A method of forming toner particles having surface particles attached thereto includes the steps of aggregating a material of at least one binder material and at least one colorant to produce toner particles, following aggregation, forming a mixture of the surface particles and the toner particles, and subjecting the mixture to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the toner particles to coalesce the toner particles, whereby the surface particles become at least partially embedded within the surface of the toner particles. Toner particles prepared by such method include a core comprised of at least one binder and at least one colorant, and surface particles at an external surface of the toner particles, wherein at least about 50% of the surface particles are substantially completely covered by a portion of binder and a majority of the surface particles protrude from the toner particle surface a distance of at least 50% of the average particle size of the surface particles.

The subject matter described herein relates mainly to toner and developer compositions, and more specifically, to toner and developer compositions that are made to have particles, preferably spacer particles, attached firmly to the toner particle surface. Also described is a method of firmly attaching such surface particles to the surface of the toner particles in-situ (i.e., during formation of the toner particles).
The use of spacer particles upon the surface of toner particles is known in the art. Spacers can be employed for a number of reasons in that the spacers typically decrease toner particle adhesion and cohesion. The spacers can improve toner flow, charging, development and transfer during the xerographic process. A particular advantage associated with the use of spacer particles upon the toner particle surface is that the spacer particles act to protect the toner particles from the high amount of abuse the toner particles receive in the developer housing. In the developer housing, the toner particles are constantly impacted by other toner particles and by carrier particles. Such impaction can, over time, embed smaller surface additives, change the charging properties, and thus the transfer quality, of the toner particles. One theory is that this reduction in performance over time is due to the impaction of small conventional toner surface additives of, for example, a size of from about 5 to about 40 nanometers, such as silica, titania and zinc stearate, during aging in the development housing. The presence of spacers can thus reduce such impaction and the negative effects associated therewith.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,132, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a process for decreasing toner adhesion and decreasing toner cohesion, which comprises adding a hard spacer component of a polymer of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbide, or a metal nitride, to the surface of a toner comprised of resin, wax, compatibilizer, and colorant excluding black, and wherein toner surface additives are blended with said toner, and wherein said component is permanently attached to the toner surface by the injection of said component in a fluid bed milling device during the size reduction process of said toner contained in said device, and where the power imparted to the toner to obtain said attachment is from equal to, or about above, 5 watts per gram of toner. See the Abstract and column 1, lines 9-28.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,752, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, similarly describes a process for decreasing toner adhesion and decreasing toner cohesion, which comprises adding a component of magnetite, a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbide, or a metal nitride to the surface of a toner comprised of resin, wax, and colorant, and wherein toner surface additives are blended with said toner, and wherein said component is permanently attached to the toner surface by the injection of said component in a fluid bed milling device during the size reduction process of said toner contained in said device, and where the power imparted to the toner to obtain said attachment is from equal to, or about above, 5 watts per gram of toner. See the Abstract.
Thus, although the use of spacer particles upon the surface of toner particles is known, such spacer particles are typically hard particles that are attached to the toner particle surface by mechanical means such as fluid bed or jet milling. Both of the aforementioned references require that the spacers described therein be attached to the toner particles with high power injection in a fluid bed milling device during the size reduction (grinding) step, thereby requiring the use of hard spacer particles. Softer spacer type particles thus cannot be used in such attachment methods as they would be crushed or buried into the toner particles, and thus rendered ineffective for their intended purpose.
Recently, ultra large spacer particles, e.g., having a size of about 140 nm, have been added to a toner particle surface in a normal toner blending step. For example, after addition of smaller size additives by inject at grind as discussed above, such larger additives are added in a subsequent gentler toner blending process that is much less abusive than inject at grind. However, although this blending step is less abusive than the inject at grind procedure discussed above, the larger additives are not strongly adhered to the toner and can readily flake off and interfere with the quality of the image developed.

Surface particle attachment process, and particles made therefrom


The apparatus and method convert the fuel system of an internal combustion engine in a pre-existing (used) vehicle to operate on a mixture of fuels (like ethanol and gasoline) from a single fuel tank. The apparatus includes a fuel composition sensor installed in the fuel line and an electronic control unit with at least one fuel injector driver circuit for controlling an output signal to at least one fuel injector for controlling the air to fuel ratio of the engine. The electronic control unit controls both ignition timing and the air to fuel ratio of the engine based upon the percentage or ratio of the alternative fuel to gasoline from the fuel composition sensor. The electronic control unit receives both timing signals and fuel injector control signals from the engine's original Engine Control Module and the original emission control devices are not modified or replaced.

With the advent of alternative fuels like alcohol, biodiesel and mixed fuels like, E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) and M85 (85% methanol and 15% gasoline) there is a desire to use them in motor vehicles, motorboats and other motorized machines like trucks, tractors, lawnmowers, etc. With gasoline and diesel prices rising to record levels, alternate fuels are starting to make inroads with average American consumers. Also atmospheric pollution generated by exhaust emissions from conventional gasoline or diesel powered internal combustion engines is a well-documented problem. One method used widely today to reduce noxious emissions is to mix or even replace conventional fuels with cleaner burning alternative fuels. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,635,608 and 4,711,223 issued to Carroll teach an alcohol-fueled engine. Not only do alternate fuels burn cleaner with less harmful air pollution, the fuels can be made here at home in the United States from a variety of agricultural feedstock thereby reducing the consumption of foreign oil.
The reduction of foreign crude oil has become a topic of high priority in the US since the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001. Increase consumption of crude oil by Third World countries and the war in Iraq and further instability in the Middle East have contributed to a weak supply of crude and thus the recent rise in gasoline prices. The number of total vehicles on the planet today is estimated to be around 500 million, most of which are in the USA. By 2050 it is estimated that there will be over 3 billion vehicles and most of that increase will be in Asia and in particular China. It is reasonable to expect that crude oil prices will continue to rise whereby increasing the need of alternate fuels.
A motor vehicle capable of burning mixtures of gasoline and alcohol is commonly called a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Today's commercially available FFVs typically burn any mixture from 85% ethanol or methanol to 100% gasoline. A diesel FFV can burn any mixture of diesel and biodiesel and ethanol is also known to be mixed with diesel. The operation of a FFV is well known and taught in a number of patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,863 issued to Schmitz, et al. for example, describes a fuel-burning engine, which uses a mixed fuel containing alcohol from a single reservoir or tank. The fuel to alcohol ratio is measured using a sensor and the result is used to control the quantity of fuel being fed into the engine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,367 issued to Yamauchi et al. discloses a system for controlling both fuel injection and timing in an internal combustion engine operating on a fuel mixture of gasoline and methanol.
Controlling the quantity of fuel is necessary because alcohol fuels like ethanol and methanol have less energy per unit volume than gasoline or diesel and require a much smaller air to fuel ratio when burned in an internal combustion engine. While gasoline has an ideal air to fuel ratio of 14.7 to 1, pure ethanol has a ratio of about 9 to 1. The proper required air to fuel ratio is commonly referred to as stoichiometric. A fuel injection system in a FFV instantly compensates to maintain stoichiometric over wide percentage changes in the fuel mix. Therefore the principal advantage of a FFV is its ability to arbitrarily be refueled both with pure fuels and mixed fuels. This type of refueling is important because in early 2005 only about 200 service stations in 22 States in the US currently dispense mixed fuels like E85.
Some electronic fuel injection systems used in FFVs incorporate the use of a fuel composition sensor in combination with an Engine Controller Module (ECM). There are several different types of fuel composition sensors. One such sensor, an infrared sensor, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,968 issued to Degobert et al. Another is a capacitive sensor taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,084 issued to Eugene V. Gonze. Fuel composition sensors provide information to the ECM about the concentration of alternate fuel in the fuel mixture. Generally, fuel composition sensors provide a signal that is directly related to the percentage of alternate fuel in the fuel mixture. From that information the ECM calculates the suitable air to fuel ratio need for proper combustion. The ECM typically regulates the air to fuel mixture by controlling the amount of fuel being injected into the intake system of the engine for any given mass of air.
In the late 1990s, automotive manufactures began producing FFVs. The motivating force behind the emergence of FFVs was Federal energy legislation directed by the EPA. The demand for FFVs over the past 5 years has been rather small with the largest consumer being Federal and State governments. FFVs are currently available from six different automotive manufacturers but in just a few models. This year for example the Ford Motor Company manufactures only the Ford Taurus sedan and the Ford Explorer SUV with a FFV option. Even though FFVs make up a small percentage of vehicle sales there is a growing need for FFVs. The need is being driven mostly by the rise in crude oil prices and the desire for reduced exhaust emissions. Since there are only a few vehicle models made as FFVs, there is growing need to modify previously manufactured vehicles like classic cars, trucks and SUVs to make them fuel flexible. Classic cars and modern sports cars with high compression engines typically get poor gas mileage, have high levels of emissions and will additionally benefit from the high octane of alcohol based alternate fuels.
Therefore there is a need to convert conventional gasoline and diesel burning vehicles already being used on the highways today into Flexible Fuel Vehicles. Since these vehicles were not manufactured to operate on alternate fuels the addition of a flexible fuel engine control system is needed. In the case of a classic car using a carburetor, one method would be to replace the carburetor system with a complete flexible fuel injection system including components like, fuel injectors, sensors and an ECM. Another method would be to add a supplemental flexible fuel injection system to the engine in combination with the carburetor. For modern vehicles manufactured with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) it would be preferred to avoid redundancy and add or replace only the essential components for flexible fuel control.
Another complicating factor to converting any modern vehicle's fuel system is the costs and delays associated in obtaining EPA approvals. Federal law prohibits changes to a vehicle that would have an effect upon its exhaust emissions. Modifying a vehicle's fuel system generally requires an EPA or CARB approval on the modified engine. With few OEM models made available as FFVs there is a need to convert older vehicles into FFVs and in such a way to reduce the costs associated with EPA approvals for those vehicles.

