A process for recovering concentrated mixed acids comprising HF from mixed salts at a high efficiency is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of providing an electrodialytic water splitter comprising at least one unit cell, each cell comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, feeding an aqueous solution comprising at least two salts formed from at least two different anions to the first compartment, one of said anions being fluoride, feeding a liquid comprising water to the second compartment, passing current through said electrodialytic water splitter to produce an aqueous product comprising mixed acids formed from the different anions in the second compartment, and an aqueous salt-containing product comprising a reduced concentration of said anions in the first compartment, and recovering aqueous products from the second compartment. The process is particularly useful in the production of concentrated HNO.sub.3 at unexpectedly high current efficiencies, and has particular utility in the area of regenerating stainless steel pickling acid mixtures comprising HF and HNO.sub.3.

This invention relates to an electrodialytic process for recovering mixed acids from mixed salts. More particularly, the invention is directed to the recovery of mixed acids comprising HF and, for example, HNO.sub.3 from spent process materials such as pickling liquors by a process which employs a three-compartment electrodialytic water splitter.
Pickling baths, for example, are employed to remove scale, oxides, and other impurities from metal surfaces such as stainless steel. These baths comprise inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid, and commonly are mixtures thereof. Eventually, the acids in these baths are exhausted due to the reactions of the acids with the oxides, scale, etc. Consequently, the pickling acids are converted to a spent solution comprising acidified mixed salts. This spent solution must then be disposed of and the acids lost must be replaced. The acids, particularly hydrofluoric and nitric, are costly to replace. Moreover, the toxicity of the spent materials, especially hydrofluoric acid, can create significant environmental damage if improperly disposed of, and the large volumes of the exhausted baths add a very substantial cost to pickling processes due to the cost of disposing of these materials.
Processes for regenerating processing materials are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,477,815 and 3,485,581 disclose processes for removing SO.sub.2 from combustion gases employing a scrubbing solution which can be thermally regenerated, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,112 discloses a process for removing SO.sub.2 from combustion gases using a scrubbing solution which can be electrolytically regenerated. Recently, electrodialytic methods have been disclosed for regenerating process solutions. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,082,835 and 4,107,015, processes are disclosed for regenerating scrubbing solutions used in stripping SO.sub.x from flue gases by feeding the spent solutions through an electrodialytic water splitter.
While concentrated acids can be produced by electrodialytic water splitting methods, such production is limited by the current efficiency of producing these acids. For example, the current efficiency of producing 5% HNO.sub.3 is only about 0.6. Therefore, many processes employing electrodialysis produce relatively dilute acid solutions to insure high current efficiency. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,373, a process is disclosed for regenerating a dilute sulfuric acid solution for use in the processing of rayon.

Recovery of mixed acids from mixed salts


Provided is an embossed product on which a deep bumpy design is formed and which is also excellent in terms of a bumpy design shape-imparting property and cushioning performance and durability thereof. A composite material for embossing is a composite material in which a flexible polyurethane foam sheet is laminated on one surface of a skin material, in which the flexible polyurethane foam sheet has a thickness of 3 to 15 mm and a compression percentage of 5% to 40% in a temperature range of 100° C. to 150° C. In addition, an embossed product is obtained by embossing a surface of the skin material of the composite material for embossing.

Today, as vehicle interior materials or coverings of chairs, composite materials in which a skin material such as a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a synthetic leather, or an artificial leather and a flexible polyurethane foam sheet are laminated together are used. In order to improve the designability of the above-described composite materials, there are cases in which a bumpy design is formed on the surface. For example, in order to impart a bumpy design, composite material surfaces are embossed. However, flexible polyurethane foam sheets constituting composite materials are elastic. Therefore, even when composite materials are heated and pressed by means of embossing, in a case in which the design is a fine bumpy shape, there is a problem in that a sufficient shape-imparting effect cannot be obtained due to compression resilience attributed to the elasticity of flexible polyurethane foam sheets.
For example, PTL 1 discloses a method in which, in order to form a deep bumpy pattern, a skin material on which a thick flexible polyurethane foam is laminated is processed using an embossing device having a heat roll. However, this method cannot be said to be enough to satisfy both the depth of the bumpy pattern and the durability of cushioning performance.

Composite material for embossing, and embossed product


A compressed air supply device for a commercial vehicle is electrically connected to an electronic control device. The compressed air supply device includes a control valve which is actuated via the control device. The control valve has an inlet, vent and outlet connections. A control line, which is connected to the outlet of the control valve, is connected to a control inlet of a compressor and/or, for regeneration, to an air filter. A supply line can supply compressed air to the control valve inlet. A venting line connects to the control valve vent. A backup valve is provided, wherein an inlet of the backup valve is connected to the supply line and an outlet can be connected to the venting line. The backup valve opens pneumatically when a pressure which corresponds to or exceeds a predetermined opening pressure is present in the supply line.

