A connector cover for providing a water shield between a connector and a pipe comprises two cover elements. The cover elements are joined each other to construct a tubular water shield, which internally has a connector receiving portion on one axial side thereof for receiving a pipe inserting portion of a connector, and a pipe receiving portion on an opposite axial side thereof for receiving a pipe. The pipe receiving portion has a pipe receiving section on an opposite axial side thereof for receiving an opposite axial side from an annular projection of the pipe, and a projection receiving section on one axial side thereof for receiving annular projection. An inner diameter of the pipe receiving section is designed generally identical to an outer diameter of the pipe.

The present invention relates to a connector cover which is adapted to cover a connector for connection in a piping, for example, in a fuel piping for a vehicle, and thereby provides a water shield or waterproofness between the connector and a pipe inserted and fitted in the connector to prevent water or the like from entering therebetween.
In a fluid piping structure where a pipe is connected or jointed to a tube, a connector is used for connecting or jointing the pipe to the tube. The connector typically has integrally a tube connecting portion on one axial side thereof to be connected to the tube, and a pipe inserting portion on an opposite axial side thereof to be connected to the pipe. A connecting portion between the connector or the pipe inserting portion and the pipe is provided with a connector sealing member or members to protect against leak out of an internal fluid. The connector sealing member concurrently prevent foreign materials such as water entering the connecting portion therebetween from outside. However, since the connector such as located on an underside of a vehicle body is subject to a heavy splash of rain water or the like, for example, from road surfaces, it is preferred to provide a water shield by covering around the connecting portion between the pipe and the connector.
On the other hand, in such piping system, for example, a pipe is formed with an annular engagement projection around one axial side of an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a connector is configured with a retainer to be fitted in a pipe inserting portion thereof. Then, the pipe is inserted into the retainer so that the annular engagement projection snap-engages with one axial end portion of the retainer providing a stop mechanism that prevents the pipe coming off the connector, and consequently, the pipe is completely connected to the connector. If an operator does not take care sufficiently to complete connection between the pipe and the connector, the pipe might not be fully inserted into the retainer and the annular engagement projection of the pipe might not snap-engage with one axial end portion of the retainer, or the retainer might not be fitted properly in the pipe inserting portion of the connector. That is, the pipe might be in a half-fitting relation with respect to the connector. In case of the piping system subject to operation while the pipe is incompletely connected with the connector, usually sealing property by the connector sealing member between the pipe and the connector becomes lowered, and an internal fluid leaks out. Therefore, it is required to supply a mechanism for verifying easily a complete connection between the pipe and the connector. Such mechanism, for example, includes an annular projection arranged and provided on an outer periphery of the pipe so as to be located axially outside of the connector when the pipe is inserted and fitted in the connector, and a connector clip, for example, as disclosed in JP, A, 11-6591, to be mounted on the pipe and the connector which enables to verify easily a complete connection therebetween.
Meanwhile, a connector cover is mounted on the connecting portion between the pipe and the connector, in order to provide a water shield thereto. If such a connector clip is mounted on the connecting portion therebetween for verifying a full connection of the pipe and the connector, the connector cover resultingly is mounted further over the connector clip to the connecting portion. Then, the connecting portion will be oversized, and an assembly process including a work for mounting the connector clip and a work for mounting the connector cover will be bothersome to an operator.
In view of a foregoing aspect, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector cover having a checking function for easily verifying that a pipe is completely inserted and fitted in a connector when mounting the connector cover on the connecting portion between the pipe and the connector, as well as providing a water shield therebetween.
In order to achieve the aforementioned object of the present invention, there is provided a novel connector cover adapted to be mounted to a connector for a fluid path and a pipe inserted in and snap-engaged with the connector, and to provide a water shield therebetween. The connector is formed with a tube connecting portion on one axial side thereof, and a pipe inserting portion on an opposite axial side thereof, or at least on an opposite axial side thereof. The pipe is inserted from an opening of an opposite axial end of the pipe inserting portion therein for snap-fit in the connector or the pipe inserting portion. The pipe or the insertion end portion of the pipe inserted into the pipe inserting portion is sealed by a connector sealing member or members disposed or provided therein with respect to the connector or the pipe inserting portion. The pipe is provided with an annular projection on an outer periphery thereof to be located axially outwardly from the opening of the pipe inserting portion.
The connector cover comprises a mounting body for being mounted on a connecting portion between the pipe and the connector. More specifically, the mounting body is mounted to a length from the pipe inserting portion of the connector to an opposite axial side from the annular projection of the pipe, for constituting a tubular water shield. The connector cover or the mounting body may comprise two or a pair of cover elements or cover members, which may be integrally connected together, to constitute a tubular water shield or a tubular water shield assembly for the connector and the pipe. A pair of cover elements are joined each other so as to radially hold therebetween and enclose a length from the pipe inserting portion to an opposite axial side from the annular projection of the pipe.
The tubular water shield or the tubular water shield assembly is formed internally with or has an inner periphery configuration with a connector receiving portion on one axial side thereof for receiving the pipe inserting portion of the connector, and a pipe receiving portion on an opposite axial side thereof for receiving the pipe including the annular projection. The connector receiving portion receives the pipe inserting portion so that one axial side of the connector extends or projects axially outwardly from one axial end portion of the tubular water shield, and the pipe receiving portion receives the pipe including the annular projection so that an opposite axial side of the pipe extends or projects from an opposite axial end portion of the tubular water shield. The pipe receiving portion is formed with a projection receiving section on one axial side thereof for receiving the annular projection of the pipe, and a pipe receiving section on an opposite axial side thereof for receiving a portion of an opposite axial side from the annular projection of the pipe. A diameter or an inner diameter of the pipe receiving section is sized generally identical to an outer diameter of the pipe to be received therein.
The mounting body or the cover elements respectively may be made of resin in thin wall configuration, the pipe may be made of metal, and the connector may be made or resin or metal. Typically, an annular engagement projection is formed around an outer peripheral surface of the pipe, on one axial side or an insertion side from the annular projection, then, a retainer is fitted in the pipe inserting portion of the connector or fitted on an outer periphery of the pipe inserting portion of the connector, for example, releasably. And, on the occasion of connecting the pipe and the connector, the pipe is inserted in the pipe inserting portion or in the retainer so that the annular engagement projection is snap-engaged with the retainer or one axial end portion of the retainer On the occasion of release of connection therebetween, for example, the retainer in engagement with the pipe is relatively pulled out of the connector, or engagement between the retainer and the pipe is released by means of a release tool or by deforming of the retainer, and the pipe only is relatively pulled out of the connector. The connector has the tube connecting portion on one axial side thereof and the pipe inserting portion on an opposite axial side thereof. Any connector provided with a tube connection portion at one axial end portion of a pipe inserting portion thereof falls into the concept of the connector of the present invention. Also, a tube connecting portion of the present invention means any connecting portion of various members being connected to the pipe.
The connector receiving portion usually receives and encloses the pipe inserting portion of the connector (at least an opposite axial side of the pipe inserting portion) so as to be kept axially in place, that is, to be kept from axial displacement with respect to the tubular water shield, or to be allowed for only slight axial displacement, however, substantially for no axial displacement with respect to the tubular water shield. One axial side of the connector extends outwardly from one opening of the tubular water shield (an opening of the connector receiving portion), that is, an opening of one axial end portion of the tubular water shield. An opposite axial side of the pipe extends outwardly from the other opening of the tubular water shield (an opening of the pipe receiving portion or the pipe receiving section), that is, an opening of an opposite axial end portion of the tubular water shield. The openings of the tubular water shield are sealed liquid-tightly with respect to the connector and to the pipe respectively, for instance, by a sealing member or members for the opening, or a cover sealing member or members. The cover sealing member may be formed in a loop along an outer edge portion of the cover element. The contact portions or the contact surfaces of two cover elements are also sealed liquid-tightly, for instance, by a cover sealing member or members or a sealing member or members for cover.
The pipe receiving section of the pipe receiving portion is typically formed in a simple cylindrical shape, and is adapted to receive and enclose a portion of an opposite axial side from the annular projection of the pipe. The pipe receiving section has an inner diameter or a diameter substantially identical to an outer diameter of the pipe, that is, an outer diameter of an opposite axial portion from the annular projection of the pipe. That means the pipe receiving section does not have sufficient size or inner dimension to receive the annular projection of the pipe. Therefore, if the pipe is not sufficiently or correctly fitted in the connector or one axial side of the pipe is not inserted of sufficient length in the connector, that is, the pipe is incomplete fitting relation with respect to the connector, and thereby the annular projection of the pipe is located in an area of the pipe receiving section, the mounting body cannot be mounted on the pipe and the connector, or the cover elements cannot be joined one to the other. Even if the mounting body could be mounted or the cover elements could be joined, the mounting body or the cover elements would have resultingly been deformed by force. Thus, it can be easily judged whether the pipe is correctly fitted in the connector on mounting the mounting body or joining the cover elements each other (that is, on mounting the connector cover). Usually, the connector cover is constructed so that the annular projection is to be located in an area of the pipe receiving section when the pipe is located deviating somewhat toward an opposite axial side with relation to the connector compared to the case that the pipe is correctly fitted in the connector. Under the situation where the pipe is correctly inserted and fitted in the connector, the mounting body can be mounted smoothly, or the cover elements can be joined each other smoothly as the annular projection of the pipe is received in the projection receiving section of the pipe receiving portion. And, typically, the annular projection of the pipe is received in the projection receiving section so as to be kept in place in relation to an opposite axial side with respect to the tubular water shield. For example, the annular projection of the pipe is received in the projection receiving section in abutment relation with or like in abutment relation with a radial internal surface between the projection receiving section and the pipe receiving section. Then, normally, the pipe is substantially locked against axial movement out of the connector cover, and thereby the pipe is protected against coming out of the connector.
The connector cover providing a water shield between a pipe and a connector of the present invention cannot be mounted to the pipe and the connector, or should be forcibly mounted thereto when the pipe is not fully inserted or fitted in the connector. However, it may occur that the mounting body is mounted to the pipe and the connector, or the cover elements are joined each other smoothly without problem although the pipe is not completely inserted into the connector. Because an annular projection of the pipe may be located out of the pipe receiving section of the pipe receiving portion, in other words, may be located outside the opening of an opposite axial end portion of the tubular water shield. In such case, if the connector and the pipe are sealed therebetween, even not sufficiently, an inspection fluid might not leak out when the inspection fluid flows in the connector and the pipe at sealing property test. As a result, incomplete connection between the pipe and the connector may be overlooked, and there might be a possibility that the piping is subject to operation wherein the pipe is not fully fitted in the connector. According to this aspect, a pipe receiving portion is preferably formed to have a pipe receiving section with an axial length equal to or longer than an axial distance between one axial end or an insertion end of the pipe fitted in and snap-engaged with the connector or the retainer (correctly inserted and fitted in the connector) and an opposite axial end of the connector sealing member. In thus arrangement, if the annular projection of the pipe is located outside the pipe receiving section of the pipe receiving portion under incomplete connecting relation between the pipe and the connector, the mounting body can be mounted on the pipe and the connector smoothly or the cover elements can be joined smoothly without problem. However, one axial end of the pipe does not reach the connector sealing member, or slightly contact the connector sealing member. Thus, the inspection fluid certainly leaks between the pipe and the connector at sealing property test and thereby it is ensured to verify that the pipe is not fully fitted in the connector. If a plurality of connector sealing members are disposed axially in side by side relation, an axial length of the pipe receiving section may be designed longer than an axial distance between one axial end of the pipe and an opposite axial end of the connector sealing member located on the most opposite axial side.
Alternatively, an axial length of the pipe receiving section of the pipe receiving portion may be designed longer than an axial distance between the annular engagement projection and the annular projection of the pipe. In this arrangement, under the situation where the annular projection of the pipe is located outside the pipe receiving section of the pipe receiving portion, the annular engagement projection of the pipe stays in an area of the pipe receiving section, resulting that the connector cover cannot be mounted to the connector and the pipe, at least smoothly. Thereby it is verified that the pipe is not fully inserted and fitted in the connector.
In many cases, a cover sealing member or members are provided between two cover elements, between one axial end portion of the tubular water shield and the connector, and between an opposite axial end portion thereof and the pipe, in order to provide an enhanced water shield or waterproofness therebetween. The cover sealing member may be formed integrally along with the cover element in two-shot injection molding process. In this case, material for the cover sealing member may be selected in view of compatibility with the cover element in two-shot injection molding process. For example, if the cover element is made of polyester resin, the cover sealing member may be made of ester thermoplastic elastomer or ester TPE (TPEE). If the cover element is made of polypropylene resin, the cover sealing member may be made of olefin thermoplastic elastomer or olefin TPE (TPO).
It is preferred that two cover elements are hinged each other on one radial end portions (one end portions in direction transversely to an axis) thereof, so as to enable easily to mount the connector cover to the connector and the pipe. It is effective that one-touch lock mechanism is provided between opposite radial end portions of two cover elements so as to enable to more easily mount thereto. The cover elements may be formed of two halves respectively in a shape like half-cut generally of a cylinder or generally of a tubular body along an axis thereof,
Typically, the connector cover is provided through with a drain passage to enable to easily verify leak-out of inspection fluid applied at sealing property test or of actual fluid under actual operation. Inspection fluid or fluid which leaks out between the pipe and the connector flows in the tubular water shield or connector cover, and then is discharged through out of the drain passage. In an actual arrangement wherein an exhaust pipe is disposed in proximity to the connector adapted for a gasoline fuel piping in a vehicle, if the drain passage is provided on a side in proximity to the exhaust pipe and gasoline fuel leaked out is discharged on a side in proximity thereto, the discharged gasoline fuel might catch fire. Therefore, it is effective that the connector cover is constructed to form the tubular water shield wherein the drain passage is located distant from the exhaust pipe or a side distant therefrom.
A connector, a pipe inserted and fitted in a pipe inserting portion of the connector, and a connector cover mounted on the connector and the pipe construct a water shield or waterproof structure for connector.
And, a connector, a pipe inserted and fitted in the inserting portion of the connector, a connector cover mounted on the connector and the pipe, and an exhaust pipe construct a water shield or waterproof structure for piping.
As described above, a connector cover for providing a water shield of the present invention has a checking function to easily verify that a pipe is completely inserted and fitted in a connector at mounting the connector cover thereto, and thus it can be prevented by adapting the connector cover that the connector and the pipe in half-fitting relation are subject to an operation.

