Nickel-base radiant tube includes straight and curved elbow tube sections. The straight tube section has constant inner and outer radii. The elbow tube section has a constant inner radius and variable outer radius. The inner diameter of the elbow tube section is equal the inner radius of the straight tube section. Mating end portion of the elbow tube section has an outer radius equal to the outer radius of the straight tube section. Method for making the radiant tube comprises the steps of positioning a mating end portion of the straight tube section adjacent to and aligned with the mating end portion of the elbow tube section so that end faces of the straight and elbow tube sections face each other to define a circumferentially extending weld groove, and butt welding the mating end portions of the straight and elbow tube sections together at the weld groove.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for making radiant tubes in general and, more particularly, to a method for making a nickel-base radiant tube comprising straight and elbow tube sections having different thicknesses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Radiant tubes used to heat industrial furnaces are well known. Usually, in a radiant tube furnace, products of combustion from a burner are confined within a radiant tube with the material to be heated neighboring or surrounding the radiant tube. The heat from the burner is indirectly transferred to the material via the radiant tube, primarily by radiation and secondarily by convection. In a radiant tube furnace, the material being heated is isolated from the products of combustion of the burner, allowing a protective atmosphere to be maintained surrounding the material.
Gas fired radiant tubes have been in use in various heating systems. These tubes vary in shape depending on type of application, burners and fuel being fired. Typically, U-shaped, P-shaped or W-shaped radiant tubes are used, each including two (in case of the U-shaped radiant tubes) or four (in case of the W-shaped radiant tubes) straight tube sections (or legs) and semi-toroidal elbow tube sections connected by a weld joint. Moreover, one of the straight tube sections of the typical radiant tube is a firing leg equipped with a burner, while the other is an exhaust leg or alternative firing being used to uniformly heat the tube. The firing leg of the radiant tube is the hotter leg since the majority of the combustion occurs therein.
The efficiency, fabrication cost and service life of these tubes are very important in decreasing fuel cost, emissions and repair frequency. The burner and operating temperature dictate the alloy design of the system. The burner mixes fuel gas with air/oxygen to generate heat in the firing leg and hot gases traverse through the remaining part of the radiant tube to give a desirable uniform temperature along the whole length of the radiant tube. In reality, achieving uniform temperature throughout the length of the radiant tube is not practical. There are regions with high temperature called hot spots, and at these hot spots the designed temperature may exceed and lead to a premature failure. To avoid such failures in conventional regenerative burners, firing is carried out at both ends of the radiant tube at optimum firing intervals. The change in flow directions is expected to reduce hot spots. Upgrading old burners with a regenerative mechanism is an expensive task; therefore highly alloyed tubes are used as a counter measure.
Nickel-base radiant tubes, including W-shaped radiant tubes, have been in use at a continuous annealing processing line (CAPL) and other furnaces for heat treatment of sheet steels. The CAPL production lines are being used to heat treat sheet steels and to transform microstructure of cold rolled sheet steel to produce DP, TRIP and other advanced high strength steel (AHSS) grades.
In this heating device, or furnace, the mixing of fuel gas and air (20% oxygen) and firing takes place at an entry tube section of the radiant tube, i.e., in the firing leg. As a result the entry tube section (firing leg) and the adjacent elbow tube section attain the highest temperatures during operation. Conventionally, the tube sections of the radiant tube consist of composite materials: a highly alloyed firing leg and a lean alloyed exhaust leg. For example, nickel base super alloy radiant tubes have been used in day to day operation of the CAPL for annealing of sheet steels. These tubes have to withstand high operating temperatures ˜1,100° C. and associated thermal stresses during service with the radiant tube. The fabrication of these tubes involves welding of centrifugally cast straight tube sections (legs) with static cast elbow tube sections. The radiant tubes have to withstand service temperatures for a minimum period of four to six years. However, there are occasions of tube failures associated with poor welds. Some of the radiant tubes were found to fail prematurely within one year after installation. At the same time, on average, each W-shaped radiant tube costs $5,000 to $14,000 and companies often spend $750,000 per year to replace failed radiant tubes.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional W-shaped radiant tube 2, mounted to a refractory wall 3 of an industrial furnace, includes straight tube sections (or legs) 4a-4d fabricated by centrifugal casting and elbow tube sections 6a-6c fabricated by static casting. The straight tube sections 4a-4d are joined to the elbow tube sections 6a-6c by weld joints 5. It will be appreciated that the straight tube section 4a is an entry tube section of the radiant tube, or a firing leg, while the straight tube section 4d is an exit tube section, or an exhaust leg. As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the straight tube sections 4a-4d have the same outer and inner diameters and a thickness t (typically, about 9 mm). Similarly, the elbow tube sections 6a-6c have the same outer and inner diameters and a thickness T in cross-section (typically, about 15 mm). However, there is a variation in thickness between the straight tube sections 4a-4d and the elbow tube sections 6a-6c. More specifically, the elbow tube sections 6a-6c are thicker than the straight tube sections 4a-4d. In other words, the thickness T of the elbow tube sections 6a-6c (typically, T is about 15 mm) is substantially bigger than the thickness t the straight tube sections 4a-4d (typically, t is about 9 mm). Alternatively, the elbow tube sections 6a-6c may be thinner than the straight tube sections 4a-4d.
Typically, the straight tube sections 4a-4d of the radiant tube 2 are made from special nickel-base alloy, such as Ni—Cr-14W, Ni—Cr-1.5W or HK40, while the elbow tube sections 6a-6c thereof are made from similar or other nickel-base alloy. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the hottest straight tube section (the firing leg) 4a of the radiant tube 2 is made from a special alloy of high nickel content, such as Ni—Cr-14W, the straight tube section 4b subsequent to the firing leg 4a is made from special alloy, such as Ni—Cr-1.5W, while the straight tube sections 4c and 4d subsequent to the straight tube section 4b are both made from an austenitic Fe—Cr—Ni alloy, such as HK40 alloy that has been a standard heat resistant material for over four decades. The special alloy of high nickel content, as understood and used herein, refers to any special alloy having nickel content of more than 35 weight percent nickel (>35% Ni).
Similarly, the hottest elbow tube section 6a of the radiant tube 2 adjacent to the firing leg 14a is made from a special alloy of high nickel (>35% Ni) content, while the subsequent elbow tube sections 6b and 6c of the radiant tube 2 adjacent to the straight tube sections 4b-4d are both made from the HK40 alloy.
Conventionally, the straight tube sections 4 and the elbow tube sections 6 are weld joined using the design shown in FIG. 2. The adjacent ends of the straight tube sections 4 and the elbow tube sections 6 are machined to 'V' groove 7 and welded using Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) (also known as Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMAW)) process with nickel filler wire/rod. Due to mismatch between the straight tube sections 4 and the elbow tube sections 6, as well as, in a few cases, insufficient root penetration and thermal fatigue loading, the straight tube sections 4 fail prematurely at weld joints 5. Moreover, when the high nickel (>35% Ni) content alloy is used in fabricating the radiant tube 2, the high nickel content and shape of radiant tubes make welding difficult. The radiant tubes 2 in the CAPL furnace were found to fail prematurely at weld joints 5. In some cases the radiant tubes 2 were failing within two years of installation, while the average design life of the radiant tube 2 is 4 to 6 years.
Thus, typical weld joints of radiant tubes are susceptible to improvements that may enhance their strength and decreases cost of production with increased life of the radiant tubes.

Nickel-base radiant tube and method for making the same

Arcelormittal Investigacion y Desarrollo, S.L.


