The present invention provides a method and system for manufacturing cement wherein ground particles of cement and calcium sulfate are subjected to infrared sensors, laser sensors, or both, so that emanated, irradiated, transmitted, and/or absorbed energy having wavelengths principally within the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter can be monitored and compared to stored data previously obtained from ground cement and sulfate particles and preferably correlated with stored strength, calorimetric, or other data values, such that adjustments can be made to the mill processing conditions, such as the form or amounts of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum, plaster, anhydride), or cement additive levels. The strength and other properties of cement can be thus adjusted, and its quality can be more uniform.

Cement-based materials, such as concrete and mortar, are among the most widely used construction materials in the world, as they are necessary for making roads, bridges, tunnels, foundations, buildings, dams, and other infrastructure. The manufacture of cement and the study of its impact on cement hydration and material strength, however, involve heterogeneous factors that give rise to complex issues.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical process whereby clinker is made and ground in a mill to provide cement, which is the binder material for concrete and mortar. Raw materials containing calcium, iron, silicon and aluminum (designated at 2), are crushed and blended (4), stored (6), optionally preheated (8), and fed into the kiln (10), where they are heated to very high temperatures (e.g., 1500° C.). Heating in the kiln is sufficient to fuse the raw materials into clinker "nodules" which are cooled or allowed to cool (12) and are optionally stored (14). The clinker nodules are added with a source of calcium sulfate (16) and fed into the cement mill (18) which grinds the materials to produce the finished cement (20).
Supplemental cementitious materials, such as fly ash, slag, other pozzolans, and/or limestone, may be added with the clinker before (at 16) or after the grinding mill stage (18). The produced cement is typically cooled and then tested (20), stored in silos (22) until being delivered to the customer (22), who uses the cement to make concrete, mortar, or other construction materials.
Typically, sulfate, in the form of gypsum, is added into the cement mill (18), where the clinker and gypsum are ground to a specific particle size (20). The resultant ground particles of clinker, and gypsum are commonly referred to as Portland cement. Blended cements are Portland cements combined with supplementary cementitious materials (e.g., fly ash) before or after the mill.
The manufacture of Portland cement generates a significant amount of carbon dioxide. This occurs especially during firing of the kiln (10) where calcination of the limestone occurs (releasing carbon dioxide). For each metric ton of cement produced, approximately 0.84 tons of carbon dioxide are released (See e.g., WBCSD Cement Sustainability Initiative reports). As annual production is about 4 billion metric tons of cement, this amount represents approximately 5% of all carbon dioxide generated by man-made processes. Reducing carbon dioxide is of great importance to sustainability initiatives in cement production.
It can be difficult to obtain consistent quality in cement products despite expensive process controls. Major reasons include high variability of the raw materials (due to their origin within a given quarry as well as across multiple quarries) and of processing conditions—such as kiln temperature, oxygen levels within the kiln, rate of cooling, and kiln fuel changes that can affect the interaction of chemical constituents as the clinker is formed.
The present inventors believe that improving control over cement hydration, despite numerous factors that fluctuate during manufacturing, such as aluminate content and sulfate availability, provides many benefits. They propose to implement monitoring and adjustment processes not currently used or envisioned today in the cement manufacturing field, so that greater consistency of cement product quality can be realized.
By focusing on consistency by accounting for the variation in clinker, sulfate and other materials introduced into the cement mill as well as the grinding process conditions, the present inventors believe that they can enhance the consistency of strength in the cement product, as well as reduce its large carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the inventors believe that the performance of cement additives can also benefit by accounting for variation in the clinker and other materials introduced into the cement mill as well as the grinding process conditions. Cement additives are chemical products used to improve the efficiency of cement grinding mills (grinding aids) and/or to improve the performance of mortars and concretes made with the cement (quality improvers). One such performance parameter is cement compressive strength. Cement additives are often used to increase the strength of the cement at one or more ages. FIG. 2 shows some typical response curves of compressive strengths obtained by using the testing methods described in EN-196-1:2016 on mortars as a function of two strength enhancing chemicals commonly used in cement additives. As can be seen, different cement additives have different optimum dosage requirements with respect to achieving optimum cement strength (in this case 1 day compressive strength). Typically, the dose of a cement additive is determined based on the production parameters of the mill (such as mill output) and quality parameters of the cement (such as fineness, residue in the "#325 sieve", powder flow, pack-set, set time, rheological behavior, and compressive strength). Most plants are equipped with flowmeters that allow accurate monitoring of the volume of cement additive being introduced in the mill. Cement additives can be used to further reduce the inconsistencies and to improve the quality of the cement. Knowledge of the variations can allow cement additives to be adjusted in type or amount, with a variety of goals including, but not limited to, maximizing strength, achieving a target early age strength without exceeding a later age maximum, increasing the use of supplementary cementitious materials, controlling set time or rheology, and other advantages. Thus, within a closed-loop framework, additives can be used to increase consistency of the final cement product.
Ground Portland cement is primarily composed of hydratable calcium silicates. The calcium silicates are essentially a mixture of tricalcium silicate (otherwise referred to as alite, 3CaO.SiO2, or "C3S" in cement chemists' notation) and dicalcium silicate (otherwise referred to as belite, 2CaO.SiO2, or "C2S") in which the former is the dominant form, with lesser amounts of tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3, "C3A") and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3, "C4AF"). See e.g., Dodson, Vance H., Concrete Admixtures (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York N.Y. 1990), page 1.
In order to control the early calcium aluminate reaction, cement manufacturers typically add an amount of sulfate, often in the form of gypsum, to the cement clinker. It is the sulfate which, upon contact with water when mixed with cement (e.g., to make concrete or mortar), reacts with calcium aluminate to form a hydrated product called ettringite. This reaction consumes aluminates and thus lowers aluminum concentration in solution, which allows proper formation of the calcium silicate hydrates (C—S—H) and thereby confer strength to the concrete or mortar made from the cement.
The present inventors shall use calcium sulfate as an example of a "source of sulfate" which will be introduced into a grinding mill along with clinker to produce cement. Gypsum (i.e., calcium sulfate dihydrate) is a form of calcium sulfate that reacts readily with calcium aluminate in the cement during hydration. Other forms of calcium sulfate are "plaster" (e.g., calcium sulfate hemihydrate, or bassanite), and calcium sulfate anhydrite. Thus, gypsum is 1 mole of calcium sulfate associated with 2 moles of water (Ca2SO4.2H2O); plaster is 1 mole of calcium sulfate associated with 0.5 moles of water (Ca2SO4·½H2O); and anhydrite is calcium sulfate that is not associated with water (Ca2SO4).
The hemihydrate form of calcium sulfate (plaster) is also relied upon as a calcium sulfate source in the cement plant to control the aluminate reaction. The advantage of using hemihydrate is due mainly to its faster solubility in water. Although plaster is rarely added as a source of sulfate directly into the mill, varying amounts of calcium sulfate hemihydrate are present in the finished cement as a result of the dehydration of gypsum (the dihydrate form). This dehydration is prompted by high temperatures (e.g., above 100° C.) in the grinding mill environment that tend to evaporate water from gypsum and convert it into plaster.
In spite of attempts to control temperature and relative humidity conditions in the milling system, cement plant owners are not readily equipped to control precisely the amount of plaster being transformed from gypsum within the grinding process. This transformation is commonly seen in ball mill systems that readily generate heat; but not typically seen in vertical roller mills (VRMs) wherein the temperature of the mill is typically lower than the dehydration temperature of the gypsum, and additionally, the humidity is relatively higher, due primarily from water being added to stabilize the VRMs. Both conditions lead to decreased dehydration of gypsum to plaster.
Calcium sulfates can react with the aluminate phases to form ettringite, thus decreasing calcium aluminate hydration that otherwise decreases workability and strength of the cement. Although calcium sulfates can balance the aluminate reaction by keeping the sulfate concentration high enough to limit aluminate reactions in advance of the silicate reactions to prevent flash set and poor strength development (through hindrance of the calcium silicate reaction), a number of generally accepted standards in the industry (e.g., ASTM C1157, EN 197-1:2011) impose limits on total sulfate content. Such standards impose limits on the maximum amount of sulfate in cements under the theory that excessive sulfate levels give rise to detrimental expansion and false setting of cements. Other standards have evolved to permit higher sulfate levels as long as deleterious expansion is avoided (e.g. ASTM C150/C150M-18 does not limit the sulfate as long as tests under ASTM C1038/C1038M-14b do not demonstrate deleterious expansion).
Thus, an optimum amount of sulfate is desired to control the calcium aluminate reaction while maintaining performance factors such as strength, workability shrinkage, and expansion.
Despite the importance of adding the optimum amount of sulfate, testing for optimum sulfate levels in the grinding mill is typically done on an infrequent basis. Strength testing requires at least 24 hours, while calorimetric testing requires 8-24 hours. See e.g., Sandberg, P. "The use of isothermal calorimetry in cement production," http://downloads.calmetrix.com/Downloads/CCW2016/Paul_Sandberg_The_use_of_Isothermal_calorimetry_in_cement_production.pdf).
Given that large cement plants can produce 10,000 metric tons (MT) of cement every day, the present inventors believe that processing conditions (e.g., quality and ratio of raw materials fed into the kiln (10), the fuel used for heating the kiln, and other factors) present too many variables for the typical cement manufacturer to consider at present time.
The present inventors believe that a consistent quality of cement cannot be attained by adjusting sulfate levels annually, semi-annually or even monthly, because variations in the clinker over shorter time increments can alter the ideal sulfate level for reaching maximum strength at a given age of the cement.
In preparing for summary of the present invention, which culminates in the next section, the present inventors describe specific difficulties in testing the relationship between sulfate levels and optimum strength in cement, as well as current practices which have tended to mask discovery and resolution of those difficulties to this point in time.
FIG. 3A illustrates compressive strength data (at 1 day age) for cement containing various amounts of gypsum (dihydrate form). The gypsum is added incrementally into ground cement clinker in accordance with ASTM C563-17, and is dosed as a percentage of the cement mass. The cement made from variously dosed gypsum levels is used to form mortar test samples, which are crushed to obtain compressive strength values, in accordance with ASTM C109/109M-16a or EN-196-1:2016. The results shown in FIG. 3A are made in accordance to EN-196-1:2016.
The strength curve data of FIG. 3A suggests that the cement has optimum 1 day compressive strength when sulfate (in the form of gypsum) is added to the cement clinker in the amount of 1.5%-2.0% based on weight of cement.
Compared to compressive strength testing, calorimetric testing of cement samples using varying amounts of sulfate is undoubtedly more convenient. FIG. 3B graphically illustrates cumulative heat output testing, over a period of 24 hours, of hydrating cement samples containing gypsum (the dihydrate form) in varying amounts. According to the data illustrated in FIG. 3B, the optimum sulfate content (gypsum) for achieving maximum cumulative exothermic value in the cement is approximately 1.5%-2.0% based on the weight of the cement, essentially giving the same result as the compressive strength tests.
The present inventors note that, to this point in time, a process manager or the quality control manager of a cement clinker grinding mill would typically determine optimum sulfate content using a procedure such as the one described in ASTM C563-17. A small number of mortar samples with varying amounts of gypsum are formed into test samples which are crushed to obtain strength data (e.g., ASTM C109/109M-16a, EN-196-1:2016). FIG. 3C illustrates a typical four point curve using this conventional method. A mill operator might estimate, using such a small number of samples (for compressive strength testing or for calorimetric testing) that the optimum amount of sulfate (e.g., gypsum), for example, is 1.75% based on weight of cement. Based on this data, the mill operator would tend to set the level of gypsum addition in the mill at this amount for an extended amount of time, (e.g. the next 12 months).
However, the present inventors believe this conventional approach does not guarantee optimum strength because clinker components, kiln fuel, as well as the form or amount of sulfate likely fluctuate over the 12 month period and potentially on the daily and hourly periods. They also believe that optimum strength of the cement cannot be achieved consistently based on this conventional practice.
As explained in the background, the present inventors realize that the heat of the mill conditions could transform gypsum (dihydrate form) to the plaster form, which is more soluble (hemihydrate form). They also realize that the humidity levels in and around the mill could fluctuate greatly throughout any extended period of time, such that the amount of rapidly available sulfate could fluctuate.
Indeed, the present inventors believe that the amount of sulfate contained in the clinker itself, an amount of sulfate which albeit is typically small, can vary substantially and become a factor influencing strength of the cement at some point within any extended period of time (e.g. 12 months).
The present inventors believe that mill operators do not usually do multi-point compressive strength or calorimetry testing with enough frequency to obtain useful information regarding sulfate content and relative strength at certain ages; and that they do not routinely consider the myriad process conditions that change from moment to moment and that affect cement properties.
Although it is possible in a laboratory setting to measure sulfate levels in cement using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) or X-Ray Florescence (XRF) after the cement is ground, there is no method to calculate the optimum gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or plaster (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) content based on XRF or XRD data.
Furthermore, there is no method that is used in the cement industry for adjusting the amount of dihydrate and hemihydrate forms of calcium sulfate to obtain optimum strength for certain cement ages. As a result, cements being produced today can demonstrate large fluctuations in terms of quality (e.g. set time and strength), despite investments in quality control systems by the cement manufacturers.
Cement manufacturers have attempted to mitigate the risks stemming from the variabilities of cement production by "overdesigning" their cement products. For example, this might be done by using more clinker and less supplemental cementitious materials (e.g., fly ash, slag) or by grinding cement particles to finer Blaine specific surface areas to increase the average compressive strength and make it less likely that strength fluctuation result in the cement not meeting specification. In either case, these approaches involve higher carbon dioxide generation (due to clinker kiln operation or milling electricity) and are not energy efficient.
Concrete producers also have used more cement to overcome inconsistent strength performance. Up to twenty percent extra cement might be used to ensure that strength targets are met. This again means more carbon dioxide is generated due to the greater demand for cement.


