|Publication number||US6121695 A|
|Application number||US 09/051,622|
|Publication date||Sep 19, 2000|
|Filing date||Oct 10, 1996|
|Priority date||Oct 11, 1995|
|Also published as||CA2234449A1, CN1074865C, CN1202281A, DE69635208D1, DE69635208T2, EP0855097A1, EP0855097A4, EP0855097B1, WO1997014206A1|
|Publication number||051622, 09051622, PCT/1996/637, PCT/AU/1996/000637, PCT/AU/1996/00637, PCT/AU/96/000637, PCT/AU/96/00637, PCT/AU1996/000637, PCT/AU1996/00637, PCT/AU1996000637, PCT/AU199600637, PCT/AU96/000637, PCT/AU96/00637, PCT/AU96000637, PCT/AU9600637, US 6121695 A, US 6121695A, US-A-6121695, US6121695 A, US6121695A|
|Original Assignee||Invetech Operations Pty. Ltd.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (11), Non-Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (99), Classifications (13), Legal Events (8)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a modular power supply. A particular application of the invention relates to uninterruptable power supplies for connection, for example, between a mains power source and electrical equipment such as a computer apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The power supply equipment, such as uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), are often used in coupling sensitive electrical apparatus, such as computer equipment, to a mains power source. An uninterruptable power supply coupled between the mains power sources and a computer is able to provide a source of power which is not subject to fluctuations in the mains power source and can provide power in the case of a power outage with respect to the mains source. The power handling capacity of the uninterruptable, power source must be matched to the power consumption of the electrical apparatus connected thereto, which can cause some difficulty if the electrical apparatus is upgraded or added to. For example, in a computer application where an uninterruptable power source is driving a local area network (LAN) server which requires 1 kilowatt of power, the uninterruptable power supply may be chosen to have a capacity of 1,200 va. If the LAN server is upgraded to a model which requires 1.5 kilowatts of power, then the UPS would need to be replaced with one with additional power handling capability.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an uninterruptable power supply for receiving electrical power and supplying the electrical power to an electrical apparatus. The electrical apparatus includes a housing adapted to receive a plurality of uninterruptable power supply modules. At least one of the uninterruptable power supply modules includes an energy storage device and a charger which stores electrical power from the main power source in the energy storage device. A power supply is coupled to the main power source and the energy storage device and supplies electrical power to the electrical apparatus. A controller controls the power supply to selectively provide electrical power to the electrical power from the main electrical power source or from the energy storage device. The uninterruptable power supply module is coupled to the housing and each of the at least one uninterruptable power supply modules is coupled to operate in parallel with other uninterruptable power supply modules.
In one form of the invention, the coupling means comprises a plug or socket connector, and wherein the housing is provided with a plurality of reciprocal sockets or plugs with electrical interconnections therebetween. In this case, the housing is adapted to receive a plurality of the uninterruptable power supply modules, each module fitting into a respective docking bay and making connection with its coupling means to a respective socket or plug in the housing, wherein the modules connected in the housing are in a parallel circuit arrangement. The housing may include a mains power source input, and connections therefrom to each of the sockets or plugs for transmission to modules when connected to the housing. The housing may also include an electrical power outlet for passing electrical power to the electrical apparatus, with electrical connections between each of the sockets or plugs in the housing, to enable electrical power to pass from the power supply means, via the coupling means, of each module connected in the housing. In a preferred form of the invention, the housing includes a bypass circuit adapted to couple the mains power source input to the electrical power output in the absence of uninterruptable power supply modules connected to the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the uninterruptable power supply modules are "hot pluggable" with the housing, meaning that a module can be connected or disconnected from the housing without interrupting the flow of electricity from the mains power source to a electrical apparatus coupled to the electrical power output. One of the features which aids in achieving this is a form of the coupling means which effects a sequential connection or disconnection of connections as between the housing and a module when the module is inserted or removed from the housing.
In one construction of the uninterruptable power supply module, the control means of a particular module is provided with a connection to the control means of each other module connected in parallel therewith by way of the coupling means. The interconnection of the control means allows a "majority rules" control system to be implemented whereby a binary signal output by each control means is processed to determine the signal state of the majority of the control means coupled in parallel, and the processed signal utilised to make a decision. For example, when a power fluctuation in the mains power source is detected by the control means of a module, that module outputs a control signal indicative of its detection, which is processed together with control signals from each other module connected in parallel. If the processed signal indicates that a majority of the modules have detected the power fluctuation, then the control means in all of the modules may act to supply power to the electrical apparatus from the energy storage devices rather than the mains supply power. In one form of the invention, the processing of the binary control signals is effected by means of an impedance network which "averages" the binary control signals from the modules, wherein a decision is made by the control means on the basis of whether the "averaged" output from the impedance network is greater than or less than a threshold value.
In the construction of an uninterruptable power supply module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, it has been found advantageous to employ the use of a "power hybrid" in which electronic components which require dissipation of a substantial amount of heat are mounted on a ceramic substrate which is provided with laminated metal foil interconnection tracks. The electronic components which are mounted on the power hybrid. are preferably wire bonded to connection pads on the ceramic substrate, and then covered with a conformal coating, such as an epoxy resin. With the electronic components mounted on one side of the ceramic substrate, the other side of the ceramic substrate is preferably attached to a heat sink, such as a metallic plate. For improved space utilisation, a printed circuit board containing circuit components not requiring substantial heat dissipation is mounted in a facing relationship to the surface of the ceramic substrate, having electrical connections to the circuits of the power hybrid by way of wire terminal inserts.
Additional beneficial space utilisation may be achieved by employing relatively flat transformers in power conversion circuitry of the power supply means. The transformers are constructed utilising windings which are formed on a printed circuit board or stamped from a metallic foil material. The flat transformers are utilised, for example, in the conversion of one DC voltage level to another DC voltage level, and operate at approximately between 16 kilohertz and 20 kilohertz and have power ratings in excess of 500 watts.
The invention also provides a method of controlling an uninterruptable power supply, wherein a plurality of uninterruptable power supply modules are coupled in parallel, receiving as input a mains electricity source, coupled, in use to output electrical power to an electrical apparatus, and including energy storage means, comprising the steps of outputting a control signal from each of the uninterruptable power supply modules connected in parallel, processing the control signals from each of the uninterruptable power supplies so as to produce a majority control signal, and controlling each uninterruptable power supply module according to the majority control signal.
The invention further provides a method for providing an uninterruptable power supply to an electrical apparatus, comprising providing a housing containing a plurality of individually operable uninterruptable power supply modules, providing a power input in the housing for connection to a mains electricity, providing a power output in the housing for connection to the electrical apparatus, providing electrical energy storage means in at least one of the modules, providing parallel power bus connections in the housing for connection of the power input and power output to the individual modules, providing each of the modules with a sensing means for sensing a fluctuation in the mains electricity and outputting a corresponding alert signal, wherein alert signals received from each module are processed in the housing to produce a majority alert signal which is provided to each module, and wherein control circuits in the modules are responsive to control the supply of power to the power output from either the power input or the electrical energy storage means on the basis of the majority alert signal.
The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a housing containing a plurality of uninterruptable power supply modules;
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of circuitry for an uninterruptable power supply module and housing;
FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of circuitry for a UPS module;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are rear and cross sectional views, respectively, of a UPS module;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a preferred construction of circuitry according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cross sectional views illustrating a coupling between a UPS module and a housing;
FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate cross sectional views of a connector for connecting a UPS module to a housing;
FIG. 8 shows exploded isometric views of components of the connector of FIG. 7;
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate a mechanism in the rear of a UPS module for preventing access to electrical connectors therein;
FIGS. 10A-D shows an isometric view and components of a flat transformer; and
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an impedance network for processing control signals.
A modular uninterruptable power supply (UPS) 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1 comprising a housing 4 which is adapted to receive a plurality of uninterruptable power supply modules 6 therein. The housing 4 includes a plurality of docking bays which are each sized to receive a UPS module 6. The UPS 2 is for connection between an electrical apparatus, such as computer equipment, and a mains electrical power source which may be provided from, for example, an electrical wall socket. In use, electrical power is provided to the UPS 2 from the mains electrical power source, which passes through the UPS modules 6, connected in parallel, and to the electrical apparatus while the mains electrical power source operates normally. If an interruption, for example, occurs in the supply of electricity at the mains electrical power source, the UPS modules 6 then act to supply electricity to the electrical apparatus from energy storage devices, such as batteries, contained within the UPS modules 6. Thus, whilst the mains electrical power source operates normally, the UPS modules 6 also utilised an amount of power therefrom to charge the energy storage devices.
A block schematic diagram showing major components of the UPS 2 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The housing 4 is shown having an electrical power input 10 and electrical power output 12 coupled to internal input and output power busses 14, 16 respectively. A bypass circuit 11 couples the input and output power busses 14, 16 and is normally in a state whereby the input and output power busses are not electrically connected through the bypass circuit. The bypass circuit 11 includes a switch which is operable by the user and/or operated when all of the modules 6 in the housing are removed, to effect switching of the bypass circuit 11 to a state wherein the input and output power busses are directly coupled, bypassing the modules 6. For example, each docking bay may be provided with a sensing switch which is actuated when a UPS module is removed therefrom, with the sensing switches coupled in series, for example, the bypass circuit coupled thereto could then be actuated when all modules 6 were removed.
