Author: claimsbot

We claim:

1. An excitation vector generator, comprising:
a providing system that provides an input vector having at least one pulse, each pulse of said at least one pulse having a predetermined position and a predetermined polarity;
a storage system that stores at least one fixed waveform; and
a convolution system that enables modification of said input vector with said at least one fixed waveform to transform a waveform of said input vector, said convoluting system outputting said transformed input vector as an excitation vector to improve a speech quality when a random code vector is decoded with said input vector.
2. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said input vector comprises a sparse vector.
3. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said input vector is provided from an algebraic codebook.
4. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said input vector comprises a vector having a plurality of non-zero samples.
5. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said convolution system performs a convolution using one fixed waveform of said at least fixed waveform that is read from said storage system.
6. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said convolution system spreads an energy distribution of said input vector over a subframe.
7. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixed waveform comprises three different fixed waveforms.
8. The excitation vector generator of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixed waveform comprises three different fixed waveforms having a different amount of energy spreading.
9. An excitation vector generator, comprising:
a providing system that provides an input vector having a plurality of non-zero samples;
a storage system that stores at least one fixed waveform; and
a convolution system that transforms said input vector with said at least one fixed waveform to enable a modification of an energy distribution of said input vector, said convolution system outputting said transformed input vector as an excitation vector to improve a speech quality when a random code vector is decoded with the input vector.
10. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said convolution system disperses said energy distribution of said input vector.
11. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said energy distribution is modified by spreading an energy of each non-zero sample of said plurality of non-zero samples over each sample adjacent to said plurality of non-zero samples.
12. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said energy distribution is modified by spreading an energy of each non-zero sample of said plurality of non-zero samples around each of said plurality of non-zero samples.
13. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said energy distribution is modified by spreading an energy of each non-zero sample of said plurality of non-zero samples over each area adjacent to said plurality of non-zero samples.
14. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said convolution system performs a convolution using a fixed waveform read from said storage system.
15. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said convolution system spreads an energy distribution of said input vector over a subframe.
16. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said at least one fixed waveform comprises three fixed waveforms, each fixed waveform of said three fixed waveforms having a different waveform.
17. The excitation vector generator of claim 9, wherein said at least one fixed waveform comprises thee fixed waveforms, each fixed waveform of said three fixed waveforms having a different amount of energy spreading from one another.
18. A method of generating an excitation vector, comprising:
receiving a code number corresponding to at least one position;
providing an input vector corresponding to the received code number;
reading out at least one pre-stored fixed waveform from a storage system;
convolution processing the input vector and the at least one fixed waveform to generate an excitation vector; and
outputting the generated excitation vector to improve a speech quality when a random code vector is decoded with the input vector.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing an input vector comprises providing a sparse vector.
20. A method for generating an excitation vector, comprising:
providing an input vector having at least one pulse, each pulse of the at least one pulse having a predetermined position and a predetermined polarity;
storing at least one fixed waveform; and
convoluting the input vector with the at least one fixed waveform so that a transformed excitation vector is produced, the transformed excitation vector being output to improve a speech quality when a random code vector is decoded with the input vector.
21. A method for generating an excitation vector, comprising:
providing an input vector having a plurality of non-zero samples;
storing at least one fixed waveform; and
convoluting the input vector with the at least one fixed waveform to enable a modification of an energy distribution of the input vector, which is output as an excitation vector to improve a speech quality when a random code vector is decoded with the input vector.

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. An electrical distribution apparatus adapted to receive either of
a first circuit breaker having a plug-on neutral connector for connection to a line-side neutral or
a second circuit breaker having a wire for connection to the line-side neutral; and having:
a plurality of panel connectors connecting the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker to an electrical line current;
a first neutral bus bar operatively connected to the line-side neutral, the first neutral bus bar being a unitary piece having a rolled rail and an extension, the extension having a major surface between the rolled rail and an edge of the neutral bus bar, the rolled rail protruding from the extension at an angle away from the major surface; and
a plurality of wire-capture apparatuses located at the edge, each configured to receive from the second current breaker the wire carrying neutral current,
wherein the rolled rail includes generally rounded sides configured to physically engage the plug-on neutral connector of the first circuit breaker and to electrically connect the plug-on neutral connector to the line-side neutral, and wherein the wire of the second circuit breaker electrically connects to one of the plurality of wire-capture apparatuses, thereby electrically connecting the second circuit breaker to the line-side neutral.
