A phased-release suppository delivery system is disclosed wherein microscopic polymeric "nanospheres" ladened with one or more active agents are homogeneously incorporated within a pharmaceutically acceptable suppository base. The preparation of the "nanospheres" allows the spheres to be transported, substantially intact, across fenestrated membranes such as the capillary membranes of the rectum. The method of preparation of the "nanospheres" allows for the controlled release of active agent(s) only after a substantial number of the spheres have been transported across the capillary membrane of the rectum or other body cavity and have been taken up into the systemic circulation system.

This invention relates generally to suppository preparations and more specifically to a phased, systemic-delivery suppository preparation and its method of production.
As is well known, suppositories are medicated dosage forms inserted into body cavities such as the rectum, urethra, or vagina for the eventual delivery of one or more active agents to the systemic circulation and/or to local tissues. Suppositories are valuable, and often critical, additions to the symptom control armamentarium. This is especially true for those patients who, due to advanced disease, advanced age, nausea or other physiological or neurological problems, are unable to receive medications orally, intravenously or by injection. The problem is even more critical for the terminally ill patient who suffers from intense, intractable pain. Suppository dosage forms of medications presently being given to patients, particularly in the control of pain, are often times irregular in the delivery or bioavailability of the administered agents with the delivery of medications sometimes oscillating between levels which are far below the effective pain relieving dose to near toxic levels.
In recent years, prescribers have increasingly requested that pharmacists prepare extemporaneous suppository dosage forms for symptom control medications. However, because these dosage forms are not commonly compounded today, many prescribers who order drugs, the pharmacists who compound them, and the nurses who administer them, are unfamiliar with the criteria for properly formulated suppositories. Moreover, while suppository dosage forms have been formulated in the past for many agents, often the duration of the action of the drug is relatively short, requiring frequent administration thereby making usage inconvenient and/or ineffective. Attempts have been made, with limited success, to produce suppositories that are capable of delivering medications in a sustained or controlled release manner. Major obstacles include erratic absorption as herein described, and the timing of evacuations of the particular body cavity chosen for insertion. Many drugs can be delivered by the use of suppository dosage forms but the controlled release of such drugs has yet to be refined. Methods to prolong the action of drugs in a suppository sustained release form are therefore needed and desired.
Use of microparticles as a delivery system for drugs in clinical situations has been proven to be viable for many years. Since the advent of liposomes in the seventies, science has advanced to the point where many pharmaceutical materials are employed either singularly or in various percentages to produce optimum release rates for drugs or proposed drugs. However, prior art suppository preparations will typically release their active agents within the lower rectum thereby limiting the bioavailability of the agents. Substantial release of the active agent of the suppository into the lower rectum can and does limit the percentage of agent which can actually reach the systemic circulation system where it is needed.
It would be expedient, therefore, for the provision of a suppository formulation which will give more control over the release and bioavailability of medications. Furthermore, suppository preparations which are capable of releasing substantially all of their active agent(s) directly into the patient's systemic circulation instead of the lower rectum would greatly enhance the bioavailability and usefulness of such dosage forms and would substantially eliminate the problems associated with the untimely evacuation of the body cavity chosen for insertion.
The present inventor, through extensive experimentation and study, has developed a phased-release suppository delivery system incorporating a novel method of producing drug-ladened, polymeric "nanospheres" within a suppository base. The method of preparation of the "nanospheres" allows for the release of their active agent(s) only after a substantial number of the spheres have been transported across the capillary membranes of the rectum or other body cavity and have been taken up into the systemic circulation system. A small number of the spheres will inevitably become lodged within the mucus membrane of the chosen body cavity, however, even these spheres will, upon dissolution, release their active agent(s) from said area over an extended period of time.

Controlled, phased-release suppository and its method of production


Method of detour path determination for data packets re-routing in a mesh network comprising a plurality of N nodes, arranged according to a network topology, each node has a K-hops neighborhood knowledge of the network topology, with 1≦K<N, primary paths are predefined for routing data packets within the mesh network. Detour paths are automatically discovered and set up while expending relatively few resources in terms of processing complexity, signaling and information spreading. The method is particularly advantageous when used in a wireless mesh network wherein the available bandwidth and the node resources and capabilities are much more limited than in wired networks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for automatic selection of detour paths in a wireless mesh network.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are two-tier networks where nomadic or mobile users access the Internet or intra-WMN services via a wireless backbone made of a number of Mesh Routers (MRs) communicating with each other over wireless links. The users can be laptops, cell phones, personal digital assistants, data collection devices and sensors (for example in the field of video-surveillance), and so on. MRs forward packets in a multi-hop manner to reach the intended destination within the WMN. Usually, MRs are in fixed positions, but some degree of mobility is also possible. Wireless mesh networks can be implemented with various technologies including 802.15, 802.11, 802.16 IEEE standards.
Even though nodes are usually in fixed positions, WMN resiliency is significantly affected by time-varying phenomena, like interference from co-located networks, shadowing, and obstruction, which are connected to the wireless channel characteristics. These phenomena may lead to transient wireless link failures that may occur at very short time scales.
Re-Routing techniques, that is techniques adapted to detour data packets into detour paths whenever a problem is detected on a primary path, are known in the art.
Re-Routing techniques can be of the reactive or proactive type. In the first case, detour paths are set-up a posteriori, whenever a failure is detected. In the second case, instead, detour paths are set-up a priori, before failure detection, in order to guarantee smaller response time.
For example, Fast Re-Routing (FRR) proactive techniques have been developed in the art to improve the resilience of wired (IP-based) networks. Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Fast Re-Route is standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and is a feature of the RSVP Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) protocol. MPLS Fast Re-Route leverages on the availability of a Traffic Engineering Database (TED) containing detailed and up-to-date information of the network topology and resources reserved on each link. This information is usually collected by means of Open Shortest Path First routing protocol with Traffic Engineering extensions.

Method and system for automatic selection of detour paths in a wireless mesh network


In projectile bases (20) for carrier projectiles which are equipped with a cavity (26) on the side facing away from the projectile tail for, for example, a parachute, it may happen that the base plate (23) is axially bent through during firing. This causes the base body (22) to be radially constricted and contact is lost between the rotating band (27) disposed on the body (22) and the gun tube, frequently resulting in a gas breakthrough. To avoid the above-mentioned radial constriction in the region of the rotating band, the projectile base (20) is provided with a base plate (23) which is curved toward the tail of the projectile. The curved configuration of the base plate (23) makes it possible to produce radial widening in the rear projectile base region during firing so as to ensure gas tightness and spin transmission from the rotating band (27) even at high gas pressures.

The invention relates to a projectile base for carrier projectiles carrying submunition, with the projectile base including a base body having a front section with a cylindrical outer surface, a tail section with a conically tapered outer surface and a base plate, a rotating band disposed on the cylindrical outer surface portion of the base body, and respective cavities disposed in the respective ends of the base body with the base plate therebetween.
Such a projectile base is disclosed, for example in German patent DE No. 3,643,291. As tests have shown, such bases exhibit an unfavorable deformation behavior. This leads to problems in sealing and in the transmission of spin by the rotating band. The gas breakthrough that is unavoidable at high gas pressures (loss of contact between rotating band and tube wall) leads to continuous opening and closing of the sealing gap during passage through the tube and thus to the excitation of oscillations of the projectiles resulting in increased tube wear.
The cause of these sealing problems is that the axial force components acting on the tail of the projectile during firing cause the base plate to be axially bent, and is associated with radial widening of the front projectile base body and radial constriction of the rear projectile base and the rear rotating band region. The radial deformation by the axial force components during firing is superposed on the radial deformations due to the simultaneously acting radial force components. This superposition is the cause of the resulting radial deformation of the projectile base.
The radially acting forces result, on the one hand, from the gas pressure which extends to the rear end of the rotating band and from the rotating band pressure. These forces lead to radial constriction of the base body over its entire length. If, the superposition of both deformation states results in radial constriction at the rear edge of the rotating band, there will be loss of contact between the rotating band and the tube. This exposed gap area fills with gas which is equivalent to an increase in the radial force acting on the base body. The result is further enlargement of the radial constriction in the rotating band region and finally a complete gas breakthrough.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,643 discloses explosive projectiles whose base plates are curved at the tail end. However, the interior of the projectiles is filled with an explosive so that the base plate cannot be deformed much in the axial and radial directions (if a cavity were present in the interior of these projectiles, the projectile base, due to its thin walls and the extreme curvature of its base and absent the radial support by the explosive, would collapse under the gas pressure existing up to the rotating band during firing).


