Sample drink*: Sample 1 + powdered green 93tea (Mn conc.",
": 2.0 μg/ml)Sample 2 (see Table 1) 88Sample medium: Sample 2 + MnCl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 90(Mn conc.",
": 1.5 μg/ml)Sample medium: Sample 2 + MnCl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 94(Mn conc.",
": 2.0 μg/ml)Sample drink*: Sample 2 + powdered green 92tea (Mn conc.",
": 2.0 μg/ml)______________________________________ *: Sample drink was prepared by dissolving powdered green tea having a manganese content of 1.40 mg/g in water to give a manganese concentration of 1 mg/ml and mixing the green tea solution with Sample 1 or Sample 2 to give a manganese concentration of 2.0 μg/ml.",
"EXAMPLE 2 A subject was orally given 400 ml of Sample 1 as shown in Table 1 on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk of the subject was taken with the MRI apparatus used in Example 1 (T 1 -intensified image;",
"spin echo method;",
"repetition time TR=500 msec;",
"echo time TE=20 msec).",
"The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 6. An MRI image of a body trunk of another subject having orally taken a contrast medium prepared by adding manganese chloride to Sample 1 (final Mn conc.",
": 2 μg/ml) is shown in FIG. 7. The tomographic conditions were the same as above.",
"The latter image obviously shows the contrast increasing effect of manganese, proving effectiveness of the contrast medium in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"EXAMPLE 3 A subject was orally given 400 ml of Sample 2 as shown in Table 1 on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk was taken in the same manner as in Example 2.",
"The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 8. An MRI image of a body trunk of another subject having orally taken a contrast medium prepared by adding manganese chloride to Sample 2 (final Mn conc.",
": 2 μg/ml) is shown in FIG. 9. The tomographic conditions were the same as above.",
"The latter image obviously shows the contrast increasing effect of manganese, proving effectiveness of the contrast medium in diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"EXAMPLE 4 Concentrated blueberry juice having a manganese content of 0.24 mg/ml was diluted with water to a manganese concentration of 1.5 mg/100 ml and hydrogenated oligosaccharide was added thereto for improving flavor to a concentration of 10% to obtain a contrasting drink.",
"A subject was orally given 400 ml of the thus-obtained contrasting drink on an empty stomach and an MRI image of a body trunk of the subject was taken in the same manner as in Example 2.",
"The resulting MRI image is shown in FIG. 10.",
"As can be seen in FIG. 10, the contrasting drink provides a white image, which makes it easy to observe the form of stomach and makes the stomach distinguishable from the other tissues and organs.",
"Thus, the contrasting drink of the present invention is very effective for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract.",
"According to the present invention, an excellent contrasting effect in MRI can be obtained by using a negligible amount of manganese.",
"Because a very slight amount of manganese is sufficient for manifestation of the contrasting effect, not only a manganese compound per se but various manganese-containing foods may be used.",
"The composition of the present invention is therefore very excellent from the standpoint of safety.",
"While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplex communication method for implementing communication, e.g., between a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle as well as to a multiplex communication apparatus to which the multiplex communication method is applied.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional method and apparatus will be described taking a passenger protector shown in FIG. 3 as an example. This example is characterized as including a front passenger protector (first circuit unit) 14 that has the function of protecting passengers from a frontal crash and a side passenger protector (second circuit unit) 15 that has the function of protecting passengers from a sideward collision.
In FIG. 3, a booster circuit 3 boosts an input voltage from a battery 1 supplied through an ignition switch 2 and charges a back-up capacitor 5 through a resistor 4. The electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 is discharged to a detonator 8 and a mechanical acceleration switch 9 (turned on at this time) in series through a discharge diode 6 by a microcomputer 11 turning a switch circuit 7 on upon judgment that a grave collision has occurred from an acceleration signal applied from a lengthwise acceleration sensor 10. As a result, a not shown explosive is ignited by the detonator 8 and air bags are expanded. It may be noted that the mechanical acceleration switch 9 is of such a structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei. 5-351470 by the present applicant.
Further, the microcomputer 11 has a troubleshooting function. When making a capacitance diagnosis on the back-up capacitor 5, the microcomputer 11 turns a transistor 13 on to discharge the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 through a resistor 12, and reads an amount of change (per unit time) of the discharge voltage of the back-up capacitor 5 at this time. This is how the microcomputer 11 performs the capacitance diagnosing operation. When the microcomputer 11 judges that there exists an abnormality, the microcomputer 11 informs passengers of the abnormality using a not shown alarm unit such as a lamp.
The side passenger protector 15 will be described next.
That is, in FIG. 3, the side passenger protector (the one on the right out of those shown by the broken lines in FIG. 3, and this protector is also called a side air bag) 15 has a power supply fed thereto while connected to the back-up capacitor 5 of the main passenger protector 14 by a power supply line such as a wiring harness shown by reference numeral 16.
The side passenger protector 15 is mounted on or close to a door of a vehicle. Reference numeral 10' denotes a widthwise acceleration sensor, which is the same as the lengthwise acceleration sensor 10. The widthwise acceleration sensor 10' is mounted on the vehicle in a different direction so that acceleration applied across the width of the vehicle can be detected.
Reference numeral 11' denotes a microcomputer that has a collision judging function equivalent to that of the microcomputer 11. When the microcomputer 11' judges that a grave collision has occurred based on an acceleration signal outputted from a widthwise acceleration sensor 10' derived from a sideward collision, the microcomputer 11' controls a switch circuit 7' to be turned on. It may be noted that reference numeral 8' denotes a detonator equivalent to the detonator 8; 9', a mechanical acceleration switch equivalent to the mechanical acceleration switch 9; 17, a constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit 17 is designed to apply a predetermined voltage to various circuits constituting the side passenger protector 15 in response to an output from the booster circuit 3 (or the back-up capacitor 5) through the power supply line 16.
That is, the microcomputer 11 of the front passenger protector 14 controls the transistor 13 to be kept turned on for a predetermined period of time when the ignition switch 2 has been turned on, and diagnoses the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5. When the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5 is judged to be abnormal, the microcomputer 11 causes the not shown alarm unit to issue an alarm, whereas when the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5 is judged to be normal, the microcomputer 11 receives a detected output from the front side acceleration sensor 10 and judges whether or not a collision has occurred. If it is judged that a grave collision has occurred, the microcomputer 11 controls the switch circuit 7 to be kept turned on for a predetermined period of time, and discharges the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 to the detonator 8 to thereby expand the air bags and the like.
Further, the side passenger protector 15 not only receives a boosted voltage from the booster circuit 3 of the front passenger protector 14 through the power supply line 16, but also causes the widthwise acceleration sensor 10' to detect acceleration attributable to a sideward collision. When the microcomputer 11' judges that a grave accident has occurred from the detected signal from the sensor 10', the microcomputer 11' controls the switch circuit 7' to be kept turned on, causes power stored in the back-up capacitor 5 of the front passenger protector 14 to flow to the detonator 8' and the acceleration switch 9' in series, and ignites the explosive to thereby expand the air bags. It may be noted that both switches 7, 7' are never turned on simultaneously in ordinary cases.
Thus, in the conventional example, both the front passenger protector 14 and the side passenger protector 15 share only the power supply in common and process signals at separate circuits; i.e., their signals are not intercommunicated, which has imposed the problem of high cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and apparatus in which not only circuits are shared in common by both front and side passenger protectors while allowing both protectors to implement multiplex communication but also the format of a data signal used in such method and apparatus is highly reliable.
A first aspect of the invention is applied to a multiplex communication method for implementing multiplex communication between a plurality of circuit units, in which a format of a transmitted data signal not only is formed of serial data consisting of first data, second data, and a parity, the second data having the same content as the first data, the parity indicating that a number of logical 1s or logical 0s forming the first data and the second data is even or odd, but also selects regular data in such a manner that when the transmitted data signal is received, if the first data and the second data are compared with each other and judged to be coincident with each other from the comparison, then the coincident data is selected as the regular data without checking the logic of the parity data and that if the first data and the second data are judged to be different from each other from the comparison, then a logic of the parity is checked and either the first data or the second data corresponding to the logic of the parity is selected as the regular data.
A second aspect of the invention is applied to a multiplex communication apparatus connecting a plurality of circuit units by means of a multiplex communication system, in which each of the circuit units includes: a first circuit means for preparing and outputting serial data consisting of first data, second data, and a parity, the second data having the same content as the first data, the parity indicating that a number of logical is or logical 0s forming the first data and the second data is even or odd; and a second circuit means for selecting regular data in such a manner that when the transmitted data signal is received, if the first data and the second data are compared with each other and judged to be coincident with each other from the comparison, then the coincident data is selected as the regular data and that if the first data and the second data are judged to be different from each other from the comparison, then a logic of the parity is checked and either the first data or the second data corresponding to the logic of the parity is selected as the regular data.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrative of a passenger protector according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a power supply line 36 shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a conventional example of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a description will be given in more detail of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
A front passenger protector 35 will be described first.
That is, reference numeral 21 denotes a booster circuit, which not only charges a back-up capacitor 23 through a resistor 22 by boosting an input voltage from a battery 1 that is supplied through an ignition switch 2, but also applies the boosted voltage to a side passenger protector 45 through a switch circuit 32 and a resistor 34 in series. Reference numeral 24 denotes a lengthwise acceleration sensor that detects acceleration produced along the length of a vehicle. An acceleration signal that is a detected signal of the sensor 24 is applied to a microcomputer 25, which will be described later. This microcomputer 25 has a collision judging function. Judging from the acceleration signal applied from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24 that a grave collision has occurred, the microcomputer 25 turns on a switch circuit 26, so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 is discharged through a discharge diode 27 and an ignition current is caused to flow to a squib 28 and a mechanical acceleration switch 29 in series.
Moreover, the microcomputer 25 has a troubleshooting function for the back-up capacitor 23, the squib 28, and the like. For diagnosing the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 23, the microcomputer 25 turns the switch circuit 32 off through a signal line Y immediately after turning the power switch on, so that the output current of the booster circuit 21 will not flow into a constant voltage circuit 44 to be described later, i.e., into an incorporated smoothing capacitor (not shown) and so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 will not be discharged as a dark current of various circuits of the side passenger protector 45. The microcomputer 25 thereafter turns a switching transistor 31 on, so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 is discharged through a resistor 30. Simultaneously therewith, the microcomputer 25 reads the amount of change of the discharge voltage of the back-up capacitor 23 for a predetermined time and calculates the static capacitance. This is how the microcomputer 25 performs the capacitance diagnosing operation. When the microcomputer 25 judges that there exists an abnormality, the microcomputer 25 informs passengers of the abnormality using a not shown alarm unit such as a lamp.
It may be noted that wire breakage or the like of the squib 28 is judged by the microcomputer 25 from the voltage across the squib 28 and that when it is judged that there exists a wire breakage or the like, the microcomputer 25 similarly informs the passengers of such abnormality using the not shown alarm unit such as a lamp. Further, while the microcomputer 25 makes diagnoses similar to the above by receiving various types of diagnostic signals to be described later from the side passenger protector 45 through a signal line Z, it goes without saying that such various types of diagnostic signals are transmitted from a microcomputer 25' after a first communication circuit 33 has sent a request signal to the side passenger protector 45 through a signal line X at the same time. Further, reference numeral 34 in FIG. 1 denotes the resistor inserted on the side of the front passenger protector 35 of a power supply line 36.
A format of a signal carrying the transfer data will be described next. This format is designed to reliably obtain correct data when a signal carrying the transfer data is deformed by noise or the like before the signal is received.
That is, a signal carrying the transfer data consists of 5 bits including 2-bit first data, 2-bit second data that is the same as the first data, and a 1-bit parity. The first data and the second data are the same and are coded, respectively. The content of each data indicates an abnormality or the like. For example, the data indicating that the sensor of the side passenger protector 45 is normal is "00" and the data indicating that the sensor is abnormal is "11". The data instructing collision judgment calculation start is "01", and the data requesting side air bag expansion is "10". Regular data is transmitted for each transfer data. That is, a code "00000" (the regular code of state 1) indicates that a satellite air bag is normal; a code "11110" (the regular code of state 2) indicates that the satellite air bag is abnormal; a code "01011" (the regular code of state 3) instructs collision judgment calculation start; and a code "10101" (the regular code of state 4) requests side air bag expansion. Further, the parity is set to logical 1 when the number of logical 1s forming the first data (or the second data) is odd, and set to logical 0 when the number of logical 1s forming the first data (or the second data) is even. The following will give a detailed description. It may be noted that Table 1 presents how combinations of 0, 1 including data forming combinations of 0, 1 are interpreted and that the detailed description will be based on Table 1.
TABLE 1______________________________________Data 1 Data 2Bit Bit Bit Bit Parity State Remarks______________________________________0 0 0 0 0 State 1 Regular code0 0 0 0 1 State 10 0 0 1 0 State 10 0 0 1 1 State 30 0 1 0 0 State 10 0 1 0 1 State 40 0 1 1 0 Data error Data cancel0 0 1 1 1 Data error Data cancel0 1 0 0 0 State 10 1 0 0 1 State 30 1 0 1 0 State 30 1 0 1 1 State 3 Regular code0 1 1 0 0 Data error Data cancel0 1 1 0 1 Data error Data cancel0 1 1 1 0 State 20 1 1 1 1 State 31 0 0 0 0 State 11 0 0 0 1 State 41 0 0 1 0 Data error Data cancel1 0 0 1 1 Data error Data cancel1 0 1 0 0 State 41 0 1 0 1 State 4 Regular code1 0 1 1 0 State 21 0 1 1 1 State 41 1 0 0 0 Data error Data cancel1 1 0 0 1 Data error Data cancel1 1 0 1 0 State 21 1 0 1 1 State 31 1 1 0 0 State 21 1 1 0 1 State 41 1 1 1 0 State 2 Regular code1 1 1 1 1 State 2______________________________________
(1) Transfer of Regular Code of State 1 "00000"
(a) The first data is "00"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "00" is defined as the regular data.
(b) The first data is "00"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "00" is defined as the regular data.
(c) The first data is "00"; the second data is "01"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "00" is selected as the regular data.
(d) The first data is "00"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "00" is selected as the regular data.
(e) The first data is "01"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "00" is selected as the regular data.
(f) The first data is "10"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "00" is selected as the regular data.
(2) Transfer of Regular Code of State 2 "11110"
(a) The first data is "11"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "11" is defined as the regular data.
(b) The first data is "11"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "11" is defined as the regular data.
(c) The first data is "11"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "11" is selected as the regular data.
(d) The first data is "11"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "11" is selected as the regular data.
(e) The first data is "10"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "11" is selected as the regular data.
(f) The first data is "01"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "11" is selected as the regular data.
(3) Transfer of Regular Code of State 3 "01011"
(a) The first data is "01"; the second data is "01"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "01" is defined as the regular data.
(b) The first data is "01"; the second data is "01"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "01" is defined as the regular data.
(c) The first data is "01"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "01" is selected as the regular data.
(d) The first data is "00"; the second data is "01"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "01" is selected as the regular data.
(e) The first data is "11"; the second data is "01"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "01" is selected as the regular data.
(f) The first data is "01"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "01" is selected as the regular data.
(4) Transfer of Regular Code of State 4 "10101"
(a) The first data is "10"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "10" is defined as the regular data.
(b) The first data is "10"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "0". Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "10" is defined as the regular data.
(c) The first data is "10"; the second data is "11"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "10" is selected as the regular data.
(d) The first data is "10"; the second data is "00"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "10" is selected as the regular data.
(e) The first data is "00"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "10" is selected as the regular data.
(f) The first data is "11"; the second data is "10"; and the parity is "1". Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "10" is selected as the regular data.
(5) In the case where the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and neither the first data nor the second data can be selected as the regular data based on the parity, e.g., the received data is "00110", "00111". "01100", "01101", "10010", "10011", "11000", or "11001", then the received data is destroyed.
When the data is obtained as a result of the above operation, the microcomputer 25 operates based on such obtained data. That is, the microcomputer 25 operates the not shown alarm unit to inform the user and the repairman of the abnormality in accordance with the code of the data.
The side passenger protector 45 will be described next.
Reference numeral 24' denotes an acceleration sensor that is the same as the lengthwise acceleration sensor. Unlike the lengthwise acceleration sensor, this acceleration sensor 24' is mounted so that acceleration across the width of the vehicle is detected. An acceleration signal, which is a detected signal of the sensor 24', is delivered to the microcomputer 25'. The microcomputer 25' has, similarly to the microcomputer 25, the collision judging function, and judges the scale of a sideward collision of the vehicle based on the acceleration signal applied from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24' and a switch signal applied from an acceleration switch 40 to be described later. When the microcomputer 25' judges that the collision is of a large scale, the microcomputer 25' controls a switch circuit 26' to be turned on and causes the back-up capacitor 23 of the front passenger protector 35 to supply an ignition current to a squib 28'.
Furthermore, the microcomputer 25' has, similarly to the microcomputer 25, the diagnostic function. The microcomputer 25' makes a diagnosis on wire breakage or the like of the squib 28' or the like, and supplies the data signal indicating the result of the diagnosis to the microcomputer 25 of the front passenger protector 35 through a second communication circuit 33' (the same type of the first communication circuit 33), the power supply line 36, and the signal line Z based on a request signal from the first communication circuit 33. It may be noted that the acceleration switch 40 includes a semiconductor acceleration sensor and a comparing circuit, and generates a switch signal when the output of the semiconductor acceleration sensor exceeds a reference value of the comparing circuit.
Reference numeral 41' denotes a switching transistor constructed of a field-effect transistor, and is subjected to on/off control by output signals from the second communication circuit 33'. Reference numeral 42' denotes a resistor interposed between the switching transistor 41' and the power supply line 36. The resistor 42' is connected to the resistor 34 in series with each other through the power supply line 36. This resistor 42' is designed to feed an input voltage to the constant voltage circuit 44 to be described later at all times with the voltage thereof on the anode side of a reverse flow preventing diode 43 held at a predetermined value other than zero when the switching transistor 41' has been turned on (or when the switching transistor 41 connected to the output side of the first communication circuit 33 has been turned on). It may be noted that the constant voltage circuit 44 supplies power to the respective circuits constituting the side passenger protector 45 in response to the input voltage at all times through the reverse flow preventing diode 43.
It may be noted that the waveforms of voltages from the power supply line 36 are as shown in FIG. 2 when the front passenger protector 35 communicates with the side passenger protector 45.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a voltage V1 is equal to a value obtained by dividing an output voltage V3 of the booster circuit 21 by the resistors 34 and 42 (or 42') when the switching transistor 41 (or 41') has been turned on, and a voltage V2 is a value obtained when the switching transistor 41 (or 41') has been turned off and is determined by the resistor 34.
An operation of the thus constructed protectors will be described next.
(1) When the Diagnostic Function is Put in Operation
When the ignition switch 2 has been turned on, not only the booster circuit 21 is activated to cause the back-up capacitor 23 to start charging but also the microcomputer 25 is activated to apply a high level signal to the switch circuit 32 through the signal line Y for a predetermined time. As a result of this microcomputer operation, the front passenger protector 35 is disconnected from the side passenger protector 45 so that only the front passenger protector 35 can make a static capacitance diagnosis on the back-up capacitor 23.
That is, the microcomputer 25 turns on the switching transistor 31 only for a predetermined time period after the back-up capacitor 23 has been fully charged, discharges the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 through the resistor 30 and the switching transistor 31 in series, and judges whether or not the back-up capacitor 23 is satisfactory by detecting the terminal voltage of the back-up capacitor 23 at this time.
The microcomputer 25 thereafter diagnoses various parts of the front passenger protector 35, e.g., wire breakage and short-circuit of the squib 28, and upon completion of such diagnosis, turns on the switch circuit 32 not only to start feeding to the side passenger protector 45 but also to apply a diagnosis request signal to the microcomputer 25' of the side passenger protector 45 through the first communication circuit 33 and the power supply line 36. In reception of the diagnosis request signal, the microcomputer 25' diagnoses various parts of the side passenger protector 45 by reading the terminal voltage of, e.g., the squib 28' and causing the switching transistor 41 to be turned on and off by the output of the second communication circuit 33'. In other words, the microcomputer 25' causes the microcomputer 25 of the front passenger protector 35 to make a diagnosis by sending signals to the microcomputer 25 through the signal line Z by means of multiplex communication implemented through the power supply line 36. That is, abnormality data is obtained through the aforementioned judgment and is outputted to the not shown alarm unit.
(2) When the Collision Judgment Function is Put in Operation
When a vehicle has undergone a frontal crash after the aforementioned various diagnoses have been completed (or while no diagnosis is being made), the mechanical acceleration switch 29 of the front passenger protector 35 turns on. When the microcomputer 25 judges that a serious collision has occurred based on an acceleration signal from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24, the microcomputer 25 controls the switch circuit 26 to be turned on so as to apply the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 to the squib 28 through the discharge diode 27, so that the air bags and the like are expanded to protect the passengers from the frontal crash. However, since the acceleration is applied along the length of the vehicle, no signals are outputted from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24' and the acceleration switch 40 of the side passenger protector 45. As a result, no ignition current is supplied to the squib 28' from the back-up capacitor 23.
Further, when the vehicle has a collision from sideward, the mechanical acceleration switch 29 of the front passenger protector 35 does not turn on, nor is a large acceleration signal, which is equivalent to the acceleration signal applied at the time of the frontal crash, outputted from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24. As a result, no ignition current is supplied to the squib 28.
On the other hand, when the microcomputer 25' of the side passenger protector 45 judges that a grave collision has occurred based on a switch signal from the acceleration switch 40 and an acceleration signal from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24', the microcomputer 25' controls the switch circuit 26' to be turned on so as to supply the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 to the squib 28' through the power supply line 36. As a result, the air bags are expanded to protect the passengers from the sideward collision.
In the above embodiment, the resistor 34 may be replaced by a current mirror circuit.
As described above, a regular data judgment is made by comparing the first data with the second data. In addition, each of the first data and the second data consists of two bits and is simply formatted. Therefore, compared with the technique in which a regular data judgment is made by a majority method involving three or more pieces of data, the method according to this embodiment is advantageous in making a regular data judgment within a short period of time. Further, the parity check is only available in making a compatibility judgment on the data corresponding to a parity to be checked. Therefore, when a parity error has occurred, data can be recovered by error correction quickly and simply.
As described in the foregoing description, according to the present invention, data processing can be executed within a short period of time, and reliability of data can also be improved. Therefore, when urgency is required such as in a collision, performance of the judging function can be improved. In addition, the present invention can provide an inexpensive multiplex communication method and apparatus, and correct data can be obtained even if data is deformed.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. | In a multiplex communication method for implementing multiplex communication between a plurality of circuit units, a format of a transmitted data signal not only is formed of serial data consisting of first data, second data that has the same content as the first data, and a parity that indicates the number of logical 1s or logical 0s forming the first data and the second data is even or odd, but also selects as regular data in such a manner that when the transmitted data signal is received, if the first data and the second data are compared with each other and judged to be coincident with each other from the comparison, then the coincident data is selected as the regular data and that if the first data and the second data are judged to be different from each other from the comparison, then a logic of the parity is checked and either the first data or the second data corresponding to the logic of the parity is selected as the regular data. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.",
"Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiplex communication method for implementing communication, e.g., between a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle as well as to a multiplex communication apparatus to which the multiplex communication method is applied.",
"Description of the Related Art A conventional method and apparatus will be described taking a passenger protector shown in FIG. 3 as an example.",
"This example is characterized as including a front passenger protector (first circuit unit) 14 that has the function of protecting passengers from a frontal crash and a side passenger protector (second circuit unit) 15 that has the function of protecting passengers from a sideward collision.",
"In FIG. 3, a booster circuit 3 boosts an input voltage from a battery 1 supplied through an ignition switch 2 and charges a back-up capacitor 5 through a resistor 4.",
"The electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 is discharged to a detonator 8 and a mechanical acceleration switch 9 (turned on at this time) in series through a discharge diode 6 by a microcomputer 11 turning a switch circuit 7 on upon judgment that a grave collision has occurred from an acceleration signal applied from a lengthwise acceleration sensor 10.",
"As a result, a not shown explosive is ignited by the detonator 8 and air bags are expanded.",
"It may be noted that the mechanical acceleration switch 9 is of such a structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.",
"5-351470 by the present applicant.",
"Further, the microcomputer 11 has a troubleshooting function.",
"When making a capacitance diagnosis on the back-up capacitor 5, the microcomputer 11 turns a transistor 13 on to discharge the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 through a resistor 12, and reads an amount of change (per unit time) of the discharge voltage of the back-up capacitor 5 at this time.",
"This is how the microcomputer 11 performs the capacitance diagnosing operation.",
"When the microcomputer 11 judges that there exists an abnormality, the microcomputer 11 informs passengers of the abnormality using a not shown alarm unit such as a lamp.",
"The side passenger protector 15 will be described next.",
"That is, in FIG. 3, the side passenger protector (the one on the right out of those shown by the broken lines in FIG. 3, and this protector is also called a side air bag) 15 has a power supply fed thereto while connected to the back-up capacitor 5 of the main passenger protector 14 by a power supply line such as a wiring harness shown by reference numeral 16.",
"The side passenger protector 15 is mounted on or close to a door of a vehicle.",
"Reference numeral 10'",
"denotes a widthwise acceleration sensor, which is the same as the lengthwise acceleration sensor 10.",
"The widthwise acceleration sensor 10'",
"is mounted on the vehicle in a different direction so that acceleration applied across the width of the vehicle can be detected.",
"Reference numeral 11'",
"denotes a microcomputer that has a collision judging function equivalent to that of the microcomputer 11.",
"When the microcomputer 11'",
"judges that a grave collision has occurred based on an acceleration signal outputted from a widthwise acceleration sensor 10'",
"derived from a sideward collision, the microcomputer 11'",
"controls a switch circuit 7'",
"to be turned on.",
"It may be noted that reference numeral 8'",
"denotes a detonator equivalent to the detonator 8;",
"9', a mechanical acceleration switch equivalent to the mechanical acceleration switch 9;",
"17, a constant voltage circuit.",
"The constant voltage circuit 17 is designed to apply a predetermined voltage to various circuits constituting the side passenger protector 15 in response to an output from the booster circuit 3 (or the back-up capacitor 5) through the power supply line 16.",
"That is, the microcomputer 11 of the front passenger protector 14 controls the transistor 13 to be kept turned on for a predetermined period of time when the ignition switch 2 has been turned on, and diagnoses the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5.",
"When the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5 is judged to be abnormal, the microcomputer 11 causes the not shown alarm unit to issue an alarm, whereas when the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 5 is judged to be normal, the microcomputer 11 receives a detected output from the front side acceleration sensor 10 and judges whether or not a collision has occurred.",
"If it is judged that a grave collision has occurred, the microcomputer 11 controls the switch circuit 7 to be kept turned on for a predetermined period of time, and discharges the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 5 to the detonator 8 to thereby expand the air bags and the like.",
"Further, the side passenger protector 15 not only receives a boosted voltage from the booster circuit 3 of the front passenger protector 14 through the power supply line 16, but also causes the widthwise acceleration sensor 10'",
"to detect acceleration attributable to a sideward collision.",
"When the microcomputer 11'",
"judges that a grave accident has occurred from the detected signal from the sensor 10', the microcomputer 11'",
"controls the switch circuit 7'",
"to be kept turned on, causes power stored in the back-up capacitor 5 of the front passenger protector 14 to flow to the detonator 8'",
"and the acceleration switch 9'",
"in series, and ignites the explosive to thereby expand the air bags.",
"It may be noted that both switches 7, 7'",
"are never turned on simultaneously in ordinary cases.",
"Thus, in the conventional example, both the front passenger protector 14 and the side passenger protector 15 share only the power supply in common and process signals at separate circuits;",
"i.e., their signals are not intercommunicated, which has imposed the problem of high cost.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances.",
"The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and apparatus in which not only circuits are shared in common by both front and side passenger protectors while allowing both protectors to implement multiplex communication but also the format of a data signal used in such method and apparatus is highly reliable.",
"A first aspect of the invention is applied to a multiplex communication method for implementing multiplex communication between a plurality of circuit units, in which a format of a transmitted data signal not only is formed of serial data consisting of first data, second data, and a parity, the second data having the same content as the first data, the parity indicating that a number of logical 1s or logical 0s forming the first data and the second data is even or odd, but also selects regular data in such a manner that when the transmitted data signal is received, if the first data and the second data are compared with each other and judged to be coincident with each other from the comparison, then the coincident data is selected as the regular data without checking the logic of the parity data and that if the first data and the second data are judged to be different from each other from the comparison, then a logic of the parity is checked and either the first data or the second data corresponding to the logic of the parity is selected as the regular data.",
"A second aspect of the invention is applied to a multiplex communication apparatus connecting a plurality of circuit units by means of a multiplex communication system, in which each of the circuit units includes: a first circuit means for preparing and outputting serial data consisting of first data, second data, and a parity, the second data having the same content as the first data, the parity indicating that a number of logical is or logical 0s forming the first data and the second data is even or odd;",
"and a second circuit means for selecting regular data in such a manner that when the transmitted data signal is received, if the first data and the second data are compared with each other and judged to be coincident with each other from the comparison, then the coincident data is selected as the regular data and that if the first data and the second data are judged to be different from each other from the comparison, then a logic of the parity is checked and either the first data or the second data corresponding to the logic of the parity is selected as the regular data.",
"The above and other objects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrative of a passenger protector according to an embodiment of the present invention;",
"FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a power supply line 36 shown in FIG. 1;",
"and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrative of a conventional example of the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a description will be given in more detail of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.",
"An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. A front passenger protector 35 will be described first.",
"That is, reference numeral 21 denotes a booster circuit, which not only charges a back-up capacitor 23 through a resistor 22 by boosting an input voltage from a battery 1 that is supplied through an ignition switch 2, but also applies the boosted voltage to a side passenger protector 45 through a switch circuit 32 and a resistor 34 in series.",
"Reference numeral 24 denotes a lengthwise acceleration sensor that detects acceleration produced along the length of a vehicle.",
"An acceleration signal that is a detected signal of the sensor 24 is applied to a microcomputer 25, which will be described later.",
"This microcomputer 25 has a collision judging function.",
"Judging from the acceleration signal applied from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24 that a grave collision has occurred, the microcomputer 25 turns on a switch circuit 26, so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 is discharged through a discharge diode 27 and an ignition current is caused to flow to a squib 28 and a mechanical acceleration switch 29 in series.",
"Moreover, the microcomputer 25 has a troubleshooting function for the back-up capacitor 23, the squib 28, and the like.",
"For diagnosing the capacitance of the back-up capacitor 23, the microcomputer 25 turns the switch circuit 32 off through a signal line Y immediately after turning the power switch on, so that the output current of the booster circuit 21 will not flow into a constant voltage circuit 44 to be described later, i.e., into an incorporated smoothing capacitor (not shown) and so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 will not be discharged as a dark current of various circuits of the side passenger protector 45.",
"The microcomputer 25 thereafter turns a switching transistor 31 on, so that the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 is discharged through a resistor 30.",
"Simultaneously therewith, the microcomputer 25 reads the amount of change of the discharge voltage of the back-up capacitor 23 for a predetermined time and calculates the static capacitance.",
"This is how the microcomputer 25 performs the capacitance diagnosing operation.",
"When the microcomputer 25 judges that there exists an abnormality, the microcomputer 25 informs passengers of the abnormality using a not shown alarm unit such as a lamp.",
"It may be noted that wire breakage or the like of the squib 28 is judged by the microcomputer 25 from the voltage across the squib 28 and that when it is judged that there exists a wire breakage or the like, the microcomputer 25 similarly informs the passengers of such abnormality using the not shown alarm unit such as a lamp.",
"Further, while the microcomputer 25 makes diagnoses similar to the above by receiving various types of diagnostic signals to be described later from the side passenger protector 45 through a signal line Z, it goes without saying that such various types of diagnostic signals are transmitted from a microcomputer 25'",
"after a first communication circuit 33 has sent a request signal to the side passenger protector 45 through a signal line X at the same time.",
"Further, reference numeral 34 in FIG. 1 denotes the resistor inserted on the side of the front passenger protector 35 of a power supply line 36.",
"A format of a signal carrying the transfer data will be described next.",
"This format is designed to reliably obtain correct data when a signal carrying the transfer data is deformed by noise or the like before the signal is received.",
"That is, a signal carrying the transfer data consists of 5 bits including 2-bit first data, 2-bit second data that is the same as the first data, and a 1-bit parity.",
"The first data and the second data are the same and are coded, respectively.",
"The content of each data indicates an abnormality or the like.",
"For example, the data indicating that the sensor of the side passenger protector 45 is normal is "00"",
"and the data indicating that the sensor is abnormal is "11".",
"The data instructing collision judgment calculation start is "01", and the data requesting side air bag expansion is "10".",
"Regular data is transmitted for each transfer data.",
"That is, a code "00000"",
"(the regular code of state 1) indicates that a satellite air bag is normal;",
"a code "11110"",
"(the regular code of state 2) indicates that the satellite air bag is abnormal;",
"a code "01011"",
"(the regular code of state 3) instructs collision judgment calculation start;",
"and a code "10101"",
"(the regular code of state 4) requests side air bag expansion.",
"Further, the parity is set to logical 1 when the number of logical 1s forming the first data (or the second data) is odd, and set to logical 0 when the number of logical 1s forming the first data (or the second data) is even.",
"The following will give a detailed description.",
"It may be noted that Table 1 presents how combinations of 0, 1 including data forming combinations of 0, 1 are interpreted and that the detailed description will be based on Table 1.",
"TABLE 1______________________________________Data 1 Data 2Bit Bit Bit Bit Parity State Remarks______________________________________0 0 0 0 0 State 1 Regular code0 0 0 0 1 State 10 0 0 1 0 State 10 0 0 1 1 State 30 0 1 0 0 State 10 0 1 0 1 State 40 0 1 1 0 Data error Data cancel0 0 1 1 1 Data error Data cancel0 1 0 0 0 State 10 1 0 0 1 State 30 1 0 1 0 State 30 1 0 1 1 State 3 Regular code0 1 1 0 0 Data error Data cancel0 1 1 0 1 Data error Data cancel0 1 1 1 0 State 20 1 1 1 1 State 31 0 0 0 0 State 11 0 0 0 1 State 41 0 0 1 0 Data error Data cancel1 0 0 1 1 Data error Data cancel1 0 1 0 0 State 41 0 1 0 1 State 4 Regular code1 0 1 1 0 State 21 0 1 1 1 State 41 1 0 0 0 Data error Data cancel1 1 0 0 1 Data error Data cancel1 1 0 1 0 State 21 1 0 1 1 State 31 1 1 0 0 State 21 1 1 0 1 State 41 1 1 1 0 State 2 Regular code1 1 1 1 1 State 2______________________________________ (1) Transfer of Regular Code of State 1 "00000"",
"(a) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "00"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(b) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "00"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(c) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "01";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "00"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(d) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "00"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(e) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "00"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(f) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "00"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(2) Transfer of Regular Code of State 2 "11110"",
"(a) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "11"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(b) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "11"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(c) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "11"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(d) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the first data "11"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(e) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "11"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(f) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is even, the second data "11"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(3) Transfer of Regular Code of State 3 "01011"",
"(a) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "01";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "01"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(b) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "01";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "01"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(c) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "01"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(d) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "01";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "01"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(e) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "01";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "01"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(f) The first data is "01";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "01"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(4) Transfer of Regular Code of State 4 "10101"",
"(a) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "10"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(b) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "0".",
"Since the first data and the second data are coincident with each other, the coincident data "10"",
"is defined as the regular data.",
"(c) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "11";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "10"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(d) The first data is "10";",
"the second data is "00";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the first data "10"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(e) The first data is "00";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "10"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(f) The first data is "11";",
"the second data is "10";",
"and the parity is "1".",
"Since the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and the parity indicates that the number of 1s in the data is odd, the second data "10"",
"is selected as the regular data.",
"(5) In the case where the first data and the second data are not coincident with each other and neither the first data nor the second data can be selected as the regular data based on the parity, e.g., the received data is "00110", "00111".",
""01100", "01101", "10010", "10011", "11000", or "11001", then the received data is destroyed.",
"When the data is obtained as a result of the above operation, the microcomputer 25 operates based on such obtained data.",
"That is, the microcomputer 25 operates the not shown alarm unit to inform the user and the repairman of the abnormality in accordance with the code of the data.",
"The side passenger protector 45 will be described next.",
"Reference numeral 24'",
"denotes an acceleration sensor that is the same as the lengthwise acceleration sensor.",
"Unlike the lengthwise acceleration sensor, this acceleration sensor 24'",
"is mounted so that acceleration across the width of the vehicle is detected.",
"An acceleration signal, which is a detected signal of the sensor 24', is delivered to the microcomputer 25'.",
"The microcomputer 25'",
"has, similarly to the microcomputer 25, the collision judging function, and judges the scale of a sideward collision of the vehicle based on the acceleration signal applied from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24'",
"and a switch signal applied from an acceleration switch 40 to be described later.",
"When the microcomputer 25'",
"judges that the collision is of a large scale, the microcomputer 25'",
"controls a switch circuit 26'",
"to be turned on and causes the back-up capacitor 23 of the front passenger protector 35 to supply an ignition current to a squib 28'.",
"Furthermore, the microcomputer 25'",
"has, similarly to the microcomputer 25, the diagnostic function.",
"The microcomputer 25'",
"makes a diagnosis on wire breakage or the like of the squib 28'",
"or the like, and supplies the data signal indicating the result of the diagnosis to the microcomputer 25 of the front passenger protector 35 through a second communication circuit 33'",
"(the same type of the first communication circuit 33), the power supply line 36, and the signal line Z based on a request signal from the first communication circuit 33.",
"It may be noted that the acceleration switch 40 includes a semiconductor acceleration sensor and a comparing circuit, and generates a switch signal when the output of the semiconductor acceleration sensor exceeds a reference value of the comparing circuit.",
"Reference numeral 41'",
"denotes a switching transistor constructed of a field-effect transistor, and is subjected to on/off control by output signals from the second communication circuit 33'.",
"Reference numeral 42'",
"denotes a resistor interposed between the switching transistor 41'",
"and the power supply line 36.",
"The resistor 42'",
"is connected to the resistor 34 in series with each other through the power supply line 36.",
"This resistor 42'",
"is designed to feed an input voltage to the constant voltage circuit 44 to be described later at all times with the voltage thereof on the anode side of a reverse flow preventing diode 43 held at a predetermined value other than zero when the switching transistor 41'",
"has been turned on (or when the switching transistor 41 connected to the output side of the first communication circuit 33 has been turned on).",
"It may be noted that the constant voltage circuit 44 supplies power to the respective circuits constituting the side passenger protector 45 in response to the input voltage at all times through the reverse flow preventing diode 43.",
"It may be noted that the waveforms of voltages from the power supply line 36 are as shown in FIG. 2 when the front passenger protector 35 communicates with the side passenger protector 45.",
"That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a voltage V1 is equal to a value obtained by dividing an output voltage V3 of the booster circuit 21 by the resistors 34 and 42 (or 42') when the switching transistor 41 (or 41') has been turned on, and a voltage V2 is a value obtained when the switching transistor 41 (or 41') has been turned off and is determined by the resistor 34.",
"An operation of the thus constructed protectors will be described next.",
"(1) When the Diagnostic Function is Put in Operation When the ignition switch 2 has been turned on, not only the booster circuit 21 is activated to cause the back-up capacitor 23 to start charging but also the microcomputer 25 is activated to apply a high level signal to the switch circuit 32 through the signal line Y for a predetermined time.",
"As a result of this microcomputer operation, the front passenger protector 35 is disconnected from the side passenger protector 45 so that only the front passenger protector 35 can make a static capacitance diagnosis on the back-up capacitor 23.",
"That is, the microcomputer 25 turns on the switching transistor 31 only for a predetermined time period after the back-up capacitor 23 has been fully charged, discharges the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 through the resistor 30 and the switching transistor 31 in series, and judges whether or not the back-up capacitor 23 is satisfactory by detecting the terminal voltage of the back-up capacitor 23 at this time.",
"The microcomputer 25 thereafter diagnoses various parts of the front passenger protector 35, e.g., wire breakage and short-circuit of the squib 28, and upon completion of such diagnosis, turns on the switch circuit 32 not only to start feeding to the side passenger protector 45 but also to apply a diagnosis request signal to the microcomputer 25'",
"of the side passenger protector 45 through the first communication circuit 33 and the power supply line 36.",
"In reception of the diagnosis request signal, the microcomputer 25'",
"diagnoses various parts of the side passenger protector 45 by reading the terminal voltage of, e.g., the squib 28'",
"and causing the switching transistor 41 to be turned on and off by the output of the second communication circuit 33'.",
"In other words, the microcomputer 25'",
"causes the microcomputer 25 of the front passenger protector 35 to make a diagnosis by sending signals to the microcomputer 25 through the signal line Z by means of multiplex communication implemented through the power supply line 36.",
"That is, abnormality data is obtained through the aforementioned judgment and is outputted to the not shown alarm unit.",
"(2) When the Collision Judgment Function is Put in Operation When a vehicle has undergone a frontal crash after the aforementioned various diagnoses have been completed (or while no diagnosis is being made), the mechanical acceleration switch 29 of the front passenger protector 35 turns on.",
"When the microcomputer 25 judges that a serious collision has occurred based on an acceleration signal from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24, the microcomputer 25 controls the switch circuit 26 to be turned on so as to apply the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 to the squib 28 through the discharge diode 27, so that the air bags and the like are expanded to protect the passengers from the frontal crash.",
"However, since the acceleration is applied along the length of the vehicle, no signals are outputted from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24'",
"and the acceleration switch 40 of the side passenger protector 45.",
"As a result, no ignition current is supplied to the squib 28'",
"from the back-up capacitor 23.",
"Further, when the vehicle has a collision from sideward, the mechanical acceleration switch 29 of the front passenger protector 35 does not turn on, nor is a large acceleration signal, which is equivalent to the acceleration signal applied at the time of the frontal crash, outputted from the lengthwise acceleration sensor 24.",
"As a result, no ignition current is supplied to the squib 28.",
"On the other hand, when the microcomputer 25'",
"of the side passenger protector 45 judges that a grave collision has occurred based on a switch signal from the acceleration switch 40 and an acceleration signal from the widthwise acceleration sensor 24', the microcomputer 25'",
"controls the switch circuit 26'",
"to be turned on so as to supply the electric charges stored in the back-up capacitor 23 to the squib 28'",
"through the power supply line 36.",
"As a result, the air bags are expanded to protect the passengers from the sideward collision.",
"In the above embodiment, the resistor 34 may be replaced by a current mirror circuit.",
"As described above, a regular data judgment is made by comparing the first data with the second data.",
"In addition, each of the first data and the second data consists of two bits and is simply formatted.",
"Therefore, compared with the technique in which a regular data judgment is made by a majority method involving three or more pieces of data, the method according to this embodiment is advantageous in making a regular data judgment within a short period of time.",
"Further, the parity check is only available in making a compatibility judgment on the data corresponding to a parity to be checked.",
"Therefore, when a parity error has occurred, data can be recovered by error correction quickly and simply.",
"As described in the foregoing description, according to the present invention, data processing can be executed within a short period of time, and reliability of data can also be improved.",
"Therefore, when urgency is required such as in a collision, performance of the judging function can be improved.",
"In addition, the present invention can provide an inexpensive multiplex communication method and apparatus, and correct data can be obtained even if data is deformed.",
"The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description.",
"It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention.",
"The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.",
"It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents."
] |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to monitoring utilization of computer resources in a computer system, and more specifically, to usage metering technology.
BACKGROUND
A new model for purchasing a computer system has emerged in the computer industry, referred to as capacity-on-demand billing. According to this model, the customer agrees to purchase a computer system with a fixed baseline performance capability level based on a quantity of computer resources installed on the computer system (i.e., the number of Central Processing Units (CPUs), memory units, and/or Input/Output (I/O) modules, available in the computer system). In return, the manufacturer of the computer system agrees to install extra computer resources on the computer system at no upfront expense to the customer, and the customer is entitled to use the extra computer resources, but on a pay-per-use basis. Automated usage metering technology employed with the computer system detects when the customer's resource usage exceeds a threshold level, i.e., the fixed baseline performance capability level, and the customer is charged a usage fee for excessive usage over the threshold. Typically, the usage metering technology operates in the background recording computer resource utilization data and transmitting the data to a billing site for invoicing.
An advantage of the capacity-on-demand billing model is that it allows the customer to purchase a computer system with reserve capacity, but at no additional upfront costs. This means a customer may have additional resources instantly available during periods of high computing demand, but without the penalty of having to purchase extra computer resources that lay dormant during slower demand periods.
Ensuring the customer is accurately charged for using computer resources above an agreed threshold is a challenge with the capacity-on-demand billing model. For instance, some usage metering technologies rely on averaging methods that tend to record the resource utilization of a computer system over relatively long periods and often fail to account for the moment-by-moment operation of a typical computer system performing real-world tasks. For example, suppose a customer purchased a computer system with an agreed to maximum threshold of four CPUs, but in actuality, resident with the computer system are 16 CPUs. Now suppose that for three hours out of the day the customer uses 12 CPUs worth of processing power and for the remaining 21 hours the customer uses only two CPUs worth of processing power. If the usage metering technology uses an averaging method, it would appear that the customer only used 3.2 CPUs worth of CPU resources, which is well within the customer's baseline threshold of four CPUs. In reality, for three hours out of the day during peak usage, 12 CPUs were used and the customer should have been charged for using eight additional CPUs over their four base CPUs. In other words, but for the ability to use the additional CPU resources during peak usage times, the customer's work would not have been completed in a timely fashion, and the customer ought to have been charged for using extra resources, but was not in this scenario. Thus, a drawback with sampling usage data on an averaging basis is the likelihood that the metering usage tool may fail to capture short-lived events, and may produce results with a lower computer resource utilization level than actually occurring in a computer system.
To compensate for averaging problems, some usage metering tools attempt to collect system resource data metrics, such as CPU and I/O performance data, at high frequencies to accurately reflect system resource utilization. A drawback, however, of sampling performance data at high frequencies is a tendency to consume a substantial amount of system resources, which skews computer resource consumption measurements, is expensive, and burdensome.
SUMMARY
A usage metering system for determining computer resource utilization is described herein. The usage metering system collects iterative snapshots of computer resource utilization. Each snapshot provides a value indicative of the amount of specific computer resource utilized during a particular duration of time. Each value of a snapshot is used to select a particular counter from an array of counters corresponding to the value of the snapshot. The particular counter is incremented and the process repeats itself for a next snapshot. After a particular duration of time, the values of each counter are collected from the array of counters, and a usage report can be generated showing actual computer resource utilization accumulated over the particular duration of time, and more particularly, the number of instances computer resource utilization exceeded a threshold level of computer resource utilization over the particular duration of time. Based the usage report it is possible to bill for usage that exceeded the threshold levels, and the quantity and extent of usage that exceed the threshold levels.
In an exemplary implementation, the usage metering system uses a collection module to collect the snapshots from the computer system and increment the counters. To reduce impacting computer resource utilization, the collector module may pass resource utilization data to a reporter module that resides on a separate system (although both the collector module and reporter module may reside on the same system in an alternative implementation). The reporter module receives the utilization data from the collector module, consolidates and formats the data for billing purposes and/or other purposes, such as health monitoring and assessment. The reporter module may also monitor the health of a collector module and send an alert if problems are detected with the collector module. Redundant collector modules and reporter modules may also be used to protect against a loss of utilization data or failures that may preclude monitoring of computer resource utilization.
The usage metering system, therefore, introduces the broad concept of determining computer resource utilization by accumulating instances of computer resource utilization based on an array of counters. This enables an accurate determination of instances of when a predetermined threshold baseline of computer resource utilization is exceeded over an accumulated period of time. By using an array to collect data rather than averaging values overtime, a more accurate indication of computer resource utilization is determined. The usage metering system has little impact on computer system resources, because the snapshot process is very lightweight, and any computer resource utilization calculations can be performed on computer platforms separated from the system being monitored.
Various other features and advantages shall become more apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment within which an innovative usage metering system and methodologies can be either fully or partially implemented.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary collector module.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array in which utilization data is maintained.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary reporter module.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operation associated with collecting computer resource utilization data.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operation associated with recording and reporting computer resource utilization data.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Computing Environment
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment 100 within which an innovative usage metering system 102 and methodologies can be either fully or partially implemented. The innovative systems and methods described herein are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The exemplary computing environment is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of systems and methods described herein. Additionally, the exemplary computing environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the computing environment.
According to one exemplary implementation, computing environment 100 includes a computer system 104 , a supervision computer 105 , and a network 106 .
Computer system 104 can be any of a variety of computer devices, including workstations, multiprocessor systems, mainframe computers, enterprise systems, and a combination of any of the above example devices. Each computer system 104 includes computer resources such as processors 120 , memory units 122 , and I/O modules 121 .
For example, each processor or group of processors comprise a CPU, which is typically responsible for controlling the interpretation and execution of computer-executable instructions (program instructions) in the form of software or logic, performs arithmetic and logical operations on data, and controls I/O functions.
Memory units 122 represent any part of a computer system where data and instructions are stored, such as main memory, central memory, immediate access memory, cache, registers, discs, and related storage devices. Memory units 122 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, PCMCIA cards, etc.).
I/O modules 121 provide communication interfaces with other devices such as networks, printers, disks, computers, terminals, and other various devices able to connect to and communicate with a computer system.
Resident in the memory units 122 is one or more operating systems 123 , and software applications 124 that execute on the one or more processors 120 . For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program modules are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computer systems 104 , and are executed by the one or more processors 120 . Example of software applications 124 include, but are not limited to, application programs, email programs, word processing programs, spreadsheets programs, Internet browser programs, Web services and so forth.