In modern commercial vehicle, pneumatic systems such as compressed air brakes are frequently used. Compressed air supply devices, which in the meantime frequently have an electronic control device, serve for supplying such pneumatic systems with compressed air. In order to be able to actuate valves of the compressed air supply device via the electronic control device in a specific manner, the valves are frequently designed as solenoid valves. Therefore, a precise controlling of compressed air which is provided via a compressor and a regeneration of the air filter can be achieved.
In order to safeguard the compressed air supply for such important systems such as brakes in the event of failure of the electronic control device, for example as a result of a faulty power supply or on account of a sensor failure, provision is usually made for a back-up level which functions even without an electronic control device. However, the possibility of directed actuation of the valves is then also omitted. For example, the compressor as a rule can no longer readily be put into an energy saving state if an operating pressure of the compressed air supply device is achieved. This can lead to the compressor continuing to operate against a high pressure over a long period until a relief valve blows off the pressure at a maximum pressure level. This can lead to a considerable loading of the compressor which, for example, can even damage the compressor as a result of overheating. Furthermore, a regeneration, which can no longer be carried out, leads to air filters and consumer systems, such as brakes, being operated in a wet state.
It is an object of the present invention, in the case of an electronically controlled compressed air supply device, to provide a back-up level which enables an improved control of the compressed air supply device, and especially of a compressor, in a purely pneumatic way.
According to the invention, provision is made for a compressed air supply device for commercial vehicles which is electrically connected, or electrically connectable, to an electronic control device. The compressed air supply device has at least one control valve which can be controlled via the electronic control device, wherein the control valve has at least one inlet port, a vent port and an outlet port. A control line is connected to the outlet port of the control valve, wherein the control line is connected, or connectable, to a control input of a compressor and/or to an air filter for a regeneration. Provision is made for a supply line via which compressed air is directed, or can be directed, to an inlet port of the control valve, and also a vent line which is connected to the vent port of the control valve. Furthermore, provision is made for back-up valve, wherein an inlet of the back-up valve is connected to the supply line and an outlet of the back-up valve is connected, or connectable, to the vent line. The back-up valve is designed in such a way that it opens pneumatically if there is a pressure in the supply line which corresponds to a predetermined opening pressure, or exceeds this. Therefore, via the back-up valve provision can be made for a pneumatic back-up level which even with a failed electronic control device enables a pressure build up in the control line via the back-up valve—which is switched into the open position—the vent line and the vent port of the control valve. Therefore, via the control line a compressor, for example, can be controlled in such a way that it is switched into an energy-saving state.
Alternatively or additionally, the carrying out of a regeneration is possible without a functioning electronic control device. The back-up valve can have a vent outlet close to its inlet and its outlet, which can be connected, or be connectable, to a vent to atmosphere.
Pneumatic opening of the back-up valve means that the back-up valve pneumatically creates a fluid-conducting connection between its inlet and its outlet. In this case, a possibly existing vent outlet of the back-up valve can be shut off. Pneumatic closing of the back-up valve means that the back-up valve shuts off or breaks a connection between the outlet of the back-up valve and the inlet of the back-up valve. In this case, a connection between the outlet and a possibly existing vent outlet of the back-up valve can be created.
The back-up valve can have a normal position and an open position. The normal position can correspond to the position which the back-up valve occupies if the pressure in the supply line is insufficient for the opening of the back-up valve. In the normal position, the connection between an inlet and an outlet of the back-up valve can be shut off. Should the back-up valve have a vent port, a connection between the outlet of the back-up valve and the vent outlet can be provided in the normal position. In the open position, the inlet of the back-up valve can be connected to the outlet of the back-up valve. A possibly existing vent outlet of the back-up valve can be shut off.
The back-up valve can be designed in such a way that as a result of a pneumatic opening it occupies the open position, that is to say transfers from the normal position into the open position when the opening pressure in the supply line is achieved or exceeded. The back-up valve can be a 3/2 directional valve. As a result, leakages of the back-up valve, which lead to compressed air being able to flow from the supply line to the outlet of the back-up valve in the normal state, can especially be compensated. The 3/2 directional valve can especially have an inlet, an outlet and a vent outlet. In the normal position, the outlet can preferably be connected to the vent outlet of the 3/2 directional valve.
Alternatively, the back-up valve can be a 2/2 directional valve. As a result, a particularly simple and inexpensive construction can be achieved.
The actuation of the control valve can be electrically carried out by the electronic control device in an indirect or direct manner, for example by energizing electromagnetic components of the valve. The control valve can especially be designed as a solenoid valve. It is also conceivable that the control valve, in addition to a pneumatic valve, has a solenoid valve component for piloting the pneumatic valve, which is actuated by the electronic control device. It is conceivable to design the control valve as a 3/2 directional valve. The vent port of the control valve can be connected, or be connectable, via the vent line to a vent to atmosphere. In a normal position, the control valve can be switched in such a way that it connects the control line to the supply line, that is to say that a fluid-conducting connection exists between the outlet port and the vent port. The inlet port and therefore the supply line can be shut off in the normal position. Therefore, in the normal position of the control valve the control line can be vented, or be ventable. In a free-passage position of the control valve, the control valve can be switched in such a way that it connects the control line in a fluid-conducting manner to the supply line and shuts off the vent line. Therefore, the inlet port and the outlet port are interconnected in a fluid-conducting manner and the vent port is shut off.
The electronic control device can make it possible to switch the control valve between the normal position and the free-passage position. It can be expedient to design the control valve in such a way that it occupies the normal position if it is not actuated via the electronic control device and/or is not energized. To this end, provision can be made, for example, for a return device, such as a spring arrangement, which preloads the control valve in the normal position.
The electronic control device can be considered to be part of the compressed air supply device or can be formed separately therefrom. The compressed air supply device can comprise a compressor, or can be considered to be separate from the compressor or considered to be a separable device.
The control line can especially be connected, or be connectable, to a compressor control input, via which the compressor can be pneumatically controlled. It is conceivable, for example, that the compressor, when a pressure is applied to its control input, for example switches into an energy-saving mode via the control line. In an energy-saving mode, the compressor can, for example, be decoupled or disconnected from a drive or a shaft, or its output capacity can be greatly reduced. If no pressure is applied to the control input of the compressor, the compressor can be operated in such a way that it delivers compressed air for the compressed air supply device.
An air filter can be part of the compressed air supply system. A regeneration of the air filter can be carried out in such a way that compressed air from the compressed air supply device is blown off through the air filter to a vent to atmosphere in order to remove water and contaminants which have collected in the air filter. In this case, the control line can be connected, for example, to a check valve for the regeneration, or can be connected to an additional control valve which can act for controlling or initiating a regeneration.
Within the context of this description, a connection or fluid-conducting connection between two pneumatic components or a line and a pneumatic component such as a valve, constitutes a pneumatic connection via which compressed air can be directed. A commercial vehicle can especially be a lorry or a mobile working machine, such as a tractor. A rail vehicle can also be considered to be a commercial vehicle.
By means of the electronic control device, a normal operating pressure of the compressed air supply device can be predetermined and/or monitored. For example, the electronic control device can be designed in such a way to stop the compressed air feed when the operating pressure is achieved by, for example, the compressor being switched into its energy-saving mode. It can be provided that the electronic control device detects the pressure in the compressed air supply device at one point, or at a plurality of points, by means of suitable sensors, and shuts down or decouples the compressor when the desired operating pressure is achieved. To this end, the electronic control device can, for example, actuate the control valve in such a way that the control line is pressurized in order to apply a pressure signal to the compressor control input. An operating pressure can lie, for example, at about 12 or 12.5 bar. The operating pressure can especially be measured in the supply line.
For the protection of the compressed air supply device, provision is frequently made for a maximum safety pressure which the device must not exceed in any event. In order to avoid this safety pressure being exceeded, use is frequently made of a relief valve which undertakes a venting to atmosphere when said safety pressure is exceeded. The relief valve which is used for this can also be used as an actuated bleed valve for a regeneration, which opens a connection to atmosphere. The opening pressure of the back-up valve expediently lies below this safety pressure. It is also conceivable that the conventional relief valve is replaced by the back-up valve because by using the back-up valve an exceeding of the opening pressure in the compressed air supply device can be reliably prevented by shutting down the compressor and/or by initiating a regeneration or other bleed of pressure. Therefore, the opening pressure can be considered to be the safety pressure, for example.
It can be provided that the compressed air supply device also has at least one vent valve with an inlet, an outlet and an air bleed. The inlet of the vent valve is connected, or connectable, to the outlet of the back-up valve and the outlet of the vent valve is connected, or connectable, to the vent port of the control valve. Via the vent valve, switching between an aerating and venting of the vent port of the control valve can be quickly carried out. It is conceivable that more than one control valve is connected in each case via its vent port to the outlet of the vent valve and/or that at least one vent valve is associated with each control valve. The outlet of the vent valve can be connected, or be connectable, via the vent line to the vent port or to the vent ports of the control valves. Therefore, a connection between the back-up valve and the vent port of the control valve via the vent valve can be achieved. In general, a valve which has an inlet, an outlet and an air bleed can be considered to be a vent valve. The air bleed can be connected, or be connectable, to a vent to atmosphere. A vent valve can be designed as a 3/2 directional valve. It can be expedient that in the vent valve, when the inlet is vented, the outlet is connected to the air bleed and so is also vented. If the inlet is aerated, the vent valve can connect the outlet to the inlet and shut off the air bleed so that a fluid-conducting connection exists between inlet and outlet of the vent valve. In this position, the vent valve can be referred to as being open. Since a pressure is present at the aerated inlet, a line which is connected to the outlet is therefore aerated. A vent valve can especially be pneumatically actuated, or able to be pneumatically actuated.
The compressed air supply device can have a second control valve which can be actuated via the electronic control device, wherein an outlet port of the second control valve is connected, or connectable, to the air filter for a regeneration. The other control valve can be connected, or be connectable, via the control line to a control input of the compressor. As a result, especially with a suitable switched position of the second control valve, an air flow, which is provided for the regeneration of the air filter, can be directed via the outlet port of the second control valve. A regeneration line, which is provided for the regeneration of the air filter and which is connected to the outlet port of the second control valve, can therefore be considered to be a second control line which is associated with the second control valve. The second control valve can be designed similarly to the control valve described above and can especially have an inlet port, an outlet port and a vent port. The second control valve can be designed as a 3/2 directional valve. The second control valve can be a solenoid valve. A vent port of the second control valve can be connected to an associated second vent line. This second vent line can be connected, or be connectable, to a vent to atmosphere. It is conceivable that the second vent line is connected, or connectable, to the outlet of the back-up valve. Such a connection can be effected for example via an interposed valve. The interposed valve can be the aforementioned vent valve. In general, the outlet of the back-up valve can be connected, or be connectable, via a vent valve to the vent outlet of the first control valve and/or to the vent outlet of the second control valve. Provision can be made for a connection junction, for example, which connects the vent line which is connected to the control valve to the second vent line which is connected to the second control valve, and leads both to the vent valve.
In one development, a vent port of the second control valve can be connected to an outlet of a second vent valve, for example via an associated second vent line. Via the second vent valve, a fast and controlled venting of the second control valve can therefore be carried out.
It is conceivable that the outlet of the back-up valve is connected to the inlet of a second vent valve. Via the second vent valve, for example the actuation or compressed air supply of a second control valve is possible. Therefore, the back-up valve can also supply a second control valve with compressed air via the second vent valve in such a way that the outlet port of the control valve, with the back-up valve open, is pressurized, as a result of which for example a regeneration of the compressed air supply system independently of the electronic control device becomes possible.
Between the outlet of the back-up valve and the inlet of the at least one vent valve, provision can be made for a bypass line which is connected to a vent. Therefore, an undesirable pressure build-up upstream of the inlet of the vent valve can be prevented. The inlet of the vent valve can especially be connected via the bypass line to a vent to atmosphere. If more than one vent valve is provided, the bypass line can be arranged in such a way that it is connected to the inlets of all the vent valves. If no separate vent valve is provided, the outlet of the back-up valve can still be connected via a corresponding bypass line to a vent to atmosphere. Therefore, for example an undesirable pressure build-up in a vent line to a control valve can be avoided.
In one development, a restrictor can be provided in the bypass line. As a result, on the one hand an undesirable pressure build-up as a result of leakage in the back-up valve, for example, can be prevented, and on the other hand a desirable pressure build-up upstream of a vent valve or in a vent line can be carried out. The restrictor can especially have an effective flow cross section for a flow for venting to atmosphere which is smaller than an effective flow cross section for a flow from the outlet of the back-up valve to an inlet of the vent valve or to the inlets of the vent valves, or via a vent line to the vent port, or vent ports, of the vent valves, or via a vent line to the vent port, or ports, of at least one control valve. Therefore, a sufficient pressure build-up in the line to the inlet of the vent valve can be achieved, for example, so that the vent valve, or vent valves, with the back-up valve open, actually open themselves and a fluid-conducting connection between the inlets and outlets of these valves is created, although air discharges via the bypass line.
The at least one vent valve can be a fast-acting vent valve. Therefore, a particularly fast venting via the vent valve can be ensured. A fast-acting vent valve can especially provide a large flow cross section for a connection from its outlet to an air bleed for venting to atmosphere. A fast-acting vent valve can especially have a membrane which enables a fast switching over of the switching states of said fast-acting vent valve. Naturally, all the vent valves, which are connected to the back-up valve, can be designed as fast-acting vent valves.
It can be expedient that the opening pressure of the back-up valve is greater than an operating pressure which can be established, or is established, by means of the electronic control device. Via the back-up valve, therefore, for when the compressor delivery is over and above the predetermined operating pressure, the compressor can be shut down when the opening pressure is reached and be protected against overheating and/or a regeneration can be carried out.
The back-up valve can be designed in such a way that it closes pneumatically if the pressure in the supply line has dropped to a pressure below a predetermined closing pressure. The closing pressure can be equal to, or lower than, the opening pressure. It can especially be provided that the closing pressure is lower than the operating pressure so that a pressure range is defined in which the back-up valve is opened so as not to frequently switch the compressor back and forth between its switching states, for example, or in order to enable a complete regeneration of the air filter. A pneumatic closure on account of a lowered pressure can follow an opening of the back-up valve.

