A method for providing a battery arrangement for a motor vehicle, wherein a battery housing arrangement is provided, including a battery housing having at least one holding section for holding a battery module, a cooling device which provides at least part of a housing floor of the battery housing, and an underride guard which is disposed outside the battery housing at the cooling device such that a gap is created between the cooling device and the underride guard, and a viscous heat conducting element and a battery module are placed inside the holding section such that the heat conducting element is located between the underside of the battery module, which faces the cooling device, and the cooling device.

Battery housings for holding one or more battery modules, in particular for high-voltage batteries, are known from the prior art. A cooling device is usually disposed below the housing floor to be able to dissipate heat from the battery modules via the housing floor to the cooling device. It is also possible for the cooling device itself to form the housing floor of the battery housing. Since the underside of the battery modules as well as the housing floor may exhibit considerable unevenness and thus have large tolerances, when inserting the battery modules into the housing a so-called gap filler, for example a heat conducting paste, is usually used as filler material with good thermal heat conducting characteristics, to be able to dissipate the heat from the modules at a higher cooling efficiency since air gaps between the battery modules and the housing floor are thermally insulating. Typically, the gap filler is first applied to the housing floor and the modules are placed on top. The settling down of the modules causes the gap filler to be displaced so that it is distributed over the bottom of the module. This usually requires a considerably high compressive force to be applied onto the battery modules in the direction of the housing floor. The considerable flow paths and said high floor pressures can cause damage to the modules. Moreover, if no counter-measures are employed, the housing floor is deformed due to the high pressure applied. This causes the housing floor, or the cooling device, to buckle, which leads to an uneven gap width between the module floor and the housing floor, which in turn results in an uneven heat dissipation and very large gap widths overall, which inhibit heat dissipation. It would therefore be desirable to avoid such a deformation of the housing floor, or of the cooling device, when inserting the battery modules into the module housing as well as when introducing a heat conducting element of the kind described, such as the gap filler, or to keep such deformation as small as possible in the simplest and most cost-effective manner.
DE 10 2017 000 266 A1 describes a battery module holder for holding a traction battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing tub and a housing cover, each of which is provided in sandwich design. Each of these has an upper side and a lower side made from an organic sheet or aluminum sheet, disposed in between which is a thermoplastic foam. This is intended to improve heat insulation and increase crash safety. Fire protection fabrics may also be disposed between the battery modules and the sheets, but in this instance no viscous heat conducting elements for the thermal linking of the battery modules to a cooling device are used.
Furthermore, DE 10 2011 009 987 A1 describes an integrated aerodynamic energy storage and rear suspension arrangement. This comprises a battery support arrangement that contains a propulsion battery, which is fastened to a front sandwich panel. The front sandwich panel comprises an upper layer, for example made from steel, and a lower layer, which may also be made of steel, as well as a core with lower density, which may, for example, be provided as a foam core. This is to provide a compact support structure which is able to withstand bending loads, shear loads and torsion loads. However, this instance also does not disclose a cooling device for the battery modules as well as a thermal linking of the same via a viscous heat conducting element.
Furthermore, DE 10 2010 024 320 A1 describes a device for retaining a battery in a support structure of a vehicle chassis with a retaining device that may be fastened to the support structure. The retaining device is in this instance multi-layered. It comprises an upper layer with cooling ducts, a lower layer and an energy absorption layer between the upper and lower layers.
Said energy absorption layer is made from an elastic material or a material compound and is preferably shaped as a hollow structure. This instance again does not provide a viscous heat conducting element between the battery and the cooling device, which in this case is provided by the upper layer containing the cooling ducts.
Furthermore, DE 10 2016 207 231 A1 describes an arrangement of an electrical high-voltage energy store in a motor vehicle in which the high-voltage energy store is disposed in the area of the underbody of the motor vehicle and is covered at least partially by a floor element at the bottom, viewed in the vehicle's vertical direction, wherein at least one load distribution element is disposed in a gap provided between the high-voltage energy store and the floor element, seen in the vehicle's vertical direction, via which load distribution element the floor element may be braced against the high-voltage store. Here again, neither a cooling device nor the manner in which battery modules are linked to such a cooling device is disclosed.

Method for providing a battery arrangement for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle


Provided are an endoscopic diagnosis support method, an endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus, and an endoscopic diagnosis support program, all of which are capable of extracting an image picking up a bleeding region easily and accurately from among a large number of endoscopic images picked up by an endoscope observation apparatus by calculating a tone from a color signal of each of plural image zones obtained by dividing the endoscopic image; and discerning an image zone including a bleeding region by judging a difference among each of the plural image zones based on a tone of the calculated each image zone in the endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus for supporting an endoscopic diagnosis performed based on an endoscopic image picked up by an endoscope observation apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscopic diagnosis support method, an endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus, and an endoscopic diagnosis support program, all of which are for supporting an endoscopic diagnosis carried out based on an endoscopic image picked up by an endoscopic observation apparatus for picking up images of an observation region by autonomously moving within a lumen, and in particular to the endoscopic diagnosis support method, endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus and endoscopic diagnosis support program for supporting an endoscopic diagnosis by identifying a bleeding region based on an endoscopic image.
2. Description of the Related Art
Endoscopes have conventionally been widely used in medical practice and industrial fields. Among the recent medical practice-use endoscopes exists a so called capsule endoscope which no longer requires an insertion part by forming the scope as a capsule configuration. The capsule endoscope is configured to comprise an image pickup function and a radio communication function, and is swallowed by a patient to be observed (i.e., examined), followed by picking up images of respective organs such as stomach and intestine in an orderly fashion and likewise transmitting the pickup image information (i.e., electronic data representing an image) externally through radio waves during an observation period until it is naturally ejected from the human body.
Thusly wirelessly transmitted image information is received by a receiver equipped externally to the body of the patient and stored in predetermined memory, followed by a physician utilizing for diagnosis, et cetera, by reading the information and displaying in such as a display apparatus on an as required basis according to the configuration.
Such a capsule endoscope, however, has an observation period extending eight hours or more than ten hours since the observation period spans from a patient swallowing it to a natural ejection thereof, resulting in the number of pieces of image information obtained by picking up images during such a long hours becoming enormous.
Due to this, a grasp of such an enormous number of pieces of image information in a short time available in a stage such as diagnosis is never easy, nor is it easy to find a desired piece of image information, such as image information related to an image photographing an disorder region, et cetera, from the enormous number thereof.
Meanwhile, not just pertaining to a diagnosis using a capsule endoscope, but a diagnosis in an endoscopic examination including a common endoscope depends largely on a subject of a physician, and thus desired is an implementation of a computer aided diagnosis (CAD) detecting an existence of a diseased focus for the purpose of improving a quality of an image diagnosis and shortening a radiogram interpretation time. Such an endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus utilizing the CAD is for presenting, to a physician, as to what finding or lesion an image as a diagnosis target is categorized by using various characteristic quantities calculated from a region of interest (ROI) within an image and using a threshold value process or a statistical/non-statistical identifier, thereby supporting an objective and quantitative diagnosis; and by selecting an image suspicious of a disease, thereby alleviating a load on the physician interpreting a radiogram.
In a diagnosis using such an endoscopic image, various pathological rationales can be considered on an existence of a bleeding, and a number of approaches have accordingly been employed for detecting a bleeding.
As one of them, disclosed is a method of presetting sample values of hue, saturation and brightness of a bleeding region, and those of hue, saturation and brightness of a normal mucous membrane for the same image as the bleeding region, and judging a closeness of the value of the target region to either region, thereby discerning whether it is the normal mucous membrane or a bleeding region (refer to a patent document 1 for example).    Patent document 1: International disclosure No. 02/073507 brochure

Endoscopic diagnosis support method, endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus and endoscopic diagnosis support program


A combustion nailer is configured for use with a fuel cell having an internal metering valve and a reciprocating, biased main stem. The nailer includes a tool housing defining a fuel cell chamber constructed and arranged for receiving the fuel cell, a fuel cell actuator assembly configured for actuating the fuel cell in the chamber to emit a measured dose of fuel during tool operation, and a fuel delivery apparatus associated with the actuator assembly for receiving the emitted dose of fuel and providing it to a combustion chamber. The fuel delivery apparatus is configured for preventing actuation of the main stem by the actuator assembly upon the fuel cell being adapter-free.

