A method includes the steps of forming a substantially U-shaped insulator having outwardly bent portions formed by bending the side portions thereof at bent parts so as to be apart from each other, forming winding assemblies including strands of wire wound in a predetermined wound state, mounting the insulator in each slot in a manner such that the outwardly bent portions of the insulator protrude from an opening of the slot, and inserting the winding assemblies in each insulator from an open side of the slot by being guided by the outwardly bent portions and pushing the winding assemblies together with the insulator into each slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dynamo-electric machines for apparatuses such as alternators driven by, for example, internal combustion engines. In particular, the present invention relates to an armature for an automotive alternator to be mounted on an automotive vehicle, such as an automobile or a truck.
The entire content of the basic Japanese Patent Application from which the priority under the Convention is claimed in this application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a stator for a known automotive alternator.
In FIG. 27, a known stator 1 includes a stator core 2 provided with a plurality of slots 2a extending in the axial direction and disposed alongside each other in the circumferential direction at a predetermined pitch, a stator winding 3 mounted on the stator core 2, and substantially U-shaped insulators 4 disposed in the slots 2a for electrically insulating between the stator core 2 and the stator winding 3. Thirty-six slots 2a are formed in the stator core 2 for receiving the stator winding 3 configured with a three-phase alternating winding.
With reference to FIGS. 28 to 34, a method for manufacturing the known stator 1 is described below.
A belt-shaped member having projections and recesses is made of a belt-like magnetic SPCC thin plate. A given number of the belt-shaped members are laminated and are welded to each other by a laser at the peripheries thereof, thereby forming a rectangular parallelepiped laminated-core 5 shown in FIG. 28. Thirty-six slots 5a are formed at one face of the laminated core 5.
A winding assembly 7A is formed in a plane shape with one strand of wire 6, made of a copper wire having a circular section and coated with an insulating film, wound in a predetermined number of waves at a three-slot pitch. The winding-starting end and the winding-finishing end of the strand of wire 6 forming the winding assembly 7A serve as a lead wire 6a and a neutral-point lead wire 6b, respectively. Winding assemblies 7B and 7C are formed with other two strands of wire 6, respectively, wound in the same manner.
In FIG. 29, a substantially U-shaped insulator 4 is inserted in each slot 5a of the laminated core 5 from the open side of the slot 5a, whereby the insulator 4 is received completely in the slot 5a. The three winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C overlap each other by being offset by a one-slot pitch from each other, as shown in FIG. 30. In FIG. 31, the overlapping winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are inserted in every third slots 5a, respectively, from the open sides of the slots 5a. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are thus mounted on the laminated core 5.
In FIG. 34, the laminated core 5 mounted with the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C is rolled up and is formed in a cylinder by a forming device (not shown), and butt-welded by a laser at the longitudinal ends thereof, whereby the stator 1 shown in FIG. 27 is obtained.
The neutral-point lead wires 6b of the strand of wires 6 forming the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are connected to each other, thereby forming a three-phase alternating winding constituting the stator winding 3 included in the known stator 1. The winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C have a phase difference of 120 degrees from each other, which are windings for phase-a, phase-b, and phase-c, respectively, of the three-phase alternating winding. When the stator 1 is mounted in an automotive alternator, the lead wires 6a of the strands of wire 6 forming the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are connected to a rectifier.
In a method for manufacturing the known stator, the substantially U-shaped insulators 4 are inserted in the slots 5a of the rectangular parallelepiped laminated core 5, then the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are inserted in the slots 5a from the open sides thereof. Since the gap between the stator 1 and a rotor (not shown) of an automotive alternator is very small, even a small protrusion of the insulator 4 from the slot 5a may interfere with the rotator. Therefore, the insulators 4 are formed so as not to protrude from the slots in the radial directions.
Therefore, there is a problem that the mounting operation of the winding assemblies is not easy to perform because the ends of the insulators 4 are disposed substantially on the same level as that of the ends of teeth 5b, whereby the ends of the insulators 4 do not function as guides when the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are inserted in the slots 5a.
Two sides of each U-shaped insulator 4, opposing to each other, are formed in parallel to each other, and the open sides of the slots 5a are not closed when the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C have been received in the slots 5a. Therefore, during the operation of rolling the laminated core 5, the strand of wires 6 are likely to fall away from the slots 5a, whereby the operation cannot be performed efficiently.
The ends of the insulators 4 are drawn toward the bottoms of the slots 5a during the insertion of the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C due to the friction between the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C and the insulators 4, whereby flanges 5c of the teeth 5b are exposed at ends thereof in the peripheral direction of the laminated core 5. Therefore, there is a problem in that the strands of wire 6 of the winding assemblies 7A, 7B, and 7C are scratched by the peripheral ends of the flanges 5c, thereby causing damages to the insulating films of the strand of wires 6, whereby the insulation is deteriorated. Moreover, the insulators 4 between the inner walls of the slots 5a and the strands of wire 6 are removed from some portions in the slots 5a after inserting the winding assemblies 7A, 7B and 7C in the core, whereby the insulation is deteriorated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an armature for a dynamo-electric machine and an armature manufactured by the method, in which a substantially U-shaped insulator having top sides thereof bent so as to be apart from each other is mounted in each slot in a manner such that the top sides of the insulator protrude from the slot, and a winding assembly is inserted in the slots from open sides thereof. The winding assembly can be easily inserted due to the top sides of the insulator serving as guides. Due to the top sides of the insulator, which are bent so as to be apart from each other, strands of wire forming the winding assembly inserted in the slots are prevented from falling away from the slots by the top sides deformed so as to enclose an opening of each slot, and the insulator is prevented from being removed the top edges thereof toward the bottom of the slot, thereby improving the insulation.
To these ends, according to an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an armature for a dynamo-electric machine, the armature comprising an armature core provided with a plurality of slots extending in an axial direction and disposed alongside each other in a circumferential direction, an armature winding inserted in the slots so as to be mounted on the armature core, and an insulator mounted in each of the slots for insulating between the armature core and the armature winding. The method comprises the steps of forming a substantially U-shaped insulator having side portions connected with a bottom portion, the side portions being bent at a first bent part of each side portion so as to be apart from each other to form outwardly bent portions on the top sides of the side portions; forming a winding assembly composed of strands of wire formed in a predetermined wound state; mounting the insulator in each of the plurality of slots in a manner such that the outwardly bent portions of the insulator protrude from an open side of the slot; and inserting the winding assembly in the insulator from the open side of each slot by being guided by the outwardly bent portions of the insulator, and pushing the winding assembly together with the insulators into the slots.
In the method for manufacturing an armature for a dynamo-electric machine, the step of forming the substantially U-shaped insulator may include the step of bending the outwardly bent portions at a second bent part so as to be close to each other, whereby each of the outwardly bent portions is formed in an L-shape.
The first and second bent parts of one of the side portions of the insulator may be positioned shifted toward the bottom portion of the insulator with respect to the first and second bent parts of the other side portion of the insulator.
At least one part of the bottom portion of the insulator may be formed in one of concave and convex shapes.
The method may further comprising the steps of preparing a rectangular parallelepiped laminated-core provided with the plurality of slots, and rolling the rectangular parallelepiped laminated-core provided with the insulator mounted in each of the plurality of slots and the winding assembly inserted in the insulators mounted in the plurality of slots and butt-welding the laminated core at ends thereof so as to form a cylinder.
The winding assembly may be formed so that the strands of wire are disposed alongside each other in the slot-depth direction in each slot.
The winding assembly may comprise a pair of first and second winding groups, the first winding group comprising a number of first winding sub-portions each formed with the strand of wire made of a continuous conductor, the strand of wire being formed in a first wave shape by connecting straight portions which being disposed at a pitch of a predetermined number of slots and being alternately offset from each other by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the disposition thereof with turn portions, the first winding sub-portions being disposed at a pitch of one slot from each other and being equal in number to the predetermined number of slots, and the second winding group comprising a number of second winding sub-portions each formed with the strand of wire made of a continuous conductor, the strand of wire being formed in a second wave shape opposite to the first wave shape by connecting straight portions which being disposed at a pitch of the predetermined number of slots and being alternately offset from each other by the predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the disposition thereof with turn portions, the second winding sub-portions being disposed at a pitch of one slot from each other and being equal in number to the predetermined number of slots.
A plurality of the winding assemblies overlapping each other may be inserted in the plurality of slots.
The steps of mounting the insulator in each of the plurality of slots and inserting the winding assembly in the insulators mounted in the plurality of slots may be alternately and repeatedly performed.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an armature for a dynamo-electric machine comprises an armature core provided with a plurality of slots extending in an axial direction and disposed alongside each other in a circumferential direction; an armature winding inserted in the slots so as to be mounted on the armature core; and an insulator mounted in each of the slots for insulating between the armature core and the armature winding. The insulator is disposed between an inner face of each slot and the armature winding. First creases are formed on side portions of each insulator so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the slot at a slot-opening side of the side portions, the first creases being formed by first bent parts for bending the slot-opening side of the side portions so as to be apart from each other.
Second creases may be formed on the side portions of each insulator so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the slot at a slot-opening side of the first creases, the second creases being formed by second bent parts for bending the slot-opening side of the side portions so as to be close to each other.
The first crease and the second crease of a first side portion of each insulator may be formed shifted toward the bottom of the slot with respect to the first crease and the second crease, respectively, of a second side portion of each insulator, whereby the top sides of the first and second side portions of each insulator, one overlapping the other, enclose an opening of each slot in a manner such that the top side of the second side portion is positioned over the top side of the first side portion.
The side portions of each insulator may expand in a circumferential direction at the bottom sides of the side portions of the insulator, thereby coming into close contact with inner faces of the slot toward the bottom thereof.
The armature winding may be constituted by at least one winding assembly into which a pair of first and second winding groups is assembled before insertion in the slots, the first winding group comprising a number of first winding sub-portions each having one turn constructed by winding a stand of wire made of a continuous conductor so as to alternately occupy an inner layer and an outer layer in a slot depth direction within the slots at intervals of a predetermined number of slots, the first winding sub-portions being disposed at a pitch of one slot from each other and being equal in number of the predetermined number of slots, and the second winding group comprising a number of second winding sub-portions each having one turn constructed by winding a stand of wire made of a continuous conductor so as to alternately occupy an inner layer and an outer layer in a slot depth direction within the slots at intervals of the predetermined number of slots and so as to be inversely wound and offset by an electrical angle of 180 degrees relative to the first winding sub-portions, the second winding sub-portions being disposed at a pitch of one slot from each other and being equal in number of the predetermined number of slots.
The armature winding may comprise a plurality of the winding assemblies, and one insulator may be received in each slot for insulating the plurality of the winding assemblies from an inner face of each slot.
The armature winding may comprise a plurality of the winding assemblies, and a plurality of insulators may be received in each slot for individually insulating the plurality of the winding assemblies from an inner face of each slot.

