The present invention relates to an appliance for showering and bathing, said appliance (1) incorporating a tub (2) which stands on a floor (4) or the like. The tub (2) has a reclining and/or sitting surface (5) for a bather (P) and a door opening (6) through which said bather (P) can move or be moved to or from the reclining and/or sitting surface (5). A door (7) is arranged so as to seal the door opening (6) whenever said bather (P) is in the tub (2). The reclining and/or sitting surface (5) is situated at a height (H) above the floor (4) or the like that is the same, or substantially the same, as the normal height (H) of a seat surface (8) of a chair (9a) or piece of transportation equipment (9b). The door (7) is arranged so as to be swung upwards or to be removable from the tub (2) in order to open up the door opening (6), and the tub (2) cannot substantially be tilted and/or raised and lowered, but may possibly be finely adjusted in said directions.

The present invention relates to an appliance for showering and bathing, said appliance comprising a tub which stands on a floor or the like, the tub having a reclining and/or sitting surface for a bather, and the tub having a door opening through which said bather can move or be moved to or from the reclining and/or sitting surface, and a door being arranged so as to seal the door opening whenever the bather is in the tub.
Showering and bathing appliances of the aforementioned type are known by the name xe2x80x9cBadsoffanxe2x80x9d(trademark) (xe2x80x9cbathing sofaxe2x80x9d) and are sold by a Swedish firm. According to a brochure the xe2x80x9cBadsoffanxe2x80x9d(trademark) appliance is constructed in such a way that maneuvering the bather into and out of it is straightforward. To accomplish this, a door opening is arranged in the appliance and a reclining and/or sitting surface is arranged higher above the floor than normal. The appliance has a door to enable the door opening to be sealed, and this door is adapted to be lowered beneath the door opening to enable the door to be opened. However, lowering the door produces a number of crucial drawbacks. One drawback is the fact that the door must have room beneath the door opening and this has been achieved at the expense of the height of the appliance above the reclining and/or sitting surface, with the result that the water level that can be obtained in the appliance is unsatisfactory. Another drawback is the fact that when it is in its lowered position, the door prevents there from being a free space beneath the reclining and/or sitting surface into which it is for example possible to maneuver one""s legs in order to more easily be able to get up from the reclining and/or sitting surface more easily, or into which the underframe of a piece of transportation equipment can be maneuvered in order to facilitate the transfer of a bather from the transportation equipment onto the reclining and/or sitting surface, or vice versa.
Another appliance of the aforementioned type is known from GB 2 029 211. This appliance has a door opening and a door that can be swung upwards to open up the door opening. The tub of the appliance is arranged on a pedestal-type stand and it can be fastened on the pedestal in a way that allows it to be tilted, with the result that some of the bathwater that is let in at the foot end of the tub can be made to flow from the foot end into the head end of the tub by tilting the tub. However, the tilting device and the pedestal-type construction has, inter alia, the drawback that the cost of manufacturing the showering and bathing appliance is high. A further drawback is the fact that the pedestal-type construction ties up substantial parts of a space beneath the tub.
It is the aim of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and this is accomplished by virtue of the fact that the appliance primarily incorporates the characterizing features apparent from claim 1 given below.
The fact that the appliance incorporates the stated characterizing features makes it easy for a bather to move or be moved onto the reclining and/or sitting surface of the tub or out of the tub, enables a larger space to be disposed beneath the tub which can be used for various purposes, and allows the appliance to be manufactured cheaply.


A gaming system comprises an acceptor for receiving a wager, a payout mechanism, a credit meter, at least one input device for receiving player input, a display and a processor. Two or more independently rotatable wheels are concentrically arranged with increasing diameters. Each wheel includes a set of unique symbols on its outer circumference. A first of the two or more wheels comprises a first number of positions on its outer circumference for selecting a first subset of the set of unique symbols when the first wheel has stopped. A second of the two or more wheels comprises a second number of positions on its outer circumference for selecting a second subset of the set of unique symbols when the second wheel has stopped. The symbols of the second subset of unique symbols also contained in the first subset of unique symbols are qualified for an award.

There is a constant need to provide new types of gaming machines and systems that attract users and keep users entertained.
Manufacturers, in order to make their gaming machines more popular, may use to increase the number and variety of winning combinations and provide more opportunities for the user to win. Providing more variety and opportunities holds the user's interest for a longer time and also enables the manufacturer to have a wider range of payouts for the winning combinations.
Current gaming machines provide secondary or bonus games in addition to primary games. These secondary or bonus games are generally different from the primary game. The secondary or bonus games are played separately from the primary game. For instance, secondary or bonus games may be evaluated with a different set of predetermined combinations of the gaming symbols and/or different paylines. Bonus games may also be completely different games.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,810 discloses a roulette game and an apparatus that includes a detector for detecting the winning number in each roulette game played on the wheel, a jackpot counter for storing a value representing an amount to be paid out upon the occurrence of a jackpot. The value in the counter is incremented as the play proceeds and is displayed on a display. A detector monitors the result of each game to determine whether a jackpot has occurred. The jackpot condition can be defined by the occurrence of the same winning number a fixed number of times such as, for example, three in a row and there may be a further jackpot to be paid out in accordance with a further jackpot condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,381 discloses a gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors.


A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting apparatus includes a first valve that controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to a running clutch in connection with the switching of the operating state of a first solenoid valve; a second valve that controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to a lockup clutch in connection with the switching of the operating state of a second solenoid valve; and a linear solenoid valve that selectively controls the apply force of the running clutch and the lockup clutch according to the supply of control pressure to the first valve and the second valve. The control apparatus detects a failure state of a part related to the operation of the power transmitting apparatus by the operating state of the running clutch and the operating state of the lockup clutch.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting apparatus, and more particularly, to failure detection in that vehicular power transmitting apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Clutches and brakes provided in a vehicular power transmitting apparatus are formed of hydraulic actuators driven by hydraulic pressure, and are controlled appropriately by a hydraulic control circuit. In this hydraulic control circuit there are a plurality of individual linear solenoid valves that are able to be electrically controlled. The apply force of the clutches and brakes is optimally controlled based on control pressure output from these linear solenoid valves. Incidentally, the unit price of such linear solenoid valves is relatively high, so reducing the number of these valves by even one is desirable in view of manufacturing costs. With respect to this, Japanese Patent No. 4069054 describes a hydraulic control apparatus of a power transmitting apparatus in which lockup control of a lockup clutch and control of a forward-reverse switching apparatus are performed using a single linear solenoid valve. Such a structure reduces the number of linear solenoid valves, and thus enables manufacturing costs to be kept down.
Incidentally, Japanese Patent No. 4069054 makes no mention of detecting a failure when some sort of abnormality occurs with the structure that performs both lockup control and clutch control with a single linear solenoid valve described in Japanese Patent No. 4069054. Therefore, with the structure described in Japanese Patent No. 4069054, an oil pressure switch and a hydraulic sensor for detecting a failure of the linear solenoid valve are necessary, and as a result, the hydraulic control circuit becomes complex. In addition, a system is necessary for successively detecting failures in the oil pressure switch and hydraulic sensor themselves, which ends up increasing development man-hours.

