A data recording disk file is provided with fixed block address head positioning information that is readable off-track with no increase in error rate. The positioning information includes both identification information to provide radial and/or circumferential orientation for the recording head, and error handling information to ensure that the id information is properly read. Either or both of the id information and the error handling information for adjacent tracks are placed on the data storage disk at circumferentially offset positions to eliminate adjacent track interference, and at radially overlapped positions extending into the adjacent tracks to provide full readability when the head is off-track.

All disk files require some means of determining the radial position of the read and write transducers (or heads) heads over the disks so that the heads can be accurately positioned over any desired track. Typically this is accomplished by recording head positioning information on one or more of the disk surfaces for reading by magnetic or optical heads. Some disk files, known as dedicated servo files, contain positioning information only on a dedicated surface of one disk in the disk stack. In contrast, some modern files, known as sector servo files, store the positioning information interspersed with the data on each disk surface. This latter approach represents the direction in which the technology is progressing and is preferred because it can be implemented at low cost and without additional componentry beyond that required to store the data and further because it provides the positioning information at the data surface being accessed, thereby eliminating many mechanical and thermal sources of track misregistration. Fixed block architecture (FBA) is a common configuration used to format both dedicated servo disk files and sector servo disk files. In an FBA formatted disk file, each disk track is divided into a number of equal-sized sectors, and each sector is divided into regions containing either positioning information or data.
A portion of a typical FBA sector servo sector is illustrated in FIG. 1A. The portion shown spans the end of one sector and the start of another, and shows in particular the positioning information provided between sectors for three adjacent tracks--A, B and C. 101 shows the end of data regions for tracks A, B and C. 102 shows the start of the succeeding data regions for tracks A, B and C. In between is head positioning information for each track designated generally by 103 and including position identification (position-ID) field 104 and position error indicating (PES) field 106. Position-ID field 104 typically includes a track number and/or a sector number to provide radial (track) and/or circumferential (sector) orientation for the recording head. It may be encoded in a gray format, in which the encoded numbers on adjacent tracks differ by only one bit. This allows the track/sector id to be known to.+-.1 tracks, even when inbetween tracks. PES field 106 provides a fine positioning signal used by the disk file to position the recording head precisely over the center of a given track.
In a dedicated servo disk file, the positioning information is encoded on a separate surface from the data surfaces. The positioning information is encoded in a manner similar to that described above with reference to sector servo disk files, and is similar in form to positioning information 103.
While the position-ID field provided by the prior art is designed to be accurately readable when the recording head is on-track, there are circumstances in which it is desirable to accurately read the position-ID information when the head may not be positioned on-track. Such circumstances may arise during a settle operation following a track access when the head has not yet settled over the desired track but it is nevertheless desired to read the position-ID field, or where the servo architecture depends on the servo system to precisely identify the sector number. Such circumstances may also arise in magneto-resistive (MR) head designs where one element is used for writing and another for reading. Misalignment between the read and write elements can occur due to production constraints (inability to precisely align the elements at manufacture time) and due to design constraints (inter-element shift as a function of accurate direction of access in rotary actuator systems).
The effects of misalignment can be alleviated by a technique known as micro-jog, which involves adjustment of the head-track position between reading and writing to allow the appropriate head element to be on-track for a given operation. However, for a write operation a micro-jog itself may move the read element significantly off-track.
In the above mentioned circumstances in which it is desirable to read positioning information when the head is off-track, the prior art position-ID field described above suffers increased error rate (percentage of READ operations that fail to detect the sought-after information) due to interference from the adjacent track and decreasing signal-to-noise ratios. This problem is somewhat correctable by encoding the position-ID field in gray code so that the position-ID can be known to within a value of.+-.1. However, when the head is off-track, the position where the single changing bit changes from a 0 to a 1 is not well defined. Also, the position-ID information is still susceptible to errors when read, so in cases where the position-ID must be known exactly, gray coding may prove ineffective. Moreover, the use of gray coding increases the length of the position-ID field. The values 0 and 1 must be recorded using the same number of magnetic transitions to preserve the magnetization state, effectively doubling the length.
FIG. 1B. shows a possible means for adding error handling information to the head positioning information. An error handling (EH) field 105' is appended to the position-ID field 104'. This field may be encoded in a number of ways, including a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), error checking and correction code (ECC), parity, or redundant encoding (writing one or more extra copies of the field). However, EH field 105', which is provided as an accuracy check against position-ID field 104', cannot be encoded as a gray code. If the ECC bits are merely appended to the gray code, as shown, they will also suffer an increased error rate when read off-track.
Thus, there presently exists an unmet need for a method and means which allows the positioning information to be accurately read off-track with no increase in error rate.

Fixed block architecture disk file with improved position identification and error handling

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to a method for producing spunlace material in which there is formed a fibrous web by air-laying a layer of fibres of staple length on a forming wire and air-laying a layer of short fibres on top of the layer of staple fibres. According to the invention, the fibrous web is passed to an entangling wire 18 on which there is arranged at least one elongated element 17 whose diameter is much greater than the diameter of the wires 16 in the entangling wire 18, whereafter the fibrous web is entangled. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method, and to a spunlace material produced in accordance with the method.

Spunlace material consists of mechanically bonded non-woven fabric in which interlocking of the fibres and the fibre structure are obtained by entangling the fibres of a fibrous web with the aid of thin jets of air or liquid, i.e. the structure is obtained by means of a so-called entangling process. The present application is concerned solely with spunlace material produced by hydroentangling, i.e. entangling that is achieved with the aid of liquid jets. Such material has pronounced textile-like properties in comparison with other nonwoven fabrics, and also affords a relatively high degree of flexibility to the method of manufacture with regard to the properties of the material produced, owing to the fact that the properties of said material can be varied to a great extent through the appropriate selection of fibres, fibre mixtures, fibre forming, degree of entanglement, the structure of the entangling wires used, etc. As a result, the use of spunlace material has become more and more usual.
Such material can be used effectively to wipe-up or absorb liquid, and also to spread or to disperse liquid that comes into contact therewith. Another area in which spunlace material can be used is found in the casing layers of disposable absorbent articles, where the textile-like structure of the material is felt by the consumer to be more friendly to the skin than other types of nonwoven materials, which are often felt to have a "plastic" texture.

Method and an arrangement for producing spunlace material, and material produced thereby


An electrolytic cell includes a container for holding an electrolyte. A conductively doped single crystal diamond anode electrode is positioned to be disposed within the electrolyte, as is a conductive cathode electrode. Conductors are coupled to the electrodes for coupling to a power supply. An electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are coupled to the container for causing electrolyte to flow past the electrodes. The anode electrode is downstream from the cathode electrode in one embodiment, such that an electrolyte comprising water is purified by generation of oxygen and/or ozone.

The use of chlorine or bromine for water purification requires transportation of large volumes of highly toxic material (chlorine and bromine) over large distances from factory to municipality. This transportation is expensive, results in high risk of toxic spills by railway accidents, is costly, and is a security risk. Furthermore it is well known that the use of chlorine and bromine can interact with various organic and inorganic substances in the water being purified to generate carcinogens and other toxic substances. Indeed, chlorine purification is being phased out in many parts of the world in favor of ozonation.
Ozone (O3) or triatomic oxygen is a highly reactive species, which is second only to Fluorine as an oxidative species. Ozone is unstable and will revert to diatomic oxygen (O2) rapidly, with a half-life of 20 to 100 minutes (or average of 30 minutes) that decreases with an increase in temperature or humidity. Ozone can be created by the conversion of 3O2→2O3 with the addition of energy (in the form of electrons or electromagnetic radiation). This reaction is exothermic and gives off energy in the form of light and heat. Ozone can also be generated by the use of an electric discharge in gas and in liquid by using an electrolytic process.
O3 is a powerful oxidizing agent, which is used commercially for cleaning, disinfecting, deoderizing etc. It is used in applications such as air and water purification and can oxidize many organic compounds. Water purification applications include disinfection, oxidation of heavy metals, control of tastes and odors, improvement of color, breakdown of detergents, pesticides and other organic compounds, ammonia and nitrogen derivatives. Because O3 is so reactive, it is both hazardous and uneconomical to generate at any other place than the point of use. At high levels, ozone is both irritating and toxic.
The use of oxygen has been shown to be as beneficial or better than traditional water disinfectants such as chlorine and bromine, however the electrochemical potential needed to produce oxygen generates an electrical field that enhances the destruction of cellular walls and protective coatings of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, cysts, spores, as well as biofilms comprised of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, cysts, and spores. Additional benefits of using electronically produced oxygen species for water purification is that oxygen species can be produced on site and in the media to be purified. There are several advantages to producing oxygen on-site. Use of an electric field in the water or other fluid to be purified enhances bacterial kill. Ozone is generated for water purification by passing air over short wavelength ultraviolet light source (such as xenon, argon, mercury or other arc lamp) which generates ozone from the oxygen in the air, which in turn is bubbled through the water to be purified.
Ozone production is a widely used on-site method to purify water but excessive ozone reacts with bromine in the water generating highly carcinogenic bromates. This is bringing about an international water crisis as governments are setting bromate standards which are high, and likely to be unachievable. It may be important to control the amount of ozone delivered to water in order to avoid production of bromates. Another problem with ozone generation is that ozone rapidly recombines with itself to become oxygen again thereby requiring that significantly higher ozone levels be produced to get the required dissolved residual concentration necessary for disinfection of the water. Another method to kill microorganisms in water is to pass water directly over a short wavelength ultraviolet source. This may also be done on-site but may be inefficient because a long residence time is required over the light source to fully disinfect the water.
The use of electrochemical cells to produce oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine is a well established technology. These cells typically use graphite electrodes which significantly erode through attack at the oxygen generating electrode. Previous work has shown that polycrystalline and nanocrystalline boron doped diamond has a significantly lower erosion rate than graphite but eventually fails due to attack at the grain boundaries of the polycrystalline diamond. At such junctions, both sp2 graphitic diamond and other impurities, such as boron, will preferentially accumulate. Grain boundaries will have altered electrochemical properties which impede normal conductivity and reduce the efficiency of the electrodes. The lower resistivity of sp2 diamond and higher current density of boron at regions of accumulation result in preferential attack of these regions. Further, in high grade polycrystalline, high dislocation levels and crystal defects concentrate regions of boron that are susceptible to erosion. Reports of erosion of polycrystalline diamond occurs at current densities of only 0.5 to 2.5 amps per square centimeter. Such electrodes have significantly longer lifetimes than prior materials, but undergo catastrophic failure during operation.

