An observation apparatus capable of removing astigmatism is provided. The observation apparatus includes a variable power lens system (20) located on an observation path of an observation optical system (13a) extending from an objective lens (19) to an imaging lens (22). A portion of the observation optical system which extends from the objective lens (19) to the variable power lens system (20) serves as an observation path through which reflected light fluxes from an eye fundus (Er) of an operating eye (E) are relayed to the variable power lens system (20) as parallel light fluxes. A portion thereof which extends from the variable power lens system (20) to the imaging lens (22) serves as an observation path through which the reflected light fluxes obtained through the variable power lens system (20) are relayed to an eyepiece (26) as parallel light fluxes. An astigmatism canceling optical element (61) for canceling astigmatism power caused when optical members (60) are held against the operating eye (E) is provided in any location on the observation path of the observation optical system (13a) extending from the objective lens (19) to the eyepiece (26).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of an observation apparatus such as an operation microscope or a slit lamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
An operation microscope as an observation apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is known in the prior art. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a support post, 2 denotes a support arm, and 3 denotes a bracket for attaching an operation microscope which is mounted to the end portion of the support arm.
The support arm 2 is composed of an L-shaped arm 4 and an swinging arm 5. The L-shaped arm 4 is attached to the top end portion of the support arm 2 such that it can be horizontally rotated. The swinging arm 5 is biased upward by a spring provided in the inner portion thereof.
An arm 6 which is held so as to be horizontally rotatable and extends downward is provided to the end portion of the swinging arm 5. The bracket 3 is attached to the arm 6.
An operation microscope 10 is attached to the bracket 3. The operation microscope 10 has a body tube 11. An observation optical system is provided in the body tube 11. An eyepiece lens body tube 11xe2x80x2 is provided to the body tube 11.
The operation microscope 10 has, for example, an illumination optical system 12 and an observation optical system 13 as shown in FIG. 2. The illumination optical system 12 is composed of an illumination light source 14, a condenser lens 15, an illumination field stop 16, a collimator lens 17, and a prism 18. Reference symbol 18b denotes a reflection surface of the prism 18. Illumination light from the illumination light source 14 is guided to an objective lens 19 used common to the observation optical system 13 via the condenser lens 15, the illumination field stop 16, the collimator lens 17, and the prism 18. Then, it is guided to, for example, an eye fundus Er of an operating eye E so that the eye fundus Er is illuminated. Note that reference symbol Ea denotes a pupil of the operating eye, Eb denotes an iris, and Ec denotes a cornea.
The observation optical system 13 is composed of a right-eye observation optical system 13a and a left-eye observation optical system 13b as shown in FIG. 3. The right-eye observation optical system 13a includes a variable power lens system (zoom lens system) 20 composed of lenses 20a, 20b, 20c, a beam splitter 21, an imaging lens 22, an image erecting prism 23, an interpupillary distance adjustment prism 24, a field stop 25, and an eyepiece 26. Note that reference symbol 2a1 denotes an entrance pupil and 26a denotes an eye point.
Similarly, the left-eye observation optical system 13b includes a variable power lens system (zoom lens system) 30 composed of lenses 30a, 30b, 30c, a beam splitter 31, an imaging lens 32, an image erecting prism 33, an interpupillary distance adjustment prism 34, a field stop 35, and an eyepiece 36. Note that reference symbol 2b1 denotes entrance pupil and 36a denotes an eye point.
The reflected light from the eye fundus Er of the eye to be examined E is guided to an eye of an operator through optical members from the object lens 19 of both the observation optical systems 13a and 13b to the eyepieces 26 and 36 so that the operator observes the eye fundus Er. A portion of the reflected light from the eye fundus Er is split by the beam splitters 21 and 31 and guided to an auxiliary observation optical system 40 for an assistant operator and a TV image pickup system 50.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 41 and 51 are imaging lenses, 42 and 52 are reflection mirrors, 43 denotes an eyepiece, and 53 denotes a TV camera. The TV camera 53 has a CCD image pickup element as an image receiving means 53a.
As shown in FIG. 4, an exit pupil 18a of the illumination optical system 12 is disposed in proximity to observation paths 2a2 and 2b2 of both the observation optical systems 13a and 13b. In FIG. 4, reference symbol xe2x80x9cOxe2x80x9d denotes an optical axis of the objective lens 19, O1 denotes an observation optical axis of the left-eye observation optical system 13a, and O2 denotes an observation optical axis of the right-eye observation optical system.
By the way, there is a case where it is desired to observe an eye fundus and its vicinities using such a kind of operation microscope. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5, optical members such as a prism or lens, contact prism or contact lens (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9coptical membersxe2x80x9d) 60 are held against the cornea Ec of the eye to be examined E, thereby observing a vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 of the eye fundus Er. In FIG. 5, such optical members 60 having an apical angle xcex8 (for example, 45 degrees) are held against the cornea Ec.
Thus, when such optical members 60 are held against the cornea Ec, the optical axis xe2x80x9cOxe2x80x9d of the objective lens 19, an illumination optical axis Oxe2x80x2 of the illumination optical system 12, and the observation optical axes O1 and O2 of both the observation optical systems 13a and 13b are refracted so that the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 of the eye fundus is observed. When the apical angle xcex8 of optical members 60 are varied as appropriate, an observation site of the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 can be changed as appropriate.
However, when the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 is observed using optical members 60, astigmatism and chromatic aberration are caused by a refraction and dispersion action of light. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of astigmatism in a state in which optical members 60 are not held against the operating eye E. The abscissa indicates the amount of defocus when a focusing position is assumed as an origin point and defocusing is made forward and backward. The ordinate indicates a size and a shape of a point image Q at positions corresponding to the respective amounts of defocus. When optical members 60 are not held against the cornea Ec, even if the amount of defocus become large relative to the focusing state, the point image Q is kept in substantially a circular shape. In contrast to this, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of astigmatism in a state in which optical members 60 are held against the operating eye. The abscissa indicates the amount of defocus when defocusing is caused forward and backward. The ordinate indicates a size and a shape of the point image at positions corresponding to the respective amounts of defocus.
When optical members 60 are held against the cornea Ec, the astigmatism is caused. That is, a position at which the point image Q becomes circular in shape is shifted from the focusing position and it shape transforms from a longitudinal elliptical shape to a transverse elliptical shape via a minimum circle as the focusing state is changed from a focusing position front side to a focusing position back side.
Also, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of astigmatism and chromatic aberration in a state in which optical members are not held against the operating eye. The abscissa indicates the amount of defocus when the focusing position is assumed as an origin point and defocusing is caused forward and backward. The ordinate indicates a size and a shape of the point image Q at positions corresponding to the respective amounts of defocus. When optical members 60 are not held against the cornea Ec, even if the amount of defocus become large relative to the focusing state, the point image Q is kept in substantially a circular shape. Also, almost no chromatic aberration whereby an image is separated among R, G, and B is observed. It is observed only slightly as the amount of defocus increases. Thus, almost no practical problem is caused in the case of the observation in the focusing position.
In contrast to this, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of astigmatism and chromatic aberration in a state in which optical members 60 are held against the operating eye Ec. The abscissa indicates the amount of defocus when the focusing position is assumed as an origin point and defocusing is made forward and backward. The ordinate indicates a size and a shape of the point image Q at positions corresponding to the respective amounts of defocus. When optical members 60 are held against the cornea Ec, the astigmatism is caused. That is, a position at which the point image Q becomes circular in shape is shifted from the focusing position and its shape transforms from a longitudinal elliptical shape to a transverse elliptical shape via a minimum circle as the focusing state is changed from a focusing position front side to a focusing position back side. In addition, simultaneously, chromatic aberration is caused by a refraction action of optical members 60 even in the focusing position. Here, the chromatic aberration is schematically indicated using three colors of R, G, and B. A color separation direction is a direction in which refractive power of optical members 60 acts, which is the ordinate direction in this example.
Thus, when the chromatic aberration is caused, as shown in FIG. 10, even if the astigmatism is removed, the chromatic aberration is left.
In the case where the astigmatism and the chromatic aberration are caused, when optical members 60 are held against the cornea Ec of the operating eye E and the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 is observed, the eye fundus image appears as being distorted with color separation. Thus, a sharp image of the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2 cannot be viewed so that it is hard to operate the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2.
In particular, when operating an eye into which an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted, the influences of the astigmatism and the chromatic aberration thereof become large. Thus, there is a problem that it is difficult to observe a sharp image of the eye fundus vicinity portion Erxe2x80x2.
Further, the astigmatism is caused also when optical members 60 are held against the cornea of the operating eye E and coagulation therapy of the eye fundus using laser light is conducted.
Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an observation apparatus capable of removing astigmatism.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an observation apparatus capable of removing chromatic aberration.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an observation apparatus for conducting eye fundus therapy.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus, which comprises a variable power lens system and an imaging lens located on an observation path of the observation optical system extending from an objective lens to an eyepiece, in which:
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the variable power lens system is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes reflected light from an eye fundus of an operating eye to the variable power lens system; and
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the variable power lens system to the imaging lens is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes the reflected light fluxes obtained through the variable power lens system to the imaging lens,
characterized in that an astigmatism canceling optical element is provided on the observation path of the observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the eyepiece, for canceling astigmatism power caused when optical members are held against the operating eye.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the astigmatism canceling optical element is provided between the variable power lens system and the imaging lens.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the astigmatism canceling optical element is provided between the objective lens and the variable power lens system.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the astigmatism canceling optical element consists of a pair of variable cylindrical lenses that are rotatable relative to each other about an observation optical axis of the observation path, and further includes a correction lens for arbitrarily correcting the amount of positive or negative astigmatism.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus comprising amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means capable of correcting astigmatism that changes according to observation magnifications, characterized in that the amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means includes variable cylindrical lens rotating means for rotating the variable cylindrical lenses, and the variable cylindrical lens rotating means rotates, in order to cancel the astigmatism, the variable cylindrical lenses relative to each other about the observation optical axis in accordance with an amount of astigmatism correction to thereby change power thereof.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the observation optical system includes image receiving means for receiving reflected light from the eye fundus, the image receiving means being connected with an image processing device, and the amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means computes the amount of astigmatism correction by analyzing an eye fundus image received on the image receiving means by the image processing device and controls the variable cylindrical lens rotating means to rotate the variable cylindrical lenses in accordance with a computed result.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that:
the observation optical system includes:
a projection optical system for projecting a pattern image to the eye fundus through the objective lens; and
image receiving means for receiving reflected light from the eye fundus, which is connected with an image processing device; and
the amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means computes the amount of astigmatism correction by analyzing a pattern image received on the image receiving means by using the image processing device, and controls the variable cylindrical lens rotating means to rotate the variable cylindrical lenses in accordance with a computed result.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that:
the amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means includes a memory for storing the amounts of astigmatism correction corresponding to respective observation magnifications of a prism having a reference apical angle; and
the amount-of-astigmatism-correction automatic changing means corrects, after once determining the amount of correction corresponding to an observation magnification of optical members having an apical angle different from that of the prism having the reference apical angle, the amounts of correction corresponding to other observation magnifications in accordance with the amounts of correction stored in the memory.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized by comprising an achromatic optical element having power in a direction for canceling chromatic aberration caused when optical members are held against the operating eye, the achromatic optical element being provided between the variable power lens system and the imaging lens.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus, which comprises a variable power lens system and an imaging lens located on an observation path of the observation optical system extending from an objective lens to an eyepiece, in which:
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the variable power lens system is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes reflected light from an eye fundus of an operating eye to the variable power lens system; and
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the variable power lens system to the imaging lens is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes the reflected light fluxes obtained through the variable power lens system to the imaging lens,
characterized in that an achromatic optical element is provided on the observation path of the observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the eyepiece, for canceling chromatic aberration caused when optical members are held against the operating eye.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the achromatic optical element is provided between the variable power lens system and the eyepiece.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus characterized in that the achromatic optical element is provided between the objective lens and the variable power lens system.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus, which comprises:
a variable power lens system and an imaging lens located on an observation path of the observation optical system extending from an objective lens to an eyepiece, in which:
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the variable power lens system is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes reflected light from an eye fundus of an operating eye to the variable power lens system;
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the variable power lens system to the imaging lens is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes the reflected light fluxes obtained through the variable power lens system to the imaging lens; and
the observation optical system includes image receiving means for receiving the reflected light from the eye fundus and displaying an eye fundus image, the image receiving means being connected with an image processing device,
characterized in that the image processing device includes, in order to correct the chromatic aberration caused when optical members are held against the operating eye, chromatic aberration correcting means for correcting chromatic aberration by digitally combining at one point point images that are obtained by separating an image into three colors of R, G, and B on the image receiving means.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an observation apparatus, which comprises a variable power lens system and an imaging lens located on an observation path of the observation optical system extending from an objective lens to an eyepiece, in which:
of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the objective lens to the variable power lens system is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes reflected light from an eye fundus of an operating eye to the variable power lens system; and of the observation optical system, an observation optical system extending from the variable power lens system to the imaging lens is an observation path for relaying as parallel light fluxes the reflected light fluxes obtained through the variable power lens system to the imaging lens; and
eye fundus therapy is performed by using an irradiation optical system for irradiating therapeutic laser light,
characterized in that an astigmatism canceling optical element is provided for canceling astigmatism caused when optical members are held against the operating eye to allow the therapeutic laser light to be irradiated to the eye fundus.


