Author: claimsbot

1. Process for preparing high density polyethylene in the gas phase comprising contacting ethylene or a mixture comprising ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins with a chromium oxide catalyst supported on a granular or microspherical refractory oxide in a fluidised bed reactor having a recycle gas line, under polymerisation conditions, characterised in that
(i) oxygen is introduced into the reactor in the range of about 0.03 to about 1 part by volume of oxygen per million parts by volume of ethylene;
(ii) an organoaluminium compound is introduced into the reactor in the range of 0.0001 to 0.05 mole per ton of ethylene; and
(iii) the polymerisation is carried out at a temperature in the range of 80 to 120 C.
2. Process according to claim 1 wherein the high density polyethylene is a homopolymer of ethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and 1-butene or 1-hexene.
3. Process according to any of claims 1 and 2 wherein the density of the high density polyethylene is comprised between 0.948 and 0.967 gram per cubic centimetre.
4. Process according to any of the preceding claims wherein the chromium oxide catalyst supported on a granular or microspherical refractory oxide is a titanium or aluminium modified silica supported chromium oxide catalyst.
5. Process according to any of the preceding claims wherein the organoaluminium compound is introduced into the reactor in the range of 0.001 to 0.01 mole per ton of ethylene.
6. Process according to any of the preceding claims wherein the organoaluminium compound is a trialkylaluminium, preferably triethylaluminium.

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 apparatus for receiving power from a prime mover to move a punch relative to a die and thereby form a hole in a wall, the apparatus comprising:
a housing defining:
a transmission chamber:
a draw stud passageway in communication with the transmission chamber and including a keyway that extends in a longitudinal direction of the housing;

an input element rotatably supported by the housing in the transmission chamber and configured to be rotatably driven by the prime mover;
a transmission element rotatably supported by the housing in the transmission chamber and rotatably driven by the input element, the transmission element including a threaded inner surface;
a draw stud supported by the housing in the draw stud passageway and configured to support the punch proximate the die, the draw stud having a threaded outer surface connected to the threaded inner surface and a key received in the keyway, the key and the keyway inhibiting rotation of the draw stud as the transmission element rotates and the threaded inner surface threadingly driving the threaded outer surface as the transmission element rotates to cause translation of the draw stud in the longitudinal direction to thereby move the punch relative to the die to form the hole; and
wherein the draw stud is detachable from the apparatus by only driving the draw stud such that the key exits the keyway, rotating the draw stud to detach the draw stud from the transmission element, and thereafter removing the draw stud from the draw stud passageway.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input element is a worm and the transmission element is a worm gear.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the punch is a first punch, and the draw stud includes:
a distal end configured to support the first punch; and
a proximal end opposite the distal end and configured to support a second punch having a different size than the first punch.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distal end of the draw stud includes a first threaded inner surface configured to support the first punch, and the proximal end of the draw stud includes a second threaded inner surface configured to support the second punch.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an access opening opposite the draw stud passageway providing access to the proximal end of the draw stud.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the draw stud includes:
a shaft having the threaded outer surface; and
a collar connected to the shaft so as to move with the shaft, the collar supporting the key and being configured to support the punch.
7. An apparatus for receiving power from a prime mover to move a punch relative to a die and thereby form a hole in a wall, the apparatus comprising:
a housing defining:
a transmission chamber:
a draw stud passageway in communication with the transmission chamber and including a keyway that extends from the transmission chamber in a longitudinal direction to a distal end of the housing configured to support the die;