Single crystal diamond electrochemical electrode


Precursor compositions for the deposition of electronic features such as resistors and dielectric components and methods for the deposition of the precursor compositions. The precursor compositions have a low viscosity, such as not greater than about 1000 centipoise and can be deposited using a direct-write tool. The precursors also have a low conversion temperature, enabling the formation of electronic features on a wide variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to precursor compositions that are useful for the fabrication of passive electronic components and features such as resistors, inductors and capacitors. The precursor compositions can have a low conversion temperature to enable low-temperature treatment of the precursors to form electronic features on a variety of substrates. The precursor compositions have a low viscosity and can advantageously be deposited using a direct-write tool and subsequently converted to the passive electronic feature.
2. Description of Related Art
A variety of materials are used to create electronic circuitry on a substrate. Examples include metals and other conductive materials for electrical conductors, dielectric materials for insulation and capacitive elements, resistive materials for resistors, ferroelectric materials for capacitive elements and magnetic materials for inductors.
Dielectric materials have a wide variety of applications in electronic circuits. They are used to provide electrical insulation as well as to facilitate the temporary storage of electrical charge. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor, and dielectric strength determine the suitability for a specific application. Variations in dielectric properties with frequency, temperature, and a range of environmental conditions such as humidity also play a role in determining the usefulness of any particular material composition.
Most resistors for integrated electronic applications are required to be ohmic, to display small deviations from their predetermined value (tolerance), and to have small temperature coefficients of resistance (TCR). TCR is an expression of change in resistance due to change in temperature and it is expressed in parts per million per degree Celsius (ppm/° C.). The TCR of conductive and semiconductive materials can be either positive (increasing resistance with increase in temperature) or negative (decreasing resistance with increasing temperature).
The major demand for resistors in electronic applications lies in the resistance range from 103 to 108 Ω. This is a serious challenge, as pure materials with suitable and reliable electrical behavior typically have resistivities below about 10−6 Ω-m. Unfortunately there are no pure, single-phase materials that provide optimum properties for ohmic resistors. The key to producing a resistor with a specific resistivity and low TCR lies in tailoring composition and microstructure of the final product.
Commercial ferrite applications usually require a high permeability and/or saturation magnetization. Short magnetic switching times are also highly desirable. Ceramic magnetic materials are currently being used in the fast growing area of high-frequency solid-state devices. The higher resistivity of these ferromagnetic oxides gives them a decisive advantage over magnetic metals. Lowering the high frequency loss is a challenge and many of the properties are sensitive to the effects of heat treatment and composition. For instance, a surplus or deficiency of Fe ions of a few percent can change the resistivity of a magnetic ceramic by several orders of magnitude. Eddy-current losses can be controlled by improving the resistivity of the ferrite. In a more general sense, phase purity, proper oxidation state, large grain size and low porosity all contribute strongly to lowering the loss in ferrites.
The electronics industry relies on printing of patterns of various materials onto substrates to form circuits. The primary methods for printing of these patterns are screen-printing for features larger than 100 μm and thin film approaches for features less than 100 μm. Other subtractive processes are available for feature sizes less than 100 μm. These include photo-patternable pastes, laser trimming, and others.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,108 by Huang et al. discloses dielectric pastes formulated from starting materials including a dielectric powder composition, a glass composition such as a borosilicate glass that will melt at about 500° C. to 600° C. and react with the dielectric powder upon firing and partially form a crystallized phase, and a binding material such as an organic binder. The resulting dielectric precursor is a multiphase, dielectric precursor wherein at least one phase is an alkaline earth, transition metal silicate. It is also disclosed that when the dielectric powder to crystallizable glass ratio is approximately 60 to 40 wt. %, then the resulting mixture will densify at approximately 850° C.
Precursor derived printable conductor compositions are described by R. W. Vest (Metallo-organic materials for improved thick film reliability, Nov. 1, 1980, Final Report, Contract #N00163-79-C-0352, National Avionic Center). Vest described only compositions that contained precursors and a solvent.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,036,889 and 5,882,722 by Kydd disclose conductor precursor compositions that contain particles, a metal organic decomposition (MOD) precursor and a vehicle and provide pure conductors at low temperatures on organic substrates. However, materials to form dielectrics, resistors, and ferrite materials are not disclosed. Also, formulations for fine mesh screen printing are not disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,366 by Takamatsu discloses methods using inorganometallic compounds to obtain formulations that convert to metals at low temperatures.
Attempts have been made to produce metal-containing compositions at low temperatures by using a composition including a polymer and a precursor to a metal. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,926, by Southward et al. However, the deposits were chosen for optical properties and were either not conductive or poorly conductive.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,615 and 5,894,038, both by Sharma et al., disclose precursors to Au and Pd that have low reaction temperatures thereby conceptually enabling processing at low temperatures to form metals. The printing of these compositions, however, is not disclosed in detail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,646 by Wright et al. discloses a method of making colloidal palladium and/or platinum metal dispersions by reducing a palladium and/or platinum metal of a metallo-organic palladium and/or platinum metal salt which lacks halide functionality.
There exists a need for low viscosity precursor compositions to electronic materials for use in electronics, displays, and other applications. Further, there is a need for precursor compositions that provide low processing temperatures to allow deposition onto organic substrates while still providing a feature with high conductivity. Furthermore, there exists a need for low viscosity precursor compositions that enable deposition methods that offer enhanced resolution control and the ability to direct-write electronic features onto a substrate.

Precursor compositions and methods for the deposition of passive electrical components on a substrate


An electron emitting device (100) includes a first electrode (12), a second electrode (52), and a semi-conductive layer (30) provided between the first electrode (12) and the second electrode (52). The semi-conductive layer (30) includes a porous alumina layer (32) having a plurality of pores (34) and silver (42) supported in the plurality of pores (34) of the porous alumina layer (32).

The applicant has developed electron emitting devices having a novel structure, which are capable of operating in the atmospheric air (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The electron emitting device which is described in Patent Document 2 includes a semi-conductive layer which is interposed between a pair of electrodes (i.e., a substrate electrode and a surface electrode), the semi-conductive layer being composed of a dielectric material with electrically conductive nanoparticles dispersed therein. By applying a voltage on the order of several dozen volts to the semi-conductive layer, electrons can be emitted from the surface electrode (field electron emission). Therefore, unlike any conventional electron emitting device (e.g., a corona discharger) that utilizes a discharge phenomenon under a strong field, this electron emitting device has an advantage in that ozone will not be generated.
This electron emitting device can be suitably used as a charger device for charging a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus (e.g., a copier machine), for example. According to Non-Patent Document 1, an electron emitting device that includes a surface electrode of the layered structure described in Patent Document 2 may have a lifetime of about 300 hours (equivalent to approximately 300,000 sheets in the case of a medium-fast copier machine) or more.

Electron emission element and method for same


Methods and systems are disclosed for measuring performance event rates at a computer and reporting the performance event rates using timelines. A particular method tracks, for a time period, the occurrences of a particular event at a computer. Event rates corresponding to different time segments within the time period are calculated, and the time segments are assigned colors based on their associated event rates. The event rates are used to display a colored timeline for the time period, including displaying a colored timeline portion for each time segment in its associated color.

