All The Claims

1. A multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system comprising:
an organic solvent phase comprising: an organic solvent; and
a halogenated solvent phase comprising: a functionalized biopolymer and an additive,
wherein the additive comprises:
a catalyst, a ligand or, a combination thereof,
wherein the functionalized biopolymer is selected from the group consisting of lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, dextrin, and a combination thereof,
wherein the functionalized biopolymer comprises:
a plurality of pendent functional side chains of the formula:
\u2014(CX2)n\u2014CX3,
wherein each X is independently selected from F, Br, I, Cl, or combinations thereof, and wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18; and
a plurality of pendent carboxylic acid groups of formula \u2014C(\u2550O)OH.
2. The multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system of claim 1, wherein the organic solvent phase comprises an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of: dichlorobenzene, chlorobenzene, toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, 1,4-dioxane, chloroform, hexane, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, acetone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, or a combination thereof.
3. The multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system of claim 1, wherein the halogenated solvent is a perfluoroalkane, a perbromoalkane, a perchloroalkane, a periodoalkane, trifluorotoluene, or a combination thereof.
4. The multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system of claim 1, wherein the organic solvent phase and the halogenated solvent phase are immiscible at ambient temperature and pressure.
5. The multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system of claim 1, wherein the functionalized biopolymer is a powder.
6. The multi-phase biopolymer catalyst support system of claim 1, further comprises a resin-bound organophosphorous compound and an azodicarboxylate.

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

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for processing a differential first pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal (P1) having a time varying magnitude representing a sequence of integer-valued first data elements (D1), the apparatus comprising:
amplifying means (70) for amplifying the first PAM signal with an adjustable first gain (G1) to produce a second PAM signal (P2);
digitizing means (72) for processing the second PAM signal to generate a sequence of second data elements (D2) having values representing magnitudes of the second PAM signal at a succession of times; and
first automatic gain control (AGC) means (66) for determining a number of second data elements generated per unit of time having values within a first range and for adjusting the first gain when the determined number falls outside a second range.
2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first AGC means comprises:
first means for generating a seventh data (D7) of value representing a count of second data elements within a succession of N data elements having values falling within the first range, where N is an integer greater than 1, and
second means for adjusting the first gain when the value of the seventh data falls outside the second range.
3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the first means comprises:
means (90, 92) for generating a sixth data (D6) in response to each second data element, the sixth data being of value indicating whether an absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range;
a first counter (94) receiving the sixth data, for altering the value of the seventh data (D7) in response to each pulse of a periodic clock signal (CLK) depending on whether the sixth data is of value indicating that the absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range, and for setting the value of the seventh data to zero upon receipt of each pulse of a first control signal (C1); and
means (95) for supplying a pulse of the first control signal to the first counter in response to every Nth pulse of the clock signal.
4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the second means comprises:
a slicer for generating eighth data (D8) in response to the seventh data of value indicating whether the value of the seventh data resides above, below or within the second range; and
means (97) for altering the first gain in response to the value of the eighth data.
5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
digital signal processing (DSP) means (74) for processing the second data elements to produce a sequence of third data elements (D3), each having a real number value that is substantially proportional to a product of the integer value of a corresponding one of the first data elements and a second gain (G2);
slicer means (78) for processing the third data elements to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
second AGC means (68) for controlling the second gain in response to a comparison of values of corresponding third and fourth data elements.
6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the second AGC means comprises:
means (102) for generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
means (100, 104) for generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
counter means (106, 108) for adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response with a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data; and
second gain control means (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) for adjusting the second gain in response to the thirteenth data.
7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the second gain control means alters the second gain when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the second gain control means also signals the counter means to set the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.
9. An apparatus for processing a differential first pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal (P1) having a time varying magnitude representing a sequence of integer-valued first data elements (D1), the apparatus comprising:
amplifying means (70) for amplifying the first PAM signal with an adjustable first gain (G1) to produce a second PAM signal (P2);
digitizing means (72) for processing the second PAM signal to generate a sequence of second data elements (D2) having values representing magnitudes of the second PAM signal at a succession of times;
first means (90, 92, 94) for generating seventh data (D7) of value representing a number of second data elements within a succession of N data elements having values falling within a first range, where N is an integer greater than 1, and
second means (95, 96, 97) for adjusting the first gain when the value of the seventh data falls outside a second range;
digital signal processing (DSP) means (74) for processing the second data elements to produce a sequence of third data elements (D3), each having a real number value that is substantially proportional to a product of the integer value of a corresponding one of the first data elements and a second gain (G2);
slicer means (78) for processing the third data elements to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
second AGC means (68) for controlling the second gain in response to a comparison of values of corresponding third and fourth data elements.