A corrugated web having tapered flutes is usable in straight-through flow filter elements. The corrugated web can be made by passage between a pair of corrugated rollers having tapered teeth. Methods of making usable corrugated rollers include methods for generating the tapered teeth at the end points and the extension between the end points. Corrugated webs may be made from a variety of media, including certain media that stretches in the machine direction. Methods of forming the corrugated web into filter elements (e.g., air filter elements) includes forming filter media by securing a flat sheet to the corrugated web. The filter media may then be wound into a filter element, including application of sealant during the winding process to close selected flutes.

Air streams often carry particulate material therein. In many instances, it is desirable to remove some or all of the particulate material from an air stream. For example, air flow stream to engines for motorized vehicles or to power generation equipment; gas streams directed to gas turbine systems; and air streams to various combustion furnaces, often include particulate material therein. Also, liquid streams into engine lube systems or hydraulic systems also carry particulate matter within it. If the particulate material reaches the internal workings of the various mechanisms involved, it can cause substantial damage to the equipment. Thus, it is preferred that for such systems, the particulate material be removed from the air or liquid flow upstream of the engine, turbine, furnace, or other equipment involved. A variety of air filter, fluid filter, and liquid filter arrangements have been developed for particulate removal. In general, however, continued improvements are sought.

Filter element using corrugated media sheet


The present disclosure relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive assembly comprising at least a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprising a hollow non-porous particulate filler material, wherein the surface of the hollow non-porous particulate filler material is provided with a hydrophobic surface modification. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing such a pressure sensitive adhesive assembly.

Adhesives have been used for a variety of marking, holding, protecting, sealing and masking purposes. Adhesive tapes generally comprise a backing, or substrate, and an adhesive. One type of adhesive which is particularly preferred for many applications is represented by pressure sensitive adhesives. Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art to possess certain properties including the following: (1) aggressive and permanent tack, (2) adherence with no more than finger pressure, (3) sufficient ability to hold onto an adhered, and (4) sufficient cohesive strength. As applications for pressure-sensitive adhesives have increased substantially in recent years, performance requirements have become increasingly demanding.
Materials that have been found to function well as pressure sensitive adhesives are polymers designed and formulated to exhibit the requisite viscoelastic properties resulting in a desired balance of tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength. The most commonly used polymers for preparation of pressure sensitive adhesives are various (meth)acrylate based copolymers, natural rubber, synthetic rubbers, and silicones.
EP 0 728 166 B2 describes an acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesive film comprising inorganic filler materials like fumed silica micro particles. These particles are described to fulfill different functions in the adhesive tape such as e.g. improved physical characteristics of the tape. Moreover, fumed silica is a less expensive ingredient compared to the organic polymers used in the adhesive tape, in consequence of which the costs of such an adhesive tape can be reduced by the introduction of such inorganic filler materials. Furthermore, the specific weight of the pressure sensitive adhesive film is reduced by the filler due to the low density of fumed silica when compared to the polymer matrix.
Besides fumed silica particles, also other filler materials have been used in pressure sensitive adhesive films known in the art. EP 0 963 421 B1 describes the use of glass beads or glass bubbles as well as glass or ceramic fibers as filler materials in order to reduce the weight or the costs of the adhesive composition, to adjust its viscosity and to provide additional reinforcement. The use of hollow glass balloons in a pressure sensitive adhesive tape is also described in US 2011/0129661 as allegedly providing high adhesion reliability. The use of expanded perlite as a porous inorganic filler material for pressure sensitive adhesive tapes has been described in EP-A1-2573149 and EP-A1-2573150. Due to its open and porous nature, the use of expanded perlite as a filler material does not allow for significant density reduction of the corresponding pressure sensitive adhesive tape, and does therefore not permit the production cost reduction as provided e.g. by glass beads or glass bubbles.
Moreover, the pressure sensitive adhesive materials known from the prior art do not often provide sufficient tack to various types of substrate, including the so-called LSE, MSE and HSE substrates, i.e. substrates having respectively a low surface energy, a medium surface energy and a high surface energy. In particular, the peel force or shear resistance on these challenging-to-bond substrates, particularly the LSE and MSE substrates, do not often fulfill the requirements, especially under environmental stress like altering temperatures and humidity.
This deficiency may partly be overcome by the addition of higher amounts of tackifiers. However, the excessive use of tackifiers may often detrimentally affect critical characteristics of pressure sensitive adhesives such as e.g. shear resistance and cohesive strength, and may raise the glass transition temperature of the corresponding adhesive. Furthermore, tackifiers may migrate into the substrate to which the adhesive tape is bonded and may lead to an undesired color change or stability reduction.
Without contesting the technical advantages associated with the pressure sensitive adhesive films known in the art, there is still a need for a cost-effective pressure sensitive adhesive assembly having improved and versatile adhesion characteristics, in particular with respect to peel forces and shear resistance on various types of difficult to adhere surfaces, such as in particular LSE and MSE substrates.
Other advantages of the multilayer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) assembly and methods of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description.