In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining documentation that includes a first identifying code and information relating to a deployment of a media device. The method also includes deploying the media device at a location, wherein deploying the media device at the location includes connecting the media device to a display device, as well as causing a second identifying code to be displayed on the display device, the second identifying code being indicative of an association between the display device and the media device. The first identifying code and the second identifying code are captured, and paired. When the first identifying code is paired with the second identifying code, the location is a designated point-of-deployment for the media device.

During the large scale deployment of digital media players (DMPs), such as Cisco DMPs available from Cisco System, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., a significant amount of time and effort is often spent to properly locate each DMP. Attempting to correctly designate an exact spatial location at which a DMP is to be located is generally time-consuming, as the designation must be accurate enough to reduce the likelihood that the DMP will be improperly located, e.g., by an installer. Further, the time and effort associated with correcting mistakes associated with improperly designating a location of a DMP, incorrectly connecting a DMP at a given location, and/or associated with deploying a DMP at an incorrect location, is often significant.

Method and apparatus for tracking the location of a digital media player deployed in a network


A method for forming a MLR pattern.. The method comprises the steps of:. forming a bottom resist film on a semiconductor substrate in which a semiconductor device is formed;. forming a inter-layer on the bottom resist film;. forming a top resist film on the inter-layer, wherein a first top resist film made of an inorganic material and a second top resist film made of another inorganic material and formed on the first top resist film;. exposing the top resist film using a pattern mask;. etching the exposed portion of the second top resist film of the top resist film;. etching the first top resist film using the remained-unexposed portion of the second top resist file made of the second inorganic material as an etch mask, to form a pattern of the top resist film;. etching the inter-layer and the bottom resist film using the pattern of the top resist film as an etch mask, in this order, to form a MLR pattern; and. removing the pattern of the top resist film.

The present invention relates to a multi-level resist process, and more particularly to a method for forming the pattern utilizing an inorganic material.
FIGS. 1a to 1d are to show a conventional process for forming the pattern of multi-level resist, in case that any step is not existed.
As shown in FIG. 1a, first, a bottom resist film 13, an inter-layer 15 and a positive top resist film 17 are coated on a semiconductor 11, in this order.
The bottom resist film 13 and the top resist film 17 are organic resists and the inter-layer 15 is made of one of spin on glass(SOG) film and PE oxide film, as an insulating film.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the top resist film 17 is exposed by a light source 21, using a pattern mask 19.
Since the exposed portion of positive top resist film 17 is removed upon performing a development process, the pattern of positive top resist film 17 is formed.
Subsequently, the inter-layer 15 and the bottom resist film 19 are etched to form a multi-level resist(MLR) pattern 23, using the pattern of top resist film 17 as an etch mask.
The MLR pattern 23 will be served as an etch mask, upon etching a polysilicon film, metal film and oxide film which are used as lower layers.
According to Conventional methods for forming a MLR pattern using an organic resist, a polymer 25 is formed at the side walls of MLR pattern 23 by the reaction of Cl.sup.- upon etching the top resist film 17 made of organic material.
Therefore, since the MLR pattern 23 has the bias of irregular line width in accordance with the degree in concentration and the micro-loading effect is thus caused, there is a disadvantage in that it is difficult to adjust critical dimension.
FIGS. 2A to 2D are to show a conventional process for forming the MLR pattern utilizing an organic resist, in case that steps exist.
Referring to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated a semiconductor device such as a three-dimensional capacitor cell which has a surface comprising flat portions P and recess portions R.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the steps are occurred between the flat portions P and the recess portions R of the surface.
Subsequently, a MLR planarization process is carried out to the above-steps.
That is, a bottom resist film 35 made of an organic material is thickly deposited on the whole surface of substrate.
An insulation film such as SOG film or PE oxide film is formed on the bottom resist film 35 as an inter-layer 37 and a top resist film 39 made of an organic material is then deposited on the inter-layer 37.
At this time, the top resist film 39 has a positive type.
Although the MLR planarization process is carried out, the whole surface is not planarized completely due to the steps at the surface of the semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the MLR planarization process is performed and a contact hole is then defined, using a pattern mask 41.
Upon performing an exposure by a light source 43 to define the contact hole, the surface area of the top resist film 39 being exposed by the light source 43 becomes different at the flat portions P and the recess portions R which are occurred due to the steps of surface.
Referring to FIG. 2C, a process same as the MLR pattern of FIG. 1 is carried out to form a MLR pattern 45.
In case that steps are existed, however, since the surface area of the top resist film 39 being exposed at the flat portions P and the recess portions R becomes different as shown in FIG. 2D, it is difficult to exactly obtain the MLR pattern having a desired width.
As shown in FIG. 2E, it is therefore impossible to obtain a contact hole 47 having a desired size although a contact hole 47 is formed by etching the semiconductor device which is the bottom layer of MLR pattern 45, using the MLR pattern 45.
That is, FIG. 2 is to show a plan view to the contact hole 47, the size of contact hole at the recess portions R is different from that of the flat portions P.
Therefore, according to the conventional method for forming a MLR pattern using an organic resist, there is an disadvantage in that the surface is not planarized even after the planarization process is completed, in case that the steps of semiconductor device is above about 1.5 .mu.m.
As shown in FIG. 2B, since the steps of semiconductor device which is the bottom layer are maintained to the top layer, it is impossible to form the desired pattern exactly.
Since the organic resist film is also used identically, even in case that the steps are existed, the polymer is formed at the side planes of MLR pattern as shown in FIG. 1, thereby causing the shape of contact hole itself to be deformed.


A reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine includes first, second, and third cylinders, and a crank drive having a crankshaft rotatably mounted in a crank housing. The crankshaft has first and second crank pins, wherein a first and a second connecting rod for a first and a second piston are assigned to the first crank pin, and a third connecting rod for a third piston is assigned to the second crank pin. The first and the second cylinder together with the first and the second piston are arranged in a V-shape, wherein the third cylinder together with the third piston is arranged in the V.