With the UPS module 6 installed in the housing 4, a connection is made from the power input bus 14 to an AC to DC converter 30 in the UPS module 6. The AC/DC converter 30 receives electricity from the input power bus 14, which is an AC electrical signal, such as a 50 hertz 240 volt electrical signal, and produces a relatively high voltage DC output on line 31. The high voltage line 31 is coupled back to a high voltage bus 18 in the housing 4 by way of diodes such that power can pass from the bus 18 to the line 31. The connection to high voltage bus 18 allows high voltage power to be supplied to the module 6 from a battery module (not shown) for additional backup time. A DC to AC converter 40 is also provided in the UPS module 6, having the high voltage DC electricity from line 31 as input, and producing an output AC electrical signal which is synchronised with the AC electricity on the input power bus 14. The output of the DC/AC converter 40 is coupled back to the output power bus 16 in the housing 4. The DC/AC converter 40 is controlled by way of a pulse width modulation circuit 42 which is operated by a control means 38 in the form of a micro controller. The micro controller operates under the control of stored instruction codes, however any suitable processing circuitry can be used for the control means 38, such as a dedicated custom or semi-custom logic array circuit. Whilst the electricity provided to the mains electrical power input 10 maintains its signal level, the electrical power passes from the input power bus 14 through AC/DC converter 30, DC/AC converter 40 and back to the output power bus 16. This operation takes place in each of the UPS modules 6 installed in the housing 4, in a parallel fashion.
The UPS module 6 also includes an energy storage device in the form of a battery 32. A charging circuit 34 is coupled to receive electrical power from the input power bus 14, and is coupled to the battery 32 by way of a switch 44, such that when a normal signal level is maintained on the input power bus 14, electrical power is restored in the battery 32 by the charger 34, if required. A DC to DC voltage level changer circuit 36 is coupled between the battery and the high voltage line 31. The battery 32 may operate, for example, at a level of about 12 volts DC, as is common for lead acid type batteries, whereas the high voltage line 31 may be of the order of 350 volts DC. Thus, the charger 34 steps down the DC voltage from the high voltage line 31 so as to be compatible with battery 32, whilst the AC/DC voltage converter 36 steps up the DC voltage from the battery. If a power fluctuation occurs in the mains electrical power source supplied to the input power bus 14 this is detected by the microcontroller 38, which outputs a control signal on a control line bus 20 in the housing 4. The control line bus 20 is coupled to control signal processing circuitry 24 and thence to another control bus 22. The control signal processing circuitry 24 receives control signals from the microcontrollers in each UPS module 6 installed in the housing 4 and produces an output control signal on control bus 22 on the basis of the signals received from each module 6. If a majority of the microcontrollers 38 output a signal on control bus 20 indicative of a mains electrical power source fluctuation, the resulting signal on bus 22 causes the microcontroller 38 in each UPS module 6 to control the respective switch 44 so as to disconnect the battery 32 from charger 34. If a minority of microcontrollers 38 output a power fluctuation signal on bus 20 then the signal resulting on bus 22 indicates to the microcontrollers that power is not required to be supplied from batteries, and the mains electrical power source continues to supply the output power bus. Thus, during the mains electrical power source fluctuation or outage, electrical power is supplied from the battery 32 to the high voltage line 31 by way of the AC/DC voltage converter 36, so as to supply to output power bus 16 through the DC/AC converter 40 in each installed UPS module 6.
Although the uninterruptable power supply 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a housing containing only three UPS modules, a housing accommodating many more UPS modules, such as 6, 12, 50 or more may be constructed, with all of the UPS modules 6 operating in parallel and the microcontrollers 38 therein operating on a majority rules decision making process as outlined above. Alternatively, a single UPS module 6 can operate in isolation with being coupled to a housing 4, but instead being coupled directly to the mains electrical power source as input and the electrical apparatus as output.
A more detailed schematic block diagram of circuitry contained in an uninterruptable power supply module 6 is shown in FIG. 3. The connections 50 for receiving mains input power are shown at the left hand side of the Figure, including line, neutral and earth connections. The mains power input connections 50 may be derived either from a coupling to a housing 4, as outlined above, or from a direct connection to a mains electrical power source such as a conventional wall socket. The mains AC electrical power is input via rectifying diodes to an AC/DC booster 30 which produces a relatively high voltage DC output of +350 volts, -350 volts on high voltage lines 31. A charger circuit 34 is coupled to receive electrical power from the mains power input connections, and produces a 12 volt output for charging the batteries 32. The connection between the charger 34 and batteries 32 is regulated by a switch 44 which is controlled from the microcontroller 38, The batteries 32 are also coupled to a DC/DC inverter 36 which receives the 12 volt battery voltage as input, and produces an output compatible with the high voltage DC lines 31. A DC/AC inverter 40 is also coupled to the high voltage DC lines 31, for producing an AC voltage output compatible with the mains voltage input received at the input connection 50. The DC/AC inverter 40 is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit 42 which itself is controlled from the microcontroller 38.
The microcontroller 38 is of conventional construction, and may comprise, for example, a microprocessor circuit, input/output circuitry, and non-volatile memory storing instruction codes for controlling the microprocessor circuit. A watchdog circuit 52 is coupled to the microcontroller 38, and periodically interrogates the microcontroller to determine continuing normal operation. If the watchdog circuit 52 detects faulty operation of the microcontroller during an interrogation, then the watchdog circuit 52 acts to reset the microcontroller 38, or raise an alarm via an alarm circuit 56.
The microcontroller circuit 38 receives sense inputs from the mains input power source at connections 50 by way of a connection sense circuit 68, which provides to the microcontroller signals indicative of an AC electrical supply present at the connection 50, and synchronisation signals in accordance with the AC mains electricity. Sense inputs are also provided to the microcontroller from the charger 34, the high voltage DC line 31, the current output from the DC/AC inverter 40 by way of a current sense transformer 64, the voltage output of inverter 40, as well as external control signals through opto-isolator circuits 58. The microcontroller 38 communicates with circuitry external to the UPS module 6 by way of the opto-isolators 58. One of the opto-isolators connects to an RS 232 standard communications connection, another opto-isolator provides intermodule communications between other UPS modules 6 when installed in a housing 4, whilst another opto-isolator provides connection to a switch and indicator lamp.
FIG. 4A shows a rear view of a UPS module 6 in a preferred physical form, and FIG. 4B illustrates a rear cross-sectional view of the module 6. The module 6 is contained in a generally rectangular box casing, the rear of which supports a cooling fan 69, an external power outlet plug 70, an external power inlet socket 72, and a communications port 74. A connector opening is also provided, covered by a hinged protective flap 80, which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. When the UPS module 6 acts as a stand alone power supply, the external power input socket 72 is coupled to receive mains electricity to supply the mains electrical input connection 50 (FIG. 3), and the external electrical output plug 70 is, in use, coupled to the electrical apparatus. The communications jack 74 is provided to allow the microcontroller 38 of the UPS module 6 to communicate via its RS 232 communications port.
When the UPS module 6 is installed in a housing 4, the external plug and socket 70, 72 are not utilised, but connections are made to the circuitry of the UPS module through connections provided behind the protective flap 80 in the rear of the module.
FIG. 4B shows a rear cross-sectional view through the UPS module, illustrating the battery 32, alongside which are mounted a main circuit board 90, a power hybrid device 92 and heat sink plate 94. The construction of these portions of the UPS module 6 are described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5.
The constructional layout of electronic components for an uninterruptable power supply module is illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 5, comprising principally a power hybrid 92, a main printed circuit board (PCB) 90, and a heat sink plate 94. An additional PCB 91 is also shown having a transformer 96 mounted thereon. The power hybrid 92 comprises a ceramic substrate having power electronic components 102 mounted thereon. A barrier structure 106 surrounds the power electronic components mounted on the ceramic substrate 92, and provides a means for holding wire terminals 98 which interconnect the power hybrid 92, PCB 90 and PCB 91. The barrier structure 106 also provides a peripheral barrier for applying a conformal coating 104 over the power electronic components 102 once mounted on the ceramic substrate, in order to protect the electronic components. The conformal coating 104 may comprise, for example, an epoxy resin. The barrier structure 106 also provides a convenient means by which the PCB 90, having circuit components 100 mounted thereon, to be attached in a facing relationship to the power hybrid 92. The underside of the power hybrid ceramic substrate is attached to a heat sink plate 94, which may comprise, for example, an aluminium plate, for dissipating heat generated by the power electronic components 102 mounted on the ceramic substrate. A transformer 96 is also shown mounted on the PCB 91, which is described in greater detail hereinbelow. The method of constructing the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is described below.
The ceramic substrate 92 is first prepared with copper pads in a conventional form for attaching power electronic components 102, such as integrated circuit dies to the surface of the ceramic substrate. A copper foil layer is then laminated with adhesive onto the substrate surface. The copper foil is etched to form copper tracks for carrying power signals between the electronic components 102. The power electronic dies 102 are then attached to the copper pads on the surface of the ceramic substrate 92 by soldering so as to attain good thermal transfer between the die 102 and ceramic substrate 92. Then the circuit contacts of the dies 102 are wire bonded to the copper tracks adhered to the substrate surface, in order to complete the circuit connections for the power electronics mounted on the power hybrid. The surface mounted components such as current sensing resistors and thermistors are also mounted on copper pads on the substrate. For example, a thermistor may be mounted on substrate 92 in order to detect an over temperature condition for the substrate.
The underside of ceramic substrate 92 is provided with a thin copper layer which is strongly attached to the substrate surface. This is used in order to attach the substrate 92 to the aluminium plate heat sink 94 by soldering. In order to achieve good bond between the thin copper layer on the underside of the substrate 92 and the aluminium plate 94, the aluminium plate is coated with nickel and tin so as to adhere well with solder.
The barrier structure 106, which is preferably an insulative material, such as a heat resistive plastics material, is attached to the ceramic substrate 92, surrounding the power electronic components 92 mounted thereon. The barrier structure 106 is provided with terminal connectors 98 which comprise wire connectors extending through the barrier structure 106 and having a portion transverse to the plane of the ceramic substrate 92, for making connection to copper tracks on the ceramic substrate as well as the plated through holes on the PCB 90, when mounted on the barrier structure. The terminal connectors 98 are attached to the copper tracks on the power hybrid by reflow soldering. The surface of ceramic substrate 92 within the barrier structure 106 is then covered with an epoxy resin, so as to protect the wire bonded power electronic components mounted thereon. Finally, the PCB 90 having circuits with components 100 and, for example, a transformer 96 already attached is mounted on the barrier structure 106 and connections made to the wire connectors 98 by wave soldering. Ends of the connectors 98 which extend through the barrier structure 106 are bent transverse to the PCB 90 for attachment to parallel PCB 91.
