A disk drive suspension and method uses two proximally cantilevered members to limit tongue movement in a suspension of a load beam having a beam portion and a flexure having a tongue. The suspension has a limiter structure comprising the two proximally cantilevered members arranged on the beam portion and the tongue respectively and intersecting for increasing engagement responsive to undue tongue travel against dislodgment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disk drive suspensions, and more particularly to improvements in limiter structures for disk drive suspensions providing increased security of engagement through intersection of two proximally directed members that respond to tongue undue travel by increasing the impalement of the tongue provided member on the load beam provided member of the limiter structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many limiters are known and used for the purpose of preventing damaging excursions of the flexure tongue and slider toward the disk when the suspension undergoes shock. In general, known limiters are located some distance from the dimple contact point and thus do not transmit reaction force directly from the slider, but only through bridging structures. Limiter structures using beam portion members and tongue members do not arrange these members proximally for increased security upon a tongue excursion. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,853 to Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,237 to Perez, U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,121 to Pan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,996 to Budde and U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,498 to Patterson, for example.

Suspension limiter with proximally cantilevered limiter members


An apparatus for shading 3-dimensional computer generated images representing each object in the image by a set of flat polygons. Vertex data (x, y) is supplied for each vertex of the polygon along with data which defines the orientation of the surface of the polygon. Edge data is computed in edge processors. The edge data is equivalent to data which defines a surface which is perpendicular to a viewpoint and which faces inwardly towards the polygon. For each pixel which is used to view the portion of the image in which the polygon is located, a depth value is derived for each of these surfaces and, when the depth values indicate that the polygon is visible at the pixel, it is shaded accordingly.

This invention relates to the shading of 3-dimensional computer generated images and to a method and apparatus for performing this.
In our British Patent No. 2281682, there is described a 3-D rendering system for polygons in which each object in a scene to be viewed is defined as a set of surfaces which are infinite. Each elementary area of the screen in which an image is to be displayed has a ray projected through it from a viewpoint into the 3-dimensional scene. The location of the intersection of the projected ray with each surface is then determined. From these intersections it is then possible to determine whether any intersected surface is visible at that elementary area. The elementary area is then shaded for display in dependence on the result of the determination.
The system can be implemented in a pipeline type processor comprising a number of cells, each of which can perform an intersection calculation with a surface. Thus a large number of surface intersections can be computed simultaneously. Each cell is loaded with a set of coefficients defining a surface for which it is to perform the intersection test.
A further improvement which is described in our UK Patent Application No. 2298111 sub-divides the image plane into sub-regions or tiles. This proposes using a variable tile site and projecting a bounding box around complex objects. This is done by firstly determining the distribution of objects around the visible screen for suitable tile sizes to be selected. The surfaces defining the various objects are then stored into one contiguous list. This avoids the need to store identical surfaces for each tile, as one object being made of many surfaces could be in a number of tiles. The tiles can then be rendered in turn using the ray casting technique described above, one at a time rendering all objects within that tile. This is an efficient method because no effort needs to be made to render objects which are known not to be visible in a particular tile.
We have appreciated that the amount of processing can be reduced further if only data pertaining to portions of surfaces which are in fact visible is processed. Thus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention we provide a method for defining the edges of visible surfaces with planes which are perpendicular to the viewing direction, the image plane of the image.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, we have appreciated that, rather than use a variable tile size, the processing may be optimised by using a regular tile size across the whole of the image plane wherein the tile boundaries may intercept with objects but with no edge clipping being necessary. A set of tiles can then be selected which define a bounding box for a particular object and, in order to render that particular object, only the tiles within that particular bounding box needs to be processed. A display list of the surfaces which fall within that tile is used to define objects within the bounding box.
A further improvement on this method discards the tiles within a bounding box which do not actually contain the object to be rendered.

Shading 3-dimensional computer generated images


An imaging apparatus includes the following elements. An operation acceptance unit accepts an operation input to specify an attribute associated with a predetermined object. An imaging unit converts incoming light from a subject into a captured image. An object detection unit detects one or more objects included in the captured image. An attribute determination unit determines an attribute of each detected object. A priority object determination unit determines at least one of the detected objects as a priority object on the basis of the specified attribute and the determined attribute.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to imaging apparatuses, and in particular, relates to an imaging apparatus capable of detecting an object, such as a face, in a captured image, a method for controlling the imaging apparatus, and a program that allows a computer to execute the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, imaging apparatuses, such as digital still cameras, for recording an image of a subject, such as a person, as a captured image have been widely diffused. In addition, imaging apparatuses for detecting the face of a person in a captured image and setting optimum imaging parameters used to beautifully record the detected face have been proposed. For example, there is an imaging apparatus capable of detecting the face of a person from a captured image, setting an autofocus target area on the face in the captured image on the basis of information associated with the detected face, and appropriately focusing on the face in the captured image.
In addition, there is an imaging apparatus capable of, when detecting a plurality of faces in a captured image, determining a priority face as the main face from those faces and setting the optimum imaging parameters for the priority face.
Furthermore, an imaging apparatus for detecting the face of a person shown in a captured image and calculating the final importance level of the face on the basis of size information and position information associated with the detected face to determine the importance level of the person in the captured image has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-201980 (FIG. 1)).

Imaging apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program


A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’ particularly characterized by a vigorous plant bearing medium red fruit having a mid-season harvest maturity is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated 'DrisStrawThirtySeven' and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Ventura County, Calif. in February 2006 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent '18L33' (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent '10L297' (unpatented). A single plant was selected for asexual propagation via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Shasta County, Calif. in 2006.
'DrisStrawThirtySeven' underwent further testing in Zamora, Mexico for four years (2008-2012). The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.
Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. 'DrisStrawThirtySeven' has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’


An intramedullary (IM) nail system for the fixation of fractured bones in a patient comprising a nail and compression screws. The length of the body is divided into a distal section and a proximal section with the distal section containing multiple interference sections having a diameter less or greater than that of the body. The threads adjacent the nail head have an apex generally greater than the diameter of the body. The compression screws are dimensioned to be inserted through the bone and contact the nail, pressing it against the bone canal. The nail, once inserted, lies below the surface of the bone.

It is well known that health care costs have risen dramatically partially as a result of equipment costs due to advancements in technology and the onslaught of malpractice lawsuits. One area that is commonly hit with the foregoing is orthopedics as broken bones are frequently the result of sports injuries, auto accidents, and household accidents.
Due to the fragility of the hand and foot bones, these are easily broken or crushed. Currently there are two primary options for fixation of small bone fractures. Open reduction internal fixation, usually reserved for severely fractured small bones, is a two-part surgery where the affected area is opened, and the bones put back into place. An internal fixation device, such as plates and screws, is then placed on the bone(s) to maintain them in place with the fixation device remaining in the patient. The other primary option is Intramedullary K-Wire of nail fixation. Here the surgeon runs a wire through the intramedullary canal, leaving the wire in place. After healing the wire is removed and the incision closed.
Both of the above procedures present complications resulting from infection or impairment and some require a second surgery.


A protective metal shield for against damaging a circuit board and for safeguarding a chip includes a fixed metal shield above a chip on a circuit board. The metal shield has five sealed planes and an opening facing downward, and an underside of a top portion thereof being in contact with a top surface of the chip. Above the metal shield is additionally provided with cooling fins. Using the aforesaid structure, the metal shield is covered above the chip, thereby protecting the chip from man-made scratches and damages.