The Flying Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier (FMPAC) comprises a runway body which is provided with V/STOL capability by at least two rotary wings, located outside the two lateral ends of the runway body in a side-by-side configuration. The rotary wings are, preferably, of a large diameter helicopter rotor blade type, and are powered by respective shaft turbine engines. A substantially flat runway platform is provided along the middle portion of the runway body, between the left and right helicopter rotary wings. The runway platform is located as low as possible, in order to secure flight stability of the composite aircraft. The top surface of the runway platform has a substantially flat and rectangular-like shape defining a conventional runway, and may allow a fixed wing CA to take-off from or to land on it, during flight of the FMPAC, allowing the pilot of the CA to operate his aircraft with a considerable margin of error. During composite flight, the brakes of the CA's landing gear should be actuated and in addition, its landing gear should be locked down to the surface of the FMPAC. Any CA may be assisted for V/STOL by means of a FMPAC, provided that its weight is not larger than the payload capability of the FMPAC. The V/STOL assisted flight of CA may be performed from any relatively flat ground surface, or alternatively, it may be performed from a water surface, if the FMPAC is equipped with a flying boat undercarriage.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of composite aircraft and more particualrly to a Flying Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier (FMPAC) and method of V/STOL assisted flight of fixed wing Conventional Aircraft (CA).
(b) State of the Art
Runway dependency is causing everyday problems experienced by fixed wing CA. Thus, one of the present day tendencies in aeronautics is to provide an aircraft with V/STOL (Vertical/Short Take-OFF and Landing) capability. Such approach, however, leads to costly and less reliable aircraft configurations, having reduced maximal speed and/or payload, such as the V-22 Ospray aircraft. Various concepts of composite aircraft have been proposed to resolve the above design conflict. Configurations with low reliability, low maintainability, high production costs and low efficiency in low operation, and/or a necessity to substantially modify the CA before using it for V/STOL assisted composite flight have resulted in abandoning of numerous ideas disclosed in the prior art. Frederick et al, for example, in a British patent No. 926,613 issued on May 22, 1963, and Griffith in U.S. Pat. No. 3.070.326 issued on Dec. 25, 1962 teach a composite aircraft comprisng jet engines for a V/STOL operation. Jet engines occupy a relatively small space, but extremely large number of engines are necessary to be employed (for example, Griffiths suggests 32 engines), according to a preliminary analysis, showing that the total weight of a composite aircraft with a CA on board would be at least two times that of the lifted CA. Also, a vertical position of the gas turbine engines, which have inherent considerable length, will increase the height of the platform which will respectively increase the flight instability of the composite aircraft, especially when a CA is positioned on the top of such a platform. Further, all engines should be tiltable or a new set of horizontal engines should be employed to provide a horizontal thrust. Obviously, flight control, maintainability and reliability of a structure with such a large number of engines, introduced as a result of their inherent low impulse in static condition of work, would be poor. Further disadvantage of the Frederick's platform is that the CA, when attached to such aircraft carrier, should be positioned directly above its engines. This necessitates the provision of ductwork for the jet intakes which is both expensive and may interfere with the stability of the carried CA during separation or coupling.
Booker, also describes a composite aircraft, in a U.S. Pat. No. 3,003,717 issued on Jul. 22, 1960, wherein a large sized CA serves as a landing platform for rescuing a disabled aircraft. The disclosed aircraft has problems associated with the lack of V/STOL operation. To resolve this problem, Bennett in U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,337, issued on Jul. 15, 1958 proposes a V/STOL composite aircraft using a large helicopter blade rotor to lift a CA. Such an arrangement is, however, not efficient, from another standpoint. It reduces the lift and the stability of the CA as a result of the downwash, produced by the large diameter helicopter rotor, acting on the fixed wing aircraft before and after separation. Other patents also describe various ideas to resolve the problem associated with V/STOL of a CA. None of them, however, makes a practical sense, again, due to low reliability, low maintainability, and low efficency in operation.
Furthermore, none of the disclosed ideas in the patent literature shows a composite aircraft allowing landing of CA with a substantial margin of error. None of the prior art teaches composite aircraft for V/STOL operation comprising minimal number of gas turbine engines, so as to provide low cost manufacturing and operation of the aircraft. None of the prior art shows an aircraft with inherent stability during forward and vertical flight. None of the prior art describes a multi-purpose composite aircraft, which can be used as a "work horse" type of flying transportation vehicle, for example, to include a detachable land moving carriage, whose wheels may be locked down to the surface of the runaway platform, instead of a CA, and to carry various payloads. Such a detachable carriage, for example, may be used to carry a large volume of fire extinguishing liquids, to transport various payloads including passengers, to carry various observation or communication instruments, to transport, for example, a launcher comprising a remote piloted vehicle on-board or other flying objects, needed to be transported to the place of launching or launched during flight, and, for example, during hovering of the V/STOL composite aircraft.

Flying multi-purpose aircraft carrier and method of V/STOL assisted flight


A liquid crystal display with mirror face function, including a liquid crystal display module and a reflective element. A lower polarizing plate and an upper polarizing plate are respectively disposed on two faces of the liquid crystal display module. The reflective element is disposed on one face of the upper polarizing plate distal from the backlight element, whereby the reflective element can reflect part of external light to achieve a mirror-face effect. When the liquid crystal display module display a picture, the light emitted from the liquid crystal display module can pass through the reflective element to enhance the transparence.

The present invention is related to a liquid crystal display with mirror face function, and more particularly to a mirror-face liquid crystal display with better optical efficiency.
Some liquid crystal displays need to have mirror face function due to special requirement. FIG. 8 shows an in-car rearview mirror capable of showing information. A transflective film 82 is disposed on one face of the lens 81 of the rearview mirror. A light-emitting display 83 is disposed on rear side of the lens 81. In normal state, the lens 81 can reflect external light to serve as a mirror. When the display 83 emits light, the light partially penetrates through the transflective film 82 to achieve display effect.
The conventional liquid crystal light-emitting display 83 includes a liquid crystal display module 831 and a backlight module 832. When the display 83 emits light, the backlight module 832 serves as the light source. Due to the working characteristic of the liquid crystal display module 831, only about one half of the emitted light can pass through the liquid crystal display module 831. The transflective film 82 will absorb a part of the light beam. Therefore, only about one half of the light beam passing through the liquid crystal display module 831 can pass through the transflective film 82. In other words, only about 25% of the light emitted by the backlight module 832 can pass through the transflective film 82 as shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, the aforesaid in-car rearview mirror capable of showing information has poor optical efficiency. As a result, a high brightness backlight module 832 is necessary for enhancing the brightness. This greatly increases power consumption. In the case that such display is applied to a portable implement such as a mobile phone, PDA and notebook-type computer, the great power consumption will shorten the using time. Moreover, the high brightness backlight module 832 will lead to the problem of overheating.
Another type of liquid crystal display is additionally equipped with a switch-type display such as twisted nematic liquid crystal display (TN-LCD). The turning on/off of the switch-type display is controlled by means of a circuit. When the switch-type display works, the external light is reflected to achieve a mirror face effect. When the switch-type display is turned off, the light emitted by the internal liquid crystal display module can pass through the switch-type display to serve as a display panel. Such display is thicker and has complicated structure. In addition, such display is manufactured at higher cost. Therefore, such display fails to meet the requirements for lightweight, thinness and low power consumption.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a liquid crystal display which meets the requirements for lightweight, thinness and low power consumption and is applicable to portable implement.

Liquid crystal display with mirror face function


A wireless communication system connects User Equipment (UE) to Mobility Management Entities (MMEs). The wireless communication system receives a connection message from the UE. The wireless communication system connects the UE to a first MME responsive to the connection message. The wireless communication system performs MME re-selection for the UE responsive to the connection message. The wireless communication system connects the UE to a second MME responsive to the MME re-selection.

Wireless data allows users to access services such as mobile Internet, video calling, streaming media, messaging, email, etc. Mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones allow users to access wireless data services. Wireless data may use wireless protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). Wireless communication networks providing wireless data may comprise various network elements, such as wireless access points, Mobility Management Entities (MMEs), Serving Gateways (S-GWs), PDN Gateways (P-GWs), Home Subscriber Servers (HSSs)—including other elements and systems.
The MMEs control the high-level operation of wireless communication devices in the wireless communication network. The MMEs may perform functions, such as network access control (i.e. authentication and authorization), radio resource management, mobility management, roaming management, paging, tracking area management, UE location monitoring, load balancing between S-GWs—among other functions. The MMEs may send signaling messages about issues such as security and the management of data streams. The MMEs may also retain location information for each mobile device and select the appropriate gateway during the initial registration process. The MMEs are manufactured by different manufacturers and may use different software.
A network operator may select a MME using a scheduling algorithm (i.e. Round-Robin (RR)). The MME may also be selected using the Global Unique Temporary Identifier (GUTI) transferred by the mobile device. Network operators may desire to assign users to a specific MME based on the criteria such as the services requested by the user. Users may also desire to select a specific MME. Unfortunately, current user MME selection is insufficient.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Long term evolution communication system to perform a mobility management entity reselection


An electronic expansion valve includes: a valve seat, the valve seat has a valve cavity and is provided with a valve port; a valve needle, matching the valve port and used to perform flow adjustment of the electronic expansion valve; a lead screw, forming a floating connection to the valve needle via a barrel portion; and a nut, wherein a threaded fit is formed between the nut and the lead screw, and a lower portion of the nut is provided with a nut guiding portion. A guide component is fixedly connected to the valve seat. The guide component guides both the barrel portion and the valve needle. The electronic expansion valve of the invention is provided with the guide component, and the guide component can guide both the valve needle and the barrel portion, effectively preventing abnormal wear caused by radial deviation of the valve needle and the barrel portion.

