A storage system maintains a cache and a non-volatile storage. An error recovery component queries a cache component to determine whether modified customer data exists in a memory preserve cache. In response to determining that the modified customer data exists in the memory preserve cache, and in response to a failure beyond a threshold number of times of initial microcode load (IML) attempts to recover the modified customer data, an error notification is transmitted for manual intervention to avoid loss of the modified customer data.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to the requesting of manual intervention on failure of initial microcode load attempts during recovery of modified customer data.
2. Background
A storage system may control access to storage for one or more host computational devices that may be coupled to the storage system over a network. A storage management application that executes in the storage system may manage a plurality of storage devices, such as disk drives, tape drives, flash drives, etc., that are coupled to the storage system. A host may send Input/Output (I/O) commands to the storage system and the storage system may execute the I/O commands to read data from the storage devices or write data to the storage devices.
The storage system may include two or more servers, where each server may be referred to as a node, a storage server, a processor complex, a Central Processor Complex (CPC), or a Central Electronics Complex (CEC). Each server may have a plurality of processor cores and the servers may share the workload of the storage system. In a two server configuration of the storage system, either server can failover to the other if there is a failure or a planned downtime for one of the two servers.
The storage system attempts to maintain two copies of the data while data is moving through the storage system. The servers have two areas of their primary memory that are used for holding host data: cache and non-volatile storage (NVS). NVS contains write data until the data is destaged from the cache to the storage drives. When a write is sent to a volume and both the servers are operational, the write data is placed into the cache of the owning server and into the NVS of the other server. The NVS copy of the write data may be accessed if a write failure occurs and the cache is empty or possibly invalid in the owning server. Otherwise, the NVS copy of the write data is discarded after the destage from cache to the storage drives is complete.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,169 entitled "Memory Preserved Cache to Prevent Data Loss" describe at least mechanisms for preserving data in a storage subsystem having a dual cache and dual non-volatile storage through a failover from a failed cluster to a surviving cluster.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,895,465 entitled "Memory Preserved Cache Failsafe Reboot Mechanism" describes at least mechanisms to preserve data in a storage subsystem having a dual cache and dual non-volatile storage through a failover from a failed cluster to a surviving cluster, where the surviving cluster undergoes a rebooting process.

Requesting manual intervention on failure of initial microcode load attempts during recovery of modified customer data

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A powder storage container capable of preventing erroneous opening of a powder loading port. The powder storage container includes a powder storage part configured to store a developer used for image forming, a powder discharge part provided on one end part of the powder storage part to discharge the developer stored in the powder storage part, a gripping part protruding through an end face of the one end part side of the powder storage part, a powder loading port causing an inner space of the powder storage part and an outer portion of the powder storage part to communicate with each other, and a sealing member capable of sealing the powder loading port. The powder loading port is enclosed by the gripping part.

An image forming apparatus is known that is configured to form an image by visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier by a developing device using a toner as a developer. In such an image forming apparatus, the toner in the developing device is consumed in the course of image formation. Therefore, to supply the toner to the developing device in the image forming apparatus, use of a toner container as a powder storage container storing the toner is considered. As such a toner container, one is known that has a configuration in which a powder loading port for loading the toner is provided and is plugged by attaching a sealing member thereon (refer to Patent Document 1).

Powder storage container and image forming apparatus in which a gripping part includes a powder loading port and a sealing member


In the method for manufacturing a super abrasive cutting saw, press molds are formed with uneven portions on the main opposite surfaces. The molds define a space portion for containing the periphery of a cutting saw plate. Two masses of compressed sinterable powders are prepared. The two masses of compressed powder are brought to oppose each other while holding the periphery of the cutting saw plate therebetween for engagement. The press molds are engaged to press and hold the masses. Heating the compressed powder to sinter while pressing the same fuses the two masses of compressed powder together and to the cutting saw plate and forms a sinter around the periphery of the cutting saw plate. An apparatus used in the method of manufacturing the super abrasive cutting saw includes the space portion for containing at least the periphery of the cutting saw plate and the pressed powder. The molds defining the space portion are formed with uneven portions on their main surfaces for engaging to the main surfaces of the compressed powder sinter and forming corrugations therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a super abrasive cutting saw and, more particularly, to the method and apparatus for manufacturing a diamond cutting saw or a CBN cutting saw made by sintering a pressed powder including super abrasives such as fine diamond abrasives, cubic born nitride and the like around the periphery of an orbicular cutting saw plate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Known methods for manufacturing such type of diamond cutting saw are the following method.
The first method is to press a powder including fine diamond abrasives together to form a moss of pressed powder into a prescribed shape in advance after forming two pressed powder masses having a same shape, a steel plate to be formed into a cutting saw plate is inserted between the two pressed powder masses in a mold and sintered. According to this method, a seam defined between the two pressed powder masses is flat and the outer surfaces of the masses are also formed substantially with a flat sinter.
The other method is to form a sheet of pressed powder into a prescribed shape with the powder including fine diamond abrasives in advance, which is sintered and at the same time, sintering the cutting saw plate by intruding it into the sintered portion formed by sintering the pressed powder sheet with its thermal expansion, and simultaneously fusing the sintered portion onto the cutting saw plate.
The first method, when forming each pressed powder mass, requires preparing each orbicular pressed powder mass having a flat surface and the masses are joined together to form a diamond layer with the two pressed powders masses by sintering. This causes some portions in a border between the two opposing pressed powder masses to be lacking diamond abrasives.
In the second method, such disadvantage of the first method is removed by forming a sheet of pressed powder in advance, since the larger the diameter and higher the temperature the larger the magnitude of intrusion of the cutting saw plate into the sintered portion with its thermal expansion. But the second method is unsuitable for manufacturing a relatively smaller cutting saw or when using a powder having a low sintering temperature. Also, the bonding strength between the sintered diamond and the cutting saw plate is relatively weaker so the latter diamond cutting saw is unsuitable as a cutting saw for use under severe conditions.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing super abrasive cutting saw


Efficient cross-site attack prevention, in which web pages are stored on a site, the web pages being organized into entry pages that do not accept input, and protected pages that are not entry pages. A request is received from a user application to receive a requested web page, the request including a referrer string indicative of a referring web page, and identification data. It is determined whether the requested web page is an entry page or a protected page, and it is further determined, if the requested web page is determined to be a protected page, if the user application is authorized based upon the identification data, and if the referring web page is stored on the site based upon the referrer string. The requested web page is transmitted to the user application if the user application is determined to be authorized and if the referring web page is determined to be stored on the site, and the request is redirected to an entry page if the user application is determined to be not authorized or if the referring web page is determined to be not stored on the site.

Although web applications operate in a virtual environment, some of them, including online auction or banking applications, involve real-world monetary transactions. Both web users and web sites have a vested interest in protecting these monetary transactions, which present attractive targets for manipulation by hackers.
Malicious exploitations of critical vulnerabilities of these security-critical web applications are continuously being devised, with cross-site scripting attacks and cross-site request forgery attacks being particularly favored by hackers. The vanguard of these attacks is a malicious link that has been tainted with scripting or forged input, which is presented to a legitimate user by way of an electronic communication. When the legitimate user innocently selects this malicious link, a script is enabled to execute in the security context of the user's browser and the target web site.
Although conventional client-side and server-side techniques exist to protect against cross-site attacks, these approaches are often deficient. For example, some of these typical approaches only address session theft attacks, which attack the integrity of the session.


A stairlift may include a rail and a drive unit having a chair and a carrier. The carrier may be adapted to drive along the rail, and the chair may be supported by the carrier. The chair may have a folding mechanism that comprises a base body fixed to the carrier, a seat body that is foldably fixed by way of a seat joint to the base body, a leg body that is foldably fixed to the seat body by way of a leg joint, and a footrest body that is foldably fixed to the leg body by way of a footrest joint.