An advantage of this method of construction results from ceramic being used as a substrate which provides good electric insulation and thermal conductivity, whilst being substantially thermally matched to the electronic dies mounted thereon. An alternative is to use a polyamide or ceramic filled epoxy as an insulative layer between copper foil tracks and a metal base plate. Polyamide is a low cost material that has the disadvantage of low thermal conductivity. Epoxy material is more difficult to handle, but provides high thermal conductivity. The disadvantage of this alternative method is that the copper foil and base plate might exhibit different thermal expansion characteristics since the materials are different. If the same material is employed for the base plate as for the copper conduction tracks, then the cost of the construction is higher since the base plate (heat sink) needs to be thick enough for structural rigidity. The thermal expansion problems may not be so critical if the circuit components mounted on the power hybrid are packaged components such as a T0220 device, but in the case where bare integrated circuit dies are utilised as in the present instance, and wire bonded to the copper tracks, thermal stresses can damage the circuit components, which requires that mechanical stresses due to thermal expansion mismatching to be carefully addressed.
The described construction method also provides the advantage that water metered construction techniques can be employed for the entire circuit. The terminal connectors 98, for example, provide an L-shaped bend at portion abutting the power hybrid, which enables re-flow soldering to be employed, whilst straight ends of the terminal connector extend through plated through holes in the PCBs 90 and 91 to enable wave soldering.
Referring to now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the means by which a UPS module 6 is coupled to a housing 4 is described. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cross sectional illustrations showing the connection process, wherein a UPS module 6 is installed in a docking bay of the housing 4, and a connector 100 and the UPS module makes electrical connection with a socket 102 in the housing 4. As mentioned in connection with FIG. 4A, a latched flap 80 is provided in the rear of the module 6 in order to shield the connector 100 in the module other than when a connection is made to the socket 102. As shown in the figures, the flap 80 is swiveled aside by the socket connector 102 as the module 6 is inserted into the housing 4, whilst the connector 100 extends into the socket 102 so as to make electrical connections therebetween. The socket connector 102 in the housing 4 is coupled to the busses 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 (FIG. 2), whilst electrical tracks on the connector 100 in the module are coupled to the circuit component in the module 6. The connector 100 may comprise, for example, the portion of a printed circuit board, having conductive tracks formed on one or both sides thereof for making connection to respective contacts in the socket connector 102.
Referring to FIG. 7, a cross sectional view of a socket connector 102 is shown in various stages of insertion of a connector 100. The connector 102 comprises a plastic case 104 having a base 112 for mounting on a surface in the housing 4. At the end of the casing 104 opposite the base 112 there is provided an aperture 106 for receiving the connector 100 in the lengthwise direction of the socket 102. A slidable element 108 is contained within the casing 104, aligned with the aperture 106, and resiliently urged toward the aperture 106 by means of a spring (not shown). On each side of the slidable element 108 there are provided contact elements 110 which are formed so as to be resiliently urged towards the access of the socket connector 102, and having contact portions at an end thereof approximate the aperture 106. The other ends 114 of the contact elements 110 protrude from the base of the socket connector 102, for making connection to, for example, the busses illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2.
Without the connector 100 inserted in the socket 102, the slidable element 108 abuts adjacent the aperture 106, and separates the contact portions of the contact elements 110. As the connector 100 is inserted lengthwise through the aperture 106 of the socket 102, the slidable element 108 is pressed towards the base of the socket, which enables the contact portions of the contact elements 110 to move toward the connector 100 so as to contact the surface thereof. The contact elements 110 are thus able to make electrical connection to the tracks formed on the PCB forming the connector 100, which allows electrical signals to pass from the connector 100 through the ends 114 of the contact elements 110 thus to circuitry in the housing 4.
FIG. 8 illustrates exploded isometric views of portions forming the socket connector 102, which shows how a plurality of electrical connections can be made to tracks on a circuit board connector 100 by providing a row of contact elements 110 in slots in the socket connector 102.
In order to prevent access to the connector 100 inside a UPS module 6 whilst the module is removed from the housing 4 (such as whilst it operates as a stand alone unit), a latched flap 80 is provided, as shown in more detail in FIG. 9. FIG. 9A illustrates a rear view of a UPS module 6, having the latched flap 80 hinged as indicated at 124, and having latches 122 at each end of the flap 80, to hold the flap in a ordinarily latched closed position as shown in FIG. 9B and enlarged FIG. 9C, when the UPS module 6 is installed in the housing 4, a protrusion 120 on the end of the socket connector 102 aligns with the latches 122, which presses against an angled surface of the latch 122 during insertion, so as to unlatch the flap 80 for hinged access to the interior of the module 6.
The ability of the UPS modules 6 to be "hot swapped" in and out of the housing 4 is aided by a construction of the connector 100 and socket 102 which facilitates a sequential connection making process. In order to avoid sparking during insertion or removal of a UPS module 6 from the housing 4, the connector 100 and socket 102 are arranged so that an earth connection is made before the active power connections. For example, upon installation of a module 6 into the housing 4, firstly an earth connection is made between the connector 100 and socket 102. The making of the earth connection is sensed by the micro controller 38 in the module 6, which ensures that the power connections to the circuitry of module 6 are turned off, such as by opening power output relay 62 and battery charging relay 44. Instead of sensing the making of a connection to the earth line, a separate connection may be provided on the connector 100 and socket 102, for the purposes of indicating to the module 6 that the power circuits of the module should be turned off. As the connector 100 is further inserted into the socket 102, the active power connections (line and neutral) are made, but because the power circuits of the module are not activated, no substantial current flows during the connection to the active terminals so as to avoid sparks or arcing. A final connection is then made to indicate to the module 6 that the power circuits can be turned on. During removal of the module 6 from the housing 4, the sequence described above is reversed, and once again the power circuits of the module are inactive at the time when the active connections are broken.
One way in which the connections as between the connector 100 and socket 102 can be sequenced as described above, is to provide the printed circuit board tracks which form contacts on the connector 100 with staggered ends at the edge of the connector 100 which is inserted in the socket. An arrangement of this type is illustrated in the connector 100 shown in FIG. 8. For example, the contact strip indicated by reference numeral 101A may comprise an earth connection for the module 6, and this contact strip terminates closest the end of the connector 100 which is inserted in the aperture 106 of the socket. Thus, as can be readily ascertained, contact would be made with contact strip 101A first, then 101B, strips 101C, and finally contact strip 101D, as the connector 100 is inserted in the socket. Alternatively, the physical edge of the connector 100 which is inserted in the socket may itself be staggered, such that contact is made with the slidable elements 108 in a staggered fashion as the connector is inserted. In another alternative, the contact strips on the connector 100 may all be of the same length, and the slidable elements 108 constructed so as to have surfaces at different heights as between the slidable elements for the different contacts, such that the edge of connector 100 presses against the slidable elements of different surface heights in a sequential manner as the connector is inserted.
In the event that all of the UPS modules 6 have been removed from the housing 4 at the same time, the housing 4 may also be provided with a bypass circuit, which detects the absence of all modules 6, and directly couples the power in and power out connections 10, 12 so as to ensure that electrical power is still provided to the electrical apparatus connected thereto. In the absence of all of the modules 6, if an interruption occurs in the mains electrical power source then an interruption will similarly occur at the electrical apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a simple circuit for affecting the majority decision capability of the modules 6 installed in the housing, wherein each microcontroller 38 provides a voltage based control signal (Vm1, Vm2, and Vm3) on the control bus 20 (FIG. 2). The control signals are provided as input to the impedance network 24 shown in FIG. 11, which is provided in the housing 4. The resulting voltage VA at the central node of the impedance network then represents an averaging of the control signals provided by each of the modules, to which a threshold determination is applied in order to determine the logic state output by the majority of the modules 6. The resulting thresholded signal is provided back to the modules 6 on control bus 22 (FIG. 2).
A transformer 96 of the type employed in a preferred form of the UPS module 6 is illustrated in FIG. 10, having a generally conventional ferrite core 200. Instead of employing wound copper wires for the coils of the transformer, however, the transformer 96 is constructed with coils formed either of tracks on a printed circuit board 202, or from stamped metal sheeting 204. Ends 97 of the stamped coils may be formed with terminals and bent transverse to the coil plane enable ease of connection to a circuit board. The resulting transformer 96 has a low profile, since the coils 202, 204 are relatively flat. As indicated in a cross-sectional view of the transformer 96, the coils 202, 204 are alternated with insulative layers (not shown). A transformer of this type need not utilised both stamped copper foil coils and printed circuit board coils, but may employ exclusively either one or the other. These flit transformers are employed in, for example, the AC/DC booster 30, DC/AC inverter 40, charger 34 and DC/DC inverter 36, which are otherwise of generally conventional construction. The power rating for the transformers is around 700 watts, operating at around 6 to 20 kilohertz.
The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented by way of example only, and many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
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|1||*||Derwent Abstract Accession No. 91 198335/27, class X12, JP 03 124228 A (Toshiba KK) May 27, 1991.|
|2||Derwent Abstract Accession No. 91-198335/27, class X12, JP 03-124228 A (Toshiba KK) May 27, 1991.|
|3||*||Patent Abstracts of Japan, E 1528, p. 51, JP 5 336683 A (Nippon Electric Ind Co Ltd) Dec. 17, 1993.|
|4||*||Patent Abstracts of Japan, E1476, p. 122. JP 5 227656 A (Koufu Nippon Denki K.K) Sep. 3, 1993.|
|5||Patent Abstracts of Japan, E1476, p. 122. JP 5-227656 A (Koufu Nippon Denki K.K) Sep. 3, 1993.|
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|U.S. Classification||307/64, 307/65|
|International Classification||H02J1/00, H02J1/10, G06F1/26, H02J9/00, H02J9/06|
|Cooperative Classification||G06F1/26, H02J9/062, Y10T307/615, Y10T307/62|
|European Classification||G06F1/26, H02J9/06C|
|Oct 20, 1998||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: INVETECH OPERATIONS PTY. LTD., AUSTRALIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LOH, PIT-KIN;REEL/FRAME:009543/0767
Effective date: 19980518
|Mar 17, 2004||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jun 7, 2006||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: LOH PIT KIN, MALAYSIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INVETECH OPERATIONS PTY LTD;REEL/FRAME:017746/0393
Effective date: 20051021
|Jun 28, 2006||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: ALLIANCE TRUSTEE BERHAD, MALAYSIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LOH, PIT KIN;REEL/FRAME:017870/0361
Effective date: 20051231
|Mar 13, 2008||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|Apr 30, 2012||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Sep 19, 2012||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Nov 6, 2012||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20120919