an input element rotatably supported by the housing in the transmission chamber and configured to be rotatably driven by the prime mover;
a transmission element rotatably supported by the housing in the transmission chamber and rotatably driven by the input element, the transmission element including a threaded inner surface; and
a draw stud supported by the housing in the draw stud passageway and configured to support the punch proximate the die, the draw stud having a threaded outer surface connected to the threaded inner surface and a key received in the keyway, the key and the keyway inhibiting rotation of the draw stud as the transmission element rotates and the threaded inner surface threadingly driving the threaded outer surface as the transmission element rotates to cause translation of the draw stud in the longitudinal direction to thereby move the punch relative to the die to form the hole.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input element is a worm and the transmission element is a worm gear.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the punch is a first punch, and the draw stud includes:
a distal end configured to support the first punch; and
a proximal end opposite the distal end and configured to support a second punch having a different size than the first punch.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the distal end of the draw stud includes a first threaded inner surface configured to support the first punch, and the proximal end of the draw stud includes a second threaded inner surface configured to support the second punch.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing defines an access opening opposite the draw stud passageway providing access to the proximal end of the draw stud.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the draw stud includes:
a shaft having the threaded outer surface; and
a collar connected to the shaft so as to move with the shaft, the collar supporting the key and being configured to support the punch.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the draw stud is detachable from the apparatus by only driving the draw stud such that the key exits the keyway, rotating the draw stud to detach the draw stud from the transmission element, and thereafter removing the draw stud from the draw stud passageway.
14. An apparatus for receiving power from a prime mover to move a punch relative to a die and thereby form a hole in a wall, the apparatus comprising:
a housing including:
a transmission section;
a grip section configured to support the die and to be grasped by an operator while using the apparatus for forming the hole in the wall, the grip section having a proximal end connected to the transmission section and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the grip section defining an internal passageway extending in a longitudinal direction between the proximal end and the distal end, and the internal passageway having a longitudinally-extending keyway extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an input element rotatably supported by the transmission section and configured to be rotatably driven by the prime mover;
a transmission element rotatably supported by the transmission section and rotatably driven by the input element, the transmission element including a threaded inner surface; and
a draw stud supported in the internal passageway and configured to support the punch proximate the die, the draw stud having a threaded outer surface connected to the threaded inner surface and a key received in the keyway, the key and the keyway inhibiting rotation of the draw stud as the transmission element rotates and the threaded inner surface threadingly driving the threaded outer surface as the transmission element rotates to cause translation of the draw stud in the longitudinal direction to thereby move the punch relative to the die to form the hole.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the input element is a worm and the transmission element is a worm gear.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the punch is a first punch, and the draw stud includes:
a distal end configured to support the first punch; and
a proximal end opposite the distal end and configured to support a second punch having a different size than the first punch.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the draw stud includes a first threaded inner surface configured to support the first punch, and the proximal end of the draw stud includes a second threaded inner surface configured to support the second punch.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the housing defines an access opening opposite the grip section providing access to the proximal end of the draw stud.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the draw stud includes:
a shaft having the threaded outer surface; and
a collar connected to the shaft so as to move with the shaft, the collar supporting the key and being configured to support the punch.
20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the draw stud is detachable from the apparatus by only driving the draw stud such that the key exits the keyway, rotating the draw stud to detach the draw stud from the transmission element, and thereafter removing the draw stud from the internal passageway.

1. A method of financing a construction project in advance of future scheduled funding, the method comprising the steps of:
advancing funds for the construction projection by issuing bonds that are non-recourse to a contractor and a public owner hiring the contractor to deliver the construction project;
receiving a performance guarantee for the construction project, wherein the performance guarantee ensures delivery of the construction project for the public owner upon the contractor’s failure to complete the construction project;
advancing payment to the construction project as the contractor completes work; and
directing payments to a trustee from the future scheduled funding.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonds are issued by a government entity that is not the public owner.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance guarantee is provided by a surety company.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
the public owner making payment to the trustee based on completion of the construction project and occurrence of the future scheduled funding; and
the trustee paying bondholders upon maturation of the bonds.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance guarantee includes the contractor purchasing a surety bond guaranteeing the contractor’s performance wherein payment of the bonds is ensured.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein upon the contractor failing to perform the construction project a surety company hires a second contractor to complete the construction project.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein upon the contractor failing to perform the construction project the surety company funds the second contractor.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of using bond proceeds to fund an increased amount charged by the second contractor above the funds advanced.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of the public owner approving the advancement of payment to the construction project as the contractor completes work.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the contractor, surety company and public owner direct payments to the trustee from the future scheduled funding.
11. A method of financing a construction project in advance of future scheduled funding, the method comprising the steps of:
issuing bonds in amount related to required funding of the construction project;
receiving funds from the issuance of the bonds;
advancing payment to a contractor for completed work from the funds of the issued bonds; and
receiving a guarantee of performance from the contractor to a public owner, wherein the contractor provides a surety bond as the guarantee of performance.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
directing payments from the public owner for completed work on the construction project to a trustee, wherein the trustee holds the funds; and
paying holders of the bonds by the trustee upon maturation of the bonds from the funds.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein directing payments to the trustee is funded from the future scheduled funding.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
a government agency issuing the bonds;
entering into a funding agreement between the contractor and the public owner, wherein the contractor is obligated to construct the construction project;
advancing funds to the construction project to pay the contractor when it completes work as evidenced by approvals from the public owner;
the contractor irrevocably directing future payments from the public owner to a trustee; and
entering into an intercreditor agreement between a surety company, the contractor and the trustee wherein the surety company assumes the contractor’s obligations from the funding agreement upon the contractor failing to complete the construction project.
15. A method of financing a construction project in advance of future funding, the method comprising the steps of:
advancing funds for the construction projection by issuing bonds that are non-recourse to a contractor and a public owner hiring the contractor to deliver the construction project, wherein the funds are held by a trustee;
receiving performance of the construction project from a contractor;
instructing the trustee to pay the contractor from the advanced funds from the non-recourse bonds as the contractor performs the construction project; and
directing payment from the future funding to the trustee at direction of at least one of the contractor, a surety company and the public owner.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
the public owner making payment to the trustee based on completion of the construction project and occurrence of the future scheduled funding; and
the trustee paying bondholders upon maturation of the bonds.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of requesting proposals from qualified potential contractors, wherein the qualified potential contractors are not disqualified based upon debt from completing the construction project.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of the contractor providing a guarantee of performance from a surety company, wherein the performance guarantee ensures delivery of the construction project upon the contractor’s failure to complete the construction project.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the performance guarantee ensures payment of the bonds from future payments from the public owner.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the guarantee of performance provided by the surety company enhances credit worthiness of the contractor.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
the contractor irrevocably directing future payments from the public owner to the trustee; and
entering into an intercreditor agreement between the surety company, the contractor and the trustee wherein the surety company assumes the contractor’s obligations to complete the construction project upon the contractor failing to complete the construction project.