Connector cover for providing a water shield between a pipe and a connector


The invention is notably directed to a method for encoding information. This method first comprises generating an encryption key according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities. Next, information is encrypted based on the generated key. Finally, the encrypted information is encoded into synthetic DNA. Another aspect concerns a method for retrieving information. Consistently with the above encoding scheme, synthetic DNA in provided, which encodes encrypted information. Such information is read by sequencing the synthetic DNA and by decrypting the information read using a decryption key. The latter is generated according to polymorphic features of nucleic acids from one or more entities (e.g., from the legitimate individual(s) requesting access to information). Thus, the encoded information cannot be interpreted unless a suitable decryption key is available. The invention is further directed to related DNA samples and systems, including DNA vaults.

The invention relates in general to methods for encoding or retrieving information stored on synthetic DNA, as well as related systems (sequencing devices and apparatus) and synthetic materials. In particular, the invention is directed to techniques for making data encoded in synthetic DNA useful (i.e., interpretable) only to one or more predefined individuals.
Techniques to encode information in synthetic DNA are known, wherein digital information is translated (using a given translation method) into a sequence combining the four natural nucleotides (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine). The sequence is then synthesized into physical DNA. In this form the data can be stored in a highly compact way (with high storage density) and for long storage durations (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,384,320 and WO2013178801 and references therein). For information retrieval the DNA is sequenced, and digital information can be recovered using the inverse of the translation method. The unique advantages of using DNA as a data carrier are its extremely high data density (>200 exabytes per gram) and the high stability of the data-encoding medium. Both features are of especial importance if sensitive information is to be stored. I.e., the compact (small size) storage medium is useful to conceal the encoded material, while its stability in time results in that data does not have to be regularly copied (duplicated) to maintain data integrity.
A downside of such techniques is that anyone who has access to the information-encoding medium (the synthetic DNA) and the translation method may be able to recover the information.
Besides, at a time of all-pervasive Internet and social media, the secure storage of digital data (including, e.g., personal data, proprietary data and confidential data, etc.) is a challenge. Commonly used access control methodologies employ passwords (websites) and key generators (e.g., as in online banking). In addition, biometrics authentication is often used for identification and access control purposes. Examples include fingerprint scanners (as in cell phones), iris scanners (room access), face recognition (surveillance), signature (official documents).
Such methods provide various strengths of authentication. While they can easily be implemented in a computerized context (e.g., where the device used to authenticate the requester is otherwise used to access the data), the above methods are not perceived as being suitable for the former context, where information is encoded as synthetic DNA. Thus, a novel approach is needed to secure access rights to information encoded in synthetic DNA.