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GrimmSpeed Touch Up Paint GrimmSpeed Gold
Features & Product Details
RallySport Direct proudly carries a great selection of quality automotive performance upgrades brought to you by GrimmSpeed.
This is the GrimmSpeed Touch-Up Paint. This paint is available in a variety of colors and will come in a 12-ounce spray can. For example, (1) spray can of this paint will thoroughly coat a factory hood scoop. And the larger the item the more cans of paint to will take to complete the job. But more importantly, they are available for your convenience for those of you who need to do a quick repair or refinish an area that needs a touch-up.
PEOPLE WHO VIEWED THIS ITEM ALSO VIEWED
REVIEWS & CUSTOMER MEDIA
The grimmspeed gold paint looks great an matches the factory BBS gold considering the factory wheels are 10 years old great product I also purchased the grimmspeed clear
Used almost 4 cans of paint, and 3 cans of clear while also doing the barrel. Soaked and cleaned factory BBS with purple power. Took the shine of factory paint off with scotch brite. Filed down high metal spots on wheel damage. Filled rash and dings with JB weld. Sanded down with low grit then slowly finished off up to scotch brite. Cleaned twice again with Purple Power. Let dry completely. Did probably 3 of 4 coats with Duplicolor self etching primer. 4 to 5 coats of of base color, then finished off with 4 or 5 coats of grimmspeed clear. If I were to do it again, I would have used the grimmspeed gold, and then had a body shop lay on a really thick clear, never been able to get the finish I liked with clear in a can. After letting dry for 3 or 4 days, didn't have an issue with paint coming off while mounting tires. Holding up great even after a really salty trip to Colorado.
Really impressed, matches extremely well when used with the clear coat as well!
I was so excited to use this after reading good reviews everywhere. Maybe I got a bad batch but the gold isn't even close. Way too light. And no sparkle. So now one peg looks ridiculous. I shook that can soooo long trying to make sure it was perfect. Nope. Should've just got some darker gold spray paint from krylon. Probably will and paint over it.
Painted my 12 STi rims with this. Stuff looks amazing, pictures dont do it justice! Real Happy with product.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Primer? bredehoeft2916797 years agoWhat is everyone using for a primer before they apply this paint?
0 people found the
following answer helpful
A: There is not a specific primer that we are aware of our customers using. Any high quality primer should work just fine.Trevor C. @ RallySport Direct 7 years ago
- 0 of 0 people found the following answer helpful
Q: Gold Wheels caveman9 years agoWill this paint work for painting my wheels on its own? As in, does it need any finish on top or anything? How many cans should it take to paint a set of 4, including the inner part of the wheels? Thanks.
1 people found the
following answer helpful
A: Yes this product may be used to paint wheels. You can use just the paint, but for best results you will want to do a clear coat finish. Number of cans will depend on how many layers of paint you want to do. But for a decent finish and good coverage you will want about 1 can per wheel.Kirill C. @ RallySport Direct 9 years ago
- 1 of 1 people found the following answer helpful