In one implementation, operating system 123 is produced by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., USA, such a Microsoft® Window® related operating system, which commonly implements high-level application-program interfaces (APIs), file systems, communications protocols, input/output data conversions, and other functions to enable software applications 124 to operate. Although the exemplary implementations will generally be described in the context of Microsoft operating systems, it is possible that other operating systems, such as Linux, UNIX, OS/400, AIX, and others, could be used in accordance with the principles and illustrations described herein.
Operating system 123 generally maintains a process utilization manager 126 , such as the Windows NT Performance Monitoring API, present in the Windows operating system environment, and most commonly known through its well-known client programs as the Windows Task Manager, System Monitor, or Performance Monitor (Perfmon). Process utilization manager 126 generally maintains raw data, such as processes, sub-process, components, and threads (hereinafter processes) consuming computer resources associated with computer system 104 . The process utilization manager 126 maintains utilization data indicating CPU, memory, and I/O utilization in computer system 104 .
Other elements such as power supplies, keyboards, touch pads, I/O interfaces, displays, LEDs, audio generators, and so forth are not shown as being a part of computer systems 104 , but could easily be a part of the computer systems 104 . Additionally, although not shown, a system bus or point-to-point connections typically connects the various components within computer systems 104 .
Network 106 represents any of a variety of networks and may include the Internet, or one or more other networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Additionally, it may also be possible for various devices to communicate directly with other devices without using network 106 as a communication link in the form of a point-to-point connection.
Supervision computer 105 is a computer system capable of communicating with computer system 104 . Supervision computer 105 may refer to, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, an enterprise server, and potentially other devices that communicate with and provide services to end users and/or other computer devices. Although only one supervision computer 105 is shown in FIG. 1 , it is readily appreciated that environment 100 may include more than one supervision computer 105 .
Supervision computer 105 also includes at least one processor 130 and memory 132 . Resident in memory 132 are one or more operating systems (not shown), and programs 134 that execute on the one or more processor 130 . Other elements such as power supplies, keyboards, touch pads, I/O interfaces, displays, LEDs, and so forth are not shown in supervision computer 105 , but could easily be a part of the exemplary supervision computer 105 . Additionally, although not shown, a system bus or point-to-point connections typically connects the various components within supervision computer 105 .
Having introduced an exemplary environment 100 in which usage metering system 102 functions, it is now possible to describe usage metering system 102 in detail.
Exemplary Usage Metering System
Usage metering system 102 is a software-based tool that collects computer resource utilization data from process utilization manager 126 and reports the amount of computer resources used on the computer system 104 to a monitoring facility, such as a billing center 180 . Computer resource utilization data may include CPU utilization, memory utilization, I/O metrics, and potentially other process utilization metrics and units of execution.
Usage metering system 102 is composed of two primary software components: a collector module 160 and a reporter module 136 . The collector module 160 is responsible for low level collection of utilization data from process utilization manager 126 . The reporter module 136 is responsible for receiving utilization data transferred from the collector module 160 via network 106 or other communication path. The reporter module 136 is also responsible for formatting and forwarding the utilization data to a collection point, such as billing center 180 , customer service center (not shown), Information Technology department (not shown), and so forth. The reporter module 136 may also monitor the status of one or more collectors operating on a computer system 104 , such as for monitoring the health of computer system 104 and for reporting anomalies with computer system 104 .
In one implementation, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 , operate on computer systems 104 and supervision computer 105 , respectively, and communicate programmatically with each other as well as other program processes. Alternatively, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 could reside on the same platform. Typically, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 communicate with each other using at least one of a variety of communication protocols. For example, on one implementation, collector module 160 uses Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) sockets to communicate with reporter module 136 .
Collector module 160 operates as a system level process. Although only one collector module 160 is shown in FIG. 1 , it is appreciated that more than collector module 160 may be employed. For instance, if computer system 104 has logical partitions such that sets of resources can be operated independently with its own operating system instance than a collector module can be targeted to collect utilization data from each particular OS instance. Each collector module, such as collector module 160 , typically samples computer resource utilization data directly from the OS performance counters (not shown), which are part of the process utilization manager 126 .
Collector module 160 is designed to be extremely lightweight so that its impact on overall system utilization is negligible. Collector module 160 measures peak instances of computer resource utilization observed on an iterative basis, and records the measurements in an array (to be described). Each element of the array represents a count of how many times a corresponding computer utilization value was observed. At user defined intervals, collector module 160 transmits the utilization data (the counts comprising the array of counters) to the reporter module 136 for consolidation and report generation. Accordingly, only minimal work is performed by collector module 160 , and the more process intense analysis and consolidation of data is offloaded and performed on the supervision computer 105 by reporter module 136 minimizing any impact on computer resource utilization levels measured on computer system 104 .
The reporter module 136 may also execute as system level process on supervision computer 105 , although it is possible for reporter module 136 to execute on computer system 104 . When the reporter module 136 receives the utilization data from one or more collector modules, the data is consolidated and formatted as a report for transmission to a user designated location. For instance, in one implementation, the data is transmitted to a recipient center in the form of an electronic message (e-mail); however, other forms of transfer may be used. The report may indicate how many times a computer resource was utilized and the extent to which the utilization exceeded a particular threshold. For example, information maintained by the array of counters can easily be consolidated over a defined period of time, such as a week, month or a quarter, and a report can be generated at prescribed times summarizing computer resource utilization over a period of time. The report may be used for purposes of generating a bill, in the event it is determined that the customer utilized more computer resources than the customer's agreed threshold performance capability level. Reporter module 136 may maintain an archive of data in a memory 132 to guard against loss of data at collection site.
The reporter module 136 may also monitor the health of computer system 104 by reporting if any particular collector module 160 fails to communicate with reporter module 136 , or fails to communicate in a prescribed fashion, which may indicate that a OS instance or computer system 104 is experiencing a malfunction. If a prescribed period elapses and reporter module 136 fails to receive utilization data from collector module 160 or communicate in a acceptable manner with a collector module, reporter module 136 can send an alert message (such as an e-mail) to a user designated location to report the potential anomaly.
Although FIG. 1 shows a single system topology for discussion purposes, those skilled in the art should appreciate that usage metering system 102 may be deployed in various forms. For example, in one implementation several collector modules and reporter modules may be deployed as part of usage metering system 102 . A collector module and a reporter module may be deployed for each system partition requiring monitoring. Each collector and reporter module pair acts as an independent unit and may not communicate with other collector and reporter modules that may be deployed on the same network.
In another implementation, a collector module is installed on each system/partition to be monitored. A reporter module is installed to service the collector modules. The reporter module may reside on a system/partition with a collector or it may be installed on a stand-alone system such as supervision computer 105 . In such an implementation, collector modules and the reporter module are usually located on the same Local Area Network (LAN) segment.
In still another implementation, one collector module is installed on each system/partition to be monitored. Two or more reporter modules are installed to service the collector modules. Again, the reporter modules may reside on the same system/partitions as the collector modules or be installed on a standalone system. Using redundant reporter modules ensures that if one reporter module fails (or its platform fails), another reporter module can take over the task of collecting utilization data from collector modules and reporting the data.
Collector module 160 and reporter module 136 of FIG. 1 shall now be described in more detail as follows.
Exemplary Collector Module
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a collector module 160 residing in memory 122 ( FIG. 1 ) of a computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ). Collector module 160 typically operates as a background module and may operate in a secure mode, to prevent being tampered with by users of computer system 104 . The collector module 160 is usually automatically activated when computer system 104 is functioning. In one implementation, collector module 160 comprises a communications module 202 , an array manager 204 , and an array 206 . Although it is appreciated that collector module may comprise program modules and data. Program modules typically include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, and so on, for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types.
Communication module 202 communicates with reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ). For example, communication module 202 transmits performance data for storage and manipulation by reporter module 136 . Communications module 202 may also record other descriptive data, such as the date/time of the snapshots as well as identification indicia, indicating the particular computer system (or partition) on which the information was recorded. The identification indicia enable the reporter module 136 when it receives data from different collector modules to associate the particular data with a particular system or partition. Communications module 202 can also receive rules/instructions from reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ), such as when to take snapshots, how often to transmit data to supervision computer 105 ( FIG. 1 ), where to send data including whether to send data to redundant reporter modules, etc. In the exemplary implementation, communication module 202 communicates with reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) using TCP/IP protocols over network 106 ( FIG. 1 ), but other communication protocols could be used such as RPC, COM+, DCOM, and Multicast.
Array manager 204 collects performance data from process utilization manager 126 on an iterative basis. That is, array manager 204 samples (i.e., takes a “snapshot” of) process utilization manager 126 on a continuous basis over prescribed period of time and stores the utilization data in an array 206 for eventual transmission to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) via communication module 202 . Array manager 204 uses the communication module 202 to transmit utilization data.
Array manager 204 uses a timer (not shown) to manage the overall period of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months) continuous snapshots are taken. Array manager 204 also uses a timer to control the amount of time between two consecutive readings are taken from the process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ) i.e., the delay intervals between snapshots. In one implementation, array manager 204 takes a reading (also referred to as a snapshot) of the process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ) every five seconds. However, the amount of time between snapshots is configurable. Preferably the time interval selected between snapshots should be frequent enough to capture real-time computer utilization events but not too frequent so as to impact computer utilization measurements on a particular computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ).
Each snapshot provides a value indicative of a peak amount of a computer resource utilized at a particular time interval. Each value of a snapshot is used by array manager 204 to select a particular element (also referred to as a “bucket”) from an array 206 corresponding to the value of the snapshot. Each element corresponding to the value of the snapshot contains a count indicating the number of times the particular computer resource level (value) was observed. So each time a particular value is observed, a corresponding bucket with the same value is selected and the count associated with that bucket is incremented by one.
For example, suppose array manager 204 reads a CPU resource utilization value of 10% for each of its first two readings from process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ). In this case, array manager 204 selects the 10 th bucket of an array and increments the counter associated with the 10 th bucket twice, so the value contained in the 10 th bucket would equal two.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array 206 . Array 206 includes 101 buckets labeled at the bottom of each bucket, 0 through 100. The number of each bucket corresponds to a metric value (i.e., a particular computer resource level value). For example, suppose a CPU value of 90% is read from process utilization manager 126 by array manager 204 ( FIG. 2 ), then that value of 90% would correspond to bucket 90 . In each bucket is a counter value indicating the number of times the particular computer resource level value was observed over a particular duration of time. For example, in bucket 90 there is a count value 10 , which indicates that there ten instances over a particular duration of time a computer resource was 90% utilized. If during another instance of time a snapshot is taken of the process utilization manager 126 , which indicates that a computer resource was again 90% utilized, then the count value contained in bucket 90 is incremented by one and the count value would read 11 (not shown) instead of 10 (shown). Thus, each bucket contains a count value which indicates the number of times a particular computer resource utilization percentage was reached over a particular duration of time. For example, bucket 1 of array 206 shows that there were 90 instances over a particular duration of time that a particular computer resource was utilized at a peak utilization level of 1%; and so forth.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the array 206 may be stored in memory 122 ( FIG. 1 ) as part of a log 302 or file.
Referring back to FIG. 2 again, after a configurable duration of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours or even days), utilization data from array 206 (i.e., count values from buckets 0 through 100 ) are transmitted to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) via communication module 202 ( FIG. 2 ) and network 106 ( FIG. 1 ). Once there is a confirmation from reporter module 136 that the data was successfully received, array module 204 resets all the counters in array 206 and the process repeats itself for the next duration of time.
Exemplary Reporter Module
A portion of usage metering system 102 may also reside in memory in the form of an innovative reporter module 136 , such as in memory 132 of supervision computer 105 . Reporter module 136 is a program module that communicates with collection module 160 and uploads information forwarded by (or pulled by) collection module 160 to determine workload utilization of computer resources executing on computer system 104 . That is, reporter module 136 is configured to collect utilization data (counter values from the array and other potential information) from collection module 160 and consolidate and format the data to construct a billing record which can be transmitted to a billing center 180 if the billing center 180 resides separately from supervision computer 105 . Reporter module 136 may also be responsible for monitoring the status of one or more collection modules 160 and send an alert message if abnormalities are observed. As such the health of computer system 104 may be monitored.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a reporter module 136 residing in memory 132 of supervision computer 105 . In this example, reporter module 136 comprises program modules and program data. Program modules typically include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, and so on, for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types. The processor 130 is configured to fetch and execute computer program instructions from the program modules in memory 132 , and is further configured to fetch data from program data while executing the reporter module 136 .
In the exemplary implementation, reporter module 136 comprises a front end 402 , a communication module 404 , a calculation module 406 , a report module 408 , and data files 410 .
Front end 402 is a module that allows a user to connect (i.e., login) into the supervision computer 105 (directly or over a network 106 ) and access a user interface (not shown). Using the user interface, the user can control the characteristics of the usage metering system and monitor computer resource utilization on computer systems 104 . For example, network accessible front end 402 comprises a display module 420 and a rule composer module 422 .
Display module 420 view information about collector modules 160 ( FIG. 1 ), including how often data is forwarded from each collector module 160 ( FIG. 1 ), which instance or system is being monitored, etc. Display module 220 also enables the user, to view precise information detailing computer resource utilization in computer systems 104 .
Rule composer module 422 enables a user to: install reporter modules on supervision systems 105 , install collector modules on computer system 104 , configure and deploy rules that instruct how information is sent from collector modules (such as how often), configure and deploy rules of how and when to generate reports indicating a quantity of computer system resources utilized over select period of time (such as month, week, quarter, etc.). This information may be further utilized by billing software or other applications for billing a department responsible for the software application that operates on the computer systems 104 .
Communications module 404 connects the supervision computer 105 to the computer systems 104 over network 106 ( FIG. 1 ) to transmit and receive various data required by collection agents 160 ( FIG. 1 ) and reporter module 136 . The communication module 404 accepts transmission of data files, including logs containing arrays from collector module 160 for storage on the supervision computer 105 in data files 410 .
The communication module 404 also facilitates transmission of instructions and rules for collecting utilization data and information from computer systems 104 . This enables the computer systems 104 (via collector modules 160 ) to store the instructions, data, and rules as indicated by reporter module 136 .
Communications module 404 also transmits information to collector modules 160 to ensure that each module (if more than one) is collecting utilization data at precise intervals and forwarding the data from arrays 206 at prescribed periods of time.
Reporter module 136 through communications module 404 also may participate in health monitoring of computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ). This is accomplished by pinging each collector module 160 ( FIG. 1 ) to monitor the status of the collector module, i.e., make sure it is still functioning. Malfunctions with collector modules, or a loss of communication with computer system 104 ensures that reporter module 136 will send an alert message to a center, such as service center, bill center, etc. or other designated site.
Calculation module 406 periodically retrieves data from collector modules 160 such as counts from array 106 , which are stored in data files 410 . Calculation module 406 also maintains a master array which mirrors array 106 , but includes a cumulative count of all buckets from a time period. Once a report is shipped to accounting, however, the master array can be reset to zero, and the accumulation of counts can be restarted for a next duration of time, such as a week, a month, a quarter, etc.
Calculation module 406 also compares the data in each bucket of the array to a threshold to determine how many times the customer's computer resource utilization exceeded the threshold. This is accomplished by sending the array data to the billing center where the threshold data is processed according to the terms of the customer's service contract. For example: if a customer has contracted for the use of 8 processors in a 16 processor system and utilization of the system exceeding 50 percent indicates the use of processors in excess of 8. The actual billing rate for utilization beyond the contracted base of 8 processors is negotiated by the vendor and customer when the service contract is created
Once calculation module 406 computes the computer resource utilization over a specific threshold, report module 408 generates a usage report which indicates exactly how many resources were utilized the amount that exceeded the agreed threshold. It is possible to use information from the report for charging a customer for utilization of computer resources above an agreed quantity threshold quantity, or for other purposes such as analyzing, monitoring, and predicting computer system performance.
Redundant reporter modules may be linked together, with one reporter module designated as the primary reporter module for receiving information and data from one or more collector modules, and the other reporter module designated as a secondary reporter module that maintains a duplicate copy of information stored by the primary reporter module, in the event the primary reporter module fails. Typically, secondary reporter modules will ping the primary reporter module on a periodic basis, such as when requesting duplicate copies of data for backup, and will takeover the role of the primary reporter module, if the primary reporter module fails to respond in a prescribed period of time. A particular secondary reporter module will notify the one or more collector modules 160 to transfer data to it instead of the primary reporter module in such a scenario.
In another implementation, if multiple reporter modules are configured as part of usage metering system 102 to function in a primary module and a secondary standby mode relationship, and primary reporter module fails to respond to a collector module's request to push data to it, one of the secondary reporter modules will designate itself as the primary module and resume the process of receiving data from collector modules and data consolidation and monitoring. If eventually the reporter module, which failed again, becomes function, through restart or user intervention, the failed reporter module will designate itself as standby or secondary reporter module.
Methods of Operation
Methods for collecting computer resource utilization data from process utilization manager 126 may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, data structures, etc. and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The described methods may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer-executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices (computer-readable media).
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 of operation associated with collecting computer resource utilization data. The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Each of the operations and blocks may be optional and do not necessarily have to be implemented. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. Exemplary method 500 includes blocks 502 , 504 , 506 , 508 , 510 , 512 , 514 , and 516 .
In block 502 , a snapshot of the process utilization manager is taken providing a value indicative of peak amount of computer resource utilized at a particular time. For example, array manager 204 ( FIG. 2 ) of collector module 160 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) reads the value indicated process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ).
In block 504 , a bucket corresponding to the value is selected from an array. For example, array manager 204 selects a bucket 0 through 100 from array 106 corresponding to the value obtained from taking the snapshot.
In block 506 , a counter associated with selected bucket is incremented. For example, array manager 204 increments the counter associated with the selected bucket by one.
In a decisional block 508 , a determination is made whether an interval time between snapshots has elapsed. For example, a timer (not shown) within array manager 204 determines how long to wait between each successive snapshot. If enough time has not elapsed, then process 500 shall wait the prescribed period of time according to the No branch of decisional block 508 . If enough time has elapsed, the process 500 proceeds to decisional block 510 .
In decisional block 510 , a determination is made whether a second and longer duration of time has elapsed, such as minutes, hours, weeks or days. If such second duration of time has not elapsed, then according the No branch of decisional block 510 , process 500 proceeds back to block 502 and process 500 repeats itself for the next snapshot or iterations of snapshots. If the second duration of time has elapsed, then according the Yes branch of decisional block 510 , process 500 process proceeds to block 512 .
In block 512 , the array or values associated with each counter of the array is forwarded to a reporter module. For example, communication module 202 ( FIG. 2 ) transmits an array 206 ( FIG. 2 ) to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ).
In a decisional block 514 , a determination is made whether the array was successfully received by the reporter module. For example, unless an acknowledgement is received from a reporter module that it successfully received the data contained in the array maintained by the collector module, according the No branch of decisional block 514 , the collector module will attempt to resend the message (block 512 ) after a prescribe period of time or take other corrective action such as notifying a secondary reporter module that it is having problems communicating with the a primary reporter module. If the array was successfully received process 500 proceeds to block 516 .
In block 516 , the counters comprising the array are reset to zero. For example, array manager 204 resets all the counters in array 206 . Alternatively, it is noted that array manager could also start a new array or continue keep counting and let the reporter module worry about where the counts left off. Process 500 repeats itself for the next duration of time.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 600 of operation associated with recording and reporting computer resource utilization data. The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Each of the operations and blocks may be optional and do not necessarily have to be implemented. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. Exemplary method 600 includes blocks 602 , 604 , 606 , and 608 .
In a decisional block 602 , a reporter module attempts to retrieve data from a collector module (in a pull strategy) or waits to receive data from a collector module (in push module). If in either case, the reporter module is unable to receive data after a prescribed period of time or number of attempts to communicate with the collector module, then according to the No branch of decisional block 602 process 600 proceeds to block 604 and a alert is send to a designated site, person or service center, that there is a problem with the health of an instance partition, computer system, and/or collector module. If according to the Yes branch of decisional block 602 , the reporter module receives utilization data (typically in the form of an array), then process 600 proceeds to block 606 .
In block 606 , the data from the array is consolidated and formatted based on the data record format required by the billing center. At a minimum the data is formatted into a comma separated data file and a human readable text file. Additional data files are created using the data record templates of the target billing systems. These templates are provided to the reporter module at the time of software installation. All data files transmitted from the reporter are processed to generate an encrypted digital signature. This signature is used at the receiving billing center to ensure the integrity of the received files.
In block 608 , a report is sent to a designated site, such as billing center 180 ( FIG. 1 ) for analysis or generation of bill, in the event the customer utilized more computer resources than an agreed upon threshold level.
Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention. | A usage metering system for determining computer resource utilization is described herein. Computer resource utilization is determined by accumulating instances of computer resource utilization based on array of counters. This enables an accurate determination of instances of when a predetermined threshold baseline of computer resource utilization is exceeded over an accumulated period of time. By using an array of counters to collect data rather than averaging values over time, a more accurate indication of computer resource utilization is determined. The usage metering system has little impact on computer system resources, because snapshots can be taken on a fairly infrequent basis, and any computer resource utilization calculations can be performed on computer platforms separated from the system being monitored. | Identify and summarize the most critical features from the given passage. | [
"TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to monitoring utilization of computer resources in a computer system, and more specifically, to usage metering technology.",
"BACKGROUND A new model for purchasing a computer system has emerged in the computer industry, referred to as capacity-on-demand billing.",
"According to this model, the customer agrees to purchase a computer system with a fixed baseline performance capability level based on a quantity of computer resources installed on the computer system (i.e., the number of Central Processing Units (CPUs), memory units, and/or Input/Output (I/O) modules, available in the computer system).",
"In return, the manufacturer of the computer system agrees to install extra computer resources on the computer system at no upfront expense to the customer, and the customer is entitled to use the extra computer resources, but on a pay-per-use basis.",
"Automated usage metering technology employed with the computer system detects when the customer's resource usage exceeds a threshold level, i.e., the fixed baseline performance capability level, and the customer is charged a usage fee for excessive usage over the threshold.",
"Typically, the usage metering technology operates in the background recording computer resource utilization data and transmitting the data to a billing site for invoicing.",
"An advantage of the capacity-on-demand billing model is that it allows the customer to purchase a computer system with reserve capacity, but at no additional upfront costs.",
"This means a customer may have additional resources instantly available during periods of high computing demand, but without the penalty of having to purchase extra computer resources that lay dormant during slower demand periods.",
"Ensuring the customer is accurately charged for using computer resources above an agreed threshold is a challenge with the capacity-on-demand billing model.",
"For instance, some usage metering technologies rely on averaging methods that tend to record the resource utilization of a computer system over relatively long periods and often fail to account for the moment-by-moment operation of a typical computer system performing real-world tasks.",
"For example, suppose a customer purchased a computer system with an agreed to maximum threshold of four CPUs, but in actuality, resident with the computer system are 16 CPUs.",
"Now suppose that for three hours out of the day the customer uses 12 CPUs worth of processing power and for the remaining 21 hours the customer uses only two CPUs worth of processing power.",
"If the usage metering technology uses an averaging method, it would appear that the customer only used 3.2 CPUs worth of CPU resources, which is well within the customer's baseline threshold of four CPUs.",
"In reality, for three hours out of the day during peak usage, 12 CPUs were used and the customer should have been charged for using eight additional CPUs over their four base CPUs.",
"In other words, but for the ability to use the additional CPU resources during peak usage times, the customer's work would not have been completed in a timely fashion, and the customer ought to have been charged for using extra resources, but was not in this scenario.",
"Thus, a drawback with sampling usage data on an averaging basis is the likelihood that the metering usage tool may fail to capture short-lived events, and may produce results with a lower computer resource utilization level than actually occurring in a computer system.",
"To compensate for averaging problems, some usage metering tools attempt to collect system resource data metrics, such as CPU and I/O performance data, at high frequencies to accurately reflect system resource utilization.",
"A drawback, however, of sampling performance data at high frequencies is a tendency to consume a substantial amount of system resources, which skews computer resource consumption measurements, is expensive, and burdensome.",
"SUMMARY A usage metering system for determining computer resource utilization is described herein.",
"The usage metering system collects iterative snapshots of computer resource utilization.",
"Each snapshot provides a value indicative of the amount of specific computer resource utilized during a particular duration of time.",
"Each value of a snapshot is used to select a particular counter from an array of counters corresponding to the value of the snapshot.",
"The particular counter is incremented and the process repeats itself for a next snapshot.",
"After a particular duration of time, the values of each counter are collected from the array of counters, and a usage report can be generated showing actual computer resource utilization accumulated over the particular duration of time, and more particularly, the number of instances computer resource utilization exceeded a threshold level of computer resource utilization over the particular duration of time.",
"Based the usage report it is possible to bill for usage that exceeded the threshold levels, and the quantity and extent of usage that exceed the threshold levels.",
"In an exemplary implementation, the usage metering system uses a collection module to collect the snapshots from the computer system and increment the counters.",
"To reduce impacting computer resource utilization, the collector module may pass resource utilization data to a reporter module that resides on a separate system (although both the collector module and reporter module may reside on the same system in an alternative implementation).",
"The reporter module receives the utilization data from the collector module, consolidates and formats the data for billing purposes and/or other purposes, such as health monitoring and assessment.",
"The reporter module may also monitor the health of a collector module and send an alert if problems are detected with the collector module.",
"Redundant collector modules and reporter modules may also be used to protect against a loss of utilization data or failures that may preclude monitoring of computer resource utilization.",
"The usage metering system, therefore, introduces the broad concept of determining computer resource utilization by accumulating instances of computer resource utilization based on an array of counters.",
"This enables an accurate determination of instances of when a predetermined threshold baseline of computer resource utilization is exceeded over an accumulated period of time.",
"By using an array to collect data rather than averaging values overtime, a more accurate indication of computer resource utilization is determined.",
"The usage metering system has little impact on computer system resources, because the snapshot process is very lightweight, and any computer resource utilization calculations can be performed on computer platforms separated from the system being monitored.",
"Various other features and advantages shall become more apparent from the following description.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is explained with reference to the accompanying figures.",
"In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.",
"FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment within which an innovative usage metering system and methodologies can be either fully or partially implemented.",
"FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary collector module.",
"FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array in which utilization data is maintained.",
"FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary reporter module.",
"FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operation associated with collecting computer resource utilization data.",
"FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operation associated with recording and reporting computer resource utilization data.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Computing Environment FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment 100 within which an innovative usage metering system 102 and methodologies can be either fully or partially implemented.",
"The innovative systems and methods described herein are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations.",
"The exemplary computing environment is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of systems and methods described herein.",
"Additionally, the exemplary computing environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the computing environment.",
"According to one exemplary implementation, computing environment 100 includes a computer system 104 , a supervision computer 105 , and a network 106 .",
"Computer system 104 can be any of a variety of computer devices, including workstations, multiprocessor systems, mainframe computers, enterprise systems, and a combination of any of the above example devices.",
"Each computer system 104 includes computer resources such as processors 120 , memory units 122 , and I/O modules 121 .",
"For example, each processor or group of processors comprise a CPU, which is typically responsible for controlling the interpretation and execution of computer-executable instructions (program instructions) in the form of software or logic, performs arithmetic and logical operations on data, and controls I/O functions.",
"Memory units 122 represent any part of a computer system where data and instructions are stored, such as main memory, central memory, immediate access memory, cache, registers, discs, and related storage devices.",
"Memory units 122 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, PCMCIA cards, etc.).",
"I/O modules 121 provide communication interfaces with other devices such as networks, printers, disks, computers, terminals, and other various devices able to connect to and communicate with a computer system.",
"Resident in the memory units 122 is one or more operating systems 123 , and software applications 124 that execute on the one or more processors 120 .",
"For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program modules are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of the computer systems 104 , and are executed by the one or more processors 120 .",
"Example of software applications 124 include, but are not limited to, application programs, email programs, word processing programs, spreadsheets programs, Internet browser programs, Web services and so forth.",
"In one implementation, operating system 123 is produced by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.",
", USA, such a Microsoft® Window® related operating system, which commonly implements high-level application-program interfaces (APIs), file systems, communications protocols, input/output data conversions, and other functions to enable software applications 124 to operate.",
"Although the exemplary implementations will generally be described in the context of Microsoft operating systems, it is possible that other operating systems, such as Linux, UNIX, OS/400, AIX, and others, could be used in accordance with the principles and illustrations described herein.",
"Operating system 123 generally maintains a process utilization manager 126 , such as the Windows NT Performance Monitoring API, present in the Windows operating system environment, and most commonly known through its well-known client programs as the Windows Task Manager, System Monitor, or Performance Monitor (Perfmon).",
"Process utilization manager 126 generally maintains raw data, such as processes, sub-process, components, and threads (hereinafter processes) consuming computer resources associated with computer system 104 .",
"The process utilization manager 126 maintains utilization data indicating CPU, memory, and I/O utilization in computer system 104 .",
"Other elements such as power supplies, keyboards, touch pads, I/O interfaces, displays, LEDs, audio generators, and so forth are not shown as being a part of computer systems 104 , but could easily be a part of the computer systems 104 .",
"Additionally, although not shown, a system bus or point-to-point connections typically connects the various components within computer systems 104 .",
"Network 106 represents any of a variety of networks and may include the Internet, or one or more other networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).",
"Additionally, it may also be possible for various devices to communicate directly with other devices without using network 106 as a communication link in the form of a point-to-point connection.",
"Supervision computer 105 is a computer system capable of communicating with computer system 104 .",
"Supervision computer 105 may refer to, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, an enterprise server, and potentially other devices that communicate with and provide services to end users and/or other computer devices.",
"Although only one supervision computer 105 is shown in FIG. 1 , it is readily appreciated that environment 100 may include more than one supervision computer 105 .",
"Supervision computer 105 also includes at least one processor 130 and memory 132 .",
"Resident in memory 132 are one or more operating systems (not shown), and programs 134 that execute on the one or more processor 130 .",
"Other elements such as power supplies, keyboards, touch pads, I/O interfaces, displays, LEDs, and so forth are not shown in supervision computer 105 , but could easily be a part of the exemplary supervision computer 105 .",
"Additionally, although not shown, a system bus or point-to-point connections typically connects the various components within supervision computer 105 .",
"Having introduced an exemplary environment 100 in which usage metering system 102 functions, it is now possible to describe usage metering system 102 in detail.",
"Exemplary Usage Metering System Usage metering system 102 is a software-based tool that collects computer resource utilization data from process utilization manager 126 and reports the amount of computer resources used on the computer system 104 to a monitoring facility, such as a billing center 180 .",
"Computer resource utilization data may include CPU utilization, memory utilization, I/O metrics, and potentially other process utilization metrics and units of execution.",
"Usage metering system 102 is composed of two primary software components: a collector module 160 and a reporter module 136 .",
"The collector module 160 is responsible for low level collection of utilization data from process utilization manager 126 .",
"The reporter module 136 is responsible for receiving utilization data transferred from the collector module 160 via network 106 or other communication path.",
"The reporter module 136 is also responsible for formatting and forwarding the utilization data to a collection point, such as billing center 180 , customer service center (not shown), Information Technology department (not shown), and so forth.",
"The reporter module 136 may also monitor the status of one or more collectors operating on a computer system 104 , such as for monitoring the health of computer system 104 and for reporting anomalies with computer system 104 .",
"In one implementation, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 , operate on computer systems 104 and supervision computer 105 , respectively, and communicate programmatically with each other as well as other program processes.",
"Alternatively, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 could reside on the same platform.",
"Typically, collector module 160 and reporter module 136 communicate with each other using at least one of a variety of communication protocols.",
"For example, on one implementation, collector module 160 uses Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) sockets to communicate with reporter module 136 .",
"Collector module 160 operates as a system level process.",
"Although only one collector module 160 is shown in FIG. 1 , it is appreciated that more than collector module 160 may be employed.",
"For instance, if computer system 104 has logical partitions such that sets of resources can be operated independently with its own operating system instance than a collector module can be targeted to collect utilization data from each particular OS instance.",
"Each collector module, such as collector module 160 , typically samples computer resource utilization data directly from the OS performance counters (not shown), which are part of the process utilization manager 126 .",
"Collector module 160 is designed to be extremely lightweight so that its impact on overall system utilization is negligible.",
"Collector module 160 measures peak instances of computer resource utilization observed on an iterative basis, and records the measurements in an array (to be described).",
"Each element of the array represents a count of how many times a corresponding computer utilization value was observed.",
"At user defined intervals, collector module 160 transmits the utilization data (the counts comprising the array of counters) to the reporter module 136 for consolidation and report generation.",
"Accordingly, only minimal work is performed by collector module 160 , and the more process intense analysis and consolidation of data is offloaded and performed on the supervision computer 105 by reporter module 136 minimizing any impact on computer resource utilization levels measured on computer system 104 .",
"The reporter module 136 may also execute as system level process on supervision computer 105 , although it is possible for reporter module 136 to execute on computer system 104 .",
"When the reporter module 136 receives the utilization data from one or more collector modules, the data is consolidated and formatted as a report for transmission to a user designated location.",
"For instance, in one implementation, the data is transmitted to a recipient center in the form of an electronic message (e-mail);",
"however, other forms of transfer may be used.",
"The report may indicate how many times a computer resource was utilized and the extent to which the utilization exceeded a particular threshold.",
"For example, information maintained by the array of counters can easily be consolidated over a defined period of time, such as a week, month or a quarter, and a report can be generated at prescribed times summarizing computer resource utilization over a period of time.",
"The report may be used for purposes of generating a bill, in the event it is determined that the customer utilized more computer resources than the customer's agreed threshold performance capability level.",
"Reporter module 136 may maintain an archive of data in a memory 132 to guard against loss of data at collection site.",
"The reporter module 136 may also monitor the health of computer system 104 by reporting if any particular collector module 160 fails to communicate with reporter module 136 , or fails to communicate in a prescribed fashion, which may indicate that a OS instance or computer system 104 is experiencing a malfunction.",
"If a prescribed period elapses and reporter module 136 fails to receive utilization data from collector module 160 or communicate in a acceptable manner with a collector module, reporter module 136 can send an alert message (such as an e-mail) to a user designated location to report the potential anomaly.",
"Although FIG. 1 shows a single system topology for discussion purposes, those skilled in the art should appreciate that usage metering system 102 may be deployed in various forms.",
"For example, in one implementation several collector modules and reporter modules may be deployed as part of usage metering system 102 .",
"A collector module and a reporter module may be deployed for each system partition requiring monitoring.",
"Each collector and reporter module pair acts as an independent unit and may not communicate with other collector and reporter modules that may be deployed on the same network.",
"In another implementation, a collector module is installed on each system/partition to be monitored.",
"A reporter module is installed to service the collector modules.",
"The reporter module may reside on a system/partition with a collector or it may be installed on a stand-alone system such as supervision computer 105 .",
"In such an implementation, collector modules and the reporter module are usually located on the same Local Area Network (LAN) segment.",
"In still another implementation, one collector module is installed on each system/partition to be monitored.",
"Two or more reporter modules are installed to service the collector modules.",
"Again, the reporter modules may reside on the same system/partitions as the collector modules or be installed on a standalone system.",
"Using redundant reporter modules ensures that if one reporter module fails (or its platform fails), another reporter module can take over the task of collecting utilization data from collector modules and reporting the data.",
"Collector module 160 and reporter module 136 of FIG. 1 shall now be described in more detail as follows.",
"Exemplary Collector Module FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a collector module 160 residing in memory 122 ( FIG. 1 ) of a computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"Collector module 160 typically operates as a background module and may operate in a secure mode, to prevent being tampered with by users of computer system 104 .",
"The collector module 160 is usually automatically activated when computer system 104 is functioning.",
"In one implementation, collector module 160 comprises a communications module 202 , an array manager 204 , and an array 206 .",
"Although it is appreciated that collector module may comprise program modules and data.",
"Program modules typically include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, and so on, for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types.",
"Communication module 202 communicates with reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"For example, communication module 202 transmits performance data for storage and manipulation by reporter module 136 .",
"Communications module 202 may also record other descriptive data, such as the date/time of the snapshots as well as identification indicia, indicating the particular computer system (or partition) on which the information was recorded.",
"The identification indicia enable the reporter module 136 when it receives data from different collector modules to associate the particular data with a particular system or partition.",
"Communications module 202 can also receive rules/instructions from reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ), such as when to take snapshots, how often to transmit data to supervision computer 105 ( FIG. 1 ), where to send data including whether to send data to redundant reporter modules, etc.",
"In the exemplary implementation, communication module 202 communicates with reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) using TCP/IP protocols over network 106 ( FIG. 1 ), but other communication protocols could be used such as RPC, COM+, DCOM, and Multicast.",
"Array manager 204 collects performance data from process utilization manager 126 on an iterative basis.",
"That is, array manager 204 samples (i.e., takes a “snapshot”",
"of) process utilization manager 126 on a continuous basis over prescribed period of time and stores the utilization data in an array 206 for eventual transmission to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) via communication module 202 .",
"Array manager 204 uses the communication module 202 to transmit utilization data.",
"Array manager 204 uses a timer (not shown) to manage the overall period of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months) continuous snapshots are taken.",
"Array manager 204 also uses a timer to control the amount of time between two consecutive readings are taken from the process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ) i.e., the delay intervals between snapshots.",
"In one implementation, array manager 204 takes a reading (also referred to as a snapshot) of the process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ) every five seconds.",
"However, the amount of time between snapshots is configurable.",
"Preferably the time interval selected between snapshots should be frequent enough to capture real-time computer utilization events but not too frequent so as to impact computer utilization measurements on a particular computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"Each snapshot provides a value indicative of a peak amount of a computer resource utilized at a particular time interval.",
"Each value of a snapshot is used by array manager 204 to select a particular element (also referred to as a “bucket”) from an array 206 corresponding to the value of the snapshot.",
"Each element corresponding to the value of the snapshot contains a count indicating the number of times the particular computer resource level (value) was observed.",
"So each time a particular value is observed, a corresponding bucket with the same value is selected and the count associated with that bucket is incremented by one.",
"For example, suppose array manager 204 reads a CPU resource utilization value of 10% for each of its first two readings from process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"In this case, array manager 204 selects the 10 th bucket of an array and increments the counter associated with the 10 th bucket twice, so the value contained in the 10 th bucket would equal two.",
"FIG. 3 shows an exemplary array 206 .",
"Array 206 includes 101 buckets labeled at the bottom of each bucket, 0 through 100.",
"The number of each bucket corresponds to a metric value (i.e., a particular computer resource level value).",
"For example, suppose a CPU value of 90% is read from process utilization manager 126 by array manager 204 ( FIG. 2 ), then that value of 90% would correspond to bucket 90 .",
"In each bucket is a counter value indicating the number of times the particular computer resource level value was observed over a particular duration of time.",
"For example, in bucket 90 there is a count value 10 , which indicates that there ten instances over a particular duration of time a computer resource was 90% utilized.",
"If during another instance of time a snapshot is taken of the process utilization manager 126 , which indicates that a computer resource was again 90% utilized, then the count value contained in bucket 90 is incremented by one and the count value would read 11 (not shown) instead of 10 (shown).",
"Thus, each bucket contains a count value which indicates the number of times a particular computer resource utilization percentage was reached over a particular duration of time.",
"For example, bucket 1 of array 206 shows that there were 90 instances over a particular duration of time that a particular computer resource was utilized at a peak utilization level of 1%;",
"and so forth.",
"As shown in FIG. 3 , the array 206 may be stored in memory 122 ( FIG. 1 ) as part of a log 302 or file.",
"Referring back to FIG. 2 again, after a configurable duration of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours or even days), utilization data from array 206 (i.e., count values from buckets 0 through 100 ) are transmitted to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ) via communication module 202 ( FIG. 2 ) and network 106 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"Once there is a confirmation from reporter module 136 that the data was successfully received, array module 204 resets all the counters in array 206 and the process repeats itself for the next duration of time.",
"Exemplary Reporter Module A portion of usage metering system 102 may also reside in memory in the form of an innovative reporter module 136 , such as in memory 132 of supervision computer 105 .",
"Reporter module 136 is a program module that communicates with collection module 160 and uploads information forwarded by (or pulled by) collection module 160 to determine workload utilization of computer resources executing on computer system 104 .",
"That is, reporter module 136 is configured to collect utilization data (counter values from the array and other potential information) from collection module 160 and consolidate and format the data to construct a billing record which can be transmitted to a billing center 180 if the billing center 180 resides separately from supervision computer 105 .",
"Reporter module 136 may also be responsible for monitoring the status of one or more collection modules 160 and send an alert message if abnormalities are observed.",
"As such the health of computer system 104 may be monitored.",
"FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a reporter module 136 residing in memory 132 of supervision computer 105 .",
"In this example, reporter module 136 comprises program modules and program data.",
"Program modules typically include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, and so on, for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types.",
"The processor 130 is configured to fetch and execute computer program instructions from the program modules in memory 132 , and is further configured to fetch data from program data while executing the reporter module 136 .",
"In the exemplary implementation, reporter module 136 comprises a front end 402 , a communication module 404 , a calculation module 406 , a report module 408 , and data files 410 .",
"Front end 402 is a module that allows a user to connect (i.e., login) into the supervision computer 105 (directly or over a network 106 ) and access a user interface (not shown).",
"Using the user interface, the user can control the characteristics of the usage metering system and monitor computer resource utilization on computer systems 104 .",
"For example, network accessible front end 402 comprises a display module 420 and a rule composer module 422 .",
"Display module 420 view information about collector modules 160 ( FIG. 1 ), including how often data is forwarded from each collector module 160 ( FIG. 1 ), which instance or system is being monitored, etc.",
"Display module 220 also enables the user, to view precise information detailing computer resource utilization in computer systems 104 .",
"Rule composer module 422 enables a user to: install reporter modules on supervision systems 105 , install collector modules on computer system 104 , configure and deploy rules that instruct how information is sent from collector modules (such as how often), configure and deploy rules of how and when to generate reports indicating a quantity of computer system resources utilized over select period of time (such as month, week, quarter, etc.).",
"This information may be further utilized by billing software or other applications for billing a department responsible for the software application that operates on the computer systems 104 .",
"Communications module 404 connects the supervision computer 105 to the computer systems 104 over network 106 ( FIG. 1 ) to transmit and receive various data required by collection agents 160 ( FIG. 1 ) and reporter module 136 .",
"The communication module 404 accepts transmission of data files, including logs containing arrays from collector module 160 for storage on the supervision computer 105 in data files 410 .",
"The communication module 404 also facilitates transmission of instructions and rules for collecting utilization data and information from computer systems 104 .",
"This enables the computer systems 104 (via collector modules 160 ) to store the instructions, data, and rules as indicated by reporter module 136 .",
"Communications module 404 also transmits information to collector modules 160 to ensure that each module (if more than one) is collecting utilization data at precise intervals and forwarding the data from arrays 206 at prescribed periods of time.",
"Reporter module 136 through communications module 404 also may participate in health monitoring of computer system 104 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"This is accomplished by pinging each collector module 160 ( FIG. 1 ) to monitor the status of the collector module, i.e., make sure it is still functioning.",
"Malfunctions with collector modules, or a loss of communication with computer system 104 ensures that reporter module 136 will send an alert message to a center, such as service center, bill center, etc.",
"or other designated site.",
"Calculation module 406 periodically retrieves data from collector modules 160 such as counts from array 106 , which are stored in data files 410 .",
"Calculation module 406 also maintains a master array which mirrors array 106 , but includes a cumulative count of all buckets from a time period.",
"Once a report is shipped to accounting, however, the master array can be reset to zero, and the accumulation of counts can be restarted for a next duration of time, such as a week, a month, a quarter, etc.",
"Calculation module 406 also compares the data in each bucket of the array to a threshold to determine how many times the customer's computer resource utilization exceeded the threshold.",
"This is accomplished by sending the array data to the billing center where the threshold data is processed according to the terms of the customer's service contract.",
"For example: if a customer has contracted for the use of 8 processors in a 16 processor system and utilization of the system exceeding 50 percent indicates the use of processors in excess of 8.",
"The actual billing rate for utilization beyond the contracted base of 8 processors is negotiated by the vendor and customer when the service contract is created Once calculation module 406 computes the computer resource utilization over a specific threshold, report module 408 generates a usage report which indicates exactly how many resources were utilized the amount that exceeded the agreed threshold.",
"It is possible to use information from the report for charging a customer for utilization of computer resources above an agreed quantity threshold quantity, or for other purposes such as analyzing, monitoring, and predicting computer system performance.",
"Redundant reporter modules may be linked together, with one reporter module designated as the primary reporter module for receiving information and data from one or more collector modules, and the other reporter module designated as a secondary reporter module that maintains a duplicate copy of information stored by the primary reporter module, in the event the primary reporter module fails.",
"Typically, secondary reporter modules will ping the primary reporter module on a periodic basis, such as when requesting duplicate copies of data for backup, and will takeover the role of the primary reporter module, if the primary reporter module fails to respond in a prescribed period of time.",
"A particular secondary reporter module will notify the one or more collector modules 160 to transfer data to it instead of the primary reporter module in such a scenario.",
"In another implementation, if multiple reporter modules are configured as part of usage metering system 102 to function in a primary module and a secondary standby mode relationship, and primary reporter module fails to respond to a collector module's request to push data to it, one of the secondary reporter modules will designate itself as the primary module and resume the process of receiving data from collector modules and data consolidation and monitoring.",
"If eventually the reporter module, which failed again, becomes function, through restart or user intervention, the failed reporter module will designate itself as standby or secondary reporter module.",
"Methods of Operation Methods for collecting computer resource utilization data from process utilization manager 126 may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions.",
"Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, threads, components, data structures, etc.",
"and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.",
"The described methods may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network.",
"In a distributed computing environment, computer-executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices (computer-readable media).",
"FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 of operation associated with collecting computer resource utilization data.",
"The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method.",
"Each of the operations and blocks may be optional and do not necessarily have to be implemented.",
"Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.",
"Exemplary method 500 includes blocks 502 , 504 , 506 , 508 , 510 , 512 , 514 , and 516 .",
"In block 502 , a snapshot of the process utilization manager is taken providing a value indicative of peak amount of computer resource utilized at a particular time.",
"For example, array manager 204 ( FIG. 2 ) of collector module 160 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) reads the value indicated process utilization manager 126 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"In block 504 , a bucket corresponding to the value is selected from an array.",
"For example, array manager 204 selects a bucket 0 through 100 from array 106 corresponding to the value obtained from taking the snapshot.",
"In block 506 , a counter associated with selected bucket is incremented.",
"For example, array manager 204 increments the counter associated with the selected bucket by one.",
"In a decisional block 508 , a determination is made whether an interval time between snapshots has elapsed.",
"For example, a timer (not shown) within array manager 204 determines how long to wait between each successive snapshot.",
"If enough time has not elapsed, then process 500 shall wait the prescribed period of time according to the No branch of decisional block 508 .",
"If enough time has elapsed, the process 500 proceeds to decisional block 510 .",
"In decisional block 510 , a determination is made whether a second and longer duration of time has elapsed, such as minutes, hours, weeks or days.",
"If such second duration of time has not elapsed, then according the No branch of decisional block 510 , process 500 proceeds back to block 502 and process 500 repeats itself for the next snapshot or iterations of snapshots.",
"If the second duration of time has elapsed, then according the Yes branch of decisional block 510 , process 500 process proceeds to block 512 .",
"In block 512 , the array or values associated with each counter of the array is forwarded to a reporter module.",
"For example, communication module 202 ( FIG. 2 ) transmits an array 206 ( FIG. 2 ) to reporter module 136 ( FIG. 1 ).",
"In a decisional block 514 , a determination is made whether the array was successfully received by the reporter module.",
"For example, unless an acknowledgement is received from a reporter module that it successfully received the data contained in the array maintained by the collector module, according the No branch of decisional block 514 , the collector module will attempt to resend the message (block 512 ) after a prescribe period of time or take other corrective action such as notifying a secondary reporter module that it is having problems communicating with the a primary reporter module.",
"If the array was successfully received process 500 proceeds to block 516 .",
"In block 516 , the counters comprising the array are reset to zero.",
"For example, array manager 204 resets all the counters in array 206 .",
"Alternatively, it is noted that array manager could also start a new array or continue keep counting and let the reporter module worry about where the counts left off.",
"Process 500 repeats itself for the next duration of time.",
"FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 600 of operation associated with recording and reporting computer resource utilization data.",
"The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method.",
"Each of the operations and blocks may be optional and do not necessarily have to be implemented.",
"Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.",
"Exemplary method 600 includes blocks 602 , 604 , 606 , and 608 .",
"In a decisional block 602 , a reporter module attempts to retrieve data from a collector module (in a pull strategy) or waits to receive data from a collector module (in push module).",
"If in either case, the reporter module is unable to receive data after a prescribed period of time or number of attempts to communicate with the collector module, then according to the No branch of decisional block 602 process 600 proceeds to block 604 and a alert is send to a designated site, person or service center, that there is a problem with the health of an instance partition, computer system, and/or collector module.",
"If according to the Yes branch of decisional block 602 , the reporter module receives utilization data (typically in the form of an array), then process 600 proceeds to block 606 .",
"In block 606 , the data from the array is consolidated and formatted based on the data record format required by the billing center.",
"At a minimum the data is formatted into a comma separated data file and a human readable text file.",
"Additional data files are created using the data record templates of the target billing systems.",
"These templates are provided to the reporter module at the time of software installation.",
"All data files transmitted from the reporter are processed to generate an encrypted digital signature.",
"This signature is used at the receiving billing center to ensure the integrity of the received files.",
"In block 608 , a report is sent to a designated site, such as billing center 180 ( FIG. 1 ) for analysis or generation of bill, in the event the customer utilized more computer resources than an agreed upon threshold level.",
"Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described.",
"Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention."