Addition of flexible fuel engine control system


A method, apparatus and image capture device for limiting motion blur during capture of an image predetermines a relationship between movement of the image capture device, time and blur extent. A rate of movement of the image capture device is obtained and used in conjunction with the determined relationship and a blur extent limit as a basis for obtaining a maximum exposure time for the image capture device in order to limit blur extent. On the basis of the maximum exposure time obtained and a required image brightness, the image capture device is configured, and then an image is captured by the image capture device. Once the image has been captured, due to the possibility of under-exposure from having limited the exposure time, the image is processed as required to increase its intensity.

Image capture devices such as digital cameras have become very popular due in part to a reduction in production costs, increase in overall quality, and particularly because camera functionality is being embedded into other electronic consumer devices such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Image blur due to unsteady hand movement or the like during an image capture operation is often difficult to avoid for the inexperienced photographer or a user with an unsteady hand. Blur in an image is frustrating, as it detracts from the appeal of the image. With standard auto-exposure functions in image capture devices, low-light conditions are compensated for by lowering the shutter speed of the image capture devices, thereby increasing the exposure time in order to capture a bright enough image. This increase in exposure time increases the likelihood that movement will occur during the exposure time, thus increasing the likelihood of blur in the captured image. The same blur situation may arise if high-speed image capture device movement occurs during image capture, where the exposure time is normal.
Methods for post-processing a captured image to remove blur are known. These methods typically involve measuring the extent of blur in the captured image, and correcting for the measured blur. However, under very low-light and/or very high speed conditions that cause extensive blur, the extent of the blur can be so great that such post-processing cannot restore the image.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,210 to Sugahara et al. discloses a system that limits exposure time in a digital camera to keep blur within allowable or undetectable limits. The exposure time is adjusted based on the physical dimensions of the camera, on the basis that image blur relative to the imaging frame is inversely proportional to frame size and focal length. According to the Sugahara et al. method, in the event that the total manual or photometrically set exposure time exceeds the exposure time limit for acceptable blur, the camera is set to take a series of limited exposure images (their respective exposure times adding up to the total exposure time) by controlling the accumulation times of the image pickups. The images are subsequently processed for respective motion, correlated, and the motion is corrected. Each resultant image contains acceptable levels of blur, and results in an output image having an acceptable level of blur. One disclosed system recognizes reduced signal levels due to short exposure time and employs a velocity sensor instead of a motion correlation algorithm in order to quantify the motion.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0239771 to Habe discloses a method for controlling image blur quantity by adjusting the ISO speed setting of a digital camera. Prior to image capture, the camera in a blur prevention mode engages a vibration detector to, along with a known shutter speed and focal length, calculate a blur quantity. If the calculated blur quantity is greater than a predefined limit, the ISO speed of the camera is shifted to higher sensitivity by an extent that it is based on the ratio of calculated blur to the predetermined blur limit. In doing so, the aperture (i.e., field depth) is not changed. The method retains image quality by basing the adjustment of ISO speed on the image blur quantity, rather than on the shutter speed. While the ISO speed may be raised, it may also be lowered to gain higher-quality images having increased blur that it is within acceptable limits.
While blur correction algorithms, and blur reduction and limiting methods are known, improvements are of course desirable. It is therefore an object to provide a method, apparatus and image capture device for limiting motion blur during image capture.

Determining maximum exposure time to limit motion blur during image capture


A composite material includes a solid polymer matrix, a plurality of capsules and a liquid, in the capsules. The liquid includes from 50 to 100 wt % of a solvent, and from 0 to 50 wt % of a polymerizer. There is no polymerizer outside of the capsules. The solid polymer matrix may include a native activating moiety for the polymerizer. The solvent may have a swelling ratio with the solid polymer matrix of at least 1.1 and/or may have a polarity ET of from 0.10 to 0.50.

Cracks that form within materials can be difficult to detect and almost impossible to repair. A successful method of autonomically repairing cracks that has the potential for significantly increasing the longevity of materials has been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,330. This self-healing system includes a material containing, for example, solid particles of Grubbs catalyst and capsules containing liquid dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) embedded in an epoxy matrix. When a crack propagates through the material, it ruptures the microcapsules and releases DCPD into the crack plane. The DCPD then mixes with the Grubbs catalyst, undergoes Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP), and cures to provide structural continuity where the crack had been.
A challenge in designing autonomically self-healing composite materials such as these is to isolate the polymerizer (i.e. DCPD) from the corresponding activator (i.e. Grubbs activator) in the polymer matrix, while still providing for sufficient contact between the polymerizer and activator when a crack is formed in the matrix. In particular, it can be challenging to ensure that the activator is protected during the formation and use of the composite, and that it is sufficiently distributed within the polymer matrix so as to be available to form a polymer from the polymerizer. In conventional self-healing composite systems, the activator has been dispersed as solid particles of pure activator, or as particles containing the activator and an encapsulant such as wax. The use of capsules containing an activator has been described, for example, in Cho et al. Adv. Mater. 2006, 18, 997. In this system, a polymerizer was present as phase-separated droplets in the polymer matrix, rather than in capsules.
Composite materials that contain a polymerizer without an added activator have not shown autonomic self-healing behavior. In the DCPD systems described above, when control experiments were performed in the absence of catalyst, no healing was observed (White, S. R. et al. Nature 2001, 409, 794.). In another system, healing of polyester composites was investigated, based on polymerization of a monomer together with activating groups bound to the polyester matrix (D. Jung, et al., vol. MD-80, in Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition, 265-275, 1997). The activating groups investigated in this system included carboxylic acid groups, ester groups, unsaturated groups, epoxide groups and amine groups. None of these native activating groups was able to provide self-healing of the matrix when contacted with the monomer from the capsules.
Another approach to healing cracks in a material does not use polymerizers or activators at all. Rather, this approach involves heating the material to bond the crack faces. The heating may be combined with the addition of a solvent to facilitate physical and/or chemical bonding between the polymer chains on either side of the crack face (Shen, J.-S. et al. J. Mater. Res. 2002, 17, 1335; Lin, C. B. et al. Poly. Eng. & Sci. 1990, 30, 1399; Hsieh, H.-C. Polymer 2001, 42, 1227). A crack in an epoxy polymer without any additives has been reported to heal at elevated temperatures, particularly when the polymer was formed with non-stoichiometric amounts of the epoxide and amine starting materials (Rahmathullah, A. M. et al. "Healing Behavior of DGEBA Epoxy Cured with a Cycloaliphatic Diamine." Proceedings of the First International Conference on Self-Healing Materials, Apr. 18-20, 2007, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, abstract). The drawback to this approach is that the material cannot self-heal autonomously, as the material must be heated by an outside source.
It is desirable to provide a self-healing material that includes fewer components than conventional self-healing materials, yet can autonomically self-heal when a crack occurs. It is also desirable to provide self-healing materials that do not include components that are expensive, unstable and/or difficult to process.