Pressure sensitive adhesive assembly comprising filler material


The clinical analytics platform automates the capture, extraction, and reporting of data required for certain quality measures, provides real-time clinical surveillance, clinical dashboards, tracking lists, and alerts for specific, high-priority conditions, and offers dynamic, ad-hoc quality reporting capabilities. The clinical informatics platform may include a data extraction facility that gathers clinical data from numerous sources, a data mapping facility that identifies and maps key data elements and links data over time, a data normalization facility to normalize the clinical data and, optionally, de-identify the data, a flexible data warehouse for storing raw clinical data or longitudinal patient data, a clinical analytics facility for data mining, analytic model building, patient risk identification, benchmarking, performing quality assurance, and patient tracking, and a graphical user interface for presenting clinical analytics in an actionable format.

1. Field
The present invention relates to clinical informatics, a clinical informatics platform and managing networks of health care providers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Health care systems are evolving at an unprecedented pace. While much remains uncertain, one thing is clear: knowledge is one key to success in times of change and uncertainty. The ability to meaningfully capture, report, and use data to deliver better and more cost-effective health care is critical. Value-based purchasing is making clinical performance improvement more important than ever. Success requires the ability to connect knowledge with action to improve performance.
There remains a need for a clinical informatics platform that automates the capture, extraction, and reporting of data required for certain quality measures; provides real-time clinical surveillance, clinical dashboards, tracking lists, and alerts for specific, high-priority conditions; provides improved methods and systems for analyzing and managing health care referral networks; and offers dynamic, ad-hoc quality reporting capabilities.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for real-time data ingestion to a clinical analytics platform to generate a heat map


System, method and computer program product for determining bearing using ADS-B and TCAS standard reply bearing estimates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining bearing based upon ADS-B signals includes receiving ADS-B signals and standard transponder reply signals. A first bearing estimate is based on the ADS-B signal. A second bearing estimate is based on the standard transponder reply signals. A database is developed according to the first and second bearing estimates via the ADS-B and standard transponder reply signals. In one embodiment, where ADS-B signals are unavailable, associated ADS-B signals associated with the standard transponder reply previously stored in the database are used to determine bearing.

A Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is an electronic system installed in aircraft that searches for and alerts pilots as to the presence of other aircrafts, including generation of actions to avoid approaching aircraft. TCAS operates independently of ground based equipment to give audible and visual warnings when there is a threat of collision with another aircraft. In conjunction with TCAS systems, transponders respond to interrogation with a special code that specifically identifies the aircraft on which it is located. Certain transponders have the ability to automatically transmit the altitude of the aircraft in addition to the special code. Hereinafter TCAS/Transponder based active surveillance systems are referred to as Traffic Surveillance Units—TCUs.
TCU-based active surveillance relative bearing estimates are accurate if the transponder is sending automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data, measuring latitude and longitude. When ADS-B data is unavailable, TCU-based surveillance bearing estimates are limited in determining the bearing accurately due to many causes, both internal and external to the system. Accurate bearing measurements are important for navigational purposes. For example, bearing is required for autopilot station keeping, display, and taxing.
Therefore, there is a need to accurately measure bearing when ADS-B data is unavailable.

Methods and systems of determining bearing when ADS-B data is unavailable


A thermosiphon which can be manufactured easily at low costs, having excellent resistance to pressure, without the circulation of a working fluid being hindered. A condenser 3 includes a condensing section 4 composed of extruded members in which a plurality of fine pores 7 are formed, a branching section 5 provided on an upstream side of the fine pores 7 to supply a gaseous working fluid returned from a gas pipe 12 into each of the fine pores 7, and a collecting section 6 provided on a downstream side of the fine pores 7 to collect the working fluid condensed inside the fine pores 7 and then supply the same into a liquid pipe 9. The gas pipe 12 is connected to an upper portion of the branching section 5 and the liquid pipe 9 is connected to a lower portion of the collecting section 6.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermosiphon for efficiently transferring heat by taking advantage of phase change in a working fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of Conventional thermosiphons of this kind is disclosed in, for example, Japanese un-examined patent publication No. 2001-33139. The thermosiphon comprises: a condensing section (a condenser) attached to a Stirling refrigerator (a refrigerator); and a circulation path consisting of a liquid line (a liquid pipe), an evaporator section (an evaporator) and a gas line (a gas pipe), said circulation path being connected to said condensing section.
Operating the Stirling refrigerator deprives the condensing section of heat to thereby condense a refrigerant (a working fluid) thereinside, then supplying the refrigerant thus condensed to the evaporator section via the liquid line so as to vaporize the fed refrigerant inside the evaporator section, thereby depriving a surrounding therearound of heat as a vaporizing latent heat, so that the heat around the evaporator section is transferred to the condensing section and further to the Stirling refrigerator by returning the vaporized refrigerant to the condensing section via the gas line.
For the above-mentioned condensing sections, those which are manufactured by machining metal ingots or by drawing metal plates have conventionally been known other than the one in the form of a coiled copper pipe as described in the above-mentioned patent publication. Further, for the above-mentioned evaporator sections, those which are manufactured by roll bond method or the like have been known besides the one in the form of a zigzagged copper pipe described in the above-mentioned publication.
According to the conventional thermosiphons, however, condensers formed by coiling a copper pipe have had a problem that it is difficult to keep such condensers in close contact with the refrigerators. Further, condensers manufactured by machining process or the like have had a problem that a high precision processing is necessary to keep such condensers in close contact with the refrigerators, thus resulting in high manufacturing costs.
On the other hand, evaporators formed of copper pipes have had a problem that as the cooling of the surroundings around the evaporators progresses, condensed working fluids are likely to stay inside the evaporators, thus leading to a possibility that circulation paths are clogged. Whilst evaporators manufactured by the roll bond method have had no problems as long as working fluids such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), alternatives to CFC or the like are used, they have had a problem that it eventually is impossible to use such evaporators as they are unable to withstand an inner pressure if other working fluid, such as carbon dioxide is used in line with no-CFC policy.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermosiphon that can be easily manufactured at low manufacturing costs, and at the same time having an excellent pressure withstanding property, by solving the above-mentioned problems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a thermosiphon in which the circulation of a working fluid is not hindered.
To attain the objects, there is proposed a thermosiphon in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, comprising: a condenser attached to a refrigerator for condensing a working fluid; a liquid pipe for discharging the working fluid condensed in the condenser; an evaporating pipe for vaporizing the working fluid fed from the liquid pipe in order to deprive an inside of a container of heat; and a gas pipe for returning the working fluid vaporized inside the evaporating pipe to said condenser, wherein said condenser is made up of: a condensing section made of an extruded member where a plurality of fine pores are formed; a branching section provided on an upstream side of the fine pores of the condensing section to supply the gaseous working fluid returned from the gas pipe to each of the fine pores of the condensing section; and a colleting section provided on a downstream side of the fine pores of the condensing section to collect the working fluid condensed in the fine pores of the condensing section and then supply the working fluid into the liquid pipe, and wherein the gas pipe is connected to an upper portion of the branching section while the liquid pipe is connected to an lower portion of the collecting section.
According to the construction of the first aspect of the present invention, the condensing section made of an extruded member is bent to conform to a contour of the refrigerator and is provided at both ends thereof with the branching and collecting sections, so that the condenser is formed. After the gaseous working fluid is introduced from the gas pipe into a plurality of the fine pores of the condensing section through the branching section, the gaseous working fluid is condensed in the fine pores to merge in the collecting section and then it is introduced into the liquid pipe. Further, as the gas pipe is connected to the upper portion of the branching section and the liquid pipe to the lower portion of the collecting section, the working fluid condensed inside the collecting section can be fed out of the liquid pipe and at the same time the working fluid condensed inside the branching section can be fed into the fine pores without flowing back to the gas pipe.
A thermosiphon according to a second aspect of the present invention is the one according to the first aspect, further including a clamping member for bringing the condensing section into close contact with an endothermic portion of the refrigerator, and such clamping member is provided along an outer periphery of the condensing section.
According to the construction of the second aspect of the present invention, the condensing section is allowed to closely contact the endothermic section of the refrigerator.
Further, a thermosiphon according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a condenser attached to a refrigerator for condensing a working fluid; a liquid pipe for discharging the working fluid condensed in the condenser; an evaporator for vaporizing the working fluid fed from the liquid pipe in order to deprive an inside of a container of heat; and a gas pipe for returning the working fluid vaporized inside the evaporator to said condenser, wherein said evaporator is made up of: an evaporating section formed of an extruded member, having a plurality of fine pores formed substantially in parallel with one another; an introducing section provided on an upstream side of the fine pores of the evaporating section, said introducing section introducing the liquid working fluid fed from the liquid pipe into the fine pores of the evaporating section; and an exhausting section provided on a downstream side of the evaporating section, said exhausting section collecting the evaporated working fluid in the fine pores of the evaporating section and then supplying the working fluid thus collected into the gas pipe, and wherein said evaporating section is provided along an outer periphery of the container.
According to the construction of the third aspect of the present invention as described above, the evaporating section made of an extruded member is suitably bent while the introducing section and the exhausting section are provided on both ends thereof, so that the evaporator is formed. After the working fluid condensed in the condenser is introduced from the introducing section of the evaporator into the fine pores of the evaporating section via the liquid pipe, the working fluid is evaporated by depriving the surroundings of the evaporator of heat, as vaporizing latent heat inside the fine pores, which is then allowed to merge in the exhausting section and then discharged into the gas pipe. As the evaporating section is provided along the periphery of the container, the container can be efficiently cooled from its peripheral side.
A thermosiphon according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is one in which a plurality of the fine pores of said evaporator are arranged vertically, disposed in an approximately horizontal manner.
According to the construction of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a liquid working fluid is comparatively unlikely to collect in the upper fine pores, so that if the lower fine pores are clogged by the liquid working fluid, a gaseous working fluid can bypass the lower fine pores to flow through the upper fine pores, thus preventing the circulation of the working fluid from being hindered inside the fluid path.