Control apparatus for vehicular power transmitting apparatus


A first amorphous semiconductor film is formed on an insulating surface. A catalyst element for promoting crystallization is added thereto. Thereafter, by a first heat treatment in an inert gas, a first crystalline semiconductor film is formed. A barrier layer and a second semiconductor layer are formed on the first crystalline semiconductor film. The second semiconductor layer contains a rare gas element at a concentration of 1×1019 to 2×1022/cm3, preferably 1×1020 to 1×1021/cm3 and oxygen at a concentration of 5×1017 to 1×1021/cm3. Subsequently, by a second treatment in an inert gas, the catalyst element remaining in the first crystalline semiconductor film is moved to the second semiconductor film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a semiconductor device using a semiconductor film having crystal structure, more specifically a process for producing a semiconductor device, a typical example of which is a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as a TFT). The semiconductor device in the present specification and claims means a device which functions by the use of semiconductor property.
2. Related Art
A monolithic liquid crystal display device wherein a crystalline silicon film is used as an active layer of TFTs to realize high electric field-effect mobility has been generally used as a display device. In the monolithic liquid crystal display device, pixel TFTs constituting a pixel section and TFTs of a driving circuit arranged around the pixel section are formed in a single glass substrate.
Elements which decide electrical characteristics of TFTs depend on the quality of a semiconductor film. Particularly electric field-effect mobility depends on the crystallinity of a semiconductor film. Electric field-effect mobility is directly concerned with the responsibility of TFTs and display ability of a liquid crystal display device produced using TFTs in its circuit. Therefore, researches on methods of forming a crystalline semiconductor film having good crystallinity have been continued. For example, the following method is used: a method of forming an amorphous semiconductor film once and subsequently crystallizing the film by irradiation with a laser ray, or a method of heating the amorphous semiconductor film in an electrically heating furnace to crystallize the film.
However, a semiconductor film formed by such a method is composed of many crystal grains, and the crystal orientation thereof extends in arbitrary directions and cannot be controlled. In this case, therefore, carriers move less smoothly than in a semiconductor made of a monocrystal. As a result, low electric field-effect mobility only can be obtained so that the electrical characteristics of TFTs are restricted.
Thus, in JP-A-7-183540, the Applicant discloses a technique wherein a silicon semiconductor film is crystallized by the addition of a metal element such as nickel, the fact that the metal element has effects of functioning as a catalyst to promote crystallization and lowering required temperature, and a technique wherein crystal orientation can be heightened.
However, the above-mentioned crystallizing method using the metal element having catalyst effect (called the catalyst element herein) has the following problems: the metal element remains in the semiconductor film or on the surface thereof so that the electrical characteristics of TFTs are scattered; the off-state current of the TFTs increases; and the electrical characteristics of individual elements are scattered.
Thus, the Applicant discloses a process of adopting a gettering technique using phosphorus to remove a metal element added to an amorphous silicon film in the step of crystallization from a semiconductor film (particularly from its channel-formed region) even at a heating temperature of about 500° C. For example, by adding phosphorus to the source/grain regions of TFTs and then heat-treating the resultant at 450 to 700° C., a metal element added for crystallization can easily be removed from an element-formed region. This technique about gettering of the catalyst element is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3032801.
As described above, the Applicant discloses a process of adopting a low-temperature crystallizing process using a catalyst element and subsequently gettering the catalyst element from a semiconductor film. For example, the following methods are considered: a method of forming a gettering site doped with a group XV element having gettering effect, a typical example of which is phosphorus, at a high concentration, performing heat treatment to move a catalyst element to the gettering site, and subsequently removing the gettering site; and a method of performing a heat treatment step for activating phosphorus added to a region which will be a source region or a drain source afterwards and simultaneously gettering a catalyst element in a semiconductor layer into the source region or the drain region. In these gettering steps, the metal element for crystallization, which is introduced into the semiconductor film, can be removed by performing heat treatment at 550° C. for about 4 hours.
However, in order to satisfy an increase in demand of display devices using TFTs as their circuit, it is necessary to establish a production process so that it can improve productivity and reduce production costs. In order to improve the efficiency of production steps, it has become possible to produce plural TFT substrates from a single large-sized glass substrate (for example, six 12.1-inch type TFT substrates from a 550×650 mm substrate), as illustrated in FIG. 16. However, there is still demanded a technique for producing many TFT substrates from a larger-sized glass substrate or for improving the efficiency of production steps (making the time for production steps short).
The concentration of phosphorus added to the semiconductor film to gain gettering effect is 1020/cm3 or more, preferably 1×1021/cm3. The addition of phosphorus having a high concentration by ion implantation or by ion doping, which means a method wherein ions to be implanted are not subjected to mass separation in the present specification, causes a problem that subsequent recrystallization of the semiconductor film becomes difficult. Furthermore, the time required for the doping is also brought into a problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for manufacturing a semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An engine and high pressure pump are mounted onto a wheeled chassis. High pressure water is distributed to a rotating wand and nozzle assembly on the wheeled chassis so that as the chassis is moved along a linear path, high pressure water is sprayed onto an underlying surface to clean the surface. Optional diffusion plates may be used to prevent high pressure water from being sprayed directly onto the underlying surface in part of the rotational path defined by the wand and nozzle assembly.

High pressure washers are useful for cleaning all manner of objects. Although there are many types of high pressure washing systems, a typical system utilizes an engine that powers a high pressure pump. The pump is connected to a water source such as a low pressure hose, and the output of the pump is a high pressure line having a triggered wand. The wand has a nozzle or orifice through which high pressure water is sprayed. Typically, the engine and the high pressure pump are mounted onto a wheeled chassis so that they may be easily moved. Both the low pressure source hose and the high pressure output hose are relatively long so that a relatively large area can be accessed for washing without having to move the engine and pump, which tend to be somewhat cumbersome.
There are high pressure washing systems designed specifically for cleaning flat surfaces. These units use a wheeled stand that houses a rotating wand that is fitted with nozzles. The high pressure water hose from the pump is connected to the handle of the wheeled stand and the unit is moved across the surface that is to be cleaned.
A typical problem encountered with pressure washers is that the water is sprayed at high enough pressure that it can damage the surface that is being washed. These damaging effects can be alleviated to some extent by careful operator use—making sure that the spray stream is kept continually moving to avoid direct high pressure spray for a prolonged period on one spot. Another solution is to use a pressure control valve on the high pressure side of the system to regulate the spray pressure and to thus avoid damage to the surface being cleaned. Neither system is infallible, however, as anyone who has used a pressure washer recognizes. As just one example of the damage that pressure washing can cause, wood may easily be stripped from decking if the pressure washer is improperly used.
The problems caused by pressure washers are particularly acute where the surface that is being washed is relatively easily damaged. For example, flat surfaces that are painted or coated, such as tennis courts, may easily be damaged by improper use of a pressure washer. When the washing is accomplished by using a pressure washer fitted by a wand, not only is there a real possibility of damage, but functional washing of the entire surface is spotty since it is difficult to apply even coverage when using a hand wand.
There is a need therefore for improved high pressure washing systems, and particularly systems designed for washing flat surfaces.


A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A stanchion support is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. A seatback sector is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The sector engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. A plurality of four linkage members are also located upon the stanchion and, in combination with a motor, provide upright rewinding of the seatback and subsequent resetting of the linkage mechanism.

The prior art is documented with examples of seat latch assemblies for providing forward seat back dump and reverse retraction to an upright design position. Representative examples of such assemblies include each of the powered seat assembly with motor depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,904, the power seat assembly with motor actuated spring release and seatback rewind of U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,594, and the linear recliner seat assembly with threaded linear drive rod and rotatably engaged gear stop of U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,167, all issued to Bruck et al.

Seat latch assembly having manual seat dump and powered upright design rewind and reset mechanism


A transport device is configured to transport different kinds of articles which have different lengths from the held portion or a position corresponding to the held portion to one end portion along the fore and aft direction. There are provided an article detection device for detecting an article, end detection device for detecting the one end portion, along the fore and aft direction, of the article detected by the article detecting device, and a determination device for determining the kind of the article based on detected information from the article detecting device and detected information from the end detection device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transport facility including a transport device configured to transport an article having a held portion to be held by holding means, along a transporting path with the article in a transporting attitude in which the held portion is located in a central part of the article in a fore and aft direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such transport facilities are used to transport articles along a transporting path by means of transport devices. By transporting an article in a transporting attitude in which the held portion (i.e., a portion to be held by a holding means) of the transported article is located in the central part in the fore and aft direction of the article, the articles can be held while maintaining a good balance in the fore and aft direction when holding the held portion of the transported article with the holding means. And, there is a conventional transport facility which transports FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pod) as articles to be transported, each of which stores two or more substrates and is transported by a transport device within a factory with the fore and aft direction of each article oriented along the transporting direction. (See, for example, JP Publication of Application No. 06-156676.)
The transport facility described in this JP No. 06-156676 is used to transport FOUPs with a transport device; however, FOSBs (Front Opening Shipping Box) are sometimes transported by the transport device among the FOUPs. Although, like FOUPs, FOSBs are also used to store substrates, unlike the FOUPs, FOSBs are not standardized by a standard. And there are many FOSBs whose length (i.e. distance) from its held portion to one end potion along the fore and aft direction in its transporting attitude is longer than that of a FOUP. At times, only the FOSBs whose length (i.e. distance) from its held portion to one side end in the fore and aft direction in its transporting attitude is longer than that of a FOUP are used as the ones to be transported by the transport devices. And when transporting different kinds of articles whose lengths from the held portion to one end in the fore and aft direction in the transporting attitude differ from each other, such as when both FOUPs and FOSBs are transported by the transport devices, it is necessary to determine the kind of each of the different kinds of articles transported by the transport devices.
That is, the transport device described in JP No. 06-156676 detects the forward end portion of a FOUP transported to a stop preparation position with detection means, and stops the operation of the transport device to stop the FOUP at a stop position immediately after the forward end portion of FOUP is detected by the position detection means. When, on the other hand, this transport device transports a FOSB, the forward end portion of the FOSB would stop at the same position as the forward end portion of a FOUP if the operation of the transport device is stopped immediately after the forward end portion of the FOSB is detected by the position detection means. Thus, if a FOSB is stopped such that its forward end portion stops at the same position as the forward end portion of a FOUP, then the position of the held portion of the FOSB is displaced upstream in the transporting direction with respect to the position of the held portion of a FOUP by the difference in lengths from the held portion to one end portion along the fore and aft direction with respect to the transporting direction. Thus, there is a possibility that the held portion of the FOSB cannot be properly held by the holding means even when an attempt is made to hold the held portion of FOSB thus displaced by holding means.
To this end, when stopping a FOSB, it is conceivable to cause the held portion of the FOSB to stop at the same position as the held portion of a FOUP by stopping the operation of the transport device after a predetermined period has elapsed after the forward end portion is detected by the position detection means. However, to do so would require determining whether the article transported by the transport device is a FOUP or a FOSB before stopping the FOUP or the FOSB.
An example of a conventional device—for determining the kind of each of different kinds of articles whose lengths from the held portion to one end in the fore and aft direction in the transporting attitude differ from each other—includes one for which the articles to be transported include FOUPs that are transported with a lid attached and FOSBs that are transported without a lid and with which an article with a lid attached is determined to be a FOUP and an article without a lid is determined to be a FOSB based on the detected information from lid detection means. (See, for example, JP Publication of Application No. 2005-347576.)
This JP No. 2005-347576 describes a device for determining whether each of the different kinds of articles is a FOUP or a FOSB. And the device described in this reference distinguishes a FOUP (which has a lid attached) and a FOSB (which has no lid attached) from each other by detecting the presence of a lid by lid detection means. And if it's a FOUP, its lid is removed by a FOUP opener, and if it's a FOSB, the lid is not removed by the FOUP opener since it had already been removed manually in advance. However, a lid is typically attached when transporting either a FOUP or a FOSB by a transport device. Thus, in the case where a lid is attached to both the FOUPs and FOSBs, it is not possible to tell them apart with the device described in this reference.
Therefore, it is not possible to determine the kind of each of different kinds of articles with the device described in this reference when transporting different kinds of articles whose lengths from the held portion to one end in the fore and aft direction in the transporting attitude differ from each other.
It is conceivable to have a device—for determining the kind of each of different kinds of articles whose lengths from the held portion to one end in the fore and aft direction in the transporting attitude differ from each other—for which FOUPs (which have a flange portion that is located on the top surface and that is gripped when supported and suspended by a ceiling transport vehicle) and FOSBs (which have no such flange portion) are transported by a transport device, and with which an article with a flange portion is determined to be a FOUP and an article without a flange portion is determined to be a FOSB. However, there are also FOSBs that have a flange portion; therefore, it is not possible to distinguish the FOUPS from the FOSBs when transporting FOSBs having such a flange portion among FOUPs with the transport device.