WIPO Patent Publication No. WO 2013/129923 A1 discloses a stairlift with a chair. A drive unit travels along at least one guide rail. A leveling mechanism is provided to hold the chair always in a horizontal orientation, even if the inclination angle of the guide rail is changing along the path of travel. In particular the rail of such lifts has a curved shape, like shown in FIG. 3 of WIPO Patent Publication No. WO 2015/052489 A1.
When the stairlift is not in use, the chair takes up space. Thus a need exists for an improved stairlift.


An embroidering machine is provided with a display section which is retractable within a machine housing and can be pulled to an operational position when in use for select/input operation. Several kinds of select/input operation can be made with a single display means, by suitably changing and selecting the display mode. Select/input operation is made by plotting an appropriate portion seen in the display, reducing to a great extent erroneous operation with a visual support.

This invention relates to an embroidering machine having graphic input means.
With the conventional embroidering machines, stitch control data for producing characters on a fabric are in advance stored in memory means, a selective one of which can be read out therefrom by suitable operation to designate a corresponding code number of four figures, for example. The operator will be required to look for the code number of a character desired to be stitched in reference to a list book, and then to designate the code number by manipulation of a ten key arrangement attached to the machine housing. Apart from such code number searching operation being troublesome, it has often been found that the code number may be input or designated in error.
In order to obviate troublesomeness of the aforementioned operation in reference to the code number list book, it has been proposed that to an embroidering machine is connected a mode-changeable keyboard having a plurality of operating keys, to each key being allocated two or more characters. For example, alphabet "A" in different printing style, including Roman style and Gothic style, can be designated by manipulation of the same key with the operation mode of the keyboard being suitably changed. With this system, the keyboard consisting of input means should be arranged separately from the main body of the embroidering machine, and there will be required a large space for placing the keyboard. It would be troublesome to move this systematic apparatus from one place to another.
When stitching the embroidery pattern, material points for the pattern including at least a starting point from which the designated character series should be commenced and an ending point of the pattern are to be designated beforehand. This has been achieved by marking these points on a fabric, stretching the fabric between an embroidery frame and shifting the embroidery frame so that a stitching needle is directed just toward the starting point. A standard line is also marked on the fabric beforehand and should be set in alignment with an embroidery frame shifting direction in stretching the fabric.
The stitch control data for producing an original design or image can be input through an input device separate from the embroidering machine. An original picture is placed on the input device and respective points lying on the periphery of the image are plotted successively with a light pen. Accordingly, it has been time-consuming and troublesome to prepare the stitch control data for producing the original image.

Embroidering machines having graphic input means

Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd.


A wear indicator for a sprocket adapted to have an endless track arranged in driving association therewith. The sprocket has opposite side surfaces and a series of sprocket teeth disposed peripherally about the sprocket. Each sprocket tooth has a tip with track engaging surfaces extending away therefrom to define a tooth profile. The sprocket wear indicator includes a visual marker on a side surface of the sprocket for allowing a person to visually gauge wear of the tooth profile on the sprocket.

A sprocket of a track laying implement is rotatably driven in opposite rotational directions and includes a plurality of teeth which engage an endless track chain including trackpins and bushings articulately interconnecting like track sections. Each sprocket tooth has a predetermined initial profile defined by a tip with opposite track engaging surfaces extending therefrom and toward a tooth root.
Wear on the sprocket teeth results from contact with the track chain as well as the abrasiveness of dirt, rocks, and other debris material entrapped or packed therebetween. More specifically, sliding vertical contact with the track bushings during forward and reverse directional movements of the track chain causes wearing of the tooth root. Sliding contact with the track bushings likewise causes wear on reverse and forward sides of each sprocket tooth. Uneven terrain and side hills, turning of the implement, improper width of track link shoes, and the like, furthermore causes sprocket tooth corners to wear.
When the wear pattern remains within the side surfaces of the tooth, the sprocket remains usable. When the wear pattern, however, extends into the tip of the tooth, positive engagement of the sprocket teeth into the track chain is adversely effected, and the track chain may jump over the teeth. This causes extreme shock loads which could damage the track components. Accordingly, excessive wear of the sprocket tooth profile normally requires replacement of the sprocket.
Different forms of gauges have been heretofore utilized for attempting to determine whether the sprocket remains usable or has been worn to an extent requiring replacement. Such gauges have normally required accurate and proper placement between the sprocket teeth to measure wear as a function of the gap between the gauge and the sprocket teeth. Besides the problem of accessibility to gauge sprocket tooth wear, such gauges are not reliable as a means of measuring sprocket wear because the sprocket teeth have no clear reference point from which to take a measurement. Thus, such gauges normally result in a misreading of the actual extent of wear of the sprocket.
Thus, there remains a need and a desire for a sprocket wear indicator which does not rely on proper placement of a gauge between adjacent teeth of the sprocket and yet which provides an accurate measurement of sprocket wear.


Systems and methods are provided for generating a two-dimensional image for identification of medical imaging data. An image processor acquires the medical imaging data and determines a category of the medical imaging data. A machine-learnt network identifies as a function of the category, a plurality of settings of rendering parameters that highlight one or more features the medical imaging data. The image processor renders the two-dimensional identifier image from the medical imaging data using the plurality of settings of rendering parameters and stores the medical imaging data with the two-dimensional identifier image.

The present embodiments relate to processing medical diagnostic images.
For medical and clinical practice and research, imaging data may be collected and stored. One of the mechanisms to safeguard patients is to anonymize the imaging data. Anonymizing the data includes removing any identifying information about the individual patients in the data set, hence making the re-identification of those individuals very difficult. Anonymization of image data may be a compliance requirement for transfer of the data out of a hospital by software systems. In an example, medical data is anonymized inside the hospital network, and then transferred out to external systems, for example, a cloud network, to provide a more extensible information access point to the user, or to provide some software services that leverages cloud computing.
Anonymization of imaging data, however, causes issues for operators processing the imaging data. An operator may upload or transfer image data to an external system destination. The patient identifiable information, such as name, identifiers (IDs), or birthdates are removed. The removal of identifying information creates a cognitive challenge for the operator to remember to which patient the data that was uploaded belongs. Existing systems present the anonymized data back to the operator based on dates and ID numbers that may not be easily memorable. Mistakes due to the mental load and general fatigue of the operator may thus occur. For example, basic textual information such as IDs, dates or basic allowable information such as gender may require the operator to tediously read and sort out the information mentally.

Method for memorable image generation for anonymized three-dimensional medical image workflows


Probes and primers are disclosed for detecting a C. glabrata resistant to an echinocandin in a sample. Method are also disclosed that utilize these probes and primers, wherein the methods can be used to detect a C. glabrata resistant to an echinocandin in a sample.

Candida glabrata is the second most frequent cause of invasive candidiasis in the United States (Lockhart et al., 2012, J. Clin. Microbiol. 50:3435-3442; Pfaller et al., 2011, J. Clin. Microbiol. 49:396-399). With a large proportion of isolates resistant to fluconazole, echinocandins are the treatment of choice recommended by the Infectious Disease Society of America for candidemia caused by C. glabrata (Pappas et al., 2009; Clin Infect Dis. 48(5):503-35). However, as has happened with fluconazole, increased usage of echinocandins has demonstrated the ability of C. glabrata to occasionally develop resistance (Pfaller et al., 2009, J Clin Microbiol. 47(10):3185-90; Lee et al., 2009, Arch Intern Med. 169(4):379-83; Pfaller et al., 2012, J Clin Microbiol. 50(4):1199-203; Cleary et al., 2008, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 54(12):5042-7; Zimbeck et al., 2010, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 54(12):5042-7; Shields et al., 2012, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 56(9):4862-9; Alexander et al., 2013, Clin Infect Dis. 56(12):1724-32). With echinocandins recommended for use as empiric therapy for C. glabrata infection in US hospitals, rapid identification of isolates which may be echinocandin resistant has increasing clinical relevancy. A need remains for methods that can rapidly determine if a C. glabrata in a sample is resistant to echinocandins.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services


As changes are made to a document, each change may be assigned an extended identifier comprising a globally unique identifier (GUID) component and an integer component. Upon determining that the same GUID component is used in identifiers for multiple changes, the GUID component may be mapped to a range of indices. Each index of the range of indices may then be used to represent the same GUID component in each extended identifier.

