A solid catalyst composition which has undergone a partial loss of catalytic activity due to the accumulation of reaction product residue is treated in a chemical conversion process reaction zone in the presence of feedstock(s) with ultrasonic energy of a magnitude and a duration sufficient to restore at least a significant percentage of the lost activity.

This invention relates to catalyzed chemical conversion processes in which solid catalysts become deactivated through the accumulation of reaction product residue or other solid contaminant, e.g., "coke" or other carboneous residue, and in particular, to the reactivation of such catalysts using ultrasonic energy applied to the catalysts after they have become partially but less than completely deactivated due to such accumulated residue.
The use of solid catalysts to effect chemical conversion processes such as cracking, reforming, isomerization, disproportionation, alkylation, hydration, etherification, etc., is known. These catalysts include non-crystalline or amorphous types such as silica and alumina, and crystalline types such as the zeolites, both of which types can contain one or more other catalytically active species. In use, the catalysts gradually accumulate deposits, or residues, which cover the catalysts' surfaces and/or fill their pores eventually rendering them essentially completely inactive. Thus, at some point during their on-stream life, a period of time which can be just a few minutes in the case of a cracking operation to hours, days or even weeks in the case of some other types of chemical conversions, e.g., olefin hydration to produce alkanol, it becomes necessary to recover the catalysts and to reactivate them. One of the most commonly practiced catalyst reactivation procedures employs a burn-off procedure in which the residues are converted to gaseous carbon oxides and water.
Some types of solid catalysts, however, cannot withstand the high temperatures, generally from about 600.degree. F. to about 1100.degree. F., which are typical of the aforementioned burn-off reactivation procedures. One such catalyst, a boron trifluoride-graphite intercalate which is used in paraffin alkylation, undergoes irreversible damage when subjected to temperatures of this magnitude. Other thermally sensitive catalysts respond in much the same way to the high temperatures of oxidative burn-off operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,184 describes the reactivation of hydrocarbon conversion catalysts employing ultrasonic sound, or insonation, either before or after a conventional burn-off operation. The reactivation procedure of this patent is disadvantageous in requiring separation of the catalyst from the feedstock, reactivating the catalyst and only then resuming the conversion operation. Even when, in accordance with this patent, the ultrasonic insonation is carried out within the conversion zone, i.e., within the reactor, the reactor must first be drained of feedstock and filled with a viscous liquid medium prior to insonation. This, of course, requires an interruption in the operation of the conversion process.

Reactivation of partially deactivated catalyst employing ultrasonic energy


Codes (the so-called DX codes) recorded on a plurality of films are read to classify the films into a plurality of film types. Light is measured with respect to images on the films to obtain image densities, and, on the basis of the resultant photometric values, the image densities are obtained and are then stored in correspondence with the film types. A reference value is calculated on the basis of the image density that corresponds to the film type to which one of the films to be subjected to printing belongs. A color region is specified on the basis of the calculated reference value, and, on the basis of photometric values that belong to the specified color region, image density values for the three primary colors are calculated. The exposure for use in the printing of the film to be subjected to printing is determined from a reference printing exposure condition already stored and the calculated image density values for the three primary colors. The stored image densities are compared to one another to determine whether they are identical or similar, and certain film types corresponding image densities which have been determined to be identical or similar are integrated as the same film type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photographic exposure determining apparatus and a film type data processing apparatus for use in a photographic printer. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the exposure for photographic printing, that is capable of automatically determining, on the basis of a reference printing exposure condition, the correct exposure condition with respect to each of a plurality of film types; and also to an apparatus for processing data on film types that is used in a photographic printer and is capable of automatically determining the correct exposure condition in the above-described manner with respect to each of a plurality of film types, to process data on film types.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image formed on a color negative allows, on the whole, the transmission therethrough of light of three colors, i.e., blue (B), green (G), and red (R). It is known from experience that, as a rule, the transmittance values of these three color-components are substantially equal to one another, or in a fixed ratio to each other. From this fact, an automatic photographic printer determines a printing light quantity (i.e., exposure) on the basis of the following formula: EQU Log Fj=Kj+Dj . . . (1)
where log F represents the logarithm of the printing light quantity, K represents a constant, D represents the light accumulated transmission density (LATD) measured by a photometric system, and j stands for any of B, G, and R light.
However, when the printing light quantity is controlled by an automatic photographic printer on the basis of the above-stated formula (1), the following problem arises. A print produced from an underexposed negative has an overall high density, whereas a print produced from an overexposed negative has a low density. In order to cope with this problem, a slope control circuit is provided to correct the term Dj in the formula (1) before the exposure is finally determined. However, even with an automatic printer provided with this slope control circuit, defective prints having incorrect color balance may be produced when the negative used is, for instance, a negative whose properties have changed due to the passage of a long period of time, a negative subjected to photographing using a light source much different from daylight, such as a fluorescent lamp or a tungsten lamp (i.e., a heterogeneous light-source negative), or a negative suffering from color failure. In addition, when it is necessary to process heterogeneous films, i.e., films manufactured by different manufactures, or films having differing sensitivities, because the three photosensitive layers of such heterogeneous films have different sensitivities, densities, etc., it is impossible to produce good prints under the same printing condition. Accordingly, the printing condition is determined with respect to each of the various different film types by trial and error before printing is affected. Thus, during the determination of the exposure, the term Dj of the formula (1) is corrected (this procedure is called "color correction"). If heterogeneous films are to be processed, another procedure takes place where the slope control value is varied.
In recent years, many types of high-sensitivity films have been produced, and the number of film types available has increased to several tends of types. However, as described before, the printing exposure conditions required by a plurality of film types are not always the same. In addition, although condition setting films are used to set the condition of the automatic printer with respect to each of various different film types, they cover only a very limited number of film types, which may serve as reference film types. Normally, a condition setting film is a negative having a first portion corresponding to a negative on which an image of a gray object is formed by photographing, and a second portion disposed around the first portion and corresponding to a negative on which an image of a yellow-green object is formed by photographing. Three kinds of condition setting films, i.e., a correct exposure negative, an underexposed negative, and an overexposed negative are available with respect to one reference film type. However, with respect to those film types whose characteristics differ from those of reference film types, the printing exposure conditions have to be set based on experience. In this way, the setting of a printing exposure condition with respect to each of various different film types is very difficult and requires experience accumulated over a long period of time. Further, in order to maintain high print quality, it is essential to suitably manage the printing exposure conditions with respect to each of various different film types. However, this management is difficult when there are many film types. To cope with this problem, the following techniques have been proposed, in which the correct exposure to be used during printing with respect to each of various film types is automatically determined on the basis of a single reference condition for printing exposure.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-85235 (1987) discloses a method in which a correction amount for correcting a printing exposure condition for a reference film is stored in a memory in correspondence with each of several film types. The film type of a film to be subjected to printing is determined by reading a bar code (the so-called DX code) recorded on the film. The correction amount corresponding to the determined film type is read to determine the exposure. With this method, however, since the correction amount has to be obtained before printing in correspondence with each of various film types, a great amount of labor is required and the level of precision achievable is insufficient when film types widely vary as they do nowadays. Furthermore, when a new film type is to be processed, a new correction amount has to be set. For this purpose, data on film codes have to be stored in the memory in correspondence with various film types. It is a very cumbersome task to manage a large number of film types, or to manage the addition of a new film type or the withdrawal of an obsolete film type.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 51-94927 (1976), 52-20024 (1977), 59-220761 (1984), 61-198144 (1986), etc. disclose techniques to divide a film frame into a plurality of sections, measure light with respect to each of the sections, and to subsequently analyze items of data obtained by the measuring of light (i.e., the photometric values), and correct a reference printing exposure condition on the basis of a selected photometric value so as to determine the exposure condition for use in printing of a film image which is to be printed. According to this known art, if the spectral sensitivity distribution in the light-measuring portion of the photometric system of the automatic printer accords with that of a printing photosensitive material with a very high degree of precision, it is possible to subject a plurality of types of films having different characteristics, to printing on the basis of the printing exposure condition corresponding to a reference film type.
If such is the case, i.e., if the spectral sensitivity distribution of the photometric system accords with that of the exposure portion, it is possible to effect correct printing exposure with respect to each of several film types on the basis of the printing exposure condition for the reference film type, only when the following condition is simultaneously satisfied. That is, the linear portions of three curves representing the characteristics of the relevant film with respect to R, G and B lights are substantially parallel to the linear portions of three curves representing the characteristics of the reference film type. For this reason, the above-described known art fails to produce good printed images within the exposure region that corresponds to the non-linear portions of the characteristic curves. Furthermore, in order to select photometric data, a certain reference value (e.g., a neutral color value) is necessary. It is an essential requirement that this reference value is correct.
In order to obtain the correct reference value, a method is known in which the reference value is determined using photometric data on images of one whole film. However, when the majority of images in one film are images deviating from standard images, the resultant reference value will also deviate, thereby leading to an error in the selection of the photometric data. When there are only a small number of image frames on the film, and, accordingly, only a small number of items of photometric data is available, the resultant reference value will have a low level of accuracy.
In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to classify a plurality of films of various different types according to their film types by reading the bar codes recorded on the films. Also, data on the image density of a relatively great number of film images is stored with respect to each of the film types, and the above-described reference value is calculated on the basis of the image density. However, this would lead to the problem that, as the number of film types increases, the number of items of data also increases, thereby resulting in a shortage of storage capacity.