Software application performance is a factor considered by potential purchasers and users of software. Performance analysis and performance improvement have become part of the software development and testing process. One way of measuring the performance of software is by using hardware performance counters in a computer that executes the software. However, the use of hardware performance counters may not provide an indication of how performance varies over time or how performance relates to particular software source code.
Performance analysis of software is further complicated since many modern computing systems execute applications on multiple processing cores and across multiple processing threads. Thus, understanding the performance impact of each individual thread or core is often a complicated and time-consuming task.

Measurement and reporting of performance event rates


A collision avoidance system including a plurality of inclinometers in offset wellbores and a processing unit for receiving a vibration signal from the inclinometers and determining a distance between the offset wellbore and a central wellbore based on the vibration signal. Also, a method of avoiding wellbore collisions by determining relative movement of a drill bit within a central wellbore including the steps of determining an original distance between the central wellbore and an offset wellbore, drilling in the central wellbore so that the drill bit moves a known distance with respect to the offset wellbore, capturing vibration readings during the drilling step, characterizing movement of the drill bit based on the drilling step, and calculating drill bit movement during drilling with respect to the offset wellbore based upon the characterizing step.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The subject disclosure relates to downhole drilling, and more particularly to improved systems and method for avoiding collisions in downhole drilling.
2. Background of the Related Art
Well or wellbore collisions are obvious health and safety risks as well as inefficient. Thus, well collisions should be avoided. However, in situations of very little clearance between the subject and offset wells, conventional gyro surveying only provides some margin for error. It is advantageous to know if another well has been hit. It is also desirable to be able to position the subject well a certain distance from the offset wells to avoid collision. Conventional gyro while drilling or wireline gyro systems cannot provide the necessary level of accuracy unless considerable time is taken to conduct surveys, which use up valuable rig time.

Collision avoidance system with offset wellbore vibration analysis


A wireless communications device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transceiving to and from a service network. The controller module transmits a connection request message to the service network via the wireless module, and receives, on a downlink shared channel, a connection rejection message corresponding to the connection request message from the service network via the wireless module. Also, the controller module determines whether the connection rejection message indicates that congestion has occurred on the downlink shared channel, and retransmits the connection request message and waits to receive, on a forward access channel, a subsequent response message from the service network via the wireless module, in response to the connection rejection message indicating that congestion has occurred on the downlink shared channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the technique of carrier aggregation, and more particularly, to wireless apparatuses, wireless systems, and methods for managing the activation and deactivation of multiple component carriers.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), which evolved from the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and belongs to one of the third-generation (3G) mobile communication technologies, utilizes the core network of the GSM system and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology to provide high transceiving rates and optimal service quality. Generally, in a UMTS system, a mobile communication device, or so-called a User Equipment (UE), has to perform a connection establishment procedure to obtain mobile communication services from a service network.
According to release 7 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications for the UMTS system, the logical channels comprise a Dedicated CHannel (DCH) and a Downlink Shared CHannel (DSCH). A UE may determine from system broadcasts, whether or not a base station supports the DSCH, and may configure the DSCH as the default downlink channel, if the base station supports the DSCH. To further clarify, in a connection establishment procedure as shown in FIG. 1, a UE first transmits a Radio Resource Control (RRC) CONNECTION REQUEST message to a base station in a service network. In response to the RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message being accepted by the service network, the UE receives an RRC CONNECTION SETUP message from the service network. Next, the UE establishes a connection with the base station according to the configurations indicated in the RRC CONNECTION SETUP message. Note that, since the RRC CONNECTION SETUP message is delivered on the DSCH, the UE needs to monitor the DSCH for receiving subsequent response messages after transmitting of the RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message. After the connection is successfully established, the UE further transmits an RRC CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE message to the service network, to end the connection establishment procedure.
In another situation where network congestion occurs, the UE may receive an RRC CONNECTION REJECT message instead of the RRC CONNECTION SETUP message, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the RRC CONNECTION REJECT message does not indicate which downlink channel (e.g. the DSCH, DCH, or both) the network congestion has occurred on, according to the release 7 of the 3GPP specifications for the UMTS system. As a result, the UE may only continue to retransmit the RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message for a predetermined number of times, until the RRC CONNECTION SETUP message is received or the predetermined number of times is reached.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for connection establishment


A plantar surface pressure offloading system includes an insole capable of coupling with a shoe and interfacing with a foot. A number of compressible bladders and pressure sensors are coupled to the insole. Each bladder has an adjustable compressibility, and each pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure exerted on a respective portion of the foot. A controller of the system can perform, for each compressible bladder, a compressibility adjustment process including (i) receiving, from a respective pressure sensor associated with a respective bladder, a signal indicative of a pressure exerted on a respective portion of the foot, (ii) determining, based on the signal, that the pressure exerted on the respective portion of the foot exceeds a threshold pressure, and (iii) responsive to the determination, adjusting the compressibility of the respective bladder, thereby offloading pressure from the respective portion of the foot to a different portion of the foot.

Orthotic inserts can be added to footwear to provide improved support or comfort to a plantar surface of a person's foot. These inserts may include various contours for passively controlling how the foot is oriented within the footwear. Examples of such inserts include arch supports, insoles, heel liners, and foot cushions, each of which can include a compressible material, such as a gel or foam.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

The ureteral stent is a medical device used within a patient population which experience one or more complications associated with the urinary system which includes the kidneys, ureters and bladder. A host of complications may affect urinary flow and how these organs handle this function; these complications ranging from decreased urine flow to swelling of the kidneys or bladder, with many of these conditions being adversely impacted by the formation of kidney stones. To alleviate urinary system complications, a device or device(s) are placed either within the bladder, one or both of the kidneys, and/or one or both of the patient's ureters. The devices used in these areas are known as nephrostomy catheters (delivered percutaneously within a kidney collecting system), nephroureteral catheters (delivered percutaneously and extending distally into the bladder), urinary catheters (delivered through the urethra), or ureteral stents (delivered percutaneously or through the urethra).
The focus of the present disclosure will surround the delivery method and use of the nephroureteral catheter and the ureteral stent, which are often used one after the other in percutaneous cases to deal with a patient's urinary system complications. Once a patient has exhibited urinary complications and a ureteral stent implantation is recommended, a urologically delivered stent placement will often be attempted. In some cases, this cannot be achieved by the urologist due to a variety of possible factors, resulting in the patient being sent to the interventional radiologist (IR). The IR may then attempts to deliver a nephroureteral stent percutaneously though the backside of the patient and into the impacted kidney, with said device extending distally into the bladder. The proximal end of the nephroureteral catheter thereby remains outside of the patient for up 2 weeks, giving the access site sufficient time to heal before removal. Once the access site has fully healed the patient is typically sent back to the operating room for a second interventional procedure whereby the nephroureteral stent is removed and a ureteral stent is then delivered. This ureteral stent differs from the nephroureteral stent in that its proximal tip terminates within the kidney's renal pelvis. This ureteral stent has a curl at its distal end which resides in the bladder and a proximal curl which resides in the renal pelvis. This device may reside in the patient for up to 6 months or in some cases longer and may be removed urologically. This two-step approach and the devices used may be less than ideal in many cases. There are needs to overcome at least some of their drawbacks.

Systems and methods for coupling and decoupling a catheter


A method and apparatus are described to perform cascading search methodologies records in a database. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a free-form search string, comprising one or more search terms, from a user, searching a database to identify records in the database containing the search string, if no data records are identified, searching the database by applying an ordered sequence of search algorithms to identify data records containing strings similar to the search string, and to display the identified records.

