A coherent optical apparatus of this invention includes first and second lenses located before and after a transmission object in which at least one of a transmittivity or phase is spatially distributed, and a microlens array located before the first lens. Upon illumination of coherent light on the microlens array, a plurality of high-quality, clear Fourier transform patterns can be obtained with a simple arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical apparatus capable of simultaneously obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform patterns of a transmission object under illumination of coherent light.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the field of optical information processing or so-called "optical computing", there is an approach to a high-speed matrix operation, an interimage operation and the like utilizing a parallelistic property of light. For example, there is an approach to simultaneously obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform patterns of an image (transmission object) which is formed into information by a transmittivity or a phase and causing each pattern to perform a predetermined image operation.
For this purpose, an optical apparatus capable of simultaneously obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform patterns of a transmission object with a simple arrangement is necessary.
A known conventional apparatus of this type is shown in FIG. 1 or 2.
Referring to FIG. 1, coherent light emitted from an HeNe laser 1 is spatially expanded into a collimated light beam by a beam expander 2 and illuminates a transmission object 3. Two-dimensional matrix pin hole array 4 is located immediately after the transmission object 3, and a lens 5 is arranged thereafter. The transmission object 3 is arranged near a front focal surface of the lens 5. With this arrangement, a plurality of Fourier transform patterns of the transmission object 3 are obtained on a rear focal surface 6 of the lens 5.
Assuming that a complex transmittivity of the transmission object 3 is f(x,y) and a pin hole diameter of the pin hole array 4 is sufficiently small, f(x,y) sampled by the pin hole array 4 is represented as follows by using a Dirac function: ##EQU1## (1) where each of p and q is the pitch of a pin hole.
Therefore, a Fourier transform pattern of relation (1) obtained by the lens 5 is given as follows assuming that F(.xi.,n) is a Fourier transform of f(x,y): ##EQU2## (2) That is, a plurality of Fourier transform patterns F(.xi.,.eta.) of f(x,y) are obtained on the (.xi.,.eta.) plane, i.e., the rear focal surface of the lens 5.
In the above relation, symbol * represents convolution. Each of 1/p' and 1/q' represents the pitch between patterns F(.xi.,.eta.) on the Fourier transform surface. In this case, p and q are proportional to p'and q', respectively. Therefore, the pitch between the pin hole array is inversely proportional to the pitch between the Fourier transform patterns.
FIG. 2 shows another conventional technique capable of obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform patterns by using a computer hologram.
A collimated coherent light beam obtained by an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 1 illuminates the transmission object 3. A computer hologram 7 is arranged after the transmission object 3.
The computer hologram 7 is so coded as to reproduce matrix point array at a position separated from a hologram surface by a predetermined interval when collimated coherent illumination is used as reference light. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a pattern in which a plurality of so-called Fresnel zone plates overlap to be offset from each other is recorded. In FIG. 3, only two patterns are shown for illustrative simplicity.
With the above arrangement, a Fourier transform pattern of the transmission object 3 can be obtained about each point reproduced by the computer hologram.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 1, however, is problematic because an amount of light transmitted through the pin hole to sample the object is significantly small and therefore the obtained Fourier transform pattern is very dark.
When a pin hole diameter is increased to solve this problem, Fourier transform H(.xi.,.eta.) of a complex transmittivity h (x,y) of the pin hole is added to the Fourier transform pattern. As a result, relation 2 is rewritten as follows: ##EQU3## That is, when the pin hole h(x,y) is enlarged, the cutoff frequency of the Fourier transform H(.xi.,.eta.) moves to a low-frequency side. Therefore, the obtained Fourier pattern lacks high-frequency information.
With the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the computer hologram in which a plurality of Fresnel zone plates overlap each other is used to obtain a plurality of Fourier transform patterns. In this case, in addition to the +lst diffracted light component required to obtain the Fourier transform patterns, unnecessary diffracted light components such as 0th, -lst and +2nd diffracted light components are generated. In addition, diffracted light is generated due to mutual interference (so-called moire) between the zone plates. As a result, noise patterns of these unnecessary diffracted light components significantly overlap the Fourier transform patterns.


A germicide and disinfectant composition contains detergent and at least two enzymes adapted to cause lysis in glycoprotein in infectious agents. These germicidal and disinfectant compositions are used in conjunction with prepackaged wipes and kits that allows the user to remove liquid or dried contaminated material without coming into direct contact with the contaminated material.

The instant invention relates to the field of germicidal and disinfectant compositions. These germicidal and disinfectant compositions are used in conjunction with prepackaged wipes and kits.
Blood and other bodily fluids (e.g. urine, feces, vomit) contain various infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. Similarly, interior and exterior body surfaces, including most prominently mucous membranes, also have various infectious agents on their surfaces. Thus, in a variety of disaster, emergency, and non-emergency situations, where exposure to these contaminated fluids and surfaces can occur, there is a need to neutralize and remove these infectious agents with effective germicides in order to prevent secondary infection of a variety of individuals, including medical and emergency response personnel as well as family, friends, and other bystanders.
Due to the increased numbers of individuals potentially harboring these infectious agents, there is a growing concern among emergency response teams, military and civilian medical and dental staff, law enforcement personnel and, more recently, even travel and tourist personnel, educators, and co-workers over the possibility of coming in contact with a variety of infectious agents, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, and, more recently, anthrax and smallpox. Examples of their concern would include, but not be limited to, the exposure that they experience in classrooms, athletic departments, the industrial workplace, hotels and motel suites, patrol cars, emergency response vehicles and public transportation. In addition, their concern and that of public health officials is heightened by the long-term viability of some of these infectious agents, such as hepatitis, and the lack of effective vaccines against some of these infectious agents, such as anthrax.
These concerns are not unfounded. While in a given population the presence of HIV and hepatitis is statistically extremely remote, in a gathering where the potential for a high incidence of these viruses is present, there is justification to be concerned. For instance, a chartered cruise ship or aircraft, a convention or rally held at a hotel or motel containing several thousand guests known to potentially be carriers of this virus. In the case of law enforcement, the persons involved would suggest a significant increase in the probability for encountering these viruses.
Germicides and disinfectants are a standard part of the arsenal used to combat these infectious agents. However, detergent formulations alone have been at best only moderately successful in killing germs and disinfecting fluids and surfaces. Addition of enzymes that can inactivate or kill germs can improve the effectiveness of these germicidal and disinfectant compositions. However, enzyme-containing compositions have known problems. Separation of the different components of an aqueous composition containing an enzyme or enzymes into different layers or phases (termed phase separation) and a resulting decrease in germicidal and disinfectant capacity is known to occur.
Additionally, since enzymes themselves are proteins, they can digest each other. Further, enzymes must maintain a certain chemical configuration or shape in order to remain active. A change to that configuration which results in inactivation is called denaturation. Heat, unfavorable pH, and other such conditions may result in denaturation or partial denaturation of enzymes present in a germicidal and disinfectant composition, thus decreasing the shelf-life of the composition or at least rendering it less effective with time. Thus, formulating an effective germicidal and disinfectant composition containing enzymes that remains phase stable and that maintains enzymatic activity has proven difficult. Further, many such compositions contain phosphates and other chemicals that can pollute the environment.
Various patents have proposed ways to stabilize single enzyme type detergent compositions that can potentially act as germicides and disinfectants. U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,528 provides an aqueous enzyme composition wherein the enzyme is an amylase. A water-soluble calcium salt, and an organic stabilizing agent such as 1,3-propanediol or an aliphatic glycol are illustrated as stabilizers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,082 discloses a homogeneous proteolytic enzyme-containing liquid detergent composition containing saturated fatty acids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,030 provides liquid detergents with an aromatic borate ester to inhibit proteolytic enzyme degradation of the enzymes in the composition.
The instant invention provides a liquid germicide and disinfectant composition that contains detergent and at least two enzymes, an enzyme stabilizing system a detergent and water. The composition is adapted to cause lysis of glycoprotein in infectious agents. Such agents can include viruses such as HIV, smallpox and all forms of hepatitis, including the extremely dangerous hepatitis C. Methods for using the germicide and disinfectant composition as are also provided. The composition may be incorporated into a pre-moistened prepackaged wiper that allows the user to remove liquid or dried contaminated material without coming into direct contact with the contaminated material. The composition, with or without its prepackaged wiper, may be incorporated into a potentially disposable kit that is designed to decontaminate fluids and surfaces containing germs and infectious agents, thus allowing the user to remove liquid or dried contaminated material without coming into direct contact with the contaminated material. The composition may be provided in a re-sealable bag for both pre-use storage and disposal. Such bag may be everted to form a mitt.