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce a cleavage effluent stream comprising phenol and cyclohexanone and at least a portion of the cleavage effluent stream is fractionated to produce a first fraction richer in cyclohexanone than the cleavage effluent stream portion and a second fraction richer in phenol and depleted in cyclohexanone as compared with said cleavage effluent stream portion. At least a portion of the second fraction is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst in a dehydrogenation reaction zone under dehydrogenation conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexanone in said second fraction portion into phenol and cyclohexanol.

Phenol is an important product in the chemical industry and is useful in, for example, the production of phenolic resins, bisphenol A, ε-caprolactam, adipic acid, and plasticizers.
Currently, the most common route for the production of phenol is the Hock process. This is a three-step process in which the first step involves alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene, followed by oxidation of the cumene to the corresponding hydroperoxide and then cleavage of the hydroperoxide to produce equimolar amounts of phenol and acetone. However, the world demand for phenol is growing more rapidly than that for acetone. In addition, the cost of propylene is likely to increase, due to a developing shortage of propylene. Thus, a process that uses higher alkenes instead of propylene as feed and coproduces higher ketones, rather than acetone, may be an attractive alternative route to the production of phenols.
For example, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene (analogous to cumene oxidation) could offer an alternative route for phenol production without the problem of acetone co-production. This alternative route proceeds through cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide, which is cleaved to produce phenol and cyclohexanone in substantially equimolar amounts.
However, one problem in producing phenol by way of the cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is that the cyclohexanone and phenol produce an azeotropic mixture composed of 28 wt % cyclohexanone and 72 wt % phenol. Thus, one cannot recover all of the cyclohexanone, or any of the phenol, from the cleavage effluent as a saleable product by simple distillation. Moreover, although cyclohexanone is a valuable product with a growing market, there is currently no large worldwide merchant market for cyclohexanone; most cyclohexanone is made as an intermediate and consumed on the spot. In some cases, therefore, it may be desirable to increase the amount of phenol in the product mix from the cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide or even produce all phenol with no cyclohexanone.
For example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0105805 discloses a process for producing phenol by oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide followed by cleavage of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide, in which some or all of the effluent from the cleavage step is subjected to a selective dehydrogenation step to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexanone in the effluent portion into phenol and hydrogen. Where only part of the cleavage effluent is dehydrogenated, the effluent is initially subjected to at least a first separation step to recover some or all of the phenol from the effluent, typically so that the effluent stream fed to said dehydrogenation reaction contains less than 50 wt %, for example less than 30 wt %, such as less than 1 wt %, phenol. Additional distillation steps can be used to remove components boiling below 155° C. (as measured at 101 kPa), such as benzene and cyclohexene, and/or components boiling above 185° C. (as measured at 101 kPa), such as 2-phenyl phenol and diphenyl ether, prior to feeding the effluent stream to the dehydrogenation reaction.
One problem with the process proposed in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0105805 is that expensive vacuum and/or extractive distillation methods are required to recover the phenol before the remainder of the effluent is fed to the dehydrogenation reaction. To address this problem, the present invention proposes alternative approach to increasing the amount of phenol in the product mix from the cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. Thus, in accordance with the invention, cyclohexanone is separated from the cleavage effluent, typically by conventional distillation and preferably to reduce the cyclohexanone content of the effluent to approach the azeotropic amount of 28 wt %. According to market conditions, the cyclohexanone can then be recovered as a usable product or dehydrogenated to produce phenol, whereas the remainder of the cleavage effluent, potentially an azeotropic mixture of phenol and cyclohexanone, is subjected to selective dehydrogenation to convert the cyclohexanone to phenol.
Cyclohexanone is typically produced by the oxidation of cyclohexane, or the hydrogenation of phenol. These methods can also generate various contaminants that are difficult to separate from the desired product, and that can render the cyclohexanone product substandard or unusable to downstream processes, for example in the manufacture of caprolactam or adipic acid, or further using those derivatives in the production of one or another type of nylon. Such contaminants include butylcyclohexylether, pentylcyclohexane, cyclohexyl acetate, pentanal, valeric acid and butyric acid.
The production of cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene (with phenol as a co-product) is an emerging technology. The production of cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene also produces various contaminants that are difficult to separate from the desired products. However, the nature of those contaminants and the separations involved are significantly different than those involved in the conventional production of cyclohexanone from cyclohexane or phenol. For example, hydroalkylation of benzene produces significant amounts of, inter alia, cyclohexane and lesser amounts of methylcyclopentane, cyclohexene, phenylcyclohexene, and phenylcyclohexyldiene. Similarly, the oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene typically produces peroxide species alien to conventional processes for making cyclohexanone, such as the desired cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide (CHBHP), and undesired byproduct hydroperoxides such as cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-2-hydroperoxide, cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-3-hydroperoxide and cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-4-hydroperoxide. Finally, the cleavage of these various hydroperoxides produces, as both the product of the undesired hydroperoxides and the undesired byproducts of the desired CHBHP, a wide variety of contaminant species are not produced by the chemistry and technology of the cyclohexane oxidation or phenol hydrogenation processes, such as cyclohexanedione and hydroxycyclohexanone.


A manufacturing fixture (11) for manufacturing a permanent magnet (24) for an actuator motor (20) of a disk drive (10) is provided herein. The manufacturing fixture (11) includes a fixture cavity (102) which receives the magnet powder (48) and an orientating device (108) which generates flux lines (110) which extend across the fixture cavity (102). The fixture cavity (102) includes a cavity axis (118), a cavity transition (116) and a cavity perimeter (124). Importantly, the flux lines (110) extend substantially transverse to the cavity axis (118) near the cavity transition (116) and the cavity perimeter (124) and substantially parallel with the cavity axis (118) intermediate the cavity transition (116) and the cavity perimeter (124). This allows for a magnet (24) having higher magnetic flux densities at the sides (54) (56) (58), and higher average magnetic flux densities in the magnet (24).

The present invention relates to a fixture for manufacturing magnets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fixture and method for pressing and orientating magnets for voice coil actuator motors.
Disk drives are widely used in computers and data processing systems for storing information in digital form. Disk drives typically utilize one or more rotating, storage disks and a plurality of data transducers to interact with each storage disk. An E-block having a plurality of spaced apart actuator arms retains the data transducers proximate each storage disk. An actuator motor moves the E-block and the data transducers relative to the storage disks.
The need to rapidly access information has led to disk drives having storage disks which are rotated at ever increasing speeds and an actuator motor which moves the E-block at ever increasing rates. Unfortunately, this typically results in increased heat, noise and power consumption of the disk drive.
FIG. 1A illustrates a rear perspective view of a portion of a prior art, rotary, voice coil actuator motor 10P. In this embodiment, a flat, trapezoidal shaped coil 12P is positioned between two permanent magnets 14P and two flux return plates 16P. The coil 12P is secured to the E-block (not shown in FIG. 1A). Current passing through the coil 12P causes the coil 12P to move relative to the permanent magnets 14P to move the E-block.
One factor which effects efficiency of the actuator motor 10P is the strength of the magnets 14P. In the prior art actuator motor 10P illustrated in FIG. 1A, the magnets 14P include magnetization lines 18P (illustrated as arrows) which are oriented substantially perpendicular to the coil 12P. In this embodiment, the magnets 14P are made of a magnetic powder which is also oriented substantially perpendicular to the coil 12P.
FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art fixture 22P which can be used to manufacture the magnet 14P. The prior art fixture 22P includes a fixture body 24P, an upper punch 26P, and a lower punch 28P. This fixture body 24P defines a cavity for receiving magnet powder to form the magnet 14P. An orientating coil 30P creates a magnet field 32P having flux lines which orient the magnet powder in the magnet 14P.
Unfortunately, the strength of the magnets 14P illustrated in FIG. 1A vary approximately 14-20 percent across the stroke of the coil 12P. More specifically, the strength of the magnets 14P is high, near the center and drops near the sides of the magnets 14P. This non-linearity causes difficulty in precisely moving the coil 12P. Inaccurate positioning of the coil 12P leads to data transfer errors between the data transducers and the storage disks.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved magnet and a fixture for making the improved magnet. It is another object to provide a fixture for manufacturing a magnet which is relatively easy to use. Yet another object is to provide a method for manufacturing a magnet which significantly improves the strength and performance of the magnet.
A manufacturing fixture which satisfies these needs is provided herein. The manufacturing fixture is useful for manufacturing a magnet from a magnet powder for a motor. The manufacturing fixture includes a fixture body and an orientating device. The fixture body includes a fixture cavity for receiving the magnetic powder. The orientating device aligns the magnetic powder in the fixture cavity.
The fixture cavity includes a cavity axis, a first cavity segment, second cavity segment, and a cavity transition between the first cavity segment and the second cavity segment. Uniquely, the orientating device creates a magnetic field having flux lines which extend (1) substantially transverse to the cavity axis near the cavity transition, (2) highly angled relative to the cavity axis near a perimeter of the fixture cavity and, (3) substantially parallel to the cavity axis intermediate the perimeter and the cavity transition.
The flux lines orient the magnet powder into a unique powder pattern which includes first region powder lines in a first region of the magnet which are substantially parallel with a first region axis and second region powder lines in a second region of the magnet which are angled relative to the first region axis.
This powder pattern subsequenuy facilitates a unique magnetization pattern in the magnet. This magnetization pattern results in higher magnetic flux densities throughout the magnet, higher magnetic flux densities at the parts of the magnet which interact with a coil of the motor, and higher average magnetic flux densities in the magnet.
Additionally, the higher magnetic flux densities at the sides of the magnet body, i.e. a greater radius, results in higher torques on the coil of the motor. This enables the magnet to generate more force from a given amount of current in the coil and increases the efficiency of the motor. This also reduces the amount of power consumed by the motor, reduces the amount of heat and noise generated by the motor during operation and increases operational time of the motor for a given battery charge. Further, the size of the magnet can be reduced for a given force requirement. These considerations are particularly important for computer disk drives, which often operate in heat and noise sensitive environments, or on battery power.
The present invention is also a method for manufacturing a magnet. The method includes the steps of positioning a magnet powder in the fixture cavity of the manufacturing fixture and aligning a portion of the magnet powder in the fixture cavity with a magnetic field to form the powder pattern outlined above. The method can also include the step of magnetizing the magnet to include the magnetization pattern outlined above.
Importantly, the manufacturing fixture is used to make a magnet having a unique powder pattern. This powder pattern allows the magnet to accept a unique magnetization pattern which increases the amount of force generated for a given amount of current in the coil. This increases the efficiency, accuracy and performance of the actuator motor, thereby reducing data seek times and amount of power consumed by the actuator motor.