The present invention relates to software for database interrogation and manipulation and, more particularly, to a method and system for retrieving database records using predefined classifications, and further coupled with search refinement options based on parametrics and classification.
Searchable electronic catalogs are commonly used in support of various electronic commerce and purchasing functions. These catalogs must have a user interface for selectively retrieving data records. Software engineers desire to make the user interfaces as simple as possible to operate, because complexity of the user interface can be a detriment to sales from the catalog. Simplicity becomes particularly important when the catalog is intended to be accessed by users with varying levels of skill or training.
User interfaces that are simple to operate should have the capability to handle almost any type of user input. In the case of an electronic catalog, if the user knows the exact part number of the desired product and enters the part number correctly into the user interface, then the database search engine will quickly identify the desired record from the database based on an exact match with the search string. In a more general case, the user may have only partial information about the desired product, or may incorrectly type the search string.
Danish et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,444 disclose a process for identifying a single item from a family of items in a database. A feature screen and search process present the user with a guided nonhierarchical parametric search to identify matching items based upon user specified criteria and priorities. Also disclosed are a method and system appropriate in an Internet environment.
Cochran et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,879,648 and 5,206,949 disclose a method of variably displaying search terms in which two control inputs are used to select a plurality of terms for a plurality of categories. A term in a visible position on the screen becomes a search term or a qualifier for other records in the database. The search results are dynamically formed on the basis of selected search terms. The search results can also be grouped in fixed or static lists.
Blutinger et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,566 disclose a method and apparatus for producing a catalog. The catalog has the characteristic that all like items in the database have the same catalog item number, whereas different items have different catalog item numbers.
Geier et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,155 disclose a system for enabling a customer to operate a data terminal for placing an order for goods or services. The customer is permitted to enter an invalid catalog number that is used as a key to display a series of products having catalog numbers similar to the catalog number entered by the customer.
Prior catalog search algorithms typically employ one of two search strategies. The first strategy is a keyword search for selecting database records based on matching text strings. The second strategy is a hierarchical search for selecting database records based on lists of classifications from which to narrow and select the database records. Each of the two search strategies has disadvantages that can make it difficult for users to find their desired database records.
The keyword search strategy has the disadvantage that users must be familiar with the appropriate key word terms that are likely to yield the desired data records. In addition, it is not always possible to quickly collect groups of logically related data records. If a close match is found, but it is not the desired exact match, it is not always possible to utilize the information in the close match to quickly identify all similar data records. A keyword search engine does not typically have a xe2x80x9cmore-like-thisxe2x80x9d function that operates on close matches to identify similar items within the database.
The hierarchical search strategy can take advantage of a logical grouping of data records. This search strategy is best suited for finding data that break down logically into successively greater levels of detail. This search strategy is most effective when the data have been carefully edited and structured within a database. Finding a single relevant record can quickly lead to all other relevant records, as long as the grouping logic relates to the way in which the data are used.
Thus, a xe2x80x9cmore-like-thisxe2x80x9d function can quickly identify all similarly classified records in the database.
The disadvantage of the hierarchical search strategy is that users may not always anticipate the proper classification of certain records, and may search the wrong categories for their desired database record. The user is tied to the logical structure of the data, and must learn to navigate the predefined structure of the database in order to locate particular data records.
It would be desirable to allow free-form text searching, with no prerequisites for format or content. Thus, it would be desirable to have a system capable of identifying the database records most likely to be the desired choice of the user, even when the user inputs a search string having misspelled terms, word fragments, or other characteristics of the item being sought. It would further be desirable to take advantage of natural relationships and logical groupings within the data records to compile lists of similarly classified data records. The prior art has not disclosed a system that provides a simple and convenient user interface coupled with a search engine that has the architecture and advantages of the present invention.
The present invention provides a simple user interface that combines the ease of keyword searching with the advantages of search refinement through classification or parametric selections. The text searching is improved through the use of sequential search algorithms that are designed to maximize the chances of identifying the desired data records. The search refinement is presented as a simple selection from a list of classifications that is dynamically compiled based on the results of the keyword search. The output to the user reports on both generic and category-specific product characteristics.
According to the present invention, a method of selecting data records in a catalog database comprises the following steps: inputting search terms to a user interface; testing the search terms against the catalog using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm is applied against the database to identify matching catalog records comprising a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unique list of classifications from each member of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; and displaying the subset.
The invention comprises a database along with a search engine. The database typically consists of category descriptions, manufacturer""s name, manufacturer part number, short text description, and parametrically composed descriptions. Product categories and characteristics are represented directly by tables and columns respectively.
The search engine executes a series of text string matching algorithms, in sequence, until at least one match is identified from the catalog. The sequence comprises proximity searching, string matching, stemming, fuzz logic, and soundex matching. For example, if an exact match is found, the search halts when all exact matches have been identified, and there is no further recourse to other search algorithms. If no exact match is found, then the search terms are manipulated to identify strings with similar roots. If, again, no match is found, the search terms are tested further according to other algorithms, such as fuzzy logic and soundex, until a match is found or the search engine reaches its logical termination.
One of the important aspects of the search strategy is that the searchable terms include the predefined classification terms as well other attributes and parameters of each catalog entry. This means that the freeform text input will show text string matches against any classification name or parametric name. This feature enhances the possibility of finding the desired data record based on the keyword search engine.
Each catalog entry has an associated classification according to type, and a list of unified classifications is compiled dynamically from the identified matches. Dynamic compilation refers to the process of continuously updating the list of classifications whenever new matches are identified. This insures that the list continuously and accurately reflects the range of classifications of the identified matches. The list is unified in the sense that each classification is listed only once, even when the identified matches have multiple records with the same classification. The classification list is presented to the user along with the list of matches as an aid to the user for further refining the search methodology.
Those skilled in the art will recognize the benefits and objects of this invention, which include but are not limited to the following: providing a database search engine that can quickly and easily lead users to a desired database record; combining the benefits of key word searching with the benefits of hierarchical searching; providing an interface that will process any type of user entry, including misspelled words and word fragments; displaying a list of product categories that can be used to narrow the database search criteria; providing a search engine and database structure that maximizes the likelihood of finding the desired database records based on a simple user interface.

Method and system for database manipulation


In a method for operating a gas turbo-generator set (GT), the caloric potential of the exhaust gases (14) from the gas turbo-generator set (GT) is utilized by guiding them through a heat exchanger (5) which is operatively connected to a hot-air turbo-generator set (LT). A compressor (7) associated with this hot-air turbo-generator set (LT) is operated isothermally by means of point-focused or continuous water injection (24), and, after expansion (6) has taken place, the injected water is collected by condensation (19) in a separator (10). A circuit is thus provided, in which the adaptation of assemblies in order to achieve maximized efficiency is avoided.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a combined cycle power plant.
2. Discussion of Background
Isothermal compression, together with the recuperation of exhaust gas heat, is a circulation configuration which is desirable for gas turbines. In this case, the most simply practicable approximation to isothermal compression is internal cooling by means of continuous water injection. In order to recover as large a part of the water as possible again, a recooler, if need be as the last intermediate cooling stage, must be provided. Both water injection into the compressor and recooling or intermediate cooling by means of a surface heat exchanger as well as, above all, the integration of an urgently required recuperator on the air side necessitate a complete redesign and construction of the gas turbine. Such an implementing procedure is therefore ruled out on economic grounds.


A portable advertisement display utilizing a plurality of lightweight panels pivotally interconnected by hinges. The panels themselves are constructed of a polystyrene core located intermediate two rigid pressboard panels. Such material is very lightweight but will not accommodate direct connection of hinges. A channel member is secured to selected lateral edges of each panel to provide a stable base on which to connect the hinges. Each panel is sheathed in fabric characteristic of the looped facing of hook-and-loop adhesive material. The panels may be detachably connected in vertical orientation of one another by magnetic strips located on the upper and lower marginal edge of each panel. Advertisement items such as signs or placards are attached to the present invention with strips of fabric characteristic of the hooked portion of hook-and-loop adhesive material.

The use of upright display apparatus for tabletop advertisement is a proven method of conveying information to the public. Easels and bulletin boards are common examples of such displays. The typical articulated tabletop display is generally a heavy and somewhat bulky item to transport. Normally constructed from hardwood or metal, such displays usually require some assembly before use. Displays exist that are made from frames sheathed in cloth or paper and such displays are significantly lighter, however, being constructed of less than durable material, such displays are easily damaged. Lightweight panel material has typically been excluded from the construction of articulated displays because there has been no practical and durable means for attaching hinges to the panel material. Material such as styrofoam or pressboard will not retain hinge screws, rivets or any other conventional means of attachment.