Predictive monitoring of a rotational machine of a cooling apparatus is provided by integrating a predictive vibration analyzer into an electronics rack being cooled by the cooling apparatus. The integrating includes associating at least one sensor of the predictive vibration analyzer with the rotational machine of the cooling apparatus. The analyzer includes a predetermined harmonics table of one or more base operational frequencies and associated rotational speed harmonics for the rotational machine indicative of one or more rotational faults, and the predictive vibration analyzer automatically evaluates vibration of the rotational machine during operation of the machine by analyzing vibration data therefor, and automatically ascertains, based on the vibration data, and the predetermined harmonics table, whether the rotational machine is predicted to possess a rotational fault of the one or more rotational faults.

Electrical power is conventionally supplied to a data processing system by a power supply unit. A power supply unit is a component of a data processing system that transforms, converts, or otherwise conditions electrical power received from, for example, the power grid and provides the transformed, converted, or conditioned electrical power to one or more other components of the data processing system.
In one implementation, a data processing system may reside within one or more racks, and may be, for example, a stand-alone computer processing system having high, mid or low-end processing capability. Power to an electronics rack may be supplied by a bulk power assembly, which includes one or more bulk power regulators. As circuit densities continue to increase at all levels of packaging, and there is an ever-growing need for providing more power to, for instance, an electronics rack comprising one or more electronic subsystems, there is an ever-growing need for continuous cooling of the bulk power assembly. As one solution, a cooling apparatus may be provided comprising one or more bulk power fan assemblies associated with the bulk power assembly for air-cooling the power assembly.
Additionally, as is known, operating electronic devices produce heat. This heat should be removed from the devices in order to maintain device junction temperatures within desirable limits. Failure to remove heat can result in increased device temperatures, potentially leading to thermal runaway conditions. To address this need, an electronics rack may include one or more further cooling apparatuses, which facilitate air-cooling and/or liquid-cooling of one or more electronic devices or components within the electronics rack.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Integrated, predictive vibration analysis of rotational machine within electronics rack

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


This application presents a method and apparatus for cooling a through-ported cutting tool with a source of liquid CO2 with a compressed air line with a compressed air inlet and multiple CO2 injection capillary segments; the capillary segments interconnect to the same source of liquid CO2 and can have high pressure valves and throttles; the throttles have different sizes; a first capillary ends near the cutting tool; the second capillary ends near the compressed air inlet. Using a particular sequence of opening or closing the valves to the liquid CO2 to the capillaries, mixing with the compressed air provides and recycling the residual CO2, this invention provides for uniform and controlled cooling of the cutting tool within a certain temperature range.

A conventional method for delivering a cooling-lubricating spray during a machining process involves the application of a flooded coolant—typically an aqueous oil emulsion—under low to high pressure through a ported spindle and cutting tool. Most commercial CNC machining systems are specifically designed for flood and through-tool cooling-lubrication. However these systems present technical challenges with regards to adapting eco-friendly minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and newer minimum quantity cooling lubrication (MQCL) schemes of the present invention. Challenges include pooling of oil droplets in transit within delivery channels and insufficient cooling provided by a carrier fluid such as air. Adapting internal MQCL spray jets within the machining system is also very challenging due to for example the inability to maintain the MQCL spray precisely pointed on the cutting zone following various tool change or part change operations.
Portable and open-air machining tools, for example portable drilling tools and knee mills, do not typically utilize flood coolant-lubricant schemes and rely heavily upon MQL and MQCL methods such as oil-air mist, cold air guns, and near-cryogenic sprays. Although easier to adapt MQCL technology to these platforms, there is a need for better MQCL technology to improve productivity and performance Moreover, adapting newer CO2-based MQCL schemes (referred to herein as Refrigerant 744 (R744 MQCL)) to through-ported spindle and jet spray coolant-lubricant schemes remains challenging. For clarity, the present invention uses the term "Open System" to describe R744 MQCL spray-at-tool schemes under ambient atmospheric conditions and "Closed System" to describe R744 MQCL spray-through-spindle and tool schemes under elevated internal air pressure conditions.
Bio-based machining oils and blends, for example Boelube® 70104, a proprietary blend of Oleyl and Cetyl alcohol developed by the Boeing Company, provide excellent lubrication for machining difficult materials such as titanium and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), and sandwiched composites of same. However these lubricants do not provide appreciable cooling capacity to manage machining heat. Poor cooling constrains the productivity of the machining process in terms of speed, feed rate, and depth of cut (DOC). To mitigate this, oil, water, surfactant and other additives are used to formulate cooling-lubricating mixtures which are applied as a flood or mist coolant-lubricant into the cutting operation. However, use of such cooling-lubricating fluid sprays, even at the levels used in conventional MQCL processes, can be very messy and clean-up of surfaces following machining operations can be very challenging particularly where water-based MQCL is used.
This is particularly illustrated in machining applications involving portable drilling tools on aircraft production lines. In such applications, preferred cooling and lubricating (cooling-lubricating) schemes for MQCL typically involve small amounts of straight oil in air, cold air, or R744 MQCL sprays, for example as taught by the first named inventor in exemplary U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,725,154, 7,451,941, and 8,926,858.
Major drawbacks associated with conventional air-oil MQCL aerosol sprays include excessive fogging (aerosol formation) of the atmosphere and limited cooling capacity of air. Current air-oil MQCL schemes employ between 20 to 150 ml, or more, of coolant-lubricant per hour, which is a large amount of machining fluid for single point cutting and drilling applications. This results in messy machining and extensive post-machining surface clean-up operations. With regards prior art developed by the first named inventor, CO2-oil MQCL aerosol jet sprays have proven very effective as applied as composite jet sprays.
However conventional R744 MQCL schemes have proven quite challenging to adapt to closed systems (i.e., through-ported spindle and tool configurations), and particularly so providing consistent (and adaptive) cooling lubrication during machining operations where different cutting tools (having different sized coolant ports) and cutting conditions (experiencing changing cooling lubrication demands) occur during a machining process.
To illustrate this challenge, a through-ported machining spindle and cutting tool system can be conceptualized as a dynamic pressure reactor within which exists variable pressures and temperatures, fluids, and flow rates. The tool coolant port diameter determines the flow rate for the system (for a given pressure)—behaving as a changeable throttle for the machining fluid atmospheres introduced into the interior of the system (spindle and tool). Injecting and mixing variable amounts of CO2, oils and air have proven very problematic due to a multiplicity of tool port diameters and machining conditions, for which any change alters the dynamics of the system, and in particular CO2 phase transition and fluid mixing behaviors.
For example, optimal portable drilling conditions required to obtain optimal surface finishes and tool life for sandwiched composite fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and Titanium (Ti), termed stack-ups, requires changes in drilling speed and/or feed rate for the different materials. This capability is provided in portable drilling tools supplied by Apex Tool Group, Lexington, S.C., termed "Adaptive Drilling" technology, and is discussed under U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,277,154 and 8,317,437. However optimal machining conditions also require optimal drilling atmospheres—specifically cooling and lubrication chemistry, temperature, and pressure conditions. To date there is no effective and reliable solution for dynamically or adaptively monitoring, changing, and stabilizing R744 MQCL atmospheres within open or closed machining systems.
With reference to portable drilling machines using through-ported spindle and cutting tool systems, numerous technical constraints are experienced with conventional R744 MQCL schemes. These include the following:                1. Dry ice build-up within internal spindle or tool ports and cavities—difficult to precisely control mixing and internal pressures and temperatures during liquid CO2 injection.        2. Lubricant freezing and agglomeration into large masses prior to entering tool port—clogging, poor wetting, sputtering, and flow stoppage.        3. Inconsistent and variable cooling-lubrication effects, particularly during variable machining conditions characteristic of stacked composite machining        4. Poor spreading and wetting of frozen lubricant masses into and onto critical cutting interfaces and surfaces, respectively.        5. Excessive airborne oil aerosols emitting from cutting zone generated by rapid expansion of excessive quantities of CO2-oil mixtures (vaporization, sublimation, and gas expansion processes).        6. Oily residues are difficult to remove from complex machined surfaces due to high surface tension and thick film entrapment in complex surface features.
The present inventors have determined through experimentation that these problems are caused by sporadic thermal and mass transfer instabilities during internal phase transitions—CO2 liquid-to-CO2 solid, CO2 solid-to-CO2 vapor, and Oil liquid-to-Oil solid (i.e., solidification). Dry ice particle build-up, particularly when formed as a CO2 particle and oil gel, is difficult to control once formed within the spindle cavity and/or cutting tool coolant ports. This condition is exacerbated under low internal spindle-tool cavity pressure and temperature conditions. Microscopic frozen oil/dry ice particles once formed lack thermal conductivity which prevents fast melting (and sublimation) and efficient flow through internal passages. Larger agglomerations of frozen and entrapped oil and CO2 particles worsen the situation. As such, it is very difficult to precisely control internal phase transitions and resulting pressure, temperature, and flow instabilities using conventional means and is particularly difficult at low internal operating air pressures normally used with conventional spindle-tool R744 MQCL schemes. Dynamic changes in tool coolant port diameters, behaving as system flow throttles, and variable cutting conditions (i.e., thermal loads) exacerbate the problems thus described.
To overcome these problems, higher pressure cooling and lubricating schemes have been developed. For example, the first named inventor has developed an internal overpressure scheme (i.e., 100 psi and higher) using for example a CO2 gas atmosphere within the through-ported spindle and cutting tool, into which various quantities of solid CO2 and oil are injected and mixed. This approach does improve performance but does not completely resolve oil gelation problems. Moreover, high pressure conditions can be problematic and dangerous for machine tool operators, and particularly with portable drilling equipment. Still moreover, higher internal pressures require bulky high pressure lines and cause premature rotary seal wear and failure. Higher internal pressures utilize significantly more fluids (i.e., air and CO2). In addition, machining chips and debris are ejected from the cutting zone at higher velocities which requires additional safety measures.
In a related approach in the prior art, high pressure liquid and supercritical CO2 spray-through-spindle and tool configurations have been developed, available from Fusion Coolant Systems and described under U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,414,015 and 8,167,092. However these alternative high pressure CO2 cooling-lubrication schemes are expensive to implement and use, pose high pressure hazards to workers, and are not easily adapted to through-ported machining systems without extensive redesign of coolant channel systems, spindles and tool changers.
Besides conventional oil-in-air (and cold air) MQL schemes, other conventional MQCL solutions involve the application of evaporative mixtures of highly volatile solvents (with high latent heats of vaporization) and lubricating oils to provide both cooling and lubrication actions. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,338, which teaches the use of n-propyl bromide-oil mixtures. Major drawbacks of the '338 approach are that n-propyl bromide is toxic to humans and possesses a very low flash point of 22 deg. C., thereby not suitable for total loss systems in which the coolant-lubricant spray ultimately enters the ambient atmosphere. Frictional heating and sparking common to many machining operations poses an ignition hazard as well. In another example, Vertrel® XF is a fluorocarbon solvent offered by DuPont which can be blended with lubricating oils to provide an evaporative cooling and lubricating mixture. Although non-toxic and non-flammable, the Vertrel® process is too expensive to use in a total loss MQCL machining application. Moreover, the use of many of these conventional volatile solvent-oil cooling-lubricant schemes in productive machining applications are not permitted by manufacturers due to a combination of employee exposure and environmental quality concerns.
Finally, so-called green solvents are attractive for many industrial processes due to their low melt point, high boiling point, high solvent power, human safety, eco-friendliness, and renewability. However, most are not suitable as carriers for lubricants because of limited oil solubility, high boiling points, and/or material compatibility issues. For example, propylene carbonate (PC) is not suitable for use as an evaporative lubricant carrier solvent within a machining process due to chemical, physical, and material compatibility constraints. PC is hygroscopic and possesses a highly polar cohesion parameter of 27 MPa1/2 with minimal bio-based oil solubility. In addition, PC possesses a very high surface tension—41 dynes/cm—which decreases wettability and requires the addition of a surfactant to lower fluid surface tension for machining applications involving for example low surface energy and non-polar carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), with a surface energy of approximately 58 dynes/cm. More significantly and with respect to the present invention, PC has a very low evaporation rate of <0.005 (Butyl Acetate=1), making it unsuitable for thin film oil deposition. PC is non-volatile and poses an entrapment issue, for example in complex machining applications involving aircraft fuselage and wing stack-ups comprising sandwiched panels of CFRP, Titanium, and Aluminum. Finally, many green solvents are not compatible with certain substrates and pose fire hazards. For example, non-toxic and generally eco-friendly solvents such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) are incompatible with paints, adhesives and sealants and exhibit high flammability.
As such there is a present need to provide an improved R744 MQCL system that provides a precise low-temperature cooling lubrication process absent of the constraints thus described. Moreover an improved R744 MQCL system is needed that minimizes post-machining surface clean-up operations. Finally, an improved R744 MQCL system is needed that can perform better than the conventional approaches; a system that is adaptable to a variety of machining systems and tools, particularly closed-systems such as those found in portable drilling machines; and a system that uses 100% safe and renewable cooling-lubricating chemistries in much smaller quantities than used in conventional MQCL schemes.