A method of calibrating a spectral imaging system is disclosed. The spectral imaging system comprises an interferometer having a beam splitter and at least a first reflector and a second reflector. The method comprises: obtaining data pertaining to an interference pattern model, operating the spectral imaging system to provide an interference pattern of a received light beam, and varying a relative orientation between at least two of: the beam splitter, the first reflector and the second reflector, until the interference pattern of the input light beam substantially matches the interference pattern model.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to imaging and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to spectral imaging using an interferometer.
Images are often measured with a digital camera using either a charged coupled device (CCD) or the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. These detectors have a 2D array that is sensitive to light. The array is divided to small elements, pixels, and by using fore-optics, the image of the measured sample is focused on the 2D array according to a certain magnification factor. During the measurement, each pixel collects electric charge in a quantity that is proportional to the light that origin from a small part of the sample, and at the end of the measurement the charge is converted to a number. By presenting all these numbers on a monitor, the image can be observed, and the information can be stored and used for further processing.
The spatial resolution of an image can be controlled by the magnification of the fore-optics. Commercially available CCD or CMOS cameras vary in their number of pixels, size, sensitivity to light, speed of operation and other parameters. As an example, Andor (Belfast, UK) has an advanced high-end electron-multiplication CCD camera (EMCCD) that has a mechanism for improving the measured signal with respect to the so called analog-to-digital noise levels (for example, iXon). The actual sensitive array in this camera is cooled to a temperature of −1000 C so that the dark-noise created in the pixels themselves is reduced. The camera has a high quantum efficiency, and allows detecting more than 90% of the light in a large part of the spectrum. As another example, Balser (Ahrensburg, Germany) has a CCD camera with a more modest performance, but its price is much cheaper relative to the previously mentioned CCD.
The spatial resolution of an image captured by an imaging system having an imager and a magnifying element is known to depend on the number of pixels of the imager and the magnification of the magnifying element.
For example, a CCD with 1000×1000 pixels, each having dimensions of 10×10 μm2, has overall dimensions of 1×1 cm2. When such a CCD is used to image a sample with these same dimensions with a magnification fore-optics of 1, the entire sample can be imaged by the CCD, and the spatial resolution of the captured image is 10 micrometers. When such a CCD is used to image a sample with these same dimensions with a magnification fore-optics of, say, ×10, a resolution of 1 micrometer can be obtained. However, the improved resolution is traded with a reduced field-of-view since with a ×10 magnification, only 1×1 mm2 of the sample is captured by this CCD. In order to increase the field-of-view, a scanning technique is typically employed, wherein the sample or/and the imaging system are moved one with respect to the other. In the above numerical example, at least 100 images are required to image a 1×1 cm2 sample. Scanning systems known in the art include a microscope-based system marketed by Applied Spectral Imaging under the trade name GenASis Scan & Analysis™. This system has a scanning mechanism for measuring different samples on a microscope slide for optical microscopes.
It is recognized that the planar spatial resolution d of an optical microscope for a given wavelength λ, is bounded by the Abbe diffraction limit and is approximated as given by d=0.61λ/NA, where NA is the numerical aperture of the objective lens.
Light is a radiating electric field that can be characterized by its spectrum. The spectrum describes the intensity I at each wavelength and can be expressed as a function I(λ). In a gray-level image, the intensity at each pixel of the imager is the integrated intensity of the spectrum that impinges on the pixel, which can be approximated as:I=∫I(λ)dλ  (1)where the integral is performed in the whole spectral range that the optical system can measure. EQ. 1 is an approximation, because the spectral response of the optical system is typically non-uniform across the spectral range. The resulting gray-scale image includes a set of values (e.g., intensity levels), one value for each pixel of the imager.
In color CCD or CMOS cameras, the two-dimensional imager is divided to sub-arrays of 4-pixels arranged in a 2×2 square. Each of the 4 pixels is coated with a filter that transmits only part of the spectral range. Typically, one of the pixels transmits the blue spectral range, the second one only red and the other two only green. Commercially available color cameras contain up to about 1000×1000 sub-arrays of 4 pixels.
In many cases, RGB color information is not insufficient, and a higher spectral resolution is desired. Known in the art is a technique termed "spectral imaging." In this technique, a spectrum is measured for each pixel of the imager. The resulting dataset is to three-dimensional (3D) in which two dimensions are parallel to the imager plane and the third dimension is the wavelength. Such dataset is known as a "spectral image" which can be written as I(x,y,λ), where x and y are the position in the imager plane, λ the wavelength, and I is the intensity at each point and wavelength.
Several spectral imaging techniques are known [Y. Garini, N. Katzir, D. Cabib, R. A. Buckwald, D. G. Soenksen, and Z. Malik, Spectral Bio-Imaging, in Fluorescence Imaging Spectroscopy and Microscopy, X. F. Wang and B. Herman, Editors. 1996, John Wiley and Sons: New York. p. 87-124; Y. Garini, I. T. Young, and G. McNamara, Spectral imaging: principles and applications. Cytometry, 69A, 735-747 (2006)]. In some systems, a set of filters is mounted on a filter wheel with a mechanism that allows capturing a set of images, each time thorough a different filter. In other systems, a spectral image is formed by means of a Fourier transform, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,517, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.