Encoding and decoding information in synthetic DNA with cryptographic keys generated based on polymorphic features of nucleic acids


A feeding device for feeding a chemical into a process liquid flowing through a process liquid flow duct, the feeding device includes: a feeding liquid duct having a discharge opening; a mixing liquid feed duct extending through the feeding liquid duct, a sidewall and a closed end wall, wherein the end wall extends beyond the discharge opening of the feeding liquid duct and extending into the process liquid flow duct; a mixing space adjacent the end wall and within the sidewall of the mixing liquid feed duct; a chemical feed duct extending through the mixing liquid feed duct and having a discharge opening proximate to the mixing space in the mixing liquid feed duct, and a mixture discharge opening in the side wall of the mixing liquid feed duct.

This application is the US national phase of international application PCT/FI2004/000586 filed 5 Oct. 2004 which designated the U.S. and claims benefit of Finnish Application No. 20031468 filed 8 Oct. 2003, the entire contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for feeding chemical into a liquid flow. The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly well applicable to feeding of very small chemical volumes in precise amounts into large process liquid flows.
Naturally, there is practically an innumerable amount of prior art methods of feeding various chemicals into liquid flows. However, these methods may be divided into a few main categories as can be seen from the following. Firstly, it is quite possible to just let the liquid to be added flow freely into a second liquid without employing any special regulation or mixing means. This method of adding cannot be employed in situations where the mixing ratio or the uniformity of the mixing is important. Neither can it be employed in situations where the price of the chemical to be added is of significance. The next applicable method is to feed the chemical in a precise ratio to the liquid flow, whereby correct and economical dosage is obtained. However, even in this case one has to take into account that usually the dosage of the chemical is slightly excessive compared to the optimal dosage, because the mixing is known to be inadequate. The mixing may be improved, though, by feeding the chemical e.g. through a perforated wall of a flow channel, whereby at least the chemical to be mixed may be spread throughout the entire liquid flow. As the last example, a situation may be discussed, where the chemical is fed in a precise proportion either into the liquid flow upstream of the mixer or through the mixer itself. In that case, the efficiency of the mixing of the chemical into the liquid flow is totally dependent on the mixer design.
Finnish patent no. 108802 discusses as an essential case of mixing related to paper manufacture the mixing of a retention aid into fiber suspension flow flowing to the head box of a paper machine. In paper manufacture, retention chemicals are used especially in order to improve the retention of fines at the wire section of a paper machine. In the Finnish patent mentioned the mixing device is in fact a conical nozzle with an inlet for the retention chemical. The mixing device is functioning and efficient both in the mixing of retention chemicals and other chemicals in the short circulation of a paper machine and also in other applications in the paper and pulp industry. However, it has been noticed in connection with some applications that various solid substances carried with the feed and/or dilution liquid tend to accumulate in the device. In other words solid material tends accumulate in the device parts converging in the flow direction, which gradually harm the flow profile, the flow itself and in the end tend to clog the device. Fl patent application no. 20021350 describes a self-cleaning chemical feed nozzle. In other words when the nozzle starts to become clogged a change take place in its flow conditions which causes a reaction of the nozzle to open wider the cross-sectional flow area of the flow channel in which the solid material in question flows with the fiber suspension; as a result of this the solid particles attached to the channel can get loose from the nozzle and flow on.
In this kind of applications, i.e. feeding for example retention chemicals into a fiber suspension, the mixing devices and the nozzles described in the publications mentioned work well but in cases where only very small amounts of chemicals are needed in relation to the suspension flow to be fed, the operation of the these nozzles is not the best possible for example because they cannot guarantee an adequately homogenous mixing of the chemical into the process liquid flow because of the small volume of the chemical.

Method and apparatus for feeding chemical into a liquid flow


A bicycle control apparatus is basically configured to control at least one shifting device having a plurality of gear stages. The bicycle control apparatus includes a shifting input device, at least one detection sensor and a controller. The at least one detection sensor detects the gear stage of the at least one shifting device. The controller controls the at least one shifting device. The controller controls the at least one shifting device to upshift or to downshift in a state in which the detected gear stage matches a prescribed condition, upon receiving the prescribed shift command is input via the shifting input device.

Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle control apparatus that controls at least one of a first shifting device having a plurality of gear stages and a second shifting device having a plurality of gear stages.
Background Information
A bicycle control apparatus is known that controls a first shifting device (for example, a front derailleur) and a second shifting device (for example, a rear derailleur) of a bicycle (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,712,656).


An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.

In the manufacture of vehicles, such as passenger cars and trucks, there are many safety standards that must be met by the vehicles to reduce the likelihood and/or severity of injury to occupants during an accident. For example, in the United States the safety standard FMVSS 208 deals with the risk of knee injury arising from contacting the vehicle instrument panel during a frontal crash. In order to meet the safety standard, portions of an instrument panel assembly are required to absorb at least some of the energy of an impact by the knees of the front seat occupants during a crash. A portion of the instrument panel that is configured to sustain an impact from the knees of a front seat occupant during a crash is called a bolster. This is the portion of the instrument panel below the belt line.
Government tests are conducted on vehicles to determine if they meet the safety standard, based on the statistically median-sized male occupant. The median size is a statistically determined size whereby 50 percent of the population is larger and 50 percent of the population is smaller.
In some vehicles, the problem of meeting this safety standard is complicated by the fact that the vehicle's glove box is positioned in the same area that is expected to be impacted by the knees of the median-sized passenger during a crash.
In order to provide a glove box in the area of expected impact and still meet the aforementioned safety standard, some manufacturers provide a glove box panel subassembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The subassembly 10 mounts to a cross-brace 12, which typically extends between a first A pillar 14 and a second A pillar (not shown) on a vehicle. Mounted to the cross-brace 12 are two energy absorption brackets 16 that are generally D shaped. The energy absorption brackets 16 are designed to deform to absorb energy from an impact from the passenger's knees during a crash. By absorbing the impact energy, the passenger is less likely to incur severe knee injury. Furthermore, the severity of any leg injury resulting from impact with the glove box portion of the instrument panel is reduced.
Reference is made to FIGS. 2a and 2b. The energy absorption brackets 16 are essentially D-shaped with a forward portion 18, which is generally C-shaped, and an aft portion 19, which is generally straight.
The energy absorption brackets 16 extend rearward from the cross-brace 12. In general, 'forward' refers to the direction towards the front of the vehicle from a point inside the vehicle, and 'rearward' or 'aft' refer to the direction towards the rear of the vehicle from a point inside the vehicle.
A glove box door 20 having a bottom edge 21 is typically hingedly mounted for movement relative to the energy absorption brackets 16 between an open and a closed position.
The glove box door 20 has a forward face 22 and an aft face 24. A storage bin 26 is attached to the forward face 22. The glove box door 20 moves between an open position, as shown in FIG. 2a, and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2b. In the open position (FIG. 2a), the storage bin 26 may be filled with miscellaneous articles. In the closed position (FIG. 2b), the forward face 22 of the glove box door 20 is in close proximity to the energy absorption brackets 16. During a crash, the impact energy from the passenger's knees on the glove box door 20 is transferred to the energy absorption brackets 16 through straight aft portions 19, and is absorbed by the energy absorption brackets 16.
Referring to FIG. 1, the glove box door 20 is typically made from a polymeric material and is injection molded. The injection molding process can itself negatively affect the strength of the plastic material. Thus, the glove box door 20 is typically not considered to be capable of sustaining a substantial portion of the load that results from an impact by the passenger's knees during a crash. Although injection molded pieces have good appearance characteristics, they do not usually have much strength and thus require additional strengthening such as metal plates or wide contact areas with the brackets.
In order to absorb the impact energy from the passenger's knees, the energy absorption brackets 16 are typically positioned so that they are each positioned to be directly in line with the expected position of the knee of the median-sized passenger when the instrument panel is impacted by the passenger's knee during a crash. As a result, the distance "W" between the energy absorption brackets 16 is determined by the distance between the knees of the median-sized passenger.
As a result of the close proximity between the energy absorption brackets 16 and the glove box door 20, the storage bin 26 cannot extend along the portions of the forward face 22 of the glove box door 20 which lie adjacent the energy absorption brackets 16. Thus, the storage bin 26 is divided into a primary bin 28 and a secondary bin 30. The size of the primary bin 28 is limited such that it has a width that is less than "W" so as not to interfere with the position of the energy absorption brackets 16. The secondary bin 30 may be provided but is typically only capable of holding small articles. In general, the storage capacity and the usefulness of the bins 28 and 30 are compromised by the presence of the energy absorption brackets 16.
The aft face 24 of the glove box door 20 faces the occupants of the vehicle and may be covered by an aft layer 32, which is provided in accordance with the design of the rest of the interior viewable surfaces of the vehicle.
There is a need for an improved instrument panel subassembly for passenger vehicles that at least partially resolves the problems described above.