File transfer protocols such as the File Synchronization via SOAP over HTTP (MS-FSSHTTP) stateless protocol use identifiers to track and reference objects within files. In most situations, these files contain large numbers of data elements, each of which may have multiple identifiers of their own and references to other objects via those objects' identifiers. These identifiers themselves may often be large, on the order of 20 bytes in the MS-FSSHTTP protocol, so storing and manipulating these identifiers can result in a great deal of overhead.

Identifier compression for file synchronization via soap over HTTP


Microlaminated composite articles are made by combining one or more sheets of flexible sintered crystalline ceramic foil with one or multiple inorganic substrate layers, e.g., of metal foil, to form a stack which is then heated below the melting temperatures of the foil and substrate layers, and under slight or moderate pressure, to provide a well-bonded composite article which is essentially free of interlaminar cementing or sealing materials.

The present invention relates to composite articles formed of two or more inorganic materials of differing composition and properties, and more particularly to so-called "microlaminated" composites formed by the lamination of sheets of such inorganic materials.
Composites are often made to create a beneficial mix of the properties of dissimilar materials that can be unobtainable in a single homogeneous material. Two well-known examples of a type of composite structure using a layering of two materials to obtain such a mix of properties are "Samurai Swords" and "Damascus Steel". In these composites, hard but brittle carbide layers are interspersed with softer, ductile, tougher steel layers. In the Samurai case, these layers are created by repeated hammering and folding during the manufacture of the sword.
Newer varieties of metal matrix (ductile) composites reinforced with metallic and non-metallic fibers, whiskers, platelets and particles have also been developed. The reinforcing agents in these composites are intended to impart greater stiffness, higher yield strength or ultimate tensile strength, and/or higher creep resistance to the matrix material. Various methods have been employed to fabricate such composites. In the case of chopped fibers whiskers, platelets, or the like, mixtures of components may be melt processed or sintered to incorporate the reinforcing agents. Long fibers can be laid between metal sheets and the metal sheets deformed around the fibers to obtain a densified composite, although for large fibers a great deal of plastic deformation is necessary to make the matrix material flow around the fiber to make a dense matrix.
Intermetallic compounds are also topics of composites research and, although classed as semi-brittle materials, offer some advantages over conventional alloys. However, while they can be reinforced with ceramic materials, difficulties due to limited ductility and thermodynamic incompatibility with ceramic reinforcing materials are more common, particularly where substantial plastic deformation of the intermetallic is required during manufacture.
Brittle materials such as glass and ceramics are even harder to process, crystalline ceramics being particularly difficult to manufacture to net shape at precise tolerances. Thus ceramics and glass have been largely limited to low stress applications or to areas where their properties (optical transparency, high dielectric constant, etc.) are essential.
Toughened fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites for high-stress applications have recently been developed, but the high pressure/high temperature consolidation processing needed for the manufacture of these composites greatly adds to their cost, and the achievement of a truly uniform distribution of reinforcing fibers therein remains difficult.
In broad aspect, composites can be classified into brittle/brittle, brittle/semibrittle, and brittle/ductile categories, depending upon the particular combinations of brittle materials (eg., ceramics) and ductile materials (eg., metals) used in their construction. Layered or laminated composites, familiar in products such as capacitors and multilayer electronic substrates, comprise a well-recognized subgroup of composite structures.
The physical processes involved in the manufacture of well-bonded laminated composites include co-sintering, hot pressing, metal infiltration, and diffusion bonding. Co-sintering is employed in the fabrication of ceramic/ceramic and metal/ceramic composites, with metal infiltration and diffusion bonding also being employed for the latter. For very thin layers of ceramic or metal, vapor deposition processes including ion plating and/or plasma spraying have been employed.
Laminar composites incorporating glass layers can be bonded by hot pressing or glass sintering at temperatures where the glass can wet adjoining materials. In fact, some composites include powdered glass simply as a sealing material to bond otherwise incompatible metallic or ceramic laminae into a unitary structure. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,868,711 (Hirama et al.) and 3,490,887 (Herczog et al.) offer examples of glass-containing composites.
In the prior art, ceramic/metal laminates have quite often used relatively thick ceramic laminae. For example, Cao and Evans, in "On Crack Extension in Ductile/Brittle Laminates", Acta metall. mater., Vol. 39, No. 12 pp. 2997-3005 (December 1991), have described alumina/aluminum composites comprising 1 mm commercial IC substrate alumina sheets as ceramic layers.
Thinner ceramic layers have been produced in ceramic capacitors, electronic substrates, and similar composites by co-sintering. For example, Marshall et al. in "Enhanced Fracture Toughness in Layered Microcomposites of Ce-ZrO2 and Al2O3", J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 74 [12] 2979-87 (1991), describe laminar composites of Ce-ZrO2 and Ce-ZrO2+Al2O3 with layers on the order of 10-100 micrometers in thickness using colloids with sequential centrifugation and co-sintering.
Unfortunately, ceramic/ceramic and ceramic/metal co-sintering processes present serious obstacles to the attainment of truly homogenous and defect-free composite structures. Such obstacles include relatively crude and non-uniform layer structures, curling or wrinkling of the structures during the co-sintering process, and pin-hole or other layering defects. In the case of metal/ceramic composites, for example, the metal powder and the ceramic powder must sinter in nearly the same temperature range, and the densification shrinkages of the ceramic and metal cannot be too different. Also, kinetically and thermodynamically stable combinations of materials should be used, with compatible partial pressures of gaseous species (PO2 and PH2O) being maintained during sintering.
The manufacture of metal/ceramic composites for capacitors provides a practical example of co-sintering as presently practiced. In that process, ceramic powders and metallic powders are combined, eg., by tape casting the ceramic layer and screen printing the metal layer, and the resulting laminae are stacked and heated to remove binders and solvents. Thereafter, the debindered stacked structures are heated to sinter the metal and ceramic materials. However, before sintering is attempted the stacks are first diced into relatively small chip sizes as required for capacitor use.
While satisfactory for capacitor fabrication, the manufacture of mechanically durable composites from continuous sheets of unsintered powder materials is not practical. This is primarily due to the very high shrinkage factors involved. Even with relatively well matched ceramic and metallic starting materials, extensive layer shrinkage during powder sintering favors the formation of multiple layer defects, eg., pin-hole defects as in metal capacitor films. In addition, large scale layer fluctuations and laminate distortions can occur, as previously noted. These kinds of defects are not significant in products such as capacitors, which are generally below 1 cm size and which can tolerate a relatively high number of process-induced pin-hole defects in the metal layers. Where the mechanical properties of the composites are key, however, such defects are not acceptable.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved process for the fabrication of microlaminated composites which provides well-bonded laminar articles with improved layer structure.
It is a further object of the invention to provide microlaminated composites offering improved physical integrity and structural uniformity.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof.


A crib has a base portion, base connector, crib side sections extending from the base portion and crib legs to support the base portion and the crib side sections above the ground. A front stationary crib side middle section, a back stationary crib side middle section and the base connector may be removed to reveal crib side openings and separate stationary crib side sections may be added to allow the crib to be converted into separate cribs.

1. Field
The embodiments of the invention relate to cribs and, in one embodiment, to converting a single twin crib into two separate cribs.
2. Background
Cribs of varying shapes and sizes provide a safe and comfortable sleeping area for infants. Standard cribs generally have a base to support a mattress, legs to raise the base to a desired height off the floor and crib sides with vertically extending bars to prevent the infant from falling off of the mattress. For the safety and comfort of the infant, the crib bars are spaced dose enough so that the infant's head cannot fit in between the bars yet far enough apart to allow the infant to see out of the crib. Standard cribs are sized to accommodate one infant. An example is the round crib by Little Miss Liberty Crib Company, Los Angeles, Calif. Thus, in the case where a parent has multiple infants, more than one standard crib may be purchased to accommodate each infant. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,524, a crib for more than one infant is described as having multiple sleeping areas. That crib has two sleeping areas whose longitudinal axes intersect at a right angle. Another vendor, PAMCO Nursery Furniture of New Zealand, has a twin cot that converts to two "King Single Beds."