] |
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to medical ultrasound imaging equipment and, in particular, to a biocompatible material for coupling ultrasonic energy between a patient's skin and an ultrasonic transducer used in such equipment.
Ultrasound may be used to measure the physical characteristics of living tissue. In echo ultrasound, an ultrasonic transducer is placed against the skin to transmit sound into the patient, and then to receive echo signals caused by the reflections of the ultrasonic energy across interfaces between materials of different acoustical properties. In transmission ultrasound, an ultrasonic transmitting transducer is placed against the skin on one side of the patient to transmit sound through the patient to be received by a second ultrasonic transducer placed against the skin on the other side of the patient.
Transmission ultrasound finds considerable use in quantitative measurements of tissue characteristics and, in particular, in the field of bone densitometry where measurements of speed of sound and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) may be used to characterize bone health. Such systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,930,511, 5,042,489, 5,054,490, 5,099,849, 5,119,820, 5,218,963, 5,343,863, 5,349,959, 5,483,965, 5,603,325, 5,840,029, 6,027,449, 6,277,076, and 6,364,837, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference.
The delivery of ultrasound into the patient requires an efficient coupling path between the transducer and the patient's skin usually facilitated by a coupling material. Such coupling materials are typically selected to be hypoallergenic, slow to dry, and of comparable acoustic qualities to water (the principal constituent of tissue). Some commonly used coupling materials are glycerol, water, and oils.
In many applications, a gel material is used because of its lessened tendency to flow from the region in which it is applied and its ability to fill gaps between the ultrasonic transducer and the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,221 describes a gel coupling agent having a viscosity similar to mayonnaise and formed from copolymers of methylvinyl-ether and maleic acid and carboxy-polymethylene polymer with alkali metal salts as thickeners. U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,854 describes a coupling material composed of a hydrogel being a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and phenolethyl methacrylate. Numerous of ultrasound coupling gels are commercially available.
Precise quantitative measurements in bone densitometry studies often require a stabilization period after the coupling material has been applied to the patient and the ultrasonic transducers have been positioned. This stabilization period is about one minute with maximum stabilization occurring as much as fifteen to twenty minutes later. The mechanism underlying this need for a stabilizing period is not well understood.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present inventor has determined that the stabilization period needed for quantitative bone density measurements is essentially eliminated (approximately fifteen seconds) when a thin coating of alcohol is used as the coupling material between the ultrasonic transducer and skin.
While the inventor does not wish to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that the reduction of stabilization time may result from alcohol's ability to penetrate or wet the skin very quickly, which in turn may be a function of its extremely low surface tension. In contrast, gels, for example, may tend to entrap air and impede the wetting of the skin's surface.
Unlike gels and other coupling materials, the high volatility of the alcohol makes for easy cleanup and does not leave a residue on the patient's skin. Alcohol has a sterilizing property, presents a low safety hazard, is easily dispensed from a spray bottle without danger of contamination, and is readily available in the hospital or clinic environment.
The invention may be particularly suitable for ultrasound systems that use an inflated bladder having a convex outer surface where little gap filling is required and where the contact area of the bladder during inflation spreads outward clearing bubbles from the region.
These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a transmission ultrasound machine intended for measurement of the os calcis bone of the heel, showing opposed transducers with deflated coupling bladders spaced apart to receive the heel therebetween, and showing application of an alcohol spray to skin surfaces;
FIG. 2 is a figure similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the heel in place between the bladders with the bladders inflated to provide coupling of ultrasonic energy from the transducers to the skin through an alcohol layer; and
FIG. 3 is a chart showing change in measured bone density values over time obtained with the alcohol spray versus a conventional gel coupling material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bone densitometer 10 providing for ultrasonic measurement of bone health includes a housing 12 having an opening 14 in the upper surface sized to receive a patient's heel 16 .
The opening 14 reveals a chamber 22 sized to receive the patient's heel 16 on a guide plate 24 so that the os calcis 18 is positioned along an axis 26 between a first transmitting transducer 28 and a second receiving transducer 30 flanking the heel 16 . The transducers 28 and 30 each extend through a circular backer plate 34 covered with a flexible silicon membrane 36 attached around its circumference to the circumference of the backer plate so as to define an enclosed volume covering the faces of transducers 28 and 30 exposed to the chamber 22 . A liquid, typically a water and alcohol mixture, is introduced through passageways 38 communicating with the enclosed volume to inflate the membrane 36 expanding it outward to engage the skin of the patient's heel 16 when the patient's heel 16 is positioned within the housing 12 .
As will be understood from this description, the membranes 36 are outwardly convex to initially contact the foot at a limited area that expands outward with inflation to squeeze out air.
During operation of the bone densitometer 10 , a series of ultrasound pulses may be produced by the transducer 28 driven by appropriate circuitry to pass along axis 26 through the os calcis 18 to receiving transducer 30 . The ultrasound pulses received by the transducer 30 are then analyzed to deduce the speed of sound (SOS) through the patient's heel 16 (being principally that through the os calcis 18 ) and a broadband attenuation (BUA) as is well understood to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 1, before insertion of the heel 16 , an alcohol spray 40 may be applied to both the left and right side of the heel 16 in the region where they will contact the membranes 36 upon inflation of the membranes 36 . The alcohol spray 40 is preferably isopropyl alcohol in 70 to 90% concentration of alcohol as may be practically obtained and stored. The alcohol spray 40 is not mixed with other thickeners to maintain a low viscosity. Trace amounts of additional material may be added to the alcohol spray 40 including surfactants, perfumes, colorings, and the like.
The viscosity of the alcohol spray 40 is preferably comparable to the viscosity of water at room temperature (approximately one centi-Poise (cP)) and typically no greater than ten centi-Poise. The surface tension of the alcohol spray 40 will be comparable to the surface tension of isopropyl alcohol (twenty-two dynes per centimeter) but in any event will be less than the surface tension of water at room temperature of 72.8 dynes per centimeter.
The amount of alcohol spray 40 applied is such as to coat the heel 16 sufficiently so that alcohol just begins to run down the vertical sides of the skin. The alcohol spray 40 may be applied with a conventional spray bottle 42 which need not contact the patient eliminating contamination problems.
Alternatively, the alcohol may be applied to the membranes 36 before insertion of the heel 16 . In yet another alternative, the alcohol spray 40 may be applied to either of the heel 16 or membranes 36 with the membranes 36 pre-inflated and the heel 16 is slid between them. The alcohol need not be applied in a spray but may be painted on or the like with other forms of applicators such as a brush.
Referring to FIG. 2, the volatile alcohol spray 40 is immediately covered by the membranes 36 (as seen in FIG. 2) that serve to retard additional evaporation prior to the measurement.
Referring now to FIG. 3, using the alcohol spray 40 as a coupling material provides measured ultrasonic parameters (e.g., speed of sound, broadband ultrasonic attenuation) that stabilize as generally indicated by plot line 50 approaching an asymptote 52 within approximately fifteen seconds. In contrast, use of a conventional gel provides measured ultrasonic parameters that stabilize as generally indicated by plot line 54 in as much as 120 to 180 seconds.
When the heel 16 is removed from the bone densitometer 10 , the alcohol spray 40 which has not been absorbed into the skin, quickly evaporates, avoiding the need to clean gel off of the patient's foot such as might soil hosiery.
It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. | Alcohol is used as a coupling medium between an ultrasonic transducer and patient skin providing rapid settling of quantitative measurements. | Summarize the patent information, clearly outlining the technical challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to medical ultrasound imaging equipment and, in particular, to a biocompatible material for coupling ultrasonic energy between a patient's skin and an ultrasonic transducer used in such equipment.",
"Ultrasound may be used to measure the physical characteristics of living tissue.",
"In echo ultrasound, an ultrasonic transducer is placed against the skin to transmit sound into the patient, and then to receive echo signals caused by the reflections of the ultrasonic energy across interfaces between materials of different acoustical properties.",
"In transmission ultrasound, an ultrasonic transmitting transducer is placed against the skin on one side of the patient to transmit sound through the patient to be received by a second ultrasonic transducer placed against the skin on the other side of the patient.",
"Transmission ultrasound finds considerable use in quantitative measurements of tissue characteristics and, in particular, in the field of bone densitometry where measurements of speed of sound and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) may be used to characterize bone health.",
"Such systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,930,511, 5,042,489, 5,054,490, 5,099,849, 5,119,820, 5,218,963, 5,343,863, 5,349,959, 5,483,965, 5,603,325, 5,840,029, 6,027,449, 6,277,076, and 6,364,837, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference.",
"The delivery of ultrasound into the patient requires an efficient coupling path between the transducer and the patient's skin usually facilitated by a coupling material.",
"Such coupling materials are typically selected to be hypoallergenic, slow to dry, and of comparable acoustic qualities to water (the principal constituent of tissue).",
"Some commonly used coupling materials are glycerol, water, and oils.",
"In many applications, a gel material is used because of its lessened tendency to flow from the region in which it is applied and its ability to fill gaps between the ultrasonic transducer and the skin.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,221 describes a gel coupling agent having a viscosity similar to mayonnaise and formed from copolymers of methylvinyl-ether and maleic acid and carboxy-polymethylene polymer with alkali metal salts as thickeners.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,854 describes a coupling material composed of a hydrogel being a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and phenolethyl methacrylate.",
"Numerous of ultrasound coupling gels are commercially available.",
"Precise quantitative measurements in bone densitometry studies often require a stabilization period after the coupling material has been applied to the patient and the ultrasonic transducers have been positioned.",
"This stabilization period is about one minute with maximum stabilization occurring as much as fifteen to twenty minutes later.",
"The mechanism underlying this need for a stabilizing period is not well understood.",
"SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present inventor has determined that the stabilization period needed for quantitative bone density measurements is essentially eliminated (approximately fifteen seconds) when a thin coating of alcohol is used as the coupling material between the ultrasonic transducer and skin.",
"While the inventor does not wish to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that the reduction of stabilization time may result from alcohol's ability to penetrate or wet the skin very quickly, which in turn may be a function of its extremely low surface tension.",
"In contrast, gels, for example, may tend to entrap air and impede the wetting of the skin's surface.",
"Unlike gels and other coupling materials, the high volatility of the alcohol makes for easy cleanup and does not leave a residue on the patient's skin.",
"Alcohol has a sterilizing property, presents a low safety hazard, is easily dispensed from a spray bottle without danger of contamination, and is readily available in the hospital or clinic environment.",
"The invention may be particularly suitable for ultrasound systems that use an inflated bladder having a convex outer surface where little gap filling is required and where the contact area of the bladder during inflation spreads outward clearing bubbles from the region.",
"These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a transmission ultrasound machine intended for measurement of the os calcis bone of the heel, showing opposed transducers with deflated coupling bladders spaced apart to receive the heel therebetween, and showing application of an alcohol spray to skin surfaces;",
"FIG. 2 is a figure similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the heel in place between the bladders with the bladders inflated to provide coupling of ultrasonic energy from the transducers to the skin through an alcohol layer;",
"and FIG. 3 is a chart showing change in measured bone density values over time obtained with the alcohol spray versus a conventional gel coupling material.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bone densitometer 10 providing for ultrasonic measurement of bone health includes a housing 12 having an opening 14 in the upper surface sized to receive a patient's heel 16 .",
"The opening 14 reveals a chamber 22 sized to receive the patient's heel 16 on a guide plate 24 so that the os calcis 18 is positioned along an axis 26 between a first transmitting transducer 28 and a second receiving transducer 30 flanking the heel 16 .",
"The transducers 28 and 30 each extend through a circular backer plate 34 covered with a flexible silicon membrane 36 attached around its circumference to the circumference of the backer plate so as to define an enclosed volume covering the faces of transducers 28 and 30 exposed to the chamber 22 .",
"A liquid, typically a water and alcohol mixture, is introduced through passageways 38 communicating with the enclosed volume to inflate the membrane 36 expanding it outward to engage the skin of the patient's heel 16 when the patient's heel 16 is positioned within the housing 12 .",
"As will be understood from this description, the membranes 36 are outwardly convex to initially contact the foot at a limited area that expands outward with inflation to squeeze out air.",
"During operation of the bone densitometer 10 , a series of ultrasound pulses may be produced by the transducer 28 driven by appropriate circuitry to pass along axis 26 through the os calcis 18 to receiving transducer 30 .",
"The ultrasound pulses received by the transducer 30 are then analyzed to deduce the speed of sound (SOS) through the patient's heel 16 (being principally that through the os calcis 18 ) and a broadband attenuation (BUA) as is well understood to those of ordinary skill in the art.",
"Referring now to FIG. 1, before insertion of the heel 16 , an alcohol spray 40 may be applied to both the left and right side of the heel 16 in the region where they will contact the membranes 36 upon inflation of the membranes 36 .",
"The alcohol spray 40 is preferably isopropyl alcohol in 70 to 90% concentration of alcohol as may be practically obtained and stored.",
"The alcohol spray 40 is not mixed with other thickeners to maintain a low viscosity.",
"Trace amounts of additional material may be added to the alcohol spray 40 including surfactants, perfumes, colorings, and the like.",
"The viscosity of the alcohol spray 40 is preferably comparable to the viscosity of water at room temperature (approximately one centi-Poise (cP)) and typically no greater than ten centi-Poise.",
"The surface tension of the alcohol spray 40 will be comparable to the surface tension of isopropyl alcohol (twenty-two dynes per centimeter) but in any event will be less than the surface tension of water at room temperature of 72.8 dynes per centimeter.",
"The amount of alcohol spray 40 applied is such as to coat the heel 16 sufficiently so that alcohol just begins to run down the vertical sides of the skin.",
"The alcohol spray 40 may be applied with a conventional spray bottle 42 which need not contact the patient eliminating contamination problems.",
"Alternatively, the alcohol may be applied to the membranes 36 before insertion of the heel 16 .",
"In yet another alternative, the alcohol spray 40 may be applied to either of the heel 16 or membranes 36 with the membranes 36 pre-inflated and the heel 16 is slid between them.",
"The alcohol need not be applied in a spray but may be painted on or the like with other forms of applicators such as a brush.",
"Referring to FIG. 2, the volatile alcohol spray 40 is immediately covered by the membranes 36 (as seen in FIG. 2) that serve to retard additional evaporation prior to the measurement.",
"Referring now to FIG. 3, using the alcohol spray 40 as a coupling material provides measured ultrasonic parameters (e.g., speed of sound, broadband ultrasonic attenuation) that stabilize as generally indicated by plot line 50 approaching an asymptote 52 within approximately fifteen seconds.",
"In contrast, use of a conventional gel provides measured ultrasonic parameters that stabilize as generally indicated by plot line 54 in as much as 120 to 180 seconds.",
"When the heel 16 is removed from the bone densitometer 10 , the alcohol spray 40 which has not been absorbed into the skin, quickly evaporates, avoiding the need to clean gel off of the patient's foot such as might soil hosiery.",
"It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims."
] |
BACKGROUND
[0001] A device to scan an original, with a bearing surface on which the original to be scanned rests is known. The device has a camera, provided with an optoelectronic line sensor, that scans the original resting on the bearing surface line-by-line and generates electronic signals.
[0002] Such a device is used to digitize the image content of an original such as, for example, magazines and books. Such originals are frequently bound, such that it is necessary to lay the original open on a work table and scan from above using the incident light principle.
[0003] In the prior art, scanning devices (scanners) are known that use a camera with a CCD area sensor. Such a camera can in fact implement a fast scan, however the resolution of the image structures are significantly limited. At very high resolutions, the CCD sensors necessary for this are very cost-intensive. In particular, cameras that comprise a CCD line sensor are therefore used. Such a camera has a high resolution with high quality and operates economically.
[0004] Given the use of a camera with a CCD line sensor, two tasks are too be solved. On the one hand, to generate a two-dimensional image, a relative motion between the scanning camera and the original must occur, for example by shifting the camera, and the original, the objective of the camera or the line sensor. On the other hand, it is necessary to sufficiently illuminate the original, in particular the line to be scanned.
[0005] In a conventional scan with a camera with line sensor, the camera is located above the original and is moved across the entire document. What is disadvantageous is that the camera must be moved over a relatively long extent, and this motion occurs in the head room of a user. A further disadvantage is that it is difficult to place an illumination such that no glare that impairs the scan quality is present in the image to be scanned.
[0006] A further possibility of scanning is to arrange the camera with the line sensor perpendicular and fixed above the original, and to shift the objective of the camera such that a larger area of the original is scanned line-by-line. This is difficult since the optics must be designed for a large image area, and the image region should correspond at least to the diagonals of the maximum original size. Moreover, the problem exists of the occurrence of glare on the image structure to be scanned.
[0007] In the prior art, halogen or fluorescent lamps are frequently used to illuminate the original. However, such lamps are disadvantageous insofar as they exhibit a slow warm-up behavior, and wherein the color and the brightness change, whereby the scan result also changes. Moreover, the original is exposed to a relatively high radiant heat and, in the case of fluorescent lamps, additionally a UV exposure. A further disadvantage is visible in that such lamps interfere in the work area of an operator and can cause a diaphragm effect at the operator. Moreover, a whole-surface illumination with the aid of such lamps generates glare on the original to be scanned, with the result of reduced scan quality.
[0008] From EP-A-0 164 713, a document reader is known in which a line camera executes a lifting motion and a rotation movement upon line-by-line scanning. The optical distance between the camera and the document to be read remains essentially constant.
[0009] A scanner head to scan originals is known from the German patent DE 19 829 776 C1. The distance between the sensor and the original remains essentially equal, for which a parallelogram mechanism is used. A radiation source that comprises a plurality of LEDs serves to illuminate the original.
SUMMARY
[0010] It is an object to specify a device and a method to scan an original that is simply designed and enables a precise scan with high quality.
[0011] A method and device are provided to scan an original. The original to be scanned rests on a support surface. The camera is provided with an opto-electronic lens sensor which scans the original line-by-line. An optical path length between the camera and each current line being scanned is kept essentially constant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a principle representation of the device with two camera positions;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a design with a single drive motor;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a design with two drive motors;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a design with a rotating mirror;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an illumination arrangement with integrated camera;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a design of an illumination by means of LED rows;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a similar design in a compact arrangement;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a further exemplary embodiment with a pivotable arm, on which is arranged the camera such that it can be linearly moved;
[0020] FIG. 9 is the arrangement according to FIG. 8 with a spindle-nut combination;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an arrangement with a curve disc that effects the linear motion of the camera on the arm; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is a further arrangement in which a movable diaphragm is used.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the future to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[0024] A system is provided that keep the optical path length between the camera and the current line to be scanned essentially constant during the scan event. The optics for the camera must only be designed for the length of a line on the original to be scanned, typically for the width of the original. A design of the optics for the entire image diagonal and the entire area of the original is not necessary. The design for the camera is accordingly simplified. Moreover, the optics can be optimally designed to the constant optical path length, such that no optical distortions can be created. A refocusing or a change of the scale, as in known scanning systems, is not necessary.
[0025] In preferred exemplary embodiments, the camera is arranged on an arm such that it can be moved. The arm is connected with one end in a stationary rotation axle with a lifting column, such that it can be pivoted. Given a pivot movement of the arm, the camera is also simultaneously shifted on this arm, whereby the consistent distance from the line to be scanned is maintained.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a principle representation of the preferred embodiment. An original 10 , for example a bound book or a bound magazine, lies open on the bearing surface 12 of a work table 14 . One edge of the original 10 is generally aligned parallel to a reference axis, for example the trailing edge 16 of the work table. A camera 20 can be moved along a lifting column 18 that is attached to the work table 16 . The camera 20 comprises an objective and an optoelectronic line sensor, generally a CCD line sensor. The line sensor is preferably arranged in a rotation center 22 around which the camera 20 can rotate.
[0027] The camera 20 is aligned with its objective such that a center beam detects a boundary line 26 to be scanned that has the maximum distance from the reference axis 16 . The direction of the line and the arrangement of the linear line sensor in the camera 20 runs perpendicular to the paper plane of FIG. 1 . The optical path length w between the camera 20 and the boundary line 26 is a constant quantity to which the objective of the camera 20 is optimally adjusted. In the line-by-line scan of the original 10 , the camera 20 is moved upwards (indicated dashed) along the lifting column 18 , whereby the camera 20 rotates around the rotation center 22 such that its optical axis coincides with the center ray. The optical path length w remains constant and acquires in the upper position of the camera 20 a wider boundary line 28 that has minimal distance from the reference axis 16 . The line-by-line scan occurs during the movement of the camera 20 from the first position (line drawn solid) to the second position (line drawn dashed), whereby electronic signals are generated for the digitization of the image content of the original. The movement is adapted to the area between the boundary lines 26 , 27 and can be selected correspondingly larger or smaller on the bearing surface 12 .
[0028] As is visible using the principle drawing according to FIG. 1 , the camera 20 must only be moved over short distances. The movement of the camera 20 is generally outside of the area that is accessible to an operating personnel to the right of the boundary line. The optics of the camera 20 must only be designed for the scanning in the line direction, for example corresponding to the width of the original 10 , or for the width of the support surface 12 , and not for the total dimensions of the original 10 , for example the image diagonals. Since the optical path length 2 remains constant, a refocusing of the camera is not necessary. Also, no scale changes thereby result. The optics can optimally be adapted to the path length w and can be minimized with regard to distortions. Via the alignment of one edge of the original with regard to a reference axis 16 , for example the trailing edge of the work table 14 , the entire area behind the original 10 is available for the placement of illumination elements. Barely any glare reflections are created given the arrangement of corresponding illumination elements, also given significantly curved originals (such as, for example, bound books).
[0029] FIG. 2 shows an example that uses a single drive motor. Identical parts are designated identically. A lifting device 30 can be linearly shifted along the lifting column 18 , along the indicated arrows P 6 . A spindle 32 that is driven by a drive motor 34 is arranged along the support surface 12 . A slide 36 that can execute linear motions corresponding to the drawn arrow P 7 is driven along the spindle 32 . The spindle 32 is arranged in a bearing block. The lifting device 30 and the shifting slider 36 are connected with one another by a strut 40 , whereby the strut 40 is linked such that it can rotate in an axis belonging to the rotation center 22 . The strut 40 is likewise attached to the shift slider 36 such that it can rotate in an axis 42 . The distance of the strut 40 between the points 22 and 42 corresponds to the optical path length w.
[0030] The camera (not shown in FIG. 2 ) is arranged on the lifting device 30 , whereby the optical axis of the camera is aligned in the direction of the strut 40 . The line sensor of the camera is arranged at the height of the rotation center 22 . The motor 34 drives the spindle 32 such that the shift slider 36 has a speed in the direction transverse to the line direction of the scanned line, the speed corresponding to the line feed speed given line-by-line scanning. During the shift motion of the shift slider 36 , the lifting device 30 is also shifted via the strut 40 , and the camera is rotated at the rotation center 22 . The lower rotation center 42 is preferably arranged in the object plane, meaning in the scan plane for the original 10 . During the line-by-line scan of the original 10 , a lifting motion occurs for the camera with regard to the support surface 12 , and a rotation motion occurs transverse to the line direction.
[0031] In an alternative embodiment of the example according to FIG. 2 , a drive is connected with the lifting device 30 . The shift slider 36 then follows the driven motion of the lifting device 30 .
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The camera 20 is arranged on a positioning unit 44 that is driven via a spindle 46 and a motor 48 such that it can move along the lifting column 18 . The positioning unit 44 bears a rotation device 50 that is rotationally adjusted by a further motor (not shown). Given the line-by-line scanning of the original, the position of the camera 20 is adjusted by both motors such that the distance between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned is kept essentially constant. The drive curves of both motors must be tuned to one another such that the required combined rotation and lifting motion is executed. The advantage of this example according to FIG. 3 lies in the compact design.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a further example in which a mirror 52 that can be rotated around the arrow P 1 is arranged on the lifting column. The camera 20 is also arranged on the lifting column 18 . The mirror 52 is provided in the beam path between camera 20 and scanned line. The line feed upon scanning is effected by adjustment of the rotation angle P 1 of the rotating mirror 52 . The lifting motion can occur either via adjustment of the camera 20 in the direction of the double arrow P 2 or via adjustment of the rotating mirror 52 in the direction of the double arrow P 3 (drawn dashed). The camera 20 can be installed fixed given a movement of the rotating mirror 52 in the direction of the double arrow P 3 .
[0034] As already mentioned previously, sufficient space exists in the selected arrangement to provide an illumination device that illuminates the original. An illumination unit that generates a ray band along the currently scanned line is preferably used to illuminate the original 10 during the scan event.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment in which the camera 20 is incorporated in an illumination unit 54 . As mentioned, the camera 20 executes a linear motion corresponding to the arrow P 4 and a rotation movement around the rotation center 22 , corresponding to the arrow P 5 . The illumination unit 54 simultaneously rotates with the camera 20 around the common rotation center 22 and generates a ray band 56 that illuminates the current line to be scanned. Via the common shifting and rotation of camera and illumination unit 54 , the radiation band also remains the same in terms of its properties on the original during the shifting motion, whereby, for example, the brightness curve always remains constant in the scanning.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an example for an illumination unit 54 for line-by-line illumination of the original 10 . LEDs 60 are arranged in lines on both sides of a circuit board 58 . These LEDs are arranged along a first focal line of two elliptical cylinder mirror elements 62 , 64 . These mirror elements 62 , 64 focus the radiation in their respective second mutual focal line 66 , that spatially coincides and illuminates the line on the original 10 . The shown illumination unit 54 has a compact design since the emission characteristic of the LEDs, which emit radiation only in a half-space, is linked with the advantageous figure projection properties of the elliptical mirror elements 62 , 64 . The camera 20 can be arranged in a center region of the circuit board, along the longitudinal axis of the circuit board 58 .
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a design with only one line of LEDs 60 on the circuit board 58 . The elliptical mirror 62 is directly connected with the circuit board 58 , whereby an assembly simpler in terms of design results. The line to be illuminated is slightly tilted relative to the vertical in which the circuit board 58 lies. The line-shaped illuminated object can be scanned in the axial direction 68 with the aid of the camera 20 (not shown).
[0038] Further examples for an illumination unit that can illuminate the original 10 line-by-line are specified in DE 10108075 by the same applicant. The content of this document is hereby included by reference in the disclosure content of the present application.
[0039] The specified illumination unit 54 has a plurality of advantages. Only a narrow light stripe is generated, such that a gating of the user in the operating region is prevented. The original itself is charged with a relatively low radiation energy, and thus with a low heat. The use of LEDs allows a fast activation and deactivation without brightness changes. A permanent effect of radiation on the original is prevented. Given use of polychromatic LEDs that, for example, emit white light, a UV charge is foregone. Furthermore, the energy consumption is comparably low.
[0040] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show exemplary embodiments in which the rotation axle for the rotation motion of the camera with constant height is arranged on the lifting column. The identical parts are also designated identically in these examples.
[0041] In FIG. 8 , an arm 70 that can be pivoted according to the rotation arrow P 8 is positioned on the lifting column 18 in a stationary rotation axle 72 . The arm 70 bears the camera 20 that is positioned (for example, in a rail) such that it can be shifted relative to the arm 70 in the direction of the arrow P 9 . The arm 70 is pivoted in the direction of the rotation arrow P 8 upon scanning of a line on the original 10 . The camera 20 is simultaneously shifted in the direction of the arrow P 9 , such that the optical path length w between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned remains essentially constant during the scan event. In this manner, a compact design is given, such that an operating personnel 74 has a large access space to the original 10 . The rotation axle 72 is stationary for a predetermined work surface. To change the scan angle or the size of the scan area, this rotation axle 72 can also adopt different positions in terms of height along the lifting column 18 .
[0042] The line-by-line scanning of the original 10 occurs via rotation of the arm 70 around the rotation axle 72 . To compensate the distance change, the camera 20 is linearly shifted on the arm. To pivot the arm 70 and the shift the camera 20 , motor units driven independently from one another can be used whose respective motion is coordinated by a control program. The rotation motion and linear shifting motion preferably occurs with the aid of a single motor drive.
[0043] FIG. 9 shows an example for the realization of the pivot motion. A motor 76 is mounted stationary on the lifting column 18 . A linear motion in the direction of the arrow P 10 can be generated with the aid of a spindle-nut combination. The end of the spindle is connected at the point 80 such that it can be rotated with the arm 70 .
[0044] FIG. 10 shows the realization of the relative motion of the camera 20 on the arm 70 . This example can preferably be combined with the example according to FIG. 9 . A curve disc 82 is connected firmly with the lifting column 18 . A pin 84 connected with the camera 20 slides on this curve disc 82 . Given a pivoting motion of the arm 70 with constant speed, the camera 20 is shifted relatively on the arm 72 dependent on the curve course and angle of the arm 70 , whereby the optical path length w between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned is held constant. The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10 has a particularly simple design and requires only a single motor unit with which the pivot motion of the arm 70 is generated with largely constant angular velocity.
[0045] The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 8 through 10 can also be advantageously combined with the illumination arrangements according to FIGS. 5 through 7 .
[0046] A fundamental problem in the image scanning with the aid of a camera exists in the homogenous and efficient illumination of the original to be scanned. The illumination geometry must be selected such that no direct reflections of the radiation emitted by the light source arrives at the camera. Such reflections lead to significant artifacts in the acquired scan images. Primarily when the originals are placed on a glass plate or similar unit for definite alignment of the acquisition geometry, the illumination must be selected such that a direct reflection is prevented. For example, the light source is conventionally positioned far away at a flat angle so that no direct reflected light can arrive at the camera. However, this procedure leads to an inefficient use of the emitted light quantity. Nevertheless, in order to achieve a high image quality, whereby a small diaphragm opening of the imaging optics is necessary, the amount of light is typically increased. However, this is in direct contradiction to a gentle treatment of the object, above all given valuable and sensitive originals. The charge of the original with heat and light energy, in particular of UV light, and the ergonomic problems for the operating personnel created thereby, is critical. In particular for incident light scanners with which books, antique scripts and other large-format originals are scanned, the charge via diaphragm and heat radiation is significant for the operating personnel.
[0047] In FIG. 11 , an example is shown as to how interfering effects due to glare and direct reflection can be prevented given high utilization of the incident light quantity. In FIG. 11 , a camera scans an original 94 arranged beneath a glass plate 92 line-by-line, as this has already been specified further above. An illumination device 96 with a large-surface radiating area 98 emits radiation onto the original 94 . The illumination device 96 can comprise a plurality of light sources 100 . The illumination device 96 is arranged directly above the original 94 , and thus emits radiation directly onto the original 94 and the glass plate 92 , such that the radiation radiated by the light sources 100 is optimally used.
[0048] A movable diaphragm 102 that can be moved in the arrow directions P 11 , P 12 transverse to the line direction is arranged in front of the radiant surface 98 . The line direction here runs perpendicular to the paper plane. In tune with the line-by-line scanning of the camera, the diaphragm 102 is moved to a position in which it screens radiation (originating from the illumination device 96 ) that would otherwise arrive at the camera 90 via reflection in the scanning of a current line. When, for example, the camera 90 scans a current line 104 on the original 94 , a reflection optical path results with the legs 106 , 108 , whereby radiation from the illumination device 96 that impinges along the leg 108 effects a glare effect, or a direct reflection would be caused on the glass plate 92 or the original 94 in the direction of the camera 90 . Based on the position of the diaphragm 102 indicated in FIG. 11 , the radiation is gated along the leg 108 , and this negative effect is suppressed. Via the diaphragm 102 , only a small reduction of the radiation quantity radiated by the illumination device 96 occurs, because the diaphragm 102 can be implemented relatively small in comparison with the large-surface radiant area 98 .
[0049] The example according to FIG. 11 can be combined with the additional examples specified before. The camera 90 can be movable, or can be arranged at a fixed location in order to effect the line-by-line scanning via rotation motion or via optical means. The glass plate 92 can be coated or omitted entirely. The light sources 100 can have different embodiments, as also already mentioned previously.
[0050] While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to be protected. | Device and method are provided for scanning an original copy using a camera containing a line sensor. During the scanning process, an optical path length between the camera and each line being currently scanned is maintained substantially constant. | Analyze the document's illustrations and descriptions to summarize the main idea's core structure and function. | [
"BACKGROUND [0001] A device to scan an original, with a bearing surface on which the original to be scanned rests is known.",
"The device has a camera, provided with an optoelectronic line sensor, that scans the original resting on the bearing surface line-by-line and generates electronic signals.",
"[0002] Such a device is used to digitize the image content of an original such as, for example, magazines and books.",
"Such originals are frequently bound, such that it is necessary to lay the original open on a work table and scan from above using the incident light principle.",
"[0003] In the prior art, scanning devices (scanners) are known that use a camera with a CCD area sensor.",
"Such a camera can in fact implement a fast scan, however the resolution of the image structures are significantly limited.",
"At very high resolutions, the CCD sensors necessary for this are very cost-intensive.",
"In particular, cameras that comprise a CCD line sensor are therefore used.",
"Such a camera has a high resolution with high quality and operates economically.",
"[0004] Given the use of a camera with a CCD line sensor, two tasks are too be solved.",
"On the one hand, to generate a two-dimensional image, a relative motion between the scanning camera and the original must occur, for example by shifting the camera, and the original, the objective of the camera or the line sensor.",
"On the other hand, it is necessary to sufficiently illuminate the original, in particular the line to be scanned.",
"[0005] In a conventional scan with a camera with line sensor, the camera is located above the original and is moved across the entire document.",
"What is disadvantageous is that the camera must be moved over a relatively long extent, and this motion occurs in the head room of a user.",
"A further disadvantage is that it is difficult to place an illumination such that no glare that impairs the scan quality is present in the image to be scanned.",
"[0006] A further possibility of scanning is to arrange the camera with the line sensor perpendicular and fixed above the original, and to shift the objective of the camera such that a larger area of the original is scanned line-by-line.",
"This is difficult since the optics must be designed for a large image area, and the image region should correspond at least to the diagonals of the maximum original size.",
"Moreover, the problem exists of the occurrence of glare on the image structure to be scanned.",
"[0007] In the prior art, halogen or fluorescent lamps are frequently used to illuminate the original.",
"However, such lamps are disadvantageous insofar as they exhibit a slow warm-up behavior, and wherein the color and the brightness change, whereby the scan result also changes.",
"Moreover, the original is exposed to a relatively high radiant heat and, in the case of fluorescent lamps, additionally a UV exposure.",
"A further disadvantage is visible in that such lamps interfere in the work area of an operator and can cause a diaphragm effect at the operator.",
"Moreover, a whole-surface illumination with the aid of such lamps generates glare on the original to be scanned, with the result of reduced scan quality.",
"[0008] From EP-A-0 164 713, a document reader is known in which a line camera executes a lifting motion and a rotation movement upon line-by-line scanning.",
"The optical distance between the camera and the document to be read remains essentially constant.",
"[0009] A scanner head to scan originals is known from the German patent DE 19 829 776 C1.",
"The distance between the sensor and the original remains essentially equal, for which a parallelogram mechanism is used.",
"A radiation source that comprises a plurality of LEDs serves to illuminate the original.",
"SUMMARY [0010] It is an object to specify a device and a method to scan an original that is simply designed and enables a precise scan with high quality.",
"[0011] A method and device are provided to scan an original.",
"The original to be scanned rests on a support surface.",
"The camera is provided with an opto-electronic lens sensor which scans the original line-by-line.",
"An optical path length between the camera and each current line being scanned is kept essentially constant.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a principle representation of the device with two camera positions;",
"[0013] FIG. 2 is a design with a single drive motor;",
"[0014] FIG. 3 is a design with two drive motors;",
"[0015] FIG. 4 is a design with a rotating mirror;",
"[0016] FIG. 5 is an illumination arrangement with integrated camera;",
"[0017] FIG. 6 is a design of an illumination by means of LED rows;",
"[0018] FIG. 7 is a similar design in a compact arrangement;",
"[0019] FIG. 8 is a further exemplary embodiment with a pivotable arm, on which is arranged the camera such that it can be linearly moved;",
"[0020] FIG. 9 is the arrangement according to FIG. 8 with a spindle-nut combination;",
"[0021] FIG. 10 is an arrangement with a curve disc that effects the linear motion of the camera on the arm;",
"and [0022] FIG. 11 is a further arrangement in which a movable diaphragm is used.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0023] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.",
"It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the future to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.",
"[0024] A system is provided that keep the optical path length between the camera and the current line to be scanned essentially constant during the scan event.",
"The optics for the camera must only be designed for the length of a line on the original to be scanned, typically for the width of the original.",
"A design of the optics for the entire image diagonal and the entire area of the original is not necessary.",
"The design for the camera is accordingly simplified.",
"Moreover, the optics can be optimally designed to the constant optical path length, such that no optical distortions can be created.",
"A refocusing or a change of the scale, as in known scanning systems, is not necessary.",
"[0025] In preferred exemplary embodiments, the camera is arranged on an arm such that it can be moved.",
"The arm is connected with one end in a stationary rotation axle with a lifting column, such that it can be pivoted.",
"Given a pivot movement of the arm, the camera is also simultaneously shifted on this arm, whereby the consistent distance from the line to be scanned is maintained.",
"[0026] FIG. 1 shows a principle representation of the preferred embodiment.",
"An original 10 , for example a bound book or a bound magazine, lies open on the bearing surface 12 of a work table 14 .",
"One edge of the original 10 is generally aligned parallel to a reference axis, for example the trailing edge 16 of the work table.",
"A camera 20 can be moved along a lifting column 18 that is attached to the work table 16 .",
"The camera 20 comprises an objective and an optoelectronic line sensor, generally a CCD line sensor.",
"The line sensor is preferably arranged in a rotation center 22 around which the camera 20 can rotate.",
"[0027] The camera 20 is aligned with its objective such that a center beam detects a boundary line 26 to be scanned that has the maximum distance from the reference axis 16 .",
"The direction of the line and the arrangement of the linear line sensor in the camera 20 runs perpendicular to the paper plane of FIG. 1 .",
"The optical path length w between the camera 20 and the boundary line 26 is a constant quantity to which the objective of the camera 20 is optimally adjusted.",
"In the line-by-line scan of the original 10 , the camera 20 is moved upwards (indicated dashed) along the lifting column 18 , whereby the camera 20 rotates around the rotation center 22 such that its optical axis coincides with the center ray.",
"The optical path length w remains constant and acquires in the upper position of the camera 20 a wider boundary line 28 that has minimal distance from the reference axis 16 .",
"The line-by-line scan occurs during the movement of the camera 20 from the first position (line drawn solid) to the second position (line drawn dashed), whereby electronic signals are generated for the digitization of the image content of the original.",
"The movement is adapted to the area between the boundary lines 26 , 27 and can be selected correspondingly larger or smaller on the bearing surface 12 .",
"[0028] As is visible using the principle drawing according to FIG. 1 , the camera 20 must only be moved over short distances.",
"The movement of the camera 20 is generally outside of the area that is accessible to an operating personnel to the right of the boundary line.",
"The optics of the camera 20 must only be designed for the scanning in the line direction, for example corresponding to the width of the original 10 , or for the width of the support surface 12 , and not for the total dimensions of the original 10 , for example the image diagonals.",
"Since the optical path length 2 remains constant, a refocusing of the camera is not necessary.",
"Also, no scale changes thereby result.",
"The optics can optimally be adapted to the path length w and can be minimized with regard to distortions.",
"Via the alignment of one edge of the original with regard to a reference axis 16 , for example the trailing edge of the work table 14 , the entire area behind the original 10 is available for the placement of illumination elements.",
"Barely any glare reflections are created given the arrangement of corresponding illumination elements, also given significantly curved originals (such as, for example, bound books).",
"[0029] FIG. 2 shows an example that uses a single drive motor.",
"Identical parts are designated identically.",
"A lifting device 30 can be linearly shifted along the lifting column 18 , along the indicated arrows P 6 .",
"A spindle 32 that is driven by a drive motor 34 is arranged along the support surface 12 .",
"A slide 36 that can execute linear motions corresponding to the drawn arrow P 7 is driven along the spindle 32 .",
"The spindle 32 is arranged in a bearing block.",
"The lifting device 30 and the shifting slider 36 are connected with one another by a strut 40 , whereby the strut 40 is linked such that it can rotate in an axis belonging to the rotation center 22 .",
"The strut 40 is likewise attached to the shift slider 36 such that it can rotate in an axis 42 .",
"The distance of the strut 40 between the points 22 and 42 corresponds to the optical path length w. [0030] The camera (not shown in FIG. 2 ) is arranged on the lifting device 30 , whereby the optical axis of the camera is aligned in the direction of the strut 40 .",
"The line sensor of the camera is arranged at the height of the rotation center 22 .",
"The motor 34 drives the spindle 32 such that the shift slider 36 has a speed in the direction transverse to the line direction of the scanned line, the speed corresponding to the line feed speed given line-by-line scanning.",
"During the shift motion of the shift slider 36 , the lifting device 30 is also shifted via the strut 40 , and the camera is rotated at the rotation center 22 .",
"The lower rotation center 42 is preferably arranged in the object plane, meaning in the scan plane for the original 10 .",
"During the line-by-line scan of the original 10 , a lifting motion occurs for the camera with regard to the support surface 12 , and a rotation motion occurs transverse to the line direction.",
"[0031] In an alternative embodiment of the example according to FIG. 2 , a drive is connected with the lifting device 30 .",
"The shift slider 36 then follows the driven motion of the lifting device 30 .",
"[0032] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.",
"The camera 20 is arranged on a positioning unit 44 that is driven via a spindle 46 and a motor 48 such that it can move along the lifting column 18 .",
"The positioning unit 44 bears a rotation device 50 that is rotationally adjusted by a further motor (not shown).",
"Given the line-by-line scanning of the original, the position of the camera 20 is adjusted by both motors such that the distance between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned is kept essentially constant.",
"The drive curves of both motors must be tuned to one another such that the required combined rotation and lifting motion is executed.",
"The advantage of this example according to FIG. 3 lies in the compact design.",
"[0033] FIG. 4 shows a further example in which a mirror 52 that can be rotated around the arrow P 1 is arranged on the lifting column.",
"The camera 20 is also arranged on the lifting column 18 .",
"The mirror 52 is provided in the beam path between camera 20 and scanned line.",
"The line feed upon scanning is effected by adjustment of the rotation angle P 1 of the rotating mirror 52 .",
"The lifting motion can occur either via adjustment of the camera 20 in the direction of the double arrow P 2 or via adjustment of the rotating mirror 52 in the direction of the double arrow P 3 (drawn dashed).",
"The camera 20 can be installed fixed given a movement of the rotating mirror 52 in the direction of the double arrow P 3 .",
"[0034] As already mentioned previously, sufficient space exists in the selected arrangement to provide an illumination device that illuminates the original.",
"An illumination unit that generates a ray band along the currently scanned line is preferably used to illuminate the original 10 during the scan event.",
"[0035] FIG. 5 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment in which the camera 20 is incorporated in an illumination unit 54 .",
"As mentioned, the camera 20 executes a linear motion corresponding to the arrow P 4 and a rotation movement around the rotation center 22 , corresponding to the arrow P 5 .",
"The illumination unit 54 simultaneously rotates with the camera 20 around the common rotation center 22 and generates a ray band 56 that illuminates the current line to be scanned.",
"Via the common shifting and rotation of camera and illumination unit 54 , the radiation band also remains the same in terms of its properties on the original during the shifting motion, whereby, for example, the brightness curve always remains constant in the scanning.",
"[0036] FIG. 6 shows an example for an illumination unit 54 for line-by-line illumination of the original 10 .",
"LEDs 60 are arranged in lines on both sides of a circuit board 58 .",
"These LEDs are arranged along a first focal line of two elliptical cylinder mirror elements 62 , 64 .",
"These mirror elements 62 , 64 focus the radiation in their respective second mutual focal line 66 , that spatially coincides and illuminates the line on the original 10 .",
"The shown illumination unit 54 has a compact design since the emission characteristic of the LEDs, which emit radiation only in a half-space, is linked with the advantageous figure projection properties of the elliptical mirror elements 62 , 64 .",
"The camera 20 can be arranged in a center region of the circuit board, along the longitudinal axis of the circuit board 58 .",
"[0037] FIG. 7 shows a design with only one line of LEDs 60 on the circuit board 58 .",
"The elliptical mirror 62 is directly connected with the circuit board 58 , whereby an assembly simpler in terms of design results.",
"The line to be illuminated is slightly tilted relative to the vertical in which the circuit board 58 lies.",
"The line-shaped illuminated object can be scanned in the axial direction 68 with the aid of the camera 20 (not shown).",
"[0038] Further examples for an illumination unit that can illuminate the original 10 line-by-line are specified in DE 10108075 by the same applicant.",
"The content of this document is hereby included by reference in the disclosure content of the present application.",
"[0039] The specified illumination unit 54 has a plurality of advantages.",
"Only a narrow light stripe is generated, such that a gating of the user in the operating region is prevented.",
"The original itself is charged with a relatively low radiation energy, and thus with a low heat.",
"The use of LEDs allows a fast activation and deactivation without brightness changes.",
"A permanent effect of radiation on the original is prevented.",
"Given use of polychromatic LEDs that, for example, emit white light, a UV charge is foregone.",
"Furthermore, the energy consumption is comparably low.",
"[0040] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show exemplary embodiments in which the rotation axle for the rotation motion of the camera with constant height is arranged on the lifting column.",
"The identical parts are also designated identically in these examples.",
"[0041] In FIG. 8 , an arm 70 that can be pivoted according to the rotation arrow P 8 is positioned on the lifting column 18 in a stationary rotation axle 72 .",
"The arm 70 bears the camera 20 that is positioned (for example, in a rail) such that it can be shifted relative to the arm 70 in the direction of the arrow P 9 .",
"The arm 70 is pivoted in the direction of the rotation arrow P 8 upon scanning of a line on the original 10 .",
"The camera 20 is simultaneously shifted in the direction of the arrow P 9 , such that the optical path length w between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned remains essentially constant during the scan event.",
"In this manner, a compact design is given, such that an operating personnel 74 has a large access space to the original 10 .",
"The rotation axle 72 is stationary for a predetermined work surface.",
"To change the scan angle or the size of the scan area, this rotation axle 72 can also adopt different positions in terms of height along the lifting column 18 .",
"[0042] The line-by-line scanning of the original 10 occurs via rotation of the arm 70 around the rotation axle 72 .",
"To compensate the distance change, the camera 20 is linearly shifted on the arm.",
"To pivot the arm 70 and the shift the camera 20 , motor units driven independently from one another can be used whose respective motion is coordinated by a control program.",
"The rotation motion and linear shifting motion preferably occurs with the aid of a single motor drive.",
"[0043] FIG. 9 shows an example for the realization of the pivot motion.",
"A motor 76 is mounted stationary on the lifting column 18 .",
"A linear motion in the direction of the arrow P 10 can be generated with the aid of a spindle-nut combination.",
"The end of the spindle is connected at the point 80 such that it can be rotated with the arm 70 .",
"[0044] FIG. 10 shows the realization of the relative motion of the camera 20 on the arm 70 .",
"This example can preferably be combined with the example according to FIG. 9 .",
"A curve disc 82 is connected firmly with the lifting column 18 .",
"A pin 84 connected with the camera 20 slides on this curve disc 82 .",
"Given a pivoting motion of the arm 70 with constant speed, the camera 20 is shifted relatively on the arm 72 dependent on the curve course and angle of the arm 70 , whereby the optical path length w between the camera 20 and the current line to be scanned is held constant.",
"The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10 has a particularly simple design and requires only a single motor unit with which the pivot motion of the arm 70 is generated with largely constant angular velocity.",
"[0045] The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 8 through 10 can also be advantageously combined with the illumination arrangements according to FIGS. 5 through 7 .",
"[0046] A fundamental problem in the image scanning with the aid of a camera exists in the homogenous and efficient illumination of the original to be scanned.",
"The illumination geometry must be selected such that no direct reflections of the radiation emitted by the light source arrives at the camera.",
"Such reflections lead to significant artifacts in the acquired scan images.",
"Primarily when the originals are placed on a glass plate or similar unit for definite alignment of the acquisition geometry, the illumination must be selected such that a direct reflection is prevented.",
"For example, the light source is conventionally positioned far away at a flat angle so that no direct reflected light can arrive at the camera.",
"However, this procedure leads to an inefficient use of the emitted light quantity.",
"Nevertheless, in order to achieve a high image quality, whereby a small diaphragm opening of the imaging optics is necessary, the amount of light is typically increased.",
"However, this is in direct contradiction to a gentle treatment of the object, above all given valuable and sensitive originals.",
"The charge of the original with heat and light energy, in particular of UV light, and the ergonomic problems for the operating personnel created thereby, is critical.",
"In particular for incident light scanners with which books, antique scripts and other large-format originals are scanned, the charge via diaphragm and heat radiation is significant for the operating personnel.",
"[0047] In FIG. 11 , an example is shown as to how interfering effects due to glare and direct reflection can be prevented given high utilization of the incident light quantity.",
"In FIG. 11 , a camera scans an original 94 arranged beneath a glass plate 92 line-by-line, as this has already been specified further above.",
"An illumination device 96 with a large-surface radiating area 98 emits radiation onto the original 94 .",
"The illumination device 96 can comprise a plurality of light sources 100 .",
"The illumination device 96 is arranged directly above the original 94 , and thus emits radiation directly onto the original 94 and the glass plate 92 , such that the radiation radiated by the light sources 100 is optimally used.",
"[0048] A movable diaphragm 102 that can be moved in the arrow directions P 11 , P 12 transverse to the line direction is arranged in front of the radiant surface 98 .",
"The line direction here runs perpendicular to the paper plane.",
"In tune with the line-by-line scanning of the camera, the diaphragm 102 is moved to a position in which it screens radiation (originating from the illumination device 96 ) that would otherwise arrive at the camera 90 via reflection in the scanning of a current line.",
"When, for example, the camera 90 scans a current line 104 on the original 94 , a reflection optical path results with the legs 106 , 108 , whereby radiation from the illumination device 96 that impinges along the leg 108 effects a glare effect, or a direct reflection would be caused on the glass plate 92 or the original 94 in the direction of the camera 90 .",
"Based on the position of the diaphragm 102 indicated in FIG. 11 , the radiation is gated along the leg 108 , and this negative effect is suppressed.",
"Via the diaphragm 102 , only a small reduction of the radiation quantity radiated by the illumination device 96 occurs, because the diaphragm 102 can be implemented relatively small in comparison with the large-surface radiant area 98 .",
"[0049] The example according to FIG. 11 can be combined with the additional examples specified before.",
"The camera 90 can be movable, or can be arranged at a fixed location in order to effect the line-by-line scanning via rotation motion or via optical means.",
"The glass plate 92 can be coated or omitted entirely.",
"The light sources 100 can have different embodiments, as also already mentioned previously.",
"[0050] While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to be protected."