Instrument panel subassembly including a glove box door


In a service system of an air conditioner connected through a network to a monitoring center, the air conditioner receives radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite to transmit information of the received radio wave and a manufacturer""s serial number on the air conditioner to the monitoring center and the monitoring center performs service of the air conditioner on the basis of the received information and the serial number. The service system of the air conditioner can perform service, update or renewal, maintenance and the like of an air conditioner more correctly and exactly and attain speedup thereof.

The present invention relates to a service system for performing maintenance, inspection, monitoring of operation and the like of an air conditioner and more particularly to a service system suitable for update of a program, setting of calendar data and the like.
Heretofore, JP-B2-2926282 (JP-A-4-359741) discloses that an operation control program for an air conditioner is stored in a concentrated controller and the controller transmits the operation control program through a communication line to an outside unit and an inside unit to update an old one and JP-A-9-79654 discloses utilization of a network.
Further, JP-A-11-230602, for example, discloses that an operation state of an air conditioner is monitored and its monitored information is stored in the HTML file format to provide the information onto the Internet, so that diagnosis of a failure and treatment upon occurrence of anything unusual are made quickly.
Recently, systematization and distribution with individualization of air conditioner are advanced and the air conditioner becomes more complex so that, for example, a lot of air conditioning units are used within a single building. Service of an air conditioner, particularly, speedup of update or renewal and maintenance, transmission of information therefor, communication of information and the like are more required.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a service system of an air conditioner for performing service, update or renewal, maintenance and the like of an air conditioner more correctly and exactly and attaining speedup thereof.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a service system of an air conditioner connected through a network to a monitoring center, the air conditioner receives radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite to transmit information of the received radio wave and a manufacturer""s serial number on the air conditioner to the monitoring center and the monitoring center performs service of the air conditioner on the basis of the information and the serial number.
Further, according to the present invention, a service system of an air conditioner for performing maintenance and management of the air conditioner from a monitoring center, comprises a concentrated controller connected to the air conditioner and receiving radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite to calculate its own position, and the concentrated controller transmits the calculated own position and a manufacturer""s serial number on the air conditioner to the monitoring center and the monitoring center identifies a control program required for the air conditioner on the basis of its own position and the serial number on the air conditioner to transmit the control program to the concentrated controller, the concentrated controller loading the received control program into the air conditioner.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that when anything unusual occurs in the air conditioner, the received information and the serial number are transmitted to the monitoring center.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that the received information and the serial number is transmitted to the monitoring center in response to a request from the monitoring center.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that ground wave is utilized to calculate a position of the air conditioner.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that the concentrated controller stores the control program and rewrites the control program when the air conditioner stops its operation.
Further, according to the present invention, a monitoring center connected through the Internet to an air conditioner and a terminal unit, receives information of radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite and received by the air conditioner and a manufacturer""s serial number on the air conditioner, prepares a home page on the basis of the information and the serial number, and makes it possible to read the home page from the air conditioner and the terminal unit.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that the terminal unit is a portable terminal which can display character information and map information.
Further, according to the present invention, an air conditioner used in a service system of an air conditioner, receives radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite and transmits the received information and a manufacturer""s serial number on the air conditioner through a network.
Further, in addition to the above, it is desirable that an air conditioner generates a time signal on the basis of the received information and synchronizes its own clock with the time signal.

Monitoring center and service system of air conditioner


A digital data system (100) provides 1-D, 2-D and 3-D capability and multi-band channel capability. Improved filter banks are created by generating a filter bank having an analysis portion and synthesis portion and obtaining wavelet coefficients (302) for each portion. The wavelet coefficients are expressed in a format capable of canonical signed digit (CSD) representation, such as integers (302). The canonical signed digit (CSD) representation is controlled by a value, N, selected to control resolution of the CSD coding. Optimized CSD-coded wavelet coefficients are used as filters for data signals (318).

This invention relates in general to data compression and particularly to digital data compression. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus that provides improved wavelet filter operation for digital data systems.
With the advent of technologies and services related to teleconferencing and digital image storage, considerable progress has been made in the field of digital signal processing. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, digital signal processing typically relates to systems, devices, and methodologies for generating a sampled data signal, compressing the signal for storage and/or transmission, and thereafter reconstructing the original data from the compressed signal. Critical to any highly efficient, cost effective digital signal processing system is the methodology used for achieving compression.
As is known in the art, data compression refers to the steps performed to map an original data signal into a bit stream suitable for communication over a channel or storage in a suitable medium. Methodologies capable of minimizing the amount of information necessary to represent and recover an original data are desirable in order to lower computational complexity and cost. In addition to cost, simplicity of hardware and software implementations capable of providing high quality data reproduction with minimal delay are likewise desirable.
To present, the next standard of JPEG 2000 (Joint Photographic Experts Group) systems for still images proposes algorithms which use a wavelet to achieve decomposition of an input signal. In systems utilizing a wavelet, the data is typically divided through low pass and high pass filters. The implementation of wavelet filters is typically achieved using a filter bank, and in many instances involves several levels of filtering. Filter bank operation is often implemented through numerous multiplications and additions between the wavelet coefficients and the input data. The process of implementing filter banks can be extremely time consuming unless very fast multipliers are used. Such multipliers typically utilize parallel processing which requires the use of fast clocks with higher current consumption as well as requiring larger chip area in their implementation.
Some prior art filter banks have eliminated multipliers through the use canonical signed digit(s) (CSD). CSD is a powers of two representation of an integer. (e.g. 9=23+20). One such filter bank is described in an IEEE article entitled xe2x80x9cThe Design of Low Complexity Linear-Phase FIR Filter Banks Using Powers-of-Two Coefficients with an Application to Subband Image Codingxe2x80x9d Vol. 1, No. 4, December 1991. This prior art system develops a constraint equation based on an imposed pure-delay requirement implied by perfect reconstruction. To overcome the non-linearity in this equation, low pass filter coefficients are first restricted to CSD without any constraint, then a suitable set of high pass CSD coefficients are obtained by using a complex optimization algorithm such that the constraint equation is met. This prior art system, however, is restricted by a two-channel linear phase FIR filter bank.
While certain wavelet transforms are closely linked to the two band (or two-channel) perfect reconstruction (i.e. lossless) filter bank, this is not always the case. Wavelet based CODECs are often used in both lossless (perfect reconstruction) and lossy (involving quantization) digital data systems. Quantization refers to the technique of taking a bit stream of data and compressing it for later reproduction. In most data compression applications, the presence of quantization in a lossy system implies a rate-distortion performance which usually bounds the quality of the recovered image. Thus, a pure-delay requirement on the design and representation of the wavelet coefficients is too restrictive, often resulting in implementations that are more complex than required.
There is a need for a method and apparatus which provides improved wavelet filtering for both lossy and lossless digital data systems. Such wavelets should be implemented so as to minimize current drain and reduce computational intensity.

Method and apparatus for implementing wavelet filters in a digital system


A method for removing residual material which remains in a cavity after an anisotropic etching process in the manufacture of a partially completed multi-layer semiconductor device, where the cavity is in contact with at least one anisotropic etch-stop layer and is accessible by an etchable layer is disclosed. A plasma etching apparatus which includes a chamber is utilized. The etchable layer is first etched by anisotropic etching in the chamber under predetermined conditions in the plasma etching apparatus until a top of the etch-stop layer is exposed. A plasma scattering etching process is then performed to remove the residual material in the cavity by changing the predetermined conditions of the anisotropic etching process to produce plasma scattering, thereby removing the residual material from the cavity.