Compressed air supply device for commercial vehicles

KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


A neutralization device is disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image carrier so as to face the image carrier. The device comprises: a light irradiation section that irradiates neutralization light onto the image carrier; a case member that accommodates the light irradiation section and is opened to a side facing the image carrier; and a buffer member that is provided between the case member and the image carrier and prevents the light irradiation section from abutting against the image carrier.

(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a neutralization device and an image forming unit for use in an image forming apparatus, and to an image forming apparatus.
(ii) Related Art
Image forming apparatuses, such as a copier and a printer, utilizing electrophotography are configured so that an electrostatic latent image formed on, for example, a photoreceptor drum is developed by a development unit using developer (toner) to perform visualization (that is, form a toner image), and that this toner image is transferred and fixed onto a recording medium, such as recording paper.
Such an image forming apparatus has a cleaning unit adapted to remove toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum after the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium, such as recording paper or an intermediate transfer body.
Additionally, some image forming apparatus has a neutralization device adapted to remove residual potential of the photoreceptor after the transfer. Thus, the remaining potential of the photoreceptor is removed by the neutralization device. Consequently, a ghost image can be prevented from being formed due to the charging hysteresis of the photoreceptor.
An image forming apparatus has been known, which is configured so that an image forming unit (what is called a process cartridge) is constructed by integrating a photoreceptor drum and operating portions, such as a development device, which are disposed therearound and relate to an electrophotographic process, and that the image forming unit is adapted to be detachable from an image forming apparatus body. This configuration can facilitate the supply of toner to the development device and the replacement of the photoreceptor drum.