Photographic printing exposure determining apparatus and film type data processing apparatus for photographic printer


According to one embodiment, a rotary compressor includes a compressing unit provided with a cylinder having a flared portion to provide a vane groove. In the compressing unit, a piston revolves along a cylinder inner wall, and an operation chamber is formed between the cylinder inner wall and the piston. A vane protrudes from the vane groove into the operation chamber and comes in contact with the annular piston to partition the operation chamber into an inlet chamber and a compression chamber. A spring inserted in a spring hole formed in the back of the vane groove presses the back of the vane. A spring holder pin is inserted in a pin hole located on the outer circumferential side of an end of the vane groove and crossing the spring hole to prevent the spring from coming off the spring hole when the compressing unit is installed in the housing.

For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-38084 discloses a conventional hermetic compressor including a sealed container, a cylinder, a crankshaft, a piston, a vane, and a spring. The cylinder includes a vane groove and located in the sealed container. The crankshaft includes an eccentric portion. The piston is rotatably fitted to the eccentric portion of the crankshaft and eccentrically rotates in the cylinder. The vane is installed in the vane groove of the cylinder and reciprocates in the vane groove while in contact with the piston at the end. The spring pushes the vane from the back against the piston.
Upon assembling the conventional hermetic compressor, the cylinder having the crankshaft, the piston, the vane, and the spring built therein is installed in the sealed container. At this time, the outer circumference side end of the spring protrudes from the cylinder and interferes with the sealed container. Accordingly, the spring is pushed into a spring hole of the cylinder and a pin is inserted in the outer circumference side end of the vane groove to press the outer circumference side end of the spring so that the outer circumference side end of the spring does not protrude from the cylinder.
With the conventional hermetic compressor, a pin is inserted in the outer circumference side end of the vane groove to press the outer circumference side end of the spring. Therefore, there is a need to push the spring deep into the spring hole to compress the spring to nearly solid length. This requires a large pressing force and results in poor assembly workability.

Rotary compressor with spring holder pin


The present invention provides a composition for forming a positive electrode of a secondary battery which includes a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a dispersing agent, in which the conductive material includes a carbon-based material having a specific surface area of 130 m2/g or more and an oil absorption number of 220 ml/100 g or more at 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % with respect to the total weight of the composition for forming a positive electrode, and the dispersing agent is introduced into the conductive material to form a conductive material-dispersing agent composite, and the conductive material-dispersing agent composite has a particle size distribution D50 of 0.8 μm to 1.2 μm, a positive electrode for a secondary battery and a secondary battery, which are manufactured using the same.

A micro carbon material such as carbon black, Ketjen black, fullerene, graphene or carbon nanotubes has been widely used in energy, aerospace fields, etc. because of excellent electrical characteristic and thermal conductivity. However, while to apply these micro carbon materials, uniform dispersion should be preceded, it is difficult to prepare a high concentration dispersed liquid of such a micro carbon material by a conventional method such as mechanical dispersion, dispersion using a dispersing agent, or dispersion through surface functionalization.
Recently, according to the technical development and increased demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is dramatically increasing. Among these secondary batteries, a lithium secondary battery which has higher energy density and voltage, a longer cycle lifespan and a lower self-discharge rate has been commercialized and widely used.
In a lithium secondary battery, electrodes including a positive electrode and a negative electrode are manufactured by mixing an electrode active material and a binder with a solvent in a batch to prepare a composition for forming an electrode, and applying the prepared composition for forming an electrode to a collector, followed by drying the composition. Here, to ensure conductivity between the active material and the collector, the composition for forming an electrode may include a fine carbon-based conductive material, and among these materials, carbon black has been widely used in that an active material charging rate can be increased, and the increase in internal resistance of the battery can be suppressed even in a small amount thereof.
However, since a conductive material is used in the form of several tens of nanometer-scale fine particles, they have a high cohesive strength, and therefore when dispersed in a solvent, aggregation between conductive material fine particles easily occurs. Such non-uniform dispersion of the conductive material in an electrode active material layer results in the decrease in conductivity and output characteristic of the battery, and an aggregate prepared by simply aggregating the conductive material has low structure maintenance, conductivity between active materials may be degraded. In addition, the conductive material may cause the non-uniform distribution of the binder in the active material layer and a decrease in the adhesive strength by adsorbing the binder due to a large specific surface area.
Therefore, by a method of preparing a paste by previously dispersing a conductive material in a solvent together with binder, and then adding an electrode active material to the paste, followed by stirring and mixing the resulting mixture, it was intended to solve problems associated with the dispersion of the conductive material. However, a dispersed liquid including a resin-based binder such as a fluorine resin, a cellulose resin, etc. may not have sufficient effects because of poor dispersion stability of conductive material particles and reaggregation of the conductive material particles.
In addition, there was an attempt to increase dispersibility of a conductive material by adding a vinyl pyrrolidone-based polymer as a dispersing agent to a conductive material and a solvent, and thereby, to favorably maintain a load characteristic or cycle characteristic of a battery. However, in this case, an electrode active material was insulated with the added vinyl pyrrolidone-based polymer by coating, or the added vinyl pyrrolidone-based polymer was modified to degrade a discharge characteristic when the battery is stored for a long time while charged, resulting in degradation in battery characteristics.
For the expansion of use of micro carbon particles in various fields as well as the lithium secondary battery, it is necessary to develop a method of uniformly dispersing micro carbon particles.

Composition for forming positive electrode of secondary battery, positive electrode for secondary battery and secondary battery manufactured using the same