Field of Invention
This invention relates to a method which utilizes plasma scattering for removing residual materials which remain in a cavity of a multi-layered semiconductor device on which respective patterns have been formed after an etching process has been performed.
In the process for manufacturing multi-layered semiconductor memory devices having a capacity of more than 1 mega bit, cavities are formed in the semiconductor device. Accordingly, residual materials which should be removed upon etching remains in the cavity. Such residual anisotropic etchable material is an impurity which affects the property of memory device and should be removed to improve the quality of the device.
In the prior art, methods for removing the residual anisotropic etchable material in the cavities of a semiconductor device are as follows:
The first, extending the etching time to remove the residual materials. However, this attempt presents a problem in that if the selectivity of the etching solution is low, other films, which must not be etched, are etched. Thus, the selectivity if the etching solution toward the materials must be extremely high and be extremely low toward the other films in order not to etch the necessary portions of the other films.
The second, performing an additional mask pattern process and an additional etching process on only the residual material contained in the cavity in order to remove the residual material. That is, the residual, material to be removed from the cavity and the top the adjacent film (of the other material) are coated with a photoresistive film. Then a portion of the photoresistive film positioned on the residual material contained in the cavity is removed. Then, an additional etching process is performed to remove the residual material from the cavity.
Therefore, the process for removing the residual material is complicated because such process requires the additional formation of photoresistive film and an additional etching step. Also, the mask pattern forming process should be performed very carefully so that a resulting delay in the process for manufacturing the semiconductor device occurs.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the problems presented in above mentioned prior art methods.
it is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for removing residual material in a cavity of the semiconductor device by utilizing plasma scattering.

Method for removing residual material from a cavity during the manufacture of a semiconductor device by utilizing plasma scattering

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


A method for determining ecological risk, particularly a method for the ecological risk assessment of a heavy metal in a river basin sediment based on a toxicity effect. The assessment method includes screening the main aquatic organisms in a river basin; sampling a sediment, and determining and detecting the heavy metal type; measuring the concentration of the heavy metal in the sediment; collecting the heavy metal release coefficient; collecting the heavy metal toxicity data and fitting the data; determining the heavy metal HCsi value according to a fitting equation; calculating the heavy metal toxicity response coefficient; calculating the ecological risk index of the heavy metal. This method can further include calculating the comprehensive ecological risk index of various types of heavy metals. The method can accurately reflect the ecological risk of a heavy metal on aquatic organisms in a river basin.

Heavy metal pollutants are different from other organic pollutants. Many organic pollutants can be reduced or eliminated through physical, chemical or biological purification of the natural world. Heavy metal pollutants are difficult to be degraded in the environment, causing great harms to the ecological environment and human health and having potential environmental risks. Industrial and agricultural activities generate a large amount of wastes containing heavy metals. The heavy metals enter rivers, lakes and other bodies of water through processes such as migration and release, and most of them are rapidly transferred to sediments and suspended matters. Suspended matters will also gradually become part of the sediments as they are transported by the water stream. The content of heavy metals in sediments is usually much higher than that in water bodies and will gradually be released as the main endogenous source of metal pollutions in water bodies with the changes of environmental conditions. In addition, the distribution of heavy metal content in water is irregular, but it shows a clear horizontal distribution in sediments. The study of heavy metals in sediments can help to trace pollution sources and to understand the diffusion and potential environmental risks of heavy metals. The sediment area is a place where fish, shrimp, shellfish and other benthic animals carry out metabolism. Through the food chain, heavy metals in sediments can be enriched ten thousand times in benthic animals, which is very harmful to aquatic environment ecosystem. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments.
The ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments depends not only on their content, but also on their release from sediments into water bodies, and more directly on their toxic effects on organisms. In particular, when assessing the ecological risk of multiple heavy metals, heavy metals' toxic coefficients need to be introduced due to the different toxic effects of each heavy metal. Moreover, the toxic effects are also affected by biological species, and the biological species are differently distributed in different watersheds.
At present, the ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments is usually evaluated for single metal, such as the method of enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. However, there are few comprehensive evaluations for multiple metals, such as Excess after Regression Analysis method. Most of these methods do not consider the biotoxicity of heavy metals. Only the potential ecological risk index (RI) proposed by a Swedish scientist, Hakanson, in 1980, comprehensively evaluates the ecological risk of various heavy metals and considers the biotoxicity of different heavy metals on organisms. However, due to the lack of toxicity data of heavy metals at that time, Hakanson calculated the toxicity coefficients of heavy metals indirectly according to the abundance of heavy metals in the earth's crust. He did not calculate the toxicity coefficients of heavy metals on organisms directly, nor did he take into account the sensitivity of different species to heavy metals.
At present, Hakanson's method is still the main method to assess the ecological risk of heavy metals in the field of environmental science and engineering. Patent application CN201410137454.3 discloses "a method for determining ecological risk of heavy metal pollutions in river and lake sediments". This patent application mainly uses the principle of statistics and sampling calculation to determine the distribution of various heavy metals, in which the toxicity coefficient of heavy metal pollutants is still based on the calculation of its crustal abundance. Patent application CN201410074703.9 discloses "a method for comprehensive ecological risk assessment of heavy metal pollutions in three phase space of rivers". This patent application also uses Hakanson's method directly to calculate the toxicity coefficient of heavy metals.
The method proposed by Hakanson is based on the abundance of heavy metals in the earth's crust to calculate the toxicity coefficient of heavy metals, which is a compromise due to the lack of toxicity data for heavy metals at that time. In addition, the existing methods for ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments still lack consideration of the toxic effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms, and do not take into account the differences in the distribution of biota in different watersheds.
Today, as the toxicity data of heavy metals is more and more complete, the assessment of the ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments urgently requires a more accurate method for calculating the toxicity coefficients of heavy metals in order to evaluate the ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments more accurately.

Method for ecological risk assessment of heavy metal in river basin sediment based on toxicity effect

CHINESE RESEARCH ACADEMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES


A light generating device utilizes a large centrally located magnet which is mounted to slide past a magnet pickup or current induction wire which may be preferably mounted at a center point of travel in a tubular housing having a tubular chamber through which the magnet travels. A pair of elastomeric bumpers are located each at the end of the tubular chamber which may be inside or outside the flashlight. The result is a device which both facilitates the manual movement of the flashlight body so that the magnet slides past the center magnet pickup or current induction wire, and also conserves the residual momentum of the magnet once it has traveled past the magnet pickup or current induction wire by providing a bumper and spring to conserve some of the mechanical energy going in the other direction. Ninety second of manual activation enables about five minutes of illumination.