Neutralization device and image forming unit for use in image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus


An air conditioning system. A first evaporator and a second evaporator are connected in parallel. A first electronic expansion valve is serially connected to the first evaporator, and a second electronic expansion valve is serially connected to the second evaporator, so that the opening degrees of the first electronic expansion valve and the second electronic expansion valve can be separately adjusted, the first electronic expansion valve and the second electronic expansion valve can perform position correction according to valve opening position information of the first electronic expansion valve and the second electronic expansion valve stored by the air conditioning system, and separately adjust target positions to calibrated target positions. Also disclosed are a control system and a control method for the air conditioning system.

In a conventional automotive system, an automotive air conditioner is one of the main energy consumption units. With the increasing requirement on the energy saving of a vehicle, the energy saving of the automotive air conditioner has gradually been proposed. In an automotive air conditioning system, by effectively controlling a refrigerant flow quantity of the system, the system can achieve its best performance, which is beneficial to the energy saving of the air conditioning system. For example, in the air conditioning system of an electric automobile, a compressor is employed for variable-speed adjustment, the operating condition has a wide change range, and an electronic expansion valve may be employed to accurately adjust its opening degree, so as to adapt to the flow variation requirements of the compressor. As an executing component, the electronic expansion valve of the air conditioning system is required to accurately adjust its opening degree under a reasonable control logic, so that the air conditioning heat exchange system can achieve optimal performance and operate reliably. If the adjustment of the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is out of synchronism, the adjustment of the air conditioning system may be out of control. According to the entire process of the operation of the current automotive air conditioning system, the control process of the electronic expansion valve generally includes several stages such as start-up, operating control, shutdown and the like. The performance of adjustment in the operating control stage directly affect the energy consumption adjustment of the air conditioner, therefore, the technical development trend in the field of the air conditioning systems at present is to improve the performance of the opening degree adjustment of the electronic expansion valve.

Air conditioning system, control system, and control method for air conditioning system expansion valve

HANGZHOU SANHUA RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.


A wall panel for installation on a supporting wall includes a facing surface that includes a plurality of separate and spaced apart design elements. The design elements define a channel therebetween. The panel also includes a backing surface having at least one rib opposite the channel. The rib extends transversely across the backing surface, such as a parallel to one of the upper or lower edges of the panel or at an angle between 0 and 90 relative to one of the upper or lower edges of panel. Fasteners are engagable through the channel and the rib for securing the wall panel to the supporting wall. Upon installation of the wall panel on the supporting wall, one or more air gaps are defined by the rib and the backing surface opposite the design elements. The rib provides additional material opposite the channel to prevent the panel from breaking during installation.

Prefabricated or cast veneer wall panels have been developed as a quick and efficient way to provide a masonry appearance for a building while simplifying construction and lowering construction cost. The design elements of prefabricated wall panels typically simulate brick, stone, tile and other masonry building components or materials commonly used in the construction of buildings. Examples of prefabricated wall panels are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,938 to Eberhardt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,238 to Kellis et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,561 to Saito, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,529 to Treister et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,039 to Wolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,309 to Wolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,782,988 to Wolf et al, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2007/0137128 to Viau et al, and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2008/0155938 to Attebery et al.
Prefabricated wall panels are typically made from reinforced construction materials such as fiberglass reinforced concrete. Prefabricated wall panels made from such reinforced materials are resistant to damage from handling during packaging, shipping and installation. However, further improvements in durability to decrease loss due to breakage during shipment and installation are still desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,039 to Wolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,309 to Wolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,782,988 to Wolf et al. relate to prefabricated wall panels that include a mounting element that extends from an edge of the panel. Fasteners are engaged through the mounting element to secure the panel to a wall structure. The mounting element enhances durability and provides improved handling characteristics. However, the mounting element may limit how the panel may be secured to the wall structure.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2008/0155938 to Attebery et al. relates to a fiber-reinforced panel for mounting to an exterior wall of a building. The panel includes a plurality of masonry units that are spaced apart from each other on a face of the panel and grooves that are defined between the masonry units. The panel is secured to the wall of the building by engaging fasteners through the grooves, and then mortar is injected into the grooves, hiding the fasteners. However, the grooves through which the fasteners are engaged are prone to breaking during installation and shipment.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved wall panel structure.

Boral IP Holdings (Australia) PTY Limited


A random number generator for generating lottery numbers includes a bottle that contains a large number of balls. Each ball has a different number imprinted on it. The balls are loosely packed within the bottle so that shaking or inverting the bottle scrambles the balls. In all embodiments, a cylindrical, ball-receiving neck extension member receives one or more numbered balls when the bottle is inverted. In a first embodiment, a flexible and resilient boot conforms to the shape of the bottle and the neck of the bottle throughout all positions of the boot. The uppermost end of the boot remains in a cylindrical, ball-receiving configuration at all times. In a second embodiment, multiple cylindrical ball-receiving parts of differing lengths are separately attached to the open bottle neck, and in a third embodiment, a rigid boot includes a lower part that slidably engages the lower part of the bottle and an upper part that slidably engages the neck of the bottle. The ball-retaining capacity of the upper part of the boot depends upon the position of the lower part of the boot.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to random number generators. More particularly, it relates to a random number generator that can generate a single random number or multiple random numbers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many people derive pleasure from playing state-sponsored lottery games, and other games involving the selection of random numbers. Choosing the numbers to play in the games is part of the fun, but players eventually grow tired of playing the same numbers based on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and the like. Some players like to choose random numbers by throwing darts at dart boards having numbers thereon, and so on.
Examples of non-dart board devices for generating random numbers are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,890, 5,114,146, 5,039,101, and 4,874,178.
Of all the foregoing patents, the '178 patent is of most interest because it shows a bottle filled with a plurality of numbered balls and a neck into which six balls may randomly enter when the bottle is shook and inverted. Thus, where a player desires to select six random numbers, the bottle is shaken to stir the balls and inverted; the numbers on the balls that fall into the neck are then selected as the numbers to be played. However, many states play games where only three numbers are selected, where five numbers are selected, and so on. Thus, a player using the '178 device will have to ignore some of the balls in the neck at the time the numbers are selected, and no method is provided to direct the player as to which numbers should be ignored. Thus, the player does not feel that the numbers were truly randomly generated because he or she must make the final selection.
The '178 patent document recites that for games involving differing numbers of random numbers, the neck of the bottle would need to be longer or shorter. Thus, if a player wanted to select three numbers for a game, a bottle having a neck with a length equivalent to the collective diameter of three balls would have to be purchased, and so on. Thus, a player would need to own a plurality of the '178 devices, and all of said devices would have to be filled with numbered balls.
Thus, there is a need for a device that could provide differing quantities of random numbers so that multiple devices would not need to be purchased, but the prior art, when considered as a whole, neither teaches nor suggests to those of ordinary skill in this art how the needed device could be provided.