domain: hobby


Bangkok, Thailand, 28 March 2022- Representatives of 25 Asia-Pacific countries have set the tone for leaders from other parts of the world meeting at the United Nations General Assembly next month by issuing a statement that specifies key New Urban Agenda (NUA) priorities for the region.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia read the statement on behalf of the entire group at the 9th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APSFD).
The President of the United Nations General Assembly has called for a High-Level Meeting in New York on 28 April to put more emphasis on the NUA follow-up and review processes and how countries can achieve sustainable urban development and further the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
National Reports on the New Urban Agenda have not been released in sufficient numbers in the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Lao PDR have submitted national reports in support of the Secretary-General’s just-published Second Quadrennial Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda
UN-Habitat, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and many other partners, including the Penang Platform for Sustainable Urbanisation, have pushed for several regional processes of follow-up and review of the NUA and the urban dimensions of the SDGs.
Key messages in the statement read by the Indonesian representative relate to inclusive territorial development processes, stronger integrated governance, addressing the digital divide, stepping up urban and national net-zero carbon actions and other urgent urban environmental and climate improvements. Also investing in safe and healthy housing by applying green building standards is singled out.
The statement had been endorsed during a virtual pre-meeting to APFSD on 21 March, convened by UN-Habitat and the ESCAP, with the support of the Government of Indonesia. The majority of the 84 participants in the 21 March meeting represented line ministries leading nationally on the New Urban Agenda, but also included mayors and representatives of regional organizations.
“Your support – the support of the Asia Pacific region – contributes strongly to the preparation of the High-Level Meeting, to be convened by the President of the General Assembly on 28 April next month,” UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif told the 21 March meeting.
“There is an emerging consensus among Member States that the outcome of the High-Level Meeting should be action-oriented. I join the Government of Indonesia in making this strong request for more national reporting for the next Quadrennial Report. I also call for more Voluntary Local Reviews, and more collaboration,” she added.
The pre-meeting provided opportunities for participants to offer suggestions that solidified the final statement.
During that meeting, representatives, including from the Government of Turkey, called for national urban policies and territorial development processes that strongly encompass rural hinterlands and address poverty and disaster risks, such as fires and droughts.
Several participants appealed for a strong gender message, support to grassroots organizations, while Karibaiti Taoaba of Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) (Pacific) appealed for unifying the Voluntary National Reviews and Voluntary Local Reviews formats and integration suitable for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Many participants had welcomed the participation of sustainable urban development actors in the pre-meeting as a tool for crafting a unified message for the HLM meeting in New York.
Among those expressing strong support were Ramkumari Jhakri, Nepal’s Minister of Urban Development; Marylin Pintor, Philippines Undersecretary for Human Settlements and Urban Development; Diana Kusumastuti, Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing’s Director General for Human Settlements at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing; Sengdara Douangmyxay, Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s Deputy Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Planning at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport; Mayor Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur; and Lim Chze Cheen, the Director of the ASEAN Connectivity Division.
At the occasion of the 21 March meeting, ESCAP released a report on prior regional consultations that showed progress on key priorities, including recent effective implementation of good practices. The Secretary-General’s 2nd quadrennial report highlights some of the challenges and examples of the progress in the region.
Header Photo: UN-Habitat / Chanin Homdee


text:
‘Estram’ Brass Vase
Steel, brass look vase by Danish brand Pure Culture
Pure Culture’s A/W collection brings this beautiful geometric textured vase finished in a striking brass effect.
Use it to display stunning stems or let it make its own statement standing alone.
We aim to deliver your vase within 2-3 working days for UK orders.
For back orders, please allow approx 2 weeks delivery.

domain: design


text:
WE INVITE YOU TO TRANSFORM YOUR PERCEPTION OF SELF-BEAUTY WITHIN ONE SESSION THAT WILL LEAD TO INCREASED CONFIDENCE, IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS, AND A TANGIBLE SHIFT IN PERSONAL GROWTH
MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
HI! I’m Will
I am a boudoir photography specialist. My background as a photographer spans over a decade. From photographing commercial beauty to glamour fashion editorials.
I found myself branching off into boudoir from working with intimate apparel brands for editorial content.
In each session, I tap into my extensive experience with my commercial background to make you look as if you were the cover feature in your own magazine.
My mission is to take the best photos of you that you have ever seen, and for those photos to remind you that you radiate beauty. Not just in photos but in real life.
3 STUDIO OPTIONS
Your boudoir session can take place in one of our 3 stunning studios. Each offering it’s own unique atmosphere, designed to bring out your beauty and confidence.
My glam squad will get to work pampering you on site as we prepare you for the amazing photo session you are about to have. The best part is, all you have to do is just show up and we’ll take care of the rest.
THE PHOTO SHOOT
Now that the glam is done, w will select the most flattering outfits for your session. Once outfits are selected, we will turn up the music as the session begins.
I myself or my assistant will coach you through the poses that highlight your best features while the lights capture your amazing look.
AFTER THE SHOOT
Your photo session is done now, we will then sit down and review the beautiful photos of you we just captured. You will select the ones you absolutely love. Those will be the ones that will be touched up.
We will also go over product customization options. You will design and create the album that will house your favorite images.