The present invention relates to improvements in the technology relating to inexpensive and reliable lighting sources and more particularly to a human powered flashlight free of batteries and free of external integrity breaches and which is engineered to use light efficiently.
Production of light with a portable light source or flashlight is a well known expedient in which a tubular body is fitted with a number of series connected batteries. The disadvantages of conventional flashlights with this conventional configuration are generally (1) breach of internal external integrity from having to access the battery compartment fairly regularly to replace batteries, and (2) other breaches of external integrity associated with light bulb changes at the front of the device and from a mechanical linkage relating to the on and off switch.
In some devices especially built for underwater use, a series of multiple xe2x80x9coxe2x80x9d rings may be employed for water sealing.
However, when these structures are employed at points likely to be repeatedly accessed, such as the rear entrance to the battery compartment, degradation will likely occur resulting in an eventual breach of sealing integrity.
Other step have been taken to insure integrity such as placing a flexible push button cover over the on and off switch, but these covers tend to either leak early in their functional life at the ring of circular attachment, or later in their functional life by cracking or punching breach. Seals around the bulb changing entrance, typically the front lens cover have proven to be more secure.
Production of energy for lighting using generator devices are also known. In some cases a crank generator is provided with the crank extending through the housing, creating another source of housing fluid breach. Either a scientifically closely toleranced bearing must be provided to keep moisture out (close tolerance along with friction loss) or the generator must itself be water proof. The generator is itself a complex mechanical machine and also prone to water damage, rust, and excessive wear.
Because of the breakdowns cited above, non-battery flashlights are generally unreliable as an emergency or long storage time period source of lighting, and particularly in a harsh or moist environment.
Further, the majority of personal lighting products are generally inefficient as being operated using an incandescent (heated filament) light source which is not conserving of energy usage per unit of illumination. Most generator models require considerable hand crank input to effect any significant light output over time.
What is therefore needed is a more compact, more isolated source of emergency lighting which is human powered, but which is also efficient in operation. The device should be impact resistant and have relatively few moving parts and no intense, high force, small area wear surfaces.
The light generating device of the present invention utilizes a large centrally located magnet which is mounted to slide past a magnet pickup or current induction wire which may be preferably mounted at a center point of travel in a tubular housing having a tubular chamber through which the magnet travels. A pair of elastomeric bumpers are located each at the end of the tubular chamber. Each of the elastomeric bumpers are supported by its own spring secured against the sides, end or both of the terminal ends of the tubular chamber. The mounting sequence is first chamber end or structure to first spring, to first bumper to freely slidable or translatable magnet to second bumper secured by second end or structure of the chamber. The result is a device which both facilitates the manual movement of the flashlight body so that the magnet slides past the center magnet pickup or current induction wire, and also conserves the residual momentum of the magnet once it has traveled past the magnet pickup or current induction wire by providing a bumper and spring to conserve some of the mechanical energy going in the other direction.
Where the size of the magnet is matched to the length of the tubular chamber and the size of the springs, a matched, sealed mechanical system is formed which can be continuously operated with minimal wrist energy. The mechanical input energy is intended to be stored regardless of whether the light is operational during charging or not. The energy consumption of the lamp should be such that the mechanical charging action can keep sufficient energy stored in advance of its consumption in light production so that the flashlight of the invention can be continued to be utilized even when any temporary store of energy provided is depleted. This action is contemplated to be performed by shaking the flashlight several times to input mechanical and then electrical energy into storage, followed by a period of illumination from an energy reservoir, which may be chemical or capacitor or other.
In addition, an activation switch for external control is had with an external smaller magnet which operates in conjunction with a reed switch to enable mechanical activation without the necessity to form a mechanical linkage between the inside and outside of the flashlight.


A method for identifying a substance is described. The method includes detecting, by a first scatter detector, a first set of scattered radiation, generating a first effective atomic number from the first set of scattered radiation, detecting, by a second scatter detector, a second set of scattered radiation, generating a second effective atomic number from the second set of scattered radiation, and determining whether the first effective atomic number is within a limit of the second effective atomic number.

This invention relates generally to imaging systems and more particularly to systems and methods for identifying a substance.
The events of Sep. 11, 2001 instigated an urgency for more effective and stringent screening of airport baggage. The urgency for security expanded from an inspection of carry-on bags for knives and guns to a complete inspection of checked bags for a range of hazards with particular emphasis upon concealed explosives. X-ray imaging is a widespread technology currently employed for screening. However, it is difficult for existing x-ray baggage scanners, including computed tomography (CT) systems, designed for detection of explosive and illegal substances to validate a plurality of parameters or characteristics of the substances.
A plurality of identification systems based on a plurality of x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques provide an improved discrimination of materials compared to that provided by the x-ray baggage scanners. The XRD identification systems measure a plurality of d-spacings between a plurality of lattice planes of micro-crystals in materials. However, it is difficult for the XRD identification systems to validate the parameters of the materials.

Systems and methods for identifying a substance


A variable motor (1) having reduced audible noise. This advantage is achieved by reducing or eliminating ripple torque by making the individual phase torques follow a certain profile, so that when the torques are summed, they are substantially constant. Therefore, the motor (1) back EMF is used as a reference waveform to control the winding currents to achieve reduced ripple torque. The back EMF reference is amplified and provided to the motor windings, and may be derived in a number of ways including use of sense windings, electronic derivation, and approximation by sensing the voltage applied to the windings.

This invention relates to electric motors in particular, but not exclusively to, variable speed brushless electric motors.
Variable speed electric motors are known prior art. In many motor applications audible noise is undesirable, and can become particularly noticeable at low motor speeds and when the electrical supply to such motors is varied during transitions from the original speed to the varied speed. Audible noise is also associated with energy loss. It is also known that speed variations of prior art motors are difficult to control because these motors are generally designed to operate at a fixed supply frequency. Speed control difficulties are most pronounced in prior art fractional and subfractional horsepower motors with designs which have been optimised or minimised for low manufacturing costs. It is however possible to improve the speed variation and control of these motors by electronic means. In addition mechanical means such as but not limited to gearboxes, belts, variators and electromagnetic couplings may also be incorporated to improve speed control. As a consequence, these improvements increase the cost and complexity of the complete motor assembly. Prior an motors have also been found to have energy efficiencies (defined as the ratio of mechanical output power to electrical input power) of 20% or less when operating at fixed speeds. The addition of speed control means reduces the energy efficiency still further.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a variable speed electric motor which is more efficient or audibly quieter at least when varying speeds, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
According to one aspect the invention provides an electric motor including means for determining a first signal associated with the rotor (when the motor is operational) and wherein said first signal is applied as an input signal to a power amplifier, which generates an output which is applied to windings of the motor to drive the motor, and whereby in use, audible noise associated with the motor is thus significantly reduced.
The invention may make use of a sense winding as described in our earlier New Zealand Patent application 501086 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference) to determine the first signal, or it may simulate this signal electronically without the need for a sense winding. As a further alternative the invention may derive an approximation of the first signal by sensing the voltage or current applied to the windings. In either case the first signal is applied to a power amplifier to create an output which is applied to the motor to drive the motor.
According to a second aspect the invention provides an electric motor including electronic back EMF sensing means, the electronic back EMF sensing means including voltage sensing means and current sensing means and rate-of-change of current sensing means adapted to sense a back EMF generated by a rotor of the motor wherein the sensed electronic back EMF is applied as an input signal to a power amplifier, which generates an output which is applied to windings of the motor as a drive voltage or current, and whereby in use, audible noise associated with the motor is thus significantly reduced.
According to a third aspect the invention provides an electric motor including sensing means to sense an approximation of the back EMF produced by rotation of the rotor by sensing the voltage or current applied to a motor winding, the sensing means providing a first signal which is applied as an input signal to a power amplifier, which generates an output which is applied to windings of the motor as a drive voltage or current, and whereby in use, audible noise associated with the motor is thus significantly reduced.
According to a fourth aspect the invention provides an electric motor including back EMF prediction means, the back EMF prediction means including a memory from which data relating to the motor are stored, the back EMF prediction means providing a first signal indicative of the motor back EMF, the first signal being applied as an input signal to a power amplifier, which generates an output which is applied to windings of the motor as a drive voltage or current, and whereby in use, audible noise associated with the motor is thus significantly reduced.
Preferably the electric motor is a radial flux permanent magnet motor. In the alternative the electric motor can be an axial flux motor or other type of direct current motor.
Preferably the motor is a brushless motor.
Preferably the rotor is an external rotor rotatable about a central shaft.
Preferably the rotor houses a plurality of spaced permanent magnets arranged in a radial pattern on an internal surface of the rotor.
Preferably the electronic back EMF sensing means includes current sensing means which detect the steady state value of the motor winding current in each motor phase.
Preferably the electronic back EMF sensing means also includes rate-of-change of current sensing means which detect the rate-of-change of motor winding current in each phase.
Preferably the electronic back EMF sensing means also includes voltage-sensing means which sense the voltage applied to the motor windings.
Preferably the electronic back EMF sensing means also includes a summing amplifier which allows the addition of signals from the current sensing means and the rate-of-change of current sensing means and the voltage sensing means, so that the output of the summing amplifier is analogous to the voltage field generated by the rotor of the motor.
Preferably the electronic back EMF sensing means also includes filtering circuits that can introduce a phase shift between the summing amplifier input voltages and the summing amplifier output voltage which is then applied to the power amplifier input.
Preferably the power amplifier means comprises power conversion means to adjust an available supply voltage to voltage levels suitable for driving the motor at the required speed controlled either directly or indirectly by the electronic back EMF sensing means.
In another aspect the invention resides in a method of reducing audible noise associated with an electric motor including the steps of:
1. Sensing a first signal associated with the voltage generated by a motor""s rotor from rotation of the rotor in use.
2. Amplifying and applying directly the first signal to windings of the motor as a drive voltage or current.
3. Controlling the drive voltage or current amplitude to control the motor whereby in operation audible noise is significantly reduced.
Preferably the electric motor is a radial flux permanent magnet motor. In the alternative the electric motor can be an axial flux motor or other type of direct current motor.
Preferably the motor is a brushless motor.
Preferably the rotor is an external rotor rotatable about a central shaft.
Preferably the rotor houses a plurality of spaced permanent magnets arranged in a radial pattern on an internal surface of the rotor.
Preferably the search coil means comprises a coil or coils wound coincidentally with one or more of the drive windings of the motor.
Preferably the electronic field sensing means includes a power amplifier that amplifies the search coil voltage. Preferably the electronic field sensing means also includes filtering circuits that can introduce a phase shift between the search coil voltage and the power amplifier output voltage which is then applied to the motor windings.
Preferably the power amplifier means comprises power conversion means to adjust an available supply voltage to voltage levels suitable for driving the motor at the required speed controlled either directly or indirectly by the electronic field sensing means.
In another aspect the invention resides in a method of reducing audible noise associated with an electric motor including the steps of:
1. Sensing, approximating or predicting a voltage or current generated by a motor""s rotor.
2. amplifying and applying directly the generated voltage or current to windings of the motor as a drive voltage or current,
3. controlling the drive voltage or current amplitude to control the motor whereby in operation audible noise is significantly reduced.