This invention relates generally to improvements in fuel cell fuel delivery arrangements for use in combustion tools, and more specifically to actuating systems for metering valves used with such fuel cells for delivering the appropriate amount of fuel for use by a combustion tool during the driving of fasteners. While the present application is focused on the use of fuel cells in combustion tools, it is contemplated that other applications are contemplated in which fuel cells or other pressurized containers using stem valves are employed, such as, but not limited to cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
As exemplified in Nikolich U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,722; 4,483,474; 4,522,162 and 5,115,944, all of which are incorporated by reference, it is known to use a dispenser such as a fuel cell to dispense a hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion tool, also known as a combustion gas-powered tool, such as, for example, a combustion gas-powered fastener-driving tool, also known as a combustion nailer. Such fastener-driving tools and such fuel cells are available commercially from ITW-Paslode (a division of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.) of Vernon Hills, Ill., under its IMPULSE trademark. In particular, a fuel cell of this type is described in Nikolich U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944, listed above.
A design criterion of such fuel cells is that only a desired amount of fuel or dose of fuel should be emitted by the fuel cell for each combustion event. The amount of fuel should be carefully monitored to provide the desired combustion, yet in a fuel-efficient manner to prolong the working life of the fuel cell. Prior attempts to address this dosage factor have resulted in fuel metering valves located in the tool (U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,439) or attached to the fuel cell (U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,297), both of which are also incorporated by reference. Fuel cells have been introduced having internal metering valves, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/827,551, filed Apr. 19, 2004, and also incorporated by reference.
Fuel cells configured for use with external metering valves are similar in external appearance to fuel cells having internal metering valves. While adapters are known for improving performance of such combustion nailers (U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,478), and the external fuel cell metering valves of U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,297 are provided with fuel cells upon purchase, through use, it has been known for such adapters and/or valves to become dislodged from the fuel cell, resulting in fuel cells having similar external appearance, but having distinct and incompatible internal performance components.
Regardless of the location of the metering valve, the associated combustion nailer is designed to exert a force on the valve, either the reciprocating valve stem or on the valve body itself, to cause the stem to retract against a biasing force in the metering valve to dispense a measured dose of fuel. Since it is important for fuel economy in the fuel cell, and desired operation of the combustion nailer, for only the designated amount of fuel to be supplied to the tool on a dosage basis, it is also important that users of such tools associate the appropriate type of fuel cell with the appropriate tool and the corresponding metering system. It is also important that the combustion nailer be readily associated with the appropriate fuel cell.
Thus, there is a need for readily distinguishing between combustion tool fuel cells configured for use with external fuel metering valves from fuel cells having internal fuel metering valves.

Enhanced fuel passageway and adapter for combustion tool fuel cell


A method of removing reverberation from audio signals is disclosed. The method comprises spectro-temporally analyzing the first audio signal and the second audio signal to derive an energy function of time for a plurality of frequency bands. The method further comprises determining a delay stability between the energy function of time for the first audio signal and the second audio signal in each band, determining a gain function in each band based on the delay stability, adjusting the energy of the first audio signal and the second audio signal using the gain function within each band, and resynthesizing audio signals from the energy in each band of the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

In many situations audio signals are undesirably distorted by reverberations. For example, when a speakerphone is used, the microphone of the speakerphone tends to pick up voices that have been distorted by room reverberations and this can interfere with the ability to comprehend what is being said by the participants of the phone call. In this situation and in others where reverberation is an issue, it would be useful if reverberations could be effectively removed by signal processing.


A computer with an input device having a labeled region including a host, a first monitor, a first touchpad and a cover is provided. The first monitor is electrically connected to the host and serves as a display media of the host. The first touchpad is electrically connected to the host and serves as an input media of the host. The first touchpad includes a touch keypad region, wherein a plurality of touch keys is disposed in the touch keypad region. The cover encloses the first touchpad and includes a labeled region. When the device is power on, the labeled region is corresponding to the touch keypad region of the first touchpad, and the user can distinguish positions of each of the touch keys of the touch keypad region when inputting data by means of the touch keypad region.

In present, input methods by touching are widely used in tablet PCs, and tablet PC user converts the touch screen into a data input media when the user needs to input data. In addition, users can also input data by handwriting recognition built-in tablet PCs, speech recognition, or a physical keyboard.
Compared a display keyboard to a physical keyboard, the display keyboard is built in the tablet PC, and therefore the user uses the display keyboard to input data conveniently without connecting a physical keyboard to the tablet PC.
Therefore, when the user is in the situation of frequently inputting data into the tablet PC by touching, the user has to check positions of the keys to touch of the keypad, and then the user is able to ensure the correctness of the input data. However, such practices will delay the speed of the input data and the requirements of rapid data input can not be met if the user needs to check the locations of the keys repeatedly.
Owing to the expectations of user that entering information quickly for the conventional tablet PC can not be met, Applicants are devoted to find a solution.

Computer with an input device having a labeled region


After a detection flag and a detection member are integrally rotated as a result of the detection flag being pushed by a sheet, the detection flag is rotated relative to the detection member, with the detection member being in contact with an abutting portion.

Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure generally relates to a sheet detecting device and an image forming apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
Typically, copiers, printers, facsimiles, image reading devices, various finishers, etc. are provided with a sheet detecting device for detecting the passage of a sheet when a sheet, serving as a recording medium, is conveyed.
Examples of a typically used sheet detecting device include a detecting unit that uses a flag which is moved by being pressed by a sheet and a sensor for detecting the flag.
The sheet detecting device that uses the flag is formed of a detection flag, an urging spring, a sensor, a holder for holding these parts, etc. The detection flag is urged in a predetermined direction by the urging spring and is stationed at a standby position so as to cross a sheet conveyance path. When the leading end of a sheet reaches the detection flag, the sheet starts to tilt the detection flag, and, when the detection flag has tilted by a predetermined amount, the sensor detects the tilting of the detection flag. Thereafter, when the trailing end of the sheet has passed through the detection flag, the detection flag returns to the standby position by the urging force of the urging spring.
By detecting the passage of the sheet with the sheet detecting device in the above-described manner, the image forming apparatus can use the detection result as a criterion for various control operations and can detect sheet jamming, double feeding, etc.
In recent years, there has been a demand for even higher throughput of image forming apparatuses, and therefore, a reduction in the space between the trailing end of the preceding sheet and the leading end of the succeeding sheet (hereinbelow, "sheet interval") is required.
According to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-252483, by disposing a detection flag coaxially with a conveyance roller, the rotational angle of the detection flag is reduced, making it possible to detect a small sheet interval.
According to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-144350, by making the rotational center of a detection flag changeable, the time for the detection flag to return to the initial position is reduced, making it possible to detect a small sheet interval.

Sheet detecting device and image forming apparatus


Separate density profiles are obtained for each station of a multi-station winder. The technique requires a single processor for simultaneously monitoring the density of any number of rolls being wound. The density may also be monitored for the unwind roll for determination of roll structuring changes by a winder. A simple system is provided in which each of the rolls is provided with an encoder. The encoder of a center roll of fixed diameter produces a fixed number of pulses per revolution representing paper length and the pulses produced by the encoders of each of the winding stations are counted along with the pulses produced by the winder of the center fixed diameter roll for computing density from roll and angular parameters and basis weight.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to monitoring roll density, and is more particularly concerned with monitoring the density of a plurality of paper rolls as they are simultaneously but individually, wound on respective winding rolls.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, an encoder has been mounted to one of the drums of a two drum winder and a proximity switch is mounted to the core of one of the rotating rolls. In order to determine density, the pulses from the drum encoder are counted for a predetermined number of revolutions of the wound roll, as established by the once per revolution pulse of the proximity switch. The roll diameter can be calculated and the footage of paper can be calculated based on a multiple of paper roll revolutions. Armed with the basis weight of the paper, the diameter change and the added footage of paper, the incremental density added to the roll can be determined. It should be noted that herein the term "drum" is reserved for a center rotating device between an unwinding station and one or more winding stations and which guides a moving web, while the term "roll" is employed for a rotating device which is winding a web and "roll" is used for a rotating device which unwinds a web.
The foregoing method presents two problems when applied to monitoring of more than one roll. First of all, in order to monitor the density of more than one roll of paper, all rolls must together rotate at the same number of revolutions per minute. For a two drum winder, this is not a serious problem since all rolls rotate at approximately the same rate. The density calculated, however, only holds true for the roll directly connected to the proximity switch. A biwind winder, for example, because of its design, could have each roll rotating at substantially different rates. In order for the current systems to be used on a biwind winder, the processor would have to simultaneously service more than one interrupt, or separate processors would be required for each roll to be monitored.
Another problem is that a system of this type calculates density based on a whole number of roll revolutions which means that the roll diameter as paper is added to the roll is not constant, but slightly changes for each sampling period. The time between sampling periods also increases as the paper roll diameter increases for a constant winder speed. Because all rolls may not be rotating at the same speed and because the time between sampling periods increases, these two factors lead to a non-uniform sheet length density determination.