domain: artistic


text:
London Tube strike: Service used by millions crippled
10:51 PM EDT, Thu July 9, 2015
A sign informs travelers that Oxford Circus Tube station is closed on Thursday, July 9. Millions of Londoners were forced to find alternative ways to travel Thursday as the UK capital's Underground network was in the grip of what may be its biggest strike in more than a decade.
Paco Anselmi/PA Wire/AP
Workers from an outside agency give people travel advice by the closed entrance doors of the Waterloo Underground train station in London on July 9.
People walk across the Millennium Bridge in London on July 9. Some 4 million journeys are typically made on the Underground each day, so when the system is down, the city comes close to grinding to a halt.
A commuter rides a bike through traffic in London on July 9. Commuters and tourists had to find their way to their destinations by bus, train, bicycle, taxi or on foot.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Commuters ride a packed bus. People have been urged to travel outside peak hours.
A man unloads bicycles to resupply a city bike-sharing station in London.
Early morning commuters form lines to board buses at Victoria Station.

domain: travel


text:
Subject: I have found a CD that I think you would enjoy
Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal
Japanese edition of the Queen guitarist's 1998 solo album with two covers as bonus tracks: 'F.B.I.' & 'Hot Patootie', the latter of which is not to be found on either of the first two singles from the album! 14 tracks tota... more »
Japanese edition of the Queen guitarist's 1998 solo album with two covers as bonus tracks: 'F.B.I.' & 'Hot Patootie', the latter of which is not to be found on either of the first two singles from the album! 14 tracks total, also featuring the singles 'The Business' & 'On My Way Up', plus covers of Jimi Hendrix's 'One Rainy Wish', Ian Hunter's 'AllThe Way From Memphis' & Larry Williams' 'Slow Down'. Full color picture disc. A Toshiba-EMI release.
Similarly Requested CDs
More wonderfulness, please.
Marvin S. Long | Austin, Texas United States | 03/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is must-have stuff for any Queen fan. Brian rocks his heart out, holds nothing back. His cover of Hendrix's "One Rainy Wish" is just phenomenal."
Missing that one critical element...
Zappaphile | 01/30/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Brian May is in a very unfortunate position when it comes to his solo career- no matter what he puts out it will always be compared to his work with Queen. Another World is no exception and the very best on the album falls short of the mark.
Make no mistake- everything that makes Brian May great is here- the stunning guitar work, the incredible arrangements and harmonies, etc. There is even some good song writing but at its best it is only "good," the reason being that Freddie Mercury, who made the songs "great" is no longer with us. Minus Freddie, Brian steps up to the mic and falls short by a long shot. On most of these songs I found myself thinking "Well, that would be incredible if Freddie was singing it." I know its not fair to hold Freddie Mercury's absence against May, since its certainly not his fault, but its still the Gods' honest truth: without Freddie, power rockers like "Business" quickly deteriorate into a poor blend of Whitesnake and Michael Bolton, turning the promise of an incredible song in to dentist office music."
Cesar Cadena | Colombia | 06/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think - like almost all Queen fans- Brian is a very underrated guitarist. Yes, there are geniuses like Vai and Satriani, let alone Petrucci and Malmsteen, but Brian is definitely one of the best. His guitar can get every feeling you can think of and he can make his own the other people's techniques; just listen to Cyborg... that tapping just takes you into space!
I first heard of this album late in 1998 after a review on the web and could only get it by downloading it. I spent almost 9 years trying to find this CD until I could finally find it in a recordstore last year(damn, how difficult this stuff is to find! but it just makes it more appreciable).
The album begins with "Space", a lullaby which acts like an intro for the album and then "Business" begins slowly but hard, a good song used for a T.V. show in Britain, I heard. Good lyrics and guitar work and hey, it's Cozy on the drums! Next track is "China Belle", which begins with a chinese-like guitar melody in the best May stile. A funny song for banging your head and jumping around your stereo set. "Why don't We Try Again", a very emotional ballad comes next, ideal if you are sad and want to blow your brains out. The next song, "On My Way Up" is for me the weak point of the album; a happy song not unheardable at all that some can find enjoyable. After this two rather soft songs comes "Cyborg", a song with a style I can not define, but still rocker, very rocker. Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters does a great job on the drums in this song. Check out the tapping. Jeff Becks appears in the next track, "The Guv'nor", a song May intentionally wrote to be played by Becks. Not too great though, given the size of the two guitarists, but still good. "Wilderness" is a strange ballad with a great guitar solo. You can hear sadness and emotion in it. Very good song. Here comes the cover section in which Brain pays tribute to very old classics. The first is "Slow Down" a Rock N' Roller by Larry Williams that I first heard in The Beatles version. Excellent version that, as few, can be said to be better than the original one; Brian's guitar is superb and hard in this one. Next is "One Rainy Wish" a Hendrix's song with a supernatural vibe at the beginning, as only a song by Hendrix could be, but after that, the hardness comes in a great work by Brian and Cozy, giving it a different point of view. "All the Way from Memphis" is kind of a "thank you" to Mott The Hoople, the first band Queen toured with in a decent tour in Europe and The USA. A funny and enjoyable song. The last track gives the name to the album. A sweet love ballad with a great vocal performance by Brian - sustained during the whole album - and an acoustical guitar solo, not of Brian's best, a very emotional ending to a great album, followed by a piano solo after one minute you think the song finished that I must confess, as I'm writing this, is the first time I hear it.
All in all, very recommendable for rock fans and of course, Queen fans."


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Advertising is the attempt to influence the buying behavior of customers or clients with a persuasive selling message about products and/or services. In business, the goal of advertising is to attract new customers by defining the target market and reaching out to them with an effective ad campaign.
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and reports.
Illustration or graphics
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, and films. An illustration is typically created by an illustrator.
Book & magazine
a publication that is issued periodically, usually bound in a paper cover, and typically contains essays, stories, poems, etc., by many writers, and often photographs and drawings, frequently specializing in a particular subject or area, as hobbies, news, or sports.


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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
In its 165 pages, the book manages to pack in a heap of information and Jack is sensible in acknowledging that some things may be urban myths or that we simply dont know their true origins. As well as a standard index, there is a listing by postcode which I think is a splendid idea in these days of phone maps. Beautifully illustrated by Katherine Fraser A great addition to the library of London loves. -- The London Society ".a really enjoyable book: the research is wide ranging, and Jacks knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious an ideal gift for anyone starting to ask questions about this wonderful city. -- Hornsey Historical Society If you love London, if you love history, if you love walking you will love Jacks book. If you have only a slight interest in any of these, by the time you have finished the first section your curiosity to learn more will have been piqued. Bravo Jack Cheshire this is a book that will have a permanent place on our shelves. All Londoners and visitors to London ought to have a copy too. -- Lady Lewis If you wish to own just one reference about London, you could do no better than purchasing this sumptuously produced book. -- Cabbie Blog
Jack Chesher grew up in Essex, and exciting day trips to London have always been part of his life. After graduating from Bristol University, where he studied history, he finally took the plunge and moved to the capital in July 2020. A passion for walking and history inspired him to launch @LivingLondonHistory in September 2020. Documenting his journey to discovering the citys fascinating and vibrant past by exploring its streets, he believes London itself is the greatest museum of all.

domain: geography


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Vast experience in litigating complex cases involving: Professional, medical, engineering and legal malpractice; commercial litigation; construction; environmental regulations and toxic torts; patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, license an...
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Practice areas: Contracts & Agreements, Commercial, Corporate & Incorporation, Real Estate, Business
Brian Hamburger is the Founder and Managing Director of MarketCounsel, a business and regulatory compliance consulting firm to some of the country’s preeminent entrepreneurial independent investment advisors. He is also the Founder and Managin...
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domain: law