An interactive adaptive learning system. A collection of core stimuli consisting of at least auditory and visual symbols and information, are stored on a computer. A number of different relationships between the core stimuli are created which can then be presented as discrimination or identification tasks to the user. Different sets of stimuli are then presented succeedingly to the user and the user is requested to respond. The form of response can either be to investigate and analyze the stimuli, or attributes of the stimuli, or answer of the quarry regarding the discrimination or identification task. The system has a built in strategy for progressing the user through learning tasks. The users actions and responses in reaction to the stimuli are all recorded and analyzed. Based not only on the success rate of the user responses, but also on other characteristics of the users reaction to the stimuli, the users learning strategy is classified. This classification is then utilized to either allow the learning strategy to continue as initially set, or to dynamically adjusted to find the presently indicated level of difficulty for the user or to adapt to the users particular learning strategies or needs.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of learning assistance tools and techniques, and in particular, to computerized systems that can be used in training or learning programs for such things as hearing, speech, reading, writing, mathematics, and language skills.
B. Problems in the Art
Through history many attempts have been made to facilitate more efficient learning of what will be called rule-based systems. Examples are speech and language skills, and mathematical skills. Historically, and yet today, the most conventional learning methods use repetitive, rote learning, which includes teacher/student interaction.
For example, teaching of reading or writing generally involves repetitive exercises by the learner, beginning with very basic, simple tasks and progressing through more and more difficult tasks. This obviously is "labor" intensive, both from the standpoint of the learner and any teacher or assistant that is monitoring or assisting in the learning exercises. Teachers must spend significant amounts of hands-on time, particularly with students that have special needs or learning difficulties.
This type of "manual" learning training is therefore time and resource intensive. It also is susceptible to a certain amount of subjectivity on the part of either student or teacher. Still further it relies significantly on the discipline, interest, and skills of student and teacher.
A more concrete example is as follows. A young student with hearing impairment is to begin to learn to decode spoken language. A teacher, with or without the assistance of recorded sound, repetitively presents spoken words to the student and attempts to train recognition of spoken language. Pictures or other perceivable information can be manually presented to the student along with the spoken words. The teacher decides the pace and content of each lesson and controls the progression of the student subjectively.
The time and effort of the teacher is critical to success of the program. Such valuable one-on-one learning is extremely valuable, and therefore difficult to obtain for a wide range of students. Therefore, one-on-one teaching time is in many cases by necessity essentially rationed. Students are left to practice or train on their own, or without expert assistance. A deficiency in this arrangement is the lack of supervision and the reliance on the individual for progress. Still further, standardized training materials may not function well for students with atypical or problematic learning or perception skills.
Attempts at improvement in this area have involved development of somewhat automated or computerized training systems. A substantial number of interactive computerized systems are based primarily on game-type exercises which present tasks which demand a right or wrong answer. The student simply takes the "test" and is scored on the number of right or wrong answers. The primary deficiency in such systems is the lack of flexibility for students with different learning styles or capabilities.
Such a student just may not function efficiently in a stark "right" or "wrong" question/answer system.
Still further, such present day interactive systems are somewhat limited in that they are directed only to fairly narrow, limited aspects of learning or training relating to certain subject matter.
Systems have therefore been developed, called individual learning systems (ILS) that attempt to tailor the learning task to individual students. These systems are still based primarily on right or wrong answers, and even though somewhat individualized, are not as flexible as might be desired.
The present state of the art therefore lacks flexibility. There is no satisfactory system that can be used for wide variety of individualized problems or learning skills, or which is applicable to a wide range of standard course contents or a wide variety of courses. Still further, the state of the art has room for improvement in the way special learning problems are handled. In effect, many allegedly high technology individualized computerized systems may be no better, or even worse than, training on a one-on-one basis with a human teacher.
Additionally, a need exists in the art for a powerful training and learning system that is integratable with a number of different learning tasks and subject matter. A need exists with regard to efficiency in terms of economical allocation of resources, speed in terms of providing the most efficient progress for individualized learning skills, incentive in terms of providing motivation for learners and/or teachers to succeed and progress at the most beneficial rate; all to maximize the learning potential and success for the least amount of time and dollars.
It is widely acknowledged that education is truly a key to many facets of life. In fact, education is and historically has been, in the United States and many countries, a leading public policy priority. Therefore, improvements in the ability to provide learning, from the standpoint of meaningful success for the students, as well as efficient allocation of resources towards that end, should be a primary goal of all levels of government and its citizens. Studies have shown that one root of illiteracy is lack of foundational learning and training by the first grade level. A need therefore exists regarding efficient and effective training of pre-reading skills for first graders and even kindergartners. The ability of children this age to self-teach is minimal. Therefore, an effective automated learning assistance system would be of tremendous value to children, as well as society in general, if viewed from a long-term perspective.
Additionally, there is great need and increasingly reduced resources for assisting in learning for deaf or the hearing impaired, particularly younger children who would value greatly from speech perception and reading training.
C. Objectives and Advantages of the Invention
It is therefore a principle object and advantage of the present invention to provide an interactive learning assistance system which improves upon the state of the art or solves many problems in the state of the art.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide a system as above described which:
Allows most efficient learning, and accommodates different ways of learning both for normal and problem learners.
Provides a process-oriented learning training system rather than simply right/wrong learning training.
Provides a system that is dynamic in the sense that it is self-adjusting to different learners' speeds, styles, and needs.
Is multisensory and perceptually based.
Allows discovery and exploration for learning rather than imposed rules for learning.
Does not focus on a presumed learning technique for everyone.
Is truly individualized for each learner.
Is flexible but integrateable to many applications and needs.
Allows selection or imposition of various performance strategies and levels.
Provides for on-call reporting to allow evaluation of progress and changing of strategies at any time.
Allows continuous and comprehensive recordation of user responses to derive learning styles along with performance criteria.
Can be used for a variety of learning, including speech perception, vocabulary, reading, mathematics, geography, language (English and foreign) and other rule-based subject matter.
Empowers efficiency in learning including improved speed in learning which translates into more efficient use of time and money.
Is substantially automated and automatic in its dynamic adjustment to learning styles.
Allows a number of options and features which can enhance learning, for example, interjecting background noise over speech recognition training stimuli for those who are hard of hearing.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims.

Apparatus and method for interactive adaptive learning by an individual through at least one of a stimuli presentation device and a user perceivable display


Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a composition of matter having the formula: EQU M.sub.2 [Mn.sub.4 (O) (OH) (O.sub.2 CR).sub.2 L.sub.2 ]. wherein M is an alkali earth metal selected from magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or mixtures thereof, R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, and L is a ligand having the formula: ##STR1## The present invention also encompasses methods for preparing these novel compounds.

For information on the plethora of known oxo bridged tetranuclear manganese compounds, reference is made to the following review articles: K. Wieghardt, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. English, 28, p. 1153 (1989); J. B. Vincent, G. Christou, Adv. Inorg. Chem., 33, p. 197 (1989); G. Christou, Acc. Chem. Res., 22, p. 328 (1989); and G. W. Brudvig, R. H. Crabtree, Prog. Inorg. Chem.. 37, p. 99 (1989). As can be deduced from these articles, the manganese in these compounds appear in various oxidation states, spatial arrangements and the like. Importantly, none of the compounds reported have the unique core of the novel compounds of the present invention.
More recently, a sodium salt of a valence delocalized oxo bridged tetranuclear manganese compound was reported by W. H. Armstrong et al at the 199th ACS National Meeting. A portion of that report is included in the printed abstracts of the meeting. (See Abstract of Papers, Part 1, 199th ACS National Meeting, Apr. 22-27, 1990, Abstract No. 397.) Importantly, the compounds of the present invention are distinguishable from the compounds reported at that meeting.


A light-emitting device comprises a light source adapted to emit light of a first wavelength range; a reflective body comprising a reflective layer; a wavelength converting layer comprising a wavelength converting material adapted to absorb light of said first wavelength range and to emit light of a second wavelength range, said wavelength converting layer and said light source being arranged mutually spaced apart; and light-scattering elements adapted to scatter light of at least said first wavelength range; wherein at least part of said light-scattering elements are arranged in the path of light from said light source to said wavelength converting layer. The light-emitting device according to the invention provides improved uniformity in color and also improved brightness uniformity.

Light emitting diode (LED) based light-emitting devices are today increasingly used for a wide variety of lighting applications, including for instance office lighting luminaires, downlighters and retrofit lamps. White light may be obtained from an LED by using a blue LED and a wavelength converting material, sometimes referred to as a phosphor, which absorbs part of the blue light emitted by the LED and reemits light of longer wavelength(s). For reasons of efficacy it is preferable to have the wavelength converting material arranged at a distance from the LED. Usually, the wavelength converting material is applied on a substrate, which is for example arranged at the light exit window of the device. However, the adhesion of the wavelength converting material to the substrate often requires the use of a transparent coating film which may decrease the optical efficiency of the lighting device.
Since the light emitted by the wavelength converting material is emitted in all directions, a back reflector is generally used for reflect light emitted back into the optical chamber so that it is redirected towards the exit window. However, to provide a homogeneous white light output, the non-converted light, i.e., the blue light, must be effectively scattered as well. Usually, scattering of non-converted light is achieved by placing a diffuser at the exit window and/or using a diffusing back reflector. The use of an additional optical element, such as a diffuser, with reflections on all surfaces will however lead to a lower light output of the lighting device.
WO 2007/130536 discloses a lighting device which comprises solid state light emitters such as LEDs, a thermal conduction element and a reflective element. The lighting device may optionally include a lumiphor such as a phosphor. However, WO 2007/130536 does not provide a solution to the above-mentioned problem of adhesion of the phosphor.
Thus, there is a need in the art for improved LED-based lighting devices.


