Author: claimsbot

1. A device for compressing a chest of a patient, said device comprising:
an automated device for performing chest compressions on a patient;
a means for performing defibrillation operably connected to the automated device for performing chest compressions;
a means for sensing the ECG signal of the patient, said
means for sensing the ECG signal capable of producing a measured ECG signal corresponding to the measured value of the ECG signal of the patient, wherein the ECG signal comprises an actual component and a noise component;
a compression sensor operably connected to the automated device for performing chest compressions, said compression sensor capable of producing a compression signal corresponding to the presence of a chest compression;
a processor operably connected to the compression sensor and to the means for sensing the ECG signal, said processor capable of producing an estimated actual ECG signal corresponding to the estimated actual ECG signal of the patient and capable of performing defibrillation shocks to the patient using the means for defibrillation without stopping chest compressions being performed by the automated device for performing chest compressions; wherein the compression sensor comprises a load sensor disposed beneath the patient which senses a load when compressions begin.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the compression sensor comprises a means for measuring the displacement of a compression belt.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for measuring the displacement of a compression belt comprises an encoder.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the encoder comprises a rotary encoder.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein the encoder comprises an optical encoder.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the compression sensor comprises an accelerometer.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein defibrillation shocks are performed on the patient by the means for defibrillation based on the estimated actual ECG signal.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein a voltage level of the defibrillation shocks is based on the estimated actual ECG signal.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a display operably connected to the processor wherein the display is capable of displaying the estimated actual ECG signal.
10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a means for user feedback operably connected to the processor, wherein the means for user feedback is capable of providing feedback that indicates whether the patient requires defibrillation.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the a processor is programmed to estimate a value of the patient’s transthoracic impedance and use the value of the patient’s transthoracic impedance to determine an amount of energy used to shock the patient with the defibrillator.
12. A method of performing CPR on a patient, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a CPR device comprising an automated device for performing chest compressions on a patient and a means for performing defibrillation;
wherein the device is capable of measuring an ECG signal of the patient during compressions, said ECG signal comprising a noise component and an actual component and of producing;
wherein the device is further capable of determining an estimated actual ECG signal during the chest compression of the patient;
performing chest compressions on the patient with the automated CPR device;
producing the estimated actual ECG signal during the chest compressing; and
applying a defibrillation shock to the patient during the chest compression based on the estimated actual ECG signal;
providing a load sensor disposed beneath the patient which is capable of identifying the start of a compression;

identifying the start of a compression with the load sensor; and
calculating estimated actual depth of compressions when the start of a compression has been identified.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for determining a number of transfer objects which move from a first sub-region of an observed region into a second sub-region of the observed region, comprising
recording, using at least one sensor arrangement, a sequence of images of the observed region, and using a computation unit connected to the at least one sensor arrangement and programmed to conduct the steps of identifying objects in the images, determining positions of the objects,
associating each of the objects, in accordance with their positions, either to the first sub-region or the second sub-region, associating a track with each of the objects, wherein the track is determined from positions of the object in the sequence of images, wherein the track has a starting position located either in the first sub-region or in the second sub-region,
associating a memory state with each of the objects on the basis of its track wherein, with a given starting position of the track, the memory state is dependent on whether the respective object is associated with the first sub-region or the second sub-region, wherein the memory state is a number that, when the respective object transfers between the first sub-region and the second sub-region, is incremented by a first value, wherein a first memory state is present if the number is an odd multiple of the first value, and wherein a second memory state is present if the number is an even multiple of the first value, and
taking into account multiple transfers of the same object between the first sub-region and the second sub-region when determining the number of transfer objects.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the objects in the images in each case comprises a segmentation of the images.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the number of transfer objects comprises updating the number of transfer objects once the objects have transferred between the first sub-region and the second sub-region, and wherein the update is performed in accordance with the memory state of the respective object and in accordance with a direction of the transfer of the respective object.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the memory state is the first memory state when the starting position of the track of the respective object and the current position of the respective object are each located in different sub-regions, and in that the memory state is the second memory state when the starting position of the respective object and the current position of the respective object are located in the same sub-region.
5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the updating process comprises the fact that the number of transfer objects is incremented by a second value when the respective object transfers from the first sub-region into the second sub-region and the memory state of the respective object is the first memory state, and in that the number of transfer objects is decremented by the second value when the respective object transfers from the second sub-region into the first sub-region and the memory state of the respective object is the second memory state.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein an object which passes at least once from the first sub-region into the second sub-region or which passes at least once from the second sub-region into the first sub-region is marked as an entrant or as a leaver, wherein the object
is marked as an entrant if its starting position is located in the first sub-region,
is marked as a leaver if its starting position is located in the second sub-region, and
is marked as an entrant and as a leaver if the memory state of the object is the second memory state.