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 use in medical ultrasound imaging, comprising:
obtaining a first two dimensional ultrasound image of an internal object of interest using a handheld ultrasound device, said first two dimensional ultrasound image having a first image plane and a first three dimensional point of reference obtained from an unconstrained tracker adapted to provide location information in three dimensional space, wherein said first three dimensional point of reference is correlated with said first image plane, and wherein said unconstrained tracker is attached to the handheld ultrasound device;
obtaining a second two dimensional ultrasound image of the internal object of interest using the handheld ultrasound device, said second two dimensional ultrasound image having a second image plane and second three dimensional point of reference obtained from the unconstrained tracker attached to the handheld ultrasound device, wherein said second three dimensional point of reference is correlated with said second image plane, and wherein said first and second three dimensional points of reference are different and said image planes are non-aligned such that said first and second ultrasound images have arbitrary orientations relative to one another;
translating pixel information from said first and second two dimensional ultrasound images into a common three dimensional volume; and
interpolating between information associated with translated pixel information of said two dimensional ultrasound images as disposed within said common three dimensional volume to generate a three dimensional image of the object of interest having different resolution in at least first and second regions of said three dimensional image.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein translating pixel information further comprises:
applying a coordinate transform to said two-dimensional ultrasound images.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein applying a coordinate transform further comprises:
for each two-dimensional ultrasound image determining a normal to said image plane;
defining unit vectors in three directions for said two dimensional image; and
applying a rotation matrix to said vectors.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein translating said pixel intensity further comprises:
interpolating pixel intensities from said two-dimensional ultrasound images to discrete locations in said three-dimensional volume.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
after generating said three dimensional image, obtaining an additional ith two dimensional image having an ith image plane and an ith three dimensional point of reference; and
incorporating pixel information of said ith image into said three-dimensional image.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein obtaining an additional ith two dimensional image further comprises:
selectively obtaining a two-dimensional image for a location of interest of said internal object of interest.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein for each image obtaining comprises:
receiving an image plane from a hand-guided ultrasound imaging device.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a three dimensional image of said object of interest comprises interpolating a surface of said object of interest using statistics associated with said object of interest.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein interpolating said surface comprises:
fitting a predefined shape model to said pixel information translated into said common three dimensional volume.
10. A method for use in medical ultrasound imaging, comprising:
obtaining a plurality of arbitrarily aligned two dimensional ultrasound images using a handheld ultrasound device, wherein said images are of an internal object of interest and at least a portion of the images have non-aligned image planes;
translating pixel intensity information from each of said two dimensional ultrasound images into a common three dimensional volume;
applying a deformable shape model based on an average corresponding object of a training set population to said pixel intensity information of said common three dimensional volume;
deforming a surface of said shape model to match boundaries of said internal object of interest within said two dimensional images, wherein said deformed surface of said shape model defines a three dimensional surface for said object of interest in said three dimensional volume; and
generating, in response to said deforming, a three-dimensional image of the object of interest having different resolution in at least first and second regions of said three dimensional image.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein shape statistics of said training set population are utilized to fit said predefined shape model to said pixel intensity information.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein boundaries identified within said two dimensional images form constraints for deforming said surface of said predefined shape model.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
performing a three dimensional segmentation of said object of interest using said three dimensional surface as an initial surface boundary.