A strippable, shielded electrical cable comprises a plurality of elongate, parallel-spaced electrical conductors encased in a casing of electrical insulation. At least one of the conductors, preferably located at a position other than at the marginal ends of the cable has an exposed portion free of casing material. An electrically conductive wire mesh shield overlies the casing and is in electrical contact with the exposed conductor portions. A top layer of electrical insulation overlies the wire mesh shield. A release sheet of electrical insulation is disposed between the conductive shield and the cover layer. A first adhesive is on the lower surface of the sheet facing the shield, the first adhesive being removably adhered to the metallic wire mesh shield. The first adhesive and a portion of the casing material are removably adhered to each other through the interstitial openings of the wire mesh. A second adhesive is disposed on the opposing surface of the release sheet facing the layer, the second adhesive being removably adhered to the cover layer.

Flat, multiconductor flexible cable has come into extensive commercial use. Such cable generally comprises a ribbon of insulative material encasing a plurality of round or thin flat conductors disposed in spaced, parallel relation. In many applications, these conductors are electrically shielded to reduce cross-talk, and to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). One or more of the spaced parallel conductors may be in engagement with the ground shield for use as ground conductors in the electrical cable. In order to mass terminate the conductors of the electrical cable, it is necessary to strip away the outer jacket of the cable and the ground shield so that a mass termination connection may be applied to the enclosed conductors.
Strippable, shielded electrical cables for mass termination are known. One example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,170, issued Apr. 23, 1985 and assigned to the same Assignee as the present invention. In this prior strippable shielded electrical cable, a release sheet is disposed between the insulative casing that surrounds the conductors and a wire mesh ground shield. A plurality of apertures is placed in and along the release sheet to enable the insulative casing to lightly bond to the outer cover through the wire mesh ground shield. While this cable assembly provides for ready stripping, it has been observed that where the areas of insulation are bonded through the apertures in the release sheet, the cable assembly exhibits some bubbling or separation therebetween.
In an effort to overcome this difficulty, a strippable, shielded electrical cable as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,457, issued Oct. 6, 1987 and assigned to the same Assignee as the subject invention, has been developed. In this cable, and similar to that shown in the '170 patent, a release sheet is disposed between the casing surrounding the electrical conductors and the wire mesh ground shield. However, in the '457 cable, the apertures have been removed from the release sheet and instead a coating of adhesive is disposed on the upper surface of the release sheet, the adhesive being bonding through the wire mesh to the outer cover of the cable. The lower surface of the release sheet includes a release agent thereon by which there is little or no bonding between the release sheet and the insulative casing. Again, while this construction facilitates stripping, it has been found that the ground shield tends to separate from the casing during bending or rolling operations which subsequently causes difficulty with laying the cable flat during use.
A further example of a known strippable electrical cable is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,864, issued on July 7, 1987. In this cable, a metallic mesh ground shield is positioned between the main cable and the insulative covering. Portions of the lower surface of the insulative covering are coated by a release agent and other portions of that surface are uncoated. Accordingly, upon application of heat and pressure the insulative covering is bonded to the insulation of the main cable at the uncoated portions in a manner to minimize adhesion and facilitate separation of the main cable from the ground plane.
In addition to the desirability of providing an electrical cable that is readily strippable and yet maintains its structural integrity during handling and use, it has also become desirable to locate the ground conductors or drain wires in any position in the cable. For example, in the '170 cable and the '457 cable constructions, the drain wires are shown as being located at the marginal edges of the cable. Such location helps to facilitate stripability by the use of non-adherent insulative strips located at the marginal edges of the cable. In the '864 cable, the drain wire is also shown as being at the marginal edge of the cable. Accordingly, provision of a strippable, electrical cable wherein the drain wire is disposed at any location throughout the cable is desirable.


A method for controlling at least one air system state in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, at least one control variable which influences the at least one air system state being predefined with the aid of an actuator; at least one control variable limitation of the actuator is taken into account in the control.

