A DRAM cell structure having a capacitance electrode with a tapered end surface is disclosed. Accordingly, the cell structure of this invention provides increased yield without increasing the number of process steps required to form the cell structure, A unique process for forming the capacitance electrode with a tapered end surface is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a semiconductor DRAM memory cell and more specifically to an improved semiconductor DRAM memory cell and a method for making the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a high-capacity dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell structure. The high-capacity DRAM cell structure 50 has two double level polysilicon cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2, each of which includes an access transistor 21 and a storage capacitor 22. In the figures, a single number without a subscript refers to like features in each of cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2 since the cells generally have mirror symmetry about the center of source region 13. For example, cell 20 refers to both cells 20.sub.1 and 20.sub.2.
DRAM cell 20 has a pocket 13 of N+ conductivity type formed in a P- conductivity type (P- type) semiconductor substrate 10. Pocket 13, which is part of a diffused bit line, functions as the source for access transistor 21 in both cell 20.sub.1 and cell 20.sub.2.
A deep P-type conductivity implant region 11, typically a boron implant, and a shallow N-type conductivity implant region 12, typically an arsenic implant, are each formed a selected distance from edge 13A of source region 13. The distance from edge 13A of source region 13 to edge Y of N-type conductivity implant 12 is the channel length of access transistor 21. P implant isolation region 14, a channel stop region, and field oxide region 15 are formed on the periphery of DRAM cell 50. A thin dielectric layer 18 overlies implant regions 11, 12, and field oxide region 15. A gate oxide layer 27 overlies source region 13 and the channel region. A first polysilicon layer 16 is formed on dielectric layer 18 over field oxide 15 and arsenic implant region 12 and boron implant region 11. First polysilicon layer 16 functions as a storage electrode for capacitor 22 of cell 20. A transfer gate 19 is a second polysilicon electrode that is separated from the first polysilicon electrode by silicon dioxide layer 17 and from the channel region and source 13 by silicon dioxide layer 27.
The double level polysilicon DRAM memory cell, as 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, is widely used in DRAM arrays because the cell size is significantly reduced over other conventional charge storage DRAM cells.
The threshold voltage of transistor 21 is a function of the effective channel length and the coupling of capacitance arsenic region 12 to polysilicon transfer gate 19. Therefore, variations introduced in either the effective channel length or the coupling of capacitance region 12 and transfer gate 19 by fabrication processes reduce yield because the process variations change the coupling in cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2 which in turn results in different threshold voltages for cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2.
Cells 20.sub.1 and 20.sub.2 (FIG. 1) are fabricated on a semiconductor chip having many thousands of similar cells and successful operation of the chip requires that all such cells on the chip be free of defects. However, the standard process for forming DRAM cells 20 in a memory array frequently results in an unwanted structure that shorts gates 19.sub.1, 19.sub.2 in cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2.
This problem is best understood by considering the fabrication steps used to form prior art DRAM cells 20. The ion implantations used to form capacitance regions 11, 12 in substrate 10 are omitted because these steps are unrelated to the failure mechanism. As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate has P implant isolation region 14 which is overlain by field oxide region 15. A thin silicon oxide layer 18A, typically about 50.ANG. thick, is formed on substrate 10 between field oxide regions 15 which in turn is covered by a silicon nitride layer 18B, typically about 100.ANG. thick, which also overlies the field oxide regions 15. After formation of silicon nitride layer 18B, polysilicon layer 16 is formed which in turn is overlain by a sacrificial oxide layer 40.
After formation of oxide layer 40, a photoresist mask 41 (FIG. 3) is formed on oxide layer 40 with opening 42 that is used to define the extent of capacitance electrode 16 of DRAM cell 20 (FIG. 1). As oxide layer 40 (FIG. 3) is etched, photoresist mask 41 is undercut as shown in FIG. 4. Photoresist mask 41 is subsequently stripped using a wet etch process leaving the structure illustrated in FIG. 5.
Etched oxide layer 40 is used as a mask for a wet etch of capacitance polysilicon layer 16 to form the structure shown in FIG. 6. Sacrificial oxide layer 40 is then removed to leave the structure of FIG. 7. Hence, starting with opening 42 in photoresist mask 41, the extent of capacitance storage electrode 16 was defined by the subsequent etching processes of oxide layer 40 and polysilicon layer 16.
The shape of edge surface 16C of capacitance electrode 16 was formed by the wet etch of capacitance polysilicon layer 16 and angle .gamma. between bottom surface 16A of gate 16 and edge surface 16C is determined by the etching process. Angle .gamma. is typically in the range of about 90.degree. to about 60.degree. with a typical angle being about 80.degree..
The steep inclination of edge surface 16C is one factor that limits the yield of prior art DRAM cells 20. Oxide layer 17 is formed over polysilicon layer 16. Oxide layer 17 forms a protruding lip 17A as shown in FIG. 8. Lip 17A is the structure which directly contributes to creation of the failure mechanism for DRAM cell 20. Lip 17A extends around the perimeter of elliptical opening 43 (FIG. 8).
After formation of oxide layer 17, a triple-etch, using oxide layer 17 as a mask, is used to remove dielectric layers 18A, 18B between oxide layer 17.sub.1, 17.sub.2 so that surface 10.sub.1 of substrate 10 is exposed. Gate oxide 27 is grown on surface 10.sub.1, and then the entire structure is overlain by a polysilicon layer 19A (FIG. 9). A mask and a plasma etch are typically used to form gates 19 (FIG. 10) from polysilicon layer 19A.
While the plasma etching removes polysilicon layer 19A over source region 13 (see FIG. 1), polysilicon 19B under lip 17A remains because the plasma etch is shielded from this area by lip 17A.
Accordingly, gate structures 19.sub.1, 19.sub.2 are connected by polysilicon 19B and DRAM cells 20.sub.1, 20.sub.2 are electrically shorted through gate 19.
Hence, the steep inclination of edge surface 16C of capacitance polysilicon results in protruding lip 17a being formed in overlying oxide layer 17 which in turn results in a failure mechanism for the associated DRAM cell. This failure mechanism is a function of the prior art processing steps so that to obtain increased yield, two additional processing steps are required. To remove polysilicon 19B requires another mask step and an isotropic etch so as to break polysilicon 19B in two places. These additional processing steps while increasing yields also increase processing costs and processing times.

Method for forming a DRAM memory cell with tapered capacitor electrodes


A method of processing geophysical data including determining the azimuth of a mirror symmetry plane within the earth from the geophysical data having sets of geophysical data acquired with different source-receiver azimuths. The data are processed to determine attributes of the geophysical data that are azimuth-dependent. One azimuth-dependent attribute of the geophysical data is selected, and a value of the source-receiver azimuth about which the selected attribute exhibits mirror symmetry is determined. This locates a mirror symmetry plane within the earth. The value of the source-receiver azimuth may be determined by generating an objective function indicative of the difference between the actual value of an attribute at one azimuth and the value predicted for that attribute at that azimuth using a trial estimate of the azimuth of a mirror symmetry plane, and finding the azimuth of a mirror symmetry plane that minimizes the objective function.

This is a nationalization under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application PCT/GB02/03354, filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty on Jul. 17, 2002, claiming priority to Application Serial No. 0117589.2, filed in Great Britain on Jul. 18, 2001. Accordingly, we claim priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Application Serial No. 0117589.2, filed in Great Britain on Jul. 18, 2001.