Technologies for determining whether to send a notification to an entity is provided. Disclosed techniques include receiving entity features describing attributes related to observed entity sessions. A set of entity-specific session features values may be generated from the received entity features. A session-quality prediction model may be generated using the set of entity-specific session feature values. The session-quality prediction model may determine an expected session score for a new entity session for an entity, where the expected session score describes a level of interaction for the new entity session. A notification may be received for a particular entity. The session-quality prediction model may be used to determine the expected session score for a new entity session for the particular entity. A determination may be made as to whether a notification should be sent to the particular entity based upon the expected session score for the new entity session.

Content platforms provide a platform where users may share and consume content. Content platforms monitor content related to users and notify users when content is ready to be consumed. For example, content platforms may notify a user when the user has pending content items in their feed, pending invitations to connect with other users, and any other content item update that may be of interest to the user. Notifications are sent to users to inform users of the pending content. In response, users may initiate a new user session on the content platform to interact with pending content.
Content platforms dedicate significant resources to generating and sending notifications to users in order to cause users to engage with the content platform by initiating a new user session. Content platforms may optimize when notifications are sent to users based upon many factors such as the amount of pending content for the user and the frequency in which the user engages in a user session. Metrics for such factors allow content platforms to schedule notification messages in order to maximize the probability that a user will initiate a new user session. However, initiating a new user session does not guarantee that the new user session results in quality user engagements. User sessions may include very short sessions, where a user engages in few (if any) activities and may only be online for a few seconds, or longer sessions, where a user engages in many different activities and the session lasts for several minutes. Shorter user sessions may not result in the level of engagement desired by the content platform. Also, shorter sessions are a sign of user dissatisfaction in the content platform. Therefore, conventional approaches to optimize notifications to increase the probability of a new user session may not result in the desired effect of increasing user engagement.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Driving high quality sessions through optimization of sending notifications


Chroma upsampling is performed by setting a chroma of a target pixel according to luma of neighboring pixels. When a luma of the target pixel differs from the luma of both of the reference pixels, the chroma of the target pixel is set to a value of (k*C1+(m−k)*C3+m/2) shifted n bits to the right. In this formula, n is an integer, m is equal to 2n, and k is equal to {0˜m, min(abs(abs(Y1−Y2)*k−abs(Y2−Y3)*(m−k)))}. Since luma are considered, and a precise calculation is used in this method, the calculations required are simplified and reduced, and video quality is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods of chroma upscaling, and particularly to a method of setting a chroma of a pixel according to a luma of a reference pixel, which does not require a division operation to set a target pixel's chroma.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Signal processing technology improves daily, and customer requirements for video quality increase daily. However, in traditional video technology, because signal processing speed is relatively slow, and transmission bandwidth is limited, most technologies adopt a data format in which every pixel contains luma information, but only pixels in every other row contain chroma information. In order to satisfy customer requirements for video quality, media players in the current market typically perform a chroma upsampling process on the video data formatted as mentioned above before playing.
Typical chroma upscaling techniques employ a finite impulse response (FIR) method to interpolate pixel chroma information. Please refer to FIG. 1. An image frame 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises three neighboring pixels 11, 12, 13 located in a same row. In raw video data, each of the three pixels 11, 12, 13 comprises respective luma information Y1, Y2, Y3. However, only the pixel 11 and the pixel 13 comprise respective chroma information C1, C3. The pixel 12 does not comprise chroma information. In FIG. 1, the pixel 11 and the pixel 13 are filled with diagonal lines to show that they comprise chroma information. Taking the pixel 12 as a target pixel for chroma upscaling, and taking the pixel 11 and the pixel 13 as reference pixels, when performing a second order FIR interpolation method, a chroma C21 of the target pixel 12 is based on the respective chroma information C1, C3 of the reference pixel 11 and the reference pixel 13, and set by the following formula:C21=(C1+C3+1)/2
The chroma C21 represents the chroma of the pixel 12, which is determined by the chroma upscaling method of the prior art.
Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a graph showing distribution of the luma information Y1, Y2, Y3 and the chroma information C1, C21, C3 for the three pixels in FIG. 1 following the above chroma upscaling method. In general, for video data, a trend in chroma change between neighboring pixels is very similar to a trend in luma change between the neighboring pixels. However, FIG. 2 clearly shows that, where the luma Y2 and the luma Y3 are equal, after chroma upscaling, the interpolated chroma C21 is lower than the chroma C3, which is a different trend from the lumas Y1, Y2, Y3. Therefore, the prior art method described above for chroma upscaling of video data often produces a chroma change trend that does not match the respective luma change trend, causing sub-optimal video quality.
Because in video data, the trend in chroma change between neighboring pixels typically matches the relative trend in luma change of the neighboring pixels, the prior art provides a chroma upscaling method which sets a weight of the reference pixel chroma based on a luma gradient of the reference pixel, then sets the target pixel chroma based on the reference pixel chroma and weight, thus completing chroma upscaling. This can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,801, where Hong Jiang's "Edge-Adaptive Chroma Up-Conversion" describes this chroma upscaling method. However, because the trend in luma change between the reference pixel and the target pixel is used to set the reference pixel chroma and weight, a high number of division operations are required, which requires a calculations burden that is not worth implementing in video hardware.

Method for chroma upsampling with luma reference

Fonghua Village, Sinshih Township, Tainan County


Zinc-containing, lead- and cadmium-free glass frits with a softening point of less than 510.degree. C. are disclosed. Obligatory components of the glass-frit composition are 31-50 mole % ZnO, 10-44 mole % SiO.sub.2, 11-35 mole % B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 11-25 mole % Na.sub.2 O. The glass frits can be used as base frit for the production of decorative coating masses which can be stoved below 630.degree. C., preferably masses for the decorating of glass.

The present invention relates to zinc-containing, lead- and cadmium-free glass frits, a method of their production and their use. The glass frits of the invention exhibit a softening point below 510.degree. C. and are suitable for the production of decorative coating masses for glass, glass ceramics and other non-porous materials.
The customary method of producing decorative coating masses capable of being stoved, fired on, or baked, i.e., glazes, decorative colors and enamels for the decoration of glass and other ceramic and non-ceramic materials for which stoving temperatures below 750.degree. C. are required, necessitates the use of low-melting glass frits whose composition usually exhibits a high lead content. On account of the toxicity of said lead-containing glass frits for possible users and workers in the production and processing of such products, and because of environmental concerns, there is currently a rapidly growing need for lead- and cadmium-free glass frits.
A number of lead- and cadmium-free glass frits have been suggested in the literature. It turned out, however, that such products do not always meet the requirements placed on them for certain applications and are deficient in one or more properties.
Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,241 teaches a lead-free glass frit composition consisting essentially of Li.sub.2 O, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2 and of 2-33% by weight SnO.sub.2 +CaO and 2-33% by weight ZrO.sub.2 +La.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; with typical additives Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SrO, BaO, Na.sub.2 O and F exhibiting their expected functions. The glass softening temperature (fiber softening point) of these glass frits is in a range of 535.degree. C. to 609.degree. C. The softening temperature being above 535.degree. C., as well as the Li.sub.2 O content which exerts an unfavorable influence on the mechanical qualities, limits the possibilities of use since Li.sup.+ migrates during the firing into the decorated glass, thus reducing the mechanical resistance of the decorated object. Non-toxic glass frits with a softening point below 535.degree. C., but which also exhibit a high Li.sub.2 O content (9 to 13% by weight), are also known from EP-B 0,294,502.
Glass frits known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,862 exhibit softening points in the same range as the previously mentioned glass frits. The composition is based essentially on B.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, 10-18% by weight ZrO.sub.2 and 10-18% by weight rare-earth metal oxide; the weight ratio of ZrO.sub.2 to the rare-earth metal oxides is critical and is 1 to 1 to 1.4 to 1. Such glass frits are very expensive on account of their content of rare-earth oxides.
Glass frits in accordance with EP-A 0,347,379, with a glazing temperature around 600.degree. C., contain 38-43% by weight Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 in addition to SiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, alkali oxides and ZrO.sub.2 +TiO.sub.2. The very high Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 content is considered by experts to be a disadvantage in regards to toxicological qualities.
A much-contested method of arriving at Pb- and Cd-free glass frits with low softening point consists in adding zinc oxide to glass frits:
For example, the glass-frit composition of U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,778 consists essentially of 30-45% SiO.sub.2, 13-18% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 12-15% alkali oxides, 4-10% ZrO.sub.2, 18-23% ZnO and 4-10% F (data in % by weight). The glass-frit composition of EP-A 0,321,297, which absorbs UV radiation, consists of 19-45% SiO.sub.2, 20-33% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 8-15% alkali oxides, 2-25% of one or several oxides of the series Ce, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, V and Mo and can additionally contain, among other things, 0-35% ZnO, preferably 8-21% ZnO (data in % by weight). Other zinc-containing, Pb- and Cd-free glass-frit compositions have been described in GB-B 1,013,597 (12-13% by weight ZnO), GB-B 768,925 (4-15% by weight ZnO), JP-A 155040/81 (1-15% by weight ZnO), JP-A 186438/85 (20-25% by weight ZnO) and EP-B 0,267,154.
Obligatory components of the glass frits of EP-B 0,267,154, which soften between 450.degree. C. and 600.degree. C., are 5-14 mole % Na.sub.2 O, 8-25 mole % ZnO, 6-13 mole % B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 45-60 mole % SiO.sub.2 ; typical additive components are K.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, CaO, SiO, BaO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2 and WO.sub.3.