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention relates to compositions of matter represented by the general formula

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Electrochemical devices comprising oxygen-ion conducting solid electrolytes have found considerable use in a variety of applications including processes for separating oxygen from oxygen-containing gases and sensors for measuring oxygen concentration in gaseous mixtures. Desirable properties for the solid electrolyte include low resistance to oxygen ion conduction and high strength. Such solid electrolytes are typically made as thin as possible to lower the power requirements for the electrochemical device, but thick enough to provide for sufficient mechanical stability to withstand pressure differences prevailing in the electrochemical device under operating conditions.
Ceria-based electrolytes are known to be useful in the above electrochemical devices. Ceria (CeO2) electrolytes have oxygen vacancies which allow for oxygen ion conductivity. Ceria which possesses the fluorite structure exhibits rather low oxygen ionic conductivity under operating conditions. The concentration of oxygen vacancies within the solid electrolyte can be increased by adding a dopant having a different valence from Ce4+ thereby increasing oxygen conductivity in the solid electrolyte. For example, Japanese laid-open publication H8-169713 teaches that ceria can be doped with alkaline earth metals such as Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or transition metals such as Zr, Hf, Nb, or Ta.
While a wide variety of dopants have been shown to be effective in increasing oxygen ionic conductivity in solid electrolytes, yttrium and lanthanides, especially Sm and Gd, and Mg, are considered to be preferred dopants to achieve high ionic conductivity in ceria based electrolytes. Chen and Chen (J. Am. Ceram. Soc. No. 79 (1996) p. 1793)) studied the effect of Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Sc3+, Yb3+, Y3+, Gd3+, La3+, Ti4+, and Nb3+ on the sintering behavior of undoped ceria. The researchers found that both titania and magnesia can xe2x80x9cmarkedly enhance grain boundary mobilityxe2x80x9d which can lead to abnormal grain grown during sintering.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,607,424 discloses a solid electrolyte represented by the formula (CeO2)2(Gd2O3)x(MgO)y. Magnesia and gadolinia are each considered dopants which have been added in considerable amounts to increase oxygen ionic conductivity. Japanese laid-open publication JP 75-012566 discloses a ceria based solid electrolyte, wherein gadolinia and samaria are used as dopants for increasing oxygen ionic conductivity and magnesia is used as a sintering aid.
Japanese laid-open publication JP 62-28316 discloses a perovskite solid electrolyte represented by the formula SrCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92yMxMxe2x80x2yO3 wherein M is Ti, Zr or Sn, Mxe2x80x2 is Y, Sc, Yb, Mg, Nd, Pr or Zn and both x and y are in the range of between 0 and 0.5. Dopants M and Mxe2x80x2 are added to increase oxygen ionic conductivity.
Solid electrolytes utilized in oxygen separation devices typically do not possess appreciable connected through porosity, meaning that such solid electrolytes do not contain a network of pores which are capable of transporting gases through the solid electrolyte. Solid electrolytes typically possess densities of above 95% of theoretical density in order to achieve no connected through porosity.
Doped ceria electrolytes formed from submicron powders typically require high compaction pressures (up to 1 GPa) and high sintering temperatures (around 1700xc2x0 C.) to achieve densities of above 95% of theoretical density. These process conditions increase costs associated with producing such solid electrolytes.
Sintering aids have been used to reduce processing temperatures required to sinter solid electrolytes. Coprecipitation techniques utilizing metal hydroxides have been used to produce powders which readily sinter in the temperature range of 1400 to 1600xc2x0 C., a desirable range in which to operating process equipment.
Japanese laid-open publication H8-159713 which teaches a coprecipitation method for making doped ceria which can be sintered at temperatures ranging from 1250 to 1600xc2x0 C. while obtaining a density of above 95% of theoretical density. A coprecipitation method is also used in WO91/09430 which discloses sintering temperatures between 1300 and 1525xc2x0 C. for a composition containing ceria and two dopants selected from rare earth metals and/or iron, cobalt, and nickel. Coprecipitated powders such as gadolinium doped ceria are commercially available.
Japanese laid-open publication JP 75-012566 discloses magnesia as a sintering aid in ceria doped with gadolinia and samaria. GB-1322959 discloses magnesia as a sintering aid and teaches sintering temperatures of between 1700 to 1850xc2x0 C., which are beyond preferred temperatures ranges for commercial processes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,778 discloses magnesia as a sintering aid for pure zirconia, ceria, and thoria. Baumard and coworkers (J. Less Com. Metals, 127, 125-130 (1987)) showed that sintering can be enhanced by adding small amounts of niobia or titania (0.1 to 0.3 wt %).
The object of the present invention is to provide a ceria based composition of matter which can be formed into a desired shape (referred to as a green body) and sintered to greater than 95% theoretical density at temperatures at or below 1600xc2x0 C. to form a solid electrolyte.
These objects are solved and other deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by a composition of matter represented by the general formula:
LnxLnxe2x80x2xxe2x80x2AyTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92xxe2x80x2xe2x88x92yxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, Lnxe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6yxe2x89xa60.03, 0.001xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.03, 0.05xe2x89xa6x+xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25 and 0.001xe2x89xa6y+zxe2x89xa60.03, and wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Sm.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein A is Mg.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein 0.1xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.2.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein y=0.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein xxe2x80x2=0.
Preferred compositions of matter are represented by the formula:
LnxTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd and Y
wherein 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0.0025xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.02 and wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Sm.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Gd.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Y.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte comprising a composition of matter having a density greater than 95% theoretical density represented by the general formula
LnxLnxe2x80x2xxe2x80x2AyTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92xxe2x80x2xe2x88x92yxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, and mixtures thereof; Lnxe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6yxe2x89xa60.03, 0.001xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.03, 0.05xe2x89xa6x+xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0.001xe2x89xa6y+zxe2x89xa60.03, wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral, said method comprising the steps of.
(a) forming a mixture by mixing metal-containing materials corresponding to the metals in the composition of matter to establish the stoichiometric coefficients of the metals of the composition of matter;
(b) forming the mixture into a desired shape for the solid electrolyte; and
(c) sintering the desired shape at a temperature of less than or equal to 1600xc2x0 C. to form the solid electroltye having a density greater than 95% theoretical density.
The metal-containing materials utilized in such method are preferably metallic oxides.
The average particle size of the metallic oxides utilized in the method have an average particle size of less than 5 xcexcm.
The mixing according to the method is preferably effected by a technique selected from the group consisting of attrition milling, vibratory milling, ball milling and high shear mixing.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to a composition of matter represented by the general formula:
LnxLnxe2x80x2xxe2x80x2AyTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92xxe2x80x2xe2x88x92yxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, Lnxe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6yxe2x89xa60.03, 0.001xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.03, 0.05xe2x89xa6x+xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25 and 0.001xe2x89xa6y+zxe2x89xa60.03, and wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Sm.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein A is Mg.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein 0.1xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.2.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein y=0.
An alternate embodiment of the above mentioned composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein xxe2x80x2=0.
The compositions of matter according to the present invention necessarily contain a metal selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, and Y in combination with Ti and Ce.
The compositions of matter according to this invention show a surprisingly low sintering temperature equal to or below 1600xc2x0 C., preferably in the range of about 1200xc2x0 C. to below 1600xc2x0 C., more preferably 1400xc2x0 C. to less than 1600xc2x0 C.
For use in an electrochemical device such as a device for separating oxygen from oxygen-containing gaseous mixtures, the compositions typically exhibit oxygen ion conductivities ranging from 0.01 S cmxe2x88x921 to 100 S cmxe2x88x921, and electronic conductivities of xe2x89xa610xe2x88x922 S cmxe2x88x921.
Solid electrolytes formed from the compositions of matter according to this invention have no connected through porosity and typically have a density of greater than about 95% of theoretical density. Theoretical density is measured according to known techniques. Suitable techniques for measuring theoretical density include G. H. Stront, L. H. Jensen, in xe2x80x9cX-ray Structure Determination, A Practical Guidexe2x80x9d, The Macmillan Company Collier-Mac millan, Ltd. London, p. 80-81.
Preferred compositions of matter are represented by the general formula:
LnxTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd and Y
wherein 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0.0025xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.02 and wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Sm.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Gd.
An alternate embodiment of the preferred composition of matter is defined by the general formula wherein Ln is Y.
The compositions of matter according to this invention may be formed into and used as a solid electrolyte in conventional electrochemical devices known in the art.
These solid electrolytes are typically in the form of a thin sintered body comprising the composition of matter.
Solid electrolytes for use in electrochemical devices are typically made as thin as possible to lower the power requirements of the device. Typically such thickness is in the range of below 500 xcexcm, preferably xe2x89xa6250 xcexcm. Nevertheless, the solid electrolyte must be thick enough to provide sufficient mechanical stability to withstand any pressure differences prevailing in the device.
The solid electrolyte formed from the compositions of matter of the present invention may be fabricated into any suitable form known in the art. For example, the solid electrolyte may be in the form of a flat sheet, may have a honeycomb structure or may be of tubular shape. More preferably, the solid electrolyte may be in the form of a substantially square flat disc or plate, optionally having rounded edges, and having a central opening such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,868,918, and 5,750,279, both assigned to Air Products and Chemicals Inc., the disclosures which are incorporated herein by reference. Any electrochemical device known in the art may benefit from the solid electrolytes of the present invention which are formed from the enumerated compositions of matter. Exemplary electrochemical devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,868,918 and 5,750,279.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte comprising a composition of matter having a density greater than 95% theoretical density represented by the general formula
LnxLnxe2x80x2xxe2x80x2AyTizCe1xe2x88x92xxe2x88x92xxe2x80x2xe2x88x92yxe2x88x92zO2xe2x88x92xcex4
wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, and mixtures thereof; Lnxe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6yxe2x89xa60.03, 0.001xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.03, 0.05xe2x89xa6x+xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0.001xe2x89xa6y+zxe2x89xa60.03, wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral, said method comprising the steps of.
(a) forming a mixture by mixing metal-containing materials corresponding to the metals in the composition of matter to establish the stoichiometric coefficients of the metals of the composition of matter;
(b) forming the mixture into a desired shape for the solid electrolyte; and
(c) sintering the desired shape at a temperature of less than or equal to 1600xc2x0 C. to form the solid electroltye having a density greater than 95% theoretical density.
The metal-containing materials utilized in such method are preferably metallic oxides.
According to step (a) of the method, the practitioner shall choose a desired composition of matter falling under the formulae presented in this specification to make a desired solid electrolyte, by identifying the metals and the amounts thereof to be incorporated into such composition. One of ordinary skill in the art can accomplish this step without undue experimentation. Metal-containing materials corresponding to the metals in the composition of matter to be made are thus mixed in the amounts corresponding to the stoichiometric coefficients of the composition to be made. The mixing according to the method is preferably effected by a technique selected from the group consisting of attrition milling, vibratory milling, ball milling and high shear mixing.
The average particle size of the metal-containing materials are desirably less than 10 xcexcm and provide surface areas of greater than 1 m2/g. Average particle sizes of less than 5 xcexcm and surface areas greater than 2 m2/g are more desirable and in a preferred embodiment the average particle size is less than 2.5 xcexcm and the surface area is greater than 4 m2/g.
Suitable mixing can be effected in step (a) by conventional means including attrition milling, vibratory milling, ball milling and high sheer mixing. For example, if tape casting, slip casting, uniaxial pressing, or isostatic pressing are the preferred choices for fabrication of the solid electrolyte, then ball milling, vibratory milling or attrition milling would be preferable to high sheer mixing; whereas, if roll compaction, extrusion or injection molding were the preferred method then high sheer mixing would be most desirable. An important principle is that diffusion distances are minimized by decreasing particle size and making a homogenous mixture. Conventional binders, plasticizers and solvents may also be utilized as is conventional in the art.
The second step of the method requires establishing a desired shape of the solid electrolyte to be fabricated and forming the mixture of the previous step into such desired shape. Such shapes can be chosen from those known in the art. Techiques for forming such shapes are well known in the art.
The third step of the method requires sintering the mixture in the desired shape to provide the solid electrolyte. Sintering can occur in electric, gas, microwave, plasma, or other furnaces. Batch or continuous furnaces can effectively be used. Sintering temperatures should typically be at or below about 1600xc2x0 C., preferably in the range of about 1400 to less than 1600xc2x0 C. Sintering temperatures are, however, in general above 1200xc2x0 C. Sintering time refers to the time that the object to be sintered is held at the maximum temperatures of the sintering temperature profile. Such sintering times are typically in the range of about 0.5 h to about 10 h, preferably about 1 h to about 5 h. The preferred combination of sintering temperature and sintering time can be obtained without undue experimentation. Sintering in air is most economical, but other atmospheres may also be suitable as known in the art.