A tilted wave semiconductor diode laser containing additional structural elements that improve beam quality is provided. The tilted wave laser includes a narrow active waveguide coupled to a broad passive waveguide, and light generated in the active waveguide leaks to the broad waveguide and propagates in it in the form of a tilted optical wave. The device emits laser light coming out from the broad waveguide in the form of one or two narrow beams. The additional structural elements may include grooves intersecting the narrow waveguide and a stripe that suppress undesired emission from the narrow waveguide; grooves that extend parallel to the stripe that suppress parasitic lateral optical modes; unpumped sections of the stripe that suppress light emission from the narrow waveguide; and facet coatings having distinct reflectance for the light in the narrow and in the broad waveguides thus suppressing emission of light from the narrow waveguide.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of semiconductor optoelectronic devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to high-power high-brightness semiconductor diode lasers with a narrow beam divergence and to wavelength-stabilized semiconductor diode lasers.
2. Description of Related Art
There is a need in high-power power semiconductor diode lasers for numerous applications including, but not limited to material processing, projection television, frequency conversion, etc. For these applications high power and high brilliance (power emitted in a unit solid angle) are of key importance.
Conventional prior art edge emitting laser. In this approach a narrow waveguide supporting only a single localized waveguide mode is fabricated. Then the gain medium placed in this waveguide interacts predominantly with this mode. Once the feedback through the reflecting facets or distributed feedback mechanism is provided the optical power accumulates in the waveguide, the stimulated emission lifetime shortens and, once the modal gain overcomes total losses, the lasing starts. This approach has severe limitations. First, the output power is limited by the catastrophic optical mirror damage, and all technological improvements including facet passivation, zinc diffusion, or proton bombardment still have limitations in optical power density. To achieve higher power by keeping the same power density one needs using broad waveguide and wide stripe lasers. However, the lasing from broad area lasers is typically multimode and also suffers from beam filamentation which renders the laser radiation not focusable. Attempts to stabilize fundamental mode lasing are further complicated by the fact that the high-order modes, propagating at a larger effective tilt angle to the axis of the waveguide, (e.g. high-order vertical modes), experience a higher facet reflectivity, the power accumulated in these modes is higher, the stimulated emission lifetime is shorter and the lasing can be initiated through these modes. Even if the lasing starts via the fundamental mode, or example, due to the higher optical confinement factor for these mode, once the excitation density is increasing, high-order modes evolve due to the special gain depletion and the gain spectrum hole burning effects for the fundamental mode. Once the objective is to obtain a high optical power focused onto a small spot, then a two-stage approach, where semiconductor diode laser operates as a pump source for pumping solid state laser and then an optical beam emitted from the solid state laser is used, however this is extremely expensive. Therefore there is a need in the art in semiconductor diode laser allowing high power narrow beam divergence single vertical mode lasing.
Furthermore once an objective is just to pump a solid state laser by a semiconductor diode laser, a requirement on wavelength stabilization arises, as the photon energy corresponding to the lasing wavelength must be in a relatively narrow resonance with a relevant optical transition in the active medium of the solid state laser.
A requirement on wavelength stabilization of a semiconductor diode laser may arise also for frequency conversion application, if a non-linear crystal has a relatively narrow energy band, in which the conversion efficiency is high.
Thus a need in broad waveguide lasers operating in a single mode, allowing also wavelength stabilization exists.
A novel concept allowing such a device has been proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,001, filed Jun. 16, 2006, entitled "EXTERNAL CAVITY OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE", issued Sep. 2, 2008, and in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,583,712, filed Jan. 3, 2007, entitled "OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME", issued Sep. 1, 2009, both by the inventors of the present invention, whereas these both patents are incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 1(a) shows a schematic diagram of a semiconductor diode laser (100) disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,001, by the inventors of the present invention. The device comprises a substrate (101), a waveguide (103), and a top cladding layer (129). The light generated within the waveguide propagates along the waveguide, which is shown schematically by the dashed line (104). Light propagating along the waveguide leaks to the substrate (101), propagates through the substrate, is reflected back from the back surface (131) of the substrate, and returns to the waveguide (103). Light in the substrate forms a tilted optical mode, or tilted wave (134). As the substrate thickness, which typically ranges from 50 to 300 micrometers significantly exceeds the thickness of the waveguide (103), the output light comes mainly from the substrate. The output light is emitted in two vertical lobes (145).
FIG. 1(b) shows a schematic diagram of a device (100) in more detail. The substrate (101) is formed from any III-V semiconductor material or III-V semiconductor alloy. For example, GaAs, InP, GaSb. GaAs or InP are generally used depending on the desired emitted wavelength of laser radiation. Alternatively, sapphire, SiC or [111]-Si is used as a substrate for GaN-based lasers, i.e. laser structures, the layers of which are formed of GaN, AlN, InN, or alloys of these materials. The substrate (101) is preferably doped by an n-type, or donor impurity. Possible donor impurities include, but are not limited to S, Se, Te, and amphoteric impurities like Si, Ge, Sn, where the latter are introduced under such technological conditions that they are incorporated predominantly into the cation sublattice to serve as donor impurities.
The n-doped bottom cladding layer (122) is formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice-matched to the substrate (101), is transparent to the generated light, and is doped by a donor impurity. In the case of a GaAs substrate (101), the n-doped cladding layer is preferably formed of a GaAlAs alloy.
The n-doped layer (124) of the waveguide (120) is formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice-matched to the substrate (101), is transparent to the generated light, and is doped by a donor impurity. In the case of a GaAs substrate, the n-doped layer (124) of the waveguide is preferably formed of GaAlAs alloy having an Al content lower than that in the n-doped cladding layer (122).
The p-doped layer (126) of the waveguide (120) is formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice-matched to the substrate (101), is transparent to the generated light, and is doped by an acceptor impurity. Preferably, the p-doped layer (126) of the waveguide is formed from the same material as the n-doped layer (124) but doped by an acceptor impurity. Possible acceptor impurities include, but are not limited to, Be, Mg, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn and amphoteric impurities like Si, Ge, Sn, where the latter are introduced under such technological conditions that they are incorporated predominantly into the anion sublattice and serve as acceptor impurities.
The p-doped cladding layer (129) is formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice-matched to the substrate (101), transparent to the generated light, and doped by an acceptor impurity.
The p-contact layer (109) is preferably formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice matched to the substrate, is transparent to the generated light, and is doped by an acceptor impurity. The doping level is preferably higher than that in the p-cladding layer (129).
The metal contacts (111) (shown in FIG. 1(c)) and (112) are preferably formed from the multi-layered metal structures. The metal n-contact (111) is preferably formed from a structure including, but not limited to the structure Ni—Au—Ge. Metal p-contacts (112) are preferably formed from a structure including, but not limited to, the structure Ti—Pt—Au.
A window is formed on the back side of the substrate, where no bottom, or n-contact (111) is deposited, and the back substrate surface is mirror-like.
The confinement layer (125) is formed from a material lattice-matched or nearly lattice-matched to the substrate (101), is transparent to the generated light, and is either undoped or weakly doped. The active region is preferably placed within the confinement layer (125) is preferably formed by any insertion, the energy band gap of which is narrower than that of the layers (122), (124), (126) and (129). Possible active regions include, but are not limited to, a double heterostructure, a single-layer or a multi-layer system of quantum wells, quantum wires, quantum dots, or any combination thereof. In the case of a device on a GaAs-substrate, examples of the active region include, but are not limited to, a system of insertions of InAs, In1-xGaxAs, InxGa1-x-yAlyAs, InxGa1-xAs1-yNy or similar materials.
Highly reflecting coat (117) is preferably mounted on the rear facet of the device, and an anti-reflecting coat (116) is preferably mounted on the front facet of the device.
The device operates as follows. The active region generates gain, when a forward bias is applied. Light (104) generated in the leaky waveguide (120) leaks to the substrate (101). Light in the substrate propagates (134) at a certain leaky angle leaky to the plane of the substrate surface. Light is reflected back from the back surface (131) of the substrate. Thus, in addition to the central part of the waveguide (120), wherein (120) may be considered as a first cavity, a second cavity is formed between the leaky waveguide (120) and the back surface of the substrate (131). Since the thickness of the substrate significantly exceeds the wavelength of light in the vacuum (preferred wavelengths of light range between 300 nm and 3 μm), the propagation of light in the substrate obeys the laws of geometrical optics. Therefore, in order to allow the exit of light from the substrate through the facet, it is necessary that the leaky angle leaky is below the angle of the total internal reflection at the semiconductor-air interface. Then, light comes out (145) through the front facet forming preferably a two-lobe far-field pattern with narrow lobes.
If the back surface of the substrate is polished, the light reflects back to the active region layer and no significant part of the light is lost. The threshold current density is low, even if the nominal leakage loss from the waveguide (120) is high. Moreover, the light coming back from the substrate to the waveguide (103), interferes with light (104) propagating just along the waveguide (103). When phase matching conditions hold, constructive interference between light propagating in the waveguide (103) and light returned from the substrate occurs. The phase matching conditions are met only at certain wavelengths which results in wavelength selectivity. In different approaches, the back side of the substrate may be coated, etching may be applied to enable wavelength adjustment, gratings can be deposited to additionally improve wavelength stabilization or enabling grating outcoupling of the light through the substrate, and so on. One or a few coatings can be deposited on the back surface of the substrate to protect the mirror-like quality of the surface.
FIG. 1(c) shows a schematic diagram of a device with a reflection from the substrate surface with an example of one of possible processing layouts, where selective deposition of the bottom n-type contact (111) leaves some parts of the back substrate surface (131) uncovered forming a mirror like semiconductor/air interface enabling a mirror like reflection of light from the back side of the substrate.
The lasing of the device (100) occurs, when the phase matching conditions between the light (104) propagating along the waveguide (103) and light leaking to the substrate, propagating in the substrate (134), reflecting back from the back surface of the substrate (131), and returning to the active region (125), are met. This occurs only for selected vertical optical modes and for selected wavelengths, which enables both single vertical mode operation and wavelength-selective operation.
An alternative way of creating a single-mode vertical lasing from a broad vertical waveguide has been taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,583,712, filed Jan. 3, 2007, entitled "OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME", issued Sep. 1, 2009, by the inventors of the present invention, this patent being incorporated herein by reference. Instead of leakage of light to the substrate, leakage of light into a second cavity is employed. FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a laser (200) comprising a first cavity, or a first waveguide (253) and a second cavity, or a second waveguide (203) separated by an intermediate cladding layer (250). The first waveguide (253) is thus bounded by the top cladding layer (258) and the intermediate cladding layer (250). The second waveguide is bounded by the bottom cladding layer (202) and the intermediate cladding layer (250). The active region (256) is placed within the first waveguide (253). The device (200) is preferably grown on an n-doped substrate (201). The bottom cladding layer (202), the second cavity (203), the intermediate cladding layer (250), and the layer (254) are preferably n-doped. The layer (257) and the top cladding layer (258) are preferably p-doped. The heavily p-doped p-contact layer (109) is placed on top of the top cladding layer (258). The bottom n-type contact (111) is deposited on the back side of the substrate. The top p-type contact (112) is deposited on top of the p-contact layer (109).
The active region (256) generates light when a forward bias (213) is applied. Light generated in the active region leaks from the first waveguide (253) through the intermediate cladding layer (250) into the second waveguide (203), propagates in the second waveguide (203), is reflected back from the bottom cladding layer (202) and returns back to the first waveguide (253). Lasing occurs when the phase matching conditions are met between light propagating just in the first waveguide (253) and light leaking to the second waveguide (203) and returning back.
FIG. 2 illustrate a tilted optical mode (270) in the first waveguide (253) and a tilted optical mode (220) in the second waveguide (203). The interaction between the optical modes of two cavities results in the formation of a combined optical mode of the entire device (200). The thickness of the first waveguide (253) does not preferably exceed three times the wavelength of light in the vacuum, whereas the second waveguide (203) is much broader, and can reach typical dimensions of 10 to 30 micrometers. Such extension of the second waveguide leads to the laser emission in two narrow vertical lobes (245).
FIG. 3(a) illustrates the principle of the wavelength selection. Referring to the laser (200), each of the two waveguides (253) and (203), confines optical modes. Optical modes confined in each of the waveguides may be described by dispersion laws relating the wavelength of light in the optical mode and the effective tilt angle of the mode. The wavelength of the optical mode confined in the narrower waveguide (253), as a function of the mode angle , is described by a solid curve in FIG. 3(a). The wavelength of the optical modes confined in the broader waveguide (203), as a function of the mode angle , is given by dashed curves. The phase matching condition for the device (200) is met at an intersection point of the two curves. As the thickness of the broader waveguide (203) significantly exceeds the thickness of the narrower waveguide (253), the spacing between the optical modes of the broader waveguide (203) in FIG. 3(a) is smaller than the spacing between the modes of the narrower waveguide (253). The laser (200) generates laser light at one or a few selected wavelengths, at which phase matching conditions are met, and a constructive interference and, hence, a positive feedback occurs. Namely, these are wavelengths 1, 2 and 3 in FIG. 3(a). The spectrum of laser radiation is also illustrated in FIG. 3(b). If only one selected wavelength overlaps with the luminescence spectrum of the active region (256) of the device (200), the device will generate wavelength-stabilized laser light.
The interaction between the optical modes confined in the first, narrow waveguide (253) and the modes of the second, broad waveguide (203) determines the optical mode of the entire device (200) and, hence, the far field pattern of the laser radiation. The far field pattern is shown schematically in FIG. 3(c). Generally, the far field pattern contains two narrow lobes generated from the broad waveguide (203) and a broad angular spectrum generated from the narrow waveguide (253). If narrow far field is targeted, the narrow waveguide (253) and the leaky angle  are engineered preferably in such a way, to ensure that most of the optical power is emitted in the narrow lobes. Preferably, more than eighty percent of the total optical power is emitted in the narrow lobes.
The same applies to a laser (100) of FIG. 1, wherein the substrate is employed as a broad waveguide.
If only a single lobe emission is targeted, this can be achieved by employing external mirrors. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus (400) enabling laser emission in a single narrow vertical lobe. Primarily, the laser (100) emits light which has a two-lobe far field (145). Correspondingly, two collecting mirrors (441) and (442) are used to reflect light back (146) to the facet. One of the mirrors (441) may be chosen semi-transparent to allow laser light coming out (445) having a single lobe far field. The apparatus (400) comprises an edge-emitting device (100), a first cavity between the facet (407) and the mirror (441), a second cavity between the facet (407) and the mirror (442), a non-transparent collecting mirror (442), and a semi-transparent collecting mirror (441).
Similarly, laser light in a single narrow lobe may be obtained from an apparatus, combining a laser (200) of FIG. 2 and a similar set of external mirrors.
Another possibility of a laser having an extended waveguide is a laser based on a vertical photonic band crystal disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,280, filed Sep. 4, 2001, entitled "SEMICONDUCTOR LASER BASED ON THE EFFECT OF PHOTONIC BAND GAP CRYSTAL-MEDIATED FILTRATION OF HIGHER MODES OF LASER RADIATION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME", issued Oct. 12, 2004, by the inventors of the present invention, whereas this patent is incorporated herein by reference.
Yet another possibility of a laser having an extended waveguide is a tilted cavity laser disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,360, filed Feb. 12, 2002, entitled "TILTED CAVITY SEMICONDUCTOR LASER (TCSL) AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME", issued Apr. 18, 2006, by the inventors of the present invention, whereas this patent is incorporated herein by reference.
In what follows, a tilted wave laser will be referred to as an example. A one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention refers to all types of semiconductor lasers having an extended waveguide.
FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show schematic diagrams comparing two basic realizations of the tilted wave laser. Both comprise a narrow waveguide and a broad waveguide coupled via a thin cladding layer. In FIG. 5(a) the substrate is employed as a broad waveguide. In FIG. 5(b) the broad waveguide is a layer grown epitaxially on a substrate. The functionality of both types of the tilted wave laser is basically the same. The only important difference is the thickness of the broad waveguide. A typical thickness of a waveguide grown epitaxially on a substrate may be within a range from 5 micrometers to 30 micrometers. The thickness of a substrate is typically within a range from 50 micrometers to 300 micrometers.
The advantage of using a substrate as a broad waveguide is a much simpler epitaxial growth and a larger thickness, if needed. The disadvantage of using a substrate as a broad waveguide is a necessity of special processing, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1(c) in order to reach mirror-like reflection of light from the back surface.
The advantage of using an epitaxial layer as a broad waveguide is a high quality epitaxial interface between the broad waveguide and bottom thick cladding layer which ensures the mirror-like reflection of light. Visible disadvantages are a need to grow epitaxially a thick layer which adds to the costs and limitations on the thickness.
If the targeted wavelength of light is such that the typical commercially available substrates are not transparent (e.g., GaAs substrate is absorbing at the wavelengths λ<870 nm), then only such a device is possible where a broad waveguide is realized as an epitaxial layer of a different material (e.g., as a transparent GaAlAs alloy).
FIG. 6 shows the refractive index profile and the optical mode profile for an example tilted wave laser, wherein the 100 micrometer-thick substrate is employed as a broad waveguide. FIG. 6(a) shows the refractive index profile on a coarse scale. FIG. 6(b) demonstrates the profile of the optical mode, showing specifically the electric field strength profile (the near-field profile). The near field profile reveals a strong peak within the narrow waveguide and an oscillatory behavior in the substrate. FIG. 6(c) shows the refractive index profile and the optical mode profile on a fine scale within the narrow waveguide.
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show the far-field pattern of the optical mode of FIG. 6(b). FIG. 7(a) shows the far-field pattern on a linear scale, and FIG. 7(b) shows the far-field pattern on a logarithmic scale allowing identify all features. The far-field pattern contains two narrow lobes, an oscillatory background, and a broad angular spectrum (central lobe). The two narrow lobes originate from the tilted wave in the broad waveguide. The oscillatory background comes from a finite thickness of the broad waveguide. The broad angular spectrum originates from the light in the narrow waveguide.
FIG. 8(a) shows schematically another possibility of lasing from a laser comprising a narrow waveguide (820) coupled to a substrate (101) through a thin cladding layer (822), a so called leaky laser (800). Light generated in the active medium located in the narrow waveguide leaks to the substrate (834) and then is emitted (845) from the substrate through the facet. Furthermore, light is also emitted (841) from the narrow waveguide (820). In this case no significant reflection from the back side of the substrate and no return of light to the narrow waveguide occurs. Light is emitted in the form of a single narrow lobe (855) and a broad angular spectrum (851) as shown in FIG. 8(b).
In a real device both types of lasing, one in the tilted mode as shown in FIG. 3(a) and one in the leaky mode as shown in FIG. 8(b) can coexist. In certain regimes, the lasing can start at threshold as tilted wave lasing, but, as the drive current increase, the temperature in the active region increases thus increasing the refractive index. This leads to localization of the optical mode and to enhancement of the emission in a broad angular peak.
Once the high power high brightness lasing is required for certain applications, the goal is to improve the characteristics of a tilted wave lasers such that the relative fraction of the output power in the narrow beams is maximized and the relative fraction of the output power in the broad angular spectrum emitted from a narrow waveguide is minimized. Thus, there is a need in the art to further improve the beam quality of the tilted wave laser and stabilize the tilted wave lasing in the two narrow vertical beams The present invention discloses means to additionally configure the tilted wave laser specifically to attain this goal. Furthermore, wavelength stabilized operation can occur only in a tilted wave mode. Therefore, is the wavelength-stabilized operation of a laser is a goal, the lasing in a mode of the narrow waveguide must be suppressed.