A new cultivar of Echeveria plant named ‘EC-ECH-02’ that is characterized by blue-green leaves with red margins and a rosette plant form.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plant botanically known as Echeveria gigantea×E. pulidonis and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'EC-ECH-02'.
'EC-ECH-02' originated from the crossing of the female or seed parent, an unnamed Echeveria gigantea cultivar and the male or pollen parent, an unnamed Echeveria pulidonis cultivar. The crossing was conducted in 2013 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. The resulting seeds were subsequently planted and grown. The cultivar 'EC-ECH-02' was selected by the inventor in 2014 in a controlled environment as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area of Sappemeer, Netherlands.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'EC-ECH-02' first occurred by leaf cuttings in 2014 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


Systems and methods are provided for test patterns that detect misalignment. One embodiment is a printer that includes a marking engine having rows of nozzles. The rows are separated along a Y direction, and each row of nozzles extends in an X direction. The printer also includes a controller that directs the marking engine to print multiple bands of a test pattern. Each band is printed by selecting nozzles in a first row, selecting nozzles in a second row that occupy adjacent X positions to the selected nozzles of the first row, and forming a band having multiple marks. Each mark includes a continuous line from a nozzle in the first row and a continuous line from a nozzle in the second row. Each band of the test pattern is printed by ejecting ink from nozzles in a different combination of nozzles.

Print shops generally include high-speed printers used for volume printing. These printers may be capable of printing thousands of pages of content per minute or more. A typical print shop includes multiple production printing systems (e.g., continuous-forms printers). The production printing systems mark a print medium such as paper. When printed content is produced at a high volume, it may be necessary to print batches of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of documents on a regular basis.
In order to provide a desired level of quality, production printing systems include printheads having rows of precisely spaced nozzles for ejecting ink drops onto the print medium. If the spacing between rows of nozzles is not optimized, print quality may be degraded. This typically requires alignment of nozzles so that the printed drops are equally spaced when jetted onto a print medium. Since a row of nozzles is housed within one physical printhead, alignment involves adjusting a rotation or lateral position of the printhead. At a high level, optimal quality is achieved when the printed drops (pels) are accurately located on an ideal square printer grid, where the printer grid is defined as a square lattice of equally spaced points having spacing between lattice points of one divided by the Dots Per Inch (DPI) of the printer. Thus, operators of print shops, to obtain the high image quality that their customers demand, desire accurate alignment of the rows of nozzles in production printers. For at least these reasons, print shop operators continue to seek out enhanced techniques for performing and measuring printhead alignment.

Test patterns for optimizing nozzle alignment of an ink-jet marking engine


A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft as of a ship wherein the shaft is generally to be supported by such bearing assembly in a horizontally extending position. The bearing assembly has a housing with a cylindrical shell mounted therein having a central bore with a longitudinally extending central axis. The shell may either have a first set of circumferentially spaced staves that are not evenly spaced circumferentially to support the drive shaft, or have a first set and a second set of staves that are circumferentially spaced such that the first set contact the drive shaft while the second set do not contact the drive shaft under normal conditions of load. All of the staves have resilient elastomeric strips that project into the central bore of the shell.

This invention relates to a bearing assembly and more particularly to a new and novel bearing assembly for use in supporting a water lubricated propeller shaft as in large naval ships. Bearing assemblies with elastomeric bearing elements are particularly suited for this purpose because of their excellent ability to withstand the effects of corrosive fluids and to abrasion resulting from particles of foreign matter carried in suspension in the sea water in which the shaft and bearing assembly operates. Such bearing assemblies with their elastomeric bearing elements have been made and are still being made with outer non-corrosive support or shell with a plurality of circumferentially evenly spaced elastomeric staves therein.
The present invention is directed to a novel bearing assembly utilizing an outer shell and an inner shell with a plurality of circumferentially spaced elastomeric bearing elements that have only selected staves in contact with the shaft leaving other staves with clearance space to eliminate any contact with the shaft to thereby reduce the bearing friction torque thus enhancing the performance of the bearing. Test results have shown that for the same rubber thickness there is a substantial reduction in friction when the conventional number of staves (12) is reduced in number (to 4).