Abstract: wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, Lnxe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu;

Abstract: A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, 0.05xe2x89xa6xxe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0xe2x89xa6yxe2x89xa60.03, 0.001xe2x89xa6zxe2x89xa60.03, 0.05xe2x89xa6x+xxe2x80x2xe2x89xa60.25, 0.001xe2x89xa6y+zxe2x89xa60.03, wherein xcex4 is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral. The compositions can be formed into sintered bodies suitable for use as solid electrolytes in devices including solid-state oxygen generators.

Abstract: Such sintered bodies have greater than 95% theoretical density at temperatures at or below 1600xc2x0 C., and can be produced by a solid-state method.


A vehicle is configured to charge other electric vehicles. The vehicle includes a battery with a number of battery cells, the battery being configured to output direct current at a first voltage. The vehicle also includes a direct current voltage converter configured to convert direct current received from the battery to a second voltage and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the direct current voltage converter, the electrical connector being configured to supply direct current at the second voltage from the direct current voltage converter to an electric vehicle. The vehicle further includes a control system configured to determine a charging voltage of an electric vehicle, and operate the direct current voltage converter to output direct current at a second voltage corresponding to the charging voltage of the electric vehicle, and a thermal management system configured to maintain the battery within a selected temperature range.

Many areas do not have electric vehicle charging infrastructure, making it difficult to charge electric vehicles. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and particularly high voltage DC charging stations, can also be expensive to install, and can require significant grid upgrades and trenching. Mobile electric vehicle charging systems allow the charging equipment to be brought to the location of the electric vehicle on demand. However, existing mobile electric vehicle charging systems convert direct current supplied by a battery to alternating current which is supplied to the electric vehicle. The system on the electric vehicle must then convert the alternating current received from the mobile charging system back to direct current again to charge the electric vehicle's battery. Such systems provide low energy transfer rates, which increases the time required to charge the electric vehicle, and waste a significant amount of power converting between direct current and alternating current multiple times. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved mobile systems for charging electric vehicles.