Semiconductor optoelectronic device with improved beam quality


A method of designing, constructing, and operating a hydrocarbon gas treatment plant is disclosed. A target hydrocarbon production range for a hydrocarbon gas meeting a required product specification is established. A cryogenic distillation column is designed and constructed with a vapor capacity to meet the target hydrocarbon production range. A variable feed refrigeration system is incorporated to cool an inlet feed of the hydrocarbon gas. The variable feed refrigeration system is designed to handle the target hydrocarbon production range and a wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms heating system is incorporated to handle heating duties associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms pumping system is incorporated to handle liquid flows associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed.

This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with the present disclosure. This discussion is intended to provide a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.
The production of natural gas hydrocarbons, such as methane and ethane, from a reservoir oftentimes carries with it the incidental production of non-hydrocarbon gases. Such gases include contaminants, such as carbon dioxide ("CO2"), hydrogen sulfide ("H2S"), carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, various mercaptans, and mixtures thereof. When a feed stream being produced from a reservoir includes these contaminants mixed with hydrocarbons, the stream is oftentimes referred to as "sour gas." The contaminants themselves are oftentimes referred to as "acid gas."
Many natural gas reservoirs have relatively low percentages of hydrocarbons and relatively high percentages of contaminants. Contaminants may act as a diluent and lower the heat content of hydrocarbons. Further, some contaminants, like sulfur-bearing compounds, can be noxious. Additionally, in the presence of water some contaminants can react to form corrosive compounds.
It is desirable to remove contaminants from a stream containing hydrocarbons to produce sweet and concentrated hydrocarbons. Specifications for pipeline quality natural gas typically call for a maximum of 2-4 mole % CO2 and ¼ grain H2S per 100 scf (4 ppmv) or 5 mg/Nm3 H2S. Specifications for lower temperature processes such as natural gas liquefaction plants or nitrogen rejection units typically require less than 50 ppm CO2.
The separation of contaminants from hydrocarbons is difficult and consequently significant work has been applied to the development of hydrocarbon/contaminant separation methods. These methods can be placed into three general classes: absorption by solvents (physical, chemical, and hybrids), adsorption by solids, and distillation.
Separation by distillation of some mixtures can be relatively simple and, as such, is widely used in the natural gas industry. However, distillation of mixtures of natural gas hydrocarbons, such as those containing primarily methane, and one of the most common contaminants in natural gas, carbon dioxide, can present significant difficulties. Conventional distillation principles and conventional distillation equipment are predicated on the presence of only vapor and liquid phases throughout the distillation tower. However, the separation of CO2 from methane by distillation involves temperature and pressure conditions that result in solidification of CO2 if pipeline or better quality hydrocarbon product is desired. The required temperatures are cold temperatures typically referred to as cryogenic temperatures.
Certain cryogenic distillations can overcome the above mentioned difficulties. These cryogenic distillations provide the appropriate mechanism to handle the formation and subsequent melting of solids during the separation of solid-forming contaminants from hydrocarbons. The formation of solid contaminants in equilibrium with vapor-liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons and contaminants at particular conditions of temperature and pressure takes place in a freezing section.
One challenge is the increasing need to process gas from reservoirs having a high acid gas content. For example, some reservoirs may have greater than 10 mole %, or 15 mole %, or 20 mole % acid gas and up to 30 mole %, or 40 mole %, or 50 mole %, or 60 mole %, or 70% mole %, or 80 mole % acid gas. Some reservoirs may even have greater than 50 mole % acid gas. Conventional technologies and even certain cryogenic distillations may have difficulty processing such a high proportion of acid gas. The challenge is greatly accentuated when the proportion or fraction of acid gas in the feed gas increases over time. Processing increased contaminants may also impact the volume of processed natural gas.
Another challenge is that a gas processing plant may be required to process feed gas from more than one reservoir, where each of the reservoirs supplies a feed gas with different acid gas fractions. Therefore, a need exists for a gas processing plant that can accommodate a wide range of acid gas fractions in a feed gas with a minimum of plant re-design. Additionally, a need exists for a gas processing plant that can substantially maintain its output regardless of the amount of contaminants in the feed gas input to the plant.