The invention relates to a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine having a first, a second and a third cylinder, as well as a crank drive with a crankshaft mounted rotatably in a crankcase and having a first and a second crank pin.
With regard to the technical environment, reference is made, for example, to the world-famous Harley-Davidson V2 internal combustion engines with their typical "two-cylinder sound" for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
These world-famous V2 reciprocating-piston internal combustion engines were developed by Jim Feuling's "Project W3". In this project, in which, as in a V2 internal combustion engine, the two cylinders are arranged in a V-shaped manner one behind the other and the connecting rods act on a common crank pin of the crankshaft, Feuling's construction, however, involves three cylinders which are reminiscent of a "W". Hence the designation "W3". Feuling constructed a novel crankcase onto which a third cylinder together with a cylinder head is mounted offset by 45° into the V. All three cylinders span a plane. A triple-cam-W-three was thus produced from the twin-cam-V-twin. This was possible by the use of a main connecting rod and two secondary connecting rods which divide a common crank pin of the crankshaft. This is a construction which is still used even today in aircraft engines having a radial cylinder arrangement. Feuling's world-famous exceptional construction is protected firstly by US Design Patent U.S. D449,620 S and furthermore by US Design Patent U.S. D417,674.
A disadvantage of Feuling's W3 construction is the large cylinder angle which takes up a relatively large amount of construction space.
German laid-open specification DE 10 2008 020 423 A1 describes another route for realizing a three-cylinder reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine. This laid-open specification discloses a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with three cylinders in a V-arrangement, in particular for use in a motorbike. The reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine comprises a crankshaft and also a first outer cylinder, a second outer cylinder and a central cylinder. Each cylinder is assigned a piston and a connecting rod, wherein the outer cylinders are located in a common plane passing through the crankshaft axis, and the central cylinder is located in a plane which is inclined with respect to the first plane and likewise passes through the crankshaft axis. The three-cylinder reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine is distinguished in that the crankshaft has two crank pins, and the connecting rods of the first outer cylinder and of the central cylinder act jointly on the first crank pin and the connecting rod of the second outer cylinder acts on the second crank pin.
A disadvantage of the three-cylinder reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine known from DE 10 2008 020 423 A1 is the relatively large overall width which has a disadvantageous effect in particular on use for a motorbike.
Therefore, the present invention is based on the object of presenting a three-cylinder reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine which has a smaller overall form than the known prior art both in width and in the angular range spanned by the cylinders.
This and other objects are achieved by a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine, having a first, a second and a third cylinder, as well as a crank drive with a crankshaft mounted rotatably in a crankcase and having a first and a second crank pin. The first crank pin is assigned a first and a second connecting rod for a first and a second piston and the second crank pin is assigned a third connecting rod for a third piston. The first and the second cylinder together with the first and the second piston are arranged in a V-shaped manner, wherein the third cylinder together with the third piston is arranged in the V.
In contrast to other star-shaped reciprocating-piston internal combustion engines, the present invention thus permits a narrower cylinder angle (V-angle) and, at the same time, as compared to other reciprocating-piston internal combustion engines, the elegant and filigree impression of an engine from the aviation tradition. In addition, because of the possible cylinder angles, the present invention makes it possible to implant a W3 reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine virtually into the construction space of a known V2 reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine; the overall width increases only within an uncritical limit.
Third cylinder, together with the third piston, is particularly preferably arranged centrally in the V. The symmetrical arrangement permits a simple mechanical configuration.
In one development, the first, the second and the third cylinder are arranged offset with respect to one another in a direction of the crankshaft axis, which likewise permits a simple mechanical configuration.
In one further development, the first and the second cylinder are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the crankshaft axis, and the third cylinder is arranged offset with respect to the plane in the direction of the crankshaft axis. This likewise permits a simple mechanical configuration and is a second preferred variant embodiment.
In a further aspect, a first cylinder axis and a second cylinder axis enclose a V angle α of between 45° and 90°. This makes it possible to vary the V-angle and therefore influence the overall width.
Providing different offset angles β, make it possible to realize different ignition sequences, as a result of which the acoustics of the reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine can be positively influenced. This is a particular advantage for installation in a motorbike. Furthermore, an offset angle of 180° crank angle affords the possibility of using a "flat" crankshaft which can be produced substantially more simply and cost-effectively in terms of manufacturing, for example by forging.
In one development, a mass balance shaft of the first order that is drivable by the crankshaft and is aligned parallel to the crankshaft is provided. This influences the running properties and the smoothness (NVH=noise, vibration, harshness) of the three-cylinder reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine in an advantageous manner.
The reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine according to the invention is preferably provided for a single-track vehicle, such as, for example, a motorbike.
For the best possible mechanical construction and a striking visual appearance, the crankshaft of the reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine is preferably installed transversely with respect to a direction of travel of the single-track vehicle, for example of a motorbike.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a connector for a data storage device having a sufficient strength, and relate to a data storage device using such a connector. In accordance with one embodiment, a data storage device is provided having a circuit board and a connector for making a connection with an external interface. The connector includes bosses disposed on both sides across a center of a direction orthogonal to a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the circuit board and a direction, in which the connector is connected to the interface. The boss is a protrusion that counteracts a force applied to the connector by being embedded in a hole disposed in the circuit board when the connector is disposed in the circuit board. The boss has an oblong shape having a length in a direction, in which the interface and the connector are connected together, longer than a length in a direction orthogonal to a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the circuit board and a direction, in which the connector is connected to the interface. The boss protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the circuit board.

The present invention relates generally to a data storage device and a connector disposed therein. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connector that includes a lock portion capable of reducing stress placed on a circuit board when a connector connection is made, and a data storage device having such a connector disposed therein.
Data storage devices, which use various forms of media such as an optical disk and magnetic tape, are known. Among these data storage devices, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as "HDD") is widely popular as a computer storage device, serving as a storage device indispensable to present-day computer systems. Thanks to its outstanding characteristics, the HDD is expanding its application areas covering not only computers, but also moving picture recording and reproducing apparatuses, car navigation systems, cellular phones, and removable memories used in digital cameras.
In line with the needs in the foregoing application areas, even later developments include HDDs having several different sizes and shapes. This has also resulted in development of connectors disposed in the HDD having several different shapes. In particular, a 2.5″ HDD is used in notebook PCs and the like. Because of restrictions imposed on weight and associated reasons, the connector is formed from a resin, not a metal.
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing schematically a connector 90 that has been developed for intended applications in the aforementioned areas. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a condition, in which the connector 90 and a circuit board inside an HDD main body are connected together, as viewed from a direction opposite to the circuit board. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the connector 90 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a protruding direction of pins 91 and a longitudinal direction of the connector 90. The connector 90 is disposed in the circuit board inside the HDD main body. The connector 90 includes the pins 91 and connection terminals 92 corresponding respectively to the pins 91. When the connector 90 is connected to an external interface of the HDD, an electric connection is made between the pins 91 and terminals of the external interface of the HDD. This allows signals to be exchanged. Further, the connection terminals 92 are connected to the circuit board inside the HDD main body through soldering or the like such that current can flow. Electric signals inputted and outputted through the connector 90 are thereby exchanged.
The connector 90 further includes a positioning protrusion 93 and a latch 94 provided for positioning the connector 90 as the connector 90 is mounted to the circuit board. Generally, the positioning protrusion 93 is disposed on an end portion of the connector 90 and the latch 94 is disposed at a central portion of the connector 90. Further, the positioning protrusion 93 is generally disposed at a part of a base portion of the connector 90. This part is protruded in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the pins 91.
Mounting of the connector 90 to the circuit board is accomplished as follows. Specifically, when the connector 90 is mounted to the circuit board, a hole is made in a portion of the circuit board corresponding to the position of the positioning protrusion 93. The positioning protrusion 93 is then fitted into this hole, which positions the connector 90 correctly. Further, when the connector 90 is mounted to the circuit board, the latch 94 is designed to be hooked onto the circuit board. In a manner as described above, the connector 90 is correctly positioned relative to the circuit board.
The connector 90 further includes a lock portion 95. The lock portion 95 prevents the connector 90 from being disconnected from the circuit board or both the circuit board and the connector 90 from coming off together, which could occur during removal or when the HDD is dropped from the connector 90 side down. The lock portion 95 included in the connector 90 allows stress that would be placed on the circuit board when the connector is connected to be reduced. See, for example Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-283958.
There is, however, a concern that the connection made through soldering or the like between the connector, which includes the lock portion 95 for reducing stress, and the circuit board may be destroyed when the connection is made randomly or the data storage device is dropped. This invention has been made to solve the problem. It is desirable to provide a connector for a data storage device having a sufficient strength for making a connector connection, and a data storage device using such a connector.

Data storage device and connector disposed therein

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Methods for making nuclear fuel compacts exhibiting low heavy metal contamination and fewer defective coatings following compact fabrication from a mixture of hardenable binder, such as petroleum pitch, and nuclear fuel particles having multiple layer fission-product-retentive coatings, with the dense outermost layer of the fission-product-retentive coating being surrounded by a protective overcoating, e.g., pyrocarbon having a density between about 1 and 1.3 g/cm.sup.3. Such particles can be pre-compacted in molds under relatively high pressures and then combined with a fluid binder which is ultimately carbonized to produce carbonaceous nuclear fuel compacts having relatively high fuel loadings.