Lightweight articulated advertising display


A method of securing a shaft of a cam follower device for a valve action mechanism is provided such that after both ends of the shaft are engaged in an interference relationship in the through-holes which are formed in alignment in a pair of separated support walls provided opposing the cam to receive the action of a cam, the diameter at both ends of the shaft is expanded and the opposite ends of the shaft are caulked or crimped at the inner peripheral surface of the through-holes, and then both ends of the shaft are further expanded throughout the entire periphery thereof and inset or wedged into the inner peripheral surface of the through-holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cam follower device incorporated into a valve action mechanism of an automobile engine for minimizing the wear on the parts of the valve action mechanism for a reduction in the noise level of the engine and a reduction in fuel consumption in the engine, specifically to a method and apparatus for securing a shaft of a cam follower device for a valve action mechanism in an automobile engine, so that the durability of the cam follower device is improved, and that the shaft is reliably secured.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many different types of engines are used in automobiles, but all reciprocating piston type engines, with the exception of some types of two-cycle engines, are provided with intake valves and exhaust valves which open and close in synchronization with the rotation of a crankshaft.
There are many possible configurations for a valve action mechanism for driving the intake valves and the exhaust valves. For example, referring to FIG. 20 which illustrates an SOHC type mechanism, in the case of a four cycle engine, an intake valve 4 and an exhaust valve 5 are reciprocatingly driven through a pair of rocker arms 3, by means of a single cam shaft 2 which rotates at one-half the speed of a crank shaft 1. A pair of cams 6, secured to the cam shaft 2 which rotates in synchronism with the crank shaft 1, drive the intake valve 4 and the exhaust valve 5 reciprocatingly while sliding over one end of the rocker arms 3. It will be understood that the rocker arms 3 receive the movement of the cam 6.
However, in recent years, a cam follower or the like has been provided on the parts of the rocker arms 3 opposite the cams 6, rotating in response to the rotation of the cams 6 to reduce the frictional force between the peripheral surfaces of the cams 6 and the opposing parts of the rocker arms 3, and to reduce the fuel consumption and the like during the operation of the engine.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the opposite ends of a shaft 8 are securely supported in a pair of separated support walls 7 each provided at the end of the rocker arm 3 closer to the cam 6. Specifically, the shaft 8 extends through a pair of through-holes 11 in alignment formed in the support walls 7. At the periphery of the shaft 8 a short, cylindrical rotary member 10 is provided with a plurality of rollers 9 between the shaft 8 and the rotary member 10. The outer peripheral surface of the rotary member 10 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the cam 6 so that the rotary member 10 rotates around the shaft 8 following the rotation of cam 6.
The rotary member 10 converts the sliding friction between the cam 6 and the member opposed to the cam 6, specifically the opposing part of the rocker arm 3, to rolling friction so that the fuel consumption is reduced.
However, as will now be explained there are still problems with this type of cam follower device for a valve action mechanism for an engine, which must be eliminated.
Specifically, in order to operate the cam follower device stably over a long period, the shaft 8 which supports the rotary member 10 must be positively secured so that it does not rotate e.g. relative to the part of the rocker arm 3 opposed to the cam 6.
As the shaft 8 rotates with respect to the abovementioned part, wear gradually occurs at the peripheral surface of the ends of the shaft 8, and at the inner peripheral surfaces of the pair of through-holes 11 formed in the support walls 7 at the end of the rocker arm 3, respectively, so that the shaft 8 is not completely supported due to the wear, and the rotary member 10 tends to lose tight-fitting in the rotation of the cam 6.
For this reason, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 22, the opposite ends of the shaft 8 are interposed in an interference fit relationship in the through-holes 11, and in addition, a tool member, as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, is used in order that both ends of the shaft 8 are attached by caulking or crimping at the inner peripheral surfaces of the through-holes 11 so that the shaft 8 is not rotated relative to the support walls 7.
However, when rotation is prevented by using this type of simple caulking or crimping, there is concern that the shaft 8 will turn when a large force is added to the shaft 8 because the rotation of the shaft 8 in the support walls 7 is prevented only by the force of friction on the caulked or crimped portion.
In addition, when the shaft 8 is prevented from turning by caulking or crimping the both ends of the shaft 8, it is necessary that the depth of the caulking or crimping be strictly controlled. If the depth of the caulking or crimping is inadequate the shaft 8 is not properly prevented from turning, and, conversely, when the depth of the caulking or crimping is too great, the outer periphery of the mid portion of the shaft 8, where the rollers 9 contact, are deformed so as to decrease the durability of the rollers 9. Such problems are experienced in a conventional tool member for securing a shaft of a cam follower device as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, specifically when the conventional tool member is used, the force which acts against the tool member gradually increases during the caulking or crimping operation, so that it becomes difficult to strictly control the depth of the caulking or crimping.
In existing automobile engines, the force applied is not strong enough to rotate the shaft 8, but in recent years high rotation and high output engines have been provided, and there is also a tendency toward increased power application to the shaft 8. Therefore, to cope with the higher rotational speeds and higher outputs expected in the future, measures are required to more reliably prevent the rotation of the shaft 8.
As a means of eliminating this type of problem, in Japanese Utility Model First Publication No. 64-34406, as shown in FIG. 25 to 28, it has been proposed that the shaft 8 be prevented from rotating by caulking or crimping the end of the shaft 8 in the shape of a non-concentric circle relative to the shaft 8. However, with this type of conventional structure, the caulking or crimping must be deep to actually prevent the rotation, and because it is not easy to caulk or crimp the end of the shaft 8, not only is the cost of fabricating the cam follower high, but there is a tendency for the center portion of the shaft 8 being deformed by the effect of the caulking or crimping. When the center portion of the shaft 8 is deformed by the caulking or crimping, the life of the roller bearing, in which the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 8 is used as an outer track, is undesirably shortened.
Also, in Japanese Utility Model First Publication No. 63-133851 a method is disclosed wherein only one part of the end surface of the shaft 8 is caulked or crimped at the edge of the opening of the through-hole 11 using the previously described technique, but the same type of problems are produced.

Method for securing shaft of cam follower device for valve action mechanism


An electronic device includes a washer, a printed circuit board, and a screw. The printed circuit board includes a copper foil, a detecting unit and a processing unit. The copper foil comprises a plurality of electrical signal interfaces surrounding a first via defined in the copper foil. The washer defines a second via and includes a transmission metal. The screw combines the printed circuit board and the washer through the second via and the first via. The detecting unit stores an original logic level signal, and detects logic level signals of the electrical signal interfaces in real-time. The processing unit compares the original logic level signal and the detected logic level signal, to determine whether the electronic device is disassembled. If the electronic device is disassembled, the electronic device stops working.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly to an electronic device using data theft protection with a plurality of electrical signal interfaces.
2. Description of Related Art
Important data is stored in a data circuits of electronic devices, and if the data is lost, consequences could be tragic. To obtain the data, the electronic devices is often disassembled. Therefore, it is a big challenge to provide an electronic device which can be protected against data theft by disassembly.

Electronic device using data theft protection


Disclosed herein is a technique for performing an operation on a hierarchy of content. The operation is performed atomically by utilizing a hidden directory in a hidden area of a filesystem namespace. In particular, a number of actions associated with the operation are performed in the hidden area to ensure that the hierarchy of content always appears in a consistent state to users and/or system processes.

Performing filesystem operations (e.g., write/delete operations) on directories having a large number of sub-directories/files can take a considerable amount of time. In some cases, when a high-volume operation is performed on a directory, the contents of the directory repeatedly change as sub-directories/files within the directory are being manipulated. As a result, any process that monitors the directory may receive a stream of notifications that cause the process to repeatedly take action before the high-volume process is completed as a whole. For example, when one-hundred files are deleted from a particular directory, a backup process might correspondingly receive over one-hundred different notifications that each cause the backup process to reflect the respective notification (e.g., deleting file no. 1, then deleting file no. 2, and so on). Notably, this repetitive activity can be highly inefficient as each individual backup can involve initializing and tearing down a connection to a backup entity each time a notification is received. Consequently, there exists a need to cure the aforementioned deficiencies related to performing high-volume operations within a filesystem.

System and method for performing operations on a hierarchy of content


The semiconductor device is of high break down voltage type and has a source, drain and a gate deposited therebetween on the semiconductor substrate. The gate oxide film has a thick portion and below that portion, a doped layer as a drain is provided with two layers having different impurity concentration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and the method for making the same and, more specifically, it relates to a semiconductor device with improved high break down voltage characteristics and the method for making the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows one example of a prior high voltage semiconductor device. The semiconductor device having such structure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 228766/1984.
Referring to FIG. 1, a N type source region 22 is formed on a first area on a main surface of a P type silicon substrate 21. A N.sup.+ type drain region 23 is formed on a second area on the main surface of the P type silicon substrate 21. An oxide film 24 is formed between the first area and second area on the main surface of the substrate 21. An oxide film 25 thicker than the gate oxide film 24 is formed between the gate oxide film 24 and the second area of the substrate 21. In addition, a gate electrode 26 is formed extending over the gate oxide film 24 and a portion of the oxide film 25. A N.sup.- type drain region 27 having impurity concentration lower than the N.sup.+ type drain region 23 is formed below the oxide film 25. Consequently, the N type source region 22, N.sup.- type drain region 27, N.sup.+ type drain region 23 and the gate electrode 26 form a field effect device including a N channel field effect transistor.
In operation, a positive constant bias (usually 5 V) is applied to the gate electrode 26 to turn the transistor on. The P type silicon substrate 21 and the N type source region 22 are connected to the ground. A positive bias is applied to the N.sup.+ type drain region 23. On this occasion, electrons pass from the N type source region 22 through a channel formed directly below the gate oxide film 24 and through the N.sup.- type drain region 27 to the N.sup.+ type drain region, flowing a current. Consequently, the field effect transistor is turned on.
In the above described prior high voltage semiconductor device, the impurity concentration in the N.sup.- drain region is low causing high resistance, so that it had a problem that gm (transconductance) is lowered.