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Because I passed the Teacher’s Board Exam this year, I’ve got a reward!
My Phone Agua Rio
It is something I didn’t long for but the fact that it is from a very important person in my life, it made my heart elate… enough to make me feel like a little girl again. I don’t only have the license but a new gadget to sleep with as well.
It was not a surprise even because he told me about it. In fact, I picked it myself online. He didn’t want to disappoint me so he gave me the liberty to choose which I also feel good about since I have particular preference too when it comes to smartphones like this one.
For now I am a happy, contented user of the phone. I’ll be detailing soon the specifications and the rest of its features.
Filed under Uncategorized | No responses yet
Of course you love your parents – that’s given. But at times, maintaining the bond between parent and adult child can be challenging.
These days, both of you are confronting new challenges – retirement or career changes, health issues, concerns about the future. It’s to be expected that these issues will affect your relationship, but as you change, your relationship with your parents change.
Part of that evolution requires forging a new relationship, one between mature adults rather than parent and child. You already have the basic underpinnings – love and shared memories. Add mutual respect and common interests and you may find a more fulfilling relationship with your mother and your father than any you’ve had since childhood.
image by Google
Here are healthy ways to forge an adult relationship with your parents and enhance your relationship with them.
- Talk to your parents as friends. If your parents still treat you like you’re 6, it may be funny to give up your role as a child. A good start is to model your conversation with Mom and Dad on those you have with friends. Don’t limit your conversation strictly to family memories, or gossip about family members, or your personal life. There’s a whole wide world out there – why not explore it with Mom and Dad as you would with a friend?
- Keep your sense of humor. When you’re dealing with your parents, laughter can be a lifesaver – both to help you handle the stress of dealing with sometimes crotchety individuals and to help you bond together. Tell a few jokes you know they’ll enjoy. Share some comics from the paper or email with them, watch some shows together or join in a musical event together . If you can laugh together, you’re doing okay. (Join now.)
- Tell your parents what bothers you. If you love your Mom and Dad but they drive you batty, your resentment can eat away at your relationship. So don’t seethe silently, communicate with gentleness and respect.
- Express your appreciation for all your parents have done for you. Your parents still do things for you that deserve your notice – and gratitude.
- Be honest about who you are and what you want. Maybe there are things about your growing up that your parents regret. But as long as you don’t regret it, they have to adjust. Be clear about who you want to be and help your parents accept you.
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Not every book is a good book, of course many children’s books are shoddily written and poorly illustrated — and far too many use words or deal with themes that are inappropriate.
Here are some suggestions on what we parents can do:
1. Talk to the experts. Children’s librarians can provide suggestions for books for children of all ages.
2. Know what your child is reading. Reading out loud to your children is a good way to do this, of course. But even with older children (and even with textbooks!) it is a good idea to keep an eye on what they are reading. Sometimes this is all it takes to head off problems with objectional language, values or subject material.
3. Make your concerns known. If you don’t like something, let the people responsible know. Write to the author of the book, the company that published it, and the bookstore, school or library that stocked it. Ask what standards they use to evaluate a book; explain the ones you use. Try to be as positive as you can — and whatever you don’t threaten them! — but do explain as clearly as you can what it is that you found objectionable.
And while you’re fighting the bad, don’t forget to encourage the good. Any time you find an exceptionally good book (On Sale or not), make sure the word gets out. Recommend it to your librarian and to your friends. Send a letter of thanks to the people responsible. And by all means, buy a copy for your child. In our society, the best way to make sure there are good children’s book is to see to it that the ones that are published turn a profit.
Signs of the Times
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domain: psychology


[A dejected-looking Spencer O'Brien walks away from the bottom of the course after being caught by a gust of wind and stacking on her first run. Photo: Tristan Kennedy]
Over in the grandstand the music was pumping, flags were waving and a Korean announcer was cheerfully trying to induce a dance-off. But at the bottom of the course, Cheryl Maas was not happy. “That was," she said bluntly, “a shitshow."
The Dutch snowboarder, one of the most experienced riding in today’s Olympic slopestyle final, has never been one to mince her words. But even by her own outspoken standards, the verdict was a damning one. “I'm not happy about the contest being run. It's not just me, everybody was on their arses."
“There should be 1080s and double underflips and stuff," said Cheryl, “[But] if you look at what their runs were, it was like barely grabbing their boards."
She wasn’t wrong. Less than one fifth of the women’s slopestyle runs the world witnessed this morning were landed. Despite the talent-packed field, there wasn’t a single competitor who landed both of their runs, and only 9 of the 25 women who rode in the two-run final managed to put a single run together. Even they had a torrid time of it. “There should be 1080s and double underflips and stuff," said Cheryl, “[But] if you look at what their runs were, it was like barely grabbing their boards."
The problem was the wind. Strong, gusting headwinds over the Bokwang Phoenix Park had led to yesterday’s qualifier being cancelled. But when this morning dawned, bright and breezy, things weren’t looking much better.
“I think for wind this is the worst [contest] I've ever ridden in," said Canadian rider Spencer O’Brien. “In snowboarding we have to ride in adverse conditions a lot, we don't have weather days." But a contest “where this much of the field can't land?" Spencer shook her head. Like Cheryl, she’s one of the more experienced snowboarders on the circuit. But she’d never seen anything like it.
Understandably, both riders were annoyed that they’d been blown off course in an Olympic final, and fallen twice. But the issue was bigger than one of just individual performance. As Spencer put it: “I think the biggest shame is watching the girls ride for the past season and a half, and I know the show we could've put on. I'm just so bummed that we didn't get to do that for the world."
The sheer size and scale of the audience for the Games means that what happens in an Olympic final matters for snowboarding. It’s arguably the most effective showcase the sport has for spreading the word about just how rad it is to the rest of the population. If what happens in the contest is less than the best it could be, it sort of feels like we’ve short-changed ourselves.
Spencer was far from the only rider to think this way. Silje Norendal was one of the few who managed to put down a run, finishing just outside the medals in fourth. But it was far from her best. “What I put down today, that was meant to be my qualifying run. I wasn't sure that would be enough to make it into the top 12.
“It's just really sad, because all the girls have been working so hard, and women's snowboarding has been really climbing lately, the progression has been crazy. This course is really nice, I really like it, so we really could have showcased women's snowboarding in a really good way. But what we were able to show today was obviously not good at all."
Anna Gasser, the young Austrian who like Silje had been tipped for the gold by a lot of people, shared similar sentiments. “I always have fun snowboarding normally, but today was not one of those days. It really was sketchy and a little scary, because every run was different and it was kind of a lottery."
One of a new generation who’s really pushed women’s freestyle riding in the last couple of seasons with her multiple double cork variations, Gasser’s skill was obvious on the rails at the top of the course. Her cab 270 to frontside boardslide earned the highest individual trick score of the day. But like Spencer, Cheryl and most of the rest of the field, she came unstuck when one of the ever present gusts of wind caught her over the kickers.
"I know the show we could've put on. I'm just so bummed that we didn't get to do that for the world."
It wasn’t as if the treacherous nature of the conditions had come as a complete surprise either. Both Silje and Spencer had made a point of telling the Technical Director that they thought the contest should be postponed again. Which begs the question, if so many of the women were struggling and said so, why was the contest run at all?
On this point, the riders were less sure. Interestingly, none of them pointed the finger at the traditional bogeymen of Olympic snowboarding, the FIS. “I know the guys who run FIS," said Spencer, “and I didn't really see them around too much. I'm not sure where that final call comes from."
Meanwhile both Anna Gasser and Silje Norendal made a point of singling out FIS’ Contest Director for Park & Pipe, Robbie Moresi, for particular praise. “I think Robbie does an amazing job," said Silje. “He’s always on our side and he said earlier this week ‘if it's scary I'm not going to make you go’. So I'm not sure what really happened today.
Both suspected that Moresi’s hands might have been tied by people further up the chain of command. “It's a lot of money you know, I think it's TV time." said Norendal. “We have a final slot and I think there's a lot of money and a lot of things that, if it doesn't happen on schedule, could be a problem."
Undoubtedly the wind had dropped for a brief period before the practise, but confusion still reigned. "We just thought they're gonna keep doing [postponing it] for a while and then we'll all go home," said Silje. "But they kind of said that if they start practise they're most likely going to run it and everyone just went into comp mode." Once the ball was rolling it seemed none of the riders felt able to stop it.
Spencer wondered afterwards whether thy could have pushed back more than they did, “but everyone worked so hard to get here, it's hard to ask riders to do that. To be like ‘OK, like let's boycott, let's not do this.’ I think for a lot of people they work so hard they just want to put their heads down and go to work."
Silje meanwhile pointed out that when she, Hailey Langland and Anna Gasser had done exactly that at the X Games recently, the organisers just went ahead and ran the comp without them. The idea that the riders were not in control of their own decision-making process however is a disturbing one.
One rider who was apparently happy for the competition to go ahead (one of about three, according to Spencer) was Jamie Anderson, who managed to put down the most technical, landed run of the day and claim the gold.
“Funny that the one that wanted it the most won the contest at the end," said Anna Gasser. “But that's how it goes." But although Jamie’s long experience of competitions definitely helped her work around the conditions, she readily admitted that it had been taxing. She was forced to improvise an impressive save on the last 180 of her final trick, a front 7 that she normally has on lock.
“My dream run if everything was good," she said “was gonna be switch back 5 off the ledge, back rodeo 5, cab 9, front 10." As it was, she was forced to fall back on slightly sketchier versions of the tricks that won her the gold four years ago in Sochi.
Jamie took it all in her stride, saying: “I feel like there's always some type of weather, or new snow, or slow speeds, or flat light. I feel like that's something we all just have to learn how to deal with." But she admitted that it had been frustrating. “Honestly? No, I don't think it showcased the best level of riding," she said.
"As one rider after another fell, the kids visibly began to lose interest."
Unlike the crowds over the weekend, who were mostly paying ticket holders, the crowd at the Bokwang Phoenix Park today featured a lot of Korean kids who’d been given the day off school to watch. Bussed in in their hundreds, they “oohed" and “aahed" appreciatively as the first few women came flying over the final knuckle.
But as one rider after another fell, the kids visibly began to lose interest, and started to wander off down the hill. At what should have been the culmination of an nail-biting final, showcasing the best tricks from the best riders in the world, the crowd had thinned to less than a third of its original size.
“My biggest sadness," said Cheryl, “is for the sport. Women's snowboarding has progressed so much and today... you can't even call it snowboarding if you ask me."