7. A system for determining a number of transfer objects which move from a first sub-region of an observed region into a second sub-region of the observed region, said system comprising at least one sensor arrangement and a computation unit connected to the sensor arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement is designed to record a sequence of images of the observed region, and wherein the computation unit is programmed to identify objects in the images and to determine positions of the objects, to associate each of the objects, in accordance with their positions either with the first sub-region or with the second sub-region, to associate a track with each of the objects, wherein the track is determined from positions of the object in the sequence of images, wherein the track has a starting position located either in the first sub-region or in the second sub-region, to associate a memory state with each of the objects on the basis of its track wherein, with a given starting position of the track, the memory state is dependent on whether the respective object is associated with the first sub-region or the second sub-region, wherein the memory state is a number that, when the respective object transfers between the first sub-region and the second sub-region, is incremented by a first value, wherein a first memory state is present if the number is an odd multiple of the first value, and wherein a second memory state is present if the number is an even multiple of the first value, and to take into account multiple transfers of the same object between the first sub-region and the second sub-region when determining the number of transfer objects.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises an optical sensor selected from the group consisting of a photo camera, a CCD camera, a stereo camera, a video camera, a streak camera and a time-of flight camera.

1. A method of forming riblets in aerodynamic surfaces to reduce drag, comprising:
forming a composite material layup;
applying a layer of adhesive to the layup;
molding the riblets into a an adhesive-covered surface of the layup; and
curing the layup.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming a plurality of parallel grooves in the surface of a tool, and
wherein the step of molding the riblets includes using the tool to mold the riblets.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
the step of molding the adhesive layer to form the riblets.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
before the step of molding the riblets, applying a paint to the tool surface.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
forming a composite material layup includes stacking plies of prepreg material and applying a layer of uncured resin to the stacked plies, and,
molding the riblets includes forcing a grooved tool face into contact with the layer of uncured resin.
6. A method of forming aerodynamic surface features on the outer skin of an aircraft, comprising:
molding a generally rigid part having the approximate shape of the skin and including an outer surface having a plurality of substantially parallel riblets over which air may flow; and,
applying the part to the skin.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
forming a plurality of substantially parallel grooves in the surface of a tool, and
wherein the step of molding the part is performed using the tool.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
applying a paint to the tool surface after the step of forming the grooves.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
forming a layup of composite materials;
placing the part over the layup;
compacting the layup and the part in a mold; and
co-curing the part and the layup.
10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
removing a layer of material from a section of the skin, and
wherein the step of applying the part to the skin includes placing the part over the section of the skin where the material has been removed.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
applying an adhesive between the part and the skin section.
12. A method of reworking-an outer skin of an aircraft, comprising:
removing a layer of material from a section of the skin;
molding an insert having the same general shape as the layer of material that has been removed, including forming a plurality of parallel riblets in the outer surface of the insert; and,
replacing the layer of material with the insert.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
forming a plurality of substantially parallel grooves in the surface of a tool, and
wherein step of molding the insert is performed using the tool.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
applying a paint to the tool surface after the grooves have been formed.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein replacing the layer of material includes introducing an adhesive between the insert and the skin.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein removing the layer of material includes grinding away riblets that are present on the skin.
17. For use in aerospace vehicles, an aerodynamic structure, comprising:
an outer skin including integrally formed, substantially parallel riblets extending in the direction of airflow over the skin.
18. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the riblets include side walls forming an acute angle.
19. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the acute angle is between approximately 25 degrees and 35 degrees.
20. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the riblets have a height of between approximately 0.0018 inches and 0.00135 inches.
21. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the centerlines of the riblets are spaced apart between approximately 0.00285 inches and 0.00315 inches.
22. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the riblets each have a base having a width less than approximately 0.001 inches.
23. The aerodynamic structure of claim 17, wherein the outer skin further includes integrally formed, substantially flat grooves between the riblets extending in the direction of airflow over the skin.
24. For use in aerospace vehicles, an aerodynamic structure, comprising:
an outer skin including integrally formed, substantially parallel, alternating riblets and substantially flat grooves extending in the direction of airflow over the skin,
the riblets having\u2014
(i) side walls forming an acute angle of between approximately 25 degrees and 35 degrees,
(ii) a height of between approximately 0.0018 inches and 0.00135 inches,
(iii) center lines spaced apart between approximately 0.00285 inches and 0.00315 inches,
(iv) a base having a width less than approximately 0.001 inches and,
a top having a width of less than approximately 0.0006 inches.