Adaptive R744 minimum quantity cooling lubrication system


The withdrawal spike comprises a piercing thorn (10) and a housing (12) having filter chambers for air and fluid. In a connecting piece (23) for connection of an external device a self-closing valve (31) is arranged. Said valve (31) is adapted to prevent fluid from unintentionally flowing out of the withdrawal spike.

The present invention relates to a withdrawal spike for withdrawing medical liquids from containers.
A withdrawal spike, as is e. g. described in the patent DE 38 20 204 C2, comprises a piercing thorn having a ventilation duct and a fluid duct. The piercing thorn is connected with a gripping portion on which a connecting piece connected with the fluid duct is arranged. When the withdrawal spike is used, the piercing thorn penetrates through the elastomeric stopper of a bottle or any other container. Then a syringe or a hose line is connected to said connecting piece. The fluid container can be suspended upside down such that, during the withdrawal process, fluid may flow out of and air may enter the container. The withdrawal spike is further suitable for supplying fluid to the container.
The company B. Braun Melsungen AG, Germany, sells a withdrawal spike under the tradename Mini-Spike Plus. The connecting piece of said withdrawal spike is surrounded by a protective jacket which comprises a hinged cover. The closable protective jacket serves, on the one hand, as protection against contamination of the connecting piece, and prevents, on the other hand, uncontrolled leakage of fluid into the surroundings.
When heparin is withdrawn, all heparin syringes of the entire hospital ward are normally drawn up at a time. The piercing thorn is inserted into a heparin bottle and the latter is placed upside down for withdrawal purposes. The syringes placed in readiness, which have been taken out of their sterile packing, are successively connected to the connecting piece of the withdrawal spike and placed into the respective syringe packing after the withdrawal. During exchange of the syringes to be connected to the connecting piece of the withdrawal spike, the person drawing up the syringes continues to hold the bottle in the hand in an upside down manner. If the syringes are not exchanged very rapidly, heparin may drip from the open connecting piece and contaminate the surroundings.
In the case of cytostatic agents, which are toxic, the personnel always fears that the already opened bottles may fall over and become leaky. Therefore such bottles are frequently seal-welded into a PE-bag. The hinged cover of the Mini-Spike Plus spike is generally considered tight and safe.
In some countries it is common practice to use withdrawal spikes in conjunction with bags, i. e. a perfusor syringe is filled with the contents of a bag. This involves the danger of dripping.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a withdrawal spike offering a maximum of tightness and application reliability and a high degree of cleanliness, hygiene and comfort.
According to the present invention the connecting piece comprises a self-closing valve which is opened by insertion of a tube into the connecting piece. This reliably prevents dripping. In the valve according to the present invention the function of the protective jacket is essentially limited to the prevention of a contact contamination of the connecting piece. Protection against the leakage of fluid is offered by the valve which is in the open position only when a tubular object is pressed into the connecting piece.
Valves, which are opened by insertion of a tubular object, are known in the medical field, mainly for use in conjunction with hose connections, such as catheter connections.
According to the present invention a self-closing valve is integrated in the connecting piece of a withdrawal spike. This causes only a negligible additional expenditure which however offers considerable advantages with regard to application. For example, the exchange of syringes while drawing up heparin syringes is substantially facilitated. In the case of cytostatic agents the danger of the personnel coming in contact with toxic fluids is minimized. Further, the present invention offers advantages with respect to withdrawal of fluids from bags during which process the danger of uncontrolled leakage of fluid is particularly large. The fluid seal does not become effective only at the outlet of the connecting piece but already at its inlet such that the inner wall of the connecting piece is also protected against contamination.


A fuel flow system for a gas turbine includes a first pump, a main fuel flow path and a second pump. The first pump is connected to an actuator and a metering valve. The main fuel flow path is formed between the first pump and the metering valve. The second pump is connected to the main fuel flow path and supplements the fuel flow from the first pump under certain conditions. The second pump and first pump are in parallel.