In the field of cooling and heating technology, an electronic expansion valve is a refrigerant flow control component of a cooling and heating device. Its working process is generally: when a coil device as a stator is energized or de-energized, a magnetic rotor as a rotor is driven to rotate, and a screw fixedly connected to the magnetic rotor rotates with the rotation of the magnetic rotor and drives the valve needle to rotate. The electronic expansion valve is provided with a nut member, and the nut member is provided with an internal thread structure, and correspondingly, the screw is provided with an external thread structure. Through the engagement of the thread pair, the screw drives the valve needle to move up and down while rotating. The flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the valve port is regulated by regulating the opening degree between the valve needle and the valve port, thereby realizing the function of the system and achieving the purpose of precise control.
When the electronic expansion valve is used in the cooling system, the vibration of the compressor and the pressure of the refrigerant pulse will cause a certain impact on the valve needle or the screw. If the coaxiality between the components is affected, the valve needle will be deflected, thereby causing wear of the thread pair and the valve port portion, and the above wear are accompanied by noise.
Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by those skilled in the art is to design an electronic expansion valve structure, which may effectively guide the valve needle while reduce the abnormal wear of the components due to deflection.

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd.


A fuel filter system, especially for Diesel engines includes filter housing (1) having a fuel inlet (27) and a fuel outlet (29) and a dehydrating filter medium (23) between the inlet and the outlet for the fuel to pass through. The filter housing (1) has a collection chamber (35) for the water trapped by the filter medium from which collection chamber the water can be supplied to a water absorbing and evaporating device (49) via a controlled dispenser (45). The components of the evaporating steam are releasable into the environment through the evaporating steam outlet (51). The water absorbing and evaporating device (49) has a valve arrangement (59, 61) by which the evaporating water outlet (51) can be closed depending on an inadmissible amount of non-evaporated water (55) collected in the evaporating device (49).

To protect the engine injection system, fuel filter systems are usually designed in such that not just impurities such as floating particulates, dust, etc., are separated, but also that water is separated and removed. Since the separated water may still be contaminated with diesel oil, it cannot be released directly into the environment. Specifically, the water may contain dissolved diesel components or micro-droplets that have not been separated by the pressure differential between the water and the diesel oil in the sump collected in the collection chamber. Consequently, prior art includes providing measures for purifying the separated water before it is released into the environment.
In this context, a fuel filter system of the type mentioned above is known from EP 1 581 736 B1. This known solution specifies that separated water that is still loaded with substances that are harmful to the environment are not to be released into the environment directly in the fluid phase. Rather, those substances are to be fed to an evaporation device from which the exhaust vapor is released into the environment downstream from the release device.
A generically different solution, cf. EP 1 726 818 A2, the separated water, without an evaporation or vaporization process taking place, is released into the environment in the fluid phase. Before release, a membrane permeable to water molecules, in the form of, for example, a ceramic membrane, retains the substances that are harmful to the environment. Aside from the fact that such membranes have to be replaced after a limited service life, they require that pressure be built up for flow pass-through to take place.

Fuel filter system, especially for diesel engines


Gate valves having removable interior wear rings that are easily removed from one side of the gate valve upon removal of a retainer ring. The retainer ring is held in place within the valve housing by combination of compressive and shear forces.

Large gate valves are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including mining, manufacturing, refining, sewer and water, and many others. In many of these applications, such as the use of large gate valves in the transportation of water, the valves can remain in use for many years, and even decades, with relatively little significant maintenance or service. However, many other large gate valves are often used in extremely challenging environments where the interior surfaces of the valve components are exposed to abrasive or corrosive materials that can rapidly degrade all but the most durable of materials. For example, carrying of mining slurries with significant amounts of rock and sand can wear away interior valve components rapidly. Similarly, tar sands, such as those mined in western Canada for fuel, are processed at elevated temperatures and with very high solids contents that readily degrade the interior of valves as they pass through.
In order to promote longer service life of valves, especially large gate valves that operate in extreme conditions, it is possible to create replaceable surfaces that line portions of the inside of the valves. These replaceable surfaces can be made of much harder materials than the other valve components—in part because they require less elaborate machining than other parts, and also because they can use higher priced metals without requiring such materials throughout the valve. In addition, the removable nature of the replaceable surface allows them to be replaced without replacing or rebuilding the entire valve.
Unfortunately, one challenge of existing gate valve designs is that it can be difficult to replace the wear surfaces because existing systems for installing, retaining, and removing the wear surfaces have significant shortcomings. Therefore, a need exists for an improved valve design that allows for the easy installation of wear surfaces, for the secure retention of the wear surfaces, and the efficient and easy removal and replacement of the wear surfaces when desired.


The invention relates to an open top generally rectangular hopper for the delivery and discharge of a flowable material. The hopper has lower side walls which converge inwardly and downwardly and are joined to a bottom plate. The hopper also has a bracket mounted on the exterior of the back vertical wall for securing the hopper container to the arm of a transport vehicle. A discharge chute is located on the lower portion of the front vertical wall about equidistant between the downwardly and inwardly converging lower sidewalls. In certain embodiments, an anti-spill lip surrounds the perimeter of the hopper opening and is angled between 30° to 90° inwardly from the vertical walls.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/486,403, filed May 16, 2011. More specifically, it is directed to a low cost dispensing hopper apparatus that is attachable to the arms of a loader vehicle.
A viscous or flowable material such as, concrete is typically delivered to a work site by a concrete truck which has been loaded with material at a remotely located mixing facility. Concrete trucks are relatively large and are thereby inherently limited in their ability to deliver mixed material to its final destination where it is dispensed into forms constructed of wood or other material or earthen forms, such as trenches or holes. Even if the final destination is accessible, the delivery system of a cement truck may not be efficient in terms of lost time and wasted material. Typically however, the trucks carrying the material are unable to reach the pour site and are unable to properly distribute the material. In such a case, the distribution of the flowable material typically requires the use of pumps and/or wheelbarrows and substantial manpower. Due to physical limitations, each wheelbarrow can transport a limited amount of material. Accordingly, the labor costs and time required for completing a pour are substantial. Additionally, because materials such as concrete cure rapidly, failure to complete the pour rapidly may result in wasted material or a faulty pour. Thus, a relatively fast distribution of the material reduces the risk of material waste and a faulty pour.
Another method of delivering flowable material to a form or fencepost hole is via hand carried buckets filled with the flowable material. This method of delivery was required when delivery was needed in areas having steep hills or swampy terrain. While the use of hand carried buckets has provided for the accurate placement of materials into forms and fencepost holes, it is both time consuming and labor intensive.
In addition to wasting human resources, prior methods of concrete delivery to remote locations are generally not cost effective since less than complete loads of concrete must be ordered. Ordering less than minimum material loads often incurs a delivery charge by the concrete supplier which also must be accounted for in the overall cost of the project.
As used herein, loader vehicles include "skid-steer" loaders, backhoes, forklifts, sky-lifts, track-hoes, tractor loaders and other vehicles that include a hydraulic system and that are capable of removably receiving a hopper attachment thereon. For ease of description, the following discussion will primarily focus on skid-steer loaders. However, other types of loader vehicles can be used with the hopper of the present invention.
Generally, skid-steer loaders are vehicles designed to operate in rough terrain and perform a variety of functions. The loader vehicles include loader frame arms that extend in front of the loader vehicle and that may be raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders. The ends of the frame arms include releasable attachments that permit rapid connection of auxiliary equipment to the loader vehicle. Many loaders include operator enclosures. In many designs, in order to open the door of such enclosure the loader arm must be lowered to ground level.
Consequently, skid-steer loaders have evolved into multi-function vehicles as more and more attachments for the loader vehicles have been designed. Examples of attachments include dumping buckets, stump grinders, sweepers, trenchers, backhoes, angle blades, pallet forks, among many others.
Containers adapted to a skid steer (or other loader) are known in the art; however, spillage of a flowable material is common resulting in additional wasted material. Furthermore, containers which have discharge chutes at the bottom make it difficult for the operator to visualize the correct placement of the discharge opening and require greater ground clearance. Perhaps the most important shortfall of the prior art containers in pouring a flowable material, is the elongated design of the bucket. Generally, the buckets extend the full width of the loader vehicle to promote increased capacity. Completing a pour, however, frequently requires precision in directing the flowable material to the pour site. Often the desired pour location is a small or narrow area such as a post hole. Accordingly, the standard dumping bucket cannot complete a large number of the jobs involving a flowable material. Yet another disadvantage of prior art containers is the high placement of the mounting brackets. On loaders with operator enclosures, if the mounting brackets are placed too high on the loader an operator must completely detach the attachment in order to open the enclosure door. Thus, more than one person is required. Furthermore, if the mounting brackets are too high the stability of the loader with a full container is compromised. This is especially true on rough or uneven terrain.
Additionally, prior art containers are subject to spillage of contents on rough or uneven terrain.
Like skid steer loaders, other loader vehicles typically include loader frame arms that extend in front of the loader vehicle which may be raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders. The arms typically have releasable attachments that permit rapid connection of auxiliary equipment to the loader vehicle.
An improved method of delivering concrete, cement or other flowable materials to remote locations would provide a more effective means for delivering and dispensing of concrete within the setup time of the material, would accommodate delivery over variable terrain, and would significantly improve upon the use of human and material resources.