Zinc-containing, lead- and cadmium-free glass frits, method of their production and their use


A nanotheranostic probe and its use to facilitate diagnoses, treatment and targeting of amyloid deposits are disclosed herein.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the accumulation of Aβ proteins primarily within the media and adventitia of small arteries and capillaries in the cortex and leptomeninges. About 85% of AD patients and many individuals over 60 years of age manifest CAA (Ellis, Olichney et al. 1996). Due to the lack of early diagnostic agents or biomarkers, a probable CAA diagnosis is often reached through cortical biopsies after the patient has sustained multiple lobar hemorrhages (Greenberg and Vonsattel 1997, Sakaguchi, Ueda et al. 2011). Due to sampling variability, even cortical biopsy is not specific enough to distinguish between the pathological accumulation of cerebrovascular amyloid deposits found in CAA patients and the vascular amyloid seen in normal aged brain. Hence, a definitive CAA diagnosis can currently be reached only post-mortem (Thanvi and Robinson 2006).
In addition to challenges associated with the early diagnosis, the treatment options for CAA are very few and mostly ineffective. In a sub-class of CAA patients, however, chronic treatment with immunosuppressants, like cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone, offer symptomatic relief from cerebrovascular inflammation (Eng, Frosch et al. 2004). However, immunosuppressants exhibit systemic toxicity and severe side effects that have the potential of being worse than the disease itself. Moreover, immunosuppressant therapy does not address the underlying pathology of the disease, which is triggered by the anamolous accumulation of amyloid proteins in the cerebral vasculature.


A device for baiting insects which includes an anchor tube that is placed in the ground, a base plate that attaches to the anchor tube, a cover that attaches to the base plate, a bait cup placed in said anchor tube and that sits beneath the ground, and a termite media support rod that attaches to the bait cup and sits in the anchor tube, beneath the ground, the key to open the cover and access the bait, the anchor tube being molded into one integrated piece with a continuous spiral fin or threaded member that acts as a screw mechanism when inserting the station into the ground and the base plate, which sits at ground level, includes insect entry openings; a cover covers the base plate and bait cup, protecting the bait from the elements; and optionally a termite media support rod, which includes a disk molded on the bottom thereof used to hold material for termite monitoring.

The present invention is a device for baiting, controlling and monitoring insects and other pests. More specifically, the invention relates to a semi-permanent, lockable device for crawling insects as well as termites and other pests. The device anchors securely in the ground, and is tamper resistant helping to prevent children and pets from pulling out the device and accessing the bait. The device also protects the bait from the elements, prevents spillage of bait if kicked, and is extremely sturdy if walked on and low profile to avoid being damaged by a lawn mower.
Outdoor refillable stations fit with the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) philosophy that the Pest Control Operator (PCO) industry is moving towards. They enable PCOs to reduce the amount of pesticides applied indoors by using more effective, longer lasting perimeter treatments, they reduce the amount of pesticide applied over time and they provide a means of monitoring to let the PCO know how much, if any, insecticide needs to be applied in a given location. In addition, outdoor refillable stations allow the PCO a more economical way to deliver bait products. This in turn produces less waste.
In addition to baiting crawling insects, another recent trend has been the use of outdoor, refillable stations for termite monitoring (U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,496). These devices are placed underground and are filled with a non-toxic, termite attracting material. By monitoring these devices, PCOs are able to tell whether termites are adjacent to or infesting a structure, and if so, can execute a treatment plan.
Various devices have been introduced to combat crawling insects and monitor termites. Devices referred to in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,329,726; 5,555,672; 5,746,021; 5,870,853; 5,873,193; 5,901,496; and 5,918,410, as well as the BandG Perimeter Patrol Station, all incorporate a stake or tube which is attached to the bait station and is inserted into the ground. Unlike the current invention, however, these stakes or tubes have no means of securely holding the devices into the ground. Therefore, the stations can be easily removed by children, who then may be able to access the contents of the bait stations. They can also be tampered with, or dug up by animals. Therefore, there is a need for an outdoor, refillable station that can be securely anchored into the ground.
A primary objective of the present invention is that the bait station is securely anchored to the ground, and therefore should be difficult to remove by adults, children, or animals.
Another objective of the present invention is that since the bait cup is placed below ground level, the risk of bait spillage is minimized if the station is kicked or otherwise disturbed.
Another objective of the present invention is that the bait station is low profile, extremely strong, sturdy, and durable, allowing a long station life, and protection if the station is stepped on or is run over by a lawn mower.
Another objective of the present invention is a bait station, which includes a child resistant lock mechanism that requires a key in order to open the cover and access the bait.
Another objective of the present invention is that both the base plate and bait cup lip are angled up, reducing the risk that ground surface water or drainage from the unit will enter into the bait cup. If surface water should enter the unit it will drain out of the unit before entering the bait container.
Another objective of the present invention is that if the ground beneath the anchor tube floods with water, the bait cup will float up and water will drain out through the base plate, thus preventing water from entering into the bait cup unless the station becomes completely submerged.
Another objective of the present invention is the ability to provide a bait cup that is pre-filled and closed with a snap-on, snap-off cover so pre-filled, interchangeable bait cups can be easily transported without bait spillage.
Another objective of the present invention is that the bait cup can hold several different pesticide bait forms and/or attractants designed to lure pests, such as granular, liquid, and gel.
Another objective of the present invention is that the station is easily monitored and serviced by the PCO, and that the bait cup can be refilled on-site or at the PCOs business.
Another objective of the present invention is that the station can either be filled/refilled with bulk baits by the PCO or that it can be filled/refilled using pre-filled bait cups.
Another objective of the present invention is the use of the anchor tube as an optional termite monitor/control device support rod, which holds material to monitor and/or kill termites.
The present invention is a device for baiting insects and other pests. The baiting device includes an anchor tube that is placed in the ground, which can hold material to monitor and/or control termites, a base plate that attaches to the anchor tube, a cover that attaches to the base plate, a bait cup that holds bait beneath the ground, and optionally, a termite media support rod with a disk that attaches to the cup and sits in the anchor tube, beneath the ground. The anchor tube is preferably molded into one integrated piece with a continuous external spiral fin or threaded member that acts as a screw mechanism when inserting the station into the ground. The base plate, which sits at ground level and snaps on after the anchor tube is in place (allowing the base plate to be installed directly adjacent to a structure) includes pest entry holes, and a textured surface for pests to crawl on before reaching the bait cup. The cup can be used with multiple bait products. The cover covers the base plate and cup, protecting the bait from the elements. The optional termite rod, which includes a disk molded on the bottom thereof, is used to hold material that is used for termite monitoring and/or exterminating.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to readers from a consideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.


Apparatus for indicating the oil level in a central heating oil tank comprises a battery powered monitoring unit (1) for mounting on the oil tank which determines the oil level by an ultrasonic signal transmitter/receiver (18). A first microprocessor (14) in the monitoring unit (1) determines the oil level from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver (18) and operates a primary transmitter (12) for transmitting a radio signal which includes data indicative of the oil level. A remotely mounted mains electricity powered receiving unit (3) comprises a primary radio receiver (15) for receiving the transmitted signal, and a second microprocessor (16) in the receiving unit (3) controls the operation of a visual display unit (10) for graphically displaying the oil level. The monitoring unit (1) and the receiving unit (3) are operable in a teaching mode initially on power-up of the receiving unit (3) during which the monitoring unit (1) teaches the receiving unit (3) its address. The first microprocessor (14) controls the ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals for two predetermined time periods in order to facilitate detection of the oil level as the oil level varies from full to empty.