Treatment plant for hydrocarbon gas having variable contaminant levels


An intake duct capable of reducing intake noise when an engine runs at a low speed and supplying a sufficiently large amount of air when the engine runs at a high speed without using any electron control circuit or electromagnetic valve, which is produced at low costs. The intake duct includes valve adjusting means which restrains the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings a second intake passage from the closed state to the open state, and facilitates the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings the second intake passage from the open state to the closed state. When the second intake passage is brought to the open state from the closed state, the restraining force of the valve adjusting means is great to restrain the movement of the valve member, and when the second intake passage is brought to the closed state from the open state, the valve member readily pivots to open the second intake passage. Thus, the valve member is free from the half-closed state, and consequently, the generation of low-frequency booming noise can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intake duct as a passageway adapted to supply air to an engine, and more particularly to an intake duct capable of reducing noise during use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Intake systems used with motor vehicle engines generate noise in conjunction with the intake of air. This intake noise is offensive to persons in the motor vehicle, particularly when the engine is running at low speeds. Conventionally, side branches and/or resonators have been provided in such intake ducts to reduce the noise at a specific frequency, calculated, for instance, in accordance with the Helmholtz's resonance theory.
However, the side branches may be as long as about 30 cm, and the resonators may have a volume as great as 14 litters. To install these devices in the engine compartment, increased space is needed which necessarily decreases the amount of room available for installing other parts.
Japanese Utility Model application laid-open No. Sho 64-22866 discloses an arrangement where orifices are provided in an intake duct, and intake air is throttled at the positions of the orifices; thereby reducing intake noise. By throttling the intake passage in this manner, the acoustic mass increases, and consequently, the intake noise of the engine at low frequencies can be reduced.
Japanese Utility Model application laid-open No. Hei 3-43576 discloses a device for reducing intake noise that includes two intake pipes, and a valve which selectively opens and closes the upstream side of one of the intake pipes in accordance with the an operating mode of the engine.
An intake duct shown in FIG. 49 for example, corresponds to the intake duct disclosed in Japanese Utility Model application laid-open No. Hei 3-43576, and includes a first intake pipe 1000 of a small diameter and a second intake pipe 2000 of a larger diameter. In the second intake pipe 2000, a valve 3000 is pivotably provided. A pivot shaft of the valve 3000 is connected to a center of a disk-like cam 4000, and a spring 5000, one end being fixed to a vehicle body, is secured to a periphery of the cam 4000. The spring 5000 is arranged such that the biasing force thereof is reduced to a minimum when valve 3000 fully closes the second intake pipe 2000.
With the intake duct thus arranged and the intake pressure of the second intake pipe 2000 less than a predetermined value, valve 3000 fully closes the second intake pipe 2000 so that air is drawn through only the first intake pipe 1000; this reduces intake noise across low frequencies. When the intake pressure exceeds the predetermined value, valve 3000 pivots against the biasing force of spring 5000, which is transmitted through cam 4000, to increase the opening area of the second intake pipe 2000 in proportion to the intake pressure, thus enabling a sufficient amount of air to be supplied.
The above-described method of throttling the intake passage, however, produces a problem when the engine runs at a high--speed since the amount of intake air is insufficient and lowers the engine output.
With the device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model application laid-open No. Hei 3-43576, there is a state where valve 3000 is held between a fully closed position and its fully-open position to prolong the time period the second intake pipe 2000 is half closed. In this case, the problem is that since the acoustic mass is small, the intake noise is large even though the engine is running at a low speed, resulting in booming noise of low frequencies entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.
Furthermore, Japanese Utility Model application laid-open No. Hei 3-43576 discloses the use of an electronic control circuit, an electromagnetic valve, and a diaphragm actuator, or the like, for operating a valve member. The use of these parts increases in the total number of parts used, and also increases the complexity of the device, both of which are less favorable in terms of production costs.


A laptop computer security attachment and handle assembly comprising an elongated mounting bracket having at each end and extending perpendicularly therefrom an L-shaped bracket and an elongated handle member with bushings for pivotally attaching the handle member to the L-shaped members. One of the L-shaped members is provided with an elongated hole for receiving a security cable for securing the laptop computer to a structure as by a padlock, or the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to laptop computers in general and in particular to a laptop computer security attachment and handle assembly for a laptop computer sold by Apple Computer Company under the brand name PowerBook.
2. Description of the Related Art
The laptop computer sold by Apple Computer Company under the brand name PowerBook has been sold heretofore with no means being provided for conveniently carrying the computer nor has there been provided heretofore any means for conveniently and securely attaching the computer to a structure, such as a desk, table or the like, for deterring or preventing its theft or other unauthorized removal.


The present disclosure is directed to oral vaccine dosage forms and processes for producing the oral vaccine dosage forms. The dosage forms include lipid-based vesicles (e.g., virosomes, liposomes) harboring an immunogenic amount of at least one vaccinal target molecule, with or without adjuvant. Specifically, Applicants discovered a combination of the composition of the liquid virosome concentrates, the composition of the base matrix for the solid dosage form formulation (excluding the virosome concentrate), and the manufacturing conditions for the dosage forms that can produce a freeze dried sublingual dosage form having physical robustness, particle and antigen integrity and stability.

Vaccines are traditionally delivered by intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous injections. These injections can produce strong systemic immune responses, while the efficacy for triggering mucosal immune responses are variable and often weak or undetectable, particularly for subunit vaccines. From the draining lymph nodes that have processed the injected vaccine, antigen specific cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and antibodies produced by B cells can migrate to different organs in the body but their migration to the various mucosal tissues (e.g., genital, intestinal, respiratory) is often limited or not possible due to inadequate homing mucosal receptors and chemotaxis. However, the intranasal route that is also considered as a parenteral immunization route can trigger good mucosal immune responses in the respiratory, genital and intestinal tract that are sharing some interconnections, which is more accessible if the vaccine is delivered at the mucosal site. Therefore, such parenteral vaccines may offer protection in some cases against mucosal pathogens.
Because most pathogens enter the body through mucosal tissues (oral, respiratory, genital, and intestinal tracts) and many of them only replicate in the mucosal tissues, mucosal vaccination may optimally induce front line defense by inducing both innate (ex. NK cells) and adaptive (T and B cells) immune responses at the local and distant mucosal sites.
With resident mucosal defense, protection can be immediate with no delay in cell recruitment from the periphery, which allows to interfere more efficiently with very early events of transmission and infection events prior pathogen spreading and in some cases, reservoir establishment.
Mucosal tissues and lymph nodes contain more than 90% of the immune cells. Moreover, mucosal antibodies represent about 80% of the total body antibody production. Thus, the local immune response by mucosal antibodies can act as a front line defense against mucosal infections (e.g., HIV-1, herpes viruses, rotaviruses, etc.) and entry across mucosal tissues for reaching other organs (e.g., HIV-1, hepatitis B, tuberculosis). In contrast, blood antibodies can act as a backup defense once the pathogens have crossed the mucosal defense or in synergy with mucosal antibodies and mucus environment. Blood antibodies primarily act as an efficient front line defense for dealing with pathogens entering directly into the blood stream following mosquito bites (e.g., malaria, chikungunya, dengue, Zika, West Nile virus, yellow fever, etc.) or accidental skin/mucosal injuries (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
Mucosal vaccine delivery (via the buccal, sublingual, nasal, oral, or vaginal mucosa) has received increasing interest as a means of inducing local and distant antibody immune response as well as systemic immune response. In addition, mucosal vaccine delivery by solid dosage forms (e.g., buccal/sublingual tablets, oral tablets or capsules, vaginal inserts) can offer several advantages such as the potential for mass immunization, patient compliance, ease of use, product shelf life stability, cold-chain independent capability. Furthermore, mucosal vaccine delivery can be suitable for patients that have needle injection phobia and the patient can self-administrate the vaccine with adequate explanations. The buccal/sublingual route has been used for many years to deliver drugs and small molecules to the bloodstream, but its application as a means of mucosal delivery for vaccines has received little attention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Oral dispersible vaccine comprising virosomes


An electric motor in which an inner ring magnetic pole portion (10) consisting of magnetic pole pieces (7) is fitted into an outer ring yoke portion (5) to form stator core (6); an insulating resin is shaped and fixed, the insulating resin includes coil guards (16) which protrude on one end face of the inner ring magnetic pole portion (10); grooves for inserting insulating wedges (31) are formed on the side wall of the coil guards (16); a rotor (17) is inserted into the inner ring magnetic pole portion (10); an insulating cover (19) which consists of pins (25) and bobbin columns (20) including outer poles (24) and inner poles (23) is put on the rotor (17); coils (26) are wound in the space formed between the inner poles (23) and the center of the inner ring magnetic pole portion (10).

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motor in which an outer ring yoke portion and an inner ring magnetic pole portion are separately formed, a rotor is inserted into the inner ring magnetic pole portion, and coils are wound on the inner ring magnetic pole portion.
2. Description of Prior Art
FIGS. 28 and 29 show a conventional electric motor. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a stator of the motor, and FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the motor. In a conventional motor as shown in FIG. 28, slots 1 are formed at an inner circle of an iron plate 2. A plurality of such iron plates 2 are stacked so as to form a stator 3. Coils 4 are wound between the slots 1 of the stator 3 by the insert method. A U-shaped insulating wedge is disposed in each of the slots 1 (for example, see Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) Sho-56-141576) .
As shown in FIG. 29, after leads 4a are connected to respective terminals of the coils 4 on the stator 3, the stator 3 is located in a housing (not shown), and the leads 4a are connected to a power supply cord (not shown) (for example, see Examined Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) Sho-59-32980).
FIGS. 30 and 31 show another conventional electric motor. FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an outer ring yoke portion of the motor, and FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a terminal cover of the motor of FIG. 30. In a conventional motor as shown in FIG. 30, a terminal holder 67 is mounted on an outer ring yoke portion 5. Terminals of coils 26 are connected to terminals 68 on the terminal holder 67. Thereafter, a terminal cover 69 on which leads 47 are mounted is attached to the terminal holder 67, so that the terminals 68 and the leads 47 are connected to each other (for example, see Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication Sho-57-115545).
In the above-mentioned conventional motor shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the coils 4 are inserted into the slots 1 by the insert method. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the coils 4 with an extra length (slackening) in addition to the length needed for winding the coils 4 between the slots 1. As a result, the necessary length of the coils 4 should be made larger, and hence the amount of conductors for the coils becomes large, which deteriorates the characteristics. In some cases, the coils 4 may be bulged out of the slots 1, or ends of the coils 4 may be unbraided. In such cases, it takes a long time to perform working processes such as shaping, coil binding, and varnishing. Moreover, such working processes are difficult to be mechanized.
Moreover, the connections between the coils 4 and the leads 4a, and thermal fuses (not shown) and the coils 4 are manually performed by soldering or the like which requires skill. Therefore, there exists another problem in that the connecting work requires man power and takes a long time.
When the U-shaped insulating wedges are to be inserted into the slots 1, the shape of the wedges makes the insertion difficult. Because of this poor workability, it is difficult to automatically perform the insertion. Moreover, in some cases, the coils 4 may be bulged out from the gap formed between the wedge and the stator 3. Since it is difficult to automatically detect this failure, there arises a problem in that it is necessary to perform the detection by visual observation.
In another conventional motor shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the terminal holder 67 and the terminal cover 69 are separately formed, thereby causing a poor working efficiency in assembling the motor. Therefore, there is a problem in that the motor cannot be automatically assembled.

Electric motor with bobbin columns to prevent bulging coils


The present invention relates to lead-through tool for pipes, comprising a tool body (1) having a rear end (15) provided with a means (16) for interaction with a rotary machine, preferably a handheld drilling machine, and a front end (17) at which there is provided either an adapter mechanism (18) for coupling to a removable implement (2) or an implement (19) integrated with said end (17), preferably in the form of a drill steel, wherein said tool body (1) is provided with holding means (13), at a position between said front (17) and rear (15) end, said holding means (13) being adapted to be able to hold a pipe (3) which is slipped onto said tool body (1) over said rear end (15) until interacting with said holding means (13).

Electricians, plumbers, and others often get problems after making holes in a wall/floor etc., with being able to pass a cable after a pipe through the drilled hole. One frequently occurring reason for this is that walls, floors, as a rule contain e.g. insulation chips, plastic, tar paper or other similar things preventing an easy lead-through. Another reason might be that the hole is drilled through two walls arranged at a distance from each other and that the cavity between these walls is large. The problem implies that waste of time frequently occurs when pipes or cables are to be passed through walls or the like.


A system to permit a user-friendly approach to determine and access the portions of a program code associated with respective web page components is described. In one example embodiment, the system comprises an option detector and a mapping module. The option detector may be configured to detect an instruction to augment HTML markup of a web page with mapping, where the mapping associated with correlation between web page components and corresponding portions of program code. The mapping module may be configured to generate the mapping and to augment the HTML markup of the web page with the mapping.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the set of markup symbols or codes inserted in a file intended for display on a World Wide Web (web) browser page. The markup provides instructions to a web browser on how to display various components of the associated web page. Each individual markup code may be referred to as a tag. Some tags come in pairs that "wrap" a region of HTML markup and indicate when some display effect is to begin and when it is to end.
HTML code can be created manually, using, for example, a text editor. HTML code (or markup) may also be generated by a server-side program code or application. The appearance or functionality of a component on a web page may be modified by introducing changes to the portion of the server-side program code that is responsible for generating the HTML markup associated with that web page component.

Method and system to maintain a web page


A camera device includes a camera body including a camera housing which is formed into a substantially spherical shape, a bracket fixable to a vehicle, and a socket provided on the bracket into which a spherical portion of the camera housing is fittable. The camera body includes an imaging lens which is exposed from the socket. The spherical portion of the camera housing is fitted into the socket so that the imaging lens has an optical axis a direction of which is adjustable in a vertical direction and in a right-left direction relative to the socket.

1. Field
Embodiments described herein relate to a camera device, and more particularly to a camera device suitable to be mounted on vehicles by a customer/user installation manner.
2. Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2010-254078 discloses a vehicle-mounted customer/user installed camera device comprising a camera body, a holder, a ball joint and a bracket. The holder is fixed to an upper surface of the camera body, and the ball joint is accommodated in the holder. The bracket is mounted on the ball joint.
The bracket is fixed to a vehicle so that the camera device is mounted on the vehicle. The bracket is connected to the ball joint accommodated in the holder. Since the camera body is fixed to the holder, an installation angle of the camera body is adjustable in three or X, Y and Z directions perpendicular to one another.
The ball joint accommodated in the holder is used as an angle adjusting unit for the camera body in the above-described conventional camera device. The camera body is coupled via the ball joint with the bracket. Accordingly, an increase in the size of the camera device is unavoidable. This results in blocking driver's and passenger's views by the camera device as well as defiling vehicle interior.


Disclosed by the present application are a data transmission method, device and apparatus, the method comprising: a terminal transmitting data to a base station by means of normal resources; when the base station adjusts the configuration of the normal resources so that the terminal transmits data when the normal resources are unavailable, or when the normal resources cannot complete a configured number of repeated transmissions, data is transmitted to the base station on potential resources, wherein the normal resources and the potential resources are resources used for transmitting data which are semi-statically configured for the terminal by the base station; and when the normal resources are unavailable and the potential resources do not serve as a third type of resource for other terminals, the base station and the terminal determine a potential resource for transmitting data that needs to be used according to the same mode.

The technical solution aiming at the conflict between semi-static resource configuration and dynamic changes in resource properties in current Ultra Reliable & Low Latency Communication (URLLC) is as follows.
If there is a conflict on an initial resource, delay is performed according to Table 1 below; and if there is a conflict on resources other than the initial resource, data transmission on those resources is abandoned.
Table 1 shows transmission schemes corresponding to different redundancy versions (RV) under configuration of different repetition times K in an URLLC uplink transmission without grant.
According to current standards, through Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration, such as K=4 and RV={0 3 0 3}, the time domain resource position is {initial Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) symbol, the quantity of OFDM symbols}, and this time domain resource position is defined as a transmission opportunity (TO), namely, a resource that completes one repeated transmission, wherein K=4 means that four repeated transmissions are needed, and four TOs are needed. Here, the TO is usually continuous in time domain.
The line K=4 in Table 1 below is taken as an example. When data arrives before the first TO, the data can be transmitted from the first TO to the fourth TO, namely four times of transmission, and RV is {0 3 0 3}. When data arrives after the first TO and before the third TO, the data can be transmitted from the third TO to the fourth TO, namely two times of transmission, and RV is {0 3}. When data arrives after the third TO, data is not transmitted.
TABLE 1RV =RV = {0 0 0 0}RV = {0 3 0 3}{0 2 3 1}K = 1{0}{0}{0}K = 2{0 0} if start{0 3} always start{0 2}from 1st TOfrom 1st TOalways{0} if startstart fromfrom 2nd TO1st TOK = 4{0 0 0 0} if start{0 3 0 3} if start{0 2 3 1}from 1st TOfrom 1st TOalways{0 0 0} if startstart fromfrom 2nd TO1st TO{0 0} if start{0 3} if start fromfrom 3rd TO3rd TO{0} if startfrom 4th TOK = 8{0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0}{0 3 0 3 0 3 0 3}{0 2 3 1 0if start from 1stif start from 1st TO2 3 1}TOalwaysstart from{0 0 0 0 0 0 0}1st TOif start from 2ndTO{0 0 0 0 0 0} if{0 3 0 3 0 3} ifstart from 3rd TOstart from 3rd TO{0 0 0 0 0} ifstart from 4th TO{0 0 0 0} if start{0 3 0 3} if startfrom 5th TOfrom 5th TO{0 0 0} if startfrom 6th TO{0 0} if start{0 3} if startfrom 7th TOfrom 7th TO
The disadvantage of the prior art is that when data arrival time is inconsistent with resource configuration, semi-static resources cannot complete K repeated transmissions, so that the uplink transmission of URLLC will be partially canceled, which will affect reliability of data transmission.
Further, to enhance reliability, it is necessary to configure new resources or TOs by dynamic signaling, which will increase signaling overheads and implementation complexity.