A covering for delivering a therapeutic agent to a surgical site is provided. The covering may include a single or multi-compartment structure configured to at least partially retain the therapeutic agent until the covering is placed at a surgical site. Upon placement, the covering may facilitate transfer of the therapeutic agent to the surgical site. In some embodiments, the covering comprises an antimicrobial agent, a hemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, and/or a growth factor.

The use of bone grafts and bone substitute materials in orthopedic medicine is known. While bone wounds can regenerate without the formation of scar tissue, fractures and other orthopedic injuries take a long time to heal, during which time the bone is unable to support physiologic loading unaided. Metal pins, screws, rods, plates and meshes are frequently required to replace the mechanical functions of injured bone. However, metal is significantly more stiff than bone. Use of metal implants may result in decreased bone density around the implant site due to stress shielding. Physiologic stresses and corrosion may cause metal implants to fracture. Unlike bone, which can heal small damage cracks through remodeling to prevent more extensive damage and failure, damaged metal implants can only be replaced or removed. The natural cellular healing and remodeling mechanisms of the body coordinate removal of bone and bone grafts by osteoclast cells and formation of bone by osteoblast cells.
Conventionally, bone tissue regeneration is achieved by filling a bone repair site with a bone graft. Over time, the bone graft is incorporated by the host and new bone remodels the bone graft. In order to place the bone graft, it is common to use a monolithic bone graft or to form an osteoimplant comprising particulated bone in a carrier. The carrier is thus chosen to be biocompatible, to be resorbable, and to have release characteristics such that the bone graft is accessible. Generally, the formed implant, whether monolithic or particulated and in a carrier, is substantially solid at the time of implantation and thus does not conform to the implant site. Further, the implant is substantially complete at the time of implantation and thus provides little ability for customization, for example by the addition of autograft.
The use of bone grafts is generally limited by the available shape and size of grafts. Bone grafts using cortical bone remodel slowly because of their limited porosity. Traditional bone substitute materials and bone chips are more quickly remodeled but cannot immediately provide mechanical support. In addition, while bone substitute materials and bone chips can be used to fill oddly shaped bone defects, such materials are not as well suited for wrapping or resurfacing bone.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Bone delivery system having a therapeutic agent


One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a heat sink assembly for dissipating heat from an electronic component. The heat sink assembly includes a heat sink having a base and at least one fin extending from the base. The at least one fin has an opening formed therein that is configured to receive a fastener. The heat sink assembly also includes a clip. The clip has a first portion configured to receive the fastener and at least one second portion flexibly coupled to the first portion. The at least one second portion is configured to secure the heat sink to the electronic component proximate to the base in response to a force being applied to the first portion by the fastener.

1. Field of Invention
At least one embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a heat sink assembly, and more specifically, to assemblies and methods for securing heat sinks to electronic components.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Electronic devices generate heat during operation. Heat exchange devices, commonly referred to as heat sinks, can attach to electronic devices to transfer heat energy away from the electronic devices to a fluid medium such as air. Excessive heat limits or reduces the operational performance of the electronic devices. Heat exchange devices generally have a larger surface area exposed to air than the electronic device (or portion thereof) to which the heat exchange devices are attached. The larger surface area generally provides an increased heat transfer capacity relative to the electronic device.

Heat sink assembly for electronic components


A method of distributing an electric quantity through an electronic circuit for local exploitation by at least one circuit block of the electronic circuit that includes providing in the electronic circuit first and second conductive lines, the first conductive line distributing a first electric potential and the second conductive line carrying a second electric potential that is a dedicated reference electric potential for the first electric potential, the first and second electric potentials corresponding to the distributed electric quantity, and locally exploiting the distributed electric quantity by at least one circuit block of the electronic circuit, by locally reconstructing the distributed electric quantity from the first and second electric potentials without perturbing them, particularly without either sinking or injecting any significant current from or into the first and second conductive lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to electronic circuits, particularly to Integrated Circuits (ICs). More specifically, the invention relates to the aspects of distributing electric quantities through an electronic circuit for local use, e.g., for use by circuit blocks as reference signals, such as reference voltages or currents.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electronic circuits, particularly in ICs, there is often the necessity of distributing through the IC electric quantities, such as voltages and/or currents, that are for example generated centrally, in a localized region of the IC, and which are exploited, e.g., as reference signals, locally to one or more circuit blocks in the IC, which are located more or less remotely from the generation site.
One example is the case of semiconductor memories. Some kinds of semiconductor memories, e.g., non-volatile memories such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, and Flash memories, make use of reference voltages or currents or both for the operation of reading the data stored in the memory cells. Additionally, those non-volatile memories that are also electrically programmable use reference voltages or currents or both for the operation of verifying the data programmed into the memory cells.
These are mere examples, and the list of situations wherein reference electric quantities need to be generated and distributed through an electronic circuit, such as an IC, is very long.
The distribution of the reference voltages and currents is a critical aspect, especially in case of ICs of large size, which is more and more frequent, in consideration of the trend towards the increase of the integration scale.
For example, a reference voltage signal, which may be used by a circuit as such, or exploited for generating, by conversion, a reference current signal, is typically distributed through the IC by means of a metal line (for simplicity, a "metal").
According to a first known solution, schematically depicted in FIG. 1, wherein reference numeral 100 is intended to identify a generic IC, e.g., a semiconductor memory such as a Flash memory, including a generator 105 of a reference voltage signal, the reference voltage, which is generated and distributed by means of a metal Vr, through the IC, is referred to an IC common reference electric potential, such as the common ground voltage, which is distributed through the IC by means of a metal GND (the common ground voltage typically is the electric potential to which the IC supply voltage VDD, distributed through the chip by means of a metal VDD, is referred); in this case, only one metal (the metal Vr) needs to be routed through the IC for distributing the reference voltage signal, from the generation site (i.e., the site in the IC where the reference voltage signal generator 105 is integrated) to the site or sites where the reference voltage is exploited, e.g., the circuit blocks 110a and 110b; for example, in case the IC is a non-volatile, electrically programmable memory, the circuit blocks 110a and 110b may be sense amplifier circuits or programming circuits, for sensing or programming the memory cells.
Due to the non-zero resistivity of the metals, currents injected into the common ground metal GND by the several circuit blocks of the IC, including currents I0 and I1 injected by the circuit blocks 110a and 110b exploiting the reference voltage signal (so-called self-induced disturbs), and currents injected into the common ground metal GND by any other circuit block of the IC, such as the current I2 injected by the circuit block 115 can disturb the value of the intended current or voltage or both. Any such current contributes to making the actual, local value of the common ground electric potential vary along the common ground metal GND. As a consequence, the actual value Vrif,a, Vrif,b of the reference voltage signal locally, at the circuit blocks 110a and 110b, differs from the reference voltage signal nominal value Vrif at the generation site. Such an effect can be reduced by properly dimensioning the IC metals, particularly by providing a relatively wide common ground metal GND, so as to reduce their resistivity, but there are semiconductor area and layout constraints to be respected that limit the possibility of widening the metal lines. Other sources of noise that may affect the actual local value of the reference voltage signal are for example fast switching digital signals, such as clock signals CLK, that, due to capacitive coupling, affect the local value of the common ground voltage, and thus the local actual value of the reference voltage signal.
In an alternative solution, schematically depicted in FIG. 2, yet at the generation site, the reference voltage signal may be referred to a dedicated reference electric potential, which is thus distributed through the IC alongside with the reference voltage signal by means of a dedicated reference electric potential metal GNDr, physically distinct from the metal GND that distributes, through the IC, the common ground. In this case, two metals are necessary for distributing the reference voltage signal from the generation site to the site of exploitation: one metal Vr for the reference voltage, and another metal GNDr for the dedicated reference electric potential, are in fact necessary for routing the reference voltage from the generation site to the site of exploitation (where the circuit blocks 110a, . . . , 110k are located). In this way, disturbances induced by currents injected into the common ground metal GND by circuit blocks (e.g., the circuit block 115) other than those exploiting the reference voltage are avoided, but the above-mentioned self-induced disturbances are still present. Additionally, while in an IC it is normally feasible to have a large metal GND for distributing the IC common ground potential, this is not the case for any dedicated reference potential metals GNDr, for which the area requirements are much stricter, and which are thus normally kept narrow.
In any case, the problem of having a reference electric quantity that, when distributed to different sites of the electronic circuit, changes its values with respect to the expected, nominal value, is a great problem in several applications.
Just to cite an example, let the case of a multi-level non-volatile semiconductor memory be considered, for example a multi-level Flash memory. In such a memory, each memory cell is adapted to store more than one bit of information, for example two bits, usually in terms of a plurality of (e.g., four or more) different values of the threshold voltage of a MOS transistor. The distance between the different threshold voltage values is small. In terms of current sunk by the memory cell, the memory cell currents that correspond to different threshold voltage values may differ from each other of a few microamperes. Thus, it is essential that the reference voltage(s) used to discriminate between the different threshold voltage values (or, dually, the reference current(s) used to discriminate between the different currents that may be sunk by the memory cell, depending on its programming state) is very precise. This is hardly achieved due to the disuniformity of the distributed reference voltage signal through the IC.
In view of the state of the art outlined in the foregoing, the Applicant has faced the problem of how to ensure that an electric quantity, such as a reference voltage/current signal, that has to be distributed through an electronic circuit, e.g., an IC, has, at a generic exploitation site in the IC, a value that substantially does not differ from the expected, nominal value, and that the value of such a distributed electric quantity is substantially uniform at different exploitation sites in the electronic circuit.