An apparatus and method is presented for forming multiple color images on separate pitches of a photoreceptor belt and for registering the images and avoiding exposure of said images on the belt seam. In one embodiment, four LED print bars each form a color image on separate pitches of a photoreceptor belt, the images superimposed on each other to form a composite color image which is transferred to an output sheet. A photosensor is placed beneath each print bar and a belt hole formed on the belt surface a few scan lines before the start of an associated belt pitch. One of the belt holes has a dimension which is larger than the other holes and its location is sensed to provide information as to the location of the belt seam. Each belt hole, as the belt rotates, is detected by the sensor which produces a signal corresponding to detection of the trailing edge of the hole. This output signal is generated for each of the three downstream print bars and a signal is applied to each print bar to start the image exposure sequence in registration with first image exposure. The imaging operation can begin with first detection of a hole by the print bar producing the first color image. The first hole need not be the hole associated with the belt seam since the control circuitry will identify the seam sensing hole signal by the different nature of the sensor signal and will delay the exposure of the related pitch so as to ensure that the subsequent image does not overlie the seam.

The present invention relates to a color printer which forms registered plural image exposures on a photoreceptor belt by a plurality of imagers and, more particularly, to improvements in printer efficiency and belt life by use of control means associated with detection of holes formed in the belt for registration and seam sensing purposes.
In single pass electrophotographic color printers having more than one process station which provide sequential images to form a composite image, critical control of the registration of each of the sequenced images is required. Failure to achieve registration of the images yields printed copies in which the images are misaligned and unsuitable for intended uses. In a single pass, color xerographic system, in which a plurality of imaging stations are positioned adjacent to a photoreceptor surface and selectively energized to create successive image exposures, one for each of the three basic colors. A fourth imaging station is added if black images are to be created as well. Thus, each image area on the photoreceptor surface must make at least three passes relative to the transverse scan lines formed by a modulated laser beam generated by the imaging system. Each image is formed by a series of horizontal scan lines with each line having a certain number of pixels per inch. Each image must be registered to within a 0.1 mm circle or within a tolerance of .+-.0.05 mm. Each color image must be registered in both the photoreceptor process direction (process registration) and in the direction parallel to the process direction (referred to as the fast scan or transverse registration).
Prior art color printers have utilized, as the imaging stations, raster output scanners (ROSs) or linear image print bars, typically LED print bars. A preferred method of obtaining the requisite color image registration is to form holes in the belt in non-image areas, the hole spaced at some known distance preceding one of the pitches (image exposure frames) of the belt. Each belt pitch has an associated belt hole with some systems providing pairs of belt holes formed at opposite sides of the belt for lateral process and skew registration purposes. As the photoreceptor belt moves through the various xerographic stations, the belt holes are detected by sensors output signals are used to provide the page sync triggering signals which expose the first and successive lines formed on the associated pitch. Other signals control the lateral registration (first information pixel of each scan line). The sensed hole pairs produce signals which are used to control for skew of the belt and/or the imager.
Prior art techniques for color registration utilizing belt hole detection in an LED printer system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,003 and in co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 07/862,150 filed Apr. 2, 1992 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.
Techniques for color registration utilizing belt hole detection in ROS-type systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,570 and in co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 07/807,927 filed on Apr. 2, 1992 and 07/970,889 filed on Nov. 3, 1992, both applications assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The above identified patents and applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
A problem in the prior art color registration systems described above is that the first image can only be formed when a belt seam is first detected. As is known in the art, belts are formed by a process which leaves a seam extending across the belt width. The seam presents a discontinuity in the photoreceptor surface. In operation the photoreceptor belt is moved at a predefined velocity, and the rate of travel of the advancing copy sheet is controlled so as to regulate the exposure and transfer operations in accordance with the position of the advancing sheet. Minor variations in the speed of the belt drive motor, due, for example, to variations in the power line voltage, result in a variation of the position of latent images on the photoreceptor. These variations are cumulative in nature and must be corrected to assure that the latent images are exposed at generally the same positions on the photoreceptor each time. If not corrected, the cumulative variation would eventually cause one or more of the exposed latent image areas to encroach on the photoreceptor seam, subsequently resulting in an unacceptable copy. A number of techniques can be used to provide seam sensing. For example, notches can be formed in the belt edge at known distances from the belt seam and detected by sensors which generate outputs used for timing and control purposes. Toner registration marks can also be formed along the edge of the belt and/or interframe area and detected by light passing through the belt and falling on dedicated sensor arrays. The detected marks result in sensor signal outputs which are used to identify the location of the seam.
With any of the seam sensing techniques, the first copy out time is a function of the seam location at the start of the print operation. It could be slightly less than a full belt revolution from the seam sensor, thus maximizing the first copy out time. A second disadvantage with the prior art seam sensing is that the first pitch or two downstream from the seam detection have much greater usage than pitches further downstream, e.g. pitches 3 and 4 in a 4 pitch, A3 copy system. Thus, the photoreceptor belt life is determined mainly by the wear and stress placed on the same two pitches of the belt. It would therefore be desirable to reduce the first copy out time interval and also to provide a random pitch imaging to prolong belt life where the first pitch to be imaged is not necessarily the pitch following the seam detection.
The present invention is directed towards an improved pitch registration and seam detection circuitry in a color printer which utilizes in one embodiment a plurality of holes associated with a plurality of image exposure frames or pitches on the circumference of a photoreceptor belt. In this embodiment, one of the holes is used for both identification of the seam and as a timing hole for sensing and registering an associated downstream pitch. The hole is formed slightly different than the other pitches; in the embodiment shown, by making it 50% longer than the other pitch holes in the process or belt travel direction. The printing operation can then begin immediately with the detection of a first pitch hole which passes by the sensor associated with the first imager (not necessarily the belt hole associated with the seam). Thus, the first pitch to be imaged will also be random. This embodiment will be able to accommodate the printing of A4 (81/2.times.11) and A3 (11.times.17) images as will be seen. In a second embodiment which can be used in machines dedicated to printing of A4 documents, control electronics are provided which treat each detected hole as if it were associated with a seam and provide delay such that each pitch associated with each detected hole receives a page sync signal following the same time delay. As will be explained, marks can be formed on a photoreceptor surface and used in the same way as the holes. Holes or marks are referred to generically as "targets". More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrophotographic printing machine which incorporates a photoreceptor belt which moves along a preselected path in a process direction, said belt having a seam extending across the width thereof, said color images formed in overlying registration to form a composite color image,
means for forming a plurality of targets on the surface of said belt, each of said targets associated with one of said belt pitches, one of said targets having a size different from the other marks, said one of said targets further associated with identification of said seam,
means for sensing said targets and for generating output signals representing detection of said targets, and
control means response to said output signals for maintaining the overlying registration of said color images and for preventing said images from overlying said seam.