] |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an oil air lubrication system for lubricating a rotary portion of a machine tool with oil/air.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
The oil/air lubrication used for a rotary portion of a machine tool, is carried out in the way that a lubrication oil is intermittently discharged from a mixing valve, and thereafter, is atomized due to influence by a resistance in a pipe line and by compressed air so as to be gradually turned into a continuous flow when it passes through the pipe line. Thus, in view of the reason that the detection of the atomized lubrication oil is difficult and as well in view of the reason that the operational reliability of the mixing valve is lowered due to empty shots caused by an inferior discharge from the mixing valve since the discharge quantity has become microscopic in view of the demand that the discharge quantity of oil per shot from the mixing valve used in the oil/air lubrication for the rotary portion of the machine tool is reduced to a microscopic value (for example, 0.01 mL to 0.05 mL per shot) as the accuracy and operation speed of machine tools have been recently higher, there has being desired a system for detecting a flow of oil/air so as to inform an abnormality to a machine tool or a lubrication pump in order to prevent occurrence of seizure of the rotary portion of the machine tool.
Further, heretofore, for example, JP-A-08-21597, JP-A-06-201092, JP-A-07-269787 and JP-A-2006-258263 have proposed technologies for detection of an oil/air flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, in the technologies disclosed in JP-A-08-21597, JP-A-06-201092 and JP-A-07-269787, an air pressure is detected by a pressure sensor of a measuring unit in order to determine whether the oil flows or not. In other words, since a microscopic oil is not directly measured but only the air pressure is measured, there has been offered the problem that the reliability of detection of abnormality in the oil/air flow is low.
On the other hand, the invention disclosed in JP-A-2006-258263, utilizes an optical detection system for directly detecting microscopic oil with the use of a reflection of light from oil. However, the detection with the use of the reflection of light is greatly influenced by vibration of a machine tool or an environment where a machine tool is installed (since the optical detection utilizes calculation from the reflection of light, there would possibly be caused a problem of variation in the reflected light due to vibration and as well due to a contamination of a pipe line). Thus, it is difficult to use this detection system as a reliable system for detection of oil/air in the lubrication for the rotary portion of a machine tool, and further, since the pipe line in the detecting portion thereof should be exclusively used, an existing pipe line through which oil/air flows cannot be used as it is, that is, there should be carried out the complicated installation that the existing pipe line is once cut out, and is then fitted in the detection portion. Thus, the use of this system under this circumstance is inappropriate.
The present invention is devised in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent to the prior art, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an oil/air lubrication system capable of surely carrying out detection of lubrication oil in oil/air fed into to a rotary portion of a machine tool without being affected by vibration of the machine tool or an environment where the machine tool is installed.
To the end, according to the present invention, there is provided an oil/air lubrication system for lubricating a rotary portion of a machine tool with the use of oil/air, characterized by the provision of a pipe line for feeding the oil/air to the rotary portion of the machine tool, a mixing valve connected to the pipe line for mixing microscopic lubrication oil with compressed air so as to form the above-mentioned oil/air and for intermittently discharging the thus formed oil/air, a detection means provided to the pipe line in the vicinity of the mixing valve, that is, just downstream thereof, for detecting a flow of lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve with the use of electromagnetic waves, and an abnormality signal output means for outputting an abnormality signal when the detection means fails to detect a flow of lubrication oil.
A preferred form of the oil/air lubrication system is characterized in that the detection means is provided to the pipe line at a distance from the mixing valve in a range which is up to a position where the lubrication oil flows in the pipe line, the lubrication oil having a droplet size which is maintained to be greater than a predetermined value.
Another feature is characterized in that the detection means is removably attached to the pipe line so that the detection portion of the detecting means using electromagnetic waves surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line.
The oil/air lubrication system desirably has a pipe line which is made of a resin group material which is low hygroscopic, or an inorganic material.
In the mixing valve for mixing microscopic lubrication oil and compressed air with each other, and for intermittently discharging them toward the rotary portion of the machine tool, although the lubrication oil is discharged of the lubrication oil from the mixing valve in a condition in which a predetermined quantity (in general 0.01 to 0.05 mL per shot) of the lubrication oil just downstream of the mixing oil is discharged immediately in a batch, but since the intervals of the discharge of the lubrication oil are 4 to 10 minutes, substantially no lubrication oil flows through the pipe line until the next time of discharge, just after the lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve. In the condition just after the discharge of the lubrication oil from the mixing valve, the lubrication oil which has been immediately discharged flows in a mass, without pulsation, but becomes finer and finer, being influenced by a resistance of the pipe line through which the lubrication oil flows, and by the compressed air, and accordingly, the flow of the lubrication oil is turned into a continuous pulsating flow. Thus, the applicants directed their attention to the part of the pipe line in which the lubrication oil flows in a mass, and contrived to detect the flow of the lubrication oil in this part. That is, in the invention stated in claim 1 , the detecting means is provided to the pipe line, proximate to and just downstream of the mixing valve, the detection means utilizing electromagnetic waves for detecting a flow of the lubrication oil, and accordingly, the flow of the lubrication oil can be detected, irrespective of variation in the flow caused by vibration of a machine tool, and influence by the gravity, the length of the pipe line from the mixing valve to the machine tool and a curve of the pipe line, and as well irrespective of a viscosity of the lubrication oil, thereby it is possible to precisely detect the flow of oil/air, irrespective of the installation of the detecting portion in the vertical or horizontal direction.
Further, as stated above, since the flow of lubrication oil is detected before it is turned into a continuous pulsating flow, with the provision of the detection means to the pipe line within a range up to a position having a distance from the mixing valve, along which the lubrication oil can flow with a droplet size that is maintained to be greater than a predetermined value, the flow of the oil/air can be surely detected.
The detection means is desirably removably mounted to the pipe line so that the detecting portion using electromagnetic waves surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line, and accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of a troublesome work such as cutting of the pipe line before the detecting means is mounted to the pipe line. Thus, the flow of oil/air can be accurately detected by the detection means into which the pipe line is merely inserted at a predetermined position therein.
Further, since the detecting portion of the detection means transmits electromagnetic waves into pipe line from the outer peripheral side of the latter in order to detect the lubrication oil in the pipe line, should the pipe line be made of a metal group material, the electromagnetic waves would be substantially totally reflected, resulting in failure in the detection of the lubrication oil, and further, should the pipe line be made of a resin group material which is highly hygroscopic, that is, for example, an ester group polyurethane material having a property which is likely to absorb moisture in the atmosphere in comparison with an ether group resin material, the electromagnetic waves directed to the inside of the pipe line would be absorbed by the moisture absorbed in the pipe line, resulting in the problem of lowering the intensity of the electromagnetic waves having reached in the inside of the pipe line, when the electromagnetic waves are transmitted across the pipe line. Thus, these materials are not desirable for the pipe line. Accordingly, the pipe line is preferably made of a resin group material which is low hygroscopic or inorganic material. As the resin group material, nylon, other group polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylic resin, polycarbonate, vinyl chloride or silicone rubber is preferably used. Further, as the inorganic material, quartz glass or the like is preferably used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a relationship between a mixing valve and a machine tool:
FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a condition in which lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a detection system for detecting lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an oil/air lubrication system in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a relationship between a mixing valve and a machine tool, FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a condition in which lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a detection system for detecting lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve.
Referring to FIG. 1 , a machine tool 1 includes an oil/air lubrication system comprising pipe lines 3 for feeding oil/air into a rotary portion 2 of the machine tool 2 , a mixing valve 4 connected thereto with the pipe lines 3 , for mixing microscopic lubrication oil and compressed air with each other so as to form the oil/air, and for intermittently discharging the thus formed oil/air, a detection unit 5 provided to the pipe line in the vicinity of the mixing valve, just downstream of the mixing valve 4 , for detecting a flow of lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve 4 with the use of electromagnetic waves.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the mixing valve 4 has a lubrication oil inlet port 10 and a compressed air inlet port 11 which receive respectively lubrication oil from a lubrication pump (which is not shown), and compressed air, one or more of supply ports 12 (two supply ports shown in FIG. 2 ) connected thereto with one or more of pipe lines 3 (four pipe lines shown in FIG. 1 ), and is adapted to mix therein the lubrication oil and the compressed air which have been fed thereinto so as to form oil/air which is therefore discharged into the pipe lines 3 connected to the supply ports 12 by a predetermined quantity (in general, 0.01 to 0.05 mL/shot) at intervals of 4 to 10 minutes ( FIG. 2 shows the condition in one of the pipe lines 3 ). In the condition of the lubrication oil just after the discharge thereof, although the lubrication oil immediately discharged from the mixing valve flows in a mass, since the intervals of discharge are 4 to 10 minutes, substantially no lubrication oil flows in the pipe line just downstream of the mixing valve until the next discharge. Although the lubrication oil just after the discharge thereof from the mixing valve flows in a mass (refer to a condition in a range indicated by “a” in FIG. 2 ), the lubrication oil becomes gradually finer and finer due to a resistance in the pipe line through which the lubrication flows and the influence by the compressed air, and is finally turned into a continuous flow (refer to a condition shown in a range indicated by “b” in FIG. 2 ). The applicants have directed their attention to the part in which the lubrication oil flows in a mass, and has contrived to carry out the detection of a flow of the lubrication oil in this part. Further, in this embodiment, the droplet size of the lubrication oil can be maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm in the range indicated by “a” in FIG. 2 as will be detailed later, in the case of a discharge quantity (0.01 to 0.05 mL/shot) used in general, and an air pressure (0.2 to 0.6 MPa) used in general and the pipe line (having a diameter of 1 to 9 mm) used in general, which will be hereinbelow explained in detail.
Further, the detection device 5 comprises an oscillator 20 for producing electromagnetic waves, a detecting portion 21 provided so as to surround the pipe line 3 , a control circuit 22 for controlling the oscillator 20 and the detecting portion 21 , the control circuit 22 incorporating an abnormality signal outputting means for outputting an abnormality signal when the detecting portion 21 fails to detect a flow of lubrication oil in the pipe line 3 , and the oscillator 20 , the detecting portion 21 and the control circuit 22 being integrally incorporated with each other. It is noted that as the oscillator 20 , there may be used an oscillator for producing 2.45 GHz or 0.93 GHz electromagnetic waves, which is small-sized and inexpensive. That is, electromagnetic waves are induced in the detecting portion 21 by the oscillator 20 so as to directly detect a flow of oil/air from a transiently absorbed electric power which is caused when the lubrication oil passes through the detecting portion 21 . It is noted here that no oil flow can be detected in the part in which the lubrication oil becomes microscopic in a continuous flow condition since the size of droplets of the lubrication oil is extremely smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves. Thus, it is required to arrange the detecting portion 21 of the detection unit 5 at a position where the time when the lubrication oil flows can be distinct from the time when no lubrication oil flows, and accordingly, a flow of lubrication oil can be detected by the electromagnetic waves. Further, as stated above, in the present embodiment, the range of arrangement thereof is that the droplet size of the lubrication oil is maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm. It is noted that an abnormality signal is issued from the abnormality signal output means in the control circuit 22 if no flow of lubrication oil can be detected by the detecting portion 21 , and accordingly, a warning lamp provided in the machine tool 1 or the lubrication pump can be lit on in response to the abnormality signal, or the machine tool itself can be stopped in its operation.
Further, since the detecting portion 21 causes the electromagnetic waves to transmit through the pipe line 3 from the outer peripheral side thereof so as to detect a flow of lubrication oil 13 in the pipe line, and accordingly, should the pipe line be made of a metal group material, no lubrication oil could be detected as the electromagnetic waves are reflected thereby. Further, should even a resin group material be used, being highly hygroscopic, the electromagnetic waves passing across the pipe line would be absorbed by the moisture absorbed by the pipe line, resulting in lowering of the intensity of the magnetic waves having reached in the pipe line 3 , and accordingly, no lubrication oil 13 could be detected. For example, a polyurethane resin of ester group rather than ether group may readily absorb moisture in the atmosphere, and accordingly, the electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the moisture, that is no lubrication oil 13 can be detected. Thus, in this embodiment, the pipe line 3 is formed of a resin group material or an inorganic material, which has a low hygroscopicity. For example, as the resin group material, there may be used nylon, ether group polyurethane, PTFE, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, vinylchloride or silicone rubber, and as the inorganic material, quarts glass or the like may be used. Further, with the use of the above-mentioned materials for the pipe line 3 itself, there may be eliminated the necessity of the complicated modification that the pipe line is once cut, and then fitted in and jointed to the detecting portion as experienced in the case of using an optical detector. Thus, the pipe line 3 may be extended only through the detecting portion 21 which therefore surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line 3 , whereby it is possible to simply carry out the detection of the lubrication oil. Thus, the detection unit 5 can be removably mounted to the pipe line 3 while the mixing valve 4 and the detecting unit 5 may be fixed to a head part of the machine tool 1 although the details thereof are not shown.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
Next, explanation will be made of experimental tests which were carried out with the use of the abnormality detection system shown in FIG. 1 , and results thereof. It is noted that the droplet sizes of the lubrication oil were measured in the way that an image of a stop surface of the lubrication oil flowing through the pipe line 3 was picked up, and then was measured with the use of a digital microscope capable of reading dimensions. It is noted that the droplet sizes are diameters thereof measured in the direction of the flow.
The experimental tests were carried out under the following conditions (1) to (3) in order to experimentally confirm oil/air abnormality detectable ranges in the abnormality detection system shown in FIG. 1 .
(1) in an experimental test A, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the pressure of compressed air under the condition that the discharge volume of the mixing valve was 0.01 mL/shot/10 min., and the bore diameter of the pipe line was 1 mm;
(2) in an experimental test B, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the bore diameter of the pipe line under the condition that the discharge volume of the mixing valve was 0.01 mL/shot/10 min, and the pressure of compressed air was 0.6 MPa; and,
(3) in an experimental test C, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the discharge volume per shot of the mixing valve under the condition that the bore diameter of the pipe line was 1 mm and the pressure of compressed air was 0.6 MPa.
Further, the results of the experimental tests are shown in Table 1, in which the label “ENABLE” indicates a droplet size which could be detected in the detecting portion 21 , and the label “DISABLE” indicates that no droplet size can be detected.
TABLE 1
Test A: Measurement Range of Abnormality Detection
by Pressure of Compressed Air
Compressed
Air
Droplet Size
Pressure
Diameter(mm)
(MPa)
φ0.2
φ0.4
φ0.6
φ0.8
φ1.0
0.2
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.3
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.4
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.5
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.6
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
Test B: Measurement Range of Abnormality Detection
by Pipe Line Bore Diameter
Pipe Line
Bore
Droplet Size
Diameter
Diameter(mm)
(mm)
φ0.2
φ0.4
φ0.6
φ0.8
φ1.0
φ1
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
φ3
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
φ4
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
φ6
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
φ9
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
Test C: Measurement range of Abnormality Detection
by Specification (Discharge Volume) of Mixing Valve
Discharge
Droplet Size
Volume
Diameter(mm)
(mL/shot)
φ0.2
φ0.4
φ0.6
φ0.8
φ1.0
0.01
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.03
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
0.05
DISABLE
DISABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
ENABLE
Thus, from the results of the experimental test A, it is understood that the droplet size of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all pressure conditions of compressed air. Further, from the results of the experimental test B, it is understood that the droplet size of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all bore diameter conditions of the pipe line. Moreover, from the results of the test C, it is understood that the droplet diameter of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all conditions as to the specifications of the mixing valve.
Thus, it has been found that the detectable range for the oil/air, which was obtained through the experimental tests, depends upon a droplet size of the oil, irrespective of a compressed air pressure, a pipe line bore diameter and a specification of the mixing valve, and that the detection of the oil/air is possible if the droplet size of the oil is not less than 0.6 mm diameter. From these result, and in view of the discharge condition of the mixing valve, the detecting portion 21 can be arranged, in order to carry out stable detection of the oil/air, in the range having a distance from the position where the detecting portion makes contact with the mixing valve, along which the droplet size of the lubrication oil is maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm diameter. | There is provided an oil/air lubrication system capable of surely detecting lubrication oil in oil/air adapted to be fed into a rotary portion of a machine tool. A detection means which is provided to a pipe line in the vicinity of a mixing valve, just downstream of the mixing valve, is adapted to detect a flow of lubrication oil with the use of electromagnetic waves, and accordingly, a flow of air/oil can be accurately detected, irrespective of vibration of the machine tool, influence by the gravity, variation in the flow and a length of the pipe line from the mixing valve to the machine tool, and irrespective of a viscosity of the lubrication oil, and as well, irrespective of the installation of the detecting portion of the detecting means in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. | Summarize the information, clearly outlining the challenges and proposed solutions. | [
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an oil air lubrication system for lubricating a rotary portion of a machine tool with oil/air.",
"DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART The oil/air lubrication used for a rotary portion of a machine tool, is carried out in the way that a lubrication oil is intermittently discharged from a mixing valve, and thereafter, is atomized due to influence by a resistance in a pipe line and by compressed air so as to be gradually turned into a continuous flow when it passes through the pipe line.",
"Thus, in view of the reason that the detection of the atomized lubrication oil is difficult and as well in view of the reason that the operational reliability of the mixing valve is lowered due to empty shots caused by an inferior discharge from the mixing valve since the discharge quantity has become microscopic in view of the demand that the discharge quantity of oil per shot from the mixing valve used in the oil/air lubrication for the rotary portion of the machine tool is reduced to a microscopic value (for example, 0.01 mL to 0.05 mL per shot) as the accuracy and operation speed of machine tools have been recently higher, there has being desired a system for detecting a flow of oil/air so as to inform an abnormality to a machine tool or a lubrication pump in order to prevent occurrence of seizure of the rotary portion of the machine tool.",
"Further, heretofore, for example, JP-A-08-21597, JP-A-06-201092, JP-A-07-269787 and JP-A-2006-258263 have proposed technologies for detection of an oil/air flow.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, in the technologies disclosed in JP-A-08-21597, JP-A-06-201092 and JP-A-07-269787, an air pressure is detected by a pressure sensor of a measuring unit in order to determine whether the oil flows or not.",
"In other words, since a microscopic oil is not directly measured but only the air pressure is measured, there has been offered the problem that the reliability of detection of abnormality in the oil/air flow is low.",
"On the other hand, the invention disclosed in JP-A-2006-258263, utilizes an optical detection system for directly detecting microscopic oil with the use of a reflection of light from oil.",
"However, the detection with the use of the reflection of light is greatly influenced by vibration of a machine tool or an environment where a machine tool is installed (since the optical detection utilizes calculation from the reflection of light, there would possibly be caused a problem of variation in the reflected light due to vibration and as well due to a contamination of a pipe line).",
"Thus, it is difficult to use this detection system as a reliable system for detection of oil/air in the lubrication for the rotary portion of a machine tool, and further, since the pipe line in the detecting portion thereof should be exclusively used, an existing pipe line through which oil/air flows cannot be used as it is, that is, there should be carried out the complicated installation that the existing pipe line is once cut out, and is then fitted in the detection portion.",
"Thus, the use of this system under this circumstance is inappropriate.",
"The present invention is devised in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent to the prior art, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an oil/air lubrication system capable of surely carrying out detection of lubrication oil in oil/air fed into to a rotary portion of a machine tool without being affected by vibration of the machine tool or an environment where the machine tool is installed.",
"To the end, according to the present invention, there is provided an oil/air lubrication system for lubricating a rotary portion of a machine tool with the use of oil/air, characterized by the provision of a pipe line for feeding the oil/air to the rotary portion of the machine tool, a mixing valve connected to the pipe line for mixing microscopic lubrication oil with compressed air so as to form the above-mentioned oil/air and for intermittently discharging the thus formed oil/air, a detection means provided to the pipe line in the vicinity of the mixing valve, that is, just downstream thereof, for detecting a flow of lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve with the use of electromagnetic waves, and an abnormality signal output means for outputting an abnormality signal when the detection means fails to detect a flow of lubrication oil.",
"A preferred form of the oil/air lubrication system is characterized in that the detection means is provided to the pipe line at a distance from the mixing valve in a range which is up to a position where the lubrication oil flows in the pipe line, the lubrication oil having a droplet size which is maintained to be greater than a predetermined value.",
"Another feature is characterized in that the detection means is removably attached to the pipe line so that the detection portion of the detecting means using electromagnetic waves surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line.",
"The oil/air lubrication system desirably has a pipe line which is made of a resin group material which is low hygroscopic, or an inorganic material.",
"In the mixing valve for mixing microscopic lubrication oil and compressed air with each other, and for intermittently discharging them toward the rotary portion of the machine tool, although the lubrication oil is discharged of the lubrication oil from the mixing valve in a condition in which a predetermined quantity (in general 0.01 to 0.05 mL per shot) of the lubrication oil just downstream of the mixing oil is discharged immediately in a batch, but since the intervals of the discharge of the lubrication oil are 4 to 10 minutes, substantially no lubrication oil flows through the pipe line until the next time of discharge, just after the lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve.",
"In the condition just after the discharge of the lubrication oil from the mixing valve, the lubrication oil which has been immediately discharged flows in a mass, without pulsation, but becomes finer and finer, being influenced by a resistance of the pipe line through which the lubrication oil flows, and by the compressed air, and accordingly, the flow of the lubrication oil is turned into a continuous pulsating flow.",
"Thus, the applicants directed their attention to the part of the pipe line in which the lubrication oil flows in a mass, and contrived to detect the flow of the lubrication oil in this part.",
"That is, in the invention stated in claim 1 , the detecting means is provided to the pipe line, proximate to and just downstream of the mixing valve, the detection means utilizing electromagnetic waves for detecting a flow of the lubrication oil, and accordingly, the flow of the lubrication oil can be detected, irrespective of variation in the flow caused by vibration of a machine tool, and influence by the gravity, the length of the pipe line from the mixing valve to the machine tool and a curve of the pipe line, and as well irrespective of a viscosity of the lubrication oil, thereby it is possible to precisely detect the flow of oil/air, irrespective of the installation of the detecting portion in the vertical or horizontal direction.",
"Further, as stated above, since the flow of lubrication oil is detected before it is turned into a continuous pulsating flow, with the provision of the detection means to the pipe line within a range up to a position having a distance from the mixing valve, along which the lubrication oil can flow with a droplet size that is maintained to be greater than a predetermined value, the flow of the oil/air can be surely detected.",
"The detection means is desirably removably mounted to the pipe line so that the detecting portion using electromagnetic waves surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line, and accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of a troublesome work such as cutting of the pipe line before the detecting means is mounted to the pipe line.",
"Thus, the flow of oil/air can be accurately detected by the detection means into which the pipe line is merely inserted at a predetermined position therein.",
"Further, since the detecting portion of the detection means transmits electromagnetic waves into pipe line from the outer peripheral side of the latter in order to detect the lubrication oil in the pipe line, should the pipe line be made of a metal group material, the electromagnetic waves would be substantially totally reflected, resulting in failure in the detection of the lubrication oil, and further, should the pipe line be made of a resin group material which is highly hygroscopic, that is, for example, an ester group polyurethane material having a property which is likely to absorb moisture in the atmosphere in comparison with an ether group resin material, the electromagnetic waves directed to the inside of the pipe line would be absorbed by the moisture absorbed in the pipe line, resulting in the problem of lowering the intensity of the electromagnetic waves having reached in the inside of the pipe line, when the electromagnetic waves are transmitted across the pipe line.",
"Thus, these materials are not desirable for the pipe line.",
"Accordingly, the pipe line is preferably made of a resin group material which is low hygroscopic or inorganic material.",
"As the resin group material, nylon, other group polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylic resin, polycarbonate, vinyl chloride or silicone rubber is preferably used.",
"Further, as the inorganic material, quartz glass or the like is preferably used.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a relationship between a mixing valve and a machine tool: FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a condition in which lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve;",
"and FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a detection system for detecting lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Next, an oil/air lubrication system in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a relationship between a mixing valve and a machine tool, FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a condition in which lubrication oil is discharged from the mixing valve, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a detection system for detecting lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve.",
"Referring to FIG. 1 , a machine tool 1 includes an oil/air lubrication system comprising pipe lines 3 for feeding oil/air into a rotary portion 2 of the machine tool 2 , a mixing valve 4 connected thereto with the pipe lines 3 , for mixing microscopic lubrication oil and compressed air with each other so as to form the oil/air, and for intermittently discharging the thus formed oil/air, a detection unit 5 provided to the pipe line in the vicinity of the mixing valve, just downstream of the mixing valve 4 , for detecting a flow of lubrication oil discharged from the mixing valve 4 with the use of electromagnetic waves.",
"As shown in FIG. 2 , the mixing valve 4 has a lubrication oil inlet port 10 and a compressed air inlet port 11 which receive respectively lubrication oil from a lubrication pump (which is not shown), and compressed air, one or more of supply ports 12 (two supply ports shown in FIG. 2 ) connected thereto with one or more of pipe lines 3 (four pipe lines shown in FIG. 1 ), and is adapted to mix therein the lubrication oil and the compressed air which have been fed thereinto so as to form oil/air which is therefore discharged into the pipe lines 3 connected to the supply ports 12 by a predetermined quantity (in general, 0.01 to 0.05 mL/shot) at intervals of 4 to 10 minutes ( FIG. 2 shows the condition in one of the pipe lines 3 ).",
"In the condition of the lubrication oil just after the discharge thereof, although the lubrication oil immediately discharged from the mixing valve flows in a mass, since the intervals of discharge are 4 to 10 minutes, substantially no lubrication oil flows in the pipe line just downstream of the mixing valve until the next discharge.",
"Although the lubrication oil just after the discharge thereof from the mixing valve flows in a mass (refer to a condition in a range indicated by “a”",
"in FIG. 2 ), the lubrication oil becomes gradually finer and finer due to a resistance in the pipe line through which the lubrication flows and the influence by the compressed air, and is finally turned into a continuous flow (refer to a condition shown in a range indicated by “b”",
"in FIG. 2 ).",
"The applicants have directed their attention to the part in which the lubrication oil flows in a mass, and has contrived to carry out the detection of a flow of the lubrication oil in this part.",
"Further, in this embodiment, the droplet size of the lubrication oil can be maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm in the range indicated by “a”",
"in FIG. 2 as will be detailed later, in the case of a discharge quantity (0.01 to 0.05 mL/shot) used in general, and an air pressure (0.2 to 0.6 MPa) used in general and the pipe line (having a diameter of 1 to 9 mm) used in general, which will be hereinbelow explained in detail.",
"Further, the detection device 5 comprises an oscillator 20 for producing electromagnetic waves, a detecting portion 21 provided so as to surround the pipe line 3 , a control circuit 22 for controlling the oscillator 20 and the detecting portion 21 , the control circuit 22 incorporating an abnormality signal outputting means for outputting an abnormality signal when the detecting portion 21 fails to detect a flow of lubrication oil in the pipe line 3 , and the oscillator 20 , the detecting portion 21 and the control circuit 22 being integrally incorporated with each other.",
"It is noted that as the oscillator 20 , there may be used an oscillator for producing 2.45 GHz or 0.93 GHz electromagnetic waves, which is small-sized and inexpensive.",
"That is, electromagnetic waves are induced in the detecting portion 21 by the oscillator 20 so as to directly detect a flow of oil/air from a transiently absorbed electric power which is caused when the lubrication oil passes through the detecting portion 21 .",
"It is noted here that no oil flow can be detected in the part in which the lubrication oil becomes microscopic in a continuous flow condition since the size of droplets of the lubrication oil is extremely smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.",
"Thus, it is required to arrange the detecting portion 21 of the detection unit 5 at a position where the time when the lubrication oil flows can be distinct from the time when no lubrication oil flows, and accordingly, a flow of lubrication oil can be detected by the electromagnetic waves.",
"Further, as stated above, in the present embodiment, the range of arrangement thereof is that the droplet size of the lubrication oil is maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm.",
"It is noted that an abnormality signal is issued from the abnormality signal output means in the control circuit 22 if no flow of lubrication oil can be detected by the detecting portion 21 , and accordingly, a warning lamp provided in the machine tool 1 or the lubrication pump can be lit on in response to the abnormality signal, or the machine tool itself can be stopped in its operation.",
"Further, since the detecting portion 21 causes the electromagnetic waves to transmit through the pipe line 3 from the outer peripheral side thereof so as to detect a flow of lubrication oil 13 in the pipe line, and accordingly, should the pipe line be made of a metal group material, no lubrication oil could be detected as the electromagnetic waves are reflected thereby.",
"Further, should even a resin group material be used, being highly hygroscopic, the electromagnetic waves passing across the pipe line would be absorbed by the moisture absorbed by the pipe line, resulting in lowering of the intensity of the magnetic waves having reached in the pipe line 3 , and accordingly, no lubrication oil 13 could be detected.",
"For example, a polyurethane resin of ester group rather than ether group may readily absorb moisture in the atmosphere, and accordingly, the electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the moisture, that is no lubrication oil 13 can be detected.",
"Thus, in this embodiment, the pipe line 3 is formed of a resin group material or an inorganic material, which has a low hygroscopicity.",
"For example, as the resin group material, there may be used nylon, ether group polyurethane, PTFE, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, vinylchloride or silicone rubber, and as the inorganic material, quarts glass or the like may be used.",
"Further, with the use of the above-mentioned materials for the pipe line 3 itself, there may be eliminated the necessity of the complicated modification that the pipe line is once cut, and then fitted in and jointed to the detecting portion as experienced in the case of using an optical detector.",
"Thus, the pipe line 3 may be extended only through the detecting portion 21 which therefore surrounds the outer periphery of the pipe line 3 , whereby it is possible to simply carry out the detection of the lubrication oil.",
"Thus, the detection unit 5 can be removably mounted to the pipe line 3 while the mixing valve 4 and the detecting unit 5 may be fixed to a head part of the machine tool 1 although the details thereof are not shown.",
"PRACTICAL EXAMPLES Next, explanation will be made of experimental tests which were carried out with the use of the abnormality detection system shown in FIG. 1 , and results thereof.",
"It is noted that the droplet sizes of the lubrication oil were measured in the way that an image of a stop surface of the lubrication oil flowing through the pipe line 3 was picked up, and then was measured with the use of a digital microscope capable of reading dimensions.",
"It is noted that the droplet sizes are diameters thereof measured in the direction of the flow.",
"The experimental tests were carried out under the following conditions (1) to (3) in order to experimentally confirm oil/air abnormality detectable ranges in the abnormality detection system shown in FIG. 1 .",
"(1) in an experimental test A, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the pressure of compressed air under the condition that the discharge volume of the mixing valve was 0.01 mL/shot/10 min.",
", and the bore diameter of the pipe line was 1 mm;",
"(2) in an experimental test B, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the bore diameter of the pipe line under the condition that the discharge volume of the mixing valve was 0.01 mL/shot/10 min, and the pressure of compressed air was 0.6 MPa;",
"and, (3) in an experimental test C, the detection of oil/air was carried out by changing the discharge volume per shot of the mixing valve under the condition that the bore diameter of the pipe line was 1 mm and the pressure of compressed air was 0.6 MPa.",
"Further, the results of the experimental tests are shown in Table 1, in which the label “ENABLE”",
"indicates a droplet size which could be detected in the detecting portion 21 , and the label “DISABLE”",
"indicates that no droplet size can be detected.",
"TABLE 1 Test A: Measurement Range of Abnormality Detection by Pressure of Compressed Air Compressed Air Droplet Size Pressure Diameter(mm) (MPa) φ0.2 φ0.4 φ0.6 φ0.8 φ1.0 0.2 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.3 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.4 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.5 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.6 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE Test B: Measurement Range of Abnormality Detection by Pipe Line Bore Diameter Pipe Line Bore Droplet Size Diameter Diameter(mm) (mm) φ0.2 φ0.4 φ0.6 φ0.8 φ1.0 φ1 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE φ3 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE φ4 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE φ6 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE φ9 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE Test C: Measurement range of Abnormality Detection by Specification (Discharge Volume) of Mixing Valve Discharge Droplet Size Volume Diameter(mm) (mL/shot) φ0.2 φ0.4 φ0.6 φ0.8 φ1.0 0.01 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.03 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE 0.05 DISABLE DISABLE ENABLE ENABLE ENABLE Thus, from the results of the experimental test A, it is understood that the droplet size of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all pressure conditions of compressed air.",
"Further, from the results of the experimental test B, it is understood that the droplet size of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all bore diameter conditions of the pipe line.",
"Moreover, from the results of the test C, it is understood that the droplet diameter of the oil which is not less than 0.6 mm diameter can be detected under all conditions as to the specifications of the mixing valve.",
"Thus, it has been found that the detectable range for the oil/air, which was obtained through the experimental tests, depends upon a droplet size of the oil, irrespective of a compressed air pressure, a pipe line bore diameter and a specification of the mixing valve, and that the detection of the oil/air is possible if the droplet size of the oil is not less than 0.6 mm diameter.",
"From these result, and in view of the discharge condition of the mixing valve, the detecting portion 21 can be arranged, in order to carry out stable detection of the oil/air, in the range having a distance from the position where the detecting portion makes contact with the mixing valve, along which the droplet size of the lubrication oil is maintained to be not less than 0.6 mm diameter."
] |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §120 based upon co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/738,535, filed on Apr. 16, 2010. Additionally, this present application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/738,535, filed on Apr. 16, 2010. The entire disclosure of the prior application(s) is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method for use in connection with extinguishing fires using aircraft. The purpose of the present invention, which henceforth will be mentioned for brevity as the RAINSTORM method, is to create, by means of firefighting helicopters, conditions of an artificial heavy rainstorm equivalent to a real rainstorm, which one would have wished to break out in reality during the fire.
[0004] The technical implementation field of the RAINSTORM method is the firefighting even in locations where firefighting helicopters cannot, or are not permitted to operate, i.e. the fringes of inhabited areas, isolated residencies in tree lines, areas with High Voltage transportation pylons, areas with trapped vehicles, people, animals, farming installations, areas where Land Forces operate and in general where there is no risk of damage and loss of life by creating an artificial rain phenomenon of controlled intensity and duration.
[0005] The advantages of the RAINSTORM method allow preventive spraying or decontaminations eve during the night.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Present Day Situation: Two types of helicopters are used for firefighting are under use today: Those which carry water inside the fuselage, similar to the equivalent airplanes, and those which use suspended buckets.
[0008] In both cases dropping of water takes place in a few seconds with the form of a waterfall and, if we take into consideration, in many cases, the unfavorable conditions of visibility, it is very likely and/or inevitable to miss the target, which is translated in loss of the entire water load as well as in precious time, within which the fire gains ground.
[0009] Moreover this way of firefighting, with great volumes of water falling with high speed to the ground, which cannot be applied in the above mentioned cases, has also the basic disadvantage that only a small percentage of the falling water is used for firefighting.
[0010] Furthermore, during the violent drop of the water, a vacuum is created attracting air with the form of siphon which revives the fire.
[0011] It must be mentioned and pointed out that the biggest effectiveness of water, when it is used for firefighting, is achieved with the uniform rainfall above the fire area under form of droplets, so as these to have the largest surface in order to evaporate very rapidly, absorbing from the fire the biggest amount of heat, decreasing respectively the temperature of the area, which in combination with the rarefaction of oxygen, due to the interjection of water vapors, will contribute in the repression and the extinguishment of Fire in the smallest possible time.
[0012] Finally it must also be pointed out that the helicopters, despite their relatively small carrying capacity compared to the firefighting airplanes, have two basic and undeniable advantages: Fly with very small speeds-up to hovering speed, as well as to be able to land/descend vertically, in order to be supplied with water and fuel, in relatively very small spaces.
[0013] Furthermore, the RAINSTORM method can be used in cases of preventive spraying with water or retarding liquid, as well as for decontamination of large areas.
[0014] The safety of the RAINSTORM method allows the aircraft to operate during the night as well, thus giving a unique advantage.
[0015] While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that allows extinguishing fires using aircraft.
[0016] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that can be used for extinguishing fires using aircraft. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provide an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of extinguishing fires using aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of firefighting helicopters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
[0018] Firefighting by means of the RAINSTORM method.
[0019] The RAINSTORM method was devised, studied and engineered in such a way in order to avoid all disadvantages and weaknesses that we face today during firefighting with helicopters, and at the same time to exploit in the biggest possible degree the particular abilities of helicopters, as well as, and the firefighting capabilities of water.
[0020] The Key for confronting the above mentioned disadvantages in the present situation, as well as the combined exploitation of helicopter and water capabilities in firefighting, in order to obtain the biggest firefighting Result, constitutes.
[0021] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0022] Without any doubt, water which is abundant in nature is a fire's worst enemy, since it is certain that no forest, tree line, bush or grassland fire can manifest, keep up and most importantly expand itself in the presence of rain.
[0023] It must be pointed out that every liter of water entering in the fire in the shape of droplets takes on more than 450 kcal, which drastically reduce not only the fire's temperature but the oxygen as well with the superheated vapors created.
[0024] It is also indisputable that present day helicopters equipped with sophisticated night flight technology, constitute the only means which in virtually no time, in comparison with land transportation, can safely approach a raging fire, in hard to reach or even inaccessible mountain areas, and at the same time have a full perspective of the fire's extent and rate and direction of expansion.
[0025] The purpose of the RAINSTORM system is the conversion of all the water mass carried by a helicopter into artificial rain in the form of an umbrella, with a diameter approximately equal to that of the helicopter's main rotor (12-15 m), and with the characteristics of a strong rainfall (storm) of controllable intensity and duration, and with the capability of stopping and resuming the rainfall at will by the helicopter's operator.
[0026] Further target of the RAINSTORM system is the reducing of water dropping to 1-3 m3/min, and increasing the water quantity by reducing the helicopter's speed, or by circling over the fire in order to fully vaporize the water.
[0027] It is emphasized that today, helicopters used in firefighting drop 3 m3 of water in only 3 sec in the shape of a cataract. This large amount of water hits the ground with great speed, causing serious damage, and in essence the water is either lost or goes unexploited.
[0028] It is also emphasized that for economical, ergonomically, as well as in order to reduce the time of the helicopter's effective intervention (reaction time), the RAINSTORM system uses helicopters with medium lifting capacity between 1.0-3.5 tons.
[0029] It is more that certain that once the transported by the helicopter water mass is transformed into harmless rainfall, the issue of the helicopter's suspension of operation during the night hours is automatically solved, since modern helicopters are equipped with night flight technology. Thus, the fire's destructive force, which is much larger at night than during the daytime, will be minimized. Furthermore, in the presence of harmless rainfall, the helicopters with RAINSTORM equipment will be able to operate simultaneously with land fire fighting forces, even in inhabited areas where there are trapped vehicles, cultivated land, roads, high voltage power lines, livestock, and in general anytime and anyplace with no risk of damage or loss of life, by utilizing an artificial rain phenomenon of controlled intensity and duration.
[0030] In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the RAINSTORM system was designed and engineered for medium lifting capacity helicopters, and consists of the following inextricably related to each other subsystems:
[0031] a. The suspension stretcher, which is fitted in the helicopter's underside and is hooked onto the helicopter's main hook.
[0032] b. The reservoir of the firefighting fluid (water), together with the swing where the reservoir will sit and the chains to which the stretcher and the reservoir will be connected to the helicopter via the stretcher.
[0033] c. The rain creation mechanism, which is fitted at the back side of the reservoir.
[0034] d. The electrical system using a 12 V DC motor (fed by the helicopter's electrical system), ensuring the smooth operation of the system, controlled by the pilot.
[0035] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
[0036] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0037] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0038] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that has all of the advantages of the prior art firefighting helicopters and none of the disadvantages.
[0039] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
[0040] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such aircraft fire extinguishing system and method economically available to the buying public.
[0041] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
[0042] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a side plane view of an embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with the phantom lines depicting environmental structure and forming no part of the claimed invention.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a rear plane view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention taken along the line 4 - 4 in FIG. 3 .
[0048] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention taken along line 5 - 5 in FIG. 4 .
[0049] FIGS. 6A-C is an in use illustrative view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of a reservoir suspension device of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir suspension device taken along line 8 - 8 in FIG. 7 .
[0052] FIG. 9 is an in use illustrative view of an alternate embodiment aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 10 is a side plane view of an alternate embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the alternate embodiment aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 12 is side view of the Rain Creation Mechanism of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the Rain Creation Mechanism.
[0057] FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of the Suspended Water Reservoir with Swing.
[0058] FIG. 15 is an exploded back view of the Suspended Water Reservoir with Swing.
[0059] FIG. 16 is a side view of the Suspension Mechanism from the helicopter's hook.
[0060] FIG. 17 is a side and top view of the Suspension Mechanism from the helicopter's hook.
[0061] FIG. 18 is a side view of the “RAINSTORM” system—Horizontal Phase (Journey).
[0062] FIG. 19 is a side view of the Replenishment Phase from sea, lake or river.
[0063] FIG. 20 is a side view of the Rainfall and Fire Fighting Phase.
[0064] FIG. 21 is a side view of the Rainfall and Fire Fighting Phase.
[0065] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-21 , an embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 .
[0000] The Water Reservoir with the Artificial Rain Creation Mechanism
[0067] It is a cylindrical reservoir 12 , in the rear side of which the artificial rain creation and dousing mechanism is adapted. The Schematic Diagrams of the Reservoir and the artificial rain creation mechanism 30 are shown in FIGS. 1-5 .
[0068] The dimensions of the reservoir 12 and its capacity are standardized in sizes respectively with the lifting capability of helicopters used for firefighting.
[0069] The reservoirs 12 are suspended from the helicopters 60 by means of three wire ropes—belts 68 , 70 , which are fixed, with couplers easy to dismantle, in three points of the reservoir 18 , 22 , in triangular arrangement, two coupling points 18 on the sides of reservoir 12 and the third 22 in its rear side.
[0070] The suspended reservoir 12 has two main components connected to each other with a watertight flange 34 , as follows:
The Water Reservoir Unit 10 which is a cylindrical reservoir 12 , manufactured from material durable in marine water, having a powerful frame in order to withstand all load strains and vibrations caused by the various helicopter maneuvers especially during the dousing phase.
[0072] In the upper front compartment of the reservoir there is a specifically shaped and elevated intake orifice 14 used for the replenishment of the reservoir 12 with water, which, if required, opens and closes automatically during the three phases of operation of the reservoir 12 , i.e.: Water filling (Open), Transportation of water (Closed) and firefighting (Open).
[0073] The caudal reinforcing fin 20 is fixed in the upper rear side of the reservoir 12 . This fin 20 retains the rain creation mechanism 30 from above, in the top of which exists the third point of suspension 22 .
[0000] The Rain Creation/Dousing Unit 30 , manufactured from stainless material, which includes:
The Conical Pipe 32 which channels the water to the Hydraulic Mechanism 36 . The Hydraulic Mechanism-Water Turbine 36 of the hollow propeller assembly 50 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 which is fitted with the bladed trunions 38 with ports 40 for channeling the pressurized water to the hollow propeller assembly 50 , and The hollow propeller assembly 50 , which consists of the hollow propeller 52 , that is water tightly connected to the trunions 38 of the Hydraulic Mechanism-Water Turbine 36 . The hollow propeller 52 has sufficient number of nozzles 54 in each blade having the appropriate diameter, in order that in correlation with the speed and the flight height of the helicopter 60 , the desired diameter and density of the rain droplets in the umbrella 66 that will take shape in the dousing phase will be achieved, thus ensuring, after experimenting, the biggest firefighting result (Creation of Tables).
[0077] Note: The direction of water centrifugation can be combined with the helicopter propeller in order to obtain a better interaction.
[0078] The firefighting process with the RAINSTORM method includes the following stages, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C :
Filling up of the Reservoir with Water ( FIG. 6A ). This is achieved with the following ways: From the Sea, Lakes and rivers, as the current practice. From manmade Reservoirs of large capacity, having a depth of at least 2.5 m, which either exist or will be constructed near specifically protected areas as: archaeological sites, open air theaters, zoos, gardens, mountains etc. In the above two cases the helicopter 60 is flown over the supply source 62 and with the help of a winch, operated from within the helicopter 60 , the third wire rope 70 which is hooked to the caudal fin 20 is set into operation, lifting thus the tail of the reservoir 12 until its longitudinal axis reaches an angle of approx. 45° to the water level. The helicopter 60 is then lowered progressively and the reservoir 12 sinks under its own weight, and starts to fill up from the wide orifice 14 located at the elevated front end. As soon as the replenishment of the reservoir 12 is completed within a few seconds the caudal wire rope 70 is lifted, the reservoir 12 assumes the horizontal position, as best illustrated in FIG. 6B , the helicopter 60 is lifted and flies to the fire 64 . In addition to the above mentioned methods, the RAINSTORM program gives the possibility to transport backup reservoirs 12 near the fire 64 , placing them in open areas (stadiums, fields etc.). These backup reservoirs 12 will be filled up by water tank vehicles of the local authorities and/or private individuals. In this way the helicopters will leave the empty reservoirs for replenishment and pick up in minimum time the filled ones in order to return very rapidly to the fire, thus multiplying the fire fighting force of the helicopters. This is equivalent to a bigger helicopter fleet. Flying to the Scene of Fire. During this phase, the reservoir 12 is at the horizontal position, as best illustrated in FIG. 6B , in order not to waste any water during transportation from the filling orifice 14 , which is also equipped with a non return mechanism 16 , as well from the rain creating mechanism 30 which is located over the highest water level of the reservoir 12 . Rain Creation and Fire Fighting. As soon as the helicopter 60 approaches the scene of fire 64 and assumes the proper flight height, the caudal wire rope 70 is slackened until the reservoir 12 assumes the vertical position and the hollow propeller assembly 50 is horizontal, as best illustrated in FIG. 6C .
[0086] In this position, under the pressure of the, above water column, the Hydraulic Mechanism Water Turbine 36 is set into automatic operation simultaneously setting the propeller 52 into rotation, while at the same time the incoming water is channeled towards the counterbalancing nozzles 54 and dashes out through them with great momentum intensifying the propellers rotation, and contributing thus in the better centrifugation of water and in the enlargement of shaped rain umbrella 66 .
[0087] Note: The relative experiments will show which is the optimum number of nozzles, their diameter as well as the reservoir water drop duration, so that in function with the flight level and the helicopters speed, to achieve maximum firefighting results in the ground. Fire Fighting
Helicopter Method of Operation
[0088] In order to have the best possible results in firefighting with the RAINSTORM method, the helicopters must operate in a Systematic Manner, depending on the pattern, the extend and the intensity of the fire.
[0089] The way of operation will be decided each time by the responsible person in charge of the Command and Control Center, according to the relative information reported.
[0090] As an example, when the front of the fire is relatively narrow, then the helicopters (2 or 3) will attempt one behind the other, maintaining a safety distance, and will fly in a row above the fire front. If however the width of fire front is relatively wide, then the helicopters will fly in shapes, in such a way that the rain umbrellas will cover the whole fire front, for example, in triangular arrangement with one helicopter in front and two behind, or two helicopters in front and three behind and so on.
[0091] What has particular importance and must be enforced during all the air missions is the detailed coordination in order to achieve best results with minimum cost. This of course must not go against all security measures, which must at any rate be applied in order to minimize possible disasters and loss of life.
[0092] As best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a reservoir suspension device 80 can be used to suspend and control the angle of the cylindrical reservoir from the aircraft 60 . The reservoir suspension device 80 consists of a rectangular shaped frame or stretcher 82 which is removably connected to a hook 61 of the aircraft 60 . The stretcher 82 has a general dimension of, but not limited to, 2.00 m (length)×1.00 m (width)×0.20 m (height). The purpose of the stretcher 82 is to strap the three (3) belts 68 , 70 from which the cylindrical reservoir is suspended in a triangular arrangement.
[0093] The stretcher 82 is fitted with a 12V servomechanism or winch 84 , powered from within the aircraft 60 . The servomechanism 84 is operated by means of a simple controller located in the aircraft's 60 cockpit.
[0094] The servomechanism 84 moves two parallel shafts 86 located on each side of the stretcher 82 . One shaft includes drums 88 located at each end thereof with belts 68 wound therearound, and the other shaft includes one drum 88 with belt 70 wound therearound. The belts 68 , 70 have a free end of approximately, but not limited to, 70-80 cm. At the end of each belt 68 , 70 is included a fast coupler which connects the stretcher 82 with the cylindrical reservoir. The belts 68 , 70 have an approximate length of, but not limited to, 10-12 m.
[0095] This arrangement allows the rotation of the drums 88 of the stretcher 82 by means of approximately three (3) rotations of the servomechanism 84 . This elevates and descends the belts 68 , 70 approximately, but not limited to, 70-80 cm, thereby tilting the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical reservoir ±45°, without shifting its center of gravity.