Distribution of an electric quantity through a circuit


Provided is a recombinant BCG employing a pMyong2 vector system to express HIV-1 p24 and a use thereof as a HIV-1 vaccine. rBCG-pMyong2-p24, which is a pMyong2 vector system, was found to induce the upregulation of HIV-1 p24 gag expression in rBCG and infected antigen-presenting cells (APC) and to induce improved p24-specific immune responses in vaccinated mice, compared to rBCG-pAL-p24 in a pAL5000 derived vector system. rBCG-pMyong2-p24 was identified to exhibit a higher p24-specific Ab production level than rSmeg-pMyong2-p24 in the same pMyong2 vector system. Therefore, the recombinant BCG employing rBCG-pMyong2-p24 to express HIV-1 p24 according to the present invention is identified to elicit enhanced immune responses to HIV-1 infection in mouse model systems and thus can be expected to be used as a prime vaccine in the heterologous prime-boost vaccination strategy against HIV-1 infection.

Although an HIV-1 infection rate tends to be gradually declining worldwide, an efficient preventive vaccine against HIV-1 still remains an urgent need. Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG) is a promising strain for HIV-1 vaccine development. Thus, the present invention discloses the potential of rBCG (rBCG-pMyong2-p24) expressing the HIV-1 p24 antigen Gag using a pMyong2 vector in the vaccine application against HIV-1 infection.
Despite the contribution of highly activated antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to control HIV replication in HIV-infected individuals, drug-resistant viruses which are generated after long-term treatment, the costs of expensive drugs, and the like remain as one of several problems to be solved. Therefore, even though the rate of new HIV-1 infections is gradually declining worldwide, there is still a need for efficient preventive vaccines to suppress the further spread of the virus. HIV-specific cellular immunity is primarily induced by HIV-specific T cells having poly-functionality and the ability to proliferate against immunodominant viral peptides, and an efficient immune response to HIV-1 may occur due to these characteristics, so that this cellular immunity, particularly virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) should be a more important component of a host immune system to fight HIV-1.
Based on these facts, various strategies are under development to elicit potent HIV-1-specific CTL and type 1 helper T cell (Th1) responses, including the use of live viral vectors and plasmid DNA vaccines. However, several problems are associated with each of these approaches, including safety issues, so that the actual and practical use thereof is limited. Currently, Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG), which is currently the most widely administered vaccine worldwide, has been used for 80 years or more as the only live attenuated vaccine to fight tuberculosis (TB). Since BCG can prevent disseminated disease in children, it has been used as a part of the World Health Organization Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) for childhood vaccination since the early 1970s.
The recombinant form of BCG, i.e., recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG), which has been successfully used to express foreign antigens and induce immune responses, has been considered a vaccine candidate against various infectious agents, including Borrelia burgdorferi, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, rodent malaria, Leishmania, measles virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The most practical advantage of the rBCG vector is its high safety. In addition, rBCG demonstrates excellent adjuvant properties, induces long-lasting cellular immune responses that are maintained for at least 1 to 2 years, has a low production cost, is easy to administer, and usually requires only one or two immunizations. Therefore, the above-mentioned advantages of the rBCG-based vaccine over other recombinant vaccine approaches suggest that rBCG could be a potent vaccine against HIV-1 infection, capable of inducing safe, virus-specific immune responses.

Recombinant BCG expressing HIV-1 p24 using pMyong2 vector system and use thereof

SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R & DB FOUNDATION


The invention provides compositions containing at least one functionalized polyolefin, and in particular, to compositions containing at least one functionalized ethylene interpolymer, which has a melt viscosity less than 50,000 cP at 350° F. (177° C.) and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) from about 1 to 5. The invention also provides adhesive formulations containing the same. The invention also relates to the preparation of the functionalized interpolymers, by reacting, for example, such an ethylene interpolymer with the following: a) at least one unsaturated compound, containing at least one heteroatom, and b) at least one initiator.