Fixture for manufacturing magnets for a voice coil motor


A method of making a semiconductor device includes thickening source and drain regions. After a field effect device having a source region, a drain region, and a gate, is formed, a layer of semiconductor material is deposited on the device by a directional deposition method, such as collimated sputtering. Then the semiconductor material is selectively removed from side walls on either side of the gate, such as by isotropic back etching, leaving thickened semiconductor material in the source and drain regions, and on the gate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device and methods for manufacturing the semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a field effect transistor having elevated source and drain regions and methods for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The semiconductor industry is increasingly characterized by a growing trend toward fabricating larger and more complex circuits on a given semiconductor chip. This is being achieved by reducing the size of individual devices within the circuits and spacing the devices closer together. The reduction of the size of individual devices and the closer spacing brings about improved electrical performance.
As the physical dimensions of field effect devices are scaled down, the operating voltages are being scaled down accordingly in order not to have excessive internal electric fields. At low operating voltages, it is increasingly important to have small parasitic resistances at the source, drain and gate regions. This is usually achieved by forming a metal silicide in these regions and making contacts to the low resistivity metal silicide.
However, in field effect devices with very shallow junctions or in fully depleted semiconductor-on-insulator SOI devices, the silicon layer at the source and drains regions are insufficient for metal silicide formation. A previous method of addressing this problem has been to thicken the source and drain by epitaxial growth of semiconductor material. However, thickening by epitaxial growth involves high-temperature processes that may cause undesirable redistribution of dopants.
A method of making a semiconductor device includes thickening source and drain regions. After a field effect device having a source region, a drain region, and a gate, is formed, a layer of semiconductor material is deposited on the device by a directional deposition method, such as collimated sputtering. Then the semiconductor material is selectively removed from side walls on either side of the gate, such as by isotropic back etching, leaving thickened semiconductor material in the source and drain regions, and on the gate.
According to an aspect of the invention, a method of thickening a source and drain of a transistor device includes directionally depositing semiconductor material, and isotropically etching the semiconductor material.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of making a semiconductor-on-insulator device includes the steps of forming a structure including a source region and a drain region in a surface semiconductor layer of the device, and a gate and a pair of spacers on the surface semiconductor layer, wherein the spacers on respective opposite sides of the gate, and wherein the gate is operatively coupled to the source region and the drain region; directionally depositing semiconductor material on the gate, the spacers, and on exposed portions of the source region and the drain region; and selectively removing the semiconductor material to uncover at least part of each of the spacers, the selectively removing leaving a source-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the source, and a drain-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the drain.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a method of making a semiconductor-on-insulator device includes the steps of a) forming a structure including a source region and a drain region in a surface semiconductor layer of the device, and a gate and a pair of spacers on the surface semiconductor layer, wherein the spacers on respective opposite sides of the gate, and wherein the gate is operatively coupled to the source region and the drain region, the forming including: i) forming a gate on the surface semiconductor layer; ii) forming a source extension and a drain extension on respective opposite sides of the gate; iii) forming the spacers on opposite sides of the gate; and iv) forming the source region and the drain region; b) directionally depositing semiconductor material on the gate, the spacers, and on exposed portions of the source region and the drain region; and c) selectively removing the semiconductor material to uncover at least part of each of the spacers, the selectively removing leaving a source-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the source, a drain-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the drain, and a gate slab of the semiconductor material at least partially overlying the gate.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of making a semiconductor-on-insulator device includes the steps of forming a structure including a source region and a drain region in a surface semiconductor layer of the device, and a gate and a pair of spacers on the surface semiconductor layer, wherein the spacers on respective opposite sides of the gate, and wherein the gate is operatively coupled to the source region and the drain region; collimated sputtering semiconductor material on the gate, the spacers, and on exposed portions of the source region and the drain region; isotropically etching the semiconductor material to uncover at least part of each of the spacers, the selectively removing leaving a source-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the source, a drain-side slab of the semiconductor material overlying the drain, and a gate slab of the semiconductor material at least partially overlying the gate; depositing a metal layer; and annealing the device to induce formation of semiconductor-metal compound regions at intersections of the slabs and the metal layer.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Selective thickening of the source-drain and gate areas of field effect transistors


Surface treating apparatus employing at least two linear motors driving a multiple linkage system for positioning the outlet of treatment apparatus such as a radiation head or a sprayer for coating objects and especially large objects. A combination of different motions such as linear, rotational and a combination thereof are achieved through varying relative speeds and/or selective movements of the linear motors used to drive the multiple linkage system. Treatment of the entire surface area of the item being treated is accomplished through with the number of reduced number of components of simplified design. One dimensional and two dimensional linear motors may be employed in the system. A second embodiment has a plurality of spray assemblies. Each assembly has a single arm and linear motor which moves along two perpendicular axes.

There have been numerous efforts to automate coating systems such as for example, coating systems employed for painting automotive car bodies, components and the like. Some of these efforts have resulted in automated coating systems, which utilize articulated robots, and semi-programmable machines referred to as reciprocators. Basically, all of the machines developed to-date relied upon rotating electric motors utilizing ball screw systems, chain/sprocket arrangements, and gear/rack arrangements in order to obtain linear motion, which is required to move a spray gun over a work piece in a back and forth stroking motion, these approaches are expensive, complicated and inefficient.


The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste.