(a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a protective shield for against damaging a circuit board and for safeguarding a chip, and more particularly, to a metal shield covered on top of a chip, so as to avoid scratching and damages caused during dismantling and assembly of a cooling device disposed above the chip, and to conduct and distribute heat energy produced by the chip to cooling fins and a fan provided above, thereby protecting scratching, and damages of the chip.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Common advanced circuit boards with faster algorithmic rates generally need to be equipped with more advanced (faster algorithmic rates) chips. Especially for video graphic array (VGA) cards and high-end computer motherboards requiring better color display capabilities for three-dimensional animated pictures, chipsets having top qualities are needed therein. However, this type of chip having excellent high resolution and algorithmic rates is rather expensive, wherein heat is often incurred during processing thereof. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose cooling fins, a fan, and a clamping apparatus for clamping the cooling fins above the chip, wherein the fans and clamping apparatus for clamping cooling fins are considered as expendables. For more costly circuits boards, used expendable components are replaced by new ones during periodical, maintenances. However, during dismantling or assembly of the cooling fins, because of restricted working space or carelessness, the clamping apparatus made of metals or edges and corners of the cooling fins are likely to scratch surfaces of the chip, and the chip may be resulted with permanent damages. Hence, expensive circuit boards frequently become invalid or seriously damaged. In the view of the challenging difficulties during dismantling and assembly of various expendable components in costly circuit boards having restricted working space, and resulting shortcomings of scratching and damaging by sharp metal objects as in the aforesaid description, it is important as how to make appropriate advancements for overcoming these disadvantages.
Therefore, to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages, the primary object of the invention is to provide a metal shield above a chip on a circuit board for covering an entire structure of the chip. The metal shield has five sealed planes and an opening facing downward and an underside of a top portion thereof being in contact with a top surface of the chip, so as to conduct and distribute heat energy produced by the chip. Above the metal shield is additionally provided with cooling fins and a fan. Using the aforesaid structure, the metal shield is protected against scratches or damages caused by sharp corners of metal objects, thereby reducing man-made impairs as well as lengthening a lifespan of the chip

Protective shield for against damaging circuit board and for safeguarding chip


A hybrid engine control system comprises a hybrid engine control module and a torque mitigation module. The hybrid engine control module selectively stops an internal combustion engine (ICE). The hybrid engine control module selectively starts the ICE based upon driver inputs and non-driver inputs. The torque mitigation module reduces torque transfer from the ICE to a driveline while the ICE is started based upon the non-driver inputs and maintains torque transfer from the ICE to the driveline while the ICE is started based upon the driver inputs. A method comprises selectively stopping an internal combustion engine (ICE); selectively starting the ICE based upon driver inputs and non-driver inputs; reducing torque transfer from the ICE to a driveline while the ICE is started based upon the non-driver inputs; and maintaining torque transfer from the ICE to the driveline while the ICE is started based upon the driver inputs.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of a hybrid powertrain of a vehicle is presented. An engine 102 provides torque to a transmission 104. The transmission 104 transmits torque to a driveline 106. The engine 102 also drives and is driven by a belt alternator starter (BAS) system 110. BAS systems may be characterized by a combination motor/generator used in place of a standard alternator and connected to the crankshaft of the engine 102 via the accessory drive belt.
The BAS 110 converts power from the engine 102 into electrical power, which may be stored in charge storage 112. When the engine 102 is not running, the BAS 110 may use power from the charge storage 112 to drive the crankshaft of the engine 102, and thereby propel the vehicle. The BAS 110 and the engine 102 are controlled by a hybrid engine control module (ECM) 120. The hybrid ECM 120 receives signals from driver inputs 122, such as an accelerator pedal, a gear shift lever, and/or a brake pedal.
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the hybrid ECM 120 may instruct the engine 102 to shut off. For example, this may be achieved by stopping fuel delivery and spark to the engine 102. When the driver desires to start the vehicle from the stop, as indicated by lifting their foot off the brake pedal or pressing the accelerator pedal, the hybrid ECM 120 may command the engine 102 to restart. Also, the engine 102 may be commanded to start by the ECM 120 for reasons not initiated by the driver. When the engine 102 restarts, torque from the engine 102 is transmitted through the transmission 104 to the driveline 106. If the brakes are applied during the engine 102 start, the driveline 106 is unable to rotate, and the torque is transmitted directly to the frame of the vehicle, which is experienced as a jerk disturbance by the driver.

Method of smoothing non-driver-commanded restarts of a hybrid vehicle


A method of measuring the position of a liquid surface within a vessel is scribed. An optical fiber is provided which has first and second ends and has an energy-absorbing element of a predetermined length disposed upon a portion of the cladding thereof such that there is a thermal interface between the energy-absorbing element and the cladding. The optical fiber is then positioned in the vessel so that the energy-absorbing element disposed thereon extends a known distance into the vessel along a known depth gradient of the vessel and so that the energy-absorbing element will intersect the liquid surface over the anticipated range of positions thereof. Single-frequency, coherent light is then transmitted through the core of the optical fiber by launching it into the first end of the optical fiber. A pulse of energy is applied across the entire length of the energy-absorbing element to heat it, and then the transmitted light is received from the second end of the optical fiber. The change in phase of the transmitted light resulting from applying the pulse of energy is then measured, and the position of the liquid surface is then determined in accordance with the change in phase.

The present invention relates generally to a method of measuring the position of a liquid surface within a vessel, and more particularly to a method of measuring liquid level using an optical fiber sensor.
There are a variety of methods of measuring liquid level, the most commonly-used non-fiber-optic methods being based on such physical phenomena as buoyancy, capacitance, ultrasonic waves, and pressure transmission.
Liquid level sensors based on buoyancy employ a buoyant float which moves with changing liquid level. A mechanical linkage or magnetic couple translates the float's up-and-down motion into a motion of a contact which is either open or closed, indicating whether the liquid level is above or below a specific level. Accuracy is typically limited to approximately a quarter of an inch.
In the capacitance approach to measuring liquid level, an electrode is installed in the vessel and the capacitance between this electrode and the wall of the vessel is measured. Air has a dielectric constant of one and the liquid has a greater dielectric constant. As the tank fills with the liquid, the dielectric constant rises and therefore so does the capacitance. Therefore, a measure of the capacitance of the vessel is an indication of the amount of liquid present. Any change in the dielectric constant of the liquid will cause an incorrect reading.
Ultrasonic techniques sense liquid level by measuring the time it takes for a pulsed high-frequency sound wave to travel from a transducer downward through the air at the top of the vessel, reflect off the surface of the liquid and return to the sensor. Accuracy is typically limited to about 0.25% of the full-scale reading. Ultrasonic sensors are not reliable in the presence of surface foam, and their functioning may be impaired by falling liquids, steam, and dense vapors and dust in the vessel.
Liquid level sensors based on pressure operate on the principle that the pressure at the sensor increases directly with the depth of the water above it. One such sensor is called a bubbler. In a bubbler, compressed air is forced down a tube which runs to the bottom of the vessel at a pressure which will cause it to bubble out of the end of the tube. That pressure is an indication of the depth of the liquid above the end of the tube. One disadvantage of this sensor is that the end of the tube can become clogged by the liquid.
Optical fibers have been used in liquid level sensing. For example, point sensors work on the principle of total internal reflection. Light is sent down an optical fiber and the amount of light that gets reflected back from the end of that fiber depends on whether or not the fiber end is in the liquid or above it. They are also susceptible to contamination of the end of the fiber, and would not work in any kind of liquid that could stick to the end of the fiber. A variation of this type of sensor has a U-shaped fiber with the cladding stripped away from the U-shaped portion. When the U-shaped portion of the fiber is immersed in the liquid, and light is transmitted through the fiber, some of it is lost to the liquid. Therefore, the amount of light that is received depends on whether the U-shaped portion of the fiber is in or above the liquid. Both of these sensors have the limitation that they merely tell you whether the liquid level is above or below a specific level.
A differential absorption optical fiber liquid level sensor uses a two-wavelength ratiometric approach to cancel out errors arising from variations in fuel characteristics and tank vibrations. It uses inexpensive LED sources and a multimode optical fiber and can have a 2-mm resolution over an 18-cm range. The sensor also has the advantage that only a transparent window is needed to look up through the liquid to measure the transmission through the liquid, making the method non-contact and therefore not subject to surface contamination or surface wetting of the optical surfaces. A disadvantage of this sensor is that if the absorption characteristics of the liquid are temperature-dependent, then the reading must be adjusted for that property. Of course, it will not work on liquids which do not transmit light.
Another optical fiber sensor is based on the continuation of the transmission through a bent fiber. Fibers formed with reversed curvatures of decreasing radii will induce an increasing amount of lower-mode light loss to the cladding as the light propagates along the multimode fiber. The sensor is arranged in the fluid in a vertical orientation so that the light travels along the fiber from the bottom or low point of the fluid to the top or the full point. As the fluid covers increasing lengths of the exposed fiber, it strips ever more power from the cladding. Data taken with this sensor show a monotonic decrease of output intensity as a function of increasing fluid level. This sensor has an accuracy of a few centimeters.
Crosstalk between two multimode optical fibers has also been used to sense liquid level. The cladding is removed from a portion of each of the fibers to expose their cores, and then they are aligned so that the exposed cores are adjacent to each other. Light is propagated through one the fibers. When liquid is present in the region between the cores light will couple from the one fiber into the other. This sensor is very accurate over a limited range. The disadvantages are that it is very susceptible to contamination and it will only work with a limited range of liquids which have the right index of refraction. Also, the amount of coupling changes as the index of refraction changes, which happens with temperature, requiring that the sensor be temperature-compensated.
A digital optical fiber liquid level sensor operates on the selective coupling at the liquid surface between a source waveguide and an array of digitally masked receiving waveguides. The receiving waveguides carry optical high-low signals to a remote detector in a discriminator circuit. This sensor is capable of liquid level resolution to several millimeters and it can operate over a total range of liquid levels of several meters. This sensor also depends on the index of refraction of the medium.
A high-precision remote liquid level measurement can be made using a combination of optical radar and optical fibers. This technique is similar to the ultrasonic technique in which liquid level is measured by measuring the length of time it takes for radiation to travel the distance from the source to the surface and back to a detector. This distance measurement is made using the technique of optical radar in which the phase of an amplitude-modulated lightwave reflected from a remote target is compared with that of the original phase of the launched beam. This technique enables measurements to be made ranging from 0.1 m to 5 m with an accuracy of about 1 mm throughout the range. This system has all the advantages of the non-contact techniques that were described previously. Its readings are adversely affected by foam and the presence of particles or droplets between the source and the surface that would cause reflections.
It can be seen that a need exists for a highly accurate, depth-continuous method of measuring liquid level which can be used in a corrosive environment, has no moving parts within the liquid-containing vessel, can be used with a variety of liquids, is insensitive to such liquid properties as index of refraction, dielectric constant, absorption characteristics, and light transmissivity, operates in the presence of foam and various contaminants, and functions even when the liquid surface is not horizontal