There is a need for solvent-free, low viscosity, hot melt adhesive (HMA) and pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) formulations, that maintain adhesive strength at high use temperatures (e.g., 104° F. (40° C.) and above).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,565 discloses relatively high molecular weight substantially linear ethylene polymers, for example, polyethylenes prepared by constrained geometry catalysis, which are grafted with one or more unsaturated organic compounds containing both ethylenic unsaturation and a carbonyl group, for example, maleic anhydride. These graft-modified substantially linear ethylene polymers impart desirable compatibility and impact properties to various thermoplastic polymer blends, and have adhesive properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,888 (see also U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,810 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,890) discloses maleic anhydride grafting reactions to polymers, at low pressures, by feeding the polymer through a multiple screw extruder, and injecting the maleic anhydride and a free radical initiator into the extruder. The maleic anhydride and initiator can be pre-mixed in a solvent solution. Between 0.75 and 2.0 weight percent of the graft copolymer comprises maleic anhydride. The graft copolymer can further be blended with an olefinic polymer to yield an adhesive thermoplastics suitable for use as food packaging multilayer coextruded films.
International Publication No. WO 98/38245 discloses a polyethylene composition comprising from 5 to 70 weight percent of a homogeneous ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer, from 30 to 95 weight percent of at least one filler, and from 0.1 weight percent to less than 10 weight percent of at least one functionalized polyethylene. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylenes of relatively high molecular weights are used in the experimental examples.
International Publication No. WO 2005/100501 discloses an article comprising: 1) a functionalized component, 2) tackifier, and 3) an olefin polymer, comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins, optionally one or more diolefins, and less than 5 mole of ethylene, and having a Dot T-Peel of one Newton or more, a branching index (g′) of 0.95 or less, measured at the Mz of the polymer; and an Mw of 100,000 or less. The functional component is selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymers, functionalized oligomers and beta nucleating agents (see abstract).
International Publication No. WO 97/22471 (see also EP0873242B1) discloses a process for preparing a laminate comprising a first substrate (I) and a second substrate (II), which comprises an ethylene or propylene polymer, and which is bonded to the first substrate by means of a polymeric adhesive. The process comprises the steps of: A) applying to the first substrate (I) a primer comprising an organic solvent and an ethylene or propylene polymer, having grafted thereto, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an anhydride, ester, amide, imide or metal salt thereof, and B) injection molding an ethylene or propylene polymer and optional additives onto the primed substrate (I).
International Publication No. WO 2004/035680 discloses highly filled polymer compositions comprising a low molecular weight ethylene and/or alpha olefin homopolymers and copolymers, or blends therefrom, filled with high concentrations of fillers or additives. Examples of such fillers or additives include fire retardants, talc, ceramic manufacturing agents, color concentrates, crosslinking agents, and blowing agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,542 discloses succinic acid or succinic anhydride grafts of HDPE, which are blended with LLDPE, for example, ethylene/1-octene copolymers, to form blends having useful adhesive properties at elevated temperatures. The succinic acid or succinic anhydride groups are provided by grafting, respectively, maleic acid or maleic anhydride onto the HDPE.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,560 discloses a method for producing a modified waxy ethylene polymer, which comprises: (a) polymerizing ethylene in an inert hydrocarbon solvent at 120° C.-250° C., and pressure ranging from the vapor pressure of the solvent at the polymerization temperature to 100 kg/cm2, and using a catalyst composed of a halogen compound of titanium and/or vanadium to form a waxy ethylene polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight of 500 to 30000; (b) reacting an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid with the resulting waxy ethylene polymer in the presence of a peroxide at a temperature above the melting point of the waxy ethylene polymer and up to 250° C., and if desired, (c) contacting the ethylene polymer, before, or after, the reaction with the unsaturated polycarboxylic acid, with oxygen or a gas containing oxygen. Relatively high density polyethylenes are functionalized in the experimental examples.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,401 discloses multicomponent thermoplastic resin blends, which have a nonisothermal crystallization half life of less than thirty seconds. Especially preferred are three component resin blends comprising a maleic anhydride grafted HDPE of relatively high molecular weight, an unmodified LLDPE copolymer having a density between about 0.905 and 0.93 g/cc, and an unmodified LLDPE copolymer having a density between about 0.89 and 0.92 g/cc. These thermoplastic resin blends can be used as the adhesive layer in multilayer structures.
International Publication No. WO 03/087178 discloses an article of manufacture comprising a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl aromatic monomer having a molecular weight of less than 15,000. Preferably, the copolymer is characterized by a backbone having a first and second terminal end group, the first terminal end group is a methyl group, the second terminal end group is a vinyl group, and wherein the ratio of the terminal methyl group to the terminal vinyl group is 0.8:1 to 1:0.8. The article of manufacture includes, but is not limited to, waxes and lubricants.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,102 discloses polyolefin copolymers (I) and graft copolymers (II), which are prepared from the copolymers (I). The copolymers (I) are linear copolymers containing divinylbenzene comonomer units selected from the group consisting of 1,4-divinylbenzene units, mixtures of 1,4- and 1,3-divinylbenzene units, and mixtures of 1,4-, 1,3- and 1,2-divinylbenzene units. This patent discloses grafting reactions with styrene, p-methylstyrene and methylmethacrylate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,985 discloses polyethylene-based adhesive compositions which contain as little as 5 weight percent, and up to 35 weight percent, of an acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene. The compositions are disclosed as having superior peel strength to comparable compositions containing an acid grafted non-metallocene and EVA or EMA polyethylene. Compositions containing an acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene component, based on a relatively high molecular weight metallocene polyethylene having a melt-flow ratio of less than 6.53, and an Mw/Mn of greater than the melt flow ratio less 4.63, can be used as an adhesive.
International Publication No. WO2007/008765 discloses compositions containing at least one silane-grafted polyolefin, and in particular, to compositions containing at least one silane-grafted ethylene/α-olefin polymer, which has a melt viscosity less than 50,000 cP, and adhesives containing the same. In one embodiment, the at least one silane-grafted ethylene/α-olefin polymer is formed from an ethylene/α-olefin polymer that has a molecular weight distribution from 1 to 3.5. The invention also relates to the preparation of the silane-grafted polymers, by reacting, for example, an ethylene/α-olefin polymer with at least one silane compound and at least one initiator.
International Publication No. WO 2006/069205 discloses an adhesive composition comprising a copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer, selected from the group consisting of ethylene and C4-20 α-olefins. The copolymer has the following properties: (i) a content of units derived from propylene of greater than about 50 mole percent, (ii) a Brookfield viscosity at 190° C. from about 50 to about 100,000 cP, (iii) an MWD from about 1.5 to about 15, and (iv) a residual catalyst metal content less than about 50 ppm. The propylene copolymer may be functionalized with one or more compounds, including maleic anhydride.
International Publication No. WO 02/36651 discloses propylene ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content between 8 and 32 mole percent, and which have been grafted with maleic anhydride and a peroxide. The functionality level is higher than what is reported with polypropylene. Relatively high molecular weight polypropylenes are functionalized in the experimental examples.
Preparation and Characterization of Functionalized Polyethylene Waxes, Zhang et al., Suliao Gongye (2003), 31 (2), 13-15, 18 (Abstract), discloses the functionalization of polyethylene waxes by grafting maleic anhydride or maleic anhydride-styrene onto polyethylene waxes.
European Patent EP 0 850 138B1 discloses a laminate comprising: a) a first substrate comprising a first substantially linear olefin copolymer; b) an adhesion promoter, which comprises a "polar group functionalized" second substantially linear olefin copolymer; c) a tackifying resin admixed with the adhesion promoter, or an adhesive superposing the adhesion promoter or admixed therewith; and d) a second substrate adhesively bonded to the first substrate. Relatively high molecular weight functionalized ethylene-based polymers are used in the experimental examples.
International Publication No. WO 2004/031292 discloses a thermoplastic composition that comprises: (i) from 1 to 99 percent, by weight of the total composition, of at least one thermoplastic copolymer, for example, styrene block copolymers, and (ii) from 1 to 99 percent, by weight of the total composition, of at least one homogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer, for example ethylene/1-octene, having a density of less than, or equal to, 0.899 g/cc, and a Brookfield viscosity of greater than 500 cP (350° F.).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,335,410 (see also U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,054,544 and 6,723,810) discloses a non-pourable homogeneous ultra-low molecular weight ethylene polymer composition, and a process for the preparation thereof. Such polymer compositions have longer lamella and a greater degree of crystalline organization, than corresponding higher molecular weight materials at an equivalent density.
International Publication No. WO 2005/111145 discloses propylene compositions comprising a propylene polymer, a substantially linear ethylene polymer, linear ethylene polymer or combinations thereof, a low molecular weight polymer, and optionally a filler. The compositions have improved processability, with a good balance of stiffness and toughness, and demonstrate improved scratch resistance in injection molded articles. The propylene polymer may be graft modified.
Additional functionalized polyolefins and/or polyolefins are disclosed in U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0043455 and 2003/0114322; U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,718 (see also related U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,741,852; 6,048,935; 4,806,594); 5,994,474; 6,043,401; 5,498,809; 5,266,627; 6,395,791 (see also 6,583,222; and 6,585,188); 6,172,015; International Application Nos. WO03/040201 and WO90/01503; and European Patent 0944670B1.
There remains a need for low viscosity, low density, functionalized polyolefins that can be used in solvent-free, low viscosity adhesive formulations. There is a further need for improved adhesives for the following applications: case and carton sealing, automotive, graphic arts, nonwovens, panel assembly, high performance tapes, contact hot melt adhesives, paperboard coatings, inks, personal care and cosmetic products, sealants, color and additive concentrates, carpet-tape adhesives, and woodworking applications.
Currently, some of the high performance pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) based on high molecular weight (MW) styrene block copolymers (SBCs) can only be produced using solvents. They can not be applied from a hot melt, due to their high viscosity (high molecular weight). The trend is to use solvent-free adhesives for both environmental and cost reasons. Also, reactive hot melts, based on urethane chemistry are expensive, and have safety issues, since they utilize isocyanate chemistry. Thus, there is a need for solvent-free compositions that are safe and cost-effective to produce, and that can be used as adhesives and in other applications (for example, applications that require compositions with improved paintability, toughness, compatibilization, impact resistance and/or flexibility).
At least some of these issues and others have been satisfied by the following invention.