2. The electrical distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein the major surface is flat and wherein the angle is an oblique angle relative to the major surface.
3. The electrical distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rolled rail is rolled to form an exterior and an interior surface, the exterior surface is generally rounded, and the interior surface defines a channel.
4. The electrical distribution apparatus of claim 3 wherein the generally rounded exterior surface forms a curve extending at least 180\xb0 about an axis extending through the channel and terminates at an open end.
5. The electrical distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the wire-capture apparatuses include a compression connection for compressing a wire captured within a channel of the wire-capture apparatus or a wire-capture nut for receiving a fastener for securing a wire to the first neutral bus bar.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second neutral bus bar operatively connected to a line neutral, the second neutral bus bar being a unitary piece having a rolled rail and an extension, the extension of the second neutral bus bar having a major surface between the rolled rail of the second neutral bus bar and an edge of the second neutral bus bar, the rolled rail of the second neutral bus bar protruding from the extension of the second neutral bus bar at an angle away from the major surface of the second neutral bus bar, and a plurality of wire-capture apparatuses located at the edge of the second neutral bus bar, wherein the second neutral bus bar is situated on an opposite side of an interior of the panel from the first neutral bus bar such that the extension of the first neutral bus bar points away from the extension of the second neutral bus bar.
7. A neutral bus bar for use within an electrical distribution apparatus, comprising:
a rolled rail;
an extension having an edge, and a transition portion opposite the edge and a major surface therebetween, the rolled rail protruding from the transition portion at an angle away from the major surface; and
a plurality of apertures positioned along the edge of the extension,
wherein the rolled rail is configured to physically engage a plug-on neutral connector of a first circuit breaker and electrically connect the plug-on neutral connector to a line-side neutral current carried through the neutral bus bar.
8. The neutral bus bar of claim 7 in combination with a plurality of plates and fasteners, each of the plates and fasteners being associated with respective ones of the apertures, wherein each of the plates is configured to receive from a circuit breaker a wire carrying neutral current within a wire channel formed by the plate, and wherein the major surface is substantially flat.
9. The neutral bus bar of claim 7 in combination with a plurality of wire-capture apparatuses, wherein the apertures are spaced equally from one another in a line along the edge of the extension and each of the wire-capture apparatuses is configured to be secured to the extension over corresponding ones of the apertures.
10. The neutral bus bar of claim 9 wherein the plug-on neutral connector of the first circuit breaker includes a mounting jaw, and wherein the rolled rail includes generally rounded sides configured to physically engage the mounting jaw and electrically connect the mounting jaw to the line-side neutral current.
11. The neutral bus bar of claim 10 wherein the rolled rail includes a generally rounded top surface to form a curved surface extending at least 180 degrees about an axis defined by a channel extending along an interior surface of the rolled rail.
12. The neutral bus bar of claim 7 wherein the rolled rail is rolled to form an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a channel extending along the rolled rail.
13. The neutral bus bar of claim 12 wherein the rolled rail forms a curved surface extending at least 270\xb0 about an axis extending along the channel and terminates at an open end.
14. An assembly method comprising:
providing a conductive plate;
rolling a first edge of the conductive plate to form a rolled rail configured to engage a mounting jaw of a circuit breaker;
bending a flat portion of the conductive plate at an end portion of the conductive plate to position the rolled rail at a distance above and an angle relative to the conductive plate such that the rolled rail is located on a plane distinct from a plane in which the conductive plate lies, to form a neutral bus bar; and
forming a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a second edge of the conductive plate opposite the first edge.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing to the second edge over corresponding ones of the apertures a plurality of wire-capture apparatuses configured to securely capture a wire from a second circuit breaker to electrically connect the wire to the neutral bus bar.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the rolled rail includes a generally rounded top surface, rounded sides, and an interior surface defining a channel extending along the rolled end, the rounded sides being configured to physically engage with the mounting jaw responsive to the circuit breaker being installed on the neutral bus bar.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the generally rounded top surface forms an arc of at least 180\xb0 and terminates at an open end.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
cutting the neutral bus bar to produce a first neutral bus bar and a second neutral bus bar of equal lengths;
installing the first neutral bus bar into an electrical distribution apparatus along a first side thereof; and
installing the second neutral bus bar into the electrical distribution apparatus along a second side thereof opposite the first side such that the second neutral bus bar is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first neutral bus bar.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing to the second edge of the second neutral bus bar over corresponding ones of the apertures formed in the second neutral bus bar a plurality of wire-capture apparatuses configured to securely capture a wire from a second circuit breaker to electrically connect the wire to the second neutral bus bar.