A cylindrical molded plastic container is adapted to receive a snap-on snap-ring which acts as a transition structure between the container sidewall and a suitably configured closure. The snap-ring does not require sonic or friction welding and thus reduces manufacturing costs in the production of the container. The container may be used to ship and store paint or other ingredients.

The use of a snap-ring to provide a transition structure between the top of a cylindrical container and a sealing closure for said container is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,618 issued Jul. 8, 2003 to Christopher Davis and assigned to Letica Corporation of Rochester, Mich. The Davis patent discloses a snap-ring adapted to be permanently secured to the top peripheral edge of a molded plastic container by welding or adhesive bonding. After the snap-ring is essentially permanently secured to the container, a closure of suitable design may be removably attached to the snap-ring to seal the container and the contents thereof. This design provides an effective substitute for metal paint cans with conventional lids.
Transition rings which do not require welding or bonding but can be snapped onto a container are known. An example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,930, issued to Roper on Nov. 2, 1982. The Roper ring, called an "engagement ring," snaps into the upper edge of a container sidewall having an undercut and provides an inboard upward annular projection to receive a lid.
The Roper engagement ring depends entirely on the fit between the top edge of the container and an inverted u-shaped slot in the engagement ring to transfer vertical stacking loads from the lid or ring to the container sidewall. This creates the potential for distortion of the ring under load and a loss of seal quality around the top of the container.

Molded plastic container combination including a snap-on snap ring


Semiconductor structures and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure includes forming a first fin structure including first semiconductor material layers and second semiconductor material layers alternately stacked over a substrate and forming an isolation structure surrounding the first fin structure. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure also includes forming a first capping layer over the isolation structure and covering a top surface and sidewalls of the first fin structure and etching the isolation structure to form a first gap between the first capping layer and a top surface of the isolation structure. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure also includes forming a protection layer covering a sidewall of the first capping layer and filling in the first gap.

The electronics industry is experiencing an ever-increasing demand for smaller and faster electronic devices which are able to support a greater number of increasingly complex and sophisticated functions. Accordingly, there is a continuing trend in the semiconductor industry to manufacture low-cost, high-performance, and low-power integrated circuits (ICs). So far, these goals have been achieved in large part by scaling down semiconductor IC dimensions (e.g., minimum feature size) and thereby improving production efficiency and lowering associated costs. However, such miniaturization has introduced greater complexity into the semiconductor manufacturing process. Thus, the realization of continued advances in semiconductor ICs and devices calls for similar advances in semiconductor manufacturing processes and technology.
Recently, multi-gate devices have been introduced in an effort to improve gate control by increasing gate-channel coupling, reduce OFF-state current, and reduce short-channel effects (SCEs). One such multi-gate device that has been introduced is the gate-all around transistor (GAA). The GAA device gets its name from the gate structure which can extend around the channel region providing access to the channel on two or four sides. GAA devices are compatible with conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes and their structure allows them to be aggressively scaled-down while maintaining gate control and mitigating SCEs. However, integration of fabrication of the GAA features can be challenging.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor structure with hybrid nanostructures

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


Low sodium salt compositions containing a blend of sodium chloride and one or more magnesium, sodium and potassium salts are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions. Further provided are food products containing the compositions.

Common salt, i.e. sodium chloride, is the additive most frequently used in food and beverage preparation, both for household and food industry use. It is necessary to consume a certain amount of sodium ions and chloride ions to maintain the salt balance of the body, but the intake of sodium chloride is usually much larger than the minimum required.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends a daily, 500 mg minimal and 2,400 mg maximal, sodium intake. Notwithstanding this recommendation, the average American consumes more than 4,000 mg per day, three-fourths of which comes from processed foodstuffs and ingested nourishment. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has proposed to reduce sodium content in processed foodstuffs by 50%. The APHA estimates the change could cut the number of hypertension sufferers by 20 percent, eventually saving 150,000 lives a year.
A reduction of sodium intake is prescribed to patients with diseases that affect the cardiovascular system because many of these patients present altered renal capacities to excrete the sodium.
Cardiac ischemic disease constitutes the foremost cause of death in the Western world. Over 5 million people in the United States alone are annually diagnosed with the disease. A reduction in salt intake in patients with light cardiac insufficiency can substantially improve measures against symptoms, facilitate the activation of certain medication and, thus, ameliorate the quality of life of the patients.
As per the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer relating to mortality in the world. Detection of the disease commonly occurs at an advanced stage and the overall survival rate is poor. Sodium retains a positive correlation to the incidence of gastric cancer. One of the recurrent findings from the medical testings performed on patients with gastric cancer is that of elevated salt intake.
In accordance with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), overweight individuals consume more calories and more sodium. Consequently, they retain more sodium than individuals who are not overweight. In addition, research conducted by the NHLBI suggests an increase of 89% in mortality risk amongst overweight adults, due to cerebral damage, for every additional 100 mmol of sodium ingested.
A diet consistent with high sodium intakes reduces the level of nitric oxide and, in turn, augments the risk of undergoing cardiac, vascular, renal and cerebral diseases.
A diet consistent with a low-sodium intake is beneficial to the hypertensive, elderly, obese, salt sensitive, pregnant women, children, Syndrome X patients—those afflicted by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, abnormal intolerance to glucose, arterial hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterol—as well as the overall population.
Further, several studies suggest that dietary potassium may play a role in decreasing blood pressure. Potassium is also involved in nerve function and muscle control. Increasing potassium in the diet may protect against hypertension in people who are sensitive to high levels of sodium.
Athletes also may need more potassium to replace that lost from muscle during exercise and the smaller amount lost in sweat. Low potassium can cause muscle cramping and cardiovascular irregularities. Eating foods high in potassium can prevent these symptoms.
In order to control the intake of sodium chloride, it has been proposed to use various salt combinations, wherein sodium chloride has been partially replaced by other salts, especially potassium chloride. Replacement of sodium chloride by other chemical compounds usually results in a taste deterioration.
It is therefore desirable to provide low sodium salt that would reduce the sodium intake and increase the potassium intake while preserving the salty taste.

Methods of preparation of low sodium salt compositions


A power converter module includes a ground terminal, an input voltage terminal confirmed to receive a raw input voltage, and an interconnection terminal configured to provide a regulated output voltage to a load such as a SOC or SIP system to be powered. A voltage regulator is connected to the ground terminal and the input voltage terminal. An inductor has an inductor output connected to the interconnection terminal.

A voltage regulator converts an input voltage to a different output voltage. An example of a typical application is a battery powered electronic device such as a portable computer. In an example such as this, a voltage regulator is required to provide a predetermined and constant output voltage to a load from an often fluctuating input voltage source, the battery.
Depending on several factors, such as the arrangement of power regulator components relative to components of the powered system, known power regulation devices have shortfalls, such as coupling and heating effects, parasitic capacitance at the output stage, interconnection and integration limitations, etc.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


Holographic color control systems are disclosed for the production of pseudocolor holograms by in-situ sequential swelling of an emulsion and exposure to three color separation images with a single wavelength reference light source. The resulting holograms yield images in three color primaries with excellent color registration and mixing, producing a full gamut of mixed colors, pastels and neutrals with three-dimensional perspective.