There are various conventional combustion processes for internal combustion engines. The present invention is directed to controlling and regulating the so-called HCCI combustion process for gasoline engines (homogeneous charge compression ignition, also referred to as gasoline HCCI or controlled auto ignition, CAI). HCCI refers to a lean combustion process which has the goal of demonstrating a significant fuel consumption reduction of 10%-15% in the motor vehicle (due to dethrottling of the engine operation and a thermodynamically advantageous combustion) without significant untreated nitrogen oxide emissions (the three-way-catalytic converter does not have a nitrogen-reducing effect during lean operation), and thus also not having to accept additional costs for exhaust aftertreatment.
Since gasoline and the compression ratio of a gasoline engine are designed in such a way that auto ignitions (knocking) are avoided to the greatest possible extent, the thermal energy which is necessary for the HCCI process must be provided by a different source. This may take place in various ways such as retention or back-suction of the hot internal residual gas or heating of the fresh air, for example.
Carrying out an HCCI combustion process requires a number of functionalities of the internal combustion engine, in particular a direct injection, a (partially) variable valve gear (e.g., phase variability and two-point lift) as well as feedback from the combustion (e.g., combustion chamber pressure, structure-borne noise, ion current, high-resolution rotational speed signal, etc.).
An important aspect in this context is the engine control, which must be expanded by special functions both for the steady-state control and regulation of the HCCI combustion and for the dynamic control and regulation (load change and switching between operating modes). The task of the steady-state control and regulation is to maintain/set the operating point, the cylinder equalization, and the compensation for environmental influences. The task of the dynamic control and regulation is to make the fastest possible load changes possible and to not allow knocking or misfiring combustions.
The HCCI combustion process requires a careful coordination between the control and regulation of the combustion itself and the air system states in the intake manifold, in order to simultaneously achieve the described consumption advantages and acceptable pollutant emissions.
A corresponding control procedure is described in the application "Method for controlling an HCCI combustion in a reactor of an internal combustion engine" which was filed by the applicant on the same day and to whose entire content reference is made and whose content is regarded here as disclosed. In this application, a control method for an HCCI combustion is described which may be used as the starting point of the present invention and upon which the present invention may build for optimization. In particular, during the dynamic HCCI operation (e.g., load change) suboptimal operation phases temporarily occur, since the control actions are each subject to a different delay behavior for hardware reasons. This is due to the fact, among other things, that the air system states follow the intake manifold dynamics and the phase controllers are subject to dead times and are rate-limiting controlled.
Similar problems arise when switching between processes, for example from an HCCI process to an SI process (spark ignition) and vice versa. A corresponding switchover method is described in the application "Method for switching between an HCCI combustion and an SI combustion in a reactor of an internal combustion engine" which was filed by the applicant on the same day and to whose entire content reference is made and whose content is regarded here as disclosed. In this application, a switchover method is described which may be used as the starting point of the present invention and upon which the present invention may build for optimization. During an HCCI to SI transition, it is namely necessary, on the one hand, to eject the internal residual gas as quickly as possible, ideally within one ejection sequence, and, on the other hand, it must be prevented that the air/fuel mixture becomes excessively lean when the combustion chamber volume, which becomes available due to the residual gas ejection, is filled with fresh air.
It is thus desirable to control the air system states in the intake manifold so that possibly no misfiring or knocking combustions occur in the reactor of the internal combustion engine.

Method for controlling air system states in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine


A computer implemented method of processing a first task and a second task, by processing, in a parallel processing mode, the first task using a producer thread and the second task using a consumer thread, the threads running concurrently and communicating using a message queue configured to store a number of messages produced by the producer thread to be processed by the consumer thread; successively processing, in a serial processing mode, both the first task and the second task using the producer thread, if at least one transition of an occupancy state of the message queue from substantially full to substantially empty is detected; and reverting to processing the tasks in the parallel processing mode if, while the tasks are being processed in the serial processing mode, the consumer thread is operating concurrently with the producer thread.

Print rendering systems convert documents expressed in a Page Description Language (PDL) into pixels rendered onto a physical page. Trends in microprocessor designs are directed towards increasing the number of processing cores in a system rather than increasing the capabilities of an individual processor core. Therefore, a modern print rendering system algorithm needs to take advantage of this by efficiently utilising as many processing cores as possible to gain the best performance from a system.
To achieve efficient processor utilisation, print rendering systems must efficiently divide the rendering work between processors in a way that allows each processor to operate as independently as possible. When there are sufficient free processors on a system, this load state of the system, being referred to as "under-scheduled", multiple threads are able to communicate freely and performance is optimised because the threads can operate without having to wait for each other. When the system is over-scheduled and there are more active threads than processors, the multiple threads do not run concurrently.
The situation is complicated when the software is operating on virtualised hardware. Hardware virtualisation allows multiple operating systems to run independently on a single computer, managed by a virtualisation supervisor. A virtualisation supervisor is responsible for assigning resources, such as memory and processors, to each operating system instance. Hardware virtualisation is a common technique in cloud computing, where computing resource is sold as a commodity. In a virtualised environment, operating system instances are isolated, and unaware of other running instances. As with the earlier description of an over-scheduled operating system, where there are more active threads than processors, the problem of over-scheduling also applies to hardware virtualisation when more processor resources are assigned than what is available.

Reverting tightly coupled threads in an over-scheduled system


A pressure relief valve (1) comprises a main body (2), at least one through opening (51), which extends through the main body (2), a diaphragm (6), which is arranged over the at least one through opening (51), and a fluid (8), which is provided on the main body (2), the fluid (8) being arranged between the diaphragm (6) and the main body (2), the main body (2) having a first sealing region (21), a second sealing region (22) radially outside the first region, and a third sealing region (23) radially outside the second region, the regions being respectively formed as continuously closed, the at least one through opening (51) being arranged between the first sealing region (21) and the second sealing region (22), and the diaphragm (6) covering the first sealing region (21), the second sealing region (22) and the third sealing region (23).

The present invention relates to a pressure relief valve of a packaging container and to a packaging container.
It is known for pressure relief valves to be used for packaging containers that are used for packaging a product with which they are filled. The pressure relief valve allows gases occurring within the packaging to be let out of the packaging container. The necessity of such a possibility for gas to escape from the packaging container arises for example in the case of a filled product that still gives off gas even after being packed, and thereby allows a positive pressure to be produced in the packaging container. However, at the same time penetration of air, in particular oxygen present in the air, has to be avoided in order to maintain a quality of the filled product. A pressure relief valve used for this is disclosed for example by EP 2 396 244 B1.

Vacuum-tight pressure relief valve for packaging containers


Method and apparatus for generating seismic energy in offshore areas includes energy propagating means for directing energy downwardly vertically into an earth formation. A carrier contains an elongated rigid coupler means that extends from the carrier at the water level to the seat floor. A base plate may be connected to the lower end of the coupler means. The coupler means may be a section of pipe. Driving means on the carrier drives the coupler means to cause sound energy to emanate from the coupler means or base plate into the sea floor. Such means may be a hammer-type device or a vibrator-type device. Alternatively, the lower end of the coupler means or the base plate may be driven by means of a vibrator-type device to cause sound waves to emanate from the coupler means or the base plate directly into the sea floor.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to seismic exploration, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transmitting seismic energy directly into the earth or sea floor underlying a body of water.
Poor quality seismic data is often acquired offshore in what is referred to as the transition zone. That zone is an area of nearshore submerged lands, e.g., the coastline out to water depths of approximately sixty feet. The probability of obtaining quality seismic data is worsened when a layer of ice covers the body of water in the transition zone.
Various attempts have been made to reduce the noises that mask the desired seismic signals in gathering seismic data in transition zones. Unfortunately, attempts to attenuate the water column and the ice flexural wave effects have been only partially successful.
The present invention is an alternative energy source for gathering seismic data in the nearshore areas and, particularly, in such areas of the Arctic during the winter. This invention is unique in its ability to eliminate the source generated noise related to the water and any ice layer by lowering the energy source through the water and below the ice layer and coupling the source directly to the sea floor.

Method and apparatus for generating seismic energy in transition zones


A bioelectricalchemical system includes an anode, an algal bioreactor, and a cathode. The anode is at least partially positioned within an anode chamber containing a first aqueous reaction mixture including one or more organic compounds and one or more bacteria for oxidizing the organic compounds. The algal bioreactor contains a second aqueous reaction mixture including one or more nutrients and one or more algae for substantially removing the nutrients from the second aqueous reaction mixture. The cathode is at least partially positioned within the algal bioreactor.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants play a critical role in protecting human health and the environment, but the operation of such plants consumes an extensive amount of energy and the management of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) remains a challenge. For instance, it has been estimated that approximately 3-5% of electricity consumed in the United States is consumed by water treatment and wastewater management infrastructure. As such, an ongoing challenge is the development of improved wastewater management with reduced energy demands and nutrient recovery.
A variety of technologies have been employed to produce fresh water from wastewater. One such technology is a microbial fuel cell (MFC) in which electricity may be harvested directly during microbial metabolism of organic matter. Specifically, in a MFC, organic matter (e.g., organic contaminants in wastewater) is metabolized by microbes in an anode chamber thus transferring electrons to the anode and liberating protons into the aqueous phase such that the electrons flow through a wire from the anode to a cathode to produce an electrical current. At the cathode, the electrons are accepted by a terminal electron acceptor (e.g., oxygen). Additionally, ion transport between the anode and cathode is needed to maintain proper change balance in the microbial fuel cell and to facilitate the generation of electricity. A microbial fuel cell, while removing organic contaminants from wastewater, does not remove other contaminants (e.g., salts, heavy metals, etc.) and thus further treatment is required to obtain fresh water.
A second such technology is algal bioreactors in which algae uptake nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from water to support algal growth and fix carbon dioxide via photosynthesis to produce biomass and oxygen. Algal biomass may be converted into biofuels, e.g., biodiesel. Algal bioreactors, however, do not remove other contaminants (e.g., organic contaminants, heavy metals, etc.) from wastewater and thus further treatment is required to obtain fresh water.


A diluted sample is reused to remeasure a sample whose measurement has been completed, which is to be manually performed. An automatic analyzer can set hold and discard conditions and manage the elapsed time after a diluted sample is pipetted. It is possible to check, before measurement is performed, whether or not each requested measurement item can be measured, and the length of time it takes before measurement of all samples is completed. The automatic analyzer has functions of: setting diluted sample hold and discard conditions; allowing an operator to specify a kind of sample, for example, to select between a parent sample and a diluted sample; separately executing pipetting or measurement; and displaying each requested measurement item for which a sample or a reagent is insufficient, and displaying the length of time it takes until measurement of all samples is completed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automatic analyzers for performing qualitative/quantitative analysis of samples such as blood and urine. The invention more particularly relates to an automatic analyzer including: a parent sample vessel holding unit for holding a parent sample; a diluted sample vessel holding unit in which a diluted sample vessel is placed, the diluted sample vessel holding a diluted sample made by diluting, with a diluent, a sample pipetted from the parent sample; and a reaction vessel in which the analysis, inspection, and measurement of the diluted sample are performed.
2. Description of the Related Art
When the analysis and inspection are performed by an automatic analyzer, a plurality of measurement items of the analysis and inspection are requested for one patient sample. Here, in the case of analysis of a very small amount of sample such as from a patient whose blood-collecting amount is limited (for example, a newborn baby and a little child), and from an experimental small animal, all requested measurement items may not be completely measured because the fluid volume is small.
As measures against the above problem, for example, JP-A-8-194004 discloses an automatic analyzer that uses a method in which a parent sample is diluted with diluent to ensure the fluid volume required for measurement items.


A method for nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces by a fluorescent penetration test is disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes a) cleaning the area of the workpiece surface that is to be inspected; b) applying a fluorescent liquid penetrant to the area of the workpiece surface that is to be inspected, where the penetrant penetrates into possible recesses in the workpiece surface; c) removing the excess penetrant from the workpiece surface; d) applying a developer to the area of the workpiece surface that is to be inspected; e) bleaching the fluorescent penetrant by a beam of light in the layer formed by applying the developer to the workpiece surface; and f) visual evaluation of the fluorescent penetrant remaining in the recesses present in the workpiece surface.

The invention relates to a method for nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces by a fluorescent penetration test.
There are known methods of nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces. In the so-called penetration test, a penetrant is applied to a cleaned workpiece surface to be inspected. The capillary action of fine surface cracks and pores facilitates the penetration of the penetrant into such recesses in the workpiece surface. The so-called fluorescent penetration test works with a fluorescent penetrant. After a predetermined contact time, excess penetrant is then washed off in an intermediate cleaning operation. Next a developer is applied to the workpiece surface to be inspected. The developer promotes rewetting of the penetrant on the recess of the workpiece surface, so that the developer causes the penetrant to be drawn out of the recess and to the surface. This permits clear visualization of possible irregularities in the workpiece surface, e.g., crack-like separations of material.
The fluorescent penetration test is used in the aeronautical, shipping and automotive engineering industries as well as in metalworking industries in particular. However, other substances such as ceramics can also be inspected for surface cracks and pores accordingly.
However, one disadvantage of the known method for use in aeronautical engineering in particular is that the corresponding areas of the presumed recesses must be surface cleaned manually after application of the developer and after the corresponding mapping of the recesses and/or surface cracks in order to verify the display and remove excess penetrant that has been redistributed on the workpiece surface around the area of the recess by application of the developer. The penetrant, forming a lining only on the recess and/or the surface crack, is visualized only after this mechanical cleaning. An accurate evaluation and measurement of the dimensions of the recess are made possible only in this way. However, this manual cleaning step is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Furthermore, it is very difficult to standardize, so that a standardized classification of possible recesses and/or defects in the workpiece surface is also difficult.
The object of the present invention is to create a method for nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces which will permit faster and less expensive testing of workpiece surfaces.
The method according to an embodiment of the invention for nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces by a fluorescent penetration test comprises the following steps:                a) cleaning the area of the workpiece surface to be inspected;        b) applying a fluorescent liquid penetrant to the area of the workpiece surface to be inspected, wherein the penetrant penetrates into possible recesses in the workpiece surface;
c) removing the excess penetrant from the workpiece surface;
d) applying a developer to the area of the workpiece surface to be inspected;
e) bleaching the fluorescent penetrant by a beam of light in the layer formed by application of the developer to the workpiece surface; and
f) visual evaluation of the fluorescent penetrant remaining in the existing recesses in the workpiece surface.
Manual cleaning of the workpiece surface after application of the developer may be omitted through bleaching of the fluorescent penetrant in the developer layer. The corresponding recesses and/or defects, crack-like separations of material, pores and cracks in the workpiece surface are clearly delineated, marked and mapped due to at least partial bleaching of the penetrant, which has been drawn out of the corresponding recesses by the developer and back to the surface of the workpiece. The visual evaluation is performed on the basis of the fluorescent penetrant which is still in the aforementioned recesses, so that the recesses are clearly delineated with respect to the surrounding workpiece surface. Furthermore, some of the penetrant in the recesses is forced back into the developer layer above and/or next to the corresponding recesses due to the osmotic pressure. This advantageously yields a type of magnification effect, which emphasizes the recesses more clearly and makes them recognizable. In addition, some of the penetrant that has not collected in the recesses but instead is adhering to irregularities in the surface of the workpiece or foreign bodies on the surface is reliably bleached, so that the remaining unbleached portions of penetrant clearly indicate the presence of recesses. Manual cleaning of the surface is not necessary. The method according to the invention can be standardized to advantage, thus permitting a classification of possible defects and/or recesses on the workpiece surface which is also standardized. In addition, the method according to the invention can be performed easily, quickly and inexpensively.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a first visual evaluation of the workpiece surface is performed in a process step d1) prior to the process step e), i.e., bleaching of the fluorescent penetrant. Due to this intermediate step, a first visual inspection of possible recesses and/or defects in the workpiece surface can be performed, so the subsequent bleaching of the fluorescent penetrant is concentrated in the areas of the workpiece surface where possible recesses and/or defects are detected. This may contribute toward better acceleration of the course of the process.
In additional advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, the visual evaluation according to process steps f) and/or d1) may be performed by bombarding the workpiece surface to be inspected with UV light. Recesses in the workpiece surface that have been filled and/or wetted with the fluorescent penetrant can be detected distinctly in this way. In addition, it is possible to use an intense UV light for the bleaching process according to process step e). The radiation intensity of the UV light used for bleaching according to process step e) is usually greater than the radiation intensity of the UV light used in process step f) and/or d1). In addition, there is the possibility that the wavelength of the UV light used in the process step e) corresponds to that in process step f) and/or d1). A distinct and accurate visualization of recesses in the workpiece surface is possible due to the UV light used on the one hand, while on the other hand the fluorescent penetrant in the layer formed by applying the developer to the workpiece surface is reliably bleached so that in particular portions of the penetrant that have not accumulated in the recesses but instead are adhering to irregularities in or foreign bodies on the surface of the workpiece are reliably bleached. If UV light of the same and/or a comparable wavelength is used for the visual evaluation and for the bleaching process, then a single UV light source may be used.
In an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the process steps b) through f) are repeated after the end of the process step f). Repeating these process steps may advantageously lead to an even more accurate mapping of unwanted recesses in and/or on the workpiece surface.
In an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the workpiece surface is a surface of a turbo engine, in particular a component of a gas turbine. Components of turbo engines, e.g., an aircraft jet, are especially critical with respect to irregularities on the surfaces of the components, e.g., fine cracks.
In an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the penetrant is a fluorescent dye penetrant. By using a fluorescent dye penetrant, in addition to the display of fluorescence, a color representation of possible recesses in the workpiece surface is also possible. The visual evaluation of the corresponding recesses in the workpiece surface can therefore be performed very easily and very accurately.
The method according to the invention described above is used in particular in the production, final testing and servicing of components of turbo engines, in particular components of a gas turbine.
Additional features of the invention are derived from the claims, the exemplary embodiments and the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the exemplary embodiments may be used not only in the particular combination indicated but also in other combinations or alone without going beyond the scope of the present invention.