25. A method of forming a structure for aircraft having aerodynamic surface features to reduce skin friction exerted by a turbulent boundary layer at the surface of the skin to reduce drag, comprising:
fabricating a mold tool, including forming a plurality of parallel, V-shaped grooves in a surface of the tool;
forming a multi-ply layup of uncured composite materials;
placing the layup in the mold tool;
applying a layer of moldable material over the layup;
closing the mold tool;
applying pressure to the mold tool to compact the layup and force the V-grooves into the moldable material so as to integrally form substantially parallel riblets in the outer surface of the compacted layup; and
co-curing the layup and the moldable material.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A process for regasification of LNG to form natural gas, said process comprising the steps of:
(a) circulating an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer and an ambient air heater, the intermediate fluid being warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, the intermediate fluid being cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer; and,
(b) subjecting the ambient air heater to a defrosting cycle by intermittently regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat,
wherein the ambient air heater comprises a horizontal tube bundle and a vertical tube bundle, when a temperature of the intermediate fluid is above 0\xb0 C. the intermediate fluid is directed only through the horizontal tube bundle, and when the temperature of the intermediate fluid is less than or equal to 0\xb0 C. the intermediate fluid is directed through the vertical tube bundle.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein step (b) is conducted downstream of the ambient air heater.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein the source of supplemental heat is selected from the group consisting of an exhaust gas heater, an electric water or fluid heater, a propulsion unit of a ship, a diesel engine, a gas turbine propulsion plant, and an exhaust gas stream from a power generation plant.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein regasification of the LNG is conducted onboard an LNG carrier and the source of supplementary heat is heat recovered from the engines of the LNG carrier.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein heat exchange between the ambient air and the intermediate fluid in the ambient air heater is encouraged through use of forced draft fans.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the intermediate fluid is selected from the group consisting of a glycol, a glycol-water mixture, methanol, propanol, propane, butane, ammonia, a formate, fresh water and tempered water.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the intermediate fluid comprises a solution containing an alkali metal formate or an alkali metal acetate.
8. The process of claim 7, wherein the alkali metal formate is potassium formate, sodium formate or an aqueous solution of ammonium formate.
9. The process of claim 7, wherein the alkali metal acetate is potassium acetate or ammonium acetate.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein the ambient air heater is one of a plurality of ambient air heaters and step (b) is performed on each of the plurality of ambient air heaters sequentially.
11. The process of claim 1, wherein heat exchange between the ambient air and the intermediate fluid in the ambient air heater is encouraged through use of forced draft fans and the horizontal tube bundle lies above the vertical tube bundle in closer proximity to forced draft fans.
12. A regasification facility for regasification of LNG to form natural gas, said apparatus comprising:
a vaporizer for regasifying LNG to natural gas;
an ambient air heater for heating an intermediate fluid using ambient air as the primary source of heat;
a circulating pump for circulating the intermediate fluid between the vaporizer and the ambient air heater, the intermediate fluid being warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, the intermediate fluid being cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer; and
a control device for regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat to subject the ambient air heater to a defrosting cycle,
wherein the ambient air heater comprises a horizontal tube bundle and a vertical tube bundle, when a temperature of the intermediate fluid is above 0\xb0 C. the control device directs the intermediate fluid only through the horizontal tube bundle, and when the temperature of the intermediate fluid is less than or equal to 0\xb0 C. the control device directs the intermediate fluid through the vertical tube bundle.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the source of supplemental heat is located downstream of the ambient air heater.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the source of supplemental heat is selected from the group consisting of an exhaust gas heater, an electric water or fluid heater, a propulsion unit of a ship, a diesel engine, a gas turbine propulsion plant, and an exhaust gas stream from a power generation plant.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the regasification facility is provided onboard an LNG carrier and the source of supplementary heat is heat recovered from the engines of the LNG carrier.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a forced draft fan for encouraging heat exchange between the ambient air and the intermediate fluid in the ambient air heater.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ambient air heater is one of a plurality of ambient air heaters and the control device is arranged to subject each of the plurality of ambient air heaters sequentially to a defrosting cycle.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein heat exchange between the ambient air and the intermediate fluid in the ambient air heater is encouraged through use of forced draft fans and the horizontal tube bundle lies above the vertical tube bundle in closer proximity to forced draft fans.