A process for producing hydrogen includes: passing a hydrocarbon feed though purification sorbent(s), combining steam with the purified hydrocarbon and passing the hydrocarbon/steam mixture adiabatically through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, passing the pre-reformed gas mixture through a fired steam reformer to generate a crude synthesis gas mixture, passing the crude synthesis gas mixture through one or more beds of water-gas shift catalyst to generate a shifted synthesis gas mixture, passing the shifted synthesis gas mixture to a membrane shift reactor containing a bed of water-gas shift catalyst and a CO2-selective membrane, cooling the hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to below the dew point and separating off the condensate, passing the de-watered hydrogen-enriched gas mixture to CO2 separation in pressure-swing absorption apparatus, and recycling at least a portion of the purge gas stream as fuel to the fired steam reformer or to the hydrocarbon feed or purified hydrocarbon feed streams.

Hydrogen is increasingly important in processing hydrocarbons and the demand for refinery hydrogen has increased in recent years. By far the most practical way to produce hydrogen on a large scale (e.g. suitable for feed to a hydrotreater or hydrocracker) is the steam reforming reaction sequence where steam and a hydrocarbon are reacted. In the case of a natural gas feed, two molecules of hydrogen are released for every molecule of methane and one molecule for each molecule of steam    CH4+H2O→3H2+CO (steam reforming)    CO+H2O→H2+CO2 (water-gas shift)    CH4+2H2O→4H2+CO2 (overall)
This reaction scheme points, however to one obvious dilemma—the production of carbon dioxide, which in mass terms is 2.51 times more than the hydrogen product being produced. Furthermore, missing from this scheme is the highly endothermic nature of the steam reforming reaction (+206 kJ/mol) that despite the fact it is catalysed by a base-metal catalyst (usually nickel on a ceramic carrier) requires a significant input of heat and high temperatures generally in excess of 800° C. This is generally achieved using a large fired heater with a multitude of process tubes containing the catalyst. The fuel burnt in the steam reformer also represents another source of carbon dioxide.
Processes for generating hydrogen on an industrial scale are known. Known processes typically comprise steam reforming a hydrocarbon such as naphtha or natural gas that has been purified to remove sulphur and/or chloride compounds, subjecting the resulting crude synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam to a high temperature water gas shift step to increase the hydrogen content, cooling the shifted gas and removing the condensate and then separating the carbon dioxide from the de-watered shifted gas mixture to generate the hydrogen.
A modern-day hydrogen plant is not as efficient as the equations above suggest. Only approximately 90% of the hydrogen ends-up in the product stream with much of the remainder being burnt as fuel. Though the unconverted methane is also burnt, it is wasteful as natural gas is a more expensive reformer "fuel" than say a typical refinery fuel. Better would be to have more of the methane converted to hydrogen product and burn more refinery fuel instead. Finally, the reduction in carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere without compromising the cost of hydrogen production needs consideration
Pre-reforming the hydrocarbon upstream of the steam reformer by passing the purified hydrocarbon and steam adiabatically through a bed of steam reforming catalyst offers some advantages, but the process efficiency may be improved further.


To obtain a printing inspection device that an optimum binarization threshold value in the printing inspection device that captures an image including a two-dimensional code printed by a general-purpose printer such as an ink jet printer, as a multi-level image, creates a binary image from the multi-level image with a predetermined binarization threshold value, and then performs decoding. Before a practical printing inspection is performed, a read test is performed. The read test is performed on one or more inspection samples by binarizing a multi-level image with brightness values for all gradations as a threshold value. A range (maximum value and minimum value) of readable brightness values is obtained, and then a median value between the minimum value and the maximum value is used as a binarization threshold value for a two-dimensional code image in a practical printing inspection.

As the background art of a printing inspection device, there is JP 2009-70061 A (Patent Document 1). JP 2009-70061 A discloses that "in a case where decoding of a two-dimensional code fails, when cells forming one pattern among black and white patterns forming a specific pattern completely coincide with cells forming a predetermined pattern, and the coincidence degree of another pattern is out of a predetermined range, a binarization parameter is adjusted to cause the coincidence degree to enter into the predetermined range, and binarization is performed again to decode a binary image".

Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides a package of a filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate packed with a packing material in a non-hermetic state, which can be stacked in multistage and in which tows in the same bale can be uniformly maintained. The package of the filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate is packed with the packing material in the non-hermetic state, in which the filter tow bale is tightened with the packing material in the package, the filter tow bale has a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape with 800 to 1,400 mm in length, 800 to 1,150 mm in width, and 800 to 1,100 mm in height, and a packing initial pressure between a top surface of the filter tow bale and the packing material is 6.3 kPa or less.

A bulky filter tow is packed in a state of compressed filter tow bale.
As packed tow bales are stored in a warehouse in a multistage stacked manner, a technology for facilitating the multistage stacking is provided.
In JP-A 2005-528096, there is disclosed a technology in which a tow bale is packaged with a plastic film and the inside of the tow bale is made to be in a negative pressure state, thereby allowing a top surface and a bottom surface of the tow bale to be flat surfaces.
In JP-A 2009-508764, there is disclosed an invention in which a fiber material is packaged after being compressed by use of a convex bale platen to manufacture a fiber bale.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the convex bale platen 18 has a shape in which the entire convex surface 20 is curved.
When the fiber material is compressed by using the convex bale platen 18 having the above shape, a central part of the fiber material is strongly compressed, and the compression in a peripheral part is low. Therefore, after releasing the compression, the degree of swelling in the central part is small and the swelling in the peripheral part is large. As a result, the entire surface becomes flat.
In JP-A 2008-539143, there is disclosed a method of compressing a fiber material by using a platen.

Package of filter tow bale packed with packing material in a non-hermetic state and manufacturing method thereof


A bulb retainer device for use with bulbs such as halogen burner bulbs on vehicles subject to vibration and oscillation. The bulb has a flat burner glass press area and a receptacle is used for mounting the bulb in position to function as a light. A one piece metal sheet bulb retainer is mounted on the receptacle. The retainer has a circular drawn cup in its surface for slidably mounting the retainer on the receptacle. The retainer further has a plurality of arcuate fingers in the cup and sized to engage the bulb flat burner glass press area to restrain movement thereof. The preferred number of fingers is four and the retainer is fixedly mounted on the retainer after assembly.

Operation of ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) and other rough terrain traveling vehicles causes mechanical shock and vibrations which cause parts such as halogen burner assemblies to oscillate. In a normal horizontal burner filament orientation, up and down axis- and side-to-side axis oscillations flex the burner leads and cause them to work harden. In what is considered to be too short a time, the work hardened leads develop lead fractures, which, of course, severs the electrical circuit. When this happens at night, for example in the woods, the operator is subjected to unacceptable operating conditions.
The halogen burner glass wall has an inherent high in-use temperature which requires it to be positioned with adequate clearance from the thermoplastic receptacle. A temperature resistant one-piece metal retainer and the burner's metal lead wires are used to join the two components and maintain lower receptacle in-use temperature compared to the burner wall temperature.
It has been found that the halogen burner elements will oscillate in all three axes, up-and-down, side-to side, and front-to-back. Until now, there has not been an effective halogen burner and receptacle assembly that can eliminate all of these oscillations.
It would be of advantage in the art if a device could be provided that would substantially reduce or eliminate lead oscillation and thus extend the life of halogen burners used in headlights.
Yet another advantage would be if a receptacle could eliminate oscillation in up-and-down, side-to side, and front-to-back axes.
It would be another advance in the art if a halogen burner receptacle could be developed that is simple, easy to install and low in cost, while still being capable of reducing halogen bulb oscillation and prolonging the life of the bulb.
Other advantages will appear hereinafter.


In a winder for continuously winding a web material into rolls on successive cores, roll changing apparatus for cutting and transferring the web material from a full roll to an empty core includes two sets of water jet nozzles mounted for reciprocating movement in opposite directions lengthwise of the core to which the web is to be transferred. During the momentary interval of roll changing, the oppositely moving jets cut the web along a generally saw tooth pattern, and at the same time, the water which cuts the web also wets its cut leading end and the adjacent surface of the core, thereby causing adhesion of the end of the web to the core for a sufficient interval for this end of the web to be covered by the next wrap on the core.

A winder of present day construction for continuously winding web material into rolls is usually equipped with roll changing apparatus which is manually or automatically actuated to cut the web between a fully wound roll and an empty core, and to effect a connection between the resulting cut leading end of the web and the core that will cause the web to start winding on the new core.
It is highly desirable that this operation of roll changing be carried out in such manner that there is minimum possibility of the cut leading end portion of the web folding on itself and creating a ridge on the core over which subsequent layers of web material are wound. For example, when the web is attached to the core by a strip of adhesive tape prelaid on the core, it is important that there be a minimum amount of web between the cut leading end of the web and the strip across the web which is attached to the new core, to prevent fold-back of that leading end of the web. A zero fold-back start of each new roll is especially important with stretchable web materials, such as stretch wrap and shrink wrap plastics, because fold back on the new core can cause bulges in the roll which seriously affect the quality of the web material for subsequent use.
One of the factors affecting the start of each new roll on a core is the method or means by which the web is cut in the course of roll changing. It is common to use a knife for this purpose, such particularly as a serrated blade, and typical examples of knives for this purpose are shown in the co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. to Phelps et al. No. 3,841,577 and No. 4,326,679, and Tetro No. 4,422,586.
In the apparatus of each of those patents, some means are required for aiding the knife in causing the cut leading end of the web to begin winding on the new core. Thus in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,841,577 and 4,422,586, each core must be "prepared" by being provided with a strip of adhesive extending lengthwise thereof to which the web will adhere, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,679, a curved shoe guides the cut leading end of the web directly from the knife into the nip between the new core and the pressure roll.
It is also old and well-known in the web handling arts, including the making and handling of paper webs, to employ water jets for slitting or otherwise cutting the continuously moving web. Nevertheless, it is believed to be novel to employ water jets in roll changing apparatus for a continuous winder as described hereinafter.

