A system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network is provided that includes a timing generator, a lower level distribution module, a bus control module and a plurality of cards. The timing generator is operable to provide a synchronization signal comprising timing and control signals. The lower level distribution module is coupled to the timing generator. The lower level distribution module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The bus control module is coupled to the lower level distribution module. The bus control module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The plurality of cards are coupled to the bus control module. Each card is operable to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize based on the timing signals.

This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunication systems and more specifically to a method and system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network.
Conventional methods for distributing a synchronization signal utilize multiple levels of processors to direct the synchronization signal through the network. These methods also distribute the synchronization signal separately from control signals. Multiple levels of processors and distribution of the synchronization signal separate from other control signals, however, require complicated hardware and software in system modules for implementation, in addition to a relatively large number of lines for providing the separate signals, which results in lower efficiency and higher cost.
In accordance with the present invention, a method and system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network are provided that substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods. In particular, a composite synchronization signal is provided that includes timing and control messages, allowing reduced complexity in system modules and decreasing the number of lines needed for implementation.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network is provided that includes a timing generator, a lower level distribution module, a bus control module and a plurality of cards. The timing generator is operable to provide a synchronization signal comprising timing and control signals. The lower level distribution module is coupled to the timing generator. The lower level distribution module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The bus control module is coupled to the lower level distribution module. The bus control module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The plurality of cards are coupled to the bus control module. Each card is operable to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize based on the timing signals.
Technical advantages of the present invention include providing an improved system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network. In particular, a timing generator provides a composite synchronization signal that includes timing and control messages. As a result, system modules may be designed without the complicated hardware and/or software required to generate the signals included in the synchronization signal. Accordingly, implementation costs are reduced, while efficiency is increased. In addition, including a plurality of messages in the composite signal allows the number of lines required for implementing the system to be reduced.
Other technical advantages of the present invention include providing additional levels of error detection. In particular, each bit other than the bits making up a synchronization word is repeated twice, and each message is repeated three times. As a result, the reliability of the synchronization word is improved, and frames containing errors are easily identifiable.
Yet another technical advantage of the present invention includes the generation of shelf identifiers. A module in each level of the system provides a portion of a shelf identifier for each shelf downstream of that module. As a result, a message within the synchronization signal may be provided for a specific shelf without requiring an address for the shelf. Instead, the shelf receives an identifier from an upstream module which may be used to extract the appropriate message for that shelf from the synchronization signal. Accordingly, shelf-specific messages for many shelves may be included with the other timing and control signals in a single synchronization signal.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

Method and system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network


A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where “busy” or “no_answer” triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.

Facsimile machines or more commonly "fax" machines are used for sending documents and other images from place to place over the telephone network. The originating fax machine places a telephone call to a destination fax machine. The content of the telephone call is a modulated waveform that represents the image to be transmitted. In some cases the destination line is busy or there is no answer, perhaps because the destination fax is either sending or receiving another fax or the destination fax is broken or out of paper. If a call can not be competed, most fax machines will attempt to redial the destination fax machine periodically in an attempt to complete the fax transmission. When the originating fax is attempting to complete the fax transmission, this can monopolize all or partial use of the fax machine for a period of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,348 issued to Gillon et al. solves some of the related problems by recognizing a fax message and directing fax messages to a storage unit where they later can be forwarded to a destination fax machine or high-speed printer. By always storing fax messages in a fax storage unit, the system of Gillon et al. requires a great deal of storage and throughput capabilities to handle large volumes of fax traffic.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and telecommunication system for transmitting a facsimile message


A gas separation device comprising a porous support structure comprising polymeric hollow fibers, and an inorganic mesoporous membrane disposed on the porous support structure is disclosed. The inorganic mesoporous membrane is uniform and free of defects. Further, the inorganic mesoporous membrane comprises a network of interconnected three-dimensional pores that interconnect with the porous support structure. The gas permeances of the inorganic mesoporous membrane is substantially higher than the gas permeances of the polymeric hollow fibers. A method of fabricating the gas separation device is also disclosed.

Separation membranes have various potential industrial applications including natural gas separation and CO2 capture from power plant flue gases. Membrane-based gas separations have a growing market share due to low energy requirements and facile scale-up of the separation unit. Currently, gas separation applications may involve the use of porous polymeric or inorganic membranes. Polymeric membranes used for gas separation applications may be fabricated in a hollow fiber form. Hollow fiber modules have high surface area/volume ratio, typically in the range of 5,000-10,000 m2/m3, which is an important design consideration for commercial large-scale processes. While polymeric hollow fibers may be adequate for some separation processes, the gas separation performance of polymeric materials may be limited by their chemical composition and structure.
Despite concentrated efforts to tailor polymer structure to improve separation properties, current polymeric membrane materials have seemingly reached a limit in the trade-off between productivity and selectivity. For example, many polyimide and polyetherimide glassy polymers such as ULTEM® 1000 have much higher intrinsic CO2/CH4 selectivities (˜30 at 50° C. and 690 kPa (100 psig) pure gas tests) than those of polymers such as cellulose acetate (˜22), which are more attractive for practical gas separation applications. These polyimide and polyetherimide glassy polymers, however, do not have permeabilities attractive for commercialization compared to current commercial cellulose acetate membrane products. Furthermore, such polymers are prone to plasticize (i.e., swell) upon exposure to high-pressure gases such as CO2, thereby making them unselective.
On the other hand, some inorganic membranes, such as SAPO-34 and DDR zeolite membranes and carbon molecular sieve membranes, offer much higher permeability and selectivity than polymeric membranes for separations. An additional benefit is that these materials do not plasticize. However, their processing routes are currently too expensive and difficult for large-scale manufacture.
Therefore, it remains highly desirable to provide an alternate cost-effective membrane with improved separation properties compared to the polymer membranes. In particular, a long-standing goal has been to produce a selective inorganic membrane on a highly scalable and economical platform (such as a polymeric hollow fiber).
To make fluid separation membranes more competitive with other separation processes, such as distillation, adsorption and cryogenic separations, there is a need to develop novel membranes with at least one of the following properties:
a) Gas separation selectivity comparable or superior to polymeric membranes, and higher throughput than polymeric membranes;
b) High membrane surface area/volume (e.g., hollow fiber membrane module); and
c) Facile scale-up for commercial separation processes.

Mesoporous silica membrane on polymeric hollow fibers


An electrochemical cell comprising a conductive casing housing an electrode assembly provided with a stack holder surrounding the electrode assembly is described. The stack holder is of a shape memory material that serves to maintain the anode and cathode in a face-to-face close physical proximity alignment throughout discharge. This is particularly important in later stages of cell life. As the cell discharges, anode active material is physically moved from the anode to intercalate with the cathode active material. As this mass transfer occurs, the cathode becomes physically larger and the anode smaller. This can lead to gaps forming between the anode and the cathode. However, the stack holder inhibits the formation of such gaps by maintaining a compressive force on the electrode assembly throughout cell discharge.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electrochemical cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a stack holder that keeps the electrodes in proper electrochemical alignment and close proximity with respect to each other, even as their dimensions change during cell discharge.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical electrochemical cell used to power an implantable medical device comprises a casing housing an anode and a cathode. The anode and the cathode are physically segregated from each other, typically by enclosing at least one of them within an envelope or bag of insulative separator material. The separator is typically provided as a thin porous sheet material that is saturated with electrolyte and allows the transport of ions in the electrolyte there through. The anode and the cathode are generally formed as one or more respective plates of anode active material and cathode active material. The plates are then aligned face-to-face and spaced apart from each other by the separator material, to form an electrode assembly or electrode stack (a.k.a., cell stack) within the cell casing. In order to maximize discharge efficiency and stabilize the location of the electrodes within the casing, it is preferable that the electrode assembly be tightly fitted within the casing's walls while occupying as much internal volume as possible. It is understood that electrochemical cells perform most efficiently when the anode and the cathode plates are positioned in close physical proximity to each other. Close physical proximity minimizes the path length that current carrying ions must travel. Ultimately, the close physical proximity minimizes the electrical impedance of the cell as measured at the cell terminals.
During discharge of lithium anode-type cells, the thicknesses of the cathode and anode plates change. In lithium anode systems, the thicknesses of the cathode plates increase while those of the anode decrease, but the total thickness of the electrode assembly decreases continuously throughout discharge. This occurs because the rate of cathode thickness increase due to lithium intercalation is smaller than the rate of lithium consumption at the anode. As the overall electrode assembly thickness decreases, gaps can form between the anode plates and the cathode plates. The gaps may eventually be sufficient to allow the electrode assembly to move within the casing. That outcome is undesirable. As the electrodes form gaps, they may no longer be in close physical proximity to each other. As the cell discharges, this may result in an increase in electrical impedance along with increased cell resistance between the cathode and the anode, thereby causing lower pulse voltages (cell terminal voltage under conditions after an intermittent high current pulse load), faster cell polarization, greater voltage fluctuations, and in general, more delivered capacity variation.
What is needed is an electrochemical cell comprising an electrode assembly having an anode and a cathode that maintain close physical proximity to each other throughout the entire discharge life of the cell.

Insulator component design for maintaining electrode assembly compression in prismatic medical cells


A container for liquids comprises a tube at the upper end of which there is a lid consisting of thermoplastics synthetic material without any carrier material and which is injection molded along the top edge of the tube, forming a pouring means with a closure flap. The closure flap is captively articulated on the lid by means of an articulating axis, on the side opposite the tip of the pouring aperture, being adapted to be engaged on the lid in the open condition via an engaging means. In order that the closure flap can be kept open and can nevertheless be pressed down again into as far as possible a clearly defined position in order to reclose the container, the handle is connected via a curved articulating member to the middle portion of the lid. The curved articulating member is preferably provided on the surface of the lid alongside the engaging means.

The invention relates to packaging for fluent contents, with a tube at the end of which there are a bottom and a top, of which the top consists of thermoplastics synthetic material without a carrier material, is injection molded onto and along the top edge of the tube and comprises a pouring device with a closure flap, the closure flap being captively articulated on the lid by means of a hinging axis on the side opposite the tip of the pouring orifice and/or is adapted to be clipped onto the lid via an engaging means, while the lid is opened.
Countless packaging means are already known which comprise a tube consisting of plastics coated paper, the lid of which is injection molded and consists of thermoplastics material, carrying an injection molded opening device at the same time. Packaging means have a ready been devised which have a rectangular bottom and a round top or also a round top and a round bottom or also a rectangular top and a rectangular bottom. Notwithstanding the shape of the packaging means, in the case of the present invention what is important is the configuration of the opening device. This must permit of satisfactory stacking, must be sealing tight during transport and storage and must at the same time be capable of being easily opened by the end user without the application of excessive force.
Prior art opening devices of this type comprise a closure flap in the region of a pouring orifice with a handle connected to the closure flap by a pull web. To open the container, the user takes hold of the handle and by means of the pull web pulls the closure flap upwards along a line of weakness, so that the closure flap exposes the aperture and it becomes possible to pour out the contents.
Opening devices are known in which the closure flaps are capable of being torn off completely, which has the disadvantage that they can be lost. Also, it has already been considered to retain closure flaps via a strip, but then it is often difficult to introduce it properly into the torn-open pouring orifice, at least, it will scarcely guarantee proper engagement for satisfactory reclosure.
Furthermore, during production it has been found that constructing the lid from a thermoplastics synthetic material without a carrier material is either time-consuming, material-consuming or is subject to fault, because it has been difficult to achieve a flow of material into the marginal zones of the lid while at the same time keeping the closure flap and such like clean.

Packaging means for fluent materials and comprising an opening device


An opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle. The opening and closing apparatus includes a reciprocating member movable along a plane perpendicular to a hinge shaft. A connecting member is provided having a first end section fixed to the opening and closing body, and a second end section pivotally attached to the reciprocating member through a connecting shaft. The opening and closing body is moved to open and close through the connecting member upon a movement of the reciprocating member. In the opening and closing apparatus, the connecting member includes two side wall sections apart from each other in a direction parallel with the axis of the connecting shaft. A suppression member is disposed to a stationary body in the vehicle and so engaged between the two side wall sections as to be relatively movable to the connecting member.

This invention relates to improvements in an opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle which apparatus is arranged such that the opening and closing body pivotally attached to a vehicle body so as to be movable to open and close with power of a motor.
A conventional opening and closing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2003-276441. In this conventional opening and closing apparatus, an opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle is arranged such that a rear gate pivotally attached to a rear part of a vehicle body so as to be movable to open and close with power of a motor disposed inside a vehicle roof. Further, a rack reciprocable by power of the motor is connected to a rear gate through a plate-shaped connecting member, so that reciprocation of the rack is transmitted to the rear gate thereby opening and closing the rear gate.

Opening and closing apparatus for opening and closing body of vehicle


Disclosed are an LED emitting device and driving method thereof. The LED emitting device controls an LED drive switch connected to a first end of an LED string to control an output current supplied to the LED string. The LED emitting device generates feedback information on the output voltage or the output current supplied to the LED string, and uses the output current to sense an open lamp state of the LED string. The LED emitting device uses a voltage at a first end of the LED drive switch to sense a change of the LED string to a normal state from the open lamp state.

(a) Field
The present disclosure relates to an LED emitting device and a driving method thereof.
(b) Description of the Related Art
An AC-DC converter included in an LED emitting device converts an AC input into a DC voltage for emitting an LED. The LED emitting device includes a plurality of LEDs that are connected in series. Hereinafter, the LEDs connected in series will be called an LED string.
The DC voltage output by the AC-DC converter is supplied to the LED string, and in this instance, the DC voltage is controlled with a predetermined voltage that is greater than a forward voltage for the LED string to emit light. In this instance, the predetermined voltage is established to have an optimized level in consideration of power consumption.
While power is supplied to the LED string, an LED may be separated from the LED string, and the LED can be attached to the LED string in an open lamp state. Particularly, when the LED is attached to the LED string, a transient current that is greater than a rated current allowable for the LED string is generated so that the LED of the LED string may be damaged.
In detail, when a degraded LED is replaced with a new LED in the LED string, the degraded LED is separated from the LED string (i.e., to be in the open lamp state), and a new LED is attached to the LED string. In this instance, an output capacitor connected to an output terminal of the AC-DC converter can output a transient current that may damage at least some of the LEDs in the LED string.
Accordingly, the conventional emitting device generates the transient current after it is changed to the normal state from the open lamp state so it may damage the LED.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


A display method executed by a computer, includes: receiving a first input relating to a first operation performed on a display content displayed in a display unit; receiving a second input relating to a second operation performed on the display content; and when the second input received after the first input is a drag operation, changing a display scaling factor of the display content on the basis of a movement direction of the drag operation and a distance between a reference position relating to at least one of the first input and the second input, and a current position of the drag operation.

In the past, a method has existed that utilizes a dedicated button (for example, a zoom button) or the like, preliminarily prepared, as an operation used for performing zoom (for example, a change such as enlargement or reduction) on the display content of a screen. In the above-mentioned method, it is desirable that a button for performing zoom is provided that is due to software or hardware, and furthermore, it is desirable that the center of the zoom is fixed or preliminarily set. In addition, a method has existed that performs zoom with a predetermined scaling factor every time a button is pressed down once, or a method has existed where display is updated with an enlargement factor being changed with a predetermined rate while a button is pressed. In addition, a method has existed where the position of the center point of zoom is fixed to the center of a screen, or a method has existed that performs preliminary setting such as utilizing a point at which a screen has been most recently touched.
In addition, as another method for changing a display content, a method has existed that utilizes, for example, a zoom slider. A user moves a slider realized owing to software or hardware, and hence, a zoom factor is changed. In addition, when the zoom slider is used on the software, it is desirable that the display area of the slider is provided on a screen, and it takes an installation cost to provide the zoom slider on the hardware. In addition, in the case of the slider, for example, there is a problem that it takes labor to separately provide the center of zoom.
In addition, a method has existed where a touch panel capable of performing multi-touch detection is used and zoom or the like is performed owing to a pinching operation. In addition, the pinching operation is a method widely adopted in portable communication terminals such as smartphones of recent years. In addition, in the past, a circular-gesture zoom function has also existed where, by drawing a circle on a touch panel, the position thereof is zoomed.
Furthermore, in the past, a method has existed where zoom is started owing to the stay of a pointing input or a strong pressing force or a near region and a far region are set with a zoom starting point as a reference and zoom-in or zoom-out is performed using the individual regions. In addition, in the past, a method has existed where enlargement is performed by applying short press on a screen once and reduction is performed by applying short press on the screen twice. In addition, in the past, a method has existed where a certain amount of enlargement or reduction is performed by applying long press or a double tap on a screen. There techniques are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-28635, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-234199, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-22851.

Display method and information processing device


A writing instrument wherein a rear cap is rotatably connected through a connector to a rear end of an outer tube into which a core pipe is axially slidably inserted, a guide member for an eraser is axially slidably inserted into the rear cap for axial engagement, a spiral member is spirally connected to an eraser receiving member which supports an eraser axially slidably inserted into a spiral member for axial engagement, the spiral member having a front end axially slidably connected to the connector for axial engagement, and the eraser guide member is urged in a withdrawing direction by means of an elastic body so that the guide member is held at a fixed projected position during non-knocking.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a writing instrument comprising a combination of means for drawing out an eraser and a writing portion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a writing instrument such as a conventional knocking type mechanical pencil, in which a rear cap is axially movably connected to a rear end of an outer tube, a lead pipe is axially slidably inserted into the interior formed by both the outer tube and the rear cap, an eraser of which rear end is caulked by a metal annulus is detachably fitted and held on the lead pipe, and the rear cap is knocked through the eraser whereby the lead pipe is axially moved accordingly to feed a lead. The eraser is used by removing an eraser cap from the rear cap.
In such a conventional writing instrument as mentioned above, the whole relatively lengthy rear cap on the extension coaxial with the outer tube has to be knocked when lead is fed. Therefore, there has been a problem in that at the time of knocking, the rear cap is caught by a hand holding the pencil, rendering knocking difficult.
The eraser is always held and fixed in position, and the length thereof projected from the caulked metal annulus is short in view of the strength of the eraser itself. In addition, the amount of drawing the eraser cannot be adjusted according to the degree of consumption, resulting in a problem in that the degree of consumption of the eraser is severe and the eraser soon becomes unsuitable for use.
In view of the foregoing, the present applicant has solved the aforesaid problems by a writing instrument disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 63-63489 previously filed.
This writing instrument is designed so that when a rear cap connected to a rear end of an outer tube is rotated, an eraser is fed out by the screw feed action, and a knocking cap inserted axially slidably into the rear cap and extended outwardly of the rear end is knocked to thereby feed a lead.
However, the above-described writing instrument has a problem in that when the eraser is fed by rotation of the rear cap after the knocking cap has been knocked, the knocking cap is also moved therewith. Therefore, an engaging rib is provided. However, in the case where the friction between the eraser and the knocking cap is greater than the engaging rib, there remains a problem in that the knocking cap is moved, resulting in a lowering of reliability during mass production.

Writing instrument with eraser dispenser


The present invention allows a parts remaining number to be efficiently controlled using adaptability check result of an electronic part added during operation, and allows the electronic part to be mounted without mistake. For this object, the present invention includes: parts remaining number controlling means for monitoring a parts remaining number decreasing with mounting and for issuing warning of running out of part when a predetermined remaining number is reached; parts checking means for checking and confirming whether or not an added part for the part to which the warning of running out of part is issued or an added part when a kind is changed is a correct kind of part and for outputting check result and a parts adding number; and check result determining means for monitoring whether or not the check of the part to be taken out is finished when the mounting unit takes out the part from the part feeding means, confirming the check result when it is determined as finished, and renewing the parts remaining number based on the parts adding number when the check result is correct.

The present invention relates to a parts mounting apparatus for mounting parts such as electronic parts on a substrate, and more particularly to a parts mounting apparatus for checking added electronic parts during addition of the parts and for controlling mounting operation and to a parts checking method by the same.
As shown in FIG. 6, in an electronic parts mounter 1 for mounting an electronic part, a parts feeding unit 2 has a parts reel 5 arranged therein, around which a tape carrier package 4 (hereinafter referred to as a parts tape 4) is wounded that packs electronic parts 3 aligned for each kind. Each of the electronic part 3 fed from each parts reel 5 to a predetermined feeding position 6 is sucked by a nozzle (not shown) of a mounting unit 7 and mounted to a substrate 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a controller that is configured to have a computer as a main unit and controls operations of the parts feeding unit 2 and the mounting unit 7.
When the parts feeding unit 2 runs out of the part or when a production substrate is changed, the parts mounter 1 is once stopped to replace the parts reel 5 with a parts reel 5 holding a necessary electronic part 3, and then mounting is restarted. In order to avoid addition errors of the electronic part 3, a label 10 indicating parts information such as characteristics (resistance to pressure, a temperature property, or the like), a value, a direction, a vendor, quantity, or a production lot of the electronic part 3 with a barcode 10a is attached to the parts reel 5 or a case thereof (not shown), and contents of the indication is read to check the electronic part 3.
For example, in the art described in JP63-232910A, as shown in FIG. 7, parts information is read from a barcode 10a of a parts reel 5 to be replaced by a reading head 13 connected to a reading unit 12 of a parts confirmation device 11, and sent to a parts information processing unit 14. Information on a part to be added is previously sent from the mounting unit 7 to the parts information processing unit 14, and based on this parts information, the parts information read by the reading head 13 is compared and determined. When it is determined that the electronic part to be added is added (in this case, when a correct parts reel 5 is located), data of quantity and a production lot of the electronic part is renewed in the parts information processing unit 14, and this renewed data is read into the mounting unit 7 to restart mounting. When a wrong electronic part is added, which is indicated by an indication unit 15, the parts reel 5 has to be replaced.
As described above, when the part runs out or when the kind of the production substrate is changed, there has been adopted a manner that the mounter 1 is stopped to check the part to be added and add it, and then operation of the mounter 1 is restarted. In recent years, to improve an operation rate, a parts adding manner has been also implemented that a new parts tape 4 is coupled to the parts tape 4 of the arranged parts reel 5 during operation of the mounter 1 to thereby prevent stop of the mounter 1 due to running out of the part.
However, if the electronic part 3 is added during operation of the mounter 1 as described above, when the addition part is checked by checking means such as the barcode 10a or the reading head 13, check result is read by the mounting unit 7 only during the stop of the mounter 1, and therefore timing of writing the check result obtained from the barcode 10a or the like is not necessarily followed by timing of reading the check result by the mounting unit 7. If the check result is written after the mounting unit 7 reads the check result, the mounting unit 7 cannot obtain correct information on the kind or a remaining number of the part, and thus there is a problem that it is likely to be determined by mistake that the part runs out to cause the mounter 1 to be stopped or cause a wrong electronic part 3 to be mounted.
Even when the mounter 1 is once stopped for parts addition, the above described problem also occurs unless the check result is written before the mounting unit 7 reads the check result at restart of operation.
There is also a problem that it is inefficient to refer to all the information on the check result during operation of the mounter 1 that operates at high speed.
The present invention is achieved to solve the above described problems and has an object to provide a parts mounting apparatus and a parts checking method by the same that can efficiently control a parts remaining number using a check result of an electronic part that is added and whose adaptability is checked during operation, and can efficiently mount the electronic part without mistake.
To solve the above described problems, according to the present invention, controlling the check result of the added part together with arrangement information of the part in a parts feeding unit allows a necessary check result to be referred to at any time as required during operation of the mounter.
The present invention provides a parts mounting apparatus in which a mounting unit takes out and mounts a part fed from a plurality of parts feeding means arranged in a part feeding unit, comprising: parts remaining number controlling means for monitoring a parts remaining number decreasing with mounting, and issuing warning of running out of part when a predetermined remaining number is reached; parts checking means for checking and confirming whether or not an added part for the part to which the above described warning of running out of part has been issued or a part added at a time of changing a kind of part is a correct kind of part, and outputting a check result and a parts adding number; and check result determining means for monitoring whether or not the check of a part to be taken out is finished when the mounting unit takes out the part from the part feeding means, confirming the check result when it is determined as finished, and renewing the parts remaining number based on the parts adding number when the check result is correct.
According to this configuration, the check result and the parts adding number in parts addition are stored in addition to arrangement information, and the added information is taken out by each electronic part as required, thereby allowing efficient control of the remaining number and efficient mounting of the electronic part without mistake.
Further, the present invention provides a parts checking method of parts feeding means arranged in a parts feeding unit by a parts mounting apparatus in which a mounting unit takes out and mounts a part fed from a plurality of parts feeding means arranged in the part feeding unit, comprising: monitoring a part remaining number decreasing with mounting, and issuing warning of running out of part when a predetermined remaining number is reached; checking and confirming whether or not an added part for the part to which the above described warning of running out of part has been issued or a part added at a time of changing a kind of part is a correct kind of part, and outputting a check result and a parts adding number; and monitoring whether or not the check of the part to be taken out is finished when the mounting unit takes out the part from the parts feeding means, confirming the check result when the check is determined as finished, and renewing the parts remaining number based on the parts adding number when the check result is correct. According to this configuration, time required for reading the check result can be reduced.

Parts mounting apparatus and parts checking method by the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element for emitting primary light, and a wavelength conversion unit for absorbing part of the primary light and emitting secondary light having a wavelength longer than that of the primary light, wherein the wavelength conversion unit includes plural kinds of phosphors having light absorption characteristics different from each other, and then at least one kind of phosphor among the plural kinds of phosphors has an absorption characteristic that can absorb the secondary light emitted from at least another kind of phosphor among the plural kinds of phosphors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvement in a light-emitting device or a white light-emitting device including a semiconductor light-emitting element for emitting primary light and a wavelength conversion unit containing phosphor for absorbing the primary light and then emitting secondary light.
2. Description of the Background Art
The light-emitting device or the white light-emitting device including the semiconductor light-emitting element and the wavelength conversion unit has attracted attention as a light-emitting device or a white light-emitting device of next generation expected to realize low power consumption, downsizing, high luminance, and wide range of color reproducibility, for which research and development have been conducted vigorously.
A GaN-based light-emitting element, a ZnO-based light-emitting element, or the like is used as the semiconductor light-emitting element. Light having a wavelength in the range from the longer-wavelength side of ultraviolet to blue (i.e., about 380 nm to about 480 nm) is used as the primary light emitted from the light-emitting element. The wavelength conversion units have been proposed, which use various kinds of phosphors suitable for converting the primary light to the secondary light.
An example for the light-emitting device having such a wavelength conversion function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-071357. This document describes use of InN-based nano-crystals as phosphor but gives no detailed explanation for light emission characteristics thereof. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-179644 discloses a light-emitting device taking account of light diffusion efficiency in each of plural phosphor layers that include light diffusing agents added in resin. In this document as well, there is no detailed explanation for light emission characteristics of the phosphor layers.
Meanwhile, in the field of application of the white light-emitting device, its use as a white lighting device for a backlight in a liquid crystal display (LCD) (especially in a liquid crystal television (TV) set) or for a flashlight for a camera is most important. The white lighting device is required to have high luminous efficiency and, at the same time, good color reproducibility. Particularly, it is preferable that the white lighting device is able to give white light analogous to blackbody radiation that is colorless.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2004-071357 and 2004-179644 give no detailed explanation for light emission characteristics regarding plural kinds of phosphors included in the light-emitting device and no technical consideration for effect of relative arrangement order of the plural kinds of phosphors.
From the standpoint of preventing the resin layers containing the phosphors from being deteriorated by ultraviolet light during the operating period of the light-emitting device, in the case of using a light-emitting element having an emission peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm corresponding to the wavelength range of blue, the excitation characteristics in the visible light range in the wavelength conversion unit (i.e., in the plural kinds of phosphors contained therein) suitable for the wavelength of the primary light have the critical meaning.
In other words, in order to exert the characteristics of the wavelength conversion unit containing plural kinds of phosphors to the maximum extent in a light-emitting device, it is important to configure an optimal stacked-layer state of the phosphors taking into consideration the excitation characteristics of the respective phosphors.
On the other hand, in order to enhance color reproducibility of the white light-emitting device, it is desirable to use a light source exhibiting high spectral purity for each of three primary colors of red, green and blue. It is conceivable to use an LED (light-emitting diode) or a semiconductor laser, for example, for each color light source. However, it is not possible to obtain a semiconductor light source having good luminous efficiency of green. Further, the luminance of each of the semiconductor light sources needs to be controlled independently from each other, which requires a drive circuit of a large scale.
As a method of implementing a white light source using one kind of semiconductor light source, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-242513 discloses a method of using a combination of a blue LED and a phosphor that is excited by the blue light and emits yellow light. With this method, however, there is a problem that the color reproducibility is poor, since the spectral purity of green is low, in addition to insufficient red component.
Similarly, there have been proposed various methods in each of which an LED for emitting light having a wavelength in the range from ultraviolet light of relatively longer wavelength to blue (i.e., from 380 nm to 480 nm) is combined with a phosphor that emits light of blue, green or red in response to the primary light emitted from the LED. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-327492 discloses a method of using a phosphor only for green light for the purpose of enhancing luminous efficiency of green. The method disclosed in this document, however, still requires a drive circuit of a large scale, since it uses plural kinds of semiconductor light-emitting elements.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-171000 discloses a method of combining an LED for emitting ultraviolet light and plural kinds of phosphors that emit lights of blue, green and red in response to the primary light emitted from the LED. The document however gives no suggestion about an optimal combination of the LED and the plural kinds of phosphors, particularly about the combination for producing a light source able to be regarded as blackbody radiation and at the same time for achieving high luminous efficiency and good color reproducibility over a wide range. In particular, with the phosphors disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-171000, luminous efficiency is insufficient especially in the phosphor for emitting red light.
At present, a white light-emitting device mainly includes a light-emitting element for emitting blue light in combination with a trivalent cerium-activated (Y,Gd)3(Al,Ga)5O12 phosphor or a divalent europium-activated (Sr,Ba,Ca)2SiO4 phosphor for being excited by the blue light and then emitting yellow light.
Such a white light-emitting device, however, is not suitable for use as a backlight of a large LCD (especially for a LCD-TV), since its color reproducibility (NTSC ratio) is a little under 50%. That is, although the white light-emitting device having the combination of a semiconductor light-emitting element and a phosphor is advantageous in that it does not include mercury and can achieve low power consumption, downsizing and high luminance as compared to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp mainly used at present, there is an urgent need for improvement of its color reproducibility (NTSC ratio).
Here, the NTSC ratio is normalization with respect to an area of a triangle formed by connecting the chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of red (0.670, 0.330), green (0.210, 0.710) and blue (0.140, 0.080) in the XYZ color system chromaticity diagram defined by the National Television System Committee (NTSC).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-121838 discloses a prior art that has focused on color reproducibility (NTSC ratio) in the LCD. This document describes that a backlight light source has a spectral peak in the range from 505 nm to 535 nm; that an activator in a phosphor for emitting green light used in the light source includes europium, tungsten, tin, antimony, or manganese; and that MgGa2O4:Mn and Zn2SiO4:Mn are used as the phosphors for emitting green light in the embodiment. In the case that the peak wavelength of the light-emitting element is in the range from 380 nm to 450 nm, however, it cannot be said that every phosphor containing europium, tungsten, tin, antimony, or manganese can suitably be used. More specifically, MgGa2O4:Mn and Zn2SiO4:Mn mentioned in the embodiment of Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-121838 each have their very low luminous efficiency with the excitation light in the range from 380 nm to 450 nm, and thus these phosphors are not suitable for use in the present invention.
Further, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-287323 describes that not only an RGB (red, green, blue)-LED having LED chips for emitting red, green and blue lights, respectively, contained in a package, but also a tri-color type fluorescent tube, an ultraviolet LED+RGB phosphors, an organic EL light source, and the like can be used as a backlight. In this document, however, there is no specific description regarding the RGB phosphors in the ultraviolet LED+RGB phosphors.

Light emitting device provided with a wavelength conversion unit incorporating plural kinds of phosphors


The invention provides 20-nor-salvinorin A, an analog of the kappa-opioid agonist salvinorin A. The 20-nor-salvinorin A is an active kappa-opioid modulator and can be used for treatment of medical conditions wherein modulation of the kappa-opioid receptor is medically indicated, such as pain, pruritis, depression, or inflammation, or conditions implicating perception and consciousness. 20-nor-salvinorin A can be less additive when used in treatment compared to a mu-opioid receptor agonist, and 20-nor-salvinorin A is more stable in vivo than is parent compound salvinorin A. The invention further provides synthetic intermediates and procedures for preparation of 20-nor-salvinorin A.

Salvinorin A (SalA) is a plant metabolite that agonizes the human kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) at high affinity. Its therapeutic potential has stimulated extensive semi-synthetic studies and total synthesis campaigns. However, structural modification of SalA has been complicated by its instability, and efficient total synthesis has been frustrated by its dense, complex architecture.
The kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is heterogeneously expressed throughout the nervous system and mediates consciousness, cognition, mood and motor control. Agonism of the KOR stimulates canonical Gαi signaling, as well as the recruitment of β-arrestin. So-called 'biased KOR agonists' selectively activate one signaling cascade in preference to the other and mediate different effects at the cellular, network and organism level. For example, next-generation analgesics under development agonize the peripheral KOR to produce antinociception (G protein associated) in absence of common side-effects like dysphoria (β-arrestin associated).
Among the more potent agonists of the KOR is the diterpenoid plant metabolite salvinorin A (SalA), which was identified as the primary psychoactive principle of Salvia divinorum and the most potent naturally-occurring hallucinogen ever reported. As a result, SalA has been subject to semi-synthetic modification and total synthesis to adjust its chemical properties and promote biased signaling of the KOR. Notably, a covalent electrophile based on SalA was shown to strongly bias towards G protein-coupled signaling. While many semi-synthetic analogs of SalA have been explored, the most prolific investigators recently noted that its "chemical liabilities . . . narrow the available pool of viable chemical transformations."
20-nor-salvinorin A has never been synthesized or tested for bioactivity. The structure is broadly claimed as part of a genus in U.S. Pat. No. 7,728,001 (Prisinzano et al.), but no synthesis is provided for the nor-20 compound, nor is any such route suggested by the patent, because all the synthetic routes shown therein start with the sequiterpene moiety of the molecule already intact, bearing the C-20 methyl group. Selective removal of 20-methyl group is not described or suggested by the '001 patent, and applicants are not aware of any method for achieving this difficult transformation.
In Y. L. Bergmann, et al., J. Org. Chem. (2009), 74, 2589-2591, a synthesis of nor-20-salvinorin is suggested, but not accomplished, for the purposes of evaluating structure-activity relationships associated with C20. The authors start with 3-furaldehyde and obtain a dehydrosalvinorin intermediate lacking the 2-acetoxy group, the 4-methoxycarbonyl group, and with undefined C-8 stereochemistry. The note states that a complete paper would appear once the synthesis was completed, but to the best of Applicants' knowledge, no such paper has ever been published. The present synthesis takes an entirely different synthetic approach and for an entirely different reason: removal of C20 dramatically simplifies synthesis and stabilizes the salvinorin scaffold. The Applicants seek to alter chemical properties at other positions on the scaffold, not probe the functional affects of C20. Furthermore, the key aromatic (furyl or other) group is added to the sesquiterpene skeleton late in the synthesis.


In a process for printing a halftone image a plurality of image data describing the halftone step of a halftone dot of a model image are taken over in processing frames. Color step values which determine color gradations of color dots and can be outputted optionally at print positions of a printing screen are obtained from the image data contained in the processing frames. To produce a reproduction image with a large number of halftone steps and, at the same time, a high local resolution in the region of contrast jumps of the model image, a color step value is obtained from each image datum by assigning a color step value existing in the reference pattern associated with the halftone step according to the halftone step described by the image datum and its position in the processing frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a process for printing a halftone image according to image data, wherein every image datum describes the halftone step of a halftone dot of an artwork or model image. The process utilizes processing frames, having positions for the image data of a plurality of adjacent halftone dots. The image data are adopted in the processing frame in the arrangement of the halftone dots described therein. Color shade or step values are obtained from the image data contained in the processing frame and associated with print positions of a printing raster or screen, and color dots with graduated color gradations are optionally printed at the print positions produce the halftone steps. The color gradation of every color dot is adjusted according to the color step value associated with the respective print position.
Within the scope of the present invention, printing is fundamentally understood as the arrangement of color dots on a printed medium.
A process for printing a halftone image with a plurality of halftone steps is known from DE-PS 35 25 011, in which each image datum describes the halftone step of a halftone dot of a model image. A matrix including a number of print positions of a printing screen is associated with every image datum by observing threshold values. The print positions of every matrix can be covered by color dots of graduated color gradations (various sizes). In order to achieve a sufficient number of halftone steps in this known process, the matrix must include a corresponding number of print positions. However, the local resolution of the reproduced halftone image decreases considerably in comparison to the model image as the number of print positions per matrix increases. Therefore, in order to achieve a good image reproduction in spite of this, print heads with a very high resolution must be used in the known process. This technique raises the price of a corresponding printing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The invention is based on a process for printing a halftone image known from EP 0 240 202 A1. In this process, also, there is a model image in the form of image data, wherein every image datum is associated with a halftone dot of the model image and describes its halftone step. Processing frames are used in this known process and every processing frame has positions for receiving a plurality of image data of adjacent halftone dots of the model image. The image data are adopted into the positions of the processing frames in the arrangement of halftone dots described by them. Color step values are obtained from the image data contained in the processing frames by averaging and these color step values are assigned to or associated with print positions of a printing screen. A color dot with graduated color gradations can be outputted optionally at each print position of the printing screen to produce the halftone steps. The color gradation of every color dot is determined by a color step value associated with one of the respective print positions. In the known process, the image data of a processing frame are evaluated jointly by averaging or interpolation and in this way a color step value is achieved which is associated with a number of print positions in the printing screen corresponding to the number of image data per processing frame. In this way, in contrast to the process known from DE-PS 35 25 011, a large number of halftone steps can be produced when using a print head whose resolution approximately corresponds to the resolution of the model image. This can be attributed to the number of print positions with which the obtained color step value is associated corresponds at least approximately to the number of image data contained in the processing frame. However, in the process known from EP 0 240 202 there is a considerably reduced local resolution in the region of sharp contrast jumps in the model image. That is, a contrast jump represented by image data within a processing frame cannot be shown in sharp definition due to the averaging. The human eye is extremely sensitive to such blurriness (mixing effects). This effect is aggravated as the number of image data or positions per processing frame increases.


A manifold for a hydraulic system including a pump and accessories such as valves and filters as well as gauges in which the manifold is made part of the pump in fluid communication with the output to receive hydraulic fluid and deliver it to selected accessories and to return the fluid to the reservoir of the hydraulic system all with a minimum of hoses and couplings.

This invention relates to hydraulic fluid systems and particularly to hydraulic pump manifolds used in such systems.
In a typical hydraulic system, a hydraulic pump delivers hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic actuator through a circuit in which a variety of accessories are used such as valves of different types, filters and gauges. A basic system usually includes at least a directional control valve and a pressure relief valve. Even a basic system requires a plurality of hydraulic hoses or lines and connections, which results in a loss of energy as the fluid passes through the hoses and connections. Such circuits require space and are labor intensive to assemble. Also, the hoses and connections expose the system to leaks and often occupy valuable space. To solve this problem, a hydraulic pump manifold has been invented which eliminates many of the hydraulic lines and connections of currently known hydraulic circuits and results in the rapid assembly of a compact circuit which can be easily modified by the substitution of components such as directional control valves, filter elements and pressure relief valves.
It is an object of the invention to provide a manifold for use with a variety of hydraulic pumps in which the manifold is made part of the fluid output end of the pump for direct fluid communication for distribution of fluid under pressure to a variety of accessories such as valves, filters, gauges and actuators without or with a minimum need of hoses or couplings.
A manifold for use in hydraulic systems for direct coupling to the output of a hydraulic pump and adapted to support a variety of accessories and hydraulic components such as directional valves, filters, pressure relief valves and other valves as well as actuators and gauges, all without the need for hoses and fittings.


An approach is provided for suggesting data for deletion from an electronic data storage medium. An external device detects initiation of transfer of data from first storage medium to second storage medium. Next, the external device determines an available storage in the second storage medium for the data. Then, the external device generates a list to suggest content for deletion within the second storage medium to accommodate the data.

As users become more reliant on electronic devices, electronic storage medium has become a popular method to store information such as documents, music, videos, books, etc. in a form of electronic data. The electronic storage medium is advantageous in that it is relatively inexpensive and can hold a large volume of information while occupying little space. However, because electronic storage media typically have finite storage space, efficient use of storage space is desired. More specifically, for a portable device such as a portable media player, the storage space is relatively small, and thus it is desired to keep the most important data in such limited space. However, because electronic data is not tangible or visible, it is not always easy to locate or manage electronic data stored on such medium. Accordingly, electronic storage media can quickly become cluttered with data that is unwanted or otherwise not used. Browsing and examining every data in the storage medium to delete unnecessary or less important data can be time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, an efficient way to delete data from an electronic storage medium is desired to make efficient use of the storage medium and save time and effort of a user.

Method and apparatus for suggesting data for deletion


New and novel copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene containing up to 24% by weight hexafluoropropylene having lower DSC melting temperatures at 8 weight percent or greater nominal HFP content, and having improved solution clarity and fluidity, longer gel times and lower extractables than prior art vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymers of comparable HFP content whose syntheses are disclosed in sufficient detail to duplicate, to novel compositions of matter and articles of manufacture containing such copolymers, processes for the preparation and use of the copolymers, of the compositions of matter containing such copolymers and of the articles of manufacture containing such copolymers are disclosed. Improved electrochemical cells based on the new and novel copolymers are particularly disclosed.

This invention relates to compositions of matter classified in the art of chemistry as fluoropolymers, more specifically as copolymers of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), more specifically as copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene (HFP), still more specifically as copolymers of VDF and HFP having reduced extractable content, longer gel times and improved solution clarity relative to VDF, HFP copolymers known previously which otherwise have similar proportions of HFP in the bulk polymer, to novel compositions of matter and articles of manufacture containing such copolymers, as well as to processes for the preparation and use of the copolymers, of compositions of manufacture containing such copolymers and of the articles of manufacture containing such copolymers.
VDF/HFP copolymers are well known and are used for their thermoplastic engineering properties, chemical resistance and inertness toward degradation. They may be found in applications such as chemically resistant piping, gasketing, plenum cable jacketing, filtration and extraction membranes and in the construction of lithium batteries.
The present invention provides VDF/HFP copolymers containing up to about 24 weight % (12 mole %) HFP having among other improved properties, reduced melting point (at HFP weight percent content of 8% or greater) when determined by differential scanning calorimetry, substantially improved solution clarity, longer gel times and reduced extractables as these terms are defined hereinafter.
The process used to make the instant copolymers requires one ratio of VDF and HFP for the initial fill of the reactor, and a different ratio of VDF and HFP during a subsequent continuous feed of the monomers. Any particular desired average HFP content in the copolymer product has corresponding particular initial fill and subsequent feed ratios. The uniformity of compositions prepared this way provide unique and useful properties in comparison to all VDF/HFP copolymers previously known. These differences are not due to the presence or absence of foreign material impurities.
The present invention also provides lithium batteries fabricated from the VDF/HFP copolymers of the present invention which are uniquely suitable for lithium battery construction.
Rexford in U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,677 described VDF/HFP copolymers of HFP content 30 to 70 wt % (15 to 50 mol %) which showed utility as elastomers. To make the copolymers, a batch process with certain initial ratios of VDF and HFP, and also a continuous process with fixed ratios of VDF and HFP throughout the process were described. The polymers produced had HFP ratios higher than those contemplated by the present invention and they were made differently.
Lo in U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,399 described VDF/HFP copolymers of HFP content of 2 to 26 wt % (1 to 13 mol %) which showed a numerical value for the product of the tensile strength (psig) and percent reversible elongation of at least 1,000,000. A batch process with certain initial ratios of VDF and HFP, or, alternately, a semicontinuous process with fixed ratios of VDF and HFP throughout the process were used to make the copolymers. The processes discussed were such that copolymers made according to these processes have higher melting points and lack the improved solution clarity, longer gel times and low extractables of the present invention copolymers.
Barber in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,427 describes a synthetic method and copolymer produced thereby which are the exact antithesis of the synthetic method and copolymers of the present invention. The synthesis in Barber is intended to and has been demonstrated to produce copolymers having significantly higher melting points as well as other polymer properties such as solution clarity, solution stability and extractable content markedly different from the polymers of this invention.
Moggi, et al. in Polymer Bulletin 7, 115-122 (1982) analyzed the microstructure and crystal structure of VDF/HFP copolymers by nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray diffraction experiments. The copolymers of up to 31 wt % (up to 16 mol %) HFP were made in a batch emulsion process which was carried only to low conversion. While a low conversion batch process is theoretically capable of producing copolymers having lower melting points, solution clarity and low extractables, no such properties are described. It is not a practical process for industrial use because of the low conversions required to make the materials. In addition, since no detailed polymerization examples were offered, it is not possible to reproduce the polymers tested with any degree of certainty.
Bonardelli et al. in Polymer, vol. 27, 905-909 (June 1986) studied the glass transition temperatures of VDF/HFP copolymers having HFP content up to 62 wt. % (up to 41 mol %). The glass transition temperatures were correlated to the overall HFP content in the copolymers. In making the copolymers for analysis, a semicontinuous emulsion process was used which employed different VDF/HFP ratios for the initial fill of the reactor and for the subsequent continuous feed of monomers. Although reference was made to the use of reactivity ratios to set the VDF/HFP ratio for the initial fill, no detailed polymerization examples were offered, and no mention of copolymers having solution clarity, gel times (solution stability) and low extractables comparable to that of the copolymers of the present invention was made.
Pianca et al. in Polymer, vol. 28, 224-230 (February 1987) examined the microstructure of VDF/HFP copolymers by nuclear magnetic resonance, and the microstructure determinations were used to explain the trend in glass transition temperatures of the copolymers. The synthesis of the copolymers involved a semicontinuous emulsion process which used different VDF/HFP ratios for the initial fill of the reactor and for the subsequent continuous feed of monomers. No detailed synthesis examples were provided, and there was no discussion of copolymers having lowered melting points, improved solution clarity, longer gel times and low extractables as provided by the copolymers of the present invention.
Abusleme et al. in Eur. Pat. Appl. No. 650,982 A1 showed an emulsion process to make polymers and copolymers of fluorinated olefins optionally with one or more non-fluorinated olefins. The process relied on photochemical initiation of polymerization so that lower temperatures and pressures could be used than those used for thermally initiated processes. While there was general mention of the structural regularity of the resulting polymers, the only evidence of regularity concerned poly(vinylidene fluoride) homopolymer, and no claims were made as to regularity of composition. Examples of VDF/HFP copolymerization were given, but no discussion of the melting points and/or of the solution extraction properties of the copolymers was given, and there was no relation made between physical properties and the structure of the VDF/HFP copolymers.
Morgan in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,217 disclosed uniform tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymers (TFE/HFP copolymers) made by a semicontinuous emulsion process. Uniformity was simply defined as there being a low proportion of adjacent HFP units in the polymer chains; there was no disclosure of the disposition of TFE and HFP units otherwise, and there was no discussion of VDF/HFP copolymers or the properties to be expected therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,331 describes the synthesis of VDF/chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) copolymers having a high uniformity of comonomer distribution in its molecular chains.
Baggett and Smith in High Polymers, Vol. XVIII, Ham, John Wiley (1964), Chapter X, Copolymerization, pp. 587 et seq., particularly at pp. 593 and 610 describe the sythesis of uniform composition distribution copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride and of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate.
None of these references teaches or suggests a way to obtain VDF/HFP copolymers having lower melting temperatures (when the copolymer has greater than 8 wt. % HFP content), solvent solution clarity and fluidity, longer gel times and low extractables when compared to the previously known VDF/HFP copolymers described by such references all of which have comparable freedom from extraneous impurities.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,929 describes the synthesis of VDF homopolymer having a uniformly distributed relatively high defect structure in its molecular chains.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,318 teaches that only VDF/HFP copolymers having 8 to 25% by weight HFP and no other VDF homo- or copolymers are suitable for use in fabrication of lithium battery electrodes and separators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,818 mentions that among other polymers, VDF polymer may be used in forming a solid electrolyte for use in secondary battery manufacture. No particular type of polyvinylidene fluoride is identified and no copolymers thereof of any type are suggested.
European Patent Application 95 120 660.6-1215 published Sep. 4, 1996, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,493, teaches use of micro porous (open or closed cell) VDF copolymers of about 7% to about 25% comonomer content in lithium batteries and the use of VDF homopolymer as a cladding material for such batteries. Use of copolymers used by the instant invention in solid electrolytes and the improved properties provided thereby are not taught or suggested. Similarly the use of the type of VDF homopolymer used in the present invention in solid electrolytes is not taught of suggested.
None of these references teach or suggest lithium rocking chair batteries of the type contemplated by the present invention and U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,318 expressly teaches away from use of VDF homopolymer of any type, VDF/HFP copolymers of less than 8% by weight HFP content or other VDF containing copolymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,634 teaches a lithium ion battery construction employing a VDF-CTFE copolymer where the CTFE content in the copolymer is no less than 8% by weight.
The invention provides in a first composition aspect a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene containing a maximum of about 24 weight percent hexafluoropropylene, having a uniform distribution of hexafluoropropylene residues between chains, such uniformity being demonstrated by the copolymers having solutions of improved clarity and fluidity, such uniformity additionally being demonstrated by:
i) for the copolymers having up to about 8 weight percent nominal HFP content, having weight percent extractables within plus or minus 1.5% of the percent by weight extractables calculated by an equation selected from the group consisting of:
a) Wt. % Extractable=1.7(HFP mole %)xe2x88x923.2, and
b) Wt. % Extractable=xe2x88x921.2+1.5(HFP mole %)xe2x88x928xc3x9710xe2x88x926(Mn) when HFP content is determined by Method A described below, where Mn is number-average molecular weight, and
ii for the copolymers having 8 weight percent nominal HFP content and greater, having a DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) melting point at least 2.5xc2x0 C. lower than the DSC melting point of copolymers having the same nominal weight percent HFP prepared by processes reported in the prior art when the HFP content is determined by Method A described below and having DSC melting points which fall on or below a value determined by the equation:
DSC melting point in deg. C=166.7xe2x88x922.9(HFP wt %),
when the HFP content is determined by Method B
described below.
The tangible embodiments of this first composition aspect of the invention are straw colored to colorless semi crystalline solids having melting points, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), lower than VDF/HFP copolymers having the same nominal HFP percentage content prepared by processes reported in detail in the prior art.
The tangible embodiments of this first composition aspect of the invention also possess longer gelation times from solution as well as greater clarity and fluidity of solutions containing them than VDF/HFP copolymers having the same nominal HFP content prepared by processes reported in detail in the prior art.
The processes reported in detail in the prior art are those identified in the prior art section hereinabove which are stated to provide sufficient information for accurate reproduction of their experimental methods. Specifically, they are U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,399 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,427 all of which are concerned with VDF, HDF copolymers. The DSC of the copolymers produced by the methods of these references containing HFP content of 8 weight percent or greater up to about 24 weight percent fall above the value determined by the DSC melting point equation stated above.
The aforementioned physical characteristics taken together with the method of synthesis positively tend to confirm the structure and the novelty of the compositions sought to be patented.
The tangible embodiments of the first composition aspect of the invention have the inherent applied use characteristics of being suitable for paint and powder coating vehicles and as chemically resistant shaped objects and films both supported and unsupported. Particular mention is made of copolymers of the first composition aspect of the present invention having from about 2 weight % HFP content to 8 weight % HFP, more particularly copolymers having about 3 to 7 weight % HFP, still more particularly those having 3 to 6 wt % HFP which possess the inherent applied use characteristics of being particularly suitable as polymeric separators and polymeric electrode matrices for batteries, particularly lithium batteries.
The prior art, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,318, has reported lithium batteries made from VDF/HFP copolymers having from 8% to 25% by weight HFP. It is understood that the copolymers of the present invention having HFP content in that range are also suitable for use in such batteries and would represent an improvement therein. Such improved batteries are also contemplated by the invention as equivalents.
Particular mention is also made of copolymers of the first composition aspect of the invention having from about 7 weight percent HFP content to about 15 weight percent HFP content, more particularly copolymers having about 10 weight percent HFP content which possess the inherent applied use characteristic of being suitable as flame resistant insulation for wire and cable.
Still further mention is made of copolymers of the first composition aspect of the invention having greater than about 15 weight percent HFP content, still more particularly of copolymers having about 16% by weight or greater HFP content which have the inherent applied use characteristic as clear, flexible, chemically resistant films.
The invention provides in a second composition of matter aspect, an improved article of manufacture comprising an electrochemical cell having a positive electrode, an absorber separator and a negative electrode wherein at least either one of the electrodes comprises a vinylidene fluoride polymer having an electrolyte material combined therewith and/or said absorber separator comprises a vinylidene fluoride polymer having an electrolyte material combined therewith wherein the improvement comprises the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer consisting essentially of a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer as defined in the first composition aspect of the invention.
Special mention is made of embodiments of the second composition of the invention wherein the VDF/HFP copolymer has a hexafluoropropylene content of from about 2 wt % up to 8 wt % hexafluoropropylene, particularly those having from 3 weight % to 7 weight % hexafluoropropylene, still more particularly, those having about 3 weight % to 6 wt % hexafluoropropylene.
As used herein and in the appended claims, vinylidene fluoride polymers (or VDF polymers) of the present invention means the VDF/HFP copolymers which are the first composition aspect of the invention.
The electrochemical cells of the type of which the second composition of matter aspect of this invention is an improvement are described in PCT Application WO 95/06332, European Patent Application 95 120 660.6-1215, published as number 730,316 A1 on Sep. 4, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,318. The disclosures of the PCT application, the European application and the U.S. patent are hereby incorporated by reference.
In addition to use of solution casting techniques for preparation of films for use in battery constructions as described in the aforementioned references, use of extrusion techniques to prepare such films and the batteries fabricated therefrom are also contemplated.
It has also been noted that batteries fabricated from the above described VDF polymers, particularly the VDF-HFP copolymers of the present invention have better adhesion of the polymers to metallic portions of electrodes and higher use temperatures than batteries fabricated from VDF-HFP copolymers of the prior art. It has also been observed that VDF-HFP copolymers of the present invention provide batteries having improved electrical properties including the capability of higher discharge rates than batteries fabricated from VDF-HFP copolymers of the prior art. It is expected by the present inventors that in general batteries fabricated according to the present invention will possess such higher temperature use and higher discharge rate capabilities.
The invention provides in a third composition aspect, a solution of a composition of the first composition aspect of the invention having improved solution clarity and fluidity.
Copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene of up to about 24 wt % hexafluoropropylene are useful semicrystalline thermoplastics. As the HFP content increases in the materials, the crystallinity decreases, and, correspondingly, the flexibility and solvent sensitivity increase. Other properties change as well, such as the final melting point, which decreases with increasing HFP content. In high-purity applications such as membrane filtration or extraction, lithium battery construction, high-transparency film from solution casting, and fluid storage and transport requiring low contaminant levels, it is desirable to have materials with low levels of extractables, little gel formation in the presence of solvent, and good clarity. The VDF/HFP copolymers provided here show lower extractables, improved solution properties, improved clarity and fluidity, and lower melting points in comparison to the nonuniform VDF/HFP copolymers of otherwise similar HFP content whose manufacture is enabled in the prior art.
By uniform it is meant that there is decreased chain to chain variation in the distribution of HFP residues in polymer chains in comparison to the nonuniform copolymers of the prior art where the HFP content from chain to chain varies broadly, thereby imparting measurably different inherent physical and chemical properties.

Copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene having reduced extractable content and improved solution clarity


The present invention provides methods of cementing a well with a cementing composition utilizing a portion of the drilling fluid used to drill the well as a component of the cementing composition. The methods basically comprise forming a cementing composition, consisting essentially of a cementing precursor composition, a set-activator, and a portion of the drilling fluid, introducing the cementing composition into the well and permitting the cementing composition to set into a hard mass therein.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to utilizing drilling fluid in well cementing operations, and more particularly, to methods of cementing a well with a cementing composition which includes, as a component thereof, a portion of the drilling fluid used to drill the well.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A variety of drilling fluids are used in drilling wellbores. Generally, the drilling fluids are solids-containing water based gels or hydrocarbon based fluids which can be non-weighted or weighted with particulate weighting material such as barite. After a wellbore is drilled, during which the drilling fluid used is circulated through the wellbore, the circulation of the drilling fluid is stopped while the well is logged and a string of pipe is run in the wellbore. After the pipe is run, the drilling fluid in the wellbore is cleaned up by circulating drilling fluid downwardly through the interior of the pipe and upwardly through the annulus between the exterior of the pipe and the walls of the wellbore while removing drilling solids and gas therefrom. Primary cementing operations are then performed in the wellbore, i.e., the string of pipe disposed in the wellbore is cemented therein by placing a cementing composition in the annulus between the pipe and the walls of the wellbore. The cementing composition sets into a hard substantially impermeable mass whereby the pipe is bonded to the walls of the wellbore and the annulus is sealed. When the cementing composition is run down the pipe and into the annulus, the drilling fluid in the pipe and annulus is displaced therefrom. The displaced drilling fluid which has been viewed as a waste material is generally accumulated in a pit or tank and then discarded.
Drilling fluid often must be treated as a fluid which is hazardous to the environment, therefor the disposal of drilling fluid, particularly from offshore drilling locations, is time consuming and expensive. Thus, any environmentally acceptable use to which all, or part, of the drilling fluid could be employed at a well site, to thereby eliminate the need for disposing of the drilling fluid, would be highly advantageous.
By the present invention, methods of cementing wells with cementing compositions containing drilling fluid are provided. That is, a portion of the drilling fluid used to drill a well is utilized as a component in the cementing composition used for cementing the well. The portion of the drilling fluid which is not utilized in the cementing composition can be disposed of conventionally, or it can be formed, by the method of this invention, into a hard mass for appropriate storage.

Utilizing drilling fluid in well cementing operations


An electrical terminal block connector is provided for connecting a plurality of power supply conductors having a first cross-sectional area and a plurality of data input conductors having a smaller cross-sectional area with a plurality of output conductors having a uniform cross-sectional area. The connector includes a terminal block housing containing a chamber, first and second inlet openings communicating with the chamber for receiving the ends of the power conductors and the data conductors, respectively, and a plurality of outlet openings communicating with the chamber for connection with the ends of the output conductors, respectively. First and second connector devices are arranged in the chamber for connection with the ends of the power and data conductors, respectively, and a plurality of identical third connectors connected with the first and second connectors include tulip-shaped terminals that extend within corresponding outlet openings for connection with the output conductors, respectively. The first connectors include resilient terminals connected by buses with the third connectors, and the second connectors include a data socket having outlet terminals connected with the third connectors via the conductors of a printed circuit board, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
A terminal block connector is provided for connecting a plurality of power supply conductors having a first cross-sectional area and a plurality of data inlet conductors of smaller cross-sectional area with a plurality of output conductors having a uniform cross-sectional area.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Terminal block connectors are known in the prior art for supplying power and data information to a plurality of electrical loads, such as electrical appliances, the heating and air conditioning control systems of a building, or the like. One problem that arises is the difficulty of simply and quickly connecting input conductors of different sizes and cross-sectional areas to a plurality of output conductors of uniform cross-sectional dimensions. For example, telephone and computer data input lines have a much smaller cross-sectional areas than 120 volt or 230 volt power supply conductors, and different considerations must be taken into account for connecting these lines to the output conductors. In the case of power supply lines, resilient terminals are normally used in the art, while data input conductors make use of jacks and plug connectors, such as the well-known RJ45 plug and socket connector. As a consequence of the very small diameters of the data input conductors, great care must be exercised during installation of equipment to avoid the breaking or rupturing of the data leads at the pint of contact, which breaking of an insulated conductor is not visible and is difficult to detect.
The present invention was developed to avoid the above and other drawbacks of the known connection devices, and to provide an improved terminal block connector for positively, quickly and safely connecting power supply and data input conductors to plurality of output conductors having a uniform diameter.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block connector for connecting a plurality of power supply conductors of one size and a plurality of data input conductors of a smaller size with a plurality of output conductors of uniform size. First and second connecting means are arranged within the terminal block for connection with the ends of the power supply and data input conductors that are introduced within the chamber via first and second terminal block inlet openings, respectively. Third connecting means connected with the first and second connecting means are arranged in a plurality of terminal block output openings for connection with output conductors of uniform size, respectively.
According to another object of the invention, the portion of the terminal block containing the outlet openings is in the form of a male plug with the outlet openings arranged in a row for connection with a female receptacle that carries the output conductors. Similarly, the data input conductors are carried by a data plug, such as the well-known RJ45 telephone plug, that is adapted for insertion within a corresponding socket connector mounted in an inlet opening contained in the terminal block. Locking means may be provided for locking the output plug with the terminal block housing.
In accordance with a more specific object of the invention, the first connecting means comprise resilient terminals that are connected with the ends of the power supply conductors and are connected with first tulip-shaped output terminals via bus bar conductors, respectively. The data input socket includes a plurality of data output contacts that are connected with second resilient tulip-shaped output terminals via conductors on a printed circuit board, and soldering pins that extend through holes in the printed circuit board. The groups of first and second tulip-shaped terminals are arranged within the terminal block output openings for connection with the output conductors, respectively. The terminal block may be of sectional construction and includes removable cover sections for the first and second connectors.
The present invention offers the advantage that the danger of rupture of the fragile data conductors is reduced by using specific plugs for the connection of the data lines. Furthermore, the invention provides a simple, fast and compact connection of the data lines by the use of prefabricated data plugs. The power supply lines remain individually separable and connectable. Conventional industrial power supply plugs can serve as the output plug fr the system.
A further advantage is that the data lines can be connected to and disconnected from the terminal block without disturbing the power supply connections. On the other hand, it is quite simple to disconnect both the power supply conductors and the data conductors from the electrical appliance or load. Thus, the customer""s appliance need not be altered in spite of a change in the connection technique on the input side of the terminal block.
Preferably, the output terminals are arranged in a row in strip-fashion on the housing, or are combined in a socket or plug strip, or as soldering connections on the terminal block housing. By the use of standard data plugs, the terminal block assembly is particularly resistant to damage by rupture due to vibration without any need for resorting to the use of conductors of larger diameter. The use of either an RJ45 plug or an RJ45 socket for the data line connections is within the scope of the present invention, and the male and female output plugs may be reversed as well, thereby to further reduce the danger of rupture of the data input lines.
Preferably, the first connector means for the power supply lines includes spring contacts, but other connections might be used as well, for example, crimping connections, screw connections, or IDC insulation-piercing contacts, or leaf spring contacts. By using hybrid connecting techniques, i.e., by employing different connecting techniques for the power supply and data input conductors, one can design variations in the connections where the power supply connections could be of the insulation-piercing type. The output plug connections could be a male pin strip, a female plug connector, an insertible printed circuit device, a SMT technique with soldering pins, or the THR technique.

Terminal block for connecting data and power supply conductors to an electrical device


A catheter assembly having a catheter of flexible plastic tubing secured at one end to a catheter hub, a hollow adaptor body with a distal end for fluid tight connection to the catheter hub and in fluid communication therewith. The proximal end of the adaptor body includes a self closing elastomeric gasket valve member. An introducer needle is provided proportioned to extend through the catheter, hub and tubing for penetration of a patient's vein for introducing the catheter into the vein. The proximal end of the needle is secured to a plastic collar having proximal and distal ends and dogs at the proximal end for limiting slidable movement within a hollow cylindrical container. A sealable gasket closure at the distal end of the container safely encloses the needle within the container upon withdrawal of the needle. The assembly further includes a curved plastic transparent tube having a filter valve therein extending from the proximal end of the collar for sighting flashback. The valve allows air flow but prevents fluid flow. An adaptor unit connects to the hub, the adaptor unit having a hollow shaft with a sharp end, and ports on its side walls. The shaft is proportioned to pierce said gasket valve member in the adaptor body to place the adaptor body and the adaptor unit in flow communication.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is concerned with a bloodless insertion catheter assembly to insert a catheter in a patient generally for the purposes of administering nutrients or medications through an IV supply tube.
The insertion of a catheter into the vein of a patient and the withdrawal of the inserting needle and attachment of IV tubing up to the present time has presented significant dangers to the administering medical personnel. Exposure to patient's blood can infect the medical personnel with AIDS and other serious blood borne diseases such as hepatitis.
The usual insertion procedure involves inserting a needle through the catheter into the patient's vein, advancing the catheter into the vein, and then withdrawing the needle. As the needle is withdrawn, there is a danger of contact with the patient's backflow of blood. Also, when the needle is withdrawn from the catheter apparatus, there is a danger of the user being accidentally pricked with the needle. The danger of backflow of blood from the catheter when the IV tubing is attached to the external end of the catheter is a very serious concern. Various attempts to minimize these dangers have generally concentrated on means to eliminate accidental needle sticks and to a lesser extent minimizing the danger from the return flow of blood. There is no device presently available, however, which is simple in construction and which, in an easily utilized procedure, eliminates the danger both of needle stick and the contamination by back flow of the patient's blood from the catheter during connection and disconnections of IV apparatus.
The device of the present invention also provides a means for insuring access has been gained to the vein by easily viewing the backflowing blood.
The present assembly also automatically entraps the withdrawn needle and provides a completely safe way of preventing the backflow of blood, and for the attachment of the IV apparatus to the catheter.
A further concern, eliminated by this invention, is the possible inadvertent contamination of the catheter hub interior upon withdrawal of the introducer needle by the nurse.
2. Prior Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,984 Fields, discloses a medical connector for intravenous fluid carrying tubes comprising a pair of connector members, one of which carries a rubber septum that is penetrated by the needle when the first and second members are joined, establishing flow communications through the needle to a flash back chamber. A one way valve prevents the patient's blood from entering a flashback chamber but allows for communication through the needle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,304, Russell utilizes protective sheath for a needle after being withdrawn from a catheter, and a backflow device to reseal and prevent discharge of the blood upon withdrawing of the needle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,646, Scislowicz shows an apparatus where the needle punches the vein and then is withdrawn, sealing in the blood beyond the seal. The flexible tubing or catheter remains in the vein and the blood is seen through the clear tubing. No means of withdrawing the needle in a safe manner is shown and the IV apparatus utilizes a second needle to punch the seal in order to connect the IV material with the catheter. There is no needle retraction cover.
Other patents of background interest are:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,225, Cox; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,231, Heiliger; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,515, Hogan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,703, Bonaldo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,324, Japson et al.