In a gas turbine engine, oil is distributed to various components, such as bearings, for cooling and lubrication. The oil is heated as it circulates around or through these various components. The oil can be cooled by cooling air or fuel flowing to the combustion chamber. Cooling air is typically taken from the fan, which is expensive and reduces thrust of the engine. Fuel flowing to the combustion chamber can also be used to cool the hot circulating oil. Rejecting heat from the oil into the fuel incurs few of the penalties of air cooling. However, the amount of rejected heat is limited by the maximum temperature tolerable by the fuel.
The fuel system of a gas turbine engine includes a fuel pump for pressurizing and transporting the fuel through the system to the combustion chamber. The fuel pump is generally a boost stage and single positive displacement main stage which is attached to the gearbox such that the speed of the main fuel pump is proportional to the engine speed. At certain conditions, such as cruise, the engine operates at a relatively high speed while a relatively low fuel flow is required. Further, the main fuel pump stage is typically sized by high power or start conditions, resulting in extra flow capacity at all other engine operation conditions. In this way, the main fuel pump stage results in excess fuel flow. The excess fuel is recycled through a bypass loop to the low pressure side of the main pump. At low fuel requirements, the fuel may be recycled several times before being sent to the combustion chamber. The combination of recycling excess fuel and pump inefficiencies increases the temperature of the fuel. This additional heat limits the amount of heat that can be rejected into the fuel from the circulating oil. Reducing the amount of heat rejected into the fuel by the fuel pump would improve engine performance. Further, a large amount of time spent is in the cruise condition during a flight, and reducing the amount of heat rejected into the fuel by the main pump during the cruise condition may have a larger impact on engine performance than similar reductions during other flight conditions.

Dual pump fuel flow system for a gas turbine engine and method of controlling


A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.

The present invention is directed to fluid processing systems, and more particularly to a fluid processing system that is capable of providing a plurality of process fluid flows, each providing a predetermined amount of process fluid relative to a total flow of process fluid.
Fluid processing systems are used in the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries (as well as in other industries) to provide a precise quantity of fluid or fluids to a processing chamber. For example, in the semiconductor industry, fluid processing systems may be used to provide precisely metered quantities of fluid or fluids to a semiconductor wafer processing chamber. In a typical fluid processing system, each of a plurality of fluid supplies are respectively coupled to a mass flow controller that is capable of providing a precisely metered amount of fluid to a common manifold. The common manifold is fluidly coupled to an inlet of the process chamber. Conventionally, the process chamber has only a single inlet to receive the flow of process fluids from the common manifold.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a fluid processing system is provided that can receive a first amount of fluid and provide a plurality of second amounts of the fluid to a plurality of fluid outlets, with each of the plurality of second amounts of the fluid having a predetermined ratio relative to the first amount of the fluid.
According to one embodiment, a fluid flow controller is provided. The fluid flow controller comprises a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets to provide the flow of process fluid to a plurality of device inlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one addition fluid outlet. The fluid flow controller further comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of an amount of the process fluid that is received at the fluid inlet, and a second input to receive a second signal indicative of a first predetermined portion of the amount of the process fluid that is to be provided to the first fluid outlet, with a remaining portion of the amount of process fluid being provided to the at least one additional fluid outlet.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid flow control system is provided that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet, the first fluid outlet providing a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet providing a remaining portion of the flow of process fluid.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling a flow of process fluid is provided. The method includes acts of receiving the flow of process fluid at a fluid inlet, providing a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid to a first fluid outlet, and providing a remaining portion of the flow of process fluid to at least one second fluid outlet.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a fluid flow controller is provided. The fluid flow controller comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of an amount of process fluid received at a fluid inlet, a second input to receive a second signal indicative of a first predetermined portion of the received amount of the process fluid, and a first multiplier. The first multiplier receives the first signal and the second signal, multiplies the first signal by the second signal, and provides a first multiplied signal indicative of the first predetermined portion of the amount of process fluid, independent of the amount of the process fluid received at the fluid inlet.

Method and apparatus for providing a determined ratio of process fluids


Embodies of peripheral a wireless relay system apparatus and method for a multi-path interference removing using by same channel frequency is shown and described, which purpose of the present invention is to overcome extension of service coverage and a dead spot with amplifying same channel frequency, a problem in doing the relay, system wireless relay system was a same frequency interference of RF (Radio Frequency) output is become feedback radiating from tx antenna to rx antenna of the relay system, the wireless relay system apparatus and method effectively eliminates the same frequency interference so that it can ensure an additional system gain and easy to set up relatively to general same frequency relay system.

This present invention relates to a wireless relay system apparatus and method for a multi-path interference removing using by same channel frequency. More specifically, the invention relates to a relay system apparatus and method to relay wireless signal of high generating power and high purity for tx (transmission) and interference isolation of relay branch office.
The relay system is located between a base wireless station and a terminal, which is an apparatus to provide for a good quality of communications entering the power station environment by amplification of low rx (reception) level in a dead spot such as an inside of building or out of town.

Multi-path interference removing for wireless relay system apparatus and method using by same channel frequency


An apparatus for centering semiconductor loading and unloading arms is described. The apparatus comprises a cap and a ring. The cap comprises a first plate, substantially in the shape of an electrode, a lip affixed to the edge of the first plate for holding the first plate stationary in a lateral direction, and a pin affixed to a top of the first plate such that the pin is perpendicular to the first plate. The ring comprises a second plate substantially in the shape of a semiconductor material to be placed on the electrode, an aperture in the second plate, the diameter of the aperture being the same as the diameter of the pin, and a collar surrounding the aperture, wherein the collar is for holding the second plate.

Known automated manufacturing equipment using electrode/cathode systems for manufacturing semiconductors typically use automated loading and unloading arms to move semiconductor material to and from electrodes. To ensure the proper loading and and unloading of semiconductor material onto electrodes, each autoloading arm needs to be aligned with respect to the electrode so that the material may be deposited correctly upon the electrode and received correctly from the electrode during manufacturing. If the loading arm and the unloading arm are misaligned with respect to each other, then the material may be deposited or received incorrectly from the electrode. As a result, the material might drop and break. The breakage of semiconductor material during the manufacturing process reduces yield, and, accordingly, increases the cost of production.
One prior method of ensuring that an autoloading arm deposits and unloads material from the correct position on the electrode requires a manual centering of the loading or unloading arm. Specifically, an operator loosens tension screws on the loading or unloading arm being aligned, moves the arm into the proper position relative to the electrode, and tightens the adjusting screws so that the arm will load or unload from the correct position. These steps are taken for both arms.
One disadvantage of the prior method of centering the loading and unloading arms is that the arms might not be percisely adjusted. If the arms are not precisely adjusted, the material may be loaded incorrectly. As a result, the material might break during loading or unloading.
Another disadvantage of the manual method of adjusting the loading and unloading arms is that it takes a relatively long period of time for an operator to adjust the loading and unloading arms precisely.

Apparatus and method for aligning automated loading and unloading arms


An integrated circuit includes a device including an active region of the device, where the active region of the device includes a channel region having a transverse and a lateral direction. The device further includes an isolation region adjacent to the active region in a traverse direction from the active region, where the isolation region includes a first region located in a transverse direction to the channel region. The isolation region further includes a second region located in a lateral direction from the first region. The first region of the isolation region is under a stress of a first type and the second region of the isolative region is one of under a lesser stress of the first type or of under a stress of a second type being opposite of the first type.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to integrated circuits and more specifically to an integrated circuit with tensile and compressive layer regions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many integrated circuits have semiconductor devices having active regions, including channel regions. Carrier mobility within the channel regions may determine the performance of such semiconductor devices. Typically, the carrier mobility within the channel regions is a function of the type of material being used to form the channel regions. Many materials used to form the channel regions respond to compressive and tensile stresses/strains. Typically, a stress layer formed using an etch-stop layer has been used to generate either compressive or tensile stress on the channel regions. Such etch-stop layers, however, have several problems. For example, conventional dual etch-stop layers may degrade performance of certain types of semiconductor devices.
Thus, there is a need for an integrated circuit with tensile and compressive layer regions arranged in a manner to optimize performance of certain semiconductor devices.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

Semiconductor device including an active region and two layers having different stress characteristics