Device for generating random numbers of differing lengths


A gas phase catalytic hydroformylation process for producing at least one aldehyde product in the presence of a transition metal-ligand complex hydroformylation catalyst and water vapor. Surprisingly, catalyst activity can be sustained by having traces of water vapor in the feed stream. Additionally, additional ligand can be added to replace lost ligand to maintain activity. In addition, it has been found that treatment of the catalyst with a buffer can rejuvenate catalyst activity.

This disclosure pertains to an improved process for hydroformylating an olefinically-unsaturated compound to produce one or more aldehyde products.
It is well known in the art that aldehydes may be readily produced by reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound in the liquid phase with gaseous carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a metal-organophosphorus ligand complex catalyst, and that preferred processes involve continuous hydroformylation and recycling of a solution containing a Group VIII-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyst. Rhodium is a preferred Group VIII metal. Such art is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,830; U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,775; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,498. For the purposes of this document, such processes are hereinafter referred to as "liquid phase" processes. Aldehydes produced by such processes have a wide range of utility, for example, as intermediates for hydrogenation to aliphatic alcohols, for amination to aliphatic amines, for oxidation to aliphatic acids, and for aldol condensation to produce plasticizers. The process normally produces a mixture of branched and unbranched isomeric products.
The art recognizes that normal or unbranched aldehydes generally provide more value than their iso- or branched isomers. Additionally, it is known that the ratio of normal to branched isomers is a function of carbon monoxide partial pressure, and typically lower carbon monoxide partial pressures give products with higher normal to branched ratios. Rhodium-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyzed liquid phase processes have been shown to give very desirable normal to branched isomer ratios.
Heterogeneous versions of homogeneous catalyst systems are very common. Generally, a heterogeneous analog is less active and selective but offers the advantages of easier catalyst/product separation and better heat removal. Much work over the years has been carried out to develop a viable heterogeneous hydroformylation catalyst. The early catalysts were supported metal oxides, such as rhodium, on silica as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,924, U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,038, U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,711, U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,013, U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,694, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,877. These catalysts were typically non-selective in terms of normal to iso (n/i) aldehydes and generated high levels of hydrocarbons due to hydrogenation Immobilized hydroformylation catalysts are reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,997, U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,972, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,727, U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,493, U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,684, U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,297, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,191. In these cases, the hydroformylation catalysts are bonded to the support, such as a resin, through some type of anionic or acid/base bonding. Generally, this type of catalyst is used in a liquid phase reaction as a slurry. Although good activity and selectivity can be obtained, the catalysts leach the metal into the reaction liquid over time, rendering any catalyst/product separation advantage moot. An alternative approach is to tether a ligand to a support/resin. The tethered ligand/resin is then reacted with a metal complex to form a bound metal-ligand catalyst precursor as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,333, U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,923, U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,184, U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,052, U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,354, U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,257, U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,421, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,192. Leaching of the metal is also a problem with tethered catalysts. U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,052 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,257 disclose using rhodium/grafted polymers as fixed bed vapor phase catalysts for hydroformylating propylene. The vapor phase catalyst gave results similar to the slurried version, albeit with lower conversion and activity. Significant activity decline was also observed with the vapor phase catalyst.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a gas phase hydroformylation process that would be able to maintain substantially stable activity over time compared to the processes of the prior art.


This invention is to provide an inexpensive lens can be worn without attention to the existence of the addition power segment of conventional polarizing lens, it and a bench lens are formed integrally on the rear surface of a polarizing member 6. The present inventors constituent a polarizing member 9 by sandwiching poly vinyl alcohol 3 as a polarizing film with poly carbonate 2 whose both surfaces are stretched, and mold resin 2′ on the rear side of the polarizing member, and arrange an addition power segment 8 integrally on the rear surface, make the molded resin poly carbonate sandwiches the polarizing film. The top and the bottom of this member are cut as FIGs. to form lens at low costs, and the adhesion among respective resins is increased, and to secure the impact resistance and it is possible to create a lens without detachment because of same resin.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to polarized lens of multifocal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polarizing lenses have their effect to prevent reflected light from going into the eye, and in particular they prevent reflected light from water surface, snow surface, and road surface, and their need is increasing in sports and other daily living. Further, since the demand for these polarizing lenses is expanding in senior generation, the demand for multifocal polarizing lenses is increasing. With regard to the multifocal plastic lens, there has not so far been a low-cost lens that has both durability and impact resistance.
Further, an addition power segment for multifocus has been manufactured of resin different from that of a bench lens, or has been arranged on the surface of a lens in many cases. When the addition power segment is arranged on the front surface side, it shows up, and the polarizing member must be arranged along the shape of the addition power segment, and air gets in between film and mold during molding and the degree of the addition power segment becomes uneven, and other failure occur in its manufacture, which has been a problem in the prior art.
Furthermore, conventionally the addition power segment has been manufactured separately from the bench lens and attached to the bench lens in many cases, however, the addition power segment is as extremely thin as around 0.2 mm, and it may cut the hand of a worker in attachment work, which has been another problem in the prior art.
With regard to the point that the existence of the addition power segment is seen from the outside in the state where eyeglasses to which multifocal lenses having this addition power segment in its inside is worn, by making the transmittance of the polarizing film at a specified range, the existence of the addition power segment becomes not perceptible from the outside, which has been found by experiments by the present inventors.
Moreover, in the multitiered constituent of the polarizing member, resin expanding to both the polarizing film and sandwich resin, however, studies have not been made on the adhesion compatibility between the stretched resin and the polarizing film, further the combination and expansion of resin of constituent member as the bench lens heretofore. And, the constituent resin of this polarizing member, or the bench lens molded resin and the molded resin of the addition power segment are generally formed as separate resin, in order to have different refraction index, and accordingly, detachment and durability problem, expensive lens cost may be caused, which has been still another problem in the prior art.
Further, the polarizing film itself is extremely expensive. Accordingly, it is most preferable to realize the original polarizing effect with a small use amount of this polarizing film. Further, this polarizing member is made of poly vinyl alcohol and the like, and the resin is stretched so as to have polarizing function, and poly carbonate to sandwich both the surfaces thereof are also stretched in order to reduce deformation. When the bench lens is formed further on this polarizing member, the polarizing film is heated over Tg point (glass transition point) by molten injection resin. Since the thickness of molded lens is thin, by stress of the polarizing member expansion ties to return, curve of axial direction/counter axial direction of lens after molding becomes different, which has been found, and by efforts by the present inventors, it has been found that this deformation can be reduced by partially cutting the polarizing film.


A compound of the formula ##STR1## its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and its pharmaceutically acceptable hydrolyzable esters for reducing sebum secretion and combatting acne as well as oral and topical compositions for use thereof.