Level sensors for determining the level of a liquid in a container, for example, central heating oil in a central heating oil tank, are known. The most basic of such level sensors comprise a sight glass in which the level of the liquid varies in proportion to the level of the liquid in the tank. More sophisticated level sensors include float operated needle gauges in which a float which floats on the surface of the liquid is mechanically linked to a needle gauge. Such level sensors suffer from many disadvantages. For example, the sight glass type sensors are prone to discoloration, thus rendering them substantially opaque and preventing sight of the liquid level, other disadvantages of such sight glass type sensors are that they are prone to leakage and are relatively expensive to fit. The float type devices regularly suffer from mechanical failure and are relatively expensive to produce.
Efforts to provide level sensors which overcome the problems of known sensors have been made, and one such level sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor which transmits an ultrasonic signal towards the surface of the liquid, and a receiver for receiving an echo of the transmitted signal reflected from the surface of the liquid. Control circuitry, which typically comprises a microprocessor, times the time period between transmission of an ultrasonic signal and reception of the reflected signal, and a determination of the level of the surface of the liquid relative to the ultrasonic sensor is made from the time period between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic signal. However, such ultrasonic level sensors suffer from a disadvantage in that they are prone to providing spurious readings of the level when the tank is relatively full. This is due to the fact that the echo of the transmitted signal reflected from the surface of the liquid may be reflected while the signal is still being transmitted, and thus cannot be detected. In such cases, the ultrasonic level sensor would give an inaccurate reading when the tank is full.
A further disadvantage of the majority of level sensors known heretofore is that the reading of the level of the liquid in the tank is provided on the sensor unit itself, thereby requiring a visit to the tank in order to determine the level of oil in the tank. Attempts to provide apparatus which permits remote monitoring of oil level in a tank have been made. Such apparatus comprise a monitoring unit which is located on the tank for monitoring the oil level in the tank, and a remotely located unit which provides an indication of the oil level in the tank. The remote unit may be located within a house, building or the like. A radio transmitter is located in the monitoring unit for transmitting a signal indicative of the monitored level of the oil in the tank, and a radio receiver located in the remote unit for receiving the transmitted signal. The remote unit in general comprises a visual display unit which displays the oil level. A microprocessor, in general, is provided in the remote unit for decoding the received transmitted signal and for operating the visual display unit for displaying the oil level. However, such apparatus suffer from a number of disadvantages, one in particular of which is that a manufacturer must match the monitoring unit and the remote unit of a pair of such units prior to dispatch, since each pair of units must have a unique address. Otherwise, a signal from any one monitoring unit could be received by the remote unit of other monitoring units. Thus, if a number of closely located houses with central heating oil tanks were provided with such apparatus, there is no guarantee that the reading provided by one remote unit would be the reading from the associated monitoring unit. The requirement of matching such pairs of units imposes considerable additional operation steps in the manufacturing of such units, and additionally, unless a very high level of inspection is operated by a manufacturer, the risk of monitoring and remote units being mixed up is relatively high.
A further disadvantage of such ultrasonic sensing units is that in general, they require an operating voltage of the order of 5 to 10 volts. In general, the monitoring units are battery powered, and in order to provide the voltages required, the batteries, in general, are alkaline batteries, which have a high energy content, and also a high self discharge rate. Such batteries require frequent replacement.
There is therefore a need for apparatus for indicating the level of a liquid or other flowable constituent in a container which overcomes at least some of the above stated problems, and there is also a need for apparatus for indicating the state of a characteristic of a constituent in a container which also overcomes at least some of the above stated problems.
The present invention is directed towards providing such an apparatus.

Apparatus for indicating the state of a characteristic of a constituent in a container


A method of efficiently computing values for a data structure having cells having dependencies is disclosed. The data structure may encode complex system. The complex system data structure is traversed to produce a directed graph. The nodes of the directed graph are assigned a depth and labeled as circular or non-circular. Nodes having a base depth are terminal and correspond to cells having known values. The nodes are assigned to depth lists, which are processed until all values have been calculated or a maximum number of attempts to process the lists is reached.

Solving (i.e., calculating values from inputs and a model) of complex models, predictive models, and other large models can require a substantial amount of computation, with complicated dependencies between values. In some cases, the amount of computation is unavoidable, but in other cases, the same output can be obtained with more computation steps and with fewer computation steps. When the input to a complex model is already large (e.g., 50,000 values), the number of intermediate values and rules can be much larger (e.g., hundreds of thousands or millions). Because a single input may drive multiple intermediate values, a change in only a few values may cascade throughout the entire model or may stay confined to only a few values. This effect makes it difficult to avoid recalculation of the same values when trying to solve a model for given inputs. Determining an order in which to calculate values that will efficiently yield a solution of the system is challenging.

Complex modeling computational engine optimized to reduce redundant calculations


The disclosed device comprises, in the first element, on which the second element is mounted, a peripheral housing opened outwards, a circlip engaged in said housing, comprising teeth capable of getting engaged in retaining means of the second element, and a means to bring the ends of the circlip closer together in order to retract it and to bring out the teeth of the retaining means controlled by a delay means. The disclosed device is particularly suited to the locking and unlocking of sub-munitions parachute containers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a device for the locking and unlocking of two elements of a projectile and, more particularly, a device for the unlocking and unlocking of a parachute container.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the case of a carrier with the task of conveying and dispersing one or more decelerated sub-munitions, it is often necessary, after ejection of these sub-munitions, to delay the final deceleration indispensable to their active stage, for example in order to ensure the prior slowing down, a mutual dispersal of sub-munitions, a safety function etc.
The final deceleration is generally achieved by means of a parachute, the uncapping of which should therefore be delayed. Furthermore, it is useful for this delay to be capable of being set separately for each munition.
Approaches based on long pyrotechnical delays, used for example in tracer shells, cannot be used for two reasons:
Long pyrotechnical delays are difficult to set because of their dispersal; PA1 In the case of multiple sub-munitions, stacked on one another, it is difficult to trigger each delay independently. PA1 easy assembly during the integration of the sub-munitions; PA1 a smaller volume; PA1 easy checking of the locked or unlocked state permitting its use for a safety function; PA1 operation that is perfectly symmetrical with the axis of the sub-munitions supposed to be oriented along the speed vector, compatible with a gradual removal of the parachute designed to reduce the opening disturbances. PA1 a peripheral housing opened outwards; PA1 a circlip engaged in said housing, the ends of which are spread out in the resting position, said circlip having, on its external rim, teeth capable of getting engaged in retaining means provided in the wall of said second element, and PA1 a means to bring the ends of the circlip closer together in order to retract it and make the teeth of said retaining means come out, the means to bring the ends of the circlip closer together being controlled by a delaying means;
The usual approach consists in using a chronometrical system which, in the present state of the art, is preferably electronic, and only a small gas generator is kept to give the necessary energy needed to unlock the cap of the parachute.

Device for the locking and unlocking of two elements of a projectile, notably of a parachute container


A moveable body includes at least one caster. The caster has a yoke, a wheel supported on the yoke, and an interface member for attaching the caster to the moveable body. Additionally, the caster is configured so that a noise level of the moveable body as the moveable body travels over a surface is approximately 85 decibels or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a caster and, more particularly, to a caster having improved vibratory characteristics.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditionally, casters have been incorporated onto a moveable object to create a transport system that can be moved from one location to another. For example, dollies and carts have been outfitted with casters and used to transport heavy items such as boxes, supplies, tools, and equipment. Selection of an appropriate caster for a particular application is determined by various factors, including load weight, operating environment, and floor condition.
A conventional transport system incorporating casters generates noise as the transport system moves over a surface due to vibration caused by excessive movement of components in the caster assembly. In certain environments, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and offices, excessive noise is unacceptable. Accordingly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed regulations setting forth acceptable noise exposure levels for various workplace environments. Moreover, noise generated by conventional transport systems restricts the time certain activities can be conducted. For example, cleaning carts using conventional casters can disrupt classes in schools and meetings in offices if cleaning takes place during the day. Similarly, such cleaning carts can disrupt sleeping patients in hospitals and care facilities if cleaning takes place at night.
In an effort to reduce noise generated by conventional transport systems, devices such as sound absorbers and vibration dampers (e.g., lead base tape) have been employed. Such devices can be installed on the transport system to absorb vibration and/or deaden its travel. Additionally, some conventional casters utilize a softer tread material to absorb vibration. One disadvantage of such devices is that they do not sufficiently reduce noise generated by the transport system. Another disadvantage of such devices is that they merely absorb vibration and/or deaden its travel but do not eliminate the source of the vibration.


An apparatus for improved version updates in data deduplication includes a baseline module that stores a baseline referrer link in a first cohort of baseline referrer links pointing to a first location in storage where a baseline version data block is stored. The apparatus includes a signpost module that stores to metadata a signpost that points to an updated referrer link in a second cohort of updated referrer links that points to a second location in the deduplicating storage device where an updated version data block is stored in response to the updated version data block being generated. The apparatus includes a cohort update module that replaces the baseline referrer link with the updated referrer link in response to determining that an additional updated version data block matches the updated version data block pointed to by the signpost. A method and a system implement functions of the apparatus.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to data storage devices and more particularly to improved cohort management for version updates in data deduplication.
Data deduplication is an important feature of modern storage. Virtual machines, application images for virtualization platforms, commonly forwarded email attachments, and personal copies of documents, all contribute to a significant amount of data being stored. These types of objects often include multiple copies of the same data which could be deduplicated but may not be optimally deduplicated by certain systems due to inefficiencies in performance and storage space for searching and finding duplicate blocks.