Creased armature winding insulator for dynamo-electric machine


An additive dispenser for a washing machine appliance is provided. The additive dispenser includes sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an additive reservoir. A first siphon and a second siphon are positioned within the additive reservoir. The first siphon defines a first peak and a first inlet. The second siphon defines a second peak and a second inlet. The first peak is defined at a lower vertical height than the second peak, and the first inlet is defined at a greater vertical height than the second inlet. Also provided are methods for operating a washing machine appliance having an additive dispenser, where the additive dispenser includes sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an additive reservoir, a first siphon defining a first inlet, and a second siphon defining a second inlet. The methods include opening and closing one or more valves to flow water to the additive reservoir of the dispenser.

Washing machine appliances generally form wash and rinse fluids to clean clothing articles disposed within a wash basket of the appliance. The wash fluid can include, for example, water and various additives, e.g., detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach. The additives can be mixed with water within a wash tub of the appliance to form the wash fluid. Various additives also may be added to water to form the rinse fluid.
To introduce one or more additives into the wash tub, a user can manually add the additive to the wash tub and/or the wash basket. For example, after starting the appliance, the user can pour detergent directly into the wash basket. Conversely, certain washing machine appliances include features for receiving additives and dispensing the additives during operation of the appliance. For example, an additive dispenser may be mounted to or directly beneath a top panel of a vertical axis washing machine appliance. The additive dispenser can receive an additive and direct the additive into a wash basket of the appliance. Similarly, a horizontal axis washing machine appliance can include an additive dispenser that receives an additive and directs the additive into a wash basket of the appliance.
Typically, the additive contained in the additive dispenser is flushed from the dispenser into the wash basket of the appliance through an influx of water into the dispenser. Usually, additive dispensers dispense a single dose of an additive during a wash or rinse cycle of the washing machine, i.e., the additive is dispensed once during a wash or rinse cycle. However, it may be desirable to dispense multiple doses of the additive, e.g., to dispense one portion of the additive at one point during a cycle of the washing machine and a second portion of the additive at a second, later point during the cycle. For example, the performance of an additive such as detergent may be enhanced by adding a portion of the detergent at the beginning of an agitation phase of a wash cycle and adding the remainder of the detergent at a later point in the agitation phase of the wash cycle, i.e., after articles within the wash basket have been agitated for a certain time period. Further, providing multiple additive doses from a single dispenser reservoir may efficiently utilize available space for the additive dispenser and may simplify a system for supplying water to the dispenser.
Accordingly, a washing machine appliance having features for dispensing an additive in multiple stages without requiring a complex additive dispenser or a complex system for providing water to the additive dispenser would be useful. Moreover, a method for operating a washing machine appliance having features for dispensing an additive in multiple stages would be advantageous. Also, a method for operating a washing machine appliance having features for dispensing an additive in multiple stages without requiring a complicated control methodology would be beneficial.


An ionic liquid that is a salt has a Formula:

Ionic liquids are substances, which are made up only from ions and have a melting point of <100° C. or are, ideally, liquid at ambient temperature. They have been proposed for use in electrolytes for lithium and lithium-ion batteries, as they exhibit relatively favorable electrochemical stability and high ionic conductivity. Despite the potential advantages, ionic liquids have not been widely used as electrolytes for lithium and lithium ion batteries due to a number of significant disadvantages. Although lithium-ion cells using LiMnO2 and Li4Ti5O12 as electrode materials show satisfactory cycling behavior using ionic liquid as electrolyte solvent, this cell configuration suffers from the relatively small voltage of 2.5 V. In addition, the cell has low rate capability due to the high viscosity and poor wettability of the ionic liquid with electrode materials.
Moreover, early experiments to cycle lithium-ion batteries using carbonaceous negative electrode materials and ionic liquid-based electrolytes failed. Any ionic liquid sample tested was reduced at the low potential at which the intercalation of lithium into the graphite proceeds. It is believed that the reduction of the ionic liquids proceeds due to the formation of dimeric species. For commercial applications, lithium metal is, however, not advantageous. Due to the high reactivity of its surface, lithium is potentially hazardous, especially at elevated temperatures. Proposals to stabilize lithiated graphite electrodes for use in lithium-ion batteries include admixture of small amounts of highly active film forming additives. Such additives could protect against the continued reduction of the electrolyte itself at the surface of the low potential graphite. However, in most cases, the additives have issues associated with the poor solubility in ionic liquid electrolytes.

Functionalized ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium ion batteries

Abstract: Such ionic liquids may be used in electrolytes and in electrochemical cells.


An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an assay device processing instrument, for example for processing assay devices in the form of chips on which have been deposited an array of localised reactive sites containing different reactive species, for example different antibodies.
2. Description of Related Art
In this context, "assay" means the quantitative analysis of a substance to determine the proportion of some valuable or potent constituent e.g. the active constituent in a pharmaceutical.
An immunoassay is a technique which measures the presence of a substance (analyte) in a biological sample exploiting an immunological reaction between antibody and antigen.
In the fields of chemical/veterinary diagnosis or drug screening, it is necessary to analyse samples to determine the presence of certain analytes. Recently, it has been proposed to provide a set of different antibodies on respective reactive sites on a substrate such as a chip. The sample is deposited on the chip and following incubation and other processes, a chemiluminescence process is monitored to detect the presence or absence of the appropriate analyte at each site. This is described in more detail in EP-A-0902394.
The problem with analysis of such chips is that the processes are complex and require careful handling of the chips and thus significant manual intervention.
WO-A-93/23732 describes automatic staining apparatus for slide specimens but this is a histochemical process and has no relevance to assays.


An image sensor for a position sensor apparatus for ascertaining a position of at least one mirror of a lithography apparatus includes: a plurality of integrated optical waveguides; a plurality of incoupling areas; a multiplexer apparatus; and an image reconstruction apparatus.

By way of example, lithography apparatuses are used in the production of integrated circuits or ICs for imaging a mask pattern in a mask onto a substrate such as e.g. a silicon wafer. In so doing, a light beam generated by an optical system is directed through the mask onto the substrate.
In this case, the representable structure dimension can depend greatly on the light wavelength used. In order to attain particularly small structures, it is often desirable to use radiation of particularly short wavelength. EUV lithography apparatuses use light having a wavelength in the range of 5 nm to 30 nm, in particular 13.5 nm. "EUV" denotes "extreme ultraviolet". In the case of such lithography apparatuses, owing to the high absorption of light of this wavelength by most materials, reflective optical units, that is to say mirrors, are usually used instead of refractive optical units, that is to say lens elements. Moreover, in general, the housing in which the imaging optical unit is situated is evacuated because even the presence of a gas can result in great absorption of the radiation.
The mirrors may be secured to a force frame, for example, and may be configured to be at least partially manipulable or tiltable in order to allow a movement of a respective mirror in up to six degrees of freedom, and consequently a highly accurate positioning of the mirrors in relation to one another, in particular in the pm range. This can allow changes in the optical properties that occur for instance during the operation of the lithography apparatus, for example as a result of thermal influences, to be corrected.
For the purposes of aligning the mirrors, such as in the six degrees of freedom, actuators which are driven by way of a control loop can be assigned to the mirrors. An apparatus for monitoring the tilt angle of a respective mirror, for example, can be provided as part of the control loop.
Document DE 10 2015 209 259 A1 describes a position sensor apparatus, in which an image sensor captures a pattern coupled to a mirror. There is a known relationship between the image of the pattern on the image sensor and a deflection of the mirror from a rest position. Consequently, the position of the mirror relative to the rest position can be deduced from the image recorded by the image sensor.