Pyrolytic carbon coatings have been used to protect particles of nuclear reactor fuel, i.e., fissile and/or fertile materials, such as uranium, plutonium and thorium in the form of suitable compounds thereof. Coatings of aluminum oxide and other ceramic oxides have also been proposed. Examples of nuclear fuel particles employing pyrolytic carbon coatings include U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,363, issued June 13, 1967; U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,921, issued Jan. 17, 1968, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,638, issued Jan. 2, 1968. It is also known to incorporate one or more layers of refractory carbide materials, such as silicon carbide or zirconium carbide, to produce nuclear fuel particles having still better fission product retention characteristics, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,472, issued Mar. 14, 1972. So long as these fission product retentive coatings remain intact, contamination exterior of the particles by the heavy metal fuel material and/or substantial spread of fission products exterior of the coatings is prevented.
Such nuclear fuel particles are usually bonded together in some fashion to create what is termed in the art as a nuclear fuel compact, which is produced using a suitable binder and appropriate pressures. It has been found that fracture and/or cracking of the fission product retentive coatings often occurs during the formation of nuclear fuel compacts wherein these nuclear fuel particles are combined under high pressure with a binder material to produce a relatively dense "green" compact that is later subjected to high temperatures to produce the final nuclear fuel compact suitable for use in a nuclear reactor. It is also known to produce nuclear fuel compacts or nuclear fuel elements for a Pebble-Bed reactor or the like by blending such coated nuclear fuel particles with a carbonaceous thermosetting resin in a powder form and compressing the coated particle-resin mixture under pressures in excess of 20,000 psig to form "green" compacts, and sometimes these particles have been pre-treated with the resin. Nuclear fuel particles which can better tolerate such manufacturing processes are constantly being sought after.

Nuclear fuel particles and method of making nuclear fuel compacts therefrom

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


In an elastic partition member, a movable diaphragm outer circumferential section for supporting an outer circumference of an elastic movable diaphragm is formed integral with a relief valve. The elastic movable diaphragm is integrally formed with the elastic movable diaphragm. An upward circular arc projection that extends upwardly is provided on an upper part of the movable diaphragm outer circumferential section, and is fixed by a fixing portion provided in an upper member of a partition. A portion in the vicinity of a base portion of the relief valve is formed as a rectilinear unsupported portion that is flush with the elastic movable diaphragm. The base portion extends rectilinearly along the unsupported portion. When being opened, the relief valve is easily bent by the rectilinear base portion and is elastically deformable large enough to extend above the unsupported portion.

In a publicly known liquid sealed engine mount, an elastic movable diaphragm is provided in a partition means for partitioning a liquid chamber into a primary liquid chamber and a secondary liquid chamber to absorb an internal pressure of the primary liquid chamber. A relief valve is provided in an outer circumference of the elastic movable diaphragm in such a way that when the primary liquid chamber turns to such a negative pressure that the primary liquid chamber causes cavitation (this state shall be a condition of cavitation occurrence), the relief valve is opened to allow liquid of the secondary liquid chamber to be leaked rapidly to the primary liquid chamber, so that a liquid pressure of the primary liquid chamber is heightened thereby to prevent the cavitation.
As such an elastic partition member formed integral with the relief valve, there is disclosed, for example, the partition member which has a circular shape in a plan view and includes a thick-wall section of annular shape provided in an intermediate part in the radial direction thereof. An inner side of the thick-wall section functions as the elastic movable diaphragm, and the relief valve is integrally formed with an outer side of the thick-wall section. The thick-wall section is sandwiched by the rigid partition means from above and below so as to form an outer circumferential section of the movable diaphragm of the elastic partition member.

Liquid sealed vibration isolating device


Nested commit/reveal sequences using randomized inputs from each participant in a gaming transaction (e.g., the house and each player) may be employed to provide a selection of outcome or outcomes that can be verified by each participant as free from cheating. In general, techniques may be employed in a variety of distributed gaming transaction environments and as a verification facility for any of a wide variety of games in which the risk of player collusion can be eliminated. Nonetheless, several variations on a distributed card dealing method are illustrative and will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art as applicable in other gaming environments, including games employing outcomes denominated in die (or dice) rolls, coin toss, wheel spins, blind selection or other ostensibly random selection of an outcome from a predefined set thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to validation of distributed transactions, and more particularly, to techniques for detecting cheating in an on-line gaming environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
The popularity of gambling on the Internet has soared in recent years. Worldwide online gambling was responsible for an estimated two billion dollars of revenue in 1998 and projected 2001 revenues total over seven billion. Traditional gambling is heavily regulated to protect the individual gambler from fraud by casinos. Similar regulations do not yet exist to protect online gamblers. Indeed, significant technical challenges exist to ensuring fair outcomes in which the absence of cheating by the casino (or by players) can be verified. Cheating is a concern for the casinos, as well as for the players. In fact, because of a fear of cheating, existing online casinos often restrict wagering to table games. In general, table games are games where all player information is revealed and only the house has hidden information. The players compete only against the casino, and not against each other. These table games include blackjack, roulette, craps, and Caribbean stud. In contrast, for other games such as poker where players control hidden information, it generally not possible to prevent players from opening another communication channel with which to collude during the course of a game. The colluding players can gain information about the game that would change its outcome, thus cheating. Table games, on the other hand, make player-to-player collusion irrelevant. Players cannot gain information via collusion, because they control no secret information.
A need exists for systems, methods and techniques through which both online gamblers and online casinos can be ensured a "safe", credible area to gamble online. If developed, such systems, methods and techniques could be employed in a wide variety of gaming, entertainment and other applications in which random selections from a predefined set of outcomes play a role.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Distributed secrets for validation of gaming transactions


A communication, an air conditioner, and a method for controlling the communication apparatus are disclosed. The communication apparatus includes a communicator and a controller. The communicator is configured to receive a recognition signal from each of one or more other communication apparatuses. The communicator is also configured to transmit a generated first status message generated based on the recognition signal. The communicator is also configured to receive at least one second status message generated by the one or more other communication apparatuses. The controller is configured to generate the first status message based on the recognition signal received by the communicator. The controller is also configured to determine a repeat node by comparing the second status message with the first status message.

An outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units constituting an air conditioner mostly communicate with each other through wired communication such as RS-485 communication. In such wired communication, a communication line has to be additionally provided between the outdoor unit and the indoor units, and a pipe configured to protect the line has to be installed together with the communication line.
In addition, when re-installing the air conditioner by using an existing refrigerant pipe, the line cannot be reused and re-installed.
In order to solve such problems, there has been an attempt to replace RS-485 communication with a pipe communication scheme. However, when the RS-485 communication is replaced with the pipe communication scheme, there is an issue about how to make communication.
A research on a technique about an implementation method such as ensuring communication reliability and address allocation according to pipe communication has been conducted. However, in practice, a communication signal has to be increased in order to ensure a communication distance, and an air conditioner standard (electromagnetic compatibility standard; EMC standard) may not be satisfied when the communication signal is increased, so that there has been a limit in applying the above implementation method to actual long-distance pipe communication.

Communication apparatus, method of controlling the communication apparatus, and air conditioner having the communication apparatus