[0096] As best illustrated in FIG. 9 , the present invention can also be adapted to be used with aircrafts or helicopters 60 having a built-in liquid reservoir 102 . A rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 includes rotating hollow propellers 92 for the centrifugation of water. The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 has an immediate implementation with heavy fire fighting helicopters or aircrafts that possess a built-in liquid reservoir with a capacity, such as but not limited to, 3-15 m 3 . In these cases only common industrial equipment can be used.
[0097] The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 further includes a reclined or retractable telescopic pipe 94 having a total length of approximately, but not limited to, 3.00 m. The pipe 94 is adapted to and in fluid communication with the helicopter's 60 reservoir, and at the end of which is fitted the hollow propellers 92 through a free rotating mechanism 96 that is in a substantially vertical position to the pipe 94 .
[0098] The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 can be raised and lowered into position be a hydraulic mechanism 98 .
[0099] A water pump 100 is used to pump water or liquid from the built-in reservoir 102 to a first element of the telescopic pipe 94 , thus protracting the pipe and setting the hollow propellers 92 into rotation. This rotation is accelerated by the downstream air of the helicopter's rotors.
[0100] A 12V servomechanism or winch 104 is fitted to the helicopter's floor. A cable 106 connected and operated by the servomechanism 104 is connected to the end of the pipe 94 . The cable 106 follows the movement of the pipe 94 during the extension phase, and retracts the pipe once the operation is complete.
[0101] FIGS. 10 and 11 best illustrates an alternate embodiment water reservoir and artificial rain creation mechanism 110 . This embodiment includes a cylindrical reservoir 112 having an artificial rain creation and dousing mechanism located on a rear side thereof.
[0102] The dimensions of the reservoir 112 and its capacity are standardized in sizes respectively with the lifting capability of helicopters used for firefighting.
[0103] The reservoir 112 includes two pivoting suspension assemblies located adjacent to each end of the reservoir 112 . Each suspension assembly includes a pair of pivoting suspension arms 116 located on opposite sides of the reservoir 112 . Each pair of suspensions arms 116 include a cross arm 118 connected to the free ends of the suspension arms, as best illustrated in FIG. 11 .
[0104] One pair of suspension arms 116 are located at a front end of the reservoir and include a coupling point 120 located at the free ends of each suspension arm. The other pair of suspension arms 116 includes a single coupling point 120 centrally located on said coupling arm 118 .
[0105] The reservoir 112 is suspended from the helicopters by means of three wire ropes or belts 68 , 70 , which are fixed with couplers to a corresponding coupling point 120 , thereby forming a triangular arrangement.
[0106] The reservoir 112 is manufactured from material durable in marine water, having a powerful frame in order to withstand all load strains and vibrations caused by the various helicopter maneuvers especially during the dousing phase. The rear end of the reservoir 112 is an angled planar surface with an angle of approximately 45°.
[0107] In an upper front compartment of the reservoir 112 there is a specifically shaped and elevated intake orifice featuring a valve 114 used for the replenishment of the reservoir 112 with water. The valve 114 opens and closes automatically during the three phases of operation of the reservoir 112 by way of a spring or line 122 connected to the cross arm 118 of the front end located suspension arms 116 . Thus, when the front end suspension arms 116 are pivoted in one direction, the spring 122 is pulled thereby opening the valve 114 .
[0108] The water reservoir and artificial rain creation mechanism 110 further includes a rain creation and dousing unit, manufactured from stainless material. The rain creation and dousing unit includes an angled conical pipe 124 which channels the water to a hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 , and a hollow propeller assembly 50 . The pipe 124 is parallel with the angle of the rear end of the reservoir 112 .
[0109] The hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 is fitted with the ported bladed trunions for channeling the pressurized water to the hollow propeller assembly 50 . The hollow propeller assembly 50 includes a plurality of propellers each with multiple nozzles each having an appropriate diameter to form a rain umbrella that will take shape in the dousing phase. The hollow propeller assembly 50 is water tightly connected and in fluid communication with the hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 , and is angle so as to be parallel with the angle of the rear end of the reservoir 112 .
[0110] The Rain Creation Mechanism ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), consists of a conical pipe 141 which receives the water from the reservoir's upper aft side, and drives it to a hollow shaft whirl 142 . On this hollow shaft 143 , which at this phase is in a vertical position and between its fins 144 , there are windows through which the water enters into the hollow shaft and it is then directed to the twin blade hollow propeller 146 , which is firmly connected with the whirl's axis and turns alongside with it.
[0111] Each blade has at its back side, a set of nozzles in counter position (5-10 on each blade) 147 , and have a rectangular cross section. The water is centrifuged and exits the nozzles with high pressure creating a rain umbrella, thus contributing to the rotation of the hollow shaft. (Whirl phenomenon of the ancient Greek inventor Heron of Alexandria).
[0112] Note: Since the rotational speed of the hollow shaft depends, among other things, to the water level inside the reservoir, the installation of a 12 V DC motor 148 is foreseen at the other end (closed end) of the whirl's shaft. This contributes in the creation of a uniform rain umbrella, regardless of the water quantity available inside the reservoir.
[0113] The RAINSTORM suspended reservoir ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). This is an elongated symmetrical reservoir, made of plastic, metallic or a combination of both materials, in order to reduce weight (to the benefit of firefighting liquid), and at the same time possess high mechanical strength in order to withstand the expected oscillations during helicopter flight and touch downs.
[0114] Following appropriate design, a combined material construction was chosen for the reservoir, with metallic frame 151 and plastic outer casing 152 and cover 153 . Furthermore the swing, on which the reservoir will be safely fixed, has robust metal construction 154 . Four common chains will be fixed in cross shape at the upper side of the swing, and which will connect/disconnect via fast couplers to the respective ends (ring joints) of the stretcher.
[0115] At the upper front side of the reservoir, a rectangular intake manifold is fitted 155 , used for water intake. Water can be used from different sources, so the manifold is fitted with a mechanical screen 156 in order to avoid solids entering the reservoir. An opening at the top of the intake manifold ensures atmospheric pressure inside the reservoir 157 .
[0116] At the back side of the reservoir and at an inclination angle of 45° the rain creation mechanism is fitted.
[0117] The swing 154 . It is a robust metallic lattice construction, on which the complete system of the reservoir together with the rain creation mechanism will be belt strapped. At its upper side there are 4 points/rings A 1 , A 2 , A 3 & A 4 where the chains coming from the respective rings of the stretcher will be connected via fast couplers. The selection of chains was made due to their unique capability to collapse to the ground during the helicopter's touchdown.
[0118] The suspension stretcher ( FIGS. 16 and 17 ). The suspension stretcher is a strong rectangular metal frame 161 , with indicative dimensions of 2.00×0.20×0.15 (m) (L×D>H). The stretcher will have a steel shaft 162 running laterally at its middle where the helicopter's hook 163 will be fastened. In this way the helicopter's touchdown will not be hindered, even when the stretcher is fitted. (When the reservoir touches the ground, the helicopter lands next to it). The suspension stretcher is fixed into the helicopter's under side via 4 cylindrical metal beakers 164 placed in a square layout (0.50×0.50 m), with elastic heads (suction heads), which are mechanically lifted and come in full contact with the helicopter's underside, thus making a solid connection.
[0119] At both ends of the stretcher there are 2 parallel steel shafts 165 , on which 4 sprocket wheels are fitted (just like the wheels on a small car) 166 . These parallel shafts are bridged with 2 parallel chains 167 , one on each side (left and right) of the helicopter's hook. At the end side of one of the shafts, a 12 V DC servomechanism 168 is fitted and electrically fed by the helicopter's electrical system.
[0120] The ends of the two chains running from each shaft are connected with a metal rod 169 , at an approximate length of 1.00 m below the sprocket wheels. At the middle of this rod there is a ring (suspension points A 3 , A 4 ), where the chains connecting the respective rings (A 3 , A 4 ) of the swing are coupled via fast couplers.
[0121] The suspension stretcher's central shaft length is the same as the reservoir swing's width. It has two rings at both ends (suspension points A 1 , A 2 ) where the two main chains of constant length are fitted, and which are connected respectively to the suspension points A 1 , A 2 of the swing. These rings are designed and fitted on either side (left and right) of the filled to capacity reservoir's center of gravity. This design provides, through the operation of the servomechanism, the capability to provide the required inclination to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir (−45°, 0°, +45°), thus always maintaining the suspended system's center of gravity at a constant height.
Operation of the Rainstorm System
[0122] Filling the reservoir with water. This can be achieved with the following methods:
[0123] a. On the ground by means of water tankers, or fire hydrants, via the elevated intake manifold on top of the reservoir 157 ( FIG. 18 ).
[0124] b. By sea, lake or river. In these cases, once the helicopter reaches the replenishment source the pilot controlling the servomechanism of the suspension stretcher tilts the front side of the reservoir at an inclination of −45°, and slowly approaches the water level ( FIG. 19 ).
[0125] The reservoir is then slowly immersed into the water, with the intake manifold at its open position. The reservoir begins to immerse on its own weight (approx. 350-400 kg), and the immersion process is completed when the rain creation mechanism is also fully under water. This stage continues and the reservoir is “surfing” under water for approximately 10-20 sec, until the reservoir is filled to capacity (the intake manifold has dimensions of 0.30×0.30 m). The controlling servomechanism then begins to level the reservoir, the intake manifold closes automatically, and the helicopter transports the filled reservoir to the fire at a steady speed.
[0126] Fire Fighting. The pilot, once he reaches the fire, assesses the situation and decides on the course of action. He selects the flight level and by controlling the servomechanism the reservoir is tilted at an inclination of +45°, at which point the rain creation mechanism and the hollow propeller assume a horizontal position ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ). At this phase the water flows downwards and sets the whirl along with the twin blade hollow propeller into motion, thus spreading and centrifuging the water, which dashes out from the two sets of counter placed nozzles. This effect creates a parabolic rain umbrella 174 ( FIG. 21 ). This is further enhanced by the continuous downstream 172 ( FIG. 21 ) created by the helicopter's main rotor. The helicopter's downstream forces into the rain umbrella, creating further swirl, homogenizing even further the rain fall and pushes it towards the fire.
[0127] Note: When the hollow propeller reaches the horizontal position, the auxiliary 12 V DC motor 148 ( FIG. 21 ) is automatically set into operation in order to maintain a constant rotational speed of the hollow propeller. This will ensure that the rain umbrella created is as homogeneous as possible.
[0128] It is understood that, depending on the situation, the pilot can suspend and resume the creation of rain, having in mind the total time in seconds available before the reservoir is emptied.
[0129] Note: The “RAINSTORM” system has been studied and designed as an integrated, unified and indivisible system. All of its subsystems operate flawlessly with each other, in order to achieve the creation of artificial rain with the required characteristics, leading to the fastest, safest and most economical way to achieve the Maximum Fire Fighting Result.
[0130] While embodiments of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. And although extinguishing fires using aircraft have been described, it should be appreciated that the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method herein described is also suitable for dispensing substances, such as but not limited to, insecticide, herbicide, fertilizer or seeds onto the ground from an aircraft.
[0131] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. | The aircraft fire extinguishing system and method applies to helicopters having suspended or built-in liquid reservoir. The innovation lies on the transformation of the firefighting liquid into artificial rain in the form of an umbrella having diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the helicopter's propeller, with adjustable density and duration. The rain creation mechanism in both cases consists of a hollow propeller with two wings where the liquid is guided hydraulically. The liquid jets through nozzles which are in counterpoised arrangement causing the initial revolution of the hollow propeller. This rotation is accelerated and stabilized from the downstream of the helicopter's propeller. The reservoir is suspended from a helicopter's hook by a stretcher using four chains. The built-in reservoir includes an inclined or retractable metallic pipe which the hollow propeller is adapted through a free rotation mechanism. The hollow propeller is set into motion by means of a pressure pump. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §120 based upon co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 12/738,535, filed on Apr. 16, 2010.",
"Additionally, this present application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.",
"No. 12/738,535, filed on Apr. 16, 2010.",
"The entire disclosure of the prior application(s) is incorporated herein by reference.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1.",
"Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method for use in connection with extinguishing fires using aircraft.",
"The purpose of the present invention, which henceforth will be mentioned for brevity as the RAINSTORM method, is to create, by means of firefighting helicopters, conditions of an artificial heavy rainstorm equivalent to a real rainstorm, which one would have wished to break out in reality during the fire.",
"[0004] The technical implementation field of the RAINSTORM method is the firefighting even in locations where firefighting helicopters cannot, or are not permitted to operate, i.e. the fringes of inhabited areas, isolated residencies in tree lines, areas with High Voltage transportation pylons, areas with trapped vehicles, people, animals, farming installations, areas where Land Forces operate and in general where there is no risk of damage and loss of life by creating an artificial rain phenomenon of controlled intensity and duration.",
"[0005] The advantages of the RAINSTORM method allow preventive spraying or decontaminations eve during the night.",
"[0006] 2.",
"Description of the Prior Art [0007] Present Day Situation: Two types of helicopters are used for firefighting are under use today: Those which carry water inside the fuselage, similar to the equivalent airplanes, and those which use suspended buckets.",
"[0008] In both cases dropping of water takes place in a few seconds with the form of a waterfall and, if we take into consideration, in many cases, the unfavorable conditions of visibility, it is very likely and/or inevitable to miss the target, which is translated in loss of the entire water load as well as in precious time, within which the fire gains ground.",
"[0009] Moreover this way of firefighting, with great volumes of water falling with high speed to the ground, which cannot be applied in the above mentioned cases, has also the basic disadvantage that only a small percentage of the falling water is used for firefighting.",
"[0010] Furthermore, during the violent drop of the water, a vacuum is created attracting air with the form of siphon which revives the fire.",
"[0011] It must be mentioned and pointed out that the biggest effectiveness of water, when it is used for firefighting, is achieved with the uniform rainfall above the fire area under form of droplets, so as these to have the largest surface in order to evaporate very rapidly, absorbing from the fire the biggest amount of heat, decreasing respectively the temperature of the area, which in combination with the rarefaction of oxygen, due to the interjection of water vapors, will contribute in the repression and the extinguishment of Fire in the smallest possible time.",
"[0012] Finally it must also be pointed out that the helicopters, despite their relatively small carrying capacity compared to the firefighting airplanes, have two basic and undeniable advantages: Fly with very small speeds-up to hovering speed, as well as to be able to land/descend vertically, in order to be supplied with water and fuel, in relatively very small spaces.",
"[0013] Furthermore, the RAINSTORM method can be used in cases of preventive spraying with water or retarding liquid, as well as for decontamination of large areas.",
"[0014] The safety of the RAINSTORM method allows the aircraft to operate during the night as well, thus giving a unique advantage.",
"[0015] While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that allows extinguishing fires using aircraft.",
"[0016] Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that can be used for extinguishing fires using aircraft.",
"In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.",
"In this respect, the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provide an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of extinguishing fires using aircraft.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of firefighting helicopters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.",
"As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an aircraft fire extinguishing system and method which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.",
"[0018] Firefighting by means of the RAINSTORM method.",
"[0019] The RAINSTORM method was devised, studied and engineered in such a way in order to avoid all disadvantages and weaknesses that we face today during firefighting with helicopters, and at the same time to exploit in the biggest possible degree the particular abilities of helicopters, as well as, and the firefighting capabilities of water.",
"[0020] The Key for confronting the above mentioned disadvantages in the present situation, as well as the combined exploitation of helicopter and water capabilities in firefighting, in order to obtain the biggest firefighting Result, constitutes.",
"[0021] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.",
"For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.",
"[0022] Without any doubt, water which is abundant in nature is a fire's worst enemy, since it is certain that no forest, tree line, bush or grassland fire can manifest, keep up and most importantly expand itself in the presence of rain.",
"[0023] It must be pointed out that every liter of water entering in the fire in the shape of droplets takes on more than 450 kcal, which drastically reduce not only the fire's temperature but the oxygen as well with the superheated vapors created.",
"[0024] It is also indisputable that present day helicopters equipped with sophisticated night flight technology, constitute the only means which in virtually no time, in comparison with land transportation, can safely approach a raging fire, in hard to reach or even inaccessible mountain areas, and at the same time have a full perspective of the fire's extent and rate and direction of expansion.",
"[0025] The purpose of the RAINSTORM system is the conversion of all the water mass carried by a helicopter into artificial rain in the form of an umbrella, with a diameter approximately equal to that of the helicopter's main rotor (12-15 m), and with the characteristics of a strong rainfall (storm) of controllable intensity and duration, and with the capability of stopping and resuming the rainfall at will by the helicopter's operator.",
"[0026] Further target of the RAINSTORM system is the reducing of water dropping to 1-3 m3/min, and increasing the water quantity by reducing the helicopter's speed, or by circling over the fire in order to fully vaporize the water.",
"[0027] It is emphasized that today, helicopters used in firefighting drop 3 m3 of water in only 3 sec in the shape of a cataract.",
"This large amount of water hits the ground with great speed, causing serious damage, and in essence the water is either lost or goes unexploited.",
"[0028] It is also emphasized that for economical, ergonomically, as well as in order to reduce the time of the helicopter's effective intervention (reaction time), the RAINSTORM system uses helicopters with medium lifting capacity between 1.0-3.5 tons.",
"[0029] It is more that certain that once the transported by the helicopter water mass is transformed into harmless rainfall, the issue of the helicopter's suspension of operation during the night hours is automatically solved, since modern helicopters are equipped with night flight technology.",
"Thus, the fire's destructive force, which is much larger at night than during the daytime, will be minimized.",
"Furthermore, in the presence of harmless rainfall, the helicopters with RAINSTORM equipment will be able to operate simultaneously with land fire fighting forces, even in inhabited areas where there are trapped vehicles, cultivated land, roads, high voltage power lines, livestock, and in general anytime and anyplace with no risk of damage or loss of life, by utilizing an artificial rain phenomenon of controlled intensity and duration.",
"[0030] In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the RAINSTORM system was designed and engineered for medium lifting capacity helicopters, and consists of the following inextricably related to each other subsystems: [0031] a. The suspension stretcher, which is fitted in the helicopter's underside and is hooked onto the helicopter's main hook.",
"[0032] b. The reservoir of the firefighting fluid (water), together with the swing where the reservoir will sit and the chains to which the stretcher and the reservoir will be connected to the helicopter via the stretcher.",
"[0033] c. The rain creation mechanism, which is fitted at the back side of the reservoir.",
"[0034] d. The electrical system using a 12 V DC motor (fed by the helicopter's electrical system), ensuring the smooth operation of the system, controlled by the pilot.",
"[0035] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.",
"[0036] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.",
"In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.",
"The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.",
"Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.",
"[0037] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.",
"It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.",
"[0038] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that has all of the advantages of the prior art firefighting helicopters and none of the disadvantages.",
"[0039] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.",
"[0040] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such aircraft fire extinguishing system and method economically available to the buying public.",
"[0041] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new aircraft fire extinguishing system and method that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.",
"[0042] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.",
"For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.",
"BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0043] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.",
"Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0044] FIG. 1 is a side plane view of an embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with the phantom lines depicting environmental structure and forming no part of the claimed invention.",
"[0045] FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.",
"[0046] FIG. 3 is a rear plane view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.",
"[0047] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention taken along the line 4 - 4 in FIG. 3 .",
"[0048] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention taken along line 5 - 5 in FIG. 4 .",
"[0049] FIGS. 6A-C is an in use illustrative view of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention.",
"[0050] FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of a reservoir suspension device of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.",
"[0051] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir suspension device taken along line 8 - 8 in FIG. 7 .",
"[0052] FIG. 9 is an in use illustrative view of an alternate embodiment aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention.",
"[0053] FIG. 10 is a side plane view of an alternate embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.",
"[0054] FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the alternate embodiment aircraft fire extinguishing system of the present invention.",
"[0055] FIG. 12 is side view of the Rain Creation Mechanism of the present invention.",
"[0056] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the Rain Creation Mechanism.",
"[0057] FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of the Suspended Water Reservoir with Swing.",
"[0058] FIG. 15 is an exploded back view of the Suspended Water Reservoir with Swing.",
"[0059] FIG. 16 is a side view of the Suspension Mechanism from the helicopter's hook.",
"[0060] FIG. 17 is a side and top view of the Suspension Mechanism from the helicopter's hook.",
"[0061] FIG. 18 is a side view of the “RAINSTORM”",
"system—Horizontal Phase (Journey).",
"[0062] FIG. 19 is a side view of the Replenishment Phase from sea, lake or river.",
"[0063] FIG. 20 is a side view of the Rainfall and Fire Fighting Phase.",
"[0064] FIG. 21 is a side view of the Rainfall and Fire Fighting Phase.",
"[0065] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0066] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-21 , an embodiment of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 .",
"[0000] The Water Reservoir with the Artificial Rain Creation Mechanism [0067] It is a cylindrical reservoir 12 , in the rear side of which the artificial rain creation and dousing mechanism is adapted.",
"The Schematic Diagrams of the Reservoir and the artificial rain creation mechanism 30 are shown in FIGS. 1-5 .",
"[0068] The dimensions of the reservoir 12 and its capacity are standardized in sizes respectively with the lifting capability of helicopters used for firefighting.",
"[0069] The reservoirs 12 are suspended from the helicopters 60 by means of three wire ropes—belts 68 , 70 , which are fixed, with couplers easy to dismantle, in three points of the reservoir 18 , 22 , in triangular arrangement, two coupling points 18 on the sides of reservoir 12 and the third 22 in its rear side.",
"[0070] The suspended reservoir 12 has two main components connected to each other with a watertight flange 34 , as follows: The Water Reservoir Unit 10 which is a cylindrical reservoir 12 , manufactured from material durable in marine water, having a powerful frame in order to withstand all load strains and vibrations caused by the various helicopter maneuvers especially during the dousing phase.",
"[0072] In the upper front compartment of the reservoir there is a specifically shaped and elevated intake orifice 14 used for the replenishment of the reservoir 12 with water, which, if required, opens and closes automatically during the three phases of operation of the reservoir 12 , i.e.: Water filling (Open), Transportation of water (Closed) and firefighting (Open).",
"[0073] The caudal reinforcing fin 20 is fixed in the upper rear side of the reservoir 12 .",
"This fin 20 retains the rain creation mechanism 30 from above, in the top of which exists the third point of suspension 22 .",
"[0000] The Rain Creation/Dousing Unit 30 , manufactured from stainless material, which includes: The Conical Pipe 32 which channels the water to the Hydraulic Mechanism 36 .",
"The Hydraulic Mechanism-Water Turbine 36 of the hollow propeller assembly 50 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 which is fitted with the bladed trunions 38 with ports 40 for channeling the pressurized water to the hollow propeller assembly 50 , and The hollow propeller assembly 50 , which consists of the hollow propeller 52 , that is water tightly connected to the trunions 38 of the Hydraulic Mechanism-Water Turbine 36 .",
"The hollow propeller 52 has sufficient number of nozzles 54 in each blade having the appropriate diameter, in order that in correlation with the speed and the flight height of the helicopter 60 , the desired diameter and density of the rain droplets in the umbrella 66 that will take shape in the dousing phase will be achieved, thus ensuring, after experimenting, the biggest firefighting result (Creation of Tables).",
"[0077] Note: The direction of water centrifugation can be combined with the helicopter propeller in order to obtain a better interaction.",
"[0078] The firefighting process with the RAINSTORM method includes the following stages, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C : Filling up of the Reservoir with Water ( FIG. 6A ).",
"This is achieved with the following ways: From the Sea, Lakes and rivers, as the current practice.",
"From manmade Reservoirs of large capacity, having a depth of at least 2.5 m, which either exist or will be constructed near specifically protected areas as: archaeological sites, open air theaters, zoos, gardens, mountains etc.",
"In the above two cases the helicopter 60 is flown over the supply source 62 and with the help of a winch, operated from within the helicopter 60 , the third wire rope 70 which is hooked to the caudal fin 20 is set into operation, lifting thus the tail of the reservoir 12 until its longitudinal axis reaches an angle of approx.",
"45° to the water level.",
"The helicopter 60 is then lowered progressively and the reservoir 12 sinks under its own weight, and starts to fill up from the wide orifice 14 located at the elevated front end.",
"As soon as the replenishment of the reservoir 12 is completed within a few seconds the caudal wire rope 70 is lifted, the reservoir 12 assumes the horizontal position, as best illustrated in FIG. 6B , the helicopter 60 is lifted and flies to the fire 64 .",
"In addition to the above mentioned methods, the RAINSTORM program gives the possibility to transport backup reservoirs 12 near the fire 64 , placing them in open areas (stadiums, fields etc.).",
"These backup reservoirs 12 will be filled up by water tank vehicles of the local authorities and/or private individuals.",
"In this way the helicopters will leave the empty reservoirs for replenishment and pick up in minimum time the filled ones in order to return very rapidly to the fire, thus multiplying the fire fighting force of the helicopters.",
"This is equivalent to a bigger helicopter fleet.",
"Flying to the Scene of Fire.",
"During this phase, the reservoir 12 is at the horizontal position, as best illustrated in FIG. 6B , in order not to waste any water during transportation from the filling orifice 14 , which is also equipped with a non return mechanism 16 , as well from the rain creating mechanism 30 which is located over the highest water level of the reservoir 12 .",
"Rain Creation and Fire Fighting.",
"As soon as the helicopter 60 approaches the scene of fire 64 and assumes the proper flight height, the caudal wire rope 70 is slackened until the reservoir 12 assumes the vertical position and the hollow propeller assembly 50 is horizontal, as best illustrated in FIG. 6C .",
"[0086] In this position, under the pressure of the, above water column, the Hydraulic Mechanism Water Turbine 36 is set into automatic operation simultaneously setting the propeller 52 into rotation, while at the same time the incoming water is channeled towards the counterbalancing nozzles 54 and dashes out through them with great momentum intensifying the propellers rotation, and contributing thus in the better centrifugation of water and in the enlargement of shaped rain umbrella 66 .",
"[0087] Note: The relative experiments will show which is the optimum number of nozzles, their diameter as well as the reservoir water drop duration, so that in function with the flight level and the helicopters speed, to achieve maximum firefighting results in the ground.",
"Fire Fighting Helicopter Method of Operation [0088] In order to have the best possible results in firefighting with the RAINSTORM method, the helicopters must operate in a Systematic Manner, depending on the pattern, the extend and the intensity of the fire.",
"[0089] The way of operation will be decided each time by the responsible person in charge of the Command and Control Center, according to the relative information reported.",
"[0090] As an example, when the front of the fire is relatively narrow, then the helicopters (2 or 3) will attempt one behind the other, maintaining a safety distance, and will fly in a row above the fire front.",
"If however the width of fire front is relatively wide, then the helicopters will fly in shapes, in such a way that the rain umbrellas will cover the whole fire front, for example, in triangular arrangement with one helicopter in front and two behind, or two helicopters in front and three behind and so on.",
"[0091] What has particular importance and must be enforced during all the air missions is the detailed coordination in order to achieve best results with minimum cost.",
"This of course must not go against all security measures, which must at any rate be applied in order to minimize possible disasters and loss of life.",
"[0092] As best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a reservoir suspension device 80 can be used to suspend and control the angle of the cylindrical reservoir from the aircraft 60 .",
"The reservoir suspension device 80 consists of a rectangular shaped frame or stretcher 82 which is removably connected to a hook 61 of the aircraft 60 .",
"The stretcher 82 has a general dimension of, but not limited to, 2.00 m (length)×1.00 m (width)×0.20 m (height).",
"The purpose of the stretcher 82 is to strap the three (3) belts 68 , 70 from which the cylindrical reservoir is suspended in a triangular arrangement.",
"[0093] The stretcher 82 is fitted with a 12V servomechanism or winch 84 , powered from within the aircraft 60 .",
"The servomechanism 84 is operated by means of a simple controller located in the aircraft's 60 cockpit.",
"[0094] The servomechanism 84 moves two parallel shafts 86 located on each side of the stretcher 82 .",
"One shaft includes drums 88 located at each end thereof with belts 68 wound therearound, and the other shaft includes one drum 88 with belt 70 wound therearound.",
"The belts 68 , 70 have a free end of approximately, but not limited to, 70-80 cm.",
"At the end of each belt 68 , 70 is included a fast coupler which connects the stretcher 82 with the cylindrical reservoir.",
"The belts 68 , 70 have an approximate length of, but not limited to, 10-12 m. [0095] This arrangement allows the rotation of the drums 88 of the stretcher 82 by means of approximately three (3) rotations of the servomechanism 84 .",
"This elevates and descends the belts 68 , 70 approximately, but not limited to, 70-80 cm, thereby tilting the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical reservoir ±45°, without shifting its center of gravity.",
"[0096] As best illustrated in FIG. 9 , the present invention can also be adapted to be used with aircrafts or helicopters 60 having a built-in liquid reservoir 102 .",
"A rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 includes rotating hollow propellers 92 for the centrifugation of water.",
"The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 has an immediate implementation with heavy fire fighting helicopters or aircrafts that possess a built-in liquid reservoir with a capacity, such as but not limited to, 3-15 m 3 .",
"In these cases only common industrial equipment can be used.",
"[0097] The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 further includes a reclined or retractable telescopic pipe 94 having a total length of approximately, but not limited to, 3.00 m. The pipe 94 is adapted to and in fluid communication with the helicopter's 60 reservoir, and at the end of which is fitted the hollow propellers 92 through a free rotating mechanism 96 that is in a substantially vertical position to the pipe 94 .",
"[0098] The rain creation mechanism and dousing unit 90 can be raised and lowered into position be a hydraulic mechanism 98 .",
"[0099] A water pump 100 is used to pump water or liquid from the built-in reservoir 102 to a first element of the telescopic pipe 94 , thus protracting the pipe and setting the hollow propellers 92 into rotation.",
"This rotation is accelerated by the downstream air of the helicopter's rotors.",
"[0100] A 12V servomechanism or winch 104 is fitted to the helicopter's floor.",
"A cable 106 connected and operated by the servomechanism 104 is connected to the end of the pipe 94 .",
"The cable 106 follows the movement of the pipe 94 during the extension phase, and retracts the pipe once the operation is complete.",
"[0101] FIGS. 10 and 11 best illustrates an alternate embodiment water reservoir and artificial rain creation mechanism 110 .",
"This embodiment includes a cylindrical reservoir 112 having an artificial rain creation and dousing mechanism located on a rear side thereof.",
"[0102] The dimensions of the reservoir 112 and its capacity are standardized in sizes respectively with the lifting capability of helicopters used for firefighting.",
"[0103] The reservoir 112 includes two pivoting suspension assemblies located adjacent to each end of the reservoir 112 .",
"Each suspension assembly includes a pair of pivoting suspension arms 116 located on opposite sides of the reservoir 112 .",
"Each pair of suspensions arms 116 include a cross arm 118 connected to the free ends of the suspension arms, as best illustrated in FIG. 11 .",
"[0104] One pair of suspension arms 116 are located at a front end of the reservoir and include a coupling point 120 located at the free ends of each suspension arm.",
"The other pair of suspension arms 116 includes a single coupling point 120 centrally located on said coupling arm 118 .",
"[0105] The reservoir 112 is suspended from the helicopters by means of three wire ropes or belts 68 , 70 , which are fixed with couplers to a corresponding coupling point 120 , thereby forming a triangular arrangement.",
"[0106] The reservoir 112 is manufactured from material durable in marine water, having a powerful frame in order to withstand all load strains and vibrations caused by the various helicopter maneuvers especially during the dousing phase.",
"The rear end of the reservoir 112 is an angled planar surface with an angle of approximately 45°.",
"[0107] In an upper front compartment of the reservoir 112 there is a specifically shaped and elevated intake orifice featuring a valve 114 used for the replenishment of the reservoir 112 with water.",
"The valve 114 opens and closes automatically during the three phases of operation of the reservoir 112 by way of a spring or line 122 connected to the cross arm 118 of the front end located suspension arms 116 .",
"Thus, when the front end suspension arms 116 are pivoted in one direction, the spring 122 is pulled thereby opening the valve 114 .",
"[0108] The water reservoir and artificial rain creation mechanism 110 further includes a rain creation and dousing unit, manufactured from stainless material.",
"The rain creation and dousing unit includes an angled conical pipe 124 which channels the water to a hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 , and a hollow propeller assembly 50 .",
"The pipe 124 is parallel with the angle of the rear end of the reservoir 112 .",
"[0109] The hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 is fitted with the ported bladed trunions for channeling the pressurized water to the hollow propeller assembly 50 .",
"The hollow propeller assembly 50 includes a plurality of propellers each with multiple nozzles each having an appropriate diameter to form a rain umbrella that will take shape in the dousing phase.",
"The hollow propeller assembly 50 is water tightly connected and in fluid communication with the hydraulic mechanism and water turbine 36 , and is angle so as to be parallel with the angle of the rear end of the reservoir 112 .",
"[0110] The Rain Creation Mechanism ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), consists of a conical pipe 141 which receives the water from the reservoir's upper aft side, and drives it to a hollow shaft whirl 142 .",
"On this hollow shaft 143 , which at this phase is in a vertical position and between its fins 144 , there are windows through which the water enters into the hollow shaft and it is then directed to the twin blade hollow propeller 146 , which is firmly connected with the whirl's axis and turns alongside with it.",
"[0111] Each blade has at its back side, a set of nozzles in counter position (5-10 on each blade) 147 , and have a rectangular cross section.",
"The water is centrifuged and exits the nozzles with high pressure creating a rain umbrella, thus contributing to the rotation of the hollow shaft.",
"(Whirl phenomenon of the ancient Greek inventor Heron of Alexandria).",
"[0112] Note: Since the rotational speed of the hollow shaft depends, among other things, to the water level inside the reservoir, the installation of a 12 V DC motor 148 is foreseen at the other end (closed end) of the whirl's shaft.",
"This contributes in the creation of a uniform rain umbrella, regardless of the water quantity available inside the reservoir.",
"[0113] The RAINSTORM suspended reservoir ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ).",
"This is an elongated symmetrical reservoir, made of plastic, metallic or a combination of both materials, in order to reduce weight (to the benefit of firefighting liquid), and at the same time possess high mechanical strength in order to withstand the expected oscillations during helicopter flight and touch downs.",
"[0114] Following appropriate design, a combined material construction was chosen for the reservoir, with metallic frame 151 and plastic outer casing 152 and cover 153 .",
"Furthermore the swing, on which the reservoir will be safely fixed, has robust metal construction 154 .",
"Four common chains will be fixed in cross shape at the upper side of the swing, and which will connect/disconnect via fast couplers to the respective ends (ring joints) of the stretcher.",
"[0115] At the upper front side of the reservoir, a rectangular intake manifold is fitted 155 , used for water intake.",
"Water can be used from different sources, so the manifold is fitted with a mechanical screen 156 in order to avoid solids entering the reservoir.",
"An opening at the top of the intake manifold ensures atmospheric pressure inside the reservoir 157 .",
"[0116] At the back side of the reservoir and at an inclination angle of 45° the rain creation mechanism is fitted.",
"[0117] The swing 154 .",
"It is a robust metallic lattice construction, on which the complete system of the reservoir together with the rain creation mechanism will be belt strapped.",
"At its upper side there are 4 points/rings A 1 , A 2 , A 3 &",
"A 4 where the chains coming from the respective rings of the stretcher will be connected via fast couplers.",
"The selection of chains was made due to their unique capability to collapse to the ground during the helicopter's touchdown.",
"[0118] The suspension stretcher ( FIGS. 16 and 17 ).",
"The suspension stretcher is a strong rectangular metal frame 161 , with indicative dimensions of 2.00×0.20×0.15 (m) (L×D>H).",
"The stretcher will have a steel shaft 162 running laterally at its middle where the helicopter's hook 163 will be fastened.",
"In this way the helicopter's touchdown will not be hindered, even when the stretcher is fitted.",
"(When the reservoir touches the ground, the helicopter lands next to it).",
"The suspension stretcher is fixed into the helicopter's under side via 4 cylindrical metal beakers 164 placed in a square layout (0.50×0.50 m), with elastic heads (suction heads), which are mechanically lifted and come in full contact with the helicopter's underside, thus making a solid connection.",
"[0119] At both ends of the stretcher there are 2 parallel steel shafts 165 , on which 4 sprocket wheels are fitted (just like the wheels on a small car) 166 .",
"These parallel shafts are bridged with 2 parallel chains 167 , one on each side (left and right) of the helicopter's hook.",
"At the end side of one of the shafts, a 12 V DC servomechanism 168 is fitted and electrically fed by the helicopter's electrical system.",
"[0120] The ends of the two chains running from each shaft are connected with a metal rod 169 , at an approximate length of 1.00 m below the sprocket wheels.",
"At the middle of this rod there is a ring (suspension points A 3 , A 4 ), where the chains connecting the respective rings (A 3 , A 4 ) of the swing are coupled via fast couplers.",
"[0121] The suspension stretcher's central shaft length is the same as the reservoir swing's width.",
"It has two rings at both ends (suspension points A 1 , A 2 ) where the two main chains of constant length are fitted, and which are connected respectively to the suspension points A 1 , A 2 of the swing.",
"These rings are designed and fitted on either side (left and right) of the filled to capacity reservoir's center of gravity.",
"This design provides, through the operation of the servomechanism, the capability to provide the required inclination to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir (−45°, 0°, +45°), thus always maintaining the suspended system's center of gravity at a constant height.",
"Operation of the Rainstorm System [0122] Filling the reservoir with water.",
"This can be achieved with the following methods: [0123] a. On the ground by means of water tankers, or fire hydrants, via the elevated intake manifold on top of the reservoir 157 ( FIG. 18 ).",
"[0124] b. By sea, lake or river.",
"In these cases, once the helicopter reaches the replenishment source the pilot controlling the servomechanism of the suspension stretcher tilts the front side of the reservoir at an inclination of −45°, and slowly approaches the water level ( FIG. 19 ).",
"[0125] The reservoir is then slowly immersed into the water, with the intake manifold at its open position.",
"The reservoir begins to immerse on its own weight (approx.",
"350-400 kg), and the immersion process is completed when the rain creation mechanism is also fully under water.",
"This stage continues and the reservoir is “surfing”",
"under water for approximately 10-20 sec, until the reservoir is filled to capacity (the intake manifold has dimensions of 0.30×0.30 m).",
"The controlling servomechanism then begins to level the reservoir, the intake manifold closes automatically, and the helicopter transports the filled reservoir to the fire at a steady speed.",
"[0126] Fire Fighting.",
"The pilot, once he reaches the fire, assesses the situation and decides on the course of action.",
"He selects the flight level and by controlling the servomechanism the reservoir is tilted at an inclination of +45°, at which point the rain creation mechanism and the hollow propeller assume a horizontal position ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ).",
"At this phase the water flows downwards and sets the whirl along with the twin blade hollow propeller into motion, thus spreading and centrifuging the water, which dashes out from the two sets of counter placed nozzles.",
"This effect creates a parabolic rain umbrella 174 ( FIG. 21 ).",
"This is further enhanced by the continuous downstream 172 ( FIG. 21 ) created by the helicopter's main rotor.",
"The helicopter's downstream forces into the rain umbrella, creating further swirl, homogenizing even further the rain fall and pushes it towards the fire.",
"[0127] Note: When the hollow propeller reaches the horizontal position, the auxiliary 12 V DC motor 148 ( FIG. 21 ) is automatically set into operation in order to maintain a constant rotational speed of the hollow propeller.",
"This will ensure that the rain umbrella created is as homogeneous as possible.",
"[0128] It is understood that, depending on the situation, the pilot can suspend and resume the creation of rain, having in mind the total time in seconds available before the reservoir is emptied.",
"[0129] Note: The “RAINSTORM”",
"system has been studied and designed as an integrated, unified and indivisible system.",
"All of its subsystems operate flawlessly with each other, in order to achieve the creation of artificial rain with the required characteristics, leading to the fastest, safest and most economical way to achieve the Maximum Fire Fighting Result.",
"[0130] While embodiments of the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.",
"With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.",
"And although extinguishing fires using aircraft have been described, it should be appreciated that the aircraft fire extinguishing system and method herein described is also suitable for dispensing substances, such as but not limited to, insecticide, herbicide, fertilizer or seeds onto the ground from an aircraft.",
"[0131] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.",
"Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention."
] |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a Schottky barrier diode and a manufacturing method therefor, and more particular to a low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and a manufacturing method therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recently, Schottky barrier diodes have been extensively used in a DC-DC converter, a VRM (voltage regulator module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger. Please refer to FIG. 1 which shows a schematic structure view of a conventional Schottky barrier diode. As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing method of the Schottky barrier diode (SBD) includes forming a barrier metal layer 12 followed by depositing a metal layer 11 on a silicon chip 10 . The simulation result of a current distribution in the forward conduction mode in the conventional SBD is shown in FIG. 2.
[0003] Among all the applications, the SBD is required to provide a low forward voltage drop, low power consumption, and a low leakage current. In order to meet these demands, the forward voltage drop of the SBD must be reduced under a specific operation current range. At the same time, the reverse leakage current thereof can not be increased when a reverse bias is applied. At the present, there are two important methods which are widely used for reducing the forward voltage drop. One is to increase the size of the chip, so as to increase the surface area of the SBD. As the result, the forward voltage drop of the SBD can be reduced for a given current. However, this method also increases the cost of the chip. The other method is to use a barrier metal with a low barrier height, but it will increase the leakage current of the device. It also reduces the reverse blocking voltage of the device and degrades the performance of the device at high temperature. Moreover, the development of a new barrier metallization process is a time consuming procedure due to the sophisticated chemistry and metallurgy at the metal and silicon interface. Furthermore, from the manufacturer's viewpoint, it would be a risk to change the barrier metal because some negative effect might be introduced to the manufacturing control and the product yield, as well as contamination control in the fabrication.
[0004] In addition, in some applications, such as the non-insulated synchronization converter and the insulated DC/DC converter, the SBD therein are often integrated with the MOSEFT to improve the efficiency of the electronic system. Please refer to FIGS. 3 ˜ 5 which are respectively schematic views of the conventional monolithically integrations of the SBD and the MOSEFT. However, these conventional schemes only provide a limited forward voltage drop reduction due to the limitation of silicon surface area.
[0005] Because of the technical limitations and poor electrical performances described above, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop “low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and manufacturing method therefor” through wholehearted experience and research.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a Schottky barrier diode which can provide a low forward voltage drop and manufacturing method therefor.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode which can achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metal and the metallization mechanism and also can achieve a better trade-off between the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage through an optimized association of the size of the puckered structure and the depth of the unit trench.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a SBD structure which has a more efficient forward current conduction than conventional ones.
[0009] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an integrated structure of a SBD and a MOSFET having the characteristics of low impedance, low forward voltage drop, and an improved body-diode reverse recovery for improving the efficiency of the total electric equipment.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a Schottky barrier diode includes steps of providing a substrate, forming plural trenches on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the substrate having plural trenches thereon to form a barrier metal layer between the substrate and the top surface metal layer for forming the Schottky barrier diode.
[0011] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.
[0012] Preferably, the substrate further comprises a diode.
[0013] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.
[0014] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is applied to an electrical circuit.
[0015] Certainly, the electrical circuit can be one selected from a group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a Schottky barrier diode structure includes a substrate with plural trenches, a metal layer formed on the substrate with plural trenches thereon, and a barrier metal layer formed between the substrate and the top surface metal layer to increase a surface contact area of the Schottky barrier diode through plural trenches.
[0017] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.
[0018] Preferably, the substrate further comprises a diode.
[0019] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.
[0020] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is applied in an electrical circuit.
[0021] Certainly, the electrical circuit can be one selected from a group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger.
[0022] In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, an integrated structure for being applied in a power semiconductor device includes a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) and a Schottky barrier diode. The Schottky barrier diode includes a substrate having plural trenches, a metal layer formed on the substrate having plural trenches thereon, and a barrier metal layer formed between the substrate and the metal layer to increase a surface contact area of the Schottky barrier diode through plural trenches.
[0023] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.
[0024] Preferably, the substrate further includes a diode.
[0025] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.
[0026] The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] [0027]FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure view of a conventional SBD;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 2 shows the forward conduction current distribution of the conventional SBD;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 3 shows a first schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 4 shows a second schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;
[0031] [0031]FIG. 5 shows a third schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;
[0032] [0032]FIG. 6 shows a schematic structure view of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0033] [0033]FIG. 7 shows a plot of the forward voltage drop and the reverse breakdown voltage vs. the spacing between two unit cells in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0034] [0034]FIG. 8 shows a first schematic simulation view of the electrostatic potential lines of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0035] [0035]FIG. 9 shows a second schematic simulation view of the electrostatic potential lines of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0036] [0036]FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the simulated forward current profiles of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;
[0037] [0037]FIG. 11 shows a schematic structure view of the integration of the SBD and the MOSFET in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and
[0038] [0038]FIG. 12 shows a schematic structure view of the integration of the SBD and the MOSFET in another preferred embodiment according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0040] The present invention is related to the structure of the SBD (Schottky Barrier Diode) and the manufacturing method therefor to achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metal and the metallization mechanism of SBD.
[0041] Please refer to FIG. 6 illustrating a SBD schematic structure view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, it shows the manufacturing method of the SBD. Firstly, a silicon chip 60 is etched to form plural trenches 61 , wherein the silicon chip 60 could be to be silicon or silicon carbon. Then, the barrier metal layer 63 of the SBD will be formed on the puckered surface of the silicon chip 60 , followed by depositing a top metal layer 62 . Thus the whole contact surface area of the SBD is enlarged, but the horizontal dimension of the element doesn't have to increase at the same time. For instance, supposing the surface contact area of the conventional SBD in FIG. 1 is W*Z, thus that of the present invention will become (W+n*HT*2)*Z, wherein Z is the width of the element, HT is the depth of the trenches, and n is a number of the puckered structures of the repeated plural units in a limited horizontal length W. As shown in FIG. 6, n equals to W/(WT+WM), wherein WT is the width of the trench, and WM is the measured width of each unit (the distance of each two trenches). Therefore, the surface contact area of the SBD will be increased through utilizing a smaller unit puckered structure (WT+WM) and a deeper trench HT. Consequently, a super low forward voltage drop SBD can be obtained in this way.
[0042] The result described above can be simulated and verified by computer simulations. For example, FIG. 7 shows a plot of the forward voltage drop and the reverse breakdown voltage for a trench 61 with a 0.5 μm depth. When a unit puckered structure is changed from 4 μm to 0.25 μm, the difference of the forward voltage drop can be obtained to be 50 mV Furthermore, the smaller the unit structure trench contained in the element, the higher the breakdown voltage of the element. That is because, in the element structure of the new SBD, the electric field is mostly intensive at the bottom corners of the trench. Compared with the prior arts, this phenomenon causes the reduction of the breakdown voltage of the element. However, the smaller the used unit puckered, the shorter the distance between each two trenches. Therefore, the electrical shielding effect between each two adjacent trenches becomes more significant. It results in less electric field concentrated at the bottom of the trench and thereby improves the breakdown voltage of the element. For proving this, a new SBD with respectively 6.0 μm and 1.0 μm puckered structures each of which has a trench depth of 1.5 μm are simulated to study their breakdown characteristics. In the SBD with 6.0 μm puckered structure, the breakdown voltage of the element is about 28 V, where the equal potential line of the electrostatic energy is shown in FIG. 8. In the SBD with 1.0 μm puckered structure, the breakdown voltage of the element is about 36 V, where the equal potential line of the electrostatic energy is shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 8 & 9 obviously show that, in the SBD with the trench puckered structure, because of the shielding effect between two adjacent trenches, the smaller unit puckered structures will have less electric field concentration at the trench bottom corners than the larger one. The best distribution of the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage can be achieved through the best association of the size of the unit puckered structure and the depth of the trench.
[0043] In addition, the current distribution in the SBD according to the present invention is obviously different from that in the prior art. FIGS. 2 and 10 are respectively the simulation results showing the current distribution of the conventional and the new SBD. Compared these two figures, the SBD according to the present invention provides a more efficient current distribution than the conventional one.
[0044] In some applications, such as non-insulated synchronization converter and insulated DC/DC converter, the SBD therein are often integrated with the MOSEFT to improve the performance of the electric equipment. Now, it can be replaced by using the new SBD disclosed in this invention to integrate with the MOSFET. As the results, the new integrated device achieves more efficient silicon utilization and provides low impedance, low forward voltage drop, and an improved reverse recovery characteristic.
[0045] Please refer to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows the schematic cross sectional view of the integration of SBD and MOSFET with the trench-gated structure. As shown in FIG. 11, the SBD replaces the conventional SBD in the integration structure in FIGS. 3 and 4. Furthermore, comparing with the integration structure in FIG. 4, FIG. 12 shows the replacement of the conventional SBD by the SBD in the present invention. According to this, the integration structure can produce a silicon application with low impedance and a low forward voltage drop as well as an improved body-diode of the power MOSFET, for improving the efficiency of the electric equipment.
[0046] Also, the electric field concentration at the bottom of the trench in the SBD of the integrated element will be further reduced. That is because the P/N junctions provide an additional shielding effect.
[0047] In view of the aforesaid, the super low forward voltage drop SBD and the manufacturing method therefor disclosed in the present invention provides a low forward voltage drop SBD which can achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metallization mechanism and also can achieve a better trade-off between the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage through a best association of the size of the puckered structure and the depth of the trench. Moreover, the present invention also provides a SBD structure which has a more efficient current distribution than conventional ones.