Functionalized olefin interpolymers, compositions and articles prepared therefrom and methods for making the same


A feeding apparatus for use in dispensing feed formula to hummingbirds or other animals. This may be accomplished by providing a feeder having a reservoir for holding ready to consume and preservative free nectar formula for hummingbirds. The feeder may have an opening that is configured to couple to a dispensing member for delivering the formula to hummingbirds. The feeder may be adapted to be supported by a support holding device or to be free-standing for maintaining the feeder in an orientation for dispensing formula.

The present invention relates to feeders for animals and, more particularly, to feeders for hummingbirds. Hummingbird feeders are a source of enjoyment for bird and nature enthusiasts. A hummingbird feeder is typically a reservoir that dispenses or makes available a food source to a hummingbird, namely nectar. Nectar typically comprises a sugar and water solution.
It is generally known that hummingbirds like fresh nectar. Generally, hummingbirds are creatures of habit, returning to a feeder that previously had a fresh nectar supply. Thus, there is an interest among hummingbird feeder users to maintain a constant fresh supply of nectar.
Problems with the hummingbird feeders arise when the nectar is not fresh. Stale nectar deters hummingbirds from returning to the same location. Stale nectar may make a hummingbird sick. Insects may be attracted to fresh or spoiling nectar, which may exacerbate or accelerate spoilage and bring further risks to the health of hummingbirds.
These problems have been addressed in different manners. Sterilization of the water, by pre-boiling or other sterilization methods, is one way to ensure that the nectar stays fresh longer. Also, periodic replacement of the nectar in the feeder, such as once a week in cooler climates, also helps to maintain a fresh supply of nectar.
Preservatives that deter microbial or bacterial growth within the nectar have also been utilized. Preservatives have the advantage of extending shelf life of nectar sold in containers. Some types of preservatives include citric acid, sodium citrate, citrate, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, tartaric acid, potassium sorbate, and bezoic acid.
But preservatives may also deter hummingbirds from feeding from nectar in a feeder, because the preservative may change the flavor and/or consistency of the nectar from that expected from a sugar-water solution. Also, preservatives may affect the digestive system in a particular hummingbird, further deterring that hummingbird from returning to feed from the feeder.
In addition, periodic replacement of the nectar in the hummingbird feeder is typically cumbersome and time-consuming for the user, often requiring additional cleaning of the hummingbird feeder before reintroducing a clean hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar to the hummingbirds.
Therefore, a need exists for an invention that can maintain the sterility of a nectar solution in a ready to use configuration, which requires little or no cleaning to keep the nectar fresher for longer periods of time than conventional packaging. Further, a need exists for a system for delivering nectar to the consumer in a substantially sterile or preservative-free state that exceeds that found in conventional packaging for hummingbird nectar solution.


An oversampling method for data signal includes oversampling data strobe signal and data signal according to sampling phases to generate first and second sampling results, performing edge detection on the first and second sampling results to obtain first and second edge positions where edges are detected, calculating and storing first offset according to the first edge position and the corresponding second edge position when the second edge position are obtained, using first offset obtain in a previous sampling cycle as the first offset in a current sampling cycle when the second edge position aren't obtained, calculating first sampling point according to the first edge position; calculating second sampling point according to the first sampling point and the corresponding first offset, and selecting and outputting the corresponding second sampling results according to the second sampling point.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to control technologies of a controller in a memory module, and more particularly, to an oversampling method for data signal and oversampling apparatus thereof.
2. Related Art
Please refer to FIG. 1, in which a memory module 10 includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 12 and a controller 14. The controller 14 uses a data signal DQ and a data strobe signal DQS to access the DRAM 12. Generally, upon delivery, the memory module 10 is designed to provide a time delay, to delay the data signal DQ and/or data strobe signal DQS, thereby achieving the optimal performance of control over the DRAM 12. A delay chain 142 is generally used in the controller 14 to provide the required time delay.
However, due to influences of changes of external factors such as temperature, the phase difference between the data signal DQ and the data strobe signal DQS may not be maintained constantly. The time delay of the delay chain may also vary with changes of external factors such as temperature and voltage. These factors will cause actual sampling points to deviate from the optimal sampling point of the data signal DQ, thereby leading to an error in data sampling.
In actual applications, a sampling circuit 140 in the controller 14 may first enter a calibration mode. In the calibration mode, the sampling circuit 140 may adjust the time delay of the delay chain through known data sent from the DRAM 12 to the controller 14, to accurately receive the data sent from the DRAM 12, thereby obtaining an optimal position of sampling the data signal DQ with the data strobe signal DQS. Consequently, although the problem of deviation of the actual sampling points can be solved by frequently entering the calibration mode, too many calibrations may affect normal exchange of data, thereby reducing the efficiency of the memory module 10.
Furthermore, as the operating frequency of the memory module 10 is increasingly raised, a relatively effective sampling window is narrowed down, so that the problem brought about by deviation of the sampling points is more severe and becomes a key factor that holds back the raising of the operating frequency of the memory module 10.