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease in man and affects more than 80% of the population at various times. The etiology of acne is multifactorial, with excessive sebum secretion, hyperkeratinization and bacterial colonization playing key roles in its pathology.
The sebaceous gland is a holocrine gland which normally is found only in association with hair follicles (therefore the terminology pilosebaceous). The gland continuously forms the complex fatty mixture known as sebum, which finds passage up the hair follicle, through the production and eventual lysis of lipid-filled cells. The basal sebaceous cells, lining the edge of the gland, undergo division and create two daughter cells, one of which differentiates into a lipid-filled sebaceous cell. The lipid accumulation eventually results in lysis of the sebaceous cells. The liberated sebum is deposited onto the skin surface after migrating through the follicular (pilosebaceous) duct.
The pilosebaceous duct also plays a critical function in the development of acne. Obstruction of the pilosebaceous duct, caused by a hyperkeratinization and proliferation of the keratinocytes of the duct, may be the primary lesion in the development of acne (Lavker et al., 1981). Numerous studies have demonstrated that the entire pilosebaceous duct shows abnormal changes, which include an increased turnover of cells of the basal layer and the creation of an abnormal terminally differentiated stratum corneocyte, termed a "retention hyperkeratosis" (Knutson, 1974; Lavker and Leyden, 1979; Wolff et al., 1975).
The primary lesion of acne is the comedo. The open comedo (blackhead) consists of a firm mass of keratin and sebum which blocks and dilates the follicle pore. The upper portion of the blackhead is darkened by slow oxidative changes (not by dirt), and the lower portions are white. The closed comedo (whitehead), which is a collection of keratin and sebum with the follicular opening blocked, are potentially the starting point of deep inflammatory lesions.
It has been demonstrated that compounds which reduce sebum production reduce the severity of acne. Example of such compounds are 13-cis-retinoic acid, spironolactone and cyproterone acetate (Farrell et al., 1980; Hammerstein et al., 1975; Lyons et al., 1982; Weissman et al., 1985). It has also been shown that 13-cis-retinoic acid reduces the size of human sebaceous glands up to 90% (Landthaler et al., 1980). However, this compound can cause deleterious side effects such as hypervitaminosis A.
There are several standard in vitro and in vivo models known in the art for evaluating the anti-acne activity of compounds. For example, one in vitro model is the inhibition of the proliferation of cultured human sebaceous cells. (Shapiro et al., 1989, Vane et al., 1991).
The Syrian hamster ear provides a standard model for sebaceous gland activity which is predictive of the anti-acne activity of a compound. The ventral side of the earlobes of the Syrian hamster is richly endowed with sebaceous glands. These glands are large and are similar to human sebaceous glands since they have an infundibulum, a sebaceous duct, multiple lobules, and a pilary unit which enters from below the gland (Plewig and Luderschmidt, 1977). The turnover time is similar to that seen in man and the gland is androgen dependent. The Syrian hamster ear sebaceous gland is sensitive to 13-cis-retinoic acid (Plewig et al., 1981).
The rhino mouse model of antikeratinization is used as a standard model for comedolytic activity. In this mutant hairless mouse, the pilary canal widens, accumulates keratin, and is transformed into a keratin-filled utricle that resembles a human comedo. When retinoids which are active in this test are applied topically or given systemically, the utricle size decreases and returns to a near normal appearance resembling a normal pilosebaceous unit (Mezick et al., 1984). This model represents a method to determine antikeratinizing potency differences among biologically active agents and appears to be selective for retinoids which influence follicular keratinization and cell differentiation.

Nonatetraenoic acid derivative for use in treating acne


A display apparatus is provided with a display member which is printed in gradations of color from a first color to a second color from one side of the member to other side, and an electro-optical display device having plural dot display sections disposed on the display member. The plural dot display sections are selectively driven, to display characters, images, etc. in gradations of color. The display apparatus which is simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost advantages to improve image and/or character discrimination and is used for an adornment purpose.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus for displaying characters and images in gradations of color and an electronic watch using such display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
As disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. hei8-220263 and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. sho57-101788, an electronic watch has been proposed, which uses a dot matrix display apparatus for the purposes of improving image and/or character discrimination and for an ornament purpose.
In a conventional electronic wrist watch, a monochrome liquid crystal display device is used to display characters and images. Therefore, such electronic watch is monotonous in design and poor in ornament, and has a problem to be solved in character discrimination. A color liquid crystal display device used in the electronic watch will improve character discrimination and may be used by way of ornament to the electronic watch, but has another problems that such watch will be expensive and the display device will consume much more power, resulting in a short battery life.

Display apparatus and electronic watch using the display apparatus


A method and system for a commutation control circuit are provided. The system includes an integrating voltage counter electrically coupled to an electrical power bus, wherein the integrating voltage counter is configured to integrate over time a voltage signal received from the power bus and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated voltage signal equals a predetermined count. The system also includes a plurality of transistor pairs configured to receive a trigger signal generated by the integrating voltage counter and electrically coupled to respective windings of a motor.

The field of the invention relates generally to power converters, and more specifically, to a system and method for commutating of power bridges for which switching is highly-constrained in time to the desired output waveform.
Improvement of control convergence in power converters benefits from a minimization of the latency between measurement and the discrete opportunities for enforcement. At least some known power converter commutation circuits rely on past performance of the bridge to determine future switching times. Such circuits and methods are inaccurate in high frequency applications where relatively slower switching components are used. Additionally, such schemes do not account for disturbance signals that may be present while maintaining high efficiency.
Known machine control typically applies a voltage that emulates a phasor with a constant magnitude and frequency for bandwidths beyond that of the current regulator (or other primary regulator). Even in steady-state, switched-mode power supplies produce predictable errors in voltage and volt-seconds, and in both radial and circumferential axes. Further, transient bandwidth typically suffers from traditional approaches to reduce these errors, particularly when applied to power bridges with significant limitations in net switching frequency.
Methods of gating a highly-constrained power bridge typically involve very low chopping frequencies or pattern firing. Low chopping frequencies tend to constrain the maximum fundamental frequency of the applied waveform. Pattern firing techniques tend to limit the responsiveness of outer regulators.


According to one embodiment, there is provided an organic light-emitting diode including an anode and a cathode which are arranged apart from each other, and an emissive layer interposed between the anode and the cathode and including a host material and an emitting dopant. The host material includes a polymer containing dibenzothiophene backbones represented by the following formula (1) as repeating units:

In recent years, organic light-emitting diodes have been attracting attention as a technology for next-generation displays and lightings. In the early study of organic light-emitting diodes, fluorescence has been mainly used. However, in recent years, an organic light-emitting diode utilizing phosphorescence which exhibits higher internal quantum efficiency has been attracting attention.
Mainstream of emissive layers in recent years are those in which a host material comprising an organic material is doped with an emissive metal complex including iridium or platinum as a central metal. The host materials in the emissive layer are classified roughly into small-molecular host materials and polymer host materials. An emissive layer containing a small-molecular host material is mainly formed by vacuum co-evaporation of a small-molecular host material and an emitting dopant. An emissive layer containing a polymer host material is mainly formed by applying a solution obtained by blending the polymer host material with the emitting dopant as essential components. Typical examples of the polymer host material include polyvinylcarbazole (PVK).
When a polymer material is used as a host material, problems that the polymer material itself is deteriorated by various mechanisms, e.g., when an electrical charge is passed through the polymer material, the material itself degrades or causes a side reaction and converts to other substance, and the like are caused. Specifically, it is already known that polyvinylcarbazole is a material through which an electrical charge is hard to be passed, and it is necessary to apply a high voltage so as to pass an electrical charge. Therefore, a superfluous load is applied to the material, whereby the material is easily deteriorated. For the above reasons, there is a demand for a host material that is hard to be deteriorated even an electrical charge is passed therethrough. Furthermore, use of such material leads to extension of the lifetimes of organic light-emitting diodes.