1. A conveyor for handling hot materials at a temperature on the order of 1,000\xb0 F. or higher comprising:
an elongated conveyor trough having an inlet for receiving material to be conveyed and an outlet whereat handled hot material passes out of said trough;
a conveyor member supported within said trough to extend along said trough, and a drive for moving said conveying member to advance hot material to be handled along said trough;
said trough having an inner wall having an inside surface confining hot material to be handled;
one or more liquid flow vessels supported so as to be extending over but spaced away from an outside surface of said inner wall to reduce heat transfer therebetween by an interposed limiting heat conductive connection position to contact said outside surface of said inner wall and a limited area of an outer surface of said heat exchange liquid flow vessels;
and, a source of cooling liquid supplying cooling liquid to said liquid flow vessels, whereby said cooling liquid indirectly transfers heat from said trough inner wall through said heat conductive connection and through said outer surface of said inner wall and said limited area of said outer surface of said flow vessels into said cooling liquid to prevent excessive heat transfer and resulting boiling of said cooling liquid.
2. The conveyor according to claim 1 wherein said conveying member comprises a helical auger tube located extending within said conveyor trough, and drive rotating said auger tube to convey material along said trough.
3. The conveyor according to claim 2 further including a series of wear plates clamped onto a pushing side of said helical tube and projecting radially out therefrom.
4. The conveyor according to claim 3 wherein said wear plates have an outer angled side to assist in pushing hot material along said trough.
5. The conveyor according to claim 4 wherein said wear plates are arranged along the length of said helical auger tube.

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 connector including a plurality of contacts having at least one contact portion adapted to contact a connecting object, a housing arranging and holding said contacts and having a fitting opening into which said connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member for causing said contacts to be elastically deformed to urge said contacts against said connecting object,
wherein said contacts each comprise a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object, a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member, and a projection inwardly extending from the front end of said pressure receiving portion; a second piece having a fulcrum portion at one end and a connection portion at the other end adapted to be connected to a board; and an elastic portion for connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a crank,
wherein said housing includes a ceiling portion for covering said contact portions of the contacts, said ceiling portion being formed at least on both the ends with protection walls for preventing said ceiling portion from being raised when said connecting object is accidentally subjected to undue external force, and
wherein said pivoting member includes an actuating portion for pivotally moving said pivoting member, urging portions continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pivoting member, and anchoring grooves independent from one another for receiving therein said pressure receiving portions and adapted to engage said projections, respectively, and said pivoting member is mounted on said housing so that the urging portions are pivotally moved between the connection portions and the pressure receiving portions of the contacts, and the rotational axis of said urging portions is moved with their pivotal movement to achieve their compact rotation.
2. A connector including a plurality of contacts having at least one contact portion adapted to contact a connecting object, a housing arranging and holding said contacts and having a fitting opening into which said connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member for causing said contacts to be elastically deformed to urge said contacts against said connecting object,
wherein said contacts consist of two kinds of contacts arranged alternately staggered,
said contacts of the one kind each comprising a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object and a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member; a second piece having a fulcrum portion at one end and a connection portion at the other end adapted to be connected to a board; and an elastic portion for connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a crank, and
said contacts of the other kind each comprising a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object and a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member; a second piece having a connection portion at one end adapted to be connected to a board and a fulcrum portion at the other end; and an elastic portion for connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a U-shape, and said pressure receiving portions of the contacts of at least either the one kind or the other kind being each provided at the front end with an inwardly extending projection,
wherein said housing includes a ceiling portion for covering said contact portions of the contacts, said ceiling portion being formed at least on both the ends with protection walls for preventing said ceiling portion from being raised when said connecting object is accidentally subjected to undue external force, and
wherein said pivoting member includes an actuating portion for pivotally moving said pivoting member, urging portions continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pivoting member, and anchoring grooves independent from one another for receiving therein said pressure receiving portions and adapted to engage said projections, respectively, and said pivoting member is mounted on said housing so that the urging portions are pivotally moved between the connection portions and the pressure receiving portions of the contacts of the one kind and between the pressure receiving portions of the contacts of the other kind and the housing, and the rotational axis of said urging portions is moved with their pivotal movement to achieve their compact rotation.