Semiconductor device of high breakdown voltage


A capillary viscometer apparatus comprises a measuring cylinder (3) having an axially-movable piston (2) which is moved by a drive (1). The measuring cylinder (3) and the piston (2) define a measuring space (4) which communicates with a capillary tube or bundle (6) and a differential pressure gauge (7). A pressure difference between the measuring space (4) and a tested medium (12) is registered and processed by a signal-processing unit (9). A speed of the piston (2) is determined by means of a displacement-time measuring device or a speed measuring device (8) and this information is then transmitted to the signal-processing unit (9).

This invention relates to an apparatus for determining flow characteristics of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids which can be used even at high temperatures and high pressures, independently of flow conditions, with materials high in sol id matter, because of its uncomplicated and sturdy construction; and which can also be used with materials which tend to coagulate, solidify, or crust, because of its self-cleaning action.
Falling ball, or sphere, viscometers, rotation viscometers, oscillation viscometers and capillary viscometers are known from prior art for determining flow characteristics.
Falling sphere viscometers can produce exact viscosity values only for Newtonian fluids, they measure only in a discontinuous manner and they cannot be used in high temperatures, under high pressures and in manufacturing processes.
Rotation viscometers can also measure non-Newtonian fluids. However, they fail when measuring tested substances which tend to settle or solidify or have high solid matter content. Further, with highly volatile fluids, an open surface negatively influences any measured results. Under processing conditions, their measured results are dependent upon flow conditions; thus, using them for testing different substances is possible only to a limited degree and can be accomplished only by interfering with viscometer flow. Particular problems arise at high pressures.
Oscillation viscometers do not involve a viscometer flow, with inertia-reaction forces and surrounding conditions not allowing exact viscosity measurements. Thus, only relative values are determined. An oscillation viscometer is not suitable for fluids which form sediments or which contain solid matter.
Prior-art capillary viscometers measure only discontinuously (e.g. measuring takes place after cleaning, filling and tempering (warming or cooling) of a storage container) or continuously in a by-pass manner wherein a defined volume flow is moved along a test path with the help of a gear pump. It is a disadvantage of this arrangement that long reaction times are required and that the gear pump fails when dealing with materials which contain solid matter and which tend to stick.
A further apparatus for measuring viscosity is described in German patent document DE-OS 33 31 659. This apparatus has the following disadvantages:
A measured value is dependent upon an environmental pressure, thus devices for generating a positive or a negative pressure are required. A measuring procedure for this device can be used only in pressure-less containers and cannot be used in high temperatures or with high mechanical loads. Flow in capillaries of this apparatus is dependent upon a fill level of a fluid in a measuring container and a measuring range is limited by a maximum achievable negative pressure.
Still another operating principle is described in DE-OS 32 37 130. Use of spring-bellows capillary viscometers poses a problem in particular with fluids containing ferrite matter because they employ electric solenoids. Also, an exchange of tested substances is not ensured and flow conditions inside capillaries thereof are not stable because of an exponential time curve of a bellows stretch.
It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for exactly measuring flow characteristics of fluent materials in pipes, containers and receptacles independently from pressure and flow conditions as well as from mounting positions of the viscometer. An application of the device of this invention is possible even under extreme environmental, mechanical and climatic loads.

Capillary viscometer apparatus for an uncomplicated determination of flow characteristics of fluent materials


A composite membrane is provided having a flexible metallic substrate for separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures, which achieves a separation ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen of greater than about 4,000 at operating temperatures higher than 300xc2x0 C. The composite membrane has a layer system arranged on at least one surface of the substrate, the layer system having a rigid, non-self-supporting, nonmetallic inorganic diffusion barrier layer adjacent the substrate, and at least one hydrogen-permeable, nonporous, metallic membrane on the side of the barrier facing away from the substrate. A method for production of such a composite membrane is also provided in which the diffusion barrier layer adjoining the membrane layer is formed by PVD, CVD, sol-gel process, or sintering-on powder particles, and the membrane layer is electrodeposited on the diffusion barrier layer.