Color printer having reduced first copy out time and extended photoreceptor life


Methods are disclosed which are useful in increasing maturation of dendritic cells from CD14+ mononuclear cells, by contact with a composition comprising a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum. The extract can also be used for increasing production of a cytokine or a chemokine in a dendritic cell or CD19+ B cell. In addition, a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum can be administered to a subject identified as needing increased immunoglobulin, cytokine, or chemokine production.

The immune system is composed of many interdependent cell types that collectively protect the body from bacterial, parasitic, fungal, viral infections and from the growth of tumor cells. Many of these cell types have specialized functions.
For example, dendritic cells play a pivotal role in inducing a primary immune response by capturing and presenting antigens to the cells of the adaptive immune system (e.g., B cells) that are responsible for the production of antibodies. In addition, both of these cell types secrete important classes of small molecular weight immunostimulatory proteins such as cytokines and chemokines.
Dendritic cell and B cell activity is compromised or insufficient in a wide range of human diseases. Thus, there is an ongoing need for compositions that increase the populations of these cells or enhance their activity in immunity.
Ganoderma species (a group of medicinal fungus) is known in the art. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Ling-Zhi) has been used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for promoting good health, perpetual youth, and longevity (Shiao, M. S., K. R. Lee, L. J. Lin, and C. T. Wang. in Food Phytochemicals for Cancer Prevention II: Teas, Spices, and Herbs. C. T. Ho, T. Osawa, M. T. Huang, and R. T. Rosen, eds. American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 1994, p. 342-354). Extracts of Reishi have been used as anti-tumor and immuno-modulating agents. (Sone, Y., R. Okuda, N. Wada, E. Kishida, and A. Misaki, in Agric. Biol. Chem. 1985 49:2641-2653; Wang S.-Y., Hsu M.-L. and Hsu H., Int. J. Cancer 1997 70, pp. 699-705; Vetvicka V., Thornton B. P. and Ross G. D., J. Clin. Invest. 1996 98, pp. 50-61; Van Strijp J. A. G., Russel D. G., Tuomanen E., Brown E. J. and Wright S. D., J. Immunol. 1993 151, pp. 3324-3336; Muller A., Rice P. J., Ensley H. E., Coogan P. S., Kalbfleisch J. H., Kelley J. L., Love E. J., Portera C. A., Ha T., Browder I. W. and Williams D. L., J. Immunol. 1996 156, pp. 3418-3425; Lee, S. S., Y. H. Wei, C. F. Chen, S. Y. Wang, and K. Y. Chen. Int. J. Chin. Med. 1995 6:1-12.) A fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction of Ganoderma lucidum Reishi extract has been found to be useful for stimulating the expression of an inflammatory cytokine or modulating differentiation of a mononuclear cell by Wong et al., WO 2006/44616, published Apr. 27, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


An improved aqueous catalytic oxidation-reduction composition for oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to produce elemental sulfur and a method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream whereby a gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is brought into contact with an aqueous catalytic oxidizing reaction composition containing a water soluble polyvalent metal salt having metal in the highest valence state and at least one nonionic surfactant having an HLB of from about 8 to about 10, preferably about 8.5 to about 9, which is adapted to wet the elemental sulfur formed. The nonionic surfactant is present in the reaction solution in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent formation of sulfur froth at the surface of the reaction solution and to cause the sulfur to precipitate as a granular solid that can be recovered by filtration, by centrifucation, or other similar means.

Removal of hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream by a liquid phase oxidation is known to the industry. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,097,925; 3,676,356; 3,897,219; 3,975,508; 4,009,251; 4,011,304; 4,014,983; 4,036,942; 4,076,621; 4,189,462; 4,218,342; 4,238,462; 4,374,104; 4,455,287; 4,482,524; 4,622,212; 4,705,676; and British Patent No. 948,270; the disclosures of which patents are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,104 is of particular interest in showing a composition containing chelated metal catalysts and surfactants of the generic type used in the present invention. The liquid phase oxidation process, in general, comprises bringing a hydrogen sulfide gas-containing stream into intimate contact with an aqueous oxidizing reaction solution. The reaction solution preferably comprises an aqueous oxidizing solution containing polyvalent metal ions (M) as a catalyst which receives electrons from the sulfide ion in aqueous solution to form elemental sulfur while reducing the metal ions from their higher valence state to a lower valence state, as illustrated by the following equation: EQU S.sup.-2 +2M.sup.+3 =S.sup.O +2M.sup.+2
In order to regenerate the catalytic metal ions to their original higher valence state, the reduced reaction solution is contacted with oxygen dissolved in the aqueous reaction solution, as illustrated by the following equation: EQU 1/2O.sub.2 +2M.sup.+2 +H.sub.2 O=2(OH).sup.- +2M.sup.+3
Among the polyvalent metals which can be used in the aqueous reaction solution in ionic form are iron, copper, vanadium, manganese, platinum, tungsten, nickel, mercury, lead, and tin, with iron being preferred.
In order to provide an economical, workable, continuous process for removing hydrogen sulfide gas from a fluid stream in which polyvalent metal ions are used to effect catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide, it is desirable to provide an aqueous catalytic reaction solution which is (a) stable at slightly acidic and alkaline pH values over a relatively wide pH range (preferably from about pH 5.5 to pH 13), and which is (b) capable of being rapidly regenerated after effecting oxidation of the hydrogen sulfide. This regeneration step (b), should occur without significant loss of the catalytic metal ions and/or sulfur and it should occur without an objectionable buildup of elemental sulfur in the reaction solution. While certain aqueous oxidizing reaction solutions containing a polyvalent metal ion catalyst, such as vanadium in the Stretford process, are relatively stable, other aqueous reaction solutions which contain a metal catalyst, such as iron, must be stabilized against precipitation of metal hydroxides and metal sulfides. Such stabilization is achieved by including in the reaction solution a chelating agent which maintains the metal catalyst in solution in both its higher and lower valence states in alkaline solution, and preferably over the pH range from about 5.5 to about 13. The continuous oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to form elemental sulfur by a chelated aqueous catalytic metal oxidation-reduction reaction solution and the regeneration of the reduced aqueous catalytic metal reaction solution can be represented by the following equations:
(1) Oxidation-Reduction: EQU H.sub.2 S(gas)+2(M chelate).sup.+3 2H.sup.+ +S.sup.o +2(M chelate).sup.+2
(2) Regeneration: EQU 1/2O2(gas)+2(M chelate).sup.+2 =2(OH).sup.- +2(M chelate).sup.+3
It is generally desirable to maintain a minimum concentration of between about 0.1 and about 10 weight percent sulfur in the reaction solution in order to increase the overall size of the sulfur particles in the reaction solution. A sulfur concentration in excess of about 10 weight percent can result in plugging of equipment and also interfere with the catalytic reactions. The most economical means for reducing the concentration of elemental sulfur in the reaction solution is to cause the sulfur to settle out of the reaction solution. However, because the elemental sulfur is formed while rapidly mixing a large volume of hydrogen sulfide-containing gas with a large body of aqueous reaction solution, a gas-liquid-solid sulfur dispersion is formed as a result of a large volume of gas moving at a relatively high velocity relative to a liquid reaction solution, and extremely fine solid elemental sulfur particles are formed in the reaction solution. Such fine particles have surface properties which cause the particles to adhere to minute gas bubbles in an aqueous reaction solution and float to the surface where they form a thick layer of froth on the surface of the reaction solution. This prevents rapid and complete settling of the sulfur and it increases the difficulty f separating and recovering the sulfur from the reaction solution. Treated gas compressor suction manifolds and screens tend to plug with fine sulfur particles requiring troublesome and time consuming cleaning and maintenance. Absorber internals also tend to become clogged with sulfur resulting in increased gas pressure drops. This also requires frequent plant shutdowns for cleaning.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved aqueous liquid phase oxidizing solution from which elemental sulfur formed therein can be more efficiently removed.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a substantially greater concentration of sulfur in the solution withdrawn from the reaction zone than has heretofore been achieved.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved aqueous metallic chelated oxidation-reduction reaction solution adapted for liquid-phase oxidation of hydrogen sulfide gas to form elemental sulfur, wherein the sulfur does not remain suspended in the reaction solution for a prolonged period of time or float to the surface and form a layer of froth on the surface of the reaction solution.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a more economical process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide gas from a fluid stream and recovery of elemental sulfur from a catalytic liquid-phase oxidizing aqueous solution.
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying detailed description and claims to follow.

Composition and method for removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams