The method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module provides the following steps. A thermal oxide layer is applied in isolation trenches. A nitride liner is subsequently applied. In a further step, a mask is applied in the region in which n-channel field-effect transistors are intended to be produced. The nitride liner is removed around the mask. Finally, the mask is also removed. As a result, the properties of the n-channel field-effect transistors are improved, without impairing the properties of the p-channel field-effect transistors.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module.
So-called shallow trench isolation (STI) is increasingly being used to isolate active regions on semiconductor modules. STI is used to an increased extent particularly in the more recent memory generations (starting with 16 M through to the present-day 512 M DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and in new generations of logic modules. The prior art process sequence for STI is that first a trench (shallow trench) is etched into the silicon substrate, and the trench is then partly filled with oxide (TEOS (Tetraethyl orthosilicate) or HDP (High Density Plasma)) and planarized until only the isolation oxide remains in the trench. A nitride liner, which was deposited before the oxide in order to protect the foundation during the further processing, is situated at the isolation edge of each transistor after the STI etching. Hitherto, a nitride liner has been fitted completely to all of the transistors. Although this has led to improved properties in the case of the n-channel transistors, during chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) potassium ions are deposited and shorten the channel, which, in the case of p-channel transistors, has resulted in a breakdown (punch-through) and a degradation of the p-channel transistors. Therefore, more recently the nitride liner has been completely dispensed with, although the positive effect on the n-channel transistors has been lost.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art methods of this general type.
In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module, which both exploits the advantages of a nitride liner for n-channel transistors and does not entail any impairment for p-channel transistors.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for producing shallow trench isolations for n-channel field-effect transistors and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module. The method includes steps of: forming shallow trench isolation trenches in a substrate for the n-channel field-effect transistors and the p-channel field-effect transistors; applying an oxide layer; applying a nitride layer; producing a mask for covering regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; removing the nitride layer in regions not covered by the mask; and removing the mask.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the oxide layer is a thermal oxide layer.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the method includes applying a further oxide layer between the oxide layer and the nitride layer.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the further oxide layer is a high-density plasma tetraethyl orthosilicate layer.
In accordance with another added feature of the invention, the further oxide layer is applied thinner at walls of the shallow trench isolation trenches than on horizontal areas of the shallow trench isolation trenches.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, step of producing the mask includes: applying a further oxide layer to the nitride layer; applying a resist mask in the regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; implanting N2 into the further oxide layer in the regions not covered by the resist mask; removing the resist mask; and removing the further oxide layer implanted with the N2.
In accordance with a further added feature of the invention, step of producing the mask includes: applying a poly-Si layer to the nitride layer; applying a resist mask in the regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; implanting BF2 into the poly-Si layer in regions not covered by the resist mask; removing the resist mask; and removing the poly-Si layer implanted with the BF2.
In accordance with another added feature of the invention, step of producing the mask includes: applying a further oxide layer to the nitride layer; applying a resist mask in the regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; removing the further oxide layer in regions not covered by the resist mask; and removing the resist mask.
In accordance with another additional feature of the invention, step of producing the mask includes: applying a poly-Si layer to the nitride layer; applying a resist mask in the regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; removing the poly-Si layer in regions not covered by the resist mask; and removing the resist mask.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for producing shallow trench isolations for n-channel field-effect transistors and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor memory module. The method include steps of: forming shallow trench isolation trenches in a substrate for the n-channel field-effect transistors and the p-channel field-effect transistors, the substrate being for producing the semiconductor memory module; applying an oxide layer; applying a nitride layer; producing a mask for covering regions in which the n-channel field-effect transistors will subsequently be formed; removing the nitride layer in regions not covered by the mask; and removing the mask.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the substrate is for producing a dynamic random access memory.
The inventive solution results in an improvement in the storage duration of the memory cells and an increase in the threshold voltage of the selection transistor, which reduces a cell-to-bitline leakage.
According to the invention, the following steps are performed in order to produce a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module. An oxide layer and, above the oxide layer, a nitride layer are applied in isolation trenches present on a substrate. Afterward, a masking is applied and the nitride layer is removed in accordance with the masking. Finally, the masking is also removed.
The following steps are performed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventive method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module. A first oxide layer is applied in isolation trenches present on a substrate. A further oxide layer and a nitride layer are subsequently applied. In a further step, a mask is applied in the region in which an n-channel field-effect transistor is intended to be produced. The nitride layer is removed around the mask. Finally, the mask is also removed.
The following steps are performed in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module. An oxide layer and a nitride layer and, above the nitride layer, a further oxide layer or a poly-Si layer are applied in isolation trenches present on a substrate. Afterward, a resist mask is applied and the further oxide layer or the poly-Si layer is removed in accordance with the resist mask. In a further step, the nitride layer is likewise removed in the region in which the further oxide layer or the poly-Si layer has been removed.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors, in order to produce the masking, a further oxide layer or a poly-Si layer is applied to the nitride layer. In a region in which n-channel field-effect transistors are intended to be produced, a resist mask is subsequently applied and N2 or BF2 is implanted into the further oxide layer or the poly-Si layer around the resist mask. Afterward, the resist mask and the further oxide layer implanted with N2 or the poly-Si layer implanted with BF2 are removed.
The method can be used for fabricating a memory module, in particular a dynamic random access memory.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Method for producing a shallow trench isolation for n- and p-channel field-effect transistors in a semiconductor module


A steering column assembly is provided and includes a steering column shaft and a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a deployed position. A disengagement assembly selectively couples a steering column telescope lead screw to the column adjustment assembly. The disengagement assembly is configured to selectively disengage the telescope lead screw from the column adjustment assembly to facilitate manual movement of the steering column shaft between the retracted position and the deployed position.

When some vehicles are fitted with autonomous driving assist systems, it may become possible to retract the steering column and wheel away from the driver to provide space for non-driving related activities such as working, reading, and game playing. However, the driver may need to be able to retrieve the wheel from its retracted position quickly enough to safely take control when an autonomous driver assistance system relinquishes control.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a steering column assembly that enables the driver to rapidly return the wheel from a retracted position.

Retractable steering column with manual retrieval

STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION


The invention relates to a marine gear, in particular to a reversing gear, consisting of a hydraulic control assembly comprising variable multi-plate clutches for forwards and reverse travel, in which the operating pressure required to engage the multi-plate clutches can be set using control means and consisting of an electronic control unit for detecting and processing at least one operating parameter and for operating the control means. The control means comprise a proportional valve and a pilot-operated pressure-control valve for setting the desired operating pressure, which is located on the pressure-oil line that leads to the multi-plate clutch. The proportional valve can be controlled by an electric control current of the electronic control unit and the pressure control valve can be actuated by a control pressure that is generated by the proportional valve. The electronic control unit is connected to a sensor for detecting the motor.

The invention relates to a marine gear and a method for preventing a drop in motor speed when engaging a multi-plate clutch of a marine gear.
Marine gear assemblies are known which are arranged between a motor, in particular a diesel motor, and a propeller, which marine gear assemblies comprise hydraulically controllable and selectively activatable multi-plate forward and reverse clutches.
A multi-plate clutch comprises several multi-plate discs of which a first number engages the drive shaft of the motor, while a second number engages the drive shaft or driven shaft of the propeller.
In this arrangement, which comprises several multi-plate discs arranged side by side, alternately one engages the drive shaft of the motor, while the adjacent multi-plate disc engages the driven shaft of the propeller.
In order to engage the multi-plate clutch, the multi-plate discs are pressed against each other by means of specified clutch oil pressure. During such engagement of the multi-plate clutch, the diesel motor operates at partial load until such time as the clutch engagement process is completed, in other words until all multi-plate discs of the multi-plate clutch have been pressed against each other. This can take five seconds or more.
The clutch oil pressure is also referred to as gear change pressure or operating pressure.
Operating pressure build-up takes place according to a so-called pressure build-up curve. The operating pressure is not built up quickly with a steep pressure build-up curve and a possible overswing, but instead, it is built up more slowly so as to be gentle on the diesel motor and the entire drive assembly.
The diesel motor cannot cope with clutch engagement that is too rapid, because the output during partial load operation of the diesel motor is not adequate for this. Rapid engagement of the clutch results in an undesirable drop in motor speed, and in extreme cases, in the motor stalling.
Until now, a pressure build-up curve according to which the clutch oil pressure required for pressing together the multi-plate discs, has been specified theoretically by trial-and-error and in experiments, taking into account existing conditions such as motor output, gyrating mass of the motor, etc.
Once this pressure build-up curve has been determined and set, it is always retained without any changes, irrespective of external factors and parameters.
To disengage the multi-plate clutch, the operating pressure is switched off and the multi-plate discs are relieved by a set spring pressure of a readjusting spring.
It is known to reduce the clutch oil pressure to the extent that a targeted slipping process of the multi-plates is maintained.
With constant motor speed, the propeller speed can be influenced via a slipping multi-plate clutch. This is useful in those cases where at a constant gear transmission the ship""s speed is still too high at the lowest motor speed. The propeller speed can then be reduced by slippage of the multi-plates. Such an operating state of the marine gear is referred to as a trolling operation.
For this purpose a pressure-control valve is usually arranged in the pressure-oil line which leads to the multi-plate clutch, with a desired operating pressure being able to be set via said pressure-control valve. If the operating pressure is not at maximum, the multi-plate clutch slips.
From DE 40 19 687 A1, a marine gear is known in which for this purpose a directional control valve is arranged between the pressure-control valve and the multi-plate clutch. In a first operating position of the directional control valve, the operating pressure required for trolling operation is established in the pressure-oil line. By contrast, in a second operating position, the maximum operating pressure required for complete engagement of the multi-plate clutch is established. The directional control valve is hydraulically moved, at a certain minimum control pressure, to the first operating position by the pressure-control valve. Reaching this minimum control pressure depends on the setting of the pressure-control valve. The pressure-control valve is for example a proportional valve which is electrically connected to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit in turn is connected to a speed sensor with which the present rotational speed of the motor shaft can be detected. A setpoint value or command value can be set at the electronic control unit, with the pressure-reduction valve being operated if said set-point value is exceeded.
With this so-called trolling operation, too, a pressure build-up curve according to which the operating pressure for slipping the multi-plate discs is built up, is theoretically specified by trial and error. Once this pressure build-up curve for trolling operation has been determined and set, it is always retained without any changes. The electronic control unit is only used to monitor the motor speed so that it keeps within a specified range.
It is the object of the invention to improve a generic marine gear and a method for engaging the multi-plate clutch of a generic marine gear such that a drop in motor speed when engaging the multi-plate clutch is counteracted.
This object is met by a marine gear, and by a method for preventing a drop in motor speed when engaging a multi-plate clutch.
Improvements to, and advantageous embodiments of, the invention are set out in the respective subordinate claims.
The generic marine gear comprises a hydraulic control assembly and an electronic control unit. The hydraulic control assembly comprises variable multi-plate clutches for forward and reverse travel, in which the operating pressure required to engage the multi-plate clutches can be set using control means, depending on selectable parameters. The electronic control unit is used to detect and process at least one operating parameter as well as operating the control means.
According to the invention, the generic marine gear is characterised in that the control means comprises a proportional valve and a pilot-operated pressure-control valve which is located on the pressure-oil line that leads to the multi-plate clutch, for setting the desired operating pressure. The proportional valve can be operated by an electrical control current from the electronic control unit. The pressure control valve can be actuated by a control pressure that is generated by the proportional valve. The electronic control unit is connected to a sensor for detecting the motor speed and/or to a sensor for detecting the load signal of the motor.
The load signal, which is known among those skilled in the art, generally refers to the workload of the motor or the respective power/the respective performance characteristic of the motor.
The invention takes advantage of the fact that manufacturers of marine engines add so-called motor management systems to the respective marine motors, with the load signal being obtained on the basis of said motor management system. The motor management system is used to set the motor speed. If more fuel is added at a higher speed, then the motor also needs more air. All this is organised by the motor management system. The load signal is for example present in the form of a measured variable as a current ranging from 0-200 mA.
A combinatorial arrangement comprising a pilot-operated pressure-control valve and a proportional valve which can be actuated electrically makes it possible to directly transform an electrical control current supplied to the proportional valve by the electronic control unit, into an operating pressure.
In this arrangement, the current operating pressure is proportional to the control pressure present at the control connection of the pressure-control valve.
According to the invention, the control pressure can be set by way of the proportional valve which in turn can be operated by the electronic control unit by way of an electrical control current in direct dependence on the change in motor speed and/or change in the load signal of the motor.
In a marine gear according to the invention, designed in this way, it is possible during the engagement process of the multi-plate clutch, to electrically control the gradient of the operating pressure over time. According to the invention, the pressure build-up is not determined theoretically and rigidly maintained thereafter, but instead is dynamically controlled depending on the change in engine speed and/or in the load signal of the motor. During each gear change procedure, the pressure build-up for engaging the multi-plate clutch is matched anew to the conditions prevailing at the time.
Thus, in contrast to the situation with the state of the art, the pressure build-up curve according to the invention does not maintain the same rigid gradient, but instead is set anew with each individual clutch procedure. In this way, different pressure build-up curves can arise.
By way of pressure build-up matched in this way, it is possible to counteract a drop in motor speed caused when engaging the clutch.
An improvement of the invention provides for the proportional valve to generate a hydraulic control pressure which is inversely proportional to the electrical control current.
Conventional proportional valves generate a hydraulic pressure which is proportional to the electrical control current. The greater the control current, the greater the pressure.
The function according to the invention, of the proportional valve, is decisive for the safety of the marine gear and consequently for the overall safety of the ship. In the event of a failure of the electrical control current, for example as a result of cable rupture, voltage breakdown or other malfunctions, the operating pressure does not drop because the proportional valve is closed and the maximum control pressure is present at the pilot-operated pressure-reduction valve. Maximum control pressure at the pressure-reduction valve in turn leads to maximum operating pressure in the pressure-oil line leading to the multi-plate clutch. Thus slipping of the multi-plate clutch and burning of the multi-plates is prevented.
Furthermore, it is provided for the hydraulic control assembly to comprise means which make possible permanent prefilling of the pressure-oil lines to the multi-plate clutches and permanent prefilling of the multi-plate clutches themselves.
This makes it possible to prevent gear change delays when engaging the multi-plate clutch, thus ensuring dynamic control of the operating pressure depending on the change in motor speed and/or the change in the load signal of the motor.
In the known hydraulic systems, when the multi-plate clutch is disengaged, the oil-filled multi-plate clutches and the associated pressure-oil lines are entirely or partially drained of oil. When the multi-plate clutch is engaged, this so-called dead volume will first have to be filled; a process which, in particular in the case of large gears, causes gear change delays in the form of undesirable dead times. Such systems are unusable for dynamic control of the pressure during the gear change phase.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means which make possible permanent prefilling of the pressure-oil lines to the multi-plate clutches and of the multi-plate clutches themselves, comprise an orifice plate for determining the prefilling-volume stream and a pressure-control valve for setting a prefilling pressure.
Preferably, the prefilling pressure does not exceed the spring pressure present for relieving the multi-plates, with said prefilling pressure at the pressure-control valve for setting the prefilling pressure preferably being approx. 0.5 to 1 bar.
This pressure does not in itself cause pressing-on of the multi-plates because it is insufficient for overcoming the spring pressure present for relieving the multi-plates.
An improvement of the invention provides for the proportional valve and the pilot-operated pressure-control valve to be connected to the clutch connections.
This leads to improved dynamics of the control system.
It is further provided for the control oil to be able to be taken from the main flow of the hydraulic system.
This leads to a separation of control oil and gear change oil.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for each multi-plate clutch to comprise a pilot-operated pressure-control valve of its own, wherein the pressure-control valves can be operated in parallel by the proportional valve.
This leads to still further improved dynamics. However, the cost of the apparatus is a disadvantage.
The pilot-operated pressure control valves are dimensioned only for the gear change oil-volume flow.
An improvement provides for the electronic control unit to be connected to sensor means, from whose measured values, together with the values for the coolant-oil volume flow and for the gear transmission, and from the geometric clutch data, it is possible to calculate the thermal load on the clutch in real time.
Preferably, the sensor means comprise sensors for detecting the motor speed, the propeller speed and the direction of rotation of the propeller, the pressure of the gear change oil in the clutch, as well as the coolant-oil temperature.
The electronic control unit calculates in real time the thermal load on the clutch from the following parameters: the motor speed, the speed and direction of rotation of the propeller, the pressure of the gear change oil in the clutch, the coolant-oil temperature, the coolant-oil volume flow, the gear transmission, and the geometric clutch data.
The motor speed, the speed and direction of rotation of the propeller, and the gear transmission are used as a basis for calculating the differential rotational speed f(t) between the inner multi-plates and the outer multi-plates of the clutch. The gear-change oil pressure f(t) causes the surface pressure f(t) on the multi-plate packet. Surface pressure and differential rotational speed are used to calculate friction capacity and friction work over the slipping time. The friction work carried out so far is known at any given point in time of the slipping phase and is compared with the permissible value. The permissible value is not a fixed quantity, but instead it depends on the coolant-oil temperature, the coolant-oil volume flow, the geometric clutch data and previous gear change processes undertaken. The coolant-oil volume flow can be acquired by way of a sensor or it can be input in relation to the gear, as a parameter, via software. Gear transmission and geometric clutch data are also input via software, that is to say the data record is selected.
In theory, situations are imaginable where unacceptable levels of friction heat may be generated, e.g. during a crash-stop manoeuvre at relatively high motor speed.
If, for example, 80% of the permissible thermal load is reached, a preliminary alarm can be triggered by way of an alarm system connected to the electronic control unit. In the case of 100% thermal load, optionally, a main alarm is triggered and the clutch is engaged or disengaged.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for preventing a drop in motor speed when engaging the multi-plate clutch of the marine gear according to the invention.
The method according to the invention is characterised in that every time the multi-plate clutch is engaged, the operating pressure is built up in such a way, depending on the change in motor speed and/or the change in the load signal of the motor over time, that said operating pressure counteracts a change in motor speed and/or a change in the load signal of the motor.
Preferably, the electronic control unit counteracts a change in motor speed and/or change in the load signal of the motor, measured during engagement of the clutch, by issuing electrical control signals, depending on the changes measured, to the control means for setting the operating pressure; in this way causing a change in the degree of slip of the multi-plate clutch.
Motor speed and/or load signal of the motor are used as input quantities for the electronic control unit. Preferably, the electronic control unit processes different load signals, e.g. CAN bus, 4-20 mA, 0-200 mA.
Input is parameterised via software according to the connected signal.
During engagement of the multi-plate clutch, the control unit processes the changes in motor speed and/or load signal of the motor and regulates the electrical control current to the proportional valve such that the resulting change in pressure influences the transmittable torque of the multi-plate clutch to the extent that the change in motor speed or change in load signal is counteracted.
In this way the strong drop in motor speed which is usual with some motors, is avoided. If gear change times are optimal, peaks in gear change moment are reduced.
Depending on the output of the diesel motor in the partial load range and depending on the respective gear change manoeuvre at low speed of the ship or during a crash stop, slipping times and friction heat occur which differ in duration and intensity respectively.
All the required control parameters are set via software.
If, according to the invention, the respective change in motor speed and/or change in the load signal of the motor is incorporated in the clutch process during establishment of the pressure-build-up curve and during engagement of the clutch, then engagement of the clutch advantageously is much more gentle and sometimes also faster than is the case in the state of the art.
In the case of the invention, the motor practically always just has to produce (in other words engaging the clutch is such that there is just) as much power as is required as a maximum output in partial load operation. Thus the pressure build-up curve, and therefore the process of engaging the clutch, is automatically matched to the particular external parameters and circumstances prevailing at the time. For this reason, the gear assembly according to the invention can be referred to as an xe2x80x9cintelligent gear arrangementxe2x80x9d.
The electronic control unit calculates the friction heat in the multi-plate packet during the engagement phase, thus monitoring the thermal load on the multi-plate clutch.

Marine gear and a method for preventing a drop in motor speed when engaging a multi-plate clutch


A clamping device for grasping and suspending a workpiece is disclosed. The clamping device comprises a clamp body, the clamp body comprises at least one slotted arcuate spring end portion; an intermediate spring spreading portion contiguous with and extending from the slotted arcuate spring end portion, the intermediate spring spreading portion having an eccentric bore; a jaw end portion contiguous with and extending from the intermediate spring spreading portion, the jaw end portion comprising a jaw clamping surface, and a bracket, the bracket having a beveled sidewall; wherein the jaw clamping surface and the bracket define a jaw opening; and a suspending means attached to the intermediate spring spreading portion; an eccentric wedge slideably mounted in the bracket; and an eccentric cam rotatably disposed within the eccentric bore.

The present invention relates to a clamping device for grasping a workpiece to secure the workpiece during subsequent steps of manufacture. The invention is particularly useful for grasping and hanging metal sheet of various thicknesses during thermal heat treatment processing steps.
During the process of heat-treating metal sheet in a furnace, in order to ensure that the metal sheet is evenly heated and uniformly reaches the desired heat treatment temperature, it is advantageous to hang the metal sheet vertically from a rack. As many metal sheets as can fit into a furnace are fitted with one or more clamping devices, and suspended vertically from a rack. The rack, with the clamped metal sheets, is placed into a furnace for heating. Such heating is termed in the art as a vertical heat treat process.
Various clamping devices are known in the art. An apparatus for transporting sheets of glass in a vertical position is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,660. The apparatus has suspension tongs, a carrying strap from which the tongs are suspended and a supporting beam mounted to a trolley.
A clamp device and a clamping system for welding sheet metal are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,345 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,117, respectively.
A latch fastener mechanism for thin sheet materials is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,970 B1. More particularly, the invention relates to a simplified form of connector for ready installation that provides a disengageable clamping action between the parts being held together.
A clamp consisting of a clip and an actuating member is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,644. The clamp of this invention is used for holding flat thin objects together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,087 relates to a surgical apparatus for retracting anatomy to provide exposure of a surgical site. A cam tightened universal joint clamp is described.
A clamping and holding device, which is particularly useful for mounting umbrellas and the like to patio chairs, is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,041. A first and a second clamping arm are pivotally connected to one another to engage an article. A cam, cam follower and locking member or nut and bolt system prevents the inadvertent opening of the clamping arms.
The clamping device of the current invention finds particular utility in the field of metal or metal alloy heat treating. Metal heat treating typically involves the steps of heating the metal or metal alloy to a predetermined metal heat treatment temperature, holding or xe2x80x9csoakingxe2x80x9d the metal or metal alloy at a predetermined metal heat treatment temperature for a predetermined metal heat treatment length of time, and cooling the metal alloy. It is recognized by practitioners of the art that these steps can be repeated in various combinations which may include several predetermined metal heat treatment temperatures and several predetermined metal heat treatment lengths of time in order to obtain various desired properties, such as but not limited to, strength and corrosion resistance. It is further known in the prior art that metal heating and cooling rates can be varied to alter properties of the metal or metal alloy. It may be particularly useful to rapidly cool the metal or metal alloy after it has been exposed to a predetermined metal heat treatment temperature. A known method for rapid cooling the metal or metal alloy is to remove the metal or metal alloy workpiece from a metal heat treatment furnace, followed by immersing the workpiece in a water bath. This process is referred to by practitioners of the art as xe2x80x9cwater quenching.xe2x80x9d
Referring now to drawings in FIGS. 1-3, a known clamping device 10 used in the field of metal heat treating is presented. FIG. 1 is a front view drawing of the known clamping device 10, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same known clamping device 10 and FIG. 3 is a top view of the known clamping device 10. The known clamping device 10 is comprised of: (a) a hanging portion 11; (b) a clamp portion 12 extending from the hanging portion 11, with the clamp portion having a bracket 13 and a first clamping surface 14; and (c) a wedge 15 having a second clamping surface 16 that is parallel with respect to the first clamping surface 14, and is slideably mounted in the bracket 13 of the clamp portion 12. The hanging portion 11 allows for hanging the clamping device 10 vertically on a rack (not shown). The metal sheet 20 for heat treatment is positioned in the known clamping device 10 so that the upper edge 21 of the metal sheet 20 is between the first clamping surface 14 and the second clamping surface 16. The wedge 15 is then hammered or driven into the clamp portion 12 so that the metal sheet 20 for heat treatment is held in the clamping device 10 by compressive and frictional forces between the first clamping surface 14 on the clamp portion 12, and the second clamping surface 16 on the wedge 15.
A sufficient number of clamping devices 10 are used to secure the metal sheet 20 to the rack. For example, a xc2xc inch thick by 80 inches wide by 250 inches long metal sheet 20 would be oriented in the vertical direction by securing clamping devices 10 on the 250-inch dimension on the xc2xc inch thick upper edge 21 of the metal sheet 20. A typical sheet is hung with about 15 clamping devices mounted along the 250-inch edge. More or fewer clamps may be used depending on the weight of the sheet.
The known clamping device 10 for heat treating metal sheets 20, and the method of using the known clamping device 10, have several drawbacks. The process of driving or hammering the wedge 15 to clamp a large metal sheet 20 produces high noise levels. The metal sheet 20 resonates like a drumhead, and can potentially cause hearing loss to individuals in the vicinity, unless the individuals are wearing adequate hearing protection. The use of a hammer in a repetitive manner in an uncomfortable position over time can result in cumulative motion injury to the worker.
In addition to operator safety concerns associated with the known clamping device 10, the known clamping device 10 does not hold the metal sheet 20 well in all cases, and can cause damage to the metal sheet 20. The known clamping device 10 relies on compressive and frictional forces that are established between the first clamping surface 14, the metal sheet 20 and the second clamping surface 16, as the wedge 15 is hammered into the clamp portion 12. The compressive forces from the driven wedge 15 can cause the first 14 and second 16 clamping surfaces to embed in the metal sheet 20 during the heat treatment process.
When the clamped metal sheet 20 is removed from the furnace, it may be immersed in a water bath, which can have a temperature anywhere between near the ambient temperature or the boiling temperature. This process is called xe2x80x9cwater quenching.xe2x80x9d After the metal sheet 20 is water quenched, because of thermal contraction, it shrinks from the known clamping device 10 and some of the compressive force from the driven wedge 15 is lost. As a result, the prior art known clamping device 10 can slip off the metal sheet 20.
Thus, a need exists for a clamping device for vertically suspending metal sheet during heat treatment that does not present potential occupational safety hazards to worker, that does not damage the metal sheet, and is reliable in holding the metal sheet through all required operations of the manufacturing process.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a clamping device to grasp and vertically suspend metal or metal alloy sheet of various thicknesses during a thermal processing step, or any processing step that is benefited by suspending the metal sheet in a vertical orientation.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method for grasping and vertically suspending metal or metal alloy sheet of various thicknesses during a thermal processing step, or any processing step that is benefited by suspending the metal sheet in a vertical orientation.
A further object of this invention is to provide a clamping device for vertically suspending metal or metal alloy sheet that remains clamped during rapid thermal changes that occur, for example, when hot metal or metal alloy sheets are quenched by immersion in a water bath.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for clamping metal or metal alloy sheet that does not result in high noise levels and/or poor ergonomics that could cause physiological injury to operators and others near the clamping operation.
While a principal object of this invention is to provide a clamping device for use with metal or metal alloy sheet, it is recognized that the clamping device of this invention could be made to a size that could accommodate other forms of wrought or cast metal, such as but not limited to castings, forgings, plate, sheet, rod, bar, tube, wire, and structural shapes, such as but not limited to, I-beams, H-beams, channels, angles tees, and zees. Further, the clamping device could be used for grasping and suspending product forms such as for example wheels, bumpers, vehicular frame rails, boat hulls and aerospace wing struts, while these undergo various processing or finishing steps. These forms and other forms of metal are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the phrase metal or metal alloy sheet, as used herein, should be interpreted to include any metal or metal alloy workpiece that could be suspended by the clamp of this invention.
Furthermore, it should not be inferred that the clamping device of the current invention should be limited to clamping forms of metals and metal alloys, but it should be recognized that the clamp of this invention could be used for suspending a workpiece made of other materials, such as but not limited to plastics, composites, and laminates.
The objects of this invention are achieved by providing a clamping device for grasping and suspending a workpiece. A preferred embodiment of the clamping device includes: a clamp body, an eccentric wedge, and an eccentric cam. The clamp body further includes: at least one slotted arcuate spring end portion; an intermediate spring spreading portion contiguous with and extending from the slotted arcuate spring end portion, with the intermediate spring spreading portion having an eccentric bore; a jaw end portion contiguous with and extending from the intermediate spring spreading portion, with the jaw end portion comprising a jaw clamping surface and a bracket, with the bracket having a beveled sidewall wherein the jaw clamping surface and the bracket define a jaw opening; and a suspending means attached to the intermediate spring spreading portion. The eccentric wedge is slideably mounted in the bracket. The eccentric cam is rotatably disposed within the eccentric bore.

Clamping device and method for grasping a workpiece


A tapered roller bearing includes a retainer with a protrusion that is axially brought into engagement with a flange of the inner race. The inner race has a flange for guiding the tapered rollers only at the large-diameter end of the raceway. The retainer has on the large-diameter side thereof a protrusion radially inwardly extending and axially engaging the flange of the inner race. The flange of the inner race is formed with a circumferentially continuous cutout groove having a smoothly curved concave surface through which the radially outer surface and the outer end surface of the flange are connected to each other. The protrusion of the retainer has its inner side at its radially inner end portion in engagement with the cutout groove, allowing size reduction and load bearing capacity increase for the tapered roller bearing, while preventing stress concentration on the flange of the inner race.

A tapered roller bearing comprises inner and outer races having conical raceways, respectively, and tapered rollers disposed between the inner and outer races and received in pockets of a conical tubular retainer. Such a tapered roller bearing ordinarily includes a large flange formed on the inner race at the large-diameter end of its raceway for guiding the tapered rollers, and a small flange formed on the inner race at the small-diameter end of its raceway to restrict the axial position of the tapered rollers, thereby preventing separation of the tapered rollers from the inner race with the tapered rollers received in the respective pockets of the retainer during handling of the bearing.
Transmissions in today's vehicles have a larger number of steps for fuel economy, and their engine rooms are smaller to increase the passenger interior space. As a result, it is required to reduce the size of tapered roller bearings supporting power transmission shafts of vehicle differentials and transmissions because their available installation spaces are reduced. Simultaneously, to cope with increased output of vehicle engines, bearings with large load bearing capacity are required.
Some tapered roller bearings have a (large) flange only at the large-diameter end of the inner raceway to guide the tapered rollers while omitting the small flange. Instead, a radially inwardly extending protrusion is provided at the large-diameter end that axially engages the flange of the inner race, thereby indirectly restricting the axial position of the tapered rollers through the retainer so as to prevent separation of the tapered rollers from the inner race (see e.g. JP Utility Model Publication 58-165324 and JP Patent Publication 2002-54638A). In the invention disclosed in JP Utility Model Publication 58-165324, in order to easily form the inner race and to improve the yield of material, an engaging portion of the flange of the inner race for engaging a protrusion of a resin retainer is formed on a circumferential step provided on the corner between the outer end of the outer periphery of the flange and its end surface, on a circumferential groove formed in the outer periphery of the flange, or on a side surface of the flange. In the invention disclosed in JP Patent Publication 2002-54638A, in order to increase load bearing capacity of the bearing by increasing the width of the raceways and the length of the tapered rollers, an engaging portion of the flange of the inner race for engaging a protrusion of a retainer made of metal is formed on a circumferential step provided on the corner between the outer end of the outer periphery of the flange and its end surface.
In the arrangement in which, as in the tapered roller bearings disclosed in JP Utility Model Publication 58-165324 and JP Patent Publication 2002-54638A, instead of the small flange, a protrusion formed on the retainer is brought into engagement with the circumferential step or circumferential groove formed on the flange, and stress tends to concentrate on the corner of the circumferential step or groove. Thus, the strength of the retainer tends to be insufficient relative to thrust loads applied from the large end surfaces of the tapered rollers to the flange. In the arrangement in which the protrusion of the retainer is brought into engagement with the side surface of the flange, no stress concentration occurs. But since the protrusion of the retainer protrudes from the side surface of the flange, it is difficult to reduce the size of the bearing.
In the arrangement in which, as disclosed in JP Patent Publication 2002-54638A, the retainer having the protrusion is made of a metal, a bending step is necessary to form the protrusion, which pushes up the manufacturing cost. Also, the metallic retainer may produce metal abrasion dust which could deteriorate lubricating properties of the lubricating oil. Thus, resin retainers are becoming popular today.
When forming conventional retainers for tapered roller bearings from resin, resin is injected into a cavity defined by two axially separable molds 81 and 82 shown in FIG. 12. The two molds 81 and 82 are slid in the axial direction of the retainer 83 to be formed toward and away from each other.
In forming the tapered roller bearing having such a protrusion using the above-mentioned molds, in order to release the molds 81 and 82 after abutting them together as shown in FIG. 13, the inner diameter D of the radially inner end of the protrusion 83a at the large-diameter end of the retainer 83 has to be larger than the outer diameter D1 of the small-diameter annular portion 83b of the retainer 83. The outer diameter D1 of the small-diameter annular portion 83b is determined by the inclination angle of the conical tubular portion of the retainer, which is an intermediate value between the inclination angles of the raceways of the inner and outer races, and by the radial deviation of the conical tubular portion of the retainer from the pitch circle of the tapered rollers. In order to prevent separation of the tapered rollers from the inner race, the conical tubular portion of the retainer has to be radially outwardly deviated from the pitch circle of the tapered rollers. Thus, in order for the inner diameter D of the radially inner end of the protrusion 83a to be larger than the outer diameter D1 of the small-diameter annular portion 83b, it is necessary to reduce the radial dimension of the protrusion 83a and unnecessarily increase the radial dimension of the large end of the inner race that is brought into engagement with the protrusion 83a. Thus, the design of the bearing is restricted.


A handlebar mounted brake control mechanism for a Bowden brake cable or the like includes a handlebar having at least one end, a tubular handle member having first and second ends configured to telescopically slide over one end of the handlebar and being coaxially rotatable thereabout between a relaxed position and a braking position. A handle member biasing mechanism is located on the handlebar for biasing the handle member into the relaxed position, and a handle member guide is used to axially displace the handle member reciprocally between the relaxed position and the braking position. The handle member biasing mechanism is configured such that when the overriding force applied by the user to rotate the handle member into the braking position is released, the handle member biasing mechanism returns the handle member to the relaxed position from the braking position. Additionally, the handle member has an attachment for releasably accommodating an end of the brake cable.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to handlebar-mounted cable controls for caliper-type bicycle brakes or other cable operated devices, and more particularly, to such a cable control mounted at the end of a handlebar for coaxial rotation thereabout.
2. Description of the Related Art
Handlebar-mounted bicycle caliper brake cable controls generally are provided in two basic configurations. The first employs a lever-type hand control whereby the rider, whose hands are positioned on the handlebar, must extend his fingers to grasp the lever and pull it towards the handlebar. The rider moves the lever, connected by a sheathed brake cable (Bowden cable) to the caliper brake, to overcome a spring-loaded biasing force which normally maintains the calipers in an open position, to clamp the brake shoes against the wheel rim to stop the bicycle.
This prior art configuration has several drawbacks, including the fact that in emergency situations, the rider must quickly move his hands to the correct position on the handlebar to activate the brake lever in time to stop the bicycle. If the rider's reaction is delayed, the brake levers may not be properly gripped, and the bicycle may not be stopped when desired.
A further drawback of the lever type brake control is that a certain amount of finger strength is required to exert sufficient force on the lever to obtain positive braking. Riders with relatively weak hands and fingers, such as children and the elderly, may have difficulty exerting sufficient force on lever type brake controls to obtain positive braking. Also, these two groups of riders often have inherently slower emergency reaction times, thus increasing the potential for accidents due to a failure to maintain proper brake control.
The second prior art type of handlebar-mounted brake cable control employs a hollow hand grip member axially rotatable about the ends of the handlebar. To activate the brakes, the rider twists the hand grip member, which is connected to the brake by a cable in a fashion similar to the lever type control described previously. The hand grip type of control obviates some of the drawbacks of the lever type control in that the omission of the lever removes the necessity to place the hands in as specific a location on the handlebar prior to braking. This decreases the emergency reaction time. In addition, the rider does not have to loosen his grip on the handlebar to activate the brakes. The rider merely rotates the grip by twisting his wrists, the muscles of which normally are stronger than the finger muscles. Thus, the hand grip type of brake control permits faster reaction time and requires less effort to operate.
Conventional rotatable hand grip brake cable controls have not been widely accepted. This is due in part to the relatively complex linkages and brackets normally found on such devices, which are also relatively expensive to manufacture, assemble and maintain compared to the lever type controls. Furthermore, in conventional rotatable hand grip controls, portions of the cable linkage related thereto are often mounted on the exterior of the handlebar, where they are exposed to damage, corrosion, and may cause injury to the rider, especially in emergency situations when the rider must move his hands quickly along the handlebar to the hand grip controls.
Additionally, prior art rotatable hand grip controls have several drawbacks. First, the spring-loaded biasing force which normally maintains the calipers in an open position is used to bias the rotatable handle member back into the non-braking position. Often, this force is insufficient to cause the handle grip to fully rotate back into the non-braking position. Thus, in some cases, the brakes may be left in a partially activated state after release.
Second, some prior art rotatable and grip controls rely on complementary angled surfaces to provide the pull on the cable when rotated relative to each other. In some cases, rough road conditions or rider inattention may cause the brake to engage inadvertently though unintentional hand or wrist movement. This occurs because the spring-loaded biasing force on the brakes which normally maintains the calipers in an open position is insufficient to counteract the force exerted by the inadvertent hand or wrist rotation.
Third, since the brake cable is directly attached to the handle grip member, failure of the brake cable in some situations may cause the handle grip member to detach from the handlebar. This may result in loss of control and injury to the rider.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle brake control which is easily accessible in emergencies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle brake control that requires relatively little force to activate yet is resistant to inadvertent hand and wrist rotations.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle brake control that easily returns to the non-braking position after release.
It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle brake control which will not permit detachment of the handle member should the brake cable fail.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a bicycle brake control that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and has a minimum of exposed components.

Handlebar cable control with biased return feature


This invention provides a stereoscopic image display system that allows a plurality of experiencing persons to visually recognize stereoscopic images by their naked eyes at one time.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a stereoscopic image display system that directs images with binocular parallax (i.e., an image for right eye and an image for left eye) separately at left and right eyes of an experiencing person to allow the experiencing person to visually recognize the images as a stereoscopic image without using special glasses.
(2) Description of the Related Art
As stereoscopic image display systems of this type, conventionally, there have been known those using a retroreflective screen (e.g., refer to JP 2006-113476 A (paragraphs 0014 to 0059, FIGS. 1 to 7)). With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, hereinafter, description will be given of a conventional stereoscopic image display system. FIG. 1 is a side view used for description of a principle of a display apparatus using a retroreflective screen. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional stereoscopic image display system.
In the display apparatus using the retroreflective screen, as shown in FIG. 1, the retroreflective screen 21 is disposed in a standing state on a line of sight of an experiencing person M. Moreover, a half mirror 22 is provided between the experiencing person M and the retroreflective screen 21. The half mirror 22 has a plane of incidence facing a facial surface of the experiencing person M. Further, a projector 23 is provided for emitting an image light beam L1 at a predetermined angle of view to the half mirror 22. The angle of view of the image light beam L1 emitted from the projector 23 and an angle of incidence of the image light beam L1 relative to the half mirror 22 are set appropriately, so that a field of view of the experiencing person M who sees the retroreflective screen 21 through the half mirror 22 in an image experience region is superimposed on an image light beam L2 obtained when the image light beam L1 reflected from the half mirror 22 is projected onto the retroreflective screen 21. Since the retroreflective screen 21 has a characteristic of reflecting the image light beam L2 in a direction of incidence of the image light beam L2, the image light beam L2 projected on the retroreflective screen 21 is reflected in the direction of incidence thereof, passes through the half mirror 22 and enters eyes of the experiencing person M. Thus, the experiencing person M can visually recognize the image light beam L2.
The conventional stereoscopic image display system is configured by use of the mechanism of display described above. Hereinafter, reference is made to FIG. 2. This stereoscopic image display system includes a projector 23R that emits an image light beam L1R for right eye, a projector 23L that emits an image light beam L1L for left eye, two half mirrors 22A and 22B, and the like. The image light beam L1R for right eye is emitted from the projector 23R, is reflected from the half mirrors 22A and 23B in this order, and is projected onto the retroreflective screen 21. The projected image light beam L2R is reflected in a direction of incidence thereof, passes through the half mirrors 22A and 22B, and enters the right eye of the experiencing person M. On the other hand, the image light beam L1L for left eye is emitted from the projector 23L, passes through the half mirror 22A, is reflected from the half mirror 22B, and is projected onto the retroreflective screen 21. The projected image light beam L2L is reflected in a direction of incidence thereof, passes through the half mirrors 22A and 22B, and enters the left eye of the experiencing person M. Since the image light beams L2R and L2L form parallax images, the experiencing person M can visually recognize a stereoscopic image.
However, the conventional stereoscopic image display system having the configuration described above has the following problem. That is, although the stereoscopic image display system allows an experiencing person to visually recognize a stereoscopic image by his/her naked eyes, with a relatively simple configuration, only a specific experiencing person (only one experiencing person) can visually recognize a stereoscopic image, but a plurality of experiencing persons can not visually recognize stereoscopic images at one time.

Abstract: In correspondence with a distance between eyes of an experiencing person, a plurality of projectors and a plurality of half mirrors are arranged around a periphery of a retroreflective sheet placed horizontally. The respective projectors receive parallax images of an object as a display target which are taken along a circumferential direction of the object. Image light beams (left and right parallax images) emitted from the adjacent two projectors are reflected from the half mirrors and then enter the retroreflective sheet. The two incident image light beams are reflected from the retroreflective sheet in directions of incidence thereof, respectively. The two reflected light beams pass through the half mirrors and then separately enter the right and left eyes of the experiencing person. Thus, the experiencing person can visually recognize a stereoscopic image of the object, which is seen from every direction, at the entire periphery of the retroreflective sheet.


A box for holding optical components comprising a base having an upper surface for receiving a layer of optical components, the base being attachable into a fiber-optic device. A clamping bar attached to the base over the layer of optical components, such that the layer of optical components is held in place, with the optical fiber leads of the optical components extending outside of opposite ends of the box for splicing.

There are currently being manufactured and developed a number of devices and systems for use in fiber-optic networks. These devices and systems include optical amplifiers that provide direct amplification of fiber-optic signals without the need to convert the light signal into an electrical signal. These fiber-optic devices and systems typically include a number of optical components having fiber leads that must be spliced together. The optical fiber leads are easily damaged. Structures have been developed for mounting the optical components into the fiber-optic devices and for stowing the spliced leads out of harm's way.
One disadvantage of currently used optical component mounting structures is that they require a relatively large amount of space within the fiber-optic device. This is increasingly problematic as the trend in fiber-optic devices is towards smaller packages. Thus there is a need for a system for mounting optical components within a fiber-optic device that protects the optical components while efficiently using the space available.

Ganged boxes for holding optical components


A power supply charging system having first and second alternating power cells, a motor driven generator adapted to operably switch between providing power between the first and second alternating power cells, a third power cell which supplies power to the motor driven generator, and a control system having a power cell managing module and a charge control module. The power cell module is adapted to alternate the motor driven generator to operably switch between providing power to the first and second alternating power cells. The charge control module is adapted to detect the occurrence of a pre-determined power supply condition to activate the motor driven generator to provide power to the first or second alternating power cells. The power supply charging system may find particular use in generating a direct current, converting the direct current to an alternating current, and providing a continuous alternating current to a facility or equipment.

During power outages, consumers may use portable gasoline-powered generators. Traditional portable gasoline powered generators provide just enough power to keep a few home appliances running during a power outage. Portable gasoline-powered generators require constant attention to ensure the generators are being used safely. Some of the limitations of portable gasoline-powered generators include: the need to be located in well ventilated locations, usually physically outside of a home or other building; the need to prevent exhaust fumes from entering an interior of the home or building; and having to cool the generator before refueling.
Recent natural disasters have increased sales and installations of standby gas generators as opposed to portable gasoline-powered generators due to their attractive longevity for energizing a home. While standby generators may energize a home for a number of days, they are expensive to install as they must be integrated with a home's electrical system and have an ongoing fuel cost to remain operational. Installing and using a standby gas generator may present a number of problems aside from installation and operational costs. A standby gas generator is generally installed in an outdoor space which makes urban installations potentially impossible. A standby gas generator is dependent on fossil fuel for continuous operation. Standby generators may operate at decibel levels above that permitted by local ordinances. Standby generators may require a professional installations, local permits, and inspections to install the unit to a home or building.
Due to the challenges faced with portable and standby gas generators and a general desire for more environmental friendly power sources, consumers have sought alternative options for off-grid power. Alternative options include solar power, wind power, and micro-hydro power. Solar power is able to draw energy from the sun and function for a long period of time by having a system with photovoltaic solar panels, an inverter, and batteries. Solar power systems may be easy to maintain after an initial installation with minimal maintenance. The draw back to solar power may be that it may take years, if not decades, to receive a return on investment after the initial installation and the performance of a solar power system will vary dramatically depending on geographic location and exposure to the sun. Wind powered systems are able to generate electricity based on wind by having residential (or larger) sized wind turbines. Wind turbines must rely on wind energy to successfully allow the home to be powered off the grid, may be unsightly due to the turbine installed on outdoor property, and may be difficult to install in urban locations due to needing real estate for the installation. Micro-hydro power systems use a source of running water, such as a stream, to generate electricity. Micro-hydro power systems require a running water source in close proximity to take advantage of the energy produced by the flow of water to generate electricity.
As alternative energies have been explored, the use of batteries to provide long-term off-grid power has also been explored. For example, US Patent Application Nos. 2012/0161564, US 2010/0270883 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,782,015 teach alternative energy systems which rely on battery power. Barriers faced by using batteries including working within the constraints of the law of conservation of energy by avoiding the design of a perpetual motion machine (i.e., closed-loop system). In order to avoid designing a perpetual motion machine, some have integrated the battery-based systems with other alternative energy sources to provide external energy to charge batteries. The charged batteries are then discharged or depleted to provide a power supply to a home or building. An example includes US Patent Application No. US 2014/0265695. Notwithstanding the above, there is still a need for developing an alternative power supply which is able to run independent of an external energy source which relies on the environment (e.g., sun, wind, water), does not require large outdoor property for installation, a method which does not simultaneously deplete a battery while trying to charge the battery, preventing the design of a closed-loop system, and optimizing the system for compatibility with modern, high energy capacity batteries (i.e., batteries having a high charge rate).
What is needed is a power supply charging system which may be portable to adapt to a number of locations, fixed to a specific location, or can be adapted for both. What is needed is a power supply charging system which does not need to be installed on outside property of a facility and can be used safely inside of a facility. What is needed is a power supply charging system which is able to operate off-grid without relying on local environment (i.e., sun, wind, or water) but may be compatible with alternative energy systems. What is needed is a power supply charging system which is reliable and is able to run for extended periods of time with minimal intervention by a user. What is needed is a power supply charging system which is environmentally friendly with a reduced carbon footprint even with continuous use. What is needed is a power supply charging system which does not try to bypass the law of conservation of energy and is not a perpetual motion machine (i.e., closed loop system). What is needed is a system which includes a dedicated energy supply integrated into the supply for recharging one or more batteries and allowing the system to deliver continuous energy to its surroundings.


A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses.

Many computing applications such as computer games, multimedia applications, or the like use controls to allow users to manipulate game characters or other aspects of an application. Typically such controls are input using, for example, controllers, remotes, keyboards, mice, or the like. Unfortunately, such controls can be difficult to learn, thus creating a barrier between a user and such games and applications. Furthermore, such controls may be different than actual game actions or other application actions for which the controls are used. For example, a game control that causes a game character to swing a baseball bat may not correspond to an actual motion of swinging the baseball bat. Thus, an input mechanism that relies on human gestures or movement is desirable. However, tracking humans and objects in three dimensional space typically requires complex sensor systems and powerful processing elements. The result must be post-processed before being digested by application programs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Device for identifying and tracking multiple humans over time


A projection apparatus for providing multiple viewing angle images is disclosed. The projection apparatus includes a light source module, a polarizing light splitting element, a first and a second reflective light valve and a light combining element. The polarizing light splitting element has a light incident surface, a first light exiting surface and a second light exiting surface. The light incident surface optically couples with the light source module, while the first and the second light exiting surfaces optically couple with the first and the second reflective light valves respectively. The light combining element optically couples to the reflective light valves. Further, the light source module sequentially provides a first light beam and a second light beam. The light beams are transferred via the polarizing light splitting element, the reflective light valves and the light combining element to provide at least four viewing angle images to the viewers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a projection apparatus, and more particularly, to a projection apparatus for providing multiple viewing angle images.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
To obtain more vivid and realistic images, corresponding displaying technologies have been developed in succession over recent years to satisfy the viewers' demands. In contrast to early-stage flat panel displays which mainly focus on the improvement of the resolution and colors, the three-dimensional (3D) display apparatuses that have appeared over recent years aim to provide the viewers with a vivid stereoscopic displaying effect.
The stereoscopic displaying effect is achieved primarily by feeding different viewing angle images of an object to the left and the right eyes respectively. According to the vision characteristics of human eyes, when the left and the right eyes receive two images with the same image contents but different parallaxes simultaneously, a 3D image of the object with a sense of level and depth will be perceived by the viewer.
In practice, 3D images are generally viewed either by using glasses or with the naked eye; technical developments over recent years have focused on the latter. Furthermore, when being viewed with the naked eye, the images could be viewed in a time multiplex mode or a spatial multiplex mode. Generally, spatial multiplex mode uses large panel display (LCD or plasma display) that is covered with a directional screen (lenticular type or barrier type.) The multiple pixels on the large panel display are guided by the directional screen to different partitioned zones at an observing plane. From any one of the observing positions, only one of multiple pixels on the panel can be observed.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional projection-type stereoscopic display apparatus 1 adopting the time multiplex mode. As shown, the stereoscopic display apparatus comprises a plurality of strip-like light sources 11 disposed adjacent to each other, a Fresnel lens 12 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 13. The strip-like light sources 11 each provide a light beam to the Fresnel lens 12 time-sequentially. The light beam is imaged by the Fresnel lens 12 onto the corresponding viewing zone.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another conventional projection-type stereoscopic display apparatus 2 adopting the time multiplex mode. As shown, the display apparatus 2 comprises a light source 21, a polarizer 23, a rotary polygonal mirror 25, a panel 27 and a plurality of optical components 29. The light source 21 generates a light beam that is polarized by the polarizer 23 and then reflected by the rotary polygonal mirror 25 onto the panel 27 for imaging, which produces a scanning-like effect. Then, the optical components 29 project the images of different viewing angles to different viewing zones according to a time sequence. More specifically, the light source 21 generates a first view angle image, a second view angle image, a third view angle image and a fourth view angle image on adjacent viewing zones of the panel 27 in different time sequences. However, this projection-type stereoscopic display apparatus requires the use of a rotary polygonal mirror 25 to realize the above said results. In addition, the rotary polygonal mirror 25 mostly functions in a mechanical way, so considerable noises are produced due to friction. Moreover, with the increasing demand for improved resolution, more viewing angles shall be provided, and thereby, the rotation speed of the rotary polygonal mirror 25 must be increased, which makes the aforesaid shortcoming more prominent.
Therefore, there are still shortcomings and problems to be overcome either in the spatial multiplex mode or the time multiplex mode. Accordingly, it is highly desirable in the art to provide a stereoscopic display apparatus with advantages such as a higher light utilization factor, no mechanical operating elements, low costs, simplified optical configurations and a high resolution without the above said shortcomings and problems.

Projection apparatus for providing multiple viewing angle images


An apparatus for manufacturing an otoplastic. An otoplastic is manufactured directly in the ear of a hearing-impaired person in that a deformable envelope is pulled over a die or over a shell or over an overlayed over-shell. This apparatus is then supplied with flowing otoplastic material between the die and the envelope, being supplied therewith in the ear. The envelope expands and assumes the shape of the auditory canal. After hardening or curing of the otoplastic material in the ear of the hearing-impaired person, the envelope and the die are removed and a module of either an in-the-ear or of a behind-the-ear hearing aid is integrated therewith.

The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing an otoplastic and to an apparatus for the implementation of the method.
In standard manufacturing methods for producing otoplastics, an impression is first made of the auditory canal of the ear of a hearing-impaired person to be supplied therewith. A negative is then shaped from the impression. Only then can an otoplastic be manufactured that fits the shape of the auditory canal of the ear. Under certain conditions, the otoplastic must still be cut or ground after manufacture in order to eliminate casting errors. Since this procedure is expensive and time-consuming, manufacturers have attempted for some time to develop a method with which the manufacture of an impression and of a negative can be avoided.
Thus, for example, German published application 12 31 304 discloses a method in which a self-hardening plastic is coated on a base member simulating the basic shape of the auditory canal of the human ear and in which the coated base member is subsequently directly inserted into the auditory canal of the ear of the hearing-impaired person. The plastic adapts to the inside contour of the auditory canal and the coated base member remains in the auditory canal until the plastic hardens.
This method, however, involves several disadvantages. First, it is relatively dangerous for the hearing-impaired person to have a paste-like compound directly in his ear since a part of the compound can detach from the base member and be pressed too far into the auditory canal. Second, the hardening or curing process of the plastic produces heat that can be unpleasant for the unprotected ear. Further, this publication discloses an embodiment wherein the plastic chemically unites with the base member, this being again dangerous for the unprotected ear. Finally, a plurality of standard base members is required in this method, since the plastic coating is not adequate to sufficiently adapt to the many different shapes of auditory canals.
The article "A Tool for the Optimization of Hearing Aid Fittings" by Dr. Barry Voroba published in "Hearing Instruments", volume 35, No. 1, January 1984, pages 12 through 14 and 16, and United Kingdom application GB-A 2 084 072 likewise disclose methods in which a plastic is directly placed into the auditory canal of the ear. In these methods, soft plastic materials or compounds are injected into the ear. Suitable dies are then pressed into the compound before it hardens or cures. After hardening the compound and die are removed from the auditory canal of the ear. The dies are subsequently removed from the compounds and housing shells remain for in-the-ear hearing aids. These methods, however, likewise exhibit most of the disadvantageous of the afore-mentioned German published application 12 31 304. For example, the soft compound is also in direct contact with the auditory canal of the ear and the hardening process occurs in the unprotected auditory canal. Moreover, a plurality of standard base members are again required, this resulting in costs and materials.
German application AS 24 59 259 discloses a further possibility of manufacturing an ear adaptor member without the use of an impression or negative. Instead of an otoplastic, the sound channel of the hearing aid is held in the auditory canal with a surrounding pocket filled with liquid. The pocket adapts to the shape of the auditory canal due to a pressure ring which is pressed against the pocket. A disadvantage of this method is that the liquid in the pocket does not harden. Therefore, there is always the risk that the pocket will rip and the fluid will run out. A similar apparatus that has a fluid-filled pocket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,654.
French patent A 1 552 471 discloses a bag filled with hardenable molding material that is used as an otoplastic after the hardening of the molding material. The subject matter disclosed therein differs from the present invention in that the in-the-ear hearing aid module is plugged into the hardened otoplastic and therefore projects from the ear after the hearing aid is positioned in the ear. A hearing aid constructed according to the present invention is embedded in the otoplastic and overcomes this disadvantage.
Furthermore, since the bag has a constant volume, it cannot be as well-adapted to a variety of shapes of auditory canals. Since, in contrast to the present manufacturing method, no axial pressure is exerted on the walls of the auditory canal in the adaptation, the bag does not reproduce the shape of the auditory canal as well as the present invention. In order to produce an adequate hold in the ear, the otoplastic of French patent A 1 552 471 is not only seated in the auditory canal but is also seated in the auricle of the outer ear. The subject matter of French patent 1 552 471 (equivalent to German published application 1 616 152) is summarized in the article "Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Ohrstueckes fuer ein Hoergeraet" in Neues aus der Technik, No. 2, 15 May 1986, page 2, Wuerzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.

Apparatus for manufacturing an otoplastic


An instant alert notifier and docking station for use in emergency situations. Several notifiers and docking station can be located through a building. In a use, the user presses a button and pulls the device cover, which causes the notifier to (1) snap a still image of the person removing the notifier, (2) trigger a “code red” alert and/or activate flashing red LEDS on the docking stations where they are located throughout the building and/or (3) switch from a front to a rear camera operation. Using the notifier, real time video, and still images can be captured and uploaded to first responder devices. The pressing of the button or removal of the notifier from the docking station can also cause the system to stream live video to the first responders from all of the other notifiers in the building still contained within their docking stations.

One common obstacle to developing a strategy for handling an emergency situation, such as, without limitation, a school shooting, hostage situation, etc., is the often inability for the responders to have real time video and images from within the location of the emergency and/or inability to be able to communicate with innocent persons located within the location. The disclosed novel device and system is directed to enhancing the information provided to first responders prior to their entry into the location of the emergency to allow them to have more current and relevant information when developing their rescue/extraction plan.