Vehicle-based charging system for electric vehicles


Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body frame on which one or more image carrying bodies are is supported and a transfer unit coupled to the main body frame. The transfer unit receives one or more images respectively from the one or more image carrying bodies, and may include, for example, an intermediate transfer belt for receiving thereon the one or more images, a transfer roller corresponding to an image carrying body and movable between a first position at which the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body and a second position at which the transfer roller is spaced apart from the image carrying body, an elastic member elastically biasing the transfer roller toward the first position and a guide structure that guides the movement of the transfer roller in a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to reduce the speed at which the transfer roller moves from the second position to the first position and to thereby reduce the force of impact with which the transfer roller makes contact with the image carrying body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a transfer unit for transferring an image from an image carrying body and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a transfer unit of improved configuration of a transfer roller unit opposing an image carrying body with an intermediate transfer belt interposed therebetween and an image forming apparatus having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms a visible image with ink, or developer such as, for example, toner, on a printing medium, and may be designed for one or both of forming a color image by the use of multiple color ink or developer and forming a monochromatic, i.e., black and white, image using only the black ink or developer.
In such image forming apparatus, in order for color images, a number of developing cartridges corresponding to the number of different colors of the developer being used may be provided. Each developing cartridge may have an associated image carrying body on which a visible image of individual color is to be formed. The individual color images on the image carrying bodies are then transferred onto a transfer medium in cooperation with a transfer member such as transfer rollers that respectively oppose and press against the image carrying bodies in such a manner that the individual images overlap one over the other on the transfer medium to thereby form a full color image expressed as the overlapped combination of the individual color images.
When however a monochromatic image is formed, it is not necessary that all of the developing operate as only the developing cartridge corresponding to the black color developer is required to form the black image. Accordingly, It is also known in the art that, during a monochromatic image forming operation, the image carrying bodies corresponding to colors other than the black color are not operated, that those transfer rollers corresponding to the non-operating image carrying bodies may be separated away from the image carrying bodies to thereby minimize the wear and tear, and thus to prolong the life, of the image carrying bodies, and that such transfer rollers may be moved back into the position of pressing against the corresponding image carrying body as needed, i.e., when forming a color image.
When a transfer roller moves back into the pressing relation with an image carrying body as above described, due to the movement momentum of the transfer roller, the image carrying body may be subjected to an impact force. Over time, the repeated application of such force on an image carrying body may lead to a physical deformation such as abrasion, a crack, etc. in certain areas of the image carrying body, which may in turn lead to the deterioration of the image quality.

Transfer unit and image forming apparatus having the same


A mobile telephone is provided that includes a plurality of circuit blocks and adapted to cut off the supply of power source voltage to any one of the circuit blocks. The mobile telephone also includes an interblock interface circuit provided on a signal path between an elected circuit block and a branch point at which the signal path branches into different branch paths so as to connect to other circuit blocks. The interblock interface circuit includes a signal gate for preventing signal transmission from the elected circuit block to the other circuit blocks, and includes a storage unit for storing a signal right before the power cut-off.

The present invention relates in general to techniques for reducing power consumption of semiconductor integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention relates to techniques which are effectively utilized in semiconductor integrated circuits for processing data in which, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits are formed on one semiconductor chip, especially, in semiconductor integrated circuits for use in portable or mobile electronic devices which are operated by batteries or cells.
Heretofore, there is known a semiconductor IC (Integrated Circuit) such as a microcomputer adapted to stop a clock signal while supplying a power source voltage to the whole chip in a standby mode or the like to stop the operation of the circuits, thereby reducing the power consumption.
However, in such a system of reducing the power consumption on the basis of the stop of a clock signal, there is an inconvenience that since the operation of the circuits is stopped while supplying the power source voltage to the chip, if a leakage current occurs in a MOS FET and the like constituting the circuits, this results in that the power consumption is not sufficiently reduced. On the other hand, some of the semiconductor ICs are adapted in such a way that a part of the circuits in the inside of the chip is not operated, but other circuits are wanted to be operated. In such a case, it is conceivable that the supply of the power source voltage is cut off for any of the circuits which does not need to be operated.
While the reduction of the power consumption is possible in the case where the inside of the chip is divided into a plurality of circuit blocks and the supply of the power source voltage to any of the circuit blocks which does not need to be operated is cut off, the states of the signals outputted from the circuit blocks for which the supply of the power source voltage is cut off become indefinite or indeterminate. For this reason, if each of the circuit blocks on the side of receiving such signals is being operated, there is the possibility that the malfunction of such circuits may occur.
Then, the present inventors have investigated with respect to such a system wherein an interface circuit is provided in each of circuit blocks and a signal inputted from a circuit block is cut off at the interface circuit, to which circuit block the supply of the power source voltage has been cut off.
However, in the above system, it is necessary to change the design of the circuit blocks for which the interface circuits are needed to be provided, respectively, and also this change needs to be carried out on the basis of taking the states of other circuit blocks into consideration. Therefore, the design thereof becomes very complicated. In addition, it has become clear that since it is necessary to add the interface circuit for each signal supplied from the circuit block to which the supply of the power source voltage is cut off, there is the inconvenience that the circuit area is increased to increase the chip size.

Multiple circuit blocks with interblock control and power conservation


A bottle holder is provided for use with a bottle. The bottle holder consists of a strap member having one end connected to a base member which fits against the bottom of the bottle. The other end of the strap member is connected to a fork gripping member to engage the neck of the bottle, so that a person can grip the strap member and pour out the liquid contents of the bottle.

The instant invention relates generally to bottle gripping devices and more specifically it relates to a bottle holder which provides engagement of a soft drink bottle having a large diameter body and narrow neck.
There are available various conventional bottle gripping device which do not provide the novel improvements of the invention herein disclosed.


A three-port control valve assembly comprising a valve body having two valve seats facing in a common direction and disposed along a central bore terminating in an exhaust port and communicating with a supply port and a common port. A pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator extends into the central bore. A first valve head mounted on the pintle shaft mates with the first valve seat to connect the supply port to the common port. While the solenoid is de-energized, supply pressure keeps the first valve closed. A second valve head mates with the second valve seat to connect the common port to the exhaust port. Opening of the first valve closes the second valve via supply oil pressure. When the first valve closes, the second valve is opened by a spring disposed between the second valve head and the exhaust port.

To increase fuel economy and/or performance in internal combustion engines, various devices and systems are known in the prior art for varying the opening and closing events of intake and exhaust valves from the eccentric rotary input of the camshaft. These devices and systems are known in the art as Variable Valve Activation (VVA) systems and require a selective supply of engine oil pressure to be provided to VVA devices, such as deactivating valve lifters (DVLs), switchable roller finger followers (SRFFs), and switchable hydraulic lash adjusters (SHLAs), as are all well known in the prior art.
Hydraulic pressure to these devices typically is provided via a solenoid-controlled three-port spool valve, having a pressurized oil supply port, a common port connected to the device, and an exhaust port for bleeding oil from the device when the supply port is closed. A spool valve typically comprises a ported tubular valve body containing a ported slidable spool connected to the solenoid that is selectively shifted to connect the various ports in the valve body. A significant drawback of such a spool valve is that it requires a high degree of precision in manufacture and assembly of the spool and the body, and hence is costly to manufacture. Spool valves are also very susceptible to buildup of varnish on the spool and body walls, as well as to contamination from debris found in worn engine oil, both of which can lead to leaking and/or blowby within the valve, thus compromising performance.
What is needed in the art is an improved three-port valve that has high response, is less costly to manufacture, and is less vulnerable to varnish and contamination in use.
It is a principal object of the present invention to increase the reliability and working life of a three-port fluid control valve.
It is a further object of the invention to reduce the cost of manufacture of an internal combustion engine having VVA capability.

Three-port pintle valve for control of actuation oil


A method and apparatus for inspecting a reticle measures line widths using an inspection tool that images the reticle and compares the image with a design database to detect errors in real time. The differences between the line widths of patterns on the reticle and the design database are stored during the inspection procedure. The difference (or “bias”) information is then processed off-line to create a map of all the local line-width deviation values (i.e., bias) of every feature on the reticle. The resultant local bias map can be used as a feedback mechanism to improve the reticle manufacturing process, as a “go/no go” criteria for the validity of the reticle, and as a standard report shipped together with the mask to the wafer fabrication facility, where it can be used as a yield-enhancing tool.