10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the second AGC means comprises:
means (102) for generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
means (100, 104) for generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
means (106, 108) for adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response to a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data; and
second gain control means (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) for adjusting the second gain in response to the thirteenth data.
11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the second gain control means alters the second gain when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the second gain control means also signals the counter means to set the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.
13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the first means comprises:
means (90, 92) for generating sixth data (D6) in response to each second data element, the sixth data being of value indicating whether an absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range;
a first counter (94) receiving the sixth data, for altering the value of the seventh data (D7) in response to each pulse of a periodic clock signal (CLK) depending on whether the sixth data is of value indicating that the absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range, and for setting the value of the seventh data to zero upon receipt of each pulse of a first control signal (C1); and
means (95) for supplying a pulse of the first control signal to the first counter in response to every Nth pulse of the clock signal.
14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the second means comprises:
a slicer for generating eighth data (D8) in response to the seventh data of value indicating whether the value of the seventh data resides above, below or within the second range; and
means (97) for altering the first gain in response to the value of the eighth data.
15. An apparatus for controlling a gain of a digital signal processor producing a sequence of third data elements (D3) having values that are a product of values of elements of an input sequence and said gain, the apparatus comprising:
slicer means (78) for processing the third sequence to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
an automatic gain controller (68) for controlling the second gain in response to a difference in values of corresponding the third and fourth data elements.
16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the automatic gain controller comprises:
means (102) for generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
means (100, 104) for generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
means (106 108) for adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response with a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data; and
gain control means (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) for adjusting the gain in response to the thirteenth data.
17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein the gain control means alters the second gain when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein the gain control means also signals the counter means to set the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value if the thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.
19. A method for processing a differential first pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal (P1) having a time varying magnitude representing a sequence of integer-valued first data elements (D1), the method comprising the steps of:
a. amplifying the first PAM signal with an adjustable first gain (G1) to produce a second PAM signal (P2);
b. digitizing the second PAM signal to generate a sequence of second data elements (D2) having values representing magnitudes of the second PAM signal at a succession of times; and
c. processing the second data elements to determine a number of second date elements generated per unit time falling within a first range and adjusting the first gain when the determined number falls outside a second range.
20. The method in accordance with claim 19 wherein step c comprises the substeps of:
c1. generating a seventh data (D7) of value representing a count of a number of second data elements within a succession of N data elements having values falling within the first range, where N is an integer greater than 1, and
c2. adjusting the first gain when the value of the seventh data falls outside the second range.
21. The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein step c1 comprises the substeps of:
c11. generating a pulse of a first control signal (C1) in response to every Nth pulse of a periodic clock signal (CLK).
c12. generating sixth data (D6) in response to each second data element, the sixth data being of value indicating whether an absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range; and
c13. altering the value of the seventh data (D7) in response to each pulse of the periodic clock signal (CLK) depending on whether the sixth data is of value indicating that the absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range, and
c14. setting the value of the seventh data to zero on each pulse of the first control signal.
22. The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein step c further comprising the substeps of:
c3. generating eighth data (D8) in response to the seventh data of value indicating whether the value of the seventh data resides above, below or within the second range; and
c4. altering the first gain in response to the value of the eighth data.
23. The method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising the steps of:
e. processing the second data elements with a second gain (G2) to produce a sequence of third data elements (D3), each having a real number value that is substantially proportional to a product of the integer value of a corresponding one of the first data elements and a second gain (G2);
f. processing the third data elements to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
g. controlling the second gain in response to a comparison of values of corresponding elements of the third and fourth data elements.
24. The method in accordance with claim 23 wherein step g comprises the substeps of:
g1. generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
g2. generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
g3. adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response with a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data; and
g4. adjusting the second gain in response to the thirteenth data.
25. The method in accordance with claim 24 wherein the second gain is altered when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
26. The method in accordance with claim 25 wherein step g further comprises the substep of:
g5. setting the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.
27. A method for processing a differential first pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal (P1) having a time varying magnitude representing a sequence of integer-valued first data elements (D1), the method comprising the steps of:
a. amplifying the first PAM signal with an adjustable first gain (G1) to produce a second PAM signal (P2);
b. digitizing the second PAM signal to produce a sequence of second data elements (D2) representing magnitudes of the second PAM signal at a succession of times;
c. generating seventh data (D7) of value representing a count of a number of second data elements within a succession of N data elements having values falling within the first range, where N is an integer greater than 1;
d. adjusting the first gain when the value of the seventh data falls outside the second range;
e. processing the second data elements to produce a sequence of third data elements (D3), each having a real number value that is substantially proportional to a product of the integer value of a corresponding one of the first data elements and a second gain (G2);
f. processing the third data elements to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
g. controlling the second gain in response to a comparison of values of corresponding third and fourth data elements.