Synthesis of the novel compound 3 (3-(5-substituted Oxy-2,4-dinitro-phenyl)-2-oxo-propionic acid ester) to make Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and using it for pharmaceutical purposes is described. More specifically, this disclosure relates to synthesizing the PQQ in an efficient method by using a novel intermediate Formula 1 resulting in a shorter process and higher yield of PQQ. A unique process to make sodium compound of PQQ using either sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate is also shown.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a natural product and is also known as methoxatin. Among many applications, primary use of PQQ is to protect mitochondria from oxidative stress, providing neuroprotection and cardioprotection. Common food sources of PQQ are parsley, green pepper, green tea, papaya, kiwi and milk. However, the available concentrations of PQQ in the food sources are only in picomolar (pM) to nanomolar (nM) levels. This necessitates the development of chemical processes which can produce large quantities of PQQ for everyday consumption.
The first complete synthesis of PQQ was reported by Corey et al. (1981). As per the Corey's publication, PQQ was synthesized in milligram (mg) scale and the numbers of steps involved in the synthesis of PQQ from commercially available starting material were ten.
Later, the synthesis of PQQ by a nine step-method was reported by Martin et al. (1993). However, the synthetic route described here is very similar to the aforementioned Corey's method and isolation of the final compound involves very complex and laborious process.
Kempf et al., (WO2006/102642A1) describes the synthesis of PQQ. This application mainly discloses the large scale synthesis of PQQ via a combination of Corey's and Martin's route. This application further claims the purification of final compound with sulphuric acid. However, the synthesis method involves large number of steps and the isolation of advanced intermediates further involves tedious labor intensive procedures. Hence, it can be observed that there is a need for better and simpler synthetic method for obtaining Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).

Compounds of 3-(5-substituted Oxy-2, 4-dinitrophenyl)-2-oxo-propionic acid ester, synthesis and applications thereof


A computer program product comprises a computer useable medium. The computer useable medium has a computer readable program such that when the computer readable medium is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to receive a request from a database driver that is compatible with a software application. The request is in a database language format. Further, the computer is caused to parse the request. In addition, the computer is caused to convert the request into an intermediary data format. The computer is also caused to provide the request in the intermediary data format to a common client interface builder that reformats the request into a format that is compatible with a system resource adapter and invokes the system resource adapter with the reformatted request.

1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to software integration. More particularly, the disclosure relates to connectivity to Enterprise systems.
2. General Background
In a business software environment, adapters may be utilized to allow business events to flow between an Enterprise Information System ("EIS") and a client. The client may be a business or process or other software application. Most software packages have associated adapters developed for them either by the company that provides the software package or by a company that creates middleware software applications that may be utilized with the software package.
Approaches have been developed for building these adapters. For example, standards have been developed for the types of messages that can be sent and received by the adapters. In order to utilize the adapters, all of the interfaces for the standard must be implemented. For computer languages that are not based on the standard or cannot operate with the standard, the adapters, which are written in the standard, are inaccessible.
The only current remedy to allow an existing client application, which is not written in the standard, to access data in an EIS through a resource adapter or EIS Application Programming Interface ("API") is to re-code the existing client application in the standard. Such a remedy is very difficult to implement on a large scale. Further, considerable time and resources are expended.

Method and system for providing access to adapters

International Business Machines Corporation


An exhaust after-treatment system including an exhaust passage having at least a first portion and a second portion. An exhaust treatment component may be positioned within the exhaust passage between the first and second portions, and an insulating blanket insulates each of the first portion, second portion, and the exhaust treatment component. Temperature sensors may be positioned at the first portion, the second portion, the exhaust treatment component, wherein each sensor monitors the temperature at its location. A controller may have access to temperature data associated with an insulated exhaust after-treatment system, and the controller compares the monitored temperatures to the temperature data to determine whether a difference exceeding a predetermined threshold exists. If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller outputs an error signal identifying particular portions of the exhaust system that are no longer insulated.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Aqueous urea exhaust treatment fluids are used to treat engine exhaust. Because the urea solution is aqueous, the urea solution is preferably atomized by dosing module when dosing into the exhaust stream to ensure conversion of the urea in the solution to ammonia and evaporation of the water. At lower temperatures, however, it can be difficult to maintain atomization of the urea solution such that the dosed urea solution may impinge on interior walls of exhaust passage. In these cases, reaction by-products may form solid deposits on interior wall of exhaust passage that can block exhaust passage.

Exhaust treatment device insulation detection system

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.


A dispenser of chewing gum in stick form designed to hold a standard pack of gum sticks, including the outside wrapper either with the end removed or separate sticks in their individual wrappers, perhaps taken from a larger package. It has an internal sliding ejector, with an attached, thumb-operated actuator protruding through a slot in the side of the dispenser body. In operation of this dispenser, it is held in one hand while the thumb flips open the hinged cap and subsequently moves the actuator and ejector forward, exposing the end of the gum and making it available to grasp with the other hand or by another person. The remaining gum is then retracted by moving the actuator back with the thumb, after which the same thumb may flip the cover closed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the dispensing of fiat, stackable, uniformly shaped products. More specifically, this invention focuses on the dispensing of chewing gum (gum) in stick form.
2. Prior Art
The majority of gum is sold in stick form in packs of five sticks which are individually wrapped, first with a piece of foil-backed (usually) paper, then with a paper band possibly depicting brand name, gum type and flavor and other information. The individual sticks are then wrapped five (or more) together in a sheath-like wrapper, sealed all around. The consumer tears off the end of the outside wrapper, exposing the ends of all five sticks in their individual wrappers; after removing a stick from the pack, the pack with one end open, is then usually placed in a pocket, a woman's purse or left lying somewhere. Experience has been that when the pack is placed in a pocket, body warmth causes the seal on the bottom and side of the wrapper to separate, causing the remaining loose sticks to disperse. Similarly, an opened gum pack in a womans purse invariably results in loose sticks of gum being scattered throughout. Not only is this an extreme nuisance but trying to locate a loose stick of gum with one hand while operating machinery, for instance, could be hazardous. Once the outside wrapper is opened, the gum has a tendency to dry out if not consumed in a timely manner. Half-stick portions, preferred by some people, have an exposed end and, if allowed to be loose in a pocket or purse, would attract particles of dirt, an unsanitary condition. Although prior invention, "Chewing Gum Dispenser" of R. M. and D. L. Buban U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,208 seems to solve the problem of loose sticks, it creates other problems that negate its utility. They assume that the coefficient of friction between the thumb and the top stick of gum is sufficient to overcome the friction on the other sides of the stick to eject the stick; this is dependent on thumb moisture and would not always work. The spring mechanism and overall design requires that the dispenser be considerably larger than the gum pack itself; its use would, therefore, not be embraced by a man who would carry it in a shirt or pants pocket. A stick of gum torn in half would have the saved half exposed to the unsanitary elements in a pocket or purse. Gum cannot be loaded as an entire pack, including its outside wrapper, but must be loaded as individual sticks. The primary (and apparently only) focus of their invention is to provide a device which "can be operated with one hand...without a need to look at the dispenser". I am personally not aware of this prior invention being available as a product since the granting of a patent in 1984. My invention is a dispenser, only slightly larger than a gum pack, operable with one hand, and closed off from the air all around to retain freshness and a sanitary condition, It does not rely on springs and therefore keeps the dimensions small; neither does it rely on thumb friction but instead an actuator (button) which provides positive action.