[0048] While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. | A new low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and its manufacturing method are provided. The method includes steps of providing a substrate, forming plural trenches on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the substrate having plural trenches thereon to form a barrier metal layer between the substrate and the surface metal layer for forming the Schottky barrier diode. | Summarize the key points of the given patent document. | [
"FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a Schottky barrier diode and a manufacturing method therefor, and more particular to a low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and a manufacturing method therefor.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recently, Schottky barrier diodes have been extensively used in a DC-DC converter, a VRM (voltage regulator module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger.",
"Please refer to FIG. 1 which shows a schematic structure view of a conventional Schottky barrier diode.",
"As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing method of the Schottky barrier diode (SBD) includes forming a barrier metal layer 12 followed by depositing a metal layer 11 on a silicon chip 10 .",
"The simulation result of a current distribution in the forward conduction mode in the conventional SBD is shown in FIG. 2. [0003] Among all the applications, the SBD is required to provide a low forward voltage drop, low power consumption, and a low leakage current.",
"In order to meet these demands, the forward voltage drop of the SBD must be reduced under a specific operation current range.",
"At the same time, the reverse leakage current thereof can not be increased when a reverse bias is applied.",
"At the present, there are two important methods which are widely used for reducing the forward voltage drop.",
"One is to increase the size of the chip, so as to increase the surface area of the SBD.",
"As the result, the forward voltage drop of the SBD can be reduced for a given current.",
"However, this method also increases the cost of the chip.",
"The other method is to use a barrier metal with a low barrier height, but it will increase the leakage current of the device.",
"It also reduces the reverse blocking voltage of the device and degrades the performance of the device at high temperature.",
"Moreover, the development of a new barrier metallization process is a time consuming procedure due to the sophisticated chemistry and metallurgy at the metal and silicon interface.",
"Furthermore, from the manufacturer's viewpoint, it would be a risk to change the barrier metal because some negative effect might be introduced to the manufacturing control and the product yield, as well as contamination control in the fabrication.",
"[0004] In addition, in some applications, such as the non-insulated synchronization converter and the insulated DC/DC converter, the SBD therein are often integrated with the MOSEFT to improve the efficiency of the electronic system.",
"Please refer to FIGS. 3 ˜ 5 which are respectively schematic views of the conventional monolithically integrations of the SBD and the MOSEFT.",
"However, these conventional schemes only provide a limited forward voltage drop reduction due to the limitation of silicon surface area.",
"[0005] Because of the technical limitations and poor electrical performances described above, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop “low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and manufacturing method therefor”",
"through wholehearted experience and research.",
"SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a Schottky barrier diode which can provide a low forward voltage drop and manufacturing method therefor.",
"[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode which can achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metal and the metallization mechanism and also can achieve a better trade-off between the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage through an optimized association of the size of the puckered structure and the depth of the unit trench.",
"[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a SBD structure which has a more efficient forward current conduction than conventional ones.",
"[0009] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an integrated structure of a SBD and a MOSFET having the characteristics of low impedance, low forward voltage drop, and an improved body-diode reverse recovery for improving the efficiency of the total electric equipment.",
"[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a Schottky barrier diode includes steps of providing a substrate, forming plural trenches on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the substrate having plural trenches thereon to form a barrier metal layer between the substrate and the top surface metal layer for forming the Schottky barrier diode.",
"[0011] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.",
"[0012] Preferably, the substrate further comprises a diode.",
"[0013] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.",
"[0014] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is applied to an electrical circuit.",
"[0015] Certainly, the electrical circuit can be one selected from a group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger.",
"[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a Schottky barrier diode structure includes a substrate with plural trenches, a metal layer formed on the substrate with plural trenches thereon, and a barrier metal layer formed between the substrate and the top surface metal layer to increase a surface contact area of the Schottky barrier diode through plural trenches.",
"[0017] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.",
"[0018] Preferably, the substrate further comprises a diode.",
"[0019] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.",
"[0020] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is applied in an electrical circuit.",
"[0021] Certainly, the electrical circuit can be one selected from a group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), a telecom/server, an adaptor, and a charger.",
"[0022] In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, an integrated structure for being applied in a power semiconductor device includes a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) and a Schottky barrier diode.",
"The Schottky barrier diode includes a substrate having plural trenches, a metal layer formed on the substrate having plural trenches thereon, and a barrier metal layer formed between the substrate and the metal layer to increase a surface contact area of the Schottky barrier diode through plural trenches.",
"[0023] Preferably, the Schottky barrier diode is a low voltage Schottky barrier diode.",
"[0024] Preferably, the substrate further includes a diode.",
"[0025] Preferably, the substrate is made of one of silicon and silicon carbide material.",
"[0026] The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] [0027 ]FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure view of a conventional SBD;",
"[0028] [0028 ]FIG. 2 shows the forward conduction current distribution of the conventional SBD;",
"[0029] [0029 ]FIG. 3 shows a first schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;",
"[0030] [0030 ]FIG. 4 shows a second schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;",
"[0031] [0031 ]FIG. 5 shows a third schematic structure view of the conventional integration of the SBD and the MOSFET;",
"[0032] [0032 ]FIG. 6 shows a schematic structure view of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"[0033] [0033 ]FIG. 7 shows a plot of the forward voltage drop and the reverse breakdown voltage vs.",
"the spacing between two unit cells in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"[0034] [0034 ]FIG. 8 shows a first schematic simulation view of the electrostatic potential lines of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"[0035] [0035 ]FIG. 9 shows a second schematic simulation view of the electrostatic potential lines of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"[0036] [0036 ]FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the simulated forward current profiles of the SBD in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"[0037] [0037 ]FIG. 11 shows a schematic structure view of the integration of the SBD and the MOSFET in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;",
"and [0038] [0038 ]FIG. 12 shows a schematic structure view of the integration of the SBD and the MOSFET in another preferred embodiment according to the present invention.",
"DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0039] The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments.",
"It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only;",
"it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.",
"[0040] The present invention is related to the structure of the SBD (Schottky Barrier Diode) and the manufacturing method therefor to achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metal and the metallization mechanism of SBD.",
"[0041] Please refer to FIG. 6 illustrating a SBD schematic structure view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.",
"As shown in FIG. 6, it shows the manufacturing method of the SBD.",
"Firstly, a silicon chip 60 is etched to form plural trenches 61 , wherein the silicon chip 60 could be to be silicon or silicon carbon.",
"Then, the barrier metal layer 63 of the SBD will be formed on the puckered surface of the silicon chip 60 , followed by depositing a top metal layer 62 .",
"Thus the whole contact surface area of the SBD is enlarged, but the horizontal dimension of the element doesn't have to increase at the same time.",
"For instance, supposing the surface contact area of the conventional SBD in FIG. 1 is W*Z, thus that of the present invention will become (W+n*HT*2)*Z, wherein Z is the width of the element, HT is the depth of the trenches, and n is a number of the puckered structures of the repeated plural units in a limited horizontal length W. As shown in FIG. 6, n equals to W/(WT+WM), wherein WT is the width of the trench, and WM is the measured width of each unit (the distance of each two trenches).",
"Therefore, the surface contact area of the SBD will be increased through utilizing a smaller unit puckered structure (WT+WM) and a deeper trench HT.",
"Consequently, a super low forward voltage drop SBD can be obtained in this way.",
"[0042] The result described above can be simulated and verified by computer simulations.",
"For example, FIG. 7 shows a plot of the forward voltage drop and the reverse breakdown voltage for a trench 61 with a 0.5 μm depth.",
"When a unit puckered structure is changed from 4 μm to 0.25 μm, the difference of the forward voltage drop can be obtained to be 50 mV Furthermore, the smaller the unit structure trench contained in the element, the higher the breakdown voltage of the element.",
"That is because, in the element structure of the new SBD, the electric field is mostly intensive at the bottom corners of the trench.",
"Compared with the prior arts, this phenomenon causes the reduction of the breakdown voltage of the element.",
"However, the smaller the used unit puckered, the shorter the distance between each two trenches.",
"Therefore, the electrical shielding effect between each two adjacent trenches becomes more significant.",
"It results in less electric field concentrated at the bottom of the trench and thereby improves the breakdown voltage of the element.",
"For proving this, a new SBD with respectively 6.0 μm and 1.0 μm puckered structures each of which has a trench depth of 1.5 μm are simulated to study their breakdown characteristics.",
"In the SBD with 6.0 μm puckered structure, the breakdown voltage of the element is about 28 V, where the equal potential line of the electrostatic energy is shown in FIG. 8. In the SBD with 1.0 μm puckered structure, the breakdown voltage of the element is about 36 V, where the equal potential line of the electrostatic energy is shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 8 &",
"9 obviously show that, in the SBD with the trench puckered structure, because of the shielding effect between two adjacent trenches, the smaller unit puckered structures will have less electric field concentration at the trench bottom corners than the larger one.",
"The best distribution of the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage can be achieved through the best association of the size of the unit puckered structure and the depth of the trench.",
"[0043] In addition, the current distribution in the SBD according to the present invention is obviously different from that in the prior art.",
"FIGS. 2 and 10 are respectively the simulation results showing the current distribution of the conventional and the new SBD.",
"Compared these two figures, the SBD according to the present invention provides a more efficient current distribution than the conventional one.",
"[0044] In some applications, such as non-insulated synchronization converter and insulated DC/DC converter, the SBD therein are often integrated with the MOSEFT to improve the performance of the electric equipment.",
"Now, it can be replaced by using the new SBD disclosed in this invention to integrate with the MOSFET.",
"As the results, the new integrated device achieves more efficient silicon utilization and provides low impedance, low forward voltage drop, and an improved reverse recovery characteristic.",
"[0045] Please refer to FIG. 11.",
"FIG. 11 shows the schematic cross sectional view of the integration of SBD and MOSFET with the trench-gated structure.",
"As shown in FIG. 11, the SBD replaces the conventional SBD in the integration structure in FIGS. 3 and 4.",
"Furthermore, comparing with the integration structure in FIG. 4, FIG. 12 shows the replacement of the conventional SBD by the SBD in the present invention.",
"According to this, the integration structure can produce a silicon application with low impedance and a low forward voltage drop as well as an improved body-diode of the power MOSFET, for improving the efficiency of the electric equipment.",
"[0046] Also, the electric field concentration at the bottom of the trench in the SBD of the integrated element will be further reduced.",
"That is because the P/N junctions provide an additional shielding effect.",
"[0047] In view of the aforesaid, the super low forward voltage drop SBD and the manufacturing method therefor disclosed in the present invention provides a low forward voltage drop SBD which can achieve a super low forward voltage without changing the metallization mechanism and also can achieve a better trade-off between the forward voltage drop and the breakdown voltage through a best association of the size of the puckered structure and the depth of the trench.",
"Moreover, the present invention also provides a SBD structure which has a more efficient current distribution than conventional ones.",
"[0048] While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment.",
"On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures."
] |
This is division of application Ser. No. 170,506 filed July 21, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,310 which is a division of application Ser. No. 960,987, filed Nov. 15, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,783.
This invention relates to novel 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio heterocycles and derivatives thereof as well as their use in compositions and methods for reducing herbicidal injury. More specifically, the invention relates to novel compositions and methods for reducing injury to crop plants by herbicides such as thiocarbamates and acetanilides, which comprises treating the crop plant locus or the seed of the crop plant with an effective amount of compounds which will be described more fully below.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Herbicides are widely used to control weed growth in growing crop plants. Unchecked weed growth is detrimental to the crop plant because weeds compete with crop plants for light, water and various nutrients. This can result in lower crop yields as well as poorer crop quality. The presence of weeds in a growing crop also interferes with the cultivation and harvesting of the crop plant. Among the commercially available herbicides, thiocarbamates and acetanilides have proven to be effective in controlling various weed pests. Unfortunately, thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides can also cause serious injury to some crop plants at application rates necessary to stunt or kill weeds. A compound or composition which protects the crop plant from the action of the herbicide, without reducing the herbicidal effectiveness against the weed to be controlled, would be beneficial.
Compounds which are useful in reducing or eliminating crop injury are variously referred to by those skilled in the art as antidotes, safeners or antagonistic agents. It has been found that certain 2-imino derivatives of 1,3-dithiolane, 1,3-dithiole, 1,3-dithiane, 1,3-dithietane and 1,3-oxathiole are effective safening agents. Certain of these compounds are known in the art; the following patents are representative of the art in this area.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,365 discloses 2-imino-4-alkalidene-1,3-dithiolanes and teaches that said compounds are useful as insecticides, acaricides and nematocides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,366 discloses 2-amino-4,5-substituted-1,3-dithioles which are useful as insecticides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,148 discloses processes for preparing substituted 1,3-dithioles, 1,3-dithianes, 1,3-dithiolanes and the salts thereof which are intermediates in the preparation of phoshorylated imino compounds. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,189,429 and 3,139,439 disclose the preparation and herbicidal use of the halide salts of 2-dialkylamino-1,3-dithiolane derivatives. British Pat. No. 1,367,862 discloses substituted phenyl-2-imino-1,3-dithietanes which are chemosterilants of adult female Ixodides. U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,532 discloses 2-(o-tolyl)imino-1,3-dithioles which are Ixodides. None of the above patents teach or suggest that the substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio heterocyclic compounds of the present invention would be useful as herbicidal antidotes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that various crop plants can be protected against the herbicidal action of thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides, without a corresponding reduction in injury to the weeds, by the application to the crop plant locus or the seed of the crop plant prior to planting of an effective safening amount of a compound having the formula
R-N=A
or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or ##STR1## R 1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; X and Y independently equal hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; A is ##STR2## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; R 3 is hydrogen or halogen; R 4 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl; Z is oxygen or sulfur; provided that when n is 1 and A is ##STR3## R 1 cannot equal ethyl and when n is 1 and A is ##STR4## R 1 cannot equal n-propyl or isobutyl.
It is believed that compounds described by the above formula are novel except where R equals hydrogen, where A equals ##STR5## or where A equals ##STR6## and n equals 0.
Preferred compounds employed in the invention are those in which R is ##STR7## and A is ##STR8## Among the above-described preferred compounds, the most preferred are those in which R 1 is methyl and X and Y are hydrogen.
As used herein the term "lower alkyl" includes those members including straight and branched chain, having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms inclusive, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl and the like. The term "lower alkoxy" includes straight and branched chain members having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and the like. The term "halogen" or "halo" is understood to include chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine atoms, preferably chlorine.
The agriculturally acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of the foregoing formula are derived from "strong acids" which is understood herein to mean those inorganic and organic acids having a dissociation constant equal to or greater than about 5×10 -2 , for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, tri-halogenated acetic acid, oxalic acid and the like. Preferred salts are those derived from the hydrohalic acids, especially hydrochloric acid.
"Antidote", "safener" or "antagonistic agent" when used herein, refer to compounds which counteract the herbicidal action of a herbicide on a crop plant thereby reducing or eliminating injury to the crop plant without reducing the effectiveness of the herbicide against the weed(s) to be controlled.
The "antidotes" of the present invention are particularly advantageous for cereal crop plants of the grass family (Gramineae), for example, oats, wheat, barley, rye, corn, rice and sorghum, preferably rice, sorghum and wheat.
Exemplary of the thiocarbamate herbicides useful herein is S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-(2,3-dichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-ethyl diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate and the like. The antidotes of the present invention are preferentially employed as safeners for S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, commonly known as triallate.
Exemplary of the acetanilide herbicides is 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide, commonly known as alachlor, 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(butoxymethyl)acetanilide, commonly known as butachlor, 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide, commonly known as propachlor, and the like. Among the acetanilide herbicides, the antidotes of the present invention are preferentially employed as safening agents for alachlor and butachlor.
The amount of safening agent employed in the methods and compositions of the invention will vary depending upon the particular herbicide with which the agent is employed, the rate of application of the herbicide, the crop to be protected as well as the manner of application of the safening agent. In each instance, the amount employed is a safening effective amount, i.e., the amount which reduces crop injury by thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides.
The safening agent may be applied to the plant locus in a mixture with the herbicide, sequentially, or it may be applied directly to the seed of the crop plant. By application to the "plant locus" is meant application to the plant growing medium, such as the soil, as well as the seeds, emerging seedlings, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits or other plant parts.
The amount of herbicide employed is well within the skill of the art and is disclosed in various patents. Alachlor and butachlor and their herbicidal use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,442,945 and 3,547,620. Propachlor and its herbicidal use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,863,752 and Re. No. 26,961. Triallate and diallate and their herbicidal use are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,330,643 and 3,330,821. Additionally, as is well known by those skilled in the art, the labels of commercially available thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides contain a complete description of the amount of herbicide to be employed to control the desired weed(s).
PREPARATION OF THE COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION
The substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithio- and oxathioheterocycles of the present invention are sulfur containing heterocycles generally known in the art as 1,3-dithiolanes, 1,3-dithioles, 1,3-dithianes, 1,3-oxathioles and 1,3-dithietanes.
The 1,3-dithiolanes of the invention are prepared according to several methods. The substituted 2-imino-4-dichloromethylene-1,3-dithiolanes may be prepared by cyclizing the appropriate 2,3,3-trihaloallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate in the presence of a suitable solvent, for example, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform or toluene. When 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate is used, the reaction may be graphically illustrated as: ##STR9## Substituted 2-imino-4-methylene-1,3-dithiolanes may be prepared by reacting an amine, such as α-methylbenzylamine with an alkynyl halide containing 3 or 4 carbon atoms. The reaction may be graphically illustrated as ##STR10## These compounds may also be prepared by reacting approximately equimolar quantities of a substituted 2-propynyl dithiocarbamate with a non-oxidizing strong acid, such as hydrochloric. The overall reaction may be graphically written as: ##STR11##
The substituted 2-imino-4-methyl-1,3-dithioles may be prepared by reacting chloroallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate with a non-oxidizing strong acid, such as hydrochloric or hydroiodic, etc. The reaction may be carried out in an inert inorganic or organic medium such as water, alcohol or a mixture of the same. It is generally preferably to employ an excess of acid.
The reaction may be illustrated as follows: ##STR12##
The substituted 2-imino-1,3-oxathioles of the invention may be prepared by reacting approximately equimolar portions of 1-substituted-3,3-dimethylthiourea and an appropriate halogenated aldehyde or ketone in an inert solvent such as dioxane, acetone, tetrahydrofuran and the like.
The reaction may be illustrated as: ##STR13##
The substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithianes of the invention may be prepared according to the following general reaction: ##STR14##
The preparation of the 1,3-dithietanes of the invention was carried out according to procedures known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,842,096, 3,928,382 and 3,954,801, herein incorporated by reference.
It will be recognized that the agriculturally acceptable salt of the above-described compounds is easily neutralized to form the free bases by the addition of a sufficient neutralizing amount of organic or inorganic base; contemplated, for example, are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, triethyl amine and sodium acetate.
To facilitate a further understanding of the present invention, the following illustrative examples are presented which are not to be taken as limitative of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
2,3,3-Trichloroallyl N-(α-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamate
A two-phase mixture containing 6.0 g (0.0495 mol) dl-α-methylbenzylamine and 8.0 g (0.05 mol) 25% NaOH in 50 ml water was stirred rapidly at 0°-10° C. while 4.0 g (0.05 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise over 2-3 minutes. The mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to 20° C. over a one hour period. To this stirred slurry was added 9.0 g (0.05 mol) 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene in one portion. A yellow two phase mixture resulted and the temperature slowly rose to a maximum of 28° C. The mixture was heated gently to 45°-50° C. for three hours, then let cool and extracted with 300 ml ethyl ether. The ether solution was washed with two, 50 ml portions of water, treated with activated charcoal and MgSO 4 , filtered through Hy-flo and evaporated in vacuo below 40°/<1 torr to give 14.9 g (88%) of a light orange oil.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 12 Cl 3 NS 2 : N, 4.11; Cl, 31.2; S, 18.8 Found: N, 4.26; Cl, 31.4; S, 18.8
EXAMPLE 2
Benzylamine, N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride
A solution containing 16.35 g (0.05 mol) of 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-benzyldithiocarbamate in 50 ml of carbon tetrachloride was placed in a photochemical reaction vessel fitted with a fritted disc bottom for sparging N 2 through the solution. A 450-watt, Hanovia high pressure mercury lamp, with a Pyrex filter, was inserted into the water-cooled quartz immersion well. The solution was agitated with a gentle stream of N 2 bubbles and photolyzed for 35 minutes. The CCl 4 was decanted off leaving a solid which was triturated with benzene, collected by filtration and air dried to give 7.2 g mp 158°-161° C. A sample was recrystallized from CHCl 3 /CCl 4 to give off-white crystals, mp 152°-159° C., yield 44%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 11 H 9 Cl 2 NS 2 . HCl: N, 4.29; Cl, 32.6; S, 19.6; N.E., 327 Found: N, 4.32; Cl, 32.4; S, 19.8; N.E., 321
EXAMPLE 3
Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[(4-dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride
This compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 2 except that 2,3,3-trichloroallyl-N-α-methylbenzyl dithiocarbamate was used. A solid was obtained in 47.5% yield, mp 152°-153° C.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 11 Cl 2 NS 2 .HCl: N, 4.11; Cl, 31.2; S, 18.8 Found: N, 4.06; Cl, 31.3; S, 19.0
EXAMPLE 4
Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]
A slurry consisting of 4.8 g (0.014 mol) of the hydrochloride salt of Example 3, in 60 ml of water was stirred and made slightly basic with triethylamine. The mixture was extracted with 50 ml ethyl ether. The separated ether solution was washed with 2, 25 ml portions of cold water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 4.1 g light amber oil. The oil which solidified on standing at room temperature was recrystallized from pet ether, mp 39°-40.5° C., yield 99%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 11 Cl 2 NS 2 : N, 4.60; Cl, 23.3; S, 21.1; Found: N, 4.71; Cl, 23.3; S, 21.1.
EXAMPLE 5
Benzylamine, α-isopropyl N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]
A solution of 35.6 g (0.097 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-(α-isopropyl)benzyldithiocarbamate in 100 ml chloroform was photolyzed for 2 1/2-3 hours. After evaporation of the chloroform the residue was treated with benzene but no crystalline hydrochloride salt formed. The benzene solution was diluted with ethyl ether and the organic solution treated with dilute NaOH. The organic layer was then dried and evaporated to give 29.3 g red amber oil. A 10 g portion of this oil was purified by HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) on silica gel using toluene to give 5.0 g of the pure free base, yield 45.7%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 14 H 15 Cl 2 NS 2 : N, 4.21; Cl, 21.3; S, 19.3; Found: N, 4.16; Cl, 21.4; S, 19.4.
EXAMPLE 6
Isopropylamine, N-[4-(dichloromethylene)1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride
A solution containing 10.0 g (0.036 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-isopropyldithiocarbamate in 100 ml CCl 4 was photolyzed for 0.5 hour. The solid product was collected by filtration and air dried to give 3.8 g, mp 149°-154° C. Crystallization from CHCl 3 /CCl 4 gave 2.5 g, mp 155°-157° C., yield 38%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 7 H 9 Cl 2 NS 2 .HCl: N, 5.03; Cl, 38.2; S, 23.0; Found: N, 5.05; Cl, 37.8; S, 22.8.
EXAMPLE 7
1,3-Dithiolane-,2-imino-4-dichloromethylene Hydrochloride
A solution containing 4.8 g (0.02 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl dithiocarbamate in 75 mls of chloroform was photolyzed for one hour. The chloroform was drawn off through the bottom sintered glass frit and the solid residue triturated with fresh chloroform then air dried to give 3.3 g, mp 180° C. (dec.)sinters at 120° C. Crystallization from MeOH/ethyl ether gave a light tan powder, mp 187° C. (dec.).
Anal. Calc'd for C 4 H 3 Cl 2 NS 2 .HCl: N, 5.92; Cl, 45.0; S, 27.1; Found: N, 5.94; Cl, 44.2; S, 26.7.
Following the procedures described in Examples 2-7, other N-(4-dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolanes of the invention were prepared. Table I describes these compounds in greater detail.
TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR15##Example AnalysisNo. Empirical R Calc'd Found Solvent Mp° C. % Yield__________________________________________________________________________ 8 C.sub.5 H.sub.5 Cl.sub.2 NS.sub.2.HCl CH.sub.3 N, 5.59; 5.56 CCl.sub.4 193-194 46 Cl, 42.4; 42.6 S, 25.6; 25.7 9 C.sub.12 H.sub.10 Cl.sub.3 NS.sub.2.HCl ##STR16## N, 3.73; Cl, 37.8; S, 17.1; 3.78 37.7 17.1 CCl.sub.4 144-149 28.510 C.sub.13 H.sub.13 Cl.sub.2 NS.sub.2.HCl ##STR17## N, 3.95; Cl, 30.0; S, 18.1; 3.89 30.0 18.1 CHCl.sub.3 152.5-155.0 4311 C.sub.16 H.sub.19 Cl.sub.2 NOS.sub.2 .HCl ##STR18## N, 3.39; Cl, 25.8; S, 15.5; 3.36 25.8 15.5 CHCl.sub.3 147-152.5 29.512 C.sub.13 H.sub.13 Cl.sub.2 NS.sub.2 ##STR19## N, 4.40; Cl, 22.3; S, 20.1; 4.43 22.4 20.1 CHCl.sub.3 Oil 94 13* C.sub.16 H.sub.19 Cl.sub.2 NS.sub.2 ##STR20## N, 3.89; Cl, 19.7; S, 17.8; 3.80 19.6 17.7 CHCl.sub.3 Oil 62__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC.
EXAMPLE 14
(After U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,365)
1,3-Dithiolan-2-imino-4-methylene-,Hydrochloride
To a flask immersed in an ice-water bath was added 14.7 g (0.12 mol) 2-propynyl dithiocarbamate and the solid then mixed with 14 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid. The initial solid mass was stirred with a thermometer and the mass slowly liquified whereupon the reaction became extremely exothermic and the temperature rose to 90° C. in spite of the ice-bath cooling. When the reaction had subsided and the temperature of the mixture had cooled to 25°-30° C., the reaction mass was poured into 250 ml acetone. Upon cooling and scratching, a sandy solid formed which was collected by a filtration, washed with fresh acetone and air dried to give 14.4 g, mp 119°-122° C. Recrystallization from Methanol/ether gave sandy crystals, mp 122°-123° C.
EXAMPLE 15
Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[4-(methylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene
A slurry consisting of 18.2 g (0.15 mol) of dl-α-methylbenzylamine and 100 ml water containing 23.2 g (0.15 mol) 25.8% NaOH was stirred at 0°-10° C. while 11.4 g (0.15 mol) carbon disulfide was added over 10 minutes. The pink solution was stirred and slowly warmed to 25° C. over one hour whereupon 17.8 g (0.15 mol) propargyl bromide was added in one portion. An exothermic reaction caused the temperature to rise to 35° C. and a yellow oil precipitated. The mixture was stirred and heated to 50°-55° C. for five hours then cooled to 25° C. with stirring, overnight. The oil was extracted with 300 ml of ethyl ether and the separated ether solution washed with 100 water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 34.2 g red-orange oil. The nmr spectrum indicated a mixture of the propargyl ester and the cyclic 1,3-dithiolane. The oil was heated in vacuo at 70°-80° C. to complete the cyclization. The oil was dissolved in 300 ml ethyl ether and the ether solution extracted with three, 100 ml portions of 10% HCl, followed by two, 50 ml portions of water. The combined acid extract was extracted twice with 50 ml ether, then carefully neutralized with 10% NaOH and the precipitated oil taken up in ether. The ether solution was dried and evaporated at 55°/<1 torr to give 19.5 g (86.5%) light yellow oil, n25/D=1.6275.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2; H, 5.57; N, 5.95; S, 27.2; Found: C, 61.5; H, 5.72; N, 6.04; S, 27.0.
EXAMPLE 16
Benzylamine, α-methyl, 2,5-dimethoxy-N-[4-(methylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]
A mixture of 10.0 g (0.034 mol) 2-propynyl N-[2,4-(dimethoxy)-α-methylbenzyl]dithiocarbamate and 30 ml conc. HCl was heated gently on a steam bath. After 10 minutes the solid carbamate had dissolved and the solution was heated an additional 10 minutes, cooled and ethyl ether added. The acid layer was separated, placed in an ice bath and carefully neutralized with 50% NaOH. The precipitated oil was extracted into ethyl ether and washed free of base with water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 9.7 g (97%) of a light amber oil, n25/D 1.6136.
Anal. Calc'd for C 14 H 17 NO 2 S 2 : C, 56.9; H, 5.80; N, 4.74; S, 21.7; Found: C, 57.1; H, 5.87; N, 4.70; S, 21.5.
EXAMPLE 17
Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(methylene)-5-(metyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]
To a stirred solution containing 4.0 g (0.1 mol) NaOH and 10 ml of water in 100 ml dimethyl formamide there was added 2.1 g (0.1 mol) dl-α-methylbenzylamine at 20° C. followed by 7.6 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide over 5 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes at 20°-25° C., 8.8 g (0.1 mol) of 3-chloro-1-butyne was added in portions. The resulting slurry was stirred at 20°-25° C. for one hour then heated gently to 30°-35° C. and stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with 400 ml cold water and extracted with 100 ml ethylene dichloride. The organic extract was washed with 50 ml water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo below 30° C. to give 27.8 g orange oil which contained DMF. The oil was washed with water by decantation to remove DMF, then azeotroped with ethanol/benzene to give a crude oil which was dissolved in 300 ml ether and the solution extracted with 3 M HCl. The HCL extract was carefully neutralized with 25% NaOH and the precipitated oil extracted into ether, the solution dried and evaporated at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 9.0 g clear amber oil, yield 36% n25/D 1.6620.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 15 NS 2 : C, 62.6; H, 6.06; S, 25.7; Found: C, 62.7; H, 6.07; S, 25.6.
EXAMPLE 18
Benzeneethanamine, N-(4-methylene-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)
A slurry containing 12.1 g (0.1 mol) β-phenethylamine and 15.4 g 25% sodium hydroxide in 100 ml water was stirred at 0°-10° C. while 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise. The orange solution was stirred rapidly and allowed to warm to room temperature over ˜ one hour. Propargyl bromide, 13.4 g (0.113 mol) was then added slowly at 20°-25° C. (ice bath cooling) and the resulting slurry was stirred at room temperature overnight. The oily product was extracted into 50 ml of ethyl ether, the ether solution dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 21.6 g of an orange liquid. A 10 g sample of the crude oil was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant to yield 4.1 g (32%) n25/D 1.6020.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2; H, 5.57; N, 5.95; S, 27.3; Found: C, 61.1; H, 5.60; N, 5.92; S, 27.1.
EXAMPLE 19
Benzenepropaneamine, N-(4-methylene-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)
A slurry containing 13.52 g (0.1 mol) of 3-phenyl-1-propylamine, 15.4 g (0.1 mol) 25% NaOH in 100 ml water was stirred vigorously at 0°-10° C. while 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise. The resulting solution was allowed to warm to ˜25° C. over one hour whereupon 13.4 g (0.113 mol) propargyl bromide was added slowly at 20°-25° C. with ice bath cooling. The resulting two-phase mixture was stirred overnight then extracted with 50 ml ether. The ether solution was separated, washed until neutral with water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 22.7 g amber oil. After standing at room temperature for 8 days, 10 g of the crude oil was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant. Recovered 1.4 g (13%) of the pure 2-(3-phenyl-1-propyl)imino-4-methylene-1,3-dithiolane, n25/D 1.5983.
Anal. Calc'd for C 13 H 15 NS 2 : C, 62.6; H, 6.06; N, 5.62; S, 25.7; Found: C, 62.4; H, 6.09; N, 5.58; S, 25.7.
The procedures of Examples 13-19 were used to prepare other N-(4-methylene)-1,3-dithiolanes which are described in Table II.
TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR21##Example AnalysisNo. Empirical R Calc'd Found n.sub.D.sup.25° % Yield__________________________________________________________________________20 C.sub.11 H.sub.11 NS.sub.2 ##STR22## C, 59.7; H, 5.01; N, 6.33 S, 29.0; 59.7 4.97 6.24 29.2 1.6489 6621 C.sub.7 H.sub.11 NS.sub.2 (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH N, 8.08; 7.88 1.6041 88.5 S, 37.0; 36.822 C.sub.13 H.sub.15 NS.sub.2 ##STR23## C, 62.6; H, 6.06; N, 5.62 S, 25.7; 62.7 6.09 5.59 25.7 1.6175 4323 C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2 ##STR24## C, 63.9; H, 6.51; N, 5.32; S, 24.4; 64.0 6.58 5.19 23.9 1.6083 6024 C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2 ##STR25## C, 63.9; H, 6.51; N, 5.32; S, 24.4; 64.2 6.61 5.20 23.7 1.6110 1925 C.sub.16 H.sub.21 NOS.sub.2 ##STR26## C, 62.5; H, 6.88 N, 4.56; S, 20.9; 63.2 6.96 4.71 20.2 1.5875 11 26* C.sub.16 H.sub.21 NS.sub.2 ##STR27## C, 65.9; H, 7.26; N, 4.80; S, 22.0; 66.3 7.23 4.70 21.6 1.5856 55 27* C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2 ##STR28## C, 63.9; H, 6.51; N, 5.32; S, 24.4; 63.8 6.52 5.40 24.3 1.5902 37 28* C.sub.12 H.sub.12 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR29## C, 53.4; H, 4.48; Cl, 13.1; S, 53.5 4.53 13.2 23.6 1.6154 27 29* C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2 ##STR30## C, 63.9; H, 6.51; N, 5.32; S, 24.4; 63.7 6.58 5.28 24.3 1.6177 28 30* C.sub.13 H.sub.15 NS.sub.2 ##STR31## C, 62.6; H, 6.06; N, 5.62; S, 25.7; 62.4 6.06 5.56 25.6 1.5992 14 31* C.sub.15 H.sub.19 NS.sub.2 ##STR32## C, 64.9; H, 6.90; N, 5.05; S, 23.1 64.8 6.88 5.02 23.0 1.5828 32 32* C.sub.15 H.sub.19 NS.sub.2 ##STR33## C, 64.9; H, 6.90; N, 5.05; S, 23.1; 64.8 6.96 4.98 23.0 1.5960 32 33* C.sub.11 H.sub.10 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR34## C, 51.6; H, 3.94; N, 5.48; Cl, 13.9; S, 51.7 3.98 5.47 13.8 25.0 1.6413 3 34* C.sub.11 H.sub.10 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR35## C, 51.6; H, 3.94; N, 5.48; S, 25.1; 51.4 3.99 5.46 25.0 1.6475 22__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC.
EXAMPLE 35
(After U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,366)
1,3-Dithiol-2-imino,4-methyl-,Hydrochloride
A mixture of 4.5 g (0.027 mol) 2-imino-4-methylene 1,3-dithiolane hydrochloride, Example 14, in 9 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid was heated at reflux in an oil bath (100°-110° ) for three hours then allowed to cool and stand overnight at 25°-30° C. The dark solution was decanted away from a dark amorphous solid into 150 ml dry acetone. The light brown lustrous crystals which formed on standing in the cold were collected by a filtrate ion, washed with fresh acetone and air dried to give 3.5 g, mp 170°-173° C. Recrystallization from methanol gave bright yellow crystals which quickly darkened on air drying, mp 168°-170° C.
EXAMPLE 36
Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(methyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride
A mixture containing 10.0 g (0.037 mol) 2-chloroallyl N-(α-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamate, 14 ml conc. HCl and 25 ml ethanol was stirred and heated under reflux for 4 hours. The dark mixture was allowed to cool to 25° C. and poured into 200 ml acetone. Since no crystals formed on chilling, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residue treated with 150 ml benzene and re-evaporated at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 10.4 g light yellow semi-solid which crystallized on treating with 100 ml ethyl ether and 5 ml methanol to yield 6.3 g cream solid, mp 139°-150° C. A sample was recrystallized from ether/methanol to give colorless crystals, mp 165°-166° C., yield 34%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 . HCl: N, 5.15; Cl, 13.0; S, 23.6, N.E. 272; Found: N, 5.27; Cl, 13.1; S, 23.7; N.E. 260.
EXAMPLE 37
Benzylamine-,α-t-butyl-p-methoxy-N-[4-(methyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride
A mixture containing 24 g (0.07 mol) 2-chloroallyl N-[α-t-butyl-o-methoxybenzyl]dithiocarbamate and 40 ml conc. HCl in 70 ml ethanol was heated under reflux for 3 hours. The mixture was treated with 300 ml chloroform and the layers separated. The water layer was extracted with 3, 50 ml portions of CHCl 3 and the combined CHCl 3 extract was dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to give a residue. The residue was dissolved in 25 ml methanol, treated with charcoal, filtered and slowly diluted with 3 liters of anhydrous ether. Upon stirring for 72 hours there was obtained 2.21 g white solids, mp 164°-167° C. The combination of the filtrate and washings from the above solids was evaporated to dryness and the residue again heated under reflux in 70 ml EtOH containing 40 ml conc. HCl. Chloroform extraction followed by treatment of the extract evaporation residue with methanol/ether as before, yielded 3.7 g solids, mp 161°-164° C., combined yield 21%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 16 H 21 NOS 2 .HCl: N, 4.07; Cl, 10.31; S, 18.7 Found: N, 3.79; Cl, 9.45; S, 18.2
EXAMPLE 38
Benzylamine, α-t-butyl-p-methoxy-N-[4-(methyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]
A stirred slurry, containing 2 g of the compound of Example 34, in 50 ml distilled water, was slowly neutralized with 25% NaOH with cooling. The mixture was treated with 50 ml ethyl ether, the ether layer was separated and was washed with water until neutral, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 1.6 g colorless, viscous oil, yield 80%, n25/D 1.5851.
Anal. Calc'd for C 16 H 21 NOS 2 : C, 62.5; H, 6.88; S, 20.9; Found: C, 62.8; H, 6.87; S, 20.5.
EXAMPLE 39
Benzeneethaneamine, N-(4-methyl-1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene)
To a stirred slurry containing 12.12 g (0.1 mol) phenethylamine, 15.4 g (0.1 mol) 25% sodium hydroxide in 100 ml water was added 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide at 0°-10° C. over ˜5 minutes. To the resulting solution was added 12.2 g (0.11 mol) 2,3-dichloropropene at 20°-25° C. and the mixture allowed to stir overnight at 25°-30° C. The two-phase mixture was extracted with 50 ml of ether, the ether solution separated, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 20.3 g amber oil. The oil was dissolved in 70 ml ethanol, 40 ml conc. HCl added and the mixture heated under reflux for six hours. After cooling and standing overnight the mixture was vacuum treated to remove the ethanol and excess HCl and the residue treated with benzene three times to azeotrope the water. The resulting residue was treated with ethyl ether, stirred two hours and filtered to yield 11.0 g light tan crystals, mp 80° -106° C. The crude salt, (10 g) was dissolved in 50 ml water, neutralized with 25% NaOH and the free base taken up in ether. The ether solution was washed until neutral, dried and evaporated to give 7.8 g amber oil which was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant. There was obtained 6.0 g, n25/D 1.5990, yield 40%.
Anal. Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2; H, 5.57; N, 5.95; S, 27.3; Found: C, 61.4; H, 5.60; N, 5.90; S, 27.1.
Table III describes other compounds of the invention prepared in accordance with the procedure described in Examples 33-39.
TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR36##Example AnalysisNo. Empirical R Calc'd Found Mp °C./n.sub.D.sup.25° % Yield__________________________________________________________________________40 C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2.HCl ##STR37## C, 56.1; H, 6.05; N, 4.67; S, 21.4 56.1 6.06 4.65 21.3 160-163 3341 C.sub.16 H.sub.21 NS.sub.2.HCl ##STR38## N, 4.27; Cl, 19.5; S, 10.8; 4.11 19.3 10.7 150-152 1642 C.sub.13 H.sub.15 NS.sub.2.HCl ##STR39## C, 54.6; H, 5.64; N, 4.90 S, 22.4; 54.7 5.67 4.96 22.3 161-164 5 43* C.sub.13 H.sub.15 NS.sub.2 ##STR40## C, 62.6; H, 6.06; N, 5.62; S, 25.7 62.5 6.07 5.64 25.7 1.5973 14 44* C.sub.13 H.sub.15 NS.sub.2 ##STR41## C, 62.6; H, 6.06 N, 5.62; S, 25.7; 62.5 6.10 5.62 25.6 1.5892 8 45* C.sub.11 H.sub.10 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR42## C, 51.6; H, 3.94 N, 5.48; 51.8 3.95 5.51 1.6266 13 46* C.sub.11 H.sub.10 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR43## C, 51.6; H, 3.94; N, 5.48 S, 25.1; 51.8 4.00 5.51 25.0 .sup. 55-60° 547 C.sub.14 H.sub.17 NS.sub.2 ##STR44## C, 63.8; H, 6.51; S, 24.3; 63.7 6.54 24.2 1.5828 8 48* C.sub.12 H.sub.12 ClNS.sub.2 ##STR45## N, 5.19; Cl, 13.1; S, 23.8; 5.19 13.3 23.7 1.6083 27__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC
EXAMPLE 49
Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[5-(phenyl)-1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidene]
A stirred solution containing 10.0 g (0.048 mol) of 1-(α-methyl)benzyl-3,3-dimethylthiourea and 10.0 g (0.05 mol) of 97% α-bromoacetophenone in 100 ml dioxane was heated under reflux for 17 hours. The hot mixture was filtered, the filtrate was allowed to cool and then filtered again to remove a small amount of hygroscopic solids. Evaporation of the filtrate gave 15.2 g dark amber viscous oil which was taken up in ethyl ether and the solution washed with water until neutral, dried and evaporated to give 10.9 g dark brown oil which was purified by chromatography on silica gel using pet. ether/benzene yielding 3.5 g (12.5%) mp 67°-70° C. A sample was crystallized from pentane, mp 70°-72° C.
Anal. Calc'd for C 17 H 15 NOS: C, 72.6; H, 5.37; N, 4.98; S, 11.4; Found: C, 72.6; H, 5.37; N, 4.95; S, 11.4.
EXAMPLE 50
5-Benzeneamine, N-(5-phenyl-1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidene)
This compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 49 except that 1-phenyl-3,3-dimethylthiourea was used; the final product melted at 135°-136° C.
EXAMPLE 51
Benzylamine-N-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)
To a stirred solution of 10.7 g (0.1 mol) benzylamine in 100 ml DMF there was added 20 ml 10 N KOH at 25°-30° C. with ice bath cooling, followed by the addition of 7.6 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide. The resulting yellow solution was stirred at 25°-30° C. for one-half hour. 1,3-dibromopropane, 20.2 g (0.1 mol), was added dropwise to the above solution causing the temperature to rise slowly to 38° C. with precipitation of white solids. The mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours, chilled in an ice bath and filtered to give 19.7 g. The solid was treated with chloroform and water and the organic layer dried over MgSO 4 and solvent evaporated to yield 3.3 g, 10% yield, mp 125°-127.5° C.
Anal. Calc'd for C 11 H 13 NS 2 : C, 59.2; H, 5.87; S, 28.7; Found: C, 59.1; H, 5.88; S, 28.7.
EXAMPLE 52
o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene)-Hydrochloride
o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) was prepared according to the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,801, mp 165.5°-169° C.
Anal. Calc'd for C 9 H 8 ClNS 2 .HCl: N, 5.27; Cl, 26.6; S, 24.1; Found: C, 5.37; Cl, 26.5; S, 23.8.
EXAMPLE 53
o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-, N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene)
o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-, N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) was prepared by neutralizing an aqueous solution of the compound of Example 52 with 25% NaOH. An off-white solid was recovered which melted at 41°-44° C.
Anal. Calc'd for C 9 H 8 ClNS 2 : N, 6.10, Cl, 15.4; S, 27.9; Found: N, 6.19; Cl, 15.5; S, 27.4.
The following examples are presented to illustrate the safening effectiveness of the compounds of the present invention as well as the various embodiments of the invention. These examples are presented as being illustrative of the novel usages of the invention and are not intended to be a limitation as to the scope thereof.
EXAMPLE 54
Aluminum pans or plastic pots are filled with prepared Ray silt loam soil and compacted to a depth of 1/2 inch from the top of the container. The pans or pots are then planted with seeds or vegetative propagules of the desired plant species. Soil cover layers, of prepared Ray silt loam, are sequentially treated with antidote and herbicide. The antidote, dissolved in a suitable solvent, is applied to the soil cover layer followed by herbicide application. The desired concentration of herbicide is formulated as a solution, emulsifiable concentrate or wettable powder in a suitable solvent. After antidote and herbicide are applied to the soil cover layer, the combination is thoroughly incorporated into the soil cover layer by stirring or shaking. The soil cover layers are then placed on the pre-seeded pans or pots and the pans or pots are transferred to a greenhouse bench where they are watered from below. Two to four weeks after application of the antidote and herbicide combination, the results are observed and recorded. Pans or pots treated only with antidote or herbicide are prepared and treated as described above. The results observed from the pans or pots provide the measure of plant inhibition due to antidote and herbicide alone. The "safening effect" of the antidote is calculated as follows: [% Plant Inhibition due to Herbicide +% Plant Inhibition due to Antidote-% Plant Inhibition due to Antidote/Herbicide Combination].
Table IV summarizes the results obtained when the compounds of the invention were tested in accordance with the procedure of Example 54 utilizing triallate as the herbicide.
TABLE IV______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Triallate Antidote Safening EffectExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________3 0.25 8.0 70 85 8515 0.375 8.0 34 70 334 0.25 8.0 65 70 7514 0.25 4.0 * * *14 0.375 8.0 * * 3835 0.25 4.0 40 * 2535 0.375 8.0 * * *36 0.25 8.0 65 75 457 0.375 8.0 * * *2 0.375 8.0 * 55 2820 0.375 8.0 34 90 3321 0.375 8.0 20 70 436 0.375 8.0 * 83 3052 0.375 8.0 40 93 4053 0.375 8.0 * 93 258 0.5 8.0 * 48 2017 0.5 8.0 35 85 3050 0.5 8.0 * * *49 0.5 8.0 65 78 559 0.5 8.0 * * 2022 0.5 8.0 55 87 5010 0.5 8.0 * 22 7023 0.5 8.0 25 97 5024 0.5 8.0 25 90 2525 0.5 8.0 20 65 *11 0.5 8.0 * 63 *16 0.5 8.0 * 38 *12 0.5 8.0 20 30 8040 0.5 8.0 20 79 485 0.5 8.0 23 45 *13 0.5 8.0 * * *41 0.5 8.0 * 55 *26 0.5 8.0 30 * *37 0.5 8.0 * 30 *38 0.5 8.0 * * *42 0.5 8.0 20 * 4347 0.5 8.0 * * *27 0.5 8.0 90 85 6548 0.5 8.0 -- 82 8448 0.5 8.0 * 80 *28 0.5 8.0 * 58 *43 0.5 8.0 * 30 2829 0.5 8.0 40 * *30 0.5 8.0 * 20 6018 0.5 8.0 21 82 1631 0.5 8.0 * * *32 0.5 8.0 50 * *39 0.5 8.0 * * *19 0.5 8.0 * 48 *44 0.5 8.0 * 68 *33 0.5 8.0 * 67 3534 0.5 8.0 * * *45 0.5 8.0 * 40 *46 0.5 8.0 * * *51 0.5 8.0 50 90 *21 0.125 8.0 20 35 28 0.25 8.0 * 75 50 0.5 8.0 * 47 34 1.0 8.0 * * *52 0.125 8.0 * 88 20 0.25 8.0 30 77 * 0.5 8.0 33 22 * 1.0 8.0 * * *49 0.125 8.0 * * 20 0.25 8.0 45 40 60 0.5 8.0 53 60 58 1.0 8.0 24 68 2530 0.25 8.0 25 65 50 0.5 8.0 20 * * 1.0 8.0 * * * 2.0 8.0 * * *27 0.25 8.0 30 84 70 0.50 8.0 55 50 87 1.0 8.0 66 50 28 2.0 8.0 55 20 *______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19
Following the procedure of Example 54, the compounds of the invention were tested on rice, sorghum and wheat utilizing the acetanilide herbicide alachlor. The results are summarized in Table V.
TABLE V______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Alachlor Antidote Safening EffectExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________3 1.0 8.0 35 20 *15 2.0 8.0 * 42 404 1.0 8.0 25 * *14 2.0 8.0 93 * *14 2.0 4.0 * * *35 2.0 8.0 43 * *35 2.0 4.0 28 * *36 2.0 8.0 78 45 437 2.0 8.0 * * *2 2.0 8.0 * * *20 2.0 8.0 * 70 4021 2.0 8.0 * * *6 2.0 8.0 33 * *52 2.0 8.0 * * *53 2.0 8.0 48 20 *8 2.0 8.0 28 * 2317 2.0 8.0 * 35 2550 2.0 8.0 * * *49 4.0 8.0 * * 209 4.0 8.0 * * *22 4.0 8.0 * 25 *10 4.0 8.0 * * *23 4.0 8.0 * 25 2024 4.0 8.0 * * *25 4.0 8.0 * * *11 4.0 8.0 * * *16 4.0 8.0 * * *12 4.0 8.0 * * *40 4.0 8.0 * * *5 4.0 8.0 35 * *13 4.0 8.0 * * *41 4.0 8.0 * * *26 4.0 8.0 * * *37 4.0 8.0 * * *38 4.0 8.0 * * 2042 4.0 8.0 * * *47 4.0 8.0 * * *27 4.0 8.0 * * *48 2.0 8.0 * * *48 4.0 8.0 -- * *28 2.0 8.0 * 43 *29 2.0 8.0 * * *43 2.0 8.0 * 20 *30 2.0 8.0 31 * *18 2.0 8.0 * * *31 2.0 8.0 * * *32 2.0 8.0 * * *39 2.0 8.0 * * 2519 2.0 8.0 40 * *44 2.0 8.0 * * *33 2.0 8.0 20 * *34 2.0 8.0 * * *45 4.0 8.0 * 20 *46 4.0 8.0 * * *51 4.0 8.0 * * *3 0.5 8.0 55 1.0 8.0 50 2.0 8.0 20 4.0 8.0 4036 0.5 8.0 35 1.0 8.0 50 2.0 8.0 63 4.0 8.0 6420 0.5 8.0 78 1.0 8.0 64 2.0 8.0 34 4.0 8.0 2017 0.0625 8.0 * 0.25 8.0 43 1.0 8.0 54 4.0 8.0 *22 0.5 8.0 65 1.0 8.0 63 2.0 8.0 77 4.0 8.0 *23 0.5 8.0 70 1.0 8.0 48 2.0 8.0 22 4.0 8.0 *28 0.5 8.0 40 1.0 8.0 26 2.0 8.0 * 4.0 8.0 *43 0.5 8.0 * 1.0 8.0 40 2.0 8.0 20 4.0 8.0 40______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19
Utilizing the procedure of Example 54, the compounds of the invention were tested on rice, sorghum and wheat against the acetanilide herbicide butachlor. The results are summarized in Table VI.