28. The method in accordance with claim 27 wherein step g comprises the substeps of:
g1. generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
g2. generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
g3. adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response to a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data; and
g4. adjusting the second gain in response to the thirteenth data.
29. The method in accordance with claim 28 wherein the second gain is adjusted at step g4 when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
30. The method in accordance with claim 29 wherein step g further comprises the substep of:
g5. setting the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value of the thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.
31. The method in accordance with claim 27 further comprising the steps of:
h. generating seventh data (D7) of value representing a count of a number of second data elements within a succession of N data elements having values falling within the first range, where N is an integer greater than 1; and
i. adjusting the first gain when the value of the seventh data falls out side the second range.
32. The method in accordance with claim 31 wherein step h compress the substeps of:
h1. generating sixth data (D6) in response to each second data element, the sixth data being of value indicating whether an absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range;
h2. altering the value of the seventh data (D7) in response to each pulse of a periodic clock signal (CLK) depending on whether the sixth data is of value indicating that the absolute value of the second data element resides within the first range, and
h3. setting the value of the seventh data to zero in response to every Nth pulse of the clock signal.
33. The method in accordance with claim 32 wherein step h3 comprises the substeps of:
h31. generating eighth data (D8) in response to the seventh data of value indicating whether the value of the seventh data resides above, below or within the second range; and
h32. altering the first gain in response to the value of the eighth data.
34. A method for controlling a gain of a digital signal processing circuit producing a sequence of third data elements (D3) of values that are a product of values of elements of an input sequence and the gain, the method comprising the steps of:
a. processing the third data elements to produce a sequence of fourth data elements (D4), wherein each fourth data element has an integer value approximating a value of a corresponding one of the third data elements; and
b. controlling the gain in response to a sign of a difference between each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element and a sign of each fourth data element.
35. The method in accordance with claim 34 wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
b1. generating tenth data (D10) in response to each fourth data element, wherein a value of the tenth data indicates whether a value of the fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
c1. generating eleventh data (D11) in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, wherein a value of the eleventh data indicates whether a difference in values between the third data element and its corresponding fourth data element is zero, higher than zero, or lower than zero;
b3. adjusting a value of thirteenth data (D13) in response with a combination of values of the tenth data and the eleventh data generated in response to each third data element and its corresponding fourth data element, and
b4. adjusting the gain in response to the thirteenth data.
36. The method in accordance with claim 35 wherein the gain is altered at step b4 whenever the value of the thirteenth data goes outside predetermined limits.
37. The method in accordance with claim 36 wherein step b further comprises the substep of:
b5. setting the value of the thirteenth data to zero when the value thirteenth data goes outside the predetermined limits.

I claim:

1. A seat belt retractor comprising a belt reel rotatably mounted on a frame, a motive spring that biases the belt reel in a winding direction, an electric motor adjusts the spring force of the motive spring andor produces a torque for tightening a seat belt, and a clutch via which the torque can be transmitted to the belt reel, wherein the clutch comprises a spring element that can be deformed by the torque and which, when deformed, brings the clutch into an engaged state, wherein the spring element is fastened at one end of the spring by a holding device actuated by inertial force at least to initiate the deformation of the spring element, while the torque acts at the other end of the spring.
2. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is connected to the belt reel by a releasable interlocking fit.
3. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is connected to the belt reel by a frictional fit.
4. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is mounted in a freely movable manner with respect to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor and can be moved into the fastening position when there is torque-induced movement with respect to an inertial mass by a control element provided on the inertial mass.
5. Seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is mounted rotatably with respect to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor and can be moved into a fastening position when there is torque-induced movement with respect to an inertial mass by a control element provided on the inertial mass.
6. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device is pivotally mounted on an annular bearing mounted in a freely rotatable manner relative to the belt reel in normal operation, and the end of the spring to be fastened is connected to the bearing.
7. The seat belt retractor according to claim 2 wherein the interlocking fit is formed by at a pawl that engages with teeth non-rotatably connected to the belt reel.
8. The seat belt retractor according to claim 7 wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted against the force of a return spring in a pivot bearing on the bearing.
9. The seat belt retractor according to claim 8 wherein the return spring is supported on the inertial mass.
10. The seat belt retractor according to claim 3 wherein the releasable frictional fit in the holding device comprises at least one clamping element connected to the bearing, said clamping element being movable into a fastening position by a control face provided on the inertial mass.
11. The seat belt retractor according to claim 3 wherein the releasable frictional fit in the holding device comprises at least one rolling clamping element connected to the bearing, said rolling clamping element being movable into a fastening position by a control face provided on the inertial mass.
12. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is freely movable relative to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor.
13. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is rotatable relative to the belt reel during normal operation of the seat belt retractor.
14. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the inertial mass is annular.
15. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary holding device is provided for fastening the inertial mass when the holding device is guided into the fastening position, said auxiliary holding device can be actuated electromagnetically and can be controlled by a control unit controlling the electric motor.
16. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the holding device remains in its fastening position during the transmission of torque.

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 universal bushing tool comprising:
a handle member having a longitudinal axis, wherein said handle member includes a first end and a second end;
at least one interchangeable handle extension for attachment to said handle member, wherein said handle extension includes a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, said pilot stud being disposed in end-to-end relation to said at least one interchangeable handle extension;
a cap screw extending through said bore within said pilot stud, wherein said cap screw engages mating threads formed in said handle extension; and
at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are captured intermediate said pilot stud and said handle extension by advancing said cap screw into said mating threads formed in said handle extension.
2. A universal bushing tool of claim 1 wherein said handle member includes a threaded hole formed at said second end thereof, wherein said threaded hole is concentric to said longitudinal axis.
3. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said handle member includes a knurled gripping surface.
4. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said at least one interchangeable handle extension includes a threaded member projecting from said proximal end thereof for engagement within said threaded hole formed in said handle member.
5. A universal bushing tool of claim 4 wherein said at least one interchangeable handle extension further includes a threaded hole formed at said distal end thereof for engagement with said cap screw.
6. A universal bushing tool of claim 2 wherein said at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments includes four of said wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are radially disposed about said pilot stud at ninety-degree intervals in a disc-shaped configuration.
7. A universal bushing tool of claim 6 wherein each of said wedge segments includes an inside radius formed thereon, wherein said inside radius is configured for mating engagement with said pilot diameter.
8. A universal bushing tool of claim 1 wherein said handle extension includes a cross hole extending therethrough at a predetermined axial location.
9. A method of removing a bushing from a machine assembly utilizing a bushing removal tool, wherein said bushing removal tool comprises a handle member, at least one interchangeable handle extension member having a threaded projection formed thereon at a proximal end and a threaded hole formed at a distal end thereof, wherein said handle extension member further includes a cross-hole drilled therein, at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter formed thereon, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, at least one cap screw, and at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein each wedge segment includes an inside radius formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting a handle extension member based on available access to said bushing;
attaching said handle member to said handle extension member;
installing said set of wedge segments onto said bushing removal tool; and
removing said bushing from said machine assembly.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of attaching further includes the steps of:
engaging said threaded projection formed on said handle extension member within said handle member; and
tightening said handle extension member within said handle member.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of tightening further includes the steps of:
inserting a cylindrical pin into said cross-hole drilled through said handle extension member; and
rotating said pin until a predetermined torque is obtained on said threaded projection.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of installing further includes the steps of:
selecting said wedge segments based on a diameter of said bushing to be removed;
arranging said wedge segments on said pilot diameter at 90 degree intervals to form a disc-shaped subassembly;
inserting said cap screw through said longitudinal bore in said pilot stud; and
advancing said cap screw into said threaded hole formed in said handle extension member to capture said wedge segments in their functional position.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of removing further includes the steps of:
aligning said bushing tool with said bushing such that said wedge segments contact said bushing; and
applying an axial force to said bushing removal tool such that said bushing is removed from said machine assembly.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of applying is carried out by a striking tool such as a hammer.
15. A bushing removal tool comprising:
a handle member having a longitudinal axis, wherein said handle member includes a first end and a second end;
a handle extension member integrally formed in concentric relation to said handle member, wherein said handle extension includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said handle extension further includes a threaded hole formed in said distal end thereof;
at least one interchangeable pilot stud having a pilot diameter formed thereon, wherein said pilot stud further includes a longitudinal bore, said pilot stud being disposed in end-to-end relation to said distal end of said handle extension;
a cap screw extending through said longitudinal bore of said pilot stud, wherein said cap screw engages said threaded hole in said handle extension; and
at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments, wherein said wedge segments are captured intermediate said pilot stud and said handle extension by advancing said cap screw into said handle extension to tighten said pilot stud against said wedge segments.
16. A bushing removal tool of claim 15 wherein said handle member includes a knurled gripping surface.
17. A bushing removal tool of claim 15 wherein said at least one set of interchangeable wedge segments includes four of said wedge segments radially disposed about said pilot diameter at ninety-degree intervals in a disk-shaped configuration.
18. A bushing removal tool of claim 16 wherein each of said wedge segments includes an inside radius formed thereon, wherein said inside radius is configured for mating engagement with said pilot diameter formed on said pilot stud.