Current demands for high density and performance associated with ultra large scale integration require submicron features, increased transistor and circuit speeds and improved reliability. Such demands require formation of device features with high precision and uniformity, which in turn necessitates careful process monitoring.
One important process requiring careful inspection is photolithography, wherein masks or "reticles", are used to transfer circuitry patterns to semiconductor wafers. Typically, the reticles are in the form of pattern chrome over a transparent substrate, and a series of such reticles are employed to project the patterns on to the wafer in a preset sequence. Each photolithographic reticle includes an intricate set of geometric patterns corresponding to the circuit components to be integrated onto the wafer. Each reticle in the series is used to transfer its corresponding pattern onto a photosensitive layer (i.e., a photoresist layer) which has been previously coated on a layer, such as a polysilicon or metal layer, formed on the silicon wafer. The transfer of the reticle pattern onto the photoresist layer is conventionally performed by an optical exposure tool such as a scanner or a stepper, which directs light or other radiation through the reticle to expose the photoresist. The photoresist is thereafter developed to form a photoresist mask, and the underlying polysilicon or metal layer is selectively etched in accordance with the mask to form features such as lines or gates.
It should be appreciated that any defect on the reticle, such as an extra or a missing chrome may transfer onto the fabricated wafer in a repeated manner. Thus, any defect on the reticle would drastically reduce the yield of the fabrication line. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to inspect the reticles and detect any defects thereupon. The inspection is generally performed by an optical system, such as the RT43200™ or ARIS-i™ reticle inspection systems available from Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif.
Basically, three inspection methods are available, die-to-database, die-to-die, and reflected-to-transmitted. In the mask shop, i.e., where the masks and reticles are produced, typically the die-to-database method is used, where the inspection system is used to scan the mask and compared the obtained image to the database used to create the mask. Any difference between the image and the database is flagged as a suspect location. On the other hand, in the wafer fabrication plant, 'the die-to-die method is more prevalent, where the inspection system is used to Scan the mask and compare the image obtained from one die on the mask to another die on the same mask. Any difference between both images is flagged as a suspect location. In a reflected-to-transmitted inspection, the system is used to scan the', mask, and an image obtained from transmitted light is compared to image obtained from reflected. light. In either case, the resulting-output is an indication of all the locations on the reticle suspected to have a defect thereupon. Such an output is generally known in the industry as a defect map.
Another aspect of semiconductor wafer fabrication is the design rule. These design rules define, e.g., the space tolerance between devices and interconnecting lines and the width of the lines themselves, to ensure that the devices or lines do not overlap or interact with one another in undesirable ways. The design rule limitation is referred to as the critical dimension ("CD"), defined as the smallest width of a line or the smallest space between two lines permitted in the fabrication of the device. The CD for most ultra large scale integration applications is on the order of a fraction of a micron.
As design rules shrink and process windows (i.e., the margins for error in processing) become smaller, measurement of reticle features is becoming increasingly important, since even small deviations of line widths from design dimensions may adversely affect the performance of the finished semiconductor device. Conventionally, a critical dimension scanning electron microscope (CDSEM), such as the VeraSEM™, available from Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif., is used to measure line widths. However, due to the slow operation of CD-SEM's, only selected locations (generally about 25) are examined, and statistical analysis is used to determine the quality of the CD over the entire reticle or wafer. The sample sites are usually located in areas on the reticle likely to have deviations, and are selected based on the experience of the user and/or statistical techniques.
As can be appreciated, the usefulness of CD-SEM inspection of reticle CD depends, to a great extent, on the ability to predict which sites on the reticle contain variations. Moreover, the number of CD-SEM sample sites is typically limited, since inspection time for each site is considerable. Thus, significant but. unobvious CD errors may go unnoticed during inspection, such as "global" errors causing CD variations across the reticle, which indicate reticle manufacturing problems; e.g., a greater CD deviation in the features in the center of the reticle than in features at the perimeter of the reticle.
Recently, Applied Materials has introduced in its RT-8000 ml series and ARIS-i reticle inspection systems a new feature, called Line Width Error Detector ("LWED"). In addition to the normally reported defects, as explained above, this feature allows the system to report another type of defect, namely line width errors. Specifically, the LWED compares the feature sizes of the reticle under inspection with feature sizes from a design database to determine any width deviation from the data base. An example of a feature width difference defect that can be discovered by the LWED is shown in FIG. 1. Any deviations discovered by the LWED are reported on the defect map as locations suspected of having defects thereupon.
It can be appreciated from the above that the LWED somewhat bridges the previously distinct issues of defect detection and CI) inspection. Such bridging may be very beneficial to the wafer fabrication process. Specifically, perhaps the biggest technology issue in advancing optical lithography to smaller design rules is the Mask Error Factor 'MEF' a.k.a. mask error enhancement factor "MEEF". This factor accounts for the observation that small variations in CD on the mask can cause large variations on the wafer at sub-wavelength resolution. Therefore, there exists a need for a simple, fast, and cost-effective methodology for inspection of CD errors over the entire reticle, in addition for inspecting the reticle for defects.

Local bias map using line width measurements


A photoconductive element for performing at least one of generation and detection of terahertz radiation includes a photoconductive layer formed of a semiconductor material and configured to generate photoexcited carriers by being irradiated with excitation light, and a plurality of electrodes provided on the photoconductive layer. The material of the photoconductive layer is a material that makes a depletion layer produced in the photoconductive layer have a thickness smaller than an optical absorption length of the photoconductive layer for a wavelength of the excitation light. A film thickness of the photoconductive layer is adjusted so that the depletion layer is formed over an entirety in a direction of the film thickness within at least a portion of the photoconductive layer between the plurality of electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photoconductive element and to a terahertz radiation analysis apparatus including the photoconductive element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Terahertz (THz) radiation is electromagnetic action having components within an arbitrary frequency band ranging from 0.03 THz to 30 THz. Characteristic absorption spectra arising from the structure or state of various substances such as biomolecules are obtained in the terahertz wave band. Inspection techniques for performing nondestructive analysis and identification of substances while taking advantage of the above features are being developed. There is also an expectation of application to safer imaging techniques that could replace X-ray based imaging techniques or high-speed communication technologies. Photoconductive elements are available as generation/detection elements configured to perform at least one of the generation and detection of terahertz radiation. The photoconductive elements generally include a photoconductive layer formed in contact with a substrate, and electrodes formed in contact with the photoconductive layer. The electrodes are typically an electrode pair (two electrodes). A photoconductive layer of gallium arsenide (GaAs) has been widely used. When a photoconductive element is used as a generation element, typically, a voltage is applied between electrodes, and the gap between the electrodes is irradiated with excitation light (femtosecond laser light having a wavelength absorbed by the photoconductive layer). Photoexcited carriers generated by the irradiation with the excitation light are accelerated in the electric field between the electrodes, and terahertz radiation is generated. Further, when a photoconductive element is used as a detection element, typically, the gap between electrodes is irradiated with terahertz radiation and excitation light. Photoexcited carriers generated by the irradiation with the excitation light are accelerated in the electric field of terahertz radiation, and an electric current is generated between the electrodes. The electric field strength of the terahertz radiation can be measured by measuring the electric current.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-86227 discloses an example of a photoconductive element. The photoconductive element disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-86227 includes a photoconductive layer formed of an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) layer which can efficiently absorb excitation light in the 1.5 μm band, which is generally available in optical fiber technology. In a case where such a photoconductive element is used, the photoconductive element has a relatively low resistance.
The use of a low-resistance photoconductive element as a terahertz radiation generation or detection element may lead to the following suggestions: In a case where the above photoconductive element is used as a generation element, due to the low resistance, a large electric current is likely to flow upon application of a voltage. A solution to prevent damage to the photoconductive element caused by the electric current may be to set the voltage to be applied to the photoconductive element to a small value. However, if the voltage to be applied to the photoconductive element is small, the acceleration of the photoexcited carriers is also small, resulting in the tendency of the intensity of generated terahertz radiation being reduced. This is because terahertz radiation is generated in accordance with the rate of change of the electric current with time between the electrodes, which is caused by the acceleration of the photoexcited carriers in the electric field within the photoconductive layer. Further, in a case where the above photoconductive element is used as a detection element, due to the low resistance, a large electric current is likely to be generated between the electrodes of the photoconductive element also under non-irradiation with excitation light. The generation of such an electric current may cause noise in the detection of terahertz radiation, and the signal-to-noise (SN) ratio at which the electric field strength of the terahertz radiation is detected may be reduced.