An active matrix organic electroluminescence display device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The active matrix organic electroluminescence display device includes a scan line in one direction, a data line substantially perpendicular to the scan line, a power line substantially parallel to the data line a distance from the data line, an electroluminescence device emitting light in a pixel region among the scan line, the data line and the power line, a switching transistor for switching a signal of the data line according to a signal of the scan line, and a driving transistor for applying a power supply of the power line to the electroluminescence device according to a signal applied through the switching transistor, the switching transistor or the driving transistor formed by a sequential lateral solidification (SLS) method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active matrix organic electroluminescence display device, and more particularly, to an active matrix electroluminescence display device and a method for manufacturing the same by a sequential lateral solidification (SLS) method that can obtain greater uniformity of luminance and a packing density of an integrated circuit (IC) than a related art low temperature poly process.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, various display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, a field emission display (FED) device and an electroluminescence (EL) device have been studied with development of flat display devices. These flat display devices are classified into. two types according to a driving method: a passive matrix method and an active matrix method. The passive matrix method requires current greater than the active matrix method.
Accordingly, in current driving methods of the FED and EL devices, it is regarded that the active matrix method is more efficient than the passive matrix method because the passive matrix method requires a greater current level than the active matrix method even though a line transmission time is equal.
FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a unit pixel in a related art two transistor (2T) active matrix organic electroluminescence display (OED) device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device includes a scan line 1, a data line 2, a power line 3, an electroluminescence device 7, a switching transistor 4, a driving transistor 5 and a capacitor 6.
At this time, the scan line 1 is formed in one direction, and then the data line 2. is formed perpendicular to the scan line 1. The power line 3 is formed in parallel to the data line 2 at a distance from the data line 2. The electroluminescence device 7 emits lights according to a voltage applied in a pixel region formed by the scan line 1, the data line 2 and the power line 3. The switching transistor 4 switches a signal of the data line 2 according to a signal of the scan line 1. Subsequently, the driving transistor 5 applies a power supply of the power line to the electroluminescence device according to a signal applied through the switching transistor 4. The capacitor 6 is formed between the power line 3 and a gate electrode of the driving transistor 5.
A structure of the unit pixel in the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device and a method of manufacturing the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is a layout of the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 2.
First and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a having an island-shape are formed on portions of a substrate 10 where the switching and driving transistors 4 and 5 will be formed, respectively. At this time, an amorphous silicon a-Si:H is deposited on entire surface of the substrate. Then, the amorphous silicon is crystallized to a polysilicon in a scanning method using an excimer laser and is selectively removed to form the first and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a.
A gate insulating layer 30 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 10 including the first and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a. Then, the scan line 1 is formed to cross the first semiconductor layer 4a on the gate insulating layer 30, and the gate electrode of the driving transistor 5b is formed to cross the second semiconductor layer 5a. At this time, the scan line 1 and the gate electrode 5b of the driving transistor are isolated from each other, and the gate electrode 5b is widened at a certain portion to form a capacitor overlapped with the power line 3, which will be formed in a later step.
Impurity ions are injected to the first and second semiconductor layers at both sides of the scan line 1 and the gate electrode 5b of the driving transistor, thereby forming source/drain regions, respectively.
Accordingly, the switching transistor 4 is formed by the scan line 1 and the first semiconductor layer 4a, and the driving transistor 5 is formed by the gate electrode 5b and the second semiconductor layer 5a.
An insulating interlayer 50 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate including the scan line 1 and the gate electrode 5b, and then contact holes are respectively formed at source and drain regions and the gate electrode 5b of the first semiconductor layer 4a, and the source region of the second semiconductor layer 5a.
The data line 2 connected with the source region of the first semiconductor layer 4a is formed perpendicular to the scan line 1 on the insulating interlayer 50. The power line 3 connected with the source region of the second semiconductor layer 5a is formed perpendicular to the scan line 1 to be overlapped with the gate electrode 5b. Then, an electrode pattern 20 is formed to connect the drain region of the first semiconductor layer 4a to the gate electrode 5b. At this time, the capacitor 6 is formed in a portion where the gate electrode 5b and the power line 3 overlap each other.
Then, an insulating layer 70 for planarization is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 10. The contact hole is formed at the drain region of the second semiconductor layer 5a on the insulating layer 70, thereby forming the electroluminescence device 7 connected to the drain region.
A method of manufacturing the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device having the above structure will be described as follows.
The amorphous silicon a-Si:H is deposited on the substrate 10, and then is crystallized to the polysilicon by an exicmer laser. Then, the crystallized polysilicon is selectively removed to form the first and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a having an island shape corresponding to portions where the switching and driving transistors 4 and 5 will be formed, respectively.
A method for crystallizing the amorphous silicon to the polysilicon by the scanning method of the excimer laser will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a plan view for illustrating the method of crystallizing according to a related art laser annealing method (scanning method).
A laser beam having a width of 0.5 mm or less and a length shorter than an LCD panel is emitted to the amorphous silicon for crystallizing the amorphous silicon as polysilicon in the scanning method. At this time, the laser beam is transferred at 25 μm per pulse from one side of the LCD panel to other side vertically.
The gate insulating layer 30 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 10 including the first and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a, and then a metal layer is deposited on the entire surface of the substrate. Then, the metal layer is selectively removed to form the scan line 1 crossing the first semiconductor layer 4a on the gate insulating layer 30, simultaneously, to form the gate electrode 5b of the driving transistor crossing the second semiconductor layer 5a. At this time, the scan line 1 and the gate electrode 5b of the driving transistor are isolated from each other. Then the gate electrode 5b is widened at a certain portion to form a capacitor overlapped with the power line 3, which will be formed in a later step.
Impurity ions are injected to the first and second semiconductor layers 4a and 5a using the scan line 1 and the gate electrode 5b of the driving transistor as masks, thereby forming the source and drain regions of the switching and driving transistors.
Accordingly, the switching device 4 is formed by the scan line 1 and the first semiconductor layer 4a, and the driving transistor 5 is formed by the gate electrode 5b and the second semiconductor layer 5a.
The insulating interlayer 50 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 10 including the scan line 1 and gate electrode 5b. Then, the insulating interlayer 50 and the gate insulating layer 30 are selectively removed to expose the source and drain regions and the gate electrode 5b of the first semiconductor layer 4a, and the source region of the second semiconductor layer 5a, thereby forming each contact hole.
The metal layer is deposited on the entire surface of the substrate and then is selectively removed. Therefore, the data line 2 connected with the source region of the first semiconductor layer 4a is formed perpendicular to the scan line 1 on the insulating interlayer 50. Simultaneously, the power line 3 connected with the source region of the second semiconductor layer 5a is formed perpendicular to the scan line 1 to be overlapped with the gate electrode 5b. Then, the electrode pattern 20 is formed to connect the drain region of the first semiconductor layer 4a to the gate electrode 5b.
Then, the insulating layer 70 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate. The contact hole is formed at the drain region of the second semiconductor layer 5a on the insulating layer 70, thereby forming the electroluminescence device 7 connected to the drain region.
However, the related art active matrix organic electroluminescence display device and the method for manufacturing it have the following problems.
FIG. 5 illustrates a grain boundary and a carrier movement direction of the polysilicon in the crystallizing method of the related art scanning method.
The amorphous silicon is crystallized to polysilicon by the excimer laser to form the first and second semiconductor layers, but the grain boundary is irregularly formed perpendicular to a channel direction. Accordingly, an operating voltage of each transistor is not uniform, thereby generating a line on a display panel.
That is, the amorphous silicon is deposited on the substrate, and then the amorphous silicon is crystallized to polysilicon in the scanning method by the excimer laser. At this time, the amorphous silicon includes Hydrogen at a certain ratio. Therefore, Hydrogen has to be removed and the amorphous silicon has to be crystallized at a low temperature to prevent deformation from occurring in the substrate. That is, the manufacturing process steps are complicated.
Also, a certain pulse is applied to each scanning line in the scanning method by the excimer laser, and the laser is not successively emitted. Accordingly, laser energy emitted to each scanning line is not uniform, thereby generating the line on the display panel. That is, a characteristic of a TFT according to each scanning line is irregular due to the lines on the display panel, so that the lines are reflected to the active matrix organic electroluminescence display device, thereby degrading uniformity of luminance.
That is, the semiconductor layer serves as a channel, and a current path is formed of silicon. At this time, a crystallized state of the silicon grain is irregular, so that the characteristic of the TFT driving each pixel is different. Therefore, even though an equal gray level is applied, the amount of the current in each TFT is different, thereby generating a luminance difference between pixels.
Also, since a size of the silicon grain is not regular, a non-uniform characteristic is generated in a boundary of the grain during fabricating the TFT, thereby generating non-uniform luminance.
To solve a problem such as the non-uniform luminance, technology forming four TFTs in the pixel region is used. However, the technology may generate defects in manufacturing process steps. Also, an aperture ratio may be decreased by an increased number of TFTs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Active matrix organic electroluminescence display device and method for manufacturing the same


A method for wafer point by point analysis includes receiving first recipe parameters for a first process recipe, second recipe parameters for a second process recipe, a first plurality of measurements of a plurality of locations on a first wafer processed using the first process recipe, and a second plurality of measurements of the plurality of locations on a second wafer processed using the second process recipe. A plurality of sensitivity values are calculated using the first and second values for the plurality of recipe parameters and the first and second plurality of measurements, each of the plurality of sensitivity values corresponding to one of the plurality of locations and representing a sensitivity to one of the plurality of recipe parameters. A graphical representation of a wafer is then provided that shows at least a subset of the first plurality of sensitivity values for the plurality of locations.