3. A connector including a plurality of contacts having at least one contact portion adapted to contact a connecting object, a housing arranging and holding said contacts and having a fitting opening into which said connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member for causing said contacts to be elastically deformed to urge said contacts against said connecting object,
wherein said contacts each comprise a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object, a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member, and a projection inwardly extending from the front end of said pressure receiving portion; a second piece having a fulcrum portion at one end, and a connection portion at the other end adapted to be connected to a board; and an elastic portion for
connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a crank,
wherein said housing includes a ceiling portion for covering said contact portions of the contacts, said ceiling portion being formed at least on both the ends with protection walls for preventing said ceiling portion from being raised when said connecting object is accidentally subjected to undue external force,
wherein said pivoting member includes an actuating portion for pivotally moving said pivoting member, urging portions continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pivoting member, and anchoring grooves independent from one another for receiving therein said pressure receiving portions and adapted to engage said projections, respectively, and
wherein said pivoting member is mounted on said housing such that before connecting said connecting object to said connector, the lower ends of said urging portions are positioned between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and said connection portions of said contacts, that second on pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions are moved in a direction opposite to said fitting opening so that the lower ends of said urging portions are embraced between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and said extension portions of said contacts, that third on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their second position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis, that fourth on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their third position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis so that said urging portions stand substantially upright between said pressure receiving portions and said connection portions, and the rotational axis is moved toward the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections, and that finally on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their fourth position are pivotally moved about a center in the proximity of the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections to cause said urging portions to engage said projections, thereby moving the rotational axis of said urging portions with their pivotal movement to achieve their compact rotation.
4. A connector including a plurality of contacts having at least one contact portion adapted to contact a connecting object, a housing arranging and holding said contacts and having a fitting opening into which said connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member for causing said contacts to be elastically deformed to urge said contacts against said connecting object,
wherein said contacts consist of two kinds of contacts arranged alternately staggered,
said contacts of the one kind each comprise a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object and a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member; a second piece having a fulcrum portion at one end, and a connection portion at the other end adapted to be connected to a board; and an elastic portion for connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a crank, and
said contacts of the other kind each comprise a first piece having the contact portion at one end adapted to contact said connecting object, and a pressure receiving portion at the other end adapted to be urged by said pivoting member; a second piece having a connection portion at one end adapted to be connected to a board, and a fulcrum portion at the other end; and an elastic portion for connecting said first piece and said fulcrum portion; and said contact portion, said elastic portion, said fulcrum portion and said connection portion being arranged substantially in the form of a U-shape, and said pressure receiving portions of the contacts of at least either the one kind or the other kind being each provided at the front end with an inwardly extending projection,
wherein said housing includes a ceiling portion for covering said contact portions of the contacts said ceiling portion being formed at least on both the ends with protection walls for preventing said ceiling portion from being raised when said connecting object is accidentally subjected to undue external force,
wherein said pivoting member includes an actuating portion for pivotally moving said pivoting member, urging portions continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pivoting member, and anchoring grooves independent from one another for receiving therein said pressure receiving portions and adapted to engage said projections, respectively, and
wherein said pivoting member is mounted on said housing such that before connecting said connecting object to said connector, the lower ends of said urging portions are positioned between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and the connection portions and the housing and, that second on pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions are moved in a direction opposite to said fitting opening so that the lower ends of said urging portions are embraced between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and the extension portions of said contact and the housing, that third on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their second position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis, that fourth on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their third position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis so that said urging portions stand substantially upright between said pressure receiving portions and said connection portions and the housing, and the rotational axis is moved toward the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections, and that finally on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their fourth position are pivotally moved about a center in the proximity of the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections to cause said urging portions to engage said projections, thereby moving the rotational axis of said urging portions with their pivotal movement to achieve their compact rotation.