Data transmission method, device and apparatus

Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co., Ltd.


A dual voltage tandem engine start system provides a method for high rotational speed, low emissions, heat-engine start-ups in a hybrid electric vehicle. The system also provides a reliable backup system that can be jumpstarted in an emergency should part of the vehicle""s electrical system fail. At start-up, a conventional low voltage starter motor (typically 12-volt) begins turning the heat engine up to a predetermined initial engine RPM. When this RPM is reached, a higher voltage motor/generator, in tandem with the low voltage starter motor, also begins turning the heat engine. Once a second, predetermined heat engine RPM is reached, the low voltage starter motor stops turning the engine, leaving the motor/generator to turn the heat engine to a final engine RPM where it begins fueling and combustion starts. This final engine RPM is sufficiently high to allow a low engine emission start once fueling begins.

This invention relates generally to a dual voltage tandem engine start system and method, and more specifically to a dual voltage tandem engine start system and method for starting hybrid electric vehicles.
Hybrid electric vehicles achieve high fuel mileage and low vehicle emissions by combining a battery-powered electric motor/generator (MG) with a highly efficient heat engine, typically an internal combustion engine (ICE). By using on-board engine computer controls to vary when each engine or combination of engines are used, the hybrid motor vehicle can achieve peak efficiency in different driving conditions. Hybrid motor vehicles can be classified as xe2x80x9cseriesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cparallelxe2x80x9d hybrid motor vehicles. Series hybrids only have the electric motor/generator powering the driving wheels, while the heat engine drives a generator that serves to recharge the electric motor""s battery. Parallel hybrids use both the electric motor/ generator and the heat engine to provide power to the driving wheels. Most parallel hybrid vehicles do not fix the ratio of power from the electric motor/generator and the heat engine, but rather vary the ratio of power from the electric motor/generator and heat engine depending on which engine or motor or combination thereof has the greatest efficiency in a particular situation.
Parallel hybrid motor vehicles can be further classified as either xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d (often also known as xe2x80x9cmildxe2x80x9d) or xe2x80x9cfull.xe2x80x9d Soft or mild hybrids always operate with the heat engine powering the driving wheels, while the electric motor/generator provides extra power to the wheels in parallel with the heat engine""s power only when needed. In contrast, full hybrids do not always have the heat engine powering the driving wheels. Depending on the power required at the driving wheels, the vehicle control unit will select between only the electric motor/generator driving the wheels, only the heat engine driving the wheels, or a combination of both electric motor/generator and heat engine driving the wheels in parallel. Typically, a full hybrid motor vehicle will utilize the electric motor/generator alone to power the driving wheels from a stop (such as a stoplight) or under light loads, such as in stop-and-go traffic; that is, under conditions in which the electric motor/generator can perform more efficiently at varying speeds and motor rotational speeds than can the heat engine. At constant loads, such as when cruising at a steady speed and RPM on the highway, the heat engine alone will power the driving wheels. When the full hybrid motor vehicle is under heavy load, such as when it is accelerating rapidly or driving up an incline, both the electric motor/generator and the heat engine will provide power to the driving wheels. Most parallel hybrid vehicles, whether they are full or soft hybrids, will turn off the heat engine when the car is stopped for an extended amount of time (for example, at a stoplight) to conserve fuel. The electric motor/generator, as well as the motor vehicle""s electrical system, will remain on. As soon as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the heat engine will immediately start up (in the case of a soft hybrid) or will remain off until needed, with only the electric motor/generator powering the driving wheels (in the case of the full hybrid). Hybrid motor vehicles thus can achieve the same efficiency as a motor vehicle with a small engine, but without sacrificing undue amounts of power and engine performance.
Hybrid motor vehicles differ from conventional, fully electric vehicles by not requiring that the vehicle be xe2x80x9cplugged inxe2x80x9d to recharge the motor/generator""s battery pack. Hybrid motor vehicles recharge their battery packs in the process of driving and, barring a dead battery or a system failure, do not require any outside battery charging. This battery recharging is done by the motor/generator in combination with the heat engine. The motor/generator is built in such a way that it functions as a motor, turning a crankshaft or driveshaft, when supplied with power, and functions as a generator, producing electric power, when the motor/generator""s crankshaft or driveshaft is turned by some outside force. Thus, when the heat engine turns the motor/generator""s crankshaft through a belt drive, system of gears, or the like, the motor/generator produces electricity that recharges the battery or battery pack. Most hybrid vehicles also utilize regenerative braking, in which the electric motor/generator is turned by the driveshafts connected to the driving wheels as the motor vehicle coasts to a stop, allowing the motor/generator to turn and recharge the battery or battery pack.
In most hybrid motor vehicles, the motor/generator, battery pack, and related hardware are designed to operate at a higher voltage than the voltage used throughout the rest of the motor vehicle. That is, hybrid vehicles retain the conventional 12-volt battery and related electronic equipment found in non-hybrid motor vehicles to run the hybrid motor vehicle""s accessories (such as the headlights, radio, electronic componentry, engine computer, and the like) so as to keep the hybrid motor vehicles as unchanged as possible from conventional motor vehicles and thus cut down on manufacturing costs. Hybrid motor vehicles also utilize a separate, higher voltage motor/generator bus to power the driving wheels. There are a number of reasons for using a higher voltage motor/generator: it allows the engine to be restarted more quickly than is possible with a conventional 12-volt system, and it provides more power to the driving wheels when accelerating, hill climbing, and the like. The way in which the higher voltage system and the traditional 12-volt system are configured varies between different hybrid motor vehicle models. The most notable differences between dissimilar configurations are the way in which they perform the hybrid motor vehicle""s xe2x80x9cfirst start.xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cFirst startxe2x80x9d refers to the motor vehicle being started for the first time after the motor vehicle has been completely shut off. xe2x80x9cFirst startxe2x80x9d does not refer to the motor vehicle""s heat engine being started after a long stop, for example at a stoplight. Such starts that occur after a delayed stop (such as at a stoplight) will be referred to hereafter as xe2x80x9cquick starts.xe2x80x9d It is desirable during the hybrid motor vehicle""s first start to spin the heat engine up to a sufficiently high rotational speed before providing the heat engine with fuel, so that when fuel is delivered to the heat engine, the heat engine steadily achieves stable combustion without any of the faltering associated with a lower rotational speed start. By utilizing this high rotational speed start, emissions for the first start are dramatically lowered over a conventional, non-hybrid heat engines first start, and fuel economy is improved.
One conventional configuration of the 12-volt system and the higher voltage system has the higher voltage system performing the hybrid motor vehicle""s first start while the 12-volt system is relegated to only powering the vehicle""s accessories. This system allows for a high rotational speed heat engine start, and thus low emissions, but leaves no option for jumpstarting the hybrid motor vehicle should the higher voltage system ever have insufficient charge, unless a large DC-DC converter is provided that connects the 12-volt and the higher voltage systems. As almost all motor vehicles on the road today are 12-volt, jumpstarting a higher voltage hybrid motor vehicle with a 12-volt system will not work without this large DC-DC converter. Oversized DC-DC converters are expensive and add a great deal of cost to the system. Also, for the higher voltage system alone to provide a cold first start, it must have a battery pack and inverter switches that are greatly oversized compared to inverter switches designed only to work in warm climates. Oversized battery packs and inverter switches are also very expensive.
One alternative to an all-higher voltage engine starting system provides for a backup 12-volt starter motor that is used to start the heat engine only in emergency situations when the higher voltage system has insufficient battery charge. In normal operation, when the hybrid motor vehicle""s batteries are all sufficiently charged to start the heat engine, only the higher voltage system provides a high RPM first start. If the higher voltage system""s battery or battery pack is insufficiently charged, but the 12-volt battery is sufficiently charged, then the 12-volt battery can be used to start the heat engine. If neither the 12-volt battery nor the higher voltage battery or battery pack are sufficiently charged, the 12-volt battery can be jumpstarted or charged to the point where it can start the heat engine. This system is prone to failure, however, because starter motors must be used on a regular basis or they are prone to freeze up and fail. Thus, unless the backup 12-volt starter motor is used on a regular basis, it may not be operable in the emergency case of an uncharged higher voltage battery or battery pack.
Another electrical system configuration, similar to the previous one, has the 12-volt starter motor perform the heat engine""s first start, with only the higher voltage system performing any other heat-engine quick starts during subsequent operation of the motor vehicle. The 12-volt system only powers the motor vehicle""s accessories after the first start. Thus, the 12-volt starter motor is protected from freezing up from nonuse; however, utilizing only the 12-volt starter motor to perform the motor vehicle""s first start does not allow the heat engine to reach a high enough rotational speed before receiving fuel to achieve a low emission start.
It is desirable to have an electrical system configuration that provides high rotational speed heat engine start-ups and the low emissions associated with such a start, but at the same time has a reliable backup system that can start the motor vehicle should part of the electrical system ever fail. The entire electrical system should also avoid the use of oversized DC-DC converters, battery packs, or oversized inverter switches in order to keep manufacturing costs down. Accordingly, a need exists for a dual voltage tandem engine start system that overcomes the problems attendant with prior art start systems.