The technical field of this invention is holography and, in particular, methods and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a holographic recording emulsion during exposure to obtain multi-color image reconstructions.
A hologram is a recording of an interference pattern generated by two overlapping beams of coherent light, one directly from a light source and the other reflected from an object. The recording medium is typically an emulsion formed by a gelatin binder loaded with silver halide microcrystals. When the hologram is displayed by reflection of an illumination beam off the recording medium (or, in the case of transmission-mode holograms, by the transmission of illuminating light through the recording medium), the result is a striking, three-dimensional view of the object.
Considerable efforts have been made during the past twenty years to develop color holograms, particularly reflection-mode color holograms. (Transmission holograms present special problems for the artisan in that the passage of illuminating light through a transmission hologram inherently results in a degree of color smearing, and this problem is greatly compounded when multiple recordings of different colored interference patterns are made.)
In the conventional approach to multi-color reflection holography, beams of coherent light in each of the primary (additive) colors--red, blue and green--are used to record distinct holograms in the photographic plate. In practice registration of the three images is very difficult, particularly for large plates, insofar as the focus and/or magnification of each beam is dependent on its wavelength; good registration requires careful angular adjustment of the beams. The need for additional reference light sources (e.g., a blue light laser and a green light laser, as well as a red light laser) also add a substantial cost to the system. Moreover, the recording medium, e.g., the photographic emulsion, typically has a different sensitivity to different wavelengths, dictating careful control of the exposure time and intensity of each beam as well.
An alternative approach to color holography lies in the use of a single light source and the deliberate variation of the thickness of the emulsion between two or more exposures in order to obtain reconstruction wavelengths that are different from that of the reference light source. These so-called "pseudocolor" reconstructions make multi-color imaging possible with only one color of reference light and thereby permit a single, less expensive laser (e.g., helium-neon or krypton laser generating coherent red light) to be used for recording.
Pseudocolor holographic techniques are disclosed, for example, by Hariharan, Vol 35, Optical Communications, pp. 42-44 (1980). In Hariharan's system, a two-color reflection hologram is obtained by first exposing an emulsion in its normal condition with red light. The emulsion is then soaked in a 3% solution of triethanolamine (TEA) which causes the emulsion to swell. A second exposure is made on the swollen emulsion with the same laser. When the emulsion is subsequently displayed, two distinct reconstructions can be viewed, one at a longer wavelength as a result of the first exposure and the other at a shorter wavelength due to the second exposure. Others have extended this technique using a TEA solution to obtain three-color reflection holograms.
The use of pseudocolor methods has been proposed by the present inventors as a way of rendering three-dimensional computer-generated designs, where computer manipulation of the images and careful design of a holographic optics allow precise registration of the component color images. For further discussion of the application of pseudocolor holography to computer image rendering, see, J. L. Walker, Master Science Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (February 1987); and S. A. Benton, "The Principles of Reflection Holographic Stereograms," in T. H. Jeong, Ed., Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Display Holography (1988) herein incorporated by reference.
Nonetheless, current processes for the preparation of pseudocolor holograms continue to suffer serious shortcomings. The use of TEA solutions typically requires manual treatment of the emulsion to insure volumetric loading, and the emulsion surface must then be wiped clean or spun dry to avoid non-uniform swelling. Handling of the plate or film can lead to fogging of the emulsion, and, in any event, removal and replacement of the emulsion in exactly the same position to obtain proper color registration can be problematic.
Moreover, the use of TEA to expand the recording medium can also affect the photographic properties of the emulsion itself insofar as TEA is a sensitizing agent as well as a swelling agent. Thus, TEA tends to degrade previously recorded latent images and enhances the effects of subsequent exposures. To counteract the phenomenon, the exposure time and/or intensity of the exposing light in subsequent recordings must be carefully controlled.
Various alternatives to macromolecular bulk loading of the emulsion with TEA have been proposed. One particularly attractive alternative is the use of water as the primary swelling agent, for example, by immersion of the emulsion in a water/alcohol solution. By varying the water content of the solution, the degree of swelling can be controlled to an extent.
Unfortunately, water-based swelling techniques also have limitations in that gelatin-based emulsions exhibit swelling anomalies when water is introduced into the polymeric matrix. The gels that are most commonly used in emulsions tend to either not swell at all or swell to maximum expansion quickly in the presence of water. This "all or nothing" phenomenon makes it difficult in some instances to achieve an intermediate volumetric state for recording interference patterns that will exhibit a green primary color upon reconstruction.
There exists a need for better holographic color control systems, particularly for recording pseudocolor holograms. A system that could replace conventional bulk loading of an emulsion with a large molecular weight filler, such as TEA, and yet achieve emulsion thickness control without swelling anomalies would satisfy a long-felt need in the art.


The present invention provides methods and compositions for cryopreservation of cells or tissues encapsulated in a bioartificial organs, wherein the integrity and the viability of the encased cells are maintained, along with the integrity of the artificial capsule used to encase the cells. The method provides novel conditions for cryopreserving a bioartificial organ in a freezing container using a minimum volume of added cryopreservative solution necessary to maintain both the structural integrity of the jacket encasing the bioartificial organ, and the viability of the cells encased therein.

Cell and tissue transplantation is fast becoming an important treatment for several diseases and conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes (e.g., Janjic et al., Pancreas 13: 166-172, 1996), infertility (e.g., Warnes et al., Hum Reprod 12: 1525-1530, 1997), heart valve replacement (e.g., Feng et al., Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 6: 251-255, 1992), cataracts (e.g., Taylor Cryobiology 23: 323-353, 1986), skin replacement (e.g., De Luca et al., Burns 15: 303-309, 1989), and plastic and reconstruction surgery (e.g., Hibino et al., J Craniomaxillofac Surg 24: 346-351, 1996). Much of the advance in tissue transplantation is due to the discovery of bioartificial organs ("BAOs"). Generally, BAOs are comprised of cells which produce a desired biologically active molecule. The cells are encapsulated in a biocompatible permselective membrane or jacket to form a capsule. The pore size of the membrane is selected to permit diffusion of the biologically active molecule out of the capsule and to protect the encapsulated cells from the host's immunological system. These BAOs are well known in the art.
As cell transplantation in general, and BAOs in particular, gain wider acceptance and use, the need for long term storage of transplantable cells and tissues increases. Currently, several methods exist for the storage of cells and tissue. These methods include: (i) maintenance in tissue culture prior to transplantation, (ii) storage at refrigeration temperatures, and (iii) freeze drying. Most cells and tissues can be maintained in culture for only a few days, and are at risk for contamination by bacteria and other infectious agents. While refrigeration may prove useful for short term storage, most cells cannot be stored at refrigeration temperatures for prolonged periods or they begin to lose viability. Freeze drying is used for long term storage. However, many cells do not survive the freeze drying process.
Cryopreservation is one alternative to these methods. If not properly controlled, however, cryopreservation can lead to damage to the cells and a decrease in cell viability. Two major mechanisms of cell damage caused by cryopreservation have been reported. First, mechanical injuries to the cells are caused by formation of intracellular and extracellular ice crystal formation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,741. Damage caused by this mechanism is worse when cells are frozen at a rapid rate because rapid freezing causes an increase in the formation of intracellular and extracellular ice crystals. See, e.g., Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993. Penetrating cryopreservatives have been reported to alleviate damage caused by this first mechanism. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,741, and Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993.
Second, cells may also be damaged by osmotic forces created by changing solute conditions caused by extracellular ice formation. As extracellular ice forms and continues to grow, water molecules become sequestrated within the ice, leaving solute molecules concentrated in the remaining fluidic fraction. This leads to a hyperosmotic extracellular environment. As a result of this osmotic imbalance, water transports out of the cell, causing the cells to shrink and leading to osmotic dehydration. Osmotic dehydration is exacerbated when cells are frozen at a slower rate, due to the tendency for ice crystals to form more rapidly in the extracellular medium under these conditions. Water ceases to cross the cell membrane when temperatures become sufficiently low to cause a phase transition in the cell's lipid bilayer, changing the lipid bilayer from a loosely packed alignment into a closely packed, semi-solid (gel) form with very limited permeability. See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 98/14058. Both penetrating and non-penetrating cryopreservatives have been reported to alleviate damage caused by this second mechanism. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,741, PCT Publication No. WO 98/14058, Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993.
Optimal cryopreservation techniques must strike a balance between the damage caused to cells by mechanical forces during quick freezing and the damage caused to cells by osmotic forces during slow freezing. Different optimal cooling rates have been described for different cells. It has been suggested that the different optimal cooling rates are due to the differences in cellular ice nucleation constants and in phase transition temperature of the cell membrane for different cell types. See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 98/14058, and Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993. Freezing rates between -1.degree. C. per minute and -10.degree. C. per minute are preferred in the art. Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993.
Even when using cooling rates that are sufficiently fast to avoid damage by solution effects, intracellular ice formation will begin around -50.degree. C. Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993. When cells are frozen to temperatures below this level, intracellular ice nucleation is inevitable. Cells must be thawed quickly in order to avoid being extensively damaged during the thawing process by the expansive growth of these intracellular ice crystals. Warming cryopreserved cells to 37.degree. C. in 3 to 10 seconds will quickly bypass damage due to the crystallization phase and to any subsequent osmotic shock. Karlsson et al., Biophysical J 65: 2524-2536, 1993.
A polymer glass transition theory has been proposed to explain how cryoprotectants work. See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO93/14191. The transition of an aqueous solution into an amorphous solid excludes formation of ice crystals. The glass transition temperature ("Tg") of a cell's aqueous environment is the temperature wherein a given solution goes from a glassy fluid to a rubbery state. Below the Tg, in the glass phase, the extremely high viscosities in the typical amorphous glass preclude molecular diffusion and hence chemical reactions that lead to cell damage. Two potential mechanisms are proposed. In the first mechanism, cryoprotectants work extracellularly by decreasing ice crystal formation and growth, thus reducing the movement of water molecules out of the cell during the freezing process. In the second mechanism, cryoprotectants work intracellularly by permeating the cell and reducing the amount of ice formed therein, hence reducing the amount of physical injury to cell membranes and organelles at transition phase temperatures.
Glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide ("DMSO") have become the most widely accepted cryopreservative agents. Both of these compounds have very low Tg values, -65.degree. C. for a 40% (vol/vol) glycerol mixture and -120.degree. C. for a 5% (vol/vol) DMSO mixture. See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 93/14191. However, in order to be effective for the cryopreservation of cells or tissues encapsulated in BAOs, a cryoprotectant must not only maintain the integrity of the cellular membranes and the viability of the cells, but also maintain the integrity of the artificial jackets used to encapsulate the cells. This is critical to prevent either the release of the cellular contents into a patient upon transplantation, or allow components of a patient's immune system to permeate the protective membrane barrier. Moreover, the cryoprotectant mixture must be able to cross the semipermeable membrane in order to reach the encapsulated cells.
Although DMSO is a widely used cryopreservative of cells and tissues, it is unsuitable for use with BAOs. DMSO will dissolve the artificial polymer membrane surrounding the BAO, fracturing the integrity of the artificial jackets.
Glycerol cryopreservative compositions presently used in the art are also unsuitable for use with BAOs. Glycerol must be used in high concentrations for cryopreservation, namely, 40% (vol/vol) for red blood cells in combination with other cryoprotectants (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 93/14191), up to 60-80% (weight to volume) for cultured skin equivalents and hematopoietic stem cells (e.g., PCT Publication Nos. WO 95/07611 and WO 96/27287, respectively). While concentrated glycerol solutions may be an effective cryoprotectant for cells in suspension, the limited wetting and diffusion properties of solutions of high concentrations of glycerol (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 96/29862) does not permit adequate cryopreservation of cells or tissues in the microenvironment of BAOs.
Thus, a need remains in the art for viable methods and compositions for the cryopreservation of cells or tissues encapsulated in BAOs. Such methods and compositions would facilitate shipping and increase the shelf-life of BAOs.