A treeshelter system comprising a unitary treeshelter with integral staking means is disclosed. The treeshelter system may include treeshelter extenders with a lower edge having connector means which cooperate and connect with connector means provided on the upper edge of a unitary treeshelter or on the top edge of another treeshelter extender. The unitary treeshelter comprises a hollow tube, preferably in the form of a truncated cone, open at both ends, and formed of polymeric material. The tube comprises integral staking means consisting of a plurality of rods secured to and supported in a like number of bosses formed integrally with the tube, and spaced substantially evenly around the lower edge of the tube. A unitary treeshelter according to the invention is installed in a single step by positioning it over a seedling and pressing downwardly until the lower end of it is flush with the ground and the rods are securely embedded in the ground. The height of a treeshelter according to the invention can be customized, on site, with no tools, by the use of extenders, thereby eliminating the need for foresters to maintain an inventory of treeshelters of various lengths. The treeshelter system according to the invention gives foresters the ability to extend the length of a treeshelter comprising a treeshelter base or a treeshelter base and extender, while the treeshelter is still installed over a seedling which has grown within the treeshelter to the top of it.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to treeshelters which are devices for covering and protecting seedlings and saplings. More specifically, the invention relates to treeshelter systems comprising a unitary shelter with integral staking means for securing the shelter in the ground surrounding the seedling or sapling. Treeshelters according to the invention are installed in a single step without tools and, once they are installed, they are extremely easy to remove and replace so that the seedling, sapling, or the like may be easily inspected. The removed shelter can be reused.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Treeshelters have long been recognized for their contribution to the growth and well-being of seedlings and saplings. Today, commercial treeshelter systems generally comprise a hollow tube with a circular or polygonal cross section, a separate support stake and connectors for securing the tube to the stake after it is pounded into the ground. Treeshelter systems of this type are thoroughly discussed in "TREESHELTERS", Handbook 7 of the UK Forestry Commission, by M. J. Potter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service have published Keith Windell's document entitled "Tree Shelters For Seedling Protection" and it also discusses conventional treeshelter systems and their use.
Treeshelters protect young trees from damage due to wind and animals, while providing support for the young trees while they develop adequate root systems. They also enhance the growth rate of seedlings. Although the treeshelters protect seedlings against damage, they still permit sunshine and rain to nourish the seedlings, as well as permitting the application of chemical treatments including fertilizers and pesticides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,486 discloses a conventional treeshelter comprising a twin walled extrusion in a cylindrical form. The patent also discloses that the treeshelter is installed by pounding a separate support stake in the ground, near a newly planted tree (with the risk of damage to the roots of the seedling) and securing the treeshelter to the separate support stake with several ties.
UK Patent application No. 2,212,048A discloses a treeshelter which comprises a separate support stake and a flexible sheet which is formed into a treeshelter shape, i.e., cylindrical, and retained in that shape by collars which include ties for securing the shelter to the support stake.
It is recognized by Potter, Windell and others that the use of these and other conventional multi-component treeshelter systems is very labor intensive and usually involves the use of a sledge hammer or heavy post driver for pounding a separate support stake in the ground. The installation of a treeshelter entails the delivery of the treeshelter components (shelter, separate support stake and ties) to the seedling site, pounding a separate support stake in the ground adjacent the seedling, positioning the shelter over the seedling and connecting the shelter with ties or the like to the separate support stake.
Conventional treeshelter systems are prone to failure in some cases, primarily for reasons involving the conventional, separate support stake. High winds can cause a shelter which is secured to a single, separate support stake to pivot about the stake to the extent that the shelter sheers off a seedling which it was designed to protect. Another failure mode for conventional treeshelters is breakage, usually around a knot, of the separate support stake while it is being pounded into the ground, especially in gravelly or rocky soil. Yet another failure mode involves rotting or degradation of the stake after the treeshelter has been installed. Although the separate support stake can be treated for weather resistance, the chemicals that are used to treat wood contain heavy metals which can leach from the support stake and harm the seedling.
Conventional treeshelters and the separate support stakes are pre-cut to various lengths and this contributes to problems with maintaining inventories of treeshelters and support stakes for various applications.
It is recognized that the growth rate of a seedling in a treeshelter which is taller than the seedling is relatively fast. The growth rate has been observed to decrease, however, when the top of the seedling reaches the top of the treeshelter. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a treeshelter system in which the height of a treeshelter could be extended simply and quickly. So far as is known, the height of conventional treeshelters can't be extended. A short conventional treeshelter system can be removed and replaced with a taller one, but that is very cumbersome.

Treeshelter system for seedlings, saplings, and the like


A car body structure for a convertible car that has a folding roof and a transparent windshield covering an front window opening comprises a door opening and closing a door opening in a side body section and a pillar member extending almost vertically from the side body section so as to support each side of the transparent windshield. The pillar member is positioned behind the front window opening so that the transparent windshield extends near besides occupants sitting on a seat of the car.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a body structure for a convertible car.
2. Description of Related Art
One of known open cars is a convertible type having a folding or removable roof that is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,422. While on the other hand the convertible car having a folding roof is advantageous to noise reduction and improvement of safety in addition to a more attractive outer appearance as compared with convertible cars having a canvas hood while the hard roof is unfolded, the convertible car is somewhat difficult to secure reliable occupants"" safety upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car while the hard roof is unfolded.
An open car having a structure incorporated with the intention of securing occupants"" safety is disclosed, for example, in Deutschland Pat. No. 3502574. The safety structure comprises a window frame for what is called a triangular window (a windbreaker or front ventilator window) mounted to a door and lock mechanism operative to lock the window frame to a car body upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car. The window frame locked to the car body bears the weight of the car body upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car, so as thereby to secure occupants"" safety.
A triangular window in a window frame mounted to a door of an open car blocks occupants"" vision in an obliquely forward direction of occupants and hinders visual recognition while running.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a car body for a convertible car having a folding roof and a transparent windshield covering a front window opening that provides occupants with broad obliquely forward vision and improved visual recognition in addition to a strong feeling of openness
It is another object of the present invention to provide a car body for a convertible car having a folding roof and a transparent windshield covering a front window opening that is improved in structural rigidity so as to increase occupants"" safety upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car.
The aforesaid objects of the present invention are s accomplished by a body structure for a car having a folding roof and a transparent windshield covering an front window opening that comprises a side body section having a door opening, a door opening and closing the door opening, and a windshield pillar extending almost vertically from the side body section so as to support each of opposite sides of the transparent windshield. The windshield pillar is positioned behind the front window opening and on one side of an occupant of the car.
According to the car body, the front window opening is closed by fitting the transparent windshield to the windshield pillar is positioned behind the front window opening and on one side of an occupant of the car, there is no necessity for the car body to have a windbreaker or front ventilator window, i.e. what is called a triangular window, that the conventional open cars are provided with. As a result, the obliquely forward vision, and hence visual recognition, is increased and a feeling of openness is strengthened, in particular, while running as an open car.
The obliquely forward vision, and hence the visual recognition, and the feeling of openness are considerably improved by positioning the windshield pillar behind a front end of the door opening in a lengthwise direction from the front to the back of the car body.
The windshield pillar may be positioned above an upper end of the door closing the door opening. This makes the door to bear partially an external load applied to the windshield pillar upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car, so as to increase occupants"" safety. Further, the transparent windshield may be secured to the windshield pillar at an outer side in a transverse direction of the car body. This structure avoids irregularities of an outer surface of the side body, so as to provide the car body with an even outer surface at the side that leads to an attractive side appearance and improved aerodynamic characteristics of the car body.
The windshield pillar has a closed cross section so as to receive a windshield pillar reinforcement therein such as made of a hydroformed pipe or a foam packed structure. This reinforced windshield pillar is compact although having an increased rigidity. The windshield pillar reinforcement of hydroformed pipe is light in weight, high in structural rigidity and predominant in formability. On the other hand, the foam packed structure is light in weight and high in structural rigidity.
The body structure further comprises at least one of side body reinforcements incorporated in rigid structural parts of the side body section of the car body such as a hinge pillar that are formed by outer and inner panel members secured to each other so as to form a closed cross section so as to receive the side body reinforcement. The side body reinforcement may be incorporated in either one or both of a rigid structural member that continuously extends from the windshield pillar as one integral piece such as a door hinge pillar and the side body that functions as a rigid structural part of the side body section when it is closed.
The side body reinforcement is connected to the windshield pillar reinforcement through a reinforcement extending in the lengthwise direction. Otherwise, the side body reinforcement is installed in and connected to the door so as to be in alignment with the windshield pillar in a vertical direction while the door is closed. In the case where the side body reinforcement is incorporated in the door hinge pillar as a rigid structural member that extends continuously from the windshield pillar as one integral piece, the side body reinforcement is continuous from the windshield pillar reinforcement and connected to the door hinge pillar. In this instance, the door hinge pillar may comprise outer and inner panel members secured to each other so as to form a closed cross section within which the side body reinforcement is disposed.
The body structure with the side body reinforcement, that is installed in the door hinge pillar or in the door, makes a side shill as a rigid structural member to receive the external load transmitted to the side body reinforcement through the windshield pillar upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car. This makes occupants"" safety more reliable. Further, the side body reinforcement that is disposed between outer and inner panel members forming a rigid body member such as the door hinge pillar and the door effectively transmits the external load to the rigid body members upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car. In addition, the side body reinforcement increases an impact load resistance of the side body section including the door upon an occurrence of a side collision, in addition to increasing the rigidity of side body section.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the car body is equipped with a pop-out type tip-over protection structure The pop-out type tip-over protective structure comprises turnover detection means for detecting a turnover of the car body such as, for example, a gravity sensitive switch and a mercury switch, a guard strut received for slide movement in the windshield pillar and lock means for locking the guard strut popped out. The guard strut pops out partly of the windshield pillar when the turnover detection means detects a turnover of the car body so as thereby to bear weight of the car body when the car overturns.
The pop-out type tip-over protection structure installed in the windshield pillar not only causes no aggravation of attractive outer appearance of the car body but also makes it possible to lower a top of the windshield with the intention of strengthening a feeling of openness. In addition, The pop-out type tip-over protection structure popping out partly of the windshield pillar makes occupants"" safety more reliable upon an occurrence of a turnover of the car.