Method of measuring liquid level with a thermal interface detection

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A testing apparatus for testing a display apparatus includes a base substrate, a plurality of fixing tools on the base substrate to affix the display apparatus to the base substrate, the plurality of fixing tools being movable in a z-axis direction independently of each other, the z-axis direction extending along a normal direction to the base substrate, and a controller that controls the fixing tools to bend the display apparatus in two or more test patterns different from each other.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a testing apparatus for testing a display apparatus and a method of testing the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a testing apparatus for testing flexibility reliability of a flexible display apparatus and a method of testing the flexible display apparatus using the testing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, various display apparatuses, e.g., a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display, a plasma display panel, an electrophoretic display, etc., are used to display an image. A flexible display apparatus has been actively developed according to great demands in the market. The flexible display apparatus displays an image not only when the flexible display apparatus is curved, but also when the flexible display apparatus is stretched out again after being curved. Accordingly, flexibility that represents a degree to which the flexible display apparatus is curved, while normally displaying an image, is an important property of the flexible display apparatus.

Testing apparatus for testing display apparatus and method of testing the same


A portable remote controlled fire-fighting valve has a central chamber in a main valve body, an inlet that connects to a hydrant, an outlet that connects to a fire hose, a valve mechanism that has a seating surface that seats against part of the device to open and close a flow channel through the central chamber, and a remote controller that enables an operator to selectively open and close the flow channel. The valve mechanism uses a piston that is mounted for axial movement within the central chamber. The piston has an annular wall that slides against an outer edge of a lateral chamber surface that is fixed in position within the main valve body. A spring biases the piston to the closed position. In the open position, water from the inlet flows around the piston, over its peripheral surface, to the outlet. A pressure chamber is formed between a lateral surface that is fixed in position within the valve body and a movable interior surface on the piston. A pilot channel extends from an upstream side of the flow channel to the pressure chamber. The remote controller selectively controls a pilot valve on the pilot channel, allowing liquid in the upstream side of the flow channel to flow to the pressure chamber and force the piston open.

The present invention relates generally to firefighting equipment and more particularly to a portable valve that can be attached to fire hydrants and operated remotely.
In firefighting, fire hoses are usually connected to those fire hydrants nearest the fire, which are oftentimes hundreds of feet from the fire. A fireman removes a hose and hardware from the fire truck and places it at the hydrant. The firefighter then flushes the hydrant and attaches a valve and hose. When the hose is attached, the hydrant is opened; but it is not always known whether the valve itself will need to be opened. Opening the valve fills the hose with water, and commits the fire-fighters to a time-consuming and physically demanding process of draining the hose before it can be rolled and stored. This time commitment can be dangerous because the firefighters can be called to another site at any time, and added firefighter stress can cause a variety of problems.
To avoid the commitment that results from opening a valve, firefighters can be reluctant to open a valve until it is clear that doing so is needed or justified. When the hydrant is located far from the fire location, a firefighting team could send a firefighter back to the hydrant to open the valve only after confirming that the valve should be opened. However, sending a firefighter back to a remote hydrant requires time when time may be at a premium and occupies a firefighter who might be better employed at the fire scene. Firefighting teams sometimes leave one firefighter stationed at the hydrant, but this is still inefficient, particularly when the team has few members.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,596; 5,178,185; 7,040,339; and 3,981,618 all disclose valves that can be used in firefighting, but none of those valves offer a good solution to this long-felt problem.
Instead, hose clamps such as those seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,004 have been developed. Those clamps enable a firefighter to open a hydrant without committing to completely filling the hose. However, some water must flow through the hose even to keep the valve closed. Furthermore, the hose clamp cannot be commanded from a remote distance to quickly shut off the flow of water as might be needed in the case of a burst hose.
Alternatively, special time-delay valves such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,421; 4,114,653; and 4,651,772 can be attached to a hydrant. Those valves delay the flow of water into the hose for a period of time after the hydrant is opened. This approach gives firefighters time to assess the situation and close the hydrant before water flows into the hose, but is also dangerous. First, the device can lead to a dangerous situation if the firefighters forget that the hydrant has been opened. Second, the device delays the flow from the hydrant even when firefighters find that they need water from the hydrant immediately.
Other devices that attempt to solve the problem, such as the device covered by U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,459, use battery power to mechanically open the hydrant on radio commands. Another device used a battery-powered gate valve that was attached between the hydrant and the hose and could be opened and closed on radio commands. These devices are (or were) bulky, heavy, and expensive, and require significant battery power to provide the motive force needed to act against the water pressure. Because battery life is a significant concern, some firefighters viewed these remote control devices with skepticism.
No known prior device found universal market acceptance.


A processor resource manager assigns a branch history resource to a first execution mode. The branch history resource is utilized for predicting a branch direction of a branch instruction. Next, the resource manager logs a number of branch mispredictions that occur while the processor executes a second execution mode. The resource manager, in turn, reassigns the branch history resource to the second execution mode based upon the number of branch mispredictions.

Some modern processor workloads call for significant operating system processing resources, such as Java server workloads that may utilize a substantial portion (e.g., greater than 50%) of processing resources in kernel execution mode relative to user execution mode. One reason that Java, along with other emerging object-oriented codes, utilizes a large amount of processing resources for operating system activity is due to their tendency towards dynamically executing a large number of branch instructions in kernel execution mode. Computer systems may include a branch predictor that attempts to predict branch directions based upon previously logged branch resolutions. By providing accurate predictions, the branch predictor improves a processor's instruction pipeline flow and improves performance.

Operating system aware branch predictor using a dynamically reconfigurable branch history table

International Business Machines Corporation


Apparatus and methods are provided for constructing waveguide-to-transmission line transitions that provide broadband, high performance coupling of power at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the invention include wideband, low-loss and compact coplanar waveguide-to-rectangular waveguide transition structures and asymmetric coplanar stripline (or coplanar stripline)-to-rectangular waveguide transition structures that are particularly suitable for microwave and millimeter wave applications.

In general, microwave and millimeter-wave (MMW) communication systems are constructed with various components and subcomponents such as receiver, transmitter, and transceiver modules, as well as other passive and active components, which are fabricated using MIC (Microwave Integrated Circuit) and/or MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) technologies. The system components/subcomponents can be interconnected using various types of transmission media such as printed transmission lines (e.g., microstrip, slotline, CPW (coplanar waveguide), CPS (coplanar stripline), ACPS (asymmetric coplanar stripline), etc.) or coaxial cables and waveguides.
Printed transmission lines are widely used in microwave and MMW circuits to provide package-level or circuit board-level interconnects between semiconductor chips (RF integrated circuits) and between semiconductor chips and transmitter or receiver antennas. Moreover, printed transmission lines are well suited for signal propagation on the surface of a semiconductor integrated circuit. For instance, CPW transmission lines are widely used in MMIC designs due to their uniplanar nature, low dispersion and high compatibility with active and passive devices. However, printed transmission lines may be subject to parasitic modes and increased losses at high frequencies. On the other hand, metallic waveguides (e.g., rectangular, circular, etc.) are suitable for signal transmission over larger distances and at high power levels in a low-loss manner. Furthermore, waveguides may be shaped into a highly directive antennas or may be used for device characterization.
When constructing microwave, RF or MMW systems, it may be necessary to couple a printed transmission line with a waveguide using a coupling structure referred to a "transition". Transitions are essential for integrating various components and subcomponents into a complete system. The most common transmission line-to-waveguide transitions are microstrip-to-waveguide transitions, which have been widely studied. While considerable research and development has been dedicated to such transitions, comparatively less effort has been applied to establish suitable transitions from CPW, CPS or ACPS transmission lines to rectangular waveguides. CPW and CPS transmission lines are particularly suitable (over microstrip) for high integration density MIC and MMIC designs. In this regard, it is highly desirable to develop broadband, low-loss and well matched transitions between waveguides and CPW or CPS printed transmission lines or monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) which can be used to design high performance systems.