Methods and compositions for cryopreservation of cells and tissues


An electromagnetic bioimpedance measurement apparatus uses an alternating magnetic field to induce electrical eddy currents in biological tissue. The eddy currents produce secondary magnetic fields that have the effect of changing the mutual inductance between the tissue and the coil that applied to the initial magnetic field. The amplitude of the resultant voltage, as measured by the same coil or a different receiver coil, is proportional to the conductivity of the tissue. A simple, marginally stable oscillator circuit is used to generate the current into the coil. Nearfield holographic signal processing is then used for holographic image formation. Bioimpedance is used to distinguish between normal tissue and cancerous tissue, especially cancerous prostate tissue. An invasive embodiment includes driven needle electrodes that are inserted into the body segment to be tested. Noninvasive embodiments include single or multiple coils arranged on a probe shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to an electromagnetic bioimpedance apparatus and, more particularly, to noninvasive imaging using nearfield electromagnetic holography, and especially for imaging human prostate tumors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. In a diseased human prostate, localized tumors can be pea-sized with distinct boundaries, located at the surface or at a depth, though most tumors are within 1 cm of the surface. Extensive screening, consisting of digital rectal examinations (DREs) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level tests, has resulted in a rise of diagnosed cases of prostate cancer. In 1996, there were more than 317,000 new cases of prostate cancer and more than 41,000 prostate cancer deaths. Currently, in men with an abnormal DRE and/or elevated PSA and who are candidates for therapy, a transrectal ultrasound with prostatic biopsy is performed.
Of men who have abnormal DRE's, one in four men will have no identifiable pathology on biopsy. Also, using an ultrasound-guided biopsy, there is a 12.8% false negative rate, meaning prostate cancer will be missed, especially for tumors in depths and surfaces that the DRE cannot reach. There has not been good correlation between ultrasound findings of hypoechoic areas and cancer. Therefore, a more sensitive and specific imaging modality to better direct prostate biopsy is needed to aid the clinician in detecting and localizing cancer.
Bioimpedance is an electrical property of biological tissue that has been used for several biomedical applications, such as quantification of brain edema in neurosurgery and in differentiating a pulmonary mass such as cancer from pneumonia. The electrical bioimpedance of a body segment depends upon a number of factors, including hemoperfusion, that is, the volume of blood or fluid in the body segment, and the electrical conductivity of the body segment.
Other biological variables that could affect electrical bioimpedance of a body segment include differences in body size, body shape, electrolytes, fluid distribution, or other elements of body composition. In addition, variations in electrode position and machine settings, hydration status and ambient air and skin temperature can each play a role in electrical bioimpedance of a body segment. Recent physical activity can increase vascular perfusion and warming of muscle tissue, increasing cutaneous blood flow and vasodilatation that affects the electrical bioimpedance.
Direct bioimpedance measuring systems utilize a current generator to generate a continuous, constant amplitude and frequency current though a human or animal body segment, such as muscle, fat, liver, skin or blood. Frequencies in the range of about 30 KHz-30 MHz have been used to determine tissue conductance (or, reciprocally, tissue impedance) in order to assess the fluid content of brain matter. Impedance to the continuous current flow in the body segment generates a voltage difference across the body segment. A bioimpedance meter measures the impedance in the body segment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,621 to Heinze et al. discloses an apparatus for measuring the impedance of body tissue. The apparatus has a signal source connected to the tissue to be measured, a unit for acquiring an impedance signal from the body tissue dependent on the electrical signal, and an evaluation stage for the impedance signal. The signal source supplies an electrical signal to the body tissue to be evaluated. The evaluation stage filters out low frequency signal components corresponding to the conductance of the tissue, and has a signal output to which the signal components that were filtered out are supplied.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,072 to Sramek discloses a system and method for detection of electrical bioimpedance signals in a human or animal body segment. The system comprises a constant current generator for generating a periodic high frequency current output across a body segment in response to a periodic control input signal, a controller for generating a periodic control output signal to control operation of the current generator and an electrical bioimpedance detector for detecting a voltage generated across the body segment by the flow of current in the segment. The electrical bioimpedance detector generates an output signal indicative of bioimpedance in the body segment. The periodic generation of a current across a body segment alleviates the potentially detrimental effects of a continuous current on body segment tissue and reduces interference with the function of certain pacemakers.
Despite the ability of noninvasive electromagnetic bioimpedance methods to measure low contrast changes in tissue, a perennial problem has been the precise localization of the change. Generally, the interrogation or sampling volume is gauged by the diameter of the coil used to impart the electrical signal to the tissue. Because of the intervening tissue between the coil and the region under study (e.g., skin, muscle, bone), it is difficult to precisely locate the depth of the physiological change since the conductance (or impedance) of the intervening tissue is also measured. Traditionally, the signal from a receiving coil is a broadly peaked function with poor spatial resolution and no definitive electrical conductivity (or impedance) data specific to the different kinds of tissue under illumination. Additionally, bioimpedance measurements have never been used to detect prostate tumors.

Apparatus for sensing human prostate tumor


A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor device may include a stack of chips, including a master chip and one or more slave chips. I/O connections of slave chips need not be connected to channels on a motherboard, and only electrode pads of a master chip may be connected to the channels. Only the master chip may provide a load to the channels. A through-substrate via (TSV) boundary may be set on a data input path, a data output path, an address/command path, and/or a clock path of a semiconductor device in which the same type of semiconductor chips are stacked.

The inventive concept relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor device including through-substrate vias (TSVs).
As digital information device products, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, become smaller and lighter, with improved functionality and higher performance, semiconductor packages used within these devices are desired to be small, light and have high integration densities. 3D semiconductor technology for providing a plurality of semiconductor chips within one package has drawn attention.

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


A massage tool can include an axle including a root outer diameter, a center stop protrusion, end stop protrusions located at opposing ends of the axle, and at least one set of positioning protrusions located between the center stop protrusion and at least one of the end stop protrusions. An inner positioning protrusion of the at least one set of positioning protrusions is located axially closer to the center stop protrusion than an outer positioning protrusion of the at least one set of positioning protrusions. The outer and inner positioning protrusions each protrude from the root outer diameter of the axle a distance that is less than a distance that the center stop protrusion and the end stop protrusions protrude from the root outer diameter of the axle. Two massage elements each contain a center bore having a bore diameter substantially equal to the root outer diameter of the axle. A length of the center bore of each massage ball is substantially equal to an axial distance between the center stop protrusion and the outer positioning protrusion, and substantially equal to an axial distance between the inner positioning protrusion and a nearest one of the end stop protrusions.

Massage tools are common implements utilized to facilitate and assist massaging. Peanut shaped massage tools are typically used to simultaneously massage muscles on both sides of a spine. However, due to variations in the widths of vertebrae between different people and also between different locations of the spine for any given person, there isn't a single most optimal width for the spacing between the two lobes of a peanut massager.
To account for the size variance of different people, attempts have been made to produce peanut massage tools that can adjust the spacing between the lobes. However, the mechanisms provided for lobe adjustment have been cumbersome and ineffective. There is a need for an adjustable peanut massage tool that affords securely adjustable positioning of the peanut lobes, reduces part count, offers simpler and more effective operation and higher durability, while reducing cost associated with the production and assembly of the tool.