TABLE IV______________________________________ Rate of Rate of Butachlor Antidote Safening Effect (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________Example No.3 4.0 8.0 30 35 2015 4.0 8.0 20 58 384 4.0 8.0 35 35 *14 4.0 8.0 * * *14 4.0 8.0 * * *35 4.0 8.0 23 * 2335 4.0 8.0 25 * *36 4.0 8.0 68 28 407 4.0 8.0 * 25 *2 4.0 8.0 35 * 2320 4.0 8.0 55 40 5321 4.0 8.0 20 25 *6 4.0 8.0 * 53 *52 4.0 8.0 * * *53 4.0 8.0 20 * 388 4.0 8.0 * * 3017 4.0 8.0 73 50 2550 4.0 8.0 * 30 *49 4.0 8.0 * 38 *9 4.0 8.0 * 30 2022 4.0 8.0 * 55 3810 4.0 8.0 * * *23 4.0 8.0 * 60 *24 4.0 8.0 20 60 4525 4.0 8.0 * * *11 4.0 8.0 * 58 *16 4.0 8.0 * * 6012 4.0 8.0 * 35 *40 4.0 8.0 * 30 *5 4.0 8.0 55 * 2813 4.0 8.0 20 * *41 4.0 8.0 * * *26 4.0 8.0 * 23 *37 4.0 8.0 20 * *38 4.0 8.0 * * *Compound ofExample No.42 4.0 8.0 25 * 4847 4.0 8.0 * * 3327 4.0 8.0 33 * *48 4.0 8.0 * 25 2048 4.0 8.0 -- * 3528 4.0 8.0 * * 3529 4.0 8.0 * * *43 4.0 8.0 38 32 2530 4.0 8.0 25 * 3318 4.0 8.0 34 * 3531 4.0 8.0 39 * *32 4.0 8.0 20 30 2039 4.0 8.0 * * *19 4.0 8.0 * * *44 4.0 8.0 25 * *33 4.0 8.0 55 * 2034 6.0 8.0 * * 2545 6.0 8.0 25 * *46 6.0 8.0 68 23 *51 6.0 8.0 35 * 40______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19
The antidotes of the present invention may also be applied to the crop seed prior to planting. This is often a desirable mode of application as relatively small amounts of antidote are used compared to preemergence soil incorporation of antidote. The following examples describe the use of the antidote compounds of the present invention as seed treatments in greater detail.
EXAMPLE 55
Toluene solutions or suspensions of antidote are applied to the crop seed at the desired seed treatment concentration. Untreated (control) and treated seeds were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil. Soil cover layers (450 gm) were sprayed with the desired concentration of herbicide using a belt sprayer (20 gpa), incorporated and placed on pre-seeded pans. The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches. The pans were sub-irrigated as required during the remainder of the test. Observations were made 21/2 to 3 weeks after treatment and the results recorded. The amount of antidote applied to the crop seed is calculated on % w/w basis defined as 1 part of antidote per 1000 parts of crop seed. The observations made and recorded in accordance with the above procedure utilizing triallate as the herbicide are shown in Table VII.
The results summarized in Table VII are shown as % Inhibition for untreated and teated seeds at varying rates of triallate herbicide and antidote. A--indicates that a reduction is expected inhibition occurred. That is, if "safening effect" were calculated, 20 units or greater "safening" occurred. The protection or "safening" afforded the crop plant by treatment of the crop seed with the "antidotal" compounds of the invention may be calculated as follows:
% Inhibition of Crop Plant (No Seed Treatment)-% Inhibition of Crop Plant (Seed Treatment).
TABLE VII__________________________________________________________________________ Seed Treatment % Crop Inhibition*Triallate Compound of Seed Treatment Conc., % w/wRate Lb/A Example No. Crop 0 1/6 1/8 1/4 1/2 1__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 0 10 0 31/16 ↓ ↓ 10 5 0 5 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 53 0- 0- 0- 0- 0-1/4 ↓ ↓ 88 0- 0- 0- 0- 5-1/2 ↓ ↓ 99 5- 10- 10- 0- 13-1 ↓ ↓ 100 10- 0- 0- 5- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 48- 35- 20- 25- 15-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/2 1 2 40 3 Wheat 0 0 0 10 181/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 23 131/8 ↓ ↓ 23 0- 0- 8- 231/4 ↓ ↓ 70 0- 0- 5- 20-1/2 ↓ ↓ 99 0- 0- 8- 18-1 ↓ ↓ 99 0- 0- 20- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 0- 10- 13- 15-4 ↓ ↓ 100 30- 58- 20- 30-0 4 Wheat 0 0 5 25 281/16 ↓ ↓ 5 0 10 23 231/8 ↓ ↓ 28 10 0- 23- 25-1/4 ↓ ↓ 65 0- 3- 20- 40-1/2 ↓ ↓ 93 0- 0- 30- 15-1 ↓ ↓ 95 0- 5- 28- 30-2 ↓ ↓ 98 0- 10- 38- 35-4 ↓ ↓ 100 23- 20- 40- 48-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/32 1/8 1/2__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 5 5 0 51/8 ↓ ↓ 28 0- 0- 0-1/4 ↓ ↓ 60 0- 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 88 8- 0- 0-1 ↓ ↓ 99 20- 8- 10-2 ↓ ↓ 100 78- 55- 63-0 15 Wheat 0 0 0 101/16 ↓ ↓ 10 0 0 151/8 ↓ ↓ 40 10 5- 20-1/4 ↓ ↓ 65 40 10- 40-1/2 ↓ ↓ 95 60 20- 40-1 ↓ ↓ 98 80 55- 45-2 ↓ ↓ 99 95 65- 55-0 4 Wheat 0 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 5 0 0 51/8 ↓ ↓ 18 5 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 70 0- 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 98 5- 0- 0-1 ↓ ↓ 99 35- 13- 20-2 ↓ ↓ 99 80 40- 25-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/16 1/4 1__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Oats 0 0 0 0 1/128 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ ↓ 40 8- 3- 3-1/32 ↓ ↓ 65 5- 8- 23-1/16 ↓ ↓ 93 60- 60- 53-1/8 ↓ ↓ 95 88 75- 801/4 ↓ ↓ 100 99 86 980 4 Oats 0 0 5 3 1/128 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ ↓ 28 5- 10- 5-1/32 ↓ ↓ 88 5- 0- 3-1/16 ↓ ↓ 98 25- 18- 40-1/8 ↓ ↓ 100 99 80- 73-1/4 ↓ ↓ 100 100 92 900 3 Barley 0 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 15 0 0 01/2 ↓ ↓ 78 28- 3- 8-1 ↓ ↓ 95 83 25- 35-2 ↓ ↓ 100 95 70- 35-4 ↓ ↓ 100 99 93 68-0 4 Barley 0 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 15 0 0 01/2 ↓ ↓ 75 18- 3- 3-1 ↓ ↓ 90 30- 5- 10-2 ↓ ↓ 99 83 53- 68-4 ↓ ↓ 100 100 90 78__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/8 1/4__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 28 0- 10-1/4 ↓ ↓ 53 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 92 0- 8-1 ↓ ↓ 100 0- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 53- 15-4 ↓ ↓ 100 68- 78-0 3 Barley 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 20 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 40 0- 5-1 ↓ ↓ 97 18- 13-2 ↓ ↓ 99 68- 80-4 ↓ ↓ 100 88- 85__________________________________________________________________________ *Data reported is average of two replicates -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occurred.
The compound of Example 3, Benzylamine-(α-methyl)-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride was further tested as a seed treatment on several wheat varieties utilizing triallate as the herbicide according to the procedure of Example 56.
EXAMPLE 56
A toluene solution or suspension of the compound of Example 3 was applied to selected wheat varieties to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations. Untreated wheat seed and wheat seed treated with three concentrations of the compound of Example 3 were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil. Cover layers of soil (450 gm) were sprayed with triallate, incorporated and placed on pre-seeded pans. The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches where they were subirrigated as required during the remainder of the test. The results are summarized in Table VIII.
TABLE VIII______________________________________Trial- % Wheat Inhibition*late Seed TreatmentRate, Wheat Conc. (% W/W)Lb/A Variety 0 1/16 1/4 1______________________________________0 Olaf semidwarf hard red spring 0 0 0 01/16 " 0 0 0 01/8 " 3 0 0 01/4 " 18 0 0 01/2 " 78 0- 0- 0-1 " 90 25- 23- 10-2 " 100 60- 53- 40-0 Nugaines white winter 0 15 40 601/16 " 0 0 35 631/8 " 10 10 43 601/4 " 53 10- 25- 45-1/2 " 85 10- 45- 35-1 " 93 23- 50- 55-2 " 100 58- 58- 58-0 Arthur 71 Soft red Winter 0 0 0 01/16 " 8 0 0 01/8 " 33 0- 0- 0-1/4 " 58 0- 0- 0-1/2 " 98 0- 0- 15-1 " 100 30- 0- 0-2 " 100 93 18- 5-0 Eagle hard red winter 0 0 0 51/16 " 0 0 0 01/8 " 3 0 0 01/4 " 53 0- 0- 0-1/2 " 99 0- 0- 0-1 " 100 5- 0- 5-2 " 100 53- 23- 25-0 Rolette duram 0 0 0 81/16 " 0 0 0 81/8 " 0 0 0 101/4 " 5 0 0 01/2 " 68 0- 0- 0-1 " 73 10- 5- 0-2 " 93 43- 43- 43-0 Waldron hard red spring 0 0 0 151/16 13 0 0 0-1/8 " 43 0- 0- 0-1/4 " 73 0- 0- 0-1/2 " 94 0- 0- 0-1 " 100 20- 13- 13-2 " 100 68- 53- 25-______________________________________ -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occurred. *Average of 2 replicates
EXAMPLE 57
A toluene solution or suspension of the compound of Example 3, Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]hydrochloride was applied to wheat to obtain the desired seed treatment concentration. Untreated downy brome, green foxtail, wild oats and wheat seed along with wheat seed treated with three concentrations of the compound of Example 3 were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil. Triallate was applied to soil cover layers (450 gm) with the belt sprayer (20 gpa) and incorporated. The treated cover layers were placed on pre-seeded pans, the pans transferred to greenhouse benches and subirrigated.
TABLE IX______________________________________ % Wheat Inhibition % InhibitionTriallate Seed Treat. Conc. (% w/w) Grass WeedsRate, Lb/A 0 1/32 1/8 1/2 FT DB WO______________________________________-- 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 0 0 0 0 0 20 801/16 0 0 0 0 10 60 851/8 15 0 0 0 25 95 951/4 45 0- 0- 0- 55 95 991/2 90 0- 0- 0- 65 100 991 98 30- 0- 10- 70 100 1002 99 90 45- 35- 75 100 100______________________________________ FT = Green foxtail DB = Downy brome WO = Wild oats - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occurred.
EXAMPLE 58
Dichloromethane solutions or suspensions of test chemicals were applied to sorghum to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations. Untreated crabgrass, foxtail, barnyardgrass and sorghum along with sorghum treated with three concentrations of a chemical were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil. Soil cover layers (450 gm) were placed on pre-seeded pans. Alachlor was applied to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa). The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water, transferred to greenhouse benches and sub-irrigated as required for the duration of the test. The results are summarized in Table X.
TABLE X__________________________________________________________________________ Seed Treatment % Sorghum Inhibition % InhibitionAlachlor Compound of Seed Treat. Conc. % w/w Grass Weeds.sup.1Rate, Lb/A Ex. No. 0 1/16 1/4 1 CG FT BYG__________________________________________________________________________0 17 0 0 0 5 0 0 01/32 ↓ 85 0- 0- 10- 60 98 981/16 ↓ 90 35- 0- 10- 90 98 1001/8 ↓ 95 80 0- 0- 95 99 1001/4 ↓ 100 85 5- 10- 99 99 1001/2 ↓ 98 85 50- 20- 99 100 1001 ↓ 98 95 60- 35- 100 100 1002 ↓ 99 95 70- 30- 100 100 1000 20 0 5 10 95 0 0 01/32 ↓ 15 35 60 95 80 98 991/16 ↓ 30 0- 25 100 85 99 991/8 ↓ 80 0- 30- 95 99 99 1001/4 ↓ 95 75- 50- 90 99 100 1001/2 ↓ 98 90 15- 90 100 100 1001 ↓ 99 95 45- 100 100 100 1002 ↓ 100 98 65- 95 100 100 1000 36 0 0 0 55 0 0 01/32 ↓ 5 0 0 50 40 98 981/16 ↓ 20 10 0 70 90 98 1001/8 ↓ 40 0- 0- 50- 90 98 1001/4 ↓ 90 35- 5- 75- 100 100 1001/2 ↓ 100 45- 15- 75- 100 100 1001 ↓ 100 90 25- 70- 100 100 1002 ↓ 100 98 60- 80- 100 100 1000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 5 0 0 0 30 95 951/16 ↓ 65 55 20- 0- 45 100 981/8 ↓ 80 35- 65 10- 70 99 991/4 ↓ 90 80 75 15- 95 100 1001/2 ↓ 90 95 75 30- 95 100 1001 ↓ 95 90 95 35- 98 100 992 ↓ 99 98 90 70- 99 100 100__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1 CG = Crabgrass FT = Green Foxtail BYG = Barnyardgrass -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"occurred.
EXAMPLE 59
Dichloromethane solutions or suspensions of the compound of Example 36 were applied to rice to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations. Untreated and treated rice were pregerminated for 2 days on moist towels. Plastic pots (4×4×3 inches deep) were filled with 2 inches of Ray silt loam soil. Barnyard grass was seeded into a shallow trench and covered with soil. Butachlor was applied to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa). Rice was seeded into flooded pots. The water level was lowered to the soil surface after 24 hours and maintained at this level for 5 days after which the pots were reflooded for the duration of the test. The results are summarized in Table XI.
TABLE XI______________________________________ % Inhibition, Avg 2 RepsButachlor Seed Treatment Water Seeded Barnyard-Rate, lb/A Concentration % w/w Rice grass______________________________________1/64 - 38 671/16 - 91 991/4 - 100 100-- 1/32 0 01/64 1/32 43 731/16 1/32 68- 1001/4 1/32 63- 100-- 1/8 10 01/64 1/8 23- 601/16 1/8 55- 1001/4 1/8 58- 100-- 1/2 65 01/64 1/2 60- 481/16 1/2 70- 921/4 1/2 68- 100______________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occurred.
The antidotes of the present invention may be combined with thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides as a tank mix and applied to soil planted with crop seed. Examples 57 and 58 and Tables XII and XIII describe this aspect of the invention in greater detail. The data shown in Tables XII and XIII is reported as % Inhibition; the % "safening effect" may be readily calculated by the use of the following formula: [% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Herbicide+% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Antidote]-% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Antidote/Herbicide Combination.
EXAMPLE 60
Wheat and several weed species were planted in 4×4×3 inch deep plastic pots containing Ray silt loam soil. The chemical combinations were applied as tank mixtures to soil cover layers with the belt sprayer (20 gpa). The treated cover layers were shaken in plastic bags to incorporate the chemicals. The cover layers were placed on preseeded pots, the pots transferred to a greenhouse bench and sub-irrigated. The results are summarized in Table XII.
TABLE XII__________________________________________________________________________Trial- % Inhibition, Avg 2 Repslate Compound Antidote Ann. Barn-Rate of Example Rate Wild Downy Green Rye- Black yardlb/A No. Lb/A Wheat oats brome foxtail grass grass grass__________________________________________________________________________1/64 -- -- 0 50 58 01/16 -- -- 5 98 99 01/4 -- -- 68 100 100 201 -- -- 100 100 100 680 3 1/4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 1/4 0 73 60 01/16 ↓ 1/4 8 98 100 01/4 ↓ 1/4 43- 100 100 181 ↓ 1/4 100- 100 100 600 ↓ 1 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 1 0 88 60 01/16 ↓ 1 0 99 100 01/4 ↓ 1 15- 100 100 51 ↓ 1 98 100 100 820 ↓ 4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 4 0 55 10- 01/16 ↓ 4 0 100 68- 01/4 ↓ 4 0- 100 100 101 ↓ 4 85 100 100 18-0 4 1/4 0 10 10 01/64 ↓ 1/4 0 88 53 01/16 ↓ 1/4 0 100 100 51/4 ↓ 1/4 25- 100 100 201 ↓ 1/4 98 100 100 48-0 ↓ 1 0 30 0 01/64 ↓ 1 0 95 53 01/16 ↓ 1 0 100 100 01/4 ↓ 1 18- 100 100 131 ↓ 1 90 100 100 25-0 ↓ 4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 4 0 75 45 01/16 ↓ 4 0 100 70- 01/4 ↓ 4 5- 100 100 0-1 ↓ 4 68- 100 100 5-0 -- -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 -- -- 0 85 65 0 65 33 01/16 -- -- 0 97 98 0 93 85 01/8 -- -- 38 99 99 8 98 94 01/4 -- -- 63 100 100 28 99 100 01/2 -- -- 95 100 100 50 100 100 00 3 1/8 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/8 0 85 68 0 53 43 01/16 ↓ 1/8 0 98 93 0 89 83 01/8 ↓ 1/8 8- 100 100 3 93 99 01/4 ↓ 1/8 63 100 100 30 99 99 01/2 ↓ 1/8 83 100 45 100 100 00 3 1/4 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/4 0 75 63 0 50 20 01/16 ↓ 1/4 0 97 90 0 73- 75 01/8 ↓ 1/4 10- 99 100 0 90 99 01/4 ↓ 1/4 50 100 100 18 99 100 01/2 ↓ 1/4 83 100 100 35 100 100 00 3 1/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/2 0 90 53 0 45- 28 01/16 ↓ 1/2 0 97 85 0 35- 53- 01/8 ↓ 1/2 0- 98 95 0 70- 70- 01/4 ↓ 1/2 20- 99 100 8- 94 99 01/2 ↓ 1/2 60- 100 100 20- 99 100 0__________________________________________________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occurred.
EXAMPLE 61
Sorghum, crabgrass, green foxtail and barnyardgrass were planted in 4×4×3 inch deep plastic pots containing Ray silt loam soil. Soil cover layers were placed on the preseeded pots. A combination of alachlor and the compound of Example 17 was applied as a tank mixture to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa). The pots were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches. The pots were subirrigated as required during the remainder of the test. The results are summarized in Table XIII.
TABLE XIII______________________________________Antidote % Inhibition, Avg. 2 repsAlachlor Rate Green BarnyardRate, Lb/A Lb/A Sorghum Crabgrass Foxtail Grass______________________________________ 1/32 - 0 18 88 601/8 - 10 63 93 971/2 - 68 94 99 1002 - 85 98 99 1000 1/8 0 0 0 0 1/32 1/8 0 18 75 431/8 1/8 8 55 98 971/2 1/8 50 83 99 1002 1/8 96 98 100 1000 1/2 0 0 0 15 1/32 1/2 0 13 73 15-1/8 1/2 5 65 95 981/2 1/2 45- 88 99 1002 1/2 94 98 100 1000 2 0 0 0 0 1/32 2 0 13 82 451/8 2 0 50 97 991/2 2 58 85 99 1002 2 75 97 99 100______________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening" occured.
Several of the compounds of the invention were tested on water-seeded rice plants utilizing butachlor herbicide following the procedure of Example 62.
EXAMPLE 62
Plastic pots (4×4×3 inches deep) were filled with 2 inches of Ray silt loam soil. The combination treatments were applied sequentially to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa). Pre-soaked rice (2 day duration) was seeded into flooded pots. The water level was lowered to the soil surface after 24 hours and maintained at this level for 5 days after which the pots were reflooded for the duration of the test. The results obtained when water-seeded rice was treated in the manner described above are summarized in Table XIV.
TABLE XIV______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Herbicide AntidoteExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Safening Effect______________________________________3 1/64 1/2 *3 1/16 1/2 353 1/4 1/2 *4 1/64 1/2 264 1/16 1/2 234 1/4 1/2 *36 1/64 1/2 2636 1/16 1/2 6036 1/2 1/2 *5 1/32 1 *5 1/8 1 445 1/2 1 3746 1/16 1/2 3246 1/4 1/2 *46 1 1/2 *______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19.
Compounds of Examples 17, 20, 31, 34, 43 and 51 exhibited less than 20 units of safening when tested at 1/64, 1/16 and 1/4 pounds per acre.
The above examples illustrate that the 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio derivatives of the present invention are useful in reducing herbicidal injury to crop plants, for example, sorghum, rice and wheat. The safening agents may be applied to the plant locus as a mixture, i.e., a mixture of a herbicidally effective amount of thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicide and a safening effective amount of safening agent, or sequentially, i.e., the plant locus may be treated with an effective amount of the herbicide followed by a treatment with the safening agent or vice versa. The ratio of herbicide to safening agent may vary depending upon the crop to be protected, weeds to be inhibited, herbicide used, etc., but normally a herbicide to safening agent ratio ranging from 1:25 to 25:1 (preferably 1:5 to 5:1) parts by weight may be employed.
The herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof may be applied to the plant locus alone or the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof may be applied in conjunction with a material referred to in the art as an adjuvant in liquid or solid form. Mixtures containing the appropriate herbicide and safening agent usually are prepared by admixing said herbicide and safening agent with an adjuvant including diluents, extenders, carriers and conditioning agents to provide compositions in the form of finely-divided particulate solids, granules, pellets, wettable powders, dusts, solutions and aqueous dispersions or emulsions. Thus, the mixture may include an adjuvant such as a finely-divided particulate solid, a solvent liquid of organic origin, water, a wetting agent, dispersing agent, or emulsifying agent or any suitable combination of these.
When applying the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof to the plant locus, useful finely-divided solid carriers and extenders include, for example, the talcs, clays, pumice, silica, diatomaceous earth, quartz, Fullers earth, sulfur, powdered cork, powdered wood, walnut flour, chalk, tobacco dust, charcoal and the like. Typical liquid diluents useful include for example, Stoddard solvent, acetone, alcohols, glycols, ethyl acetate, benzene and the like. Such compositions, particularly liquids and wettable powders, usually contain as a conditioning agent one or more surface-active agents in amounts sufficient to render a given composition readily dispersible in water or in oil. By the term "surface-active agent", it is understood that wetting agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents and emulsifying agents are included therein. Such surface-active agents are well known and reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,724, Columns 3 and 4, for detailed examples of the same.
Compositions of this invention generally contain from about 5 to 95 parts herbicide and safening agent, about 1 to 50 parts surface-active agent and about 4 to 94 parts solvent, all parts being by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
The application of the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof in a liquid or particulate solid form can be carried out by conventional techniques utilizing, for example, spreaders, power dusters, boom and hand sprayers, spray dusters and granular applications. The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as a dust or spray. If desired, application of the compositions of the invention to plants can be accomplished by incorporating the compositions in the soil or other media.
The above examples also illustrate that the crop may be protected by treating the crop seed with an effective amount of safening agent prior to planting. Generally, small amounts of safening agent are required to treat such seeds. A weight ratio of as little as 0.031 parts of safener per 1000 parts of seed may be effective. The amount of safener utilized in treating the seed may be increased if desired. Generally, however, a weight ratio of safening agent to seed weight may range from 0.1 to 10.0 parts of safening agent per 1000 parts of seed. The determination of the effective amount of safening agent required is well within the skill of the art.
Since only a very small amount of active safening agent is usually required for the seed treatment, the compound preferably is formulated as a powder or an emulsifiable concentrate which can be diluted with water by the seed treater for use in the seed treating apparatus. Of course, under certain conditions, it may be desirable to dissolve the safening agent in an organic solvent for use as a seed treatment or the pure compound alone may be used under properly controlled conditions.
There are thus also provided by this invention novel seed treating compositions containing one or more of the described active safening agents intimately dispersed in an inert carrier or diluent for the intended use. Such carriers may be either solids, such as talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, sawdust, calcium carbonate, and the like or liquids such as water, kerosene, acetone, benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like in which the active agent may be either dissolved or dispersed. Emulsifying agents are advisably used to achieve a suitable emulsion if two immiscible liquids are used as a carrier. Wetting agents may also be used to aid in dispersing the active safening agent in liquids used as a carrier in which the agent is not completely soluble. Emulsifying agents and wetting agents are sold under numerous tradenames and may be either pure compounds, mixtures of compounds of the same general groups, or they may be mixtures of compounds of different classes. Typical satisfactory surface-active agents which may be used are alkali metal higher alkylarylsulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and the sodium salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acids, fatty alcohol sulfates such as the sodium salts of monoesters of sulfuric acid with n-aliphatic alcohols containing 8-18 carbon atoms, long chain quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium salts of petroleum-derived alkylsulfonic acids, polyethylene sorbitan monooleate, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, water-soluble lignin sulfonate salts, alkali-casein compositions, long chain alcohols usually containing 10-18 carbon atoms, and condensation products of ethylene oxide with fatty acids, alkylphenols and mercaptans.
While the compounds of the present invention, which are described hereinabove, generally safen crop plants, especially cereal crop plants, against the herbicidal effect of thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides, those skilled in the art will appreciate, from the biological data reported above, that various of the compounds of the present invention are most advantageously employed in a method of safening specific crop plants against either thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides. The following specific embodiments of the present invention are expressly contemplated herein (the limitations previously noted in the description of the invention likewise apply to the specific embodiments):
A. A method of reducing injury to rice, sorghum and wheat injured by thiocarbamate herbicides, especially triallate, using a safening effective amount of the compounds of the formula:
R-N=A
or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R is lower alkyl, ##STR46## R 1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or isopropyl; X and Y are independently equal to lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen;
A is ##STR47## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; R 3 is hydrogen or chloro;
R 4 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl.
B. A method or reducing injury to sorghum plants injured by acetanilide herbicides, especially alachlor, using a safening effective amount of compounds of the formula ##STR48## or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R 1 is hydrogen or methyl;
X is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy;
A is ##STR49## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; provided that when A is ##STR50## X must equal hydrogen.
C. A method of reducing injury to rice plants injured by acetanilide herbicides, especially butachlor, using a safening effective amount of compounds of the formula: ##STR51## or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R 1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, butyl or isobutyl;
X and Y are independently equal to lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen;
A is ##STR52## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; R 3 is hydrogen or chloro; provided that when A is ##STR53## R 1 cannot equal isopropyl.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific modifications, the details thereof are not to be construed as limitations, for it will be apparent that various equivalents, changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and it is understood that such equivalent embodiments are intended to be included herein. | Derivatives of 2-imino-1,3-dithiolane, 1,3-dithiole, 1,3-dithiane, 1,3-dithietane and 1,3-oxathiole have been found to reduce herbicidal injury to crop plants due to thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides. | Briefly outline the background technology and the problem the invention aims to solve. | [
"This is division of application Ser.",
"No. 170,506 filed July 21, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,310 which is a division of application Ser.",
"No. 960,987, filed Nov. 15, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,783.",
"This invention relates to novel 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio heterocycles and derivatives thereof as well as their use in compositions and methods for reducing herbicidal injury.",
"More specifically, the invention relates to novel compositions and methods for reducing injury to crop plants by herbicides such as thiocarbamates and acetanilides, which comprises treating the crop plant locus or the seed of the crop plant with an effective amount of compounds which will be described more fully below.",
"BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Herbicides are widely used to control weed growth in growing crop plants.",
"Unchecked weed growth is detrimental to the crop plant because weeds compete with crop plants for light, water and various nutrients.",
"This can result in lower crop yields as well as poorer crop quality.",
"The presence of weeds in a growing crop also interferes with the cultivation and harvesting of the crop plant.",
"Among the commercially available herbicides, thiocarbamates and acetanilides have proven to be effective in controlling various weed pests.",
"Unfortunately, thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides can also cause serious injury to some crop plants at application rates necessary to stunt or kill weeds.",
"A compound or composition which protects the crop plant from the action of the herbicide, without reducing the herbicidal effectiveness against the weed to be controlled, would be beneficial.",
"Compounds which are useful in reducing or eliminating crop injury are variously referred to by those skilled in the art as antidotes, safeners or antagonistic agents.",
"It has been found that certain 2-imino derivatives of 1,3-dithiolane, 1,3-dithiole, 1,3-dithiane, 1,3-dithietane and 1,3-oxathiole are effective safening agents.",
"Certain of these compounds are known in the art;",
"the following patents are representative of the art in this area.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,365 discloses 2-imino-4-alkalidene-1,3-dithiolanes and teaches that said compounds are useful as insecticides, acaricides and nematocides.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,366 discloses 2-amino-4,5-substituted-1,3-dithioles which are useful as insecticides.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,148 discloses processes for preparing substituted 1,3-dithioles, 1,3-dithianes, 1,3-dithiolanes and the salts thereof which are intermediates in the preparation of phoshorylated imino compounds.",
"U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,189,429 and 3,139,439 disclose the preparation and herbicidal use of the halide salts of 2-dialkylamino-1,3-dithiolane derivatives.",
"British Pat. No. 1,367,862 discloses substituted phenyl-2-imino-1,3-dithietanes which are chemosterilants of adult female Ixodides.",
"U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,532 discloses 2-(o-tolyl)imino-1,3-dithioles which are Ixodides.",
"None of the above patents teach or suggest that the substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio heterocyclic compounds of the present invention would be useful as herbicidal antidotes.",
"DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has been found that various crop plants can be protected against the herbicidal action of thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides, without a corresponding reduction in injury to the weeds, by the application to the crop plant locus or the seed of the crop plant prior to planting of an effective safening amount of a compound having the formula R-N=A or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or ##STR1## R 1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;",
"X and Y independently equal hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen;",
"n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;",
"A is ##STR2## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl;",
"R 3 is hydrogen or halogen;",
"R 4 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;",
"Z is oxygen or sulfur;",
"provided that when n is 1 and A is ##STR3## R 1 cannot equal ethyl and when n is 1 and A is ##STR4## R 1 cannot equal n-propyl or isobutyl.",
"It is believed that compounds described by the above formula are novel except where R equals hydrogen, where A equals ##STR5## or where A equals ##STR6## and n equals 0.",
"Preferred compounds employed in the invention are those in which R is ##STR7## and A is ##STR8## Among the above-described preferred compounds, the most preferred are those in which R 1 is methyl and X and Y are hydrogen.",
"As used herein the term "lower alkyl"",
"includes those members including straight and branched chain, having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms inclusive, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl and the like.",
"The term "lower alkoxy"",
"includes straight and branched chain members having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and the like.",
"The term "halogen"",
"or "halo"",
"is understood to include chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine atoms, preferably chlorine.",
"The agriculturally acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of the foregoing formula are derived from "strong acids"",
"which is understood herein to mean those inorganic and organic acids having a dissociation constant equal to or greater than about 5×10 -2 , for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, tri-halogenated acetic acid, oxalic acid and the like.",
"Preferred salts are those derived from the hydrohalic acids, especially hydrochloric acid.",
""Antidote", "safener"",
"or "antagonistic agent"",
"when used herein, refer to compounds which counteract the herbicidal action of a herbicide on a crop plant thereby reducing or eliminating injury to the crop plant without reducing the effectiveness of the herbicide against the weed(s) to be controlled.",
"The "antidotes"",
"of the present invention are particularly advantageous for cereal crop plants of the grass family (Gramineae), for example, oats, wheat, barley, rye, corn, rice and sorghum, preferably rice, sorghum and wheat.",
"Exemplary of the thiocarbamate herbicides useful herein is S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-(2,3-dichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-ethyl diisopropylthiocarbamate, S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate and the like.",
"The antidotes of the present invention are preferentially employed as safeners for S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate, commonly known as triallate.",
"Exemplary of the acetanilide herbicides is 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)acetanilide, commonly known as alachlor, 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(butoxymethyl)acetanilide, commonly known as butachlor, 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide, commonly known as propachlor, and the like.",
"Among the acetanilide herbicides, the antidotes of the present invention are preferentially employed as safening agents for alachlor and butachlor.",
"The amount of safening agent employed in the methods and compositions of the invention will vary depending upon the particular herbicide with which the agent is employed, the rate of application of the herbicide, the crop to be protected as well as the manner of application of the safening agent.",
"In each instance, the amount employed is a safening effective amount, i.e., the amount which reduces crop injury by thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides.",
"The safening agent may be applied to the plant locus in a mixture with the herbicide, sequentially, or it may be applied directly to the seed of the crop plant.",
"By application to the "plant locus"",
"is meant application to the plant growing medium, such as the soil, as well as the seeds, emerging seedlings, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits or other plant parts.",
"The amount of herbicide employed is well within the skill of the art and is disclosed in various patents.",
"Alachlor and butachlor and their herbicidal use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,442,945 and 3,547,620.",
"Propachlor and its herbicidal use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,863,752 and Re.",
"No. 26,961.",
"Triallate and diallate and their herbicidal use are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,330,643 and 3,330,821.",
"Additionally, as is well known by those skilled in the art, the labels of commercially available thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides contain a complete description of the amount of herbicide to be employed to control the desired weed(s).",
"PREPARATION OF THE COMPOUNDS OF THE INVENTION The substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithio- and oxathioheterocycles of the present invention are sulfur containing heterocycles generally known in the art as 1,3-dithiolanes, 1,3-dithioles, 1,3-dithianes, 1,3-oxathioles and 1,3-dithietanes.",
"The 1,3-dithiolanes of the invention are prepared according to several methods.",
"The substituted 2-imino-4-dichloromethylene-1,3-dithiolanes may be prepared by cyclizing the appropriate 2,3,3-trihaloallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate in the presence of a suitable solvent, for example, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform or toluene.",
"When 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate is used, the reaction may be graphically illustrated as: ##STR9## Substituted 2-imino-4-methylene-1,3-dithiolanes may be prepared by reacting an amine, such as α-methylbenzylamine with an alkynyl halide containing 3 or 4 carbon atoms.",
"The reaction may be graphically illustrated as ##STR10## These compounds may also be prepared by reacting approximately equimolar quantities of a substituted 2-propynyl dithiocarbamate with a non-oxidizing strong acid, such as hydrochloric.",
"The overall reaction may be graphically written as: ##STR11## The substituted 2-imino-4-methyl-1,3-dithioles may be prepared by reacting chloroallyl N-substituted dithiocarbamate with a non-oxidizing strong acid, such as hydrochloric or hydroiodic, etc.",
"The reaction may be carried out in an inert inorganic or organic medium such as water, alcohol or a mixture of the same.",
"It is generally preferably to employ an excess of acid.",
"The reaction may be illustrated as follows: ##STR12## The substituted 2-imino-1,3-oxathioles of the invention may be prepared by reacting approximately equimolar portions of 1-substituted-3,3-dimethylthiourea and an appropriate halogenated aldehyde or ketone in an inert solvent such as dioxane, acetone, tetrahydrofuran and the like.",
"The reaction may be illustrated as: ##STR13## The substituted 2-imino-1,3-dithianes of the invention may be prepared according to the following general reaction: ##STR14## The preparation of the 1,3-dithietanes of the invention was carried out according to procedures known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,842,096, 3,928,382 and 3,954,801, herein incorporated by reference.",
"It will be recognized that the agriculturally acceptable salt of the above-described compounds is easily neutralized to form the free bases by the addition of a sufficient neutralizing amount of organic or inorganic base;",
"contemplated, for example, are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, triethyl amine and sodium acetate.",
"To facilitate a further understanding of the present invention, the following illustrative examples are presented which are not to be taken as limitative of the invention.",
"EXAMPLE 1 2,3,3-Trichloroallyl N-(α-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamate A two-phase mixture containing 6.0 g (0.0495 mol) dl-α-methylbenzylamine and 8.0 g (0.05 mol) 25% NaOH in 50 ml water was stirred rapidly at 0°-10° C. while 4.0 g (0.05 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise over 2-3 minutes.",
"The mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to 20° C. over a one hour period.",
"To this stirred slurry was added 9.0 g (0.05 mol) 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene in one portion.",
"A yellow two phase mixture resulted and the temperature slowly rose to a maximum of 28° C. The mixture was heated gently to 45°-50° C. for three hours, then let cool and extracted with 300 ml ethyl ether.",
"The ether solution was washed with two, 50 ml portions of water, treated with activated charcoal and MgSO 4 , filtered through Hy-flo and evaporated in vacuo below 40°/<1 torr to give 14.9 g (88%) of a light orange oil.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 12 Cl 3 NS 2 : N, 4.11;",
"Cl, 31.2;",
"S, 18.8 Found: N, 4.26;",
"Cl, 31.4;",
"S, 18.8 EXAMPLE 2 Benzylamine, N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride A solution containing 16.35 g (0.05 mol) of 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-benzyldithiocarbamate in 50 ml of carbon tetrachloride was placed in a photochemical reaction vessel fitted with a fritted disc bottom for sparging N 2 through the solution.",
"A 450-watt, Hanovia high pressure mercury lamp, with a Pyrex filter, was inserted into the water-cooled quartz immersion well.",
"The solution was agitated with a gentle stream of N 2 bubbles and photolyzed for 35 minutes.",
"The CCl 4 was decanted off leaving a solid which was triturated with benzene, collected by filtration and air dried to give 7.2 g mp 158°-161° C. A sample was recrystallized from CHCl 3 /CCl 4 to give off-white crystals, mp 152°-159° C., yield 44%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 11 H 9 Cl 2 NS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 4.29;",
"Cl, 32.6;",
"S, 19.6;",
"N.E., 327 Found: N, 4.32;",
"Cl, 32.4;",
"S, 19.8;",
"N.E., 321 EXAMPLE 3 Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[(4-dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride This compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 2 except that 2,3,3-trichloroallyl-N-α-methylbenzyl dithiocarbamate was used.",
"A solid was obtained in 47.5% yield, mp 152°-153° C. Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 11 Cl 2 NS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 4.11;",
"Cl, 31.2;",
"S, 18.8 Found: N, 4.06;",
"Cl, 31.3;",
"S, 19.0 EXAMPLE 4 Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene] A slurry consisting of 4.8 g (0.014 mol) of the hydrochloride salt of Example 3, in 60 ml of water was stirred and made slightly basic with triethylamine.",
"The mixture was extracted with 50 ml ethyl ether.",
"The separated ether solution was washed with 2, 25 ml portions of cold water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 4.1 g light amber oil.",
"The oil which solidified on standing at room temperature was recrystallized from pet ether, mp 39°-40.5° C., yield 99%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 11 Cl 2 NS 2 : N, 4.60;",
"Cl, 23.3;",
"S, 21.1;",
"Found: N, 4.71;",
"Cl, 23.3;",
"S, 21.1.",
"EXAMPLE 5 Benzylamine, α-isopropyl N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene] A solution of 35.6 g (0.097 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-(α-isopropyl)benzyldithiocarbamate in 100 ml chloroform was photolyzed for 2 1/2-3 hours.",
"After evaporation of the chloroform the residue was treated with benzene but no crystalline hydrochloride salt formed.",
"The benzene solution was diluted with ethyl ether and the organic solution treated with dilute NaOH.",
"The organic layer was then dried and evaporated to give 29.3 g red amber oil.",
"A 10 g portion of this oil was purified by HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) on silica gel using toluene to give 5.0 g of the pure free base, yield 45.7%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 14 H 15 Cl 2 NS 2 : N, 4.21;",
"Cl, 21.3;",
"S, 19.3;",
"Found: N, 4.16;",
"Cl, 21.4;",
"S, 19.4.",
"EXAMPLE 6 Isopropylamine, N-[4-(dichloromethylene)1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride A solution containing 10.0 g (0.036 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl N-isopropyldithiocarbamate in 100 ml CCl 4 was photolyzed for 0.5 hour.",
"The solid product was collected by filtration and air dried to give 3.8 g, mp 149°-154° C. Crystallization from CHCl 3 /CCl 4 gave 2.5 g, mp 155°-157° C., yield 38%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 7 H 9 Cl 2 NS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 5.03;",
"Cl, 38.2;",
"S, 23.0;",
"Found: N, 5.05;",
"Cl, 37.8;",
"S, 22.8.",
"EXAMPLE 7 1,3-Dithiolane-,2-imino-4-dichloromethylene Hydrochloride A solution containing 4.8 g (0.02 mol) 2,3,3-trichloroallyl dithiocarbamate in 75 mls of chloroform was photolyzed for one hour.",
"The chloroform was drawn off through the bottom sintered glass frit and the solid residue triturated with fresh chloroform then air dried to give 3.3 g, mp 180° C. (dec.)sinters at 120° C. Crystallization from MeOH/ethyl ether gave a light tan powder, mp 187° C. (dec.).",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 4 H 3 Cl 2 NS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 5.92;",
"Cl, 45.0;",
"S, 27.1;",
"Found: N, 5.94;",
"Cl, 44.2;",
"S, 26.7.",
"Following the procedures described in Examples 2-7, other N-(4-dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolanes of the invention were prepared.",
"Table I describes these compounds in greater detail.",
"TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR15##Example AnalysisNo.",
"Empirical R Calc'd Found Solvent Mp° C. % Yield__________________________________________________________________________ 8 C.sub[.",
"].5 H.sub[.",
"].5 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl CH.",
"sub[.",
"].3 N, 5.59;",
"5.56 CCl.",
"sub[.",
"].4 193-194 46 Cl, 42.4;",
"42.6 S, 25.6;",
"25.7 9 C.sub[.",
"].12 H.sub[.",
"].10 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].3 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl ##STR16## N, 3.73;",
"Cl, 37.8;",
"S, 17.1;",
"3.78 37.7 17.1 CCl.",
"sub[.",
"].4 144-149 28.510 C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].13 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl ##STR17## N, 3.95;",
"Cl, 30.0;",
"S, 18.1;",
"3.89 30.0 18.1 CHCl.",
"sub[.",
"].3 152.5-155.0 4311 C.sub[.",
"].16 H.sub[.",
"].19 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 NOS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 .",
"HCl ##STR18## N, 3.39;",
"Cl, 25.8;",
"S, 15.5;",
"3.36 25.8 15.5 CHCl.",
"sub[.",
"].3 147-152.5 29.512 C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].13 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR19## N, 4.40;",
"Cl, 22.3;",
"S, 20.1;",
"4.43 22.4 20.1 CHCl.",
"sub[.",
"].3 Oil 94 13* C.sub[.",
"].16 H.sub[.",
"].19 Cl.",
"sub[.",
"].2 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR20## N, 3.89;",
"Cl, 19.7;",
"S, 17.8;",
"3.80 19.6 17.7 CHCl.",
"sub[.",
"].3 Oil 62__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC.",
"EXAMPLE 14 (After U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,365) 1,3-Dithiolan-2-imino-4-methylene-,Hydrochloride To a flask immersed in an ice-water bath was added 14.7 g (0.12 mol) 2-propynyl dithiocarbamate and the solid then mixed with 14 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid.",
"The initial solid mass was stirred with a thermometer and the mass slowly liquified whereupon the reaction became extremely exothermic and the temperature rose to 90° C. in spite of the ice-bath cooling.",
"When the reaction had subsided and the temperature of the mixture had cooled to 25°-30° C., the reaction mass was poured into 250 ml acetone.",
"Upon cooling and scratching, a sandy solid formed which was collected by a filtration, washed with fresh acetone and air dried to give 14.4 g, mp 119°-122° C. Recrystallization from Methanol/ether gave sandy crystals, mp 122°-123° C. EXAMPLE 15 Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[4-(methylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene A slurry consisting of 18.2 g (0.15 mol) of dl-α-methylbenzylamine and 100 ml water containing 23.2 g (0.15 mol) 25.8% NaOH was stirred at 0°-10° C. while 11.4 g (0.15 mol) carbon disulfide was added over 10 minutes.",
"The pink solution was stirred and slowly warmed to 25° C. over one hour whereupon 17.8 g (0.15 mol) propargyl bromide was added in one portion.",
"An exothermic reaction caused the temperature to rise to 35° C. and a yellow oil precipitated.",
"The mixture was stirred and heated to 50°-55° C. for five hours then cooled to 25° C. with stirring, overnight.",
"The oil was extracted with 300 ml of ethyl ether and the separated ether solution washed with 100 water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 34.2 g red-orange oil.",
"The nmr spectrum indicated a mixture of the propargyl ester and the cyclic 1,3-dithiolane.",
"The oil was heated in vacuo at 70°-80° C. to complete the cyclization.",
"The oil was dissolved in 300 ml ethyl ether and the ether solution extracted with three, 100 ml portions of 10% HCl, followed by two, 50 ml portions of water.",
"The combined acid extract was extracted twice with 50 ml ether, then carefully neutralized with 10% NaOH and the precipitated oil taken up in ether.",
"The ether solution was dried and evaporated at 55°/<1 torr to give 19.5 g (86.5%) light yellow oil, n25/D=1.6275.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2;",
"H, 5.57;",
"N, 5.95;",
"S, 27.2;",
"Found: C, 61.5;",
"H, 5.72;",
"N, 6.04;",
"S, 27.0.",
"EXAMPLE 16 Benzylamine, α-methyl, 2,5-dimethoxy-N-[4-(methylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene] A mixture of 10.0 g (0.034 mol) 2-propynyl N-[2,4-(dimethoxy)-α-methylbenzyl]dithiocarbamate and 30 ml conc.",
"HCl was heated gently on a steam bath.",
"After 10 minutes the solid carbamate had dissolved and the solution was heated an additional 10 minutes, cooled and ethyl ether added.",
"The acid layer was separated, placed in an ice bath and carefully neutralized with 50% NaOH.",
"The precipitated oil was extracted into ethyl ether and washed free of base with water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 9.7 g (97%) of a light amber oil, n25/D 1.6136.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 14 H 17 NO 2 S 2 : C, 56.9;",
"H, 5.80;",
"N, 4.74;",
"S, 21.7;",
"Found: C, 57.1;",
"H, 5.87;",
"N, 4.70;",
"S, 21.5.",