Dual voltage tandem engine start system and method


A canoe platform interconnects a pair of spaced apart canoes arranged parallel with each other so that the platform can support human activity while the canoes support the platform above the water. The platform is made of a pair of panels adjoining each other and spanning the gunwales of the canoes and the space between them. Each of the panels is foldable in half longitudinally so that the panels can be stored within canoes for transport. The panels are unfolded flat and are arranged to span the canoes aft of the front seats of the canoes and forward of the rear seats of the canoes.

Platforms interconnecting and bridging a space between a pair of canoes.
Many suggestions exist for dual hull boats, pontoon boats, and for platforms inter-connecting a pair of boats or canoes. All of these tend to be sufficiently cumbersome and expensive so that they are not readily assembled and disassembled and thereby made portable.
The invention aims at a simple, inexpensive and portable platform that inter-connects and bridges a space between a pair of canoes so that the platform is as conveniently portable as the canoes themselves. The invention also aims at quick and convenient assembly and disassembly of such a canoe platform, and includes a variety of features, conveniences, and accessories enabling such a canoe platform to be used in a variety of ways.


Techniques and systems are provided for providing recommendations for extended reality systems. In some examples, a system determines one or more environmental features associated with a real-world environment of an extended reality system. The system determines one or more user features associated with a user of the extended reality system. The system also outputs, based on the one or more environmental features and the one or more user features, a notification associated with at least one application supported by the extended reality system.

Extended reality technologies can be used to present virtual content to users, and/or can combine real environments from the physical world and virtual environments to provide users with extended reality experiences. The term extended reality can encompass virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and the like. Extended reality systems can allow users to experience extended reality environments by overlaying virtual content onto images of a real-world environment, which can be viewed by a user through an extended reality device (e.g., a head-mounted display, extended reality glasses, or other device).
Many features of a user's real-world environment can impact their experience with an extended reality application. As a result, the user may be unaware of which extended reality applications are compatible with their current environment. In addition, the user may be unsure of how to best configure the environment for an optimal extended reality experience. Accordingly, improved systems for adapting recommendations associated with extended reality applications based on real-world environments are needed.

Recommendations for extended reality systems


A multi-nozzle showerhead has a showerhead housing, a rectangular tube, multiple nozzles and a connector. The showerhead housing has a nozzle recess for each nozzle. Each of the nozzles has a diffuser, a radial impeller, a circular impeller, a diffuser housing, a selection valve, seals and a fastener. The fastener has a threaded bolt and a nut. The seals are securely mounted in each of the nozzles to prevent water leakage. Each of the nozzles is held together by the fastener with the threaded bolt and nut. The radial impeller has multiple fins, and one of the fins is an interrupt fin that momentarily interrupts the flow of water to the diffuser.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a showerhead, and more particularly to a multi-nozzle showerhead where each of the multiple nozzles has an impeller and a circular impeller that creates a pulsating water pattern.
2. Description of Related Art
With reference to FIG. 8 and 9, a conventional showerhead comprises a head (40), a button (44) and a nozzle (50).
The head (40) is a hollow cylinder and comprises an outer circular surface (not numbered), a front opening (not numbered), a hollow handle (42), a protrusion (41) and a side recess (46). The hollow handle (42) is connected to a water source (not shown) and has a top opening (not numbered). The head (40) is securely mounted on the top opening of the hollow handle (42). The protrusion (41) has a threaded outer circular surface (not numbered) and is formed around the front opening in the head (40). The side recess (46) is formed in the outer circular surface of the head (40) and has an inner bracket (not numbered) with external detents (not numbered). The inner bracket has an external circular surface (not numbered), multiple radial teeth (not numbered) and a circular axial through hole (not numbered). The multiple radial teeth are formed on the external circular surface of the inner bracket to form the external detents. The circular axial through hole extends from the front opening of the head (40) through the side recess (46).
The button (44) has a front surface (not numbered), a rear surface (not shown), a recess (442) and a key cylinder (446). The recess (442) has a rib (444), extends into the button (44) through the front surface and aligns with the key (446). The key cylinder (446) is circular, is formed in the recess (442) in the button (44) flush with the rear surface and has a keyhole (not numbered). The rib (444) in the recess (442) is formed between the front surface and the key cylinder (446) and engages the detents when the button (44) is slideably mounted in the side recess (46).
The nozzle (50) comprises a moveable flapper valve (51), a diffuser (53), a diffuser housing (55) and a retaining ring (57).
The moveable flapper valve (51) comprises a flapper disk (510), a front surface (not numbered), a rear surface (not numbered), a stud (514) and a pin (515). The stud (514) is formed on the rear surface of the moveable flapper valve (51), has a rectangular key (not numbered) that corresponds to the keyhole in the key cylinder (446) and is mounted through the inner bracket. The rectangular key is mounted in the keyhole in the key cylinder (446) to pivotally hold the button (44) in the side recess (46). The pin (515) is formed on the front surface of the moveable flapper valve (51). The flapper disk (510) has an inner portion (not numbered), a middle portion (not numbered), an outer portion (not numbered), an inner aperture (511), a middle aperture (512) and an outer aperture (513). The inner, middle and outer apertures (511, 512, 513) extend through the inner, middle and outer portion of the flapper disk (510).
The diffuser (53) comprises a seal (not numbered), a front surface (not numbered), a circular groove (not numbered), a diffuser recess (not numbered), a rear surface (not numbered), a front lip (not numbered), a rear lip (not numbered), an inner aperture (531), a middle aperture (532) and outer apertures (533). The front surface has an inner portion (not numbered), a middle portion (not numbered) and an outer portion (not numbered). The inner aperture (531) extends through the inner portion of the front surface. The middle aperture (532) extends through the middle portion of the front surface. Each outer aperture (533) extends through the outer portion of the front surface of the diffuser (53). The circular groove is formed between the inner and outer lips of the diffuser (53), and the seal is securely mounted in the circular groove in the diffuser (53). The diffuser recess is formed on the rear surface of the diffuser (53) and comprises at least one notch (not numbered). The pin (515) is mounted selectively in each one of the notches to pivotally connect the moveable flapper valve (51) to the diffuser (53). The rear surface of the diffuser (53) is mounted in the protrusion (41) in the head (40).
The diffuser housing (55) comprises a front surface (not numbered), a lip (not numbered), a rear surface (not numbered), an inner protrusion (not numbered), an outer protrusion (not numbered), at least one outer aperture (not numbered) and a circular impeller (551). The inner and outer protrusions protrude from the rear surface of the diffuser housing (55). The lip is formed on the rear surface of the diffuser housing (55). The circular impeller (551) is rotatably mounted in the diffuser housing (55) between the inner and outer protrusions. The at least one outer aperture extends through the diffuser housing (55) between the lip and the outer protrusions. The rear surface of the diffuser housing (55) is mounted against the diffuser (53), and the diffuser (53) rotates with the diffuser housing (55).
The retainer ring (57) comprises a front flange (not numbered), a seal (not numbered) and a threaded ring body (not numbered). The seal is mounted in the retainer ring (57) between the front flange and the threaded ring body. The retainer ring (57) connects to the nozzle by screwing onto the threaded outer circular surface of the protrusion (41).
With further reference to FIG. 10, water passes through the inner portion of the diffuser (53) when the two inner apertures (511, 531) are aligned with each other. With further reference to FIG. 11, water passes through the middle portion of the diffuser (53) when the two middle apertures (512, 532) are aligned with each other. With further reference to FIG. 12, water passes through the outer portion of the diffuser (53) when the two outer apertures (513, 533) are aligned with each other. The aligning movement of the moveable flapper valve (51) is controlled by engagement of the rectangular key on the stud (514) with the keyhole in the key cylinder (446).
When the showerhead is in use, water passes through the nozzle of the showerhead and diverges to cover a small area. The showerhead has limited selectable water patterns depending on the different portion of the diffuser through the water passes. Therefore, the conventional single nozzle showerhead has disadvantages including limited water pattern options and a small coverage area.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a multi-nozzle showerhead to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-nozzle showerhead that has selectable water patterns and broader coverage.
To accomplish the foregoing objective, the present invention provides multiple nozzles and multiple impellers to create a large shower coverage and a selectable pulsating water pattern.

Room F/23, 4th Fl., No. 5, Sec. 5, Hsinyi Rd.