Restaurants use food-holding cabinets to keep fried food (e.g., french fries, fried onions, and hash browns), rethermalized fried food (e.g., frozen pre-fried french fries that are baked in a convection oven shortly before serving), and non-fried food (e.g., bread) hot and crisp longer before serving the food to customers.
The typical frying process includes quickly heating food in a deep fryer at around and above 350 degrees F. This frying process quickly removes moisture from the surface of the fried food, giving it a hot, crisp appearance. The typical rethermalizing process includes baking frozen pre-cooked food in a baking oven, such as a convection oven, at around and above 350 degrees F.
Fried food quickly deteriorates once removed from its primary cooking source. The typical hold time for fried food is between 5 and 7 minutes. Rethermalized fried food typically has a hold time of only 3 to 5 minutes because its crisp surface (which acts as a barrier to loss of food heat and internal moisture) is thinner than that of recently fried food. Thereafter, the food becomes soft and develops a greasy appearance. Internal food moisture quickly creeps towards and softens the outer surface of the food, leading to many customer complaints about greasy and old food.
Patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,499,818; 6,114,659; and 6,261,621 describe the use of radiant heat and/or convection air to keep food hot and crisp. In 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,818 described the original idea of improving the holding time of fried food. U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,621 described a fried food-holding area having recirculating hot air forced on and about fried food items, a lower heater, and an upper heater made of overhead heating lamps. Many tests have shown that overhead heating lamps in any application cause fried food to quickly develop a moist outer surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,659 described a food-holding bin having a base for holding food to be warmed. The base had first and second opposed edges, third and fourth opposed edges, and first and second end walls disposed at the first and second opposed edges of the base. Regions above the base and along the third and fourth opposed edges between the first and second end walls were substantially open to ambient atmosphere.


A method for warming the rotor of a gas turbine during extended periods of downtime comprising feeding ambient air to an air blower; extracting compressed air from the air blower; feeding a portion of the compressed air to one side of a heat exchanger and steam (typically saturated) from e.g. a gas turbine heat recovery steam generator; passing the resulting heated air stream from the exchanger into and through into defined flow channels formed within the rotor; continuously monitoring the air temperature inside the rotor; and controlling the amount of air and steam fed to the heat exchanger using a feedback control loop that controls the amount of air and steam feeds to the exchanger and/or adjusts the flow rate of heated air stream into the rotor.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for warming a gas turbine engine rotor and, in particular, to a method for controlling the gas turbine rotor temperature during periods of extended downtime using steam to heat air extracted from a gas turbine enclosure which is then fed directly to the rotor. In an alternative embodiment, the method utilizes auxiliary boiler steam for purposes of heating the air fed to selected rotor passages during extended periods of downtime.
Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section and at least one turbine that rotates in order to generate electrical power. The compressor discharge feeds directly into the combustor section where hydrocarbon fuel is injected, mixed and burned. The combustion gases are then channeled into and through one or more stages of the turbine which extracts rotational energy from the combustion gases. The temperature of gas turbine rotor blades rises very quickly when a gas turbine is started because the blades are exposed to very high-temperature exhaust gases. The temperature of the outer peripheral parts of a turbine also increase very quickly due to heat conduction from the blade as compared to inner peripheral rotor components. The rate of increase in temperature thus tends to be slower on the inner side of the rotor than on the outer side. The difference in conductivity of components can also cause a temperature differential between the inner and outer peripheries of rotor components, creating additional thermal stresses during startup. A separate centrifugal stress also exists during startup due to rotation of the engine.
Thus, the combination of thermal and centrifugal stresses on the rotor are much higher when the engine has been sitting idle during, for example, periodic maintenance. As a result, during startup following extended periods of downtime, the rotor disks can undergo significant thermal and mechanical stresses and are vulnerable to premature failure due to the shock occurring during startup, particularly at or near the rotor disks.
An example of a conventional rotor warming structure for a combined cycle plant includes a central gas flow passage with gas from a compressor fed into the central passage in the rotor. Normally, a portion of the compressed gas is introduced into the gas turbine blades through branches emanating from a central passage. Another known method for warming the rotor prior to startup relies on an electrical heating system surrounding the rotor. However, such systems can be prohibitively expensive and often do not sufficiently protect against temperature differentials during startup. Both air and electrical systems also do not take advantage of the potential heating and cost-saving benefits using on-site steam available within the same power generating plant.

Method for controlling gas turbine rotor temperature during periods of extended downtime


The invention is a base-modified clay that selectively catalyzes the formation of a glycol monoester from an aldehyde. The base-modified clay comprises a clay having secluded conjugate base sites and exchangeable interstitial cationic spaces. In the base-modified clay, the interstitial hydroxyl groups have been converted to oxide sites, at least one structural hydroxyl group has been converted to an oxide site. The base-modified clay contains sufficient conjugate base cations to balance the charge of said oxide groups. Processes for preparing the base-modified clay are described. The invention also provides a process for preparing a glycol monoester. This process includes heating in a reaction vessel an aldehyde and a catalytic amount of the base-modified clay under conditions sufficient to produce a glycol monoester.

Glycol monoesters are compounds having the following structure, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or an organic group (e.g., an alkyl group): ##STR1##
These compounds have a variety of uses. For example, glycol monoesters are used as industrial intermediates, solvents, plasticizers for polyvinylchloride and polyolefins, and coalescing aids for latex paints. One well-known glycol monoester is a product from 2-methyl propionaldehyde, where both R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 in the above formula are methyl groups, which is sold under the TEXANOL.RTM. trade name by Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tenn. The TEXANOL.RTM. product is the premier coalescing aid and leveling agent for latex paints and is also used as a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride products.
The formation of glycol monoesters from aldehydes is well known in the art. A typical process for forming glycol monoesters begins with an aldol condensation of an aldehyde having an alpha-hydrogen followed by a Tischenko hydride shift. Scheme I depicts these reactions, including the formation of a dioxanol intermediate. ##STR2##
Although the glycol monoester above depicts the ester in the 1-position, the glycol monoester actually exists as a mixture of the 1- and 3-isomers. These isomers interconvert through an equilibrium (shown in scheme II) at sufficiently high temperature, in the presence of a catalyst, or over time. ##STR3##
Under conditions used in most glycol monoester manufacturing processes, competing side reactions result in numerous undesirable by-products. Moderately high temperatures, for instance, favor transesterifications which yield glycol and glycol diester by-products. Simple ester by-products are believed to occur through either an intramolecular Tischenko reaction, (shown in scheme III), or through an intermolecular Cannizzarro reaction, (shown in scheme IV). High temperatures favor Cannizzarro reactions producing a simple ester by-product to the exclusion of the aldol condensation products. As a consequence of these unwanted by-products, the aldehyde conversion must be regulated to low to moderate levels to give optimum yields of glycol monoester. Even then, the desired glycol monoester yield rarely exceeds 85 to 90 percent without extensive recycling of the transesterification products. ##STR4##
Strong bases have traditionally been used to promote the formation of glycol monoesters from aldehydes. For example, Hagemeyer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,344, describes how moderately basic aluminum alkoxides are good Tischenko catalysts, but poor aldol catalysts. Hagemeyer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,632, describes how highly basic sodium alkoxides are good aldol/Tischenko catalysts, but are poor Cannizzarro catalysts except at higher temperatures. The difference in catalytic base strength in these two patents accounts for the difference in the relative amounts of the simple ester product and the glycol monoester product. Both form from hemiacetals undergoing hydride attacks on carbonyl carbon atoms. The simple ester product forms from a hydride transfer from a hemiacetal of the starting aldehyde, and the glycol monoester forms from a hydride shift in the hemiacetal of the starting aldehyde and its aldol condensation product.
Additional by-products in the preparation of glycol monoesters are glycol, glycol diester and alcohol. These by-products result from transesterifications, as shown in schemes V-VII: ##STR5##
The extent of transesterification is generally related to the temperature and the reaction conditions for the aldehyde conversion. Under low simple ester production conditions, the limiting values of the transesterification keep the glycol:glycol monoester:glycol diester ratio near 1:2:1 so that the maximum yield of the glycol monoester is 50 percent. At high simple ester production conditions, the glycol:glycol monoester:glycol diester ratio becomes skewed toward the glycol diester as the simple ester transfers its ester group to the glycol derivatives releasing the alcohol. At high simple ester production conditions coupled with the limiting transesterification conditions, the yield of the glycol monoester may fall significantly below 50 percent. Even when the transesterification is not extensive, such as at low reaction temperatures and low aldehyde conversion rates, the yield of glycol monoester rarely exceeds 85-90 percent. The maximum yield of glycol monoester for the aqueous caustic system ranges from 75 percent, as shown by German Patent No. 3,447,029 to Weber et al. (1986), to 92 percent at moderate aldehyde conversions, as shown by Swedish Patent No. 468,559 to Hopfinger et al. (1993), to 98 at low aldehyde conversions percent, as shown by Japanese Patent No. 77 15,582 to Tsuchiya et al. (1977).
Because significant amounts of by-products often result, processes to prepare glycol monoesters require elaborate and costly purification schemes to separate the product from the by-products and to reconvert the by-products into glycol monoesters. Processes requiring over one dozen distillation columns and two or more reactors are not uncommon. Thus, a need exists for an improved glycol monoester synthesis. A further need exists for a catalyst that promotes aldol condensations and Tischenko hydride shifts to produce glycol monoesters while minimizing unwanted by-products.

Basic clay catalyst for the production of pentylglycol monoesters


A method of qualifying physical components using computed tomography (CT) includes obtaining qualified CT data from a CT scanner for at least one qualified physical component. Qualification data is generated based on the qualified CT data, where the qualification data defines a qualification envelope. Candidate CT data is obtained from the CT scanner for a candidate physical component. Comparison data is then generated based on the candidate CT data and the qualification data, where the comparison data indicates whether the candidate CT data is within the qualification envelope defined by the qualification data. An acceptance signal is generated if the comparison data meets acceptance criteria.

Traditionally, industrial CT scanning is used for non-destructive examination (NDE). In the past, CT scanning was used to examine the internal configuration and condition of nuclear power plant components and their internal parts. This work was performed on behalf of nuclear utilities and other industries requiring high-reliability. For example, traditional CT scanning was performed to identify condition and configuration of power plant components and to attempt to identify internal non-metallic parts within sealed components.
Many highly regulated, technical industries require an enhanced degree of reliability for the component parts that are integrated into the devices and/or systems that operate within those industries. This reliability requirement is taken very seriously because a part, component or system failure could result in loss of life or a significant risk to the health and safety of employees and the public. Typically, item quality (and its reliability) is ensured by establishing detailed specifications representing the item design requirements and through implementation of very rigorous Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Programs. This approach has been effective at producing very reliable parts, components and systems, however, it comes with the down-side of being slow, costly and requiring extensive documentation. In addition, it results in a limitation on the number of suppliers who can meet all of the requirements to produce a qualified item.
For the industries that require a specially qualified inventory of spare parts, manufactured and tested to the requirements of technical specifications and an approved quality program, there is typically a long lead time required to acquire those parts. This causes the users to maintain an extensive, on-hand, qualified, inventory to meet operational needs.

Systems and methods of comparative computed tomography (CT) for qualification of commercial grade items


A screwed pipe connection for connecting a pipeline including a connection end having a formed wall region. The screwed pipe connection includes a connection part and a union joint part. Proceeding from the end face of the connection end of the pipeline, an outside cross-section of the pipeline increases and is larger than the nominal outside cross-section, then decreases again. Proceeding from the end face, a clear inside cross-section of the connection end is larger than the nominal inside cross-section and decreases to the nominal inside cross-section. The wall thickness on the end face is smaller than the nominal wall thickness, and wherein an inner material difference, resulting from the deviation of the inside cross-section from the nominal inside cross-section, and an outer material difference, resulting from the deviation of the outside cross-section from the nominal outside cross-section, deviate from one another by a maximum of 30 percent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a screwed pipe connection for connecting a pipeline having a nominal outer cross-section, a nominal inner cross-section, a nominal wall thickness, and a connection end with a wall region formed by shaping.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a screwed pipe joint, in particular a screwed pipe joint of the type described above, wherein a wall region of a connection end of a pipeline is subject to reshaping and with the application of force in axial direction of the pipeline inside a mold of a tool, an outer contour of the connection end is formed.
2. Description of Related Technology
From the international standard ISO 8434-1, screw joints are known that are used for the sealed connection of a pipe to a pipe-connection part or a screw-in part. In this standard, so-called 24° cone connectors of various designs are described. These connections comprise a connection part and a union joint part that can be screwed into the connection part for sealed retention of the pipeline, wherein the connection part has a receiving opening with an inner conical bore that widens outward in the direction of the pipeline, and wherein the connection end of the pipeline can be inserted in a positive and/or force-fitting manner between the connection part and the union joint part. The angle designation of 24° refers here to the opening angle of the inner conical bore of the connection part, which widens outward in the direction of the pipeline and is embodied in particular as a tapered bore.
One type of embodiments according to the standard ISO 8434-1 has screw joints that are produced in each case using a cutting ring. As is known, such a cutting ring is an annular part located on the outer circumference of the pipeline that clamps the pipeline in a positive and/or force-fitting manner at its connection end, between the connection piece and the union joint part. On the side facing the connecting part, the cutting ring has a cutting section with at least one cutting edge which, when the union joint part is tightened, is pushed due to the effect of the conical bore of the connection part axially toward the connection part and which, at the same time, cuts radially into the wall of the pipe to be connected. Here, the cross-section of the connection end of the pipeline—except for a small region that is deformed by the cutting edge—is embodied in the same manner as the rest of the pipe body, in particular in respect of its inner and outer diameter; thus, it has the same diameter.
Screw connections comprising cutting rings of various designs are also known from DE-AS 1 167 608, DE-AS 1 175 639, GB 1 117 987 A, U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,488 A and EP 1 776 539 B1 and have long been a standard in fluid technology. The advantages of such connections are low system costs for screw-connection components and machines, the short minimum distance to a pipe bend required when making the connections, which allows for a compact design and the possibility of direct assembly inside the screw connection without the use of assembly machinery. It is considered disadvantageous that the proper handling of the cutting-ring systems during pre- and final assembly requires technical knowledge and experience, that the quality of an achieved preassembly result can only be partially verified, that the cutting rings have difficulty cutting into high-strength steels, and that after a preassembly of the cutting ring, gaps often appear between the cutting ring and the pipe due to elastic deflection of the ring, which gaps must be closed during final assembly.
In addition to the screw joints described above, such screw connections are also known from the international standard ISO 8434-2, where the connection part does not have a conical bore widening outward in the direction of the pipeline but rather an outer conical bore that tapers inward. In particular, in ISO 8434-2, this is a flanged 37° cone connector, wherein the pipeline can be inserted with its connection end that is flanged outwardly in a positive manner by means of an annular cuff-part between the connection part and the union joint part. The inner surface of the flanged pipe-end region abuts the complementary-shaped outer side of the outer bore of the connection part. The angle designation here refers to the opening angle of the outer bore of the connection part, which tapers inward in the direction of the pipeline. This system is also called a JIC system. Whereas with the 24° systems according to ISO 8434-1, an axially induced assembly force is amplified into a clamping and sealing force acting against the cone plane that is approximately 4.8 times normal, in the case of the 37° systems according to ISO 8434-2, an axially induced clamping and sealing assembly-force acting against the cone plane is amplified to only about 1.7 times normal. Thus, compared to 24° cone connectors, the 37° cone connectors have fundamental disadvantages with regard to tightness and assembly behavior.
Screw pipe connections for connecting prefabricated pipelines that have in each case, at their connection ends, a toroidal bulge formed by a compression-reshaping process, are known in numerous embodiments, and devices for producing said screw pipe connections are normally referred to as pipe-forming systems. In these pipelines, proceeding from an end face of the connection end facing the connection part in a first longitudinal section, an outer diameter of the pipeline formed by the reshaped wall area of the connection end increases in axial direction, becoming larger than the nominal outer diameter, and then, in a second longitudinal section, decreasing again in axial direction, until it reaches the nominal outer diameter behind the connection end. The changes in cross-section may occur progressively or suddenly, whereas in the latter case, the second longitudinal section is nearly zero. For the purpose of example only, with respect to the type and production of such screw connections, reference is made to the publications DE 195 20 099 C2, DE 195 26 316 C2 and EP 1 054 203 A1.
Screwed pipe joints designed in this way normally have great installation height, because they require long straight clamping lengths up to the pipe bend for reshaping of the connection end for the pipe. In these regions, it is a disadvantage that insertion can also result in damage to an anticorrosion coating of the pipeline, if such a coating is present. Furthermore, the metal-forming machine tools are often expensive, because they must be designed to produce very considerable forces (for example 1,000 kN with a pipe diameter of 42 mm).
With such screwed pipe joints, there is also a major disadvantage in that during assembly, when tightening the screwed connection (union nut), the pipe tends to revolve along with the nut. This disadvantage is eliminated by a screwed pipe joint as described in EP 1 260 750 B1. In this screwed joint, a support ring is provided, it being possible to clamp the pipeline with its toroidal bulge and the screwed connection in a positive manner between the connection piece—called the coupling connection in the cited document—and the support ring located on the pipeline between the toroidal bulge and the screwed connection. The support ring, with the toroidal bulge, forms a specially designed contact surface, in the region of which, when tightening the screwed joint, essentially no radial force components occur.
The cited screwed pipe joints have stood the test of use. With them, in addition to the advantage of there being a possibility to employ a soft seal at the pipe end, there is also the possibility of checking, in a simple manner, in the preassembly results, the quality of the bead contour produced, and there can subsequently be reliable final assembly characterized by the following advantageous features:                there is already direct contact between pipe and coupling cone during manual tightening of the screwed connection;        assembly can be performed with low tightening torque up to a stop position;        the system is uncritical to over- and under-tightening.
In order to produce contoured pipe ends of this or a similar kind, which particularly in the tapering longitudinal region are provided with a corresponding bulge contour, a device for plastically deforming tool elements, as described in EP 1 494 827 B1, can be used. Such a device has a molding assembly actuated by the pressure of a fluid and a pre-tensioning unit that is actuated by a fluid pressure, particularly a hydraulic pressure, the two units being arranged on a common longitudinal axis, as well as tensioning elements that are tensible by means of the pre-tensioning unit. Here, for reshaping, a toolkit is required that is comprised, in addition to the tensioning elements, of a molding head, by means of which the contour is formed at the pipe end through an axial compression process. This is therefore a method of the type referred to at the beginning.
The problem, which forms the basis of the invention, consists of making a screwed pipe joint of the type referred to at the beginning and a method for its production, which is characterized by a guarantee of high static and dynamic resilience of the screwed pipe joint due to reduced installation height and improved resistance to corrosion, or as the case may be by less complex and expensive mechanical production, and which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