Oversampling method for data signal and oversampling apparatus thereof


A voltage regulator that includes a high-side and a low-side power transistor is implemented where the high-side and the low-side power transistors are operable to output power to a transient load. The voltage regulator further includes control circuitry coupled to the high-side low-side power transistors and the transient load, with the control circuitry operable to receive a control signal from the transient load or the system. The control signal may correspond to an operating voltage of the transient load. In response to a decrease in a power level, the control circuitry may turn off the high-side power transistor, turn on the low-side power transistor a first duration, and turn off the low-side power transistor for a second duration. The first duration and the second duration may be based, at least in part, on the operating voltage.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to these users is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may vary with respect to the type of information handled; the methods for handling the information; the methods for processing, storing or communicating the information; the amount of information processed, stored, or communicated; and the speed and efficiency with which the information is processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include or comprise a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
An information handling system may include multiple transient loads, such as processors and memory, whose power requirements change during operation. A voltage regulator ("VR") coupled to the transient loads may provide the power to the transient loads, increasing or decreasing the power output in response to load requirements. A system processor, for example, may operate at a particular voltage, but the power required by the system processor may fluctuate depending on the processing operations to be completed at a given time. When a power increase is required, the VR must increase the output current so that the system processor receives the additional power it requires, but the output voltage must remain substantially constant. Likewise, when a power decrease is required, the VR must decrease the output current so that the system processor receives less power, but the output voltage must still remain substantially constant.
In practice, there is a lag time between when the power required by the system processor drops and when the VR can decrease the output current accordingly. The excess current generated by the VR and unneeded by the system processor creates an overshoot voltage at the output of the VR. If the overshoot voltage is large enough, it can damage sensitive components in the transient load. Existing methods for dealing with the overshoot voltage include increasing the output capacitance of the VR to suppress the overshoot voltage, or "body braking" by using the body diode of a power metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect transistor ("MOSFET") in the VR to dissipate the excess current. Both options are problematic, however, as large capacitors increase the cost and size of the VR and "body braking" generates additional power loss and excess heat.

Systems and methods for adaptive body braking control in a voltage regulator


The present invention concerns methods and compositions for the inhibition or reduction of the primary tumor and metastasis by inhibition of fatty acid binding proteins.

Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer mortality and is a complex process with multiple steps that include tumor cell invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and establishment of secondary tumors in distant organs. Clinical observations indicate the most common site of ovarian cancer (OvCa) metastasis is the omentum. The omentum, primarily composed of adipocytes, provides energy storage and functions as an endocrine organ secreting adipokines and participating in lipid metabolism. A growing body of evidence supports dysregulation of metabolism, including lipid metabolism, as a hallmark of cancer. In addition, cancer cell malignancy is highly dependent on the surrounding environment. In breast tumor cells, adipocytes constitute one of the most prominent cell types and have been indicated in disease progression. Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), functions in transport, uptake, and metabolism of fatty acids. FABP4 plays a role in the integration of metabolic and inflammatory signaling and has been indicated in many aspects of metabolic syndrome.
There is a need for additional methods and compositions for treating metastatic disease. Accordingly, methods and compositions for preventing and treating cancer, including suppressing or inhibiting metastasis, are provided by inhibition of a FABP protein.

Methods for treating ovarian cancer by inhibiting fatty acid binding proteins


A method and apparatus are provided to modulate a beam of laser light. An acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is positioned to receive continuous-wave (CW) laser light at an angle approximating the Bragg angle. Fine tuning of the modulation is then used to compensate for any variations in the actual angle from the Bragg angle. A photodiode provides a feedback signal that may be used to tune or adjust the operation of the AOM. The photodiode is positioned to receive laser light at the first order diffraction and provide a signal indicative of the magnitude of the first order diffraction laser light produced by the AOM. The photodiode signal is coupled to an RF frequency generator so that the RF frequency may be adjusted to vary the acoustic wave in the AOM to compensate for any variations in the Bragg angle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic displays, and, more particularly, to a multi-color Laser Projection Display (LPD).
2. Description of the Related Art
Single-color or monochrome LPDs have been implemented using a raster-based scanning system. A raster-based LPD uses a laser and oscillating mirror(s) that move in horizontal and vertical directions to scan the laser light over a viewing screen in a raster pattern. By controllably modulating the laser in time with the movements of the mirror(s), a two-dimensional image can be produced. In fact, the LPD can produce a high quality image, such as VGA or higher resolution by modulating the mirrors at frequencies in the range of 110's and 100's of MHz.
Monochrome displays, however, have limited utility, whereas full color displays are in wide use and are desired and accepted by the general public. Full-color LPDs may be produced by controllably combining red, blue and green laser light to produce a wide spectrum of colors. Generally, red, blue and green lasers are commercially available, but not in small-form factors, such as semiconductor laser diodes. In fact, while semiconductor laser diodes that emit in red and blue wavelengths are available and can be directly modulated, there is no commercially available semiconductor laser that emits in the green wavelength. It is advantageous to use a green laser since having red, green, and blue wavelengths enable a true full-color display. Also, human vision is more sensitive to green. Thus, for the same emitted laser power, a brighter display is perceived if green laser light is included.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing, the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above.

Electronic alignment of acousto-optic modulator for modulating a laser


An electrosurgical apparatus having improved placement accuracy is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen therethrough, a stylet positioned within a lumen, a conductive tip at the distal end for delivery of energy to the tissue, an electrical coupling at or near the proximal end for flexibly coupling a power source control unit to supply energy to the conductive tip, a fluid delivery connection interface flexibly coupled at or near the proximal end for coupling a fluid delivery mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor. A method of delivering electrical energy to a target treatment area of an animal body is also provided.