The invention relates to a composite membrane with a flexible, metallic substrate and a layer system arranged on at least one surface of the substrate; the layer system being formed of a rigid, non-self-supporting, nonmetallic inorganic diffusion barrier layer and at least one hydrogen-permeable, nonporous, metallic membrane layer; and the diffusion barrier layer being arranged between the substrate and the at least one membrane layer and being formed by at least one single layer. The invention further relates to a method for the production of such a composite membrane.
Such membranes are known, for example, from European published patent applications EP 783 919 A1. A composite membrane is disclosed therein which has a support of hydrogen-permeable metal or hydrogen-permeable ceramic, wherein the support can be flexible as well as rigid. The support can be made porous, using a fabric of stainless steel. A porous, flexible diffusion barrier layer, which consists of a non-sintered material, such as felt, paper or fiber mats, is situated on this support. It is further disclosed that a rigid diffusion barrier layer can also be used, if the hydrogen-permeable membrane layer arranged above it is textured. Oxides, sulfides, nitrides, carbides and silicides are disclosed as materials for a rigid diffusion barrier layer. It is indicated that these rigid diffusion barrier layers frequently have cracks. The hydrogen-permeable membrane layer arranged over the diffusion barrier layer is textured when a rigid diffusion barrier layer is used, while this is not absolutely required when a porous, flexible diffusion barrier layer is used. The membrane layer is formed from metals of Group VIIb or VIIIb, the metals Fe, Mn, Ni, Pd, Pt and Ru being specifically mentioned here. The hydrogen-permeable membrane layer can be formed, for example, by electrodeposition on the porous, flexible diffusion barrier layer. The textured membrane layer required on the diffusion barrier layer is constituted as a self-supporting, shaped metal sheet for forming the composite membrane.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,325 describes a composite membrane with a nonporous, hydrogen-permeable, metal support, on which a non-metallic diffusion barrier layer is arranged. Disclosed therein as materials for the diffusion barrier layer are oxides, sulfides, carbides, nitrides or silicides. Aluminum oxide, lanthanum oxide, molybdenum oxide, silicon dioxide, tungsten oxide, yttrium oxide and vanadium sulfide are mentioned as preferred materials. A non-porous, hydrogen-permeable metallic layer of, for example, Pd, Pt, Fe, Ru, Ni or Mn is arranged on the diffusion barrier layer.
International patent application publication WO 99/33545 discloses a support structure of porous stainless steel, whose surface is sintered with a fine nickel powder. The thus pretreated surface is electroplated with copper and then provided with a further electroplated layer of a hydrogen-permeable metallic alloy as, e.g., a palladium alloy.
European Patent EP 0 348 041 B1 describes a composite membrane with an inorganic support of fibers, whose fiber interstices have a diameter greater than 5 xcexcm and a length smaller than ten times the diameter. The inorganic support is coated with a porous, inorganic film, which is made of non-metallic, sintered particles and has a pore size of up to 2 xcexcm. Glass, mineral, or metal fiber materials are disclosed therein as the support materials. For the porous, inorganic film, there are proposed metal oxides, for example, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium dioxide, mullite, or mixtures thereof. It is mentioned that cracks can appear in the porous, inorganic film due to bending of the membrane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,235 discloses a hydrogen-permeable membrane with a nonporous support made of a titanium alloy, which is coated with a metal or metallic alloy of the group of palladium, nickel, cobalt, iron, vanadium, niobium, or tantalum. This coating is produced on the support by electroplating or by sputtering.
International patent application publication WO 90/09231 describes a hydrogen-permeable membrane with an inorganic support having gaps, wherein the gaps are bridged over by a composite layer of nonmetallic particles and metal. Palladium is disclosed here as the metal.
JP 346824/92 and JP 76738/93 disclose a hydrogen-permeable membrane made of palladium on a porous metallic support, wherein a ceramic barrier layer or a metal oxide barrier layer is arranged between the membrane and the metallic support.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,870 describes a hydrogen-permeable composite membrane with a support made of nonporous metal, a diffusion barrier layer made of a metal oxide, and a membrane layer made of palladium or palladium alloy.
Russian Patent RU 1,058,587 discloses a hydrogen-permeable membrane with a metal support, which is bonded by diffusion welding to a layer of palladium or palladium alloy. Ultra-fine metal oxide powder is arranged between the metal support and the layer of palladium or palladium alloy.
Further hydrogen-permeation membranes are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,496,373; 5,094,927; 3,958,391; 3,477,288; 4,699,637; 4,388,479; 3,622,303; 3,350,846; 1,174,631; 2,773,561; and 3,393,098, and European Patent EP 0 242 208 B1, and also the publications H. P. Hsieh, xe2x80x9cInorganic Membrane Reactors,xe2x80x9d Catal. Rev.xe2x80x94Sci. Eng., 33(1and2):1-70 (1991); J. P. Collins and J. D. Way, xe2x80x9cPreparation and Characterization of a Composite Palladium-Ceramic Membrane,xe2x80x9d Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 32(12):3006-3013 (1993); and D. T. Hughes and I. R. Harris, xe2x80x9cHydrogen Diffusion Membranes based on some Palladium-Rare Earth Solid Solution Alloys,xe2x80x9d Zeitschrift fxc3xcr Physik. Chemie Neue Folge, 117:185-193 (1979).
The problem is posed of providing an effective composite membrane for separating hydrogen from gas mixtures which attains a separation ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen of greater than about 4,000 at operating temperatures of greater than 300xc2x0 C.
The separation ratio is determined by separate determinations of the throughflow rates for pure nitrogen and pure hydrogen through the composite membrane, and gives the selectivity of the membrane. The respective volume flows of permeate through the composite membrane are measured. The ratio of the volume flows H2/N2 is above all a measure of the imperviousness of the membrane or for the number of undesired pores and defective places in the membrane layer. For example, a H2/N2 value less than about 500 shows that the separating action of the membrane is small and the number of pores or defective places in the membrane layer is high.
The problem is solved in that at least the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is open-pored and/or has microcracks and on its surface facing away from the substrate has an electrical resistivity of less than about 10 xcexa9cm at a temperature of 20xc2x0 C., and wherein the substrate has an open porosity in a range of about 15% to 60% and the at least one membrane layer is electrodeposited on the surface of the at least one diffusion barrier layer facing away from the substrate. By a rigid diffusion barrier layer is understood a brittle, compact layer, firmly adherent to the substrate, which can consist of plural individual layers. Due to the surface of the diffusion barrier layer facing away from the substrate having a low resistivity of less than about 10 xcexa9cm, a closed membrane layer can be electrodeposited on this surface. It is thus possible to use a multi-layer diffusion barrier layer, which can, for example, also contain electrically insulating single layers, as long as the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer has this low resistivity. If the diffusion barrier layer also has nonporous or crack-free individual layers, these must be formed of a hydrogen-permeable material.
The composite membrane according to the invention has a high permeability for hydrogen, such that a separation ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen of greater than about 4,000 is attained. The composite membranes of the invention are particularly useful, for example, for separating hydrogen from the exhaust gas of fuel cells, which are fed with hydrogen or methane.
Although a rigid structure is conceived for the diffusion barrier layer, which can already have microcracks before the formation of the membrane layer, the finished composite membrane is, surprisingly, not unusable when it is slightly bent. The composite membrane according to the invention is furthermore insensitive to thermally induced mechanical stresses, such as may arise, for example, during a temperature change from room temperature to about 400xc2x0 C.
It is particularly preferred when the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer which is directly adjacent to the membrane layer has, on its surface facing away from the substrate, an electrical resistivity of less than about 10,000 xcexcxcexa9cm at a temperature of 20xc2x0 C., particularly less than about 1,000 xcexcxcexa9cm. The membrane layer is thereby homogeneously deposited.
Stainless steel has been found to be suitable as the material for the flexible substrate.
The single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is preferably formed from a metal nitride. Here, the metal nitrides with at least one metal of the group of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten are particularly preferred. Metal nitrides have a low electrical resistivity and can be electroplated directly with the membrane layer. Titanium nitride has been found to be particularly suitable here. Besides the metals titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, the metal nitride can additionally contain aluminum.
Furthermore, it has proved effective when the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is formed from a metal oxide. In particular, substoichiometric metal oxides are preferred here, which have an especially good electrical conductivity. A substoichiometric titanium oxide has proved to be particularly effective here. Furthermore, the noble metal oxides: ruthenium oxide (RuO, RuO2 or Ru2O3), or iridium oxide (IrO, IrO2 or Ir2O3) are preferred. The use of rhodium oxide (RhO or Rh2O3) has also proved effective. These noble metal oxides have a low electrical resistivity, so that a direct application of the membrane layer by electroplating is possible.
It has furthermore proved effective to form the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer from a metal carbide. Here, metal carbides with at least one metal of the group of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten have proved effective. These metal carbides have a low electrical resistivity and can be directly electroplated with the membrane layer. Particularly preferred in this connection is tungsten carbide. The metal carbide can here contain included carbon, which does not impair its function.
It has furthermore proved effective when the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is formed of a metal oxynitride. Here, a metal oxynitride is preferred with at least one metal from the group of titanium, zirconium and hafnium, which can be directly electroplated with the membrane layer. Titanium oxynitride is particularly preferred here. Besides the at least one metal of the group of titanium, zirconium and hafnium, the metal oxynitride may also contain aluminum.
Furthermore, it has proved effective if the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is formed of a metal carbonitride. The metal carbonitrides which can be electroplated directly with the membrane layer, and which are formed with at least one metal of the group of vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, have proved particularly effective here. Titanium carbonitride is particularly preferred here. Niobium carbonitrides (NbCxNy), such as NbC0.3N0.7, are also suitable.
Furthermore, it has proved effective when the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is formed of a metal boride. Suitable metal borides which can be electroplated directly with the membrane layer are, for example, formed with at least one metal of the group of niobium, titanium, zirconium, cerium and barium. Particularly preferred here are cerium hexaboride (CeB6), titanium diboride (TiB2), and also niobium boride (NbB) or niobium diboride (NbB2).
The flexible metallic substrate is preferably formed of metal fibers, wherein the interstices between the metal fibers have a width and length, respectively, of less than about 5 xcexcm, or the free hole surfaces between the metal fibers have a round surface equivalent with a diameter of less than about 5 xcexcm. The substrate can here be formed of a woven fabric, felt, or non-woven fabric. Instead, the substrate can also be formed from a foil which has been produced from sintered metal powder.
In order to facilitate the deposition of the diffusion barrier layer, it is preferred to partially fill the interstices or open pores on the side of the substrate facing the diffusion barrier layer with metal particles, or a mixture of metal particles with ceramic particles, or a mixture of metal particles with glass particles, or a mixture of metal particles with ceramic and glass particles, which become sintered to the metal fibers or to the foil. The pore structure in the surface region is thereby finer and the surface smoother. In addition, the thus treated substrate can be subjected to a rolling process before or after sintering, in order to completely flatten the surface.
An open porosity formed by pores with a pore diameter of about 20 nm to 500 nm is preferred, at least for the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer. It is furthermore preferred that at least the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer have microcracks, wherein the width of the microcracks is less than about 5 xcexcm.
At least for the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer, production by physical vapor phase deposition (PVD), particularly by cathode sputtering, is preferred. Furthermore, formation by chemical vapor phase deposition (CVD) or by a sol-gel process has also proved effective. Furthermore, at least the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer can be formed by particles with an average particle size less than about 0.5 xcexcm, which are sintered together. Any method is suitable in order to form a nonmetallic, inorganic diffusion barrier layer which is rigid, non-self-supporting, open-pored and/or has microcracks, and which is brittle, compact, and well-bonded to the substrate.
The preferred thickness of the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is in a range of about 0.1 xcexcm to 5 xcexcm.
Furthermore, the diffusion barrier layer can be covered on the surface facing away from the substrate with a seed layer, whose chemical composition at least partially corresponds to that of the membrane layer. Here, the seed layer need not necessarily be a closed layer, but instead can be composed of individual material islands which have no connections. By such a seed layer, the electrodeposition of the membrane layer can be accelerated, and at the same time made more uniform, and its adhesion to the diffusion barrier layer can be improved.
The at least one membrane layer is preferably formed of palladium or a palladium alloy. Particularly suitable here are also the palladium alloys Pd-8 atomic % Cd, Pd-8 atomic % Y, Pd-5.7 atomic % Ce, or Pd-25 atomic % Ag. Instead, any other hydrogen-permeable, closed metallic layer is suitable as the membrane layer.
A thickness in the range of about 0.5 xcexcm to 15 xcexcm is preferred for the at least one membrane layer.
The at least one membrane layer can be covered with catalytically active material on its surface facing away from the at least one diffusion barrier layer. Platinum, ruthenium and rhodium are particularly preferred here as catalytically active materials. Instead, the catalytically active alloys of platinum-palladium, ruthenium-palladium, rhodium-palladium, or palladium-rare earth metal have proved to be effective.
The problem is solved for the method in that at least the single layer of the diffusion barrier layer directly adjoining the membrane layer is formed by means of PVD, CVD, a sol-gel process, or by sintering-on powder particles with a particle size less than about 0.5 xcexcm, and that subsequently the at least one membrane layer is electrodeposited on the surface of the diffusion barrier layer facing away from the substrate.
The production of suitable single layers, adjoining the membrane layer and being open-pored and/or having microcracks, by cathode atomization or sputtering is known, for example, for TiN layers, from the publication R. Baneree, R. Chandra, and P. Ayyub, xe2x80x9cInfluence of the sputtering gas on the preferred orientation of nanocrystalline titanium nitride thin films,xe2x80x9d Thin Solid Films, 405:64-72 (2002).
The surface of the diffusion barrier layer facing away from the substrate is preferably covered with a seed layer whose chemical composition at least partially corresponds to that of the membrane layer. The deposition of the membrane layer can thereby be accelerated and made more uniform, and its adhesion to the diffusion barrier layer can be improved.