A brake structure for a roll-up door includes a brake drum fixed to a transmission shaft of a speed reducer. The brake drum receives a pair of brake shoes in opposite inner sides thereof. The brake shoes are pivotably connected to each other at an end of each brake shoe. A linking resilient member is connected between the free ends of the brake shoes. A brake pad is attached to a surface of each brake shoe facing the inner surface of the brake drum. A controlling lever is disposed at the top of the speed reducer corresponding to the free ends of the brake shoes. One end of the controlling lever is connected to an end of a fixing resilient member. The other end of the fixing resilient member is connected to a moving iron of a first solenoid. A clasping block is connected to the moving iron of the first solenoid. The other end of the controlling lever is connected to a moving iron of a second solenoid. A controlling block is disposed at the controlling lever between the free ends of the brake shoes and in contact to the free ends of the brake shoes. A brake control solenoid is disposed at the top of the speed reducer. The brake control solenoid is connected to a power supply with capacitance character. A moving iron of the brake control solenoid is connected to a connecting rod mechanism. The clasping block is connected to the connecting rod mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brake structure for a roll-up door, and particularly to a brake structure which is released to close a doorway through a roll-up door when fire and power cut take place in a building.
2. Prior Art
It is important to prevent fire from taking place at a building. However, fire still occasionally takes place. So it is also important to prevent fire from spreading when fire takes place. Iron roll-up doors are widely used in public occasions as fireproofing separation thereby preventing fire from spreading during fire.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a conventional brake structure for an iron roll-up door includes a brake drum 12 attached in a speed reducer 10. A transmission shaft 14 of the speed reducer 10 extends through and is connected to the brake drum 12, whereby the brake drum 12 and the transmission shaft 14 rotate synchronally. A pair of brake shoes 16 is received in opposite inner sides of the brake drum 12 respectively. The brake shoes 16 are pivotably connected with each other at one end of each brake shoe 16. A spring 17 is connected between two free ends of the brake shoes 16. A brake pad 18 is attached to a surface of each brake shoe 16 towards the inner surface of the brake drum 12. An alternating current (AC) solenoid 20 is disposed at one side of the top of the speed reducer 10. A moving iron 22 of the solenoid 20 is connected to an end of a controlling lever 24. The other end of the controlling lever 24 is connected to an end of a spring 26. The other end of the spring 26 is connected to the top of the speed reducer 10. A controlling block 28 is disposed at the controlling lever 24 corresponding to the free ends of the brake shoes 16. Opposite side surfaces of the controlling block 28 are in contact to the free ends of the brake shoes 16 respectively. A motor 30 is disposed at the top of the speed reducer 10. A rotation shaft 32 of the motor 30 is connected to and synchronally rotates with the transmission shaft 14 of the speed reducer 10.
The controlling block 28 is actuated to outwards push the free ends of the brake shoes 16 whereby the brake pads 18 abut against the inner surface of the brake drum 12 to generate a friction force to stop rotation of the transmission shaft 14 of the speed reducer 10 thereby being at a brake state. When fire takes place and a smoke alarm senses smother or a fire alarm is turned on to emit fire signals, electricity is supplied to the AC solenoid 20 of the iron roll-up door brake structure to generate a magnetic force for attracting the moving iron 22 to move towards the AC solenoid 20. Therefore, the controlling lever 24 is moved correspondingly to rotate the controlling block 28 (as shown in arrow) and so the free ends of the brake shoes 16 are not pushed by the controlling block 28, whereby the brake shoes 16 returns to a free state at which the brake pads 18 do not contact the brake drum 12 and so are released from the brake state. Thus, the transmission shaft 14 is rotatable and the iron roll-up door falls to close doorway due to gravity thereby preventing fire from spreading to other places.
As mentioned above, when fire takes place, it is required to supply electricity to the AC solenoid 20 for releasing the iron roll-up door from the brake state. However, when no electricity can be supplied to the AC solenoid 20, such as when fire and power cut take place at the same time, the iron roll-up door cannot be released from the brake state and so cannot prevent fire from spreading.
It is required to improve the conventional brake structure for a roll-up door.


This disclosure relates generally to improving wireless data rates, and more particularly to methods and systems for dynamic CoMP-link maintenance. In one embodiment, a system may identify a default coordinated multipoint set of neighboring base stations for a user equipment associated with a serving base station. The system may detect at least one of: a change in a data rate requirement for the user equipment, and a stale coordinated multipoint link for the user equipment to one of the neighboring stations in the default coordinated multipoint set. The system may also determine, after detecting at least one of the change in the data rate requirement and the stale coordinated multipoint link, whether to perform at least one coordinated multipoint link maintenance procedure, including at least one of: a coordinated multipoint link handover, a coordinated multipoint link replacement, a coordinated multipoint link consolidation, or a coordinated multipoint scheme modification.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has organized and developed long-term evolution (LTE) or "4G" standards for wireless cellular networks. As LTE protocols continue to evolve, 3GPP has introduced guidelines for coordinated multi point (CoMP) links. CoMP links may improve network performance on cell edges by establishing active back-up channels between a user equipment (UE) and a neighbor base station (NBS) and a serving base station (SBS). For example, a serving base station may select a neighbor base station from a CoMP set of base stations to establish an active back-up channel. The active back-up channel may provide additional network connectivity as a user equipment, such as a cell phone, distances itself from the serving base station at the cell edge. As the serving base station signal dissipates, the neighbor base station may provide a supplementary coordinated link.

Methods and systems for dynamic coordinated multi point link maintenance


A filtration apparatus and a method for discharging filter cake from a filtration vessel of the filtration apparatus, the method including loosening filter cake from filter elements of a filtration vessel; conveying the loosened filter cake from the filter vessel towards a discharge shaft, which discharge shaft is in pressure communication with the filter vessel, is vertically disposed, and includes a bottom end having closure means; sensing the height of the filter cake within the discharge shaft; and cyclically opening and closing the closure means thereby discharging the filter cake by pressing or blowing out the filter cake due to the pressure within discharge shaft, the closure means being opened for a period of open time in response to sensing a selected maximum height of filter cake within the discharge shaft whereafter the closure means is closed automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and device for a discharge of a filter cake, loosened from filtration elements, out of a filter vessel of a filter apparatus, more particularly, out of a high pressure continuous filter device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a method and device is known, in which a loosened filter cake is discharged from an over-pressured filter vessel by means of two conveyor screws which adjoining each other at an angle of 90 degrees. The second conveyor screw, which debouches out of the filter vessel, along with the more or less compressed filter cake forms a closure between the inner-side and the outer-side of the filter vessel while under pressure, so that only the filter cake will be transported outside by the second conveyor screw and no pressure-loss will occur in the filter vessel itself.
This known method has the drawback that, with certain types of cake compositions, the cake in the second conveyor screw no longer is transported outside, but starts to turn along with the conveyor screw.
Also in this known method and device, certain types of cake composition generate an inadmissibly high wearing of the blades of the conveyor screws, causing the necessity to replace them quickly and repeatedly.
The invention aims to obviate the drawbacks of the known method and apparatus for discharge of a filter cake, loosened from filter elements, out of a filter vessel of a filter apparatus, more particularly, out of a high pressure continuous filter apparatus.

Filtration apparatus and method for discharging filter cake from a filtration apparatus


An apparatus and method for a low pressure laundry treating appliance having a cabinet defining an interior, and a drum provided within the interior, the drum including at least an inner wall and an outer wall. Pressure differentiations and flash evaporation can enable drying without excess use of conventional heating methods.

Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes washers, clothes dryers, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating drum that defines a treating chamber having an access opening through which laundry items are placed in the treating chamber for treating. The laundry treating appliance can have a controller that implements a number of pre-programmed cycles of operation having one or more operating parameters.
In some applications, the treating chamber can be a low pressure chamber for enabling and promoting evaporation of water from laundry items. Differing conditions, non-limiting examples of which can include pressure differences and temperature differences, between an area within the treating chamber and an area outside of the treating chamber, or generally between two areas within the laundry treating appliance, can contribute to evaporation of water from laundry items.
Systems or assemblies for water reclamation or water recycling can be employed to remove contaminants from a used liquid and reclaim purified liquid that can then be stored or re-used as desired. One common method for reclaiming or recycling water is through vapor compression distillation. In a vapor compression distillation process, influent liquid is brought to the boiling point to effect evaporation. During evaporation, the water is converted to water vapor, while contaminants present in the influent liquid are left behind and can be collected and removed from the assembly. The water vapor is compressed, then moves to a condenser, where it condenses at a higher temperature than the evaporation temperature to allow the energy of condensation to be used for evaporating more water. The condensed effluent distillate can be output from the water reclaiming assembly to be stored or re-used.


An object is to realize further size reduction in a lens barrel in which a barrel unit is rotatable in three axis directions. The lens barrel includes a support portion for supporting the barrel unit, a part of the support portion being fixed to an external member, an actuator including a drive base movable in a direction parallel to a surface passing through an optical axis of the barrel unit, and a universal joint mechanism portion for linking the barrel unit and the drive base of the actuator. The support portion supports the barrel unit rotatably about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis with respect to the optical axis direction, and the actuator drives the barrel unit about the pitch axis, the roll axis, and the yaw axis by moving the drive base.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a lens barrel in which a barrel unit is rotatable in three axis directions, and an imaging device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H05-167901 provides an imaging device in which a lens barrel is rotatable with respect to predetermined two axes.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


In a spar-type floating structure comprising a tall, thin floating body 2 and a ballast portion 3 provided to the floating body 2 so that the weight of the ballast portion 3 allows the floating body 2 to float in upright position, the floating body 2 includes a horizontally-extending first extended portion 21 arranged at the bottom, a horizontally-extending second extended portion 22 arranged in the middle, and a column portion connecting the first and second extended portions 21, 22 and extending up to the waterline, the first extended portion 21 forms the ballast portion 3, and the second extended portion 22 constitutes a buoyancy portion giving buoyancy to the floating body 2.

In recent years, from a viewpoint of preservation of global environment and effective use of natural energy, offshore wind power generation has been attracting attention. Various types of floating structures have been proposed for offshore wind power generation, including a spar type designed to have a center of gravity constantly below a center of buoyancy to ensure static stability; a TLP (tension leg platform) type designed to be moored by tensioned cables called tension legs; and a semi-submergible type designed to have a deck and a lower hull connected by columns to reduce the waterplane area (cross-sectional area at the waterline) and to reduce oscillating motions by utilizing a phase difference between wave forces acting on the submerged part. Among these types, the spar type is considered advantageous over the others in terms of costs.
Generally, the spar-type floating structure comprises a tall, thin, approximately-columnar floating body and a ballast portion provided at the bottom of the floating body so that the weight of the ballast portion allows the floating body, moored by cables, to float in upright position on the sea (see patent documents 1 and 2, for example).
For example, patent document 1 discloses a spar-type floating structure comprising an upper floating body with the waterline located on, a lower floating body greater in diameter than the upper floating body, and a ballast tank provided at the bottom of the lower floating body, and patent document 2 discloses a spar-type floating structure comprising an upper floating body with the waterline located on, a lower floating body greater in diameter than the upper floating body, and a ballast tank connected to the underside of the lower floating body by connecting steel pipes.


An apparatus for testing abrasion and a test method for testing the frictional wear characteristics of materials and parts even when a lubricant is used. The abrasion and test method enables reliable abrasion tests to be carried out in which good conformity with the sliding characteristics in actual pieces of equipment can be achieved.

The following disclosures may be relevant to various aspects of the present invention and may be briefly summarized as follows:
Many testers and test methods for evaluating the frictional wear characteristics of materials and lubricants are known in the art. The prior art reference entitled "Polymers, An Encyclopedic Sourcebook of Engineering Properties", Encyclopedia Reprint Series, John Wiley & Sons Inc., copyright 1987 pgs. 8-11, discloses a variety of devices and ASTM standards for test procedures for frictional wear.
Tribology Data Book (Techno System Shuppan, 1991). pgs. 195-205 describes various types of abrasion tests and their features, including pin-on-disk type, thrust cylinder type and block-on-ring type testers. The reference also mentions that it is common for measurement to be carried out under a fixed contacting load and a fixed friction speed.
JP-A 54-145584 is aimed at the measurement and evaluation of frictional resistance in a test specimen subjected to a fluctuating load under the same conditions as an actual piece of equipment that employs a reciprocating sliding mechanism. This reference discloses a tester, which uses an eccentric cam in order to vary as desired the sliding velocity, the contacting load, and the fluctuating load and period.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,922 to Smalley et al. discloses a technique for measuring the sliding characteristics between two test specimens that slide relative to each other while remaining in mutual contact. One of the test specimens being rotated by means of a rotary drive unit via an eccentric cam and the other test specimen being pressed against the first test specimen by an elastic body.
The testers and test methods disclosed in the prior art have the drawback that the sliding results obtained from the tests do not always conform well with the sliding characteristics of components in actual pieces of (e.g. commercial) equipment. This is believed to be attributable to the following reasons. In commercial or actual pieces of equipment: (1) the load and the sliding velocity are often not uniform, but instead vary periodically within a range; (2) because the test is carried out with the test specimens constantly in a state of mutual contact, the frictional heat generated builds up in the area of contact and the frictional wear behavior is strongly affected by the ensuing rise in temperature; and (3) because powder generated by abrasion builds up on the contact surfaces, the measured amount of wear does not directly represent the wear properties of the material.
Furthermore, in sliding-type abrasion tests in which a lubricating oil or grease is applied to the contact surface of the test specimen, the coefficient of friction is quite low, very little wear occurs, hence clear differences are often not obtained in measurement making it difficult to achieve worthwhile test results. In various electrical products for industrial or consumer applications, including drive system motors employed in automotive electrical components, sliding mechanism components are generally used with a lubricating oil or grease on the contact surfaces. Accordingly, there is a desire for an abrasion tester which can measure and evaluate the frictional wear characteristics of such components in a state that is the same as or similar to the conditions of actual use and which provides a higher reliability that makes it possible to predict the life of a product, thus enabling suitable material selection or design to be carried out.


Provided are techniques for viewing data lineage of objects. A data lineage view that includes at least one data lineage path is displayed. The data lineage view is generated by a data lineage tool that tracks an original object through processes that touched that original object. The at least one data lineage path is generated from the original object to a selected object and indicates how the original object was affected by the processes. The data lineage view is displayed as a fish eye view.

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to user interface options of a data lineage tool.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data lineage tools allow business and technical users to view the history of a discrete object (e.g., a object) from its introduction into, for example, a corporate data infrastructure (e.g., a database) to its current state. The history of an object may be described as information on processes that handled the object and what the processes did (e.g., a printing process printed the object). A data lineage tool may be used to answer the questions of "Where did this data come from?", "Where does this data go?" and "What business rules touch or have touched this data?" A data lineage tool accomplishes this by tracking the object through all the processes that touched (i.e., impacted or affected) that object. The output of a data lineage tool may be referred to as a data lineage view. A data lineage view includes one or more data lineage paths, and each data lineage path describes how an object was affected by processes. For example, a data lineage view may show that an object was initially stored in Database A, then was put into file B, then aggregated with information from Databases E and F, then was sent to reports Y and Z. FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a prior art data lineage system. In this example, a data lineage tool performed a data lineage analysis on an orders.txt object 110. In FIG. 1, the data lineage from an orders.txt object to an OrderFact object and an OrderRejects.txt object is illustrated. A data lineage path may be described as a path from a first object (e.g., orders.txt) to a second object (e.g., OrderFact) that describes a lineage of the first object. A first object from which the data lineage paths start may be referred to as a parent or root and is an ancestor of all other objects in the data lineage path. The object at the end of a data lineage path is a descendent of all other objects in the data lineage path. The remaining objects (also referred to as intermediate objects) in the data lineage path are ancestors of one or more objects and descendants of one or more objects in the data lineage path.
Conventional data lineage tools are useful, but have limitations. For example, conventional data lineage tools may only show a small portion of an object's lineage, may have limited context for objects that are in an ancestry data lineage path (i.e., descendants and ancestors), and may not show how the object is affected when the object moves through the system (e.g., whether the object has been truncated, aggregated, etc.).
Thus, there is a need in the art for improved usability of a data lineage tool.

User interface options of a data lineage tool

International Business Machines Corporation


An inexpensive fresh air intake pre-filtering device for make-up air is disclosed for use with a circulating forced air heating system that is installed on an outside wall of a building. The device is comprised of a polyethylene material with an outer flange for securing the fresh air intake to the exterior wall surface. The fresh air intake housing is structured to include an aluminum frame, two sided raised pattern grill of a RX Poly-Med filter medium, manufactured from 100% synthetic fibers. This is to prevent vermin, insects, pollens, and other pollutants from passing through, while permitting the 10% of air flow required by the Nation and Regional Building Codes for residential housing. This washable filter is easily removed or installed by the pull-tab on the front of the vent housing. This Pre-filtering device is designed to prevent snow and rain from entering the fresh air intake duct.

1. Field of the Invention
A supply of make-up and combustion air is required for buildings with forced air heating from furnaces with a combustion chamber that burns fuel of natural gas or oil. Buildings are airtight rely on the make-up air supply to maintain a neutral or positive pressure so products from combustion don't enter the inhabited areas. While the forced air fan is operating it will draw in through the fresh air intakes upward of 180 to 125 cfm or what calculates into 10% of the make-up required for the building's particular furnace circulating system.
Where screens are required on air intakes supplying make-up air, the building code requires that the screens with less than ¼ inch. It's gross area shall be three times greater than the duct it serves. They shall be removable without any special tools and made of a none corrosive resistant material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In art, a device has been introduced for supplying make-up air to the forced air furnace circulating system as shown by Kogut, Jimmy A. U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,681, is known to use the same standard screen openings, ¼ inch, which is not removable for cleaning on the fresh air intakes. Screens of this nature are known to plug up with debris, freeze up with frost and snow, imposing difficulty on the air intakes to supply the make-up air, there by creating a negative pressure and allowing products of combustion into the inhabited areas, possibly at unsafe levels.
Studies show these air intakes develop a build up over time by allowing insects, mice, pollens, dust mites, allergens, and air borne bacteria to enter the furnace's circulating system, this accumulation and confinement has raised some health concerns.