Organic light-emitting diode, display and illuminating device

Abstract: wherein n is an integer of from 20 to 10,000.


Overloaded typing apparatuses, and related devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a typing apparatus is provided. The typing apparatus comprises a plurality of overloaded keys in a key layout. The plurality of overloaded keys comprises at least three injectively overloaded keys disposed in a first row of keys. At least one first injectively overloaded key among the at least three injectively overloaded keys is injectively overloaded with a first at least three characters assigned to a first finger in a represented non-overloaded keyboard. The plurality of overloaded keys also comprises at least one second injectively overloaded key disposed outside the first row of keys. The at least one second injectively overloaded key is injectively overloaded with a second at least three characters assigned to the first finger in the represented non-overloaded keyboard. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed.

The key arrangement, or layout, of keyboards used in different geographical areas around the world varies based on language. For example, typists in the United States typically learn to use QWERTY keyboards. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary physical QWERTY keyboard 10 comprised of physical keys 12, each key 12 corresponding to a character in the English language. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary software QWERTY keyboard 22 provided in software to provide virtual keys 24 on a display 26 of an electronic device 28. For example, the electronic device 28 may be a touch-screen computing pad or other computing device where keypresses on the virtual keys 24 are sensed by touch. Similar keyboards can be provided for other languages. For example, a German-speaking typist may use a QWERTZ keyboard. A French-speaking typist may use an AZERTY keyboard.
Through practice, typists may develop typing proficiency and speed with a keyboard having a particular layout. Typists develop "procedural memory" of finger movement patterns associated with typing a vocabulary of phrases, words, and characters. Procedural memory is the type of physiological memory used by humans to perform certain actions without consciously thinking about them, for example, riding a bicycle, driving a manual transmission vehicle, performing a song on a piano or other instrument, or typing a vocabulary of phrases, words, and characters. In this regard, referring to FIG. 1, a typist may be trained to position her fingers on home keys 14, 16 which may be located on a home row 18, 20 of the physical QWERTY keyboard 10. To type an individual character, a typist may learn which finger should be moved to type the character (i.e., which finger should be activated) as well as a direction and distance to move the finger relative to a home finger position. To type a word or phrase, the typist may develop procedural memory associating a pattern of finger activations and movements (relative to home finger positions) to type the word or phrase. Thus, procedural memory aids one in becoming efficient at rapid text and data entry on keyboards whose key layouts conform to one's prior training. Once a certain keyboard's key layout has been learned by a typist and committed to procedural memory, the typist may poorly tolerate switching to a keyboard with an alternative key layout.
To support a more mobile workforce and lifestyle, electronic devices are increasingly becoming more compact and more portable. These electronic devices commonly include a keyboard with either physical keys or virtual keys, such as the physical keys 12 or the virtual keys 24 in FIGS. 1 and 2 as examples, to allow a typist, or user, to input data and provide commands or other inputs. Certain user applications (e.g., email clients) developed for these electronic devices may require extensive text and data entry. A full-size keyboard facilitates rapid text and data entry, but may require a key layout that is too large to incorporate into a compact electronic device. Furthermore, there may be a tradeoff in the amount of area designated for input on an electronic device versus the amount of area designated for a display. Even on virtual keyboards that allow providing virtual keys on the display without providing a separate input area, the size of the keyboard may constrain the area of the screen available for displaying other information, such as other inputs or output.
One approach to reducing keyboard size is to shrink the size of the keys. However, as key sizes are reduced, typists lose the ability to locate all their fingers upon a home row and may resort to using a single finger (such as a thumb or index finger) of one or both hands for data entry. Very small keys may even be difficult to accurately press with a single finger. In addition, when interacting with such miniature keyboards, typists are unable to make use of the procedural memory they previously developed using full-size keyboards. Instead, users must retrain themselves to use different finger patterns to press the keys.
Another approach to reducing keyboard size is to reduce the number of keys of the keyboard by allowing several characters to occupy a same key. Such a key may unambiguously represent the several characters, for example, when pressed in combination with a modifier key (e.g., Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Fn, or Cmd), or when pressed multiple times in succession (to cycle through the several characters). Alternatively, a key may be overloaded to represent several characters ambiguously. In this scenario, when overloaded keys are pressed, disambiguation software can be employed to determine which corresponding characters are intended, for example, based on dictionary matching, word and letter frequencies, and/or grammar rules. However, where the layout of a reduced-size, overloaded keyboard does not readily conform to a user's previously learned typing procedures, user retraining may be difficult or time-consuming, and adoption of such devices may be poorly tolerated by users.


A scroll machine has a shell and a muffler plate which defines a muffler chamber and a main chamber. The muffler plate has a face for engaging a seal which is disposed at an interface between the muffler chamber and the main chamber. The muffler plate has a structurally advantageous configuration incorporating a frusto-conical portion and a tubular portion, which reduces distortion of the face and thereby reduces leakage between the muffler and main chambers.

The present invention relates generally to scroll type machines, and more particularly to an improved muffler plate for scroll machines.
Scroll machines are generally provided with a hermetic outer shell. A muffler plate is often used to define a muffler chamber and a main chamber within the shell, each being at a different pressure during normal operation. A scroll assembly is disposed within the main chamber of the shell and includes an orbiting and a non-orbiting scroll member, each having spiral wraps which are mutually intermeshed and define at least one enclosed space of progressively changing volume between a suction pressure region and a discharge pressure region. A flow passage is formed through an end plate of one of the scroll members which allows fluid communication along a flow path between the enclosed space and the muffler chamber, and eventually through a port formed in the hermetic shell. As a result, the muffler plate must allow fluid communication between the enclosed space and the muffler chamber, while effectively sealing the muffler chamber from the main chamber to reduce leakage and enhance the efficiency of the scroll machine.
The muffler plate defines a face for engaging a seal disposed at an interface between the muffler chamber and the main chamber. To maintain effective isolation between the muffler chamber and the main chamber, the muffler plate face should remain in a flat and undistorted condition. Distortion of the face of the muffler plate may be caused for any of several reasons. First, inaccurate alignment or stress where the muffler plate is affixed to the scroll machine may distort the face defined by the muffler plate. Second, the difference in pressure between the muffler chamber and main chamber during normal operation causes a pressure gradient acting across the muffler plate, which may also distort the face. Third, operation of the scroll machine generally creates heat in various locations in the shell, and the resulting heat transfer may cause thermal distortion of the face of the muffler plate.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved muffler plate and seal configuration which reduces distortion of the muffler plate face and thereby reduces fluid leakage between the muffler chamber and the main chamber.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