Screwed pipe joint and method for the production thereof


The invention provides a method for stimulating an immune response by administering to a lymphoid tissue a nucleic acid molecule comprising an expression element operationally linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more heterologous epitopes. The heterologous epitope can be inserted into a complementarity-determining region of an immunoglobulin molecule. The invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a hematopoietic expression element operationally linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide. The invention additionally provides a method of treating a condition by administering a nucleic acid molecule comprising a hematopoietic cell expression element operationally linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is targeted to a hematopoietic cell.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of information on the new possibility of inducing immunity using nucleic acids, called DNA vaccination. Previous studies have shown that plasmid DNA introduced into an adult immunocompetent host could induce an antibody response (Tang et al., Nature 356:152-154 (1992)), it was soon demonstrated using the influenza virus that both humoral and cell-mediated could be induced, and these were sufficient for protection in vivo (Ulmer et al., Science 259:1745-1749 (1993); Fynan et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:11478-11482 (1993)). It soon became evident that, DNA vaccines, also called genetic vaccines, have gone through a phase of exponential growth and found an application against a large variety of antigens. They have been applied to immunize against cancer (Conry et al., Cancer Res. 54:1164-1168 (1994); bacteria (Tascon et al., Nat. Med. 2:888-892 (1996); Huygen et al., Nat. Med. 2:893-898 (1996)); virus (Ulmer et al., supra, 1993; Fynan et al., supra, 1993; Raz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:9519-9523 (1994); Davis et al., Vaccine 12:1503-1509 (1994); Wang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:4156-4160 (1993); and parasites (Sedegah et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:9866-9870(1994)).
This basis of DNA vaccination is the introduction into a host of the "blue-print" for vaccine molecules in a way that mimics viral infections without the infectious threat. The use of DNA vaccines can be of particular value in those instances in which vaccines are either ineffective or not yet available.
Genetic vaccines, while conceptually simple in their making, for example, a bacterial plasmid incorporating the coding region of interest, they are still fraught with a number of unresolved issues pertaining mainly to their biology at the site of injection and systemically. Genetic vaccines work along the same lines of recognition of antigen (B cells) and antigen processing and presentation (T cells) known and established for protein antigens or infectious pathogens.
It has been known for many years that eukaryotic DNA is per se scarcely immunogenic whereas prokaryotic (bacterial) DNA possesses properties relevant to immunogenicity. It has been known for some time that bacterial DNA could serve as adjuvant in immunization (Braun et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 119:701 (1965)). It was subsequently reported that mice immunized with Escherichia coli DNA complexed with methylated BSA in adjuvant produce significantly greater amounts of antibodies than mice immunized with calf thymus DNA (Gilkeson et al., Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. 51:362-371 (1989); Gilkeson et al., J. Immunol. 142:1482-1486 (1989)). Earlier observations had already shown that bacterial DNA possesses immunostimulatory properties (Tokunaga et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 72:955-962 (1984), a fact undisputed today (Messina et al., Cell Immunol. 147:148-157 (1993)). These stimulatory properties are apparently linked to a six-base nucleotide motif consisting of an unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (Krieg et al., Nature 374:546-549 (1995) expressed nearly twenty times more frequently in bacterial than in vertebrate DNA (Cardon et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3799-803 (1994)). Noncoding, immunostimulatory sequences (ISS)-enriched plasmid DNA or ISS oligonucleotides themselves stimulate immune responses to co-administered antigens (Roman et al., Nat. Med. 3:849-854 (1997)) by activating IFN-g, IL-12 and IL-18, all of which promote a Th1 response (Carson and Raz, J. Exp. Med. 186:1621-1622 (1997)).
In 1992, plasmid DNA was shown to immunize against the very antigen it codes for (Tang et al., Nature 356:152-154 (1992)). Therefore, it was possible to immunize using foreign DNA controlled by a potent promoter for tissue expression. Inoculation of functional genes into somatic cells of adult immunocompetent animals is a simple way to mimic natural infection and initiate adaptive immunity (Ulmer et al., Curr. Opin. Immunol. 8:531-536 (1996)). Plasmid DNA containing antigen-coding sequences and regulatory elements for their expression can be introduced in tissues by parenteral injection (Wang et al., supra, 1993)or by particle bombardment (Tang et al., supra, 1993). Antibody production (B-cell immunity), and cell-mediated immunity of the helper or cytotoxic T cell-type, have been induced against viruses (Ulmer et al., supra, 1993), bacteria (Huygen et al., supra, 1996; Tascon et al., supra, 1996), parasites (Sedegah et al., supra, 1994), tumor antigens (Conry et al., supra, 1994), self antigens (Gilkeson et al., J. Exp. Med. 183:1389-1397 (1996); Waisman et al., Nat. Med. 2:899-905 (1996)) and allergens (Raz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:5141-5145 (1996)).
Typically, injections of plasmid DNA via the intramuscular or intradermal route yields both antibody and cellular responses with long-lasting immunity preferably induced by multiple DNA inoculations (Sedegah et al., supra, 1994; Xiang et al., supra, 1994). The transgene product is, however, rarely found in the circulation (Davis et al., supra, 1993), and little is known about where and how antigen presentation occurs.
From a practical stand-point, immunization via DNA inoculation relies on in vivo transfection, production and possibly secretion of the transgene product, and antigen presentation by specialized cells.
However, in most studies, neither the in vivo transfected cells nor the antigen presenting cells involved in this process have been identified. Expression of foreign DNA under the control of viral promoters (Tang et al., supra, 1992; Ulmer et al., supra, 1993; Davis et al., supra, 1993; Raz et al., supra, 1994; Wang et al., supra, 1993; Huygen et al., supra, 1996; Tascon et al., supra, 1996; Sedegah et al., supra, 1994; Dollan et al., supra, 1996) limit tissue specificity. Therefore, no control of expression is possible other than the site of DNA inoculation.
Although genetic vaccines have been used successfully, there remains a need to develop more effective methods to exploit the immunogenic potential of genetic vaccines. The present invention satisfies this need and provides related advantages as well.

Somatic transgene immunization and related methods


A combined trash receptacle and condiment holding apparatus includes a base member having a plurality of side walls configured in such a manner that an orifice as well as a plurality of recessed receptacles are formed in the base member, a plurality of vessels removably positioned within the receptacles, respectively, and supported at the base member, and a container removably positioned within the orifice and intermediately juxtaposed between the vessels respectively. The container is adapted to receive and segregate the trash therein while the vessels are adapted to receive the foodstuff therein. The orifice and the receptacles extend downwardly from an uppermost surface of the base member and remain supported on a lowermost surface of the base member. In this manner, the container and the vessels remain at a static and fixed upright position when the base member is transported.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to compact containers and, more particularly, to a combined trash receptacle and condiment holding apparatus for segregating trash from foodstuff on an existing eating surface.
2. Prior Art
An attractive public restaurant is characterized by an appearance of neatness and cleanliness. This is difficult to maintain when dining tables quickly become cluttered with various paper and plastic items provided largely in conformance with sanitary regulations. Such items consist of paper envelopes for sugar, waxed paper covers for wafers, paper covers for drinking straws, waxed paper covers for butter pats, plastic jelly containers, tooth picks used with hors d′oeuvres—not to mention trash associated with smoking, such as plastic cigar covers and paper cigar bands, empty match covers and tops of cigarette packages.
A table may also become cluttered by many items, such as condiments and sugar packets, which are used to add additional flavors to a user's foods. More items could be kept on the table if there was enough storage space, thereby adding to the convenience of the consumer. Most consumers can attest to the frustration of asking their server to bring them a straw or a wet nap, only to wait an extended amount of time because the server is busy. Obviously, it would be advantageous to provide a means for storing such items on a table, thereby providing easy access to the customers and further relieving the burden from a hardworking server.
The present invention satisfies such a need by providing specially integrated condiment receptacles alongside the convenient and compact trash receptacle. The integrated condiment receptacles can be used for storing a variety of convenient and useful items such as condiments, sugar packets, crayons, straws, crackers, or any other variety of useful items.
This invention also provides a convenient trash receptacle in which diners can dispose of these pieces of paper and plastic as they appear so as to keep them out of sight, at the same time avoiding the possibility of creating a small blaze resulting from trash being carelessly dropped in an ashtray containing an unextinguished cigarette.
Since dining tables either at home, or in public restaurants are often crowded for space, a trash receptacle maximizes available space and allows for a diner to conveniently dispose of unwanted wrappers, articles, or other pieces of trash without leaving the table. Prior means of performing table trash disposal has been used in a self-service "fast food" restaurant by providing a large slot in the top of the table, giving access to a container beneath the table. It is obvious that this solution is hardly suitable for an attractive restaurant with cloth-covered tables for which the subject invention is particularly designed in a number of novel embodiments.
Accordingly, the compact table trash container with integrated condiment receptacles was designed in order to overcome the above noted problems. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a compact table trash container with integrated condiment receptacles that is convenient and easy to use, inexpensive, durable, sanitary, and efficient.

Compact table trash container with integrated condiment receptacles and associated method


A media displacement device has a body configured to be positioned radially outwards of a tool having an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy to or receiving electromagnetic energy from an earth formation. The body is made of materials causing less power loss to electromagnetic energy transmitted or received by the tool than the media the body is configured to displace.

Systems that employ electromagnetic energy for monitoring or imaging, such as NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and inductive resistivity logging, for example, rely on transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy. Such systems are used in the downhole industry where NMR tools are positioned within a borehole for formation evaluation. An antenna within the NMR tool is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into and receive it from the formation being queried. Any extra media that impedes efficient transfer of electromagnetic energy between the antenna and the formation has a negative effect on performance of the system. New systems and methods that increase the efficiency of the aforementioned energy transfer are always well received in the art.

Media displacement device and method of improving transfer of electromagnetic energy between a tool and an earth formation


A method, apparatus and computer program product for determining a rain event warning are described herein. In the context of a method, an indication of the rain event warning for one or more locations may be received. The method may obtain, for a respective rain event warning, sensor data corresponding to a weather condition within a region that includes the location with which the respective rain event warning is associated. The method may evaluate the sensor data to determine whether the sensor data is indicative of the weather condition (e.g., rain). The method may determine a rain event warning confidence based at least in part on evaluation of the sensor data. The method may cause the rain event warning to be published in an instance in which the rain event warning confidence satisfies a confidence threshold.

A rain event warning corresponding with one or more locations may be generated based on vehicle sensor data that satisfies certain conditions. For example, a combination of particular vehicle speeds and activation of vehicle features (e.g., windshield wipers) can trigger generation of a rain event warning. Such rain event warnings may subsequently be published (e.g., transmitted for display in conjunction with a mapping or navigation system).
In some cases, vehicle sensor data based on inconsistent driver behavior in response to rain may cause the generation of rain event warnings to be inaccurate, such as by causing generation of false positive rain event warnings. This inaccuracy may lead to drivers placing less confidence in such rain event warnings, thereby potentially devaluing these warnings.

Method and apparatus for verifying rain event warnings


A secure financial transactions system generally includes a card that can be used a credit card, ATM card or debit card having a personal identification number (PIN) that can include a panic digit or panic PIN. The panic digit or panic PIN can be used to begin an emergency notification sequence including sending emergency signals and video transmissions from the commercial transactions machine. The card can include several biometric devices as well as financial transaction records. The card can include data to interact with data gathered from biometric devices on the ATM or POP devices. The card can then be interfaced with a personal computer. The card could also be made into other formats such as a ring, key chain, or other jewelry.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of commercial transaction systems, and more particularly to a secure commercial transaction systems, methods and computer program products, wherein a multi-feature transactional device enhances user safety, provides a means of user identify verification, minimizes risk of fraud, facilitates record keeping, and functions as a data collection tool for target marketing.
2. Prior Art
The present use of ATM cards, debit cards, credit cards, and the like create potential personal security hazards. For example, users at ATM machines can become robbery victims by having criminals force them to withdraw money. In addition, the loss of such cards can allow criminals to endlessly use the cards without knowledge to the true owner. Further, fraudulent use of counterfeit cards is becoming increasingly prevalent, wherein card numbers and other identifying information printed on cards is furtively collected and utilized to create counterfeit cards.
In addition to such security hazards, users of ATM cards, and the like typically received paper (soft) receipts when executing in-person commercial transactions. That is, a common occurrence in everyday life is the issuance and acceptance of a paper receipt as evidence of a commercial transaction. Such receipts include vouchers, sales slips, signed notices, paid bills, proofs of payment, statements, sales tickets, admittance, and cash register tapes. These items are used almost everywhere to provide a consumer and a merchant with some means of recording a commercial transaction to ensure that rights and responsibilities regarding the commercial transaction are honored between the parties through the transaction.
Currently, consumers, and merchants use paper receipts that must be retained not only until the purchase value has been received by the customer but also for future problems regarding claims and responsibilities with regards to the commercial transaction. For the consumer, maintaining many receipts over a period of time may be difficult. For the merchant, the issuance of a paper receipt almost guarantees that the merchant must create and maintain other paper records that match the paper receipt.
For example, in a typical purchasing transaction, a consumer may travel to a home supply store to buy building materials. After paying for some merchandise, the consumer will receive a paper receipt as proof of purchase. If the consumer has purchased some bulky items, such as lumber, the consumer may be required to proceed to a different location to pick up the lumber, such as a loading dock at the back of the store or at a nearby lumber yard. The consumer's purchase receipt serves as evidence of payment for the lumber and of the right to delivery of the lumber from an agent of the home supply store. Once the consumer has tendered the receipt, the agent may physically mark the paper receipt to show that the lumber has been delivered, and the lumber is given to the consumer.
The use of paper receipts in this situation creates inconveniences. The consumer must ensure that the paper receipt is not lost before the lumber is picked up, which is usually not difficult as the lumber would probably be picked up in a short amount of time. However, the consumer is required to keep the receipt in case the consumer desires to return any defective merchandise. As some stores may allow the return of certain merchandise after several months, the consumer may need to file the paper receipt in a special place to ensure that it is not lost.
The merchant also confronts inconveniences. The home supply store's purchase transaction system may update inventory records immediately upon the sale of the merchandise, even though not all of the merchandise has been removed from the stock. If the purchase transaction system is set up so that a lumber yard manager must enter a transaction into an electronic terminal to update the inventory records, and the lumber yard manager fails to do so, then the inventory records will not properly match the actual inventory.
As is familiar to most consumers, the maintenance and transfer of paper receipts for such purposes may be both cumbersome and annoying. Therefore, it would be useful to have a system, method, and computer program product for electronically transferring, inter alia, proofs of purchase or other documents related to commercial transactions. It would be further advantageous to have a system, method, and computer program product for transferring and storing detailed information concerning the status and details of a particular commercial transaction.
Additional disadvantages exist relative to currently available transaction cards. For example, a frequent card user is personally saddled with the task of collecting endless printed receipts if crosscheck of bank or credit statements is desired. Moreover, in most instances, even if the user does not desire a print receipt, the receipt is generated nonetheless. Countless tons of environmental waste are undoubtedly generated by ATM's alone.

System, method and computer program product for facilitating secure commercial transactions