The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for contactlessly measuring the curvature of an ophthalmic article (1) having a “front” face (1B) that presents said curvature. The method consists in: sequentially emitting at least two light beams (L1, L2) onto said front face, these two light beams being offset by a certain angle (α) and converging substantially onto said front face, one of said emitted light beams (L1) being substantially centered on said front face and being substantially normal to said front face; analyzing the wave fronts of the resulting reflected beams (L′1, L′2) in order to determine their respective focuses (F1, F2) therefrom; and deducing the radius of curvature of said face; said operations being performed in such a manner that said emitted beams are substantially not reflected by the rear face of said article.

Methods of the optical type or of mechanical type are known for measuring radius of curvature while making contact. Given the contact they make, they have the drawback of leading to damage, essentially to scratches on the article.
It is also known to measure the radius of curvature of an article without making contact, e.g. by interferometry. Such a method is complex to implement since it requires both very precise relative positioning between the article, and the work to be carried out in monochromatic light. Furthermore, with that method, a measurement step is relatively lengthy.

Method and apparatus for contactless measurement of the radius of curvature of an ophthalmic article


A clip-type microphone comprises a main rod, a first clip set fastened with the main rod, a second clip set fastened with the main rod, an extension rod fastened with one end of the main rod, and a head fastened with one end of the extension rod. The head of the microphone is located in proximity of the mouth of a user of the microphone. The main rod is fastened to the garment of the user of the microphone such that the clip sets hold a specific part of the garment of the microphone user.

As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art clip-type microphone is designed for use in such a manner that the microphone is attached to the garment of a user of the microphone.
As shown in FIG. 2, another prior art clip-type microphone is designed for use in such a manner that the microphone is attached to the collar of the apparel of a user of the microphone. The attaching of the microphone to the apparel collar is inconveniently done in conjunction with a mirror.
As shown in FIG. 3, a hand-held microphone of the prior art must be held constantly with hand of a user of the microphone. The holding of the microphone with hand for a long period of time can be rather tiresome.


The deacidification of citrus juice with ion exchange resin is described. Maintaining a high acid condition of the juice is achieved by passing the juice through regenerated resin that is preconditioned with an aqueous food-grade acid, preferably citric acid. Additionally or optionally, an early bed volume or multiple early bed volumes of juice flow are at a rapid flow rate. The products obtained also are described, and they may be any deacidified citrus juice or juice blend where the pH of the juice does not rise above that of an acid food pH for the juice during deacidification. In preferred embodiments, the juice product is orange juice. In another preferred embodiment, the conditioning process is used to provide a deacidified citrus juice product while avoiding raising the pH of any portion of the juice to 4.6 or above so as to control microbial growth of the juice.

This invention generally relates to resin deacidification of a juice while maintaining its high acid condition. The preferred embodiment relates to conditioning of ion exchange resins and the product obtained by use of conditioned resins. More specifically, the preferred embodiment relates to the use of acid to condition regenerated resin used in the deacidification of citrus juice. Conditioning regenerated resin allows for deacidified citrus juice with a lower maximum pH and less risk of microbial growth than citrus juice deacidified with unconditioned resin.

Resin deacidification of citrus juice and high acid maintenance


A robotic system includes a plurality of robotic elements, each having at least one processing component, at least one memory component, and an I/O interface; and a virtual backplane coupling the plurality of robotic elements.

NASA initiatives for space exploration include the development of programs such as the Space Exploration Vision and Project Constellation programs. Aspects of these programs include lunar or extra-planetary base concepts and operations, including precursor missions to the Moon and Mars. Achieving the initiatives of NASA will require significant support from robotic systems with such varied functions as rendezvous and docking, in-space assembly, in situ mining and refining, and mobile astronaut assistants.
Conventional robotic systems can include dozens or hundreds of robots operating simultaneously. A team of several individuals can be required for each robot. For example, the Mars Exploration Rovers require a staff of approximately 70 people to support continual operation of a single robotic rover. While this has been sufficient for prior robotic missions, economic realities and increasing levels of system complexities render this approach difficult. Increased autonomy, with the attendant decrease in required operator interaction, can provide advantages. However, increased autonomy can increase financial and time costs because the robots must be individually designed for a specific mission. Moreover, increased autonomy tends to decrease the reliability of the system, as well as increase the risk of mission failure, equipment damage, and human injury.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved robotics system that can be implemented at a lower cost and require less human interaction. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Robotic system with distributed integrated modular avionics across system segments


The ignition switch for a vehicle such as a lawn and garden tractor is connected directly to a printed circuit board which also includes interlock systems components. The circuit board with the switch and other components is wave soldered in an automated process to make good electrical connections for reduced voltage drops, thereby reducing the number of relays required. Wiring harnesses are also soldered directly to the board during the soldering step. In the preferred embodiment, the ignition switch is fixed to the board and supports the board from the console of the vehicle. However, if the switch or another component on the circuit board needs to be remotely located with respect to the remainder of the board, the switch or component is mounted on a break-away section of the board, and the wires connecting the board sections are soldered with the remainder of the components during the automated process. After the board is manufactured as one assembly, the section is snapped apart from the remainder of the board, and the board and break-away section are mounted at the desired locations on the vehicle.

1. ) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vehicles such as lawn and garden tractors, and, more specifically, to a circuit board arrangement for the ignition and other portions of the electrical system for such a vehicle.
2.) Related Art
As more safety interlock systems are added to lawn and garden vehicles, the ignition circuit complexity has increased. To determine the operational state of tractor subsystems such as the PTO (power take off), transmission and brakes, more sensors, switches, relays, and wiring circuits have been included. The additional components have typically brought with them an decrease in the reliability of the wiring system. The severe operating environment of the vehicles often causes degradation of the wiring terminals which results in increase voltage drops and the inability to engage solenoids.
Heretofore, additional relays stacked in stages were required to overcome the problems caused by voltage drops. Typically, a relay is added in an accessible area and a wiring harness is connected to the relay. Diodes are often added to the harness which increases manufacturing time and expense. Easy and neat assembly of the system is not possible. Testing the electrical system during manufacture, and diagnosis and repair of the system during the life of the vehicle have become increasingly difficult. Adding extra features to the electrical system such as time delays, bulb checks or the like can be troublesome.

Ignition circuit module and method of manufacture


In an authentication method between an IC card and a terminal unit, authentication is performed without an authentication code or an address therefor being transmitted directly between the two devices so as to assure the security of the authentication operation. Both of the IC card and the terminal unit include multiple authentication codes each code having a corresponding time data item, and an encryption algorithm. In one of the IC card and the terminal unit, one of the authentication codes is selected, and the selected authentication code is encrypted according to the encryption algorithm. The encrypted authentication code is transmitted to the other device as authentication data. The time data corresponding to the selected authentication code is transmitted to the other device as a time interval between commands or signals. In the other device, the authentication code obtained from the time data is encrypted according to the encryption algorithm to generate authentication data. The generated authentication data is compared with the authentication data sent from the other device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an authentication method performed between an IC card and a terminal unit, and a system therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional authentication methods between an IC card and a terminal unit have been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 59-77575 (Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-40879). In this authentication method, a random number is generated first in the terminal unit, and then the generated random number is sent to the card together with an address specifying the desired authentication code stored in the card. In the IC card, the authentication code corresponding to the given address is obtained. Thereafter, a predetermined processing is performed using the given random number and the obtained authentication code by an encryptor in the IC card itself, and the obtained result of the processing is transmitted to the terminal unit. The terminal unit is also provided with data on the authentication code and the encryptor, like the IC card. Therefore, the terminal unit performs the similar processing to that performed in the IC card on the random number and the authentication code using the encryptor. If the result of the processing performed by the terminal unit coincides with the result of the processing sent from the IC card, the identity of the IC card is established to the terminal unit.
In the conventional authentication method between the IC card and the terminal unit which is performed in the manner described above, an address indicating the location where the authentication code is stored is directly given to the IC card from the terminal unit in order to obtain a desired authentication code. Thus, there is the possibility that the location where the authentication code is stored and the contents thereof may be disclosed to an unauthorized user.

Authentication method performed between IC card and terminal unit and system therefor


A deck floor system for use in constructing a patio deck consists of a series of individual modules, each secured as a unit to the floor joists. Each module is constructed of a series of side-by-side floor members. The floor members are secured together into the module by threaded fasteners, which extend through spacers located between each floor member.