5. The connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein when the connecting object is connected to the connector, the urging portions of the pivoting member are positioned such that before connecting said connecting object to said connector, the lower ends of said urging portions are positioned between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and the connection portions and the housing or extension portions, that second on pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions are moved in a direction opposite to said fitting opening so that the lower ends of said urging portions are embraced between the projections of said pressure receiving portions and the connection portions and the housing or extension portions, that third on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their second position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis, that fourth on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their third position are pivotally moved about the center of said urging portions as their rotational axis so that said urging portions stand substantially upright between said pressure receiving portions and said connection portions and the housing or the extension portions, and the rotational axis is moved toward the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections, and that finally on further pivotally moving said actuating portion of the pivoting member, said urging portions at their fourth position are pivotally moved about a center in the proximity of the upper ends of said urging portions in contact with said projections to cause said urging portions to engage said projections.
6. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 1, wherein said ceiling portion is further provided with a protection wall substantially at its center for preventing said ceiling portion from being raised when the connecting object is accidentally subjected to undue external force.
7. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 1, wherein said contacts and said contacts of the one kind are each provided with an extension portion extending from the fulcrum portion in such a direction that said extension portion faces to said contact portion.
8. The connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said contacts of the other kind are each provided with an extension portion extending from the fulcrum portion in such a direction that said extension portion faces to said pressure receiving portion, and said pivoting member is mounted on the housing so that said urging portions of the pivoting member are pivotally moved between said extension portions and said pressure receiving portions.
9. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 2, wherein a further contact portion adapted to contact the connecting object is provided on said extension portion of each of said contacts and said contacts of the one kind, and a further contact portion adapted to contact the connecting object is also provided between said fulcrum portion and the connection portion of each of said contacts of the other kind.
10. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 2, wherein said housing is provided with recessed portions on the side of the fitting opening for conducting a connecting object, and the contacts of the other kind are so arranged that the connection portions of the contacts do not extend from said recessed portions.
11. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 1, wherein the connecting object is provided with anchoring portions, and there are provided locking members each having an engaging portion adapted to engage said anchoring portion and said locking members are substantially the same in construction as that of said contacts, said contacts of the one kind or said contacts of the other kind.
12. The connector as set forth in claim 9, wherein said further contact portion provided on said extension portion of each of said contacts and said contacts of the one kind is constructed to have elasticity, and said further contact portion provided between the fulcrum portion and the connection portion of each of said contacts of the other kind is constructed to have elasticity.
13. The connector as set forth in claim 11, wherein the housing is provided with anchoring portions at locations corresponding to the connection portions of said contacts or said contacts of the one kind, while the connection portions of said contacts and said contacts of the one kind are each provided with an inclined engaging portion adapted to engage said anchoring portion, and said extension portions of said contacts and said contacts of the one kind are not held by the housing.
14. The connector as set forth in claim 13, wherein when inserting said contact or said contact of the one kind into said housing from the opposite side of said fitting opening, at the commencement of the engagement of the anchoring portion with the engaging portion, the contact portion of the contact is substantially in parallel with an inserting hole of the housing, and on proceeding of the insertion the contact is obliquely inclined so that the contact portion of the contact comes into contact with the upper wall of the inserting hole, and wherein when the insertion of the contact has been completed, the contact portion has returned in parallel with the inserting hole with the aid of said inclined engaging portion.
15. The connector as set forth in claim 9, wherein said further contact portion provided on said extension portion of each of said contacts and said contacts of the one kind and said further contact portion provided between said fulcrum portion and the connection portion of each of said contacts of the other kind are of a bent shape to extend into said fitting opening and have elasticity.
16. The connector as set forth in claim 15, wherein a tip of each of said further contact portions is provided with a protrusion.
17. The connector as set forth in any one of claims 1, wherein the fitting opening is inclined for easy insertion of connecting object.
18. The connector as set forth in claim 17, wherein inclination of the fitting opening is in an angle between 15 to 25 degree with respect to the base of housing of the connector.