Cohort management for version updates in data deduplication

International Business Machines Corporation


The present application discloses a display panel, a manufacture method and a display apparatus. The display panel includes a first substrate; the first substrate includes a base, a first metal layer, an insulating layer and a second metal layer; the second metal layer includes horizontal zones and oblique zones; each of the oblique zones is inclined from a first height to a second height; the first height is greater than the second height; a thickness of each of the horizontal zones of the second metal layer is greater than a thickness of each of the oblique zones of the second metal layer; and a width of each of the oblique zones of the second metal layer is greater than a width of each of the horizontal zones of the second metal layer.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present application and may not constitute prior art.
In a Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD), an array manufacture engineering is a key engineering to implement electrical drive of a crystal because it completes a pixel array including a thin film transistor by preparing each layer of thin film pattern on a glass substrate. With a five-layer thin film pattern process as an example, according to a sequential order of film formation, it includes: a manufacture procedure of a first metal layer, a manufacture procedure of a semiconductor, a manufacture procedure of a second metal layer, a manufacture procedure of a passivation layer, and a manufacture procedure of a transparent electrode. During a process of manufacturing each layer of thin film of an array substrate, it is functionally divided into a conductive thin film and a functional thin film, where the conductive thin film includes a metal thin film and a transparent tin indium oxide. It is known by an inventor that a metal thin film is deposited by using magnetron sputtering, and the metal thin film is subject to exposure, image developing and etching to form a metal layer with various patterns.
Some patterns in the manufacture procedure of the second metal layer (M2) are overlapped with some patterns in the manufacture procedure of the first metal layer (M1). In the M2 manufacture procedure, from a pattern not overlapped with the M1 manufacture procedure to an overlapped pattern, there is a climbing process, and a climbing position has an impact on the stability of a line.

Display panel, manufacture method and display apparatus


Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured to determine a degree of separation between a user and a connection within a social network of the user, the connection associated with an interaction from which at least topic is determined. A value of affinity between the user and the connection is determined. A weight reflecting a value of interest similarity between the user and the connection is determined. A term based on the degree of separation, the value of affinity, and the weight reflecting a value of interest similarity is calculated. Terms associated with the at least one topic are combined to generate a composite score associated with the at least one topic to determine whether to present the at least one topic to the user.

Today, people often utilize computing devices (or systems) for a wide variety of purposes. Users can use their computing devices to, for example, interact with one another, access content, share content, and create content. In some cases, content items can include postings from members of a social network. The postings may include text and media content items, such as images, videos, and audio. The postings may be published to the social network for consumption by others.
Under conventional approaches, the publication of content items can reflect many shortcomings of a social network. For example, when the social network has a large number of users, a large number of postings may be generated. In view of their number, postings can be difficult to organize and publish in a manner that optimizes their audience. In some instances, a posting may be published in a way that does not allow certain users of the social network who would find the posting most interesting to locate the posting. In other instances, a posting that is not relevant to certain users of the social network can be nonetheless presented to those users. In yet other instances, many postings may be published together with no apparent unifying theme or discernible combined relevance to their audience.
In particular, the social network of a user may engage in content related activities in a manner that is distinct from the interactions of all of the members of the social network as a whole. Interactions of the social network of the user may have particular relevance to the user to a larger extent than the interactions of the social network as a whole. However, because of the sheer volume of available content on large social networks, discovery of and focus on the interactions of the social network of the user may prove elusive for the user.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods to determine trending topics for a user based on social graph data


An assembly for an aerial system includes a wing support foldably connected to a first and second side of a body of the aerial system, a protection structure coupled to the wing support and disposed over propellers coupled to the wing support, wherein at least one of the protection structure and the wing support includes at least one of a positioning hook and a positioning groove, wherein the protection structure and wing support are fixed relative to each other with the at least one of the positioning hook and the positioning groove.

A pilotless aerial robot or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or system is often referred to as a "drone" that is manipulated by radio remote control equipment and its own program control device. No cockpit is mounted on the UAV, but an autopilot, the program control device, a signal collection device, and other equipment are installed thereon. Personnel on the ground carry out tracking, positioning, remote control, telemetering, and digital transmission on the UAV by radar and other equipment.
The UAV without a protection structure has poor safety performance. For unmanned aerial vehicles with a protection structure, the installation and dismantling of the protection structure are complex and the volume of the protection structure is large thus making it inconvenient for storage. For unmanned aerial vehicles with a protection structure, it is non-trivial for the UAV system to automatically identify the scenarios when the protection structure is mounted on/disassembled from the UAV, which makes it a challenging task for the UAV flight control system to apply the correct physical model and flight control strategies for both scenarios mentioned above.
The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above.

Detachable protection structure for unmanned aerial systems


The invention relates to a device (1) for producing a hollow-cylindrical concrete lining (50) on shaft walls (100) of vertical shafts (101), having at least one shuttering element (2) which is radially spaced from the shaft wall (100) and forms a concrete shuttering, a supporting ring (3) at the lower end of the shuttering element (2), and a sealing assembly (4) in the region of the supporting ring (3) to seal the concrete shuttering relative to the shaft wall (100), wherein the sealing assembly (4) is formed by a plurality of drawers (5, 5a, 5b) which can be extended radially against the shaft wall (100).

The invention relates to a device for producing a hollow-cylindrical concrete lining on shaft walls of vertical shafts, having at least one shuttering element which is radially spaced from the shaft wall and forms a concrete shuttering, a supporting ring at the lower end of the shuttering element, and a sealing assembly in the region of the supporting ring to seal the concrete shuttering relative to the shaft wall.
It is known from the prior art to provide, in the region of the supporting ring, a sealing assembly in the form of manually tailor-made shuttering boards which are arranged on the supporting ring and close off the concrete shuttering relative to the shaft wall. What is disadvantageous about this solution is that the manually tailor-made shuttering boards have to be separately tailor-made and adapted by hand to form each set of concrete shuttering. This makes production of the concrete lining on the shaft walls of a vertical shaft time-consuming and expensive.
A device for producing a hollow-cylindrical concrete lining on shaft walls of vertical shafts is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,876 A. Here, a shuttering element which serves for producing a concrete lining of vertical shafts is described. At the lower end of this shuttering element there is arranged a supporting ring. On the supporting ring there are extendable elements for supporting the supporting ring on the shaft wall. The sealing between the supporting ring and shaft wall takes place here by way of an inflatable element. What is disadvantageous about the solution described here is that the seal gap between the supporting ring and shaft wall which can be bridged with the inflatable element is only limited, which requires a high degree of accuracy when drilling the vertical shaft and a low amount of breakouts. Furthermore, the inflatable element is susceptible to damage, so the production of the concrete lining in the vertical shaft frequently has to be interrupted.

Shuttering with supporting ring having expendable drawers


The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor processing and provides methods that improve chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of semiconductor materials by promoting more efficient thermalization of precursor gases prior to their reaction. In preferred embodiments, the method provides heat transfer structures and their arrangement within a CVD reactor so as to promote heat transfer to flowing process gases. In certain preferred embodiments applicable to CVD reactors transparent to radiation from heat lamps, the invention provides radiation-absorbent surfaces placed to intercept radiation from the heat lamps and to transfer it to flowing process gases.