The continued demand for higher personal computer processing speed calls for increasingly smaller features on wafers. The demand for smaller features places greater demands on optical lithography systems and the associated metrology of wafers. With features becoming exponentially smaller, geometrical uniformity throughout a wafer is becoming increasingly useful.
Sensitivity analysis is a technique used to determine how different values of an independent variable will impact a particular dependent variable (e.g. wafer film thickness) under a given set of conditions (chamber parameters). Sensitivity analysis on wafers is beneficial to determine how different wafer recipe parameters affect wafer film thickness, for example.
Typically, sensitivity analysis outputs are viewed and analyzed in terms of a single, average sensitivity across an entire wafer. More sophisticated methods provide radial sensitivity values across a wafer, where sensitivity values are determined for several radial intercepts across the wafer.

Wafer point by point analysis and data presentation


Embodiments of the present application relate to a method, apparatus, and system for managing confidential information. The method includes accessing stored target information comprising a public part and a confidential part, wherein an identifier corresponds to the confidential part of the target information, outputting the public part of the target information and the corresponding identifier, wherein the public part of the target information comprises at least first address information, receiving location information and a to-be-recognized identifier, wherein the location information is associated with a current location of a mobile terminal, determining whether the location information is consistent with the first address information, and in the event that the location information is consistent with the first address information, sending the confidential part of the target information associated with the to-be-recognized identifier to the mobile terminal.

With the rapid development of network technologies, online purchasing has become increasingly widespread. When a buyer places an order for a good or service and makes a payment, the buyer also provides a delivery address, a contact telephone number, and other personal information to the seller. In response to the buyer purchasing the good or service, the seller sends the product by way of a shipping company to the delivery address provided by the buyer.
During and after the transaction process described above, the buyer's personal information can be accessible to the public. For example, the confidential information can easily be leaked through an express waybill or other document that clearly indicates such information. The potential leakage of the confidential information constitutes a threat to the buyer's privacy. For example, harassing phone calls made to the buyer, the delivery of unordered items, or the like.
In summary, the matter of managing confidentiality of buyers' personal information without affecting normal transactions has become a problem. Therefore, there is a need for a method, a device, a server, and a system for managing confidentiality of personal information.


An extension 123 of a core plate 121 is brazed to an insert 130 with the extension 123 being held in a holding portion 131 formed in the insert plate 130, and the width Wi of the extension 123 is made to be substantially the same as the width Wc of the insert 130, whereby the retention of flux at longitudinal end portions of the core plate 121 is made difficult. In addition, as a contact area between the extension 123 and the insert 130 can be made larger, the brazing of the extension 123 and the insert 130 can be ensured while the welding of a tank main body 122 and the core plate 121 can be facilitated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger which can effectively be applied to an intercooler for cooling air (intake air) which is induced into an internal combustion engine to support combustion.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7A is a front view of an intercooler which has been being made, on an experimental basis, for a study by the inventor, et al, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of the intercooler indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 7A. In this experimentally studied intercooler, reinforcement plates (inserts) 130 and core plates 121 are brazed together with longitudinal end portions of the inserts 130 being inserted into holes formed in longitudinal end portions of the core plates 121.
Due to this, there remains a large amount of flux at the end portions of the core plates 121 where the inserts 130 are inserted, and this residual flux deteriorates the weldability between a tank main body 122 and the core plate 121.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, a part of the core plate 121 is extended onto the insert 130 so that a portion so extended (an extension 123) is then inserted in the insert 130 for brazing. This can prevent the accumulation of such a large quantity of flux at the portion of the core plate 121 where the tank main body 122 is welded. As shown in FIG. 8B, however, as a contact area between the extension 123 and the insert 130 is small, it is difficult to secure a required brazing reliability.
The present invention was made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to improve the weldability between the core plate and the tank main body and to ensure that the core plate (the extension) and the insert (the reinforcement plate) are brazed together properly.
With a view to attaining the object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes (111) through which fluid flows, fins (112) joined to external surfaces of the plurality of tubes (111) for promoting heat exchange between fluid flowing between the plurality of tubes (111) and fluid flowing through the interior of the plurality of tubes (111), reinforcement plates (130) disposed at end portions of a core portion (110) constituted by the plurality of tubes (111) and the fins (112) in such a manner as to extend substantially in parallel to the plurality of tubes (111) so as to reinforce the core portion (110), and header tanks (120) disposed at longitudinal end portions of the plurality of tubes (111) in such a manner as to extend in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of tubes (111) and adapted to communicate with the plurality of tubes (111), wherein the header tank (120) is constituted by a core plate (121) to which the plurality of tubes (111) are joined and a tank main body (122) welded to the core plate (121) so as to constitute a space in the interior of the header tank (120), wherein extensions (123) are provided at longitudinal end portions of the core plate (121) which each have a width (Wc) which is substantially the same as the width (Wi) of the reinforcement plate (130) and extend onto longitudinal end portions of the reinforcement plates (130), respectively, so as to be brazed thereto, and wherein holding portions (131) are further provided at the longitudinal end portions of the reinforcement plates (130) so as to hold therein the extensions (123), respectively.
Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, as the extension (123) of the core plate (120) is brazed to the reinforcement plate (130) with the extension (123) being held in the holding portion (131) formed on the reinforcement plate (130), different from the case with the experimentally studied intercooler described above, flux hardly remains at the longitudinal end portions of the core plates (121). Consequently, the tank main body (122) can easily be welded to the core plate (121).
In addition, as the extension (123) has the width (Wc) which is substantially the same as the width (Wi) of the reinforcement plate (the insert) (130), the contact area between the extension (123) and the reinforcement plate (130) can be made larger than the contact area of the experimentally studied intercooler, whereby it is possible to ensure that the extension (123) and the reinforcement plate (130) are brazed together properly.
As has been described heretofore, according to this aspect of the invention, as the welding of the core plate (121) to the tank main body (122) can be improved and the brazing of the core plate (121) (the extension (123)) to the reinforcement plate (130) can be ensured, the reliability (durability) of the heat exchanger can be increased.
In addition, the holding portion (131) is desirably formed by deviating a portion of the reinforcement plate (130) which is defined by adjacent cut portions (132) in a thickness direction of the reinforcement plate (130).
According to another aspect of the invention, the extension (123) is formed integrally with the core plate (121) in such a manner that the surface of the extension (123) continuously smoothly connects to the surface of the core plate (121).
According to this aspect of the invention, as the tank main body (122) can deviate in the longitudinal direction, a dispersion of production quality (in dimensions) of the core plates (121) and the main tanks (122) can be absorbed. Hence, the generation of a gap attributed to the dispersion of production quality (in dimensions) can be suppressed which will be described herein, later, with reference to FIG. 5B.
The present invention may be more fully understood from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as set forth below, together with accompanying drawings.


A new and distinct cultivar of Fothergilla plant named ‘ALICE’ is disclosed, characterized by colorful Summer and Fall foliage, and easy rooting. Its compact size is well suited to container production. The new variety is a Fothergilla, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

The new Fothergilla cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Bernard McGowan, in Montague, Mass. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Fothergilla varieties with heightened Fall color on a compact, strong-growing plant. The open pollination resulting in this new variety was made during June of 2001.
The seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented variety of Fothergilla intermedia. The pollen parent is unidentified, as this was an open pollination program. The new variety was selected by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2001 crossing, in a nursery in Montague, Mass., in May 2004.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by softwood terminal cuttings. This was first performed at a nursery in Montague, Mass. in 2004 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 14 successive generations. First public access to plants of the variety occurred during August of 2018 in the United States. This offer came directly or indirectly from the inventor, qualifying for the exception allowed under 102(b). Previous to this sale, although the variety may have been publicized in print, plants were not available to the public for propagation.


A mounting apparatus for supporting a table top on having an elongated support member, includes a housing adapted to be attached to the table top and at least one guide plate. The guide plate includes an aperture which engages the support member. The guide plate is angularly adjustable and positioned to secure the guide plate in a fixed position in engagement with the base.