A light lid with a previewing window is disclosed. The light lid provides a lightsome window to preview a transparent original. The light lid comprises a housing that has an opening, and a light conductive plate, which is positioned under the housing to conduct light upwards and downwards evenly so that the light illuminates evenly on the opening and a scanner. Therefore, a user can place a transparent original, such as negatives, above the opening to preview the image of the negatives clearly by the light which is conducted by the light conductive plate and past through the opening.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light lid, and more particularly, to a light lid with a previewing window.
B. Description of the Related Art
A common flat bed scanner scans opaque documents. Besides, when using with a light lid, it also can scan transparent originals such as negatives and films. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical light lid 100 comprises a housing 110, a light conductive plate 120, which is positioned under the housing 110, and light source devices 121, which are positioned on both sides of the light conductive plate 120. The light conductive plate 120 is used to conduct the light that comes from light source devices 121 upwards and downwards evenly in order to provide the light for the scanner.
However, the light provided by the above-mentioned light lid only illuminates into the scanner. It doesn""t provide the light that illuminates toward the outside of the scanner; therefore, it cannot provide the function of previewing transparent originals. In other words, it cannot provide light outward to let user to preview the image of a negative or positive film before scanning the negative or the positive film.
In realizing the above-mentioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a light lid that uses a lightsome opening formed on the housing to achieve the function of previewing transparent originals.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, a light lid with a previewing window according to the present invention comprises a housing having a first opening, and a light conductive plate positioned under the housing. The light conductive plate conducts light upwards and downwards evenly to illuminate light evenly not only toward the scanner, but also toward the opening. Therefore, user can preview an transparent original by the light past through the opening.
Also, a light lid with a previewing window according to the present invention comprises light source devices, which are positioned on both ends of the light conductive plate, in order to provide the light for the light lid.
Furthermore, a light lid with a previewing window according to the present invention comprises second openings formed on both sides of the housing, and second reflecting plates located on both sides of the housing, corresponding to the location of the second openings. By using the openings and the reflecting plates, the external light can be reflected into the light conductive plate to provide the light for the light lid.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


A user-preferred image is easily displayed for a plurality of images generated by bracketing capture. A recording control unit adds the same group identifier to a plurality of captured images generated by the same bracketing-capture operation, allocates the plurality of captured images to the same folder, and records the plurality of captured images on a recording unit as bracketing-captured images. A priority image setting unit adds priority information to a bracketing-captured image selected by a user among the bracketing-captured images recorded on the recording unit, and sets a priority image. In addition, the priority image setting unit allocates the priority image to a main folder, and allocates bracketing-captured images other than the priority image to a sub-folder. In a predetermined display mode, a display control unit displays only the priority image among the bracketing-captured images on the display unit on the basis of the priority information.

In recent years, image capturing apparatuses that record captured images obtained by capturing images of subjects such as persons, such as digital still cameras and camcorders, have been widely used. In addition, with improved image recognition technology, image capturing apparatuses that control image capturing conditions on the basis of recognition results obtained by image recognition to perform image capture have been realized. This can reduce failure caused by recording a captured image.
However, because of diverse preferences of users, a captured image captured with the use of the image recognition technology described above may not necessarily be a user-preferred image.
Accordingly, for example, an image capturing apparatus that displays a list of images captured in accordance with a plurality of image capturing conditions having different exposure conditions to allow a user to select a desired image from among the images displayed in the list and that records the selected image is disclosed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-152579 (FIG. 5)). In addition, for example, a digital still camera that displays a plurality of alternative images having different exposure settings and that records an image selected by a user from among the alternative images is disclosed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-336790 (FIG. 2)).
Since the technology described above allows a user to select a desired image from among a plurality of images being displayed before recording an image during the image capture operation, a user-preferred image selected by the user can be recorded. However, for example, it is supposed that it is difficult for a less experienced user to select an appropriate image from among a plurality of images being displayed for a short period of time during the image capture operation. In this case, there is a risk that a user-preferred captured image cannot be recorded. In addition, in a case where a user selects a wrong image, an image desired by the user cannot be recorded.
Accordingly, bracketing capture is conceived as a method for recording a user-preferred captured image. This bracketing capture is a technique for capturing a plurality of successive images while changing an image capturing condition such as the exposure value. For example, a digital still camera that sets a plurality of exposure values, that performs bracketing capture in accordance with these exposure values, and that displays an image captured in accordance with a reference exposure value as a representative image is disclosed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-285779 (FIG. 7)).
In the related art described above, a plurality of images generated by bracketing capture are recorded on a recording medium. In addition, in a case where the individual images recorded on the recording medium are displayed in a list, a representative image is displayed for images recorded by bracketing capture. This can prevent a plurality of images including the same subject, which has been recorded by bracketing capture, from being displayed so as to overlap each other when individual images recorded on the recording medium are displayed in a list. In addition, by selecting a representative image being displayed in a list display screen, individual images included in an image group to which the selected representative image belongs can be displayed. Thus, a desired image can be viewed from among the plurality of images recorded by bracketing capture.
However, it is also conceived that a representative image displayed in a case where individual images recorded on the recording medium are displayed in a list is not a user-preferred image. In this manner, in a case where a representative image is not a user-preferred image, in order to view a desired image from among a plurality of images generated by bracketing capture, it is necessary to select a representative image being displayed in the list and to display individual images included in an image group corresponding to this representative image. Therefore, for example, in a case where user-preferred images are to be sequentially displayed for individual image groups in a case where a large number of images generated by bracketing capture have been recorded, this display operation may be bothersome.
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object thereof to facilitate easy display of a user-preferred image for a plurality of images generated by bracketing capture.

Efficient display and selection of images generated during bracketed imaging


A medium voltage power controller box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The power controller box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the power controller box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the power controller box and the motor. In addition, the power controller box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the power controller box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the power controller box.

The present invention relates generally to medium voltage power controllers and, specifically, to medium voltage, solid-state, power controllers for a chiller or HVAC system. The term "power controller" as used herein can refer to either or both of starters and variable speed drives.
In low voltage chiller systems, the starter box for the compressor motor can be mounted directly on the chiller system as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,005, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference. However, for a medium voltage chiller system, the power controller box, i.e., the starter box and/or the variable speed drive box, for the compressor is typically mounted on the floor either next to the chiller system or in a separate equipment room because of the larger size of the power controller box, which size can typically be greater than 100 cubic feet.
One of the reasons for mounting the power controller box on the floor for medium voltage chiller systems is that medium voltage can be up to forty to fifty times greater than low voltage. The larger voltages used in medium voltage applications can create a more difficult working environment because the electrical strike distance and creep distance are much longer than in a low voltage environment. The longer strike and creep distances require larger electrical spacings and the use of protective equipment for the mounting of components that result in a larger power controller box. In addition, the devices used for the medium voltage power controller box must be designed for the larger voltages associated with medium voltage, which also contributes to a larger power controller box. In other words, the physical size of the box or cabinet, as caused by electrical spacing, strike and creep distances and the need to cool the electrical components, may be significant.
One attempt that has been made to mount medium voltage starter components on a chiller system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,076 to Duga et al. The Duga et al. system discusses the use of two starter boxes mounted on the chiller system for specific sizes of chiller systems and with specific unit mounting locations. The two starter boxes in the Duga et al. system are interconnected by wiring and conduit. One major drawback of the two box arrangement in the Duga et al. system is that it involves complicated and expensive wiring arrangements in order to interconnect the starter boxes and the motor.
Therefore, what is needed is a medium voltage, solid-state power controller for a chiller system that can be mounted on or near the chiller system without an electrical conduit connection between the medium voltage motor and a box of the power controller.