The temperature of gaseous precursors prior to their reaction in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor is an important parameter for achieving efficient deposition at the desired location, e.g., for efficiently depositing the intended semiconductor material on the intended substrate.
Consider, for example, growth of GaN by halide (hydride) vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) processes. Certain HVPE processes react gaseous GaCl3 directly with gaseous NH3 in a CVD reactor chamber to yield GaN, which deposits on a substrate, and NH4Cl, which exhausts from the reactor. However, this direct reaction proceeds efficiently only if the precursor gases are at temperatures of about 900-930° C. and above, because at lower temperatures (it is believed) the precursor gases have not adequately decomposed into directly reactive species and thus cannot rapidly react. Also, at lower temperatures, GaCl3 and NH3 can form unreactive and undesired, adducts, e.g., GaCl3:NH3. Accordingly, significant fractions of inadequately thermalized precursor gases can be simply wasted; they pass through the reactor and out the exhaust either unreacted or as unreactive adducts. Similar effects arise in the CVD growth of other III-N compound semiconductors by HVPE and other processes, and also more generally, in the growth of III-V compound semiconductors.
Further, waste of inadequately thermalized precursors can be greater in high volume manufacturing (HVM) of III-V compounds, and the wasted fraction can increase as higher growth rates are sought. This is possibly because: higher growth rates require higher precursor flow rates; higher flow rates decrease times available for reaction in the vicinity of the intended substrate; and decreased reaction times reduce the efficiency of reaction-rate-limited growth processes.
However, problems have hindered achieving adequate thermalization of precursor gases, especially in the case of HVM of III-V compounds where corrosive precursor gases must be thermalized to high temperatures. First, it has not been possible to adequately thermalize precursor gases prior to entering the reactor chamber. Typical precursor gases at high temperatures can rapidly corrode materials commonly used in known gaseous delivery systems, and such corrosion can further lead to particle formation/deposition in delivery lines, reduced reactor cleanliness, eventual line blockage, and so forth. But use of corrosion-resistant materials, e.g., quartz, graphite, silicon carbide, etc, in gaseous delivery systems would be prohibitively expensive.
Further, it has also not been possible to achieve adequate precursor-gas thermalization within known CVD reactors after their entry into the reactor chamber. Especially in the case of HVM of GaN (and other III-V compounds), precursor gas flows can be unusually high, e.g., in excess of 50 slm (standard liters min.). At such high flow rates, precursor gases move too quickly through the high temperature zone in the reactor to become adequately thermalized prior to traversing the growth substrate.
Uses of planar radiation-absorbing materials in the interior of CVD reactor chambers have been described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,858. This patent discloses use of a silicon carbide (SiC) plates placed downstream of the susceptor as "getter" plates on which unwanted deposition preferentially occurs. This patent also discloses use of SiC plates in contact with the quartz chamber walls in order to heat the walls and thereby also limit unwanted deposition. Dauelsberg et al. (Journal of Crystal Growth 298 418 (2007)) describe a perforated cover plate for a standard showerhead gas injector of the type used in MOCVD (metal organic CVD) processes for growing GaN which is stated to increase temperatures.
Thus, although proper thermalization of the precursor gases used in the HVM of III-V compounds, and especially of GaN, is important, the prior art provides no adequate teachings (of which the inventors are aware) concerning how such thermalization can be accomplished.

Thermalization of gaseous precursors in CVD reactors


A system for delivering warm, humidified oxygen to patients at very low flow rates, the system including a conduit having an inlet connected to a source of humidified oxygen at a first flow rate and an outlet end for delivering humidified oxygen to a patient at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate. A first flowpath extends through a sidewall of the conduit for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit and a second flowpath extends through the sidewall of the conduit downstream from the first flowpath for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit at a rate of from about 0 liters/minute or above. A substantially solid member is movably positionable adjacent the second flowpath for selectively blocking and unblocking portions of the second flowpath for defining a variably dimensionable flow path in order to control over the amount of oxygen flowing through the second flowpath.

This invention relates generally to devices for supplying fluids to patients and more particularly to devices for supplying warm, humidified oxygen gas to patients.
Oxygen is commonly delivered in the practice of medicine to patients as a gas. The oxygen flows from a source to a delivery device such as a nasal cannula, for delivery to the patient""s respiratory tract.
The administration of oxygen to patients, including neonatal, pediatric and elderly patients, requires the selection of an oxygen delivery system that suits the patient""s size, needs and therapeutic result. Typically, the oxygen gas delivered directly from a hospital oxygen delivery system is dry and cold. Delivering dry and cold oxygen to an infant, for example, can undesirably lower body temperature and promote dehydration. Accordingly, it is often preferred to warm and humidify the oxygen so that the patient inhales a warm gas-liquid mixture.
It has proved difficult to supply warm oxygen having sufficient humidity at flow rates of less than about 2 liters/minute. Standard equipment available for both warming and humidifying oxygen is suitable for use with adults and is adjustable to deliver a volumetric fluid flow of from about 2 to about 15 liters per minute. These devices, however, generally require a minimum flowrate of at least about 2 liters per minute in order to operate. Pediatric patients, particularly neonatal patients, require a flow rate of less than about 2 liters per minute, sometimes only slightly above zero liters per minute (e.g. about xe2x85x9 liter per minute).
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which enables warm, humidified oxygen to be supplied to pediatric/infant patients at flow rates of from about 2 liters per minute and below.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for controlling the flow rate of fluid, such as warm, humidified oxygen, from a fluid source.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described that is compatible with existing equipment, such as oxygen humidifiers.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described that is suitable for use with pediatric patients.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system of the character described that is selectively adjustable to enable an oxygen flow rate of from about 0 to about 2 liters per minute.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described that is uncomplicated in configuration and convenient to use.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described that is economical and suitable for use with conventional oxygen delivery systems.
With regard to the foregoing, the present invention is directed to a system for use with standard humidification equipment having a flow rate of at least about 3 liters/minute for delivering fluids such as oxygen, preferably warm, humidified oxygen to patients at a flow rate of from about 0 to about 2 liters/minute. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cwarm/humidified oxygenxe2x80x9d refers to oxygen gas having a temperature of from about 30xc2x0 C. to about 37xc2x0 C. (about 86xc2x0 F. to about 98.6xc2x0 F.) and a relative humidity of from about 80 to about 100%.
The system includes a conduit having an inlet connected to a source of humidified oxygen at a flow rate of at least about 3 liters/minute and an outlet end for delivering humidified oxygen to a neo-natal patient at a flow rate of from about 0 to about 2 liters/minute. A first aperture extends through the sidewall of the conduit for bleeding oxygen from the conduit so that the flow in the conduit is reduced to about 2 liters/minute. A second aperture is provided downstream from the first aperture and extends through the sidewall for bleeding oxygen from the conduit at a rate of from about 0 to about 2 liters/minute. A substantially solid member is movably positionable adjacent the second aperture for defining a variably dimensionable flow path to enable control over the amount of oxygen bled through the second aperture.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a system for controlling the flow rate of fluid from a fluid source, such as humidified oxygen, for delivery to a patient.
In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a conduit having an interior and an exterior separated by a substantially continuous sidewall, an inlet end in flow communication with an outlet end for flow of fluid from the fluid source through the conduit from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the inlet end being in flow communication with the source of fluid at a first flow rate and the outlet end being in flow communication with a fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to the patient at a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate.
A first aperture extends through the sidewall for passage of fluid from the interior to atmospheric regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit and for reducing the flow rate of fluid within the conduit to a third flow rate that is less than the first flow rate and greater than or equal to the second flow rate. A second aperture is provided downstream from the first aperture extends through the sidewall. A substantially solid member is movably positionable adjacent the second aperture for defining a variably dimensionable flow path for passage of fluid from the interior to atmosphere regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit. Variation of the dimension of the variably dimensionable flow path selectively enables escape of fluid from the interior of the conduit to provide the second flow rate of fluid.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for delivering humidified oxygen to a patient. The system preferably includes a conduit having an inlet connected to a source of humidified oxygen at a first flow rate and an outlet end for delivering humidified oxygen to a patient at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate. A first flowpath extends through a sidewall of the conduit for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit. A second flowpath is located downstream from the first flowpath and extends through the sidewall of the conduit for continuously bleeding oxygen from the conduit at a rate of from about 0 liters/minute or above. A substantially solid member is movably positionable adjacent the second flowpath for selectively blocking and unblocking portions of the second flowpath for defining a variably dimensionable flow path in order to control over the amount of oxygen flowing through the second flowpath.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for delivering treatment fluids, such as humidified oxygen, to pediatric patients from a source of fluid of the type used for adults and having a flow rate above about 3 liters per minute. The method includes the steps of providing the oxygen source, placing it in flow communication with a delivery system in accordance with the invention and manipulating the delivery system to achieve a desired flow rate to the patient of from about 0 to about 2 liters per minute.
The invention advantageously enables warm, humidified oxygen to be delivered at low flow rates heretofore unobtainable by conventional hospital equipment. The invention thus enables the use of standard oxygen and other delivery and humidification systems in the treatment of pediatric and other patients having treatment flow rate requirements below those available from standard treatment equipment. The system also advantageously adapts to fit pediatric output components, such as pediatric cannulas having smaller tubing size, while connecting to adult or standard input components having larger tubing sizes.