Image sensor, position sensor device, lithography system, and method for operating an image sensor


A manner of creating an electronic device directory containing the identity of electronic devices that registered in an area associated with a plurality of events, which events are similar in certain respects. The directory is useful, for example, investigating criminal cases. When such an event occurs, an application server is notified and generates one or more device registration capture requests to determine which electronic devices are registered in the area and at approximately the same time at which the event occurs. The device registration capture associated with this event is compared with other device registration captures associated with other, similar events to create the electronic device directory. The electronic device directory entries are preferable filtered to select the devices most likely to be associated with the actual events in question.

The catching of criminals and finding other persons of interest can be difficult in modern circumstances. Unless a perpetrator is apprehended at the scene of a crime in front of witnesses, for example, he or she can quickly become hard to identify and even harder to find. Two factors contributing to this difficulty are population density and mobility. With so many people living in a relatively small geographic area, a person who commits a crime can quickly blend into the general population and almost disappear. In addition, the ability of one person to move quickly from one place to another—even a distant—location has increased dramatically. As a result, the perpetrator can both flee the scene quickly and soon strike again in a different jurisdiction.
Needless to say, agencies such as local, state, and federal law enforcement can use all the assistance modern technology is able to provide. They can of course take advantage of rapid transportation themselves, but are frequently bound to stay within a single jurisdiction. Communication methods have also improved, but each agency still needs something in the way of information to communicate to another agency that will further the effort to identify, locate, and capture the wanted suspect.
One technological aid that has proven useful to law enforcement is the surveillance video camera. As video cameras have become relatively inexpensive, they have become almost ubiquitous in some locales. The technology associated with collecting and storing the captured images has also improved, so a continuous video record can be preserved for quite some time. Video cameras can even be installed in hidden and inaccessible locations, so detecting them and frustrating their operation can be a challenge. Naturally, video cameras are often placed in locations where undesirable behavior is a strong possibility, such as in back of or near the entrance to retail outlets. Many individuals also use video surveillance in their homes.
For this reason when a crime, terrorist attack, or other undesirable activity occurs, law enforcement agencies often canvass the area to determine of a video image related to the event can be found. Most useful, of course, is a video capturing the image of persons in the area at the time. If the image of any given subject is sufficient for purposes of identification, the then known whereabouts and movement of the subject can be used for the investigation. If the person identified is a known criminal, for example, an attempt may be made to see if other evidence relates them to the event in question. The identified person may even be contacted and interviewed, if possible. By the same token, the presence of an individual in the vicinity of a number of similar events might raise suspicion as well.
Unfortunately, video surveillance as an enforcement tool has its limitations. Even where there are many cameras, they each have a limited field of vision and can only capture so much. Frequently, cameras are deployed to cover a specific area and even people passing by this area are recorded imperfectly. Even when in view, a person may be turned the wrong way or wearing, for example, a hat and dark glasses that make identification difficult if not impossible. Many criminals, of course, dress themselves in such a manner so as to purposely make it hard for an eyewitness—either live or by videotape—to later identify them. Another obstacle may be the sheer volume of video evidence that may be available. Hours of video may have to be viewed in order to make even a small amount of progress in an investigation. While some automated recognition techniques may be used, these also suffer from the disabilities associated with incomplete images and intentional efforts to frustrate witnesses.
There is a continuing need, therefore, for a way to investigate which persons might have been present at or near the scene of an event to determine whether their activities might be considered suspect.

Method and apparatus for the creation of an event-associated electronic device directory


A diffusively reflective paint composition is disclosed for use in reflectors in lighting fixtures. The paint is formed by blending macroporous polymeric particles with a paint carrier. The macroporous polymeric particles are formed by reducing a reflective macroporous sheet material. The paint can further comprise solid or hollow microspheres. The paint can be applied to a variety of substrates to form diffusely reflective articles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a light reflective paint composition for use in light reflective articles in which diffuse light reflectance is desired. The invention further relates to a method for making the paint composition and to light reflective articles made using the paint composition.
2. Description of Related Art
Reflectors are used in numerous types of lighting fixtures to maximize the usable light, thus increasing the lighting efficiency. Maximization is achieved through a combination of reflecting and redirecting light generated by the lamp in a desired direction, and minimizing the light absorbed by the reflector. This is particularly important when the light fixture design includes a light cavity in which light rays are redirected multiple times within the cavity before exiting the light fixture as usable light. Lamps that use reflectors include tubular fluorescent lamps and light emitting diodes (LED).
Tubular fluorescent lamps emit light in 360 degrees around the lamp, thus the reflector redirects light from the back of the lighting fixture as usable light. LED light fixtures use a reflector in order to mix, obscure, or diffuse the discrete image(s) of individual LED lamps while maximizing useable lumens per given wattage. This reflector often consists of painted metal or highly polished aluminum. It is desirable to maximize the light reflected by the reflector and minimize the light absorbed by the reflector, as any light absorbed is unusable thereby decreasing the efficiency of the fixture.
Diffuse reflectance occurs when incident light is reflected by a surface such that the reflected light is scattered randomly or in a Lambertian fashion. By contrast, specular reflectance occurs when incident light is reflected at the same angle as the incident angle. Specular reflectors have been used in light fixtures to both direct light out of the fixture in a controlled or focused distribution and increase overall fixture efficiency. Diffuse reflectance is preferred in situations in which low glare is desired and/or in which it is desired to distribute light evenly over as broad an area as possible. White, diffuse reflectors are often used in room and office lighting to reduce specular glare.
The reflector surface includes metal components fabricated from coil steel or aluminum. Coil steel or aluminum is coated in continuous coil equipment with a paint typically containing titanium dioxide light scattering particles, and the coating is subsequently cured. The resulting coil surface has reflectance of up to about 90% and can be metal-formed into reflectors or light fixture bodies. Alternatively, powder coat paint is applied to light fixtures post metal-forming to provide a surface reflectance of up to 94%.
Lighting fixtures (e.g., luminaires, signage, daylighting applications, etc.) often have complex shapes including hemispherical domes and flanged edges, making it difficult to incorporate known reflective sheet. A reflective sheet can be laminated to steel and then formed into various geometries; however, this lamination step is not possible in all coil coating systems and requires an expensive adhesive to ensure proper lamination.

Diffusively light reflective paint composition, method for making paint composition, and diffusively light reflective articles


Fiber optic connection assemblies for rearranging sets of fiber optic signals arranged in one parallel optical configuration into one or more different parallel optical configurations are disclosed. In one arrangement, two (2) data transmission pairs are connected between one multi-fiber connector from each of two connector sets in a first parallel optical configuration using a common set of fiber positions for each multi-fiber connector. Another two (2) data transmission pairs are connected to the common set of fiber positions of a multi-fiber connector from the first connector set, but are connected to other fiber positions of the multi-fiber connectors of the second connector set, using fiber positions that are not used by the other two (2) data transmission pairs. In this manner, cabling complexity can be reduced with increased signal density within fiber optic cables having a multi-fiber configuration.

The disclosure relates generally to fiber optics data transmission and more particularly to polarity configurations for parallel optics data transmission which may be used in high density network applications.
Benefits of utilizing optical fiber include extremely wide bandwidth and low noise operation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission. Fiber optic networks employing optical fiber are being developed for use in delivering voice, video, and data transmissions to subscribers over both private and public networks. These fiber optic networks often include separated connection points linking optical fibers to provide fiber optic connections from one connection point to another. In this regard, fiber optic equipment is located in data distribution centers or central offices to support live fiber interconnections. For example, the fiber optic equipment can support interconnections between servers, storage area networks (SANs), and/or other equipment at data centers. Interconnections may be further supported by fiber optic patch panels or modules.
Fiber optic assemblies, including fiber optic harness cables and fiber optic modules, may be used to arrange optical fibers according to various schemes or mappings to facilitate data transmission via parallel optics. Because a single signal may be broken down and parsed into separate optical fibers for communication in parallel with one another, accuracy in the routing of the optical fibers and transmission of the signal components allows for faster communications. Current polarity schemes in harness assemblies may be prone to errors in routing due to complicated interweaving of optical fibers and uncoordinated sizing of individual fibers in groups of optical fibers that are intended to operate together to carry the parsed signal. A need exists for an improved scheme for connecting optical fibers for parallel-optics data transmission to overcome such problems in the art.
Fiber optic equipment can be customized based on application and connection bandwidth needs. The fiber optic equipment is typically included in housings that are mounted in equipment racks to optimize use of space. Connection density becomes an issue in many of these arrangements, especially in situations where a polarity configuration uses multi-fiber connectors that have more fiber positions than are utilized by the polarity configuration of the connected fiber optic equipment.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.

Polarity configurations for parallel optics data transmission, and related apparatuses, components, systems, and methods


A software tool which simplifies the monitoring of faults in an automation device. On a display device (FIG. 3), a rack (0′-3′) of this automation device with slots and functional modules is represented in a first view (4) in graphic form and in a second view (9) in tabular form. A faulty slot and/or a faulty functional module is displayed in some manner of highlighted form ((F), 10, 11, etc.).

The invention relates to a software tool for monitoring faults in an automation device. The invention further relates to a diagnostic system equipped with such a software tool.
The interactive Siemens catalogue entitled "Industrial and Automation Systems," index "SIMATIC PCS7 Process Control System," Version: 09/12/2000 describes a software tool "S7-PDIAG" for configuring process diagnostics for Siemens "SIMATIC S7" automation devices. In addition to the configuration for detecting process faults, the software tool also allows the process faults to be displayed.

Software tool for monitoring faults in an automation device


A method of operating a point-of-sale (POS) system (1), the POS system comprising a POS terminal (3) having a software module (17, 21) thereon for enabling a retailer to process transactions within a transaction environment, and a peripheral device (5, 7) in communication with the POS terminal (3), the POS system (1) further comprising a driver software module (40) installed between the POS terminal (3) software module (17, 21) and the peripheral device (5, 7), the method comprising: receiving, at the driver software module (40), data sent between the software module (17, 21) and the peripheral device (5, 7) in communication with the POS terminal (3); communicating with a further device (44, 60, 64) in dependence on the data received at the driver software module (40); receiving modified data from the further device (44, 60, 64); and outputting the modified data.

Retailers use point of sale hardware and software systems (POS systems) to streamline sales operations and to allow them to process sales, handle payments, and store transactions for later retrieval. POS systems generally comprise a number of elements including point of sale terminals that are connected to a controlling server (the "back-office" servers) using an internal network connection. In a large retail environment, such as a supermarket, there may be a plurality of such POS terminals in communication with the back-office servers. It is noted that the back-office servers may be located locally (e.g. within the store) or remotely (in which case the POS terminals may be in communication with the back-office servers via a local communications network and a further communications network such as the Internet).
POS systems represent a very expensive investment for retailers. Retailers choose their POS provider after a lengthy Request for Proposal (RFP) process, and once the investment is made, they upgrade it only infrequently.
Extending the functionality of POS systems has always been a challenge but the recent popularity of coupons and the proliferation of mobile phones have put tremendous pressure on retailers to look at ways at supporting these functionalities as quickly as possible. Clearly, it is always possible to redesign and develop the POS software so that it supports issuance and redemption of coupons, and integrate with mobile channels, but this option is costly and time consuming.
FIG. 1 shows a typical POS configuration for a point-of sale system 1 comprising a POS terminal 3, a receipt printer 5, a barcode scanner 7, a data entry device 9 for the entry of PIN codes (the "Pin Pad"), back-office servers 11 and a payment processing server 13. The POS terminal, back-office servers 11 and payment processing server 13 are in communication with one another via a network 15 (which may be a local network, the Internet or a mixture of both).
The POS terminal 3 comprises a point of sale application software module 17, which is in communication with a product database 19, and a payment application software module 21.
The point of sale application software module 17 and payment application software module 21 are each in communication with the receipt printer 5 and scanner 7 and with the back-office servers 11 and payment processing server 13 via the network 15.
The point of sale application software module 17 is responsible for recording items to be sold one by one, calculating the total balance, triggering any pre-configured promotions, and then accepting multiple payment methods. Typically, items are input in using the scanner 7. Items having barcodes printed on external packaging will be placed in front of the scanner 7 which then scans the barcode and passes the barcode as input to the POS software module 17. The POS software module 17 will then query the local database 19 to retrieve the price of the item which may be displayed on a screen (not shown in FIG. 1).
Once all items are scanned, the cashier asks the customer to confirm their preferred payment type to use, and if the user chooses to pay by card, the POS software module 17 connects to the payment application software module 21.
The payment application software module 21 drives an external device 9 to get the credit card details and optionally the PIN associated with the card. In cases where a PIN code is not required, the payment application software module may interface with a magnetic strip reader (which may be integrated with the device 9) which reads the card details when the user or cashier swipes the card through the strip reader.
Once the transaction is paid for, the POS application software module 17 formats details of the transaction and sends them to the receipt printer 5. In many cases, two or more receipts are printed: one for the customer, and one of the retailer. It is noted that the retailer copy of the receipt can potentially contain more information than the customer one (for e.g. full card details, while the customer receipt contains only the last 4 digits of the card used).
The payment application software module 21 is responsible for authenticating the card, verifying the PIN, and authorising the card for payment. This is done by accessing the payment processor 13 over the network connection 15. The payment processor 13 may be either hosted inside or outside the premises of the retailer, and in that case it is hosted outside the retailer's premises, the network path from the payment application software module 21 to the payment processor 13 may involve leaving the retailer's local computer network and using the Internet or other communications network (e.g. dedicated communications network or a mobile telecommunications network). The network 15 is also used by the POS application software module 17 to send transaction details to the back-office servers 11.
The POS application software module 17 typically runs on a commodity operating system (e.g. Microsoft Windows or Linux). Each of the devices external to the POS terminal 3 is connected to the machine using standard connectors: Serial, Parallel, USB, or Ethernet ports. To simplify the interoperability between POS software and payment software vendors and external devices vendors, a consortium of companies led by Microsoft, NCR, Epson, and Fujitsu-ICL standardised the interface between each device. These standards are typically implemented in Java or COM technologies, and known under the name of JAVAPOS or OPOS.
It is noted that OPOS is an implementation of an interoperability standard for a Windows® operating system using Component Object Model (COM) technology. OPOS defines a set of control objects that define the interface of each device, and a set of service objects that implement the interface above, in a set of libraries called service objects. Typically, the service object is provided by the hardware provider (e.g. Epson for the printers).
JAVAPOS is the implementation of the standard in JAVA language. It uses the same architecture as OPOS, with a set of JAVA classes defining the interface of the API, and another set of JAVA classes defining the implementation of these interfaces, called service objects. Typically, the manufactures provides the implementation for these service objects in JAVA.
FIG. 2 shows a typical layout of the component of OPOS used to interface between a physical device 23 (e.g. the printer 5 or scanner 7 of FIG. 1) and the POS application software module 17. The POS application software module 17 is arranged to access the physical device 23 using a standard OPOS application programming interface (API) 30. Communication between the POS application software module 17 and the physical hardware device 23 is handled by an OPOS device 32 (which is actually a software stack within the POS terminal 3).
The OPOS device comprises an OPOS device control module 34 which provides the interface for the POS application software module 17 and an OPOS device service module 36 which provides communication to the device 23.
The OPOS Device Service module 36 implements the details of the physical device 23 and is typically provided by the hardware vendor. For example, to print receipt data, the POS application software module 17 may call the following method:                PrintNormal(Integer Station, String DataToBePrinted):        Prints the data specified in "DataToBePrinted" to the station specified in parameter "Station". This is guaranteed to work regardless of the underlying printer attached to the POS terminal 3.
Similar APIs exist for the scanner 7 as well. For example, regardless of the scanner attached to the POS terminal 3, the scanner property called "ScanData" always holds the scanned data. The POS application software module 17 upon receiving a read event from the scanner, can read this data, and it is guaranteed to hold the barcode of the item scanned.
An arrangement mirroring that of FIG. 2 may also be used to describe a JAVAPOS system for interfacing a POS software module with a hardware device.
To access the stream of data sent by the POS application software module 17 requires a change in the application so that appropriate code can be added in order to access the data.
It is noted that retailers are looking for ways to understand their customers, to reach them through a multitude of channels, to leverage mobile phones as another channel to engage with their customers and to collect information about the experience of customers in their stores. Typically, any of these actions would require major changes to be made to POS software and hardware.
For example to be able to collect information about customers, retailers has been using loyalty cards to build profiles of customers. While popular, loyalty cards are very expensive to manage. It costs more than £6 million to just manage the IT infrastructure required for loyalty cards. Offers associated with loyalty cards often still have to be sent using postal services, which is not only costly, but needs to be carefully planned ahead of time: retailers need to know what offers to give, in what quantity. Furthermore, if an offer is not performing as expected, there is no way to correct-course during the campaign.
To reach out to customers with offers in real-time, a retailer may opt to use a second printer to print coupons at the point of sale till. However, retailers who implement this solution are required to operate a loyalty card scheme, a set of colour printers and targeting software which is very costly. A single printer of the type used by these retailers has a retail price of hundreds of pounds and, for larger environments with multiple point of sale terminals this solution is therefore very costly.
It can therefore be appreciated that modifying the standard point of sale environment is a significant undertaking requiring access to transaction data (which therefore requires the POS hardware and/or software to be modified), associating transaction data with a loyalty card, and having another piece of software print offers through a second printer.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for modifying/enhancing the functionality of a point of sale system without requiring the addition of new hardware and without requiring the modification of POS provider proprietary software modules.

Method of enhancing point-of-sale systems


A logic circuit includes a logic unit, a driving unit, and a voltage level adjuster. The logic unit includes an output node having a logic state, the logic unit being coupled to a first voltage reference. The driving unit includes an input node, the driving unit being coupled to a second voltage reference, the driving unit and the first logic unit being constructed from a single type of transistor. The voltage level adjuster provides a control signal that causes the driving unit to reduce a current flowing through the driving unit when the output node of the first logic unit has a first logic state, and causes the driving unit to drive an output node of the logic circuit to a voltage level substantially equal to that of the second voltage reference when the output node of the first logic unit has a second logic state.

This description relates to logic circuits.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of an inverter 10 that includes a first p-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor (PMOS) 12 and a second PMOS transistor 14 that are connected in series between voltage VDD and ground. An output capacitor 16 is coupled to the first and second transistors 12 and 14. The inverter 10 has an input node IN for receiving an input voltage Vin and an output node OUT for providing an output voltage Vout.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an equivalent circuit 20 of the inverter 10 when the input voltage Vin is at logic low. The transistors 12 and 14 are represented by operating impedances R1 22 and R2 24, respectively. The series-connected impedances R1 and R2 form a voltage divider.
FIG. 3 are graphs of signal waveforms 30 and 32 that represent an input voltage Vin and an output voltage Vout, respectively, of the inverter 10. When the input voltage Vin is at logic low, the output voltage Vout is equal to VDD*R2/(R1+R2). When the input voltage Vin is at logic high, the output voltage Vout is equal to Vth, in which Vth is the threshold voltage of the second transistor 14.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of an inverter 40 that includes a first PMOS transistor 12, a second PMOS transistor 15, an output capacitor 16, a third PMOS transistor 42, and a coupling capacitor 44. The inverter 40 has an input node 46 for receiving an input voltage Vin and an output node 48 for providing an output voltage Vout.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an equivalent circuit 50 of the inverter 40 when the input voltage Vin is at logic low. In this case, the inverter 40 functions similar to a voltage divider that includes resistors R1 and R2, similar to those shown in FIG. 2. The output voltage Vout is equal to VDD*R2/(R1+R2). The voltage at a first end 52 (see FIG. 4) of the coupling capacitor 44 is equal to VDD*R2/(R1+R2), and the voltage Vx at a second end 54 of the coupling capacitor 44 is equal to Vth.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an equivalent circuit 60 of the inverter 40 when the input voltage Vin is at logic high. In this case, the first transistor 12 is turned off (hence not shown in the figure), the second transistor 15 remains on, and the voltage at the first end 52 of the coupling capacitor 44 decreases to Vth. Because the voltage difference between the first and second ends 52 and 54 of the coupling capacitor 44 is maintained at [VDD*R2/(R1+R2)−Vth], the voltage Vx at the second end 54 of the coupling capacitor 44 drops to [Vth−VDD*R2/(R1+R2)]. The output voltage Vout drops to VSS.
FIG. 7 shows graphs of signal waveforms 62, 64, and 66 that represent the input voltage Vin, output voltage Vout, and the voltage Vx, respectively.
Other logic circuits, such as NAND and NOR circuits, can also be constructed using a single type transistor. FIG. 8 is a diagram of an NAND logic circuit 70 constructed using PMOS transistors, including a first PMOS transistor 72, a second PMOS transistor 74, a third PMOS transistor 14, and an output capacitor 16. Input nodes 76 and 78 (which receive input signals Vin1 and Vin2, respectively) are connected to the gates of the transistors 72 and 74, respectively. An output node 80 (having an output signal Vout) is connected to the source of the transistor 74, drain of the transistor 14, and one end of the capacitor 16.
FIG. 9 shows graphs of signal waveforms 82, 84, and 86 of the input voltage Vin1, input voltage Vin2, and the output voltage Vout, respectively, of the NAND logic circuit 70.


A magnetic field measuring device includes a support base, a measuring mechanism, and a displacement sensor. The measuring mechanism is positioned on the support base, and includes a mounting plate, a swing arm, a connecting member, an elastic member, and a measuring magnet. The mounting plate is connected to the support base. The swing arm is rotatably positioned on the mounting plate. The elastic member is positioned between the connecting member and the swing arm. The measuring magnet is connected to the swing arm, opposite to the support base. The displacement sensor is positioned on the support base, opposite to the swing arm.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to measuring devices and, more particularly, to a magnetic field measuring device for simultaneously measuring polarity and intensity of a magnetic field.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnets are widely used in electronic devices, such as speakers and so on. When the magnets are assembled into the electronic devices, orientation of the magnets is important, so that the magnets can provide sufficient magnetic field strength to make electronic devices work properly.
Gauss meters are often used to measure the magnetic field intensity. Gauss meters include a main body with a display and a measuring tip connected to the main body. When the measuring tip touches electronic devices, the display will indicate measured values.
However, current Gauss meters cannot distinguish the south pole and the north pole of a magnet, therefore, during the assembly process of the magnet, the magnet can be installed in the wrong orientation. In addition, when using a Gauss meter, the measuring tip needs to touch many portions of the electronic devices, to determine the magnetic field intensity around the electronic devices. Thus, the measuring operation is complicated.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


The present invention has an object to provide a spread spectrum communication system for heightening the speed of communication. The present invention transfers the first PN code sequence itself as the first component, adds and transfers zero or more instances of the second PN code sequence given a phase difference as the second component, and defines an information for transmitting by the number of the second PN codes corresponding to a cycle of said first PN code sequence.

Spread spectrum communication systems spread the frequency spectrum of the transmitted signal by modulating the carrier with a spreading signal. This spreading signal is obtained by multiplying pseudonoise (PN) codes by the data being transmitted. The spectrum of the spreading signal approximates that of white noise, so the resulting transmitted signal has a wide bandwidth.
Many different PN codes may be used, and the correlation between these codes is usually limited. Therefore, a spread spectrum system is very secure against eavesdropping, has a high efficiency of frequency, and is very robust to noise. For these reasons, spread spectrum systems are expected to be the primary means of carrying mobile and personal communications and wireless LANs in the future.
For such applications, however, demand is growing for higher data capacities, more efficient use of bandwidth, and faster data transfer than conventional spread spectrum techniques can provide. The present invention extends spread spectrum technology to allow systems with higher rates of data transmission.
The outline of the transmitter of a spread spectrum (SS) communication system using quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation is shown in FIG. 26. In the figure, 102 and 105 are binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) modulators, 107 is a PN code generator (PN.G) for generating PN code sequences, and 108 is a phase shifter for shifting the phase of a carrier wave by .pi./2.
Data generated by a data generating portion (DATA1) 100 are added to a PN code generated by PN.G 107 in an adder 101. Data generated by a data generating portion (DATA2) 103 are added to a PN code generated by the PN.G 107. In this case, one complete cycle of PN code is used to encode each bit of the data. The addition performed in adders 101 and 104 is modulo 2, that is, a PN code is outputted as is when the data bit is 0, and the PN code is inverted and outputted when the data bit is 1.
An output of an adder 101 is inputted to a BPSK modulator 102, and a carrier wave generated by a carrier wave oscillator 109 is modulated by BPSK. An output of an adder 104 is inputted to a BPSK modulator 105, and a carrier wave is modulated by BPSK, which wave is generated by a carrier wave oscillator 109 and is shifted in phase by .pi./2 by a phase shifter 108. An in-phase component of QPSK modulation (component I, hereinafter) can be obtained from a BPSK modulator 102, and an quadrature component of QPSK modulation (component Q, hereinafter) can be obtained from a BPSK modulator 105. These two components of BPSK modulation are added in an adder 106 to create a QPSK modulated signal. The QPSK modulated signal is transmitted from antenna 110. In this way, a multiplexed spread spectrum QPSK signal is transmitted from the transmitter portion.
The structure of the receiver is not shown. When a spread spectrum multisignal is received, it is divided into components I and Q, and both components of data are demodulated by correlation calculation of the received signal with the same PN code as was used on the transmission side. The data encoded by an inverted PN code causes a negative correlative output, and the data encoded by a noninverted PN code causes a positive correlative output.


A defect inspection method includes: illuminating an area on surface of a specimen as a test object under a specified illumination condition; scanning a specimen to translate and rotate the specimen; detecting scattering lights to separate each of scattering lights scattered in different directions from the illuminated area on the specimen into pixels to be detected according to a scan direction at the scanning a specimen and a direction approximately orthogonal to the scan direction; and processing to perform an addition process on each of scattering lights that are detected at the step and scatter approximately in the same direction from approximately the same area of the specimen, determine presence or absence of a defect based on scattering light treated by the addition process, and compute a size of the determined defect using at least one of the scattering lights corresponding to the determined defect.

Production lines inspect semiconductor substrates and membrane substrates for defects on the surfaces in order to maintain and improve the product yield. Defect inspection technologies of the related art are known as Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei9 (1997)-304289, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-201179, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0256325. These technologies condense illuminating light on a specimen surface in an area of several tens of micrometers to detect micro defects. The technologies condense and detect scattering light from a defect and inspect an area ranging from several tens of nanometers to several micrometers for defects. The technologies rotate and translate a stage supporting a specimen (test object) so that an illuminating spot helically scans the specimen surface to inspect the entire specimen surface.
The technologies described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei9 (1997)-304289 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-201179 detect a component emitted at a high angle and a component emitted at a low angle in the scattering light from a defect and categorize a defect type based on a ratio.
The technology described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-201179 calculates the size of a detected defect based on the intensity of scattering light from the defect.
To reduce thermal damage on a specimen, the technology described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0256325 controls the illuminating light power, the speed to scan an illuminating spot, or the illuminating spot size while inspecting a test surface. More specifically, the technology assumes that the thermal damage given to a specimen is found by multiplying the illumination power density to be applied and the irradiation time together. While keeping the thermal damage below a specified value, the technology varies the illuminating light power, the speed to scan an illuminating spot, or the illuminating spot size according to radial positions on the specimen being scanned.
The technology described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,676 inspects the entire specimen surface in a short period of time by illuminating a wide range of specimen using a long Gaussian beam in one direction and detecting an illuminated area at a time using a detector such as a CCD including multiple pixels.
The technology described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,385,688 concerns the oblique-incidence illumination and uses an aspherical lens and a diffractive optical element to shape the illuminating light so as to position multiple illuminating spots on a test surface.
The technology described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-330007 forms an image at a slant in a two-dimensional area on the test surface and integrates and detects a detection signal using a TDI image sensor.

Defect inspection method and defect inspection apparatus


An axle assembly for a vehicle is described, in which the axle assembly has a suspension arm for accommodating an axle of the vehicle and a damper. The damper is coupled to a first engagement point of the suspension arm. The first engagement point is situated on the suspension arm so that the damper may be situated outside an installation space for axle components located between the suspension arm and a chassis of the vehicle.

Commercial vehicle axles often have the problem that essential axle components such as disc brakes, brake cylinders and drum brake camshafts must be placed in areas subject to striking rocks or dirt contamination because other components such as suspension arms and dampers require the necessary installation space.
German Patent document DE 101 06 350 A1 discusses an axle suspension system for rigid axles of commercial vehicles. A longitudinal member is connected to a vehicle frame. An air spring is situated on the longitudinal member and behind a tire. The spring is situated between the longitudinal member and a four-way connector. A shock absorber system is provided downstream from the spring.
German Patent document DE 198 09 281 A1 discusses a chassis of a heavy-duty commercial vehicle. Spring damper struts are each connected at the top end to a spring strut holder attached to the vehicle frame and at the bottom end to a linkage point on the rigid axle body; in particular the spring damper struts are connected as far to the outside as possible to achieve the greatest possible distance between spring centers. The spring damper struts each have an air spring or helical spring and a corresponding coaxial shock absorber.
FIG. 2 shows an axle assembly of a vehicle which includes a suspension arm 102 and an axle 104. Suspension arm 102 is movably connected to a vehicle frame or chassis 106 of the vehicle using a trestle 108. A bellows 112 is situated on chassis 106 to cushion a motion of suspension arm 102 relative to chassis 106. A damper 114 is situated between suspension arm 102 and trestle 108. An installation space occupied by damper 114 is not available to other axle components. In the customary damper position illustrated in FIG. 2, a disc brake 116 is therefore situated in an unfavorable position below suspension arm 102.
The system of damper 114 illustrated in FIG. 2 results in higher wear and faster functional impairment or functional incapacity of the axle components.
This problem often goes completely unresolved today. It is often associated today with frequent maintenance intervals and short service life as well as risk of damage. Other approaches provide for situating the suspension arm in a lower position, it frequently being necessary to situate the brake cylinder at an angle, which results in additional costs. Other constructions in connection with suspension arm designs made of sheet steel guide the cylinder through the suspension arm for protection. This also results in substantial costs.

Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


A magneto-resistive effect (MR) element includes first and second magnetic layers in which a relative angle formed by magnetization directions changes responsive to an external magnetic field, and a spacer layer positioned between the first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer is positioned closer to a substrate above which the MR element is formed than the second magnetic layer. The spacer layer includes copper and metal intermediate layers and a main spacer layer composed primarily of gallium oxide. The copper and metal intermediate layers are positioned between the main spacer and first magnetic layers. The metal intermediate layer is positioned between the copper and main spacer layers. The metal intermediate layer is composed primarily of at least one from a group of one of magnesium and at least partially oxidized magnesium, and one of aluminum and at least partially oxidized aluminum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magneto-resistive effect (MR) element and a manufacturing method thereof, and particularly relates to a configuration of a spacer layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reproducing heads with high sensitivity and high output are in demand in conjunction with condensing of high recording density in hard disk drives (HDD). As an example of this type of reproducing head, a spin valve head has been developed. A spin valve head includes a nonmagnetic metal layer and a pair of ferromagnetic layers positioned on both sides of the nonmagnetic metal layer in a manner of contacting the nonmagnetic metal layer. The magnetization direction of one of the ferromagnetic layers is pinned in one direction (hereinafter, this type of layer is referred to as a magnetization pinned layer), and the magnetization direction of the other one of the ferromagnetic layers freely rotates in response to an external magnetic field (hereinafter, this type of layer is referred to as a magnetization free layer). When the external magnetic field is applied, the relative angle of the spins between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer changes so that magneto-resistive change is realized. Typically, the magnetization direction of the magnetization pinned layer is pinned by utilizing exchange coupling force of an anti-ferromagnetic layer.
In the meantime, in order to realize further condensing of high recording density, a reduction of a read gap (a space between upper and lower shield layers) is required. However, when the read gap is reduced to approximately 20 nm, it is difficult to place an anti-ferromagnetic layer within the read gap. Therefore, a configuration has been developed in which a pair of magnetization free layers is arranged on both sides of a spacer layer. According to this configuration, reduction of the read gap is easily realized because no anti-ferromagnetic layer is required.
With either configuration, the spacer layer is a necessary component to realize the magneto-resistive change. Materials for the spacer layer that are promising for achieving a large magneto-resistive ratio (hereinafter referred to as MR ratio) have been developed. Conventionally, a technology has been known that an MR ratio is increased by disposing a resistance adjustment layer in a spacer layer and by narrowing a path where a sense current flows. However, since sense current is concentrated to a conductive part and thereby a current density is increased, this technology is not preferable from the view point of reliability. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0062557 discloses a technology that an oxide semiconductor layer such as ZnO, TiO and the like is used as a part of a spacer layer. Since this technology allows to prevent a sense current from being concentrated, it is possible to increase the reliability while the MR ratio is increased.
The ferromagnetic layers adjacent to the spacer layer are normally composed of Co, Ni, Fe and the like as a primary component. When these elements are positioned in a manner of contacting the oxide semiconductor layer, the ferromagnetic layers may be oxidized by an oxidation action of oxygen contained in the oxide semiconductor layer. Thereby, polarizability may be decreased and the MR ratio may be lowered. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0062557 further discloses a technology that a nonmagnetic metal layer composed of copper, gold, silver or the like is disposed between a ferromagnetic layer composed of CoFe and the like and an oxide semiconductor layer. It is expected that these nonmagnetic metal layers prevent diffusion of oxygen contained in the oxide semiconductor layer and oxidation of the ferromagnetic layer. However, with the nonmagnetic metal layers composed of copper, gold, silver or the like, sufficient antioxidant effects are often not obtained in particular when the diffusion of oxygen is likely to occur under a high temperature environment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an MR element where oxidation of a magnetic layer adjacent to a spacer layer is prevented and in which a large MR ratio is realized.

Magneto-resistive effect element having spacer layer including main spacer layer containing gallium oxide and metal intermediate layer


A method of displaying attachments associated with an electronic message displays an electronic message in a first instance of a client application (e.g., a web browser) running on a client computer. The electronic message includes one or more attachment viewing links, each link corresponding to an attachment associated with the electronic message and each attachment having a particular document type. After a single user selection of one of the attachment viewing links, a converted document (e.g., an HTML file) is transferred from a document storage system to the client computer. The converted document corresponds to one of the attachments associated with the message and the converted document has a document type different from the document type of the attachment. The converted document is displayed in a second instance of the client application.

Web browser-based email services are widely used for communicating information over the Internet. Besides the information in its message body, an email message often includes attachments of various document types. These attachments provide a recipient of the email message additional information in connection with the message body. To view the content of an attachment, the recipient of the email message typically downloads the attachment to a client computer and then launches a native application program to open the attachment because web browser-based email services are typically unable to display email message attachments other than HTML, text and image attachments within a web browser window. This traditional approach to viewing email message attachments is inconvenient, because downloading the attachment and launching the application are often time consuming operations. In addition, if the client computer does not have an application program to open the attachment, the message recipient is unable to view the attachment, even if it is successfully downloaded to the client computer.

Systems and methods for viewing non-HTML email attachments


The invention relates to a method of clamping a tool or a workpiece, using an electric actuator (1) having a housing (2) attached to a work spindle of a machine tool and in which a threaded spindle (3) for moving jaws of a chuck is axially displaceable, and an electric servomotor (4) having a rotor connected with a drive wheel (6) that moves a nut (7) on the threaded spindle (3), a first sensor being associated with the threaded spindle (3) for detecting the axial position thereof, and a second sensor being associated with the spindle nut (7) for detecting the axial position thereof, and including the method step of determining the position of the threaded spindle (3) by the first sensor when a slight axial force occurs due to contact of the clamping jaws with the tool or the workpiece, and continued movement of the spindle nut (7) until a specified sensor difference (12) between the first sensor and the second sensor is determined by the second sensor. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

An electric actuator is known from US 20100072713 in which an electric motor is used to actuate the chuck associated with a machine tool, i.e. to move clamping jaws. In practice, use of the electric actuator disclosed in DE 10 2006 015 918 has resulted in issues with regard to stroke control that are in need of improvement, since the analog length measurement via the sensor that is used is relatively inaccurate. In addition, it is problematic that use must be made of the motor torque for controlling the achieved clamping force, which is likewise associated with relatively high inaccuracy. Last, the clamping operation has been perceived as being too slow.

Method of chucking a tool or a workpiece and apparatus for carrying out the method


Disclosed herein are systems and processes for treating a Waste Stream comprising biosolids, the Waste Stream provided at varying flow rates and solids concentrations so as to achieve an SOUR of 1.5 mg O2/g/hr or less and an ORP of at least +300 mV. The system includes a biosolids manipulation device to adjust the volume of suspended solids as a percent of the total volume of the Waste Stream to five (5) percent or less; a chemical oxidant feed device to dose the Waste Stream with an oxidant such as chlorine dioxide, ozone, or similar oxidant, and a treatment vessel associated with said chemical oxidant feed device through which said Waste Stream flows, wherein said chemical oxidant feed device and said treatment device are configured so as to achieve a dose rate between 25 and 200 parts per million of the Waste Stream and substantially complete mixing of the oxidant within 30 seconds of dose delivery in the treatment vessel.

Certain processes involved in wastewater treatment produce high viscosity slurries, or sludges, and low suspended solid effluents (each a "Waste Stream"). After treatment, the Waste Stream may be deposited in landfills, used for certain agricultural purposes or returned to the surrounding environment. In the U.S., Federal regulations mandate the treatment of these Waste Streams in order to remove achieve specific standards. Two specific methods for measuring the degree of treatment of Waste Streams are the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate ("SOUR") and the Oxidation Reduction Potential ("ORP"). Conventional techniques do not provide a cost effective and timely solution for treatment of Waste Streams to specific SOUR and ORP standards. Consequently, there is a need in the wastewater treatment industry and other industries treating Waste Streams to more efficiently achieve these specific results.

Wastewater treatment apparatus to achieve class B biosolids using chlorine dioxide


Systems and methods for clustering documents, such as for scientific documents, taking into account the citation patterns of the documents are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes locating citations to other documents, e.g., search result documents, comparing each pair of documents to be clustered for overlapping citations in a first, a more specific second, and an even more specific optional third citation generality, and determining clusters of related documents based on the comparisons. The levels of generalities may be, for example, document-, paragraph-, and/or citation-level generalities. The locating may locate only citations to the other documents to be clustered. The clusters may be determined based on a weighted score of the amount of overlapping citations in the various generalities and/or by performing factor analysis using the comparison results. The clusters may be ranked to determine the dominant clusters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to clustering of documents. More specifically, systems and methods for clustering documents, such as for scientific documents, taking into account the citation patterns of the documents are disclosed.
2. Description of Related Art
When a search returns multiple search result documents, it is often useful to provide the search result documents to the user in a number of coherent and logical groups or clusters. However, as with most documents, similarities among the documents can be compared across multiple dimensions or directions. As an example, a document set containing documents pertaining to both mathematics and physics may be divided into a mathematics group and a physics group. However, the same document set may also be divided along an orthogonal dimension into theoretical and experimental groups. As is evident, division of the document set along other dimensions may also be possible.
In the absence of any context, dominant clusters are often generated. Dominant clusters generally refer to a relatively small number of relatively large groups where each member of a given group is coherent with other members in the same group along some dimension. The generation of dominant clusters is a well studied concept and can be optimized using a number of measures. However, search engine results are generally presented in an order ranked in accordance with the relevance of the documents to the search query without regard to the relevance that the search result documents have to each other. It would be desirable to group the search result documents, particularly for scientific documents, into logical and coherent clusters such that the search result may be presented in a more meaningful manner to the user.

Clustering documents using citation patterns


A pass gate multiplexer receiver integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate including a pass gate circuit including first and second field effect transistors of opposite polarity for providing an input signal to an output line, the first transistor including a first bipolar transistor for providing clamping an electrostatic discharge protection and the second transistor including a second bipolar transistor for providing clamping and electrostatic discharge protection. A control circuit is connected to the pass gate to control operation. In a second embodiment the pass gate further includes a clamping circuit to provide further clamping and electrostatic discharge protection.

An integrated circuit receiver is exposed to a external signals. Therefore, in order to protect it and other circuits contained on the integrated circuit device, several functions must be provided. These include electrostatic discharge protection, transmission line signal clamping and latch-up protection. Additionally, a receiver is required to provide adequate drive for an on-chip load. Also, in certain instances, a boundary scan multiplexing capability is provided for test. Conventionally, these functions have been implemented with several different, separate structures. For example, electrostatic discharge protection may be provided by specialized avalanche breakdown devices. Transmission line signal clamping might be handled with off-chip resistors. Latch-up protection and adequate drive for the on-chip load have been implemented with a large buffer with field effect transistor gate inputs (the gate oxide prevents excessive off-chip voltages from reaching the chip diffusion). Boundary scan multiplexing (the ability to switch off an input away from the input pin in order to test the latch within the chip) has been left for the internal chip logic designer to incorporate.
The following prior art illustrates pass gate or transfer gate receiving circuits. IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 5, Oct. 1976, entitled "FET Signal Receiver for TTL Circuits" illustrates a simple pass gate circuit of the prior art.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 29, No. 12, May, 1987, entitled "Fast Level Convertor Circuit" illustrates a pass gate connected to a buffer, which is the conventional method for providing load driving capabilities.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 8, Jan., 1986, entitled "General Purpose Interface Receiver Using Short Channel CMOS Devices" illustrates a CMOS receiver circuit.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 9, Feb., 1986, entitled "Medium Power, Minimum-Area Clamping Circuits for Bipolar Applications" illustrates a clamping circuit.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 2, July, 1988, entitled "High Speed ECL BIFET Receiver for High End Systems" also illustrates a receiver circuit.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 16, No. 5, Oct., 1973, entitled "Low Power Gated Receiver" also illustrates a CMOS receiver circuit.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 2, July, 1988, entitled "High Performance Off-Chip Common I/O Circuit" discloses, in functional form, an input/output circuit with separate functional modules indicating separate functional components.
Electrostatic discharge protection is shown in several references. The first is IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 3, Aug., 1980, entitled "Electrostatic Discharge Protection Device for Current Switch Receivers" which shows the use of an electrostatic discharge diode.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 7A, Dec., 1983, entitled "ESD-Protected TTL Receiver for FET Products" illustrates a non-integrated approach for providing electrostatic discharge protection.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 4, Sept., 1980, entitled "Multiple I/O Protection With Single Protective Device" discloses a single protected device that is connected across several inputs for a receiver.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 20, No. 12, May, 1978, entitled "Low-Powered Dissipation Push-Pull Driver" illustrates a receiver that includes clamping protection in the forum of an active terminator.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 3A, Aug., 1982, entitled "Low Voltage Invertor Receiver Circuit" illustrates an invertor receiver circuit that includes an ESD function, a clamping circuit and a receiving circuit. However, these functions are accomplished by separate elements of the same function.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pass gate multiplexer receiver circuit that is integrated, in that the components within the pass gate circuit provide several of the functions, such as electronic discharge protection and transmission line signal clamping.