Apparatus for tuning an NMR probe coil (10) to a desired frequency (.omega.) and matching the coil (10) and the apparatus to a desired input impedance (20) comprises a differential capacitor (54, 70, 80, 120) having first, second and third terminals. The capacitance across the first and third terminals of the differential capacitor (54, 80, 120) is constant and is preselected to obtain the desired resonant frequency (.omega.). The capacitance across first and second terminals of the capacitor (54, 70, 80, 120) is variable and is adjusted to obtain the desired input impedance (Z.sub.0) without affecting the capacitance across the first and third terminals thereof.

In nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) machines, a high-intensity magnetic field is generated by an extremely strong magnet, which usually is superconducting.
One conventional NMR main magnet design is toroidally shaped. An extremely strong, extremely uniform magnetic field is generated within a predetermined volume within an axial bore of this magnet. Inserted into the axial bore are the sample, tissue or body to be analyzed, and a combination radio frequency transmitting and sensor coil. The RF probe coil is situated to generate an oscillating field at right angles to the main field. The oscillating RF field causes an oscillation in the alignment of the chemical species. The oscillation of the chemical species within the magnet causes the emission of radio frequency signals, which are sensed by the RF probe coil.
In order to generate the appropriate frequency for oscillation, it is necessary to tune the inductive and capacitive elements of the sensor or probe coil such that there is optimum resonance in the circuit corresponding to the desired frequency. This tuning will vary according to the type of coil used and with the environment in which it is put. In general, tuning of the coil must occur with each new sample or body to be analyzed.
It is also necessary to match the impedance of the inputs of the probe coil to an RF-energy generating source in order to obtain the maximum transmission of RF-energy into the coil and to optimize the signal to noise ratio. Because the criteria for tuning and matching are different, the tuning and matching process is iterative, time consuming and difficult, as will be shown in more depth in the detailed description below.
In view of the foregoing, a need has arisen for methods and apparatus for tuning and matching an NMR probe coil wherein the resonant frequency and impedance matching conditions are decoupled from each other.

Method and apparatus for tuning and matching an NMR coil

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


A new cultivar of Clematis named xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 that is characterized by a compact habit, fernlike foliage and a profuse display of cream-white female flowers in spring. In combination these traits set xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 apart from all other existing varieties of Clematis known to the inventor.

Genus: Clematis.
Species: cartmanii.
Denomination: Snow Valley.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Clematis that is grown for use as a sub-shrub for the landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as a Clematisxc3x97cartmanii and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99.
xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 resulted from a formal breeding program. The inventor bred xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 in 1994 by induced hybridization between the pollen parent Clematis xe2x80x98Avalanchexe2x80x99 (unpatented) and the seed parent Clematis xe2x80x98White Cascadexe2x80x99 (unpatented). The cross was conducted in a cultivated area of Hampshire, England and xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 was selected based on the criteria of compact habit and female sexuality. xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is a hybrid and exhibits short internodes and a profusion of cream-white flowers, along with finely dissected green foliage with grey-purple markings.
The closest comparison plant is Clematisxc3x97cartmanii xe2x80x98Early Sensationxe2x80x99 (unpatented). xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is distinguishable from the comparison plant by its pronounced compact habit. At maturity xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is 0.3 meters in height and 0.5 meters in width. xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 differs from the parent plants xe2x80x98Avalanchexe2x80x99 and xe2x80x98White Cascadexe2x80x99 in vigor, internode length, finely dissected leaves, and flower size. xe2x80x98White Cascadexe2x80x99 and xe2x80x98Avalanchexe2x80x99 grow 10-16 cm. in a season. xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is less vigorous, growing 5-6 cm. in a season. The internode length of xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is 3-4 cm. This is less than xe2x80x98White Cascadexe2x80x99 and xe2x80x98Avalanchexe2x80x99, which exhibit internodes that are 10-16 cm. in length. The leaves of xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 are finely dissected. xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 exhibits flowers that are 3-4.25 cm. in diameter, whereas xe2x80x98Avalanchexe2x80x99 exhibits flowers that are 7-8 cm. in diameter and xe2x80x98White Cascadexe2x80x99 exhibits flowers that are 5.50-7 cm. in diameter.
The first asexual propagation of xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99, was accomplished by the inventor, in 1997 in a cultivated area of Hampshire, England. The method of propagation used was semi-ripe nodal stem cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable and uniform and true to type in successive generations.
The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Clematis cultivar xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99. In combination these traits set xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 apart from all other existing varieties of Clematis known to the inventor. xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.
1. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is an evergreen sub-shrub.
2. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 produces female flowers.
3. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 exhibits a compact habit.
4. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 exhibits finely dissected green foliage with grey-purple markings.
5. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 exhibits short internodes.
6. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 produces a profusion of cream-white flowers in spring.
7. Clematis xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99 is 0.30 meters in height and 0.50 meters in width at maturity.

Clematis plant named xe2x80x98Snow Valleyxe2x80x99


This capacitor assembly includes inner and outer sheets of metal foil constituting first and second electrodes, respectively, of the assembly and dielectric film interposed between the foil sheets and insulating the foil sheets from each other when the capacitor assembly is energized. The foil sheets and the dielectric film are wound about a central axis to form a roll in which the sheets and the film are disposed in interleaving turns extending about the central axis in face-to-face relationship. Each of the foil sheets has a head edge near the central axis and a tail edge near the outer periphery of the roll. The head and tail edges of the inner foil sheet are folded over to reduce electric-field stress concentrations adjacent these edges. But the head and tail edges of the outer foil sheet are left unfolded, and the outer foil sheet adjacent its head and tail edges extends about the central axis substantially beyond the respective head and tail folded edges of the inner foil sheet. As between the above two foil sheets, the foil sheet nearer to the outer periphery of the roll is considered to be the outer foil sheet.

In this capacitor assembly the foil sheets and the dielectric film are wound about a central longitudinal axis to form a roll in which the sheets and film are disposed in interleaving turns extending about the axis. Each of the foil sheets has two side edges disposed at opposite ends of the roll, a head edge near the central axis of the roll, and a tail edge near the outer periphery of the roll.
A widely-used design for this type of capacitor roll is the extended-foil design. In this design, one of the foils has one of its two side edge regions extending out beyond the dielectric film at one end of the capacitor roll, and the other of the foils has one of its two side edge regions extending out beyond the dielectric film at the other end of the capacitor roll. The other side edge region of each foil is located in a position spaced inwardly from the adjacent outer edge of the dielectric film, or, in other words, in buried relationship between the turns of the dielectric film.
For reducing electric-field stress concentrations at the edges of the sheets, it is conventional to fold over all edges of the sheets that are disposed in buried relationship between the turns of the dielectric film. In an extended-foil type of capacitor, this has involved folding over one side edge of each foil sheet and the head and the tail edges of each foil sheet. The apparatus for folding over these edges is relatively expensive. It typically comprises a folding device for each side edge of the foil sheet that is to be folded and another folding device for the head and tail edges of each foil sheet.

Capacitor assembly of the wound-foil type


A panoramic image preparing method comprises a step of setting a measurement range 70 so as to include objects to be measured 72, 73, and 74, a step of dividing the measurement range as required and setting two or more sections 71 and a step of synthesizing partial images 81 photographed for each of the sections and preparing a panoramic image 80, a step of photographing each of the sections under two or more image pickup conditions and a step of synthesizing the panoramic image by using the partial image photographed under an optimal image pickup condition at least about the object to be measured.