A handheld mobile telephone system is disclosed including a detachable camera/battery module for capturing images and a mobile telephone for communicating with a receiving unit. The detachable camera/battery module includes a lens for focusing light from a scene to produce an image; an image sensor for capturing one or more images; and a converter for producing digital image signals from the at least one captured image. The detachable camera/battery module further includes a battery for supplying power to the mobile telephone system; and a first connector for detachably supplying the digital image signals and the power to the mobile telephone. The mobile telephone includes a memory for storing the digital image signals; and a processor for processing the stored digital image signals. The mobile telephone further includes a display for displaying the processed digital image signals; a second connector for interfacing with the first connector on the camera/battery module to receive the digital image signals and the power; and a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the processed digital image signals to the receiving unit. When the camera/battery module is connected to the mobile telephone, images are captured by the camera/battery module and are transmitted to the receiving unit using the mobile telephone.

The invention is directed to a mobile telephone system including a detachable camera/battery module and a mobile telephone.
In the prior art, image data from electronic still cameras has been transmitted via conventional telephone lines to selected receivers through the use of a computer equipped with a modem. The image data must first be downloaded from the electronic still camera to the computer, which then transmits the image data to a second modem-equipped computer via the telephone line where it can be viewed or printed.
Video telephone equipment has also been developed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,507 to Umezawa. The Umezawa device is a mobile phone that includes a video camera and video display, as well as a microphone and speaker. Because the video camera is permanently integrated into the mobile phone, the device must be sold as a single, relatively expensive device, which is both larger and more fragile than a conventional mobile phone (e.g., cell phone) since, for example, the device includes a lens and image sensor. On some occasions, a mobile phone user would like to carry a very small, rugged mobile phone, and does not need to take photographs. In such situations, the user of the Umezawa device would require a second, voice-only cell phone.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a handheld mobile telephone having a detachable camera/battery module, so that a conventional battery-only module can be used with the mobile phone to provide a small, rugged voice-only cell phone, and the camera/battery module can be used for those occasions when the user expects to take photographs.
This object is achieved by a handheld mobile telephone system including a detachable camera/battery module for capturing images and a mobile telephone for communicating with a receiving unit, comprising:
(a) the detachable camera/battery module including:
(i) a lens for focusing light from a scene to produce an image;
(ii) an image sensor for capturing one or more images;
(iii) a converter for producing digital image signals from the at least one captured image;
(iv) a battery for supplying power to the mobile telephone system; and
(v) a first connector for detachably supplying the digital image signals and the power to the mobile telephone;
(b) the mobile telephone including:
(i) a memory for storing the digital image signals;
(ii) a processor for processing the stored digital image signals;
(iii) a display for displaying the processed digital image signals;
(iv) a second connector for interfacing with the first connector on the camera/battery module to receive the digital image signals and the power; and
(v) a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the processed digital image signals to the receiving unit; and
(c) whereby, when the camera/battery module is connected to the mobile telephone, images are captured by the camera/battery module and are transmitted to the receiving unit using the mobile telephone.

Mobile telephone system having a detachable camera / battery module


An interactive food serving package (10) formed from a blank (B) of paperboard has a tray (11) with openings (19) for receiving items, and a combined lid and game piece (12) detachably connected to the tray. The tray has front and back walls (13, 14), opposite end walls (16, 17), a bottom wall (15) and a top wall (18). The front and back walls are pivotally connected to the top and bottom walls, and the end walls comprise releasably interlocking end closure flaps (24, 25 and 46, 47), whereby the tray may be moved between a flattened condition with the top and bottom walls lying flat against one another, and an open expanded condition with the top and bottom walls in spaced parallel relationship. Cuts made in the top wall define a plurality of partition panels (29, 30 and 36, 37) extending perpendicularly between the top and bottom walls in the expanded condition, and including at least one transverse partition panel (36, 37) holding the tray in the expanded position.

Multi-compartmented food packages, including serving trays and cartons, are known in the art. These trays and cartons are used to receive and carry food in fast food restaurants, at sporting events, merchandising shows, and the like. The trays and cartons may be designed to hold the food while it is being consumed, and typically have a series of openings or compartments for holding different food items and/or beverages. Some prior art trays and cartons are constructed so that they can be shipped and stored in a flattened condition, and then opened into an expanded and operative condition by store personnel for receiving the food items. These cartons or trays also may be provided with a lid.
Many conventional serving trays and cartons are constructed of paperboard that is folded and glued to form the tray or carton. Some of these are cut from a single blank of paperboard material that is scored, folded and glued to form the tray or carton, and others comprise multiple parts that are assembled together.
Prior art serving trays and food cartons either are relatively complicated and expensive to make, or are difficult to open into an expanded and operative condition, or do not reliably remain in the expanded and operative condition.
Moreover, conventional serving trays or food cartons serve the single function of holding food and beverage. They are devoid of graphics or interactive components that can attract and hold a child's interest, although some do have material printed on them to identify the store in which the tray or carton is used, or other indicia primarily serving an advertising function.
Conventional serving trays or food cartons that are shipped and stored flat and then opened into an expanded and operative condition by store personnel should be inexpensive to make and easy to manipulate. Further, they should be durable and reliable in use, that is, they should remain in the expanded and operative condition after they have been set up by store personnel. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a food package that embodies elements which serve a function other than to hold or contain food, i.e., an interactive component which can entertain and hold a child's interest.


A horizontally movable ram and crank drive mechanism therefor for reciprocating the working end of the ram in straight line motion through a die pack for ironing and drawing metallic can bodies is disclosed. The ram is supported by a hydrostatic type bearing support assembly to counteract gravitational vertical deflection of the unsupported working end of the ram. A cardan type crank drive mechanism for converting rotational input force into straight line reciprocating movement of an output shaft is also disclosed.