A hydraulic rockshaft control circuit which includes a three-way valve that normally operates the rockshaft is connected to the lift cylinder on a trailing implement. A hitch lock valve connected to the rockshaft control valve maintains the rockshaft in a preselected position regardless of changes in pressure at the valve output. The extend side of the lift cylinder is connected to the control valve output so that the tractor hitch control is used to operate the trailing implement cylinder. To overcome the inability of the three-way valve to positively retract the trailing implement cylinder, a reducing/relieving valve is connected to the retract side of the cylinder and is adjusted to provide just enough pressure to retract the cylinder and raise the implement wheels from ground contact when the extend side is connected to return pressure.. A position feedback system on the implement is connected to the hitch control unit (HCU) on the tractor. When the HCU senses a feedback signal from the implement, the HCU control mode changes from rockshaft control to trailing implement control wherein implement position is set and maintained in a manner similar to that for the conventional rockshaft control. A voltage readout from the feedback signal provides a visual indication of implement position.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved system for hydraulic control of a towed implement utilizing the tractor hitch control.
2) Related Art
Numerous systems have been proposed for utilizing the tractor hitch control for controlling a towed implement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,053 shows a system wherein the hitch control valve and a selector valve control a remote cylinder of a towed implement. A system for automatically raising the tractor hitch to a non-interfering position and controlling a trailing implement cylinder when SCV control is shifted from the rockshaft cylinder to the trailing implement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,347 of common ownership with the present invention. An electronic control unit (ECU) such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,092 is utilized to control the trailing implement in response to input signals including a lever control signal, a position sensor signal and a draft force sensor signal. When the control input from the implement is plugged into the ECU, control is shut off to the 3-point hitch and automatically transferred to the trailing implement. Both a manually operated selector valve and at least one tractor selective control valve (SCV) are required in the system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,347.
When the ECU system is utilized with a typical lift and depth control arrangement such as for a disk harrow, the hydraulic cylinder on the implement operates as a one-way single acting cylinder with the hitch control valve functioning as a three-way valve wherein implement weight causes the cylinder to retract so the frame moves downwardly to the field-operating position. One problem with one-way operation is that the operator is unable to raise the wheels from ground contact when it is desirable to do so, for example, when the additional weight of the wheels could be used to assist tool penetration in certain ground conditions.


A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure comprises: a first electrode disposed over a substrate; a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer comprising boron nitride (BN); and a second electrode disposed over the first piezoelectric layer.

Transducers generally convert electrical signals to mechanical signals or vibrations, and/or mechanical signals or vibrations to electrical signals. Acoustic transducers, in particular, convert electrical signals to acoustic signals (sound waves) and convert received acoustic waves to electrical signals via inverse and direct piezoelectric effect. Acoustic transducers generally include acoustic resonators, such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators, and may be used in a wide variety of electronic applications, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), electronic gaming devices, laptop computers and other portable communications devices. For example, BAW resonators include thin film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs), which include resonator stacks formed over a substrate cavity, and solidly mounted resonators (SMRs), which include resonator stacks formed over an acoustic reflector (e.g., Bragg mirror). The BAW resonators may be used for electrical filters and voltage transformers, for example.
Generally, an acoustic resonator has a layer of piezoelectric material between two conductive plates (electrodes), which may be formed on a thin membrane. The piezoelectric material may be a thin film of various materials, such as aluminum nitride (AlN), zinc oxide (ZnO), or lead zirconate titanate (PZT), for example. Thin films made of AlN are advantageous since they generally maintain piezoelectric properties at high temperature (e.g., above 400° C.). However, AlN has a lower piezoelectric coefficient d33 than both ZnO and PZT, for example.
Resonators may be used as band-pass filters with associated passbands providing ranges of frequencies permitted to pass through the filters. The passbands of the resonator filters tend to shift in response to environmental and operational factors, such as changes in temperature and/or incident power. For example, the passband of a resonator filter moves lower in frequency in response to rising temperature and higher incident power.
Cellular phones, in particular, are negatively affected by shifts in passband due to fluctuations in temperature and power. For example, a cellular phone includes power amplifiers (PAs) that must be able to deal with larger than expected insertion losses at the edges of the filter (duplexer). As the filter passband shifts down in frequency, e.g., due to rising temperature, the point of maximum absorption of power in the filter, which is designed to be above the passband, moves down into the frequency range of the FCC or government designated passband. At this point, the filter begins to absorb more power from the PA and heats up, causing the temperature to increase further. Thus, the filter passband shifts down in frequency more, bringing the maximum filter absorbing point even closer. This sets up a potential runaway situation, which is avoided only by the fact that the reflected power becomes large and the fitter eventually settles at some high temperature.
In order to prevent or reduce rising temperatures, a conventional filter may include a layer of oxide material within the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack. The oxide material has a positive temperature coefficient, which at least partially offsets the negative temperature coefficients of the metal electrodes and the piezoelectric material, respectively. For example, the oxide material may be placed in the center of the piezoelectric layer or at either end of the piezoelectric layer between the electrodes. However, the electromechanical coupling coefficient (kt2) of the resonator is greatly compromised by the addition of oxide material to the piezoelectric layer. This is because the oxide material appears as a "dead" capacitor in series with the active piezoelectric material dielectric. Further, the oxide material may contaminate the piezoelectric material. For example, when the piezoelectric material is aluminum nitride (AlN), the oxide material causes the AlN to become a chemical compound that includes oxygen (e.g., AlN(x)O(y)), which is a non-piezoelectric material, thus further degrading the acoustic coupling coefficient.
What is needed, therefore, is a BAW resonator that overcomes at least the shortcomings of known BAW resonators described above.

Bulk acoustic wave resonator comprising a boron nitride piezoelectric layer

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A promotional card including a base card defining front and rear surfaces with at least one of the surfaces having indicia thereon and a token attached to at least one of the surfaces of the base card. In one example, the token is an informational booklet that is removably attached to the base card. An overlaminate is disposed over at least a portion of the informational booklet, the overlaminate includes at least one weakened region between the informational booklet and at least one of the top and bottom edges of the base card. The informational booklet is attached to at least one of the surfaces of the base card and contains at least one non-adhered edge and at least one adhered edge with the adhered edge being the leading edge for feeding the promotional card into a high speed processing machine that will feed the promotional card into a multi-page article.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to promotional materials, such as those inserted into a multi-page newspaper, magazine or the like, hereinafter referred to as multi-page articles, for supplying informational material to the reader, and more particularly, to a promotional card that is provided with an informational booklet or the like removably or permanently adhered to a face of the promotional card such that the card may be inserted by a high speed insertion process into a machine that inserts the card into a multi-page article.
1. Description of the Related Art
It is common in the art to provide promotional adhesive labels to products or containers for products. The label is adhered to the product or container an included leaflet is accessed by peeling away a cover sheet. The attachment of a leaflet may be used on many products for informational reasons such as relating to warranties, operational instructions, label requirements, or other matters.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,676 to Bockairo discloses an adhesive label having a folded leaflet, coupon or the like disposed between a base sheet and a cover sheet. The cover sheet is wider than the folded leaflet, having side edges peelably adhered to the base sheet. The cover sheet has at least one edge extending outwardly beyond the ends of the sides edges so as to form tabs which are readily grasped for peeling away the cover sheet for access to the leaflet. The label is disclosed in circular and rectangular embodiments. The end areas of the cover sheet side edges may be tapered to reduce the possibility of tearing the cover sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,616 to Cowan et al. discloses a resealable, overlaminated leaflet label having a folded leaflet overlaid by a cover sheet having opposed marginal portions extending beyond the edges of the leaflet. The undersurface of the cover sheet is coated with peelable adhesive material such that the marginal portions are peelably adhered to the surface of an article with the leaflet disposed between the article and the cover sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,121 to Dolan et al. discloses a brochure assembly with a product information patch removably attached to one of the panels. The product information patch includes a base label secured to the primary brochure, a folded product information sheet positioned centrally on the base label and an overlaminate secured over the folded product information sheet and the base label.
There is an unmet need in the art for a promotional card having an easily removable informational booklet with adhered edges that allow the promotional card to be inserted into a machine that places the promotional card into multi-page articles at high insertion speeds. Preferably, such a machine can insert such promotional cards at high speed into the traveling web of a printing process for multi-page articles such as magazines, newspapers, etc.
Provided is a folded leaflet attached to a promotional card that is suitable to be machine inserted at high processing speeds into a multi-page article. The informational leaflet or booklet is attached by adhered edges and is able to withstand the tension forces associated with a high speed machine insertion process.
The present invention provides a promotional card that is machine insertable in a multi-page article for use in supplying informational material to a reader. The promotional card comprises a base card defining front and rear surfaces with at least one of the surfaces having indicia thereon. An informational booklet is removably attached to at least one of the surfaces of the base card and means are provided for adhering the informational booklet to at least one of the surfaces of the base card.
The informational booklet is machine insertable into the mutli-page article with the informational booklet attached into a position that allows the informational booklet to be easily severed from the base card by the reader.
In addition, a method of providing a promotional card as an insert in a multi-page article is provided. The method includes providing a base card defining front and rear surfaces with at least one of the surfaces having indicia thereon. The method further includes attaching an informational booklet to at least one of the surfaces of the base card. The informational booklet contains at least one adhered edge with the adhered edge being the leading edge for feeding the promotional card into the inserting machine for machine inserting the promotional cards into multi-page articles.
The promotional card is then oriented into the machine such that the informational booklet containing at least one adhered edge is the leading edge for feeding the promotional card into the machine. Finally, using high speed feeding apparatus the promotional cards are fed (inserted) from the inserting machine into the multi-page articles.
It is one aspect of this invention to provide a manner in which an informational booklet can be attached to the base card by an adhered edge and that the adhered edge can withstand the tension forces associated with the high speed machine feeding of the promotional cards for placement of the cards into multi-page articles.