Apparatus and methods for constructing and packaging waveguide to planar transmission line transitions for millimeter wave applications


The present invention relates to an aqueous treatment composition for inhibiting corrosion and acid attack on metallic surfaces that comprises a thiourea organic derivative, a polyalkoxylated terpene nonionic surfactant and an acid. The invention also relates to a process for cleaning industrial metallic equipment, in particular heat exchangers in which a heat transfer fluid, generally based on air or on water, flows, with a view to cleaning them and removing scale and other soiling.

In most industrial sites, such as refineries, steelworks, mining facilities, bauxite treatment and the like, there are heat exchangers used to cool the equipment which operates according to cycles of varied temperatures, in which air or a heat-transfer fluid such as water circulates. The heat is evacuated by passing a fluid through pipes, generally made of steel or of an iron-based alloy.
Periodically, in order to prevent the accumulation of scale, soiling, sludge, algae, salts and various deposits in these pipes, an acid treatment composition is circulated in order to especially clean and, in particular, to dissolve the scale, followed by a second, alkaline solution in order to neutralize the residual acidity, before repeating a conventional exchanger cooling cycle.
Similarly, certain treatments for chemical pickling of metal surfaces are carried out by immersion in acid solutions.
In order to avoid corrosion of the steel by the acid solution, corrosion inhibitors are generally added to the acid treatment composition. Among them, thiourea derivatives, such as dialkylthioureas, are often used for their good stability at very low pH.
Other agents, for instance antifoams, in particular antifoam silicones, recommended for their good resistance to strongly acidic media, are also present most of the time in the treatment composition in order to avoid uncontrollable foam formations which would make the cleaning operations longer and more difficult.
However, the simultaneous presence of an antifoam and of an anti-corrosion agent of the thiourea type can, in certain cases, accelerate the corrosion of the metal surfaces, said corrosion being perceived through weight loss or the appearance of pitting on the surfaces, whereas this corrosion and therefore their weight loss is much less if the treatment composition contains only the thiourea derivative. However, in this case, the problem of the appearance of bothersome foams during the use of the treatment composition of course persists and one of the objectives of the present invention is precisely to propose a technical solution to the problem stated above.

Aqueous treatment composition for inhibiting corrosion and acid attack on metallic surfaces


A cup (22) includes a base (26) and a wall (30) with an integral straw (36). A lid (24) includes a flange (52) for mating with the cup (22) to establish an assembled position of the drinking assembly (20). The lid (24) defines an orifice (66) aligned with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position, and a flexible straw (68) is disposed within the orifice (66). The flexible straw (68) has a nipple portion (70) extending to an inlet end (72) disposed in abutting relationship with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position to establish a compression fit between the flexible straw (68) and the integral straw (36). The lid (24) is also stackable with identical lids (24) and includes a cavity (60) extending between first and second ends (62, 64). The orifice (66) is disposed about one of the ends (64) and the cavity (60) has an open portion (90) disposed about the other of the ends (62) for receiving a nipple portion (70) of the identical lid (24) being stacked in alternating relationship.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to a reusable and stackable drinking assembly including a cup having an integral straw and a lid for establishing an assembled position to contain a fluid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The drinking assemblies to which the subject invention pertains are drinking assemblies which include a cup having a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base for receiving a fluid. An integral straw is disposed along the wall for conveying the fluid from the base, and a lid mates with the cup to establish an assembled position of the drinking assembly. In addition, the cups and lids of the drinking assemblies are each individually configured to allow for nesting and stacking with like or identical cups and lids.
Although the prior art drinking assemblies include cups having integral straws, there remains a need for a drinking assembly which provides a leak-proof and seal-proof design when the lid includes a flexible straw which mates with the integral straw in the assembled position. In addition, there remains a need for a design which establishes sealed fluid communication between the integral straw and the flexible straw. Also, while the prior art drinking assemblies are stackable, there remains a need for an improved lid design which is stackable when the lid includes the flexible straw.


Provided are a method and apparatus for setting a frame of a relay station in a wireless communication system. A base station sets an access zone frame and a relay zone frame adjacent the access zone frame. The access zone frame comprises a downlink (DL) access zone in which the base station or the relay station transmits a signal to a terminal, and an uplink (UL) access zone in which the terminal transmits a signal to the base station or to the relay station. The relay zone frame comprises a DL relay zone in which the base station transmits a signal to the terminal or to the relay station, and a UL relay zone in which the terminal or the relay station transmits a signal to the base station.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for setting a frame in a wireless communication system including a relay station.
2. Related Art
The institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.16e standard was adopted in 2007 as a sixth standard for international mobile telecommunication (IMT)-2000 in the name of 'WMAN-OFDMA TDD' by the ITU-radio communication sector (ITU-R) which is one of sectors of the international telecommunication union (ITU). An IMT-advanced system has been prepared by the ITU-R as a next generation (i.e., 4th generation) mobile communication standard following the IMT-2000. It was determined by the IEEE 802.16 working group (WG) to conduct the 802.16m project for the purpose of creating an amendment standard of the existing IEEE 802.16e as a standard for the IMT-advanced system. As can be seen in the purpose above, the 802.16m standard has two aspects, that is, continuity from the past (i.e., the amendment of the existing 802.16e standard) and continuity to the future (i.e., the standard for the next generation IMT-advanced system). Therefore, the 802.16m standard needs to satisfy all requirements for the IMT-advanced system while maintaining compatibility with a mobile WiMAX system conforming to the 802.16e standard.
An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system capable of reducing inter-symbol interference (ISI) with a low complexity is taken into consideration as one of next generation wireless communication systems. In the OFDM, a serially input data symbol is converted into N parallel data symbols, and is then transmitted by being carried on each of separated N subcarriers. The subcarriers maintain orthogonality in a frequency dimension. Each orthogonal channel experiences mutually independent frequency selective fading, and an interval of a transmitted symbol is increased, thereby minimizing inter-symbol interference. When a system uses the OFDM as a modulation scheme, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) is a multiple access scheme in which multiple access is achieved by independently providing some of available subcarriers to a plurality of users. In the OFDMA, frequency resources (i.e., subcarriers) are provided to the respective users, and the respective frequency resources do not overlap with one another in general since they are independently provided to the plurality of users. Consequently, the frequency resources are allocated to the respective users in a mutually exclusive manner.
In an OFDMA system, frequency diversity for multiple users can be obtained by using frequency selective scheduling, and subcarriers can be allocated variously according to a permutation rule for the subcarriers. In addition, a spatial multiplexing scheme using multiple antennas can be used to increase efficiency of a spatial domain. In order to support the various schemes described above, a control signal must be transmitted between a mobile station (MS) and a base station (BS). Examples of the control signal include a channel quality indicator (CQI) for reporting a channel state from the MS to the BS, an acknowledgement/not-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signal in response to data transmission, a bandwidth request signal for requesting allocation of a radio resource, precoding information in a multiple antenna system, antenna information, etc. The control signal is transmitted through a control channel.
A wireless communication system including a relay station (RS) has recently been developed. The RS is employed for cell coverage extension and transmission capability improvement. A BS provides a service to an MS located in a coverage boundary of the BS via the RS, and thus can obtain an effect of extending the cell coverage. In addition, the RS improves signal transmission reliability between the BS and the MS, thereby improving transmission capacity. The RS can be used when the MS is located in a shadow area even if the MS is located within the coverage of the BS.
The RS requires a radio resource region for DL transmission with respect to a relay MS connected to the RS. Further, since the RS receives a signal from the relay MS and thereafter decodes and transmits the signal to the BS, the RS requires a radio resource region for UL transmission. The RS can transmit a signal to an MS connected to the RS or can receive a signal from the BS in the same frequency band. Further, the RS can receive a signal from the MS connected to the RS or can transmit a signal to the BS in the same frequency band. Therefore, the RS requires a transition interval when switching a signal transmission/reception operation. In general, it is assumed that the RS cannot transmit or receive a signal in the transition interval.
Accordingly, a method for setting a frame such that a transition interval is included as little as possible to decrease a loss in which a signal cannot be received or transmitted due to the transition interval.

Method and apparatus for setting a frame in a wireless communication system comprising a relay station


A dust suction device includes: a housing having a plurality of inlets for the inflow of impurities formed thereon and an inner region of which is independently divided; and resilient actuating members, provided inside the inlets, for opening or closing the inlets by pressure applied from the outside.

In general, a mat is used for adsorbing moisture, dust and the like at an exit through which visitors frequently pass to an indoor or outdoor place so as to maintain the clean state of the indoor place. In particular, the mat is used for various purposes at the exits of not only normal houses but also facilities, which prohibit the penetration of pollution sources from the outside, such as factories, laboratories, hospitals and the like, thereby removing dust and impurities covered on the shoes of the visitors.
In general, normally used mats are mostly made from fabrics in order to adsorb moisture or dust. However, the prior art mat made from fabrics has problems of mold growth after the dust and impurities, which are introduced from the outside, are adsorbed in the mat or horribly bad smell generated from the mold. In addition, a user has to periodically sterilize or wash the mat in order to maintain the mat in a clean state. Otherwise, the mat can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
In addition, the prior art mat has various problems, due to the simple weave construction thereof, that the mat has low absorbability with respect to moisture or dust, cleanliness after the washing thereof cannot be maintained long, and the shape of the mat is likely to be partially deformed for a long term use, thereby decreasing the product life cycle thereof.
In order to solve the above problems, various dust suction devices have been disclosed in order to remove or suck the dust covered on the shoes so far.
According to a prior art dust suction device 10, if a visitor steps on a mat 20, which is formed in the shape of a scaffolding, spring members 30 of the areas, where the feet of the visitor are positioned, are lowered and suction holes 22 are opened such that the dust and impurities covered on the bottom surfaces of the shoes of the visitor are introduced through the suction holes, as shown in accompanying FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
Further, the dust introduced through the suction holes 22 is sucked into a suction machine 40 by the suction force generated by the operation of the suction machine 40 such that the dust and impurities covered on the bottom surfaces of the shoes can be removed.
However, the prior art dust suction device 10 used as above have problems that the dust and impurities introduced through the suction holes 22 are stacked on the places, where spring members 30 are mounted, in a predetermined thickness, thereby disturbing the downward movement of the spring members 30 and the introduction of the dust and impurities from the bottom of the shoes through the suction holes 22. Therefore, it is necessary to provide measures to solve these problems.


A transmission apparatus includes a digital amplifier having a plurality of class-D amplifiers connected in parallel to each other, each of the class-D amplifiers including a logic circuit that processes input signals from two input terminals and outputs the input signals to one of two output terminals, according to a selection signal, and including capacitors connected in series to the two output terminals, respectively, a first selection circuit that outputs either an in-phase component or a quadrature component of a transmission signal to the digital amplifier depending on the selection signal, and a second selection circuit that outputs either an in-phase component carrier signal or a quadrature component carrier signal to the digital amplifier depending on the selection signal.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a transmission apparatus and a transmission method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In wireless communication, a low cost and low power consumption transmission apparatus is needed. To reduce power consumption, replacement of power amplifiers of high power consumption is effective. One of low power consumption power amplifiers is a class-D amplifier.
Class-D amplifiers have a structure that alternately turns on the switch between the power source and the output and the switch between the ground and the output and performs an output. Since there is ideally no current consumption other than current flowing through the load, class-D amplifiers have high power efficiency.
However, conventional class-D amplifier have the following technical problems concerning the control method for output power and its linearity.
Since an output of a class-D amplifier is ideally connected to the power source or ground through a switch, the amplitude of the output voltage swings between the power source and the ground. Accordingly, the amplitude of the output voltage can be controlled by changing the power voltage, but a low noise and high response low drop-out (LDO) regulator is necessary to change the power voltage. Since a high speed LDO changes the voltage through a resistance loss of a transistor, a power loss occurs. In addition, when the power voltage is lowered, the ON resistance of the above switch increases and the linearity of the amplitude of the output voltage relative to the power voltage becomes worse, thereby degrading output signal distortion properties during inputting of a modulation signal with amplitude variations.
A solution to these problems is a switched capacitor power amplifier (referred to below as an SCPA) (see "A Switched-Capacitor RF Power Amplifier", IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, VOL. 46, NO. 12, DECEMBER 2011). An SCPA solves the above problems while keeping the high efficiency of a class-D amplifier.
The equivalent circuit of an SCPA has a structure in which a plurality of class-D amplifiers each having a series capacitor connected to the AND output are connected in parallel. Of the class-D amplifiers connected in parallel, a number of class-D amplifiers proportional to an output power control signal reach the operating state and the AND outputs of the other class-D amplifiers are fixed to the ground electric potential. In this structure, output signals from the class-D amplifiers in the operating state are transferred to the output side through the series capacitors and are also transferred to the ground through the series capacitors of the class-D amplifiers in the stop state. That is, the output signals from the class-D amplifiers in the operating state are transferred to the output side and the output power is determined by the capacitance ratio.
In implementation of an SCPA on a semiconductor, since high relative precision is expected even though there are variations in manufacturing, it is possible to obtain high linearity and wide output power variable range without performing correction. Since the series capacitor of the AND output is always connected to the power source or the grounding point, which is the ground, regardless of whether the class-D amplifier is in the operating state or the stop state, the output impedance is constant regardless of the output power control signal. Consequently, the LC resonance frequency with the inductor is constant regardless of the output power control signal and fundamental frequency components can be extracted stably from the output signal.
As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission apparatus disclosed in "All-Digital RF I/Q Modulator", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, VOL. 60, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2012 achieves the function of a power amplifier in addition to the function of a quadrature modulator by using two digital power amplifiers as a mixer for an in-phase component (I) and a quadrature component (Q). At the output of the power amplifier, being converted into an analog signal, the signal is a digital signal, so the analog mixer, DA converter, and post filter for an in-phase component (BB_I) and a quadrature component (BB_Q), which are necessary for a conventional analog quadrature modulator, become unnecessary. Since most of signal processing is digital signal processing, cost reduction can be achieved using recent fine semiconductor processes. In addition, since 25%-duty signals are used as carrier signals, either an in-phase component (BB_I) or a quadrature component (BB_Q) is connected to the output of the power amplifier. As a result, when the in-phase component (BB_I) is synthesized with the quadrature component (BB_Q), the individual power amplifier outputs can be connected directly without using a balun (a balun is used for difference/one-phase conversion in the above document).

Transmission apparatus and transmission method


An air cargo pallet with a central panel created from a plurality of sandwiched layers, including a foam core disposed between an upper skin layer having a resin and fiber combination and a lower skin layer having a resin and fiber combination. The central panel is reinforced with additional fibers extending through the lower skin layer, the foam core and the upper skin layer. An interface layer is disposed around the periphery of the foam core and bonded between the upper skin layer and the lower skin layer to complete the central panel. The pallet is then formed by snap fitting a plurality of rails around the circumference of the central panel by connection to the interface layer.

Air cargo is typically transported in containers ("Unit Load Devices"), or on pallets combined with nets, that are stowed in cargo holds either below the deck of passenger aircraft or below and above the deck in transport aircraft. The size and shape of cargo pallets vary depending upon the type of aircraft in use. In all aircraft, the gross weight of the airplane is a substantial factor, because of the cost of fuel.
Current air cargo pallets and containers are often made of aluminum skin on a hollow frame structure. A limited number have added bulsa wood or plywood cores, with very limited success. Such pallets are roughly handled and easily damaged when loaded into or unloaded from aircraft, and many problems therefore occur with such aluminum pallets. Aluminum pallets have various disadvantages, including their weight and their limited stiffness/weight ratio, thereby requiring additional weight distributing planks when carrying an unevenly distributed load.


Provided is a folding bed including a cabinet unit and a head part pivotable in relation to the cabinet unit, wherein the head part, in an unused position, is positioned in an approximately vertical orientation in the cabinet unit and in a usage position in an approximately horizontal orientation at least in sections in front of the cabinet unit. The head part can be pivoted from the unused position into the usage position and back. In order to further reduce the space required for the folding bed, the cabinet unit and head part are connected together via a control lever that is held pivotable about a pivot axis on the cabinet unit and a pivot axis on the head part. The control lever is designed such that on movement of the head part from the unused position into the usage position and back, it is pivoted against the cabinet unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a folding bed with a cabinet unit and a head part pivotable in relation to the cabinet unit, wherein the head part in an unused position is positioned in an approximately vertical orientation in the cabinet unit and in the usage position is positioned in an approximately horizontal orientation at least in sections in front of the cabinet unit, and wherein the head part can be moved from the unused position into the usage position and back.
2. Description of Related Art
Folding beds of the said type have been known for a long time in various designs. Depending on the orientation of the lying surface to the cabinet unit, these are known as longitudinal and transverse sleeper models. In longitudinal sleeper models, the lying surface can be made of one piece or foldable. Folding lying surfaces usually have at least one head part and one foot part, irrespective of whether or not the lying surface is folding.
In known folding beds, in the unused position at least the head part is held in the cabinet unit, for space reasons in a substantially vertical position. In the usage position in which a person can lie on the lying surface formed by the folding bed, the head part is however oriented horizontally.
From the unused position, at least the head part can be pivoted forward out of the cabinet unit. To this end the head part and the cabinet unit are connected pivotably together.
A cabinet unit in the present case means any type of housing in which at least the head part is held, visibly or invisibly, in the unused position. Thus for example the front visible side of the cabinet unit can be formed by part of the lying surface when this is arranged in the unused position. Preferably a cabinet unit is a typical cupboard or wardrobe-like item of furniture to hold at least the head part. The cabinet unit can preferably be made substantially of a wooden material and if necessary can have a cupboard door to close the cabinet unit when at least the head part in the unused position is held in the cabinet unit.
Known folding beds however still have the disadvantage that in the usage position and/or in the unused position, these require a not inconsiderable amount of space. This is a problem in particular in small rooms in which the benefits of a folding bed are particularly useful. Finally there is a further need for optimisation with regard to the space required by folding beds.
The folding bed described in AT 009 885 U1 takes up a lot of space in the usage position because the head end of the lying surface is spaced not unsubstantially from the inner wall of the cabinet. This problem is solved in the folding bed described in DE 197 29 462 A1 by the head side end of the lying surface being stationary. However the cabinet unit must be formed deeper by the length of the stationary end of the lying surface in order to be able to hold the head part and the foot part as a whole. The corresponding folding bed therefore takes up more room in the unused position.
The object of the present invention is therefore to design a folding bed of the type cited initially and described in detail above, and refine this such that the space required can be reduced further.

Folding bed with a control lever arranged between a cabinet unit and a head part


A method of drilling a well and installing a liner includes assembling concentric inner and outer strings of tubulars. A drill bit is located at the lower end of the inner string and a liner with a liner hanger makes up part of the outer string. The inner and outer strings may be rotated in unison to drill the well. A valve is located upstream of a liner hanger control tool used to release and set the liner hanger in the drill string. The valve comprises a ported sleeve that slides relative to a ported housing to meter flow from the interior of the drill string to the annular space. The redirected flow maintains a minimum flow rate in the annular space to prevent cuttings from settling on the control tool. A portion of the valve can further be used with a dart to manipulate downstream equipment.

Oil and gas wells are conventionally drilled with drill pipe to a certain depth, then casing is run and cemented in the well. The operator may then drill the well to a greater depth with drill pipe and cement another string of casing. In this type of system, each string of casing extends to the surface wellhead assembly.
In some well completions, an operator may install a liner rather than an inner string of casing. The liner is made up of joints of pipe in the same manner as casing. Also, the liner is normally cemented into the well. However, the liner does not extend back to the wellhead assembly at the surface. Instead, it is secured by a liner hanger to the last string of casing just above the lower end of the casing. The operator may later install a tieback string of casing that extends from the wellhead downward into engagement with the liner hanger assembly.
When installing a liner, in most cases, the operator drills the well to the desired depth, retrieves the drill string, then assembles and lowers the liner into the well. A liner top packer may also be incorporated with the liner hanger. A cement shoe with a check valve will normally be secured to the lower end of the liner as the liner is made up. When the desired length of liner is reached, the operator attaches a liner hanger to the upper end of the liner, and attaches a running tool to the liner hanger. The operator then runs the liner into the wellbore on a string of drill pipe attached to the running tool. The operator sets the liner hanger and pumps cement through the drill pipe, down the liner and back up an annulus surrounding the liner. The cement shoe prevents backflow of cement back into the liner. The running tool may dispense a wiper plug following the cement to wipe cement from the interior of the liner at the conclusion of the cement pumping. The operator then sets the liner top packer, if used, releases the running tool from the liner, and retrieves the drill pipe.
A variety of designs exist for liner hangers. Some may be set in response to mechanical movement or manipulation of the drill pipe, including rotation. Others may be set by dropping a ball or dart into the drill string, then applying fluid pressure to the interior of the string after the ball or dart lands on a seat in the running tool. The running tool may be attached to the liner hanger or body of the running tool by threads, shear elements, or by a hydraulically actuated arrangement.
In another method of installing a liner, the operator runs the liner while simultaneously drilling the wellbore. This method is similar to a related technology known as casing drilling. One technique employs a drill bit on the lower end of the liner. One option is to not retrieve the drill bit, rather cement it in place with the liner. If the well is to be drilled deeper, the drill bit would have to be a drillable type. This technique does not allow one to employ components that must be retrieved, which might include downhole steering tools, measuring while drilling instruments and retrievable drill bits. Retrievable bottom hole assemblies are known for casing drilling, but in casing drilling the upper end of the casing is at the rig floor. In typical liner drilling, the upper end of the liner is deep within the well and the liner is suspended on a string of drill pipe. In casing drilling, the bottom hole assembly can be retrieved and rerun by wire line, drill pipe, or by pumping the bottom hole assembly down and back up. Typically, in liner drilling, the drill pipe that suspends the liner is much smaller in diameter than the liner and has no room for a bottom hole assembly to be retrieved through it.
During liner drilling, cuttings from the drilling process flow upwards towards the surface in the annular space surrounding the liner. When the cuttings get to the top of the liner where the flow area is much larger, the cuttings tend to settle out on top of the linger hanger running tool due to the decrease in speed of the flow carrying the cuttings. The settled cuttings can cause the running tool to malfunction.
A technique is desired that reduces the settling out of cutting on the liner hanger running tool.


A method and apparatus for frequency synthesis in a transceiver are based on providing a primary frequency synthesizer configured to synthesize a receiver frequency signal from a receiver reference frequency signal, and providing an offset frequency synthesizer configured to synthesize a transmitter frequency signal from the receiver frequency signal using fractional-N division, which allows it to operate at an intermediate frequency that is a non-integer multiple of the receiver frequency signal. That arrangement enables non-integer duplex frequency distances between desired receive and transmit frequencies. The primary frequency synthesizer also may be operated as a fractional-N frequency synthesizer, meaning that the receiver frequency signal may have a non-integer relationship to the receiver reference frequency signal. Configuring the primary and offset frequency synthesizers to operate with fractional-N frequency synthesis allows independent frequency tuning/optimization of the primary and secondary frequency synthesizers.

The present invention generally relates to frequency synthesis, and particularly relates to transceiver frequency synthesis, such as in full duplex applications with variable duplex distances.
Frequency synthesizers pose a number of design challenges. For example, in receiver frequency generation, use of fractional-N frequency synthesis can be advantageous because of the flexible choice in frequencies, frequency channel spacing, frequency hopping time, etc., afforded by such configurations. However, fractional-N frequency synthesis can increase spurious frequency noise.
Narrowing the loop bandwidth of the frequency synthesizer mitigates spurious frequency problems. Unfortunately, the narrow loop bandwidth does not complement transmit frequency signal generation, because the narrow bandwidth leaves the frequency synthesizer prone to frequency pulling problems arising from unwanted electromagnetic coupling between the synthesizer's oscillator and the relatively high-power modulated transmit signal present during active transmission. Indeed, the frequency synthesizer's resistance to frequency pulling is directly dependent on its loop bandwidth.
One approach to addressing these competing interests in full duplex applications, which require the simultaneous generation of transmit and receive frequencies, is to implement wholly separate transmitter and receiver frequency synthesizers. While such an approach does provide good flexibility in frequency generation, it still has the problem of finding loop bandwidth compromises between fractional-N divider noise suppression and frequency-pulling sensitivities, and can be expensive and large in terms of circuit board real estate. Other approaches include the use of one or more local oscillators (LOs) common to receive and transmit loops, but such architectures sometimes limit frequency flexibility and/or require significant filtering for noise reduction, etc.

Method and apparatus for transceiver frequency synthesis


A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus including a fluid supply device operable to supply a highly viscous fluid, a delivery nozzle from which the highly viscous fluid is delivered, a pump disposed between the fluid supply device and the delivery nozzle and operable to feed the highly viscous fluid received from the fluid supply device, to the delivery nozzle, and a pump control device operable to control the pump, for controlling an amount of delivery of the highly viscous fluid to be delivered from the delivery nozzle.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-379103 filed on Dec. 13, 2000 and No. 2001-001983 filed on Jan. 9, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus for applying a highly viscous fluid to an object, and more particularly to a technique for controlling an amount of the fluid to be applied to the object.
2. Discussion of Related Art
JP-B2-2863475 discloses an example of a highly-viscous-fluid applying or applying apparatus in the form of an adhesive applying apparatus arranged to apply a highly viscous fluid in the form of an adhesive agent to a circuit substrate in the form of a printed-wiring board. In this adhesive applying apparatus, the adhesive agent is accommodated in a syringe, and is extruded from the syringe with a compressed air introduced into the syringe, so that a suitable amount of the adhesive agent is applied to predetermined fluid-applying spots on the printed-wiring board. The amount of delivery of the adhesive agent from the syringe can be changed by adjusting the time of introduction of the compressed air into the syringe or the pressure of the compressed air. In view of this fact, the fluid applying apparatus disclosed in the above-identified publication is arranged to operate an image-taking device to taken an image of a mass of adhesive agent applied to the printed-wiring board, obtain an amount of the applied adhesive agent, on the basis of image data representative of the image, compare the obtained amount with a reference value, and adjust the time of introduction or pressure of the compressed air. If the obtained amount of the applied adhesive agent is smaller than the reference value by more than a predetermined amount, the time of introduction or pressure of the compressed air is increased. If the amount of the applied adhesive agent is larger than the reference value by more than a predetermined amount, the time of introduction or pressure of the compressed air is reduced. Thus, the amount of the adhesive agent to be delivered from the syringe to the printed-wiring board is suitably controlled.
Since the air is compressible, however, it is difficult to accurately control the amount of delivery of the adhesive agent by adjusting the time of introduction or pressure of the compressed air. Namely, the amount of delivery of the adhesive agent from the syringe does not change accurately in proportion with an amount of change of the time of introduction or pressure of the compressed air, due to compression of the compressed air. The difficulty to control the amount of delivery of the adhesive agent from the syringe increases with a decrease in the amount of the adhesive agent left in the syringe and a consequent increase in the amount of the compressed air in the syringe.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus, which permits an accurate control of the amount of delivery of the adhesive agent. This object may be achieved according to any one of the following modes of the present invention, each of which is numbered like the appended claims and depends from the other mode or modes, where appropriate, to indicate and clarify possible combinations of elements or technical features. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the technical features or any combinations thereof which will be described for illustrative purpose only. It is to be further understood that a plurality of elements or features included in any one of the following modes of the invention are not necessarily provided all together, and that the invention may be embodied without some of the elements or features described with respect to the same mode.
(1) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus comprising:
a fluid supply device operable to supply a highly viscous fluid;
a delivery nozzle from which the highly viscous fluid is delivered;
a pump disposed between the fluid supply device and the delivery nozzle, and operable to feed the highly viscous fluid received from the fluid supply device, to the delivery nozzle;
and a pump control device operable to control the pump, for controlling an amount of delivery of the highly viscous fluid to be delivered from the delivery nozzle.
The highly viscous fluid to be delivered from the present delivery nozzle of the highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus may be an adhesive agent, or a solder paste or cream. The pump may be a screw pump or a gear pump.
The highly viscous fluid supplied from the fluid supply device is fed by the pump to the delivery nozzle, from which the fluid is delivered onto an object. The amount of the highly viscous fluid to be fed from the pump to the delivery nozzle is substantially proportional to the operating amount of the pump, without an influence of the compressibility of compressed air conventionally used to feed the fluid. Accordingly, the amount of the fluid to be delivered from the delivery nozzle can be accurately controlled by controlling the pump with the pump control device.
(2) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (1), wherein the pump is a screw pump including a pump housing having a screw chamber having a circular shape in transverse cross section, the screw pump further including a screw which is substantially fluid-tightly disposed within the pump housing such that the screw and the pump housing are rotatable relative to each other, the pump control device including a pump drive device operable to rotate the pump housing and the screw relative to each other.
With the relative rotation of the pump housing and the screw, the highly viscous fluid is fed from the screw chamber and delivered through the delivery nozzle. Since the fluid has a relatively high degree of viscosity, the relative rotation of the pump housing and the screw will cause the fluid to be fed along a helical thread of the screw. The screw is substantially fluid-tightly disposed within the screw chamber, so that the fluid is substantially prevented from flowing in the reverse direction through a gap between the screw and the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing which defines the screw chamber. Accordingly, the amount of the fluid to be fed in the forward direction from the screw chamber toward the delivery nozzle is substantially proportional to the angle of relative rotation of the pump housing and the screw. By controlling the angle of the relative rotation, therefore, the amount of delivery of the fluid from the delivery nozzle can be controlled with high accuracy. Further, the diameter of the screw pump may be easily made relatively small, so that the screw pump can be disposed relatively near the delivery nozzle.
(3) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (2), wherein the pump housing is stationary, while the screw is rotated within the pump housing, by the pump drive device.
(4) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (2), wherein the screw is stationary, while the pump housing is rotated about the screw, by the pump drive device.
(5) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (2)-(4), wherein the delivery nozzle extends from one end of the screw pump, coaxially with the screw pump.
In the above mode (5), the highly viscous fluid is fed by the screw pump in its axial direction to the delivery nozzle, and is delivered from the delivery nozzle in the same axial direction. Since the direction of feeding of the fluid is not changed, the fluid does not suffer from a flow resistance due to the change of the feeding direction, permitting an easy, smooth movement of the fluid from the screw pump to the delivery nozzle, so that the amount of delivery of the fluid from the delivery nozzle onto the object can be controlled with high accuracy.
(6) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(5), wherein the fluid supply device is a fluid supply device of a pressurizing type arranged to pressurize the highly viscous fluid and feed the pressurized highly viscous fluid to the pump.
The fluid supply device is preferably arranged to supply the highly viscous fluid to the pump through a supply passage such that the pump and the supply passage are filled with the fluid, without air cavities left in the pump and supply passage. Where the fluid supply device is of a non-pressurizing type, consisting solely of a container accommodating a mass of the fluid and a supply passage connecting the container and the pump, the container is required to be located at a level higher than that of the pump. Where the fluid has a relatively high degree of viscosity, the fluid supply device is preferably of the pressurizing type arranged to pressurize the highly viscous fluid so that the pressurized fluid is fed to the pump.
In the above mode (6), the fluid can be delivered from the delivery nozzle onto the object while the pump and the supply passage connected to the pump are filled with the fluid, without air cavities left in the pump and supply passage, even where the container is located below the pump, and/or where the fluid has a considerably high degree of viscosity.
(7) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (6), wherein the fluid supply device of the pressurizing type includes:
a container accommodating a mass of the highly viscous fluid;
a compressed-air supply device operable to introduce a compressed air into an upper air chamber in the container; and
a supply passage connecting a lower end of the container and a first end portion of the screw pump opposite to a second end portion of the screw pump from which the delivery nozzle extends.
(8) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (2), (3) and (5)-(7), further comprising:
a screw rotating device including a rotary shaft for rotating the screw of the screw pump;
a sealing device interposed between the rotary shaft and the pump housing, to maintain fluid tightness therebetween while allowing rotation of the rotary shaft.
The supply passage provided in the above mode (7) is communicated with a portion of the pump housing which is located on one side of the sealing device provided in the above mode (8), which is nearer to the delivery nozzle. The supply passage may include an annular space defined by and between the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing. Alternatively, the supply passage may be formed to be open in the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing, at one end portion of the pump remote from the delivery nozzle.
In the above mode (8) wherein the seating device is interposed between the rotary shaft and the pump housing, the fluid is prevented from being moved in the reverse direction toward the screw rotating device, through a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the pump housing. Accordingly, the highly viscous fluid can be applied to the object, by an amount which is substantially proportional to the angle of rotation of the screw.
(9) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (4), wherein the fluid supply device includes a container for accommodating a mass of the highly viscous fluid, the container including a supply portion having an opening from which the highly viscous fluid is supplied, and the screw is fixed to the supply portion of the container.
(10) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (9), wherein the supply portion of the container consists of a cylindrical portion extending from one end a body of the container, and the screw is fixedly fitted at a proximal end thereof in a first part of the cylindrical portion, the opening being formed through a second part of the cylindrical portion which is located nearer to the body of the container than the first part.
(11) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (9) or (10), further comprising a machine frame, and wherein the pump housing is held by the machine frame such that the pump housing is rotatable and is not axially movable relative to the machine frame, and the container is removably mounted on the machine frame such that the screw is fitted into the pump housing when the container is mounted on the machine frame, and is removed from the pump housing when the container is removed from the machine frame.
(12) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (9)-(11), further comprising a machine frame and a nozzle holding member mounted on the machine frame, and wherein the deliver nozzle is rotatably held by the nozzle holding member.
(13) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (9)-(11), further comprising a machine frame, and wherein the pump housing and the delivery nozzle are rotatably held by the machine frame, and the pump housing is rotatably fitted in the delivery nozzle.
(14) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (12) or (13), further comprising a nozzle rotating device operable to rotate the delivery nozzle relative to the container and the machine frame.
(15) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(14), further comprising a delivery-amount detecting device operable to detect an amount of delivery of the highly viscous fluid from the delivery nozzle onto an object, and the pump control device controls the pump such that the amount of delivery of the highly viscous fluid detected by the delivery-amount detecting device is adjusted to a desired value.
The amount of delivery of the highly viscous fluid from the delivery nozzle may be detected on the basis of an outside diameter or outer size, a surface area of an outer profile, a height dimension or a volume of a mass of the fluid applied onto the object, or a combination of those parameters. Although the delivery amount can be detected with highest accuracy on the basis of the volume of the applied fluid mass, it is possible to estimate the volume of the applied fluid mass on the basis of at least one of the outside diameter, surface area and height dimension of the fluid mass. The pump control device may be arranged to control the pump such that at least one of those detected parameters coincides with a desired value. The delivery-amount detecting device preferably uses an image-taking device, but may use a height detecting device using a laser beam or a ultrasonic wave. The image-taking device may be arranged to take a two-dimensional image of the applied fluid mass in a direction perpendicular to the working surface of the object. Alternatively, the volume of the applied fluid mass may be obtained by an image-taking system as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/634,257 filed Aug. 7, 2000. This image-taking system includes a light-source device or an illuminating device and a two-dimensional image-taking device. The light-source device is arranged to emit a planar light along a straight plane, while the image-taking device is disposed such that its optical axis intersects the plane of the planar light. Two-dimensional images of the applied fluid mass are taken by the image-taking device, at different positions during movements of the light-source device and the image-taking device relative to the object. Image data representative of these two-dimensional images are processed to obtain a three-dimensional geometry of the applied fluid mass, which consists of two-dimensional profiles taken in different cross sectional planes perpendicular to the working surface. In the above mode (15), the amount of delivery of the fluid from the delivery nozzle can be automatically controlled with high accuracy, on the basis of the detected actual amount.
(16) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(15), further comprising a gap-defining portion which is disposed so as to extend in a direction of extension of the delivery nozzle, in the vicinity of the delivery nozzle as seen in a direction perpendicular to the above-indicated direction of extension, such that a free end of the gap-defining portion is located ahead of a free end of the delivery nozzle in the direction of extension and such that the gap-defining portion is moved with the delivery nozzle in the direction of extension, for abutting contact with a working surface of an object, to maintain a predetermined gap between the free end of the gap-defining portion and the working surface.
Where, the delivery nozzle consists of a nozzle body and at least one delivery tube extending from the nozzle body, the gap-defining portion may be a pin which extends from the nozzle body in parallel with the at least one delivery tube, so that the pin comes into abutting contact its free end with the working surface of the object when the delivery nozzle is moved toward the object. Where the delivery tube has a high degree of rigidity, the gap-defining portion which is L-shaped or U-shaped may be fixed to the delivery tube. For instance, the L-shaped gap-defining portion consisting of a short arm and a long arm is fixed to the delivery tube such that the delivery tube extends through the short art of the L-shaped gap-defining portion. Alternatively, the U-shaped gap-defining portion is fixed to the delivery tube such that the delivery tube extends through the bottom of the U-shaped gap-defining portion. The gap-defining portion need not be an integral part of the delivery nozzle, but may be a separate member. The gap-defining portion may be fixed to the delivery nozzle which is removably held by a nozzle holder. Alternatively, the gap-defining portion may be fixedly disposed on a member which carries the delivery nozzle and which is moved to move the delivery nozzle in a direction perpendicular to the working surface of the object when the fluid is applied onto the object.
The highly viscous fluid is delivered onto the working surface of the object while the predetermined gap is maintained between the free end or delivery end of the delivery nozzle and the working surface. This arrangement permits a high degree of consistency in the three-dimensional configuration or geometry of the fluid mass applied to the working surface of the object.
The gap-defining portion may also function as a stop for determining the position of the delivery nozzle with respect to the working surface of the object in the direction perpendicular to the working surface. This stop prevents an abutting contact of the delivery nozzle at its delivery end with the object, protecting the delivery tube or tubes of the delivery nozzle against bending or other damage due to an impact upon the abutting contact, even where the diameter of the delivery tube or tubes is relatively small.
(17) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (16), further comprising a machine frame, a biasing device and a stopper device, and wherein at least the delivery nozzle and the gap-defining portion are movable relative to the machine frame in an axial direction of the delivery nozzle, and are biased by the biasing device in the axial direction from a proximal end toward a delivery end of the delivery nozzle, the gap-defining portion and the delivery nozzle being normally held under a biasing action of the biasing device, at respective positions which are determined by the stopper device.
In the above mode (17) of this invention, the delivery nozzle and the gap-defining portion may be moved a relatively short distance relative to the machine frame against a biasing force of the biasing device, even after the gap-defining portion has come into abutting contact with the working surface of the object. This arrangement permits the gas-defining portion to be brought into abutting contact with the object, with a high degree of stability, for establishing the predetermined gap between the delivery end of the delivery nozzle and the working surface of the object. In addition, the biasing device functions to reduce the impact upon the abutting contact of the gap-defining portion with the object, protecting the gap-defining portion and the object against damage due to the abutting contact.
(18) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (17), wherein the pump includes a pump housing, and the pump housing and the delivery nozzle are not movable relative to each other and are movable together relative to the machine frame in the axial direction of the delivery nozzle.
When the delivery nozzle is axially moved relative to the machine frame, the pump housing is moved with the delivery nozzle relative to the machine frame, so that the pump housing is held in an operating state in which the highly viscous fluid is fed from the pump housing to the delivery nozzle.
(19) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(18), further comprising a temperature control device operable to control a temperature of a mass of the highly viscous fluid, at least at a portion of the mass which is moved through the delivery nozzle for delivery thereof onto an object.
In the above mode (19), the temperature of the highly viscous fluid can be controlled to a level suitable for delivery onto the object, making it possible to control the viscosity of the fluid suitable for delivery onto the object, so that the amount of delivery of the fluid onto the object can be controlled with high accuracy.
(20) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (19), wherein the pump includes a pump housing and a screw disposed within the pump housing such that the screw and the pump housing are rotatable relative to each other, and the temperature control device has:
a gas passage through which a gas is circulated for heat transfer between the gap and a portion of the pump housing which surrounds the screw; and
a gas-temperature control device operable to control a temperature of the gas is circulated through the gas passage.
The gas passage may be formed such that the gas is circulated for direct contact with the portion of the pump housing surrounding the screw, or for indirect contact with that portion via other member or members. Where the gas passage is formed for indirect contact of the gas with the above-indicated portion of the pump housing, it is desirable to arrange the relevant portion of the apparatus such that the heat transfer is effected between the gas and the above-indicated portion, through thermal conduction therebetween.
The gas-temperature control device includes a heating device and a cooling device for heating and cooling the gas, for example. The temperature of the gas may be controlled to be equal to a desired temperature of the highly viscous fluid, or to be higher or lower than this desired temperature.
The highly viscous fluid is heated or cooled by the gas circulated through the gas passage, so that the temperature of the fluid is controlled to a level suitable for delivery onto the object.
(21) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(20), wherein the delivery nozzle has a plurality of delivery tubes parallel to each other.
In the above mode (21), two or more masses of the highly viscous fluid are concurrently applied through the respective delivery tubes to respective fluid-applying spots on the object, when the screw is rotated relative to the pump housing, when the delivery nozzle is located at each coating position.
(22) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (21), further comprising a nozzle rotating device operable to rotate the delivery nozzle about an axis thereof which is parallel to the plurality of delivery tubes.
In the above mode (22) wherein the nozzle is rotated about its axis, the fluid-applying spots on the object which correspond to each coating position of the delivery nozzle can be moved about the axis of the delivery nozzle.
(23) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to the above mode (22), further comprising a controller operable to control the nozzle rotating device according to a predetermined control program.
(24) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(23), further comprising a support member, and a relative-movement device operable to move the support member and an object relative to each other in a direction parallel to a working surface of the object on which the highly viscous fluid is delivered from the delivery nozzle, and in a direction perpendicular to the working surface.
(25) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply device is a fluid supply device of a pressurizing type arranged to pressurize the highly viscous fluid and feed the pressurized highly viscous fluid to the pump, the apparatus further comprising a synchronous controller operable to operate the fluid supply device of the pressurizing type, in synchronization with an operation of the pump under the control of the pump control device.
(26) A highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(25), wherein the pump control device includes a reverse-operating portion operable to operate the pump by a predetermined amount in a reverse direction opposite to a forward direction after termination of an operation of the pump in the forward direction to feed the highly viscous fluid to the delivery nozzle.

Highly-viscous-fluid applying apparatus capable of controlling delivery amount of fluid