Method for nondestructive testing of workpiece surfaces


A gyrolaser with optical cavity includes a plurality of mirrors, at least one photo-detector delivering two optical signals in phase quadrature, said signals being digitized. The position of one of said mirrors is controlled by conversion of an electrical signal into a mechanical force. The gyrolaser is activated in an oscillatory movement by conversion of an oscillation electrical signal into a mechanical force. The angular velocity of said gyrolaser is measured, and the phase α and the modulus ρ or the square of the modulus ρ are extracted from said optical signals.

A gyrolaser is a velocity sensor that uses a laser ray. It is used to measure angular rotation velocities of a mobile carrier. This type of equipment is notably used for aeronautical applications.
The gyrolaser, developed some thirty years ago, is widely marketed and used these days. Its operating principle is based on the Sagnac effect, which induces a frequency difference between two optical emission modes being propagated in opposite directions, called counter-propagating, in a laser cavity in the form of a bidirectional ring driven by a rotational movement. The laser cavity, generally square or triangular, is equipped at each of its corners with mirrors reflecting the two emitted signals.
On any gyrolaser, a number of locking loops are necessary to the optimal operation of the sensor in order to provide an optical signal containing angular velocity information concerning the mobile. There is thus:                a cavity length locking loop whose function is to maintain the internal length of the cavity at a value that is a multiple of the wavelength of the two optical modes,        an activation locking loop which aims to maintain an oscillatory movement making it possible to minimize the well-known blind region phenomenon,        a laser powers locking loop which makes it possible to maintain the two optical signals at a constant level upstream of the angular velocity computation processing operations,        a plasma discharge current locking loop making it possible to maintain a predefined current that is equal in each cavity.
In the known gyrolasers, a significant portion of these locking subsystems is implemented by analogue means which brings with it significant card surface area and limited reliability problems.
Furthermore, the activation locking loop generally uses a detection device placed on the activation wheel, for example a piezo-transducer, the transfer function of which may vary over time and lead to undetectable faults which will affect the activation locking mechanism with errors.
The present invention proposes, in order to mitigate the abovementioned problems, a solution making it possible to significantly reduce the manufacturing costs by reducing the analogue shaping stages and by eliminating the movement detection devices of the activation locking subsystem.
The proposed solution makes it possible, through a digitization of all of the processing operations, to optimize the integration and increase the reliability of the system. Finally, it makes it possible to guarantee excellent activation amplitude stability and to improve the long-term bias performance levels of the sensor, notably in the case of poorly compensated or uncompensated spurious movements.

Device for digitally processing information obtained from a gyrolaser and associated gyrolaser


[Problem] To provide a server monitoring device capable of grasping the state of a server more rapidly than conventional ones, and a server monitoring system. [Solution] This server monitoring device has a configuration in which a plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to a plurality of light-emitting elements each showing the operating state of a server by a lighting mode, and the end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers on the opposite side to the light-emitting elements are secured in a predetermined arrangement. An image of a light emission pattern of the end surfaces of the optical fibers is captured by a camera, and the image is transmitted to a monitoring person.

Conventionally, to monitor a server from a remote site, a method was employed in which an operator dispatched to the installation location of the server was made to check lighting modes of a plurality of lamps that indicated the state of the server thereby to grasp the state of the server (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Server monitoring device and server monitoring system


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a plurality of first integrated circuits on the surface side of a first semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of second integrated circuits in a semiconductor layer that is formed on a release layer provided on a second semiconductor substrate; bonding the two semiconductor substrates so that electrically bonding portions are bonded to each other to form a bonded structure; separating the second semiconductor substrate from the bonded structure at the release layer to transfer, to the first semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer in which the plurality of second integrated circuits are formed; and dicing the first semiconductor substrate to obtain stacked chips each including the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit.

Non Patent Literature 1 describes a method of manufacturing a three-dimensionally mounted IC by transferring, to a handle substrate, a semiconductor layer having a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit formed therein. According to an example of such a method, a release layer composed of porous silicon is formed on a surface of a silicon wafer, a semiconductor layer composed of single-crystal silicon is epitaxially grown on the release layer, and a CMOS circuit is then formed in the semiconductor layer.
Subsequently, the semiconductor layer having the CMOS circuit formed therein is bonded to a handle substrate. Separation is conducted at the release layer to transfer the semiconductor layer to the handle substrate. This process is repeated a plurality of times to stack a plurality of semiconductor layers each having the CMOS circuit formed therein on the handle substrate.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a process in which a semiconductor layer having a transistor formed therein is bonded to a handle wafer having a back-side recess, with a polymer film therebetween, and the semiconductor layer is transferred to the handle wafer. This process is then repeated to form stacked transistors. Patent Literature 2 discloses a process of manufacturing a three-dimensionally mounted semiconductor device, the process including bonding two substrates having semiconductor layers formed by performing a separation step twice so that the semiconductor layers are bonded to each other, and lastly separating one of the substrates.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device


An image display device is provided, which can secure a predetermined display quality regardless of a type of an input image. The color image display device comprises a display device having a delta arrangement screen, a driving circuit, an image decision circuit for deciding which of plural predetermined types an input image is, a memory circuit for memorizing temporarily at least a part of input image data for one frame, an operation circuit for performing an operation process having preset contents in accordance with image data for plural pixels including image data read out of the memory circuit, and an operation control circuit for switching the contents of the operation process in the operation circuit in response to the output of the image decision circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color image display device, and is particularly suitable for a display that uses a plasma display panel (PDP).
Recently, a high quality output image of a television set and a computer has been progressed, and a display device that can provide a display with high quality regardless of a type of the image such as a nature image or a character image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a display device having a large screen, a surface discharge format AC type PDP is commercialized. The surface discharge format means the format in which first and second display electrodes that become anodes and cathodes in display discharge for securing luminance are arranged in parallel on a front or a back substrate. A xe2x80x9cthree-electrode structurexe2x80x9d in which an address electrode is arranged so as to cross a pair of display electrodes is common as an electrode matrix structure of the surface discharge format PDP. One of the display electrodes (a second display electrode) is used as a scan electrode for selecting a display line, and address discharge is generated between the scan electrode and the address electrode, so that wall charge is controlled in accordance with contents of a display as an addressing step.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,128 has proposed a modified stripe partition structure of the three-electrode surface discharge type PDP for preventing discharge interference in the column direction (usually in the vertical direction) of the screen by meandering plural band-like partitions regularly that divide a discharge space in the row direction (i.e., the display line direction that is usually the horizontal direction) of the screen. Two neighboring partitions define a column space in which wide portions and narrow portions are arranged alternately. The position of the wide portion is shifted between neighboring columns, and a cell is formed in each of the wide portions. Red, green and blue fluorescent materials for a color display are arranged so that one color is disposed at each column space and a light emission color is different between neighboring column spaces. The arrangement form of the three colors is what is commonly called delta tri-color arrangement (or simply delta arrangement). The delta arrangement has a cell width larger than one third of a pixel pitch in the row direction. Therefore, compared with a square arrangement, the delta arrangement has a larger aperture ratio and realizes a higher luminance display. It is not necessary that the horizontal direction is the row direction. The vertical direction can be the row direction and the horizontal direction can be the column direction.
Conventionally, in a color image display using the delta arrangement PDP, each display line consists of cells each of which is selected fixedly from a cell column along an address electrode.
There was a problem that the following two phenomena cause an unnatural display.
(1) Since the positions of the neighboring cells are shifted in the vertical direction, a line in the horizontal direction is displayed in zigzag.
(2) A distance between the lighted cells becomes uneven when displaying a line inclined in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that can secure predetermined display quality regardless of a type of an input image. Another object is to realize a pseudo interlace display, so as to improve resolution in the column direction.
A color image display device according to the present invention comprises a display device having a cell arrangement structure in which cell positions in the column direction are shifted from each other between neighboring cell columns among cell columns having the same lighting color and an image decision circuit for deciding which of plural predetermined types an input image is, and switches a form of the process for converting the image data into display data corresponding to the cell arrangement of the display screen in response to the input of the image data in accordance with the image decision result. An operation circuit is provided as data conversion process means. The cells are divided into groups considering the cell arrangement not uniformly to all cells of the display screen, and an appropriate operation such as a convolution process is performed for each group in different contents, or is performed only for some groups. The result of the operation is made display data, so that a phenomenon that a line looks zigzag can be reduced, or a pseudo interlace display can be realized. The operation includes a data process for selecting data of one or the other of neighboring lines in the input image as the display data.