Instant alert notifier and docking station


A printing apparatus of the present invention includes a mother cliché having a plurality of sub-clichés and where a groove for a printing pattern is formed at each of the sub-clichés, a substrate for obtaining panels that correspond to the plurality of sub-clichés, respectively, and a printing means for printing the substrate using the mother cliché.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a cliché unit capable of forming a pattern using a cliché, a printing apparatus, and a printing method using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, research into flat panel displays is ongoing. Flat panel displays include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro luminescence device (ELD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), and the like.
Among such flat panel displays, the LCD has advantages such as low voltage operation, low power consumption, being lightweight, having a slim profile, and full color realization. Therefore, the LCD is widely used as a display in watches, calculators, computer monitors, television monitors, television sets, and hand-held terminals.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an LCD of the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the related art LCD includes: a lower substrate 100 in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix configuration; an upper substrate 106 facing the lower substrate 100; and a liquid crystal layer 103 interposed between the lower substrate 100 and the upper substrate 106.
The lower substrate 100 includes: a gate electrode 115 formed on an upper surface of a first glass substrate 140 and to which a scanning signal is applied; an active layer 116; a gate insulating layer 117 that electrically isolates the active layer 116 from the gate electrode 115; a source and a drain electrodes 118 and 119 formed on an upper surface of the active layer 116 that applies data signals to the active layer; a passivation layer 120 formed on the gate insulating layer 117 including the source and the drain electrodes 118 and 119; a pixel electrode 121 connected to the drain electrode 119 through a contact hole formed in the passivation layer 120; and a first alignment layer 137 formed on the passivation layer 120 including the pixel electrode 121, for aligning liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer 103.
The active layer 116 includes a semiconductor layer 116a formed by deposition of amorphous silicon (a—Si) and an ohmic contact layer 116b doped with n+ impurities on both sides of the semiconductor layer 116a.
The upper substrate 106 includes: a color filter 111 including red, green, and blue sub-color filters on a second glass substrate 110; a black matrix layer 114 formed between the sub-filters to block light; a common electrode 130 made of an indium tin oxide (ITO), transparent conductor, on the color filter 111 and the black matrix layer 114, for applying a common voltage; and a second alignment layer 135 formed on the common electrode 130 to align liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 103.
Also, the upper substrate 110 may further include an overcoat layer (not shown) formed on the color filter 111, for reinforcing adhesive force with respect to the common electrode 130 as well as performing planarization of the cooler filter 111.
To manufacture the LCD according to the related art, a pattern or a line may be formed through a photolithography process using an exposure apparatus.
However, such photolithography process requires use of a high price exposure apparatus, which causes problems that not only increase manufacturing costs but also increase manufacturing complexity.
To resolve such problems, a pattern formation method using a Gravure offset printing method has been suggested recently. The Gravure offset printing method is a printing method including placing a resist on a concave plate, scraping residual resist out, and performing printing. The Gravure offset printing method is widely used for a variety of applications such as publications, packaging, cellophane, vinyl, and polyethylene. Recently, an effort to apply the Gravure offset printing method to active LCD display devices or circuit devices has been actively sought for.
The Gravure offset printing method prints a resist on a substrate using a roller. Therefore, a desired pattern may be formed by using a roller one time on an area that corresponds to a desired display device. Accordingly, the Gravure offset printing method may be used to form various patterns on a display device, e.g., a gate line and a data line connected with a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode and a metal pattern for a capacitor, as well as the thin film transistor of the LCD.
FIGS. 2A through 2D show a method for forming a pattern using a Gravure offset printing method.
In FIG. 2A, after a groove 223 corresponding to a pattern is formed on a specific position of a cliché 228, the groove 223 is filled with a resist 225 (or ink). After a resist 225 used to form a pattern is coated on an upper surface of the cliché 228, a doctor blade 224 is moved while it contacts the cliché 228, so that the groove 223 is filled with the resist 225. So while the resist 225 fills the inside of the groove 223 by movement of the doctor blade 224, the resist 225 remaining on a surface of the cliché 228 is removed. Here; the cliché 228 may be made of a material including one of glass, metal, and plastics.
As shown in FIG. 2B, by placing the roller 227 in contact with the surface of the cliché 228 and rotating the roller 227, the resist 225 inside of the grooves 223 of the cliché is transferred to the surface of the roller 227. It is preferable that the width of the cliché 228, the width of a display device to be manufactured, and the circumferential length of the roller 227 are all identical. Therefore, as the roller 227 rotates one time on the surface of the cliché 228, all of the resist 225 inside the grooves 223 of the cliché 228 are transferred to the surface of the roller 227.
As shown in FIG. 2C, as the roller 227 is placed on the surface of an etching-target layer 229 formed on a substrate 230 and rolled, the resist 225 on the roller 227 is printed on the etching-target layer 229. Therefore, because the circumferential length of the roller 227 is the same as the width of the substrate 230, a desired resist 225 pattern may be formed on the entire surface of the substrate 230 by a one-time rotational movement of the roller 227.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2D, the printed resist 225 is heated to dry so that a resist pattern 226 is formed.
As described above, in the Gravure offset printing method, after the resist pattern 226 is formed by using the cliché 228 and the roller 227, the etching-target layer 229 is etched using the resist pattern 226, so that a desired pattern is formed. Therefore, a pattern may be formed in a simple manner as compared with the photolithography process using an exposure apparatus of the related art.
The Gravure offset printing method, however, has a disadvantage. A scratch may be formed on the surface of the cliché 228 due to friction with the doctor blade 224, and as a result, a defect may be easily generated on the surface of the cliché 228. Also, such a scratch or defect is a major factor in generating a bad pattern during the formation of the resist pattern.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a resist pattern formed on a real cliché and a substrate.
In FIG. 3A, if the cliché rubs against the doctor blade, a scratch may be generated on the surface of the cliché. If a resist pattern is formed on a substrate using a cliché with a scratch, resist in the shape of the scratch on the cliché is transferred onto the substrate.
Thus, if a resist pattern is formed using a cliché with a scratch and the scratch is transferred on the substrate, the substrate cannot be used. When a substrate for a large display is being manufactured, scratches on the cliché greatly increase the manufacturing costs.
The cliché may be manufactured using the following method that includes forming a resist pattern using a photomask on the organic film, after an organic film such as a polymer or a polyimide is deposited on a substrate made of glass, metal, or plastic and performing a dry etching with the resist pattern used for a mask.
To form a desired pattern on a large substrate, a cliché corresponding to such a substrate would also have to be manufactured to have a large size. However, the present technology has a limitation in manufacturing a cliché having a large size, and it is high cost.

Cliché unit, printing apparatus, and printing method using the same


A system for assaying a radionuclide includes a liquid scintillation detector, an analyzer connected to the liquid scintillation detector, and a delay circuit connected to the analyzer. A gamma detector and a multi-channel analyzer are connected to the delay circuit and the gamma detector. The multi-channel analyzer produces a signal reflective of the radionuclide in the sample. A method for assaying a radionuclide includes selecting a sample, detecting alpha or beta emissions from the sample with a liquid scintillation detector, producing a first signal reflective of the alpha or beta emissions, and delaying the first signal a predetermined time. The method further includes detecting gamma emissions from the sample, producing a second signal reflective of the gamma emissions, and combining the delayed first signal with the second signal to produce a third signal reflective of the radionuclide.

Various systems and methods are known in the art for assaying unidentified radionuclides to provide a qualitative and/or quantitative estimate of the source and/or type of the radioactive material present. For example, radionuclides naturally decay according to known and predictable decay chains that produce one or more isotopes until eventually a stable isotope is reached, and each decay generates alpha, beta, and/or gamma emissions. The alpha, beta, and/or gamma emissions may be measured to determine the specific radionuclides present in a sample. For example, the energy levels and/or timing of the alpha, beta, and/or gamma emissions may be measured to identify each radionuclide producing the emissions, and the ratio of the specific radionuclides present in the sample may then be used to identify the source and/or type of the radioactive material present.
For many of the radionuclides of interest, however, beta emissions are characterized by a broad energy continuum and alpha emissions by extremely short ranges. Their assay typically requires extensive chemical purification of the elements of interest and preparation of an extremely thin deposit of the activity prior to measurement. This is particularly true of alpha emitting actinide isotopes. It may be problematical to accomplish the measurement of these alpha emitters in a timely manner in a sample with a complex mixture of beta and gamma-ray activities such as "fresh" fission products. In addition, low energy gamma emissions are difficult to distinguish from other Compton scattering events. Therefore, an improved system and method for assaying alpha emitting radionuclides in a high beta/gamma background environment would be useful.

System and method for assaying a radionuclide


An electronic device is provided, the electronic device includes a first display screen and a second display screen, the first display screen and the second display screen are articulated to the same side of a control system, and can rotate up and down, and can display page information, the page information displayed by the first display screen and the second display screen is the same or different according to a selection of a user. The two display screens of a display apparatus can display page information for the user in multiple display forms and display modes, which greatly enriches the display manner of the electronic device and improves user experience.

Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to the field of computer technology, and particularly to an electronic device.
Background of the Technology
A laptop computer, as a portable electronic product, has already become an indispensable part in life and work of more and more users. With the diversity of applications of the computer and the enrichment of contents of applications of the computer, the users of the laptop computer are increasingly able to appreciate the convenience and the practicability of the laptop computer.
In the practical application of the laptop computer, multiple applications run simultaneously, or multiple pages are opened simultaneously by a user. The user may simultaneously pay attention to more than one application or more than one page which are being used. However the laptop in the prior art can not display two interfaces simultaneously, or can present multiple pages on a display screen simultaneously only by a method of zooming out the area of a displayed page. The method provides a poor experience to the user and is inconvenient to use. Furthermore, most display screens of the laptop computers in the prior art are liquid crystal display screens, which have a single and boring display form and display mode.


A method of manufacturing a mold includes following steps. Providing a solution, which includes a solvent, a solute and a plurality of nanoparticles. Providing a first substrate. Spin coating the solution on the first substrate, and then vaporizing the solvent to form a first mold on the first substrate. Thus, an upper surface of the first mold has a plurality of first porous structures. The present invention further includes forming an optical film having protrusion patterns with the aforementioned mold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a mold and a method of forming optical film by a mold, and more particularly, to a method of forming a mold by a spin coating process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since varieties of display technologies have been well developed and widely used in recent years, fabrication techniques for optical films, such as diffusion film, brightness enhancement film, etc., applied to display devices are highly developed. In general, the light scattering effect or light focusing effect of the aforementioned optical films are achieved by microstructures formed on surfaces of the optical films.
In conventional method, the microstructures are formed on a mold by a photolithography and etching process in advance, and a roller imprinting process is then performed to imprint the pattern of the microstructures on the surface of the optical film. However, the method of manufacturing the mold by performing photolithography and etching process is not preferable due to its high fabrication cost and high complexity, and thus needs to be improved.

Method of manufacturing mold and method of forming optical film by mold