Composite membrane and production method therefor


To provide a trigger switch having a simple structure that is capable of reducing bouncing when the contacts are switched ON/OFF, the trigger switch includes a switch mechanism integrated in a single assembly a power control unit that turns a plurality of switches provided on the switch mechanism ON/OFF depending on a degree of retraction of the control unit by moving a pressing member over a top of a seesaw-shaped switching bar, a motor brake and control element short-circuit unit that drives a movable armature having two short-circuit contacts and is sandwiched and held between two springs, and a speed control unit that slides a plurality of moving contacts disposed in parallel over sliding contacts disposed on a sliding circuit substrate so as to control both the supply of power and a control element, and thus control the rotation speed of a motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trigger switch mounted in a power hand tool such as an electric-powered drill or the like, and more particularly, to a trigger switch that switches a switch mechanism installed inside the power tool case according to the sliding of a control unit provided on the outside of the case.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, as a switch circuit for a trigger switch, there is known, for example, the trigger switch circuit for power tool disclosed in JP-A-11-144545. That is, the trigger switch circuit controls the rotation of a motor using a moving contact that moves in tandem with the retraction of an operating lever, such that, when the operating lever is in an OFF state, a motor brake switch is turned ON, the motor is shorted and the brake activated. When the operating lever is pulled in an ON state, the motor brake switch is turned OFF, a power switch is turned ON, and electric power is supplied to the sliding circuit substrate, the motor and a light-emitting diode (LED). The speed of rotation of the motor increases as the operating lever is pulled further, a short switch is turned ON and the rotation of the motor is maintained at high speed.
However, whenever such a switch circuit turns the power switch and the short switch ON and OFF, the switching element always remains controllable. Therefore, when the power switch and the short switch turn ON and OFF, the switching element also is turned ON and OFF, and thus an electric potential difference arises between the contacts of the power switch or the short switch, generating a spark when the power switch or the short switch is turned ON or OFF, which increases frictional wear on the contacts and in turn shortens the working life of the contacts.
In addition, since the rotation of the motor and the lighting of the LED are carried out simultaneously when the power switch is switched ON, it is necessary to add an auxiliary switch that is separate from and independent of the power switch in order to light the LED before the motor rotates. This addition of a component increases the price of the power hand tool or the like and hinders efforts to make to such tools more compact and thus easier to handle and more easily portable.
Moreover, in an effort to make the trigger switch thinner while retaining good dust-proof protection, there is, for example, the trigger switch disclosed in JP-A-2003-109451. This trigger switch incorporates the trigger mechanism inside a box-like case, projects a sliding shaft for external control of the switching outside the case, and mounts a trigger on the outside tip of the sliding shaft, while forcing the terminals of the control element into small through-holes so as to leave substantially no gap through which dust can enter, thus improving dust-proof protection.
Furthermore, an L-shaped metallic heat slinger with good thermal conductivity is fixedly mounted on the case to form a single unit therewith so as to absorb and radiate the heat generated by the control element. A switching lever fixed at one end about which the switching lever inclines is mounted on top of the case. The switching lever sets the rotation of the motor (forward or reverse) and has a neutral OFF position. In order to prevent the switching lever from being damaged, the switching lever switches to either one side or the other so that a trigger stopper of the trigger does not engage even if the trigger is retracted while the switching lever is in the neutral position. Moreover, furthermore, because of the bouncing that always occurs when the contacts switch ON, a brake contact for stopping the power hand tool motor is provided separately from the seesaw mechanism for preventing contact wear.
However, in such a trigger switch, because the heat slinger is L-shaped, when installed in the confined space of a power hand tool the heat comes to be radiated in a single direction. Consequently, when the temperature rises beyond a certain level, the rise in temperature tends to accelerate. As a result, the temperature of only the space on the heat slinger side rises, imparting an unpleasant feel to the place where the power hand tool is gripped.
In addition, because the sliding shaft for external control of the switching protrudes from the case and the trigger is mounted on the outside tip of the sliding shaft, dust gets inside the switch mechanism from a gap between the sliding shaft and a support member supporting the sliding shaft when the sliding shaft slides, which can cause malfunctions of the switch mechanism.
Furthermore, because the trigger switch is constituted so that the switching lever switches to either one side or the other so that the trigger stopper of the trigger does not engage even if the trigger is retracted while the switching lever is in the neutral position, the trigger cannot be operated when the lever is in the neutral OFF position and thus does not function as the safety mechanism that it is originally intended to be. In addition, the brake contacts are provided separately from the seesaw mechanism, thus increasing the number of parts.


A method and system for processing a handover request in a wireless network. The method includes receiving a first message from a first base station by a mobile station. The first message includes a handover request, the handover request includes a priority indicator, and the priority indicator indicates a priority level selected from a plurality of priority levels. Additionally, the system includes determining the priority level based on at least information associated with the first message by the mobile station, processing information associated with the priority level by the mobile station, and determining at least one criterion based on at least information associated with the priority level by the mobile station. Moreover, the system includes processing information associated with the handover request and the at least one criterion by the mobile station.

The present invention relates in general to telecommunication techniques. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for mobile station handovers with various priorities in wireless networks. Merely by way of example, the invention is described as it applies to base-station initiated handovers, but it should be recognized that the invention has a broader range of applicability.
Techniques for wireless communications have progressed through the years. A wireless network usually includes base stations and mobile stations. For example, a mobile station (MS) refers to a station that is to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified geographic locations. As an example, the mobile station is a mobile communication device. In another example, the mobile station is a cellular phone. In yet another example, a base station (BS) refers to a set of equipment that can provide connectivity, management, and control for one or more mobile stations. Often, a mobile station communicates with other devices through an air-interface provided by a base station. For example, the air-interface refers to an interface between the base station and the mobile station. Usually, the air-interface can be changes through a process called mobile station handover (HO). During handover, the mobile station, for example, can migrate from an air-interface provided by one base station to another air-interface provided by another base station. The handover can be initiated by either the mobile station or the base station for various reasons such as mobile-station movement, change in connection quality, and/or change in network configuration.
FIG. 1 shows a simplified conventional wireless network. The network 100 includes base stations 110, 112, and 114, and a mobile station 120. The base stations 110, 112, and 114 each are connected to a wired network 130. For example, the wired network 130 uses internet protocol (IP). The mobile station 120 communicates through an air-interface with the base station 110.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are simplified conventional diagrams for mobile-station handover in wireless network. In the network 100, the base station 110 sends a request message to the mobile station 120 to initiate a handover. The request includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. If the mobile station 120 determines the requested handover to be suitable, the mobile station 120 selects one base station from the list and sends an acknowledgment message back to the base station 110. For example, in the acknowledge message, the mobile station 120 also informs the base station 110 that the base station 112 has been selected. Subsequently, the mobile station 120 is handed over to the base station 112.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are other simplified conventional diagrams for mobile-station handover in wireless network. In the network 100, the base station 110 sends a request message to the mobile station 120 to initiate a handover. The request includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, if the mobile station 120 determines the requested handover is not suitable, the mobile station 120 sends a rejection message to the base station 110. In response, the base station 110 can send a response message that is used as another request and includes another list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. Additionally, the mobile station 110 can again reject the handover request in the response message, and in turn the base station 110 can continue the negotiation with the mobile station 120 by sending another response message as shown in FIG. 5.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show simplified conventional partial formats for request message and response message for handover respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the request message is called MOB_BSHO-REQ, and the response message is called MOB_BSHO-RSP. For example, the MOB_BSHO-REQ message is sent from the base station 110 to the mobile station 120 for initiating a handover. As another example, the MOB_BSHO-RSP message is sent from the base station 110 to the mobile station 120 in response to a rejection from the mobile station 120. The handover rejection by the mobile station and/or the handover negotiation between the mobile station and the base station may degrade network performance.
Hence it is highly desirable to improve techniques for mobile station handovers.

Method and system for mobile station handovers with different priorities in wireless networks


An information processing apparatus configured to detect congestion caused by a plurality of flows passing through a network, the network including a plurality of switch devices, the information processing apparatus includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to receive first information from a first switch device included in the plurality of switch devices, the first information indicating that the congestion occurs in the first switch device, receive second information from a second switch device that is included in the plurality of switch devices and receives a packet from the first switch device, the second information indicating at least one flow included in the plurality of flows which pass through the first switch device, and based on the first information and the second information, identify, from the at least one flow which passes through the first switch device, a specific flow which causes the congestion.

In recent years, cloud computing has promoted system aggregation, and thus stable operation of a network has become an important issue. To obtain a stable performance in the network, congestion, that is, traffic collision has to be addressed. Congestion control technology for addressing congestion is preexisting technology, and, for example, there is congestion control technology using an explicit congestion notification (ECN). Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-319746 is one of related art documents.

Information processing apparatus, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium