A sectioned conductor adapted to accommodate stress forces with reduced internal deformation while forming a conductive path between the rotor coils and a radial stud extending into the rotor shaft of a power generator is provided along with related methods. The sectioned conductor is formed of at least two distinct, spaced apart members that remain electrically connected as the second sectioned member moves relative to the first sectioned member in response to stress forces including those arising from centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor shaft within a stator coil, thermal expansion as caused by temperature increases in conductive components of the power generator, and from vibratory motions of the power generator.

The field of the invention relates to electrical conductors and, more specifically, electrical conductors in power generation systems subject to stress forces.
Conventional power generators generate electrical energy by means of induction. Such generators employ a stator core along with a rotor shaft having rotor coils associated therewith to rotate within the stator core in order to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Within the rotor shaft, extending axially relative to the lengthwise extent of the rotor, a pair of axial leads carry electrical current. To electrically connect an axial lead to the rotor coils associated with the rotor shaft, a radial stud often extends from the surface of the rotor shaft into the shaft to connect to the axial lead. A heavy conductor, usually positioned within a slot formed in the rotor shaft, electrically connects the axial lead to the rotor coils (usually the inner coil, which itself is connected electrically to the other coils).
These heavy conductors are often referred to as xe2x80x9cJ-leadsxe2x80x9d because their shape resembles that of a xe2x80x9cJxe2x80x9d lying on its side. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional J-lead 12 comprises a straight axial portion 14 connected at one end to the radial stud 32xe2x80x2 and extending in an axial direction relative to the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2, and, at the opposite end of the straight portion, a radial portion 16 that extends outward in a radial direction to connect to the rotor coil 28xe2x80x2.
The J-lead conductor 12 often is subject to stress forces stemming from several distinct sources. For example, as the rotor shaft spins within the stator core, centrifugal forces are generated. The rotor coils are positioned within axial slots 34xe2x80x2 extending along the length of the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2 and retained therein by a retaining ring 30xe2x80x2 surrounding a portion of the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2. Centrifugal force deflects the retaining ring 30xe2x80x2 and tends to pull the rotor coils away from the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2 as it rotates at an extremely rapid speed. The J-lead 12 connected to the inner rotor coil 28xe2x80x2 correspondingly experiences a stress force acting in a radial direction relative to the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2 and tending to pull the J-lead 12 radially away from the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2.
The J-lead also experiences stress forces due to thermal expansions acting in an axial direction relative to the lengthwise extent of the rotor shaft. Because the J-lead and the rotor coils are conductors, electrons move at constant average xe2x80x9cdriftxe2x80x9d velocity through the lead and coils experiencing continual collisions with the atoms of the crystalline structures of the lead and coils. These collisions, of course, generate heat and cause thermal expansions of the J-lead 12 and the rotor coils. Because one end of the axial portion 14 of the J-lead is fixedly connected to the radial stud, thermal expansion of the J-lead often is axially biased, causing the end opposite to the one connected to the radial stud 32xe2x80x2 to move farther away from the radial stud 32xe2x80x2. At the same time, thermal expansion of the rotor coil 28xe2x80x2 generates a stress force in the opposite direction acting on dint portion 16 of the J-lead that extends outwardly in a radial direction from the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2 and attaches to the coil. As the coil expands, the portion of the J-lead that is attached to the coil is pushed toward the radial stud 32xe2x80x2.
Thus, the net effect of these thermal expansions is that as one part of the J-lead 12 is forced away from the radial stud 32, another part is forced toward the radial stud 32xe2x80x2. The first force is due to a force acting on a first portion of the J-lead 12 positioned close to the rotor shaft, the second force is on a second portion of the J-lead 12 above the first portion and connected to the rotor coil. The result is that medial portions between the first and second portions of the J-lead are subjected to forces causing internal deformation.
In addition to the centrifugal forces due to rotation of the rotor shaft 24xe2x80x2 and the deforming forces due to thermal expansion, the J-lead 12 is also subjected to a variety of other forces including those stemming from vibrations within the generator and accentuated by possible pre-stress owing to the manner of installation and manufacturing variations.
In an attempt to accommodate these various forces, J-leads have conventionally been designed and manufactured to purposely permit internal deformation. Some J-leads, for example, are formed by joining in parallel several, reduced-diameter conductors or laminations. A persistent problem, however, is how to find a material that both permits the lead to flex and bend in response to stress forces and also acts as a good conductor. Copper, for example, is a good conductor, but has very poor fatigue properties. In addition, copper is difficult to form multiple parallel conductors into a J-lead and simultaneously provide adequate mechanical support. Components that provide mechanical support and bending capability require tightly controlled tolerances in manufacturing. The parts forming the J-lead must be very carefully assembled in accordance with very complicated procedures.
Not only are these procedures costly, they are fallible no matter how rigorously performed. Firstly, it is extremely difficult to calculate all initial pre-stress factors and J-lead stress forces under different operating conditions. Secondly, it is very difficult to predict how dimensional variations and other factors will influence the stress forces on the J-lead. Indeed, despite complicated attempts to engage in finite element analysis and conduct rigorous fatigue simulations, there continue to be notable J-lead failures.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention advantageously provides a conductor that substantially avoids internal deformation due to various stress forces on the conductor while providing a conductive path between distinct components of a generator. The substantial avoidance of internal deformation in the conductor makes the failure of the conductor considerably less likely. Specifically, reducing or eliminating entirely internal deformation accordingly reduces the probability of cracks in the conductor structure arising from stress-induced structural fatigue. Hence, a sectioned conductor of the present invention is much more reliable than devices like the conventional J-lead since the internal deformations that can cause fatigue leading to a breakdown are substantially eliminated.
Another distinct advantage of the present invention is the ease and efficiency with which a sectioned conductor according to the present inventor can be manufactured and installed. Instead of requiring intricate manufacturing steps to align and connect multiple, small-diameter conductors into a monolithic J-lead, separate pieces of the sectioned conductor are electrically joined easily and efficiently.
According to the present invention, a sectioned conductor is formed to have at least two sectioned members that remain electrically connected while being able to move relative to each other in response to stress forces. In the context of a power generator, the sectioned conductor includes at least a first sectioned member connected to a radial stud and a second sectioned member connected to at least one rotor coil to thereby provide a conductive path between the radial stud and the rotor coil. In a preferred embodiment, the second sectioned member of the conductor is adapted to respond to centrifugal forced generated by the rotation of the rotor within a stator by moving radially and independently of the remainder of the conductor as the coils and the retaining ring to which they attach move radially away from the rotor in response to the centrifugal force. Yet, as already noted sectioned members remain electrically connected even as the second sectioned member moves relative to the first.
The second sectioned member, moreover, is adapted to move axially in response to thermal expansion of the rotor coil resulting from current-induced temperature rises in the rotor coil. The second sectioned member is also free to move in substantially any direction in response to a combination of axially and radially directed forces such as those stemming from vibratory motions in the rotor.
As explained more fully herein, the present invention also encompasses related methods for reducing or eliminating stress forces in an electrical conductor. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for accommodating stress forces on an electrical connection while providing a conductive path between at least two spaced-apart electrical components within a generator. The method includes positioning a first portion of a conductor so as to electrically connect the conductor to a first component of at least two electrical components, and positioning a second portion of the conductor to electrically connect to a second component. The first and second portions of the conductor, moreover, are adapted so as to permit the second portion to move relative to the first portion in response to stress forces while remaining electrically connected to the first portion. The second portion, more specifically, moves relative to the first so as to substantially avoid internal deformation of the conductor Thus, among the other advantages, the present invention provides a method for providing and maintaining a conductive path with an electrical conductor that is substantially free of stress-induced internal deformation.

Sectioned conductor and related methods for accommodating stress and avoiding internal deformations in power generator


In a method and system for testing a transceiver communication device operating in a test mode, a transmitter output signal generated by a transmitter is adjusted and provided as a loop back to a receiver. The adjustment includes shifting a frequency and attenuating amplitude of the transmitter output signal to substantially match a predefined frequency and a predefined amplitude of a receiver input signal received by the receiver. A pass or fail status of the device is determined by comparing transmitted and received data.

The present disclosure relates generally to the testing of integrated circuits (ICs), and more particularly to an improved system and method for testing wireless communication devices.
Manufacturers of electrical/electronic devices such as ICs, radio frequency (RF) circuit devices, printed circuit boards, and other electronic circuits, typically use automatic test equipment (ATE) or similar other test systems to test the devices during the production process. The test systems are generally configured to apply a test signal to the device and measure its response to determine a pass or fail status. A device under test (DUT) is typically mounted on a test board, which in turn is secured to a test head. Test signals generated by the test system are communicated to the DUT via the test head and the test board.
Presently, use of wireless communication technology has experienced a rapid growth since the wireless technology when used with portable electronic devices combine information accessibility with user mobility and convenience. Many of these portable devices such as notebook/pocketbook computers, personal entertainment devices, and personal communications devices or a combination thereof typically use various wireless communication devices such as radios and wireless network interface cards (NIC's) to communicate between themselves and/or with other wired or wireless networks, including intranets and the Internet.
Multiple technological standards may be adopted for use in wireless media applications. For example, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Infrared Data Association (IrDA) are widely accepted standards for wireless communications. Regardless of the standard used, wireless devices typically operate in certain predefined frequency spectrum.
A mixed signal ATE tester having an RF signal source is typically deployed in a production environment to test a DUT with RF devices, such as RF transmitters, receivers and/or transmitters/receivers combined into one unit, which may also be referred to as 'transceivers'. Such mixed signal ATE testers, however, are generally expensive to procure and maintain due to the complexity of the ATE system resulting from performing ongoing upgrades, calibration and maintenance. The cost of these testers adds significantly to the cost of testing each integrated circuit (IC) which reduces the profit margin of the IC. In addition, such testers may provide a limited throughput for RF signals and may not support simultaneous testing of multiple DUT's, thereby limiting production throughput.
Therefore, a need exists to provide an improved method and system for testing wireless semiconductor devices. Specifically, there is a need for simultaneously testing multiple DUT's such as transceivers without deploying expensive ATE testers having an RF signal source. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an efficient method and system for testing wireless devices, absent the disadvantages found in the prior techniques discussed above.

Built in loop back self test in design or on test board for transceivers


A method of implementing common interest community services in a presence system comprising creating a common interest community in which an interest state of a presence message is aggregated into a group in the presence system, publishing a member presence information to the common interest community to be selectively made available to a subscribing member of the common interest community and subscribing to the common interest community for receiving the member presence information, wherein a publishing member may selectively grant an access level.

Presence is generally defined as knowing that a person is available via, for example, a certain device over a particular medium as soon as the user connects to the network. For instance, via presence information, it may be ascertained that the person is available online, and on a connected device with a certain device profile. Currently presence is only used to communicate the state information of a person or an entity. A user which indicates its presence on the network is termed a presentity. Presence is used to notify a group of watchers, for example in a contact list, about the state of person, including availability. When the user changes its presence state, each contact on the contact list is informed about the new presence state of the user.
The present invention is generally related to presence messaging to provide common interest community services, and more specifically to enable common interest community service via presence messaging. The invention utilizes presence to enable communities to be created based on common interest. In this case, presence infrastructure is used to carry the messaging somewhat similar to Instant Messaging (IM) or Short Message Service (SMS) only to a specific community, and is not delivered to all other entities which are watchers of the same presentity but only those which are matched to an interest state of the presence message.
Therefore, what is needed is a method of using presence messaging to enable creation of a common interest community. More specifically, assigning an interest state to a presence message and directing the presence message to at least one common interest community member.
The interest state of a presence message of the present invention enables directing the presence message to a common interest community member. The common interest community member in the present invention is at least one of a set community members from an aggregated group having similar interest states. The common interest community members are pre-determined according to criteria set in the interest state.
Current presence systems lacks an integrated approach for collecting and distributing common interest information, lack privacy and filtering mechanisms necessary for common interest information exchange and lack integration with communication systems like telephony, IM and email.
The present invention allows users with a common interest to use existing presence infrastructure to create a common interest community and facilitate their likely future communication amongst themselves. Interest based communication can be built utilizing databases which include people's interest, skills and other similar information.
Examples of such likely communications scenarios include opportunity communication among attendees of public conferences or conferences within large companies, ad-hoc communication among people who pursue common hobbies such as stamp collectors who want to exchange items of interest to community members, communication among vacation home owners who want to exchange vacation homes, holiday trip planners, hotels and flight service providers and internal recruiters to initiate communication with employees based on skill based information.
Communication between users that have common interests and are likely to communicate in the future can be facilitated by forming the common interest community. The present invention utilizes an extension of the existing Presence Information Document Format (PIDF) to account for information elements of value to the community. The basic PIDF defines the textual note, the indication of availability and a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) for communication. The Rich Presence Information Document (RPID) gives additional optional elements about the presentity and its contacts. The RPID includes information about what the person is doing, the type of place the user is in, the time zone along with the type of services that are available, and the like.
Presence communities can be created in the several ways. A third party entity may use the presence infrastructure to advertise the formation of the common interest community. For example, conference organizers can target advertisement to potential conference attendees who may need to exchange information of common interest such as topics of interest, level of expertise and daily schedule. A community member can publish his member presence information using the RPID to the presence server. Subscription to the common interest community may be passively authorized through the trusted third party for minimal default member presence information. Users will retain the privacy and filtering features of the presence infrastructure to adjust the desired presence exposure to each community member.
Peer-to-peer communication can be utilized to create a common interest community. In this case, users who form the presence community (e.g. stamp collectors who would like to exchange information and stamps) may invite potential members directly. Mechanisms such as email or presence enhanced IM can be used for this purpose. The users who choose to join the community will publish their common interest and other relevant info to the present system using the extended PIDF. In this case, access level authorization and filtering are handled by the owners of the member presence information themselves.
If the community member decides that showing his member presence information would be valuable to him, he has the ability to publish and update his RPID. If the user wishes, he can query the presence server to see what member presence information is available for distribution and the policy or policies associated with it. The user can indicate the member presence information to be made available to the common interest community. If the user decides that receiving member presence information of the common interest community member is valuable to him, he can subscribe to the common interest community to get the member presence information.
As an example, consider both a first and a second user as members of the same common interest community. The first user can send a subscription request to the presence service to view the second user's member presence information. The third party entity acts on behalf of the second user and passively authorizes viewing of minimal default member presence information. Either user can authorize the other user to see more detailed member presence information about themselves. Alternatively, if there is no third party entity, the second user can handle the authorization and filtering of his own member presence information. The presence server will provide the second user options to deny the first user's request, fully accept the request, partially accept the request along with mechanisms to select what member presence information to be made available to first user, or other related actions. If the second user grants permission directly or indirectly, his common interest community member presence information is sent as a notification to the first user who utilizes the second user's filtering and privacy policy.
The present invention allows current presence infrastructure to be leveraged for the creation of common interest presence communities. Users can have control over who is subscribed to view member presence information, and integration can be achieved with basic presence information and communication means like telephony, IM and email.
In one embodiment of the invention a method of implementing common interest community services in a presence system comprises creating a common interest community in which an interest state of a presence message is aggregated into a group in the presence system, publishing a member presence information to the common interest community to be selectively made available to a subscribing member of the common interest community and subscribing to the common interest community for receiving the member presence information, wherein a publishing member may selectively grant an access level. The method may also include assigning the interest state of the presence message to the member presence information, scanning the interest state of the member presence information, matching the interest state to the common interest community, filtering the member presence information, authorizing access to the subscribing member of the member presence information, viewing the member presence information, collecting the member presence information and distributing the member presence information.
In another embodiment of the invention a computer readable medium comprises instructions for assigning an interest state to a presence message, aggregating a group according to the interest state of the presence message and creating a common interest community of the aggregated group. The instructions may also include publishing a member presence information to the common interest community to be selectively made available to a subscribing member of the common interest community, subscribing to the common interest community to receive the member presence information, granting an access level to the subscribing member, authorizing an access level to the subscribing member of the member presence information, scanning the interest state of the member presence information, matching the interest state to the common interest community, filtering the presence message, viewing the presence message, collecting the presence message and distributing the presence message.
In a further embodiment of the invention a system for common interest community service via presence messaging, comprises a memory in which is received a presence message having an interest state and a first processor communicably coupled to the memory, the first processor adapted to assign the interest state to the presence message and send the presence message to the memory. The system may also include a second processor communicably coupled to the memory, the second processor adapted to scan the interest state of the presence message, aggregate a group according to the interest state of the presence message, create a common interest community of the aggregated group, and publish a member presence information to the common interest community. The system may further include a third processor communicably coupled to the memory, the third processor adapted to subscribe to the common interest community for receiving the member presence information, wherein a publishing member may selectively grant an access level and receive the presence message.

Common interest community service via presence messaging


The present disclosure provides a support device for conveying at least one solar cell element in a transport direction, wherein the support device comprises a support element configured for supporting the at least one solar cell element and an electric arrangement configured for providing an electrostatic force for holding the at least one solar cell element on the support element.

Solar cells are photovoltaic devices that convert sunlight directly into electrical power. An efficiency of the solar cells can be affected by an active area on a front surface of the solar cell that is exposed to light for converting sunlight into electrical power. The active area can be reduced due to the presence of electrical contacts, such as fingers and/or busbars, on the front surface of the solar cells. The presence of the electrical contacts on the front surface of the solar cells can thus reduce a module power of a solar cell module consisting of the solar cells.
In view of the above, new apparatuses and methods for manufacture of at least two solar cell arrangements and systems for manufacture of at least two shingled solar cells, that overcome at least some of the problems in the art are beneficial. The present disclosure particularly aims at providing solar cell arrangements that have an increased efficiency and that can be easily produced. Embodiments more particularly aim at solar cell arrangements, e.g., of solar cell modules, that allow to increase a module power.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus for manufacture of at least two solar cell arrangements, system for manufacture of at least two shingled solar cells, and method for manufacture of at least two solar cell arrangements


A lift assembly includes an upper rail. A plurality of rail flanges extend from the upper rail. The lift assembly further includes a plurality of combustion can support assemblies spaced apart from one another. Each combustion can support assembly of the plurality of combustion can support assemblies includes a support flange slidably coupled to a rail flange of the plurality of rail flanges, an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve assembly configured to removably couple to a combustion can of the turbomachine. Each combustion can support assembly of the plurality of combustion can support assemblies defines a cylindrical coordinate system having an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. Each combustion can support assembly of the plurality of support assemblies is configured to move along any of the axial direction, the radial direction, or the circumferential direction relative to the upper rail.

Turbomachines are utilized in a variety of industries and applications for energy transfer purposes. For example, a gas turbine engine generally includes a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. The compressor section progressively increases the pressure of a working fluid entering the gas turbine engine and supplies this compressed working fluid to the combustion section. The compressed working fluid and a fuel (e.g., natural gas) mix within the combustion section and burn in a combustion chamber to generate high pressure and high temperature combustion gases. The combustion gases flow from the combustion section into the turbine section where they expand to produce work. For example, expansion of the combustion gases in the turbine section may rotate a rotor shaft connected, e.g., to a generator to produce electricity. The combustion gases then exit the gas turbine via the exhaust section.
More specifically, the combustion section mixes large quantities of fuel and compressed air and burns the resulting mixture. The combustion section of a gas turbines can include an annular array of cylindrical combustion "cans" in which air and fuel are mixed and combustion occurs. Compressed air from an axial compressor flows into the combustor. Fuel is injected through fuel nozzle assemblies mat extend into each can. The mixture of fuel and air bums in a combustion chamber of each can. The combustion gases discharge from each can into a duct that leads to the turbine.
Combustion cans need to be installed during the initial build of the gas turbine and may subsequently be removed during subsequent maintenance activities. However, to install, remove or re-install one or more combustion cans, a significant amount of force may be required to properly lift, position and/or align each combustion can with respect to the gas turbine. Accordingly, alternative assemblies and methods for installing and removing combustion cans would be welcome in the art.


In a balanced type surface acoustic wave filter, a first longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portion connected to an unbalanced input terminal and a second longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portion connected to first and second balanced input terminals are two-stage cascade connected. In the first longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portion, in a portion in which first and second IDTs are adjacent to each other and a portion in which second and third IDTs are adjacent to each other, weighting is performed on a plurality of electrode fingers including the outermost electrode finger closest to the adjacent IDT, in at least one of the adjacent IDTs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a balanced-type surface acoustic wave filter having a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion function, and more particularly, to a balanced-type surface acoustic wave filter in which first and second longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portions are cascade connected.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with the reduction in size and weight of communication devices such as portable telephones, surface acoustic wave filters are widely used as bandpass filters which can have a small size. Furthermore, with the reduction in size of communication devices, the combination of constituent components is highly desired. Among such surface acoustic wave filters, a surface acoustic wave filter having a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion function is commonly used.
For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-84164 (Patent Document 1), a longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter having a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion function shown in FIG. 9 is disclosed.
As shown in FIG. 9, in a surface acoustic wave filter 300 described in Patent Document 1, an electrode structure shown in FIG. 9 is provided on a surface acoustic wave substrate. That is, a first longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portion 301 and a second longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter portion 302 are provided. In the surface acoustic wave filter portion 301, first to third IDTs 303 to 305 are arranged in the surface wave propagation direction. Reflectors 306 and 307 are disposed on both sides in the surface wave propagation direction of an area in which the IDTs 303 to 305 are disposed.
In a similar manner, in the second surface acoustic wave filter portion 302, fourth to sixth IDTs 308 to 310 are disposed along the surface wave propagation direction. Reflectors 311 and 312 are disposed on both sides in the surface wave propagation direction of the IDTs 308 to 310.
One terminal of the first surface acoustic wave filter portion 301 is connected to an unbalanced input terminal 313. The first and second surface acoustic wave filter portions 301 and 302 are cascade connected. Then, one terminal of the IDT 309 of the second surface acoustic wave filter portion 302 is connected to a first balanced output terminal 314 and the other terminal is connected to a second balanced output terminal 315.
Here, the first and second surface acoustic wave filter portions 301 and 302 are cascade connected. Furthermore, a signal flowing in a signal line 316 for connecting the IDT 303 and the IDT 308 is opposite in phase to a signal flowing in a signal line 317 for connecting between the IDTs 305 and 310.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-7713 (Patent Document 2), a surface acoustic wave filter with a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion function having an electrode structure shown in FIG. 10 is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 10, a longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter 400 is arranged in a similar manner as the surface acoustic wave filter 300 shown in FIG. 9 except that weighting is performed in a second surface acoustic wave filter portion 402 and narrow-pitched electrode-finger portions are provided in the first and second surface acoustic wave filter portions 401 and 402. Accordingly, corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding portions and their description is omitted.
Here, in IDTs 403 to 405 and IDTs 408 to 410, in a pair of adjacent IDTs, a narrow-pitched electrode-finger portion N is arranged such that the pitch of a plurality of electrode fingers including the outermost electrode finger on the side of the opposite IDT is narrower than the pitch of the main electrode fingers of the respective IDT. The discontinuity in the adjacent portions of the IDTs is compensated for by providing the narrow-pitched electrode-finger portion N and filter characteristics are improved. In addition, in the longitudinally coupled resonator-type surface acoustic wave filter 400, in the two-stage cascade connection-type structure, in the surface acoustic wave filter portion 402 connected to first and second balanced output terminals 414 and 415, in addition to the above-described narrow-pitched electrode-finger portion, weighting by differing the electrode-finger cross-widths is provided.
The balancing is improved such that a signal flowing in one signal line 416 for connecting the first surface acoustic wave filter portion 401 and the second surface acoustic wave filter portion 402 is different in phase from a signal flowing in the other signal line 417.
Furthermore, when the above-described cross-width weighting is provided, the balancing is further improved.
When the above-described surface acoustic wave device having a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion function is a three-port device, wherein, for example, the unbalanced input terminal is port 1 and the balanced output terminals are port 2 and port 3, respectively, the amplitude balancing and phase balancing are defined as follows:Amplitude balancing=|A|  formula (1)A=|20 log (S21)|−|20 log (S31)|Phase balancing=|B|  (2)B=|∠S21−∠S31|Moreover, S21 represents a transfer coefficient from port 1 to port 2 and S31 represents a transfer coefficient from port 1 to port 3. Ideal balancing in the filter characteristics of a surface acoustic wave device is when the amplitude balancing is 0 dB and the phase balancing is 180 degrees in the passband.
As described above, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose balanced-type surface acoustic wave filters 300 and 400 of a two-element cascade-connection type in which balancing is improved. However, in these surface acoustic wave filters 300 and 400, there is a problem in that a steep spike-like ripple is generated in the amplitude balancing characteristics and phase balancing characteristics in the passband. Accordingly, the improvement of balancing is not sufficient.

Balanced type surface acoustic wave filter


A treatment head of a tool machine and a member are relatively angularly positioned by an angularly indexable mount having a first coupling having first and second elements displaceable relative to each other, each formed with a respective array of a respective predetermined number of teeth, and respectively connected to the member and the treatment head. The number of teeth of the first-coupling first element varies by more than one from the number of teeth of the first-coupling second element. A second coupling meshable with the first coupling has first and second elements engageable with the first and second elements of the first coupling, fixed relative to each other, and each formed with a respective array of a respective predetermined number of teeth. The number of teeth of the second-coupling first element varies by more than one from the number of teeth of the second-coupling second element.

In particular, hereafter reference shall be made to mounts of the type usually used for example in machine tools for supporting and orienting a rotary head or else a rotary table. In other examples, such mounts are used to displace or angularly position a member of a machine with respect to another, for example the mount can be used in marble machines, machines for joinery, manipulators, etc.
Currently there are two types of chip machines: continuous treatment machines and discontinuous treatment machines.
The first (i.e. continuous treatment machines) are equipped with a treatment head or workpiece-carrying table the position and mutual orientation of which can be modified continuously by stepper motors controlled by the electronics of the machine. Machines of this type allow even very complex treatments to be carried out but, however they have drawbacks which in practice limit their use above all to very coarse treatments. Indeed, continuous treatment machines, during operation, generally have high vibration, low chip removal and, therefore, long treatment times. Moreover, continuous treatment machines are usually very expensive and are not very strong and a limited resolution. Usually the maximum resolution that can be obtained with a continuous treatment machine is equal to 0.001°.
Discontinuous treatment chip machines, on the other hand, are made using Hirth mounts. Hirth mounts have two identical disks, equipped with face teeth connected together engaging the respective teeth between them. The disks can be rotated with respect to each other before connection so as to be positioned as required by the treatment being carried out and, therefore, so as to position as desired the mechanical member connected to them, usually consisting of the workpiece-carrying table or else the treatment head. The mounts of the type indicated are widely used in practice since they allow the machine members to be positioned as required for the particular treatment being carried out and the connection between the disks is strong and precise enough to be used even for calibrated positioning.
Machines which use Hirth mounts are usually strong, they are not affected by vibrations and they allow large quantities of chips to be removed at each run. However, they are not very flexible and their use becomes all the more difficult, up to the point of becoming practically impossible, when very high resolutions are desired. Indeed, the resolution which can be obtained with conventional mounts of this type becomes greater as the number of teeth on the disks (of the same type) becomes greater. This is due to the fact that the disks have the same number of teeth and, therefore, the greater the number of teeth, the greater the number of positions in which a disk of 360° is divided (the positions are defined, for example, by the gaps between two teeth of a disk in which the teeth of the other disk engage). This necessarily implies that to obtain greater resolution and, therefore, to divide the 360° angle into many positions it is necessary to increase the number of teeth. Moreover, it must be considered that the teeth must transmit torque and, therefore, their thickness cannot be too thin otherwise they would be too weak and there could be the risk, if subjected to too high forces, of them breaking.
Of course, these two drawbacks combined with each other mean that in practice as the required resolution increases the diameter needed for the disks increases and, therefore, the bulk, the weight, etc. increases.


A safety system for relieving over pressure in a pipeline carrying a congealable material, in which the pipeline is provided with a bursting disc located in a spur of the pipeline, the disc being mounted in a holder so that the surface of the disc forms part of the wall of the pipeline so that material passing down the pipeline washes the surface of the disc and keeps its clean.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pipelines and has particular reference to pipelines for transporting congealable fluids.
The term "congealable fluid" as used herein means a fluid which, as a result of changes in temperature, pressure, flow, or degradation can result in the formation of a substantially solid, substantially unmoveable product.
The invention has particular application to congealable fluids susceptible to exothermic reactions, such as congealable pastes or slurries. The invention has further particular application to pipelines for the transport of mixtures of cellulose, a tertiary amine n-oxide and a non-solvent for cellulose, such as water.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
It is well known to incorporate into pressure vessels a safety pressure relief device. A common form of safety pressure relief device is a bursting disc. A bursting disc essentially comprises a membrane which is relieved--either by bursting open or being blown out of its holder, or both, under the action of a pressure greater than the normal operating pressure for the pressure vessel but below the pressure at which the vessel itself will rupture.
Bursting discs are conventionally mounted in small pipe spurs located off of a pressure vessel or are formed as part of the wall(s) of the pressure vessel.
It has now been discovered that there may be particular problems with pipelines for transporting a congealable fluid where an excess pressure may arise in the transport pipeline itself. The present invention is concerned with the provision of an over-pressure device for a pipeline for transporting a congealable fluid where there is a possibility that an excess pressure may arise within the congealable fluid. The excess pressure may arise within the pipeline itself or may be the result of a rise in pressure external to the pipeline.


The present disclosure discloses a detection circuit and method. The detection circuit comprises: a controller, a battery pack, a main positive switch module, a main negative switch module and at least one detection loop. The controller collects voltages of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery pack and a voltage between external sides of the main positive switch module and the main negative switch module when turning on the main positive or negative switch module and after turning on any detection loop, and obtains resistance values of insulation resistors of the external sides according to resistance values of insulation resistors of internal sides of the main positive and negative switch module, as well as the voltages of the positive electrode and the negative electrode and the voltage between the external sides of the main positive switch module and the main negative switch module, which are collected twice.

With the development of a battery technology, the replacement of fuel vehicles with electric vehicles has become a trend in an automotive industry. A power battery pack is a key component of the electric vehicles, two sides of a relay of the electric vehicle are grounded separately, and an insulation performance of the electric vehicle is detected when the relay is turned on, to ensure safety of power supply under high voltage.
At present, how to detect an insulation performance of a single side or both sides of a relay is a problem to be solved.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited


A denture adhesive base composition comprises a substantially anhydrous mixture of methyl vinyl ethermaleic acid copolymer, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and ethylene oxide polymer. A denture adhesive composition including this base composition is also provided, the denture adhesive composition optionally including hydroxypropylcellulose. A method for formulating the novel denture adhesive base compositions and denture adhesive compositions of the invention is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to denture adhesives or stabilizers, and particularly to an improved anhydrous denture adhesive composition.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditionally, adherent powders used to secure dentures within the mouth were prepared from such materials as finely powdered natural gums, i.e. karaya, acacia or tragacanth gum. These materials have the particular property of swelling to many times their original volume upon the addition of water to form a gelatinous or mucilaginous mass. Denture adhesive powders may be a combination of one or more natural gums, generally flavored with pleasant tasting volatile oils. Many other additives may also be included, such as antiseptics, stabilizers, bactericides, special deodorants, plasticizing agents, fillers, coloring agents, and the like.
Cream forms of the denture adherent, prepared from finely ground particles of the natural gums dispersed in a cream base, are also available and may be used instead of the powder compositions. In any event, when wet with water, the natural gum in either the cream or powder formulation, expands to become a viscous gel which acts as a cushion and an adherent between the denture plate and the gum tissue.
While these relatively simple formulations are effective in securing dentures within the oral cavity for a short period of time, generally more than one application of adhesive per day is necessary. This is, at best, inconvenient and therefore, most undesirable.
In recent years, there have been numerous improvements in the above-described simple denture adhesive formulations. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,812, a substantially anhydrous denture fixative is disclosed which includes an ethylene oxide polymer having a molecular weight between 500,000 and 5,000,000, in an amount preferably comprising at least 50% of the active fixative materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,609 discloses a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which consists of polyethylene amine in combination with either polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,274 discloses a denture adhesive containing three essential ingredients: a maleic anhydride and/or acid copolymer (with a lower alkyl vinyl ether), a polymeric N-vinyl lactam, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, preferably incorporated into a diluent such as petrolatum and/or mineral oil.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,936 discloses a denture adhesive comprising sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a mineral oil base.
U.S Pat. No. 4,373,036 discloses a denture fixative composition which includes hydroxypropylcellulose, in combination with partially neutralized polyacrylic acid, partially neutralized lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic acid or anhydride copolymer and/or polyethylene oxide.
While all of the above denture adhesives provide some improvement over simple formulations containing only finely powdered natural gums, it is generally recognized that no one product has yet been developed which can accommodate, over a long period of time, the many variations in temperatures, pH and mechanical agitation which are quite normal in the oral cavity.
It has now been found that the denture adhesive of this invention will provide superior adherent properties over prolonged periods of time and under unusually varied conditions, without the disadvantages characteristic of previously known products.


A method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, one or more data storage drives and one or more control ports. A data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein to implement Applicants"" method to partition the data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants"" data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.

Applicants"" invention relates to a method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. Applicants"" invention further relates to a data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for partitioning Applicants"" data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. Applicants"" invention further relates to computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.
Automated media storage libraries are known for providing cost effective access to large quantities of stored media. Generally, media storage libraries include a large number of storage slots in which are stored data storage media. The portable data storage media are typically housed in a portable container, such as a tape cartridge, an optical cartridge, and the like. One (or more) accessors typically access the data storage media from the storage slots and delivers the accessed media to a data storage drive for reading and/or writing data on the accessed media. Suitable electronics operate the accessor(s) and operate the data storage drive(s) to transmit to, and/or to receive data from, an attached on-line host computer system.
In a conventional automated media storage library, the storage slots are arranged in a planar orthogonal arrangement forming a xe2x80x9cwallxe2x80x9d of storage slots for holding data storage media. The plane may be a flat plane, or may be a cylindrical plane. To double the storage capacity, two xe2x80x9cwallsxe2x80x9d of storage slots may be provided on either side of the accessor.
A number of different companies manufacture automated media storage libraries today, each model displaying various different features. One example is the IBM 3494 Media Storage Library. Some of the automated media storage libraries have dual or multiple accessors to provide a level of redundancy and/or improved performance.
It would be advantageous to be able to share a data storage and retrieval system among multiple hosts and therefore amortize the cost of that system more widely. It is often difficult, however, to design components that can respond to multiple hosts. Sharing a data library using prior art apparatus and methods generally requires that special host software be installed on each host computer. Such software allows communication between differing hardware platforms using differing operating systems. In addition, using prior art methods such library sharing generally requires the addition of a cumbersome layer of supervisory software code in the library, which both increases the need for processing capability of the library and which can ultimately reduce the performance of other aspects of the library. Requiring end-users to develop software for an automated data storage and retrieval library to enable multiple incompatible hosts to manage a shared inventory may require a redesign of the library programming and may be sufficiently expensive as to be prohibitive for the low cost environment.
In the low cost environment where hosts and libraries alike often comprise mass produced devices what is needed is an easy-to-use, automated process, to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries thereby achieving a library sharing capability which does not require special host software or modification to any of the components of the mass produced data storage and retrieval system. Applicants"" method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries fulfills these requirements. In addition, Applicants"" method comprises an automated process which prevents a user from incorrectly configuring Applicants"" data storage and retrieval system.
Applicants"" invention includes a method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries, where that data storage and retrieval system includes a library controller, at least one data storage drive and at least one control port. A control port provides a control path into the data storage and retrieval system. Devices such as control ports and data storage drives are arranged in device slots by the library manufacturer, and/or by the user, and/or by repair personnel. Using Applicants"" method, a data storage and retrieval system can be partitioned into smaller virtual libraries called logical libraries.
A logical library comprises a subset of the complete physical data storage and retrieval system, where that logical library includes at least one data storage drive and at least one control port. In other words, storage slots, data storage drives, and control ports disposed in a data storage and retrieval system can be partitioned into smaller logical libraries which share common robotic resources, i.e. robotic accessors. Applicants"" method includes the steps of identifying each of the control ports and data storage drives, determining the number of potential logical libraries that could be configured using those control ports and data storage drives, selecting the number (N) of logical libraries to configure, and partitioning the data storage and retrieval system into those (N) logical libraries.
Applicants"" invention further includes a data storage and retrieval system which includes a computer useable medium having computer readable program code disposed therein for partitioning Applicants"" data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries. Applicants"" invention further includes a computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein for partitioning Applicants"" data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries.

Method to partition a data storage and retrieval system into one or more logical libraries

International Business Machines Corporation


Memory devices, controllers, and electronic devices comprising memory devices are described. In one embodiment, a memory device comprises a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a controller comprising a memory buffer, and logic to transfer data between the nonvolatile memory and the volatile memory via the memory buffer in response to requests from an application, wherein data in the memory buffer is accessible to the application. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Continuing advances in system architecture, e.g., multi-core processing, and advances in application require corresponding advances in memory systems. High capacity memory is becoming increasingly important with increases in the number of cores in a processor system the number of applications, e.g., in-memory databases and virtualized servers, that require significantly higher memory capacity. The ability to scale existing memory systems (e.g., double data rate direct in-line memory modules (DDR DIMMs)) is limited due to several factors including cost, power consumption, density, and performance. A typical large memory platform may contain as many as 16 DIMMs or greater. This creates challenges in component placement, cooling, as well as routing of signals, all of which adds to the cost of these systems.
In addition to capacity, persistent memory is increasingly useful in certain applications. A typical example is an in-memory database where the time to build the memory image can be considerably large as the size of the database grows. The ability to maintain the memory contents across power cycling may reduce start-up time and remove the requirement for redundant active or stand-by servers.
Accordingly, hybrid memory devices may find utility.


A virtual disk processing method and apparatus belong to the field of storage technologies, where the method includes receiving delete information from a client system of a first virtual machine, determining, according to the delete information, at least one data cluster in a first virtual disk corresponding to a designated file, where the first virtual disk is a virtual disk corresponding to the first virtual machine, setting the at least one data cluster to be available, determining, according to a storage mapping table, a target physical disk block corresponding to the at least one data cluster, where a correspondence between a data cluster in the first virtual disk and a physical disk block is recorded in the storage mapping table, and setting the target physical disk block to be available.

In the field of storage technologies, virtualization technologies are widely used. Multiple virtual machines are usually created on one server, and each virtual machine may be used as an independent device to be managed and used. An operating system of the server is referred to as a host system, and an operating system of each virtual machine is referred to as a client system. After a virtual machine is created, the host system provides a virtual disk for a client system of the virtual machine such that the client system uses the virtual disk when running. From a perspective of the host system, the virtual disk is actually a file. Therefore, the virtual disk may also be referred to as a virtual disk file. When using the virtual disk, the client system may perform various operations such as adding, modifying, or deleting a file in the virtual disk. The client system interacts with the host system using a virtualization layer in the host system when performing an operation on the virtual disk. Similar to a compressed package, the virtual disk gradually expands as the virtual machine runs and is used. However, the virtual disk does not automatically lessen according to a deletion operation of the client system.
A conventional virtual disk lessening method is that after a virtual machine stops running, a user performs a compression operation on a virtual disk using a tool in order to lessen the virtual disk.
However, when the virtual disk is lessened using the conventional virtual disk lessening method, a service of the virtual machine is interrupted because the virtual machine stops running. In this way, data transmission and use on the virtual machine are affected, and consequently, work efficiency of the virtual machine is relatively low.

Virtual disk processing method and apparatus


An amplification device (18) has its gain controlled by varying the current flowing into the amplification device. The current is varied (36) by a means of a variable bias network that adapts the input current in response to a control signal. In this way, the amplification device is provided with variable gain while avoiding parametric regeneration.

Typical variable gain amplifiers commonly operate by varying a voltage potential coupled to the collector of a transistor amplification device. However, depending upon the type of amplification device chosen, the application of very low collector voltages to control the gain of the device may cause the occurrence of parametric regeneration, wherein the device begins to oscillate. Such condition is significantly detrimental to the performance of the amplifier and designers of amplification circuits strive to avoid or reduce the probability of such occurence whenever possible. Accordingly, a need exists for variable gain amplifier that avoids the parametric regeneration phenomena.


A circular PVD chamber has a plurality of sputtering targets mounted on a top wall of the chamber. A pallet in the chamber is coupled to a motor for rotating the pallet about its center axis. The pallet has a diameter less than the diameter of the circular chamber. The pallet is also shiftable in an XY direction to move the center of the pallet beneath any of the targets so all areas of a workpiece supported by the pallet can be positioned directly below any one of the targets. A scanning magnet is in back of each target and is moved, via a programmed controller, to only be above portions of the workpiece so that no sputtered material is wasted. For depositing a material onto small workpieces, a cooling backside gas volume is created between the pallet and the underside of sticky tape supporting the workpieces.

Sputtering systems are widely used for depositing materials on workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers, display panels, mechanical parts, etc. Sputtering is sometimes referred to as physical vapor deposition, or PVD. In a sputtering operation, thin films comprising materials such as Al, Au, Cu, and Ta are deposited in a vacuum on the workpieces. It is common to deposit a stack of thin films of different materials, such as to form a tri-layer structure comprising Ti/Cu/Au.
Applicant had previously developed a PVD system having multiple wedge-shaped targets around a top wall of a circular vacuum chamber, where workpieces are mounted on a rotating circular pallet below the targets for being positioned under the different targets. The diameter of the pallet was approximately the same as the inner diameter of the vacuum chamber. The rotating pallet not only creates a more uniform deposition, but allows each workpiece to be positioned under targets of different materials for depositing a stack of different materials on the workpieces. This is described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,495. However, with such a system, the center of the pallet could not be positioned under any of the targets. This was acceptable when the workpieces, such as silicon wafers, were mounted on the pallet away from the center so as to be fully under a target for sputtering. If the workpiece was a single large rectangular panel that overlaid the center of the rotating pallet, the center portion of the panel could not be positioned under a target by the rotating pallet, resulting in the non-coverage of the middle area by the targets.
Thus, what is needed is a technique for performing a PVD process on a large panel on a rotating pallet in a PVD chamber with multiple targets.
Further, for a large rectangular workpiece on the circular pallet, a portion of the targets must be directly above the corners of the rotating workpiece (where the corners extend near the outer perimeter of the pallet) for sputtering on the corner areas, but the sputtering material is wasted when the workpiece is not directly below the entire target, such as when a flat side of the rectangular workpiece (closer to the center of the pallet) is under only a portion of the target. Also, if multiple wafers are mounted on the pallet with spaces between them, sputtered material is wasted if it lands between the wafers.
Thus, what is also needed is a technique for performing a PVD process on a large panel (or other workpieces) on a rotating pallet in a PVD chamber where sputtering is only from portions of the targets that are directly above the workpiece.
The metal pallet is cooled using a liquid coolant flowing in the pallet. The pallet then cools flat wafers that are directly in contact with the pallet surface. However, for some uses, the workpiece is not in direct contact with the pallet surface and cannot be cooled by the pallet. Such is the case where the PVD system is used for depositing a metal layer over an array of IC packages for EMI shielding or for other applications where the workpiece is not in direct contact with the cooled pallet.
Thus, what is also needed is a technique for cooling workpieces supported by the pallet but are not in direct thermal contact with the pallet.
Other improvements are also described.

Physical vapor deposition system using backside gas cooling of workpieces


Using geologic hydraulic fracturing methods and subterranean waste injection and disposal processes well known in the petroleum production industry, hazardous wastes are pulverized, mixed to create a slurry, and injected into a subsurface hydraulic fracture rock formation via a perforated deep well. Injection of the slurry at pressures exceeding the rock's minimum principle stress generates microseismic signals whose sources correspond to the locations and geometry of an expanding hydraulic fracture zone. These signals are detected with seismic sensors. Advanced, Real Time, Passive Seismic Imaging (PSI) methods are applied for automatic data acquisition, compression, analysis and calculation to locate the sources of the signals and to map the dimensions and geometry of the fracture zone in real time. Computer visualization codes are employed to present injection data and the fracture zone location, dimensions and geometry for human interpretation and decisions.. The same real time passive seismic imaging, data acquisition, computer processing and time visualization process is equivalently capable and efficiently applied for interactive management and control of hydraulic fracturization treatment operations for improved production from oil and gas wells in the petroleum industry.

Background.
Disposal of wastes is one of the largest problems facing the world today. Disposal of hazardous wastes, in particular, is a great problem, because of the necessity to provide safe isolation of the hazards from the environment. A preferable method of hazardous waste disposal is pressure injection into impermeable geologic formations, using hydraulic fracture processes. Waste must be injected below or contained within impermeable layers which contain and seal the hazardous materials from critical zones, reservoirs, aquifers and sources of useful waters.
There is a problem with fracture disposal, however, in knowing where the fractures occur, their growth and propagation in unknown directions, and the possibility that hydraulic fractures and wastes injected into them might migrate in unknown directions and pollute sources of drinking water and other critical geologic zones. For that reason, underground injecting of hazardous wastes without an approved EPA exemption is prohibited. Passive Seismic Imaging (PSI) is an emerging technology which can be used for real time scientific verification of geologic containment of hazardous wastes injected into subterranean hydraulic fractures. Passive Seismic Imaging of hydraulic fractures used for the disposal of hazardous waste as disclosed in this invention will provide real time location, visualization and verification of containment which may meet EPA demonstration requirements for geologic containment of the wastes.
Moreover, in hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production from low permeability oil and gas reservoirs, improved controls are urgently needed. As the interwell spacing in a hydraulically fractured reservoir decreases through further field development, there is an increasing need for precise information concerning the geometry, dimensions, and orientation of the induced fractures, in order to design the well pattern necessary for efficient drainage. Passive Seismic Imaging, including automatic data acquisition, data compression, processing, display and visualization as disclosed herein provides a technology which satisfies this need.
Previous technology. During the 1930's and 40's, it was common in oil and gas exploration to drill into subterranean formations that contained oil and gas but that produced at uneconomically low flow rates. A method for increasing such low flow rates was developed by J. B. Clark in 1948 . The method, called "fracturing", was based on the observation that pressure applied at the wellhead to an incompressible fluid would be transmitted downhole to the exposed formation, which would part under the transmitted stress.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,108,439 to REYNOLDS et al; 3,262,274 to NELSON, Jr.; 3,292,693 to HILL et al; 3,331,206 to OSBORNE; 3,335,798 to QUERIO et al; 3,374,633 to BRANDT; 3,513,100 to STOGNER; 3,852,967 to STEWART et al; 3,576,513 to LINDERHOFFER et al; 4,787,452 to JENNINGS, JR.; 4,828,030 to JENNINGS, JR.; 4,906,135 to BRASSOW et al; 4,942,929 to MALACHOSKY et al; 5,108,226 to JENNINGS; 5,109,933 to JACKSON; 5,129,469 to JACKSON; 5,133,624 to CAHILL; and 5,191,157 to CROCKER disclose various waste disposal methods involving drilling into suitable subterranean formations and injecting various materials for permanent storage, e.g., radioactive liquids or slurries, waste solids or sludges, or other liquids or gasses, into underground formations. As described in the STOGNER patent for example, a mixture of sharply angular solid waste particles and an aqueous cement are used to fracture and prop open an underground formation. Any incompressible fluid, like cement, can be used as a fracturing inducing fluid, but as described in CAHILL, not all fracture inducing fluids are suitable for permanent waste disposal.
REYNOLDS and NELSON disclose methods of disposing of radioactive wastes. HILL discloses disposal of toxic fluids. BRASSOW, CAHILL and CROCKER disclose disposal of hazardous wastes. Others listed above, using generic terms such as wastes, solid particles, finely ground solids, waste materials, pumpable wastes, and the like, may include hazardous wastes as well. In particular, REYNOLDS, CAHILL and CROCKER disclose disposal into induced hydraulic fractures.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,871 to BAILEY teaches the mapping of earth fractures induced by hydrafracturing for gas and oil production; and while BAILEY uses pressure gauges and seismometers in his process, it is not applied to location of hazardous wastes, and is not a real time location and display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,144 to HOLZHAUSEN, ET AL is a method for hydraulic fracture analysis. U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,527 to MAHRER is a method for determining the depth of a hydraulic fracture zone in the earth.
But none teaches a method for real time, automatic calculation, computer imaging, visualization and display of hydraulic fracture location, dimensions and geometry for interactive management of fracturization and for verifying the location and containment of wastes that have been so disposed.

Passive seismic imaging for real time management and verification of hydraulic fracturing and of geologic containment of hazardous wastes injected into hydraulic fractures


A bulk acoustic wave sensor includes a delay layer. The sensor includes an acoustic mirror and a base resonator. The base resonator includes a piezoelectric layer and two electrodes. One or more delay layers are disposed adjacent to the base resonator. A delay layer may be disposed between the base resonator and the acoustic mirror, a delay layer may be disposed on the base resonator opposite to the acoustic mirror, or both. Each delay section is formed of high quality-factor material. The sensor may define a resonant frequency, and the thickness of each delay section may be an integer multiple of half-wavelengths of the resonant frequency.

Fluidic devices having acoustic wave sensors for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample often have biomolecules, such as antibodies or other proteins such as receptors, polynucleic acids, or the like attached to their surfaces. The analyte may bind to the biomolecule attached to the surface of the sensor and increase the mass bound to the sensor. The increased mass alters the wave propagation characteristics (e.g., magnitude, frequency, phase, etc.) of the sensor. The change in propagation characteristics due to analyte binding may be correlated with the amount of bound analyte and, thus, the amount of analyte in the sample.
The use of high Q resonators is often desirable when using a bulk acoustic resonator in sensing applications for which the basic function of the resonator is to sense mass via a change in operational frequency. This is the case for traditional quartz crystal monitors and for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators based on thin-film technologies. Some conventional overmoded resonators use high quality-factor substrate beneath the resonator or a delay line between the electrodes to provide delay, such as those described in Kline, G. R., et al., "Overmoded High Q Resonators for Microwave Oscillators," 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1993, pp. 718-721, and Lakin, K M, et al., "High Q Microwave Acoustic Resonators and Filters," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 41, No. 12, December 1993, pp. 2139-2146, both of which are incorporated entirely herein by reference. However, using the substrate (such as, sapphire or quartz) for the delay layer typically requires very uniform substrate thickness and uniformity control, which may be difficult or expensive to manufacture.
The discussion of prior publications and other prior knowledge does not constitute an admission that such material was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge.

Bulk acoustic wave sensor having an overmoded resonating structure


An intake manifold (10) for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes a tubular intake distributor (12) from which a plurality of long intake tubes (13) extend and lead to the individual cylinders. Short intake tubes (14) likewise extend from the intake distributor and open into the respective associated long intake tubes (13). The intake distributor (12) and the long and short intake tubes (13, 14) are formed from a one-piece housing (11) which has a cavity (21) which intersects the short intake tubes (14). In this cavity (21) a control element (15) is installed, which includes flaps (16), flap frames (17), a shaft (19) and a control element frame (18). By moving the shaft (19) either rotationally or translationally, the short intake tubes (14) can be opened or closed. In contrast to arrangements known in the prior art, the control element (15) has no sealing elements which can catch or jam during assembly. Additionally, the arrangement of the flaps (16) on a continuous shaft (19) provides a space-saving apparatus.

The invention relates to an intake manifold for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine.
Ohrnberger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,677 (=DE 43 44 504) discloses an intake manifold system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a tubular intake distributor from which extend first intake tubes that lead to the individual cylinders. Second, shorter individual intake tubes also extend from the intake distributor and open into the associated individual intake tubes. The intake distributor and the first and second intake tubes form a one-piece component which has a longitudinal bore that intersects the second individual intake tubes for the cylinders. A drum controller with an opening for each second individual intake tube is inserted into this longitudinal bore. By rotating the drum controller, this opening can be brought into or out of alignment with the respective second individual intake tube.
The tightness of the drum controller, however, can be ensured only by using additional sealing elements, e.g., seal rings or seal cages. During assembly, however, these sealing elements can get tangled which makes assembly more difficult. Furthermore, the design and production of these sealing elements requires a high measure of care and tuning to achieve the required sealing force. In addition, chattering of the drum controller cannot be excluded.
Spannbauer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,499 (=DE 195 39 078) discloses an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine with an engine-side flange. This engine-side flange is connected with intake pipes that proceed from a plenum and with the cylinder head flange. The engine-side flange is provided with mounting bushings for mounting to the cylinder head flange. The plenum is partitioned by an adjustable partitioning element, which can separate or connect the intake pipe plenum and thereby influences the charging effect of the cylinders. The engine-side flange is used to mount the intake manifold to the cylinder head flange. This component is bulky, however, and increases the weight of the parts. In addition, it increases assembly complexity because several components are used. Due to this additional complexity and the greater number of individual components, the component costs of this intake manifold are higher.
German patent application no. DE 195 390 424 discloses an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine with an engine-side flange. This engine-side flange is connected with intake pipes that proceed from a plenum and with the cylinder head flange. The engine-side flange is provided with mounting bushings for mounting to the cylinder head flange. The plenum is partitioned by an adjustable partitioning element, which can separate or connect the intake pipe plenum and thereby influences the charging effect of the cylinders. The engine-side flange is used to mount the intake manifold to the cylinder head flange. This component is bulky, however, and increases the weight of the parts. In addition, it increases assembly complexity because several components are used. Due to this additional complexity and the greater number of individual components, the component costs of this intake manifold are higher.
It is the object of the present to provide an improved intake manifold for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine.
Another object of the invention is to provide an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine which reduces the clearance required in the engine compartment.
A further object of the invention is to provide an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine which can be manufactured and installed in a cost-effective manner.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine which can be assembled in a relatively simple manner.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention by providing an intake manifold for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, the manifold comprising an intake distributor; a plurality of adjacent first individual intake tubes extending from the intake distributor and each extending to a respective cylinder of the engine; a plurality of second, shorter individual intake tubes extending from the intake distributor and each opening into a respective first individual intake tube; a control element for blocking or unblocking the second individual intake tubes, the control element comprising at least two flaps arranged on a common shaft surrounded by flap frames and disposed in a common control element frame; the control element being installed as a complete unit in a sealed manner in the intake manifold; and the shaft with the flaps surrounded by flap frames and the control element frame being manufactured by assembly injection molding.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the objects are achieved by providing an intake manifold for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising an intake distributor; a plurality of individual intake tubes each having a cross-section and extending from the intake distributor and ending in at least one cylinder head flange; and a control element for blocking or unblocking at least a part of the cross sections of the individual intake tubes, the control element comprising at least two flaps arranged on a common shaft surrounded by flap frames and disposed in a common control element frame; the control element being installed as a complete unit in a sealed manner in the intake manifold; and the shaft with the flaps surrounded by flap frames and the control element frame being manufactured by assembly injection molding.
The control element according to the invention comprises flaps that are arranged on a shaft and are installed in a common control element frame. Flaps in this connection should be understood as sealing elements in a wider sense, particularly rotary flaps and slide valves that are adjusted in translatory manner. This control element is constructed as a complete unit, which is installed in the intake manifold forming a seal. Since each flap has only a small circumferential surface that contacts the surrounding component, the effective seal length is very small. By arranging the flaps on a continuous shaft, the shaft can be supported directly in the control element frame without requiring any additional bearings and connecting points between the flaps. As a result, the control element is suitable even for small clearances.
Advantageously, the control element is inserted and fastened in a cavity in the intake manifold. This simplifies assembly and makes it possible to replace the control element if necessary.
Another embodiment provides for direct injection molding of the intake manifold onto the control element. This makes it possible to dispense with a mounting unit, sealing means and the assembly process.
In a further embodiment of the insertion of the control element in the intake manifold, the intake manifold is accomplished by disposing the control element between two molded halves so as to form a seal, e.g., by screwing or snapping it together with one of the halves. The two molded halves are then joined, e.g., screwed together, using a seal.
In one specific embodiment, the molded halves are welded together with the control element. In this case, the control element is disposed in a holder and the intake manifold halves are then welded together so as to form a seal. This fixes the control element within the intake manifold. In this type of an embodiment the control element is inserted into the holder in such a way that there is no leakage between the components. This embodiment moreover eliminates a sealing system between the intake manifold halves.
An alternative solution to the object of the invention is an intake manifold with an intake distributor, individual intake pipes proceeding therefrom, and a control element. The control element is disposed as a complete unit in a receptacle or holder on the intake manifold and adjoins the cylinder head flange. The control element serves to block or unblock a cross-sectional flow area. Several variants to unblock this cross-sectional flow area are feasible, e.g., complete unblocking of a flow area formed by the individual intake pipes. Partial unblocking of the flow area is also feasible, however, in which case an angular momentum that influences the filling ratio of the individual cylinders can be produced by the opening position of the flap.
Another variant is to use two cross-sectional flow areas adjoining the same individual intake pipe, so that the total flow area can be increased or decreased as needed. If one flow area is blocked completely, the air must flow through the other flow area. By opening the closed flow area, the total flow area of the individual intake pipe is increased so that more air can flow through it. The receptacle or holder for the control element on the intake manifold is configured in such a way that the control element forms a seal when installed. The control element forms the connection between the intake manifold and the cylinder head flange. The intake manifold does not need to have any contact points with the cylinder head flange.
A further embodiment of the invention envisions a connecting or attachment surface of the intake manifold disposed against the cylinder head flange. In this case, the holder for the control element is configured in such a way that the connecting surface is formed onto the holder and the connecting surface of the intake manifold adjoins the cylinder head flange.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the intake manifold, mounting bushings are installed on the control element. These mounting bushings are made of a material that does not relax, e.g., metal or ceramic. The mounting bushings can subsequently be introduced into the control element, particularly into the control element frame. The mounting bushings can either be pressed into or cast in the control element. Another option of introducing the mounting bushings into the control element is to place the bushings in a mold cavity and then injection mold the control element around them.
One advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept is to insert the flaps in a flap frame, which makes it possible to adjust the play or leakage of the flaps within the flap frame. This unit is then inserted in the control element frame.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, a control element frame is used which is made of metal. In this embodiment, the mounting bushings can be formed directly on the control element frame or introduced as an additional component. Other variants of the invention provide mounting points and holders, for instance for a drive unit for the control element or for an exhaust gas recirculation unit.
It is advantageous to insert the flaps in the flap frame using an assembly injection molding technique. This ensures a cost-effective and optimum fit of the flaps within the flap frame.
Another variant uses a metal shaft to which the flaps are mounted. Under heavy mechanical loads, a metal shaft cannot be deformed as easily as a shaft made of synthetic resin material, i.e, plastic. The flaps can be made, for example, of synthetic resin material injection molded onto the shaft in an injection molding process, or they can be made of metal and can, for instance, be screwed, riveted or welded to the shaft.
It is advantageous to insert the shaft together with the flaps into the control element frame by clipping or screwing the shaft into holders that are provided for this purpose. These methods are also suitable if flap frames are used. In this case, the flap frames are mounted to the control element frame. Another option, in addition to the above insertion variants, is to injection mold the control element frame around the control elements (flap, shaft and, where applicable, flap frames).
A special variant of the invention uses an assembly injection molding technique to produce the shaft with the flaps and the control element frame. In this case, the flap frame, if present, can be produced at the same time. In an embodiment without flap frames, the control element frame performs the function of the flap frames.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the flaps are comprised of one or more slide valves that are arranged on a shaft. These slide valves are displaced in a translatory movement longitudinally of the shaft, which causes the openings in the intake ports to be opened or closed. This embodiment again has the above-described advantages of reduced space requirement. If there are several slide valves, they must be coupled together along the shaft to enable a single drive unit to displace all of the slide valves. It is particularly advantageous, however, to combine the individual slide valves into a single large slide valve, which is held in the form of a plate inside the flap frame and can be centrally controlled by the drive.
The slide is advantageously made of spring steel. This spring steel can be made particularly thin and due to its elasticity can compensate certain tolerances in the area of the control element frame. Tolerances that are transferred to the control element frame as the control element frame is assembled can also be compensated by the slide valve made of spring steel.
It is particularly advantageous to control and/or drive the slide with a double-acting cylinder. This can, in particular, be a pneumatic cylinder, which is moved by the pressure differences at the intake manifold. In contrast to a cylinder with a restoring spring, the double-acting cylinder has the advantage that it does not need to produce the actuating force against the spring force. This reduces the actuating forces that must be produced by the pressure differences.
These and other features of preferred embodiments of the invention, in addition to being set forth in the claims, are also disclosed in the specification and/or the drawings, and the individual features each may be implemented in embodiments of the invention either alone or in the form of subcombinations of two or more features and can be applied to other fields of use and may constitute advantageous, separately protectable constructions for which protection is also claimed.

Intake manifold for an internal combustion engine


A workpiece having a first portion and a second portion is held. The first portion extends in the direction of a center axis of the workpiece, and a male thread is to be rolled on the first portion. The length of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the center axis is longer than that of the first portion. The male thread is formed on the outer circumference of the first portion using two rolling dies through rolling. At least a first portion center axis that is a part of the center axis and corresponds to the first portion is separated in a prescribed direction from a first virtual plane containing the center axes of the two rolling dies. In the workpiece held, the first portion center axis is inclined such that its distance from the first virtual plane increases with distance from the second portion.

One known method of forming a male thread is rolling. Generally, two or three rolling dies are used for rolling. In one known method that uses two rolling dies, the center axis of a held workpiece is disposed in a virtual plane containing the center axes of the two rolling dies (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2008-153202).

Method of producing threaded member, method of producing spark plug, and apparatus for producing threaded member


In one embodiment, a female data-connector device includes a housing having a socket to insert therein a first paddle-card having a first form-factor and a second paddle-card having a second form-factor, the socket includes an upper and lower surface, with N contact pins arranged in a first row and M contact pins arranged in a second row on the upper surface, P contact pins arranged in a first row and Q contact pins arranged in a second row on the lower surface, the M and Q and some of the N and P contact pins are arranged to make contact with contact pads of the first paddle-card, the N and P contact pins are arranged to make contact with contact pads of the second paddle-card, N is greater than M, and P is greater than Q, and termination legs to be connected to a printed circuit board.

The small form factor pluggable double-density (SFP-DD) module hardware specification, which is herein incorporated by reference, defines the electrical and optical connectors, electrical signals and power supplies, mechanical and thermal requirements of the SFP-DD module, connector and cage system. SFP-DD supports up to 100 Gb/s in aggregate over a 2×50 Gb/s electrical interface.
The SFP-DD module edge connector consists of a single paddle card with 20 pads (two rows of 10 pads) on the top and 20 pads (two rows of 10 pads) on the bottom of the paddle card for a total of 40 pads. The pad positions are defined to allow insertion of an SFP-DD into the SFP-DD receptacle which includes corresponding contact pins.
The specification for dual SFP (DSFP) module, which is herein incorporated by reference, defines the electrical connectors, electrical signals and power supplies, mechanical and thermal requirements of the DSFP Module, connector and cage systems. The DSFP module is a multi-standard module with each of the electrical lanes supporting data rates from 9.95-53.1 Gb/s.
The DSFP module edge connector consists of a single paddle card with 11 pads on the top and 11 pads on the bottom of the paddle card for a total of 22 pads. The pad positions are defined to allow insertion of a DSFP paddle card into a DSFP receptacle with includes corresponding contact pins.


A deck structure for use in supporting cargo at an intermediate level above the floor or bed of a trailer van, or the like. A first embodiment includes a first deck section pivotally mounted on a side wall of a trailer van and movable to a horizontal load position, and back up to a vertical stored position against the side wall where it is releasably held by a spring slam bolt engaged with a height saving angle locking rail. In the first embodiment a second section of the deck is pivotally connected to the first section and it is also movable between a horizontal load position and a vertical stored position against the side wall, and when it is in the vertical stored position it is hanging from the first section and is configured such that it nests closely in the first deck section to provide a slender storing intermediate deck structure. When the first and second deck sections are in a horizontal load position, the second section has an outer end which is selectively provided with either a spring biased, telescopically mounted load bracket, or a cap style load bracket, that is operatively seated on a load track rail on the trailer van wall opposite to the wall on which the first deck section is hinged. Two intermediate decks may be mounted in vertically spaced apart positions, at two different levels, above the floor of a trailer van.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of art to which this invention pertains may be generally located in the class of devices relating to land vehicles. Class 280, Land Vehicles, United States Patent Office Classification, appears to be the applicable general area of art to which the subject matter similar to this invention has been classified in the past.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This invention relates generally to intermediate deck structures for use in vehicles, for example, truck and trailer vans, railway cars, freight containers, and the like. Heretofore, various types of intermediate deck structures have been proposed for supporting freight articles of various shapes and weights above the horizontal bed or floor of a transport van, and the like, in order to increase the load carrying ability of a van and to maximize the use of the available cubic capacity of a van. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,832 to Vandergriff discloses a prior art intermediate deck structure for use in railway cars, truck and trailer vans, and the like, and which includes a first section pivotally connected at its outer end to one side wall of a vehicle, or the like, and which is adapted to be pivoted between a stored vertical position adjacent said one side wall of a vehicle and a horizontal operative loading position with its inner end extending inwardly from said side wall. A second section of the Vandergriff intermediate deck has a pair of arms extended from its inner end which are pivotally connected to the first section at a point between the inner and outer ends thereof. The second section of the intermediate deck is adapted to be stored adjacent said one side wall of the vehicle below the first section of the intermediate deck in a position extending downwardly from the outer end of a stored first section. The second section is adapted to be pivoted relative to the first section during pivoting of the first section to a horizontal loading position, whereby the second section can also be moved to a horizontal loading position with the outer end of the second section supported by a pair of load brackets engaged with a load rail on the opposite side wall of the vehicle. A problem encountered when the last described intermediate deck structure is used is that when the two deck sections are stored against said one side wall of the vehicle the load bracket on the second section extends downwardly to a position where it can interfere with and damage cargo and boxes sitting on the main floor of the vehicle. When the intermediate deck structure is in a horizontal loading position, it is also subject to being accidentally hit and damaged, and because of no reinforcement means to resist side impacts, the load brackets are bent, by the fork members of a fork truck in the process of loading and unloading a vehicle. The load brackets are also subject to damage if the deck second section falls or swings down to a point where the load brackets hit the floor of a vehicle.
A further problem inherent in the Vandergriff intermediate deck is that it can not be used on trailer vans which have wheel boxes that are movable relative to a trailer van floor, but which are fixed relative to the trailer van wheels and axles, so that the trailer van can be raised up by an air lift suspension to bring the trailer van floor and top of the wheel boxes level with a loading dock to permit fork lift loading and unloading, since the movement of such wheel boxes would be interfered with by the low stored second section of the intermediate deck. Still another problem encountered in the use of the aforementioned Vandergriff intermediate deck is that the inner ends of the tubes forming the side frame members of the second deck sections are seated in the inside of the inner ends of the channels forming the side frame members of the first section, and said inner ends of said tubes exert a concentrated pressure on said inner ends of said first section channels which results in many instances in extruded metal fatigue and breaking of the inner ends of the first section channels. The same inherent metal fatigue problem exists on the extreme edge of said tubes where the load bracket on the inside is cantilevered outward so the load bracket hooks can meet the slots in the wall load track rail. A further problem encountered in the use of the aforementioned prior art intermediate deck is that the load brackets employed in said intermediate deck structure are subject to jumping out of the wall load track rail slots, causing the load brackets to retract under a load on the deck, and dropping the load onto the cargo positioned underneath the intermediate deck.

Intermediate deck structure for vehicles