The present invention relates to a panoramic image preparing method and a three-dimensional laser scanner.
A three-dimensional laser scanner has been known as a surveying device for acquiring three-dimensional data (3D data) of an object to be measured in a short time.
The three-dimensional laser scanner is installed at a reference point, scans a measurement range or an object to be measured with a pulse laser beam, measures a distance for each pulse laser beam and acquires point-group data. In a case where the point-group data is to be acquired in a wide range, the three-dimensional laser scanner is installed at other reference points, the three-dimensional laser scanner acquires the point-group data for an adjacent measurement range and synthesizes the acquired point-group data so as to make the acquirement of the point-group data in a wide range possible.
Further, there is a three-dimensional laser scanner which comprises an image pickup device, acquires an image of the measurement range by the image pickup device, acquires color information (RGB) of a measuring point from the acquired image, attaches the color information to three-dimensional coordinate of the measuring point and applies the coloring to the image of the object to be measured drawn by the point-group data so that the image can be easily recognized.
In a case where the measurement range of the three-dimensional laser scanner is widened, the measurement range becomes larger than a photographing range of a single image pickup device and thus, the image corresponding to the measurement range becomes a panoramic image acquired by synthesizing partially acquired images. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a relationship between a panoramic image 83 and a photographing range 84 of the single image pickup device and one section illustrated in FIG. 8 indicates the photographing range 84 of the single image pickup device and the illustrated panoramic image 83 is composed of vertically 5 by laterally 5 photographing ranges 84.
Conventionally, in a case where a panoramic image is to be acquired, contrast is adjusted at a center of the panoramic image. The contrast is set so that the contrast becomes optimal at a center the photographing range 84, and the photographing of the entire measurement range is performed with the set contrast. However, brightness is usually different depending on a direction of photographing and a photographing position, and if the contrast is adjusted at the center photographing range 84, the contrast no longer becomes optimal in a part, which is too bright, and in a part which is too dark as exemplified in FIG. 9.
Therefore, the color information of image data acquired by photographing with the contrast, which is not optimal, is attached with respect to the measuring point of the part, which is too bright or too dark. Thus, the colored image prepared by the acquired point-group data also reflects the contrast state of the image data.

Panoramic image preparing method and three-dimensional laser scanner


A display panel test circuit that includes a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs); a first signal line electrically connected to gates of the MOSFETs; a second signal line electrically connected to sources of a part of the MOSFETs; and a third signal line electrically connected to sources of other part of the MOSFETs; wherein sources of any two adjacent MOSFETs of the plurality of MOSFETs are electrically connected to the second signal line and the third signal line, respectively. The display panel test circuit can detect a short circuit problem of a green data signal during a phase of lighting test, and thereby monitor and increase yields of AMOLED display panels.

In comparison with liquid crystal displays (LCDs), active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display panels have a unique advantage of self-luminescence. They also have competitive advantages such as lower power consumption, high contrast, wide color gamut, foldability, etc., and have currently become mainstream display panels. However, AMOLED display panels still have a problem of unsatisfactory yields.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional AMOLED cell phone display panel. In a border area under the panel, from upper to lower, there are a second fanout area 11, a bending area 12, a first fanout area 13, a cell test area 14, and a bonding area 15. On left and right sides of the bonding area 15, there is also a test pad area (as 16 shown in FIG. 2). The test pad area 16 is used for lighting test of the panel, and after passing the test, the panel is through a module process and the AMOLED display panel is finally manufactured.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of wiring in the border area under the conventional AMOLED cell phone display panel. During a phase of lighting test, signals are input by laminating a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) on the test pad area 16 of the panel. Using chip on film (COF) as an example, the test pad area 16 on left and right sides are symmetric and have more than twenty pins respectively. Wherein, there is one dummy pin on left and right sides respectively, and input signals of the other pins can be divided into three categories. Signals of the first category (CK, VGL, VGH, etc.) are directly connected to a gate on array (GOA) area and are used for providing a gate line; the second category (CT_EN and CT_data) are connected to the cell test area 14 and are used for providing data signals; and the third category (VDD and VSS) are used for providing power to the panel. During the phase of lighting test, data signals are provided by the cell test area 14 to the panel, and when reaching the phase of module lighting, data signals are provided to the panel by the FPC and integrated circuit (IC) bonded on the panel.
During the phase of lighting test, when two adjacent data signal lines have a short circuit, the conventional test circuit cannot detect it, because all data signal lines are electrically connected to a same input line and an identical result is displayed on the screen of the lighting test. However, when reaching the phase of module bonding, some abnormalities will appear, and rework is required to repair such abnormalities, thereby increasing complexity of the process and affecting the yields.

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTORDISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A transport housing for a coil or a coil block, having an upper and a lower pressing plate, wherein the coil or the coil block is arranged between the two pressing plates and the latter can be braced against each other by a plurality of tension rods in the manner of an axial tension configuration. A frame enclosing the coil or the coil block to which a membrane, movable both toward the inner chamber of the transport housing and toward the outside, is fastened and having an outer housing which provides mechanical protection for the membrane and enables unhindered or allows movement of the membrane to the outside.

As result of the increasing number of on-site repairs to transformers, bottlenecks in coil manufacture in individual manufacturing locations of a transformer plant, and the simultaneously free winding capacity at other locations, the transportation of coils for oil-filled transformers less than 1000 kVA and pre-assembled coil blocks without the associated transformer tank and without associated cores is acquiring greater importance.
Coils for oil-filled transformers are generally transported (A) completely dry, (B) vertically and axially clamped with a defined force, (C) radially supported, and (D) complying with specified width and height dimensions.
The specification according to (A) results from on-site repairs, where technical equipment for drying the coils is not usually available and the technical equipment cannot be provided at a reasonable expense. When coils are transferred between different manufacturing locations without dry transportation, the coils are first dried before installation, which often results in time and capacity problems.
The specification according to (B) results from the fact that coils have to be fitted in a short-circuit-proof manner, axially clamped under a defined force and thereby set up under pressure to a defined installation length. However, the technical prerequisites for pressing coils and coil blocks are not usually available on site. For example, when coils are transferred between different manufacturing locations, the same time and capacity problems can occur as with drying. In addition it is not technically possible to transport coils without any axial clamping.
The specification for radial support when transporting coils according to (C) results from the fact that coils and coil blocks mounted on the active part are supported by the solid core legs. Their construction with correspondingly thin supporting cylinders is not designed for unsupported transportation. Thus, it is not possible to transport coils without radial fixing or support.
The specification according to (D) result from width dimensions which, in the case of land transport, arise from the width of the roadways to be used and the building regulations for trucks derived therefrom, and from height dimensions which are derived from necessary bridge clearances and similar. The same also applies to rail transport. In the case of sea transport, in addition to the above-mentioned specifications, container dimensions and the specifications relating to stackability are also taken into account.
According to known transport housings, when transporting coils or coil blocks, the specifications according to (B) and (C) are usually implemented by fitting the coils or coil blocks into a press frame consisting of lower and upper pressing plate and tie rods for fixing under pressure.
According to known transport housings, the specifications according to (A) is usually fulfilled by transporting the coils in pressure-tight transport tanks, which are specially designed for this means of transport and are therefore expensive. Thus, the use of a transport tank can be restricted to one or sometimes a few means of transport. For example, the press frame with the coils is placed and fixed in this transport tank and then screwed pressure-tight by means of a cover. In order to provide protection against moisture during transportation, this configuration is then either filled with dry air, and a positive pressure is maintained in the tank by means of an attached system with a pressure cylinder for the entirety of the transportation period. Alternatively, the transport tank can be filled with dried transformer oil and an oil-free space between the top of the coil and the bottom of the tank is connected to the external atmosphere via an air dryer, which is used to balance the temperature. At the same time, the external dimensions of the transport are a consideration.
The previous implementation of the processes according to (A) for dry transportation by means of transport tanks due to their construction and their manufacture, uses pressure-tight transport tanks, which are very expensive, i.e. the price of a transport tank is up to 40% of the cost of the leg coils to be transported.
When transporting with dry air, the maintenance of the positive pressure is monitored at regular intervals during transportation.
The additional dimensions for transport tank, cover, compressed air system or dry air storage for oil transportation with air cushions reduce the space remaining for the coil block itself in the given transport volume.
Above a certain coil size, cost-intensive special transport means, including night travel, single lane closures, police escort etc., may be used depending on the dimensions of the pressed coil block.
In the case of on-site repairs, the associated additional costs have been be taken into account and up to now, the high transport costs have prevented coils being transferred between different manufacturing locations to make use of free winding capacity for want of appropriate cost effectiveness.

Transport housing for a coil or a coil block