Apparatus and method for roll changing on a continuous winder


A driver circuit includes a plurality of switches, forming two switching legs, each of at least two switches and connected between two DC voltage buses. The switches are matched to form diagonal pairs. The driver circuit also includes a load circuit connecting the legs, with a first inductor connected between one leg's switches, and a second inductor connected between the other leg's switches, and lamp terminals between the inductors and in series with the second inductor. The driver circuit also includes a capacitor in parallel with the series-connected lamp terminals and the second inductor, and a control circuit connected to the plurality of switches. During a commutation period, a diagonal pair operates in a non-conductive state and the other in a conductive state, until a current through the first inductor reaches a predefined value. Then the other operates in a non-conductive state until the current through the first inductor reaches zero.

Typically, a ballast provides power to a lamp and regulates the current and/or power provided to the lamp. Lamps, such as high intensity discharge (HID) lamps and fluorescent lamps, use a ballast to provide the proper starting voltage for the lamp and to limit the operating current once the lamp is ignited. A ballast generally includes power factor control (PFC) circuitry for sinusoidal input current control and generation of a regulated direct current (DC) bus voltage. A lamp driver, which comprises an inverter, converts the high DC voltage into a suitable AC voltage for energizing the lamp. A commutation period occurs each time the inverter changes the polarity of the voltage provided to the lamp. In conventional ballasts, the commutation period has a duration of around 100 microseconds.

Transition mode commutation for inverter


An example lubricant supply device for an auxiliary machine of an engine includes a cam formed at one end of a cam shaft rotatably supported by a cylinder head. The lubricant supply device further includes a housing, for storing the auxiliary machine, attached to an attaching surface formed at an end of the cylinder head. The housing may hold a driven member driven by the cam. The lubricant supply device may further include a lubricant hole formed on the attaching surface through which lubricant is supplied from a lubricant passage formed in the cylinder head to the cam storage space. The lubricant supply device may further include a metal gasket positioned between the attaching surface and the housing to seal the cam storage space and outside. The metal gasket has a hole for communicating with the lubricant hole and a slit communicating between the hole and the cam storage space.

In some engines, one end of a cam shaft is extended outside of a cylinder head of the engine, and a cam formed at the extension (of the cam shaft) drives various auxiliary machines. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-184688 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-270557 disclose a fuel pump as the auxiliary machine driven by the cam. Naturally, the auxiliary machine has a driven member driven by the cam, and the driven member might commonly be a plunger in the case where the auxiliary machine is the fuel pump.
In the case where the cam formed at the extension of the cam shaft drives the auxiliary machine, a housing for storing the auxiliary machine would be attached to the attaching surface formed at one end of the cylinder head. Therefore, the housing holds the driven member driven by the cam, and is attached to the attaching surface so as to cover the cam.
As described above, a cam storage space for storing the cam is formed in the housing attached to the attaching surface formed on the cylinder head. Lubricant (i.e. lubricating oil) needs to be supplied to the cam storage space from a lubricant passage formed in the cylinder head. Additionally, a metal gasket is positioned between the attaching surface of the cylinder head and the housing of the auxiliary machine.
It is required to supply the lubricant to the cam storage space stably, although a small amount of supplied lubricant may be enough. Therefore, it is supposed that a hole communicating between the lubricant passage formed in the cylinder head and the cam storage space could be made, for example, by drilling a small hole with a small drill bit, to produce a hole with a small cross section. However it might require some effort to make the hole for communicating between the cam storage space and the lubricant passage formed in the cylinder head. Further, the drill bit might be easily broken because the diameter of the drill bit would be small.
This invention is made so as to address the above problem. Therefore, the purpose of the invention is to provide a lubricant supply device for an auxiliary machine of an engine, wherein a hole for communicating between the cam storage space in the housing and the lubricant passage in the cylinder head can be made easily by effectively using a metal gasket for attaching the housing to the cylinder head.

Lubricant supply device for auxiliary machine of engine


A combined device includes a cooking surface having a recess. Arranged underneath the cooking surface is a fume extractor to extract air from a space above the cooking surface via the recess. The fume extractor forms with the cooking surface an assembly unit and includes a fan with an air inlet opening. The fan is arranged such that the air inlet opening of the fan faces the cooking surface. The air inlet opening of the fan, when viewed in a top view upon the cooking surface, is located at least partially underneath the recess.