Electrosurgical procedures typically rely on the application of high frequency, for example radio frequency (RF), energy to treat, cut, ablate or coagulate tissue structures such as, for example, neural tissue. One example of a treatment procedure incorporating the application of RF energy to treat neural tissue is lumbar facet denervation. The efficacy of the minimally invasive technique of delivering RF electrical current to neural tissue in lumbar facet denervation has been studied at length and these studies show that this procedure is an effective method of relieving low back pain. The high frequency energy is often delivered to a region of tissue from an energy source such as a generator via a probe that is inserted into a patient's body through an introducer needle. The resistance of tissue, located proximate a conductive region of the probe, to the high frequency energy, causes the tissue temperature to rise. The temperature is generally increased to a sufficient level to coagulate unmyelinated nerve structures, at which point a lesion is formed, resulting in pain relief. The probe is typically a stainless steel electrode that is manufactured to fit within an introducer needle (which may also be referred to as a cannula or tube). Some probes incorporate a temperature sensor to allow for monitoring of temperature throughout the procedure. The temperature can be used to control the delivery of the high frequency energy.
Introducer needles with varying geometries are used in such applications. For example, a tip of the introducer needle can be pointed, blunt and rounded, or open, varying in shape in accordance with the needs of different procedures. Pointed tips allow for penetration of tissue without the need for an external device while rounded tips are useful in soft tissue areas such as the brain where it is critical not to damage nerves. However, it should be noted that blunt introducer needles can do more tissue damage than small-diameter sharp introducer needles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,380 to Racz et al. describes introducer needles with curved conductive tips used in high frequency lesioning procedures. An introducer needle typically includes an insulated shaft with an electrically exposed and conductive tip at the distal end of the introducer. A hub at the proximal end of the introducer can also be provided as a connection site for an injection syringe. Introducer needles can therefore be used to inject anesthetic fluid or other treatment compositions, such as therapeutic agents, in addition to playing a role in the insertion of a device into a patient's body and the delivery of electrical energy to a region of tissue.
A typical treatment procedure utilizes an introducer needle having a hollow shaft and a removable stylet therein. This introducer needle is inserted into the patient's body and positioned via imaging technology. Once the introducer needle is positioned, the stylet is withdrawn. The distal end of the probe is then inserted into the shaft of the introducer needle until the distal end of the probe is at least flush with the distal end of the shaft. The probe is connected to a generator that generates electrical current. To ensure that only certain nerves will be treated, a stimulation procedure may be employed. This stimulation involves the delivery of low frequency electrical current in order to excite nerves. This procedure can differentiate between motor and sensory nerves and can confirm that the nerve to be treated is in fact the source of pain.
After placement is confirmed with the stimulation procedure, the probe is withdrawn. A syringe is then attached to the proximal end hub of the introducer needle in order to inject anesthetic fluid or other treatment compositions into the tissue. Following this injection of material, the syringe is removed and the probe is reinserted into the shaft of the introducer needle. Finally, high frequency electrical current is applied from the generator, via the probe and introducer needle, to the tissue adjacent the conductive tip and a lesion is formed. This high frequency electrical current generally returns to the generator through a return (also known as dispersive) electrode typically placed on an exterior surface of the patient's body.
Such a procedure can be used to denervate (that is, to neutralize the ability of neural tissue to convey signals to a patient's brain) specific portions of a patient's spine. Similar procedures may also be applied to other anatomical areas such as intercostal and trigeminal nerves. Accurate placement of the introducer needle's conductive tip in a complicated structure like the spine requires great technical skill by the treating physician. In these procedures, the introducer needle is often viewed via X-ray fluoroscopy, which assists in visualizing the introducer as it's guided into the patient's body.
One limitation of this technique is that placement achieved at the beginning of a procedure can be unintentionally altered by the attachment of a fluid delivery mechanism, for example a syringe, the actuation of the fluid delivery mechanism, or the removal and re-insertion of the probe after the stimulation procedure is complete. For example, to ensure that the fluid being injected does not leak, the fluid delivery mechanism must be tightly secured to the hub of the introducer needle. This twisting or pushing motion applies pressure to the introducer needle thus altering its placement within the body. Also, the probes are generally designed in such a manner that they are only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the introducer needle to allow for a good electrical connection between the probe and the conductive tip region of the introducer needle. This tight fit requires the application of relatively high insertion forces to align the distal end of the probe with the end of the introducer needle. Therefore when the probe is inserted, removed or reinserted after the injection of a treatment composition, the forces applied can move the introducer needle. Movement caused by any of these inherent procedural complications creates a potential for unpredictable lesion development due to possible repositioning of the probes. The range of distance within which the tip of the introducer needle may move (thus altering the position of the probe) depends on the depth of the needle and the properties of the tissue. The tip may move radially up to 5 mm and axially up to 10 mm. Even slight variations in position can affect the outcome of the procedure. Therefore, placement often relies on the physician to visually monitor the position of the conductive tip throughout the procedure. However, variations in position can be so slight as to go unnoticed by a physician using the imaging technology currently available. Repeating the stimulation procedure to confirm the position of the probe following reinsertion is not viable since anesthetic has already been introduced. Thus, it would be beneficial to have a device or apparatus that would reduce or eliminate the need for those procedural steps that may result in unintentional movement of the introducer needle or probe.
Thus, based on the current state of the art, a need generally exists for an electrosurgical device or apparatus capable of overcoming some or all of the limitations and deficiencies of the prior art.


An apparatus for monitoring at least one performance characteristic of a component of a vehicle may include a tripod connected to an exterior surface of the vehicle, the tripod includes a plurality of airfoils defining an aerodynamic surface of the tripod, a camera positioned on the tripod at a predetermined viewing angle directed toward the component of the vehicle and a camera fairing connected to the tripod and surrounding the camera, the camera fairing includes a sidewall defining an aerodynamic surface of the camera fairing, an aperture disposed through the sidewall and aligned with the camera and a plurality of protrusions positioned proximate the aperture.

Performance testing of a vehicle is common prior to placing the vehicle into use, for example, in the aerospace industry. For example, performance characteristics of components (e.g., wing assemblies) of an aircraft need to be observed and/or recorded during flight.
Various methods are employed to monitor inflight performance characteristics. For example, a camera may be mounted inside the cabin or in the tail of the aircraft to record performance of a wing test in flight conditions. However, interior cameras often fail to provide optimum viewing angles of the desired component. As another example, to record performance of a wing test in flight conditions, a chase aircraft may carry a camera. However, cameras mounted on chase aircraft lack image stability and/or suitable image resolution. A camera mounted externally on the aircraft and displaced from tested component may provide suitable viewing angles, but experience airflow-induced vibrations that degrade resulting image quality.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of monitoring and/or recording performance characteristics of a vehicle, such an aircraft in flight conditions.

Apparatus and method for monitoring performance characteristics of a component of a vehicle


A novel strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, designated as strain SB-1, is capable of growth on hydrocarbon substrates having 10 to 32 or more carbon atoms, during which growth there is secreted into the culture medium an emulsifier which can be recovered and used for such applications as reducing the viscosity of crude oil in secondary recovery methods, as well as in oil spill management and the cleaning of oil-contaminated vessels and pipelines. A novel mutant strain of P. aeruginosa SB-1, designated SB-3, has the property of growing on solid (C.sub.20 +) paraffins but not on liquid alkanes. The selective degradation by strain SB-3 of the solid paraffinic components in crude oil is advantageous in reducing the viscosity of the oil for improving the recovery thereof from oil wells. A novel revertant strain of P. aeruginosa SB-3, designated SB-30, grows both on liquid and solid hydrocarbon substrates, but produces greater amounts of emulsifier than are produced by SB-1 when grown on other relatively inexpensive sources of carbon, such as corn oil or chicken fat.

It is known that certain microorganisms which grow on hydrocarbons produce and emit into the culture medium compounds having emulsifying properties, known as bio-emulsifiers. Such emulsifiers can be highly effective for producing oil-in-water emulsions with a variety of crude oils and petroleum fractions, so that the emulsifiers are useful for such applications as cleaning storage tanks, drums or barrels, tank cars, tankers, barges, pipelines and the like; for cleaning oil spills; and for enhanced recovery of oil from oil wells. Bio-emulsifiers produced in this manner are biodegradable, so that their use presents no pollution problems.
It is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the crude oil in an oil field cannot be recovered by conventional means because of the high viscosity of the oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons together with small quantities of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur-containing compounds. As the proportion of higher hydrocarbons in the oil increases, its viscosity increases, thus increasingly impeding the flow of the oil through the pores of the oil-bearing rock formations.
Recent trends in methods for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) comprise the injection of certain microorganisms into the oil well. Although the practice has been to employ anaerobic bacteria for such purposes, it is assumed that use of hydrocarbon degrading aerobic bacteria would be much more effective, provided air under pressure can be injected together with the bacteria. The beneficial effects of such aerobic cultures arise from two sources: (1) the ability of the microorganism to degrade higher hydrocarbons, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil; and (2) production by the microorganism of an emulsifier which leads to the production of an oil-in-water emulsion having a lower viscosity than that of the unemulsified oil.
The production of emulsifer during the growth on hydrocarbon substrates of certain strains of bacteria is known, e.g., Arthrobacter RAG-1 (Rosenberg et al., Applied Environmental Microbiology, March, 1979, pp. 402-408). Corynebacterium lepus (Cooper et al., Applied Environmental Microbiology, January, 1979, pp. 4-10); and Pseudomonas aeruginosa S.sub.7 B.sub.1 (Hisatsuka et al., Agr. Biol. Chem., Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 686-692, 1971). The use of such organisms for reducing the viscosity of crude oil for enhanced secondary recovery has also been reported (Singer, et al., International Conferences on Microbiological Enhancement of Oil Recovery. Proc. of 1982, May 16, 1982, pp. 94-101).
Gutnick et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,311,829, 4,311,830, 4,311,831 and 4,311,832 disclose emulsifiers produced by Acinetobacter Sp., A.T.C.C. No. 31012 (RAG-1) and the use of such emulsifiers in secondary recovery methods, for cleaning oil contaminated vessels, and in oil spill management.