This invention relates to a system for constructing a deck floor.
In recent years, patio decks have become an increasingly popular feature for home improvement and for new residential construction. A patio deck is typically constructed by anchoring posts into the ground, securing floor joists to the posts, and then securing the deck floor to the floor joists. The deck floor typically consists of individual floor members, such as 1.times.2s, 2.times.4s or the like, each of which is individually secured to each floor joist. The floor members are typically nailed or screwed into the floor joists, with the result being that the heads of the nails or screws are located at the upper surface of each floor member. In the case of screws, the screw holes can be countersunk to accept the screw head, and the hole thereafter filled in with wood filler or the like. This is disadvantageous in that it requires several extra steps in construction, and also makes it difficult to remove the floor members after they have been installed. In the case of nails, the nails can be sunk and the holes filled, but this again results in extra steps in construction. In each case, with wood filler being used, it is difficult to match the color of the filler to that of the wood, thus detracting from the overall appearance of the upper surface of the deck floor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular deck flooring system which is extremely easy to install, and which also possesses numerous advantages over prior art deck floors, including an increase in the span between joists, a decrease in maintenance and a more aesthetically appealing upper surface of the deck floor.
In accordance with the invention, a deck floor for a deck including a series of spaced joists is constructed of a series of individual floor modules, each of which is individually secured as a unit to the joists. Each module is constructed of a series of elongated floor members, which are secured together to for the module. The floor members in each module are spaced apart from each other. In each module, the floor members are secured together by threaded fasteners located at spaced locations along the length of the floor members. The threaded fasteners extend transverse to the longitudinal axes of the floor members at each location. In a preferred form, each module consists of first and second end members, a central member, and one or more intermediate members located between the central member and each end member. A pair of threaded fasteners are provided at each location along the length of the floor members. A first one of the threaded fasteners interconnects the central member with the first end member and the intermediate members therebetween, and a second one of the threaded fasteners interconnects the central member with the second end member and the intermediate members therebetween. In a preferred arrangement, the end members and intermediate members are all anchored onto the central member. The floor members in each module are spaced apart from each other by a series of spacers, each of which is located between adjacent floor members. The threaded fasteners extend through the spacers to interconnect the floor members, the fasteners, and the spacers into an integral module. Each module is secured to the joists, at the location of each joist, by threaded screws which extend through only selected ones of the floor members, to anchor the module as a unit to the joist. For instance, the end member of each module may be fastened to the joist, and it is not necessary to anchor any other of the floor members to the joist. This substantially reduces the number of fasteners which must be used to secure the floor members to the joists, resulting in a deck floor which has an upper surface much less interrupted than when conventional screws or nails are used. In the invention, the screw heads are countersunk, and the area above the screw head is filled in with sawdust. The sawdust can be removed if necessary to allow access to the screw head, in the event it becomes necessary to remove the floor module for any reason.
The invention further contemplates an individual floor module constructed as summarized above, and a method of constructing a deck floor, also substantially according to the foregoing summary.
Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.


A method in one embodiment includes determining which elements of a storage environment or system have been selected for addition to a group, each of the elements being associated with a tier; adding the selected elements to the group; determining whether a parent of each of the selected elements has also been selected, the parent of each of the selected elements being in a higher tier than the element; adding the parent to the group as an element if the parent of any of the selected elements has not been selected; associating the elements in the group into subgroups; generating a view of at least some of the elements in the group, the view representing the tier of the elements in the view, the elements being spatially organized by subgroup; and outputting the view. Additional systems, methods and computer program products are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to data assembly and presentation, and more particularly, this invention relates to assembling and outputting defined groupings.
When users are permitted to group arbitrary sets of entities together in a sensible manner, it is often difficult to find a standard way to display all possible permutations of group members in a meaningful and user friendly form. This issue is often exacerbated when dealing with more complex entities, such as entities with varying tiers (e.g. levels, etc.) and entities with various classes and tiers. There is thus a need for addressing these and/or other issues.

Assembly and output of user-defined groupings

International Business Machines Corporation


A magnetic tape cutting system having a storage unit for storing positional information of defect portions of a whole roll of magnetic tape and a winding apparatus for playing out magnetic tape from the roll and winding the magnetic tape as a product. A defect removal apparatus plays out magnetic tape from the whole roll for purposes of disposal. A control unit selects, based on the positional information of the defect portions in a selected roll of magnetic tape, the winding apparatus or the defect removal apparatus. The apparatus that is not currently selected is available to process another roll of magnetic tape while the selected roll of magnetic tape is being processed in the selected apparatus.

The present invention relates to a magnetic tape cutting system that cuts off the magnetic tape from a magnetic tape roll, takes up a normal portion of the magnetic tape as a product, and removes the defective portion of the magnetic tape.
In the magnetic tape, when magnetic material is applied to a support body for forming the magnetic tape, in some cases, a dust sticks to the magnetic material thereby such as an uneven of the magnetic material is given, which causes a defect in the magnetic tape. Therefore, in a stage of forming the roll, the magnetic tape is checked as to whether a defect is present or not.
In a case of a magnetic tape which is used as a data backup, a servo signal is previously recorded in the magnetic tape. In such magnetic tape, the wrong writing of the servo signal can also give a defect, and therefore, the magnetic tape is checked for the presence or absence of a defect caused by a servo signal recorded therein.
As a magnetic tape cutting system of the above type, there is known an apparatus disclosed in JP-A-7-37362. In this magnetic tape cutting system, from a roll with a defect position of a magnetic tape previously recognized by inspection, a magnetic tape with a predetermined length for a product is cut off and is then taken up around a reel disposed within a cassette.
According to this apparatus, the defect position is recognized and stored by a storage unit. In case where no defect is present in the magnetic tape with the predetermined length to be cut off, the magnetic tape with the predetermined length is taken up around a reel (specifically, a product reel) disposed within the cassette. On the other hand, in case where a defect is present in the magnetic tape with the predetermined length to be cut off, the magnetic tape with the predetermined length is taken up around a disposal reel so that the magnetic tape having the defect can be disposed. Take-up of the magnetic tape on the product reel and take-up of the magnetic tape on the disposal reel are carried out within the same winding apparatus (winder).
In the interior of the above winding apparatus, there are provided a mechanism for taking up a magnetic tape on a product reel, a mechanism for taking up a magnetic tape on a disposal reel, and a mechanism for guiding a magnetic tape played out from a roll to either the product reel or the disposal reel. However, this winding apparatus has very complicated internal structure, requires high costs for installation thereof, and is troublesome in the maintenance thereof. Also, during the time while the magnetic tape is being taken up on the disposal reel, the production of the magnetic tape is stopped, which provides an obstacle to a productivity increase.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic tape cutting system for eliminating the above drawbacks found in above the magnetic tape cutting system. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic tape cutting system which can reduce its cost and is easy to handle.
In attaining the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic tape cutting system, comprising: a storage unit for storing positional information of defect portions of a whole roll of magnetic tape; a winding apparatus for playing out a magnetic tape from the whole roll and winding the magnetic tape as a product; a defect removal apparatus for playing out a magnetic tape from the whole roll for disposal; and, a control unit, based on the positional information of the defect portions, selecting one of the winding apparatus and the defect removal apparatus in which the magnetic tape is played out from the whole roll.
Also, in attaining the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic tape cutting method, comprising the steps of storing positional information of defect portions of a whole roll of magnetic tape in a storage unit; taking up normal portions of a magnetic tape from the whole roll as a product, based on the positional information of the defect portions, by a winding apparatus; and removing the defect portions of the magnetic tape from the whole roll by a defect removal apparatus.
According to the above structure, the control means, based on the positional information of the defect portion stored in the storage unit, selects as to whether the whole roll of magnetic tape is loaded into the winding apparatus or the defect removal apparatus. Then, the magnetic tape is then played out from the whole roll. The defect removal apparatus is separately disposed from the winding apparatus. Since the winding apparatus according to the present invention may have neither a function to take up the magnetic tape on the disposal reel nor a function to guide the magnetic tape played out from the whole roll to either of the product reel or disposal reel, the winding apparatus is simple in structure. Also, the structure of the defect removal apparatus can also be simplified. Therefore, the installation cost of the magnetic tape cutting system can be reduced. Also, the magnetic tape cutting system is easy in maintenance and is also easy to handle.
It may seem that separate disposal of the defect removal apparatus and winding apparatus can lower the yield rate. However, thanks to the recent progress in the communication technology, information sharing among a plurality of apparatus can be realized easily. The inventors have paid special attention to this and have found out the following fact. That is, in case where a defect removal apparatus separately disposed from the winding apparatus is used and information is properly shared between them, the productivity can be maintained or enhanced.
On the other hand, in case where the defect removal apparatus and the winding apparatus are disposed within the same apparatus, the production is stopped during the execution of the defect removal, which lowers the productivity.
However, according to the present invention, for example, with reference to the positional information of the defect portion stored in the storage unit, a predetermined length of magnetic tape is played out from the whole roll and is then taken up as a product by the winding apparatus. Then, the play-out of the magnetic tape is stopped at the vicinity of the defect portion and the magnetic tape is cut off from the product. Next the cut-off roll is moved to the defect removal apparatus, and the defect portion of the magnetic tape can be removed by the defect removal apparatus. After the defect portion is removed from the roll by the defect removal apparatus, this roll can be moved again to the winding apparatus. In this case, there is no restriction that the winding apparatus must be one used in the previous time, that is, the roll can be used to any of winding apparatuses.
The movement of the whole cloth between the winding apparatus and defect removal apparatus can be transferred by transfer means (automatic means) such as a robot; however, this is not limitative but the movement of the roll may also be transferred by hand.