The present invention relates to a combined device with cooking surface and fume extractor.
In kitchens it is known to use so-called downdraft fans instead of fume extractor hoods which are arranged above a cooking surface, for example on the room wall or ceiling, in order to extract fumes and vapors which are produced during cooking. Such downdraft ventilation is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2013 007 722 A1. In this case, a cooking vapor inlet opening placed in the cooking surface plane is connected via an exhaust air channel system to a vacuum source. The downdraft ventilation in this case is provided as a separate appliance between two cooking surfaces or adjacent to a cooking surface. A drawback with this downdraft ventilation is in the large space requirement which is present due to the exhaust air channel system to be provided. Additionally, in this case the space between the inlet opening and the vacuum source is large so that increased requirements are set for the vacuum source which, in particular, may be constituted by a suction fan.
A cooking surface with central extraction of cooking fumes in the downward direction is also disclosed in WO 2012/146237 A1. In this cooking surface, one or more recesses is or are incorporated in the region around the geometric surface center of gravity. Devices are provided underneath the cooking surface for the extraction of cooking fumes. The devices for the extraction of cooking fumes are preferably constituted by radial fans which are fastened to the lower face of a cooking surface housing and via which air is extracted upwardly out of cooking fume extraction chambers located thereunder.
A drawback with this arrangement is that the requirements for radial fans for producing a sufficient vacuum are increased, in particular, since the flow of cooking fumes has to be deflected.
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a combined device in which fumes and vapors may be extracted from the space above the cooking surface in a simple and reliable manner with a preferably simple construction of the combined device.
The invention is based on the recognition that this object may be achieved by the fan of the fume extractor being arranged in a combined device, such that said fan is located directly underneath a recess in the cooking surface and that it is possible for air to flow into the air inlet opening of the fan as directly as possible from above.
According to the invention, therefore, the object is achieved by a combined device which comprises a cooking surface having at least one recess and a fume extractor arranged underneath the cooking surface in order to extract air from the space above the cooking surface via the at least one recess. The combined device is characterized in that the fume extractor has a fan with an air inlet opening, the fan being arranged in the combined device such that the air inlet opening of the fan faces the cooking surface, in the top view of the cooking surface the air inlet opening of the fan being located at least partially underneath at least one of the at least one recess and the fume extractor and the cooking surface form an assembly unit.
The combined device according to the invention comprises a cooking surface and a fume extractor. In particular, these two components of the combined device are designed as an assembly unit, in other words a structural unit. This means that the two components of the combined device are fastened indirectly or directly and may be installed as an assembly unit, for example, in a work surface. The combined device thus constitutes an assembled or premounted unit or a unit which is able to be premounted.
The cooking surface according to the invention comprises at least one heating element and preferably a cover plate. The cover plate covers the at least one heating element from above. The size of the heating element or the working radius thereof determines the size of the cooking zone or cooking point in the cooking surface on which pots or other cooking vessels may be placed in order to be heated. The heating element may be constituted, for example, by an induction module. Alternatively, however, the heating element may also be an electronic heating element in the form of a heating coil. Finally, it is also possible that at least one of the heating elements of the cooking surface is constituted by a gas burner. In the last-mentioned embodiment the cover plate does not cover the heating element but at the location of the heating element the cover plate comprises a through-opening for the passage of the burner head.
According to the invention, the fume extractor comprises a fan and preferably additionally an air duct for conducting the air out of the combined device after it has exited the fan.
According to the invention, at least one recess is provided in the cooking surface. The recess may preferably be incorporated in the cover plate of the cooking surface. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the recess or the recesses is or are formed by the intermediate space between adjacent heating elements of the cooking surface and a cover plate is not provided but, for example, simply a frame for the heating elements. Additionally, it is possible that outside the cover plate the cooking surface has a housing in which the heating elements are received. In this embodiment, the at least one recess is preferably incorporated in the upper face and the lower face of the housing of the cooking surface.
The fume extractor according to the invention is arranged underneath the cooking surface. "Arranged underneath the cooking surface" denotes a fume extractor in which at least one part of the fan of the fume extractor is located further down than the lowest point of the cooking surface. In any case, however, the fume extractor is arranged underneath the upper face of the cooking surface. If the upper face of the cooking surface, as preferred according to the invention, is formed by a cover plate, the fume extractor is arranged underneath the cover plate. The fan of the fume extractor may be arranged, for example, between two heating elements of the cooking surface or completely offset downwardly relative to the heating elements.
Directional information such as "above" and "underneath" refer to the combined device in the assembled and installed state, i.e. in the state in which said combined device is incorporated, for example, in a horizontal work surface.
The air from the space above the cooking surface and, in particular, fumes and vapors which are produced during cooking, according to the invention are extracted via the at least one recess of the cooking surface. The recess in the cooking surface in this case may be the suction opening of the combined device. The "suction opening of the combined device" in this case denotes the opening via which air enters the interior of the combined device.
According to the invention, the fume extractor of the combined device comprises a fan. The fan which also may be denoted as the fan or suction fan, preferably comprises a fan housing which is designed, for example, as a spiral housing or worm housing and is also denoted as a fan housing. A fan wheel is received in the fan housing, said fan wheel being driven via a motor which is also received in the fan housing. The fan housing has an air inlet opening via which suctioned air is able to pass toward the fan wheel. Moreover, the fan housing has an air outlet opening via which air may be discharged radially into a discharge channel or directly out of the combined device. In a fan which is also constituted by a radial fan, the air inlet opening is preferably located in the region of the axis of the fan wheel.
According to the invention, the fan is arranged in the combined device such that the air inlet opening of the fan, and in particular of the fan housing, faces the cooking surface. "Faces the cooking surface" denotes an air inlet opening via which air may be suctioned from above into the fan and thus the fan housing. In particular, "faces the cooking surface" thus denotes an air inlet opening which is located on the fan and thus above the fan housing. Preferably, the air inlet opening is parallel to the cooking surface and, in particular, to a cover plate of the cooking surface. In this case, the air inlet opening is thus located in the horizontal plane and is oriented upwardly. However, an air inlet opening on the upper face of the fan which is inclined relative to the horizontal may also be regarded as facing the cooking surface. The angle of inclination in this case, however, is preferably less than 90° and further preferably less than 45°.
According to the invention, in a top view of the cooking surface the air inlet opening of the fan is located at least partially underneath at least one of the at least one recess. This means that in a vertical projection of the recess of the fan located thereunder, the air inlet opening of the fan is located at least partially in the surface of the recess. By this alignment, the flow path of the air suctioned via the recess to the air inlet opening is minimized and a sufficient extraction of air from the space above the cooking surface may be ensured.
According to the invention it is possible, in addition to the one fan which is arranged underneath the recess, to provide one or more additional fans, for example in the edge regions of the cooking surface. With a suitable layout of the fan arranged underneath the recess, however, additional fans are not necessarily required.
Since according to the invention a combined device is provided in which a fan which is arranged underneath the recess is used, the air inlet opening thereof facing the cooking surface, a series of advantages may be achieved. Since the air inlet opening faces the cooking surface, firstly the suctioning of air via the recess(es) in the cooking surface may be simplified. In particular, only a slight deflection of the air flow is required. Thus, the requirements for the power of the fan are reduced. Additionally, by the alignment of the fan with an upwardly facing air inlet opening, the size of the fan may be selected irrespective of the size of the heating elements or the housing of the cooking surface. The fan may be fastened to the side of the fan housing which opposes the air inlet opening. In contrast to the prior art in which the fans are fastened on the side opposing the air inlet opening to the lower face of the housing of the heating element, in the combined device according to the invention therefore a larger fan may also be used. The fan in this case may be fastened, for example, to the base of an appliance housing of the combined device, the surface thereof generally corresponding to the surface of the cooking surface. Additionally, according to the invention it is also possible to fasten the fan to the cooking surface, in particular to the lower face of the cooking surface and, in particular, a lower face of a cooking surface housing, via the same side in which the air inlet opening is provided in a region around the air inlet opening. Also in this embodiment, since the air inlet opening of the fan faces the cooking surface, i.e. is oriented upwardly, the size of the fan may be selected to be large and the fan may be fastened, for example, underneath two heating elements which are located on opposing sides of the recess. Thus a potentially larger fan may also produce the desired airflow at a lower speed and the noise development of the fan is also therefore reduced.
According to the invention since the cooking surface and the fume extractor are also integrated in one appliance, and thus form an assembly unit, the mounting and/or the installation is simplified. In particular, the cooking surface and the fume extractor may be incorporated and optionally received as a unit in a work surface or other surface. Moreover, by the integration of the two components in a combined device the required overall height is reduced since the elements of the components may be provided to be aligned relative to one another in the combined device. The overall height of the combined device according to the invention may, for example, be 15 to 30 cm and preferably 20 cm. Thus the combined device may be integrated in a simple manner in a kitchen.
According to a preferred embodiment, in a vertical top view of the cooking surface, the entire air inlet opening is located underneath the recess, i.e. in the surface of the recess. If a plurality of recesses are provided in the cooking surface, in a vertical top view, the fan may be located underneath one of the recesses or even underneath a plurality of recesses. Hereinafter, reference is substantially made to an embodiment having one recess in the cooking surface. If nothing else is specified, the statements made also apply to an embodiment of the combined device with a plurality of recesses. Since, in a vertical top view of the cooking surface, the air inlet opening is located entirely in the surface of the recess, the extraction of air may be further optimized.
According to a preferred embodiment, the fan is arranged in the middle of the surface of the combined device. The middle of the surface of the combined device, in this case, is understood as the middle of the surface which covers the combined device in a top view. In particular, therefore, the fan according to the invention is arranged at a point which is located underneath the middle of the surface of the upper face of the cooking surface and, in particular, underneath the middle of the surface of the cover plate of the cooking surface. By the central arrangement of the fan in the combined device, a uniform extraction of air may be ensured. Also in the case of one or more recesses which are incorporated in the surface of the cooking surface, for example in the middle of the surface or adjacent thereto, a reliable and uniform extraction may be implemented via a centrally arranged housing. Additionally, with a central arrangement of the fan, the required overall height for the combined device may be minimized. Generally, no heating elements are provided in the middle region of the cooking surface, said heating elements generally extending from the upper face of the cooking surface, in particular downwardly from a cover plate, and thus making use of part of the space in the combined device. Thus with a centrally arranged fan, the entire space between the upper face of the cooking surface and the lower face of the combined device is available for receiving the fan and the optionally provided filter units.