The present invention relates to tables and the like, and in particular to a portable table that is especially adapted for institutional settings such as hospitals, schools, general dining halls, nursing homes, and the like.
Tables are often employed in institutional environments for a variety of different uses such as dining, crafts, and games. These institutions include health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. In these facilities, patients often have wheelchairs, geriatric chairs, and other similar special purpose seats. Separate tables are normally provided to accommodate the additional height required for such chair restricted residents. However, the use of special tables for chair restricted residents tends to segregate patients since chair restricted residents will utilize different tables than non-chair restricted residents. Although some types of fixed height tables are provided with cutout areas in the apron to accommodate wheelchairs, the fixed height is typically at a compromise level that is not entirely satisfactory or comfortable for either the wheelchair patient or the ambulatory resident.
It is preferable that tables in health care institutions have some type of mechanism to adjust the height of the top, so that the table can accommodate all types of users. Preferably, the top is easily raised and lowered while still providing a secure support for the top. High-low adjustment permits residents in wheelchairs and geriatric chairs to be seated with people in conventional chairs at any table they desire in the room. Although high-low adjustment mechanisms have been used on some types of horizontal supports, they are typically quite complex in construction and/or do not provide stable support for the top.
A particularly advantageous high-low adjustment mechanism for a table is disclosed in commonly owned, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,208, entitled VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTER ASSEMBLY which issued on May 9, 1989 to Peterson et al. In one embodiment disclosed therein, the high-low adjustment mechanism is utilized on a table including a caster. The caster facilitates manual transporting of the table by a single person of average strength and dexterity with relative ease and safety. The Peterson et al. patent discloses a height adjustment mechanism having a housing including two plates which are attached to a tubular support column using bolts. The bolts clamp the plates to the support column. Although the high-low adjustment mechanism disclosed in the Peterson et al. patent overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art units by providing a height adjustment mechanism which is stable and easy to operate and install, it remains desirable to provide further improvements in the mounting apparatus associated with the height adjustment mechanism. In some situations, such as during movement of the table, severe twisting and racking forces experienced by the table top are translated through the housing plates and bolts.


A method and system for handling both proprietary and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) protocols over a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection. The method and system use the PPP connection over a single communication line to initially communicate using a proprietary protocol and then switch to a TCP/IP communication while still maintaining the connection to the single communication line.

The present invention relates to a method and system for handling both proprietary and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) protocols over a single point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection.
Currently, a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection over a dial-up line can operate with, for example, a transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), an International Business Machines (IBM(copyright)) Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS) Extended User interface (NetBEUI) Application Programming Interface (API) and Novell(copyright) Internetwork Packet Exchange(trademark)-Sequenced Packet Exchange(trademark) (IPX(trademark)-SPX(trademark)) compatible protocols. However, the PPP connection does not support and, thus, can not be used for proprietary protocol-based communications. The PPP is defined in Internet Standards Track protocol RFC1549, Internet Official Protocol Standards, RFC1549xe2x80x94The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Specification, published July 1994. The NetBEUI API is implemented in the IBM(copyright) LAN Manager program available from IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y. The IPX(trademark) and SPX(trademark) protocols are implemented in the Novell(copyright) NetWare(copyright) network operating system available from Novell, Inc., of Provo, Utah. The TCP is defined in Internet Standards Track protocol RFC793, Internet Official Protocol Standards, RFC793xe2x80x94Transmission Control Protocol DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification, published September 1981. The IP is defined in Internet Standards Track protocol RFC791, Internet Official Protocol Standards, RFC791xe2x80x94Internet Protocol DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification, published September 1981. In certain cases, for example, management of remote computers, there is a need for users, or more accurately remote management application programs, to communicate initially using proprietary protocols and then switch over to a TCP/IP, NetBEUI or IPX(trademark)-SPX(trademark) type of connection for further operations while still maintaining the connection. Since PPP does not permit the use of proprietary protocols, the initial connection must first be a non-PPP connection, which is made using the proprietary protocol, a modem and a communication line. To switch to TCP/IP, the initial non-PPP connection must be dropped and the line connection initiated again using a PPP, for example, a Remote Access Service (RAS) which is provided in the Windows(copyright) 95 and above operating system (OS) versions. The Windows(copyright) OS is licensed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. The RAS enables a user to log on to a network via a dial-up connection and operate as if the user was physically connected to the network. This capability permits the diagnosis and correction of system problems from remote computers. In many operating environments dropping and re-dialing in an attempt to reconnect to the same line used for the non-PPP connection is not feasible, since the re-dial is not guaranteed to be able to successfully reconnect to the same line as was used for the non-PPP connection. Reconnecting to the same line can not be guaranteed since the server with which the non-PPP connection was made does not maintain any modem connection status information in order to enable the new call to be recognized as being related to the prior non-PPP call. In such situations, in order to operate in other protocols, the RAS needs to be blocked initially and the communication handle of the line must be obtained. To accomplish this, a special driver is required which can expose the communication handle at the application level. Unfortunately, due to differences across multiple platforms, a separate special driver is required for each type of platform.
While current systems permit users to connect over dial-up lines using either a PPP connection or a non-PPP connection, there are no systems that enable users to use a PPP connection to initially communicate using a non-PPP protocol and then switch to a TCP/IP, or similar protocol, [-] based PPP connection over a single communication line without first dropping the PPP connection and attempting to reconnect to the same communication line and without the use of special drivers.
Therefore, a universal method and system are needed that will enable users to use a PPP connection to communicate over a single communication line initially using a non-PPP protocol and then switch to a TCP/IP or similar protocol while still maintaining the PPP connection without the use of special drivers for different platforms.

Method and system for handling proprietary protocols and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) over a point-to-point (PPP) connection


A method and apparatus for enabling the use of a non-sterile battery with a sterile surgical instrument. The sterile transfer container has a tubular body with a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The container is provided with a cover and a locking mechanism for locking the cover to the body. The container is adapted to be attached to a surgical instrument in such a way that the latch assembly is prevented from opening until the container is removed from the instrument.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to surgical powered instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to battery operated surgical powered instruments. Still more particularly, the invention relates to methods and devices which enable the use of non-sterile rechargeable batteries with sterile surgical instruments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to enable the use of rechargeable non-sterile batteries in sterile surgical instruments, users employ a known "sterile transfer" technique. While possibly known by other names, this technique generally entails the sterilization and use of a sterile battery container to be attached to a sterile powered instrument. The sterilized container is held in a sterile field (by a scrub nurse, for example) and is shielded by a sterile shroud. A non-sterile, charged battery (held by a circulating nurse, for example) is placed into the sterilized container with care so as not to contaminate the already sterilized container. The shroud is then removed by the circulating nurse and the sterilized container is closed by the scrub nurse and attached to the instrument. The container hermetically encloses the battery and has its own exterior terminals which are connected to the battery terminals and through which the instrument is powered.
The sterilized container must be closed and must stay closed during the surgical procedure. Due to the vibrations associated with the powered surgical instruments, it sometimes occurs that known designs of sterile transfer systems become open (thus exposing the non-sterile battery) or otherwise fail (by, for example, the sterilized container becoming detached from the instrument).
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to produce a sterile transfer system with increased security from failure by exposure of non-sterile components or by premature disassembly.
It is also an object of this invention to produce a locking system for locking the sterilization container of a sterile transfer system.
It is an additional object of this invention to produce a sterile transfer locking system which interacts with the instrument to which the sterile transfer container is attached, thereby assuring that the locking system will not open while the container is attached to the instrument.


A device for electrothermal atomization of a sample for spectroscopic purposes comprises a furnace (10) which is held between two contacts (54, 56). The contacts (54, 56) surround the furnace (10 ) and form a cavity (58) with an insulating gap (88) being formed between the contacts (54, 56). This gap (88) is closed by a seal (142) made of ceramic felt so that inert gas passed into the cavity (58) emerges only through a bore (14) of the furnace (10) and sample inlet ports (116, 120). Thereby, the inert gas consumption is reduced well-defined flow conditions also result for the inert gas in the cavity (58) which expands when the furnace (10) is heated.

The present invention relates to spectroscopy and more particularly a device for electrothermal atomization of a sample for spectroscopic analysis.
Electrothermal atomizers, commonly referred to as heated graphite atomizers or graphite furnaces, are utilized in atomic absorption spectrophotometers for rendering the sample to be analyzed in atomic form. Typically, the furnaces comprise a tubular graphite member clamped between annular graphite contacts or electrodes engaging its respective ends. A lateral opening in the side wall of the graphite tube serves as a sample port accommodating the insertion of the substance to be analyzed into the tubular member.
The graphite contacts, usually mounted in cooling jackets, are pressed into tight engagement with the ends of the tubular furnace member by resilient biasing means or a servomotor. An intense electrical current, passed longitudinally through the tubular member between the contacts, heats the member to the high temperature required to convert the sample to a "cloud of atoms". The sample is thereby atomized such that an atomic cloud is generated within the graphite tube.
A measuring light beam of a line emitting light source which comprises the resonant spectral line of a looked-for element is passed through the annular graphite contacts and the longitudinal bore of the graphite tube. The amount of the looked-for element in the sample can be determined from the absorption of the measuring light beam.
In order to prevent rapid deterioration of the tubular graphite member by oxidation at the high temperatures required for atomization of the analyte, provision is made for enveloping it in a flow of inert protective gas. The graphite tube is surrounded by an inert gas such that oxygen does not come into contact with the graphite tube.
A graphite furnace of the type just described is shown in Braun et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,530 which is incorporated herein by reference. In this particular furnace, the contacts are tubular. The two contacts extend around the graphite tube along its entire length between the contact surfaces except for a separating gap. An inert gas flow is passed into the graphite tube from both ends. This inert gas flow emerges through a radial bore of the graphite tube in its center. One of the tubular contacts has a radial bore which is aligned with the radial bore of the graphite tube.
The contacts of the contact arrangement form a cavity wherein the graphite tube is held. Inert gas is introduced into this cavity and flows around the graphite tube. Two inert gas flows are thereby generated, one of which flows through the interior of the graphite tube, usually from the ends of the graphite tube inward and then exhausting through the central lateral opening (i.e., sample inlet port) and the other which flows around the outside of the graphite tube. A portion of the latter inert gas flow emerges through the gap which is necessarily formed between the two electrodes which have to be electrically insulated from each other. Thus, the passage of oxygen through the gap into the cavity and to the graphite tube is prevented. This gap causes quite a high consumption of inert gas. Additionally, disturbances occur whereby thermal decomposition products of the sample are guided over areas of relatively low temperature.
In Hutsch et al., U.S. Pat. 4,726,678 which is incorporated herein by reference and the publication in "Analytical Chemistry" 58 (1986), 1973, a graphite furnace is described in which the tubular furnace body has a rectangular cross-section and contact projections extend transversely to the axis of the furnace body. The furnace body and contact projections are formed as one integral graphite element. Current for heating the furnace is supplied through contact projections tranverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular furnace body.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electrothermal atomization furnace assembly which is particularly advantageous in atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electrothermal atomization furnace assembly which reduces the consumption of inert gas.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a furnace assembly which achieves a well-defined inert gas flow for effective protection of the furnace body against exposure to atmospheric oxygen and which prevents precipitation of sample components at relatively cold areas of the furnace assembly.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a furnace assembly which permits selective relative adjustment of inert gas flow over and within the furnace body.
Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.
Accordingly, it has been found that the foregoing and related objects are attained in an electrothermal atomization furnace assembly having an electrothermal furnace body with contact surfaces configured for mounting engagement between coacting electrical contacts, a bore adapted for passing a measuring light beam therethrough and a sample port for introducing sample into the bore and exhausting inert gas flow and sample components therefrom. A pair of current-supplying contacts operationally mount the furnace body therebetween and are configured to form a cavity containing said furnace body and have a through-bore in alignment with the sample port. The contacts are in non-conductive spaced disposition so as to form a predetermined gap therebetween. Inert gas passageways in the contacts provide inert gas flow into the cavity for defined flow about and within the furnace body to prevent exposure to oxygen and remove sample components. An electrically insulating seal is mounted in said gap for sealing against inert gas loss from the cavity.
The furnace is arranged in a cavity which is closed . except for the though-bore aligned with the sample inlet port. From this closed cavity the inert gas flow can only emerge through the through-bore. Thus, the discharge of gas through an additional gap is prevented which results in a considerable economizing of inert gas and which also prevents flows which flow to such a gap. It has been found that such sealing of the gap between the contacts can be realized in practice despite the extremely high temperatures to which the furnace is heated in operation.
Advantageously the contacts are held in cooling jackets. Therefore, the contacts themselves, between which the seal is arranged, are relatively cold compared to the furnace itself. The seal is substantially shielded from the furnace by the cooled contacts. In this way, unacceptable heating of the seal by the radiation of the glowing furnace is counteracted.

Electrothermal atomization of a sample for spectroscopic purposes


A method of providing a medical image of a ROI of a patient, the method comprising: acquiring a first medical image of a region of interest (ROI) of a patient, the medical image characterized by a first signal to noise ratio (SNR); determining for a given pixel in the first image a plurality of different first image patches in the first image, each having a pixel that is coincident with the given pixel; determining for each first image patch a similar second image patch having a second SNR greater than the first SNR; determining an enhanced pixel value for the given pixel having an enhanced SNR greater than the first SNR responsive to pixel values of pixels in the determined second image patches; and using the determined pixel value to generate a second medical image of the ROI having an enhanced SNR greater than the first SNR.

Medical imaging such as performed by a CT (computed tomography), a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner or the like, may require that a patient be scanned for a length of time during which the patient is subject to uncomfortable and/or undesirable physical and psychological conditions. The patient may have to endure not only an uncomfortably long exposure period, or an uncomfortable physical position during an exposure period, the patient may also be exposed to an undesirable amount of energy that the scanner generates to acquire the image. For example, patients very often experience psychological discomfort anticipating confinement in or being confined in an MRI imager for an extended period of time, and an amount of radiation to which a patient may be exposed during a CT scan can be dangerous to the patient's health. However, reducing patient scanning time in an MRI scanner or reducing an amount of radiation to which a patient is exposed during a CT scan generally damages quality of the image and typically reduces image SNR. Also, a prolonged scanning time or a high radiation dose do not necessarily ensure a high quality image since such an image is also dependent on other factors like, for instance, undesirable artifacts.

Method and system for providing a locally-consistent enhancement of a low-quality image


A stowable vehicle seat has a cushion frame supported by a parallel link arrangement positioned outboard of the seat and inboard a pair of upstanding side plates to permit optimal downward folding of the seat cushion. A latch arrangement is provided for establishing various positions between an operative elevated position and a stowed position.

The present invention relates generally to vehicle seats and more particularly to vehicle seats of the type utilized in the rear seating positions of utility vehicles having provisions for folding down the seats to form a load floor in the vehicle.
It is well known in the vehicle seating arts to provide seats which are foldable from a position in which the seat back is in its normal elevated substantially vertical seating position to a position in which the front face of the seat back engages the upper surface of the seat cushion to define a loading surface on the rear surface of the seat back. Since the seat cushion generally remains fixed on an elevated base or pedestal under which is positioned appropriate components for supporting or moving the vehicle seat, this arrangement defines a load floor having a higher elevation than is desirable in some applications.
It is also known to provide linkage with the seat base position below a seat cushion to vary its height. Bilancia, U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,312 is exemplary of such linkage arrangements showing the use of parallel link members for positioning the height of the vehicle seat cushion. Such linkages generally have been employed, however, for making relatively minor variations in the height of the seats and are arranged directly below the frame of the seat cushion in a fashion that limits the downward movement of the seat. They suffer from the further disadvantage that they undesirably expose pivoting parallel links to view an interference from within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Another disadvantage lies in the provision in seats of this type which employ parallel link members for adjusting the height in that provisions for latching the seat into a chosen height position are also generally provided beneath the seat frame for latching the seat into a chosen height position are also generally provided beneath the seat frame in a manner limiting its downward travel.
Another approach to the design of folding seats which can be manipulated to a stowed position defining a load floor in a vehicle is the type in which the front edge of a seat cushion is hinged to provide for rotating the seat cushion vertically upward, permitting the folding down of the seat back into the space normally occupied by the seat cushion. While this approach provides a lower load floor, it suffers from the disadvantage of reducing loading space length by the thickness of the seat cushion pivoted into the upright position.


A post tensioning anchor assembly comprising a tapered tubular member, cable cap and anchoring plate assembly. The anchoring plate is constructed for live end or dead end securement in the sidewall of a concrete formation for post tensioning of a sheathed cable. The plate has inside and outside faces constructed for matingly receiving over the cable either the tubular member cap or both. In this manner the post tensioning plate assembly can be used for both outside and intermediate post tensioning constructions. In the intermediate configuration, tubular members are secured both to the inside and the outside faces of the plate with the tensioning cable extending therethrough.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to post-tensioning concrete anchor assemblies and, more particularly, to an anchor plate assembly adapted for both terminal end and intermediate anchor utilization.
2. History of the Prior Art
The prior art is replete with anchor plate assemblies adapted for the securement of post-tensioning tendons thereto for the tensioning of concrete structures. Engineering in the post-tensioning of concrete is a well developed technology and the utilization of such tendons extending through a concrete slab or beam is conventional. The tendons provide structural strength for the concrete in a manner and at a cost not heretofore possible with conventional rebar construction. Utilization of such tendons does, however, require anchor assemblies on opposite ends thereof. The anchor assemblies secure the ends of the tendons extending through the concrete bed and must remain effective during the lifespan of the construction. The effectiveness requires the protection of the tendons which are usually made of steel or the like, from corrosion. Corrosive forces are well known to cause deterioration in the strength of the concrete if allowed to jeopardize the integrity of the tensioning member. To prevent corrosion of the tendon, the steel fibers are usually sheathed in a plastic membrane throughout the length of the slab. The membranes do, however, require termination at the point where the tendons are secured within the anchor assemblies. The reason is obviously to provide appropriate structural integrity at the secured position.
In the process of post-tensioning, it is important that the tendon is free to move within the hardened concrete so that the tensile load on the tendon is evenly distributed along the entire length of the structure. Methods used to assure that the tendons provide free movement within hardened concrete include laying a number of strands of wire in a duct or tube. It is within this duct or tube that the strands of wire are stressed after the concrete is hardened. The duct or tube may be formed of metal or plastic and is usually filled with grease. The prior art also includes parallel strands of wire covered with grease and then covered with spirally wound paper. In some cases the wound paper is replaced by wound or wrapped plastic. Just the opposite is true of prestressing concrete cables. The cables are generally exposed to the concrete and are not covered with the sheath due to the fact that it is important that the concrete bond directly to the metal cable in its prestressed condition. Once the forms are set, the tension in the cable is also established so that once the concrete cures it forms a bond directly to the cable and no cable movement is allowed without movement on the concrete itself. There are, of course, advantages to both systems depending on the type of fabrication utilized in the ultimate application.
The present invention pertains to the anchor assemblies utilized in post tensioning configurations. Prestressing configurations do not require such anchor assemblies because the cables are cemented in the concrete and can simply be cut off. Post tensioning, however, incorporates the duct or plastic tube as described above and the utilization of anchors from opposite ends to produce the tensile force transmitted therethrough. Several prior art patents address such anchor assemblies for the post tensioning of a tendon in a concrete structural component. U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,462 issued to Wlodkowsi et al. on Dec. 14, 1982 teaches one such anchor assembly. This particular structure also incorporates a recoverable part having an axially elongated sheath which closely encloses a tendon over a portion on the length of the sheath. When assembled in the formwork, one end of the sheath is arranged to be located within the concrete when it is poured and the other end is located on the exterior of the formwork. By removing the fastening means after the concrete has been poured, it is possible to remove the form and a cup member formed integrally with the sheath to form at least a portioned recess in the concrete member. Tensioning is then provided by conventional means with the tendons secured by wedges or the like in an orifice formed in the anchor plate. As set forth in this reference, it is an important consideration that the tendons be sufficiently protected against corrosion and this is affected by enclosing them in a plastic coating. It is likewise important to cover all areas of the tendon to provide protection against corrosion anywhere therealong. The most sensitive area of corrosion is in the vicinity of the locking wedges in the anchor plate and, therefore, that too is an area for which a sealant or covering must be applied. It may thus be seen that great care has been afforded the prior art structures by providing threaded and similar sealed engagement between the sheath coverings and the anchor assemblies.
There are numerous other approaches to post tensioning anchors for prestressed concrete as set forth and shown in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,325 to Bruinette et al. is a 1978 reference which teaches an anchor and coupling unit for use with stressing cables and reinforced concrete structures. In this particular embodiment the cable anchoring equipment addresses both pretensioned or posttensioned, prestressed cementuous structures. As stated above, protective sheaths are located around the cables so that the latter may elongate under tension within the concrete. One end of the cable is anchored to the structure and this end is called the dead end. The other end of the cable called the "live end" includes a cable anchor on which the tensioning force may be applied. As discussed, it is necessary to protect both the dead and live anchoring ends of the cables because at these points the sheathing must be peeled back to enable the locking wedges or jaws of the tensioning mechanism to directly engage the cable. When the sheathing is stripped back it is necessary then to protect the cable because the strain induced upon the cable by the clamping jaws and/or wedges is in the area in which corrosion will first manifest itself. Failure at this area means failure in the tensioning cable. Of primary consideration, however, is not simply the anchor assembly that is used on opposite ends of a concrete slab, beam or similar poured structure. It is well known to seal, grout or likewise cap the ends of the post-tensioning cables. Problems often arise when a series of contiguous slabs or structural members are poured seriatim with a continuous cable extending therethrough. Due to the length of the member, sections must be poured in discrete quantities and then individually post-tensioned. Once applied, the second, contiguous section, must likewise be post-tensioned after pouring. This requires the utilization of an anchor or coupling assembly which allows both the post-tensioning of the first slab as well as the continuation of the tendon through the second slab or beam and the post-tensioning thereof. Such assemblies must also facilitate constructional mandates relative to the ease of use, cost and number of parts available for various jobs. A single anchor assembly which is adapted for both external and intermediate use and which is constructed for protecting the sheath cable for posttensioning in the manner described above is a very necessary step.
The present invention provides an advance over the prior art by providing a post-tensioning anchor assembly that may be used for post-tensioning concrete either at a terminal end or in an intermediate position. A connector tube of the present invention is adapted for engaging the anchor body on either the front or rear. Two caps are also provided (live end and dead end caps) with the same dimension as the connector tube whereby the caps can be used when the anchor serves as the terminal end of the tensioning cable. Similarly the tube can be used when the anchor is disposed as an intermediate element in a seriatim pour. By allowing the anchor plate to be constructed for receiving tubular elements in press fit, frictional engagement on opposite ends thereof and/or with a mating cap configuration depending on the particular application, the present invention affords the protection reliability, and feasibility in an anchor package that is economical to fabricate and inexpensive to use in post-tensioning operations.


Provided is a display device including: a base material; a plurality of light-emitting elements located over a first surface of the base material and having an emission region; and a first trench located over a second surface of the base and overlapping with a non-emission region sandwiched between the emission regions of two adjacent light-emitting elements selected from the plurality of light-emitting elements. Alternatively, the display device includes: a base material; a plurality of pixels located over a first surface of the base material and having a light-emitting element; a first trench located over a second surface of the base material and overlapping with a region sandwiched between two adjacent pixels selected from the plurality of pixels; and a ridge located over the first surface of the base material, overlapping with the first trench, and consisting of the base material.

As a typical example of a display device, a liquid crystal display device and an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device respectively having a liquid crystal element and a light-emitting element in each pixel are represented. These display devices have a liquid crystal element or an organic light-emitting element (hereinafter, referred to as a light-emitting element) in each of a plurality of pixels formed over a substrate. A liquid crystal element and a light-emitting element respectively possess a liquid crystal and a layer (hereinafter, referred to as an organic EL layer) including an organic compound between a pair of electrodes and are driven by applying a voltage or supplying a current to the pair of electrodes.
Apart from the case of a liquid crystal element, since a light-emitting element is formed as an all-solid display element, even if the substrates are provided with flexibility and folded or bent, variation of a gap between the substrates does not cause any influence. Therefore, display quality is not influenced in principle. Thus, a so-called flexible display (sheet display) in which a light-emitting element is formed over a flexible substrate has been fabricated. For example, a bendable flexible organic EL display device is disclosed in Japanese patent application publications No. 2015-72362 and 2014-182306.


A bottle-style reel for bow-fishing and the like provides a retriever bottle that is tipped out of the vertical plane defined by the crank axis and the rotation of interengaging wheels that grip the fishing line and push it into the retriever bottle. In this way the retriever mechanism of the interengaging wheels can be aligned with the bow grip for reduced torque and simplified mounting.

The present invention relates to a bottle-style reel for use in bow-fishing where fishing line is stored in a bottle for rapid payout behind an arrow and, in particular, to a bottle-style reel allowing improved axial alignment of the winding mechanism.
In bow-fishing, an arrow is fitted with a lightweight but sturdy line which may pay out behind the arrow when the arrow is shot from a bow. The line allows the arrow, and/or arrow and fish, to be retrieved after the shot.
It is important that before the release of the arrow, the line be stored without tangling and that after release of the arrow, the line be able to pay out rapidly with little resistance. Conventional reels, which rotate to wind or unwind line present substantial rotational inertia that can interfere with free flight of the arrow.
These problems of line storage and release for bow-fishing were addressed with the invention of the "bottle-style reel" described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,350 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. A bottle-style reel uses a pair of interengaging elastomeric wheels to grip the fishing line and rotate to push the line rearward into a bottle. Rather than being wound on a spool, the bottle stores the line in a loose bundle so that only the light weight of the line itself (rather than the inertial resistance of a spool of wound line) resists the arrow's force.
In the above design, one of the elastomeric wheels is be attached to a lever that can be activated to press the wheels into engagement about the fishing line. The lever may be operated by the hand of the archer that is also holding the bow. This frees the archer's other hand to turn a crank communicating with the rotating wheels to pull in the fishing line.
Because the winding mechanism in a bottle-style reel pushes rather than pulls the line into the bottle, the bottle is mounted so that it's opening is aligned with a tangent of the contact point between the elastomeric wheels to minimize bending of the line and contact between the line and the bottle, to the extent possible, that might prevent the line from filling the bottle.
Placement of the bottle aligned with and to the rear of the interengaging wheels requires that the bottle-style reel be mounted to the side of the bow so that the lever can be close enough to the bow to be activated by the archer's bow hand.

Bottle-style reel bow-fishing reel out of plane bottle axis


An optical illumination apparatus has a polarization conversion device for converting light from a light source into light polarized uniformly in a predetermined manner and an optical integrator system for illuminating a display panel with the light polarized in the predetermined manner. The polarization conversion device splits the light from the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam in such a way that the first and second light beams are polarized in different manners, and then converts one of the first and second light beams into light polarized in the identical manner as the other light beam. Moreover, the first and second light beams pass through an identical lens cell of a first lens array of the optical integrator system and are imaged on an identical lens cell of a second lens array of the optical integrator system.

Conventionally, as a means of displaying images, projection-type optical display apparatuses such as projectors are known. Such optical display apparatuses require an optical illumination apparatus for efficiently and uniformly illuminating the optical image formed on a display panel, such as a reflective liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the construction of an optical display apparatus employing a conventional optical illumination apparatus.
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 101 represents a light source, and reference numeral 102 represents a reflector disposed so as to partially surround the light source 101. A PBS (polarizing beam splitter) prism unit 103 is disposed immediately behind the reflector 102, i.e., on the right side thereof in FIG. 10. The PBS prism unit 103 includes a plurality of PBS prisms arranged parallel to one another. The PBS prism unit 103 splits the light from the light source 101 into two differently polarized types of light. Of the individual PBS prisms 103a and 103b, those which let out S-polarized light as described later have half-wave plates 104 disposed immediately behind them.
Behind the PBS prism unit 103 (i.e., on the right side thereof in FIG. 10) are disposed, in order of arrangement, a first lens array 105, then somewhat away therefrom, a second lens array 106, and a superimposing lens 107 immediately behind it. The first lens array 105 has a plurality of lens cells 105a arranged in a rectangular, grid-like array having an aspect ratio substantially identical to that of a display panel 109 to be described later. Similarly, the second lens array 106 also has a plurality of lens cells 106a arranged in a rectangular, grid-like array. However, the shape of the lens cells 106a of the second lens array 106 is not necessarily geometrically similar to that of the lens cells 105a.
The images from the individual lens cells 105a of the first lens array 105 are, by the second lens array 106 and the superimposing lens 107 disposed immediately behind it, superimposed on one another in the vicinity of the focal point of the superimposing lens 107. The display panel 109 is disposed at the focal point of the superimposing lens 107. The display panel 109 is illuminated in a telecentric fashion by a condenser lens 108 disposed immediately in front of it. The components from the first lens array 105 through the superimposing lens 107 mentioned above together constitute an optical integrator system. It is to be noted that, in all the diagrams referred to in the present specification, irrespective of whether they relate to prior-art examples or to embodiments of the present invention, light beams are represented by their optical axes alone.
The light emitted from the light source 101 is reflected from the reflector 102, and is thereby formed into a substantially parallel beam and directed to the PBS prisms 103a of the PBS prism unit 103. Here, P-polarized light, indicated by solid lines P, is transmitted straight through the PBS prisms 103a. On the other hand, S-polarized light, indicated by broken lines S, is reflected inside the PBS prisms 103a so as to be directed to the outwardly contiguous PBS prisms 103b, and is then reflected again inside the PBS prisms 103b so as to exit therefrom, still as S-polarized light. That is, by the PBS prism unit 103, the light from the light source 101 is split into two differently polarized types of light in the direction of the longer sides of the display panel 109, i.e., in a vertical direction along the plane of the figure.
The S-polarized light exiting from the PBS prisms 103b is transmitted through the half-wave plates 104 disposed immediately behind the PBS prisms 103b and is thereby converted into P-polarized light. That is, a portion of the light from the light source 101 has its polarization converted first by the PBS prisms 103b of the PBS prism unit 103 and then by the half-wave plates 104, and eventually comes out as uniformly P-polarized light. This arrangement constitutes a polarization conversion device. Here, the type of light into which the light from the light source 101 is converted does not necessarily have to be P-polarized light, but can be of other polarizations. The arrangement described thus far, starting with the light source 101 and ending immediately in front of the display panel 109, constitutes an optical illumination apparatus.
The light thus converted into uniformly P-polarized light is then directed through the above-mentioned optical integrator system to the display panel 109. The display panel 109 modulates, pixel by pixel, the light it is illuminated with according to the display data fed thereto, and emits the modulated light. The light thus emitted then enters an optical projection system 110. The display data presented on the display panel 109 is projected, as an image, onto a screen (not shown) through this optical projection system 110. Reference numeral 110a represents an aperture stop disposed in the optical projection system 110.
FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually showing another example of the construction of an optical display apparatus employing a conventional optical illumination apparatus. In this figure, reference numeral 201 represents a light source, and reference numeral 202 represents a reflector disposed so as to partially surround the light source 201. Behind the reflector 202 (i.e., on the right side thereof in FIG. 11) are disposed, in order of arrangement, a first lens array 203 and, then somewhat away therefrom, a second lens array 204. The first lens array 203 has a plurality of lens cells 203a arranged in a rectangular, grid-like array having an aspect ratio substantially identical to that of a display panel 209 to be described later. Similarly, the second lens array 204 also has a plurality of lens cells 204a arranged in a rectangular, grid-like array. However, the shape of the lens cells 204a of the second lens array 204 is not necessarily geometrically similar to that of the lens cells 203a.
A PBS (polarizing beam splitter) prism array 205 is disposed immediately behind the second lens array 204. The PBS prism array 205 includes a plurality of PBS prisms arranged in an array. The PBS prism array 205 splits the light from the light source 201 into two differently polarized types of light. Of the individual PBS prisms 205a and 205b, those which let out S-polarized light as described later have half-wave plates 206 disposed immediately behind them.
A superimposing lens 207 is disposed behind the PBS prism array 205. The images of the individual lens cells 203a of the first lens array 203 are, by the second lens array 204 and the superimposing lens 207, superimposed on one another in the vicinity of the focal point of the superimposing lens 207. The display panel 209 is disposed at the focal point of the superimposing lens 207. The display panel 209 is illuminated in a telecentric fashion by a condenser lens 208 disposed immediately in front of it. The first lens array 203, the second lens array 204, and the superimposing lens 207 mentioned above together constitute an optical integrator system.
The light emitted from the light source 201 is reflected from the reflector 202, and is thereby formed into a substantially parallel beam and passed through the first lens array 203 and the second lens array 204, so that the light exiting from the individual lens cells 204a of the second lens array 204 enters corresponding ones of the PBS prisms 205a of the PBS prism array 205. Here, P-polarized light, indicated by solid lines P, is transmitted straight through the PBS prisms 205a. On the other hand, S-polarized light, indicated by broken lines S, is reflected inside the PBS prisms 205a so as to be directed to the contiguous PBS prisms 205b, and is then reflected again inside the PBS prisms 205b so as to exit therefrom, still as S-polarized light.
The S-polarized light exiting from the PBS prisms 205b is then transmitted through the half-wave plates 206 disposed immediately behind the PBS prisms 205b and is thereby converted into P-polarized light. That is, a portion of the light from the light source 201 has its polarization converted first by the PBS prisms 205b of the PBS prism array 205 and then by the half-wave plates 206, and eventually comes out as uniformly P-polarized light. This arrangement constitutes a polarization conversion device. Here, the type of light into which the light from the light source 201 is converted does not necessarily have to be P-polarized light, but can be of other polarizations. The arrangement described thus far, starting with the light source 201 and ending immediately in front of the display panel 209, constitutes an optical illumination apparatus.
The light thus converted into uniformly P-polarized light is then directed through the superimposing lens 207 to the display panel 209. The display panel 209 modulates, pixel by pixel, the light it is illuminated with according to the display data fed thereto, and emits the modulated light. The light thus emitted then enters an optical projection system 210. The display data presented on the display panel 209 is projected, as an image, onto a screen (not shown) through this optical projection system 210. Reference numeral 210a represents an aperture stop disposed in the optical projection system 210.
In the conventional optical illumination apparatus constructed as shown in FIG. 10, polarization conversion is performed immediately behind the light source 101. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 101 and then reflected from the reflector 102 has its beam diameter enlarged to about twice its original beam diameter as a result of the polarization conversion. This diminishes the f-number of the illumination light Ia that strikes the display panel 109 and thus diminishes the f-number of the projection light Ea that emanates from the display panel 109, making the burden on the optical projection system 110 heavier.
On the other hand, in the conventional optical illumination apparatus constructed as shown in FIG. 11, the light emitted from the light source 201 and then reflected from the reflector 202 experiences no enlargement of its beam diameter. Therefore, no diminishing occurs in the f-number of the illumination light Ib that strikes the display panel 209 nor in the f-number of the projection light Eb that emanates from the display panel 209. Thus, no extra burden is placed on the optical projection system 210. However, the light from the light source 201 is not converted into uniformly polarized light until it has passed through the second lens array 204. Therefore, in this optical illumination apparatus, no space is available for inserting a polarization-dependent color switching device such as those used in the embodiments of the present invention to be described later. That is, this optical illumination apparatus does not permit a so-called color sequential illumination method using such a color switching device.


Apparatuses and methods for control of uplink transmission by a user equipment (UE) using machine-type communications (MTC) applications are described herein. The UE may transmit first data on a logical uplink channel. The logical uplink channel may have been assigned for use by machine-type communications (MTC) applications. The UE may receive transmission time restriction information, responsive to the transmitting, that indicates time periods during which the UE is permitted to transmit additional data on the logical uplink channel. The UE may refrain from transmitting additional data in a time period on the logical uplink channel based on the transmission time restriction information.

Existing communications networks are increasingly integrating low-cost, low-power, low-capability machine-type communications devices to perform services independent of direct human interaction. MTC devices may transmit small amounts of data, and these transmissions may be of relatively low priority. However, because relatively large numbers of MTC devices may make such transmissions, and because MTC devices may transmit relatively frequently compared to other devices, these transmissions can place a significant burden on networks. Thus, there is a need to improve the efficiency with which MTC devices and other small-data transmission devices use uplink communication resources.

Method and apparatus for controlling small data transmission on the uplink