Nikon D700 which was a long time secret by the Nikon has now being brought in to lime light. It rather speaks about the Nikon D700 which is the professional, 12 mega pixel, full frame (FX format) and compact. By outside looks D700 is virtually identical to the D300, although hitting the market with its eye-catchy and larger full frame view finder. Internal looks says that it is almost similar to the “D3”. It has an astounding 5 frames per second enhance up to an 8 frames per second with an awesome MB D10 battery back up. However, it has got a slight slow shutting type.
It super cedes the D3 by having an Image Sensor cleaning (sensor shaker), virtual horizontal in live view, more pliable ‘hard button’ programming and a different DX mode indication which focuses mainly on screen. It is also the one which is the first professional camera of “Nikon DSLR” to manufacture a built-in flash in it.
“The Nikon D3 has stormed the action photography industry by enhancing many merits to alter brands and we long the “Nikon D700” to continue that fashion” said Robert Cristina, MPP (Manager Professional Products ) and an NPS at Nikon Europe. He also said: “The D700 outshines with the high-contrast conditions and low-light on this basis today’s cameras are rather judged and confirms the Nikon’s ongoing commitment to meet tomorrows photographic needs too.”
Let us talk about some of its features which are as follows:
FX on the click of Nikon D700
An ideal for those who sought a balanced DSLR on the move is the Nikon D700. Resistant to environment related moisture and dust and very supple to be handled easily. Nikon D700 includes the “Image sensor cleaning system” that makes use of high frequencies vibrations to vanish the accumulated dust on the image sensor area. It has an outstanding battery back up too and long lasting for long term usage. The Nikon D700 offers an integrated power supply and it will be a better experience for them who are already using D300 and D3
The same technology has been used to give it a highly-sensitive 12.1 with an effective mega pixel, continuous micro-lens that affords its brightness, clear entities across the wide range of an ISO and large pixel pitch of the CMOS image sensor attached. Nikon D700 also includes the innovative immense high speed image processing system, 14-bit and 16-bit A/D conversion, to process pipeline to provide the details respectively and slick gradation necessary for outstanding print reproduction and image enlargement.
Nikon D700- The right shot for you
In spite of being available at a high price, Nikon D700 although it does not lag in its comprehensive feature of a highly responsive release of shutter which takes place at a time lag of just 40 micro seconds, thus outshines the D3 and D300 in this aspect.


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Ben Higgins Instead Of Arie Luyendyk Jr.? Ashley Iaconetti Says Ben Turned Down ‘Bachelor’
Could Bachelor viewers have been watching Ben Higgins search for a wife again instead of Arie Luyendyk Jr.? Possibly, according to someone very close to Ben and the franchise. During the latest episode of The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast, posted on Friday, Ashley Iaconetti talked about the breakdown that Ben had on The Bachelor Winter Games and his decision to leave the show early because he wasn’t yet ready for love again after his breakup with Lauren Bushnell.
During the podcast, which had Ashley’s now-boyfriend Kevin Wendt filling in for Ben, Ashley read a viewer’s question of whether Ben is going to be the next Bachelor. Ashley pointed out that many people thought Ben’s exit from Bachelor Winter Games perfectly set up him to be the next Bachelor.
“That is so funny because I think that a lot of people interpreted his exit as the perfect exit to make him Bachelor again.”
Ashley then revealed that the franchise’s producers actually wanted Ben to be the Bachelor lead again this year. According to Ashley, Ben turned down the offer. Ashley added that while Ben turned down the opportunity, she expects Ben to return to the franchise sometime in the future.
“They wanted him to be Bachelor again this year. He turned down the offer this year, but I do think that Bachelor Winter Games exit is something. That cannot be his finale in this franchise.”
As for when that would happen, Ashley gave her opinion that viewers may see him be the star again soon.
“I don’t think that would happen this September, but I could see him maybe the following September. I think that [Winter Games] has proven that he’s not one hundred percent ready to jump into that specific environment. Dating off-camera, he’s getting there, but not on-camera again.”
On The Bachelor Winter Games, Ben Higgins had a tearful conversation with host Chris Harrison in which he admitted that he was still broken up about his split from Lauren Bushnell, to whom he got engaged at the end of his Bachelor season. Ben cried as he talked about how hurtful the public questioning and criticism of his relationship has been. He admitted that he wasn’t yet ready to throw himself into another relationship because he wouldn’t be able to survive another breakup.
Interestingly enough, the current Bachelor season shares some similarities with Ben’s season. Like Ben, who told both of his final two women, JoJo Fletcher and Lauren Bushnell, that he loves them, Arie Luyendyk Jr. has told both of his final two women, Becca Kufrin and Lauren Burnham, that he loves them. Also, Arie’s Lauren not only has the same initials as Lauren Bushnell but they are also slim blondes.
Could Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s action of telling both of his finalists that he loves them cause friction with his final pick when the finale airs next week? After all, it did for Ben Higgins. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, during the premiere episode of Ben and Lauren’s spin-off show, Lauren Bushnell admitted that she and Ben fought over him telling JoJo Fletcher that he loved her and that it caused “resentment” in their relationship.

domain: entertainment


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Joshua Dionisio | Actor
Based on a technicality, the Supreme Court has ordered the release of the three Satanist men convicted of raping Jake Cabrera's wife Hannah (played by Tanya Garcia) after eight years in prison. Jake decides to render his own brand of justice. However, the souls of the three convicts possess him, causing harm to his family. His family tries to escape from him and find a way to exorcise the demons.


My panamera 4s 2010 start to make that problem with the alarm, may be.
When i lock the car the hazard lights start to blink for about 5 mins. If i confort lock it (when it close all windows and the side mirrors) the hazard lights don't blink, but the interior lights (only the ones that are on the bottom) are on and the trunk light also is on. When i made computer diagnostic there wasn't any faults.
Anyone have any expirience with that kind of problem?