According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the at least one recess extends over the middle of the surface of the cooking surface. In one embodiment, in this case a single recess may be incorporated in the cooking surface. This recess may, for example, have a round cross section. Alternatively, however, the recess in this embodiment may also have a quadrangular, in particular rectangular, cross section for example. In this case, the recess may be a square recess in the middle of the surface of the cooking surface. Preferably, however, the recess in this embodiment extends over the depth of the cooking surface, i.e. it forms a wide slot which extends from the region of the front face of the cooking surface in the direction toward the region of the rear face of the cooking surface. By the provision of a recess which extends over the middle of the surface of the cooking surface, an alignment of the recess may be ensured relative to the cooking zone(s) of the cooking surface in which fumes and vapors from cooking vessels on the cooking zone(s) of the cooking surface may be reliably extracted. If, for example, four cooking zones are formed in the cooking surface, two cooking zones may be located to the right and two cooking zones may be located to the left from a centrally incorporated recess extending over the depth of the cooking surface. Since the fan and, in particular, the upwardly oriented air inlet opening of the fan housing, in a vertical top view of a recess extending above the middle of the surface of the cooking surface, is located at least partially in the recess, the air guidance is further simplified, since a deflection of the airflow is not required and/or just a slight deflection of the airflow is sufficient in order to guide the air toward the air inlet opening.
According to one embodiment, the combined device comprises at least one cover for covering at least one part of the at least one recess. The shape of the cover is adapted to the shape of the recess in the cooking surface. In the case of a round recess, generally a round cover is used. With a rectangular recess in the cooking surface, preferably a rectangular cover is used.
The cover is preferably releasable from the combined device, in particular removable from the cooking surface or a filter unit.
The size of the cover may correspond to the size of the recess. In this case, the ingress of liquids and other contaminants into the recess(es), in the state in which the fume extractor is not in operation, is entirely prevented by the cover.
According to a preferred embodiment, however, at least in one surface direction the cover has a smaller dimension than the recess of the cooking surface. The "surface direction" in this case denotes the length and width of a quadrangular cover and the diameter in the case of a round cover. Since the cover has a smaller dimension in at least one surface direction, at least one gap is formed between the edge of the recess and the edge of the cover. Air may be suctioned via this gap into the combined device. The gap thus constitutes the suction opening of the combined device. At the same time, however, at least one part of the recess is covered by the cover and thus contaminants are prevented from dropping in and the ingress of liquids into the combined device is prevented. In particular, with the arrangement of the fan according to the invention and the recess preferably arranged above the air inlet opening, the prevention of the ingress of contaminants and liquids is of particular importance. Without a cover, the direct ingress of contaminants and liquids from the recess into the air inlet opening of the fan located thereunder might be possible, whereby the fan might be damaged.
According to one embodiment, for example in the case of an elongated quadrangular cross section of the recess, the length of the cover may correspond to the length of the recess but the width of the cover may be smaller than the width of the recess. Depending on the positioning of the cover on the recess, on the one hand, a single lateral gap may be formed via which air may enter the combined device. Alternatively, however, two lateral gaps which extend over the length of the recess may also be formed. The last-mentioned embodiment is preferred, in particular in the preferred embodiment in which a recess extends over the middle of the surface of the cooking surface, since as a result a specific extraction is possible from the left-hand and right-hand cooking zones. The embodiment in which only one gap is formed may be used, for example, in an embodiment in which recesses extend along the side edges of the cooking surface in the depth direction. In this case, the cover is positioned on the recess such that the gap formed thereby is located on the side of the recess which adjoins the cooking zones or is in the vicinity thereof.
According to the invention, however, it is also possible that the cover has dimensions which differ in all surface directions from the dimensions of the recess onto which the cover is intended to be applied. For example, a round cover may be used which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of a round recess onto which the cover is intended to be applied. Even with a rectangular cover, both the width and the length of the cover may be smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the recess. As a result, a peripheral gap is formed around the cover, air being able to enter the recess through said gap.
According to a preferred embodiment, a filter unit is provided between the fan of the fume extractor and the cooking surface. The filter unit is located, in particular, between the at least one recess of the cooking surface and the air inlet opening of the fan. "The filter unit" in this case denotes a unit which is releasably connected to the combined device. In particular, the filter unit is introduced into the recess or the filter units are introduced into the recesses. The filter unit may be held on the recess, preferably on the edge of the recess. The filter unit in this case is practically suspended in the recess. According to the invention, the filter unit comprises a filter element. Additionally, the filter unit preferably comprises at least one filter holder by means of which the filter element may be held on the combined device, for example on the recess of the cooking surface. The filter element may be a flat filter element, for example a filter plate or a filter mat.
Alternatively or additionally, however, filter elements which describe a hollow body may also be used. For example, a round length of pipe or a rectangular length of pipe made of filter material may be used. Also other shapes, such as for example two filter elements arranged so as to be inclined to one another, may be used in the filter unit.
The filter material of the filter element may be expanded metal, braided metal or the like.
According to a preferred embodiment, the filter unit comprises a collection area for liquids. "Collection area for liquids" denotes a region in which liquids, which are discharged from the filter element and/or enter the interior of the combined device in a different manner, may be at least partially collected. The collection area, therefore, preferably has the shape of a trough or groove. Particularly preferably, the collection area is configured on the filter holder. The filter element is held via the filter holder on the combined device, in particular on the recess in the cooking surface. Since the collection area is configured on the filter holder, a series of advantages may be achieved. Firstly, the filter unit is releasably incorporated in the combined device. Thus when removing the filter unit, for example for cleaning the filter element, the collection area may also be emptied and cleaned. Additionally, when providing the collection area in the filter holder and thus in the vicinity of the filter element, liquids and other contaminants may be reliably collected from the filter element itself.
The embodiment in which the filter unit comprises a collection area for liquids is of particular importance in the arrangement of the fan according to the invention underneath the recess. Even if, as preferably provided, a cover covers at least part of the recess, it may also result in the ingress of contaminants and, in particular, liquids via the gap present between the cover and the recess. By the provision of a collection area on the filter unit, the ingress into the fan housing of contaminants and liquids which enter the combined device via this gap, is prevented. For this reason, the collection area is preferably provided on the filter unit such that in a vertical projection said collection area is located at least underneath the gap between the recess and the cover, in the incorporated state of the filter unit in the combined device and when the cover is applied.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the combined device comprises an overflow container in addition to a collection area for liquids. "Overflow container" denotes a component into which liquids which overflow from the collection container may be received. The overflow container is, therefore, preferably arranged at least partially underneath the filter unit and preferably underneath the collection area of the filter unit. The overflow container may be fixedly connected to the combined device, i.e. constitute a fixed housing part. The overflow container may be fastened, for example, to the lower face of the cover plate of the cooking surface, to the heating elements of the cooking surface, to the fan housing or to the recess of the cooking surface. In the embodiment in which the combined device comprises an overflow container, at least one overflow opening may be provided in the filter element in the upper region of the collection area. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that the collection area has an upper edge via which the liquid may enter the overflow container when the maximum filling level of the collection area is reached.
Since in addition to the collection area an overflow container is provided on the filter unit, the size of the collection area may be kept smaller. The overflow container may then be used in situations in which a large quantity of liquids enter the combined device. This is the case, for example, when liquid is spilled onto the cooking surface or when liquids boil over.
This additional overflow container for liquids is advantageous, in particular, in the arrangement of the fan according to the invention which is aligned with the recess. Without the provision of an overflow container, in this preferred embodiment of the combined device, liquids could otherwise enter the fan or enter a base of the combined device, from where these liquids are only able to be removed with difficulty.
The overflow container is preferably arranged above the fan housing. A central opening which is preferably aligned with the air inlet opening of the fan housing is provided in the overflow container. The overflow container may, therefore, be formed around the air inlet opening. However, it is also possible that the overflow container is arranged adjacent to the fan housing.
The cooking surface and the fume extractor according to the invention may be fastened indirectly or directly to one another. With a direct fastening, for example, the side of the fan of the fume extractor in which the air inlet opening is provided may be fastened to the cooking surface, for example to the lower face of a cooking surface housing.
An indirect fastening of the cooking surface and the fume extractor may be implemented, for example, by an appliance housing. In this embodiment, the cooking surface and the fume extractor may be received in a common appliance housing. In this case, the appliance housing may have, in particular, a trough shape. At the top the appliance housing is closed by the cooking surface and, if provided, in particular closed by the cover plate of the cooking surface. According to the invention, the cover plate may be a glass ceramic plate. An air outlet is additionally incorporated in the appliance housing. The air outlet may be provided, for example, on the rear face of the appliance housing. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that the air outlet is incorporated on one of the side walls of the appliance housing or is incorporated in the base of the appliance housing. Preferably at least the fume extractor of the combined device is fastened in the appliance housing. The cooking surface may be incorporated either from above into the appliance housing and, for example, bear with the cover plate against the upper edge of the walls of the appliance housing. Alternatively or additionally, however, the heating elements of the cooking surface, for example, may also be fastened or held on the inner face of the appliance housing.
Since in the combined device the fume extractor and the cooking surface are connected together indirectly or directly, both the assembly and the mounting of the combined device is simplified. During the assembly, with the provision of an appliance housing, the relative position between the components of the fume extractor and the cooking surface is already predetermined. Thus, for example, the alignment of the recess with the fan may be ensured. During mounting, in particular when introduced into a work surface, the components of the fume extractor and the cooking surface incorporated in the appliance housing or the fume extractor and the cooking surface fastened together, may be incorporated in one mounting step in a working surface or a different surface. If the cover plate constitutes a component of the cooking surface which is separate from the heating elements, this cover plate may be optionally positioned retrospectively.
According to a preferred embodiment, the cooking surface and the fume extractor of the combined device have a common electrical power connection. This power connection may be provided, for example, on the appliance housing and may supply power to the electrical components of the fume extractor and the cooking surface. Moreover, the activation of the components of the fume extractor and of the cooking surface may also be implemented by a common control device. For example, in this case the fume extractor may be actuated depending on the operating state of the cooking surface.
According to one embodiment, the fume extractor and the cooking surface are received in a common appliance housing and the fan of the fume extractor is fastened to the base of the appliance housing. In this case, in particular, the side of the fan housing which is located opposite the air inlet opening is fastened to the base of the appliance housing. This embodiment has the advantage that the fan may be securely held on the base of the appliance housing. Additionally, in this embodiment the assembly of the combined device is further simplified. In particular, for example, the fan may be fastened to the base of the appliance housing before the cooking surface is incorporated in the appliance housing. The base in this state is still freely accessible and the assembly is thus simplified. In the alternative embodiment in which the combined device does not have a common housing for the fume extractor and the cooking surface, the assembly may also be implemented such that the fan and, in particular, the fan housing are fastened to the cooking surface from underneath, i.e. from the side of the cooking surface which opposes the cover plate.
The fan of the fume extractor of the combined device according to the invention is preferably constituted by a radial fan.

Combined device with cooking surface and fume extractor