Embodiments of this invention relate to matching object images, such as face images. In an embodiment, a method matches object images from a set of object images to a root object image. A set of object image lists ordered according to the relative similarity of the object images is received. Each face in the set of object images is at the origin of one of the object image lists. On a computing device, at least one element from each of the object image lists is applied to an object extraction data structure. Also on a computing device, a range of object images in the object image list is determined according to elements flagged within the object extraction data structure having a particular pattern. The range of object images matches the root object image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to image recognition.
2. Related Art
Widespread use of digital cameras has led to individuals amassing large quantities of digital photos. An individual may share digital photos via photo sharing web sites, such as the PICASSAWEB site available from Google Inc. Some photo sharing sites enable a user to name an object, such as a face, that appears in one or more photos. Naming each face in a large photo collection can be tedious and time-consuming for a user.
Some photo sharing sites attempt to group similar looking faces together, enabling the user to name the group of faces. While these techniques have advantages, they tend not to be scalable. Often, a group of faces that can be matched has a maximum size, above which the accuracy of face matching diminishes.
Systems and methods are needed that match a large number of object images, such as face images.

Object image matching and applications thereof


A Network Processor includes a Fat Pipe Port and a memory sub-system that provides sufficient data to satisfy the Bandwidth requirements of the Fat Pipe Port. The memory sub-system includes a plurality of DDR DRAMs controlled so that data is extracted from one DDR DRAM or simultaneously from a plurality of the DDR DRAMs. By controlling the DDR DRAMs so that the outputs provide data serially or in parallel, the data Bandwidth is adjustable over a wide range. Similarly, data is written serially into one DDR DRAM or simultaneously into multiple DDR DRAMs. As a consequence buffers with data from the same frame are written into or read from different DDR DRAMs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications network in general and in particular to devices used to transport large amounts of data in said networks.
2. Prior Art
The use of network devices such as switches, bridges, computers, networks processors etc., for transferring information within communications network is well known in the prior art. One of the requirements placed on these devices is the need for them to transport large volumes of data often referred to as bandwidth.
To meet the high bandwidth requirement the devices are provided with Fat Pipes. A Fat Pipe is a channel with high bandwidth which transmits large amounts of data.
In order to provide Fat Pipes with ample supply of data, high speed storage sub-systems are required. High speed storage systems such as Static Random Access Memories (SRAM) etc., can be used. But these memories are expensive and as a result increase the price of the devices in which they are used.
In addition to being expensive, the prior art high speed memories are low density. That is they can only store a limited amount of data. However, most applications especially those related to internet and other technologies require high density memories. A high density memory is one that is able to store and provide a large amount of data. As a consequence even the prior art high speed memories are not suitable for many applications.
In view of the above there is a need for high speed memories that are low cost and have high densities. As used in this document high speed memories have large Bandwidth (BW) providing large amounts of data in a relatively short time interval.

System and method of maintaining high bandwidth requirement of a data pipe from low bandwidth memories

International Business Machines Corporation


A connector includes a base, a circuit structure and a terminal base. The base has a body and a plurality of pins, wherein a surface of the body is formed with a plurality of recesses, and the pins are respectively inserted the recesses. The circuit structure is electrically connected with the pins, and the terminal base has a plurality of terminals for electrically connecting with the circuit structure.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a connector and a base thereof and more particularly to a connector and a base thereof that can prevent the short circuit issue.
2. Related Art
Generally, a connector, such as an RJ-45 connector, is applied to various network connecting interfaces for transmitting signals. Referring to FIG. 1 FIG. 1, it is a schematic view showing a conventional connector. The conventional connector 1 includes a base 10, a circuit board 11, and a terminal base 12. The circuit board 11 is disposed on the base 10, and the base 10 has a plurality of pins 101 penetrating through the base 10 to electrically connect to the external circuit. The terminal base 12 is also disposed on the base 10 and has a plurality of terminals 121, each of which is connected to a node of the circuit board 11, so that it can electrically connect to the corresponding pin 101 via the circuit layout of the circuit board 11.
The pins 101 are connected on the circuit board 11 by soldering. However, during the soldering process, the melted tin may flux to induce the short circuit issue. Moreover, since the present electronic device is small sized and has powerful functions due to the progressive electrical technology, the pitches between the pins 101 of the connector 1 are correspondingly reduced to match the trend of minimization. In this case, the short circuit issue caused by the flux tin becomes more obvious.
Therefore, it is an important subject of the invention to provide a connector and a base thereof that can prevent the short circuit issue caused by the electrical conduction between the pins.


A method and apparatus to provide random access to a programmable logic register. A processing device in a programmable logic system retrieves data from a memory of the programmable logic system. The data is loaded into a configuration register configured to store configuration data for a programmable logic function over a system bus. The processing device programs a programmable logic block to implement the programmable logic function based on the configuration data, where the processing device is configured to access a first configuration register in the configuration register set, the first configuration register corresponding to a first programmable logic block in the programmable logic system, without affecting a second configuration register corresponding to a second programmable logic block.

A programmable logic device (PLD) is an electronic component used to build reconfigurable digital circuits. Unlike a logic gate which has a fixed function, a PLD has an undefined function at the time of manufacture. The PLD is programmed, or configured, with a specific function before it is used in an electronic circuit.
The arrangement and operation of components within the PLD are programmed by architecture configuration bits. The architecture configuration bits are set prior to normal operation of the PLD. The bits are set using an operation called "programming" or "configuration." The configuration bits can be stored in volatile memory (i.e., SRAM), non-volatile memory (i.e., EEPROM/flash) or received from either a serial or parallel external data stream. When the configuration bits are stored in volatile memory, the configuration bits need to be loaded from a non-volatile memory, a micro controller, or some other source.
There are two types of registers in a programmable logic system: configuration registers (or other memory element) and application registers. The configuration registers are set to map digital functions into the programmable logic (for example to determine the logic equations for the function). After the configuration of the programmable logic system is complete, the function may start operation. In certain arrangements, the configuration bits for the PLD are generated off-chip by a user with a configuration tool. At the time of configuration, the configuration bits are loaded into the system from the external configuration tool and stored configuration memory cells (e.g., a configuration register). Such a configuration process determines the time required to program the PLD, since the configuration process must be implemented every time the PLD is either turned on or configured. The configuration process is "write-only" from the user's perspective and the configuration data must be in a specific format to program the device due to the fact that this data is programmed in a fixed (normally serial) sequence internally. In addition, the entire chip system implementing the PLD must be stopped and re-booted to accept the new configuration data. In this configuration process, the entire chip functionality must be reprogrammed in this sequence, even if only a small or modular change is desired. Once the device is configured, the digital logic functions can be operational. In many cases, these logic functions have application registers. The application registers are registers that the user interacts with to control the function and to pass data to and from the function. The interface to these registers, that is the method to write and read these application registers, is also created out of the programmable resources and therefore is included in the configuration described previously.

Built in system bus interface for random access to programmable logic registers