International Business Machines Corporation


A gas-exhausting marking device that is easily attached to the molding device in an appropriate position where the marking device exhibit sufficient gas-exhausting effect. The upper surface and the bottom surface of the marking device according to the present invention are configured to be breathable to allow gas to flow therethrough.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a marking device used in marking the surfaces of products during molding process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to the development of plastic molding technique and new resins, various resin materials are used in molding process. Some resin materials used in molding process generate gas during heating process. The gas generated from the resin materials may cause defects of the molded products.
Gas-exhausting apparatuses are generally used to exhaust the gas generating in the molding processes out of a cavity of a molding device. Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-127145 discloses one example of the gas-exhausting apparatuses. FIG. 12 shows the gas-exhausting apparatuses disclosed in the patent publication.
FIG. 12 shows a cavity (C), an upper molding part (U) defining the upper end of the cavity (C), and a molding device including a lower molding part (L) defining the lower end of the cavity (C). A gas-exhausting apparatus (E) is inserted from the bottom end of the through-hole vertically penetrating the lower molding part (L). The molding device (M) further comprises a supporting plate (S) supporting the bottom surface of the gas-exhausting apparatus (E).
The gas-exhausting apparatus (E) is provided on its upper surface with a plurality of gas-exhausting holes. The gas-exhausting holes leads to a gas-exhausting path (P) formed in the gas-exhausting apparatus (E). The gas-exhausting path (P) communicates with the space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the gas-exhausting apparatus (E) and the inner wall defining the through-hole extending through the lower molding part (L). The gas-exhausting path (P) also communicates with the space formed between the lower molding part (L) and the supporting plate (S). Through such structure, the gas generating in the cavity (C) is exhausted.
The gas-exhausting apparatus (E) disclosed in the above-mentioned Japan Patent Publication No. 2002-127145 further includes a cooling structure (F). The cooling structure (F) produces a cooling effect while containing water therein.
The gas-exhausting apparatus (E) has some shortcomings although it advantageously has a cooling function as well as a gas-exhausting function.
For example, the gas-exhausting apparatus cannot sufficiently exhaust gas from a certain shape of cavity. If the products to be molded have a complicated shape, in particular, in their edges, gas tends to accumulate in the corner of the cavity that defines the edge of the molded products. Since the gas-exhausting apparatus (E) disclosed in the above-mentioned patent publication is comparatively bulky and needs to be supported on its bottom surface by the supporting plate, it is difficult to position the gas-exhausting apparatus in the corner of the cavity with a complicated shape.
Also, most molded products are marked with their manufacturing date, lot numbers, manufacturing line numbers, and the like. Such markings are useful in distribution management and quality management of the molded products but they spoil smoothness of the product surface.
When the gas-exhausting apparatus (E) is used in producing molded products with markings for distribution management and quality management, a marking device, in addition to the gas-exhausting apparatus (E), needs to be positioned to face the cavity (C). Accordingly, irregularity is caused on the surface of the molded products by the marking device as well as by the upper surface of the gas-exhausting apparatus (E). Such irregularity is not preferable in terms of the outer appearance of the products.
In order to minimize the irregularity on the product surface, the gas-exhausting apparatus (E) and the marking device must be carefully attached to the molding device, which requires a lot of labor in setting up the molding device for manufacturing molded products.

Uratanishoji Kabushiki Kaisha (Japan Corporation)


A light source module includes: a light emitting diode; a circuit board configured to be mounted on a base plate, the circuit board having a top face on which a circuit pattern is formed; and a power feeding attachment including a resin member and a conductive member, wherein the circuit pattern includes: a pair of power feeding portions; and a light source connecting portion on which the light emitting diode is placed and electrically connecting the pair of power feeding portions and the light emitting diode, and wherein the conductive member includes: a pair of connecting terminals being exposed from the resin member and respectively connected to the pair of power feeding portions; and a pressing piece being exposed from the resin member and configured to press the circuit board against the base plate at an outer peripheral portion of the circuit board.

Some light source modules use a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source. The light source modules are provided in a vehicle lamp that irradiates a light emitted from the light source as an illuminating light.
Some of such light source modules are configured to have: a circuit board provided with a light emitting diode; and a power feeding attachment connected to a power circuit and feeding a power to the light emitting diode, wherein a pair of connecting terminals provided in the power feeding attachment are connected to a pair of power feeding portions formed on the circuit board, respectively. An example of such light source module is disclosed in JP-A-2006-066108 (counterpart U.S. publication is: US 2006/044840 A1).
When the connecting terminal portion of the power feeding attachment is connected to the power feeding portion of the circuit board, the circuit board is disposed on a base plate such as a radiating plate in a state in which an outer peripheral portion is pressed by a pressing portion.
The light source module as described above has been desired to have the circuit board to be smaller in size for reducing a size of a vehicle lamp.
In the light source module described in JP-A-2006-066108, the pressing portion for pressing the circuit board is formed by a resin material. Therefore, a thickness of the pressing portion is increased to ensure a high rigidity.
In the case in which a size of the circuit board is to be reduced, however, the light emitting diode provided on the circuit board is close to the pressing portion which presses the outer peripheral portion of the circuit board. Therefore, a light emitted toward a side from the light emitting diode, that is, in a planar direction of the circuit board is apt to be shielded by the pressing portion. Thus, there may be caused a disadvantage that a utilization efficiency of a light is reduced or a necessary light distribution pattern cannot be obtained.


The invention relates to a kit for a combination of plug devices, including a lower housing parts (102), upper housing parts (202) and mounting plates (301, 302). The mounting plates (301, 302) can be selectively mounted in like mounting openings (214) of the upper housing parts (202) and configured to receive different types and numbers of plug devices. The mounting plates can also be configured as window elements.

The invention relates to a kit for a combination of plug devices. Known plug devices or receptacle combinations include a housing which has a topside provided with apertures for the installation of plug devices or receptacles and is intended for attachment to a wall for example. In the event, the housing accommodates automatic circuit breakers, an additional greater rectangular aperture is provided for installation of a swingable transparent window. Manufacture of such a combination of plug devices requires several steps, including injection molding of the plastic housing, molding-on of seals, cutting out openings for plug devices in the upper housing part, cutting out an opening for a window, preassembly of the window as well as final assemblage of the desired plug devices. All known steps must be executed, when intending to manufacture a particular combination (for example with a predefined number, arrangement and amperage of receptacles and/or fuses). Production on a small scale or change between different combinations is thus fairly cumbersome and accompanied by a long lead time.


A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a first diffusion region composed of at least one longitudinal and continuous source region which is disposed on the substrate and commonly used for a plurality of memory transistors, and a second diffusion region composed of at least one longitudinal and continuous drain region which is disposed in parallel with the first diffusion region and commonly used for the plurality of memory transistors. A refractory metal film is disposed on each of the first and second diffusion regions. An electric insulation film is disposed on the refractory metal film. A plurality of parallel gate electrodes are disposed crossing over the first and second diffusion regions. And a gate oxide film is arranged to electrically insulate the gate electrodes from the diffusion regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and a method for producing the memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a MOS type semiconductor integrated circuit device is fabricated in such a way that a field oxide film is formed to isolate the device and that the source region and the drain region are formed by a self-aligning method using a gate electrode as a mask and implanting impurities into the substrate. The source region and the drain region have to be contacted together through one or two contacts for one transistor. This results in a disadvantage that the integration density is lowered depending on the contact margin of the regions and the wiring pitch thereof.
To cope with this problem, a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a planar cell structure is proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laying Open (KOKAI) Nos .61-288464 and 63-96953).
In accordance with the planar cell structure, a continuous diffusion area as a common source region for a plurality of MOS transistors and a continuous diffusion area as a common drain region for a plurality of MOS transistors are formed on a substrate in parallel to each other. Also, on the substrate are formed gate electrodes which crossover both of the source and drain diffusion areas through an insulation film.
Due to the planar cell structure mentioned above, it becomes unnecessary to provide a field oxide film for device isolation and also it becomes possible to use one common contact for several or more transistors since each of the source diffusion area and the drain diffusion area is commonly used for a plurality of transistors, which makes it possible to achieve a high integration density of the device.
In accordance with a method for producing the planar cell structure memory device, the device is fabricated in such a way that, first, on a substrate are formed a field oxide film, diffusion areas for source and drain of the memory region, a gate oxide film and a gate electrode made from polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon). After that, a resist pattern having openings in a core portion (channel region) of the memory transistor is formed in accordance with the data to be written. After that, ions are implanted to raise the threshold voltage of the transistor so that the transistor is not turned on at a level of the value of the gate voltage for reading the data.
However, the above-mentioned planar cell structure has a disadvantage that the diffusion resistance becomes large since the bit line is elongated in the longitudinal diffusion region, which lowers the functional speed of the transistor.

Method for producing semiconductor memory device having a planar cell structure