Apparatus for forming one-piece metallic can bodies are known and typically comprise a reciprocating movable ram movable through a relatively long forward working stroke and a rearward return stroke via a mechanical drive having an output shaft driven in reciprocating straight line motion and connected to the non-working end of the ram to reciprocate same. Prior to commencement of the working stroke, a can blank having a cylindrical side wall and integral bottom wall is positioned, using known indexing means, in the path of the ram to engage the working end entering the can through its open top at the commencement of the working stroke. The working end drives the can blank at high speed through a precisely aligned die package. As the metallic can enters the die package, its bottom end first, a drawing action occurs followed by an ironing action. A redraw die reduces the can diameter as the can is pulled by the ram through the die opening. The ironing die thins the metal can side walls by squeezing the metal between two surfaces to lengthen the can body. A pilot die helps to minimize thickness variation in the irregular can edge by supporting the ram punch as the irregular edge passes through a middle ironing die. In the final steps of the process, at the end of the working stroke, the ram working end or punch strikes a bottom former to shape a concave dome in the can bottom. The foregoing die pack comprising drawing and ironing dies, a pilot die and bottom former are conventional and may be arranged in various configurations. Critical, however, is the requirement that the die package be perfectly centered on the ram drive axis with precise tolerances between the ram and die package.
The reciprocating ram is typically supported in a mechanical rolling element bearing support or a hydrostatic type bearing support assembly wherein the ram movements are supported on constantly pressurized and flowing, thickened bearing oil films for maximum movement accuracy and minimum wear. At reduced speeds of ram movement such as during commencement and termination of the working and return strokes, the hydrostatic type bearing supports generally provide sufficient hydrostatic type support since the pressurized oil films supplied to the outer surface of the ram through hydrostatic pressure pad slots formed in the bearings through which the ram moves are capable of flowing circumferentially about the ram so as to center the ram within the bearing. However, at high speeds of ram movement during the working and return strokes, this circumferential flow is somewhat disrupted by the high axial component of velocity of the ram moving through the bearings. Therefore, at relatively high ram speeds during working operations, there may be a partial or complete failure in the ability of the bearings to provide hydrostatic bearing support which may result in complete bearing failure or early bearing fatigue necessitating frequent replacement or repair of the bearings. Such bearing fatigue also adversely effects the ability of the bearings to support the ram during its reciprocal movements while maintaining repeated trueness of movement with minimum wear for maximum quality of finished can bodies.
Another problem associated with hydrostatic type bearing support systems for a reciprocal ram of which I am aware is that the unsupported, overhanging working end portion of the ram (i.e., which extends outwardly from the bearing support and therefore only supported at the bearings) is the natural tendency of the working end to vertically deflect due to its own weight, with the amount of downward deflection due to gravity of the overhanging portion varying with the fourth power of the length of overhang. In other words, the vertical deflection of the ram working end increases as the ram progresses in its working stroke towards the die package. In multiple stage can drawing and ironing operations wherein the ram must be extended or projected within the dies over a long unsupported distance, such large vertical deflections cannot be tolerated if the necessary trueness, quality and metal wall constant thickness and completed part surface finish is to be maintained. Heretofore, in the prior art of which I am aware, this problem of natural vertical deflection due to inadequate ram bearing support has either been an operational speed limiting factor if frequent failures and maintenance interruptions for bearing replacements are to be avoided, or has resulted in limiting the length of the working stroke and therefore the length of can bodies that may be manufactured with such a drawing and ironing process.
A known mechanical drive of which I am aware for reciprocating the ram in straight line high speed movement in a horizontal plane generally comprises a crank shaft, rotating in a bearing set, and formed with a throw at one end thereof to which is connected a connecting rod driven by the crank shaft. The horizontal drive axis of the crank shaft is located below the horizontal plane of movement of the reciprocating ram. A pivoting beam is connected to the other end of the connecting rod at an intermediate portion of the rod and below the horizontal plane of ram movement. The lower end of the vertically extending pivoting beam is pinned to a machine base and the upper end of the beam in the horizontal plane of ram movement is connected to the ram with a connecting link. The ram is constrained to move horizontally via a slide way.
In the known crank drive described above, the only rotating part is the crank shaft; all the other aforesaid parts reciprocate. Balancing of this mechanism is accomplished with additional throws to move additional connecting rods and beams in a direction opposite to that of the ram. All of these balancing parts also reciprocate.
Since the reciprocating parts of the crank drive mechanism are located at the distal end of the crank shaft remote from the support bearing set, substantial cantilevering forces result which cause the crank shaft and reciprocating mechanism to experience internal bending transmitted to the output shaft; this causes the ram to deflect from its straight line motion, particularly within the horizontal plane. Further, since the mechanical parts of the prior art crank drive are subject primarily to reciprocating movement and not rotational movement (only the crank shaft rotates), the amount of input energy that must be dissipated each time the reciprocating parts reverse their direction at each end of the stroke is large and, since the input energy is dissipated through an external flywheel, the flywheel size is resultingly great, i.e., the rotating inertia of the flywheel is approximately three times as great as the flywheel used in the present invention.

Apparatus for forming one-piece metal can bodies


A light source apparatus includes: a light source that emits blue component light; a polarization adjuster that adjusts a polarization state of the blue component light emitted from the light source; a separation optical element that separates the blue component light emitted from the light source into a first optical path and a second optical path according to the polarization state adjusted by the polarization adjuster, the first optical path being for using the blue component light as excitation light, the second optical path being for using the blue component light as reference image light; a luminous body provided on the first optical path and that emits reference image light in response to the excitation light; and a combine optical element that combines the first optical path and the second optical path into a single optical path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source apparatus including a light source that emits excitation light and luminous bodies each that emits predetermined-color component light in response to excitation light and also relates to a projection display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known a projection display apparatus including: a light source; an imager that modulates light emitted from the light source; and a projection unit that projects light emitted from the imager on a projection surface.
Meanwhile, there has been proposed a projection display apparatus including luminous bodies that emits reference image light such as red component light, green component light, and blue component light in response to excitation light emitted from the light source (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-341105). Specifically, multiple types of luminous bodies that emit respective color component lights are provided to a color wheel. When the color wheel rotates, the color component lights are emitted in a time-shared manner.
Meanwhile, a case is conceivable in which the blue component light is used as the reference image light. In such a case, the red component light and the green component light are emitted from luminous bodies by using the blue component light as the excitation light. As for the blue component light, the blue component light emitted from the light source is used as it is.
Accordingly, there are demands for separating an optical path of the blue component light emitted from the light source into a first optical path for using part of blue component light as the excitation light and a second optical path for using the remaining blue component light as the reference image light.

Light source apparatus and projection display apparatus


An optical disc apparatus for recording synchronous information and data on an optical disc. The synchronous information recorded at the beginning of a frame is established to a mark in one frame in a plurality of frames. For example, the synchronous information of the mark and the synchronous information of a space are alternately established. In a frame, the synchronous information of the mark may be established, and in the subsequent frame, either the synchronous information of the mark or the synchronous information of the space may be selected so as to allow a DSV to be minimized. On the synchronous information of the mark, ROPC is executed for adjusting power of laser light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disc apparatus, and more particularly to a recordable optical disc apparatus such as a DVD-R/RW drive.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an optical disc apparatus, data is recorded while optimizing recording power through technology designated as OPC (Optimum Power Control) and ROPC (Running Optimum Power Control). Under OPC, prior to actual data recording, test data is recorded on a predetermined area (PCA: Power Calibration Area) of an optical disc while variously changing levels of recording power and the recorded test data is reproduced to select a recording power, with which reproduction signal quality (for example, β value) of the reproduced test data becomes ideal, as the optimum recording power. On the other hand, under ROPC, considering that recording film sensitivity of the optical disc is not always uniform in a plane, the amount of light returned during data recording is monitored to carry out feedback control of recording power so as to keep the amount of returned light constant when data is actually recorded under the optimum recording power determined by OPC. The amount of returned light, typically used, is the amount of light at level B, which is obtained when a pit is formed by irradiation of recording power (that is, the amount of returned light diffracted from the pit). More specifically, when the amount of returned light at level B is smaller than a fixed value, the recording power is reduced based on the determination that an excessive number of pits are formed. On the contrary, when the amount of returned light at level B is larger than the fixed value, the recording power is increased based on the determination that an adequate number of pits are not formed.
When data is recorded on an optical disc of a CD-R/RW or the like, data with pit lengths of 3T to 11T is recorded. Because it is difficult to monitor the amount of returned light in order to carry out the feedback control when the pit length is short, ROPC is carried out by detecting the amount of light returned while the longest 11T is recorded. The CD-R/RW has a standard that 11T is contained in synchronous information (SYNC) and always appears twice in a row. Because either one of the two consecutive 11T's always becomes a mark (a segment where a pit is formed by irradiation of recording power), due to the standard, it is possible to carry out ROPC using 11T at regular intervals (in other words, at the same timing as the periodically inserted synchronous information) so as to optimize the recording power at regular intervals.
For DVD-R/RW, although the pit lengths of 3T to 11T are formed just as with the CD-R or the like, there is a different standard where 14T is used as synchronous information and is not inserted twice in a row (as a pair of the mark and the space), as is the case with the CD-R, but is inserted only once. Further, in the standard, it is not specified whether 14T becomes the mark or the space. When every 14T is the space, for example, it is not possible to execute ROPC because the pit is not formed by the longest 14T, with a result that it becomes difficult to maintain recording quality due to inability to optimize the recording power at regular intervals. In order to allow ROPC to be executed, every 14T may be assigned to a mark. However, in this case where every 14T is a mark, there is a possibility that low-frequency components are increased due to the increased DSV.


One aspect according to the present invention includes a battery pack having a device for electrically connecting between batteries and an electric circuit of the battery pack. The device includes a plural number of signal lines formed on or within a flexible base plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to battery packs for power tools and also relates to devices for electrically connecting between batteries and electric circuits of battery packs.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known battery pack includes a case main body with an upper opening, a cover portion for closing the upper opening of the case main body, a plural number of rechargeable batteries stored in the case main body, charge and discharge electric terminals for connecting to a power tool or a battery charger, a control unit for monitoring charge and discharge conditions, and signal lines transmitting the signals from the rechargeable batteries to the control unit. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-124306 discloses a technique relating to a battery pack of a type described above. In this publication, the battery pack includes a control unit for monitoring charge and discharge conditions of rechargeable batteries based on voltage signals transmitted from rechargeable batteries. Lead wires are used as signal lines for transmitting the voltage signals of the rechargeable batteries to the control unit.
In order to transmit voltage signals of the plural number of rechargeable batteries to the control unit, a plural number of voluminous lead wires are necessary and thus, a large space is required for wiring. Due to this, the size of the battery pack has become larger.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for preventing enlargement of size of a battery pack by compactly storing a plural number of signal lines in the battery pack.

Compact storage of signal lines in a battery pack