An apparatus for minimizing spark-knock within a combustion chamber of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine, whereby a control vane mounted inside the intake runner is arranged to direct a fuel-air charge to a region inside the combustion chamber where spark-knock has been empirically determined to occur.

Spark-knock, otherwise known as detonation or auto-ignition, is a detrimental phenomenon that can occur in a cylinder of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine of the type generally used in motor vehicles. Spark-knock occurs when fuel inside the cylinder combustion chamber is prematurely detonated as a result of rapid temperature and pressure rise due to combined compression by the piston and the ignition by a spark plug of the inlet fuel-air charge. Consequences of spark-knock can be loss of power, degradation in engine durability, and/or an increase in undesirable exhaust emissions.
One approach for minimizing spark-knock in the automotive industry is to vary the engine's spark timing. A knock-sensor, a type of accelerometer located on the engine block, is configured to detect knock-induced engine block vibrations, and is then used to generate a signal to the engine computer to retard ignition timing. The net effect of this approach is that while knock is minimized or eliminated, retarding of spark can also have an undesirable impact on the engine's power and overall efficiency during the affected operating cycle.
Another approach for combating spark-knock is to reduce an engine's static compression ratio. While reducing the compression ratio dispenses with the need for a knock-sensor, such an approach can reduce engine power and overall efficiency under all operating conditions.
In view of the above, it is therefore apparent that an efficient method of eliminating spark-knock in spark-ignition internal combustion engines while retaining full engine performance under most operating conditions would be most beneficial.

Method and apparatus for eliminating spark-knock in an engine


An attack data packet processing method, an apparatus, and a system are provided. The method includes receiving, by a management node, description information of an attack data packet and an attack type of the attack data packet, where the description information and the attack type are sent by an awareness node; determining a processing policy on the attack data packet of the attack type according to the attack type; and sending the description information and the processing policy to a switch using a software-defined networking controller, so that the switch performs an operation indicated by the processing policy on the attack data packet with the description information.

With rapid development of cloud technologies, increasing quantities of problems arise in application of the cloud technologies. For example, a server in a cloud data center (a cloud server for short) may be attacked by various attack data packets during Internet Protocol (IP) communication, for example, by a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack and a fraud message attack. Therefore, processing an attack data packet to ensure secure communication for the cloud server becomes one of core technologies of the cloud technologies.
Currently, a common attack data packet processing manner is as follows. By deploying a physical firewall on an entrance cloud server in a cloud data center or deploying a virtual firewall on a hypervisor running on each cloud server in a cloud data center, it is ensured that all data packets waiting to enter the cloud server undergo filtering and forwarding by the physical/virtual firewall; therefore, an attack data packet is filtered out, and the attack data packet is prevented from entering the cloud server, thereby ensuring that the cloud server can perform secure communication. According to a security policy configured for the physical/virtual firewall by working personnel, the physical/virtual firewall identifies IP layer signaling carried by a data packet that waits to enter an IP layer. When the IP layer signaling does not comply with the security policy, the physical/virtual firewall filters out the data packet, which prevents an attack data packet from attacking the cloud server, and further ensures that the cloud server can perform secure communication.
However, in the foregoing method for preventing, using a firewall, an attack data packet from entering a cloud server, only the firewall can be used to prevent the attack data packet from entering the cloud server, and a switch responsible for forwarding a data packet to the firewall may still forward the attack data packet to the firewall, that is, the attack data packet is still transmitted in a network. Therefore, the abnormal data packet occupies a large quantity of network bandwidth, and affects transmission of a normal data packet.

Attack data packet processing method, apparatus, and system


A rheological additive for non-aqueous coating compositions is disclosed. The additive may be the reaction product of an alkoxylated aliphatic nitrogen-containing compound, an aliphatic diamine or mixtures thereof, and an organic polycarboxylic anhydride or acid, an alkanediol polyepoxide ether, or mixtures thereof. The additive provides excellent anti-sag and storage stability properties, particularly for high solids coating compositions, without causing a significant increase in viscosity. Also disclosed are coating compositions containing the additive.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rheological additive for coating compositions, especially high solids coating compositions. The present invention also relates to non-aqueous coating compositions containing the rheological additive
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently the art has sought to reformulate its coating products in an effort to comply with certain government regulations on the emission of organic solvents from surface coating operations. One area of substantial activity has been in the development of high solids solvent-borne coatings, especially high solids baking enamels. These systems have gained a great deal of acceptance in several areas such as coatings for metal furniture and fixtures, metal machinery and equipment, metal appliances, automotive topcoats, can coatings and flat stocks.
To comply with government regulations (e.g., Volatile Organic Content ("VOC") standards), the higher molecular weight resins used in conventional solvent coating systems have been replaced with lower molecular weight resins in high solids coating compositions which have a low solvent content. The conventional coatings, which include higher molecular weight resins, generally have high package viscosities and, therefore, are typically diluted substantially with a solvent prior to application. This reduces the viscosity so that the coating composition may be sprayed. These conventional compositions generally do not experience significant problems with viscosity and sag resistance during baking due to the combined effect of three factors. That is, although an increase in temperature will reduce coating viscosity prior to crosslinking, the evaporation of the solvent and subsequent crosslinking of the resin will increase the viscosity. Thus, the reduction in viscosity due to an increase in temperature is generally offset by an increase in viscosity due to the loss or evaporation of solvent and an increase in viscosity occurs during curing which reduces sagging.
In contrast to the conventional compositions described above, high solids coating compositions are usually formulated at viscosity levels which are suitable for direct application (i.e., without dilution with solvent). This is done by utilizing low molecular weight resins with their associated low viscosities. Unfortunately, the coatings industry has experienced two major rheological related problems associated with the development of acceptable high solids coating systems. Specifically, significant film sagging on a non-horizontal surface will occur during the heat cure cycle and excessive pigment settling will occur during storage. Unlike conventional systems, the lowering of viscosity with heat far outweighs the rise in viscosity that occurs with evaporation of solvent. This results in a substantial amount of sagging prior to the increase in viscosity upon curing. Such sagging adversely affects the appearance of the cured coating. Furthermore, the presence of a rheological additive in high solids coating compositions is required to prevent pigment settling due to their lower package viscosities.
In paint and coating formulations, both film sagging and pigment settling properties have been adjusted by using thixotropic agents. It is generally recognized that to be effective in high solids coating composition systems, a thixotropic agent must provide for the desired rheological properties while avoiding undesired side effects such as excessive viscosity build-up or gloss reduction of the cured paint film. In this regard, there have been several types of thixotropes which have been used to impart anti-sag and anti-settling properties to high solids systems. These thixotropes include fumed silica, precipitated silica, organomodified clays, basic calcium sulfonate gels, cellulose acetate butyrate and microgels.
The foregoing known thixotropes have significant disadvantages. The use of fumed silica and precipitated silica, in order to achieve effective sag control, leads to a loss of gloss and viscosity levels which are too high. Also, fumed silica and precipitated silica must be added to the grind stage of the paint preparation and cannot be used in a post-addition context. Cellulose acetate butyrate leads to undesirably high viscosity levels of the coating system. Furthermore, because they are highly inefficient, it is necessary to use high levels of microgels which is a serious drawback due to their cost. Basic calcium sulfonate gels, such as those available from Lubrizol Corporation and distributed by Ashland Chemical Company under the tradename IRCOGEL 905, are not very efficient in high solids systems.
Another additive which has been used in an attempt to improve the rheology of high solids coatings is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,910. In particular, the additive comprises inorganic microparticles having surfaces that are substantially free of carbon-containing molecules chemically bonded to the inorganic microparticles.
An organic microgel which is prepared by crosslinking an acrylic resin with a multifunctional crosslinking agent is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,932. This additive is used for rheology adjustment in acrylic based high solids paints.
Although the use in the art of the above-described inorganic microparticles and organic microgels have shown rheology improvement for a few high solids systems, when applied generally to high solids systems, such as polyester, acrylic or alkyd resin systems, the effect is very marginal, with some of the additives showing incompatibility.
Despite the numerous types of rheological additives known in the art, an ongoing search has been made for new rheological additives for high solids coating compositions as well as conventional organic solvent-based compositions. The present invention is the result of such an investigation.

Rheological additive for coating compositions