"EXAMPLE 17 Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(methylene)-5-(metyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene] To a stirred solution containing 4.0 g (0.1 mol) NaOH and 10 ml of water in 100 ml dimethyl formamide there was added 2.1 g (0.1 mol) dl-α-methylbenzylamine at 20° C. followed by 7.6 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide over 5 minutes.",
"After stirring for 15 minutes at 20°-25° C., 8.8 g (0.1 mol) of 3-chloro-1-butyne was added in portions.",
"The resulting slurry was stirred at 20°-25° C. for one hour then heated gently to 30°-35° C. and stirred overnight at ambient temperature.",
"The mixture was diluted with 400 ml cold water and extracted with 100 ml ethylene dichloride.",
"The organic extract was washed with 50 ml water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo below 30° C. to give 27.8 g orange oil which contained DMF.",
"The oil was washed with water by decantation to remove DMF, then azeotroped with ethanol/benzene to give a crude oil which was dissolved in 300 ml ether and the solution extracted with 3 M HCl.",
"The HCL extract was carefully neutralized with 25% NaOH and the precipitated oil extracted into ether, the solution dried and evaporated at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 9.0 g clear amber oil, yield 36% n25/D 1.6620.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 15 NS 2 : C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06;",
"S, 25.7;",
"Found: C, 62.7;",
"H, 6.07;",
"S, 25.6.",
"EXAMPLE 18 Benzeneethanamine, N-(4-methylene-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene) A slurry containing 12.1 g (0.1 mol) β-phenethylamine and 15.4 g 25% sodium hydroxide in 100 ml water was stirred at 0°-10° C. while 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise.",
"The orange solution was stirred rapidly and allowed to warm to room temperature over ˜ one hour.",
"Propargyl bromide, 13.4 g (0.113 mol) was then added slowly at 20°-25° C. (ice bath cooling) and the resulting slurry was stirred at room temperature overnight.",
"The oily product was extracted into 50 ml of ethyl ether, the ether solution dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 21.6 g of an orange liquid.",
"A 10 g sample of the crude oil was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant to yield 4.1 g (32%) n25/D 1.6020.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2;",
"H, 5.57;",
"N, 5.95;",
"S, 27.3;",
"Found: C, 61.1;",
"H, 5.60;",
"N, 5.92;",
"S, 27.1.",
"EXAMPLE 19 Benzenepropaneamine, N-(4-methylene-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene) A slurry containing 13.52 g (0.1 mol) of 3-phenyl-1-propylamine, 15.4 g (0.1 mol) 25% NaOH in 100 ml water was stirred vigorously at 0°-10° C. while 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide was added dropwise.",
"The resulting solution was allowed to warm to ˜25° C. over one hour whereupon 13.4 g (0.113 mol) propargyl bromide was added slowly at 20°-25° C. with ice bath cooling.",
"The resulting two-phase mixture was stirred overnight then extracted with 50 ml ether.",
"The ether solution was separated, washed until neutral with water, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 22.7 g amber oil.",
"After standing at room temperature for 8 days, 10 g of the crude oil was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant.",
"Recovered 1.4 g (13%) of the pure 2-(3-phenyl-1-propyl)imino-4-methylene-1,3-dithiolane, n25/D 1.5983.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 13 H 15 NS 2 : C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06;",
"N, 5.62;",
"S, 25.7;",
"Found: C, 62.4;",
"H, 6.09;",
"N, 5.58;",
"S, 25.7.",
"The procedures of Examples 13-19 were used to prepare other N-(4-methylene)-1,3-dithiolanes which are described in Table II.",
"TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR21##Example AnalysisNo.",
"Empirical R Calc'd Found n.sub.D.sup[.",
"].25° % Yield__________________________________________________________________________20 C.sub[.",
"].11 H.sub[.",
"].11 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR22## C, 59.7;",
"H, 5.01;",
"N, 6.33 S, 29.0;",
"59.7 4.97 6.24 29.2 1.6489 6621 C.sub[.",
"].7 H.sub[.",
"].11 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 (CH.",
"sub[.",
"].3).",
"sub[.",
"].2 CH N, 8.08;",
"7.88 1.6041 88.5 S, 37.0;",
"36.822 C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].15 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR23## C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06;",
"N, 5.62 S, 25.7;",
"62.7 6.09 5.59 25.7 1.6175 4323 C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR24## C, 63.9;",
"H, 6.51;",
"N, 5.32;",
"S, 24.4;",
"64.0 6.58 5.19 23.9 1.6083 6024 C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR25## C, 63.9;",
"H, 6.51;",
"N, 5.32;",
"S, 24.4;",
"64.2 6.61 5.20 23.7 1.6110 1925 C.sub[.",
"].16 H.sub[.",
"].21 NOS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR26## C, 62.5;",
"H, 6.88 N, 4.56;",
"S, 20.9;",
"63.2 6.96 4.71 20.2 1.5875 11 26* C.sub[.",
"].16 H.sub[.",
"].21 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR27## C, 65.9;",
"H, 7.26;",
"N, 4.80;",
"S, 22.0;",
"66.3 7.23 4.70 21.6 1.5856 55 27* C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR28## C, 63.9;",
"H, 6.51;",
"N, 5.32;",
"S, 24.4;",
"63.8 6.52 5.40 24.3 1.5902 37 28* C.sub[.",
"].12 H.sub[.",
"].12 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR29## C, 53.4;",
"H, 4.48;",
"Cl, 13.1;",
"S, 53.5 4.53 13.2 23.6 1.6154 27 29* C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR30## C, 63.9;",
"H, 6.51;",
"N, 5.32;",
"S, 24.4;",
"63.7 6.58 5.28 24.3 1.6177 28 30* C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].15 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR31## C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06;",
"N, 5.62;",
"S, 25.7;",
"62.4 6.06 5.56 25.6 1.5992 14 31* C.sub[.",
"].15 H.sub[.",
"].19 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR32## C, 64.9;",
"H, 6.90;",
"N, 5.05;",
"S, 23.1 64.8 6.88 5.02 23.0 1.5828 32 32* C.sub[.",
"].15 H.sub[.",
"].19 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR33## C, 64.9;",
"H, 6.90;",
"N, 5.05;",
"S, 23.1;",
"64.8 6.96 4.98 23.0 1.5960 32 33* C.sub[.",
"].11 H.sub[.",
"].10 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR34## C, 51.6;",
"H, 3.94;",
"N, 5.48;",
"Cl, 13.9;",
"S, 51.7 3.98 5.47 13.8 25.0 1.6413 3 34* C.sub[.",
"].11 H.sub[.",
"].10 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR35## C, 51.6;",
"H, 3.94;",
"N, 5.48;",
"S, 25.1;",
"51.4 3.99 5.46 25.0 1.6475 22__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC.",
"EXAMPLE 35 (After U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,366) 1,3-Dithiol-2-imino,4-methyl-,Hydrochloride A mixture of 4.5 g (0.027 mol) 2-imino-4-methylene 1,3-dithiolane hydrochloride, Example 14, in 9 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid was heated at reflux in an oil bath (100°-110° ) for three hours then allowed to cool and stand overnight at 25°-30° C. The dark solution was decanted away from a dark amorphous solid into 150 ml dry acetone.",
"The light brown lustrous crystals which formed on standing in the cold were collected by a filtrate ion, washed with fresh acetone and air dried to give 3.5 g, mp 170°-173° C. Recrystallization from methanol gave bright yellow crystals which quickly darkened on air drying, mp 168°-170° C. EXAMPLE 36 Benzylamine-,α-methyl-N-[4-(methyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride A mixture containing 10.0 g (0.037 mol) 2-chloroallyl N-(α-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamate, 14 ml conc.",
"HCl and 25 ml ethanol was stirred and heated under reflux for 4 hours.",
"The dark mixture was allowed to cool to 25° C. and poured into 200 ml acetone.",
"Since no crystals formed on chilling, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residue treated with 150 ml benzene and re-evaporated at 50°/<0.5 torr to give 10.4 g light yellow semi-solid which crystallized on treating with 100 ml ethyl ether and 5 ml methanol to yield 6.3 g cream solid, mp 139°-150° C. A sample was recrystallized from ether/methanol to give colorless crystals, mp 165°-166° C., yield 34%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 5.15;",
"Cl, 13.0;",
"S, 23.6, N.E. 272;",
"Found: N, 5.27;",
"Cl, 13.1;",
"S, 23.7;",
"N.E. 260.",
"EXAMPLE 37 Benzylamine-,α-t-butyl-p-methoxy-N-[4-(methyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride A mixture containing 24 g (0.07 mol) 2-chloroallyl N-[α-t-butyl-o-methoxybenzyl]dithiocarbamate and 40 ml conc.",
"HCl in 70 ml ethanol was heated under reflux for 3 hours.",
"The mixture was treated with 300 ml chloroform and the layers separated.",
"The water layer was extracted with 3, 50 ml portions of CHCl 3 and the combined CHCl 3 extract was dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to give a residue.",
"The residue was dissolved in 25 ml methanol, treated with charcoal, filtered and slowly diluted with 3 liters of anhydrous ether.",
"Upon stirring for 72 hours there was obtained 2.21 g white solids, mp 164°-167° C. The combination of the filtrate and washings from the above solids was evaporated to dryness and the residue again heated under reflux in 70 ml EtOH containing 40 ml conc.",
"HCl.",
"Chloroform extraction followed by treatment of the extract evaporation residue with methanol/ether as before, yielded 3.7 g solids, mp 161°-164° C., combined yield 21%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 16 H 21 NOS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 4.07;",
"Cl, 10.31;",
"S, 18.7 Found: N, 3.79;",
"Cl, 9.45;",
"S, 18.2 EXAMPLE 38 Benzylamine, α-t-butyl-p-methoxy-N-[4-(methyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene] A stirred slurry, containing 2 g of the compound of Example 34, in 50 ml distilled water, was slowly neutralized with 25% NaOH with cooling.",
"The mixture was treated with 50 ml ethyl ether, the ether layer was separated and was washed with water until neutral, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 1.6 g colorless, viscous oil, yield 80%, n25/D 1.5851.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 16 H 21 NOS 2 : C, 62.5;",
"H, 6.88;",
"S, 20.9;",
"Found: C, 62.8;",
"H, 6.87;",
"S, 20.5.",
"EXAMPLE 39 Benzeneethaneamine, N-(4-methyl-1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene) To a stirred slurry containing 12.12 g (0.1 mol) phenethylamine, 15.4 g (0.1 mol) 25% sodium hydroxide in 100 ml water was added 7.7 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide at 0°-10° C. over ˜5 minutes.",
"To the resulting solution was added 12.2 g (0.11 mol) 2,3-dichloropropene at 20°-25° C. and the mixture allowed to stir overnight at 25°-30° C. The two-phase mixture was extracted with 50 ml of ether, the ether solution separated, dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated in vacuo to give 20.3 g amber oil.",
"The oil was dissolved in 70 ml ethanol, 40 ml conc.",
"HCl added and the mixture heated under reflux for six hours.",
"After cooling and standing overnight the mixture was vacuum treated to remove the ethanol and excess HCl and the residue treated with benzene three times to azeotrope the water.",
"The resulting residue was treated with ethyl ether, stirred two hours and filtered to yield 11.0 g light tan crystals, mp 80° -106° C. The crude salt, (10 g) was dissolved in 50 ml water, neutralized with 25% NaOH and the free base taken up in ether.",
"The ether solution was washed until neutral, dried and evaporated to give 7.8 g amber oil which was purified by HPLC on silica gel using toluene as eluant.",
"There was obtained 6.0 g, n25/D 1.5990, yield 40%.",
"Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 12 H 13 NS 2 : C, 61.2;",
"H, 5.57;",
"N, 5.95;",
"S, 27.3;",
"Found: C, 61.4;",
"H, 5.60;",
"N, 5.90;",
"S, 27.1.",
"Table III describes other compounds of the invention prepared in accordance with the procedure described in Examples 33-39.",
"TABLE III__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR36##Example AnalysisNo.",
"Empirical R Calc'd Found Mp °C.",
"/n.",
"sub.D.sup[.",
"].25° % Yield__________________________________________________________________________40 C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl ##STR37## C, 56.1;",
"H, 6.05;",
"N, 4.67;",
"S, 21.4 56.1 6.06 4.65 21.3 160-163 3341 C.sub[.",
"].16 H.sub[.",
"].21 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl ##STR38## N, 4.27;",
"Cl, 19.5;",
"S, 10.8;",
"4.11 19.3 10.7 150-152 1642 C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].15 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2.",
"HCl ##STR39## C, 54.6;",
"H, 5.64;",
"N, 4.90 S, 22.4;",
"54.7 5.67 4.96 22.3 161-164 5 43* C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].15 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR40## C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06;",
"N, 5.62;",
"S, 25.7 62.5 6.07 5.64 25.7 1.5973 14 44* C.sub[.",
"].13 H.sub[.",
"].15 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR41## C, 62.6;",
"H, 6.06 N, 5.62;",
"S, 25.7;",
"62.5 6.10 5.62 25.6 1.5892 8 45* C.sub[.",
"].11 H.sub[.",
"].10 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR42## C, 51.6;",
"H, 3.94 N, 5.48;",
"51.8 3.95 5.51 1.6266 13 46* C.sub[.",
"].11 H.sub[.",
"].10 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR43## C, 51.6;",
"H, 3.94;",
"N, 5.48 S, 25.1;",
"51.8 4.00 5.51 25.0 .",
"sup.",
"55-60° 547 C.sub[.",
"].14 H.sub[.",
"].17 NS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR44## C, 63.8;",
"H, 6.51;",
"S, 24.3;",
"63.7 6.54 24.2 1.5828 8 48* C.sub[.",
"].12 H.sub[.",
"].12 ClNS.",
"sub[.",
"].2 ##STR45## N, 5.19;",
"Cl, 13.1;",
"S, 23.8;",
"5.19 13.3 23.7 1.6083 27__________________________________________________________________________ *Isolated by HPLC EXAMPLE 49 Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[5-(phenyl)-1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidene] A stirred solution containing 10.0 g (0.048 mol) of 1-(α-methyl)benzyl-3,3-dimethylthiourea and 10.0 g (0.05 mol) of 97% α-bromoacetophenone in 100 ml dioxane was heated under reflux for 17 hours.",
"The hot mixture was filtered, the filtrate was allowed to cool and then filtered again to remove a small amount of hygroscopic solids.",
"Evaporation of the filtrate gave 15.2 g dark amber viscous oil which was taken up in ethyl ether and the solution washed with water until neutral, dried and evaporated to give 10.9 g dark brown oil which was purified by chromatography on silica gel using pet.",
"ether/benzene yielding 3.5 g (12.5%) mp 67°-70° C. A sample was crystallized from pentane, mp 70°-72° C. Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 17 H 15 NOS: C, 72.6;",
"H, 5.37;",
"N, 4.98;",
"S, 11.4;",
"Found: C, 72.6;",
"H, 5.37;",
"N, 4.95;",
"S, 11.4.",
"EXAMPLE 50 5-Benzeneamine, N-(5-phenyl-1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidene) This compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 49 except that 1-phenyl-3,3-dimethylthiourea was used;",
"the final product melted at 135°-136° C. EXAMPLE 51 Benzylamine-N-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene) To a stirred solution of 10.7 g (0.1 mol) benzylamine in 100 ml DMF there was added 20 ml 10 N KOH at 25°-30° C. with ice bath cooling, followed by the addition of 7.6 g (0.1 mol) carbon disulfide.",
"The resulting yellow solution was stirred at 25°-30° C. for one-half hour.",
"1,3-dibromopropane, 20.2 g (0.1 mol), was added dropwise to the above solution causing the temperature to rise slowly to 38° C. with precipitation of white solids.",
"The mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours, chilled in an ice bath and filtered to give 19.7 g. The solid was treated with chloroform and water and the organic layer dried over MgSO 4 and solvent evaporated to yield 3.3 g, 10% yield, mp 125°-127.5° C. Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 11 H 13 NS 2 : C, 59.2;",
"H, 5.87;",
"S, 28.7;",
"Found: C, 59.1;",
"H, 5.88;",
"S, 28.7.",
"EXAMPLE 52 o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene)-Hydrochloride o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) was prepared according to the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,801, mp 165.5°-169° C. Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 9 H 8 ClNS 2 .",
"HCl: N, 5.27;",
"Cl, 26.6;",
"S, 24.1;",
"Found: C, 5.37;",
"Cl, 26.5;",
"S, 23.8.",
"EXAMPLE 53 o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-, N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) o-Toluidine, 4-chloro-, N-(1,3-dithietan-2-ylidene) was prepared by neutralizing an aqueous solution of the compound of Example 52 with 25% NaOH.",
"An off-white solid was recovered which melted at 41°-44° C. Anal.",
"Calc'd for C 9 H 8 ClNS 2 : N, 6.10, Cl, 15.4;",
"S, 27.9;",
"Found: N, 6.19;",
"Cl, 15.5;",
"S, 27.4.",
"The following examples are presented to illustrate the safening effectiveness of the compounds of the present invention as well as the various embodiments of the invention.",
"These examples are presented as being illustrative of the novel usages of the invention and are not intended to be a limitation as to the scope thereof.",
"EXAMPLE 54 Aluminum pans or plastic pots are filled with prepared Ray silt loam soil and compacted to a depth of 1/2 inch from the top of the container.",
"The pans or pots are then planted with seeds or vegetative propagules of the desired plant species.",
"Soil cover layers, of prepared Ray silt loam, are sequentially treated with antidote and herbicide.",
"The antidote, dissolved in a suitable solvent, is applied to the soil cover layer followed by herbicide application.",
"The desired concentration of herbicide is formulated as a solution, emulsifiable concentrate or wettable powder in a suitable solvent.",
"After antidote and herbicide are applied to the soil cover layer, the combination is thoroughly incorporated into the soil cover layer by stirring or shaking.",
"The soil cover layers are then placed on the pre-seeded pans or pots and the pans or pots are transferred to a greenhouse bench where they are watered from below.",
"Two to four weeks after application of the antidote and herbicide combination, the results are observed and recorded.",
"Pans or pots treated only with antidote or herbicide are prepared and treated as described above.",
"The results observed from the pans or pots provide the measure of plant inhibition due to antidote and herbicide alone.",
"The "safening effect"",
"of the antidote is calculated as follows: [% Plant Inhibition due to Herbicide +% Plant Inhibition due to Antidote-% Plant Inhibition due to Antidote/Herbicide Combination].",
"Table IV summarizes the results obtained when the compounds of the invention were tested in accordance with the procedure of Example 54 utilizing triallate as the herbicide.",
"TABLE IV______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Triallate Antidote Safening EffectExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________3 0.25 8.0 70 85 8515 0.375 8.0 34 70 334 0.25 8.0 65 70 7514 0.25 4.0 * * *14 0.375 8.0 * * 3835 0.25 4.0 40 * 2535 0.375 8.0 * * *36 0.25 8.0 65 75 457 0.375 8.0 * * *2 0.375 8.0 * 55 2820 0.375 8.0 34 90 3321 0.375 8.0 20 70 436 0.375 8.0 * 83 3052 0.375 8.0 40 93 4053 0.375 8.0 * 93 258 0.5 8.0 * 48 2017 0.5 8.0 35 85 3050 0.5 8.0 * * *49 0.5 8.0 65 78 559 0.5 8.0 * * 2022 0.5 8.0 55 87 5010 0.5 8.0 * 22 7023 0.5 8.0 25 97 5024 0.5 8.0 25 90 2525 0.5 8.0 20 65 *11 0.5 8.0 * 63 *16 0.5 8.0 * 38 *12 0.5 8.0 20 30 8040 0.5 8.0 20 79 485 0.5 8.0 23 45 *13 0.5 8.0 * * *41 0.5 8.0 * 55 *26 0.5 8.0 30 * *37 0.5 8.0 * 30 *38 0.5 8.0 * * *42 0.5 8.0 20 * 4347 0.5 8.0 * * *27 0.5 8.0 90 85 6548 0.5 8.0 -- 82 8448 0.5 8.0 * 80 *28 0.5 8.0 * 58 *43 0.5 8.0 * 30 2829 0.5 8.0 40 * *30 0.5 8.0 * 20 6018 0.5 8.0 21 82 1631 0.5 8.0 * * *32 0.5 8.0 50 * *39 0.5 8.0 * * *19 0.5 8.0 * 48 *44 0.5 8.0 * 68 *33 0.5 8.0 * 67 3534 0.5 8.0 * * *45 0.5 8.0 * 40 *46 0.5 8.0 * * *51 0.5 8.0 50 90 *21 0.125 8.0 20 35 28 0.25 8.0 * 75 50 0.5 8.0 * 47 34 1.0 8.0 * * *52 0.125 8.0 * 88 20 0.25 8.0 30 77 * 0.5 8.0 33 22 * 1.0 8.0 * * *49 0.125 8.0 * * 20 0.25 8.0 45 40 60 0.5 8.0 53 60 58 1.0 8.0 24 68 2530 0.25 8.0 25 65 50 0.5 8.0 20 * * 1.0 8.0 * * * 2.0 8.0 * * *27 0.25 8.0 30 84 70 0.50 8.0 55 50 87 1.0 8.0 66 50 28 2.0 8.0 55 20 *______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19 Following the procedure of Example 54, the compounds of the invention were tested on rice, sorghum and wheat utilizing the acetanilide herbicide alachlor.",
"The results are summarized in Table V. TABLE V______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Alachlor Antidote Safening EffectExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________3 1.0 8.0 35 20 *15 2.0 8.0 * 42 404 1.0 8.0 25 * *14 2.0 8.0 93 * *14 2.0 4.0 * * *35 2.0 8.0 43 * *35 2.0 4.0 28 * *36 2.0 8.0 78 45 437 2.0 8.0 * * *2 2.0 8.0 * * *20 2.0 8.0 * 70 4021 2.0 8.0 * * *6 2.0 8.0 33 * *52 2.0 8.0 * * *53 2.0 8.0 48 20 *8 2.0 8.0 28 * 2317 2.0 8.0 * 35 2550 2.0 8.0 * * *49 4.0 8.0 * * 209 4.0 8.0 * * *22 4.0 8.0 * 25 *10 4.0 8.0 * * *23 4.0 8.0 * 25 2024 4.0 8.0 * * *25 4.0 8.0 * * *11 4.0 8.0 * * *16 4.0 8.0 * * *12 4.0 8.0 * * *40 4.0 8.0 * * *5 4.0 8.0 35 * *13 4.0 8.0 * * *41 4.0 8.0 * * *26 4.0 8.0 * * *37 4.0 8.0 * * *38 4.0 8.0 * * 2042 4.0 8.0 * * *47 4.0 8.0 * * *27 4.0 8.0 * * *48 2.0 8.0 * * *48 4.0 8.0 -- * *28 2.0 8.0 * 43 *29 2.0 8.0 * * *43 2.0 8.0 * 20 *30 2.0 8.0 31 * *18 2.0 8.0 * * *31 2.0 8.0 * * *32 2.0 8.0 * * *39 2.0 8.0 * * 2519 2.0 8.0 40 * *44 2.0 8.0 * * *33 2.0 8.0 20 * *34 2.0 8.0 * * *45 4.0 8.0 * 20 *46 4.0 8.0 * * *51 4.0 8.0 * * *3 0.5 8.0 55 1.0 8.0 50 2.0 8.0 20 4.0 8.0 4036 0.5 8.0 35 1.0 8.0 50 2.0 8.0 63 4.0 8.0 6420 0.5 8.0 78 1.0 8.0 64 2.0 8.0 34 4.0 8.0 2017 0.0625 8.0 * 0.25 8.0 43 1.0 8.0 54 4.0 8.0 *22 0.5 8.0 65 1.0 8.0 63 2.0 8.0 77 4.0 8.0 *23 0.5 8.0 70 1.0 8.0 48 2.0 8.0 22 4.0 8.0 *28 0.5 8.0 40 1.0 8.0 26 2.0 8.0 * 4.0 8.0 *43 0.5 8.0 * 1.0 8.0 40 2.0 8.0 20 4.0 8.0 40______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19 Utilizing the procedure of Example 54, the compounds of the invention were tested on rice, sorghum and wheat against the acetanilide herbicide butachlor.",
"The results are summarized in Table VI.",
"TABLE IV______________________________________ Rate of Rate of Butachlor Antidote Safening Effect (lb/A) (lb/A) Rice Sorghum Wheat______________________________________Example No[.",
"].3 4.0 8.0 30 35 2015 4.0 8.0 20 58 384 4.0 8.0 35 35 *14 4.0 8.0 * * *14 4.0 8.0 * * *35 4.0 8.0 23 * 2335 4.0 8.0 25 * *36 4.0 8.0 68 28 407 4.0 8.0 * 25 *2 4.0 8.0 35 * 2320 4.0 8.0 55 40 5321 4.0 8.0 20 25 *6 4.0 8.0 * 53 *52 4.0 8.0 * * *53 4.0 8.0 20 * 388 4.0 8.0 * * 3017 4.0 8.0 73 50 2550 4.0 8.0 * 30 *49 4.0 8.0 * 38 *9 4.0 8.0 * 30 2022 4.0 8.0 * 55 3810 4.0 8.0 * * *23 4.0 8.0 * 60 *24 4.0 8.0 20 60 4525 4.0 8.0 * * *11 4.0 8.0 * 58 *16 4.0 8.0 * * 6012 4.0 8.0 * 35 *40 4.0 8.0 * 30 *5 4.0 8.0 55 * 2813 4.0 8.0 20 * *41 4.0 8.0 * * *26 4.0 8.0 * 23 *37 4.0 8.0 20 * *38 4.0 8.0 * * *Compound ofExample No[.",
"].42 4.0 8.0 25 * 4847 4.0 8.0 * * 3327 4.0 8.0 33 * *48 4.0 8.0 * 25 2048 4.0 8.0 -- * 3528 4.0 8.0 * * 3529 4.0 8.0 * * *43 4.0 8.0 38 32 2530 4.0 8.0 25 * 3318 4.0 8.0 34 * 3531 4.0 8.0 39 * *32 4.0 8.0 20 30 2039 4.0 8.0 * * *19 4.0 8.0 * * *44 4.0 8.0 25 * *33 4.0 8.0 55 * 2034 6.0 8.0 * * 2545 6.0 8.0 25 * *46 6.0 8.0 68 23 *51 6.0 8.0 35 * 40______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19 The antidotes of the present invention may also be applied to the crop seed prior to planting.",
"This is often a desirable mode of application as relatively small amounts of antidote are used compared to preemergence soil incorporation of antidote.",
"The following examples describe the use of the antidote compounds of the present invention as seed treatments in greater detail.",
"EXAMPLE 55 Toluene solutions or suspensions of antidote are applied to the crop seed at the desired seed treatment concentration.",
"Untreated (control) and treated seeds were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"Soil cover layers (450 gm) were sprayed with the desired concentration of herbicide using a belt sprayer (20 gpa), incorporated and placed on pre-seeded pans.",
"The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches.",
"The pans were sub-irrigated as required during the remainder of the test.",
"Observations were made 21/2 to 3 weeks after treatment and the results recorded.",
"The amount of antidote applied to the crop seed is calculated on % w/w basis defined as 1 part of antidote per 1000 parts of crop seed.",
"The observations made and recorded in accordance with the above procedure utilizing triallate as the herbicide are shown in Table VII.",
"The results summarized in Table VII are shown as % Inhibition for untreated and teated seeds at varying rates of triallate herbicide and antidote.",
"A--indicates that a reduction is expected inhibition occurred.",
"That is, if "safening effect"",
"were calculated, 20 units or greater "safening"",
"occurred.",
"The protection or "safening"",
"afforded the crop plant by treatment of the crop seed with the "antidotal"",
"compounds of the invention may be calculated as follows: % Inhibition of Crop Plant (No Seed Treatment)-% Inhibition of Crop Plant (Seed Treatment).",
"TABLE VII__________________________________________________________________________ Seed Treatment % Crop Inhibition*Triallate Compound of Seed Treatment Conc.",
", % w/wRate Lb/A Example No. Crop 0 1/6 1/8 1/4 1/2 1__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 0 10 0 31/16 ↓ ↓ 10 5 0 5 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 53 0- 0- 0- 0- 0-1/4 ↓ ↓ 88 0- 0- 0- 0- 5-1/2 ↓ ↓ 99 5- 10- 10- 0- 13-1 ↓ ↓ 100 10- 0- 0- 5- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 48- 35- 20- 25- 15-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/2 1 2 40 3 Wheat 0 0 0 10 181/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 23 131/8 ↓ ↓ 23 0- 0- 8- 231/4 ↓ ↓ 70 0- 0- 5- 20-1/2 ↓ ↓ 99 0- 0- 8- 18-1 ↓ ↓ 99 0- 0- 20- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 0- 10- 13- 15-4 ↓ ↓ 100 30- 58- 20- 30-0 4 Wheat 0 0 5 25 281/16 ↓ ↓ 5 0 10 23 231/8 ↓ ↓ 28 10 0- 23- 25-1/4 ↓ ↓ 65 0- 3- 20- 40-1/2 ↓ ↓ 93 0- 0- 30- 15-1 ↓ ↓ 95 0- 5- 28- 30-2 ↓ ↓ 98 0- 10- 38- 35-4 ↓ ↓ 100 23- 20- 40- 48-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/32 1/8 1/2__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 5 5 0 51/8 ↓ ↓ 28 0- 0- 0-1/4 ↓ ↓ 60 0- 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 88 8- 0- 0-1 ↓ ↓ 99 20- 8- 10-2 ↓ ↓ 100 78- 55- 63-0 15 Wheat 0 0 0 101/16 ↓ ↓ 10 0 0 151/8 ↓ ↓ 40 10 5- 20-1/4 ↓ ↓ 65 40 10- 40-1/2 ↓ ↓ 95 60 20- 40-1 ↓ ↓ 98 80 55- 45-2 ↓ ↓ 99 95 65- 55-0 4 Wheat 0 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 5 0 0 51/8 ↓ ↓ 18 5 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 70 0- 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 98 5- 0- 0-1 ↓ ↓ 99 35- 13- 20-2 ↓ ↓ 99 80 40- 25-__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/16 1/4 1__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Oats 0 0 0 0 1/128 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ ↓ 40 8- 3- 3-1/32 ↓ ↓ 65 5- 8- 23-1/16 ↓ ↓ 93 60- 60- 53-1/8 ↓ ↓ 95 88 75- 801/4 ↓ ↓ 100 99 86 980 4 Oats 0 0 5 3 1/128 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ ↓ 28 5- 10- 5-1/32 ↓ ↓ 88 5- 0- 3-1/16 ↓ ↓ 98 25- 18- 40-1/8 ↓ ↓ 100 99 80- 73-1/4 ↓ ↓ 100 100 92 900 3 Barley 0 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 15 0 0 01/2 ↓ ↓ 78 28- 3- 8-1 ↓ ↓ 95 83 25- 35-2 ↓ ↓ 100 95 70- 35-4 ↓ ↓ 100 99 93 68-0 4 Barley 0 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 15 0 0 01/2 ↓ ↓ 75 18- 3- 3-1 ↓ ↓ 90 30- 5- 10-2 ↓ ↓ 99 83 53- 68-4 ↓ ↓ 100 100 90 78__________________________________________________________________________ 0 1/8 1/4__________________________________________________________________________0 3 Wheat 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 28 0- 10-1/4 ↓ ↓ 53 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 92 0- 8-1 ↓ ↓ 100 0- 8-2 ↓ ↓ 100 53- 15-4 ↓ ↓ 100 68- 78-0 3 Barley 0 0 01/16 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/8 ↓ ↓ 0 0 01/4 ↓ ↓ 20 0- 0-1/2 ↓ ↓ 40 0- 5-1 ↓ ↓ 97 18- 13-2 ↓ ↓ 99 68- 80-4 ↓ ↓ 100 88- 85__________________________________________________________________________ *Data reported is average of two replicates -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occurred.",
"The compound of Example 3, Benzylamine-(α-methyl)-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]Hydrochloride was further tested as a seed treatment on several wheat varieties utilizing triallate as the herbicide according to the procedure of Example 56.",
"EXAMPLE 56 A toluene solution or suspension of the compound of Example 3 was applied to selected wheat varieties to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations.",
"Untreated wheat seed and wheat seed treated with three concentrations of the compound of Example 3 were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"Cover layers of soil (450 gm) were sprayed with triallate, incorporated and placed on pre-seeded pans.",
"The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches where they were subirrigated as required during the remainder of the test.",
"The results are summarized in Table VIII.",
"TABLE VIII______________________________________Trial- % Wheat Inhibition*late Seed TreatmentRate, Wheat Conc.",
"(% W/W)Lb/A Variety 0 1/16 1/4 1______________________________________0 Olaf semidwarf hard red spring 0 0 0 01/16 "",
"0 0 0 01/8 "",
"3 0 0 01/4 "",
"18 0 0 01/2 "",
"78 0- 0- 0-1 "",
"90 25- 23- 10-2 "",
"100 60- 53- 40-0 Nugaines white winter 0 15 40 601/16 "",
"0 0 35 631/8 "",
"10 10 43 601/4 "",
"53 10- 25- 45-1/2 "",
"85 10- 45- 35-1 "",
"93 23- 50- 55-2 "",
"100 58- 58- 58-0 Arthur 71 Soft red Winter 0 0 0 01/16 "",
"8 0 0 01/8 "",
"33 0- 0- 0-1/4 "",
"58 0- 0- 0-1/2 "",
"98 0- 0- 15-1 "",
"100 30- 0- 0-2 "",
"100 93 18- 5-0 Eagle hard red winter 0 0 0 51/16 "",
"0 0 0 01/8 "",
"3 0 0 01/4 "",
"53 0- 0- 0-1/2 "",
"99 0- 0- 0-1 "",
"100 5- 0- 5-2 "",
"100 53- 23- 25-0 Rolette duram 0 0 0 81/16 "",
"0 0 0 81/8 "",
"0 0 0 101/4 "",
"5 0 0 01/2 "",
"68 0- 0- 0-1 "",
"73 10- 5- 0-2 "",
"93 43- 43- 43-0 Waldron hard red spring 0 0 0 151/16 13 0 0 0-1/8 "",
"43 0- 0- 0-1/4 "",
"73 0- 0- 0-1/2 "",
"94 0- 0- 0-1 "",
"100 20- 13- 13-2 "",
"100 68- 53- 25-______________________________________ -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occurred.",
"*Average of 2 replicates EXAMPLE 57 A toluene solution or suspension of the compound of Example 3, Benzylamine-α-methyl-N-[4-(dichloromethylene)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]hydrochloride was applied to wheat to obtain the desired seed treatment concentration.",
"Untreated downy brome, green foxtail, wild oats and wheat seed along with wheat seed treated with three concentrations of the compound of Example 3 were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"Triallate was applied to soil cover layers (450 gm) with the belt sprayer (20 gpa) and incorporated.",
"The treated cover layers were placed on pre-seeded pans, the pans transferred to greenhouse benches and subirrigated.",
"TABLE IX______________________________________ % Wheat Inhibition % InhibitionTriallate Seed Treat.",
"Conc.",
"(% w/w) Grass WeedsRate, Lb/A 0 1/32 1/8 1/2 FT DB WO______________________________________-- 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 0 0 0 0 0 20 801/16 0 0 0 0 10 60 851/8 15 0 0 0 25 95 951/4 45 0- 0- 0- 55 95 991/2 90 0- 0- 0- 65 100 991 98 30- 0- 10- 70 100 1002 99 90 45- 35- 75 100 100______________________________________ FT = Green foxtail DB = Downy brome WO = Wild oats - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occurred.",
"EXAMPLE 58 Dichloromethane solutions or suspensions of test chemicals were applied to sorghum to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations.",
"Untreated crabgrass, foxtail, barnyardgrass and sorghum along with sorghum treated with three concentrations of a chemical were planted in 91/2×51/4×23/4 inch deep pans containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"Soil cover layers (450 gm) were placed on pre-seeded pans.",
"Alachlor was applied to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa).",
"The pans were given 1/4 inch of overhead water, transferred to greenhouse benches and sub-irrigated as required for the duration of the test.",
"The results are summarized in Table X. TABLE X__________________________________________________________________________ Seed Treatment % Sorghum Inhibition % InhibitionAlachlor Compound of Seed Treat.",
"Conc.",
"% w/w Grass Weeds.",
"sup[.",
"].1Rate, Lb/A Ex.",
"No. 0 1/16 1/4 1 CG FT BYG__________________________________________________________________________0 17 0 0 0 5 0 0 01/32 ↓ 85 0- 0- 10- 60 98 981/16 ↓ 90 35- 0- 10- 90 98 1001/8 ↓ 95 80 0- 0- 95 99 1001/4 ↓ 100 85 5- 10- 99 99 1001/2 ↓ 98 85 50- 20- 99 100 1001 ↓ 98 95 60- 35- 100 100 1002 ↓ 99 95 70- 30- 100 100 1000 20 0 5 10 95 0 0 01/32 ↓ 15 35 60 95 80 98 991/16 ↓ 30 0- 25 100 85 99 991/8 ↓ 80 0- 30- 95 99 99 1001/4 ↓ 95 75- 50- 90 99 100 1001/2 ↓ 98 90 15- 90 100 100 1001 ↓ 99 95 45- 100 100 100 1002 ↓ 100 98 65- 95 100 100 1000 36 0 0 0 55 0 0 01/32 ↓ 5 0 0 50 40 98 981/16 ↓ 20 10 0 70 90 98 1001/8 ↓ 40 0- 0- 50- 90 98 1001/4 ↓ 90 35- 5- 75- 100 100 1001/2 ↓ 100 45- 15- 75- 100 100 1001 ↓ 100 90 25- 70- 100 100 1002 ↓ 100 98 60- 80- 100 100 1000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 5 0 0 0 30 95 951/16 ↓ 65 55 20- 0- 45 100 981/8 ↓ 80 35- 65 10- 70 99 991/4 ↓ 90 80 75 15- 95 100 1001/2 ↓ 90 95 75 30- 95 100 1001 ↓ 95 90 95 35- 98 100 992 ↓ 99 98 90 70- 99 100 100__________________________________________________________________________ .",
"sup[.",
"].1 CG = Crabgrass FT = Green Foxtail BYG = Barnyardgrass -Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"occurred.",
"EXAMPLE 59 Dichloromethane solutions or suspensions of the compound of Example 36 were applied to rice to obtain desired seed treatment concentrations.",
"Untreated and treated rice were pregerminated for 2 days on moist towels.",
"Plastic pots (4×4×3 inches deep) were filled with 2 inches of Ray silt loam soil.",
"Barnyard grass was seeded into a shallow trench and covered with soil.",
"Butachlor was applied to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa).",
"Rice was seeded into flooded pots.",
"The water level was lowered to the soil surface after 24 hours and maintained at this level for 5 days after which the pots were reflooded for the duration of the test.",
"The results are summarized in Table XI.",
"TABLE XI______________________________________ % Inhibition, Avg 2 RepsButachlor Seed Treatment Water Seeded Barnyard-Rate, lb/A Concentration % w/w Rice grass______________________________________1/64 - 38 671/16 - 91 991/4 - 100 100-- 1/32 0 01/64 1/32 43 731/16 1/32 68- 1001/4 1/32 63- 100-- 1/8 10 01/64 1/8 23- 601/16 1/8 55- 1001/4 1/8 58- 100-- 1/2 65 01/64 1/2 60- 481/16 1/2 70- 921/4 1/2 68- 100______________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occurred.",
"The antidotes of the present invention may be combined with thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides as a tank mix and applied to soil planted with crop seed.",
"Examples 57 and 58 and Tables XII and XIII describe this aspect of the invention in greater detail.",
"The data shown in Tables XII and XIII is reported as % Inhibition;",
"the % "safening effect"",
"may be readily calculated by the use of the following formula: [% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Herbicide+% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Antidote]-% Inhibition of Crop Plant Due to Antidote/Herbicide Combination.",
"EXAMPLE 60 Wheat and several weed species were planted in 4×4×3 inch deep plastic pots containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"The chemical combinations were applied as tank mixtures to soil cover layers with the belt sprayer (20 gpa).",
"The treated cover layers were shaken in plastic bags to incorporate the chemicals.",
"The cover layers were placed on preseeded pots, the pots transferred to a greenhouse bench and sub-irrigated.",
"The results are summarized in Table XII.",
"TABLE XII__________________________________________________________________________Trial- % Inhibition, Avg 2 Repslate Compound Antidote Ann.",
"Barn-Rate of Example Rate Wild Downy Green Rye- Black yardlb/A No. Lb/A Wheat oats brome foxtail grass grass grass__________________________________________________________________________1/64 -- -- 0 50 58 01/16 -- -- 5 98 99 01/4 -- -- 68 100 100 201 -- -- 100 100 100 680 3 1/4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 1/4 0 73 60 01/16 ↓ 1/4 8 98 100 01/4 ↓ 1/4 43- 100 100 181 ↓ 1/4 100- 100 100 600 ↓ 1 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 1 0 88 60 01/16 ↓ 1 0 99 100 01/4 ↓ 1 15- 100 100 51 ↓ 1 98 100 100 820 ↓ 4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 4 0 55 10- 01/16 ↓ 4 0 100 68- 01/4 ↓ 4 0- 100 100 101 ↓ 4 85 100 100 18-0 4 1/4 0 10 10 01/64 ↓ 1/4 0 88 53 01/16 ↓ 1/4 0 100 100 51/4 ↓ 1/4 25- 100 100 201 ↓ 1/4 98 100 100 48-0 ↓ 1 0 30 0 01/64 ↓ 1 0 95 53 01/16 ↓ 1 0 100 100 01/4 ↓ 1 18- 100 100 131 ↓ 1 90 100 100 25-0 ↓ 4 0 0 0 01/64 ↓ 4 0 75 45 01/16 ↓ 4 0 100 70- 01/4 ↓ 4 5- 100 100 0-1 ↓ 4 68- 100 100 5-0 -- -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 -- -- 0 85 65 0 65 33 01/16 -- -- 0 97 98 0 93 85 01/8 -- -- 38 99 99 8 98 94 01/4 -- -- 63 100 100 28 99 100 01/2 -- -- 95 100 100 50 100 100 00 3 1/8 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/8 0 85 68 0 53 43 01/16 ↓ 1/8 0 98 93 0 89 83 01/8 ↓ 1/8 8- 100 100 3 93 99 01/4 ↓ 1/8 63 100 100 30 99 99 01/2 ↓ 1/8 83 100 45 100 100 00 3 1/4 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/4 0 75 63 0 50 20 01/16 ↓ 1/4 0 97 90 0 73- 75 01/8 ↓ 1/4 10- 99 100 0 90 99 01/4 ↓ 1/4 50 100 100 18 99 100 01/2 ↓ 1/4 83 100 100 35 100 100 00 3 1/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 01/32 ↓ 1/2 0 90 53 0 45- 28 01/16 ↓ 1/2 0 97 85 0 35- 53- 01/8 ↓ 1/2 0- 98 95 0 70- 70- 01/4 ↓ 1/2 20- 99 100 8- 94 99 01/2 ↓ 1/2 60- 100 100 20- 99 100 0__________________________________________________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occurred.",
"EXAMPLE 61 Sorghum, crabgrass, green foxtail and barnyardgrass were planted in 4×4×3 inch deep plastic pots containing Ray silt loam soil.",
"Soil cover layers were placed on the preseeded pots.",
"A combination of alachlor and the compound of Example 17 was applied as a tank mixture to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa).",
"The pots were given 1/4 inch of overhead water and transferred to greenhouse benches.",
"The pots were subirrigated as required during the remainder of the test.",
"The results are summarized in Table XIII.",
"TABLE XIII______________________________________Antidote % Inhibition, Avg.",
"2 repsAlachlor Rate Green BarnyardRate, Lb/A Lb/A Sorghum Crabgrass Foxtail Grass______________________________________ 1/32 - 0 18 88 601/8 - 10 63 93 971/2 - 68 94 99 1002 - 85 98 99 1000 1/8 0 0 0 0 1/32 1/8 0 18 75 431/8 1/8 8 55 98 971/2 1/8 50 83 99 1002 1/8 96 98 100 1000 1/2 0 0 0 15 1/32 1/2 0 13 73 15-1/8 1/2 5 65 95 981/2 1/2 45- 88 99 1002 1/2 94 98 100 1000 2 0 0 0 0 1/32 2 0 13 82 451/8 2 0 50 97 991/2 2 58 85 99 1002 2 75 97 99 100______________________________________ - Denotes less than expected inhibition, i.e., "safening"",
"occured.",
"Several of the compounds of the invention were tested on water-seeded rice plants utilizing butachlor herbicide following the procedure of Example 62.",
"EXAMPLE 62 Plastic pots (4×4×3 inches deep) were filled with 2 inches of Ray silt loam soil.",
"The combination treatments were applied sequentially to the soil surface with the belt sprayer (20 gpa).",
"Pre-soaked rice (2 day duration) was seeded into flooded pots.",
"The water level was lowered to the soil surface after 24 hours and maintained at this level for 5 days after which the pots were reflooded for the duration of the test.",
"The results obtained when water-seeded rice was treated in the manner described above are summarized in Table XIV.",
"TABLE XIV______________________________________ Rate of Rate ofCompound of Herbicide AntidoteExample No. (lb/A) (lb/A) Safening Effect______________________________________3 1/64 1/2 *3 1/16 1/2 353 1/4 1/2 *4 1/64 1/2 264 1/16 1/2 234 1/4 1/2 *36 1/64 1/2 2636 1/16 1/2 6036 1/2 1/2 *5 1/32 1 *5 1/8 1 445 1/2 1 3746 1/16 1/2 3246 1/4 1/2 *46 1 1/2 *______________________________________ *Safening effect was between 0 and 19.",
"Compounds of Examples 17, 20, 31, 34, 43 and 51 exhibited less than 20 units of safening when tested at 1/64, 1/16 and 1/4 pounds per acre.",
"The above examples illustrate that the 2-imino-1,3-dithio and 1,3-oxathio derivatives of the present invention are useful in reducing herbicidal injury to crop plants, for example, sorghum, rice and wheat.",
"The safening agents may be applied to the plant locus as a mixture, i.e., a mixture of a herbicidally effective amount of thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicide and a safening effective amount of safening agent, or sequentially, i.e., the plant locus may be treated with an effective amount of the herbicide followed by a treatment with the safening agent or vice versa.",
"The ratio of herbicide to safening agent may vary depending upon the crop to be protected, weeds to be inhibited, herbicide used, etc.",
", but normally a herbicide to safening agent ratio ranging from 1:25 to 25:1 (preferably 1:5 to 5:1) parts by weight may be employed.",
"The herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof may be applied to the plant locus alone or the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof may be applied in conjunction with a material referred to in the art as an adjuvant in liquid or solid form.",
"Mixtures containing the appropriate herbicide and safening agent usually are prepared by admixing said herbicide and safening agent with an adjuvant including diluents, extenders, carriers and conditioning agents to provide compositions in the form of finely-divided particulate solids, granules, pellets, wettable powders, dusts, solutions and aqueous dispersions or emulsions.",
"Thus, the mixture may include an adjuvant such as a finely-divided particulate solid, a solvent liquid of organic origin, water, a wetting agent, dispersing agent, or emulsifying agent or any suitable combination of these.",
"When applying the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof to the plant locus, useful finely-divided solid carriers and extenders include, for example, the talcs, clays, pumice, silica, diatomaceous earth, quartz, Fullers earth, sulfur, powdered cork, powdered wood, walnut flour, chalk, tobacco dust, charcoal and the like.",
"Typical liquid diluents useful include for example, Stoddard solvent, acetone, alcohols, glycols, ethyl acetate, benzene and the like.",
"Such compositions, particularly liquids and wettable powders, usually contain as a conditioning agent one or more surface-active agents in amounts sufficient to render a given composition readily dispersible in water or in oil.",
"By the term "surface-active agent", it is understood that wetting agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents and emulsifying agents are included therein.",
"Such surface-active agents are well known and reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,547,724, Columns 3 and 4, for detailed examples of the same.",
"Compositions of this invention generally contain from about 5 to 95 parts herbicide and safening agent, about 1 to 50 parts surface-active agent and about 4 to 94 parts solvent, all parts being by weight based on the total weight of the composition.",
"The application of the herbicide, safening agent or mixture thereof in a liquid or particulate solid form can be carried out by conventional techniques utilizing, for example, spreaders, power dusters, boom and hand sprayers, spray dusters and granular applications.",
"The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as a dust or spray.",
"If desired, application of the compositions of the invention to plants can be accomplished by incorporating the compositions in the soil or other media.",
"The above examples also illustrate that the crop may be protected by treating the crop seed with an effective amount of safening agent prior to planting.",
"Generally, small amounts of safening agent are required to treat such seeds.",
"A weight ratio of as little as 0.031 parts of safener per 1000 parts of seed may be effective.",
"The amount of safener utilized in treating the seed may be increased if desired.",
"Generally, however, a weight ratio of safening agent to seed weight may range from 0.1 to 10.0 parts of safening agent per 1000 parts of seed.",
"The determination of the effective amount of safening agent required is well within the skill of the art.",
"Since only a very small amount of active safening agent is usually required for the seed treatment, the compound preferably is formulated as a powder or an emulsifiable concentrate which can be diluted with water by the seed treater for use in the seed treating apparatus.",
"Of course, under certain conditions, it may be desirable to dissolve the safening agent in an organic solvent for use as a seed treatment or the pure compound alone may be used under properly controlled conditions.",
"There are thus also provided by this invention novel seed treating compositions containing one or more of the described active safening agents intimately dispersed in an inert carrier or diluent for the intended use.",
"Such carriers may be either solids, such as talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, sawdust, calcium carbonate, and the like or liquids such as water, kerosene, acetone, benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like in which the active agent may be either dissolved or dispersed.",
"Emulsifying agents are advisably used to achieve a suitable emulsion if two immiscible liquids are used as a carrier.",
"Wetting agents may also be used to aid in dispersing the active safening agent in liquids used as a carrier in which the agent is not completely soluble.",
"Emulsifying agents and wetting agents are sold under numerous tradenames and may be either pure compounds, mixtures of compounds of the same general groups, or they may be mixtures of compounds of different classes.",
"Typical satisfactory surface-active agents which may be used are alkali metal higher alkylarylsulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and the sodium salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acids, fatty alcohol sulfates such as the sodium salts of monoesters of sulfuric acid with n-aliphatic alcohols containing 8-18 carbon atoms, long chain quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium salts of petroleum-derived alkylsulfonic acids, polyethylene sorbitan monooleate, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, water-soluble lignin sulfonate salts, alkali-casein compositions, long chain alcohols usually containing 10-18 carbon atoms, and condensation products of ethylene oxide with fatty acids, alkylphenols and mercaptans.",
"While the compounds of the present invention, which are described hereinabove, generally safen crop plants, especially cereal crop plants, against the herbicidal effect of thiocarbamate and acetanilide herbicides, those skilled in the art will appreciate, from the biological data reported above, that various of the compounds of the present invention are most advantageously employed in a method of safening specific crop plants against either thiocarbamate or acetanilide herbicides.",
"The following specific embodiments of the present invention are expressly contemplated herein (the limitations previously noted in the description of the invention likewise apply to the specific embodiments): A. A method of reducing injury to rice, sorghum and wheat injured by thiocarbamate herbicides, especially triallate, using a safening effective amount of the compounds of the formula: R-N=A or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R is lower alkyl, ##STR46## R 1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or isopropyl;",
"X and Y are independently equal to lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen;",
"A is ##STR47## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl;",
"R 3 is hydrogen or chloro;",
"R 4 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl.",
"B. A method or reducing injury to sorghum plants injured by acetanilide herbicides, especially alachlor, using a safening effective amount of compounds of the formula ##STR48## or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R 1 is hydrogen or methyl;",
"X is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy;",
"A is ##STR49## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl;",
"provided that when A is ##STR50## X must equal hydrogen.",
"C. A method of reducing injury to rice plants injured by acetanilide herbicides, especially butachlor, using a safening effective amount of compounds of the formula: ##STR51## or an agriculturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof, wherein R 1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, butyl or isobutyl;",
"X and Y are independently equal to lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen;",
"A is ##STR52## R 2 is hydrogen or methyl;",
"R 3 is hydrogen or chloro;",
"provided that when A is ##STR53## R 1 cannot equal isopropyl.",
"Although this invention has been described with respect to specific modifications, the details thereof are not to be construed as limitations, for it will be apparent that various equivalents, changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and it is understood that such equivalent embodiments are intended to be included herein."
] |
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