Production of emulsifying agents and surfactants

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


A lightweight apparatus for performing ultrasonic immersion inspection of a workpiece in an arbitrary orientation that uses significantly less couplant and has a reduced footprint size while providing ultrasonic performance levels comparable to those typically reached using immersion tanks, bubblers, or Dripless Bubblers™ while accommodating large and small ultrasonic beamwidths. The apparatus can be used with manual, automated, or electronic scanning techniques. The apparatus provides a quickly enabled ultrasonic coupling means that minimizes the area of the part wetted, and also can recover spent couplant. As a result, this reduces the number and type of contaminates to which the workpiece is exposed when used when compared to prior art immersion tanks and bubblers.

1. Field of the Invention
An acoustic inspection device, namely one that has a small footprint, exposes the workpiece to few contaminants, rapidly establishing coupling with the workpiece, requires less couplant than earlier devices, and a small localized couplant chamber to wet the workpiece without placement in an immersion bath.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) determines the quality of a workpiece without causing damage to the workpiece. One prior art NDI technique uses acoustic waves to inspect a workpiece: this technique directs an incident acoustic wave at a workpiece and analyzes the reflection to determine the workpiece's quality. Acoustic inspection is helpful, for example, to determine the integrity of airplane components including the wing, fuselage and empennage by detecting disbanded lap-splices, corroded rivet joints, and similar structural defects. Acoustic inspection is also helpful, for example, to determine the integrity of automobile, electronic, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) components, including resistance spot and line welds by detecting unsatisfactory spot welds, disbonded lap splices, butt welded joints, and similar joining techniques using a wide variety of materials and surface finishes including high strength steels, aluminum, plastics, ceramics, and composites.
A typical apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece includes a pulse generator electrically connected to a transducer assembly that generates a focused acoustic wave. The acoustic wave travels through a transmission medium and onto the workpiece. Acoustic reflections from the workpiece radiate back to the transducer and cause the transducer to generate a corresponding electrical signal. An operator or a computer processor then analyzes the electrical signal to determine the quality of the workpiece.
Ultrasonic NDI, in particular, can improve the inspection spatial resolution and the signal to noise by using a focused acoustic beam that may be focused by electronic or ultrasonic lenses. It is noteworthy that even so-called flat-focused transducers exhibit a natural focus that may or may not be used as a focused transducer. Also, mechanical or electronic scanning methods may be used to cause the ultrasonic beam to scan over the workpiece. In all of these cases, Ultrasonic NDI requires quality and reliable acoustic coupling without introducing spurious signals; and, the effectiveness of any given technique can be compared for reference purposes to the performance of a similar transducer used in a water immersion mode.
Known related inspection apparatus are described by Fleming in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,727 and Patton in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,744 uses an acoustic apparatus called a Contact Adaptive Bubbler (CAB). These CABs consist of a tubular member containing an ultrasonic transducer, a couplant chamber, and a couplant reservoir between the transducer and the workpiece. A membrane that generally avoids contact with the workpiece is used to separate the couplant chamber and the couplant reservoir. Couplant is continuously supplied to replenish couplant leaks. A vacuum chamber recovers couplant that leaks from the couplant reservoir.
However, in practice, it has been found that CAB devices are too large in overall size and footprint and too costly for many applications. Attempts to reduce CAB size have introduced ultrasonic signal attenuation, unwanted or spurious signals and unreliable ultrasonic coupling. Additionally, in some applications, large size hoses are required for both the couplant supply and the vacuum couplant recovery lines to the CABs; these large lines create undesirable forces that easily disturb the orientation of the CAB device relative to the workpiece. Additionally, larger CAB footprints limit their use near surface obstructions and near workpiece edges where ultrasonic coupling is lost. Finally, the larger CAB devices require larger couplant supplies and ancillary equipment, thereby restricting applications and portability.
What is needed is a smaller CAB device that provides reliable ultrasonic coupling. Such a CAB device needs to have a small size and a small footprint, require small amounts of couplant and vacuum, and adapts to manual and automated scanning techniques. The present invention provides such a smaller CAB device.

Rigid-contact dripless bubbler (RCDB) apparatus for acoustic inspection of a workpiece in arbitrary scanning orientations


Self-adjusting ball bearing cage consists of a ring (1), cavities (6) distributed circumferentially and coming out on a face (3) of the ring, spherical housings (4) openings on other face (2) of the ring, and rigid ball holding tabs (7) adjacent to each housing (4) and extending axially from the face of the ring. The tabs (7) of two adjacent housings (4) are connected by an undeformable partition (10) which is axially limited in the direction of face (3) of the ring by the bottom of cavity (6). Each cavity is positioned between two discontinuities of the face (3) formed by elastically deformable pads (13) limited by the bottom of corresponding housing (4).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a self-adjusting ball bearing cage of the type comprising a ring having cavities distributed circumferentially along a face of the ring, the cavities forming spherical housings. The housings are open on a face of the ring and are extended in the axial direction from that face of the ring by ball holding tabs adjacent to each housing. The invention relates more particularly to such a cage formed of locally deformable plastic material.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,790 describes a cage in which the flexibility of the holding tabs facilitates the introduction of the balls into their housings.
French Publication FR-A-2507715 describes a cage in which a barrier is placed between the adjacent housings and extends in the axial direction from the same face of the ring as do the adjacent flexible tabs. This arrangement facilitates the adjustment of the cage relative to the balls and in particular avoids the crushing of the tabs.
During the operation of the bearing, the stresses exerted by the balls on the cage are able to cause, in some cases, the ejection of the balls from the cage as a result of exaggerated flexure of the tabs or their breaking, particularly when the material of the cage contains a filler (e.g., glass fiber) intended to improve its physical and mechanical characteristics (e.g., heat resistance, dimensional stability).

Deformable self-adjusting ball bearing cage


A notebook-like display device includes a mounting panel, or pair of conjoined panels, mountable to a wall, a pair of guide brackets, and a set of display leaves, the leaves being mounted to the support brackets and manipulated by a demonstrator and like personnel with one hand, in a flipping manner, freeing the user's other hand to perform tasks related to use of the display device. The panels and leaves are generally planar, rectangular, and substantially rigid, such as of a high density polymer, composite, or fiberboard. The leaves are constrained by retention elements, received in the support brackets, for movement between first and second positions, respectively, wherein the leaf is revered but in superposed generally parallel relation with one and the other side of the panel and other of the leaves. Magnets or other holding devices operate between the leaves and panel(s) to retain the leaves in each position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to display devices, and more particularly, to a wall-mounted notebook-like display device with movable display leaves which can be manipulated by a demonstrator and like personnel with one hand, freeing the user's other hand to perform tasks related to use of the display device.
2. Description of Related Art
Display devices are known and take many shapes and forms. In some applications, the display device is used to display photographs, new products, charts, and like information.
Oftentimes, individual sheets are secured along their top edges, and the sheets pulled upwardly and over the top, wherein new or previous sheets and data may be displayed. Such is useful but does not allow for rapid display of information, in that sheets previously folded up and over present a problem for the user. Manipulating the sheets is difficult and oftentimes requires both hands.
The ability to move forwardly or rearwardly, and having a hand free would be desirable.
Further, the display device may not enable the mounting, and rapid unmounting, of a large number of items, such as photographs, to be displayed.
Desirably, a device for mounting, displaying, and showing a large number of photographs would be desirable.